I, like many of you, love to connect with my artistic side. There is something elevating and exciting in finding the beauty or empowering statements that flow through the medium you chose. I decided years ago that creativity was a necessity for my existence and over the years, I have expressed it in drawing, cooking, knitting, and in makeup. But you know what really floats the boat? Inspiration! I think artist are a blessed breed. They see the world's detail differently, hearing the words of each color, structure, flavor, fabric, etc. It is inspiration that serves as the translator of those words.
Over the years, makeup enthusiasts have gleaned countless inspirations from blogs, YouTube, magazines, the list goes on. I have seen looks based on a makeup genre, a cartoon character, a season. Heck, you can get inspired by that beautifully arranged fruit salad you Instagrammed at lunch. But a particular form of inspiration comes from another special source...a lovely destination. I want to share one with you.
Napa, California was a recent travel destination. I want to quote from NapaValley.com: "Napa Valley is one of the premier travel destinations of the world. Breathtaking views abound at every turn-mustard in the late winter, picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyard year-round and wineries of every stature dot the landscape." By visiting in winter, we of coarse, missed the bountiful colors of the harvest season, but I knew before packing that there would be loads of color inspiration to draw from.
My eyes embraced varied browns, majestic oranges that bled into scarlet, and of coarse rich wines. The emptied grape vines were stunning and rustic. I knew I had to post a look inspired by this wonderful destination.
This Napa inspired look came courtesy of Fergie's Center Stage Collection from Wet 'n' Wild Cosmetics. I was captured by the shades in the Photo Op Eyeshadow Quad in Desert Festival. I took the lightest shade for brightening the inner corner. To create an ombre effect on the lid, I took MAC Fix Plus to dampen the brush for intensified color and shimmer, taking the lighter orange on the lid center and the darker one on the outer corners. The stunning dark brown shimmer was applied in the crease and over that, MAC Pigment in Burnt Burgundy added a soulful wine touch to the dark brown in the crease. A warm, matte cinnamon (Color Elation Shadow Single in Henna, colorelation.com.), brushed over the crease shades to soften the line and a matte skin toned shadow was blended to the brow to make the look seamless. A wine colored pencil was generously applied to the bottom lash line with Burnt Burgundy applied over it to set it. MAC Superslick liquid Eye Liner in Treat Me Nice is applied to the inner, lower lash line for a spark of green. Lips were lined with MAC lip pencil in Nightmoth and filled with MAC Del Rio. Wet 'n' Wild Vicious Varnish Highshine Lip Stain in Giving Realness fills the center of the lip. I used Wet 'n' Wild powder blush in Mellow Wine. The half lashes were the perfect finishing touch to the look.
Again, this is my Napa winter inspired look. I adore the colors and cannot wait to wear this look for day. A Napa summer look would have a totally different vibe. Gives me another reason to visit again soon...wink!
