The Face Five Challenge

Good Day to the Color Elated!

     Before I start, I want to thank Liz of Beauty Angel google.com/+ElizabethBreygel (YouTube:  Elizabeth Breygel and check out her Google+ page where she is currently demonstrating the most lovely ombre lip for spring!) for giving me this opportunity. As I was checking my Google+ stats, I happened to see her latest post with this challenge.  I knew I had to enter and Liz was so gracious to direct me.  Thanks again dear!
 
     Contest Rules:

1.)  Use five products to create a complete make-up look.
2.)  Each different product counts as 1 product
3.)  No palettes allowed (no trios, quads, or multi shade palettes)
4.)  Tag five others
5.)  Have fun!

     Admittedly, it was a challenge, but I did have a great time because I endeavored to so some things I had always wanted to do.  After all, this is my first tag.  Many of the looks I have seen bloggers do are so pretty and I encourage you to hashtag this challenge so you can see the previous looks.  Many are natural and great for day.  Since this is my first, and since I have a propensity for adding extra stress to my life, I went for something a bit more avant garde.  

     
     I had to seriously think of which five products I could limit myself to.  A good foundation was a must. A dramatic pencil could shade and line.  Could not use lashes, so had to pull out a strong mascara, and with an unusual eye, I wanted to "pow!" lip.  So for this endeavor, I used Fashion Fair's Souffle Makeup in Tender, MAC Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner in Petrol Blue, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara in Black, MAC Lip Liner Pencil in Nightmoth (my fave!), and MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo.

     
     I started with foundation to cover flaws.  I always wanted to try a colored brow, so I took Petrol Blue and used it to fill in my brows and line the tops and bottom lids and the waterline.  I exaggerated the lines just for the fun of it. Nightmoth and Ruby Woo added  matte red drama for lips.  I finished with electric blue hair extensions , again, just for the fun of it.
     To complete my tag, I asked five talented women I know from Google+ to join me.  Their work is inspiring and I greatly recommend you visit them on Google+ and the links below:

Jonyse Gardner  www.jonyse212.com
Joyce H  google.com/+JoyceHoogenboom
Camilla Taylor
Shreya Kulkamibeautyndbest.com
Shar The Makeup Diva- YouTube:  Shar The Makeup Diva

   I hope these talented ladies will add their spin to this challenge.  Thank you again for visiting my blog.  I had a blast with this one. Any excuse to exercise Color Elation is fine with me!  Feel free to comment and subscribe.  Stay blessed and Color Elated!

Pop Inspiration: Warm and Cool

Hello my wonderful Color Elated Friends!

     Heading out to work today and I just feel inspired to do something creative.  Usually, I am always creative, strive to be. And, dark, potentially rainy days, like the one building up today in the Los Angeles  area, are particularly inspiring to me for some odd reason.  Perhaps the grayness and gloom beg for color and a bit of sparkle.  Today's pop inspiration centers around a mix of warm and cools.
     I adore the mix of warm and cool shades.  I learned from an interior decorator friend of mine that adding cool touches to a warm palette, like my living room, adds interesting pops of color and compliments the warmer shades.  Or visa versa.  So among the warm, spicy shades that I love, I have accents in blues and burgundy and it is really quite gorgeous.
     So, today's look comes compliments of Chanel's Illusions D'Ombre cream shadows in Fatale and Abstraction.  These shadows are nicely pigmented and have the most beautiful shimmer.  I try to be careful with shimmer for day, trust me.  But, these are so tasteful in their level of shimmer ( not all shimmer is created equal) that when used with more matte tones, they look amazing.  Fatale is a plum lavender and Abstraction is a warm salmon.  I desired a more plum palette to go with the blue I wore today, so I added Sugarpill's pressed shadow in Poison Plum. This plum is beyond gorgeous and is striking on all skins.  Its matte nature adds to the drama of the color.  I love it.  To add more depth, I added MAC's pigment in Burnt Burgundy, a blackened matte plum .

     The final look is Abstraction in the inner corners and around the tear duct, Fatale on the remainder of the lid, Poison plum in the crease and just above, Burnt Burgundy smokes the outer crease.  The resulting look is varied shades of cool to rosy plum with a surprising hint of orange/pink.  Now...off to work!

          Thanks for visiting.  Have you tried any of these shadows?  Would love to hear your take on them.  Have a blessed remainder of your week and stay Color Elated!

Orange you thrilled?

Hello my Color Elated Friends!

     Well, aren't you?  I am!  Where I refuse to be a slave to trends, I must admit, I get happy when an upcoming trend centers around a shade I have loved for years like orange!  In fact, Allure.com puts tangerine on the list of 10 most popular colors for Spring 2014.  They say, "...true, strong, in-your-face orange is going to be your new everyday lipstick.  It was so prevalent on the spring runways that makeup artists are even trading in red for it."  What a wonderful endorsement!
     As a woman of color, I have long loved the ability of orange to melt into my skin, marrying perfectly with my golden undertones.  But the contrast of a strong orange is striking on lighter complexions too.  Over the years, I have found many a tangerine lipstick, gloss, and blush to suit my wardrobe.  And it is a wonderful alternative to red.  It is jubilant, fun, giddy, and makes me think of lounging by the pool at an expensive resort.  Orange gives me true color elation. (Pictures, from Pinterest.)

     
     Where strong orange may grace the runways, I rejoice in the fact that it is not the only option.  The same stunning orange vibe can be found in a smooth terracotta, a flirty peach sorbet, or a sexy peachy nude.  I exalt orange in all its forms! There is truly an orange to suit everyone.

     
   

  Main Players:
     Here are my personal favorite orange lipsticks.  My Beautiful Rocket from Lime Crime is my favorite for daily wear.  It is a creamy, matte tangerine.

 

     MAC Vegas Volt is an interesting orange.  In the picture, it comes off as pink.  It is just that, a wonderful hybrid of orange and pink, like a flamingo's feathers.

   

     Perhaps the one most suited for the season is Fashion Fair's lipstick from the Sam Fine Collection in Moroccan Spice.  This is orange beyond belief.

Backup Singers:
     These are the glosses I add to alter the color if desired and/or  add shine.

   
     From the top, clockwise:  Nars Lip Lacquer in Chelsea Girls, Fashion Fair Lip Teaser in Tickled Pink comes off somewhat orange, L'Oreal Colour Riche in Peach Fuzz #158,  Black Radiance Radiant Lip Gloss in an unidentified color adds beautiful golden sheen, Revlon Color Burst in Sunset Peach, and Lancome Juicy Tubes in Coral Rush.

    For a final touch, these blushes compliment an orange pout.  Benefit Cha Cha Tint is surprisingly pretty on cheeks and lips.  NYX Mosaic Powder in Love and Sleek Makeup's Blush in Life's A Peach add believable, matte color to the face.

     So, back to my original question...Orange you thrilled?  I hope you are.  Enough so to find the orange that is perfect for you!  As always, thank you so for visiting, subscribing, and commenting.  I would love for you to share the love and leave me a comment, sharing your favorite tangerine cosmetics.  Take care, stay blessed, and Color Elated!

                                                                                -Tamera

The Art of the Well Groomed Brow

A warm welcome to the Color Elated!

    Methods to achieve the well groomed brow are as varied as the women who have them.  For many, a simple sweep of a brow brush is all that is needed to face the world without a brow worry.  For the rest of us...it aint that simple!
     My quest for beautiful brows started about four years ago.  In fact, it coincided with my introduction to YouTube where I found so many wonderfully color elated artists sharing their methods of creating brows where none existed, taming wild ones, or keeping them in place for the day.  Much of what I do now is predicated on what I learned from them.
     But take a moment to consider the brow.  Two patches of hair, strategically placed above our eyes.  In a functional sense, they protect our eyes, shielding them from harmful, airborne matter.  Aesthetically, they frame the eyes.  When done correctly, they add dimension and further define the eye area.  When done correctly, they can make you look refreshed, alert, even a tad younger.  When done incorrectly, they can become a hideous focal point, detracting from the most beautiful of eye makeup.  When done incorrectly, they can cause you to look tired, older, and even angry. Even Cruella's smile, cannot compete with harshly done brows.

    Now, I am fully aware that as fashion and makeup trends change, so do brows.  Stronger, bushier brows have graced recent magazine adds and runways and can be striking and memorizing.  Brows ala Brook Shields.  Yes, this brow can look high fashion with a bit of expert grooming.  Girls with fuller brows, I think you are blessed! (Pictures courtesy of Pinterest)

 
  My brows are surprisingly (at least to me) thinner than most and I am resolved that the well-defined arch many women naturally have, is not located in my DNA.  Mine have a gentle, moon like arch and when I try to give them a cosmetic lift, I tend to look like I am auditioning for Ringling Brothers.  So, I have long since resigned myself to play up my thinner, gently arching brows and learn to love them.
   I wax...occasionally.  Actually, I prefer to do this myself as if I go regularly, as advised, my brows get progressively thinner and thinner by over zealous professionals.  There comes a point for me when a professional visit is warranted, but most of the grooming I do myself.  Today, I want to share my cosmetic approach to a well groomed brow.
 

    So, here are my brows in their natural state: in sore need of defined borders, color, and overall shape.  I use the following products to achieve my look:  Mn Waterproof brow pencils in Dark Coffee or Black (colorelation.com), Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (purchased from Sephora), a stiff yet flexible synthetic brush, and LadyBurd's Paramedical Kamaflage Foundation in Caramel Creme.
    1) I quickly brush my brows with the brush provided on the brow pencil to get them ready for what is ahead.

2.)  With the brow color of my choice, I draw the bottom and top edges of the brow.  Like using a lip pencil, I aim just a bit above my natural hairline as I want to create more fullness.

 3.)  Then, I fill in with the color using light, quick strokes.  I concentrate the color on the outer ends, keeping the inner section as light as possible.  The darker outer ends create the illusion of elongation.

4.)  The clear brow gel is applied.  This adds further brushing of the brow, disperses the color, and when it dries, the brows are set for the day.

5.)  Cream foundation is applied with the brush around the brow.  I left it messy so you can see. Note how the foundation is added to the inner part to soften the brow color. After it is blended in, you decide if  it looks balanced.  You may need to add more pencil or foundation.  Tweak it until it looks good to you.

6.)  The result will look more defined, more color enhanced.  When you apply your foundation, your look will truly be complete.

    I usually wear my brows in dark brown like the first pic.  I will occasionally change up to bolder black when the fashion and hair color change warrant it, like the last pic.
    Thanks so much for visiting.  I would love to hear about your brow routine and products.  Please leave a post and visit again!  Stay blessed and color elated!
                                                                                                            xoxo-Tamera

Something Old, Something New

Happy Super Bowl Sunday to the Color Elated!


Now here is the continuing conundrum of the Color Elated (which, we must be clear, is a sanitized label for "makeup obsessed") :

Pro:  You love to dabble in color.  You are aware of the latest trends and your look rarely gets stale.  You have many tools in your arsenal to create a look you have designed or recreate a look you have seen on someone else.  You may have ten matte black eye shadows, but you know the inherent difference of each one and use it with more skill than most. You wear the colors and looks so many wish they could because you have learned that color is not the enemy.  It is a world of limitless possibility.

Con:  Your drawers are bulging because you cannot squeeze one more compact in there and you have no room for another storage container. You peruse the glossy magazine pages desperately wanting to try that new Nars blush shade, but if you buy it, there goes part of your lunch budget for the week. Brown bag city! In the span of a year or two, you can buy at such a rate, that your older products, like dinosaur fossils, slowly descend deeper and deeper to the bottom of your storage bins, only to be lost and forgotten for weeks or months. Besides, you have so many colors and only one face!

     So, I, like many of you have decided it is time to look back at some of the wonderful items I have purchased, how I have rekindled  my relationship with them ,and remind myself of the adoration I had when I first acquired the item. All while limiting the new things that come and buying only what REALLY excites me and what is really "needed" (smile).
                                                                                                                                            
     Hence the formation of what I will call, "Something Old, Something New".  Here, I will share my  experience with older items that I have learned to love again while raving about new products that I think are truly special.

Something Old:  
     Yes, you see right!  My Urban Decay Naked 1 pallet was not my first choice for a while.  At one point, the colors were just to "bland" for me and I went on for months wearing my smoky, tropical or neon shades.  Getting older changed a lot of that.  Where I truly love brighter colors, I have to be smarter about it now.  When I reconnected with this pallet, I was pleased with how the more natural colors are more flattering and work appropriate.  As you can see, "Buck" never stood a chance.  It is a truly nude  matte for me and is great as a base or highlighting. I always use "Sidecar" in the inner corners.  I love the sparkle and the way it brightens my eyes. I cannot do without "Toasted" on the lid. The glitz can be at times challenging, but I truly love this pallet for day to day wear. Sleek Makeup is awesome and their blushes are my favorites.  The compacts are sized right and the formula is so silky and flawless. I cannot believe I let "Sahara" sit there for as long as I had! This matte cinnamon is made for my darker skin. Again, perfect for day, evening, all year long.  I threw my MAC pencils in "Nightmoth" and "Bittersweet" in not because I ever stopped wearing them, but because they are one of the few products I have used for years, nonstop.

Something New:
     Have you tried The Elixir by Maybelline New York?  If not, what are waiting for?  Seldom do I find a lip product that is that different.  The pigmentation is dense, providing full coverage with every swipe.  The serum makes it feel like buttah!  The shine is off the chain!  I receive so many compliments, especially when wearing  #040 Vision in Violet.  but I also have #075 Fushia Flourish and #080 Captivating Carnation. I want one in every color (There I go again). (Please pardon my hand reflection on the label.) I found the best price for this at Target for about $6.00 each.  Mally Perfect Prep Under Eye Brightener is awesome.  It is a golden, yellow cream that fully covers under eye darkness.  It is so light, you can apply it over your makeup when it is done and reapply if desired,  without hideous buildup. I purchased mine on QVC.  I have been a devoted fan of Lancome's Bi Facil makeup remover for months. Even the $25.00 price tag for approximately 2.5 fluid ounces, it was a staple in my daily routine for months.  I found NYX Eye and Lip Makeup Remover when I needed to economize.  I have not regretted it.  Now, please know, I love my Lancome, but this is a great alternative, removing my waterproof mascaras and transfer resistant lip colors with ease.  All for about $7.00.  Not bad.

   

     The above look is made with the Naked Pallet, "Sidecar" in the inner corners, "Toasted" on the remainder of the lid, "Darkhorse" in the crease, smoked with "Creep" in the outer corners.  Color Elation Henna was used as a bridge color (colorelation.com).  Sleek, blush in "Sahara" was blended with Bare Escentuals blush in "Flowers".  Lips were lined in MAC's "Nightmoth" and filled with The Elixir by Maybelline New York in "Captivating Carnation".  The final pic was the result of mixing a favorite song and creating a selfie. A lesson learned.  But, it did highlight the color and shine of The Elixir.
     Thanks for joining me and a BIG THANKS to those who follow me.  Your encouragement and support mean much.  Thank you.  Please share your old and new loves with us.  Everyone, stay blessed and Color Elated!

Color Elation Destination: Napa

Well Wishes to the Color Elated!

     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!

Thank you for visiting my blog!  Before I leave, I MUST give a special shout out and "Merci Beaucoup!" to our bed and breakfast, The Napa Inn, located at 1137 Warren Street, Napa, California, 94559. They provide comfy rooms, divine breakfast, excellent staff, and so much more a midst charming Victorian decor. Contact them at 707-257-1444 when planning your Napa getaway.  Everyone, stay blessed and Color Elated!

Winey and Pouty

Good day to the Color Elated!

     I was reminiscing recently of my early twenties.  Perhaps I was looking at my daughter who will soon be 21, and taking a trip down memory lane.  As a declaration of my emerging womanhood back in the day, I donned red lipstick and loved the elevation it gave to my "swag".  As time went on, I transitioned to plum and wine tones.  Like red, they were sophisticated and scandalous and I discovered, more appropriate for my work environment at the time. Like many personal trends, I put those shades on the shelf for many, many years until recently.
    This past summer, I researched the makeup forecast for Fall 2013.  I concentrated on eye looks and posted many on the Color Elation Facebook page. I was pleased to see wines and plums emerging as a popular eye shadow look, but also thrilled to see them for lip looks as well.
     I renewed my love affair with the winey pout, indulging in all its varied hues.  For day, brownish, earthy raisin plums work well in a casual light. To turn up the volume, I turn to reddish plum.  These plums, like a bowl of fresh berries, look yummy and inviting.  To add edge, blueberry tones work.  When wearing these dramatic shades, I like to keep eye makeup at a minimum and allow these gothic colors to take center stage.  Below are my favorites.

 Wet n Wild Mega Last in  Raisin' The Roof ($2.99) is a surprising find!  The color is very wearable and flattering. Love this one for daily wear.  It goes on smoothly and evenly and dries evenly. And it lasts! I am wearing it in the final photo.

Clinique Almotst Liptstick in Black Honey ($15.00) was given to me as part of a promotion.  This is a sample size. Talk about amazing texture.  This has the medicinal properties of a good lip balm.  The color looks deep in the tube, but this goes on sheer and can easily intensify as you apply.

Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lip Gloss in Purple Royale ($2.99-7.79) is a limited edition color that has that edgy blueberry stain I mentioned earlier. With a bold lip liner, strong cat eye liner and full lashes, it creates a complete look. Though it is limited, there are dupes to consider.  I wear this in the final photo.

MAC Lipstick in Dubonnet ($15.00)  is a classic.  I love the coverage and high pigmentation.  This is a red plum so you can wear it with a variety of wardrobe colors.  I am wearing it in the second photo.

MAC Lipglass in Flight of Fancy ($15.00) is earthy plum perfection.  I adore Lip Glass for its high pigmentation and glassy finish.  I love it so, I usually wear it alone, not with lipstick. This is the third photo.

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss ($32.00) is my absolute, hands down favorite. I cringed when I paid for it, but I knew when I saw the color, I would get tons of wear from it.  I was right!  This one has a shine that is eye catching.  I can wear this for day or evening. It is perfect for the price.  Whew! I am wearing this in the first photo.

Thanks for visiting.  If you have a favorite winey pout, I would love for you to share/post it. We are here to glean from each other.  Stay blessed and color elated!

Colors swatched left to right: Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey, MAC Dubonnet, Wet n Wild Megalast Raisin' The Roof, Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Gloss in Purple Royale, MAC Lipglass Flight of Fancy, Chanel Rouge Allure Merveille #69.