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.

Review: Influenster Jolly Vox Box

Greetings to the Color Elated!

     I had heard of Influenster through other bloggers like Marla Ramirez (marlaandmakeup) and decided one day to give it a try.  I like to try new products, especially cosmetic and lifestyle products, don't mind giving my opinion, and sign up is completely free.  This was back in July. I am somewhat ashamed to admit, I never gave my membership another thought, until one day recently, I received an email from Influenster titled, "Your In!" A few quick days later, my box arrived.  Upon your

 receiving the box, Influenster will take you step by step on how to earn points and unlock badges.  Be prepared though!  You have some blogging, posting, pinning, Instagramming, Tweeting, etc. to do to spread the work on your feelings about each product.  I feel blessed in that my first Vox Box was full of great things that I adore.  Can I quickly share with you? (I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.)
     Puff Ultra Soft & Strong To Go Tissue Pack (.49 cents/single pack)  My clear favorite choice of tissue.  Absorbent and non irritating.  I love the girlish packaging that is perfect for purse or pocket.
     Skinny Cow Candy ($3.99/box)  I likewise love their sweets.  Like a lot of folk, I want the best of both worlds.  I want to indulge my sweet tooth, but indulgent taste with portion control.  I take their candy pouches to work to enjoy after my lunch. They come in great varieties and are scrumptious!
     Ducklings Mini Rolls ( $2-$3) I do not think I have mentioned that I am a teacher.  What would my life be like without tape?  Can't run a classroom without it.  I love the idea of decorated tape. This has good adhesion and a lovely fall inspired motif. There are many lovely color/pattern choices.

          I saved the two cosmetic items for last.  I received NYC New York Color H D Color Trio Eye Shadow in Long Beach Sand ($2.99).  Pro:  The shadow blends on easily and is silky smooth.  The colors are nicely pigmented.  There is a lovely sheen to these colors. I always wear an eye shadow primer and color base under shadow so I had no issues with the color lasting all day.  It remained color true and even.  Con:  Where these shades are nicely pigmented, I found these shades incomplete for my darker skin.  I  supplemented theses shades with Shadow Singles in Henna and Bombshell from my line, Color Elation (colorelation.com...more on this later) to create a complete look. The final look is one I can live with.  I used the medium toned shadow in the inner crease, the darker one on the remainder of the lid and the lighter one as a brow bone highlight.
     Rimmel London New Show Off Lip Lacquer ($5.49-$5.99) came to me in a lovely golden shade.  They claim it is a mix of gloss and lipstick.  Where I found it somewhat ordinary, I will say I like the texture and coverage (shown also in the above pic).  The fragrance is a bit questionable but it leaves quickly.  The color selection is very nice.  I adore the packaging.
     Thanks Influenster for the opportunity!  Those of your who received the Jolly Vox Box, please respond and share!  Would love to hear your thoughts and experience and see what your received.  Stay blessed, everyone!

                                                                                           -Tamera
   
 

Hi all!  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and welcome to my first post!  My name is Tamera and I am thrilled to share my love of color and cosmetic creativity with you.  I am calling out to all the color obsessed men and women who share this form of art with me.  I look forward to sharing some great (and not so great) finds, showing off my amateur creations, and, most important, gleaning information and insight from you!  Thanks for taking time to visit and I hope you can come by again, and again.

                                                                                          -Tamera
                                                                                            December 25, 2013