FOTD | 90's Neutrals

I just finished doing a light blog makeover using my old header in emerald green (shout out to Kristin at Craftiments for the adorable free social media icons!) and changed my About Me picture (--> over yonder).  I really loved the way that makeup look turned out and it was beyond simple to do.  I'd watched a bunch of Living Single episodes the night before and was inspired by all of the neutral makeup and classic 90's brown lipsticks.  Born in 1980, I was 10-19 during the 90's so I definitely came of age makeup-wise during the era of playing up the features softly using neutral earth tones.  This picture of Winona Ryder with makeup by the legendary Kevyn Aucoin kind of summarizes the 90's look in a nutshell for me.

The 90's influence is still very present in my makeup routine all these years later.  I still gravitate toward softer, more diffused looks using pinky brown lipsticks and brown eyeshadows.  Below is a *beautorial* (ha ha!) for a soft neutral look that plays up your natural features.  Put down your pager (143 - that's for you 90's kids!), stop staring at your poster of JTT, and join me for a little face of the day tutorial!

Here's some sweet 90's music to get you into the spirit!

FOTD: 90's Neutrals

1. Apply a medium coverage matte base.  I used Lumene Time Freeze CC Cream in Medium {review here} applied with a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

2. Apply a matte bronzer like Too Faced Chocolate Soleil {review here} to the hairline, tops of cheek bones, jawline, and down the bridge of the nose.  You're bronzing here, not contouring, so hit the high points of your face where the sun would naturally fall.

3. Using an eyeshadow blending brush (I love this one by Sonia Kashuk), apply a bit of powder luminizer in a C from the top of your cheekbones to your temples.  I used MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade.  I prefer to apply highlighter with a domed shadow brush because it allows for more precision and helps you keep the product away from areas you don't wish to spotlight (hello beside-the-nose pores!).

4. Apply a neutral blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend upward toward the temples.  I used the lovely and impossible-to-overdo Dallas by Benefit.  A few of my other fave neutrals include Tarte Exposed, MAC Blushbaby, and Clinique Plum Gorgeous.

5. Apply a red-toned shimmery brown shadow like Clinique Black Honey to the lid and diffuse the edges with a blending brush dipped in the same matte bronzer you just used on your face.  This is such a saver of time and space and delights this lazy gal like you wouldn't believe.  No need to hunt down a matte brown shadow when you've already got one sitting right in front of you in the form of a matte bronzer!

Don't own Clinique Black Honey shadow?  Here are a few similar shades and combos from my stash:
Anastasia Beverly Hills: Rum Cake topped with Pink Sapphire (from the Lavish palette)
Estee Lauder: Raisins Pure Color EyeShadow Duo (right side)
LORAC: Sable topped with Garnet (from the Pro palette)
MAC: Swiss Chocolate topped with Cranberry
Maybelline: Pomegranate Punk Color Tattoo
Too Faced: Hazelnut topped with Cherry Cordial (from the Chocolate Bar palette)

 
6. Curl your lashes and apply two coats of black mascara.  I used Maybelline Volum Express The Mega Plush Mascara in Blackest Black.

7. Fill in your brows and soften any edges using a spoolie.  I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Blonde.

8. Pinky brown lips finish the look and balance out the eyeshadow without overpowering anything.  I find Maybelline The Buffs Lipstick in Touchable Taupe flattering on my neutral light-medium complexion (for reference, I'm NW25 in MAC foundation).  A lot of people write off brown-toned lipsticks as unflattering or aging, but when you find a shade that truly flatters you, it enhances your lips without competing with the rest of your makeup.  If I was wearing bright coral lipstick in this photo, would you even notice my eyes?  Your eyes would go straight to my lips.  Pinky browns allow your lips to say hello without shouting, "HAI!  I'M POPPIN' LIKE A GREASEFIRE AT BURGER KING!".

What decade most influences your makeup style today?  What's your favorite neutral lipstick?