Ever since I wore the NAVY uniform required of me as an Estee Lauder employee over 11 years ago, I’ve given the color navy a bad and boring wrap. Looking back, I think it’s because the outfit was made of polyester and I had to wear matching navy pumps – Ouch. So it was probably more the fabrics fault, not the color. But recently, I’ve really been into how flattering navy can be when worn on my eyes with my new favorite shadow purchase from Paula Dorf. (Early Disclaimer – excuse the grainy iPhone pictures, my real camera was dead!)
{Happily sporting navy eye shadow!}
Main components of this eye look:
MAC eyeliner in “Prussian” (a navy blue)
Paula Dorf eye shadow in “Hussy” – my new fave. Could it be the saucy name description?
(matte navy)
Bobbi Brown eye shadow in “Slate” from lash to crease (matte gray)
{Graduating the gray to navy keeps the looks soft enough for daytime.}
Keeping these darker shadow colors only on the upper eye lid and leaving the lower lash line bare (mascara only) makes this look more wearable for everyday and not too harsh.
How to : I started by applying an all over matte ivory shadow on the entire lid. Then I drew my navy liner along the upper lash line followed by the gray shadow from lash line to crease. Lastly, I applied the darkest shadow color (navy) on top of the liner and blended it slightly upward into the gray until they look as if the two colors are melting into one another. Finish with two coats of blackest black mascara on upper and lower lashes!
{Balance out the dark eye with much lighter cheeks and lips.}
{Warm blush by Jane Iredale in “Whisper” and peachy lips by Stila gloss in “Kaleidoscope.”}
{2nd day hair is almost better than 1st day hair!! This was the day after my makeup event!}
I wore my navy during the day, but if you want to ramp up the look for evening, take notes from my makeup favorite celeb, Emma Stone. She took navy to the next level by adding her navy liner underneath for a true smokey eye! See – this color flatters even the opposite coloring of me with her light hair and eyes combo. But she also took notes on balancing out the dark eye with warm peachy cheeks and lips just like JennySue!!
{Emma at Critics Choice Awards 2012 via.}
I’m glad I’ve changed my way of thinking about the color navy. Would I still want to match navy shoes to a navy shift dress, probably not. But I do think there is an elegance to navy (remember Kate Middleton’s engagement announcement dress??) and it is an especially fun alternative to the ho hum of brown or black eye liner and shadow.
What do you think of NAVY makeup? Boring or Beautiful??
What do you think of NAVY makeup? Boring or Beautiful??
