Thank you Target for promoting this post!
The holidays are all about experimenting with makeup and Target gave me the fun challenge of creating two beauty looks based on the color wheel. The first look is using analogous colors (colors next to each other on the color wheel), while the second is all about complementary colors (colors that sit across from each other).
For these looks, I was inspired by the e.l.f. endless eyes 100 colors palette. What can’t you do with 100 eye shadow colors and for $15? It’s a steal! Like most of us, I gravitate to the eye palettes that have shades in my comfort zone. But since the start of my blog I’ve always recommended everyone get a blockbuster large palette to experiment with. e.l.f also has amazing makeup brushes at a fraction of what other brands sell them for. For the looks below, I used the e.l.f. brushes already in my makeup bag but, for anyone in need of a set, the e.l.f Essential Brushes and Cleaner Set has 5 makeup brushes and brush cleaner for only $10! It includes every type of brush you need to complete the looks below.
I found that some shade ranges are more pigmented than others; for instance, the greens had a lot more payoff then the purples. Which is where my Pixi by Petra Makeup Fixing Mist came in. Anytime you want to deepen a shade, spray this on your makeup brush before dipping it into the shadow for added color.
Complementary Beauty Look:
Since it’s the holidays and this look is all about complementary colors (colors that sit across from each other), I had to do red and green! The challenge was to create something festive without looking crazy – I think I pulled it off!
Eyes:
Using the e.l.f. endless eyes palette, start with a yellow/green eyeshadow (I used the 5th shade in the top row) in the first section of your eyelid and extend it to the inner corners and bottom lash line. Then apply the more white/green shade to the middle of your eyelid (I used the green shade directly diagonal to the yellow/green shade in the palette). Then, for the final section of your eyelid, go with a bright green (I used the third shade from the bottom in the 6th row). Lightly blend going from the center out. If anything needs refining, go in with the e.l.f small smudge brush to touch it up. Finish with the black e.l.f Lock On Gel Liner in the waterline and Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara.
Cheeks:
For cheeks I wanted a dewy highlight and a subtle red blush so I used the Pixi Sheer Cheek Gel in Rosy on the apples of my cheek and patted it up lighly on my cheekbone. I then went above it with the W3LL PEOPLE Bio Brightener Stick for that pretty sheen and extended it lightly to the brow bone under by eyebrows for an added highlight.
Lips:
For the lips, if you can pull off a bight holiday red, I say go for it. In my case, it’s too intense so I went for more of a raspberry red using Pixi Mattelustre Lipstick in Raspberry Blush. You can also darken the shade using the Pixi Mattelustre Lipstick in Plum Berry from the other look.
Analogous Beauty Look:
For the second look, which is all about colors next too each other on the color wheel, I gradated from blue (upper eyelid) to purple (eye lid) to purple/red (lips) adjusting the tone along the way to fit my complexion. It’s a great transitional fall to winter look.
Eyes:
Using the e.l.f. endless eyes palette, start with a light white from the first row of shades on your lid and then apply a lilac purple (I used the 8th shade on the top row of the palette), using the e.l.f Eyeshadow Brush to make it pop. Then, with the e.l.f Eyeliner Brush, apply the darker violet eyeshadow shade directly under the lilac purple shade, making a half-moon around your crease line. Then apply the blue (I used the shade that’s in the 9th row, four down) just above the crease line so there’s a clear color differentiation, and then blend.
NOTE: The purple range isn’t very pigmented so I had to really work and spray the Pixi Makeup Fixing Spray on my brush to amp up the payoff.
I then applied the black e.l.f. Lock on Gel Liner in the waterline and lash line and finished with Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara.
Cheeks:
Using the Pixi by Petra Natural Contour Kit, apply the matte bronzer to the cheek bones using the e.l.f Blending Brush or e.l.f Bronzing Brush. Then apply the highlight shade directly above the bronzer on the cheekbone and blend. For some added highlight and shimmer, use the sparkly white eyeshadow in the kit over the highlight.
Lips:
Here’s where you can ombre your lips using the color wheel or blend lipstick shades to create your perfect color. I started by lining my lips with the brown e.l.f Lock On Gel Liner and applied the Pixi Mattelustre Lipstick in Plum Berry all over my lips and over the liner, then rubbed lips together to blend. I then added the Pixi Mattelustre Lipstick in Honeybare in the center to take the brightness down one notch and give a nice highlight.
Happy holidays everyone! I hope you enjoyed the looks.
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