Hi hi

Just a quick entry on two looks which I thought I would personally wear if I am meeting someone (either for work, social, outing etc etc) for the first time.  I would like to look 'natural' yet a better more enhanced version of myself.  I don't want my makeup to attract the attention, but just want to play up certain features.  Was just tweeting with Amanda today (onsugar nick fiend - but where has she been on onsugar?) about meeting people, and our love for makeup, etc etc, how to strike that balance.... you know?  The most important to me would be a flawless yet natural complexion.  Then comes the brows -- though I know my brows now are as full and hairy as they get.  URGH.

For eye makeup, I am either ALL or nothing.  Because if I go all out and put on eyeshadow, I have to put on liner, lashes and so on, otherwise everything will just smudge.  I don't bother with mascara cos they just take too much time (and little results, because of my tiny lashes).  And I can't just have eyeshadows without the full works.  So yup, it's all or nothing.  And I think I have mastered the false lashes enough to know what suits me, and what would be quite natural. Remember to bring out the lash glue in case of any mishaps.

But for base makeup, I cannot compromise.  I feel most conscious about my spots, and besides, having a clean radiant complexion instantly draws light and youthful glow to yourself.   I would also go for something that I know will last and look through for the whole outing, because the last thing I want to worry about is my foundation fading.  I would only just blot my oily t-zone time to time, but not powder my face.

As for lips, I would prefer to go with something natural, if you are going for dinner, or going to be talking a lot, you won't want to be conscious whether a bright color you are wearing is fading, or smearing all over your lips, or whether you need to pop by the ladies to touch up or re-apply.  Even if you need to re-apply, you can just apply natural looking lipsticks on its own very quickly and discreetly (even without using a mirror).

With all these in mind, I have come up with two natural/ enhanced looks.

Look ONE:

A slight smokey cool toned brown eyes that isn't too dramatic, yet makes eyes look bigger, and more captivating (I hope so!!).  I keep one color all over the lids and under the eyes, so any mistakes are less obvious, and also more natural looking.

Cheeks are kept very neutral, because of the colored eyes and lips.

Products used:

Base: Cosme Decorte control essence, Chanel Mat Lumiere (mixed with Max Factor long lasting foundie), Laura Mercier loose powder, Amazing Cosmetics concealer, Clarins Instant Light Perfector brush for undereyes

Eyes: UPDD, UD Roach, Masquerade Palette (the matte brown shade for blending, and white bone shade for brow highlight), Loreal Superliner, Ardel #120 lashes, Maybelline Lash Stylist on lower lashes

Lips: Cosme Decorte PK858 lipstick

For touching up or more glow, I also used Guerlain Pressed Meteorites powder.

Look Two

This would be a very safe and classic look, in my opinion.  Pop of color on the cheeks, and very little on the eyes.  I just lightly contoured the eyes and cheeks with the same matte bronzer, and a very very fine black line to define the eyes.   Lips are also kept nude and natural to bring out the complexion.  For this you really want to use a very nice radiant finish foundation -- my choice here being the Lancome Teint Miracle.

In both sets of pictures, I think you can really see the differences in the overall finish of the foundation.  The Teint Miracle is indeed a lot more 'smoother', and really imparts that glowy aura!  Well, it could be also that the shade is really a lot more suited for my skintone than the combination/ mixture of shades of the two foundations.

Products used:

Base: RMK Creamy Base, Lancome Teint Miracle, Dermablend Translucent loose powder, Amazing Cosmetics Concealer, Lancome Teint Miracle light perfecting pen/ brush for undereyes

Cheeks: NARS Albatross, NARS Mounia

Contouring shade: MUFE Matte Bronzer #02

Lips: Revlon Nude Attitude

And to give your eyes more definition without adding colors, throw on the lashes, or coats of voluminising mascara, and you will look very fresh, clean and almost doll-like.

I used the Ardel #120 as before.

So which is your fave look?  And if you have any tips for getting ready, do share them in the comments below!

That's all and thanks for looking.