I'm a more behind the lens kind of girl, so I can't even begin to tell how nervous it made me to submit a photo of myself for the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards competition. I wondered what do my fellow bloggers and readers expect me to look like? What do Allure readers expect a beauty blogger to look like? I was tempted to wear a standout lip or eye, however in the end I opted for my everyday look. For better or for worse, I ended up looking like the real life me. In this post I'll go over the products I used to get my look.
I started with Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer. Normally I skip primer, but for a photo I'll use it to really smooth out my skin's surface and help more foundation adhere better. If you're a blog regular, you probably know that NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville is my favorite foundation (review of sheer glow formula here, foundation swatches here). It performs so well for me everyday and in photographs. For my photograph, I applied with fingers first, then blended out with my Make Up For Ever Kabuki brush. I used NARS Concealer in Vanilla to lighten the undereye area. For my cheeks I applied my NARS South Beach Multiple using a brush to get a very well blended effect. For strategic highlighting and extra dimension, I used NARS Copacabana Multiple on my cheekbones, nose bridge, and under eyebrows.
For my eyes, I used my favorite palette this spring, Chantecaille 'The Coral Reefs' palette from Spring 2012 (reviewed here). I used the pale highlight color diffusely swept over my eye area, the taupe color on my lid, and the chocolate color lightly in the crease. I lined with Bobbi Brown Gel eyeliner in Black Ink and did my brows with NARS Coconut Grove single eyeshadow (reviewed here). My lips have been relatively pale lately, so Bobbi Brown lip color in Blondie Pink was a the perfect natural color. You can see swatches of all colors below.
So there you have it: my Allure Beauty Blogger Awards look, which can also be known as my normal look! I felt a bit shy about 'coming out' from my private cocoon, however so far it's been a happy and liberating experience. Thank you so much to everyone for all their words of encouragement with the contest and my profile! Regardless of the contest outcome, I hope it will be an impetus for the continued metamorphosis of Cute and Mundane.
What are your everyday colors? What kind of look would you have gone for?
Love, Dovey.
P.S. If you haven't done so already, you can read everything there is to know about me on my Allure Beauty Blogger profile page here. To clarify, voting doesn't start until Monday April 23, but in the meantime, I would love it if you could 'LIKE' my profile or send a tweet tagged with #allurebba (both can be done from the profile page).
I really like the color selection for your Allure BB Awards look! Neutrals are my go to look - it's what I would have done if I were in your place! I read a variety of beauty blogs but the ones that I gravitate to the most are those that show looks that I could see myself wearing - well done neutrals, neutrals with a twist, wearable color. What keeps me reading any blog is well written posts, providing their own opinion not just publishing press releases, showing a new way of using a product, allowing a glimpse of the person behind the blog, teaching me something I didn't know before. And the occasional post that isn't exactly like what everyone else is doing. Congratulations again on your selection!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristi, Thank you so much! I really loved the insight you provided about reading blogs--- I think you articulated the points about blogging so well!
DeleteYou looked so lovely in your photo Dovey!! I've always been so scared of South Beach, but I think I'll be picking it up after my blush ban is over because it looked perfect on you.
ReplyDeleteAnd Congrats again!! I'l be voting for you nonstop!
Thank you Tracy!!!! I was worried that you might have typed 'before' the blush ban--- but I completely support checking it out afterwards! I was scared too--- but I had a sales associate apply and was pleasantly surprised.
DeleteCongratulations to you! I love your blog <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Vita!
DeleteDovey, you are such a beautiful woman! it's a shame we don't see you more often :) I love the look, you rock the neutrals! I am into pastels right now and still looking for the perfect colours for my skintone. I think my go to colours are greens (smoked, moss green, pastel, very dark almost black, mint, etc) mixed with black, dark blue, dark brown or dark grey. I love green and I am always picking up all the greens in every collection, lol.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire- thank you!! It's really fun to hear your take on color; greens are so varied--- you can go from the fresh mints to a moody moss. I've always admired them from afar, but haven't been brave enough to wear them :)
DeleteI love your selection. I usually go for neutral like you but I skip the highlighting and sometimes even the (gasp!) bronzing. But that's only because I'm running late, or lazy. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're gorgeous, by the way, judging from your Allure Beauty picture! I can totally imagine your picks being perfection on you ;)
Thank you so much Annick! The running late usually happens to me; so bronzer and highlighter often fall by the wayside :)
DeleteI love neutrals for my everyday look. Very pretty picture! It is nice to actually see you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Martha! You do neutrals (and makeup) so well :)
DeleteI love your picture and profile! You are beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Have you tried the NARS TM? Curious about what you think since you are a NARS girl!
ReplyDeleteHi Productdoctor, thank you so much! I actually haven't tried the TM because of the sunscreen, but it sounds amazing!
DeleteOf course you look great! Don't be so shy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah!
DeleteYou look stunning in your photo, Dovey, and we should see your face more often around here! Maybe with your doggie? :D Will be voting for you every step of the way! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Larie--- I will try :) Although, it is an intimidating thought since you and all the lipstick bandits post such amazing photos :)
DeleteLoved all the products you chose! They all accentuated your features and didn't overpower who you were. So lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Jess for the nice comment!
DeleteI love your natural makeup selection and think you are a stunning young woman. The shape of your face and lips are just perfection.
ReplyDeleteI have to come clean, though, since you asked. I rarely find that people appear the way I envision them, especially if I hear them speak first. A voice has its own set of physical associations to me. At one time, when I first saw your comments appear on other blogs and I was new to this world, I pictured you as a petite girl with dark ash-blonde wavy hair ... you were nothing but a wee slip of a milk maid. ;D
Don't be shocked. I initially though of Iceland when I first spotted Larie on Twitter. Her tiny avatar with the high contrast of her artistically /i> more attactiv.
I give up. That's twice the cat hit Publish before I was ready.
DeleteHi Zuzu, Thank you so much! Your comment really made my day--- I am so glad you told me the story; it certainly made me smile. I do think some inference can be drawn from a voice----- however I would agree with you though, I often do imagine a person based off their 'voice' and have sometimes been surprised. Perhaps this lends clout the the saying 'appearances can be decieving?'
DeleteThank you for this, and all your comments. I always look forward to what you write :)
Congrats Dovey! you look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Yessie!
DeleteDovey, You look lovely in your photo! :) I love the neutral shades you chose for your everyday look. I am coveting that Coral Reef palette! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much S!! It means a lot to me to hear from you :)
DeleteThis is amazing, Dovey! I hope you win. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's also really nice to see your lovely face & smile and know more about you. I'm in awe of your accomplishments!
Hi Liz, I'm so happy that you took the time to check out my profile and comment. <3 <3 <3 thank you!!
DeleteYou do look lovely in your photo, Dovey! It's always nice to see the person behind the blog. Love the selection of products and shades you picked, too! I also normally opt for neutrals/natural make-up, because they're what I feel most comfortable wearing. Good luck again for the contest! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for such a nice comment, Nat! I'm glad we can both revel in our neutrals!
DeleteHello Dovey!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore your blog! I hope you had a lovely wedding and enjoyed your honeymoon!
You look absolutely stunning in your photo and you had excellent choice in makeup! Not that I'd expect any less, seeing as you are a beauty blogger. I absolutely love that you chose a very natural and neutral look and let your natural beauty shine through! I hope you win- you deserve it! Good luck! :)