Before the year ended, Pantone announced the color for the coming new year, 2013: Emerald Green! I decided to make an eye look based on this serpentine selection. You should know that I am still pretty reserved when it comes to playing with colors, so this will be a lot more subdued than the actual color. Plus, I don’t own a true emerald shade (yet) so the eye look will be a concoction of greens I have lying around, which lean more towards olive.
The emerald is May’s birthsone and the mystery and history that surrounds it is mysterious and alluring. Cleopatra was known to drape herself with emeralds.Though rubies are the most obvious choice for symbolizing passionate love, emeralds offers a complexity of emotions and meanings that are perfect for a long and steadfast relationship.
“Another reason that the emerald has come to symbolize a more mature love can be traced to Hindu culture. Emerald green is the color that is used to align the heart chakra, or energy point, allowing feelings of love to low freely from a person’s core.” (source, which has pretty cool trivia about the stone)
For this look, I wanted to do a subtle(!) green-centric eye. I decided to make it even more wearable for day-to-day things (office, school, what have you) by pairing it with a muted lip and cheek.
I MUST CONFESS, THOUGH: I drew on my eyebrows with a liquid eyeliner. D: And that is why they look like that. I erased the right (your left) one and started over, but I didn’t realize I was using eyeliner until after I took pictures.
On eyes: bareMinerals Ready 2.0 (The Scenic Route), NARS Eyeshadow Duo (Paramaribo), Laura Mercier Artist’s Palette for Eyes (African Violet, Rich Coffee), shu uemura x Karl Lagerfeld Painting Liner (Blackish Satin Purple), Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
On face/cheeks: Shiseido Luminizing Satin Face Color (RS 302/Tea Rose), L’Oreal Glam Bronze Mineral Bronzing Pearls (Brunette)
On lips: Guerlain Rouge G L’Extrait (Avarice)
I didn’t think I could pull off a green eye, which is weird, because I think I have a bit of an olive undertone and my skin is definitely warm, which means I should be able to wear olives/greens well. But I never really understood rules anyway.
I think it looks pretty okay!
For this other “look,” I just put up my hair and slicked on a nude neutral gloss from Le Métier de Beauté (Bondi Beach). I can’t figure out if it looks more casual or more made up.
My favorite emerald look, so far, is by Jenny of My Funny Valentine. I like Shen’s interpretation, too. If you have other favorite makeup looks, do let me know in the comments. I really want to figure this out.
Thanks for looking! 🙂
Softly Sometimes 
How could you make face colors look so subtle and put-together?
I think it’s really blending with a light hand so that the colors don’t look muddy! I’m still experimenting myself, though. 🙂 I generally don’t use BRIGHT colors, though.
Hi Carina! I think the olive tone looks wonderful on you. 🙂 I’ve always felt strange myself, using colors for my eyes because I also have an olive skin tone. Though I think it’s a bit more morena than your own. Looking forward to more of your posts. 🙂
Hi Ria, thank you! 🙂 I wonder what colors would look good on you. I’ll try to experiment 😀
Beautiful =)
Kinilig naman ako 🙂
Never imagined olive would look so good! It’s different but still workable.
I understand why you’d be hesitant about the emerald because green is green and so hard to pull off. But the olive shade looks good on you!
Your skin always looks so soft and smooth, Carina! What’s your secret? 🙂