Year: 2014

Made-Up History: Kazimir Malevich’s “White on White,” 1918

“White on White” is one of those works of art that I like whipping out to show people who just don’t get modern art. “Well, I could make that!” they decry, in a bubble of incredulity. The question is, did you? Russian artist Kasimir/Kazimir Malevich founded a movement called Suprematism around 1913. It focused on the rejection of the depiction of objects, opting for “the supremacy of pure artistic feeling.” This work is one of the most famous from the movement, as is another one of Malevich’s work, “Black Square.” Suprematism has been briefly, though wonderfully discussed on this Tumblr post by WTF Art History. Under the caption of “White on White,” WTF Art History writes, “A non-figural work, the White on White painting demands extended viewing in order to grasp the contrast between the white hues, the imprecise delineation of the inner square, and the effect such a painting has on you the viewer. Your response to the painting is what Malevich considered “the supremacy of pure feeling or perception in the pictorial arts.”

MAKE Colour Aether Palette*

I was kindly sent the MAKE Colour Aether Palette* by the folks over at MAKE and Autumn PR, which was exciting for me, as I wanted this so badly but settled on trying out one palette first, the Post-Impressionism Palette (reviewed here), which I ended up loving a lot. The reason for this edit-out-in-favor of another palette is because… well, this palette is a bit experimental as far as palettes go. Aether is an artist collaboration with Faye Toogood, a furniture designer, and makeup artist Ayami Nishhimura.

5 Product Face No. 5

Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur (Medium) // K-Palette Real Lasting 2-Way Eyebrow (101)* // Oslo Cosmetics Eyeshadow (Vela) // K-Palette 1 Day Magic Fiber Mascara* // Addiction by Ayako Cheek Stick (Rose Bar) Et voilà! The fifth 5 Product Face. 🙂 This was inspired in part by the beautiful eyeshadow I used for this look today, which is Oslo Cosmetics' Vela. It's a standard blue-brown duochrome shade, like MAC's Club, or that 2nd Definer shade on the Wet and Wild Comfort Zone Palette. The lowdown: I used the concealer on my under eye darkness, filled in my brows with the lightest shade I have, and slicked on the duochromey eyeshadow all over my lids. I defined my eyes and lashes with this amazing new mascara from K-Palette, and did the cheek and lip with the Cheek Stick. I love multi-purpose products! They make this series so easy to do. 😀 Anyway, I like this a lot and may redo it in the future. 🙂 * PR Sample Follow me: Bloglovin' • Twitter • …

Ellis Faas Hot Lips*

I was sent three shades from the Ellis Faas Hot Lips* range, which is their “latest revolutionary texture for the lips.” Ellis Faas, a Dutch photographer and makeup artist cited by Vogue Paris as “one of the most influential make-up artists of her time,” began her own line of makeup in 2009. Ellis Faas, as a makeup line, focuses on Human Colours—her line is based on the colors that the body naturally produces, making it easier (in theory) to strike a balance between your own skin tone and the shades of makeup you choose. “From the tawny peach of a freckle to the pure, vivid red that pulses through our veins, the ELLIS FAAS Human Colours collection looks to the human palette for inspiration. The colours that exist naturally in our bodies are complex and rich, but they’re also universal, shared by each and every one of us. Based on this universal spectrum, ELLIS FAAS Human Colours complement all skin tones, and when it comes to looking one’s best, what better way to highlight a …

NARS Eyeshadow Duos—Depotted!

MakeupByTiffanyD recently made a video showing her viewers how to depot NARS eyeshadow duos using only floss and sheer will. I decided to follow suit and here are my current ones right now. I ended up doing what Makeup Magpie did and just pried the damn things from the compacts, which was pretty easy to do with a thin-enough pin and a little bit of patience. Some of them cracked a little because my glue wasn't as weak, but nothing major and heart-wrenching. I thought I'd take you through my NARS duo collection as of late. First Row: Charade, Dogon, Grand PalaisSecond Row: Habanera, China Seas, Kauai I have another one, Paramaribo, that I’ve set aside for a past/future blog sale. If it doesn’t sell, I think I just may keep it… and get a bigger blank palette! Just kidding! But let me know what you think I’m missing. I have my eye on Eurydice, Kuala Lumpur, Brousse, and Surabaya, but let me know if I’ve glossed over some gems. The pans automatically magnetize to …

5 Things Friday: Magical Products

Since it’s Harry Potter Week here, I decided to pattern my 5 Things Friday on 5 “Magical” Products that I’ve encountered in my brief makeup life. I have skin care and seemingly boring-ish products here, but they’re the things that actually let makeup be exciting because they take care of the basics. Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque I rotate a lot of skin care products, but this one is a mainstay. This is a great wash-off clay-like mask that just jumpstarts your skin when it’s starting to seem a little weary and dull. I don’t always remember to use this (lazy), but when I do, I always wonder why I keep forgetting about it. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer I bought this expensive bottle on a whim—serious liquid gold, folks. This just preps and primes my face for whatever else I put on it. I find that it just makes everything look better. This is what I suspect turned me into a primer nut, but even though I’ve met a lot of good ones after this …

Korean Skin Care Routine in 7 Steps feat. Beyond True Eco Line*

Trying to get into Korean skincare is a bit daunting because of their fabled multi-step routine, which usually involves products like “emulsions,” “boosters,” and “essences,” and I had no idea what to do with them or what the order of application was. The general rule is to go from light to heavy, so water-based products first before moving on to the lotions. Charlotte Cho shared her 10-step skin care routine adopted from her stay in Korea on both Elle and Into the Gloss. Sheryll from The Wanderlust Project shared her version, using different types of products from all kinds of brands and ranges. This is allowed, by the way. Whatever works for you. The most extensive guide I’ve found, however, is from Hope in a Blog, where the general purpose of each step is explained, as well as day- and night- routines. I received three boxes containing products from Beyond’s True Eco Line* so I thought I’d get into the multi-step Korean skin care routine using these. Please take note that though I have 7 …