Elizabeth Banks

I loved the slightly Gothic feeling of Elizabeth's Alexander McQueen dress.  It felt like an interpretation of brocade you might find on a chair in an old English Castle.  From that inspiration I went with a wine color on the eyes and lips, with clean flawless skin and a subtle blush.

After moisturizing, I applied the foundation.  I've said it before and I'll say it again—I cannot work without the Beauty Blender.  It's become an indispensable part of my kit.  You can use it to build the foundation, or thin it out to a sheer finish or anywhere in between.  It's funny how you didn't know something was missing from your life until you find it.  Ok, that sounds a little dramatic, but it's true!  I can never go back to working without it.... After I set the foundation with a dusting of translucent power, I blushed the cheeks with a beautiful color from Edward Bess.  It's a soft peachy-bronzy color (it's actually a quad of blush colors) that adds life to the skin without really reading as blush.  

I love a Bordeaux color paired with blue eyes—it makes them extra clear and sparkly. I used the Chianti shadow from Josie Maran on the lid and a soft taupe blended up towards the brow.  I took the wine color and used it under the outer corners of the eye as well, fading it as it gets towards the inner corners.  Paired with black liner at the lash line, the color on the eye makes Elizabeth's eyes really pop.  I kept her brows a lighter color, but defined them and extended them just a touch.  Two coats of mascara on top--one on the bottom and viola, the eyes are done.

I am a little obsessed with lip pencils at the moment instead of lipstick or gloss.  There's something about the texture that I find really appealing.  This color from NARS is great because you can apply it heavily for a really defined lip, or you can pat it on, like we did, and get a pretty stain.  It's a gloss pencil (I know, HOW do they do that?!) so it still has a sheen to it, instead of being matte.

Hope you found some inspiration from the look that you can incorporate into your own makeup routine!

Kisses,
Fiona
@fionastiles 
http://www.fionastiles.com

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