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Tag: belly dance

Dances For Venus photoshoot

Hey!

A few weeks ago (actually it was around Valentine’s Day), I had the opportunity to work with Jannelle on a photoshoot to create a poster for her Valentine’s Day belly dance show.  I did her makeup and costume styling.  We wanted to keep the look very ethereal and soft as the show was a tribute to beauty and amazingness of women.

The costume was stunning!!! Huge tuille skirt, off-white satin top with crystal chains draped across the top.  I loved this look!  Of course it was very sexy but at the same time very goddess-like and almost angelic. Costume came from Bellydance America.

For the makeup, I wanted the look to still be arabic, but I did not want any harsh lines.  The look needed to be soft with a hint of colour to provide some contrast with all the white.  I used a light champagne-brown pigment (M.A.C. Cocomotion pigment) with MUFE’s # 58 applied to the outer corner of the eye.  This was soft, light application of #58 using M.A.C.’s # 224 brush.  Created a tight line of black eyeliner very close to the lashline, and winged out slightly.  I lined the lower lashline only halfway, then added lots of mascara.  This created a softened version of the khol-lined eyes that Middle Eastern women have made famous.  I applied M.A.C. Face and Body foundation in C4.  This gave a light, air-brushed finished that I loved.  On the cheeks, I used NARS Crazed blush.  For the lips, I used Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip  Tar in Demure, which is a fuchsia pink with purple.  I mixed the lip tar with M.A.C.’s clear lip glass.

Here’s the final look!

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LOTD: Glittery, bronzey, Arabic-inspired look!!

Hey!!!

This is my first look of the day for 2011 and it’s a stunning one!!

Last week, my Middle Eastern dance instructor, Jannelle,  was invited to perform at the surprise 40th birthday party for Mary J. Blige!!!!!!!!!

I was trilled and privileged at the opportunity to do her makeup at the event! I immediately started thinking about the look.  An event like that, with all the movers and shakers in the music industry, requires more than just a smoky eye.  You have to bring it!!!

The theme of the event was Arabic-inspired and I wanted more than just kohl-lined, winged liner.  I drew inspiration from Eman and Scandalous Beauty and decided on a glittery look.  Jannelle also wore a gold, sparkly costume and I wanted something to match.  This is a great look for performance especially in situations where there is not a lot of bright lighting so that you are drawn to the dancers eyes.  Could also be used for a Carnival look.  I also paired it with a red lip and a hit of shimmer. Btw, I have found an amazing red that everyone can wear – Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Intense lipstick in Moulin Rouge (#43)! Separate post on that coming soon!  Using glitters was stepping out of my zone, but makeup is all about not being afraid to try something new.  One note: If you are going to use glitters, especially on the eyes, make sure it is cosmetic-grade, which is milled fine enough and won’t scratch your eyes.

Anyway, here is the final look!

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