Cinema Inspired Series-Dario Argento's Suspiria

I love movies. I love great storylines, character development, and more importantly for me the artistry that goes with providing viewers with great imagery. It should come as no surprise that horror films are my favorite genre to watch and with that I love MANY subgenres. However, I don't think anything could top my love for giallo. For anyone new to what this is, this is a Italian genre of literature and cinema that started in the 60s. It combines elements of both crime fiction and mystery, however the movement in cinema evolved to be more horror and thriller noted for its massive amounts of  blood, extensive musical arrangements, while still holding to a murder-mystery framework.

For me, director Dario Argento really defines this subgenre and after seeing Suspiria 10 years ago I knew I had found a new obsession. It is for this reason that I decided to kick off my first blog series where I allow cinema to influence an eye look. The intent isn't to do special effects work, but to just take in something about a film and express this mainly through color combinations. Something I think would help me reach for things I may not normally reach for daily and to expand my use of color.

Suspiria is an Argento directed film released in 1977. It is about an American ballet student that transfers to a prestigious ballet school *spoiler* controlled by a witch coven.

US trailer for Suspiria

The use of color in the film has always captivated me, most notably the use of primary colors. SOO much RED. Not to mention the musical score by Goblin is pretty fantastic. I will take a second to brag that I saw them live during their North American tour last year :) 

Suspiria theme

When thinking about as eye look that incorporates everything  I love about this movie one screen shot came to mind. Because I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone reading this, I won't describe the scene but instead will just show you the shot. But seriously, please go watch it ASAP.

LOOK AT THAT COLOR! So, narrowing down all my options I realized that I had just the palette for this and picked up my Coastal Scents Creative Me #1 Palette.

So much fun to do and finally dug into my Creative Me Palette 1! I hope you have enjoyed this post and if you have not seen Suspiria, and like horror films, be sure to pop that on. You can find the list of products I used, and well as a picture tutorial for how I achieved this look.

Mini Tutorial

From Left to Right: Indigo, Magenta, Neon Red, Neon Bright Pink, and Electric Blue

Close up of Creative Me Palette 1

Eyes:

WNW Fergie Take On The Day Eyeshadow Primer

All Natural Face Primer in White (to make shadows pop)

Coastal Scents Eyeshadows:

 1. Indigo

 2. Electric Blue

 3. Neon Red

 4. Magenta 

 5. Neon Bright Pink

Physicians Formula Organic Wear CC Mascara

Physicians Formula Black Eyeliner from The Warm Nudes Set

Starlooks Brow Compact bs443

 

Face:

George's Aloe (Primer)

Tarte's Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer in Fair

Starlooks Mineralized Powder

Thanks for reading! I would love to hear what your favorite film is or scene!

Shopping My Indie Stash-Glamour Doll Eyes

I have been in a deep cleaning mode lately and found some pigments by Glamour Doll Eyes that I have neglected for quite awhile. The sad thing is they were some of my favorites a few months back so I was happy to make up (haha) for lost time.This also lead to a small purchase from the company..I honestly couldn't help myself!!

For this look I used Phyrra all over my lid and blended Glam Girl in the crease. I topped this off using Bruised on my lower lash line. This is probably one of my favorite combinations and I got a ton of compliments the day I wore this.

For this look I used a mix of GDE and another indie company I love, Concrete Minerals. I used Nice Kicks all over my lid and deepened it using Infinity by CM in the crease. I used Charm School by CM on my lower lash line and Surprise! as an inner corner highlight.

As a pain in the butt my intense organizing was, I am thankful to have found some things I have not used in awhile. Now I just wish I had more eyeballs to dress up in the morning!

Have you ever rediscovered a long lost pigment?

-H

Brazen FwB Membership Club-2013 Review

 My First Blog Post EVER!!!!!!!
I am in the process of getting together a ton of blog posts on a few of the monthly memberships or subscriptions I am enrolled in. From this month on I am doing this as I get them in, but I wanted to find a way to share what I received in 2013. SO, I figured I would have three blog posts dedicated to each of the subscriptions I have that summarizes what I got each month last year. I decided to start with my favorite one, and the reasons for its superiority will be explained a little on.

Brazen is a fantastic Indie company based out of Michigan. They are cruelty free, have products in their line that are vegan friendly, ship internationally, and simply put their owner is kick-ass.

Several months back Brazen announced that they would be providing a Friends with Benefits, FwB, program that allows those subscribed to get a chance to try unreleased and exclusive products from the Brazen line. I immediately took the opportunity and signed up for the Silver package (Brazen offers three FwB packages). Under this package I get 3 3g jars of Ultraluxe eyeshadow and 1 3g jar of either Ultraglaze lipgloss or Ultraplush lipstick. In addition, I get 10% off their online store. For descriptions on their other package options visit their FwB page here: http://shop.brazencosmetics.com/pages/friends-with-benefits

Here is a summary of my packages from 2013:

September
 First month of the program and I was hooked immediately! Apparently I forgot to swatch these but have some pictures of each product below :) Descriptions for these are my interpretation (I lost the product card it came with).

Fast & Loose: Shimmery true gold

Aphrodisiac: Lavender with silver, purple, and a little light blue shimmer.

Tease: Bright pink with pink sheen.

Hush (lipgloss): Golden brown with strong gold shine.

No name: Shimmery gold brown.

October: This month came with limited edition duo-chromes from the 2013 Smoke & Mirrors Collection, perfect for the Halloween holiday.

Package came in an adorable Halloween themed goody bag :)

I LOVE the labels for this collection.

*Mysterioso: Blackened Purple with violet shimmer and crimson sheen *Conjure: Deep red/burgundy with pink shimmer and violet sheen.

Two Faced Lipgloss: Pearlescent nude shimmer with a pink/violent shift. LOVE this gloss and sad it isn't a permanent color.

Swatched on bare skin. Left to right: Mysterioso, Conjure, and Two Faced. Mysterioso is showing to be more brown when in fact it is purple in person.

Extra Surprise! Caramel Lip Butter (very moisturizing and smells amazing!!)

 November: A sampling of the new collection Gypsy Soul! I have been quite obsessed over the colors in this month's FwB.

Product description card

From Left to Right: Fancy Free Lipstick, Restless, Gypsy Soul, and Wanderlust

Restless: Metallic sparkling maroon.

Gypsy Soul: Metallic warm gold.

Wanderlust: Metallic coffee brown. (I would say it is more sparkling than metallic. Either way, beautiful brown.)

Fancy Free: Fiery rich russet lipstick (probably my most used FwB product to date).

Swatched over bare skin: Fancy Free, Restless, Gypsy Soul, and Wanderlust.

December: Products this month were part of the Primped Pin-up Collection. This month had beautiful colors perfect for a nude look with a pop of color on the lip. *Note: I am OBSESSED with the blush that came in this month's package and can't even begin to explain my love for the lip color. Gah! So perfect!

December's package and as usual it was adorable.

Product Card

Top to Bottom: Commando, Manhandle, Kiss and Tell Blush, and Naughty List Lipstick

Naughty List: Wine red lipstick with bits of glitter. BEAUTIFUL color and the glitter isn't texturizing nor tacky looking. I needed this color in my life! THE perfect red for the holidays.

Manhandle: Matte, espresso brown. (Please note I forgot to photograph Commando which is a matte pale pink nude)

Kiss and Tell: Shimmering pink blush with a slight pearly sheen. LOVE this color.

Swatch on bare skin. Left to Right: Naughty List, Manhandle, Commando, and Kiss and Tell

Little Bonus for the Holidays: Soap Sample from a fellow local MI company.

Beautiful soap with a beautiful scent. I love "fancy" soap and soap bars so this was a very much appreciated sample :) 

So, overall I am beyond pleased with everything Brazen has sent via FwB. The eyeshadows are unique, smooth, easily blendable and buildable, and cleverly named. In addition, I get all day wear when I use over a primer AND notice less fallout with their loose pigments (I am a pigment junkie so this to be unique). The lip products are beautiful, long wearing, smell amazing without being overly strong, and little goes a long way. *I want Two Faced in a full size!!* I  love getting the monthly package from Brazen and absolutely love the themes. You can tell time and thought have gone into this program, and the communication with costumers is phenomenal.

I will upload another post with some pictures of myself wearing these products. Perhaps even a step by step tutorial. In the meantime, I anxiously wait for my 2014 packages and compile my list of products I am ordering from their permanent line. I am on a green kick so have my eyes set on some of their pretties.

Check out Brazen's site here: Brazen Shop and their FB page here: Brazen Facebook

Let me know if you are familiar with Brazen and/or get their FwB packages.
Thanks for reading!