Bronzed Eyes (Feat. Nars Duo in Isolde)

It's always this time of year that I begin to change my everyday make-up routine. Whilst summer is just around the corner, now is the time I begin to look for something much more golden and bronzy to incorporate into my makeup. I have been testing out lots of new eyeshadow shades, and these ones are the best I have tried to this create this simple everyday look.

This image is the overall look (that looks a lot more dramatic than when on the eye!) which I have tested it out on my hand so you can get a clear idea of what the eye look looks like and how the colours have been blended together.

Products used: Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Dark Tan, Nars Duo in Isolde, Kiko Single Eyeshadow in Infinity, Mac Eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown, Blackout from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, Rimmel Smoke 'N' Shine pencil in Copper Bling and Benefit They're Real Eyeliner in Black.

To start the look, take your bronzer of choice - I used the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark Tan - onto the crease, and blend to create a transitional shade.

Following this, taking the lighter shade out of the Nars Duo, pat this with your finger all over the lid, focusing on the inner half and centre of the lid. Then, using the darker shade, place on the outer half of the eyelid.

Using a warmer toned eyeshadow, take a smaller blending brush and blend into the crease, not bringing it too high. The bronzer still needs to be visible. In the very edge of the outer eyelid, blend a dark matte brown to create definition.

Line the upper lash line with a coppery brown pencil eyeline, and slightly bring down to the lower lash-line to create a smokey affect. On the middle to outer part of the lash line, place a black eyeliner to create a stronger definition. To set the liquid liner, using an angled eyeliner brush and take a matte black shade to go over the line you have just created.

Add any highlight of your choice to the inner corners and brow bone, add some mascara and the look is complete.

Here is the finished look on the eye:

TOPSHOP BRONZER IN SALUTE

For a while I have been looking around to find an alternative bronzer for everyday use. As being a student, I feel I can no longer justify or afford to use my favourite luxury bronzer Nars Laguna on a daily basis. As an alternative to this, I have been trying to find something that allows me to save time when doing my early morning makeup routine, and find something that multi-tasks as both a bronzer and a contour. After trying a few, I came across the Topshop bronzer in 'Salute'. 

This shade is very warm in tone. In the packaging it looks almost orange, however when you blend it out onto your skin, you find it is the complete opposite. It is a pigmented product therefore you don't need a lot if you are looking to just add a healthy bronze to the skin. However this is very build-able due to the smooth and creamy texture. By building it up layer by layer, and consistently blending, the product creates a more intense and darker contoured effect, but still looks like a natural hollow due to the matte finish. 

If you are looking to create a more intense look, it is crucial to set your base makeup with a setting powder before applying as it can almost clump together in places where the foundation is still setting resulting in the bronzer looking slightly patchy. However, if your base is set, it applies very evenly and smoothly, lasting all day. Another great thing about this product, is that it doesn't oxide throughout the day. When trying out other low end products, I have found that this has been a problem and never looks the same 2 hours later after application. 

To apply a light dusting all over the face to add warmth, I like using the Mac 187 Stippling Brush. It picks up a small amount allowing you to build your desired coverage. When I want a more intense look, I like to use the Real Techniques Blush Brush, as the slightly tapered end to the brush distributes the product directly where I want it, and then I am able to blend it upwards- creating a natural contoured face.

For £9.00, this is an affordable alternative, which does everything that I want it to. 

Buy the products mentioned by clicking:
Bronzer, Mac 187 Stippling Brush, Real Techniques Blush Brush