Bronzed and Smokey with the Too Faced A La Mode Eyes Palette

I originally wanted to do this look as like a super easy wash of color type of look. But as I started getting into it, I found the look getting smokey and dramatic, and I decided I really liked it that way! +Andrew and I were playing with lighting and angles in a lot of these photos, so the quality of the photos may not be the best, but hopefully they're good enough that you can tell what I did!

I started out with the skin. I wanted to go pretty light in coverage, so I used the Rimmel Matte BB Cream all over my face. Something I've recently been trying out is using the Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick in "Cappuccino" as a contour/bronzer. What I learned after the first time trying is, though, is to use a light hand when applying this as it can get out of control pretty easily. I applied it straight from the stick in small lines -- along the hairline, jawline, and under my cheekbones -- then blended it out with my fingertips. This product is very buildable, so like I said, use a light hand. So far I think I'm liking it. I got this idea after seeing the new Nars Matte Multiples in "Altai" and "Vientaine." From here, I let my skin sit while moving onto the brows.

For my brows, I took the color "Triple Fudge" from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette and filled in my brows, starting at the arch to give it a really defined appearance. Then I set it with my Anastasia Clear Brow Gel. I find that "Triple Fudge" is kind of like the powder version of my Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in "Dark Brown," but applies more lightly for a more natural-looking brow. I then applied my MAC Studio Finish Concealer with an angled brush under the brow to help give some extra definition. I also applied this concealer in a very thin layer all over my lid to help get rid of any discoloration, before applying a light dusting of my Revlon Photo Ready Translucent Finisher. 

From here, I moved onto the eyes. The first thing I did was take "Salted Caramel" from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette and rocked it in the crease, just to help everything blend a bit more easily. Then, with a pencil brush, I took "Soleil" from the A La Mode Palette and carefully placed this color in my crease and along the upper lashline, connecting the two with a C-shape in the outer v. I then took a clean blending brush and blended the product in the crease to get rid of the harsh line. I then took "Cannes" on a flat stiff brush and very deliberately applied it on the bare section of the C, as well as the center of the lid. Then I took the same blending brush I used in the crease and blended "Soleil" and "Cannes" together. Something I noticed about these two shades is that they do blend together extremely well, but they are also easily overblended. Since I didn't want this look to be overblended, I went back in a few times and reapplied the colors to make them appear more intense.

After I felt that my two bronzier colors were intense enough for my liking, I took my NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in "Milk" and highlighted my inner corner. Since this is a very thick product, you only need a little bit. I took it from my inner corner and blended it through the inner third of the lid. I applied this only to make the next shades pop a bit more. On the inner third of the eye, I mixed "St. Tropez" and "Riviera" together to make a natural yet shimmery highlight shade. I also applied this mix under my brow. Then on the very inner corner, I lightly applied "La Croisette," just to add even more brightness. 

For the liner, I took "De La Mer" on an angled liner brush and pressed this into the lashline, creating a subtle wing. On the outer corner, I flicked the angled brush upward, to blend the navy blue with the bronze shades while still creating a defined wing. I also took "De La Mer" on a pencil brush and made sure that it all blended well while still adding a smokey effect. I also applied this to the lower lashline, blending inward and stopping about halfway. 

Once I got to this point in the look, I had planned on using false lashes, as it just kept becoming more and more dramatic, so I applied a very, very thin line of black liner using my Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner in "Blackest Black." Then I applied a few generous coats of mascara with the Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket mascara, on both my top and bottom lashes. Interestingly enough, I actually really liked using this mascara for this look, even though in my last favorites post I said I hated it. It seems to me that this is a good mascara for more dramatic looks, where you want super black dramatic lashes. At the very least, I will use up this tube. Then I tightlighted using Milani Liquid Eye Eyeliner Pencil to add extra drama. 

Now that the eyes were done, I moved back to the skin. To conceal any imperfections and darkness under my eyes, I took my trusty Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer and applied it with my clean fingers to really melt it into the skin. From here, I lightly powdered with my Revlon Photo Ready Translucent Finisher, and took my Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Translucent Powder on a small fluffy brush just on top of the cheekbones for an added glow. For blush, I used Milani Baked Blush in "Bella Rosa," which is INSANELY pigmented. I used a duofibre brush to very lightly apply it, and I still had to really blend it out with a kabuki brush, to keep from looking like a clown! To finish it all off, I applied Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in "Nude Eclipse." 

And that's it! For a full review on the Too Faced A La Mode Palette, you can click here. Are you planning on buying this palette? 

Where would you wear this look? 

- d.