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Christmas tree inspired eye makeup

An Orlando area professional freelance makeup artist, decided to play around with cosmetics one day based on the Christmas tree photo we posted to inspire our viewers. Although her submission is past the deadline, it deserves honorable mention for creativity.

She used a light gold shimmer base, emerald green for the tree color, a sparkling brown eyeliner for the tree trunk, silver eyeliner for the star on top of the tree (corner of eye) and garland, and different colored glitter, which she adhered with strip false eyelash glue. While this may not be an everyday look, it is creative and very much resembles a Christmas tree. It is this type of creativity and imagination that inspires us to think out of the box and push the boundaries of makeup. Too bad we do not have some anything better than snapshots for this look.

Christien Marie Christmas tree look

"When I think of holiday looks, I think of sparkle from Christmas lights and deep greens from Christmas trees - like the Mercedes-Benz tree," says Christien Marie, Orlando area makeup artist.
  • Preparations: On the face, prep skin with primer. Mix an iridescent moisturizer or highlight cream with medium beige foundation, then apply to skin using a foundation brush. Apply medium beige concealer under eyes and where needed. Set with a medium powder.
  • Eyes: Prep eyelids with a creamy, neutral pink toned eyeshadow base. Line upper and lower lash line with a black gel eyeliner, smudging into lash line as much as possible. Apply a blue/green green pigment or eyeshadow over lid and blend into crease then apply a small amount as a drop shadow underneath waterline. Using the same highlight powder from cheeks, place a small amount on the inner corner of eyes and blend out. Apply several coats of a darkest black mascara. Fill in eyebrows using a medium-dark brown pencil.
  • Lips: Line lips with a neutral pink liner then continue to fill in entire lip area with pencil. Apply a glittery, pink/brown toned lip gloss.
  • Cheeks: Apply a light, peach powder blush to the apples of the cheeks, then apply a white, iridescent highlight powder above the apples and down center of nose.

Possible 100 points:

  • 1 point for each positive comment up to ten comments (comment submission ends 01/05/2011);
  • 5 points for description / information sentence or paragraph;
  • 5 points for proper color information (e.g. blackened navy blue instead of thunder);
  • 5 points for strict adherence to theme colors;
  • 5 points for resemblance to theme and creativity;
  • 5 points for prepping information (e.g. moisturizer, primer, etc.);
  • 10 points for proof of permission to use images pursuant to the Copyright Act and Florida Statutes 540.08;
  • 10 points for professional etiquette; and
  • 40 points for diversity of age range, facial structure, and skin tone (e.g. use of older models or non-traditional faces or darker skin toned models) - ages 30-40 is up to 10 points, ages 41-100 is up to 10 additional points; 10 points for non-traditional models, everyday people, unique facial structures.
  • 10 extra credit points for "liking" the Orlando Makeup Examiner FaceBook page.
Points awarded:
  • 0 the comments were not specific
  • 5
  • 5
  • 2
  • 2
  • 5
  • 0
  • 10
  • 20
  • 10

Total points: 59

Christien Marie submitted everything perfectly except for proof of talent release. Christien is talented, but her work did not depict thinking outside the box. It is standard, glamours beauty work. We look forward to seeing more of her work depicting creativity and imagination, as we know she is capable of the same.

Lena Graham Christmas tree look

Orlando makeup artist, Lena Graham, was inspired by the Christmas tree and was her own photographer. Ms. Graham did not submit many of the requested items, so please enjoy the photos she took of model, Roquois.

Possible 100 points:

  • 1 point for each positive comment up to ten comments (comment submission ends 01/05/2011);
  • 5 points for description / information sentence or paragraph;
  • 5 points for proper color information (e.g. blackened navy blue instead of thunder);
  • 5 points for strict adherence to theme colors;
  • 5 points for resemblance to theme and creativity;
  • 5 points for prepping information (e.g. moisturizer, primer, etc.);
  • 10 points for proof of permission to use images pursuant to the Copyright Act and Florida Statutes 540.08;
  • 10 points for professional etiquette; and
  • 40 points for diversity of age range, facial structure, and skin tone (e.g. use of older models or non-traditional faces or darker skin toned models) - ages 30-40 is up to 10 points, ages 41-100 is up to 10 additional points; 10 points for non-traditional models, everyday people, unique facial structures.
  • 10 extra credit points for "liking" the Orlando Makeup Examiner FaceBook page.
Points awarded:
  • awaiting comments
  • 1
  • 0
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 6
  • 10
  • 0

Total points: 19

Lena has until 01/05/2011 to update her entry and submit all requested items listed in the submission guidelines. Ms. Graham is talented, but her work did not depict thinking outside the box. It is standard, glamours beauty work. Her other works have been more imaginative and creative, so we look forward to seeing more of her work depicting same.

Melissa Duran disco ball look

Melissa Duran, Orlando area makeup artist, says, "I chose the disco ball as my inspiration picture just to replicate the glittery diamond effect on my model. Nothing said [says] glamour like a sexy, sultry, eyes lavishly painted in glitter." The photos taken by Charles Howse of Gabriella Katia.

  • Prep / Prime: prep the skin with primer. Once eyes are finished, lightly brush on foundation and set with sheer powder to extend the wear of the product.
  • Eyes: eyeshadow base. Using a firm eyeshadow brush gentle cover the lid with a silver metallic eyeshadoow. After depositing the desired amount of shadow, go over the shadow with a bit of shimmer also covering the lid in a soft stroke motion. Apply black eyeliner and in the waterline and under the bottom lashes. False lashes always help the eyes look more dramatic, so of course we added lashes for a little pizzazz. As the focus is on the eyes, keep the lips and cheeks soft.
  • Lips: very natural yet glassy.
  • Cheeks: bronzy and highlighted.

Possible 100 points:

  • 1 point for each positive comment up to ten comments (comment submission ends 01/05/2011);
  • 5 points for description / information sentence or paragraph;
  • 5 points for proper color information (e.g. blackened navy blue instead of thunder);
  • 5 points for strict adherence to theme colors;
  • 5 points for resemblance to theme and creativity;
  • 5 points for prepping information (e.g. moisturizer, primer, etc.);
  • 10 points for proof of permission to use images pursuant to the Copyright Act and Florida Statutes 540.08;
  • 10 points for professional etiquette; and
  • 40 points for diversity of age range, facial structure, and skin tone (e.g. use of older models or non-traditional faces or darker skin toned models) - ages 30-40 is up to 10 points, ages 41-100 is up to 10 additional points; 10 points for non-traditional models, everyday people, unique facial structures.
  • 10 extra credit points for "liking" the Orlando Makeup Examiner FaceBook page.
Points awarded:
  • 1 relevant comment to the look as opposed to general comments about the artist.
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 0
  • 5
  • 0
  • 3
  • 0
  • 0
Total points: 24
Melissa is talented, but the submission did not depict thinking outside the box. It is a standard, glamourous beauty work. Her other works have been more imaginative and creative, so we look forward to seeing more of her work depicting same.

Plumper pouts, structured brows, lashes galore

A solution for any small lipped models: MAC Cosmetics Plushglass and Sally Hansen lip plumpers. Having tried both products on myself and others, both products tingle. They work by stimulating the lips, sort of irritating them, until the lips plump. Natural ingredients are used to achieve this. There was a slight difference with Plushglass; however, one model's lips were plumper for hours with Sally Hansen, which is half the price of Plushglass. Either way, for fuller lips, try one of those two products (make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients)!

Sally Hansen lip plumper states to apply generously but make sure you apply it evenly, as during the trial, some parts of lips were plumper than others.

Need a quick fix to unnoticeable brows? MAC brow set looks like mascara but is made for eyebrows. If you cannot find the right color you need, you can always try mascara (but make sure it is smudge and water proof). If you like more shapely lashes, try Ardell Eyebrow Stencils.

Want your makeup to glide on effortlessly and flawlessly? Try MAC (tested personally) or Sally Hansen's primer (not tested personally).

Need more noticeable lashes without being took dramatic, flakey, or cakey? Try Got-Lashes.com, where they carry an assortment of 11 normal to fun styles. Got-Lashes.com is based in Orlando and is offering free headshots to their clients. Submit photos of you wearing their lashes for your photos to appear on their website.

MAC Cosmetics are available on their site, at the Florida Mall, Mall at Millenia, and some major department stores.

Lena Graham poinsettia makeup look

Orlando makeup artist, Lena Graham, was inspired by the poinsettia and was her own photographer. Ms. Graham did not submit many of the requested items, so please enjoy the photos she took of the model.

Possible 100 points:

  • 1 point for each positive comment up to ten comments (comment submission ends 01/05/2011);
  • 5 points for description / information sentence or paragraph;
  • 5 points for proper color information (e.g. blackened navy blue instead of thunder);
  • 5 points for strict adherence to theme colors;
  • 5 points for resemblance to theme and creativity;
  • 5 points for prepping information (e.g. moisturizer, primer, etc.);
  • 10 points for proof of permission to use images pursuant to the Copyright Act and Florida Statutes 540.08;
  • 10 points for professional etiquette; and
  • 40 points for diversity of age range, facial structure, and skin tone (e.g. use of older models or non-traditional faces or darker skin toned models) - ages 30-40 is up to 10 points, ages 41-100 is up to 10 additional points; 10 points for non-traditional models, everyday people, unique facial structures.
  • 10 extra credit points for "liking" the Orlando Makeup Examiner FaceBook page.
Points awarded:
  • awaiting comments
  • 1
  • 0
  • 5
  • 5
  • 0
  • 0
  • 6
  • 0
  • 0

Total points: 17

Lena has until 01/05/2011 to update her entry and submit all requested items listed in the submission guidelines. Ms. Graham is talented, but her work did not depict thinking outside the box. It is standard, glamours beauty work. Her other works have been more imaginative and creative, so we look forward to seeing more of her work depicting same.