FOTD: Summer Meadow (Michelle Phan-Inspired)

When I saw Michelle Phan's tutorial inspired by Summer Meadows, I thought I'd give it a try. I thought, hey since I think I have all the shades now, why not? Unfortunately, a guru is a guru and I am me. I have no idea how two people with similar eye and facial structure can end up looking so different. As my Lao Ba (a college friend) says, "First, she's like a 5. But then she puts on concealer and foundation, and BAM she's an 8!" Hahaha this is a guy speaking. Yes, MP did teach him the difference between foundation, concealer, and others. Thank you to the beautiful Kaitlyn and her generous MAC giveaway! I got to pick an item and I had to get my hands on something from the To the Beach Collection before it disappeared forever. I really wanted the bright green one but it sold out ages ago, but I don't have a single blue eyeshadow at all! I'm always afraid I'd end up looking like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show, so I never took the dive. MAC Shimmermoss is so pretty : ) I'm going to picspam like crazy in my next post. My camera setting simply doesn't do it justice because there is a hint of green in this blue-teal.

Emulating MP is no easy feat. She used some awesome fancy white eyeliner as a base and to "paint clouds." I used a cheapo NYC one to scratch my eyeball out and "paint pain" ... that thing is a banana to sharpen too. You know how as a kid you'd be really pissed if your coloured pencils keep breaking in the sharpener and you watch as that hungry monster chomps your beautiful pencils up and you didn't even get to colour? Well that's how I felt using this - the lead kept break off and it wouldn't melt onto my eye. This thing barely even melted on the back of my hand. Worst. Ever. After much scratching, I gave up and used ELF Studio Concealer and Highlighter Duo (highlighter side) for the white. I had to keep patting it on. Frustration! I really wished I had a NYC Jumbo Pen in Milk at this point.

I really love the contacts she used in her vid. I tried on my Geo Ash Wings but they looked weird and not mysterious and pale like the Solotica contacts she wore. I think those are Brazilian though and quite expensive. What with the recent NYT article (and all other news sources in the world to follow) nonsense about circle lenses making everyone blind (just wash your hands and be smart - circle lenses are just like other contacts, you might have to wear them for less hours but don't have a cow in exaggerating this blindness myth). Lady Gaga did NOT start the circle lenses trend. Has anyone heard of doing research and finding sources before you write something? I guess NYT forgot to go to primary school and write up those flashcards with the MLA sources. Unprofessional.

So here's my attempt! I also tried to do something new by taking flash pictures like everyone else. The bright sunlight is cool for sparkles but completely washes out the pigmentation. I wanted my eyes to seem more round and 3D so I made the blue into a crescent moon shape sitting horizontally. I'm no Michelle Phan but I tried!

{Blue = sky} {White = clouds} {Green = grass}

Products Used:
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash

NYC White Eyeliner as base, highlight browbone

ELF Studio Concealer and Highlight Duo - Highlighting end on browbone, all over upper lid 

MAC Shimmermoss all over lid, swept up 

Wet n Wild Creme Shadow Stick in Pixie for tear ducts, on middle of eye to make it appear more round

Wet n Wild Creme Shadow Stick in Envy on lower lashline

L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara + Primer

ELF E/S Duo Black out of Berry/Black pan as eyeliner, applied with angled brush

ELF Studio Complexion Perfection

ELF Studio Concealer Pencil in Light

ELF Studio Blushing and Bronzing Powder - both mixed to hollow of cheeks, the blush applied to apples of cheeks

ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance for cheekbone and nose highlight

Burts Bees Replenishing Lip Balm

The Flash!

My forehead is freaking huge. I like to hide it behind my bangs, which I lopped off too short grrr

Pose inspired by Liana! She's probably thinking "wth looks nothing like my signature pose"

Lamp lighting with my Samsung Intercept. After many, many years with my Motorola Razr my family finally hopped on the cool kids train and got smartphones. Yeah baby! (3.2 megapixel camera - not bad quality) I really like how the chapstick shows up. Now why can't I find something that is actually this shade on my lips?

Flash:

L'Oreal Double Extend is a very good mascara for clean volumizing/lengthening/separating. I was surprised : ) Been using this with the L'Oreal Lash Serum and I've been getting results that I will share soon :D I'm totally getting fine wrinkles underneath my eyes. MCAT is unfriendly to my body and my St. Ives scrubs need to be toned down. For once in my life my skin is too dry! It's normally super oily and now I'm getting wrinkles T__T What is this madness?

Outside in sunlight (see how the colours are washed out : / ?)

My hair is getting out of control. My roots are inches long and I need to re-dye the whole thing with a bottle of Palty if I can find one at 99 Ranch

Awkward turtle face just for you guys : ) Shows the bronzing/highlight better

♪♪♪ Someeeewhere over the rainbow is the beach. After this week of cramming, I'll squash the MCAT leech. Give me my summer back now, hear my plea. In just seven days I'll head out to sea ♪♪♪

I've been taking practice exams like crazy and each 5-hour run yields ... very little increase in points but at least it's going up! x_x I really don't want to retake this. Physics is the bane of my existence. Curse you, nonexistent/fail AP class for not preparing me for O Frabjous Day! That's why I've been gone loves, so in no time at all, I'll be back sending love on your posts, replying to your sweet comments, and blogging my face off! So when they said the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, they really weren't exaggerating. I'm .. halfway. I have to be on step infinity in 7 days, 9 hours, 52 minutes, and 36 seconds. Yes, I have multiple countdowns ticking my blood pressure into a frenzy. Halfway infinity doesn't feel so good. Life lesson #1. DIESEL! (And thank you so much sweethearts for telling me good luck and giving all your support! For the "you'll do great" part ... I need to make sure that happens hahaha). Leave some love for this poor girl!