Look Book: Anything but Boring Browns
With fall just around the corner, it’s time to bring out the browns again but who says browns have to be boring? Any neutral can become fun by simply adding a little bit of shimmer and shine, so instead of using flat browns I used bronze tones to create this week’s look: Anything but Boring Browns.
To get things started after preparing my face, I used some of the usual suspects – products that I use regularly like the NARS Face Primer which gives me confidence that the work I will put in will stay put all day.
This is a look that can be worn day or night, because it’s not too heavy or overdone. And of course, you can always start with a lighter hand and add a little extra color in the evening to transition it from day to night. We are using neutrals of creams, tans and browns and jazzing everything up with bronze. No pops of color today, but with a neutral palette you really can add any color if you’re looking for a little extra pizzazz.
As always, I start with the eyebrows, filling them in to frame not only my eyes but also my face. I used Anastasia’s Perfect Brow Pencil in Brunette, starting from the inner corners and working my way out in light-handed short strokes, to mimic the growth of my hair. Then I went with an angled brow brush and MAC matte Eye Shadow in Studied Brown to give them a bit more definition. I then prime my eyes with Lancome’s Aquatique, applying it with my finger from lash line to brow. And since I don’t want a heavy, overloaded face for my day to night look, I’m skipping the foundation and only applying concealer where I need it – under my eyes and on any blemishes or dark areas. I use Bobbi Brown’s corrector under my eyes first to neutralize the darkness, and then go right over it with her Creamy Concealer to brighten that area. For spots like around my nose and upper lip, I switch to the Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick, and blend with my finger. I top everything off with the Sheer Finish Pressed Powder (again, Bobbi Brown) with my MAC 109 brush, using small circular motions (as if applying a mineral foundation) to keep everything in place and to even out my skin tone without using foundation. If applying a full face of foundation, try doing your eyes first to avoid fallout of the darker colors mixing with your fresh foundation which is a mess that only ends in tragedy.
As the case is quite often, my eyes are my focus today and since I went a little heavy and dark with the eyeshadow, I left the rest of my face quite natural so that people have just one focal point on my canvas. And since they are my focus, I start with them and leave my cheeks and lips for last so that I know how much to apply (or not apply) to those other areas to keep my look completely balanced.
With my face and eyes already prepped and primed, I started with MAC’s Nylon as my base color and highlight. Especially when working with dark colors, I like to start light and make my way to the dark colors last. Nylon went on the inner one third of my eyes, bringing light to that area (and therefore attention). Using a light color in this area also makes the eyes look larger and more awake. I also applied it under my brow bone, which accentuates the shape of the brows and the eyes. I then took my main eye color (MAC’s Bronze) and applied it to the outer two thirds of my eyes, blending any harsh lines as I applied. I felt I wouldn’t get quite the definition I wanted with just those two colors, so I took the same color I used on my eyebrows (MAC’s Studied Brown) to the very outer corners of my eyes and blended it into the Bronze.
Since I was sticking to neutrals today, I wanted a bit more glam so I took Lancome’s LeStylo Waterproof Eyeliner, also in Bronze, and applied it to my lower lash line. And to really open up my eyes, I needed mascara so I started with Lancome’s Cils Booster XL (which really gives my lashes the length and volume I crave) then topped it off with Lancome’s Hypnose for high volume.
On the cheeks, I wanted to stick with products that would look natural so I went for Stila’s Mineral Bronzing Powder (which has 24kt gold in it, by the way!) with an angled blush brush and NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Miami Babe.
And there you have it, a look in browns and bronze that can be worn day or night that is anything but boring!
This article was written by Natasha Kohli, makeup artist and editor of TheCosView.com . Natasha’s philosophy on beauty is to find and then do what makes you feel good and feel gorgeous no matter what it may be, because that’s what this is all about.
what a great look ….lovely. i love browns
Thanks, Monika. 🙂
natasha i also love browns…..
They really look great on our skin tone.
loved d look…
Glad you enjoyed it, Bhumika!
Hey can you suggest me some nice prods from Bobbi Brown? Btw loving the look 🙂
Hi Aarthi, what are you in the market for? I really love BB for base makeup because they really got the darker skin tones down. MAC has a really wide variety, but I feel they didn’t study their colors quite as much.
Let me know what you need, and I’ll be happy to help!
I am actually not particular about anything. I haven’t tried anything from this brand so just thot of trying something new 🙂
I really like their base makeup products (foundation, concealer, powder, etc). I feel like they really did their homework on darker skintones, so while MAC, for example, may have a great selection to choose from that doesn’t mean they have the best choices available.
Thanks Natasha.
Great look Natasha!! You are looking lovely!! 🙂
Thank you, CaliCoaster!
you have beautiful eyelashes
Hi, Sarah! 🙂
Hi Rati ! how are you gorgeous ? sorry yar havent been so active on your blog. Life is pretty busy .Gah ! :/
am fine, Sarah. 🙂 Life’s busy?? I hope you are still enjoying it. 🙂
Thank you, Sarah, but I wouldn’t have half the volume I do here without the two products I used. I can’t wear mascara without my booster, it’s just not the same!
wow! Amazingly gorgeous look! Love every bit of it 🙂
Thanks so much, Suma! Hope you’ll be able to try it out soon.
It’s a beautiful look Natasha. 🙂
Is studied brown a pro colour?
Thanks, Rati! I think it may be a discontinued shade. It’s a simple matte chocolate brown.
Nice look Natasha
Thanks, Veda. 🙂
wow! u luk so bful! bful flawless skin to die for and amazing eyes! lovely… :yes: :yes:
Thanks so much for the kind words, Surbhi!
@rati i wanted 2 ask u if i can write a blog too? and how? sorry m really new to all this stuff…very technically handicapped!! 😀 😀
Let me reply to your mail today. 🙂
:yes: :yes: :yes: :beauty: :beauty: :beauty:
Thanks, Nids. 😉
rati…what do u mean wen u say studied brown is a pro color???
There are some mac products that are only available at MAC pro stores. Basically they are meant for professional makeup artists but normal junta can also purchase from mac pro stores. We don’t have any pro store in India. 🙂
hehe was lookin at brown eyeshadow swatches when i saw this post.Gr8 timing and a pretty look :-)) :-))
Thanks, Sharon. Hope you’ll be able to put it to use!
Gorgeous! Such a simple and wearable look Natasha 🙂 Loving it!!
That’s always the way to go during the day. 🙂 Thanks, Appu!
You’re so gorgeous! I love this look it’s so clean and wearable :-)) TFS
Hi Devie (Devi is my middle name),
Thanks so much 🙂 That’s what I love to put together – looks that are simple and elegant, and that others can put their own twist on should they want to!
you look a lot like Kamal Sidhu 🙂
Hey Natasha,….loved the look….one question…what you used for your hair?????? mine is curly like yours, but yours seems to be well behaved :yes: :yes:
Hey Jomol,
I use the curl conscious line by Bumble and Bumble. You’re right, curly hair does need to be “tamed”. I actually told Deb all about in the comments here: https://makeupandbeauty.com/flawless-makeup-tips-4-ways-4-minutes/ but please do let me know if you have any other questions that aren’t answered there!
xo,
NK