Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Step by Step Smokey Taupe Eyeshadow Tutorial!

mac eyeshadow tutorial

Smokey Taupe Eyeshadow Tutorial

One of my favorite eyeshadows is MAC Satin Taupe. It's a really pretty frosty taupe (gray brown) that looks great with a variety of looks. It looks amazing paired with brown and burgundy - One of my favorite ways of wearing it is by applying a dark brown base to my lids and layering Satin Taupe over top, to intensify and slightly deepen the color, then apply a soft golden brown through the crease, and a reddened brown through the outer-v. The burgundy mixed with the taupe almost gives off a slightly mauve/plum tone that really brings out the green in my eyes. 

I'll be doing just that in this tutorial, but I'm making the look a bit more dramatic by adding black eyeshadow and liner. 

To make this look more daytime appropriate: The black shadow, liner and faux lashes are what really intensify this look, so for something a little lighter and more wearable during the day, skip step 7, 9, 10 and 12. You really don't have to line your eyes at all (I wear this look often during the day without liner), but if you'd really like to, you can opt for a dark brown liner for the top lash line.


Products Used:
Nars Smudeproof Eyeshadow Base (used in step 1)
MAC Constructivist Paint Pot (used in step 2 and 3)
MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow (used in step 4)
MAC Soba Eyeshadow (used in step 5)
MAC Handwritten Eyeshadow (used in step 6)
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow (used in step 7)
MAC Crystal Avalanche and Nylon Eyeshadows (used in step 8)
MAC Retrospeck Eyeshadow (used in step 8)
YSL Eyeliner Effect Deep Black Faux Cils Cream Liner (used in step 9)
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara (used in step 11)
KKCenterHK False Lashes #ES A562 (used in step 12)
Lorac 3-in-1 Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil (used to line my waterline afterward - for reference, I would not recommend this liner)

*Notable dupes for Satin Taupe: Wet n Wild Nutty Color Icon Single Eyeshadow ($1.99), NYX Iced Mocha Single Eyeshadow ($4.99), Covergirl Tapestry Taupe Eye Enhancers 1 Kit Eyeshadow ($4), E.L.F Moon Dust Custom Eyes Eyeshadow ($1). (Prices will vary based on location)

Brushes Used:
Generic Concealer Brush (used in step 2, 3 and 4)
ELF Studio Contour Brush (used in step 5)
MAC 219 Pencil Brush (used in step 6, 7 & 8; cleaned & used for the inner corner only. I used my fingertip for the brow bone highlight)
Coastal Scents Synthetic Fine Liner Brush (used in step 9)
Coastal Scents Small Detail Brush (used in step 10, to drag the liner upward and smudge)

Misc:
MAC Quite Natural Paint Pot was used to fill in my brows






I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

*For swatches of the individual eyeshadow shades, check out my recent 'My MAC Everyday Palette' post.

187 comments:

  1. i love this look, I'm trying to figure out what other colors I cant use because I dont have the same colors

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      There are actually several dupes for MAC Satin Taupe (listed them above) and the other shades - if you can find a light, matte brown, matte brown-red and a black, you're all set!

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    2. Thanks for listing them all out! Great post!

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    3. Absolute perfection. Beautiful. Love your tutorials :-)

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  2. LOVE IT!! Soooo pretty. Do you do home visits? haha

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!! LOL Unfortunately I've never done any.. haha!

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    2. AMAZING TUTORIAL!!!!!!

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  3. Very pretty! I love it!!
    Merrybellyland777.blogspot.com

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  4. Great tutorial and gorgeous look! Love it!

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  5. I love this post! Thanks for the tutorial!
    http://purejeanius.blogspot.com

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  6. Absolute perfection. Beautiful. Love your tutorials :-)

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  7. Fantastic.I love it. x

    http://beautybypaula2010.blogspot.co.uk/

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  8. Absolutely gorgeous!!

    I so trying this out, great tutorial!

    Rachel x

    http://racheltbeauty.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      I hope you do try it - let me know how it works out! :)

      Delete
  9. Lovely. Really makes your eye color pop :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Brittany! I love Satin Taupe.. the touch of Handwritten really brings out the green.. which is probably why I love this look so much!:) Thank you!

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  10. Wow this looks gorgeous! Absolutely love this look! :)

    stop by and check out my blog giveaway!
    http://dawndugong.blogspot.com

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  11. I love this look! very pretty.

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  12. Beautiful finished look! Flawless.
    xo,
    http://missmelissafashionandbeautyblog.blogspot.com/

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  13. The falsies look super natural! Wonderful!
    Janine

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    Replies
    1. They are one of my favorites! They are pretty dramatic, yet natural at the same time. Thank you!

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    2. what make and number are they? They look amazing!

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  14. Thank you so much for this tutorial , it was very useful.

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  15. Great tutorial. I love how it makes your eyes illuminate :)

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  16. Your step-by-step pictures are absolutly AMAZING!

    Greets from Germany

    Tascha

    www.msfamemonster.blogspot.com

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  17. So pretty! Your tutorials are so easy to follow and the pics are perfect!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Aida! I'm SO happy they are easy to follow. :) Thanks for the feedback.

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  18. These photo tutorials are really nice and such a great help! Very easy to follow, accessible. Keep em coming!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I'm so happy you like them! I will definitely keep them coming. Any ideas for future tutorials?

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  19. this is really pretty!

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  20. I am deeply inlove with your eye color

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  21. Simply beautiful. Amazing tutorial, thank you for sharing! Definitely look forward to more of these. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Nancy! There will definitely be more soon :)

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  22. I absolutely love your blog and have been loving these tutorials!
    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I'm so happy you hear you love them! :)

      Delete
  23. must...buy...everything...you...used.

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    Replies
    1. LOL! Girllll you have it all with your huge MAC eyeshadow stash!!! haha!

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  24. I really looove this look!!

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  25. You seriously have some of the best image tutorials! <3 Thanks for sharing this.

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    Replies
    1. What an amazing compliment! Thank you so much!

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  26. I love when you do these step by step tutorials...they are very detailed! Thanks for sharing!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you :) I'll try to do them more often.

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  27. *_* Wouaw ! I love your tutorial. So beautiful <3

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  28. How beautiful and wonderful this post .The colour of eyelashes and eye brows is looking gorgeous and awesome.

    new prom dresses

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  29. I LOVE this tutorial!!! I have Satin Taupe and think I can find similar browns for Soba and Handwritten, but not sure what to replace with MAC Constructivist...any ideas???

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  30. Wow Natalie,

    Thats one of, if not the best (non video) makeup tutorial I have seen, really clear and easy to follow.

    I think I will definitely be reading more of your great articles.

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  31. This is the most beautiful smokey eye look I've ever seen! Good job!

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  32. Thank you do much for this tutorial. And you are a beautiful girl and person. From a mom that needed some good instructions

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  33. I love, love, love this tutorial! This look is so beutiful! I just found your blog by accident and I'm so glad I did. You are so lovely and your tutorials are the most detailed I have ever seen. PLEASE keep them coming! Your blog is THE BEST!!!! <3

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  34. I agree with the rest of the comments your tutorials are absolutely incredible!! Hope to see more from you soon!

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  35. Do you have any other dupes for the other eye shadows??

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  36. WOW i love this look !! How do you take those gorgeous pictures? they look stunning!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!

      Believe me, it's not the easiest thing to do. haha! I took over 150 photos and picked out the ones with the clearest image/best lighting. When the sunlight is good, it makes a huge difference in the images.

      Thanks again!!!

      Delete
  37. WAWAWIWA! Seriously not many tutorials stand out to me and I NEED to recreate this look and I NEED Soba e/s - can i just ask - how does nylon change when mixed with crystal avalanche? I'm in need of a inner corner highlight from MAC…

    xxx :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This put such a smile on my face! Thank you!! Soba is a great blending shade. It's very similar to Cork if you already own it.. I use either one, but Soba is slightly sheerer. I love the mixture of Nylon with Crystal Avalanche because Crystal Avalanche is a vibrant frosty white and I sometimes find that white on it's own is a little too much contrast with my skintone. Nylon is a perfect highlight for me on it's own, but I love combining the two because Crystal Avalanche brightens up Nylon and Nylon warms up Crystal Avalanche - if any of that makes sense! They compliment each other well :)

      Delete
    2. Thanks so much for replying with such a detailed breakdown, now am up do speed on the Nylon/Crystal Avalanche scenario (sounds so official lol), will definitely have to take a closer look at them in store, at the moment I'm love Bare Minerals Soul to highlight but I wanted something that could fit into my MAC Palette so thanks for pointing me in the right direction! Great tip regarding Soba as I already have Cork :)xx

      Delete
  38. Replies
    1. I listed them above. They are KCenterHK False Lashes #ES A562.(http://www.kkcenterhk.com/p6135/ES-10-Pairs-Handmade-Glamour-Eyelashes%28Transparent-Stem%29/product_info.html?CDpath=1)

      Delete
  39. Beautiful! You have amazing eyes. I'm gonna buy everything you listed and try to achieve the same look. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  40. Excelente tutorial, y buena la sugerencia de reemplazo de sombras. Muchas Gracias.

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  41. Looks fantastic! Very professional step-by-step pictures, this makes me very happy :-) Thank you for sharing. With love, from the Netherlands

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  42. Officially obsessed with your blog! I'm all about the smokey eye lately but hadn't found a tutorial I liked yet. This one is perfect! Thanks :)

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  43. Love your tutorial! So user friendly and a gorgeous look! Your blog is one of my new favorites:)

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  44. this is great!!
    love the step by step!

    www.makeupbydulce.blogspot.com

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  45. This is fantastic!! What colors would you recommend for blue eyes?

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  46. Thank you for this fantastic tutorial. Exactly what I was looking for.

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  47. Would you reccommend these colours with blue eyes? And at 54 am I too old to have a look like this?

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  48. U r fab girl !! Loved the tut !

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  49. Amazing!!!!!!! I love the step by step instructions with pictures. Great for newbie's like me. Thank you so much for sharing this. xx

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  50. I'm a makeup fanatic so I would wear this look for daytime. That's just how I roll!....lol....love the pics. Do you do video tutorials?

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  51. Will this be too dark for blue eyes? If yes, do you have suggestions for lighter, yet similar, shades?

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  54. This is well done... I really adore this look and will definitely give it a try...xoxo
    Visit my blog sometime....www.jayla31.blogspot.com

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  55. amazing! i want to go to school for makeup and stuff so i try something new daily. ill try this tomorrow, since i do have green eyes:)

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  56. Hi Natalie!!

    My sister is getting married this Sunday, Sept.2nd. I have looked high and low for an exceptional smokey eye tutorial, thank God I finally stumbled onto your blog, because I've found what I've been looking for!!

    I do not have anything MAC, and due to limited finances, I really prefer not to invest in the eyeshadows listed here(although worthy). I have been using NYX eyeshadows which I find awesome, and I've also read they were comparable to MAC. I took note that you mentioned NYX Iced Mocha as a substitute for the Satin Taupe.

    I was hoping to get your opinion on the other colors. I copied a link to Ulta with thier NYX colors, and am hoping you would offer your opinion as to substitutes for Soba, Handwriten, Retrospeck, Crystal and Nylon. I plan on purchasing the MAC Constructivist. I believe Carbon is a Matte Black shade.

    I realize this is alot to ask, you would really be a lifesaver, and obviously you are the expert here with makeup and color.

    http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2150058#sku2139637

    I appreciate and value your time,
    Marlena

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  57. Hi! This tutorial was really something, easy to follow n a gorgeous finished.
    I have to ask you - may I use this tutorial in a blog?? I will of course give you credit for it, I won't claim it as my own. I understand if you refuse, thanx anyway. :-)

    Enjoy your day! :-)

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  58. Wow. This is beautifully done! You've inspired me to try this out this weekend.

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  59. This is great, but do you have any examples/ tutorials /competition models who haven't as much eye "lid" or high brow? Tutorials I see are always for those persons with the perfect eyes. Thx :)

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  60. Great job!!! I'm sooo happy i found your blog! Thanks for the great step by step tutorials! You do an amazing job with make up! I hope to be as good as you with my make up pretty soon!! :)

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  61. Excellent tutorial. love.

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  62. I really like this look and actually found dupes of every thing except the paint pot. I havent tired the entire thing yet, but ive tried everything without the paint pot, i just bought it today tho. :)

    Im embarrassed about this tho: What is considered the outer v of you eye? is it literally a v or is it filled in?

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  63. I absolutely love your eyebrows!!! can you do a tutorial on eyebrows? how do you maintain them, they are perfect!!

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  64. ummm...so...yeah this is gorgeous and I'll be trying it this week.

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  65. P.S. I have all that make up except for the soba. Could I use saddle or brown down??? YOU ARE AMAZEBALLS.

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  66. For us blue eyed, blondes, what colours do you recommend?

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  67. Yay, a tutorial for brown/hazel eyes! It seems most of the pinterest ones are for the blue eyed girls.

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  68. OMG this is one of the most beautiful eye makeup looks I've ever seen. For sure! I hope you'll be doing a YouTube video of this soon. Beautiful! You are talented.. Kisses

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  69. which eyelashes are those?? love em

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  70. perfect for green eyes :) love
    Kisses

    http://aboutagirlzz.blogspot.com/

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  71. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks for taking the time to do such marvellous tutorial ;)XXX

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  72. this is SO pretty, i have a blog called blushingbeautyz.blogspot.com. So far my latest addiction is L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow, it's life changing :)

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  73. Are these the same colors u would use for blonde hair, light skin, light brown eyes? Plz email ur answer. As i am disabled and only have internet on my phone. Thank u .... cutecowgirl39@hotmail.com

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  75. thanks nat for the tips...i've been learning how to emphasize my eyes better since i have a difficulty using liquid eyeliner above the eyelids...

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  76. Replies
    1. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!!!!This tutorial was just perfect....the colors, the blending, the photos, everything!!!

      I tried this look myself and I have to admit, my eyes looked pretty damn sexy! LOL!! Since I didn't have SOBA I used SOFT BROWN instead. I also added black liner to my water line for intensity. I tried this look on my friend and she absolutely loved it. Since she has very small eyes I used WHITE LINER on her waterline instead of the black. In my personal opinion, black liner on the water line tends to make the eyes look a tad bit smaller. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TUTORIAL!!!!

      So I have a few suggestions for you to try. I would love to see what you would come up with since you are extremely talented. I'll just name a few and maybe one day you might get the chance to try one:
      ~OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR TYPE LOOK WITH THE PERFECT RED LIP
      ~A COLORED EYELINER LOOK (LIKE A PRETTY GREEN OR SOMETHING) I'VE EVEN SEEN A FULL MAKEUP LOOK WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF LINER ON THE BOTTOM THAT TOTALLY GAVE THE WHOLE LOOK A POP OF BEAUTIFUL COLOR
      ~A TEN MINUTE QUICK MAKEUP LOOK FOR PEOPLE ON THE GO
      ~A BOLD CAT-EYE LOOK

      I apologize if you have done these in the past, I barely came across your website and I'm a bit obsessed right now so if you have been there, done that......just ignore me. LOL! really

      Delete
  77. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  78. Do you know what you could use to substitute the products that you used in this?

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  79. Such a classic look, Natty!

    http://95andsunny.blogspot.com/

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  80. Thnks to internet..finally I found wht I've looking for.I love this blog..I really love your blog.great tutorial with perfect pictures..

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  81. please I'd be glad if you click on this link to watch my video on youtube am new and I want ot grow and am willing to listen to both constructive criticism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQBkHVnb1HY Thanks in advance for watching or you can type melinash or melani angwo in youTube search and you'll see my channel and you can go to videos and watch my vid. Please comment rate and most importantly SUBSCRIBE. Thanks

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  82. love this blog :3
    lets try itttt :D

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  83. yeeaa.....i was look in forward to try it but Unfortanly i dont have the supplys.??????

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  84. striking! I never thought of using these MAC colors like this, thanks so much!

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  85. I will be doing this look for my wedding. Can't wait to practice, practice, practice. It uses a ton of my favorite shadows. Thanks for this tutorial!!

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  86. Hi! Love the Look! What would you put on your cheeks and Lips? I am doing something similar for my wedding make-up and having a really hard time picking the lip and check color. I believe I have the same coloring as you? NC 25.

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  87. I never actually knew how to do a smokey eye properly. I used to just use straight black eyeshadow and liner then attempt to smudge it out but now I know that I was doing it completely wrong. no wonder why people would give me weird looks :p haha

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  88. Hi I'm just wondering what you use to make your tutorials with? I'm just starting my own beauty blog and would love to share my makeup looks with people

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  89. Nice tutorial, thanks for sharing!
    xo,
    ~Pauline @ MAC Philippines

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  90. I love, love, love this tutorial! This look is so beutiful! I just found your blog by accident and I'm so glad I did. You are so lovely and your tutorials are the most detailed I have ever seen. PLEASE keep them coming! Your blog is THE BEST!

    http://dewamusic-indo.blogspot.com/

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  91. very nice tutorial.loved it .Thanks for sharing!

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  92. cool, i'm so excited can't wait to try this on

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