Tag Archives: Eye Makeup

The Paradox of Choice

The research has been done many times. Too many options can lead to decision paralysis.

The paradox of choice – that well-cited theory that seems to be more true as it ages. The idea that increased choice – while can help us achieve more – also leads to greater anxiety, indecision, paralysis and dissatisfaction.

Been there many times (including on this blog) but also when opening my fridge, deciding what book to read next, what wine to buy from Trader Joe’s, etc, etc. And it’s not just related to what I buy but how I see myself. Have you written your bio lately? Or even updated your Instagram profile?

I’m not trying to eliminate the presence of choice so much as I’m trying to be more decisive and confident in what I want. And there are times, yes, when looking at a palette of 12 eyeshadows, that it feels as though I’m staring at a world of choices and it is just too much.  As a standalone statement that may sound completely ridiculous but when paired with a busy reality it’s not that outlandish.

Sidenote: I also felt this way all weekend. My email was overwhelming and after having so many tabs with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, I had to shut it down.  

Is this a build up to an epic beauty wardrobe love letter? It is.

It seems as though the last two seasons of beauty wardrobe-ing, a NARS duo has shown me the way. I chose Dolomites for this season. This is NARS at its best, creamy eyeshadows that work well alone and even better together. The right side is a rose quartz, almost taupe with a little bit of plum. Layer it with the chocolate side and eyes pop. It’s insane. This color was limited, which is a bummer because you can’t get this anymore. It’s probably the best NARS duo I’ve ever seen. It even beats Kalahari.

This one is really special. For reasons much more than it looks good on me (and probably everyone – the colors are flattering as hell) but because it is filled with memories.

I bought this in summer of 2014.  The summer of my divorce. I think it’s on my mind now because the anniversary of the actual signing is next week. A strange time in hindsight, to think of the unknown but in such a hopeful and liberating way.  I wish I could lock that feeling in a bottle, but perhaps it’s only special in reflection. The dents in this eyeshadow were there before these past few months, though I have deepened them. Bottom line: this eyeshadow makes me feel sexy. It feels made for me. Just two colors but somehow feels like much more.

I’m going to cherish this palette, and also hope that NARS maybe brings it back one day.

Oh, and before I went ahead and shut down all of my tabs and unsubscribed from dozens of email lists, I did order the NARS Wanted Palette on Cyber Monday. Hey, I’m still human! 

The Summer Eye Makeup I Can’t Stop Wearing

Last week was really comfortable outside so I decided to wear a little more makeup than I typically do to work. It didn’t take much more time to do but it was a noticeably different everyday look. I was getting ready, my makeup was done but I hadn’t done my hair and was still drinking coffee in my pajamas and my boyfriend made a point to call out that he liked what I did with my eyes. He’s not one to comment on my makeup typically so it was sweet that he noticed.

The look began with one of my staple summer beauty wardrobe eyeshadows, Armani Eye Tint in Nude Smoke. It’s the color of cappuccino and the perfect base layer that looks amazing on its own, too. I got this late last summer and knew I didn’t want it to go unused so that’s why I included it for summer. What I forgot to include was the other two Eye Tint colors I also had: a matte brown in the shade Leather Smoke and a shimmery white gold called Gold Ashes. I think I forgot how good these are together. It almost feels like I tore apart an eyeshadow family and they were always destined to reunite. Lesson learned. I also think I was missing a really deep shadow that I could easily use to contour my eyelid and layer along the lower lash line. These shadows are totally summerproof and wear like champs. Plus how fun is the sparkle in Gold Ashes? I love the depth it adds.

There’s been another slight evolution to my beauty wardrobe. Remember how I was trying to find a new mascara? I’ve been trying a few. One that is completely knocking my socks off is the Dior Pump’n’Volume. Why I decided to give it a shot, I’ll never really understand. I know there is a whole world of people that love Diorshow. It wins beauty award after beauty award, but it has never worked for me – smudge city immediately. I wrote off all of Dior mascaras as a result. But, somehow, I got it in my head that this one would be different after reading a few reviews and seeing Bella Hadid’s face plastered everywhere. Well done, Dior. You targeted me well on the internet with this one! But, guess what? It’s incredible and it doesn’t look like the aftermath of me watching too many of The Dodo videos on Facebook. It is different! At least for me. Mascara is so weirdly personal.

The idea with the pump is interesting but I dig it. You squeeze the tube a few times to soften the formula and load the brush – they recommend three squeezes for the most oomph – and then you squeeze the tube as you pull out the wand to remove off any excess. I use a few coats and couldn’t resist curling my lashes after it dried. I say do that with caution so you don’t clump and/or break any lashes off. I’m not worried with this formula – it’s soft and anyway, once you do it there’s no way to unsee that extra volume.