As you probably guessed, 'Mermaid-Core' is inspired by mermaids.
Mermaid-Core had a big surge at Fashion Week with wet, slicked back hair and dewy, hydrated skin.
Whereas for makeup, it's a bit more open to interpretation.
You can choose anything from asymmetrical liner to bold bright shadows.
The biggest shades for Mermaid-Core makeup are blues, greens, and purples.
What Products Do I Need to Create a Mermaid-Core Look?
As mentioned above, blues, greens, purples.
I found that teals and magentas give a fun spring/mermaid vide as well.
I didn't have all of the shades I needed, so once again, I found myself at Wal-Mart.
And yet again, I was blown away at the variety of beauty products and how affordable they were.
It is quickly becoming my go-to for beauty.
Eyes are the fun part of a Mermaid-Core look. The only limit is your imagination.
I found that shadow sticks worked really well for blending and achieving a more dewy finish.
I also found some pretty metallic liquid eyeshadows from Makeup Revolution for about $2.97 that were perfect for a Mermaid-Core look.
Skin/Face needs to be kept dewy, not matte and reach a high level of highlight to give a shiny, Mermaid effect.
I used the multi-use sticks from NYX that I reviewed back in fall. They were perfect for achieving that pearly, mermaid inspired skin finish.
Lips should be glossy and border on looking like they are dripping water from just emerging from the sea.
A super juicy lip gloss is your best friend when aiming for this effect. I bought Covergirl's Yummy lip gloss and was so incredibly pleased with the outcome. It really gave me that dripping wet lip look.
How Do I Get a Mermaid-Core Look?
I'm happy to assist, as I have a brand new Mermaid-Core tutorial just for you!
1. Purple Shadow Stick + Blending Brush: First I took the purple shadow stick from Maybelline and traced it all the way through the crease of my eye, from inner to outer corner and winged it out just a tad at the end.
Then I used a small blending brush to buff the shadow and soften the line in the crease. This also helped to bring out more of the shimmer in the shadow.
It gave a floating liner type of effect.
2. Jade Liquid Liner: Next I used a jade liquid eyeliner pen and traced it across my top lash line. Just a thin line of color with a tiny wing at the outer edge of the eye.
3. Green Liner, White Highlighter Stick & a Blending Brush: With a green liner pencil from Wet N Wild, I traced along my lower water line for a punch of color.
Then I swiped a white highlighter stick across the brow bone and blended it with a rounded blending brush.
4. Teal Metallic Shadow, More Highlighter, & Mascara: Next, I used a teal metallic liquid eyeshadow from Makeup Revolution and painted that along my lower lash line with a small angled eyeliner brush. I created a small wing at the end and met it with the jade liquid liner from the top lash line.
I used more of the white highlighter stick and colored in the inner corners of my eyes.
With a black volumizing mascara I coated my top lashes. No need to add any to the lower lashes as they will be covered with the teal liquid shadow.
5. Concealer + Contour & Highlighter Sticks: I used a liquid concealer to clean up any glitter or fallout under my eyes (there wasn't much).
Next I used another multi-use stick from NYX, this time to create a subtle contour under the cheek bone. Then I blended it into my skin for soft effect.
Back with more white highlighter, this time under the eyes, on the top of the cheek bones and temples. And I blended that in with my fingertips for a glowing, dewy finish.
6. Cream Blush Stick & Lip Gloss: With yet another NYX multi-use stick, this time in a magenta shade, I blended it onto the apples of my cheeks and used my fingertips to melt it into the skin for that glow-y effect.
Finally, I used a super juicy lip gloss from Covergirl and applied it all over my lips for a really hydrated, mermaid look.
Put all these steps together and we will get...
Our finished Mermaid-Core makeup look!
And we are all set to "dive in" to this spring 2024 makeup trend!
The purple, teal, and green really play well together to give us that Mermaid-Vibe.
The metallic and shimmer finishes also work well together to achieve a multi-dimensional glowing effect.
The pearly multi-use sticks from NYX were truly ideal for keeping skin dewy and giving off a subtle shine.
The best part about the Mermaid-Core trend is that there are so many possibilities!
You could reverse the way I used the colors; teal in crease, purple on lower lashes.
Or go in a totally different direction, there are no rules!
Products I Used for my Mermaid-Core Tutorial:
Maybelline: Color Tattoo Longwear Multi-Use Eye Shadow
Stix in I am Fearless
Luxie Beauty: Rose Gold Mini Angled Eye Brush 131
Maybelline: Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner in
Emerald Green
Wet N Wild: Color Icon Multi Stick in Green
NYX: Jumbo Multi-Use Face Highlighter Stick in Vanilla
Ice Cream
Firma Beauty: 204 Wide Blender
Relove by Makeup Revolution: Eye Light Metallic Liquid
Eyeshadow in Dazed
Today I'm starting my series of tutorials for Spring 2024 Makeup Trends.
It's cold outside right now (a lovely 14 degrees here in New York🧊), but soon we will turn that corner and start seeing the trees budding and ice melting.
My tutorials will have you all set for the spring trends that have already started making a statement at Fashion Week.
Ballet-core or Balletcore is inspired by, you guessed it, ballerinas.
Sleek buns, ribbons, ballet slippers all had their moment last year and now it has moved on to the face.
Cool pink hues, shimmery eyes, pearly highlighters, lots of sheen all play into a Balletcore makeup look.
Super blush drenched cheeks along with pink lips and eyes all contribute to the ethereal aesthetic that is really what gives the Ballet-Core trend its brilliance.
What Products Do I Need to Create a Ballet-Core Look?
So, pinks are going to be your got-to for a Balletcore look.
I didn't really have many of the pink shades that I needed.
But, instead of going to one of my usual cosmetic stops, I opted for Wal-Mart (mainly because they would deliver in a matter of hours).
I found everything I needed for the perfect Ballet-Core look for such reasonable prices.
You don't have to break the bank to achieve the latest trends; check out Wal-Mart.
Eyes need to be pink but also shimmery. I bought the Maybelline The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Skyscape
Dusk. Although, their a matte finish, the pinks and mauves are perfect for a subtle ballet eye.
I also picked outHard Candy Eye Def Eyeshadow Marker in Pink Ink Metallic.
It was an ideal lid color for Balletcore not just because it's pink, but because of the amazing shimmer-metallic finish (I also used some on top of my highlighter)
For contrast I used a rich black liquid liner and mascara.
Blush needs to be very pink and ideally dewy for a nice sheen. I chosee.l.f.: Putty Blush in Bora Bora.
It was blendable and buildable so I could get the intense blush I wanted.
Lips need a soft pink with an eye catching finish. I picked Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Pink Frost. It is literally the perfect shade and finish for a Ballet-Core look. The frosty finish is spectacular. And it has the scent of a watermelon Jolly Rancher 🍬
How do I get a Ballet-Core Makeup Look?
I'm so glad you asked, because I have one just for you!
You can check out my video tutorial for Balletcore makeup here
1. Mauve Pink + Very Light Pink Shadows: From the Maybelline palette I used a light mauve shadow and ran it back and forth through the crease of the eye. Then with a blending brush I softened the edges for a smooth transition.
Next I used the lightest pink shadow from the palette and dusted it through the brow bone for a subtle highlight.
2. Metallic Pink Shadow Stick + Black Liquid Liner: With the shadow stick from Hard Candy I colored all over my lids and into the inner corners of my eyes. I blended the shade a bit with my fingertips.
Next I used an intense black liquid eyeliner and traced it across my top lash line creating just a tiny wing at the outer end.
3. Black Mascara, Concealer & Light Contour: I applied a very black lengthening mascara to my top and bottom lashes.
Since we want a clean base for our next application of pink shades, use a concealer with a natural finish under the eyes.
Then I used a light brown contour shade and just lightly applied it under the cheek bones and blended out. We want to keep it very subtle.
4. Highlighters & Putty Blush: Then I applied a shimmery off-white highlighter to the tops of the cheek bones, into the temples, under the eyes, forehead, and bridge of nose.
Don't be afraid to really pack on the highlighter. I even topped it off with some of the Hard Candy shadow stick and blended it in as well for some extra pink.
Next I used the putty blush from e.l.f. and built up a pretty good amount on the apples of my cheeks.
I smoothed it with my fingertips to meld it with the rest of the face products.
Then I dabbed some on the tip of my nose.
5. Frosty Pink Lipstick: Finally I finished off my Balletcore makeup with a frost pink lipstick and applied to my lips.
Put all these steps together and we have...
Our finished Ballet-Core Makeup Trend for Spring 2024!
My Ballet-Core makeup used pink on almost all the features of the face.
If you want to go a little more subtle you can pick one feature and just really play it up with pink.
I chose a very black liquid liner and mascara because I loved the contrast between their deep shade and the light pink eyeshadows. They compliment each other nicely.
Products I used for my Balletcore Makeup Look:
Maybelline: The City Mini Eyeshadow Palette Makeup in Skyscape
Dusk
Shades by Shan: Precision Blend Brush
Shaina B Miami: Angled Shader Eye Brush
Complex Culture: Precision Eyelid Brush
Hard Candy: Eye Def Eyeshadow Marker in Pink Ink Metallic
Kokie Cosmetics: Gel-Ink Dual Ended Eyeliner in
Amethyst/Matte Black
Ilia Beauty: Limitless Lash Mascara in After Midnight
Today I’m going back to my 90’s Icons Series and adding
one of my personal favorite style icons: Gwen Stefani.
When most people think of Gwen they think of her aught’s
era solo career (she ain’t no Hollaback Girl).
But before Gwen taught the world how to spell bananas
(yes, I sang it as I typed it), she was the totally awesome lead singer of No
Doubt in the 90’s.
And one of my favorite No Doubt songs is ‘I’m Just a
Girl’.
Catchy beat with lyrics that I have always identified with. I just
recently read that Gwen wrote the song about her strict parents growing up.
Gwen and I had that in common growing up (if only we also shared the same vocal
talent). In addition to a fun, identifiable tune, the music video
for ‘I’m Just a Girl’ is also quite entertaining, and Gwen’s makeup is enviable
as always.
She has her signature red lips plus major eyeliner and lashes. All together her ‘I’m Just a Girl’ video makeup is as
timeless as she is.
You can also check out my other 90's Icon tutorial of Shania Twain's 'Man! I Feel Like a Women' music video makeup here
What Do I Need to Re-Create the ‘I’m Just a Girl’ Music
Video Look?
Time & Patience. This video took me longer than most to record,
mainly because each step of makeup is so full-on and precise.
Eyeshadow. There is a
ton of eyeshadow blending to achieve Gwen’s perfect shadow.
Another factor was
that I didn’t have the exact eyeshadow shade that Gwen wore in the crease of
her eye and around the lids.
It is a purply-brown mahogany shade. Fortunately,
I was able to mix a few shades from my Tarte Maneater Nightfall palette (one of
the best makeup purchases I’ve ever made) to get to the right color.
Eyeliner. An inky black liquid liner is essential for a classic
Gwen Stefani look and this one is no exception.
Also, in my video I show you how to get a similar effect
with a matte black eyeshadow and angled eyeliner brush.
False Lashes. Gwen is definitely wearing false lashes in this video. I
wasn’t sure at first, but I paused the video so many times to get the right shadow
shade, in one of the stills I could see the band on the lashes.
Just a regular set of full lashes is enough to re-create
this look.
Contour, Highlighter & Blush. A fairly strong contour is needed to try to replicate the
contour on Gwen.
As well as a good amount of highlighter to get all the high
points of the face.
And a neutral toned blush applied pretty heavily to the
cheeks for that 90’s flare.
Face Gems. To enhance the eyes even more, Gwen has one rhinestone face gem on each eye near the inner corners.
Red Lipstick. And of course it wouldn’t be a Gwen Stefani look without
a strong red lip. A bright red lipstick is an absolute must (I used a liquid,
but regular lipstick would work just as well).
How Do I Create a Gwen Stefani ‘I’m Just a Girl’ Music
Video Inspired Look
Again you can check out my video tutorial of Gwen's 'I'm Just a Girl' Look here
1. Layer Caramel,
Plum, & Umber Brown Shadows: With a crease brush apply a caramel-beige
shadow through the crease of your eye. Then apply the same shade to the inner
and outer eye lid, leaving the center lid empty. With a blending brush buff the shadow for a soft,
diffused effect (you will be blending after each shadow). Next add a soft plum shadow to the outer and inner lids
and blend again. Take an umber brown shadow and run it through the crease
of your eye and onto the outer and inner eye lids. Blend again, fusing all the
shades together, but still leaving the middle of the lid empty.
2. Shimmery Champagne Eyeshadow: With a fluffy eyeshadow
brush dust a champagne shimmer shadow onto the center of the eyelid (that we
left empty before). Really saturate the lid for a sparkly effect.
3. Black Eyeliners, Black Eyeshadow, & Pink-Brown
Shadow: Run an intense black liquid liner across your top lash line and wing it up and out a bit at the end.
If you’re having trouble with the liquid liner
you can take a matte black eyeshadow and touch up or complete any liner
mishaps.
Using a black pencil liner trace all the way across your
lower water line and into the inner corners of your eyes (it was the 90’s).
Use a brown-pink shadow on a flat brush along your lower
lash line for definition.
4. Mascara, False Lashes & Highlighter: To prep
lashes, coat top and bottom lashes with a volumizing mascara.
Then apply false lashes to top lash line. Add extra
liquid liner to hide the seams of the lash band if needed.
Use a pearly highlighter to highlight your brow bone,
like Gwen has in the video.
5. Concealer & Eye Gems: Use a concealer that matches
your skin tone to clean up any shadow fallout under your eyes.
Next take two round clear adhesive rhinestone face gems
(you can get them on Amazon) and place them right where your lashes end on your
lower lash line, right before your tear duct, one on each eye.
6. Contour & Highlighter: Take a matte medium brown
contour shade and work it into the space between your cheek and jawbone and up
onto your temples. Also take it under your jawbone. Blend away any harsh edges
until your left with just the shade.
With a matte highlighter dust it all over the tops of
your cheek bones, under eyes, forehead, and down the bridge of your nose. Gwen
has a very distinct highlight in this video.
7. Neutral Blush & Bright Red Lipstick: Dust a matte
dusty rose blush onto the apples of the cheeks and blend upwards for a strong
90’s inspired flush.
And what would a Gwen Stefani tutorial be without red
lips. I used a bright red liquid lipstick and applied it liberally to my lips.
All of these steps will finally give us...
Our finished Gwen Stefani 'I'm Just a Girl' inspired makeup look!
The shadow color took a bit of time to achieve, but we come so close to one in the video.
The gems on the eyes gives extra brightness and shine to the overall look. And the red lipstick just pulls the entire look together.
Products I used to re-create Gwen Stefani's 'I'm Just a Girl' makeup look:
Tarte: Maneater Nightfall Eyeshadow Palette
Tarte: Eyeshadow in Paws Off
Vasanti: Contour Eyeshadow Brush 4
Wingme Cosmetics: 03 Small Shading Brush
MAC: 217 Blending Brush
Tarte: Eyeshadow in Passionate
Tarte: Eyeshadow in Tease
Too Faced: Eyeshadow in Brunch
Bubbles
Slmissglam: SB68 Eye Brush
Eyeko: Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner Travel Size
MAC: Carbon Eyeshadow
Beau Gâchis: Eyebrow Brush
Beautique: Defining Eye Pencil in Black
Too Faced: Eyeshadow in Flapjack
Luxie Beauty: Rose Gold Flat Definer Brush 221
Buxom Cosmetics: Buxom Lash Volumizing Mascara in
Blackest Black
You can also see my Kansas City Chiefs inspired makeup tutorial here
I don't have a true preference of who wins this year.
Since my Buffalo Bills were knocked out of the Playoffs (I'm so tired of typing those words), it's less of a thrill.
If pressed, I'd probably say the 49ers; a lot of my friends are 49ers fans and I've always liked the team.
But, I really like Taylor Swift's music and she's dating Kelce so...
We'll see 😎
Back to the makeup.
The tricky part with the two teams in the Super Bowl this year is that their colors are very similar; they both have red, white, and a variation of yellow-gold.
The challenge was creating two completely individual looks that represent each team with basically the same three colors.
Challenge: Accepted!
For Kansas City I did red lids and accented the red with a very yellow lash line.
For this 49ers look I went with shimmery gold lids and a red cut-crease, more similar to the 49ers helmets in their last game.
Did you know that so much thought went into these makeup tutorials?
I don't just wakeup and makeup (I really wish I did. Oh, the time I'd save 😅).
But, let's get on with our San Francisco 49ers makeup tutorial 🏈
How to Create a San Francisco 49ers Makeup Look
Again, you can watch my step-by-step tutorial here
1. Golden Eyeshadow: To start things off I used a fluffy eyeshadow brush to saturate the lids with a shimmery muted gold shadow from lash line to crease.
I used the shade Desirable from my Tarte Maneater Nightfall palette. I have gotten so much use out of that palette for so many different eyeshadow looks.
2. Red Matte Eyeshadow: Probably one of the strangest makeup products that I've bought is red eyeshadow. But honestly the stranger part is how often I have used it.
On a small crease brush run the red shadow all the way through the crease of your eye.
The red eyeshadow I used is NYX Primal Colors in Hot Red which has sadly been discontinued.
But, you can get a pretty close shade in their Ultimate Edit
Petite Shadow Palette in Phoenix (50% off right now on their website).
Also, MAC Cosmetics Powder Kiss Eyeshadow in Werk, Werk,
Werk is very similar.
3. White Highlighter Stick & Black Eyeliner: Run a pearly white multi-use highlighter stick through your brow bone. Then take a shading brush and blend the highlighter across.
Next take a black liquid liner and trace a thin line across your top lash line, winging it out just a tad at the end.
With a black pencil liner fill in your lower water line about 3/4 of the way across.
The liners are really just defining the eyes, they aren't the stars in this look.
4. Brass Eyeshadow: Take a brassy-copper eyeshadow on a defining brush and run it along your lower lash line also 3/4 of the way across leaving the inner corner of the eye empty, for now
5. More Highlighter, Mascara & Concealer: With a small eyeliner brush swipe it through the tip of the highlighter stick. Then paint the inner corners of your eyes for a bright white highlight.
Swipe a black volumizing mascara on top and bottom lashes for a nice contrast to the eyeshadow shades.
Use a concealer that matches your skin tone and apply it under your eyes to clean up any fallout from the shadows.
6. Contour, Even More Highlighter, and Red Blush: Next take a medium brown contour shade on a small face brush and gently run it under your cheek bones. Blend it out with your fingertips until you have just subtle definition.
Using the same highlighter stick (they don't call it multi-use for nothing) smudge the pearly shade onto the tops of your cheek bones and temples. Blend with your fingertips until you get a shimmery glow.
Blend the red eyeshadow onto the apples of your cheeks to get a rosy red flush.
7. Bright Red Liquid Lipstick: With a red liquid lipstick trace out the shape you want along your lip line. Then fill in the rest of your lips until you get a nice bright red shade.
Add all these steps together and you will have...
Our finished San Francisco 49ers inspired makeup look, just in time for the Super Bowl!
Normally, I would blend the eyeshadow in the crease of the eye, but for this look I wanted a strong red shade and almost a cut crease effect.
You could always add a some gold glitter or shimmer powder to your cupid's bow for an extra pop of gold.
The products I used in my San Francisco 49ers Makeup Tutorial:
Tarte: Maneater Nightfall Eyeshadow Palette
Tarte: Eyeshadow in Desirable
Slmissglam: SB68
Eye Brush
NYX: Primal Colors in Hot Red
NYX: Jumbo Multi-Use Face Highlighter Stick in Vanilla
Ice Cream