Obviously my minimalist 'week' would monstrously expand into two. Obviously my final post would keep burgeoning (yes, burgeoning) so that it itself had to be split into two. I hope this is the penultimate post, but who knows. Mitosis may continue forever, projected deathbed scene: "must type....one final...tiny minor point....about....minimalism. *deathrattle*"
Key to my kind of minimalism:
colour without texture: Becca Beach Tint Watermelon [Beauté and Hourglass stains are also wonderful]
white-out: crayon from Shu Uemura Tricolour Energy Flow
strategic high-contrast colour: YSL Mascara Singulier WP #5 Vibrant Blue, Chanel Rouge Allure Genial, Illamasqua Intense Gloss Follow, Barry M Liquid Eyeliner Electric Blue
A few looks, all built up from my beauty base zero. In the most practical terms, my 'minimal' look chose ONE of mascara, liner or eyeshadow. For these I chose TWO.
1. Mascara + Gloss
YSL Singulier WP #5 Vibrant Blue, RBR eye gloss all over lid and cheekbones, Illamasqua Intense Gloss Follow
2. Mascara + Eyeshadow
Shu Uemura Energy Flow white crayon to 'white-out' eye. Chanel Genial on cheeks and lips. Lancome Hypnôse Drama WP mascara.
3. Eyeshadow + Liner
Wheaty gold from Lavshuca Melting Eyes BR-1 as an anti-contour. Barry M Liquid Eyeliner Electric Blue. Becca Watermelon Beach Tint.
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| Because dear friend D. demanded. Now you know why I don't smile to camera. |
3a. + more liner :P
TEH WHOLE IDEA: Pat McGrath for Anna Sui AW2012
These went from from least questionably to most questionably 'minimalist' but yeah, even the last Anna Sui one qualifies as such to me. I do plan to ramble about my personal fuzzy category definitions soon but in the meantime, I would love to hear whether any of these qualify as 'minimalist' to you.
Ha, you are wonderful. Minimalism and naturalism are two different things, in my opinion, although they can overlap. Here you begin with naturalism, i.e. Base Zero, then move to an insightful exploration of minimalism and what it means. That Pat McGrath look for Anna Sui was superb, and is on you, even without the wool hat. It was vivid minimalism.
ReplyDeletexoxo
MattieB
Glorious Mattie, I can't believe you read my drivel! <3
Delete*steals all your words for my commonplace book*
I think I 'need' (for purposes of avoiding projected death scene) to draw a clearer liner between naturalism and minimalism.
Do I see a new hair colour?? *nom nom* you know, with all the minimalistic looks on youtube (or any other tutorials) there is a question that comes to my mind: does minimalistic mean less foundation? less eye mu? less of everything? what do we do with clothes? etc ...
ReplyDeletepersonally, I divide a minimalistic look in a) minimum make up on face (no foundation, just concealer and powder, a natural tint on cheeks) b) concenttration on the eyes: liner, mascara c) concentration on lips d) fashion (very important to me for a minimalistic look actually): straight lines/cuts, minimum patterns, etc (basically no knick-knack) e) hair
I don't concentrate on one area only but the whole 'look' has to be minimalistic. and I love your smile missy, I think my favourite look is the last one :) <3
good eye as always :D It's the Vivi orange influence XD
DeleteI agree the WHOLE look has to read as minimalist (though we disagree slightly on the details)... just using a few items =/= minimalism.
hehe, since you have 'vivi' hair now, will we see a vivi inspired fashion post soon? :D *hopes*
Deleteoh and BTW, this topic is very interesting, I think you should delineate your point of view: minimalism vs naturalism. would love to hear and see more about this topic and your thoughts. also I was just thinking about me, I don't have problematic skin but I guess someone with breakouts will use more base than I would do - at the end we will look both 'natural' ywim? I have to overthink this: minimalism - not necessarily less products, hm, thank you for the thought impetus <3 but I still believe it is more about shape than colour (bold colour can look minimalistic as well, etc ... )
Deleteyes, shape is more important to me too in defining minimalism -- colour is almost not a factor at all although I wonder how much of that is due to both your and my natural colouring (high contrast)
DeleteThese looks impress me so very very much- you have such allure! The looks by all means are "minimalist", for starters, and they are also intriguing. I am utterly entranced ... looking forward to seeing more of your stuff in your archives. Thank you so much. xoxo Beth in Pgh ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a kind and thoughtful comment, Beth
Deleteyou are really pretty Kate! I really like how the vibrant blue eye liner looks on you! really really nice. I never thought blue eye liner could look that good. I might try one as well too ;D
ReplyDeleteplease do, Jade :) I'm sure it will be beautiful on you
DeleteI'm sorry but I do not get at all WHY U NO SMILE !!
ReplyDeleteYou're so beautiful in all of them. And you're making me want that eye gloss!
I look drunk D:
Delete(Ironically when I'm drunk I get VERY weepy and sentimental. Before deciding to cut my hair.)
I think this gloss is up there with the highlighters as as must-have RBR product!
Ok, I could stare at your beautiful face all day! You are just so gorgeous and elegant. I'm really enjoying the minimalist series. Before I really got into m/u, I wore the bare minimum (though it was the same every day). I like your idea of choosing how many and where these products are going on any given day. I feel like when I try to do "natural" lately, I end up with the opposite effect. Anyhooo. I have tried the RBR gloss only once over cream eyeshadow, and it was a creasy disaster. Maybe stick to powder e/s? Over or under...both?
ReplyDelete<3 thank you so much as always, Julia
DeleteI don't often try for 'natural' (minimal sure, but not that 'HD-invisible-jargon-blah' kind of makeup), maybe that's why I suck at it, or maybe it's just too easy to overthink and over-do without the skills of a Kevyn Aucoin or Laura Mercier...
I find the gloss works best with creamier powders if you're NOT looking for editorial-creasy. I reach for it most mornings as a 'primer' however (just under, no over)
So I was like....
ReplyDeleteYEAH YEAH lovely lovely as ALWAYS.....THEN> I SAW THE BLUE DOTS!!! I may have to try this!!
xxx
WE START CULT NOW, YEZ?
DeleteYEZZZZZZZ!!!!! If you don't have a dot on your lower lash line....you shall be vanquished!
DeleteI LOVE that eye gloss on you! Looks so good on your cheekbones, too!;)
ReplyDelete:* than you Sonia! I was twisting my neck like a crazy woman trying to get my camera to pick it up.
Deletevery nice!
ReplyDeletevisit my blog, we can follow each others :)
http://www.armocromia.com/2012/06/chanel-fall-2012-make-up-collection.html
miss
Thank you! I can't wait for the autumn collections :D My favourite season.
Deleteah such simple loveliness! i hardly do mascara/shadow/liner, I am too much of a klutz when I am rushing out for work, so it's usually just bb cream and blush, that's counted as minimalism right? right??? :P
ReplyDeleteyou crack me up, so self-deprecating :)
DeleteMinimalism to me means using fewer(color) products. In Kate's case, her expertise in selecting and applying just a few select products creates a highly individualistic look that can safely be termed iconic. Great post, great looks and it's so great to see that minimalism doesn't mean boring.
ReplyDeleteYou made my day with this comment. Thanks so much <3
DeleteI may have to get that Chanel lipstick. What a glorious colour it is on you. Would never look as good on me with my faded colouring. The way you pull off the blue eyeliner is magnificent. You look beautiful in all the photos. Love the name of your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words, Moushka :)
DeleteYour natural colouring definitely plays a huge part in (my) minimalist makeup (there's more leeway with more dramatic looks I feel) -- I bet you can pull off all the sexy complex grungy shades that make me look like death.
I believe in less is more, love the pop of blue on your eyes and the ruby lips. Stunning:)
ReplyDeleteI think I believe in going where my impulses take me ;) Not a signed-up minimalist by any means.
DeleteI absolutely love the eyeshadow + liner looks - absolutely beautiful!!!! I must admit, I'm curious about how these looks would look without curled eyelashes though - I just have a feeling they'd look fantastic with straight eyelashes.
ReplyDeleteYou're completely right :) In particular I'm kicking myself over the white-out eye.
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