When it comes to any country inspired makeup look, the primary goal is to be natural, however; there are instances where several country inspired makeup looks are audacious and daring. Not saying this represents dramatic, but tends to be rather visible in a sense that it intense, yet wearable. When I attended the Beaverhead County Fair in Dillon, MT, many women approached me and asked me about my makeup. Then, when I posted pictures afterwards on the world wide web, I had women from all over the world contacting me, asking what I did to achieve this particular look.
I garnered the inspiration for this look from my own ideas. This inspired makeup look is purely an original I created based on what I wear most and how it emphasizes my precise features. Although this inspired look is a look you can wearing during the day or the night, one thing is certain, it is passionate and somewhat dramatic. Today, I am going to show you how to re-create the “Sarah Afshar Country Inspired Makeup Look“. Lets get started!
Moisturizer is key, especially in the Summer. Despite my skin being fairly oily, I always manage to use a good moisturizer, as it will not only maintain hydration, but keep my skin balanced throughout the day. One of my favorite moisturizers is by Proactiv and it is called Green Tea Moisturizer. It is fortified with an array of antioxidants, so it is great for the skin. I am going to apply this all over my face. The moisturizer will set on it’s own. The key is not using too much, but also not using too little either.
It is a well known fact that every girl should know how important primer is. It is one of the most important beauty essentials as it is used for several purposes and works in an array of different ways. Primer is often used to allow makeup to last a long time. One of my favorite primers (which I am going to use to create this inspired look) is Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer. I love this primer because it is infused with an array of vitamins and is water-resistant. I am going to apply the primer all over my face and allow it to set for about a minute or two.
Once I have allowed the primer to set, I am going to begin applying my foundation, as well as, concealer. Although, you can choose how you want to apply your foundation and concealer, I tend to apply my concealer first, followed by my foundation and setting powder. For this specific look, I am going to use MAC’s Select Cover Concealer in NC42, which I will apply using the 195 brush by MAC. When I use concealer, it is mainly to target any problematic areas because this concealer provides you with great coverage, so I don’t need to use a lot of it.
Remember, when you apply concealer, as well as, foundation, you don’t have to use the same exact product or shade as I do, however; this is what I used to create the Sarah Afshar Country Inspired Makeup Look. As you continue, you want to apply your foundation. Using a 190 brush by MAC, I am going to apply my foundation. For this particular look, I am going to use MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid in NC42. I love this foundation because it gives you a natural matte finish and allows you to build the foundation to meet your coverage needs. It also absorbs oil, without drying out the skin and clogging pores.
Setting powder is key, however; depending on the type you want to use is truly up to you. For this particular look, I am going to use a rather translucent powder, as I found it to be more natural looking. Most recently, one of my favorite setting powders is definitely Urban Decay’s De-Slick Mattifying Powder. I love this translucent powder because it extremely lightweight and very absorbing. It is great for those that have oily skin, as well as, normal and combination skin. For this particular inspired makeup look, I am going to use this powder. Using MAC’s 150 brush, I am going to apply this all over my face. Keep in mind that any powder will do, as will any brush.
In most recent years, I have discovered that one of my favorite products is definitely bronzer. There are so many great bronzing products in the beauty world and so many that have yet to be discovered. One of my favorites (which I will be using today) is definitely Urban Decay’s Baked Bronzer. I like this bronzer because it natural looking and also extremely pigmented, so you are able to build color. It can also be applied wet or dry. Using the 134 MAC brush, I am going to apply “Gilded” all over my face. There are three different shades, but I find that “Gilded” (which is a stunning bronze shimmer with gold undertones) is the most vibrant for my particular skin tone.
The thing I love most about bronzers that possess a little bit of shimmer is the fact that you don’t really have to use luminizer. I love luminizer, so of course, I was a little upset. Just kidding! Well the great news is, when I created this look, I did add some blush, but I made sure that the blush was natural, yet visible and at least went well with my particular skin tone. For the Sarah Afshar Country Inspired Makeup Look, I decided to use NARS Blush in Douceur. Using a 116 MAC brush, I am going to apply this generously to the apples of my cheeks. I am going to blend up and out, but also make sure that I go over it with a beauty blender, in an effort to blend the product, so it doesn’t look dramatic. NARS blushes are extremely pigmented, so the key to wearing them correctly is to blending them properly.
Some of the best inspired makeup looks in history have been influenced a balance of neutrality and excitement and the Sarah Afshar Country Inspired Makeup Look is no exception. You want to begin by priming your eyelid. Although there are many eyeshadow primers in the beauty world to date, for this inspired look, I am going to use Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I love this eyeshadow priming product because it truly delivers benefits, as it actually prevents your eye makeup from creasing, fading, and basically making a mess. I also like it because it allows your eye makeup to be applied smoothly and doesn’t irritate your eye area. You don’t need a lot, however; if you apply a generous amount, it truly does get the job done. I am going to use “Eden” for this particular inspired makeup look.
Once you have applied your eyeshadow primer, you must let it set for about a minute or so. I know most women like to apply their eyeshadow first and then go over it with the liner, for this look, I did things a little differently. In fact, although I am notorious for applying my eyeshadow before I apply my liner, I decided to apply my liner before I applied my eyeshadow. I have decided to use a gel liner (Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink), however; to line my waterline, as well as, to tightline, I went with a stand-alone pencil liner (Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero).
I always apply the gel liner first, followed by the pencil liner and with this look, that is exactly what I did. Using the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush, I applied my gel liner. You want to extend your gel liner on the top out and then, when you line the bottom, you want to extend it up, so that the two corners of the application form a “v”shape. If you mess up, don’t worry. Just wipe it off and try again. As you continue, you want to line your waterlines with the stand-alone pencil liner. You want to also tightline. Tight lining (when you line the top water line of your eye) is optional and is not required if you have overly sensitive eyes.
Now it is time for the eyeshadow. Although the eyeshadow is semi-dramatic for this makeup look, I didn’t use that much. In fact, I only went with three individual eyeshadows. My main eyeshadow was a dark deep brown matte. I decided on Lanc´me Color Design Eyeshadow in Couture. Then, I decided on a natural, yet neutral blending shade that was still relatively visible, but not too overpowering. For the Sarah Afshar Country Inspired Makeup Look, I went with a light gray matte shade. I went with Illamasqua Powder Eyeshadow in Feline. For the highlight, I went with a golden shimmer that was rather pale, yet nude. For this look, I decided on MAC eyeshadow in Nylon.
Using a 227 brush by MAC, I will begin by applying the main shade. In this Sarah Afshar inspired look, the main shade is also the darkest shade. I will pack on the eyeshadow, but only enough to wear it is visible. You don’t want to go past the crease, when you apply this shade, but you do want to go up and extend it that it is a little below. Using a 214 brush by MAC, I am then, going to apply the light gray matte shade. You will apply this in the crease, but you will not blend. Then using a 217 brush by MAC, you want to blend this shade into the main shade. Once you have accomplished this, you can add your highlight. You can accomplish this by using a 228 brush by MAC and apply the highlight modestly, but not generously up near the brow bone. Then, you want to take the 227 brush again and touch up using the dark shade, but do not blend.
Are you having fun yet? The time is now to focus on the eyebrows. For this look, the eyebrows are not going to be as dramatic, yet intense as they could be. It is 2011, not 1911. You want to go, as natural, as possible. If you have dark hair (whether brunette or black) if this means going a shade lighter or two, so be it. If you have blonde or light hair, go as light as you can, without appearing as if you don’t have eyebrows. Try something more taupe or beige, rather than brown. For the Sarah Afshar Country Inspired Makeup Look, I am going to use Benefit Brow Zings in Medium. My hair is dark brown, but I decided that the medium works well to compliment this look. I love the Benefit Brow Zings because this little kit gives you everything you need to create amazing eyebrows.
Although mascara primer is optional, it is not required. I decided to try mascara primer, simply because I created this look shortly before I decided to go ride, rides at the fair. Recently, I discovered one by Armani Beauty called the Soft Lash Primer which works amazingly. My mascara did not fade, let alone flake and I wasn’t left with the messiness of spider lashes and dry flakiness, that can sometimes happen if I wear mascara for a while. There are several mascara primers (commonly known as eyelash primers) in the beauty market and they vary in price. I have tried one by Milani before that was under $10 and worked great.
Once you have applied your mascara primer, it is time now to apply your mascara. If you wear primer, you really do not need waterproof mascara. I love waterproof mascara, but sometimes I find myself having a hard time getting it off because many are formulated with ingredients that promote this concept. For this particular inspired makeup look, I am not going to use a waterproof mascara. I am going to use Dior’s Diorshow Mascara in Black090 (which is simply a rich black). Black mascara is what makes my eyes pop and I encourage everyone who attempts to recreate this inspired makeup look to use it. Use generously, but also properly.
The lips should be as natural, as possible. For this particular inspired makeup look, I lined my lips with a lip pencil. I decided to go with Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil simply because out of every lip lining product that I own, it is the best one. It is not only waterproof, it is formulated with an array of antioxidants, making it a product that is good for your skin. Your lip area is very important and this lip lining product definitely demonstrates why. You want to choose a shade that is a little darker than your natural lip color, but also visible. I decided to go with Illegal (which a stunning rosy neutral shade). Although some ladies like to apply their lip liner after their lip product, I always apply mine before.
Now it is time to apply the lipstick. For this inspired look, I have decided to use a lipstick that is of a matte finish. Something that is rosy, but also nude with a beige undertone. The perfect lipstick for me, to create this specific inspired makeup look is definitely MAC’s lipstick in “Honeylove” (which is a stunning light beige with a rose undertone). There are so many shades in the beauty world today, so keep in mind, you don’t have to use the exact shade as I am. I am well aware that this shade doesn’t look good with every skin tone, as it varies upon skin tone. The lips are to look natural, so the key is to stay away from any other finish. Lip gloss is not needed.
Congratulations, you have just created the Sarah Afshar Country Inspired Makeup Look. For all of you beautiful women out there, have fun.
