From MAC’s Star Trek collaboration, to Too Faced’s peach scented palette, and Kat Von D’s holographic alchemist creation, sometimes it’s easy to think that every make-up combination, colour and scent has already been envisaged, manufactured and marketed. This, however, is far from the truth. Too Faced’s co-founder Jerrod Blandino’s recent Instagram post of a Pumpkin Spiced palette, which had been photoshopped by a fan, caused quite a stir.
Even though the palette wasn’t real, the eager reaction and chorus of “I would buy that,” proves that no matter how many products have come before, there is always a gap in the market for something new. Which begs the question, what would you be developing in the lab if you were CEO of a successful make-up brand? I’m glad you asked…
Imagine if you could blend your eyeshadows like a bar tender mixes their cocktails, creating subtle and balanced looks like a G&T, then punchy and powerful effects like a rum and coke, or even whipping up a saccharine sweet knock to the head like a bubblegum treble. Enter my own personal creation, the ‘Mixologists Palette:’ 10 colours, 2 bases, 5 mattes and 3 glitter finishes, for intoxicating eye looks.
The first base colour in the palette would be ‘Crushed Ice,’ a blue tinged, holographic highlighter to add drama to the brow bone and above the eye on a night out, or as a refreshing inner corner sparkle to disguise your hangover the morning after. Or there’s the ‘On The Rocks,’ base - a pink toned cream highlighter, which can stand alone or be used as a transition colour.
In the cocktail cabinet of matte powders there would be ‘(gin)membership,’ a dusky grey which can stand alone or be used as a transition colour with darker tones such as ‘(wine)up your waist.’ This is a cool toned dark purple, which can be layered up to achieve an almost black effect. For a more natural look you can combine ‘livin(tequila)loca,’ an orange toned mid brown for centre lid and under eyes, with ‘(rum)ember last night,’ a darker brown, for the outer corners. ‘(Rum)ember last night,’ would also be mixed with sugar crystals for a subtle sweet scent.The final matte colour in the palette would be ‘(curaçao) killed the cat’ - an electric blue which can be swiped carelessly over the whole eyelid, or blended into the crease for a more subtle sheen of eccentricity.
Then to really give the eyes a fizzy pop you need your mixer. These would come in mini spray cans of shimmer to be applied over closed lids.Three colours would be available: ‘(sprite)and breezy,’ a solid block of glimmering green for the outer corners and under eye area; ‘(coke)cabana,’ a bronze toned blitz for edgy looks; and ‘(fanta)sia,’ a mango toned shimmer to bring your look together. These intensely pigmented glitter bombs would bridge the gap between day and night - taking you from the lecture hall to the dance ball.
Finally, what would a cocktail be without a garnish? To finish, the palette would include two eye-liners, ‘(cherry)leader,’ a liquid black liner with a 1mm brush for wings as precise as your dance moves, and ‘(umbrella)ishment,’ a white liquid liner to contrast the black and make it even more defined.
With this palette though it’s important to know your limits and please blink responsibly.