Hello everyone, here comes the first installment of Femme Boulevard for 2013 and this is also my first look this year. If you are wondering what those Chinese words mean, they mean Gong Xi Fa Cai aka Happy Chinese New Year.

Chinese New Year is about 2 weeks away and I will be going home during this festive period. Usually, I don’t put on much makeup during Chinese New Year as I will be super busy catching up with my cousins – thus no time for self preparation. My usual look includes a light base, false eyelashes, blush and nothing on the lips as I will be snacking away.

The festive shades for Chinese New Year is usually red and gold, and Femme Boulevard: 恭喜发财 is inspired by these shades but I took a more wearable spin. Instead of red, I used maroon and nude rose, and instead of gold, I mixed bronze and brown.

This simple look will compliment any pink, red, maroon or gold cheongsam. Hope you like it.

Every month, Femme Boulevard gets me very excited as I can’t wait to see what the other Femmes did especially after our collaborations last year. As clueless as you may be, check out both Lily and Teri’s Chinese New Year looks on ChloeAsh and BellaChique.

Face
Go for a natural hydrating base if possible because during this festive season, there will be lots of snacking, traveling from houses to houses – skin will be lack of moisture due to all the late nights and Chinese New Year goodies. Remember to use a primer so foundation lasts longer.

Eyes
It may be a little boring but I find bronzes and browns compliments Chinese New Year clothings very well – well, it also depends on what colour you pick. For me, I usually go for soft pink, maroon or red tops or like 2 years ago, I wore a blue cheongsam. I avoid matching my outfits to my eyes or lips – using bronzes and browns help accentuate features, adds depth and draws attention to the eyes – all of that, without being over the top.

Featuring Shu Uemura Tokyo Lights Palette in 01 previously reviewed here.

• Use a fluffy brush, apply ME906 under brows as a highlight.
• Apply ME825 all over lids as a base.
• Gently brush ME280 from center of lids to corners of the eyes to add a touch of bronze.
• Tight line upper lash line with a black eyeliner.
• Use a bronze colour eyeliner to line upper lash line and use P875 to softer line.
• Mix M895 and P875 to darken the out corners of the eyes.
• Use what’s remaining on the brush along lower lash line.
• Run the same bronze colour eyeliner along lower lash line.
• Highlight inner corners of eyes with G Gold.
• Apply mascara and false eyelashes if needed.

Cheeks
Natural semi-matte cheeks with a touch of golden sheen. I skipped using highlighter for this look because there’s quite a lot going on to the eyes.

• Use a matte light pink blush all over cheeks.
• Apply a pop of pink coral along cheek bones for an instant lift and colour.
• Use a bronzer to lightly contour face.

Lips
Try to pick a lip product with moisturizing properties – a natural hue with a bit of sheen. With all the fried food during Chinese New Year, I bet my lips will be parched. Here, I am using Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ Enriched Lip Luminizer in 221 Sweet Nougat from their latest Spring/Summer collection – more details here.

Thank you for looking.

Products Used

FaceLaura Mercier Foundation Primer (sample)
Lunasol Skin Modeling Liquid Foundation
Lunasol Skin Contrast Face Powder

Eyes
Chanel Perfect Brows
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer
Benefit Powderflage
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Shu Uemura Tokyo Lights Palette in 01
YSL Waterproof Eye Pencil in 1 Black Ink
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Lucky
Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash (sample)
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in Black
Ardell False Eyelashes in 120 Demi Black

Cheeks
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer in 03 Amber Bronze Medium
Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in M Soft Pink 335
Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in P Medium Coral 366

Lips
By Terry Baume de Rose
Clé de Peau BEAUTÉ Enriched Lip Luminizer in 221 Sweet Nougat

Nails
Tom Ford Plum Noir

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Love, Bonito