My mom used the same Maybelline black eyeliner for about 10 years, carefully sharpening it with a pen knife. It was only about 4 years ago I bought her an actual eyeshadow set (A Dior quad. It was her birthday!) and blush (also Dior) and a few proper brushes (can't remember the brand, but worthy of the Dior).
I don't know what I was thinking.
You know what's weird? Trying to teach your mother how to put on makeup when you have no clue what you're doing.
Years later I've seen the palette and I can confirm that she's used it enough times to have actually "hit pan". It was a very pretty quad (muted purples and beiges if I remember correctly) and I can't help but feel touched that she still uses it despite being the mother that always chastises "Why you waste money like that?" for every present I ever gave her.
Very slowly, almost stealthily, I have been getting consumed by a fascination for the face as canvas. My childhood is just catching up with me. I've finally reached adolescence!
And it's just amazing to see examples of when makeup transcends to art.
It takes enormous talent to be able to know that this:
Is the perfect look to complete this vision:
Yes, I know it's not the same model but you know what I mean. But come on, bright green eyeshadow, red lips, strong liner, pale matte skin... what? But the result is perfection: Playful, fresh, young, sexy, very Galliano but also very Dior. It takes a certain kind of genius to be able to deliver that.
These are from the Christian Dior Spring 2010 show, from Style.com and the brilliance behind the makeup is Pat McGrath. See the whole fabulous collection here.