At the London Drugs event I attended in July, I discovered and fell in love with a specific shade of the NYX Prismatic Eye Shadows- Mermaid. It’s the most perfect mermaidy (we’ll pretend that’s a real word for the sake of this post) shade of green, and the day after that event, I went out to London Drugs and bought it because I couldn’t wait to try a look with it. It just so happened that about a week after I did my look with this gorgeous eyeshadow, some other lovely ladies in the Beauty Blog Coalition decided to come together and do a Mermaid Makeup linkup- perfect timing, no? So anyways, if you’re here because you want to see my wearable mermaid makeup tutorial, you’re in luck because you now have several gorgeous mermaid-inspired looks (ranging from totally amazing, unreal looks to my tame, toned down look, haha, and some gorgeous nail art as well) to check out!
1. Start with a black eyeshadow base all over the lid (but avoid getting it into the crease) as this will make all the difference when you apply the shadow over top- it’ll help get that really bold, vibrant look we’re going for. I love the NYX Black Eyeshadow Base, but I do find that it slips around on my lids a lot when there is no shadow over top, so you need to get shadow over it pretty quickly or you’ll need to reapply it.
2. Apply a light brown transition color into the crease using a fluffy blending brush. I used Light Brown from the Lorac Pro Palette 2, but any light, matte brown will do.
3. Using your finger, start packing on the NYX Prismatic Shadow in Mermaid all over your lid. Keep adding shadow until the color is as vibrant as you want, and then use your fluffy blending brush to blend the edge where you applied the transition color into your crease. This shadow really does all the work in this look for you- it’s so gorgeous!
4. Take a silver shadow (I used NYX Prismatic Shadow in Tin) and apply this along your lower lashline and in your inner corner.
5. Take any black or dark grey shadow (I used Black from the Lorac Pro Palette 2) on a smudge brush and blend this very lightly into the outer half of your lower lashline. Make sure it’s blended nicely into the silver you applied there as well.
6. Line the top lashline and wing it out at the end, as much or as little as you like. Because I have hooded eyes, I have to do quite a thick wing for it to all line up evenly when my eyes are open, but you can do whatever works best for you.
6. Lashes!! I first put on a couple coats of the BareMinerals Lash Domination Mascara that I’ve really been loving lately, and then I applied a pair of the ESQIDO mink eyelashes (I used BFF, which are super comfortable to wear, and I’m really picky with falsies).
7. I’m not going to go into detail for my face products because they’re just the usual, however I do want to make one point on the face part of this look- highlight, highlight, highlight! I used the lighter highlight shade in the glo minerals Shimmer Duo and highlighted the tops of my cheekbones, my cupids bow and the bridge of my nose. You can also add a bit of the highlight shade to your inner corners for extra pop.
8. Last but not least, lips. I wanted to keep them pretty neutral since the eye shadow color is so vibrant, so I went with Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Melted Nude, which has an almost orangish tint to it.
And that’s that! Pretty simple and straightforward for a fairly bold look. I hope you enjoyed my “wearable” version of mermaid makeup- be sure to go check out what everyone else did for their looks… that’s what I’m off to do right now!
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Neversaydiebeauty says
So beautiful! I’m a big fan of green shadow so I adore this look. I would never have thought to apply a black base! I’m learning something :)
Chelsea says
The black base makes a HUGE difference! Without it, this shadow is super light :)
Erika says
Your look is so pretty!
Chelsea says
Thanks Erika!
MarciaF says
I can’t believe you started with a black base. Makes sense since Mermaid stood out so well on it. I had a black base a long time ago but I couldn’t work with it so thanks for telling me to pat on the shadow with a finger. I’m going to try this with a black gel liner and see how it works. It’s beautiful on you.
Chelsea says
Yes, the black base makes a HUGE difference! I am sure a gel liner will work the same, it just might be harder to get off :)
Nidia - Lit From Within says
I have that color, but haven’t used it. I really love it up against the black! The contrast is striking. I need to do this.
Chelsea says
Definitely try it over a black base! Without it, it’s very light and very hard to see on my fair skin, but with the base it obviously stands right out :)
Destany says
That is a great soft, wearable look – I love it!
Chelsea says
Thanks Destany! xo
Renu says
This is such a pretty, wearable look!
Chelsea says
Thank you :)
Phyrra says
I love the soft icy look!
Chelsea says
Thanks :D
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
Beautiful, you have such pretty eyes!
Chelsea says
Aw thank you :)
Kath TheFabZilla says
You are one demure mermaid! Too bad I missed this, I had a rough weekend that’s why
Chelsea says
Aww, I’m sorry to hear :( Hope this week is looking better for you!
Sheila says
I love that shadow, as well! I love how great the lashes look on you!
Chelsea says
Thanks Sheila! I love these lashses :)
Jess Scull says
Such a pretty look! Love it!
Chelsea says
Thanks girl!
Emily says
That is a really pretty look!
Chelsea says
Thank you :)
Jodi says
Oh my that shadow is AMAZING. The mermaidy eyes and the almost orange lips look lovely together.
Chelsea says
Thank you, I thought so too! :) The orangey nude was totally unintentional but I ended up loving it.
Kim says
I love this eye look, it’s so soft and ethereal! So perfect for a romantic date or fun event! Thanks for the step-by-step, you’ve made it easy for us to recreate! XO -Kim
http://www.thethirtysomethinglife.com
Chelsea says
Totally agree!! You are very welcome :)
Miranda | Slashed Beauty says
Gorgeous and you’re right, very wearable!!
Chelsea says
Thank you!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir says
The subtle mermaid! I love how wearable it is!! You look gorgeous!
Chelsea says
Thanks Brooke :)
XO, Noelle says
This is such a fun, wearable mermaid look! I absolutely love this.
Chelsea says
Thanks Noelle!
Liz says
Your makeup looks stunning! This look suits your complexion and hair colour perfectly!
xo, Liz
http://lipstickandconfetti.com
Chelsea says
Thanks Liz! <3
Norah Loves Makeup says
Love the subtlety of your look! The liner and color really work with your pretty eyes :)
Chelsea says
Thank you Norah!
Chelsie says
Gorgeous. I had a friend do a look with that exact same shadow and it looks so stunning on her; I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to pull that color off but I think it’s about time I try it!
Chelsea says
You never know til you try- and the best part about makeup is that it comes off, so if you don’t like it, no harm done :) It could look amazing!
Honeygirlk says
Those shades against your beautiful snow white skin are stunning and they have your eyes absolutely sparkling. Gorgeous Chelsea :D
Chelsea says
Thanks Honey! :)
chelsea jacobs says
I love it! So pretty with your eyes!
Chelsea says
Thanks Chels!!
Beautyjudy says
Oh this is such a soft and pretty look. I need to pick up this shadow.
Chelsea says
It’s only like $6, definitely worth it! I love all the NYX Prismatic shadows. Check out Girl Talk as well, it’s such a perfect everyday shade.
Julie says
Love it! It’s so soft and subtle, yet so mermaidy! (I like that word too haha) I have this shadow, so I’ll have to use it this way!
Chelsea says
Ahaha, it’s a great word ;) You would pull off this look SO well. Can’t wait to see it!
Freda says
That mermaid make up suits your features perfectly. You look stunning.
Claudia C says
Oh my! That Mermaid shadow from NYX is calling my name. Gorgeous makeup you did…you also have some pretty amazing lashes!
Heather says
I love it, you did a fabulous job!
Kristina says
I love this, so pretty!
Kristina does the Internets
Katie Garvin says
I love your look — so wearable, compared to mine, lol. Or, at least, more wearable for me :-) I love how we used the same eyeshadow, but got two different looks. Very, very beautiful!
Genevieve says
It looks sooo good! I’m definitely trying this tomorrow!
Jen says
I love a mermaid look, especially for summertime! You’re totally rocking these shades- so soft and pretty! I definitely have to hunt down that NYX Mermaid shade :)
Natalie Heather says
Oh my gosh, I love this on you! It’s not over-the-top, but you can definitely get the mermaid feel. So gorgeous. Great tip to use a dark eyeshadow base to make the color pop, as well!
Elaine says
SUCH a stunning look! And you’re gorgeous!
Sarah M says
This looks so pretty! And totally wearable for every day.
Kendra says
Ummm…yeah, your a babe. Love this color on you!
Lisette says
LOVE your mermaid make-up look! You so pretty :) Plus I love mermaids so I just had to come look!
Rhonda W says
Wow this shadow is beautiful!!! Will have to check it out. Fantastic blog! :)