Hi Liz! Where I work, the company Christmas party has always been THE event of the year for us so most of us really go all out on the preparations. I already have a peg for what I'll be wearing that night and I was thinking of using your Irene Adler makeup look (but perhaps with a more neutral lip) to go with it.

Would it be possible for you to make a step-by-step guide on how to do it? Mucho thanks in advance! - Chenyl

Fun fact: Chenyl is one of the first few Project Vanity readers ever. She was there when no one has ever heard of this blog! So when she requests, you can bet I'm on it! It's been a while since I did a step-by-step like this because all told it takes me 5-6 hours to accomplish. But yes, for my favorite readers, the time is very well spent. ;)

Anyway Chenyl referenced an old look I did. It was a purplish wine smoky eye. I don't have the palette I used there anymore, so I thought I'd show off the new Etude House Mix & Mix Eyes PK001 Christmas Holic palette. It has these gorgeous metallic purples that I think fits the mood of the season! Lots of sparkles, shine, and general extravagance are what Christmas 2012 is about. Gold and red are defaults, but for once let's try out a dramatic purple eye. Here goes!

Step 1: Do your foundation (Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Foundation + Clinique Perfectly Real Foundation), eyebrows (Avon Perfect Eyebrow Pencil + MeMeMe Archangel), and then prime your lids with your favorite eyeshadow base (I used the Artdeco Base here). 

Step 2: Dampen the eyeshadow brush with water.

I've done quite a few looks in the past, but I think this purple eyeshadow confection is my favorite yet. This deep-socketed, sunken eye look gives the face a sense of drama and mystery without looking overdone, methinks.

For this look, I used the Lancome Teint Miracle + Benefit Watts Up highlighter to get luminous skin. I did my eyebrows using the Benefit Brow Zings, contoured with the NARS Laguna Bronzer, and blushed with Benefit Hervana. And now, for the eyes!

Step 1: Apply an eyeshadow primer like the MAC Prep + Prime Eye Base. Then, apply a matte purple like Allure from the Sigma Flare Eyeshadow Palette on your lids.

I love purple eyeshadow. Its different variations seems to suit the Pinay skin color best, which is why aside from neutrals you will see me wearing purples a lot. So when I heard about the NYX Purple Smokey Look Kit from my favorite blogger Karen, I was immediately hellbent on procuring one for myself. Aside from the palette being all about purple, the $11 price tag is just calling my name!

Well, since we don't have NYX in the Philippines, the $11 price for this palette is just a dream. I asked Armie of Carefreeshopper if she had the palette so she immediately reserved one for me. I only spent P725 including shipping - not bad, not bad at all! 

The palette has a small drawer containing the applicators and lip gloss

So how was it? Well, I am sad to say that I am disappointed. I really wanted to love this palette, but there were some things about it that I thought made it a "meh" product. 

What I love about it

• The bloggers weren't lying when they said that this palette's eyeshadows are extremely pigmented. One layer is all you need to get a good color payoff.
• Compact and nicely packaged. The sleek black plastic looks quite classy.
• Has a mirror, very useful for retouching on the go.
• Travel-friendly