Alright ladies..here goes. This is for those you who though I had "perfect" skin...NOT! It's all in the makeup!

I decided to do mine in stages. I took a pic after each step. Luckily a few of my most troublesome spots on my chin departed. Scary to think, I know! I apologize...the lighting seems different in every picture.

The official BEFORE...sans everything! GASP!


This is post Silk Powder only.


This is Metamorphosis over Silk Powder.


This is after 2 layers of my Glissade 2Y / 2W mix, applied with the SSTK brush.


This is after using Neutral Medium CC on my leftover spots and also after using Coquille Nectarine and Dune Matte under my eyes.


This is after using Illuminator all over and Verve rouge on my cheeks.


Alright...now for the AFTERS!
On my eyes I used:
Le Mystere #20 dry all over from brow to lashes
Persephone dry in crease
Tanzanite gel liner on both lash lines
Umber on my brows
2 coats of NEW mascara
Bella gloss on my lips









Edited to add these 2 pics. I took them later on in the day. On my lips is 'fanclub' and clear gloss. Yes, I have a different shirt on. I was cold and needed a sweater

So cool!!! I love how you did stages so we can see the transformation. I especially like your eye look in the afters. Great color combo...neutral, but a little sultry too.

Btw your curls are gorgeous in the after pics. Did you use an iron or hot rollers?

Melissa, you are so beautiful! Love the 'steps' pictures. Never thought of using Metamorphosis under foundation. Gotta try that. Isn't it funny how we all, in a way, look younger without makeup? Not that makeup ages us at all. But I think there's some kind of innocence of a young girl whose mom hasn't allowed makeup yet.

You're lovely with or without makeup.

I think this 'look' in the 'after' pictures is probably one of my absolute favorites on you. It just goes so well with your hair color too.

Thanks for sharing!

Loida

That is so nice of you to show your stages of application, Melissa!! Another great face that looks even greater with each photo. I have to grin at how your smile and sparkle to the eyes became more pronounced as I scrolled down. Al does make us very happy!!
Your eye color choices are dazzling soft loveliness. Kathy

Melissa, you are gorgeous! Before you look young and fresh and innocent, after you look young and polished and fresh. So beautiful! Love this soft eye on you, too!

-b.

So clever of you to show the transformation in stages! Just love how AL mmu transforms us and brings out our best face. You are truly an artist, love your look. Thank you so much Melissa.

Wow- I learned so much after seeing your "stages"
You are gorgeous *and* talented! Thanks so much for posting!

cool! youre amazing pretty. with and without makeup. but i do always love seeing your looks

The stages of makeup was a brilliant idea Melissa! Thank you for posting that, I know it was hard for you.

First, yes you have some 'flaws' in the beginning pic (superficial flaws at that) but to be honest, I am so drawn to your eyes I don't really notice them...you are such a beautiful woman, inside and out, with and without makeup.

I adore your last look. I agree that it is natural yet sultry. So so so so so beautiful!

Great pictures Melissa, I love the stages concept! So neat to see the transformation. I love your choice in eye colors here too.

Brilliant! While I was "putting on my face" this morning I was thinking someone braver than I should post a B&A in steps - barefaced, then w/concealer, contours, basic foundation, etc. so that we can really see the transformation take place. And, VOILA! here you are supplying just what I was looking for. Awesome job. You always look fantastic, and I always love your combos. Thanks for doing this!

I love this Melissa, thanks for posting it like this. I love the look on your face and your smile that gradually gets brighter as you go to the look of perfection. I can't wait for your tutorials, now that we got a little taste.

Beautiful before and after.

Thanks so much ladies

I cringe every time I look at those before pics. Why is it that the photographs look worse than real life. Even my hubby said that. He was like, "you don't look that bad in person" Thanks, hun!

Sorry...I forgot to respond to your questions:

Green3: I use a flat iron to curl my hair

Loida: I totally know what you mean about looking younger without makeup. How funny, huh?

Lyndz: I totally hope to start doing toots soon

Thanks again ladies!

This is so awesome! A great advert for the wonders of AL!!!!

Pinky

::biggest hugs:: Melissa, you are one gorgeous woman, with or without makeup. Thank you so much for showing all of the steps that you used on your skin, that part in particular was very helpful to me. I find that since I ruined my kabuki, I need to apply my glissade in layers also with a thick taklon brush and then use my kabuki to blend... what do you use? I may also get a sponge to get extra coverage.

I love the eye look too - this is creative but at the same time, something I would wear every day. I don't think I have mystere 20 but I have persephone (dont you just love it?!) and longing... so I might have to give this a try!

Thank you again, Melissa.

You're beautiful with and without makeup!

I agree w/Loida, makeup does make us look younger, as well as feel younger. And who doesn't want to look & feel their best?

These ladies have said it all...you're beautiful before and after, and the idea of step-by-step pictures was awesome! Thanks for sharing, your looks are always so inspirational!

Melissa. what a nice thing to do for us. Taking time to do your makeup/pics in stages is a great way to show "how to" sequences.
As always, you are beautiful with a naked face or with an enhanced face. .
Jane

I am speechless!! WOW! I just cannot believe the difference in the sequence of photos!! Thank you for taking the time to do this. It makes me wonder how much better I look before and after, because I am really not sure!! I love your color choices too!