Subtle 40's Makeup - Rachel McAdams Inspired

I thought I'd so something a bit different today and show you a make-up look I tried to translate on myself. Its not something I normally do, since I usually just watch a ton of YouTube videos and mix and match whatever I think is pretty. I really like the outcome though and I'm really excited to share it with all of you! This is actually a collaboration with Alex from The Red Eyeliner, so if you'd like to see her look click this!

Now when you think of 40s makeup, its usually characterised by soft bedroom eyes, prominent brow bones, defined cheekbones, velvet skin, and of course a matte red lip. While I have not done that look yet (and I will eventually - feel free to bug me for a post!), I thought I'd share a more wearable 40s look that I could add to my limited arsenal of daily makeup looks. 

The look that I went for is this one from The Notebook. It was set in the forties and had less of the Hollywood look and more of a casual one. I would like to clarify at this point that I'm not trying to look like Rachel McAdams! I could try but we won't really get anywhere. I'm more after her makeup, which looks very lovely in this photo below.

This has three distinct features: velvety skin, pinky peach cheeks, and a wine red stain on the lips. You see none of the bedroom eyes or defined cheekbones in this one. I absolutely love how it still reads fresh without dewiness, which is something I'm not always fond of. Here are the products I used below.

Base: Etude House Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence, Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation (123), Innisfree No Sebum Loose Powder*
Cheeks: NYX Powder Blush (Pinched)
Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Natural Matte Palette, Fairydrops Platinum or Scandal Queen Waterproof Mascara, Lioele Auto Eyebrow Pencil (3)
Lips: Covergirl Queen Collection Lipstick (Tawny Port)*
*Alex's Products

I did my routine as usual (primer + foundation) and left my eyebrows alone as they're naturally quite full anyway. I focused more on the eyes by doing a bit of crease definition. I did this by sweeping Heaven all over the lid up until the brow bone, and then lining my socket lightly with Cashmere Bunny. After mascara, I then powdered to get rid of all shine (yes, all shine). Final step was to add 1 light layer of the lipstick, rubbing it in slightly to create a stained effect.

Yes, shame on me for not bringing the appropriate lip colour! The closest I have in my collection is currently the NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Mandore. That one has slightly less brown tones, but one light layer will look identical. Any more than one layer results to a more autumnal look. 

You couldn't see the eye makeup on Rachel, but I did do a tiny bit of defining through the crease. It just adds a bit of definition and shadow without going in the cut-crease direction of the 60s.

This is the finished look! In hindsight, I would have contoured just a tiny bit because my face is too round for my liking, but I do like the output nonetheless. Alex and I had tons of fun hanging out and taking pictures with our respective looks and we hope you like them, too!

P.S. There was a 70s look but due to lighting issues, we didn't push through with it. I don't think any of us are ready to see that yet!