How do I feel about Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Hmm… Well, you know how much I like pink drinks, right? They’re delish! — but I don’t pump my fist in the air and say YAAASSS when I get one.
But I do when I get a PSL.
Also, even though I went through an intense green tea latte phase last year, ultimately, I could take or leave ’em. But the Pumpkin Spice Latte. THE PSL! It’s my most favorite drink at Starbucks, and it always has been, from even before I started wearing this tank top 24/7.
Despite the forecast calling for 80-degree temps here, I’m bubbling over with PSL excitement! I got the fever bad, so I channeled it into this PSL-inspired makeup look. 😊 Then, I went to Starbucks and ordered a special version of the PSL based on this recipe from The Macrobarista on Instagram.
He’s a Starbucks barista who makes healthy-ish versions of Starbucks drinks.
He calls this refreshing version the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it has all the spicy sweetness of the standard PSL, but (according to The Macrobarista) it’s only 90 calories with about 11 grams of sugar.
To make my life easier, I took a screenshot of his “recipe” on my phone and held it up to the cashier at Starbucks so he could type it in. 😉
Now, about the makeup, my friend, this was the first “LEWK” I’ve done in a minute (been doing a lot of one shade of taupe on my lids with mascara, NARS Orgasm lip balm, and nothing on my skin). Needless to say, I felt like I was wearing everything and the kitchen sink.
But it was fun, and in the process I found some new things to love.
The Urban Decay Elements Eyeshadow Palette ($52, available meow)
Urban Decay is the place to be right now when you find yourself overcome with urge to wear warm orange-y earth tones and bejeweled sparkle.
I give them props for not straying far from what works for them — warm orange-y browns and jewel tones. And there are so many jewel tones in this palette, and so many cool finishes — glitters, foils, standard-issues shimmers, frosts, and even a sparkly “transformer” shade (in the center) that turns other shadows into duochromes when you layer it on top of them.
The shadows I wore to channel my pumpkin spice daydreams — warm orange brown Elemental, hot pink Dream Weaver, dark burgundy Fire Starter, bronze Volcanic and glittery Fools Gold — had mostly standard-issue UD fallout. It’s noticeable but not annoying. Overall, lots of pigment and very easy blending.
Unexpectedly, my sensitive eyes didn’t water at all — NOT ONE BIT! — when I put on that pink, red, burgundy and purple, and I can’t always wear those shades, especially reds and purples, because most makeup brand formulas of those shades irritate my eyes. But these don’t.
MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape Contour Palette in Light/Medium ($39.50)
I also used the MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape Contour Palette in Light/Medium in this look, and about that, now that I’m officially knee-deep into my 40s, I rarely feel the urge to chisel out my cheekbones, because those harder edges add more than a few extra years… Nowadays, I like a softer, rounded look, which is why I’m surprised that I keep reaching for this new MAC palette of face powders for contouring, bronzing and highlighting.
The three darker powders in Taupe, Sculpt and Bone Beige have subtle, warm undertones, which takes the usual harsh contour edge off them.
I’m wearing a mix of Taupe and Sculpt on my cheekbones, with a light dusting of NARS Amour blush on top.
I love the effect. You can totally *see* that I’m rocking some cheek color, but it’s not overpowering.
MAC The Blonds Lipstick in Davidblond ($21)
This limited edition Lustre Lisptick is a collaboration with fashion brand The Blonds. It’s a medium pink with subtle golden glitter, and it’ll set your world ablaze if you’re all about delicate, dainty neutral pinks.
I like to lightly line and fill in my lips with reddish brown MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil (which is what I’m wearing in these pics) beforehand for richer, deeper color.
MAC The Blonds MAC Magic Dust Powder ($41)
I’m only wearing a faint essence of this mirror-like golden highlighter down the bridge of my nose, in the inner corners of my eyes and on my upper cheekbones, because it’s HELLA pigmented.
This is another LE item from The Blonds launch, and it’s sold out on the MAC website right now, but heads up — it’s still available online at Nordstrom.
Pumpkin spice forever! 🎃
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
