FOTD – Shanghai Nights

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This FOTD was inspired by one of the looks in the latest issue of Taiwanese beauty magazine, Queen 女人我最大 (post here).  But it’s a look I have always wanted to try – vintage orient inspired by the Old Shanghai.

Decadence in Shanghai was at its height in 1920s and 30s.  Known as the “Paris of Asia,” 19th-century Shanghai boasted fine restaurants, exquisite craft shops, back street opium dens, gambling parlors, smoky jazz clubs and brothels.  Night-life at the Shanghai cabaret was a delicious fusion of western Jazz bands with Chinese songstresses, and elegant women in the finest silk cheongsam.

Makeup in that era was very much influenced by Hollywood, but with the use of deep reds that look so exotic against the meticulously coiffed dark hair.

FOTD Shanghai NightsKey products:

FOTD Shanghai Nights

Clockwise from top left: Laura Mercier Custom Compact, Face of Australia Blush Nutmeg, Kanebo T'estimo Eyeshadow Compact No. 3, Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner Black, Face of Australia Lip Quench Lipstick Pure Plum

Face

The key here is to use a medium coverage matte foundation with the slightest touch of earthy peach blush.

  • Nutox Oxyfusion Advanced Serum Concentrate
  • Face of Australia Photo Finish Compact Foundation Ivory
  • Face of Australia Stick Foundation Ivory - used as concealer under my eyes
  • Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder
  • Laura Mercier Eyeshadow Fresco (colour A) – used to contour sides of my nose

Brows

The brows are thin but dark, with an arch on the outer 1/3.

  • Solone Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil Black
  • Laura Mercier Eyeshadow Coffee Ground (colour B) – to soften the line and fill in gaps

Eyes

FOTD Shanghai NightsThe eyes are kept clean and elegant, with subtle contouring and elongated black eyeliner.

  • Laura Mercier Eyeshadow Cafe Au Lait (colour C) – to contour the sockets
  • Kanebo T’estimo eyeshadow No. 3 (colour D) – a satin taupe all over the lids
  • Kanebo T’estimo eyeshadow No. 3 (colour E) – a shimmery ivory applied to the inner 1/2 of the lids
  • Laura Mercier Eyeshadow Sesame (colour F) – applied under the brows to enhance the contours of the socket and shape of the brows
  • Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner Black
  • Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara

Lips

The lips are full with feminine round edges (no harsh pointy peaks), in shades of plum, deep reds or chocolate.  I’ve actually used a deep chocolately plum lipstick, but the SPF base has thrown out a lot more blue in photograph.

  • Face of Australia Lip Quench Lipstick Pure Plum

I have really loved doing this look!  Now I just need someone to throw a themed party so I have an excuse to wear this, together with my choengsam for a night out icon biggrin FOTD Shanghai Nights

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42 thoughts on “FOTD – Shanghai Nights”

    • LOL you are hilarious!!!! It’s not everyday a blonde hair blue eye beauty like yourself is envious of an Asian – I like it ;)

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    • Gosh I’ve always found that so alluring… maybe in my past life I was one, and live a life full of decadence and broken dreams ;)

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  6. Wowzer! Your makeup is so pretty. Love how your red lip stands out so much and how can you draw such smooth and pretty winged eyeliner! I’m jealous :)

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    • Thank you :D I did have to fix up the liquid eyeliner with a bit of eyeshadow afterwards, but I use it everyday so I guess I get plenty of practice!

      Reply ↓

    • Thank you Megan *blushing*

      I just used my GHD on side part hair and luckily it worked out okay… I’m really not good enough with hair to do a blog post on it :P

      Reply ↓

  14. OH MY GOSH! I did a double take- I thought this was from an ad campaign or something- what a shot. You look amazing!! Love the look of the LM shadow palette. Go FOA foundation too- how flawless does your skin look!

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    • OMG that’s the most awesome compliment – heart u!! The LM palette was a pick-yourself palette which I made up with all matte neutrals cos they’re so hard to find. Really exxy – $320 altogether but worth it.

      And I’m really happy with how the FOA foundation comes up in photos too – I did use concealer but find that I don’t need as much as I normally would.

      Reply ↓

  15. omg!! you pull off the look so well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you take me back to the era where they all looked like that! WOW… pro at the eyeliner skills :) … i dont even know how to do winged eyeliner cleanly!
    Winnie recently posted..Coming up reviewsMy Profile

    Reply ↓

    • I would have loved to live in that era – all the women looked so glam and sophisticated *le sigh*

      I have super oily eyelids so pretty much wear liquid eyeliner everyday, and I guess practice is the key :)

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    • Jen I wish u can see how it looks in real life – it’s an even more gorgeous chocolately plum – see the product pic. It’ll look fab on you!

      Reply ↓

  20. It reminds me of Vicky Baum’s novel, “Shanghai Hotel”, published in the early thirties.
    It reminds me also of Anna May Wong’s picture by Steichen.
    Bravo, c’est très beau! :)

    Reply ↓

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