If you want your eye makeup application to look professional, you need to invest in some quality tools. As a general rule, those included with the products you purchase (i.e. sponge-tipped eyeshadow applicators) just don’t cut it. Reserve them for emergency touch-ups only!
As easy as 1, 2, 3!
If I had to start with just three brushes, these would be my picks. With this group of brushes you can achieve a variety of different eye looks.
1). Take some bronzing powder on a large, fluffy brush, and using short up-and-down strokes, blend it over the cheekbone. For perfect color placement, start near the hairline and follow the cheekbone down toward the apple.
2). Next, take a pink, peach or nude-beige powder blush on a small, round blush brush, and using circular motions, apply it to the apple of the cheek (the plump part which protrudes when you smile).
Hot tip! To avoid applying too much bronzer or blush, tap any excess powder off the brush before you begin. If you go wrong and your cheeks look too strong, knock down the color by blending some loose powder over the top.
Cool tricks! To make powder blush easier to blend, prepare the skin with a layer of foundation and loose powder first. For super-dewy cheeks, skip the powder step and work a cream blush straight over your foundation. Want your skin to glow from within? For a subtle surface flush, apply a cheek tint or gel before your foundation.
My product picks! I love M·A·C’s Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden, M·A·C’s Powder Blush in Pink Swoon, Benefit Benetint and the Stila Convertible Color range.
For more tips and techniques, read How to Apply Blush and click on the images within this post.
Choose a cream-textured eyeshadow with a fleck of shimmer. For a sheer veil of color, blend it over your eyelid with your fingertip. The warmth in the pad of your finger will melt it seamlessly onto the skin. To create drama, build intensity by pressing the shadow on with a dense-bristled eyeshadow brush.
Cool trick! Want a wet-look? Prime your eyelid with a satin-finish concealer first. Alternatively, for a flatter effect, begin by preparing the lid with a layer of loose, matte powder.
Hot tip! To make your peepers pop, take the cream shadow beneath your eyes and sweep it along the lower lashes. Then, line your upper and lower inner rims with eye pencil. To finish, curl your lashes and slick on some mascara. To elongate and widen your eyes, liberally coat the lashes at the outer corners (both top and bottom).
If you want staying power, then matte is where it’s at!
Preparation is a key factor if you want your makeup to last. Start by cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin, and then apply a primer and long-wearing (matte or semi-matte) foundation.
Hot tip!To minimize break-through shine, dust a mattifying powder over your foundation, paying particular attention to the T-zone. To avoid the cakey look, apply it with a very soft, large powder brush.
Cool trick! When your face feels hot … blot! Powder-coated blotting papers are a handbag must-have. They are lightweight and portable, which makes them the ultimate touch-up tool for girls on the go!
My product picks:Diorskin Forever by Dior is my favorite matte foundation. If you want a flawless, shine-free, long-lasting base that won’t budge … this is it! For a fresh, smooth-looking, slightly dewy complexion, choose Chanel’s Pro Lumière or Lancôme’s Photôgenic Lumessence foundation. Both of these stay put and give the skin a perfect semi-matte satin finish.
Sneak a peek! I used Pro Lumière foundation by Chanel in the Gothic Glamor look. For application tips, see page 6 of the Gothic Glamor eBook.
Are you heading out for a few drinks or going on a dinner date straight after work? In a few simple steps … take your office-look into the evening. Grab a portable mirror and do it at your desk!
Makeup artist tip: This look is perfect for Valentine’s Day. You will totally rock his socks!
THE DAYTIME LOOK.
A wash of light-beige metallic eyeshadow(1) over the eyelid, a slick of liquid liner(2) across the top lashes, paired with a pink lip(3) and cheek(4). To take this look into the night, watch the video tutorial and follow the steps below:
Meet the perfect makeup base … Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. It visually smooths lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores leaving the complexion flawless and radiant.
The Formulation.
A silky-textured, oil-free, pale pink paste which, upon application, forms an invisible veil over the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used alone or under foundation.
The Packaging.
A small, red glass pot with a plastic screw-top lid. It comes complete with a spatula so you can decant the product hygienically. Beauty bonus! Zero waste. The wide neck means every last remnant can be scraped from the jar. (Note: Due to the consistency of this formulation, a pump dispenser or tube was not a practical packaging option.)
Edited by Retrochick. Well, I suppose I should start this week’s Links à la Mode with this:
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Here are some lovely links to keep you busy over the Christmas period. M.I.S.S. and JewelryWhore have DIY ideas to keep your mind and body occupied, ID Style and Little Miss Makeup show you how to ramp up the glamour in your makeup bag, whilst Daily Diva Dish and The Working Wardrobe help you plan what to wear for New Year’s Eve and your first day back at work post-holiday. If you run out of entertainment here, then you should check out the full Links à la Mode thread for more yummy fashion goodness. Have a fantastic holiday and I hope that Santa brings you everything you wish for!
“My favorite look of the season is a red lip paired with a nude face, as seen on the runway in the Yves Saint Laurent and House of Holland shows. To get the look, team groomed brows with a wash of light-brown matte eyeshadow and a slick of black mascara. Add a touch of beige to the cheekbones, and to create a bold lip, paint on a rich creamy red lipstick.”
Crimson lips scream Christmas!
To achieve perfect red smackers:
1). Start by exfoliating your lips to remove any dry, flaky skin.
Makeup artist tip: Want a quick and easy exfoliation technique? Rub a dry, soft-bristled baby’s toothbrush over your lips.
2). To hydrate your lips, apply a good lip balm (I love The Lip Balm by Crème De La Mer and the Carmex range).
Makeup artist tip: Ensure you tissue off any excess lip balm before you apply your lipliner. If you don’t, your lipliner is likely to smear everywhere!
At Christmas time, glitter is a girl’s best friend!
For eyelids that sparkle like shiny disco balls, watch the video tutorial and follow the step-by-step instructions below:
The lowdown.
Makeup artist tip! To make eye makeup application easier, keep your eyes open, tilt your head backwards (to stretch the skin on your eyelid taut) and look into a mirror.
1). Begin by creating a base. Prime the eyelid and the area beneath the eye with concealer, and to ensure it stays put, dust on a layer of loose, matte powder.
