• Shiseido Eyelash Curler

    Shiseido Eyelash Curler

  • DIor Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and Benefit They're Real! Mascara

    DIor Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and Benefit They're Real! Mascara

  • Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner & Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

    Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner & Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

How many times have you watched a YouTube video to get some morning makeup inspiration? By the end of the video, have you asked yourself, “who really puts on false eyelashes at seven in the morning?” Don’t get me wrong, once in a blue moon, I have the extra motivation to go all out and put on my nicest falsies.  It’s as if by using them I’m summoning my inner goddess with the intentions of conquering the world . However, that little fairy tale is always short lived and I find myself with the same dilemma — how does one achieve the appearance of long voluminous lashes without using false eyelashes? And so here is my step-by-step way of getting this desired look:

Step 1

Grab your biggest, baddest eyelash curler and pump up your lashes ’til your hearts content. One quick tip — make sure you place your curler at the very base of your lashes and pump at least three times consecutively.

Recommended Eyelash Curler:

  1. Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($19.50)
  2. Shiseido Eyelash Curler Replacement Pad ($6)

Step 2

The following step is crucial. You must prime your eyelashes! A great eyelash primer will help extend the life of your newly curled lashes. It also will give them a sturdier feel, which helps sustain the weight of your mascara. The biggest bonus to using an eyelash primer is that many come formulated to amplify and enhance your natural lashes.

Recommended Eyelash Primer:

  1. Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum ($28.50)

Step 3

Once your eyelash primer has had time to properly dry, it’s time to use several coats of your favorite mascara. The lash look your going for (ex. long, wispy, voluminous, etc.) will ultimately dictate the mascara you will use. Please read our prior post, Mascara Mania, for more information.

Recommended Mascaras:

  1. Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara ($24)
  2. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($23)

Step 4

Take a black waterproof eyeliner and liner your upper waterline. This will give your lashes more depth and create the illusion of fuller lashes.

Recommended Waterproof Eyeliners:

  1. Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in black ($25)
  2. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in #88 Noir Intense ($33)

 

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September 2016

  • Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip

    Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip

  • Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip, close up

    Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip, close up

  • Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip, swatches

    Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip, swatches

For those of you who are new to Tom Ford Beauty products, you should definitely look into incorporating some pieces from his collections. One product I seem to reach for time and time again is the Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in the shade Nude Dip ($80). What makes this item a must-have is “each eye color quad is designed with four opulent complementing shades that achieve multiple looks, from a bold, smokey eye, to a sexy slash of color and everything in between. Formulated with advanced color processes, the four luxurious finishes — sheer sparkle, satin, shimmer and matte — offer a spectrum of intensity and effects and deliver incredible shade fidelity and outstanding adhesion” (Selfridges.com). The Nude Dip quad is my go-to shade because of its combination of nude, beige and cream colors tend to be universally flattering and can be layered over any paint pot or eye shadow cream stick to elevate the look.

This product is enjoyable to work with because of the consistency of the texture. The Tom Ford Eyeshadows apply smoothly and are highly blendable, making it almost impossible for even a novice to mess up. Furthermore, the shimmer shadows have a sheen to them that does not look cheap or glittery, which I can certainly appreciate given I’m closer to the being 40 than 20. As we age, many makeup artists tend to lead women away from any eye shadows with satin, frosts or pearl sheens. And yet, with the Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quads, there is no reason to feel afraid of using such textures because the quality is that good. This eye shadow will not emphasize fine lines or exaggerate the eyelid shape.

Lastly, the packaging is absolutely divine. The high gloss plum/bronze color with Tom Ford’s signature name in gold speaks to the sleekness of the product both inside and out.

Insider Tip

The following cream shadows, used as a base in conjunction with the Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Dip, will bring your look to another level.

  1. Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo in Creamy Beige, Bad to the Bronze and Tough as Taupe ($6.99)

 

 

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  • Lip & Cheek Products

    Lip & Cheek Products

  • Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush

    Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush

  • MAC Casual Colour in Young at Heart

    MAC Casual Colour in Young at Heart

I’m a sucker for a good beauty deal, so when I come across a product that has a dual function, I don’t think twice about trying it out. One type I gravitate to time and time again has been the lip & cheek combos. There are many advantages to purchasing this particular type of makeup such as:

  • Lip & cheek color are the same, so there is no second guessing what combination of colors you should use together. This feature is most important when trying to do makeup on the fly.
  • Ease of use: I normally use my fingertips to apply since brushes may be too large for these compact items, unless it comes with an applicator like the Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks ($40). I particularly like applying with my fingers because it gives such a natural look and feel to the makeup. However, it is buildable in case you’re looking for more than just a flush of color.
  • Cost benefit: These products tend to cost less compared to being purchased on their own.
  • Easier to travel with one product, which serves multiple purposes, then traveling with many products that only have an individual purpose.

The only negative some may find to a lip & cheek product is the staying power and texture. Now, all this will depend on the type of skin you have. For instance, if you have oily skin, a cream formula may not be for you. Also, depending on the brand, some stay on longer as a lipstick versus a blush. I have listed my personal favorite lip & cheek duos below, but it’s really important to try different brands to see which one is a better fit for you.

Lip & Cheek Duo Recommendations

  1. MAC Casual Colour ($22): This particular product is my favorite, so much so that I own five of the nine shades (found and purchased at my local CCO). Of the group, MAC Casual Color in Weekend Getaway is universally flattering and a great everyday cool pink color. The MAC Casual Colour collection also includes (as per MAC Cosmetic website):
  1. Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain ($30): Benefit does not have a wide variety of colors to choose from in comparison with the MAC Casual Colour line (four shades vs. nine), but the color payout is just as nice. What makes this product unique is the packaging and consistency. First, it looks like a bottle of nail polish. Secondly, the tint is in liquid form and is supposed to be applied with the included brush. It’s a bit peculiar applying makeup with a brush, but that feeling will subside once you get the hang of it. Included shades, as per described by Benefit Cosmetics:
  1. Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks ($40): I know what you’re thinking: why buy this product for $40 when you can practically buy two MAC Casual Colours for almost the same price? And you are absolutely correct! I would not usually purchase an item this expensive when there are clearly other options. However, my local CCO had several YSL products at a 30% discount and I simply couldn’t resist. I purchased the color #8 Pink Hedoniste because I figured I couldn’t go wrong with such a neutral color (FYI Most CCO’s have a no return policy). After using it, my only regret was not purchasing more because I love it that much! From the beautiful packaging (looks like a square nail lacquer bottle with a golden cap) down to the nicely shaped applicator. This design is definitely aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. The formula feels like a whipped cream as compared to the MAC Casual Colour, which has a much thicker/drier consistency. Another plus is that there are twelve shades to choose from; almost guaranteeing that there is something for everyone. So if you happen to have extra money in your beauty budget, this may be one of those products to indulge in.
  2. Travel Palettes: For those who travel, a lip and cheek palette with multiple colors is essential.  These ready-to-go palettes allow for maximum shade versatility while simultanously saving precise cargo space.  So Instead of packing multiple blushes and lipsticks on your next vacation getaway, try Stila’s Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Palette $39 (either in cool or warm palette).
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