Smoky Look

Thanks to all that commented on my last post. Been hella busy and MIA, and I know I need an update badly. So here goes!

So the holidays are fast approaching, weather is getting cold, the colors might be fading away from your face, everything around you just looks drab. Well, you would need to draw some attention to those eyes. Wondered how celebrities like Oprah got that smokey effect going for them?

Smoky eyes have been a big style for quite awhile and there's no sign this particular trend is dying. It also confuses a lot of people even though it is an easy look to do. People always think of dark, dramatic colors when they hear smokey. Although the look can definitely be dramatic, it is not necessarily dark. Smokey eye is actually about how you place the eye colors, not the colors you choose.

Here I show you step-by-step instructions on how to get the perfect smokey eye. This whole process will only take 5 minutes of your time...i swear!

1. Apply eyeliner: If you're going for a typical black, brown or gray smoky eye, apply liner in one of those colors above the upper lash line, drawing line thicker in the middle of eye. If your opting for a jewel-toned eye (violet makes a gorgeous smoky eye), line eyes with a purple, blue or deep green liner. By all means, take a look at your eye color and decide on the colors that make them pop!

2. Blend in color on bottom lashes: For color on the bottom (a key smoky eye look) you'll want a lighter eyeliner. The key is to "smudge it." You can also apply a bit of shadow to get full smudge effect.

3. Apply light base color: Again, the key to a smoky eye is pairing a lighter base with the darker hue. I prefer a nice cream shade for my base. Sweep a light, shimmery shadow over the lids to your browbone blending the color up and outward. I love the Stila Fall-In Love Shadows Trio. It has a base shade to wash over the entire lid, a crease shade to create depth in the fold of the eye and a liner shade to define the lash line. And of course you got lots of color choices.

4. Finish the look by applying eyeliner to the top and bottom lash line. Add your favorite mascara and you are set!

I leave you with a video of various versions of smokey eye effects. Nope, I didn't do any of these, but I hope to start putting my make-up pictures up. (lol...love the sound of that). So watch out for those!

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Ugly Brows

The first thing I notice in a woman when i first meet them are thier brows. I cannot stand to see a woman with ugly or undefined brows. Getting a pair of beautiful eyebrows is one of the most useful makeup trick on the planet. Many women overlook their eyebrows, or sometimes even worse, overpluck them. Then when there's nothing left to work with, they draw it magnificently with a brow pencil leaving them look like a dollar-store mannequinn. When it comes to eye makeup, the eyebrows make an important impression. They frame the eye and give the face a polished look. It is well worth making the effort to get the eyebrows looking right.

So here goes some useful tips in getting that defined polished look:

Tweeze and Shape

Begin by shaping and cleaning up area in between brows. Use tweezers to pluck stray hairs. Be careful not to remove any hair beyond the inner corner of the eye.

Brush into Shape

Brush brow hairs with a toothbrush-style brush to comb brow hairs updward into place for a groomed, polished look. You can even use an old tooth-brush if you wish.

Pump up and Fill In

Define brows using a powder Eye Shadow (match it to your hair color) applied with the eye brow brush. I suggest using Bare Minerals powder for your eye powder shadow. The powder is the next best thing that's happened to me. Its very easy to use, no hassles at all. Use the eye definer brush if you have sparse brows. To apply shadow, begin at the inner corner of the brow and follow its natural shape using light, feathery strokes.

Viola! You are all set to go.

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Tip of the Day - If your eyebrow color is shouting or too loud, no need to clean it up and start all over again, just press some loose powder onto the brows with a powder puff.

Foundation Tips - How to Apply

When applying foundation, the general rule of “blend, blend, and blend again” is always true. There’s nothing worse than having a visible line between the makeup and the face.

When choosing a foundation, it’s imperative to find one that perfectly matches the skin. This is much easier when buying from a department store, where knowledgeable salespeople can help. There, it’s possible to try a few shades and look in a natural-light mirror (or even step outside into daylight) to see which color will work for you. In a drugstore, where products are packaged and are not meant to be sampled, finding a perfect match for your skin may be a more difficult task.

Once you find a foundation, you should decide how you’d like to apply it. Below are some tips on foundation application.

*Test foundation along your jaw line - not on your hand and definitely not on the inside of your wrist. View it under different light settings. It must match the natural color of your neck.
*Dampen your cosmectics sponge to create a sheer finish.
*For a great makeover you must start with the right foundation. Whereas eye shadow, lipstick, and blusher accent the face, it is the foundation that sets the tone for a woman's appearance.
*Test foundation on the jaw line or forehead.
*If you want your foundation to look sheer, apply it with a sponge. For more coverage apply it with your fingertips.
*Professional makeup artists prefer using a makeup brush as this will apply and blend the foundation beautifully.
*Tap foundation on with sponge or finger. Your skin will look luminous, yet natural.
*To give the skin a dewy finish, moisten a gauze pad or wash cloth in astringent and gently pat your already made up face. The astringent will remove the matte look of makeup, while leaving the skin radiant.
*Keep two shades of foundation on hand. One will be suitable for winter, and the other for summer skin. Most of the year, they will match perfectly if mixed together.
*If the foundation starts to curdle, do not use it anymore.

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Tip of the day
Open your mouth when applying foundation to expose the neck area and eliminate an obvious line at the jaw line.

My First Time Here...

So I came across this blogging thing through a friend....been looking for something similar anyways....so why not. Am excited....It all begins here!