Ten years ago, when the countdown to the new Millennium began, I sat on the Washington Mall bundled up in three layers of clothes watching Bill Clinton and Ricky Martin ring in the New Year. I was so cold I could barely enjoy the huge fireworks display over the Potomac River. A decade later, I choose to avoid any outdoor festivities and instead stay inside with my friends, in the warmth of central heating and a comfy couch under my behind. This year, instead of picking out which down jacket will keep me the coziest, my biggest dilemma is whether or not to coordinate my sparkly shirt with dark lips or eyes.

For those of you contemplating a smokey eye look for New Year’s Eve but not comfortable with the technique, I’ve broken down a basic tutorial that’s both quick and easy. Don’t be afraid! What’s great about the smokey look is that you can adapt it to any color, and best of all, it doesn’t have to be perfectly tidy! The concept of “smokey” doesn’t apply to one specific look or color, rather, it is the blending technique used to “smoke out” an eye shadow. So, go ahead and use any combination you wish to!

This tutorial should take practiced hands about 5 minutes and beginners no more than 10-15. Don’t worry about perfecting each step – when it’s time to clean up and bring the look together, we will!

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What You’ll Need:

Prep: under eye cream, concealer

Shadows*: 4 = brown, black, shimmery gold or copper and light beige shimmer for highlighting the brow bone

Pencils: brown and black

Tools*: Small eye shadow brush, smudge brush, Ponytail (blending) brush, concealer brush, q-tips

Mascara

*The reason I use brown and black together is that brown helps to blend and also softens the harsh contrast of black on the face. Brown and black together also give desi skin tones a warmer, soft look. You can substitute these shades for whatever you wish, just remember to use the darker shadows on the outer corners and the lighter ones on the inner lid!

*If you don’t have some the tools you can substitute them with other items. For example, if you don’t have a smudge brush you can use the sponge that comes on the back end of an eyeliner brush, and if you don’t have a concealer brush use your fingers! The ponytail brush (or blending brush) is hard to substitute, if you have a large fluffy shadow brush that should work as a replacement.

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Steps:

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1) Make sure the eye area is clean. Use your under eye cream to prep the area.

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2) Using your concealer brush (or your finger if you don’t have one) spread your concealer on your lid as a base for your shadow to neutralize the color of your skin and to provide lasting powder to your eye makeup. If you prefer to use another primer, go ahead and use it here. I used TimeBalm concealer in medium/dark and Nars concealer brush.

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3) Take the brown eye pencil and draw a thick line on your upper lash line. Don’t worry about it being crooked; just make sure to get it in close to the lash line and between the lashes. Lift up your lid slightly and line the inner rim (make sure not to poke yourself!) – this process is called tight lining - it gives a fuller look to your lashes. I used Sephora Khol expert in “Brun Perfect.”

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4) Now, take your smudge brush (or replacement tool) and smudge the liner in an upward motion towards your crease (where your eyeball meets the brow bone). You should end up with the liner darkest near your lash line and lightest near the top of your lid (don’t go all the way up to the brown bone). I used the Sephora Professionnel smudge brush.

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5) Take your chocolate brown eye shadow and using the small shadow brush, apply it to the outer third of your lid. Don’t worry about messiness or accuracy; we’ll blend it out in a bit. I used Clinique high impact eye shadow quad in “Toast of the Town” and the MAC 213 shadow brush.

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6) Next, using the same brush, pick up the black shadow and apply it to the outer edge and along the crease as shown below. Your “V” should be in line with the end of your eyebrow (note the pink dots in the photo below). I used MAC “print” shadow.

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7) Grab your ponytail brush, or blending brush and begin to smooth out the lines. Use a light hand. The best way to do this is: on the lid where the shadows meet, switch between side-to-side sweeps and circular motions and gently buff out any visible lines that you see. The key is to blend blend blend. Then, on the crease use more of a side-to-side (windshield wiper) motion to soften the harshness of the black. Again, don’t worry about being too messy; we’ll clean it up. I used MAC’s 224 brush.

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Use your small shadow brush and pick up some of the lighter beige color and sweep it along your brown bone to highlight it. I used MAC “Naked Lunch” shadow.

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9) Take your ponytail brush and gently blend out the highlighter shadow so the black shadow underneath fades into the highlight.

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10) At this point, you will see shadow fallout underneath your eyes and on the side of your eyes near your temples. Take your q-tip and slightly dampen it with water. Clean up the side of your eye so you get back the V shape. Use the tip to soften and blend the edges so they don’t look too sharply defined.

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11) Take another q-tip and clean the bottom of your eyes under your lower lashes.

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12) Now, apply the concealer under your eyes. We wait to do this until this step because if you apply concealer earlier, you will end up having to remove it anyway because of fallout from your darker shadows.

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13) Using your small shadow brush, pick up a little of the same black you used for the crease and tap off the excess on your hand so you have no more shadow fallout. Brush a thin line connecting the outer V to your lower lash line. Continue to line under your eye until your lashes end.

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14) Soften and blend the line on your lower lashes using a q-tip.

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15) Take your black eye pencil and line your inner rim. Then use the small shadow brush and pat down the liner with the same black shadow you just used. This will soften the look and help your liner stay on longer. I have not used liner on my upper lids in this tutorial because it was a bit much for me personally. The shadow and tight lining of your inner rims is enough to attract attention to your eyes. But, if you feel you need a little more oomph, add the liner after step 17 before you apply your mascara. I used Sephora Waterproof Kohl et Contour in “Keep Black.”

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16) Almost done. The final shadow step is to add a slight glimmer to the center where your lid catches the light. Your best choice would be to use a golden/bronze shadow here that is luminous but not over the top glittery. The gold/bronze accents the brown and most desi skin tones (contrary to popular belief, I think very few of us look good in silver!). Tap your shadow brush into the pan and then apply to the center of your lid from the crease to the lash line. If you feel you need to blend it you can, but this color should melt into the others after a few minutes by itself. I used MAC “Woodwinked” shadow.

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17) Using the same shadow, line the inner V of your eye for a little extra pop.

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18) Apply Mascara. Remember to clean the inner eye where the shadow gathers with a q-tip! I used Imju Fiberwig mascara.

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Et Voilà! You’re all done! Just remember, if you’re going with dark eyes keep your lips toned down – nude lips look the best!

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Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve, ladies. See you all in 2010!!!

Photo Credit: themineralista.com

makeup was said to be natural, most cosmetics lines used cheap fillers and chemicals to help adhere the products to the skin. I quickly backed away from the mineral products and continued to shell out $$$ for sub-par products.

It was then that I discovered a product line called, The Mineralista (www.themineralista.com), created by one of our very own, a South Asian woman with a vision and the solution to my makeup woes. The Mineralista currently focuses on mineral pigments that can be used as shadows, blush, and are even mixable with clear polish to create multiple fun and funky shades for your nails. The line began as a personal venture for the founder who, like me, was appalled when she learned most shadows had a 90% chemical content and so set out to create natural products for herself and her friends. The shadows quickly gained popularity in her community, and she soon decided to create a line for the public. Lucky for us!

The products have received great feedback from women of all skin types and tones – fair or dark, dry or oily- and I was recently given the opportunity to try some out. So does the Mineralista live up to my expectations? Read on for a complete product breakdown from the outside to the inside.

Packaging:

Ladies, I know some of you like to pretend color and consistency of a product is more important than its outer shell, but almost all of us smile when the box is as pretty as the shade and easy to manage. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I received my Mineralista products in the mail. Packaged neatly in a transparent black sheath, the jars of shadow were smartly stacked one on top of the other and topped off with a personal contact card of the owner herself.

The shadows come in two sizes, the full size version 5g jar and a smaller plastic casing for sample sizes. When one thinks of mineral pigments, the term “messy” comes to mind. However, the Mineralista packaging works to combat spilled powder. Each full sized jar comes with a nifty sifter – which means you can tap out just a little amount a time without getting the color all over your hands and clothes. Major plus points for the Mineralista.

The Shades:

Mineralista pigments are available in an extensive range of over 40 different shades, both as singles and in collections. For those of you that love experimenting with color, check out the Skittles Collection – an assortment of fruity flavored colors to make your eyes pop. If you are a little intimidated by washing your whole eye with the vibrant shades, try using them as liners – I’ve received great compliments on using Berry Punch and Blue Raspberry in this manner (I think these two might be my favorite of the skittles). For the record – I own four purple MAC shadows and none of them complement my skin the way the Mineralista Berry Punch does.

L to R: Banana Berry, Chilli Berry, Mango Tangelo, Kiwi Lime, Blue Raspberry, Sour Raspberry, and Berry Punch

Some of the other colors I tried include: “Intuition” (blue-purple with amped up shimmer, perfect for a night on the town), “Black Out” (I like my blacks as dark as possible and this lives up to its name – great buy for a smoky eye), “Coralicious” (beige-y pink with lots of shimmer, great to use on your cheekbones), “Copper” (this one is a mix between gold and bronze, perfect for all those desi weddings you’ll be attending this Fall), “Smut” (the color is almost indescribable – a brown-y purple pink but perfect with Black out for smoky eyes), “Chameleon” (a light brown with greenish shimmer), and finally my favorite, “Amber” (the name speaks for itself, it’s perfect as a highlighter and for weddings.

L to R: Smut, Amber, Black Out, Copper, Chameleon, Coralicious and Intuition

I was also given a sample of the “Kiss of Gold,” perfect for highlighting and to dab on top of gloss for a little shimmer in the center of your lower lip.

Overall I was impressed with the color payout. Some of the shades had a little more shimmer than I like but the intensity of the pigments made up for that. Also, applying the pigments wet slightly mattified the shadows and further brought out the color (more on that in a bit).

Ingredients:

Did you know that some mineral makeup companies use cheap fillers like talc and Bismuth Oxychloride that cause reactions in many women? Rest assured ladies, the Mineralista prides itself on using natural ingredients for their products.

Lasting Power and Application:

Photo Credit: urbandecay.com

Be sure to use an eye makeup primer before applying the Mineralista products. Because they don’t use any harmful chemical fillers, it is important to give them a surface to adhere to. For more information on primers click HERE.

There are two ways to use the shadows – wet and dry. When applied wet, or foiled (for more on how to foil click HERE), the colors stay true to their packaging and last all evening long – oily skinned girls, you may rejoice! If you would like to use them the regular way, once again I would recommend using an eye primer. Personally, I felt the dry application rubbed off much sooner than the wet application and I love the way the shadows look foiled. However, others have had much success with using the shadows dry so try both ways out for yourself! Also as I said before, some of you may not like too much shimmer – this is easily combated with a little foiling. Finally, the light airy texture of the pigments means you won’t feel heavily made up!

Colors LM recommends for the Desi girl:

As I said, Berry Punch and Blue Raspberry are two of my favorites. Also check out the Molten Metals Collection, which includes Merlot, Alloy, Copper and Treasure – must-haves for every desi girl’s makeup collection. If you’re a fan of browns – try out a sample of the Truffle – chocolate brown with gold shimmer – perfect for creases or a brown smoky eye.

Molten Metals Collection Photo Credit: themineralista.com

Pricing:

I saved the best for the end. Each full-sized sifter jar costs $6 – a little goes a long way and you are given enough product to last a very very long time. If you are unsure of a color and don’t want to shell out the full $$$, almost all shadows are available in generous sample sizes for just $1.15. You can sample 13 different shadows at the Mineralista for the price of 1 shadow at MAC.

Sample Size Jars

Customer Service and Website:

I have to admit I was quick to discredit the product based on the website. If there were one thing I would recommend to the Mineralista, it would be to smooth out the design interface so its products aren’t passed over because of the “judging a book by its cover syndrome.” However, the company is just taking off so let’s cut them a little slack. The site is easy to navigate and payments are made securely through PayPal.

Good News: The Mineralista ships both within the U.S. and Outside America for a flat fee. So those of you who do not live in the U.S. have a chance to try out the product, too! Check out the FAQ section on the website for details and information on other Customer Service questions. If you have any questions on the products or on which countries the company ships products to, the Mineralista is helpful and accommodating. Send any emails to sales@themineralista.com or follow them on twitter: www.twitter.com/themineralista .

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandacat_baby/

Final Verdict

The Mineralista is a company that keeps the prices low and quality high. The ingredients are natural and the colors are great for both desi and other skin tones. Check out the Looks section on the website for some ideas on colors. Overall, we were pleased with the product save a snag or two (in the shimmer and dry application), but there was nothing major to keep us from trying out more of their products. For $1.15 sample sizes and $6 full sized jars, what do you have to lose?!

Before you head over the Mineralista site, let us know your opinions – hit or miss? Will you be trying these products out? Also, look out for a future eye makeup tutorial using the Mineralista products!

Over the course of a year, I’m sure I have spent upwards of $800 on waxing and threading. While I’m still waiting for a cheap, effortless and moderately painless at-home fix for my waxing needs, it appears my prayers may have been answered for my facial concerns. How many of you have wished you or a friend knew how to thread? Good news, you don’t need to learn how. Finally, two fantabulous ladies, named Anita Sun and Sara Maita, well versed in the practice of eyebrow threading and facial hair removal have come together to bring us the Threader Kit, “the first home threading system that precisely replicates the ancient art of threading – using actual, organic cotton blended threads.”

For those not familiar with “threading,” it is a South Asian hair removal process that is quickly spreading throughout the world. The technique involves a twisted piece of thread (hence, the name) that is spun, or rolled, over the hair to remove it from the follicle. Threading focuses specifically on the hair and does not remove the skin as in waxing, therefore skin irritations are substantially lessened. It is perfect for eyebrow shaping as it is more precise than waxing yet faster than tweezing. The results last for weeks and can be used all over the face – it is a great alternative for those with sensitive skin and those who use retinols on their face and cannot wax.

The Sun|Maita Threader Kit aims to make the threading process cheaper and more convenient (www.sunmaita.com). The $150 price tag stings a little, but when you think at how much you spend at the salon over the course of several months – gas, treatment, tip – you will discover you are actually saving a lot of $$$. The gadget is mechanical, not electric, so all you need to do is push the button and the threads begin to move as though a hand is expertly twisting them together. With the threads and plastic appliance, you also receive three other FDA approved products. These include the Feel Less Lotion (OTC strength ingredient to alleviate discomfort and diffuse the sensation of hair being pulled from its root), the Closer Lotion (after threading, this product is used to soothe and calm the skin), and Chalk (a powdery like substance that makes fine and hard-to-see hairs visible and just like a gymnast uses chalk to grip onto bars).

If you’re interested to see how the Threader works, check out the video below of a YouTuber below who has kindly shown us how to use the product:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd8Wm1lQXI4&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1]

If there is one thing I miss the most about being in South Asia, it has to be the ease with which I can get my beauty treatments done (and the prices, oh the amazing prices). But, alas, I live in the U.S. and I have to spend my life seeking out gadgets that will provide the best bang for my buck. The Sun|Maita Threader is a start in the right direction. Now, I don’t have to twist my arms into a pretzel trying to thread myself. The easy to use design is pure genius. On to finding the perfect do-it-yourself waxing kit!

So ladies, what do you think – is it worth the $150 price tag? Will you be threading at home or continue trekking out to the salon? Check the product out and sound off in the comments section below. We’d love to hear your opinions!

While the Estée Lauder and Lancôme products looked tempting, many ladies were not too pleased with the $34 price tag, and understandably so. After all, mascaras only last about three months before they dry out, especially so in the case of Lancôme. However, there seemed to be no other option, until now. In May, the drugstore brand Maybelline entered the market with their Pulse Perfection mascara, which, at $14.99, retails for less than half the price than department store brands. There are coupons available at Ulta and Walmart that lower the price even more.

Early reviews are reporting:

-       The Maybelline version is comparable to the Estée Lauder and Lancôme versions, possibly better given the vast price difference.

-       Great for lengthening and makes lashes thick but not Betty Boop thick.

-       Some ladies have complained of clumping, but this is because one does not need as much wiggling into your lashes due to the rapid oscillation. Once you practice and adapt to the vibrating wand, you should see the results without clumping.

-       For those who love the sooty black of Maybelline mascaras, rest assured, this version also comes in the Blackest Black.

-       The button to turn on the vibration is in an awkward position and takes some getting used to as you have to hold it down while applying.

-       Does not flake and washes off easily. Oily-skinned girls may want to try the waterproof version.

So, if you have wanted to test out the vibrating miracle wands, here’s your chance. Try out the Maybelline version and let us know how it works for you!

The truth is, whether your eyebrows are pencil thin or caveman bushy, many of girls, myself included, tend to forget that it is just as important to take care of them as it is any other of your features. Have you ever noticed how much fresher you look once you’ve gotten rid of stray hairs? It’s because your eyebrows frame not only your eyes, but also your entire face. But, grooming your eyebrows is more than simple hair removal. If you don’t like to or don’t have time to pluck, snip, pencil or color in your brows like me, there are other things you and I can and should try to do when we make up the rest of our faces to go out.

Hair Spray: Spritz your favorite, or the closest one available, hair spray onto a toothbrush. Sweep the brush onto your brows and tame them into the look you want. The spray will define the brows, and keep the hairs in place and looking shiny.

Vaseline: Using a toothbrush, brush on a little (too much will make you a grease-ball) into your brows. Again, the product will keep the hair in place and shiny and the thickness makes the brows look darker. Some beauty mavens claim Vaseline is also great to use if you overplucked and want the hair to grow back faster, I personally cannot attest to this, but it’s worth a shot.

Clear Mascara: Does the same as both products above, but available in a less messy, compact way. Some brands even make clear mascara specifically for shaping the brows. But, why spend almost $14 at MAC when you can get the same product for much cheaper? Check out Maybelline Define-A-Brow Gel Clear Mascara for Eyebrows $4.99, available on drugstore.com

Of course defining your brows won’t hide the stray hairs that have found their way all the way onto your upper lid, if that’s the case, then you may want to make an appointment with your threading lady. However, your eyebrows need a little more attention than a simple tweezer. You may not realize it, but your eyebrows are in fact the most animated part of your face when you find yourself in deep conversation. You make sure to highlight your lids, cheeks and lips, why not also your most expressive feature?

After countless primers and pigments, I finally discovered “foiling,” which is essentially applying your shadow wet to create a vibrant, metallic sheen (hence the reference to the metallic foil). Now, some of you may be thinking “ew, why would I want disco ball lids?”

Don’t worry, like all makeup, there are varying degrees of intensity to foiling. You can foil your whole lids or simply your liner, you can choose to look like a drag queen or keep it simple and elegant like Penelope Cruz. If you do wish to stick to a light look, a little wet application can still transform your dull shadow – it won’t exactly be a “foil” look, but it will emphasize the color and texture of the product and allow your shadow to last longer rather than melt down your face in the summer.

Because there are many different looks that one can achieve by foiling, another post on application will follow this one in a few days. But first, it is important to get down the technique, which isn’t as simple as running your brush under the tap, as you run the risk of caking on too much product, looking streaky, and worst of all, damaging your precious eye shadows.

Tips to remember when starting out:

- Foiling is usually recommended for loose shadows and pigments, and some mineral shadows.

- Most pressed shadows (including those by MAC) are not supposed to be used for foiling because they will harden and crumble. However, if you wish to use your MAC shadows (I do all the time), you can get around this by picking up product from one side rather than the middle of the pot. This way you will be able to use the pressed shadow for both wet and dry application in the future without ruining it. I will show you what I mean a little further in this post.

- There are pressed shadows available (i.e. caked into a pot) that are specifically made for wet/dry application. You can find such wet/dry shadows in the drugstore by most brands including Revlon, Milani, and Wet’n’Wild, and in department stores by Lorac, Vincent Longo and some MAC artists agree their “mineralize” shadow is safe for wet application. You can freely add moisture to these without worrying about ruining the product.

- Try to use a regular shadow brush rather than one created specifically for wet/dry application. The wet/dry brushes retain a lot of water and can cause shadows to look cakey or streaky. You will have more control with a regular fibered brush.

- Foiling is usually done with shadows that have shimmery, pearly, and glimmery consistencies as these products bring out the metallic look on the eyelid. The use of matte shadows is not really considered “foiling” by most makeup artists as it doesn’t produce a metallic sheen, but you can still apply the technique to make the colors more vibrant.

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There are two main techniques artists use: dry application and direct wet application. Both methods require you to dampen your brush. Some people use water, others don’t like to because they feel water results in a cakey look and evaporates too quickly to work with.

Here are your options to wet your brush so choose the one below that is easiest for you. Remember, the idea is to dampen your brush – do not make it soaking! If the brush is too wet, you will end up with streaky, clumpy shadow.

- Spray your brush from afar with MAC Fix+ (an aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals), or Evian spray. Gently swipe against a tissue to spread the moisture and get rid of any excess. You may need to spray more later as the moisture evaporates.

- Squeeze out some eye drops (preferably one, no more than two) and swirl your brush around to evenly distribute the liquid. Swipe against a clean tissue to get rid of excess.

- Swirl your brush onto a baby wipe. There is enough moisture to dampen your brush and is light enough so you won’t pick up too much. You may need to reuse the wipe repeatedly as your brush keeps drying.

- Lightly dip your brush in water. Squeeze out the excess water from the bristles with a towel. You may need to repeat this as water dries fast. I personally don’t like this technique as I think plain water makes the shadows slightly cakey.

- You can also use a mixing medium that is generally made up of a combination of glycerin and water, such as the one by MAC PRO, but can be difficult to find. There are recipes available online to create your own mixing medium so you can Google it if you’re interested, but I personally don’t feel comfortable using a concoction I made myself on my eyes.

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Dry application: This method is for ladies who a) are not too comfortable with eye shadow application b) want a more subtle look and c) are in a bit of a hurry and don’t have time to struggle with wet application. Also, this way is safe to use with any kind of shadow, loose or pressed, as you will not be adding any moisture to the actual product pot.

Step 1) Apply your primer, then shadow as normal. Make sure to blend in your creases and any lines between shadow colors.

Step 2) Before applying your liner and mascara, wet your brush in the method you have chosen.

Step 3) Begin to slowly yet firmly pat the brush against your shadow rather than in a brush stroke. Using brush strokes will ruin the applying and blending you spent time on in Step 1.

Result: The foiling is light, but still visible, and none of your shadow pots are ruined.

Direct wet application method: Best for ladies who a) love experimenting with bright colors b) are adept at blending and c) have some time for application. However, remember, even if you don’t want your shadows too bright you can still use this method, just apply less shadow for a sheerer look.

Step 1) Dampen your brush using your favorite method.

Step 2)

- If you are using loose shadows or pigments: Tap a little powder into a cap or little plate/bowl, or use the product that is stuck to the cap. Using your brush, pick up the product and then swirl it around against the surface to make sure the product is evenly distributed, has a slightly creamy consistency, and is not lumpy or you will end up with cakey makeup.

-       If you want to be a brave soul and use your regular shadows, remember to only use ONE side of the shadow (as noted in photo below) every time you do a wet application. The dry side as indicated in the photo is to only be used for dry shadow application. The reason for this is that once you wet a part of a shadow, it changes consistency and can no longer be used for dry application, only for wet. This is why it’s important to keep both sides separate. Swirl your brush into that part of your shadow so the product is distributed evenly.

Step 3) After using primer, apply product directly to your lids as you would normal shadow. You will most likely need to re-dampen your brush as you start to fill up your eyelid and the moisture evaporates. Remember, it is a bit difficult to blend wet shadows. I try to blend the shadow while it still has some tackiness, while others find it easier to wait until the shadows completely dry before blending, You will have to experiment to see which works best for you, just remember to apply slightly more pressure than you normally would. It is more important to blend your wet shadows than dry because the increased pigment and consistency means lines are more visible than with dry application.

Everyone has their own favorite products and foiling techniques. Don’t be intimidated – it really is a lot simpler than it looks. Once you get the hang of it, you will most likely adopt your own methods. We will be back with some application tips/wet looks for you to see. For now, try it out and let us know how it looks, and if you’ve tried it then share your results!

When it comes to eyeliner, I’ve always been a bit of a traditionalist, i.e. basic black on the upper and lower lash lines. Maybe I watch too many Rani Mukherjee movies and unwittingly try to model my look after hers, or it could be I’m simply too lazy to experiment most mornings (I think it’s more the lazy factor – as much as I love Rani and her enchanting kohl-rimmed eyes, she’s seriously got to change it up a little at times). So, in my quest to diversify, I have recently been observing friends and family members for different colors and techniques. I apologize to those of you that have found my nose pressed up against yours as I analyze your eyeliner from up close, but as you can tell, it was for a good cause!

Last month at Mother’s Day brunch, a very good family friend was sporting a look I absolutely fell in love with – she was wearing colored eyeliner only on her bottom lashes with her top lash line completely bare. It was so simple yet gorgeous, I’m actually surprised I don’t see more girls wearing their liner this way. Weeks later, I spotted

Drew Barrymore with a very similar style and was further intrigued, although I have to admit the color she chose and her method of application left her looking a little frightening. She had the right idea but the end result was too stark against her skin tone. After some research, it seems quite a few celebs seem to be adopting this style as a staple mostly in the teal color, including Kate Hudson and Blake Lively from Gossip Girl. I’m curious, why aren’t any of the brunette girls trying this out? If anything our darker coloring will make the shadow/liner pop even more.

How to wear the look:

Step 1) First prep the eye area. Don’t forget to use eye cream under your concealer – it will help it adhere to your skin and prevent it from becoming cakey.

Step 2) Dampen a liner brush and dip into your favorite teal eye shadow. Then, starting on the outer or inner corner of your eye depending on your preference, begin to draw a line very close to your lashes, while wiggling the brush in between the hairs to create a fuller, uniform look. When you have completed your lash line, make sure you also line your inner rims (waterline). (Pictured here are the 209 brush and Teal pigment, both by MAC)

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Step 3) Once the lash area is complete, take your brush and pull the line slightly out and upward at a slant from the outer corner of your eye.

Step 4) Take the liner brush and now dip into a black liner and wiggle the brush under the upper lashes to make your top lash line look dark and fuller. If you really feel your upper lash line is too bare, you can apply a little black only on the outer corners and then smudge it with a q-tip so it is not too harsh and is still minimalistic against the teal.

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Step 5) I actually prefer this look without mascara (as pictured in step 3) because it emphasizes the teal. But, if you feel your look is not complete without mascara, go ahead and apply – it still looks great. Finally, remember to use this teal with a nude lip gloss, any other color will make you look more clown than fashionista.

An important point to remember is to not match your eyes to your clothes. I make this blunder often and am trying to outgrow it. The matchy-matchy look is very dated. Instead of wearing clothing of the same color, pick an article that complements rather than duplicates the hue on your lids. I personally love wearing teal liner with a white or yellow shirt and jeans.

This look is simple enough to wear to dinner and dressed up enough for a bar. The next time I apply it, I may go a little darker or thicker and see what kind of response I get. You can substitute the liner for any color you prefer. If you are low-key and like your makeup to be the same, don’t worry, you don’t have to go as heavy handed as Drew or Kate, just apply a thin layer of liner and you will still make an impression.

Photo Credits:
http://www.shinygloss.tv/2007/10/
http://www.thefrisky.com/tag/drew+barrymore/
http://www.bellasugar.com/1000820

]]> http://www.lipstickmasala.com/2009/06/04/add-a-little-flavor-to-your-classic-liner/feed/ 35 http://www.lipstickmasala.com/2009/03/27/burning-question-of-the-week/ http://www.lipstickmasala.com/2009/03/27/burning-question-of-the-week/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:53:40 +0000 Lipstick Masala http://lipstickmasala.wordpress.com/?p=320

Photo Credit: shinygloss.tv

You’re off to a big party and you’ve been planning your outfit and makeup for weeks. As you walk out the door, you look more spectacular than you have in a while, your dress emphasizes all the right curves, your hair softly cascades down your back, and the eyeliner you’ve struggled with your whole life managed to go on in a straight line today. You start making your rounds at the party and after a little while excuse yourself to go to the bathroom. That’s when you look up into the mirror and realize your entire eyeliner has somehow migrated upward, causing you to have double, even triple lines of black on your lid.

Sound familiar? It’s happened to all of us, and from the questions I’ve been receiving from many of you, it’s a big problem that needs a solution – now! We’ve decided to add a new section to our site that answers the most popular question of the week. Not all our tips work on everyone, so we encourage you all to share your secrets with us.

Here are some of our recommendations for the problem above:

- Make sure your face is washed before applying liner, you don’t need any excess oil in the eye area

- Always use a base, in the form of either concealer or eyeshadow primer. A popular primer is Urban Decay Primer Potion – it’s a bit expensive, but will last you a while and is great under all shadows.

- The thicker your eyeliner, the more it will smudge. Try not to go over your eyeliner too many times.

- Some say to brush your eyelid slightly with your face powder after applying liner. We’re not a fan of this method as we feel if you don’t use a powder that’s translucent enough, it will destroy your look if you’re going for the dark black eyeliner. However, give it a shot and let us know what works!

Photo Credit: bobbibrown.com

- If you have oiler lids, try not to use “Kohl” liner on your upper lids, as it is softer and will smudge more. Gel or waterproof liners are best. Check out Fluidline by MAC or Bobbi Brown gel liners.

- Lastly, and this is our favorite, go over your liner with an eyeshadow of the same color. The shadow will set and suck up any oil from the liner. Do this for both the upper lid and the inner rims. We love MAC Carbon for black – it’s really the most pitch black shadow you will find.

If anyone has any more suggestions, we would love to hear them! Please share with us what has worked for you!

Photo Credit: www.thebostonbazaar.com

I used to spend $65 on my mascara. Yes, you read that right. Sixty-Five Dollars. You’re probably wondering what was in this product, was it made of gold? Did it spill ruby powder on my lashes? Did the world fall at my feet with every blink? Yes. Yes. And Yes. It was all that and more. But, then, like many other love affairs, this one came to an abrupt end. I finally realized that I was spending more on a mascara than my monthly cell phone bill. So, I set out on the search for the ultimate mascara. It was then that I realized that it’s not the mascara that really matters (unless you pay 65 bucks of course – then it BETTER matter), but it’s actually what goes on underneath. Just like foundations and eye shadows look better with a primer and lipsticks last longer with a liner base, eyelashes look 5x better with a protective coating underneath the mascara.

Now, I know that most of you out there have mascaras that you absolutely love and are faithful to, and over the course of time I hope to discuss all of them with you, YSL Faux Cils, Lancôme’s Ôscillation (with the vibrating wand), etc etc. But, with the eyelash primer, you can use any drugstore brand mascara and end up with similar or even better results.

Why eyelash primers are so necessary:

Photo Credit: www.clinique.com

1)    Primers keep your eyelashes healthy – they protect and nourish with the moisturizers and vitamins they contain. This is very important if you’re a regular user of mascara which can dry out your lashes. The mascara adheres to the primer rather than your actual lashes.
2)    Primers build volume and length. You will need to curl your eyelashes less, and you will need less coats of mascara thanks to the base you apply before.
3)    Applying a primer causes your mascara to clump less and also helps prevent the dreaded raccoon look; you know the one I’m talking about – when your mascara ends up under your eyes. Be warned – it HELPS but it is not foolproof, especially in those with oily skin. If you are naturally oily, use waterproof mascara for best results.
4)    Your mascara will come off easier at night, which means less tugging at the eye area, i.e. preventing really bad future wrinkles.

Just like any other product, you have to find the primer that works for you. I used Smashbox’s primer and was less than impressed. It wasn’t thick enough and smelled like glue. I’ve had great results with Clinique’s Lash Building Primer and at $13 it’s affordable. In total (with my mascara) I spend less than $20 to make my lashes look more amazing than with DiorShow or MAC mascaras (which I think are just awful overall).

I personally love my primer so much I just use drugstore mascara on top and I get the same results as my $65 mascara. For those of you that want to stick to the brands you love most, try them out with the base, trust me, your lashes will pop like never before. The best way to apply primer is to brush on a thick coat, you should play with the thickness to make your lashes look as full as you personally like them to, you may prefer a more natural look than others. Some brands tell you to wait until it dries before applying the mascara, but with the Clinique I have had the best results applying the mascara right after the primer while it’s still wet.

Yes, I do miss my darling $65 mascara, but, in all honesty, it’s mostly because the packaging was so pretty. Other than that, my lashes look just as spectacular.

Photo Credit: www.dailymail.co.uk

**UPDATE** In a recent comment, user “jtm” brought up an important point which I wanted to share with all of you. “i knew but didnt believe this until the mac guy showed me…if you line the inside of your upper lid, what is it called, the upper waterline?, it really makes your lash line appear thicker, darker, fuller. a little uncomfortable to do, but hey, worth the illusion.”

This is VERY true and a step I never leave out of my makeup routine. Here’s what to do: if you use a pencil just slightly lift your lid and line the upper rim like you would your bottom waterline (if anyone is wondering, the waterline is the inner rim of the eye where liner never seems to stay!). Be careful not to line inside the actual lid, the waterline is the thick line of skin right under the upper lashes (or above the lower). Do the same if you use gel or shadow liners, i wouldn’t recommend liquid liner for this. Wait a few moments to dry and then let your lid go. Also, as mentioned in the Smudge Brush post, wiggle your liner between your eyelashes it’ll help with the fuller lash look and will look more polished as it will fill the  blank spaces in between.

Photo Credit: milanmk.com

Desi girls love eyeliner. Whether it’s black, brown, turquoise, liquid, gel or pencil, it has found its way into all of our makeup bags. Some girls prefer to look traditional like Kareena, while others like a much lighter look similar to that of Angelina Jolie, who only uses it on her upper eyes. I find myself leaning towards the old “less is more” rule, but that’s my personal preference. Whichever way you prefer to wear your liner, remember that it doesn’t have to be a complicated process, especially with one of my favorite makeup tools of all time – the smudge brush.

Photo Credit: laura mercier .com

As you can tell from the name, the brush is used mainly to smudge liners and shadows, extremely useful when creating the smoky eye look. If you feel like your eyeliner is too dark, you can easily blend it out with this brush. However, the focus of this particular post is to share with you how to apply basic eyeliner quickly and efficiently in less than 5 minutes. Also, for girls who have shaky hands or just don’t know how to draw a straight line, this one’s for you.

There are several types of smudge brushes out there. It honestly depends on what you would like the brush for. If you are looking for one solely for liner, I prefer the one by Laura Mercier. The bristles are thickly packed together and it is a little smaller than other brands’ brushes, which allows for precision. If you want the brush for the smoky eye look, try out the double-ended one from Smashbox. However, all smudge brushes can be used for either, so it really is a matter of preference.

Following is a quick tutorial on how to use the smudge brush for eyeliner application:

Step 1: Start with your basic bare eye. If you wear foundation or concealer, now is the time to apply it. You will probably need to go back and add a little more concealer at the end, but for now you need a base to start with.

Step 2: Apply your eyeliner. As you can see, I used a pencil and the result is messy. Don’t worry, that is the point. You don’t need to spend ten minutes being precise (note the space between the lash lines and the actual liner); we will fix that in a minute.

Step 3: Take your smudge brush and place it on the liner. I prefer to go from inner eye to outer for the top lashes, and outer to inner for the bottom lashes. It’s easier for me to shape my specific eyes this way. It’s a preference but not a rule, do whatever feels comfortable to you.

Start to smudge and shape the liner with the brush.  For the upper lashes, pull the liner down toward the lash line with the brush in a light tugging motion. You can also pull from left to right and vice versa. Do the same for the lower lashes, however, this time pull the liner up toward the last line. Wiggle your brush between your lashes to get the color between them.

Step 4: Now that you have the basic eyeliner on, you will probably find it’s a little thick. You now need to shape it and remove excess liner.

Lightly wet a cotton swab. Under the eye: Place the swab under the liner and swipe it from the inner corner to the outer to make the line thinner and remove excess liner. Eyelid: Do the same, starting at the top of the liner at the eye’s inner corner and swipe it toward the outer corner. You may need to use more than one swab to prevent faint streaks. Use another cottron swab to lightly dab concealer under the bottom lash line to cover any dark skin showing through from cleaning the liner.

Step 5: Add mascara, et voilà, you’re good to go.

Lastly, as I mentioned before, if you feel your eyeliner is too dark, smudge along the actual line of the eyeliner and the color will lighten up substantially.

If you have smaller eyes, I would not recommend completely lining the underside of your bottom lash line, as it will make your eyes seem smaller. If you would still like the traditional black liner look, then line your 1/3 of your bottom lash line from the outside in. Proceed to smudge and blend the liner so it isn’t too harsh against the side of the under eye that has no liner. Not having the black liner all around your lashes will give your eyes a more open look.

Final Tip: The heavier you go with the eyeliner, the lighter your lipstick should be. Too many ladies out there are wearing the Kareena eyes from above with dark lipstick. Dark eyes and dark lips is very harsh look and let’s be honest, just scary looking!

Like every new makeup technique it may take a couple of tries before you perfect your own method. Trust me, once you do, you will never let go of this vital makeup tool.