I don’t usually get envious over facial products, maybe shoes and clothing but not facial products until a friend told me that she just ordered her Clarisonic and would be getting it soon I was green with envy. I had just lost my Clarisonic unfortunately in a hotel room in Vegas so yeah that cliché, “What happens in Vegas def stays in Vegas” and I hated it. I want my Clarisonic back and I want it back now, I figure if I pout I should be able to receive it right? It’s been months and I have been waiting and no Clarisonic. My face has not felt the same since nor looked the same. I use a manual one but it’s just not the same, I see the pores and the whiteheads (sorry for the gory details) and it drives me nuts whereas my Clarisonic would have cleaned that all away and I wouldn’t have to inspect my skin after every wash. I am bidding my time till I can be reunited with my Clarisonic just a few more months I swear and I will have another and won’t have to turn away in a jealous twinge whenever I see or hear about a Clarisonic. This is the reason why you haven’t heard from me in a while, just been hurting over my lost of my Clarisonic.
Envy
Color Know How
I love Eve’s eyes in this picture, doesn’t her eyes just pop out of the picture? How can you intensify your eyes this way? The right color can make your eyes pop, the trick is to create contrast with your eye color. You can use eyeshadow, mascara and eyeliner.
Blue Eyes:
To intensify the blue in the eyes, use warm colors like golden brown, the blue eyes become more intense and sparkly.
Green Eyes:
Using purples and plums will make green eyes more vivid; using the contrasting colors is what makes the eye color stand out more.
Brown Eyes:
The best tip with this eye color is to add drama. Using cool tones like pinks purples, violets and blue eyeshadow will really make the brown eyes stand out. Gold also makes the eyes pop also.
Hazel Eyes:
Hazel eyes are pretty much like a blank slate, they have so much going on with in the iris. Use colors that will bring out the different undertones. Deep greens work along with purple and gold.
Since I have deep brown eyes, I love wearing green eyeshadow, bronze, gold, purple and blue. My favorite purchase thus far, is my blue mascara by Kat Von D; it makes my eyes pop and it’s just so fun to wear. I receive so many compliments when I wear color on my eyes. Sometimes some people maybe uncomfortable wearing color because they don’t have the know how to do so. Going to cosmetic departments like M.A.C and Sephora will give you a chance to try on some colors and be comfortable wearing them. Once you see the results, you won’t want to go back to drab color anymore.
This past weekends photoshoot (behind the scenes)
This is quite a departure from my usual blog but I wanted to share my first of many ventures (hopefully). I’m so happy that I had a great team of people to work alongside me. Take a look at some of the behind the scene shots.
Photographer – Mark Anthony
Stylist – Natasha Thomas
Model(s) - Brittany Ballantyne and Puneet Kalra
Hair – Katie Fernandez
Assistant – Agnes Gilson
This photoshoot gave me such great images and I can’t wait to share them on my new website coming soon.
Wipe it clean
Lately I have been wearing make-up during the day for work, after a long day of work, I just want to drop on my bed and drift off to sleep. But I CAN’T sleep with my makeup on so I use Ponds makeup remover wipes and it removes my foundation, liner and waterproof mascara. The best thing about the wipes (other then what I mentioned) is the fact that you don’t need to rinse and it’s not drying to the skin.
Why bother removing your makeup at night? Below are some important reasons:
- Skin needs to breathe and regenerate itself while you sleep
- Makeup and dirt clogs all pores and cause your skin to breakout
Besides the Pond’s facial wipes, I have used the Target brand Up & Up on photoshoots. I have had models remove greasepaint with the facial wipes and have gone from dramatic eyes to more of a toned down look. It’s less expensive and works just as well.
These are some handy items to have on hand to keep our skin fresh and clean.
24/7 Liners O how I love thee…
I’m obsessed, literally with Urban Decay 24/7 liners. So much so that my cousin rolled her eyes at me this Sunday because of how excited I got when I received a compliment on my eyeliner (I was wearing Ransom) and I proceeded to explain “it’s from Urban Decay”. These pencils which come in 23 colors, of which I own about five (Ransom, Electric, Zero, Lust and Mildew); they are creamy unlike other brands which are hard and can tug as you apply. I love these beauties they are vibrant, waterproof, and contain Vitamin E and natural oils.
To Apply:
- Apply to upper lids and allow to dry, do not blink for several seconds as this is very creamy and needs to dry.
- For lower lids apply and go.
For a lazy day and I have many of those, I love to wear two at a time. Stays on till I wash off.
Mascara
If you’re like me, in your makeup bag there is at least 4 different types of mascara and each one does something different. I have no lashes (my dad’s fault lol). Let’s take a look at the brushes and see the benefits of each.
*When applying mascara, first wipe away any excess product from wand by wiping off on a tissue. Do not look up, this will cause mascara to end up on your eyelids. Rather, look down so that you can have clear access to your lashes. Start at lash line and wiggle mascara wand/brush to the tip of the lashes. Apply as many coats as you would like, but do not let dry between coats so that it doesn’t flake. A great tip, use a mascara to create length then immediately apply a volumizing mascara.
Benefits: Defines and curls lashes and makes your eyes “pop”. The curved the brush wraps around the entire lash line. Intensifies each lash and creates the impression of wider looking eyes.
Curved wand
The Comb
Benefits: The comb wand is great for elongating each lash doesn’t creat clumpy lashes. There are some mascara’s that features a brush on one side and a comb on the other, use the bristles to fatten and curl and the comb to lift and separate; twirl as you apply. (Takes a while to get used to that type of application)
Comb and brush combo
Benefits: The slim wand helps to pick up, plump and lift fine and hard-to-reach lashes, the brushes highlight every last bit of the eyelash and creates. The 
tiny brushes are great for bottom lashes too.
Slim wand
Benefits: The thick bristled brush is able to grab all lashes, including the fine ones. The wand will get lashes nice and full. A great way to apply is to place the wand as close to your roots ’roll the brush inward as you sweep up toward your tips. This will add great curl to your lashes. 
The “Fat” wand
Telescopic wand
Benefits: Don’t be afraid of this wand. Provides “astronomical” length, great definition and clump free results. The wand is great because it grabs each lash individually.
Mascara’s that I love:
-
Dior Show Blackout Mascara; has a medium bristle wand and creates length and darkens my lashes. $24
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Maybelline Great Lash Mascara; comes in different wands, gives me dramatic length and I can apply also to the lower lashes. $6-$7 (Great value)
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Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara; Volumizes and the wand is very flexible. Instant volume. $7-$10. I use it along with the Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara.
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Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara; Able to create great length and it contains ”Pro-Vitamin B-5 which conditions and smoothes for black-patent shine”.
Just a bit of color.
- The Look
Afraid of wearing color? Well you don’t have to be afraid; adding a bit of color brings out your eyes and adds a little drama to your everyday look. If you are a bit hesitant about applying color, below is a step by step tutorial on applying color and wearing it with confidence.
Step 1. Choose the colors you want to use. I paired a nude eyeshadow Urban Decay Half Baked with a vibrant blue from BH Cosmetics
Step 2. Apply primer to eyelids; I used Urban Decay Primer Potion smooth on with your finger tips or with a synthetic finer brush.
Primer
Step 3. Using a small eye shadow brush, apply the nude color (Half Baked) into the inner corner of the eye to the middle of the eyelid.
Step 4. Using a clean eyeshadow brush apply the color from the center of the eyelid to the outside corner.
Step 5. Use a contour brush to blend the colors and remove the line of demarcation. Blend up to the brow arch to higlight.
Step 6. Using contour brush blend color to the outside of the eye.
Step 7. Line the upper eyelids (I used Stila Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner) and line lower lids with black eyeliner (Sephora Flashy Black Liner).
*When applying liner (liquid or pencil), don’t try and apply in a straight line, walk the liner through the lash line then go over again to create a straight and darker line. 
Step 8. Apply mascara to lashes. Great tip is to wiggle the mascara wand and the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go. This will darken the lashes and create length. One of my favorite mascara’s to use is the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara.
Step 9. Final look!!
The right stuff: Concealer
The greatest things to have in your makeup bag or collection and how and why you should have them. Let’s start with Concealer
Finding the right color concealer can seem like a huge task but it doesn’t have to be, let someone else do it for you a , professional perhaps. Any Product consultant from Sephora, MAC or a makeup counter at a department store. I love going to Sephora and Ulta because the products are right there for you to try and play with before you buy.
Why use a concealer: If you have imperfect skin or just have a spot you want to hide, you can use concealer to “conceal” blemishes on the skin and dark circles under the eyes. If you want to neutralize dark under eye circles use a peach or yellow tone concealer then apply the flesh tone concealer over it. Do not select a concealer that is darker than your foundation, the rule is to select it at least one shade lighter than your foundation; you do not want dark spots on your face.
How to apply: Dab concealer on the inner corner of the eye by tapping it into place. It is best to use a synthetic brush because they are less absorbent and will apply more products onto the skin. Using the fingers is a great way also, use it in a dabbing or stippling motion, do not wipe as that will only remove the product. For major problem areas, I personally like to apply a first layer and allow it to settle onto the skin and then apply another layer; two is the max because afterwards we will follow it up with foundation.
Types of Concealer:
Liquid: Perfect for those with dry skin. It helps to camouflage larger areas such as the dark circles around your eyes. Use for minimum coverage.
Solid Concealer: Great to hide certain problem areas such as pimples, scars and bruises
Stick Concealer: Can be used to provide on-the-spot application; recommended best for maximum coverage.
Loose Mineral Concealer: Some are fortified with Vitamins A and E to help restore tired dull eyes. Press into the dark areas on the skin.
I have been using MAC and Makeup Forever concealer (both solid) on photoshoots for maximum coverage. These two brands are great and they go on smooth and provide great coverage. Don’t just use any concealer, do the research see what’s best for you and my advice use something that not only covers but also improves your skin condition.
Yes primer works…
I’m not some fanatic I really do know that primer works and I can prove it. As I always say, pictures are worth a thousand words, so I will save my thousand words and you can see with your own pretty little eyes why prime works. I tend to talk a lot and therefore write just as much.
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If you take your makeup application seriously, here are the reasons why reasons to use primer,
1. When applied to the eyelid, it ensures that your eye shadow stays on all day (as proven by my pictures)
2. Prevents eye shadow from creasing on your lids by creating a barrier between the eyeshadow and the eyelids.
3. Improves the quality of the eye shadow by bringing out the true color and making it brighter.
4. Fills in the fine lines and allows your eye shadow to glide on smoothly
5. Some primers contain hyaluronic acid which keeps your eyelids moisturized.
I hate having to constantly wipe the oil off of my eyes, so a great thing about the primer is that you can apply it even if you aren’t wearing eyeshadow. It goes on sheer and keeps you looking fresh all day. Just a small amount applied onto the eyelids either before your eyeshadow or worn alone goes a long way.
Different Types of Primers:
Some primers come with a spongy applicator tip and some do not. You can use a concealer brush and take a small amount of primer and smooth on to your eyelids. Or use your trusty fingers and apply the primer with your finger tips and proceed to applying your eyeshadow or wear alone for an effortless look. I know some people who don’t want to fork over the $8-$21 and would rather use foundation, but foundation does not have the same properties as does a primer. Foundation covers while a primer does all the things I listed above. So their shadow ends up in their crease or pilling on their lids. yuck, who wants to contend with that? I don’t and that’s why I used eye primer.
Suggestions:
On photo shoots, I use Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion; which allows for the eyeshadow to adhere to the eyelids and stay on for hours. When I use it personally, this primer gives me all day wear, 8 hours and more. The professional size is $29.00 and the smaller size is $18.00. http://www.urbandecay.com/categories/eyes.cfm.
Bare Minerals Eyeshadow is another awesome primer because not only does it keep your eyeshadow on for 8 hours and more it is also great for sensitive eyes.
Bare Minerals Eyeshadow Primer with applicator tip
Primer? I thought that was for painting.
For the sake of research and for all my lovelies out there I decided today I would forgo my primer and just apply my eyeshadow. I applied my eyeshadow using my Naked palette by Urban Decay for a nice natural look (http://www.urbandecay.com/products/12Shadows.cfm?ref=GBS) at 9 yesterday morning and I took pictures during the afternoon at 3pm and at 6pm (sorry you can’t see my beautiful face, only my lovely eyes). 6 hours after applying my eyeshadow (such a long time) my eyelids were very oily which then caused my eyeshadow to crease just a bit, by 6pm, what eyeshadow? The last vestige of eyeshadow remaining was contained in the crease of my eyelids. So why use a primer? We will find out tomorrow (I will post tomorrow todays reesults) when I used my favorite primer (I won’t tell you which one yet) before applying my eyeshadow. I think this time I’m going to be myself and apply some color. Stay tuned…
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