Tutorial Tuesday: Holiday Emerald Eye

Tis the season ladies! I tried to find a tutorial that was appropriate for the holidays and all the parties you may have coming up. I chose this new tutorial by MakeupbyTiffanyD. I love the way she works with colors. They are always gorgeously blending and never overwhelming.

This Emerald Eye will be perfect for any holiday party this season. Make sure you follow Tiffany's blog, follow her on twitter and visit her youtube channel for more amazing tutorials.

What Was Your First Eyeshadow?

I want to know what your very first eyeshadow that you ever purchased was. My very first eyeshadow that I purchased back in 2004 was Amber Lights from MAC. I was completely overwhelmed when I went to the counter and saw all the colors. I was a make up virgin and wanted something as neutral as possible. It was one of the most beautiful gold shadows I had seen and was richly pigmented so I was sold. Needless to say that was my standard lid color for quite some time.

So tell me....what was  your very first eyeshadow?

Eyeshadow Finishes and Textures

I just wanted to post a guide for when you are choosing eye shadows. Every eyeshadow has a finish or texture. Many women make mistakes when applying eyeshadow because they only pay attention to the color and not the finish or texture of the eyeshadow. Other women are disappointed in the way their look turns out because they weren't aware of how to best work with the shadows that they chose.

This guide will give a complete description of the most common eyeshadow finishes and textures that you will see. These descriptions are found on MAC's website and many of the finish/texture names are unique to MAC and not used by other brands, but still helpful when understanding eye shadows. This is not all of the finishes/textures that are out on the market but the most commonly used. I hope this helps. If you want a more detailed description check out this post from a fellow blogger.

FOTN: Birthday Blues

Again....I'm obsessing over blues. Not only do I love the color I wanted to do a sapphires and diamonds theme for the weekend of my 25th birthday. I'm normally not into rhinestones and glitter and sparkles or sequins. Blame it on the age or I'm just growing into my own but I love them now (in moderation of course). Guess my alter ego likes to be really flashy and sparkly. 

Here is the face I did for going out.

 

Products used:

NYX Jumbo pencil in milk

MAC Silver Ring (inner 1/3 of lid)

MAC Freshwater (middle of lid)

MAC Contrast (outer 1/3 of lid and into crease)

MAC Carbon (intensify crease)

MAC Grain (brow highlight)

Strip lashes with rhinestones (can't remember the brand. lost the box sorry)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eye pencil in  Zero

FOTN: Bitter and Carbon

I went out over the weekend to celebrate a friends birthday. Despite my car battery dying and getting a $50 parking ticket the night was a blast! At the end of the night I still looked cute and my face was beat! Here are some pics I took before I went out.  

Products used:

Face:

MAC Mineralize Satin Finish foundation

DuWop Bronzerush in August

MAC Sunbasque (blush)

Stud brow pencil

Eyes:

UDPP

Bitter

Carbon

A dark grey color (was in a palette and I don't know the name)

Grain

Revlon HIP creme liner in navy blue

MAC Dazzlelash mascara

Lips:

MAC Half n Half l/s

MAC lip gelee in lila crush (discontinued) 

Make Up Horoscope

What's your make up horoscope say?

I'm really into astrology and not horoscopes. I don't believe in the "this is what is going to happen to you today" but I definitely believe in characteristics and behaviors that are associated with given signs. With that being said, I was browsing the Internet look for beauty stuff of course and ended up on totalbeauty.com. I saw make up horoscope and immediately was intrigued. So I read them all and decided I'd post what I found on my blog. Maybe you ladies are just as intrigued as I was.

The guru is Michele Bernhardt of MyInnerWorld.com and she claims by wearing the suggested eye shadows it will balance your life. Each suggestion comes with an explanation as to why the color best suits you and a recommendation from a senior MAC Pro artist Jennifer Karsten on how to wear it. 

What I wonder is what about people that are on the cusp (border 2 signs) like myself? Is it best to combine the two colors??? Hmmmm. Even if that is the case mine is a good combo. (I'm a LIBRA)

ARIES 

Your best eyeshadow color is: Red

One to try: Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Heat, $18

Why: This color signifies passion, strength and courage. Wear it to increase your strength, energy and vitality when beginning something new or initiating action.

How to wear it: Apply vibrant red shadow over a neutral or gray shadow to tone down the brightness. And be sure to apply eye drops if necessary first; you don't want the red shadow to highlight red eyes (and believe us, it will).

TAURUS

Your best eyeshadow color is: Green

One to try: Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Eye Shadow Duo in Green Eyes Organics, $7.95

Why: This color rejuvenates the spirit. It resonates with stability and healing and gives you balance of strength and substance. Wearing it helps heal the body and attract wealth and prosperity.

How to wear it: MAC Pro artist Jennifer Karsten says: "Try taking an olive [green] and sweeping it on the eyelids and lower lash lines around a [black] fully lined eye for a smoky look."

GEMINI

Your best eyeshadow color is: Yellow 

One to try: L'Oreal Paris HiP Bright Shadow Duos in Flamboyant, $6.99

Why: Energizing and stimulating, this is a color filled with radiance and light. It has the ability to lift your spirits. Wearing it increases your memory and communication skills.

How to wear it: "Bright sunshine yellow can be beautiful as a pop of color on inner corners of eyes and lids. Finish with a smoky black [outer] corner."

CANCER

Your best eyeshadow color is: Pink

One to try: Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow in Pink Pearl, $20

Why: This color inspires love and can be worn in times of change or transition. It is also a good color to wear when you're in need of emotional healing. Wearing it opens the heart and increases receptivity.

How to wear it: "To avoid the 'bunny rabbit effect,' keep pinks on the 'icy' side with a bit of white in them. Try a soft rose shade with a more muted tone as a natural wash of color all over lids and into crease and keep the lashes 'starry eyed' with a light [coat of] mascara," says Karsten.

LEO

Your best eyeshadow color is: Orange

One to try: MAC Eye Shadow in Orange, $14.50

Why: This color resonates with power and greatness. Wearing it increases joy and optimism and also assists in aligning you with riches and your position in life.

How to wear it: Try wearing orange as eyeliner for a subtle pop. Wet a thin, flat brush and draw a line of orange powder shadow along upper lash lines.

VIRGO

Your best eyeshadow color is: Royal blue

One to try: Josie Maran Eye Shadow in Magic (a shimmery gray navy), $20

Why: This color resonates with beauty, purity and wisdom. It helps ease tension and promotes tranquility. Wearing blue opens the mind and encourages patience and eloquence.

How to wear it: Royal or navy blue is great worn as a liner since it helps make eyes look whiter. Or go all out by wearing a matching dark blue mascara or doing a blue smoky eye.

LIBRA

Your best eyeshadow color is: Light blue

One to try: Nars Single Eyeshadow in Heart of Glass, $22

Why: This color signifies love, beauty and balance. It embodies the essence of peace and serenity while inspiring you to be strong and take decisive action. Wearing it promotes balance and a sense of well-being.

How to wear it: Try sweeping light blue shadow on your lids and pairing it with a sheer white or silver shadow blended under the brow bone. This "ice princess" look is great for a party. 

SCORPIO

Your best eyeshadow color is: Burgundy/berry

One to try: Sephora Colorful Mat Mono Eyeshadow in Mat. No. 7 (a matte deep burgundy), $10

Why: This color inspires depth, strength and love. It helps you move through times of transition. Wearing shades of burgundy increases your perception, persistence and drive.

How to wear it: "Use a matte burgundy for lining and defining eyes, or use a shimmery texture for a jewel-toned smoky eye -- sweep the color around a [black] lined and smudged eye," Karsten says.

SAGITTARIUS

Your best eyeshadow color is: Teal

One to try: Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Super Shimmer in Peacock, $14

Why: This color will enhance wisdom and optimism. Wear it while traveling or exploring. It promotes tolerance and understanding and is useful in dealing with others who have alternative points of view.

How to wear it: Deep teal makes for a great smoky eye. "Try it [blended] with a medium cinnamon or toasty brown swept in the creases to avoid too much drama," Karsten says.

CAPRICORN

Your best eyeshadow color is: Earthy brown

One to try: Prescriptives Colorscope Eye Color in Brownie, $14

Why: Logical and surefooted, this is a color of substance and determination. It helps you feel stable and responsible. Wearing it promotes practicality and aids you in manifesting your dreams.

How to wear it: Brown is a great neutral and can easily be worn on the lids for day or dressed up with a metallic gold shadow blended over top for night

AQUARIUS

Your best eyeshadow color is: Purple

One to try: CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadows in Purple Pop, $2.99

Why: This color invokes the qualities of humanity and kindness. It helps you practice and understand detachment. Wearing shades of this color gives you a sense of community and enhances friendships.

How to wear it: Try doing a smoky eye in purple; it's unexpected and totally sexy. Check out an example in our runway trends gallery.

PISCES

Your best eyeshadow color is: Sea foam green

One to try: Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow in Matte Pale Turquoise, $20

Why: This color helps guide people between the inner and outer world. It evokes qualities of trust and clarity and helps you see past the world of appearances. Wearing it will increase your faith and psychic abilities.

How to wear it: "Use [sea green] on lids with a soft, neutral skin-tone shade in your creases and a bold black liquid liner on top for a 'Rihanna' look," Karsten says.

 

HATED IT! (Eye Liner Edition)

Here are my eye liner woes....

I like the way liquid eyeliner looks on some dramatic eye make up. I've never really used it before and wanted to give it a try. I tried the NYX Liquid Eye Liner. I saw it and it was inexpensive so I said why not get it?!? Well now I know why I shouldn't have purchased it. IT SUCKS! I absolutely hate it. I'm not 100% if its me or the eye liner itself but I don't like it. Its very watery and doesn't dry quick enough for me. I'd probably do better with a gel liner pen. 

I also hate the N.Y.C. black eye liner. I purchased the Eye Liner Duets a while back. If you don't know its a two-sided liner pencil that has black and one other color. I purchased "you've got the power" an aqua color and "through the storm" a purple color. I planned on using the colored sides for just a pop of color or as an all over lid shadow base for vibrant colored eye looks. The color sides of the pencils have fared well for me...the black side...not so much. It doesn't have the staying power that I would like. Especially on my waterline. Even when I set it with a black eyeshadow (MAC's carbon) it still doesn't last. 

But for now I'm just going to stick to my pencils and my HIP Color Truth Cream Eye Liner in 905 Black. I haven't had any trouble with it thus far. It hasn't dried out and I can also use it as a shadow base and put highly pigmented colors on top. 

Eyebrow Threading

A lot of people ask me where I get my eyebrows done and look at me funny when I say I get them threaded. So I thought I would share a little bit about the art of threading. Its way more common than many people think. Although I'm still skeptical about getting them done at the kiosks in the middle of malls that are popping up everywhere. Not that I don't trust them...I just rather partake in my beauty regimens in a closed room.

Eyebrow threading is a hair removal technique which originated in India, although it is also widely practiced in the Middle East. Salons in Western nations offered the service to Middle Eastern clients for decades before European and American women became interested and the popularity of eyebrow threading skyrocketed.

The hair removal technique is not just for the eyebrows: threading can be used to remove other facial and body hair as well.The technique is sometimes listed on salon menus as khite or fatlah, which are both Arabic words for threading. Eyebrow threading involves twisting a piece of thread, usually cotton, into a double strand. This double stranded thread is used to pick up a line of hair and then remove it, creating a very clean, precise hairline. Eyebrow threading is the technique preferred by Indian movie stars, who are often distinguished by their crisp brow lines. Eyebrow threading can be used to eliminate a uni brow, raise the arch of the eyebrow, or add shape and definition to the brow.

Because it removes hair by the follicle, it is a reasonably long lasting hair removal technique as well. Repeat visits after three to four weeks are standard. The technique is also not terribly expensive because it is easy to do quickly and does not require costly chemical ingredients. For women who would like to pursue a more natural beauty regimen, eyebrow threading is a good choice, since it does not use harmful products. Eyebrow threading is a preferred hair removal technique for a number of reasons. Unlike tweezing or plucking, eyebrow threading removes one clean line of hair all at once, making it much quicker and easier to shape the brows. Eyebrow threading also will not harm the skin like wax and some depilatory creams can. If done correctly, the skin should not be red or irritated for more than a few minutes after the eyebrow threading session. Some aestheticians also find it easier to shape eyebrows using this technique than other methods available.

It is important to find an aesthetician who is experienced at eyebrow threading. Inexperience can result in uneven brows, hair breakage, ingrown hairs, or unnecessary pain. Most urban areas have a wide variety of spas offering eyebrow threading. If you are unsure about a spa, look for one which is frequented by Middle Eastern and Indian clients with perfect eyebrows.

Make Up Make Up Go Away!

I believe that just as much as women love to wear make up, they despise taking it off. I know that I sometimes feel that I just can't get all of it off, especially eyleliner and mascara. I recently tried the new Olay Mascara + Make-up remover and I have to report that it actually worked. You simply put a small amount in your hand and massage into your face. Then follow with your normal daily cleanser. It wipes away and rinses off easily without having to scrub.

This no rinse formula breaks up and dissolves even the heaviest make-up and is still gentle enough to use daily for eye make-up removal including water proof mascara. You can find it at your local drug store for around $7.

Dazzled by MAC!

Want your lashes to enter the holiday party before you do? If so, you must try Dazzle Lash mascara by MAC. Even though I normally love all products by MAC, I have never really been a fan of their mascaras until I tried this one. Needless to say I was dazzled. It lengthens, separates and coats your lashes with a sheen for a very dramatic look.

Colors: Star Brunette and Black Dazzle ($12)