When Should I Throw Out Mascara?

Mascara is one makeup product in your bag that you want to keep tabs on. It's a breeding ground for bacteria. Most mascaras with a tube & a wand have an antibacterial agent in them that last about 6 weeks making you safe for at least a couple months & likely safe up to 4. You risk eye infection the longer you keep the product. If you notice the smell changes or the texture changes, throw it out. It's not worth it.

Vaseline: The Best Eye Makeup Remover Around

There are all sorts of eye makeup removers on the market but the best one I've found is Vaseline. I learned this trick in high school from Seventeen Magazine & I've been using it ever since. Why? Well, it's easy and it doesn't sting the eye. And it's cheap. Some beauty experts tout Vaseline is actually good for the skin around the eyes. (I don't really buy that -- the tender skin around my eyes doesn't seem better than average after years of Vaseline).

Make Your Eyes Looks Closer Together, Farther Apart, Bigger, Rounder or Oval

Tips to Use Eyeshadows to Create an Optical Illusion

Not everyone is born with the perfect face. If you asked your friends most of them would say they felt their eyes were too close together, too far apart, too squinty or... well you get the picture. (I personally think my eyes are too close together).

Thankfully we live in a day where makeup can do all sorts of optical illusions. Here I list a few simple techniques using eye shadow & eyeliner to create several illusions based on your needs.

To make your eyes look...

• closer together. Most eyes look better when the emphasis is on the outer corner of the eye (or the 'v'). But emphasizing the inner corner will make eyes look closer together.
  Start by sweeping a light shadow over the whole eye area. Then dust a medium color on the inner half of the eyelid and blend outward to create a natural finish. Next, line from the inner corner of the eye to the middle & then blend outward.
  
• further apart. If your eyes are less than an eyes-width apart, you can create the allusion of being wider set by keeping the inside corners of your eyes light and the outer edges darker. To do this, sweep a concealer one shade lighter than your skin at the inner corner of the lids. Blend well and don't forget the gray shadowy areas on the side of your nose. Take a matte eyeshadow in a medium-to-dark shade and stroke it outward and slightly upward from the middle part of your lid to the outer half of your lid. Take eyeliner and start the line just a bit in from the inner corner of your eye, tapering the line up and out, just a bit past the outer corner of the eyes.
  
• bigger. The key to making eyes bigger is to focus on light shades. Dark ones will make eyes appear even smaller. Sweep a light shade over lid, then shade the outer corner of the lid and the crease with a darker shade. Line the outer upper and lower lids with eyeliner making sure to taper a bit outside the eye (elongating it). Lastly, a dab of white or cream shadow in the middle of the browbone will make eyes pop. (A word of warning: make sure brows are perfectly plucked, otherwise stray hairs will stand out as if lit by klieg lights).
  
• less...droopy. You can lift down-turned eyes with makeup. Apply shadow to the outer corner of the lid, extending color up and out like a feline shape. Add a light highligher color to brow bone and skip the eyeliner -- it will only accentuate the 'droopy' contour. Apply mascara, concentrating on the inner corner of the eye. Lastly, you can try smudging a silver show on the inner corners of the eyes to help 'lift' them.
  
• less deep-set. Those with deep-set eyes have prominent browbones. To downplay browbone, sweep a light or medium-tone shade on lid, then shade in a slightly darker shade above the eye crease. Apply eyeliner from the inside of the eye, making it thicking in the middle of the eye & then tapering it towards the outer part of the lid. Apply light highlighter shade to browbone.
  
  And lastly, here's a great eyeshadow and eyeliner trick for Asian eyes...
  Since the eyelids of Asian women can seem to disappear when the eyes are open, you can add definition by sweeping a medium-toned shade across the lid & browbone. Dust under the brow with a light highlighter shade to accentuate the brow bone and then use a pencil liner to line the upper and lower lash lines. Make sure line is very fine and natural looking.

 

Is it OK to Wear Blue Eyeshadow?

Remember the old days when beauty editors and experts swore off blue eyeshadow (in fact, we had an article on this site that called jewel-toned blue eyeshadow a 'no-no')? Not anymore.

Deep jewel colors continue to be trendy and blue is the hottest shade of them all. It also looks gorgeous with all eye colors.

Even better news! According to the Ladies Home Journal March, 2006, issue, makeup companies have come up with a new way to compress more pigment than ever into their eye shadows. Now you can pick a shade that looks the same on your eyelids as it does through the plastic cover on the container. In the past, shadows went on lighter or in some cases, muddier. Not anymore. Now you can buy without fear of hating the color.

Just remember when applying deeply-hued shadows to blend well and keep the rest of your makeup light.

How to Wear Vibrant Eyeshadows

Yes, those jewel-toned eyeshadows are in, but how to wear them? Here are some basic tips to consider: Blending is key The richest colors should stay closest to the lashline, fading as it reaches your eye's crease, according to Barneys New York makeup artist Carlos Geraci in the April 2006 'O' magazine. Pick colors that flatter your eyes & skin color Blue shadows make blue eyes pop, while lilac & purples are gorgeous on brown eyes & black-skinned & olive-skinned women. If you have pink skin (as opposed to a yellow base), avoid pinky-purples. Use 2 shadows, a light & a dark Pick a soft color for the entire eye area up to the browbone & then use the darker color only up to your eye's crease. Keep the rest of your makeup light Nude lips with gloss suits these strong eyes perfectly. Avoid colors on lips, they'll not only compete with your strong eyes, but the colors could clash.

Eyebrow Shaping Tips

Top 10 Do's and Don'ts to Mastering Your Brows

Simple eyebrow shaping tips that will make the world of difference in putting your best face forward. We cover how to design your brows, to the tools you need, and how to reduce the ouch factor in our top ten do's and don'ts.

1. Do decide on the eyebrow shape first

Robert Kohlhuber / IStock Photo

You need a plan of action on deciding where your brows are going to start, end, and where to to place the peak of the arch. Use a white eyeliner or concealer on the hair that you want to remove, so you don't stray off course.

If you think using eyebrow stencils means you can't go wrong, you can. They don't take into account how your brows currently look and your other facial features.2. Do use a quality pair of tweezers

© Sephora USA, Inc.

Most people opt for tweezers when shaping brows at home. You'll be frustrated, and end up taking twice as long if your tweezers slide off or break the hair instead of pulling them out- or can't grab onto short hairs. A good pair of tweezers cost about $20, and worth the small investment.

3. Do trim brows if needed

Here's a very important eyebrow shaping tip. A big mistake people make is taking out more hair when trimming the excess length really is what needs to go. For men this helps make the brows look more neat and groomed and for women it helps them achieve that perfectly defined look.

4. Do clean up top of brows (if you want)

I remember reading in my teen magazines growing up NEVER to touch the top of the brow. How things have changed. While I'm not suggesting going into the main shape of your brow, experts agree cleaning up the stray hairs above the shape create a more defined, clean eyebrow and can help trouble brows look even with one another. Read more to see if it's right for you.

5. Do use an eyebrow pencil, powder or mousse for filling or correcting

If you have sparse brows, over plucked, or are growing out brows, filling them in will give you the look you want. Use the wrong products or technique and they will look painted on, instead of natural.
For fool-proof results choose a shade that blends with any brow color like Billion Dollar Brows Universal Brow Pencil.

6. Don't stand too close to the mirror when shaping

With some distance from the mirror you will be able to better see to balance your brows and see the 'whole picture', and have less chance of making brows uneven. After you have your shape in, you can then get close-up to better reach the finer, lighter hairs.

7. Don't put a shape that isn't flattering to your face

Quavondo Nguyen / IStock Photo

Please keep in mind that arching your brow doesn't mean two perfect half circles or arches, which doesn't complement anyone's facial features. It does mean to clean up the excess hair to better frame your eyes.

8. Don't use ice to numb skin

Cold tightens the pores and can make a firmer hold on the hair follicle. You want to soften skin and hair by using a warm washcloth on brows, or do your shaping after your come out of the shower. If you're really concerned about the 'ouch factor' use a numbing spray first applied to a cotton swab and then to eyebrow area.

9. Don't shave eyebrows

I know there are little razors sold out there specifically for your brows. Read why shaving your legs is okay, shaving your eyebrows is not.

10. Tweeze correctly

Hold skin taut by gently holding skin firm with your free hand while tweezing, means less tugging and pain on the skin.

If the hair is just too short for tweezing, don't push the tweezers into the skin. Scraping, bleeding or even scarring can result if you get a little too forceful with your tweezers. Having some hair is a better option over broken skin. Instead, just wait until the hair is a bit longer and can be easily grabbed on to.

 

How To Shape Your Eyebrows

Few things make you appear more groomed than well-plucked eyebrows . Many women have their eyebrows tweezed or threaded professionally and the trend is so hot, eyebrow boutiques are popping up in big cities across the country. I recommend you have a professional do your eyebrows first to set a 'blueprint', then all you have to do is pluck where the hairs grow in. (A pro waxing should set you back about $20 depending on where you live). Here's some tips on how to tweeze your own eyebrows.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

1. Cleanse your skin with a washcloth which naturally exfoliates the skin. If you want to go all out, use a facial scrub. Worried about pain? You can actually apply Anbesol, Orajel or any teething gel for babies.
2. Brush brows up and out with a clean toothbrush. I usually use my fingers.
3. Situate yourself near a window with light pouring in or under a bright light with a good mirror (magnifying mirrors are best, but be sure and flip it over to see your overall effect in the regular mirror).
4. Make sure you have a good pair of tweezers with a slanted edge (my favorite, hands down, are Tweezerman slanted tweezers. They last forever because the company will sharpen them for free.
5. Tweeze hairs in the direction they grow. Don't grab too many hairs at a time. You can hold skin taut as you pluck.
6. You can start anywhere, but I usually tweeze the area under my arch first, then I move above the brow and I clean up in between my brows last. It's a myth that brows should never be tweezed from above. You want both the bottoms and tops to be smooth. So be careful, but tweeze the top AND the bottom.
7. The best brows have a slight arch. To find yours, take a long eyeshadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of your eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of your brow should be. Tweeze the hairs underneath the arch.
8. The space between your brows should be equal to, or a little wider than, your eyes. To find where your brow should go, take the brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of your nose. Where the brush meets your brow is where your brow should begin. Tweeze the strays in between.
9. Stop every few hairs to step back and look at the job you're doing. If you overpluck, you're stuck. Unlike most hairs on your body, your brows won't always grow back once they're yanked.
10. Once you're done plucking, you can apply aloe vera gel, which will calm the redness right away.

Tips:

1. To ensure your tweezers maintain their firm grip, regularly wipe the tips with alcohol to remove any oily build up. Also, keep in mind that Tweezerman will sharpen your tweezers for free when they dull. (I always lose mine before they become dull).
2. If your brows are sparse or spotty, you can fill them in by pressing a brown shadow into your brow. Chanel makes the ultimate brow shadow. It's expensive, but worth the price. Plucked too much? Ji Baek, owner of Rescue Beauty Lounge in Manhattan suggests in Elle Magazine that you stimulate hair growth by massaging brows with a toothbrush.
3. If you use a pencil to fill in sparse brows, apply with short, feathered strokes from the inside of the brow out. Then carefully rub brows with a brush or your fingertips to soften the effect.
4. Brow gel helps keep your brows in place all day. Or if you don't have gel, apply a dab of hairspray to your finger and use it to keep unruly hairs in place.
5. I've saved the best tip for last. The ideal time for brow-shaping is the week after your period begins. It the time in your cycle when your body is least sensitive to hair removal.

What You Need

• A great pair of tweezers. My recommended choice: Tweezerman
• A mirror, preferably magnifying
• Anbesol or children's teething gel if you're afraid of pain

The Trick to Making Your Eyes Look Bigger

Ever look at those pictures of celebrities before makeup and after? My favorite celebrity is Gwyneth Paltrow and I was thrilled one day to see her without makeup. Her eyes just disappeared. Yet in photos, she has luminous eyes. So what's the secret?

There are actually several. To get huge eyes try these tricks:

Curl Eyelashes

If you don't have naturally long, perfect eyelashes, curling them before applying This is a link mascara will really open up your eyes. You can actually curl lashes AFTER mascara is applied, as long as your mascara is dried (a good tip to know if you want to curl your lashes later in the day without removing your mascara). I usually blast the eyelash curler for 3 seconds with a hair dryer for extra staying power. Just test the metal to ensure it's not too hot before you clamp down on your upper lash.

What to Do With the Bottom Lashes?

Many makeup experts avoid mascara on the lower lashes because they believe it actually closes up the eyes. This is true for some women, but for others, mascara and eyeliner on the lower lashes can make a dramatic difference. Try it out for yourself and see if you like it. To apply mascara on lower lashes, hold the brush vertically, then sweep it back and forth. If you wear eyeliner on the lower lashes, try a pencil eyeliner, which tends to be softer. Then smudge the line with your finger so it looks more natural than a straight line.

Don't Be Afraid of False Eyelashes

Individual false lashes are exotic, gorgeous and can look natural if applied correctly. Large cities offer "lash bars" in the hottest department stores. (Henri Bendel, Bergdorfs and more, for example) but I expect the counters at most department stores will have experts in false lashes. Ask at yours. Don't want to go to department store? Drugstores carry false eyelashes. If they're too long, you can trim them with scissors.

Why White Shadow is the Makeup Artist's Secret

When I go out for the evening, I always put a bit of light eyeshadow right at the inside ridge of my eye, where the upper lid meets the bottom lid, near the tear duct. It's amazing how that bit of white brightens my eyes and makes them look whiter. This is a old beauty secret of makeup artists and if you look closely at photos of celebrities on red carpets you can see that tell-tale white in the inside corner of their eyes. For a doe-eyed, seductive look, makeup artist Paul Starr suggests in Harper's Bazaar that you try lining your lower lids with a creamy white eye pencil.

Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat: Another Makeup Artist Secret

A few years ago when everyone was going ga-ga for Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat calling it the "best concealer ever," I bought it thinking I'd use it to conceal any spots on my face. I hated it. It hardly concealed anything and I couldn't see what the big deal was. I went back to the store to return it when the women at the counter told me it's actually supposed to be used as a highlighter, not a concealer. She did me up and I was blown away by how awake I looked. It's now a beauty staple in my arsenal and I use it every time I go out.
To use: Dot along the browbone just below the brow and blend in. You can also dot along the bottom of eye and even above the browbone. One trick with Touche Eclat is to fill in the shadows that naturally occur when you tuck your chin and look into the mirror. Tuck your chin, look into the mirror and swipe a line of Touch Eclat where the shadows lie. Blend the lines with a tip of the finger.

Keep Your Brows Manicured

You'd be amazed at how manicured brows can transform your face. I've seen it happen with so many women. They think their brows are fine even though they never get them tweezed or waxed. Perhaps they're afraid of over-tweezing or they are unsure of what shape is right for their eyes. They don't realize how much better they could look until I convince them to get their brows done. Wow. It's perhaps my single most important advice to you: Get thee to a professional for waxing, tweezing or threading and then keep it up with touch-ups with your own tweezers by following the "map" they create.

How to Apply Mascara

15 Mascara Tricks and Tips

One question I get a lot from people is what mascara I use. I have somewhat small eyes and refuse to leave the house without mascara because the moment mascara is applied my eyes suddenly appear to be of normal size (I was blessed with long lashes, perhaps that helps). I even wore mascara in the 100 degree heat on a trip to Vietnam and my friend was blown away by the staying power of my Lancome Hypose mascara. 

Here I share my 15 best mascara tricks and tips, plus how to properly apply mascara.

How to Properly Apply Mascara

Ace your mascara application with a 3-step process:

1. Step 1: Wiggle the wand left to right at the base of lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots -- not the tips -- that gives the illusion of length.
2. Step 2: Pull the wand up and through lashes, wiggling as you go. The wiggling part is key because it separates lashes.
3. Step 3: In this final step (which I always skip), close the eye and place the mascara wand on top of lashes at the base and pull through to remove any clumps.

Pick the Best Mascara for You

When picking a mascara, you should consider the formula you want (lengthening, thickening, waterproof or non-clumping). You should also consider price. You can get a good basic drugstore mascara or spend more money on a luxurious mascara. I find the fancier mascaras go on with less clumping and last longer, but it's likely no one would be able to tell if you were wearing a drugstore brand or a department store brand. 
I prefer Lancome mascaras and I always use waterproof mascara in summer time or when skiing. Check out my list of the best mascaras on the market for your perfect fit.
Most drugstores and department stores have excellent return policies so if you try a mascara and hate it you can return it. Never try mascara on at a department store, there's too much risk for infection. Instead, check out the store's return policy and take a few home to try. Also, don't get suckered into a full-makeover at the cosmetics counter.

How to Keep Lashes From Clumping

For some, lash combs are simply too fussy. But for some makeup artists, they're a great invention and keep lashes glob-free and perfectly separated. To use a lash comb, first apply mascara at the lash base, then wiggle the lash comb through to the tips of your lashes. Not into the lash comb? Get rid of clumbs without them by removing excess mascara from the wand. Wipe wand on tissue, this eliminates blobs BEFORE you start.
Another great way to get rid of clumps is to sweep a clean, fresh mascara wand through lashes when they're wet. Either buy new ones or recycle old ones. Buy clean mascara wands online (they're called "spoolies" or at Sephora. Recycle an old mascara wand if you don't want to bother with spoolies. When you finish a mascara, clean the wand in a cap-full of eye makeup remover, then wash with soap and dry. Keep it clean by washing it whenever you wash your makeup tools.

Don't Be Afraid to Mix Mascaras

A trick makeup artists use to make lashes pop is apply one coat of lengthening mascara, followed by one coat of thickening mascara. Remove excess product with a clean spoolie wand.

Try a Colored Mascara

Basic mascara rules are simple: Black works for everyone but can be harsh on light-skinned blondes. Blondes should opt for brown/black by day and reserve black for night. Burgundy or plum colors make blue eyes pop, as do blue mascaras. Purple mascara looks great on brown eyes.

Use an Eyelash Curler

Curling lashes gives eyes the appearance of being wider and brighter. Shoot warm air from your blowdryer on the mascara curler for 3-5 seconds to warm it up before curling lashes. Touch it first to make sure it's not too hot. It's a myth that you have to curl lashes before you apply mascara. You can curl lashes after mascara application, just make sure the mascara is dry first. Shu Uemura eyelash curlers are super popular.

Zig-zag the Mascara Wand

Zig-zagging the wand back and forth during application helps cut down clumps.

Apply to Top Lashes Only

Many makeup artists recommend applying mascara only to the top lashes (I abide by this rule). If you want to make eyes appear wider, apply mascara to the bottom lashes but make sure you give lashes a light touch. Not great at getting those bottom lashes? Try putting a tissue under them before application.

Use a Mascara Primer

Primers coat lashes and separate them before you apply mascara. Makeup artists swear by mascara primer. I tried it and like it, but because it's an added step, I usually use primer only on special occasion when I spend more time on my makeup. My hands-down favorite is Lancome's Cils Booster XL.

What it Means to "Apply a 2nd Coat" of Mascara

I was always confused by magazine's directives to coat eyelashes with "no more than 3 coats of mascara." It seems magazines have been giving these directions since I was a pre-teen and likely before. What they mean is to apply the coats of mascara all at once before the first coat dries. Once the first coat dries, you'll get clumps if you attempt another swipe at the lashes.

Thou Shalt Not Pump Wand In & Out of Tube

This only introduces air into the tube, which will cause your mascara to dry out sooner than it should.

Bend the Wand

A top makeup artist once gave his secret to his steady hand: he always bends his wand at a right angle.

Wait to Blink & Doublecheck Once Dry

Since I have long lashes, I try to wait 5 seconds before blinking after I apply mascara or I end up with mascara dots all along my lid. I also doublecheck my lids before I step out because chances are good, I've got those dots going on and it's embarrassing to find out hours later that you've done a poor makeup job on yourself when you're a beauty editor by trade.

 

How to Play Up Brown Eyes With Pale Skin

Makeup Tips for Prom

I recently got a question from a high school student in England who wanted advice on how to do her makeup for prom. Amii has pale skin and big brown eyes, she said, and wanted to know how to do her own makeup for prom. This was the advice I gave her.

I suggest playing up your eyes since they seem to be your best feature. Apply a deep brown liquid eyeliner along your upper lashes. Pick out an eyeshadow palette that you like for your lids and apply the lightest shade on the entire lid up to your browbone, then take the darker shade and shade it into the crease. Be sure to blend, blend, blend. If you want a stronger look, apply a pencil liner to the bottom lids and smudge the line with your finger so it looks most natural.

I like the way a white eyeliner applied at the inside corner of the eye makes eyes pop. That's a trick all the makeup artists use.

Apply a couple coats of dark brown or black mascara.
Make sure your brows are cleaned up, either with a professional wax or a tweeze. This will do wonders for your look. Too many girls make the mistake of not cleaning up their brow line.
I also strongly suggest playing up your pale skin with a pink blush. If you want to look "tan," apply bronzer on your forehead, cheeks and nose, all the places where the sun hits.
If you have oily skin, apply powder and keep blotting papers in your purse. These papers soak up oils without ruining your makeup. If you have dry skin (few teens do), sweep a moisturizer over your face before you apply the bronzer and blush. The dewy look is youthful.
Keep lips light so they don't overpower your eyes. If you want color, try a pink lip liner and shade lips in. The color lasts longer than lipstick. Sweep a gloss over lips and you're good to go.

 

Keep Eyeshadow in Place for Hours

I hate the way eyeshadow wears out by the end of the day, all of it sliding into the crease of the eye leaving you looking like you've taken to lining the middle of your lid with goop. I figured there wasn't much you could do about it until I went to the M.A.C. counter and had a makeover a couple years ago. It was there I was turned on to M.A.C.'s 'Paints' collection.
The pearlized texture stays put all day and into the night and I'm convinced it wouldn't leave your lid for weeks if you didn't take makeup remover to it. You spread it on your lid then top it with your eyeshadow and Voila! your good to go for days.

I like 'Stilife' but there are a dozen colors to choose from.

After this article was initially published on our blog, a reader wrote in to say she preferred Urban Decay's Primer Potion to MAC Paints. Check it out here. What I like about this primer is it goes on clear, unlike the paints, which can be messy.

For a cheaper option than these two, you can try Revlon's ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow (only $4.29 for a single shade or $6.29 for a quad).

Eyeshadow: How to Apply It, My Best Picks & More

10 tips and tricks I wish I knew 20 years ago

Ahhhh, eyeshadow. I'm a beauty editor and yet it took me years to figure out how to apply eyeshadow that:

1. Wasn't crooked (hello, mismatched eyes!).
2. Wasn't too dark or blotchily blended (yes, I know "blotchily" is not a word).
3. Didn't extend to the wrong, wrong, wrong upper reaches of my eyelids.

After years of seeing makeup artists in action and learning numerous eyeshadow tips and tricks, here are 10 favorite eyeshadow tips I wish someone had told me twenty years ago:
Secret #1: Blending is key

Ok, well I sorta knew this, but I wasn't sure HOW TO BLEND. You use three different colors: The base, usually a very light taupe, a highlighter for the crease and a main color for the lid, but how to get them to look as if they merge into each other like the colors of a rainbow? My secret: Start light then go darker. Brush the base color to the entire eye up to the brow bone (base is the lightest color), apply the lid color (the medium color) and THEN apply the highlighter (the darkest color). Also, don't be too heavy-handed or you'll have to start over.
Extra tip: Practice makes perfect. Play with your makeup a few days before a big event.

Secret #2: Choose shadows that make the color of your eyes pop

Gone are the days when beauty experts advised against blue shadow. Matching the color of your eye with a shadow actually brings the color out (think blue shadow on blue eyes). At the same time, contrasting colors make eyes pop too (think a deep jeweled blue shadow on deep brown eyes or gorgeous golds with blue eyes). 

Secret #3: Never apply deep color to your browbone -- unless you're doing a cover shoot for Vogue

You don't want the drama too much shadow brings. Apply shadow up to the browbone but don't apply shadow ON the bone unless it's a neutral color.

Secret #4: Highlighter can make or break your look

When applying dark shadow to the crease of your eye, be careful to blend only on the outside edge. Get to close to the eye and you'll cause your eyes to look teeny and beady.

Secret #5: Set shadow with a great base

Primers are super hot right now because they help set makeup that stays for hours. I've found the secret to keeping shadow in place for hours is a shadow base, or primer. Almost everyone makes them but I swear by Urban Decay's Primer Potion. I apply Urban Decay Primer Potion at the beginning of the day and sweep my favorite Christian Dior shadow over it and the shadow stays on all day long with nary a smudge, even through hardcore workouts with my personal trainer. You cannot beat that.

Secret #6: Shimmer is hot, but shows off wrinkles

Shimmer makes eyes really pop, but it also highlights heavy lids, lines and wrinkles. If you don't have wrinkled eyelids yet (I do and I don't care!), try this great look for shimmer: create a "nude" lid, but apply a bit of gold shimmer to the browbone. Gorgeous!

Secret #7: Smokey is great, but keep it to the lid

Making up a smokey eye? Keep color to the lid and just under the lower lashline. Don't extend color above the crease.

Secret #8: You should splurge on a good eyeshadow

A great eyeshadow (like the beauty editor's all-time favorite, Dior 5-Colour Shadow Palette) will stay on your eyes all day long, while a cheap, $4 palette will have faded by the time you finish your mid-morning coffee. What's more, quality department counter eyeshadows typically have richer colors.
Just don't get suckered into a full-makeover at the cosmetics counter.

Secret #8: How to pair shadow with red lips

Remember the beauty rule "Thou Shalt Not Play up the Lips AND the Mouth." If you're going for dramatic red lips (never out of fashion), cover unsightly blue lines on lids with a concealer or shadow primer and then keep eyeshadow light.

Secret #9: Make eyes brighter with white

A dot of white shadow or pencil on the inside of the eye near the tear duct will make eyes look brighter. You won't believe how eye-opening this is. It works so great, I use this trick even when doing my makeup for work.

Secret #10: Go for color

I love going to Sephora and trying out different shades on my lids just for something different. Taupe and lavender look great on all eye colors. Also consider mixing shades if you bought a color that's just too bold for you. Mixing an electric blue with taupe can turn out the most perfect color.

How to Apply Eyeliner

How to do a smokey eye, a bold eye, a cat eye

Eyeliner can be befuddling. Should you line inside the eye? When should you use a pencil or liquid liner? Is a $14 liner better than the $4 one at Rite Aid?

Here, I answer these questions and many more. By the end of this article you should know not only how to apply eyeliner, but how to do a cat eye, a smoky eye and a basic eye for daytime. You'll also know about the many types of eyeliners and which ones are better than others.

The Different Types of Liner

You can use an eyeliner pencil, a liquid liner or an eyeliner brush dipped into a deep shadow to line eyes. If you use a pencil, set the line with eyeshadow because penciled lines tend to melt and won't stay put all day.

How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner

Too apply liquid eyeliner, line the eye from the inside of the lashes outward in one big sweep. You can also line the eye from the middle of the lash line outward, then finish the line from the inner corner of the eye to the middle. Another liquid eyeliner trick requires a steady hand and will make eyes appear wider.

• Start with a completely bare eye.
• On the upper lashes, dot the liquid liner into the spaces between the lashes, wiggling the liner into the lashes. The result is not supposed to be a line. It's supposed to look as if the lashes themselves are super thick at the root.
• Apply mascara.
• Compare eye to other naked eye.

The Basic "I'm Off to Work or the Weekend" Eye

This is the perfect work or weekend look for women who want their eyes to "pop" without giving off the appearance of a woman who's really, really into makeup, so into makeup she has this site bookmarked in her Web favorites. The key to the basic eye is to apply with a light hand. The basic eye is all about appearing natural so consider a deep brown (versus black) eyeliner if you have light hair.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, trace the upper lashes from the inside of the eye with a pencil, or an eyeliner brush dipped in a dark eyeshadow. For a more dramatic look, make the outside line a bit thicker than the inside and extend it just beyond the lash line. Another shape I love is dubbed the "Nike swoosh" by Lucky Magazine -- narrow at inner corners, thicker in the middle and swept up a bit at the outer edge.
• Once the line is set, trace over it with a liquid liner. Hand unsteady? Keep your elbow on a table. (You can skip this step, but it will hold the eyeliner longer if you include it).
• Set liner with an eyeshadow.
• Apply eyeshadow or an eye pencil to lower lashes. I like to use a different color on the bottom lash line, one that brings out the blue in my eyes. Apply a deep-hued eyeshadow or pencil along the bottom lashes from the outside in. Unless you have wide-set eyes, don't line the entire lower lid. Instead, stop halfway across. If you're using a pencil, smudge the line with your finger so it looks more natural.

The Smoky Eye

Ahhh, the smoky eye. Perhaps there is no longer-running eye makeup trend than the smoky eye, which is in no danger of going out of style. The key here is to blend well. Also, make sure to keep all other makeup light or you risk looking overdone. You don't want the rest of your makeup to compete with your eyes.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply eyeliner from the inside corner of the eye outward. Draw strokes into the lash line. The middle of the line should be a bit thicker than the edges.
• Use a cotton swap (or your finger, if you're lazy like me) to "smudge" the liner.
• Dab an eyeshadow brush into a deep-hued eyeshadow and apply over the eyeliner to set the line (blow on the brush first to remove any excess shadow). Layering liner with a shadow is the secret to a perfect smokey eye.
• Blend shadow well, then follow with eyeshadow. According to the March 2006 issue of InStyle Magazine, with a smoky eye, "color should diffuse from rich and dark near the lashes to almost sheer as it extends to the crease."

The Bold, Dramatic Eye

Bold eyes are a dramatic choice for evening. Try eyeliner shades other than deep black for a super cool look. You can use either a liquid liner or try the makeup artist's trick and use an angled eyeshadow brush dipped in a deep-hued eyeshadow. Skip the pencil for this look.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply the liquid liner from the middle of the eye to the outside corner of the eye.
• Draw a second line from the inside corner of your eye, letting the two lines meet. The outer edge of the line should be thicker than the inside. If you have close-set eyes, avoid taking the line all the way to the inside corner.

The Cat Eye

Forget the advice you may have read in the past never to line the inside rims of eyes because it makes eyes look tiny. Sexy cat eyes are a cool look for night. The key to this look is to apply a thin line to the inside rims of the lids. Make sure to sharpen the pencil after lining.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, dot liquid liner along the upper lash line as close to the eye as possible. Apply line from corner to corner of eye, extending the line upward at the outer corner of eye. Let liner dry for a few minutes before touching. To soften this look (black liquid liner can be harsh), InStyle Magazine suggests trying a smudge-able pencil in a lighter color like dark brown or charcoal.
• Hold down the lower lid and apply liner only to the outer three quarters of the rim. Fade out the line as you approach the tear duct, according to makeup artist Mally Roncal in the March 2006 edition of InStyle Magazine. Extend the liner upwards at the outer corners.

For a softer version of this look, use an eye shadow brush and sweep a taupe or brown color on the lower lash line.

Eyeshadow Secrets Only the Pros Know

To make eyes appear wider, trace the inner rims of eyes with a white pencil or highlight the inner corner of the eyes with a light shimmer powder. Throw out the cheapie applicators that come with your makeup. Investing in a good set of makeup brushes is key to a flawless face. Find great eyeshadow brushes at Sephora, MAC department counters and Trish McEvoy counters. Target sells wonderful, inexpensive brushes by Sonia Kashuk.
To get a casual, smudgie "I slept in my makeup last night" look that everyone's after at the moment. Apply a pencil line only to the bottom lashes and then smudge it with your finger.

 

Beauty Tips To Sexier Eyebrows

Beauty Tips To Sexier Eyebrows

Beauty Tips for Marvelous Eyebrows

Attracting Eyes ! This definitely gives the beauty and prettiness for your face. By means of all of the different face shapes that tell how to style your brows can be puzzling, so it is the paramount manner to discover a professional to shape them for you.  Observe and go behind the information’s that are given beneath:

• First you want to conform the shape of your brows, which apt for your face
• Exactly your eyebrows must initiate straightforwardly above your nostril and it must be end at an angle out from your nostril and arch directly above the outer iris of your eye.
• For ever and a day maintain them trimmed and well sustained.
• Tweeze them day after day or include them waxed regarding every three weeks.
• Utilize a brow powder or quality pencil to remain them filled in and looking shapely.
• Utilize a colored brow sealer to envelop up gray hairs.
• Utilize a obvious sealer to maintain curly brow hairs in place.
• Don’t acquire your eyebrows waxed for at least 24 to 48 hours after tanning.
• Don’t acquire your eyebrows waxed if your face is tanned.
• Prior to receiving your eyebrows waxed, check with your physician if you are taking any oral or topical a skin condition medication, as skin may peel.

Eyes Beauty Tips

Eyes Beauty Tip

Eyeshadow Makeup Tips That Make Sense

The best part of Almay’s Bright Eyes eyeshadow collection of products if for brightening the eye area. This version has two eyeshadows in one package, one a softer shade than the other, and each with a cream-to-powder finish.
Combining these or using them separately is supposed to create the intensity or brightening you need, but those traits can be attributed to most eyeshadow formulas, depending on the colors you choose. The cream-to-barely-powder finish helps create a sheer application but they remain creamy even after blending and are prone to creasing and fading.
If you like pressed powder eyeshadows, you may want to try Smooth Minerals eyeshadow from Avon. The main minerals in Avon’s formula are the same as those used in most eyeshadows, even though they’re not marketed or labeled as mineral makeup.
On a positive note, compared to other loose mineral powders, Avon took care to choose packaging that minimizes the mess, so if you’re extra careful, this works well as a silky-smooth powder eyeshadow with a finish that is either a sparkling shine (Bronzestone, Pixie Dust, Russet, and Pink Sapphire) or a soft shimmer (all the other shades). The shine stays in place reasonably well, though some flaking is inevitable.
The gray-blue Breeze shade is the only one to consider avoiding, unless you intend to apply it sheer. Eyeshadow Perfect Pro by DHC features three shades for shaping and shading the eyes, along with a thin strip of powder eyeliner. Shine is the name of the game here, but for those who prefer shiny eyeshadows these have a sumptuous, almost creamy texture that is a pleasure to apply and blend. Color payoff (including for the dark eyelining shade) is sheer, but the formula builds well and the shine tends to stay in place. Each of the sets is well coordinated, though what’s available is limited to say the least.
Revlon makes a great eyeshadow where the texture is smooth, the colors are soft and well-coordinated, and it blends well to a low-glow cream finish. What’s not to like? You can blend Revlon shades together to get a gradation of color and be able to shape and shade the eye (which is the purpose of eyeshadow). However, in some cases, even if your blending is precise, the formula tends to cause the colors to migrate into one.
If powder eyeshadows with obvious shine and sheer color payoff are what you’re after, Revlon’s option is worth exploring. This eyeshadow has a beautifully silky texture that isn’t the least bit "dusty" and it applies evenly. You can build more intensity, but keep in mind that doing so ups the shine ante, because with each layer you get more shine than pigment.

Beautiful Eyes MAkeup Tips

Beautiful Eyes Makeup Tips
We know the old adage, that the eyes are the windows of the soul. The eyes are the first feature that a person notices on another person's face. A person can tell a great many things just by looking at a person's eyes, things like age, mood and disposition.

Even the simplest and barest of makeup can look smashingly beautiful if the eye makeup is correctly applied.

Eye shadow. The purpose of wearing eye shadow is to add definition to the eyes. With the correct use of eye shadow, the eyes can open up and have depth in them.

There are different ways of applying eye shadow, depending on the shape of your eye.

Small eyes. Women with small eyes should go easy on the eye shadow, as too much will make the eyes appear even smaller. To make the eyes appear larger, keep the color on the eyelid itself light but put a darker shade on the crease of the eyelid. Then, highlight under the brow.

Large eyes. A woman with large eyes would want to wear dark colors on the eyelid, including the crease. The highlight should be a flat color under the brow.

Deep-set eyes. The outer corners of deep-set eyes should be given emphasis. Light colors should be applied on the eyelid and under the brow, while a medium color on the crease would finish off the look.

Wide-set eyes. Women with wide-set eyes should also use light colors on the eyelid and under the brow and a medium color on the crease. A darker color, however, should be applied to the inner corners of the eye.

Hooded eyes. To make the hooded eyes seem less heavy, light colors can be used on the lid, blended with a darker shade from the center of the eyelid to the outer corners.

Round eyes. Women with round eyes can benefit from using one shade all over the eyelid and making it extend to the outer corners. It will make the eyes appear longer.

Oriental eyes. To open the Oriental eyes, light shadow on the inner half of the lid, a darker shade on the outer half, and a highlighter under the brow will do the trick.

Regardless of the shape of your eyes, avoid very dark shades if you have very light skin. Take it easy with the shimmer because they can highlight the imperfections of the skin that should be hidden. Also, the skin of the eyelids is very thin and delicate, so try not to pull on them too much.

Eye Shadow Tricks

Eye Shadow Tricks

Cream eye shadows are great for this look -- light to medium tones work best. Add mascara and brown pencil as needed.

Emphasizing the crease line for depth: Begin with the lightest color first. Dust a light tone over the entire eyelid with a medium eye shadow brush using the following technique: Hold your brush very lightly and go from the lashline to slightly beyond the crease (where the eyelid meets the browbone). Glide up to the browbone and the brush will naturally lift off your face -- just where you want to color to end.

Then dust a medium shade in the creaseline (something with a bit more depth than what went on the eyelid), using a small to medium shadow brush. Extend slightly beyond the crease, up toward the browbone. This adds depth to the eyes. And by going slightly beyond the crease, you can create a contour that's visible even when your eyes are wide open.

You can stop here. But if you want more drama, place a medium to deep tone on the upper lashline, using an angled eye shadow or eyeliner brush. And keep this line soft and smudged. Still more drama? Brush more of this color under the lower lashline -- apply with the smudge brush in mini downward strokes (don't brush across -- that creates too strong a line).
Emphasizing the lashline for shape: For definition of eye shape, dust a light to medium tone over the entire eyelid (see first step in Basic Technique #1). At the lashline, apply a darker tone with an eyeliner brush to create a smudged, dramatic line.

When eye color is complete (you shouldn't be able to see where any of the colors begin or end) use a large eye shadow brush and dust the entire eye area with loose powder to help set and blend. Add mascara and brow pencil, as needed.