Eyeliners - Part 1

Eyeliner, by itself or with eyeshadow, is a great way to accent your eyes.  Most people stick to brown and black, and rightly so, because these two colors work well with any eye color and it's a basic color that can be used for a laid-back look or for a more glamorous look.  Just like eyeshadow, there are tons of color to play with.

Purple/Plum

This color is great for almost all eye colors.  Blue-eyed people, since purple is next to blue on the spectrum, I'd use discretion about using purple because the wrong shade will draw more attention to the mismatch with your blue eyes.  Definitely lean towards dark purple if you want to try it out.  

I love Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar.  It's dark purple, with a little sparkle.  I like to pair this with blue mascara (see my post "True Blue Baby I Love You") and/or a blue-purple eyeshadow like Urban Decay's Eyeshadow in Asphyxia (lavender with blue sheen).  There are so many shades of purple, so be sure to pick a shade that accents your eyes and goes well with your skin tone.

Navy Blue

I think this color looks good on everyone, even those with blue eyes!  It has a tendency to appear black in some lighting, so the blue is quite subtle.  Because it's not as dark as black, it's easy to tone up or down.  Again, if you want to bring out more of the blue in the eyeshadow, pair it with blue mascara.  Check out Laura Mercier Kohl Pencil in Black Navy and Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in Iridescent Navy.

Charcoal and Brown

In addition to my staple black eyeliner, I really like these two colors, too.  It's great for everyday work makeup.  I like to pair my brown eyeliner with light beige eyeshadow.

With so many options with eyeliner color and effects (sparkle, glitter, iridescent, etc), I suggest testing the color on your skin first, and if you're unsure about which shade of a certain color, test a whole bunch of them in one area (on your hand) and compare.   Once you've found one that pairs well with your skin tone, try it on your upper eyelid.

Sweet Deal Tuesday!

Sephora Signature Brush Set for only $39 ($140 Value)! Sephora brushes generally can get pricey, so this is a sweet bargain!  I've had my Sephora brushes for years now.  They're definitely quality purchases.  Just don't forget the brush cleaner!  It's the secret to making brushes last longer and keeping them clean (over time makeup does build up in the roots of the brushes).

Includes:

Powder brush (natural hair)

Foundation brush (synthetic hair)

Double-sided eyeshadow-and-smudge brush (natural hair)

Double-side brow-and-eyeliner brush (natural/ synthetic hair) 

Double-sided concealer-and-lip brush (synthetic/ natural hair) 

Image:

SEPHORA COLLECTION http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P262523&om_mmc=ret-n1-20100607juicydeals---bmon-h6p2b-gwp--om-us-sephcollsignbrushset-pl-h-&dicid=422810:17152615092:17535174

Must-Have Monday: SEPHORA Color Play 5-in-1

Sephora is ingenious!  Here's how this Color Play 5-in-1 palette works...

There are five subpalettes.  Each contains 10 eyeshadows, two 2 lipcolor/gloss, and one blush.  The colors for each palette are combined to create a certain look.  The palette comes with an empty portable compact, so depending on the look you're going for, you just pop out one of the five subpalettes and insert it in the empty portable compact to take with you wherever you go.  Genius, right?  And the price..$29.50!

This is a great palette to have, especially if you plan on being out of the house all day and just need to touch-up your makeup.

     Since we're on the subject of touch-ups, makeup remover is a must-have.  Since touch-ups usually involve reappying eyeshadows and lipcolors, you only need a small amount of makeup remover.  You should only be using it to remove smears, any outliers, and simply to clean the area where you will reapply your makeup. Below are a few suggestions.  All of them are small enough in size to fit in your bag; contain just the right amount of product needed for a quick touch-up; and inexpensive :)

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Pads Extra Gentle (CVS $7.99) - light and not oily; good for contact lens users!

Sephora Face 30 Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads (Sephora $8) - another good remover pad

Bare Escentuals On the Spot (Sephora $5) - This is really good for quick correction on small areas around the eyes.  Each Q-tip/cotton swab has a premeasured amount of formula.  Each pack contains 24 swabs.

Images:

Sephora Collection Color Play 5-in-1 http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P258058&categoryId=B10#

On the Spot Bare Escentuals http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P123204&categoryId=S10852&shouldPaginate=true

Face 30 Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads Sephora Collection  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P235208&categoryId=S10852&shouldPaginate=true

Stay Glossy, DMV

DMV = District-Maryland-Virginia (for the out-of-towners :))
One of the things that attract me to makeup counters/stores is the array of colors displayed on the counters and shelves, especially the lipcolors and lipglosses.  These makeup brands sure know how to market their stuff.  Who doesn't love seeing all the lipcolors, lipglosses, and even the eyeshadows, all lined up "at attention" ready to be bought?  And somehow you think that every color will look good on you.  Ha.

Below are a few lip glosses ranging from the expensive to inexpensive.  So read on and take your pick(s)!

Lancome Color Fever Gloss ($26.00)

I really like the sheer color shades and the glitter/iridescence effect is not too loud.  It's just right.  This gloss can be worn alone or paired with a lipcolor.  A great summer shade is Sunbaked Coral.  This lipgloss does not have that sticky feel to it.  And when I wear it alone, I don't feel like I have anything on, because the formula is really light.  One awesome feature is the applicator.  It has a wider "brush" (for lack of a better word), so it covers more area with each application for a more even coverage.  Genius!

Chanel Gloss Fluo de Chanel #132 ($27.00)

Don't be scared of this bright pink/purple shade.  Because it's a sheer lipgloss, this particular shade adds just enough "pop!" to your lips.  I like to use this alone or on top of a darker shade of lipstick.  Also like Lancome's, this gloss does not feel sticky.

Origins Once Upon A Shine Lip Gloss ($14.50)

I really like the cool minty feel and scent when you apply this lip gloss.  Like some mentioned above, this lip gloss gives just enough shine when used alone.

Maybelline Superstay Lip Color ($9.99)

For a drugstore product, this is the one!  I've tried Revlon's Colorstay Lipcolor line; and as much as the color actually stays for a good couple of hours, my lips were left dry at the end of the day.  I love this Maybelline's product because it hydrates my lips and it does stay long!  Last time I checked, it lasted 3 hours until I had to repply just the balm; but the color lasted during the work hours!  You apply the lipcolor and let it set for a minute (until dry), then you apply the lip balm.  You can reapply the balm when needed.
     Ok, this is categorized as lip color and not lip gloss.  I like to think of it as a 2-in-1.  Once you apply the balm, it looks like you just applied lip gloss!

Not my absolute favorites (but they might work for you...)

Sephora Super Shimmer Lip Gloss and MAC Lustreglass Lip Gloss

Although both brands offer so many fun colors, the formula is just too sticky.  Even when I wipe my lips with a napkin, sometimes the napkin sticks to my lips!  Sephora and MAC do have other lines of lip glosses, which I haven't tried yet.

Tips

1.  If you use lip gloss over a lipcolor, I suggest buying one light-colored lip gloss and one dark-colored.  When paired with a lipcolor, a lip gloss either lightens/brightens the lipcolor or darkens/intensifies the lipcolor.  This is also an excuse to test different brands (see above) to figure out which one works best for you!

2.  If you have fuller lips, it's best to minimize the amount you apply.  Too much and your lips might appear swollen than sultry.

3.  If you're not into color, a clear lip gloss is good enough!


4.  If you're using the lip gloss solo, apply a little SPF lip balm before the applying the lip gloss.

Images:
Chanel http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipgloss-GLOSS-FLUO-DE-CHANEL-88791
Lancome http://www.echemist.co.uk/p-lancome-color-fever-gloss
Maybelline http://www.maybelline.com/Product/Lip/LipColor/superstay-lipcolor.htm
Origins http://www.origins.com/templates/products/sp_shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY5980&PRODUCT_ID=PROD6521