Let's Play MakeUp!

They say our eyes are the windows to our soul, and depending on our mood, outfit and agenda, we can make those windows innocent, alluring, sweet or smokey.  Eyeshadow, liner , brows and mascara really set the stage for the entire look.  We are sharing our favorite colors, products and links directly to them for you under LASHES, LIDS, LINERS & MORE

In this example, we have used  Dior DiorShow Black Out Waterproof Mascara Black  you can see how the lashes are long and separated and very natural looking.  The before picture shows no mascara or eye makeup.  Helpful hints to effective mascara:

1.  Be sure your lashes are clean of any mascara build-up and makeup remover, especially when the remover is an oil base.

2.  Remember your lashes are round, you want your mascara to coat all sides of the lash, not just the "front" side.  Be sure to coat the "back" side of your lashes, too.  To do this, close your eye, or partially close your eye and run the mascara wand from the base of your lashes to the tip, while rolling the wand up, toward the eyebrow. This action will also curl the lash while coating.

3.  Be sure to use the tip of the wand to get the little lashes at each corner of the eye.

4.  At least once every two weeks, take a paper towel and wipe off the mascara wand completely.  This will remove any dried build up from the wand and keep the clumping to a minimum.

5.  Do NOT "pump" the wand into the mascara tube.  This action pushes air into the tube, which can cause the mascara to dry out faster.

6.  I'm SURE we don't need to write this, but, just in case this is the first time you have ever used mascara, we will...do NOT SHARE your mascara with anyone, not even your boyfriend, husband or BFF...just don't do it! The mascara tube is dark and moist...need we say more, plus, it's just gross to share mascara and eyeliner.

7.  Do not keep your mascara for more than 3 months, even if the label says you can, don't do it!  Fresh, bacteria and clump free mascara is always the best for a great result.

Basics to know about perfecting your look:

1.  Eyeshadow should enhance YOUR eye color and draw attention to your eyes.  There are occasions when you may want the shadow to be the focus of attention...ask and drag queen, she'll tell you!  But, for our everyday and even evening looks, make up should blend and enhance us, NOT over power us.

2.  Have a goal in mind.  Know the look you are trying to put together, having a plan, as with anything will help guide you to color selections, textures and effects.  For example, if you are going to work in a conservative office, you may not want to wear bright purple (like shown above) or sparkly silver shadow.  Likewise, if you are going out on the town, performing on stage or have a certain look (goth, vintage Hollywood glam, pole dancer...LOL!) you are trying to achieve understand what you need and practice, practice, practice!

3.  Understand what compliments & detracts from YOUR eye color.  First, ALWAYS remember that using an eyeshadow the same or too similar to your natural eye color can make your eyes seem dull and flat.  Try to find a slightly darker or light shade to contrast your eye color.  

4.  Earth tones are simply fantastic for everyone and are always a solid choice.  Finding the right undertones and shades for you is key.  Until you are comfortable and skilled with shadow, you may want to stay away from bright colors.  Blue, green, pink, sparkly silver and gold eyeshadows can be difficult to know how to use effectively.  It takes time and practice to know how to use colors and have a great result.  It is easy to go REALLY wrong with color.  This video is a good example of what NOT to do!  

5.  Know what NOT to do!  Using Color...This video shows an experienced makeup user with blue eyeshadow.  Keep in mind this is a dramatic look with fake lashes and the whole shabang and takes practice AND confidence to pull off.

Blue Eyes

Shades in the brown, rose and violet families work best generally. They will contrast with the cool tone of your blue eyes and make them stand out. It is also important to use shades that are darker in tone than that of your natural eye color. Try rich browns, golds, warm taupes, soft peaches, lavender, lilac and fuchsia. A common mistake is using blue shadow that is the same or very close to the natural eye color. This can make your eyes appear dull. To get a smoky effect mix your darker shadow with a little bit of black. 

For eyeliner, go with a brown or brown/black shade. Traditional black eyeliner might be too harsh and can take away from your eyes.  Also, you might choose to use a darker shade of eye shadow as your liner instead of a liquid or pencil liner or smudge the pencil with a small brush to soften the look. For mascara, use brown or brown/black mascara. The brown shade will open and brighten your eyes without drawing attention away from your beautiful color. If you can get away with black mascara, use it sparingly. 

Green Eyes

Violet and plum eye shadow shades are best for green eyes. Warmer colors like deep purples, mauves, lilacs, and medium pinks are good choices. Browns will also look nice with green eyes. Try bronzes, golds, coppers, deep greens, peaches and apricots. Avoid cooler colors like silvers, blues, whites and pastels. These can give you a washed out look. Use lighter colors to highlight the brow bone (peach, taupe, and apricot). Darker shades should go on the crease of the eye (deep brown, deep purple, deep green) and medium shades are to be applied to the eyelid (copper, lilac, mauve). Softly blend the colors together to create a finished and smoky look.

For eyeliner, try a dark brown shade. Black eyeliner will be too harsh. For special occasions you could get a little fancy with gold or bronze liner. Your mascara should be brownish black also. Use black mascara sparingly. 

Brown Eyes

Brown eyes are the easiest to compliment! This eye color can get away with all of those bright colors without look tacky. You can go with greens, golds, browns, pinks, blues, grays and purples.  Black eyeliner will work nicely with brown eyes. It will give you a dramatic look and really make the eyes pop. Choose a darker liner in a shade that matches your eye shadow for a more subtle look. For example, a navy liner will compliment blue eye shadows. To make the eyes really stand out you can use a white liner on the inside of your bottom lid and a darker shade on the top lid. This can give you an "ethereal" look. This trick will also make small eyes appear bigger. Use some black mascara to open and brighten the eyes while highlighting their warm and rich tone. 

Hazel

Shades of pale pink, light purple and sheer blush look great with hazel eyes. Pair pink with purple shades and show off your girly side. Apply a deep, dark shade to your crease. Use a slightly upward and outward motion. Use some shimmer on your lids for an "everyday" appearance. This will make your whole look glow. Hazel eyes stand out with deep greens, lavenders and shades with soft yellow undertones. To bring out the gold in your eyes, choose golden based eye shadows. To bring out the green specks in your eyes choose a brighter green shade like emerald and apply in three different intensities. To bring out the blue specks in your eyes go with purple in three different shades. To highlight the brown base of your hazel eyes stick with natural shades of brown. This will give you that "doe-like" appearance. 

For a stunning look pair all of these eye shadow choices with black eyeliner and mascara. To bring out the green and blue specks with a more natural look, go with soft natural shades paired with dark green or blue liner and black mascara. 

PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS!!!!!

These great quads from Stila actually talk to you teaching you how to use the colors and combine them for a perfect look.

Stila's revolutionary talking palettes let you take a pro makeup artist with you wherever you go. This four-pan talking palette features everything you need to create the perfect cat eye - including Black Cat eye shadow! Who knew beauty could be so simple?  Another great feature of Stila shadows is that they can be used wet or dry to intensify your look.

This dark smoky eye is perfect for any evening.  The key to this look is smudging the liner, a dark, no frosty shadow and TONS of black black mascara.

How to get this look....

1.  Use an eyeshadow primer to ensure an even skintone on the entire lid, be sure to go all the way up to the brow line, as this can also be used as your lid color in this look.  Here we are using Stila Corrective Base in Dune.

2.  Smudge a black eyeliner over the entire lower lid from the upper lash line up to the crease, lightly blend with a soft brush.  This creates a nice opaque base for the shadow to give you that deep, dark black.

3.  Pat on the black shadow, we recommend Stila Makalu (matte) shown below or Stila

4.  Lightly dust on nude shadow from crease up to eyebrow or simply use the primer as it will blend beautifully,.  In this example, we are not using a frost, a matte keeps the focus on the dramatic contract and color of the eye, not the shimmer of the shadow.

5.  With a sharp tip line the top and bottom of the lash line with a black eyeliner, encircling the entire eye.

6.  Gently smudge the liner under the eye to soften the look just a bit.

7.  Coat the top and bottom of each and every lash.  Thick, dark lashes are key to this look.  If you are skilled enough, false lashes are a nice addition.

8.  Be sure your brows are filled in and well groomed.