smokey-glow

I've been in the mood for a worn-in, glowing, smokey eye look these days. I just bought the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes liner in Matte black (which one of my students Shirley highly recommended) and wow... am I ever impressed. It's so intense with a really nice matte finish that blends effortlessly!

Here is a quick way to try this look:

1. Apply foundation like one of my all-time faves, MAC Face & Body. Rub into hands and pat on your face. Apply a touch over your lips as well to tone the natural colour down.
2. Apply the MUFE, or any black eyeliner around your eyes. Smudge with a brush. Then wrap any shimmer shadow around the edges, such as a black-gold, bronze, olive, eggplant or burgundy.
3. Clean up any fall-out under your eyes, and apply a concealer. I've been using Clinique Airbrush concealer for this look, since the little brush makes application precise and easy.
4. Apply bronzer, like my fave Mark Pro-Bronze along cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin.
5. Dip your finger in a little Korres Lip butter, pat over foundation on your lips. You can also tap on the higher parts of your cheeks for a bit of natural colour and glow.

Mark cheek bronzer
$13 - meetmark.com

Clinique concealer
$20 - saksfifthavenue.com

Korres lip treatment
$11 - asos.com

Beauty product
$19 - amazon.com

glitter-eye

I am often asked how to get glitter to actually stay put, so here is a quick "how-to" in case you want to go for this look for a NYE party! You can use any glitter from the craft store, a dollar store, or my faves are from MAC and Make Up Forever.

 Here's a quick version I did late last night, just to give you an idea:

I like the glitter to be somewhat subtle, so it's just peeking out. Going overboard

can be a bit tacky or theatrical looking (like Cher's stage makeup LOL). 

Directions:
1. Prime the lid, using a primer or a paint.
2. Apply an eyeshadow that compliments the glitter you are using. Be sure to blend the edges carefully, since you can't blend easily once the glitter is placed.
3. Add eyeliner.
4. Now the sticky part, apply either a thin layer of gloss (I like MAC Gloss Texture) or Duo lash adhesive. Then, using a flat brush, dip into your glitter and pat on. *The gloss gives a "worn-in" look, since it does crease, but the glue is a bit trickier to work with.
5. Apply some false lashes, even in the outer corners only if you'd like.

Products used:
-MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (all over)
-L'Oreal Pure Silver eyeshadow (lid, lower lash line)
-MAC Black Tied eyeshadow (outer corner, lower lash line)
-ELF White Shimmer eyeshadow (from a palette, inner corners, brow bone)
-MAC Blacktrax Fluidline eyeliner (top, winged up)
-MAC Pro Soft Yellow eyeliner (inner rim)
-MAC Gloss Texture (lid)
-MAC 3D Silver Glitter (lid)
-Clinique Lash-Doubling Mascara
-Outer corner lashes (pair from Ardell, cut in half)

smokey-shimmer

Here's an idea for another fairly simple look for parties etc.

1. apply a dewy foundation all over, use concealer where needed
2. sweep a deep silver or grey shadow all over lids and gently under eyes
3. line eyes with cream liner and softly blend
4. curl lashes & apply mascara. Add false lashes for more drama.
4. add a touch of a shimmery, soft pink blush
5. pat on a little bit of nude lipgloss

Here are some product suggestions from the collage above:

Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20
$59 - bloomingdales.com

M·A·C Fluidline
$15 - nordstrom.com

KICKS - MAC - Cremesheen Glass
210 SEK - kicks.se

Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick
$38 - bloomingdales.com

Buy L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Eye Shadow Single, Pure Silver...
$4.79 - drugstore.com

Ardell Fashion Lashes | Walgreens
$4.99 - walgreens.com

Quick Holiday Look

Here's a super-quick and simple idea for a Holiday look:
1. apply a dewy foundation such as Maybelline Fit, use concealer where needed.
2. sweep a golden eyeshadow all over eyes, from lids to brow bone.
3. add black eyeliner and smudge slightly
4. apply red lipstick and blot off any excess
5. rub your finger on the red lipstick, wipe off excess and apply to the apples of your cheeks
6. finish off with a good coat or two of mascara
Voila! Party-ready in 10 minutes or less.

NARS Duo Eyeshadow Indian Summer One Size
$33

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation | Walgreens
$7.99

Lip Color :: COVERGIRL LipPerfection™ Lipcolor
covergirl.com

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes, approx $8.99

Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer - Noir