Make Up Shorts ; Create This Look

• Eyeshadow Base: Ulta Eye Primer

• Lid: Smashbox eyeshadow in Bronze

• Inner crease: Smashbox eyeshadow in Bronze

• Outer crease: Artistry eyeshadow in Espresso

• Browbone: Artistry eyeshadow in Spun Silk

• Inner lower lashline: Smashbox eyeshadow in Bronze

• Outer lower lashline: Artistry eyeshadow in Espresso

• Upper lashline: Artistry eyeshadow in Black Tie as eyeliner

• Eyelashes: Ardell false eyelashes in Babies (black)

False Eyelashes 101

I admit, during my early days of high school..I was scared of false eyelashes. With the different brands, lengths, styles, it can be overwhelming for first time false eyelash users. Don’t fret! Here’s your guide to the world of false eyelashes

Types Of False Eyelashes

Strip Lashes – These lashes come two in a pair and come in a variety of lengths, thickness, colors, etc.

Separate Flares – These lashes are the half versions of the strip lashes. They are applied to the outer edge.

Individual Lashes – These lashes come in two varieties : regular or clusters. These are the most natural looking out of all the lashes and create a more fuller look for your natural lashes. When applying individuals, you have to apply one lash or cluster at a time.

Types Of Glue

• When applying individual/cluster lashes, you need to use individual eyelash adhesive. This adhesive secures the lashes for up to 6 weeks if taken care of properly.
• When applying strip or flares, you need to use a regular eyelash adhesive such as DUO. Duo adhesive is a great brand to use because when using this adhesive on my lashes, they stay on securely without lifting at the edges by the end of the day.

Tutorial On How To Apply False Eyelashes

• This tutorial is by far my favorite for false eyelashes. Complete with pictures and detailed step by step’s.

Removal & Keep Up

• Do not tug on the lashes. If you do, chances are you might be pulling off your real lashes too. That’s never a good thing.
• You can invest in false eyelash/make up remover or you can simply use olive oil or virgin coconut oil to loosen up the lashes.
• To clean your lashes, put a few drops of water til the glue on the strip loosens

Tips & Tricks

• Apply false eyelashes after doing your eye make up.
• Use mascara before and after applying the false eyelashes to blend into your natural lashes.
• If you plan on wearing eyeliner, use an eyeliner that doesn’t smudge easily or simply opt to using liquid eyeliner or using an dampen thin liner brush + eyeshadow. The last thing you want is smudged up eyeliner after applying your eyelashes.
• False eyelashes too big? Just cut a little bit of the lashes on the inner edge to best fit your eye shape.
• If your wearing a lot of eye make up and want to wear false eyelashes, use natural looking lashes like Ardell’s #109 (one of my personal favorites: pictures here & here of the look).
• Don’t feel like wearing mascara, but feel like you need to wear something? Use Ardell’s #305 flare lashes paired up with a black winged out eyeliner for lazy make up days (one of my new favorite looks + lashes).
• Practice makes perfect! Practice applying lashes on during your free time to get hang of false eyelashes and to see which lashes best fits your eyes.
• Remember ladies: Stock up on lashes, you can NEVER have too many!

Wear Color With C o n f i d e n c e

Everyone needs a little color in their life especially when it comes make up. Here’s some tips to pull off a colorful look (even on a work day):

• Pair a colorful eyeshadow with a neutral eyeshadow : Try wearing a colorful eyeshadow with a neutral eyeshadow like a light beige/tan for a pop of color without your look being overwhelming with color.

• Colorful eyeliners : These are my favorites when I do neutral looks. I like to use a metallic green liquid eyeliner paired up with my favorite neutrals to kick up the look. I also like to use colorful eyeshadows as eyeliners as well. All you need is a thin liner brush that’s dampened and a colorful eyeshadow you’d like to use as an eyeliner. When using eyeshadows as eyeliner, it gives a much softer look than using regular pencil or liquid liners.

• Use colorful mascaras : Who says your too old to wear colored mascara? Try using one to spice up your look. Sometimes, I like to use metallic/glitter liquid eyeliners on my lashes for a dash of color.

• Cheek power : Colorful looks aren’t just for your eyes. Try using a bright blush for a kick of color on your face. Remember NOT to over do it with the blush and keep eyes/lips neutral.

• Colorful Pout : Try using a colorful lip color like pinks/reds/etc. Just like when it comes to blush, try to keep the rest of your make up neutral to have more of the focus on one thing (like your lips).

My How To’s – Green Look Tutorial

I’ve been stuck on greens all last week (as you can tell from my current Create This Look). Here’s my tutorial for my favorite green look:

1) Apply an eyeshadow base (I used NAO’s concealer/eyeshadow base) on the entire lid, passed the crease, and up to the browbone.

2) Apply a light beige green eyeshadow (I used MAC’s Equibeige eyeshadow) to the inner lid. Apply a bright green eyeshadow (I used NAO’s Arrant/Fled eyeshadow duo; I used the green side) on the outer lid.

4) Apply a olive green eyeshadow (I used Milani Antique Gold eyeshadow) to the crease and blend up to the browbone. Apply a matte black eyeshadow (I used Artistry Black Tie eyeshadow) on just the outer crease.

5) Use a brown eyeliner as a base and apply it to the lower lashline 1/3 of the way. Apply a dark brown eyeshadow (I used Artistry’s Espresso eyeshadow) on top of the eyeliner. Apply an eyeshadow base to the inner lash line and then, apply a light beige eyeshadow on top. Use a light shimmery beige as a highlighter on the browbone. Finish off with a few coats of black mascara on both the top & bottom lashes. You can also use a white pencil eyeliner on the bottom waterline like I did. That’s completely optional.

The finished look

Smile For the Camera: Photo Friendly Make Up

Who doesn’t want to look great in pictures? Here’s some of my tips for photo friendly make up.

• Use a primer. The last thing you want to worry about is runny/melted off make up during a ‘photoshoot’, so using a foundation & eye primer is a must.

• Avoid wearing foundations with SPF. The flash from the camera reflects the SPF in the foundation making you look pale/ashy in pictures.

• Don’t forget to powder! Avoid looking oily in your pictures by applying a loose powder after your foundation.

• Don’t OVER do your make up. You always want to wear a little more make up than you usually would to make sure it shows up on film. Don’t over do it to the point you look too made up and artificial.

• Matte finish eyeshadows look best in pictures. If you do wear shimmery eyeshadows and want to cut the shimmery-ness of the look, apply a matte eyeshadow to the crease.