Only girls

Beauty Review: My Juno Hits and Misses for 2007

2011-07-29T02:08:00.001-07:00

The Juno Awards is the biggest night in Canadian music. What I love about Canadian award shows is that there is always a mixture of glam and rocker laid-back styles on the red carpet. There isn't anything pretentious about the show and everyone seems genuinely happy to reconnect with their Canadian roots and fellow musicians. Here are my hits and misses for tonight's Juno Red Carpet.

Hits:

1. Nelly Furtado, beautiful songstress and one of my all time favourite singers to groove to did not disappoint on the red carpet. She definitely brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to the Junos and looked absolutely stunning in her floor length black gown (I missed who the designer was). Her hair was pulled back into an elegant up-do and her make-up was flawlessly radiant. I loved the black liquid liner winged out to the side and the raspberry pink cheeks and glossy lips looked amazing against her skin tone. Nelly not only shined on the red carpet but hosted the awards show for the first time and won all of Canada over. Not to mention she brought home 5 awards including Album of the Year and Artist of the Year! Way to go Nelly!

2. I thought the gals of tv show Corner Gas, Gabrielle Miller and Tara Spencer, looked fun and sexy on the red carpet (you'd never know it was freezing in Saskatoon by the way they were dressed!). Gabrielle looked like a true fashionista in her sexy black little mini number and thought Tara looked sultry with her smoked out eyes and nude lip (love her dark denims too!).

3. I'm not really a fan of Keisha Chante's music but I was a fan of her $20,000 Valentino jewel-encrusted dress she wore tonight at the awards. I love loose waves but I thought the ends of her hair looked like they were fried, but her make-up looked fresh and beautiful.

4. I really liked Canadian Idol winner, Melissa O'Neil's, hair (I'm all about the bangs these days), but it was hard to see what her dress really looked like. I thought the colour looked great against her skin, and the plunging v-neck why not if you've got the goods, but I didn't really like the khaki trench with it. I know it was freezing but I'm sure there would have been a million better choices than that.

Misses:

1. Sarah Harmer is a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice to match. Tonight, however, she looked like she was meeting her girlfriends for lunch instead of attending Canada's biggest award show. Her hair looked like she pinned the side with a bobby pin, her make-up did nothing to make her look less tired or pale, and her dress looked frumpy and dowdy on her. Well, at least she can count on her fans for liking her music and not her fashion sense.

2. I thought country artist Carolyn Dawn Johnson looked like a layered mess. There was so much going on with her outfit. I love vest tops worn on their own, but her black shirt peeking out everywhere just looked messy. Her hair was in need of some major volume, but her make-up was nice.

3. Need I say more?? Only in Canada! haha

Makeup 101: Toronto Film Fest Beauties!

2011-07-29T02:07:00.001-07:00

Makeup 101: Toronto Film Fest Beauties!

Hilary Duff enjoying many of the Filmfest parties, hit one of Toronto's popular niteclubs This Is London last Saturday in true style. With her wavy locks and shimmering eyes it's no wonder Ms. Duff didn't go unnoticed. Steal this hot look from one of the 'It' celebrities of the moment. To recreate:

1. Eyes: For a smoldering eye that shimmers in the night, mix a silvery shadow with gray tones. Try Lorac's new Starry-Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Evening Star. Smudge a charcoal gray shadow close to the lashline like Sephora's Slim Pencil Eye (also the winner of Best of Sephora 2007) in Dark Gray to amp up the smoke factor. Finish your peepers off with a couple coats of Diorshow Mascara in Black 090 (also winner of best of Sephora 2007).

2. Cheeks: Give your cheeks a subtle wash of colour in a neutral tone like MAC's Powder Blush in Harmony (Makeup Junkie fave). For a radiant glow highlight cheekbones with Benefit's High Beam (can be used to highlight inner corner of eyes and mixed with foundation for an overall dewy complexion). To highlight medium to dark skin tones tryBenefit's Moon Beam, a pinky-gold highlighter (also winner of Allure's Editor's Choice Awards).

3. Lips: Compliment your sultry eyes with a muted lip in a honey-rose tone. Line and shade the lips with Sephora's Slim Pencil - Lip in Natural Spice 116. Then swipe on a shimmering creamy tan lipstick like Nars' Lipstick in Promiscuous. To make the lips poutier, dab a bit of shimmery gloss like Nars' Lip Gloss in Orgasm (Makeup Junkie fave and winner of best of Sephora 2007) to the center of the lips.

4. Hair: To keep wavy locks looking hot all night without losing the steam, smooth on Frederic Fekkai's Luscious Curls Cream to accentuate your curls without all the stiffness. It'll leave your hair frizz-free and full of bounce and shine.

Radiant Reese Witherspoon graced Toronto with her presence on the red carpet at Roy Thomson Hall for the premiere of her new movie Rendition. She was absolutely picture perfect and such a classic beauty! Steal this look from one of the most sought after actresses of our time. To recreate:
1. Eyes: Bronzy sun-kissed eyes can enhance any eye colour. For bronzy eyes that will make you melt, try Nars' Duo Eye Shadow in Key Largo (Makeup Junkie fave). Smudge a chocolate bronze eye khol likeMAC's Eye Kohl in Teddy (Makeup Junkie fave) to the top and bottom lash line. Swipe on a couple coats of L'oreal Voluminous Mascara(Makeup Junkie fave).
2. Cheeks: For a peachy glow try MAC's Sheertone Powder Blush in Peaches. To keep your skin in bronze perfection dust on Benefit's Bronzer in Hoola (Makeup Junkie fave and winner of best of Sephora 2007) wear the sun naturally hits: forehead, nose, chin, and cheekbones.
3. Lips: Give those lips a peaches 'n cream glimmer with Nars' Lipstick in Honolulu Honey and slick on Nars' Lip Gloss in Giza (Makeup Junkie fave), a creamy nectar.
Angelina Jolie is the perfect arm candy for Brad Pitt and vice versa. In support of Brad's new film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Angelina showed up in true star style. Angelina was looking glamourous in the beauty trend of the moment: fresh complexion, cat eyes, and pale lips. Steal this look from Hollywood's femme fatale/humanitarian. To recreate:
1. Face: For a flawless complexion, use a primer like Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer to prep the skin (Makeup Junkie fave and winner of best of Sephora 2007). Give your skin smooth coverage with Bare Escentuals' bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation (Makeup Junkie fave and winner of best of Sephora 2007). Set with MAC's Blot Powder/Loose (Makeup Junkie fave) for a velvety matte finish.
2. Eyes: For that sexy cat eye line the eyes with Bobbi Brown's Longwear Gel Liner (InStyle's beauty winner). To get that cat eye just right you'll need the perfect tool like Smashbox's Arched Eye Liner Brush 21. Wing the liner up and out for purr-fection!
3. Lips: Rather than going for a pale matte lips, liven this look up with a shimmery nude gloss like Smashbox's Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pixel

Beauty Review: Emmy Beauties

2011-07-29T02:06:00.000-07:00

Every awards show I look forward to one thing: the red carpet hits and misses! Yes, I know award shows are about more than that - to recognize some of history's greatest shows, actors blah blah blah. The only award I'm giving out is who was the most dazzling from head to toe. So here are my winners:

1. There was just something about Katherine Heigl tonight that was just so captivating. Her dress wasn't the most dazzling but I thought she looked like pure glamour from head to toe. I loved how fresh she looked sporting the classic and of-the-moment red lip (unlike Christina Aguilara who had the similar style but looked cabaret-ish). Her Emmy speech made her seem even more loveable. Even if her mom didn't think she was going to win, maybe she did because she looked spectacular.

2. I absolutely adore America Ferrera and was excited to see her win her first Emmy. She was divine in colbalt blue and her makeup/hair was the perfect compliment. It's refreshing to see a normal size woman in Hollywood. I give her kudos for opting for a beautiful bold colour and not being afraid to stand out from the rest of the skinnies.

3. I have to say I think Eva Longoria is enjoying wedded bliss. In a sea of long gowns, she decided to go with a flirty, flashy, and fun cocktail dress. Her subdued colour palette from head to toe was the perfect amount of glamour. It just proves you don't have to go all frilly and flowy to get noticed on the red carpet.

4. Oh Heidi, can you stop looking drop dead gorgeous after having 3 children (or is it 4?? I've lost count)one after the other?? She looked like a beautiful tall glass of red wine. This deep raspberry colour was stunning and looked fantastic on her. It seemed like red was the popular colour of the night, but I think this colour made red seem ordinary. I loved the deep hue on the lips to match. Seal, you are one lucky man!

Makeup 101: Colourful Smokey Eyes For Summer

2011-07-29T02:03:00.000-07:00

Makeup 101: Colourful Smokey Eyes For Summer

Makeup Junkie guest contributor, Olivia, has brought you readers another fantastic tutorial! Can you do smokey eyes in the summer? Yes! Throw out your ideas of the classic smokey eye and swipe some colour on those peepers!

Summer fever is upon us and we’re all itching to get out doors. For some that includes a night out on the town sans jacket, sporting your favourite little black dress. My go-to party look is a smoky eye but in the summer I prefer to substitute the blacks, browns and greys for purples, blues and greens. Really the options are endless with a colourful smoky eye. You could keep your signature look but appear more versatile simply by switching the colours. For this look I decided to use a combination of teal, blue and lavender purple with a gold highlight.

As an avid Makeup Junkie reader, the most important lesson I’ve learned is starting every look with a flawless face. I tend to avoid using foundation but after reading Joy’s reviews on tinted moisturizers I thought I would test out the alternative. I’ve been using Tarte’s Smooth Operator, which has a great natural coverage and really evens out my skin without feeling cakey. Then minor imperfections can be corrected with a dab of concealer. Once you have completed your flawless face, follow these simple steps for a vibrant and alluring nighttime look:

Step 1: Line top and bottom lash lines and blend with your finger (or smudging brush) for that smoky effect.

Step 2: Start with the darkest colour and blend up towards your crease. Using that same colour, line the outer half of your bottom lash line. Taking the lighter shade, blend into your crease and brow bone. With the lighter shade and a pencil brush (try MAC 219 pencil brush) apply the shadow to the lower lash line in order blend the colours and complete the smoky look. For that extra sparkle, sweep a gold shimmer under your eyebrows.

Step 3: To complete the look, line your waterline with the same liner used to begin the smoky eye. Then apply lots of mascara! Since we want to keep the focus on your eyes, keep cheeks and lips simple by using a touch of bronzer and a light gloss.

Step 4: Throw on that little black dress and you’re good to go!

*Products used on eyes:

- NARS eyeliner in Kaliste

- CARGO Lumieres Du Monde palette (blue, purple and gold shadows used)

The Top Ten Most Romantic Perfumes

2011-07-29T01:52:00.000-07:00

The Top Ten Most Romantic Perfumes

Allure had a list of The Top Ten Most Romantic Perfumes In preparation of Valentine's Day 2009. The list was complied by a panel of experts. They also had a list of the Best Selling Romantic Perfumes.

This is the top ten list - starting with number one.

L`air du Temps was created by Nina Ricci For Women in 1948. Its fragrant nature explores essences of rosewood, neroli and peach. Blended with notes of ylang-ylang, vetiver and cedar. It is as famous for itsLalique bottle as it is its fragrance. In English, the French name means "the mood of the moment" and is described by many as "feminine" and "ageless".

Beautiful Perfume was launched by the design house of Estee Lauder in 1985. It is classified as a sharp, flowery fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of blooming fresh cut flowers, rose, jasmine, and carnation. Accompanied by fruity notes of fresh citrus, melons, peaches and plums.

Tresor perfume was introduced by Lancome in 1990. It is classified as a sharp, oriental, floral fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of lilac and apricot, with lower notes with amber and musk.

Cristalle perfume by Chanel was introduced in 1974. It is classified as a sharp, fruity fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of lemon, mandarin and other pure citrus.

Fracas by Robert Piguet - This hypnotic fragrance has a dedicated following and is the favorite fragrance of some of the world's most famous women, including Madonna, Carolina Herrera, and Princess Caroline of Monaco. Fracas is remarkably pure, modern, memorable, and provocative. First launched in 1948 and reintroduced in 1996, Fracas by Robert Piguet still inspires legions of loyal admirers. Notes include Tuberose, Jasmine, Jonquil, Gardenia, Lily of the Valley, White Iris, Orange, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Musk.

Joy perfume by Jean Patou was introduced in 1930. It is classified as a refined, flowery fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of rare oils including jasmine and rose. The Allure article states that each bottle of Joy uses 10,600 Jasmine flowers and 28 dozen roses.

Narciso Rodriguez for Her was introduced in 2005 as a fragrance for women is a warm, very feminine scent. This girly scent possesses a blend of honey, solar musk, orange blossom, amberlyn, vanilla, vetiver. It includes notes of Pink Pepper, Lavender, Patchouli, Violet, Amber, Woody Accord. One reviewed described this scent as "sex in a bottle". (Memo to self....)

Chloe perfume by Karl Lagerfeld was launched in 1975. It is classified as a luxurious, flowery fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of jasmine and honeysuckle.

Rose 31 by Le Labo is made for men and worn by women. It is an intriguing woody, spicy scent with rose nestled in the middle notes. Rose 31 features rose, cumin, pepper, clove, nutmeg, olibanum, cedar, amber, gaiac wood, oud wood, cistus, and vetiver . Le Labo is a relatively new perfumery in New York City, founded in 2006 by two ex-Armani employees. They specialize in hand-mixed, custom-labeled scents. How Rose 31 was named: Roses are indeed the core ingredient, while "31" refers to the total number of elements utilized.

S-Perfume 100% Love by Sophia Grojsman - This limited edition scent from famed perfumer Sophia Grojsman (creator of Eternity by Calvin Klein, Paris by Yves Saint Laurent, Trésor by Lancôme, Estée Lauder Beautiful) is a subtle and tart fragrance that features notes of red fruits, rose, incense, and dark chocolate.

Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes

2011-07-29T01:48:00.001-07:00

Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes

Brown Eyed Girls can also go dark with eye liner - black, dark brown or navy blue. I think darker eye liners do more to emphasize darker eyes, while lighter liners seem to just call attention to the makeup, not the eyes.

Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes is pretty much unlimited. Lucky Brown Eyed Girls can wear just about any color and look great. You have more variety and choices than any other eye color. Because your eyes are darker, you can go darker with your eye makeup and look dramatic and mysterious, not like a clown.

Eye Shadow - Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes

Since you can wear almost any color, you always have the option of matching your eye shadow to your clothing. Otherwise you can go with neutrals like taupes and browns. Pink eye shadow with a darker color in the crease will really make your eyes sparkle. Grey eyeshadows and liners look great and can give you a smokey eye look that is toned down enough for daytime wear.

Metallics in the gold, bronze, brown and pink family look great on brown eyes. My favorite Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes look is to go with a neutral shimmery beige color on the lid and use a darker accent color - it can be darker brown, purple, dark blue or even green. If you are feeling adventurous, you can always match you purple eyeshadow with a dark purple eyeliner. (If it is too light or too purple it will not be flattering - it should look black from a distance.)

Just a reminder, if you are going for eye drama and playing up your gorgeous eyes, be sure and go with a neutral blush and lip color. Otherwise you will look way too made up!

Eye Shadow for Brown Eyes

Choosing Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes for brown eyes can be somewhat complicated. Why? Because unlike other eye colors, a brown-eyed woman has a huge array of hues that are going to look good when she applies them. Literally every color of the rainbow holds potential along with all those wonderful mineral tones. About the only limit you've got is your skin tone and working with that.

Eyeshadow Colors For Brown Eyes

If you want to really play up your brown eyes then consider nice, smoky brow eye shadow. Use something lighter during the day, and keep darker brown shades for a dramatic night time entrance. A second choice, and more playful, is purple. In this case choose a hue that ties to your wardrobe somehow. A dusty purple is better for day ware, while sparkling violets can come out at night to tour the town.

Of course, its also fun to tinker with colors you don't see that often – like peach or sunshine yellow. If it's around the holidays, let the predominant color of the season guide you! This is another moment when your complexion may help you make a final decision. Fair-skinned folk would do better with light colors while dark skinned women can reach for those deeper tones confidently

Makeup For Brown Eyes - How Brown is Brown?

There are different dimensions to brown going from light to nearly black. For someone who has very dark brown eyes, it's good to include something lighter in eye makeup so that your eyes don't look harsh. If you're fortunate to have a medium-colored brown eye – the sky is the limit. Think dramatic green, gold, or bronze as well as all shades of purple. Different colors will make your eyes look a little different, so play around and see what kind of impact you want.

For women with light brown eyes, pastels are a good choice, particularly yellow. Avoid black eyeliner and opt for brown instead. Finally, for someone with hazel eyes use an intense eyeliner like bronze or purple and follow with an eye shadow that's just a little darker than your skin (Mauve being one possibility).

By the way, if you want to make your brown eyes look longer just extend your eye liner and shadow slightly father than the corner of your eye. Remember to blend!

What to Avoid:

While eye shadow for brown eyes is a pretty broad category there are some colors that probably aren't the best option. For some reason pinks leave many brown-eyed women looking as if they've been crying all day. Blue isn't always a good choice either, as it brings out yellow tones that can make a person look ill. And while the yellowish metallic shadows look fantastic, silver doesn't. That's a color best suited for blue-eyed women. The only place for silver on brown eyes is as an eyeliner to make your eyes look bigger.

Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes Recommended Products:
The easiest way to get the most flattering look is to purchase eye shadow made specifically for brown eyes - it takes away the guesswork! I love these Eye Shadow Collections by Pop Beauty. They are high quality eye shadows in gorgeous colors made especially for brown eyed girls! They come with instructions to create different looks that flatter brown eyes, but they don't come with an applicator. I recommend a good quality brush. The Eye Makeup for Brown Eyes products for green eyes are shown below, but you can click through to see the browns.

How to Apply Eye Shadow

2011-07-29T01:37:00.001-07:00

How to Apply Eye Shadow

Need to Know How to Apply Eye Shadow? Even if you've been wearing make up for decades there are days when it seems impossible to apply eye makeup properly. Knowing how to apply eye shadow begins with a few helpful hints that can help avoid the shadow being mottled, uneven, or just over the top.

Tricks of the Trade

Any beauty consultant will tell you that the biggest means to applying eye shadow evenly is blending. You need to have a light hand for good blending. Start at the base of your eye using a light color. Add a darker color to the crease of your eye, then gently brush on your highlight color for your lid. Try using a makeup brush, your fingertip or cotton swab to blend these so you cannot tell where one stops and the other begins.

When you Apply Eye Shadow, you can use one, two, three or four different colors.

How to Apply Eye Shadow using one color: choose a neutral or slightly dark shadow and apply it from your lashline to the crease. Blend upward so that it gently fades.

For a two color look, apply the neutral or slightly lighter color from the lashline to either the crease or the bottom of the eyebrows. Apply a complementary darker color to the crease and blend very well. You can also apply the darker (crease) color over your eyeliner at the lash line and smudge well. (This is a great look - you will need a small brush or pointed sponge applicator.)

How to Apply Eye Shadow using three colors: apply your main (medium) color from the lashes to the crease. Apply the darkest color to the crease and apply the lightest color from the crease to the eye brows. Blend very well. You can also use the darkest color over your eyeliner for a great look.

Use four colors by applying the darkest either as an inverted "v" at the corner of the eye, on the outer end of the crease or over the entire outer lower lid and blend well.

Remember: you can always add more color if its too light, but its much harder to remove too much color and get an even, refined look.

Another important factor when learning How to Apply Eye Shadow is picking the right color and brand of eye shadow. You want a hue that compliments your eyes and skin without being overwhelming. For example, a little shine is fine but too much draws attention to your wrinkles and other fine lines.

Note that all eye shadows are not created equal. Some have great longevity and others smear or smudge easily. Even if you only buy one container at a time, invest in good shadow.

Remember: an eye shadow base can also improve the staying power of your makeup.

Formal Eye Makeup Tips

2011-07-29T01:20:00.003-07:00

Formal Eye Makeup Tips

If you're looking for formal eye makeup tips a lot of times you can find great ideas in magazines. Celebrities and models alike have great stylists that create everything from a seductive or a cat's eye to dramatic impact eyes.

With this in mind, one of the key elements in preparing for formal eye makeup is figuring out your goal. Perhaps you'll find the perfect image from the pictures you review or minimally a concept, but ask yourself – what am I trying to say with my eyes?

Do you want a classic look?
If so start with a neutral eye color palette (seeHow to Apply Eye Shadow), select the best colors for your individual eye color (see Eye Shadow by Eye Color). Also Eye Liner is a must, see How to Apply Eye Liner or consider Tightlining your eyes and finish your look with Mascara.

Do you want a dramatic look?
Go with darker eye shadows that compliment your eye color. Consider the Smokey Eye look. Eye Liner must, see How to Apply Eye Liner, andTightlining will greatly enhance your look. Don't forget lots of black mascara, or consider false eye lashes.

Do you want a romantic look?
Follow the same suggestions for the classic look, choosing soft romantic colors that compliment your eye color, such as pink or peach. Choose a shimmering shadow to use as a highlighter. Choose softer colors for your cheeks and lips.

Are you hoping for a theatrical impression?
Go all the way with a dark Smokey Eye, or opt for Cat Eye Makeup, Gothic Eye Makeupor even Egyptian Eye Makeup.

Next consider your overall color theme. Even with these Formal Eye Makeup Tips, your eyes aren't alone on your face. You need to pick out accompanying colors for blush, lipstick, and even foundation so that everything works together harmoniously. One of the biggest secrets to good formal eye makeup is that it all comes together cohesively to express your mood and the occasion.

A third question to ponder is what part of your face you want to highlight. Just because you're putting on formal eye makeup doesn't mean that your lips, cheekbones, hair, or curve of your neck need to fade to the backdrop. You'll need to plan your eye makeup so that your best features shine. If that happens to be your eyes, great, but if not your eye makeup should be toned down just enough to address other focal points.

Here are some more Formal Eye Makeup Tips:

Start with an even foundation. Without this, the rest of your eye makeup will look messy no matter how carefully you apply it.
Find a concealer that blends perfectly with your complexion to hide dark circles. Use a makeup pad to blend this with your foundation.
A little shine is fine but don't overdo it – formal is rarely flashy
Use a white eye pencil or white shimmering eye shadow (very well blended) around the inner corners of your eyes to brighten and highlight your eyes.
Use an Eye Makeup Primer, so you will look as good when you leave as you did when you arrived!
Practice ahead of time! It make several tries to perfect your look and technique.

The beauty of approaching your eye makeup in this manner is that when you're done, this very basic look can easily be kicked up a bit if you find it's too “quiet” for your tastes. Perhaps add a little glue-on star near one eye, or a hint of glitter in your hair. With good Formal Eye Makeup Application, you can round out your look any way you want!

Mascara Tips

2011-07-29T01:20:00.001-07:00

Mascara Tips

Need Mascara Tips? No matter how long you've worn makeup there are going to be days when it simply doesn't go on right. Mascara in particular can be too thick, clumpy or smudgy.

Here are some mascara tips to help you get perfect lashes every time:

If you want your eyelashes to look longer, make sure to pay close attention to the mascara at the base of your lashes. If that's not put on evenly, nothing else you do will make your lashes look long.
Always take the time to separate your lashes. Just a little twist as you move from bottom to top with your mascara wand should do the trick
Don't forget to run the mascara wand over both the inside and the outside of the lash for evenness.

Clumps and Bumps:

If your key problem is clumpy mascara you can try a couple of things. First it may simply be time to get new mascara. Generally as mascara dries and gets old, it also gets more finicky and clumpy.

Secondly, check your mascara wand. It might be goopy. If so, give it a thorough cleaning then try again.

Third, make sure you're not applying a second coat of mascara before the first coat dries. If you do – it WILL clump.

If its not the age of the mascara or the condition of the wand, and your first coat of mascara is fully dry, then get yourself a lash comb to brush those clumps out.

Mascara tips and tricks from Pros

People who work with makeup regularly suggest that you try using more than one type of mascara. Put on a light coating of mascara that's intended to lengthen, then another light coat of thickening mascara.

Beyond this makeup artists play a lot with colored mascaras so you could actually have one color at the base of your lashes and something different at your tips, or use the two-types of mascara for lengthening and thickness in two colors to give more depth of hue.

Finally don't under estimate the importance of an eyelash curler. This opens up your eyes and makes them look wider. If you heat the curler just before you use it, you'll find the overall effect much prettier.

Smudges:

You can now buy foundation powder and eyelash primer for your eyes. This not only helps your eye make up last longer but keeps the mascara under your eye from smudging as easily because the skin there won't be as oily.

If you find you always smudge your bottom lashes, hold a folded tissue in place while you apply the mascara. Works like a charm every time! For those little dots that appear on your upper eye lids – remember to keep your eye partially closed after applying your mascara. About 30 seconds should do the trick – no dots!

Finally remember to buy waterproof mascara.

By following these mascara tips you should find that you're successful with mascara application more consistently, and have much richer looking lashes that last as long as you do!

Gothic Eye Makeup Tips

2011-07-29T01:18:00.001-07:00

Gothic Eye Makeup Tips

Here are a few Gothic Eye Makeup Tips if you’re looking for a hint of the dramatic in your eye makeup. Most people when they think "Goth" they think dark, black eyeliner. While some gothic eye makeup goes in that direction, many Goths like a little more inventiveness and uniqueness in their style.

Applying Gothic Makeup

Liquid eyeliner is definitely the foundation to your gothic style. You want something dark, but not necessarily black. Blue, purple, and deep rusts also create a very stunning effect, offering a lot of depth, and making your eyes pop. The alternative to liquid eyeliner is a smoky colored eye pencil, which gives you more control for contours. Remember when applying the eyeliner not to close the line at the corner of your eyes (this will actually have just the opposite of the desired effect – it makes your eyes look smaller).

Another eyeliner trick is to take the line further than the edge of your eyelid and create some kind of pattern like a diamond, twirl, flower, star etc. Note if you don’t have a steady hand you may want to use a pencil to sketch the design lightly before applying the liner. No matter what – don’t be drab, and don’t get cliché. Remember its all about individuality.

Gothic Makeup Ideas

As with your eyeliner, don’t feel married to black as your only color choice. Any dark, rich colors will do the trick for your eye shadowing. Try going with colors that compliment your attire. For example, if you’re wearing a russet top, pick out an emerald eye shadow, or with a purple top think shimmery gold. Remember, glitter is a Goth’s friend, just be careful if you’re wearing it near your eyes.

Mascara often comes in dark purple, blue and black – so there’s no problem finding the color you want there. Or, you could go for long, lush false eyelashes if you’re are wanting.

Gothic Makeup Styles

No matter your color choices keep remembering that Goth is all about showing off your eyes. You may have to try a couple different styles and hues until you find “just” the look that you hope to achieve. When you do, make note of it or take a picture with your cell phone so you can recreate that look whenever you wish. This way you can create a body of Gothic Eye Makeup Tips that come from personal experience.

Cat Eye Makeup

2011-07-29T01:17:00.000-07:00

Cat Eye Makeup

Cat eye makeup is one example of how to have a come-hither look that really says, “meeeoww!” There's something sexy and alluring about cat's eyes, and you can re-create that magnetism with a little bit of creative makeup. Dramatic, interesting eyes can really grab people's attention.

Line it; Define it

As with Goth looks, the most important element to cat eye makeup is the eyeliner. You're going to need some practice. A smooth, refined line is what you're seeking. Blotches and smudges really ruin the whole deal. Start by getting the basic supplies you need (note that you'll be able to make a few different cat looks from the items on this list):

eyeliner brush & eye shadow brush
eyebrow pencil in a color appropriate to your hair
dark eye shadow (smoky is nice)
black eye liner pencil
black or another very dark color mascara
liquid eyeliner
shimmer eye shadow
highlight eye shadow that matches your overall theme

The Process:

Again, you want to practice this a few times before actually using it for a date. Do not wait until 15 minutes before going out to do a trial run!
1. Refine your eyebrow line.
2. Using your eye pencil you're going to create a dot-to-dot line to follow for the eyeliner. Do this all along the base of your eyelashes, then at the outer end of the eye take the dots slightly upward.
3. Put a very light layer of shimmering eye shadow under your brows, with darker smoky colors close to your eyes. Note that this should not be too much lighter than your natural color.
4. Trace the pencil line with your eyeliner along the top lid. Note that you want the line to slowly grow thicker toward the outer corner of your eyelid.
5. Finish the look by applying several layers mascara (as with the eyeliner you do not want this to clump so let it dry completely between applications).

Hint:

Don't try to practice using eyeliner when you're already wearing makeup. Practice the perfect line for cat eye makeup on a bare eye. Have some soft cotton swabs and makeup remover handy so you can wash up and start again.

Once you get good at it, you can play with a variety of colors, angles, and finishing touches. While getting the cat eye makeup look perfect isn't easy, once you master the technique you can enjoy that puurfect mysterious appeal any time.

Recommended Products:

Here is a great eyeliner designed specifically to create your cat eye look. It is an eye crayon slanted to create cat eyes and is available in 5 colors - Black, Black Onyx, Black Dahlia, Black Olive and Blue. This has gotten rave reviews.

Egyptian Eye Makeup

2011-07-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

Egyptian Eye Makeup

Why Egyptian Eye Makeup? When you think of the ancient Egyptians two things come immediately to mind – the pyramids and the dazzling, dramatic appeal of Ancient Egyptian eye make up (or Cleopatra Eye Makeup). If you look at art throughout the Egyptian empire you’ll be hard pressed to find any eyes without adornment on both women and men.

The characteristic almond shape of Egyptian Eyes was not simply chosen to make a person’s eyes stand out – there were religious reasons behind it as well. For example, the green eye makeup they wear (called Udju) came from Sinai, a place sacred to Hathor. Hathor protected women and ruled over matters of love and beauty. Likewise the gray eye makeup called Mesdemet (a blend of lead and copper) was a gift given to the Pharaoh, who was considered a god in his own right.

The Eye’s Have it

Its worthy of note that Egyptians considered eye makeup important enough to include applicators in their burial chambers – insuring they’d be quite handsome throughout the afterlife.

A third component in Egyptian eye make up was Galena, a silvery mineral. It is interesting to note that research indicates this mineral helps protect the delicate skin around the eye from the desert sun. This protective element is very interesting considering the Egyptians believed their efforts protected of the “evil eye”. Galena was also used in making Kohl – a mixture of copper ores, ash, burnt almond and ochre. This is the distinctive black that lined the eyes and was also used for mascara.

Applying the Makeup

If you’re interested in trying traditional Egyptian eye makeup or Cleopatra Eye Makeup yourself, Kohl is the keynote to the whole look. You can find this product at a variety of outlets for about $15-$30.00 with a good applicator. To apply the Kohl:

Dampen the stick / applicator
Roll the applicator in the Kohl so the powder gathers on it.
Gently shake the applicator to remove any clumps
Start at the inner corner of your eye
With your eyes lightly closed, pull the applicator across the crease of your eye
You now have the basic “cat-eye”
Add mascara to your lashes to provide thickness

If you’re planning on using eye shadow, be sure to put it on before the Kohl.

The whole idea behind Egyptian eye makeup was drama and presence. You want to use such a look sparingly so that when you do come out with that opulent eye-art, it will have a lot of impact on everyone around. Who says you can’t live like an Egyptian Queen (at least for one night)?

Black Strapless Dress

2011-07-29T01:09:00.000-07:00

Black Strapless Dress

A Black Strapless Dress is such a great look for almost any special occasion.

There is a huge assortment from which to choose. Decide if you want a mini-dress or a longer length? Do you want a slim, a-line or fuller skirt? Do you want it to be plain black or with sequins, lace or some other embellishment? Do you want a special fabric such as satin, taffeta or velvet? Once you have a good idea of your perfect dress, finding it will be a snap!

Find the Perfect Black Dress

2011-07-29T00:56:00.001-07:00

Find the Perfect Black Dress

Find Your Perfect Black Dress! Every woman should own at least one "little black dress" that makes her feel and look great.

The "Little Black Dress" has been around for over 100 years and will not be going away anytime soon.

Selecting your perfect dress will depend on the occasion and your body. The most important thing about your little black dress is that wearing it makes you feel good about yourself. Look to styles that flatter your features and down-play any flaws.

If you are looking for an all occasion dress, looking toward middle-ground apparel (i.e. not too casual, not too fancy). You can always make the dress LOOK more formal by using smartly chosen accessories. Knee length is your best option for an all-purpose piece of clothing. Additionally go with mid-sleeve dresses that aren't overly heavy. You can always put on sweaters and coats during colder months (but can't remove fabric when it's warm out!)

Current Fashion Trends

2011-07-29T00:55:00.000-07:00

Current Fashion Trends

The Current Fashion Trends for Spring and Summer 2011 include lots of 1960s and 1970s inspired sophisticated glamour, Bohemian chic, lots of lace and crochet, ruffles and sheer layers and bright and bold colors.

No7 Trio Concealer & Mono eye shadow - Wheatsheaf

2011-07-29T00:51:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I wanted to post reviews on No7 Trio Concealer & Mono eye shadow - Wheatsheaf for a long time and somehow i always came up with some other posts... While i have these 2 product for months already!

I'll start with the concealer review... A few months ago i was still in search for "perfect" concealer and i thought it was mission impossible since i've tried a lot of drugstore concealers (and some high end ones) and none impressed me so much that i could say i want to use it forever.

Anyway No7 trio concealer was just "another" product i decided to try but i didn't expect much since i never felt that No7 products work well for me... But when i tried it i couldn't believe how good it is! :-D

So i started to wear it every single day and i am still so happy with it that i don't want to use any other concealer. This was probably my the best buy of the year!

It comes in plastic handy packaging and contains 3 different colors - all 3 perfectly match my fair skin tone.

The lightest (pink toned) is for the under eye circles, it covers them perfectly and it makes my eyes look more awake. Absolutely brilliant shade! :-)

The second is light beige tone, good for hiding small spots, but i use it also for under eye circles.

The third is dark beige tone perfect to cover acnes and small scars. Sometimes i mix light and dark beige tones to create perfect match color.

It lasts for hours after i apply it, it is very creamy and also feels very light on the skin, so it doesn't create cakey look. I definitely recommend this concealer because it is just great, probably the best concealer i've ever had. :-D

My rating (scale 1-5, 1 - the worst, 5 - the best)

* quality: 5 (but i would rate it even 10 because i just love this product!)

* packaging: 3 - i wish it comes with small mirror inside the packaging

* how long does it stay on: 5 - great staying power

* would i buy it again: yes yes yes yes yes!

* overall: 5

* where to buy: No7 at Boots stores

Mono eye shadow - Wheatsheaf (55)

The reason why i chose this eyeshadow was becase it reminded me of my favourite Urban Decay eyeshadow "Sin" shade, so i thought it may be similar. But after i applied it i saw how different they are... The "Wheatsheaf" is very natural color tone, almost invisible on my eyes. It is actually more highlighting my skin instead of leaving any color. So that's what i mainly use it for - highlighting my cheekbones, nose and chin.

the swatch

Here you can see how it looks after i applied it...

My rating (scale 1-5, 1 - the worst, 5 - the best)

* quality: 3 - in my opinion this color isn't pigmented enough, but it is ok as a highlighter

* packaging: 3 - plain plastic packaging with small eye shadow applicator, i wish it comes with small mirror inside

* how long does it stay on: 3 - if you don't apply good eye shadow primer this eye shadow will crease very fast

* would i buy it again: not so sure

* overall: 3... and i really wanted to love this eye shadow...It isn't too bad but i had higher expectations...

* where to buy: No7 at Boots stores