Showing posts with label loreal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loreal. Show all posts

Monday, November 25, 2013

Autumn/Winter Smokey Eye for Hazel/Brown Eyes

My Dearest Beauties,

Plums and dark warm browns are really in this season. They are not only beautiful colors to use for a smoldering smokey eye but they are also very flattering against hazel and brown eyes. If you have been reading my blog for a long time you may have seen my lovely cousin in a previous makeup pictorial, see it here. So, without further due, I am going to try to explain the steps to achieving this look.

I started off by applying Clinique's Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup, concentrating on the center of the face and diffusing it with my fingers to the edges and neck. I concealed the under eye circles and highlighted the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, center of the forehead chin and cupid's bow with Maybelline's DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer. I don't rub this on the skin but I rather tap it away until it is undetectable. Applying a highlighting concealer helps to sculpt and lift the face which gives more dimension. I set all of that liquid makeup with translucent powder in order to keep the face as fresh as possible. My favorite is Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre applied with Real Technique's Blush Brush.



The key to a great eye makeup is layering. I like to start off by applying a creamy or gel type product. For that I heat the tip of my Dali pencil in Electric Mauve just a tiny bit with a kitchen lighter. This transforms it into a gel that will easily glides onto the eyelid without having to tug or pull on this delicate area. Once I apply it on the eyelid and lower lash line, I blend the edges with the warmth of my fingertips. I then pack the lovely and matte MaxFactor Mono Eye Shadow in Dark Plum #8 using an Ecotools flat shadow brush. Once again, blend, blend, blend. I love to line the upper and lower waterline of the eye with an intense Dali Black Pencil. The combination of the glittery and shimmery base with the matte shadow gives a dimensional and interesting finish to the eyes.




I take the lightest eyeshadow color in the Benefit's Cabana Glama palette and apply it to the inner corner of the eyes to bring light and open them up. I, then, use the Real Technique's Duo Fibre Eye Brush with Hoola bronzer from the same palette and blend it just over the plum color to wrap the smokey eye up and make the lovely Lorena almost look like she was born with a smokey eye on.  I also go in with the the Real Technique Duo Fibre Contour brush with Hoola again, this time I use it along the hair line, a little on the temples and on the sides of the nose to warm Lorena's complexion up.


To finish the skin off I use a very fresh and shimmery blush, on the cheeks blending it up towards the temples, from Benefit called Coralista using again a Real Techniques Duo Fiber Face Brush. Duo fiber brushes are great because they allow you to build up color slowly which helps you avoid applying too much product. Remember that it is easier to put more that to take off.


I then go on and fill in the lips with this amazing Seventeen lip pencil and then add a little shine with Dior's clear gloss. Last but not least, is L'oreal Lash Architect Waterproof Mascara on the top and bottom lashes. A smokey eye calls for a LOT of mascara. I didn't show it, but I did use some Samoa Clear mascara on the eyebrows to ensure they are not moving around.






This last picture was taken with the camera's flash on to see if the makeup passes the picture test. Help me be the judge. Tell me what you think on the comments below.

Remember that you can use any products that you have at home to achieve this look. In case you are to buy any of these, know that I only use my trusted products for makeup pictorials. I hope you found this fun and useful.

Much love,

Samar

Monday, November 11, 2013

Long, Luscious & Curly Lashes

My Dearest Beauties,

Some of us were not blessed with those amazing super long, thick and curly lashes. Well, don't worry, a lot of mascaras out there got us covered. My lashes are of the same nature as the hair on my head; they are thin and straight. I tried a lot of different mascaras claiming to hold the curl while adding volume and length. Unfortunately, my lashes ended up longer and thicker but they were never perky and curly. Having really oily skin made me try waterproof mascara and that was when I realized that waterproof mascaras are the only ones that hold the curl.

Let's just jump right into my current eyelash routine. You will end up with curly lashes that are longer and thicker at the same time. I use three super effective products:




  1. Tweezerman Eyelash Curlers: I carefully curl my lashes as close to the base as possible. 
  2. L'Oreal False Lash Effect Lash Architect 4D Waterproof Mascara: this mascara adds length by adding tiny micro fibers. I use it from the base to the ends of my lashes to secure the curl. But, because it is very lengthening I concentrate most of the product on the ends of my lashes.
  3. Dali Full Volume Mascara: I finish off with this volumizing mascara and I concentrate it on the base of my lashes. I love this one because it makes my lashes thicker without clumping them together, which is always a plus for thin lashes.  

What is your mascara routine? Tell me in the comments!

Much love, 

Samar