Product Love: Lorac Pro Palette

Over the years, I have been pretty much used Urban Decay eyeshadows exclusively, mostly because of their palette product offerings.  A couple weeks ago I decided to try something a little different, and came across the Lorac Pro Palette ($42) at Ulta.  This palette contains 16 eyeshadows, half of which are shimmery and half of which are matte.  The shades are all neutrals, with a range from pale nude to dark plum and black.   It also contains a mini bottle of Lorac's eyeshadow primer to ensure your makeup lasts longer.
The pigmentation is amazing, which means the product will last you a long time since you don't need to apply as much for good color payoff.  The matte shades look rich and not chalky at all, and the shimmery ones are not overly shimmery.  I have been using this on all of my clients lately, and have nothing but good things to say about it.  You can obtain anything from a very natural, everyday look to a dramatic evening look with this palette.  I would definitely recommend the Lorac Pro Palette if you want a broad range of eyeshadow colors, but tend to stick to neutral shades.

This is what the palette looks like; as you can see, mine is already well-loved:)

These are the shadows, exactly as they appear in the palette.  I did not use primer for the swatches. 

Tutorial: Super Quick and Easy Smokey Eye

Since I have not posted a tutorial in awhile, I thought I would share this extremely easy and quick look.  It is probably the most fool-proof way of achieving a smokey eye, in my opinion.  You really only need three makeup products to achieve this look.

You will need a cream eyeshadow or cream/gel eyeliner product (I used Stila's Smudge Pot in Brown), a neutral eyeshadow for blending (I used the shade "Tease" from my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, which is a mauvey-taupe color), and a regular eyeliner pencil in either black or brown (on this day, I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Zero).  You will also need two makeup brushes; a flat, synthetic eye shadow brush (a concealer brush will work perfectly if you do not have a synthetic eyeshadow brush) and a small blending brush.  

***This is a side note, but I bought a Wayne Goss flat eyeshadow brush at the Makeup Show last weekend and it is seriously amazing- so soft, and applies product beautifully!  If you are in the market for new makeup brushes, these are pretty nice and are sold in handy kits (eyes, face, etc).***

Anyway, back to to business!

1.  Apply foundation, concealer, complexion products of your choice.  If you are new to the smokey eye technique, you can always start with your eye makeup instead, which allows you to clean up any shadow fall out.  Since we are starting with a cream based product, there really shouldn't be much mess though:)

2.  Dip your flat eyeshadow brush into your cream eyeshadow/eyeliner product.  Using a tiny bit of product, start pressing the eyeshadow color all over your eyelid.  Repeat over entire eyelid and then on the other eye.  Take the skinny side of the brush and the cream shadow and draw a line under your lower eyelids, starting at the inner corner and drawing toward the outer corner.  This does not need to be perfect, since you will be smudging in the next step!

3.  Take your blending brush and start blending all over the eyelid in circular motions.  Blend upward toward the crease of your eyelid, so the color starts looking diffused.  Gently swipe the blending brush back and forth along your lower lash line as well.

4.  Dip your blending brush into a neutral eyeshadow and using a windshield wiper motion, blend the eyeshadow into the crease of your eyelid.  Once again, gently swipe the brush over the lower lash line carefully.

5.  Using your pencil liner, if you wish, line the waterlines of the eyes.  This helps enhance the smoldering effect of the smokey eye look.

6.  Curl lashes and apply your favorite mascara- and groom brows, of course!

There you have it!  Please let me know if you have any questions about any of the products or instructions in this post.  If you try this look, please let me know what you think:)

Tutorial: Purple Lipstick Evening Look

First off, just wanted to apologize for the lack of posts.  I am busy preparing for wedding season and learning how to style hair as well (undos and whatnot).  I don't mean to neglect my blog, especially since it is still pretty new!  

Here is a tutorial for a relatively simple look that works well for night time, and the purple lipstick is a little bit unexpected compared to a red or pink.

1.  Prep skin with moisturizer of your choice. If you live in a cold climate (or have dry skin), the more moisture the better!  I like to blend Mario Badescu's AHA and Ceramide Moisturizer with some BareMinerals Tinted Moisturizer.

2.  Conceal dark under eye circles and any redness (acne, rosacea, etc) with concealer of your choice. This step ensures an even skin tone that will not compete with the lipstick shade.  I like Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer for the under eye area and Bobbi Brown Touch Up Stick for the rest of my spots.

3.  Apply foundation (if you want or feel you need it), like BareMinerals Original Foundation with a big brush.  If you prefer liquid foundation, I also suggest using a stippling brush or Beauty Blender sponge for flawless coverage.

4.  Apply bronzer to hairline, down the bridge of your nose, cheekbones and jawline. Then apply a light peachy pink blush.  I routinely use Nars Laguna Bronzer and Orgasm Blush.

5.  Fill in your brows!  If you want to know how, watch my video tutorial:)

6.  Prime eyelids with your favorite primer to ensure long-lasting eye makeup.  As you may have read previously, I LOVE Urban Decay's Original Priming Potion.

7.  Apply waterproof black eyeliner on upper and lower waterlines, smudging into the base of the lashes.  This does not need to look perfect, since it will be blended for the finished look.  I love Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Zero.

8.  Using a pencil blending brush dipped in a cool-toned taupe eyeshadow, blend and smudge the eyeliner so the line looks diffused and soft.  Blend from the lash line up toward the lid.  You can add more liner to the waterline if you prefer.  I used Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette for the eyeshadow (I believe I used "Pistol")

9.  Swirl on a lighter eyeshadow ("Verve" is the shadow I used) onto the lid using an eyeshadow blending brush (no need to use a shader brush).  Then with the same shade of eyeshadow used to blend the liner, apply color to the crease of the eye with the same blending brush.  Blend until everything looks as seamless as possible.

10.  Curl lashes and apply mascara of your choice.  I think I used L'Oreal Voluminous here.

11.  Line lips with a neutral lipliner, then apply purple lipstick straight from the tube  (I used my favorite MAC Heroine lipstick).  Blot lips with a tissue and you are good to go:)

Please let me know how you like this tutorial and / or if there is anything you would like to hear more about!

Inspiration of the Week: Highlighted Eyes

A slew of gorgeous models, including Doutzen Kroes (one of my favorite models) at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show, sporting the glow-y gaze.  All photos from Pinterest, collage made in PicCollage.  

I am loving the simple, clean look of a highlighted inner eye with healthy, radiant skin.  You can achieve this look easily with any pearly eyeshadow dabbed around the tear ducts.  Add some black mascara and a hydrating tinted moisturizer, and you are done!  To enhance this look, apply some peach blush lightly to the apples of your cheeks.  This look works for all skin tones!

Tutorial: Violet / Cranberry Smokey Eyes

If you read my last blog post, you saw I just bought a bunch of MAC products including several eyeshadows to fill a palette.  I have never been a huge fan of MAC's eyeshadows, but my recent purchase is leaving a good impression.  The shadows are all very pigmented and do not crease or fade.   Now that I know they are up to par, I put together this tutorial for a smokey eye look with some of the eyeshadows I bought.  You can use any eyeshadow, as long as the colors are similar it should give the same look.

1.  Apply shadow primer of your choice.  As you know, I love Urban Decay Primer Potion.

2.  Use a slightly iridescent cream color on the inner corner/tear duct of your eye.  I used MAC Shroom.

3.  On the inner corner of your eye, apply a light peach-pink shadow.  Here, I used MAC Gleam.

4.  On the middle of the eye, apply a medium pink-purple.  I used MAC Star Violet.

5.  On the outer v of the eye and crease, apply a dark purple.  I used MAC Sketch.  Blend everything with a blending brush with a windshield wiper motion.

6.  Apply a waterproof black eyeliner in the upper and lower waterlines.  Smudge with a q-tip or pencil blending brush.  For this look, I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero.  

7.  Smudge some of the dark purple shadow into the lower lash line.  

8.  Curl eyelashes and apply lots of mascara.  I used L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Effect mascara.

Thought I would share: MAC Haul

If you are like me, seeing makeup others have in their collection or have purchased is strangely addictive and fun.  I recently renewed my MAC Pro Membership, so I had a little shopping spree.

Assorted eyeshadows (Shroom, Gleam, Star Violet, Sketch, Carbon, Woodwinked, Soot, Plum Dressing, Sumptuous Olive), liquid eyeliner (Boot black), lipstick (Heroine), Chromaline cream liner (Black), mixing medium, glitter (Gold), lipmix (Clear Gloss), and powder puffs.

This is what I bought.  I actually love the eyeshadows and lipstick a lot.  The rest I have not yet tried, but since they will be going into my freelance kit, I am sure they will come in handy.  Just thought you might like a peak!

Urban Decay Naked 2 Tutorial (and new hair!)

I wanted to share a quick and easy tutorial using the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette.  If you do not have the Naked 2 palette, any range of neutral eyeshadows should work.  The palette is definitely worth the money if you are in the market for new eyeshadow, just putting it out there:)

My new hair color and the makeup look in the tutorial:)

1. Apply complexion products as you prefer. I applied my normal moisturizer, Bareminerals foundation, concealer under my eyes and on red spots.

2.  Apply bronzer (Nars Laguna is my go-to) around the hairline, cheekbones, jawline and down the nose.

3.  Swirl on blush of your choice.  I almost always use Nars Orgasm, but since the rest of the look is pretty neutral, any pink or peachy shade should work well.

4.  Prime eyelids with a primer you like.  I always use Urban Decay Primer Potion, since it is the BEST for keeping shadow in place all day.  I also recommend putting a little on the lower lash line too.

5.  Using a shader (flat) brush, apply Suspect (a light shimmery beige) to the inner corners of the eyes to about a third of the way across the lid, blending it slightly toward the tear duct.

6.  Next, apply Snakebite (a medium bronze) to the remaining two-thirds of the eyelid.  Then use a eyeshadow blending brush to lightly blend the colors together.

7.  On the outer "V "of the eyes, apply Busted (a deep burgundy) with a pencil blending brush.  Again with the regular eyeshadow blending brush, blend all three colors together in a windshield wiper motion.  When blending, you should make sure the shadows look like a gradient rather than three separate, disjointed colors.

8.  With a pencil blending brush, apply Snakebite to the lower lash line.

9.  Apply black eyeliner of your choice to the upper lash line.  I chose MAC Fluidline for this look.

10.  Line waterline of lower eyelid with a brown eyeliner (softer than black, but still makes eyes look sultry).  I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Whiskey.

11.  Curl lashes, apply mascara, and groom brows.

11.5.  Totally optional, but add your favorite pink lip color.  I used Bite Beauty lipstick in a fuchsia shade.

And there you have it:)  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about this tutorial or anything else!

How are you liking the blog thus far?

Hello my favorite readers, I wanted to point out that I added a little survey for you guys on the upper right side of the blog.  I am trying to get a feel for how you like the content so far and what you like to see most.  Please participate if you can, it should take about 10 seconds:)

Also, I had an amazing photo shoot with one of my favorite photographers, @Michael Woodward, this weekend.  This is just one of the photos (of the gorgeous Theresa Grant)- I hope you like it!  I loved the way the makeup turned out, so just thought I would share.

New Year's Eve Makeup Inspiration!

I know it is a little last minute, but I wanted to share my NYE inspiration for tomorrow evening's party look!

Beyonce looking gorgeous, a model rocking some serious liner, and Leighton Meester.

The dress I am wearing (ordered from Rent the Runway for the first time, btw!) is silver and black, and instead of going with the typical smoky eye I am going to rock the classic red lip and cat eyeliner look.  I may even add a pair of full false lashes to bring the look to the next level.  My top choices for the evening: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack and Rouge Dior Lipstick in 999 Ara Red.  

I promise to update this post with a photo of me from tomorrow evening.  Maybe even a tutorial

perhaps?!

What makeup look are you planning on rocking tomorrow evening?  Please feel free to comment below:)

Update / photo from NYE:

Me and my husband being goofy at the photo booth:) 

Product Review: bareMinerals Shades of Decadence Collection

First off, I want to apologize about the lack of posts the last week or so.  I am sure you all are busy with the holiday season as well, but I promise I am not being a slacker! I have a couple product reviews coming in the near future, and this is one of them...

For Christmas, I received the bareMinerals Shades of Decadence Collection from my mom (who is also a makeup fanatic, by the way!).  I didn't need more makeup by any means, but I am always happy to try out new and different products that come my way.  This set includes nine eyeshadows and six lip glosses (3 Marvelous Moxie glosses, 3 regular glosses) and comes in a really cute gold box.
The eyeshadow colors are gorgeous, ranging from light, shimmery shades to deeper tones that can double as eyeliner if used with a damp brush. You may even be able to use some of the lighter shades to highlight your face as well.  Although these shadows look gorgeous alone, I would recommend using a eyeshadow primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion is my favorite) to help keep it in place and make the color stand out more.

Shadow colors from top to bottom: Cypress (smoky greenish grey),  Glitz (dark shimmery plum), Atomic Plume (mushroom), Splendid (warm shimmery gold),  Rose Gold (rosy gold, ha!), Aglow (pearly whitish pink), Brave (light gold glitter), Gilt (light gold), and Wink (warm brown)

The lip glosses are very pretty and the shades are wearable.  I have to say that I am a fan of the regular glosses more than the Moxie line, since the latter are a tad too shimmery for my liking.  Still, the lip glosses are nice and would suit most skin tones.  Plus, the regular lip glosses are 100% natural, which always makes me a happy girl.

Lip gloss colors from top to Bottom: Vixen (bright shimmery pink), Temptress (shimmery rose), Tantalizer (shimmery nude), Starfruit (light pink), Wearable Mauve (light rose), Raspberry Truffle (pink).

 The only issues I have with this collection are, a) the eyeshadows are a bit messy, since they are loose powders and b) the 15 separate containers take up a fair amount of space, so they aren't the most portable.
Overall, I think the Shades of Decadence Collection is a good buy, since it is only $39 and comes with so many fun eyeshadow shades and lip glosses.  If you are trying to keep your makeup collection more concise / easy to carry, I would probably recommend skipping it and getting a palette that includes shadows and lip glosses in one compact.

If you have any questions about these products, please let me know.  I plan to do a tutorial with this collection very soon, so be on the lookout!

My Top 10 Dupes

In case you are not familiar with the world of Pinterest, "dupes" are essentially duplicates or cheaper versions of expensive products.  There are so many great lists already compiled, but I wanted to share some of my personal faves.
 1. Prestige Liquid Eyeliner ($4.99) vs MAC Liquid Eyeliner ($19.50
These two eyeliners are very similar in texture, finish, and longevity.  They also both have a felt tip applicator which makes for easy application. At under $5, you can't go wrong trying out the drugstore option.

2.  Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9.99) vs MAC Fluidline ($16.00)
Both of these gel eyeliners are long-lasting and have a deep black finish.  The Maybelline formula is a little smoother in texture, while the MAC is thicker.  Both are very easy to use, but the Maybelline version even comes with a little brush!

3.  NYX Eyebrow Pushup Bra ($9.99) vs Anastasia Beverly Hills Duality Highlighting Pencil ($23.00)
Each of these pencils have a matte brightening formula on one end, which are great for highlighting the inner corner of the eyes as well as the brow bone.  The main difference is the NYX version has a regular brow pencil on the opposite end, and the Anastasia has a shimmery highlighter on the other side.

4. L’oreal Voluminous Mascara ($7.99) vs Lancome Hypnose Mascara ($27.00)
Rumor has it that these two brands are manufactured with the same formula.  I happen to LOVE cheap mascara, and the L'Oreal performs beautifully.

5. Revlon Colorburst Kissable Balm Stain ($8.99) vs Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm ($17.00)
Each of these lipstick balms are glossy and easy to apply, but you can try out more shades without spending as much with the drugstore option.

6. Real Technique Brushes ($6.00 and up) vs any expensive brush (ie: MAC, Sigma, etc)
Real Techniques brushes are excellent quality and offer lots of professional types of brushes that you may not be able to find in other inexpensive brand offerings.  They are all synthetic, which is a plus if you are into animal-friendly products. 

7. Maybelline Magic Lumi Highlighter ($12.99) vs YSL Touche Eclat ($40.00)
Both of these highlighting pens are amazing for disguising dark circles or highlighting the cheekbones.  At less than $15, the Magic Lumi is a steal.  The con for the inexpensive version is the shade offerings are not as extensive.

8. Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow ($6.99) vs MAC Paint Pot ($20.00)
Cream eyeshadows are amazing for using as a base or adding richer color to eyemakep.  The Maybelline version peforms wonderfully and lives up to the 24 hour name.  MAC Paint Pots, however, come in a larger array of shades and finishes.

9. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips (Nude) Palette ($11.99) vs Urban Decay Naked Palette ($52.00, comes with brush)
The Physicians Nude Palette offers similar shades and hues to the Naked Palette, at a fourth of the cost.  The Urban Decay palette comes with a handy dual ended brush. 

10. Sally Hansen Double Duty Base and Top Coat ($4.99) vs OPI Start to Finish 3 in 1 Treatment ($12.95)
Sally Hansen's Double Duty Base and Top Coat keeps manicures fresh for up to a week.  The OPI version is technically a 3 in 1, so you may benefit a little more from the added strengthener, but I happen to love the inexpensive version.


　

　

　

Tutorial: Red Lips (and otherwise natural makeup)

After posting this photo to my Instagram account (@ericabasha, if you want to follow)  I had a request for a tutorial / product information.  This is a typical weekend day look for me, since it is quick, easy and looks put together.  So here it is!

1.  Apply moisturizer to the face as normal.  I also use a tinted moisturizer over my regular moisturizer.  I like Bare Minerals Skincare Tinted Moisturizer because it doesn't make me break out and it has sunscreen in it.  There are SO many formulas out there, including many drugstore brands, so just use what you like!  A BB Cream would work also.

2.  Apply under eye concealer and spot conceal any red areas.  I use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for the under eye area, and Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick for the rest of my face.  I recommend applying the under eye concealer with your fingers (helps blend it better) and a synthetic brush for everywhere else (helps it stick better and wastes less product). 

3.  Apply Bare Minerals foundation (or any mineral powder foundation you like) with a big brush.  

4.  Apply bronzer (I like Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna, but anything will work as long as it is not too shimmery) in a "3" motion on both sides of your face (so it hits your hairline, cheekbone, and jawbone) and over your nose.  

5.  Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks.  I almost always use Nars Orgasm, but any peachy blush will work.  

6.  Fill in eyebrows with the product of your choice.  These days I am using MAC eyeshadow in Omega and a angled brush, then adding a little of MAC's eyebrow pencil in Fling.  Comb through with a spoolie brush.

7.  Put on some mascara.  I obviously have some recommendations on this site:)  

8.  Now this is the more precise step.  Make sure your lips are clean and moisturized (flakey lips never look good) and then line the perimeter of them with a lip liner.  You can use nude, clear, or red liner.  Because the finished look is more natural, you do not have to exaggerate your lip liner or draw a harsh line.  The liner really just acts like a barrier to the lipstick and prevents bleeding color.

9.  Apply the lipstick! I usually just use the tube and apply directly, but you can always use a lip brush (helps with precision) instead.  I used Nars Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave, but any matte red lipstick should suffice.  

10.  This last step is completely optional, but I added a shimmery highlighter to the inner corners of my eyes and to the brow bone.  I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duality, which is a fat pencil with one matte highlighter and one shimmery highlighter.  A good dupe is NYX Cosmetics Eyebrow Push-up Bra.

And there you have it!  It seems like a lot of steps, but I promise it is a quick process.  If you try it out, please let me know what you think in the comments section.

A Peak Inside My Vanity

I posted this photo on my Instagram account a couple days ago, and it seemed to draw some interest, so I figured to share it on the blog as well:)  This is my vanity drawer!

From left to right: Assortment of makeup brushes (mostly from MAC, but a couple are Smashbox, BareMinerals, and Sigma); Eyeliners and lip liners (MAC, Urban Decay, Marc Jacobs, Tarte, Nars, Stila, NYX Cosmetics, Tom Ford, Smith's Rosebud Salve); Complexion products, eyeshadows, mascaras, primer, etc (Naked 2 palette,  Benefit Dallas Bronzer, Dior Glow Blush, Nars Orgasm Blush, Nars Laguna Bronzer, Buxom Bronzer, BareMinerals foundation and tinted moisturizer, Aquaphor, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion, Nars Concealer, YSL Touche' Eclat, Bobbi Brown Concealer Stick, MAC Omega Shadow (brows), assorted mascaras (L'Oreal, Buxom, Dior). 

Obviously, I have a bit of a product problem:)  However, I use most of these products and what I don't end up using either is given away or makes its way into my freelance kit.  The greatest thing about makeup is that it is relatively inexpensive (depending on the brands of course) and works so well as an accessory to any outfit.  It is always helpful to look at reviews, pins on Pinterest, Instagram, etc, but find what works for you and go with it.  Makeup should enhance your own features, rather than making you look like another person.  Buy and use what suits YOU and rock it!

If you have any questions about any of the products seen here (or anywhere else), please let me know in the comments section. 

 *I also wanted to mention that I am not given any free products to review (I am not big time enough yet!).  If I mention something I love, it is something I have actually purchased and use.  

Product Obsession: Gift List

Since I am still under the weather, I am gonna wait on the tutorials with photos.  Instead, I am going to tempt you to check out some cool products for the holidays (for yourself, or for a gift!).

I don't know about you, but I always check out Sephora's website to see what new and exciting products are available.  I don't necessary need anything, but I love makeup and I like to see what is out there.

Today I stumbled upon Tarte's LipSurgence Collector's Set, which includes 15 of the brand's awesome chubby lip pencils.  These pencils are super hydrating, come in a multitude of colors (some shimmery, some matte) and leave lips feeling and looking great.  The set seems a little pricey ($175), but for a bunch of gorgeous shades that are formulated without parabens or phthalates (i.e.: yucky chemicals), it may be worth it!

I also love Benefit Cosmetics Little Love Potions gift set, which contains 10 minis of some of the brand's most loved products, including my highlighter faves (Watt's Up and High Beam!) At $36, it is a great deal and a good way to test out the line's products without purchasing the full-size versions.

Last but not least, I would highly suggest Urban Decay's Vice 2 Palette, which I already own, but can't stop raving about.  This palette contains 20 eyeshadows, including matte, shimmery, dark, light, bright/bold, and neutral colors.  Urban Decay's shadows have amazing color payoff and there is such a variety that you could seriously try a different combo every day for a month without repeating.  The brand also released the Naked 3 palette, but I am telling you, the Vice 2 is way more versatile!  It even comes with a double-ended brush (shader on one side, blender on the other).  This set is $59, and is worth every penny!

A glimpse at the gorgeous colors from the Vice 2 Palette by UD. 

Which products are you most excited to try out for the holidays?  Are there any cool beauty-related gifts you plan to give?  Please let me know in the comments section:)

Inspiration of the Week: Dramatic Cat Eyeliner

So, if you know me (or follow me on Instagram or Pinterest), you probably are already aware of the fact that I am OBSESSED with cat eyeliner.  Right now, I am into a even more dramatic cat eye with little eyeshadow and flawless skin.  I tend to go back and forth between a felt tip liquid eye liner (try Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner (prestige) or Prestige Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner (drugstore)) and a gel eyeliner (try MAC Cosmetics Fluidline or Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Gel Liner with a stiff angled or pointed brush (like Sigma's E65 Small Angle brush).  Liquid and gel formulas give a more precise, defined line, than pencil formulas.  Try resting your elbow on a table or vanity while you draw the line, which helps keep your hand steady.  Getting the perfect line and flick takes practice, but once you learn, it is pretty simple.  Something else that makes this look easier to achieve?  Pointed cotton swabs and some eye makeup remover to help clean up any mishaps and make the cat eye flick as precise as possible.

All photos from Pinterest (original sources unknown) and collage created in Pic Collage.

Oh, and don't forget to fill in those brows!

Inspiration of the Week: Brown smokey eyes

This week I have been forgoing my usual cat eyeliner and instead have been really into a simple brown smokey eye.  It is a great way to enhance any eye color and can be done pretty easily, as long as you have a good black or brown eyeliner and a brownish eyeshadow.  You can decide if you prefer the shadow to be shimmery or matte, and you can smoke it out as little or as much as you want. Top with mascara, groom your brows, and you are good to go.

All images from Pinterest.  Collage via Pic Collage App.

Product love: Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner

I have been using Tarte's SmolderEYES liner on and off for awhile now, but seem to always come back to it when I am in the mood for a simple, lasting smokey eye.  This Tarte eyeliner comes in a jumbo pencil with a smudge applicator on the opposite end.  The waterproof formula is creamy and easy to blend, and comes in a variety of colors.  The best thing about this product is you can create a smokey eye in 2 steps, and who doesn't love that?! Normally when I use this liner I start with Urban Decay primer on my lids, then quickly swipe on a similar shade of eyeshadow to the liner.  You can DEFINITELY use the liner as a shadow, but I think it blends better with powder shadow underneath it.  Then just line your upper and lower lash line, smudge with the smudge brush, and apply mascara.  

AND the Amazonian clay and minerals contained in this product prevents flaking, keep skin nourished and makes the color extra-vibrant.  

A quick phone photo with the liner...please note that the makeup was applied about 8 hours ago!