Category: eyes

The Fall Eye by Laura Mercier

Look no further than Laura Mercier’s fall collection to make for the perfect eye! I love that clean look of a lined eye with thick and voluminous lashes. If done right, you can skip eyeshadow all together! These three gems from the collection will be my go-to into the fall months for such a sleek and classic look.

Dare I say I love my ‘Eye Canvas’ Eye Foundation better than my beloved MAC Paint Pot in Painterly. I think I just might! I even like the bare look of Eye Canvas with these tools for a bold liner and lashes. While the formula has great coverage and neutralizes the eye perfectly, work quickly because it can dry down. No creases or smudging even with the boldest looks! And worn alone, it has the perfect matte and natural finish. I’ve been wearing EC-2 which sometimes can look a little yellow, but does a great job of neutralizing the redness in my lids.

I love a great Kohl Liner and I’ve been mourning my Guerlain ‘Terracotta – Terra Inca’ Khôl Kajal for quite some time. Well lucky me because the new Laura Mercier Supreme Black Kohl Eye Liner just happened to land on my desk. This version is slightly more creamy, but still has that amazing pigment. It easily slides on and provides that perfect inky black definition.

Unlike the mascara yesterday on the blog, the ‘Faux Lash’ Mascara has a dramatic and fluffy traditional brush. Look no further if you want extreme volume and drama. The waxed-based formula never becomes crusty or firm on my lashes. And I still manage to avoid fall out. The most brilliant part of this mascara is the dual sided brush – I almost didn’t notice at first. But one edge of the brush has shorter bristles, perfect for lower lashes.

For my current favorite eye look, I start with ‘Eye Canvas’ Eye Foundation to give an even and neutral lid. Then I line my eyes with the Kohl Eye Liner by holding it between my lashes and moving outward. If needed, I add some extra pigment to the waterline on my lower lashes. If I am going for a more dramatic look, I add a thin (or thick) line just above my upper lashes. I finish with a double coat of the ‘Faux Lash’ Mascara for big and extreme definition. Done!

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bareMinerals The Power Neutrals

I’m going to apologize in advance for my enthusiasm and euphoria because this new collection from bareMinerals has me quite excited. I’m a huge fan of neutrals – it is how I wear my makeup every day. And this five piece collection captured neutrals in the most perfect and modern way.

I’ve long been a fan of the bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow formula packed with minerals, cold-pressed borage oil, caffeine, and cucumber to improve the look of your eye area while you wear color – genius! But it is with this eight shade palette that I’ve really fallen. The balance between matte and shimmer is just about perfect. The matte green, Moneymaker, is a surprising new favorite with lots of pigment. And the peachy shimmer top left, Boss Lady, is the perfect brow bone highlighter. I’ve been blending and mixing it up with all shades and have found so much variety in looks!

The READY Color Boost The Adrenaline Rush is also packed with nourishing ingredients to make for a flawless wear. I’ve been swirling all three colors together for a subtle flush. You can use a smaller brush if you’d like to use the shades for contouring, but I prefer the natural blending of a brush swirl. Lara had another fabulous idea – use this palette on your eyes!

I’ve been wearing Marvelous Moxie Lipstick In Take Charge kind of like a lip balm – it is that easy to wear and amazing nourishing. The Nude Rose color gives just enough color while still finishing with that creamy satin. A moisture-loaded complex is keeping my “always dry lips” looking better with every wear. And vitamin A, C and E provide that oh so important in the summer antioxidant defense.

While I love Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Game Changer for my on air segments, Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Super Power is the one I am turning to for every day. The soft peachy nude has just enough shine with a super smooth finish and minty fragrance. Naturally-derived Shea, Avocado and Murumuru butters help to deeply hydrate. PS – it looks amazing over Marvelous Moxie Lipstick In Take Charge.

I keep grabbing for my Lash Domination 10-In-1 Volumizing Mascara. While I have lots of voluminizing mascaras in my arsenal, I love the way this wand has unique spiraled bristles that curve around the wand, covering each lash at all angles with color. It is easy to use and doesn’t take a lot of maneuvering to get great and even coverage. I’ve been locking in the mascara with Locked & Coated Waterproof Lash Topcoat, making it slightly harder to remove. But I’ll take it with its super powered lasting ability even during long days at the pool. What a brilliant idea! Mascara topcoat!

Honestly, all five items in this collection are on my list of winners for the season. If I had to pick one, I’d go for the eyeshadow. While it looks similar to Urban Decay NAKED2, I like the slightly more adventurous shades. Plus, the size is a little more nimble for me. If you are a nude lip fan, don’t miss this Marvelous Moxie duo.

Available at bareMinerals.com, Sephora, and Nordstrom

Brand Spotlight: it Cosmetics

For a while there, my love for it Cosmetics was limited to their concealer (and man… do I love that concealer). But after having a chance to try out some of their other goodies, let’s just say I am hooked on the brand.

Hello Lashes! 5-In-1 Treatment Mascara in Black (first mentioned here) is not only a mascara, but a four other products that all work together for killer lashes. Working as volumizing mascara, conditioning lash primer, lash-enhancing serum, lash tint, and a lash comb/curler, this gives blackest black, full lashes. Developed with plastic surgeons, the formula contains peptides, collagen, proteins, acai, jojoba, green tea, and vitamins A, C, E, and B5. The brush goes after every single lash and I love the Magic Wand detailer tip to get lower and corner lashes.

Vitality Cheek Flush Anti-Aging Powder Blush Stain is also a hybrid product. It is actually a cheek stain in powder formula. As a dry skin sufferer, I love having the hydration of a stain. But powder formulas can be slightly easier to blend. The Radiant in Rose shade has the perfect balance of pink and brown to look sunkissed with a little flush. Goodness like plum oil, cherry oil, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate, seaweed extract, grapeseed, aloe and jojoba work to nourish and improve skin. And it doesn’t stop there. Anti-oxidants (so important in these sunny summer months) like Vitamins A, C, E, Acai, Green Tea and White Tea ward off free-radicals. Did I mention this stuff stays on all day!?

And what’s really got me jazzed is the new IT-O2 Oxygen Liquid Foundation. The formula has that dewy, glowy finish I love and is totally buildable. At the same time, it remains weightless and undetectable on my skin. Drops of Light reflecting pigments to help optically blur away the appearance of imperfections. While you wear it, the active ingredients basically work like they are giving you a facial. Peptides, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen work to provide anti-aging benefits. I’ve been wearing the medium shade lightly applied and I get a tinted moisturizer effect – just enough to even but without covering my summer freckles.

And I can’t resist mentioning that, while I haven’t used them, a makeup artist at a photo shoot was singing praises of it Cosmetics brushes last week. Can’t wait to try them out. Anyone had experience with their tools?

AVON Mega Effects Mascara

Ready to fill your mind with wonder, awe and maybe a little bewilderment? The Internet has been abuzz with the newest mascara launch from Avon. And naturally, I had to know all about it (read: get my paws on one of these monsters).

Don’t be scared, my beauties. Be excited. Once you get the hang of application, you will be smitten with the long-lasting, dense and dramatic lashes. First, a little instruction. Pop open the cover and wiggle the tab to move the brush through the formula. Remove the brush.

I like using the natural shape of the brush to first coat the major/center section of my lashes. I’ve found this helps separate and lift. Then, letting the brush self-adjust, I move to get the inner lashes and outer lashes. What pleases me most is the consistent application of product from root to tip.

My only beef (if you call it a beef) is that this stuff stays on FOREVER. It takes a bit of elbow grease for me to remove. But I love that it stood up to a day at the pool last weekend. The larger amount of product deposited results in a high-volume application. I like combing through mine afterwards for an even more doll-like effect.

This is sure to be an iconic mascara and is definitely worth picking up, especially for 10 bucks! Make sure you get on the waiting list here!

Summer Beauty Inspiration

This is the look I am channeling this summer for a fresh faced, luminous glow. To get the look, I reach for:

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Hot Mascaras for Summer

While I have some tried and true favorites (Hello Dior Iconic), I always am testing and trying new mascaras. It is an endless and cherished search that I do in the name of blogging (and being a crazy beauty junkie). Lately, I’ve found some standouts – both brand new and others classics.

I fell hard for it Cosmetics a while back when I tried out their concealer. So I was egear to try out other goodies from the line. Their Hello Lashes! 5-In-1 Treatment Mascara in Black did not disappoint. Not only is this a mascara, but a four other products that all work together for killer lashes. Working as volumizing mascara, conditioning lash primer, lash-enhancing serum, lash tint, and a lash comb/curler, this gives blackest black, full lashes. Developed with plastic surgeons, the formula contains peptides, collagen, proteins, acai, jojoba, green tea, and vitamins A, C, E, and B5. The brush goes after every single lash and I love the Magic Wand detailer tip to get lower and corner lashes. Made in the USA.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Rocket Waterproof Mascara in Very Black has been a drugstore favorite since it hit shelves a while back. This formula delivers wild volume. I get great staying power from the Waterproof formula, but haven’t had as much luck with the Washable version. Maybelline’s Very Black is a cherished inky color that stays vivid all day. And unlike so many drugstore formulas, I don’t get any clumps. The brush is huge but still nimble enough to coat every single lash.

I hadn’t experienced Estee Lauder mascara until this one, and it makes me want to try every single mascara they have to offer. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Extreme Black has three fibers blended in a lightweight base. This creates a false-lash effect with thicker fuller lashes without the weight. At the same time, pearls add a shiny and luminous finish. The best way to describe the effect: lashes just look healthy! The formula also contains Lash-Advancing Vitamin Complex to condition and fortify lashes.

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