Tag: eyeliner

Makeup Tips: Lining Your Eyes

I feel like I have been going on and on and on and on about “nude lips, inky eye”. Not only is it my current favorite, but I see it on the runways, celebrities and so many of my friends. It is low matenience for a night on the town (no lipstick touch ups). You can vamp it up for drama, or chill it out for during the day. The hard part is getting that eye liner just right.

First, pick the formula of eye liner you are most comfortable with – usually a pencil. Use short strokes close to your lash line to get the perfect shape. Use a pointed q-tip to clean up mistakes. Don’t worry about skipped spots or perfect color saturation. Just get a base coat on. Second, take a gel liner with a brush or liquid liner pen and trace over keeping exactly in the line you have already drawn. You can use short tiny lines with the end of the liquid pencil. Or use a very fine brush to apply the gel within the lines (see how tiny that tarte brush is on the left?).

If you are an overachiever, take a final layer – of liquid or powder – and set that liner for the long haul. Make sure to apply mascara from the very roots to really emphasize and extend that line.

This post is the first in a series of makeup tips. Hope you enjoy!

image here

For this look, I’d use these products:

The Hourglass Eye

When I saw Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Gypsy on Christina Hendricks at the Emmy’s this year, I had to have it. I do realize that this will, in fact, not make me look like Christina… but a girl can try, right? These two neutral colors are so glam in their nuanced peach and bronze. The swivel compact is so modern, although I am not really sure it improved the actual product. It was a blast to play around with though. The brush is far too short to use regularly, but can work in a pinch on the go. With primer and layering, the color is realtively long-wearing. And the shimmer is balanced – not too over the top.

Film Noir Kohl Eye Pencil is a supremely elegant liner that you won’t be able to resist having on your vanity. The formula is creamy and blendable. Once it sets, it stays put even on the water line. The long, pointed pencil allows for presice application. And I can’t help but feel like a movie star while using it.  It comes with a sharpener. I hate to admit it took me about two weeks to figure out this also doubled as a cap. So toss the original cap and use the one with the attached sharpener instead. I love how convenient this is, albiet slightly challenging to discover (at least for me). I apply this like any other kohls – check out my post here for tips.

Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil is the spitting image of Tom Ford’s Brow Sculptor. The brow brush is slightly shorter and wider and the crayon is a bit waxier. But I prefer the way the Hourglass version blends. Both have the same angled wedge of waxy pigment. But as you brush through the applied color, the finish looks like powder. I have a couple greys popping up in my brows, and this covers expertly. And the bald spots are seamlessly filled in. I truly believe a groomed brow makes you look younger, perkier and more awake.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

The CHANEL Eye

I haven’t ever really fallen for CHANEL cosmetics. I understand and respect that some people are devotees, but for some reason, none of their products really jumped into my “must have” category… until NOW. I had a chance to experience one of their national makeup artists and a whole new world opened.

The foundation was a little heavy and the lip was a little clunky… but the eye makeup was some of the best I have ever experienced. I purchased and have been wearing the Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense, Beauté Des Cils Nourishing Mascara Base and Inimitable Intense Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel Sophistique in Noir (these product names slay me).

The creamy Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner applies smoothly to both the waterline and right on top of the lashes. The waterproof formula dries with a shiny, opaque finish and stays all day long. The Beauté Des Cils Nourishing Mascara Base, at first, seemed like a excessive step. But this white, nourishing formula builds and heals the lashes, prepping to plump fluffy lashes ready for a coat of mascara. You can also use this as a treatment at night. Inimitable Intense Mascara has a classic brush shape with stiff brisles that manages to coat every last lash.

If you are looking for a modern yet simple, long wear eye that can go from casual to black tie, these three products get the Belle Belle seal of approval. Wearing them every day makes the luxury splurge worth it. And dare I say they all might be in the holy grail category? Perhaps, yes. Also, worth mentioninng… I use the CHANEL Eye Lash Curler and love it.

Shop the items here:

NARS Eyeliner Stylo

I am a huge fan of a budge-proof, tight line right at the lashes. And, in my opinion, a liquid pen is the best way to achieve one. I am currently obsessed with the new NARS version that hit shelves on August 1st. The pen is super-fine for total control. And the waterproof formula has great staying power. The inky colors are richly pigmented for the perfect line, whatever shape or size.

I like taking the pen, parallel to my eyes, and laying down the end along my lash line. I move from inner corner to outer and the result is a thin, even line. It makes lashes look longer and is a neat, natural effect. Your basic facewash isn’t going to do much for this liner. Sometimes (don’t tell) I just wash my face and leave the liner on. It doesn’t even smudge and I am ready for brunch in the AM. When I am feeling more virtuous, the Almay eye makeup remover gets the pigment off in a jiff.

I am loving the classic black, Carpates, but NARS Eyeliner Stylo also comes in three other shades:

  • Nuku Hiva – Brown
  • Atlantic – Navy
  • Koala – Grey

Some of my other favorite liners:

Mark Wet/Dry Eyeshadows

Mark recently reformulated their eyeshadows and I am excited to report: I love them! The real treat is how these guys are packaged. But more on that in a bit. The new shadows are highly pigmented and blend well. They are nimble – you can apply them either wet or dry. I tend to like a sheer look, so I apply the lighter shades over the lid. And then use a wet eyeliner brush with the darker matte shades as a liner.

Now the packaging. These shadows are sold in a metal pan to be placed in one of their Snap To It compacts. They make two Snap To It compacts – one for two shadows and one for four. You can easily switch out what shades you are currently wearing. I love the flexibility of creating your own duo. For instance, I am loving my unusual combination of satin taupe (minx) and navy (nightly) to be used wet for my eyeliner – not something you often packaged together!

You can find them on meetmark.com for $7 each.

RevitaLash ‘Spotlight’ Highlighting Pencil and ‘Raven 12 Hour’ Eyeliner

RevitaLash is a line that was on my radar, but only as a treatment for fuller lashes. So imagine my surprise when I found out they make my newest, favorite highlighter. This genius “pencil”, which is really more like a crayon, is perfect to swipe and blend. You can use it below your brows, on your cheeks or even right on the cupid’s bow of your lips. I’ve found the ‘Spotlight’ Highlighting Pencil is surprising versatile across all skin tones, but it does have a slight pinkish undertone. The shade corrects dark pigmentation. But has a balanced shimmer keeping it sophisticated and subtle.

RevitaLash also makes a great eyeliner: ‘Raven 12 Hour’ Eyeliner. I’m impressed with its staying power. The consistency is creamy, but at the same time precise. Both of these products are available at Nordstrom and are the perfect treat to pick up during their annual Anniversary sale that begins tomorrow!