Tag: eyes

NARS Spring Color 2013

Today marks the day! NARS Spring Color Collection is available now on shelves. I have been wearing three peices of the collection for a week or so. All three have a sort of subtle punk glamour. However, the whole collection is more assertive:

Fresh and fierce, strong and sexy; the Spring 2013 Color Collection introduces a vibrant, ‘90s-esquepalette that sets the tone for a season of audaciously feminine looks.

Cythère Velvet Lip Gloss is a soft, metallic rose. I’m a long time fan of these pencils (see review here) which are glossy and hydrating while still uncannily long-wearing. The rose slants slightly more brown than pink, making it an almost nude and really feminine – a great shade to balance so many of the bolder shades in the collection. It does have that suggestion of frost a la 90’s but not in a cliche way.

I was new to the Soft Touchshadow Pencils. They are a relatively new product designed for smooth, long wear color. I’d like to note: these shades look really brillant in the package. I was slightly intimidated to wear these. (I still hadn’t worn Aigle Noir, part of the holiday collection). So, I grabbed Corcavado, a true 24 karat gold and part of Spring 2013 Color, and Aigle Noir and started playing.

These pencils give just a wash of color making them so much more wearable than I expected. I suppose you could layer for a full, opaque color, but I love using Corcavado for a wash of gold. Aigle Noir is perfect for the lower last line when you have a smokier, sultry eye. The shimmer is a festive level, but not adolescent I’m treasuring these for priming or layering under other looks to add some oomph.

Lastly, I’ve been rocking Disco Inferno Nail Polish. I was hoping this would be slightly more opaque. But I am so smitten with the shade, I’ll let it slide. This is three coats and I am almost tempted to add a fourth. That was the case with Desperado and Space Odyssey, reviewed here and here. It has the perfect iridescence reminiscent of holograms seen all over the runways, like this clutch from Proenza Schouler.

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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:

It’s All About The Brows

I can’t believe there was a time when I didn’t use any brow products. A well-groomed, full brow can frame the face, making you look younger, more awake and polished. Who wouldn’t want that? Here are some of my favorite brow products – if one isn’t in your rotation, pick one up now!

1. Benefit Brow Zings
2. Jouer ‘Brow Fix’ Grooming Gel
3. smashbox Brow Tech To Go
4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel
5. Josie Maran Magic Brows Argan Brow Marker Plus Argan Brow Powder
6. MAC Brow Set
7. hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
8. Le Metier de Beaute Brow Bound Eyebrow Pencil

image: modernhepburn.tumblr.com/

Laura Mercier ‘Art Deco Muse Collection’ Illuminating Eye Color

I had to have these Laura Mercier Eye Colors as soon as I set my eyes on them. Lately, I’ve been doing inky black liner and one-note metallic eyeshadow all over the lid. The look is festive and glam – perfect for the holidays. Available shades are:

Gilded Bronze (left below)
Gilded Moonlight
Gilded Platnium (right below)
Gilded Rose Gold

These shadows have great color pay-off and can be layered for a foil effect. They aren’t creamy at all, but manage to somehow go on smooth and even. Cheers!

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.

Drugstore Favorites for the Fall

I’ve been trolling the beauty section of my local drug store and want to report on some of my current favorites. I’m keeping in mind the fall trends and drier air. Not to mention the big holiday parties we have coming up. Not included in the round up was the obligatory candy corn I stocked up on yesterday. Why is that stuff so good?

CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation: I’ve been really impressed with this foundation. It has medium coverage with a matte finish, without requiring a ton of product. I love the addition of skin care, so you are working to improve the appearance of your skin. It plays especially well with my drier skin.

Visine Maximum Redness Relief Eye Drops: At first I was skeptical of this red carpet staple. But I am so glad I picked some up at the store. I used it recently before a big event and my eyes were clear and bright. I needed less eye makeup and I appeared more awake. I probably wouldn’t use this in my daily rotation, but I now consider this a “must have” for big nights out.

Olay Age Defying Instant Hydration Serum: Olay is definitely a forerunner in the skin care game along side so many luxury contenders. This hydrating primer would be a perfect moisturizer for someone with oilier skin. I use it as a primer – it has very similar consistancy to Smashbox Hydrating Primer. And I keep it at my desk to treat dry spots throughout the day.

Bio-Oil Scar Treatment: While marketed as a scar treatment, Bio-Oil also makes for a great body oil. While I do use this on some older scars, hoping to see some improvement, I’ve found it makes for a great moisturizer post shower. It has a baby powder scent with a smooth, non-greasy finish.

Essie Miss Fancy Pants: Essie did it again with their fall collection. While the bolder colors are also fabulous, I love this grey taupe for an understated elegance. If you want something more festive, try Stylenomics.

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