Sharpen Your Eyeliner

Upon working with a bride this weekend, I perfected an eyelining technique. The thing is that I love liquid eyeliner because it is much sharper than an eyelining pencil and really stands out above carefully-curled lashes. But sometimes, it may not look completely uniform - especially on someone who likes to squeeze their eyes together in fear of foreign objects being placed quite close to their eye by a stranger. This is completely understandable; hence I decided to use both the eyelining pencil and the liquid eyeliner.

Use an eyelining pencil with good pigmentation. I love Prescriptives' Softlining Pencil in Jet. As you close one eye and pull out your lid so that it's pretty smooth, run the pencil from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye in short, little movements. Once you have your straight line, use the liquid eyeliner (I enjoy Maybelline's Lineworks Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner) to give the line a little more definition. For the liquid liner, I usually start in the middle of the lid so as not to have an excess of product on either end. Be sure to smooth out the line from end to end. And there you have a sharper, more cohesively-lined lid!

LOOK: Lauren Conrad

It was Lauren's birthday last night on The Hills. Her look was typical of what has been trending since the fall season: simple face and eyes, with a stand-out lip color. Although it seems rather BAM and you may not think you can pull it off, you may be surprised. With just the right products you'll have this look in a matter of minutes - seriously!

I really do believe that this look can be achieved super quickly. When I try to do my eyes up with lots of color, it can take a while to really exaggerate my look. But with this look, all I need to do are my basics and just jump in the car with my lipstick, which I can apply in the mirror anywhere and anytime!

Face (these are basics that I would use no matter what look I'm trying to achieve)
Concealer - Prescriptives Camouflage Cream
Primer - Smashbox Photo Finish
Foundation - Bare Escentuals bareMinerals
Bronzer - NARS in Laguna

I don't think you need blush in this look; you don't want to look like a clown. And if you want to accentuate your cheekbones, try using a little extra bronzer on the apples of your cheeks.

Eyes (the goal here is to look natural)
Primer - Laura Mercier Eye Basics
Eyeshadow - MAC's Ricepaper (it's a neutral base)
Top Liner - Maybelline's Lineworks (liquid liner used to make a winged line will look the sharpest)
Bottom Liner - Prescriptives Softlining Pencil
Mascara - Clinique High Definition Lashes; Sephora Brand Lash Plumper; Cover Girl Professional All-in-One Mascara

Lips (here come the dramatics)
Lipstick - NARS Sephora Flame (semi matte deep red brown)
Lipgloss - Cargo blu_ray High Definition Timestrip Lip Gloss in Laredo (shimmering nude)

Lauren's birthday look is really a simple one that is accentuated by your choice of lip color. Just remember to keep the eyes simple if you're going for dramatic lips; use a neutral gloss on your lips if you're going to accentuate your eyes. It's simple! And hopefully, unlike Lauren, you need not worry about waterproofing in case you cry on your birthday!

-A

A Pleasant Liquid Eyeliner Surprise

I never thought that I'd like any kind of cream or liquid makeup, but I was definitely wrong. I decided to try out some liquid eyeliner because it seemed that when S used it, her eyes seemed much more dramatic than my pencil-lined eyes. S uses Chanel's felt-tipped liquid eyeliner, but I decided to try out Maybelline's Lineworks® Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner because of its similar felt tip (not to mention it's significantly lower price).

I absolutely love this liner. It's so rich in color, sharp-looking, and lasts all day. And although I normally stay away from waterproof because it's so hard to remove at the end of the day, this is the perfect liner that will come right off with a few wipes of my cotton ball soaked in eye makeup remover.

Liquid liner should be applied only above the top lashes and in an almost dotted-line fashion. It's easier than doing one flail swoop and you'll get a straighter line this way. The good thing about liquid liner, too, is that you can fix any mistakes with a Q-tip. It's great!! (Just don't forget to connect all the dots!!)

I'm really excited that I found a great drugstore product. Although I usually go to Sephora for all my makeup needs, I scored a great liquid eyeliner with Maybelline's Lineworks® Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. This just goes to show you that you might find such a great product when you least expect it. I never thought liquid or waterproof products were for me. I also don't normally run into the drugstore to pick up a new product because I can't test it. But this time these three variables really helped me pick the perfect eyeliner.

-A

Can't Live Without This: Product 2

I haven't been able to live without this second product for years. Giving my eyes a sharper look and my face a brightness when I'm not wearing any makeup at all, my eyeliner is my best friend. In fact, my product of choice is another Prescriptives product. It's the Softlining Pencil in Jet (that's black).

The best part of this pencil is its ability to have a very solid black line. I tend to line the inner bottom lid of my eye with this pencil and it glides easily and stays on for most of the day. For a night out, I'll slip the pencil in my bag and re-line throughout the night. It's definitely a solid pencil. The other side has a blending side to it, but I don't use that very much.

Eyeliner is great because it's something that goes on your eyes, which is the place most people are looking when you're talking to them. It's an extremely quick way to not look tired and to give the appearance of having makeup on without having to do up your entire face. I really believe that eyeliner makes your face complete.

It's so simple to just slip right on! You don't even need to put it on the top for a day face (though I suggest using a thicker pencil when you're lining the top lid).

Grab and go with the Prescriptives Softlining Pencil! And while you're at it pick up the sharpener from Prescriptives - it's only two bucks!

-A

Photo: Prescriptives.com

Simple Mascara Routine

So we just got back from a fab beach weekend and I felt it was very important to blog about my mascara routine. As we all know mascara can basically change your entire look (for the better) and many times it's all you need as you run out the door. My routine, which I think works great for me (and could for you too!), is as follows in order:

Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler
Mac Prep and Prime
Mac Zoom in black
LashBlast by Cover Girl in very black
Tarte Lights Camera Action in black
Maybelline Lash Discovery in black

Now I know what you all must be thinking - OMG!! So many mascaras to use at one time! But I am telling you, you will be amazed at the results when you use more that product as well as the eye lash curler. No more fake eyelashes for this make up lover. Oh and by the way I promise it will only tack on about two extra minutes to your normal make up routine. Give it a try! Tell me what you think about it…

-S

Photo: CoverGirl.com

Lusting for Eyeliners

You'll find my summer obsession within my eyes. To bring out my baby blues I've resorted to using some funky colored eyeliners. Just like S, I like to use these colors when I'm running out and don't have much else on. However, they are also great to funk up a dramatic night look. A bright liner is great for the smoky eye to take away from the completely dark and dreary. Among my faves are Lust by Urban Decay and Hyacinth by MAC.

Lust (pictured, left) is a bright purple (a shade that tends to deepen the blue), while Hyacinth is a bright shade of blue. The thinner you make the line, the more subtle the look of course. I tend to only put these liners on the top lid just because I really like to use a thin brush with a shadow as a bottom liner. And, depending on the day, you may not want to use these bright liners on the top and the bottom because we don't want overkill either.

Try thinking out of the box and don't be afraid to use color. Black and brown are great but a bright color can brighten up your face, especially for the summer. There's always a shade that suits each person just right so take your fave color and take a look at the liners by both Urban Decay and MAC.

-A

Photo: Sephora.com

Bye Bye Raccoon Eyes

I may put on three different mascaras plus a primer every day, but how do I get that stuff off my eyes at night without scrubbing my lashes off? The answer is simple and not very pricey at all. Sephora's FACE Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover.

This product (priced from $6-10, depending on the size you buy) will certainly remove anything. You just put maybe a penny-sized amount on a cotton ball and wipe off each lid. Then wash your face. I should also note that you need to shake the liquid up well first before using it.

Who knew it was as simple as finding a Sephora brand product?! Never underestimate these kinds of products, as they tend to be some that will fly under the radar from time to time. But we've already told you about so many of Sephora's products that we use (Daily Brush Cleanser, Mascara, and Eye Liner to name a few).

My mom likes waterproof mascara and I've had her use this eye makeup remover before so I know that it works on this, as well as longwearing mascara. In addition, this product is solely an eye makeup remover, instead of just a regular makeup remover you'd use for all of your face. So this is specifically made to take hard to remove eye makeup off your eyes.

Sephora's FACE Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover is so easy to use, safe, and the best way to not have those raccoon eyes or white towels that end up looking like Dalmatians!

-A

Photo: Sephora.com

Sleeping Beauty

I made extra sure this morning to apply my Too Faced Mineral Water Eye Brightening Pencil.

I didn't get enough sleep last night. That's what a night out on the town on a Tuesday night will do to you when you're no longer in college. I need my beauty sleep! I know everyone talks about beauty sleep but what is this phenomena?

Basically the phrase is completely true. If you get enough sleep at night (I like to say seven to eight hours is perfect) then you'll look rejuvenated and refreshed in the morning. If you haven't slept much then you will certainly look it, no matter how much makeup you put on. Remember, makeup is used to enhance and not specifically to hide (except in the case of concealer for those nasty zits!).

Even though I put on my Too Faced Eye Brightener this morning, I felt like my eyes were the size of golf balls, protruding out of my head all day. I was told I didn't look like that, but I guess that's the miracle of a good product. And you'd think that I'd make sure my hair was perfect to counter this interesting face today. But no, the hair is semi-up, which really doesn't work so well with a short bob.

I will certainly be getting my beauty sleep tonight. And it may not be as many hours as, say, Sleeping Beauty, but if you think about it that princess must have had a sad-looking face...

-A

Photo: Nordstrom.com

Rest Assured, You'll Look Great

Summer is a time of year when your face can feel heavy with makeup, especially if it's super hot out. For a no makeup look day (yes, we all must have them), I generally like my eyes to look bright. I heard that if you lined the inner rim of your eye with a peachy color that this would give a great effect. It's totally true.

One day as I was browsing around Sephora for the perfect inner rim liner, I stumbled upon Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand, and this was the perfect product. It has two ends: a shimmery pink liquid that instantly brightens up the eye area and the a peach liner for the inner rim. This Tarte Rest Assured Brightening Wand is the perfect product to carry in your purse after a night on the town or a long day of work. I even started to use it with my Sephora 071 eye liner and blue mascara on the lower lashes. If you want that glowing, fresh look then this is the product for you.

-S

Photo: Sephora.com

Creamy Shadows

I know what you're all thinking - it always creases! Well, it doesn't have to. I have found the answer!! Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner.

Now I know it sounds too good to be true, but it really is amazing. I currently own three colors: stiletto (a darker purple), skinny jeans (a metallic silver) and flatter me (a peachy tone). All of these are gorgeous! Flatter me is the color that I use on an every day basis because it is the perfect color for that beautiful-but-not-even-trying look. Skinny Jeans and Stiletto are the cream shadows I usually use as liners for a night look. It's the perfect way to just make your eyes pop.

These cream shadows will definitely deliver on the creaseless promise. If you don't believe me visit any Sephora and try them out for yourself - you won't be disappointed.

-S

Photo: Sephora.com

shu uemura or M.A.C.?

What's in an eyelash curler? And why do we use them? How can you choose just the right one? shu uemura and MAC both make eyelash curlers, so which do we pick? They look exactly the same at first glance, but is there any difference?

We don't think so. You can see that they are both the same exact color, the same exact weight, and they move in the same way. The only difference we can see is price-wise. MAC makes their eyelash curler for $14, sold at all department stores that carry MAC, as well as MAC retail stores and MACcosmetics.com. The shu uemura eyelash curler is $19, sold at Sephora and other major department stores. We can't say we believe all the hype over the shu uemura eyelash curler, as it seems as if they are exactly the same, with different labels. 

As for usage, both work very well and create a full set of eyelashes. But it's also important to use the right kind of mascara, while you're at it. Check out our future blog posts and see which mascaras are the best, according to MLA. You may be surprised at the full lashes you'll get for your next big night out on the town!

Photo: shu uemura (left) and MAC (right)