QUESTIONS!!!!!

Have any of you done the tutorials? Which is your fav? Any of you purchased the paint brushes at a craft store? Do you like them??? Used the color wheel lately? Gotten Making Faces? Has it changed your life yet and rocked your world??? Gotten the primer potion? Are you seeing a difference? Has anyone made the homemade cleanser? Used the clear mascara to help with flyaways? Gone to Beauty From The Earth? I want some feedback from ya. Thanks, you all are the best!!!!! I want to see a TON of comments here!!!!!!!!!

Purple and Yellow Tutorial

Shadow Colors Used:
- Bright Yellow
- Light Lavender
- Deep Eggplant Purple
- Shimmery Light Pink (brow bone)

Get Your Perfect Color

PLEASE avoid this by going to your favorite local counter and have THEM choose what color of foundation and powder you need. They have had training and should be able to pick your perfect colors. DON'T let this happen to you!!!!!!!!

Your Very Own Eye Lift In A Pen!

Do you feel your eyelids are becoming less firm than they used to be....well Roc’s new Complete Eye Lift Pen corrects sagging lids as well as under eye bags. Easy to use, the pen is applied directly to the eye area & the non-greasy gel with it's active firming ingrediant THPE - Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, it will left the lids as well as eliminate any puffiness under the eye as well reducing any eye bags. Perfect for tucking away in your make-up bag!! £19.95.

Color....a Girl's Best Friend

It may be just me but I think it is SUPER important to know your color wheel. Especially when you want to create a new look. See how the colors opposite each other on the wheel are complimentary and can add drama to your eyes? Find your eye color on the wheel and go to the other side to see what would be best for you. Green eyes=REDS!!!! Maroons, pinks red-violet etc. Blue eyes=ORANGE!!!! Maybe not pure orange but anything that has an orange undertone would be AMAZING!!! Peaches, golds and corals with orange undertones. Brown eyes=BLUES!!! Even purples with blue undertones are amazing. Analogous colors are ones that are right next to each other and can also be used to create a complimentary look i.e. green, yellow green and yellow. Look at an orchid and see that it's so beautiful and vivid because the purple and deeper purples are complimenting the yellows. Use one as a liner and the other two as a base and crease color or whatever you want. Now there are also split complimentary colors and triad colors but let's just keep it simple =)....plus I don't want to sound like a text book. Go and check them out!!!!!

This One's For You Peph!!!!!

Peph, May I first commend you in the decision to come over to the dark side =). Let's get to it!!! I have been hearing like CRAZY that orange is going to make those blue eyes pop. DON'T knock it till you try it!!!!! Just think, beautiful peaches and oranges. Keep using the stuff that you always have been just add more color. But even if you don't to your lips you won't be washed out because your hair will add richness to your face. I have also put more photos, youtube links and colors on the side of the blog to inspire you =). Have SO much fun with it!!!!!

Yellow Orange and Green Tutorial

Shadow Colors Used:
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Cream (brow bone)

Does anyone else think I look like the Joker in this picture???

Fall Green Tutorial Using Beauty From the Earth

Shadow Colors Used:
- Shamrock Green
- Deep Forest Green
- Shimmery Gold
- Creamy White

Okay so this is my fav look thus far. Check it out!!! Do you like them better when I am speaking live or when it is voiced over?

New Skin Brightening Serum From Estee Lauder

Brand new from Estee Lauder is their CyberWhite Ex Extra Concentrated Brightening Essence (£55), it claims to dissolve all dark/age spots appearance on the skin as well as clarifying & giving a 74% increase in it's overall appearance.

It will help improve the appearance of 3 types of age spot, as Estee Lauder describe -

1. STUBBORN AGE SPOTS APPEAR VIRTUALLY INVISIBLE.
Fast-acting Melanin Dissolving Technology penetrates the deepest layers of skin's surface to reduce the appearance of stubborn age spots until they become virtually invisible to the naked eye.

2. SMALL SURFACE DARK SPOTS ARE CLEARED AWAY.
The sugar-derived refinisher N Acetyl Glucosamine helps skin speed away the smallest surface dark spots to reveal visibly brighter, clearer, beautifully even-toned skin.

3. FUTURE DARK SPOTS ARE VISBLY DISCOURAGED.
Super-potent Melanin Interception Technology reduces the visible skin-darkening effects of histamine release. Skin is visibly calmed, helping visibly discourage future spots. With continuous use, skin looks clear and even-toned.

The full CyberWhite EX Extra Brightening System range is also available & consisys of, Extra Brightening Gentle Cleanser, Extra Brightening Moisture Lotion, Extra Concentrated Brightening Essence, Extra Brightening Milky Lotion, Extra Brightening Moisture Creme & Extra Brightening Radiance Recovery Mask.

Make-Up Hall of Fame - Touche Eclat

Over the last couple of weeks & for the next few months we have been doing our very own 'Make-Up Hall of Fame', for all those fantastic products & tools that keep us looking at our best, it will consist of the true tried & tested items that come up trumps every time proving themselves to be timeless classics that no beauty junkie should be without! Any suggestions on what you think & any products you feel should definitely be put forward let us know - eyecandyblog@googlemail.com
Next in is YSL's Touche Eclat Radiant Touch (£22.50), a world famous classic that revolutionised our complexions, just about every brand has created their own version from Clinique to even Lidl's (!!), of course the original always tops the polls when comparing concealers.
It's light reflecting particles banish dark circles under the eyes as well as any other shadowed areas, such as the sides of your nose to the hollow of your chin & the contours of he lips, instantly brightening the areas creating a flawless complexion!
For best results, blend over your foundation, apply with the pen & then softly blend out with your finger tips.
Also as make-up for men is creating a media frenzy with most cosmetic firms launching a new range designed for the male market, YSL have also created Touche Eclat for Men. A product that is sure to be popular, a light concealer that can hide a multitude of sins....and who better to launch the product at Selfridges than BB9 man make-up hero Stuart Pilkington. Stuart himself said - “Since leaving the Big Brother house, I’ve become increasingly self-aware of my daily appearance as I start to get recognised when I’m out on the street. I was sent a Touche Éclat For Men this week and have already started using it as a concealer under my eyes – its magic, I love it., it hides the dark circles under my eyes, especially before I go to my nans’ for lunch to avoid interrogation on the antics of the night before!”
YSL themselves say that “We have developed YSL Touche Éclat For Men specifically for men to help encourage men to use cosmetics as a skin enhancer, rather than to create a full makeup look.” Looks as though this could be a product to really take off, so no more excuses to be stealing from our make-up bags!

Eye Shapes

Hooded eyes, sometimes referred to as "bedroom eyes" (go Breanna!!!!!) appear as if the eye lid is partially closed. Hooded eyes often need more prominence, soooooo to give this illusion:

1. Use a light highlight shade on brow bone and inner corner along lash line. (like champaigne from Cover Girl, Vanilla or Nylon from MAC)
   
2. Apply a shadow shade slightly darker than the highlight shade over the entire lid and hooded area of the eye.
3. Use a darker contour shade on the outer corner, sweeping up to a light peak.
4. Finish with a liner to define your lash lines.

If anyone else knows some tricks please leave them in the comment section of this post (paging Codi, Codi to the comment section!!!)

Mascara.....The Never Ending Search

Is it too much too much to ask???? I want to look like THIS!!!! Without the aid of falsies.....

Okay, I have already stated that I am THOROUGHLY disappointed with Mary Kay for ending a beautiful friendship with its BEST mascara!!!!! Now I have found myself in a search, a quest if you will to hunt through the jungle of cosmetic lines to find the perfect mascara. Dior Show is incredible but too much for me right now. So far this is my report:

This mascara is okay but I am a fan of doing one eye, going to the next and then retouching both. This mascara does NOT allow you to do this. That's just me. It is a bit flimsy and makes it harder (if you are not an experienced mascara dodger) to keep it from off the upper lid.
This is actually my favorite right now. The curved brush always makes for a nice shape (I LOVE curved brushes) and it gives just enough volume and good length.

Whose mom doesn't use this? I just feel that you have to put coat after coat after coat to get the desired effect......not for me. What do you guys use?

Maybelline's New Superstay PowerGloss

We all search in vain for a gloss that will last all day giving our pouts the perfect finish, well Maybelline claim that they've found the solution to all our lippy needs in their new 'Superstay PowerGloss'!!! The double ended wand has a colour on one side & then a high shine gloss on the other, simply add the colour first & then the clear gloss over the top for added sparkle! The colour will stay for 12 Hours & they also promise the gloss will stay put as well (although a little touch up of this may be required throughout the day I think...!). All in all defintely worth a shot, it will be out later this month so keep your eyes peeled!

Brand New Mascara From Givenchy

Givenchy have just released their new patented mascara in the UK this week "Phenomen Eyes Mascara' (£17.50), it has a small rounded head that allows you to get right into the roots & corners of the lashes creating a dramatic curled effect. Users have been raving about it since it's launch in the US, many saying that the brush really helps you to get all the smaller lashes & right into the roots for defined long lashes. It may be a little tricky to get used to at first as it's obviously very different from normal mascara wands but with a little practice you'll wonder why it wasn't invented years ago!

Thanks

Red Lipstick - The Hottest Look in Town!

Red is the colour on every body's lips right now & it's the hottest shade to be seen in this coming season! All the celebs are showing off their rouge pouts while on the red carpet or out on the town including Gwen Stefani who was snapped dining out in LA last night wearing a vibrant red lipstick - a perfect example of how it can give a glamorous edge to a very simple look.
Here are a few tips on wearing your red lippy to perfection -
First of all choose your colour wisely, there are a few types of red, the main ones being 'blue-toned' (vibrant crimson colours) & then 'warm-toned' (with a hint of orange or brown), pale skins should always opt for blue-tones & dark to olive skins should go for a warmer palate.
When going for this look opt for a subtle make-up, bright red lips & dark smokey eyes are usually a bit too much, go for a light matt foundation & use a light eyeshadow either a flesh-tone or a light beige. Lightly line the eyes & define the lashes with some volumising mascara to make them stand out, it will create definition but keeps it simple. Go for a light blusher to define your cheek bones, just a light beige-pink or subtle bronzer.
Make sure you prepare the lips before you apply the red, they need to be in good condition (dry cracked red isn't a good look!), use a lip balm to soften them first, after this apply a little foundation with your finger tips as this will provide a base for the colour to sit on & will create a longer finish as well as a matt appearance.
Take a lip liner but go for one the same colour as your lips rather than a red, it only needs to be a guide for your lip brush & this makes it easier if you want to fill out your lips as well.
Apply the lip stick with a lip brush along the lip line & then fill in, blot & go over them again then blot, do this a few times until the colour is as intense as you would like it to be.
Take your time over this, it's not a job to be done in a hurry (!!), practise makes perfect so try out your new look before a big night out & wear it in the house to get used to it if you don't normally go for such vibrant colours - get it right though & it's the perfect accessory to any little black dress!
Two of the best red lipsticks to look out for are Chanel's cult classic 'Red No5' & Mac's award winning 'Ruby Woo' Russian Red Lipstick which was created for Madonna.

Eyelure False Lashes For Men - Just a Publicity Stunt?!

I have written a couple pieces over the last few months about the latest craze with 'Man-Make-Up' that is exploding all over the cosmetic counters these days! We now have 'Manscara' & 'Guyliner', not to mention a fairly extensive range of cleansing products as well concealers & bronzers now available to men, however I was pretty surprised to see these new False Eyelashes by Eyelure for men! The main difference is that they have an invisible strip to make them seem as natural as possible, if I'm being honest I think it's maybe a little OTT to say the least! I don't know of many men that will feel the need for false lashes, male grooming products defintely have their place in the market & will only become more popular, but these particular items are purely about the marketing buzz to get us talking about the brand rather than men actually buying them.... So will they be a sell out when they hit the shops this month (??), probably as I don't imagine that many will actually be on the shelves in the first place, however the rest of their range will certainly see a boost in sales after all their free publicity!

Harvest Brown Tutorial

Requested by Jennifer....and that is beautiful Apple Hill above for any of you that have been lucky enough to go in good ole Northern Cali =).

Peacock Tutorial

Colors Used:
- Electric Teal Color
- True Blue
- Shimmery Teal
- Purple with a hint of maroon to it
- Lavender

Any Requests?

Pink Look Tutorial

The Best Makeup Book EVER!!!!!

I cannot stress ENOUGH how much this book is worth!!!!! It is called Making Faces by Kevin Aucoin. This man is a genius and I learned almost everything from his books. I highly recommend you get this in paperback at any Barnes and Noble store!!!!! Long live the smoky eye!!!!!

Autumn Trends From Mac - Natural & Honed

One of the popular looks for this coming season is natural but honed make-up & as Mac describes for this coming season it should be 'underdone, but well done'.
To achieve this go for a natural foundation & keep it fresh & 'dewy'. Also keep the eyes bare with a neutral shadow, use Mac Paint Pots in 'Groundwork' as the base & blend well across the lid & into the socket line, then take a light shimmer 'Mac Dazzlelight' under the brow bone to achieve defintion, finish off with a sheer coat of mascara. Lightly place a sheer flush of colour over the apple of the cheeks (fleshy part of your cheek when you smile), use Mac's 'Pinch Me' Sheertone. For the lips, make sure they're well conditioned with lip balm then with your finger tips apply a light pink lipstick over the edges of the lips 'Mac Pretty Please' & then use Mac's light gloss Slimshine in 'Funshine', apply & then blot. Sourced from Mac Cosmetics.

Brand New From Benefit - Benetint Balm

Benefit have just brought out their infamous Benetint in a lip balm, so you can now have natural rosy lips with added benefits! The new formula has more colour intensity as well as more shine, plus it has SPF Protection, Vitamin E & a Rose Petal fragrance! Be the first to have it & order on line at www.benefitcosmetics.com

Best Eyeshadow Base

Hailey asked about the base I generally use for my eyeshadow and this is it folks. Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP). You can get this at Sephora for around $17. It is worth EVERY penny. I am going to put a link to the side on how to get the most out of this bottle as you can't ever, with the wand alone, get it all out. I will call the link: Get More From Your UDPP. I use this base because it doesn't crease and it makes your colors stay on your lid like no other. I have used paint pots from MAC and I like them, but this is KING!!!!! Go get it!!!!!

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

When I said that the brush handle would mold eventually, I meant rot. Boy I am making lots of oops today =).

Sponge vs Brush

Monica's question: When to use a sponge and when to use a brush?
It all depends on what type of coverage you are going for. A sponge will give you more of a full coverage whereas a brush will, most of the time, be less. If I really want to pack color on my lid I will use the applicator instead of a brush. If I want a more natural look, not only will I use a brush but I won't use a base either. For foundations it is the same but you can still get great coverage with the 187 brush if you put on more. I hope that helps!!!

Neutral With a Pop Tutorial

I did it a bit more neutral that the above picture but you can achieve the same look with the same products. Also, when I was speaking about using water for the liner I said you don't want too much color on your brush but I meant to say water....oops =).

Eyeshadow Palettes

Jennifer brings up a common problem, one that I for sure had before I found eyeshadow palettes from MAC. I had many colors and loved them but hated always needing to sift through all my "pots" to find the right one. By pots, I am referring to the original casings that MAC eyeshadows come in. MAC palettes can be found in all MAC stores (not the counters)......and EBAY!!!!! Don't you just love that place? That's where I got mine. They will run you about 12-15 dollars and are VERY worth it!!! They hold up to 15 shadows and you can start organizing them like the ones you see here by color. When you get your palette you no longer need to buy the shadows in their pots. Now you just order the refills or buy them (only) at a MAC store and they are only $10.50 so it's a better deal. Right now on coastalscents.com they are claiming to have a palette that has openings the same size as MAC for only $8, but after shipping you are basically paying the same price only like 50 cents less. So I would personally get MAC ones because you know you are getting quality. A great way to "depot" your colors that you have now so that you can put them in your new palette is found on the side bar. It will explain everything so that you do it in a way to not harm or crack your colors that you love. Hope that helps!!!!

Hair Salons At The Ready - Victoria Beckhams New Hair Cut (The Crob)!!

Victoria Beckham obviously felt it was time to put her classic 'Pob' behind her & freshen up her style for the new autumn season, she was spotted at the Marc Jacobs show sporting a rather short cropped new style! Gone are the blonde highlights as she shows off her natural dark hair colour, over all the new style is quite a bold hair statement & in my opinion it takes a lot of confidence to pull off, which I think she does very well... The 'Pob' was one of the most requested hairstyles in salons over the last 18 Months, so I wonder if this one will be as popular, also the new cropped style will need a new name of course, the 'Crob' - doesn't really have the same ring to it does it....??!!!

Jeans

A hard task to be sure....the Perfect Jean. I used to get ALL of my jeans from Express. They were the best fit and not too badly priced for a pair that could last you quite a few years. Notice I said that I USED to. No longer. I have found that Express (for the most part) has deemed themselves worthy to charge boutique prices for less than desirable clothes......sadly including jeans. Don't get me wrong, I have still found things in there and I will continue to shop at Express Men for Kevin but I have been let down in the jean department.

After searching far and wide I am happy to say that I have found salvation in higher end stores. I know some of you are like,"Hello Jen. We have known about that for forever!!!" But I am just now finding that stores like White House Black Market and Harold's are GREAT for jeans!!!!! They are a bit pricey but if you go at sale times you can get away with a STEAL!!! Normally $120, I found some jeans at WHBM marked down over and over again till they cost me a total of $34!!!!! And a sign caught my eye at Harold's (how could it not?) 50% off all SALE items. Well of COURSE I hauled my J-Lo right in there and got these bad boys. Cute capris normally $78 and I got them for $19!!!! Sales have not ceased sisters, I had just not been looking for them and holy cow, I am so happy with my purchases. Harold's, BTW, is still having that sale and I bet you could go online and find some mores steals =). Any other stores you swear by?

Most Used and Needed Brushes

Nicole is building up her brush collection and asked which ones I use the most. Here they are =).
From left to right they are:
- MAC 129 for blush and bronzer
- Loew-Cornell (LC) 7450 Chisel Blender for liquid liner (Michael's Craft Store)
- MAC 239 OR the one above it is the same and cheaper at Michael's. It is LC 3/8" Maxine's Mop.
- MAC 272 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For crease work
- MAC 217 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! For all blending and some crease work
- MAC 187 For foundation (1000x better than the 190!!!)
- Nicole Miller Powder brush and MAC has the 150
The Green handled brushes are the MAC travel sizes. They are the same #'s as the regular brushes just shorter and a different color. They are great starter brushes but I am building up my regular sized ones now. Also you can go to coastalscents.com and see their brush selection. I have heard great reviews on them and you can get up to 13 brushes for only $16.95 plus shipping. Check it out!!!

Control Those Flyaways

Summer Look Tutorial

Homemade Brush Cleanser

Monica asked how to make homemade brush cleanser. You can buy one from Mac for a little over $10....but you can make your own for soooo much less!!!!! Pictured here are the items that you will need. The brush cleanser bottle from MAC is ideal to use again for your homemade cleanser so DON'T throw it away!!! You will need:

- 1 cup bottled or distilled water
- 1/4 cup alcohol ( I use 99%) This will be your disinfecting, sanitizing & antibacterial agent
- 1/2 TBSP dish soap (if it can cut grease on your dishes, think of the grease on your brushes)
- 1/2 TBSP gentle shampoo (I used baby shampoo)
- 1 TBSP spray leave-in-conditioner (not cream) to condition bristles

Stir GENTLY!!!!! You do not want the soaps to start foaming or to sud up. After it is all mixed together pour it into your container and there is your inexpensive homemade brush cleanser.

Sea & Sky Tutorial

Thanks Peph for requesting this tutorial....enjoy!!!!! Turn off music player at the bottom to hear instructions.

Chrome Yellow & Electric Eel Look