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The Daily Face - May 3, 2012 - Glasses II 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: The Body Shop Pencil Liner in Brown

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

lips: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square

Since my last glasses post I got contacts, like an adult!!! Oh boy, you should have seen me when I went in for my first contacts fitting.  The doctor was explaining how to get them in and I was all, “I’m a makeup artist, I’m suuuper comfortable with eyes, I got this…”  Fast forward to me 20 minutes later, still trying to get the first contact in, nearly on the verge of tears.  I have since become better at getting contacts in, but I still like to wear my glasses.

For my eyes I lightly lined them with brown pencil and applied a lot of mascara.

Again I focused on the lips.  I love statement lips with glasses because it creates a stand-out “look.”  I applied NARS Red Square, a red lip pencil with an orange base.  Orange-reds are bit more light, young, and casual than deep, blue-reds, but that’s not to say there isn’t a place for those deep reds too. 

If you are a glasses wearer try defining your eyebrow as a way to make your eyes stand out behind your frames.  Be careful not to over fill your brows though because ultimately you want them to look natural.  Use short hair-like strokes with an eyebrow pencil and keep your pressure light so the pigment isn’t too dark.

The Daily Face - April 30, 2012 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

eyeshadow: NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Kuala Lumpur, NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Jolie  Poupee, MAC Eyeshadow in Blackberry

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

For this look I applied the light shade in the NARS Kuala Lumpur Duo to the lid from lash line into the crease and blended slightly above.  

Next I applied the darker shade in the Kuala Lumpur Duo into the entire crease from outer to inner corner.

I also blended MAC Blackberry into the crease.  This color can go very dark so start by applying lightly, you can always add more shadow for a darker effect.

Next I applied MAC Blacktrack in a small top lid wing and also to the upper and lower inner rims.

Then I applied the light Kuala Lumpur shade to the lower lash line and blended the shimmery purple shade from the Jolie Poupee Duo on top of it.

I finished the look with mascara.

The Daily Face - April 25, 2012 - Smoke

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeshadow: Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow in Obsidian, Tom For Eye Color Quad in Titanium Smoke, MAC Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

lips: NARS Lipstick in Shanghai Express

The smokey eye is a makeup staple, but can get a little boring, so it’s important to test out a bunch of smokey variations.

For this look I started by applying the grey shade in the Tom Ford Quad to the lid from lash line to crease and into the inner corner of the lid, up to the brow.  Basically you want shadow on every part of the lid except the brow bone.  Also, apply this same shadow into the lower lash line from corner to corner 

Next I applied black shadow to the lid concentrating the pigment near the lash line and blending upward, but not into the crease.

Then I applied Satin Taupe shadow into and slightly above the crease, as well as in the inner corner of the eye all the way up to the brow.

Apply lots of mascara, obviously.

I finished the look by mixing a small about of Shanghai Express with chapstick and applied as a stain.

Next I applied the sparkly black shadow in the Tom Ford Quad right along the lash line on the top lid and along the outer edge of the lower lid.

The Daily Face - April 23, 2012 - Purple Haze

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eye liner: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

eyeshadow: NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Jolie Poupee

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

lips: NARS Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita

I used to hate purple in general as a color, but in the past year I’ve really opened up to it in makeup.  I still can’t bring myself to wear anything purple, but this is a simple way I can incorporate the color into my personal color palette.

First I applied the shimmery purple shade in the NARS Eyeshadow Duo to the lid from lashline to crease.  Apply this shadow generously, don’t be afraid to go really purple.  Blend the pigment slightly above the crease.

Next I applied Blacktrack in a 60’s cat eye style.  The black winged liner will help to balance the purple shadow so it looks like you’re making a retro choice (instead of looking like you just escaped from a psych ward and your first stop was Sephora).

If the purple shadow still feels too intense after you’ve applied your liner try blending a grey shadow into the crease.  Grey tones mute bright colors.

I applied a little bit of liner into my lower lashline on the outer edges.

Last, I finished the look with Mascara and NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick

Fancy Nails!! - Nebula Nails

Matesse Elite - Graphite Shimmer

Matesse Elite - Cream Pearl

Matesse Elite - Blue Shimmer

Opi - Yoga-Ta Get This Blue

Matesse Elite - Neon 7 Thunderbold (magenta)

OPI - RapiDry TopCoat

1. Apply two coats of Graphite Shimmer and allow to dry completely

2. With a small nail art brush apply small irregular splotches of Cream Pearl concentrating in the center of the nail.

3. Again with a small brush apply Blue Shimmer around and lightly over the Cream Pearl.  You don’t want this to look too perfect.

4. I don’t have a shimmery purple polish so I mixed Yoga-Ta Get This Blue and magenta.  Obviously having one polish would be much easier.  Use this color to add light irregular splotches around the Blue Shimmer.

5. Apply a top coat

NOTE: Don’t use a lot of any of the polished because you don’t want to completely cover over the black sparkled polish, which acts as your night sky.  Apply all of the polishes thinly so you can see through them.

The Daily Face - April 19, 2012 - What’s in My Makeup Bag

I have a lot of makeup, it’s no secret, but on a regular basis I actually wear very little.  I have a very small makeup bag (one of those silver lame zipper pouches from American Apparel), which fits everything I need for any occasion, formal, laid back, or even vacation.  This is a list of what I keep in that bag. 

1. NARS Brush #12

2. MAC Brush #263

3. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Jungle Red

4. NARS Eye Shadow Duo in Bellissima

5. MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

6. Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in #225

7. Benefit Moon Beam

8. Tweezerman Eyelash Curler

9. NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Heatwave

10. NARS Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita

11. Tweezerman Tweezers

12. MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

13. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara

The Daily Face - April 18, 2012 - Natural Green

under eyes: NARS Eyeliner Pen

eye liner: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

eyeshadow: MAC Eye Shadow in Club, MAC Pigment Powder in Golden Olive

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

For this look I started by applying Club shadow to the lid from lashline to crease.  Club is an odd color because it looks brown from some angles and olive green from others.  This dual tone gives it a lot of dimension, making it a great single color on the lid.

Next I applied NARS Eyeliner Pen to the top lid from inner to outer corner, winging slightly at the outer corner.  I also applied liner into the bottom lashes on the outer corner of the eye.

Last I applied Golden Olive pigment to the lower lash line from inner to outer corner and finished everything off with mascara.

The Daily Face - April 16, 2012 - Matte

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eye liner: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

eyeshadow: MAC Eye Shadow in Brule, MAC Eyeshadow in Haux

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

lips: Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Sour Cherry

For this look I used an all matte eye paired with a super shiny lip.  First I applied Brule shadow to the lid from the lashline to crease.

Next I applied Haux shadow (a neutral plum-brown) along the eye socket bone above the crease.  If you look at the photo below notice how there is no pigment in the actually crease, but rather slightly above it and blended upward.

Then I applied Blacktrack to the inner rim of the top lid, as well as to the lid itself, in a small cat eye.  I also added a touch of the Haux shadow under my lower lashline.

Last, I finished the look with Tom Ford Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss in Sour Cherry and plenty of mascara.

The Daily Face - April 12, 2012 - My Skin Care Routine

1. Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash/Miessence Rejuvenating Cleanser + Clarisonic Mia

2. Miessence Probiotic Skin Brightener

3. Miessence Balancing Skin Conditioner

4. Jurlique JoJoba Carrier Oil

A lot of readers have asked about my skin care routine so here it is! 

First some basic facts:

- My skin tends to be dry

- Aside from the Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash I use only organic face products

- I don’t wear any foundation

- I don’t use makeup remover

- I drink a lot of water and eat a lot of vegetables

Since my skin is on the dry side I only use the Oil-Free Acne wash a few times a week, otherwise I use organic Miessence face cleanser.  When I wash my face I use the Clarisonic Mia with the Delicate Brush, which is basically like one of those sonicare toothbrushes, but for your face! After washing, I use Miessence Probiotic Skin Brightener and then the Balancing Skin Conditioner.  I use straight Jojoba Oil as moisturizer.  Jojoba oil is lightweight and won’t clog your pores.

If your skin is oily, using oil as moisturizer probably isn’t the best thing for you.  I highly recommend all the Miessence products, if your trying to go organic with your skin care.  Unfortunately organic skin care is very expensive.  It’s unfortunate that the price point makes it difficult for most people to buy.  It’s a stretch for me too, but ultimately I would rather be putting purer products on my skin. 

Also, never underestimate the power of genetics.  I am extremely lucky that good skin runs in my family.  A lot of complexion problems are genetic and can’t be totally avoided, however there are things you can do to greatly improve the quality of your skin, like change your diet.  You would be amazing how many people achieve clearer skin after they start eating better and drinking more water.  Remember, much of what you put into your body exits through the skin!

The Daily Face - April 11, 2012 - Dark Blue

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeshadow: Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow in Obsidian, MAC Eyeshadow in Deep Truth

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

This black Illamasqua shadow is great, probably the best black shadow I’ve used.  Often I find dark shadow difficult to apply and blend smoothly, but this stuff is super velvety.

For this look I started by applying the black Illamasqua shadow to the lid from lashline to crease.  When you are using dark shadows start light and then build on top of it until you reach your desired color saturation.  Use the eye socket bone as a guide for the shadow, diffusing the shadow at the edges so there are no hard lines.

Next I brought the shadow down on the lower lid as a drop shadow.  I chose to keep the shadow on the outer edge of the bottom lid only.  Make sure the shadow on the top and bottom lid connects at the outer corner of your eyes.

Then I blended the dark blue MAC shadow onto the outer area of the top lid and into the crease.  Make this blue shadow as subtle or bright as you wish.

Finish the look with plenty of mascara.

The Daily Face - April 5, 2012 - Pinks

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeshadow: NARS Eyeshadow in Ashes to Ashes, Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Berber

eyeliner: NARS Liquid Eye Pen

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

For this look I used a combination of purpley-grays and golden pinks, an unusual color palette that somehow works together.

I started by blending NARS Ashes to Ashes to the lid from lashline to above the crease.  You want to be able to see the color above the crease when your eyes are open, but make sure to blend thoroughly up toward the brow so there are no hard lines. 

Next I applied Berber, the Illamasqua pure pigment with the small flat brush to the outer corners of the lower lid.  Pigments should be applied lightly at first since they can be very bright.  You can always add more if you desire a brighter look.

Then I blended a small amount of the pigment in the corner of the top lid.  This should add a little brightness to the Ashes to Ashes, but should be subtle.

Last I applied NARS liner pen to the outer edge of the top lid right along the lashline and a few coats of mascara.