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The Daily Face - April 4, 2012 - Multicolored Liner

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: MAC Eye Kohl in Minted, MAC PowerPoint Eye Pencil in Tealo, Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil in Gold (10L), Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil in Blue (12L)

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

This is an all liner look.  I started by lining the outer corner of the top lid with Tealo.  The liner should extend half way through the lid, to about where the pupil is.  Next, using Minted, I lined from the inner corner of the top lid blending it into the Tealo liner.  I also used Minted liner around the inner corner of the eye, wrapping onto the bottom lid.  Then I lined the very outer corner of the upper lid with the blue Make Up For Ever liner, as well as lining the outer corner of the lower lid until it blends into the Minted liner.  Last I used gold liner to create a thin gold sweep along the inner corner of the lower lid and the outer corner of the lower lid, without connecting the the two lines.

I recognize that this description sounds like a weird maze, but it’s easier to do it than to read it (or write it), I promise.  Use the close up photo as a guide and don’t forget lots-o-mascara!

The Daily Face - March 28, 2012 - Gold

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil in Gold

eye brows: MAC Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

Still working with this tan from Mexico that will soon be completely faded.  I was really hoping it was just going to be 70 degrees from now on.

For this look I used Make Up For Ever gold Aqua Eyes Pencil as a shadow.  I applied it as I would liner, but made the line extra thick and then smudged it upward with my finger.  Then I applied a little liner into the lower lashline and finished the eyes with mascara.  No blush/bronzer required here.

The Daily Face - March 5, 2012 - Navy Blues

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: MAC Eye Kohl in Blooz, MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

eyeshadow: Tom For Eye Color Quad in Titanium Smoke

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara

Navy Blue can be a great alternative to black when it comes to eye makeup.  It still gives the eyes a dark feel, but I find it little more formal and sophisticated looking than brown.

For this look I began by lining the inner rims of the upper and lower lid with Blacktrack.  I chose to line with Blacktrack and not the Navy eye pencil because Blacktrack is the only eyeliner I’ve ever used that stays put on the inner rims of the eyes.  Pencil usually fades off or smears. 

Next I applied MAC Blooz Eye Kohl to the top lid, originating smoothly from highest point on the lid and extending slightly past the natural eye.

Then I blended the navy eye pencil into the black liner on the lower lid, making sure to close any gaps in the lashes with the product.

Next I applied the light sparkly shadow in the Tom Ford Eye Color Quad into the inner corners of the lid and the dark sparkly shadow onto the outer corners of the lower lid.

Last I applied mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

The Daily Face - February 8, 2012 - Inspired by the Jason Wu for Target Collection

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: The Body Shop Liquid Liner in brown

eyeshadow: NARS Eyeshadow in Night Star, MAC Eyeshadow in Tempting

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: MAC Cream Colour Base in Improper Copper

This past Sunday I went home to Connecticut it hit up a non-NYC Target for the launch of the Jason Wu for Target collection.  Even in Bethel CT it was crazy.  I got there right when it opened and everything was gone within 15 minutes.  I had my mom with me, who went into Olympic shopping mode and grabbed one of every handbag and all the XS’s I couldn’t get to.  We only had to threaten, like, 2 or 3 people.

Here’s a makeup look inspired by this amazing shirt in the Jason Wu Collection.  I went for something Spring-like and natural, with a cheek flush.  I began by lightly lining the top lid with brown liquid liner from The Body shop.  Next I applied NARS Night Star (a beige color with sparkles) to the lid.  Then I applied MAC Tempting against the upper lash line from corner to corner of the eyes.

Last I applied a generous amount of MAC Improper Copper to my cheeks to get a sun kissed look.  I’m very fair so this color works like a blush on me, if you have darker skin this may have more of a cream bronzer effect, still it’s brownish base makes it flattering on many skin tones.

The Daily Face - February 2, 2012 - Mod

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: Illamasqua Precision Ink, MAC Kohl Pencil in Fascinating (white)

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

Illamasqua sent me a few products to try out, one of them being their Precision Ink, and I immediately wanted to create a 60’s mod eye with it.  This product creates a super smooth, rich black, gloss finished line, perfect for dramatic winged liner.  If you are a makeup beginner this might not be the easiest liner for you to start out with, but if you have a steady hand, are comfortable with makeup application, or are willing to practice I highly recommend trying the Precision Ink out.

I applied the Precision Ink in a fairly thick line from corner to corner, winging the liner at the outer corners.  Next I carefully extended the liner past the inner corners of the eyes.  (If you have wide set eyes this line can be longer, but if your eyes are closer together you will want to make this line fairly short.)  Then I lined the bottom lash line also extending past the inner corners.  When you do this follow the natural shape of your eye, and it might take a couple of tries to get right.  Next I used the tip of the liner to draw on little bottom lashes beneath my natural lashes.  Draw these on an slight angle toward the outer corners of the eyes, not straight down.

Next I lined the eye socket bone.  There are many variations on how this cane be done, and all of them can be tricky.  You can connect the line with the wing, you can bring the line farther into the inner corners, it all depends on the shape of your eyes; experiment!  Also, remember that the more symmetrical your face is the easier this will be.  My eye socket bones are not symmetrical so I have to draw the liner on the left eye slightly higher than the right.

Last I added a little white liner under the lower lashes, in between the inner corner lines, and to my lid between the liner and the eye bone line.  If you want to go really over the top add false lashes, otherwise just apply some mascara.

The Daily Face - February 2, 2012 - Winter makeup for people who don’t wear makeup

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: NARS Eye Pencil in Hollywoodland

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Betray

The winter can make our faces look a little dull.  Of course you can combat this by wearing a lot of bronzer, highlighter, foundation, etc, but in my opinion that looks worse than being pale and slightly lackluster.  If you want to brighten up your face without wearing much makeup focus on your eyes and you cheeks.  All you need is some mascara and a little highlighter under the bottom lashes and around the inner corners of the eyes.  Then add a slight flush to your apples of your cheeks with your favorite blush.  If you are pale or dark try a pinkish shade.  If you have an olive or yellow based complexion you’ll want to use a more golden toned blush. 

This is an easy way to bright up your face without piling makeup on your face.

Optional for those of you who feel comfortable with a little more makeup is highlighter on the top of the cheekbones and a light tinted moisturizer to even out any unevenness of the skin.

The Daily Face - January 30, 2012 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: NARS Liquid Eye Pen in Black

eye shadow: MAC Eyeshadow in Copperplate

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: MAC Color Cream Base in Improper Copper

If you are a makeup wearer it’s a good idea to invest in a matte gray eyeshadow.  It seems like a weird color, but it’s a pretty multipurpose shade.  You can use it with bright eyeshadows to tone them down or they can be used alone, like I did with this look.

Here I applied MAC Copperplate to the lid from lash line to crease.  Then I lined the outer edge of the top lid slightly with the NARS eyeliner pen.  I also lined lightly right in the lower lashes, filling in any areas where the lashes aren’t close together. 

Last I applied mascara and MAC Color Cream Base in Improper Copper to my cheekbones.

The Daily Face - January 19, 2012 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: The Body Shop Liquid Liner in Black, NARS Eye Pencil in Hollywoodland

eye shadow: MAC Eyeshadow in Pen ‘N Pink, NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Bellissima

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: NARS Blush in Penny Lane

In my last post I demonstrated a smudged eyeliner and talked about how eyeliner can completely change the shape of the eye.  Here is my follow up look, a clean liquid lined eye.  Notice the dramatic difference between the two looks and how each style has a varying effect on my eye shape.  I think it pretty incredible how something as simple as eyeliner can completely alter our face.  I urge you to experiment with varying techniques to see how they change your own face.  You’ll probably find one way you think looks best (for me in the winged liner), but don’t get pigeon-holed into only wearing your makeup that way.

I began this look by lining the top lids with liquid liner from The Body Shop.  This is a great liquid liner if you’re a beginner because it’s not waterproof.  That means you can apply it and then shape it easily with a damp Q-tip.  I made pretty a dramatic, 60’s cat eye here.

Next I applied MAC Pen ‘N Pink shadow to the lid from liner to crease.  Then I used the brownish-gray shade from the NARS Bellissima Duo to contour the crease of the eye.  Both of the shadows I used are matte.

Next I applied the NARS Eye Pencil in Hollywoodland wrapping around inner corners of the eyes.

Lastly I applied mascara and NARS Cream Blush in Penny Lane to the apples of the cheeks.   

The Daily Face - January 11, 2012 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: NARS Liquid Eyeliner Pen

eye shadow: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Busy Signal

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

I really love Benefit’s Creaseless Cream Shadows.  They are all great colors to use alone if you’re looking for just one go-to shadow. Plus it takes about two minutes to apply and it lasts all day without creasing. 

For this look I applied the Benefit shadow with my finger to the lid from lashline to crease.  This stuff dries quickly so it’s important that you work fast, since after it dries it’s difficult to blend. 

Next I applied NARS Liquid Liner pencil lightly to the outer corners of the top lid for definition.

Last I applied lots of mascara, as usual.

This entire look took about 7 mintues to apply, good for if you say, accidentally woke up late and need to rush out the door…. something that never happens to me.

The Daily Face - January 10, 2012 - Blue Liner 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes pencil in 12L (blue)

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: MAC Blush in Harmony

This is a really easy look that’s interesting but also doesn’t require a lot of makeup.  I started by lining the lids with Blacktrack.  I made a pretty large sweeping wing, but obviously you can alter the size of the cat eye according to your own face.  I also lined the entire top inner rim and the bottom inner rim just along the outer corner.

Next I applied the blue Aqua Eye pencil along the top edge of the black liner.  Make sure there is no space between the black and blue liner.  If the blue covers the black a little you can always go back over the black liner once the blue liner is in place.  I started the blue liner about 60% of the way in from the outer corners of the eyes.  This will be different depending on individual eye shape, but use 60% as a jumping off point.  The blue liner extends all the way to the tip of the wing creating a thin point with the black liner.

I then went over the black liner to accentuate the hard line between the black and blue and also added the blue liner very lightly to the inner corner of the eyes.  Lastly I applied mascara and MAC blush in Harmony to the cheekbones.

The Daily Face - January 5, 2012 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: NARS Liquid Eyeliner Pen, MAC Eye Kohl Pencil in Fascinating, NARS Eye Pencil in Hollywoodland

eye shadow: MAC Eyeshadow in Crystal Avalanche, NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Kuala Lumpur

eye brows: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: MAC Highlighter in Pearl, NARS Blush in Penny Lane

lips: NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita

It’s getting so cold outside so here is a look with an icy winter feel.  I started by lining the outer edge of the upper lid with NARS Liquid Eyeliner Pen go give a little definition to the eye.  Next, I shaded the inner corners of the eyes with the white MAC eye pencil, followed by the NARS Eye Pencil Hollywoodland, followed by another layer of the MAC pencil.  The NARS Hollywoodland pencil will add a little bit of warmth and shimmer to the otherwise matte MAC pencil.

Next I applied MAC Eyeshadow in Crystal Avalanche to the lid from lash line to crease.  I then applied the light pink shade in the NARS Kuala Lumpur Eyeshadow Duo over it.  Next I shaded the darker shadow in the Kuala Lumpur Duo into the outer corners of the top lid and slightly into the crease.  Add a bit of this color under to outer corner of the lower lash line to achieve a drop shadow effect.

I applied MAC Highlighter in Pearl amply to my cheekbones.  This won’t really show up in photos without a flash or studio lighting, but you will definitely be able to see it in person.  Next I applied NARS Cream Blush in Penny Lane on top of the Pearl highlighter, concentrating the color mostly on the apples of the cheeks, but also bringing it back on the cheekbones toward the temples.

Last, I applied mascara and a coat of NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick.

Ok, you’re really to brave the cold.

The Daily Face - December 19, 2011 - New Year’s Eve Looks 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Pencil in shade 10L (gold)

eye shadow: Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in Shade 15, MAC Shadow in Satin Taupe, NARS Duo in Cordura, MAC Highlighter in Pearl 

eye brows: MAC Eye Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: MAC Blush in Harmony

This week I’m going to post a couple of looks that would be good for whatever type of New Year’s Eve party you plan to attend, like say raging in some dark warehouse in Brooklyn or going to fancy dinner party.

This is more of a dark look.  I started by lining the eyes with Blacktrack, including both the upper and lower inner rims and winging the liner. 

Next, using my finger I applied Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in shade 15, which is sort of a muted bronze color.  Then, with a brush, I applied MAC Satin Taupe to the crease, bringing the shadow all the way in towards the inner corner of the the eye and blending up towards the inner corner of the brow.  Really look at the photos as a reference, this will help you a lot.  The portion of the eye between the inner corner and the inner corner of the brow should be shadowed, but make sure that shadow is not on the outer portion of the brow bone, this will make you look like a streetwalker.  Apply MAC Highlighter in Pearl to the outer portion of the brow bone to lighten and accentuate it.

Next I applied the rich brown shade in the NARS Cordura Duo to the outer corner of the eyes and slightly into the crease, as well as lightly below the lower lash line.  Since I used a lot of shadow it covered over the Blacktrack liner, so at this point I went over the liner to make it darker.

Last I applied the Make Up For Ever gold eye pencil wrapping around the inner corners of the eyes and many coats of mascara.  Finish the look with a sweep over blush in the hollows of your cheekbones.

You probably want to go light on the lips, or leave out lip color altogether with this look.

The Daily Face - December 15, 2011 

under eyes: Make Up For Ever HD Concealer in 325

eyeliner: MAC Kohl Pencil in Teddy

eye shadow: MAC Shadow in Amber Lights

eye brows: MAC Eye Brow Pencil in Fling

eye lashes: Lancome Hypnose Drama

cheeks: NARS Blush in Madly

Occasionally, very occasionally, I will sub in classic pencil eyeliner for my usual gel or liquid liner.  Pencil liner creates a much softer line but it doesn’t have the staying power of gels and liquid, inevitably it starts to wear off.  That’s said, I still like it sometimes as it’s faster to apply. 

For this look I used MAC eye pencil in Teddy, which is a rich brown color with gold flecks and a gold shadow also by MAC called Amber Lights.  First I applied Amber Lights to the lid from lash line to crease.  Next I applied the eye pencil to the top lid and also the outer portion of the lower lid.  I didn’t bother to line the inner rims because, what’s the point, eye pencil never stays on the inner rim for long anyway.  You’ll notice that making wings is slightly more difficult with a pencil because the point isn’t as sharp, but I made little wings anyway.

Last applied a bunch of mascara and NARS blush in Madly to the apples of the cheeks.

This is a super fast and natural look, good for when you don’t have a lot of time to get ready, or if you’re just feeling lazy!