How to: Modern smokey eye with 3 shades

How to

How to: Modern smokey eye with 3 shades

November 3, 2014 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 6 Comments

Autumn inspired makeup with Lily Lolo – on the model

In the previous post (here) I was describing as accurately as I could some products from Lily Lolo along with some inspirations about how to wear it. Later, I put this make-up look in practice on a model and I thought to share with you a few photos (unretouched and backstage). However, I’m also glad that you love so much the previous Lily Lolo post, which was an additional reason to show you this look more in depth. Hope you like it 😉

Names of Lily Lolo pressed eyeshadows I’ve used: Voodoo, Truffle shuffle, Ivy League, Brassed off.

On the face I’ve applied Lily Lolo BB cream Light.

Special thanks to the model Maja M!

How to: Wear this summer makeup trends

June 19, 2014 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 14 Comments

Review of new Lavera Trend sensitive makeup

It seems that these days there are 2 different makeup trends out there: the ultra heavy one with lots of conturing, based on old school techniques (a la Kim Kardashian style) where you get a complete makeover (and a mask like face where everyone looks the same) or the modern and fresh approach to makeup where you expose your features as they are with subtly enhancing the skin without looking overdone. Well, my approach has flipped through the years from the first one to the second one. This is why I’m going to present you the fantastic new Lavera makeup line along with some tips & tricks how to wear and achieve a natural yet gorgeous makeup especially in summer days.

Follow these steps to achieve that dewy look like you’d just hit the runway from Dolce&Gabbana!

Lavera Foundation

When talking about any makeup, not just the “modern” one, the most important feature to enhance is the face. We have to give it a radiant healthy finish without looking overdone – like you don’t wear any foundation. And here I want to introduce you 2 fabulous foundations from the new Lavera collection: Natural mousse make-up and 2-in-1 compact foundation. They are both in the category of light and seamless looking new era foundations. I have tried them first on myself and so I ordered them both in the shade n.01 Ivory. They both have a plethora of beneficial ingredients and oils, the only exception is one ingredient in the mousse which is a silicone (dodecane) which some of the greenest of you won’t like. I find the best way to apply them with fingers, but you can use a duo-fibre brush as well (this is the most suitable for this type of light foundations). I must emphasise my love for the new updated look and packages; they look beautiful, elegant and so professional as well! The first Lavera Mousse foundation is creamy and very light in texture and it gives you a matte finish although inside the glass jar it looks quite radiant shiny. The coverage is quite good in comparison with the light texture, I’d say light to medium. It comes in 3 shades and the one I picked is suited for light skin and thankfully has a neutral undertone with a hint of yellow. The second one Lavera 2-in-1 foundation blown me away! You might think about a cakey and heavy texture, looking too overdone; nope! It comes in 2 shades and it’s meant for touch-ups, but on myself I can use it easily alone. It comes in a gorgeous compact with mirror and sponge, but I prefer to use fingers which gives me more control and a small amount is needed. This one provides a matte finish with great coverage and looking like you don’t wear any make-up. It also covers my dark under eye circles so I need just a touch of under eye concealer which is great! The technology of both products amazes me, which is great that the green industry is improving so much!

Green makeup tip Before applying any foundation take care of your skin with regular beauty routine and make sure to use a good moisturiser as a base. If your skin is flawless, you can use just a touch of concealer instead of any foundation.

Cheeks

are the next feature to enhance with a touch of subtle color. This summer you can choose more vivid colours, like corals, oranges, pinks, but wear them with the rest of your makeup at minimum. They want to be the in the spotlight 🙂 Apply them with a small brush or the best with fingers and blend the color seamlessly into the skin. You can add what’s left on the brush/finger on your lips too. I love the most this new product from Lavera called Lips&Cheeks which comes in 4 shades. I have tried 2 of them and felt in love. As you can see from the picture, I already dabbed into the pink one my brush and it looked amazing on the model I worked with! The other one I applied on myself with fingers 🙂 The texture is creamy and non greasy and blends easily to achieve the fresh look. I love the awesome finish and great pigmentation. A little goes a long way and you can wear them as vivid lipsticks too! All shades are so modern and want to try the other two too!

Highlighter

is one of the most important tools when it comes to radiant skin. On how to apply it check my post here, where I’ve explained exactly where it goes. There are 2 amazing products out there at Lavera called Soft Glowing highlighter which comes in a lovely pot and 2 slightly shimmery colours: one golden for warm tones (Golden shine), another lunar rosy (Shiny pearl) for cool tones. They provide you a nice and glowing finish when applied properly without looking greasy. Here are the swatches (note that on all photos was some unwanted redness on my skin to take in consideration):

Thankfully, in the uber updated Ecco verde international online shop, you can find the entire new line from Lavera (and many other green brands as well)! And if you hurry I saw right now they have 10% off on all new Lavera makeup products!

But stay tuned, because I have many more products to review for you from this new Lavera makeup collection!

Living nature eyeshadows and Precious lipstick

October 7, 2013 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 6 Comments

How to: Wear nude shades of make-up this fall

Every season the beauty/fashion industry proposes us new trends, although through the time we witness some regular ones. One of this fixed stars is the nude look in different tonalities. This fall/winter the palette of shades, that was proposed especially by editorials, is oriented towards nude pinks.

I got the opportunity to try the new limited edition lipstick by Living nature called Precious and connect it with the above mentioned beauty trend, to show you how to wear nude shades this season.
I don’t recommend to wear too many pale nude shades all over, unless you already are very pale and suits you that no make-up look or if you opt for no-makeup because of the new grunge style. You can end looking too washed out and grayish.

The key is to enhance one feature and keep it strong if you decide to wear nude shades. Choose to enhance one of the features according to your style:

– Wear a strong eyeliner with a flick à la Audrey Hepburn especially if you opt for a chic bon ton style
– Put on your lashes lots of mascara to achieve the doll-eyes effect. This trick is very good for opening small eyes.
– Emphasize your brows for an androgynous, youthful style
– Nude lips combined with smokey eyes in grey or chocolate tonalities are an evergreen beauty look

Living nature Precious lipstick

My readers will remember that I’ve praised Living nature lipsticks in my first review and video tutorial and I still feel the same even after trying this new products. This brand can’t stop surprising me 🙂

Loaded with natural vegetable oils, waxes and pigmented with minerals, this lipstick is really a must-have, especially for women who love to wear nude shades. Its texture is creamy and glides well on the lips because it is so hydrating. I also like the fact that Living nature lipsticks have a good staying power as well. This new shade is not too pale, but a medium one. I’d describe it the best as an antique velvet creamy rose that suits lots of women. The package is black with the Living nature gorgeous logo, like all other lipsticks which are ultra elegant.

Living nature pressed eyeshadows

I wanted to show you another great product from Living nature that I adore! These are their pressed eyeshadows. I have complemented to the Precious lipstick 2 shades of eyeshadows (Shell and Kauri) that describe the best the above mentioned beauty tips and trends. They come in refill which is not just handy but also eco-friendly. You can put them in Living nature empty palettes as you can see on my picture or if you have lots of refills, you can put them all in an appropriate big palette like Z palette for instance. I want to emphasize that the texture of this eyeshadows is simply awesome: very pigmented, with a velvety texture that blends very well. Its staying power is very good too because it doesn’t tend to crease in the eyelids.

Shell and Kauri are a classic combination of shades that can be used for a classic make-up look and also for a modern makeup look as well. It all depends on your beauty style and what you like. Check the inspirations above that show how to wear all these colors together and find an appropriate style that suits you the most.

Hope you find the beauty tips for new season & the swatches helpful 🙂 And feel free to leave me your thoughts below.

Many thanks to Boris Gorjan for the pictures of products!

How to: wear colored eye pencils

March 29, 2013 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 0 comment

I’d like to introduce you again a makeup product that has been a little bit out of focus lately, but it’s slowly coming back again: the eye pencil! I don’t mean just the classic black, brown or white pencils, but the colored ones! I want to show you some suggestions how to wear it in a fresh and sophisticated way and not look like you’ve come right from the 80’s 😀
I think colored pencils are great especially for those who don’t like using the classic eyeliner and are willing for a new twist in their makeup routine.
There are many techniques and tools how to achieve a look that will suit you best.

The first option is to use a normal eye pencil in a selected color and draw a line on the upper lash line. You can also enhance the color of your eyes by wearing just a colored line in the inner rim of the eye (see top picture). The best is to smudge the line (on the upper lash line) a little bit to achieve a nice colorful effect that pop out the color of your eyes. You can smudge it with a q-tip or with a smudging brush.

Green makeup tip Instead of using monochromatic colors (= blue pencil on blue eyes) use a color that will emphasize the color of your eyes and bring them out. You achieve this with using opposite colors. Use a deep blue on dark green eyes (I love this!), dark brown or grey eyes. For those with light blue or grey eyes, use turquoise in the inner rim to make your eyes sparkle! Try bronzed metallic shades on blue eyes as well. Olive-greens and silver-greys will suit great brown eyes as well. Purple and violet are fantastic on green eyes,…

Green makeup trick If you don’t have a colored pencil but would like to wear it anyway, check your eyeshadows and find that nice color you’d love to wear. Next use a thin eyeliner brush, dip it into water and mix it with the eyeshadow. Draw the line and voila! You have a colored line! For the waterproof effect use an eyeliner sealer instead of water.

Another technique for those who’d like to wear a colored line but are not able to draw it well:
Find a creamy eye pencil – those thicker ones – in the shade you like and draw with it a line around the eyes. Then smudge it around the eyes with a q-tip or a brush to achieve the desired smudged effect. Apply a few coats of mascara and your eyes will literally shine! This kind of pencils are great in metallic shades!

Green makeup tip Before applying any pencil, powder first your eyelid so that the line won’t smudge on your upper eyelid.

Do you use any colored pencils? Which ones you like most? Are you afraid of using colors?

images via style.com

How to: Evening makeup with violet lips

December 29, 2012 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 2 Comments

It’s no doubt that one of the strongest makeup trends of this season were the statement lips in all shades of reds, bordeaux and we even saw violet lips. Violet it’s a special color that you can like or not (I like it a lot 🙂 ) and when worn as a make-up detail, it can be very bold and extravagant. It was seen on runway for spring 2013 at Haider Ackermann(left picture) and Bottega Veneta (right picture) as well. I will describe you how to recreate the look from Bottega Veneta, because it’s more wearable for most women. This look seems very classic and elegant at the same time. It also unite 2 trends for this winter: grey and violet!

How to achieve the violet lips makeup look

1.step – Foundation + concealer + powder

Depending on your skin type choose a foundation that will work best for your skin. Learn more about how to choose your foundation here. After having done a flawless canvas, use a concealer to cover any imperfections. Set the make-up with a powder where needed. Don’t use to much powder; it will make you look too old with a cakey finish.

2.step – Contouring

With a contour brush and a powder/compact foundation define your cheekbones. Put the brush underneath your cheek bone and blend well towards the ear to make a sculpted effect. Use a matte shade of powder that is one shade darker than your skin tone. Blend well.

3.step – Eyes

First apply a neutral light matte eyeshadow in a champagne shade on the entire lid to make an even base. Use a large fluffy eyeshadow brush and blend well. Then apply a shimmery metallic grey in the crease of the eyes and blend well, too. The best is to use a blending brush with a tapered end. Curl well the eyelashes and apply a few coats of black mascara.

4.step – Lips

Line your lips with a lip pencil and fill them with it as well. This way you will make a good base for your lipstick that will last longer. Then use a lip brush and apply the violet lipstick on top. Blot with a paper tissue and repeat with applying another layer of lipstick. Set the lips with a touch of translucent powder.

Green makeup tip Below are my suggestions for choosing the lipstick. For the violet color I have chosen Lavera lipstick n.3 in Berry violet – a rich plum shade that will look great on brunettes with brown eyes and yellow undertones. For those who don’t feel brave enough to choose a violet lipstick you can wear a true red. If you mix a true red with violet you will get a bordeaux shade that is very trendy as well. Read more about statement lips here.

5.step – Eyebrows

On the Bottega Veneta’s look the brows are bleached, which I don’t recommend to do on your own. Bleached brows are also an editorial look and so I advise you to shape your brows as naturally as possible and fill them slightly with a brow pencil in the shade of your hair.

This look will look great especially if you will wear black: an elegant evening dress or a masculine inspired pantsuit.

Hope you like the look and enjoy the last night of this year!

Living nature cosmetics review

November 14, 2012 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 0 comment

How to achieve a flawless skin with a natural glow

Today I will conclude my “saga” about all Living nature products I have tried so far. Among some great products that I use myself as well and that I’m going to review, I want to emphasize a make-up trend that is still strong for a few seasons. It’s the trend of perfect skin and nude tonalities that looks like wearing no makeup. We saw this trend again on fashion shows even for spring 2013. I have picked the look from the designer 3.1 Phillip Lim fashion show and translated it in real life with green make-up products from Living nature that work great for achieving exactly this look!

How to achieve the natural glow makeup look step by step

1.step – Lumionous Skin

After having cleansed your face apply a tinted moisturizer (in your matching shade) with fingers or with a foundation brush. You won’t need any additional moisturizer under. I use Living nature Clear lights Tinted moisturizer in the shade for light skin: dawn light. Even though I was never a big fan of tinted moisturizers in general, I adore this one because it has a light coverage and so it just enhances naturally your skin. Its texture is slightly shimmery but with an overall glow, without any shiny particles. I don’t recommend tinted moisturizers to women who want a heavy coverage, but I suggest it to women who don’t need any special coverage and to use a concealer if needed. This way the skin will look healthier and more natural with a modern twist, like from catwalks. Living nature tinted moisturizer is loaded with many nourishing oils (from macadamia, jojoba, avocado, and shea butter) and beneficial ingredients like manuka honey so that your skin won’t be dehydrated while wearing it. You won’t have any difficulties for applying this product, because it melts great into the skin and it looks almost invisible while leaving a nice texture on the skin. This product is packed in a 50ml plastic tube.

2.step – Concealer

Instead of products with heavy coverage use a concealer to cover any imperfections. Living nature concealer comes in a small 7ml tube. I was quite surprised at first about the small package, but later while using it I realized that a little goes a long way. It has a liquid texture that glides great on skin: at the same time is liquid but not too much. It covers great any imperfections like red spots or dark under eye circles. I’d love to see an additional concealer with the same formulation but with a neutralizing color for under eye circles. That would be amazing! In every case, I like this concealer a lot. Compared to Inika’s liquid concealer this one gives a better coverage for instance. If needed I mix it with the tinted moisturizer to achieve a seamless look with more coverage. The texture of the tinted moisturizer is sheer, while the concealer it’s liquid but with a good coverage. And both products don’t look cakey on the skin.

Green makeup tip use a small and precise brush like a lip brush for covering small red spots. This will give you a professionally done skin.

3.step – Eyes

Apply lots of mascara after curling your eyelashes. If you remember I have used Living nature’s mascara in my video. This mascara is great because its formulation works great together with the shape of the wand. It allows you a precise application with no clumps and with a lot of color. It’s suitable even for sensitive eyes. The mascara gives a nice length to the lashes and lots of color and volume.

4.step – Lips and cheeks

As I already mentioned in my make-up video tutorial, I adore Living nature lipsticks! Their consistency is longstaying, non drying on lips and I especially like their creamy matte shades. This time I have chosen 2 colors that are among my favorites in general: a medium dusty rose called Laughter and Coral sea: a medium matte coral orange. Both shades are great for daytime; they give a nice and fresh touch of color to your face. I apply them on lips and on cheeks if needed as well. This way you get a nice cream blush.

Green makeup tip Mix these 2 shades together and you will get a lovely peach color that suits every skin tone. I adore this shade on cheeks to give warmth to the entire complexion!

Last step: Removing the makeup in the evening

After wearing your makeup all day, you also have to remove it. Always remove the make-up before going to sleep! Living nature gentle make-up remover is definitely a green revelation that will go directly in my personal and professional make-up kit! It comes in a 100ml bottle and it has a delicate scent. Honestly, I hardly describe any Living nature product scent because these plants are so unfamiliar to me. Overall the scents are different but pleasant. The main reason why I’m mad about this product is its formulation which is extra delicate, transparent and light like water, but at the same time very effective as a make-up remover. It does not leave any traces of oiliness or any other stuff on skin. Light, pure, effective and all to try! A make-up artist dream product for removing make-up quickly while leaving the skin beautiful, soft, without any redness. You can apply it a small amount on a cotton ball and simply remove the make-up off. It is suitable for all skin types, especially because all beneficial ingredients like: Kumerahou, hydrating Harakeke Flax Gel, and nourishing Active Manuka Honey. Eyebright and Witchhazel extracts are natural anti-inflammatories and skin conditioners, to soothe the skin. I especially recommend it for those with sensitive skin.

Have you tried any Living nature skincare products?

How to: achieve statement lips and apply lipstick in new ways

October 15, 2012 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 0 comment

Ilia beauty lipsticks review

I wanted to try Ilia beauty, the phenomena of modern organic lipsticks with safe ingredients for a long time. I’m extremely happy that the opportunity came along when I met Floris and Ingrid, the founders of the German green beauty store called Amazingy. I started to collaborate with them and so I got the opportunity to try many new fantastic green products that I will present you all soon. Today, it’s time to present you Ilia Beauty lipsticks and give you a lesson about how to wear lipstick in a modern way. Don’t be afraid of new shades of lipsticks, vivid or darker, because you can wear them in different ways. Modern times don’t command just one trend anymore, or in this case a lot of lip liner and color or just glossy lips. No, there are many and more subtle ways to use the colors and textures on your lips: for every woman her own style.
Last seasons we saw many different ways to wear lipstick: from nudes, to dark reds and even bright colors as orange and pink and these trends still last in the upcoming seasons as well. Even though I mention the trends, at the end I recommend to find your own unique way that will suit your needs and make you feel great. In the make-up and fashion the color rules aren’t so rigid as they were once. There isn’t one and unique rule anymore who can wear a color and why.

Many different ways to apply and wear your new lipstick

I have chosen to review 3 different colors from Ilia, but I will start with the darker shade and explain you how to wear and apply it. Every season you can see the different dark tonalities of wearing reds and this has already became a classic and not a trend anymore.

In the pictures below I’ll show you step by step how I did the dark lipstick look and how I have applied it. I’m going to use the Ilia Beauty lipstick Femme Fatale, definitely the shade of this fall/winter season! It is a dark burgundy red that can be worn almost by every woman. It suits a blonde with pale skin as well as a dark woman with tanned skin. Even on those with red hair it looks amazing!

What I think about ILIA beauty?

I was really very curious about these lipsticks, especially because many times some green brands enhance virtually the colors on the pictures and in reality you don’t get what they show you. With Ilia is a different story. Apart their beautiful package with a minimalistic aesthetic and luxurious metal lipstick pot, the colors are really what you see on the catwalk. I was wondering if the dark red will be dark red and it is! But I was mostly surprised when I tried Ilia beauty Neon Angel – a vivid pink magenta and Ilia beauty Voila – a bright, vivid orange.

The 2 shades of orange and pink are a little bit more suitable for summer but they will also be a must for the next year as well. These 3 shades also work great all together because they mix together very well and so you can create even more custom blended lipstick shades. Most of all, I love their matte finish with a beautiful creamy (and not drying matte) effect. The texture is smooth, creamy, long-lasting and hydrating because of natural vegetable oils like sesame, jojoba, sunflower and rose hip oil as well as cocoa butter and aloe vera juice. All colors are very modern which I really like and so Ilia is a must-have for my make-up kit. Another 2 limited edition lipstick shades + a totally new mascara all-to-try have been launched on the market recently.

How to achieve a dark red statement lip and apply lipstick in different ways

1.step

Take a lip brush and your Ilia Beauty lipstick in Femme Fatale (or any other preferably dark red shade of lipstick). Damp your brush in the lipstick and start applying it on your lips. Start in the center of your lips and distribute the color evenly from inside out. The brush allows you to distribute evenly and precisely the color and to build a few layers that will last longer. I suggest you to try HIRO lip brush in retractable travel version. It’s made from synthetic fibers and its shape is very precise. But I’ll come back soon with more info about this new brand that I discovered.

2. step

Just follow the natural shape of your lips with the brush to achieve a beautiful even red color and a nice contour.

3.step

Usually we were taught to apply first the lip pencil because of the contour but this is not the case anymore. When you eat, your lipstick will fade away and what will remain is a line which is not so nice looking. Instead, apply the lip pencil in the same shade on top of your lipstick to smooth the contour and make it very precise. This way you will fix the lipstick and it will last longer. I have used Lauren Brooke lip pencil in Vintage wine shade. Even Sante pencil n.3 will work well. Try this new technique and you will be amazed by the result.

4.step

Blot with a paper tissue to remove the excess of color and then you can apply again another layer with a brush or just tap the color naturally with your fingers.

Green makeup tip For those who don’t want the perfect lined lips or they want to wear it in a softer way, I suggest to apply it just with your fingers. You won’t need any lip pencil, because the effect you want to achieve is very soft and it looks like a natural enchanted lip color even if you use a dark red shade. Do you remember those beautiful old Rococo paintings where women wore just a nice shade that enhance the lips with a soft edge like these:

This is a very fresh approach to wear lipstick. And you can use the same lipstick for your cheeks as well. Tone it down with a little bit of your foundation if needed and apply it on your cheeks. It will look gorgeous!

I’d love to know how do you wear your lipstick? Are you tempted to try any new shades?

Special thanks to AMAZINGY shop from Berlin that gave me the opportunity to try Ilia lipsticks for this review. You are kindly invited to shop in their amazing green store that I like very much!

top photo credits; Boris Gorjan, model: Masha@Immortal models

How to: Choose your liquid foundation brush

June 23, 2012 / How to, Make-up, Makeup, Makeup brushes / 2 Comments

This post was inspired by my blog’s avid reader Lynn (and even blogger herself – check her LovelyCosme blog) who was asking me how to choose a liquid foundation brush. Since I’m addicted to make-up brushes and love to experiment with them, I realized that this is actually a very good and not so obvious question, especially for a beginner with make-up brushes. The beauty market is full of different shapes of brushes and every brush has its own use, so I can understand it can be really tricky to find something that really works when someone is not familiar with the use of all these products. I’m especially happy that during this time, while I explained to Lynn about some brushes, she told me that she became an enthusiast of makeup brushes in a short time! So, in this post I will explain you some different types of liquid foundation brushes.

As you can see from the top picture there are different shapes of make-up brushes for applying liquid foundation and they have all one thing in common – they are made from synthetic fibers (except Bdellium tools 953). Apart using a make-up brush for applying the liquid foundation, you can also apply it with a sponge or with your fingers, or even use a combination of both (fingers-sponge, brush-sponge,…). But this post’s purpose is to explain and present the foundation brushes. Personally and professionally I prefer to use a (clean!) make-up brush for applying liquid foundation. Sometimes, I also use the sponge after the brush to set and blend the foundation really good into the skin. I have also noticed during the time, that with the new generation of foundation brushes, I almost don’t use sponges anymore.

Classic liquid foundation brush in different versions

Coming back to the brushes, the most common and even the first designed brush for liquid foundation was oval shaped, like Bdellium tools 948 in the picture. However, the brushes with this shape vary from brand to brand and you should try the brush before, to see how it suits your needs. The biggest difference is in the stiffness of synthetic fibers. I don’t like brushes that have too rigid fibers, because they don’t slide on the face well, they can be rough and they don’t blend well the product into the skin and in every corner of the face. But even if the fibers are too soft (and the brush is flat), is not ok, because they won’t distribute the product evenly. The second parameter is the length and width of the fibers. The brush can be large (like Bdellium tools 948) or narrow (like Bdellium tools 947). If it’s narrow, it can reach small areas of the face, otherwise “the large” one is usually a common width for a liquid foundation brush.

Another version of this same brush is angled foundation brush like Japonesque (on top right). This brush is designed with a tapered edge to precisely reach areas on the face like around the eyes or around the nose. All these brushes are flat in order to smear evenly the creamy/liquid product.

Pointed foundation brush

is a modern version of the foundation brush that has been designed from Adesign. This brush is designed like the previous one to reach different parts of the face and it has also quite short bristles which is especially fine for under eye areas, chin and nose. Adesign as well as EcoTools and some other brands have launched also the pointed kabuki brush. The difference from the flat pointed is its 3-dimensional shape and so it’s ideal when used with cream and liquid based products because it blends perfectly the foundation with no strokes left on the face. You also have more control when applying the product.

Stippling brush

or “duo-fiber brush” is quite a new generation and concept of foundation brush in comparison with the classic foundation brush. Many brands include them now in their collections not just because is great for applying foundation, but is also very good for applying all creamy products like primers, cream blushes, cream highlighter,…With this brush you achieve a flawless airbrushed look thanks to the mix of two fibers: natural (black color) and synthetic(white color). The technique for using this brush is called stippling, which in Fine Arts means to apply paint, powder, etc., (to something) with many light dabs. Usually, with this brush you apply the foundation (or other liquid products) with tapping/dabbing it gently into the skin without doing any strokes. You literally paint the face with some kind of dots. Even the cruelty-free brands have designed their eco-friendly duo-fiber brushes versions that work as well as the original version mixed with natural hair. They have 2 different types of synthetic hair (one is softer, the other is more stiff) which allows a perfect result. I really love the Bdellium Tools green bamboo line where they have some amazing duo-fiber brushes.

NOTE: Attention, don’t mess with duo-fiber synthetic brushes that are just colored with 2 colors. This is not a duo-fibre brush! Duo-fiber brush has 2 different types of fibers which you can see and feel.

Buffing brush

One of the latest versions of brushes is also the buffing brush, which has evolved lately, along with the expansion of mineral make-up. On the picture you can see an example from EcoTools, where the brush is very dense with a conical shape. It has quite a large and flat surface to blend and buff the product into the skin. Originally, this brush is meant to apply powder products, but I also love to use it for applying liquid foundation. It works great, because it literally buffs the foundation on the skin, leaving a flawless smooth skin and a natural look.

This is the entire range of different make-up brushes for applying liquid foundation.

Which foundation brush to choose?

As I mentioned before, these are the main shapes that vary from brand to brand in parameters such as density, width, shape, length and type of fibers. However, the choice which one to choose is not really easy for a beginner. I’d say to try before different shapes at least in the shop. Examine how do you feel the touch, how does it works, do you feel it’s too soft or too rigid, do you prefer a large or a narrow brush, which depends even on the size of your face (larger/smaller areas)? The choice of the brush depends also on the type of foundation you use. If you use dense almost creamy liquid foundations then I recommend brushes that are stiffer, otherwise you cannot pick, smear and blend the product good. Contrary, if you use light foundations (like HD generation) then a stippling brush or a smaller foundation brush with normal fibers (not to soft not too stiff) will do a great work.

Hope it was helpful and that everyone who is looking for a new liquid foundation brush will find its own!

How to: Apply eyeliner – part 2

May 28, 2012 / How to, Make-up, Makeup / 0 comment

eyeliner

In this post I’ll answer to many of you who are having troubles with applying eyeliner. This is the 2nd part of the post where I will explain you practical tips to learn how to apply your eyeliner and have fun. I know many of you struggle with eyeliner and are even afraid of it, but I can assure you that with some practice you can master to draw your wings, too 🙂

How to apply the eyeliner?

1. Don’t panic and don’t be frightened before you even start! Your fear will not bring you fun during the process, nor a sexy and confident look 🙂

2. Don’t think that you should draw the entire line with one brush stroke. It’s really not the case. Instead, especially if you are a beginner, draw the line and the wing first with an eye pencil. You will have a guideline and you can also adjust the wings by correcting them if they are not symmetrical. Take a q-tip and correct, really easy. With a q-tip and a make-up remover you can correct even the wing of liquid eyeliner if needed. You see, there is a solution to everything!

3. Apply the eyeliner with small strokes and with a light hand.

4. If your hands are shaking, lean your elbow on the table, or on a surface to keep it steady.

5. If you use liquid eyeliner shake it well before use, so that you won’t have a dry tip of the brush. The line should be liquid and smooth.

6. When applying any kind of eyeliner (liquid/gel/cake), draw first the line along the upper lash line and then also the wing (step 1,2). After having drawn the rough guideline, start to smooth the line and fill in the gaps between the lashes (it’s not good to see gaps of skin between the eyelashes) and design the triangle between the wing and the line (step 3). Finally, fill in the triangle with the eyeliner and connect all together.

7. If you choose to draw your line with a pencil, choose an appropriate pencil for the line you want to create. If you like a really thin line into your lashes, then choose a harder pencil and sharpen it good. This will help to create a precise line. If you want a thicker line or a smudged mysterious look, then choose a softer pencil, a kohl or a kajal because they are soft.

8. If you apply a gel eyeliner or you create an eyeliner from your pigments/eyeshadow, then choose a brush that will help you draw the line you want. Especially for the beginners I suggest using a thin and precise angled brush. This will also help to design the wing easily. If your line will be thick you can use a pointed tip brush (see top picture). It allows to smooth the line very well. See more about eyeliner brushes in my previous post.

9. Some tips for different eye shapes: If your eyes are round and big then extend the line out more and wear it quite thick. This will give you an exotic look and will elongate your eyes in an almond shape. If you have small eyes, with a hooded eyelid avoid a thick line, it will close your eyes and make them even smaller. If your eyes look sad (=corners of the eyes turned down), start to draw your wing upward a few millimeters (1-2) before the upper eyelid ends. Otherwise you will emphasize even more the droopiness. The eyes have to look lifted and not turned down.

10. Have fun even with colored eyeliners. If you have brown eyes and tanned skin try with a deep green or an electric blue for instance.

What kind of eyeliner do I choose?

It depends on the look, texture and thickness of the line you want. Try first to draw a line on your hand with different types of eyeliner and different brushes to see and feel how the line looks like and how it glides on the skin. After experimenting decide what you want to achieve and wear.

These are my tips and tricks regarding the eyeliner. If you have to ask anything else about the eyeliner feel free to comment and share your thoughts 🙂

photo credits: Boris Gorjan, make-up Dasha Grozdanic

How to: Apply eyeliner – part 1

May 16, 2012 / How to, Make-up, Makeup, Makeup brushes / 0 comment

One of the most seen trends on catwalks this spring was the eyeliner in different shapes and textures. I decided to write a post in 2 parts to explain you the eyeliner tips & tricks.
Before we discuss the technique of applying the eyeliner (that will follow in the 2nd part of the post), I’d like to present you the tools that you need to create the winged line and explain some different shapes of eyeliner.
Probably, the most copied and inspiring eyeliner style is from the 60’s, worn by the famous fashion icon Brigitte Bardot. Who is not inspired by the black and sexy looking cat eyes… This trend was reinvented in fashion so many times and is still one of the favorites even in nowadays trends. I especially like when the wings are drawn in different ways, styles and thickness and also with different types of eyeliner. So let’s start from the beginning 🙂
Here are some examples from 2012 spring runaways where different designers incorporated the eyeliner in their look in many different ways. I like very much colored or shimmer liners, which are really fine for a disco party and they give a fresh and youthful look. While the classic black and matte shape à la Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s is more appropriate for sophisticated events and it speaks all about elegance. But when the same black matte line is drawn in a different way, extended out and drawn even around the lower lid, it can look very sexy with rock’n’roll allure. For a natural day look you can choose even a brown version of eyeliner, especially for light skin and eyes. Before creating your look, you have to decide which eyeliner style do you feel that day 🙂

I have chosen many eyeliner looks to show you the difference and understand how the line and texture of the eyeliner change the appearance. For instance, on the Jean Paul Gaultier runway the gel eyeliner was used around both eye lids and smudged to create a “messy” look.

How can I wear the eyeliner?

That is one of the most frequent questions when deciding which style of make-up we want to wear. My answer is yes, anyone can wear the eyeliner, but not every eye shape can wear every shape and thickness of line. That depends on the shape of your eyes and overall features of the face. For instance, if your eyes are small with a hidden upper eyelid, the thick black winged line around the eyes won’t suit you the best, cause it will make your eyes even smaller. Take a look at the picture below to see how the shape and thickness of the line affects and change the shape of the eyes:

Tools needed for applying the eyeliner and different types of eyeliner

When talking about eyeliners usually we have in mind the liquid eyeliner with a small incorporated brush that is a “nightmare-to-apply” for many women 🙂 Fortunately, this is not the only option and the greatest news is that you can choose between different types of eyeliner and you don’t necessarily have to use the incorporated brush to apply the eyeliner. You just need some skills and practice to do it well. But most of all, don’t be afraid of it, otherwise the result will really be a mess!

There are different forms of eyeliner:

Liquid eyeliner (it can be with a brush wand or with a more handy sponge wand)

Cake eyeliner (you have to apply it with a wet brush and you have more control about it) – on the top picture from Nvey eco

Gel eyeliner (usually they are waterproof and they also glide smoothly on the eyes)

Mineral powder (you have to apply it with a wet brush and is similar to cake eyeliner, the pro is that you can create as many colors as you want)

…and there are different shapes of brushes to apply eyeliner

from left to right:

1. small angled brush
2. extra fine narrow pointed eyeliner brush
3. extra fine narrow pointed eyeliner brush with bent head
4. flat brush
5. eyeliner brush with tapered tip

Check here the review of Bdellium makeup brushes from the green line.

This is the first part of my post (more “technically” oriented). Stay tuned for the 2nd part where we will change the theory in practice 🙂

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