Beauty Blog

The other day a friend told me she could live without any cosmetics but her lipgloss, which I found funny since I almost never sport the stuff. It did get me thinking, though, about my makeup drawer, which is over-stuffed despite the fact that I only use a fraction of its contents. I would, of course, never throw any of it out because who knows when the perfect occasion for teal eyeshadow might arise? It could happen.

At the same time, I don’t think I could narrow it down to any one product–I have a few major makeup loves/dependencies. I’m sure I’ve mentioned all of them at one time or another. Here’s the rundown:

Lorac aquaPrime ($30) is, hands down, my favorite primer because it’s very light and super effective. I am about to get hooked up with the new liquid primer from Smashbox, though, so we’ll see if I stay devoted to Lorac. I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve been a satisfied user of Revlon ColorStay foundation for a long time now, and I don’t see myself giving up on it any time soon.  I really love the new Soft Flex line in the dry skin formula, since the older I get the dryer my skin gets.

Oh, Lorac Sheer Wash ($17.50), how do I love thee.  Honestly, I don’t think any other cheek stain even sort of compares in terms of color or endurance. It’s like instant pretty.

I feel like I’ve done a thousand posts about Clinique True Bronze Bronzer.  I guess I just can’t say enough about it.  I ran out recently and started using some free junk I had in that stuffed up drawer, and that mistake has made me love my Clinique even more. If that’s possible.

I am of the opinion that loose powder is loose powder, and you shouldn’t blow a lot of money on it. I’m using Cover Girl ($10.27) right now because it was on sale at CVS, so it’s more the category of translucent powder that I can’t live without more than any brand.

Oh Almay ($13.65), my friend, what would I do without you (when did this post turn into an ode?!)?  Like I said in my recent “how to” post about liquid eyeliner, Almay makes the grade.  My only advice is to break in the wand on your hand before your first use because it’s just too pointy to be affective right out of the package.

Just like the rest of the world, I love Amy Winehouse, and I really love her Ronnie Spector winged eye and big hair look. But, let’s face it, it’s not exactly a style you can sport everyday unless you are, in fact, Amy Winehouse. Yet, that black eyeliner of hers has inspired lots of girls to go the way of the liquid liner with varying success, and I want to help.

Not to toot my own, but I do consider myself a bit of an aficionado when it comes to liquid eyeliner application. I’ve been wearing it since high school, and I’ve learned a few truths on the subject. It’s not as hard as it seems, here are some tips on creating a well-lined eye:

1. Always do your eyes last, so you can balance them out with the rest of your makeup. Remember: for daytime, a strong eye should be balanced with less makeup overall.
2. Pat a little translucent powder on your eyelids to absorb any moisture. It will help the application go smoother and also keep the liner from fading later.
3. If you’re a beginner, I suggest a wand eyeliner like Almay Liquid Liner ($13.65), which is a personal favorite of mine. The wand is a lot like a pointed felt tip marker–it can be a little too pointy at first, but after a week, it’ll dull a bit and be easier to use. Always swipe a little on your arm first to make sure there are no clumps.

4. Use your fingers (on the hand your not using to apply the liner) to pull your eyelid flat. The goal is to eliminate creases along the lash line, which can cause turbulence and frustration.

5. Tilt your head back a little and apply as close to the lash line as humanly possible, otherwise you get a weird blank space.

6. Always start from the inside and stroke outward in one fell swoop. Don’t try to do it in portions, just go for it–it’s silly, but it’s all about believing in yourself.

7. When you get to the end of the lashes, go slightly upward. Remember, the more drama you want, the more distinct the angle should be.

8. If you mess up at the end, don’t fret, just use a cue tip or tissue with a teeny bit of gentle lotion or makeup remover to remove the wing. Then just try again. If the whole line is a mess, wipe it all off and start all over.

9. Give it a week or two, it’ll get easier. Now, I do it on autopilot.

Click here to see more liquid liners.