Tag Archives: eyebrows

Eye Shape Series: Small Eyes

As a makeup artist, my favorite feature to play up is definitely the eyes. I’m often asked what’s the best way to enhance and create the perfect peepers. It’s more than just swiping on shadow. Following are some tips to play up small eyes. And in the next three posts, we’ll explore tips for complementing big eyes, opening up hooded eyes and bringing out deep-set eyes.

Nia Long and Taylor Swift have small eyes.

HOW TO ENHANCE SMALL EYES

1. Trace powder or gel liner close to top lash lines, then lightly smudge. If you prefer liquid liner, make sure it’s not too dark or it will look harsh. Don’t encase eyes fully or you’ll close them up even more. I like: MAC Blacktrack Fluidline.

2. To make eyes seem larger, dab highlighter in the inner and outer corners of the eyes and right below your brow bone. I like: Senna Spot Lites Highlighting Pencil

3. Curl lashes before applying mascara for extra lift. I like: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler; ARTISTRY Total Mascara

Next: How to complement big eyes

Diva Tweeze

Your tweezers just got a makeover and they’re steppin’ out in style. These fun, fashionable tweezers definitely caught my eye. Too cute!! Each tweezer is $6.99 and decked out like a cute fashionista! The slanted tips are surgical grade stainless steel and precisely aligned to grab hair every time. Raquel and Layla are my favs, which diva are you loving? Check them out here.

Congrats to Kim, winner of the ON Makeup magazine giveaway.

Product Review: Shu Uemura Eyebrow Gel

I spent a lot of time with Shu Uemura’s Eyebrow Gel since ordering it in August and was excited about the concept. If you missed my previous writeup, click here. I initially ordered seal brown since I had dyed my hair, but the color was not what I was expecting. It was an ashy brown (not the reddish brown I was hoping for) and it looked chalky on my brows. So I exchanged it for forest black. I’m still not in love with the color (it’s more of a grayish black). I used a small angled brow brush to apply the gel. Shu Uemura also recommends their natural badger brush, but for $29, my small angled brow brush was just fine. The gel has a fine, smooth texture but kinda clumps and crumbles. I used short, feathery strokes when applying as if mimicking actual brow hairs. The color payoff is sheer, almost too sheer in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like overly drawn in, hard-looking brows, but you have to layer this product to build color so it takes extra steps. The only thing I liked about this gel is its staying power. It’s not going anywhere! It’s waterproof and resistant to sebum. I have oily skin so it stood up to that. Again, the concept is great, but it didn’t outperform my tried-and-true method of enhancing brows: a fine-point brow pencil, translucent powder and clear mascara. I’ll stick with that.

Blended Beauté rating: winks

Transitioning Your Makeup from Summer to Fall

Fall is officially here and the season for barely-there makeup is over! Put your best face forward with a few tips to transition your look.

FOUNDATION If you love your tinted moisturizer like I do, then you’ll be glad to know that Fall 2009 makeup trends are calling on us to continue using it, but adding a soft layer of translucent powder. Sheer foundation makeup looks more natural, evening out the skin tone only where needed. You may also consider switching to a high-definition makeup for a lightweight, oil-free base that perfects the skin while still looking natural.

EYES Your eye makeup is another way to change from a summer makeup look to a fall/winter look. Draw inspiration from the earth and forests. Neutral tones in the brown family are always safe, but this season’s palettes are rocking more intriguing color combos. Go bold with moss greens, luxurious golds, blues and grays, and purples. Think colorful, yet smokey eyes. “Refined, lined and exquisitely intense,” according to MAC.

EYEBROWS Natural-looking eyebrows have been a mainstay over the last few seasons, and they continue to be a strong trend for Fall 2009. One of my favorite tools for creating a natural brow is the ARTISTRY brow define pencil. It has a very fine point and when combined with short, quick strokes makes brows look super natural. No need to sharpen, this unique twist-up pencil keeps a perfect point after every use. Follow up with grooming gel to keep unruly or long eyebrows in place.

CHEEKS and LIPS Bye bye bronzer, sheer cheek tints and barely-there lips. Fall makeup calls for contoured, almost chiseled cheekbones and dramatic, full lips. Consider using two colors of blush when contouring the cheeks. One that is one or two shades darker than the skin tone to brush just under the cheekbone, and a soft, rosy hue to add a touch of color to the apple of the cheek. Not sure how to create a strong lip for fall? Here’s a great how-to video that will get you ready to pucker up. Popular lip colors for the season include plum, berry, and wine shades, as well as muted reds.

Need more inspiration for the season? Then, take a cue from MAC so your fall face is fashion forward:

“If there’s one thing that Autumn/Winter09 makeup is about it’s a point of view. And a point of power. We’re past a point of girlish innocence and barely-there makeup, especially in a season where beauty is working alongside fashion that holds no bars in terms of brazen styling and attitude. Artists are talking about ‘emotive makeup’, and the spirit they are channeling is that of a woman who’s upbeat, in charge and in control. The main energy? Eighties. Hence, Artists found their way [during this year's international Autumn/Winter collection] to ultra-amplified lips and exuberant hues on the eyes and an underground clubby elegance to black eye makeup but also the more nuanced side of the era, picking up on the contoured, carved face that dominated the decade or the satinized perfection and couture feel that moved makeup into the early Nineties. Speaking of technique, what’s back is one of absolute precision and accuracy. “Whatever the final look this season, it was always pretty obvious that the girl was wearing a structured, deliberate makeup” says Gordon Espinet. So, five minute makeup is over, for now. Time to roll out those brushes and get perfecting….”

Get Your Brows Growing Again

I received a brow question from a Blended Beauté reader that I wanted to spotlight as I’m sure others may wonder about this too:

Q: What do you recommend for growth of fragile eyebrows?

This is a great question and to answer it, I reached out to celebrity eyebrow specialist and makeup artist Elke Von Freudenberg. Elke knows brows which she also writes about in her blog, The Brow Blog. She sent Blended Beauté some great advice and tips to get your brows growing again.

A: “First thing to do is avoid all waxing since waxing can make the roots of the brow hair weaker, [thus] making the brows less likely to grow back. Usually the thinner and the lighter the brow color, the weaker the root. So care must be taken to keep as much brow hair as possible [because] brow growth slows as we get older. One way to tell if your brows are less likely to grow in as you get older, is the “pull” test. As you tweeze a hair, if the hair removes without any resistance, then your brows are more likely to fade as you get older. If you tweeze, and you have to tug and pull a bit to get the hair to pull out, your brows will most likely grow back quicker and faster. The thicker and the darker the brow hair, the more likely your brows will grow back, no matter how much you tweeze or pull.

Elke at work on a client's brows.

To get brows growing in, you need to get circulation going into the roots, much like brushing your hair. Take an old toothbrush and scrub your eyebrows nightly. Do enough so that the skin around the brows is a little pink, but not so rough that you brush and pull the hairs out.  Do every night for about 2 weeks and you’ll notice brows growing back in. If there’s any bit of root left, or you’re in between growth cycles, this speeds up the growth and you’ll see results in 2-3 weeks. Best part is, where you brush is exactly where the brow grows, so no waiting only to have hairs grow back where you don’t need them.

Another way to get brows looking thicker and fuller is to check with a magnifying glass to see if there are any very light or fine hairs. Tinting those hairs darkens them and makes the brows look fuller and thicker. Just make sure to go to a professional licensed esthetician who is trained in tinting brows to get the right shade for you. A lot of the times, brows are really thicker than you think they are, it’s just that you don’t see it because the hairs are so light.”

Thanks Elke!

Have a makeup or beauty question that you’d like to have answered? Email blendedbeaute@gmail.com or complete the form below with your question, and it will be featured in a future blog.

Face Time with Senna Cosmetics – Part 2

Now that you know about Senna Cosmetics’ great brow, primer and highlighting products, let’s get more up close and personal with some of their other fab items. Double your pleasure, double your fun with Double Effect Creamline Powder Duo Palette ($40). Rock a cat-eye fast and easy with a rich metallic eye lining cream on one side and a harmonizing metallic eye powder on the other. The mirrored compact includes three Creamline Powder Duos in Black Magic (deep black), Orchid Magic (blackened metallic plum) and Java (rich coffee brown) and two brushes. I prefer full-sized brushes, but the mini brushes are doable for on the go. Love how the cream liner glides over lids, giving a well-defined and softly matte finish that lasts. And the matching eye shadows are brilliant and pretty. Here is one way you can work this compact cutie, which has become a Blended Beauté fave:

“Line around the rim with the precise angled brush, then over line it with powder for budge proof, runway-looking eyes. Smoke it out using the shadow brush and the powder up to the crease.”

I was impressed with Senna’s eye shadows ($16.50) which come in various finishes: matte, sheer, sparkling and metallic. They are super blendable and richly pigmented. I played around with metallics Lynx (deep copper brown), Malachite (vivid metallic blue green), pictured, and Masquerade (reflective royal purple). Also sheer Champagne (soft peach champagne) would look great on many skin tones.

I’m still blushing over Cheeky Blush ($19) because the formula is amazing! Powders can be dry and creams fade fast, but this product combines the best of both worlds. It gives you the lively glow of a cream with the lasting power of a powder. Just dab and go. I tried Geranium (fresh coral pink). Senna’s regular blush powder didn’t disappoint either. Silky. Smooth. Easy to blend. Get dolled up with Dollface (warmed pink matte). The blushes are available in three different finishes for the effect you want. Sheer Matte gives a velvety opaque look. Sheer Glow adds radiance. Sheer Sparkling has micro pigments that reflect light.

Perfect your pout with lip liners, lipsticks and lip lacquers. Senna’s lip liners ($17) have a lovely texture that gives the right balance of softness and firmness for easy application and precise definition. And they don’t smudge easily. Watch out for their triple threat sheer lipsticks ($18). They condition, hydrate and protect. I puckered up to Rosette (natural brown rose), Nova (glistening peach) and Glint (warm pink). The colors are fresh and lively, and my lips felt soft and smooth thanks to Jojoba and Avocado. And it’s good to know there’s SPF 15 to protect them from damaging UV rays. Lastly, the lip lacquers ($19) make you want to eat them! They have a super delicious vanilla flavor that is yummy. I like Bling Bling (golden), pictured, Cosmo (sparkling coral pink) and Zest (opalescent peachy pink). Serious gloss lovers will like these full-bodied lacquers which also contain Vitamin E and Jojoba. They are a bit sticky for my taste, but they do last and there are plenty of rich colors and finishes (pearl, cream, sheer, sparkling) to choose from.

I’m definitely sold on Senna!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• Face Time with Senna Cosmetics – Part 1, click here.

Face Time with Senna Cosmetics – Part 1

I’d never heard of Senna Cosmetics but am glad the PR rep contacted Blended Beauté about their products. I spent the last few weeks testing them out, using them on myself and clients, and there are definitely several worth mentioning (and adding to my makeup kit) so this will be a two-part feature.

Silky Primer ($38) is a great primer and it really is silky! It’s sheer, oil-free and makes your skin smooth so your foundation glides on, blends easily and stays put. I tried it under a liquid, cream and powder foundation and it works. Want to make dry, rough lips silky and smooth too? Reach for Lip Love ($15). It’s ultra moisturizing with Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, and Chamomile to soothe and hydrate; and Vitamin E to protect and repair. And its texture is just right so lip liner and lipstick glide on like butter. It has a slight scent which I inquired about. According to the company, Lip Love has no added fragrance, so the slight scent is from the key moisturizing ingredients mentioned above.

Senna has great brow products to whip any type of brow into shape. From unruly or over-tweezed to faint or “weird,” they’ve got you covered. Brow Definer ($18) is amazing! It’s a clear pomade that you mix with brow powder color to add instant definition and texture to your brows. It really intensifies your brow color too while keeping them natural-looking. Then there’s Brow Fix ($18), a brow gel that

“plumps up brow hairs with a hint of invisible fiber for the thickest looking brows ever.”

I didn’t notice any plumping with the Clear, but it certainly tames unruly hairs and gives brows a polished look. Brow Fix also comes in Golden Brown and Taupe.

I like the concept of the Form-A-Brow® Kit ($43), complete with colors and tools for you to do your own brow upkeep right at home. With big brows being the trend (penciled in, texturized, bushy, but always shaped) the stencils are a great guide to maintaining your brows so no worries of over-tweezing. Suggestion: Get your brows shaped first. The kit contains:

• 1 Form-A-Brow mirrored compact
• 3 brow powder colors to mix for the most natural hue
• 2 Mini brow brushes for coloring and blending brows naturally
• 4 Brow-shaping stencils: Fine, Natural, Full and Xtra Full for shaping brows
• 5 Instructions

And I’m really feeling Spot Lites double ended highlighter pencil ($22). Use the soft pearly champagne or pearly pinked cream to brighten eyes, cheekbones, upper lip, brow bone and eyelids. And you can get a FREE Duo Pencil Sharpener with any Spot Lites Pencil purchase.

Don’t miss part II of Face Time with Senna Cosmetics where I’ll share more about their eyeshadows, blushes, lip colors and liners and my favorite Duo Effect Creamline Powder compact (LOVE IT!!).

Shu Uemura Eye Brow Gel

You gotta love Shu Uemura for continually introducing revolutionary products to the beauty market. One of their newest, Eye Brow Gel, recently launched and truly has my brows raised.

I love natural, elegant brows and this product aims to deliver both in a unique gel formula. Here’s more about it:

“Eyebrow Gel creates a subtle, long-lasting color tint for beautiful results. Powder eye brow makeup gives great coverage, but it can  look unnatural. The unique formula of shu uemura’s Eye Brow Gel gives the coverage of a powder, but is almost undetectable. Its fine and smooth texture glides into the gaps of each brow hair, filling the brows with sheer color.”

Eye brow Gel is waterproof, resistant to sebum, and reportedly has a long-lasting finish that stays perfect all day. The gel comes in five colors from lighter sheer color to deep defining shades: light brown, hazel brown, acorn brown, seal brown and forest black. Visit Shu Uemura here to get a better look at the colors.

I ordered seal brown as I recently dyed my hair and think black might be too dark. I can’t wait to try it out. Stay tuned!

In the spirit of great-looking brows, I’ve also been testing and trying products from several companies including Senna, Natural Born, Face Atelier and Steelo. So keep following Blended Beauté and see which products get our wink of approval.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• Show and Tell: Ardell Brow Shaping Kit, click here.
• Beauté Spotlight: Shu Uemura Partial Cross Lashes, click here.
• Lash Out, click here.

There’s still time to take advantage of ARTISTRY’s Love It campaign before it ends TODAY at midnight. Visit our online store here for great skin care and makeup offers.

August ARTISTRY Specials Ending Soon!

One of my favorite makeup and skin care lines is ARTISTRY® because it’s formulated to make your skin look and feel its best. From TIME DEFIANCE® skin care that fights the visible signs of aging to Essentials makeup in universally flattering shades, it’s a great brand with great products. ARTISTRY has been running the Love It campaign since May 1st with awesome promotions on its skin care and makeup. The Love It concept is simple: Try any product and if you don’t love it, they’ll refund your money. Period. The campaign ends August 31st, so there’s still time to take advantage of  some recession-proof deals.

MINIMUM INVESTMENT, MAXIMUM CARE Great skin starts with exfoliation and ends with protection. This is what ARTISTRY essentials Skin Care Systems (Hydrating/Balancing) deliver — with a cleanser to exfoliate, a toner to energize skin, and a lotion to protect against the signs of premature aging. Three steps, three products, instant results. I use the Balancing System and my skin is better because of it. And now, when you order a full-size essentials Skin Care System, above, ($47) you can get a limited-edition ARTISTRY water bottle, below, for $3.99. The water bottle is an exclusive, limited-edition item featuring original ARTISTRY artwork. As fashionable as it is functional, this earth-sensitive aluminum bottle is completely reusable and recyclable. Holds 24 fl. oz. and features a plastic twist-off cap with a handy finger hook to carry anywhere. It is sooo cute! Visit our online store here to take advantage of this offer.

MAKEUP MADE EASY Created for the woman on the go, the Essentials Makeup Kit ($59), below, has everything you need to create an up-to-date look for the fading days of summer or the approaching fall season in one chic bag. I adore this kit because the shades are flattering on all skin tones. It’s a foolproof palette that will have you looking your very best. It’s a great emergency bridal kit; take it on the honeymoon too. In a hurry to do your makeup? Swirl, sweep, pucker and go with this customized cutie. It includes a mineral foundation, concealer, colour quad (eye shadows and blush), lip shine, mascara, and face and eyeliner brushes. If this isn’t makeup made easy, then I don’t know what is. Order any Essentials kit (in Light, Medium or Dark) and get an essentials Skin Care System Travel Set for just $5. Visit our online store here to make face in minutes.

WATCH THE YEARS DISAPPEAR Reverse the visible signs of aging with the Time Defiance Skin Care System ($166.95), below. Time Defiance offers two skin care systems (combination-to-oily and normal-to-dry) with patent-pending age-reversal technology for younger-acting, younger-looking skin. The system delivers astonishing results including improvement in visible fine lines and wrinkles, and skin firmness, smoothness and luminosity. And now, when you order either system, get a Vitamin C+Wild Yam Treatment for $19 — that’s half off the regular price. Beautiful skin can be yours. What are you waiting for?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

• We All Scream for Eye Cream, click here.
• A Stroke of Genius, click here.
  
• Punch up Your Pucker, click here.

Show and Tell: Ardell Brow Shaping Kit

Don’t have time to get to your regular brow guru? The Ardell Brow Shaping Kit ($4.99) claims to offer a quick, simple, effective treatment at home. Too good to be true? I had to try it for myself. The kit comes with an apple pear cold wax (that doesn’t need to be heated), after wax Azulene Oil to calm the skin and help stop redness, and 10 muslin strips. This kit was okay. I liked the no-heat formula. I waxed my friend’s eyebrows and it did cleanly remove the hair. And because the gel is water soluble, it was easy to remove any residue. Loved the pleasing apple-pear fragrance of the wax also. I wasn’t in love with the dispensing tube. It was awkward applying the wax. And don’t squeeze too hard so as not to get wax where you don’t want it. I think I’ll wait for my regular brow guru next time.

Blended Beauté rating: 1/2 Winks