Eye Primers and etc ^_^

When I started with makeup, I was so into eyeshadows. I didn't know any better and I always wondered why my eyeshadow fades within 30 minutes of application.  It has always been a problem. It took me awhile to realize that I was skipping an important step in my makeup application. I wasn't putting any primer or base on my eyelids.

What is an eye primer?
-Eye primer is a base that you put on your lids prior to eyeshadow application to even out the skintone, makes the eyeshadow last longer and some claim that it makes the color of the eyeshadow more vibrant and true to its color.

Its purpose is plain and simple right? But the number of different kinds of eye primer available in the market can be a bit overwhelming when you're trying to find the right one that works for you.

Studio Gear shadow primer $15.50

L'Oreal De-Crease Eye Shadow Base $7.99

Neutrogena Skin Smoothing Eye Tints Eyeshadow Primer $8.99

Amazing Cosmetics Eyeshadow Primer $16.00

Pur Minerals Mineral Eye Prep $17.00

ULTA eye primer

$12.00

Paula Dorf Eye Primer $25.00

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer $17.00

Sally Hansen Fast Fix Eyeshadow Base $7.99

Benefit Cosmetics Lemon-Aid $20.00

Pop Beauty Eye Magnet Primer $18.00

CARGO OneBase From: $24.00

CARGO EyeBase $20.00

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer $20.00

Aromaleigh

Cinema Secrets eye primer $14.99

ULTA Eye base $6.50


Mary Kay eye primer $12.00


 Mac Prep and Prime Eye $16.50

Urban Decay Primer Potion $16.00
my very first eye primer

I'm pretty sure these are all great products. On the other hand, I've tried some of them and it just didn't work for me. I've tried Urban Decay primer potion, Too Faced shadow insurance and Mac's Prep and Prime eye. Even with a tiny amount blended evenly on the lids, It still didn't work. Creasing of eyeshadows occured within an hour or two.

But I found out a product that has been sitting in my makeup kit that works so well as an eye primer. My liquid concealer!! Yes, it actually works!

A photo of my eye lid. Its oily and the skintone is uneven.

I like to use Almay line smoothing concealer for its creamy texture and anti aging properties. This can be found at any drugstore.You can also use a liquid foundation.

I love the wand applicator.

I simply apply an efficient amount on my lid

I blend it carefully with my finger. Never tug! Tugging and pulling causes wrinkles.

I use my favorite face powder (Mark's powder buff) or you can use a translucent powder and apply it on top of the concealer.

The powder will set the concealer in place.

It's done. I just created a smooth and crease free canvas for my eyeshadows.

Keep in mind that we all have different eyelids so this may or may not work for you. This is what works for me and I like to share it with all of you ^_^

What is your eye primer??

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!

Headliner Vegan Leather Crop Jacket

OMFG...

Fellow Philadelphia blogger Lilliana (over at Cheap Chicas) just tipped me off to this GORGEOUS faux leather studded jacket. And brace yourself...it's only $70!

Buy it now at lulus.com.

Halloween Face of the Day

Even though I don't have fun plans this Halloween (aside from cheering on my Phillies in Game 3 of the World Series), I decided to have a little fun with my makeup. Here's the recipe:

1) Apply Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer to moisturized face
2) Apply Make Up For Ever HD Foundation using the Beautyblender sponge
3) Using short strokes, use Diorshow Brow Styler to fill in brows
4) Apply Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Original) to entire lid and to under lower lash line
5) Using MAC 242 Shader Brush, apply a nude, matte eyeshadow (one that matches your eyelid) to lid - from lash line to brow bone; I used MAC Soft Brown
6) Line the top inner rim of the eye with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
7) Using Zero Eye Pencil, line the upper lash line - curving the line at the outer corner - to create a "cat eye"
8) Using Stila #7 Precision Crease Brush, apply the darker shade from MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo in Midnight Madness to the crease and outer corner of the eye
9) Blend the eyelid using MAC 217 Blending Brush
10) Using MAC 266 Small Angle Brush, line the lower lash line with MAC Paint Pot in Delft
11) Apply MAC Pigment in Teal on top of the Paint Pot line, using MAC 219 Pencil Brush
12) Blend the lower lash line using MAC 217 Blending Brush
13) Coat upper lashes with Lancome Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black

14) Apply MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Cheeky Bronze to cheekbones using EcoTools Bamboo Powder Brush
15) Apply Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Nude Almond to lips
16) Apply MAC Dazzleglass in Phiff! on top of lipstick

Happy Halloween! Go Phillies!

PS - Just in case you were wondering...yes, I'm wearing the H&M beret I raved about the other day.

PPS - If you have a pic of your Halloween makeup, I'd love to see it and , possibly, post it. Email me.

Crystalled Lime

Just a quick look I did using the 88 palette, MAC Crystalled Lime glitter and some green stars:






Product List:
MAC Bare Canvas, Zoeva 88 Mattes palette, green stars, MAC Crystalled Lime glitter, MAC #2 lashes, Manhattan JT, Red Cherry lower lashes

THANK YOU, and some final thoughts-- Blog Sale (2)

Thanks everyone for participating! I've removed the pictures and edited the post as all items have sold :)

It seems that most of you really enjoy these blog sales! Seeing as this is my second one, I found it interesting to see several repeat buyers :) I'm glad you guys liked it enough the first time to come back for more!
Honestly, I do these sales to kind of give back to you guys. Yes, you're paying me for my products I'm selling, but I enjoy being able to sell things to people I know will really appreciate it --usually at half the cost I paid.
I've never been much of a "cleaner outer" -- especially of makeup products-- but with an overflowing personal collection of beauty products, I've gotten a little more realistic with what I need to keep :) Obviously I love everything I sold or I wouldn't have bought it-- I've just realized that I don't need 4 of the same exact shade you know? haha So we both win! And since my blog readers/twitter followers/subscribers are very near and dear to my heart, it makes me happy to pack up my once beloved little items and send them off to someone that I have a connection to and who will enjoy it as much as I did :)

Ok enough rambling! Thanks so much for everything everyone! all the support means so much to me -- not just with the blog sale, but all your support over these past 15 months has meant the world to me. I appreciate every single one of you!

Another blog sale could be coming in December so start saving lovelies!! ;)

**OH and all items paid for (which I think all of you other than I think 2 people have) will be sent out tomorrow afternoon (Monday, Nov. 2nd) or Tuesday morning at the latest!

Make-up Trend: Dark Smoky Black Eyeliner

On the cover of November's issue of Harper's Bazaar India Suzanne Roshan's smoky eyes popped right out. The look consists of well-applied bronzy and gold shadow, but it's her liner that stands out the most. Choose a super-creamy black pencil and draw directly over your lash line working from the inner corner outwards. Glide the pencil along the inner rim of your bottom lid for a sultry and very sexy finish.

Rec: Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Onyx

Vimi Joshi for Fashion Expo Arabia Show Day 3

"To transform any look from daily wear to runway, use M.A.C #7 Lashes and apply M.A.C Carbon Eye Shadow to the base of the lash tips. It's the getting married everyday, but I'm also a bad girl look. Very contoured and sculptural." Vimi Joshi

Skin

M.A.C Studio Sculpt Foundation was applied all over the face. M.A.C DSquared² Sculpt and Shape Powder was then buffed in to set the foundation. In addition to that, M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark, M.A.C Coppertone Blush, M.A.C Pink Swoon Blush and M.A.C Silver Dusk Iridescent Loose Powder were buffed into the cheeks for glowy cheeks.

Eyes

M.A.C Hush Creme Colour Base and M.A.C Sketch Eye Shadow were applied to the eyelids. M.A.C Feline Kohl Power Eye Pencil was used to line the inner and upper rims of the eyes. Lastly, M.A.C Zoom Lash Mascara was applied to the top and bottom eyelashes.

Lips

M.A.C Subculture Lip Pencil was used to line and fill in the lips. M.A.C Enchantress Lipglass and M.A.C Love Nectar Lustreglass were applied to give the lips a shiny, glossy pout.

Alicia Keys World Series Makeup

To get the ball rolling for Game Two of the World Series in the Bronx, Alicia Keys stepped up to the plate with Jay-Z, hitting it out of the park with an "Empire State of Mind" tribute to New York and the Yankees.

Ashunta says, "The inspiration behind Alicia’s look was retro 1980s hip hop Harlem meets Brooklyn – when matching lip color to clothing color was very popular. The eyes were smoldering and the skin bronzed to accent the amazing lip color."

Celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff created a glam look for the superstar which she achieved with the help of some favorite Mary Kay products. To create Alicia’s all-star look, Ashunta Sheriff used:

* Mary Kay Tinted Moisturizer in Beige 2 and Mary Kay Concealer in Beige 2 to get Alicia’s beautiful face looking flawless
* Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Bold Berry and Mary Kay Mineral Bronzing Powder in Dessert Sun to give Alicia’s cheeks a glowing, natural look
* Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Pink Melon and Mary Kay NouriShine Lip Gloss in Pink Diamonds to attain the desired effect on the focal point of the entire look – Alicia’s lips
* Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Raisin on Alicia’s eyes to help accentuate Alicia’s stunning features and natural beauty

The overall affect was a hip hop beauty home run.

MAC Halloween Looks on The Early Show

My MAC pals are on The Early Show, this morning, showing off some super-fierce Halloween makeup looks. I didn't plan on doing anything special or going anywhere for Halloween this year, but these pics have me wanting to try my hand at the zebra look and just crash a party.

For step by step instructions on how to replicate these looks, click here!

Make-up Trend: Rose Gold Eyes

While promoting her new movie, Kurbaan, Kareena Kapoor was spotted with rose-colored lids. Reddish shadow applied too close to the lashes can make you look clown-like. Instead, line your eyes with a subtle gold eye shadow around your entire eye, then add a wash of sheer rose-colored shadow all the way up to the brow bone.

Rec: Duwop Rose Eyes

NYX Round Lipstick and Lipgloss haul.

NYX round lipsticks and lipglosses. Ahhhh!!!! I just love the colors i picked out. More photos and beautiful swatches are in the process ^_^ 

can be purchased at http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/

http://www.cherryculture.com/index.php

I'm feeling a little sick because of the weather change over here in California. On the other hand, these lippies makes me happy.