Eyes

Hello there, ladies! Katie here, your resident Sephora expert!

I want to share a life ambition of mine with you all: One day, I want to have unlimited amounts of money and wear couture clothing every day, shop at Neiman Marcus and never look at price tags, and pretty much just be the it-woman international. Yes, I prefer Dior over Chanel. Prada over Gucci. Gap over Victoria’s Secret. Wait, no...

Nevertheless, I’ve got a plan! and no I am not going to share THAT with you all lest you try to beat me at my own game. However, I can tell you this: I’ve already got the couture makeup looks down pat! This fall Stila Cosmetics was responsible for the fabulous, and very fresh look on the Marchesa runways (pronounced (mar-case-uh)). Think perfect complexion (is that not ALWAYS in style?), matte but brightened eyes, loads of lashes and stained cheeks. Here’s the step by step (all products mentioned are Stila!)

Firstly, EVERYONE needs the Front Row Look palette available at Sephora (3 shadows and a liner for $40). Perfect complexion with a dab of Natural Finish foundation and the Perfecting Concealer. Then,

Step #1: Apply the lightest shade (bouquet) to entire lid. You want to create an even looking base on the lids—think coloring in layers not sweeping on color.

Step # 2: Apply a mix of bouquet and kamet to the lash line on both top and bottom. Lit it softly melt into a beautiful shade of pinks and grays. Blend well.

Step #3: Apply moonlight with a small brush to highlight inner corner, center of eyelid and under the brow.

Step #4: Take the kajal pencil in smoky quartz and apply 3 dots to lower lash line to crease a soft touch of intensity. Apply brown major lash mascara to the roots of top-lashes only and the ends and lower lashes with LOTS of Black MAJOR MAJOR lash mascara.

Step #5: Finish with stained lips and cheeks with two or three layers of cheeks and lips.

I wore this around for a couple of days this week and it’s amazing that matte shadows can give you such a bright-eyed look—especially when you skip the eyeliner but still abusively pile on black mascara. The great thing is the shadows in this palette work really well on the fairest redheads- to darker complexioned women.

Any other couture make-up fans?!

BUY IT HERE here

Cham3377 here to bring you glamor at a bargain price!

One of the songs I would choose to describe my life is Bryan Adams’ “18 ‘Till I Die.” Although I’m now considered middle-aged (Yikes! Did I just type that?), my mind is certain that I am still between the ages of sixteen and twenty. I enjoy all cosmetics, even those targeted for teenagers, and they often work well and can be purchased at more reasonable prices. Sheen is flattering for women of all ages, but careful application is crucial here. In general, less is more as you grow older. Luminous eyeshadow can transform your daily makeup into come-hither glamour. It enhances eyes when used on your brow bone or dabbed lightly in the center of your eye just above your pupil for a “wide-awake” look. Thus, when I heard Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s “Sequin Dust/Sparkling Powder” loose shadows screaming my name as I did my ritual “drugstore dance,” I had no choice but to buy. Hey, when makeup beckons, I obey! I’ve also seen them in dollar stores—the price is unbeatable. The hues offered? Sublime. The products? Disappointing at best.

I was tempted to buy all available shades but settled for four—“Buttercup” (a creamy, rich ecru), “Honey” (delicate taupe), “Sparkling Pink” (a unique blend of pink and lavender), and “Sparkling Sky” (subdued, attractive light blue). The first obstacle was the packaging. They come in a container much like a salt shaker. It’s necessary to puncture holes in the inner plastic lid where indicated and do a good bit of work to get the product out of the jar (a helpful exercise if you’re trying for Madonna-like muscled arms).

Several minutes later, I was finally able to try it. With makeup brush in hand (read: makeup brush, not sponge applicator), I covered my entire lid from lid to brow with the first two hues, testing each separately. It seemed these would serve as a wonderful, lustrous base. The gossamer effect was so extreme that it wasn’t even noticeable, as in eyeshadow, what eyeshadow? The only visible evidence of my using them were the sequin particles that adorned my face from my under eyes to chin. (Suggestion: to avoid this annoyance with any glitter shadows, gently hold a tissue under your eye and against your face while applying so that you don’t have to wash them away or redo makeup.)

All cosmetics are entitled to a fair trial and I decided to add water to intensify the pigment. At first I thought I had created the consummate foiled, holographic eye, but it dried with a cake-like texture. By the time I brushed away the crusty powder, the color disappeared again. Time to see what pink and blue would do . . .

These shades are even more difficult to shake out of the container. Though they are from the same line, the sequin particles are quite coarse and much larger--I looked garish, ready for a Halloween night out in my neighborhood. The lovely shades became invisible, overwhelmed by the particles. Water was no help in making them work. I appeared even more bizarre and clown-like. Mary-Kate and Ashley, these have potential—you’re great with colors, but please work on making them useable. My advice? Unless you’re preparing for your high school prom and are seeking all-out “look-at-me” drama or are Glinda from the Wizard of Oz, avoid, avoid. Pocket the change and treat yourself to lunch instead.

Any other thoughts on Mary Kate and Ashley Eyeshadow?

Champ3377 here with my veryt first DD review! Ladies please chime in!

I’m thrilled to be here (thank you Meg, Kate, and the rest of you truly beautiful women who humble me!) A little about myself: I “do” pretty (Do you hear “How Lovely to be a Woman” playing in the background?) I used to do “obscenely expensive pretty,” but my job as an instructor at a private high school keeps me working nearly pro bono, though I wouldn’t trade it for anything. So now I’m all for “cheap chic.” Two years ago I told a colleague that I liked another woman’s skirt (feminine, flirty, and simply becoming on her). She raised one eyebrow and, with a face contorted by repulsion, said, “Gigi, you would. And you probably enjoy bows on packages and the color pink.” Those were fighting words. I replied, “Yes, I do. Moreover, I go crazy over roses, blossoms on trees, lilacs and hyacinth in the spring, the ocean and sky, clothing, perfume, and makeup, makeup, makeup. Should I continue?” I don’t believe she cared for that remark but, hey, I speak my mind.

Pick of the week: Physicians Formula’s Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner. Each compact contains nine coordinated matte and shimmer hues. A savvy physician whose wife was highly allergic to nearly all makeup developed this line and, as they say, the rest is history. This brand is gentle and safe for tender, allergy-prone eyes. The consistency is soft--finely milled and blends effortlessly. These shades can easily take you from work to a special night out, as you control the intensity of pigment. No separate eyeliner necessary here—smudge one of the deep shades beneath lashes or create a smoldering “cat eye.” Only one grumble: Physicians Formula has promoted these shadows by advising you choose a palette to match your own eye color. I disagree. At the reasonable drugstore price for this, buy several and experiment! The item shown here is meant for hazel eyes (like mine). Evidently they feel that browns and mauves work best, but think back to grade school or art class. Recall the color wheel? Complementary shades create contrast and make eye color appear more vivid. Actually, hazel/green is also greatly enhanced by variations of lavender, eggplant, and violet as well as those shown. Brown eyes “pop” with tones of blue-gray and indigo, and blue eyes (lucky you!) are flattered with shades of camel, taupe, and brown. Be wary of pink-based shadow. Wearing a shade infused with orange (as it often is), may leave you looking like you’ve developed a serious case of conjunctivitis (not attractive, to be sure). However, PF colors are pure pinks, so not to worry. These palettes come with a unique, angled felt applicator (good for touch-ups), but invest in eyeshadow brushes if possible, even DD versions. Using them is akin to trading in a giant child’s marker for a felt-tip pen; you have ultimate control.

Here's what they say "Enhance your natural eye color with three blendable trios that color, contour and line your eyes for illuminating, high impact.
Available in 4 shades."

I say Drugstore Deal Worth Every Penny!

What do you say about Physicians Formula Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow and Liner?

Meg here to give thanks and props to our own Badgirl at Urban Decay. OK, I hope we have enlightened EVERYONE to try their eyeshadow primer, eyeshadows and ofcourse the orgasmic UD eyeliners. I mean it! Without those eyeliners I know alot of women that woud not only be drunk by noon but passed out by lunch!

Since, Urban Decay knows eyes like nobody's business it makes sense they would have the ultimate answer for your brows! I mean brows are tough to get right. If I use a pencil I feel like I can't really smudge the line ever enough. I end up looking like Baby Jane. Powder? Little better, but I tend to forget about brow powder so I experiment with eyeshadow. That really doesn't do much for me either, the shade is always off and it doesn't stay well and I tend to just forgo the eyebrows. Thats a big mistake. The eyebrows are the frames for your eyes and they deserve love, they return the favor!

Of course Urban Decay comes to the rescue. The package is so genius and gorge! Its compact enought to fit in your purses cosmetic case. It is so beautiful looking, like a little jewel box with enough secrets to get a CIA job! Pop the top lid and there are 2 eyebrow shades. Really great shades, the entire line can definitely perfectly match anyone. I'm all over the map with my golden/brunette/tawny/grey/blonde/reddish hair and I found a perfect match in "Gingersnap" the combo for girls with auburn hair.

The lighter shade is perfect for the day and the darker one completes my nightime sultry eyes look. Also it comes with a slant brush and a secret compartment that pops out eyebrow wax to tame and hold those brows into place! Oh, the best! They also thought of tweezers! I don't know about you but tweezers are like gold in my house. Forget about losing socks in the dryer. I lose tweezers left and right. The good news is that they have a perfect home in the little kit and really do get every stray hair! It would take some major effort to lose these!

Here's what Urban Decay says about their Brow Box " Who would have thought you could pack all the tools you need for professionally styled brows into this compact little kit?!

Two shades of powder brow color are joined by a pair of high-quality mini tweezers that will eradicate the tiniest of hairs. (Really!) A mini angled brush precisely shades and sculpts. And, a hidden drawer pops open to reveal a pan of wax to set your gorgeous arches all day long. The pretty palm-sized kit (just 2.25” x 1.75” x 1”!) is decorated with Urban Decay graphics, includes a mirror, and fits perfectly into your makeup bag."

I am sold! Ladies any other Urban Decay FANATICS (I AM) Does this eyebrow kit raise yours?

Urban Decay Brow Box-Buy it Here!

Meg here back from the computer hospital. My laptop flatlined on me last night and I just got it fixed. The good news is I have a brand new one coming to me Thursday so all is well!

I guess its spring, or the move, or the fact that I have to go through all of my stuff and decide what I really want and need. What I am just somehow emotionally tied to that I probablly wouldn't miss if I just let it go. My brains been jumping around a bit and I keep replaying choices I've made in my life and then I think of this story. A woman was unhappy in the career she had for the last 20 years so she came home and announced to her husband "I'm going to become a lawyer! Her husband just shook his head and rolled his eyes and said "You're going to be 50 years old before you can even start to practice law.. The woman just looked at him and said "I'm going to be 50 years old anyway. Might as well be 50 years old and start my new career."

Duh, right? I mean that logic is so easy to understand and yet so hard for us to apply. I'm not looking to be an attorney but I am looking to follow through on opportunities that have presented themselves to me that I just let fall by the wayside. I guess I can't fail if I don't try, I never use to feel that way but I think I have been a bit in the dumps the last year or so and developed an Eeyore complex. I am sending Eeyore to the glue factory and am really going to concentrate on putting myself out there as much as possible. I can't succeed if I don't try is my new mantra!

If you only look as good as you feel then I have not been living up to the ideal beauty regimen!

I'm looking for a little guidance, you ladies always know whats best to put on our faces so I'm hoping you will let me know what you're secret is for a little extra spring in your step.

Should I buy an Ipod and program it with upbeat songs? Should I tape YOU ARE FABULOUS! to my mirror? What are little tricks you have (I know you have them) that help you keep on plugging? I'll be back with our normal order of business tommorrow but I was hoping you ladies had some advice on how to cultivate better energy! Love you and thank-you! Meg