Category Archives: Eye Shadow

Tarte Lock & Roll 12-Hour Eyeshadow

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I’ve said it a million times – the easiest way to keep shadow on crease-free for hours is to layer a cream with a powder, it’s what we Makeup Artists do to get the best result. Tarte made it easier than ever to do by putting the cream/powder concept together in an easy-to-use dual ended applicator so you can lay down a vibrant cream shadow before rolling on a powder version for 12 hours worth of brilliant color.

Slim sticks of shadow (shown in Moss)

Brush for the cream, roller ball for the powder. 

Cream only

Powder only

Powder over the cream. Rich, vibrant color that lasts. 

A look at Bronze, my fav color.

Cream with powder on the left, powder shadow only on the right. 

It’s not just a great shadow for a natural line, it’s a great shadow concept period. I pat in the cream color then roll the powder on top and rub it in place with my fingers, then quickly blend it with a blending brush. It’s quick and totally lives up to its 12-hour promise.

Tarte Lock & Roll 12-Hour Eyeshadow

Tarte Review; Smooth Operator, The Eraser, and Eye Couture Palette

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In order to visit Sephora, I have to be alone and carve out a few hours so I can get what I need like my signature fragrance (which shall remain nameless), re-stock on the basics (Laura Mercier Illuminating in this case), and check out lines I’ve somehow overlooked, like Tarte. I’ve heard great things about the eco-chic line that blends ‘green’ ingredients into cosmetics that cater not to makeup artists, but to everyday women according to their founder, Kelly Maureen.

After playing for nearly 2 hours in front of their display, I really got a good feel for Tarte. You’d never know it was a natural line unless you read what is (antioxidants, fruit extracts etc.) and isn’t (parabens, petroleum, synthetic dyes and fragrances) included in their formulas. It’s packaged and presented beautifully in violet hues, and what I found was that Tarte has the fun-loving spirit of Stila with the dead-serious approach to quality straight-forward makeup of Laura Mercier.

I liked the line and its densely pigmented formulas so well, that I was compelled to buy a few things for myself that I typically wouldn’t, like foundation for example. I’ve only bought a few foundations over the past several years but I found it hard to resist  Smooth Operator, a Tinted moisturizer that has the weight of Mercier’s Tinted Foundation with the coverage of their beloved Silk Creme (I often mix the two together to get this perfect combo effect). Toss out your misconception of tinted moisturizers being only for girls with perfect skin who didn’t need a lot of coverage. Smooth Operator gives the (oil-free) coverage you want with a natural, just shy of luminous finish.

Thick texture and pretty finish that’s in between matte and dewy.

Lately, I feel like dark circles have been creeping up on me. I like a lot of brightness around my eyes and shy away from dark makeup. The Eraser 4-in-1 Natural Concealer has enough weight behind it to conceal darkness and add a brightening boost to the eyes that typically takes 2 different products to achieve.  It’s been keeping my circles away all day without settling into fine lines or creasing and you can use it as a shadow and lipstick base. It’s a yellow-based formula (so it’s meant to cover redness, not circles) but it worked so well around my eyes so well that it didn’t matter what it was for because it worked.

Twist up applicator.

I even bought an eye shadow palette for myself. Crazy right? I have so many shadows already, but the packaging reminded me of something…

I’d know that quilted purple metallic finish anywhere, it’s practically identical to my Chanel 2.55 bag. It looks like a matching wallet so I had to peek inside.

Well hello there delightful array of shadows. It’s the shades that make my heart melt; light and shimmery for everyday, rusty brows, and a few surprises to create drama. They’re the velvety kind of shadows (similar to Stila’s) that blend well and look great on all skin tones and textures (even mature skin). They have an all-day wear time and they don’t crease or lose intensity. Simply put, I love them.

A closer look at the colors in the Eye Couture palette. I dug into that champagne one right away, it’s like Stila Kitten but less shimmery.

In the palette, you’ll also get a double-ended shadow brush and a double-ended eye liner that has a brown on one side, and graphite on the other.

I came thisclose to getting their Lock & Roll eye shadows which have a creme based shadow on one side and a matching powder shadow on the other that’s applied using a roller ball so your shadow wears an extra long time using a layered technique.

Just when I thought I’d tried it all… I’ve somehow overlooked Tarte, but I’m glad I checked it out. Next time I’ll grab a Cheek Stain (their signature product) and maybe their celluFIGHT, a gradual self-tanner that also helps to firm and tone the skin.

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How to Wear Shimmer; girlactik beauty Sparkle Singles

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When you want your eyes to dazzle, few products can make a splash like sparkle can. Nothing obnoxious of course, just something that adds interest to your eyes when you glance down.

I’ve probably tried buckets of glitter, shimmer, and sparkle, over the years and I’ve found that I really like girlactik beauty Sparkle Singles the best because they have 2 key traits that are important to pull of a shimmer look; dry, loose sparkles, and a really fine glitter size. When the size of the actual glitter gets too large (or when it’s encased in goo to help it stick on the face) it becomes a little costume-like and brings the age-appropriateness factor waaay down. What I’m saying is, unless you’re 12 wearing chunky glitter isn’t for you.

Here’s a look at the Sparkle Singles all boxed up.

On top is Yellow Gold and on the bottom color is Rust.

See how fine the pieces of shimmer are? When it’s placed on the eye, you’ll see the reflective quality and not the pieces of glitter themselves which makes a huge difference in the overall look.

In order to get the Sparkes to stay on the eye, they need to ‘stick’ to something. I used BECCA Cosmetics Creme Eye Color in Quartz as a base. I love its easy texture which isn’t too glossy or heavy looking and it really stays on the skin well without creasing.

Lay down the creme color first.

I dipped a small brush into the Rust shade and patted it over half of the creme shadow. The finish is beautiful, it’s just enough to catch the light and make your eyes stand out.

Now for the Yellow Gold shade on the bottom half of the creme eye color.

I love how dense the gold looks and how much coverage it offers. You want the shimmer to be fine enough to coat over the base shade so it looks cohesive, not chunky.

Now you know the difference between sparkles a 7 year-old would paint a picture with, and fine shimmer for a special night out. But there are a few guidelines.

- Don’t wear shimmer like this during the day unless your job requires you to also wear clear heels.

- Keep the sparkle confined to the lid (anywhere you can feel an eye ball) and no higher. I’d also keep it away from your lower lash line too. Lid only is the easiest (and most appropriate) way to wear it.

- Resist the urge to dust it on your chest no matter how pretty you think the sparkles are. Find a body gimmer lotion like this one that’s meant to highlight and compliment the skin.

- Keep in mind the look as a whole. Red lips might not be the best pairing with a shimmery eye so go with a nude color instead. Think understated for the rest of the look (lips, cheeks, and liner), and let the shimmer do most of the talking.

$10, 14 Shades, Online and in select boutiques nationwide.

girlactik beauty Sparkle Singles

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Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Collection Spring/Summer 2010

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Spring must have sprung because Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Collection has officially been released. This year Lauder introduces a (limited edition) line of makeup, fragrance, and skincare that will transform you into a tropical beach babe.

Here’s a shot of me wearing the collection.

Oh wait, that’s actually not me at all, but it sure does show the magic of their Liquid EyeShadow in the sizzling blue Aqua Flash shade. Ultra Violet is pretty eye-catching too and both nicely compliment the remaining two universally flattering shades; Sand Shimmer, and Molten Bronze. These 4 tubes have sponge-tip applicators (like a lip gloss) that you dab on your lids and either pat in with your fingers or blend it with a brush. I like the unique texture of the shadows which feels like a weightless mousse that settles nicely into the lids- even mature, dry lids because of the light formula. They don’t cake, crease, or smudge and they wear a really long time.

Here’s a shot I took that shows the colors well.

Here’s another shot where the writing isn’t visible so you can see the shades a little better.

The brunette bombshell above is sporting their Coral Look which consists of these products below. You can find the full color lineup of what was used for the look HERE.

Exotic Orchid is their other look, bright and pinky with a shot of bronze which uses these products shown below.

It’s a fun collection and a look that’s tropical, exotic, and eye-popping so you can kick-start spring with some splashy color.

But it wouldn’t be a Bronze Goddess collection without something to get us all bronzy would it? Their well-loved sunless tanning  formula comes in a base of gelée, milk, or a lotion that will get you that deep, even, safe tan.  I use the Milk, which is colorless, but the tinted gelée for the body has a little bronzer to it so you can see exactly where it’s going for a fool-proof application with zero streaking.

Within the past few months I’ve become a bronzer junkie. I don’t know why I wasn’t bronzing before (I always bronze everyone else) but now I rarely leave the house without a light dusting of the sunny powder. Their eye-catching  Exotic Bronzing Blush, combines the two so you can balance out rosy with bronzy- a big trend right now. I’ll be using their Bronzing Gel with a little moisturizer on my neck which is way lighter than my face. It’s a perfect bronzy shade that isn’t too dark on its own, but you can cut it with moisturizer to lighten it up for natural looking color.

One of the reasons I love Lauder is because they value tradition. They keep products they know are well-loved even if they aren’t mainstream anymore. Bronze Goddess is another tradition I look forward to getting year after year. It’s timeless, it’s sexy, and it never disappoints.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

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Get the Best Smokey Eye With Smashbox EYELIGHTS in ‘Smokebox’

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As a Makeup Artist, I understand that a smokey eye is about a technique and not necessarily about the colors used. You can create a look that’s ‘smokey’ by using deeper shades to line the eyes (upper and lower) and adding some splashy colors you don’t typically wear. It’s a pretty open interpretation and just the darkening effect alone is what’s smokey and really fun.

Although it isn’t only about the colors used, those colors can be key. From what I’ve experienced, there isn’t a palette that makes creating a classic smokey eye easier than Smokebox from Smashbox.

Their neutral colored base shade has a hint of radiance to it for a head start in dimension, and although the photo of the middle shade suggests it’s more of a fawn brown, it’s actually a brownish-gunmetal with just a hint of lavender undertone to give it some pop. It’s an amazing shade that I wish they sold solo because it’s the perfect warm-up color for a sizzling smokey eye or just used on its own. Don’t be thrown by the slight shimmer in the black, it’s just there because a flat black would be harder to work with and blend. It doesn’t look sparkly on the skin it just has some life to it, and because it’s really black you can use it as a shadow and a liner.

It’s a universal smokey-eye maker for all skin tones that you will without a doubt love.

Smashbox EYELIGHTS in Smokebox

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Applying Eye Shadows with La Femme

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When it rains it pours, while I had my camera out filming my contouring vid, I thought I’d show an application using La Femme shadows since I always get a bunch of emails about La Femme whenever I review it. The main question is if it’s as good as I say it is since they’re only a few bucks. Yes, they are.

Although I was showing how great the shadows were and what a big color payoff you get using them, another point to the video is that you can apply shadow that looks great in just a few minutes. If you’re spending more than about 10 minutes on your makeup for just a daily routine, you need to streamline. Unless your job is sauntering down a runway somewhere, your makeup shouldn’t take that long to apply- mine doesn’t. Ignore those videos that show you a step-by-step how to apply eye makeup that takes 20 minutes. It’s confusing and needless. Get good at placing the color where it needs to go and blending, the two key parts that are worth mastering.

You can get the hard to find shadows right HERE.

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