Something that I am particularly particular about is blushes--certain colors, textures, and formulas. I don't buy them often because, like many products, I prefer to find a few I really like versus just collecting them up in heaps. I find myself drawn to one particular shade, so it can be hard for me to veer from it. Here is what I've picked up in the last two months and really loved.
Colourpop
Blush
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| Prenup |
There's been a lot of talk about MUG lately, and being on an eyeshadow single testing quest for my Z Palettes, I gave them a try. I chose a variety of finishes as well as what caught my eye.
I got several eyeshadows from them last year and was instantly in love. Recently I got in another order in which I decided to dabble in more of what they've come out with since then.
I finally got my hands on this dreamy palette and couldn't wait to share about it!
Nothing is more in style in beauty this decade than liquid lipsticks- other than maybe Instagram Brows. However, the formulas can be very tricky, and sit differently on everyone. Dry lips, beware: you'll need a good round of lip scrubbing and moisturizing before giving them a go.
I actually really enjoy the doe foot applicators commonly used in liquid lipsticks, like lipglosses. They allow you to fill in lip corners and bows with more detail than a lipstick bullet, and have more control than a lip brush. They take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you may end up really liking them.
The formulas of liquid lipsticks themselves are very unique: going on like a creamy lipgloss, and often drying partially or completely depending on the finish. A good formula will last most of the day with needing only small touch-ups, and won't flake off or cake up.
This past year I've tried several different kinds to see what I like best. I myself have dry lips, so very dry formulas can be difficult. Here's what I have so far, swatches, and mini reviews.
How you place eyeshadow can make a big difference in how your eyes and their shape look, and knowing what you're doing is the best way to do exactly what you intend. Hooded eyes or eyes with a heavy crease fold have a tricky way of definitely not accepting eyeshadow shapes the way they look on big or non-hooded eyes; this is one of the main reasons people get frustrated trying to copy looks they see in photos online or tutorials. It may not be you, it just might be your eye shape! A girl with big, round eyes with tons of mobile eyelid space is definitely going to be able to do different looks than smaller, hooded, or monolid eyes. Neither way is wrong- it's just a matter of knowing what suits your eye shape, just like face shapes and body types. You might do a super clean, sharp cat eye then open your eye and look straight on and it looks awful and droopy- see? Not always an error in skill.
Also, sometimes people have eyes that aren't totally symmetrical- most commonly they have hooded eyes that are drooped slightly different, and monolids can have the same problem. The best way to help even them out is through tactfully done eyeshadow.
I've collected some images of my eye looks and categorized them into different shapes. I hope that my hooded/heavy lidded eyes can serve as a better reference point for those with similar eyes.
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| Using a mid-tone eyeshadow; on the top, blended past my crease. On the bottom, blended under my crease. |
First of all, how you layer eyeshadows is very important. When applying your last dark shade to your lid, try to make sure it ends just above your crease, so that it can be seen and make your crease less heavy-looking. Very dark eyeshadows of course do the best job, because they can make that area and your hood look less distinct, hiding it.
I personally still struggle daily with making sure I use this trick, and often every angle looks different once I do it as my eyelids move, but I'm not super worried about making my hoods look less distinct.
Another tip is to not apply a shimmery white or cream color anywhere on the lid or above the crease, unless you're doing a highlight on the inner corners and just a touch under the eyebrow. The light shimmer will make whatever you put it on come forward and be most noticeable. A lot of people tell hooded eye people not to wear shimmer eyeshadow at all, but to those sirs I bite my thumb at. You can absolutely wear shimmery and metallic eyeshadows! It's a matter of choosing the right colors and placing them well.
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