Thursday, May 30, 2019

How to Wear Blue Eyeshadow When You Have Blue Eyes


Many people are trying the blue eyeshadow trend for the first time. For some blue eyeshadow can be intimidating. Some simply think the color doesn't look good on them. Truthfully, I think blue eyeshadow tends to look best on those with brown eyes. Yet, when I first saw pictures of the Jeffree Star Cosmetics Blue Blood Eyeshadow Palette I had to have it. The packaging was so unique I figured I would buy it as a collector's piece. Even if I never used any of the shadows. At the very least, it would look beautiful on my makeup table.

To my surprise I use this palette a lot. I love it! The formula is just like his famous Blood Sugar Palette, which is my favorite of all time.  The Blue Blood Palette is restocking tomorrow, so I rounded up some helpful tips for pulling off blue eyeshadow when you have blue eyes. 

Top Tips:

1. Flawless base - Your foundation can be natural looking, but skin should look flawless. Blue eyeshadow with blue eyes can be strikingly beautiful, but if the rest of the makeup isn't right it gets more tricky to pull off. I used Alexis Vogel cream foundation for a smooth even look to my skin. 

2. Good under eye concealer - I have dark circles. Any blueness on the eyelids or under the eyes will be emphasized by blue eyeshadow if not properly concealed. I used Jeffree Star Cosmetics Magic Star Concealer in Peach to color correct under my eyes. Then I applied the color C3 over it and anywhere I wanted to hide a discoloration.

3. Start with a sticky base - Before dipping into blue powder eyeshadow, I blended a cream eyeshadow along my eyelids and up into the crease. Putting a cream shadow everywhere you plan to put your powder shadow gives it something to cling to and will extend wear time. I use NYX Jumbo pencil in Baby Blue. An eyeshadow primer that has a more tacky finish could also be used (Glitter Glue, concealer, etc).

4. Line the eyes - I favor Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion (black) on my upper and lower lash line. I highly recommend lining the water line as well for even more intensity.  If you don't want to use a black eyeliner, navy or other variations of blue will look lovely. 

5. Pair with a warm blush - I recommend a peachy tone to compliment the blue. Milani Luminous or Luminouso baked blush go perfectly with many looks, but especially blue eye makeup. 

6. Opt for a nude lip - Blue eyeshadow is not subtle. Wearing a strong lip color with it can look overpowering.  I like lip liner and a tinted lip balm or anything light and glossy. This also helps keep the focus on your eyes. Try Urban Decay Naked Glossy Pencil for a sheer shine with precision or NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Sweet Heart. 

7. Skip the falsies - I know some eye looks feel incomplete without a pair of false lashes. Try one or two coats of mascara instead, or even skip mascara altogether for a really modern look. I love Covergirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara.

Here is one of the looks I tried using the above steps:


After applying a thin coat of NYX Baby Blue Jumbo Pencil over my eyelids, I dipped into the Blue Blood Palette.

I started with a mix of Deceased & Ice Tray. I blended them over my eyelids, into the crease and along the lower lash line. On the inner corner of my eyes I used Cullinan. I lined my upper and lower waterline with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Abyss and Chaos. On my lips, I used Milani Lip Liner in 03 Nude topped with a tinted lip balm. For lashes, I finished the look with Milani Lash Trifecta Mascara. 

 
Below is a second look using the palette:


For this look, I used I'm cold on the eyelids applied first with an Alima Pure fluffy brush. Then, I switched to a Kelley Quan #11 Brush to pack on the pigment and create the shape I wanted. Using MyKitco Pro My Tappered Crease brush, I applied Blue Monday in the crease. I blended Priceless in the upper crease using my Cozzette S165 brush. To really darken the crease, I applied Undertaker in the deepest part of the crease using a Scott Barnes #62 brush. Side note, this brush is the BEST eyeshadow brush for crease work. It makes application so much easier. In the spirit of April 20th, I bought the makeup brush set from Beautylish.com with little pot leaves on them.  The pencil brush in this set is great for smoking out the lower lash line (no pun intended). I used it in this look with the color Creamated, applied over black eyeliner. On the upper lash line, I used the same color but applied it with a Kelley Quan #15 flat push liner brush. Finally, I used a small flat brush from Antonym and a Real Techniques Rebel Edge Fine #303 brush to apply Cullinan to the inner corner of my eyes. 

I hope you found these tips helpful and enjoyed the looks I created. The Jeffree Star Cosmetics Blue Blood Palette comes back in stock tomorrow, and is the perfect eyeshadow palette to practice these tips with! 

Plus, look at the packaging!!!


All products mentioned in this post were purchased by me. All opinions are my own. I do not get paid to write reviews or mention products in my posts.

Monday, May 6, 2019

Hack: Makeup for Ages 35yrs +


Hello friends! I know last month I didn't blog much, but I did not forget about you. You, yes you...my faithful readers that keep me going and keep me passionate about all things makeup and beauty. 

Recently on Twitter, I did a poll asking what you wanted to read about next. And 67% of you voted for this post about makeup for ages 35 years and older.  This year I will turn 39 years old and my love for makeup has not diminished in the slightest. In fact, I love makeup even more now than I did when I was younger. I don't know if it is because I am more confident or it is that I am feeling super inspired by all of the fun new makeup launches, but I am more enthusiastic about cruelty-free beauty than ever before. 

I thought about how my approach to makeup has changed over the years and compiled a list of my favorite beauty hacks for those ages 35 and up. 

Below are my top ten hacks to keep you loving makeup and looking your best no matter what age you are:

1. Practice good skincare habits. This is obviously always important, but even more so as we age. I don't write this only for superficial reasons, but also as a reminder to take a little time for yourself. Indulge in facial masks, exfoliate twice a week, and embrace facial oils. Tarte Maracuja Oil has been a long time staple in my beauty arsenal. It can be used under moisturizer, in the last step of your nighttime skincare routine, or mixed in with your foundation. 

2. Opt for a dewy foundation.  While your skin type should always be considered, the goal is skin that looks hydrated and nourished, not dry and overly matte. Some choices I love are IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream or Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint. If you prefer to stick with your current foundation, or wear mineral foundation, try adding a thin layer of Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow underneath for added luminosity. 

3. Use highlighter strategically, such as on the top of your cheekbones, and inner corner of the eyes.

4. To cover dark circles, opt for a color corrector under your concealer. The newest one to my collection is Jeffree Star Cosmetics Magic Star Concealer in Peach.

5. Use liquid and cream products instead of powder. If your skin is on the oily side, powders can be used, just use them sparingly. A good trick is to pat off any excess on the back of your hand before applying it to your face with your favorite puff, sponge or brush.

6. Lengthen those lashes! Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, then apply a few coats of your favorite lengthening mascara. This helps make your lashes the star of the show to create a more youthful look. Try Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes for a formula that not only makes your lashes appear longer, but is also waterproof and helps hold the curl.

7. Go for a classic makeup look rather than trying to keep up with every new trend. Bronze and/or natural looks never go out of style. 

8. Skin should always look natural, and eyeshadow always looks lovely when kept soft, rather than some of the sharp graphic eyeliner looks that come in and out of fashion.  If lining your eyes is a must for you, try using eyeshadow in place of your usual eye pencil. Simply use an angled eyeshadow brush and a dark matte powder eyeshadow to line your eyes close to the lashline instead of gel, pencil or liquid liner.

9. Think dewy not disco ball. The glass skin look can create a youthful appearance, but too much glitter in your highlighter can make things look overdone and out of place on mature skin. Instead, try a cream highlighter formula or blend your powder highlighter underneath your powder blush for a light from within glow. 

10. Invest in good quality, soft makeup brushes. I recommend this step regardlessof your age. However,  the older we get the more important it is that our tools are not pulling or tugging at the skin. Some great choices that don't irritate my delicate skin are makeup brushes from IT Cosmetics, the Wayne Goss Synthetic Set, or Scott Barnes (perfect for personal or professional use).

Here is an example of a makeup look I wore the other day using the ten hacks listed above:

I hope you find these hacks helpful. Please let me know if you try them or have any hacks that you would like to share with us in the comments below. 

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @MakeupMatters1 


*This is not a sponsored post. The products mentioned in this post were purchased by me, unless otherwise stated. Some brands pictured may have sent me products to review in the past, but this in no way alters my opinions. All thoughts are my own.