C is for Color (ABCs of Beauty)

The Eyes Have It

My eyes are definitely my most favorite facial feature. I love wearing my eye makeup everyday! This is an easy way to make your eyes pop, but still look natural and not overly makeup-y.

I use concealer under my eyes. Always. Extra Lasting Concealer

For the eyeshadow, I use my finger to drag color from the inside corner of my eyelid to the outside. Sometimes, I use several layers to make the color really stand out. I use an eyeshadow brush loaded with color to make a more accurate line just above my top eyelashes. Unless I rub my eyes, this color lasts all day! True Color Quad Eyeshadow in Purple Haze

Then I line the bottoms of my eyes with pencil eyeliner, and try to waterline to make it look more natural. Glimmersticks Eye Liner in Blackest Black

No eyeliner on top, and no mascara.

Love Your Face

Wearing foundation, concealer, blush and/or bronzer can create the perfect canvas for any highlighting makeup you do, but it also serves powerful makeup duty if it's the only makeup you wear!

Foundation can even skin tone, blend out flaws, and it can prevent environmental damage such as UV sun rays if it contains SPF.

When choosing foundation, select a color or shade that is as close to your natural skin tone as possible.

Concealer shades should be a little lighter than your natural skin tone.

If you need guidance choosing the best shade for your skin, contact me!

 

 

      

Dark Circles Under My Eyes

I have always had dark circles under my eyes, even when I was very young. I think it is genetics. Lack of sleep, age, allergies, alcohol, or too much salt can also contribute to those heavy bags under your eyes.

So I wear concealer under my eyes every single day. On days I have not worn makeup *out in public* people have actually asked me if I was sick, or if I got enough sleep. My under eye bags are that bad. I've moved past the embarrassment and onto concealer.

A little note about color theory. I use yellow concealer because my dark circles have an underlying purple tone. I also have a green concealer in my arsenal to cover very red flaws. But I have yet to try the red lipstick trick to counter blue undertone issues.

Choose a concealer that is lighter than your skin tone. The lighter color will disguise the darkness and brighten the eye area. I've practiced this one over many years, and now many people say my best feature is my eyes!

I have tried a variety of concealers, including many of the more expensive brands at Ulta, the drugstore brands, and for a long time I used Physician's Formula. Unfortunately, it was only available in one yellow tone.

I use AVON's Extra Lasting Concealer, and it is available in 6 shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Medium Deep, Deep, Chestnut, and Ebony.

I probably apply more than I should, but I seem to need the coverage. So I dot a bunch on, blend it in and around my eyes with my fingertips.

For what it's worth, tea bags, cucumbers, cold spoons, whatever other home remedies people come up... yeah, that never has worked for me. My dark circles are here to stay. At least I can cover it up! Sort of.