Beauty Solutions: Evening Makeup for Sexier Eyes

When creating an evening makeup look, play up the eyes for enhanced beauty. The first step is covering your eye lids with a makeup base. This will make your eye shadow look better and have more staying powder.

Choose three colors of eye shadow: a light, medium and dark color. Borghese Cosmetics offers a variety of color palettes with lasting power. Brown and blues are great for blue eyes and violets and purples for green and brown eyes. Apply the lightest color on your entire eye lid, then apply the next lightest color to the middle of the eye, and finish with the darkest color in the crease of the eye. For extra sheen, use a shimmer powder on your brow bone.

Use the darkest color of your eye shadow as eyeliner. Use a damp Q-tip and dip into the color. Smudge along the top lash line only. Finish off the look with deep black mascara.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

Suzanna

Just Launched: Urban Decay's Fall 2009 Collection

Good news for all you Urban Decay fans! Not only is Urban Decay giving us a sneak peek of their Fall 2009 collection which features over 35 new products; but they're also available for purchase now. Here are some new goodies that you should add to your cosmetic collection.

Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup
Yes, it’s the latest rage in skincare, but why? Mineral Makeup contains no talc, oils, artificial dyes, or fragrance – just naturally derived minerals – making it the perfect for even the most sensitive skin, oily or dry. So why is Urban Decay’s Mineral Makeup different from other mineral foundations out there? The package just might be the favorite thing – totally mess-free. Other brands’ makeup needs to be poured and brushed and swirled and whatnot. Urban Decay comes with an attached puff. Just puff it on for a flawless finish anywhere – at your vanity or on the subway. Use a little for sheer coverage or keep puffing for heavier coverage. Titanium dioxide, a major ingredient, provides formulation color and great coverage. The handy on/off switch means you can toss it in your purse – no spills. You’ll get a semi-matte finish instead of the shiny finish other mineral foundations provide. The result is natural, not made-up, and totally weightless.

Tips: For precise shading and concealing, makeup junkies can unscrew the lid and use a Good Karma Blush Brush instead of the attached puff.

Ink For Eyes
It’s everything you want in a cream eyeliner: more precise than a pencil and forgiving than a liquid. This super-smooth formula offers added control, play time, and buildable coverage than your average liner. The creamy paraben-free formula and double-ended applicator makes it easy for you to create razor-sharp lines or smoky bedroom eyes. Try the angled liner brush for precise details, or use the smudger for blending and drama. With such a wide variety of intriguing shades and ways to apply, you’re only limited by your imagination. The secret ingredient is Nylon 12! This high-tech polymer decreases drag for flawless application (no skips or smears), while softening and absorbing excess oil. Color glides easily and stays true all day long.

Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation

Want porcelain-perfect coverage AND a modern, natural finish? Surreal Skin Cream-to-Powder Foundation is your answer. This ultra-lightweight formula transforms from a decadent cream to a micro-fine powder upon contact with skin. You won’t believe the instant transformation! The light-as-air texture glides on effortlessly and feels as natural as your own skin (No heavy, greasy, or powdery makeup texture). Lighter than liquid, its buildable formula gives you all the coverage you desire, without the pore-clogging effects of heavier foundations – you can even wear it as a concealer. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres and Pearl Powders hydrate and reduce the appearance of fine lines, while antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C, nourish and protect skin. And, you Urban Decay fans will LOVE to pull this compact out of your bag! The transparent violet compact features a collage of skulls, flowers and funny creatures. Inside, the double-decker compact houses a mirror, your foundation AND a ventilated compartment for a custom, cruelty-free brush. No more digging to find your foundation brush – it’s included.

Tips: The cruelty-free Urban Decay brush (included!) is the best way to apply: just brush it on and buff to a porcelain finish. Your own sponge – or fingers – will work, too.

24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil
Just like their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, it’s said that the Lip Pencils are guaranteed to last. They contain Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Cottonseed Oil to nourish the skin and improve the smoothness of application. Go ahead and have another sip of your cocktail— this formula is waterproof, but never feels dry or cakey. It’s the perfect complement to Urban Decay Lipsticks, Stains, and Glosses.

Tips: Apply Ozone (a clear shade) outside the lip line to prevent feathering, or inside lips to keep gloss in place without leaving a line. Ozone also works wonders as a blend and repair tool!

Deluxe Eyeshadow
The divine collection of high-tech creamy powder eye color will turn your eyes into opulent works of art. The creamy formula feels like cashmere, blends beautifully, and delivers an even more intense burst of color than regular Urban Decay Eyeshadows. And, Deluxe hues have an even greater fill weight than our regular Eyeshadows - a generous serving. Created with maximum staying power, Deluxe Eyeshadows offer incredibly long-lasting wear that won’t fade (especially when paired with the popular Eyeshadow Primer Potion). As a result, you’ll get gorgeous, gem-like lids that are worthy of their own exhibit. Packaged in weighted, hinged and mirrored compacts, each vibrant shadow features a unique piece of art inspired by graffiti, street art, and graphic design. Dip into these sumptuous shades and experience never-before-seen (or felt) eye shadow extravagance.

Tips: Sport these shades alone to make a statement or mix them with your favorite neutrals for a spectacular, yet subdued, effect

Lipstick
Leaving no shade unturned, Urban Decay’s huge assortment of colors and textures tempt you to stray from an otherwise predicable palette. The Fall-ready shades range from a nude beige to blackberry. The luxuriously creamy formula nourishes and protects lips with Vitamins A, C, and E. Hyaluronic Spheres are added to stimulate cellular function, prevent dehydration, and fill-in lines and wrinkles. The teardrop-shape bullet (etched with an Urban Decay logo) is infused with a decadent crème caramel scent and flavor.

Complexion Primer Potion Pore Perfecting
Smooth on a little Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potionbefore foundation or alone to totally minimize the look of pores and fine lines. The velvety, paraben-free formula flashes down to a soft-matte finish, without the greasy, heavy feel sometimes associated with foundation primers. A small application will result in flawless skin with an airbrushed look and feel. Foundation applies smoothly, evenly, and won’t fade away. Ideal for oilier skin, but dry complexions who want pore perfection will love it, too. The convenient squeeze tube includes a twist-up dispenser (like school glue!) for easy application control. Two unique finishes of Complexion Primer Potions are available.

Tips: A little goes a long way! A pea-sized drop of Complexion Primer Potion is all you need to perfect your whole face. Or, try just a touch in the areas where you need it most.

Complexion Primer Potion Brightening
Dull skin? Fine lines? Disappearing foundation? Try Brightening Complexion Primer Potionunder foundation or alone for beautifully moisturized skin that looks brighter and feels tighter. This lightweight, oil-free, paraben-free formula includes buzz-worthy ingredient Matrixyl 3000, celebrated for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres also minimize the look of fine lines while leaving skin beautifully moisturized. Your skin will look youthful, lifted and firm, and your foundation will apply smoothly, evenly, and last longer! Ideal for complexions that need moisture, and great for mature skin. But, the Brightening formula gives every skin type a healthy glow. Two unique finishes of Complexion Primer Potionsare available. For flawless, airbrushed skin, try the Pore Perfecting formula.

Tips: Apply a pea-sized amount of the light, cool gel to bare skin. The formula goes on sheer and dries quickly. Then apply foundation, if desired. The convenient squeeze tube includes a twist-up dispenser (like school glue!) for easy portion control.

Eyelash Primer Potion
Wave this magic wand before your favorite mascara for lashes that appear thicker, longer and stronger… right before your very eyes. Tiny fibers band together, cling to every lash, and construct towers of Babel… reaching for heavenly lashes. Just apply Eyelash Primer Potion, then apply your favorite mascara as usual. Your lashes will look fake, but the magic is real. It's protein-rich and paraben-free formula conditions, fortifies, and thickens lashes with Silk Protein, Panthenol, and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

Makeup 101: Eye Makeup

In order to keep concealer from caking, make sure the eye area is properly moisturized.

Avoid using facial concealers for the delicate under eye region. These can cause excessive drying of the skin in the perioccular area. Use a concealer that is specific for use around the eyes.

Apply eye concealer with a small, tapered synthetic brush and blend with your ring finger for the best application.

Gloppy Mascara? Make sure you throw out your Mascara every 3 months, no matter what. Jog your memory by applying a small sticker to the tube and dating it.

Save your Mascara wand when you discard an old tube, wash it with antibacterial soap, and you have a better lash divider than you could ever buy at the store.

When you apply your Mascara, apply one coat, then follow-through by combing with your clean wand. Repeat application if necessary. This process will cut down on clumps of Mascarasticking in your lashes.

If you have a tough time getting your lashes to curl, apply your Mascara immediately after curling your lashes. This acts as a setting gel. If you continue to have problems, use your hair dryer for about 5-10 seconds on the lash curler (don't make it too hot, you do not want to scorch your skin or burn the lashes.)

Eye liners are easy to apply if you use a thin, flat, synthetic-bristle brush and simply apply (press, not brush) a highly pigmented shadow to the lash line.

Maximize the appearance of your eyes by applying your eyeliner across the entire eyelid margin. The key to dramatizing the eyes is to vary the width of the line. If your eyes are close together, then you want to even out their appearance, so adjust the line with the thickest point along the outer portion of the eye and taper it inward. For eyes that are far-set, taper the line in the opposite direction, making certain the line is not too thick.

If you decide to line under the eye, after doing so, take a cotton swab and wipe half of it off. Trust me, it will look much more natural.

If you have oilier skin, stick to matte powder shadows. Those with a dry skin type can tolerate cream based shadow and light shimmers.

If your eyes are closely set, use lighter eye shadows toward the nose, and apply darker shadow at the outer edge. If your eyes are far-set, apply the deepest color on the entire lid or crease, with only slightly more emphasis on the inner half of the eye.

To create a wide-eyed look, especially for those with small eyes, apply a white or silver shadow along the upper outer edge of your eyebrows. This truly "opens up" the eyes.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

ROCK N' ROLL GLAM

Try Adding a rock n' roll twist to the classic smokey eye. Smashbox Studio Artist, Hank Hoffman walks us through this fun and edgy look from the Sheiki Jeans show.

Step 1: Using the PROOF CREAM EYE LINER PALETTE and DEFINER BRUSH #15, apply CREAM EYE LINER in CAVIAR from the lashline to the outer corners, winging out slightly.Step

2: Apply EYE SHADOW in BLACKOUT over the liner using CREASE BRUSH #10.

Step 3: Using the brush end of DOUBLE-ENDED SMUDGER BRUSH #20, apply a thick line of CREAM EYE LINER in CAVIAR along the lower lashline, starting at the outer corner and fading the line as you move in.

Step 4: Blend EYE SHADOW in BLACKOUT along lower lashline using DEFINER BRUSH #15.

Step 5: Add intensity by applying JET SET WATERPROOF EYE LINER to the inner rim using DOUBLE-ENDED SMUDGER BRUSH #20.

Step 6: Pack EYE SHADOW in 24K in the inner corners of the eye using DEFINER BRUSH #15.

Step 7: Complete the eyes with multiple coats of BIONIC MASCARA.

Step 8: Now, clean up the skin by applying HIGH DEFINITION HEALTHY FX FOUNDATION under eyes, over the t-zone and forehead using FOUNDATION BRUSH #13.

Step 9: Keep cheeks natural – sweep on BLUSH RUSH in BARE over using BLUSH BRUSH #16.

Step 10: Pat PHOTO FINISH LIPSTICK in CAPTIVATING on lips using fingertips, followed by LIP ENHANCING GLOSS in ILLUME.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna