Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

I’ve never known how to create a nice eye make-up so I’ve never worn one! My make-up routine every day was the same boring one, consistent of: primer, foundation, concealer, blusher and mascara- et voila!

I thought that looking natural was my ‘signature look’ so I didn’t try to improve anything for a long time. Until I decided that I need a bit of a change especially that I was just getting closer to my big birthday! I also didn’t want anything complicated and drastic since I knew I won’t be able to recreate the look and will get back to my boring ‘el natural’ look.

Intro to Eyes by Bare Escentuals was my saving grace! I discovered it about five weeks ago and now I can’t leave the house without my eyes looking gorgeous! This quick and easy starter pack helped me discover how effortless is to apply eye make-up and create an amazing and flirtatious eyes! Simply fabulous!

The tutorial box (pictured on the left) contains all the products you need to create naturally gorgeous eyes and quick and easy steps on the detachable tip card at the front of the box. Let me walk you though the four steps to beautiful eyes (remember, there is no need for you to purchase that tutorial, just try to adjust the products you already have at home to recreate the look):

Step 1 – Preparation: apply eyelid primer all over your eyelid from lash to brow for a lightweight, sheer base that prevents fading and creasing of the eye colour. The bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer is the BEST I’ve ever used – the colour stays on all day and doesn’t crease!

Step 2 – Application: apply colour (of your choice) to the lower half of your lid. For more in-depth colour, lightly dampened your brush before applying the eye shadow. My favourite bareMinerals colour is Flaunt Eyecolor, it’s natural but with an edge.

Step 3 – Liner: use short gliding strokes to apply your favourite eyeliner along your top lash line from the inner corner to the outer corner. Wrap it up around and continue along the lower lash line to the halfway point in the middle of he eye.

Step 4 – Final Finish: no eye make-up is finished without a sweep of mascara to both upper and lower lashes. Define, separate and lengthen your lashes by applying mascara from root to tip. For fuller effect apply at least two coast of mascara to the upper lashes.

I hope the above steps will help you become a bit more confident with your eye make-up! It definitely helped me! See the photos below!

(My eye make-up done with the help of the Bare Escentuals' Tutorials Intro to Eyes kit)

You don’t have to buy the bareMinerals Tutorials Intro to Eyes (£30) to become an expert in eye make-up. The kit helped me taking my first steps into realizing that once I get a grip of what to do, than the next colours and eye make-up ideas will come naturally… hopefully no more ‘el natural’ look though!

Stay beautiful!

Mags x

10th March

Luscious Lips

Luscious Lips

It seems only appropriate to write my Valentines blog as a homage to one of my favourite bits of my make up kit, - lip gloss/balm.

For me, adding something moisturising with a slight colour to it to my lips can lift even the dullest day. And with all that kissing on Valentines, it's time to make those lips work for us! So here are 3 of the best.

Lancome Juicy tubes

I cannot possibly write this feature without nodding to probably the most famous brand of lip gloss. I have always been a fan of these lip glosses, the colours are subtle and stay on through meals and drinking, not leaving big lip marks on the side of wine glasses. They taste incredibly amazing, and there is such a large range. One small tube can last a long time, and the range of colours can add a real seductive look to your lips. No girls handbag should be without one.

Liz Earle sheer pink lip shimmer

This is a new one we have been trying this week at Beautiful You. Very subtle, and extremely moisturising. I am not overly keen on the little pots that you have to put your finger into, but that said, a little goes a long way and I think this pot will last me a long time. The shimmer is great for warm summer nights when you are going for a 'barely there' make up look, and I will be saving this for summer holidays. Not quite enough colour and shimmer for the winter nights though.

No7 Liplicious

These are my all time favourite lip glosses. A tube lasts so long, they taste great, the colours are brilliant with a lovely shimmer, marshmallow is my personal favourite. They also stay on for a long time and create completely kissable lips, perfect for Valentines day! My only criticism is there isn't a wide range of colours available.

Have a beautiful Valentines day!

Mags will be back soon with the lowdown about Bare Escentuals. Does this brand live up to the hype? Find out soon!

Stace x

13th February 2011

Just a quick one...

Just a quick one...

Time is constantly at a premium, we are always rushing off to the next big party/night out/important meeting at work. So it is ultra important our skincare routine allows us to be as quick as possible, which is why I thought I would quickly share with you a timeless classic of mine, Lancome Bi-Facil eye make up remover.

Coming in at about £17 for 125ml it's not the cheapest one on the market, but it is in mu opinion the best. A quick shake mixes the contents, and only a small amount is needed to sweep over the eyes. I recommend leaving the cotton pads on your eyelids for about ten seconds to allow the product to work, and then gently sweep away in an upward motion.

Removes all traces of eye make up, including stubborn waterproof mascara. It is kind to eyes, with no stinging felt afterwards, and leaves the skin feeling fresh and smooth.

A definite quick win, to what can sometimes be a long struggle in front of the mirror scrubbing off that beautiful eye make up. When time is precious, this product is one you cannot afford to be without.

Look out for our special Valentines day blog coming soon and stay beautiful!

Stace x

1st February 2011