Express Lane Makeup – Part Deux
Let’s see, where were we?
Eyes. Most days, I’ll just apply a little bit of eyeliner and mascara. The eyeliner technique I learned from Brian, and involves applying from underneath right at the upper lash line, and just a hint on the lower lash line. (I’m hoping to do a quick video on this once I learn to use the Mac movie editing software.) The effect is subtle, yet adds definite emphasis to the eyes. I’ve tried the liquid and gel liners, but find they require more skill than I’m willing to muster most mornings, so I stick to soft creamy pencils.
I’ve recently switched over to waterproof mascara to avoid afternoon raccoon eyes. Also apply to top lashes only. Favorites are CoverGirl Lash Blast Waterproof, and Diorshow Waterproof, both in black. I always have a clean mascara brush standing by to clear clumps. You can find these in multiples at most beauty supply stores.
I rarely wear eye shadow anymore. It just seems like a lot of effort and not a lot of payoff for daytime looks. For those rare dress-up evenings, I throw on a bit of grey shadow from lid to just above the crease.
Avoid like the plague: frosted shadows. They act as big spotlight on wrinkles and crepe-y bits.
I haven’t mentioned concealer yet as I don’t use it very much. I’m fortunate in that I don’t have heavy dark circles most days, and a little of the Chanel cream foundation applied under the eyes seems to do the trick for me. But if in case of extreme sleep deprivation, a little YSL Touche Eclat under the eyes and in the inner corners of the eyes makes me look a bit more awake and refreshed.
Blush. Not a fan of bronzers, as they make me look orange. I like a little bit of blush, but again, want to avoid the over-applied “Baby Jane” effect. I’ve found that powder blush is easiest to control and gives best results. NARS “Orgasm” and Chanel “Tweed Rose” are favorites. Try different shaped brushes until you find the one you like best.
Lips. Always.
Finish. I generally don’t use a finishing powder all over, but mid-day might swipe a bit of Chanel pressed translucent powder over my nose and chin if feeling a bit shiny. For a more subtle application, use a brush, not the sponge/puff.
C’est tout! Please share some more of your favorite tips de maquillage.
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I love also the “tightlining” technique. The Laura Mercier rep taught me, and I use it almost everyday. What a difference it made. I have smallish eyes and it really enhances them without making them look smaller. I don’t love eye shadow either, but use it sometimes.
I have just bought the Clarins highlighter similar to the touche eclat, and I love it.
My goal is to have skin that need nothing but moisturizer and a touch of powder. A work in progress.
I googled “tightling” and found this video:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1038932021140
Thank you for sharing your routine. Can you please advise which eyeliner you use? I’ve been having problems with smearing. Thanks again.
Rose in SV
I hear raves about that Nars blush but I have never tried it…it must be time for a makeover!
That tightlining technique sounds effective, I would like to know which creamy pencil you use…so many of them are hard.
Top lashes only…OK that’s an easy one to adopt.
merci Deja!
I am rubbish at make-up, I’ve never really worn a lot so I just wear a bit of mascara, smudge of Mac blusher and a natural lip gloss. Oh Laura Mercier secret concealer is good for hiding the dark rings under the eyes but be careful not to over do it or you end up with negative panda eyes!
I’m about to go try your eye-lining method…I think I understand it. We shall see..!
I have a love-hate relationship with eye shadow. These days, I rarely wear it. Too much trouble to wear it on a daily basis! I do love a smoky eye sometimes.
Julianne – thanks so much for putting a name to it! That enabled me to look it up and find the video. My problem with regular over-the-lash liner is that my eyes are heavily hooded, and the liner smudges and tranfers to my eyelids.
Susan – the technique I use is similar, except that I don’t go over the top of the lashes, just the second part, from underneath.
Rose – You’re very welcome. see above in the “tightlining” post… I’ve listed the pencils I use, and am going to have a go at some waterproof gel liner applied with a brush.
Susan Tiner – I tend not to wear prints for two reasons. One, I find solids easier to coordinate, especially with scarves (esp those with prints or patterns). Two, I rarely see prints that I like enough to want to wear. So few really appeal to me.
hostess – I listed the pencils in the post above. Usually any pencil with the word “kohl” in the name will be soft. Test on back of your hand or where skin is a bit loose, should apply color without a lot of pressure. You don’t want to have to drag and pull the skin.
That’s Not My Age – that sounds like a good routine; you’re hitting the highlights.
style odyssey – I’m with you on the eyeshadow. Except for dress-up, I prefer a more natural look. Shadow takes work and practice to look “natural!”
Veuve – I never even knew this had a name, but apparently the Laura Mercier folks are on it. I’m going to check out the Cindy Joseph product. She’s the gorgeous grey-haired model from the Eileen Fisher website, I think.
Chicatanyage – the highlighter is a great tip! I’ll sometimes do that for evenings.
That’s a great idea to have an extra clean mascara brush on hand for clumps.
Pseu, I have a non-makeup question. Do you avoid wearing prints on top? I think I’m leaning towards your long over lean look and suspect prints don’t really work.
Tightlining is great. I also learned the technique from the Laura Mercier counter, and it’s the only eyelining technique that works for my deep set (heading rapidly toward hooded) eyes.
A new product I just discovered and highly recommend is a color stick from Cindy Joseph’s new Boom! line. It is a sheer, beautiful color and you can use it all over (even as a lipstick and eye shadow). Easy to use, very natural looking, and best of all, flattering.
Here’s her video of how to use it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CKfHQAElKE
Great video. I will try this technique. I have tried the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner but find that it dries out quite quickly. I find a bit of highlighter on the top of the cheekbones really helps to lighten up the face.
I have a couple of things that you might find interesting. One, for fair people that don’t wear a bronzer well, Lancome makes a very sheer light powder bronzer that works beautifully! I have a really light skin tone, and a makeup artist used it on me and I was sold.
Its the fairest tone and it wakes up your skintone just enough to look sunkissed not orange.
Also if you want an no pink or coral blush, try Strada by Mac, it is a most subtle touch of contour but it doesn’t look brown or grubby. Its mauvey taupe-y colour that also works well as an eyeshadow.
Those two items I would miss terribly if they became discontinued.
Thanks for these tips – wonderful and for the video about ‘tightlining’ – off to get ready for work now and will try this! from Semi-Expat X
Why no mascara on the lower lashes (as long as your mascara doesn’t smudge)? I never think my eyes look more “open” when I skip mascara on my lower lashes…I just look a bit less defined, if you will.