Making Eyes with You
Some ideas for party make up, focusing on eyes:
Primer - I know I've mentioned this before, but I really can't emphasise enough that a good primer is essential. It will help your eye make up to stick to your eyelids, and reduce creasing. You will need to experiment to find the right one for you, but it's definitely worth taking the time to do that - you won't regret it!
Face or eyes first - if you find your eyeshadow tends to drop onto your cheeks, leaving you with a bit of clear up job, then try doing your eyes before your foundation. The eyeshadow will be easier to clean off, and the foundation will then sweep away any residue. However, your face can look pale and flat without a good foundation, so remember to balance this when applying your eye colours. This is worth trying to see if it works for you.
Under eye concealer - reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes with a concealer. If you are prone to oiler skin you will find some of the richer consistencies may make your mascara transfer. Ones to try:
Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher - this one looks very similar to Yves St Laurent's Touche Eclat, but feels lighter and gives better coverage. It is ideal for mature skins.
Benefit Boi-ing - sold as "industrial strength" - it has excellent coverage, but don't go too mad with it, or it tends to settle and look cakey
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum Concealer - this is like an eye cream/concealer combo - and is very good for mature skins, but you will need to powder to ensure staying power. There are 21 shades to choose from, so there's bound to be one for you.Eye liner - if you find black a bit too harsh try a softer shade such as dark brown, dark grey, navy, deep green or even purple. Staying with the softer appearance, a pencil will be less defined and easier to smudge than a liquid or gel liner. But do make sure you test pencils and only choose a very soft one. One of my favourites is Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense, which comes in a fab choice of colours.
Colours - for evenings you can afford to be a bit bolder, so try something a bit deeper than your daytime choices. Keep blending to keep the lines soft, and start with a little and build up to get the colour intensity you want. Great colours to try - copper, bronze, plum, charcoal/greys, but accompany these with lighter soft colours such as cream, palest pink and pale gold. Matte colours will not emphasise lines and wrinkles as much as the more shiny colours, but have a play and get the right look and feel for you...
Glitter - having said about matte versus shiny, if ever there was a time for glitter it has to be Christmas, and the party season! Make sure you choose glitter that is specially designed for the eye area - Mac do plenty. I also like the Urban Decay Moondust eye shadows that feel like a cream, but go on like a powder - some pretty colours available too.
Mascara - I am not going to recommend a specific mascara, as there are literally thousands, and some people suit big brushes, and some suit very small brushes. But I am going to say put lashings on, to really big up those lashes, and frame those beautiful eyes!
Need more help? How about booking in for a make-up lesson? Please contact me to book an appointment.