Details Details Details…

Hi Ladies!

I received some really positive feedback on my last post about my “bad day” makeup so I wanted to list some of the products used and also tell you guys the steps I took in order to achieve this look because it’s honestly so simple and you can spice it up very easily! 

EYES:

• Base/Primer: MAC Paint Pot in Painterly applied with a concealer brush and blended out with my finger (I put this from my lash line up to my brow bone because I have product on my brow bone later on) 
• Setting Powder for Eyes: I personally like to set the paint pot with a cream shadow one that matches my skin tone because I find that it makes it easier to blend out my crease colors but this set isn’t necessary. I applied this with a domed shadow brush from Real Techniques and used a MAC Skin Finish in Light (you can use these powders for multiple things, not just to set your skin).
• Crease Color#1: I then went in with my first crease color which is Cocoa Bear from Make Up Geek, I personally love this shade but you should swatch it out before you commit to it all over your crease. If you find this color is too orange for you then use a light shade of brown like Brown Script from Mac which has a slightly orange undertone but it is more brown so you might feel more comfortable if you aren’t yet used to shades like Cocoa Bear. I applied Cocoa Bear into my crease with a MAC 217 brush, I started with a very light layer and then started to build up but I always focused the product into the outer edge of my eye and then swept whatever was left onto the brush further into my eye. 
• Liner: I started with Maybelline Gel Liner in Black I used a MAC eyeliner brush that is now discontinued but I recently found out that the MAC 226 Small Angle Brush is an exact replica for the original one so if you are on the hunt for a new liner brush definitely try this one out. I personally love this one because it does all the work for you, it creates a really nice tapered edge at the edge of the wing and because it is small it is so easy to be precise. I just started with small strokes from my inner corner to outer and then I put the brush tip on the edge of my eye facing up from my brow bone and draw the wing then I connect it back to the rest of the liner…Sounds confusing but you just need to practice some wing sizes and lengths to figure out which one works for your eye shape the best. 
• Inner Liner: This part I’m still struggling with my I took some extra gel liner onto my brush (barely any) and drew the point in my inner tear duct area… I don’t have a lot of advice on this yet because it was my first time doing it and I definitely need some more practice with this style liner. 
• Crease#2: I took MAC eye shadow in Embark and used the MAC 217 to apply this right above the outer wing of my liner to darken up the crease. 
• Lashes: I slightly curled my top lashes and applied Miss Manga Waterproof Mascara in Black to my top lash line (I did two coats) then I applied Ardell Lashes in 109 (perfect dupe for House of Lashes Iconic) and used Duo lash glue in black. I wait about 40 seconds to apply my lashes to really let the glue start to dry then I take tweezers with a longer handle and start by adhering them to the center of my lashes and then adhere them to the back and front of my lashes. Then I hold them down with my finger and they should be completely dry and held to your lashes. 
• Bottom Lash Line: (I did this after my foundation). I started with a definer brush and packed on embark from back really close to my lower lash line from inner to outer corner then I took a pencil brush with Cocoa Bear lightly on it and blended from inner to outer corner really well so that my eyes just had a smokey bottom lash line.
• Liner: Then I went in with L’Oreal eye liner kohl in dark brown (amazing drugstore liner) and applied this to my inner lower lash line and also tight lined my upper lash line. 
• Mascara: I finished off the bottom lash line with the same Miss Manga Waterproof Mascara in Black.

FACE: 

• Base: I started with a base about 30 minutes before after I washed my face which was Philosophy Hope In A Jar For Dry Skin.
• Foundation: Once my face was done I went in with Makeup Forever HD Foundation, I applied some Jose Maran Illuminator to the foundation on the back of my hand and then pressed it into my skin with a beauty blender.
• Concealer: I used IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Circles Concealer and blended this in with a beauty blender. 
• Setting Powders: I used MAC Skin Finish in Light to set my under eyes and Ben Nye Powder in Buff for the rest of my face. 
• Contour: I went in with Anastasia Contour Kit using the lightest shade to bronze and then used Benefit Hoola Bronzer to lightly contour my face with a MAC 209 for both products.
• Blush: Then I went in with a coral shade from Ben Nye blush palette and applied this very lightly to the apples of my cheeks with a Real Techniques Multi-Task Brush. 
• Eyebrows: I used Anastasia Dip Brown in Auburn and set it with Anastasia Clear Brow Gel. 

The Real Deal With Eyebrows…

Hi Ladies, 

I recently did a post about how important contouring is and the wonderful effects it can have on your face if done correctly but there is another popular step in beauty today that needs to be discussed, eyebrows. Eyebrows literally shape your entire face. You can change so much about how your face is perceived if you have awesome brows. I try not to follow by many beauty rules or set too many restrictions and guidelines but I vowed to myself awhile ago to never leave the house without my eyebrows being filled in. If you honestly don’t think it will make a difference I beg you to go into your makeup collection, take a brown (or matching shadow) on a flat definer brush and fill those babies in! 

We all know that Anastasia Soare (Anastasia Beverly Hills) is known for not only her impeccable pros and the vision that she has for others brows, but the phenomenal products she sells also. Her business is so successful and so important to the makeup world right now. Her products are seriously revolutionary for today’s world and trump over most others in the category. Recently she came out with her Dip Brow Pomades which are a creamy consistence of eyebrow heaven. I personally use the Dip Brow Pomade in Auburn every single day. Some may say that it is too harsh for a normal day-time look but if applied correctly and with a light hand you will achieve beautiful full brows that will last you all day by adding a touch of her brow gel. 

While I do love the Dip Brow, I began my eyebrow craze with Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse (seriously a mouth full). When I first discovered that I wanted a more thick brow and the pencils and powders weren’t doing it for me this was the first product in a pomade moussey form that I tried and honestly I loved it. It was thick but precise and really allowed me to create the brows I wanted at the time. I bought mine in Medium Brown and I found it was perfect for my light brown hair because it never went on very thick or dark. 

 

Comparing: 

Overall both are great products but they do have some distinct differences

1. Tarte’s Brow Mousse is definitely more thick and if you aren’t used to this kind of formula it can be kind of a mess. While the Anastasia Dip Brow was light and seemed easy for someone new to these products to handle. 
2. Both of the colors were the same level for both brands (medium browns) but for Tarte it had an obvious grey undertone and seemed quite dull when compared to the rich color of the Dip Brow. These could be a negative or a positive depending on who is using this product. I actually did not mind this grey tone to it, at times I think it made it look more natural when it was blended out on my brows. 
3. Both of them last very long. Whether you end up setting them with a brow gel or not these act as a little bit of brow gel because of the texture to them. It is kind of like putting gel in your hair, it might move a little but for the most part the shape will hold all day.
4. I did find that the Tarte Mousse was waterproof, it took extra work to get it completely off at night which I didn’t mind because I knew that even if it rained or I jumped into a pool, it would stil be stuck to my brows. The Dip Brow was slightly waterproof but if given the choice I would choose the Tarte Mousse

Honestly both of these products were so similar and I do not have complaints about either of them. I think it would depend on what exactly you are looking for in an eyebrow product and how advanced you are at creating your shape with a pomade or mousse. Overall I would choose the Anastasia Dip Brow just because it is not as thick and a little bit easier to work with. 

XOXO