I just came across this on facebook and found it rather hilarious, because it happens all the time.

How to avoid this problem and get more even mascara!

- Unlike with mascara, you should do eyeshadow eyes at the same time step by step so you apply the shape and colour in the same way on both sides. (eg. base colour on both eyes before you do anything else, don't fully finish one eye and then try and match it up)

- Close your eyes, place the wand over your eyelashes and drag it down as you blink open, making your eyelashes a little blacker on top.

- Do one side of mascara, let it dry and THEN do the other side. This makes it easier to correct mistakes as you go while your mascara is still wet

- Apply the bulk of your mascara in one go, 2 coats on a night out is generally way more than enough

#1 TIP - When an old mascara with a really good wand dries out I wash it and use it as a lash wand. They need to be quite firm with small plastic bristles, not soft ones. (Maybelline work well). When you've just put your mascara on and its still wet, immediately zig zag the dry wand to the tips and comb through. This separates and defines, getting rid of clumps and keeps it even!

Tips for puffy/tired eyes

DO

- When I have an early morning start I make the last 20 seconds of my shower ice cold - it's uncomfortable but extremely refreshing and wakes you right up!

- Run a couple of spoons under cold water and pop them in the fridge for a few minutes. Once they're freezing cold hold them on your eyes for thirty or so seconds, it wakes you up and reduces puffiness.

- Highlight the whites of your eyes with eyeshadow/eyeliner. Draw on your inner rim with white eyeliner and dot white eyeshadow on the inner corners of your eyes to emphasise the whites and make them look more awake!

- Illuminate your cheekbones with highlighting cream, also place it below the brow line and on your cupids bow (the centre dip in your upper lip) to brighten complexion.

- Use blush! Keep it simple, apply to the apples of your cheeks and brush towards your hair line

- Opt for a pinky, young lipstick that matches your blush tone - matching blush to lipstick ties your makeup together and always looks pretty

DONT

- Apply black eyeliner to your lower rim, all it will do is close your eyes up and emphasise puffiness

- Cake on makeup to hide your tiredness, mix foundation with moisturiser or use BB cream for your complexion to make it glowing and refreshed looking

A beginner's guide to liquid eyeliner!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4TJMpvZwVQ&feature=youtu.be

See my post on liquid eyeliner tips for info on cleaning up any mistakes and a summary of what i've discussed in this video :)

Thanks for watching!

Flic x

One of my favourite faces.

Frida Gustavsson

Swedish Fashion Model Frida ranks 17th in the 'Top 50 Models' list by Models.com and holy crap what a stunner! One of my favourite faces, she's extremely elvin looking which I think is awesome, she pulls off a full face of makeup and still looks stunning with a fresh face (right). I'm loving the stars under her eyes (second from left), from Vogue UK's december 2010 issue. I love the concept of playing around with creative makeup, but at the end of the day I just try to do what is most flattering for my face and its colouring. Maybe for the next party i'll go nuts and try the stars!

I came across this picture on tumblr and realised how long I had been putting off updating this blog for! I've only just got home from University, and now i've got the entire Summer so i'm going to be a lot more dedicated.

LIQUID EYELINER

I wear it nearly every day because there are so many things you can do with it as you can see, you can elongate, open and intensify your eyes!
It is also one of the trickiest things to apply, but once you've got it it's super easy, I will post a video tutorial some time soon, but in the mean time i'll outline my most basic tips for applying.

1. Apply liquid eyeliner AFTER your eyeshadow and BEFORE your mascara.
- If you apply your liquid liner first, eyeshadow is much harder to apply because you'll have to work your way around it and the shadow will inevitably interfere with the colour of your liquid eyeliner.
- I find that liquid eyeliner often gets on the tips of my eyelashes when I apply it, if i'm already wearing mascara my eyelashes just look clunky by the time i'm done and it's impossible to remove without starting again or ruining my mascara.

2. Cotton swabs are your new best friend
It's shaky hand work and I still make mistakes, you don't need to wipe it all off and start again, just try and smudge the wonky line back into place with a dry swab and then dampen it to remove any unwanted shadow.

3. Beginner? Invest in a pen liner.
Many makeup ranges sell liquid eyeliner pens, and they are GENIUS. They're fine tipped, allow for much more control, and if you're starting out small its much easier to create a thin, precise line. I'm currently using a ZA pen which is okay, it's very very fine which is good but takes more time if I want to do something more intense and thick. My favourite is the 'Line Definer' liquid eyeliner by Maybelline. Good medium sized tip, cost around $21 (NZD) and lasted for ages!

Will post a video soon :)

Flic x

My amazing collection of Cosmo, Cleo, Vogue and other beauty magazines, gathered over two or three years. Before I fly back to Auckland I'm going to rip out every single beauty page that I like and make it into one giant beauty magazine, from which i'll pick and try out my favourite looks to share with you all :)

Bold Lip

The ratio should always be 50/50 when it comes to eyes or just one or the other. NEVER go 100% eyes and 100% lips - it works for no one and guys just don't understand it.

If you want to start wearing lipstick but aren't confident with it, build up to it buy wearing tinted balms, glosses or patting on a lipstick subtly before you go for the full on bold lip. 'Bloom' do a fantastic range of lip tints, I highly recommend.

1. Face:  Shiny skin + Shiny lips = no no. I've created a flawless base with my day foundation (Max Factor Second Skin) and applied translucent powder to eliminate shine.

2. Eyes: With a bold lip you want to keep the eye makeup to a minimum but decide what's best for you! Personally I can't get away with no eye makeup, as my eyes are quite small and I have short lashes but that's okay! Makeup is about working with and enhancing what you have, not trying to change what's already there. I always have at least a swipe of liquid eyeliner on, a layer of mascara and a soft application of dark brown eyeshadow on the outer corners of my eyelid to widen the appearance of my eyes. Black/brown mascara for lighter colored eyes works best with this look, hazel or darker - always wear black!

3. Lips: If you're a lipstick wearer it's important to keep your lips maintained. Once a week exfoliate with a baby toothbrush to keep them soft, or try this awesome lip exfoliator by Lush, its around $7 and comes in assorted flavors. 

Sometimes if I want my lips to really stand out and last I foundation over them before application, try it out and see if it works for you!

Apply a tinted lip balm - I use Lipice, $7 from the pharmacy, Strawberry blistex is also good - to create a good base. I don't use lip liner because i'm on a budget, but the revlon lipliner range is fantastic and creates a good base for the lipstick to cling to. It's actually better to apply a lip liner the shade of your own lips so as not to interfere with the lipstick shade, it works!

4. Apply lipstick with a lip brush for precision and even application, it also makes the lipstick itself last longer because you aren't using as much. 

Blot by pressing your lips either side of a tissue and reapply for long lasting colour.

I am 100% pro Revlon lipsticks :) If you're going out keep a compact mirror, lipstick and a cotton bud handy do wipe away any lipstick bleeding, they're the best tool ever.

My makeup bag!

I'm packing my bag to go home to Christchurch for the week, I thought this would be a good excuse to post about my essential makeup items that I can't travel without :)

1. Thin Lizzy Concealer in 'Miss Von Dita' - Amazing coverage, the range of shades is massive and it's well priced.

2. Revlon Photoready Airbrush Mousse Foundation - I always splash out on foundation, I wear this one on days where I need better coverage or i'm going out at night, it has awesome staying power.

3. Max Factor Second Skin Foundation - $42 - Great liquid day foundation, it's light and reflective and blends really well, easy to use! Max Factor has amazing foundations, highly recommend.

4. Lipice Strawberry Touch - $7, good all around lipbalm plus it tastes like strawberries and gives you a nice berry tint. Great on its own or over/under lipstick as you maintain the rosiness but it keeps you well hydrated.

5. Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in 'Wine With Everything' - My favourite red lippy with an appropriate title :) Looks good in block colour and makes for a really nice tint when mixed with lipbalm or patted on, it's a rosy colour.

6. Revlon Colourburst Lipstick in Crimson - $25-$30 - ALWAYS go Revlon lipsticks, they're incredible and there are millions of shades. This one is nice because it's moisturizing but not too glossy, darker lippy for going out.

7. IT GIRL colour palette - $3 from an Asian import store - Such a good buy. It gives you subtle washes of colour if you aren't into or confident with bold coloured eyes, these are shimmery and great for going out.

8. Powder Brush - This came from a set and I carry it everywhere, I only carry around the brushes I use the most. This is used for dusting on translucent powder for a soft finish after foundation rather than using a sponge and risking a cakey look.

9. Powder Blush - This came from a massive set of makeup I received when I was thirteen, powder is awesome because it lasts forever and it can be bought cheaply! I only splash on cream blush for its reflective qualities.

10. Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Palette - $$$$$$$. I was given this as a gift and I LOVE IT. This one includes shades white through to black, 4 matte shadows and one sparkly. If you want a decent black shadow you have to pay a bit for the colour but this is sooo worth it! Comes with a little double ended brush as well, this is ideal for going out.

11. Foundation Brush - $11 - Again a necessity, your fingers carry germs and it isn't ideal to be applying your foundation with them. Brushes allow for control and smooth blending, be sure to wash them once a week with shampoo and warm water.

12. Double ended eye pencil - $1!!! - WINWINWIN. Asian import stores for the win, I got two for $2, use them every day. One end is dark grey for softer, smudgier eyes and the other side is black for day and night wear.

13. Loreal Open Eyes Pro Eyeshadow - Probably expensive. - This was given to me by a friend, I estimate $30+, nice every day brown shades but with a lot more sparkle. I like this for during the day when I want to wear more eye makeup or night time when i'm going for a bold lip and want more subtle eyes but still with some glamour.

14. Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder - $18 - By far the best value for money i've come across, gives a light coverage and eliminates shine and lasts so well! Comes in a travel handy compact with a mirror and a sponge.

15. Blush brush - Basic, required only for powder blush. If you don't own one just pat on a pink or red lipstick very subtly, slightly different texture but looks just as pretty, plus double product usage!

16. Natio Black Liquid Liner - about $20. - Good colour and lasting power, however I prefer the Maybelline liquid liners that come in a pen rather than a tube with a brush. They last longer, the liquid doesn't get clumpy and it makes for a much finer and more precise line, worth the few extra dollars and much easier to apply! I give this a 6/10

17. Soft Bristled Eyeshadow Brush - Came as a set, I only ever use hard bristled brushes for special application. Soft bristles are good for every day wear when you just need a soft wash of colour and easy blending.

18. Moisture Mist Eyebrow Pencil - $25+ - this was quite pricey I thought, the colour is very light which I prefer because I like subtle definition but I only give it a 6/10. Try a hard angled brush with a light brown matte shadow for eyebrows if you want a softer look, make sure the shadow isn't sparkly because it will be obvious

19. Maybelline Eyeshadow Palette - $25 - This is my everyday palette, the shades are matte, neutral and good quality. When applied with a soft bristled brush they're great for every day, with a hard angled brush they make for a great brown smokey eye when going out!

20 + 21. Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner - $$$$$$ - Another gift that I cherish, application is thicker because of the limitations of the brush but makes for an awesome long staying black smokey eye, works well for the lower rim as well. If you want a thin line on your upper lash i'd stick to liquid!

22. Eye Pencil Sharpener - $7 - basic pharmacy standard sharpeners are a must

23. Loreal Lash Define Mascara in Black/Brown - $25+ - Stole this one from Mum, it's great for during the day because its dark enough to thicken your lashes but the brown makes blue and green eyes pop. Soft yet striking definition and better for volume as opposed to length

Buy from cheap stores!

Every time I need a new product I choose a different one and have done this for the past few years, I look for the highest quality and value whilst looking for the lowest price, and as an art student (meaning  basically zero cash) I fully promote buying makeup from cheap asian stores, it is actually the best. Sure the chemicals are not as good quality, DO NOT recommend buying their foundations or mascaras, as these are the products that are actually worth splurging on. Good foundation required because cheap stuff doesn't often look as good, also it's worse for your skin - especially if it's sensitive. Mascara also is a difficult one, lashes fall in your eyes all the time and its in such close contact with your eyes I wouldn't recommend it.
Products I buy from cheap stores:

- Liquid Eyeliner - They're more watery and so create a subtle line rather than a bold one, nice for subtle makeup days :)

- Coloured eyeshadow - I have a sweet palette of shimmery colours, as I'm not as bold with using block coloured eye shadow using cheaper colours mean lighter, paler tones. Soft washes are a good way to
work up to using bold colours which you need to pay more money for - I highly recommend MAC.

- Lipstick - But only pink ones. I like them because they're subtle and quite matte if you find the right ones, a good way to experiment with new colours and shades and not worry about wasting money on an expensive lipsticks! When you decide on the right tone, Revlon are my favourite. There's a ridiculous selection of tones

- Eyeliner - I personally don't put it in the inner rim of my lower lid, which is right next to your naked eye. I therefore don't worry about using cheap eyeliner, some of them are better than ones you pay big money for! The one I use cost me $2 for two sticks, and it has a black end and a grey end. I use it every day, baaaargain. If you do line your inner rim though, a trusted brand is probably a better idea.

- Blusher - As long as its powder, it should be fine. Cheap pink lipsticks double as a really good pigmented blush which has awesome staying power, however blusher is honestly just like the eyeshadow thing, it gives you subtle pink cheeks which I think is pretty. The one I use i've had for years, it came from a really big cheap set of makeup designed for 13 year olds or something, its fantastic and I use it all the time!