Behind Blue Eyes: A Tutorial

Hello everyone and welcome to another tutorial! Today I'm playing around with bright blue eyeliner and shadow and I absolutely love how vibrant and fun this look is. This look isn't one I'd sport on a casual day, but for those of you who are daring and love colour, this is for you!

PRODUCTS I USED:

From top: Nicka K Cosmetics  Eye Pencil A06 Blue Glow, Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner, Revlon ColorStay Gel Eyeliner in Black

Maybelline NY Eye Studio (limited edition) Striking Blue #600

LETS GET STARTED:

Before you begin it's important to prep your eyes

1. Add some concealer to the entire lid, up to the brows and under your eyes. (My eyelids tend to be slightly darker and this helps to brighten them up as well as conceal under eye dark circles.) You may skip this step if it is unnecessary for you.
2. The area around my eye is fully concealed and brightened.
3. Apply an eye shadow primer to your lid.
4. With your finger or brush, apply a light eye shadow (choose a colour that's near to your skintone) to your entire lid.

1. With your blue eyeliner, begin to line your eyes, creating a flick/wing at the end. You may make the wing as subtle or dramatic as you want.
2. Then, using a shimmery blue eye shadow, apply that on top of the eyeliner, making sure to keep true to the shape. (This is basically to intensify the look since the liner is not greatly pigmented) 
3. Once you are satisfied with your line and wing you are finished with the blue
4. With some black gel liner and an angled brush, make another line on top of the blue keeping both lines equal in width. (If you don't have gel liner you may use a liquid or pencil liner and adjust the technique to achieve the desired look)
5. With a pencil brush, press some black eye shadow on top of the black eyeliner to deepen and intensify the colour.
6. That's it for liner and shadow!

You may finish the look by just applying mascara to your top lashes as seen below.

For a little more depth and detail, line your waterline with black eyeliner, brighten your tear duct area and highlight your brow bone with a shimmery white shadow and apply mascara to your bottom lashes and you're all done!

That's it for my tutorial! I really hope you enjoyed this and was able to learn a few things. Be sure to let me know how you liked this look and possibly something you'd do differently or even add to it. I had so much fun making this tutorial and definitely look out for more to come!

Many thanks and heartfelt appreciation to everyone!

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It's All About Purple Eyes: Two Looks ft. Purple Prism

Hi lovelies and happy Friday! Today I'm excited to share with you all my first makeup tutorial. Since I will be showing two looks I'm keeping this intro short and sweet and I'll get straight into the tutorials. I made this with lots of love and tried my best to make everything as simple to understand and easy to follow. I really hope you enjoy!

Story:
Out of curiosity, I picked up my Jordana Metal Rocks Metallic Retractable Eyeliner (they simply couldn't make that name any longer) and started experimenting...until a little piece broke off. That's when the idea for this tutorial came about.

I wanted to create a smokey look that was very soft, easy-going and wearable for both day and nighttime, as well as a simple look that was still fun.

For the first look, I used the broken piece of eyeliner as an eyeshadow. Here is how I created it:

PRODUCTS AND TOOLS I USED

From left: Jordana Eyeliner, L'oreal Paris Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner, Maybelline NY The Rocket Volum' Express, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Revlon Photo Ready Concealer & ColorStay 12hr Eyeshadow #03 Neutral Khakis

My EcoTools eye brushes, foundation brush & Sigma E30 (pencil)

RENEWED PURPLE PRISM: SOFT & SMOKEY

1. Begin with priming your lids and apply a light eye shadow across your entire lid, extending it to your brow, for your base.
2. Taking your newly created purple liner eye shadow (or regular eye shadow), apply it to the outer corner of your eye lid with your finger using a gentle "press and smudge" technique.
3. With a blending brush and some dark brown eye shadow, begin blending it along the outer corner as well as along the crease of your eye.
4. Continue until everything is well blended and there are no harsh lines
5. Highlight your brow bone with a light eye shadow 
6. You're done with eye shadows!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. With the same eyeliner used for the shadow, line your lower lash line (if you used a regular purple eyeshadow, use a liner similar to that colour OR use the eyeshadow to line your lower lash line)
8. Taking the same brown eye shadow with a pencil brush, gently blend with the liner
9. With an angled eyeliner brush, use the brown eye shadow and press along your upper lash line (this will give a softer look than using a black eyeliner)
10. With the same pencil brush gentle blend the shadow along your lash line
11. Using your favorite black eye liner, apply to your water line
12. Then "tight line" with the same black eyeliner (basically lining the area under your eyelashes)

Bring the entire look together by applying your favorite mascara and you're done!

*For a brighter look, you can apply a shimmery light shadow to the inner corner of your eyes and well as the middle of your lids

THE DOUBLE LINER EFFECT

1. After you've primed your lids and applied a base colour, with a soft black eyeliner, apply along your upper lash line
2. Using a pencil brush, smudge the liner to create a softer look as well as create a slight wing by blending the liner outward.
3. With your purple eyeliner, add that on top the black liner
4. Using an angled liner brush, smudge the purple eyeliner across the black. (This gives a pretty iridescent effect)
5. Line your water line using the purple eyeliner.
6. Then tight line using the same black eyeliner.

Finish off the look with your favorite mascara and you're all done!

So that's it for my tutorial. I hope you enjoyed it and found it easy to understand and follow. I also hope I inspired you all to try new things with your makeup! If you recreate this look, be sure to let me know how it turned out. Also in the comments, let me know what you would do differently for these looks as I'd love to learn from you. Have a fantastic weekend! 

Thank you so much for spending time at my blog!

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Revlon Lash Potion: A Quick Review

Welcome to another day at my blog! Today I'm going to keep things short and simple with a review of Revlon's latest Lash Potion by Grow Luscious. Mascara is my all time favourite makeup item and I love trying new ones. I previously tried the Grow Luscious Plumping Mascara and the Fabulash Mascara, both by Revlon, and loved them. When I saw this new mascara, I had to try it! This mascara boasts of both volumizing and lengthening capabilities. Lets see how true this is!

I purchased mine at Superpharm, however you can find it at any drugstore that sells Revlon Products. 

Revlon Lash Potion in blackest black (non-waterproof formula)

1. Naked eyelashes 
2. One coat of the mascara. As clearly seen, this mascara instantly lengthens my eyelashes as well as adds volume. My eyelashes are also fairly separated and there is no clumping. Also, my lashes are well curled upward
3. Second coat of mascara. A little more length and volume is added. Lashes are very well separated and still no clumping present. The lashes also still hold its curl.

My thoughts:

I altogether love this mascara as it did not disappoint. It truly volumizes and lengthens as it says. I particularly love how well it keeps my lashes curled and separated. I experienced no clumping throughout the entire application process. It is also super light as it does not weigh down my lashes. It also seems fairly sensitive as I did not experience any redness or watery eyes during and after application. Also, the wand is especially large, being both long and wide with thick bristles. This didn't seem to be a problem for me and I think it is what helped separate my lashes so well. It even did well to apply to my lower lashes. I don't have anything negative really to say about this mascara.

I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you tried this mascara or would you like to? Definitely let me know your thoughts on the results!

Thank you so much for your time! 

Be sure to 

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xo Els

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How To: Rescue Your Broken Makeup!

Hi girls! and guys...I don't judge. If I had a list of "Top things I'd hate to have broken" (what kind of weird list is that), naturally my heart would be #1 and next would be my makeup! Actually, next would be my phone, and then my laptop. Alright, my makeup would surely be somewhere up there. And lets face it, while rushing to get ready, being careful isn't always a priority. I must admit, I honestly don't know how and when I became such a girly girl, but whenever any of my makeup products fall, a little piece of my heart does too!

So after some digging, I found a very handy and common way to fix broken makeup. I tried it out on a bronzing powder and it worked great. In fact, I loved the outcome better than the original product, so much that I went a little crazy and actually purposely broke another bronzer of mine to repair it! Sorry bronzer...

Lets repair some makeup!

Here is what you'll need:

1. Rubbing alcohol (or similar, once containing a very high alcohol content)
2. A spoon as well as something to crush your makeup ( I opted for a nail tool)

*Water is a no-no

*Make sure to cleanse your tools with the rubbing alcohol before using them

My lovely work of art

1. Remove all the product from the pan and empty into the compact. If your compact isn't as deep as mine, a small bowl may be better for the next few steps.

 2. With your tool of choice, crush the product into very fine particles.

3. Pour some of the rubbing alcohol onto your spoon and add to your product. Repeat this step until there is enough liquid to create a paste.

4. With the spoon, begin to mix the product together with the rubbing alcohol until it forms a paste.

* If you chose to use a bowl for the previous steps, now you can empty the product back into the compact.

5. Again, using the spoon, smooth the product as neatly as possible. It's really hard to get it perfect, so if you're OCD like me, really try to chill for this step.

6. Now set your makeup aside to dry and you're done! 

*With a cotton round and some rubbing alcohol you can clean around the compact

From left: NYC Sun 'n' Bronze Bronzing Powder #707 Fire Island Tan & Revlon ColorStay Mineral  Bronzer  #040 Golden Bronze

Enjoy using your renewed makeup!

Finished product

Colour payoff (these bronzers are much lighter than they appear in the compact and I mostly use them for highlighting)

I hope you found this easy to follow and possibly helped you refrain from re-purchasing makeup. I actually find repairing broken makeup fun and easy. As a plus, it does not take very long to dry, so that's great if you're impatient like me!

Thank you so much for your time!

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How I Do My Eyebrows! + Revlon Brow Fantasy Review

Hi beautiful people! I hope everyone had a good week and is taking some time to relax. There are days when you just want your face to have a break from all the makeup, and for those with acne like me (haven't I mentioned that enough?) it can be scary. Lately however, I've been embracing my natural skin and just going out the door with moisturizer and SPF only. For no-makeup days, I often take the opportunity to play up and define my brows since it helps to give you a more polished and youthful look. It's not cheating! Well, technically its still makeup...but you know what I mean. So today I'll be sharing how I groom and fill in my brows.

Before I begin, I want to thank my mother for quarreling with me for whining when a lady messed up my eyebrows while waxing once, and making me realize it's not the end of the world and there are WAY more important things in life. Obviously I knew that, but I unfortunately resorted to overreacting and being a girl and forgetting that hair grows back...sigh. This was the day I learnt how I could rescue my brows and started filing them in.

Well, I've embarrassed myself enough. Now onto the tutorial and review!

P.s. Every so often I get my eyebrows waxed and this tutorial shows how I maintain my brows in between waxing as well as how I fill them in. This is how I personally do my eyebrows and I am in no way saying this is the right way to do it. Everyone has there own technique and style. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your technique is!

These are the tools and products I use to achieve my eyebrow look

Mirror, Scissors, Tweezers, Concealer Brush, Revlon Brow Fantasy, Lash & Brow Groomer (not shown: L'oreal True Match Crayon Concealer )

Simple Toner, Cotton round

PART 1 (refer to illustration above):

1. This is how my brows look four days after being waxed. My natural eyebrows are thick and the hairs begin to grow back very quickly. 
2. First, I wipe the area around my eyebrows with a toner/astringent to clean and remove any oil (this makes it easier to pluck the hairs)
3. I grab my tweezers and begin to pluck away, following the natural shape of my brow, pulling out stray hairs. Note: Every so often I take a step back from the mirror to ensure I'm not over plucking. If that happens, it's best to stop and not try to continue tweezing to rescue your brows. The hair will grow back. 
4. I then comb the brow hairs upward
5. Using an appropriate pair of scissors, I trim the excess hair
6. This is how my brows look after the grooming is done

PART 2:

1. First I take a look at my brows and see where needs filling in
2. Using a dark brown brow pencil, I fill in my eyebrows with gentle strokes
3. Using a brow gel, I comb my brow hairs in place
4. I let the gel dry and ensure I am happy with the look
5. To finish off, I neaten up and define my eyebrows with some concealer and a concealer brush
6. I'm all done!

REVLON BROW FANTASY REVIEW

I recently purchased this eyebrow duo and I love it. I got mine in the shade dark brown which was the darkest shade available. The pencil has just the right amount of softness and glides along my brows effortlessly. I love the fact that it does not result in very harsh lines, but blends into my brows really well. The gel combs my brows wonderfully and keeps them in place all day. Even when I aimlessly run my finger along them! The only issue I have with this duo is the colour of the gel. I wish it was slightly darker since when it dries, leaves a distinct shade of brown, lighter than my natural hair colour. Nevertheless, a great product!


Well, that concludes my tutorial and review. I hope you enjoyed it and possibly learned a few things from it. Don't forget to share your tips and tricks for doing your brows!

Many thanks to everyone who visits my blog

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xo Els

My Eco Tools Makeup Brush Collection

Hello lovely people! Hope you all had a happy day. I think it's safe to say that though, since everyone is off from school. In a previous post, I showed how I clean my makeup brushes, so with that in mind, I thought I'd share with you all my Eco Tools brush collection! It's still a growing collection, but I want to share what I already have with you and talk a little bit about each.

Now, when I first started wearing makeup I truly didn't appreciate the use of makeup brushes. I would go straight to the tiny applicators that came along with the eye shadow palettes, and used the miniature brushes that were provided with the blushes. You know those...with the terrible, coarse bristles! But that's in the past. I now only ever rely on my favored brushes to give me that perfect finish! 

I understand how makeup brushes can be on the pricey side, especially for a good quality brush. That's why I love Eco Tools so much, as they manage to balance cost and quality very well. Even though for some, these brushes can still be expensive, but the quality of the brushes are exceptional! They are very well built and the bristles are very soft, not to mention the entire look of these brushes. With the handles made of bamboo and the different shades of brown used for the bristles, I absolutely love how friendly these brushes are!

Compared to other cosmetic brands out there, I think Eco Tools is worthy of your investment. And hey....it's green! Though, I do hope to start a Real Techniques and Sigma collection in the near future. I mean, have you ever felt those brushes? Damn...those bristles...but DAMN...so expensive! Anyway...

Let's get into it shall we!

My Eco Tools Collection! (Still growing)

Large Powder Brush

The large powder brush is a great tool for applying face powder (no-brainer there right?) and setting your makeup. I love how thick this brush is and how fluffy the bristles are. I use it to apply both pressed and loose powders and it works great! It applies evenly and helps me attain a very smooth finish without looking cakey. Also, the large brush allows me to apply product to a wider area of my face which saves time. 

Deluxe Fan Brush

This deluxe fan brush, like the powder brush, is perfect for setting your face makeup. It can also be used to define and contour your cheekbones and jaw line by angling the brush. I personally use it with a powder to set my face makeup by dusting (or fanning) it across my face. I also gently press it across and down my T-zone and anywhere else I get oily (like on my "inner cheeks" where my pores are larger).

Tapered Blush Brush

I actually have two of these blush brushes, one for applying blush and another for bronzer. This brush is good for both powder and cream blushes and blends so wonderfully! I was particularly amazed at how well it applied cream blushes. The tapered feature also allows for applying bronzer to the contours of your face. I love how dense this brush is with it still being soft and fluffed.

Mineral Powder Brush

I must admit, I don't use this mineral powder brush that often. It does well to pick up product and the application is great. However, after using the large powder brush, it is very hard to return to this brush. This brush is very well made like all other Eco Tools brushes, but I do admit the shape of it is kinda...well... odd. In the picture you can't tell (my fault) but the sides of this brush is quite flat. Still, the application is very good and the size makes it perfect for travel.

Mini Kabuki

Isn't this brush the cutest? I honestly just love the look of kabuki brushes. This one is particular is also a good travel brush. It a great for applying blush and highlighter and even bronzer, as I do. It is indeed dense and fluffy and just simply adorable!

Concealer Brush

This concealer brush is an important one for me. Since I suffer from acne, I use it to cover up all my imperfections to ensure a flawless face. It works great with both liquid and stick concealers. Before I got this brush, I used my fingers to apply concealer and I have to say this concealer brush does a way better job! As a plus, it can also double for an eye shadow brush.

Eye Shading Brush

The eye shading brush is a simple and basic tool. It picks up the eye shadow and applies really well. It also allows me to get into the crease of my eye and really add some definition. I use this with powder eye shadows mostly and it gets the job done.

Eye Shading Brush

This eye shadow brush is very similar to the first one except it is slightly more stiff. I use this with cream eye shadows as it does the best job and influences a really good colour pay off.

Petite Eye Shading Brush

Definitely my favourite eye shading brush! Blending is essential for creating a perfect look and this brush fits the bill. I use it for blending my shadows (eliminating harsh lines), creating definition to my eyes by also blending along the crease and for dusting a highlight colour on my brow bone. I absolutely love this brush and grab it every time I use eye shadow.

Angled Eyeliner Brush

The angled eyeliner brush has many uses not only for your eyes, but also brows. I use this with gel eyeliners for easy gliding along my eye as well as creating the perfect wing! Well, after a few tries...am I right? I also dab it in some matte black eye shadow and press it along the eyeliner to tone it down, or with a shimmery black shadow for a more luminous look. I sometimes use it for my eye brows as well, for shaping and filling it in, together with the lash and brow groomer. 

Lash and Brow Groomer

We can't forget this little guy! When I was smaller I didn't understand what this tool was used for. Now, I use the comb side to separate my lashes and the brush side to tame my brows and groom them into place.

Overall, I love this entire collection and will continue to add to it. Eco Tools brushes are truly fantastic and receive high ratings from me.

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Maybelline Lip Products: A Quick Review

Hi all! I think blogging at night is a new trend with me. I guess since your brain is exercised throughout the day and therefore...should be tired... This doesn't add up. Anyway, today I bring to you a review on the Maybelline lip products that I showed in my haul, specially requested by my friend Shelleigh! Hi Shells, hope you enjoy!

I think we can all agree that out of all drugstore brands Maybelline products are probably the most eye catching and can possibly make you want to eat them...or is that just me? I love their fun, colourful, "eye candy" (there, I used it) packaging which is a plus to their great quality product. I especially love their lip products, blushes and bb cream. I have been eyeing these two lip colour lines and I finally got to try them. I usually don't buy too many at once as I like to try out the product first to see if it's worth purchasing more.

Now, on to the review!

Color Whispers

Super Stay 14 hr Lipsticks

I'll begin with the Maybelline Color Whispers...

#85 Berry Ready 

#45 Who Wore It Red-er 

These Color Whispers are really enjoyable to wear. They glide on your lips easily and are so soft and creamy! The formula is very moisturizing and on first application gives you a translucent look, but you can surely build the color like I do. I'm so glad I chose these two colors because they go well with my skin tone. (See swatches below.) They are very similar colours though, so it's hard to pick one over the other. However, I must say they tend to sneak off your lips after a while of wearing them, especially if you're eating and drinking a lot. So be sure to slip it in your purse before you leave the house!

Swatches of each lip colour

Lip Swatches

Look how full and glossy my lips look with the Color Whispers!


Now onto the Super Stay 14 hr Lipstick...

#20  Eternal Rose

#30 Never Ending Nude

These 14 hr Lip Sticks come in such beautiful colours. Out of the two, I prefer Eternal Rose as it's a great shade of pink. Never Ending Nude, though, is not the best shade for me unfortunately. I'm not surprised as I have trouble finding the perfect nude shade for my skin tone. Also, it contains tiny shimmery particles that make it look even more pasty even though in the swatch (see above) it looks fine. Apart from that, the application is not nearly as smooth as the Color Whispers. Instead, it is a little dry and drags along the lips. I always apply a lip balm before going in with this lipstick. I can't say if it really lasts up to 14 hrs since I don't wear my makeup that long, but it surely takes some doing to remove, which shows it's durability.


Altogether, these are great products, the Color Whispers being my personal favourite of the two. I'm not sure if I will be purchasing more of the Super Stay Lipsticks, but the Color Whispers just make you want more!

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