About Face - Eye Make-Up Regimen

While I am committed to addressing my skin and my face make-up, the eyes have it! Almost every day, I play up my eyes with a few colors of shadow, eyeliner, and mascara in varying intensities depending on the event. I struggle with a few things in the eye area: long but light eyelashes, dark under-eye circles, and blonde eyebrows. After applying my foundation, but not before my concealer, bronzer, blush, or setting powder, I do my eyes. And this is my routine...

Urban Decay Original Primer Potion

Over the many years that I have tried new products, I have never considered switching my eyeshadow primer, or going without (cringe). This cream blends evenly and smoothly and there is nary a crease from 7am until sometimes 10pm. I put it on my eyelid (eyelash to eyebrow) as well as under my under eye concealer.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

This palette is the Holy Grail of eyeshadow palettes. I don't need to beat a dead horse as everyone and their mother has commented on the durability and wearability of these tones. But, I will share a bit of how I apply these complimentary and flattering shades. I always start with one of the four colors on the left (Virgin, Sin, Sidecar, or Naked) in the inner corner and extended up and out to where the brow ends. Then, I take one of  dark shades (Gunmetal, Creep, Dark Horse, or Hustle) and by making a triangle (like this < ) from the crease and getting biggest under the crease towards the outer end of my eye. Lastly, I use an in-between color (Buck, Half Baked, Smog, or Toasted) and blend it from the middle to the outer corner and slightly above the crease for some depth. Since each shade goes with every other shade, combining them is incredibly easy! Try brown with bronze, black with gold, or gray with peach, and don't be afraid to experiment while sticking to my tried and true method!

Eco Tools Bambo Eye Shading Brush

The Naked Palette comes with a great brush, but I only use it for the darker shadows as it is stiffer and therefore, allows for a more precise application into the crease. For the lighter and in-between colors, I stick to a fluffier option that is no less effective at depositing the highly pigmented shadow, but allows for a more coverage and easier blending.

Stila Smudge Pot in Bronze or Black

I don't remember how or why I was introduced to using gel liner rather than traditional varieties, but I will never go back. It's waterproof, smudge-able, build-able, and long lasting. I dislike a hard line, so when applied with an eyeliner brush, the line is softer and blends in with mascara since you can push it into the lash line, top and bottom. I always do a bit of an upward flick at the outer corner (a subdued cat eye, if you will), and it's much easier than using liquid liner. I use bronze or black that both compliment the Naked palette shades. Sometimes, I even use black on the top and bronze on the lower lash line!

 Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length & Volum' Express The Falsies

I have long, straight, and blonde eyelashes. Unless I curl them with the Shu Uemura eyelash curler and coat them with mascara, they're forgettable. Since they are long, smudging under my eyes is always an issue. I've used non-waterproof varieties and have looked like a raccoon by 10am. While I still use Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder after applying concealer and highlighter, I find that a waterproof mascara helps exponentially. I've tried the most popular varieties of Voluminous and Great Lash, but have had the most success with these lengthening and voluminizing Maybelline options. Plus they're cheap! I apply one coat of Lash Stiletto and then Falsies. I never thought about using two different types, but they do very different yet equally flattering things to my lashes.

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings

I've had struggles with my eyebrows, like over tweezing, ingrown hairs, and then there was a phase when I thought that my eyebrows needed to be darker than my dark hair. As it turns out, the rule is a shade darker for light hair and a shade lighter for dark hair. Now, I'm right as rain and this little compact is a big part of that. It's a wax and a powder - I use the angled brush first with wax and follow up with the powder to enhance the color - and it doesn't budge until I use my eye make-up remover. Ensure that you blend the two together well to make it look as natural as possible.

Yves St. Laurent Touche Eclat

The newest, and arguably most important product for my eyes, is this highlighter. I held off due to the steep price tag, but it is absolutely and completely worth it (and then some). You've read the reviews yourself and thought, "Maybe I should, but...," I promise you will not be disappointed. I put it on after my concealer and my whole face looks happier. Like my concealer, I pat this on with my ring finger.