Saturday, August 31, 2013

MAKEUP BASICS 101 ON HOW TO CONTOUR AND HIGHLIGHT YOUR FACE: PART 1 CONTOUR

Hello everyone.
I love makeup is no secret as I am a beauty blogger and most of my posts are makeup related. But for today's post I am going to share why I love makeup so much. It sometimes works magic on the face. Contour and highlight are two such tools of makeup which literally transform your face. I shall demonstrate to the best of my capability how I contour and highlight my face.
CONTOUR: What is contouring? To those who are relatively new to makeup or arent much into it let me begin by explaining what is contouring.
Contouring is basically sculpting your face in the areas where the lights dont hit the face directly and create a shadow like effect and hence brings out the contoured features more sharply and angled thereby slimming the face or the contoured area. Contouring the face allows you to add shadow and depth, not all of us are blessed with the perfect nose or the perfect cheek bones. Well no one is and you dont need to be. Contouring allows you to create the illusion. Here is how I do it. For this demonstration I am  using cream based product although one may choose powder based product too.


Taking my SONIA KASHUK FOUNDATION BRUSH I take some of the cream foundation in the 3 shades darker to my skin tone and make a fish face and apply it below me cheek bones along the length of my cheek bone.

Next I apply it along the jaw line and below my chin.


Next I apply it along the edges of the face running it all the way through the temple to the jaw-line.
Next I take the left over product on the brush and run it along the sides of the bridge of the nose like so.

 Next begins the blending. taking the same brush I start to blend in the foundation slowly with soft hands not using too much pressure on the hands else it makes the face looks muddy. You may use a sponge wedge as well, just make sure to damp it with water and squeeze out any excess water. Blend blend blend. And you are done.


From personal experience I can say few things.
1. You are not going to get it perfect when you try it first time around. So just practice you will get it right .
2. It might look odd at first since you are trying something new for the first time, but take pictures and you will see the difference.
3. When you begin contouring always take less product and build it up as required, dont load up too much product and make it messy. You can always add more product as required.
This has become a lengthy post. I shall continue with high-lighting in part two.
Hopefully the collage below will give a better idea of the before and after.
Left side pictures in the collages are BEFORE CONTOUR and Right side are AFTER CONTOUR.
 Here is another one, hopefully you can tell the difference.
After taking the pictures I realized I could have contoured the face a bit more, then the difference would have been more noticeable , but I am overall satisfied you can always add more if you want sharper features or if you are going to be photographed in flash. This much contouring is appropriate ( according to me) for regular basis.
I have also highlighted my face in the "after shots" but will do another detailed post on that, as this post was getting too lengthy.
I hope it was useful.
UNTIL NEXT TIME...



Friday, August 30, 2013

QUICK FOTD POST

Hello friends,
I was just browsing through my sd  card deleting old pictures when I came across this picture with a full face of makeup I did on Rakhi eve for a dinner. I thought of sharing the pictures, although no makeup illustration is there, being a beauty blogger that I am I do have lot many pictures.

For the lipstick I created a Custom shade by mixing Maybelline VIVID ROSE and Revlon Randezvous. My eye liner is burnt brown gel liner from  L'oreal in esspresso .

On the eyes I have just one eye shadow all over the lids and its a medium brown eyeshadow from the NYX WICKED DREAMS PALETTE. I just swiped the eyeshadow all over the eye lids and used a highlight shade under the brow bone and tear duct.

BLUSH is again an amalgamation of NYX CREAM BLUSH in GLOW and NYX Powder Blush in PINCHED.
The last pic..



This was a quick post. There wasnt much makeup skills in this post, just thought of sharing my FOTD with you guys.
UNTIL NEXT TIME...


Thursday, August 29, 2013

NYX PIGMENT WALNUT PEARL : DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA! DRAMATIC EYES EOTD

Helloooo..
So here I am back with a pretty dramatic EOTD.
For this look I used NYX COSMETICS.
I started by fixing my brows! I took a matte brown eye-shadow and filled my eyebrows using an angled liner brush. A fully groomed eye brow is a must for such dramatic look.

For the base I applied NYX eyeshadow in skin tone on my eyelids all the way to the brow bone and also below the waterline. I used the NYX PIGMENT in WALNUT PEARL on the lids keeping it below the crease. Then I took a black matte eye shadow and applied it on the crease with an angled brush creating a sharp angle on the outer "v". I then dragged the same eyeshadow brush on the waterline and packed the eye shadow well with saturated color.

Next taking a small blending brush I  lightly blended the black eye shadow on the crease. And then I took a shimmery eyeshadow for the tear duct and highlighting under the brow bone .
Next taking my black gel eye liner I applied the eye liner and focused on the inner corner to drag it out a little bit more and also lined my waterline with the same gel liner.
Added loads of mascara to both top and bottom eye lashes.
Here are few more pictures of the look. Hope you like them!


Products used:
NYX pigment in walnut pearl.
NYX WICKED DREAMS PALETTE( for the highlight shade and black eye shadow)
MAYBELLINE black gel eye liner.
L'OREAL telescopic mascara.


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

HAUL POST: A LITTLE BIT OF THIS AND THAT

HOLYYYY HAULINGGGGG...
In my mind I read it really slowly and gradually raised my voice...sounds better now?? Huh? Huh?? Just kidding. Its a haul post so I am excited and happy, all the purchase was unnecessary and impromptu courtesy of the Man! Thank you:).
Its a small haul, as I said nothing I took I had planned on just strolling in the mall you gotta pick something right?? AAH well not really, but then what else can you do its like being in a candy store and allowed to eat some.
Okay Okay back to the post, I know I went off track...
So here it is..

 Here is he run down:
1. ESBEDA HANDBAG: It was a recent purchase not part of this particular shopping trip, but I included it.
 2. COLORBAR LIPSTICK IN OVER THE TOP  This was probably the only item I knew I would take, but the SA was so dull and disinterested I picked up only one .
 3. M&S SHOWER GEL : Random purchase also picked up a hand cream but couldnt locate it for pictures.
4. YELLOW BOW BRACELET : Looked kinda cute , now not so sure! :(
 5. ZARA GRAPHIC TEES : A month back I picked up quiet many neon colored bottoms so now I am stocking up graphic tees to go over them, Loved the collection at ZARA, will pay another visit soon!
6. THE BODY SHOP COCONUT BEAUTIFYING OIL:  Dry skin...even drier hairs! Hope it works.
 7. ZARA SHOES: My favorite part of the shopping...They are so comfy too!! double Yay!!

That concludes this haul!
Until next time...

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

BLACK ATTACK : SOFT BLACK SMOKEY EYES

Hello dolls,
So for this post I was trying to figure out a theme I would like to get inspired from and I was drawing a blank so I drew the inspiration from the blank and came up with a look as it came along.
So ultimately it turned out to be a soft black smokey eye makeup.
I dont know sometimes I feel like I should rename my blog to SMOKEY EYES BLOG. I have such a hard time coming up with names for my posts as they are in some way or form smokey eyes. I just love smokey eyes too much, maybe more than I should, Oh who am I kidding I love my smokey eyes...
So here is another one..

So lets begin:
1. Primed the eyes with UDPP (Urban Decay Primer Potion). Then I applied NYX Jumbo Eye pencil in BLACK BEAN to the lids keeping it close to the lids. Using my finger I blended it evenly on the lids and took whatever what left on the waterline.

2. Taking a jet black eye shadow on a flat eye shadow brush I packed it closely to the lids and applied it close to the lids.
3. Next taking a small blending brush I smoothed the black eye shadow on the lids and moved it toward the crease.
4. Next I took a medium black eye shadow or the darkest grey eye shadow on a fluffy bending brush and started to blend, blend and blend some more.
5. Some more blending and then I applied the highlight shade, a matte color eye shadow closest to the skin tone under the brow bone and in the tear duct.
6. I smudged the dark black eye shadow on the waterline and tighlined my eyes  with the gel eye liner, and curled my lashes and applied loads of black mascara.
TADA....

Here is the final look.
I think its a pretty wearable black smokey eye. and its easier to play with lipsticks on this makeup as its not too out there.
I hope you all like it as much as I do.



P.S : A small haul coming up next, non makeup related,(mostly) 
Until Next Time...

Friday, August 23, 2013

YSL BLUSH RADIANCE IN NO.1 REVIEW AND SWATCH

Hello everyone,
I was gone for around 10 days and it was an unexpected break from the beauty world. It feels good to be back and I sorely missed all you guys.
So getting back to this post I shall be reviewing the YSL BLUSH RADIANCE IN NO.1.
YSL is such a luxury and so definitely all its products also make you feel that way. I chose to review this blush from their range called BLUSH RADIANCE.


PRICE: $USD 45. INR 3127.

PACKAGING: I am a sucker for packaging I cant even begin to describe, so many times I have loved a product but left it because I didnt like the packaging. But no such thing here. YSL in an experience. Its gold packaging is so regal feeling.

Put the product out of the gold colored packaging and VOILA you have a cute velvet pouch, encased within which is your RADIANCE along with a small blush brush, which although is not very useful but is indeed the softest brush I have come across. The gold metal feeling like compact case is quiet sturdy and locks up tight so it is indeed travel friendly.

COLOR, TEXTURE AND EVERYTHING ELSE:
On first look its pure bliss, there are two colors in four squares which all go pretty well together.One look at the product and you know its soft and smooth. Its a light coral color with brown toned nude. The blush has visible shimmer but they are so soft and finely milled they impart a subtle glow on the cheeks after application. Its a pretty comapct quad with the two diagonal shades being matte and two being shimmery.

 TEXTURE:  Its so smooth and almost feels creamy, well its not cream but powder. But ever so smooth and blends like a dream. The finish it leaves on the skin is very natural looking, and this particular shade just warms up the face so perfectly. This shade is best suited for fair to medium skinned beauties.


The blush is so light weight and blends into the skin so well, it doesnt budge from its place for hours and hours. It easily lasts up to 7-8 hours. It might well stay beyond that, but I havent worn it above that time frame.

APPLICATION: I just swirl the blush brush into all the colors and pat off the excess product, you really dont need a lot product as it is densely pigmented and a little goes a long way.

OVERALL VERDICT: TWO THUMBS UP to this beauty. Definitely recommend it and gonna pick up other colors.
UNTIL NEXT TIME...

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

METALLIC GREEN AND BROWN WITH A HINT OF GOLD EOTD

Hello everyone,
I am back with yet another EOTD. There is a very popular Indian festival for women called Teej that went by a few days back and its dedicated to women to pamper themselves during the monsoons. As greenery is an inherent part of the monsoons , this occasion is also triumphed by this color.
So this is an ode to women all across and I was inspired by the color GREEN.
Here is the final look.
For this look I have used the NYX WICKED DREAMS PALETTE for the GREEN color.

AND TARTE COSMETICS HOLIDAY EDITION PALETTE AND COASTAL SCENTS 88 ORIGINAL PALETTE. So lets get started
1. After priming the lids with NYX eyeshadow base I applied a green jumbo pencil all over the lids. I wanted a sharper shade around the edges so I used a tape in an angle upwards from the lower lash-line. 


2.Since I have pigmented eyelids and I wanted to use a lighter color on the crease I applied NYX jumbo eye pencil in MILK on the crease all the way up to the brow bone and blend it with my finger.  I also applied the same white jumbo pencil on the lower lash line.


3. Taking a coral color from the COASTAL SCENTS PALETTE  I applied it on the crease area with a fluffy blending brush and blended it well.

4. Next taking a matte brown eye-shadow I applied it on the outer corner of the eyelids and saturated the color giving more depth to the eyes.


5. I deepened the brown eye-shadow more and also applied the coral eye shadow on the lower lash-line.
For added drama I took little bit of the copper-gold eye shadow from the WICKED PALETTE and applied in the tear duct and also dabbed in the centre of the lids so it reflects more light. 
Next I applied a deep brown eye liner on the top and bottom lash line.

I applied some mascara. And here is the final look.



Hope you liked this look.
Until next time.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

RED CARPET READY MAKEUP

Hello everyone.
This post is going to be a quick one. I did this red carpet worthy, not that I have any red carpet event to attend. Yes it is a smokey look. I am habit bound dearies, cant help it.
Its not a step wise tutorial, but I have lots of photos to share.
I have used TARTE COSMETICS holiday palette to create this look.
Here is a closeup of the eye makeup
Few more pictures.

I have tried another variation of this look with red lips, how can I resist red lipstick???


 Phew!!! I am not able to decide which one goes better, please do let me know in the comments which lip color do you prefer?
I have done this makeup for a makeup contest held by SAMYUKTA from ISIMPLYLOVEMAKEUP.
You can check the entry HERE .
P.S The lipsticks used are:
NYX LIP CREAM IN SAN PAULO
L'OREAL INFALLIBLE LIPSTICK IN REFINED RUBY.

UNTIL NEXT TIME....