Rusted Smokey Eye for Valentine's Day

This second Valentine's inspired look uses only colors from the EDUN for Sephora Makeup Palette #1 (unfortunately I think it's been discontinued). All of these shadows have shimmer in them so please excuse the super shimmery pictures. If you don't have this palette - don't worry - all you need is a gold shadow with reflects in it, a shimmery pink, a rusty red and a chestnut brown shadow. Follow the steps below to create a romantic smoked out eye that's sure to catch someone's eye!

As always, prime your eye for staying power. Lay down the first color, a glittering gold, on the inner half of the upper lid. Make sure to tap as you don't want sparklies all over your face!

Next, with a fluffy brush, pick up the pink shade (right side, middle) and lightly pat this onto the lid. Start at the outer corner and work in so that it fades into the gold. Then blend the color up onto the brow bone.

Now, layer on small amounts of the rusty red shadow, applying it on the outer half of the lid. Imagine a diamond shape that's laying on its side following the lash line. Blend the colors lightly into one another using the fluffy brush. Use what's left on the pencil brush and apply it to the outer half of the lower lash line.

With the chestnut brown (lower right) and a pencil brush, pat the shadow along the lash line first. Then bring the color up into the outer most corner of the socket. Pull the color lightly across the lid from the outside toward the middle. Blend with the fluffy brush.

Next, with a black eye pencil, push the color in between the upper and lower lashes. This line should be undefined and smokey. Line your waterline with the black pencil. Curl lashes and apply a few coats of black mascara.

I used the blush (a baby pink with gold shimmer) from the palette. Lined my lips with a nude-brown liner, then applied a nude pink lip color topped with a golden gloss.

2011 Spring Trend: Orange Lips

     Yes, you read that correctly...orange lips. The beauty trend that we'll be seeing more of in the coming spring is a twist on the classic red lip that you may have noticed as fall and winter set in. From super bright, futuristic shades to sheer and nearly nude, there's actually a variety of oranges to choose from out there. And, surprisingly, we non-supermodels can also rock this look. Read on and I'll tell you how...

How-To: Bold Lips

     A brightly painted lip is an accessory in and of itself. It can compliment an outfit, shift a look from day to night and can also improve one's confidence! To wear a look-at-me lip color you do not have to be a celebrity but you do have to know a few of the celeb tricks to making a bold lip really look finished and flawless.
     Before you apply any lip color you should always moisturize your lips, but this is especially true of a standout lip color such as red or hot pink because a bolder color means more pigment and this can be more drying. Next, cancel out the natural color of your lips and the color around your lips too. A lot of us have a bit of a reddish-pink shading around the outside of our lip line. To cover this put your concealer (the same one that you use for your face) onto and then around your lips, and blend. Also, to help ensure that the color you put on stay's put, set all this with a touch of powder on a large blending brush.
      Now it's time to line your lips. Lining the lips keeps color from feathering and gives the lipstick something to grip to. Choose a color that's close to your desired lip color and then create your lip line (make sure the pencil is nice and sharp). If you want to alter the shape and size of your lips this is the time. To make lips larger, apply the liner just outside of your natural lip line; thinner, apply slightly inside your lip line. You can reshape your cupids bow at this point too. If you really mean business and don't want that beautiful color to run then I suggest Benefit's She' Laq Makeup Sealer. A thin line applied on your lip line will insure your shade won't feather and a thin layer over your lip stick makes sure it won't fade.
     Time to do some coloring! When you want to achieve a precision color application a lip brush is the way to go. They come in various shapes and sizes, just choose the one that's right for you. Neatly lay down the first layer of lip color making sure to get the edges, corners of the mouth and the inside of the lip where bits of your natural lip color can peek out when talking and such. Then, blot with a piece of tissue. Repeat these two steps as needed until you get the color as sheer or as opaque as you'd like. If you mess up and go outside the lines then just take some of your concealer on a small, pointed brush or a clean lip brush and reverse line by covering the spot where the color bled out of your lip line.
     Top with a sealer or use a fluffy blending brush to pat on a little powder to set it all. Last, if you choose, you can add a dot of gloss to the center of your pucker for shine. But beware, this can cause your color to wear off faster. If you are planning on a long day (or night!) then I recommend you bring your lip color and lip brush with you. A cutesy little pencil case (think girly flowers or Hello Kitty) works great and is easy to find in your purse! Just throw in your favorite shades and a lip brush and you'll always look fresh and flawless...