Smokey Eyes 101: Perfect Shadows For Smokey Eyes…

I don’t care what anyone says, a good smokey eye says glamour but a BAD one says so much more. Don’t go for the dark black or steel gray shadows you see on the runway and in the magazines. If you don’t know what you are doing (and in some cases, even if you do…) it most always comes out looking muddy, unprofessional and quite frankly like you got punched in the eye. We don’t want that!! Stick to shades that are in the browns, plums and even green families. They are easier to work with and will look more subtle as opposed to your eye-makeup being the first thing that people notice. You want them to notice your EYES and THEN your makeup.



Here are a few tips that I have picked up over the years:

ALWAYS use a primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion is my fave)
Choose a shadow that compliments your eye shade
Use CLEAN brushes. If your brushes are NOT clean it can contribute to the muddy look I spoke of above
Another thing you want to make sure of is that you use a HIGHLY pigmented shadow. If you use a shadow that doesn’t have enough pigment, not only will the look not last, it will end up looking more natural than anything else. You can test the pigmentation of shadows in the store. Take a shadow applicator and sweep it across the product, test a bit on your hand if it shows up after ONE sweep, the pigmentation is high. If it takes several sweeps then move on.

Here are some of my favorites:

NARS Cordura – My “go to” shadow for a fool proof look. This with a little Smolder Pencil from MAC and smokey eye heaven.

Smashbox Smokebox A Dual purpose wet/dry palette. Contains three super intense, long wearing shadows (Beige, Soft Pewter and Intense Black) that can be worn dry for an added touch of shimmer or wet for extra drama.

Christian Dior Night Butterfly A lovely plum/violet palette from Fall 2009’s Jazz Club collection that gives you the option to change it up and try something different. Since you get Five shades you can really do two looks, a decidedly purple or a cool smokey look.

Bobbi Brown Nude Palette When I want something a little deeper, I reach for this palette. The Caviar shade is magical.

No matter what shadows you use, make sure you take your time, smokey eyes can look fantastic or horrific, make sure yours are on the fantastic side.

Stay Pretty!!

source: http://themakeupgirl.net

Spring 2010: Dior Lace Collection…

You can always count on Dior for drama and this collection is no exception. Dior’s latest for Spring 2010 is called The Lace Collection and there are by far some stand outs. The highlighting powder will be a hot item for sure but I am really excited about a few items in particular. Namely, the reformulation of Dior Addict Lip Color, the polish in Silver Pearl (I am totally into gray polish now) and a new product, Creme de Rose Lip Balm.











The Rundown:

Dior ‘Lace Face’ Highlighting Powder Straight from the dressing table of a 1920s coquette is Dior Lace Face Highlighting Powder, an ultrafeminine compact featuring a vintage Dior lace pattern inside and out. The sleek silver packaging holds a soft pink powder inside that adds a touch of shimmer on face and décolleté. ($55.00)

Dior ‘Dentelle’ Blush Embossed with a vintage Dior lace pattern, a pretty duo of warm rose and peach gives cheekbones a natural-looking flush.

Dior ‘Dentelle’ Eyeshadow Palette Embossed with a vintage Dior lace pattern, soft tones of pink, gray and plum create a coquettish wink of color. The ultra-smooth texture blends flawlessly and wears all day. ($58.00)

Coquette
Pearl Glow
Dior ‘Creme de Rose’ Lip Balm SPF 10 Tucked inside an elegant white case, Creme de Rose is a smoothing, plumping lip balm with a delicate rose scent. Essential oils and shea butter nourish and moisturize lips. Wonderful applied on its own or under any other lip color. In one universal petal-pink shade. ($25.00)

Dior Addict Lipcolor Is even better with a new weightless formula, ultra-high-impact color, a smooth, glide-on texture and a new look that’s pure Dior. Dior reinvents the architecture of lipstick. The Lip Neutralizer Complex ensures that lip color stays true on everyone! ($26)

Pink Neglige
Pink Embroidery
Dior ‘Addict’ Ultra-Gloss Reflect Lips go high-tech with Ultra-Gloss Reflect this season. The world’s most glamorous lip gloss gets even better, shimmering with multi-dimensional reflective pigments for mega-watt shine and color. Innovative ‘water-like’ formula goes on smooth and fast with a silky brush applicator that keeps you in perfect control. ($26.50)

Beige Veil
Pink Corset
Dior Vernis Nail Enamel ($21.00)

Pink Ballet
Silver Pearl
The Lace collection is available now at Dior counters everywhere.

Stay Pretty!!

source: http://themakeupgirl.net

Handbag ~ Pick of the Day: Dior Demi Lune Small Flap Bag

There is a 9″ drop, which is ample shoulder space, but the overall dimensions are 11×6.2×2.75 inches. Price is $1450 via Saks.

Source: http://www.purseblog.com/

Dior Oui Ring

This playful ring is oddly calling my name, even though I do not speak French, nor is my family French. The Dior Oui Ring is designed with 18K white gold and the “i” is dotted with a .03 diamond. Small but enough to add a tiny sparkle here or there. A cute Dior accessory for a Dior accessory price. $675 via eLuxury.

Eve Mebdes in Dior

Eva Mendes' white Dior gown.

Sandra Bullock in Dior

Sandra Bullock was another one of my favourites in this vanilla Dior gown. I love how her hair falls to the opposite direction of her asymmetrical gown.

Who Wore Dior Better?

Jersey tanks and suspender pants from the Dior Spring 2008 collection are popular in January 2008 magazines.

Victoria Beckham is on the cover of US Elle Magazine, wearing this ensemble, and Kate Hudson's editorial is for US Vogue.

Victoria's pose is front on and sexy with her shoulder strap falling, whereas Kate's is more fun, cute and quirky.

Vera Wang,

Carolina Herrera,

Christian Lacroix,


Lanvin,


Dior,

Oscar de la Renta


and Vivienne Westwood..