The Difference Highlighting and Shading Can Make!!!

Remember in my second blog I wrote about Benefit Cosmetics' Watt's Up highlighter?  Well, along with a contour powder, you can really create an illusion of having higher cheekbones, a sharper or narrower nose and an overall more 3D look that you see on the models in magazines.

BEFORE

AFTER

Remember: Anything you highlight comes forwards and anything you shade goes behind!!! 

Highlight: middle of forehead, highest part of your cheekbones, along the centre of your nose, your chin and your Cupid's bow (above your lips, the centre part that makes a sort of V shape)

Shade: the hollows of your cheeks (the part below where you would put blush), the sides of your nose, your temples and below your chin (to hide possible double chin)

Important tips: You can use a number of products to create the effect.  Rather than using specific highlighters like my favourite Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up, you can also use a concealer a shade or two lighter than your skin tone or even a foundation.  Same thing for the shader.  Use a foundation one of two shades darker than your regular foundation.  And remember....BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!!!!

What I used:

Highlighter: Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up

Shader: MAC contour powder in Shadester

Clean and Professional

This a a look I do fairly often.  It's just a very neutral and clean look that is perfect for work or what I call "my interview makeup".  It's fairly quick and easy and I do this look on days when I'm just going out and about and I want to look refreshed but not too done up.

Important tips: 

1) Use very neutral beige and browns for this look.  Again, the darkest colour on the outside and lightest on the insides and blend, blend, blend!!!!

2) To make sure your eyeshadow lasts all day, layer it.  I use a prep and prime cream, a cream eyeshadow and then my eyeshadow.  

 3) There is also no need to use false eyelashes for this look.  I personally feel it's uncomfortable to wear every day and it can give you an overly done up look.  If you really want to, then use falsies that come in little individual pieces and just put them on the outer corners of your eyes.  Or, you can just cut the ends of a full set and do the same thing.

Here's a closer look at the eye makeup!!!

What I used:

FACE: Amazing Cosmetics concealer in medium beige, Missha Perfect M BB Cream in 31, MAC Studio Fix Fluid in 45, Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up, MAC contour powder in Shadester

EYES: MAC prep and prime eyes in medium, MAC paintpot in Bare Study, MAC eyeshadows in Soba, Mulch and Nylon, K-Palette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner 24 hr in black, Rimmel Max Volume Flash mascara in black, Dior Show pencil eyeliner in black, 17 eyebrow pencil in natural brown

CHEEKS: Clinique blush and bronze duo in Iced Lotus and Sunkissed

LIPS: Dior Addict lip gloss in 257

I Can't Live Without This Eyeliner!!!!

http://www.akinaiblog.com/product/2779

This is my "go to" eyeliner...K-Pallette 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner 24 Hr!!!!  A friend recommended this to me when I was looking for super waterproof eyeliner to wear at the beach, for swimming and surfing!!!  I know what you're thinking!!!  Who wear's eyeliner when they go surfing?????  Well, I do!!!  Anyway, it was a disappointment waterproofwise.  As soon as I jumped in the water it came off and when I cried while cutting onions, it ran....BUT...if water is not in the mix, it's the most amazing eyeliner ever.  It lasts all day without smudging and has the the best felt tip for precision lining.  It glides on beautifully and I can control how thin or how thick I want the line to be with little effort.

This eyeliner is Japanese and sold in Japan and Singapore (at Watsons Pharmacy).  I have not seen it in the UK, Canada or the US but it can be bought online and delivered anywhere in the world from www.akinaiblog.com

My Makup Pick of the Month!!!

http://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

My new favourite highlighter...Benefit Cosmetic's Watt's Up!!!!  I use it on the high points of my cheekbones, on my nose, forehead and chin.  That flawless look you see on models in ads and stuff...it's really because the makeup artists have used a highlighter and contour powder to create a more 3D look to the face.  Even if this is all I use over my foundation and nothing else but mascara, I feel like I look refreshed and ready to go!!!!

Smokey Eyes for a Night Out!!

One of my favourite ways to look dressed up for the night is to do a medium intensity smokey eye.   This one is done using purples and black.

Important tips: Use the lightest colours in the inner corners of the eyes and the darkest on the outer corners of the eyes and blend, blend, blend!!!

Here is a closer look at the eye makeup!

What I used:

FACE: Missha Perfect M BB Cream in 31, MAC Studio Fix liquid foundation in 45, Benefit Watt's Up (to highlight cheekbones, nose and forehead), MAC contour powder in Shadester (to shade my nose and cheeks)

EYES: MAC prep and prime for eyes in medium, MAC paintpot in Blackboard, MAC eyeshadows in Satellite Dream, Beauty Marked, Black Ted and Nylon, MAC fluidliner in blacktrack, Dior Show eyeliner in black, 17 eyebrow pencil in natural brown, Rimmel Max Volume Flash mascara in black, criss cross eyelashes, Duo eyelash adhesive

CHEEKS: MAC blush in Peachtwist

LIPS: MAC lipstick in Angel and Lustre, Cover girl stick concealer in 710