One of my favorite things about fall is not the return of pumpkin everything, but the chance to start fresh with my look: new clothes, new boots and a complete overhaul on my makeup drawer. I love how it feels to have a completely fresh wardrobe and to be excited about getting dressed every day. I love the challenge of incorporating new trends into my look. And I just love any excuse to play with my makeup for a few hours.

One of the trends I’m most excited for this fall is the return of the bright, bold, purple eye. I know it sounds scary and overwhelming, but you you can wear violet hues without looking like Barney. Just look at all the models doin’ their thang during Fashion Week!

Like with all bold makeup, the key to pulling off this look is to keep the rest of your face simple so the purple on your eyes will really pop.  Try out some of the products and techniques below and I promise to get you looking like a chic starlet walking the red carpet… not like a big, scary Purple People Eater. Read More »

In middle school I thought the best way to apply eyeliner was heavily; preferably in black or teal.  I was terribly misguided, in the matter of eyeliner, boys, and jumpers. While I have certainly overcome most of these problems, eyeliner can still be tricky.  It can be hard to determine which eyeliner is appropriate for each occasion, and what colors are off limits.  So below is some information on different eyeliner types and what is best for your day or night.

Powder Liner – Best for: daytime use/work.  Use a soft eyeliner brush like this one from Bare Escentuals and swipe a powder liner as close to the upper and lower lash lines as you can get.   Only apply one coat so that the liner is soft. The good thing about applying a daytime powder is that you can use regular powder eye shadows, mineral makeup, or specific eyeliner colors.  Try this liner powder in Coffee Bean.

Liquid Liner – Best for: nights out.  Apply a more dramatic color to your lids and add extra color to the outer corners.  Try Urban Decay’s  liquid liner in Crash, a cool metallic purple.  Then use a smudge-stick like this one from Smashbox, to blend the corners while they are still wet.  This will make the line less harsh and more smokey.  Another option is to liquefy your favorite loose powder shadow with this liner sealer and a fine tipped brush. Read More »

Eyeliner is the one makeup staple that I just won’t leave the house without. Liner-less eyes make me feel like a zombie and I inevitably get bombarded with “are you sick” or “did you not sleep well” type questions.

I’ve tried so many different liners just trying to find that perfect one. And then I realized there isn’t one. The trick is that with so many different varieties, there are perfect liners for different occasions! Certain lifestyles and situations fit better with a particular type of eyeliner. I’ve outlined the different types of liner and the pros and cons of each so you can decide which ones are right for you: Read More »