Your Ultimate Mascara Guide

The secret to eye-catching beauty has long been, well, in the eyes-and what better way to bring out those baby blues, greens, or browns than with long, voluminous lashes?
Whether you go with a bold swath of eyeshadow or choose a more neutral shade, the key to perfect eyes that pop is luscious, volumizing mascara. But with the variety of products on the market these days, choosing a mascara is more than just a toss-up between black and brown. Make sure to look for the features that are right for you:
1. Lengthening. Give your natural lashes a daily boost with RevitaLash Eyelash Conditioner, designed to promote fuller, longer lashes of your very own. Then use the new Mascara by RevitaLash for the finishing touch. For longer lashes in a pinch, try Lash DNA from Smashbox, which strengthens and intensifies lashes in just one coat.
2. Smudgeproof. Nothing spoils a flawless face like running mascara. Choose a product like Too Faced Lash Injection that is both weather-proof and smear-proof. Lash Injection is designed to build individual "tubes" around each lash to promote strengthening, lengthening, and curling that lasts through rain or shine.
3. Flattering. Bring out your eyes with the color that suits you best. Jane Iredale's Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara is available in six different colors, including slate grey, black ice, ripe plum, espresso, dark blonde, and dark auburn. Not only will this formula complement your coloring, but it will also condition your lashes with sea minerals that protect against breakage.
[Hot tip! Prep your lashes for mascara with Jane Iredale's Lash Extender & Conditioner. This primer strengthens and lengthens lashes while protecting them from drying out or splitting-making your mascara twice as effective.]
4. Gentle. If you wear contact lenses or have sensitive eyes, choose a gentle, water-resistant formula, such as Blinc Kiss Me.
5. Conditioning. Protecting your lashes from damage is key to flawless mascara application, which is why LORAC's Special Effects combines a mascara with a conditioning primer. Both formulas are made with mother of pearl to promote healthy, shiny lashes. The primer nourishes and conditions lashes, while the mascara lengthens and defines them.
6. Ionic. Using ionic technology for a longer-lasting finish, Smashbox Bionic Mascara is designed to give you thicker, longer lashes in one sweep of the brush. Clump-free and water-resistant, this formula is made with aloe, wheat protein, silk, and olive oil to strengthen and condition lashes.
7. Multitasker. To get the curl you desire without wrestling with an eyelash curler, try Stila Multi-Effect Mascara, designed to volumize, lengthen, and curl lashes with just one formula. The thick, curved brush helps boost curl so that you don't have to make a separate pass with another tool.

Eye makeup goes to the dark side

Like all extremes, lightness demands darkness to be fully appreciated. So it is with makeup. This season, fresh faces and earthy palettes dominate, providing a brighter, cleaner alternative to the heavier looks normally seen in fall. But the urge for colour and drama hasn’t been completely extinguished. Some of the fall/winter 2010 runways, including Chanel’s, Proenza Schouler’s, Lanvin’s and Dior’s, offered inspiration by parading models sporting lids and lips in black, deep plum and indigo. Cosmetics companies have responded with decidedly dark one-off products and capsule makeup collections, including one inspired by Disney villains. Maybe it’s the Twilight effect or maybe it’s an understanding that a soft, “nude” complexion isn’t for everyone, but there’s an impulse – call it a dark urge – to transform all those gilded goddesses into creatures of the night. At leastfor an evening or two.
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“There is a massive cultural reference to vampires at the moment: Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, True Blood,” says Liz Pugh, global makeup artist for Rimmel London. “The runways were full of references to vampires and Goths.” Yes, they were, but don’t expect Transylvanian chic to suck the life out of the natural look this winter. Many of the dark visages on the catwalks were inspired by the peccadilloes of designers. At Dior, for instance, those inky lips and femme-fatale eyes reflected design chief John Galliano’s love of 1940s film noir, a genre he mines often, says Angie Semple, education and artistry manager for Christian Dior in Canada. Off the runways, design houses have shown more restraint, introducing dramatic shades in limited releases. Thierry Mugler, always inspired by fantasy, offers a judiciously edited fall cosmetics collection that features lustrous blood-red lip colour and a lipstick – Rouge Unique – that looks black but goes on a cool, glittery indigo. Lancôme has likewise introduced a nail polish called Bloody Black Cherry; its holiday collection, designed by L’Wren Scott, includes a metallic black polish and an equally intense eyeshadow palette.
Among the lighter-hearted examples of dark fall makeup is M.A.C’s Venomous Villains line, a collaboration with Disney inspired by four infamous baddies from animated favourites: Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmations, Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent, Snow White’s Evil Queen and The Princess and The Frog’s Dr. Facilier. There’s an eyeshadow called She Who Dares, lipsticks called Heartless and Sinister and a blush called Darkly My Dear.
As the M.A.C. line suggests, a dark, pseudo-Goth look can veer dangerously close to cartoonish. But it is wearable if certain rules are followed, says M.A.C senior makeup artist Caitlin Callahan. “If you choose to wear a strong lip, make your lips the focus of your makeup,” she says, explaining that the rest of the face should be neutral, sporting just mascara and a little blush. Lip stains last the longest, but traditional lipstick will do provided you “cut up your food and don’t lick your lips. And no kissing,” Callahan adds.
If the focus is on the eyes, use just one eyeshadow colour, says Dior’s Semple. Apply it darkest at the lash line and blend it out towards the crease – no further. For evening, layer different shades of the same colour for a polished look.
Greg Wencel, celebrity makeup artist and Cover Girl spokesperson, suggests a dark lip and smoky eye combination for full-on glamour. But unlike the overly made-up faces of the eighties and nineties, the combo should be monochromatic to look contemporary, he says, recommending shades of plum and burgundy instead of basic black.
Another important rule for this dramatic look? Think like Dracula, Wencel adds, noting that pigment-heavy lids and near-black lips should, like the Count, only go out at night.

Mascara - Lashes Or Latisse?

Everyone is looking at each other's eyelashes these days and wondering what their secret is, if they are REAL.
There are a lot of ways to achieve a fuller, longer lash - but it up to you to decide which is best for you. It is also up to you to figure out if the woman's lashes you are staring at are a great mascara, natural eyelash extensions or if they are using LATISSE? Although, I guess it might not hurt to ask...
Benefits and tricks of using Mascara for fuller, longer eyelashes:
1. Find a great formula that works with your eyes and individual wear. Not too dry, not too thick, not too wet - actually the secret is the applicator. I love the new plastic applicators like COVER GIRL's LASH BLAST. It is an easy application and can work out clumps with no problem. Don't spend your money on the vibrating wand or spinning wands... stick with the originals.
2. Lash primers are great for people who have lashes and want a fuller look. Most lines have a lash primer. I am a fan of ORIGIN's Underwear for lashes. The trick is to apply the primer to your lashes first and allow it to dry completely. The primers are usually a lighter color of white or purple so your lashes look crazy with just the primer on them. After applying one coat of primer, follow with one or two coats of mascara. The primer wraps around the lash and actually thickens the lash so when you apply the mascara, your lashes are actually fuller.
3. There are also some great lash extenders I love the one from DivaDerme. These are small fibers that stick to your lash and extend or lengthen the lash itself. The trick when using extending fibers is to try to not get the fibers directly into your eyes. Apply a layer of mascara first and immediately apply the fibers to the damp lashes with the wand or brush. Start from center of the lashes (not the base) and swipe fibers to the tip of your eyelash. This will prevent clumping and dropping fibers in your eyes. Brush any extra fibers off your face with a soft brush. If you try another coat of mascara to hold the fibers better in place, use a slight coat to avoid clumping.
4. For anyone who is light haired, lash tinting is a great option. This is a little trick to do to yourself so I suggest only letting a licensed professional treat your lashes. There are a few professional tinting lines; I find longer results from Intensives from Universal Companies. Ask your artist to leave on the tint for a minimum of 15 minutes, maximum 25 minutes. I have found if you treat tinting like hair color dye, you will receive better and lasting results.
Benefits and care of Lash Extensions for natural, more dramatic eyelashes:
1. The key to great looking lash extensions is two things: A great extension artist (application) and great home treatment (after care). Make sure you have the service performed by a certified, licensed artist. The type of brand used isn't so important (I love LASH BeLONG's lashes and volume extensions). How they are placed on your lashes and cared for is what makes lash extensions a good addition. Ask for home care instructions before the service and after the service. Main point, the less you do to them, the longer they last. Do not put any OIL anywhere near the extensions this will remove them.
2. Extensions are great for many reasons. Busy clients love not having to wake up in the morning before going to the gym to put on makeup. With extensions, it looks like you have mascara on at all times. Anyone with receding eyelids loves how they open up their eyes. Some clients even swear they get more dates...
3. Our lashes have a growth cycle; everyone's is different and as we age this process slows. As your lashes grow and fall out, another lash follows in its place. Normally when we wash our faces we have a few lashes that exfoliate out. But when there is an extension on the end of the lash, you tend to notice it more. Extensions do not make your lashes fall out. But they need to be taken care of and taken off when the extension is halfway out on a grown lash. If it isn't taken off that it where an extension can overpower the natural lash in weight and cause breakage. If you are gentle to your lashes and see a professional regularly for a fill, this is when the old, grown out lashes are removed and replaced with newer extensions at the lash base.
4. Using a lash growth product such as Revitalash works great for clients that have extensions for a long extended period of time. As long as the growth product is water based it will not interfere with any of the adhesive.
5. For more drama you can also add ARDELL's strip lashes or individual flares into the extensions with DUO adhesive that is latex based. This will add a more dramatic effect for a special event or to fill in between fills. Make sure the adhesive is latex based; other adhesives will bond with the lash extension adhesive and create a huge problem and potential lash breakage.
Benefits and side effects of LATISSE (by prescription) for darker, fuller, lengthened eyelashes:
1. Brooke Shields. Everyone has seen the ads. The new lash Rx is the talk of the town! Does it work? Do you have to use it forever? Will it cause my eye color to change? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? Does it take a long time? Will it work for everyone? How much is it? These are a lot of questions people ask me every day. Lets break it down simply...
2. LATISSE came about from Revitalash and Jan Marini Lash Growth. There was an ingredient in these cosmetic lash growers that was from a pharmaceutical company found in glaucoma medicine. They found the ingredient stimulated eyelash growth in most patients using it for glaucoma. When Revitalash and Jan Marini's Lash Growth products hit the market, people were crazy for it in the cosmetic field - it gained a lot of attention. Needless to say, the main ingredient was actually a pharmaceutical ingredient. So they were made to take the product off the shelf, redo the formulation without that ingredient. Both brands still work GREAT! They take a little longer for results to show now, approximately 4 weeks. Consequently, a year later LATISSE was born.
3. In my experience, LATISSE is a great product. I have seen client with minimal results to clients with phenomenal results. You need to be patient. LATISSE takes almost 3-4 months for results to show. If you stop using the product, your lashes will go back to the way they were before usage began. You need a prescription for the product which costs from $140-$175 per tube. Application is a bit trickier than the eyeliner wand found in the cosmetic lash growth products.
4. Success story: I have a client who I was applying lash extensions on for almost a year. She is a working actress and early last year, she became pregnant. Just before summer her show went on hiatus 3 months before her delivery date. Her last appointment with me was just before her last shoot and break. After seeing her 3 months after giving birth I could not believe her lashes! She is a red head and her lashes were always very light. Most times we would tint them in between redo applications for added darkness. She told me she started LATISSE on her break, while at the end of her pregnancy (please consult your doctor first if pregnant). Her results were slow, but within 3 ½ months her lashes were dark brown, double the amount, much longer and slightly thicker. I told her she should have her agent contact LATISSE. Her results were astounding! I kept washing off her eyes to try and remove the mascara I thought she was wearing.
5. Possible side effects. May NOT stimulate your lash growth, Itching and/or redness (all the lash growth products may cause slight skin irritation), Possible darkening of eyelid skin (may be reversible), Possible darkening of the colored portion of the eye (may be permanent). Possible risk of hair growth in places other than the eyelash and a risk of bacterial dermatitis from contamination of LATISSE or the applicator itself (which would happen from a dirty makeup applicator as well).
6. Talk about a cheaper version available also by Rx is Lumigan. Ask your doctor first.
In summary:
We all want gorgeous lashes. Everyone can enhance his or her natural lashes. A person just needs to figure out which option works best for them according to lifestyle, cost, maintenance and desired look. There are many options available. Ask a lot of questions and do your research. Remember when having a service performed or using a product around your eyes, be careful and consider all your options. I truly believe the options I explained above are a great alternative to cosmetic surgery. Try one of these methods first; you'll be glad you did.

Eye Cosmetics - The Best Mascara Depends on How You Use It

Eye cosmetics have been an important part in history for women, and especially for men who have enjoyed looking at them. Women throughout the ages have worn them to accentuate certain features of their eyes. However, more and more women today are experiencing problems related to the use of rimel and eyeliner. These problems can range from minor irritation to serious infections. The most common make-up related injury happens when the cornea is scratched with a mascara applicator. This commonly happens when women try to apply mascara when they are driving and an unexpected bump in the road jars them causing them to scratch their cornea with the bristle applicator. Sometimes this leads to an infection. Rimel applicators are notorious for harboring bacteria introduced from the process of application and reapplication. Our skin and hair follicles, no matter how clean, harbor microorganisms that may cause infection.
How to keep cosmetics from becoming contaminated?
Products are usually pure when purchased. Contamination however can be introduced into them as they are being used. Fungi and bacteria oftentimes grow in cosmetic containers. Keep your jars tightly closed and do not leave them in your car or in the hot sun. Always reinsert your eyelash wand back into the dip tube, and never lay it down on any surface for even an instant. Instead of dipping fingers to retrieve a moisturizing cream, a small clean spatula should always be used especially for eye cosmetics. Even though these formulations contain strong preservatives to retard bacterial growth, studies show that contamination does occur. If infection results, immediate medical attention should be sought or else serious complications may result. Also never share your cosmetic products with anyone else.
This may sound selfish, but actually this is a protection to you and your friend. Everyone harbors different types of bacteria and our own bodies may be able to cope with a certain bacteria that we may have. But when you share products, you introduce each other to perhaps intolerable new strains of bacteria. Department stores have various testers put out for the public to try. People commonly dip their unwashed fingers in creams and introduce bacteria. Refrain from trying these and ask your store attendant to furnish you with perhaps a personal sample. Request single use applicators such as q-tips or cosmetic spatulas. Use products only for their intended use. Lip liners should never be used for the eyes. Bacteria from the mouth can infect the eye area. In this way you will avoid even slight irritation, redness and watering that is so prevalent with the use of these products.
What to do for sensitive eyes?
Sometimes it is wise to completely discontinue use of any cosmetics around the eye area and you may need to see an optometrist to determine if you may have an inflammation of the eyelid. When your sensitivity diminishes, find products with no fragrances and perhaps a chemical-free cosmetic. Switching to dry cosmetics and water soluble mascara has also helped many women to lessen irritation. Try to avoid lash building and thickening mascara. These formulations contain particles which are brittle and often flake away into the eye area. Polymer based mascaras tend to not be as brittle and do not flake off as readily into the eye.
Advantages of eye liner pencils
Eye shadow powders and eyeliner pencils cause less irritation because dry substances do not need so many preservatives and chemicals to formulate them. These pencils however should be kept sharp. Firstly because eyeliner that has been exposed to the air for a long time may harbor bacteria and it may become harder when exposed to air, necessitating more pressure to be applied during application. Secondly, so that the outer casing, which can be very sharp, has no chance of coming close to scratching the eye area.
If the eyes are considered to be the most important part of the body, and mascara the most important cosmetics product - then wisely accentuate the positive and really get noticed.

How to Apply Mascara Without Clumping

Mascara lengthens your lashes and makes them look much thicker. The effect is a long lush fringe of eyelashes that frames the eyes and makes a woman so much more beautiful. The idea is to use mascara to make lashes look so much longer and more lush than usual, so that people might think you are wearing fake lashes at first, then on closer examination, decide that you are blessed with naturally long, thick eye lashes.
If applying mascara gives you unsightly clumps on your lashes, the effect is the opposite. You get a fake, harsh look that adds years too your face. Clumpy lashes are far from flattering. Better go without mascara than walk out of the house with ugly clumps on your lashes.
So how do you get clump free lashes that are long and lush?
One option is to wear false eyelashes. Another way is to apply mascara the way makeup artists do -- by jiggling your hand.

1. Brush off excess mascara from the wand on a clean kleenex.
2. Apply a coat of mascara, wiggling the wand left and right to separate the lashes.
3. Run a clean, dry mascara wand (recycle one from an old tube of mascara but clean it first with makeup remover) through the lashes
4. Let the coat of mascara dry.
5. Repeat to apply a second coat of mascara.

Lately, motorized mascaras have entered the market. The motorized wand vibrates mimicking the zig zagging action of the makeup artist's hand, separating the lashes so that the mascara does not clump.

Eye Makeup Tips and Advice

Eyes occupy the most prominent place among the five sensory organs of our body. Large and beautiful eyes enhance one's beauty manifold. Healthy eyes are directly related to general health. Use eye-make up very sparingly, for its excessive use damages the skin around eye. Also, remember never to use chemical eye-make-up-remover because it reacts adversely on the skin. Applying smoky eyes makeup can make you the most attractive and beautiful woman. It is a good choice for drawing attention, also.
A very important thing to take into account is the eye shadow color. Being very careful, smoky eyes are not so difficult to obtain. An advantage of this kind of makeup is that it fits any face type. Start applying the smoky eyes makeup, First, apply a perfect eyeliner and the base eye shadow over the upper lid, blending with a base brush. The next step is to apply a clean color over the eye, from eyelid to brow.
Eye makeup is the fun part of applying cosmetics. Some simple eye makeup tips. Use eye shadows that fit the character or to express mood. Apply the lightest shade you have over the entire eyelid and the medium shade on the lower eyelid. It's time to apply dark colors for creating depth. Best place for doing that is the outer corner. Next, apply a little eyeliner, from the center of the eye to the corners. Finally, apply mascara. For dark eyes, black or dark brown is recommended. A dark brown eye shadow should be applied from the lid to crease, for a better effect. In the final, apply two layers of black mascara and work a little on your eyebrows for a strong smoky eyes makeup.
Various Types of Eye Makeup

Small eyes-Use a light shade of powder for the center of the lid and a darker shade in the outer edge.
Almond-shaped eyes Use a light shade of powder from your lashes to the brow, a medium shade on your lid, and a darker shade on the outer third of your eyelid.
Round eyes-Use light colored shadow over the entire lid and a darker shade in the crease. Apply eyeliner on both the top and bottom lids, and use mascara on the upper outer lashes.
Wide-set eyes-Use a darker shade in the inner corner, blending up and out. Concentrate eyeliner and mascara on the inner corner of the eye.
Close-set eyes-Use one color, varying from a light to darker shade. Start with the lightest shade one-third away from the inner corner of your eye, blending darker shades up and out. Use eyeliner on the outer half of your eye.
Deep-set eyes-Use eyeliner on both the upper and lower lids, remembering to smudge and soften the line.
Eye Makeup Tips
1. Use Sacha's eye shadows to reflect mood.
2. Apply the lightest shade over the entire eyelid.
3. Apply the medium shade on the lower eyelid.
4. Apply the darkest shade in the outer corner of the eye to create depth.
5. Apply eyeliner with short strokes, starting form.
6. The center of the eye and working towards the corners.
7. Mascara finishes your makeup.
8. Do not wear bold eye makeup and a bold lipstick at the same time.
9. Try not to be too dramatic but there is a secret seldom revealed.

How to Apply Eye Mascara

Applying Mascara is the final step in eye makeup. Mascara is applied on the eye lashes to beautify them. Different formulas and application of mascara can enhance your lashes in different ways. Mascara can often be very scary and hard to apply. Different colors of mascara such as brown, navy and green can make you look funky instantly. Before applying mascara, use an eyelash comb or damp toothbrush to comb your lashes. Always use a clean and fresh mascara wand on damp lashes. Scary because there is always a chance you could poke your eye, if you have a steady hand and you are trying not to get to close to the root of the lashes this should be no problem.
A mascara without added fibres is normally sufficient, if applied correctly to make eye lashes look long and lustrous. There are three different forms of mascara - water-based, water-proof and the mixed variety. It is important that mascara is used on an individual only to avoid transferring eye infections and if it causes even the slightest irritation in the eye, it must be immediately discarded. While removing the mascara from eyes always avoid the colour from going onto the delicate area below the bottom lashes and close your eyes.

Tips for applying eye mascara
1. Apply mascara after eye shadow and eyeliner.
2. If your mascara is new and the deposit on the corners is plentiful, tissue off the wand before applying to prevent smudging
3. Never curl your eyelashes after applying mascara because they can stick to the pad on curler.
4. Try not to blink your eyes for until it dries. To remove the excess mascara blot the lashes with a tissue.
5. Finally brush with a clean dry brush, to separate the lashes.
6. Always remove mascara before going to bed. This will keep lashes healthier.
Coloured Mascara
If you are bold enough, try putting on blue or brown mascara on your lashes after applying a coat of black mascara, for a stunning look.

Tip to Remove Mascara
Mascara must be removed very carefully to avoid damaging the delicate skin around the eyes. Roll a cotton bud dipped in cosmetic cleaner over the lashes, taking mascara down on the tissues. Repeat this until all mascara removes.