Useless or Genius? A Mascara Rant.

Mascara is one of, if not the most important items I have in my makeup arsenal. Who doesn't love long, full, luxurious lashes? It has been a key element in the history of cosmetics and is still going strong with no sight of fading. That being said, it is hard to improve upon what already exists out there in today's market.

One thing that definitely makes a difference in a mascara is the type of brush it has. Depending on the type of look you want and what kind of eyelashes you have, you may want a mascara with a bigger brush, creating a more voluminous appearance. Or you may want a brush that defines and separates the lashes, avoiding the clumpy look. But hey, you may like the clumpy look in which case you want to use a brush that has both long and short bristles. This shape distributes enough mascara to make the lashes appear thicker. It all depends on what you want.

I thought I had seen everything pertaining to mascara until I saw this product. Dior broke the mold when they made Diorshow 360, a battery powered mascara that rotates both clockwise and counter clockwise and has a brush in the shape of a double helix. Now, being the practical person I am, this $36 mascara seems like a very expensive and possibly useless invention. I mean, you would have to be pretty lazy not to be able to exert the amount of time and energy it requires to manipulate a mascara wand but then I took the challenge myself and couldn't believe my eyes, literally! Don't break your bank account ladies but if you have some extra cheddar and want to try out something new and adventurous in the art of mascara, if only a one time purchase, try this one. You will never think of mascara in the same way ever again.

Stay In Line...

On request from one reader, I'd like to address the ever so popular liquid liner phenomenon. This is a subject that I can talk a lot about but considering there are so many things to say, let me start by stating that all liquid liners are NOT created equal. Finding the one that works best for you can be a long process of buying and trying. So, through the course of a few posts, I will try to enlighten those who need a little help.

Another rule to keep in mind is that you don't always have to pay top dollar for the best cosmetics. When it comes to liquid liner, some of the best are waiting for you in the corner drug store.

One of my favorites is Almay's Liquid Liner. The reason being that it is not only extremely easy on the wallet but it has a fantastic matte finish. For those of you who like a more vintage looking 60's eye, this may just be your best friend. It also comes in a nice toasted shade of Brown, which is a great alternative to black. I actually prefer brown for myself because I feel like it is not as overpowering of a look, especially if it is for day time. The intensity of the 60's eye also depends on how thick the line is. I suggest taking a few Q-Tips and play around with the thickness of your line. If it is too intense, just simple wet the Q-Tip and go over the top of the line, shaving it down to however thin you like it. Don't worry, if it goes too thin, you can always add more. I will go into different shapes and techniques later but as for now, try to find which brand works for you and have fun!

Have you tried this?

Like many of you, I am a sucker for new products. I was in Sephora the other day, working on a story featuring red lipstick, when I came across the Josie Maran section. Although I haven't really tried her products, I was attracted by the line's emphasis of a more natural aesthetic. I like that they have an entire regiment using Argan oil, which they say is a "super food" for your skin. Of the entire line, I was completely taken by one product in particular: The Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation. It comes out white and changes color as you rub it between your fingertips. I was instantly intrigued and found that I matched perfectly to shade light/medium. For someone who never wears foundation, this is so extremely light and moisturizing that I would definitely put it in my new favorites category. If you find yourself looking for a new, light weight and skin nourishing foundation, try this!

Let's Experiment!

On the suggestion of a friend, I have decided to create a blog. I will be posting beauty tips, classic and new, makeup ideas, my favorite products and everything else beauty related. This will not be a daily venture but one that is reserved only for the more interesting moments in my life as a professional makeup artist and believe me, it gets REAL interesting. Enjoy!

I'd like to start with a product I have been obsessing about: Eggplant colored eyeliner. I have a very common combination of brown hair and dark features. I don't wear a lot of makeup but when I do wear it, I like playing with different, subtle colors that accent my natural coloring. I love using a brown eyeliner pencil but to shake things up, I have been using a deep purple to rim my lash line, top and bottom, with a few coats of mascara to finish. I usually use a smudging tool, q-tip or my finger to blend in the color, making it a bit of a softer look. If I want it to be a bit more dramatic, I take a black pencil and then make a smaller fine line right into the lash line. You can either blend this in or leave it as a more pronounced line. The one I have been using is Dior's Eyeliner Pencil in Violet.