Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 @ 08:52 AM
When we think of holiday makeup, it is usually shimmery, sexy, smoky, glossy (woo hoo!). But what about more sedate holiday gatherings, like Thanksgiving, the office holiday party or a demure gathering of family and friends? There are occasions when we may want to look dressed up, but also grown up.
For a look that is sophisticated, classic and timeless, try Triple Cognac PurePressed Triple Eyeshadow on the eyes, with Black Plus Cream To Powder Eyeliner and Longest Lash Mascara in Dark Auburn.
To finish the look, there is nothing more elegant and refined than red lips. For real staying power, remember to start with Lip Definer. Try Crimson and then top with Nicole PureMoist LipColour, or experiment to find the perfect shade of red for you.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Sat, Nov 14, 2009 @ 05:44 AM
Got New Moon madness? Even if you don't, everyone else seems to, so why not get in on the fun? Here's a way to capture all the drama and excitement of the second installment of the Twilight series in a look that's PG by day, and red-hot by night.
Our own Internet Marketing Assistant, Carleen, came in this morning rocking this amazing vampire eye look, inspired by the Twilight series and the sensational Prada's fall '09 runway look. We all loved this look on the runway, but none of us were quite so sure how to translate it into a wearable version. Our heartfelt thanks to Carleen for figuring it out!
This is how she did it:
- First, line eyes with copper end of Double Dazzle.
- Apply 24 Karat Rose Gold to entire lid by patting it on with the Deluxe Shader Brush.
- Use Oyster PurePressed Eyeshadow to highlight the brow bone.
- Finish with Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara.
One thing to keep in mind: I'm a beauty fanatic, but I'm not a photographer, so my apologies for the sub-par quality of the photos. Also, these pictures were taken at 5pm. It's the end of the day and with no touch ups (we wouldn't let her), Carleen is still looking way, way Bella.
Coming soon: An evening version of this seductive look for a special occasion look that will "Eclipse" everyone else's!
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Tue, Sep 15, 2009 @ 01:04 PM
I have been totally inspired by playing with items in the new Silver Lining collection, and have recently discovered a few great tips that really add sparkle to the eyes.
Trick #1 Metallic Liquid Eye Liner: This is my absolute favorite, and it can be used with even the softest daytime makeup. I picked this up during a video shoot with two of our beloved National Makeup Artists/Educators. Add a thin line of metallic Liquid Eye Liner close to the upper lash line once regular eye makeup is done (Shawn). Let the brush do the job: just lay it along the lash line (Kevin). It really works, even in the passenger seat of a moving car! You don't have to have such a steady hand because the shimmery, metallic quality of the liner is so forgiving. Silver looks lovely with cool eye shadow colors like grey and purple; while Gold is gorgeous with warm, rich shades such as brown, bronze and taupe. It adds this incredible, subtle flash of light, and the eyes magically twinkle with each blink or turn of the head.
Trick #2 Midnight Blue and White Pencil: Here at jane iredale, we have been waiting not-so-patiently for the Midnight Blue Pencil (thank you Jane!). Lining the water line/inner rim is an old trick that really makes the eyes look awake and adds beautiful intensity. But for a soft, subtle look, try lining just under the lower lash line with the White Pencil, blending well so it is unnoticeable. It simply makes the eyes bright.
Trick #3 Shadow Placement: Traditionally we are taught to put the medium shade of eye shadow on the lid, the dark shade in the crease and the lightest shade on the brow bone. This looks great, but here's another technique that really makes the eyes shine. Use the Deluxe Shader Brush to press the lightest shade, preferably with a bit of shimmer, onto the eye lid. Use the Crease Brush to apply the medium shade in the crease. Finally, accent just the outer corner of the lid with the darkest shade. Try applying it with the Eye Shader Brush in a small circular motion for control and nice blending in this tiny area. Blend everything with a clean Crease Brush. As a final touch, swipe the edge of the Flocked Sponge from the outer corner of the eye to the outer corner of the brow to be sure everything is neat and lifted.
Try any one of these techniques or all three at once. They are beautiful, delicate and subtle; or dramatic, vampy and intense, depending on how you apply.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 @ 12:13 PM
Smoky eyes are everywhere for fall, and the look has never been fresher because they are being done in every shade from classic charcoal to soft browns, and even vibrant shades like plum or teal. Smoky eyes is not a color, it is a technique; or rather many techniques. Here is one of my favorites from makeup artist Christian McNally. It looks fierce and only takes about five minutes. Have faith. it may look like a hot mess when you are halfway through, but it comes together magically in the end. Blending is the key!
- Start by smoothing a tiny bit of Lemon Lid Primer over the whole lid, lash line to brow. Blend well with your finger tips or the Camouflage Brush.
- Next, apply coordinating eye Pencil: For example, Black/Brown works well with brown or plum smoky eyes; Black or Black/Grey works with charcoal or teal. Draw a thick line across the upper lash line, going about half way up the lid towards the crease. Draw another line under the lower lashes, from inner to outer corner. Connect the two lines at the outer corner, and don't worry about being neat.
- Blend the Pencil well with the Small Fluff Brush to a soft, edgeless finish. One thing I have learned is to blend with a very light touch. It may take longer, but otherwise I end up blending off the makeup I just applied!
- Take your desired shade of PurePressed Eyeshadow Triple. Apply the medium shade to the outer two-thirds of the upper lid with the Crease Brush. The crease can stay clean for this look; concentrate the color on the lid and lash line.
- Apply the lightest shade on the inner third on the upper lid with the same brush and blend the two together with your clean Crease Brush (simply wipe it off on a tissue).
- With the Mini Dome Brush, use the darkest shade in the trio to intensify everywhere you placed the eye Pencil. Blend well.
- Again with the Crease Brush, highlight with a little bit of Oyster (shimmery) or Bone (matte) PurePressed Eye Shadow in the inner corner of the eye at the sides of the nose, and on the brow bone. Blend well.
- Line the inner rim (waterline) of the upper and lower lash line with Liner. Use the same liner or try Black for fierce drama, or Midnight Blue to really whiten the whites of your eyes.
- Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner to upper and lower lashes to condition lashes and add volume and length. While it is still damp, follow with several coats of Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice.
Now with eyes this intense, please keep the cheeks and lips soft and neutral. The one exception for this fall might be a subtle pop of hot pink. Use a light hand and try Clarity In Touch Cream Blush on the cheeks and Sugar Plum PureGloss on the lips
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Aug 07, 2009 @ 12:45 PM
Here's a great tip that comes to us from one of our sales consultants, just in time for Friday night ;-)
She says, "mix Eye Gloss with Cream to Powder Eyeliner to create a hot iced look. You can just mix them with your Camouflage Brush on the back of your hand. Just a little of this and a little of that."
Here's how: squeeze a little dab of your favorite shade of Eye Gloss onto the back of your hand; then scrape up a small amount of a coordinating color of Cream To Powder Eye Liner. For example, you could use Grey Silk Eye Gloss with the light or medium shade of Black Plus Cream To Powder Eye Liner. Blend them together on the back of your hand, and then apply using the Camouflage Brush for the eyelid, or the Eye Liner/Brow Brush to use as an eyeliner. It looks amazing, and the color will last all night!
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Tue, Jul 07, 2009 @ 12:59 PM
When we talk about how to apply eye makeup, we usually mean which colors to use and where to apply them on the eye. But how we apply our eye makeup can take you from struggling with your makeup to creating artful and beautiful eyes. Here are a couple of tips from some of our artists and consultants that have really helped me:
When applying eye shadow to the lid, don't swish. Pat or press the color on with a flat brush like our Deluxe Shader Brush. The color sticks better and stays where you want it, rather than all over your face.
Apply darker eyeshadow in circular motions so that the color blends more easily and you don't have any lines or harsh areas. Try this when you are applying that darker shade in the outer corner or crease. This works beautifully with soft and natural eye makeup looks, and also with dramatic looks, vivid shades, and smokey eyes. By blending as you apply, you don't have that hard edge that is so difficult to blend away.
For in-depth tips on applying contour shadow, see our earlier blog post on that subject. I also love this video using our Daytime Eyeshadow Kit.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Tue, Jun 09, 2009 @ 04:30 PM
One of the fundamentals of applying makeup is putting that contour shade in the crease. Everyone just assumes we know how to do it! These tips make it fool-proof. 
To find your crease, close your eye and press on it gently. The crease is the indent that hugs the top half of your eyeball.
Apply your contour shade in the crease with your eye open. If you close your eye to apply your contour shadow, it will disappear into the crease when you open your eye.
Use a "windshield wiper" motion lifting your brush as little as possible. Follow the natural contour of the eye and blend up and out. You may wish to bring the color onto the outer corner of the eyelid a bit too, creating a sideways "V." Some wonderful makeup brushes to try include the Eye Shader Brush and Crease Brush for a softer look; or the Eye Contour Brush for more drama.
Sometimes I use a lighter shade in the crease, sometimes darker, sometimes shimmer, sometimes matte. Don't be afraid to experiment!