New to the site with questions!!

Nov 29, 2010

Marie C.

First off, let me say that I'm loving this site already! Shout out to BeautyThesis for giving us the dish about the site on her blog!! I'm looking forward to being more active on the site (as time permits) as I love the fact that it's not so cluttered and easy to navigate. Now, on to my main reason for posting. I'm not new to makeup, but I'm not a pro in the game either. So, in a way, I still got a newbie foot in the water. My main problem with makeup is eyeshadow. Blending, choosing the right colors, applying it so that it will last longer, and did I mention blending? I have all these issues with applying eyeshadow and I'm trying to learn to get it right. I know, I know....practice makes perfect. And I've been practicing, but it seems as though I'm not getting anywhere. So how did you get to where you are when it comes to applying e/s? Do you have any tips and techniques to share? I'm particularly concerned with blending around the browbone area. It seems as though I can't transition from my browbone to my highlight without having that harsh line there. Can someone help?  Thanks!!!

Nov 29, 2010

Shelly T.

Along with practice, practice, practice, I say: brushes, brushes, brushes. Your tools are very important. I think you need to spend at least some money on makeup brushes; they will help you immensely.

For this, you'll need...
* A flat shading brush to pack colour on the lids (examples: MAC 239, Sigma E55, any of Sonia Kashuk's eye shadow/shader brushes, Eco Tools eye shadow brush)
* A stiff dome-shaped brush to blend colours in the crease and/or to define the "outer V". (examples: MAC 217, Sigma E25, NYX Professional Crease Brush)
* A softer, fluffier dome-shaped brush if you want a softer, more diffused crease, and sometimes to apply highlighter shades. Some women even use this to blend concealer under the eyes. (examples: MAC 222 or 224, Sigma E35 or E40)
* A pencil brush to put shadow down on your lower lashline or to define a stronger "outer V". (examples: MAC 219, Sigma E30) You could also use a short shader brush for this (MAC 214, Sigma E20)

Crown Brushes have a very good, inexpensive selection of makeup brushes for the eyes and face. (They supply the brushes sold on Coastal Scents' website.) ELF also has some good brushes, but I must say that I prefer the ones in the Studio line to the normal "Professional" line (the white-handled ones). I've also heard good things about the brushes in the Essence of Beauty line sold at CVS.

Colours... it really is trial and error. But there may also be colours you gravitate to more than others.

Trio or quad palettes can also help you with putting colours/looks together.

(edited because I forgot about the colours question!)

Nov 30, 2010

Marie C.

OMG, are you serious? So the people at Crown brush have the same brushes as the ones on the Coastal Scents website??? I need to check that out pronto! Thanks for taking the time to respond. I am slowly building up my brush collection. I have the 217, 222 and 224 from MAC, I have a couple of Essence of Beauty brushes and a few elf brushes. I am getting the 239 and 213 from MAC in a short while, so I can't wait to see how things turn out with those. What brush would you suggest for blending colors along the brow bone?

Nov 30, 2010

Cynthia T.

I agree with Shelly! My faves are Sigma though. Also try applying more/less pressure while you blend, & I find blending the harsh line before you put your highlight shade helps. =)

Nov 30, 2010

Shelly T.

@Marie: Yeah, I am. Coastal Scents' brushes are rebranded Crown brushes.

@Cynthia: Most of the brushes I use these days are Sigmas; they're fantastic. *nods* I listed MAC ones first mainly due to their popularity.

Nov 30, 2010

Breanna B.

Brushes are definitely huge and I like the Sephora brand. As far as colors go, if you're looking to enhance you're eye color, use the color wheel. And plum colors look really good with dark eyes :). Yes, practice does make perfect with blending but what I do when I get that harsh line, is pick a shade that's close to your skin color and use it to blend that harsh line out. Then apply a highlight shade. Hope that helps!

Nov 30, 2010

Erin Z.

@Breanna spot on with the color wheel advice. Think back to elementary school art class. Understanding the rules of how colors mix and blend, allows you to make more informed decisions about when to break those rules, and how to expand your palette with minimal colors.

Lots of MUAs go overboard and buy every slightest shade variation out there, but with a little research you can mix your own custom colors for whatever your look may demand. 

Dec 1, 2010

Tamara R.

Hi Marie, I'm glad you found your way here.. and look at all the great advice you're getting already! :]

As far as blending goes, it really does take time to perfect your technique. I agree completely with Breanna about using a skin tone eye shadow (or even your face powder) to help blend out those harsh lines.

Consider these points as well:
- Are you using too much primer?
Excess cream products can make blending significantly harder. Less is generally more when it comes to bases, but if you feel you're using the right amount try applying a sheer was of a skin tone shadow/powder from lash line to brow. This powder base tends to make blending significantly easier.

- Is the transition sharp?
Are you trying to blend a dark colour into something quite light? By placing a transition colour between the two extremes, you decrease the contrast which is less work to blend.

- How much pressure are you using?
I find that a lighter hand and a bit more time gives a cleaner finish than heavier pressure, which can also leave your colours looking muddy.

Dec 1, 2010

Shika P.

Hi Marie, I am also a newbie on Beautylish! I totally get what you are saying about the harsh line between the browbone: lid colour + crease colour and into your highlight colour. I totally agree about using a colour that is closer to your skin tone to blend out the harsh line; also I never used to feather the colour upwards and across, but that helps too (make sure you dont put any more product on the brush). I have been using Grain from Mac as a highlight under the brows using a small shader brush from Mac (I forget the number!!).

I also have a colour wheel that is pinned on my vanity- for when I get out of my neutral zone and use my NYC Palette from Urban Decay!

Hope this helps!!