How to apply Blush/Bronzer :Photo Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

Today I’m doing a tutorial on How to apply blush/bronzer on Anks’s request.  Hope you find it useful.

This tutorial is in 3 steps –

1. Contouring (with darker shade blush, at hollow of the cheekbone)

2. Blush (on apple of the cheek)

3. Highlight(on top of the cheekbone)

blush tutorial- 3 steps

Step 1: Contouring

In this step, a darker shade of blush or contouring powder is applied right under your cheekbones. This gives an illusion of depth or shadow at the hollows of the cheekbones and gives a sculpted look to the face. It also gives definition to the cheekbones, making them appear higher and makes the face look slimmer. This step is also called ‘cutting’.

What to use : Any matte blush that is 2 shades darker than your skin tone or darker shade of foundation(though blending with liquid may require a little more effort as compared to powder) or contouring powder (available in some brands such as M.A.C ). I have used Colorbar ‘Just Earth‘ blush as its darker than my skintone.

Colorbar Just Earth for contouring

How to apply : Use contouring brush or any small brush (such as the one provided with most blushes) since the area of application is small. A sponge with angular tip such as the The Body Shop sponge can also be used.

Pull your cheeks in as shown and apply the contouring shade starting near the hairline , moving down towards the lips, following the contour of the cheekbones.

contouring/ sculpting cheeks

contouring cheeks

The blush should sit right at the hollow of the cheekbones and should start at the hairline midway next to the ears and slope downward towards the mouth as shown.

contoured cheeks

Step 2 : Blush

In this step, the blush color of your choice (should be lighter than contouring shade and close to your skin tone) is applied on the apples of the cheeks. To know the location of the apples of your cheeks, smile broadly – the region that is raised and gets balled up is the ‘apple’ of the cheek.

What to use: Blush shade lighter than contouring shade, closest to your skin tone for a natural look. I have used Colorbar ‘Peachy Rose‘. For this step, use a fluffy powder brush or blush brush. The applicators provided with the blushes are generally not the best. Invest in a blush brush for best results. I am using Vega blush brush.

Colorbar 'peachy rose'

Brushes used : Colorbar brush( the one that comes with the blush), Vega blush brush

How to apply : Using a fluffy brush, apply in sweeping motion starting at the apple of the cheek moving towards the hairline in upward slope. At the top , DO NOT go beyond the cheekbone to the under eye area. Keep at least 1-1-.5 cm gap from the under eye area. At the inner side, DO NOT take the blush right up the side of the nose, again maintain at least 1-1.5 cm gap. At the bottom, take the blush right upto where the contouring shade starts and blend it in with it.

blush application

Step 3: Highlight shade/bronzer

In this step, a shimmery/glittery shade of applied to the top most point of the cheekbones where light would reflect giving a ‘glow’ to the face and highlighting the cheekbones- coupled with contouring, this gives a sculpted and defined look to the cheeks.

highlighter application

What to use : Products sold as ‘highlighters’ , Peach-golden-siver Loose pigments or eyeshadows meant for browbone highlighting, shimmer brick, bronzer. I am using Revlon Colorstay mineral finishing powder ‘Sunkiss Radieux’.

Revlon bronzer

How to apply: This shade is to be applied sparingly and on a very small area i.e the top of the cheekbones. Using an eye shadow brush or small blush brush, pat on the highest point of the cheekbone and take is upwards along the bone as shown.

 

Final look –

With contouring –

Blush application with contouring

Blush application with contouring

Blush application without contouring –

Blush application without contouring

For added effect of sculpting, sweep some of the contouring shade or bronzer under the jawline

jawline

What products do you use for the above 3 steps? Which is your favorite blush? Let me know your comments by replying below.

Copper/Black eye makeup TUTORIAL

Hi everyone!

Today I’m doing a  Copper/Black eye makeup tutorial using Chambor eyeshadow trio #85 Mystic. I wore this look in my previous post HERE and Neha requested me to do a tutorial for the eye makeup.

This is a very simple look and I have used all shades from the Chambor ‘Mystic’ trio i.e lid color, crease color and browbone highlight shade.

This is for you Neha, hope you find it useful!

List of products used :

1. BeYu eye base

2. Lakme rose powder

3. Chambor eye shadow trio #85 Mystic

4. Lotus Herbals kajal

5. Maybelline black gel eyeliner

6. Maybelliner colossal volume mascara

7. Faces eyeshadow brush, angled brush, Q-tips

Products used Copper/Black eye makeup tutorial

Step 1- Moisturizing and priming

• I used my regular Neutrogena oil free moisturizer which I use all over face on my eyes as well so that the lids and under eye is properly hydrated. If you use specific cream for your lids/under eye area, you should use that here.
• Next, I have applied BeYu eye base which brings out the color of eye shadows and helps them last longer too.
• After this I have applied loose powder all over my lid so that blending becomes easier. I am using Lakme rose powder.

1- moisturized and primed eyelid

1- apply loose powder

Step 2- Copper eyeshadow

• After dusting a little amount of loose powder all over lids using a fluffy brush, pat copper eyeshadow all over the lid ending at the crease.

2- Copper eyeshadow from Chambor mystic trio

Step 3- Grey/Black eyeshadow

• Next, take a small amount of the the grey/black eyeshadow and pat it 3/4th of the way on the crease and on the outer corner making a horizontal ‘V’ as shown.

3- apply grey shade to crease and outer V

Step 4- Blending

• Blend using a fluffy brush along the contour of the eye (in the crease,taking it slightly above) and on the outer V. Take a small quantity of loose powder on the brush, pat it on the area to be blended and then blend with a light hand in a to-and-fro motion.

4- blend it along the contour of the eye

4- Lakme rose powder

4- pat some loose powder on crease

4- blend blend blend!

Step 5- Browbone highlighting

• Take the golden highlight shade and apply in under the brow from the highest point of the arch outwards till the end of the brow.
• Blend it with the crease color using more loose powder.

5- apply browbone shade

Step 6- Clean up excess

• Clean up the excess in the inner corner using moistened q-tip.
• Clean up the outer corner along a line joining the outer corner of the eye to the outer end point of the brow as shown.

6- clean up the inner corner

6- clean up outer corner

Step 7- Apply a LOT of kajal

• Apply a lot of kajal on your waterline.Let it be enough to run out beyond the water line to the lash line.

 

7- apply a LOT of kajal

• Now using an angled brush or smudging brush, pick up a little bit of the grey black shade and smudge the kajal on your lower lash line. Extend it outward at the outer corner to form a wing.

Chambor eye shadow trio 'Mystic'

• Clean up any excesses with a q-tip.

7- smudge it with the grey eyeshadow using angled brush

Step 8- Inner corner

• Apply the same highlight shade used on the brow bone to the inner corner of the eye. This will instantly brighten up your eyes.

8- apply highlight shade on inner corner

Step 9- Apply liner and mascara

• Apply winged eye liner on the upper lash line and top off with lots of mascara. Make sure to apply mascara properly on the outermost corners as this gives definition to the eyes and can easily get ignored.

9 -apply liner and mascara

You can apply eye shadow/eye pencil to define your eye brows .

Here’s the final look.

The copper is not showing up as pigmented as it is in this picture 😦

Final look

Final look

Have you used Chambor eye shadows ? Which is your favorite trio ? Let me know your comments by replying below.

Grey Black Smokey eye TUTORIAL

Hi everyone!

Today I’m doing a tutorial on grey/black smokey eyes that I had worn for my previous post HERE.

Smokey eyes using Bourjois black glitter liner

This is the completed look –

Finished look- grey black smokey eye

Products used (in order) :

1. BeYu eye base

2. Maybelline Shadow stylist loose powder eyeshadow in shade ‘Sultry Black’

3. Jordana Incolor matte eyeshadow in shade 02 Black Tie Affair

4. Faces eyeshadow brush

5. Maybelline chai latte quad for brow bone highlight shade

6. Lotus Herbals Kajal

7. Bourjois Glitter Fizz eyeliner in black

8. Maybelline Colossal Volume mascara

Products used for grey black smokey eye

Swatches (top: with primer , bottom :without primer )- L-R : Maybelline Shadow stylist (sultry black) , Jordana Incolor black eyeshadow, Brow bone color Maybelline chai latte quad

Step 1:  Priming

This is a very important step to bring out the color of the eyeshadow and help it stay longer. The Maybelline shadow stylist loose powder eyeshadow I’m using here (the shade name is ‘Sultry black’ but since its a grey color, I’ll be referring to it as the grey shade) barely shows up and has crazy fallout if I don’t use a base underneath. Its very difficult to work with this shadow – it doesn’t blend, it creases a lot- but this is the only matte grey in my collection right now so I’m using this. You can also do this look working only with a matte black eyeshadow.

Apply a small amount of primer over entire lid right up to the brow and also on the lower lash line. Allow it to get absorbed.

Step 1: Priming

Step 2: Lid color

Apply grey eyeshadow all over the lid extending it a little outwards at the outer corner.

Step 2: Grey Shadow

Step 3:  Outer corner

Apply the matte black eyeshadow on the outer corner forming a ‘V’ and using a fluffy blending brush , start blending the grey and black. The Maybelline shadow stylist in grey that I am using is a nightmare to blend. I used some loose powder to aid the blending but it hardly helped.  I had to keep applying more and more and for some reason it kept vanishing- where I do not know- the brush, or my skin ? :-\

Step 3: Outer corner and Blending

Step 4: Lower lash line and brow bone

Use a thin brush (pencil or angular) apply some grey eyeshadow along the lower lash line. You don’t need to too careful as you can always clean up and get the precision you desire using a Q-tip later on.

At this stage, the eye just looks surrounded by an untidy mess of grey and black. Apply a little highlighter on the brow bone. You can also simply use some loose powder. I have used brow bone highlight shade from Maybelline chai latte quad.

Step 4: More grey e/s on lid and lower lash line

Step 5: Clean up!

Now this is the step that will give more definition to the eye. Using a moistened Q tip- clean up the excess on the lower lash, inner corner and outer corner. To give the ‘lift’ to your eyes, clean up the outer corner along a line joining the outer most corner of the eye to the outer tip of the eyebrow as shown by the red line in the picture.

Step 5: Clean up

Step 5 : Clean up

Step 6: Apply kajal, liner and mascara

Apply loads of kajal on the lower lash line and tightline the upper line. Loads of kajal blending into the grey/black on the lower lash line is very important for the smokey eye. Apply winged liner – here I am using Bourjois Glitter Fizz liner in shade Black Star. It has beautiful silver shimmer and you can read my review on it HERE. Apply 2 coats of mascara to finish up.

Step 6: Kajal, Liner and mascara

Now you can see that the Maybelline Shadow stylist has managed to vanish from my lid again. I am not going to bother with it  (Sorry Maybelline, but this is one of worst eyeshadows I have come across!! ) I am just going to pat a little of the matte black eye shadow on my lid to finish up the look. Smudge the sharp line on the outer corner slightly with brush/finger.

Adding black eye shadow on lid

Here’s the finished Grey Black Smokey Eye look–

Grey black smokey eye

Grey black smokey eye

Tips for creating Smokey eyes :

1. Blending! There should not be harsh lines, the eyeshadow at the lid and crease should fade out slowly towards the brow bone.

2. Lower lash line : Apply the colors you are using on the lid to the lower lash line also about 3/4th of the way starting from outer corner.

3. Kajal and tightlining : Apply lots of kajal and let it blend with the lower lash line. Tightlining also brings out the smokey look.

4.Black base:  Smudge black eye pencil like MAC smolder or Revlon crayon on the eyelid before applying the shadow to bring out the color of the lid eyeshadow. You don’t need to use eyeliner if you are using this technique. I have used it to create a Blue Smokey eye look in my post HERE.  I have not used it here since the Maybelline Shadow stylist didn’t work well with this method at all.

5. Outer corner : Extend the eyeshadow beyond the crease and upwards at the outer corners. Blend it outwards and upwards. Don’t end it abruptly at the crease and corner.

Have you tried the smokey eye look ? What’s your favourite lipstick/gloss to pair with smokey eyes? Let me know by commenting below.

Fall/winter Trend | METALLIC eyes with MAC Amberlights: Tutorial + FOTD

Hi everyone!

Continuing with the series of looks and tutorials on latest fall/winter trends,  here is  a tutorial on how to do a simple metallic eye.  This look is about metallic eyes paired with a brown-red  lip color keeping up with the winwhich would look great for an evening event. I recently wore this look for an evening event and it was much appreciated.

Read my post on FALL/WINTER 2010-2011 makeup trends HERE.

Here’s the complete look I put together followed by the tutorial –

METALLIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK

EYES

Products used for eyes:

MAC prep+prime

Chambor twist up eye kohl ‘Walnut brown‘

MAC Amberlights eyeshadow (lid color)

Maybelline chai latter quad (dark brown crease color)

Chambor eyeshadow trio ‘MYSTIC’ (highlight color)

VOV liquid eyeliner black

Colorbar I-glide pencil ‘Cocobar’

Maybelline colossal volume mascara

BeYu concealer

Products used for eyemakeup

STEP 1: PRIMING

I am using MAC prep+prime all over face including eyelids.

STEP 2: BROWN BASE

Apply brown pencil over lid close to lash line and smudge using third finger. This will give a brownish tinge and the metallic shadow will not look too stark. I am using Chambor twist up eye pencil 102 walnut brown.

Base using brown pencil

Both eyes with brown base

STEP 3: GOLDEN EYESHADOW (lid color)

Next, apply some golden eyeshadow upto 3/4th part of the lid starting from inner corner moving towards outer corner. I am using MAC Amber Lights eyeshadow.

Golden eyeshadow MAC Amberlights on lid

STEP 4: DARK BROWN EYESHADOW (crease  outer corner, lower lash line)

Now, apply some dark brown eyeshadow on the outer corner forming a V and crease. Take a little above the crease leaving a little space beneath the brows. A simple approach to getting this correctly- visualize an imaginary line joining the outer corner of your eye to the end point of your eyebrows. The eyeshadow should not be applied beyond this line. Some people also use scotch tape to define this line which helps as a guideline in e/s application. Also apply the same brown eyeshadow to the lower lash line about 3/4th of the way starting outwards moving inwards.

I am using dark brown shade from Maybelline chai latte quad.

Dark brown eyeshadow -Maybelline chai latte quad

Dark brown eyeshadow -Maybelline chai latte quad

STEP 5: HIGHLIGHTER (brow bone and inner corner)

Apply light golden highlight color to the brow bone. Apply the same to the inner corner and 1/4th of the way on the lower lash line starting inwards. Applying highlight color to inner corner opens up the eyes and makes them appear brighter.  I am using highlight shade from Chambor eye shadow trio in MYSTIC.

Highlight brow bone- Chambor MYSTIC trio

STEP 6: BLENDING

Using a fluffy brush, blend the crease color with the lid color and the highlight color to get a seamless even look. Blend the colors on the lower lash line too.

Blend eyeshadows

STEP 7: LINER AND MASCARA

Using black liquid/gel liner, line upper line with a slight wing. Apply black/brown kohl to waterline and finish off with 2 coats of mascara. I am using VOV liquid liner in black, Colorbar pencil in ‘cocobar’ for waterline and Maybelline colossal volume mascara.

After completing eyemakup, apply foundation on face and neck followed by concealer. Blend well.

Completed eye makeup :-

 

Metallic eye makeup

Metallic eye makeup

Metallic eye makeup- with flash

Products used for face:

MAC Prep+prime

MAC  Studio fix fluid NC40

MAC sheer pressed powder compact NC 40

Colorbar blushes – Peachy Rose and Just Earth(contouring)

Vega blush brush

BeYu concealer

The Body Shop sponge (for blending foundation)

 

Products used for face:Metallic eyemakeup

 

Products used for lips :

Revlon colorstay lip liner ‘Coffees’

Chambor truly lasting lipstick ‘Truly brownsugar’

Revlon super lustrous gloss ‘Wrap yourself in Rubies’ (for reddish tinge to match outfit)

Products used for lips:Metallic eyemakeup

Final look :

Completed metallic eyemakeup LOOK

Hope you enjoyed! Let me know your comments/suggestions by replying below.

Fall/winter Trend | METALLIC eyes with MAC Amberlights: Tutorial + FOTD

Hi everyone!

Continuing with the series of looks and tutorials on latest fall/winter trends,  here is  a tutorial on how to do a simple metallic eye.  This look is about metallic eyes paired with a brown-red  lip color keeping up with the winwhich would look great for an evening event. I recently wore this look for an evening event and it was much appreciated.

Read my post on FALL/WINTER 2010-2011 makeup trends HERE.

Here’s the complete look I put together followed by the tutorial –

METALLIC EYE MAKEUP LOOK

EYES

Products used for eyes:

MAC prep+prime

Chambor twist up eye kohl ‘Walnut brown‘

MAC Amberlights eyeshadow (lid color)

Maybelline chai latter quad (dark brown crease color)

Chambor eyeshadow trio ‘MYSTIC’ (highlight color)

VOV liquid eyeliner black

Colorbar I-glide pencil ‘Cocobar’

Maybelline colossal volume mascara

BeYu concealer

Products used for eyemakeup

STEP 1: PRIMING

I am using MAC prep+prime all over face including eyelids.

STEP 2: BROWN BASE

Apply brown pencil over lid close to lash line and smudge using third finger. This will give a brownish tinge and the metallic shadow will not look too stark. I am using Chambor twist up eye pencil 102 walnut brown.

Base using brown pencil

Both eyes with brown base

STEP 3: GOLDEN EYESHADOW (lid color)

Next, apply some golden eyeshadow upto 3/4th part of the lid starting from inner corner moving towards outer corner. I am using MAC Amber Lights eyeshadow.

Golden eyeshadow MAC Amberlights on lid

STEP 4: DARK BROWN EYESHADOW (crease  outer corner, lower lash line)

Now, apply some dark brown eyeshadow on the outer corner forming a V and crease. Take a little above the crease leaving a little space beneath the brows. A simple approach to getting this correctly- visualize an imaginary line joining the outer corner of your eye to the end point of your eyebrows. The eyeshadow should not be applied beyond this line. Some people also use scotch tape to define this line which helps as a guideline in e/s application. Also apply the same brown eyeshadow to the lower lash line about 3/4th of the way starting outwards moving inwards.

I am using dark brown shade from Maybelline chai latte quad.

Dark brown eyeshadow -Maybelline chai latte quad

Dark brown eyeshadow -Maybelline chai latte quad

STEP 5: HIGHLIGHTER (brow bone and inner corner)

Apply light golden highlight color to the brow bone. Apply the same to the inner corner and 1/4th of the way on the lower lash line starting inwards. Applying highlight color to inner corner opens up the eyes and makes them appear brighter.  I am using highlight shade from Chambor eye shadow trio in MYSTIC.

Highlight brow bone- Chambor MYSTIC trio

STEP 6: BLENDING

Using a fluffy brush, blend the crease color with the lid color and the highlight color to get a seamless even look. Blend the colors on the lower lash line too.

Blend eyeshadows

STEP 7: LINER AND MASCARA

Using black liquid/gel liner, line upper line with a slight wing. Apply black/brown kohl to waterline and finish off with 2 coats of mascara. I am using VOV liquid liner in black, Colorbar pencil in ‘cocobar’ for waterline and Maybelline colossal volume mascara.

After completing eyemakup, apply foundation on face and neck followed by concealer. Blend well.

Completed eye makeup :-

 

Metallic eye makeup

Metallic eye makeup

Metallic eye makeup- with flash

Products used for face:

MAC Prep+prime

MAC  Studio fix fluid NC40

MAC sheer pressed powder compact NC 40

Colorbar blushes – Peachy Rose and Just Earth(contouring)

Vega blush brush

BeYu concealer

The Body Shop sponge (for blending foundation)

 

Products used for face:Metallic eyemakeup

 

Products used for lips :

Revlon colorstay lip liner ‘Coffees’

Chambor truly lasting lipstick ‘Truly brownsugar’

Revlon super lustrous gloss ‘Wrap yourself in Rubies’ (for reddish tinge to match outfit)

Products used for lips:Metallic eyemakeup

Final look :

Completed metallic eyemakeup LOOK

Hope you enjoyed! Let me know your comments/suggestions by replying below.