The One Eye Shadow Palette You Should Own

I feel like the makeup industry has really stepped up its game in the past few years thanks to High Definition and all sorts of platforms to post a selfie. Sometimes, though, it's nice to stick to tried-and-true staples, like power eye shadow, and this newest release from Urban Decay does not disappoint. In fact, I'm going to just put it out there:

The Naked Ultimate Basics is the best eye shadow palette I own.

via GIPHY

Even if you don't want this one, here's what to look for in a good palette and how to use it.

Light, Medium, and Dark Shades

A big complaint with most shadow palettes is that the colors are too similar, or there isn't a good balance of shades. Remember: light colors make things look like they're coming towards you, dark colors make things look like they're going away, and sparkle brings attention to an area, so make sure your palette has a good range of at least three shades for dimension.

Skip the Sparkle

I love shimmery and metallic shades, but I don't wear them every day.  And, when I'm doing someone's makeup, I am extremely conservative with sparkle placement because when it's good, it's good - but when it's bad, it's really, really bad. Unless you are a unicorn, I like all-matte palettes with a coupe of individual shimmer shadows on the side.

So Many Options

One of the biggest drawbacks I hear about palettes is that people get overwhelmed with all the choices. Well...there's this phenomenon called YouTube, and this makeup artist has a channel to give you several ideas. If you need more in-depth help, I offer makeup lessons and your own, personal makeup tutorial video - head over to the "services" tab for more details.

Here are a few short videos to get you started:

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I'm so glad you stopped by Electra Lane, and I hope you learned something! Please don't hesitate to ask questions - Instagram is a great place for that, and you can find me @ElectraLane.

Images c/o UrbanDecay.com 

This post is NOT sponsored!

How To Get the Most From Your Makeup Shopping Trip

Recently, I saw this article in the Wall Street Journal, which highlighted makeup "moochers," or folks who habitually visit makeup counters to use the testers instead of purchasing makeup. As a makeup artist, makeup consumer, and former makeup counter worker, here are my three tips for making the most of your makeup shopping experience.

Keep It Clean

Y'all. Do not use open testers. Ever. It's like eating food off of a stranger's plate that's been sitting out for months (or longer). Think about it - someone uses the bathroom, then doesn't wash her hands. Then she dips those nasty hands into a jar of moisturizer. Later, the nice Sephora employee offers to make you a sample of that same moisturizer, out of the jar that's infested with fecal matter. I'm not exaggerating because I've seen it. Part of being a certified makeup artist is learning about/having extremely high sanitation standards. I sanitize everything between clients, even if they're in the same family. WHY, then, would you use this stuff that hasn't even been consistently monitored for cleanliness?

So, practice smart sampling.  Try lipstick on the back of your hand, then wash your hands. Or, if you must try it on, make sure the lipstick is shaved and sanitized. Same goes for any product that is not in an individual package or an airtight pump. Safety first, people.

Play Nice

Let's say you're not grossed out by using the testers and you want a makeover (I HIGHLY suggest taking some alcohol pads with you, just in case. And if the brushes don't smell/look clean, they're not. You have the right to request clean brushes).  You will receive great service if you are up front with the salesperson and simply ask if there is a fee for a makeover.  They'll say no, but remember he or she is a salesperson - not your personal makeup artist.  If you want a full makeover, be prepared to purchase at least one of the items they used, or offer a tip - even $5 is greatly appreciated.

Make Friends

Conversation I had today with a non-makeup salesperson at the mall:

Salesperson: I looooove your makeup, your eyes are amazing.

Me: Thanks so much! I'm a makeup artist, so I've had lots of practice.  If you go to MAC or any of the counters here, they can show you how to do what you want.

Salesperson: I have...the reason I hate MAC is because they make me look like an oompa loompa.

Me: I've worked with several MAC artists, and I assure you that they are trained to achieve any look you want! Just be really specific, tell them you want something simple, not a full face.

via GIPHY

Two takeaways - first, most folks who work at a makeup counter/store do so because we love makeup, so we love to talk about it. Ask questions! The more specific you are, the more we can help you. For example, if you want to learn how to do an everyday smokey eye, don't ask for full makeup. Ask for a simple smokey eye that only uses two or three products and takes about five minutes. Second, use that time like a makeup lesson, not just as having someone put makeup on you.  I was at MAC today and told the salesperson I loved her lashes. After she shared which mascara she used, I asked her how she used it, too.

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Makeup shopping is intense. Pushy salespeople, the rush of fellow shoppers, and "that lipstick is HOW much?!" can add pressure to what should be a fun experience. If you try these tips, hopefully your next shopping trip will be amazing.  Or, just order the goods online...

Images c/o Google Images

How To Put On Makeup

In honor of my 100th post, I'd like to address the number one question I get as a makeup artist: "In what order should I put on my makeup?"

While this obviously differs for everyone based on what makeup you want to use, this is the basic flow I've adopted over the years that lets me get everything on my face quickly, and helps it stay there all day.

Step 1. Prep eyes and lips

Apply some lip balm and lid primer (or a thin layer of concealer). Optional: if you have dark under-eye circles like I do, I also like to apply a heavy duty concealer or color corrector just to the dark areas now.

Step 2. Skincare

It's always best to prep your skin with a moisturizer or primer to help the rest of your products go on smoothly.  If you're oily, there are plenty of primers that will keep your skin matte.

Step 3. Eyes

While your skincare soaks in, do all of your eye shadow, liner, and mascara.

Step 4. Foundation and cream products

Skip over to your foundation/tinted moisturizer/powder or mineral foundation.  If you don't use any of that, make sure you've applied sunscreen! This is also a good time to apply any other cream products like highlighter, blush, bronzer...if you have blemishes, cover them now, too,

Step 5. Setting Powder

Even though my skin is dry, I sweep on a very light layer of loose, translucent powder to set everything I've already done and prep my canvas any other powder products (blush, contour, bronzer, highligter...).  *TIP* Don't forget to dust a little powder over your brows, too, so any of the cream or liquid products applied earlier don't interfere with your brow products.

Step 6. Brows

Fill in and set your brows with your favorite products (currently loving this).

Step 7. Color

If you haven't applied cream versions yet, dust on powder blush/bronzer/highligher/contour now. *TIP* Add blush, then bronzer in the regular places including on top of blush to really make the blush pop and everything look blended.

Step 8. Concealer

As a final step, I like to apply a brightening concealer 1-2 shades lighter than my skin in the corners of my eyes, around my nose and mouth, on my lips (to make lipstick last longer), and anywhere else that needs some lift.

Step 9. Spritz #1 and lips

My top-secret tip (also mentioned in this video) for lasting makeup that looks like skin - spritz your face with a setting spray.  While it dries, put on all your lip products, then...

Step 10. Buff and spritz #2

Take a soft, fluffy brush and buff all of your makeup together (see the above video for a demo), then one more layer of setting spray.

Now that I have this pattern down, it takes me 10 minutes or less.  Give it a try, and let me know how it goes on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat, all @ElectraLane.  Have a great weekend!

Color Pops

So Saint Patrick's Day is tomorrow, and you decide to incorporate some green into your makeup.  You do a Google search and find lots of really cool ideas if you were gong to the club, but you're going to the office or to a play date and you don't want to scare anyone. Let me introduce you to what I'll call the "color safe" zones.

The outer corner of your eye and the bottom lash line are both relatively innocuous areas where you can add subtle pops of color while keeping the rest of your makeup neutral.  Obviously, if you're going for neon or very intense colors some adjustments might need to be made, but you'd be surprised what you can get away with in these color safe zones.

Better still, no special equipment is needed.  All you need is a small, clean brush and a colorful eye shadow...I'm using Humid by MAC and a plain, old eye shadow brush.

Under Eye Pop of Color

Simply line your bottom lashes with a colorful eye shadow while doing a typical lighter color shadow on the lid and a mid-tone shadow in the crease.  Even if you don't regularly wear eye liner, you might want to at least apply a darker liner at the upper lash line for balance.

You can absolutely use an eyeliner, but the reason I like using a shadow is because powders are less inclined to run.

Outer Corner Pop of Color

Starting with a typical lighter-on-the-lid-darker-in-the-crease eye shadow look again, take a small brush, fill it up with your color of choice, and place it on the outer corner. Next, sweep inward and down forming a right triangle (strait edge is the outside of your eye and the point is towards your inner corner) so the color diffuses about 1/3 of the way in.

You can do both techniques separately or even at the same time (pictured below) - and if you want color on top and bottom, don't be afraid to try two different, complementary colors.

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Whether or not you're celebrating tomorrow's holiday, I do hope you'll give some color a try.  Even if it's subtle, it will make you feel adventurous - and that's one of the best things about makeup!  Keep in touch @ElectraLane on Instagram and Snapchat, and I'll meet you back here next week to share my favorite makeup and skincare splurges.

Travel Hacks for Hacks

No one has ever called me spontaneous, and I'm OK with that.  So when we decided to take a last-minute trip for that involves flying (read: literally thousands of dollars), we decided to try Spirit Airlines because the fare was so reasonable. The catch? The cost of your ticket only includes an unassigned seat and the ability to carry on a small purse or book bag. Since I'll use the zip-and-ship method for my clothes, I only have room for a little makeup bag and my TSA-approved clear pouch.  SO, for my top three makeup/beauty packing tips you hopefully haven't seen yet, click the video below.

Tip #1 (2:05) - Take advantage of free samples and their packaging

Tip #2 (3:10) - Pack products that do double duty

Tip #3 (5:25) - Think outside the box when it comes to palettes

*Bonus Tip* at 6:40

If you have any other tips, please share them on Facebook or Instagram (@electralane) - I need all the help I can get.  Happy travels.