PSL-Insprired

Yes, I went there. No, I do not like Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Yes, I know that we're not officially even in the fall season.

But since everyone seems to have an opinion about the PSL - including a blogger who changed the recipe and a fellow grad school classmate completing a brilliant marketing project on the subject - I thought I'd share what makeup comes to mind when I think of the sickeningly sweet beverage (IMO...just saying).

For the skin, I kept it clean with tinted moisturizer, concealer, bronzer, and a bit of highlighter on my cheekbones.  For lips, I went with Whirl lip liner from MAC, NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee, and a little dot of MAC's Sugarrimmed Dazzleglass gloss in the center of my lips.

On my eyes, I started by prepping the entire lid with MAC's Soft Ochre Pro Longwear Paint Pot:

Next, I buffed MAC's Amber Lights shadow from the lash line into the crease:

Then, I tapped Galapagos by NARS on the outer corners (blend well!) and under the bottom lash line:

Using my pinkie, I applied a bit of Cream from the Lorac Pro Palette to just the center of the lid and blended outward:

Finally, I lined the top lash line and bottom waterline with MAC's Coffee eye pencil ("The Coffee." Yes, I did.).

Multiple Personalites

Many people I know don't do a smokey eye every day. In fact, many people I know don't even wear eye shadow every day, and many don't wear daily makeup beyond mascara. Then why does seemingly every makeup "tutorial" show you how to get dramatic makeup?

I'll be the first to say that even "natural" makeup that lasts more than an hour takes around 12 products, so I get it. But the YouTube video crowd doesn't seem to cater to normal people who don't own 27 eye shadow palettes. (this is a big part of why I created Electra Lane).  I can't argue with millions of devoted followers, though, so I won't try.

What I will do is present as many real-life makeup situations as I can.  Like this one: you own two eye shadows, a lighter shade and a darker shade (if you have four-shadow palette, check this out).  And you feel stuck doing the same thing over and over, but you don't want to buy more makeup.

Here's the solution: think of those shadows as your Little Black Dress or white Oxford.  With a few accessories, you can have four different eye shadow looks.

#1 - Classic

Take your lighter shadow and sweep it all over the eye, from lash line to brow bone, with a large, fluffy brush.  Then, with a smaller brush, tap the darker shadow all over the lid.  Finally, blend the top edge of the darker shadow with the fluffy brush.

#2 - Big Eyes

Start the same way as the classic eye, but place the darker shadow in the crease instead.  Don't forget to blend gently.

#3 - Simple Smokey

Line your top and bottom lash line with a dark eye liner and smudge (with your finger, a cotton swab, or a smudge brush).  Top that liner with your darker shadow using a small brush.  With a fluffy brush, blend the lighter color starting on the brow bone and down into the darker color.

#4 - Dramatic

Do "Big Eyes."  Take an even darker shadow shade or eye liner, and place lightly in a sideways V in the outer corner of the eye.  Gently blend inward, then repeat if you want more depth.

If you need a visual, check out this video:

Shameless plug - if you want to take advantage of pro makeup tips, tailored to your wants and needs, with your own makeup video, email me: jessica@electralane.com

Quickies

Wedding season has descended upon us.  If you need some inspiration, here are three looks that can go from date night to wedding guest (or bride!) to showers and BBQs. #1: Afternoon Wedding (Click the link to take you to the video)

A soft, easy look with defined eyes and a peach lip.

#2 - Bright Lips/Sparkly Eyes

Bright, flirty lips would be perfect for a bachelorette party.

#3 - Smokey Natural

Neutral makeup strategically applied can be your go-to throughout the whole season.

Babes In Arms

Since this Sunday is Mother's Day, I wanted to do a special post just for the baby mamas.  I'm not a mom, but many of my friends are, and I feel like moms, specifically of young children, are highly underrepresented on the YouTube makeup tutorial scene. Moms I've spoken with say they simply do not have time to do makeup that has 87 steps using 53 tools and $350 worth of makeup.  But you do deserve to feel pretty, even if covered in various bodily fluids, so I want to show you a look that can practically be performed one-handed.

It's not a drastic transformation, but it's a little warmed up and brighter than a bare face.  Products used include a tinted moisturizer, concealer, brow pencil, bronzer stick (or blush if you prefer), shadow stick, mascara, lip gloss, and setting spray.  Click HERE for the video, and have a wonderful Mother's Day!

P.S. Since I don't have kids and my street cred might be in question, please check out Cara of Maskcara - she has a five-ish year old and a baby, and this recent post is awesome.

Spring Pink

One of the many perks of doing makeup is that you have a lot of stuff to play with.  With all of those different products on hand, there is quite a bit of mixing to get the color of something just right.  Since Spring is officially upon us, here’s a little trio I combined for a perky lip.

1. Apply a pale pink, matte lipstick (Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Milkshake)
2. Line with a muted pink pencil (Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Sedona Sands)
3. Top with a hot pink gloss (Jouer Cosmetics Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Peony)