I figured one thing I get a lot of questions on is how I keep my eyeshadows so vibrant, and how do I prevent them from creasing.  So, I’ve decided to compile a list of my favorite eyeshadow tricks!

• Always, always, always use a primer.  I cannot stress this enough.  An eyeshadow primer will prevent creasing, and also keep the color from migrating around your lid and fading.  My favorite eyeshadow of all time is the Urban Decay Primer Potion.
• You can also use a colored base over your primer.  This can be a cream eyeshadow (Ben Nye‘s are fantastic and have an array of colors), an eye pencil (NYX Jumbo Eye pencils are nice, or you can use a colored eyeliner such as Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil), or any other colored base you can think of.  The one thing I enjoy about using these is you can play with colors and change them up a bit just by using a colored base!  One thing to remember with these bases is that they are creamy, and a little goes a long way.  Using too much will cause creasing even though you’re using a primer.  Oh, and just because you’re using a base, doesn’t mean you can skip the primer!  Always prime your eyes to keep them from getting oily!
• PAT your eyeshadow on.  Don’t just sweep it over the lid.  Patting it on will provide better, more even coverage, and will keep the eyeshadow where you put it.  Did you ever notice if you put eyeshadow on your brush, then sweep it over your lid some will always get to where you don’t want it?  Or you’ll get fall out?  Patting your eyeshadow on will help prevent this.
• When blending, use a clean brush, and use small circular motions.  Use a brush to apply more product where necessary, and blend some more!
• If you get some eyeshadow on the corners of your eyes where you don’t want it, or underneath your eye, keep some oil-free make up remover handy, and q-tips.  This is also essential to have in your kit for when you’re doing cat eyes.  The oil-free remover won’t make your skin greasy, and it’ll be easier to apply make up over it again.

Think I missed something?  Let me know in the comments section!

Uh oh, not another monthly favorites blog!

I’ve been pretty lazy when it comes to doing my make up lately, being busy with school and all.  So here are the products used to create my most basic look for the month!

• Always my basic stuff…. Face Atelier Ultra Foundation, Maybelline Define-A-Brow brow pencil in medium brow (identical to MAC Lingering, in my opinion), Urban Decay Primer Potion on the lids prior to eye make up, and Urban Decay De-Slick mattifying powder to set the face.

• Nixie eyeshadows in Night Falls and Violaceous (MAC duplicates are Satellite Dreams and Violet Trance).  I put Night Falls all over the lid, and then Violaceous in the crease and outer corner of the eye.
• Nixie eyeshadow in Grace (closest MAC duplicate is Seedy Pearl).  I use this as a highlight, and have also been enjoying it as a cheek highlight as well as eye highlight!
• Urban Decay Lip Envy in Envious.  I apply this lightly so as to not get too much color on my lips, but just to add a little pink.  This is my go-to daytime lip color.  For gloss, I’ll throw on Nixie’s Smashing lipgloss, a shimmery pale pink, right over it.
• If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll throw on a red lip with Nixie’s Mila lipstick (close to MAC’s Russian Red) with Nixie’s Rosie lipgloss over it (any opaque red lipgloss will do).  This is more of a night-time look for me, or if I’m looking for something more dramatic.  I don’t do red lips everyday, and touching it up can be tedious when working.
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero.  This is my favorite black pencil ever to be on the market.  You can even use a brush and wing it out on the top lid!  Otherwise, a gel liner is my favorite on the top lid.  Any will do from MAC, Smashbox, L’Oreal, Urban Decay, and Bobbi Brown.
• Nixie eyeshadow in Gem for a blush.  This is a pretty pale pink similar to MAC’s Well Dressed, which would also work beautifully.  Slight shimmer, but not too noticeable.  For contouring my non-existent cheekbones I’ve been using Nixie bronzer in Montego Bay Glissen (a slightly pinky brozner).  I apply this VERY lightly seeing as I have fair skin, and don’t want to over do it!

For your homework, what are your favorite beauty products for this month?

It’s the middle of July, so time for my favorite beauty products this month!

• NYX lipstick in Electra.  This is a fabulous blue-based bright red lipstick!  (Buy at NYXCosmetics.com, Buy at CherryCulture.com)
• Nixie lipgloss in Rosie.  This is a nice rose-red lipgloss to put over your lipstick for some added shine!  (Buy at NixieCosmetics.com, enter discount mollymua for 10% off Nixie purchases)
• L’Oreal Extreme Volume Collagen Mascara.  Possibly my new HG!  I use it in waterproof for gorgeous thick and long lashes.  (Buy at LorealParis.com)
• Nixie eyeshadows in Jinx and Violaceous.  I’ve been in a purple mood lately! Also Silver Lining for a nice silver on the lid.  (Buy at NixieCosmetics.com, enter discount mollymua for 10% off Nixie purchases)
• Nixie ultra pearl in Cloud Nine as a highlight.  It’s a beautiful shimmery white!  (Buy at NixieCosmetics.com, enter discount mollymua for 10% off Nixie purchases)
• L’Oreal H.I.P cream liner in black!  This stuff stays on and is virtually water and wear proof for the heat in the summer!  It also comes in a variety of colors if you would rather something other than black, including a purple, blue and teal!  (Buy at LorealParis.com)
• Rimmel London Exaggerate Full Color Lip Colour Lip Liner in Red Diva.  A great color to line your lips, plus it’s auto sharpening — thus easier to carry around!  (Buy at Ulta.com)
• NYX Slim Pencil in White to line my waterline and make my eyes pop and look larger!  (Buy at NYXCosmetics.com, Buy at CherryCulture.com)

I know, I know.  Lots of favorites for July

This irks me to no end.  I continuously see websites saying that you need to wear colors that compliment your skintone.

As a previous art major, and cosmetologist (where we have to thoroughly study the color wheel until we want to throw up a little bit), I am well aware that a complimentary color…. Isn’t always flattering.

For example.  I have “cool” undertones to my skin.  Meaning, that if I wanted to compliment my skintone I would wear warm colors as opposed to cool.

Let me tell you, I look awesome in violet, I look awesome in blue, and I look awesome in green.  In fact, I often pair these colors with warm colors like golds and yellows.

Then again, everyone looks awesome in green.  Want a sexy and funky eye?  Go for green eyeshadow — EVERYONE can pull it off and look fab in it! (Here’s a look from Urban Decay that I’m in LOVE with!)

I think that we can wear whatever we want — there are different shades of every color.

Here are some of my tips on what to wear (both clothing wise and make-up)!

• Don’t make your eyeshadow match your outfit.  It tends to look overwhelming and unflattering.
• Do have a purse a different color than your shoes!  If you’re wearing plain black shoes, why not throw in a red or yellow purse for a pop of color?
• Do what makes you feel beautiful.  What works for you may not necessarily work for everyone, same as the internet or magazine tips you read may or may not work for you.  Everyone’s skin and facial structure and hair color is different — no two of us are the same.
• Do tell your sales representative if you don’t like a certain look they’re going for.  Make up is there for individual and personal expression — just because someone expresses themselves in one way, doesn’t mean you have to follow suit!
• Do be comfortable in your dress, as well as with your cosmetics.

To me, it’s very simple.  I mean, make-up is a form of art to me, as well as hair styling.  You have to look at yourself as an individual instead of part of a group — which is unfortunately what many articles will try to tell you to do.  What looks are “in” and what’s “out.”  You can do a smokey eye with more than just a gray or black eyeshadow!  You can do it with color, as well as neutrals!

Have fun with what you do, and make sure you feel beautiful doing it.

Dear mL:

I see so many different tutorials on YouTube and online, and I was wondering what the right order is to apply make up?  Do you do foundation before or after your eye make up?  Do you do concealer before or after foundation?

Thanks!

(Multiple readers)

Dear readers:

I always find it interesting that people think there is one specific rule for when to apply what part of your make up.  Quite frankly, there are no rules to make up.  It’s not like hair color, where different developers give you different outcomes — there are ample possibilites at your fingertips!

Some people like to apply their foundation after their eyeshadow.  The benefits of this would include that you can easily clean up any eyeshadow fall-out without messing up your foundation.  I personally like to put my foundation on after just for that simple fact.  However, some people prefer to put it on before hand because it’s easier for them.  Whatever’s clever.

Here are my personal “rules” that I do recommend following, however, just for ease of application!

• Apply eyeshadow base around your nose prior to applying foundation.  This area rubs off the easiest!  I use Urban Decay’s Primer Potion (the original) very lightly.  It helps keep my foundation on all day!
• Apply blush (rouge) after your foundation, but before face powder.  Sometimes you’ll put on too much blush — it’s natural, it happens.  While we can try to apply it lightly at first and make it darker gradually, sometimes it doesn’t happen.  If we apply the powder first, you’ll just have to apply more powder to lighten it up — which can make your face look ridiculously cakey.  If you apply the blush before powder, however, it will blend and soften the lines of the blush easier!
• Always, always, always apply concealer after foundation.  Why?  Because of two simple reasons.  1. Foundation already gives some coverage, you’ll be using more concealer than necessary if you apply it first!  2.  When you apply foundation after concealer, you’re rubbing off a lot of the concealer, and thus using too much product.
• Lipliner BEFORE lipstick.  Though I think that’s pretty obvious!  It helps keep the lipstick on better and keep it from bleeding.
• Eyeshadow primer before eyeshadow, eyeshadow before eyeliner, eyeliner before mascara.  Otherwise the shadow covers the liner and mascara.  Ew.

Other than that, I don’t see any reason why to do one thing before another.  The wonderful thing about make up is that it’s a form of self-expression, so express yourself freely!  Apply however you want, and however you feel comfortable doing it!