• 5 high-quality brushes inside a natural cotton & hemp case
• Soft cruelty-free bristles
• Natural & recycled materials

This earth-friendly brush set is packed with the 5 high-quality brushes you need to look beautiful. And, it shows respect for the planet:
• Bamboo handle has a low impact on the earth’s resources as it is a highly sustainable plant.
• Synthetic taklon bristles are 100% cruelty free.
• Sleek ferrule is made from recycled aluminum.
• Cosmetic case is made from natural cotton and hemp.

My Thoughts:

Blush Brush – my favorite out of the 5 brushes. It is so soft. Probably one of the softest brushes I have ever used.

Eye Shading Brush -it’s not the best eyeshadow brush I have ever used, but it will do. I just use this to apply eyeshadow not blend/shade. It doesn’t perform well has a shading brush.

Eyeliner Brush - it’s not the best eyeliner brush. I think it’s a little too soft. I prefer an eyeliner brush to be stiffer for easier control.

Lash & Brow Groomer – my least favorite from the set because the plastic teeth of the comb is prone to breakage.

Concealer Brush -it’s an okay brush. It’s soft and does a good job blending. I just think if you spend a little bit more money, you’ll end up with a better concealer brush.

For a brush set that costs $10.99, I think they are great. Perfect for people who are just starting out. The bristles don’t shed (even after washing) and are the softest brushes ever. Okay, I may be exaggerating but they are really soft. Plus, they are eco friendly!

About 2 months ago, my sister and I were lucky enough to be photographed by Hannah Michelle of Coffee and Parchment. I have been a fan of Hannah’s for quite some time now and have been following her photo blog. I’m not saying this because I’ve known Hannah since high school, but because I truly am a fan. What I like about her photos is that they have a serene, peaceful, and soft feel to them. Even though she says she isn’t a good photographer yet and/or is too new at it, she sure has some major skills for someone who is a novice. Here are some of the photos from the photoshoot:

As you can tell, I am a horrible model. If you think modeling is easy, let me tell you something: it’s not! An hour into the photoshoot, I wanted to quit. It’s tiring! You would think just standing or sitting would be easy, but it sucks out all the energy from you. You have to be willing to be creative and carefree (something I am totally not). Be sure to check out other photos from the shoot at Coffee and Parchment.

What I Used:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer
• Coastal Scents 88 Eyeshadow Palette
• Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette
• Revlon Fantasy Lengths False Eyelashes in Defining
• Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara

Reign supreme. Take inspiration from fall runways with rich, ruby and gold shadow, flawlessly highlighted skin and soft, kissable lips.

Learn how to get the Smashbox Reign Desire Look here.

This Fall, try a bold, daring look fit for a royal. Use both sooty and shimmery shadows to create a metallic smoky eye, a warm peach blush for perfectly contoured cheeks and a creamy nude gloss for demure lips with a sexy patent shine.

Learn how to get the Smashbox Reign Decadence Look here.

This is a monochromatic smoky eye. It’s not very shimmery or so dramatic so it’s perfect for the daytime (and nighttime too).

Update: You’ll notice as the tutorial progresses, my eye gets a little redder and redder. It’s because I kept accidentally poking myself in the eye while trying to take the pictures. Silly me.

Step 1: Prep your face. Apply whatever face makeup you use: foundation, concealer, powder, etc.

Step 2: Apply an eyeshadow primer. Blend it onto your lid and brow bone.

I used Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer.

Step 3: Using an eyeshadow brush, apply a shimmery, neutral colored eyeshadow onto your entire eyelid.

I used Estee Lauder eyeshadow in Nutmeg and MAC eyeshadow brush #252.

Step 4: Using the eyeshadow brush, apply a grey eyeshadow over the entire lid, but don’t go past the crease of the eye. If you don’t have a crease, don’t go past your brow bone.

I used Maybelline Expertwear Eyeshadow Trios in Impeccable Greys.

Step 5A: Use the same eyeshadow brush to brush a dark eyeshadow shade onto the outer 1/3 of your eyelid.

Step 5B: Either use the same eyeshadow brush or an angled eyeshadow brush to apply the same dark eyeshadow shade into the crease of your eye. If you don’t have a crease, just follow the shape of your eye.

I used L’oreal Hip Eyeshadow Duo in Gilded and MAC Angled Eyeshadow Brush #275.

Step 6: Use a different eyeshadow brush or an eyeshadow blending brush to blend, blend, and blend. I blended the shadows up towards my brow bone and a little past my outer eye corner. Blend until you don’t notice the harsh contrasting colors between the two dark shadow colors.

I used MAC Blending Brush #217.

Step 7: Using the same shimmery, neutral eyeshadow color and the eyeshadow brush, apply the neutral eyeshadow from your crease to below your brows.

Step 8: Again, blend, blend, and blend.

Step 9: Using a flat eyeshadow brush, apply the dark silver shadow to your bottom lash line. If you don’t have a flat eyeshadow brush, you can use a Q-tip or a stiff eyeliner brush.

I used MAC eyeshadow brush #212.

Step 10: Using the flat eyeshadow brush (or a Q-tip or stiff eyeliner brush), to apply the dark eyeshadow to the outer corner of your eye on the bottom lash line.

Step 11: Apply a dark eyeliner to the top and bottom lash line and the waterline.

I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero.

Step 12: Apply mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

I used Maybelline The Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara in Black.

]]> http://www.audreydao.com/2009/07/10/how-to-do-a-simple-smoky-eye/feed/ 4 http://www.audreydao.com/2009/06/29/how-to-get-emma-watsons-teen-vogue-august-2009-cover-look/ http://www.audreydao.com/2009/06/29/how-to-get-emma-watsons-teen-vogue-august-2009-cover-look/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:58:21 +0000 Audrey Dao http://www.audreydao.com/?p=5252 Emma Watson, who plays Hermoine Granger from the Harry Potter movies,  graces the August 2009 Teen Vogue cover. Her cover look is enchanted and classy. I can’t get over how mesmerizing she looks on the cover! Don’t you just love the jewel tones? She certainly has grown up since the 1st Harry Potter movie. Here’s how to get Emma’s cover look:

Eyes:

L’oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara ($7.99) in Black.

L’oreal Telescopic Liquid Eyeliner ($9.49) in Carbon Black.

Cheeks:

L’oreal True Match Super Blendable Blush ($10.99) in Precious Peach.

Lips:

L’oreal Hip High Intensity Pigments Jelly Balm ($8) in Luscious.

Emma Watson’s additional looks from Teen Vogue August 2009 issue:

You can check out behind the scene photos and video from the photo shoot at Teen Vogue.

The 15 Sexiest Makeup Looks of All Time

Simple ways to vamp up your eyes, lips, and cheeks.

BY VICTORIA KIRBY

1. Smoky Eyes

Give eye makeup a bedroom-y kind of sex appeal by working in layers and smudging it along the way. First up, creamy black pencil—wedged into the upper and lower lashes and softened by gently rubbing with your finger or cotton swab. Trace over that with black shadow and smudge with the swab. Then sweep shimmery gray shadow over the upper lids and blend it up beyond the crease (the more tangled it is with the black, the better).

2. Glossy Nude Lips

There’s no simpler way to get a sex-kittenish pout. Choose a nude that’s slightly pink or flecked with shimmer (they’re the most flattering), and concentrate the gloss on the center of the lips (that’s the most fattening).

3. Dewy Skin

Fake a glow with powder highlighter: a champagne shade if you have fair skin, a golden tone for medium or olive skin, or copper for dark skin. Dust it over your cheekbones, then dab some at the inner corners of your eyes, on the centers of your lids, and on the bow of your lips.

4. Red Lips

The trick here is to pick a formula that looks moist (that’s sexy), but not superglossy (that can verge into slutty territory). Look for lipsticks with “moisturizing,” “creamy,” or “butter” in their names, and select one that has a little brown in it.

5. Gold Shadow

The key to making eyes glisten with gold: Choose a shimmery shade, and don’t be skimpy with it. Spread a layer or two of gold over the lids and up beyond the creases, and don’t forget to dab some at the inner corners of the eyes. When it comes to adding liner to the look, a smudgy chocolate brown looks way better than your usual black.

6. Full Lashes

Create the effect of huge doe eyes by gluing on a few clusters of fake lashes before you layer on the mascara. Grab each cluster at its base with tweezers, dip the root in glue, wedge it into the outer corner of the upper lash line, and hold it in place for 15 seconds so it stays put.

7. Flushed Cheeks

We all know what a vibrant pink glow evokes. What we don’t all know is how to duplicate one believably: First, brighten skin all over with a slightly shimmery foundation—you can make it yourself by adding a few drops of liquid bronzer to your normal base. Then rub rosy cream blush on the apples of your cheeks and blend it back along your cheekbones using a few fingers—the heat of that skin-on-skin contact will cause the blush to melt beautifully.

8. Rose Bitten Lips

Give lips a juicy, just-been-kissed look by dabbing them with sheer strawberry-colored lipstick or balm. Concentrate the color in the middle of the mouth and blend outward—that gives the most natural effect.

9. Strong Brows

Think Brooke Shields next time you tweeze your brows. Pull out only the strays that fall well outside your brow line, and then get to work filling with brow pencil and powder. The pencil is for bald spots: Use short, light strokes to draw in missing hairs. The powder is to make brows look thicker: Load some on an angled brush and gently stroke through the entire brow. Finish by running a spooley brush through to blend all your handiwork.

10. Kohl Rimmed Eyes

It’s the signature look of vixens and rock goddesses—and all it takes is black liner and some subtle blending.
1. Choose a waterproof pencil, so you can darken even the inner rims. Run the liner just inside the upper lids, then close your eyes tightly—this will smudge just the right amount of liner on the inner lids on the bottom.
2. Trace the upper and lower lashes with more black liner, and don’t worry about neatness—your mistakes will disappear once you start blending.
3. Smudge the pencil outward with a dense eye-shadow brush or sponge—softening all that black liner will create the illusion of larger, deeper-set eyes.

11. Bronzed Skin

The first trick to using bronzer: Choose powder (it’s actually easier to apply than cream), and be sure the shade is more golden than brown and without a speck of shimmer. Second trick: Swirl the brush not just over your cheeks, but along your hairline and jawline and down the bridge of the nose. Make it look authentic by topping it with rosy blush on the apples of the cheeks.

12. Winged Liner

Flicking liner just past the corners of your eyes creates a flirty effect. For the least theatrical take on the look, extend the line just a quarter inch past the corners and give it a soft curve upward.

13. Soft Peach Makeup

Peach may not spring to mind when you think “sexy,” but consider this: It combines the warmth of bronzer with all the innocence and ease of pink. The best peach shades have hints of pink (when you’re talking lipstick and blush) or tones of brown (for eye shadow).

14. Contoured Cheeks

If you weren’t born with sculpted cheeks, you can paint them on (trust us, you won’t look like a Falcon Crest throwback). First, sweep a matte powder blush under your cheekbones. (Suck in your cheeks to find the spot we’re talking about.) If you’re fair, use a soft beige blush; for medium skin, try a bronze shade; on dark skin, go with a brown one. Then, blend a powder highlighter along your cheekbones—pick one that nearly matches your natural skin tone.

15. Shimmery Brown Shadow

Blended along the lids and under the lower lashes, this spicy shade adds just enough color to enhance eyes, without screaming “I’m wearing makeup.” Stick with warm shades—think anything in the toffee, caramel, or tobacco families. For night, brush the color over the lids and up above the creases of the eyes.

Face:

Almay Pure Blends Loose Finishing Powder ($13.99)

Eyes:

Almay Bright Eye Shadow ($8) in Bronze.

Almay Liquid Liner ($7) in Black

Lips:

Almay Ideal Lipgloss ($7) in Red Shimmer

You can enter to win Becki Newton’s cover look by clicking here.

Becki Newton’s additional look from the Lucky July 2009 issue: