Eye've been busy - but here's a Two-Fer!

Terrible pun, but still.

I've made some purchases lately that I wanted to share. Both concerning eyes.

Photo from shueumura-usa.com

 

 

 

Firstly, the new eyelash curler from Shu Uemura via the Ebates.com site, New Generation Eyelash S Curler. This oddly shaped curler is reminiscent of a Tweezerman for Laura Mercier curler from awhile back; the surface area is at least 1/3 of the size of a normal wide-mouthed curler and has a definite learning curve when it comes to use. 

Just like the "Bite Bite Bite" method from my previous post; start at the base or as close as you can maneuver the curler, you can use the top white pad as a guide (when you feel it touch your lid, stop!) or just eyeball it. Squeeze with a firm but slow pressure, then release softly, tilt your wrist up (thereby tilting the curler) slowly and do another short squeeze and repeat at least twice. You get SUCH a deep curl out of the S Curler! Because the actual surface area is smaller, it also allows for more precision which also translates into take your time when using this curler. Do NOT rush it! Yes, you can get into the inner and outer corners and curl just about every top eyelash you have, but if you rush you risk yanking out lashes in sections.

The Shu Uemura New Generation Eyelash S Curler retails for $24 US.

On to the next!

PHOTO FROM INGLOTUSA.COM

I've been searching for years, YEARS I TELL YOU, for polymer wrapped Tight-Lining product to NO AVAIL. 

Until now!!! This little beauty is the INGLOT AMC Eyeliner Gel in 77. It's a deep, DEEEEEEEEEP black with a putty-like look but an INK-LIKE texture! It's FANTASTIC! I was first turned on to it by YouTube User AnneThenSheSaid during one of her tutorials. She used it to make a fierce cut crease and by the look of it, I WANTED IT! I commented her video and asked if it was good for Tightlining (demonstrated in my previous post - How to Tight Line) and she told me it was GREAT and SHE WAS SOOOOO RIGHT!!!

I was STUNNED at how BLACK the eyeliner is and how creamy and easy to apply in the lash line! And let's have a half-second to talk about the price, on the INGLOT website, it retails for $12 US...I'm sorry, are those angels singing???? That's $12 US for 5.5g of pure black inked amazing-ness.

My only concern: it's really really inky. And you need an oily remover to get it off. Of ANYTHING. It took me a good 5 minutes to clean it off my hand and brush. It sets like crude oil. But I LOVE IT!!!

Below is a picture I took of my eye this morning, (sorry it's so yellow. I couldn't get the light to adjust right) I'm wearing the tiniest bit of eyeshadow (mainly because I accidentally pushed through my lashline while tightlining and COULDN'T GET THE SMUDGE OFF), the Inglot liner and mascara after curling my lashes with the S Curler. 

You can see, the curl is DEEEEEP y'all. The liner is solid and tight. And I fully expect all of it to stay that way ALLLLL DAY. 

(I also have my brow stuff on, but that's another post)

  

Has anyone else tried the S Curler or the Inglot Liner? I'm curious. There's 16 shades of liner on the Inglot site, including the most gorgeous red I've ever seen...obviously not for the faint of heart; also warm and cool purples, a teal that I'm drooling over and more!

How-to: Tightlining. The better way to line your eyes.

Eyeliner, is not just for the top of the eyelid anymore! Well, it hasn't been for some time, but the Tightlining Method isn't as popular as it should be.

What is Tightlining?
Tightlining accentuates the existing lashline by coloring the space between the eyelashes. It allows for more room on the eyelid for color (helps those of us with "hooded" eyes) and gives a more natural emphasis than a pencil or powder liner. Sounds hard you may be thinking; it's not. It's surprisingly easier to master with the right tools and a just a little practice.

The Tools You'll Need
Originally, I was taught the Tightlining method with a pencil, wet to dry eyeshadow, brush and water. The result was great. Incredibly messy, but great. The pencil and wet/dry shadow thickened the base of the lashes and made the lashes mimic false eyelashes. Then the process was consolidated to a cake eyeliner which was fantastic, until the cake liner formula was changed and now it crumbles and flakes. Boooo! What oh what to do?? Most conventional liquid eyeliners come in some sort of brush-in-handle combination where the brush is built for top of the eyelid application. Doesn't help for tightlining.

I found an alternative! Actual liquid liner, no brush included in the cap! For about $20 US, the MakeUpForever Aquarelle paint is perfect. It wears great due to Film Forming PVP Polymers, translation? The pigments dry down and bond quickly which means minimal flaking and long wear without being waterproof. Why don't I want waterproof tightliner? Because waterproofing agents can irritate your eye. The Tightlining technique puts the liner right near the eye. Unless you want to be rubbing your red eyes all day, you want to avoid irritants.

The brush below is a must. Believe me, I've tried and tried to find something similar and every brush I've tried has failed compared to the Mercier brush. The brush itself is about $24 US, but it was absolutely worth every penny. The bristles are thin and flat enough to get right where you need to. Other brushes that may look similar almost always end up being too square or too thick or too flimsy. This brush was MADE for this technique. It's one that use every day and I've had it for over 8 years. Washing it is easy, just don't squish it and it'll bounce right back to the flat and thin shape you need.

Aquarelle in Black (301) by MakeUpForever 

Laura Mercier Travel Sized Flat Liner Brush 

The Tools I use.

 What's in the cap should be enough for both eyes. 

 Use the back of your hand as a pallet! It's the perfect spot, plus you'll wash your brush and your hand after your done anyway.

 Using your lashes to guide you, take the flat brush and wiggle the bristles in between the lashes. Think of it as coloring in the spaces between them.

 Go back to your pallet as needed, keep the brush thin and flat so you can get between each section. Keep going until you finish the whole lash line.

 See? Like this. Sometimes I "blink down" onto the brush, but not a full blink! Just enough to put a little pressure on the brush and get the eyeliner liquid in between the lashes.

 Now a quick curl of the lashes and some mascara and all done! 

 As you can see, the eyelid is liner free, but my eyes are still defined!

  The befores.

  The afters! Quite a difference, right?? And no other makeup, including concealer or eyeshadow base was used!

Tightlining is very easy once you get a hang of it. My tricks are to look down into a mirror, that way I can see without having to try and hold my eyelid up and wiggle the brush into my lashes. A handheld mirror has become my super friend for that.

Also, when you're just beginning to tightline, do it first! You can always put your concealer or eyeshadow base over any oopsies (I've done it) that you smudge on your lid. 

Tightlining looks great on everyone and is very easy to build on as far as whatever eyeshadow art you intend to do. From natural to cut creases, from shimmers to mattes! Tightlining is like a little black dress, it's perfect for every look!

Give it a try, see for yourself!

In the Land of Lash Curlers

Eyelash curlers. A tool that looks more like a contraption to remove the eyeball than a method of bending and shaping the eyelash. Most are frightened of yanking out all the lashes by the root, or weird looking dents framing their eye. A good general rule of using eyelash curlers:

1. Do the "Bite-Bite-Bite". If you have no ever-loving clue as to what I'm saying, picture using the curler down the length of your lash, not just the base (nearest to the eyelid). Close and hold the curler at the base of the lash, hold for 3-5 seconds, then slowly and with a less pressure continue to open and close the curler moving down the lash. Use light pressure, as the hair gets thinner towards the tip and can curl too deep and will leave a kink.
2. Curl your lashes before you put on mascara. Some people like to curl after mascara. In my experience this will result in clumping of mascara and ups the potential for ripping out eyelashes. The mascara thickens the hair and makes the hair catch on the metal/plastic of the curler. To avoid this, just curl beforehand.
3. Don't be afraid to practice! If you're uneasy about curling your lashes, practice on bare lashes when you have no intention of putting on makeup. My suggestion? Before bed! Get yourself a mirror you can hold and practice! Rushing is the enemy of lash curling. Take your time and practice.
4. Press and release, don't pull. Remember that you are in control of the curler, not the other way around. Don't pull up or away when the curler is depressed, only move the curler when it's open.
5. Go slowly. If you pinch yourself, you're going too fast. Slow down. If you feel pressure like you're about to pinch yourself, stop! Open the curler again and adjust the placement.
6. Clean your curler and replace the pads. Buildup on the curler is natural, as well as dents in the pads. Using a warm washcloth or a tissue, remove the residue. Bacteria can build up there, but it's more about the "ICK" factor than anything else. It looks gross and keeps the curler from functioning properly, a nice even surface is optimal. The padding will dent. It's inevitable. Most of the curlers I've used have come with replacement pads that are easy to remove and replace. Also, the life of an eyelash curler isn't long. 6 - 8 months at best. Thankfully they are fairly affordable so it doesn't hurt the pocketbook too much.

Let's look at the some basic models:




Revlon Cushion-Grip Lash Curler    



Revlon Eyelash Curler















Revlon Cushion-Grip Lash Curler  and Revlon Eyelash Curler. These two curlers from Revlon are good basics and fairly priced. The only difference between them? The grip. One has a rubber lining, the other doesn't. It's really about preference at that point. I've used both and can say they are user friendly.


For the brave:

Japonesque Precision Lash Curler - Plastic

Tweezerman Super Curl Eyelash Curler   

                      











Tweezerman Super Curl Eyelash Curler   - The Tweezerman Super Curl being clear plastic is helpful allowing you to see where the plate is going and how close you're getting to your lashline. Also if you need to turn the curler and angle it, it helps to see where your going. (I like to make sure the outside lashes get extra curled, so I angle the curler on my eye to catch every outside corner. The outer lashes in the curler, the others not.)

Japonesque Precision Lash Curler - Plastic - The Japonesque Precision is terrific too, it's more comfortable for someone doing makeup on another person, but it takes longer to use. Using it yourself is easy, but it takes longer because you are going section by section. You can get deep curl easily from inner to outer lashline.

Once your lashes are curled, you are ready for your mascara. My choice at the moment is, as I wrote before, the CoverGirl Lash Blast 24 hour Mascara in Very Black because it keeps the curl integrity until you remove it.

Happy Curling Everyone!