How to Tuesday: Eyeliner application (2: Day to night / dramatic) **PIC HEAVY**

Morning readers!

Less subtle than my last version - a cat eye effect liner / flick. A personal fave. 

I hope you've been practicing your basic eyeliner technique - and hopefully gained a little more confidence in your chosen medium (pencil / gel / liquid) or even played with another kind or colour than usual.

I'm going to cover three basic looks over the course of the eyeliner series, which with some Googling you will easily be able to deviate from to cover off lots of different variations.

How to SaturYAY: Eyeliner application (1: Basic liner) **PIC HEAVY**

Morning Guys and Dolls!

A simple liner look, to begin with. 

It's been a wee while since I did a pictorial (or indeed any post at all) and one of the most common requests I have is around eye make-up. Given the quantity of eye make-up I tend to wear I thought I'd split this into two series - the first eyeliner and then eye shadow. I decided to do liner first because, with the addition of just some red lippy that's much more of a standalone look than shadow alone, so for the next three posts we'll learn a different liner look, perhaps with some shadow inspiration thrown in when the mood strikes!

I'm going to cover three basic looks, which with some Googling you will easily be able to deviate from to cover off lots of different variations.

Blogmas 2014: #6 Tip of the day - lower lash line eyeliner

Happy weekend!

While I am a chronic eyeliner addict, I do like to experiment with the ways I wear it and formulas I wear. Recently I have been wearing my lower eyeliner only part of the way across my eye rather than entirely around the eye and have been asked how to get a subtle finish on this, rather than looking like a bad clown!

End result - using Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 palette 

The trick I find is to make sure you've not applied the eyeliner, before blending, to the entire area that you want to see it in. Rather, I apply the eyeliner a half to two thirds of the way along where I want it to end up and then blend out - see above for the finished look and below for where I actually applied the eyeliner.

Blogmas 2014: #5 White eyeliner (something different)

Wakey, wakey rise and shine!

Obviously, as with Mr Bing Crosby we're all dreaming of a white Christmas here in the UK. In reality it might actually involve some damp, drizzle and perhaps some wind. So if Mother Nature won't oblige, perhaps Illamasqua can help us out.

DSLR with flash, artificial light.

I bought Precision Ink in Scribe a little while ago but haven't actually use it for much other than filling in the "gap" on a double wing look with black mascara.  It seemed like this time of year might then be appropriate to try something a little new and specifically white!

FOTD: Black glitter liner

Complete look - with and without
filter on Instagram

Morning guys and gals

Today's look is brought to you thanks to my looking forward to seeing the latest Hunger Games film since Katniss came from District 12 - coal mining (not to mention an obsession with all things glitter in the run up to the party season…or any time of year really). I like the larger glitter flakes and the way they give a bit of a more subtle glitter look.

I think even for those of you who don't like to wear a ton of make up this look should be easy to adapt to the level you are comfortable with. I've included a step by step below…any all the glitter products are very affordable (plus should be accessible on the High Street).

Simple Halloween looks with eyeliner - cat and witch

Hey guys and gals

Fear not if you've just decided to head out for Halloween at the last minute with just a flick of some eyeliner you too can be a sexy kitten or a wicked witch (per Miranda Hobbs in SATC, the only two choices for women at Halloween…if not in life).

Eyeliners - blackest blacks and fun colours

Hola chicas y chicos

How are you doing on this fine and dandy Wednesday? Hopefully you're on a quick coast to the weekend now you've broken the back of the week.

So I've been building up to The Eye posts for a while now…my name is Josephine and I'm a Liner-holic. I've been on a 16 year + quest to find the blackest blacks, the truest colours in eyeliner pencils. Hopefully in a medium that doesn't actually drag half of my eyelid to my ear to show some colour…

Getting started series #5 Eyeliner

Hieeeeee Beauty Addicts (and Enthusiasts!)

Now we're onto one of my most favourite-est ever make-up topics. If in doubt, slap some black lines around your eyes must be a secret life mantra for me…not necessarily something which will sit well with just anyone ;)

The full spectrum of my eyeliner
based life choices - winged,
wannabe drag queen and subtle
summer natural vibe.

Much like eyebrows, eyeliner (in conjunction with mascara….next up!) is crucial in really framing your face, emphasising your peepers and giving the illusion of lovely, long lashes that you can bat at the nearest Mr Darcy a-like to your heart's content. Or just so that when you check yourself out in unexpected reflective surfaces you don't suddenly want to yelp and hide yourself under a rock mid-afternoon (we all do it, right…don't we…?)

For those dipping a toe in the make-up water I'd suggest that colour and formulation are going to be really important. A cream / matte grey or brown will feel a lot more wearable than the black to which we make-up mavens are automatically drawn. At least as you start to venture out during daylight hours with lines around your eyes. Additionally, pencil is usually an easy start - I've listed the various formulations in order of ease of use and you can link back to my smoked out liner look for placement ideas.

- Pencil - to get a good line you'll want a relatively soft pencil so you don't have to drag your lids to get decent colour pay-off. If in doubt, apply little dots and use a sponge tipped smudger to blend them out. Pencils now come in gel and kohl formula options, I've included recs for both:

Kohl - MAC's teddy is fairly iconic and friendly to all, otherwise I like Rimmel, L'Oreal or Illamasqua.
Gel - these are softer pencils, with a more intense pay off. I like Avon, Rimmel or Sleek (not strictly gel). MAC Powerpoint pencils are a great option if you want to play with some glittery shades.

- Powder - you can either buy a powder liner (try No7 or Smashbox) or just use an eyeshadow over a lightly blended pencil line. Easy smokey liner look.

- Gel - although the pot plus brush is intimidating to look at, it's surprisingly easy to work with. Bobbi Brown, MAC and Illamasqua all do versions but I also love L'Oreal's on the High Street - longer lasting than Maybelline's offering in my experience. High Street has more limited colour selections.

- Liquid - the hardest formulation to work with (marginally better in one of the felt tip formats) so not one for beginners. Great for the pin-up '50s look with red lips - but achievable with gel if you've not got a steady hand. Illamasqua's precision ink is lovely but if you want to stick to classic colours save pennies and opt for L'Oreal's Superliner. Eyeko do a nice felt-tippy version - but the High Street is awash with those at the moment so have a play.

Lots of love 'til next time kitty cats

xx Josephine xx

Come join me on social media:

Twitter: @JojoSparklesNI
Instagram: @josephinesparkles_ni

Smokey eyes: full on look

Hi Beauty Addicts!

Sorry for the recent break in transmission - some IT issues meant that I wasn't able to load up my tutorial as planned last Saturday. This is look number two, I've tried to use more pictures than words this time to keep it shorter ;)

Step 1:

I did my face make-up first but if you're using loose shadows I'd recommend following the previous recommendation of doing that after your eyes. I then used some cream shadow (don't worry about being too neat because we'll blend later) and some gel liner pencil.

Step 2:

Next up blend a co-ordinating powder shadow over the cream base. I've used a metallic shadow for extra sparkle but matte will also work. It's a personal preference. I then blended upwards with a matte taupe transition shade. Re-line with more gel liner and blended that out with a darker shadow. I've gone for browns but you can try taupes, greys or blacks. Colours up next week....if you're feeling daring today go for purple, green, blue or pink but with similar shading approaches.

Step 3:

I've popped on my Out of the House eyebrows and then added more liner (this time liquid for a really black finish around the eyes) and lined my water line with kohl. I then added a little sparkly eyeshadow on the inner corners and the inner third of the eyelid. Final touch - some lippie, et voila! Good to trot off to the pub / date / party / sofa with The Voice as you choose!!

Products used:

Primer (Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Light), Foundation (Becca luminous finish - Olive), Contour and highlight (Sleek Contour palette), Blush (Illamasqua Tremble), Cream shadow (MAC Constructivist), Gel liner (Avon Supershock gel pencil), Powder shadows (Bobbi Brown Metallic Plum and Nars Mekong), Liquid liner (Illamasqua Precision Liner - Abyss), Mascara (YSL Effet Faux Cils), Concealer (Illamasqua Skin Base Lift - Light 2), Lipliner (L'Oreal Ultraviolet), Lipstick (Illamasqua Scandal).

Hope you guys have a fab Saturday and if you're watching the Six Nations....Go IRELAND!!!!

Love and coral kisses

Josephine

xxx

Twitter: @JojoSparklesNI
Instagram: @josephinesparkles_ni

Smokey eye looks: Liner focused smokey eyes

Further to my first post, which set out different interpretations of smokey eyes, this is the first of three in a series which will take you through a step-by-step guide to recreating those looks and recommend some products which I've really enjoyed using along the way.

Products used: Illamasqua eyebrow cake (Motto), Topshop cream shadow (Tundra), L'Oreal taupe shadow (from Marron Glace quad), Avon Supershock black eyeliner pencil, Bobbi Brown eyeshadow (Caviar), L'Oreal white shade (from Marron Glace quad), YSL Effet Faux Cils mascara and MAC Moisture concealer.

Step 1: Create a pretty, even base colour

I like to use a cream shadow as a base, which can be easily blended and either built to added intensity or sheered out if you prefer a more subtle look. Often you'll see this kind of look done with a gold or bronze shade. If that appeals I'd recommend;

- Chanel Illusion d'Ombre (Emerveille); or
- Maybelline Color Tattoo (On and On Bronze).

If you've got oily lids you may also wish to set with a powder shadow - not recommended with the Chanel as you don't want to hide that beautiful finish!

For those of you who prefer a cooler toned base colour you might want to look at the these shadows;

- Bobbi Brown Metallic Cream Eyeshadow (Brown Metal, Galaxy); or
- Maybelline Color Tattoo (Tough as Taupe).

With the darker shades I've recommended you'll probably want to sheer them out a fair bit, or be bolder with your liner choices, to maintain the distinction between the liner and the shadow.

Step 2: Lay down your basic liner shape

When I'm smoking out a liner I prefer to use either a loose powder liner (e.g. No7 Smoky Eyes liner - Smashbox also do one but I think the No7 is a lot cheaper for the same effect) or a gel liner which I blend out with a similar shade of eyeshadow in order to avoid having a defined line.

I'm a massive fan of the defined line, but it's not the purpose of this look!

For gel eyeliners I would recommend;

- L'Oreal Gel Intenza; or
- Bobbi Brown's gel eyeliner.

If you prefer your gel liner in a pencil form look no further than Avon Supershock eyeliner pencils - I much prefer them to the pot version - or Rimmel Scandaleyes.

Step 3: Smoke out the liner with some powder eyeshadow

While it's not mandatory to use a matching shadow I think it helps set the liner, soften the line and maintain the intensity of the colour. Use a shadow which is pigmented enough to be used as a pseudo-liner but which isn't so soft it falls out all under your eye area....note: you probably should do base after a smokey eye regardless of version!

I'm not going to recommend a specific shadow because I'm sure everyone will have a shade knocking around their make-up bag that will do. You can also drag it outwards a little and sweep into your crease to give added intensity around the outer-V of the eye (see above).

If you're feeling a little lazy and want one product to do Steps 2 & 3 for you, check out No7's powder eye liner. Takes a bit of practice to not end up with powder all over your face :) If you've got small eyes you will want to really intensify the liner on the outer third of the lower lash line and the outer half-to-two thirds of the top lash line.

Step 4: Line your waterline (inner rim of the eye)

To me, this has to be black, black and more BLACK!! The liner is all about glamour here so go all out.

My preferred product is a 50p kajal pencil which a friend brought me back from holiday in India. However, assuming you're not jetting off around the world these work pretty well too;

- Rimmel Scandaleyes (you'll have to reapply with gel liner) or kohl liner; or
- Laura Mercier (Black Violet).

If you've got small eyes this may not be something that you want to go with. Instead, you might want to line the waterline with a light coloured pencil. White can be a bit '80s (though I have a shimmer white gel pencil from Sephora that I think is relatively subtle and use on occasion) so usually I'll use a nude shade. Rimmel do a great one in their Scandaleyes range, which is very moderately priced.

Make it more wearable by... switching up the eyeliner for a grey or khaki shade, which will still give you definition around the lash line but feel less "made up". I recommend Laura Mercier Black Gold, Bourjois Khol or Avon Supershock gel liner in khaki shades.

Products used here: Brows as before, Benefit cream shadow (Recess), Becca eyeshadow (Satin), No7 powder liner in brown and YSL effet faux cils mascara. Here I haven't lined the waterline to show the alternative method.