Mascara Magic:
For clump-free lashes, hold the wand horizontally and roll it upward as you apply mascara. This helps to separate lashes. Let mascara dry before applying a second coat. Save waterproof formulas for sports, weddings, and special events; they're too drying for everyday use.

Applying Eyeliner:
Assuming you have a steady hand (if not, try this sitting down so you can steady your arm by placing your elbow on a table), position your brush, pencil, or applicator so it is as close to the lash-line along the eyelid as possible. Then draw a line from the inner to outer corner using one fluid stroke, following the curvature of the eyelid. Do not extend the line past the outer corner of the eye or hug the tear-drop area of the eye. To start, keep the line as thin as possible, and if a thicker line is desired, repeat the process either across the entire lash-line or simply on the outer third of the lid along the lashes. Making the line along the eyelid a solid, even one, starting thin at the front third of the lid and becoming slightly thicker at the back third of the lid can be an attractive classic look.

You can line all the way across the eyelid if you like, from the inside corner to the outer edge, or you can stop the line where the lashes stop and start. Along the lower lashes, line only the outer two-thirds of the eye. Be sure the lower liner is a less-intense color than the upper liner. Also make sure that the two lines meet at the back corner of the eye. As a general rule, avoid lining all the way across the lower eyelashes. Leaving some space on the inside corner of the eye where the lashes end near the tear ducts gives a softer less severe look.

For a classic eyeliner application, choose shades of dark brown, gray, or black eyeshadow for the upper lid and a softer shade of those—tan, taupe, chestnut, soft brown, soft gray, or soft black—along the lower lashes. Eyeliner is meant to give depth to the lashes and make them appear thicker.

Shadow Play:
To keep eyeshadow creaseproof, first dab lids with a little foundation and powder. Shadow is less likely to crease if you wear a powder formula.

Choosing Eye Makeup Colors:
Find out which shades work best with your own beautiful eye color, and bring your eyes into sharp focus! Check out the list below to find the right hues for YOU!

If your eyes are: Blue

Try: Brown and rose. Warm shades contrast the coolness of blue eyes, making them stand out. Apply from lashlines to creases and top with black mascara.

If your eyes are: Brown

Try: Green and gold. Both shades will pick up the colored flecks found in brown eyes. Choose a slightly shimmery texture, and apply from lashlines to browbones, blending well.

If your eyes are: Green

Try: Lavender and mocha. Purple shades contrast your color, making eyes look dramatic; warmer shades of mocha complement green, giving a natural effect. Wear mocha for day, lavender for night, and top both with brown mascara.

If your eyes are: Hazel

Try: Deep green and pale yellow. Depending on your mood, choose a shadow shade that matches different flecks in your eyes. For a twist, apply shadow, then line eyes with the same color, using a liner brush dipped in water.

Shades for Everyone:

Charcoal, chocolate, black. (Tip: Since they can look heavy on the lid, use these colors as liners to complement any shadow hue.)

Eyebrows:
The shape of your eyebrow is probably the single most important element of your face. A woman's eyebrows are usually thinner and more arched than a man's.

Tweeze to Shape:
Place a pencil at the outer edge of the nose. Keep the base of the pencil fixed at the nose and rotate it to find key brow dimension points. Vertically it aligns where the brow should generally start. Allow the inner part of the brow to begin a little bit inward beyond the vertical line. Aligning with the center of the pupil of the eye, it locates the high point of the arch.

Aligned with the outer lower edge of the eye, it locates the point where the brow should end. The beginning and end of brow should be at the same height. Tweeze from below the brow, not above.

EXTRA TIP: Never pluck one eye at a time. It's crucial that you continually alternate from eye to eye to achieve a symmetrical look. If you focus on one brow first and accidentally over-pluck, you'll wreak havoc on the other eyebrow as you try to even things out.

Brush to finish:
Most women need to lift the brow slightly to give it a prettier arch. Lift the peak of the brow with a few strokes of eyebrow pencil, and blur them slightly. When using powdered brow color, use a harder bristled angle brow brush and draw tiny hair-like strokes. When using a brow pencil, maintain a sharp edge and use the same technique as the brush. Use a disposable mascara wand or toothbrush to soften.

You don't want your eyebrow to look as if it was drawn on with a marking crayon, so be gentle. To determine the length of your eyebrow, draw an imaginary line from the tip of your nose up to the outer corner of your eye and up to the brow. That's where your brow should end. Remember, eyebrows begin above the inner corner of the eye, and taper off to nothing. They should not be heavy at the outer end.

What if you've over-plucked your eyebrows?
The only thing you can do is to have patience. The eyebrow hairs are the slowest growing hair on the body. It takes 56 days for the hair fiber to regenerate. As long as the follicle has not been damaged, then the hair will grow back as before. In the meantime, you can fill in the missing hairs with eyebrow pencil. It is unlikely that the hairs will grow in thicker.

                                                          
Copyright © August 2004  Lori Markham and Low Carb Luxury