I love the confidence that makeup gives me. ~ Tyra Banks
So this week I have chosen to write about one thing I adore…my
passion…make-up! Some of you may wonder
what make-up really has to do with fashion…but it really has everything to do
with it. The way a woman wears their
make –up can completely change the way their clothing looks on them.
I myself have always been interested in bold statement
make-up…but I know this isn’t for everyone.
I can be found walking into the office with lime green and teal eye
shadow smudged together with a purple liner one day, and then a natural brown
shimmer the next. To me make-up artistry
is an expression of self. Just as your
clothing has something to say about you and your life style…so does your
make-up. 
I can honestly say in both my own make-up adventures and in
my professional gigs when I do some of my make-up artistry for events by far my
favorite part of the face to play with is the eyes. If the eyes are windows to the soul…well then
eye make-up are a gorgeous set of stained glass windows. 
Some of you may say “but I don’t even know where to start or
what I need”…it really is about the tools and the technique. My make up skills have been completely self
taught. I find myself watching YouTube
tutorials for hours on end at night learning new techniques for fun eye
make-up. If you are truly interested in learning some
bold eye make-up techniques my all time favorite site is www.makeupgeek.com. For anyone who loves make-up this site is
like heaven on the internet! 
Many people fall into the misconception that to get good results
you must pay an arm and a leg for your make-up…this is simply not true. There are actually some amazing brands that
will not break your bank or your heart.
Now there is one product I would recommend not going cheap on…your eye
shadow base…my personal recommendation is Lancôme Aquatique in Nude (now if you
are a darker skin tone you may want to use Deep instead…I am just incredibly
pale…porcelain if you will).
Blush:
Affordable – E.L.F. – Found at Target - Takes a bit more product, but has a nice
color, normally runs about $3.00
Splurge – Lancôme Blush Subtil – Most major department
stores that sell high end cosmetics – my personal favorite shade is Shimmer
Pink Pool - $30.00
Eye Shadow:
Affordable – Maybelline ExpertWear Eyeshadow Quad – I personally
LOVE the Sunlight Bronze Quad - $6.25
Splurge – Christian Dior 5 Couleurs Designer– my favorite
set is actually discontinued; however, a close second favorite has to be Green
Design…c’est magnifique! - $59.00
Mascara:
Affordable – Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared Wand –
for most dramatic effect use Blackest Black or Glam Black - $7.77
Splurge - Okay…I have 2…
Benefit – They’re Real $22.00, or Christian Dior Show Iconic Extreme -
$28.50.
Lip Gloss
Affordable – L’Oreal Colour Juice – Personally I love Raspberry
Smash - $8.48
Splurge – Stila Lip Glaze – in my opinion by far the best
lip gloss I have EVER used…fave shade…Apricot! - $22.00 http://www.stilacosmetics.com/ <~ it may be a splurge...but it is worth it!!!
I could go on for days…weeks…and months about make-up. The last and most important key for a
flawless face is…using a foundation brush.
It may seem like a bit of a frivolous investment at first…however, you
will save quite a few pennies because you will use much less make up when using
the brush. Also the product goes on more
smoothly and evenly with a much better blend.
Well…that is all I have for you now…for forward and conquer…one
smoky eye look at a time!
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