5 Brands that Make the Best Eye Shadows

We can never ignore eye makeup. It is usually the major highlight of the face and eyes. That is why, to make it stand out, we must always use the best eye shadows. Good news is that there are brands that are quite efficient in giving them the best quality. We take a look at some of them here today.

1. M.A.C

Without a doubt, M.A.C stands out as the number one brand for producing high quality pigmented eye shadows. There is just something too elegant about them. You might not be a pro, but wearing them will make you look like one. Additionally, they last for hours on the eyelids. Apparently, it is a smart choice to invest money on a MAC 120 Colors Professional Eye shadow Palette.

2. Christian Dior

This brand is no less than M.A.C. Only thing is that it specializes in producing the basic colors, packing five of them in each case. Christian Dior eye shades can make any pair of eyes stand out. That is why, they can turn into addiction for most women. The secret to be revealed is that it makes eye makeup look extremely stunning in photos.

3. Estee Lauder

For having sophisticated eye makeup, Estee Lauder is the best. Their eye shadows do seem to have some glitters. But instead of all sparkling, they end up making the shades smoother and silkier on the lids. Estee Lauder eye shadows are long lasting. They do not scream “too much makeup” and thus, they are great for business presentations and board meetings.

4. Max Factor

Not as expensive as the rest, Max Factor eyeshadows adjust themselves smoothly to all eyelids. Quality wise, they are highly pigmented. That is why, it is quite easy to achieve desired result with them. Another thing is that they are long lasting. Since they are affordable and of good quality, they can easily become the favorites of high school and college going girls.

5. Make Up For Ever

This is another brand worth mentioning here. The shades from Make Up For Ever have strong definition. Because of this, they easily show up on the lids. Most often people settle for their solo cases. That is actually a little unwise move. The truth is that its bigger palettes are available and having them in the makeup collection is the best thing to do. 

READ MORE - 5 Brands that Make the Best Eye Shadows

Get Familiarized With Different Cosmetics and Makeup Tools- Part 2

Makeup is more enhanced by what goes in the eyes. So it is important to get familiarized with different cosmetics that we use just on those.

1. Eye primer

 It is used on eyelids before the application of the eye shadow. Again, it is quite an optional product.

2. Eyeshadow

Comes in variety of colors, eyeshadow works as the makeup for eyelids. They enhance the beauty of the eyes. Because of this same reason, majority of the makeup users give more importance to how it can be worn. Eye shadow comes in different forms. While traditionally it comes in tablet form, these days you will find it in the shape of gel, pencil and powder.

3. Eyeliner

 It is used to draw line on the lid situated on the top of the lashes. Eyeliner comes in the form of pencil, gel, stick, pen and liquid. Its most traditional color is black.

4. Mascara

 Eye shadow often leaves residue in the lashes. Mascara does not only gets rid of those but also boosts the definition of the lashes.

5. Eyelash comb

Mascara sometimes sticks the lashes to one another. An eyelash comb will help you separate them easily.

6. Lash curler

 Looks like scissors, in the beginning, it is easy to be intimidated by this tool. But don’t worry; it just curls up the lashes. But it should be used after applying eyeliner and before wearing mascara. That said lash curler is actually an optional tool.

READ MORE - Get Familiarized With Different Cosmetics and Makeup Tools- Part 2

Easy Way to Clean and Store Makeup Brushes So They Last Longer

Makeup brushes need cleaning because they show a little bit too much kindness to dust particles. This, in turn, means negative things for our human skin. After all, dust particles are full of germs and they are one of the leading causes of breakouts. Apparently, there are several methods released by different makeup artists on how to clean makeup brushes.  You are free to try them out anytime. But the specific method I am going to talk about here today is unique in what it does. 

It is something I came up with on my own when I was a teenager.  Yes, three years ago, I did cover it in an article, but that was for another site and that is also without the evidence and some more details. I am going to basically provide it all here today. But before that understand the method involved

Things Needed

Gel hand soap  (must be antibacterial)

Two kitchen towel s (must be strong)

A big jar (must have the lead)

Water

Makeup brushes and if needed eye shadow applicators made from foam

A Cup/Mug (the one that you do not use for drinking purpose)

Instructions

1. Give a good shake to your brushes so all extra dust particles fall off.  This step does not apply to foam based eye shadow applicators.


2. Now wash them one by one under running water. This way you will be getting rid of more dust and preparing your brushes for the soap.  This time include your eye shadow applicators. The dirt will not come out easily out of them though. So use your fingers to give them a little press. Remember they are highly fragile. So you need to be extra careful with them.


3. Now in the cup, pour two to three drops of your gel hand soap.


4. Pour water in it now.


5. Stir the gel nicely so it loosens up.


6. Next, soak your makeup brushes in this water for couple of minutes.


7. Before taking them out, give each one of them a little swirling in the cup.


8. Then wash them in the running tap water. For the eye shadow applicators, use your fingers again.


9. Press them to take out excess water.


10. Leave them to dry off on the surface of the kitchen towel. Keep them covered with another of your piece.


11. Store them in the jar. Leave it closed.

Okay, I really do not recommend you to apply any kind of gel cleanser directly to your brushes. It is just that they are thick and stubborn. They do not want to get out of the brushes easily and thus, you need to spend extra with them. I must also let you know that the direct gel has a great ability to ruin the overall structure of your brushes. Now if you follow my steps your brushes will last almost forever. Yes, it is possible. Just take a look at the image below.

Notice the Estee Lauder (blue) and Lancome (red) eye shadow brushes. Both of them came in their respective makeup kits in the early 2000.  The Estee Lauder one was my mom’s. She never used the brush and handed it over to me to use.  Meanwhile, when I just started wearing makeup in high school (2003) I bought the Lancome makeup kit (Teen Me=Fool). Now all the cosmetics are gone. The only things remain are the makeup brushes. However, the models are no more available in the market. So you will never see them anywhere.  By using the above method, I am always able to make them maintain their quality and yes, I still use them to apply my eye makeup. Now as for the foam based applicators and face makeup brush, they are 4 to 5 years old, but see how new they look still. 

READ MORE - Easy Way to Clean and Store Makeup Brushes So They Last Longer

e.l.f Essentials Waterproof Eyeliner Pen Review

This is my 100^th post and therefore, I will dedicate it to something good and wonderful. It is called e.l.f Essentials Waterproof Eyeliner pen. It costs only $1. I experimented with it (color: black#7303) for 3 months and here is the result.

Benefits:

As mentioned before, the eyeliner comes in the shape of a pen. But it actually works like a marker. The lines coming from it are thicker and almost have the quality of liquid eyeliner. Their wetness is never a problem, for it quickly dries off.

I really like cat eye look.  But thanks to my shaky hands, getting it in perfect length for me has always been a struggle. Good news is that this e.l.f Essential eyeliner pen has made my job easier. I now can get my cat eye look without any problem. What I am trying to imply here is that it glides on to the eyelids very smoothly. Even the shaky hands do not form an obstacle.  Now is the eyeliner really waterproof? The answer to this question is yes.  Because of this same reason, it lasts over the eyes for several hours. I have actually not seen any smudges coming from it ever.  

Admittedly, since I paid so low for this eyeliner, I had no faith in its quality and thought that it would expire quickly like its sister, e.l.f Essentials Regular and Waterproof Mascara Duo. But now after 3 months, I am happy to assert that my doubts and negative predictions have been broken into pieces. The eyeliner still is in perfect condition and has not run out at all. In short, I am still using it.

Problems:

I cannot really think of a problem associated with this e.l.f product. It seems to be one of their best achievements. Yet I will say that once on eyes, it resists leaving because of its high quality waterproof feature.

Verdict:

It is no wonder that this eyeliner won an award and has managed to gain many admirers. Perfect for both new makeup users and experienced stylists, it never seems to show any flaws. Even if it runs out disappointment cannot follow, for it costs only a dollar. Simply, it deserves all the 5 stars.  

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READ MORE - e.l.f Essentials Waterproof Eyeliner Pen Review

How to know You Are Allergic to A Specific Lipstick

It is hard for many to believe that lips can have allergic reaction. How is it possible? After all, lips never get pimples like our facial skin. But this is just a very general way of thinking. Apparently, lips are not programmed to withstand toxic materials found in some lipsticks. When I was in high school my mom forced me to use Estee Lauder lipstick. Her notion was that its ingredients were safe for kids. But once I wore it and went to school, I found myself in severe lip problem.

The reason behind this was that it turned out to be allergic for me. Although that day I decided to discontinue using that specific lipstick in the future I came with many others that almost killed my lips. Because of this, I believe I have a very good experience with the symptoms related to lipsticks and lip allergy. I am listing them here. If any specific brands of lipsticks give you these problems please stop using them immediately.

The lipstick takes off your lip skin and creates sweat around it
Sometimes a lipstick will not give you any pain, but will peel off your lip skin and give sweat around it. You basically have to look in the mirror to diagnose this problem. Remember if you catch it you have to rub off the lipstick from your lips. Otherwise, you will go through serious embarrassment in front of others.
After wearing the lipstick you feel sudden irritation in some areas of your lips

This irritation can be compared to heat that comes from the pepper and touches the lips. 
This basically occurs due to the fact that the lipstick you are using perhaps has harmful ingredients. Otherwise, it has gone bad.

The killer itch takes over your lips
This allergic reaction might not occur within minutes of wearing the lipstick. Instead it would take an hour or two. But one important thing that must be mentioned here is that sometimes the itch can happen because of other problems and thus, it might not be an allergic reaction coming from the lipstick. Under such circumstances, you need to be a little too alert. Just check if the itch occurs every time you wear that specific lipstick.

An area of your lip ends up becoming swollen or get a bump
This can be taken as a severe case. It can happen only if even after you see all the symptoms you do not make an effort to not wear the lipstick anymore.

READ MORE - How to know You Are Allergic to A Specific Lipstick

Some Experiments {Makeup}

The white strip is the luminescent base, box 1 from top is Glitter, box 2 is Shiny and box 3 is Metallic

So, guys, as I shared a few days back that I received my giveaway goodies, I couldn't resist experimenting with the eye shadow. I have never put on makeup before so I don't have any tools or brushes so just bear with me and excuse my untidiness. I did it all with fingers and the little applicator provided with the eyeshadow. Do comment :)

I smudged the kajal first and then applied the luminescent base

followed by box 2 application

luminescent base followed by glitter (box 1) and kajal as eyeliner

READ MORE - Some Experiments {Makeup}