Recycle Your Makeup Containers!

Ever feel guilty about the old makeup containers you toss in the trash? Ever wonder if there's a way to recycle those old bottles, caps, and tubes? Look no further! Check out this article about recycling the aftermath of your beauty regimen. Origins, MAC, Kiehl's, and Aveda are a few of the companies out there that collect and recycle old makeup containers for free.

Vitamin E Oil: Why It's Awesome

I love Vitamin E Oil. I use it on a daily basis as a makeup remover and a moisturizer. Why is it so great? Well, in short, it heals, prevents, protects, and treats.

Read more about it here: Livestrong.com: Vitamin E Oil.

My favorite Vitamin E Oil is the one from Trader Joe's. It's actually a blend of Soybean Oil, Vitamin E, and Coconut Oil. I love using it after hot showers. Try it!

 

Image sourced from: http://www.maneobjective.com/2012/11/better-places-to-buy-ii.html

How To Make Your Fave Eyeshadow Into Eyeliner

Love an eyeshadow? Wish it were an eyeliner? You can turn it into one! All you need is a setting spray, such as E.L.F.'s Studio Makeup Mist or Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray, and an eyeshadow of your choice.

Step 1: On the back of your hand, spray one pump of setting spray. You don't need much. If you're using the E.L.F. Mist, aim the bottle pretty far away from your hand. A lot of product tends to come out at once, so adjust accordingly.

Step 2: Using an eyeliner brush or pencil brush, pack some of the eyeshadow onto the brush. (In other words, gently press the brush into the shadow until you have enough on the brush that you can see the color easily. This method works best with moderately to extremely pigmented shadows, i.e., ones that aren't chalky or hard to use.)

Step 3: Gently touch the brush to the setting spray on the back of your hand. You don't need to fully saturate the brush, you just want a bit of the setting spray to mix with the shadow on the brush.

Step 4: Apply as you would your normal eyeliner. Allow a few seconds to dry, and you're golden.

-AW

Update: How to Use Urban Decay's 24/7 Eyeliner in Perversion By Anja Wade

If you saw my last post on Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner in Perversion, you learned that I was this close to returning said product. I could not get it to work for me! I was in search of a smudge-proof, budge-proof eyeliner for the waterline, and was led to believe that UD's Perversion was my saving grace. No such luck. The stuff seemed to smear and clump non-stop. UNTIL I discovered a simple trick.
After googling tips on using waterproof eyeliner, I learned the following: if you're going to apply eyeliner to the waterline, you're better off removing excess moisture with a q-tip first. I tried this and it worked. What I realized is that the Perversion eyeliner actually sets after application, more so than other formulas. However, this process is not instantaneous, and you need two things to make sure it happens correctly: 1. a dry waterline 2. a few seconds for drying time.

Here's my new process for applying the UD 24/7 eyeliner in Perversion to the waterline:
-I take a q-tip in one hand and the eyeliner in the other. I have both at the ready so that I can switch off easily.
-I carefully lift my eyelid so that I have easier access to BOTH the upper and bottom waterlines.
-Using the q-tip, I trace the bottom waterline as well as the upper waterline to remove moisture. I make sure not to blink.
-I apply the eyeliner to the waterlines (or just the bottom waterline, as I like to do sometimes).
-I give myself a few seconds before I blink so that the eyeliner has a chance to fully set.
-Voila! Done.
-To remove, I dip a q-tip in Vitamin E oil (my makeup remover of choice), and gently trace the waterline until the product comes off. Then I rinse with water.

It's important to remove moisture from both waterlines, even if you're going to line just one waterline (top or bottom). Moisture anywhere is an enemy to the product until it sets. Once it sets, you're okay. The troublesome spots are likely to be the dampest - near the tear duct and the corner of the eye. Try to get the process down to a few seconds so that your eyes don't start to water, defeating the purpose. Some women like to apply black powder to ensure that the liner sets further, but I don't bother, mainly because I hate getting powder in my eyes. Now, I don't line my waterline everyday, and you'll still have to do touch-ups here and there, but this seems to be a solution. Enjoy!
-AW

Beauty Inspo: Lisa Eldridge

By Anja Wade

I often scour the internet for the best information on makeup artistry. YouTube is perhaps one of my favorite outlets for finding advice on all things related to cosmetics. I love learning about makeup for the same reason that I love to paint when I have time - it is one more creative outlet for expression. The way that you can create a look or highlight a feature with makeup is fascinating to me.

Lisa Eldridge is well-known around the world as a top-notch makeup artist and beauty expert. I have long been a fan of her YouTube videos, which provide insight on everything from foundation application to choosing the right makeup remover. She does makeup for the likes of Kate Winslet and Daphne Guinness, but her tutorials are never above the everyday viewer. Each video she puts out is accessible and relevant.

Today's featured video focuses on solutions for common "beauty nightmares" - things ranging from very dry skin to chronic redness. Watch it to discover Eldridge's best tips on problem-solvers.

The Search for the Best Waterline Eyeliner

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion. I wanted to love this product. I did. I tried. It’s supposedly loved by many for application to the waterline. The hue is a gorgeous, deep black. The creamy formula is intended for gentle and foolproof application. Now, I don’t know if I have different waterlines than y’all, or if the hype surrounding this liner is mythical, but I could. not. make. it. work. I’ve tried drugstore brands, gel eyeliners, and liquid eyeliners. This and a few other products are supposed to be the holy grail for waterproof, smudgeproof eyeliner. I was excited, but after about a week of trying it, I’m returning it. It’s fine for anywhere BUT the waterline. It budges and shifts within the hour. The formula makes my eyes water. I end up wearing it under my eyes. Honestly, I’ve had better luck with Elf’s gel eyeliner from Target (of all things). Any suggestions? I’m back to square one. Sigh. 
-Anja

Curious? You can check it out here: http://www.urbandecay.com/urban-decay/eye-makeup/24%2F7-glide-on-eye-pencil/122.html