ROSE GOLD AND CAT FLICK EYE LOOK FEATURING MAC, KIKO AND MAX FACTOR

Anyone who has been following my little blog for a while now will have noticed that I rarely use liquid eye liner. I’m just far too much of a clumsy moo. Noting worse than almost being done doing your makeup and then ruining it all with dodgy liquid eyeliner, pencil is so much easier to tidy up. I know I could do my eyes first but that just feels all wrong. I bought the Real Techniques Silicone Liner brush ages ago and it does make it so much easier but let’s face it, I’m a creature of habit so I hardly ever use it. Today I thought it was time I did something different as I am always lining my eyes with brown or purple pencil or eye shadow. So I broke out the RT Silicone Liner Brush and MAC Fluidline, another thing I have had for ages and hardly ever use. I really like the look of a sharp black liquid eyeliner flick over pale metallic eye shadow, so that’s what I have tried to do here:

Products Used:

Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in Golden Beige
Max Factor Wild Shadow Pot in Auburn Envy
MAC All That Glitters Eye Shadow
MAX Factor Wild Shadow Pot in Feral Brown
MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack
MAC Eyeliner in Coffee
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara (not pictured)

Here is how I used them:

1. I used Kiko Long Lasting Stick in Golden Beige all over the lid and crease as an eyelid primer
2. I then used Max Factor Auburn Envy in the crease
3. Next I applied MAC All That Glitters all over the lid
4. In the outer corner I added MAX Factor Feral Brown for extra definition
5. I used the RT Silicone Brush to line the top lid with MAC Blacktrack
6. I lined both water lines with MAC Coffee, I then lined under Coffee with Feral Brown and went under that with All that Glitters
Finally I applied Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

While my line is far from perfect, it’s pretty good for me. Are you a pro with liquid liner or are you a clumsy novice like me?

FACE OF THE DAY

It feels like it’s been a long time since I did a face of the day post and since I’ve made some changes in the products I use regularly I figured now is a good time to do an update. Since I’m doing this the day after a night out, I am trying to reduce the appearance of blotchiness and discolouration without packing on loads of slap. Here are the products used:
FACE:

Max Factor Colour Correctors, yellow for under the eyes and green for redness on the tops of my cheeks and sides of my nose.
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid Foundation
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural, setting powder
Isa Dora Face Sculptor in Warm Peach, contour, blush and highlight
MAC Omega eye shadow to fill in brows

EYES:
Kiko Long Lasting Shadow Stick in Taupe as eye lid primer
Smashbox Full Exposure Palette (1. crease, 2. lid, 3. outer corner, 4 over liner and 5. inner corner)
Kiko Sport Proof Liner in Taupe
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

 

LIPS:
Max Factor Colour Elixir Gloss in Luxurious Berry

Do you use any of these products?

EYE LOOK WITH SLEEK VINTAGE ROMANCE PALETTE

I gave you my review of the Sleek Vintage Romance palette last week but I didn’t have any decent pictures of eye looks using this palette. I had been using it loads when heading out over the Christmas but as per usual I was always running late so I didn’t have the time to be taking pictures all over the house in search of lighting that would show up the colours of the shadows accurately. So here is a look I did over the weekend.

Products used:

Sleek Vintage Romance Palette
Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in Rose Brown
Kiko Glamorous Eye Pencil in Plum
Lancôme Grandiose Mascara

I started by using the Kiko Long Lasting Stick in Rose Brown all over the lid and crease as a primer. This works as a great base to hold powder eye shadows in place and it adds depth to the colour.
I also used it to line the bottom lashes.

I applied 1 (Forever in Florence) all over the lid and crease.

Then I blended 2 (Bliss in Barcelona) from the outer corner into the crease.

Next, a dab of 3 (Pretty in Paris) in the inner corner and outer brow bone for a highlight.

I lined my upper eye lids and bottom lashes with 2 (Bliss in Barcelona) and then went over the lines with the Kiko Glamorous Eye Pencil in Plum. I think using powder eye shadow either over or under a pencil liner helps keep it in place longer. I use the powder under the pencil if I want a sharp clean line and I use the powder over the pencil if I want to soften the liner for a smoky look.

Finally I lashed on Lancôme Grandiose Mascara.

I love the purple and plum shades is this palette. Have you tried any of the Sleek palettes yet?

FESTIVE AND SPARKLY GOLD EYE LOOK

Christmas party season is in full swing and what better time to pack on the sparkle. Today’s eye look is gold and bit sparkly but sparkly in a grown up way. I don’t think it’s too over the top and it’s a look anyone can wear without looking like a disco ball. Gold eye shadow is a colour that suites all eye colours and will make the colour of your eyes really stand out.
Products used:

Kiko Longlasting Shadow Stick in Golden Beige
Lancôme Fil D’ Or Eye Shadow single
MAC Glimmer of Gold Quad (I used the dark gold and the lightest shade)
MAC Gilt by Association Mineralise Eye Shadow
Benefit They’re Real Mascara

 

First I used Kiko Golden Beige as a primer base all over lid and crease
Then I packed Fil D’Or all over the lid and into the crease, I also wet the tip of a MAC 219 brush and dipped it into the corner of the Fil D’ Or and lined my waterline with it.
Next I blended the dark gold from the MAC Glimmer of Gold quad into the crease
I then dipped the cleaned MAC 219 brush into MAC Gilt by Association and applied it to the crease and outer corner. I also lined my upper and lower lash lines with it.
I used the lightest shade in the MAC quad for an inner corner and under brow highlight.
Finally, I finished it all off with Benefit They’re Real Mascara.

I have kept this look soft by using the Gilt by Association to line my eyes. You could up the glamour factor with some false lashes and lining the top lashes with a liquid liner. You could also use a pencil on the lower lash line for more intense definition.

What’s your go to Christmas party eye look? Do you wear gold eye shadow?

EYE LOOK FEATURING KIKO AND MAC

You may already know that I usually use MAC Paint Pot in Painterly as an eye lid primer and I have very oily lids. Lately I picked up some Kiko Long Lasting Shadow Sticks so I decided to use my favourite one, Rose Brown, as a base and primer for a bronze and brown eye look. I use these MAC shadows to do this eye look a lot but I like the extra dept the Kiko Rose Brown added to this look. Also it has to be said that as a base to hold eye shadow in place all night, the Kiko Long Lasting Shadow Stick was brilliant. At the end of the night my eye shadow looks just as good as it did right after I applied it. There were no creases or fading, Rose Brown did as good a job as Painterly so I am going to try my other Kiko Shadow Sticks to see if they all perform equally well as primers. So here are the products and pictures of the look:

Products Used:

MAC Shadows, Embark, Mulch, Tempting and Phloof!
Kiko Long Lasting Shadow Stick in Rose Brown
Kiko Sportproof Eyeliner is Metallic Taupe
L’Oreal 4D Mascara

First I applied Kiko Long Lasting Shadow Stick in Rose Brown all over lid and crease and patted it with my finger, and then I applied Embark in the outer corner of the lid and crease.
Next I applied Mulch to the crease and outer half of lid and applied Tempting in the inner half. I  used Phloof! as a highlight in the inner corner and under the outer brow. I lined my eyes with Kiko Sportproof liner in Metallic Taupe and then went over the liner with Mulch to soften the line. I finished off with L’Oreal 4D Mascara.

What base or primer do trust to keep you eye shadow in place?

 

KIKO GLAMOROUS EYE PENCIL IN PLUM: REVIEW AND PICTURES

This is the last of the products from my Kiko haul, last but certainly not least. Here are the links to my reviews of the Sportproof Liner and the Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows. Kiko does not have any retailers here in Ireland but their web site does deliver to Ireland and there are lots of stores abroad so check the website for locations if you are planning on travelling to see if there is one near where you are going. The products I have tried so far have all been quality products at really good value prices. The Glamorous Liner was originally €4.20 but is on offer at €2.90 at the moment.

Kiko Glamorous Eye Pencil in Plum is a beautiful metallic plum colour. It is soft and creamy and glides on smoothly without any dragging. The only thing is it may be a bit too buttery, as in the colour skips a bit and sometimes I have to go over the line again to get a neat continuous line. It’s not really a big deal considering the price and the fact that the colour is gorgeous. It’s long lasting but it doesn’t set so it will smudge if you rub it but won’t fade throughout the day. It claims to be waterproof, I haven’t really tested that but I can say it doesn’t move when I splash water on my face before applying cleanser. I really like this eyeliner, it may not be the best pencil liner I have ever tried but I would say it stands up to some liners three times the price; it’s definitely the best under a fiver liner I have tried. I am really enjoying using it and I am sure it will be one of the few liners that I use and sharpen so much that it gets worn down to a nub. So here are the pictures:

Other products:
Kiko Long Lasting Shadow Stick in Light Taupe as a base
MAC Satin Taupe Eye Shadow lid and crease
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

Have you tried anything from Kiko yet?

KIKO SPORTPROOF EYELINER IN 03 METALLIC TAUPE: REVIEW AND PICTURES

You are probably thinking you don’t need a sport proof eyeliner because you are either not interested in participating in sports or physical activity, or if you are into working out then you probably don’t like getting sweaty with a full face of makeup on. I do work out four to five times a week and I never wear eyeliner when doing so. You are probably wondering why I bought this then. Well my thinking is that if it stays intact through a sweaty workout then it stands to reason that it will stay intact through the following, which are all very likely in the coming weeks as the seasons change: clammy humid weather, getting caught in a downpour, getting emotional at a friend’s wedding, eyes watering because its breezy out etc., you get where I’m going. Also I am going on a sun holiday soon. (I’m not gloating, ok maybe I am.)

Kiko Sportproof Eyeliner in 03 Metallic Taupe for starters it’s only €4.80. Its soft and creamy, it glides on easily without any dragging. It says it is an “outer eye pencil” but I put it on the tight line and waterline. One very noticeable difference with this and other eyeliners is that usually when I line my waterline my eyes tend to water a bit and other pencils won’t work when they get wet so I have to dry the liner on some tissue before I can continue. The Kiko Sportproof Eyeliner continues to work lining my waterline even when my eyes start to water. I have been using this almost exclusively since I got it. It’s quick and easy to apply and it lasts all day. It doesn’t smudge or flake and I love the shade; it works well for both day and night.

So does it stand up to a sweaty, hilly run, here are the pictures:

Just after application at 8:30 a.m.

After work at 6:00 p.m. just before going for a run. It has faded a bit in the corner of my waterline.

After my run it looks much the same as before, a bit more is gone from the corner of my waterline. If you remember it’s not actually meant for the waterline. The main thing is that it’s not streaming down my face; in fact there is no smudging at all.
I am well impressed with this liner and I already want two of the other colours when I am getting a few more products from Kiko. You may remember I also really liked the Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows and I want another one or two (or three or four) of those.

3 KIKO LONG LASTING STICK EYESHADOWS: REVIEW AND PICTURES

So there I was minding my own business, just reading this post on Lovely Girlie Bits when next thing you know I had clicked on the link at the bottom of the post and just as suddenly I had ordered 5 products. It was like I was brain washed. Today I am showing you the three Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadows. Truth be told, I had about six of them picked out but then I whittled it down to three to see how I got on with them before getting more. The three I finally settled on are 05 Rosy Brown, 07 Golden Beige, and 25 Light Taupe. I decided to go with shades that would be more appropriate for day time since any shadow will last for a night out with a bit of primer, I wanted some eye shadows that will last all day without having to do too much thinking or prep work in the mornings.

(L-R Rosy Brown, Light Taupe, Golden Beige)

Makeup in pencil form really appeals to my inner child. I can scribble on my face and not only do I not get in any trouble for it, but I also end up looking better. The formula of these is lovely and creamy, they are smudge-able and blend-able but once they set they don’t budge. I have very oily lids and these last all day with just a tiny bit of creasing in the very middle of my crease, so you can only see it when my eyes are closed. I have started applying a thin layer of the nude colour in my Pari Elements Mineral Eyeshadow Palette on before using these sticks and that stops any creasing. I like to apply a thick layer all over my lid and into the crease and then pat it with my finger and then apply another thin layer on my lid. They are quick and simple to use and you don’t need any brushes which means less brush washing.
So here they are in action:

Light Taupe is a perfect daytime shadow. It gives you that polished no make up look and conceals any redness, or blueness on the lid.

Golden Beige is a beautifully shimmery shadow that really brightens up the eyes, perfect for the day after the night before. I have also been using it as an inner corner highlight when I wear different eye shadows and I like to use it under eyeliner on the lower lash line.

Rosy Brown is the perfect shadow for going from day to night. It’s not too dark for day time but it is a lovely shade so it’s great for a night out as well. It is my favourite of the three.
Have you tried any of the Long Lasting Eyeshadow Sticks from Kiko? Are there any other colours you would recommend?