Hey guys! Happy Fridayyy! Today we are talking BEAUTY - specifically a product close to my heart - the eyeliner pen. Last week I attended an event for L'Oréal's new beauty app - Makeup Genius (available in October) - and found myself in possession of seriously good goody bag. I recently ran out of my favourite Smashbox eyeliner pen (sob!) and so was thanking fate that L'Oréal's Super Liner Perfect Slim made its way into my life. In quick summary: it is awesome.
Products I used for this look:
- L'Oréal Super Liner Perfect Slim
- L'Oréal Volume Lashes So Couture Mascara
- Dr. Haushcka Summer Impressions Palette 02 Warm Breeze
Nothing opens up the eye area like a great cats eyes flick - it is my favourite look from morning through to evening and is a brilliant trick if you are going to have photos taken for making you look more awake. Below you can see my eye makeup through 3 stages:
Stage 1: Flick of mascara on my top lashes.
Stage 2: Eyeliner on top lid.
Stage 3: Fully made up eyes with liner, shadow along the lash line and mascara top and bottom.
Read on for my tips on how to apply the perfect eyeliner pen . . .
As I am right handed, I like to draw my eyeliner from right to left on both eyes. This means that I will start from the outer corner on my right eye, and the inner corner on my left. I know some people prefer to start from the outer/inner corners on both eyes, but personally I find it easier to follow my natural handwriting line.
In terms of shape, I draw an outline of a fine crescent over my eye, gradually getting thicker as I reach the outer corner and extend it into a curved flick. I then fill in any gaps painting small strokes with the pen. The beauty of an eyeliner pen, as opposed to a brush, is that is is exactly like using a normal pen - you have complete control over your movements.
If you do find yourself going a little wrong, don't panic! Instead of wiping off all of your eyeliner, take a cotton bud and put a little eye makeup remover on it - don't soak it as it will likely make your eyeliner run. With a half dry bud follow remove any mistakes. Then allow to dry for a couple of seconds and touch up the line with your eyeliner pen.
Similarly to eyebrows - it is unlikely you will have exactly the same shape eye for both left and right. I read some advice from makeup guru/ all round life crush Lisa Eldridge which said that you should treat your eyebrows like sisters not twins. Taking this on board for eye shapes too, I know that my eyes are different, one is slightly more 'open' naturally than the other - and so I accommodate for this when applying my eyeliner. For the one which is slightly smaller I draw a thicker line. This helps them look more uniform.
You can see the process step by step below:
A lot of the time I wear eyeliner on my top lid with a little mascara - and that'll be me done for the day. It is enough to make the eye area pop, but subtle enough to look natural and allow for a bright lip should you chose to add this also.
For the evening however, I like something more dramatic. I add shadow to my bottom lash line, and more mascara on both my top and bottom lashes. If I am wearing this heavy of an eye look, I like to keep my lips more natural. I've been experimenting with the orangey tones of this Dr. Hauschka makeup palette.
Side note: I have a collection of kimonos which I like to wear when getting ready. You can wear them over your clothes to protect them, or before getting dressed to keep you warm. This pink one was a gift from a friend, but I am in LOVE with this printed kimono from John Lewis. Victoria's Secret have beautiful options too.
Are you guys eyeliner pen fans? Do you have any tips on how to apply it perfectly?! I am always exchanging tricks with my girlfriends - I would love to know yours!
This evening I am seeing the new Inbetweeners 2 movie - excited!! Then I am planning on spending a LOT of time in bed - snoozing, coffee-ing, reading magazines - and catching up with some friends.
I hope you guys have fun plans too! Have a great day and start to your weekends all!
Love,
MB x
