THE JACKET:
Othermix: Sharp Shoulder Striped Jacket

Whenever I decide to wear a bright bold red lipstick, I tend to keep the rest of my make up very nude and subtle. But this jacket screams attitude and inspired me to go with a more “femme fatale” look.

I didn’t want to go too dark on the eyes, so instead I went for some sharp lines that would define and open up the eyes. I used soft medium browns to blend around the eye and add some depth. Since the jacket has a sharp shoulder design, I wanted a subtle wing eyeliner to complement. I used just enough bronzer to contour my cheekbones, and then a soft pink blush on the cheeks themselves. Using multiple shades (such as a bronzer and a blush, or multiple blush colors) gives you more dimensions as well as a natural glow.

Because the focus of this look for me was about the eyes and lips, I used my favorite red shade: Dominique from Stila. I’ve had a lot of people stop and ask me for the details on this color- now you know! Even with a red shade, I like to use a lip liner that matches closely with my natural lip color. It makes it easier for me to line the lips, and it is more comfortable. I feel it is more forgiving, and it provides a good foundation for the color. You can of course use a color to go along with your lipstick, this is just what I prefer to do.

When it comes to the eyes, I like to use a cream eye liner with a brush. I find that the cream is smooth to apply and the brush gives me more control and accuracy. It is also more forgiving if mistakes are made. If you do make a mistake, let it set and then either use a q-tip with some make-up remover or face moisturizer, and erase your mistakes. A make up artist recently taught me another trick – you can use your brow brush to brush off the mascara or eyeliner spot once it dries – it flakes right off.

THE MAKEUP:

Concealer: Calvin Klein Endless Creme Concealer
Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eyeliner
Eyeshadow: KATE Brown Collection Eye Shadow and Brow
Bronzer, Lipstick, & Lip liner: Stila (lipstick color: Dominique)

TIP: Remember concealer is just for concealing little spots and dark circles. You want to make the concealer blend in with your skin and only on those necessary spots – not your entire face. Let your skin breathe and be beautiful on its own, concealer is just a helpful assistant to your keep your skin looking and feeling natural.

I like to begin with a nice oil free, alcohol free, face moisturizer. From there I move on to concealer under the eyes and in any other little areas that need a touch up. I then brush my brows and depending on the look will fill them in for more definition. Because of my bangs, I tend to just brush them and keep it pretty simple since they will be hidden anyway. If your eyebrows are visible, you will want to make sure they are groomed. Your eyebrows can completely change your look.

Now that the face is set, we are on to the look. I like to do my cheeks next.

APPLICATION TIPS: To contour the cheekbones, take your brush from your ear and move towards the lips but stop before you get there (about an inch or so before). This gives an illusion of more depth and makes your cheekbones look more prominent. Add some blush on the cheeks and you are ready for the next step.

*If you tend to be messy with your eyeshadow, you can wait and do your cheeks after. To avoid excess eyeshadow, tap the brush after you’ve picked up your eyeshadow, then apply for a more flawless look.

For this look, I like to begin with a soft skin tone (or slightly lighter than my skin tone) shade to cover the eye and use as my base. Then I use a dark brown on the corner of my eyes. I make a small triangle where my eyeliner will be, and blend it forward until it fades in the front. I want the shadow to be darkest on the ends and lightest in the front. On the bottom lash line, I add a line of dark shadow about halfway or two thirds of the way. Next, I blend in a medium brown, still keeping it darkest at the corner, and working it into my crease. I blend the two together until I get the depth and definition I am looking for. I try to keep the medium brown shade in line with the line of my eyebrow – not touching it but following my eye’s natural shape. If needed, I’ll add a light shade on the center of my eye lid and at the top just beneath my brow for some highlights. Adding definition to the crease will assist in the look standing out as well.

Once the blend is where I want it, I add the eyeliner. I make a long smooth stroke from the inside corner of my eye, and work my way out just past the other corner of my eye. This is the “wing”. I connect the wing with the bottom lash line, and come about a third of the way in.

For a more dramatic and eye opening look, I add white eyeliner to my tear duct. Next you curl your lashes and add mascara. I like to curl my eyelashes at three places – at the base, in the middle, and at the ends. Then I apply my mascara by starting at the base, and moving the brush from side to side as I slowly move up to the ends of the lash. I feel it gives more volume and lengthens the look of your lashes.

Line your lips to create the perfect shape – either making them sharp or more voluminous, and finally adding the color!