Contouring "Changing the FACE of Makeup"

When it comes to highlighting and contouring, there's a fine (bronzer-caked) line between enhancing your best features and painting on an entirely new face. Here's how to bring out your cheekbones, slim your nose, and sculpt your face subtly.

Makeup Tools needed :

Autumn / Winter 2013 Makeup Trends

These are the latest makeup trends to hit the runway and it just takes a whole lot of motivation, will and some precision to replicate them in the comfort of your own home.

Smokey eyes trend is always the winner and the grungy, punk look sported on the catwalks season after season is always IN. This makeup trend is most suitable at night and I recommend for it to be paired up with nude or light non visible lipstick to avoid looking overly done. One of my favourites for sure.

This look requires the use of the eyeliner with some major precision. Liquid or kohl eyeliners do wonders when it comes to this style. Personally, I prefer both, however the liquid eyeliner, if the hands are steady gives a more thinner, defined polished lines, while kohl eyeliners are great for smudging the colour in and more of a messy, cool look.

Earthy tones seem to be in fashion this season as they provide anyone with a natural low maintenance 'just go to shops' day looks. The brows are natural looking, and the eye makeup is non existent. The emphasis here is on the perfect skin. Concealer is strongly recommended here as it can highlight and emphasise the features and cover and even out any blemishes.

Think of Christina Ricci in the Addams Family movie. The emphasis here is on the perfect skin, serious blank stare, non existent or barely there eye makeup and dark hair.

Eyebrows can frame the face and bring out its' features. The emphasis this season is on natural looking, fuller eyebrows. If you have by any chance over-plucked your eyebrows over the years, or perhaps you were never born with naturally thicker pair, you can always fake it by filling your eyebrows in with pencils, painting them black or just letting them grow for a while. For a more instant look, and personal preference, eyebrow pencil is a must.

Eye Makeup

Smokey Eyes

Smokey eyes can make you look glamorous and mysterious. This look can often be seen on celebrities and models all around the world. If you want to go for this classic look, here are the steps on how to do smoky eyes.

Here you will find a perfect tutorial on how to do a smokey eye makeup:


1. Apply primer or eye shadow base on your eyelids and let it dry. By applying a primer, you can keep your eyelids free from oil, which can dissolve your eye shadow after several hours. For best results, try Urban Decay Eye shadow Primer Potion, Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials, or Too Faced Shadow Insurance, which are considered the top 3 eye shadow primers in the market today.

2. Apply eyeliner. For the best smoky effect, apply gray, black, or brown eyeliner on your upper lash. Remember to apply a thicker coat on the middle part of the last. If you want unconventional smoky eyes, use deep green, purple, or blue eyeliner.Try any of the renowned pencil eyeliner brands, such as MAC, Chanel or Laura Mercier.

3 .Apply eyeliner on your bottom lashes. Once you have applied this makeup, smudge it with your finger. Smudge some eye shadow on the bottom lashes to get the perfect smoky eye effect.

4. Apply a light-colored eye shadow on your eyelids, spanning across the brow bone. Contrasting the eye shadow colors will give your eyes a great smoked appearance.

5. Apply dark-colored eye shadow on just the lower part of your lids. With your eye shadow brush, apply color on your lash line, working your way up. Apply the color in such a way that the eyeliner color blends in your eyelids. Avoid applying the dark-colored eye shadow on the lower lid crease. If you have blue eyes, opt for dark blue, purple, or grey shades. Purple, green and dark khaki work well for hazel eyes. Brown, copper, coffee and grey are the best shades for women with brown eyes.
6.Check your eyes in the mirror. Make adjustments with a cotton bud as needed.

7. Apply a few coats of mascara on your eyelashes after curling them up. Spread the mascara in such a way that your lashes look dark and thick. Complete your look with Dior Diorshow Mascara or the Chanel Inimitable Mascara. For a cheaper alternative, try Lancôme’s Naturally Glossy mascara.


See, achieving smokey eyes is very easy. If you want to look glamorous with your smokey eyes for any occasion, make sure to follow these steps religiously.