Wednesday 17 October 2012

Q&A: Eyelash Troubles

I recently got this question from a reader...
"I've got mascara troubles. My eyelids are monolids so my eyelashes slant down. Even when I curl them, by the end of the day they droop into my eyes/glasses. Also, do you have any makeup recommendations for everyone who wears glasses?"

Yes I do!
First lets address the eyelash issue.
1. Make sure you have clean dry eyelashes. If you have traces of moisturizer or cleanser on them it will make it more difficult for the mascara to stick.
2. Use a metal eyelash curler and use either hot water or a blowdryer to slightly heat it. Check that it's not too hot and begin to curl your lashes starting at the base and working your way to the ends.
3. Try using a sturdy mascara formula, not one that is too slick or that adds additional fibers to the lashes. This will only cause your eyelashes to get heavy with product and fall more quickly. I recommend bareMinerals Flawless Definition Waterproof Mascara, or Kiss Me Mascara (my personal favourite).
4. Never curl you eyelashes after applying mascara, you will break your lashes.

Tip: On days that I don't want to wear mascara or need to refresh the curl I use aloe vera gel and an empty eyebrow brush like a clear mascara.

Makeup: When it comes to wearing glasses it can be hard to find makeup looks that will show through your lenses, without overpowering your features. I recommend focusing on adding dimension to your eyes to make them stand out through your glasses.
Focus on adding deeper colours to the lash line, eyeliner is a great asset! Glasses can often cause shadows under your eyes, to counter this, don't apply eyeliner past the mid-way point of your pupil on your bottom lash line to 'lift' the corners of the eyes instead of dragging them down. Use a subtle highligher on your inner corners, the centre of your eyelid, and and your brow bone- this will also help to counter the dark circles. Use a middle toned eyeshadow across your lid, preferably one with a bit of shimmer. And of course, finish by curling your lashes and adding mascara.

A video tutorial will follow soon!

If you have a question you would like me to feature, comment below or email me at droppingthemask@gmail.com

Monday 1 October 2012

Review: Lavera- Tinted Moisturizing Cream


When I bought Lavera's Tinted Moisturizer I was hoping for an alternative to powder for days when I just wanted to even out my skin tone. I have had a good experience with Lavera products in the past so I thought I would give it a try. 

The Verdict:

Not bad, but not fantastic either.
It has a nice consistency and applies well. The colour was a pretty good match for me, and it seemed to blend well for a natural look. However I found that even after a few minutes of wear the product would begin to feel as though it was sitting on top of my skin. The best way I can describe it is that after about 15min of wear it felt as though it was sliding down my face... not what you want if your makeup has to last all day. It took a bit of experimenting but I eventually found that if I set the product with a translucent powder in the T-zone it will keep the product in place and last quite well. 

Would I buy this product again? Probably not, I'll continue to use it- especially heading into the dryer winter months, but I'll try something new once it's done.