WAYNE GOSS - A NEW WAY TO APPLY MASCARA

Here is another video and tutorial from my "fave" make-up artist Wayne Goss. 

This time he is showing us a great tip on how to apply mascara and create curl on the lashes that lasts.

 I haven't tried this myself yet, but I haven't been let down by any of his other great tips 

so far to date...so Enjoy!

STILA SMUDGE STICK WATERPROOF EYE LINER {REVIEW}

As a more mature Blogger I have been contemplating for some time now about changing from a black eye pencil to a softer and more flattering brown one. The reason I had not made this leap was pure and utter laziness, as I couldn't be bother to troll the cosmetic counters looking for a suitable shade and one that has the correct softness and feel, which to me is important as excessive dragging around this delicate area at my age is not advisable....At the recent Durban Bloggers meet I must have had a "Make-up Fairy" watching over me, as in the depths of my humongous goodie bag I found a Stila Smudge Stick and yes you've guessed it...in lionfish, a deep bronze sheen colour.

R225 1gr.

Lionfish

After more years than I care to remember of using various shades of black, this move to brown really was a landmark moment. Thankfully Stila made this transition for me very easy, as the shade is perfect and the fact it's a Smudge stick gives me the options of using as a eye liner or smudging with my finger to create a smudged eyeshadow effect.

The eye liner glides on smoothly {thanks to the moisturizing ingredients including Vitamin E} and doesn't drag the skin. Despite this eye liner being waterproof it does stay put, yet I found it relatively easy to remove with my regular eye make-up remover. Within the Stila range there are over 30 colour shades available,but there are only 11 shades available to us here in South Africa...

I may just pop along to take a look at what is available, as I feel a purchase of a black may also be on the cards...

what do they say about "old habits" etc?

To order online:

Woolworths

Truworths

Available from selected Woolworths and Truworths around the country.

YVES ROCHER EXPRESS EYE MAKE UP REMOVER {REVIEW}

This past year I have tried a couple of the French brand Yves Rocher skincare products and have been suitably impressed, especially on the price point.

One such "value for money" items is the The Express Eye Makeup Remover, which retails for R85 for 125mls. 

This is a bi-phase eye makeup remover, so expect to see the two phases separated out and remember to always shake well before use,otherwise the product will be imbalanced and not be as effective. The one ingredient is the Organic Cornflower Water which is renowned for being gentle on the skin round the eye and having soothing properties and both are often 

found in many eye products. 

What is great about this product is that it is Paraben free as well as being specially formulated for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

This product is easy to use, just apply onto a cotton wool pad and wipe over the eye area, flip over the pad and a re wipe is sufficient to effectively remove all my eye makeup without too much effort.My eye area was left feeling refreshed, there was no stinging and no real fragrance to mention with this product.

(I must make mention though that I do not have a sensitive eye area)

Would I buy again?

Definitely......and I would highly recommend to those that do have sensitive eyes.

Bi Phase product

Important to mix the product

Yves Rocher available at selected Woolworths

Velvety Cleansing Milk Review

Perfecting Toning Review

WAYNE GOSS - SIMPLE EYESHADOW TUTORIAL

This is a simple, easy to follow Eyeshadow Tutorial, that anyone can do,

from my "fave" make up artist Wayne Goss.

I really enjoy that he uses himself to demonstrate the techniques, but I think an eyebrow tweeze is in order.

Enjoy!

KNOW YOUR EYE SHAPE

Here is the 2nd tutorial by make-up artist Wayne Goss and he is focusing on knowing your eye shape.

I like his easy and comfortable manner.

I hope you enjoy!

Source

EYEBROW SHAPING TIPS

Wayne Goss is a UK make-up artist and he has made some really easy, to understand make up tutorials. I will be posting some of his videos over the nest few weeks, so lets start with the eyes.

If you have ever wondered how to achieve the best brow shape, then check out his video below.

Source

CLARINS INSTANT LIGHT EYE PERFECTING BASE {REVIEW}

After receiving the Clarins Instant Light Eye Perfecting Base recently, I really wasn't expecting to write a glowing report about it..in fact I thought "how effective can this product be and is it a necessary item?" I am sure you can sense, that I was more than a little sceptical about this add on product....

I have always taken a light covering of my base over my eyelids and around the eye area, prior to the application of my eye make-up and this has always served me well...that was until I tried this eye base. Never really experiencing any problems with my powder eye shadows, either creasing or fading away, I thought I would do that "good old" reliable test of making up the one eye in the usual way, and the other eye using the Clarins Instant Light Eye Perfecting Base.
The product is dispensed from the pen, onto the brush with an easy twist of the base, then you apply a small amount onto the eyelids right up to the eyebrows. I found this easier to do with my fingertips and then I carried on applying my usual eye make-up.

Without reading any product info, I decided to make some notes throughout the day and this is what I jotted down:

This is what Clarins say the beauty benefits are:

The invisible and lightweight texture gently evens and smoothes the eyelids, for easy make-up application and more youthful-looking eyes. Eye shadow colour is more beautiful, more intense and very long-lasting. For a flawless, long-wearing make-up result. Contains 3D pigments to promote a luminous, yet natural-looking veil on the eyelids.

As you can see, I agree completely with their claims that are underlined! When applied to the back of the hand you can see the light effect, but I didn't really notice the difference when on the eye, however I am sure it would be far more visible if you used alone "sans maquillage".

If you experience problems with eye make-up fading, creasing or generally not staying put, then this product is a must. I was under the belief that my eye colour was good for most of the day, but after using the Clarins Instant Light Eye Perfecting Base it made me realize, it wasn't, and unbeknownst to me it does fade and "move"...

Perfecting eye base can be used with or without make-up. It can also be used to enhance eye shadow but also as a highlighter. Its available in two shades 01 & 02 (I used 01) and as an added bonus - Instant Light Eye Perfecting Base is also a protective skin care thanks to Clarins Anti-Pollution Complex which protects the skin against free radicals and harmful environmental aggressions.

Size: 2ml

Price:R295

Available at all Clarins stockists nationwide or Follow this link to order online


To view other Clarins product reviews:
Click here
Click here

EYE CREAMS {BACK2BASICS}

Today in my series of Back2Basics posts, I would like to cover the topic of Eye Creams.

There are hundreds of eye creams, gels and serums out in the market place to choose from, but why are there so many, and are they really necessary?

Where do we look when we talk to someone....we look to their eyes, but did you know that?

The skin around the eye area is more delicate, it can be four to ten times finer than the skin on the rest of the face. You only need to compare it to the skin on the neck, to realise that you cannot treat these two areas in the same way.

As we age, the loss of collagen and elastin further adds to this problem.

The skin around the eye is constantly being stretched and moved with laughing, blinking, squinting and straining and add to that, some rubbing, a poor diet and a few sleepless nights over a lifetime, and its no wonder that the eye area soon develops dark circles, puffiness, expression and fine lines, crows feet and wrinkles!

Oh! and that's not all, there are also fewer sebaceous glands around the eye, therefore making them more prone to dryness and this only accelerates the formation of lines and wrinkles.

It maybe tempting to take your face cream and just use it, around the eyes...

But, DON'T.. as this will only lead to puffiness and possible allergies. Face creams have a different molecular structure to those of eye creams and most eye products are opthalmologically tested and are tested as "safe" to use around the eyes.

The eye area is THE number one concern, of most women, when you consult with them...in fact, skin care "savvy" males, also reveal the same concern. Hence we have a huge assortment of products to meet this demand.You can purchase products, that will help to reduce the puffiness and dark circles, soften the fine lines, plump and smooth the wrinkles, soothe, refresh, lift, firm and illuminate the eye area, all in the pursuit of keeping those eyes as youthful as possible.

So, eye products are "big" beauty business worldwide!

Do I believe that they really work? Yes I do and I am very thankful today, that I have used eye treatments daily, since being my twenties.

I always advise men & women to start using in their 20's, a light eye product daily and eye gels are a great product to start with , as they generally help to revive those tired eyes, lessen the dark circles and treat the onset of any fine lines.

As you progress through the decades, 30's, 40's, 50's etc. you will need to step up the intensity and frequency of treatments used. Seeking advice on more specialised anti-ageing creams,ampules and serums is highly advised. Everyone's needs and expectations from an eye treatment are different, so either consult with your beauty/salon therapist or visit the cosmetic consultants in store.

Here are some "eye product" guidelines:

• Only use specifically formulated eye products around the eye area and this includes cleansers.
• Remove creams from jars with a spatula and not your finger.
• Apply the product around the orbital bone area, gently patting with ring finger.
• Do not think that applying more,means it works better,so don't overload.
• Make it part of your daily beauty regime, as the use of eye products is "on going".
• You may need to change your eye products seasonally and most definitely as you mature.
• All good houses will have samples for you to "try before you buy", so be sure to ask.
• If you experience any uncomfortable sensation on the skin after use, then cease using immediately.
• Always buy the best products that your budget will allow, don't economise where the eyes are concerned and this includes eye shadows, mascara's etc.
• Eye products are unisex.

They say that 

 "The eyes are the windows to the soul"

 but please, 

let's not have those windows, framed with

 ageing deep lines and wrinkles...

To view other Back2Basics posts click here

OH NO! REMOVING EYE MAKE UP WITH BABY PRODUCTS

Please... make sure you remove your eye make up correctly..The skin around the eye area is much thinner and more delicate, so therefore must be treated with specialised eye products. I am horrified to see how many women use a baby product  to remove the eye make up with....

Oh! My Goodness this is in my opinion a definite "No No".

The molecular structure of specific products designed to be used around the eye is much finer than products formulated to be used on the face or baby.There is such a vast array of eye make up removers out there to suit every type of eye make up worn and to suit every ones budget, so there really is no excuse. 

Eye Make-up Removers come in several formats either gel,cream or lotion and should always be Opthalmologically tested. Also the majority are now suitable for the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. 

• When applying any remover to the eye area remember to leave the cotton wool on the eye lid for a few seconds in order to dissolve the eye shadow,eye pencil or mascara, which will enable easier "one wipe" removal.
• No matter how late it gets at night you must never sleep with make up on.
• Harsh rubbing to remove eye make up should be avoided at all costs.
• Washing the eye area with soap and water is also a big NO NO!

One last word of advice....keep the baby products for Baba!