“Make Your Peepers POP!”

There are lots of ways to make “the windows to your soul” stand out more—eyeliner, false lashes, funky eyeglasses, etc. But, one of the best ways is to use an eyeshadow in a complementary color to the natural color of your eyes. So, what does that mean? See my quick guide to choosing the ideal color here:

IF YOU HAVE BLUE EYES…
…then 1) you’re lucky :) and 2) it’s time to warm up those pretty peepers with coppers, oranges, and browns. On the color wheel (see below), blue is directly across from orange—which means colors in the orange family make blue eyes seem brighter and more radiant. MAC Cosmetics carries some shimmery, coppery shadows that are fabulous and FUN—check 'em out!

IF YOU HAVE GREEN EYES…
…then purple is your friend. Make your eyes look regal and glamorous with deeper violets—or light and ethereal with lavenders. My favorite brand for purple shadows is the not-yet-mainstream INGLOT Cosmetics (the palettes I have from them are decadent and drool-worthy, with bold, blendable colors that go on like BUTTAH!).

AND IF YOU HAVE BROWN EYES (like moi!)…
…then you can really have fun playing! Since your eyes are naturally “neutral,” you can be more adventurous with colors. If your eyes are dark brown, try rich jewel tones like teal or sapphire (I love Make Up For Ever’s Peacock Green 80 and bareESCENTUALS Ready eyeshadow in Water). If your eyes are lighter brown, purples are good to explore (try Stila’s eyeshadow trio in Venus). Shimmery greys with purple undertones (like Minx by Smashbox) work nicely when creating a smoky look.

The most important thing to remember is to HAVE FUN experimenting with eyeshadow colors—I promise that choosing the right complement will result in many compliments. ;)

HAPPY NEW YEAR, DKBEAUTIES!!! 2012 will bring many exciting things, so stay tuned! Let’s make it a GORGEOUS year, my loves!!! 

xo,
D

Image from http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/images/color-wheel-300.gif

“Go Ahead…Wing It!”

There’s no better way to get peep-show worthy peepers ;) than to do a winged eyeline (also known as a “cat eye”). You can never go wrong with black, but rich, sultry jewel tones like eggplant and teal can add a vibrant splash of color to this sexy look.

To do this, place your elbow on a hard surface and pull your eyelid taut with one hand. With the other hand, start to draw a line along your top lashline, working from the inner corner of your eye outwards. Keep the line as thin and as even as possible at first. Go over the line again, but now, as you move towards the outer corner of your eye, gradually start to thicken the line and create an upward curve. You can go out a little past where your lashline naturally ends, but be careful not to overdo it (unless you’re going for a dramatic, Cleopatra-esque look!). The most important thing to remember is to take it slow…and build, build, build! It’s much easier to add to the line to get the desired effect than to take away. ;)

It definitely takes some practice to nail this, but there are certain tools that you can start with to help you learn (think chopsticks connected with a rubber band or a bike with training wheels). See my tips below and I promise that, in no time, you’ll be an expert at winging it!

Beginner-level DKBeauties
Use a liquid liner that comes in pen or marker form. My favorites are Loreal Voluminous Mistake-Proof Marker (for black and brown) and Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (for fun colors). Because these are in marker form, they help your hand stay steady and make it easier to draw a straight line. One thing to be wary of though: you may go a little too thick at first with these. But hey, that’s what makeup remover is for, so be fearless!

Intermediate-level DKBeauties
Feel free venture to a liquid liner that comes in a small pot or tube (where the “wand”/dip-stick applicator screws in, much like a tube of mascara). My go-to, as I’ve mentioned before, is Loreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Eyeliner, but MAC makes some good options as well (Superslick Liquid Eye Liner comes in a wide variety of whimsical colors). These applicators are a little less sturdy, but allow for a nice fluidity when drawing the eyeline. Before you know it, you’ll be a smoooooth operator. ;)

Advanced-level DKBeauties
Get your gel on. ;) Gel liner usually comes in a pot and you need your own, separate brush to apply the product (I recommend the combo of MAC’s Fluidline formula and #210 Precise Eye Liner Brush). I love gel liner because it has a sleek appearance, lasts all day without smudging, and really allows you to achieve a sharp, precise line. Be careful not to put too much product on the brush, though, because it can lead to clumping. A little goes a long way.

That’s a wrap for today, my loves! Enjoy the weekend!

Always,
D

"A Birthday Beauty Wish Granted"

On today, my 30th birthday, I can finally say—"I'm a believer!" In what, you ask? In Bare Escentuals...

You see, for years, people had been swearing by their products, confessing their love for them to me on countless occasions, but I just couldn't see what all the hype was about! I mean, who wants to make a total mess of their bathroom counter with all that loose powder every day when putting on makeup?!

Cue the Bare Escentuals bareMinerals READY eye shadows. And needless to say, I was imPRESSED. ;)

This brand spankin' new line of pressed powder eye shadows is available in amazing colors that go on like velvet, blend perfectly, and last ALL DAY! To try them out, I ordered The Elements 4.0 palette (earthy tones plus an INCREDIBLE teal color that makes brown eyes POP—see pic below) and I already can't wait to get the full line!

So, if you're looking to get me (haha, just kidding) or YOURSELF a great gift, look no further! And to Bare Escentuals...THANK YOU for putting a fabulous product out there that doesn't require a clean-up process afterwards. ;)

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend, DKBeauties!

xo always,
D

“30 Faves Under 30 Bucks”

TGIF, DKBeauties! In just a week from today, I will be saying goodbye to my 20’s and entering what I’m sure will be an amazing decade of life. :) In honor of this exciting event, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite 30 beauty products (each under $30!). Happy reading! (And let me know what YOUR faves are in the comment section!)

FACE
30. MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage ($28)
29. Benefit “That Gal” Brightening Face Primer ($29)
28. Stila Illuminating Powder Foundation ($28)
27. CARGO Bronzer ($29)
26. Smashbox Blush Rush ($24)—I’m obsessed with “Heartbreak”
25. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish ($29)—This is what I gave away to the 1st “Loot for ‘LIKES’” winner ;)
24. MAC Fix + ($10)—This vitamin and mineral spray sets your whole look (and is super affordable!)

EYES
23. MAC Paints ($17.50)—I use the color “Bare Canvas” as my base
22. Clinique Lid Smoothie ($19.50)—Layer this cream shadow under powder shadow for added “oomph” and staying power
21. Smashbox Eye Shadow ($16)—Positively addicted to “Minx”; creates a sultry look on brown eyes
20. MAC Eye Shadow ($15)—My must-have colors are “Shroom” for highlighting, “Expensive Pink” for lids, and “Print” for a smoky crease
19. Loreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in “Carbon Black” (~$10)
18. Loreal Le Kohl Pencil Eyeliner in “Onyx” (~$10)
17. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ($18)—“Lapdance” and “Skater” add a fabulous pop of color to eyes; this liquid liner pen is also super easy to use
16. Benefit Eye Bright ($20)
15. Make Up For Ever Eyelashes Strip ($15)
14. MAC False Lashes Mascara ($19)—Great new product in sexy packaging (I’m a sucker for curves) ;)
13. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in “Blackest Black” (~$7)
12. Anastasia Clear Brow Gel ($21)
11. ***Brush Fave***: MAC Pencil Brush #219 ($24.50)

LIPS
10. MAC Lip Pencil ($14)—“Whirl” and “Half-Red” are beautiful
9. Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss ($18)—Shimmery and NOT sticky (hooray!)
8. Stila Lip Glaze ($22)
7. Benefit Full-Finish Lipstick ($18)—Fell for this product when I got it as a freebie from Sephora
6. Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint ($24)
5. CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain (~$8)
4. Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($18)—Go with “Barcelona” for a HOT red lip!
3. Vitamin Schtick Lip Balm with SPF (~$9)
2. Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm (~$3)

1. A big, bright, beautiful smile :D (FREE!)

xoxo always,
Diana

“Go, Go Gadget Lashes!”

Looking for a way to quickly add a little “flash” to your makeup look? Then pick up a pair of flashy falsies! My go-to brand for fake lashes is Make Up For Ever (they have a lot of fun and funky ones), but if you want to practice applying them first without breaking the bank, the drug-store beauty brand, Ardell, does the trick!

On myself, I like to get dramatic (the longer the lashes, the better—see pic below!). But, just adding a few individual lashes or a half strip (MAC makes a GREAT one) on the outer edges of your top lashline create a captivating winged effect—and make your peepers look big, bold, and beautiful!

Here’s my simple “how to apply” guide for false lashes (full or half strip)—this should be done after you’ve completed your eyeshadow and eyeliner:

1 – Take a deeeeep breath…it’s not as scary as you think :)
2 – Open the packaging for the lashes and use this as your “tray” for the eyelash glue/adhesive (I prefer DUO brand, which you can find in most drug stores—and fear not, soap and warm water takes it off!); squirt out about a pea-sized amount
3 – Take a Q-tip and split it in half; put it aside
4 – Using a tweezer, lift the first strip out of the packaging (place the tweezers on the outer edge of the strip); then, take one half of the broken Q-tip and use the cardboard tip (not the cottony part) to dip into the lash glue; brush the glue all along the bottom edge of the strip, covering it completely
5 – Where you’re holding the lashes with the tweezer, place that corner of the strip on the outermost part of your upper lashline and hold; take the other half of the Q-tip and, with the cardboard tip again, hold down the other end of the strip towards the inner part of your upper lashline (please note that you may have to finagle a bit here to get the placement just right—unfortunately, this is not a perfect science!); hold like that for about 30 seconds, then release the tweezers and the Q-tip
6 – Repeat steps 4 and 5 on the other eye
7 – Once the glue has completely dried (you’ll know because it will turn clear from the milky white color it starts out as), apply your mascara, using the wand to carefully blend your natural lashes in with the fake ones
8 – Bat those sexy lids, you gorgeous DKBeauty you!!!

So, grab a pair this weekend and play! Would love to hear how it works out for you—feel free to post questions here or send through photos of your successful applications to dkbmakeup@gmail.com!

Enjoy the weekend—and stay tuned for more exciting news soon!

Always,
Diana

"5-Minute Fix"

Gals often ask me, "What can I do makeup-wise with only 5 minutes in the morning?" This is the story of my life, ladies! As much as I LOOOVE to put a full, fabulous face of makeup on, I too value my beauty rest Monday through Friday. ;) So, I've got the 5-minute bright-eyed, bushy-tailed (NOT bushy-browed...haha!) work week look down to a science...

First, tame brows with some clear eyebrow gel (I use Anastasia brand, you can find it at any Sephora). Then, I apply a little pale pink concealer in the inner corners of my eyes and smudge it out (try Benefit Eye Bright pencil—I swear by it!). Next, I quickly line the bottom waterline of each eye with black kohl eyeliner (go for a drug store brand here, my dears—Loreal Le Kohl Pencil works like a charm!). Then, I finish off the look with a quick coat of black mascara (my staple is Maybelline Great Lash) and lip gloss (I'm currently obsessed with the Smashbox glosses—they're not sticky and have a hint of shimmer). And, VOILA, I look awake enough to head to the office. (Of course, an extra large Dunkin' Donuts coffee helps me feel as vibrant as I look...).

Hope this helps you DKBeauties look radiant rapido! ;) Happy weekend!

xoxo,
Diana