Requested: Lash Routine & OOTD: Black, White & Gold. Plus: I Quit the Gym

I've been getting a lot of requests to post about my lash routine so I am going to do it in this post! Thank-you to everyone who requested this post.

Here are a few images of my finished lash look:

I like really thick, soft, feathery looking lashes.  I notice a lot of women have sort of a clumped-together look and I'm not sure if it depends on technique or how your lashes are naturally, but this is never a good look:

OK, so maybe that picture is a bit dramatic, but you know what I mean! To achieve full and long lashes without the spidery look, here's what I do:

1.  Make sure your lashes are completely dry before you apply any eye makeup

2.  I apply my MAC studio fix powder over my eyelids before putting any eye makeup on. I am not sure if that makes a difference or not with my lashes, but I wanted to add that step in because I just swipe a tiny bit of powder over my lids along with the rest of my face so it's all even.

3.  Buy a Shu Uemura eyelash curler- it's the best I've used.  You want to heat your eyelash curler for a few seconds with a hairdryer. I always wrap my hand around it after I blast it with hot air to make sure it's not too hot to apply to the delicate eye skin. You want it hot enough to make the lashes hold curl but no so hot that it burns your skin (obviously). I can usually tell that it's the right temperature when it feels really warm in my hand (not hot).  TIP: if you do heat it and it's too hot, keep your hand around it for a few extra seconds to transfer some of the heat.
 
4.  Curl lashes from the base using the lash curler. Go over the lashes again (but be gentle) if they aren't curled enough. I truly believe the curl is the key to achieving pretty lashes.  You can press firmly with the lash curler- just make sure you don't pinch the skin around your eye.  Be careful! Practice makes perfect.

5.  Apply your eyeliner and/or eyeshadow if applicable.

6.  Apply mascara to top and bottom lashes. I like to start with my top lashes and use the mascara brush from the base of the lashes working upwards. I typically just do one swipe, sometimes two. I don't re-dip it for the second coat though, I just use whatever is already on the brush.

7.  I ONLY use waterproof mascara for many reasons:  it stays put in the Texas heat, I like the way the formula feels better and it dries faster.  I use eye makeup remover (the Up& Up) brand from Target to remove my eye makeup and it works perfectly.  I refuse to use regular mascara. Many non-waterproof formulas are too "wet" and ruin the curl in your lashes. They also rub off and don't last as long, I just really don't see the point of using them if you need your makeup to last all day.

My favorite mascaras are (in no particular order):

1.  DiorShow
2. L'Oreal Volume Collagen
3. CoverGirl Lash Blast

These formulas have never let me down. I also like to use DiorShow Iconic on my lower lashes only. L'Oreal Voluminous deserves honorable mention too, but ever since the Volume Collage came out, I reach for that way more.

I hope this helps!  Like I said, everyone's lashes are different, but this is what works for me.

Here's what I wore today (sorry if I look tired, these were taken after work!)

Top- Target
Skirt- Target
Belt- J. Crew
Shoes- Michael Kors
Cardigan- White House, Black Market

Speaking of my MK heels- they died on me today. The zipper thing ripped off from the side and now I can't wear them. I have to take them to the shoe doctor. I always wore these heels to events where I had to stand a lot because they are so comfortable, so I know I got great use out of them.

*sadface*

Have you ever had to have shoes repaired? I wonder how much it costs?

xoxo,

Veronika.

PS- I am off to Pilates again tonight!  Oh and I quit the gym today!  I finally decided to officially end my membership after having it on freeze for the past 6 months. I much prefer taking classes and working with a trainer. That's just what works for me.

My experience reminded me of when Chandler and Ross tried to quit the gym on "Friends."  The lady kept trying to give me free personal training sessions if I kept my membership.  I told her I knew she "had to do this as part of her job" and I was very nice about it of course, but I made it pretty clear I wasn't going to be convinced and my mind was made up!  She just kept going on and on about personal training and I told her I had a trainer at another gym (which is true).  I think she gave up after that. 

I always try to be overly nice when I'm on the phone with customer service because I know it's not their fault I'm not satisfied with the product or experience.  Plus, they've probably talked to a few angry people that day already and I don't want to be one of the ones that they tell their husband or wife about when they get home from work. 

Just thought I'd share this little tidbit- BE STRONG if you want to quit the gym! Quitting doesn't mean giving up on your fitness, it means getting fit in a way that works for you- and for some people, that isn't the gym.

Requested: My Daily EyeMakeUp & An OOTD

This is a much-requested post so I'm so happy I finally remembered to bring my camera into the bathroom with me where I get ready in the morning.

This is my daily "eye makeup" routine, step by step.  

My first step is to apply MAC's studio finish concealer on my lids, and then powder my entire face with MAC's Studio Fix foundation (a powder.) I didn't show this step. I love using concealer on my lids. It evens them out and is a perfect base for everything.

OK, here we go:

1.  Curl eyelashes- Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

2. Apply Benefit's "Eye Bright" pencil (this pic shows it un-blended, I blend it out using my finger)

3.  Use Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in "Black Mauve" to line top lids- get as close to your lash line as possible (kind of like tightlining, but not exactly). I use a thin eyeliner brush (shown) or sometimes an angled liner brush.

4.  Apply MAC's "Blanc Type" eyeshadow to entire lid and brow bone (I just like to use this as a base and to brighten the entire lid)

5.  Apply MAC's "Brun" eyeshadow to my lower lash line with a slanted eyeliner brush. This gives a precise line. If you use too much, use a Q-tip to whittle it down a bit (make a thinner line)

 6. Then, I use Anastasia of Beverly Hill's brow powder in "medium ash" to fill in my brows (I also have the pencil and use that on occasion too. I like both products) I also apply Maybelline's clear lash gel to my brows to keep them in place (because otherwise, they look "absolutely tragic" as one of my lovely commenters pointed out)

7.  I then apply L'Oreal's Volume Collagen Mascara to my lashes (I'll also use DiorShow when I feel like it)

and here is the result (sorry some of the pics...okay, most of them, are really really bad, but I hope they give you an idea of what I do)

So there it is :) Pretty simple! As you all know, I very rarely wear eyeshadow during the day.  I sometimes will use MAC's Paintpot in "Bare Study" on my lids, but I didn't today.  I think this is such a simple everyday look and it takes no time at all. Last night I watched a couple of minutes of that show "Jersylicious" and boy do those girls wear a TON of eyemakeup (and makeup in general.) I've had comments on my blog before that say I wear "too much makeup" and that my "eyemakeup is too heavy" which always shocks me because unless you're comparing me to someone who wears no eyemakeup at all, I think I keep it pretty simple.  But hey, to each their own!


***I forgot to add that I use a black liner on my waterline. I use Bonne Bell's "Black Ink" liner***Lining the waterline makes eyes a little more intense.

Here is what I wore today: My new J.Crew ruffle top from my weekend haul, my Express Editor pants, a Charlotte Russe open-face cardigan, Forever 21 skinny black belt and Aldo shoes.

I really liked this outfit. It was comfy and chic...though I did have to run an errand at lunch and it was SO hot outside. Not so great when you're wearing a silk top!

Hope you had a happy Monday!  If you have any questions about my eye makeup routine, please post them below.  A reminder that I also have a Formspring at http://www.formspring.me/veronabrit, if you ever have a random question.

What's your daily eye makeup look?

xoxo,

Veronika.