Monday, October 27, 2014

makeup techniques i want to master

me. with my minimal makeup.
Recently I've been spending hours watching beauty YouTubers (specifically Lilly Pebbles, Vivianna Does Makeup, and Hey Claire). I started following them because of their vlogs but their reviews and tutorials are very helpful as well. It's really inspired me to be more experimental with my makeup. I want to try more variety of products and brands (specifically cruelty-free and vegan, so it takes a little more research!). I'm typically very minimalist when it comes to applying makeup but now I want to learn more techniques. Here are some techniques that I want to learn: 

Cat Eyes - I have never owned liquid eyeliner. This process seems very daunting. Even people who are really good at it make mistakes. I can foresee this taking A LOT of practice.

Brows - My eyebrows are blonde. They were REALLY blonde when I was growing up. Now that I'm older, you can see that they exist. But not very much. The first half of them are there but they kind of disappear, if you know what I mean. I don't pluck them because there isn't much to pluck. I would need to shape them but that'll take some practice. Fortunately my bangs cover them for the most part. But I still want to learn!

Eyeshadow - My eyeshadow experience is one color all over my lids. I wonder what it's like to experiment more! This huge palette came in my Eyes Lip Face order. I want to use it!

Bronzer - How should it be applied? Which color is the best? I'm confused. 

BlushHow should it be applied? Which color is the best? Are they all pretty much the same? I'm confused.

Lip Liner - I have a good amount of lipsticks but no lipliner. Is there a catchall lipliner that can work for multiple colors? Which colors would be the best colors?

So I'm trying to figure things out! I'm excited about it. Beauty YouTubers are so inspiring. I have this huge haul of makeup that I received from ELF. Interested in a haul post?

Shout out to Charli Marie for her makeup storage post. I will definitely be using that as inspiration when I organize my makeup. 

Are there any techniques you want to learn or need to practice more? Any bloggers or YouTubers you suggest for tutorials? Let me know in the comments below!

- Christina

32 comments:

  1. Yes to all of this! I've been doing the same thing with my makeup ever since I can remember. I've dabbled in the cat eye arena but I would love to get better at it and to make it more of a staple in my look. I also want to learn how to contour. There are so many tutorials out there I just need to commit to buying the products, sitting down and figuring it out! haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the cat-eye look is a simple way to add something to a pretty natural look, ya know? I'm interested in contouring theres just a fear of doing it wrong. I don't want to look like a clown. >.<

      Delete
    2. Oh! Such a good point. That would be awful haha

      Delete
  2. Cat eyes are are my list of makeup tricks to master too! I think I've only ever done a cat eye once, and I used a black eyeshadow with a wet, slanted brush to apply. It ended up looking great, but it took FOREVER. Since then I haven't tried it again haha--first I need to get my hands on a good liquid liner. As for brows, I've been doing mine for about a year now, and it makes a world of a difference. Now I feel really undone if I go out without my brows done. It's funny how much influence all of the beauty YouTubers have. I started watching about a year or so ago, and I have really amped up my makeup collection and application thanks to them. They make me want to buy everything and do my makeup (almost) everyday!
    In terms of what you are looking for, I have a few personal recommendations that are favorites in my collection---Brows: Lorac "Take a Brow" Kit; Eyeshadow: Makeup Geek (the palette you saw on my blog---the quality is absolutely amazing); Blush: I think that most blushes are pretty flattering and that most people can wear many different colors, even bright ones that look crazy in the packaging, can actually look really nice on when applied with a light hand---My favorites blushes are NYX Mauve (I probably use this one the most--it just seems to go with everything!), Milani Luminoso, and a good example of a bright blush that looks subtle when wearing is Peony by Jouer; Bronzer: I don't use much bronzer, in fact I've been using the same one probably for 5 years and it's from Smashbox. I like it because it's matte and it's not too dark. One that I've been hearing a lot of beauty bloggers talk about is the Honey Bronzer from The Body Shop that it supposed to give a light glow and is affordable as well! ; Lip Liner: My favorite liners are from Rimmel (Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses--I prefer the pencil form that you can sharpen, as opposed to the twist-up liners. Very easy to use, and come in a load of colors. My first purchase was Natural, which I would highly recommend for everyday use, and after I decided I loved that one so much, I bought 4 more colors. Sorry for the long post, but as you can see, you struck a cord with me...I am going through a makeup phase as well! I'll be heading over to YouTube now to catch up on my subscriptions haha
    Oh, and in terms of tutorials, I think Tanya Burr and Tati from GlamLifeGuru do amazing tutorials!
    I followed a Tanya Burr tutorial and did a post about it here, if you're interested: http://amateandarottweiler.blogspot.com.ar/2013/10/who-knew-online-makeup-tutorials-were.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chrystin! Thank you for leaving such a detailed comment! I really appreciate your feedback.

      Ya, I haven't been hearing very many reviews on great eyeliners. I'll have to do more research. I'm looking into buying the Anastasia Brow Wiz... I hear A LOT of great things about it. I will put all of the product suggestions in my back pocket ;) Thank you so much for listing them all. I just recently ran into Tanya Burr's tutorial for a smokey eye. She's great. & I'm subscribed to Tati too!

      & I love your post about the make up tutorial!

      Delete
  3. Great post! I would love to learn lipliner as wel, it just never works out completely like I imagined it. Eyeliner is another thing that I really want to master!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we just need to find a good lipliner, ya know?

      Delete
  4. Oh dear, your blog is quite amazing!
    So beautiful and interesting!
    I would really love, if we could follow each other on BL and GFC! Please let me know in a comment on my blog :) definetly will follow you back!
    xoxo Colli
    My blog - ToBeYOUtiful

    ReplyDelete
  5. So I wrote a whole long comment about how I much I liked this post and my two cents about what I've taught myself about makeup but it disappeared....so here is my second attempt.

    You should check out r/makeupaddiction on reddit, it's definitely taught me a lot about makeup, how to apply, and what products to use, and seeing all these beatiful people with their makeup on can be really inspiring.
    I highly recommend the elf brow kit. It's $3 and comes with a gel and powder. I personally use the dark one, but there is a light and medium kit. I don't use the applicator in the kit, but instead a very sharp angled brush, and a white pencil/brightener for more definition. The absolute best product to use for brows is anastasia beverly hills but it costs a pretty penny.

    Cat eyes, eyeshadow and bronzer just take lots and lots of practice. After using liquid liner, I honestly can't even remember why I used a pencil to begin with! It gives you sharper and cleaner lines, and a bolder look. The key to eyeshadow and bronzer is to blend and blend some more. You really have to experiment with colors and what you like, and what compliments your face. I just picked up a great elf bronzer/blush kit that came with a mini kabuki brush and I love it. For eyeshadow, I like the effect of brightening my eyes and making them look bigger, so I stick with light/champagne hues on my tearducts and lids, and blend the darker colors along the crease and towards where the cat eye tail goes. I love the effect of the contrast. And don't be afraid to use falsies! The higher quality brands look so real and natural that you wouldn't even be able to tell. I usually don't use eyeshadow or lashes for everyday looks, but I get excited to do makeup for a night out :)

    As far as lips go, I have never found an end all lipliner (unfortunately). But this gives you more room to play around with colors! I love playing around with the ombre effect on my lips. I have the MAC vino liner, which is purple to dark plum depending on the application, and I mix around my red lipsticks a lot to get a more dramatic effect. But if you do this, I recommend using a small lip brush so your lipsticks don't get all messy.

    Sorry for the ramble, but I've spent a lot of time teaching myself what to use and how to use it, and it is always a work in progress, and everyday is just more and more practice to get it right. Hope this was helpful ^_^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG. I hate it when comments disappear! Thank you for re-commenting. I actually have that eyebrow kit! Teach me out I should use it, ya? Which tool do you use to apply it? I have heard A TON of good reviews for Anastasia's Brow Wiz. I'm really considering buying it... You'll have to show me which bronzer/blush kit you got. I LOVE ELF. I need a lip brush. Where did you get yours? I really appreciate your comment!!! We'll have to chat in person, too. ;)

      Delete
    2. For the brow kit I use gel first with a sonia kashuk brand super sharp angled brush (from target), and then I go over them with a darker brown shadow I have (that is also elf hah!). Elf has the angled brush too but I splurged on this cause my brow shape is important to me lol. I want to buy the Brow Wiz so bad, and I have seriously been considering it too... I've used it once and it was life changing. I absolutely love elf too, but I like to experiment with different brands, and I love playing around in Sephora. I usually don't buy anything too expensive (unless it's really worth it, like foundation) and drug store brands are just as good, like NYX. I love their concealer, especially on mornings when my eyes just look absolutely dead. They have a really good brow pencil too. I have a whole mess of brushes, the majority of which are either elf, or came in gift sets or I've picked up from here and there. For my lip I like to use a small brush thats somewhat rigid so I can have better control and gives cleaner lines. I can talk makeup for days lol!

      Delete
    3. Ya I'm more open to different brands but I prefer them to be cruelty free and vegan. Fortunately the Brow Wiz is vegan, wooo! And I know Tarte has vegan options. There are a few vegan beauty blogs that are great for listing all of the items that are vegan and cruelty free, so that's helpful. It's just easy for me to shop at ELF because of the price point (ha) and it's all vegan except for some of their brushes.

      I should definitely host a makeup party so we can all chat. ;)

      Delete
  6. I have never used liquid eyeliner! It makes me nervous! haha
    I need to check out these vloggers and learn some new tricks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Check them out. They have great tutorials. I will definitely start trying to recreate their looks.

      Delete
  7. i also want to know how to do the cat eyes. I've only ever owned one eyeliner and I sucked and I also sucked at putting it on my eyelids lol

    http://itsjustshalay.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, the feedback that I'm getting is it needs to be a good eyeliner. Practice makes perfect! I wear eyeliner but not liquid eyeliner. I want to look into it more!

      Delete
  8. We shall have a make up party! I have all required make up items and skills to use them ;-) I think Buffalo Cauliflower and some wine should be involved....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That. is a great idea, Madison. Let's make this happen!

      Delete
  9. Great post! I somehow grew up and just never did learn make-up either. I have been learning to thru blogs and well, just trying things out. I love the cat eye, but so far I haven't got it down yet!

    www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hopefully you'll get the hang of it soon!!! I need to start practicing. Oh wait, I need to purchase some liquid eyeliner first. LOL.

      Delete
  10. Great post dear :))! You look great!
    Kisses Emina

    Blog: www.fashionbyemina.blogspot.com
    Instagram: http://instagram.com/eminamasovic
    Bloglovin: https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12856043

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love your minimal make-up look. And the liquid liner thing isn't so daunting once you try - I wear it every day and couldn't live without it :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Chiara! I've been rocking this look for years ;) I think liquid eyeliner is a nice touch. I'm sure it looks great on you!

      Delete
  12. Wow, such a pretty look. ;-)
    Lovely greets Nessa

    ReplyDelete
  13. I used to be super intimidated by cat eyes too. Once I tried it though, it wasn't too bad!

    Made in Mauve

    ReplyDelete
  14. Which eyeliner do you use? Do you have suggestions for different brands?

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do wear the same makeup every day which is kind of booooring ^^ But it´s all I´m able to do because I´m not a good makeup artist ;) Would love to learn more about blush cause I´m addicted to <3
    Thanks for following me via Twitter :)
    Happy weekend
    Vanessa

    www.cashmerebow.blogspot.de

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel the same way! I want to branch out and try different makeup looks more often. The blush I have is liquid, I kinda want to look into different types.

      And of course! Thanks for following back ;)

      Delete