A Taylor Swift Inspired: Smokey Eye And Nude Lip Tutorial

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A dramatic eye paired with a barely there lip is a classic look with high impact. Taylor Swift often wears this combination and it always looks amazing. Today, I am going to tell you exactly what you need to know in order to achieve this glamorous makeup look. For the face:

  •  Start with applying a primer. This will help your foundation to go on smooth and last longer.
  •  Next, apply foundation. I would suggest a full coverage foundation such as Mac Pro Longwear. Don't forget to put it on your eyelids and to set it with powder, this will help your eyeshadow to stay on longer and to go on evenly.
  •  Apply concealer under the eyes and on blemishes.
  •  Set your foundation with powder. Choose one that has a full coverage, flawless finish. Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder is an excellent option that has a radiant, red carpet effect.
  •  Apply a peachy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks.

For the eyes:

  • Use a brow pencil to fill in and shape your eyebrows.
  •  Choose eyeshadows in the following colors: light grey, light brown/or taupe, charcoal/or black, and white. Dior Royal Khaki has a fun combination of colors that work well in creating a smokey eye. You can use the gold shimmer in that palette as a substitute for light brown.
  •  Sweep the light grey shadow on your lid up to the crease.
  •  Take the light brown color and work it across the crease and then blend slightly above the crease. Mixing in a light brown or taupe color adds depth and warmth to a palette of greys.
  •  Next, take the charcoal color and apply it to the outer corners of your eyes and blend in to the crease.
  •  Use the white color to highlight under the brow bone and in the corner of the eyes
  •  Take a black liner and line the upper and lower lash line. To soften the look you can take an eyeliner brush, dip it into the grey shadow and sweep it over the pencil line. For a more dramatic look, you can use the charcoal shadow to brush over the pencil liner.
  •  Apply false lashes. Ardell Demi Wispies would work great for this look.
  •  Apply a black, thickening mascara to your top and bottom lashes.

For the lips:

Now that you have all of the tools and steps that you need to achieve this look, its time to practice, practice, practice! Your makeup may not come out perfect the first two times or ten times! But, just remember that practice makes perfect. Once you have this look down, you are going to love it!

Happy practicing!

Rebekah

 

 

Top Ten Expert Makeup And Beauty Tips: Prom 2013

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As a professional makeup artist, I am continually helping clients prepare for special occasions. Today, I am going to share some of these secrets with YOU! Here are my top ten tips to looking beautiful the day of your big event! 1. Start prepping your skin a couple of weeks in advance. Get into a good skin care routine. This is crucial for your make up to look its best. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize! Morning and evening. Exfoliate twice a week. If you do not have a good skin care line just yet, visit your local department store and chat with the beauty advisors in the cosmetics department. They can help prescribe the right skincare for you. Estee Lauder has an excellent skincare line that offers a variety of products that meet the needs of different skin types. Investing in your skin is key!

2. Drink lots of water, it is excellent for hydrating your skin. Not only that, but it can help to clear up your skin and give you a healthy glow.

3. Use a primer under your foundation. This will help your makeup to go on evenly and last longer. Moisturize, prime, and then apply your foundation. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is a great choice. A less expensive option is Sephora's Ultra-smoothing Primer.

4. Use a photogenic foundation. You will be taking a ton of pictures so you want a foundation that is not only going to last through out the event, but one that will photograph well. Mac Pro Longwear and Makeup Forever HD foundations are excellent options. A cheaper alternative would be Revlon's Photoready Foundation which can be found at your local drugstore.

5. Set your foundation with powder. You do not want your face to appear shiny in pictures. Powder sets your foundation and helps it to last longer. I recommend Mac Blot Powder, it is light weight and excellent for touch ups. A cheaper alternative would be Revlon's Photogenic Powder.

6. Wear your makeup just a little heavier than you would normally. You want it to stand out on camera.

7. Play up your best feature. If it is your eyes, do a dramatic eye and keep your lips in a neutral tone. If it is your lips, choose a lipstick shade that pops and keep the eye makeup simple.

8. Get inspired! Gather pictures of makeup looks and hairstyles that you like and start practicing! Practice makes perfect! Another option is to hire a professional. You can make an appointment at your local salon with a makeup artist and hairstylist. Call in advance to make your appointment and make sure to bring a picture of the look you would like to achieve.

9. If your skin needs a little boost of color, try a self-tanner. Make sure you exfoliate first and wear gloves when applying. St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse is a personal favorite of mine, it gives you instant color and has a natural sun kissed look. A cheaper alternative would be L'oreal's Sublime Bronze Tanning Towelettes.

10. Lastly, don't forget to wear a smile! It is your greatest accessory! If you are feeling a little self conscious about your smile, try some Crest 3D White Whitestrips. They are an inexpensive way to achieve those pearly whites!

Remember to have FUN on your big day! ENJOY the process of getting ready. Looking good starts with feeling good. YOU are going to look BEAUTIFUL! If you still have not found a prom dress, check out our blog post devoted to finding the perfect dress here! You can also visit our Pinterest Prom 2013 board here for more style inspiration.

 

Article by: Rebekah Miura

Photography by: Reagan Miura