How To: Metallic, Smokey Eyes with MAC Powersurge Eye Kohl

Look how rich that color is.

I don't know why it's taken me so long to post about this- the MAC Eye Kohl Pencil in Powersurge is just... NO WORDS.  It is definitely one of those beauty products that I bought and said- "How have I gone so long without you, MAC Powersurge Eye Kohl?!"  But really, in all seriousness, this pencil is ahhhmazing. 

Whether or not you are going for the metallic, smokey eye shown in the above picture, this pencil is great for most eye looks.  Instead of the harshness of a black or brown liner underneath your eyes, this gives you a much softer look.

To achieve the entire look, you can use pretty much any eyeshadow you want, but I recommend the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette.  When it comes to eyeshadow, I consider my eye the like the canvas to a painter... I pretty much layer all different eyeshadow colors to achieve the color and depth I'm going for at any particular time.  So, it makes it a little difficult for me to explain EXACTLY what I do.  But for a metallic, smokey eye, you basically want to make sure your entire eyelid and crease are blended with a metallic/brownish/smokey shade:

• First- apply your Eyeshadow Primer. (click the link if you do not own it or you need to know what it is)
• Next, start with a light metallic color and sweep it from your eyelid to the crease of your lid.  
• Then, define your crease (using a crease blending brush; there is a great one in THIS SET.) with a darker shade and BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!  
• To line the top lash line: MAC Fluidline - The end all, be all of eyeliners.  It will not budge and is much easier to apply than liquid liner. (I use blacktrack.)
• The trick for me that makes this look easy is the M.A.C. Powersurge pencil-  it is a simple way to create the smokey-ness beneath your eye.  While you can do it with eyeshadow and a small eye brush, this pencil has STAYING POWER which makes it soooo worth it....  Plus, you don't have to worry about the eyeshadow you apply on your lower lash line from flaking all over your face and under your eye.
• To finish, I use Benefit High Brow under my brows... obsessed with this stuff! If you don't have that, use a light-colored taupe or white shadow under your brow.

If you're at a loss from my description, here is a tutorial by a Sephora makeup artist to help you master the smokey eye in general:

Shop these items with FREE SHIPPING:

• MAC Eye Kohl Powersurge
• MAC Fluidline Eyeliner
• MAC Brush Set with crease and eyeshadow blending brush (amazing limited-edition deal)
• Urban Decay Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette

Free Shipping with purchase of $50:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion 
• Benefit High Brow

What's Your Secret? ...Featuring: Fay

Meet Fay, an uber talented (and need I say gorgeous) photographer that resides in the city of Miami.  Fay, my first ever BFF (she was born in New Orleans), is totally mesmerizing because she somehow manages to look perfect while leading her incredibly active life- whether she's at the beach, in the water, or doing a photo shoot... (or all of those things at the same time) she is always flawless.

What is your all-time favorite beauty product discovery?

Blinc "Tube" Mascara .  I usually despise mascara because it flakes off and I always end up with circles under my eyes!  But this mascara stays put... you just wash your eyes with warm water and pull it off at the end of the day.  It is awesome!

If you had ONE beauty secret to share with my readers, what would it be?


Coconut Oil! I love love love coconut oil!  It is one of the best all natural moisturizers that will not clog your pores.  The possibilities are endless... You can add a tablespoon to a bath or mix it with sugar to make a scrub. It makes a great cheekbone highlighter.  I use it as a tanner when I lay out.   I put a tablespoon in my smoothies and use it to cook- it has amazing nutritional benefits.


What are 3 beauty products you could not live without?


1. My Laura Mercier Eyebrow Pencil
2. My Radiant Antioxidant Moisturizer by Prasada Beauty

3. My Protective Illuminating Concealer by beingTRUE

What health and fitness rules do you live by?  


I drink organic smoothies every morning.  I swim in the ocean.  And instead of eating three large meals a day, I eat several small meals throughout the day.

Check out Fay’s photography:
www.FayBaldwin.com

Yours Truly & Fay circa 19eightysomething

M.A.C. Brush Set Exclusive Deal

As part of their anniversary sale, Nordstrom has a brush set for a limited time that is an amazing deal.  It is only $49.50 and includes 5 essential makeup brushes.  PLUS, it comes with a limited edition brush roll designed by Rebecca Moses.

I swear by MAC brushes- they're awesome.  Great quality and they last forever!

It features:

• Large Angled Contour Brush (seen in this post)
• Duo Fibre Eyeshadow Brush
• Tapered Blending Brush
• Pencil Brush (you can use this for so many things)
• Small Angle Brush 
• Brush Roll w/ flap to protect brushes

Purchase with Free Shipping & Free Return:

• M.A.C. Brush Kit

My Secret to Amazing Skin: Rodan + Fields

Ever since this post, I've been testing out gazillions (feels like it) of skincare products to see what I like the most.

Within the first week of using this line of products, I knew this was the answer to my skincare and anti-aging needs.  However, I wanted to use it for a little while longer and be 100% sure before I actually posted about it for my readers...

I am happy and EXCITED to say that I loved each and every thing about this line of products from Rodan + Fields.  After I posted asking for everyone's skincare secrets, my friend Kelly called me and said, "Lauren, what have you been using? You need to use Rodan and Fields!"  So, because Kelly is the mother of a 12 year old and still looks like she does (please see her GORGEOUS pictures below), I took her advice...

She could not have been more right.  We have both tried pretty much EVERY product under the sun... (from Saks, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Earthsavers, the dermatologist, etc.) and this is by far our favorite and the most effective... and it does not irritate your skin.

Why is it so great?? Where do I begin...

First, let me say that I was incredibly hesitant to try something that wasn't really mainstream or sold conventionally.  Then, I found out Rodan and Fields was originally sold in department stores like Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, and Nordstrom.  It was actually Nordstrom's #1 skincare product in 2005 before the doctors of Rodan and Fields decided to market and sell the brand differently.

With that new info, and knowing these doctors also created Proactiv, I decided to give it a try.  I swear I could tell a difference in my skin after my first night of use.  The overnight cream and night renewing serum just did wonders on my skin.  It felt so soft and moisturized (but not greasy) the next morning.  And after just one week, I could see a major difference in the fine lines on my face.

So, I loved the product line, but I didn't know if I wanted to actually sign up to receive products every month, etc (you do not HAVE to do this).  At first, I did this because in the long run it was cheaper- then I found that it kept me from skimping on the products (i.e. not using them every day or not using enough of the product).  Knowing that I was going to do a re-order anyway made me eagerly use the products and also try some of the other R+F products (like the self tanner, Macro Exfoliator, Microdermabrasion Paste, I could go on and on!).  I have loved everything I have tried so far, and as I've said before, if I DO NOT like something, I will not recommend it to you. (more posts to come on these other products)

After doing more and more research on the company, I decided to become a consultant.  I love that I am now representing this line of skincare products that I truly love and believe in.  There are 4 different lines for different skin types, so everyone can improve their skin according to their own needs.   Not to mention, I was using the products regardless, so becoming a consultant gave me a MAJOR discount.  Mark my words, use it a few weeks and you will have better skin than you thought you ever could.

My skincare regimen consists of the REDEFINE products.  I use the Daily Cleansing Mask, Pore Minimizing Toner, Night Renewing Serum, a.m. Triple Defense Treatment Cream (with SPF 30), p.m. Overnight Restorative Cream, and the Lip Renewing Serum every single day.

Yes it may seem like a lot, but I honestly look forward to it every night.  It's my little ritual before bed.  I love that I feel like I'm doing something good for myself and pampering myself every single night (because I am... goodbye wrinkles!).

My Nightly Ritual

Night Renewing Serum: a potent, proprietary blend of peptides and retinol; patented time-release technology; it is a retinol in a form that will not irritate your skin!

Lip Renewing Serum: contains peptides and antioxidants that help lips retain moisture, smoothes lip texture, and reduces the appearance of lines in your lip... I think it has even plumped my lips!

You massage this facewash onto your skin (it's lightly exfoliating)... let it dry about 1-2 mins then wash off.  I love it because it doesn't dry out your face but still gets it really clean.

And one more thing:

Goodbye to the "product graveyard" in my bathroom closet.  I am sick and tired of using something for a few weeks and not seeing results... or for that matter, using it and seeing results like crazy- extreme peeling, redness, etc.  They say to wait and that's the process- yeah right.  Who really has the time to have a red and peeling face every so often??  It seemed like it never ended.

Unsure about which regimen is right for you?  Use the R+F Solution Tool:

• Rodan + Fields Solution Tool

To shop products now:

• Rodan + Fields Preferred Customers

If you have any questions about any of these products or want to learn more about being a part of the Rodan and Fields company, please feel free to email me:  blondeandlippy@gmail.com

Flawless. Anna Selezneva

Could she be any more perfect?  I love this look- once again... natural makeup.  

I love how there is something on her lips, but the color makes it look like her lips are naturally that rosey color.  

Notice the bronzing on her forehead and cheekbones- makes her look like she just got a little sun on the beach.

And then, of course, her barely-there, shimmery, smokey eyes and perfectly groomed eyebrows.  Definitely makes her stare captivating.

ph: modelcandids.com

The Best of Beauty: Beauty Miracles

If you get the Sephora Beauty Insider email, then you saw Monday's "It's a Miracle" email... and you may have recognized TWO of the EIGHT "Beauty Miracle" products from Blonde & Lippy's Best of Beauty feature:

YSL Glossy Stain & Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner 
                 (2 products that are a mainstay in my beauty arsenal)

Read up on why I love these products by checking out my original posts: 

• Blonde & Lippy- The Best of Beauty: YSL Glossy Stain
• Blonde & Lippy- The Best of Beauty: Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner

Now, you are probably asking, well what are the other 6 "Beauty Miracles"?!  Of course, I would never leave you hanging like that.  However, I must note that I have never tried these products, so I cannot attest to them being a miracle-  

              Rest assured, if I recommend a product to you, it's either because I own it and I use it... or because I have used it and WANT to buy it :)

But, I trust Sephora... and I'm dying to try ALL of these prodcuts... especially this Glam Glow mask that "visibly draws out dirt and absorbs impurities up to 500 times its volume."  Using a mask on occasion is VERY important- (which gives me an idea for a future post!)

Shop this post:

• Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain
• Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
• Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Vitamin C Duo (in case you were wondering, this counts as 2 of the 8 products)
• GLAMGLOW Super-Mud™ Clearing Treatment
• Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil Free
• Soap & Glory Sit Tight™ Intense XS Special Super-Strength Body Firming Serum
• Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System

ph: sephora.com & Sephora Beauty Insider

Product Fail: Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow

Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow in "Pug"

My photo... to try and show you the texture.

Sephora photo

This product was a total fail.  I was SO disappointed.  I bought it to use to do a shimmery, smokey eye for the holidays... what it gave me was a glittery eye.  I guess it went ON okay, but as the name of it says... it did not "stay-there".... I have another Sephora brand silvery shadow (that was cheaper) that works WAY better (can't find that right now to tell you what it is, but I will do that as soon as I find it!)  As long as you use a shadow over an eyeshadow primer, it will stay.  This stuff has a weird texture... it is almost spongey.  I was kind of creamy I guess? But just a very odd texture.

Also, it did not give me a rich color like I thought it would... it was pretty sheer. I tried layering it... it looked a little better, but because it is a creamy-like texture, it wore off pretty quickly.  I thought that was the whole point of the cream shadows... to stay on?

Back to the point... I didn't like it... it did NOT give me the smokey eye I wanted.  Instead, the color wore off and left glitter all over my eye :(  

I cannot vouch for the other colors because I haven't tried them, but if you're looking for a rich color, do not buy this one!

What's Your Secret? ...Featuring: Candice

       How could we NOT be dying to know all the beauty secrets of this gorgeous girl?!  I couldn't be more excited to have Candice as the first of the new Blonde & Lippy feature, "What's Your Secret?" which will spotlight different pretty ladies and their beauty secrets... (especially since she enlightened me on some new products I had never heard of- and can't wait to try).  However, my favorite thing Candice said was in regards to nurturing your skin from the inside... so true!

 What are 3 beauty products you couldn’t live without?

        "#1.  I absolutely love Bobbi Brown's Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in the 'Powder Pink' shade- thats a mouthful!  It gives a gorgeous natural matte color to lips and stays for hours on cheeks. It looks great against sun kissed skin and is perfect for Summer. I've been using it for years and it has become one of my staple items!

        #2.  Because I almost always opt for the natural look and never wear liquid foundation, I swear by  Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup for a light finish. I use the pressed powder in the 'Latte' shade. I discovered the brand after my mother was recommended it by a doctor of hers. One use and I was hooked! It makes your complexion look flawless, even, and smooth without looking like you have anything on. I have been using it for about three years and have turned several friends into users as well. It is definitely a go-to and I highly recommend it!

       #3.  Darphin Paris is my choice for eye cream. I use their "Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel" and the "Dark Circle Relief and De-Puffing Eye Serum." The Anti-Fatigue Gel creates a cooling effect that feels amazing and helps me to wake up in the morning before I apply my makeup or even have a cup of coffee. It works as a great prep for my concealer, as well. The Serum is mainly used before I go to sleep because of the oily base. When i'm tired I tend to look that way! And Darphin does an amazing job of keeping me looking as good as I feel!"

What is your every day makeup routine?

        "My daily routine is pretty sparse. But the three things you will almost always find me wearing are concealer, mascara, and bronzer. A common mistake I notice is that girls will use bronzer on the balls of their cheeks in the area that you would otherwise apply a blush. Bronzer is intended to contour the face, and has the opposite effect when not applied in the right area. I like to make the famous kiss fish face and apply the bronzer from the temple, down to right below the ear, and then blend inward toward my mouth in the indentation created under the cheekbone. If you stay within this guideline it can really thin out the face. If you prefer, you can add a light amount of blush to the balls of the cheeks as well." 

What is your go-to if you want to “glam it up” for the weekend?

        "My friends can all attest that I am a firm believer in the 'cat-eye.' I think it makes the shape of the eye look beautiful and can even be applied in different colors depending on the look you are going for. I always use a liquid liner. Either in black or my most recent favorite, Dolce & Gabbana liquid liner in the 'Dahlia' shade. Its plum and super fun to wear!

I also can't leave out the infamous red lip! I love love to play with different shades and it instantly makes you look glammed!"

In your opinion, what is the most important part of your skincare regimen?

        "I think the most important part of skincare is to eat right. There are so many gels and creams and serums for this and that, but if you're not nurturing your skin from the inside then you are probably wasting your money. Greasy foods are your skins worst enemy. Make sure to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and your complexion will be better equipped to take care of itself!"

What is your favorite feature about yourself?

         "My favorite feature of myself is probably my hair. When I was younger I hated the thickness and the waves. Before the days of hair straighteners, I would literally iron my hair down on my mothers ironing board trying to get it to lie straight! In adulthood I find that I love the thickness and the natural wave saves me countless hours of styling. I can simply wash and go. And I almost never straighten! I do have a slight addiction to my curling iron though. I swear by the relaxed curl look. It’s chic and easy and will stay for hours."

Shop Candice's Favorite Products:

• Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in "Powder Pink"
• Jane Iredale PurePressed Base SPF20 Mineral Makeup
• Darphin Paris Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel, or buy from Amazon.com: Darphin Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel - 15ml/0.5oz
• Darphin Paris Dark Circles Relief and De-Puffing Eye Serum, Amazon.com: Darphin Dark Circles Relief & De-Puffing Eye Serum 0.5oz
• Dolce & Gabbana Glam Liner Intense Liquid Eyeliner in "Dahlia"

A huge thank you to Candice for being the first "What's Your Secret?" feature!  

Products I Want To Try

1.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. A finishing powder that is supposed to make you look luminescent... (and more beautiful in pictures).

2.  Benefit Lemon Aid. An eyelid primer for hiding redness- but I think I want it to use in other spots where I may get redness on my face.

3.  Lip Tar in "Ophelia" by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.

4.  Bliss Hot Salt Scrub. I LOVE warming scrubs... I am willing to bet this one is amazing.

5. Dior Hydra Life Eye BB Cream. A BB Cream for your eyes... it says it increases radiance... I'll take that any day.

6. Sephora Collection 8 HR Mattifying Moisturizer Sunscreen- shine free for up to 8 hours... NEED NOW for the approaching Louisiana heat!

ph: sephora.com