I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty: Five Minute Face and Smokey Eyes Makeup Tips
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In Texas, women say they've got to "put on their face" before they'll do so much as run to the post office. This could mean they are shellacking on an inch-thick mask, but in general, the sentiment ain't bad: spruce yourself up a bit before you go out. But I know I am not alone in the land of lazy youth, and I rarely wear make-up on a day to day basis. As for my big night out looks, I've been relying on the old standbys of red lipstick and liquid liner for nearly a decade. I need help, and who better to help but a friend?
My friend Alison always looks polished and put-together: on sticky July days she's fresh as a daisy, and in dry, flaky January, her face glows. It was time to stop feeling like a slob next to her and learn some of her tricks. She showed me how to do a quick, 5 minute face to look like a brighter-eyed version of myself, and also how to create the perfect smoky eye I've been dreaming about for so long.
I took away some wonderful tips from our afternoon together: that trick that makeup artists are always talking about of mixing your moisturizer with some liquid bronzer or highlighter? Yeah, it takes .5 seconds and not only evens out your skin tone, making you generally less red and splotchy, it also gets you closer to that sought-after glow.
Secondly, I thought you had to use a heavy hand to achieve drama. Alison's smoky eye, though, was dramatic and subtle at the same time. Impossible, you say. Well, it's like this: where I would put one grand sweep of something black or grey, Alison used three different shades of brown to gradually build up color and depth. I was always a bad painter, but applying artful make-up employs so many of the same skills, it left me wondering if that painting of Alison's her parents hid in the attic is actually a masterpiece. Like, she didn't draw straight lines with the eyeshadow (nobody told me not to!), she moved the brush in a circular motion to achieve a fuzzy, fanned out swath of color. It was gorgeous.
And now I feel like a truly reformed subject of a makeover show, since I've done the 5 minute face every day this week before leaving the house. I'm making Alison - and my Texas roots - proud.
I took away some wonderful tips from our afternoon together: that trick that makeup artists are always talking about of mixing your moisturizer with some liquid bronzer or highlighter? Yeah, it takes .5 seconds and not only evens out your skin tone, making you generally less red and splotchy, it also gets you closer to that sought-after glow.
Secondly, I thought you had to use a heavy hand to achieve drama. Alison's smoky eye, though, was dramatic and subtle at the same time. Impossible, you say. Well, it's like this: where I would put one grand sweep of something black or grey, Alison used three different shades of brown to gradually build up color and depth. I was always a bad painter, but applying artful make-up employs so many of the same skills, it left me wondering if that painting of Alison's her parents hid in the attic is actually a masterpiece. Like, she didn't draw straight lines with the eyeshadow (nobody told me not to!), she moved the brush in a circular motion to achieve a fuzzy, fanned out swath of color. It was gorgeous.
And now I feel like a truly reformed subject of a makeover show, since I've done the 5 minute face every day this week before leaving the house. I'm making Alison - and my Texas roots - proud.
Comments
Dear Pink,
Just the thought of foundation gives me a zit, so I never wear it , but I just love the look. Any tips for evening out skintone while also preventing pimples?
Yours truly,
blotchy and bumpy in NJ
Posted by: blotchy and bumpy in NJ | April 4, 2006 4:00 PM
Hi B&B,
Foundation has changed a lot since those evil mineral oil days of the 80s. Now there are so many oil free varieties it would make your head spin! Oil-free is the key to getting a good foundation that won't cause breakouts. Neutrogena makes some good ones (available at the drugstore) and as a zit-magnet myself, I've discovered Perfectly Real make-up from Clinique, which is gel-based (meaning it sits on top your your pores, rather than clogging them.) If you're still nervous, I recommend blending a moisturizer with salicilyc acid (like Clean&Clear) with an oil-free foundation. The salicilyc acid should prevent any problems that could surface. Hope that helps!
Posted by: Alison | April 4, 2006 5:14 PM
Mineral makeup does wonders for problem skin too. I love it!
Posted by: C. | April 5, 2006 12:34 PM
it's easy to do a five minute face on a gorgeous girl like sarah! gee whiz. but you've inspired me too, alison.
Posted by: Katy of the Luke | April 10, 2006 3:18 PM
how about a pink of perfection on kisses?
Posted by: Jennifer | April 11, 2006 10:21 AM
are you crazy? You are soooooo Beautiful. You could dress up like Elvira and look terrific. Thanks for the update on makeup. I was afraid I was moving into the blue hair style, but you saved me.
Posted by: stepmonster | April 11, 2006 11:36 PM
Just checking in! My schedule has been crazy, but I'm still thinking of you and checking the site. You've inspired me to take a trip to Macy's.
Posted by: ashley | April 12, 2006 6:58 PM
Thanks for posting the "smokey eyes" tips. I can't wait to try this technique! Another question for Alison: in addition to the zits I always seem to manufacture when I use foundation (btw--i LOVE the reco to mix Clean & Clear with foundation--pure genius!) ineveitably, by the end of the evening, I have more eye make-up under my eyes and on my cheeks than my lids. Any way to prevent that "I'm dating Mike Tyson and its time for my friends to intervene" look?
Sincerely,
B.B.B.
Posted by: blotchy, bumpy, and black-eyed... | April 13, 2006 2:45 PM
B&B,
Yes--there is a way to combat this problem! What happens when make-up begins to smear fade is that the skin is producing too much oil and the poor make-up has nothing to adhere to :( So, what you need to use is an eye base. If you want to go all-out, you can purchase a handy little base from most make-up counters. I have one from Benefit called "Lemon-aid" and it works wonders. If you don't feel like shelling out the dough, however, you can acheive a similar affect by patting the eye area with foundation, then touch of concealor around your lash line. This will give your eyeliner and shadow something to grab onto, so when the natural oils of your face begin to make their appearance, they won't "wash away" your carefully done smokey eyes ;)
Hope this helps!
Best,
Alison
Posted by: Alison | April 14, 2006 3:40 PM
Thanks for all the great tips, Alison! I can't wait to try this!
Posted by: blotchy, bumpy, and black-eyed... | April 17, 2006 12:14 PM
5 minutes? For you girl, I've got 10! As a fellow make-up unenthusiast, these new makeup tips have got me rockin' a new face. Stay tuned for details on my new make-up fan club!
Posted by: Anne Marie | April 23, 2006 9:51 PM
What kind of bronzer and cream blush are you using there? And what eye highlighter for the smoky eye? Thanks for the clip... I just had a big AHA moment.
Posted by: ally | May 18, 2006 10:38 AM
Hi Ally,
I'm so sorry to be remiss in answering your question! I used City Block Bronze by Clinique for the bronzer and the cream blush...I believe is Jouer All Over Color in Amaryllis, the highlighter is Jouer as well. I got these items at Sephora.
Have fun!
Posted by: Alison | June 8, 2006 4:38 PM
I love the 5 minutes face!It is so easy..Thank you sooo much for sharing tips with the smokey eyes.My hubby bought a whole set of eye colours from Elizabeth Arden but I only use one colour on my eyes..that is bronze.Thanks to you,I can start experimenting with the colours.
With love from singapore
Posted by: Putri | August 18, 2006 11:05 AM