Make-Up Evolution

Evolution: A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.

A brief glimpse of make-up evolution...

See No Evil

There are all types of liquid liner brands I've used, and my recommendations for my 3 essential picks:

1. MAC Cosmetics - Black liquid liner

2. MAC Cosmetics - Liquidlast Liner

3. Estee Lauder - Zero Smudge Liquid Liner

I have a pet peeve with eye-liner that smears, which is almost impossible to control, so your two choices are to carry Q-tips with you, or use a smudge-free liner which won't budge and give you a fresh look all day.

Disadvantage: If for some reason you are lining your eyes, and it's not completely straight, smudge-proof/waterproof liners will usually dry quickly and be difficult to take off.

Advantage: A smudge-proof liner plays a massive role when you are trying to obtain your signature "cat-eye" look. By lining just the outside of your eye, you can secure that it will not smear all day.

The "cat-eye" is a personal favorite of mine, partially because my eyes are almond shaped and it gives a distinct appeal with or without any shadow, and you can play with different colors.

Rihanna's make-up style is admirable, and I have yet to find out her artist, but she's a fan of the "cat eye" and utilizes it with a range of different colors for her eyes and lips.

You can literally transform your eye shape by the lining to make your eyes appear bigger or smaller, based on your color and lining direction.

Dare to be different: Use an electric blue liquid liner by MAC's Liquidlast line to achieve the "cat-eye" look and match it with a striking pink lip and blush to contrast the blue eyes.

Ordinary to Extrodinary

My passion for make-up artistry involves a range of experimenting with bold colors and styles. Art itself isn't based on the variety of colors you use, but more importantly how they are utilized.

I am a huge fan of switching your day to night looks, but here are some examples of where a woman's make-up style isn't defined by the quantity she puts on her face, but more so the quality of how she applies it. The following women exemplify the true meaning of beauty in its simplest form.

Aishwarya Rai: Her stunning eyes play a major role in her choices of using earth tone colors for her lips, cheeks, and eyeshadow.

Beyonce: A liquid liner can go a long way when you're seeking a simple, yet vibrant look. I love that she lined her eyes just at the top with a slight curve, and used colors to accent her natural features.

Angelina Jolie: I have rarely seen her wearing more make-up than this, but I'm a fan of her simplistic nature. Liner is used at the outside of the top and bottom, which is said to make your eyes look bigger. Less make-up means more emphasis on accessories, as seen with her emerald earrings...I'm green with envy, but my loyalty lies with "Team Aniston"

The Shining

Do you ever wonder how to produce a bronzed + shimmer cheek? Blush's primary role is to transform your cheek from dull to rosy, but if you are looking to define your cheekbone area and add some spice, I would follow these simple steps...

I start by bronzing each cheekbone area with MAC cosmetic's loose bronzer powder and follow up with their loose shimmer powder, and finally add a hint of blush.

Warning: Do NOT go shimmer or bronzer happy.

Final Result: An emphasized cheek area with the perfect amount of glam.

When it Rains...

Think Pink!

Some of my favorite pink shades are from MAC cosmetics. You can experiement with your favorite shade or try pinking your lips with colors like Snob, Bombshell, or Giddy

Find a way to brighten your day!

A Bold Brow

There is hair on our face, most of which we get removed, and some that serves a questionable, but useful purpose.

The Eyebrow. Why do we have them? A rhetorical question, that cannot be answered directly, but I do know that a "bold brow" plays a major role in your face...

A thicker, more defined eyebrow can transform your face, and I didn't put as much focus on my brows, until I really started to see the difference of a thick versus thin brow.

See the difference?

I have a secret crush on Camilla Belle, not only because she is beautiful, but more importantly her eyebrows complement her striking features regardless of her makeup style...

Simplicity: Keep the rest of your look simple by using liquid liner, bronzing your cheeks, and glossing your lips, and finally accenting your brows with a pencil or even an eyeshadow color such as dark brown or black to soften your color, but produce a "thicker" brow...

My New Best Friends

Can you build a house without laying out it's foundation? No.

Can you put on make-up without a proper foundation? No.

Every woman's face differs and her own preference of desired coverage, however it's essential to make sure any products you are using on your face are effective, safe, and serving their purpose...

I won't lie, I was previously a victim of the wrong color foundation, so now my focus is on the right shade and the right products for my skin.

My personal list of must-haves include:

• Foundation
• Hydrating cream
• Concealer

There are several amazing brands of foundation from MAC, Chanel, Laura Mercier, but my personal choice for foundation is one from Lancome called Teint Idole. I think it gives me great coverage, doesn't look too cakey, and lasts for hours -- 14 hours to be exact.

I was just introduced to the world of hydrating creams -- and my personal choice, which has also recieved fabulous reviews, is a cream by Bobbi Brown. You apply it to the area underneath your eyes, and its main goal is to keep that sensitive spot hydrated, while your make up is on.

Finally, a concealer is the key to your finishing complexion. Yes, some very lucky women are blessed with no dark circles, but for those who didn't inherit those fantastic genes from their mothers, concealer is your new best friend.

I have been known to be obsessed with it, but you soon realize that it works wonders in covering up small blemishes, dark circles around the eyes, and generally freshening up your face! I have used several concealers, but in the last few months, I have formed a solid relationship with Bobbi Brown concealer.

My new best friends are very good to me.

Go Green

Join the revolution by simply going green.

For those who crave simplicity, try an eye-pencil from Sephora's Urban Decay called Graffiti, it'll transform your eyes by giving you a bold, yet maintained look...

Smoke Me

Don't be afraid to smoke up, your eyes that is...

A smokey eye is the easiest way to change up your look and add a glimpse of drama to your look. You can keep your eyes soft with a hint of black, or dare to be different and blacken away...

Dare Devil: A smokey eye using black on the top and the bottom, and finishing the look with a sharp lip color like pink or red...

Glamour Chic: The smokey eye with a nude lip is a simple look to achieve and has a flawless finish...

Fall in Love

What better way to start a new season, then by "falling" in love with all things fall?

Favorite Look: A shimmered eye with some liquid liner, just at the top, and using a light blush with an almost rose glow, and most importantly putting all the focus on your red lips...

Another way of welcoming the new season with your make up is to use a deep pink or almost plum lip color with a sheer gloss and contrasting the look with your eyes by complementing shades such as a raspberry pink with a hint of gold...Welcome a new season with golds, browns, and lots of red!

A Case of the Blues

Blue is part of the purple color family and another favorite of mine. Regardless of skin tone, you can mix/match a variety of blues to enhance your eyes, eye color, or overall look. MAC cosmetics has a blue eyeliner called Navy Stain and its absolutely lovely. It mixes a hint of silver with blue, to make your eyes pop...

You can use the liner at the bottom of your eyes by itself or mix with a black eye pencil and liquid black liner at the top. You can even mix blue shadow with a cream base and keep your lips a pale pink to have the focus be just your eyes.

For the bold & daring, you can mix lavender shadow with a teal/blue base and line the bottom of your eye with a blue liner, being sure to keep your lips super simple with just some neutral gloss...

The Faux Lash Movement

The affect of a few lashes is a powerful tool for your overall look...

Lash styles vary between natural, dramatic, and drag queen, but it's important you chose a style that it's tailored to fit your eye shape as well as the look you are going for...

Purple Rain

I think part of the reason I love it, because the color itself isn't seasonal, you can wear purple shadow year round and play with different color combinations...

I have a secret obsession with Urban Decay: Stalker. I have had it for years, and it mixes a touch of lavender purple, with hints of silver glitter. You can mix & match to keep just the shadow, or combine with a black or navy blue to accent the color...