Tutorial: How to Apply Fake Lashes! (Very Long Post)

How To Apply Fake Eyelashes

Applying eyelashes is very simple once you have a little bit of practice. In this tutorial I will explain step by step how to apply False Lashes. Last week, I posted about my favorite lashes, where you can purchase false lashes as well as other general information regarding false lashes. To be re-directed to that post, click here. Otherwise, Keep Reading!

Tools you will need: 

False Full Strip Eyelashes (I am using ELF Essentials Dramatic Lash Kit)

Lash Adhesive (I am using DUO Dark Tone Lash Adhesive)

Tweezers

Optional Tools:

Liquid Eyeliner or a Dark Eyeshadow

Small brush (eyeliner brush, angled liner brush, smudge brush, etc.)

Where to start? Applying false lashes will be the last step of your eyes. So, make sure to prime your eyes with an eyeshadow primer, apply your eyeshadow and eyeliner & you'll be ready to apply your false lashes!

Why apply them last? You apply false lashes last because you want your lashes to be very black and clean of any eyeshadow or other products. If you apply them first, you may have lashes that are full of eyeshadow. If you'd like, you can apply a thin coat of mascara beforehand. But it's not necessary. I like having a thin coat of mascara on my lashes before I apply false lashes.

Let's Begin! I've included photos of each step along with a caption. I have written out the steps, and they are more detailed than the actual captions.

Step 1: Take your false lashes out of the box. Using your tweezers (or fingers), gently peel the lashes off of the tray. You don't want to apply too much pressure, or else you may bend or damage the band.

Step 2: Using your pointer finger and thumb, you want to hold both ends of the eyelashes at the bottom band. Lightly move both of your hands up and down a centimeter or so. Doing this will stretch the band so it isn't as stiff. This will help the lashes sit better on the contour of your eyelid. (Think of it as stretching a balloon before you blow it up) In the photo of Step 2, the top lash is properly curved and the bottom lash has not been touched yet. You can tell the band on the bottom is a bit straighter.

Step 3: Now we are going to test the lashes to see if they are the correct length for your eye shape. If you have smaller eyes, you may need to cut a little bit. Pick up the according eyelash to you eye. The shortest part of the lashes should be matched up near your tear-duct. The longest part should be at end. The way you will set them on your eyelid is with the curl facing up. Set the lashes down in the middle of your lashline. Look to see where your natural lashes start (inner corner) and pull the false lashes to the same spot. Look to see if the band extends farther out (outer corner) than your natural lash line. If it extends out longer, grab the end with your thumb & pointer finger and lift them off.

Step 4: With your scissors, cut off any excess lashes. (Set it on your lash line again to see if you cut enough)

Step 5: Squeeze a little dab of lash adhesive on a clean surface. Don't apply it from the tube directly to the lashes. A lot of product comes out at once and you don't want to damage the lashes.

Step 6: Using any tool you'd like for precise application of the glue, (many like to use a toothpick or the opposite side of the tweezers. I'm using the opposite corner of the lash adhesive tube) pick up the glue up. Don't worry it's too much. You don't want it to be too little, otherwise your lashes might not stick well.

Step 7: Pick your lashes up with your fingers or your tweezers and drag the glue across the band of the lashes. Apply a little more to each end of the lashes, as they are the spots that tend to wear off.

Step 8: Pick the lashes up with a tweezer, holding them in the middle - close to the band but not touching the glue.

Step 9: It's difficult to apply lashes while looking straight forward into a mirror. The easiest way is by sitting down or standing up and tilting your head back a little - so when you look forward, your eyes are slightly squinted. This way, you'll be getting a better view of your lashline. Like you did in Step 3, set the lashes down on your eyelid as close as possible to the base of your natural lashes, but not touching them. They should be on your eyelid, not your lashes. Make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes before you press them down on your skin.

Step 10: Once the lashes are lined up with your lashes, grab the beginning of the lashes with your tweezers and press it down on your lid. Again, make sure they are lined up with the start of your natural lashes. You don't want them to be any closer to your tear-duct, or it may cause your eyes to water or a pinching sensation. There should be a small space. Grab the outer end and press it down on your skin. Work Quickly before the glue sets.

Step 11: Go along the whole band, pressing it down onto your skin with the tweezers.

Step 12: To make sure it's very secure, use a brush (smudge brush, eyeliner/brow brush, etc) or sponge applicator and go across the band again pressing it down on your skin.

Step 13: Wait patiently for 1-2 minutes while the adhesive dries completely. 

Step 14: For this step, you can use eye liner (liquid/pencil or gel) or a dark eyeshadow (brown, black, etc). If you're using an eyeshadow, take a small smudge brush and smudge the shadow on your lid, close to your lashline - blending it into the band of the false lashes. This will blend in the band better as well as cover up any adhesive you may have gotten on your eyelid. If you're using a liquid liner, line your eyes as you normally would - against the band of the lashes.

Step 15: Apply a coat of mascara to your lashes, starting at the base of your natural lashes all the way up to the end of the false lashes. This will blend your natural lashes in better with the false lashes as well as make the lashes look darker. 

You're all finished! Enjoy your long, lush lashes!

To see how it's done, check out Kandee Johnson's video tutorial!

Nars Isolde Eyeshadow Duo Review, Photos and Swatches!

Nars Isolde Eyeshadow Duo

Nars Isolde Eyeshadow Duo ($34) is the only Nars Duo I own, and it consists of a golden copper and a burnt copper shade. Both colors are intensely pigmented, and buttery soft. They also translate exactly the same on the lids. 

I would consider Nars a luxury brand (despite the less than luxurious packaging), so I only purchase a Nars product once in a while, as a "treat" to myself. 

I have to admit, there aren't too many duos that really grab my attention in the whole range, but as a lover of warm golden shades, Isolde is a great pick.

Knowing Nars eyeshadows, they are pigmented for the most part, but sometimes there's a "miss" in the bunch. They also differ in texture - some are super soft, while others are just average. Both shades in the Isolde Duo are actually the softest eyeshadows I've used from Nars.

Tutorial: Create Natural, Defined Brows with a Creme Product! (I'm using MUFE Brow Corrector)

Today I will be showing you how I use the Make Up Forever Brow Corrector. I know many people are interested in trying the product but don't know how to use it. You can obviously improvise if you don't have the MUFE Brow Corrector and use any brow pencil or creme liner. I have read that some people use MAC Dipdown Fluidline or MAC Quite Natural Paint Pot as a brow filler. It may seem odd to you that creme liners can be used for your brows, but applied sparingly with a light hand you can end up with beautiful brows that are natural looking and won't budge all day. Pencils that work well are ones that you can sharpen to a good point that aren't too soft or retractable "crayon" liners such as MAC Brows or Maybelline's Define-a-Brow. These brow pencils work very well because they don't smudge as easily as pencils, the formula is pigmented (but not overpowering) and the consistency is dryer than regular eye pencils, which is essential for creating natural looking brows.

Products used in this tutorial:

Coastal Scents Precision Angled Liner Brush
E.L.F Studio Eyebrow Treat & Tame
MAKE UP FOREVER Brow Corrector #3

I am using a small eyeliner brush that is bent so you it's easier to apply liner and make precise lines. I prefer this particular brush for the brows because the tip is short, dense and comes to a point. I can make very precise lines with it. If you don't have a specific liner brush, an angled brow brush can work too. The thinner the tip is, the better. I am using the ELF Treat & Tame to set my brows. It is a tinted brow gel that adds a tiny bit of color to your brows so your natural brows will blend in with the parts you filled in. It also will keep your brows in place so the hairs are all going in the same direction. MAC has a similar product called Brow Set, which is a product I love as well.

• If necessary, tweeze & trim your brows and/or stray hairs as you normally would. 
  

• It's your preference if you like to apply foundation before or after your brows, but I usually do my brows last. It's much easier in my opinion. If you have oily skin or tend to get an oily t-zone. Set the area with powder so your brows won't get shiny or smear throughout the day. 

Step 1: (If you are using MUFE Brow Corrector) Dab a tiny bit of product onto a clean surface. If you are using a potted creme liner, you can dip your brush directly into the product. Make sure to dab it off on a clean surface or the inside of the lid so you don't apply too much product in an area at once.

Step 2: Line the underside of your brow. Follow the shape of your brow. This area should be the most precise as it is where your brows would normally be waxed, tweezed or threaded. The top of your brow is where it's supposed to look the most natural.

Step 3: Dip your brush in the product again. Wipe off any excess. You don't want your brush to be very coated in product. Look at your brows in the mirror and decide where you would like to begin. I typically fill my brows in starting at the beginning. With the tip of the brush, you want to create small, thin lines to give the illusion of brow hair. Whatever spots you wish you had more hair in, draw small lines in the same direction as your hair. Don't use very much pressure - you want the tip just touching/grazing your skin. You want thin lines that aren't too dark. You want it to blend in well with your actual brow hairs. You can practice on your hand first.

Step 4: After you've followed the top line of your natural brow, you want to accentuate your arch. Draw a small line above your natural arch in the direction of your hair growth, and connect your brows (still using the same technique) from where you left off in Step 3 to the highest point of your arch. It should look very natural.

Step 5: With any excess brown pigment from the product left over on your brush, go over your brows to darken any areas that need it. The end of your brow should be the lightest as you have the least hairs there. If it needs to be extended, do this with the residue on your brush.

Step 6: Comb your brows in place with a spoolie, clear mascara or tinted brow mascara to set your brows.

My brow looks very arched in this photo because of the angle I took the picture. Don't worry they aren't that triangular.. LOL

• If necessary, take a small concealer brush with your favorite concealer and outline your brow and then blend it into your skin to cover up any mistakes, or if you made your brows too thick.

• Add a shimmery highlight under your arch to make your brows look even more polished!

I hope your found this post helpful, and if you have any questions.. make sure to post them below!

The Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush!

For those of you who aren't familiar with the brand.. Sonia Kashuk is a line of beauty products (created by Makeup Artist & Entrepreneur Sonia Kashuk) that are sold exclusively at Target stores. Sonia Kashuk products are supposedly of high end quality for an affordable price. One thing Sonia Kashuk is really known for is their wonderful brushes. Often times Sonia Kashuk comes out with limited edition brush sets for the whole face that range from $10-$20.. often times you can snag a great set for a great price since they go Clearance when the next new items come out. If you have, Kudos to you! I unfortunately don't have a very large selection of brushes and don't happen to own any myself.

It wasn't until lately that I was feeling a little dissatisfied with my selection of foundation brushes (I lost my MAC 131 somehow.. I gave my full size MAC 187 to my Mom and my MAC 187SE got ruined when my eyelash glue leaked into all of the bristles). Currently, I only have my ELF Studio Stipple brush.. which works wonderfully and a few basic foundation brushes (MAC 109, Ecotools Foundation Brush, ELF Studio Angled Foundation Brush) which I don't find practical for every foundation I own. I've been really wanting to try the Sigma Synthetic Face Kit, but as of the moment I can't dish out $50 on brushes. So, I finally decided to purchase the Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush that I've see every time I'm at Target and have read raves for among Beauty Blogs.

The Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush is a synthetic fiber brush with relatively short bristles (maybe a little under an inch long?) and is very silky soft to the touch. It is very dense and sturdy, and because of the small size - it is ideal for applying foundation and working it into small areas as well as creme and powder blush. The brush retails for $14.99.

I compared it to my other flat top brushes...

From Left to Right: Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Top Multipurpose Brush, ELF Studio Powder Brush & Gotta B' Urban Finishing Brush. 

The Sonia Kashuk brush is the smallest of the three and it is the most dense. My ELF Studio Powder Brush is almost just as dense and a little bit larger. The ELF brush works well for foundation.. but I found it very difficult to clean when I used liquid foundation, so I just stick with using powder products with it. The Gotta B' Urban brush (purchased at Marshall's) is the least dense, as the fibers are very long and is ideal for setting powder.

The first time using the brush was today and I really liked the result. It smoothed on my foundation so quick and easy. I didn't have to spend extra time buffing it in like I usually do. 

Overall, I think it's a very good brush. The price seems a lot for a brush that isn't high end, but it works extremely well and is comparable to a brush you'd buy from MAC or Sephora. 

I'll keep you updated to let you know how I like this brush as I use it more and more.

Do you own this brush? How do you like it?