#SHAPEMATTERS WITH SMASHBOX FULL EXPOSURE PALETTE

Good morning and happy Monday, Everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Since so many of you asked me about my beauty routine, I wanted to take this opportunity to talk to you about a few tricks and techniques I use when applying eye make up. Before we get into eye make up application specifics, the first thing we should consider is the shape of the eye. Our eye shapes are unique, applying eye make up based on our eye shapes helps to enhance the natural beauty of our particular eye shape and of course ensure the best results! If you are not sure what your eye shape is, Smashbox created a wonderful video to help you figure it out. 

To achieve today's look, I used Smashbox Full Exposure palette. What I like about this particular product, is the fact that it contains 14 universally flattering shades, perfect for creating anything from a simple daytime to dramatic nighttime looks. I found that the colors are highly pigmented, long-wearing, easily blendable and feel great on. The double-ended brush included with the palette, is my other personal favorite! The fluffy side is absolutely perfect for blending matte shades, and the flat side is great for laying down shimmer shades. Finally, the palette comes with an eye shape get-the-look insert, which not only helps to identify your eye shape but also gives detailed instructions, tips and tricks how to enhance the particular shape of your eyes. The palette includes 3 different looks (day, night and defined) for each of the main 6 eye shapes. For today's post I chose to create a night look, designed to elongate and maximize the shape of the round eyes. 

To create today's look, I started by applying a midtone slate with silver pearl all over the eye lid, using the flat side of the double-ended brush, designed specifically for application of the shimmer shades. The best way to apply shimmer shades, is to press down rather than sweep the shades across the lid. 

Next, I applied ashy dark brown along the eye crease using the fluffy side of the double-ended brush. I find that defining the crease adds depth to the overall look and also helps to emphasize the shape of the eye. Unlike shimmer shades, the best way to apply a matte shade is to sweep the color using a back and forth motion, almost like a windshield wiper:) 

Next, I applied suede black along the top of the lash line as an eye liner, extending beyond the natural outer corner to elongate the eye and to create my beloved cat-eye look. 

Finally, I dabbed a little bit of soft gold with gold and silver pearl into the inner corner of my eyes. This trick helps to brighten the face in general and to widen the eyes. Next, I applied the same shade right on top of the cheekbones to illuminate the face and give more definition to the cheeks.  I completed this look with two coats of Full Exposure Mascara and voila! All done! 

NOW, HERE COMES THE BEST PART! Smashbox is giving away a ton a great prizes including 1,000 Photo Finish 24 Hour Shadow Primers and deluxe samples of the Full Exposure Palette, up to 500 full size Full Exposure Palettes and a trip to LA for 2! 

TO ENTER:

1. Submit a selfie showing off your eye shape with hashtag #ShapeMatters via Instgram, Facebook, Twitter or directly on the contest site by CLICKING HERE 

There is no limit to how many selfies you can submit, just make sure your settings are public so that entries show up on the contest page!

Smashbox Full Exposure palette | Finders Keepers dress { similar here } | Samantha Wills earrings  | Tiffany & Co Atlas open ring

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

BURBERRY BEAUTY + TACORI CITY LIGHTS JEWELRY

I think I mentioned before that when it comes to make up, my philosophy is less is more and today's look is no exception. I like to choose colors that are soft and natural. I swear, I tried red lipstick so many times, but it just looks wrong on me:) Normally, I skip foundation all together and simply go for a bit of bronzer or blush. The Burberry Beauty blush, I'm wearing in this post, gives the softest, pretties glow without being too obvious. Just make sure you blend well, and build intensity gradually.  

I don't like to wear lip pencils but always apply lip balm under my lipstick and use my finger instead of a brush to apply lip color. I find, this way the product goes on sheer and looks much more natural. 

I do spent a bit more time on my eyes, I'm sure you noticed I am completely addicted to my eye liner! But even so, I like a more understated approach. For a very soft smoky eye look, I like to apply Burberry Beauty sheer eyeshadow all over the upper lid and line the top and bottom of my eye lashes with eye shaping pencil in a very pretty shade of greenish-brown, extending the eyeliner just beyond the outer corners of my eyes to achieve a cat-eye look. And voila! All done:)

Bracelet, ring & earrings via Tacori | Cameo dress | Burberry Beauty Lip Velvet long wear lipstick in "Antique Pink", Light Glow natural blush in "Russet", sheer eyeshadow in "Dark Sable" & Eye Definer eye shaping pencil in "Midnight Ash"

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle

HOLIDAY MAKE UP IDEA - LAVENDER SMOKY EYES

"City Lights" Clear quartz over green onyx cocktail ring via Tacori | Rachel Pally chiffon dress - old { also loving this one & this one } | ASOS handcuff ditsy necklace & cross necklace | Zara Clutch

 Products I Used:

EYES: Lancome Color Design eye shadow palette  in "Lavender Grace", Sephora long lasting 12HR wear eye liner in "Navy/Black", Chanel Le Volume De Chanel mascara   

LIPS: YSL Rouge Pur Couture lipstick in " Pink Coral"

CHEEKS: Bobbi Brown bronzing powder in "Golden Light"

One of my favorite holiday make up looks of all time is the smoky eye. A big change from my usual minimal approach, I think smoky eye look adds drama and helps to transition your make up from day to night. A big fan of the classic black or dark brown smoky eyes, sometimes I like to have a bit more fun and recreate this look using bright colors. Since, lavender happens to be my favorite color at the moment, lavender smoky eye look was an obvious choice. Now, even though it’s such a bright hue, it actually works great for any eye color. For me the key to a bright eye make up is blending, playing with lighter and darker shades and keeping the rest of the face neutral. Let the eyes be the focal point of your face. 

To achieve this look I applied bright medium blue purple shade all over my upper eye lid, adding just a bit of light pink purple closer to the corner of the eye. Next, I applied matte deep gray to the crease to add dimension and dept. Finally, I applied deep purple shade along upper lash line and crease extending slightly beyond the outer corner to visually elongate the eye. I finished the look with 2 coats of volumizing mascara and  dark navy eyeliner for my beloved cat eye look.

To balance the bright eyes, I kept then rest of look fairly neutral. Adding just a bit of bronzing powder to my cheeks and bridge of the nose and a coat of pink/ coral lipstick. 

P.S. I tried a lot of bronzing powders before and for me the best ones are matte. I find that matte bronzers look a lot more natural. And if you really want sparkle you can always add some later to very strategic places rather than having an all-over sparkly face:)

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Keep on smiling,

Love,

Annabelle