My Favorite Cruelty-Free Cosmetics

If you haven't heard, I'm pledging to go cruelty-free with my makeup!  There are so many fabulous beauty brands out there that make high quality, ethical products and they need your support.  As Yes to Carrots says, "beauty shouldn't hurt any living thing."  Since I don't want to support companies that hurt animals, I'm going cruelty-free!

Will you go cruelty free too?  Start small, there's no need to throw out your current stash, but when you go shopping for replacements or new products, look for a cruelty free label or symbol on the product.  Need a place to start?  Here are some products I've tried and liked!  See the full list and links here.

Do you have a favorite cruelty free product?  Leave a comment and let us know or share on our facebook page!

I'm Trying It: Going Cruelty Free with Makeup

Ever since I adopted my adorable puppy, Ella, I've been thinking more and more about the kinds of products I've been using...mainly, are they tested on animals?  I couldn't imagine my sweet little puppy being subjected to the horrors of painful tests just so I could put color on my face.  Then when the European Union banned the whole of cosmetic animal testing (read more here), I thought why not me?  Hopefully the US follows suit, but until then I'm trying it: going cruelty free with my makeup!

Going cruelty free is easier than you think.  While you will have to swear off big box brands that are available everywhere and take out glossy full page ads in your beauty magazines...there are a lot of brands out there that ARE cruelty free!  Good news for your wallet, they're not all expensive.  Using PETA's Beauty without Bunnies site, I rounded up as many brands as I had heard off.  To be on this list, companies have to take the pledge to not test on animals and not purchase ingredients tested on animals.  Unfortunately, some brands don't test on animals themselves, but buy ingredients that have been.  PETA's list is updated frequently, so check back often and encourage brands to take the pledge.

Makeup Companies that DON'T Test on Animals
Arbonne International
Bare Escentuals
Bath & Body Works (select brands)
Burt's Bees
CO Bigelow
Carmex
E.L.F.
Hard Candy
Jane
Kiss My Face
LUSH
Mehron
NYX Los Angeles Inc
Physicians Formula
Pur Minerals
Smashbox
Tarte Cosmetics
The Body Shop
Too Faced Cosmetics
Urban Decay
Victoria's Secret (select brands)
Whole Foods 365
Yes to Carrots

Do you support any of these brands already?  Check back on Friday for a few of my favorite cruelty free products!

~Kirsten

Makeup & Beauty Rules it's Okay to Break

Photo Credit

I'm a pretty straight forward, rule following girl...but when it comes to makeup, there are a few rules I break on a fairly consistent basis.  While some rules are good: save the black smokey eye for evenings and weekends.  Some are okay to break: like the following four makeup rules that I tend to break:

1. Never Wear Full Foundation: Since the advent of the BB, CC, and now (yes!) DD creams, full foundations have been getting a bad rep.  Especially this time of year, magazines and beauty blogs tell us to ditch the full foundation for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream.  Well guess what, I don't!  I proudly rock my full foundation year round.  As long as you apply it with a great brush (See my current fave here) and blend, blend, blend, you can wear it all year round!
2. Always Use Primer: Unless I have a really long day, I usually skip the primer.  I still haven't found the perfect one and while it is great for creating a base for makeup to stick to and helps makeup last longer, it's not a necessity for me.  I will use it on days I want my makeup to last longer or look a touch better, but there's no need to prime for day to day makeup if you don't want to.
3. Apply Concealer Last: Convention and makeup gurus all say to save concealer for the very end so you don't over use, but confession time.  I apply some of my concealer first!  To cover up redness that just won't go away or if you have a pimple, it's okay to use a thin concealer under your foundation.  It saves me some foundation!  I do save the thick, creamy under eye concealer for last as it helps cover up any tiny smudges left from fall dark eye shadow.
4. Always Put On Blush Last:  Blush should always be a graceful transition from your eyes to your lips, but on days when I'm feeling my skin looks a bit sallow I'll apply my blush first.  Or or if I'm not sure what kind of eye makeup I'm in the mood for, sometimes applying blush before eyes can help inform your decision.

What beauty rules to you break?

Lipstick Tricks to Try

Photo from Tumblr

Take it from someone who hasn't always taken care of her lips...to make your lipstick look extra gorgeous, you have to take care of your lips and apply a few tricks.  Here are some lip tricks that have worked for me:

• Exfoliate: Use a gentle lip scrub to keep lips smooth and flake free.  You can also use a soft tooth brush or wash cloth, but a scrub works wonders, especially in the winter and when you'll be wearing a really bold, matte color.  A favorite of mine? Mary Kay's, pop it on, let it set, and then wipe it off.  
• Pick a Pretty Color: If you're going nude, make sure the tone matches your lip color, if you go lighter it could look "off."  For colors, berries are always a safe bet too.  When in doubt, try it one.  Just make sure to use a q-tip at a makeup counter than sterilizes their samples or shop from someplace like Ulta, that will let you bring back opened products you don't like.
• Create a Custom Color: This is a trick pro makeup artists use all the time.  Use more than one lip color!  Blend one, two, or even three colors together to create the perfect lip color for you.  
• Skip Summer Gloss: Shiny gloss can look great, but in the summer it's more hassle than it's worth.  Glosses can also magnify UV light, eek!  So avoid a sticky, hot mess by opting for a balm instead.  Bonus: matte lips are in this season.
• Use a Brush: If you want your lipstick to look extra thick and more detailed and crisp, apply it with a lip brush and use a liner.  Pick a matching color or try one of those new fancy clear liners. Another lip brush tip?  It's a handy gadget to have for getting that last bit of color out of a worn down tube of lipstick.  I like this new one by EcoTools since it comes with a cover for purse popping potential.  

What's your favorite lip color?

Flower Inspired Makeup and Beauty Buys

Happy May 1st!  Since April showers bring May flowers, I thought it only appropriate to oogle pretty, spring floral inspired makeup finds on the first day of May!

From left to right:
MAC 'Pearmatte - Baking Beauties' Face Powder
EcoTools Fresh & Flawless 5 Piece Brush Set
Viktor and Rolf Flower Bomb Perfume (My go to scent!)
Makeup Forever Pro Mushroom Flower Brush
Stila 'Awesome Blossom' Lip Glaze
NARS 'Cactus Flower' Cheek Color
Paul & Joe Pearl Foundation Primer

What are your favorite spring and floral inspired products?  Want clickable links?  Check out the Polyvore Page here.

What to pack for a Wedding Weekend

It's wedding season!  Spring and summer always sees each of us with at least one wedding invitation, and if you're like me, the first thing you think of is what to wear!

The Wedding Attire: If not listed on the invitation or wedding website (ie - Black Tie Optional), look to the style of invitation, the location and time of day of the reception for clues as to what to wear.  Often engraved invitations and evening receptions point towards a more upscale event.  If you know the bride, ask her about her dress.  If it's a tea length or flow-y cotton frock instead of a ball gown, it's safe to pick a similar length.  When it doubt, dress up...and don't wear black, white, or ivory!  It's always better to be over dressed than underdressed!

The Makeup: You'll no doubt end up in one or two professional photography shots, not to mention a ton of Instagram photos or even a photo strip from a reception photo booth, so it's okay to glam it up!  Wear a little extra makeup than you usually would: finished, filled in brows, a touch of extra blush, and maybe even false eye lashes will make sure you look fabulous in photos.  Don't forget to pop your lipstick in your clutch for touch ups.  Throw in a covered lip brush for extra measure if you want too.

The Accessories: Make sure to pack a wrap incase it gets chilly, a fantastic hat for an outdoor wedding, and a small clutch to keep your lipstick and stash your place card in for your scrapbook at home.  What not to bring with you?  A gift - ship it to the address on the bride and groom's registry before hand so you don't have to worry about it getting stolen.

Don't forget to have fun!  A wedding weekend is supposed to be a fun time.  Pick your outfit, jewelry, and shoes and try them all on once before you go.  Make sure your shoes are comfy!  Don't forget to smile, take a lot of photos, and say congrats to the bride and groom!

Want to know what products are shown above?  Click here.

Color of the Moment: Turquoise

Need a little color inspiration?  Try turquoise.  It was Pantone's color of the year in 2010 and brings to mind frothy oceans, summer time, and robin eggs.  Wear it as a pop of color on your eyes with a liner or easily on your nails.

Not feeling turquoise makeup?  Use it as an accessory!  Ulta put together a cute collection of turq-cessories complete with lip balm, makeup brushes, card cases, and oh, what's that...one of our favorite products: Healthy Sexy Hair!   Who knew your hair products could double as color of the moment accessories!  

What are your thoughts on turquoise makeup?

Want to learn more about the products shown above?  Click here.

How to Look Fabulous (When you feel like crap)

We've all been there...tired, hungover, sick, whether from too many glasses of champagne or staying up too late to binge watch The West Wing on Netflix.  It leaves you looking and feeling less than fabulous.  The best cure is to apply some cream, drink some water, and keep watching Netflix, but on days when you just have to go outside, here are some easy ways to look fabulous when you're feeling like crap.

• Wear oversized shades and a great coat.  Especially if you're just running errands or in and out of the doctor and pharmacy, all you need is large sunglasses and a great coat.  Think like an "I don't want to be noticed" celeb and pick out your biggest sunglasses (no need for eye makeup) and tailored coat means no need to think to hard picking out your clothes.
• Conceal conceal conceal.  Being tired or sick usually equals blotchy and red skin, so use a concealer on trouble spots like under eyes and on cheeks.  If you're looking overly red, use a green based concealer or primer to help cut the color.  Apply your concealer under foundation and then apply another layer to any spots that are still bothering.  
• Use blush and lip color.  Swiping on a bit of blush will do wonders for lifting your face and making you look awake.  Pick a pale pink cream color (I like Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blush) and buff into skin.  Then apply a pinkish lip color to draw the attention to your lips.  Steer clear of nude which can make you look tired.

What tricks to you use to look good when you're feeling less than fabulous?

~Kirsten

Shown Above: Nina Ricci cateye sunglasses  / Laura Mercier concealer / Tarte lipgloss

Color Inspiration: Grey Makeup

Spring is right around the corner, but in Chicago we still have a few gloomy, cold days ahead of us.  Beauty blogs and magazines are all touting the new must have spring colors, bright pink, aqua, etc.  Anyone else think it's not quite time for those yet?   I think nothing goes better with a dreary March day than a sophisticated grey palette.  Here are some of my favorite ideas for going grey with your makeup.

• Try grey liner as a fresh alternative to traditional colors.  It's less harsh than black, but more interesting than brown.  Pair it with a subtle nude on the rest of your eye for subtle polish.  Make sure to amp up mascara too.  Since grey is subtler than black, you can wing it out during the daytime.  Pair it with pale pink cheeks.
• For a slightly more dramatic look, apply a cream grey color from lash line into your eye crease and line lids with a black pencil liner.  Want to amp it up even more?  Blend in a slightly darker grey or light black into your crease.
• Try grey nail polish!  It's a professional hue that also looks a little fun, much better than boring beige.
• Things to stay away from?  Grey lips and anything too sparkly or silvery.  Save the sparkles for nights out on the town or that bachelorette party.

Have you gone grey?  See the products shown above here.

Embrace Your Inner Child: 80's and 90's Inspired Beauty

Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I came into make during a time of bright colors and bold looks.  If the winter blues have got your feeling blah and left your makeup routine feeling stale, why not embrace some beauty tips and products from your childhood or teenage years?

• Pump up your lips.  There's no better makeup pick me up than popping on a bright lip color.  Matte pink will be having a moment in Spring of 2013, so get started on the trend now. 
• Bring color to your eyes.  Try lining your lids in electric blue for a subtle way to stand out.  Or why not try a shocking eye pigment color?  Try purple, it looks good on most skin types.  If your'e nervous, only apply color to the lids, not the crease.
• Pop a retro chapstick in your bag.  Remember that fake yet delicious smelling Dr. Pepper Chapstick?  They still make it.  Check out your local Target or Walmart, you'll find it tucked in with the Hello, Kitty makeup.
• Stash your stuff in style.  My favorite 90s trend was definitely the Kaboodle!  They're poppy, pretty, and usually pink or purple.  I've had four throughout my life so far and still have two of them.  I store my stage makeup in a glittery purple one and it makes me smile every time I pull it out.
• Nail it.  Bright nail colors are one of the easiest ways to carry off the bright makeup trend.  Try shocking yellow or neon pink.  Conservative work environment?  Opt for baby blue.

What's your favorite childhood makeup product?

Historical Beauty Icon Inspiration: Marie Antoinette

Femme fatale of the 1700s, Marie Antoinette was renowned for her fabulous style and trend setting beauty.  She picked her fashions for the day with a pin in a special book and changed the trends in France forever...what better inspiration for a real life beauty look.  You can copy the bright pastel trends of the Sophia Coppola movie staring Kirsten Dunst, but if you're looking for something a little more down to Earth, try these ideas:

• Jazz up your beauty space by converting vintage looking frames into gorgeous counter top trays and stack your prettiest beauty essentials there to start your day on a sweet note.
• Create luminous skin (especially in the winter when you need extra oomph) by mixing a highlighter in with your foundation or applying it directly to your face after foundation (on areas that need shimmer like your brow bones, cheek bones, nose, cupids bow).  I like Tarte's Illuminating Moisturizer.
• Define your eyes.  For an ultra glam look, play up your eye line by finishing and filling in your brows, apply a neutral beige from brow to lash line, contour the socket area with a darker nude, and then apply a heavy eyeliner.  L'Oreal's HIP Studio Secrets gel liner is one of my favorites for making an impact.  Apply it with an angled eye liner brush and apply several coats of mascara.  Keep lips a pretty, neutral pink.  (I've always wanted to try this pretty eco-friendly color by Juice Beauty).
• Create a volume rich bouffant.  Marie Antoinette was all about the hair, so grab your teasing comb!  Start by spraying dry shampoo on the underside of your hair, then flip it up and apply Sexy Hair's What a Tease: Backcomb in a bottle to the top layers around the crown of your head.  This gem of a product is made with a special combination of resins that give hair instant height.  Backcomb to get more height and then sweep everything to the side with a chic black ribbon.

Who's your historical beauty inspiration?

2013 Hair and Beauty Resolutions

Photo from Beautifully Superfluous

Happy 2013!  Have you made your New Year's Resolutions yet?  How about including a couple of hair and beauty related ones?  Need some to get started?  Here are five things to start doing, stop doing, and vow to try in 2013:

• Try new trends in hair and makeup!  Have you always stared longingly at that display of purple eyeliner pencils or continuously dog eared the same type of hair styles in your magazine pages? Now is the time to try them!  If a trend looks interesting and suits your coloring or faceshape: go for it!  There's no time like the present.  Need an extra incentive?  Challenge yourself to one beauty dare each month where you try something you've never tried before.
• Stop picking...everything.  Do you pick at your nails, your pimples, or your split ends?  Now's the time to stop!  Need some help?  Check out Allure's Solutions for 7 Emotional Skin Issues here.
• Stick with what works.  Go through your facebook photos....do the ones you look most fabulous in have any patterns?  Your killer winged eyeliner, curly hair, or that great green top?  Make an effort to repeat those looks.  If you love the way you look with tousled hair, wear it that way more often.
• Moisturize!  One of the easiest ways to look glowing and fabulous is to keep your skin moisturized.  Hydrated, happy skin is healthy skin.  Apply a moisturizer right after you get out of the shower and for double duty make sure it includes SPF.  Don't forget to hydrate from the inside out too - drink plenty of water.
• Upgrade your routine.  When you clean out your makeup bag, take a look at your products.  Are you using the same face cream since 1997?  It may be time for an upgrade.  Visit your local beauty counter for a consultation.  Looking for a new hair style....call patrick for an update to your look.  Even a simple cut change or some highlights can instantly change the way you look and feel.  

As for me?  I vow to toss out my expired beauty products (including that half empty eye shadow palette at the bottom of my drawer) and take better care of my nails ( ie - more frequent manicures).  What are your New Year's Resolutions?  

~Kirsten

10 Beauty & Hair Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Need a tiny gift or cool products to stuff your friend or loved one's Christmas stocking?  There's a reason beauty products make great stocking stuffers - they're small and everyone wants them!  Here are some great little presents for any beauty lover in your life.  Best yet?  They al fit in your stocking or purse (except for one!) and are budget friendly!  Everything is under $30!

Stocking Stuffer Ideas (Clockwise from top left)
1.  An oh, so cute Owl Contact Case for your friend no longer called "four eyes."
2.  Luxe feeling hand cream in pretty designs by L'occitane.  These make perfect tie ones for gifts too.
3.  A jumbo wand of lip colors from Sephora is fun and functional.  Gift the whole thing or break them up into six mini gifts.
4.  For your friend who always wants more volume, a Kirsten and Patrick favorite: Big Sexy Hair's Powder Play.  A few sprinkles instantly lifts roots and adds texture and volume.
5.  This one probably won't fit in the stocking, but it's super cute.  E.L.F.'s Nail Cube contains 14 nail colors for $10.
6.  Another fashion and function gift - a cute key chain lipgloss from Victoria's Secret.
7.  Makeup brushes are the perfect shape for fitting in a stocking or being tied on top of a gift as a gift topper.  A brush everyone is sure to love (it's my personal favorite) is the Expert Face Brush designed by European makeup artist Samantha Chapman for Real Techinques.
8.  Another Real Techniques brush, this Stippling Brush is sure to be new to even an advanced makeup buff.  Plus, it's flat bottom means it stands on the counter during makeup application time.
9.  Here's a perfect gift for the girl that's always reaching in her bag for chapstick or lip balm, Sugar's mini lip trio feels ultra luxe and is packaged in these holiday only set of three.  Available at Sephora.
10.  Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but faux ones are just as good.  Grab a pair of cute fake sparkle studs in a fun shape like these bow stud earrings from Charlotte Russe.

What's your favorite stocking stuffer of this bunch?
~Kirsten

Go for Gold: Holiday Makeup

Are you looking for a smashing holiday look?  Go for gold!  Gold is said to increase personal power, promote courage, confidence and willpower according to Crystal-Cure.com.  It's bling-y, fabulous and not for the faint of heart.  Try this look for your next cocktail or holiday party...or at the most fabulous holiday event of all, New Year's Eve.  Pick one or two features to play up in gold like eyes and cheeks, lips and eyes, or lips and cheeks paired with a neutral eye.  Swathing yourself in smashing black?  Then go for all three!  Just don't pair all gold with an all gold ensemble!  Here's how to get the look.

A gold eye is a sure bet if you want to have one feature swathed in gold.  Start with a neutral, matte shade for the whole eye and then use a shimmering gold shade on the lid.  Apply lots of layers or work with a cream shadow or wet powder for more intensity.  Create a cat eye or line your lids in black for a more dramatic effect.  When it comes to lashes, don't forget to curl, this is the number one eye opening trick!  You can even do that in gold with this pretty eye lash curler from Shu Uemura or apply false lashes with some gold built in if your event is extra swanky.  The same is true for foundation, use the golden self standing expert face brush from Real Techniques to flawlessly apply a shimmering foundation or top your normal foundation with an illuminator or shimmering powder.  Lips aren't left out either...top a nude lip color with a gold gloss or find a lipstick in a shade that's flattering.  Don't forget your nails, Essie is Good as Gold is subtle but shimmering at the same time.

Check out the polyvore board for prices and more links!

Will you be going for gold this holiday season?
~Kirsten

Holiday Sparkle: Makeup for your holiday season

'Tis the season!  It's time for feeling cozy and giving to others!  But it's also time for holiday parties, cocktails, and family gatherings.  Why not add a little extra glitz and glamour to your season?  I love all things glittering, sparkly, and fabulous, so I've gathered some wishlist worthy sparkly items.  Grab these to create a perfect holiday look whether you're headed to Christmas dinner, an office holiday party, cocktails with friends.

Start with your eyes!  Purple is  surprizingly flattering on most complexions.  Pick a sparkling purple shade,  I've had great success with Purple Pop from Cover Girl (it's one of the only shadows I use that tiny sponge applicator with.  Get it wet, then sweep a couple rounds of the shade onto your lid).  Pair purple shadow with a black eyeliner and pile on mascara for a more dramatic effect.  You'll want to keep your cheeks polished but not too pink, so pick a highlighting blush like the one above from NARS to give you subtle shimmer.  A loose shimmer powder can be a godsend for dreary wintery skin too!  Apply it with a setting brush (like this pretty pink one from Real Techniques) to your brow bone, contours of your cheeks, and collar bones.  You can also use a body shimmer if you're wearing a strapless dress to accent your shoulders, just don't go overboard.  Finish your look with a shimmering lipgloss on top of your favorite berry lip color (berry lips blends with purple eyes quite well).  Don't forget to grab your diamond (or faux diamond) studs and a sparkling clutch to stash your touch up makeup in.  Voila!  You're ready to sparkle for the holidays!

Where do you wear your sparkling makeup?
~Kirsten

Thanksgiving Inspired Nail Art

Be honest...every holiday there's a little part of you that loves the cheeky celebration of wearing thematic colors and paying homage to the day with nail art!  Since we're two days away from turkey day, here are some of my favorite nail ideas for showing your support for Thanksgiving.  Just know the formality of where you're going.  Turkey nail art might be fun and funky at a family dinner back home, but if you're meeting his or her parents for the first time or dinning along Michigan Avenue, it might be best to stick with a classy neutral or more elegant design like a swirl or marble.  Don't be afraid to sparkle though.  Holidays are a great excuse to get dressed up and feel fabulous.

Want to see tutorials and polish ideas?  Check out this Polyvore set here for links.

If you do decide to try one of these you MUST upload a photo to Patrick's facebook page so we can see your handi-work.  What color will be on your nails this Thursday?
~Kirsten

Video Tutorial: Applying Long Lasting Blush

The wait is over...our second video tutorial is here!  I hope you liked the first one on Applying Concealer.  Today I'll show you how to apply long lasting, beautiful blush.  

Products I used:

May your blush always be beautiful and long lasting!

~Kirsten

Our 1st Video Tutorial: Applying Concealer

Welcome to the first ever Patrick Knows Hair/Chatting with Patrick video tutorial!  This quick video shows you my technique for applying concealer.  We thought it would be great to show you makeup tips and tricks in action, so look for more upcoming videos with my makeup techniques.  I know there are lots of ways to apply makeup...none of them are wrong!  I've learned from a semester of stage makeup class, dozens of shows with makeup from casual everyday to historical period makeup, and of course everyday real life practice for 4,995 days (give or take) and counting.

Products I used:

I hope you enjoyed this first video!  Please leave a comment and let us know what videos you'd like to see or what makeup tips and tricks you're most curious about.

Make sure to check out my next video all about applying long lasting and beautiful blush.
~Kirsten

Transition Your Makeup into Fall

Fall is almost here!  It's a fabulous time of year, pumpkin spice comes back to Starbucks, oversized glossy fall magazines start arriving in mailboxes, and makeup gets new colors and bold looks!  But what about that strange transition time we're approaching?  It's not quite summer, but not yet fall?  That's the time to start your makeup transition.  Here are three ways to start transitioning your makeup from summer to fall.

1.  Switch your base.
BB creams and tinted moisturizers are perfect for summer because they're light weight and effortless, but fall makeup and colder weather wants a bit more coverage.  Switch to a medium weight foundation like a compact powder, powder to cream, or a mousse foundation.  You'll get a touch more coverage and a better base for starting to experiment with bolder colors and heavier application.  Check out my Foundation of the Moment blog for my current favorite.

2.  Layer your look and contour your cheeks.
Fall demands more product application.  Eyes get a little darker, bolder and cheeks start to see some contouring.  When we stop brushing bronzer on for a sun kissed glow, we replace it with a subtle contour.  You can contour the hollows of your cheeks with bronzer, then color the apples of your cheeks with a pink blush.  If you need even more dimension, apply a highlighter as well.  Another good trick?  Use two different types of blush.   Start with a cream and then layer on top of the cream with a powder blush, it'll give you twice the staying power.  You can also use the cream on the apples of your cheek and the powder blush in a slightly darker pink to contour in the hollows of your cheeks.

3.  Darken up lips.
When the days get shorter, your lips get darker.  Neutral lips are still in style, but feel free to start adding a touch of mocha or berry into your lip color routine.  The hot shades this fall are wine inspired mulberries and dark, vampy reds.  If you start darkening your colors now, the transition will be less jarring.

What fall beauty trends are you looking forward to?
~Kirsten

Photo from EcoTools

5 Everyday Beauty Tips

Fitness Magazine

Looking to add a little finesse to your daily makeup routine?  Try out these five easy tips for adding pop and polish to your everyday makeup whether you're heading to the office, after work drinks, or a weekend shopping spree.

1.  Use eye shadow as eye liner.
If you want to finish your eyes with a subtle edge use eye shadow.  Take an angled eye liner brush, wet it, and then apply it as close to the lash line as possible.  Wet shadow mimics eye liner but without the harshness.   Try a glittery black for a night out or a dark matte chocolate for mornings at the office.

2.  Brush off shadow flakes with your foundation brush.
One of the saddest things is makeup ruined by stray dark shadow or mascara flakes.  If you happen to have some fall on your cheeks or under your eyes, don't use your fingers as they can make the color smudge and streak  Use your foundation brush, it will still have a little product on it and can help hide and color that might stay behind.

3.  Fill in your eyebrows.
One of the easiest ways to look instantly put together is with well groomed, filled in eyebrows.  Use a lash and brow grooming brush to tame any out of place brows, they using an angled eye liner brush or a detailer brush, apply a brow tint gel, powder, or pencil and fill in any sparse spots.  Eyeshadow works in a pinch too, just make sure the color is a perfect match or one shade darker than your brow color.  Use small, short strokes to mimic real hair growth instead of one steady line.

4.  Upgrade your lip routine.
If you're like me, you had no lip routine before.  Some makeup artists swear by a scrub with a soft bristled tooth brush, but I happen to love a lip mask.  Get rid of all the little flakes on your lips with a gentle scrub (especially important if you're wearing a bold lip color) and then apply a lip primer.  They really do make a difference in how long your lip color lasts.

5.  Apply blush second.
Many people apply blush last to get just the right amount of color (as blush should always be a graceful transition from eyes to lips), but if you're not sure how much makeup you want to wear, apply your blush after your apply your foundation.  Blush instantly brightens up your face, you may find you need less eye makeup than you thought.

What beauty tips and tricks do you find yourself using everyday?
~Kirsten