A Twilight Halloween

Whoever tells you that they don't like the movie Twilight is either

A. Lying (they're in the closet fan)

B. Jealous of Rob Pattinson (in the guys case) or Kristin Stewart (cause who wouldn't want Edward Cullen lusting after them?)

In my case after many months of protesting to my sister that there was no way I would ever watch a vampire movie, I finally succumbed to the Twilight fever and like most other viewers was totally paralyzed by the sheer force of Bella and Edward's young love (I'm not going to lie staring at Rob P is a nice bonus with that chiseled face and soul searching eyes). Now I'm going to put myself out there and tell you a secret- I rented the movie from Blockbuster.com and kept it for at least 3 weeks watching it at a minimum once a week...odd for an adult who never wanted to watch it in the first place! So when it came time to select my Halloween costume this year it was a no brainer...a vampire, but Twilight style! I figured from a cost perspective this was a good choice as I could save myself the money and put together an outfit from my closet (Twilight vampires are after all modern fashionistas like me and you). I could rely on my makeup to pull the whole look together and who knows maybe I could meet my very own Edward Cullen (a girl can dream can't she?).

Twilight Vampire Makeup

Face: Vampires are of course quite pale but unlike traditional vampires that have a chalky white complexion, Twlight vampires have more of an iridescent glow to their skin. So get foundation 2 shades lighter than your skin tone that has some light reflecting particles. Not sure if your foundation has this glow-like finish? Look for words like "brilliance" or "radiance" on the packaging. You can also improvise and mix the foundation with a shimmer powder like Laura Mercier Shimmer Loose powder in Star Dust. Apply the foundation all over your face in circular motions with either a brush or sponge for even coverage. Be sure to cover your neck, ears and decolette so your skin tone is consistent with the pale vampire complexion.

Eyes: Apply a light lavender eyeshadow like MAC Crystal on the upper eye lids working the color into the crease and toward the brow bone. Then work the lavender eye shadow onto the lower lids, tracing the lash line. Coat upper lashes with a black mascara.

Lips: This is a no brainer. Blood red lips! If you're not sure how to apply a foolproof bold red pout go back and relook at my old post!

Usage tip: If you will be out and about in your costume during the day remember to apply body glitter to exposed skin. Twilight vampires' skin sparkles like diamonds in direct sunlight unlike traditional vampires who burn. Remember it's Halloween so have fun with your makeup! This is the one time that more may actually be better!

The result: A smokin' hot, Twilight vampire! To the pale skins (how they refer to normal humans in the movie): you're forewarned and beware, we are on the prowl for our first victim!

Jet Setting

I have always been the type of person who appreciated the quality of friends over the quantity, and I'm truly lucky to say that I have some incredible friends. One of whom is my rock star, trans-Atlantic, manic cyclist friend...let's call her Fifi. This girl is a full on rock star, no joke. I can barely keep up with her. She's in Miami, no wait on a private yacht in the Greek Islands! Scratch that, she just landed in London. What? You're going to be in Nyc for 48 hrs? Off to Cyprus? Oh my! Clearly there's a lot to be envious of. She works hard and plays hard. But unfortunately all these frequent flying, champagne soaked trips have taken a bit of a toll on my dear Fifi and she has turned to the Beaute Guru for some help to rejuvenate her exhausted body! Fifi I'm ordering a two-fold prognosis for you: post-flight rehab and in-flight preventative care.

Post-Flight Rehab
Let's start with that smiley face. Book a facial asap. Depending on the facility I recommend one of the following- a radiance boosting facial to awaken your complexion's luminosity and restore vitality, an energizing facial to regenerate and stimulate tired, stressed skin or an antioxidant facial to to accelerate cell renewal and regulate moisture level. Next some r&r for the body. Where to begin? How about a massage? For someone who's been traveling and not really eating, sleeping or exercising the way they're supposed to I would recommend a lymphatic massage to kick start your body's drainage system, filtering out toxins and bacteria. It awakens a sluggish immune system and gives your a renewed sense of energy. If your spa doesn't offer this service try a Stone Therapy de-stressing massage to melt away fatigue, relieve tension and harmonize the body's energies. Finally, book a detoxifying seaweed/marine body wrap to replenish skin with essential minerals while expelling impurities and toxins. Fifi after these three services you should feel like your old self.

In-Flight Preventative
Of course the best care is preventative and the altitude, recycled air and lack of space on airplanes can reck havoc on your skin and body. Before long flights (5 hours plus) I always remove my makeup (bring a long a wet towelette like Garnier's for convenience) and apply an ultra-rich moisturizer. If you have dry skin then I would recommend applying a hydrating masque instead. Just make sure to properly work it into skin so you don't walk around the airplane with a Frankstein-esque face. Apply an emollient lip balm and make sure to repeat every 45 minutes or as lips feel dry. Don't forget your delicate hands! Moisturize with a nourishing cream like L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream every hour. Next skip the dehydrating alcohol and instead replenish your body with water or a relaxing tea like Chamomile. I like to drink a glass of water every 45 min so skin stays plump and hydrated. Finally be sure to get up and walk around every hour, do some yoga stretches to avoid cramping and kick start circulation.

Usage tip: Don't forget when you land regardless of what time zone you're in take a natural sleep aid so that you can get that much needed 8 hours of zzz's. It's during this crucial time your body repairs and recovers!

The result: Detoxed, revived, restored and replenished you! Let the partying again...where are you Fifi? Did you say Vienna?

The Essentials

There are just certain times of the year that I just eagerly look forward to like a helpless little puppy. There's of course the semi-annual Barney's Warehouse sale (I mean who doesn't love fighting over a dress while all the women around you are half naked desperately trying on clothes while hoarding their pile of goodies?! Mind you this is all happening in a large warehouse where men, children and the poor sales clerks are witness to this animal-like behavior!). Then there's the first day of spring where the buds are blooming, the sun is shining and for once you don't need that horrific down puffy jacket. There's something almost transcendental that happens on that therapeutically rejuvenating day. And then there's the Sephora Annual Friends & Family Event. 20% off any and everything online...need I say more? I know, I know your blood is rising as you read this and there's a frenzy starting as you desperately try to make a mental list of the things you need. Deep breath in and out! Beaute Guru is here to make sure you take advantage of this great deal the right way (no buying products that will just sit in your makeup drawer!). I have put together a Top 10 List of all the essentials any beaute aficionado absolutely must have, no questions asked, to help you better shop this event.

Proudly introducing the Sephora Top 10 Beaute Must Haves

10. Laura Mercier Shimmer Loose Powders because there is always that special occasion where the "ladies" need a little extra oomph. If you have no idea what I'm talking about go back to that post (click the hyperlink above).

9. Because we weren't born with perfectly curled, come hither lashes: Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler

8. Yes random cuts, nicks and stretch marks happen but your porcelain skin doesn't need to become tainted. Carol's Daughter Scar Butter is the first aid lotion you need!

7. Whoever told you raccoon eyes in the morning is hot was lying or just trying to get some. Avoid that disastrous situation with Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover.

6. Ok here's the reality we are all multi-tasking, over scheduled people and frankly it's not healthy to wash your hair everyday anyway. Klorane Dry Shampoo gets you that one extra day while giving your hair that sexy, rolled around the bed look.

5. I have good news! Love at first sight does happen and this is the product that makes it possible: Make Up For Ever Star Powder.

4. This is a no-brainer. We are all trying to avoid crow's feet and that botox injection. Be proactive with Dr. Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 30.

3. The magic wand! And my dearest Lisa can attest to the magical powers this bad boy has: YSL Touche Eclat.

2. Ok, seriously if there's one thing I want you to take away from reading this blog is this- wear sunscreen every, freakin' day! I don't care if it's raining, snowing or sun shining. 80% of all wrinkles are caused by sun damage (and thus why this is number 2 on the list!)! DDF Sun Enhancing Lotion SPF 30.

1. A few things on our number one. Dry hands are not only unattractive but they're awful to touch. Hands age like the rest of our body but unfortunately it's a bit harder to mask the getting older tell-tale signs. So start stockpiling the L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream in both the full and travel size (perfect for carrying on the go)!

Usage tip: The offer ends online on November 2nd so make sure you take advantage of this deal. Enter code FF2009 at checkout. Sephora offers free shipping on all orders for $50 and above so it's an all around sweet deal, delivered free right to your door! Talk about service! On a side note, Benefit Cosmetics is also doing their annual Friends & Family event online through Saturday. Enter code FRIEND09 to save 20%. They too are offering free shipping on orders $50 above if you also enter the code PRETTY50.

The result: All the beaute essentials for the most flawlessly, gorgeous you at a price you can't beat! (Now do you realize why I look forward to this yearly event?!)

Disclaimer: I'm not being compensated by Sephora or receiving any sort of kick back whatsoever. These are the products I covet and use. As a fellow beaute lover I want to make sure you know of the best products and the best deals. I'm just watching out for you!

The Fundementals

Here's a secret that you may not know...(actually if you've ever met my mom and savvy sis you probably do know this) but when it comes to the art of cooking let's just say I'm a true novice compared to the gourmet cooks that they are. They have this uncanny talent to taste something completely blind and be able to replicate it the very next day without any sort of guidance. Now me on the other hand, I've tried that a few times thinking perhaps the brilliant chef trait is genetic, turns not so much. My adventurous dishes are inedible to say the least. I'm well aware that I need to learn the basics, the 1-2-3's of cooking, before I can aspire to the creative artistry of mom and sis. And that's the funny thing, you can have the freshest produce, organic poultry and the finest wine but if they're not used in a proper way the chicken with porcini sauce turns out to be a nightmare-ish mess (even if the recipe says easy in big bold letters). The same protocol-following logic can be applied to a proper and efficacious skin care routine. You can have the most cutting edge products with revolutionary, proven technologies but if they're not used in the right way then you might as well skip it. So to round out our week of the skincare basics 101 I would like to review the proper AM and PM regimen.

Night Routine (Less than 3 minutes)

This is the most important time for your skin to recover and repair. During the day your skin is busy fighting environmental aggressors like pollution and the sun but in the haven of your bed, your skin is able to focus on it's needs to keep your complexion radiant and youthful.

1. Remove eye makeup with Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover. For waterproof or stubborn makeup leave the cotton pad wet with the remover on the eyes for 30 seconds before wiping off.

2. Cleanse with a glycolic cleanser like MD Formulations Facial Cleanser which gently exfoliates dead skin cells and helps fight fine lines.

3. Wet a cotton pad with your favorite toner and gently wipe the entire face, neck and decolette area to remove trace impurities and makeup. I like Clean and Clear Acne Clearing Astringent to prevent breakouts.

4. Apply 6-8 drops of the Skinceutical CE Ferulic Serum. Make sure to avoid the delicate eye area but to cover the neck and decolette, as after all skin ages there too!

5. Allow the serum to dry and penetrate the skin for optimal absorption (and results!), around 3-4 minutes. Follow with your eye cream and face moisturizer!

Day Routine: (Less than 4 minutes)

1. Cleanse skin. Yes I realize that it is clean from the night before but while your skin is in the night time rest mode it tries to detoxify itself by pushing any impurities to the top layers. To keep these trace elements from dulling your complexionand to remove any excess, unabsorbed product it's always good to wash. Now you can use a milder cleanser like Cetaphil to prep the skin.

2. Tone. Same logic as above, making sure your skin is properly cleaned!

3. Apply 6-8 drops of the Skinceutical CE Ferulic Serum. Remember to allow this super serum to absorb fully before applying the next products to get the anti-aging, 8 times photoprotection benefit.

4. Protect and hydrate your delicate eye area with a spf eye cream like Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15.

5. Last but not least my favorite part: sunscreen! If you're a foundation wearer then apply a light lotion with SPF like Olay Complete SPF 30 or if you prefer to go au naturale then wear DDF Sun Enhancing Protection lotion SPF 30 for a sheer, self-adjusting coverage. Again allow the skin to soak up the product before applying your makeup.

Usage tip: Now the general rule I like to follow is to apply product in order of their liquidity/viscosity from most liquid to least. So if you use a brightening treatment that's super watery apply it before the Skinceuticals serum. Just always remember to wait 3-5 minutes between layering products so that you allow your skin to properly drink in the product. Think about it when you're overloaded with a million to-do's, running around like a mad man nothing gets taken care of the right way. But when you focus in on one task before tackling the next then you get the best outcome.

The result: A complete skincare regimen that really works!

Super Power

There are certain questions that are just inevitable. At a job interview: "So what are your areas of weakness/development?" (Is this a trick? How do you even answer that?). On a first date: "So what do you do for a living?" (read: are you employed and driven?) and "Have you ever been married? Do you have any kids?" (just kidding...actually not really). When people learn that I've been in the beauty industry for years and have developed all sorts of beauty products the first question asked without failure is "So do any of these anti-aging products really work?" Drumroll please..are you holding your breath for this million dollar question? And the answer is...YES! I know what you're thinking, yes there is a god!

We are all educated on the benefits of antioxidants. They fight free radicals, curtail oxidative damage and essentially prevent pre-mature aging due to environmental (ie. sun) and lifestyle (ie. stress) aggressors. However what you may not know is that the efficacy and benefits of these antioxidants are determined by their concentration and combination (if multiples are used). Bringing the "super" in antioxidant skin care treatment is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum. As noted in their packaging and marketing communication this industry gold standard is made up of 15% pure vitamin C, 1% vitamin E and ferulic acid. What makes this product so ground breaking is not just the high concentration of damage controlling antioxidants, it is the skillful combination that is used. Independent clinical studies conducted at Duke University Medical Center show that by the these three ingredients double the level of photoprotection from 4-fold to 8-fold than each individually! Did you catch that? This tiny serum should not be confused for a small kid in the school yard. It protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays 8 times better than nothing at all (of course you still must wear sunscreen!). Hmmm I wonder how many premature wrinkles that translates to especially since 80% of wrinkles are caused by sun damage. Unmatched within the marketplace this revolutionary antioxidant combination increases collagen synthesis, neutralizes free radicals and brightens skin. The best part? It cannot be washed or rubbed off so you get continuous, synergistic protection. Skinceuticals is responsible for the serum trend you see in the marketplace but with like all copycats only the original is the real mccoy. Umm where's the dotted line so I can sign up for a life-long supply?

Usage tip: After cleansing and toning, apply 6-8 drops onto the palm of your hand and be sure to apply all over your face, neck and decollete. Wait 3-4 minutes before layering your SPF lotion during the day or night cream.

The result: The answer to the eternal question...yes there is a skin care product that really works!

Time for Toning

I started this blog because I realized how confusing and difficult it has become to navigate the beauty aisles and counters. As a consumer you're bombarded by marketing messages, pushy sales clerks and pitch-happy media. Who can really decipher between all these recommendations? What's real, what's not? What should you be buying? What should you splurge on? These are valid questions that we ask ourselves daily. So this week's topic is going to skincare basics 101. We will cover what I consider to be the cornerstones of an efficacious, fool-proof AM and PM beaute regimen.

It's funny how we have these preconceived notions of how things should be. I remember as a teenager always thinking that turning 16 would mean independence and 25 would ring in wisdom and all the answers to the big questions. The interesting thing about life is it never goes as planned and those expectations? Well maybe it's better to just keep an open mind. Which brings me to the beaute presumptions we all experience. I always thought that breakouts and acne were reserved for my teenage years. Turns out not so much, and apparently this nagging problem plagues almost half of all adults! We all know the importance of cleaning our face twice daily but do you also use a toner? Most people think cleansers are able to remove all dirt, makeup and residue. I have not really found this to be the case. While cleansers are thorough, I find that toners are able to clean up any remaining traces of these dulling, aging and breakout-causing culprits. To be clear not all toners are designed for anti-breakout action. There are plenty of mild toners that remove trace impurities while gently hydrating skin and prepping it for treatment products. Since I am a proud member of the 50% pimple-prone adult population I thought I would share my favorite toner that helps keep breakouts at bay.

Breakouts are caused by blocked pores. There's a multitude of aggressors that can cause this blockage like thick, non-absorbant products, body's naturally produced oil/sebum and even stress. Cleansers wash away the bulk of these things but often that's not enough to ensure pristine skin. I rely on Clean & Clear Acne Clearing Astringent to keep my pores clean and clear! One of my favorite beaute ingredients is BHA's (beta hydroxy acids) like salicylic acid. This plant derived ingredient helps exfoliate dead skin cells to prevent pores from clogging and allowing for new cell growth. While the Clean & Clear toner is formulated with this impurity fighting agent it is mild leaving behind a much needed moisture balance to keep skin soft. Many anti-bacterial toners can be quite aggressive not only because of the salicyclic acid but because of the high alcohol content. Clean & Clear does not treat skin abrasively and will not leave your skin tight or uncomfortable. Rather you can bask in cleaner, breakout free skin. This product treats a multitude of pimple related conditions from "once in a blue moon" breakouts to daily acne so you can use it daily or just when you experience a flare up.

Usage tip: Use both morning and at night directly following your cleanser. Apply a nickel size amount to a cotton pad.

The result: Acne or in-frequent breakouts are banished to your adolescent "spin the bottle" kissing days!

Twinkle in Your Eye

Besides assessing fellow passenger's complexion on the subway and making mental notes of what they could do improve their skin, I also like to watch people and see how a circumstance/environment can bring out an unexpected extra something to their look. The girl at the gym has the perfect rosy hued glow after running on the treadmill for 20 minutes. That color, in that exact location gives her a healthy radiance (mental note: match blush to the color cheeks have after working out and remember where to place it). Running late for work as she's trying to finish her breakfast and drop the kids off at daycare, the mother haphazardly throws her hair up in a ponytail with loose pieces lingering to frame the face (mental note: finger hair up into a ponytail making sure to leave some strands behind for a sexier, innocent look).

But my absolute favorite is looking at someone in a darker restaurant or lounge. The candlelight from the candle expertly placed on the table in front of them shines on the eyelid to give this alluring, inner radiance. You know that saying "the twinkle in your eye?" That's exactly what I'm talking about, it draws you in seductively and leaves you hanging on for more. Wow my body temperature went up just saying that! Anyway, wouldn't it be great if we lived in a world that was a bit darker and someone could walk in front of us with a candle so we could always have that allure? Laughable and unimaginable yes, recreatable abso-freakin-lutely!

Step 1: On clean eye lids first apply your eye cream (yes this is important, hydrated skin looks plumper) followed by an eye primer. (Amber how proud of me are you right now? I did a hyperlink! Pathetically sad that I get excited about something so simple!)

Step 2: Apply your all over lid and crease shadow as normal.

Step 3: Before applying eye liner but after using all the eye shadow you desire, take the small shading eye brush and dip the oval tip into the desired Make Up For Ever Star Powder. Remember to chose a lighter, highlighting color. One of my favorites is Pearl Gold which is versatile and complimentary to any eye palette. Be sure to tap the brush to remove any excess powder before applying.

Step 4 (AND THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE): Just above where the eye liner would be, apply the powder along the length of your eye pupil. Meaning, draw in invisible line of where you pupil starts and ends on the upper eye lid. That's the area you want to apply the powder. You can work it a little up towards the crease as well so that when your gaze is straight ahead, the distance from the upper lid to the eye crease is highlighted with the powder. Don't apply it too far up in the eye lid as that will be an over kill and end up transferring the powder into the crease. Think a delicate line. See picture above as well for further clarification.

Step 5: Apply your eye liner (I love using an eyeliner gel with an angled brow brush).

Step 6: Curl lashes and apply mascara.

Step 7: Apply concealer to your lower lid.

Usage tip: For added staying power, dip the small shading brush in water before picking up the Starlight powder. This helps the powder bind to the lid a bit more.

The result: If you don't know go back and reread the first paragraph or look at the finale picture above!

Smack That

So I know I promised another tutorial eye makeup post but I had an urgent request from 3 beaute 101 readers and I figured if they were all asking the same question perhaps you were too (just not out loud!). Yes fall has officially arrived! I started "winterizing" my closet and taking out the scarves to make my daily commute a bit warmer and perhaps more interesting (didn't you see the movie Shopaholic? That green scarf made her!). And while it's fun to rediscover your sweaters, this seasonal swap is not unique to just your clothes...you have to adjust your beauty regimen (and I mean the full shibang). We will cover this category by category, product by product in a lot of upcoming posts but probably one of the first areas you are noticing needing a bit more tlc is your lips.

The skin around the lip area is one of the most delicate and thin, making it susceptible to any external aggressors like sun, colder temperatures and the wind. The dry almost arctic (at times) weather we will experience from now till, well let's see umm April/May if we are lucky, strips your porcelain-like lips of any moisture. With each windy gust the lips moisture barrier (think of it as a wall keeping the water in) gets disrupted and over time your lips lose any ability to stay conditioned. That tight, almost needle-prick feeling your lips feel when the eastern winds are blowing so hard you feel it in your bones (ugh I'm really not excited about the winter!) is their way of saying HELP! Of course any old chapstick won't do for us beaute lovers. We need more perhaps a little color so we don't feel completely bare maybe a little UV protection...you know we want it all. So I have been test driving some lip balms and I have finally found one that may just be winter-proof.

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioners are just like a little pot of gold. The first time I applied it my lips just went "ahhh!" Formulated with the best hydrating ingredients earthly possible including shea butter, avocado, sweet almond and wheat germ oil, this emollient balm coats the lip with essential moisture helping restore the humectants needed to make lips supple and soft again. What's amazing is hours after you've applied it and numerous cups of tea later, you can still feel it like a protective glove keeping your lips safe. Now as I told you before I'm not a huge daytime lipstick wearer so I need my lip balm to also give a touch of color. Available in six versatile colors from pink to coral to bronze beige, MAC has got you covered so that your lips don't look drab in the gray weather. As if that's not enough they even go a step beyond. The lip conditioner also gives your lips a nice juicy sheen you typically only experience in their lip glosses (but no stickiness). So let's see so far you have hydration, color and shine? Oh wait, I forgot to mention the SPF 15 to protect lips from long-term damage. Well folks your lips should be safe this winter, so just go ahead and find a worthy kissing partner!

Usage tip: MAC also has Suntints but I didn't find it to be nourishing enough for weather-battered lips, it's a product more suitable to warmer conditions. For optimal results apply every 2 hours or as needed. Don't lick your lips! It only depletes the moisture from lips. The lip conditioners come in pots so if you're germaphobic like I've become with all the flu warnings invest in a travel lip brush. Added bonus? A more professional, controlled application.

The result: Color-infused, moisture enriched succulent lips!

Starlight Starbright

Isn't it funny how some of the best things in life are found in the most innocent and naive ways? Those are the things you grow to treasure and never take for granted. Well beaute must have always been in my genes and blood because at the age of 12 or 13, during a school sponsored field trip to the big nyc (funny fate should have it that years later I would make this remarkable city my home away from home), I stumbled upon a Sephora. What can I say I was in pure heaven. To the point that I returned the next 3 days we were there spending every nano-second I could until my mom had enough and other classmates became a bit resentful that they weren't seeing the Statue of Liberty. Didn't they understand that I had arrived in my mecca?! Well during this fateful trip I discovered one of my most treasured (remember I don't use that word lightly-only if I truly adore and love something) brands, Make Up For Ever, and purchased their Star Powder. That baby and I were inseparable. It was applied everywhere! Interestingly I still have that original jar.

I know I promised another makeup demo post but our next look will be focusing on a captivating inner glow which is mainly accomplished by this amazing product. Star Powder is the perfect mix between shimmer, highlight and just pure brilliance. A little goes a long way with this superfine powder and it's so versatile you can use it as you wish (imagine that!). In the mood for some light reflecting contouring? Meet Star Powder. Need a little radiance to brighten dull skin? Star Powder to the rescue! Want to highlight your perfect nose? Star Powder is your man (just don't umm snort it...it's a joke, laugh!). Anyway you get my drift, right? This silky powder provides the perfecting finishing touch to seal the deal. My favorite shades include Pearl Gold, Copper and Iridescent Neutral Beige. Go to your nearest Sephora, play and discover for yourself!

Usage tip: For extra staying power dampen your brush before application. The pigment can be dense so always tap your brush before applying and remember you can always apply more.

The result: Radiant, glowing star power for your best look!

The Eyes Have It!

Step 5:

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Back in the good ole days of being a student (when time was not an endangered species), I would tear out my favorite makeup looks from magazines and then try to replicate them at home. A couple of things I found. One: the step by step direction provided were never accurate. There's always a key step they managed to leave out. Two: through this trial and error process your artistic imagination may actually lead you to a better look or a signature technique. So today we are going to build from the last two posts and learn one of my all time favorite eye makeup techniques. As you all know I'm someone who needs a serious amount of sleep to get that rested, healthy look. The reality? That rarely happens! Even if I do manage to get into bed at a reasonable hour and am so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open, my brain somehow manages to keep me wide awake running through my "to do" list for the next day or over-analyzing problems. Needless to say there are days I wake up a bit tired looking. So I rely on this technique to not only give me that wide-awake look but to also highlight my eyes when I'm going for a little mystery.

Beaute Guru's Secret 6 Step Technique for the "8hrs of sleep + I draw you in with my eyes" look:
1. Apply your base and crease eye makeup as usual.

2. Apply your desired eyeliner, mascara and concealer.
3. Chose an appropriate light-reflecting, shimmery eye shadow. This is really dependent on your skin tone and the contrast you're looking for. I have an olive complexion so I often stick with a shimmery light pink such as MAC's Sweetlust. My fairer beaute lovers can use a whiter shade.
4. Dip the tip/head of the blending brush into the shadow and tap off any excess.

5. Start at the inner corner of the upper eye lid and brush the shimmering powder in a downward motion following the shape of the eye's inner V. Please see picture above.

6. Blend the highlighting shadow above and below lashes. I particular like working the color along the lower lash line about 3/4 in or to where your pupil starts. It helps exaggerate that brightening look.

Usage tip: My mantra is you can always apply more so start light and build up on the shimmer depending on how tired you look or to achieve the desired radiance. Play around with different highlighting colors. For night time a shimmering gold or peach tone may be quite alluring!

The result: Bright, well rested eyes with a devilish look!

Tool Time, Part 2

Like all little girls I learned at a very young age that all the best things come in small packages....a little blue box with your first piece of significant jewelry, my mom's encouraging love notes in my lunch box, a matchstick box holding keys to my first car. You get the hint. So naturally I have adapted this life lesson to all other aspects of my life. Best purse for a night out? A clutch of course! Best organizer/planner? My blackberry. The one thing that gives me comfort at night when I'm all by myself? My childhood small stuffed animal Coco. And when it comes to the art of makeup I sought out that small tool that would help give that added umph.

The small shading eye brush is one of the most versatile tools in your makeup arsenal. Because of it's flat bristles you can control the application with micro precision for unparralled effects. The tapered oval tip allows makes it uber multi-tasking so that it can be used in so many different ways. We are going to be covering all the eye enhancing tricks this small brush does in the next post but I thought I would give you a proper introduction first. Different brands call this brush different things so, as always, I have included a picture for you. But sticking with our theme the smaller the better. I say this because we want to use this brush for enhancing effects rather than all over application. Aren't you excited for the next post?

Usage tip: Clean your brush once a month with warm water and gentle soap (I like Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo) to maintain its condition.

The result: Small tool for eye popping makeup!