Eye Shadow Palettes

If the title of this post strikes fear into your heart, makes you panic a little, and/or causes you to break into a cold sweat, you're not alone.  While they might be pretty, eye shadow palettes with five, ten, or even more options can overwhelm even a seasoned makeup junkie. Whenever I get stuck due to eye shadow overload, I go back to the basics.  Since we recently discussed eye shadow 101, all you have to do is pick out a base, crease, lid, and liner color (or whatever combination you want) from the palette.

For some tips and ideas on how to use your palettes, click HERE for a video.

Here are three of my favorites:

1. Urban Decay Naked 2

Although I don't think this is the "prettiest" of the Naked palettes, this is the one I reach for the most because it holds my favorite base, crease, and liner shades.

2. Lorac Pro

The most complete palette out there in my opinion.  Equal parts matte and satin/metallic shades, there are plenty of color choices.

3. NARS NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip Palette

Finally, my entire face in a case.  I love to use the darker blushes as eye shadow.

Summer Lovin', Had Me a Mask

Beaches and barbecues don't require a lot of makeup, so it makes life easier when skin is in its best shape.  I keep these four masks on rotation in my routine, thinking about them like medicine for my skin.  Have a headache? Take ibuprofen.  Need to deep clean pores? Use the Dr. Dennis Gross peel. Cleanse and exfoliate your face, then take some you-time with one of these delicious masks.

1. Caudalie Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel Mask

Bad news: I feel like they're discontinuing this mask.  Since I don't want you to fall in love then have it taken away, this is a great replacement.  In case I'm (hopefully) wrong, it still deserved a mention.  Although this isn't necessarily what you think of when you think "face mask," - I wanted something thicker and tingly-er - the results are awesome.  Your skin just looks clean and calm, and this is what I use when I want to do something but my skin is too irritated for a harsher treatment.

2. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength Formula

When I want to push the reset button on my face, I use this.  For my sensitive skin, I can only use it about every two months or so, but this peel cleans out pores, tightens skin, and makes everything glow.  I recommend using this at night, finishing with an emollient moisturizer, and taking extra care to apply sunscreen the next several days.  Another great aspect: you can do this mask in under five minutes.

3. Crude Personal Care Detox Mask

This one wins best new mask award.  While other clay masks leave my skin dehydrated, this cleaned my pores just as well as (and far more gentler than) a pore strip.  If you're into completely natural skincare, check out this whole line of excellent products.

4. Institut Esthederm L'Osmoclean Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser

Osmoclean makes me happy.  I've used this for years, and have many lovely memories attached to it.  When I want the ultimate face mask, I use this one.  It goes on almost clear, then, as you massage your face, thickens into a glorious cream. Although I usually leave this on during a long bath, you can rinse it immediately and still receive a beautiful treatment.

The Problem With YouTube

First, let me note that I love YouTube and that I exclusively watch YouTube makeup tutorials while I ride the elliptical.  However, I also believe that YouTube can be a soul-sucking black hole. While ellipticizing (?) to this Jaclyn Hill video, I began thinking along the lines, "I love those eye shadows but don't own any of them.  I especially love that one in the palette, so maybe I should just get that new palette..."

Nonsense.

But this is what these types videos (mine included, sorry) can unintentionally do - make you think you need products to look and feel a certain way.  I initially tried to be generic, i.e. "use a pale pink blush," to describe what products I use, but that doesn't help in the long run.  Since the mission of Electra Lane is to teach you to be your own makeup artist, I'd like to share how I snap out of my I-need-new-makeup-now funk.

Step 1: Take a deep breath.

We don't NEED makeup.  Our faces are perfectly good naked.  When we WANT new makeup, it's important to ask why because it might have to do more with wanting to emulate the artist's features than how that particular product will look on us.  Also, take into account that these artists receive most of their products for free or in exchange for hawking them; and at the very least, working artists (like me) get their products at a significant discount.

Step 2: Assess your inventory.

So maybe you don't have nectar from the second Lorac Pro Palette.  What do you have that looks like it?  A blush!  Huzzah!  Think outside the box and remember that you can use non-designated makeup products - like an eye shadow as a cheek illuminator - in any capacity (one caveat: some products can't be used around the eyes so just double check).

Step 3: Hire Electra Lane.

Super shameless plug here.  The whole point of this business is to send you your own makeup tutorial, with your coloring, features, and budget in mind, as well as a one-on-one video chat with me so you can have all your questions answered.  If you'd like to get started, email me (jessica@electralane.com).

Remember: makeup is meant to be fun and make us feel good.  Next time you indulge in a YouTube marathon, keep it in perspective.

P.S. Here's how I recreated Jaclyn's eye makeup for an event:

Instead of "nectar" I used NARS blush in Orgasm; instead of "toast" I used the reddish shade from the NARS Surabaya eye shadow duo; and instead of "uninterrupted" I used a bronzer.  Boom.

Quickies

Wedding season has descended upon us.  If you need some inspiration, here are three looks that can go from date night to wedding guest (or bride!) to showers and BBQs. #1: Afternoon Wedding (Click the link to take you to the video)

A soft, easy look with defined eyes and a peach lip.

#2 - Bright Lips/Sparkly Eyes

Bright, flirty lips would be perfect for a bachelorette party.

#3 - Smokey Natural

Neutral makeup strategically applied can be your go-to throughout the whole season.

Eye Shadow 101

Of all "the makeups," I think eye shadow application is the most confusing.  I can still get overwhelmed when trying to put together a look, but what helps me is to always go back to the basics. But that's a problem if you don't know what "the basics" means.  And, according to several of my clients, they don't, because they feel there is so much information.  And there is - this topic is a bear.

Here's why:

Every eye shape is different, therefore it is impossible to give paint-by-number, step-by-step instructions to a large audience.

Also, a disclaimer: I rarely do my eyes the same way.  Although there are a few main guidelines, I'm constantly changing up the application and colors.  So, I've boiled down those "few main guidelines" and named them Eye Shadow 101 because no matter your eye shape, you can do this look.

Click here to see the video showing how to do it, and here are the ingredients:

1. Large, fluffy brush like the MAC 227

2. Small paddle brush

3. Crease brush like the MAC 224

4. Angle brush

5. Eye shadow; I used Foxy, Buck, a color similar to Finish, and Blackout from Urban Decay.  So, what you need is a matte base shadow that is your skin color or a little lighter (pressed powder is a great option), a matte crease shade that is a little darker than your skin (or you can use bronzer).  The other two are optional: a "fun" shade, either a color or something with a little texture, and a darker color - like black, brown, navy, or purple - to use as eyeliner.

6. If turning a shadow into a liner, add some sort of medium like water or setting spray.

Take your time, practice, and experiment with different shadows and brushes so you can find what works best for you.