I’ve always said that the eyes are one of the greatest features to play up when applying your makeup. Mascara cosmetics are a great way to play up eyes because there is a range of options so that no matter what your eyes may look like, you can make them look great with a little mascara.

Using mascara cosmetics is something that many women shy away from. The idea of trying to delicately paint your eyelashes with the tiny wand is more than gals can handle. It really isn’t that bad, though. Once you learn how to do it you can quickly apply a couple coats every morning with ease.

One of the biggest issues with applying mascara cosmetics is that the mascara gets on the area around your eye and can be difficult to remove. This is caused by not allowing the mascara to dry. It is a rather fast drying product so slowing down a bit when applying will eliminate this common problem.

Here are some of my best tips for choosing a great mascara!

Choose a type: As mentioned, there are a variety of different types of mascara. You will find mascaras that separate and some that plump. You will also find a variety of wand styles. You should read the product description and choose the mascara that will suit your needs and desires.

Get a magic wand: A great product for those of you want volume, length and curl all in one with an easy to use brush is Stila Multi-Effect Mascara Black. This mascara has a curved wand that will help you avoid getting the mascara on your face.

Find a winning formula: Look for a mascara formula that is made to plump and lengthen your eyelashes. It is a great product for beginners or experienced mascara users.

Now that you have chosen your mascara you can begin.

It is best to start with the upper lashes. You want to look down a bit so that your eyelashes are not lying right against your eyelid. Brush them slightly with the wand. Keep looking down for a couple of seconds to allow the makeup to dry. You can then add another layer of mascara if you would like.

To finish you need to do your bottom lashes. You do not want to brush them or you will end up with mascara all over your face. Instead use the end of the wand and run it back and forth across your lower lashes to coat them. Again, make sure you hold your head so that the lashes are not lying against your face.

It is that simple. Now you can really make your eyes stand out with a little mascara. On those days when you are running late try using just mascara and you will be surprised at how great this product can work alone. It is a quick and easy cosmetic product that you will make you wonder how you ever lived without it.

Try it for yourself.

Caterina - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

How often have you been a victim of “raccoon eyes” due to drippy eye makeup that didn’t last through that unexpected tear-jerker of a movie?  (Or maybe your unexpected tear-jerker of a life?) That’s why a key component of every girl’s cosmetics tool kit should be some really good waterproof make up. But to find the make up you really love in a waterproof version isn’t always easy.

That’s why I was so excited to find this value packed makeup kit. The Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collection is a limited edition value pack issued this season by Makeup Forever. And yes, I know I’ve been praising the merits of makeup kits to death in some of these beauty reviews- but what’s not to love?

This waterproof make up kit also includes one of the best makeup innovations I’ve ever seen- Make Up For Ever Eye Seal 0.4 oz. Eye Seal is this miraculous formula that can transform any powder into a waterproof liquid liner. Isn’t that cool? But the kit also includes mascara, cleanser, liner and pencil.  A total value of $85 at a cost of $45. Now do you se why I love these waterproof make up kits?

There are bargains out there girls, just waiting to be had. And I’ve got a lot more beauty reviews to bring you on all these great products. So keep on reading!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

The Bare Minerals Get Started Eyes is a mineral kit created to accompany the base Bare Escentuals Get Started Eyes ($94 Value) Get Started Eyes. These products are the latest craze and from personal use, I now know why. The Bare Minerals kit produces an extremely light, almost non-existent feel to wearing a foundation (of sorts). If you’ve never liked the feel of foundations and have spent years seeking the lightest products available, this is your answer. And the makeup eyes products are no different.

Bare minerals makeup eyes products can barely be felt on the skin at all if applied correctly. And they blend so perfectly with your natural tones that it doesn’t appear to look like you even have makeup on at all. Plus it’s nice to know that the products on your face are 100% natural.

Since women can start using the Bare Ecsentuals line to makeup eyes, it adds even more to the product’s promise of instant beauty. The kits may seem pricey, but you don’t use a lot of the product at one time so they can last you months with constant wear. Overall, these products have a lot of promise in the market and you have to be a wearer to believe it. That’s probably why I get so many comments from readers writing their own glowing beauty reviews for these makeup eyes products.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

P.S. Want to look better in that bikini naturally? Click here

Like a frame around a picture, eye liner makes your eyes stand out. Really, other than mascara, it’s my favorite tool for the eyes. But my scan of beauty reviews for how to put on eye liner brings up the constant question of whether or not it’s OK to use eyeliner on the inner part of your lower lash line. You know- the part that is right next to your eyeball.

Well, I’ve always advised against it, due to the risk of infection. But there are some smoky eye looks that use this method. And a lot of the responses to beauty reviews claim that you won’t get an infection unless you’re sharing your makeup with someone who’ve infected.

Here’s my thinking. Even if you’re not worried about the risk of infection- my how to put on eye liner advice is to use eye liner below the lower lash line. Using it inside/above will only make eyes appear smaller. And if you are one of the few who truly desire that effect, there are other ways to achieve it. (Line the whole perimeter of your eye, for instance.)

Either way- here are the basic steps for how to put on eye liner.

1. Choose a versatile eye liner that will allow you to achieve both fine thin lines, and fatter smudgy ones. My current fave is Bare Escentuals Liner Shadow Compact Quad IV. It comes with four shades and a brush.
2. Hold your upper lid taut with your non-dominant hand, and use your writing hand to start at the inner corner of your eye and work outward. To really make your eyes appear larger you can focus on the outer edges by starting liner in the middle and working out from there.
3. Use a similar approach on the lower lash line. If using a pencil instead of a brush, try smudging staring through those lashes.

Remember to let liquid eyeliner dry before opening your eyes. And play around to figure out which type of liner you like best.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com- a positive place for women and girls

If you’re wondering how to do cool eye makeup, here’s your first clue. Jewel tones are the traditional recommendation for girls with cooler skin tones. If you’ve decided this is you, then tones like those in the Laura Geller Color Dots are what you’re after. Jade and Lapis tones play well against cooler skin tones.

Why? Well, cooler skin colors typically have blue or pink undertones. You will look better in silver jewelry than gold. (Great tests if you are unsure of your skin tone). That’s because the jewel tones compliment those undertones, while other colors seem to wash them out. There are a thousand beauty reviews that recommend certain colors for certain skin tones. But they all agree that a key to how to do cool eye makeup is by including these jewel colors in the makeup palette.

You’ll still need to take your eye and hair color into account when choosing colors that work for you. But here’s a start for how to do cool eye makeup.

1. Apply a light color to the overall lid.
2. Then brush BECCA Jewel Dust Xantho (bronze gold) under the crease line.
3. Follow-up with BECCA Jewel Dust Feeorin (a vibrant emerald green) on the outer part of the eyelid.
4. Blend with your brush.

For most girls with cooler skin tones these colors will make your eyes pop! There’s a reason that all the beauty reviews focus on jewel tones for how to do cool eye makeup. It works.

Sincerely,
Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Caterina’s Beauty and Dating podcast

Give it a listen! How to Apply Cool Eye Makeup

Enjoy! — Caterina Christakos

Phew! Let me take a big breath after that title. But it needs to be a long title, because it hits on an important topic. A lot of girls are a bit overwhelmed by beauty reviews on eye makeup how to apply it and choose it. If you’re getting confused by the beauty reviews you are reading, then my advice is to stop reading. Beauty reviews should be simple and straight-forward. Not complicated doctoral theses on the chemical makeup of makeup!

That’s why I try to keep my beauty reviews short, sweet and on a single topic. Maybe two if they are related. Why? I really enjoy playing with makeup and learning about skincare. I think it should be fun. So here is my one quick tip on eye makeup how to apply it.

Dark eye shadow minimizes the areas you apply it to. Lighter eye shadow colors bring attention to those areas. So if you want to make your eyes look closer together put your brighter eye shadow shade in the outer corner. If you want them to appear further apart try you brighter shade in the inner part of the eyelids. Try the Too Faced Eye Shadow Duo for some stunning color combinations like Too Faced Eyeshadow Duo Cocoa Lilly with chocolate brown and lilac rose.

This may sound like a simple technique on eye makeup how to apply it, but in my experience, the simplest beauty reviews are the most effective.

Hi ladies! You know I get a ton of requests for beauty reviews on really specific areas of need. For instance, how to put on eye makeup for brown eyes is a biggie! But don’t worry if you’ve got baby blues or glam greens, the basics of these beauty reviews will apply to you too. And I’ll get to your specific issue eventually. Promise!

The difference between how to put on eye makeup for brown eyes versus other eye colors simply comes down to choosing complimentary colors. The techniques will be the same. But pay attention to the part where I said complimentary colors. You don’t need to match exactly (please don’t!) or go to the opposite side of the color wheel. A tone that is similar to your eye color can go along way to act as a background for letting your brown eyes shine.

To make life easy you might try one of the Summer Eye Shadow Trios by Stila. I really like the Stila Summer Eyeshadow Trio Mazatlan and the Stila Summer Eyeshadow Trio Acapulco color combinations for brown eyes. (Besides, it sounds like taking an exotic cruise.) Some colors that go well with brown eyes are copper, bronze, soft champagne and khaki green. For a bit more pop you can add a brighter pink or more vibrant green. Your specific skin tone matters, but these are pretty safe places to start your search.

Keep in mind that any beauty reviews you read, whether for something as specific as how to put on eye makeup for brown eyes, or as general as choosing lipstick, should be a starting point. As you get more comfortable with the basics, you get to branch out on your own. And that’s where your creativity and individual nature really get to shine!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

There are a million beauty reviews on how to use smokey eye makeup, and some are so complex it’s ridiculous. Yes, there is a technique to be learned, but if you focus on the basics, how to use smokey eye makeup actually makes a lot of sense. Just think about the name. The whole focus of a “smokey eye” look is to eliminate harsh lines and create a dreamy, yet dramatic effect. The darker colors in smokey eye makeup immediately create drama, while the blending creates sultry warmth.

If you’re new to the look try using a premix of colors like the Pop Beauty Eye Class - Smokey Eyes Smokey Eyes. Then this is what to do.

1. Use a good brush and apply a heavy amount of a light color to the entire lid.
2. Use either a creamy black liner, I like the Stila Kajal Eye Liner Onyx, or a black shadow and a good eyeliner brush to line the upper and lower lash lines from outer to inner.
3. Use a smudge brush on the lower portion to extend and smooth the liner in inward and downward strokes.
4. Repeat on the upper lid, but be careful no to create streaks. Do this by adjusting the direction of your brush.
5. Choose a very dark or black tone for your upper eyelid. With the brush apply an ample amount below your crease line. It can follow the natural shape of your brow. It will look dark and messy at this point and that’s fine.
6. Finally, holding your brush so it’s straight up and down, smudge the color to completely fill in that portion of your lid. Add a slightly lighter color above the crease line. Blend both until no harsh lines are apparent.
7. Complete the look with a lot of dark mascara.

Yes, I could get a lot more complicated, but you don’t need to. How to use smokey eye makeup is really a lesson in blending more than anything. Think of it as drama without the fuss!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

One of the most frequent questions I get on makeup is how to match eye shadow colors. This is really confusing for a lot of girls. Should you try to match your clothes, your eyes, the season, your skin tone? My scan of the beauty reviews out there makes the reason for all the confusion clear. Most beauty reviews give you the writer’s opinion, but not the reasons behind it. And for any free-thinking woman, you want to know why you’re doing what you’re doing!

The Makeup How to Match Eye Shadow Tutorial

In my humble, but experienced, opinion I always advise that you work on complimenting your eye color, and then give consideration to your skin tone. Here’s why. Your eyes are set immediately against your face, not your shoes, your handbag or that really cute dress you just bought. Trying to pair your eye shadow with clothing is like choosing a picture frame to compliment your furniture, rather than the picture and the wall it is set against.

Also, a key to makeup how to match eye shadow comes straight from that color wheel your elementary art teacher showed you. Remember how it’s broken into the primary and secondary colors, and gradually moves from one to another. Most beauty reviews don’t bother to explain that this is how you learn which colors compliment your eye color. Take a look at a color wheel, and then try to choose colors close to your eye color, but different enough to make an impact. You wouldn’t frame a mostly green picture in the same green color frame. It would get lost. Most likely you’d pick a complimentary color a few tones away off.

OK- brown isn’t actually on the color wheel; it’s a combination of all the colors. Still the best colors for brown eyes tend to be coppers, beiges, and champagnes, all tones of brown. Get it? If you’re still unsure try a makeup how to match eye shadow kit like the Pop Beauty Eye Class - Blue Eyes Blue Eyes. Let them do the initial work for you. Eventually you’ll learn enough about complimentary colors to writer you own beauty reviews!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos- founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Ok lucky ladies- today’s blog is a double whammy! You’ve asked for beauty reviews on lash extensions and how to take eye makeup off. So I figured I’d combine the two and do beauty reviews on both. Here’s the skinny on clean and sexy eyes

Lash Extensions Tips

Lash extensions are similar to false eyelashes, but they give you more flexibility. Look at the picture for the Make Up For Ever Eyelashes - Individual Ref 25009- Individual, and you’ll see what I mean. Instead of pasting on a row of false eyelashes, you just add individual lashes where you need them most. “Why oh why (I hear you thinking) would I want to do that Sage Guru of beauty reviews.” Style and flexibility my friends.

Try adding a few individual lash extensions to the middle part of your upper lash line, or at the ends of those lashes. You will be amazed at the way this simple technique creates a soft, yet powerful effect. Try adding the lash extensions to your outer lashes, and you instantly create an aura of power and sex appeal with the “cat eyes” look. Really. I dare you to try this and tell me I’m wrong.

Beauty reviews for how to take eye makeup off

But what about beauty reviews for how to take eye makeup off? This is important, and too many girls tell me they skimp on the healthcare aspect of beauty, because it’s a hassle at the end of the day. So the simplest product I can find is the Sephora FACE 25 Makeup Removing Wipes - Face, Eyes & Lips 25 wipes. You can use these on your entire face, eyes included. And you don’t even need to reach for a cotton ball, because the wipe is already loaded.

There you go. Instant beauty reviews on lash extensions and how to take eye makeup off. What else can I do for you? Let me know. Hearing from you is the best part of my day!

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Caterina’s podcast
Give it a listen!

Click here for Lash Extensions Beauty Reviews (And a bonus!)Podcast

Enjoy! — Caterina Christakos