Fall is all about that sexy cat eye makeup, from winged liner to metallic to pops of color.

Although I tend to gravitate towards a strong lip I must admit that a beautiful eye, artfully embellished, does catch my attention. Cat eye makeup may seem like a lot more work than simply swiping on some lip color, but in fact, dramatic results can be achieved rather easily. With so many fabulous products and a little know-how you’ll be wondering why you’ve hesitated to try something new. Let’s begin with eyeliner.

A perfectly applied winged liner is, in a way, the eye version of a classic red lip; simple but dramatic. And even though it may seems intimidating, with a little practice it’s quite do-able

All you need is the right product, and good technique. Liquid eyeliner has come a long way from its original cake version.

With so many options at so many price points there is sure to be some thing for everyone.

Here are my 2 top picks for cat eye makeup products and tips on how to use them.

For the beginner, the product:

NYX Two Timer Dual Ended Eyeliner

This liner has three great things going for it: price, versatility and convenience.

Did I mention price? At $10,  it’s an inexpensive way to try out stand-out cat eye makeup with out having to break the bank.

NYX Two Timer Dual Ended Eyeliner has two sides, a twist up pencil and a liquid liner, and for a novice this combination makes for a wonderful tool to achieve the illusive the liquid liner look.

The technique:

Start by using the pencil side and applying it along the upper lash line. Take your time getting the shape just right (follow the lashline and make sure not to make the line too thick). When you get to the outer corner of the lid, open the eyes and follow the upward curve of the lower lash line to create the most flattering “wing” for your individual eye shape (you need not extend the line too far). Repeat on the other eye and adjust as needed.

Pro tip: I keep Hollywood Fashion Secrets’ eye makeup remover swabs on hand when creating liner looks to adjust and balance the “wings”. Once the shape has been perfected use the liquid liner over the guide you’ve created with the pencil to finish the purrfect cat eye look.

Another option is a more smudged rock and roll version. Line the eyes as above with the pencil this time making the line a bit thicker. With your finger or a small synthetic brush smudge the edge of the line furthest from the lashline. Once blended apply liquid liner along the lash line to intensify the look, a bit of black mascara and Voilá, Kate Moss has NOTHING on you!

For the expert, the product:

Benefits’ They’re Real Push Up Liner

This intense black gel liner also has three great features (One of which is revolutionary as far as liquid liners go). Long wear, creamy application and the convenience of a pen. And not just a pen but a very different angled applicator tip that makes the formula glide on smoother and easier than a brush.

I have always used a flat angle brush to apply liquid liner. I feel there is so much more control with it than with a long narrow brush. Because of this, for me there wasn’t much of a learning curve. However, for those of you used to a traditional liner brush it may take a couple of tries. Once you make the transition the ease of application is well worth the adjustment. You may find you don’t ever want to go back to a brush. As for formula I was pleasantly surprised at the long wear of the formula. In my experience using the product I found the only touchup I needed before dinner (after a long day of working on location) was at the inner corners of the eyes.

Remember; the thicker the line and longer the wing the more dramatic the look. With this product it’s easy to go from subtle to super dramatic.

The technique:

Start by turning the end of the pen a few times until product appears at the tip of the applicator. Point the small end of the applicator towards the nose and use a continuous flowing movement along the upper lash line towards the outer edge of the eyes. Take your time getting the shape just right (and make sure not to make the line too thick unless you are trying to achieve a very dramatic look). When you get to the outer corner of the lid, open the eyes and follow the upward curve of the lower lash line to create the most flattering “wing” for your individual eye shape (you need not extend the line too far if you are attempting a more subtle version of the look). Repeat on the other eye and adjust as needed. (Even with this gel formula the Hollywood Fashion Secrets’ eye makeup remover swabs really help adjust any imperfections both along the lashline as well as balance the “wings”.) Once the shape has been perfected, apply 2 coats of mascara to finish the purrrfect cat eye look.

Double the fun!

For a simple day to evening transition when wearing liner try adding a second line of gold right above the black. It adds drama with minimal work and the flash of gold every time you blink is sure to attract attention.

Splurge $19 Urban Decay Heavy Metal Liner in Midnight Cowboy (gold) or Steal $5 SRP NYX Liquid Crystal Liner in Crystal Gold.

Find Fatima on Twitter @fatimaolive

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Top image: Sonny Vandevelde; Dolce & Gabana Fall 2014 RTW

The post Cat Eye Makeup Done Easy: 2014’s Purrfect Fall Makeup Trend appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnWant to have an iconic summer look beachside? Follow these tips.

Sun-bleached blondes with beach tousled hair, smoldering black eyes and pouty nude lips captured a time in the ’60s when curvy women in bikinis lit up movie screens. Over the decades, Brigitte Bardot and Claudia Schiffer have been inspirational icons for this playfully seductive summer look – one that will never go out of style.
GUESS’s Spring 2011 campaign reignited the part of me that would love to go wild with a box of peroxide, a teasing comb and a kohl pencil. Like most things that inspire me, this is a pretty unrealistic look for anyone who wants to do more than sing songs with choreographed dance moves on the beach. The reality is that much black eyeliner would protect from sun glare, but would be a nightmare as soon as one drop of salty water hit.  If you plan to stay dry and want to have some fun with your makeup recreating yourself as a ’60s beach bombshell, here’s the how-to.

Black out

To start you’ll need a black eye pencil, black liquid eyeliner, black eyeshadow, a tube of black mascara, and an eye contour brush.

Green product suggestions:

Living Nature Eye Pencil in Midnight

Lavera Liquid Eyeliner (vegan)

Alima Pure Satin Matte Eyeliner (to be used as eyeshadow) in Black (vegan)

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Brush #004 (vegan)

Pro tip: Put foundation on after eyeshadow so you can easily clean off any powder that may have dropped onto your face.

1. Line the upper and lower lashes of your eye with the black eye pencil. This doesn’t need to be precise but it does need to be thick and dense.  You may have to go over it a couple of times to get the right intensity.

2. Take your eye contour brush and begin buffing the edges of the lines to diffuse them up into the crease for the upper lid.  For the lower lid, pull the liner with the brush down to about the place where the ends of your lower lashes touch. On most people that’s about ¼ of an inch.

Pro tip: Do not connect the inner corners of the eyes with black and leave the water line free of liner to give a more wide-eyed effect.

3. Use the brush and go more heavily into the crease of the upper lid with black eyeshadow using a windshield wiper motion using very rounded strokes. Leave a fair amount of space between the shadow and the brow bone. Everyone’s eyes are different, so for some it maybe 1/8 of an inch and for others almost 1/2. Concentrate the color on the outer edges of the eyes. Make sure that the edges aren’t pointy, rather soft and arching. Follow with just a touch of shadow underneath the eye following the rounded curve. Keep the application a bit lighter here.

4. Curl your lashes.  A lot.

5. Whip out that black liquid liner and make a thick line across the top lashes. Then paint on a thick, but slightly thinner line underneath.  If you are feeling very deft, make the lines a little bit thicker towards the outer corners of the eye as you go.  Remember not to connect the inner corners with liner because it will shut down the eye and make it look more punk rather than 60’s.

Pro tip: If you mess up your liner use a pointy cotton squab dampened with a touch of water to quickly “erase” your mistake.

6. Layer on the mascara. This look has nothing to do with restraint. If you need to use half a tube on both upper and lower lashes then do it! Clumpy and pointy work here.

A bold brow

Is anyone getting tired of hearing me say that bold brows are the way to go for pretty much every look? This look really needs it and it’s what is most modern. Naturally groomed and less manicured brows add a great frame to the eye and structure to the face. Need a quick tutorial on that, check out this video.

Don’t touch those freckles!

If you are blessed to have a freckly face or even a freckle-less face, don’t cover it with a pile of foundation.  Let your skin show through and only conceal the tiniest bits where necessary.  The key to this look is really keeping things raw, rough and textured.  Use a tinted moisturizer with SPF to help even skin tone, protect and allow the skin texture to still be seen.  Try Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30.

Light lips

To balance such a heavy eye, a very nude lip is the way to go.  There’s nothing overly skilled about this part.  Just slap on some lip color and you are set! Ecco Bella makes a great natural, vegan lip color called Almond that should do the trick.

Alright beach babes, get out their and show ‘em how glamorous your summer style can be!

Editor’s note: Got a celebrity look you’d like to copy or a trend you’d like to see incorporating healthy, non-toxic makeup? Send your questions to High Definition columnist Kristen Arnett at beauty@ecosalon.com

New York City based Kristen Arnett is an internationally renowned makeup artist and founder of the Green Beauty Team, styling high profile celebrities and runway models as well as a sought after beauty expert, educator and teacher for other makeup artists.

Image: Ellen Von Unwerth for GUESS Inc.

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