Eye makeup was never in our go-to vocabulary. For the statement-lip heroine (like myself) or the heavily blushing babe, we tend to gravitate towards makeup styles made to enhance our lips or cheeks. But the mask life has proven to us that eye makeup might be an essential during these trying times. And to try, we shall! Eye know what you mean: it can get hard to stay afloat with this year’s makeup currents. For eye makeup noobs looking for ease into new makeup terrain, consider these beginner-friendly tools to spruce up the windows to your soul.
Brows
Buffed or sparse; it is no secret that a fuller yet hair-like brow is proven to be hallmarks of a put-together look. For those who demand more flexibility and control, consider these tools that will give your brows the badges of honour they deserve.
MILANI’S PRECISION BROW PENCILS
Milani’s Precision Brow Pencils offer you skill and usability to elevate your brow to a desired arch, fill in sparse hairs and provide the drama you desire. With its intense colour payoff, seamless blendability and budge-proof formula, makeup beginners become makeup mavens because this brow pencil is akin to a magic wand. (Tip: Consider the shades Caramel for a gentler effect, and Soft Brown for a clean-cut look).
EXCEL EYEBROW MASCARA - ASH BROWN
If you have bright ash or beige-hued tresses, Excel Eyebrow Mascara in Ash Brown can give you a soft and seamless 3D brow appearance. This waterproof eyebrow mascara firmly coats your eyebrows with an evenly distributed application that feels satisfying. It is also infused with ultrafine pearl particles to give a natural and youthful depth to your brows. (Tip: Keep a light hand because it is easier to fill in rather than going all-in. It’s also perfectly okay to have eyebrows that are not 100% identical. Just remember – your brows are sisters and not twins!
Lashes
Not all of us are ready to commit to getting eyelash extensions. For the ones who desire long lashes without the slightly high-maintenance lifestyle of babysitting them, these nifty tools may work for you.
MILANI’S THE WATERPROOF ONE MASCARA
For that extra lush in your lash, Milani’s The Waterproof One Mascara gives you lift and length in an easy and fuss-free fashion. Continue to volumnise your lashes with a coat (or more) of this polymer formula because this mascara does not clump. No spidery lashes, no panda smudges and no crispy eyelash fall-out. Get ready to commit to this thoughtful one for making our lives a little easier – rain, shine, or cry. (Tip: Curl your lashes first with an eyelash curler to prevent parallax error from smudging your lids with mascara).
ETUDE HOUSE DR. MASCARA FIXER FOR PERFECT LASH
Before you apply dramatic mascara, consider Etude House’s Dr. Mascara Fixer for Perfect Lash. This revolutionary lash fixer is unique in its transparent gel formula and curls droopy lashes with the right amount of volume. You can use this before mascara or just on its own. But if you also want to condition your lashes, this blackroot infused formula is your eyelash vitamin. (Tip: Hold up your lashes with a cotton bud as you go over with Etude House’s Dr. Mascara Fixer to get every single lash fixed).
Eyeliner
I spy with my little eye, a shaky hand when doing your cat-eye. Eye makeup beginners, like myself, shudder at the thought of a less-than-perfect eyeliner. In fact, eyeliner for beginners is a challenging entry code. But look no further – the password lies in these products that promises you a shaky future no more.
MILANI THE TANK EYELINER
Milani’s The Tank Eyeliner is water-resistant and transfer-proof, so sweaty lids or an emotional reunion with a friend will keep it flawlessly on lock for 24 hours. With intensely black pigments, it’s a pow even if you just want a meow. So, glide on a short cat eye to portray a sultry yet approachable vibe. Then, continue to marvel at how this eyeliner has been intentionally engineered to keep all air out of the product with its unique storage tank. (Tip: Draw dots along your lash line and slowly connect them. You will have a clearer direction of where your eyeliner is going).
SHISEIDO MICROLINER INK - CRAYON MATTE EYELINER
Waterproof? Check. Pigmented? Check. High-impact? Check. Introducing Shiseido’s Microliner Ink, a Crayon Matte Eyeliner in Black, that just gives and gives. This eyeliner is a strong contender for makeup beginners who prefer matte formulas because it is more forgiving than gel liners that tend to smudge. Sleek in its packaging and sleeker on the eyes, craft any cat eye, puppy eye or any eye-dea you want with this versatile and high-impact must-have. (Tip: If drawing eyeliner gives you anxiety, extend your eye with a smooth line to portray more awake eyes. This reduces the need to go over your eyeliner and risk those sloppy seconds).
Eyeshadow
Before the mask life, the eyes were the first thing we notice on someone else. Fast forward to a pandemic later, it remains unchanged. We still notice the eyes first. Other trends come-and-go. But the satisfaction we get from ultra pigmented eyeshadow palettes? Timeless.
FENTY BEAUTY SNAP SHADOWS EYESHADOW PALETTE - MONEY
Just like Fenty Beauty’s Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in Money, you can get ready in a snap. If you are feeling more adventurous, or are in the mood for verdant green hues reminiscent to a walk in a park, this palette should be your go-to. Charming and most definitely unique, go out of your comfort zone with this buttery soft formula sure to make heads turn. (Tip: Moisten the tip of your eyeshadow brush and attempt a winged liner with a statement colour. We recommend green to really make your eyes pop).
FENTY BEAUTY SNAP SHADOWS EYESHADOW PALETTE - WINE
Just like the name, Fenty Beauty’s Snap Shadows Eyeshadow Palette in Wine, allows you to intoxicate yourself with the velvety and sophisticated allure of night time shades. This palette is best for date nights where choice is made tough with three stunning shades of shimmer or matte. This is simply a palette where you can go all out glam or just glam for the ‘gram. No judgements here! (Tip: Blending three colours together is not easy - we know! But don’t fret. Opt for just one shimmery colour as your base and fan out into a thicker width you are comfortable with. These shades are so pigmented that one colour is enough to add striking colour to your lids).
CHARLOTTE TILBURY LUXURY PALETTE OF MATTES - DESERT HAZE
Everyone loves brownish hues because of easy integration into everyday life. Charlotte Tilbury’s Luxury Palette Of Mattes affectionately named Desert Haze, is made for the everyday girl who likes to spice things up a tad. A creamy-soft formula, this palette is a universal eye-candy just like the vast land of deserts itself. (Tip: If you want to use all of these gorgeous and wearable shades, one trick is adding a dot of each shade on your lid in an aligned manner. Then blend it out gently. You will get a natural and bronzed effect that is so sunset-like even Charlotte would be proud!)
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And voila! Some eye makeup essentials for the aspiring makeup maestro who, from the heart, just wants to fine-tune and grow, a.k.a you! Always make sure to have fun with every makeup look you try. And although we all have our masks on, chin up – we are already an essential in our own special way.
Love,
Dhiya
