No Cuts, Just Contour

I can't say that I, myself, have hopped on the contour train...however, I can say that I'm completely mesmerized by the drastic results I've seen when it's done properly. Take Kim Kardashian for example...I would have bet money that she had a nose job. Turns out...evidently, she didn't...it is just intensely contoured makeup that is strategically placed to make the bridge of her nose look slimmer and her nose look overall smaller. Well-played, Kim. Here is a lineup of contouring makeup that is the best of the best.
Have at it! May the contouring odds be ever in your favor.
Photo: Polyvore

Tuesday's Tip: Heat Things Up

Some of you may know this quick and easy tip for enhancing your eyelash curler and some of you are about to have you minds blown. Grab your blow dryer and warm up your curler by directly blowing hot air on it for about 10 seconds. Make sure it's not uncomfortably hot before using it on your lashes. This will ensure that the curl will last longer and be a bit more intense. Voila - va voom lashes!

Sharing a Steal

Of course we prefer NARS over Maybelline and YSL over Covergirl but whether you're cutting back on budget or in a pinch without a Sephora around (heaven forbid), I'm here to help you find a decent substitute for your usual pricey preferred products. I'm often a fan of using multi-colored bronzers as eyeshadow so when I broke my favorite NARS bronzer, I snagged this $3 replica from Target. To my surprise, I've put it to good use. I use the vanilla colored section as a highlighter in the inner corner of my eyes and on my brow bone. I alternate the other three colors on my eyelids. I also use the top right color down the bridge of my nose for a little additional contour effect (attracting focus to the slim part of your nose, makes your nose overall appear slimmer). 

Precisely Plum

Add a little somethin' somethin' to your cosmetic wardrobe with a plum liner. Worn your makeup the same way everyday for every event, day or night? This is the perfect way to get out of a makeup slump. Smudge a deep purple liner along your upper and lover lashes, concentrating on the outer edge. Add a slightly dramatic cat eye effect for an extra trendy look. For a bolder look, try dabbing a Q-tip in a similar shade of shadow and use as a liner. 

Green Like Money, Honey

As I mentioned, green is the color of 2013...why not mix it into your makeup wardrobe as well?  Green shadow was a huge 2012 trend that will easily carry over into this year. Think less lime green and more metallic emerald green for a more tasteful look. If you are a tad nervous about this look, try a little green under your bottom lashes instead of eyeliner. Since this a bolder look, keep everything else simple with a subtle pink cheek and nude lips.

Faux but Flawless

I love any excuse to wear fake eyelashes. This NYE was another perfect, acceptable time for these faux feather-like lashes to take my makeup to the next level. My favorite brand, Ardell, makes these and are available at stores like CVS and Target for under $4. Ladies find their own process for fake lashes but I do my eye makeup in this order: 1) eyelid primer 2) apply fake lashes 3) eye shadow 4) eyeliner 5) mascara 6) eye shadow along bottom eyelashes

Brows: The Bigger, The Better?

If you are looking for a way to spice up your makeup without dramatic lipstick and a lots of eyeshadow, consider playing up your eyebrows. Adding powder or eye pencil to fill the bare spots and add shape can give you the dramatic look you're going for. Make sure to not go too far outside your natural brows.

Totally Twiggy

If you have ever watched America's Next Top Model...so...everyone, you have seen old pics of Twiggy from back in her first modeling day. I want to have these extreme bottom lashes. They are so striking and different. The mocha or smokey shadow under the lashes makes more of a pop and adds definition. Keep your lips simple with nudes and light pinks to keep the attention where it belongs...those luscious lashes. 

Next to Nothing Nude

Looking for another way to look a little more awake? Try nude eyeliner! Kind of unexpected, if you ask me. Nude eyeliner is also great for perfecting subtle eyes when trying out a bold lipstick. 

White Does Wonders

We all drag on Monday mornings heading to work. I don't know about you, but when I'm dragging, you can tell in my eyes. Here is a little trick that makeup artists use and I swear by...dab some white eyeshadow in the corners of your eyes for a little pick-me-up. You will instantly look more awake and your eyes will look better. I mean, who wouldn't want to look all angelic like this beauty above? I do.

Onward and Ombre

Ombre is contagious. It's in our hair color...it's on our nails...and it's made it's way to our lips. I'm not sure I'll be running out to try this out in my salt life surroundings but if I was living in big city status in NYC, I'd give this a go. Why not? To get this look and for maximum staying-power, fill in lips with a bright red lipliner. Next, take a dark burgundy lipstick and smudge just along the center on your top and bottom lips. It kind of has a little vampy appeal, doesn't it? True blood lips, if you will.

Bring on the Brows

There is one piece of beauty advice my Aunt Beth has been preaching since I can remember: Don't overpluck your eyebrows. Of course I overplucked my eyebrows...what girl in middle school did you know that didn't have world's tiniest brows for a year or two? Then once you realize you looked tragic, it took what felt like eons to grow them back. To this day, I still believe in helping your brows out a little bit by filling them in. Not making them bigger than what they are...just giving them a little boost by pronouncing them. Everyone looks better with a little brow definition...I'm a true believer. My brows are thin and light in color and when I do my eye makeup, they can get lost in the madness. I'm not talking about coming out of the bathroom looking like Unversity of Kentucky's Anthony Davis (just Google unibrow) either...just a little something something.

Mad About Makeup

Since I was little and sneaking into my mother's makeup stash, I have been addicted to doing my makeup, other people's makeup and well...talking about makeup. I have a huge pet peeve with ladies who do crazy smoky eyes with a bold lipstick. It's one or the other, honey. When I do a fun lipstick, I do a very neutral eye shadow, a little liquid eye liner and mascara. Looking like a clown is not cute. I've tried it all but this Revlon liquid liner is my favorite. For this lipstick, try Sephora's Mr. Lover.