My hints: To keep the smoky eye from looking too dark, don't use the same brush to apply and blend. Apply the dark shade along the crease and then use another clean, fluffy brush to blend outward. I also layered the liner on last so it would be one clean line -- no shimmery residue on top.
Photo 3/9
Extreme cat eye
I should start by saying I'm pretty confident in my cat eye skills. But this extreme version was a whole other ball game. I applied Mac Pigment in Copper Sparkle, $21, all over my lid. Then I used Benefit Magic Ink Jet Black Liquid Eye Liner, $20, for the upper lid and massive wing. For the bottom lashline I switched to a pencil liner so I could waterline along the lower lashline.
My hints: Because the wing was extra long, I first drew it with a light gray pencil so I could correct and straighten the outline before filling it in with my liquid eyeliner. Also, be sure to apply the eyeshadow first to avoid getting small glitter specs on top of your liner.
My hints: Smudges and fading color are easier to spot when you're wearing a bold lip, so I always apply a lip liner as a base. My favorite is Lipstick Queen Invisible Lip Liner, $18. Just like when you color your hair a darker shade, diving into the vampy palettes means you have to change the rest of your makeup, too. I applied a rich bronzer so my complexion complemented the lipstick. I left my eyelids bare to avoid clashing colors.
My hints: The trick to creating dewy skin is to make the glow look like it's coming from within your skin -- not on top of it. I like to mix highlighter and foundation together before applying so they are blended well, which helps it sink into my skin more naturally. I also avoid the T-zone when applying anything shimmery, otherwise I think I end up looking more sweaty than glowy.
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Bold brows
Bold brows are another huge trend, and one everyone in the beauty industry is pretty convinced is here to stay. While they may seem intimidating at first, I found them to be the easiest of these Pinterest makeup experiments. I chose Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse, $28, to lightly fill in and shape my brows.
My hints: I always use tiny strokes that mimic the position and direction of the individual eyebrow hairs when filling in my brows. This way you get a more natural effect. Long, broad stokes will take away the realistic look of hair. I also went with a medium tint that matches my natural hair color. Going too dark can look too Halloween witch makeup for my taste.
My obsession with makeup started when I was 14. I spent hours in the bathroom mirror creating what I thought were mini masterpieces. Big whoop, what teenage gal doesn't play with makeup, right?
But mine weren't your average Wet n Wild experiments. No, I was known to spend entire weekends applying full-face looks -- from color-blocking eyeshadow to gothic smoky eyes -- just to wipe them off and start over again.
So imagine my giddiness when my editor asked me to write this story. The assignment: Recreate a few gorgeous makeup looks on Pinterest to find out what's doable -- and what's too much hassle to even bother trying. Considering my formative years as a devotee to all things makeup, it took everything in me not to squeal a "hell yes." I pulled up Pinterest immediately and dove in to the smorgasbord of rainbow eyelids and fuchsia ombré pouts.
Let me be clear: I'm no professional makeup artist. But isn't that the point? If I can recreate some of these fabulous fall makeup trends, so can you.
