Look I Love: Cat Eye Liner

Hi, I'm Haley, and I'm addicted to eyeliner. 

Perhaps it's because my eyes are so dark, or shaped in a way that shadow isn't as apparent as on others, but it's the step in my makeup routine that makes me look polished and I've mastered the thin black line that's just slightly thicker at the corners. (17 year old me practiced a lot!) 

However, I love any opportunity to kick it up a notch and emulate the queen of the cat-eye liner, Ms. Bardot:

Source: fevenandhelena.com via Feven on Pinterest

Although, Taylor Swift is holding her own too!

Source: Uploaded by user via Shannon on Pinterest

To get this look, the liquid eyeliner pen is your best friend.  Don't be scared of it!  Just practice in front of the mirror with some eye makeup remover at your side and figure out just how thick and far you can take the wing without looking like you're in a music video.

As far as brands go, I've long been devoted to the MAC Penultimate Liner, but this past weekend I decided to try something new and my allegiance has changed!  Y'all, the Stila Stay All Day liner is amazing.  The tip stays rigid, allowing for a perfect cat-eye and lots more control.  Plus, it stays put all day and doesn't end up in the crease of your eyelid, which is a risk when you do a thicker line. 

What's your favorite brand?  I've not found a drugstore brand that doesn't bleed into my eye crease, even with primers, but I'm sure others would love to know!

Game Changers: Products I Love - Volume 3

Every so often, I like to share great products that I've recently discovered.  Today I have a few more that may change your daily routine, as they've done for me!

Essie First Base Base Coat and Super Duper Top Coat
I know I've been breaking the cardigan rule of manicures by skipping a base coat, and my $1.50 Sally Hanson top coat was not adding much protection against chips.  Since Ulta is constantly offering $5 off a $10 purchase, I decided to splurge on a base coat and top coat made by my favorite brand of polish.  As I type, the navy blue polish I'm sporting has been there for 8 days and it still looks great!  For $8 each, I think I'm getting my money's worth by not repainting my nails every 4 days.

Dove STYLE+care Invigorating Dry Shampoo
I've mentioned my devotion to Suave dry shampoo a few times, but I have officially switched brands!  The Dove version is $2 more per can, but each one lasts so much longer and the scent isn't as obvious.  The effects are just as good, if not better, since it's harder to overdose and end up with crunchy roots. 

Bourjois Little Round Pot EyeshadowI absolutely love my Bourjois eyeshadow, and was thrilled to learn that it's once again available in the US.  My favorite shade is Tabac Blond (pictured below) and it's perfect for my dark brown eyes and pale complexion, since it gives me a hint of smokey shadow for day and looks great when I layer my MAC paint pot (in Indianwood) over it when I'm getting getting dressed up.  Plus, it stays put pretty much all day and I do not get to say that very often!

Have the rest of you discovered any game changing products?  Do tell!

P.S. If you're new to this series, you can check out my previous posts here and here

Game Changers: Even More Products I Love

Good morning and Happy Monday!  Hopefully you all had a relaxing weekend like I did.  I spent far more time listening to an audio book than any person should, saw Safety Not Guaranteed (so cute!) with my husband, and spent my Sunday afternoon with a good friend who shares my idea that time spent buying ourselves one book each at Barnes and Noble (in honor of our birthdays) is pretty much the best thing ever.  Also, there was brunch and baked brie with apples and raisins.  Delicious.

Anyway, some of you may remember that I periodically share products I love when I discover something truly great.  It's been a while since my last post, and the original, but I've come across a few more things I love.  Here they are:

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow (in Get Figgy)
I do not usually spend much on makeup, but when I find eyeshadow that stays put and blends nicely, I will buy it if it's under $20.  At $19, this cream shadow from Benefit just squeaked in, and I'm so glad I bought it.  It is so flattering (on me, with pale skin and dark hair, anyway) and is a little silkier than my MAC paint pot, although I still love that one very much since Indianwood is the perfect coppery brown.

Twirl by Kate Spade
It's sort of strange when people in elevators announce that you smell great, but it has happened a few times since I started wearing Twirl after Christmas and I think it might be my signature scent for the next several years.  I love that it's not too flowery or too heavy, but it's definitely feminine and noticeable.  And who doesn't love gold polka dots?

Game Changers: More products I love

I will freely admit that I am lazy when it comes to beauty products.  I lack the curiosity that comes with being a product junkie, and would almost always rather buy clothes than something for my hair or skin.  However, every once in a while I come across something that I can't believe I lived without for so long.  I recently added a couple of items to that list, and think you should all go out and try:


Cargo Wet/Dry Foundation
This stuff is amazing.  It offers great coverage when you brush it on (with an old blush brush, if you're like me) but offers even more coverage if you use a damp sponge.  There's something about the powder that doesn't allow it to absorb water and it dries super light and smooth.  I will happily pay $32 every quarter for this, and that says a lot.  Plus, it comes in a super light shade that matches my fantastically pale skin.  (Makeup artists say things like "I don't think this line comes in a shade that fair" to me)

Suave Dry Shampoo
I've always been skeptical of people who rave about spraying a fine powder into their hair and it looking clean afterwards.  However, I had a free coupon for a can of this concoction from Suave and I recently tried it on my second day bangs and hairline and it was AWESOME.  My hair instantly looked better, especially after I ran a brush through it to blend the powder.  Plus, it smells awesome and it only $2.87.

Do you have any products that you can't live without?  Share them in the comments so we can all try them out!

True confessions: I'm lazy with makeup

I love clothes and jewelry.  I know how to pair things, I can tell you what works for your shape, I read magazines for ideas and watch shows dedicated to fashion (I'm enjoying this season of Project Runway, but Anthony is not a substitute for fierce little Christian).  However, when it comes to makeup I can't be bothered most of the time.

I know this is unexpected.   My main makeup concern is that my skin be somewhat even and that you can tell I have eyelashes.  When I feel like it, I add eyeliner and some eyeshadow and just maybe a lip gloss.  I'm pretty darn boring.

I have perfected a parking garage makeup routine that takes about 2 minutes and consists of:

• MAC Studio Fix powder foundation
• Almay 3 in 1 Undereye Concealer (if the dark circles are bad)
• MAC Paint Pot in Indianwood (a coppery brown).  This is one of few products I rave about - it stays on my eyelids all day and you can put it on with your finger.
• MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Black (if I have a meeting to go to)
• Lancome Mascara (I got it for free.  I don't have a strong mascara preference.)
• Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal (a liquid lip and cheek stain that stays on a really long time) 

When I'm going somewhere nice (this is rare) I bring out my small collection of eye shadows and attempt a smokey eye.  I also hate touching up makeup during the day.

 If all of you makeup mavens are done shaking your head at me, I'd like to get some help.  What are some good products and tricks that will make me look a little more polished?  I'll help you find a great outfit for cheap if you help me out.  Please?