Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

Eye make-up for Asian eyes

April 8th 2008 02:30
If you’re Asian like me, then you’d know that those traditional eye make-up tricks usually written on the back of an eyeshadow case, or in a magazine article, don’t apply to Asian eyes. Going by these tips only made me look like I was a six-year old who went crazy with her mum’s make-up. Light, shimmering colour on eyelids, for some reason, only succeeded in completely wiping out what little crease I have left and made my eyes appear harsher and older. Then I went through the phase where I attempted to put a ‘wider crease’ – applying a light shadow all over and past my lid, then rubbing a dark shadow into the part where I would want my crease to be. While I still sometimes wish for bigger creases and wider eyes, I’ve had to learn to make the best of my Asian eyes with these tips :


asian eyes
Typical Asian eyes - not sure about the make up though

1. Apply a neutral base colour – of matte or satin finish – all over the upper eyelid area, from the lash line all the way to the brow bone. This creates an even tone on the upper eye area.

2. While traditional eye make-up tricks will have you applying the lightest eyeshadow colour on your lids blending with a medium shadow toward the crease, it’s actually the opposite for Asian eyes. Start out with the darkest shadow near the lashline, gradually lightening the shades as you work your way up to the brow bone. Or, if you don’t want to use too much eyeshadow, simply blend the edges of the dark eyeshadow toward the browbone with your fingertip. Whatever you choose, always apply a light shimmer shadow on your browbone to ‘uplift’ the eyes.


3. One thing I’ve started doing, especially when using matte eyeshadows, is line a light highlight colour very close along the lashline – just a very fine line though, to give you a slightly shimmering look. Even better, opt for those eyeliners that have a hint of metallic gold. Apply along the lashline then gently smudge.

4. Apply eyeliner against the lash line from corner to corner, making sure that the application isn’t too heavy when you’re lining the bottom lashline. Smudge the colour at the outer corners upward with your fingertip. If your lashes are short and sparse, dot the eyeliner in between the lashes along the upper lashline to create a look of fuller lashes.

5. Again, if your lashes are short and sparse, opt for mascaras that are supposed to define each and every one of your lashes. Using any other mascara will only give you a clumpy mascara look. Alternatively, you can blot your mascara wand on a napkin to take away any excess build-up.

6. After applying mascara, wait one minute before curling your lashes to allow the mascara to dry. Curl from the lashline and hold for 15 seconds. Then curl again halfway up your lashes, holding for another 15 seconds.

7. Smooth and trim eyebrows. For dramatic, full brows, use a dark brown brow liner or brow shadow instead of jet black to fill in the spaces in your brows. Ensure you fill in only lightly. Then with a small applicator brush, blend the colour along your eyebrows for a complete, even coverage.

Colours to go for : who said Asians should stick to browns and blacks? Go for bold, bronze, brown, plump, raisin shades work really well on Asian eyes. Avoid light, pastel shades because your hair and eye colour will only wash them out.
59
Vote
   


In one of my previous posts, I highlighted the length short eye-lashed women (including yours truly) would go through to possess those long beautiful eyelashes you can bat with. As short as my lashes are, I was not prepared to fork out hoardes of money for an eyelash extension or an eyelash transplant but I mentioned one product that has been clinically proven to stimulate eyelash growth the natural way.

Talika Eyelash

In just 28 days, Talika Eyelash Conditioning Gel claims to give you naturally longer and thicker lashes without regular appointments with your beautician, 2 hour-long sessions and won’t cost you thousands of dollars. The gel is clear and comes in a long white tube and an applicator wand which you apply to your upper and bottom lashes, twice daily, day and night. You can wear it under or over your eye make-up, won't leave any residue on your lashes and won't irritate your eyes. The product contains only natural extracts and is not tested on animals.

When I first heard about Talika, I dismissed it as another gimmick miracle product aimed at the gullible with some spare cash. But when I started envying my male boss his straight, elephant-like eyelashes, I finally conceded and asked a friend to buy it for me for Xmas.

Verdict? When my usually oblivious husband gave me a double take and exclaimed, "Hey, is it me or do your lashes look longer?", I knew the product actually worked. The good thing is I didn't even have to wait 28 days as I noticed the results in a mere 2 weeks. While I would have liked the results to be more dramatic, somewhere along the lines of sultry Salma Hayek's, I couldn't deny that my lashes do look longer and thicker as the before and after pics show -

Eyelid eyelash
Before


Eyelashes
After


On the downside, the product is something that you have to use daily for as long as you want your longer and thicker lashes to remain. There are also no appointed distributors in Australia so the only place to buy the gel is from their website for AUD$49.

Is it worth it? Hell, yeah! While many blessed with normal to long thick lashes would scoff or even shake their heads at this in amusement, citing vanity, it is well worth it for those sick of getting dirt in their eyes because of the lack of lashes to protect their eyes from debris.


112
Vote
   


Make-up Tips for Picture-Perfect Eyes

November 8th 2007 03:39
Since that first time I applied an eyeliner, not realising it was supposed to line the rims of your eyes and not a centimetre away from them (prompting my dear father to tell me I looked like a prostitute), I have not had much luck in ‘bringing my eyes forward’. I’ve tried a combination of colours on my eyes, always remembering to blend, blend blend but the result is always the washed-out look which makes me look like a cheap hoochie in photos.

So I came across an article in which MAC Senior Artist James Molly confided in IC-Wales.co.uk his tricks to creating those ‘picture-perfect’ eyes and thought it was a bible for eye-makeup dummies like me and since this season’s make up trend is all about highlighting the eyes….

Eye

Eye Shapes
Understanding your eye shape is apparently the most important thing to consider before putting on eye-make up as using the wrong eyeshadow or texture on a certain eye shape may only wash out those areas you want to highlight.

Hooded eye shape (almost to non-existent appearance of eyelids) : apply a neutral shade from the lash line to the brow line to create an illusion of space. Add a darker shadow to the outside corners. DO NOT add a deep socket line (which I’d been doing – AHA!) as this line will only disappear when the eye is open.

Small eyes : open them up by using a deep matte shade all over the lid and blend with a slightly lighter shade towards the socket line – this creates a bigger lid space. Apply a dark pencil to the inner water line of your eye and brush through the bottom lashes for a smoky look.

Mature eyes : stay away from matte eyeshadow as this can become ageing and opt for a satin texture instead. Molly advises that it’s important to keep your eyebrows groomed to give your eye a much-needed lift.

Eye Shadow
Avoid cream shadows that do not set and stay away from waxy pencils that tend to bleed by the day’s end.

Matte shades : give illusion of depth and make areas recede so perfect if you’re going for the deep socket-line look.

Frosted/Shimmer shades : highlights features so use on brow bone, eyelids and corners of the eye.

Mascara
Create that ideal fan effect by brushing the inner lashes toward the bridge of the nose, the centre lashes upwards and the outer lashes toward the outer corner of the eye. A lash comb should also be a part of your make-up bag to separate lashes and take away those clumps.

Eyelash Curler
Don’t clamp down too hard on your eyelashes with the curler as this will only create that unnatural, right-angle look. Instead squeeze from the bottom of the lashes then again halfway down. Replace the rubber insert of the curler at least every 6 months to prevent your lashes breaking.

Brushes
Molly recommends three basic brushes :

Small detail brush : should come with a firm, short bristle. Perfect for lining the eye and filling in gaps in eyebrows with eyeshadow.

Medium sized flat brush : used for basic application of eyeshadows. The flat shape of the brush works better at building up shadow than your fingertips ever could and gives you a smoother, more even finish.

Soft blending brush : good for blending shades together and gives you that professional airbrushed finish to all eyeshadows.
54
Vote
   


They get free samples of new beauty products before they hit counters and their reviews on what’s hot and what’s not are lapped up by the many beauty and age-defying-obsessed. Want to know what beauty editors have stocked their bathroom cabinets? Here are 10 of the beauty editor must-haves, according to NY Daily News :

Cetaphil Face Wash
Cetaphil Face Wash
The fact that the packaging isn’t the most attractive (virginal white with a pump and a blue label stuck to the front – very no frills), it only shows that the manufacturers are confident that the product actually does the job and doesn’t need the fancy get-up to garner sales and positive reviews. The face wash was originally formulated for dermatologists’ use. It’s gentle, soothing and fragrance-free. Suitable for all skin types (even babies!) but especially for those suffering from dry, sensitive and/or acne-prone skin.

Cost : AUD$14 for a 500ml pump from E Pharmacy. Check out cetaphil.com.au to get free samples!

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
Lip Balm #1 is Kiehl’s best-selling product. Like Cetaphil, this product comes in plain white packaging but with black writing all over it. It helps relieve chapped or cracked lips and from the drying effects of the wind and frigid weather and lasts longer on your lips than your average lip balm. The lip balm feels and smells a little like Vaseline but glides more smoothly on your lips.

Cost : While you can buy this product in a jar for AUD$16 from Mecca Cosmetica, I think I’ll stick to my Vaseline, thanks.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Beauty editors have raved about this eyelash curler in their magazines since it came out. Does it live up to the hype? According to the reviews I’ve read online, yes it does. Stainless steel, sturdy with a black rounded rubber pad, it fits snugly at the base of the lashes and to the contour of the eye for a long-lasting curl. Touted as a ‘wonder’ eyelash curler, it works better than the heated ones and suits all eye shapes.

Cost : AUD$17.95 from www.fountaincosmetics.com.au

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Containing a blend of calamine and salicylic acid, a tiny dab of this lotion on an unsightly pimple (particularly that one on the tip of your nose) will soothe it and clear it up overnight. Overnight! Sounds almost too good to be true. Where was this when I had to stay home from a ‘disco’ and missed the chance to make out with my Polish crush because of that unsightly pimple?

Cost : AUD$22

Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm
Phytodefrisant Relaxing Balm
Using only a minimum amount to damp hair, this relaxing balm takes away those nasty-looking frizz (that makes you look more stressed than you are) and tames even the most stubborn stand of hair. The result, after it’s dried, is like coming out of a hair salon – silky, shiny hair that ripples through your fingers like water. Voted as #1 haircare product by Allure magazine time and time again, the balm doesn’t leave residue so it doesn’t make your hair look flat and oily by the end of the day.

Cost : AUD$26 from strawberrynet.com for a tube that can last up to 6 months

Bumble & Bumble Does It All Styling Spray
This medium-hold hair spray keeps your locks in place without making your hair clumpy and stiff that can rival a hedgehog. It leaves your hair shiny and glossy and you can use a heat-styling tool straight after without hearing that sizzling sound of your strands being cooked.

Cost : AUD$30

Nars Blush in Orgasm
For the fairer-skinned woman, this blush reputedly gives you that peachy shimmer flush that apparently creeps up to the cheekbones after…well, read the product name.

Cost : AUD$32

Lancome Definicils
Another bestseller by Lancome, this mascara goes on your lashes smoothly, lengthening them and leaving your new glamorous-looking lashes clump-free. It doesn’t smudge and washes off easily. The mascara won’t give you the dramatic-looking eyelashes that are huge in Hollywood right now and supposed to be THE trend for summer but go for this one if you’re after a low-maintenance mascara you can wear everyday and can give some attention to your eyes without the others looking at them and thinking spiders have crawled up and settled on your lids.

Cost : $48

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch
Yves St Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch
Make-up not doing anything to hide those dark circles under your eyes after a long night of tossing and turning? This ‘miracle’ highlighter contains light-reflecting particles that deflect any attention from shadows and blemishes on your face, instantly brightening your skin. So who needs foundation then, eh?

Cost : AUD$48

Lancome Instant Colour Self-Tanning Leg Gel
Give yourself that healthy, shimmering, sun-kissed glow for summer without even stepping a foot outside your house. The gel dries on your skin within one hour of application, giving you an overall, natural tan.

Cost : AUD$50


Out of the above, I’m quite keen on trying out Cetaphil Face Wash (simply because it’s excellent value for money, compared to what I’m paying for my current cleanser), Phytodefrisant and the YVES Highlighter. But with the exception of Cetaphil, the other products seem just a bit pricey to me, despite the glowing reviews I’ve read online. And since I’ve vowed from last week on to curb my spending habits on beauty products, I might have to put this on my Xmas wish list for 2007.

Any of these tempting you to buy?



105
Vote
   


Make up Trends Spring/Summer '07/08

September 25th 2007 02:30
STARS IN YOUR EYES
Bobbi Brown Metallic Collection
Make your eyes shimmer, sparkle and dance and stock up on the range of metallic eyeshadow because it’s all about bringing focus to your eyes this spring/summer season. Opt for lighter metallic shades like white, pink or gold during the day and more dramatic shades like purple, blue and forest green at night. Apply a lighter shade of metallic eyeshadow over the entire eyelid, working into the inner corners of the eye and use a darker shade into the crease of the lid. Line the inner sides of your eye with a black or dark brown eyeliner for a smouldering effect.

[ Click here to read more ]
81
Vote
   


Want flirtatiously long lashes?

September 13th 2007 01:19
It seems mascaras just aren’t doing the trick these days. More and more women (and in some cases, men) are bypassing the beauty counters to book themselves for an eyelash extensions or eyelash transplants.

Eyelashes
My, what long lashes you have!

[ Click here to read more ]
114
Vote
   


Wanted : A damn good eye cream

August 9th 2007 01:14
Being of Asian descent, I was never endowed with lids you could freely apply any shade of eyeshadow to. But with the years passing, my eyelids have been getting heavier and heavier that I feel, within the next decade, they would droop right down to my line of vision and I would have to pry them up with a peg – or get plastic surgery. Nowadays, when I stare at someone, I make the conscious effort to raise my eyebrows slightly so I don’t look like I’m growling at them.

103
Vote
   


Eye Liner Post

July 25th 2007 06:24
As the not-really-gothic kid I am, I wear eyeliner on occasion. Sadly, I couldn't find a suitable pic.

I shop at The Body Shop because it's right down the street from my aunt, the main source of my makeup money


[ Click here to read more ]
49
Vote
   



I was 14 when I started paying close attention to models in magazines like Dolly and Girlfriend. This was the time when the airbrushing of models and actors by paintstakingly meticulous graphic designers was still a secret and all teenage girls thought that what they saw of their favourite model and actor in their pictures was all natural.

[ Click here to read more ]
45
Vote
   


Loreal Revitalift Eyes

June 13th 2007 18:49
Loreal Revitalift Eyes Anti-Firming & Firming Cream is the first eye cream with ‘Nanosomes of Pro-Retinol A and Par-Elastyl’. They contain firming ingredients to fight signs of ageing around the eye area, smoothing the delicate skin, lifting it to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and eye bags. Results are apparently visible from the very first application. By the end of the first week, there should be a 29% reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. By the end of the second week, an 81% visible firming effectiveness. Within four short weeks, the eye area should appear more vibrant, smoother and younger-looking. Sounds good to me…

Loreal Revitalift Eyes" wrap="0" title="" margin="5"]
[ Click here to read more ]
39
Vote
   



I impatiently waited for my local chemist to stock the new Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Eye Cream on the shelf. After being pleasantly surprised by the results of Olay Total Effects moisturiser on my face, I had high hopes about this particular eye cream. Yes, I had been burned and been very disappointed by the empty promises of Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift but I thought, the Olay moisturiser didn’t turn me down so this one has to be better than Avon.

[ Click here to read more ]
40
Vote
   



Perhaps it's because I've crossed the threshold into the 30s, but I find I'm even more aware of my sagging eyelids and puffy eye bags. Being of Asian descent, I was never endowed with lids you could freely apply any shade of eye shadow to. But with the years passing, my eyelids have been getting heavier and heavier that I feel, within the next decade, they would droop right down to my line of vision and I would have to pry them up with a peg – or get plastic surgery. Nowadays, when I stare at someone, I make the conscious effort to raise my eyebrows slightly so I don’t look like I’m growling at them.

[ Click here to read more ]
24
Vote
   


Billion Dollar Brows!

July 17th 2006 04:12
Insert Title Here


I've always preferred beautiful, thick, well-groomed brows to those thin over-plucked quizzical ones. They're much more natural looking, and give the face more dignity and character. This is probably the reason I have always admired Audrey Hepburn's features, and the way her brows bring forward her entire face, rendering it dramatically striking.

[ Click here to read more ]
60
Vote
   


Insert Title Here
Disturbingly close resemblance to my lashes


The decreasing level of my financial wellbeing has forced me to forsaken department store beauty counters for Priceline. To my delight I came across an updated version of L'Oreal's Lash Architect, and old favourite of mine. This one boasts a patented brush design that volumises, extends, and curls your lashes to the fullest extent. I excitedly purchased a daring "Midnight Black" shade expecting to flutter my way to work and play.
[ Click here to read more ]
30
Vote
   


Aimzster's Blogs

6483 Vote(s)
416 Comment(s)
106 Post(s)
298 Vote(s)
21 Comment(s)
3 Post(s)
Moderated by Aimzster
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]