Readers' Corner: On Eyelash Adhesives and False Lashes

Reader's corner day!  I have loads of questions that I need to unload and one of the most number of queries I recently got was about false lashes and adhesives!  Ah hah!  A lot of you are probably braving up wanting to get the thick, luscious-looking lashes that mascaras can't do much anymore?

*high five*

I'm sure some of you were born with thick, long eyelashes so I won't get hurt if you close this site!  To the rest who kept on reading?  Now, let's start fluttering those false lashes!  We have hope! :)

One of the most used Eyelash Adhesive brand is called DUO.  I have finished a tube of DUO which I got from dear friend Gracie a couple of years ago!  I used this brand especially for Brides.  This brand can be purchased at MAC store for approximately Php700.00 (approx $16.00) but the downside is, these are out of stock most of the time!

Thank God for bazaars!  When I visited Rockwell's Moonlit Bazaar last December to visit my dearest friends Sophie, Jheng, Shen and to meet Sol of Digital Traincase in person, lo' and behold...--- DUO Eyelash Adhesive right in front of me!  I grabbed one right away!  I do apologize I forgot the exact price but it's definitely less than Php700.00! 

To those who are on a budget and still want to try some eyelash adhesive that works!  I have 2 which costs less than Php400.00 (approx $9.30).  One is the Ardell Lash Grip Adhesive and the other one is Andrea ModLash.  Both brands came from the same manufacturer  (Past review HERE).  I have finished both tube (in clear and black) and I repurchased Andrea not because I like one better than the other but I can't seem to find Ardell at the Beauty Bar!  Must look for them at Watsons maybe?

If you ask me why I own various brands?  I really can't tell!  It's nice for a makeup artist to have lots of choices!  I usually go for the DUO on brides though as it's tested to stay until removal time!  And so far, none of my clients complained about lashes falling off or allergic reactions! *knocks on wood*

Now let's proceed to false lashes!  When I was just starting up on makeup, I would go to Landmark and purchase various false lashes! (Read the various lashes I've bought from Landmark HERE)  My favorite is the one called Natural and it looks absolutely natural you can even wear them daily (if you're comfortable enough with application.)  I realized after, that these natural falsies may look great in person but I find them not enough on photos.  I tried going for the thicker ones but they felt a bit too plastic-y. 

Off to search for inexpensive yet good quality ones!  I shifted to ES Lashes from KKCENTERHK.

I was initially sent some for review but I love them so much I repurchased and hoarded a lot that the customs officer lifted an eyebrow on me thinking I'm importing some drugs. *laughs*  (ES review HERE)

What about those who are uncomfortable with online shopping?

Thanks to my one tiny trip to Moonlit Bazaar, I learned that Beauty & Minerals are now selling Flutter Eyelashes and I swear, these are somewhat similar to the ES Lashes --- quality wise. Since I got a number of natural lashes ES for Bridal clients, I am glad to own more dramatic ones for future shoots!  Check out the names!

A box of 10 pairs costs Php350.00 - 400.00 (approx $8.00-$9.30), if calculated, each pair costs much cheaper.  You can purchase these at Beauty & Minerals.

Majestic

Crazy thick for that super dark eye makeup!

Drama Queen

Need i say more? for the Drama girl in you!

Purr

These lashes reminded me so much of the Ardell lashes 

which can be bought in singles and these can be purchased by bulk 

and it's more inexpensive that way!

Feisty

Similar to The Face Shop False Lashes

Use this to create a better "winged eye" look!

I can't wait for them to stock up on "natural" lashes so I don't have to order online and wait for shipping and probably have a police waiting for me outside the post office as they have a police dog sniff on my false lashes!  (too imaginative, I know!)

For personal use, it doesn't hurt to purchase them in bulk as you get to throw some pairs after a couple of use!  False lashes do wear and tear so purchasing a box won't harm  your health :P  To some who really can't go for bulks!  Here are some singles that I've tried that works!

First time users can go for 3s pre-glued lashes

International readers may probably go for Revlon Fantasy Lengths Self Adhesive lashes.  I have personally tried these too as I was gifted by Beauty Blogging friend Toma but I would say, the 3s Brand have stronger adhesives meant for our weather!

Various Asian cosmetics brand like The Face Shop also makes good-looking lashes for around Php100.00 (approx $2.30) a pair.  My favorite is The Face Shop's XLH lashes which I used HERE on my How to Apply Falsies tutorial.

Other good brands I've used for Brides are Ardell lashes that I ordered from International sites.

A favorite of mine to use for Brides or Pre-nup shoots are the 110 Demi Black

Or if brides are more adventurous and wanted a bit of drama and still looks great and natural on photos, the 101 Demi Black is also a wonderful choice!

Ardell lashes cost approximately Php400.00-500.00 (approx $9.30-11.60) a pair.

If you have the budget and you can apply false lashes on yourself!  There's the GlamBox Mink Lash which costs a lot but worth it as I'm still using these on special occasions and they still work like a charm!

Each pair costs Php1,500 (approx $35.00), looks crazy on packaging but oh-so-worth it when worn!  Photo can be seen HERE.

If false lashes are considered life and death, then...feel free to indulge on MAC and Shu Uemura lashes!  I own a pair of MAC lashes which I'm still saving up for that special moment....definitely not a wedding but could be for my Second Wedding Ceremony at the age of 80?  :P

Important tips to remember ---

• Wear false lashes that sits comfortably, cut them if necessary to prevent sharp edges.
• Once the lash glue creates stinging sensation or redness, do not use the lash glue anymore.
• If you plan to re-use falsies, always remove excess glue and clean with eye makeup remover.
• Store false lashes in a tiny container free from dust and pollution.
• For the lash glue, once the scent changed, toss them right away!

Hope this post helps to current and future false lash wearers out there!

Any other tips you may want to add?
Any other lash glue and false lashes brands?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Version: Twiggy Inspired Summer-Ready Make-Up

 I want to continue my discussion on Summer-Ready Make-up!  I just gave tips yesterday on how to summer-readify (if there's such term) your make-up!  Now it's time to create my version of a bright, fun summer make-up anyone can do!

Of course a twist will always be nice!  I have some bottom lash falsies which reminded me so much of Twiggy!  Twiggy-look is known for "cutting the crease" and I want to put a twist!  Bright, summery shades plus the falsies Twiggy is known for!  Are you ready for the outcome?

Here you go, simple shades yet falsies gave  the nice impact!

AMW Diagram

Promise, the steps are super simple

and easy to follow!

Step 1:

Apply a nice, matte base for the colors to pop out.  Most summer shades are not that pigmented like the ones I will use.  So I use Benefit's Lemon Aid.

Pat on MAC Sunshine Yellow eyeshadow with a flat shader blush.  Apply on the crease area going beyond.  Pat more as desired.

 Step 2:

With a small blending brush from the Urban Decay Palette, I applied Milani Garden Mist eyeshadow on the crease area only blending upwards.  

Step 3:

Since I planned on using thick falsies, I won't be lining my eyes much, instead I tigthtlined with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Zero (black).  Apply Urban Decay 24/7  Glide on Eye Pencil in Yeyo (white) on the water line to make eyes pop.  

Do not forget to fill in your brows.

I re-used GlamBox Mink Lash
I love it that the lashes stay in good shape
even after several usage

 

I applied A020 lower lash from KKCenterHK

Easy to apply even for a first timer like myself

I used Ardell LashGrip Eyelash Adhesive in Clear

 Voila!  My Twiggy Inspired

Summer-Ready makeup

You can always opt just to create the eye makeup minus the falsies

What's on the rest of my face?

For the Face:

Paul & Joe Moisturizing Compact Foundation 30

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Light

 

For the Cheeks:

MAC Mineralize Blush in Superduper Natural

 For the Lips:

Elianto Berry Lipstick in 03

Topped with Niva Lipcare for shine

A huge smile would help!

Curled my hair with my trustee flat iron

For tutorial/tips smile and click HERE

Have you tried colorful eyeshadows lately?
What's your favorite shade?
I'll do more version for Summer Ready Make-up!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Version: "Smokey Eyes for Monolids"

Good morning everyone!  Another AMW Version dedicated to readers out there!  There are so many makeup tutorial and I'm still grateful that a lot of you would like to see mine!  Thanks to readers who appreciate the tutorials I've done and for asking me to help them with their eye makeup (even online!).  I have one request I haven't done and I'm glad I finally made one!  

I was asked to do a "smokey eye makeup" for monolids.  What the heck is monolids by the way (heads to google)

Technically, there's no exact definition of monolid but I guess the people who invented this term are makeup addicts so I'll just grab it from random website:

Monolid: Eyes without the crease on their lid area.  Some like to call this "Asian Eyes" but because I don't want to discriminate and not all Asians have monolids (ex. ME!), I'd rather use the term "monolids"

Photo example:

This is my version though and I"m sure there's hundreds and thousands of versions out there.  If I have the mood, I may do more!  :)

I have a tiny crease on my eyelid 

but let's disregard the tiny crease for this tutorial!

AMW Diagram

Prior to eyeshadow application, use an eye primer of your choice as smokey eye makeup can get messy and could get a lot of fall outs!  Using an eye primer will prevent it from happening!

In this tutorial, I am using the ELF Eyelid Primer because..its readily available and I'm too lazy to grab other primers on my makeup train case!  *laughs*

Step 1:

Using any soft blending brush, I am using the free one from the Urban Decay Book of Shadows, I applied a Shimmery Silver eyeshadow from the Sleek Graphite Palette. (which I won from Cosmetic Candy! Yay!)

Step 2:

Using the same brush (it's ok as we start from lightest eyeshadow to darkest).  I applied a shimmery black eyeshadow from the center of the lids going outward.  Imagine 45 degrees angle applying more on the outer crease area.  

Step 3:

Using a pencil brush or any brush that's more dense and short bristled, apply the darkest black eyeshadow you own making an exaggerated "cat eye" with an eyeshadow.  In my case, I covered the whole "fold" of my lids extending it outwards with a bold cat eye.

Do not forget to apply on the lower lashline with the same brush.

Step 4:

Once you're happy with it, re apply Step 3 with your preferred gel liner or liquid liner for that really obvious eyeliner look!

Imagine Sandara Park's eye lining skills!

 So this is definitely for nighttime!

I have to do the lower lash line using a different eyeliner brush, a more precise one for that precise "winged" look.

Step 5:

Draw your waterline with any eyeliner pencil you prefer.  I am using the one from Elianto and I highlight the corner of my eyes with Urban Decay's Yeyo (or any white eyeliner).

Look back, making sure both eye liner are at least matched! 

Do not forget to draw your brows.  I am using Tears Eyebrow Pencil in Light Brown.  Brushing my eyebrows in shape!

Curl my lashes with an eyelash curler, attached falsies!  I am actually using only one falsie in this tutorial but I cut them in half for that "pixie" lashes!  I applied coats of Etude House Henna Fix mascara.

Here's my version of "Smokey Eyes for Monolids"

The reason for the very thick liner is to create a "depth" of a crease, making your eyes pop even more.  The extended winged liner look make your eyes appear larger, (the winged liner should go upwards ok?).  The additional line below the winged liner is just a drama you can skip!  The thicker outer liner on the lower lash line also creates larger eye shape!

Why do we need to use a white liner on the inner corner of the eyes?  To brighten up the eyes and this trick helps in creating a wider and brighter eyes!

What did I use for the rest of my face?

For the Face

L'Egere BB Cream

Dusted Neutrogena Powder Foundation in Natural Beige 
To set the BB cream

For the Cheeks:
Paul & Joe Limited Edition Disney
Face Color 002 Flower

 For the Lips:

Ivoluxe Lipstick in Flirt

You can do your own version by using dark lipstick for that ready-to-dance-the-night-away look!  I hope my simple tutorial helps! 

(Note: Eye makeup darker in person)

What's your "eye makeup for monolids"?
I'd love to see it too!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!