Makeup for Downturned Eyes, and my Dry-Skin Care Regimen

Whew, it's been a long couple of weeks... school has been super, super stressful and then I got sick. I've been home for three days, but since I'm feeling marginally better today I decided to do a new post! Woo! So... I know that we are supposed to love our selves and our bodies... and I do.  I have features that I like about myself, and other features... not so much. I have always coveted the almond-eyed look that's so ubiquitous in magazines and on TV, but my eyes are down-turned at the corners (I call them my bassett hound eyes. Does this make it sound cute? I think so.). Anyway, one of the biggest challenges for me has been to figure out how to get that sultry up-turned almond-shape, especially when I'm going to a party. Here's what I'm starting with (don't judge the hair or background... I'm currently working on getting a better photo setup in place!!!):

Bitchy resting face.

 

I am not wearing makeup yet in these pictures, but full disclosure:  I did pluck my eyebrows.  They were getting caterpillar-y and it was unpleasant.

This is my normal skincare routine (when I can be bothered... sometimes I am lazy):

1. Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pads:  I use these to get rid of any dead dry skin, oil, or dirt before I apply my makeup; it also has salicylic acid to prevent pimples (such a gross word).  I do get breakouts occasionally, especially on my chin, so this is a must for me.  They are a bit harsh, but there are other kinds (like Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads) that are gentler.  Alternatively, any kind of astringent toner or face wash would probably be fine!
2. Olay Beauty Fluid (Summer) or Nivea Soft (Winter):  Since my skin tends to be significantly drier (like the Sahara...) in the colder months, I use a heavier moisturizer.  Nivea Soft is awesome; it comes in a hygienic squeeze bottle, and it's super thick and creamy without being oily or greasy.  It soaks in really fast and prevents my foundation from being flaky.  In the summer, I lean more towards combination skin, with some oiliness in my T-zone.  I use Olay Beauty Fluid in the summer because it is super light and not oily at all.  One of these days I'll get a moisturizer with SPF, but I have yet to find one in my price range that doesn't irritate my skin.
3. Hydrating Powder:  In the last year or two, Almay and Revlon started making these "hydrating powders" that I bought on a whim.  My dry skin usually means that powders make me look super cakey and flakey, but these are magical.  They kind of melt into the skin, and set my makeup without looking powdery.  Today I used Revlon Colorstay Aqua Mineral Makeup in Translucent.  If they stop making this I will cry.

I'm currently lusting after the Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-hr Perfecting Primer (uh... that's a mouthful).  I swatched it at Sephora... it's liquid photoshop.  I don't generally wear foundation except as a concealer because it makes me look too plastic-y.

So after I prepped my skin, this is the look I put together:

For this look, I used the following products:

• NYX High Definition Eyeshadow Base
• Julep Sweep Eyeshadow Palette:  Neutrals (Tiramisu, Glow, and Dusk)
• Lorac Pro Palette (Cream, Nude, Garnet, Deep Purple)
• Benefit They're Real! Mascara
• Ulta Eye Shadow in Milk Chocolate

First, I put a dot of the NYX eye primer on my top and bottom lids and blended it around with my finger.  Seriously, this stuff has incredible staying power when applied properly, but a little goes a LONG way - I've found that it's easy to put too much on, and then it never dries and your eyeshadow slides off.  While I waited for that to dry, I filled in my brows using an angled liner brush and Ulta Milk Chocolate.  Next, I applied Lorac Cream to my browbones and Julep Tiramisu to the inner half of my upper lids up to the crease.  I applied Julep Dusk to the outer half of my upper lids up to the crease as well as the outer half of my bottom lids, and blended them.  Next, I applied Lorac Deep Purple to the outer half of my upper lash line and to the crease.  I also put a little on the outer corner of my lower lashline.  I then blended the Deep Purple out on both lids with a little bit of Lorac Garnet on my brush, and applied Julep Glow between my crease and brow bone, where it needed a little more blending.  Last, I applied Lorac Nude to my inner corners, and followed it up with a coat of Benefit They're Real! Mascara (in what I believe to be "black", but it is a sample so it doesn't say on the tube).

This is a more dramatic look than I usually do, especially for work, but the same principles apply.  The darkest color sweeps through the crease and blends up and away, creating an illusion of more up-turned eyes.

Hope you like!  I know I've got a lot to learn; I'd like to get a better photo setup going in my new apartment after the move so I can take more decent photos.  For now I just have to deal! :^)  Have a great weekend!