Eyes

I had never sampled MAC Shadestick prior to the release of 5 new shades as part of the Sugarsweet collection. But now that I have, I am hooked!

I'm a recent convert to cream-based shadows, and must say that I'm loving the slender retractable option by MAC.  Shadestick is extremely easy to control during application (much easier than a fingertip!).  The pigment-rich shadow is creamy, and blends easily once applied.  I love the shade Lemon Chiffon, a frosty golden shade that makes an ideal highlight for this time of year.  Apply directly to the browbone for some warm highlighting action.

The shades available as part of the Sugarsweet collection are:  Cakeshop (a frosted pewter), Lemon Chiffon (the frosted pale white gold pictured here), Butternutty (frosted light neutral beige), Red Velvet (frosted mid-tone pink) and Penny (light pinky copper).

Retail is a mere $16.50 per stick!

Click HERE to buy Sugarsweet Shadestick from MAC online.

The smoky, charcoal eye has been a popular look for years now, but still many don't know how to achieve it.  Well, Benefit has stepped up to the plate to corner this market.  Not only does their new palette, "smokin' eyes…" contain the the perfect three shadows for creating a smoky eye, but the kit includes step-by-step instruction on how to apply the products!

Three shades of shadow, a black-as-tar eye pencil, mini applicator brush, brow wax, eye bright and an adorable mini tweezer make this set a great option for travel!

Retail price is $36.

Click HERE to buy Benefit Cosmetics Smokin Eyes at Benefit online.

Click HERE to buy Benefit Cosmetics Smokin' Eyes at Sephora.com

Like what you just read? Be sure to head to the Raging Rouge Beauty Blog homepage for more makeup reviews, product swatches and beauty news.

If the beauty blogging world had a queen, it would be Elke Von Freudenberg.  When I first launched Raging Rouge, I was naive.  I had no idea there were hundreds of other like-minded bloggers out there, testing gloss and sharing their opinions with the world.  But Elke knew…  she launched The Beauty Blog Network and invited the best beauty bloggers to become one, big, makeup-addicted family. 

Elke is a busy woman!  She's a professional makeup artist, and works on both coasts, she writes her own beauty blog, and she recently launched Elke's Brow Collection, her own line of eyebrow makeup and tools.

I recently had the pleasure of catching up with Elke, and asking her some questions about brow grooming and makeup.  Here's what Elke had to say!

Q:  How can women best sculpt their brows to flatter their face shape?
A:  If you stay within the 4 guidelines of shaping your brows, you should be fine.
1. starting point should be between the tear duct and the bridge of the nose.
2. ending point should be at the end of the nose, a straight line to the end of the brow.
3. arch should be directly above the outer edge of the iris of the eye.
4. the line from beginning to arch should be straight, the line from arch to end should be slightly curved.

Q:  Where should the arch of the eyebrow be placed?
A:  The arch of the eyebrow should line up directly at the outside edge of the iris of the eye. Any further out than that and your eyes can actually look too close together, or even cross eyed, especially in photos.

Q:  If one over-plucks, what should be done for damage control?
A:  Stop tweezing any hairs that are coming in anywhere from 1-2 rows below the brow.  Also, don't tweeze the light, baby hairs coming in. They may actually come in thicker and darker as they grow.  As they grow in, use brow pencil and brow shadow to fill in between the stray hairs as they come in. Focus on growing your brows in 1-2 rows at a time. That way, they will always look good, rather than letting them go for a few months and then they can look wild and overgrown. 

Q:  Should eye pencil be darker or lighter than your natural brow shade?
A:  Pencil should always be 1 shade lighter then your brow color (not hair color) and brow shadow should be 1-2 shades lighter than your brow color. Because you are applying color into another color (your brows) it will always look too dark if you try to match.  Go lighter and the color will blend in every time.  Also, avoid brow colors that are too muddy, orange or have a gray or green undertone to them. The color will look too fake.

Q:  When and why should wax and powder be used?
A:  I use clear brow wax to keep thicker, coarse brows in place. You can apply them either before or after your brow shadow for a different look. Apply before, and you'll find your brow shadows go on sharper, stronger. Apply after and it'll keep keep brows and color in place, but it won't affect the brow shadow. 

Q:  How often should brow makeup be replaced?
A:  Just like any other eye shadow product.  I would replace every 8-12 months. Sharpen eyebrow pencils after every use to keep sanitary.

Q:  What are must-have products from your line, Elke's Brow Collection?
A:  Our brow groomer wax (Brow Tamer) is a top seller because it's clear and keeps brows in place. Also our Brow Ware Clear Mascara goes on like water, to avoid flaking or giving a grayish cast that some clear brow gels can do.  The Brow Ware also makes brows glossy which is really pretty. I'm also really proud of our Day Brow Shadows. All the brow shadows are made without any undertones in them you avoid the brow colors looking off when you've applied them. Our Blonde shade is the truest blonde you'll fine (no green or gray undertones) and our Ash Brown matches so many brunette brows because it's not a muddy brown. Also the Dark Brunette Day Brow is for darker skins tones, such as medium to black skin, so their brow colors look true against their darker skin without looking ashy.

Q:  Any great tips and tricks you'd like to share?
A:  Try applying your brow products different ways to get different looks. My new fav trick is to apply Eyebrow Pencil after your Brow Day Shadow to fill in and get a more even look to the brows. It's easier to apply that way and you get a more natural look.  I also like using our Brow Hi-Lights in between brow appointments because soft shimmer bounces light off the eyebrows growing in so you don't notice them as much.

Thanks for the expert advice, Elke!  Readers…  Be sure to click HERE to shop Elke's Brow Collection.

This Spring, makeup mavens are searching for two things:  Neutral hues of shadow to replenish their collection, and the color-rich brights that are all the rage.  glominerals is sure to win the business of these women with the launch of the gloEye Maven Kit, an 8-shadow palette collection that contains the ideal shadow shades for Spring.

The bottom row of shades includes the staples women always need, shimmering neutral shades ranging from a pale ivory for highlighting to a deep mahogany brown for accent color.  The top row has four hot Spring shades that you can use to ensure you are on-trend.  Pink, peach, lilac and a sage green round out the collection perfectly.

The shadows in this collection can be used wet or dry, and the perfect-for-travel palette measures at a compact 4 3/4" wide by 2 1/2" high.  The anti-oxidant rich formula actually works to repair the delicate eye area, as you wear the shadow!

Retail price of the gloEye Maven Kit is $39, and can be purchased at gloskincare.com.

Expert Tips and Tricks from gloMinerals:

1)  The bottom row consists of 4 natural shades that work in tandem with any of the shades in the top row for limitless combinations.

2)  Diamond is a perfect neutral that can be used as a base shade for any eye color in the eye maven kit.

3)  French Pink or water lily combined with mahogany is an on-trend combination of pink and brown.

4)  Use French Pink or water lily as the base shade and highlight the crease with mahogany.

5)  Lilac and Orchid make a stunning combination that is universally flattering on any skin tone or eye color.  Sweep the lilac shadow over the entire lid and use orchid on the crease for definition.