Makeup Color Trends for Fall 2012

A change in the season means a change in style and fashion trends. When Pantone, the leading authority in color, issued their Fashion Color Report for fall 2012 the featured colors included bold, deep colors with more versatile neutrals. These predictions translate to makeup trends for this fall.

“Makeup takes center stage with jewel eye shadow tones of Purple and Deep Greens, long lashes, Ruby lips and shimmer nails.” — Nicole Fischelis, Group Vice President/Fashion Director, Macy's

As always, the focus is on the eyes here at eyeQbeauty, as it should be. So we thought we'd share just one way to apply these great fall trends to your eyes. This video from Meredith at Pigments and Palettes demonstrates the use of titanium and ultramine green to make your eyes the focus of all who see you this fall season.

Staying Power for Your Eyeliner

We've talked about eyeliner before, after all, it's a beloved beauty staple for most women. It's just sad that it seems to have so much trouble staying put! And it seems to happen to the most expensive of eyeliners so what gives? Here are a few techniques to keep your strokes and sweeps staying sharp.

PRIME
A good eye primer can make all the difference. Many women put their eye makeup onto a dry eyelid. Artists and painters prep they're canvas with primer, you should too! Apply your face primer above and below your eyelid to make the most use of it.

COVER
Pencil eyeliners sure are handy, but they smudge entirely too easily. Use an angled brush to apply matte eye shadow in the same color right over the original liner to make it stand the test of time.

WATERPROOF
Sometimes the reason your eyeliner isn't staying put is because you began with poor quality tools. Be sure to spend your hard earned dollars on quality products. Splurge for the waterproof eyeliner if you really want it to stick around. It'll take a good eye makeup remover to get it off, but that's the point, right?

Have another tip for giving your eyeliner staying power? Share it with us in the comments!

Apply Faux Lashes Like a Pro

Applying fake eyelashes can be scary and even intimidating, but wearing fake eyelashes is the best option to take your makeup to the next level. With so many kinds of falsies it's fun to try all your options to see which you like best. Individual lashes, are applied one by one. Then, there are flare lashes that are applied piecemeal to fill out your existing lashes. The most popular and fastest to apply are lash strips which come together on one strand. Finally, there are eyelash extensions which need to be applied by a professional. See? Lots of options!

If you want to give falsies a try, application doesn't have to be scary. We love this little how-to video by PopSugar. It shows just how easy false lash application can be. With a little practice, you'll be applying yours like a pro! 

What You Need to Know About Makeup Removers

When it's finally time to call it a day (a very long one, usually) makeup removal is probably the last thing on your mind. With an abundance of cleansing waters, cleansing oils, makeup removing wipes and pads on the market, how do you choose just one? Don't worry. We’ve done the research for you, but first, it’s important to know the proper way to clean your face.

It's a dirty little secret that not enough people take their makeup off at night and those that do often don't do it properly. Removing your makeup before cleansing prevents clogged pores and prevent breakouts. In fact, if you are wearing heavy makeup we recommend you perform this task twice!

For eyes, it’s very important to remove makeup with a remover made specifically for the eyes since it's such sensitive area. Why is eye makeup removal so important? Leftover mascara can lead to eye infections, discoloration, and puffy eyes come the morning. Be particular about how you remove eye makeup. Hold a cotton ball with remover over your lids for a minute to dissolve the product, then wipe away. Oils are especially good for removing long-wearing eye makeup.

So how do you decide on which remover to choose? Below is a short list composed of a few of the many different types of removers out there, so you can find the one that will really work for you.

MAKEUP WIPES: The answer to late nights and vacation time, makeup wipes come in different strengths. Some contain stronger ingredients than others, but all get the majority of makeup off your face so you can sleep clean.

CLEANSING OIL: Perfect for dehydrated skin, cleansing oil helps to balance your skin’s natural sebum production, but rinses into a milky emulsion. Ideal for removing long-lasting or water-resistant makeup, the oil breaks down virtually any ingredient.

OIL-BASED MAKEUP REMOVER: If you’re looking for a standard formula that takes off your makeup in one wipe, turn to a liquid oil-based makeup remover. Unlike cleansing oils, these frothy formulas contain water-based ingredients so you never feel an oily residue on your skin. 

MICELLAR WATER/CLEANSING WATER: A gentle option for sensitive skin, micellar or cleansing water will remove basic makeup. It often needs to be wiped on two or three times to completely clean the skin. We recommend using an eye makeup remover after if you prefer waterproof mascara or long-wearing eye liner. 

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Why use a separate remover for your eyes? The area around your peepers is incredibly sensitive, and requires a more delicate formula compared to the rest of your face.