Tricks to make your eyes appear BIGGER!

Most of us secretly want goo goo eyes like Amanda Seyfried and Angelina Jolie but unfortunately few of us were blessed with naturally big eyes. So how can we fake gorgeous doe eyes? Here is a quick list of my DOs and DONTs when it comes to applying makeup.

DO:

Conceal dark under-eye circles: This will make the skin under your eyes look bright & fresh 

Define your crease and outer V: Defining the outer crease will make your eyes appear more deep-set and much larger

Curl your eyelashes and apply mascara: This will open your eyes and make them appear more awake

Add a light shimmer to your inner corner: A shimmer will bring light to your eyes and make them seem further apart 

Groom your eyebrows and add a brow highlight: This will frame your face and also lift your eyes 

Apply black/ brown eyeliner to your outer corner: A darker eyeliner on your bottom lash line will extend your eyes outwards

DONT:

Use heavy false lashes: Thick lashes will only make your eyelids seem heavy and droopy. Opt for wispy or individual lashes instead

Apply dark eye shadows to your entire lid: Dark shadows will make your eyes appear closer together and much smaller(this is a good technique if you have big eyes and want them to appear smaller)

Apply dark eyeliner on your waterline: A dark eyeliner will only close up your eyes. Use a white/ nude eyeliner instead to open the eye and make it bigger

Just use one eye shadow colour: Always use a light, medium and dark eye shadow to create angles and dimension 

Use too much shimmer: If you have a super shimmery lid then use a matte highlight on the brow bone and visa versa. Using both is just overkill and won't look natural

Love Kristina K. x

How to conceal: colour correcting

I get a lot of questions about the best way to cover problem spots. The important thing to know about concealing is that in order to cancel out one colour you must use an opposing colour to cover it. 

It's really that simple. 

Whether your problem is dark circles, redness, or blemishes, there’s an easy way to conceal without caking on the foundation. 

For example:

If you suffer with acne-prone skin/ blemishes/ scarring/ rosacea:

Use a GREEN/ BLUE toned concealer

If you want to cover redness then a green tinted concealer is what you need. This is because red and green are opposing colours and therefore, they cancel each other out.I know applying green on your face might seem a bit strange but I promise that once you blend it out no one will be able to tell!

 I’d recommend applying a light layer of concealer over your problem areas and blending it out with your finger. Follow with your favourite foundation. If you have acne-prone skin I’d opt for a medium to full coverage, oil-free foundation. One of my favourite green tinted concealers is the Maybelline coverstick colour corrector. 

If you suffer with dark under-eye circles

Use a PEACH/ PINK toned concealer:

Because the skin is naturally thinner under the eyes, veins are much more noticeable, particularly when we’re tired or fatigued. If you struggle with ‘bags’ or ‘dark circles’ then I’d suggest going for a peachy toned concealer to brighten under the eyes.

You can apply this either before or after your foundation but I’d recommend doing it after. Just make sure you blend everything out and set it with a powder so it lasts all day and doesn’t streak under your eyes. I'd recommend the Benefit Erase Paste – it covers absolutely everything and a little definitely goes a long way.  

If you have slight discolouration or want to brighten/ highlight

Use a YELLOW toned concealer:

Yellow concealers are the most versatile because they can be used for a number of different things. If you have slight discolouration or small spots then you can use a yellow concealer. It’s also very good for highlighting and brightening the face.

 I usually use a yellow concealer to blend out my other concealers and to contour my nose and cheekbones slightly. My favourite concealer is the MAC studio finish concealer.

So there you go guys. Very simple tips that make a big difference. I hope this post helped you and if you decide to try out any of these tips let me know how you go!

Love Kristina K

Less is more

Hello Beauties!

So it’s no secret that I absolutely love anything beauty/ glamour related. I’m a true girly girl at heart and I have a make-up collection that would rival Kim Kardashian’s. I love getting glammed up for a night out and occasionally I’ll pull out the whole shebang, i.e. fake tan, false eyelashes, bright lipstick, Bridget Jones undies etc. I’d like to think I come across more like a Victoria’s Secret Angel rather than a tragedy from Jersey Shore but after a few drinks you never really know.  

Like I said though, it’s something I like to do occasionally and most of the time I much prefer being natural (at least I try make it seem that way). I think many people forget that the secret to wearing make-up is making it look like you’re not wearing any.

So I am going to share with you a few of my favourite tips and tricks on how I achieve a flawless (natural) looking face in less than 5 minutes.

1) Invest in a BB cream

At the moment I'm using the Garnier Skin Perfector BB cream for oily/combination skin, I've been using it every day instead of a foundation. It events out my skin tone and moisturises and protects at the same time. 

2) Use the right concealer

Choosing the right concealer is a must. Ideally, if you have dark under eye circles then you should use a salmon/ pink toned concealer. Whereas, if you have redness or blemishes then you should use a yellow toned concealer. Having the right concealer makes all the difference.

3) Apply a tinted lip balm

I prefer not to wear lipstick on a day to day basis and I usually save it for when I'm going out. Instead I like to use a tinted lip balm to hydrate and protect my lips. 

4) Creme Blush

Creme blushes are great for summer time. They melt perfectly into the skin and give a dewy natural finish without seeming too obvious like a powder blush. 

5) Mascara

At night I'm all about the volume but during the day I prefer to use a light formula for a more subtle look. If you don't want to use mascara then just apply some Vaseline to your lashes and it will give the same illusion of longer thicker lashes.

And that there is all you need. It’s enough to give a little glow but it still lets your true beauty shine through. Remember girls; less is always more. 

Love,
Kristina. xx