LIQUID LINER 101

As I've already mentioned, liquid eyeliner and I have never been tight. I figured it wasn't meant to be, that we just were not compatible but persisted in the vain hope that some how, some day, I would find a way to make it work.

Lesson of the post kids, is...."if you do not succeed, try, try again", "practice makes perfect, "god loves a tryer" etc etc....I'm sure you get the general gist of it without me drowning you in a sea of cheesy cliches as I love to do, and so without further adieu... I am pleased to announce that, after years of unrequited love and many botched attempts, I have finally found a way to make liquid liner work for me.

It really is quite simple and I should have tried it years ago but if it hasn't been glaringly obvious for you as well lovely readers, read on.

1.First a smooth neutral eyeshadow base... the liner will adhere better to a powder shadow or matt cream so stick with these rather than anything greasy or glossy.

2. Next take a pencil eyeliner (black or brown is best) and lightly sketch along the line of the lashes in the general shape you want your liquid liner to follow. This will be your stencil for when the tricky liquid part comes and makes it much easier to stay on track and not draw too thicker line or go all wiggly.

3. Next take an angled eyeliner brush, any cheapy brand will do, mine is QVS and it works a TREAT and........
a) if you are using a liquid eyeliner with a brush applicator (like Loreal Telescopic Precision Liquid Eyeliner), paint the bristles of the eyeliner brush until you get a good, even build up of product.
b) if you are using a gel eyeliner (e.g MAC Fluidline, Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner) simply dip the brush in the container.

4. Then starting from the outer corner of your eye, follow the pencil line in small dashing brush strokes.Really press the brush into your lashes so that the eyeliner merges with your lash line and looks natural and flawless. As you reach the inner corner of your eyes, taper of into a thinner- almost invisible line, and as you reach the outer corner again, angle the brush up so it creates a subtle flick. Keep building up the product along the line until you achieve the desired effect.

Sexy liquid lined cat's eyes for dummies!
Wear with a nude lip (MAC Myth Lipstick and Nars Lipgloss in Striptease are both beyoootiful), sassy black heels and some serious 'tude.

RAZOR SHARP CHEEKBONES IN THREE EASY STEPS (For contouring virgins everywhere)

I alas was born with less than delicate bone structure. My face shape has always been more moon than perfect oval and was the source of much teenage angst in earlier years. In an act of rebellion against pesky mother nature, I have developed three easy steps that help achieve a more defined cheekbone. They are as follows:

1.Apply your foundation of choice (a tint works best as their glowy qualities will have added benefits for highlighting bone structure and stop people think you've taken inspiration for this look from an 80's supermodel. Try Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint, Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15, Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturing Foundation or the aforementioned Mac Face and Body Foundation).

Then take a matt bronzer or golden brown blusher and apply with a long handled blush brush(bronzer brushes are generally too big and awkward to get a contoured line) from temple (the bit beside your eye- it took me years to find it) to the bottom of your cheekbone (have a poke around with your fingers and see where it ends.)

2.For the next step use a peachy pink or rosy blush (powder or cream work equally well). My picks are Nars The Multiple in Orgasm, Mac Peachy Keen, and any of the Bloom Sheer Colour Creams. Apply this to the apple of your cheek ( the fleshy bit when you smile) taking care not to get it to close to your nose - this will make you look more Bobo the clown than blushing beauty. Use a stippling or foundation brush to make sure the colour is blended seamlessly around the edges.

3. Finally using your favorite highlighter, (I find powder is better than liquid for precision and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick is the ULTIMATE) apply in a wide C-shaped curve over your brow bone, down past your temples and across the top of your cheekbones.

Voila- Giselle eat your heart out!