Poll Post: 4 Ways to Update Your Eye Makeup for Fall

I love fall makeup. It's bold, dramatic, and beautiful, especially when it comes to eye makeup. There are so many ways to bring out the eyes. Let's explore 4 ways to do so in the Fall.

1) Classic smokey eye

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This look is great for whenever you wanna make a safe but bold statement, whether that be at work, school, or out with friends. But wait-- it's possible or something to be safe and bold? Yup. It's bold because it draws so much attention to your eyes but still safe because it looks good on everyone. Just remember: Smoky eyes should be worn during the day only in the colder months, when heavier makeup is generally in; light and simple makeup is reserved for the spring and summer. Also, since they draw all the attention to your eyes, it's best to keep all your other makeup light. If you want a really dramatic look, add a statement lip, but no more! 

Although there are many ways to do a smoky eye, I just follow the directions on the bottom of those little smoky eye palettes (What can I say? I'm a drugstore girl.). If you need some guidance, though, take a look at this All Women Stalk article.

2) Smudged Kohl-Lined Eyes

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I love this look and will continue to try to pull it off for the rest of the season. This look is feminine but super laid back, relaxed, and simple. Wearing this would make you look like the kind of girl who throws her makeup on in the morning and manages to look good in probably half the time it took you to match that. It also kinda looks what I imagine would happen in this hypothetical situation: you stay up writing an essay until 12 AM and skip washing off the makeup, then end up late to school. Then later, when you have to go the bathroom and are dreading that inevitable moment when you see yourself in the mirror, you actually look...acceptable? Dare I say...cute? So, yeah. I looove this look. It's super cute and easy, so of course I do.

As I've mentioned multiple times above, this look is very easy to recreate. First, you'll need a soft, smudge-able kohl eye pencil. (If it's a traditional pencil, get a sharpener too.) Next, figure out what looks good for your eye shape. When applying your liner, you may need to alter things like the thickness and intensity so your face isn't overwhelmed. I learned this for myself from experience, but you can also get an expert's opinion at a beauty store or research. 

3) Updated Cat-Eye

Clockwise from top left: Source 1, 2, 3, 4

This new spin on the classic is also exciting. I made a collage for this one because there are many different takes on the updated cat-eye. As you can see, however, there are two main additions: color and eyeliner. 

• Color
• Eyeshadow
• Make the wing with a strong sweep of eyeshadow.
• Add color to your lids
• Use a subtle amount of eyeshadow all around your liner for a pop of color
• Colored eyeliner
• Add a pop of color above your liner on your top lid
• Use colored eyeliner instead of black or brown eyeliner
• Eyeliner
• Shape
• Exaggerate the traditional shape by extending it out further
• Go graphic and change the shape of the wing
• Thickness
• Thin and subtle
• Thick and bold

As you can see, there are endless ways to change up your everyday cat-eye. If you want to keep your makeup in season, I'd stay away from bright colors and instead choose deeper tones like emerald, plum, and burgundy. 

4) Graphic Liner

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This look really ruled the runways when it first came out, and will probably continue to for seasons to come. I especially love this look because for the amount it takes to create, it dramatically accentuates your eyes by giving your lids more depth. Like the makeup in this picture, many graphic liner looks feature liner on the lids--stripes, contouring, you name it! There are many graphic liner looks to copy out there, but before you look a tutorial up, try it out yourself. You never know what you could come up with...

As I've said before, eye makeup is my favorite cosmetic. There are so many ways to make up your eyes, and we can enjoy the more dramatic looks in the Fall. Which of the above variations are you going to try? Comment below and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com.

7 Cute Cosmetic Bags

Recently, I've been searching high and low for a good makeup bag so I can keep my things organized. My grandparents are over and we have to share bathroom space, so I seriously need one! Here, I'm showcasing 7 of my favorite finds.

Lulu Guinness Wink Makeup Bag, $92.82, asos.com

This bag caught my eye because of the cute graphic print. The black and white helps bring out the design. The satin back and lining give the bag a luxe feel.

Ted Baker 'Roses in a Row - small" Cosmetics Case, $40, nordstrom.com

Even though 50's and 60's style isn't really my thing, this rose-printed bag is one of the cutest vintage accessories I've seen. This is great for all you girly girls!

kate spade new york Davie Print Cosmetic Case, $60, bloomingdales.com

This bag is similar to the previous Ted Baker pick we just looked at, but with a whimsical, city-oriented print.

Longchamp Dome Cosmetic Case, $120, bloomingdales.com

I was drawn to this bag's simple, sturdy build. The poppy orange offers a trendy pop of color while the leather makes it durable. If you are looking to investment in a new cosmetic bag, this is a good option.

Disaster Designs 'Holding Pattern' Makeup Bag, $23.99, modcloth.com

Once again, I stumbled upon a bag with an eye-catching abstract print. This one is made of faux leather and has prints of different sewing directions on it, with a cute little tape measure bow on top.

kate spade new york 'South of the Border - Gia' Pouch, $78, bloomingdales.com

This bag has an old-school, vintagey vibe, what with the off-white canvas, painted letters, and simple phrase. You can even take this bag out as a casual clutch with certain outfits.

Zara Printed Clutch Bag, $19.99 (on sale), zara.com

I liked this bag because of the simple but chic geometric print. It wasn't meant to be a makeup bag, but what clutch can't serve as one? Plus, it's a steal at $20!

Which bag is your favorite? Comment below and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com. And remember, the Poll Post is in 5 days! Vote!

7 Shocking Neon Lipsticks

Hello!

Although I've read an infinite number of articles about it, one cosmetic I have yet to buy for myself is lipstick. However, I am determined to change that, and one of the first colors I buy will be a neon. But there are so many options: reds, pinks, and oranges. Here, I've compiled 7 of the best neon lipsticks I could find, along with tips to make sure you meet your match (before it's fall and we have to start wearing deep reds).

1) Pink

Topshop Sheer Lipstick in Lolly, $16, us.topshop.com

Right now you may be wondering what the difference between neon pink and hot pink is. This lipstick does look very similar in color to the hot pink one below. However, if you click the above link and take a look at the color swatch, you can see that it is much lighter than hot pink. It even looks a little florescent. This lipstick is great because of its sheer formula, which makes it easy to use day and night. Wear it sheer for an everyday look and build it up for a statement lip.

2) Hot Pink

NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Schiap, $26, narscosmetics.com

This brilliant pink is great for all skin tones. If you have cool undertones and this overpowers your complexions, try a sheer finish. All it takes to get even the most opaque lipstick to give you a sheer finish is a little time and patience to blot! (If it still doesn't work, consider a hot pink with a different color base.)

3) Orange

Lancome 'Rouge in Love' Lipstick in Miss Coquelicot, $26, nordstrom.com

This color is a true orange that is bold, bright, and made for a statement lip. Because of this, I recommend you go try it in-store to make sure the color is right for you. Generally, this color looks best on people with warm complexions because orange is a very warm color. However, there are many strong shades of orange for cool complexions to wear; this Lancome pick is just an example.

4) Red-orange

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor in Vibrant Madarin, $7.49, ulta.com

This orange is very deep with a strong red base. It's way safer than the true orange because it isn't as bright and is closer to a red, which stands out on all complexions.

5) Coral

Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo Gloss Lipstick Fushion Lipstick in Coral Orange, $35, sephora.com

Ever since coral makeup became a hit last year, endless variations of the color have popped up, each company calling it the same thing: coral. Despite all these versions, coral is always a pink-orange color. There are so many shades of coral because those tinted with more pink are casual while those with more orange are much brighter. And within those, everyone has their own preferences. This shade is very orange with the slightest hint of pink (hence the name Coral Orange), making it a great neon lipstick.

6) Magenta

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Hoochie, $18, sephora.com

Magenta is a hot pink with a just-noticeable touch of purple. The color of this product is a great shade of magenta because it has perfect amount of purple in it. A lot of times, companies forget the purple and instead offer a darker shade of hot pink. But that's not what magenta is! This pretty shade works on many skin tones, so consider this color before the others if you don't have any neons yet and are thinking of buying some. (Note: The product featured here is very opaque, so it won't blot very well if you want a sheer finish.)

7) Lilac

Maybelline New York Color Whisper Sensational Lipcolor in Oh La Lilac, $5.94, amazon.com

This color is very similar to that of the light pink Topshop lipstick, but with a lavender twist. It's really trendy, and since it's such a light shade, it can be easily transitioned from day to night. The  sheer buildable finish doesn't hurt, either.

Tips:

• The number one thing to do before applying any color to your lips is exfoliating and moisturizing!
• If a color seems to overwhelm your face, try toning it down (make it sheer[er] by blotting). If that doesn't work or looks worse, find a color as close as possible to that with the same undertones (cool, warm, or neutral) as your skin.
• As I mentioned many times above, these neons can easily be used during day and night! Mild neons (e.g. pink and lilac) can be worn opaque for the whole day, while for more outstated colors, the key is making sure you wear a sheer finish during the day and a nice opaque one for the evening/night. 
• If your lips are naturally two-toned like mine (usually, this means a dark upper lip and pink lower lip) and it's keeping your lipcolor from standing out, exfoliate and moisturize your lips and do one of the following before reapplying your lipstick(whichever works the best for you, so the best thing to do would be to test them all out!):
• Use a lip pencil that matches your lipstick.
• Apply your usual foundation to your lips.
• Use a lip primer. 

So, which neon do you have your eyes on? I'm thinking about the orange! Comment below and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is new at Sephora!

So, soon after writing my very first blog post, I found myself extremely eager to do another one.

I know I said I haven't been to Sephora many times, but I am in the know from their emails. (To sign up online, go to http://www.sephora.com/, scroll all the way down, and enter your email into the box next to the envelope icon with the words "sign up for Sephora emails".)

Today, I got one announcing Marc Jacobs' first full beauty collection. See it here.

In recent years Marc Jacobs has been hailed for the ultra popular perfumes Daisy and Honey.

As I scrolled through, I found one product I really wanna try: the "Magic Marc'er Precision Pen". It's a waterproof liquid eyeliner pen.

It caught my eye at first because I looove eye makeup. It's the only type of makeup I'll buy without trying on thousands of times. In fact, I buy it at the drugstore.

Anyway, liquid eyeliner is my number one cosmetic because of my unnaturally thin lashes. I find eyeliner pens to be the easiest type to use because all the others require a very steady hand, which I unfortunately lack.

To add to those, all of the reviewers at Sephora.com raved about the intensity of the ink, the staying power of the formula, or both. And each review was five stars. Not bad for a first, Marc.

As with anything else, however, there are a few downsides. At $30, it isn't cheap. It also only comes in black right now, which may be disappointing to fair-skinned girls seeking a more natural look.

However, this isn't the only new product available. Remember to check out the rest of the collection here.

So, what do you guys think? Are you gonna try the eyeliner? Talk to me about the rest of the collection! Leave comments and email me at leatherandrouge@gmail.com.