Beauty Must-Have: The Eyelash Curler

With makeup brushes, sponges, tweezers, and other beauty tools that take up space, the eyelash curler is easily deemed unnecessary, or even goes completely forgotten. I didn’t even realize I owned an unlash curler until I was cleaning out my beauty closet and found one, newly wrapped, made by Lancome.

Weeks later, I’m realizing what a splendid difference using an eyelash curler makes. Even, *gasp*, making me pass on wearing faux lashes in honor of sporting my own curled, blackened eyelashes. A few pumps of the eyelash curler and a couple coats of mascara and I’m good to go. Using an eyelash curler has even made mediocre mascaras look ten times better for me.

How to Use an Eyelash Curler

1. Some like to heat the eyelash curler briefly with a blow dryer for heat reinforcement. I skip this step. I do, however, use the eyelash curler on bare eyelashes to avoid pulling hairs or gunking up the tool with eyeliner/mascara.
2. Start at the base of your eyelashes and squeeze to create a curl. For a well-rounded curl, pump (squeeze) your eyelash curler as you move up the length of your eyelashes.
3. Apply 1-3 coats of your favorite mascara and you’re done.

It also helps to use a quality eyelash curler. Mine is by Lancome, but popular vote says Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler is the best.

Is this tool in your makeup bag?

Rihanna Makeup Musings

Rihanna’s makeup is a perfect combination of edgy and urban chic, mixed with her creative hairstyles and daring taste in fashion. She is not afraid to mix nude eyeshadow with metallic eyeliner or experiment with frosted and bold lip colors.

Get Rihanna’s Makeup Look

FACE: Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse foundation for a smooth, satiny finish

EYES: Clinique Color Surge Eyeshadow Trio in Totally Neutral (use the lightest shade under your brows and above your lashline and the medium-dark shade in the crease — sweep the darkest shadce in the crease if you have dark skin), Jane Endless Eyes Liquid Eyeliner in metallic Midnight to rim your bottom lash line, Lancome Artliner in Noir on you top lash line and outside water line of your bottom lash line, CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara in Very Black for long, dark lashes

CHEEKS: RAW Minerals bronzer in Warm Glow for sun-baked look

LIPS: MAC Lipstick in High Strung with MAC Lip Pencil in Spice

Which Hair Removal Procedure is Right for You?

Lessen the pain induced when waxing, plucking, or lasering away body hair by choosing the correct method for your skin tone and hair texture. Take the quiz (brought to you by Total Beauty) to assess your pain threshold and find out which hair removal method is right for you.

TotalBeauty.com content:

Quiz: Your Best Hair Removal Strategy

Find the right process for your skin and hair type

Waxing, tweezing, lasering … part-torture, part-godsend. But with so many choices, which method works best for you? Your skin tone, hair texture and pain threshold are all major factors we’ll weed through to get your strategy set. Answer the following questions to find your ideal procedure. Hair removal quiz

Katy Perry Makeup Musings

Get Makeup Like Katy Perry

FACE: MAC Studio Fix Foundation stick for smooth, medium coverage

EYES: Shade your upper lash line with CoverGirl Eyeslicks Gel Eyecolor pencil in Silver Streak, then line the bottom with CoverGirl Eyeslicks in Glistening Gold. Apply a plush, volumizing mascara such as Lancome Hypnose Mascara in Deep Black

CHEEKS: Add a rosy glow to the cheeks with MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Feeling

LIPS: For soft, coral lips, use Lancome Le Rouge Absolu Lipstick in Coral Gossamer

Ciara Makeup Musings

Ciara is by far my favorite R&B songstress, beating out Beyonce, Rihanna, Keyshia, and Mariah in my book. I love her music, her moves, and her makeup looks — and this one is no exception.

Get Makeup Like Ciara

FACE: Maybelline Mineral Powder liquid makeup for medium coverage with a lightweight feel

EYES: Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Last Call (shimmery plum) layered over Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Oil Slick (glittery black), L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mascara in Black to darken your natural lashes before applying a set of Ardell Fashion Lashes for added drama

CHEEKS: Clinique Blushing Blush in Precious Posy will give you sheer, peachy cheeks

LIPS: Sephora Brand Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in Gold & Glow for Ciara’s glittery lip look

How to Look Like Victoria’s Secret Models

Click the following link (brought to you by Total Beauty) for a list of tips on how to highlight, sculpt, and beautify your hair, face, skin, and limbs. You, too, can look as good as the Victoria’s Secret models.

TotalBeauty.com content:

Look as Good as the Victoria’s Secret Models

Behind-the-scenes tips to show off skin, hairstyles, makeup, legs and more

Self-conscious about your nose but love your eyes? Want people to focus on your amazing legs? We got the hairstylists and makeup artists responsible for A-list celebs — from the Victoria’s Secret gang to Angelina Jolie — to dish on how to show off your best features. Get expert tips

How to Apply Makeup Part II: Blush

This tutorial is for gals that are new to blush application. Applying blush can seem like a daunting task, but I promise it’s not difficult. Once you master swiping on the perfect shade of blush to your face, it may become as indispensible to you as your favorite lipstick or lip gloss! › Continue reading