Shimmers and frosts are probably the most popular texture at any cosmetic counter. Who can resist those sparkly colours, they just look too good to not walk away with.

Here are 5 tips on how to wear shimmer well:

1. Use subtle shimmer or frost eyeshadow to highlight the tops of your cheekbones, and inner corner of the eye.

2. When using a frost to highlight the brow bone do it before you fill in your brows and blend the shadow right over the eyebrow with a soft brush.

3. Tap your brush off before applying to avoid fall out on your cheeks. Or place a tissue just under your eye to catch the fall out.

4. For maximum shine apply a cream base first then press your frost eyeshadow on top. Or apply the shadow with a wet brush.

5. Use a matte colour through the crease of your eye to create definition.

For tips on using glitter click here

Image from models.com 

I just tried these new wet-dry shadows at YSL last week and I quite like them! When you brush them on dry they’re like any other metallic shadow. As soon as you add water the texture completely changes into almost a paste. Suddenly you have this super intense, opaque colour. The unique thing about the shadow is the technology behind it. The water content in the formula allows the shadow to go from wet to dry, without changing the consistency.

Check out all the colours online at ysl.com

The advantage of loose pigment is that it’s so versatile. Often used only as an eyeshadow here are our top 8 ways to work with pigment:

1. Add to nail polish to change the colour or create your own by mixing pigment into a clear polish.
2. Iridescent pigment can be mixed with body lotion and applied to arms and legs for customized sheen.
3. Use a mixing medium to turn the pigment into a cream form and use as eyeliner
4. Use for body painting on top of cream products to add dimension
5. Mix with water based mixing medium turning pigment into paint for body painting
6. Use as blush or highlighter
7. Add to clear lipgloss for customized colours
8. Mix into clear mascara or mascara mixing medium

*For mixing mediums go to maccosmetics.com

These 4 looks are perfect for any party this winter. Dark lips make a statement when paired with an otherwise low key look. Flawless skin, groomed brows, and black mascara is really all you need.

Metallics in gold, copper and bronze look stunning. Pick two features that will shimmer to avoid looking like a disco ball. Wear with natural matte foundation.

Make your eyes stand out with thick dark lashes. Strip lashes are an easy way to get this look. If you have the patience though, lots of individual lashes placed close together along the lashline look amazing.

Of course the faithful stand by for any occasion is the dark eye. What I love about this particular smoky liner on Zoe Saldana, is the texture, and worn in look. Try using an eyekohl and smudge it out. Tap a very small amount of Vaseline or Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on top. This will give your liner a sheen. It will move the makeup too, creating an imperfect more worn in look.

Yves Saint Laurent’s latest collection consists of lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadows, face highlighter, blush, and nail lacquer. Ginta Lapina looks stunning in the ads once again (we knew she’d blow up). The collection was inspired by YSL’s metallic colorama leather goods collection. The highlighter is actually packaged in a chic rose leather case. The entire collection is available now.

When shading the crease area of the eye, apply shadow under the orbital bone rather the shading eyeball. This will open up the eyes so they appear bigger.

Lots of looks from the Fall 2010 collections showed eyeshadow that was wrapped around the eye. This is a really easy look and can be done with any colour that is medium to dark. Here’s a few tips to create this diffused, soft smoky look:

1. Use a flat shader brush to apply the eye shadow to the eyelids from lash line to crease.

2. Use the same colour and blend along the lower lash line.

3. Blend out the edges to keep the look soft.

4. For extra definition take a slightly darker colour and blend through the socket line, or add dark pencil to the water line.

The key to any well applied eye make up is blending. For a sophisticated look on shallow eyelids or Asian eyes, apply your darkest shade of eyeshadow at the upper lash line and blend up. Avoid creating a fake crease with colours that are too dark.

We know that pastels are an important trend for Spring, but there’s nothing worse than buying a shade that’s so light it doesn’t even show up. Aside from the obvious-try before you buy, your best bet is to apply some sort of cream based product first. An eye primer will even and smooth out the skin tone on the eyelids and give the eyeshadow something to grab on to, which makes the shadow more intense. Try Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer applied sparingly. MAC Paint Pots are very effective for brightening shadow when applied before eyeshadow, and for maximum wearability without fading or creasing. The brush you use makes a big difference. A flat stiff haired brush, like the one pictured above is perfect for packing on those pastel shadows so that they really stand out.

Image from style.com

Over the weekend I’ve been wearing the Kat Von D Motorhead (black colour) eyeshadow. What I liked about the shadow initially was the two textures in one. Half is matte the other half has small silver glitter particles infused into it. Inside the lid is a small mirror which is quite convenient. I found that the shadow adheres to the skin quite easily when applied with a brush. The pay off is good especially the matte texture. As with most eyeshadow, when applied on top of a cream base you get maximum pay off. As I blended the shadow, I did notice the colour started to lose intensity going from dark black to more of a grey colour. The glitter particles fall onto your cheeks which can be annoying if you’ve already done your foundation. On myself, I found the shadow wore for at least 5 hours without fading.

Currently these shadows are half price at Sephora-only $10. For that price they are worth trying.

The eighties were about flash and cash in all aspects of life. This time around there isn’t as much cash so going extreme with make up is a less expensive alternative. There is a lot of precision required with these looks so when trying to achieve that Nicole Miller elongated blue eye, brushes are a must. Don’t even attempt the neon lip without a super sharp lip pencil to define the mouth. While overindulgence is the theme of the trend, no need to amp eyes, cheeks, and lips choose your favourite and let it stand out.

Images from style.com

Kohl eye liner is centuries old and far from a trend but an industry standard.  The best kohls are creamy enough to smudge out to create a smoky eyeliner, but can also achieve a perfectly defined line too. Keep the line tight to the lash line for a slightly understated look, or blend it out towards the crease of the eye for more drama.  The more you smudge the line the smokier it gets.  The best tools to use are medium density brushes that can work the kohl until there are no hard edges.  The key to a perfect smoky eye is whatever you do on the top do on the bottom. Here’s how to get the look in a few quick steps:

1. Line the entire eye with the kohl top and bottom.

2. Using a pencil brush smudge over the liner until the line dissipates.

3. Apply a dark shadow on top of the smudgy liner to create more intensity and longer wear.

4. Blend the shadow out with a soft haired brush so there are no hard lines.

5. Apply the kohl to the top and bottom water line to completely encase the eye.

6. Highlight the brow bone and finish with mascara.