Working at the bakery has been such a blessing in so many ways, makeup and otherwise. I’ve been learning so many new things, and the loneliness I’ve felt for a long time is finally starting to leave.
In terms of makeup, though, my goodness! — the 15-minute window I typically have now to don my face paint in the mornings has been the catalyst for all manner of shortcuts.
Like these three powerful tricks you can use when you want to do quick, colorful makeup (but don’t have a lot of time). I used them for to do bronze, green and gold eye look (paired with pink cheeks and a matte nude-pink lip), which I wore to the bakery yesterday…
Tip No. 1: Intensify and extend the wear time of your eyeshadow by using a long-wearing pencil liner as a base
This is one of the speediest ways I know to 1) get your eyeshadow to last longer, and 2) to amplify the intensity of your shadows to make them look brighter and richer.
For this, you want to use a liner that sets relatively quickly…like in less than 30 seconds. I love the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-Ons because they come in tons of colors and finishes. And, because they dry very quickly, I’m forced to work fast!
Note: When you’re using a quick-drying pencil liner as a base, your best friend is a stiff (but still soft) synthetic brush, ideally something with a slightly domed tip, like the Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush.
Synthetic bristles tend to be more rigid than natural bristles, so you can push and blend that liner and tell it where to go, LIKE RIGHT MEOW!
In the look I wore yesterday, I wore Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Smog as a base. I roughly drew a few fatty-bo-batty messy lines all over my lids, and then I took the Real Techniques brush and buffed the liner into a thin, even layer.
Then, I applied warm browns and bronzes from the new Urban Decay On the Run Palette in G Train.
Tip No. 2: Use an angled brush to line your eyes with the darkest shade from your favorite eyeshadow palette
Not only is lining with an eyeshadow and angled brush super speedy, but it’s also forgiving, so you can make mistakes and nobody will even realize it!
Note: If you want the most room for error, keep the brush head dry for a soft and diffused line.
You can also wet your brush head with a setting spray to dial up the richness of the color, but FYI, it’s not as forgiving as a dry application.
For the upper lash liner in the look I wore yesterday, I wet a NARS 47 brush with MAC Fix+, then dipped it into the darkest shade from the G Train palette — Tunnel (a matte warm reddish brown).
Tip No. 3: Dial up the coverage of your foundation by mixing in a few drops of concealer
Save yourself a step and mix your concealer directly into your foundation to get extra coverage *and* to apply your base products quickly.
If you have the time, gently buff everything down with a skunk brush to blend your base and remove any excess product.
Products worn in this look:
- Eyes: Urban Decay On the Run Palette in G Train, UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Smog and Mildew, It Cosmetics Super Hero Mascara, Urban Decay Brow Blade in Dark Drapes
- Cheeks: It Cosmetics Hello Cheekbones Matte Bronzer & Highlighter Contouring Duo and It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Blush in Love (both are from a new kit coming to QVC in November)
- Lips: bareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolor in BO$$ (from the A Little Lip Holiday set)
- Base: Estée Lauder Double Wear Light in 4.0 mixed with Kevyn Aucoin Super Natural Concealer
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ruchita says
October 31st, 2019 at 10:32 amSuch a great look on you! The bronzey/gold colors are right up my alley. Thanks for all the tips. I like the idea of using one of the shadow shades as a liner!
Happy Halloween! Will you be able to go trick or treating tonight? It’s raining here, but hopefully will clear up by the evening. I’ve got lots of candy to give away! 🙂
Karen says
October 31st, 2019 at 11:15 amHi Ruchita,
Happy Halloween! I remember you saying your neighborhood gets tons of kids. We always have to drive somewhere else in town because nobody wants to climb up our hill… I don’t blame them, LOL! We’ll be taking Connor out tonight, and at some point she’ll be meeting up with a friend of hers from preschool.
I hope the kitties won’t get spooked by all the activity.
P.S. Did you dress up today?
Ruchita says
October 31st, 2019 at 11:50 amYes, we normally get a lot of people trick or treating, but I’ll be curious to see how the weather affects the turnout. People at the tail end might get extra candy so I don’t have a bunch sitting around. 🙂
Glad you’re back home and able to head out tonight!
I’m working from home today so no dressing up, but I’ll probably change into something more presentable that doesn’t have cat hair. 🙂
Billy and Nina are the two scaredy cats and I probably won’t see them for most of the evening. Louis, Max and Lucky are curious and might stick around to see what’s up. They are happy I didn’t make them dress up this year. 🙂
Have fun tonight!
Karen says
October 31st, 2019 at 11:59 amThank you, you too.
P.S. I really miss Tabs today. I was going to try to dress up Rosie but she’s not having it. LOL!
Ruchita says
October 31st, 2019 at 12:30 pmTabs did have some great costumes over the years. Always a top meowdel!
Karen says
October 31st, 2019 at 12:40 pmHe did. I was just telling my co-workers yesterday that he was absolutely ridiculous, and I loved that about him. I loved that he let me put necklaces on him and pink feather boas!
Sarah Lowes says
November 1st, 2019 at 4:05 amI think Rosie will get into costuming in time. maybe she feels a bit over-awed by Tabs’ natural talent.
BTW Karen, how do you apply your foundation? I’ve always used a brush until I started using a beauty blender a few months ago – wow, I couldn’t believe the difference! *totally converted*
Lily says
October 31st, 2019 at 11:51 amGreat tips. Glad that you are feeling less lonely and enjoying the work at the bakery. Looking forward to seeing some of your baking projects soon!
Happy Halloween!
Karen says
October 31st, 2019 at 11:58 amThanks, Lily! I’ll be practicing at home more so I’ll definitely be taking pics of what I make. 🙂
Happy Halloween to you, too!
Syahidah says
October 31st, 2019 at 12:25 pmKaren, if I saw you at the bakery, I would totally be like “Who Dat” and creep on you the whole time. No joke. You look super hot, momma!!
Karen says
October 31st, 2019 at 12:38 pmYou’re too funny, Syahidah!
Jennifer Osborn says
October 31st, 2019 at 12:30 pmThanks for these tips. I adore Urban Decay Glide-On like I haven’t any other liner in my makeup history. That’s genius to glide it all over as a base.
Glad you’re still liking the bakery.
I hope you guys have a great Halloween! I’m missing Tabs too. Sometimes I can read Sundays with Tabs the Cat but other weeks, it just makes me sad.
Jennifer Osborn recently posted … Spooky Good Halloween Popcorn Recipe Roundup for You
Karen says
October 31st, 2019 at 12:38 pmIt’s SOOOO good! Do you have Smog? It’s fantastic for bronze looks.
P.S. I think about Tabs all the time, and I’m missing him a little extra today.
Diana says
October 31st, 2019 at 2:27 pmHappy Halloween! I just love bronzey/gold that’s my jam! (bad bakery pun lol). Smog is on my want list. Thanks for the tips!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the bakery and feeling less lonely. So good for the spirit. I understand totally. Thinking of Tabs today..boy did he he rock all the festive collars. Kitty Face is having none of it today 😾 🎃
Chelsea says
October 31st, 2019 at 5:25 pmGreat tips and a beautiful look! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the new gig! And Happy Halloween! 🎃
My skin is terrible right now – the new products I had tried didn’t go well, so trying to get back to normal, plus I had orange makeup on all day for my fox costume. I apologized to my skin and no more face paint LOL 😹
Kim says
November 1st, 2019 at 12:21 pmGreat look and I’m so glad the bakery is going well!! I’m definitely a fan of shadow as liner. And always dry. 🙂
Shirley says
November 4th, 2019 at 1:54 pmI recently began looking to your blog for makeup ideas. I realized that I have not changed my makeup in the past 40 years. I still try to find the same shades and apply my makeup in the same old way.
In my defense, I am a skincare addict. Friends tell me my skin looks great but not a single person has commented on my makeup. In fact, the last time a friend mentioned my makeup, I was in my early 20s. I don’t know how I got stuck in such a rut.
I am way overdue for a change and already have found some tips on this site that will help me change things up. I really want to try a smokey eye.
Shirley recently posted … How To Get Rid Of Frown Lines