smokey eyeshadow: a step-by-step guide

One thing I get requests for? To do an eyeshadow tutorial. Makeup is my biggest passion and I am totally obsessed with a good smokey eye. (As you can probably tell from any of the makeup looks I post on this blog!) In fact, I wear one just about every single day. As much as I try to mix things up every now and then, smokey eye makeup is my go-to.

Since some of you requested a tutorial, I thought that I would do just that! Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect smokey eye.

1) Grab Your Tools

First thing is first - it's time to grab everything you need. That means an eyeshadow primer or base, eyeliner, mascara, and at least three eyeshadows. (Four is preferable but three will do just fine!) Things to keep in mind? Liquid eyeliner is great for a sharp and dramatic line. A kohl or gloss eyeliner is ideal if you want a look that is super smudgy and messy. When it comes to your eyeshadow shades, you'll need: one light shade, one medium shade, and one darker shade.

2) Put Down Your Base

The next step for a smokey eye? It's time to create a base. You can do this with an eyeshadow primer (the Too Faced Shadow Insurance is great, as is any of the primers from Urban Decay!) or a cream shadow, like the Maybelline Colour Tattoo, which is what I've used in the picture above. The key is to create a surface that your eyeshadows will stick to. It helps the colours look more vibrant and prevents creasing.

3) Apply Your Eyeshadow Shades

Now it's time to grab that shadow! For this look, I used a champagne shade from the Too Faced The Return of Sexy palette. All you have to do is use a fluffy brush to apply the colour all over the lid.
Then it's time to move onto your medium shade. Sticking with this quad, I used that grey colour and packed it on, starting from the center of the lid to the outer corner. When you do this, make sure you're blending the two colours together so it looks as natural as possible. 

Ready for a little extra drama? Grab a crease brush and use a dark shade, like black, deep brown, or maroon. The possibilities are endless! All you have to do is make sure this is the darkest shade you're using for the look. Put a little on your brush and apply it to the outer corner of your eye. Then blend it through the crease. You can build the colour up as much as you like to make the look super simple or super smokey. It is totally up to you. 

Take a medium brown shade on a large fluffy brush and blend out the shadow. You can also add a matte white shade underneath your brow bone and in the inner corner of your eye. Finish off the eyeshadow look by running the deepest shade along your lower lash line.

When the eyeshadow is finished, it should look something like this:

4) Add The Liner and Mascara

It's time to finish off the look! You can complete this smokey eye with some eyeliner and mascara. The type of eyeliner you use is totally up to you. As for myself, I love a good liquid liner with a bit of a cat-eye shape. It's a little bit bold but still totally sexy. For the mascara, make those lashes big and bold! My favourite mascara is the Benefit They're Real! but anything will do. Use two coats for the most impact or even add on some fake lashes if you'd prefer.

The rest of your makeup is totally up to you. A few tips? Make sure you have a good under eye concealer to offset the darkness of the eyes. Also, bronzed cheeks and a nude lip will really make those eyes pop!

5) The End Result....

After all is said and done, your smokey eyeshadow look should be dramatic and beautiful. Ready to see how mine turned out?

There you have it! That is my step-by-step smokey eyeshadow tutorial. Hopefully it can help some of you achieve your own smokey makeup look. If you happen to put this tutorial to use, be sure to post pictures or send me the link. I'd love to see how it turned out!

Do you love smokey eye makeup? What do you think of this tutorial?

xo Shannon

jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles.

In a recent post, I mentioned that my boyfriend and I were celebrating our two year anniversary. It was absolutely wonderful. He picked me up and surprised me with pink roses and a heart shaped box of chocolate. Then, we did some shopping where I bought his gift (had to make sure it fit right!)...and then he took me to Pandora. Over the Christmas holidays, he gave me a Christmas charm bracelet that I fell in love with. He thought a charm bracelet I could wear for the rest of the year would be perfect. It was such a sweet idea!

I ended up choosing a Pandora bangle with a heart shaped charm. Technically, it's out for Valentine's Day but hey, it was perfect for our anniversary! What I really loved? The fact that the heard splits in two. One one side it says: me, and on the other side it says: you. Absolutely perfect!

After shopping, we went to dinner and then went on to see American Hustle. (The costumes, the makeup...ahh! Loved it.) It was a definitely wonderful night from start to finish. I feel so lucky to be with him every single day and our anniversary was no different.

What do you think of this bracelet? Do you own anything from Pandora?

xo Shannon

do you realize if it weren't for edison we'd be watching TV by candlelight?

Okay, I admit it....I am a TV junkie. I watch a lot of shows either while I work or as a way to unwind after a long day. One of those shows? Steven and Chris. If you don't know this one (it only airs in Canada!) it is a talk show focused on home decor, fashion, and self-improvement. Recently, I got my mom and I tickets to one of the tapings in Toronto.

We have gone a couple of times in the past and it is always lots of fun! The tapings are early in the morning but they are super high energy, which is always a good thing. This particular episode was about finding the perfect denim, restaurant decor, and workout gadgets. It was definitely a good time.  In between segments, there were games and prizes, too.

The most exciting part of the whole thing? Finally finally getting to meet Steven and Chris themselves! After the show, they were nice enough to stick around and take pictures with people in the audience. I was thrilled. Every time my mom and I have gone to the taping, they always seem to be running behind and can't get to everyone. Not this time. They were super sweet and okay, I maybe shamelessly hit on Chris. (I couldn't help it....he's too gorgeous!) Our picture turned out really cute and my mom and I both left the studio feeling happy and excited.

Here is my picture with the amazing Steven and Chris:

As we we leaving the studio, we were given some parting gifts: Nicole by OPI Oil to Go for cuticles along with three OPI top coats. Definitely a nice surprise! While I was there, I also picked up this super cute Steven and Chris glass water bottle. It almost seems too nice to use at a water bottle, so I'm going to fill it up with some glass beads and put it on my shelf. Instant decor! Take a peek at my gift bag and water bottle:

Overall, it was a really fun day. After we left, I took my mom to lunch and we did a little shopping downtown. It was definitely a great way to spend some time together!

Have you ever gone to a TV taping? What did you think of it?

xo Shannon

just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive.

Any Pretty Little Liars fans out there? Then you probably want to get yourselves to Aeropostale pretty soon! I don't usually shop there, but when I saw the window display of PLL clothes, I couldn't resist! Why? I am totally addicted to that show. Love, love, love everything about it. Right now, Aeropostale is selling an outfit inspired by each of the characters, so of course, I bought Hanna's dress.

When I got to the check out, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a free "LIARS UNITE" t-shirt. It is a super comfy and cute t-shirt. Since I have been wearing this t-shirt an awful lot lately, I thought that I would do a quick makeup look of the day featuring my "LIARS UNITE" shirt! When I was deciding what to do with my makeup, I was really inspired by the darker tone of the show....which you'll probably be able to tell!

Ready to take a peek at my Pretty Little Liars shirt and makeup? Here goes!

Products Used: Too Faced The Return of Sexy Palette, MUA Black Eyeliner, Maybelline Stain Gloss in Blissful Brown, NARS Deep Throat blush, Rimmel Stay Clean Foundation.

There you have it...my Pretty Little Liars inspired look. I may not look quite like Hanna, but hey, maybe someday!

What do you think of this makeup look? Who is your favourite PLL character?

xo Shannon

as long as i am breathing, in my eyes, i am just beginning.

Now that January is almost through, I thought it was the perfect time to do a little update on my New Years Resolutions. They were: to spend more time on myself, to build my writing career, and to have a more positive attitude in my day-to-day life. Even though it is early days yet, I am doing my best to live up to those goals.

When it comes to spending more time on myself, I've been working out loads, eating better, taking proper care of my skin - and actually turning off my computer to relax! As for my social life, there haven't been any major changes there. I still spend the majority of my time working...but fingers crossed things will change soon!

In terms of building my writing career, I've been working my tail off to do just that. Not only have I been keeping up with my freelance jobs, but I have been actively applying for more freelance work, full-time positions, and internships. I have to believe that my hard work and perseverance will get me where I want to go. 

My resolution to have a more positive attitude is going okay....but it can certainly be challenging while I'm at my full-time job! I am doing my best to look on the bright side and not get bogged down by negativity.

Maybe my resolutions will work out and maybe they won't. Whatever happens, though, I'm proud of myself for trying. So far, 2014 still feels full of promise.

How are your New Years Resolutions going? Have you been keeping up with them?

xo Shannon

in all the world, there is no heart for me like yours.

It's amazing how quickly time passes. It feels like only yesterday that I was meeting my boyfriend for the first time...getting butterflies in my stomach every time he looked at me. Now, today is our two year anniversary. Even though we're been together for two years, I still get butterflies when he looks at me.

The past couple of years have without a doubt, been the happiest of my life. Every day, I wake up feeling so incredibly blessed. I just can't wait for all of the amazing things we are sure to experience in the future. Since today is our anniversary, I wanted to take this opportunity to show my love and appreciation for the most important person in life. I love you, babe.

xo Shannon

the blush is beautiful, but it is sometimes convenient.

It's been a while since I have been ridiculously excited about new drugstore makeup. For too long, it's been okay or pretty good. Finally, Maybelline has knocked one out of the park. Chances are, if they haven't already, you'll soon see the Master Glaze By FaceStudio Blush Sticks popping up at your local drugstore.

At first, I bought Pink Fever (the bright, vibrant pink, pictured above). The colour was so fun and fresh that I simply couldn't walk past it. When I got home and tried it out, I was amazed. Talk about colour! The colour payoff was incredible. It was a bright, bold, and totally girly pink. It blended well across the skin, you could really build up the colour nicely, and it lasted throughout the night. Talk about impressed.

So, it's probably not a surprise that I went back the next day to pick up three more shades. (There are five in total. I skipped out on the coral shade, simply because I already have way too many corals in my blush collection as it is.) The other shades I picked up were Just Pinched-Pink, which is a lighter more every day kind of blush shade, Warm Nude, which is a gorgeous slightly shimmery bronze blush, and Make a Mauve, which is a really gorgeous berry shade.

Here are some swatches of the Master Glaze Blush Sticks:

Left to Right: Pink Fever, Just Pinched-Pink, Warm Nude, Make a Mauve

Just like Pink Fever, all of the other shades in this collection behaved very much the same. They blended well, had tons of colour payoff, and had great longevity. For about $9CDN, they were quite the steal. Since buying them, they have been my go-to. They are perfect to use alone or as a base. Plus, they are great for on the go. Just toss one into your makeup bag and you're good to go!

I don't know about you, but I cannot get enough of these gorgeous colours! Here is a little makeup look I put together, with  Pink Fever on the cheeks.

So, there you have it! Some new drugstore items to actually get excited about. If you're a blush addict like I am, these are an absolute must-have. Trust me, you won't regret adding a couple of these shades to your makeup collection.

Have you tried the Maybelline Blush Sticks? What do you think of them?

xo Shannon