One of our favourite products for every occasion, the right eyeliner can elevate your makeup look and have you feeling fantastic. Whether you’re wearing a neutral brown pencil for a big day at work or a winged liquid liner for a night on the town, you’ll want to make sure you’re applying it correctly.
While it’s easy enough to scribble on a little
eyeliner as an afterthought, we’re not about that life. When it comes to
applying eyeliner, we want it perfect every time. That means choosing the right
product for the look you’re after and putting it on at the best moment. There
are also lots of eyeliner tips and tricks you can use to ensure your look lasts
longer. Never worry about reapplying throughout the day or night when you
follow our guide to applying the perfect eyeliner.
The different types of eyeliner
There are lots of types of eyeliner
available, and the formula you choose will depend on the look you’re going for
and how much staying power you need. These are the main types of eyeliner you
can buy:
Liquid
Felt-tip
Gel
Cream
Kohl pencil
Regular pencil
Twist-up
Eyeshadow (used as eyeliner)
As
well as lots of different formulas available, you’ll be able to choose eyeliner
in a range of colours and finishes to suit your look. If you’re looking for a
more natural finish, consider a blonde or brown liner to create definition
around your eyes without drawing too much attention. Subtle blue and green
liner can also work well if you have these colours in your eyes, making your
natural features pop.
If
you’re going for all-out glamour, you can’t beat a black winged eyeliner look.
Channel Brigitte Bardot with a dark cat-eye and feel super-confident from the
moment you step out! Looking to add the basics to your makeup rotation? We
recommend a black or natural coloured pencil and a black liquid or gel liner to
help you achieve some fashionable looks.
Gel eyeliner
This
type of liner can produce unparalleled results but often requires a little
skill and practice to apply correctly. If you do a lot of cat eyes, or you’re
looking to get into the style, pick up a gel eyeliner and prepare for the ultimate
flicks!
Gel
eyeliners come packaged in a small pot, usually with an applicator brush
included. You can use any brush you want to apply your gel liner; we recommend
a little angled option to get the best results. This type of eyeliner is
excellent for making clean, precise lines, thanks to the thicker formula and
precision of using your own brush.
Just
be sure to clean your brush regularly to maintain consistent results, and don’t
forget to put the lid back on! Gel eyeliner dries out quickly if left out for
too long.
Liquid eyeliner
Another
excellent option for clean lines and precision, liquid eyeliner is ideal if
you’re new to the game or want a quick, fuss-free application. We find that
pens with felt-tip applicators are the easiest to use. There are lots of
options available, so shop around and find a brand you love. You can get lots
of great waterproof liquid liners, too!
Pencil eyeliner
For
a little definition around your lash line, pencil eyeliner is a perfect choice
for creating a less obvious eyeliner look. Pencil liner is the key to a smokey
eye, too! Choose colourful options to add a pop, or stick to neutral browns for
subtle definition.
You
can really get into your waterline with a pencil eyeliner. In contrast, you
wouldn’t want to go there with a liquid or gel option. You’ll need to invest in
a good sharpener to keep your pencil on-point and avoid scratching your
delicate eye area with a blunt tip, but these are cheap and easy to find.
Applying perfect eyeliner
Applying
perfect eyeliner seems like it should be so easy. So why do we often end up
with uneven sides, smudges, and flaking flicks that drive us to despair?
One
of the most important things to remember when you’re aiming for perfect
eyeliner is that the products you use will make a huge difference. No matter
what look you’re going for, use a high-quality formula and take your time.
Line the tip of your applicator up as close to your lash line as you can
get it, resting gently on your lashes if you need to
Start small. Pull the liner in an outwards motion, never pressing down
too hard on your eyelid
You can build up your liner to match on the other sides. Remember, it’s
easier to add it than to take it away!
Practice! Don’t try using a brand new product five minutes before a big
night out. Set aside a little time to practice applying your liner with no
pressure and get to grips with the movement
Now go ahead and master the art of eyeliner! For more makeup tips and tricks, keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog.
Thank you for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed this post! Come and take a look at the incredible fragrance and beauty brands we stock!
Flawless makeup? Yes, please! Do you dream of achieving that magic, silky, nourished base that would just be perfect for blending your foundation, concealers and loose powders on top of? We’ve done the work for you and have rounded up our top skin care products for you to finally master the perfect makeup base in just five simple steps…
To begin your journey to a clearer, fresher makeup base, a morning cleanse if the perfect place to start. Garnier’s cleansing milk is made with natural ingredients such as Rose Flower which is known for its nourishing properties. This cleansing milk gently, yet efficiently removes makeup and impurities while leaving the skin feeling nourished and perfectly comfortable. Using a cleanser day and night works wonders at keeping blemish-causing bacteria at bay!
A nourishing face mask is great for makeup preparation. If you’re getting ready for evening plans, popping on a mask while you’re putting together your outfit or having your dinner is one of the best ways to multitask. YOUTH LAB’s Thirst Relief is a rich creamy face-mask which hydrates your skin in just 10 minutes! It strengthens the epidermal barrier while restoring elasticity, for even and plump skin while restoring smoothness and elasticity for a healthier and youthful look.
You can never be too moisturised! A good layer of nourishment is key for ensuring the smoothest makeup application possible. There’s no better feeling than when you’re blending in your foundation and everything glides on so effortlessly. We recommend Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour skin protectant cream. In addition to providing dreamy moisture, it soothes minor skin irritations and is a great treatment for chapping, peeling or flaking.
If you’re a lover of brightening concealers and baking under your eyes, pre-makeup eye treatments are great for giving you the silkiest base. Super Facialist’s high potency Vitamin C Dark Circles Eye Cream has been boosted with light diffusers to target dark circles under the eye area. Skin brightening Vitamin C, stimulating Caffeine and a proven anti-dark circle peptide combine in this eye cream to help reduce the look of dark circles and the appearance of fine lines.
Finally, the last step to master the perfect makeup base is a little bit of CC cream. Gatineau’s lightweight, intensive tinted moisturiser hydrates and protects the skin while leaving a sun-kissed glow. With Gatineau’s Perfection Ultime Anti-Ageing Complex Cream you can achieve healthy, youthful-looking skin with all-day SPF protection when you wear this gorgeous cream.
Thank you for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed this post! Come and take a look at the incredible fragrance and beauty brands we stock!
Do you suffer from breakouts, dryness, redness, ageing or inflammation? Today, Gatineau are here to provide all the skincare solution goodies and more along with real advice that will help you to combat some of these issues we know all too well!
Our skin is the largest organ of our body and sadly it reacts to stress in a number of different ways due to the surge and fluctuations in the hormone cortisol, creating multiple problems. When cortisol levels go up it prompts the skin to produce excess sebum, clogging the pores and provoking skin breakouts and acne flare-ups. Cortisol also increases blood flow leading to extended capillaries and skin flushing whilst at the same time breaking down the skin’s ability to retain water leading to skin dryness and dehydration. On top of this the lack of exposure to sunlight means our skin isn’t getting as much Vitamin D. This important Vitamin boosts the skin’s immune system and low levels of it can be associated with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
If you do get a spot or pimple avoid touching it as you can spread bacteria. Instead treat it with the Clear & Perfect Tonimasque that uses natural clay to boost absorbent properties in the skin and tighten pores. Enriched with menthol to refresh the skin, this mask leaves the complexion clear and shine-free.
Moisture is critical to stop flaky uncomfortable and rough skin and this mask speaks volumes when it comes to flooding the skin with all important water to elevate hydration levels. Think of it like you are giving your skin 8 glasses of water to drink and what I love is that this mask is effortless as it does all the hard work whilst you sleep! Apply a thick layer of this indulgent soufflé-like mask all over the face, neck, décolleté and eyes and leave on whilst you get that all important 8 hours of shut eye. You will wake up to a baby-like soft, smooth and radiant complexion and no mask left on the skin to be seen.
This weightless Mist is charged with negative ions and not only dramatically injects some much-needed moisture into cells but it rebalances out of whack pH levels which can trigger inflammation. A simple way to preserve the health and well-being of your complexion and undetectable once misted over the face, neck and décolleté. Apply morning and evening after cleansing and pat gently into the skin.
The skin’s microbiome plays a pivotal role as the first line of defence against the harmful environmental aggressions which cause accelerated ageing. With a powerful Morphobiotic complex together with bundles of antioxidants, this superior lightweight moisturiser tackles crinkles, wrinkles and frankly anything else to bestow a smooth and youthful complexion.
This incredible feather light cream-serum boasts high levels of anti-inflammatory goodness and is an ancient healing wonder discovered centuries ago. Packed with Centella Asiatica, White tea and Wild Indigo Extract (which is proven to reduce cortisol levels in skin cells) this serum is a game-changer when it comes to extinguishing any kind of inflammation and redness on the skin.
Thank you for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed this post! Come and take a look at the incredible fragrance and beauty brands we stock!
Note Cosmetics is our Brand of the Month for April and we’re
super excited to have them onboard. You may not have heard of the incredible cosmetics
brand but lucky for us, Fragrance Direct are the only exclusive retailers in the
UK!
So, we thought we’d take this opportunity to dive in and
tell you a bit more about the brand Note Cosmetics and why we love them so
much! Plus, we’ll give you a sneaky peak of all our favourite products…
Where it all started
Note was launched in 2014 by a group of leading European
chemists who wanted to create a brand that was luxurious yet affordable. Their mission
was to embrace the art of beauty and create clean, affordable, high quality
makeup products inspired by the colours of life and rich notes of nature. From
a dramatic smoky eye to a bright, bold lip, Note as all the products you need
to create the beauty look of your dreams.
Beauty with benefits
The expertise of top makeup artists and skincare
professionals is at the core of Note Cosmetics. From the full coverage foundations
and the long-lasting lip glosses, every product provides good for skin benefits
using ingredients like vitamins, minerals and essential oils.
Excelled by nature
Note source ingredients from around the world to create
products that are good for you and good for the environment. The pigmented,
botanical infused formulas provide rich colours and superior coverage. Free of
parabens and other nasties, Note products let you create a variety of beauty
looks without harming your skin or the earth. All Note products are cruelty
free and include no animal-derived ingredients.
Inclusive, diverse and respectful
Note pride themselves on celebrating that every person is
different in their own beautiful and unique way and their makeup should be too!
They believe in providing beauty products for everyone, no matter their skin
type or colour and with a huge range of colours and textures you’ll be sure to
find a product to match your complexion.
Now after that we’re sure you’ll be as excited as we were to
try all the amazing products Note Cosmetics have to offer. Down below we have a
small selection of some our favourite and bestselling products we recommend you
pick up first!
This is a concealer that has a medium to full coverage texture
that helps to cover under eye circles and imperfections in an instant. The long-lasting
formula stays comfortably on the skin all day long, making sure you look
flawless at all times!
This BB Cream is an amazing product that offers coverage as
well as skincare benefits! The beauty balm formula offers protection from the
sun, environmental aggressors as well as evening out the skin tone and give you
light to medium coverage. Each shade blends seamless into the skin and gives
you that gorgeous radiant glow.
These amazing lipsticks protect and nourish the lips with Argan
Oil and Cocoa Butter whilst also packing a punch with pigmented colour! They have
a gorgeous range of neutral colours that are perfect for everyday wear.
If you struggle with shine and love a foundation that gives
you full coverage and lasts all day, then this is the one for you! Recommended
for those with oily skin, it provides a formula that helps balance sebum levels
to maintain a healthy complexion. This buildable foundation is sure to be your
next favourite product!
Terracotta Illuminating Powder glides over the skin for a
flawless highlight every single time you use it. Macadamia oil helps the skin
retain moisture with added anti-ageing benefits, what more could you want?!
The soft and silky texture of this Chubby Eyeshadow Pencil
glides on easily for colour that doesn’t crease or smudge for up to 24 hours. If
you struggle with applying eyeshadow and getting it to blend properly then this
is the product for you, just swipe it over the lids and buff out the edges for
the easiest eyeshadow look ever.
There you have it, all our favourite Note Cosmetics products along with some extra info about the brand itself. Keep your eyes out for any promotions and free gifts for our amazing Brand of the Month and don’t forget to give us a shout out on social and let us know what you think!
Thank you for reading, we hope you’ve enjoyed this post! Come and take a look at the incredible fragrance and beauty brands we stock!
We’ve all been there. While applying makeup on
the morning commute is far from ideal, sometimes there’s just no
alternative. If you’ve overslept or had an early morning disaster, you might
well find yourself bundling your makeup into your bag to be applied on the way
into work.
Applying makeup on the bus, tram, or train can
be a great way to spend the empty part of your day. Instead of staring out of a
window or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, you can get yourself sorted
and feeling good for the day ahead.
A public transport makeup routine can be a
little trickier than at home, where you probably have a big mirror and plenty
of space to work. If you’re thinking about putting on makeup on your way into
work, you might need to make some tweaks to your daily steps to ensure
everything sits right.
Choose the right products for on-the-go
application
This is a biggie. If you think you’re going to
be applying your makeup on the commute, it will be important that you choose
products that can handle your on-the-go approach.
Whether you choose these products to be part of
your everyday makeup collection or build a special makeup bag to take with you
in the morning, choosing compact and functional products is a must.
Foundation
When it comes to foundation, try
one in a creamy stick formula that you won’t need to pour out onto your hand.
When you choose a stick foundation, there’s no risk of spills or mess, simply
apply the product to your face then blend it out with a foundation
brush – no fingers necessary! You might also like a compact cream or powder
foundation, which can be lifted and applied with a brush. These compact options
are great for on-the-go application because they often come with a mirror in
the lid.
Blush
To colour your cheeks, choose a single shade blush
in a small compact. There’s no need to bring your giant palette of shades along
for the commute – the bulky container will only get in the way and make your
application even more annoying to any prickly passengers nearby. There are
plenty of great single shade blushes to choose from, and these small, light products
will pop into your bag no dramas.
Eye colour
Eyeshadow? No
problem. Choose a creamy eyeshadow stick or pot that can be easily applied and
blended out with your finger. If you’re including this step in your on-the-go
makeup routine, you might want to keep some tissues or wipes in your bag to
clean off your finger afterwards.
Lashes and eyebrows
For lashes and brows,
why not choose a brown mascara which can double up as a brow gel? For extra
compact points, choose a mini travel mascara that won’t take up as much room in
your bag. Choosing a small mascara instead of a full-sized product helps you
stay in control of the want, too, which means you’re less likely to poke
yourself in the eye. Praise!
Lipstick
A swipe of your usual lipstick or balm completes
the look, and you’re ready for the day! Of course, you can add or remove steps
to make sure your travel makeup routine suits you perfectly.
Quick hairstyles for the morning commute
If you don’t have time, don’t worry about
straightening, curling, or fastening your hair into a fancy do. Some of the
best hairstyles are the simplest, from a sleek ponytail to a sweet low bun,
there are plenty of options which can easily be achieved on-the-go.
Here are some of our favourite easy hairstyles
for those mornings when there just isn’t time:
Push it back with a headband
Twist it into a low bun
Line some clips along your
fringe to keep it out of the way
Pull together a sleek ponytail
Weave a loose plait
Keep a comb or a
compact brush in your on-the-go makeup bag for last-minute hairstyling and
make sure you’re always looking sleek.
Searching for more makeup and hairstyling
inspiration? Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog for everything you need
to know about feeling great, even when you’ve overslept!
Step into Spring with a refreshing new look. How, you ask?
With the addition of a radiant new blusher of course. From watercolour liquids
to mineral powders and crème puff formulas, the choices are endless. Over the
past few years in the beauty world, bronzer and contour have been getting all
the attention and we believe that blusher is just as important. Here’s why…
Depending on your skin type and the occasion, you may prefer
going for a dewy moisturised ‘barely there’ look, or if coverage is the
ultimate goal, a matte look could be just the thing you need. What’s more, is
that there are so many blushers
out there with different finishes to help you achieve whichever look you
desire. So, we’ve done the digging for you and today we’re showcasing some of
the best options available at Fragrance Direct right now.
This multi-award winning Watercolour fluid blusher contains
Vitamin E and jojoba to enhance application and nourish the skin. This liquid
formula is super simple to blend and build up colour on cheeks. It features a silicone-based
oil-free formulation that doesn’t clog pores and suits every skin type. The
silicone makes it water-resistant too, so this is a great product to take into the
spring and summer seasons too.
If you’re into wearing a shearer layer of makeup, this
lightweight cream blush stick is great for blending over a lightweight base and
adding that subtle touch of colour to your cheeks. Products like this are great
for minimal makeup looks to give you that healthy glow all year round.
Blend, sweep and sculpt for an effortless flush of colour. Whether
you’re looking for a soft, natural-looking finish or a more structured look,
you can achieve the perfect cheek colour with this product. This creamy powder
is swirled with multi-tonal pigments that are finely milled to flatter your
skin tone in every way.
If you’re a lover of an all-matte finish, this could be the
perfect blush option for you. Lilly Lolo’s Mineral Blush allows buildable
coverage for a truly customisable colour. Their soft and silky formula is
available in a matte formula to help control oils and sink into your matte
foundation. They also offer subtle shimmer finishes if you’re after a little
sparkle too.
This pressed powder blush is stunning for a subtle, sheer
makeup look. This classic blush formula provides a healthy glow to flatter any skin
tone and with its silky, sheer qualities, it instantly gives the cheeks a
fresh, natural-looking pop of colour.
Which blush formula do you think is most suited to you and
your skin type? Maybe you’ve been using one and now know that there is a better
formula out there for you. Either way, why not try something new and welcome in
a new favourite to your makeup collection?
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