EYELINER ... Everything you need to know!

I recently received an email asking for advice on how to apply/wear eyeliner. With SO many options out there, it has taken me a couple of days to get this post together...

Let me just start by saying that ANYONE and EVERYONE can wear eyeliner. Ive heard so many women say that they just dont feel like they can pull it off. But, to me, eyeliner is essential, even for everyday looks!

Also, dont be afraid of BLACK. Yes, even you fair skinned red heads! You can set your own rules when it comes to make up. Dont just think that your skin tone can only wear "warm colors".

Black eyeliner is the best way to bring out your eyes, no matter what color or size they are. You just need to know how to apply it, and thats what Im here for! Im not saying ONLY wear black, there are tons of options. Im just saying black is classic and it can look good on anyone!

So, lets say you're blonde headed and big blue eyed. Big eyes have more options for eyeliner. Anything goes! For everyday wear, apply your eyeshadow like normal and then with the eyeliner, apply a thin layer to the top lash line, as close to your lid as you feel comfortable. Then, do the same thing on the bottom. Carefully pull down your lower lid and apply the liner inside. Then follow with mascara. If you feel it looks too "heavy" dont be afraid to smudge and smear. That will make the look not quite so dramatic. Later, if youre going out for the evening, retouch all areas of your make up. Then add more liner to the top and bottom, heavier this time.

Ladies with dark features- dark hair and dark eyes- anything goes for you too! Any color, though I prefer mostly black over brown because the darker the eyes and features, the more you want your eyes to pop.

Now, lets say that you are fair skinned and you have small eyes. Yes, you can still wear eyeliner and it can be black! The trick with small eyes is to draw lines that make your eyes appear BIGGER. In order to do this, start with the top corner of your lid and draw a line half way (from the outter corner to about the middle of your eye). Do the exact same thing to the bottom lash line. Basically, you are drawing this: < left eye, right eye > smudge the liner with your finger and apply your mascara. Dont forgot to curl your lashes and instantly your eyes look so much bigger!

Keep the emails coming, I love to answer your questions!

April + Amanda Marie Portraits + Lindsey Barkley Make Up Artistry

Sometimes I team up with Amanda Harrison with Amanda Marie Portraits, who just so happens to also be my best friend, to do make up for some of her clients. Being a make up artist is such a fun job anyway, but working with one of your best friends is even more fun! On top of that, being a make up artist, working with your best friend's client April Girouard, who also just so happens to have been a childhood friend of mine and college roommate is MORE FUN!

April is actually one of the reasons I decided to become an Esthetician. I have loved make up since I was a little girl playing dress up, but I never really knew I wanted to do make up until I was in college. In fact, I quit college, mid semester, to go to cosmetology school! Here is some of the story...

At Lubbock Christian University where I attended school in 2006 for 2 and 1/2 semesters, we had sororities, okay "social clubs." But like any other college, to be in these clubs we attended mixers and parties to see which group we wanted to join. With every party and mixer April wanted me to do her hair and make up, which of course she didnt even have to ask, I just expected it! Soon, I wasnt just doing April's make up. Girls literally waited in line patiently in our dorm room for me to fix their make up for the parties. After hearing, "You're so good at this! Why aren't you doing it for a living?" enough times I was in love.

By my second year of college and in my third semester, I found my self sitting in class thinking, "What am I doing here?" I would daydream of being a make up artist while my professor lectured on about Microeconomics. So after researching several Cosmo schools and learning more about what Esthetics actually was and with the support of my awesome parents and Nathan, I decided I would drop out of college in the middle of the semester and move home to get my Esthetology (a fancy word for skin care, waxing & make up) license. Eight months later, I was working and doing what I knew was my God-given talent.

So, after April got engaged and told me that she was having Amanda take her bridal portraits she asked me to do her make up for the pictures and for her wedding day and I couldnt be more honored to do this for one of my biggest inspirations.

Here are some of the bridal photos Amanda took of April. For more info. about Amanda's beautiful photography skills you can visit her website: www.amandamarieportraits.com and be sure to check out her blog: www.amandamarieblog.com

How About A Little Q & A Session?

I know, I promised to keep this blog updated with info. and pictures and ... sometimes life just gets in the way of internet, Facebook and blogs! I apologize!

But, I have been getting some great emails from people with questions about skin care, waxing and make up. So, I decided I will post a couple of these emails as a Q & A session, because that is what they are, but I will post them on the blog and hopefully some of you will find them to be helpful and useful. I LOVE answering your questions, so if you have any, please email me at lindseyabarkley@yahoo.com.

Here are 2 recent emails I thought a lot of ladies would be interested in reading ... One from a soon-to-be bride and one woman who is already married and taking skin care advice from her husband haha! ...


QUESTION:

Hey! I have a question about waxing...(I live out of state or I would ask to meet with you about it).
I have blonde hair, and a little bit of face fuzz (lol)...it's really not bad, but there are a few that I tweeze every now and then...
I mentioned to my husband about getting a face wax - but he says not to...I am pretty sure he hasn't had any experience in it - he just feels that it will make it worse I guess.
So I guess what's your opinion on it? There is a place here where I live that does the face for $5...is that a regular price or should I expect to spend more?

Also - do you know of a good facial mask to use? I would say I have normal to oily skin - with a bit of redness sometimes...I would like to have zero redness and a more glowing face...I feel like it's so dull sometimes!

I know it might be hard to give advice like this without seeing me - so don't feel bad if you can't - I just thought I would give it a shot!

Thanks!
Jessica

via email

ANSWER:

Hi Jessica,

I hope this isnt too much information and that you will find this advice helpful! But, this is my passion so I wanted to give all the info I thought you may need to know! :)

Before getting a full facial wax, I would probably try one area first to see how you like the results. Start with an area like your chin or upper lip. So after you try that, look for things like sensitivity and redness or even a few small breakouts (which is normal, especially if your skin is a little bit sensitive.)

If you like the results you got from the first wax, wait about another week and go ahead and schedule a full face wax. If you do decide you want to, the only downside is that you will probably have to continue getting your face waxed, which isnt a bad thing, you just might want to think about if you want to invest the time, etc.

So, you just want to be careful WHERE you make your appointment for waxing. I would NOT recommend going to a nail shop or oriental shop because 90% of the time, they do not even have a license to do waxing! Scary! Any full service spa/salon should be trustworthy. Licenses should always be visible, so if you feel uncomfortable about where you are and if you dont see one, ask! There is no harm in being safer than sorry!

Most women have some facial hair or "fuzz" so dont be embarrassed about that because its a really common thing!

As far as facial masques, it sounds like your skin is a bit sensitive and if your skin gets a little bit oily, especially in the summer, I would recommend alternating between 2 different masques a few times a week. For sensitive skin, use a masque that has aloe vera and other soothing ingredients. That will also reduce redness. And for oil, you want to use a masque where the main ingredient is mud or clay because that will help to soak up the oils.

Let me know if you have any more questions! I would be so glad to help! Also, Id love to know what you tried and what your results were. Good luck!

Sincerely,
Lindsey Barkley Make Up Artistry

QUESTION:

Hi Lindsey!
I'm getting married next month, and am having to do my own makeup for the ceremony.
I'm okay with everyday stuff, but was wondering if you had any tips for making my wedding makeup better but still look like me!
Also, I use powder normally, but figured liquid foundation would be better. Do you have any advice or specific products you recommend? Also for eyeshadow, lipstick/gloss, blush, etc.
I would really appreciate any advice you could give me! I'm a little freaked out!

Thanks,
Brenna

via Facebook

ANSWER:

Hi Brenna!! Congrats on getting married :) Id be glad to give you some tips on make up, you were sweet to ask! Hope this helps ..

Liquid foundation does give more coverage and looks best in pictures. Use a sponge or a foundation brush to apply it. I would use a liquid foundation as well as either a pressed or loose powder (probably the powder you said your were already using would look fine) on top of that. That will allow your make up to last longer.

For eyeshadow, neutral and natural looking colors would look great on you because of your dark features. I would use a shimmery or metallic looking white or vanilla color for an all over the lid and then a more matte darker brown color for the bottom part of the lid. To apply those, use an eyeshadow brush for the vanilla color and go from the top of your brow all the way to the bottom of you eyelid. Then use a different eyeshadow brush for the darker brown color. The middle of your eyelid (the easiest way to explain this would be to put your finger on your eyelid and feel the middle part where you can feel the space between your eye and eye socket) so take to brush and start there and blend all the way down your eyelid. Then go back with a little bit of the vanilla color and blend between that and the brown color. Then do your eyeliner and mascara (I dont know what you normally use but black for both would look best)

For blush Id stick with something pink and rosey. Maybe a little bit of shimmer too. Same color for the lipstick and lipgloss too so that they match and dont clash with each other.

Let me know if something doesnt make sense or you have any more questions. Id be glad to help!!

-Lindsey
Oh, and if youre having a hard time trying to choose brands, etc. you should go somewhere like Ulta or a department store where they can give you some ideas! :)


If you would like to schedule an appointment with LBMA please call 817.480.1968 or shoot me an email! Thanks for reading! :)

Welcome to Lindsey Barkley Make-up Artistry's Blog!

Hi, my name is Lindsey Barkley. I am a licensed Esthetician and I specialize in make-up, full body waxing & skin care advice! I chose to start keeping a blog so that I can show people, friends, family and hopefully, potential clients, who I am and what my business is all about! I plan on posting mostly skin care tips, make up trends, and anything beauty-related.

I have been licensed for 2 years and have worked at places such as Daired's Salon & Spa and Ulta Cosmetics. Currently, I am working as a freelance make up artist out of my home. I am enjoying the freedom and flexibility that comes with being my own boss! I love my job so much and have always had a passion for anything girly- especially make up!

On days that I am not working as an Esthetician, I am a substitute teacher at our school district's day care and I am blessed to work with some of the sweetest kiddos on the planet!

The best decision I ever made … I got hitched on May 16th, 2009 and am loving every minute of wedded bliss! I have the best husband, Nathan, a girl could ask for. He is the apple of my eye, the milk and cereal to my spoon … yeah, I love him!

In my spare time I like hanging out with my family- gained a couple of great brother and and sister- in- laws (and a pretty cute nephew & a neice), FISHING with my husband, shopping, reading (mostly pure trash like Glamour Magazine, etc. Nothing too educational. I had enough of that in my year and a half college career. Haha) and I LOVE all kinds of music.


Thank you for visiting my blog and please also visit my Facebook fan page, Lindsey Barkley Make Up Artistry. If you would like more information, such as the service menu/prices or you would like to schedule a service with LBMA, email me @lindseyabarkley@yahoo.com or call me at 817.480.1968

My wedding day ... making my Mama beautiful!