The Modern Cat Eye.

Hello City Girls! There are occasions that call for a cat eye, some of which are a casual Tuesday morning. My lovely model Ally stopped by with her new Eyeko duo wanting a lesson in application. She, like many of us, loves the look of a defined lash line, but had bad luck with other products that did not make it past 2pm without flaking off. I’ve been a loyal customer of Eyeko after hearing that it was the cornerstone of Adele’s signature look, and recommended she buy it. 

The keys to modernize this retro look: dewy skin, flushed cheeks, and a pink pout.

Ally’s skin has been extremely dry due to the low temperatures we’ve been having in New York. I used Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Moisturizing Balm on a Real Techniques stippling brush, and buffed it all over her face in a circular motion. Next, I concealed the darkness under her eyes with my all time favorite Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer (she calls it the secret of the universe). I primed her lid with The Balm Put a Lid on It, and dusted a pale pink shimmer shadow up to the crease. To define her lid, I put a golden brown shade into her crease and blended it with a clean brush until it resembled a shadow.

To start the Eyeko liner, I held it like a pencil with the tip pointed toward her ears. I worked it backwards in a downward slant over the lash line so that it was thicker at the outer corners and thinner as it moved toward the nose. **Expert tip: with the ring finger, lift the lid up the tiniest bit while the eye is closed to ensure the liner hits the lashes. If not, it could look like it’s floating on the eye** After both eyes were finished, I swiped on 2 coats of the Eyeko skinny mascara which thickened and defined her lashes. I mean, look at those!

To finish the look, I took the same stippling brush with Nyx Rouge cream blush in Hot Pink over her cheekbones. I dabbed a little bit more cream blush on a lip brush and patted it over her lips. What do you guys think? Do you dare to create a cat eye for day?

Makeup Inspiration: Keira Knightley
After coming across this photo on Pinterest, I’ve been revisiting it to examine which products I could use to recreate this feminine look she wore to the LA Film Festival.
Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing foundation in Alabaster — This liquid foundation is a medium coverage with hydrating properties that soothe normal to dry skin in these winter months. It looks and feels like skin, while giving a even finish. 
Make Up Forever powder blush in Cotton Candy 88 — A matte baby pink blush gives just the slightest flush of warmth to the cheeks. When the eyes and lips are more dramatic, a toned down blush keeps everything in balance. In an upward sweeping motion, dab this on the apples of the cheeks. 
Chanel Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow quad in 14 Mystic Eyes — These four hues compliment her dark brown eyes, but would look great with any eye color. I would start by sweeping the the lightest brown over the lid and lightly smudge it under the lower lash line. In a V shape, I would blend the darkest brown along the upper lash line and into the crease. On a different brush, I would apply the silver to the inner corners of the eyes in this > < shape to widen and brighten. Next, I would blend the tiniest amount of the light pink along the top of the crease to add warmth.
Dior Diorshow Extase mascara — Big, fluttery lashes are the key to this look. This mascara coats every lash in inky black. I would apply two to three coats of mascara to the top lashes, and one coat to the bottom lashes.
Anastasia Brow Gel in Clear — To recreate these neat and shapely brows, I would apply a few swipes of a clear gel to set them in place. 
L’Oreal Colour Riche balm in Plush Plum — This mauve rose balm gives the lips the perfect amount of color and hydration. The key here is that they don’t look overly glossy or overly matte, just youthful and feminine.

Makeup Inspiration: Keira Knightley

After coming across this photo on Pinterest, I’ve been revisiting it to examine which products I could use to recreate this feminine look she wore to the LA Film Festival.

Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing foundation in AlabasterThis liquid foundation is a medium coverage with hydrating properties that soothe normal to dry skin in these winter months. It looks and feels like skin, while giving a even finish.

Make Up Forever powder blush in Cotton Candy 88A matte baby pink blush gives just the slightest flush of warmth to the cheeks. When the eyes and lips are more dramatic, a toned down blush keeps everything in balance. In an upward sweeping motion, dab this on the apples of the cheeks. 

Chanel Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow quad in 14 Mystic EyesThese four hues compliment her dark brown eyes, but would look great with any eye color. I would start by sweeping the the lightest brown over the lid and lightly smudge it under the lower lash line. In a V shape, I would blend the darkest brown along the upper lash line and into the crease. On a different brush, I would apply the silver to the inner corners of the eyes in this > < shape to widen and brighten. Next, I would blend the tiniest amount of the light pink along the top of the crease to add warmth.

Dior Diorshow Extase mascaraBig, fluttery lashes are the key to this look. This mascara coats every lash in inky black. I would apply two to three coats of mascara to the top lashes, and one coat to the bottom lashes.

Anastasia Brow Gel in ClearTo recreate these neat and shapely brows, I would apply a few swipes of a clear gel to set them in place.

L’Oreal Colour Riche balm in Plush PlumThis mauve rose balm gives the lips the perfect amount of color and hydration. The key here is that they don’t look overly glossy or overly matte, just youthful and feminine.

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Deodorant Talk. 
City Girls know that when you&#8217;re racing from one part of your day to another, you need a deodorant that is reliable. In light of Breast Cancer Awareness month, a lot of deliberation, and reading this and this, I&#8217;ve been on the hunt for a deodorant without antiperspirant or aluminum that works. 
I&#8217;ve been loving this &amp; my mom is addicted to this. Have you had success with any other products? 

Deodorant Talk. 

City Girls know that when you’re racing from one part of your day to another, you need a deodorant that is reliable. In light of Breast Cancer Awareness month, a lot of deliberation, and reading this and this, I’ve been on the hunt for a deodorant without antiperspirant or aluminum that works

I’ve been loving this & my mom is addicted to this. Have you had success with any other products? 

The 4 product face for less than $40. 
Ally is back on The City Girl in Me to show us how absolutely stunning it is to wear the most minimal makeup&#8212; which is perfect for those days we have less than 5 minutes to get all dolled up. The red lip is every City Girl&#8217;s secret weapon! 
1. mark. Got the Goods Multibenefit Foundation [$18] With a foundation brush, I applied this all over her skin starting from the middle of her face and blending outward. It gave her a sheer coverage with a dewy finish &#8212; perfect for someone with generally clear, dry skin. 2. Avon Ideal Luminous blush in Earthen Rose [on sale for $6] Along her cheekbones and temples, I dusted this blush where the sun would naturally hit her face for a warm glow. 3. Avon Big Color Glossy lip pencil in Glossy Celestial [$7] A bright red lip with blue undertones looks gorgeous on nearly everyone. A red lip is a great way to look like you made an effort with your makeup, when it really took 30 seconds or less to apply. I applied this straight from the applicator, outlining the lips first, then filling in for a full coverage. 4. Avon Superdrama Mascara in Black [on sale for $6] I kept the eyes super clean with a few swipes of mascara to define the lash line without taking away from the simplicity of this look.

Disclosure: Avon provided me with editorial samples, without any obligation. All opinions expressed are my own.

The 4 product face for less than $40.

Ally is back on The City Girl in Me to show us how absolutely stunning it is to wear the most minimal makeup— which is perfect for those days we have less than 5 minutes to get all dolled up. The red lip is every City Girl’s secret weapon!

1. mark. Got the Goods Multibenefit Foundation [$18] With a foundation brush, I applied this all over her skin starting from the middle of her face and blending outward. It gave her a sheer coverage with a dewy finish — perfect for someone with generally clear, dry skin.
2. Avon Ideal Luminous blush in Earthen Rose [on sale for $6] Along her cheekbones and temples, I dusted this blush where the sun would naturally hit her face for a warm glow.
3. Avon Big Color Glossy lip pencil in Glossy Celestial [$7] A bright red lip with blue undertones looks gorgeous on nearly everyone. A red lip is a great way to look like you made an effort with your makeup, when it really took 30 seconds or less to apply. I applied this straight from the applicator, outlining the lips first, then filling in for a full coverage.
4. Avon Superdrama Mascara in Black [on sale for $6] I kept the eyes super clean with a few swipes of mascara to define the lash line without taking away from the simplicity of this look.

Disclosure: Avon provided me with editorial samples, without any obligation. All opinions expressed are my own.