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This post is syndicated from Sydney Durso’s Blog and used with her permission. For more from Sydney, visit sydneyblaine.com.
By Sydney Durso
Today I am talking about make-up. While I absolutely love the “no make-up” look {and I aim to rock that look a few days out of each week and on weekends}, I also love a glamorous, contoured and well-highlighted face. Wearing makeup is fun. It gives people the ability to express themselves and be creative. I do believe there is a right age to start wearing makeup, but my blog isn’t for those opinions. I am just here to share the products and techniques that I use. Remember, I am not a professional! I do hope you enjoy this tutorial. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have in the comment section below!
1. I always start with a clean face. If you have read my previous posts, I have used Purpose Face Cleanser and Moisturizer since high school. I still stand by it! A few months ago, I decided to switch up my skincare routine, and I am loving it already. I have been using Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel and their Konjac Cleansing Sponge. I have very sensitive skin, and this line is really great! I then apply Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration with SPF 15. If I am feeling oily, Boscia’s Pink Peppermint Blotting Linens are perfect for oily areas (chin, t-zone, forehead, etc.), plus they’re refreshing!
2. I know this is a little different, but I always start with my eyebrows. I fill them in {just a hint} to get a basic shape before I work on my face. I visit them again later on. The Anastasia Brow Wiz in Soft Brown and/or taupe is my favorite and great for shaping without going overboard!
3. I don’t always use a primer, but when I am taking photos for Live Love Gameday or Landry Kate, a primer really helps my makeup stay smooth and stay on all day. I use Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer {the green one}. I apply just the right amount with a stippling brush. This primer has such a smooth finish to it. Totally obsessed!
4. Since Jay and I just got back from our honeymoon, my face is pretty tan, so my foundation color is more on the golden side. I do have the same foundation in a lighter shade as well. I’ll mix it in, if necessary, when my skin tone is on the lighter side. First, I apply Too Faced Born this Way Concealer in Medium {underneath my foundation} to cover up any imperfections/blemishes/under-eye circles. This concealer comes back later on in this tutorial but in a lighter shade. I blend all of that in with a beauty blender. Side note, I love this concealer because it is infused with coconut water and hyaluronic acid which minimizes lines/circles, replenishes moisture levels and creates a smooth and youthful look.
5. Next, I use Too Faced Born this Way Foundation in the color Golden. There are other great shades, and I have tried them. Sand is very pretty along with Warm Beige. I do like to feel “golden & glowing” so this is the color I typically wear. I use the same stippling brush as above to apply my foundation. You will love how this foundation glides right over the primer!
6. Time to highlight and conceal! I use Born this Way Concealer {again, but this time} in Light under both eyes, down the bridge of my nose, a few dots on each eyelid, a little in between the brows and a few dots on my chin. I also dab on a little bit of L’Oreal True Match LUMI Illuminator in “Ice” underneath my eyes {on top of the light concealer} before blending it all in with my beauty blender. I then dust a shimmery white highlight over everything {over my cheek bones and down the bridge of my nose}. I currently love MAC’s Nutcracker Peach Palette, but there are so many great ones out there. Feel free to ask me below and I will share!
On to eyes!
7. I am in love with my Too Faced Chocolate Bar eye palette. It makes me hungry and the colors are so pretty! I start with white chocolate underneath my brow bone and in the corner of my eyes. Next, I add semi-sweet into the crease. I prefer a matte finish in the crease, but if you like a little sparkle you can always mix in haute chocolate or black forest truffle. I also dust a little semi-sweet under the lower lash line. Next, I apply a little bit of shimmery hazelnut on my eyelids. You can also use creme brûlée if you want a brighter look or in the summertime. I add a little bit of hazelnut to my lower lash line, mixed with the semi-sweet. People always ask how to make brown eyes pop. I have figured out {for my eyes at least; everyone is different}, that a pop of red, berry, maroon, etc. really helps. I mix a little cherry cordial into my crease as well as on my lower lash line. Last but not least, from the chocolate bar, I use champagne truffle on my inner corners and under my brow bone. I also go back over my inner corners with the same face highlighter I used above for an extra touch of shimmer.
8. I line my upper and lower waterlines with a black pencil. My favorite is TIGI Cosmetics Perfect Eyeliner in Black. I have used this eyeliner since my rookie season as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader {in 2008}. TIGI was our sponsor. I fell in love with their products and have used them ever since! I also use TIGI’s liquid black eyeliner pen to lightly line my top lash line. I finish off my eyes with Loreal’s original black mascara. I know some people create gorgeous makeup looks with layers and layers of mascara, and it honestly looks beautiful! I wish I could. I unfortunately don’t like mascara as much. It bothers my eyes, and I start pulling on my eyelashes. I just add a little bit of mascara to the tips of my top lashes and a good amount to my bottom lashes to accentuate the eyes.
9. I finish up shaping and filling in my brows with Anastasia Brow Wiz in Soft Brown and a little bit of clear brow gel. Their clear brow gel is seriously the best! I have tried others, and most people will say “Oh, any clear brow gel will work.” But there is something about this one that I just love.
10. Back to the face. It is time to contour. Just a little bit! I don’t have any fancy techniques…yet, haha. I dust L’Oreal True Match powder in N4 all over my face lightly. My friend, Alyssa Torres, introduced me to this powder. Great price and not too heavy! I then use the Anastasia Powder Contour Kit in Light/Medium. The bottom three colors I mix together for under my cheekbones, top of forehead and under my jaw. The top three light colors I mix for underneath my eyes and down my nose. I dust Makeup Forever Pro Bronze Fusion in 20M all over my face. I have a new bronzer I really really want to try {totally asked the hubby for it for Valentine’s Day. Do people do that? Well I did!}, but the Makeup Forever bronzer is fabulous.
11. For blush I mix a little Benefit Dandelion with Milani Dolce Pink. I top all of that off with the same face highlighter from above. You can never have enough shimmer on the cheekbones!
12. For lips, I start with Burt’s Bees Original with peppermint oil. I line my lips with MAC Whirl {I have used this liner for years}, and I fill them in a little bit as well over the balm, not all the way. Usually I just do lip balm, lipliner and gloss, but since I was taking photos today, I did a combo of Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Chihuahua, topped with Anastasia Pure Hollywood and Buxom Lip Polish in Sugar.
That’s all!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me below! Occasionally I change things up, depending on if I want a brighter lip, a more shimmery eye or a deeper blush, but this is my typical routine and the look I wore for today’s Live Love Gameday shoot.
Remember, there are always people who will comment on how you live your life—how you dress, how much make-up you wear {or don’t wear}, what your hair looks like, what restaurants you eat at; every little thing. Don’t worry about it. Be you. Learn from others and get ideas from others, but don’t compare yourself to others. Nobody else could be you, even if they tried. Play with makeup, play dress up, and have fun. Just always be true to who you are because you are perfect, and you are beautiful!
Xoxo,
Syd
Fans can follow Sydney on social media on Twitter @SydneyDurso and Instagram @SydneyBDurso
