Lace & Pearls

A Seattle Style blog. Helping women who struggle with their personal style or those who just need a fashion fix!

Eyes That Wow: Get the perfect brow, eyes, and lashes

A few months ago I wrote this post on my favorite beauty products for oily skin; give it a read to see what I recommend for foundation, primer, and concealer. Today’s post is all about the eyes aka “eyes that wow,”  and getting the perfect brow and lashes. I also share two of my favorite red lipsticks at the end!

Eyes That Wow: Get the perfect brow, eyes, and lashes

I don’t wear eyeshadow very often, but when I do my two favorite palettes are Smashbox Photo Edit Eyeshadow Trio in Vignette (shown) or Filter (not shown). I also like Tom Ford Eye Color Quad #04 in Honeymoon. What I like about the Smashbox trio is that it’s long-wearing and easy to use. I also love how each compact has instructions on how to “get the look” making application a breeze. The Tom Ford quad is a gorgeous bronze and burgundy palette. Each color can be worn on its own or layered. The colors are buildable and I like how they can go from subtle to dramatic.

Prior to getting eyelash extensions (post coming soon), my favorite mascara was Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and they also have a waterproof option. It’s like falsies in a bottle! The only drawback is that it tends to bleed and flake and can be super messy when applying. If you use a light hand and use a q-tip for clean up, I highly recommend picking up this mascara.

Today's post is all about the eyes aka "eyes that wow," and getting the perfect brow and lashes. I also share two of my favorite red lipsticks at the end!When I want to look a little more glam my absolute favorite lash strips are First Glance Lashes. They’re seriously so gorgeous and can be used multiple times.

In the past year or so, I have become obsessed with eyebrows! I had never had them professionally waxed or shaped. The first time I went to have them done I was hooked and then picked up some makeup to learn how to fill them in. I used Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ebony and then Anastasia DIPBROW Pomade. Both are excellent and the gel lasts a lot longer than the pencil. What I love about both of these products is they are easy to use and are waterproof so they stay in place all day. I have super oily skin and can’t believe their staying power. The brow pencil started to get expensive since I was purchasing one every month, so I eventually got my brows microbladed and it’s the best thing I ever did!

Today's post is all about the eyes aka "eyes that wow," and getting the perfect brow and lashes. I also share two of my favorite red lipsticks at the end!Favorite Red Lipsticks

I used to wear lipstick every day at work but stopped because of my job. The environment is super casual and hardly anyone wears makeup. I’ve been trying to get back into it though and my two favorite red lipsticks are Tom Ford’s Lip Color in Scarlet Rouge #16 and Wet N Wild MegaLast Lip Color in color Stoplight Red.

Shop the post:

What are your favorite beauty products for eyes and brows?

📷: Genelyn Jaye Photography 

4 Setting Powders that Work 

I have always had oily skin and have trouble keeping my makeup in place, which is why I'm so obsessed with having a shine-free complexion. Having a good skincare regime helps a lot, but a great finishing powder is what can really make a difference.In junior high, a boy asked me why I was sweating after looking at my face, but I wasn’t sweating, my skin was just oily. I was mortified! I have always had oily skin and have trouble keeping my makeup in place, which is why I’m so obsessed with having a shine-free complexion. Having a good skincare regime helps a lot, but a great finishing powder is what can really make a difference. I know that when I get older I will appreciate my oily skin, but for now I still like to use products that keep my skin matte.

If you are looking for a way to make your makeup appear flawless or you struggle to keep your makeup in place, this is the post for you!

4 Setting Powders that Work

  1. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: I recently tried this powder via Influenster. It’s one of the first translucent medium deep setting powders for dark skin. My first thought was, it’s a translucent powder why the heck does it need to be brown! I have to admit, though, having a powder that matches my skin does make it easier to blend and not have to worry about residue. This powder is long wearing and keeps my makeup matte. It also comes in the standard Natural Finish for all skin tones.
  2. Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Setting Powder. This was the first finishing powder that I tried. It is amazing! It absorbs oil, mattifies the skin, and minimizes the appearance of pores. It comes in a compact and loose powder option. I prefer the compact (less mess).
  3. Pixi Quick Fix Powder. The Pixi powder is an inexpensive alternate to the Tarte powder and provides a flawless matte finish. I really can’t tell the difference between the two, and for $12 dollars less, it’s a great choice. If you want to learn more about other Pixi products check out: Capture Your Natural Beauty With Pixi by Petra, The No Makeup Look with Pixi by Petra, and Bedtime Ritual with Pixi Beauty.
  4. Estée Lauder Perfecting Loose Powder: I am a huge fan of Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place foundation in addition to the Double Wear powder so I decided to try their translucent powder. It does control shine and helps minimize imperfections, but for the price, I feel the aforementioned brands are a better option.

What setting powder do you recommend? Let me know in the comments.

📷’s by Luba Kochubey Portraits

Bedtime Ritual with Pixi Beauty

To stick with my 2017 health goal, I have created a bedtime ritual to help me relax. One of the biggest things I struggle with is stress management. Between work, the blog, and life it can be tough to unwind. Taking a bath several days a week has made a world of a difference.To stick with my 2017 health goal, I have created a bedtime ritual to help me relax. One of the biggest things I struggle with is stress management. Between work, the blog, and life it can be tough to unwind. Taking a bath several days a week has made a world of a difference.

When I take a bath, I typically add in some bath salts and light a candle. If I’m feeling extra fancy I’ll have some wine. Then I use the following Pixi products:

Bedtime Ritual with Pixi Beauty

To stick with my 2017 health goal, I have created a bedtime ritual to help me relax. One of the biggest things I struggle with is stress management. Between work, the blog, and life it can be tough to unwind. Taking a bath several days a week has made a world of a difference.

  1. Nourishing Cleansing Balm. This balm is made with sweet almond oil and is Paraben free, keeping the skins natural oils intact. It also removes makeup and is formulated for all skin types. However, I found that it’s not great for oily skin since it’s super hydrating. It left my skin feeling greasy.
  2. Glow Tonic is a classic astringent that cleanses pores and exfoliates. It’s gentle and is suitable for all skin types. I’ve only used this toner a couple of times, and am curious if my skin will look and feel more smooth like product claims.
  3. Rose Oil Blend. With just a few drops it will help improve your skin’s elasticity and glow. For extra hydration, you can mix with your daily moisturizer. Ingredients include sweet almond, rosehip, jojoba, pomegranate seed, and rose geranium. I’m obsessed with the smell.

To stick with my 2017 health goal, I have created a bedtime ritual to help me relax. One of the biggest things I struggle with is stress management. Between work, the blog, and life it can be tough to unwind. Taking a bath several days a week has made a world of a difference.📷’s by Luba Kochubey Portraits

If I’m applying these products during the day, I’ll also use:

  1. Beauty Blush Duo (light/pastel). A blush and highlighter in one. Great for the girl on the go. This set hydrates while staying put and is light-diffusing. Use the included kabuki brush to buff the pink shade onto the apples of your cheeks. Then apply the highlighter to the high points of your cheekbones, brow bones, and down the center of your nose for some extra glow. The color palette is beautiful and super easy to use. Since the powder is hydrating, it’s not ideal for oily skin. After a few hours, my skin looked oily.
  2. Liplift Max (Honey Sheen). This pretty gloss is a lip plumper that hydrates and also looks pretty. It’s a great dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre (Ibiza Nights). Love the shimmery translucent color. It can be worn on its own or layered over your favorite lipstick.

What helps you get a restful sleep? Share your tips in the comments.

See my other Pixi Reviews:  (1) Capture Your Natural Beauty with Pixi  (2) The No Makeup Look with Pixi by Petra

*Pixi by Petra provided me with these products, but all opinions are my own.

The No Makeup Look with Pixi by Petra

I recently became a brand ambassador for Pixi by Petra beauty. So expect to see monthly product reviews from this brand. Love this company.📷’s by  Luba Kochubey Portraits

I recently became a brand ambassador for Pixi by Petra beauty. So expect to see monthly product reviews from this brand. I didn’t realize you could shop Pixi at Target. It’s such a great company and I love their mission “simply to bring out the natural beauty in all women – to make women look like themselves, only better.” I have since purchased the translucent powder, which is great for face baking and comparable to high-end options such as Tarte Amazonian clay pressed setting powder, but at a better price point.

This Month’s Pixi by Petra Products

I recently became a brand ambassador for Pixi by Petra beauty. So expect to see monthly product reviews from this brand. Love this company.

  1. Lengthy Fiber Mascara I received this mascara in my previous shipment. If you’re looking for a fiber mascara this is a great option. Your lashes will look super long and full. As mentioned before, be careful, as you don’t want to over do it and look like a furry animal.
  2. Endless Brown Gel (medium) I recently got into taking better care of my brows and am obsessed with the Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow pencil. So I was disappointed that I didn’t receive the pencil in black. After reading the reviews on the Pixi site, the overall verdict is that the application is nice and easy to use if you can get the color to match. However, once you have to sharpen the pencil, it was a unanimous fail. All the reviews mention how the pencil is hard to sharpen and it is left unusable when you do.
  3. Endless Silky Eye Pencil I was excited to receive this one since I just ran out of my usual eyeliner and am looking for something new, one that doesn’t bleed. This liner claims to be waterproof, long-wearing, no-smudge, no-budge. Sounds like a dream. First off I love the consistency, it’s so smooth and goes on like butter. It stays on all day but still bleeds a bit, but for $12 I’ll definitely be picking up the black option. This pencil is better than most I’ve tried.
  4. Shea Butter Lip Balm (Ripe Raspberry) I love the idea of treating your lips while simultaneously applying color. I am super picky when it comes to lip balms and I hate anything sticky. This is not sticky and the color is beautiful. It’s super pigmented and leaves my lips with a bright raspberry hue and provides great moisture to my lips. I am excited to try the other colors.

*Pixi by Petra provided me with these products, but all opinions are my own.

Capture Your Natural Beauty With Pixi by Petra

I recently had the opportunity to try Pixi's four-part mascara application. This seems a bit much for daily use, but the end results are decent. I recently had the opportunity to try Pixi's four-part mascara application. This seems a bit much for daily use, but the end results are decent. I recently had the opportunity to try Pixi's four-part mascara application. This seems a bit much for daily use, but the end results are decent.📷’s by  Luba Kochubey Portraits

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might know that I’m obsessed with mascara and voluptuous lashes. I’ve even contemplated lash extensions but can’t get past the hefty price tag and maintenance.

I recently had the opportunity to try Pixi’s four-part mascara application. This seems a bit much for daily use, but the end results are decent.

Step 1 – Prime & Protect

You can use the Black Lacquer Lash Primer as a base coat before mascara, afterward to set mascara, or by itself for a natural tinted look. I chose to use it as a base coat. The color of the primer is black. This makes applying mascara simple. You won’t need to spend time covering up the color like you do with white primers.

When I first tested this product, I applied two coats and the texture of the primer became crunchy. This made it hard for the mascara to take in step 2. One coat was sufficient for me.

Step 2 – Waterproof & Lift

The Lash Booster Mascara is meant to add volume with a “push-up” effect. The formula is smudge-free and waterproof. My lashes definitely looked voluminous after applying. Love it!

Step 3 – Lengthen & Tint

Fiber mascaras are interesting since you can actually see the fibers (they look like hair!). The Lengthy Fiber Mascara defines and lengthens. My lashes are long already, so I used it sparingly. I don’t want to look like a spider.

Step 4 – Define & Detail

The Lower Lash Mascara is water resistant and formulated for sensitive eyes. I did notice that the formula bled throughout the day and my eyes felt itchy, though it does do a good job of coating the lashes.

All of these products in tandem are hard to remove. My normal cleanser didn’t cut it. I recommend using makeup remover to get rid of any black residue.

Keep in mind that all of these products can be used on their own. You can also go the traditional route and use their Large Lash Mascara. Be sure to check out Pixi online or at Target.

*Pixi provided me with these products, but all opinions are my own.

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