Eye-con-con

Are you ready for yet another party? We still have the Chinese New Year to prepare for so try doing this look and surprise everyone with the new and sexier you. This is one of my all time favorite look – well-defined eyes. I can never get enough of eyes that talk. To me, expressive eyes speak of subtle mystery. It’s just mesmerizing.

Here are important things to keep in mind when doing this look. The right tools and products will help you make this look a piece of cake.

Skin. You have to have a clean, well-concealed face. Not a single blemish should be seen. I would suggest you use a foundation that gives a good coverage. Black rimmed eyes with black mascara already seems messy as it is, especially while doing it, so make sure to keep the rest of your face as neat as possible. Here’s a tip. When doing your eyes, do this right after applying your foundation, dip your blush brush or sponge into your loose powder and "load" it. Leave the powder clumped up under your eye area to catch all dark eyeshadow and mascara pigments that will fall from your eyes when applying it. If you don’t do this, it will be hard for you to remove these dark pigments from your under eye area. It will leave a grayish color and this will make you look tired and old. You surely don’t want that! When you’re done doing your eyes, "sweep" your undereye and whole face clean by dipping your powder blush into your loose powder (even baby powder will do). This will help you leave a clean undereye area and a neat face.

Eyebrows. Keep them light and well in place but not thick. Soften the brows and leave the focus on the eyes.

Eyes. Use products that are waterproof. When applying your eyeliner, make sure you are close to a big mirror. Look at yourself on the mirror and tilt your head up a bit. Take your eye pencil and place your both elbows on the table to help steady your hands. Take your middle finger and lift your eyebrows up. Line your upper lid right on the base where your lashes grow. When doing your lower lids, never pull your under eye area down. Tugging that super thin and sensitive skin down every time you do your makeup will help you develop wrinkles faster! Avoid doing that please. The pencil will tickle your lids a bit so do it slow and if you hold your breath while lining your eyes, you will blink and tear less.

This is why I recommend waterproof products so you won’t look like a raccoon just in case you tear especially when this is your first time in doing this look. Remember though, (as the fabulous makeup artist Juan Sarte would say) "waterproof products are not rub proof." So during the party, keep in mind you have dark eyes and never rub your eyes.

Curl your lashes from the base up. Applying a mascara base will help thicken your lashes. Use the base first and leave it to dry for a few seconds before applying your black mascara. After applying all products on your eyes, sweep your face clean with loose powder once again to make sure your face has no dark spots from your eye products.

Cheeks. Keep your blush as subtle or as nude as you can. Remember your focus is on your eyes. Keep one focus on your face as possible. This will make you look neat, simple, sexy and sophisticated.

Lips. Keep them subtle. Nude lips are another favorite of mine. Keep them just a tad bit shimmery or glossy and you’re all set for the party. What better lip color to accentuate sparkling eyes than nude lips. Leaving the mystery to the eyes, this is a subtle way of making the lips equally as sexy.

Wear your hair down. Both straight and wavy hair styles will work with this look. Trust me, even the super shy and timid ones that I did this look on get transformed into this confident, sexy vixen. I just love seeing it come out from them. This look is a guaranteed headturner.

Who says only models can have that "X factor." You, too, can have it. Light up the room when you enter, give each one a sparkling look. Exit with a bang and leave with a mysterious and sexy squint, glide when you walk and give your hair a sexy flip.

Get the look

•Prepare the face. Cleanse. Tone and moisturize if needed.

•Groom eyebrows.

•Even out skin tone. Apply foundation and or concealer.

•Set with loose powder.

•Apply gray shimmer eyeshadow on the crease and blend well.

•Line upper and lower lids with dark eye pencil.

•Curl lashes. Apply mascara base. Use black mascara over base.

•"Sweep" face clean with loose powder.

•Use nude colored blush.

•Line lips with nude lip pencil.

•Finish by using ring finger and dab lip gloss.