Aloe Vera Gel as a face primer

While surfing the web I came across quite a few posts about using Aloe Vera gel as a makeup primer. Well, being bored and since I knew I had a tube of Aloe Vera gel in my medicine cabinet from last summer I decided to put it to the test.

 Now, many people recommend Fruit of the Earth 100% pure Aloe Vera Gel (which isn't truly 100% aloe vera, it does have other ingredients).  Fruit of the Earth is cheap enough and can be found at most Walmart's.  However, what I had in my cabinet was a generic green Aloe Vera gel from CVS drug store. Regardless, I think most cheapy aloe vera gels will work as long as the ingredient list is short, contains no alcohol, and aloe vera is listed close to the top.  I donot think clear or green tinted aloe vera gel makes a difference as the green does not show up on your face.  Pure Aloe Vera is way to sticky for this purpose, so save it for your scrapes and burns.

After cleansing and moisturizing (if you so choose. I have very, very oily skin so I do not moisturize in the am.) Apply a thin layer of Aloe Vera gel over your face avoiding your eye area. Let it dry completely before applying foundation.


 Performance-

 Upon initial application the aloe vera gel felt slightly sticky but dry, an odd combination to me. However, when it dried completely all I could feel was a slight tightness to my skin which was actually kind of pleasing. My skin felt firm.

 After applying my foundation and powder I was seriously impressed. My skin looked perfect. Poreless and fresh. I usually use Milk of Magnesia as a primer and while it keeps oil at bay for a long time, it can tend to make my skin look a bit dry until my makeup "sets up". I loved how I looked.

 However, after a few hours I started to look shiny. I have never had this when using Milk of Magnesia as a primer. I needed to do a powder touch up to regain that perfect look. I do not want to have to touch up ever few hours. I am a fix- it- and -forget- it kind of girl when it comes to makeup. I know I cannot go touch up free but I can easily go 6 to 8 hours without a touch up with my normal routine.



   So, based on personal performance Aloe Vera is a no go for me. My skin is just to oily for this. I need to stick with Milk of Magnesia as my primer. But if you have normal, normal/combination to even dry skin it may be worth your while to give aloe vera gel a try before investing in pricer primers. It may just work beautifully for you.

               Cat eye look- made easy

  The cat eye look seems to be a hot trend the last few years, but really its a classic makeup style that anyone can wear everyday.  Its probably one of the easiest looks to create, even though it seems everyone tries to complicate it. I particulary love the cat eye because its an eye look that goes with every single makeup look, be it any bold lip shade from reds, pinks, fushia, plums, browns, corals,  to bare lips with clear gloss/ balm and brighter rosy/ peachy cheeks, or  shiny nude lips and bronzed skin.

  To create your cat eye you need to first decide what your eyeliner preference is and use black.

 1. Pencil and/or eyeshadow- pencil is easy and the most user friendly. I still use pencil set with eyeshadow everyday. It gives me a thick, soft cat eye look that looks less harsh than liquid and its my personal preference.  I do think if you use pencil you really need to set it with shadow to give it enough intensity.  Try- Wet n Wild kohl eyeliner in black .99 cents it's creamy and won't tug. Top with Cover Girl eyeshadow single in shimmmering onxy around $3.00 - a rich black with slight shimmer and not much fallout, or, you can also just apply the eyeshadow wet with a brush to get a nice look.

 2. Gel/cream- This maybe the best of both worlds. You can get a more presise , rich line with gel vs. pencil, though still not as crisp or thin as liquid. Gel is a bit easier to work with than liquid but almost as intense and is generally long lasting. Try- Wet -n-wild cream eyeshadow around $3.00 creamy, rich color that sets quick and won't budge use a different brush than the one it comes with to apply. E.L.F essentials concealer brush $1.00 actually works great.

 3. Liquid- the go to for a true cat eye. Liquid liner produces the thinnest, cleanest,  most presise and intense line. However, liquid can be difficult to work with if you haven't practiced and its very easy to screw up your perfect cat eye with liquid. Try- E.L.F essential liquid eyeliner $1.00 liquid or pen form is great for experimenting. The pen is easier to use but dries out quick. Jordanna, N.Y.C and Wet-n-Wild also make a cheap pen type liquid eyeliner if your curious. When your an expert at the cat eye try Wet-n-Wild H2o liquid eyeliner $3.00 its  intense, truly water proof and will not budge when set.


    Regardless of what  type liner you choose to use the application is the same.

 Prep eyelids. If you don't normally wear true foundation fine, but the key to any good makeup look is its base. So, either coat your lids and undereye area with concealer or foundation (or both) and then set with a face powder. Some people swear by eyelid primer, personally I think a foundation/concealer/powder base is far better plus it gives you a totally even and clean canvas.

 Second, apply your eyeliner from inner to outer corner, following the contour of your eye, slightly thickening the line torward the outer corner of your eye. At the outer corner extend the eyeliner line slightly out and up at an angle (like your going to draw the line to meet the far end of your eyebrow.) How far you take your little "wing" is up to you. The farther you go the more dramatic the look. I never really go more than a 1/4 of an inch, which seems to be the "classic" length.

 Curl and coat top lashes only with a ton of mascara.

 Truly, that is all the cat eye look calls for. Thats it very simple.

 Many makeup artists will say use a neutral eyeshadow on the lid or a highlighter on the brow bone but I do not use any eyeshadow with this look as I think it looks cripser, cleaner and fresher that way.