I have a set of Japanese mugs, each featuring a panda in black and white. Pandas are adorable because they look like bears in makeup! Look at those dark eyes and sharp black lips. :D This tutorial is inspired by pandas and my love for these mysterious animals.

INGREDIENTS

• Eyes: black & white eyeliner, Lime Crime magic dust in Enchant, Nymph
• Lips: Lime Crime opaque lipstick in Styletto, lip liner
• Face: Foundation, setting powder, blush

Face

Normally, I recommend applying eye makeup first when working with dark/bright eyeshadow – but in this case fallout is welcomed, so let’s do it! Moisturize skin, let sip in for a few minutes and apply foundation, setting with whole face with loose powder. Don’t forget to brush on your favorite blush onto cheeks – you want to be a happy, healthy panda! :D

Eyes

Pandas have characteristic dark spots that droop down slightly. We will focus all attention on the lower lid. Prep the lids with eyeshadow primer (I recommend Urban Decay Primer Potion, $16) and sweep Nymph across the top lid and under the inner corner. Apply Enchant starting from the outer corner and into the crease, and underneath the eye. Accentuate waterline with white pencil. With a larger brush, blend out slightly. I like the slightly messy look, so I picked up some pigment with a brush and tapped it lightly to fall right under my eye.

Eyeliner plays and instrumental role in this look: it helps sharpen the silhouette of the eye. I like to use gel eyeliner or liquid for extra precision – a pencil just won’t give you that sharp line. Keeping eyeliner close to the lashes, draw a thick line on your lower lid, dropping it slightly on the inner corner. Draw another thick line on top lid. Your results should look something like this:

Brush on 2-3 layers of mascara on top & bottom lashes and apply white pencil line on waterline. Eyebrows are optional – mine were hidden under bangs, but if you can get away with the browless look, go for it!

Lips

Tip: use an angled brush and a dab of concealer to craft extra-precise lines and correct mistakes.

Because we’re a panda, we have black lips – and they don’t compete with our eyes but only complement them! Darker lip colors require extreme precision in application, so if it doesn’t come out right don’t stress – it will come with practice! I didn’t have a black lip liner so I use a regular eyeliner pencil (it’s ok, just be sure there are no ‘not for lips’ warnings on the packaging). Outline lips – I recommend going for a slightly fuller shape than you usually do since black tends to visually minimize – and fill in with Styletto lipstick directly from the tube. I recommend keeping lips gloss-free for this look (lipstick has sheen to it naturally). Voila!

More pictures from the Panda shoot here.

LimeCrimeMakeup.com

Tutorials available while supplies last.

By the way, I love Valentine’s Day. Have you seen Target? Everything is pink, red, glittery and heart-shaped!! I just spent $60 on just the heart stuff alone… Should last me about a year. :)

My favorite butterfly, the Blue Morpho

Butterfly wings have beautiful iridescence about them that translates wonderfully into makeup. All you need is some high-shimmer eyeshadow and a brush for blending!

INGREDIENTS

• Eyes: Lime Crime magic dust in Duchess, Pink Poodle, Nymph, Lime Criminal
• Lips: Lime Crime opaque lipstick in Centrifuchsia, clear gloss
• Face: Foundation, setting powder, rosy blush

Eyes
Prep the lids with eyeshadow primer (I use Urban Decay Primer Potion, $16 at Sephora). With a short-bristled brush, pack Pink Poodle on the center of the lid, then Duchess on outer corners, bringing it into the crease. Blend the pink and the blue together with a brush, going in circular motion.  Apply Lime Criminal on lower lid as close to the lashes as possible. Blend into Duchess on outer corner. Pick up a clean brush and brush Nymph as highlight onto the brow bone and a touch on the inner corner of the eye. Blend into the other colors well.

Put a layer of mascara on top & bottom lashes and darken the waterline with a black pencil (I use Stila pencil in Onyx). Drag liquid eyeliner across the lid as close to the lash as possible. I like to wear mine winged so that’s what I did. :) Stick on false lashes to top lid only. Define eyebrows with a pencil or eyeshadow.

Face
Moisturize skin. Apply foundation all over and set with loose powder. Brush on some rosy color onto the cheeks.

Lips
Define lip shape with a dark fuchsia pencil (try MAC in Magenta).

Tip: fill in lips with a lip pencil prior to applying color if you want extra-staying power.

Apply Centrifuchsia lipstick directly from the tube. Press lips together; blot; re-apply. Dab a glob of clear lip gloss on the center of the mouth. Voila!

More pictures from the Follow Your Dreams photoshoot here! :)

<<< More photos >>>

You can also get a new wallpaper here.

Makeup tutorial from this shoot coming tomorrow. I know I’ve been lazy about the tuts lately but I’m back in the saddle! Also, starting this week all my Twitter followers will receive daily beauty tips.

I went to an important business meeting yesterday. A buyer from a UK store was in town and wanted to see my line. When I go to these things I naturally try to represent what my brand is about, while still looking professional. This is the look I wore: simple yet striking and only took about 20 minutes!

I’m wearing China Glaze nail polishes in Bahamian Escape & Lemon Fizz

INGREDIENTS

• Eyes: Elf & Mermaid magic dusts, black mascara
• Lips: Cosmopop opaque lipstick
• Face: Foundation, setting powder, peach blush

Eyes
Prep the lids with eyeshadow primer. Pack Elf on the inner half of the eye and Mermaid on outer. Blend the two together with a round brush in circular motion. With a clean brush, blend outwards and up the lid. Apply highlighter to brow bone (optional). Put mascara on top lashes only. Define eyebrows.

Face
Moisturize skin. Apply foundation all over and set with loose powder. Give cheeks a healthy glow with peach blush.

Lips
Apply Cosmopop opaque lipstick straight from the tube. It’s a pretty peach color that provides excellent coverage, no matter how pale or tan you are. Color should last 4-5 hours with minimal touch-ups. Voila!

The meeting went great by the way. She loved Lime Crime and we’re going to be bringing it to UK in the early 2010. I’ll announce more details soon! :)