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The Eyes Have It

By Honey Harlow
My name is Honey Harlow, and I have graciously been asked by TGForum to write this article on how I apply makeup. I have never tried to put on paper step-by-step directions for cosmetic instructions probably because it is something I do on a daily ba sis and, like brushing my hair, I just take it for granted!

I have worked all over the United States in clubs and show lounges. And along the way, I have picked up many tips, some of which worked and some which did not. There is always someone looking over our shoulders telling us to "try this" or "try that"; but I have found that to be an individual and feel good about yourself, you must be happy with the way you look. And the only priority we should have to others is just be ourself and at least try to be pleasing to the eye.

For this article, I am going to concentrate on how I and a lot of girls I have worked with over the years try our best to bring the center of attention to an area that we want people to notice.............."The Eyes"

Eyes, like every other part of our bodies, come in all shapes and sizes; but one thing I have noticed in reading history is that the almond or cat-like shape has been the most popular down through the ages. From Cleopatra to Pam Anderson, women have tried to achieve almost an oriental look by using cosmetics to shape their eyes. A woman with perfect makeup application is like a fine painting in that we can actually stare at her in awe and admire the beauty of what we are looking at. And then we wish we could accomplish that look! You can!!!!! All it takes is a little practice and possibly just some guidance. I have seen far too many girls that look like they have applied their makup with a "paint by the numbers set" because the lines where one color ends and another starts is soo ooo defined I catch myself looking for the numbers.

If you want your eyes to catch attention for all the right reasons, they should be soft and alluring with a mysterious appeal!

Eyes should never be overly made up unless, of course, you are auditioning for a clown role in a play!



Something else to consider is whether or not you are going out at night or in the daytime. For street wear in the daylight hours, I use much less makeup than I do at night, especially if I know I am going to be spending most of my time in an environment w ith fluorescent lights.

Try to Match Makeup to Lighting

I guess my number one tip would be to apply your makeup at home using lighting of the type you know you are going to be in that day or that night. If you are going out to a dimly lit bar, then apply your makeup and occasionaly turn your lights down or get a dimmer switch and dim them to see what the effect is and how others are going to see you!

I probably am going to get flak for this, but one rule I was taught a very long time ago is never but never use BLUE eye shadow. Here you will see the same girl on the left as on the right, but I hope you can see that the brown and black eye shadow presents a much more pleasing look! My opinion is the photo on the right is sexy and appealing.

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In the following diagram, you will see what I call my 4 step application. Actually, it probably should be named my 8 step application and I will explain why..........



First, I apply my base makeup. And then around the complete eye socket (lower and upper), I apply a much lighter makeup (but not white) to bring out the area I want to emphasize!

  1. My first step then for the actual eye area is to apply (in Area #1) a white or near white eye shadow just in the upper cove below the eyebrow. I prefer penciling in my eyebrows, but I am aware that a lot of girls are not able to do this. And if this is the case, you may want to just use a lighter color than you will in the next step, as white will bring attention to the actual curve of the eyebrow.
  2. My second step is to apply (in Area #2) a color of my choice for that day or evening based on the clothes I am wearing. Or, in your case, it may be based on what looks best for the color of hair you have. I personally use various shades of purple or browns and have found that people compliment me more often when I have these colors on! I take this color and start at the inner eye close to the nose and apply outward and up at an angle to meet the white I have applied in Step 1 and then downward to me et an imaginary line that sweeps up from the outward corner of my eye! Since I have not drawn in that line yet, I must visualize where it will meet. Experimenting with that meeting point will give you the best look for your face and personality.
  3. Step 3 for me is to apply a very dark brown, dark purple, or black eyeshadow starting from the inner eye outward and up and then down again to match the lines of Step 2. (This you can see in Area #3) These applications of color are all approximately 1/4 of an inch or less wide from top to bottom with the bottom color being the thinnest.
  4. Step 4, I apply the darkest brown or black shadow to just the top of the eyelid. And if the mood strikes me, I will even apply a small dusting of white over the top of this black application. I then apply black eyeliner pencil to the upper lid and lower lid of my eyes according to my destination for that day or that night. The thickness of my eyeliner is dictated by whether it is a club environment or daylight surroundings.



    * Now comes a very important part that I have seen many girls neglect and the reason I say this should be an 8 step process instead of 4.

  5. I now apply a very narrow line of liquid black eyeliner to the outer edge of my upper eyelid and then proceed to re-apply my darkest brown or black powder to my eyelid blending as I go.
  6. I then re-apply over what I applied in Step 3 blending with what I applied in Step 4.
  7. I then re-apply over what I applied in Step 2 blending with what I applied in Step 3.
  8. I then re-apply over what I applied in Step 1 blending with what I applied in Step 2.

    Finally, I apply my mascara to both my upper and lower lashes to complete the look I desire and check for any mistakes I may have made. Your eyeshadow should always be a matte finish with the exception of the white near the upper eyebrow if you like. Reme mber that lights reflect off of glittery powder and may bring unwanted attention to an area that you don't want it to. This blending procedure is very, very important if you want a seamless and flawless look that appears like your makeup has been applie d with an airbrush and not a paintbrush!!!

    Lastly, another tip I have found to be helpful is not only look at yourself in the mirror straight on but use another mirror to look at yourself from a side angle because, let's face it................ everyone else does!

    I truly hope this description of how I do my eyes will help you in some small way, and I would be happy to help anyone via e-mail or through TGForum that I can. Every one of us is different, and we all have different needs; but one need I have found to b e common in all of us is the need for guidance and, for most of us, the drive for perfection!

    Please be healthy.........be glamorous.......and be yourself!


    Honey Harlow


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