The Ultimate Cheat Sheet For Perfect Brows
Perfect brows can change your entire look and it’s worth going that extra beauty mile to get them right! Behold, our ultimate cheat sheet on how to get perfect brows. Work with your face shape Brows aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. The perfect brows have to work with your own face shape and we’ve got a few quick pointers on how to get it right! Round face - Create a high arch following a straight line to the peak of the brow as this will help open up your face. Avoid a rounded / curved eyebrow shape. Square face - Square faces can pull off a curved or more angled brow but steer clear of thin brows and elongate the line to avoid a ‘short’ brow. Heart shaped face - A lower arch works with heart shapes. Don’t go too high with the arch or you’ll really lengthen the face. For perfect brows keep the curves of the arch soft. Oval face - If you have this balanced face shape, lucky you! You can pull off the classic full, softly angled brow beautifully. Follow the 3 universal brow rules No matter the shape of your face, there are 3 golden rules to follow when defining your perfect eyebrows. Rule 1 - The arch of your brow - whether it be angular or more curved and soft - should be around two thirds of the way along your brow line, never in the centre. Rule 2 - Find the right place to start your brow. Lay an eyebrow pencil vertical along your nose - the point where it reaches the bridge of your nose is where the brow should begin. Rule 3 - Get the tail right. Place an eyebrow pencil in a line that runs from the outer side of your nostril to the corner of your eye. This is the ideal ending point for your brow. Brush your brows upwards Using a clean, dry spoolie your brows upward as it makes them look fuller and gives them more texture. You create a ‘feathered’ appearance - natural looking, fine hair strokes that you can’t achieve if you brush sideways. Eyebrows are also easier to fill in afterwards when they’re brushed upwards. Choose your eyebrow makeup Powder, creme or pencil? Or a mix ‘n’ match combination? The eyebrow makeup you choose is crucial for nailing a flawless arch. Eyebrow pencils are great for beginners and perfect for natural looking brows with softly defined arches that aren’t overly done or sharp-looking. Eyebrow pencil also makes a great base for brow powder to be applied over the top. Eyebrow powder does a brilliant job at filling in those sparse areas. If your brows are in pretty great shape naturally aside from a few thin spots, you might just need a little eyebrow powder to fill those areas in. Using powder also adds volume to your natural hair and works over the top of eyebrow pencil to add texture. Eyebrow creme is a quick way to fill in sparse brows for a natural look. If you’re already rocking a set of thick brows, creme will create a bolder, glam look. Use a brow brush for a precise creme application. Use a natural looking shade If you've chosen a brow creme or powder, go for a color that is the same shade as your brows or a little darker. If a brow pencil is your tool of choice, opt for one shade lighter than your hair for a softer look; unless you’re really fair. In that case, go a little deeper with the shade as slightly darker brows will frame your face enhance your eyes more than a really light brow. Still stressed about finding the shade for your perfect brows? Our Brow Magic is a universal brow pencil solves all your colour uncertainties - one colour suits all. Bingo. Start in the centre Perfect eyebrows aren’t one monotone block of colour, so when it comes to hue, aim for a gradient effect. Begin applying your brow product at the arch, and build the colour there. Move along to the front and then finish up at the end, where the colour should taper off. Our Brow Duo Powder will help you nail that natural looking gradient. Add a little highlighter If you love a clean, shapely brow use a little highlighter under the brow bone. A soft tone with a subtle shimmer will help define the brow line without looking over the top. Our PONi Unicorn Champagne Highlighter works beautifully when you apply with the angled end of our Pro Brow Brush. Set with a clear brow gel Finally, lock those perfect brows in place with a clear brow gel. Gently brush the brow gel spoolie over the hairs to set your arches and keep them looking perfection all day long! Stand back After you get up close and personal with the mirror to create your brow, take a big step back (at least a few feet) and survey your brow handiwork. This will give you some perspective on how your brows fit in with your entire face and the rest of your makeup look. Finally...thicken your brows naturally If you weren’t exactly blessed by the brow gods we’ve got good news. Our Lash And Brow Growth Serum boosts brow thickness and darkness naturally to fill in those sparse patches and barely there hairs that drive you crazy.
Liquid Eyeliner vs Pencil Eyeliner
Liquid eyeliner vs pencil eyeliner. Is one better than the other? Our thoughts on what to consider when choosing which to use. Plus, the best liquid eyeliner in Australia revealed. Spoiler alert - it’s ours! Liquid eyeliner More experienced beauty lovers 💗 If you’re an experienced beauty lover, the smooth application of traditional liquid eyeliner (with a pot and brush) won’t be the challenge beginners find it to be. Liquid eyeliner is less forgiving when you make a mistake, so a steady, practiced hand called for. With practice comes perfection and you can’t beat the slick intensity liquid eyeliner helps you achieve. Especially for a winged look! It’s worth the practice. We love liquid eyeliner for Adele-approved cat eyes Liquid formulas are the go-to for the real deal cat eyes thanks to the intense color payoff they deliver. The pro tip we love is to place a piece of tape at the outer corner of your eyes before applying your liquid liner. Using the tape as a stencil, you can create two even flicks. Precision Under the guidance of an experienced, steady hand, liquid eyeliner can create super crisp lines. Even the sharpest pencil can’t quite create the precision of liquid. Waterproof liquid eyeliner also has a budge-proof staying power pencil can’t beat. For precision perfection when applying liquid eyeliner, rest your elbows on a flat and steady surface. This gives you a good amount of control over your hand movements for wobble free lines. Upping the drama In pretty much all cases, liquid eyeliner is darker and more richly pigmented than pencil. Because of this, a stroke of eyeliner delivers bold, look-at-me lines. Perfect for dramatic looks. Team liquid with a pencil eyeliner to build intensity for a smokey eye. To start, line with your pencil eyeliner and layer over it with your eye shadow. Keep it darkest at the lash line and blend out. Next, to really boost the intensity of the smoky eye, apply liquid liner very close to the lash line. Pencil eyeliner Easiest for beginners! 💗 We love a pencil eyeliner for Eyeliner beginners If you’re a newbie to the world of eyeliner or just want a fuss free application, pencil eyeliner is a winner. Way less intimidating to handle than swiping a thick, inky line along your eyelids. Perfectly. Easy, natural eyes We love pencil eyeliner for a natural look you can apply in zero minutes on a busy morning. Pencils aren’t messy, they don't smear easily, and they deliver a softer look if a more natural look for every day is your thing. Take your eyeliner pencil and using little dots, create a dotted line as close to your upper lashes as you can. Start at the inner corner and work your way out. Then, gently connect the dots into a full line. Swipe on a few coats of mascara and you’re looking everyday prettier in no time. Lining the inside of your eyes Known as tight-lining, lining your waterline can take your eyes from natural to bombshell in no time. It’s best to do with a waterproof pencil. Here’s how. Gently pull your upper lid up. Line your inside rim from the inside corner of your eye to the outer corner. Repeat along the bottom rim. Teaming with liquid eyeliner for the ultimate wing Pencil and liquid eyeliner are an unbeatable duo for creating the ultimate cat eye. If you love the pigment of liquid liner but find it super daunting to nail a straight line - use a combo of tools. Start with a pencil to outline your eye and wing shape. When you’re happy with the look, trace the shape with a thin liquid liner for more impact. Wrinkle worries Worried about wrinkles? Pencil eyeliner is your BFF. The softer, thicker line of a pencil is more flattering for the eye area if you have a few more folds and wrinkles than you’d like! The sharper application of a liquid eyeliner can be a little harsh. You’ll Liquid intensity + pencil control Love the intensity of a liquid liner but your skill level is more shaky handed beginner than seasoned pro? Problem solved. Meet the best liquid eyeliner in Australia - PONi Pegasus Smudge Proof Liquid Eyeliner We’re humble bragging about this liquid gem for good reason. It gives you the dramatic colour of a traditional pot liquid liner but with the steady control of a pencil. Effortless, smudge-proof lines without the stress! Water-resistant and easy to use, the quick-drying formula doesn’t run and is ideal for both the beginner and expert to create to-die-for wings or a subtle everyday look.
How to Grow Thick Eyebrows
Lusting after glossy, thick eyebrows but feeling defeated by your own thin, straggly arches? If you’ve gone OTT with plucking, are the victim of a bad wax or your natural brows are just pretty damn disappointing, try our tips on how to grow your eyebrows to reach their ‘full’ potential! Use an eyebrow growth serum Including an eyebrow growth serum in your routine is our numero uno tip to grow your eyebrows as quickly as possible and transform those sparse, straggly hairs into thicker arches. How does eyebrow serum work? Eyebrow growth serums contain good-for-brows ingredients like peptides which boost the activity of the hair follicle to stimulate thicker and longer eyebrow hairs, vitamins to strengthen hair, and amino acids and plant oils to help prevent existing brow hair from falling out. Containing no harmful ingredients, PONi’s Lash & Brow Growth Serum is a brow boosting formula of oils, peptides, and vitamins to improve the length and thickness of sparse eyebrows. Castor oil for eyebrow growth Google ‘how to make eyebrows grow’ and half the internet swears by using castor oil as a natural way to boost eyebrow growth. The other half isn’t so sure. There isn’t actually any published scientific evidence linking castor oil and hair growth but if your eyebrow situation is less than lush, it’s worth a shot. How can castor oil help grow thick eyebrows? Castor oil is a vegetable oil packed with omega -9 essential fatty acids that are uber nourishing for the skin, anti-inflammatory and can improve circulation, which may help with hair growth. Here’s what to do - Put a few drops of castor oil onto a clean spoolie or cotton tip. Stroke the castor oil into the clean, dry brow area and follow with a brow massage. You’ll want to do this at night because castor oil is thick and painting your eyebrows with it is not a look you want to rock during the day. Massage your eyebrows to boost circulation When you’re applying an eyebrow growth serum or trying the castor oil trick, boost your thick eyebrow potential by massaging the serum or oil into your brow area. Massage stimulates blood flow which can encourage hair growth. Try this massage for a few minutes - press at a spot in the middle of an eyebrow and, without releasing your finger, begin making circular movements, gradually widening the radius. Repeat with the other brow. Avoid plucking and waxing If you want to grow out your eyebrows, you’ll have to go easy on plucking and waxing for at least 6 weeks. When new hair is left alone and not tweezed it will begin to grow closer to the brow line. Here’s a little fun brow fact: eyebrows go through a three-stage process of growth. Anagen is the active phase of hair growth and for brow hair takes 30 - 45 days. Don't pluck hair that begins to appear, even if it’s underneath the brow. Have patience and make random stragglers growing underneath seem less apparent by using a little concealer to cover them up. The second stage - the Catagen phase - is when the hair stops growing and detaches itself from the blood supply; it’s then called ‘club hair’. The final stage is the Telogen phase which lasts over three months - when strands are released and fall out. Eat your way to thicker brows Wondering how to get thicker eyebrows? Pay attention to what you’re putting on your fork! Make sure you’re loading your plate up with plenty of healthy fats from plant-based oils, nuts and seeds as well as chowing down whole grains, veggies and fruit packed with fibre. The results of a balanced diet show up in your face - including healthier-looking brows! The best vitamins and nutrients for nourishing your hair include - Omega 3 fatty acids - salmon, chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseeds. Protein - eggs, almonds, and chicken breast. Iron - green vegetables, for example, spinach, legumes, and red meat. Zinc - red meat, cashews and surprisingly, dark chocolate contains reasonable amounts of zinc. Vitamins A, C, D, and E - leafy green vegetables, carrots, and fatty fish such as salmon and sardines. Take a high-quality hair growth supplement Hair growth supplements don’t only help nourish thicker, glossier hair on your head - they can speed up hair growth in general, which means your eyebrows will benefit too! There are plenty of options for hair, skin and nails supplements that contain biotin. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that's part of the vitamin B family and plays a major role in the health of your hair, skin, and nails. It goes without saying to always check with your doctor first before taking any supplements. A final tip for your mission to thick eyebrows Be patient! Your brows won’t magically transform overnight but commit to a routine of brow TLC and reaching your full brow potential will definitely be worth the wait.
How to Do Winged Eyeliner
No more wobbly lines - only cat eye flicks even Adele would envy. Grab our genius tips on perfecting winged eyeliner! What is the best eyeliner for wings? Felt-tip liquid eyeliner: If you’ve never attempted winged eyeliner before (or have... and failed hard) a felt-tip liquid eyeliner is your lifesaver. Because you grip it like a pen, it gives lots of control to draw lines smoothly instead of wobbling all over the place. You’ll still get the richly pigmented, smooth intensity of a traditional liquid eyeliner. Let us introduce you to the best liquid eyeliner in Australia: PONi Pegasus Smudge Proof Liquid Eyeliner Black, water-resistant liquid eyeliner for effortless, smudge-proof lines without the stress. Eyeliner pencil: Also a good choice for beginners! Less mess and more control than using a traditional liquid eyeliner that comes in a pot. The kinda downside? Eyeliner pencils don’t spread as thickly as gel or liquid liners and aren’t as deeply pigmented. Eyeliner brush: It takes a little more practice to create a winged eyeliner look with a pot of gel liner and an eyeliner brush. Not the easiest option for absolute beginners. It’s worth mastering though, gel creates beautifully solid colour instantly (no layering required) and super crisp, sharp lines. How to do winged eyeliner for beginners No doubt the hero of winged liner is definitely the flick but getting the perfect line along your lashes takes skill too. The shaky hand struggle is real. If precision isn’t *exactly* your best skill, let us help you out with these tips. Join the dots This tip for nailing the winged eyeliner brings back childhood memories of join-the-dots colouring books. This is the grown-up version for a cat eye. Here’s how you do it - Using your eyeliner, place tiny dots at small intervals along the top lash line and take them out to the point you want your cat-eye to end. Then use gentle strokes to connect them. With the dots already in place, it’s easier to keep a steady hand and know where you need to go! Sit down to apply your eyeliner How to apply liquid eyeliner is a line that’s actually straight? You need a steady surface to solve those rouge hand wobbles. Instead of applying your winged eyeliner standing up, sit down so you can rest your elbow on a flat surface. This simple hack makes a big difference. Start with a pencil If you love the pigment of liquid liner but find it super daunting to nail a straight line - use a combo of tools. Start with a pencil to outline your eye and wing shape. When you’re happy with the look, trace the shape with a thin liquid liner for more impact. Genius winged eyeliner tips These tips work a treat at sharpening up the flick of your winged eyeliner. Eyeliner Tip 1: Card trick Take a clean piece of cardboard - the size of a credit card - and lay it against your eye on a diagonal angle for your wing. Draw your wing on the eyelid using the card as your guide. The idea is to actually take the line along the card, so when you remove it, you’re left with the perfect flick and crisp edge. Eyeliner Tip 2: Tape it to shape it Same idea as the card trick, but using tape. Cut a 3 cm piece of makeup or surgical tape and place the tape along your eye at a diagonal, depending on the type of wing you want. Now grab your eyeliner and apply it along the tape line. For a more dramatic eye, you’ll want to draw further along the tape. For a more subtle wing, keep the line shorter. Follow your lash line to finish the rest of the eye and then remove the tape. You’ll see a crisp, sharp winger every time with this tip. #foolproof You can use scotch tape for this technique too but stick the pieces of tape to the back of your hand first a few times. This takes off a little of the stickiness so it won’t pull so much around your delicate eye area. Eyeliner Tip 3: Folded makeup wipe Draw your wing before applying foundation and don’t worry if the wing is messy - you’re about to fix that. Fold a makeup wipe in half and then carefully wipe along the wing on an angle to create a tidy, sharp edge. Eyeliner Tip 4: Cotton bud clean up Create your wing - again, don’t stress if it’s a little wobbly. Take a (biodegradable!) cotton bud and dip it in a little micellar water. In short swipes, run it along a less-than-crisp edge to sharpen it up. How to Do Winged Eyeliner on Hooded Eyes When the skin around your eye folds over the crease of your eye it can make drawing on eyeliner a bit more challenging. All your beautiful eyeliner (and eyeshadow) efforts can ‘disappear’ into the hood. This nifty little trick will help you out. Instead of a drawing small flick - where most of the liner is on the lid - elongate the wing. Draw it out so the wing can be seen when the eye is open. The most dramatic part of the wing is actually away from the lid. Make sure the line of the wing is upward to give a ‘lifting’ illusion that counteracts a droopy lid. There you have it! Our easy tips for taking the guesswork out of perfecting your cat eye - no more winging it. Want to add the best liquid eyeliner in Australia to your makeup stash? Shop PONi Pegasus Smudge Proof Liquid Eyeliner here. Learn More About Beauty and Cosmetics How to Achieve a Glam makeup look 4 Bold Eye Makeup Looks We Love 4 Eyeliner Looks We Love
The Perfect Eyebrows for Your Face Shape
Wondering how to shape your eyebrows? Working with your face shape is key if you want to create the perfect eyebrow shapes for your face. Warning - this may have you rethinking everything about your brows. Read on! Eyebrow shape for a round face If you have a round face shape, the sides of your face curve slightly outward, rather than being straight. Cheekbones are the widest part of your face and your chin is also rounded. Celebs with a round face include Jennifer Lawrence, Chrissy Teigen, and Michelle Williams. Brow goal Your brows should work to elongate your face to make it appear less round. The perfect eyebrow shapes Well defined brows are a must for a round face shape. High arches with vertical lines that follow straight to the peak of the arch work best. Take the arch as high as possible - while still looking natural - to elongate the face. Steer clear of rounded brow shapes as this will only emphasise a round face more. Eyebrow shape for a heart face A wide forehead that strongly tapers toward a narrow chin is the key characteristic of a heart-shaped face. Celebs with a heart shape face include Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mary-Kate Olsen. Brow goal Your brow goal is to soften the lines of your face but work with your natural shape - emphasising the heart shape between your brows and chin. The perfect eyebrow shapes A gentle, rounded brow works beautifully with a heart shape. Stick with a low, rounded arch for a more natural look or add length to a shorter heart-shaped face by arching the brow high. Eyebrow shape for a square face In terms of length and width, your face is very equal. Your chin is square and the forehead and jawline and similar width. Basically, when you look at your face straight on, the curve of your jawline and sides of your forehead will form a square shape. Celebs with square face shapes include Olivia Wilde, Natalie Portman, and Salma Hayek. Brow goal You can either balance a strong, square jaw with a strong brow or soften it with curved eyebrows. The perfect eyebrow shapes The best eyebrow shape for a square face is a thick, angular and well defined shape. This will help balance a strong jaw and elongate the face. A softer curve also works well if you want to soften a heavier jawline. Eyebrow shape for a oval face Have an oval shaped face? Lucky you! Often considered the ideal face shape, the oval face is already in proportion. This means you can pull off practically any makeup look! Celebs with oval face-shapes include Bella Hadid, Jessica Biel, and Charlize Theron. Brow goal To follow the natural shape of your brow. The perfect eyebrow shapes Stick with naturally arched eyebrows and create a soft angled shape. The soft angled shape goes straight up to the peak and gently curves round at the top and down. For a more dramatic night time look, you might choose to slightly thicken and fill the lines but don’t go overboard. Eyebrow shape for a diamond face If you have a diamond face shape, your forehead and jawline are a similar width, cheekbones are high and angular with a pointed chin. Celebs with diamond face shapes include Jennifer Lopez, Anna Kendrick, Vanessa Hudgens, and Selma Blair. Brow goal Diamond-shaped faces are wider and fuller so the goal is to minimise the widest areas, balance a narrow chin, and soften the lines of your face overall. The perfect eyebrow shapes A curved brow does amazing things for a diamond shape. This subtle brow shape creates a nice balance between wide cheeks and forehead. Focus on creating a rounded arc towards the middle of the brow. Or, you might take the other brow road and choose high, sharper arches. This will draw attention away from the bolder angles of your face. Follow the 3 universal brow rules No matter the shape of your face, there are 3 golden rules to follow when eyebrow shaping. Rule 1 The arch of your brow - whether it be angular or more curved and soft - should be around two thirds of the way along your brow line, never in the centre. Rule 2 Find the right place to start your brow. Lay an eyebrow pencil vertical along your nose - the point where it reaches the bridge of your nose is where the brow should begin. Rule 3 Get the tail right. Place an eyebrow pencil in a line that runs from the outer side of your nostril to the corner of your eye. This is the ideal ending point for your brow. Essential tools for all eyebrow shapes You’ve figured out the best shape for your eyebrows based on your face shape, now you need the right tools to make it easy! Get these in your beauty bag to keep your brows looking bangin’ all day long. Brow Pencil Don’t underestimate the power of a great brow pencil. The idea isn’t to draw your brows on, use the brow pencil to fill in gaps and bare spots. Opt for a colour two shades lighter than your hair or make shade selection even easier with Brow Magic. It’s a universal brow pencil - one colour suits all. Simple. Brow Powder Powder has a naturally soft, volumising effect. Fill in any sparse areas with brow powder - it helps set brow pencils to make the look last longer. Choose a colour close to your hair shade and use an angled brow brush to get the job done flawlessly. We love Brow Duo Powder. Brow Gel The answer to stay-all-day brows? Clear brow gel. Once you’ve finished your look, gently brush the brow gel spoolie over the hairs to set your arches. Perfect for all eyebrow shapes. Brow Highlighter Highlighting the brow will define your eye area - making eyes look bigger and brighter. Boost the effect by placing a little highlight in the corner of the eyes as well as beneath the brow bone. Brow Pop is our go-to highlighter for eyebrow shapes and skin tones. Brow perfection continues with our ultimate brow cheat sheet.
How To Make Your Lips Look Bigger
You don’t have to go the filler path to get yourself a pillowy Kylie Jenner pout. Our lip makeup tips and a little prep work can deliver a subtly accentuated mouth or your most ambitious pout ever! Prep your lips Before we get to the lip makeup tips, you need to get your lip prep on. Exfoliate It’s not just your skin that benefits from a fresh exfoliation sesh. Gently buffing your lips before adding lip makeup removes any dry skin clinging to your lips (never a good look) and also boosts blood circulation. Coconut sugar makes a great exfoliant. Massage a tiny amount of coconut sugar in circular motions onto damp lips with your fingertips or a toothbrush with soft bristles. Behold, the smoothest base ever for your lip makeup. Hydrate and moisturise Sipping H20 on the regular is a natural way to nourish your lips for your best pout ever. Fine lines begin to appear around your mouth when you’re dehydrated - this can make your lips look a little on the shrivelled side. Along with chugging your daily water quota, keep your lips supple with a moisturising balm like our Lip Magic Balm. Lip makeup tips for a fuller pout Start with concealer This tip will change your lip game forever. For the perfect lip makeup application, start by blotting the lip with concealer or foundation. This will blur the line between your lips and your skin meaning you can slightly over line your lip shape easily - more on overlining in a moment. We love that it acts as a primer too, filling in any lines and giving your lip makeup serious staying power. By blotting out your natural lip colour, this technique also helps the lipstick stay true to its colour - the red and pink tones of your lips can alter how the colour appears. Overlining your lips….the right way Overlining is the classic fake-a-pouty-lip makeup tip. Here’s how you do it: Choose a lip liner that matches or is just a shade darker than your natural lip colour. First, line the lip along your natural lip line. This will help in the next step to let you move little by little when you overline. Now, use the liner to draw slightly (and we mean slightly) outside your natural lip line then fill the rest of the lip in. This will give the illusion of larger lips and provide a base for the next lip product you apply. Pro tip - Focus your over lining around the Cupid’s bow. The closer you get to the corners of your mouth, the more you should follow your natural lip line. You don’t want it to look really obvious you’ve drawn your lips on! The two-tone trick This lip makeup trick is the EASIEST way to add dimension to your pout - and dimension is the secret to making it pop! First, apply a single shade across your entire mouth. Next, take a shade lighter than the base colour and add a little of the lighter colour just to the centre of your lips to create the illusion of fullness. This tip is seriously foolproof. We recommend trying it with Brow Pop as the lighter shade - it’s a multipurpose creamy highlighter in a soft peachy hue ideal for perfect for lips and brows. Gloss up By dabbing just a little gloss right in the centre of your bottom and top lip, you instantly up your pout game. Highlight your cupid’s bow You can also dab just a touch of highlighter along your Cupid’s bow - either with your finger or a soft highlighter brush. We love a champagne-toned highlighter for this lip makeup trick. Try our Unicorn Champagne Highlighter for an irresistible burst of radiance. Try a plumping balm Lip plumping balms are formulated with ingredients like cinnamon or menthol which encourages a plumping action. When applied, these ingredients stimulate blood to rush to the surface of your lips. The result? A subtle and temporary plumping of the lips. Double down on the concealer How can you really make your lip makeup pop? By lining the outside of your mouth - after you’ve applied lipstick - with concealer and a lip brush. This simple tip brings amazing sharpness and vibrancy to your lip colour. Contour underneath your bottom lip Grab a small fluffy makeup brush for contouring and dip it in a little bronzer and very lightly brush it back and forth below the bottom lip. Contouring below the lip helps to bring it ‘forward’ and creates the illusion of fullness. Your puffiest, poutiest lips ever await.
Choosing the Perfect Makeup for Eyebrows
Love your brows neat and natural, insta- sharp, or somewhere in between? The perfect brow makeup is out there for every arch. We take a look at the most popular types of makeup for eyebrows. Pencil Fake fuller brows in just a few quick flicks with a brow pencil. A little easier to use than a brow creme and offering more definition than some powders, pencils are the perfect brow makeup for an everyday look. Fill in, darken, and define your brows all with a pencil. Plus, they make a great base for brow powder - together they’re an excellent brow duo. While pencils can suit all skin types, if you have oily skin a light application of powder over the top will help set the pencil. Eyebrow pencil is great for: Filling in sparse patches and tails Natural looking brows Quick, no fuss application Beginners - easy to control Teaming with powder Definition How To Apply Brow Pencil: The Basics Using a spoolie, brush your clean, natural eyebrow hairs upwards. Next, grab your pencil and starting at the bottom use short, soft strokes that mimic the natural hair to fill in any gaps - focus on the sparse areas. When you’re done, use the spoolie to blend and brush hair up again - this softens any harsh lines to give a more natural look. Pencil makeup for eyebrows we love: Brow Magic Our award-winning brow pencil will help you quickly sculpt natural brows. The universal shade makes this the best eyebrow pencil to suit anyone. Creme Eyebrow creme offers a more colour concentrated result than pencil. It’s perfect for filling in sparse patches and the texture helps set hairs into a smooth arch. Brow creme usually comes packaged in a small pot so you need to team it with an eyebrow brush for application. A small, angled, densely packed brow brush is perfect for creating realistic hairline strokes, detailing, and outlining arches. A big plus for eyebrow creme is its long-lasting wear. Many formulas are waterproof so rain and sweat won’t ruin your perfect brow makeup. Brow cream can be a little more tricky to apply than a pencil. If you’re a beginner, take your time and don’t rush the application - remember practice makes perfect. One of the mistakes with brow creme is using way too much of it. Less is more! Eyebrow creme is great for: Long lasting wear Deep colour pay off Creating natural or bold looking brows Very sparse brows Smooth and set brows How To Apply Brow Creme: The Basics Very gently tap your angled brush into the pot to pick up enough product to create a light line. It’s best to start light and build up over a few applications. Otherwise, you’ll quickly end up with harsh, blocky looking brows. Take the brush and start just underneath your brow hair and use short, light strokes to build the outline along your brow. Begin feathering the product upwards in the hair very lightly to fill out the rest of the brow shape. Use the spoolie end of your brush to lightly brush through the hairs - this helps create a more natural look. Creme makeup for eyebrows we love: Mane Stain Brow Creme A soft waterproof eyebrow cream to tint brows with a natural-looking colour and instant volume boost that lasts all day long. Powder Powder is ideal for filling in sparse patches and increasing volume. It’s the perfect brow makeup to achieve a soft, natural look although you don’t get quite the same precision as a pencil. Want a bolder brow? Powder can also deliver a stronger look to prevent your brows getting lost in a full face of makeup. Just keep building the application until you’re happy with the intensity. Eyebrow powder teams beautifully with brow pencil, too. Powder helps set the pencil - making it last longer and adding fullness. Because powder helps absorb oil, low-oil formulations are a good choice if you have an oily skin type. When it comes to selecting a brow powder hue, choose one close to your hair colour. Eyebrow powder is great for: A soft, natural look or a bolder arch Filling in sparse patches Teaming with eyebrow pencil Oily skin types How To Apply Brow Powder: The Basics Lightly dip the brush into the eyebrow powder. Move the brush upward using light, feather-like strokes. Keep building the application until you’ve reached the desired intensity. Finish the look by swiping on clear brow gel for long-lasting hold. Powder makeup for eyebrows we love: Brow Duo Powder The most pigmented brow product of the PONi range, this two shade combo allows you to customise colour intensity. Perfect for stand-out brows when you’re wearing a full face of makeup.Build dimension by blending shades to create an ombré brow, light natural brow or deeper glam brow. Highlight And Hold: Double Down On Your Brow Efforts Your perfect brow makeup doesn’t stop at pencils, creams, and powders - brow highlighter and setting gel will seriously upgrade your look. Brow highlighter Highlighter really makes your brow efforts pop. When you highlight beneath the brow it accentuates your brow bone, defines your eye area and makes your eyes look brighter. We say yes please to all of the above. Take your highlighter and starting from just beneath the arch, blend it along your brow bone outward to the tail. A little goes a long way so be subtle with your approach. As well as highlighting under the brow bone, dab a little highlighter in the corner of your eyes for extra luminosity. We love: Brow Pop Multi-purpose creamy, brow highlighter, concealer and eyeshadow base for a brighter, visibly lifted brow area. Brow gel Brow gel is the can’t-skip-step for the ultimate long wearing, perfectly polished look. Clear brow gel helps set the hairs in place and keep them there. After you’ve finished your look, gently apply the eyebrow gel following the direction of eyebrow hairs. Oh and if you’re lucky enough naturally amazing brows, a few swipes of brow gel is really the only thing you need to polish your look. We love: Zebra Clear Brow Gel
Best Tips for Filling in Eyebrows
Get the best brows of your life with foolproof ways to fill-in, shape and feather the perfect eyebrows. These tips are gems. Keep reading. How to fill in eyebrows naturally Love a great arch? Aim for natural height (= believable) not super pointy arches straining for the ceiling. Those = “always surprised” face. To find the right height for your arch, hold a brow pencil against your nostril and line it up diagonally with the centre of your eye. This is the spot where your most natural-looking arch should be. Fill in eyebrows slowly It’s much easier to add brow makeup to perfect your look than it is to take the excess away and fix mistakes. If you’ve loaded your brows with too much product things get messy trying to par down your look. Instead, take it easy and build the colour and intensity of your brows slowly. Want to intensify the colour of your eyebrow hairs but still pull off a really natural look? The trick is to avoid getting a lot of the product on your skin. This will darken the appearance of eyebrows over all but result in a bolder look. Focus instead on adding colour to hairs themselves with light-handed applications of the brow cosmetics you’re using. Keep building until you're happy with the colour. Love a bold power brow? If you’re using brow powder, add a little water to your angle brush's bristles and then apply powder for more intense colour. Choosing your eyebrow shade Go for a shade slightly lighter than your natural hair colour for a softer look; unless you’re really fair. In that case, it's best to go one to two shades darker with your eyebrows. Slightly darker brows will frame your face and enhance your eyes more than really light eyebrows. Still stressed about finding the shade for your perfect brows? Our Brow Magic is a universal brow pencil that solves all your colour uncertainties - one colour suits all. Brushed up brows Using a clean, dry spoolie brush your brows upward as it makes them look fuller and gives them more texture. You create a ‘feathered’ appearance - natural looking, fine hair strokes that you can’t achieve if you brush sideways. Eyebrows are also easier to fill in afterward when they’re brushed upwards. It’s all in the (soft) flick of your wrist The secret to soft, natural-looking hairs? It’s definitely not taking your pencil, gel, or brow powder and drawing your eyebrows on in thick lines. Please don’t do that. Instead, take your brow makeup of choice and use gentle, small flicking motions in the direction your hair grows naturally to create tiny hair-like strokes. How to make patchy brows look full Let us fill you in on how to fill them in - the right way. Eyebrow pencil and brow powder work wonders to bridge the straggly spots. Start with your eyebrow pencil and begin filling in the sparse areas first. Use tiny strokes in the natural direction of your hair to fill in the patches. Move outward to the end of your tail. Continue to lightly fill in the rest of your brow. Then, take an angled eyebrow brush and dip the brush into your favourite brow powder - load both sides. With small, hairlike strokes move along the natural direction of the brow and work from the inner area to the brow tail. Brow powder gives a little extra lift and volume to the hairs after the pencil application. If you only use powder for very sparse brows you might not achieve a long lasting result. Without the pencil (or other brow product) there’s not a lot for the powder to ‘grip’ onto - it can fall easily. Feeling defeated by thin, straggly arches? Check out 7 tips for thicker eyebrows. Marking and measuring your brows To fill in your eyebrows for the most realistic look, you want to find the point where they should ideally start and end. Do this by placing a brush along the side of your nose. This will show you the most natural place to start filling in your brows. To find where your brows should end, angle the brush from the outside of your nose to the outer corner of your eye. You want the tail of the brow to end at a 45-degree angle from the outside of the eye. Avoid overly filling in the inside corners of the brows with product or making the tail end too harsh. Ditch symmetry stress Brow symmetry is overrated. Don’t stress about getting your eyebrows to match perfectly. Think of them as sisters, not twins! They naturally have a little variation in length, width, and height - it’s normal and natural. Setting your brows Always blend your powder, pencil or crayon. After you’ve filled in your brows, take the spoolie end of your brow pencil and gently brush it through the hairs. This helps blend out the colour and soften any harsh lines. Finally, run a clear eyebrow gel through your brows to set your look in place. The perfect brows for your face shape Working with your face shape is key if you want to create the perfect eyebrow for your face. Team these tips with our cruelty-free brow products and watch your wildest brow dreams come true.
6 reasons we love cruelty free makeup
Make the switch to cruelty free makeup and turn up the do good, feel good factor of your beauty routine. Check out 6 major benefits of using cosmetics that are kinder to animals. What is cruelty free makeup? A beauty product is cruelty free if it hasn’t been tested on animals at any stage during the production including supply chain – formulas, and finished products. 6 reasons we love cruelty free makeup The big benefits of choosing cruelty free beauty. It’s SO worth making the switch. # 1 - Choosing cruelty-free can help end the suffering of lab animals Doing our bit to help end the suffering of gentle animals in the name of beauty is unsurprisingly the #1 reason we love cruelty free makeup! Animal testing is an ugly, ugly thing. It’s still a big part of the beauty industry - a part that many brands don’t want you to know about. What goes on behind closed lab doors to animals including mice, dogs, cats, and rabbits during cosmetic testing is seriously torturous stuff. When you choose cruelty-free makeup, you know no animals have been hurt in the name of a plumper pout or gorgeous brows. There are a bunch of alternative methods to animal testing and guess what, they can actually be more effective. Cruelty free cosmetics are tested using options like in-vitro method, or on people who volunteer to trial ingredients. When coming up with their latest and greatest product formulations, brands also have their pick of literally thousands of ingredients already approved as safe for human use. So stick to the safe stuff! #2 - You get to vote with your dollars You might be thinking... “What difference could choosing cruelty free makeup actually make?” The truth is a real difference. One by one those products add up to thousands, then millions, across the globe. Buying cruelty free makeup and avoiding products that have been tested on animals is like casting a vote for the lives of our lab bound animal friends. With enough votes, the beauty industry will have to listen and up its game when it comes to the ethical production of products. #3 - Cruelty free makeup can lead to more mindful beauty practices Becoming more aware of how cruelty free makeup is made can have an impact on other areas of your beauty routine too. We bet you’ll begin to give more thought to other products. You might start learning about other unethical beauty practices and toxic ingredients, too. It’s like a domino effect of mindfulness! #4 - You can share your choice to help spread the word Learning more about how products are made empowers you to share the reasons why you chose cruelty free makeup. Spreading awareness may help encourage friends to make different decisions about their makeup products too. #5 - You wear your values Choosing cruelty free makeup means you’re literally wearing your ethical values. Your beauty routine is reflecting your compassion and care for creatures great and small. You boost your feel-good factor knowing you’ve made a choice to support a world that's safer for our animal friends. #6 - You don’t have to sacrifice quality Cruelty free mascara, lip gloss, foundation, brow powder, lipstick, and pretty much every other cosmetic beauty product are now offered by cruelty free brands. Making a choice kinder to animals doesn’t mean your best looks are off-limits. Want to see cruelty free makeup results? Take a peek at PONi products in action. Glowy, gorgeous, and bold - cruelty free cosmetics don’t disappoint. Those are some big benefits right there. If you’re convinced it’s time to make the switch (hooray!) it isn’t as tricky as you think. Want to make the switch to cruelty free beauty? We suggest making the transition one product at a time. This cuts the overwhelm and expense of trying to update your beauty stash in one hit. First, check what cruelty free products you already own - chances are you already use and love some cruelty free products. (PONi fans - we’re looking at you!) Products that aren’t cruelty free? Each time you finish one choose a cruelty free option to replace it. That bold red lipstick you love? Search for its equal in a cruelty free range. Making small changes reduces overwhelm. It’s also really wasteful to bin half-used products because they’re made by an animal testing brand. Use it up then make the swap! We’ve got more tips for making the cruelty free switch right here. We hope the benefits of cruelty free makeup inspire you to make choices that stack up to real change for our sweet animal friends.
The best smudge proof mascara is here
Say goodbye to flakes, irritation and messy removal with the best smudge proof mascara ever - PONi The White Knight. The holy grail of smudge-proof, volumising, tubing mascara. What is ‘tubular’ mascara? If you’re not familiar with tubular mascara, what you’re about to read may just change your life. Ok, so that’s a little dramatic. But it could definitely solve your mascara-related angst. Instead of coating your lashes with colour like a traditional mascara, the "tubing" formula encircles each lash with its own pigmented polymer tube. These water resistant tubes don’t smudge or break but they’re super easy to remove. This means you get the volume, length and longevity without the flakes, fall down, or the messy drama of removing traditional waterproof mascara. More on that soon. The tubing technology is fantastic for easily adding volume and thickness, without any clumpiness or transference of the product to your skin. Unlike traditional mascara which can quickly clump short or fine lashes with coat after coat, each tube grabs the individual lash and lifts. The result is a clean, wide-awake effect with effortless length. Plus, they hold a mean curl. Always apply tubing smudge proof mascara to clean, completely dry lashes. This helps the mascara form the tube and hold it in place without sliding off. If your lashes are wet when applying a tubing mascara, the application won’t be optimal. It’s the perfect choice if you have sensitive, reactive eyes, wear contact lenses, or have lash extensions. How to remove tube smudge proof mascara Resistant to sweat, humidity, and tears, you might think it’s going to take industrial strength makeup remover to get your tubing smudge proof mascara off. Nope! One of the massive benefits of tubing mascara is the fuss-free clean up. The tubes literally slide off with the help of warm water. No excessive tugging or pulling the delicate eye area and no panda eyes on your third round of makeup removal. It couldn’t be easier or more gentle for your eye area. Here’s how to do it: Take a cotton pad, soak it in warm water then press it against your lashes for 30 seconds. Then, gently wipe the tubes off your lashes - they’ll slide right off! Or, you can simply run your fingers under warm water and dab them onto your closed eye. Gently slide your fingers from side to side across the tubular mascara. The combination of the water and friction will help the tiny black tubes slide right off. Waterproof mascara vs tubing smudge proof mascara Wearing waterproof mascara everyday isn’t the best idea. It’s difficult to remove which means a lot of pulling along the sensitive eye area - sometimes resulting in lash loss. Plus, lashes can become dried out and brittle if you’re using it on the daily. You can tubing smudge proof mascara in your everyday makeup routine without the downsides of waterproof mascara. Get the best lashes of your life with PONi White Knight Tubular Mascara With a list of 5-star reviews almost as long as your lashes will be The White Knight is our universally adored mascara. Cruelty-free, this can’t-live-without tubular smudge proof mascara contains lash growth and conditioning ingredients. Your lashes instantly look lush while the formula works a treat to improve their condition. Have lash extensions? White Knight is safe to use over the top or apply to the lower lash line. With a dual functioning brush for epic volume and length, you’ll get real value for your dollars too with the 15ml tube! Think you need PONi White Knight Tubular Mascara in your life? We do too. The best lashes of your life await.
5 Everyday Makeup Essentials
We get back to basics with this everyday makeup line up. For a streamlined kit with *everything* you need for a gorgeous, fuss-free look, these are the ultimate 5 must-have products. Mascara Mascara is the #1 pick on our can’t-live-without list. You look bright eyed and fresh faced instantly with this everyday makeup essential. Whether you want a touch of colour or serious volume and inky dark lashes (we pick the latter!) mascara is the ultimate everyday eye definer. If you were to have just one colour mascara in your kit, we say make it black. The brush matters too. Big brushes add volume, and those with a curve help lift and fan out your lashes. Waterproof mascara is your best pick for a look that stays put but choose a tubular mascara - water-resistant ‘tubes’ close around each individual lash. These tubes are superior to traditional waterproof mascara as they slide off easily when you cleanse your face. No tugging or pulling at the delicate skin around your eye area or using harsh makeup removers. We love: White Knight Tubular Mascara. Water resistant tubes build length and clump-free volume with a dual functioning brush. Plus, it’s enriched ingredients to encourage natural lash growth! Brow pencil Is there anything more essential than the perfect brow? We think not. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing brow products (*swoon*) but if you want to rock a minimalist makeup kit, stick with a brow pencil. Feathery, natural looking brows are so quick and easy to create with the right pencil. Here’s exactly how to create the right brow for your face shape. Choose one shade lighter than your hair for a softer look; unless you’re really fair. In that case, go a little deeper with the shade as slightly darker brows will frame your face and enhance your eyes more than a really light tone. Remember, the idea isn’t to draw your brows on, use the brow pencil to fill in gaps and bare spots. We love: Brow Magic is a universal brow pencil that solves all your colour uncertainties - one colour suits all. Bronzer Are you maximising your bronzer’s best multitasking abilities? A great bronzer will allow you to add just a shimmer of warmth, a subtle contour or an all out just- came-from-the-beach glow. With this kind of power, it’s one of the non-negotiable everyday makeup essentials. Bronzer should be applied with a large fluffy brush. Swirl the brush in the bronzer, tap the brush to remove excess product (very important!), then start with your cheeks. Starting at the outer part of your cheek, sweep the brush up and down working your way in. Repeat on the other side. Then finish with your forehead, chin, and neck. Keep building colour until you’ve achieved your perfect level of glow. We love: Unicorn Chocolate Bronzer for all the silky bronzing powder goodness. The perfect pinky-nude lip colour The lip shade we all need in our lives. From skin tones that range from fair skin to olive skin and dark skin the right pinky-nude shade is out there for everyone. It’s just a matter of finding the perfect match for you. Why is pinky-nude so good for an everyday makeup look? The right shade will have your smile and skin looking really bright and fresh. If you have lighter skin tones, aim for a colour about the same as your natural lip. Too light and you’ll risk your lips disappearing. Medium skin tones can pull off a pink shade lighter than their natural lip colour while deeper berry shades work beautifully for dark skin tones. Pro tip - Very gently exfoliate your lips before applying your lip shade. This will remove any dry old skin and increase blood circulation to your lips for a natural flush of colour. We love: Lip Magic Balm. It’s pink pout perfection! Suits all lips as the colour adjusts depending on your skin’s own pH levels. A super nourishing lip balm ideal for an easy but polished everyday look. Foundation and / or BB cream A glowing, sheer base is definitely an everyday makeup essential. Create a fresh, radiant look with sheer foundation or BB cream for a breezy ‘no-make-up make-up’ look. What’s the difference? While foundation is designed to give coverage and smooth skin tone, BB cream is truly a base multitasker. “BB” is short for beauty balms or blemish balms. They are tinted cream products that play the role of sheer foundation, sunscreen, moisturiser, all in one tube. On your great skin days (we wish you many) BB cream is enough to do the job for lighter coverage. Foundation is the way to go when you feel like there’s more you need to cover up - ciao blemishes! We love: esmi Skin Minerals vegan Liquid Mineral Foundation and Mineral BB cream. What’s your can’t-live-without PONi product? Let us know!
5 FAQS About Eyebrow Growth Serum
Your burning questions about eyebrow growth serum answered! From how it actually works to possible side effects, here’s what you need to know. How does eyebrow growth serum work? The best eyebrow growth serums contain good-for-brows ingredients to keep them strong against external aggressors to limit the number of breakages. Effective ingredients to help your natural brows become their most lush selves include - Peptides: To promote healthy hair follicles to stimulate thicker, longer eyebrow hairs. Biotin: One of the most important ingredients in eyebrow growth serums, biotin is a water soluble vitamin that plays a huge role in the health of your hair, skin, and nails. Quality eyebrow growth serums will contain biotin. Vitamins: In addition to biotin, serums will also contain other vitamins to promote hair growth. Vitamin A, in particular, supports hair growth and will have a positive effect on the length and thickness of the eyebrows. Plant oils: To condition and slow the fall out of existing eyebrow hair. Amino acids: These are actually the building blocks of protein which is what hair is made of! Will eyelash growth serum work on eyebrows? This depends entirely on the product you choose. Some serums, like PONi’s Eyelash Growth Serum, work beautifully on both eyelashes and eyebrows. Don’t assume this to be the case with every eyelash serum. Always, ALWAYS, read the directions for application as the ingredients in some formulations won’t play nice with both brows and lashes. Which brings us to the next FAQ about eyebrow growth serum. Are there side effects? The sensitive areas of skin around your eyes and brows can easily become reactive to products and ingredients. It’s super important to research the ingredients your serum contains to know exactly what you are putting on your skin. Side effects like redness, itchy eyes, eyelid discolouration, and eyelid drooping have been most commonly associated with eyebrow growth serum products that contain an ingredient called prostaglandin. Isopropyl cloprostenate is another ingredient to avoid - found in many synthetic formulations, it’s a known irritant. We say - why risk it!? Choose a safe, natural formulation free from the potential irritant chemical ingredients you’ll find in synthetic serums. Serums made in Australia in TGA approved labs cannot contain any harmful ingredients - they’re generally much safer to use. Whether you choose a natural or synthetic serum, please always do a patch test first. How long will it take to see results? Most eyebrow growth serums take anywhere between 3 - 6 weeks to see results but the brow payoff for a quality serum is totally worth the wait. You need to be consistent with the application so stick to exactly how often you’re instructed to apply it. What is the best eyebrow growth serum? We’re just gonna come right out and say it - PONi’s Lash & Brow Growth Serum. Australian made in a TGA approved lab, it’s a safe, cruelty-free, vegan formulation free of harmful ingredients and packed with natural brow boosting ingredients. The best part? You’ll get double the results! It boosts natural growth for thicker, darker, longer lashes and brows. We love a good multi-tasker. PONi’s Lash & Brow Growth Serum is super easy to apply to brows. Remove brush application and carefully wipe away excess serum on the inside of the tube. Using feathered brushstrokes apply to sparse, patchy brow areas. Repeat on the other brow, redipping for more brow serum if needed. Allow 2-3 minutes to dry and repeat daily. Want extra tips on what helps eyebrows grow? Check out our brow booster guide. If you’ve got more questions about eyebrow growth serum we’re here for a personal Q+A! Reach us on hello@makeupcartel.com.au or send us a DM.
6 Facts and Myths About Lash Growth Serum
Full, fluttery lashes. They make your eyes pop - with or without makeup - but what if you weren’t blessed with envy-inducing fullness and length? Is the answer lash growth serum? Let’s find out! How Lash Growth Serum Works Eyelash growth serums are a lush lash-enhancing combination of ingredients, like vitamins and peptides that work together to improve the condition, strength, and shine of your natural lashes. Just like moisture is the key to healthy skin, moisture is also crucial for healthy lashes. Without moisture, they’re prone to break easily. The most common active ingredient in the best lash growth serums is Biotin. It’s a B vitamin said to improve the health of hair (including eyelashes) by strengthening keratin, the protein that makes up hair. Basically, lash growth serums help your natural lashes bring their A-game, keeping them strong against external aggressors to limit the number of breakages. Now, let’s dive into some of the myths and facts about lash growth serum! You’ll Get Great Results With Natural Lash Growth Serum (Fact) If you’re wondering “What products make your eyelashes grow?” you have a range of options available from natural to synthetic formulations. The problem is, some synthetic formulations contain chemical ingredients that are more likely to trigger an adverse reaction to the sensitive eye area. The good news? Your eyelash growth serum doesn’t need to be packed with toxic hard-to-read ingredients to deliver gorgeous lash results. Natural serums strengthen the integrity of the hair follicle making them thicker and more resistant to breakage. If you’re trying to decide between synthetic and natural serums, it’s important to know that many synthetic serums contain hormone-like ingredients. These ingredients trigger hair growth but it’s usually quite thin and there can be side effects. Serums made in Australia in TGA approved labs cannot contain any harmful ingredients- they’re generally much safer to use. PONi’s Lash & Brow Growth Serum is a cruelty-free, vegan formulation free of harmful ingredients. Instead, it’s packed with good-for-lash ingredients like peptides which stimulate thicker and longer lashes, vitamins to strengthen hair, and amino acids and plant oils to help prevent existing lashes from falling out. The Results Are Permanent (Myth) The best eyelash growth serums can help your lashes reach truly flutter-worthy lengths, but the results aren’t permanent. You do need to maintain the use of your lash growth serum application to continue to see the results. Once you stop, your eyelashes will gradually return to their previous appearance over several weeks. One of the big benefits of eyelash serum is the moisture it adds to your lashes to prevent brittleness and breakages. It’s like moisturiser for your skin, if you stop using it, your skin - and in this case, lashes - return to a dry state. You Must Remove Contact Lenses Before Lash Serum Application (Fact) Do you wear contact lenses? Remove them before applying the serum to your lash line. Some formulations contain ingredients, particularly benzalkonium chloride which is used as a preservative, that can be absorbed by the contact lens. Wait 15 minutes before putting contact lenses back in. The More Eyelash Serum You Apply, The Better (Myth) Dousing your eyelashes in serum won’t improve their condition any quicker or make them grow faster. Eyelash growth serums are highly concentrated and the best results come from consistent applications rather than the amount of product you use. Applying excess product is simply a waste! You Need To Be Consistent To See Results (Fact) You don’t hit the gym once and expect to stroll out with killer abs, right? Same goes for eyelash growth serum. You need to be consistent to see the very best results - and it does take time. Your dedication and patience will be well worth it when you’re rocking the lushest lashes ever. Most eyelash formulations take anywhere between 3 - 6 weeks to see results. You Can't Use Lash Growth Serum with Eyelash Extensions (Myth) Eyelash extensions are high maintenance and yes, they can cause damage to your natural lashes over long periods. Help counteract any possible damage by using eyelash growth serum. It will help you maintain the health of your natural lashes by providing some much needed conditioning and strengthening treatment. Don’t forget to check that the eyelash serum you’re using is safe to use with extensions and always wait 24-48 hours after lashes are applied to ensure the glue is completely set. Can You Use Lash Serum on Eyebrows? While most lash serums are for eyelashes only, the PONi serum is ideal for both nautral eyelash and eyebrow growth. With the PONi Lash and Brow Growth Serum, wave goodbye to sparse lashes and patchy brows with a two-in-one solution. Boost natural growth for thicker, darker and longer lashes and brows. PONi’s Lash & Brow Growth Serum If you’ve got your sights set on lush, long lashes (who hasn’t!?) we recommend PONi’s Lash & Brow Growth Serum - our much loved, natural, lash growth serum we mentioned earlier. You’ll get double the results from this little beauty. It boosts natural growth for thicker, darker and longer lashes and brows. To use PONi Lash & Brow Growth Serum, remove brush application, and carefully wipe away excess serum on the inside of the tube. Apply to clean, dry skin along the lash line. Repeat on the other eyelid without redipping. Allow 2-3 minutes for the serum to dry and begin by applying every second day for 2 weeks then follow with daily application. Learn More About Beauty and Cosmetics What is Tubing Mascara? The Best Mascara For Length And Volume A Guide to No-Makeup Makeup
What Brushes To Use For Different Makeup
The right makeup brushes make a HUGE difference. Figuring out which one to use and how to use it, though? No easy feat! We've decoded different types of makeup brushes, how to use them, and recommended some of our favourite cruelty free brushes for your kit. Foundation Brush Some foundation brushes are rounded or dome-shaped while others look more like a paintbrush - dense and flat. Brushes with firmly packed, duo-fibre bristles make it easy to buff liquid and cream foundations into your skin for a streak-free finish. Here's how to use it Dab a few drops of foundation over your forehead, cheeks, and chin with your finger. Use the brush, buff the foundation onto your face in circular motions starting in the centre of your face, working outward. Focus the circular buffing motion in the areas you’d like the most coverage. We recommend esmi Skin Minerals cruelty free brushes for liquid foundation. Stippling Brush A stippling brush is a brilliant all-rounder and one you definitely want in your makeup kit. Stippling means to work makeup into the skin with small dots of product - this is how you get that airbrushed look. The bristles of a stippling brush are very thick at the bottom but thin out at the top which gives you great control for sheer to heavy coverage. Use it to apply foundation, blush, bronzer, powder, and highlighter. Here's how to use it Dab a little of the product onto the back of your hand and dip the stippling brush in. Lightly pat the product into the areas you're focusing on - be it your whole face or only cheeks, etc. Then gently swirl the brush in small circles so that only the finer bristles are moving to blend and press the product in. Concealer Brush A concealer brush is basically the mini-me version of a foundation brush. It’s your tool of choice to neutralise any blemishes on the skin or cover dark circles under the eyes with precision. Concealer brushes with tight and compact bristles give you the most control when applying products. Use them to apply cream eye shadow, too. Here's how to use it Apply concealer to the area then grab your brush and use a dabbing movement to blend the product out. Aim for light tapping motions rather than strokes. Powder Brush The right powder brush = a pixel perfect finish. With soft, fluffy bristles, a powder brush is designed to sweep powder evenly across your face - without getting cakey. Use it with loose powder, pressed powder, or mineral powder foundation. Here's how to use it Swirl the brush in the top of your powder compact and tap off any extra product. Dust it over your T-zone and under your eyes, working outwards. We recommend esmi Skin Minerals’ cruelty free brushes for powder application. Blush and Bronzer Brush Dome-shaped with long, super-soft bristles, blush and bronzer brushes are similar to powder brushes but smaller. These brushes let you make a more concentrated application and some have a slight angle for real precision. The fluffier the brush, the less product it will pick up. Perfect for a gentle wash of colour. You could get yourself a separate brush for both blush and bronzer, but you really don’t need to. One good brush will have you covered for both. Here's how to use it Applying bronzer? Loosely sweep the brush from across your forehead, then your cheekbones, and lastly down to your jawline. For blush, swirl the product on the apples of your cheeks lightly and blend it up into your cheekbones. We recommend Crown Brush’s selection of cruelty free brushes for bronzer and blush application. Contour Brush Want gorgeously prominent cheekbones and a sculpted jawline? Get yourself a contour brush. Some contour brushes have dense, curved bristles to hug your cheekbones while others are cut on a slant. Brushes with a sharper cut and more dense bristles deliver a more sculpted look while a softer shape gives a gentler look. Team with either cream or powder products. Here's how to use it Swirl the brush into your contour powder and tap off excess. Gentle swirl the brush back and forth along the area below your cheekbone - following the natural contour. Load the brush with more powder and gently glide along your jawline for an even more defined look. We recommend Crown Brush’s selection of cruelty free brushes for contouring. Fan Brush Fan brushes are shaped just like their name. Their long, soft bristles are ideal for dusting on blush, highlighter, contour powder, bronzer, or loose powder. Here's how to use it Take your fan brush and hold it flat against your highlighter. Gently push down to coat the sides and tips of the bristles. The idea is to use the side of the brush head, not just the tip of the bristles during application. Sweep powder onto the facial features you want to highlight including cheekbones, nose, brow arch, and cupid’s bow. Eyeshadow Blending Brush Small, dense eyeshadow blending brushes are great to team with a powder, but they do an especially amazing job blending out cream products. You can use it to quickly blend shadow across the lid, define your crease, darken your outer corners, and emphasise your base shadow. Here's how to use it Dip your blending brush into the base colour and apply across your entire eyelid. Then, pick up a little of your mid-tone colour on the brush. Working in small backwards and forwards motions, apply the mid-tone to the outer area of the eye. Now, blend the mid-tone colour inwards with small swirling motions just above the crease. Finish by sweeping the colour from the inner to outer eye in longer motions to ensure both shades are beautifully blended. Don’t miss more tips for applying eyeshadow perfectly right here. Brow Brush A small, angled, densely packed brow brush is perfect for creating realistic hairline strokes, detailing, and outlining gorgeous arches. Brow brushes allow you to apply both powder and cream-based products to the brow with precision. Here's how to use it First, use the clean brush to brush eyebrows upwards. Then dip the brush into your favourite brow product - load both sides. With small, hairlike strokes move along the natural direction of the brow and work from the inner area to the brow tail. Using a cream-based product? Gently run a clean spoolie through the brow when you’re finished for a more natural effect. PONi’s cruelty free Pro Brow Brush is the brow tool you can’t live without! Angled Eyeliner brush Our tip for flawless eyes? Embrace the angled eyeliner brush! With densely packed bristles, an eyeliner brush is super easy to hold and helps you apply eyeshadow in a thin, precise straight line on the upper and lower lash lines. Team with cream, gel or powder eye makeup products. Here’s how to use it For an easy daytime look coat both sides of an angled eyeliner brush in your product of choice. Mark the centre of your upper lash line then starting from the inner eye, use a long, precise stroke to draw the eyeliner to the centre point. Then, finish by taking the line to the outer corner. Lip Brush Small and flat, you use a lip brush to apply lipstick, lip stain, or gloss. You can use a lip brush to outline your lips instead of a lip liner or to seamlessly blend your liner and lipstick. Ideal if you’re applying several different shades or formulas. Here’s how to use it Load both sides of the brush with your lip product. With the brush flat, follow the natural edge of your lip line - paying close attention to the shape of the cupid’s bow. Then reload the brush if needed and fill in your entire lip. We recommend Crown Brush selection of cruelty free brushes for lips.
5 Beautiful Makeup Looks You Have To Try
Been relying on the same old makeup game for years? Break out of your rut with 5 easy-to-follow makeup looks and trends to experiment with at home. Flirty, flushed cheeks The flushed cheek is a little bolder than the ‘I’m barely blushing’ look. One of the best makeup looks to glow up a tired complexion with a pop of colour. STEP #1 - Choose your shade of blush If your skin has warm or olive undertones, berry and brick shades are a good pick. For cool or pink undertones, go for peach shades, baby pink, or a lighter plum. We love PONi Unicorn Candy Blush because it flatters all skin tones and types thanks to a palette that blends from a subtle peach glow to a cotton candy pink. STEP #2 - Apply and blend Using a tapered blush brush, start by applying blush to the apples of your cheeks. Find the ideal spot by smiling and then sweep blush on the roundest parts of your cheeks, working upwards. Blending is key. By blending upwards you lift and soften the colour for a more natural look without harsh lines. You want an intense-looking colour but not clownish makeup disasters. STEP #3 - Finish with a touch of highlighter To complete your flushed cheek look and create more definition, blend a little highlighter along your cheekbones. You can’t go wrong with PONi Champagne Highlighter. The black, smokey eye Out for a night of dancing, drinks, and a little mischief? One of the classic makeup looks, the sultry smokey eye is SO perfect. STEP #1: Get your shadow on Start with eye shadow for the perfect smoky base effect No matter your palette choice - be it classic greys and blacks or sultry bronzes - the method for nailing the perfect smoky eye is the same. Choose 3 shades from your palette and apply the lightest shade to the inner corners of your eyes. Follow this by choosing a deeper shade for the centre of your lids. Finally, choose the darkest shade of the palette and apply to the outer corner of the eye and deepen your crease by applying it to the outer ‘V’ of your lid. STEP #2: Grab your eyeliner Apply a dark liner - be it grey, black, deep blue - to the upper lash line. For maximum impact, choose a liquid eyeliner. PONi Pegasus Liquid Eyeliner is effortless to apply and waterproof for a locked-in-place look. STEP #3: Add lashings of mascara What’s a smokey eye without dramatic lashes? Sweep on a few coats of PONi White Knight Mascara for the ultimate volume and length. Glossy eyeshadow The dewy trend of glossy eye shadow is one of the makeup looks showing no sign of slowing down. It’s high impact and takes a little know-how to master but oh so worth it! STEP #1 - Prime your lids A primer will help you create a smooth canvas to make the rest of your eye makeup application a breeze. Don’t have a primer? Use a little concealer instead. STEP #2 - Choose Your base Any eyeshadow formula can work as a base. A cream iridescent shadow that has a shimmer finish or, if you prefer powder, go for a metallic shade. Keep in mind that the colour can look more intense once you’ve topped it with the gloss. STEP #3 - Get Your Gloss On There are eye glosses out there designed especially for this look but you can get away with using a clear tube of lip gloss too. Just check it’s safe to use on your eyes. Grab a clean, dense eyeshadow brush and dab it into the gloss. Then carefully apply the gloss over your eye shadow. A little goes a long way so go easy on the application - you don’t want it to end in a sticky mess. Finish your glossy eyeshadow look with a few coats of mascara. Slim, minimal brows Ok, ok. We’re not talking about intentionally going for the over plucked, barely-there brows of the 90s. This is one of the makeup looks about working with what you’ve got. If your natural brows are lighter or on the thinner side, you don’t have to go all out creating thick, super styled brows. Polishing your natural brows, but not going overboard, is about keeping your look simple and balanced. Love a low maintenance look? This is for you. Step #1 - Fill in your natural arch with a pencil We LOVE brow pencils for creating a natural look, quickly and easily. Starting at the bottom of a clean brow, use short, soft strokes that mimic the natural hair to fill in any gaps. Focus on the sparse areas but don’t get heavy handed or try and fill in too far outside of your natural brow. Try PONi Brow Magic, it’s super easy to use and the universal shade suits everyone. Step #2 - Add a little volume with powder Eyebrow powder and pencil are a winning combination for easy, minimal brows. The addition of powder after pencil helps add the illusion of volume while keeping brows natural looking. Plus, it sets the pencil. Lightly dip the brush into the eyebrow powder. Move the brush upward using light, feather-like strokes. Finish the look by swiping on clear brow gel for long-lasting hold. We love PONi Brow Duo Powder and PONI Zebra Clear Brow Gel. The blurred lip Stuck for new makeup ideas? Meet the blurred lip. The bold lip’s cousin but a little more wearable. You still get a punch of colour without the high maintenance. Step #1 - Choose your hue and apply lipstick Like the bold lip, choose lipstick in a bright or deep hue. Apply your shade of choice to the centre of your upper and lower lip, focusing most intensity in the centre. Step #2 - Blur those lines The idea of this look is that it isn’t too perfect. Use a lip brush and gently smudge the lipstick along the edge of your lips. The goal is to keep the intensity of colour in the centre while creating a blurred effect along the outline. We wanna know how your experiments with these makeup looks plays out! Tag us @ponicosmetics
5 Eyebrow Products We Can't Live Without And How To Use Them
Brow obsessed babes, listen up. We’re sharing the 5 eyebrow products we just can’t live without. No matter if you’re working with sparse, straggly hairs or naturally luscious brows (lucky you!) the right eyebrow products will step up your brow game. Keep this universal rule for all eyebrow products in mind - the key is to go slow. Build your brows one layer at a time for the most natural look. Even if you’re aiming for drama, taking it slow will prevent you slipping up. It’s so much easier to add more eyebrow products to your look than to take them away! Brow Creme If the thought of brow creme freaks you out.. What if I end up with clown eyebrows? For real though. ...hear us out. You might be afraid of getting the "painted look" but done right, brow cream creates a beautifully natural looking brow - not harsh clown lines. Your toolkit Brow Creme | Angled brush| Spoolie brush Very gently tap your angled brush into the pot to pick up enough product to create a light line. If you were to really dip the brush in, the amount of product you’d pick up would create a very heavy, harsh application. As we said, it’s best to start light and build up over a few applications - especially when it comes to brow creme. Take the angled brush and start just underneath your brow hair and use short, light strokes to build the outline along your brow. Then begin feathering the product upwards in the hair very lightly to fill out the rest of the brow shape. Use the spoolie end of your brush to lightly brush through the hairs - this helps create a more natural look. We love: Mane Stain Brow Creme A soft waterproof eyebrow cream to tint brows with a natural-looking colour and instant volume boost that lasts all day long. Eyebrow Pencil Super easy to use, an eyebrow pencil is the way to go if you want to keep your makeup routine fuss-free. Eyebrow pencils are perfect for beginners - the precise tip makes the control of the pencil and application easier. The lightest flick of the pencil can create beautiful, natural arches. Your toolkit Eyebrow pencil | Spoolie brush Best way to fill your brows with an eyebrow pencil? Starting at the bottom of a clean brow, use short, soft strokes that mimic the natural hair to fill in any gaps - focus on the sparse areas. When you’re done, grab the spoolie end of your brush to blend and brush hair up - this softens any harsh lines to give a more natural look. We love: Brow Magic Our award-winning brow pencil will help you quickly sculpt natural brows. The universal shade makes this the best eyebrow pencil to suit anyone. Eyebrow Powder Getting comfortable with eyebrow powder is one of the best things you can do for your brow routine for filling in sparse patches and boosting volume. With eyebrow powder, you can achieve a soft, natural look - just without the precision of a pencil. It’s also easier to tidy up any mistakes with powder vs other brow products. Eyebrow powder teams beautifully with brow pencil, too. Powder helps set the pencil - making it last longer - and adds fullness. Choose an eyebrow powder hue similar to your natural hair colour. It’s also one of the best brow products for oily skin - look for one with a low-oil formula. Your toolkit Eyebrow powder | Angled brow brush | Clear brow gel Lightly dip the brush into the eyebrow powder. Move the brush upward using light, feather-like strokes. Finish the look by swiping on clear brow gel for long-lasting hold. We love: Brow Duo Powder This two shade combo allows you to customise colour intensity and build dimension by blending shades to create an ombré brow, light natural brow or deeper glam brow. Clear Brow Gel Brow gel is paramount for staying power. The final step in perfecting your look, brow gel sets your brow makeup in place all day long. Plus keeps them glossy - in all the best ways. Your toolkit Clear brow gel After you’ve shaped and filled your arches with powder or pencil, simply sweep the brow gel across your brow in the natural direction of your hair. Even if you leave the rest of your face bare, an application of clear brow gel across your natural arches leaves you looking polished and bright eyed. Skip the brow gel if you’ve used a creme. We love: Zebra Clear Brow Gel This clear, water-resistant and long-wearing eyebrow gel and unique, ultra-precision spoolie to shape and set brows. A clear winner. Brow Highlighter What can make everything about great brows even greater? Brow highlighter. If this isn’t already one of the eyebrow products in your kit, you’re missing the quick trick that gives your eyes and brows an instant lift. Your toolkit Brow highlighter Take your brow highlighter and lightly trace a line under your brow line from the inner corner of the brow to the outer one. With your ring finger, gently blend the highlighter in beneath the brow to soften and blur any lines. Voila! A brighter, sparklier eye area. We love: Brow Pop! A blendable, long-wearing brow highlighter in a soft peachy hue that is ideal for all skin types. There you have them - the 5 best eyebrow products brow wizards can’t live without! Ready. Set. Brow
The Ultimate Skincare Routine For 2020 - Prep Your Skin For Makeup
Flawless makeup isn’t just about mastering the perfect brow, contouring or pulling off a bold red lip. What happens before you get to your makeup kit matters too - your skincare routine. These two go hand-in-hand. Let’s dive into the ultimate skincare routine for your most glow complexion yet plus a few extra sneaky tips to get your #skingoals...with or without makeup! Cleanse (daily morning and evening) It all begins with cleanser - the most basic, non-negotiable step in every effective skincare routine. The right formula will cleanse your skin without stripping essential, healthy oils. When your skin loses too many of the natural oils it needs, your face is going to feel tight, irritated, and skin will get flaky. Layering makeup on top can make things worse. Oily skin types can opt for a formulation that controls oil but still leaves skin hydrated - without that tight feeling. Use a face brush or microfibre cleansing mitt to boost your cleansing results, especially at night. Apply an antioxidant serum (morning and evening) Adding a serum (or two) is really going to level up your skincare regime and all skin types can benefit from using an antioxidant-rich serum. What’s the big deal about serums? They’re super potent formulations that double down on delivering antioxidants and other active ingredients to the skin. The concentration of active ingredients in serums is higher than those in moisturising creams and lotions. This means they get more of the good stuff deeper into your skin. An antioxidant serum will boost the brightness of skin, hydrate, smooth your complexion and just generally help you achieve that dewy glow with or without makeup. Apply your serum to freshly cleansed skin before you moisturise and follow product directions to apply. Moisturise (morning and evening) Hydration is everything if you want to pull off a flawless makeup look or rock a bare-skinned glow. Moisturiser does two important things - it smoothes the skin’s surface and provides a deep hit of hydration. This means your application of foundation, bronzer, and highlighter will be much smoother and hydrated skin will improve the look of your makeup overall. Try PONi Unicorn Champagne Highlighter and Unicorn Chocolate Bronzer When choosing your moisturising cream, facial oil or gel keep an eye out for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, cetyl and stearyl alcohol, squalane, and lactic acid. These are the hydration boosting and moisture trapping ingredients you want on your face. Always let your moisturiser absorb into the skin first - wait 60 seconds or so - before applying concealer, foundation or bb cream. If you’ve got oily skin, you might think you can skip the moisturising step. Bad idea. Applying makeup directly to oily skin will have it ‘slipping off’ in no time. The right moisturiser will improve makeup’s staying power and also help to mattify the skin for a shine-free base. If your moisturiser doesn’t include SPF protection, follow this step with an application of sunscreen. Choosing a mineral foundation will also boost the SPF for the skin. Exfoliate (weekly) Exfoliation is a must-do weekly step in the best skincare routine. It clears away dead skin cells and helps unblock pores to reveal a fresher, glowier looking complexion. Go easy! Over exfoliation can leave skin irritated and red - definitely not a great look for underneath makeup. Depending on your skin type, exfoliating once or twice a week is usually your best bet. You’ve got a couple of exfoliation methods to choose from - Physical exfoliation: Scrubs and cleansers with small, exfoliating particles or granules which you massage into your skin to buff away dead cells. Tools like konjac sponges, microfibre face cloths and facial brushes are also types of physical exfoliants, as is microdermabrasion. Chemical exfoliation: Chemical exfoliation is achieved with products that include AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). They work by dissolving the dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a brighter, clearer complexion. If it’s perfect brows you’re after (who isn’t?) exfoliation can improve the look of your natural brows plus make the application of brow products easier. Try PONi’s much-loved Brow Magic for easy, shapely arches. Exfoliating around your brows clears any dead skin cells - preventing ingrown hairs forming - and smoothes the entire area. There are also whispers around the internet that it may help promote brow growth, too. What have you got to lose? Rub the area right around your brows (not directly over them) using gentle, circular motions with your regular face exfoliation product. Mask (weekly) Face masks are easy to use, fun (hands up for a little ‘me’ time) and can help with everything from breakouts and tackling signs of ageing to hydration and all-round nourishment. As a bonus, masks also help all of your other skincare products work more effectively. Like exfoliation, going over the top with masking will cause skin irritation. Choose a mask right for your skin type and as a general rule, once or twice a week is usually best but always follow product directions. If you’re applying makeup for a special occasion or just want to give yourself the extra spesh treatment before a night out, include a hydrating mask in your pre-makeup routine. Hello plump, dewy skin! Bonus tips for your best ever skincare routine Brush your lips A soft-looking pout is gonna make your lip balm glide on easier and x10 how good your lip makeup looks. Try PONi Lip Magic Balm for creamy pink pout perfection Gently brushing your lips with a toothbrush helps exfoliate and brush away any flaky skin while boosting blood flow for a naturally rosier pout. Curl your lashes This lil’ trick will open up your eyes and help them look a little brighter. Add lashings of White Knight smudge-proof, volumising, tubing mascara to polish off your look. DIY face massage A DIY facial massage is a lovely way to treat yourself to something a little extra luxe in your skin routine that will instantly improve your glow. Give yourself a facial massage before applying moisturiser or try a jade roller. It quickly boosts blood flow to the skin and over time can really improve the overall tone of the skin. Commit to a good skincare routine and you won’t be sorry. Naturally glowy, gorgeous skin improves every makeup look.
How To Apply Eyeshadow for Beginners
Tired of eyeshadow fails? End the struggle with our foolproof guide on how to apply eyeshadow perfectly. We’re breaking it down easily so you can learn how to do eyeshadow like a pro - flawless eyes await! Choosing the right eyeshadow shade Knowing the flattering shades that make your eyes pop is just as important as knowing how to apply eyeshadow. Here’s a quick ‘eyeshadow for beginners’ guide to shades best suited to different eye colours. Brown eyes - Super flattering shades for brown eyes are bronze, copper, green, pink, or champagne. Green eyes - Cooler shades like green, blue, plum, look great with green eyes. You can also try more earthy tones such as khaki and taupe too. Blue eyes - Gray and slate-coloured eye shadow can make blue eyes look AH-mazing. Green, blue, purple and rose tones also work beautifully. Hazel eyes - For hazel-eyed gals, the right shades will depend on the prominent colour in your eyes. If you have green-hazel eyes, you’ll win with cooler eyeshadow shades, while warmer eye shadows are usually a better match for brown-hazel eyes. Now you’ve got your most flattering palette sorted, let's dive into the steps to apply eye makeup perfectly and what you need to avoid! Priming your lids for eyeshadow Want your look to last and not crease? Then priming your eyes first is a must, even if you’re just going for a simple eyeshadow look. Using a primer first will help the makeup glide on smoothly too and maximises the pigment. You can use a specific eyeshadow primer, regular concealer, or BB cream - just choose a product close to your own skin tone. Set the primer with a translucent powder so the area is smooth, not sticky, when applying eyeshadow. Find the right eyeshadow brushes for the job The right brushes are EVERYTHING if you want to apply eyeshadow perfectly. A tapered fluffy brush gives a soft, airbrushed look and is ideal for blending. The rounded, dense brushes pick up more powder / cream and should be used in the areas you want more definition and a concentrated colour pay off. Do: Use a fluffy brush when you want a soft, airbrushed result. Don’t: Use a dense brush when applying the base colour all over the lid - use a fluffy brush Start With A Neutral Shade Pick the most neutral shade (not the lightest) in your palette and take your tapered fluffy brush and lightly glide the tip of it in a back and forth across your whole upper eye area. This creates the base colour from which you’ll build the rest of your look. Do: Take the brush to the eyebrow line only when there is less product on the brush - to avoid harsh lines. Don’t: Hold your brush too close to the bristle end when applying the base coat. Grip it further back to allow for a less controlled application (yep, this is a good thing!) to achieve the effortless, airbrushed look. Focus On The Crease With A Darker Colour Choose the darker colour in your palette to apply to the crease area. If your palette has 3 colours, opt for the darkest. If you’re using a 4 colour palette, go for the 3rd darkest. Swap your fluffy brush for a harder brush and, starting from the inside of the eye, blend the darker colour into the crease. This step gives definition to your look and the key is to blend, blend, blend! Do: Start with a thinner line of eyeshadow closer to your eye and then make it thicker as you move toward the outer crease. Don’t: Forget to tap excess product off the brush before applying. Tip for hooded eyes - If you have hooded eyes, when they’re open, your upper lid covers most of your mobile lid. You’ll need to create the crease shadow in a slightly higher area than the actual crease (let’s call it faux crease!) so the definition can be seen. Highlight Above The Crease You’ve nailed the base coat and the crease, now it’s time to focus on highlighting. Choose the lightest shade in your colour palette, or a multi-tasking highlighter, and swap back to the fluffier makeup brush. Dip the brush in, tap off the excess and apply to the area above the crease in small, circular motions. Do: Choose a more shimmery highlighter for night time. Don’t: Take the highlighter all the way to the brow line - this will create a harsh line. Add A ‘Wide Awake’ Touch To Your Inner Eye A slighter lighter colour in the inner corners of your eye is a flattering look for everyone; brightening and opening the eye. You can skip the brush for this and just press your pinkie finger into the lightest colour of your palette. Then, gently dab the colour on the inner corner of your eye area and once again, blend, blend, blend. Are you getting that blending is key when it comes to how to do eyeshadow right?! Do: Go easy with the colour! You want this brightening effect to look as natural as possible. Don’t: Use darker shadow in the inner corner of your eye, you’ll make your eyes appear smaller. Finish your look with a lick - or lashings - of mascara to make your eyes pop and polish your look. Try our White Knight Tubular Mascara. Tips On How To Apply Eyeshadow Build your hue, don’t go straight in with a thick coat of colour: The idea for every step is to blend and build the shade up, over multiple applications. Don’t just dig into your eyeshadow palette and apply 1 thick shade of colour. You can create different tones and depth by building up thin layer by thin layer. Going for a dramatic look? Apply your eye makeup before the rest of your makeup: Planning to get a smoky, dramatic eye look going on? Apply your eye makeup before the rest of your look. If you’ve applied your entire base, concealer, foundation, powder and bronzer then you screw up your eye makeup, it’s going to be harder to do over. It's easier to take a makeup wipe and start over again just on the eye area. This is a great tip for eyeshadow beginners too! Experiment with bronzer and blush as eyeshadow: Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little and experiment by using your bronzer or blush as an eyeshadow. Using bronzer on the eyes is a super quick way to add warmth and works for a more natural, pared-back look. We hope you’ve picked up some helpful pointers from our quick tutorial on how to apply eyeshadow. Now go forth and apply!
Cruelty Free Mascara. Your Compassionate Beauty Routine
Cruelty free cosmetics are changing the way we do beauty. Ethical babes are rocking looks with everything from cruelty free mascara to brow powder and bronzers to make the world a safer place for our sweet animal friends. It’s clear we care more than ever how our products are made and who they’ve been tested on. Here’s how you can level up to a more compassionate, cruelty free beauty routine and why you should! What are cruelty free cosmetics? Animals go through some seriously torturous stuff all in the name of beauty. Choosing cruelty free cosmetics can help save bunnies, mice and other animals from miserable laboratory lives. A beauty product is cruelty free if it hasn’t been tested on animals at any stage during the production or manufacturing process. So, how are cruelty free cosmetics created safely? There are a bunch of alternative methods to animal testing and yep, they can actually be more effective. Cruelty free cosmetics are tested using options like in-vitro method, or on real life humans who volunteer to trial ingredients used in the season's boldest brow powder. When coming up with their latest and greatest product formulations, brands also have their pick of literally thousands of ingredients already approved as safe for human use. Crafting new cosmetic formulas with ingredients on the ‘This Stuff Is Ok For Humans!’ list means no further testing is required. It’s happening. The cruelty free beauty revolution The cruelty free beauty revolution is happening in a #major way. Conscious beauties are purchasing with their hearts, not just their dollars. Research tells us almost half of Aussie women who use cosmetics cared whether a product was cruelty free or not. Social media has played a massive role in raising awareness about the plight of millions of animals trapped in labs. Global petitions and campaigns like #ForeverAgainstAnimalTesting have challenged us to raise our compassion vibe and live a little more thoughtfully. Cruelty free mascara, lip gloss, foundation, brow powder, lipstick and pretty much every other cosmetic beauty product are now offered by cruelty free brands. Some online retailers have made it even easier to find cruelty free products by introducing filters to help you search for animal-friendly products. We’re animals lovers here at PONi Cosmetics. Our range is cruelty free so you can rock that bold look with a clear conscious. PONi Cosmetics White Knight Tubing Mascara - $30 - Buy Here. Transition to compassionate beauty with cruelty free mascara A guilt-free glow? Always on trend. Overhauling your current cosmetics stash for a cruelty free swag might feel a little overwhelming but don’t stress, it doesn’t need to be. Start with one product! Why not begin with mascara? Smudge proof and waterproof mascara do exist! Get your hands on the perfect cruelty free mascara to lengthen, darken, curl, and deliver serious lash volume. Our White Knight Tubing Mascara is adored by PONi Cosmetics fans. Smudge proof and waterproof, it’s cruelty free mascara that lengthens and thickens without clumping. No panda eyes ever, just your new, compassionate lashes! Now you’ve taken the first step and bagged yourself a cruelty free mascara, here are a few more tips for your ethical makeup makeover. One product at a time Want to switch to cruelty free? Continue to update your beauty stash one product at a time as you finish each item. That bold red lipstick you love? Why not try searching for its equal in a cruelty free range. Making small changes reduces overwhelm! It’s also really wasteful to bin half-used products because they’re made by an animal testing brand, use it up then make the swap. Do your research Making ethical choices at the supermarket (think free range eggs) is easy. Doing the same for your makeup can be a little trickier. Google is your best friend when it comes to finding out everything you need to know about cruelty free beauty. Discover the brands that still test on animals (you’ll be surprised!) and those who take a firm cruelty free stance. Find your cruelty free beauty crowd online Check out Facebook groups and Insta feeds dedicated to cruelty free beauty related finds, hints, tips and advice. Follow Poni Cosmetics too, we’re always sharing beauty inspo and tutorials on Facebook and Instagram! Use the apps Found an amazing smudge proof mascara but not sure if it’s cruelty free? There’s a bunch of handy apps that can tell you everything you need to know by scanning the barcode. Don’t forget your makeup brushes While you’re trading up your cosmetics for cruelty free choices why not swap your beauty tools for vegan options? You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to makeup brushes and brow grooming tools that aren’t made from any animal hair. Have you made the switch to cruelty free cosmetics? What product was the hardest to replace?
