Beauty Squared Round-Up - Sunday, April 26, 2015

Hello lovelies! It's time for our weekly round-up. And I feel like I should add a note about the lack of posts lately. Both Beauty Squared ladies have been very busy lately and blogging has proven challenging, but we're aiming to bring you some posts very soon. Stay tuned! In the meantime, we'll keep bringing you this weekly round-up, so you can see what the internet is talking about where it comes to beauty and skincare and haircare. 

Let's go!

• Keratosis Pilaris is a skin condition that's getting a fair bit of buzz lately, mainly because it seems to be something many people have but didn't realize it was an actual condition and could be treated. I actually just realized that Keratosis Pilaris is what I have on my upper arms, after about 20 years of being embarrassed by the red, bumpy skin there. If you've got patches of skin that look a bit like chicken skin, it might be Keratosis Pilaris.
  
• Blackheads are better known than Keratosis Pilaris, but they're no less problematic. If you have them, you'll want to read this article that explains what they are, what causes them and how you get rid of them.
  
• From one beauty issue to another (and another). Dark undereye circles are something most of us deal with, and there really isn't a whole lot than be done about them apart from trying to avoid them if they're caused by dehydration, lack of sleep, etc or concealing them. Here are some tips to minimize their appearance from treatment to concealing.
  
• It's that time of year when many of us are turning into sun worshippers after a long, cold winter but forgetting that even when it's not that hot, it can burn our skin. You really should be wearing sunscreen on any exposed skin during all seasons of the year, but if you're not fastidious like that and occasionally get too much sun, here's how to cover up sunburn without irritating the damaged skin any further.
  
• If you kind of like the look of a bit of sunburn on your face but would rather not burn your flesh to get the effect, here's how to do it with makeup.
  
• Here's a fresh, bright way to wear colourful eyeliner this season.
  
• Red lipstick is typically a winter/fall trend, but you don't have to stop wearing it when the weather warms up. Here's how to wear red lipstick in the spring and summer.
  
• Fashion Magazine's Beauty Panel talks about how they groom their eyebrows. Lots of tips here!
  
• Have you tried Nudestix? They're a new line of versatile cosmetic pencils with a view on simple, natural looks. Learn about the teenagers behind the line.
  
• Temptalia's review of yet another nude eyeshadow palette, this one containing five very wearable matte shades from Becca.
  
• MUA Lisa Eldridge talks about the beauty tricks she uses while travelling.
  
• We all want to save money. Buzzfeed has a post on doing so with your beauty products.
  
•  Beyonce's MUA Sir John Barnett has been tapped as L'Oreal Paris' new celebrity makeup artist. Here he talks about his new role for L'Oreal, his techniques and shares some secrets.
  
• Time for some hair talk!
• How to fight frizz, no matter your hair type. 
• Sideburns for women? Yup, have a read. 
• Waking up with perfect hair. Yes, it's apparently possible. 
• Are you an unnatural redhead? Do you emphasize your natural red with a bit of colour? You'll want to read this about how to keep your red from fading. 

Beauty Squared Round-Up - June 9, 2013

Happy Sunday, readers! It's time for our weekly round-up of clickable beauty links.
Let's get started!

• Do you own some OCC Lip Tars? Have you found they've separated a little, or a lot? Here's an easy trick to get them back together - VERY low effort!
  
• If you're on the look-out for a new foundation primer, here's a review of Australian company Becca's Ever-Matte Primer. You may want to check it out the next time you're at Sephora.
  
• It's oh-so-tempting to just cut all of your hair off sometimes, isn't it? Especially when the weather is getting warmer. If you're considering a super-short pixie cut, here are some things you should consider first before you make the commitment.
  
• Beautylish has a guide for suncare beauty products. Essential if you burn easily!
  
• Wearing sunscreen can reduce your chances of developing skin cancer and researchers have now got evidence that it keeps you looking younger longer. In case the Tan Mom hasn't provided you with enough evidence...here's more.
  
• Ah summer. Shaving, waxing, exfoliating, razor burn, stubble, goooooood times. Allure magazine has some tips for getting your legs into shape for shorts and skirts (without the gym).
  
• Wear glasses? Here are some great makeup tips.
  
• With the ever-increasing concern about toxins, such as lead, in beauty and skincare products, this video tutorial shows you how you can easily make your own lipsticks, using crayons!
  
• You may have heard about Juli, a Singaporean beauty blogger, who recently went for a facial and has been experiencing an allergic reaction ever since. She's been documenting her situation on her blog here. This is a must-see, especially if you go for skin treatments like facials. 

FOTD: Angelina Jolie (making round eyes look narrower)

Angelina Jolie is one of the most beautiful women in the world, known for her full lips, cheekbones and seductive, feline eyes. 

If you look closer, however, you might notice that her eyes are actually quite round. She uses a simple makeup trick to give herself that seductive, narrow eye shape.

Sam from Pixiwoo did this video demonstrating the technique that Angelina Jolie uses to make her round eyes more narrow. 

I was intrigued and decided to try it out. It's become one of my favourite tricks! I love how simple and sophisticated it is and it does indeed make my round eyes look narrower.

You can watch the Pixiwoo tutorial for the full instructions but here's a breakdown of how I got the look:

Base: Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream in Light/Medium all over my face, applied with a foundation brush. MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW20 mixed with Vasanti Oil-Free Liquid Foundation and Concealer in V1 under my eyes, applied with my foundation brush and fingers. Concealer was also applied to any red areas that needed it with the foundation brush. I applied powder lightly to set it with a powder brush.

I filled in my eyebrows lightly with MAC Sketch eyeshadow and an angle brush, brushing through with an eyebrow comb. Note: I am trying to let my brows grow out a little, so they look a little shaggy.

For the eyes, I applied MAC Vanilla eyeshadow all over my lids, a bit heavier on the lid than at the brow. I used a fluffy eyeshadow brush. For a touch of definition at the crease, I applied MAC Wedge eyeshadow with a crease brush and buffed it out almost completely with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. The eyes should look natural and soft, barely touched with eyeshadow. With a thin eyeliner brush (BDellium 708) I applied MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack to the outer corners of my upper eyelids, starting about a third of the way in on the eyelid and extending it slightly beyond the outer corner. 

I curled my lashes with my Shu Uemera eyelash curler and applied Diorshow mascara in Black, focusing on the outer corners. Then I added corner false eyelashes (MAC) using Duo lash glue and let them dry in place. 

I applied MUFE Aqua Eyes liner in 10L (an antique gold shade) to my waterline, smudging it slightly into the lashline. This helps to give definition to the eye but unlike using a black or dark colour, the soft gold emphasizes but doesn't close the eye in. As Sam explains in the video above, this look works because it doesn't completely circle the eyes. If the liquid eyeliner was extended all the way across the top lashline, it would emphasize the roundness/make the eye look rounder. With the liner just on the outer corners, the eyes are narrowed on the outside, creating an almond, or narrower shape. 

To complete the look, I applied MAC blush in Stunner on the apples of my cheeks, blending it up towards my temples. On my lips I'm wearing Becca lipstick in Estella. It softens the natural pink of my lips and adds sheen without giving me a completely nude lip. This way it's my eyes that stand out.

For comparison, here's another photo of me to show my naturally round eyes. No attempts here to de-emphasize the roundness!

The Steal: BECCA and Beaute Cosmetics 50% Off!

BECCA and Beaute Cosmetics are 50% off at Holt Renfrew right now.  The very high end luxury brand By Terry is also 25% off. I recommend Beaute lipglosses and brushes...happy shopping!

J.