Makeup Tips

Learn how to do smokey eyes from Cupcakes and Cashmere.

Browsing for books on make-up tips at my local library I picked up Cupcakes and Cashmere by Emily Schuman. She writes a blog of the same name. Her hair and makeup tips work for everyday, evening, or wedding day looks. The book is divided into the four seasons with looks to reflect the individual seasons. What I loved about the book was her easy to follow pictorial tutorials. One of the makeup tutorials is “How to: glowy skin”.  She lists the recommended brands-often suggesting lower priced as well as higher priced brands. One step of the how-to is putting highlighting powder along the brow bone and down the bridge of the nose. Pearly white eye shadow can be used instead of the highlighting powder. The look was so faint in the photo I had trouble at first figuring out where I was supposed to put the powder. But once I did, I was surprised how that little accent added shimmer to my eyes and face. Her step-by-step tutorial was easy to follow and most importantly I was happy with the outcome. My skin did look more glowy! Now I follow this makeup regime every morning.

I chuckled at her hair tutorial on blow drying hair. I thought to myself, “well, everyone knows how to blow dry their hair, don’t they?” Then, I thought about it for a second. How many times have we gone to the salon and left with a great hair style, only to be disappointed we couldn’t duplicate the look at home? It’s all technique, and we are not hair professionals. A little rabbit trail here. One day I was reading a sewing book.  It actually had a section on sewing on a button. I laughed to myself, “if you don’t know how to sew on a button, you are in big trouble.” For fun,  I read the button how to and could not believe it. I didn’t know how to sew on a button correctly. There is actually technique involved so there is enough give between the fabric and button to put it through the buttonhole without stressing the fabric. One of the points here other than the fact I am veering off course is that if your wedding dress has buttons you may need to know how to sew on a button in case one pops off. Or have your Mom nearby. Here is a tutorial in case you are curious. Back to the blow drying. Once again, she gives easy to follow step-by-step instructions with photos. The hair tutorial is helpful and does give a salon type look.

There are other tips I am excited to try out. One of them is how to do smokey eyes. This is a great evening look-maybe for your bachelorette party, engagement party, or rehearsal dinner. Her other hair how to’s include tousled waves and updos. Additional makeup ideas are how to put on bright lipstick and false eyelashes.

The book includes fashion, home decor and entertaining ideas as well. All in all a pretty great book and blog.

Rachel