A must try: Winged eyeliner

The late Elizabeth Taylor launched the "cat eye" look and between the snapshots of models backstage at Naeem Khan's A/W12 runway show, my love for all things vintage and Adele on the cover of March Vogue, I'm officially obsessed with '60s style winged cat eyeliner.There is something about the simple winged eye liner look that appears flattering on everyone. The extra flick of liner has been done by women since the '60s and to this day. It looks amazing. It adds that extra dose of glamour to any look.

I've spent a lot of time trying to perfect my technique, and so far I think I'm able to get it just right. My secret weapons- my FM ink pen, angled brush and sleek black eyeshadow.

 

Drawing eyeliner is just like filling eyebrows, they should be sisters and not twins, but aim for perfection. It's surprisingly a very easy look to do yourself with any eye liner- Liquid, gel and cream eyeliners gives a precise line and pencil and eyeshadow gives a soft line.

 What do you think of my take on it? Its inspired by beyonce in "who run the world"

DIY: For a soft, subtle line, select a kohl pencil and start at the inner corner of the eye, extending outward. A gel liner applied with an angled brush or a liquid formula can be layered to create a thicker, defined stroke.

• For easy application, hold or set a mirror at chin level and look downwards. If you have unsteady hands, rest your elbows on a table. Gently drag the pen or brush along the lash-line and past the top outer corner of your eye. Follow the upward curve of your eye with the eye liner. For a dramatic winged look, draw farther out and angle the liner more.

• Now to create the winged effect at the outer corners! Start at the outer corner of the line you just drew and work back toward your eye, using a light sketching technique with the pen in short strokes.

 She is using an ink pen

• As you get closer to the inner lash line, draw a thinner line. You want the effect of the liner to be thin to thick from the inner corner of the eye to the outer.

• Follow the natural shape of your eye and connect the liner to the inner corner of your eye. Fill in any missing spaces along the lash line.

Practice makes perfect, so don't get discouraged if you don't get it right the first time. Keep trying!!!!!! Here is a video by Lauren Conrad that really helped me

 

 Here are some celebrities rocking the trend:

Did you notice that the models and celebrities have full and thick eyebrows, not sure its a trend but i love it. I'm letting my eyebrows grow out too ( see in my pictures above) and I also recently found out that Sofia Vergara and Beyonce dont tweeze/ pluck their eyebrows, they like the natural look and it also keeps the eyebrows looking healthy.

Sofia vergara

 Beyonce

How To Do: The Top-Knot

The  Top Knot is practical and effortlessly chic. Fekkai Creative director; Gili, shows how you can create the perfect top knot with a little braiding and teasing.

To begin, mist hair with an aerosol hairspray. Aerosol hairspray is dry and will give texture and hold without adding frizz. When gathering the hair into a ponytail, Gili recommends tilting your head forward. This way, you get body where you want it. If you stand upright, the volume is going to fall down and you'll have unwanted puffiness below the base

For sleekness on the sides and back of the head, Gili used a flat, compact brush with densely dispersed bristles. He says this type of brush is also easier on the hair.

Extend the base and have it sit really well in the elastic, who did this by gently pulling on the ponytail's sides. He then flattened the pony against the head and divided it into four sections

To hide the ponytail's elastic, Gili wrapped one section of hair around the base and secured with bobby pins. With three sections remaining, Gili took the back portion into his hands and fashioned a classic braid.

Next, Gili combined the leftover locks of hair and teased, using the same bristled brush he employed earlier.

 

Clockwise, from top left: holding the teased tresses between his fingers, Gili twisted them toward the base at a side angle.  After fanning out the twist, opening it up and over the base, he looped its ends under the braid. 

After pinning the end of the twist in place, Gili was left with what he calls a "seashell" shape.

Gili wrapped and pinned the braid and loose ends

 
Once excess locks were accounted for, Gili gave his seashell shape one final tug at the sides.

For a topknot that doesn't fall flat, Gili suggests coating the back and sides with a thin layer of leave-in conditioner instead of gel. It will nourish the hair all day instead of drying it out.

Voila! Gili's take on the topknot is finished.

Credit : Elle Magazine

Summer 2012 Hair trends

Here are the hottest hair trends for summer 2012:

Milkmaid Braids

Pinning braids up for a milkmaid effect like Dianna Agron is practical for summer, but it's also a great way to add some playfulness to a dressy outfit. For a textured appearance and more grip when braiding, apply a dry shampoo beforehand. 

Side-twists

Side-twists and long locks like Jessica Chastain's are whimsical and romantic.

Top Knot
A high-placed topknot like Nicole Richie's is the hottest hair trend this summer and it goes well with bangs and bold patterns.

Elastic headband

An elastic headband is useful but chic, as the Louis Vuitton spring 2012 show proved. Take the trend from day to night like Evan Rachel Wood with a black version of the accessory.

Beach waves

Beach waves are one of summer’s most popular styles. For a curlier, less tousled iteration of the look like my muse Kristen Bell, wrap two-inch sections of hair around a curling rod and mist with a lightweight hairspray

When worn loose and matte, beach waves have an edgier appearance; go for the unexpected by adding a fishtail braid like Ciara.

The Side Sweep

Update classic side-swept curls for summer by imparting volume and roughed-up texture like Kristen Stewart.

Bone Straight

Super-straight strands aren’t just for work. Julianne Hough proves that this sleek style is sexy, and can be low-maintenance too

Bun Galore

Instead of doing a traditional ballerina bun, take a que from Alison Brie and go for volume; height at the crown and a bigger, slightly mussed bun is fun-loving and flattering.

Ponytail

Fuss-free ponytails and summer go hand in hand. Make the look glamorous by sweeping hair back and adding statement earrings and trendy winged eyeliner like Diane Kruger

  

Braids are great

Instead of doing a side-braid, weave hair into a low back-braid like Nina Dobrev; if it happens to fall over your shoulder, it will be spontaneously sexy.

Knotted Scarves

Even without a bow on top, knotted head scarves are a must-wear for summer. Rihanna pulls this off perfectly

Short - Cut

A shorter cut like Olivia Munn's can enhance your natural beauty and make you look younger.

Parted Chignons

Simple yet sophisticated, Charlize Theron's side-parted low chignons are a no-brainer

Deep Curls

Summer is the perfect excuse for curly-haired beauties, so put down the flatiron. Hally Berry has done just that

Blunt Bangs

Straight-across fringe adds an edge to hairstyles at Marni, Antonio Berardi, Versace, and Elie Saab.

 

Retro Bouffants

Teased tresses had ’60s flair at Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, DSquared2, and Carolina Herrera. Get to teasing.....