mane kande | embrace the pony

The hair is the richest ornament of women. - Martin Luther

The pony or ponytail is a hair-do staple. It can turn a bad hair do into a good one and there are lots of ways it can be done - messy casual, low and sexy or built high with lots of drama.

Here are some simple steps to a casual pony (with a lot of ump!) that is appropriate for work and the weekend.

Step 1: Tease or backcomb the top middle strip of your hair

Step 2: Tease or backcomb the middle sections of your hair

Your hair migh look something like this. Eek! Hang in there...

Step 3: Gently smooth the top layer of your hair down

Step 4: put in a low ponytail, use a mirror to smooth all sides and spray for hold

  

Step 5: For extra ump you don't have to use an entire bottle of hairspray - instead take the hair in your ponytail and squeeze towards your head. This will lift the pony and your bump and give you a little different look.

Caution: you will have people stop and ask you for Bumpits 1-800 number! xoxo -kande

eye kande | the benefit of pretty packages

I adore benefit cosmetics pretty, vintage packaging. Here are some of the favorites.

Gabbi Makeup Bag (get it here):

Natually Lush Lashes (get it here):

Touch me then try to leave me sexy body cream (get it here):

Take a picture, it lasts longer - a glimmering  body lotion (get it here):

 

Confessions of a Concealoholic (get it here):

  

Dandelion face powder (get it here): 

Dr. Feel Good velvety skin balm (get it here):

One hot minute sexy shimmer powder (get it here): 

Even their website has a some great design elements: Like page headers:

And beauty lessons of all kind (go there):

eye kande | Hollywood gingers (red heads)

Natural redheads make up only about 2% of the population. Natural or not - here are some of my favorite,

famous gingers:

"Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead." - Lucille Ball

 

Clara Bow kickstarted a fashion for redheads in the 20s and actresses Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball and Rita Hayworth made careers after changing their hair color to red.

Laura Linney: Love Actually is perhaps my favorite movie of all time - actually, I am watching/listening to it now. Laura often plays a wholesome beauty with complex character and most often sticks to her red roots.

 

Christina Hendricks: Christina nails the roll of Joan Holloway on Mad Med and is a classic, redheaded beauty. I love the fiery red of her hair and her bangs allow us to see even more of the color - gorgeous.

Amy Adams: Amy was discovered at a dinner theatre performance in Minnesota; her energy and of course, her red hair sparked the interest of a film producer. She is adorable.

Debra Messing: AKA Grace Adler. Debra's been named one of the Most Beautiful People in world by People Magazine and her smarts (she has a Fine Arts' Masters) make her even more attractive. Tidbit: You can follow Will & Grace quotes at @wagquotes and Debra at @Debra_Messing

Kirsten Dunst: Kirsten is of German (father's side) and Swedish (mother's side) descent - which evidently makes a pretty good combination. Although Kirsten's been blonde and brunette I think the red suits her best.

Lindsay Lohan: All things aside Lindsay is simply gorgeous and even though she has experimented with different shades of red she is a natural.

Who's your favorite redhead? Comment or send me a tweet at @eyekandeblog.

eye kande | how to get a smoky eye

The how-to for creating a smoky eye for day or night using Victoria’s Secret makeup. Let’s. get. sexy.

SUPPLIES (as pictured here)
Eye Shadow Quad in Sultry – Victoria’s Secret, $15
Dark Chocolate Brown Eyeliner – Victoria’s Secret, $8
Beauty Rush - Limited Edition Denimania Wet/Dry Shadow - Victoria's Secret, 2 for $12, 5 for $20
Pro Voluptuous FX Mascara – Victoria’s Secret, $12

SMOKY EYE for DAY
Step 1: prime your eyelid with a primer or foundation to help set the shadow and prevent creasing. Then add a subtle highlighting shadow all over with emphasis right under the arch in your brow.

Step 2:  Next add a white highlighter on the inside corners of your lids to open them up and concealer under your eye (dab with your index finger). Finally, fill-in your brow (if you are going to do a smoky eye you need a balanced eyebrow to anchor the look).

Step 3: Gently pull the corner of your lid taut. Apply the eye shadow from the base of your lid to right above your crease. Start with a small amount just as a base coat and make a rainbow shape ensuring a gradual decrease of shadow from base to crease. Think of it as applying nail polish – the first coat doesn’t have to be cover perfectly and it won’t be the final color – it’s just the base.

:: Tip: Place a Kleenex under your eye as you are applying so the shadow doesn’t fall on your face.

Step 4: Now, take a darker shadow and apply over the top to fill in the base coat you applied. Again, being careful to create a perfect rainbow arch and gradient – if it’s blotchy or uneven it can ruin the look.

:: Tip: It is important to check and recheck how it looks during application. Take care not to touch the eye shadow to your brow and to avoid creating an 80s cat-eye swoop.

Step 5: Add a black liquid liner on the base of your lids with a slight upward wing on the corner of your eye.

A profile of the subtle day-time look, appropriate for the office or a casual day of shopping.

SMOKY EYE for EVENING
Steps 1-5 plus

Step 6: Take a cream-based pencil and gently dot a line across the base of your lower lashes making sure to stay very close to the natural lash line. Then take a q-tip and in short strokes move side-to-side to remove the liner – the goal here is to leave a subtle shadow rather than a hard line.

Step 7: This step makes a big, visual difference and if you are going to be taking photos – it’s a must. Gently pull down your lower lid to expose the ridge on the inside of the lower eye lid. Dab with the outside of your finger to remove moisture and apply the liner from corner to corner.

Step 8: Curl your lashes. Apply mascara.

Step 9: Final touches. Use a cotton ball to clean-up any loose or excess shadow by lightly sweeping over the area. Make sure you have even coating and gradient from eye-to-eye. And ensure you have a nude or lightly glossed lip.

:: Tip: As a blonde I like to use a dark brown on bottom just to make sure I don’t appear to have raccoon eyes.

Trouble? In a smoky eye melt-down? Send me a tweet now at @eyekandeblog!

face kande | for the love of olive virgin oil

I adore the DHC Skincare line. If you haven’t tried their products read on to find a new reason to love olive virgin oil.

DHC is Japan’s No. 1 direct mail skin care company and their specialty is virgin olive oil-based products that are completely natural and great for your skin. Here are a few of my favorite products: Deep Cleansing Oil, Olive Virgin Oil and Velvet Skin Coat.

Deep Cleansing Olive Oil: I adore the deep cleansing olive oil. You apply to a dry face and it smoothes on rich and makes your skin feel really pampered and supple while it completely dissolves makeup and other impurities. Then you simply wipe the oil off with a wet washcloth and you’ll be amazed how clean your face feels. This is especially a great way to clean your face if you have sensitive skin, a spray tan or sunburn as it’s very gentle.

Price:: $25 for the 6.7 oz or try the 2.3  oz for $12.50.
The Olive Essentials Set that I just bought has the Cleansing Oil, Cucumber Toner, Olive Virgin Oil and Olive Oil and Honey Soap for $79 - which saves you $25 if you were to purchase separately.

Olive Virgin Oil: I know it doesn’t seem quite sane to add oil to your skin (especially if you are as oily-skinned as me) but it is an absolute luxury that is wonderful for your skin and won’t clog your pores. This is also a great product for sunburned skin or as an intense moisturizer at night. Just warm a few drops in your palms, rub them together to warm the oil and apply. Ahh.

Price:: $39 for 1 oz. (2-3 drops is enough for each applications so the bottle has longevity)

 

Velvet Skin Coat: This is a great skin powder-gel primer that glides over skin to give a smooth foundation with or without makeup. It is also a great filler for enlarged pores and helps control shine.

Price:: $21 (this tube lasts a while) 

Doubletake: If you order the $2 catalog on their site you get one with samples – definetely do this. Also, with any order you get your choice of 4 samples.

One of my little dreams? To be featured in the DHC customer spotlight.

xoxo - kande