Expert Eye Makeup Tips

Going Gaga Over MAC Cosmetics Outlets

These days, consumers are rushing to MAC cosmetics outlets with a surge of interest for the company's Viva Glam lipstick line. This comes after MAC cosmetics outlets successfully signed-up singing celebrities Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper to be their latest spokespersons. After just three days from the Viva Glam mini-launch during New York Fashion Week, MAC cosmetics outlets reported the first batch of the lipstick, counting 30,000 units, as completely sold out!
The sign-up-a-celebrity-endorser gambit worked well for the 2 decades old cosmetics company. Proof of this is the reported sales of the Viva Glam products hitting over US$1 million in a span of just 1 month after its limited launch in the market. It is estimated that the company will see sales upwards of $35 million by the year's end thanks to the support of Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper.
Cosmetics with a cause
The two colorful award-winning performers are not just pouting lips for the make-up named after them. Since the Viva Glam product line began in 1994, part of the sales of the lipstick is donated to the MAC AIDS Fund. Through this fund and estimated US$150 million has been raised to help individuals afflicted with HIV/AIDS.
This strategy of taking on corporate social responsibility is something of a milestone in the cosmetics industry. MAC, which stands for Make up Art Cosmetics, is at the frontier of that trend towards what can be called "glamorous giving". For that, MAC cosmetics outlets have earned the respect and loyalty of millions of consumers worldwide.
Finding Real MAC outlets
Although MAC is a relative newcomer to the cosmetics industry - at least in comparison to older brands such as parent company Estee Lauder and Clinique - more and more retailers are getting interested in becoming part of the distributorship of MAC cosmetics outlets. However, if you think that it should not be so hard to find MAC cosmetics outlets near your locality, you better think again. Although there are over 1,000 MAC stores worldwide, distributorship of MAC products are limited only to major retail outlets. The company does not offer franchises or direct sales distribution programs like other cosmetic brands.
This in part fuels the rise in counterfeit MAC products. The high-demand coupled with a comparative inaccessibility to real MAC distributors is a recipe for forgeries to appear in the black market.
Nonetheless, the presence of imitation MAC make-up does not stop consumers from seeking out real MAC cosmetics outlets. The call to support a greater benevolent cause encourages buyers to "stay MAC". To find a true MAC shop near you, simply visit the official MAC website. Click on "Find a store" and do a search for their authorized local and international retailers.

How To Apply Eye Makeup For Blue Eyes

A lot of women wonder what eyeshadow they can wear with their particular eye color. Many women with blue eyes are under the misconception that they are limited in the colors they can choose from. This is a myth. There are many colors that will not only work with blue eyes, but will really accentuate them, making your blue eyes pop.
For any eye color, a good tool to use is the color wheel. Have a look at one and find your eye color. Are your eyes blue, blue-green, grey? When you've found your eye color look at the shades directly across from it. These are the colors that will suit your eyes.
There are so many variations of blue eyes out there but in general colors such as browns, neutral skin tones, pinks, purples, and oranges will really bring out your blue eyes. Brown shades will make your blue eyes bluer and make the whites of your eyes whiter. Pink tones can help your skin to look cleaner and your eyes watery.
Now I know many of you would never have thought of wearing orange or purple colored eyeshadow. You're probably thinking it's a bit too dramatic for me. We're not talking about bright, loud colors. You certainly can go for that look but oranges and purples come in much lighter, subtle tones. Peaches, rust, lavender, lilac etc...
When applying eyeshadow you should choose 3 to 4 colors. For example, if you were to choose browns, you could work with a dark shade such as chocolate, as well as mocha and more neutral shades. When these are blended together correctly, the look is stunning and your eyes will be radiant.
To apply make up to the eyes follow these steps:
1. Apply a drop of primer to the eye and using your finger rub it all over the eyelid. This will give you a smooth area to work and it will keep the eyeshadow in place.
2. Choose your palette. It should include 3-4 shades of the color you have chosen: a light color, medium shades, and a dark shade.
3. At the base of the eyelid, using a flat brush, apply the darkest color from the palette. Brush it right along the eyelashes from the inside to the outer corner of the eye.
4. Use a soft brush for this step. Choose one of the medium shades in the palette and add some eyeshadow to the outer corner of the eye, moving upwards. Brush this shade all along the crease to define the eye.
5. Keep your soft brush for this last step but be sure to clean it first. Take the lightest color and apply it to the center of the eye. Blend these shades together and you have a great look.

To really make your blue eyes stand out, choose a brown eyeliner and mascara to complete the look.
Finding eyeshadow to compliment your blue eyes can seem difficult at first but it's worth investigating and finding the shades that accentuate your eyes.