Hello loves,

I thought it may be fun to write a post about 'What is in my handbag?'.  I really enjoy being nosey and finding out what other ladies may be hiding in their bags.

Often girls can be so resourceful on what they manage to fit into their bags, but my resourcefulness may not reach these levels. I'll leave it for you to judge.

So without further ado....

My handbag is just a small black faux-suede mini satchel bag from River Island. If you wanted to get your mitts on this little bag, just click here. These are also available in other colours, but I'm particularly liking the oxblood one and the leopard print hybrid. There is plenty of room for everything you need to carry, and the magnetic latches are very sturdy. The price is also not too bad!

And this is literally all the goodies that I tend to carry in my little bag. I've really been into carrying smaller bags, compared to my usual larger totes. I just think that my poor shoulders needed a good break! The time to downsize had come along and now I'm just embracing it.

  

I have my wallet in my bag from River Island also. I know that there is a bit of a trend here for River Island, however I just found it a really convenient size. It has a white flap and gold/grey clasp with the main body being a lime green. It is a really nice colour combination and was perfect to celebrate the start of summer. I've always used the River Island large purses, and they have enough space for cash, cards and coins. They are literally all I have been using. However, please watch this space on the blog for some 'lust-have' accessories, which should be coming up soon! 

Another essential is my gold iPhone (not pictured here) and my iPhone headphones. The headphones aren't very comfortable but I just suck it up as they fit so nicely in the little case. I also carry a small diary and a pen to keep up-to-date with appointments. I know I could use my phone in this wonderful digital age, but I'm a bit old school and still like to keep a diary on hand.

 

My sister-in-law also kindly bought me a Gucci hand-mirror which is beautiful. It is quite heavy but such a nice piece to carry with you and whip out to fix make-up. I also keep Kleenex blotting sheets with me, in case my T-zone gets oily. Previously I've also used the DHC ones (which I really like). 

I keep minimal make-up on me during the day, however lippy is a MUST. My latest lip muse is MAC's Snob, which is just the prettiest pink that is a hint off your own lip colour. It is not too garish or too bold and hits the right notes for a pretty look.

The other pieces that I have to carry with me is without a doubt my Soap and Glory Hand Maid anti-bacterial gel. This is scented quite heavily so if that is not your thing, steer clear! The scent is definitely not unpleasant and it really keeps those nasties at bay. I also carry Soap and Glory's Endless Glove hand cream, which is super nourishing on my mitts. I've had dry hands on quite a few occassions lately, and this whips my skin back into shape.

I have to always have a lipbalm on hand and my current favourite is the Burt's Bees Mango lipbalm. The butters in this baby is awesome and keeps my lips amazingly soft and kissable. I also keep a lipgloss on hand just in case I need some sheen on my lips and at the moment that is in the form of Urban Decay's Naked gloss in Sesso. This is a rose colour with pink shimmer in. It looks great if you want to give your look a boost or polish. And the final items I always keep on hand is the Yes to... cucumber wipes in travel size and some polo mints. They are fairly self explanatory. Wipes if something spills or my face needs a wipe and polo mints for minty fresh breathe. Not the biggest fan of gum anymore, so mints are great.

What do you keep in your bag?

MAC Lipstick - Ruby Woo

Good morning

Can you believe it is already Wednesday??   Time is flying by so fast, I now only have about 40 days left before I jet off to Florida!

I'm definitely very excited for my upcoming holiday, and it is something that I've looked forward to for over a year!  We booked it such a long time ago. 

However, less about that and more about my post.

A while ago, my husband jetted off to Germany before he went to Italy.  And well, I begged him to buy me a MAC Lipstick.  I've got a confession to make....

I had up to that point never owned a single MAC product!  I kid you not!  I'm very new to the brand and find the price tags hard to swallow at times.  But I'll be working on my collection bit by bit. 

As soon as my hubby returned home, he surprised me with two lipsticks! 

Today, I'll just be telling you about one:  MAC's Ruby Woo.  In my opinion this is the most beautiful true blue Red Lipstick that you can own!

I'll let these pictures do the talking.

Gorgeous red lipsticks and kisses...

Simple Tricks to Look Prettier on Video

 Do you Viddy? Vine? Chat with friends in a Google Hangout? FaceTime with your sister (or your sister's Yorkie Terrier)?

From YouTube to Skype, video is taking over the universe, and unless you want to be caught on film with bedhead hair and dark circles, you have to be "camera ready" all the time.

"A bad angle can make your jaw look wider, create a double chin, or give viewers an up-the-nose shot," says Samantha Chapman, YouTube makeup artist sensation and one half of the Pixiwoo sisters. (Their channel has more than 145 million views.) Not only is Chapman an expert on angles and lighting, obviously she knows a thing or two about makeup for video. She always looks amazing -- even before she does a how-to. The good news? She's spilling her secrets.

So, whether you need to look good for a Skype interview or you just don't want to scare your sister's Yorkie, try these seven tricks.

Set up Good Lighting

Ever wonder why romantic restaurants are candlelit? It's because everyone looks so much better in flattering light, and great dates are good for restaurants. (Hello, repeat customers!) Good lighting is just as important for Skype dates -- or any type of video, for that matter.

"Daylight works really well," says Chapman. "But make sure you are facing the light." So, set your computer up in front of a window -- you should be looking out. If you try to Skype with the window at your back, you'll look like a dark blob. Avoid overhead light because it creates dark shadows -- especially underneath your eyes -- and all the concealer in the world won't help fix that.

Find the Best Angle

Upward angles are not pretty. Period. End of story. Even a 6-foot, size zero model can look like she has a double chin from a bad angle. Chapman suggests positioning your computer or camera slightly above eye level and looking directly into it. Use a stack of books to prop it up, or place it on a higher table.

Wear Makeup -- But Not Too Much

The right makeup can look great on camera, but too much makeup -- even if it's good -- can look awful. "Avoid very dark or bright lipstick," warns Chapman. "Bold lips and overly smoky eyes will look heavily made-up and out of place." Stick with looks that are natural, yet defined. She also stresses the importance of blending; you don't want your blush to be streaky or your eyeliner to be too severe. She swears by the Real Techniques Travel Essentials Brushes, £20.99, to blend everything together.

Define Your Features

Unless you're doing hi-definition television, you don't need to go overboard on foundation and contouring. Instead, you want to define your brows, eyes, cheeks, and lips. "Your brows frame your eyes and face, so they're very important, but often overlooked," says Emmy Award-winning "Days of Our Lives" makeup artist Joleen Rizzo. She recommends brow powder for a look that's not too drawn-on.

Then, you'll want to apply a few coats of mascara. (Just make sure it isn't clumpy -- clumps can look heavy and be distracting on camera.) For my American Readers I recommend CoverGirl Lash Blast Clump Crusher Mascara, $6.99. For my UK readers I recommend Maybelline Rocket Volum' Express Mascara, £5.99.  On your cheeks, use a pop of color to "bring the skin to life," she says. Finally, don't forget your lips. "Stains are a great way to keep your look natural," she says.

Don't Forget to Blot

If your T-zone is shiny, it's going to be exaggerated on camera. "Being shiny or greasy is not a good look -- ever!" says Rizzo. Light reflects off the shiny spots and they look even more obvious. Rizzo suggests using MAC Blot Film, £10.50, before dusting on a sheer translucent powder. Or even create your own blotting sheets with tissue paper.

Style Your Hair

A great blowout will always look pretty on camera, but sometimes there just isn't time. If you're in a rush, Emmy Award-winning "Days of Our Lives" hairstylist Matthew Hollman suggests a messy bun or side braid with texture. "Volume is especially important on camera," he says. If you opt for the bun, Hollman suggests pulling the hair around your face to give it a little lift. If you go for the side braid, rub it between your hands to create frizz and texture. "It can elongate your profile and slim your neckline," he says.

Clean Up the Background

If your unmade bed is behind you, nobody's going to pay attention to how pretty you look. "Make sure your background area is tidy, uncluttered, and minimal," says Chapman. She shoots in front of a plain white backdrop, and it really lets the makeup be the star.















So hopefully the next time you appear on video, whether that means filming your next You Tube video or just appearing on camera to your mom, you'll look spectacular!

Stay sweet,

Things To Love In October

October has arrived ... along with a bunch of great new beauty products. From nail polish kits to entire cosmetic collections, the beauty world has a lot of great offerings this month, and they're all about making a statement. This month, you can turn your nails into a disco ball with a fun sequin manicure, paint your lips Marilyn Monroe red with one brand's newest venture, and perfect the cat eye without dealing with eyeliner. To see just what I'm talking about take a look inside.

Along with the regular batch of new products, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every year beauty brands create limited edition products, and donate money to breast cancer research in exchange for your purchase. But with so many out there, how do you know which products to buy? You just check out my top two picks inside.

And who can forget Halloween! To get in the spooky spirit, I've gathered a few products that you'll need to have this holiday, like spider nail stencils and "Monster Mash" nail polishes. It might be only one day out of the month, but something tells me you'll love these products year round.

Ciate's Sequin Manicure

Ciate takes the cake when it comes to inventive manicures. After all, they did create the caviar and the velvet mani. This month, Ciate is back with a brand new nail kit. It's the sequin manicure, £15, and I am in love. Available in three different versions -- Harlequin (multi-colored), Tutu (pink, red, and champagne) and Super Duper (black, silver, and gold) -- these sequins have just the right amount of sparkle, making them perfect for the upcoming holiday season. The only problem will be deciding which version to choose.

The Colossal Cat Eye

Creating an amazing cat eye isn't the easiest skill to master. Besides a great eyeliner, you need a steady hand (and lots of patience) to get that iconic look. Luckily, it just got easier with The Colossal Cat Eyes Volum' Express Mascara, £7.99, from Maybelline New York. With a claw brush and a collagen-infused formula, it coats and separates your lashes while extending them outward. This means that next time you can skip the eyeliner and apply a few coats of this new mascara to recreate that feline vibe.

Sultra's Temptress Power Dryer

When it comes to great hair tools, Sultra knows a thing or two. I'm already a huge fan of their curved flat irons and rod curling irons, especially the Bombshell Cone, £100. This month signals Sultra's latest release, the Temptress Power Dryer, £150.

Just what makes this hair dryer so special? It uses an advanced drying system that produces tons of infrared rays and negative ions -- great for drying your hair in lightning speed while defending it against heat damage at the same time. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Revlon Sweetly Sinister Nail Art Stencils

Nail art is about to get a lot easier. Revlon has just released a line of Nail Art Stencils, £4.50 each, with designs perfect for Halloween. This Sweetly Sinister collection features spiders, skulls, stars, and even funny little moustaches. All you have to do is stick one of the stencils onto your nail (bare or with dry enamel), then paint over it with polish. Once dry, simply peel off the stencil, leaving behind your own tiny masterpiece. Now you have to decide: Sinister or sweet?

Nars Andy Warhol Collection

We're used to seeing Nars Cosmetics in its signature matte black packaging, but that's all about to change. This month marks the release of the Pop Art line from the Nars Andy Warhol Collection, and the makeup (along with the packaging) is as vibrant as the pop artist himself.

The Pop Art line includes eyeshadows, lip glosses, and nail polishes in fun, playful colors. (I'm in love with the purple "New York Dolls" nail polish shade!) Plus, the makeup comes in Warhol-inspired packaging, like a soup can container covered in the famous "Interview" lips. In November Nars will release the second half of the collection, called The Factory, which features a more subdued palette than the Pop Art line -- even more to look forward to.

Stila Courage and Beauty Travel Palette

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Stila Cosmetics are showing their support with a new beauty palette. The Stila Courage and Beauty Travel Palette, £12, may look tiny, but it comes with a wide variety of products, including five matching eyeshadows, a lip and cheek tint, and a small mirror. And if you're unsure about how to use them, the product comes with a face chart to help you out. But the best part is that for each palette purchased, £1 of the proceeds will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Shopping never felt so good.

MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection

Andy Warhol isn't the only pop culture icon to get a makeup collection. This month, MAC is releasing its limited edition Marilyn Monroe Collection. The collection contains 30 pieces and features eyeshadows, nail polishes, lipsticks, eyeliners and much more, each packaged in famous Marilyn imagery. (Products range from £10 to £30.) With these products, you can get Marilyn's famous red pout or recall her Hollywood glam vibe with shimmery pale eyeshadows. And with names like "Preferred Blonde," "Deeply Adored," and "Charmed I'm Sure," you'll have just as much fun memorizing all the shades.

Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Sherbet

Missing summer's warm rays? This fall, reclaim your sun-kissed cheeks with Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Sherbet, £18.12. This peachy-hued powder will add a nice shimmery glow to your cheeks, and can double as an eyeshadow if needed. And this is another purchase you can feel good about: For each blush sold, £2.20 will go to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Orly Spellbound Collection

Spider nail art isn't the only way to show your Halloween spirit. Orly has created the Spellbound Collection, £8.50 per polish, just in time for the holiday. The four polishes include "Liquid Vinyl" (a rich black), "Monster Mash" (glittery green), "Right Amount of Evil" (glittery orange), and "R.I.P" (a glittery red and black mix). You can wear the glitter polish alone for a sheer effect, or layer over the black polish for a darker vibe. I don't know about you, but these hues have me extra excited for Halloween.











These are nine reasons to absolutely love October and embrace the colder weather.  Sure, it gets darker sooner at night, and sure we're having to start switching on the heating...but what a fabulous collection of new beauty products to tittelate our tastebuds!

Have an absolutely stunning day.

xoxo,
Angelique

My top picks for new autumn makeup

Generally, I take pride in my ability to not be sucked into buying makeup just because of a pretty package. After all, just because your mascara comes in a fancy gold tube doesn't mean it won't flake off by lunch time!

When I saw the new NARS Andy Warhol collection, however, all that went out the window. The line is filled with lip glosses in all shades of red and pink, jewel-toned nail polishes, and bold shadow pencils, but I especially have my heart set on the six gorgeous eyeshadow palettes. Printed with an image of the pop artist's face and one of his most famous series, Flowers, these shadows are sure to add a little extra creative inspiration to your makeup application! Besides, I already know I love NARS products, so there's barely any risk in buying based on beautiful packaging alone. Unfortunately there is no release date for the NARS Andy Warhol collection as yet (but sign up for further information), but we're all hoping it will be released just in time to change up your beauty routine for the winter! (The U.S have a set release date of 1 October).

Speaking of a new cool-weather look, one of the trends I'm dying to rock this autumn is deep purple lipstick! Rapper Azealia Banks' new M.A.C lipstick, "Yung Rapunxel", has just the right amount of reddish undertones to keep the color glam, not vampire-ish. You don't have to wait quite as long for this fab collab — it hits stores September 5!

What products are you looking forward to for autumn/winter 2012?

xoxo,

Angelique

What’s inside the fash-packs handbags?

There has been lots of buzz in the past few days about a new exhibition by German artist Hans-Peter Feldmann at the Serpentine gallery, Hyde Park, which reveals the contents of six women's handbags laid out in traditional museum vitrines. 

The result sees cases full of painkillers, mobile phones, business cards, crumpled receipts, sanitary products, make-up and various other items.

I thought it might be interesting to find post over the internet showing women in the fashion industry's handbags and the contents of said handbags.  To see exactly what 'essential' items they carry around with them every day.  Here is what I uncovered...

Holly Dudley, eCommerce content manager at L.K.Bennett

Handbag essentials:

L.K.Bennett pink Suki flats

'I'm a heels girl at heart, but sometimes when you're rushing between meetings having a pair of flats to throw on is a godsend!'

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche sheer moist mist

'Perfect when I need a little pick-me-up, this is my signature scent.'

Filofax

'My friends laugh at me for still using pen and paper, especially as I work in a digital industry, but I can't get by without my diary.'

Donna Ida, CEO

Handbag essentials:

Lipgloss

'I have lipgloss and lip balm everywhere, in my car, on my desk, in my bag.  I have tens of them and always top up.'

Nail files

'I like really short red nails so keep my nails filed down constantly.'

Business cards

'You never know who you might bump into, always be prepared - I have business cards in every single handbag, including evening bags.'

Nikki Gatenby, managing director of Propellernet

Handbag essentials:

CD's

'I love music, and although I always have my iPod with me, I keep a couple of CDs in bag too - I like to have something fun to listen to when I'm in the car.'

Vaseline Rose lip balm

'This is one of my beauty essentials and I don't leave the house without it.'

Two phones!

'I really need both of these phones - my Blackberry is ued purely for work and my iPhone in the one I catch up with friends and family on.'

Dearne Sutherland, digital marketing executive at Westfield London and fashion blogger

'I love having a sneaky peak at what other women carry around in their bags.  I guess it's the whole curiosity factor, and whenever I see a woman carrying an extremely large bag I always think 'what on earth do you have in there?!'

Handbag essentials:

Mulberry pouch To keep my bag tidy (for painkillers, hayfever tablets, and pens).

Chanel sunglasses

MAC lip gloss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And that concludes looking into other ladies in fashions' handbags!  I'm loving all the items they keep in there, and find that it is very similar to the contents of my own handbag!  It must mean I'm fairly normal then.

Hope you've enjoyed this rather different post.

Keep well,

The 6 Ways I Wear Metallic Eyeshadow

I'm a subdued black eyeliner kind of girl. It's classic, stylish, and easy to do. But once in a while, I crave a little drama. That's why I'm simply gaga over this year's dramatic metallic eyeshadow looks. They're like miniature works of art, from twinkling navy shadows inspired by Van Gogh's "Starry Night" to gold and silver leafing worthy of any museum statue.

Now, while these looks are simply too gorgeous to resist, you do run the risk of looking like an over-zealous 'tween who's gotten into mom's makeup. To prevent that, here are a few expert-mined rules of thumb that will keep your lids looking sexy, not silly:

• Keep your glitter and shimmer pared down and, in most cases, within the same color family.
• Since you're focusing attention on your eyes, keep the rest of your face sheer and simple, with a soft lip color and minimal blush or bronzer.
• To keep glittery shades or pigments in place, apply an eyeshadow primer or cream shadow first as a base. Then let it dry for several minutes.

If you're raring to unleash your inner drama queen, peruse my top six picks for the best use of metallic makeup on the runways, and learn the pro tips on how to work them into your daily routine.

Gilded glow

The chances of you snatching up gold leaf at your local art store and gluing it to your eyelids are probably slim (although I do love this real-world trial). So, to get a more wearable look, blend gold shadow on the inner corners of your eyes and up to your crease, or apply gold liner to your bottom lash rim.

Tip: Gold can work for all skin tones, but it tends to best complement warmer, darker skin.

Platinum finish

Silver-white shadow was all over the runway, from Chanel to Parabal Gurung. To get this unique look featured at 3.1 Phillip Lim, use a brush or wand applicator to draw a thick line of cream shadow above your natural crease, from your inner eye corners to just under the outside of your brow.

Tip: Don't blend the line too much; you want it to be obvious.

Glitter fest

It's easy to look like glitter exploded all over your face with this one, but simply keeping the glitter off your cheeks and brow bones can make this look more wearable for those fun nights out. To get it, trace your eyes all the way around with black liner and smudge outward . Then apply something like MAC Metal X Cream Shadow in Venetian Tarnish, up to your crease and just under your bottom lashline. Press gold eye glitter into the shadow and apply lots of mascara.

Starry nights

To get this flattering, night-sky-inspired smoky eye, trace your entire eye with a navy blue liner, then use a damp brush to apply a shimmery black-blue shadow from your inner eye corners all the way up to the edge of your brow bone. Blend well. Using a dry brush, lightly blend shimmery teal shadow over the darker shadow. Finish with black mascara.

Tip: When picking shadows, look for silver shimmer instead of gold.

Double cat-eye

Double the cat-eye; double the fun! To get the look, apply a light gray or silver eyeshadow all over your eyelid as a base. Line your top lashline with a gray long-wear eyeliner, flicking it up and out at the end for an extended cat-eye. Then, use the liner to contour your natural eye crease with two more small lines, one at the inner corner and one at the outer. Leave a gap between them for a more graphic effect.

Tip: Soften the lines with an angled liner brush.

Pink passion

P&G Global Creative Design Director and celebrity makeup artist Pat McGrath pulls off a vintage, "sepia-toned" look at John Galliano. To get a similar look at home, apply a metallic pink shadow across your top lashline, blending the color as you approach your brow. (If desired, apply a bit more on you lower lashline and smudge.) Finish with lots of mascara.

Most of all, enjoy this new funky trend!

Makeup Tutorial: How to apply false lashes

Do you ever find that no matter how much eye makeup you wear, it looks like you're going for the no-makeup makeup look in every photo? Do you want to step it up this season and go for a more dramatic look? Well, wearing false eyelashes will certainly make you stand out at any shindig and help you look like you actually have makeup on in photographs.

Having semi-traumatic, false-eyelash-application flash backs? Stay with me … OK, so you've had some bad experiences applying false eyelashes or bought a pair, but never had the patience or balls to try them out (join the club). Or perhaps you've had them done professionally by a makeup artist, but assumed that you could never recreate that fabulous false eyelash magic on your own.

Au contraire … all you need is this quick makeup tutorial and you'll quickly be rocking long, sexy lashes a la Kim Kardashian in no time. Heck, you might even be mistaken for one of the Dash sisters. Makeup mavens practically gave me a dissertation on how to apply false eyelashes and I boiled it down to CliffsNotes for you, which include steps, tips and product suggestions from the aforementioned pros.

Step 1: Gather your supplies

Luckily, you don't need much (and often you can get it all in one package), but consider this your false lash shopping list:

1. False eyelashes
(Obvious, I know, but I had to say it.)

2. Glue
Typically your lashes will come with glue, however, I recommend MAC Duo Adhesive, £10, because it dries clear and quickly.

3. Tweezers or an applicator tool
They make things easier if you're applying them to someone else or using individual lashes. Eylure Easi-Lash Precision Eyelash Applicator Tweezers, £5.95 is shaped like your eye and not sharp so there's less risk of stabbing yourself in                             the eye (sounds kinda essential to me).

                                                                4. Cotton buds or tissue to wipe up any watery eyes

Step 2: Prep

My advice: "Coffee before applying your lashes is not a good idea. No shaky fingers, please."

Aside from staying away from caffeine, you'll also want to take everything out of the packaging and lay it out where you can easily grab it while perched in front of the mirror. And make sure to gently remove the lashes from the package, you don't want to destroy the arch they have or bend the lashes.

Also, I suggest doing all your other eye makeup first and saving lashes for last. So apply eye shadow, curl your (real) lashes and apply mascara before reaching for the false lashes.

Step 3: Take a deep breath and ... apply

OK, this is the critical part, you know, actually putting the lashes on. But it's really not so bad, just follow these steps:

Strip lashes:
1. Before using the glue, apply the lashes to your lids to see how they fit. The strips should be the same length as your natural lash line. If they're not, trim a bit off the ends to get the right length.

2. Hold out your false lash strip and apply a thin line of glue at the base.

3. Wait a few seconds for the glue to get tacky; it will keep your lashes from sliding around on your lids.

4. Use your fingers or tweezers/applicator to press the lashes into the base of your lash line. Start at your outer corners and work your way in. Gently press down to keep the glue from bubbling up.

5. Give the glue about two minutes to dry, then curl your lashes (real and fake together) with your eyelash curler. This will get the strip even closer to the lash line and help mesh your real lashes with the fake ones for a more natural look. Plus, it reduces the tension on your eyelids and makes them feel more comfy.

6. If you have light lashes or if you want to make your real lashes mesh with the fakes better, then apply a very natural-looking mascara. Try Clinique Lash Power Mascara, £16.

 

Individual lashes

While applying individual lashes are more time consuming, because you apply each small clump one at a time, they can actually be easier to put on. With a full strip you have to get it pressed on perfectly without any "bubbling" -- not the case with individuals.

Here I share how to apply them:

1. Hold each individual lash with tweezers and dip the teeny tip into the glue.

2. Wait a couple seconds for the glue to get tacky, then press the clump on to your lash line, wiggling them in between your natural lashes. Repeat with as many clumps as you like.

Tip: Make sure you apply mascara before putting individual lashes in, it will give the glue more to grip onto.

A few pro tips

Now that you've got the basics, here are a few expert tips:

1. Look down in the mirror while you apply, it will keep the glue from getting on your eyelids.

2. Use a cotton bud or tissue to blot your eyes if they start watering. If you know your eyes will water a lot, try cutting the lashes into sections (if working with strip lashes) and apply them individually. There will be less tension on your eyelids, which will help with irritation and tears. Plus, if your tears cause the glue to slide, it's only one small section you need to fix instead of the whole strip.

3. Use glue that starts out white and dries clear instead of glue that dries dark. That way if you get any on your lid it won't show up and ruin your eyeshadow.

Avoid these false lash pitfalls

Of course, even if you follow our little step-by-step you still might run into some problems. Here are some tips for evading them:

1. Pay attention to symmetry. You want your lashes on each eye to start and end at the same point on your lash line. Remember that you can always trim lashes if they're too big for your eyes.

2. Don't let your lashes droop, or you'll have the Paris Hilton, lazy-eye action going on. Curling them will help.

3. If you plan on reusing your strip of lashes (individual ones usually can't be reused), then don't apply mascara to them. Just use a more dramatic pair so you don't need additional mascara on the false lashes. If your lashes are light, just apply mascara to your natural lashes first.

4. Do not sleep in your false lashes, it's bad for your eyes and real lashes. Instead, at the end of the night, use a silicone eye makeup remover and a cotton bud to gently remove them. Start at the outer corners and roll them toward the inner corners.

5. Don't wash your false lashes -- it will ruin them.

Choose the right lashes for you

So I may have saved the hardest part for last (baby steps and all that). Choosing the right lashes from the thousands out there can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Just follow these guidelines:

1. Let your eye makeup be your guide. If you're going for a smoky eye, then you need a dark, dramatic set of lashes, otherwise they won't show up. Basically, the darker the eye makeup, the darker your lashes should be.

2. If you want to open up your eyes or have wide-set eyes, look for lashes that are longer in the center.

3. If you have close-set eyes, look for lashes that are longer at the outer corners to make the distance look wider.

4. If you want a more natural look with just some lift, try a half-strip of lashes and apply them on the outer half of your eyes.

5. Look for lashes that vary in length for a more natural look. Lashes that are all one length and stick straight up will give you a mod '60s look -- which is fine if that's what you're going for, otherwise it can look dated and fake.

And that is the full guide on your false lash look.  So the best option really is to just enjoy the lashes and try different things.  Have a fantastic wednesday!