Fight the Frump- The eyes have it

Y'all know I'm a Southern gal. We southerners have strange traditions: moon pies, an affinity for wearing bright colors, and a strange love of all hair & beauty products. I lean toward the heavy handed in my love for beauty products, but I try to control myself!

I'm not quite in this cast yet...

I love putting on make-up. I heat up my trusty eyelash curler, and I am good to go!

This edition of fight the frump is all about the eyes -the good, the bad & the ugly!

Did you know husbands often report that their wives eyes are are their favorite and most beautiful part of their wives? And all this time I thought Mr. Smartypants was a breast man! (I see you shaking your head, Miss Thing. I'm a married woman, I can too say that! How'd you think I ended up with five kids? )

First let's explore the ugly-

Every spring we are inundated with "spring fashion forecasts". Be strong, Friends of Fussy, do not be tricked into buying new crap shades!

The smokey eye looks so sexy on the celebrities, I know, I know. Let's face the truth, it won't work in real life.

If you saw your friend, Betty Lou, with black liner all over her face, buying diapers and jumbo tube socks at Target -wouldn't you giggle?

I can achieve the same look at 5am when I was too lazy didn't remove my mascara the night before. It ain't pretty, friends! Hello, heroin chic, anyone?

Finally, colors -just say no to bright colors. The evil, sent by the devil himself, cosmetic marketers will tell us that a certain shade accentuates our eye color. Lies, lies and more lies! Cover your ears and run to your neutrals for cover!

Now, the Beautiful-

Here's a Fussy-approved tutorial on eye make-up

Eye Shadow Master Class

If you are like me riddled with ADD unable to follow written directions and prefer video, you'll like the tutorial!

Of course, Friends of Fussy, you are beautiful without any make up I'm sure.How do I know? I see you reading the blog everyday! ~waves~ Hi, I see you!

This is one of my all-time favorite YouTube videos. It is the evolution of beauty and photoshop from Dove. I promise you'll like it!

Be sure to link your post in the comments so we all can share our ideas! Have a wonderful day, Friends of Fussy!

Mwah, Mrs. F.

Comments

[Kiki]

Don't put eyeliner on the bottom. It always smudges! That's my tip.

Trust me on knowin' 'bout makeup.

What I need is anti-puffy advice. Ugh. Why'd my eylids have to get fat?

[Spiritual Reading]

eyes with a thoroughly smoothed, softly illuminated appearance. http://psychic.morewrite.com/2008/08/05/moon-through-sagittarius-or-the-ninth-house/

[Jo-Lynne at 5 Minutes for Books]

We're talking makeup, too.

Makeup creates nonsurgical facelift: http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/85/living-beauty/

[Deb on the Rocks]

I want a TEAM of people like that to swirl around me and transform me before I leave the house. That's all I need.

[List Mama]

Since moving to Maine 2 years ago, I've worn eye makeup exactly. . .Never! I must admit, after living in Oklahoma, it was liberating to move to Maine where women don't give a lot of thought to cosmetics.

Jen
http://www.ListPlanIt.com

[Christi]

I love you. You crack me up. And that is all!

[Kim H.]

Ooh, ooh, I want to move to Maine with Jen! :)

[Lisa@blessedwithgrace]

I used to think that all I could wear was frosted eye shadows (throw back from the '80s). Then I saw the light, a couple of years ago. Glad you keep reminding us to never go back.

Check out Grace's Style Tips Friday.
http://www.blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com

[Wonders Never Cease]

Fussy, thank you, thank you,thank you for that eyeshadow master class! Girl, would you believe that I never had learned how to properly put on my shadow until now?! I'm a southern girlie too, but somehow I missed the lesson.
And that Dove video was amazing. I'll never look at a billboard the same way!

And my dear, please stop by my place today if you get a chance. I'm in serious need of advice! Chocolate too, but mainly advice.

[Sarah]

How funny - love the rainbow eyes. I have just posted Pj's on parade for what to wear on vacation at a campground! Stop by & say hi! Oh yeah, there is a giveaway ending today too. Look back one link & comment for a chance to win a Pampered Chef ice cream scoop.

http://www.genesismoments.com/awritersjourney/2008/08/pajamas-on-parade.html

[CaraM]

Ahhh Fussy - great minds think alike. I posted about EYEBROWS today!
http://thehouseholdhelper.com/blog/306/fight-the-frump/

[Meghann]

I hate when people wear eye makeup that is too dark/too heavy. Or colored! (there are a few shades of brown-based green and purple that I have seen that are ok--but they are few and far between.)

My oldest girl is starting kindergarten on Monday, so my blog is all about properly accessorizing the student. http://our2bits.blogspot.com/2008/08/properly-accesorizing-you-kindergartner.html

[Michelle@Life with Three]

LOVE the tutorial -- because I, too, can never follow those written instructions!

If you've got fine or flat hair like me, check out my post for a product that will add a little volume:

http://www.chic-critique.com/2008/08/pump-up-the-v-1.html

[Lori]

Okay - that video just freaked me out. Now where can I get photoshop?! Oh, and my man is a hiney man. If I had boobs, he might be a boob man!

[Dawn]

The white liner was a new one to me..like the video as I think we can tend to get in a rut just "swiping" it on..great post!

[Darla - UltraBeautyBoutique]

What you don't like bright blue eyeshadow? I can't imagine why. ;)

Come join us in our weight loss group! http://ultrabeautyboutique.com/2008/08/08/fighting-the-frump-weight-loss-update/

[Steph]

My best advice is to ALWAYS remember, my friends, that makeup should look natural and highlight that beauty you were born with! In a pinch once I offered to do makeup for an aquaintence of mine I don't like very much (we were both in a mutual friend's wedding) She said, all snarky like, "oh, because you wear so much makeup!" That's right, darling, and the fact that you can't tell means I'm doing a good job! (smirk!)

When I find something I like, I stick with it, though I still compulsively try new things too. I love www.eyeslipsface.com for eyeshadows, though I'm not a big fan of their mascara. For $1 each plus shipping you can go wild, and if it doesn't look quite right, give it away to a friend!

Kiki, there is a ponds product I like that I can't think of the name of, it's in a small pink bottle and I will try and update later with the name, it's a good anti-puff gel for around the eyes!

[PaintedLadyRachel]

Ever since my second son was born 4 years ago, I have fallen in love with Bare Escentuals Mineral Makeup! If you want a natural look OR what I lovingly call "Southern Sorority Sister" with big hair, this stuff is awesome! The less time you spend putting it on, the better it looks! And it lasts FOREVER! It's waterproof too!

[mah-meee]

Wow, we must be on the same wavelength today. I just posted on mascaras!

Great post!

[water works]

I really enjoyed the tuturial on eye color application. Now I just have to figure out if I have protruding, recessed, wide-spaced, narrow, bulging, aaaack!

Lately, I find the less is more approach to be working for me...

[Anjie]

Can't wait to have time to watch the video....kids are in the bath right now.

Check out another exciting solution to one of a woman's emabrassing problems:

http://abehunin.blogspot.com/2008/08/fight-frump-friday_08.html

[Alli {Mrs. Fussypants}]

I think I am totally gonna try mineral makeup.

Jenny posted about it on Blissfully Domestic yesterday about it.

Yes, I have found some subtle purples that look good, too!

ps- all your ideas & posts- RAWK! ;)

[JackieW. transplanted Okie (Buried in Legos)]

http://tinyurl.com/58b86w

[What About Mom]

Still not getting Steel Magnolias. Guess I'll have to watch it again. Maybe it wasn't aimed at 11 yo's?

Mudpack: Exfoliation, and other benefits:

http://www.whataboutmomblog.com/2008/08/08/mudpack-exfoliation-and-other-benefits/

[Miss Britt]

Um, excuse me, Miss THANG?

Why is this oh so valuable post NOT in the beauty section of BD? Hmmmm?

We're looking for contributors, y'know. ;-)

[Colleen - Mommy Always Wins]

I'm so glad you are anti-frosty pastels. UGH!

This week, I got rid of frumpy Mom clothes:
http://mommyalwayswins.blogspot.com/2008/08/wowsers-ive-got-what-in-my-closet.html

[MaryAnn]

LOVE Steel Magnolias. I would be much better about getting my eyebrows waxed if I could sit next to Claree and have Miss Truvy do 'em. The higher the hair, the closer to God.

My #1 eyes trick, taught to me by the lovely woman who did my make-up for my wedding (and had I had that process captured on camera, it would greatly resemble the Dove video): apply concealer all over your eyelid before applying any other eye makeup. It gives shadow a good base and keeps it from creasing, and even if you skip shadow and just slap on some mascara, it brightens your eyes up (and I personally take all the help I can get!).

[Leanne]

OMG Steel Magnolias. I haven't seen that movie in years *spending a moment in nostalgialand*....Aaaaand, I'm back.

Never did get the point in the multicoloured eye makeup, surely nobody's that indecisive.

Anyhoo. I'm going with Killer Heels. Cause I want some. All charitable donations will be gratefully received by the way.

http://seethewoodsandthetrees.blogspot.com/2008/08/fight-frump-killer-heels.html

[Sam]

Love, love, love the Dove clip!! And love the eyeshadow tutorial even more!! Thanks goodness for people like you who hunt down good stuff on the interwebs!! Thank you!

[Mrs.D]

my solution to eyeliner is very little on top, only towards the outsides of my eyes, and also on the INSIDE of my lower lashline. It looks dramatic enough to look "made up" but there's no smudging, no expert only application, just line your lower eyelid. And no smudgy, smokey smears, etc.

[Cmommy]

Wow--the Dove clip is an eye-opener! I was impressed by the tweaking and curling of her hair and then, they started with the Photoshop stuff! Hhhmmmm....how can I get my husband to watch this clip? He is in need of a reality check in regards to the chin of his 44 yr-old wife. :-)

Help! My face is falling and it won't tighten up!

[the farmers wife]

Oh my it must be a Steel Magnolias kinda of day. That is at least the fourth reference to that movie today. LOL!

[Marcy Writes - The Glamorous Life]

I work in photoshop everyday for my biz. And you know how things stick with you? I swear when I am getting ready my brain will switch just for a split second and I think..I need the 'blur' tool here or I need to sharpen over here. If only, if only...it was that easy!

[Delilah]

LOVE the Dove clip! Super true, it's all an illusion, ... be happy, work with what you have. Three sheets into the wine (I mean, wind, ...what am I trying to type here?)

Hubby in Canada - loving the wine tonight!!! Will sleep WELL!

Alli - get back 2 me on the jewelry!

[Paula Brett]

Wow! I've got photoshop but didn't know it could do all that. I'm off to tart up my pics, lol!

[rachel]

You're so cute.
Steel Magnolias is one of my favorite movies and I remember when it first came out and they were the epitome of Southern Womanhood.
This was cute. I'm glad you're spreading the word in such a fun and clever way.

[Peapodsquadmom]

I love the What Not To Wear tip for eyes (go Carmindy). I use a tiny bit of shimmery shadow on the inner corner of my eyes and right below and above the far edges of my brows...adds some brightness. Then I shadow and contour with 2 shades of a neutral (though I enjoy a good purple sometimes) and use a wet liner brush with the darker shade for liner. It's quick, easy and no fail.

[-dj]

Wait...the stripes are no good? Dang, that would look good at school pick up. No? K.

[Mary]

Fabulous post! So many people don't know about different application techniques for different eye shapes. I enjoyed it.

[threeundertwo]

Wow. I am emailing that Dove video to my 12 year old daughter. That is really powerful.

[Cheryl]

Oh Fussy, you are killing me over here! HAHAHA.

And btw, there is always the don't wear ANY makeup option. I know, I know, that's probably too horrifying for a Southern Gal. But just consider the possibility. :-)

Nekkid Faced CA Girl,
@Jasperblu

[brittany]

Wow, that video is insane!

Is it bad I wish it didn't go so fast so I could figure out how to photoshop my wedding pictures:)

[Marie @ Make and Takes]

Love that!! Dove is the greatest.

[flickrlovr]

I love that Dove video..always have!

[Michelle]

i love your website! i think it is so helpful and perfect for any woman!

[Jess]

The video on 'the distortion of beauty' is true most people want to look and live like the people on them boards, me on the other hand i dont, i used to but someone helped me. your site is very usefull to all women.

[Shannon]

What is wrong with BRIGHT eye shadows?

Cant people be different?