It's hard not to plan your Valentine's Day beauty look without reaching for all things pink and red.

The perfect element to a glamorous makeup look, winged eyeliner has always been a beautiful way to elongate and frame the eyes. Whether pairing with a classic red lip or creating a sultry dramatic eye (think Arabic-style eye makeup), this lovely liner isn't the easiest of styles to master.

Often times requiring lots of practice, winged eyeliner becomes easier with time. I've learned that it's all about hand placement, how you hold the brush or liner and the pressure of application. A heavy hand will result in a messy application -- an undesirable look that leads to that dreaded raccoon-eyed smudge. Read on for the different types of liners you can use to achieve this chic swoosh and food-proof tips for getting it right every time.


Pencil 
The classic eyeliner we all overused during our JHS/HS years, a pencil liner is like an old friend that won't let you down. Designed to give you control, yet soft enough to smudge into a smokey look, a pencil liner is forgiving during clean up. While layering will give you a darker shade, pencils will never provide that slick, super dark flick of liner you'd get with alternative products. (Remember to always sharpen the tip when creating a winged look).


Liquid
To some, a liquid liner is the easiest way to create a wing. Wet, quick and inky, these thin brushed liners allow you to get that sharp look with a simple flick of the wrist. However, while easy, liquid liners aren't the best for long wear as they tend to smear by end of day and breakdown in ultra hot weather. Be sure to have it on hand for reapplication and cosmetic cotton buds for quick cleanup.


Felt-tip
Personally, I find these type of liners the best for achieving this look. Unlike liquid liners, felt-tips provide more control and less chances to mess up as there isn't any drying time. The sharp tip not only allows for a clean wing, but provides swift application without much effort.


Gel/Clay (Potted)
You'll need a slanted or thin liner brush to use these liners. Best for extended wear and sometimes waterproof, gel and clay formulas allow you to paint on a wing with ultimate precision. The smooth texture helps glide on product along the lash line and pull a wing without dragging. With use, product can dry out and require more work to get it on. However, mixing in a drop of makeup remover will revive a dry pot of liner and bring it back to its smooth consistency. Though each product varies, an additional layer may be needed to increase the intensity of color.

Every year, I patiently wait out the bitter NYC winter for the beautiful sights of spring. From blocks lined with blossoming cherry blossom trees to city parks filled with blooming tulips, New York City just stuns in the spring. 

A beautiful set of lashes perfectly frame the eyes and serve as a luxurious finishing touch to any beauty look. While Elizabeth Taylor was gifted with a natural set of  luxe lashes, many of us fake the lush lash look with a pair of falsies. No longer reserved for dramatic evening looks, false eye lashes have become a normalcy among beauty enthusiasts. However, achieving longer, fuller and more voluminous lashes can be done using the proper mascara. I've rounded up the top 5 mascaras I have loved and used time and time again -- each delivering mega volume and full lashes.
Dare I say that this mascara is better than the suggested intimate activity? (haha!)
This mascara is absolutely amazing. While the name is somewhat controversial, its wand is the stuff of mascara wonders. The hourglass-shaped brush is covered in closely set bristles which pushes up and evenly coats each lash upon application. Offering major volume and thickness. this mascara can be worn by its self or layered over 'They're Real' for maximum effect.
$23, sephora.com

Sephora Outrageous Volume
While the quilted packaging makes this mascara a beautiful asset to your makeup bag, its lash power is what makes it a beauty staple. Its uniform plastic wand features thin compact bristles that evenly coat lashes with a single application. Its deep black and richly formulated texture makes this one of the darkest mascaras I've tired in quite sometime. Delicate enough for those with sensitive eyes, Outrageous delivers some serious volume and length.
$15, sephora.com

Layer options -- If you want added thickness, add a coat of YSL 'Shocking' over a single coat of Outrageous Volume. 

YSL Shocking
The name says it all -- this mascara holds quite the shock factor. Featuring a slightly elongated brush, this mascara really adds some drama to lashes. The ultra smooth, silky formula makes it easy to layer and gives lashes both length and thickness without looking clumpy and stiff.
$30, nordstrom.com

Givenchy Noir Couture
I saved the best for last. Much like their couture collections, Givenchy beauty continues to push the envelope. A long time fan of their Phenomen'Eyes mascara, I was over the moon when I tried Givenchy's Noir Couture mascara. All while curling and lifting, this extraordinary product features a unique triple sphere shaped wand that add intense volume to lashes. This mascara is a lash superstar as it tackles each area of fullness and improves the look and texture of lashes with extended use (lash booster expert complex). Noir Couture is my absolutely favorite product for full fluttery lashes.
$32, sephora.com 

I was invited by the amazing Dry Idea team for a morning of shopping at Alice and Olivia (Bryant Park) and testing of their newest stain fighting deodorant.

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