British lifestyle ‘third most expensive’ in world

Lifestyle is ‘third most expensive’

The British lifestyle is the ‘third most expensive’ in the world, according to research published today.

The study by the bank HSBC found that money in every other country in the world, apart from Norway and France, would go further.

It examined how long the typical British salary would last if people maintained their standard of living, including eating out in a restaurant twice a week.

It found that the average British salary would run out after 11 months and one week in Norway, while in France it would run out after 11 months and two weeks.

But, at the other end of the scale, a year’s British salary would last four years in Iran, two years and ten months in India and more than two years in Peru, Egypt, Argentina and Costa Rica.

It would last 14 months in Germany, Australia and Ireland and 15 months in the United States.

‘Britons who live abroad, especially those who do so for only a few months each year, and often not willing to compromise on their standard of living,’ said Enrique Roche, the head of HSBC’s Premier service in the UK.

‘This research gives great insight into those countries that will allow your cash to stretch the further and in turn, those countries that may shrink it.’

Do you want to speak 'British' English? Ten words you need to know!

I’m sure you know there are many types of English. Each English speaking country has its own unique vocabulary, grammar structure and pronunciation.

Today we take a look at ten words which are used in natural British English, but are not really used in American English. All of these words are very common and are used in casual spoken-English. 

Bloke

(noun) synonym: man.

We use bloke to describe a man whose name is either not known or not important. It implies that the man is ordinary:

‘I heard a bloke on the train say that tomorrow's trains will be delayed.’

Fag

(noun) synonym: cigarette.

In British English a cigarette is known as a fag, but in American English fag is a slang word for a 'homosexual'! So be careful where you use it!

‘Tom went outside for a fag. I think he smokes too much!’

Fancy

(verb) to want to do or have something/ to be sexually attracted to someone.

To want to do something: ‘Do you fancy going to the cinema on Friday?’

To be sexually attracted to someone: ‘I fancy the new guy in my office. I think he’s hot!’

Hoover

(verb/noun) synonym: to vacuum/vacuum cleaner.

Hoover is a company that makes vacuum cleaners. The company is so well known that the brand name is often used instead of vacuum cleaner.

‘I need to buy a new hoover. Mine is broken.’

‘The carpet is dirty. When was the last time you hoovered?’

Mate

(noun) synonym: friend

Widely used in British and Australian English. It simply means ‘friend’:

‘We’ve been mates since we met in high school.’

Pint

(noun) synonym: beer

A pint is 568ml using the Imperial system. In British bars and pubs pints of beer (or half-pints) are served. We use  pint to mean a beer in a pub.

‘Do you want to go for a pint after work?’

Quid

(noun) synonym: pound (£).

Just as Americans use the slang word 'buck' for a dollar ($), British people use quid to mean a British pound (£).

 ‘Forty quid for a ticket to the game? That’s too much!’

 Reckon

(verb) synonym: to think, to suppose.

Reckon is very widely used in British English. It has the same meaning as ‘to think’. 

‘I reckon it will rain tomorrow.’

Rubbish

(noun/verb) synonym: Noun= garbage, trash,waste/ low quality,untrue. Verb= criticise

Rubbish can be used in a few ways. It can be used to describe garbage/trash:

‘Throw the empty coke can into the rubbish.’

‘After the festival was over the field was covered with people’s rubbish.’

It can be used to describe something you think is not good:

‘I don’t like Green Day. I think their music is rubbish.’

It can be used to say that something is not true or a lie.

‘Did you read that article in the newspaper? What a load of rubbish! I don’t believe it.’

It can be used as a verb meaning ‘to criticise’:

‘I don’t want to rubbish your plan, but I don’t think it will work.’

Wicked

(adjective) synonym: cool, great, excellent.

A young persons word meaning 'great' or 'cool'. Wicked also has the formal (old-fashioned) meaning of 'bad' or 'evil'. These days it has a positive meaning. Remember, it’s very casual and mostly used by young people:

 ‘Look at that jacket. It’s wicked! I’m going to buy it.’

United Kingdom - Did you know that?

 The English people drink more tea (per capita) than anywhere else in the world.
• Although England is 59 times smaller than Australia, it is 2.5 times more populous.
• The hottest it has ever been recorded to be in England is 38.5 degrees Celsius. That was in Brogdale (Kent) in August 2003, when the country’s worst heat wave hit.
• England has the highest obesity rate in all of Europe.
• French was England’s official language from 1066 to 1362.
• When discussing class in England, it is not one’s money that counts, but one’s family, educations, and so on.
• The police do not carry guns in England unless there is some sort of emergency.
• At one time, Oxford University banned its students from bringing their bows and arrows to class.
• The first modern Olympic Games were held in Much Wenlock, Shropshire, in 1850.
• Windsor Castle is the oldest and biggest royal residence that is still in use.
• The oldest zoo in the world opened in London in 1828.
• From 1800 to 1830, West Cornwall produced up to two-thirds of the entire world’s copper.
• London is the biggest financial centre in the world.

Ceremonial soldiers marching past sentry and hut outside Buckingham Palace,
London, England

• During medieval times, animals could be tried and convicted in court. The fines were payable by the animal’s owner.
• Hot chocolate originated in England by a Frenchman. The first store to sell it opened in about 1600.
• Big Ben is not the name of the clock tower next to the Houses of Parliament but of the bell inside it.
• In medieval times, breakfast was usually enjoyed with a beer.
• Queen Victoria had a fetish for Valentine’s Day cards and sent out well over 2000 cards during her reign.
• England’s first telephone directory, published in 1880, had only 25 names in it.
• The National Health Service is one of the largest employers in the world.
• More than 12 000 English people are injured every year while trying to don their pantyhose or socks.
• England is the largest country in the United Kingdom (which also includes Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and over 80% of the UK population lives in this country.
• England is only 35 kilometres from France.
• England is famous for its English breakfasts, which comprise scrambled eggs, black pudding, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, hash browns and tomato. 

 More than 300 different languages are spoken in England.
• England has the second-largest economy in all of Europe.
• The people in England eat double the amount of baked beans than those in America.
• William the Conqueror, who arrived in 1066 CE (Common Era), decreed that every English resident should be in bed by 20h00.
• About 80 000 umbrellas are left on the underground tubes, unclaimed, every year.
• This is the only country that has not printed its name onto its postage stamps.
• Only six people died in the Great Fire of London.
• There are more than 30 000 people called John Smith in England.
• A flock of small birds landed on the minute hand of the clock of Big Ben, and set it back by five full minutes.

Traditional Holidays in England

England has various bank holidays, public holidays, traditional holidays and national events scattered across its calendar. Some date back hundreds of years, while others are more recent. Some are fun and festive, encouraging the locals to dress up and join in the festivities, while yet others are more sombre. These include (where the following dates are mentioned, they apply to 2011):

JANUARY
1 January - New Year’s Day
1 January - The New Year's Day Parade London (over 10 000 performers travel around London offering impressive dancing, acrobatics, cheerleading and musical acts)
5 January - Twelfth Night (Christian)
6 January - Epiphany (Christian)
12 January - Plough Monday (the start of the new farming year)
15 – 17 January - Straw Bear Festival at Whittlesey

FEBRUARY
2 February - Candlemas Day (Christian)
3 February - Chinese New Year
14 February - St Valentine's Day (a Christian festival associated with love and romance)

MARCH
Pancake Day (a Christian carnival on the eve of Ash Wednesday to start Lent, which is a time of fasting and devotions)
5 March – St Piran’s Day Cornwall
8 March - The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race
9 March - Ash Wednesday (the start of lent)
14 March - Commonwealth Day

APRIL
1 April – April Fool’s Day (traditionally the day of practical jokes and trickery)
3 April – Mothers’ Day
3 April - Simnel Sunday
17 April - Palm Sunday (Christian)
21 April - Maundy Thursday (Christian)
21 April – The Queen’s birthday
22 April - Good Friday (Christian)
23 April – St George’s Day (a church festival)
24 April - Easter Sunday (Christian)
25 April - Easter Monday (Christian)
25 April - Hop Monday
30 April – 2 May – Rochester Sweeps Festival

MAY
1 May - May Day
2 May - Early May Bank Holiday
30 April - 2 May - Rochester Sweeps Festival
24 May – Empire Day
29 May – Oak Apple Day (the birthday of Charles II)
30 May – Spring Bank Holiday
30 May – Cheese Rolling (in Gloucestershire)

JUNE
2 June - Ascension Day (Christian)
2 June – Coronation Day: Gun Salute
12 June – Pentecost / Whitsuntide (Christian)
19 June – Fathers’ Day

JULY
5 July - Tynwald Day (the national holiday of the Isle of Man)
15 July - St. Swithun's Day
TBC - Swan Upping (a census of swans on the River Thames)

AUGUST
1 August - Lammas Day
1 August - Yorkshire Day
26 – 28 August - Reading Festival
27 – 29 August - The Glenn Miller Festival (the largest jazz, swing and Jive festival in the United Kingdom)
28 – 29 August - Notting Hill Carnival
29 August - Late Summer Bank Holiday

SEPTEMBER
4 September – 8 November - Blackpool Illuminations
5 September - The Great River Race, London
TBC - Heritage Open Days (free entry to several National Trust properties)

OCTOBER
11 October - Apple Day
11 October - Trafalgar Day
17 October - Punky Night (children sing through the streets and at residential doors)
31 October - Halloween

NOVEMBER
1 November - All Saints Day (Christian)
1 November - London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
2 November - All Souls Day (Christian)
5 November - Guy Fawkes
5 November - Lewes Bonfire Night
11 November – Armistice Day
13 November - Remembrance Sunday
14 November - The Prince of Wales' birthday
20 November - Stir-up Sunday (last Sunday of the Christian Church Year)
27 November - Advent Sunday (Christian)

DECEMBER
TBC - Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
24 December - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
24 December - Christmas Eve
25 December - Christmas Day (Christian)
26 December - Boxing Day
26 December - St Stephen's Day
31 December - New Year’s Eve

England - Sayings And Expressions

There are a number of sayings and expressions that come from England, some a little more risqué than others. The following are only a few of these:

Bloody Nora – usually said in exasperation (e.g. “Bloody Nora, I can’t seem to figure this timetable out!”)
The Bees Knees – just fabulous. 
What Are You Like? – said to someone that is being silly or funny. 
Tongue in Cheek Humour - referring to a wry, subtle or teasing humour that may not be obviously humorous at first. 
Voddy – Vodka.
Cheesed Off – very annoyed or bored. 
Spiffing – great, wonderful. 
Cor – an exclamation of surprise or wonder. 
Dodgy - not trustworthy. 
Chuffed to bits – very pleased. 
Bob's your uncle – said in place of “and there you have it!” or “you have it made”.
Big girl's blouse – a weakling or weak person (in terms of character).
Burning the candle at both ends – working too hard with no rest. 
Your eyes are bigger than your stomach – you took more food than you were able to eat. 
Tie the knot – to get married.
Talk the hind legs off a donkey – referring to an extremely talkative person. 
Do you want a brew? – would you like a cup of tea?
As queer as a nine bob note – strange or odd.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth – do not question it when you experience good fortune, just accept it. 
A cat may look at a king – although ‘inferior’, a person is not restricted in what he can do in the presence of someone superior to him. 

Many famous sayings come from the writings of acclaimed English author, poet and playwright, William Shakespeare. Just some of these include:

A dish fit for the gods - a delicious meal.
A fool's paradise – happiness that is based on an unrealistic or false hope.
A foregone conclusion – a decision that was made before all the evidence was considered.
A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse – used when someone is looking for something that is relatively unimportant. 
All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players – referring to the perceived futility of life and smallness of mankind. 
All's well that ends well – as long as a situation ended well, it can all be considered to be alright. 
As pure as the driven snow – pure and clean. 
At one fell swoop – something that happens suddenly and in one, swift action. 
Fight fire with fire – fight with the same intensity or tools that your opponent is using. 
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears – usually said in jest when trying to get the attention of an audience. 

I will wear my heart upon my sleeve – to be very honest and open with one’s emotions. 
Love is blind – when in love, one does not see the imperfections of another as others may. 
Make your hair stand on end – something that makes you feel fearful, awkward or eerie.
Much ado about nothing – making a fuss over a relatively small or unimportant situation. 
Mum's the word – keep quiet, particularly about a certain secret or piece of information. 
There's method in my madness – although my methods seem nonsensical, I have a plan.
Too much of a good thing – there is such as thing as too much of something, even if it is very enjoyable. 
Wild goose chase – an unsuccessful search in the wrong places. 
Woe is me – expressing pity for one’s self.

English Cuisine

The traditional food of England has long been recognised for its simplicity of ingredients and flavour. However, England has a complex history and has featured as a major global player. This has meant that people from all over the world have settled in this country, bringing with them flavours and techniques. Over time, these foreign influences have permeated the English cuisine, creating a more multifaceted food culture than ever before.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, English Protestants formed a group called the Puritans. These ones were averse to strong flavours and bold ingredients (such as garlic, for example) as these had Catholic Continental political references. This led to a distinct simplification of English cuisine. As the Puritans moved between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, they took their conservative ideas with them.

Then, after World War II, England saw the influx of other cultures and nationalities. As North Americans, Indians and Chinese immigrants flooded across the border, they introduced the locals to garlic, chilli, exotic sauces, and much more. Today, Thai, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and French influences have also been incorporated into the English menus.

Traditionally, English food uses lamb, beef, pork, chicken and fish as its feature item. The meat is then accompanied by potatoes (in various forms) and one vegetable. Because all of these products are sourced within the country, they are of the best quality. Fruit and vegetables are amply available and of superior condition.

The following dishes are considered to be traditional in England:

Steak and kidney pie with peas and carrots

• Roast beef
• Yorkshire Pudding (a dense batter that it baked and served with roast beef and gravy)
• Toad-in-the-Hole (sausage in the same batter used to make Yorkshire puddings, served with onion gravy)
• Fish and chips
• Ploughman's Lunch (a pub lunch that is made up of cheese, gherkins and pickled onions and served with chunks of fresh bread)
• Cottage Pie & Shepherd's Pie (mince and mash pies)
• Gammon steak with egg
• Lancashire Hotpot (a meat casserole topped with slices of potato before being baked)
• Bubble and Squeak (the vegetables that have been left over from a roast are mixed with mashed potato and shallow friend until both sides are brown. This is usually served with cold meat)
• English Breakfast (a full English Breakfast comprises bacon, eggs, tomatoes (fried or grilled), fried mushrooms, sausages and toast. This is traditionally served with tea, which is often replaced by coffee nowadays)
• Bangers and Mash (sausages and mashed potato, served with gravy. This dish was the staple meal of the working class for many decades, but has become a traditional favourite)
• Black Pudding (a sausage made of blood and a filler – fat, suet, potatoes, bread, etc... - that becomes congealed when cool)
• Spotted Dick (a steamed pudding with suet and dried fruit, served with custard or a home-made syrup)
• Trifle (layers of sponge cake, jelly, cream, jam and custard. Sometimes, alcohol and tinned fruit is added)
• Apple Crumble
• Semolina pudding (a creamy dessert made with eggs, milk and sugar, served with raisins and jam)
• Roly-poly (pastry dough smeared with jam or fruit, rolled into a wheel and baked)
• Sunday Roast (comprising roast beef, roast potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire Pudding)
• Pies and pasties

Although English cuisine has had the reputation of being bland and predictable for many years, it is gaining international esteem as chefs develop these traditional dishes and flavours. “Fish ‘n chips” is no longer limited by its title, but can be made using a variety of game fish and other seafood, for example. This has meant a complete turnaround in the global perception of the food of this age-old country.

How To Shape Your Eyebrows

Few things make you appear more groomed than well-plucked eyebrows . Many women have their eyebrows tweezed or threaded professionally and the trend is so hot, eyebrow boutiques are popping up in big cities across the country. I recommend you have a professional do your eyebrows first to set a 'blueprint', then all you have to do is pluck where the hairs grow in. (A pro waxing should set you back about $20 depending on where you live). Here's some tips on how to tweeze your own eyebrows.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 10 minutes

Here's How:

1. Cleanse your skin with a washcloth which naturally exfoliates the skin. If you want to go all out, use a facial scrub (see my list of the best facial scrubs). Worried about pain? You can actually apply Anbesol, Orajel or any teething gel for babies.
2. Brush brows up and out with a clean toothbrush. I usually use my fingers.
3. Situate yourself near a window with light pouring in or under a bright light with a good mirror (magnifying mirrors are best, but be sure and flip it over to see your overall effect in the regular mirror).
4. Make sure you have a good pair of tweezers with a slanted edge (my favorite, hands down, are Tweezerman slanted tweezers (buy Tweezerman online). They last forever because the company will sharpen them for free.
5. Tweeze hairs in the direction they grow. Don't grab too many hairs at a time. You can hold skin taut as you pluck.
6. You can start anywhere, but I usually tweeze the area under my arch first, then I move above the brow and I clean up in between my brows last. It's a myth that brows should never be tweezed from above. You want both the bottoms and tops to be smooth. So be careful, but tweeze the top AND the bottom.
7. The best brows have a slight arch. To find yours, take a long eyeshadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the outside edge of the colored part of your eye (the iris). Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of your brow should be. Tweeze the hairs underneath the arch.
8. The space between your brows should be equal to, or a little wider than, your eyes. To find where your brow should go, take the brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of your nose. Where the brush meets your brow is where your brow should begin. Tweeze the strays in between.
9. Stop every few hairs to step back and look at the job you're doing. If you overpluck, you're stuck. Unlike most hairs on your body, your brows won't always grow back once they're yanked.
10. Once you're done plucking, you can apply aloe vera gel, which will calm the redness right away.

Tips:

1. To ensure your tweezers maintain their firm grip, regularly wipe the tips with alcohol to remove any oily build up. Also, keep in mind that Tweezerman will sharpen your tweezers for free when they dull. (I always lose mine before they become dull).
2. If your brows are sparse or spotty, you can fill them in by pressing a brown shadow into your brow. Chanel makes the ultimate brow shadow (buy it online). It's expensive, but worth the price. Plucked too much? Ji Baek, owner of Rescue Beauty Lounge in Manhattan suggests in Elle Magazine that you stimulate hair growth by massaging brows with a toothbrush.
3. If you use a pencil to fill in sparse brows, apply with short, feathered strokes from the inside of the brow out. Then carefully rub brows with a brush or your fingertips to soften the effect.
4. Brow gel helps keep your brows in place all day. Or if you don't have gel, apply a dab of hairspray to your finger and use it to keep unruly hairs in place.
5. I've saved the best tip for last. The ideal time for brow-shaping is the week after your period begins. It the time in your cycle when your body is least sensitive to hair removal.

What You Need

• A great pair of tweezers. My recommended choice: Tweezerman
• A mirror, preferably magnifying
• Anbesol or children's teething gel if you're afraid of pain

Eye Pencil: 10 Tricks I Swear By

Ahhhh, the classic pencil eyeliner, easier to use than a liquid liner but not quite as long-lasting. As a teenager, I used to heat up my cheapie drugstore liners on glaring lightbulbs before applying to my eyes, but there are better ways to do this now, so I've learned. Enjoy these eye pencil tips and tricks. I wish I knew them back when I was a teenager.

1. Dash, Dash, Dash

Renowned makeup artist Laura Mercier tells Allure Magazine one of the best beauty tricks she's learned is to create a perfect line on the upper and lower lashes by first creating dashes. Here's how to do it:

• Pull the skin taut at its outer corner.
• Apply a series of dashes with the eyeliner starting from the inner corner out (it's up to you which you prefer).
• At the halfway point of the line, angle your pencil so you're now drawing with the side of it. This will create a thicker line.
• Connect the dashes.

2. Set Your Line With Eyeshadow

Penciled lines tend to melt away by the end of the day. Set your line with eyeshadow. I like to dip an eyeshadow brush into a dark shadow and trace over my penciled line.

3. Use a Brown Pencil -- Not Black -- If You Have Fair Skin & Hair

Black eye pencil is simply too harsh on women with fair skin and hair. Instead, use a brown pencil.

If you have dark hair, you can try makeup artist Mally Roncal's trick: line your upper lash line with black eyeliner and your lower line with brown.

4. Smudge

To get a casual, smudgie "I slept in my makeup last night" look that everyone's after at the moment. apply a pencil line only to the bottom lashes and then smudge it with your finger.

5. The Easy Smoky Eye

The easy smoky eye requires a kohl pencil -- the fatter the better. First, warm up the kohl pencil by rubbing it on the back of your hand. Then apply the pencil by dotting it along the upper and then the lower lashes. Take a Q-tip and dab it into a moisturizer or eye cream and smudge your line of kohl dots with it. Follow with a sweep of dark shadow (browns, deep purples, blues) to the lid.

6. 3 Ingenius Ways to Warm Up a Waxy Eye Pencil

There's nothing worse on your lids than an eye pencil that won't go on smoothly because it's too cold or waxy. I know of 3 ingenious ways to warm up a cold or waxy eye pencil:

1. Rub the tip on your hand until it softens.
2. Roll the point between the tips of your fingers.
3. Heat up the end quickly by holding into a flame for a very quick second. Then let it cool for another couple seconds before applying to lid.

Anything labeled "creamy" or "kohl" will go on softer. Keep this in mind next time you buy an eye pencil.

7. How to Make Eyes Appear Larger

"If you completely cover both the top and bottom lash lines with liner, you're going to close the eye, making it look smaller. To make it look larger, you only want to apply it both halfway on top and bottom."

8. Try Colored Pencils

In deep shades like forest green, navy, and plum, "they give a playful look,

9. How to Line the Inside Rim of Eyes

Lining the inside of the eyes can be super sexy, especially for evening. To do it correctly, use a waterproof pencil and make sure to sharpen it to a point. This will remove any germs that might have been on the pencil. Pull upper lid up and line the inside rim first from the inside corner of the eye out. Follow with the bottom lid.

Note: If you have small eyes, avoid lining with dark pencils, which will make eyes look even smaller. Instead, use a beige pencil to line the inside rim of the eyes. This will make eyes pop. Avoid a white pencil, which doesn't look natural on anyone.

10. Q Tips to the Rescue!

Whenever I mess up my penciled line, I take a Q Tip and put it in a bit of eye cream or moisturizer and dot it over the messy spot. I find it works better than my beloved Clinique eye makeup remover which tends to bleed, messing up the rest of my makeup.

The Trick to Making Your Eyes Look Bigger

Ever look at those pictures of celebrities before makeup and after? My favorite celebrity is Gwyneth Paltrow and I was thrilled one day to see her without makeup. Her eyes just disappeared. Yet in photos, she has luminous eyes. So what's the secret?

There are actually several. To get huge eyes try these tricks:

Curl Eyelashes

If you don't have naturally long, perfect eyelashes,curling them before applying mascara will really open up your eyes. You can actually curl lashes AFTER mascara is applied, as long as your mascara is dried (a good tip to know if you want to curl your lashes later in the day without removing your mascara). I usually blast the eyelash curler for 3 seconds with a hair dryer for extra staying power. Just test the metal to ensure it's not too hot before you clamp down on your upper lash.

What to Do With the Bottom Lashes?

Many makeup experts avoid mascara on the lower lashes because they believe it actually closes up the eyes. This is true for some women, but for others, mascara and eyeliner on the lower lashes can make a dramatic difference. Try it out for yourself and see if you like it.

To apply mascara on lower lashes, hold the brush vertically, then sweep it back and forth. If you wear eyeliner on the lower lashes, try a pencil eyeliner, which tends to be softer. Then smudge the line with your finger so it looks more natural than a straight line.

Don't Be Afraid of False Eyelashes

Individual false lashes are exotic, gorgeous and can look natural if applied correctly. Large cities offer "lash bars" in the hottest department stores. (Henri Bendel, Bergdorfs and more, for example) but I expect the counters at most department stores will have experts in false lashes. Ask at yours.

Don't want to go to department store? Drugstores carry false eyelashes. If they're too long, you can trim them with scissors.

Why White Shadow is the Makeup Artist's Secret

When I go out for the evening, I always put a bit of light eyeshadow right at the inside ridge of my eye, where the upper lid meets the bottom lid, near the tear duct. It's amazing how that bit of white brightens my eyes and makes them look whiter. This is a old beauty secret of makeup artists and if you look closely at photos of celebrities on red carpets you can see that tell-tale light shade in the inside corner of their eyes.

For a doe-eyed, seductive look, makeup artist Paul Starr suggests in Harper's Bazaar that you try lining your lower lids with a creamy beige eye pencil..

Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat: Another Makeup Artist Secret

A few years ago when everyone was going ga-ga for Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat calling it the "best concealer ever," I bought it thinking I'd use it to conceal any spots on my face.

I hated it. It hardly concealed anything and I couldn't see what the big deal was. I went back to the store to return it when the women at the counter told me it's actually supposed to be used as a highlighter, not a concealer. She did me up and I was blown away by how awake I looked. It's now a beauty staple in my arsenal and I use it every time I go out.

To use: Dot along the browbone just below the brow and blend in. You can also dot along the bottom of eye and even above the browbone. One trick with Touche Eclat is to fill in the shadows that naturally occur when you tuck your chin and look into the mirror. Tuck your chin, look into the mirror and swipe a line of Touch Eclat where the shadows lie. Blend the lines with a tip of the finger.

Keep Your Brows Manicured

You'd be amazed at how manicured brows can transform your face. I've seen it happen with so many women. They think their brows are fine even though they never get them tweezed or waxed. Perhaps they're afraid of over-tweezing or they are unsure of what shape is right for their eyes. They don't realize how much better they could look until I convince them to get their brows done. Wow. It's perhaps my single most important advice to you: Get thee to a professional for waxing, tweezing or threading and then keep it up with touch-ups with your own tweezers by following the "map" they create.

Keep Eyeshadow in Place for Hours

I hate the way eyeshadow wears out by the end of the day, all of it sliding into the crease of the eye leaving you looking like you've taken to lining the middle of your lid with goop. Luckily, there are a few tricks I've picked up over the years to help you keep that from happening ever again.

The Amazing Wonderful Eyeshadow Primer

Primers are one of those ingenious beauty products that I swear by. I like to think of them in the same way you would paint: you always prime a wall before you paint it, so why not prime your face or your lids first too?

Primers are your best bet for keeping shadow in place for hours. My absolute favorite eyeshadow primer is Urban Decay's Primer Potion (buy it online). It goes on clear and consistently keeps shadow in place for hours. I've worn it for years and loved the way it lasted even through workouts and long days in humid cultures like my hometown of Brenham, Texas, in August.

M.A.C.'s Paints

Long before I learned about eyeshadow primer, I used M.A.C.'s 'Paints' as a primer. I still use it on occasion because it works just as well as primer.

The pearlized texture stays put all day and into the night and I'm convinced it wouldn't leave your lid for weeks if you didn't take makeup remover to it. You spread it on your lid then top it with your eyeshadow and Voila! your good to go for days.

I like 'Stilife' but there are a dozen colors to choose from.

Eyeshadow: How to Apply It, My Best Picks & More

Ahhhh, eyeshadow. I'm a beauty editor and yet it took me years to figure out how to apply eyeshadow that: 

1. Wasn't crooked (hello, mismatched eyes!).
2. Wasn't too dark or blotchily blended (yes, I know "blotchily" is not a word). 
3. Didn't extend to the wrong, wrong, wrong upper reaches of my eyelids. 

After years of seeing makeup artists in action and learning numerous eyeshadow tips and tricks, here are 10 favoriteeyeshadow tips I wish someone had told me twenty years ago: 

Secret #1: Blending is key

Ok, well I sorta knew this, but I wasn't sure HOW TO BLEND. You use three different colors: The base, usually a very light taupe, a highlighter for the crease and a main color for the lid, but how to get them to look as if they merge into each other like the colors of a rainbow?

My secret: Start light then go darker. Brush the base color to the entire eye up to the brow bone (base is the lightest color), apply the lid color (the medium color) and THEN apply the highlighter (the darkest color). Also, don't be too heavy-handed or you'll have to start over.

Extra tip: Practice makes perfect. Play with your makeup a few days before a big event.

Secret #2: Choose shadows that make the color of your eyes pop

Gone are the days when beauty experts adviseolor out (think blue shadow on blue eyes). At the same time, contrasting colors make eyes popd against blue shadow. Matching the color of your eye with a shadow actually brings the c too (think a deep jeweled blue shadow on deep brown eyes or gorgeous golds with blue eyes).

Secret #3: Never apply deep color to your browbone -- unless you're doing a cover shoot for Vogue

You don't want the drama too much shadow brings. Apply shadow up to the browbone but don't apply shadow ON the bone unless it's a neutral color.

Secret #4: Highlighter can make or break your look

When applying dark shadow to the crease of your eye, be careful to blend only on the outside edge. Get to close to the eye and you'll cause your eyes to look teeny and beady.

Secret #5: Set shadow with a great base

Primers are super hot right now because they help set makeup that stays for hours. I've found the secret to keeping shadow in place for hours is a shadow base, or primer. Almost everyone makes them but I swear by Urban Decay's Primer Potion.

I apply Urban Decay Primer Potion at the beginning of the day and sweep my favorite Christian Dior shadow over it and the shadow stays on all day long with nary a smudge, even through hardcore workouts with my personal trainer. You cannot beat that.

Secret #6: Shimmer is hot, but shows off wrinkles

Shimmer makes eyes really pop, but it also highlights heavy lids, lines and wrinkles. If you don't have wrinkled eyelids yet (I do and I don't care!), try this great look for shimmer: create a "nude" lid, but apply a bit of gold shimmer to the browbone. Gorgeous!

Secret #7: Smokey is great, but keep it to the lid

Making up a smokey eye? Keep color to the lid and just under the lower lashline. Don't extend color above the crease. 

Secret #8: You should splurge on a good eyeshadow

A great eyeshadow (like the beauty editor's all-time favorite, Dior 5-Colour Shadow Palette) will stay on your eyes all day long, while a cheap, $4 palette will have faded by the time you finish your mid-morning coffee. What's more, quality department counter eyeshadows typically have richer colors.

Secret #8: How to pair shadow with red lips

Remember the beauty rule "Thou Shalt Not Play up the Lips AND the Mouth." If you're going for dramatic red lips (never out of fashion), cover unsightly blue lines on lids with a concealer or shadow primer and then keep eyeshadow light.

Secret #9: Make eyes brighter with white

A dot of white shadow or pencil on the inside of the eye near the tear duct will make eyes look brighter. You won't believe how eye-opening this is. It works so great, I use this trick even when doing my makeup for work.

Secret #10: Go for color

I love going to Sephora and trying out different shades on my lids just for something different. The key is finding an eyeshadow shade that flatters your eye color and skin tone. Taupe and lavender look great on all eye colors. Also consider mixing shades if you bought a color that's just too bold for you. Mixing an electric blue with taupe can turn out the most perfect color.

Secret #11: Want something organic? Go for mineral makeup

My friends tend to be a health conscious bunch. They want to know what products are not tested on animals and which ones are not full of awful, potentially cancer-causing ingredients. While they are a subset of the nation as a whole, green beauty is a trend that's growing every year. If you don't want to put any unnatural products on your eyelids, I don't blame you. I will tell you that your best bet is mineral makeup. It's made up competely of natural occurring ingredients like mica.

How to Apply Eyeliner

Eyeliner can be befuddling. Should you line inside the eye? When should you use a pencil or liquid liner? Is a $14 liner better than the $4 one at Rite Aid?

Here, I answer these questions and many more. By the end of this article you should know not only how to apply eyeliner, but how to do a cat eye, a smoky eye and a basic eye for daytime. You'll also about the many types of eyeliners and which ones are better than others.

The Different Types of Liner

You can use an eyeliner pencil, a liquid liner or an eyeliner brush dipped into a deep shadow to line eyes. If you use a pencil, set the line with eyeshadow because penciled lines tend to melt and won't stay put all day.

How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner

Too apply liquid eyeliner, line the eye from the inside of the lashes outward in one big sweep. You can also line the eye from the middle of the lash line outward, then finish the line from the inner corner of the eye to the middle.

Another liquid eyeliner trick requires a steady hand and will make eyes appear wider.

• Start with a completely bare eye.
• On the upper lashes, dot the liquid liner into the spaces between the lashes, wiggling the liner into the lashes. The result is not supposed to be a line. It's supposed to look as if the lashes themselves are super thick at the root.
• Apply mascara.
• Compare eye to other naked eye.

The Basic "I'm Off to Work or the Weekend" Eye

This is the perfect work or weekend look for women who want their eyes to "pop" without giving off the appearance of a woman who's really, really into makeup, so into makeup she has this site bookmarked in her Web favorites.

The key to the basic eye is to apply with a light hand. The basic eye is all about appearing natural so consider a deep brown (versus black) eyeliner if you have light hair.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, trace the upper lashes from the inside of the eye with a pencil, or an eyeliner brush dipped in a dark eyeshadow. For a more dramatic look, make the outside line a bit thicker than the inside and extend it just beyond the lash line. Another shape I love is dubbed the "Nike swoosh" by Lucky Magazine -- narrow at inner corners, thicker in the middle and swept up a bit at the outer edge.
• Once the line is set, trace over it with a liquid liner. Hand unsteady? Keep your elbow on a table. (You can skip this step, but it will hold the eyeliner longer if you include it).
• Set liner with an eyeshadow.
• Apply eyeshadow or an eye pencil to lower lashes. I like to use a different color on the bottom lash line, one that brings out the blue in my eyes. Apply a deep-hued eyeshadow or pencil along the bottom lashes from the outside in. Unless you have wide-set eyes, don't line the entire lower lid. Instead, stop halfway across. If you're using a pencil, smudge the line with your finger so it looks more natural.

The Smoky Eye

Ahhh, the smoky eye. Perhaps there is no longer-running eye makeup trend than the smoky eye, which is in no danger of going out of style. The key here is to blend well. Also, make sure to keep all other makeup light or you risk looking overdone. You don't want the rest of your makeup to compete with your eyes.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply eyeliner from the inside corner of the eye outward. Draw strokes into the lash line. The middle of the line should be a bit thicker than the edges.
• Use a cotton swap (or your finger, if you're lazy like me) to "smudge" the liner.
• Dab an eyeshadow brush into a deep-hued eyeshadow and apply over the eyeliner to set the line (blow on the brush first to remove any excess shadow). Layering liner with a shadow is the secret to a perfect smokey eye.
• Blend shadow well, then follow with eyeshadow. According to the March 2006 issue ofInStyle Magazine, with a smoky eye, "color should diffuse from rich and dark near the lashes to almost sheer as it extends to the crease."

The Bold, Dramatic Eye

Bold eyes are a dramatic choice for evening. Try eyeliner shades other than deep black for a super cool look. You can use either a liquid liner or try the makeup artist's trick and use an angled eyeshadow brush dipped in a deep-hued eyeshadow. Skip the pencil for this look.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply the liquid liner from the middle of the eye to the outside corner of the eye.
• Draw a second line from the inside corner of your eye, letting the two lines meet. The outer edge of the line should be thicker than the inside. If you have close-set eyes, avoid taking the line all the way to the inside corner.

The Cat Eye

Forget the advice you may have read in the past never to line the inside rims of eyes because it makes eyes look tiny. Sexy cat eyes are a cool look for night. The key to this look is to apply a thin line to the inside rims of the lids. Make sure to sharpen the pencil after lining.

• Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, dot liquid liner along the upper lash line as close to the eye as possible. Apply line from corner to corner of eye, extending the line upward at the outer corner of eye. Let liner dry for a few minutes before touching.
  To soften this look (black liquid liner can be harsh), InStyle Magazine suggests trying a smudge-able pencil in a lighter color like dark brown or charcoal.
• Hold down the lower lid and apply liner only to the outer three quarters of the rim. Fade out the line as you approach the tear duct, according to makeup artist Mally Roncal in the March 2006 edition of InStyle Magazine. Extend the liner upwards at the outer corners.

For a softer version of this look, use an eye shadow brush and sweep a taupe or brown color on the lower lash line.

Eyeshadow Secrets Only the Pros Know

To make eyes appear wider, trace the inner rims of eyes with a beige pencil (white is too harsh) or highlight the inner corner of the eyes with a light shimmer powder.

Throw out the cheapie applicators that come with your makeup. Investing in a good set ofmakeup brushes is key to a flawless face. Find great eyeshadow brushes at Sephora, MAC department counters and Trish McEvoy counters. Target sells wonderful, inexpensive brushes by Sonia Kashuk.

To get a casual, smudgie "I slept in my makeup last night" look that everyone's after at the moment. Apply a pencil line only to the bottom lashes and then smudge it with your finger.

So Now On to the Rest of Your Face

Now that you know how to apply your eye makeup, find out how to apply the rest of your makeup. Makeup done well can make eyes pop, it can plump up a wrinkled face and play down a large nose. It can even out teenage acne and play down under-eye circles. In "How to Apply Makeup," I'll show you what order it should be applied in and I'll share some of my favorite tricks along the way.