What’s the first thing you notice about someone you meet for the first time?  It’s usually their eyes, right? Our eyes are the window to our soul. So it makes sense that we want our eyes to look beautiful and full of life and energy. And there’s no better way to give your eyes a pick-me-up than a swipe of your favorite mascara. It’s quick, simple, and fuss-free. Just one coat can frame your eyes and totally transform your face. It’s no wonder so many women swear by a simple coat of mascara before leaving the house. But with thousands of different mascaras to choose from, along with copious new lash treatments, how do you know which one to choose? Each of them promises to give us the curl, volume, length, and definition we’re after. But chances are, if you’re here, you’re still looking for that one amazing mascara or treatment that delivers everything it promises.    Why we prefer mascara over lash treatments Can mascara actually replace lash treatments? There’s no arguing that lash treatments are innovative, but are they really worth the time, money, and effort involved? Eyelash extensions, lifts, and tints might initially appear to be a better option than mascara, but it’s important to fully know what you’re signing up for.  For example, did you know a lot of the chemicals involved are not FDA-approved?  Just because lots of people get lash treatments, it doesn’t automatically mean they’re safe. It’s always important to do your own research and know what you’re putting near your eyes.  Plus, the actual lash treatment is just the beginning. You’ve then got the wonderful job of maintaining your lashes, which can be incredibly time-consuming.  You have to be sure to use an oil-free eye makeup remover and be extra gentle with your eyes. Chances are you’ll need touch-ups along the way, which can gradually push up the cost.  What about false lashes? Although they’re less invasive, there’s no getting around the fact that you’re putting glue near (and probably in) your eyes! And the process of gluing the strips to your lashes is so fiddly and awkward. Don’t get us started on the fact that they can often be found halfway down your face by the end of the night.  If you ask us, there’s still no better way to accentuate your gorgeous eyes than some trusty mascara.  There’s something so therapeutic about gently gliding the wand over your lashes and being totally present in the moment.  Like they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  Meet the Vivienne Sabo Provocation instant volume mascara Have you met our Provocation mascara yet? This is the only mascara you need to replace all lash treatments. Say bonjour to length, thickness, and volume that last all day! This is a big secret to effortlessly chic French beauty. This amazing mascara is lightweight, clump-free, and smudge-proof, giving you naturally full, fluttery lashes that will transport you from day to night.  The best news? It’s incredibly easy to apply. The petite wand is easy to hold and meticulously coats every lash.  Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of sweeping this beautiful wand through your lashes. Dip your wand into the dispenser, and you’ll find it always comes out with the perfect amount of product—no need to wipe off any excess.  Watch as the glossy black pigment defines and elongates your lashes with just one coat. It’s the perfect consistency that allows you to add a couple of coats if desired without getting crunchy, but doesn’t take a lifetime to dry either.  When you’re done, sit back and admire your work and beauty. This is all you. Without a doubt, this is the best mascara for lash lift that has no limits. And at the end of the night, it’s just as easy to remove without damaging your lashes.  Plus, Vivienne Sabo mascara is 100% cruelty-free—our products are never tested on animals.  Try our Provocation mascara today and experience the magic of mascara again. Make life even simpler, and subscribe to get a new tube of this gold dust delivered every few months right to your door at a discounted price.  Our top tips for getting the absolute most out of your mascara There are a few insider secrets that will really help you add the next level of drama to your lashes. First, an eyelash curler is your best friend. Just a few seconds on each lash line can really lengthen and open up your eyes before you go near your mascara. Secondly, consider using a lash-plumping primer to coat your lashes before applying your favorite mascara. This helps to condition, strengthen and increase the length of the lashes. By the time you layer on your mascara, your lash game will skyrocket. Third, avoid pumping your wand. There’s no need to do this, and it’s probably one of the biggest mascara myths out there.   And finally, try and add more product to the root of your lashes, and less as you work your way out to the tips. This will add to that voluminous, feathery, full-lash look that looks incredible on every woman.  Ditch those lash treatments today and make way for more mascara! Maybe you haven’t been able to get your favorite lash treatment recently, or you can’t stand the idea of getting a lash treatment, but you’re searching for the same results!  Either way, Vivienne Sabo mascara is the best mascara for the lash lift, length, and volume you’re craving.  We’re just not ready to ditch our trusty mascara for complicated treatments that sap the fun out of makeup. If you’re not either, treat yourself to a tube of Vivienne Sabo Provocation mascara today, and enjoy the magic of mascara.

If you’ve ever wondered how to brighten your eyes with your makeup, this article is for you.  We’ll be covering everything from the best eyeshadow for blue eyes to the best eyeliner for green or brown eyes and how to make your eyes pop.  We always like to emphasize that when it comes to makeup, there are no rules. Makeup should be an expression of who you are and how you feel on any given day. That being said, there are certain tips and tricks that will enhance our beautiful natural features.  Your eyes are the window to your soul. They’re often the first thing that anyone will notice about you. So, when it comes to makeup, what can you do to enhance your natural eye color and make it sing? Don’t match your eyeshadow to your eye color There’s a common myth circulating the globe that matching your eye color to your makeup is the way to go (i.e., wearing blue eyeshadow with blue eyes, or green eyeliner with green eyes, brown mascara with brown eyes.)  But in fact, the opposite is true when it comes to making your eyes pop. Blue makeup doesn’t enhance your blue eyes; it will make them appear less blue and striking and lead to them disappearing into your face. The same is true for all eye colors—it’s best to avoid matching your makeup to your eye color if you want to draw attention to your eyes. But what if you have blue eyes, and you love your blue makeup? If you can’t bear the thought of completely swapping out your favorite color yet, try switching to a different shade—for example, a pastel blue eyeshadow, a turquoise eyeliner, or a midnight blue mascara.   The color wheel is your friend   You may have briefly checked out a basic version of the color wheel while you were doing an art class at school. But if you haven’t taken a look in awhile, it’s time to get reacquainted with it. Colors that are side by side on the wheel are known as analogous colors, while colors opposite each other are known as complementary colors.  To make your eyes pop, you want to choose shades that are opposite (or close to opposite) your natural eye color.  However, it’s important to note that most people’s irises are not just one color. There are usually different flecks and hues within that one color.  For example, you might have hazel eyes with hints of honey in them. You might have green eyes with hints of teal or mustard. Take a close look at your eyes in both the daylight and at night.  And when it comes to makeup, the color wheel should be used as a starting guide, but not taken literally. There are so many shades and tones of each color, all of which will show up differently depending on your eye color and skin tone.  The best approach is to try different colors out and see what works for you and what you like most.  Blue eyes Keep it simple Blue eyes on their own can be really bright and striking, which is why you want to try and not over-do your makeup. This can leave your eyes and skin looking washed out. The best approach? Keep it simple. Less is more.  Eyeshadow The best eyeshadow for blue eyes is anything with an orange base. That means warm copper, gold, apricots, peaches and brown tones. The warmth in these colors will help make your eyes pop and stand out, and highlight any warmer flecks in your eyes.  Purple is another shade that can be quite striking with blue eyes. All shades from lavender through to plum can work to help your eyes appear even bluer and brighter.  Highlight Subtle highlighting around your eyes can help frame them without the need for eyeliner. It can also prevent them from looking too icy.  Apply a highlighter across your brow bone (just under the brow), as well as the inner corners of your eyes. Opt for a shimmery highlighter rather than a glittery one to keep this look subtle. Neutral and champagne shades will work best. Liner Keep your eyeliner minimal and apply it in a thin line. You can also keep your liner to your upper lash line and skip the lower lash line because blue eyes are strong enough to not disappear into your face. This can actually leave them looking bigger and brighter! Grey eyes Which color is most prominent in your eyes? Grey eyes can contain many flecks of color including green, gold, blue and brown tones.  The first step for you is to decide which color is most prominent in your eyes. You can then pick complementary colors accordingly. Winning colors To enhance the green in your eyes, choose shades with pink undertones like rich plums and purples. To enhance the blue, go for shades with orange or peach undertones.  Green eyes Don’t head for red You’d be right in thinking that red is opposite green on the color wheel. But red is a difficult shade of eyeshadow to pull off. The tones will usually end up making you look sickly. The best eyeshadow for green eyes is within the red spectrum, but opt for reddish browns or plum shades, or even pink.  These tones will help make your green eyes the star of the show.  Soft blush on the cheeks Add some subtle, soft blush on the apple of your cheeks in a pinky shade. This is a gorgeous feminine look for both work and play. Liner The best eyeliner for green eyes is something in a copper or violet shade. But if you prefer a more classic look, black goes with everything and is a staple for creating both simple and more dramatic makeup looks.  A swoosh of liner and a plain, glossy lid is a simple but sexy look.  Let your green eyes do the talking If you really want your green eyes to stand out, keep everything else natural. Think voluminous lush lashes (try this mascara), glowing cheeks, and a glossy lip. Gorgeous! Hazel eyes Green or brown? Did you know there’s no such thing as pure hazel eyes? You’re likely to have a mix of tones and flecks in your eyes, ranging from shades of brown to green. Depending on which color you want to accentuate, you can mix up your makeup accordingly.  To bring out the green, follow what green-eyed girls do and go for red and purple-toned eye makeup. To enhance the brown, opt for blue or copper tones.  Want more drama? If you’re looking for a bolder look, try a smokey eye, a mix of dark metallic and coppery green tones.  Liner For a natural look, use brown eyeliner to give your hazel eyes a little more oomph. And for a more radiant, glowing look, try a gold liner. Brown eyes Concealer is your friend Did you know that dark circles can steal attention away from your beautiful, brown eyes? Before you do anything, find the right concealer for your skin tone and spot it lightly under your eyes as needed. This is a crucial step before you go any further.  Brown eyes suit almost any eye makeup color! Great news, you can get away with wearing almost any color you like!  If you want to make your brown eyes pop, then contrast is key. Think baby blues, turquoise, and metallic greens. Pink is also a great contrasting color to brown.  But as a general rule, you have free reign here to try out all the colors of the rainbow! Metallics are a must Shimmery shades will create a lovely striking contrast against your brown eyes and make them glow. Reserve metallic eyeshadow or liner for those special occasions when you want to make a serious impact.  Don’t overlook the neutrals Neutrals might seem boring from the outset, but they can create a really sexy, effortless look while also bringing out the natural color of your eyes. Plus, you can’t ever go wrong with a nude color with brown eyes. Think neutral eye shadows, some brown bronzer, or even a nude lip. Liner Classic brown and black eyeliners will always work against your brown eyes. But if you’re looking for an extra-special look, try a blue or purple eyeliner. Most eye colors can’t pull this off, but you can! Complete the look with mascara for extra volume Mascara is a must regardless of your eye color. Brown can work well for blue eyes, but black will suit every eye color. Apply some lash primer, one or two coats of classic French mascara, and get ready for your eyes to pop! Getting your makeup to enhance your eye color is all about knowing which colors suit you and which ones to steer clear of. So get experimenting and try out these tips today!

Is a makeup sponge part of your beauty toolkit? For us, it’s a must-have! Makeup blenders, in particular, are a fairly recent innovation that has had a big impact.  French girls have totally fallen in love with makeup blender sponges because, when used damp, they give a glowy finish that’s integral for achieving natural-looking makeup in seconds.  Whether you only apply a touch of concealer once in a while or you like a full foundation and contour makeup look, using a makeup sponge correctly will help up your makeup game. In this post, we’ll focus on a more French approach to using a makeup blender, with tips for simplistic makeup that’ll help your skin look naturally radiant.  First, we’ll give you a quick overview of the different types of makeup sponges, and then we’ll provide tips for using them depending on the products you like.  Types of makeup sponges There are two major types of makeup sponges to choose from, so let’s quickly summarize the details you should know about them.  Makeup blender sponges   When we hear the word makeup sponge, the first thing that comes to mind is a round, reusable sponge, much like the original Beauty Blender and the other sponges inspired by it. These sponges are meant to be used damp to apply and blend complexion makeup. You wash them with soap and water after every use. You can use the same sponge again the next time you do your makeup.  These reusable sponges are fantastic for complexion makeup. They blend away streaks and harsh lines, and because they’re damp, they don’t absorb your foundation. The water in the sponge helps add more moisture and glow to the foundation, contributing to a healthier and more natural finish.    Disposable sponges   Before blenders became standard in all of our makeup kits, many women were using disposable sponges to do their makeup. They were usually wedge shapes, but occasionally you could also come across flat sponges. They were never especially popular in French beauty since French women preferred to use their fingers to apply their makeup.  Some brands market their wedge sponges as reusable. In practice, they’re usually flimsier and more likely to harbor bacteria compared to makeup blender sponges, so while you might be able to wash and reuse them, we don’t recommend keeping them around for long.  These days, many makeup artists still use disposable wedges. They can just throw them away instead of having to carefully sanitize a reusable sponge for their next client. They work well in a pinch, although their smaller size and straight edges mean that getting a seamless blend takes a little longer.  How to use a makeup sponge for foundation makeup   This is the French approach to using a makeup blender for natural-looking makeup. It works whether you use a foundation or a product with lighter coverage like tinted moisturizers or BB cream.  Always start with clean and very well-moisturized skin. If you want, you can even use your sponge to apply your skincare steps!  Next, soak your sponge with water until it doubles in size, and then wring out the excess, so it’s damp but not dripping.  Dispense your cream or liquid foundation makeup on the back of your hand. The heat from your skin will help warm it up so it’ll glide more easily.  Dip the sponge into the makeup on your hand.  Start with the area of your face where you would like the most coverage, and gently bounce the sponge over your skin.  Never drag the sponge over your skin since that can leave visible streaks.  Use overlapping bouncing motions to spread your foundation and to give your skin a seamless, poreless blend.  If it looks like you’ve overapplied makeup to any part of your face, use one of the sponge’s clean sides to blot away the excess and to prevent a cakey look.  Applying concealer with a sponge   Many French women use concealer instead of foundation since they can just dab it where they’d like to even out their skin tone a little. Getting a concealer to blend into bare skin isn’t always easy, but with a makeup sponge, it’s a piece of cake! It’s best to apply concealer directly to the area that needs the added coverage, either with a brush, a finger, or the applicator that comes with your concealer. Then, use the clean, pointed end of your damp sponge to blend out the concealer into the rest of the skin so it becomes truly undetectable.   Using a makeup sponge for blush and contour   Powders aren’t especially popular in French beauty because they can leave the skin looking too matte and dry. Instead, cream blushes, bronzers, highlighters, and contour makeup are much more common.  Using a sponge blends out those colorful, precise complexion products in a way that gives them a skin-like finish.  As with concealer, it’s best to first dab the product on the skin, concentrating on the areas where you want it to be more saturated.  For blush, that means the apples of the cheeks, while for contour or bronzer, it usually means below the cheekbone and along the temples.  Using a clean side of the sponge, gently tap over them to blend, and add a bit of a dragging motion if you also want to distribute the product further out.  Finally, if you think your blush or contour is a little too dark or vibrant, you can actually dip the sponge into a bit of your foundation and concealer and then bounce it over the makeup. It’ll help to soften the blush, as though it’s emanating from within your skin.   Soak it up When you use it correctly, a sponge is the ultimate makeup aid. No other tool can blend things quite so seamlessly for natural-looking makeup every time. Use it damp, and that added moisture will help you realize all of your French beauty fantasies!