2 Ways to Get to Know Benefit's Maggie and Annie

Sephora’s Lexington Avenue store is rolling out the carpet for our sister brand, Benefit, this Thursday for Fashion’s Night Out. Because a party isn’t a party without a free brow wax, estheticians will be offering clients perfectly shaped arches with purchase of their Brows-a-go-go kit, only available that night. To top it off, Benefit’s Global Beauty Authority, Maggie Ford Danielson (pictured left), will be there to share her day-to-night makeup tips.

In the meantime, we’ve been channeling Maggie and her sister, Annie, with their all-in-one boxed collections of handpicked eye shadows and creaseless cream shadows: Annie's Eye Gotta! kit of spicy purples and Maggie's Eye Wanna! set of dreamy blues. We volunteered Sephora staffer, the ever-so-stylish Emily T., to put Annie’s palette to good use.

Look One: The Five-Minute Face (FMF)

For my first look, I wanted to showcase how this palette could be used in application with the "Five-Minute Face." If you are not familiar with this term, the FMF is your simplest routine for rushed mornings, or basically every morning for me.

1. I used the golden-toned FLASH cream across my entire lid. This is an incredible FMF product, because it instantly brightens tired eyes and makes for a great base color.

2. Next, I used a large shadow brush to ‘pack’ the mossy green CANOPY from the lash line to just slightly above the crease. Note: the key here is to “pack” and not “paint” the color. Imagine yourself dabbing the color straight on rather than swiping in a traditional method. This method not only gives you more control over the color but also brings out the true shade of the product.

3. Then I used a liner brush to dab PURPLE HAZE in the outer corners of my eye from the lash line to the crease, then slightly extended outward to emphasize the almond shape of my eye. Tip: Do this step with your eyes open so you can keep in mind how the color will actually look to others.

4. Finally I swiped two coats of my favorite mascara and was ready to face the day with fun fall (and easy) eyes.

In a real rush? For a ‘one-minute face,’ just use one of the cream shadows and your favorite liner and/or mascara for a stunning, yet simple and speedy look!

Look Two: Fall Date Night

For this look, I am going to demonstrate how to create a fall-inspired smoky eye to flaunt your best accessories for your next night on the town.

1. Once again, I used one of the cream shadows as a base to make the colors pop and the shadows stay on longer. I used FOIL to create a beautiful layer of iridescent lavender-gold across the entire lid.

2. Next, I used my smallest shadow brush (Tip: the smaller the brush the more concentrated the application) to pack PURPLE HAZE on directly at the lash line upwards towards the crease, but not in the crease. This is great plum color because it is not too purple, and has tints of copper that make it really wearable for all skin tones.

3. I took a crease brush and swiped SPICE from the crease upward and out toward the outer corner of my eye for a more traditional ‘triangle’ smoky eye structure.

4. Using a liner brush, I applied a small amount of CANOPY around the lash line and in the corner of my eye, to once again emphasize the shape.

5. If you are scared of the amount of color on your eyes, have no fear because the next step is all about blending. Using a blending brush, or any clean, loose-haired brush, make small circles from the inner corner of the eye outward to diffuse the color and avoid any demarcation. (Remember: blending is the difference between good makeup and great makeup!)

6. To add some sparkle, I go back to the cream shadow and dab a tiny bit of FLASH in the inner corner of the tear duct and a faint amount near the brow bone. Avoid too much here though as this creates a dated look. Tip: the cream shadows can also be used as highlighters. Use them on the cheeks, cupid bow, down the center of the nose, and in the corner of the eye.

7. For a truly fall finish, I swipe two layers of mascara and apply a plum-toned lip color (try Bobbi Brown KIR SUGAR gloss) voila, you are autumn evening ready!

Final Thoughts: The collection was built to mix and match and blend well together, so do not be afraid to have fun and play! - Emily Teele