Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tuesday Tip: Ban Blemishes

Why is it that blemishes always appear the week of an important event?! I mean no one ever wants a zit on their face, but they are slightly more tolerable when there isn't something important going on. So, here is a product I recommend to brides because there usually is one blemish that decides to show up the week before the wedding. Apply Neutrogena's Rapid Clear Sore Pimple Gel to your blemish, and overnight, or within 8 hours as the product says, your blemish will fade away. I'm not promising it will completely disappear, but it will definitely begin to fade away so that your concealer actually stands a chance to cover the remains of it!

Have you tried this or another similar product? Comment about it!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Tuesday Tip: Be Bold

For fall this year do something bold with your look. Whether it's dark nail polish, bold red lips, a gel or liquid liner or a new hair color and style. Do something different, for the season or just for a day...new season new look!




I loved Rhianna's red lips and subtle shimmer with liquid liner on her eyes at the VMA's this year!



Demi Moore sporting short, dark nails and fabulous dark hair.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Wedding Makeup


Wedding makeup is always so fun for me to do, I always enjoy making brides beautiful on their big day! Check out this image and others, from the most recent bride I did makeup for, Lauren, at her photographer's blog http://chelseabeckphotography.com/blog/ Chelsea Beck is a wonderful photographer with an exceptional eye for detail!

On the bride, I used...
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer (a must before makeup!)
Smashbox Photofinish
Make Up For Ever foundation, concealer and powder (all waterproof and long wear)
Nars Blush
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick
Make Up For Ever and Giorgio Armani Eye Shadow to create a classic smokey look
Bobbi Brown Gel Liner (water resistant)
Loreal Mascara (waterproof)
For lip color I did a mauve lip with a shimmer to it and gloss

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Five Fall Favorites

I love fall...the weather cools down, fashions change and new makeup trends and products emerge. Here are five things I'm loving about fall right now!

1. Essie's fall nail polish collection. They have a wide variety of colors from soft pastels to bold dark shades like my personal favorite- Little Brown Dress. For those of you that are obsessed with dark nail polish like me, it will be love at first sight!



2. Bobbi Brown's Denim and Rose Collection. It's fall, so what's better than a great pair of jeans and a new shadow and liner to match? The lipstick colors are also rocking in this collection, they're dark but sheer so they aren't overwhelming.



3. The fact that Loreal's Telescopic Mascara now comes in waterproof! This may not be new for fall, but it was new to me last week when I discovered it at Ulta! I'm loving the definition and control the mascara wand allows me to have, the only drawback is it takes a little extra time to apply, which isn't always an option before work in the morning! I may just stick to my all time favorite, Loreal Voluminous.



4. I am loving that my Elle September edition is an inch thick, full of fashion, makeup ads and information...it will take me all fall to read it, so fun!



5. Maybelline's new gel liner. This gel liner goes for about $7 verses Bobbi Brown and MAC's price of about $20, and it comes with a brush. I purchased this product last week at my local grocery store and I'm loving it! It is just as great of quality as MAC or Bobbi Brown. I am loving the eggplant shade, and it really does stay on all day!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Tuesday Tip: Make Your Eyes Stand Out

If eyes are the window to the soul, you might as well make them stand out! Many readers have asked what color of eye shadow to wear based on their eye color so that their eyes look the best they can. For everyday wear I believe you want people to notice your eyes, not your eye shadow...save the drama for your evening look. These shades are based on what color is opposite of your eye color on the color wheel (yes there is a science to it!)

If you have blue eyes: Go for peach, gold tones and orange browns to make your blue eyes stand out. You can also use gray and light shimmery tones to make your blue eyes sparkle. Plums also make blue eyes more noticable.

If you have green eyes: Go for plum tones and smokey greens to make your eyes stand out. Golds and red browns are also great colors on green eyes.

If you have brown eyes: You can do anything and be dramatic without it being too over the top since your eyes are darker already! Exciting news, right? My suggestion for everyday wear is to find a great brown and mix in a gold or bronze tone. Sometimes people get in a brown eye shadow rut, and you can easily get out of it with a little shimmer added to the mix. Brown eyes also should invest in a great plum shade.

Anyone can do a smokey eye...the intensity level of it should match your eye, hair and skin color (i.e. darker skin hair and eyes go more dramatic, lighter hair eyes and skin go softer).

Remember, these are proven ways to make your eyes stand out, not rules you need to live by everyday...still take time to be creative and try new and unexpected shades!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Print Perfection

I'm currently obsessing over the cover on my latest Make-Up Artist Magazine...



...and why shouldn't I? The print industry is my favorite because when all comes together, and the photographer captures the model as her makeup and hair are perfect along with lighting that will take the onlooker's breath away it is a truly perfect moment. Print is art and this image with makeup by Nelly Recchia, is just that. Nelly is an artist from France now working in LA and she also teaches airbrushing classes at Cinema Makeup School, one of the makeup schools I attended....how cool, right?! I didn't train under her, but I did train with another fabulous artist from France, Mireille Bertrand. It is always exciting to see what artists who are on the cutting edge come up with...and this cover is just that.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Tuesday Tip: Makeup Counter Etiquette

When getting your makeup done for an event my first suggestion would be to hire a freelance makeup artist who will come on location to you like I do. I realize there are not freelance artists everywhere, so if you can't find one who is available or they are out of your price range then going to the makeup counter is an option. Since I worked at a makeup counter for more than a year I have a few tips to share so that you leave pleased and the makeup artist's time is well spent.

1. Choose a makeup line you like and a line where the artists makeup looks like you would want yours to look...when I worked at the Giorgio Armani counter I had a lot of clients come to me because they liked how I did my own makeup...I mean let's be serious, if someone can't do their own makeup well should you trust them to do your's?!

2. Make an appointment in advance (either call ahead or do this in person). I would ask for an experienced artist, or describe the look you are going for and ask who they recommend for you. Remember, malls are busy on weekends and makeup counters will be swamped if there is a high school dance in the area, and we all know they fall on the same 2 or 3 weekends! If you don't have an appointment you may not get the attention you are wanting, and deserve, or you may be turned away and end up at a not so great counter.

3. Show up for your appointment on time and voice your opinion before and during the makeup application. If its not looking how you want it, it is better to speak up earlier rather than later.

4. Plan to purchase 3 items when your makeup application is complete. It can be items the artist used on you that day, or a refill on a favorite item you use. Items that will be useful for you to purchase are lip products, pressed powder, and blush (these are all items you will probably want to touch up with). Makeup applications at counters are free of charge, but you are expected to purchase a few items since the artist does have a sales goal to meet, so in the end you'll probably spend around $50.

If you are a bride getting your makeup done at a counter be sure to book a consultation before the day of your wedding. You can go over the exact look you want on the day of and be sure to request the same artist on the day of the wedding if you like them.

Remember to have fun when you're getting your makeup done, it's always nice to have someone else help make you look fabulous!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Everything You Need To Know About Concealer

Concealer is a small thing that makes a huge difference! Since I've had a few readers ask me about it I've decided to share my favorite brands and what you should look for when purchasing one here. A little concealer can cover those unwanted blemishes, cancel out redness or darkness under your eyes, and brighten your skin. If you don't use concealer I hope that this will inspire you to find one!

First, when looking for a concealer decide what your main goal is. Are you wanting to hide dark circles under your eyes, or to cover blemishes? There are two different types of concealers, so you need to get the one that will solve your main beauty delima, and then know that the one you buy can work anywhere on your face. For example if you only have an under eye concealer and a blemish shows up one day you can still use that concealer on it, and it works the other way around.

If you are looking to cover dark circles under your eyes and some redness on your face go with a creamy/liquid consistency of concealer like Trish McEvoy Correct and Brighten. I love this product, it was my lifesaver last winter when my eyes were looking dark and tired thanks to being in my mid-twenties and artic temperatures! Once I added this little treasure to my makeup collection my skin looked brighter and more even. It is limited in colors, and mine exploded last week so I'm feeling a little betrayed by Trish, but I'll get over it and will soon buy a new one! The Flawless Concealer in Trish McEvoy's line has more color options if you want to stick to that line. Two other under eye concealers that work great are: MAC Select Cover-Up or Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch. By having a liquid or creamy consistency you will not dry out your eye area.



If you are wanting to cover blemishes go with a thick concealer that has a pancake consistency (something that is solid and packed into a container). By using a thick consistency it will stay in place and adhere to the blemishes you are trying to cover so that they stay covered. Try Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream.



A few extra tips: Remember less is more...the more concealer you cake on the more obvious your imperfections are. Take a minimalist approach and add more as needed.

Make sure your concealer matches your skin, it needs to blend in, not be lighter or darker. If you can't find one to match perfectly, go with the one that is barely lighter.

You can apply concealer with a synthetic brush or your fingers, it's up to you.

When applying concealer under your eyes bring the concealer out to the far corners of your eyes and also apply a little on the inner corners of your eyes to brighten the shadows that can happen where your nose bridge is.

Remember to use concealer after foundation- it will stay in place better and you will use less because your foundation does cover quite a bit.

In addition to concealer you can use a color corrector to cancel out discoloration on your skin. I will share more about this in a later blog.

Have fun finding a concealer, once you get a great one and see the magic that can happen with it you'll be hooked...I promise!