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Issue 271 - 1/08/07
MIDDLE EASTERN BEAUTY A few months back I addressed beauty by skin tone focusing on both Asian Beauty and Latina Beauty. I would like to continue on that track by portraying more beauty types that we see. Let’s take a look at Middle Eastern beauty. Renowned beauty authority Bobbi Brown took a closer look at these exotic beauties and discovered the following. Dark, under-eye circles seems to be a big concern for these ladies, so finding the right concealer is key. Bobbi recommends using a concealer that has a yellow undertone but with a bit of pink in it to lighten the dark areas. After applying concealer, set it with a yellow powder both under eyes and on eyelids to lighten more. When it comes to foundation shades it’s best to stick with a shade that has a yellow undertone to it and disappears into your skin when you put in on your face. If it is not an exact match it will show up on your face as looking pasty or even gray against the skin. For the eyes, try warm toned colors all over the eyelid. Then to add depth use golden browns or deep wine shades. Line the eyes with black or a smoky charcoal color. To open up the eyes more and make them stand out always finish with black mascara. A deep colored bronzer works well for cheeks, as do blush colors in plums and currants. Middle Eastern women have lots of choices with dark colors for the lips. The deep colors such as chocolates, wines, deep roses and reds look amazing on darker skin tones. Try them all out and see if a favorite color emerges! Issue 272 - 1/15/07
EUROPEAN BEAUTY If there is one thing American women admire about European women it’s their beauty and sense of style. In some areas of Europe, women wear little to no makeup at all. So how is it that these women keep looking beautiful day after day? They try to adopt a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise and taking care of their skin. They have also picked up several beauty tips along the way from many regions in Europe, and these tips have made a difference for their skin. Polish teenagers find that using honey is an excellent product for softening the lips. Apparently it acts as humectants drawing moisture from the air to your skin. Polish women like to apply honey to their faces as an intensive moisturizer. In Romania, women discovered that a little castor oil placed carefully on their eye lashes helps to strengthen and stimulate lash growth. French beauties find that sweet almond oil is a marvelous eye makeup remover. It is very gentle on the delicate skin around the eye area, so dabbing a little on a pure cotton ball takes the makeup right off. Scandinavian women hydrate for beauty. They are known to drink at least 1 ½ liters of pure spring water daily. They also begin and end their day with 15-20 splashes of ice-cold spring mineral water after cleansing, which is said to encourage the skin’s natural functions. Ice-cold water also helps to reduce puffiness while bringing on a rosy glow. For makeup purposes, take a spray bottle with ice-cold spring water and mist your face with it after applying your makeup. It helps set the makeup as well as hydrate and refresh your skin. Finally, European women make a point of getting European facials from time to time. This process involves deep cleansing, skin analysis, steam, exfoliation, and massage and blackhead extraction. This is followed by a mask or a moisturizer targeted to their skin type. So do as the Europeans do…or not, but know that taking care of your skin will keep it looking beautiful and youthful! Issue 273 - 1/22/07
BACK TO BASICS With the start of the New Year come resolutions and changes happening in our lives. Let’s put that into play with our makeup by making a fresh new start with our beauty regimen. In other words, let’s go back to basics to learn what we need for makeup application. The first step is to decide what kind of makeup do we want and need to enhance our features and make us feel better about ourselves. For some women it’s under eye concealer, for others its mascara or lipstick or all of the above. To select these products, enlist the help of a makeup artist or sales associate in a makeup store. It’s important to try before you buy so that you are sure that you have the right shades and that you like how the products look on your face. Once you have your makeup it’s time to get the tools to use with your products. Some makeup products come with their own applicators, like blushes that come with brushes. But other products require that you purchase the brushes to apply them. Examples are powders, concealers and eye shadows. You can get brushes at drug stores, makeup stores or department stores both individually or as a set. Synthetic brushes are the least expensive and real animal hairs are much pricier. Other tools to have include a good eye and face makeup remover, tissues, q-tips and cotton balls. To keep your skin looking good you should always remove your makeup at the end of the day. Finally if you’re not comfortable applying the makeup, set an appointment with a makeup artist or makeup sales associate. You will be able to learn how to apply the makeup and then practice with your products and brushes. The more you practice makeup application, the better you will get and the more fun it will be! Issue 274 - 1/29/07
SAMPLE FIRST One of the things I find myself repeating over again is the importance of trying before buying. I strongly believe that women should sample makeup first to ensure that it is right for their skin. This concept is strongly supported by the majority of people in the beauty and fashion industry. Yet it intrigues me as to why some makeup lines are still sold in stores without testers on hand for sampling. So why is it strongly encouraged to test makeup beforehand? There are several reasons that this practice is encouraged. The big benefit is to find out if the shade matches your skin tone. In the past, it was more important for a woman to sport a healthy looking tan, and therefore choosing a foundation or powder meant finding a product that was darker than their skin tone. This resulted in the appearance of a mask on the face. The face and neck color did not match. The modern look we see today is a clean, fresh face that appears as if there is little to no makeup on. This is achieved by testing various shades of foundation, powder and/or concealer. Swatch the colors down the cheek one at a time and see what happens. If a swatch of color disappears right into your skin then you know you have the right shade. For under eye concealer, pick a shade that is a half shade lighter than your foundation. This will lighten any dark circles and brighten the eyes. Another reason for sampling is to make sure that the product will not cause your skin to react. The last thing women want is to have their makeup break their face out and then have to go return the products. And unfortunately not all stores accept returned makeup, which is another reason for trying before buying. Surprisingly when it comes to eye, cheek and lip colors, makeup does not look the same on every skin. One should not judge the color just by the way it looks in the compact. So ladies get out there and try it on. There’s nothing to lose! Issue 275 - 2/05/07
WHERE TO BUY? Have you ever wondered if it makes a difference where you buy your makeup? Elizabeth Arden can be found at Dillards as well as Ulta. And if the prices are the same, then how does one decide where to go? It really depends on one major concept: the customer service experience. To further explain, let’s take a closer look at customer service as it relates to makeup. In today’s marketplace customer service is the ingredient that can make or break sales. Consumers have so many more choices for where to spend their dollars due to the convenience of online shopping. Therefore it’s crucial for brick and mortar retailers to make ones customer service experience the best it can be. For makeup purposes this customer service aspect is so important because there is a greater need for women to go to a store to try the products first, rather than just buy them online. Buying makeup is kind of like trying on clothes. You need to spend the time putting on various pieces/products in order to find the ones that are the best fit. As a result, these retailers must focus on giving the best customer service if they want to stay competitive and in business. If the customer has a positive experience in one retailer over another, then it makes the decision of where to buy much easier. Once customers are able to find the makeup products that work best for them, they can purchase those products online. However preferences change over time as does skin, so inevitably women will need to go back into the stores to try new products and/or discover a new look for themselves. Women also ask if it’s better to buy at a department store / makeup store or at a drug store. I would say that one should buy their makeup at a store where testers are offered so that they can try out the products on their face. The only exception I would make is mascara. Mascara can be purchased anywhere and you don’t necessarily need to try it before buying it. Maybelline Great Lash mascara (in the green & pink tube) to this day is still a hot seller at the drug stores! Issue 276 - 2/12/07
CUPID'S COLORS 💕 There’s something in the air and a glow on the faces of ladies everywhere. Valentines Day is upon us and it’s time to spark things up a bit! Whether you’re single, married, with children or without, it’s a celebration for all. So what can we do to give ourselves a little extra special lift for this romantic day? Start by looking at the colors that are so prominent on Valentines Day. You have your pinks, reds and even chocolates. So why not incorporate them into your makeup. If you typically don’t wear a lot of reds, try it on this day. Do a light eye and a dark red lip. If pink is your choice how about a pretty pink blush or lip gloss. You can pair that with a soft smoky eye. If chocolates are your preference (who doesn’t prefer chocolate!) you can do so many warm looks with your makeup. For the eyes try some bronze colors with a dark brown liner. Dust a bronzing powder on your cheeks to warm you up and finish with a sheer chocolate or light beige colored lip. Don’t forget your favorite fragrance! When it comes to applying, stand back and spritz your clothing, not directly the skin. You can even walk through it after the spritz. It will keep the fragrance on longer than if it’s applied directly to the skin. No matter what look you choose, have fun with your makeup. And a Happy Valentines Day to all! Issue 277 - 2/19/07
TEEN BEAUTY While a teenager’s world is full of complexity, their makeup regimen should not be. It is a time of experimentation for both buying and applying makeup says Bobbi Brown, who is among the world’s leading makeup artists today. She believes that teens don’t need to start wearing makeup until high school. And the best teenage beauty is pretty, fresh and clean, never harsh. So what does this mean in terms of actual products? Read on! The products to experiment with are concealers, powders, blush, mascara, eye shadows, and lip colors. For a concealer, pick a shade that matches your skin exactly. You can use it to cover up spots or blemishes. Some teens will find that their skin is oily and a powder is needed. Be sure to choose a shade that matches your skin tone and apply it primarily on the center of your face (forehead, nose, and chin). For blushes, look for a cream or powder blush in a light shade. When it comes to mascara, the best color for teens is brown. Brown is more natural looking which works well. For eye shadows try light pale shades or light shimmer shades. The best look for lips is finding colors that match your own lip color and are sheer in their formula. Lip glosses are always popular with teens. The prettiest makeup look is based on light and sheer colors. If you want to try the trendy colors, buy sheer versions of them so that they go on easily. Avoid extremely dark or heavy makeup, with the exception of Halloween. And since many teens are on a makeup budget, keep in mind that you can find your products at drug stores or places like Claires and Ulta. Enjoy your exploration into the world of makeup! Issue 278 - 2/26/07
MINERAL MAKEUP What’s all the buzz about mineral makeup? It’s actually not a new trend. It’s been around for years and was voted top cosmetic for 2006. It has taken the beauty world by storm and has expanded beyond foundation. So what is it and how does it work? Mineral makeup is made from pure minerals and organic pigments provided by Mother Nature herself. It began with foundation which is in the form of a loose powder. The foundation powder provides coverage while imparting a youthful glow to the skin. The minerals are light reflective and don’t absorb light like most makeup does. The coverage is buildable so that one application will give you a very natural look, while two or more will give you good coverage with a finished look. The foundation is applied with a powder brush. It’s recommended to apply it in a circular motion starting on the outside of the face and working inward. This will allow the product to be evenly distributed across the face. Mineral foundation provides a foundation, powder, concealer and sun block all in one! Mineral makeup has expanded beyond just foundation. Blushes, bronzers and eye shadows have also been formulated in the mineral makeup lines. So why should someone use a mineral blush over a non-mineral blush? Some will say that it promotes skin wellness because of its natural ingredients. It contains no oil, talc, fragrance or synthetic colors that can irritate the skin. The products also boast anti-inflammatory properties which are often useful for women after having laser treatments and chemical peels. Expectations Salon offers an exceptional mineral makeup line in foundations and blushes. Stop in and check them out first hand. Once you see and feel this makeup, you will fall in love with it! Issue 279 - 3/05/07
GETTING BETTER WITH AGE Our skin is changing every day. As we age our skincare and makeup needs change too. There are books out there that feature beauty recommendations for each decade of your life. Women who are in their 50’s may apply makeup differently than women in their 70’s. What follows is a summary of the more important points regarding mature beauty as a whole. This information will benefit women in their 50’s through their 70’s and beyond. As we get older, looking good is about the less you do to yourself. But we still want to do the right things. A couple of changes that occur in the skin are that it starts to get drier, thinner, and the skin tone begins to fade. To tackle the dryness issue, try a creamy facial cleanser and good moisturizer. The skin will look fresher and any lines will be less noticeable. For foundation, look for a moisturizing formula in a creamy foundation. It will not collect in facial lines and call attention to them. When the skin gets thinner we see dark shadows appear around the eye area. You can lighten and camouflage any dark areas with the right shade of concealer. Concealer can also be applied to any age spots on the face. When it comes to thinning lips, try a creamy matte formula of lipstick. The color should be the same shade as your lips or one shade darker. Then take a lip pencil and use it to define your lips. This will add shape and keep the lipstick from feathering. Some of the fading we often see shows up in our eyebrows. To fill in the brows, use a powder eye shadow that matches the natural color of your brows. Apply it softly and subtly following the natural line of your brows. For the cheeks, try a cream blush instead of a powder one. It will look soft and dewy, giving you some more color to brighten up the face. Make sure the shade is right so that it blends in well. Line the eyes on the upper lid only and use a bone colored eye shadow all over the lid, even under the brows. It will lighten and brighten the eyes, giving them a lifted look. If you want to add more color with eye shadow, heathers and grays are flattering. For more details on getting better with age, call to set up a complimentary consultation! Issue 280 - 3/12/07
SPRING TRENDS As the snow continues to slowly melt away a common question is surfacing…”What’s hot for spring 2007?” In terms of color, the answer is violets. They are fresh, pretty and bright for this season. There are many wearable shades to be found for every skin tone. Let’s examine more closely some of the looks that can be created with the violet color palette. Starting with the eyes, sweep an ivory colored eye shadow all over the lid from lash to brow. Follow with a lilac colored eye shadow from your lash line to your crease. For more depth and color use a darker violet eye shadow in place of the lilac colored shadow. Next line the upper lid with a dark brown eye liner from the inner to outer corner of the eye. Finish off the violet eyes with one or two coats of mascara. For cheeks, try a violet-pink colored blush that complements your skin tone. A makeup artist or make up sales associate can help you pick one out. Apply the color to the apples of the cheeks and blend it back toward the hairline and downward to soften the color. Don’t forget to smile when applying the blush so that apples of the cheeks can be easily found. Moving down to lips, choose from a variety of lip shades and finishes to complete this look. For a sheer wash of color try a nude beige lip gloss. This color will work really well if the eye makeup is darker with more violet tones. Another option is to try a beige lipstick for a full coverage look. A nude colored lip pencil can define the lips and help keep the color on longer. If the violet eyes turn out looking lighter and more natural, try a purple or pinky-violet lip gloss or lipstick. This will enhance the violet look and help pull it all together. Sample various shades to find the look that works for you! Issue 281 - 3/19/07
TEMPTING PALETTES We see them in the stores and admire their color combinations. They are presented in an attractive compact, offering up an entire look, all in one package. What are these tempting little pleasers? They are the ever popular makeup palettes. They used to be found more often during seasonal promotions or for the holidays. Now we are seeing them everywhere, all the time. They come in various shapes and sizes and colors. These palettes are created to give women a convenient and easy way to do their makeup. The most common palettes are the ones with eye shadows blush and lip colors all in one compact. This is ideal for the busy woman on the go. She can easily carry it in her purse and touch up as needed. Instead of having to search for different color combinations to put together an everyday look, it’s already there. And these palettes typically come with their own mini applicators…another convenience. Part of the fun of owning a palette is the ability to mix and match the colors. One day you may want to combine the lip colors to create a new shade. Or use one eye shadow color one day and a different shade the next day. Frequently the colors are made to be worn together. For example, the darker eye shadow shade can go on the lower lid and the lighter shade can go on the upper lid to highlight. In addition to the all-in-one palette there are palettes just for eyes and lips. Some cosmetic lines even sell empty palette containers and encourage women to put together their own palettes. They can even include a pressed powder and concealer in them. The palettes today are getting more elegant. There is one cosmetic line that created a palette with the design of a butterfly in the eye shadow portion of the palette. They claim that their inspiration for the colors came from a Japanese garden and the proceeds from the sales of the palettes are going to the Monarch Butterfly Foundation. So what palette tempts you? Issue 282 - 3/26/07
IN SEARCH OF... ARTIST Spring is the time of year when things start to happen. Special occasions seem to pop up everywhere; like proms, weddings and holidays. This often means that the teenagers and the ladies are looking for someone to do their makeup for their special event. When it comes to enlisting the help of a makeup artist, there are a few things you should know about before utilizing the first artist you meet. Start by asking about experience. How long have they been in the business? A seasoned makeup artist will bring a lot more know-how to the table than one just starting out. Take a good long look at the artist’s makeup. Is she wearing her own makeup in a way that is flattering to you? Inquire if she has her own personal style or preference for doing makeup. Perhaps you are looking for someone whose focus is a more natural look, yet the artist you are speaking to likes to go heavy with her colors. These are all important aspects to consider when you are in search of a makeup artist. A next step would be to schedule a consultation or trial run to see if you actually like the makeup itself and the way that it is applied. This is the best way to find out if you have chosen the right makeup artist for you. Perhaps you like her style of applying makeup but the makeup itself is not doing it for you. These are important things to figure out so that you will feel comfortable and confident for your special occasion. Some women love the colors and the makeup itself but later end up breaking out from the ingredients in the products. It’s better to discover this weeks before your event rather than during it. Finally make sure that the artist is flexible and can work with your schedule. This will eliminate a lot of stress and anxiety. Wouldn’t you rather have the process go smoothly and easily? And in the grand scheme of things, you want your makeup experience to be a fun one. You will look and feel great for your event! Issue 283 - 4/02/07
CLEAN IT UP Just like spring cleaning, our makeup often needs a little dusting off as well. Often times we go through our stash of products and figure out what to keep and what to pitch. Perhaps this is also the time for a little makeup cleansing. So how exactly would one clean their makeup? Here are a few ideas for touching up those products that touch your skin. Surface wipe: Start by gathering together all of your makeup that is powder based. Using a tissue or a cosmetic sponge, give a swipe across the surface of the product. This will help remove any surface dirt and oil that was deposited on your makeup. It also gives you a fresh slate to start your next makeup application. Frequently the powdery makeup can loosen through continued use and mess up your compact. You can tap off any excess product from the compact and run a q-tip or tissue through the crevices to clean it up more. While you’re doing that you can clean your applicators at the same time. Take the eye shadow, blush or powder applicators and run them under lukewarm water using a mild liquid soap. They can air dry while you move on to your next batch of products. Liquid and Creamy Makeup: For these products, remove the caps and wipe off any excess product in and around the cap. It will make the product less messy to use and give the appearance of a brand new product. It also removes any bacteria that may have collected in the cap or lid. Do the same for liquid eye liners, creamy blushes and lipsticks. For liquid eye liners, remove the wand and clean it like your other applicators while also wiping out excess product from the cap. For lipsticks, try the surface wipe and clean around the lipstick bullet and cap. Mascara wands can be cleaned like the applicators but do it quickly because mascara left opened dries up very fast. Happy Cleaning! Issue 291 - 5/28/07
MAKEUP NEEDS AND WANTS Two things stand out in my conversations with the ladies. They tell me that they seek 1) a natural look that does not look like they are wearing makeup and 2) they want to be able to apply their makeup quickly. Summertime is the perfect time to start working on these needs and wants. During the summer, women generally feel more comfortable sporting a natural look. Summertime is typically a busy time of year, filled with so many activities both indoors and out. Therefore coming up with a fast makeup application is ideal. So how do we start? The natural look can be easily achieved by starting with your skin tone. Visit a makeup store, salon or department store and choose a tinted moisturizer that matches your skin tone. This will feel very lightweight and give the appearance of a natural look. If there are issues with your skin such as blemishes or under eye circles, a little concealer can quickly take care of that. You want to select a concealer that blends into your skin color and has a yellow undertone to it. Take a good long look in the mirror. What one feature of your face do you want to enhance? It may be the eyes, in which case a coat of mascara will open them up and bring them to life. It may be the cheeks, so a pop of blush on the apples of the cheeks will brighten your face. If it’s your lips needing attention, pick a color that resembles the natural color of your lips. You can certainly address each area of the face (eyes, cheeks and lips) in a matter of minutes, but to cut down on steps, choose the area that you want to enhance the most. After you’ve finished your makeup application, take a second look in the mirror…does this natural look fit the bill and did it take long to achieve? Issue 292 - 6/04/07
MAKEUP MOVES Let’s face it ladies, when we put on that makeup it does not always stay put. We get the mascara creeping under the eye, the eye liner moving up the lid and the lipstick just flat out disappearing! So what on earth can we do to keep our makeup still? The following are a few tips and tricks that help keep your colors right where you applied them. Let’s start at the top and work our way down. We ever so carefully apply our eye liner right along the lash line of our upper lid. We marvel at the great job we did. A half hour later we catch a glimpse in the mirror only to discover that we now have 2 lines…one where we applied it and another over top around the crease of the lid. To remedy this, start off the eyes by applying a light dusting of loose powder or a light colored eye shadow all over the eye lid from lash to brow. Then apply your eye liner. The powder/ eye shadow helps set the eye liner in place and keep the color from wandering. This next one has happened to everyone at some point in time. You apply your mascara on your lower eye lashes. Those lashes look glamorous and the eyes are really popping. Then it happens…the mascara ends up under the eye lashes where you just applied it. You now look like you’ve achieved the Gothic look with a bad smoky eye going on. More powder to the rescue! There are two ways to remedy this: If you wear under eye concealer, apply that first and then set it with a light dusting of loose powder. Next apply the mascara. If you don’t wear concealer, apply the loose powder and then the mascara. It also helps if you choose mascara that is waterproof and/or smudge proof. Finally the lips…there is no lip color out there that stays on forever. But the good news is that we can take steps to keep it on longer so that we reapply less often. Begin with a lip liner. They usually come in a pencil format or a crayon texture. Line your lips and fill them in with the liner. Then apply your lipstick or lip gloss over top. Another tip is to not lick your lips or bite them. I can assure you that you will notice a difference! Issue 293 - 6/11/07
EYELASHES The eyelashes have become a big focal point in makeup application. At the start of the century we began seeing lashes looking fuller, longer and more elaborate. Yes, some of us were lucky to be blessed with long dark lashes, but much of what we are seeing is artificial. The trend for false eyelashes, and now lash extensions, has taken off. There are many ways to get those perfect looking lashes. From the inexpensive false eyelashes that you glue on yourself to the popular eyelash extensions that a salon intricately applies, the eyelashes have become the center of attention. Some of the benefits of wearing false lashes or lash extensions are that it eliminates the need to apply mascara. Without mascara we don’t have to be concerned with smudging under the eyes. We also don’t have to remove it at the end of the day. Another plus is that the eyelashes now appear fuller, longer and darker than our own. With that transformation comes time and expense. It takes longer to apply false eyelashes than mascara. It can take upwards of 2 hours to apply lash extensions in a salon. And while glue-on false eyelashes may not be as costly, you pay a high price for the lovely lash extensions. The way that lash extensions work is that single synthetic lashes are glued onto each eyelash using a glue stick and tweezers. It’s a long and costly process that can run up to $300 for a full set. However the lashes can last four to six weeks. The New York salon Pierre Michel was one of the first salons to introduce eyelash extensions when the trend hopped coasts in 2004. They claim they can apply a full set in just 90 minutes. Another interesting fact is that you can acquire different looks with your lash extensions…natural, come hither or even Bambi. It used to be that the only way we could enhance our lashes was with brown or black mascara. Today we have choices as well as various colors. And if the above mentioned wasn’t enough, you can even add a little “bling” to your eye lashes as well! Issue 294 - 6/18/07
MAKEUP DURING PREGNANCY Pregnant women are beautiful, without a doubt. And along with that rosy glow comes hormonal changes to the body and skin. It’s not uncommon for skin to become blotchy and even prone to acne. Pregnancy is a great time to reevaluate your beauty routine and experiment a little, says makeup artist Bobbi Brown. Makeup can do wonders during pregnancy and it’s a great way to make you feel good. The best routine is one that is simple and easy. According to Bobbi Brown the must haves consist of concealer, for blotchy uneven areas and under eye circles, a yellow toned foundation which works best on all skin types, pink blush and a favorite lip color. Apply a concealer that is a shade lighter than your foundation only where needed. Then apply the foundation in the areas without concealer. If you don’t have time for a full face, blush is a great way to give yourself a boost. Start with a bronzer or skin tone color blush across the cheek area as a base. Then follow with a splash of pink blush right on the apples of the cheeks. Spritzing on a clean, fresh scent that is light and pretty will also boost your mood since your sense of smell is heightened. When your body is going through all these changes and you feel like you’re not in control, makeup can be used as a tool for women to feel pretty and in control again. Have some fun with it at home or visit a cosmetics store or salon to play around with colors and find a new beauty routine. Issue 295 - 6/25/07
LIP LINER LOWDOWN Ok ladies, many of you have asked and it’s time to set the record straight. What is the scoop on lip liners?? People hear so many different things that it ends up in utter confusion. Does the lip liner go on before or after the lipstick? What color should it be in relation to the lipstick? Is it even necessary to wear lip liner? Have no fear, the answers are here. There have been many lip lining trends that have come and gone in the makeup industry. What we are talking about now is the basics. Lip liners serve three purposes: 1) to define the lips 2) to minimize feathering and bleeding of lip color and 3) to help lip color stay on longer. For purposes of defining the lips it works best if you apply your lip liner after your lipstick or lip gloss. Doing so also keeps your mouth from looking like you just have lip liner going around your lips after your color fades. For purposes of minimizing feathering and bleeding (having the lip color move outside of the lip area) it’s also recommended to apply lip liner after lip color. It helps seal the color in place better so that it doesn’t travel. For purposes of keeping lip color on longer, I recommend filling in your lips with the liner first, applying the lipstick second, and then lining the lips last. I often use this application on brides so that their lip color will stay on as long as possible before reapplying is needed. The way to choose a lip liner is to look at the natural color in your own lips and find a shade close to that. That way if you are choosing lipsticks to complement your natural lip color then the lipsticks and lip liners will blend well and look natural together. Some women have more pink or red in their lips and others have more brown. In general you can’t go wrong with a nude colored lip liner. It seems to work well on most women for an ‘every day’ look. Liners come in pencil texture and crayon-like texture. The crayon-like liners seems to glide on easier and look a bit smoother than the pencil liners. In the end it’s just a personal preference. So line or don’t line but make those lips kissable this summer! Issue 296 - 7/02/07
EYE LINING When it comes to makeup application, it seems as if the eyes pose the most challenges. It takes a bit of practice and a steady hand to apply eye makeup. The most frequently asked questions concerning the eyes are how to line them. Should both the upper and lower lids be lined? What color eye liners work best? Here are the basics when it comes to eye lining. A general rule of thumb for using eye liner is to line the upper lid only for a natural look. With your liner in hand, start on the outer lid and line all the way to the inner corner of the eye lid. The trick is to line your eyes as close to the eye lashes as possible. This way you will not see a line and then your eye lid and then your lashes. The line should blend smoothly into the eye lashes. Start with a thin line and then you can go over it to add more definition. When it comes to color, browns and blacks work well on brown eyes. For hazel, blue or green eyes, colors such as browns, grays, and even violets work well. When it comes to choosing a color, take a look at your skin tone as well. A brown eye with a darker skin may look better with black eye liner. A fairer skin may find brown to be a better shade to enhance the eyes. Eyes can be lined both on the upper and lower lids. It’s a personal preference. Generally if someone has smaller eyes, they would be better off just lining the top lid. If you want to make big eyes appear smaller you could line both upper and lower lids. When lining lower lids, try to stay on the lash line and not line inside the lashes. Keep the line thin and smooth on the lower lids. Also, if both upper and lower lids are lined, make sure that the lines connect at the outer edge of the eye. It will make the application look smooth and enhance the eyes. Play around with colors to find the ones that complement your eyes. Practice lining your eyes in different ways and discover what look enhances them the best. It’s amazing to see all the different looks that can be created with eye liners. And don’t forget the mascara as a finishing touch! Issue 297 - 7/09/07
MIXING MAKEUP WITH FITNESS? Now we’ve all heard the phrase never mix business with pleasure, but what about makeup with exercise? It’s an interesting topic to explore. There are many women out there that can not leave the house without putting on their makeup. When it comes to the gym, is it commonplace for women to wear makeup there? How about when exercising outdoors? Partly it depends on the time of day that women workout. Some women choose to workout early in the morning before starting their day. It doesn’t really make sense to wear makeup then, if they plan on showering and changing after the workout. Therefore these women typically don’t wear makeup regardless of where their exercising takes place. Many women who work outside of the home choose to exercise at lunch time or after work. In this scenario you see more women with makeup on at the gym, since they put it on in the morning before starting their work day. Is it necessary for women to wear makeup when they exercise? Basically no, but it’s important for women to protect their skin when they exercise outdoors. Before venturing out for that run or bike ride, make sure to wear sun block on the face. This could be in the form of a tinted moisturizer with an SPF, a foundation with an SPF, or just a sun block by itself. The SPF should be a minimum of 15. As part of protecting the face outdoors, keep in mind that the lips need protection too. Take a moment to slap on a lip product that contains sunscreen. Lip balms are always good choices because they also protect against chapping from wind and sun. You can find lip balms with or without color. Just make sure they have an SPF associated with them. It’s certainly easier to mix makeup with exercise if you choose lunch or after hour’s workouts. And for those of you who prefer the great outdoors you can easily incorporate a little color into your workout in the ways mentioned above. You’ll look good breaking that sweat! Issue 298 - 7/16/07
EYE SHADOW COLORS It is mind boggling to think of all the different eye shadow colors that exist in cosmoland. With so many colors it’s no wonder that women can get overwhelmed with the selection process. Do you pick a different color for each week or occasion? Is there an every day color that will work for a certain skin tone? How many colors should be worn on the eyelid at any given time? Let’s break down the color confusion and see what works. First of all, it’s a good idea to find a base eye shadow color that can be worn all over the lid. Why? Because often our eyelids can have a little pinkness or redness in them, so choosing a natural shade can even them out. It also can be used as a canvas to layer other colors on top. Whether you wear this color alone or with other colors, it also helps prevent creasing of the colors on your eye lid. The base color should be a sandy, bone colored shadow, preferably with a yellow undertone to it. Our skin naturally has yellow undertones and therefore the base shadow will look smooth and natural over the eye lid. For darker complexions, look for a darker shade of the same sand/bone color. When it comes to all of the other colors out there, remember that anyone can wear any color they want as long as it’s the right shade. That being said, the colors you choose should be worn on the lower eye lid going up to the crease. They should be blended smoothly into the lid with an eye shadow applicator or brush. Choose colors that you like and don’t worry about trying to match them with your clothes. Your focus should be matching the shade to your skin tone. One tip for fairer skins: stay away from pink eye shadows because they can give the appearance of pink eye or a very tired look to the eyes. Earth tones and violets can complement a fair skin and just about any eye color. Another tip: “more mature” eyes may want to stick to matte eye shadows and avoid ones with shimmer. Shimmer can accentuate lines and wrinkles. For an every day look you can wear just your base eye shadow with an eye liner. This is a very classic look. Or for added definition you can add another color to the lower lid as described above. For parties and special occasions go all out and mix as many shadow colors as you like to bring out those party eyes. Have fun trying different colors to see which ones complement your eyes! Issue 299 - 7/23/07
EVENTS Summer is the perfect time of year to get out there and take in some fun activities. When it comes to makeup, you’ll find that retailers and cosmetic lines frequently put together makeup activities and events for their customers. This is a great opportunity for women of all ages to learn more about makeup and makeup application. It takes a little research to find out who’s doing what and where. A good place to start is with some phone calls. Perhaps your local salon is giving makeup lessons. If you call around to department stores you may discover that your favorite cosmetic line is holding a makeup event next week. Often times the newspaper is a good search tool because of its advertising. Certainly you can go online to broaden your search further. Department stores cosmetics departments always look like they have something going on at any given point in time. Because there are so many different lines operating in one area, you’re bound to find a promotional event taking place. A popular one for the well known cosmetic lines is called Gift With Purchase. The way it works is simple. If you purchase a certain dollar amount of product, then you receive a free gift bag with some makeup essentials. For someone looking to learn more about makeup, they could use this event to their advantage. Sit down with a makeup artist and let them work with you. In the end you’ll probably have found a couple of products that will work for you. Other ways to find makeup events and activities is to talk to people who belong to various clubs. There are multiple clubs in the community whose members may do skincare and makeup as a part time gig. These clubs may hold events at someone’s home or at a venue, to encourage membership and offer something fun for their members. One of the services I like to offer is makeup consultations at Expectations Salon & Boutique. It’s a great way to meet new clients and spend some one-on-one time with them. It will surprise you to discover how much is going on out there! Issue 300 - 7/30/07
HOT FOR FALL What’s hot for fall you ask? The fall look is all about stonewashed nudes. They are cool neutral tones in both matte and shimmer shades. These tones encompass browns, grays, and tans. They have very earthy color qualities to them. What makes these colors so versatile is that you can wear them in different ways. If a smoky eye is what you’re after, start with a bone colored shadow all over the lid from lash to brow. Follow that with a chocolate brown or a medium toned gray on the lower lid, blended up to the crease. Top off the brow bone with a little highlighting using a light silvery or light beige shade. Don’t forget the eye liner on both upper and lower lids. A good color to complement the stonewashed nudes is black or charcoal brown. To complete this look on your face, choose a blush in a natural nude shade. Do the same for your lip color. Lips without much pigment to them can wear a flesh toned light nude shade. Darker lips can try a browner nude shade. If wearing a light and natural eye is your preference, you can wear just the lighter stonewashed shades on the lid. Like above, start with a bone colored shadow all over the lid and then add in the light beige or silvery gray very subtly on the lower lid. Line only the upper eye lid but try one coat of mascara on upper and lower lashes.. For cheeks and lips you could go darker while sporting the paler eye. Try a peach toned blush and a sheer chocolate lip color. Some makeup artists are even skipping the eye shadow all together by balancing a bare lid with a dark smoky eye liner. Overall it appears that we’re seeing much more muted tones in terms of colors this fall. The neutrals may end up going from being a trend to being a classic look in makeup because of their versatility. Women of all different skin tones can wear these colors well throughout the season. Try mixing the colors to create another shade if you’re in a playful makeup mood! Issue 301 - 8/06/07
2007 MAKEUP TRENDS Last week’s column focused on what is hot for the fall of 2007, especially as it relates to colors. This week let’s look at the bigger picture to see what the makeup trends have been for 2007 thus far. Top cosmetic guru BJ Gillian, who helped create palettes for some of the top cosmetic companies in the industry, advises us to “look to what’s new in making your skin and complexion fabulous.” Since we all know that a great looking face starts with skin care, it’s important to invest in a great skin care regimen that works best for your particular skin type. Start by taking a good long look at your skin and deal with its issues, such as dark circles, breakouts, etc… Find a palette – products and colors – that will help you look great under any circumstances. Hot makeup looks for this year have been: freckles, translucent foundation, spot concealers, matte finishes, colorful shadows at the lash line, eye liner, brushed metallic accents at lash lines, fuller brushed-up brows, lash extensions, glossy lips, neutral tones of powder blush to highlight cheekbones, taupe/bronze/brown shadows, gel-based eye liner in a pot, eye lash curlers and soft pink for lips. Stay away from the spray-on self tanners, pencil eye liners, covering the entire face with liquid foundations, shiny faces, overly powdered faces, lined lips, thin brows and clumpy lashes. A final note from BJ: Cosmetic formulas change as quickly as the seasons, so be a savvy consumer at every price point and look for what’s new and available for your skin type. Keep this in mind not only for makeup but for skin care products as well. Issue 303 - 8/20/07
TRIAL RUN You’ve heard the term in several different contexts but what about for makeup? Usually when we say” trial run” it implies that it’s happening for an upcoming special occasion. Most of the trial runs are done for brides who are preparing for their wedding day. However they can also work well for teens who are gearing up for a Kinseniera or Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Trial runs are important for several reasons when it comes to makeup application. The biggest reason for doing a trial run before an event is to pick your colors. It takes time to try different colors to find the right shades. So this is the time to play around with different colors and see what works. If you have a certain outfit that you plan to wear you may want to coordinate your makeup colors with it. Another benefit of doing a trial run is to figure out what” look” you want to wear with your makeup. Perhaps the event is in the evening, so the look needs to be more defined and emphasized. If a natural look is your preference then that will be the focus for your special day. Along with choosing colors and “a look” you want to make sure that you match your concealer / powder/ foundation to your skin tone. This makes a trial run very worthwhile. If the makeup artist doesn’t meet you until the big event, then it will take longer to do the makeup application. So take the time to figure it all out beforehand so that on the day of the event all you need to do is show up. The makeup artist will have all the colors and products ready to apply. Then you can sit back, relax and enjoy the process! Issue 304 - 8/27/07
THE MAGICIAN IS YOU! “Give me a fish and I’ll eat today, teach me to fish and I’ll eat for a lifetime.” While this may not be the expression one would think of when it comes to makeup, it does relate in a very important way. Time and time again I hear women tell me that they wish that they could apply their makeup the way that the makeup artists do. And my response to them is always the same…”but you can!” When you work in makeup artistry for a long time, it’s really easy to get in the habit of just applying it while you are having some good conversation with your client. But since I started getting that common feedback from women, it made me rethink the process. What can I do as a makeup artist to help my client walk away from the experience feeling confident and good about her look? Many women are left feeling uncomfortable with the makeup application process because they want to look a certain way and are afraid that they will not be able to achieve that look themselves. My answer: teach the step by step process so that she can practice it and replicate it at home. Every face is different so every process is slightly different as well. Some have more steps than others but the goal is to get the client to the place where they are ready to try it on their own…and feel good about it. The key is to explain to the client what I’m doing as I’m doing it. This allows the conversation to flow more naturally and the client does not feel like they are in a training class. It’s also helpful to have a mirror on hand at all times. Have the client hold the mirror and watch the process. It will really help her learn if she can see what you are doing as you are doing it. You never know if you have an auditory or visual learner on your hands, so explaining and showing covers both. At the end of my makeup application I always ask the client if they have any questions about what we just did. I also invite them to call me anytime should they have questions or concerns when they go to try it at home. I have found that this technique results in a more fun experience for the client, as it should be! Issue 305 - 9/03/07
SKIN LOOKING LIKE SKIN One of the comments you will often hear from world renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown is that “skin should look like skin.” And it means just that. There is nothing complex about it. In Bobbi’s mission statement, she expresses one of her values as being “simplicity”. She wants women to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident. And there are several ways to keep skin looking like skin when it comes to makeup application. First and foremost the skin should always be prepped for makeup. Wash the face and moisturize where needed. Don’t forget the eye area because eye cream hydrates and helps the under eye concealer look and feel smooth under the eyes. Every skin will require its own prep work depending on your skin type: dry, normal, oily, sensitive etc… Once the skin is prepped then the makeup will wear much better, smoother and look more natural. Another way to keep skin looking like skin with makeup is to choose foundations and powders that are skin-tone-correct. What does this mean? When you go to sample a foundation or powder you want the product to match perfectly to your skin tone. The way you can tell if you have a match is if the product disappears into your skin when you apply it. It’s that simple. If it looks ashy it’s probably too light and if it looks yellowish it’s probably too dark. Finally, choosing the right formula for your foundations and powders can play a big part in keeping skin looking its best. Choosing a tinted moisturizer will certainly look more natural than a foundation that boasts a lot of coverage. That’s not to say that coverage is a bad thing. A foundation with coverage imparts a finished, polished look which is often a plus for work purposes. Interestingly enough Bobbi points out that a heavily freckled face should wear less foundation with coverage, because it makes the face look cakey and unnatural if one tries to hide the freckles. For face powder, choose a lightweight formula that removes the shine. Your skin will certainly look and feel like skin after your makeup is on. Issue 306 - 9/10/07
BRONZED The term “bronzer” can mean different things depending on the context in which it’s used. There are bronzers for the body and face, and they come offered in a multitude of formulas. There’s bronzing gel, cream, glitter and powder to name a bunch. And it can leave you feeling overwhelmed…what goes where and how? For makeup purposes you typically encounter two types of bronzers: powders and gels. Of the two, the powders are usually the easiest to apply. The gels however boast more staying power. Let’s take a look at both and see how they work. Many people think that bronzing powder is just used on the cheeks, like blush. Actually bronzer can be used on the cheeks but it’s also used on other parts of the face…and body! Here’s how to make your bronzing powder work the best for you. When you go to apply the bronzer, first make sure that you are using a thick full brush. This will allow the bronzer to be distributed for smoothly and evenly on your skin. When applying it on your face dip your brush into the powder, tap off the excess, and apply it on the high points of your face where the sun would naturally hit you. This would be the forehead, nose, chin and the apples of the cheeks that pop out when you smile. Make sure you blend the powder in well with your brush. I typically apply it sparingly because it’s easier to add more than to take some away. For the body you can apply bronzing powder on your neck in an up-down sweeping motion. Since the neck doesn’t get as much sun as the face, the powder helps even everything out. If you are wearing a top that is very open in the front you can also apply the bronzer on your décolleté. As for gels they are best used lightly all over the face to warm it up. Again use it sparingly so as not to overdo it and cause a fake tan look. The gel can also be used on neck and décolleté to give you a natural sun kissed look. A lot of women like to use bronzers in the fall and winter time to warm up their complexion a bit. They can also be used in place of blush. Did you ever think there would be so many ways to use bronzers? Issue 307 - 9/17/07
BRUSHES VS. FINGERS While makeup brushes have been around for a long time, their popularity seems to be growing. These days there are even more brushes than ever before. There are various types of eye shadow brushes and even eye liner brushes. But brushes are not for everyone. For those preferring to use their fingers to apply makeup, let’s examine what requires a brush and what can be done with the “hands on” approach. When it comes to concealer, foundation and powder there is a lot of options here. Concealer can be applied with fingers very easily. Just take a tiny amount on the ring finger and tap it into the inner corner of the eye and blend it out with smooth pats. If you set your concealer with a powder, use a powder puff applicator instead of a brush. For foundation, if you use a creamy formula it’s easy to apply it with the fingers. In fact most people do anyway because it gives you more control when applying. If your foundation is a cream-to-powder formula they typically come with their own sponge applicator. Loose powder foundation requires a large, thick powder brush for application. Pressed powder can be applied with a powder puff applicator, and those typically come included in the powder compact. For eye shadows, women can certainly use their fingers instead of a brush if necessary. The key to doing so is blending. With your pointer finger, pick up some color for your lower lid and smudge it on the base of the lid and blend it from inner to outer corner. Also blend it upward to the crease in your eye lid. The trick is to make it look smooth and even on the lid. Then take a lighter color on the other pointer finger and blend that on the upper lid. Eye liner is another product that requires some type of applicator, depending on what type of liner you buy. Blushes on the other hand present more options. If you buy a cream or gel blush you can apply it with your fingers or those sponge applicators found at drug stores. But if powder blush is your personal favorite, you will get a smoother application using a blush brush. If you must use fingers, apply it sparingly starting on the apples of the cheeks going in a circular motion while blending back toward the hairline and down to soften. And ladies, we know how fast we can get that lip color on in a pinch, don’t we? Issue 308 - 9/24/07
FOR THE BUSY PROFESSIONAL In today’s busy world many women are finding it hard to have the time to look their best, but they must still look professional. How does one find time to apply makeup in the morning when they also have to help their family start their day? Not an easy task but with the help of these makeup application tips, working women everywhere can get themselves ready quickly and still handle what’s on their plate for the day. The first tip is to have these items on hand: a good moisturizer, foundation, eye shadow, concealer, blush, mascara and lipstick. That’s all you need when you are in a rush to get out the door to work. Moisturize the face wherever it feels dry and tight. If you see under eye circles, take a dab of concealer on your ring finger and pat it onto the inner corner of the eye and blend it down and outward under the eye. If you can do without foundation, skip it. If not the quickest way to apply it is to dot it on the forehead, chin, nose and cheeks. Using your fingers blend the foundation outward starting at the center of your face. Applying the foundation will take the longest. The next tip is to use only one color eye shadow on your eye lid. It will allow you to look your best in the shortest amount of time. A white shadow works well on a very fair skin, a bone colored shadow works great for a moderately fair to medium skin tone and a beige shadow complements a darker skin. Apply the eye shadow from lash to brow covering the entire lid. Grab the black mascara and sweep it on. It will open up the eyes more and help polish your look. Finally apply a pop of color on the apples of your cheeks as you smile, blending back and down to soften. Apply a tad of lipstick and you are out the door and ready for the day. This whole routine should take you only 5 minutes or so and having your colors ready beforehand will make it go even faster. Give it a try! Issue 309 - 10/01/07
FOR EYEGLASS WEARERS Whether you are wearing eye glasses for fashion or necessity, they draw plenty of attention to the eyes. Because of this it is best to keep your eye makeup simple. Overdoing your eye makeup will clash with your frames and leave you looking brash. By following these simple steps you will be able to complement those eyes when wearing your glasses. Start by applying your concealer if needed and set it with a dab of powder. In this case less is more so just line the top lash line only. Dust a neutral, ashy shadow on the lower lid. Then brush a coat of mascara onto your top lashes only. Stay away from the bright and bold colors on the eyes as they will look best on the lips. Since eyeglass frames also draw attention to the eye brows, make sure you keep your brows groomed. You will want to focus on the arches of the brows. Pluck or trim any straggly hairs, and fill in holes in your brows with a brow pencil or a powder shadow. To find the right color for your brows, visit a makeup counter or store to enlist the help of a makeup artist. It may be that your prescription makes your eyes look smaller. If this applies to you, line your eyes well. Lining both the top and bottom lash lines will create a doe-eyed look. If your prescription makes your eyes look bigger, then line only the top lash line and use a light hand when applying eye makeup. Also be sure to blend everything well. Otherwise your glasses may end up magnifying sloppy work. There is no need to match your eye makeup colors exactly to your frames, but in general it’s good to choose frames that are neutral in color such as black or brown. These colors will always give you a classic look that never goes out of style. Issue 310 - 10/08/07
BEAUTY ISSUES We all have our issues when it comes to our face. The circles under the eyes, the droopy eye lids, sallow colored skin, and wrinkles are just a few of the many beauty issues encountered by women everywhere. So is there a way, without resorting to plastic surgery and other expensive treatments, for women to correct these issues and feel better about the skin that they are in? Bobbi Brown, the leading authority on makeup and individualized beauty assures us that there is. Let’s look at some of the more common issues and see what Bobbi’s recommendations are. Loss of Eye Definition: To give your eyes back the definition they once had, the most effective solution is eye liner. Choose a dark liner shade like brown, navy, forest green or black. Start on the upper lid and be sure to apply liner as close to the base of the lashes as possible. Work from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. Then look in the mirror to see if the liner is thick enough to be visible when your eyes are wide open. If you want to, you can line the lower lash line as well but keep the application soft and light. Make sure that both lines meet at the outer corner. Crepey Eyelids: Crepey skin around the eye area is the result of aging, too much sun exposure and genetics. Start by pressing face powder with a powder puff on your lids to help create a smoother looking surface. Stay away from shimmery eye shadow formulas because they reflect light and draw attention to less-than-smooth lids. Choose soft matte shadows in light to medium tones of nude, brown, gray and lavender. Cream eye shadow formulas will also work as long as they are not too greasy or too drying. Droopy Eyelids: Also known as “bedroom eyes” they can be both a pro and a con. When they start looking tired instead of sexy, makeup can do wonders. A properly shaped eye brow can give your eye lids a more lifted look. Tweeze hairs between the brows and underneath the arch. Then define brows with a powder shadow applied with a brow brush. Brush clear brow gel through the brows to keep them in place. There are even more tricks for combating droopy lids which I will cover in a future column so stay tuned! Issue 312 - 10/22/07
MORE BEAUTY ISSUES A few weeks back I talked about some of the more common beauty issues encountered by women. This column will cover another trick for dealing with droopy eye lids as well as address some other beauty issues. One lid-lifting trick is to line your eyes all around with a dark powder eye shadow applied with an eye liner brush. The liner on the upper lash line should be thicker and stronger than it is on the lower lash line. To achieve this, line the upper lash line first. Then line the lower lash line using the leftover shadow on the brush. Both lines should be thin at the inner corner of the eye, and slightly thicker at the outer corner. Make sure that the top and bottom lines meet at the outer corner of the eye and blend slightly upward to give eyes a lift. A common complaint among women when they hit their forties or beyond is that their lips are thinner than they used to be. This is a result of a decrease in collagen production. The key to working with thin lips is to stick to light-to-medium lip color shades and avoid dark shades. Dark shades actually minimize, making the lips look even thinner. Choose shiny glosses and creamy lipstick formulas. They create a sheen that gives the illusion of fullness. Finally line the outer edge of your lips using a lip pencil one shade deeper than your lipstick. Many women complain of dull, sallow-looking skin, especially in the winter months. This comes from slower skin cell turnover. The key here is to exfoliate and then add color back with makeup. Choose a scrub that is formulated just for your face. After exfoliating select a self-tanner or bronzer to neutralize the sallow tones in your face. Bronzer works best on the high points of the face: forehead nose, chin and cheeks. Next grab a bright colored blush to give your cheeks a “pop” of color. The bright colored blush should be applied on the apples of the cheeks when you are smiling. If you need a hand selecting the right shades for your face, feel free to give me a call. Issue 313 - 10/29/07
MAKEUP REFLECTION -2 When you look in the mirror every day and see the same face looking back at you, it’s easy to notice negative aspects, like the gradual aging that is taking place. There is a new wrinkle or freckle that wasn’t there before. The eyes look more tired than they did yesterday. Why not change your perspective toward the positive instead. It may surprise you! When you wake up tomorrow morning after that invigorating shower, take a good long look at yourself in the mirror. Instead of noticing what’s wrong with your face, try noticing what’s right about it. What is your best facial feature? What features do you really want to enhance with makeup? Perhaps it’s your eyes, or maybe even your cheekbones. Do people tell you that you have a great smile? Bring out that smile even more with a colorful lip gloss. Over the years it seems like women have associated wearing makeup with covering up imperfections. In this decade it is nice to see the perspective changing. While makeup artists continue to be attentive toward the concerns of their clients, they also are showing them how to enhance their own natural beauty. Enhancing our features can make us feel prettier and more confident. Some women may not be aware of their best facial features and having someone point it out may change the way that they look at makeup application and beauty. If no one has ever told you what gorgeous eyes you have, would you really spend much time focusing on them with makeup? Maybe yes, maybe no. If nothing else, taking a positive perspective on your face can start your day off a little better than before. Issue 314 - 11/05/07
MASCARAS As you probably have seen, there are a multitude of mascaras out there. You can find them in different colors for starters. And it seems like whatever purpose you need a mascara to serve, there is one out there to fit the bill. Let’s examine some of the more popular selections. There are lengthening mascaras which make the eye lashes appear longer than they are. These types are great for women with short lashes naturally. Another plus for mascaras is that they typically make the lashes darker because of the mascara color. This is great for making the lashes look fuller and more prominent. There are thickening mascaras which are ideal for women with sparse eye lashes. The big difference in lengthening and thickening mascaras is the type of wand used to apply the product. The lashes will appear even fuller than without mascara. The consistency of the thickening mascara is also different from lengthening mascara. There are also waterproof mascaras which claim to stay put even through tears. The upside is that you don’t have to worry about smudging around your eyes. The downside is that it takes a lot more effort to remove this type of mascara. Have a strong eye makeup remover on hand when you where the waterproof version. There are many more types in the marketplace that haven’t been mentioned but as a makeup artist, I recommend having a good “every day” mascara that lengthens and waterproof mascara for those times when you need it. You can’t go wrong with black and/or brown shades, so try them out and see what’s best for you! Issue 315 - 11/12/07
TWO KITS When it comes to makeup kits it’s a good idea to have two on hand. Why two you ask? One kit is for using at home and another kit is for carrying with you for touch ups or travel. When you think of a kit you may envision a makeup bag with a ton of products floating around. But in reality the carrying kit is actually pretty small in comparison to your at-home kit. So what’s in these kits? For the carrying kit, make sure you have a concealer. This is great for touching up the under eye area if it starts to look darker or you see some creasing. Another handy item is a stick foundation. It’s so portable and easy to whip out if you need to go over an area that may have faded a bit. For those of you with oily skins or just needing to take away the shine, carry a pressed powder with you. Make sure it’s the correct shade for your skin tone, just like your foundation stick. Blush can really make a difference when you need a touch up throughout the day. Have your favorite shade on hand to help bring back that pop of color. We all know that lip colors need to be reapplied after eating and drinking, so be sure to have a lipstick or lip gloss in your kit. Most likely you already have your at-home kit in place and don’t even know it. Here’s what you need: a cleanser for face and an eye makeup remover, an eye cream and a moisturizer, a concealer and foundation, a loose powder, 3 eye shadows (light, medium & dark shade), a mascara, blush, lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner, makeup brushes or applicators and tools. Tools can mean tweezers and an eye lash curler…two must haves. Some cosmetic companies sell their own makeup kits so that you don’t have to bother with tossing products in a bag. It’s easier to use because the kits are designed in a way that makes it convenient to find your products. The next time you are out shopping for makeup, ask a sales associate if they sell little kits for on-the-go. It will be a nice gift to give to yourself. Issue 316 - 11/19/07
YOUR CANVAS You will often hear me say that the best makeup in the world will not look good unless you are taking care of the skin underneath. And part of doing so is starting your makeup application with a clean slate each day. In other words, think of your face as a canvas. You are about to paint your picture with makeup. You would want to start with a fresh, clean canvas right? Here are some ways to ensure that your “canvas” is ready for you to apply your makeup. The first thing is to check that yesterday’s makeup is no longer present. If you didn’t remove it the night before (tisk tisk), make sure it’s completely gone first thing in the morning. Use a good face and eye makeup remover to take it off. Mascara can be tricky to remove so take an extra few seconds with the cotton ball to wipe those lashes clean. If you had already removed your makeup the night before, than begin by washing your face. Depending on the condition of my skin, sometimes washing the face means just taking cold water and splashing it over my face. I emphasize COLD water because I have read that it helps wake up the face by stimulating the skin. It helps reduce early morning puffiness around the eyes; it puts color back into the face and just feels refreshing. Now it's time to moisturize. Depending on how dry, normal or oily your skin feels, choose a moisturizer that fits the bill. Use it only where you feel like you need some hydration. If your skin feels tight that’s often a sign that you should moisturize. For those of you that wear eye cream, put it on before your face cream. This will allow the eye cream to absorb into the eye area prepping the eyes for concealer. Now your canvas is prepped and ready for your work of art! Issue 317 - 11/26/07
BATTLING BREAKOUTS You wake up and make your way to the bathroom only to discover that staring back at you in the mirror is a face full of blemishes. What a way to start the day. With the pressure of school due to upcoming exams, and the holidays showing up faster than a blink of an eye, it’s no wonder your face is experiencing the blemish blues. But fear not because there are several ways that you can battle your blemishes with and without makeup. For starters, the number one thing that people do to cause their face to break out is to touch it. We do not realize how much dirt and oil we carry around on our hands daily. So when you go to rub your chin or forehead out of stress, think again. It will certainly help cut down on those breakouts during the holiday season. Don’t neglect your skin care routine. It’s easy to shrug it off when you’re busy juggling work, school, family and having to start your holiday shopping too. Take that minute or two in the morning and at night to clean your face. Even a quick wash is better than no wash. Eat your sweets in moderation. Let’s face it; the temptation is all around us during the holidays with pies, cookies and other festive baked goods. Keep it to a minimum by only trying one or two sweets instead of three or four at the holiday party. Not only will your waistline thank you for it, your face will too! Finally there are some makeup tricks for hiding the blemishes while they’re around. Moisturize your face with an oil free lotion. Then take a dab of concealer that matches your skin tone and pat it on the blemish. Pat until it’s blended into the skin. Then set it with a touch of loose or pressed oil free powder. I assure you that the breakouts will be less noticeable while you wait for them to go away. And you will enjoy the holiday season so much more if you’re not stressing about your face! Issue 318 - 12/03/07
HOLIDAY PARTIES With the arrival of December you can’t help but feel the spirit of the holidays all around. Along with that come the holiday parties with family, friends and coworkers. It’s fun to shop for a party outfit or try out something festive already in your closet. But what about your makeup? Should you wear the usual every day look to a party or should you kick it up a notch? Here are some ideas for how to look your party best. For the 2007 holiday season we are seeing metallics popping up in eye shadows. They come in silver and gold as well as different colors. The colored metallics typically have a silver or gold undertone. Try them both to see which one looks best next to your skin. If your outfit is more colorful, you may opt for a silver or gold eye shadow. If your outfit is black or brown for example, you could make your eyes stand out with a colored metallic such as a deep burgundy, pink, or chocolate. Blue metallic eye shadows complement black very well. The eye shadows come in both powder and cream textures. Matte makeup is a good choice for parties, because it doesn’t steal the spotlight away from your outfit or those stand-out eyes. Matte makeup can be found in cream, liquid and powder formulas. It creates a smooth finish that is not shiny. If you want to add a little shine or shimmer on the cheeks, do so with a blush or a gloss for the cheeks. Another benefit of wearing matte makeup at parties is that it doesn’t impart that natural, every day look that you usually wear. It gives a more finished, polished look that works well for special occasions. The soft smoky eye is all the rage this season. To create this look, use a gray eye pencil instead of black to line and smudge around the eyes. And don’t forget the lips! If you are sporting a lighter eye, go dark with the lip color. Deep reds and burgundies are very festive. If a smoky eye is your look of choice, pick a lip color with less pigment. You can still do reds and wines but keep them sheer in texture. After all that, make sure to enjoy your party! Issue 319 - 12/10/07
CURLING Do your eye lashes have a mind of their own? Do they stick straight out or slope down instead of curling up? Are you constantly wrestling them with your mascara wand? Well it may be time for some professional help… via the eye lash curler. This gadget looks trickier than it actually is, and with a little practice, you can master curling those lashes once and for all! First you want to make sure that you buy a good quality eye lash curler. I would stay away from the drug store brands and explore the beauty supply stores or cosmetic departments in the large retail stores. Make sure you can try it before you buy it. Have the sales associate clean the gadget before you take a turn at it. If you are not familiar with how to use an eye lash curler, have the sales associate demonstrate it on herself. You will want to get a curler with a good rubber base for better gripping of the lashes. Also a good base will prevent your lashes from getting stuck in the curler. The first step is to have a mirror in front of you. Practice holding the curler in your hand and squeezing it. You want to feel comfortable operating this device. Then it’s time to practice. Always curl your lashes before applying your mascara. Bring the curler up to your eye and position it on the eye lashes. Then squeeze the handles of the curler together. This will allow the curler to grip the lashes in between the rubber base. Hold the curler still for about 10 seconds to allow the lashes to curl up. Then release the handles and slowly pull the curler away from your eye. Are the lashes curling upwards now? It will not be perfect the first time around so keep practicing with your curler. Sometimes we tend to grab some of the lashes but not all of them. Don’t take your curler any further in than the base of your lashes. When you have your lashes looking the way you want them to, you are ready for the finishing touch…mascara! Issue 322 - 12/31/07
A MAKEUP VACATION Now that 2008 is upon us why not start fresh with your look for the New Year. Instead of figuring out how to put it all on, start by taking off the makeup and letting your skin breathe for a while. There are times when it feels good not wearing any makeup. During those times you can focus on rejuvenating your skin while you give it a little vacation from the makeup scene. So what should you do when your face is on a makeup vacation? There are several things that a little pampering can do for the skin. Start by giving yourself the gift of a facial. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or expensive. Most salons and spas offer a basic refreshing facial that’s typically around the $35 - $40 price range. It includes a deep cleansing, exfoliation, steaming and moisturizing of the face. I usually have one once a year and it makes my face feel so fresh and revitalized. Another treatment that you can do in the comfort of your own home is to treat your face to a moisturizing mask. If you don’t have the product already, it’s easy to find in your local mall stores or beauty stores such as Ulta. Just pick the one that you think would be ideal for your skin type. On a lazy winter weekend, kick back with your mask on and let your face get pampered! Often enough the things we eat and drink can certainly take a toll on our skin. With the holidays now behind us, our bodies may still be carrying around all that sugar and caffeine that we consumed. Sweets never seem to do any good for the skin as they can lead to breakouts. So take a day or two and load up on lots of water and put aside the sweets. Your skin will thank you for it by clearing up and giving you a healthy, hydrated glow. It’s so important to take care of your skin all year round, but especially your face. It gets much more exposure to the sun’s harmful rays and it’s more delicate than the skin on the rest of your body. Doing so will allow your makeup to wear better and longer. Your skin will appreciate a vacation once in a while. Issue 323 - 1/07/08
MAKEUP MAYHEM You raise your eyebrows in disbelief as you peer into your makeup bag…what a mess! There is more stuff in there than you know what to do with! How do you reorganize your makeup and get it so that it’s useable? What products should be paired together? And what should be pitched all together? Here’s the low down on getting your makeup collection more usable. First take everything out of the bag. You need to see every piece to determine what to do with it. Decide if you even want to continue using that bag. Perhaps you would like to switch to a more organized makeup case. Those are available for sale at makeup stores and beauty supply stores. Now go through each product to see it you can keep or pitch. Your mascara is only good for 4-6 months before bacteria starts developing in the tube. Other eye and lip products have a shelf life of about a year. If you’re not sure how old a product is try the smell test. If it has a funny odor than it’s probably past its useful life. With foundations, if the formula separates that’s usually a sign that it’s no longer working its best. Now that you’ve eliminated some of the makeup, examine what is left over. You may need to go out and buy that new mascara. Make sure you have the basics: a face powder, foundation when needed, concealer, an eye liner and eye shadow that works for every day, a blush, and a lip color that matches your lips. If you have several eye shadows, blushes and lipsticks that you like and want to figure out which colors to wear together, give me a call and I can help you coordinate your colors. Don’t forget to clean your tools! Makeup brushes and applicators need to be washed every so often. You can do so easily using a mild liquid soap. Don’t let the brushes sit in the water to soak. That can loosen the hairs. Quickly run them under water with the soap, rinse, and lay them flat to air dry. Hopefully the makeup mayhem will quickly become a thing of the past. Issue 324 - 1/14/08
EYE LINERS It used to be that eye liner just came in the form of a pencil that you used to line your eyes. Times sure have changed! Today eye liners come in many different shapes and forms. Let’s look at some of the different types, including their pros and cons. The eye pencils are still around, offering a variety of colors to line your eyes with. They are fast and easy to use with no mess. Their only maintenance needed is sharpening from time to time. You can usually find an eye pencil sharpener at the same place you purchase the eye pencil. When you line your eyes with an eye pencil you’ll find that you have more control and a steadier hand. The down side is that it may take you a little longer to line because you may have to go over the line a few times until you get it looking like you want. Many cosmetic lines use eye shadows as eye liners. How does that work you ask? Using a special eye liner brush, you dip the brush into the powder eye shadow and then line your eyes. If you wet the brush first your line will be darker and more defined. This method is good for someone who wants a softer, more natural look. The down side is that it can be a bit messy if some of the excess powder eye shadow falls below your eye. And it may take a little practice in using the brush to apply your eye liner. There are two other forms of eye liner that are fairly popular. The liquid eye liner has been around for years and comes in a tube with a wand to apply. This eye liner is best known for its staying power. But it also takes some practice to get the lining right. You may have to keep a little eye makeup remover on hand if you have to wipe it off and start over. The look will be slightly darker and more distinct. The other eye liner that is relatively new on the scene is a gel eye liner. It comes in a pot and like liquid liner, boasts good staying power. It comes in a variety of colors and to use it you will need a fine eye liner brush. It will take a little practice to get comfortable applying it, but the look is smooth and it will not smudge. So which eye liner has your name on it? Issue 325 - 1/21/08
THE MAKEOVER I just recently read an article in the Colorado Springs Gazette about getting a makeover. The writer went to three different establishments to see how the makeup experience differed. It was interesting to hear about the pros and cons, from a customer’s perspective. Here’s a short synopsis from a makeup artist’s perspective on the makeover experience. Having done makeup artistry for 15 years has allowed me to meet many ladies and get their feedback on the experience. The majority of women who have come for makeovers are typically women that wear little to no makeup, and would like to learn how to apply makeup. The remaining group is those who want their makeup done for a special occasion. That being said, I try to do two things when doing a client’s makeup: 1) make the experience enjoyable for them and 2) show them what I’m doing and how I’m doing it. A lot of times women feel uncomfortable about going to get their makeup done because they are afraid that they will exit looking like a clown. I focus on listening to their needs and wants. It’s not about how I put makeup on them, it’s about showing them how to give themselves the look they want. I have them hold a mirror the entire time so that they can see the process as it unfolds. I encourage them to ask questions and let me know if something needs to be changed. And I ask questions too so that I can understand what they like and dislike. While there is nothing wrong with getting a makeover at a cosmetic department store or a makeup shop, I find that customers will get more time and attention with their appointment if they have their makeup done in a salon. Another option is having the makeup artist come to their home. The biggest pro is that the artist does not have to stop doing your makeup to help another customer. The customer has their undivided attention with no interruptions. The con is that there will be a charge to get your makeup done but there should be no pressure to buy anything. You may want to do as the Gazette writer did and try out different establishments to discover which makeover experience suits you the best. |
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