Archive for the '♥ ♥ ♥ Makeup' Category
When Big is Better
Author: admin
Having big features is not always considered a good thing, especially not when it comes to body parts… But there is one facial feature where bigger is indeed better. I’m talking about having huge, expressive, doe eyes. Not only will having larger peepers (or the allusion of it) make you seem more attractive, younger and rested, it’s also just a plain cute look. If you’ve ever seen a picture of Twiggy, you’ll realize that much of her appeal had to do wit her huge, adorable and blue eyes framed by spidery, black lashes.
Not all of us have been blessed with big eyes, however, so below, I’ve compiled some tips and tricks to make your eyes large and in charge. I work with a lot of makeup artists in my salon and on shoots, so I’ve managed to pick up these helpful hints for applying women’s eye makeup. Here we go…
- Put a shimmery light colored eye shadow on either side of the bridge of your nose as well as on your lids (apply lightly here). White or light colors in general, make the allusion of more space between your eyes and bigger eyes overall. Just don’t go crazy with the white eye shadow.
- Try a peach toned liner on the inner rims of your lower lid instead of black or brown. Then, apply a black/brown/gray liner a little underneath the rim and the peach liner.
-Apply a darker shadow in the crease of your eyelids. If your eyes are close-set, try just putting the shadow on the outer part of your crease. If your eyes are far apart, do the opposite and apply shadow on the inner part of your crease.
-Don’t forget the mascara!!! This is key to creating a lush, sexy eye. I like black and glossy mascara for night and a more opaque and natural shade for day. Curl your lashes and apply a few coats of mascara (just make sure it doesn’t look goopy). Two brands that are great are DiorShow mascara and, for the more budget conscious, any Maybelline kind (can’t mess with the tried and true).
read comments (0)Reducing Pore Size
Author: admin
Has skin with large pores got you down? Big pores can leave your skin looking unhealthy, unclean, aged or much like the cratered skin of an orange and no one wants that. Although it is true that there is no treatment to permanently reduce pore size, there are things you can do to make the appearance of enlarged pores less noticeable.
The two main factors that effect pore size are age and genetics. Those with naturally thicker, oiler skin tend to have larger pores. As they get older, due to less skin elasticity and sun damage, the pores become dilated and start to collect dirt and bacteria, which causes them to stretch and expand even more. Pores aren’t all bad, however, as they keep facial skin moisturized as well.
The most basic and affordable thing you can do to prevent gaping pores is to simply wash your face regularly with a cleanser (or apply medication) with retinol or vitamin C. This will increase the elasticity of the skin and help get rid of the oil and dirt camping out in your pores, making them less visible.
Exfoliation is also helpful. A store-bought facial scrub is just fine for most people, but if you’d like to work on your skin a bit more, I recommend getting microdermabrasion (a facial that gently sloughs off the dead top layer of skin, revealing the softer, healthier skin underneath) done by a professional.
Pore minimizing cosmetics are also key to getting a fresher look for your skin. Primers smooth the look of skin, making you look healthier, younger, and your pores more invisible as it keeps foundation from seeping into pores and expanding them. Both of the primers from the Ron King Cosmetics line are ideal when starting your healthy skin makeup routine. The RK Primer is a lightweight product that will reduce the appearance of pore size and is oil-absorbing. This formula is also oil-free and will leave your skin looking smooth and virtually poreless all day long. The Retexturizing Face Primer contains vitamins A and E, which act as moisture-binding antioxidants. After primer application, your skin will be clean, fresh and nourished, as well as protected due to it’s SPF 20 properties.
I suggest using a a cream or cream to powder foundation next, as it will conceal pores more. Apply with a makeup sponge and then dust face with loose, translucent powder. Not only will large pores be less visible, your skin will be more even-toned.
Eye Primer to the Rescue
Author: admin
Want to know the secret to having longer lasting eye makeup? Eye primer. Not only does primer increase the amount of time makeup stays on your eyes, it creates a smoother, smudge and crease-proof lid (much like foundation primer smoothes and fills in lines on your face) and can make you look younger. Though a good eye primer can be somewhat expensive, it is definitely worth its cost. If you’re looking for a way to add even more polish and vibrancy to your made up face, read on for my eye primer tips.
Alway apply eye primer to lids before makeup application, obvs. Use a small amount as most primers tend to go a long way. A thin coat should be fine. The primer, if you’re using a good brand, should dry quickly and you should be able to see the smoothing effects of it almost immediately. Apply eye shadow as usual after the primer is fully dry. If you don’t want to purchase eye primer or are running low, a foundation primer (such as my own) on the lids should be okay in a pinch.
When you’re shopping for an eye primer, look for an ultra-light, non-greasy, nude one. I would also avoid using the enclosed brush with the primer. I prefer to use my fingers to apply it because you have more control that way.
About Face
Author: admin
Starlets appear flawless on the red carpet and for other press appearances, but they also get a little help (and in some cases a lot!) from their trusted makeup artists. While us commoners don’t travel with a hair and makeup team, there is one thing you can concentrate on to help get your favorite celeb’s look – beautiful, clear skin. Foundations, powders and other skin cosmetics help achieve a flawless complexion and stunning, healthy glow but you have to know how to pick out the right colors for your face. Below, I’ve featured three hot celebrities with three different skin tones and their makeup style for you to replicate.
Fairest of them all…
Pale skin seems to be having a renaissance recently, though A-listers like Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett have been secure with their fair coloring for a while. And with good reason. Milky skin, when it’s unblemished, can appear sexy and elegant in it’s own right not to mention better for your health as it calls for staying out of the sun.
Scarlett Johansson is a classic example of an alabaster-skinned beauty who knows how to work with her delicate coloring and pull it of in style. Johanssen obviously stays out of the sun and has never caved and sported the fake tan look as many other celebs have. To maintain perfectly light skin, be sure to protect it daily with a foundation, tinted moisturizer, or concealer with SPF and prep it before putting on makeup by washing with a mild cleanser. Add stick concealer to your problem areas only and then apply foundation with your fingers instead of a sponge for a light application. Also, pick a semi-matte foundation that matches your skin exactly and make sure the effect is not too heavy. You don’t want to look ghostly or old-fashioned but healthy and current. Cover ALL problem areas as blemishes and discoloration will show up more on pale skin. Apply a sheer powder on top of the foundation and opt for a rosy blush if you are brunette or a soft pale pink if you are blonde or redheaded. Pair with smokey eyes and pale pink lips for a sexy and mod look or go for a vintage face and choose minimal eye makeup and red lips (Johansson wears both looks but usually goes for a red-lipped vintage-inspired face). Don’t forget that body skin should be hydrated as well. I like moisturizers with a bit of shimmer for evening on the decolletage, arms, and legs.
In the middle…
Medium or olive skin tones are easy to work with and can pull off a variety of makeup looks as well as tolerate a lot of makeup. It is also easier to pick out makeup shades and you have the option of going for a paler look with foundation and a rosy blush or going darker with bronzer. Stars with this kind of coloring range from the paler Natalie Portman right up to famous latinas like Jennifer Lopez and the beautiful Cubana celeb I’ve chosen to highlight, Eva Mendes.
Eva Mendes has said in the media that she has always been a girly girl in love with makeup and it shows. Her makeup is usually perfectly feminine and plays upon her beautiful tawny coloring as well as her strong features and lovely bone structure. You can get her fresh, seductive look by choosing nude tones, which also happen to be in style now. Make sure all products you select are warm-toned. Apply a beige foundation that suits your skin all over the face, preferably use one with a bit of shimmer and, again, avoid full matte finishes. Finish the look with some powder bronzer (less greasy than liquid formulas) or a peachy/apricot blush on the cheekbones, at the hairline and jawline to achieve that sun-kissed, sexy effect (go ahead and put some bronzer on your decolletage as well). Mendes likes to sport bold brows and I think this is a great look for brunette women with this coloring, just be sure your brows are perfectly shaped (you might want to leave this to a professional). Make like Mendes and finish it off with pearly colored eyeshadow, black, feline liquid eyeliner, tons of black mascara, and glossy, pale pink lips. Mendes also mentioned in a recent article that she always moisturizers with regular old cocoa butter.
Dark and sexy…
Darker skin tones, from lighter cafe au lait shades all the way up to mahogany are striking and sexy. They key to making dark skin shine is to not try to mask it in paler makeup but rather find products that match your skin tone well and play up your powerful coloring. A little strategically placed shimmer never hurt anyone either and no one knows how to portray a strong and beautiful look more than Beyonce.
Beyonce Knowles, unlike the other two celebs I’ve profiled here, does not stick to one makeup look. She is a chameleon, switching it up and trying trendy colors and textures, including all the eighties-inspired makeup we’ve been seeing lately, yet she always looks polished. To get Beyonce’s glam skin, play up your coloring and cover imperfections with a tinted moisturizer. If you can’t find one that matches your skin exactly, try blending different shades to get the right color. There aren’t as many options for African-American skin as there are for other types so it might take a little trial and error to find your ideal products (Beyonce likes Giorgio Armani skin makeup). If you like more skin coverage, use a foundation with light-reflecting particles to get B’s fresh, glam face. Use a deep bronzer or blush high on the cheekbones and avoid layering powder on top to get a more dewy effect. Finish it off with smokey eyes in neutral eyeshadow shades like charcoal or chocolate brown and some nude lip gloss.
In The Pink
Author: admin
With all the eighties references that have been seen in fashion for the past, oh, five years it seemed probable that the trend would spill over into beauty routines as well. Although some of you may rightfully fear blue eyeshadow or Barbie-inspired cosmetic routines, one eighties-inspired look seems here to stay. Say good-bye to the red lips of fall and winter, and hello to hot pink!
Fuschia lipstick is not only feminine and stylish at the moment, it is also easy to incorporate into your makeup routine and there’s a flattering shade for everyone. Choosing a shade is simple. The paler your pallor, the lighter the shade of lipstick should be. Darker skin tones can get away with deeper shades of pink while medium skin tones can play the field depending on your mood and style. To keep the look in the new millenium, you might want to skip the lip liner or use a neutral colored pencil instead of a matching one, which will give a more youthful appearance. You still want to keep the lipstick looking precise and neat however, so I advise applying it with a lipstick brush. Add a dab of shimmery lipgloss in the center of your lips to add plumpness. To ensure staying power for your pink pout, remember to blot in between layers of lipstick and add a bit of translucent powder then reapply the lipstick again on top of the powder which will keep your lip color from fading or rubbing off on things. Keep the eye makeup and blush subdued so it won’t compete with your bright lips but be sure to add some black mascara and neutral eyeshadow. If you’re going for a more dramatic face, trade neutral eyeshadow and mascara for winged black liner and glossy pink lips for a matte finish ( I love this sort of cool, neo-rockabilly look).
Katy Perry goes for glam with dark eyeliner and hot pink lips.
Stars that have been rocking the pink lips to perfection include Beyonce, Rihanna, Taylor Momsen and Jessica Biel. Not only do they demonstrate the right way to sport fuschia lips, they prove that trendy makeup can also be classic if applied and styled correctly. I love magenta lips with all black, or dark colors in general, to make it feel very new, now, and a little tough.
Two colors I love that will give you the ideal pink treatment are Stila’s convertible color in Fuschia and MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouveau. Convertible color is a shimmery multi-use makeup that can be placed on cheeks (hot pink blush is another hot trend now) or on lips. Not only is the shade au courant, the texture is gorgeous and glossy in a modern way. For a more earth friendly choice, check out Cargo PlantLove Botanical Lipstick Lindsay.
