10 Beauty Secrets You Wish You’d Known All Along
December 28, 2009 at 5:58 am | Posted in Makeup Tricks | 2 Comments1.) If you are attempting a smoky eye and feel as though you may have gone overboard, tone it down by applying a light shimmery shadow to the center of your lids. It brightens while leaving the smoky eye intact.
2.) When you need an instant brightener or pick-me-up, apply a white or light gold shadow to the inner corners of the eyes. This small amount of highlighter will make you look wide awake.
3.) Do NOT pump your mascara wand in and out of the tube. It will not put more product on the brush, but rather, it will cause the mascara to dry out faster which will lead to flaking, spider lashes, and a more difficult application.
4.) For the same reasons that wearing dark colors makes you appear a few pounds lighter, contouring can give you a more sculpted jaw line. Apply bronzer in a backwards “3” motion on each side of your face, making sure to hit your jaw line and just below your jaw line (as well as your temples and cheekbones). Also, give yourself more noticeable cheekbones by applying a bright blush to your cheekbones, and a bronzer or a darker blush just below the cheekbone towards your ear. To figure out where to apply the darker shade, suck in your cheeks slightly and apply just under the bone. However, don’t go overboard- contouring should not be noticeable.
5.) I always apply complexion products after I apply eyeshadow because no matter how much I try to prevent it, particles from the shadow can fall below my eye. It makes for a far easier clean up if you haven’t already applied foundation.
6.) If you can’t find your eye makeup remover and you’ve made a mistake, just use a dot of eye cream to remove it- works like a charm!
7.) To make your eyes look bigger, to tone down redness and to appear more rested, apply a white or flesh-colored eyeliner to the water-line, or inner rim of the lower lash line.
8.) Don’t waste money on an eye shadow primer- use a cream shadow that you already have so that it can either be worn alone, or as primer for a powder shadow to adhere to.
9.) To make thin lips look fuller, choose a lighter shade of lipstick and apply gloss to the middle of your top and bottom lips. Dark colors on thin lips tend to make them look even thinner, and applying gloss to the middle of your lips reflects light, thereby creating an augmented appearance.
10.) If you’re bored with your same old shadows, blushes and lip colors, mix and match to create new shades. Who says you can’t mix an eye shadow with a blush and put some gloss on top to create a new lip color??
Images courtesy of: elizamagazine.com; bellasugar.com; lovelyish.com; indianmakeupdiva.com; hanidee.blogspot.com; ehow.com
Fragrance Frenzy
December 28, 2009 at 5:27 am | Posted in How-To | Leave a comment
As I stood in line at Metro Café waiting for a sandwich, I felt my airways begin to constrict and a strong sneeze coming on. Holy crap, I was about to have an asthma attack. The cause? Suffocation in an excessive and unwarranted amount of “old lady perfume” emanating from the woman in front of me…no exaggeration. [Note: “old lady perfume” smells like someone found a musty attic located in a dirty pine tree and bottled it.] I stood in disbelief as I covered my nose and tried to keep as far a distance from her as possible. Was she so used to the scent that she was unable to realize the abusive effect it had on everyone else? Even worse, had her male companion become so used to it that he too had become impervious to it?
The truth is, everyone is entitled to his or her own preferences when it comes to fragrance and having an appreciation for “old lady perfume” is fine. HOWEVER, when it begins to interfere with other people’s breathing patterns and oxygen levels, it becomes a problem. Whether you’re wearing the uber chic Burberry Beat or the very Grandma-friendly Shalimar by Guerlain, it is a crime to leave the house smelling like you bathed in it.
And so…How to Apply Perfume so You Don’t Inflict Pain Upon Others
1.) Be sure to start with clean skin and apply a lotion that is either the same scent as your fragrance, or unscented. Using lotion as a base for your perfume will increase staying power, therefore, using a different scented lotion than your perfume can result in a nauseating smell that is difficult to remove.
2.) Pulse points are the best place for application because it is where heat is constantly emitted from, and therefore the scent will continuously be released. Pulse points include your wrists, inner elbows, behind your ears and knees, and at the base of your neck. Dab a very small amount on to each pulse point. However, if your perfume comes with a spray nozzle, choose only a few pulse points as 8 sprays for 8 pulse points is VERY overwhelming to both yourself and those around you.
3.) Do not spray directly onto clothing- the oils can stain and the scent will not be released well. Also, do not spray directly onto your hair, which may react with hair product to create a bad or overly powerful smell.
4.) Perfume has longer staying power in hotter weather, so although you may need to reapply every 4 hours in cold weather, you will not have to reapply as often in warmer places. Before re-applying, be sure to ask someone around you if you do in fact need a touch up. Chances are, you have become used to the smell and are not aware that you are still releasing it.
Now, to be sure you don’t get home and open your new perfume only to find that you have, in fact, snagged the newest line of “Grandma in a Bottle”… How to Find the Perfume that Suits You
When testing perfumes, be sure to choose only 3 or 4 at a time because after you’ve taken a whiff of that many, they can all begin to smell the same. Spray them onto the paper testers offered at the fragrance counter and smell the coffee beans provided to you after each scent. Once you’ve narrowed it down to the one you like, spray it onto your wrist and wait a few minutes for the scent to react with your body chemistry. Once sprayed onto your wrist, do NOT rub your wrists together, as this weakens and changes the smell. If there is more than one fragrance you want to try, ask for samples so that you can try out a new one each day. It is important to give your body time to react to the fragrance so it is wise to try each scent on a different day. You can get all the free perfume samples you want at Sephora. As a former Sephora employee, it’s their job to provide you with samples, so don’t feel bad asking for a bunch!
Do not be confused by the terminology used in the fragrance world. Eau de parfum has the strongest concentration of essential oils, and therefore, has the most potent smell. Eau de toilette has a slightly weaker concentration than eau de parfum, and eau de cologne has the weakest concentration of alcohol and essential oils.
And remember, just because you love the way a certain scent smells on a friend does not mean it will smell the same on you. Currently, I LOVE the way Ralph Lauren Blue smells. However, it makes my friend smell as though she ran through a field of violets and it makes me smell as though I ran through the field and then rolled around in powder- scent changes based on individual body chemistry.
Just a Few Perfumes that I Love…
Marc Jacobs
Vera Wang Rock Princess
Dolce & Gabbana The One
Creed Love in White
Michael Kors
Versace Bright Crystal
Burberry London
YSL Young Sexy Lovely
Escada Moonsparkle
Escada Into the Blue
And a Few Colognes that I Enjoy…
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme
Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme
Lacoste Essential
Azzaro Chrome Legend
Images courtesy of: blog.photos2view.com; tutorials.com; ehow.com; mimifroufrou.com; suddenlydarling.com
Your Face is a Canvas, But Not Made For Some 5th Grade Art Project.
December 21, 2009 at 4:10 am | Posted in Blending Your Makeup | 1 CommentWANTED: Jarring lines of mismatched colors (most commonly found on jaw lines in orangey tones) and choppy, sloppy lines frequently found around the eyes.
IF FOUND: Please lend a Qtip, Beauty Blender, or even a finger. Reach out to friends and strangers alike AND JUST START BLENDING.
Yikes! This is the kind of makeup faux pas that haunts my dreams.
In case I was a little unclear, my BIGGEST beauty pet peeve is unblended makeup. After all, the point of makeup is to let your natural beauty shine through, not to turn your face into a game board for the likes of Connects the Lines, Tic-Tac-Toe, Checkers…you get the point. While it is an easy beauty blunder to commit, the solution is quick and painless.
Here are some fabulous tools you can use to ensure even product distribution:
1. Qtips- the perfect, cost-effective tool to guarantee seamless eye shadow and eyeliner application. Another benefit to blending and smudging your eyeliner is that it takes away excess product threatening to melt down your face as the day goes by.
2. Beauty Blender- available at beautyblender.net and sephora.com for $19.95, this tool is perfect for both makeup application and blending. Its ergonomic elliptical shape makes it super easy to achieve seamless foundation, blush and even eye shadow. Best when used damp and “bounced” or “stippled” onto the application area, no one will be able to tell that you’re even wearing makeup!
3. Makeup brushes- there are plenty of tools out there devoted solely to blending. For shadow and liner, try NARS Large Domed Eye brush ($33) and Sephora Brand Professional Smudge brush #14 ($13). Made of squirrel hair, the Large Domed brush is a rounded shape ideal for mixing colors on the lid or in the crease. The Smudge brush has compacted bristles great for achieving both a smoky eye and a more natural look. I even use this brush to fill in sparse areas of my brows because depending on the look desired, it can deliver product with varying levels of intensity. For a picture-perfect complexion, try NARS Botan brush ($75 and a favorite of Oprah’s!) to buff and blend.
Experience the luxury of NARS brushes while achieving flawless results
4. Fingers- my favorite tool for both makeup application and blending, don’t underestimate them. I have found that few brushes or sponges pick up and distribute products as well as your fingers can and to state the obvious, they’re free! However, when using your fingers to apply eye shadow, be wary of tugging at the skin. Added pressure and pulling will create worrisome wrinkles down the road, eek.
Jessica Alba is looking well-blended and beautiful
I frequently reach out to friend’s faces without warning to rub random lines of unblended makeup- it’s as natural a reflex for me as it is to scratch something that itches. Make sure to utilize the blending tools above, or the next time I pass you on the street I may do the same to you…
Images courtesy of: pieces-zine.com; la-story.com; blushpretty.com; revolutionbeauty.com; hautedolleyes.blogspot.com
Complexion Perfection
December 21, 2009 at 4:10 am | Posted in Product Reviews | 1 CommentLadies and, er….Ladies! I have finally found the perfect foundation. The one to provide you with seamless coverage when you wake up with a zit the size of Grandma’s famous meatballs, and to make you appear rested after a scandalously late night on the town. It is packaged for a super easy and mess-free application, and bestows a to-die-for complexion that would leave even those peppy, pore-perfect Clean & Clear models gawking in jealousy.
All you need to know are three words, “YSL Perfect Touch”.
YSL is to true to their word as out of the hundreds of foundations I have tried over the years (literally), this is the smoothest, most flawless, easy-to-use, most perfect formula ever. Intended to give you a “baby-soft” complexion through a combination of moisturizing sugars and radiance boosting pigments, the PORE-LESS, BLEMISH-FREE result makes it look as though you applied a loose powder over the foundation to achieve true complexion perfection. Against your facialist’s wishes, the radiant satiny-finish will make it virtually impossible for you to keep your hands away from your face.
After applying “Perfect Touch” and having the luminous complexion of your dreams become a welcomed reality, take it one step further with YSL’s Touche Eclat. A versatile highlighter pen, it can brighten, offer coverage and provide a more lifted, youthful appearance.
Why tamper with perfection? Get your YSL “Perfect Touch” foundation and Touche Eclat pen today!
Get runway ready with YSL beauty
Images courtesy of: momist.com; fabsugar.co.uk; ellemagazine.co.za; cosmeticsarcade.com; christietheshopaholic.blogspot.com
Go Ahead, Hit the Snooze Button and Still Have Time to Beautify!
December 21, 2009 at 4:09 am | Posted in How-To | Leave a commentIt’s 7:34 on a Wednesday morning and I’m sitting on the train headed into Manhattan. True to December weather patterns, it’s frigid outside and the tracks are icy, but the perilous conditions are nothing compared to the danger I am currently watching unfold inside the train car. As the train jolts back and forth, women everywhere are trying to defy the elements by applying eyeliner and mascara! I’m both scared for them and in awe at the same time. I so badly want to see the outcome, and I decide to furtively steal a few glances.
I realize that what these women thought they saved in time, they sacrificed in the end result. Although I’m trying not to be judgmental, what I saw was a horde of crooked and sloppy lines, whether it be around their lips or eyes, and lashes that were only emphasized by clumps. Yeesh!
This look is so NOT professional!
Unless you’re an absolute makeup maven and can apply a perfectly straight line in the midst of an earthquake, please, steer clear of applying anything but lip gloss in a moving vehicle. Whittle down your morning beauty routine to 3 minutes or less so that it can be completed at home. To do this, choose which features you care most about enhancing and concealing.
Follow Jennifer Aniston's lead and look like a natural beauty in 3 minutes flat!
To enhance one’s natural beauty in a minimal amount of steps, it is essential to use highlighting products to create an iridescent glow. Although this may vary from person to person due to individual concerns, here are a few simple steps that can turn you from menacing to magnificent in 3 minutes flat (I’ve timed it!)
1. Use your fingers to apply a tinted moisturizer, such as Benefit You Rebel, over uneven areas, blemishes and dark under eye circles. A tinted moisturizer trims the process by acting as a moisturizer and a sheer foundation in one. Using your fingers will ensure a smooth, more blended application because your body heat will warm the product for a more even distribution.
Benefit's Tinted Moisturizer, You Rebel
2. Follow by applying bronzer in backwards “3” motions on each side of your face, hitting your temples, cheekbones, and jaw line for a natural, sun-kissed glow. My go-to bronzer is Tarte Park Avenue Princess, as it is a universally flattering hue created from a paraben-free, vitamin-rich formula.
3. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. Choose a playful pink to instantly brighten, such as NARS Desire.
NARS Abyssina
4. Apply a matte or slightly shimmery nudish white shadow, such as NARS Abyssina, to the lids and inner corners of your eyes and blend into the lower lash line to brighten and open the eyes.
5. Curl your lashes and apply 1-2 coats of volumizing and lengthening mascara, such as Cover Girl Lashblast.
6. Make the train and THEN, apply your lip gloss!
Once again, these steps may change based on individual needs, but I have found them to be instant beautifiers and amazing time-savers. Please, no more train trauma!
Images courtesy of: amazingdata.com; topnews.in; beautysspot.com; kaboodle.com; trendy-haircuts.blogspot.com
Green with Glamour Envy!
December 12, 2009 at 9:31 pm | Posted in Makeup Trends | 2 CommentsCelebrate the holidays by adding a stroke of green to your makeup palette!
When it comes to makeup, green is a shade that has the impressive ability to send people running in the opposite direction. Many feel there are just too many ways a green shadow, for instance, can go terribly wrong! Too bright, too tacky, too out there…whatever the reason, it’s time for a change. Here are some great ways to make green a very wearable color and tips on how to incorporate it into your everyday beauty routine.
Kristen Bell in understated green shadow
First of all, if you have hazel or green eyes, there is no excuse for shunning this color, as it will do wonderful things for your eyes. Green liners and shadows will have the same effect as wearing a green shirt- instant eye color intensification!
Bright shadows can be very intimidating for some, but remember, when it comes to makeup there are NO rules. Never feel as though you’re committing an unforgivable makeup faux pas by experimenting with a little color. When it comes to bright greens, such as NARS Cleo (a favorite of mine, a spectacular sea foam green!), only a little bit is needed to provide your lids with a beautiful, yet conservative wash of color. Use a darker green, such as NARS Night Clubbing (a color that could be mistaken for a green-brown from far way) on the outer third of your lid and in the crease to add depth. After applying black liner and mascara, the green will be less noticeable.
If you feel a bright sea foam green is something you have to work your way up to, then start with a green liner. There are many different shades out there; you’ll certainly find one that fits your needs. I use Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Ivy Shimmer almost every day, as it looks like black from a distance but is a beautiful shimmering emerald green up close. This color does an amazing job of intensifying green, or even blue eyes.
If you’re still not quite ready green shadows or liners, try a green nail polish. There is an endless variety available to you so you can choose anything from a mint green (Essie in Mint Candy Apple) to a shimmering dark emerald green, such as China Glaze in Emerald Sparkle.
China Glaze Emerald Sparkle
However you choose, spread the cheer this holiday season by adding a splash of green to your beauty routine and perhaps you’ll find what I have always known- green is a classic color than can easily become a part of your everyday makeup.
images courtesy of: www-cosmetics-makeup.com; blog.ellegirl.com; thisnext.com
Painless Waxing, an Oxymoron?
December 8, 2009 at 5:44 am | Posted in Spa/Salon Treatments and Reviews | Leave a commentUpon first glance, the playful, lighthearted setting is what initially sets Bliss apart from all other spas. Every client who walks through the door is made to feel like a hip, chic glamourista (or glamouristo, for the male clientele?) However, once one experiences the wonder that is the Bliss eyebrow waxing, it is easy to see why customers go running back for more of the blissperience! During my most recent brow waxing appointment at Bliss 49, my technician, Anastasia, guided me into a tranquil room and studied my brows as I laid down on the table. It must be said- it was one of the most relaxing waxing appointments I have ever had. The waxing was as painless as could possibly be and Anastasia was ever so gentle with my sensitive skin. Bliss uses Poetic, an exclusive aromatherapy-based low-temperature hair removal system that hardens around the hair to become the strip itself. With Poetic wax, the procedure truly was 15 minutes of pure bliss (too cliché?)
The end result? A new brow shape that really did open my eyes! While $30 is quite pricey for a brow wax, the experience is well worth it…not to mention the delectable bliss brownies the spa offers to its clients! I have since used the Bliss Poetic at-home wax kit to remove unsightly body hair, and I must say, on certain body parts it is actually PAINLESS! The kit comes with a skin cleanser and pre- and post-wax oil to give you bragging rights for the smoothest skin ever!
images courtesy of: bellasugar.com
The Tales of an Ex-Cosmetologist
December 8, 2009 at 5:38 am | Posted in Q&A | Leave a commentI was destined to be a lover of all things beauty-related from birth. I follow in the footsteps of my elegant and vivacious grandmother who worked in the cosmetics industry for thirty glamorous years. Dorothy, who friends lovingly refer to as “Dotty,” is a young, fresh-faced 82 year old who has spent the vast majority of the 1950’s to the 1970’s working as a Lancome sales associate, as well as in their corporate offices. She compared working in cosmetics to “performing on a stage- you have to look nothing less than lovely because you are a model for the people you service.”
Many times over the years I’ve sat and observed my grandmother apply her makeup as a true artist would. Not a day has passed in fifty years when she hasn’t applied Lubriderm to her face and body. Dotty swears that it has dramatically decelerated the aging process and leaves her with silky smooth skin that I, in my youthful twenties, would kill to have at her age.
Grandma's Magic Fix!
As she has gotten older, she has simplified her routine by using only colors and products that she knows flatter her. She is an inspiration and I’ve asked her to share her key beauty tips and tricks.
Q: What beauty tips can you offer readers?
A: “The main thing is to keep your skin clean and to drink lots of water. Not only does water flush out toxins on the inside, but it keeps your skin clear and fresh. Fragrance is lovely, but make it very subtle by applying it only to pulse points. My main piece of advice is to have a positive approach to life because inner beauty is displayed on the outside.”
Q: What is your morning beauty routine?
A: “I wash my face with Cetaphil and leave it on a tad longer for lubrication, and then rinse it off. I then apply Lubriderm, but only a little so it doesn’t block my pores. For foundation, I use L’Oreal Visible Lift Line Minimizing Makeup, but once again, only a little so it doesn’t settle into wrinkles. Sometimes I put a touch of Lubriderm on top to make my wrinkles less conspicuous. I then use my Lancome brow pencil and put shadow in the crease of my eye, typically a pretty blue. Then I put a different color on my lid, usually a white shadow so it looks as though light is illuminating on to the eyelid with just a suggestion of blue in the crease. I then use Rimmel black eye liner on my top lash line and brown on my bottom lash line- black is too harsh on the bottom. My Lancome mascara comes next (they have they best mascara!). For blush, I apply it lighter towards my cheekbone and with more intensity towards my ear. I then use a Lancome lipstick in a very natural color, typically in the rust family, so that I don’t accentuate the lines and wrinkles.”
Q: How do you feel the ideal of beauty has changed over the years?
A: “Oh, the change is tremendous! People are far more casual now; there’s a stronger tendency towards natural beauty. It seems to me that it is about keeping yourself clean, neat and comfortable. Hair is much more casual now. The styles used to be more formal, but now it’s always loose and long. The face makeup I see girls wear [note: in Phoenix, Arizona] seems to be more natural.
Kate Bosworth is the essence of natural beauty
Q: Who is your beauty icon?
Audrey Hepburn
Grace Kelly
Elizabeth Taylor
A: I love a more natural, yet elegant look. Grace Kelly was beautiful, as was Audrey Hepburn. Audrey was so classy with a simplistic elegance. To me, Marilyn Monroe is not my beauty icon because she was very flashy and overly sexy.
Q: What is your advice to younger generations in terms of beauty?
A:
• If you go out of the house, you should have your best foot forward and be as presentable as possible.
• Keeping your weight down is important for not only appearance-sake, but for health as well.
• It is essential to eat nutritiously and drink lots of water. Water is very good for the skin- it washes away impurities, both inside and out.
• Exercise is important to keep your body fit and as a tool to relieve stress and circulate blood up to your head, which allows you to think better.
• When you look well, psychologically, you feel good about yourself. When you feel good about yourself you can conquer the world. You become confident, and the most important thing is what you think about yourself. Have a good attitude. People like to be with people who have a good, healthy, positive attitude. And remember, life is exciting, you never know what is around the corner!
Thanks for the advice, Dotty!
images courtesy of: costco.com; gettyimages.com; zimbio.com; therecshow.com; famouscouple.com; hollywoodcultmovies.com
Because Raccoon Eyes Just Ain’t Sexy
December 8, 2009 at 5:12 am | Posted in How-To | 1 CommentIt’s never fun when the lights come on at 2 a.m. and your ducking under the bar for cover. In only a few hours your smoldering Eva Mendes-esque eyes have transformed into those that resemble Ricky the Raccoon, and your dreams of making one final, lasting impression on that gorgeous guy are shattered. Well, NEVER AGAIN! Achieving long-lasting makeup is too simple to let this dismal scene play out again and again.
In increasing the longevity of your makeup, primer is key! Not only does it make foundation and shadow stay put for hours, it gives a more flawless, seamless appearance. Under my foundation, I wear Smashbox’s Photo Finish primer. As for long-wear foundations, there are many out there that are worth a try, but I have found that any foundation will do as long as you prep with primer and finish with powder. That being said, after applying primer and foundation, apply loose powder with a big fluffy brush and then buff away the excess.
In terms of eye shadow primers, I have friends who swear by Urban Decay’s Eye Shadow Primer Potion. I however, choose to use a cream shadow as a base instead because it gives the powder shadow something to hold on to and gives more dimension and intensity to the final look. Depending on the outcome desired, any shade will do. Try NARS cream shadow Unconditional Love for a subtle, long-lasting effect, or NARS Lili Marlene for a more smoky look.
Use NARS cream shadow in Lili Marlene as a base for a smoldering look that will last all night!
As for eyeliner, opt for a waterproof or long-wear formula such as my personal favorite, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner.
With these simple steps, schlepping out of the bar in shame can finally be a thing of the past!
images courtesy of: taaz.com; thisnext.com
Purple Passion
December 8, 2009 at 4:17 am | Posted in Product Reviews | 1 Comment
Lancome Holiday Lip & Cheek Palette in Plum Irresistible
I am border-line obsessed with Lancome’s Holiday Eye & Cheek Palette. With everything from the luxurious and functional packaging to a gorgeous range of shadows and a beautifully pigmented blush, what more could a girl ask for? I recently purchased the palette in “Plum Irresistible” for myself, and in “Nude Seduction” for my mom. “Plum Irresistible” has six wondrous eye shadow shades all in the plum family, which make my naturally hazel eyes look fiercely green. They are a combo of matte and shimmer, and together or alone, I love them all! As for the blush, although I already have about 30 different shades in my bulging makeup chest, for this one, I’ll definitely make room. I quickly brushed this color onto the apples of my cheeks in the morning just as I was dashing out the door to catch the train. When I got to work and looked in the bathroom mirror, I was head over heels. This plum-colored blush was a match made in heaven for my olive skin tone.
The packaging for this product could not be more perfect. In my opinion, there are so many brands out there that just don’t get how to package a palette. Although I won’t mention any names, I am so sick of finding beautiful shadows or lip shades in packaging that look and feel so cheap they might as well be for a child’s play set. Thankfully, Lancome has driven me back to sanity. The packaging is heavier and sturdier, with a beautiful purple cushion on top to provide functionality (just in case you drop it, gasp!) and to add to the luxe experience.
Get this limited-edition palette before it’s too late!
images courtesy of: joseibi.com
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