A Few Words From the Color King
January 12, 2010 at 12:28 am | Posted in Spa/Salon Treatments and Reviews | Leave a comment
As I walk into NYC’s MIZU Salon and see my mastermind of a colorist, Nico, I can’t help but hold out my arms and give him a huge hug. There’s no man in this world who can do color like he can, and I have the battle scars from previous colorists’ attempts to prove it. As someone with hair so dark it could be mistaken for black, I’ve had more than my share of coloring catastrophes. Think thick blond streaks amidst a head of black, applied so unevenly that I could’ve been mistaken for a different person with my hair up than when worn down. Many people have told me that as a dark brunette I should stay away from highlights, but why should blondes have all the fun? Finally…I found Nico. He is a primping prodigy, a pioneer, the Color King. He has made me feel comfortable and confident with a head of chocolate brown and mocha-colored highlights that provide a subtle yet perfect brightness. Truth be told, I met Nico at a previous salon he was working at in Connecticut and followed him all the way across state lines when he began working at MIZU (yep, that’s right, stalker status!) But once you sit in Nico’s chair, you’ll know exactly what all the fuss is about.
As a seasoned colorist who has worked in the industry for over 20 years, I have asked him to share his personal experiences, best tips, favorite products and what it is like to work at the exclusive NYC salon, MIZU.
MIZU Salon
Nico helped to create Cyndi Lauper's legendary do
When and where did you begin your career in hair?
My career began at Vidal Sassoon in NYC. The day after I graduated from “hair school” I went on interviews- I was barely 20 years old and already knew I wanted to be a colorist. I accepted the apprenticeship at Sassoon because it seemed like the most intense training and they all seemed to take hair and the beauty industry so seriously. I was an apprentice for 14 months (a record by today’s standards) and was promoted to a Jr. Colorist in the summer of 1980! My reputation grew rather quickly and my interest and love of rock music steered many up and coming singers and musicians my way. Cyndi Lauper was a client before and during the peak of her MTV fame; I am credited on her first 2 albums. Other interesting personalities were always in and out of Sassoon in those days…members of the Talking Heads, Betsey Johnson and Pat Fields were some of my fun clients. It was an exciting time but being younger, I didn’t realize the global opportunities Sassoon was offering me and left in 1987 for a more “sane” atmosphere.
What drew you to working with hair? Have you always wanted to be a colorist?
No! I always wanted to be a rock star! I had a girl friend that was a hairstylist and it looked like a fun job where I could dress like a rock star if I wanted to, so I enrolled in school. I absolutely HATED it!! The roller sets, the blow drying…the cutting! But then I discovered color and was hooked. I was the only one in my class that wasn’t afraid of color, and that was it. I loved the chemistry and the formulation.
What are your proudest accomplishments in your career?
I’d like to think that these moments are still to come. Of course, you get a thrill when one minute you’re rinsing yellow hair color out of someone and the next minute you’re in a front seat at Madison Square Garden applauding them, or watching them on the David Letterman show. I’ve also done a fair amount of magazine work and makeovers for magazines, and that’s always fun. But, I think what keeps me going is passing on the experience, tricks and overall knowledge I have accumulated to people that are new in the business- it reminds me of how I was back then. There are a lot of colorists in NYC that are doing quite well that I mentored and helped educate.
Have you worked on celebrity tresses? If so, whose?
MIZU has a varied celebrity clientele. Although I am not at liberty to tell you too much, some celebrities who have been to MIZU or have been seen by our stylists are Richard Gere, Michael J. Fox, Sharon Osborne and Lady Gaga, just to name a few…
What’s your hair/beauty philosophy?
Hair color is a major accessory and today’s clients have many choices–I would have to credit the supermodels of the early ’90s (Linda Evangelista, in particular) for this. However, hair is an organic material and needs to be treated with care, respect and love.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere- classic films, rock stars, and most recently, vintage hair color ads! Just standing in line at the movies, looking at some little 3 year old’s (natural) highlights and trying to figure out how to duplicate that for my clients! Sometimes it can be what my client wants…it might sound crazy but I come up with something just a little outside the box that works for them. It’s as if I have this bag of tricks that I keep filling up and when I meet new clients I have more and more options to draw upon.
What do you like about working at MIZU?
MIZU is a great salon for me because it’s kind of a coming together of the “Sassoon” and “Bumble & Bumble” cultures. I am working with some extremely talented people that I worked with at the very beginning of my career while picking up new inspirations from the Bumble side of things. The level of professionalism is high, as is the standard of work. The location of MIZU is also very important as we are the only ground level salon on a major avenue…PARK AVENUE!! Pretty cool.
Where did you learn your tricks? Can you share some of them…?
When I am in a new environment or when someone new is in my environment, I observe…I observe the clients to see the finished look and color. Every salon has its own character. I observe how the look was achieved and of course I take my 20+ years of experience and bend and shape the technique into something that works for me.
When you highlight my hair, you said that you don’t use bleach. Can you discuss certain techniques you utilize?
I try not to use the word “bleach”, I say lightener…of course it’s the same thing but to me bleach is for clothes!! 
Of course, I do use lightener, but I tend to rely on using “color” for brunettes desiring lighter tones because a color formulation will lighten and color in one step. I can formulate so I will counteract the unwanted “warm” tones, and it will also be more stable and less likely to fade. If we pre-lighten (bleach) and then tone, it will run the risk of fading and becoming brassy (unwanted gold). It’s actual oxidation…think of rust.
What’s the best way to ask for what you want from a colorist/stylist so that the desired outcome is communicated?
I think pictures are always good. Celebrity references are good as long as you are clear about at what point in their career and what film they were promoting, because they do change color often. Clients can sometimes get very caught up in what they do not want. A good colorist will pick up signals right away to avoid those aspects of the color, but as a client you should focus on what you would love. I always ask a new client, “What would be your dream color?” and we work from there. Also, be realistic about a maintenance schedule.
What are some products that you recommend?
I love the Bumble and Bumble hair powder. It’s a product that will camouflage re-growth no matter what color you have. I also love the Moroccan Oil line of products.
What do you see as hot trends in hair right now?
The biggest trend that I see and am moving towards is color that is softer at the root and gradually breaks into more. This applies to any color- I just don’t want to see roots brighter or lighter than what’s going on at the very ends of the hair.
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Thank you for sharing so much with us, Nico!
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Be sure to make an appointment at the fabulous MIZU Salon today for a color service and receive a complimentary blow dry!
MIZU is located at 505 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022 (p. 212.688.6498)
Images courtesy of: mizuforhair.com; forgottenjournal.com; starpulse.com; movieeye.com; kaboodle.com; alphabeauty.com
Lindsey Loves Lashes!
January 6, 2010 at 1:51 am | Posted in How-To | 1 Comment
Maybe it’s because I’m severely “lash-challenged” and have had to deal with what I call “lash nubs” my entire life, but there’s NOTHING I love more than a long, thick, perfectly-curled lash, or set of lashes, for that matter. What could be sexier, or sweeter, than gorgeous full lashes to enhance one’s eyes for a playful “come hither” look?
As a way to cope with being lash-deprived, I have come up with a fool proof process to achieve the alluring lashes of Kim Kardashian and the seductive stare of Eva Longoria Parker. It is no secret that these ladies use falsies to make their eyes pop on the red carpet, but I am going to show you how to get the best lashes possible, one step short of going fake!
When making your lashes as long and as thick as possible, remember that every step and every tool count, so I would highly recommend using the products listed below.
Tools you will need:
Lash curler- I have found that NOTHING works better than the Shu Uemura curler ($19, sold at Sephora.com)
Blow dryer
Lash primer- I would highly recommend Lancome Cils Booster XL, as I have yet to find anything that compares when it comes to added length and volume ($21.50, sold at Sephora.com)
Lengthening/Volumizing Mascara- If you really have “lash nubs” like me, either go with Cover Girl Lash Blast ($8.99, sold at CVS.com) or YSL Singulier’ Exaggerated Lift Mascara ($30, sold at Sephora.com.) These are AMAZING!
Lash comb- It may be helpful to have, but is not necessary.
How to Fake the Look of Falsies:
1.) Take a blow dryer and your lash curler, and heat the top part of the curler (where your lashes go) for about 5 seconds. Touch the lash curler with your fingers to make sure it is not too hot- the last thing you want to do is burn your eyelids!
2.) Put the curler at the base of your lashes and clamp down for about 10-15 seconds on each eye.
3.) Apply your primer on your top lashes as you would with a regular mascara (do not apply on the bottom). Start at the roots, wiggle slightly from side to side to ensure even product distribution, and swipe the wand up towards the tips. Apply a fairly thick coat, almost as thick as you would apply mascara.
4.) Do not wait for the primer to dry, and apply the mascara exactly as you applied the primer. You do not want the primer to dry before applying mascara because it could lead to brittle-looking, spider-like lashes (not sexy!) Put 1 to 2 thick coats of mascara on each eye and use a lash comb to de-clump and separate lashes if need be. However, if you make sure to wiggle your wand at the base of your lashes, there should be no need for one. (INSIDER TIP: If you tend to have a heavy hand and are worried about mascara smudging onto your lid, put a credit card behind your lashes as a barrier. This also helps to amp up the curl because as you apply your mascara, you push your lashes up and backwards to reach the credit card, which becomes somewhat of your backboard.)
Spider Lashes: To be avoided at ALL costs
5.) Wait about 30 seconds for your lashes to dry and apply a very thin coat of mascara to your bottom lashes. You should wait 30 seconds so that when you open your eyes wider to apply mascara to the bottom lashes, the mascara from your top lashes will not smudge onto your eyelid. You can hold the brush vertically and lightly apply to your lashes, or horizontally, but make sure not to smudge.
6.) Wait about 2 minutes for the mascara to dry and GENTLY curl your top lashes for about 3 seconds.
Now, what do you think?!?!
You can take it one step further by using colored mascara to enhance your eye color. Try different shades of Cover Girl’s Lash Blast Luxe or Benefit’s Bad Gal to intensify your blues, greens, hazels and browns!
Images courtesy of: beauty.glam.com; frappelattes.com; nowmagazine.co.uk; myshimmer.com; beautifulmakeupsearch.com; dailymakeover.com; makeup.com; kayeanise.wordpress.com
Choco-Oatmeal Fun
January 3, 2010 at 9:20 am | Posted in Homemade Beauty Treatments | 2 Comments
So it's not the most attractive...but it tasted great!
On one particularly boring night of watching television for hours on end, I convinced my friend Danielle to try out a homemade facial mask with me. Being that it is winter, Danielle and I both have issues with dry skin and we wanted to find a magical concoction that would put an end to our discomfort. I was also having a particularly bad week in terms of breakouts that I wanted to quell and although I couldn’t see what Danielle was talking about, she claimed she was having the same. I had always wanted to see the effects of various kitchen products on my skin and heard that chocolate and oatmeal were great skin moisturizers. With that being said, I found several recipes for an oatmeal-chocolate mask and decided to give it a whirl. I went to work whipping together ordinary kitchen items hoping that the molecules would somehow combine to create a miraculous super-blend. Although I didn’t use specific proportions, the ingredients used were:
Milk
• has lactic acid, fat (don’t use skim milk!) and vitamins A and D to soothe dry, irritated skin
• calms the effects of a sunburn
• loosens dead skin cells to make exfoliation quick and easy
Cocoa Powder
• a great moisturizer
Honey
• alleviates acne
• treats minor burns and scrapes
• has moisturizing properties
Oatmeal
• cures itchiness
• calms discomfort from a rash
• moisturizes
• rids pores of stubborn dirt and oil
We applied to it our faces, which was somewhat of a challenge as the oatmeal was heavy and kept sliding off (next time, I’ll ground it first), and waited for 15 minutes before we washed it off. The end result, although temporary, was amazing- our skin felt noticeably softer! Typically after we rinse our faces with water our skin feels tight and cries out for moisturizer, but not this time. With squeaky-clean, ultra-soft skin, I gave this mask 4 stars out of 5. I found the only con to be that it was messy, so be sure to wear an old t-shirt if you experiment with this recipe yourself. Danielle gave this mask 3 stars because as someone with very dry skin, she felt tightness form about 10 minutes after rinsing. However, she still noticed a significant difference in moisture level when compared with other cleansers and masks.
All in all, creating our own yummy face mask was fun and provided great skincare benefits. Go get some of your girls together and pretend like your back in the 6th grade with a home makeover night ☺
What are some great homemade facial masks that you’ve tried?
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
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