Posts Tagged ‘makeup’

Makeup APPlication: The New Way to Shop For Color Cosmetics, Courtesy of Pur Minerals

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Makeup /technology geeks everywhere, rejoice: Pur Minerals—a line that’s long been a favorite of ours, offering skin-friendly mineral makeup that doesn’t contain harsh ingredients and isn’t tested on animals—has just introduced an exciting iPhone app: iPur Beauty. And it’s gonna change the way you think about new makeup looks and shop for color cosmetics.

Remember those funny (albeit futuristic at the time) mall kiosks from the early 2000s that had the ability to take your photo then show what you’d look like sporting different hair styles and colors? Well, iPur Beauty is the app incarnation of that—but it’s so much better. Anyone using an iPhone or iPod Touch (and running the 4.0 version of the operating system) can grab this awesome beauty tool from the app store at no cost. And I strongly encourage you to do so!

With iPur Beauty, you can test-drive a brand new makeup look by following a few very easy steps. Once you’ve downloaded the app, all you need to do is snap a photo (a clean, makeup-free face makes for the best canvas) or select a model’s image from the photo gallery. Now you’re ready to experiment! From base makeup to blush, eye shadow, eyeliner and lip color, iPur Beauty enables to you try out colors from Pur Minerals’ entire line. No crowded cosmetics counter to deal with, no coming home with a bogus shade, no hassle. Best of all, these experiments are shareable—you can email them to a friend for a second opinion or share them via Facebook to see what everyone in your social network thinks about your proposed makeover. The app also allows you to shop online or locate nearby retailers—and of course, you can always snag your favorite Pur Minerals makeup products at DermStore.com.

Have an iPhone or an iPod Touch? Grab the iPur Beauty app and have fun with it—show us your new looks!

Mix it up with Fall 2010 Makeup Trends

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

By Jenna

If you live on the West Coast like I do, then you know: summer has gotten off to a bit of a late start this year. So, now that they’re finally here, how can we keep these warm nights alive? Easy! Enter Fall 2010 makeup trends. This autumn, it’s all about taking the vibrant colors of summer—and the styles that ruled fall fashion shows—and turning them into brand-new looks that are wearable day and night. Don’t go shelving your bronzer just yet—but do have fun finding out which fall makeup trend you like best!

Fall Makeup Trend # 1: Go Grunge

Source: Flickr User Mait Juriado

That’s right—put away the liquid liner. Sure, a classic cat eye is timeless, but smudging it up using pencil eyeliner with a handy angled sponge will infuse your look with a bit of the grunge trend that’s everywhere right now. Hint: the goal here is an I-just-slept-in-my-smoky eye makeup-all-night look. (If you really have, then you get extra points.) To achieve it, reach for an intensely pigmented shade of black, then use the sponge at the end of the pencil and smudge away to get a sexy, edgy must have beauty look.

Fall Makeup Trend # 2: Berry Lips

Lips that scream “very berry” are a definite must to stand out this season. The trick to mastering this fall makeup trend: Don’t shy away from color! Choose a plum, aubergine or berry- red lipstick shade for luscious lips, and try a matte finish if you’re in search of the perfect stained look. Pair this fall makeup trend with fresh, flawless skin and you’re sure to get noticed.

Fall Makeup Trend # 3: Warm it Up

Evocative of gorgeous summertime sunsets, makeup palettes that incorporate glimmering golds and bronzy oranges are here to stay. To harness the inspiration behind bright summer makeup and translate it into a fresh look for fall, look to shimmering bronze eye makeup. How? Use a gold or bronze shadow and line the bottoms of your eyes, or take it a step further by circling both upper and lower lids.

Lessons from Lesley. Lesson 2- Seven Easy Steps to Smoky, Sultry Eyes

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Sultry, smoky, come-hither eyes is a look that has been in for decades and some of us (ok… probably just me) have been attempting to perfect it for almost as long. My first attempt at this dramatic eye makeup look resulted in a high school classmate inquiring as to whether I had a black eye. Never one to be easily deterred, I summoned some good old fashioned if-you-don’t-succeed-try-try-again attitude and attempted smoky eye makeup for the second time. This time, causing my younger sister to take me to the MAC makeup counter at the mall and receive a crash course in eye makeup application. My first piece

Smokey Eye Makeup Image by Flickr user dreamglow pumpkincat210

of advice from the makeup pro? Smoky eyes are never a good look for school, or just about any day time function for that matter! Point taken. Her other easy to follow eyeshadow techniques have served me well over the past ten years. However, since it has been a decade (depressing) I grudgingly admitted that it was time to add a few new tricks to my repertoire. Eagerly, Lesley, my outspoken and cosmetically inclined cubicle-mate, offered some Amy-proof eye makeup tips.

Eye shadow techniques for smoky eye makeup

  1. Prep your peepers. Apply a base or primer on the eyelids and brow bone, which will prevent the eye shadow from streaking. If you are in a bind and don’t have a primer, concealer will work too.
  2. Apply a base coat to your lid and brow bone using a light and shimmery color. The trick to creating the perfect smoky eye makeup is to use contrasting colors, so using a light base will help accentuate the darker shadows.
  3. Apply black, charcoal or brown eyeliner starting at the inner corner of your lash line and work outward. Don’t be afraid to go a little thicker on the eyeliner! Once you finish, smudge and blend the liner using a q-tip.
  4. Apply dark eyeshadow onto the lid by beginning at the lash line and extending into the crease of the eye.Remember, the darker the shadow, the greater the contrast and the more dramatic the look.
  5. Blend! The key to creating the perfect dramatic eye makeup effect is to seamlessly blend the colors together, using an allover eye shadow brush and blend upward and outward until there is no distinct line.
  6. The final touch for the perfect dramatic smoky-eye look is serious mascara. Swipe on several coats until your lashes are as long and lush as you like.
  7. Admire! You created gorgeous smoky eye makeup in less than 5 minutes!

Product Spotlight – Pamela Ford Makeup Brushes

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

By Jenna

If you happen to own mineral makeup of any sort or any makeup at all, you probably own a few makeup brushes. If you’re serious about your makeup routine, you probably own a few professional makeup brushes and it’s either natural or synthetic. A gorgeous eyeshadow palette like Pamela Ford’s 5 Well Eyeshadow Palette has a gorgeous range of 5 colors that can be blended and combined for the perfect look. Luckily, if you happen to have picked up one of her amazing brushes you can do the job as well. Here’s the low down on the cosmetic brushes offered in your latest Beautyfix selection by Pamela Ford.

Source: flickr user Jazzylolo

Blender Flat Brush – This brush is designed to easily blend eye shadows together for a seamless transition between each color. The handle is 8 inches, made for easy handling and application without messing up your foundation underneath.

Concealer/Foundation Brush – This brush is soft bristled and made for applying foundation for a perfectly flawless look every single time. If you weren’t a full time brush user before with you foundation, this may just change your mind. It’s easy to use and clean and really does give a flawless look each time.

Eyeshadow Angle Brush – If you’re going for a night out on the town and want a sultry smoky eye look, this is the brush to use. It’s cleverly angled for the eye crease and lid to achieve an effortless natural or dramatic eye look. It’s also a multi-functioning brush. The top part of the brush is perfect for applying crease colors while the flat part is ideal for color on the lid.

Precise Angle Eyeliner Brush – This kind of brush is my type of brush. It’s diagonal and thin making it perfect for liner and gliding along the lash line. This super soft brush isn’t harsh and won’t hurt on your delicate lash line, which is a problem I’ve run into a few times with these kinds of cosmetic brushes. It works great with gel based liners or cream to powder eyeshadows. It’s perfectly precise for the perfect cat eye.

Highlighter Brush – If you’re looking for that one brush to turn your ordinary brush set into a professional make up brush set this one does the trick. For me it’s been hard to find a really good highlighter brush, because they’re usually not the right shape or too harsh for my eye area. This one is wonderful and can be multi-use as well which is more than convenient. You can use this ultra-soft brush for the brow bone, for the inner corners of your eye, eyeshadow crease brush or for a powder liner brush. It will put a hint of shimmer on the inner corner or brow area for a gorgeous illuminated look. This brush usually finds its way into my purse, because I use it for just about everything making my makeup application easy.

Pamela Ford’s unique cosmetic brushes are made from Takelon which is a silky, ultra-soft, cruelty-free fiber. Each of them is soothing and extremely gentle on your eye area. Each one is shaped especially for precise control and stay in perfect shape after multiple uses. They are also the perfect weight and meant to be used by you for the perfect eye shadow application. Not everyone can be a makeup artist so anything that makes makeup application simpler grabs our attention and these brushes definitely did the trick. The best part about these is how soft they are, how they grab color and powder and that they always keep their shape.

Lessons from Lesley. Lesson 1 – How to apply blush for everyday wear

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

How to apply blush. Flickr user Ritab38315

I’m somewhat of an anomaly within my company, career, and probably most women my age- I know close to nothing about beauty products! My lack of knowledge when it comes to primers, powder, plumpers, serums, sprays and just about anything makeup related has become increasingly evident since I began my current job at a high-end beauty company.  Prior to this job, my bathroom cabinet was constantly stocked with generic lotion, plain soap, one brand of makeup (same shades as in high school!) and whatever drugstore shampoo happened to be on sale that week. Now, I have a plethora of products at my finger tips and no idea what to do with them! As it turns out, I don’t even know how to apply blush properly. Lucky for me, I sit next to Lesley- a cosmetic genius, skin care guru and all-around whiz with a makeup brush. Also lucky for me, she isn’t shy about offering “constructive criticism.”

Lesson One- How to Apply Blush (without looking like the main attraction at a five year old’s birthday party)

I may not have a huge variety of colors and products in my bag, but my favorite cant-live-without item is blush and needless to say, I am slightly heavy handed in the application process. The other day, I received a new Colorescience Blush with a built in blush brush and was so eager to try it out that I applied it right at my desk. After swiping it across my cheekbones, I inspected myself in the mirror. I murmured an approving “mmhhmmm” and thought, “Not bad! Nice rosy color, what more could a girl want from a blush?” Once I looked up over the cubicle divider and saw Lesley’s face I knew that my assessment was slightly off.

After nicely explaining that I had essentially drawn pink racer stripes across my face, she took the time to impart her wisdom and explain the correct way to apply blush.

Step 1. Choosing the right blush -

“Your blush color should match your skin tone. Think about the color of your cheeks when you get out of the shower or after you finish exercising and try and find a blush that matches that shade,” explained Lesley. “Obviously, lighter pinks look better on fair skin and warmer colors look great on darker skin tones.”

Step 2. Best Type of Blush Brush

“There are so many different types of makeup brushes and a lot of people assume just about any cosmetic brush will work for applying blush. Not true! Using a proper blush brush will make all the difference. A real blush brush has long, soft bristle and is either slanted or rounded shape. You should use the slanted brush if you are contouring and the rounded brush is for more even and natural placement of the powder.”

Step 3. Blush Application

“Blush can make your skin look healthier and vibrant with a couple quick swipes, however there is a correct way to apply blush and make sure it looks natural. Your skin naturally flushes on the apples of your cheeks, so that is where the blush should be applied. Look in the mirror and smile, that will help you determine where to apply. After brushing the blush onto your cheeks, make sure that it is blended properly. The key is to enhance your facial features but make sure it looks natural.”

Summer Makeup Palettes – Go Bold!

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

By Tasha Reiko Brown

Summer Color Palette - Bright Lips

Summer is here! As the days get brighter, so should your makeup palette.  Take a cue from the recent runways ….go bold.!  Choose a bold lip or bright eye — think shimmer, sheer textures and fun!

The key to a brighter palette for summer is knowing which colors to choose for your skin tone.  A good rule of thumb is the darker your skin tone, the brighter the colors you will be able to pull off.  Darker complexions can wear bright colors with ease without going overboard.   Think jewel tones, and for the adventurous, neons.  If you keep the texture sheer, the whole rainbow is yours to play with. Light to medium skin tones should try deep pastels to get their pop of color.  Keep in mind to only choose one feature to highlight.  Choose either bold lips or a bright eye but never both.

For lips, pick up pink and berry shades.  Save the nudes to balance your smoky eyes at the office holiday party.  CARGO lipstick in CeCe is a great summer berry shade.  Bonus points: the package is eco-friendly.  Skip matte textures and use satin or sheer lipsticks.  Glosses are always my number one pick for summer!  The shine makes lips look fresh and you can always find one with a lot of pigment to rival lipstick.  Check out Clearly Pretty from Tricia Sawyer Beauty. It looks like clear gloss in the tube, but turns your lips the perfect color for your own skin tone. For waterproofing at the beach, choose a lip and cheek stain.  You’ll get long lasting, easy-to-apply color.

For summer fun with eyes, choose either a bright shadow or an adventurous liner.  My favorites for summer are bright cream shadows.   Try a royal purple for darker skin tones and a bright lavender for medium skin tones.  Mascara is a must for all seasons but at the beach try a waterproof formula from your favorite brand.  Add ice cream, sand, and enjoy!

ABOUT TASHA REIKO BROWN:

Tasha is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist whose work can regularly be seen on the red carpet and on your favorite magazine covers. She is a member of the Beautyfix Panel of experts. Check out Tasha’s Portfolio here.

The Bronzed And The Beautiful: Get Gisele’s Glow

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Source: Flickr User Jingdianmeinv

If you haven’t noticed my enthusiasm for summer in my recent blog posts, then you aren’t reading the Beautyfix blog enough. ;) One of the best things of summer is getting that summer glow. The best way to achieve this is with an amazing bronzer and it’s one of the season’s must have beauty products. Here’s how to use the best face bronzer to get an overall sun kissed glow for summer time. Bronzer can also be used to create shadow, slim your face and get that unforgettable glow like Gisele’s.

You can create an amazing healthy, glowing look by using bronzing powder. There are many available that you can pick up but here are a few favorites:

Too Faced The Bronzed and The Beautiful provides 3 amazing bronzers in one kit for an affordable price. Perfect for any season, especially summer and caters to any skin tone. Its’ easy to get the “I just got back from the Caribbean glow with Sun Bunny, Snow Bunny and Bronzer in Pink Leopard, accompanied with its own super soft kabuki bronzing brush. Not only does it come with all three, but it comes in a mirrored compact perfect for on the go. Simple glaze your cheeks, neck, collarbone and lightly dust your face and you’re all set with a gorgeous glow.

Always avoid bronzers that are too orange. This will cause your natural looking glow to look like you’ve spent a little too much time in the tanning salon. For this I suggest using Redpoint’s Rejuvenating Bronzing Silk or Laura Gellar’s Balance N Bronze. These will provide an irresistible glow without any harsh lines that will blend perfect with any skin tone. Laura Gellar’s Balance N Bronze is a multi-hued baked powder enriched with vitamin E that will provide an illuminating glow that will even out your skin tone instead of disturbing your skin. It’s important to use a bronzing powder rather than a liquid on oily or acne prone skin. This way it absorbs oil, creates an even skin tone and is better for the health of your skin.

For mature or dry skin a liquid bronzer is recommended. These formulas tend to be lighter in weight and won’t sink in to any fine lines or wrinkles, making your skin look younger. Stila’s Sun Gel and Cargo’s Multi Mix bronzer are prime examples of what a great liquid bronzer can do. Not only are they great for the face but they are multi-functioning and can be used on other areas of the body as well. When using a liquid bronzer, you’ll need to use a smaller amount for your face. This prevents it from the color being too dark, and you can regulate exactly how glowing you want to be.

Another simple trick that I love to add after applying bronzer, is sweeping my cheeks with a little bit of shimmer. My absolute favorite product for this is Jane Iredale’s 24 Karat Gold Dust Powder. It’s completely amazing and has real 24 karat golf flakes in it! (Hint: You may have received it in a past Beautyfix.)While providing a gorgeous shimmer and color to my skin it’s also perfectly reflected in any light and it’s very affordable.  You can use it as a body duster, bronzer, eye shadow or lip color. If you’re looking for an all around product this is it and it won’t leave you disappointed. Watch this video to learn some tips on using the 24 Karat Gold Dust Powder from Jane Iredale herself here!

Any of these great products will give you a youthful, golden fresh look for any occasion. Instead of shying away from getting the beach bunny look, give it a shot. You’ll have people fooled into thinking you just got back from a luxurious, tropical vacation.

Spring Makeup Tips: Melt Proof Makeup

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

get melt proof makeup

By Tasha Reiko Brown

Spring has sprung!  The flowers are in bloom, the sun is shining and your face is …melting?  Time to switch up your makeup techniques to keep them heat and melt proof.  For truly melt proof makeup, think layering and textures.  Your warm weather look should be more sheer and a lot less heavy in colors, texture, and application.  Does applying less product mean constant retouches and easy fading?  Not with the right products!

Try a lighter base such as Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer.  The less foundation you wear, the less likely anything over it will slide off in the heat.  Textures will be able to truly ‘grab’ onto your skin.  Apply sparingly with clean fingers and blend into areas where needed.

For eyes that stay put try a lid primer before applying a light layer of liquid shadow.  The liquid shadow will dry to a powdery finish and have more staying power than a cream but with the same sheer finish.  Try Chanel’s Ombre D’Eau. Follow with two coats of black waterproof mascara (I like L’Oreal’s Voluminous) and as Tyra Banks would say… “Smize” – smile with your eyes!

For cheeks and lips that keep glowing I like stains.  A good lip and cheek stain will last all day and can be layered over with a powder blush on cheeks or gloss on lips for an extra glow.  On cheeks apply and work quickly to blend in.  Layer the applications if you want more intense color.  On lips simply fill them in and let set for about 10 seconds before applying gloss.  If you prefer your favorite lipstick, put on a layer, blot with tissue and repeat making a more creamy stain on the lips. I like Josie Maran’s new Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stains.

To finish your sunny day look, add a glow with Cargo’s Water Resistant Bronzer.  With a fluffy natural hair brush, apply bronzer where the sun would normally hit on the forehead, temples, bridge of nose and chin.  Swipe under your cheekbones for a more dimensional look. Now enjoy your day in the sun. :)

About Tasha Reiko Brown:

Celebrity Makeup Artist and Beautyfix Panelist Tasha Reiko Brown’s work has graced countless celebrity faces and red carpet events like the Oscars and the Golden Globes. You’ve seen her eye popping editorial work in magazines such as Elle, Vanity Fair and Flaunt and on the runways for top designers including Badgley Mischka and Richard Tyler. Check out Tasha’s portfolio here.

A beauty expert, Tasha is a constant mention in InStyle magazine and regularly provides media outlets with beauty tips and product mentions. Her knowledge of makeup through and through has lead her to appearances on several fashion and makeover shows including “How To Look Good Naked”, “How Do I Look?” and countless WE network “Beauty Secrets Revealed” episodes.

Girls Are Growing Up Fast These Days

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Young girls love to play dress up, and for many of us our infatuation with makeup began at a young age. We put on various shades of our mother’s lipstick and eye shadows and paraded around in her high heels and LOVED it. Eventually dress up evolved into something a little more sophisticated as we started to learn the basics of beginner’s makeup, and a new obsession began that in time developed into how we primp ourselves today.  Although we may have played dress-up with mommy’s red lip stick, girls generally don’t’ start wearing makeup until they hit high school or junior high at the earliest.

My new obsession with beauty haul videos brought me to this gem of a video:

There is a disclaimer that this 5 year old cutie is only demonstrating makeup for beginners and is not something she does every day which is a great relief. I hate to admit it, but this little girl is already better at putting on mascara than me and I’ve been doing this for years.  But that brings me to the question of how old should girls be to start wearing makeup?

From my personal experience, girls that wore makeup in elementary school were made fun of and it started with the lip gloss craze in junior high years. Having little sisters, I didn’t get asked any makeup advice until recently which is their freshman year in high school. In these years for a girl in high school, wearing makeup is almost expected and also a fun thing to do with the girls. Shopping for it with friends, teaching each other how to get the perfect cat-eye liner look, and finding the perfect lip gloss are all things that are fun for young girls as activities. These times are critical because are sculpting what they think their definition of beauty is. As a parent, it can be a little bit of a difficult decision if you don’t want your baby girl dolled up in class which is understandable. What if they’re just using it as a form of self expression? The main thing that is important to watch out for is if they are running up the credit card at the mall or looking like a clown when they walk outside the door. That may be the time to step in. Showing your teen that modesty is the best way to interpret fashion and beauty is a great way to get involved. SuddenlyDarling.com is a site for teens made by teen queen Katelyn Rose, giving tips on fashion forward styles and getting them active in a positive way. Take it from the YouTube How To and Style stars, your daughter may make a fortune just by doing how-to put on makeup videos.  Enjoy another adorable video from the teeny makeup queen.

How old were you when you first started wearing makeup?

What Men Find Attractive: Natural Makeup

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

By Jenna

Women often think about what guys want, but what about when applying their makeup? When it comes to makeup, what women find attractive can be completely different than what men find attractive. This brings us to the topic of what men want women to know when it comes to our makeup. Luckily, the handsome men around me enlightened me to their opinion on the subject and guess what? Too much makeup is a big DON’T.

Cakey Foundation = MAJOR DON'T flickr user: Byron Rode Photography

When I asked the question of “what makeup style is your favorite on a girl?” 95% of the men answered that they loved a more natural look on women. This isn’t surprising, because men don’t generally notice makeup unless it’s caked on, but it’s a seriously valid point. At any given time of the day just walking down the street I can point out many girls that need to tone down their makeup routine. It’s simple, men like natural makeup. This doesn’t exactly mean that you shouldn’t wear any makeup at all, but from your day to day tone it down a few notches. You don’t need the smokey eye for work or to do grocery shopping. The most important piece of advice that men will give you is that your makeup should be appropriate for you and the setting that you’re in. If you’re going to Sunday brunch, you should not look like you’re about to go clubbing. Cakey foundation is a HUGE no- no. If your face comes off in a towel, that should be a hint that you’re wearing too much makeup. Too much base layer is the biggest complaint from men. A MAC force field doesn’t make you sexy it’ll scare the boys away. The best makeup tip for an everyday look is using a light powder, mascara, a little bit of blush and a light color on your lips. The doll face type of streaky blush is not something that guys love.

The smokey eye look is not only sexy and seductive but it’s perfect for a night on the town if you don’t over-do it. Most guys don’t mind this eye shadow trend on occasion. This means that if you’re going golfing smokey eyes probably aren’t a good idea, but if you’re going out for dinner and dancing it’s a great complement. Eyes are one of the first things a man notices. If you’re looking to play with color, try using a complementary color to your hair and eye color. If you’re worried about spending the night, try using a shadow that doesn’t come off easily. If you’re waking up to a new man with raccoon eyes, you can bet that he’s not going to like that surprise in the morning. I love Too Faced’s High Impact Shadow Collection because it lasts and stays on all while coming with shadow insurance.

Lip gloss VS lipstick is a controversy. I admit that I’m a huge lip gloss and lipstick junkie and I’m not stopping anytime soon. My boyfriend HATES lip gloss with a passion because when it comes to giving him some sugar, that stickiness from the gloss is coming off on him (and that shade of pink doesn’t complement his skin tone.) It’s a double bad scenario because not only does he have to wipe off his lips, but my perfect pout is halfway gone. The answer to this is a lip stain. Goes on, doesn’t come off, problem solved. Lipstick is another thing that guys don’t’ mind but again don’t go overboard. If you’re in the mood for a red lip, don’t pair it with clown eyes. Red lips are perfect for the right occasions, just not for an everyday look. A red lip paired with a classic look all around can be stunning, just pick the right time to do it.

Confidence is key. We’re all a little guilty of using makeup to boost our confidence. We just need to be conscious of how much exactly we are using. Everyday makeup should accentuate our natural features. It’s ok to experiment with colors and have fun with makeup, but if you’re trying to get the attention of a certain guy, looking like an art experiment isn’t going to do it. Carry yourself with confidence and appreciate your face and features. When it comes to what men find attractive makeup-wise, just ask yourself if your look is age appropriate, setting appropriate and YOU appropriate, then you’re all set. Remember, simple is most effective when it comes to what men find attractive.

“If you’re looking like you could be good friends with Snooki, I won’t even think of talking to you.” – B. Artz