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Posts tagged Makeup

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How To Make Your Wedding Day Makeup Last

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Prep Your Skin

Wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove makeup, oil, and dirt, then use a gentle scrub to buff off any dry patches. Or, if you have sensitive skin, skip the exfoliant and simply use a washcloth. Blot your skin dry, and spritz on a soothing rose or chamomile toner to add a dewy glow. Then, rather than slathering on a heavy moisturizer, “opt for a gel-based lotion that’ll leave your face smooth and help extend the wear of your makeup.

 Create a Flawless Canvas

First, select a foundation that’s suited to your skin type. Choose a matte finish if you tend to get oily, and go with a creamy formula if you’re on the dry side. Steer clear of illuminating formulas, as digital photography is hyper-sensitive to shimmer and can make glowing skin look greasy. Apply a light layer of primer, then use a foundation brush to sweep makeup onto the t-zone. Blend it out to the edges of your face and ears, taking care to work it into your neck and hairline. Then, press it into your skin with your fingers. This picks up excess makeup and smoothes out telltale lines.

 Finally, keep shine in check by applying a mattifying balm to your T-zone, and sweep translucent powder all over to set everything in place. Throughout the day, use blotting sheets to soak up excess oil without removing your makeup.

Conceal and Camouflage

To eliminate dark under eye circles or shadows on the inner corners of the eyes, reach for a creamy concealer. Apply it with your fingers to prevent residual amounts from sinking into fine lines. For blemishes and pimples, regular concealer just doesn’t cut it. Instead, use a camouflage, a type of cover-up that’s tacky to the touch. It’s a drier version of concealer that’s densely pigmented and less emollient so it stays put and makes anything vanish. Apply a tiny amount with a small, pointed brush, and repeat to build coverage if needed.

Prime Your Eyelids

Eye shadow primers smooth out the skin on the lid, cover up veins, and prevent shadows and liners from migrating for hours. After smoothing it over the entire lid and the eye crease with your finger, dust on a neutral bone- or almond-colored shadow with a fluffy brush.

Apply Liner Like a Pro

For a very defined line, use a felt-tipped liquid liner or a waterproof eyeliner pencil; then to set it, trace the line with a thin brush dipped in a matching eye shadow powder. For a softer line, apply regular kohl eyeliner before your base neutral eye shadow. The shadow will smudge it out a bit for a diffused look.

Budge-Proof Your Blush

Blush often pulls a disappearing act half way through the day. To make it stay put, layering is key. First, smooth a cream formula onto the apples of your cheeks. Then, dust on an oil-absorbing invisible powder to lock in the color. Lastly, apply a final coat of powder blush with a large, fluffy brush.

Wear Waterproof Mascara

Chances are pretty good that you’re going to experience a happy tear or two, so why risk a streaky mess? Waterproof formulas are the way to go for weddings, but they can dry out quickly and make lashes look spidery if you’re not careful. To get around this, use a brand new tube on the day of your wedding, and separate your lashes with a lash comb after applying it. Or, eliminate the need for mascara altogether by opting for faux lashes or even long-lasting lash extensions.

Make Your Lipstick Stay Put

Long-lasting lip products work well, but they often feel thick and dry. The good news? It’s easy to make your regular lipstick last longer and feel comfortable. First, prep lips with a moisturizing lip balm, then use a washcloth to buff it — and any dry skin — off. Next, fill in lips completely with a flesh-toned lip liner to give your lipstick a base to adhere to. Apply your lipstick with a lip brush, blot with a tissue, and then repeat. Matte lipsticks last the longest, but if you want a hint of shine, layer on a gloss or balm. Just remember, adding these slippery toppers also shorten the lifespan of your color and increases the need for touch-ups.

(Source: zazzle.com)

Filed under Makeup Beauty Skin care

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DIY: Gel Eyeliner

 

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book and how makeup artists made gel liners back in Old Hollywood. It really fills in the holes in between your lashes and gives you an intense smudge like a kajal liner or grease paint. It’s super simple and easy.

TOOLS

  • A kohl eye liner pencil from your local drug store. Our favorites {that you probably already have in your makeup drawer} that work especially well using this technique are this Maybelline one and this one from Covergirl.
  • An open flame {a lighter is nice because it’s portable, but you can also use a candle or a gas stove top}.

STEPS

To slightly liquefy it, hold the tip of the pencil in the flame for one quick second. Don’t even say one Mississippi!

Wait 15 seconds for the pencil to cool down. It gets really hot so you have to let it cool down then always test it out on the back of your hand before you go anywhere near your eye!!

Roll it a little on the back of your hand to mold and keep the tip pointed while it’s becoming a solid again.

Sweep the liner along your upper + lower lashlines as well as your inner waterline if you want to make your eyes even more piercing.

* Photos by Amy Nadine

Filed under DIY Beauty Makeup Eyes Eyeliner

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Beware Of High SPF Foundations / Skincare

I’m a huge advocate of using products with an SPF. Especially being the pale person that I am! However, have you ever noticed when you have a photo taken your skin looks slightly paler? Some foundations with high spfs have an ingredient in them called Titanium Dioxide. This ingredient *which is especially high in Dior foundations* will react to the flash of a camera and pale you out.

Just be aware of this when you are having your trial. I use a lot of SPF 15 foundations and have found there is no problems with these. This has come from many trials. You need to try out the makeup before the day and be sure to take a photo with a camera (not simply your mobile) to see how it all looks.

Filed under SPF Foundations Makeup

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Vendor Love : Alison Harper & Company - Hair & Makeup

Today I am starting a new series called “Vendor Love” in which I will highlight special people who can help make your wedding dreams come true.

In my first installment I want to introduce to you Alison Harper.

Alison is the owner of Alison Harper & Co salon which specializes in bridal hair and makeup services in the Maryland, DC and Virginia area. 

Being a recent bride herself Alison understands the stress your going through and will work with you beyond what you would expect from the average salon. She and her talented team of hair and makeup artists will consult with you in the comfort of your own home or at their salon.

Alison has a passion for hair and makeup and it shows in her work.

Before and After 

You can see more Before and After photos here.

Weddings

      

You can see more weddings here

No matter what your hair and makeup dilemas are the Alison Harper Salon can help you look fabulous on the most memorable day of your life!

For service in the Maryland, DC and Virginia area give Alison and her team a call at 301.549.3454. Or visit her website:  www.AlisonHarperandCompany.com  

Filed under Alison Harper Hair Makeup Stylist Vendor Love

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There’s a new trend in bridal beauty… from Kate Middleton doing her own wedding day make-up to Kate Moss and her simple chic look, brides are choosing to look more like glowing versions of themselves and less like someone their grooms hope are somewhere under all that glam! I promise you, there’s something amazing that happens to a bride on her wedding day and you’ll look so pretty from the magic and love you’ll be feeling within and all around you, you won’t need a lot of make-up. Here Lauren demonstrates how to define and accentuate your own unique beauty effortlessly on your big day.

TOOLS

  • Longwear liquid foundation
  • Foundation brush
  • Dusty-rose colored cream blush
  • Smoky-taupe wet/dry eyeshadow
  • Eye shadow brush
  • Dark brown or black long wear gel liner
  • Pointed liner brush
  • Water-resistant mascara
  • Pinky-nude lip color

STEPS

1. After applying a water-based primer, even out your complexion with longwear liquid foundation that is an exact match of your skin tone. This is not the day to try to fake darker/paler complexions, you want the product to “disappear” into your skin. Use a foundation brush for an even application and depending on the neckline of your dress, carefully blend onto your neck then buff with a tissue so nothing ends up on your dress.

2. With your foundation brush, dip it in a dusty-rose colored cream blush and pat a few times on the back of your hand to disperse of any clumps. Then while smiling in the mirror to find the apples of your cheeks, swirl and pat the brush to create a dewy flush of color.

3. Wet your eyeshadow brush with water, give it a quick tap on your sink/counter then dip it into your smoky-taupe shadow to create more of a paste-like consistency. Play on the back of your hand to smooth away any powder clumps then sweep the brush over your entire lid and crease to create a solid wash of color.

4. Swirl your pointed liner brush into a dark brown or black long wear gel liner (there are so many amazing waterproof options at your department, specialty and drug stores!) and again first test the consistency on the back of your hand by swirling away any clumps. Then starting at the inner corner of your lash line, gently drag the brush across your lid, adding a little more pressure as you work your way to the outer corner (light pressure = thin line, heavy pressure = thick line).

5. Apply two coats of waterproof mascara and decide if you want to skip your bottom lashes if you think you’ll be a gushing bride as well as a blushing bride!

6. Finish with a pinky-nude lip color that your loyal maid of honor will keep on her to re-apply whenever she sees you need it.

*Photo & Credits: Justin  Coit  + TheBeautyDepartment.com 

(Source: zazzle.com)

Filed under Beauty Makeup

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With the HD capabilities of new cameras, even the best foundation can look caked on and heavy in pictures…which isn’t the look you want for your wedding day photos.

Fortunately, a slew of new foundations provide a camera-ready finish: get a light-weight look that still covers every imperfection.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. Smashbox: Camera Ready Full Coverage Foundation

2. Senna: HD Extreme Firming Radiant Foundation  

3. Covergirl: NatureLuxe Silk Foundation

Filed under Makeup Beauty