Posted by Angelica Chayes on Thu, Jan 21, 2010 @ 11:11 AM
I may be nearly unique among all my friends and co-workers in that I LOVE winter. Here at the jane iredale home office, it is a winter wonderland. The frigid temperatures have us all outfitted in furry boots and furry hats, while snow-lined streets and snow-covered trees look absolutely beautiful.
What does not look beautiful is my winter skin. When temperatures plunge, the blood retreats to warm the core, leaving the face pallid. Dryness from indoor heat and outdoor winds adds to the dullness. I may feel invigorated, but I look like death!
Fortunately, where there's a beauty problem, there is usually a makeup solution. My answer to the winter doldrums? Blush and lots of it! My favorite for winter is In Touch Cream Blush because it is creamy and moist (and smells like chocolate). The shades look intense in the tube, but on the face they give such a fresh flush of color, it's like you've been sledding, throwing snowballs and sitting by the fire drinking cocoa.
Applying it is so easy: it can be swiped on straight from the tube and blended with the fingers. But to make a single tube last absolutely ages (and to keep those fingers clean), use the Foundation Brush or the Blending Brush. Apply blush from the tube to the brush, and then sweep the brush over the roundest part of your cheeks. Keeping it to the outer half of the cheeks really opens up the face.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Aug 21, 2009 @ 02:34 PM
Does blush disappear on your face? It used to evaporate on mine, so I always left the house looking like a clown, hoping it would last till noon. Recently, I was lucky enough to have my makeup done at an event by our makeup artist and educator, the amazing Kevin Mendelson. He told if my blush disappears, then my skin was dehydrated. I started using Dream Tint every day under my PurePressed Base (I used to just use it on weekends instead of foundation) and I also began taking omega fatty acid supplements. My skin looks more plump and smooth than it has in ages. Sometimes I even forget to moisturize after cleansing because it doesn't feel tight! Best of all, I applied my makeup at 8 o'clock this morning and I just checked in the mirror (it's 3 pm); I don't need a touch up. No more disappearing blush!
A natural flush makes you look awake, healthy and vibrant. For cheeks that are natural and glowing all day long, try this: after applying Dream Tint, but before foundation if you are wearing it. Smile to find the apples of the cheeks and then rub a streak or two of In Touch Cream Blush straight from the tube on the part that sticks out the most. To open up the face, place it no closer in than the iris of the eye. Use the Foundation Brush to blend in a circular motion, up and out towards the temple. If I am already (gasp) at my desk, I use my fingers to blend and it works just fine. Then go on to apply your regular foundation. You will look lit from within. How simple is that?
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Thu, Jul 16, 2009 @ 10:51 AM
In June, we ran a contest asking our partners to send us their best look featuring makeup from the Cool Beauty Collection. We got many fabulous photos, all of which are posted on our Facebook fan page. We were thrilled by the diversity of the entries, showing how many totally different looks can be achieved with these products; and also how creative people can get with our makeup! It was very difficult to choose, but finally the top three picks were made by Jane and our team of National Makeup Artist/Educators.
First Place went to Camillia Rodio of Vancouver Washington:
To create this dramatic look, Camillia used Absence Primer followed by PurePressed Base in Bisque. On the eyes she used the Azure trio with the aqua hue on the eye lid and underneath rounding the corners of the eyes, and 24-Karat Gold Dust in Aquamarine. Parfait PurePressed Blush flushed the cheeks. For the lips she used Erin PureMoist LipColour topped with Cosmo PureGloss.
Second place went to Larissa Keeney of the Sandpearl Resort & Spa in Clearwater Florida.
To achieve this soft and vibrant look, Larissa primed her model Danielle's face with Absence 2, then applied Liquid Minerals in Coffee, and Amazing Base in Caramel.She finished the face with PureMatte and a spritz of D20. To conceal any imperfections, she applied Disappear in both Medium and Dark. On the Cheeks, Larissa applied PurePressed Blush in Dubonnet. For this incredible eye look, Larissa primed the lids with Canvas Lid Primer, then applied the PurePressed Triple Eye Shadow in Azure. To line the eyes, she used Liquid Eyeliner in Pinot Noir. Finishing touches included Pure Lash Extender&Conditioner and Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara on the eyes, and the brows were groomed with Smokey Grey PurePressed Eye Shadow and Brown/Black Pencil. The lips were prepped with Sugar & Butter, defined with Taupe Lip Definer, colored with PureMoistLip Colour in Julia, and kissed with PureGloss in Just Gloss.
Third place went to Linda Allen of L A Skincare in Greensboro, NC.
Her model (and daughter-in-law) Ginger's luminous look was created starting with Golden Glow Liquid Minerals and Amazing Base applied to the face and neck. Her cheeks are glowing with PurePressed Blush in Whisper and a touch of Bronzer mixed together, then Moonglow on the jaw line. To prep the eyes, Linda started with Canvas Lid Primer on the eyelids. She then applied Azure to the upper lids, and Pinot Noir Liquid Eyeliner to upper eyelid; and finished with two coats of Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice. The brows were beautifully shaped with Brunette Super Shape Me Eyebrow Kit. Ginger's lips were lined with Nude Lip Definer, Julia PureMoist LipColour and Just Gloss. As a finishing touch, Aquamarine 24-Karat Gold Dust was dusted in the hair and on the décolleté.
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Mon, Jun 15, 2009 @ 08:04 AM
Whether you're using cream or powder blush, apply it to the apples of the cheeks, which is the part that protrudes when you smile. I know you've heard that part a million times but here is the key: apply color no closer in than the iris of your eye, and then blend up and out. This simple make-up technique really opens up the face and makes a huge difference (thanks Jane)!