Posted by Angelica Chayes on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 @ 12:13 PM
Smoky eyes are everywhere for fall, and the look has never been fresher because they are being done in every shade from classic charcoal to soft browns, and even vibrant shades like plum or teal. Smoky eyes is not a color, it is a technique; or rather many techniques. Here is one of my favorites from makeup artist Christian McNally. It looks fierce and only takes about five minutes. Have faith. it may look like a hot mess when you are halfway through, but it comes together magically in the end. Blending is the key!
- Start by smoothing a tiny bit of Lemon Lid Primer over the whole lid, lash line to brow. Blend well with your finger tips or the Camouflage Brush.
- Next, apply coordinating eye Pencil: For example, Black/Brown works well with brown or plum smoky eyes; Black or Black/Grey works with charcoal or teal. Draw a thick line across the upper lash line, going about half way up the lid towards the crease. Draw another line under the lower lashes, from inner to outer corner. Connect the two lines at the outer corner, and don't worry about being neat.
- Blend the Pencil well with the Small Fluff Brush to a soft, edgeless finish. One thing I have learned is to blend with a very light touch. It may take longer, but otherwise I end up blending off the makeup I just applied!
- Take your desired shade of PurePressed Eyeshadow Triple. Apply the medium shade to the outer two-thirds of the upper lid with the Crease Brush. The crease can stay clean for this look; concentrate the color on the lid and lash line.
- Apply the lightest shade on the inner third on the upper lid with the same brush and blend the two together with your clean Crease Brush (simply wipe it off on a tissue).
- With the Mini Dome Brush, use the darkest shade in the trio to intensify everywhere you placed the eye Pencil. Blend well.
- Again with the Crease Brush, highlight with a little bit of Oyster (shimmery) or Bone (matte) PurePressed Eye Shadow in the inner corner of the eye at the sides of the nose, and on the brow bone. Blend well.
- Line the inner rim (waterline) of the upper and lower lash line with Liner. Use the same liner or try Black for fierce drama, or Midnight Blue to really whiten the whites of your eyes.
- Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner to upper and lower lashes to condition lashes and add volume and length. While it is still damp, follow with several coats of Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice.
Now with eyes this intense, please keep the cheeks and lips soft and neutral. The one exception for this fall might be a subtle pop of hot pink. Use a light hand and try Clarity In Touch Cream Blush on the cheeks and Sugar Plum PureGloss on the lips
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 Tue, Aug 11, 2009 @ 10:43 AM
There was this great article from Yahoo and Real Simple showing four clothing colors that are universally flattering.
These colors are gorgeous, and you can see from the pictures below that they flatter quite different skin tones. If they look good on your body, how much better will they look on your face? It was easy to find these shades throughout our line; here are some of my favorites, try them out and have some fun:
Eggplant - Mauve Silk Eye Gloss; Cloud Nine PurePressed EyeShadow Triple
True Red - Carrie PureMoist LipColour; Crimson Lip Definer.
Teal - Azure PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple; Aquamarine 24-Karat Gold Dust
Mellow Rose - Antique Rose PurePressed Eye Shadow; Soft Peach PureGloss
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Fri, Aug 07, 2009 @ 12:45 PM
Here's a great tip that comes to us from one of our sales consultants, just in time for Friday night ;-)
She says, "mix Eye Gloss with Cream to Powder Eyeliner to create a hot iced look. You can just mix them with your Camouflage Brush on the back of your hand. Just a little of this and a little of that."
Here's how: squeeze a little dab of your favorite shade of Eye Gloss onto the back of your hand; then scrape up a small amount of a coordinating color of Cream To Powder Eye Liner. For example, you could use Grey Silk Eye Gloss with the light or medium shade of Black Plus Cream To Powder Eye Liner. Blend them together on the back of your hand, and then apply using the Camouflage Brush for the eyelid, or the Eye Liner/Brow Brush to use as an eyeliner. It looks amazing, and the color will last all night!
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 @ 12:50 PM
Lipstick junkies unite! Whether it's lipstick, lip gloss, or lip plumper, you know who you are, and if anyone looks into your purse, they will know too! To lighten your load and control the chaos, keep an attractive bowl or jar by the door. When you come home, toss your lip color du jour in the jar just like people do with keys or spare change. When you grab a new color in the morning, it will be the only one in your bag. Can't choose just one color? Try our MultiLip or MultiGloss Kits. Thanks to Connie, our Program Development Manager for this fabulous tip!
Posted by Angelica Chayes on Tue, Jul 07, 2009 @ 12:59 PM
When we talk about how to apply eye makeup, we usually mean which colors to use and where to apply them on the eye. But how we apply our eye makeup can take you from struggling with your makeup to creating artful and beautiful eyes. Here are a couple of tips from some of our artists and consultants that have really helped me:
When applying eye shadow to the lid, don't swish. Pat or press the color on with a flat brush like our Deluxe Shader Brush. The color sticks better and stays where you want it, rather than all over your face.
Apply darker eyeshadow in circular motions so that the color blends more easily and you don't have any lines or harsh areas. Try this when you are applying that darker shade in the outer corner or crease. This works beautifully with soft and natural eye makeup looks, and also with dramatic looks, vivid shades, and smokey eyes. By blending as you apply, you don't have that hard edge that is so difficult to blend away.
For in-depth tips on applying contour shadow, see our earlier blog post on that subject. I also love this video using our Daytime Eyeshadow Kit.