Our friend Melanie is back with another blog post this week. Melanie is a personal stylist from the Berkshires, United Kingdom where she helps people choose the styles and colors that work best for them, including makeup. Today Melanie has chosen to share some of her unique insight and suggestions for creating everyday style with an opulent influence.

Loud cheer from West Berkshire!  The long awaited warmer air and lighter evenings are bringing some welcomed changes.  My orange tree is packed with blossom buds and its first fruit is coming on beautifully!

Wherever you are today – isn’t it just soooo good how colour, light and new ideas kindle our lives.

Across the pond, in the beautiful Berkshire’s of the U.S, Jane Iredale’s team continue to perfect what they do best: ‘everything-makeup’, for every woman.  I say every woman – I’m working with a big mix of wardrobe and image wishes, colouring (eyes, skin, hair) and variety of lifestyles.  For makeup, the two top wishes from my clients are: “A healthy look and easy to apply”.  This goes for everyday makeup right up to bold and wa-wow.  My jane iredale ‘happy-kit’ has it all covered!

Makeup display from Colours 2013

Amber and silver colours

Wimbledon

Gorgeousness comes in many forms! From Bath to London – there is a pool of millinery talent to top off an outfit.  The Royal Enclosure is at the heart of Royal  Ascot – gentlemen are required to wear morning dress with a top hat and ladies must wear formal day wear. Hats are the more popular choice, however, interest in headpieces is growing again (a base of 4 inches/10cm or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat).  In a West Berkshire neighbouring village, I called in to Emma Moscow’s studio – coffee and hats first thing is a great start to the day.I always carry a camera and whilst I took a few shots, a couple of Emma’s creations sent my thoughts right to Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby. One was a Berkshire spin on the Jazz Age, in my eyes, with its garnish of pheasant feathers (abundant in the county from this non-native bird) and great on a short hair style.Your milliner and stylist, or both, will help you enhance your outfit – your hat in harmony with not only your face shape and colouring but also your neck and shoulder proportions, height and personality.  For ‘hat makeup’, it’s important to define the eyes and lips with a little more intensity.  A hat, by its nature, will be noticed and the key to good styling is noticing the woman first – it’s the ultimate balance of colours and dimensions working with each other.Costume designer, Catherine Martin, when asked about the elaborate styling for this year’s Great Gatsby said that one of the elements which defines the period is evening headwear.  Hats indeed define the character and help the audience move in to another time. There are about 1,000 hats in the movie! For the men, there are boaters and caps and homburgs – a high-crowned men’s felt hat that was introduced by Prince Edward in the twenties. The women mainly wore cloches and then there is the incredible party headwear that reflects the spirit of the Gatsby story. Pretty much 250 party headpieces and styled to compliment each individual actor’s face. Every headpiece was made for a particular person!  The talent behind all of this was Sydney-based milliner, Rosie Boylan.If someone says to you, “what a stunning hat” – well, ok, they noticed it.  Now, if they say “you look amazing in that hat”. The Gatsby look is quite soft and feminine, with quirkiness and sophistication.  Enjoy the eye makeup in this movie Smouldering, smokey-eyes and vibrant, strong lip colour with dramatic lashes and pencilled-in eyebrows!

• Apply your shade of Amazing Base using the Chisel Powder Brush in downward strokes.
• Spritz with Hydration Spray, Jenna used Balance.
• Apply the lightest shade of Moonglow Quad Bronzer to your brow bone using the Deluxe Shader Brush.
• Apply the golden shade to your eyelid still using the Deulxe Shader Brush.
• Apply the Bronze shade to your crease using the Crease Brush.
• Still using the crease brush apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of your eye for a more natural look, or use Double Espresso Eye Shadow instead for a deeper more dramatic look.
• Apply Onyx Mystikol using the Angle Definer Brush to your top lash line.
• Line your bottom inner rim using the White Eye Pencil.
• Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner to your lashes followed by Jet Black PureLash Lengthening Mascara.
• Comb your brows using the Spoolie Brush.
• Apply Complete In Touch Highlighter to your cheekbones using your fingers.
• Apply Moonglow Bronzer to the apples of your cheek and extend up your cheek bone using the Dome Brush.
• Finish your look with Crabapple PureGloss. For a more dramatic red lip, line and fill in your lips using the Crimson Lip Definer first.

Try this look yourself and then share your pictures with us on Facebook, here!

In 121 days I marry the love of my life, but who’s counting? As a bride there are many things I need to check off on my “to-do” list, but there are many things that will be out of my control: the weather that day, and the days preceding, and my skin. The last few years I’ve been battling adult acne, which has been worse than the breakouts and skin problems I battled at 13 years old. I never knew there was even such a thing as adult acne until it happened to me.

Frankly, at first I was completely embarrassed about it. Here I was an adult, who had great skin for most of my life, having big breakouts on my cheeks (of all places). I didn’t know what to do but I did everything I could to cover it up, with whatever seemed to work best and didn’t feel caked on my skin. Never did it occur to me that what I was using to cover it up could be causing these issues, until my sister said to me “You have to try this makeup I’ve been using, I swear it makes a difference in my skin, the line is called jane iredale.” I thought she was crazy, how could this foundation really make THAT much of a difference? If only I listened to her, because it wasn’t until I had begun working here that I realized how quickly jane iredale cosmetics would help.

I was floored by how weightless our foundation felt on my skin, up until this point in my life I had never worn foundation because I could always feel it on my skin. As soon as that PurePressed Base was on my skin, I knew I was hooked. Within two weeks of using Zap & Hide and PurePressed Base my breakouts had settled down and the scarring they had left behind wasn’t looking so dark and angry. Now fast forward to a year and a half later and it’s night and day on these cheeks of mine. But as these 121 days wiz by, I keep reading articles on how to prepare the few months before your wedding and the majority focus on your skin and skincare.

That’s the difference with jane iredale versus other makeup: jane iredale is not just makeup; it’s a makeup with skincare benefits. Making the change to jane iredale is not only important for the day of your wedding, but also in prepping your skin to be as beautiful as it can be by using only makeup that is good for it.

I certainly have been perfecting my skincare routine these last few months, though I do still

sunshine wishes!

have the occasional breakouts, I can’t say I’m concerned about my skin for the wedding. I know that even if something pops up here and there, I will look beautiful and feel beautiful on my big day.  And what’s more important than how you feel about yourself on such an important day in your life? The pictures that will be taken of us, on that sunny August day (hear that Mother Nature? The sunny August day), will hang in our home for our lifetime and will be seen by our kids and grand kids. Isn’t it most important that you look back and love those pictures, love the way you look and remember how wonderful you felt? You certainly won’t be talking about the table settings 50 years from now, will you?

There are a million important decisions you make when planning a wedding; what dress you’ll be wearing, what flowers will be in your bouquet, who will be a bridesmaid, what colors and dresses will they wear, the list could just go on and on. But my advice as I too go through this process? Don’t forget about your makeup.

Our wedding is at the very end of August outside in our backyard. I have no delusions that I won’t be hot and sweating as we dance the night away, but I know that my makeup won’t budge. I can hug, kiss, cry, sweat and dance all night and look just as radiant and put together as I did during the ceremony. Trust me, I’ve tested it out at the gym, it doesn’t budge and I surely sweat, a lot, and sometimes cry at my instructor.

The versatility of the jane iredale line allows any bride to create a look that expresses their personal style and preferences. What look are you going for on your big day? I’m thinking vintage, understated eyes with bold lips.  But we’ll see what we decide when I have my consultation in June. Happy planning!

Soft & Rosy

This first look has a lot of soft iridescent pinks in it, and plays up healthy glowing skin with Glow Time BB Cream.

•  Start by applying Smooth Affair Primer with you finger tips, followed by your shade of Glow Time BB Cream, click here for a video on how to apply BB Cream.
•  Apply Champagne Silk Eye Gloss from your top lash line to just below your eyebrows. Pat gently with your ring finger to blend.
• Apply Wink Eye Shadow to your eyelid using the Deluxe Shader Brush.
• Apply Pink Smoke or Hush Eye Shadow in your crease using the Crease Brush.
• Apply Crushed Ice Eye Shadow to the outer corner of your eye and up into your crease using the Eye Shader Brush. Blend with the Crease Brush.
• Line your top and bottom lash line with the Basic Black Eye Pencil.
• Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner to your lashes followed by 3-4 coats of Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara.
• Apply Cotton Candy PurePressed Blush to the apples of your cheeks using the Dome Brush.
• Using the White Fan Brush, apply Rose Dawn Bronzer to your forehead, cheek bones and along your hair line.
• Line your lips with the Pink Lip Definer.
• Apply Cherish Lip Fixation Stain to your lips and let it dry for 30-45 seconds.
• Finish with the gloss end of Cherish.

Try this look on in our makeover room, here.

Coral and Bronze Smoky Eye

This next look is unique for this season and really plays up the coral and metallic colors that are in for prom 2013.

• Start by applying your shade of Amazing Base. Spritz with Hydration Spray.
• Apply Shady Lady Eye Shadow to your entire eyelid using the Chisel Shader Brush.
• Apply Rose Gold Eye Shadow in your crease using the Crease Brush.
• Apply Dreamy pink Eye Shadow to the outer corner of your eye and blend well.
• Apply Bone Eye Shadow to your brow bone using the Eye Contour Brush.
• Apply Cream Eye Shadow to the inner corner of your eye.
• Line your top and bottom lash line with the Citrine Mystikol.
• Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner followed by 4 coats of Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara.
• Apply Whisper PurePressed Blush to the apples of your cheeks using the Dome Brush.
• Apply Sunbeam Bronzer to your forehead and along your hairline using the White Fan Brush.
• Apply Devotion Lip Fixation stain to your lips and let it dry 30-45 seconds.
• Then apply the Devotion Lip Fixation Gloss.

Try this look on in our makeover room, here.

Bright Glossy Lips

This next look features bright lips with high shine, while still keeping color on the eyes. We use a red lip here, but you can replace this gloss and pencil with another color combination to get a different pop of color, see our suggestions below.

• Apply your shade of PurePressed Base. Spritz with Hydration Spray.
• Apply Opal Crush or Oyster Eye Shadow to your eyelid using the Deluxe Shader Brush.
• Apply Smoky Grey Eye Shadow in your crease using the Crease Brush.
• Apply Crushed Ice Eye Shadow to the outer corner of your eye and up into your crease using the Crease Brush, blend well.
• Apply Oyster Eye Shadow to your brow bone using the Eye Contour Brush.
• Line your top and bottom lash line with the Black/Grey Eye Pencil.
• Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner followed by 3-4 coats of Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara.
• Apply Awake PurePressed Blush to your cheeks using the Dome Brush.
• Line and fill your lips with the Crimson Lip Definer.
• Finish your look with Red Currant PureGloss.

Try this look on in our makeover room, here.

If you are looking for a different color on your lips, try these combinations:

• Coral- Peach Lip Definer and Tangerine PureGloss.
• Pink- Pink Lip Definer and Sugar Plum PureGloss.
• Berry- Plum Lip Definer and Cosmo PureGloss.

To add even more drama to any of these looks, try applying Faux Lashes before your mascara, click here for a video on how to apply these.

We hope these looks inspire you and help you choose your favorite prom makeup trend to match your special dress. Be sure to share your prom pictures with us on Facebook here!

Minimalism spring makeup look

• Apply Smooth Affair Primer to your face using your finger tips.
• Apply a peas sized amount of Glow Time BB Cream to your fingertips and then rub them together. Gently pat your fingertips all over your face for a smooth, dewy look. You can watch Jenna do this in the video below!
• Apply Champagne Silk Eye Gloss on your eyelid and up to your brow bone using the doe foot applicator. Gently pat with your ring finger to blend, do not rub or else you could rub too much of the gloss off.
• Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner to your lashes followed by 2-3 coats of Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara.
• Apply Connection In Touch Cream Blush to the apples of your cheeks using your fingertips.
• Finish your look with Snow Berry PureGloss.

To get Jenna’s look follow the same steps above. For her added pop of color on your lips, line your lips with the Peach Lip Pencil and finish with Tangerine PureGloss.

Click here try this look on in our makeover room!

Haven’s Kitchen is a lovely event space, recreational cooking school and specialty food shop in NYC’s Fashion District. Not only was the location beautiful but the food was amazing. Aside from our lovely drinks, the menu included: Roasted Baby Heirloom Carrots with Cumin-scented Date Puree, Crostini of Housemade Ricotta with Roasted Beets and English Walnuts,  Grilled Romanesco Cauliflower on a Romesco Sauce, Sashimi of Atlantic Fluke  with Blood Orange and Castelvetrano Olive, Beet Arancini with Bayley Hazen Blue Cheese, and Tartine of Roasted Mushrooms with Pickeled Onion, Parmasean and Arugula.

The first cocktail of the evening was a twist on a Manhattan inspired by one of our lovely new PureGloss shades, Red Currant. This shade is a beautiful red with lots of sparkle. If you were a fan of Strawberry PureGloss you may really like Red Currant.

Here’s how you can make this bold cocktail:

• Add two ounces Bulleit Bourbon, ½ ounce of Antica Formula vermouth and ½ ounce simple syrup to a shaker (simple syrup recipe below).
• Shake and serve in a rocks glass over ice.
• Add red currant berries to garnish.

To make your own simple syrup, follow this simple recipe:

• Add 1 part sugar to 1 part water in a small saucepan.
• Stir with a wooden spoon over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
• Turn off heat and allow to cool.

This drink packs a punch, but the lovely red currants add just the right amount of sweetness. If you are going to create this sassy drink you’re going to need a great makeup look to go with it. Here is a lovely option from our makeover room:

• Apply your shade of Amazing Base foundation and spritz with Hydration Spray.
• Apply the lightest shade of Triple Cognac Eye Shadow Triple to your eyelids using the Deluxe Shader Brush.
• Using the Crease Brush, apply the middle shade of Triple Cognac to your crease and slightly above your crease onto the bottom part of your brow bone.
• Apply the darkest shade of Triple Cognac to the outer corner of your eye and into the outer part of your crease using the Chisel Shader Brush. Blend well!
• Line your top lash line with Black Liquid Eyeliner.
• Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner followed by Black Ice Longest Lash Mascara to your top lashes.
• Apply Flushed or Sheer Honey PurePressed Blush to the apples of your cheeks and slightly upward toward your temples using the Dome Brush.
• Finish your look with Cimson Lip Pencil and Red Currant PureGloss.

The second drink of the evening “Beach Plum Fizz” was inspired by our new Beach Plum shade of PureGloss. This cocktail is super fun and refreshing and has beautiful color to it. Did you know that the Beach Plum is a pink fruit about the size of a cherry that is native to NY?

Follow these directions to recreate this delicious cocktail.

• Add two ounces Greenhook Ginsmith Beach Plum Liqueur, ½ ounce of lemon juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup to a shaker.
• Shake and serve in a Collins glass over ice.
• Top with seltzer.
• Garnish with lemon zest and lavender sprigs.

This cocktail is lovely whether you are headed to the beach or just day dreaming about it. Here’s an easy makeup look inspired by Beach Plum that you can create in less than 5 minutes, so you can go back to enjoying that cocktail!

• Start by applying a dot of Dream Tint, in your shade, to your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks.
• Spritz your Blending Brush with Hydration Spray and use it to blend your Dream Tint, this will give a lovely airbrushed finish.
• Apply Pink Silk Eye Gloss to your eyelids.
• Apply PureLash Extender & Conditioner followed by Jet Black PureLash Lengthening Mascara.
• Apply Connection In Touch Cream Blush with your fingertips.
• Finish your look with Beach Plum PureGloss.

The last cocktail of the evening was elegant and sophisticated, and inspired by our new PureGloss shade Snow Berry. This shade of PureGloss is very neutral yet full of sparkle. If you liked Tourmaline this may be a new favorite of yours!

Follow the easy recipe below to recreate this sophisticated drink, with a twist:

• Using a small melon baller, scoop small balls from Asian Pear and cover with Caledonia Spirits Elderflower Liqueur. Place in champagne flute.
  
• Pour 1 ounce of St. Germain and add prosecco to fill.

This elegant drink is anything but boring, and the asian pears add just the right pizzazz. Here’s how to create a makeup look to match your drink.

• Apply Smooth Affair Primer to your entire face.
• Spritz your Flocked Sponge with Hydration Spray and apply a small amount of your shade of Glow Time BB Cream to the moist area of the sponge. Apply to your face.
• Apply Merlot Eye Shadow to your eyelid using the Deluxe Shader Brush.
• Apply the same shade with a heavier hand to the outer corner of your eye and into your crease.
• Apply Supernova Eye Shadow in your crease using the Crease Brush and blend well.
• Apply Champagne Eye Shadow to your brow bone with the Eye Contour Brush.
• Line your top lash line with Onyx Mystikol.
• Using the Smudge Brush, smudge the outer 3/4 of your bottom lash line with Onyx Mystikol.
• Apply 4-5 coats of Longest Lash Mascara.
• Apply Dubonnet blush to your cheeks using the White Fan Brush.
• Finish your look with Snow Berry PureGloss.

Now for the best part, GOODY BAG GIVEAWAY! Here’s how to enter for your chance to win:

1. Visit the jane iredale makeover room here and create your favorite look inspired by any of our new PureGloss shades.
2. Name your look (be creative!) and save it to our gallery. You can also send it to friends or post it on Facebook.
3. Leave a comment below with your look’s name for a chance to receive a goody bag for you and a friend!
4. Create as many looks as you like for more chances to win.
5. Be sure to visit our Mix It Up Spring Gallery on Facebook throughout the month of April to see a variety of looks inspired by our NEW PureGloss, you may even see yours.

You have until April 30th to submit your look name below, then be sure to check on May 6th to see if you won!

Now you have everything you need to create your own fun girl’s night out. Good luck, we can’t wait to see your looks!

I am so happy to introduce a wonderful friend of ours, Melanie Sarah Brewer. Melanie Sarah is a professional stylist and makeup artist from West Berkshire, United Kingdom. She has fantastic experience, especially in the world of color, and we are honored to have her contribute some of her great ideas and insight on this blog. Her lovely musings on nature clearly inspire her astute take on the use of color. We hope you enjoy Melanie’s introduction below and join us in giving her a warm welcome.

The strength of the early morning frosts is fading and the energy of spring is set to wow us again.  Nature has been busy – a synergy I’ve noticed in the beautiful Berkshires in recent months.  Back in January, I’d been working on some style content with Jane – we were amused by the geography.  Our makeup champion was in her office in the Berkshires of the U.S, and I was in my British Berkshire.  Amongst the banter, it was guaranteed we’d not resist talking colour and ingredients!

It was a joy to continue the conversation with Jane over coffee at Professional Beauty London 2013 as visitors to the jane iredale stand watched shades of Bellini, Sangria, Black Cherry, Beach Plum and more in action: to welcome in the new season, the updated formula and colour palette for PureGloss had arrived.  In London, Jane reflected on childhood days spent in England, describing herself as a “berry addict.”  Her parents cultivated berries of all kinds in their British garden – blackberries, raspberries… the taste, smell and colour of all these fruity wonders sowed many ideas for her.  The link to nature is special in our champion’s mind.

For jane iredale followers, we’re already connected to the nurturing benefits of great makeup, absolutely, but that aside – berries are pure, gorgeous – good fun.
The woodlands around me are starting to flicker with yellows, vivid greens, soft whites from anemones, snowdrops and sorrel.  At Easter we’ll see the wild bluebells and further on, the pinks from the red campion.  The charm of bird song and the heady fragrance from the woodland flowers rejuvenates my senses.

Injections of a few new colours in our wardrobes and makeup kits can make a core collection wake up and re-invent successful looks for you.  Stop at the florist’s window and soak up the textures and spring colour combinations.  Muted to vibrant, fresh yellow/gold germini and blue iris, palest marshmallow pink through to bright cerise and deep reds.  You may notice an all year round abundance of Emerald green – Pantone’s Colour of the year 2013, at the florist’s.  Look closely and you’ll see that green has many friends in nature.  And the colours of nature are timeless.

As a personal stylist, I help create the whole look for my clients. Each assignment is unique with all the combinations of eye colour, skin tone and hair.  The personality, lifestyle, level of vitality and wardrobe budget varies too.  Some are already confident with colour, others are hesitant – all are wishing for new ideas.

In makeup, dressing the eyes (a priority area), is all about enhancing one colour with another, and often from opposite sides of the artist’s colour wheel.  The blue-eyed blondes are beautifully enhanced with golds, warming browns, chocolates and bronzes.  The Daytime Eye Shadow Kit from jane iredale has been very successful here.  Dark brown-eyed, brunettes glow with lilac-lids and silvery flicks – their natural warmth in the iris can be enhanced with cooler toned eye products. The Eye Steppes collection gives stunning choices for blue, green or brown eyes. The play of warm and cool!

Beauty is framed in photography – why not frame your own beauty before the lens finds you – and nurture those eyebrows.  They are the frame around the most interesting area of the face – your beautiful eyes.  Whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned brow expert, let’s celebrate eyebrows this spring.  The shape maintained (not too much, not too little) is your beauty enhanced and that’s before you treat them to your favourite brow gel or brow kit.

Oh, spring – you really are very good.  Connect with its new colours for inspiration and well-being – they are fresh and vibrant, full of hope and rejuvenation for us all.

Melanie Sarah Image Styling

www.melaniesarah.co.uk

If you are concerned about whether you should be applying makeup to your bruising, check with your doctor first.

1. Apply Enlighten Concealer to the darkest areas using the Foundation brush in a stippling motion and feather the edges. Use the Camouflage brush for smaller areas.
2. Apply Yellow from Corrective Colors to any red areas using the Camouflage brush in a stippling motion and feather the edges.
3. Apply Amazing Base with the Flocked Sponge by gently pressing and rolling over the concealed areas; we used Warm Sienna. Then use the Chisel Powder brush to apply Amazing Base to the rest of your face.
4. Apply more Enlighten concealer to any black or blue areas still coming through (same as step 1).
5. Use the Chisel Powder brush to apply more Amazing Base over the concealed areas.
6. Spritz with Hydration Spray to set.
7. Apply Copper Wind PurePressed Blush over any ashiness using the White Fan brush.
8. For this look, finish with Sunbeam Bronzer on your cheeks and Fascination Lip Fixation on your lips.

This is how I hope my driveway looks tomorrow morning.

Some ladies like to hit the slopes in no makeup or lots of makeup (I have even seen full strip lashes in the lift line!), this post is not for them. I like to spend a full day riding hard, getting as many runs as possible, and having a great time with my friends, but I still want to feel pretty. My son laughs and says “you’re such a girl!” as I am putting on my makeup before we leave. Well, yeah, I am.

Here is my natural-looking, snow-, smear-, sweat-, and sun- resistant beauty routine. Did I mention it takes 5 minutes? We need to get out on those slopes!

1. I begin with lots of moisturizer, as my face takes a beating out there. Then I apply a good dollop of Smooth Affair for extra soothing, moisture and protection. To me, it is like silk long johns for my face.
2. I like to apply my concealer before my foundation, though others prefer after. It is fine either way. I adore Active Light. I get a tiny blob on one ring finger, then smush it around with the other ring finger, than pat it in a semi-circle under my eyes. Instant vivacity!
3. Next I apply PurePressed Base (I am Warm Sienna) with the Handi Brush, all over my face, including my eyelids, and my neck. Extra goes over my nose and chin where I get the most exposure. Then I use the Sculpting Brush to apply a little more around the sides of my nostrils because I tend to be red there; and under my eyes, to keep my eye makeup in place. You may be thinking this would accentuate fine lines, but miraculously, it doesn’t. Just try it.
4. Ahhh, soothing, hydrating (and cooling – at this point I am getting hot becasue I am inside with long johns, sweat shirt and snow pant on) Pommisst. I spritz it on and gently pat it into my face, a trick I got from Jane awhile ago, to minimize any evaporation.
5. I use the Dome Brush to apply a little PurePressed Blush in Barely Rose to my cheeks. Won’t my cheeks be rosy anyway? probably, but I am not outside yet, and it makes me feel prettier.
6. Eye makeup is my favorite. I apply a nice layer of Eye Gloss in Champagne Silk using its own little applicator, just swiping it on the lids and up toward the brow. I pat the edges well with my ring finger to blend. Don’t rub, as that will wipe it off.
7. Mystikol lasts all day. I use the Detail Brush to line the the outer three-quarters of the upper lash line only. I get it right down in the lash line and taper it from thin towards the inner corner to medium thick at the outer. I may even flick it up a bit if I am feeling jaunty. I prefer Black Onyx or Dark Topaz.
8. Another spritz and pat here.
9. I coat the upper lashes only with one coat each of Lash Conditioner and Black Ice Longest Lash (no strip lashes for me!).
10. I pat Powder-Me SPF all over my cheeks, nose and chin. It is important to understand that my SPF 20 foundation and my SPF 30 sunscreen do not add up to SPF 50. I get the higher of the two. I layer them just in case I’ve missed a spot. Even if it is not sunny, I know those UV rays are getting me.
11. Spritz and pat! Do I really need to? Maybe not, but it feels so good.
12. If my lips look pale, I might dab a dot of Fascination Lip Fixation on my lower lip and blend it out onto both lips with my fingers. Personally I don’t like to look like I am wearing lipstick on the mountain, but I also don’t want to look dead.
13. I top it with a coat of Lip Drink, for moisture and sun protection. There is always one in my pocket, and I reapply often. This may sound gross, but I also apply it to my upper lip, to prevent chapping and wind and sunburn.
14. For hair: If your hair is long, I recommend two braids, it’s super comfy. If you have bangs, don’t fight them! Grab a couple of bobby pins and pin them up and out of the way under your helmet. If you can’t fit a hat under your helmet, put a knit head band in your jacket pocket (it is less bulky than a hat) for when you go into the lodge. It smooths everything down and you look more-or-less presentable.

Here is the look on me:

It’s faux fur!

The reality is, I live on the east (ice) coast, so most days it is frigid, damp and windy. I pile on my helmet, goggles, and bandana, to protect myself from the elements, so most of the time, no-one can see me anyway. Why do I bother putting on makeup? I do it for myself, because it makes me feel good. Oh yea, and so I look cute in the lodge.

Reality:

I only took off my helmet for a minute, to cool off.

If you have any snow bunny beauty tips or questions, please share them below. I am always looking for something new!

Life change: loss of facial volume due to aging or weight loss.

Although it’s a natural part of aging and weight loss, if you don’t like it, don’t take it lying down. There are lots of procedures to add volume back to the face, but facial fillers aren’t your thing (and you are OK with a much subtler effect), try playing with light instead.

Makeup change: trompe-l’oeil

Trompe-l’oeil means “deceive the eye,” and with makeup we can do this with light and shadow. Light and reflective makeup brings things forward, dark, matte makeup causes things to recede. People are pretty familiar with using darker shades to contour under the cheekbones or down the sides of the nose, but what if you want the opposite? I think you can see where I am going with this.

• Cheeks: the sculpted-cheek look is not for us, no matter how on-trend it is. In fact, we are going to reverse it. Start with a warm, shimmery blush like Whisper for fair to medium skin tones, and Flushed for darker skin tones. A shade that is a tiny bit lighter than your natural skin tone is best. Using the Dome Brush or the White Fan Brush (depending on your preference), swirl it in the hollow under your cheek bone and out toward the hairline. With the same brush, add cool, matte pink to the apple of your cheeks, a bit darker is OK here, I like Barely Rose. Blend them together well and voila: sweet cheeks!

• Eyes: contoured eye shadow can make your eyes look hollow, and droopy (yikes!). Skip the classic “medium lids, dark crease and light brow bone.” Instead, try a wash of light gently shimmering shadow blended from lashes to brow. Please avoid anything too light or it will look harsh. Opt for a shade that is close to your skin tone (the skin of your forehead, not your eyelids, which can darken with sun exposure and age), or maybe a shade lighter. Our Eye Glosses are a wonderful option. Alternatively, try using a triple with the lightest shade from lashes to crease, the medium shade slightly above the crease, to lift the eye, and the darkest shade just in the outer quarter of the upper lash line. With both of these, darken the lash line with liner. Dark brown or grey is softer than black, but if you love your rock ‘n’ roll eyeliner, like I do, go right ahead! Work it right into the outer two- thirds of the upper lashes, and outer third of the lower lashes. This adds definition that won’t age you. Remember mascara!

An example from our makeover room

• Lips: I have never seen my mom without lipstick, and now that I am (well) into my 40s, I get it. Pale lips drain the face, but overly lined, bright lips can look harsh. Step one is to maintain maximum moisture. Step 2 is to protect them from sun damage. Cover both of these steps with Lip Drink! Now let’s move on to color and finish. If your lips seem to be deflating, matte, dark or bright lipstick may increase that effect. I urge you to try something with a bit sheen or outright gloss. Just Kissed Lip Plumpers have the prettiest, moist shine, without being glossy. PureGloss Lip Glosses have more shine, but won’t give you that glassy, vinyl look that may feel too trendy. With both of these formulas, the finish is sheer enough that you can play with color without it becoming overwhelming, and you know there are loads of ingredients that will nourish your lips too keep them looking and feeling their best.

For me, that is what it’s really all about: feeling our best, so we can get on with our day doing the things that are really important.

The last post in this series will be for all you risk-takers out there: when you change your hair (I mean really change it) do you think to change your makeup? We do!

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