Tip of the Day - Another use for Fix+ Spray

This product is *so* versatile, I love it, love it, love it! Spray Fix+ onto your brush (be sure to shake any excess off!) before dipping it into mineral blush or eye shadow for a more intense color payoff.

Tip of the Day - Less IS More!

To sheer down your foundation for a more natural look, use a face and body mixing medium. And remember: less is more with foundation!

Tip of the Day

A dampened powder puff using MAC's Fix+ Spray is a great way to absorb excess oil and moisture from the skin without moving the makeup!

Hot To Depot Your Eyeshadows

Hello!

Here is a quick tut on how I depot my eyeshadows. There are a lot of different ways in which to do this and this is my approach. Hopefully you find this helpful and try it out. If you do, let me know how you like it! This takes about 15 seconds per eyeshadow and is probably the fastest and best way to depot IMHO.

Keep in mind that in the intro, the iron is NOT ON. That is why I was able to pick it up by the metal end. :-)

Enjoy!

xoxo

Tip of the Day - How To Conceal Blemishes and Acne Scars

How do you achieve the best results for even an looking complexion by covering up those pesky blemishes and acne scars? Think double. You're going to want to double everything you do from prepping the skin through concealing and blending. So here's a step by step!

Step 1: Apply your moisturizer and let it dry. Less is more! You want a nice even coverage so use a dime size amount and apply a thin layer over entire face and down the neck.

Step 2 (ONLY if you have dry skin): Apply a second coat of moisturizer. Allow the first application to set and dry before applying the second. Use more for the decolletage if that area will be exposed to the sun and UVB/UVA rays.

Step 3: Apply a Face Primer, using a thin coat (about a dime size) over entire face and down the neck. Once that's dry, apply a second coat of Face Primer.

Once the primer is set and dry, take out your concealer. You'll want to use a little b/c we're going to build up the coverage and not slap it on there all at once. The biggest problem is that people apply too much concealer on the area and it cakes up resulting in a blotchy look. Another good tip is to put the concealer on the back of your hand as this will allow the product to warm up, thus making it easier to work with.

Step 4: Apply concealer. Be sure to swipe the brush against the back of your hand so the concealer isn't caked on brush. Using your concealer brush, gently pat it onto the area you wish to cover, working your way out in a circular pattern in and around the area.

Step 5: Using a damp sponge (I use a wedge sponge and spray water on it from a misting bottle.), blend out the concealer in a patting motion. You don't want the sponge too wet, so that's why spritzing the sponge from a bottle works best. Allow the concealer to dry completely (this will only take a minute or so).

Step 6: Repeat Step 4.

Step 7: Repeat Step 5.

Step 8: Once the concealer has dried completely, you want to set it. Use a big fluffy face brush to apply setting powder (MUFE HD Powder, Dermablend Setting Powder, MAC Setting Powder) directly over the concealed area. You'll want to pat the product onto the area. Do not swipe it across or blend it in. The setting powder will need some time to absorb into the skin and "set" the concealer, so do something else like apply eye primer to your eyes, do your eyebrows, etc. for a couple of minutes. One the powder is set, using the same fluffy brush, swipe away any remaining powder. Then you're done!

Step 9: You may now go ahead and apply your foundation as usual.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Stay Gorgeous,

xo

Tips - More Questions Answered

Today's question comes from Em and her question is: "I'm always after tips for nails. I'm hopeless with nail polish!"

Great question! I haven't done nails for people in years but I do have a few tips to share with you. Firstly, what are you specific concerns with nail polish? Send me your question(s) and I'll hopefully have some good answers for you! On to the tips....

Tip #1: I recommend to everyone, whether you get your nails done at the salon or do it yourself at home, to apply a clear top coat of polish every other day. This will help prevent the nail polish from chipping and make it last longer. The added benefit is that it keeps the polish looking shiny and fresh!

Tip #2: Always use a Base Coat! Think of the nail polish like a sandwich. You need a good foundation (base coat) to support the meat (polish color) before adding the final touch (top coat). A good base coat will help the polish adhere better to your nail and last longer.

Tip #3: Another great tip when painting your nails is to be sure to apply a thin first coat. This gives the nails a nice base. When you do the second coat, you can apply a thicker coat but if you notice that you have breakthrough (spots where you can see through the polish to your nail) then you've gone too thin. In that case, just apply a 3rd thin coat of polish and you're good to go!

Tip #4: Use a good cuticle cream to keep nails healthy and strong. I apply Crabtree & Evelyn's La Source Nail & Cuticle Therapy Cream to my cuticles every night before I go to bed. A little dab applied directly to the cuticle is all you need! It smells so fresh and yummy. I have been using this product for a while now and it's my favorite.


Have patience and take your time when painting! Manicurists make it look so easy but it's actually a skill to apply polish correctly and nicely. Keep in mind that professionals have been doing it forever, so practice, practice, practice!

I hope these tips help you! Keep your questions coming and definitely let me know how you do with these tips.

Stay gorgeous!!!

xo

Tips - Your Questions Answered!!

Today's question comes from Bee and her question is: "I need help with not letting my lipstick sink into the creases of my lips."

Great question, Bee! The best thing to do before applying anything to the lip is to use a Lip Primer. If you find that the natural creases in your lips are really deep, I recommend using a Lip Conditioner first (before the Lip Primer).

Lip Conditioners are great for helping to stimulate the collagen in your lips and "fill in" the creases. My new favorite lip conditioner is from Avon and it's called Beyond Color Plumping Lip Conditioner SPF 15 with Double the Retinol and it is AMAZING!! I use the conditioner all throughout the day b/c it makes my lips feel so good and smooth.




How To Apply: Apply all over the lip like you would a lipstick and blend in with your finger or a lip brush. Allow to set for a minute or two, then apply Lip Primer.


For Lip Primer, I use MAC's Prep + Prime Lip. It doesn't advertise to have a plumping agent in it, but I do notice that my lips become more full and supple when I use it.

How To Apply: Apply all over the lip going just outside/above the lip line (don't worry it's clear so you won't see it on any skin tone!). Allow to set for a minute or two then apply liner, lipstick and/or gloss as usual.


I hope these tips help! Keep your questions coming and definitely let me know how you do with these tips.

Stay gorgeous!!!

xo

Tip of the Day - Ideas from YOU!

Hello my dear followers,

What kind of tips are you looking for? What would you like help with? Well, I'm coming to YOU, my faithful followers, for ideas on what you would like to know and see for the Tips of the Day.

Are there any pressing issues or things you need help with/want to know/etc.? Then post your ideas or questions below in the comment section or PM (private message) me and I'll address them one at a time!

This will also be a great way to get an idea of what you're looking for out of my blog b/c I'd like to cater it to what my readers/followers are interested in learning about or just picking up some useful tips!

Thanks, Gorgeous!

xo

Tip of the Day - Lips

In order to give shape to your lips without feeling too overly "done", use MAC Oak or MAC Whirl lip liners and fill in the entire lip with it. Even if you choose to wear a lipstick that does not exactly match the lip liner, you will still have great definition. You can skip the lipstick altogether and just apply a clear gloss to keep the lip neutral and natural.

Looks - Before & After

Below is a Before and After shot of a look I did. The goal was to enhance her features and bring out her natural beauty. As you can see she has some problem areas with both acne and acne scarring and redness and uneven skin tone. I thought a smooth natural glow on the face would be great for her. The end result? She looks gorgeous (if I do say so myself)!!


BEFORE:



AFTER:




I used my camera phone for this so the quality is not as good as the other photos above, but I totally forgot 1. my camera and 2. to take a before picture! This is the "After" look and she looks fantastic. We did this at her office at the end of the day on a Friday. She walked out the door ready to paint the town red!

Tip of the Day - What's your skin type?

Most of us have combination skin and some of us even mistake having one skin type when they actually have another. So what's the best way to know exactly what type of skin you have? I ask my clients the following question:

What does your skin/face look like by 12noon? Is it shiny all over, only shiny in some spots or just the T-zone? Is it flaky? Dry? Is your makeup almost gone off your face??

There are five basic skin care types:

• Oily - Oily skin tends to be shiny with enlarged pores and is prone to blackheads and blemishes. You might even experience some tightness.
• Combination/Normal - This skin type has medium pores, a smooth and even texture, good circulation, healthy color, may tend toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone.
• Sensitive - Sensitive skin tends to be thin and delicate with fine pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic and can be rashy.
• Dry - Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing. You have a tendency towards fine wrinkles, flaking and red patches. In women of color, skin may appear ashy or dull from dead skin buildup.
• Dehydrated (note: this is not the same thing as dry!) - Dehydrated skin also feels tight with visible wrinkles, slack skin tone, especially around the cheeks and jawline, with a rough texture and broken capillaries. If you put on full makeup in the morning and it's gone by the afternoon and you have no idea where it went, you're skin is probably dehydrated. What your face is doing is sucking up anything that it can get b/c it's lacking moisture. Most people mistake dehydration with being dry.
  

Your skin type is determined by how much, or how little, oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication and even your skincare regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces. THE #1 tip I always advise is to drink PLENTY OF WATER every day! It helps keep your face hydrated and clear. Think about what you put in your body: if it's clean, then it'll keep your body clean!

I hope this was helpful. If you have any questions or want more info, just PM me!


xo