From the category archives:

Make Up

How to: The ‘No Makeup’ Natural Look

March 7, 2010   in How To/Tips, Make Up

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If there’s one makeup trick every beauty fool should know, it’s that the “natural” look actually takes just as many products as a “normal” look, but it takes twice the time! It’s all about careful blending and making everything appear like it was God-given, so it’s quite a routine!

And though I like to preach about having fun with makeup and adding color to your look, sometimes, the occasion calls for a more neutral looking face. Here are some tips on getting the natural (except not really…) no-makeup look.

  • Step 1: Start off with a great base.

For great makeup, you need a solid base – everything goes well when there is a proper foundation, no? Keep it light though, a tinted moisturizer (this tinted moisturizer is amazing) and some concealer on your problem areas (dark circles, zits, etc) should do the trick. Skip the loose powder on this one (or keep it VERY light if you really need it), because the whole point is to look dewy and fresh.

Remember to blend everything well, so there are no obvious lines and areas that look like there are two parts. And we must never see that your foundation ends at your jawline, no, no, no! Blend until all the makeup disappears into your skin, so it looks like even, flawless skin.

nars-orgasm-sephora

  • Step 2: Get blushin’.

Next is to apply some more color to your skin so you don’t look too washed out – I’m talking about blush. Again, keep this color light. A light pink or peach that gives you enough color (but not like you’re wearing anything) is enough.

Gently sweep it across your cheeks, up to your cheekbones and stop. Take a step back from your mirror and make sure it looks light, as if you’re blushing naturally.

If you’ve applied too much blush, take some tissue paper across your palm, and gently wipe off the excess. (NARS Orgasm, the famous blush to mimic that certain glow, may be a good option, as it suits all skin tones.)

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Do you match your makeup with your outfit?

February 23, 2010   in Make Up

It’s the number one makeup no no: matching your makeup with your outfit, especially matching your eyeshadow to your outfit.

However, I can’t help but think your eye makeup colors matching your dress looks really, really nice when done properly. What do you think? It pulls the whole look together, no?

Jessica Alba sported this makeup “sin” at the premiere of her latest movie, Valentine’s Day, and I have to say I really like this look. (And that dress. I would kill for that dress and those shoes! Damn you Alba, why you so hot?) Instead of the makeup looking too matchy-matchy and over the top (the reason why it’s “forbidden” in the first place), I think it compliments her eye color perfectly as well. (Brown eyed beauties, take note – green looks amazing on you!)

I’ve done it before, with green as well – I did a khaki green smokey eye and I was wearing a green dress, and I didn’t think it looked too awful at all, so personally, I say this makeup no-no is a big yes-yes! in my book.

Let me know what you think – should we debunk this makeup myth that matching your makeup and your outfit is a sin? What do you think of this makeup “sin”? Do you coordinate your makeup and your outfit as well?

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Trend to Try: Fuchsia Lips

February 17, 2010   in Lip, Make Up

What is my latest obsession, you ask? Fuchsia lips – the brighter the better, baby!

After sporting that weird mouth piece (that made a WOOOO sound) on New Year’s Eve, I remember staring at it and telling myself what a lovely, ‘loud’ pink it was and I would love a lipstick that color. (Is it weird that I got a lipstick color lemming after a mouth piece? Oh well.)

I did my research, and found some fuchsia lip color products:

  • MAC lipstick in “Girl About Town”
  • MAC lipstick in “Show Orchid”
  • Lancome’s Color Fever lipstick in “Rock Chic”
  • Urban Decay’s “Jilted”
  • Kat Von D “Backstage Bambi”

I love this bold, bright color. Paired with black eyeliner (though it’s still quite bright, so keep the eyes more subtle), nudish-pink cheeks (I’m guessing NARS Orgasm is the best), and sexy, volumized hair, this look screams rock-star glam.

What do you think of fuchsia lips? Would you dare to sport such a bold look? I think I might have to go down to my MAC counter an check their color out, but if you have any other products to recommend, please do!

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Pick of the Week: Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals Collection

February 16, 2010   in Collections, Make Up

If there’s one lip color I love, it’s coral: they are less intense than reds, yet much more funkier than pinks. I personally think that’s the lip color that suits me the best, and I love it!  (Those with warmer skin-tones would love it, too.) I already have two lip products by Bobbi Brown that are the closest to corals, but I just need the real thing!

Bobbi Brown herself loves the shade so much, she dedicated her Spring 2010 to coral colored products in her collection Bobbi Brown Cabana Corals.

The collection includes:

  • Metallic Lip Color in Coral Reef, Coral Glaze and Calypso Glaze.
  • Lip Color in Cape Coral and Guava.
  • Shimmer Lip Gloss in Coral Sand, Golden Nectar and Sunset Beach.
  • Pot Rogue in Cape Coral.
  • Shimmer Brick in Nectar and Pink Quartz.

Bobbi Brown explains: “This spring, there is a beautiful selection of coral-colored shades for lips and cheeks. Coral Cabana offers coral tone in all variations – from pink on nude to intense bright – so that every woman can find the shade that is right for them.”

A few years ago I remember never being able to find anything coral – in fact “orange” was frowned upon on all types of makeup – so I’m so glad to find out that it is celebrated now-a-days. Excuse me while I buy the whole collection. :)

What do you think of corals? Will you be purchasing something from this collection? I’m thinking of getting a few lip colors, but that Shimmer Brick is calling my name as well ….

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How to: A Soft, Romantic Valentine’s Day Look

February 10, 2010   in How To/Tips, Make Up

I saw this outtake of a Maybelline ad featuring stunning model Emily DiDonato (whose hair I once raved about, and still love), and gasped. The look screams “flirty, pretty and romantic”. It inspired me to do a how-to look for this look – and with Valentine’s day around the corner, how perfect would this look be?

Now it might look very natural, but as we all know, “natural” looking makeup sometimes take the most time to do and just as many, if not more products. Still, this is a pretty simple look: there’s no heavy colors or dramatic hues. Instead, the look is soft and fresh – I love it!

  • Hair

Hair is soft and feminine with this look, just like the picture on the right. Start off by washing and conditioning hair. Next, blow-dry your hair for some volume (more tips on how to get volume here) and then grab a curling iron, or hair rollers.

Whatever your hair length, try some rollers or a curling iron to add some soft, romantic waves (ala this look on Angelina Jolie). After curling your hair, run your fingers through it to separate your curls, and then set with hairspray.

  • Makeup

First and foremost, keep skin clean and matte. Cleanse your skin and load up with moisturizer. Next, apply your foundation, concealer on your under eye circles and blemishes, and then apply a loose powder to set it all.

For your cheeks, apply a soft pink blush on. If you have a luminating/highlight powder, sweep some on top of your cheekbones and decollage for a sexy shimmer.

The eyes are the main focus of this look, so frame those beautiful things with your natural brow shape. Shape your brows the way they are, making sure they aren’t too thin. If they are too thin, fill them in with powder or another brow product of your choice.

Next, keep your eye makeup simple. Apply a wash of shimmer eyeshadow in soft colors such as pinks, peaches or lilacs, whatever you like best. Go easy on the eyeliner (brown instead of black, and only a thin line on your top lash line) because this look is all about the eyelashes. Curl your lashes, apply mascara, and apply clusters of individual false eyelashes (how to apply false eyelashes, here).

Lastly: your lips, the icing of the cake! As you can tell, this lip look is juicy, bright and fresh – obviously to make your date drooling at the thought of kissing you. Apply lip balm, then lipstick and then lipgloss. I have to say, the best colors for this look is candy colors: all shades of pinks. The brighter and cuter, the better!

  • Fragrance

A flirty scent is a must! I’ve listed some of my favorites here, but some other romantic, feminine floral scents I’ve tried recently are Ralph Lauren’s Romance Always Yours, YSL’s Parisenne, and Jessica Simpson’s Fancy. (And while we’re on the topic of fragrance, here’s my tip on making your scent last longer.)

  • Nails

I’d actually recommend going dark on your nails – it gives your fresh and girly makeup an edge, but if you’re not into that, keep the look going on to your nails with nudes and pastel colors. A soft pastel pink or baby blue would look really cute! If you want to go dark though, you can check out my post: How to: Dark, Glossy Black Nails.

I hope I inspired some candy-colored, soft pretty makeup looks this Valentine’s Day! However, I’d still love to know – do you have any special makeup looks planned? Or is Valentine’s Day just another day for you? Do let me know! … I guess you all can guess what makeup look I’ll do this Valentine’s? :)

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Beauty Tips for Long Flights

January 31, 2010   in How To/Tips, Make Up

I go back to Denmark almost every Spring (I’m half Danish), and that is a loong 14 hours flight to and fro. As a kid I’d just wear my pajamas and slather on some hotel body lotion all over my face (don’t ever do that, by the way, unless you want serious breakouts) and head to the airport, not caring how disastrous I look. (Isn’t it great being a kid?!)

Now that I’m older, though, I have to look somewhat more presentable, and heading to the hotel and sleeping for 12 hours after the flight is not an option anymore! Here are some beauty tips I’ve gathered over the years, especially if you have business to do after your flight:

  • Before boarding

Moisturizing is key. With the dry, stuffy cabin air, skin can itch and worst of all, peel. First and foremost, moisturize your bare face before boarding a flight (I think it should be common sense that you’re not wearing makeup on a long flight, right?). What I like to do is double moisturize – that’s two layers of moisture on the face, and normally that is enough for the next 12 hours.

Next, while getting dressed for your flight, remember to moisturize your body as well. Moisturize your legs, collarbone, neck, and arms before flight. Soothing (and very thick) body lotions such as the famous body butters by The Body Shop can aid to calm and relax before your flight.

… Speaking of relaxing, I like relaxing on the plane now-a-days. In the past I used to sit in fear for 14 hours wondering when the plane was going to crash and I died, but now flights are relaxing. Soothing scents always work best: try spirizing on a lavender or vanilla scent to help calm you down. Close your eyes, breathe in the beautiful scent, and relax.

  • On Board

While on the plane, it’s also important to maintain moisturized skin. Of course, our first concern is the skin on our face! It’s vital to up the hydration on the flight. There are many facial moisturizer sprays availble today that you can use to freshen up your face. The most popular one is Moisture Surge Face Spray by Clinique, which is AMAZING. My friend C and I are obsessed about it.

I would also recommend bringing a mini body lotion in your handbag. Hands get insanely dry and so do your legs, which make them dry and itchy, and have this very attractive scale-like appearance. Load up on lotion now and again to banish scally looking skin when you get off the plane!

Next is definitey your lips. Our lips’ skin is very thin and delicate, and is one of the fastest to dry up and can get very, very dry and cracked in the cabin air. I can vouch that my lips get extremely chapped while in the air! It’s best to skip the lipgloss and lipsticks right now and instead go for a moisturizing lip balm. I recommend anything by Rosebud, I currently like the original and the Brambelberry Rose flavor.

Something I’d also recommend but haven’t tried yet are sheet facial masks. I’ve seen a lot of women do this recently, and I’ll have to try it out too. When the lights go off, I’d be walking to the bathroom and see a pool of women before me with their masks on. Jealous! Just apply a sheet mask (in others words, the least messy type of mask) and it’s like heaven. Twenty minutes later, skin is refreshed and plump with moisture, not to mention it’s like having a mini spa experience in the air.

  • After the flight

It’s best not to pile on makeup before leaving your flight because it hasn’t been washed in a while, and it will only cause clogged pores and breakouts. The best, really, if you’re concerned about how you look (but really, who gives a hoot – you were on a long flight!), just apply some lip color and slip on a pair of sunglasses and tie your hair up; you’ll look fresher instantly.

Last but not least, and probably pretty obvious, but after long flights I just feel gross… so it’s time for a good scrub! Take a good long shower and then (hopefully) go to bed and get all the rest you need. (Am I the only one who thinks flights, airports and traveling is extremely tiring? For those who want even more tips, this post can help everyone out as well, not just air stewardesses: Skincare and Makeup Tips for Flight Attendants.)

I hope I’ve given you some useful tips for those going on flights! Do you have any beauty regimes while you’re on a flight? And do you even ‘care’ about beauty and your looks when you’re on a flight?

Images: 1, 2.

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How to: Make Your Eyeshadow Last Longer

January 28, 2010   in Beauty Tip of the Week, Eyes, How To/Tips, Make Up

Want your powder eyeshadow to, um, I don’t know – do what it actually promises and stay on for a little longer than an hour? Yeah, me too.

This week’s beauty tip is a “3-in-1″ tip on how to make your eyeshadow stay on longer, since I heard a few of these different methods and I just had to share:

beauty-tip-pic

Method 1 is simple; which is applying a thin layer of eyeshadow primer underneath your eyeshadow. (Urban Decay and Benefit makes some good ones.) If you don’t have specifically an eyeshadow primer, applying your concealer on your lids will help greatly. (If you do apply concealer, top it off with a layer of loose powder before your eyeshadow).

Method 2 requires some water: Take your eyeshadow brush, wet it, and apply your eyeshadow. Wet eyeshadow not only allows the eyeshadow to stay put longer, but also makes the color more intense and brighter.

Method 3 is to apply cream eyeshadow first, then your regular powder eyeshadow. Bonus points if the cream eyeshadow is almost exactly like the powder eyeshadow color, as it will also help intensify the color.

… In other words, if you’ve seen a similarity between all methods, it’s that having a cream-like product underneath your powder eyeshadow is the way to go.

Personally, I’ve found the concealer method to work, (I like Benefit’s Boi-ing and Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer) only because I haven’t tried an eyeshadow primer and the wet method just yet; but I am sure they work just as well. Also, for eyeshadows that last a little longer than normal without these methods in my experience, M.A.C. and Bobbi Brown seem to be the best.

What do you do to keep your eyeshadow staying on longer? I’d love to hear your tips that we can add here – of all the makeup ‘peeves’ I have, this must be #1!

Image Source

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How to Tutorial: Smokey Eyes 101

January 27, 2010   in Eyes, How To/Tips, Make Up, Tutorials

I asked, you answered! I’m gonna try getting more tutorials up once I start getting the hang of it. I’ll start off with a tutorial on my favorite look (and very first love), smokey eyes.

I love this look for a number of reasons – first, it is so simple to do. Really, once you get the hang of it you can do this in 5 minutes, flat. Second, no matter what your eye color, the intensity of the black eyeliner will make your eye color ‘pop’.

I’ve been doing this look since I was 15, and 6 years later, I am still loving it – my love for eyeliner will never die. Give me some eyeliner and I’m be one happy panda.

Alright, so first and foremost, grab your stuff: eyeshadow of your choice (mine is a neutral champagne one), black eyeshadow, black eyeliner and mascara.

So simple, only 4 products! Let’s get started.

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