Mono-chromo-what?

Monochromatic means only having one color. What does this have to do with makeup? A lot if you want to try the trend of wearing monochromatic makeup and pull it off. Wearing one particular shade of color all over can look good when done right if you stay within a shade or two of the color (lighter or darker, and that share the same undertone).

For example; a violet eye with a sheer lilac lip are both purple, but in different shades. Combine that with a light, well blended, purple hue blush, and it's monochromatic done right. Nude is another monochromatic look that is gorgeous when you incorporate a little shimmer, sheer and matte together. Nude is the color of skin, and skin comes in all shades, so stay within that shade range and you will be rockin JLo's effortless go-to look.

Makeup is meant to bring out your features, hide your imperfections, boost your confidence, be colorful, fun, dress up your outfit, and even alter your persona. No other product can do that for you so embrace the tools you have at your fingertips.

Time's a Wasting!

In a lifetime of "one day I will....." (insert proactive habit here) I have come to realize that too many of us (myself included) never actually do everything that we should that's good for us, until it's too late, too difficult (or irreversible).

I have always been fairly obsessed with my skin/face and always took care of it, but neglected my neck for some reason, and as I get older now I notice lines on my neck that weren't there before. So what do I do? I'm slathering on every over-night cream I can find and rushing to the dermatologist to get prescription strength potions to ensure my skin stays as youthful and tight as possible. Flawless is impossible, but I will try my best to get close.

So why do we ignore the signs to take better care of ourselves? From diet and exercise to skin care, we all slip a little from time to time, but it's time to get smart and get in the habit of healthy rituals that will allow us to live better, stronger, healthier and more beautiful lives. 

I never used sunscreen as a kid and only started using it in my mid-20's. Luckily I never had a serious burn that left sun spots, but I know they are there, creeping under the surface of my skin (because the sun damage WAS done) and will eventually show up where I will have to deal with it, and I will be ready.

I will be 37 this year and although chronologically I am this age, my heart and mind don't feel a day over 26. Where did the years go?  I pretty much do everything I can to make my skin (mind and body) healthy, and look its best because growing old gracefully is not a lifestyle I will ever embrace. If I have the tools and technology available to fight it, you bet I will use it.

So what are you neglecting that you need to change? No better time than today to start a healthy habit.

You're so Vain...You Probably Think This Post is About You...

 vainity van·i·ty/ˈvanətē/Noun

1. Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.

pride [prid] Noun

1. Satisfaction with self
2. Proper sense of own value
 
There is a fine line between vainity and pride, but caring about how you look shouldn't be an issue. I pride myself on always looking my best, and you should too. The efforts we take to ensure we look (and smell) good are not to be shrugged off or wasted. In a world where we are judged even before we open our mouth and speak, it should interest everyone to always put their appearance as a priority.

Making sure your hair, nails, face, teeth, clothes, shoes and scent are presentable is a must. This does not make you high maintenance, just conscientious, and attention to details will always score you big 'points' professionally and personally. Always.

A great investment that will last a lifetime would be to hire an image consultant. Sounds pricey, but it's actually not. They can customize their service(s) to suit your needs and do everything from style assessment, wardrobe/closet audit, hair/makeup consultation and personal shopping (among a few other things) to create your new look. They even go through your clothes and create new outfits for you.

Think of it like the show "What Not to Wear" with stylists making you over, but without the television cameras. This is the perfect way to get a legitimate unbiased opinion on what looks good to portray the image you want. Being delusional about thinking you look good when in fact you look like a hot mess is the worst thing you could do. Whether you start with a makeup make-over, or book an image consultant, you will not go wrong when applying the efforts to look your best.

Banish Those Puffy Eyes!

Do you often wake up with puffy under eyes regardless of how much sleep you got? Although hereditary, age and diet are the usual suspects, you can combat those dreaded bags. 

First things first; wash your face with warm water and lightly massage/tap the puffy area to circulate the fluid that has accumulated there. Next, get an ice cube, wrap it in a paper napkin and apply to puffy area (off/on for about 10 minutes). In between icing, continue to massage/tap the area gently while keeping your head upright (no laying down). Wait another 10 minutes before starting to do your makeup and you will see the remaining puffiness dissipate on its own. 

What can you do to prevent the puffiness in the first place? Drink more water, less sodas, and try eliminating salt/high sodium (junk) foods from your diet, and cut back on alcohol, because these are the beauty destroyers. If you don't believe me, just try skipping it for a week and you'll see how much more refreshed you'll look in the morning without the under eye baggage.

There are de-puffing eye products you can buy (caffenine is the main ingredient) that might be able to help speed up the process, but ultimately your diet is the bottom line and those "toxins" will resurface and show on your face. Plenty of rest with your head slightly elevated also helps avoid puffy eyes too.

Makeup Tips

Come visit (and 'like') my Touch of Color facebook page to read my quick daily status posts on makeup tips, tricks and techniques. Everything you could want, never knew, or needed to know.

http://www.facebook.com/TouchofColorAirbrushMakeupArtistry (cut and paste into browser if above link doesn't direct you to page). Thanks and hope to see some new 'fans'.

Wait..What? It's 2012 Already????

Saying 'time flies' is an understatement for how quickly 2011 zipped right by us. It's now 2012 and with this fact comes renewed hopes, dreams, goals, ideas and strategies for all of us. So aside from the usual get-in-better-shape resolution, what personal monologue did you have with yourself as 2011 was ending? What do you hope to accomplish/change for your new year?

While I'm an advocate of always looking your best and believing that when you look good, you feel good (or better), my resolutions are always attainable ones that I can practice daily. Not that I don't challenge myself (believe me, I'm my own worst critic and best cheerleader in one!) but I find business goals more challenging than personal ones (and not a resolution to make but a lifestyle to aspire to). So since I am fueled by things that make me happy and smile in life, I'd rather make a resolution that supports that, and encourage you to do the same.

Sometimes something as simple as getting a new haircut, changing you lipstick shade, wearing more color in your wardrobe, adding a fun accessory to an outfit, or even just smiling more in general (yes, even at strangers) can start a chain-reaction in  you. Despite what you may have gone through or what you have ahead of you, live your life and (try) to enjoy yourself. Don't waste energy (or sleep) on things you can't change or have no control over. Make 2012 the year of optimism and throw pessimism out with 2011.

Whether you work from the inside out or outside in, you can achieve what you set out to attain, so looking good while you're doing it couldn't hurt. Happy New Year everyone and remember to smile.

Holiday Freebies

Who doesn't love free stuff? This time of year is prime time for cosmetic companies to throw together a little incentive to purchase an item from them in order to get their free 'swag' bag of goodies. Ok its not technically free-free since you do need to buy something first, but with a small purchase of anywhere between $19.99 - $29.99, you can get a nice little re-useable makeup bag filled with free makeup products (travel size usually, but not always), and who doesn't love that?

I for one am a huge fan of this practice and always direct my purchase to the companies who do offer freebies just so I can get more for my money. The best part is that they aren't giving you discontinued products or un-popular colors, but are actually giving you products that you will want to use because they want you as a customer again and hope you will fall in love with something and return and buy it when you run out. It's worked on me many times, especially with the free perfume samples...I always come back to buy a full size bottle.

Lancome was the first major cosmetic company to offer the free product with purchase, and then all other companies followed suit. In my opinion though, Lancome still reigns supreme with the freebies because they give a lot for such a little purchase AND you get to pick your items too. I bought mascara the other day for $24 and walked away with a full size eye cream, lipstick, blush, 2 eye liner pencils, lip gloss, and an eye shadow duo compact. I was really impressed with the quantity and that I got to choose my own 7 items. 

So go check out the freebies being offered right now and get your own goodie bag to play with.