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.

Destination Wedding Makeup

You're engaged! Now the planning begins, and whether you get married locally, back home or abroad for a destination wedding, you need to budget for a makeup artist to make sure your wedding photos look amazing.

Your regular makeup routine won't cut it and only a professional can give you camera-ready makeup. Here is an article I wrote for Destinations Travel Magazine regarding destination wedding makeup, and why you need to hire a professional on such an epic day.

Click Here - "The Flawless Face: Airbrush Makeup" page16

Falls MUST Haves

I am not particularly a fan of fall/winter because I adore heat, sunshine and summer clothes more, but the products we get to use sometimes during the chillier months do have its perks. This fall while your body is all bundled up (and probably your head too), let your gorgeous face peek through, and remind everyone that spring is only 6 months away.

 

This season you should incorporate coral, pink or berry colored glosses/lipsticks into your look. Pink blush is also flattering on everyone, shimmer or dewy skin (think J-Lo, she rocks it) looks fresh, and really subtle eye makeup. Nothing too busy. Matte anything right now (lipstick, eye shadow, face) can look harsh, so aim for "fresh". Using a tinted moisturizer is great to keep the cold wind and hot heaters from making your skin look dehydrated.

 

Flipping through fashion magazines is a great way to be inspired not only for fashion, but what's trending now in makeup as well. If you are not a follow-the-masses kind of girl, I still recommend that spring and fall require a makeup change, especially in your skin-care regiment, so you can benefit from the seasons changing and always look your best year round.

Tricky Treat?

Happy Halloween! I love, love, love this time of year and the whole production of deciding on a costume, getting the accessories and putting it all together. Halloween doesn't need to be difficult though and you can pull together a look with makeup alone; just depends on how creative you want to get, but YouTube has awesome pictures and video tutorials to help you on your way.

I personally like to go for the sexy costumes where I still look like me without war paint covering my face, but regardless of what my costume is, I still try to incorporate my makeup with the look. When I was Medusa one year I airbrushed my face gold and attached green and blue jewels around my hairline to mimic abstract snake skin. This year I am going retro and will be a 1960's Playboy bunny and will do period hair and makeup to tie it all together. The fun of Halloween for me is getting dressed up and seeing how creative people get with their details.

Me as Wonder Woman & Medusa

When deciding on a costume, go all out on the makeup and hair because if you are going to do it, do it all the way. Still stumped on what to wear? Why not create your own costume with a painted face by Googling 'halloween makeup idea' images where you will get some amazing examples of costumes you can create around your makeup. Whatever you decide, have a safe and festive Halloween and hope you get the option to either trick or treat ;) .

Winter Brides Get Glowing

Not every woman getting married wants to be a summer bride, so winter brides don't need to sacrifice that bridal 'glow' just because it's not 82* outside. The winter months don't pose any obstacles to looking phenomenal on your wedding day, but getting your skin ready and your makeup just right is the key.

Taking care of your skin is always important, but the months leading up to your wedding date is most essential, no matter what time of year you are getting married. You need to remember if you baked your skin all summer, you will have to deal with (possible) sun spots, faded tans, dry skin (on top of already winter dry skin), and a overall un-even skin tone to cover, so if the damage has already been done, don't fret, there's an app for that.

Spray tanning is a great way to even you out, but it needs to be a fairly light 'natural' color so you don't look fake and sprayed. Orange is not a good color on anyone, even an Oompa Loompa. Airbrush makeup is another great way to get even looking skin that is custom blended to match your skin tone (not paint it a different color), and regular foundations work well on the face but can't be used on the body (shoulders, arms, back). So depending on what you are dealing with will determine which option is best for you. Whatever you decide, you definitely need a trial-run to test it out first before the wedding.

If your skin is fair, you still need a little color on your face with a shimmery blush in a color that is 1-2 shades darker than your natural blushed state. A light bronzer is another perfect alternative to getting that 'glow' when applied sparingly. Despite the richer fall/winter colors you may be having at your wedding, you don't need to go dark on the makeup or lips if that's not your style. Finding makeup looks in bridal magazines is always a great tool to envision the look you want and help your makeup artist create.

A lot of my brides (year round) will spray tan their bodies but airbrush their face to blend it all together. If you have severe dry skin, spray tanning is not the route to go because showering will exfoliate the color and leave your skin looking dirty, and more difficult to even out. So scrub, scrub, scrub that skin (gently) to remove all dryness and then moisturize, moisturize, moisturize to keep it supple before you determine which route you are going to go. Any canvas can be painted into a work of art, and your bridal day look is no exception.

OMG Lashes

I try to mix up my posts but admit I fall back on lips and lashes a lot because, 1) there is always new products/colors coming out to try, and 2) it's the finishing touch to any look. I am always buying makeup for my kit (and myself) and this weekend I purchased Hypnose Doll Lashes from Lancome, and have to say it's pretty damn cool.

Granted I am a huge fan of Maybelline mascara for all the right reasons (cost, effect, availability, end results) but sometimes I like to splurge on the pricey mascaras too just to see (prove myself wrong?) that pricey doesn't always mean better. In this case however, Hypnose is well worth the price and did give amazing results. The wand is cone shaped and no matter how many coats (wet or dry) I reapplied to my lashes, I didn't have lumps. None. Zero. Zilch.

I don't appreciate the fake ads of any cosmetic company showing sky-high lashes if you use their product (with the tiny disclaimer that the photos are 'enhanced') but Hypnose did deliver on 'doll lashes' as claimed in the name and I definitely will be including this in my routine, along with my other Lancome splurge of Definicils mascara. That stuff just lenghtens your lashes like crazy! Doesn't give you fullness like Hypnose does, but pick your battles, right?

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