Words to Live by

"There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness." - Lady Blessington

Famed for her looks and accomplishments, Lady Blessington presided over a literary salon at Gore House, Kensington in 1822 and she was for some years editor of "The Book of Beauty", a popular annual of the day in 1834.

When you live a happy life, your true beauty will shine through, so always count your blessings and find reasons to be grateful. Happy Holidays.

Top 10 Beauty Mistakes

Beauty mistakes are something that we see every day, so I thought I would give you the TOP TEN (and the remedies to correct it).

THE MISTAKE
1. Obvious lip liner with lipstick that doesn’t match.

2. Wearing the wrong color foundation (and/or not blending foundation past jaw, into neck line).

3. Clumpy and flaky mascara.

4. Lipstick that bleeds or feathers.

5. Eye makeup that smears or builds up in the corner of the eye.

6. Shiny/greasy looking face.

7. Not covering a blemish.

8. Over or under plucked/groomed eyebrows.

9. Facial hair.

10. Blush that looks scary, not natural.

THE ANTIDOTE
1. Match the lip liner with the lipstick and/or use a lip brush to blend both together to eliminate the obvious lip liner look.

2. Color match your foundation by applying a sample color to your jaw OR the inner part of your wrist to find your true color. Then when you apply it, blend well past your chin/jaw line and down your neck to have an even flow of color and coverage.

3. Toss your mascara after 3 months of opening it cause flakes means it has dried out and clumpy means you are applying too many layers in between coats before it dries. Using a lash comb to separate lashes after you apply mascara will also help.

4. Prep your lips with foundation or a lipstick primer before applying a lip liner or lipstick to help retain the shape and to avoid feathering.

5. Check yourself in the mirror twice a day to make sure your eye makeup still looks good.

6. Oil absorbing sheets (blotting papers) are a great way to remove shine. You can also use powder applied to the "T-zone" area (forehead, nose and chin).

7. Makeup is needed to cover imperfections. Period. Whether its lipstick, concealer, mascara or blush, we all need a little boost of a beauty product to help us look a little better but definitely to cover a blemish.

8. Get your brows professional shaped/cleaned up if not sure of how to approach it for the first time. After than, maintenance is easy.

9. A mustache is just not sexy on a woman. Neither is hair below your bottom lip or a peach-fuzzy face in general. You can use Smooth Away buffing pads to gently and painlessly remove face fuzz, get your upper and lower lip waxed if you choose or a depilatory cream that's made for the face will also do the trick. Do your research to see what your best option(s) would be.

10. Blush is meant to mimic your natural cheek color when you blush. Applying blush like war paint is not attractive. A pink hue that's a shade darker than your natural blushed state is perfect when applied liberally.

So now that you know, you can be sure to always be a beauty DO and never a beauty DON'T.

'Tis the Season....

...for holiday parties! What better time to hit the town all dolled up? I absolutely love this time of year where clothes are more glittery, parties are more abundant and looking haute is imperative. Do not skimp on the details girls because makeup, hair, nails and clothes all need to be in the spirit of the season. Flip through those magazines to find what captures your fancy so you can catch that certain-someones-eye from across the room at your next holiday party.

When in doubt, a little shimmer goes a long way ;)

Ahead of the Game

Happy Fall! I may be behind in my postings, but I am definitely ahead of the game when it comes to my research and knowledge of what's hot now and in store for winter-spring makeup trends. New York Fashion Week was chaotic beauty at it's best and every designer showcased their Spring 2010 collection with the next hot look in makeup that was inspiring.


Although the makeup trends were unique to not draw attention away from the clothes, they did establish a place on the runway with luminous skin and a bold feature that made each face stand out even more. There were a lot of bold lashes and cat-like liner against a natural face, or a bright lips making a statement that looked fabulous on every model.

What you can learn from the runway in the real world is that makeup should never draw attention to just your face. The clothes were meant to be the focal point on the runway, but in reality, you are representing a complete package when you walk out that door, so make a statement from head to toe by keeping it natural with highlighting just one feature and not try to make your makeup scream "LOOK AT ME".

Keep your face fresh and colorful with the perfect crayon-inspired lipstick to make your look "pop". M.A.C. has some great new colors this season that I can't stop using, so be comfortable to try something new and update your look.

New York Fashion Week Booking

It's been a hectic summer to say the least with weddings, photo shoots, 10 bridal magazine covers and a television booking, but nothing says "end of summer" for me more than New York Fashion Week and the awesome booking opportunity I was offered.

September 10-17th at Bryant Park in New York is where designers showcase their Spring 2010 designs, and where the next makeup trends are seen, and started. I will be going to New York tomorrow to do the makeup for a few of the shows and a photo shoot, and I'm thrilled about what will be seen on and off the runway.

American icon designers such as Donna Karan, Max Azria (BCBG), Diane Von Furstenberg, Nicole Miller and Tommy Hilfiger (just to name a few) will be setting the fashion staples for 2010 and I am lucky to be a part of it. Keep your eyes peeled for what's next in makeup trends and I will post info and pictures while I'm in New York. Stay tuned...

Pretty Is As Pretty Does

How long does it take you to get ready? Some of us may take longer than others, but is there a normal (acceptable?) length of time to spend on beauty efforts? I guess it depends on who you ask.

I personally love to take my time and can drag out the process for hours, depending on whether or not I have the time (or where I am going), but on average I spend one hour getting ready.

If for some reason I was only given a 15-min time limit, I could manage, but would not enjoy the rushed process because I genuinely enjoy the primping. I see it as something fun I get to do every day, so for women who loathe the process of getting ready, I can’t relate, but I can offer some advice:

Getting ready doesn’t have to be grueling if you consider it the first opportunity in your day to set the tone of the mood you CHOOSE to be in. Sometimes a little effort goes a long way so embrace the process.

Does Looking Glamorous Have an Age Limit?

The other day a potential customer emailed me inquiring about eyelash extensions and what it entailed. I replied to her inquiry and noted that something as simple as enhancing ones lashes can make you instantly feel glamorous and that she will love how they look. She replied that since she was in her 50’s she was beyond needing to look glamorous. Ouch.

For those of you who might feel the same way she does, shame on you! Looking glamorous doesn’t necessarily mean movie-star hair and makeup every time you step out in public, but it should embrace the essence of who you are and how you feel. This includes a woman’s sense of style, the way she carries herself, how she does her makeup and hair, to even the way she wants people to perceive her. Looking glamorous is something you feel, not just how you look.

So on a day when you might be feeling “beauty-challenged”, always find something to make you feel glamorous and show it off.