Bridal Bliss

Wedding “season” has officially started, and every year there are trends in fashion that some brides look to for inspiration, while others already have a dream of what they envision on their wedding day from head to toe. For some, finding the perfect dress is the most important thing, (after finding the perfect guy of course), but for others, it’s about the makeup, and I have always felt that one without the other just doesn’t work. You need both to be a blushing bride, so booking your makeup artist shouldn’t be a last minute thought or done on your own, because on this very special day there are no “do-overs” and looking radiant is a must.

As a makeup artist I find weddings to be the most rewarding work I can do because I know it’s not just about a made up face, but it is about pictures that will capture the day for eternity. Professionals use products that are photo-ready (and friendly) and long lasting, but we also have the ability to make you a more glamorized version of yourself. So on the one day of your life where hundreds of eyes will be on you all day and night, shouldn’t you look nothing less than spectacular? Of course the guy standing up there next to you with the tuxedo on will get some attention too, but we really know it is all about you, so don't leave it to chance.

Oh No She Didn't

Lately I am noticing a trend pop up that is making me cringe when I see it...neon lipstick. I know trends will repeat themselves eventually but some things were meant to stay dead and buried and this hideous fashion DON'T is one of them. Seriously, who can pull off yellow or green neon lipstick unless you are in a bad 80's music video??!!

I go out a lot and always love to people watch, but when I see horrible makeup I just want to run up and hand them my card and whip out a makeup remover cloth. Retro is cool, don't get me wrong, but bad makeup is bad makeup, and so all I can hope for is someone out there will pull those girls aside, be a friend and hand them a compact mirror. You don't need to try every trend you see to update your look or else we would all be cookie-cutter versions of each other. So leave the neon lipsticks at the makeup counter and don't believe the hype!!!

You CAN be unique and fun with your sense of style and makeup. You can even follow some of the latest trends that are seen on the runways of Fashion Week or in the magazines (within reason), but know that not ALL trends are meant to be followed and really are just an artistic concept brought to life. Like this makeup I did for a photo shoot years ago that was simply meant to be creative, not trend-setting. So find a trend you like and tweak it to make it your own. No need to follow everything by-the-book (or magazine!). I rest my case.

Kiss Me You Fool

Valentines Day is tomorrow but any "date night" makeup should always be about creating a desire. A desire to keep him looking into your eyes... a desire for him to want to kiss your lips... a desire to captivate his attention. What better way to mesmerize the one who has your heart (or whose heart you'd like to have) then to create the perfect date face.

Whether you are having date night with your husband, boyfriend or a new potential love interest, your makeup should always say "kiss me", not "stay away for fear of looking like a clown if you kiss me". Don't forget that your hair should also be soft and touchable too. Nothing is more sexy than looking irresistible.

Your makeup doesn't have to be heavy or dark to make you look made-up, so opt for a light glowing complexion for your face, very subtle blush, sparkling smokey eyes and a light colored lipstick (or tinted gloss) with a little bit of shine, that make your lips just beg to be kissed. This entire look on actress Hilary Duff is perfect!

Beauty in the Real World

We live in a digitally enhanced world, so what we see on t.v., in movies or in magazines these days is always going to be an altered version of the truth. So many young girls look to magazines for inspiration, only to find desperation in their own looks that don’t match up to the perfection that they see in magazines before them.

What everyone needs to realize, is that everything we see in a magazine has been photo-shopped. EVERYTHING. No one is that perfect. Even the most beautiful actress, model or celebrity is never printed without Photoshop fine-tuning the details.

This industry standard isn't meant to deceive the viewer, but only to show a better version. While I have nothing against enhancing an image, I do think the perception of trying to sell that perfection as "natural" is misleading. Anything is possible with Photoshop from the simple removal of wrinkles, dark circles, blemishes, hair color, teeth and eye whitening, thinning out limbs, to completely altering features is possible and SO much more.

If we have a healthy attitude on what we believe to be "natural beauty" and understand that what we see is not always real, we can learn to enjoy the images as simply being entertainment exceptions to the rule...and not the standard. Never to compare. Nothing to look up to.

I personally love seeing before and after celebrity photo-shopped pictures because it makes them more real to me and see that they are just like us...imperfect.

New Year. New You.

"Out with the old and in with the new", as they say. Time to clean out your makeup drawer and start fresh for 2010. New outlook, new products, new attitude, new you. This is the year for change and what better way then to shake up your beauty routine...or better yet, start one! No matter how young or old you are, there is never a bad time to start taking care of your face.

So, invest in some products that work for your skin type and condition. Make that appointment with the Dermatologist to address and fix those issues. Wash your makeup off before bed no matter how tired you are. Cut back on alcohol intake which can wreck havoc on your skin. Increase water consumption for a refreshed complexion. Toss out liquid products that have chemically separated. Try that new lipstick color. No matter how subtle or insignificant you think the change will be, just do it, because sometimes even the slightest change makes a big impact.

Continue to be happy, healthy and beautiful for 2010.

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.