What's in a Name?

Frosted, matte, sheer, stain, shimmer, gloss and long-lasting: what does it all really mean? The names give an insight to part of the ingredients, which ultimately help create the unique color and appearance the lipstick will provide, so knowing which is which will give you the best results when picking a shade.

• Frosted lipsticks include a pearlizing agent that adds luster to the color. Bismuth oxychloride to be exact, which is synthetic pearl, and imparts a frost or shine.
•  Matte lipsticks are heavy in wax and pigment but lighter in emollients. They have more texture than shine.
• Cremes are a balance of shine and texture. (most popular)
• Glosses have a high shine and low color.
• Sheers and stains contain a lot of oil and a medium amount of wax with a tad of color.
•  Shimmers have extra glimmer, which comes from mica or silica particles.
• Long-lasting color contain silicone oil, which seals the color to your lips.
• Lip gloss contains different proportions of the same ingredients as lipstick but usually has less wax and more oil to make the lips shinier.

There’s an old 1959 song called "Lipstick on Your Collar," where lipstick was the giveaway that her boyfriend had been unfaithful, and according to a 1996 survey by Shisedo Cosmetics, 87% of American women admit to having left traces of lipstick in unwanted places on purpose. 

So whether you are guilty of this practice, or just want to get the most from your lip color, read the label to see exactly what type of lipstick you are getting to make sure it fulfills its purpose.

Read My Lips

Lipstick, in some shape or form, has been around for a long time and has always been part of a fashion statement. History tells us that ancient Egyptians used henna to paint their lips with a reddish purple mercuric plant dye called fucus-algin, iodine and bromine mannite. Little did the ancient Egyptians know that it was potentially poisonous, but no self-respecting Egyptian would leave home without it.


Makeup has not always held an accepted place in society as it does today. In fact, it has traveled a bumpy road to acceptance. According to Thomas Hall, an English pastor and author of the "Loathsomeness of Long Haire" (1653), led a movement declaring that face painting was "the devil's work" and that women who put brush to mouth were trying to "ensnare others and to kindle a fire and flame of lust in the hearts of those who cast their eyes upon them." In 1770, the British Parliament passed a law condemning lipstick, stating that "women found guilty of seducing men into matrimony by cosmetic means could be tried for witchcraft." 


In the 1800s Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup impolite because it was viewed as vulgar and something that was worn only by actors and prostitutes. So makeup took a backseat and paleness became vogue for almost a century. However all that changed during World War II, aided by the movie industry, which gave lipstick and face powder respectability. It became the patriotic duty of female citizens to "put their face on."

In the 1930s, leaders in the industry such as Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, opened their first beauty parlors, offerings services that ranged from facial massages to hair dressing and makeup tips. Although it's had a rough start, makeup has paid its dues to have a place in society, so ladies, go "put on your face"!

Fa-la-la Fall....Here We Come

Emerald green. Royal purple. Bright red. Glittering gold. Cobolt blue. These are just some of the colors for fall this year and be ready to see it on everything from clothing, shoes, accessories and makeup. When everything around us turns from green to gold, to brown, then bare, a little bit of vibrant color is the perfect way to look radiant and not dreary this season.

When pairing a bold color in a statement piece of clothing or an accessory there is no rule that says you cannot match your makeup to highlight (or compliment) that color, so if you want to be daring and draw some attention to your eyes, lips or nails with a little flash of fall (and winter) colors, then do it, because all the makeup manufacturer's are following suit and you will see a rainbow of colors available.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2010, was this past weekend in New York, and it set the stage with what's in store this season.

Summertime Blues

I have been off the radar this summer working and traveling, and nothing says "wedding season" like back-to-back weddings that were keeping me extra busy. The trend this year, here in America and in Europe, has been a more dramatic look, with a simple lip color and vibrant eye makeup. Blue was the "It" color and flattering for all. A little bit of sun (whether naturally, from a bottle or tanning bed) gave my brides a little extra glow that allowed them to go with this look of the season.

Trends come and go, but when it comes to your wedding day makeup it should be a look that not only compliments your features but also highlights them as well. A nude/sheer lip is always flattering, with the right tone that is a shade or two darker than your natural lip color. Glossy, not glittery, is the key to create a fuller lip when needed or down-size one too. Don't be afraid to try a new look, but I always suggest a consultation trial with your makeup artist when veering away from your "comfort zone" of colors. A lot of my clients love to show me magazine pictures of what they want, which is a great way to let your makeup artist know what look you are going for, because sometimes interpreting what you mean and accomplishing it can be two different things.

Go to your trial with a few ideas, try a few different looks and pick the one that not only makes you look beautiful but also feel glamorous as well. Makeup artists aim to please and you will be representing our work when you walk down that aisle so making you happy is our ultimate goal. If you don't have any idea what look you are trying to accomplish, don't fret, it's our job to create a look for you.

If you want to find the latest trends, always look to your bridal magazines for inspiration, and regardless of the season, you can be a glowing bride, inside and out.

Why Do You Love Makeup?

To look at someone's bare face and see the potential of what you can do to it is why I love makeup. You can bring out self-esteem, confidence and a whole new attitude with it. Makeup just makes you look good, feel good and highlights your best features so what is there not to love?

You don't need to spend a lot of time or money in order to get the benefits of it, so why wouldn't you want to look fabulous or bring out your inner Vixen? Red lipstick alone can alter your persona, while smokey eyes can speak volumes, so ask yourself, what are you trying to say with your makeup?

Sunkissed

The sun has finally come out of hibernation to caress our shoulders and put a glow in our cheeks, so whether you swear by bronzer year round, tanning beds, self-tanning lotions, the sun itself or spray tans to get that summer sunkissed glow, lighten up, because you don't want to overdue any method. Don't forget to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself. Happy Spring.

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.