Good Grooming & Friends

We all know who "Dear Abby" is...she dishes out advice in a daily column to those in need of guidance, assistance, direction or an answer to something that troubles them. Like any "dear" friend should, Abby offers an honest and straight-forward answer, but do some people who need to hear the truth, or ask to be told the truth, really want to KNOW the truth? Below was the post in todays column:

DEAR ABBY: Just how honest should you be with a friend? My friend "Frannie" did not receive a promotion in her department, and I think I know why -- her appearance. The promotion would have required more interaction with clients. Frannie is bright, hard-working, has Christian ethics, a beautiful, trim figure, a wide smile and dresses well. But -- she wears no makeup, doesn't pluck her huge unibrow and wears sandals that expose her very hairy toes and the hairy tops of her feet.

Many people have commented to me about her hairy feet and face, but I have not had the heart to tell her what they say. She has also been asking me why guys shy away from her. Do I say nothing, or should I offer helpful advice? -- FRANNIE'S FRIEND IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR FRIEND: What you need to ask yourself before raising a sensitive subject like this is: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind? From where I sit, telling Frannie what she needs to hear passes those tests. Because Frannie has been asking why men shy away from her, that's your opening to talk to her about her grooming. Many women have body-hair issues, but there are solutions for it. The poor woman needs the services of a cosmetologist

I giggled a little when I read this because I am sure we have ALL come across a friend who could use a reality check but we just don't have the heart to tell them for fear or hurting their feelings. Like "Frannie's Friend in NC" no one could muster up the nerve to suggest that some grooming might better Frannie's professional and personal situations. Two days ago I encountered a friend who seeked out my advice on "remaking" her look for the new year because she wanted a change. I asked her what she didn't like, and she said "everything", and then asked me where to start and to "be honest" with her.

 

Offering my advice/opinion isn't difficult when someone asks me, but finessing the words to not hurt feelings can be tricky sometimes since I can be a bit blunt. People who know (and love) me however know to expect this from me, and always comment on how they can count on me to be truthful. I knew my advice could only help my friend since the changes were within her control of grooming and appearance suggestions, but unfortunately the conversation didn't go so well. She was shocked to hear my advice because it obviously wasn't what she wanted to hear and got upset with me because I didn't say she was "perfect" the way she was.

 

I don't regret what I said to my friend since I wouldn't be doing her any favors by lying and saying her mustache was beautiful and her ill-fitting clothes complimented her figure, but I do now realize that when someone asks you to "be honest" with them (about their appearance), you should also be extra kind on your advice. Lesson learned.

Super Smokey Eye

You survived Christmas with the family and now it's almost time to put on your party dress for New Years Eve with your friends. Regardless of what you'll be wearing you can always dress it up with the right accessories and of course, makeup. Here are steps to a super smokey eye.

You will need shimmery chocolate brown, bronze, black and grey eye shadows, black pencil eyeliner and black mascara.

1. Apply foundation to your eyelids as a base and then put the chocolate brown shadow on your upper lid and below lower lash line.

2. Outline your eyes with black eyeliner.

3. Mix up the grey and black shadows and apply them lightly onto the top lids and below bottom lashes (don't worry about the mess, we will clean that up). I know it's covering the chocolate brown you just applied but it will "peak" through.

4. Apply the bronze shadow under your brows (full length).

5. Apply mascara and remove the excess shadow crumbs with a Q-tip and concealer to clean it up. You can also apply a little more chocolate brown shadow if you like (to lighten it up).

6. Let's party!





As usual, with such a dramatic eye you want to keep the rest of your face fairly simple and neutral. A light gold gloss would be the perfect final touch if you don't have nude lipstick. When you do a smokey eye you want it to look refined and not as though you woke up with this end-result, so be sure to clean up all messes and restrict the shadows to not "drip" down your cheeks.

I will admit a smokey eye is not maintenance free but it does look hot and is worth the effort. Have a fabulous New Years and may 2011 bring continued joy and happiness.

Golden Eyes

What woman doesn't love gold? It's rich, beautiful, sparkly and looks great on everyone. What better way to wear gold then on your eyes! Think about it...it's the perfect way to captivate attention when you have eyes that sparkle, and here are the easy steps to accomplish the look. You will need gold and dark brown shadow, gold eye pencil and black mascara. 

1. Prep your lids with foundation to help keep the shadow in place, and then apply a gold shimmer shadow on to your upper lid.

2. Next use a gold eye pencil to rim your inner lash line (not below your lashes).

3. Now apply a dark brown shade on the crease of your lids, with a little more shadow placed towards the outter edge as in the photo.

4. lastly, drag the same brown shadow below your lower lash line to complete this smokey look. Apply black mascara, brush off any loose shadow "crumbs" from around your eyes and face that may have fallen, apply a nude lipstick (matte, not shiny gloss) and.....

Ta-Da!

Super sexy look that will compliment any eye, skin, hair color. What I love most about smokey eyes is as the night goes on, the look evolves, and gets sexier and smokier.

What Are Eyelash Extensions?

Ever have eyelash envy? It's when you see someone with long, full, curled lashes and wonder why you were jipped in that beauty department. Most of us have experienced "eyelash envy", so mascara is the ritual makeup tool we need to use to create those full and lush lashes we dream of, only to wash them away when we cleanse our faces. Sad but true, we need mascara everyday to give the illusion of long and full lashes....until now that is.

Thanks to a fairly new method created a few years ago, eyelash extensions can give you those captivating eyes, morning, noon and night without the need for mascara. The process consists of a trained and certified technician who applies the lashes one by one to your natural lashes with a special glue that bonds them together, creating a water-proof seal. The results are unbelievable, beautiful lashes that can last up to 2 months with proper care.

So what's the difference with eyelash extensions and false eyelashes? Simple; one is temporary, not lasting more than 24 hours and can look fake. While the other is semi-permanent, lasting 4-8 weeks that look amazing and 100% natural. They fall off through the regular growth cycle of your natural lashes without harming them. It's a safe way to get those eyes that capture attention. After all, they say the eyes are the windows to the soul....so why not have a gorgeous frame around those windows?

For more information, visit my website for greater details.

What to Look for in a Makeup Artist

Training aside, there are many factors to consider when picking a makeup artist to do your makeup for an event:

• Experience
• Portfolio
• Addressing your questions/concerns
• Products they use
• Makeup style
• Professionalism

Notice I didn't mention price? Price alone is not a factor and should never be the deal maker or breaker for you. Consider everything before you decide because you get what you pay for. Most women find their makeup artists through a referral or an online web search. Since most makeup artists nowadays will have a website displaying their work, you can get a sense of their artistic style right from the start, which is your first step in finding the one who will be right for you and your needs.

Take your time to go through their portfolio work and see the artistic range they're capable of. If there are hardly any photos, or poor quality images, that should be a red flag for you to move on because professional makeup artists will only show their work in the best way possible, so anything that looks cheap is a bad sign. Also if you see "fake" looking stock photos of editorial pictures, you may have found someone who is claiming someone elses work as their own to dupe you into thinking they are talented, and obviously not someone you want.

If you happen to meet your makeup artist in person (no website), how did they look? Was their makeup done nicely/creatively or in a manner you like? Did they look professional or sloppy? Did they show you their portfolio? Seeing photos is important to know that your makeup will look great in person and in pictures, so don't be shy and ask to see their work. In the event their own makeup is done with too much flare for your taste, don't rule them out yet until you've see their portfolio because their artistic range may surprise you.

Do you have any skin concerns you need to address? Cosmetic allergies? Do you know what you want and don't want? Do you have any picture examples of the look you like? Is there a question about the products they use? When you contact a makeup artist, ask them anything you need to know to help make your decision. A professionally trained makeup artist will know the art and science of makeup because it is a skill learned and perfected over time. They will know the proper application for the lighting, time of day, purpose and event the makeup is for to create the right look for you.

Familiarize yourself with the artists work and take into consideration the look you want for your special event to see if they have the ability to create that for you. Your rapport with them is important too because you want to be able to communicate clearly and get what you want. In summary, their work should speak for itself if you have no questions for them. If you like what you see, book 'em!

Make it "Pop" with Turquoise Eyes

If you haven't already noticed, the holidays are here, which means lots of parties to attend. One sure-fire way to dress up your holiday ensemble is with the right makeup look. Even a simple LBD (little black dress) can have the "wow" factor when your makeup is smokin' hot, so here is an easy lesson on how to achieve it.

1. Apply a light turquoise shadow to your upper lid.


2. Outline the lower eye with the same shade.


3. Put a darker blue shade accent on the eyelid crease and around the outter corners of eyes (follow photo for precise application place).


4. Apply black eyeliner to the inner top and inner bottom lid and finish off with black mascara.


Brush off any residue flakes that have fallen on your face to clean up the area, apply a pale/nude colored lipstick, very light blush and you're done. Enjoy the party!

Honeysuckle: THE Color for 2011...what do you think?

I love fashion forecasts! The whole point of Fashion Week worldwide is to set the tone for the following season and it starts the trends. Last years "IT" color was turquoise, and this year it's honeysuckle (almost like a peach/salmon/berry color). Click here to read full article on Pantone's color choice.

I personally love this color and how it can warm skin tones. Makeup will be easy to compliment this color because it will be a flattering shade for all. Warm bronzers, coral or berry lipsticks and vibrant eyes will all work. What do you think of the color for 2011?