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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The Face of Fall

We all know that trends repeat themselves, so this isn't actually an alert of an amazing new color concept in makeup, but more of a what-you-should-know for the latest looks that hit the runways in New Yorks famous Fashion Week that was held in New York City last week. Fashion forward styles include makeup and hair trends as well, so typically what is seen on the runways is what you'll soon find on the streets, so here's your guide to stay with (ahead?) of the pack.

Dramatic metallic smokey eyes with berry lips.

Metallic lids, bold berry rich lips and flawless skin were rampant in the fashion world. In my opinion, this look never gets old. There were a lot of bold eyebrows and smokey eyes as well, so you have a few choices to run with to complete your look this fall if you follow trends. Fashion aside, makeup completes your look, regardless of what you are wearing, and it can either dress you up or dress you down,so keep that in mind when attempting one (two or three) of the looks for fall.

The best way to get on board with the latest and greatest looks is to buy compact makeup shades that are sold together so you can get the colors that go together and compliment each other. Eyeshadows are a great place to start. Sometimes lipstick/glosses are also sold this way too. A berry pout in the same color family (cool or warm) that is best for your skin tone can never go wrong.

If you haven't noticed already, I am sure you will start to see now in magazine and t.v. commercials the ads selling these looks since what ever is seen on Fashion Week is what sets the trends for all cosmetic companies to follow. You don't have to use their interpretation as the gospel last word in makeup or fashion, because it really does boil down to making the look work for you, especially in the best shades that are most complimenting for you. Metallics and berries look great on everyone though, so you can't go wrong.

Hidden Talent at the Mall Makeup Counter

Yesterday I went shopping at Macy's and was stopped 4 times as I walked through the beauty counters from sales girls trying to get me to sit down and get my makeup done. Initially I think, why would I want a make-over when I am clearly made-up, but understand they are just trying to make a sale. I stop to chat with the last girl to see what magic product she was promoting and noticed something that most makeup counter girls had in common: they were attractive, had nice skin and their makeup was tastefully done. To me, that's important. Just like I wouldn't get my hair done by someone who had fried dried out hair with horrible color. Depending on the cosmetic brand depended on the look each girl wore too, because I noticed Chanel, Shiseido and Dior girls wore more makeup, while Clinque and Lancome were done up lighter...just an observation.

Upon further discussion with the sales girl, I could see her makeup was artfully done and knew right away she knew what she was doing. I rarely ever let someone else do my makeup but sometimes it's fun to see what they would do different, so I sat down and let her do up my eyes in a 'night' look. She first asked me what the event was and what I would be wearing. Loved that. She wanted to create a look that was going to be right for me and the event and that is definitely important.

She then asked about any allergies I had or sensitivity to products I'd experienced and then proceeded to do my makeup once she had the go-ahead. She was professional, friendly and although I knew the ultimate goal was to sell me the products she used, she was still having fun doing my makeup and it was obvious she enjoyed doing it. She was done in 15 min and I was impressed with the new eye look she gave me that I asked for her card because there are times when I hire assistants to help me tackle large bookings, and she was clearly talented.

Granted not all sales girls in the makeup department are makeup artists, and I have seen (and heard) horror stories of such encounters, but there are some good ones out there if you pay attention. So next time you walk through the mall and browse the latest products, don't turn down an opportunity to get your makeup done because you just might walk away with a new look you'll love, and the products to re-create it, from someone genuinely talented.

Why Airbrush Makeup Can Kick Your Makeups Butt Any Day

Yahoo! SHINE asked me to write an article on my expertise, airbrush makeup, and it was published. So if you were ever curious about what makes airbrush makeup so great and the benefits of using it versus traditional cosmetics, here's your chance to learn more.

shine.yahoo.com/why-airbrush-makeup-can-kick-your-makeups-butt-any-day

Lip-a-licious

I've always felt that if you only had time to do one thing (makeup-wise), your lips had to be done. I feel naked without it and believe it just makes you look 'polished' even if no other makeup is worn. NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss has just come out (this month) and their new, innovative gloss is specially formulated to nourish and enhance lips. The cool part about their new lip gloss it's new bristle brush, which provides a perfect application to help define and shape lips because of its extra small size.

It's available in 9 gorgeous shades and stays in place all day because it's also a long-wear gloss. No goop or glop, it's shiny with vibrant colors that keep your lips smooth. That's extra incentive to use it in my book. You can get it at Sephora. 

If that wasn't enough, designer Kate Spade has teamed up with the brand Lipstick Queen, to create a new line of lipsticks called Supercalifragilipstick. Seriously. It's set to launch in September, and currently has 4 shades in its line. The ingredients include silk powders, shea butter and antioxidants to make lips soft and supple. The lipsticks will be sold at Kate Spade stores and at KateSpade.com.

So ladies, treat yourself to one of these little products that's sure to pack a lot of punch and garner some attention.