Illumination

This is my latest project and what has been keeping me so busy! I did the Makeup, Hair and Styling. It was so much fun and I am happy to report we will be doing another Photo Shoot and 2 Music Videos this August! More details to come! Enjoy!

Brows…there should be two…

Tags

Anne Hathaway, Beauty, Celebrity Style, Classic, Elizabeth Taylor, Eyebrow Gel, Eyebrow Pencils, Eyebrows, Jack Black, keira Knightley, Lauren Conrad, Quotes, Robert Jones, Soothing Eye Gel, Threading, Tweezing, Waxing

 

I think the above picture and quote says it ALL!!! This totally cracked me up.  Lately I have clients asking me right and left about eyebrows. What’s the best method for shaping? How do I shape them? Are they really that important?

That last question urged me to find a picture of the lovely Anne Hathaway-with brow and without. Ok, readers-you be the judge; brow or no brow?

Really is it even a question?!

Brows are like the frame of a really great picture!

In this situation it is our lovely faces that are framed!

 So what really is the best method? Well, let’s talk about a few first.

 “Threading is a practice of shaping the eyebrows which originated in parts of India. Eyebrow threading removes one clean line of hair all at once, making it much quicker and easier to shape the brows. It is important to find an aesthetician who is experienced at eyebrow threading. Inexperience can result in uneven brows, hair breakage, ingrown hairs, or unnecessary pain.”

I think I’d like to avoid the unnecessary pain part!

Next we have tweezing commonly known as “plucking.” My hairdresser taught me that you pluck a chicken and tweeze an eyebrow. So I cannot ever say plucking without envisioning a large, fat chicken having it’s feathers plucked, and really who wants to have that image in their head while shaping their eyebrows?!

So we are going to go with the preferred phraseology of “tweezing.”

  This is where you use a pair of tweezers to shape and clean up the eyebrows. Let’s pause for a moment and talk about tweezers. You want to look for ones that are a good quality and can close completely, tightly and that are flat on the ends with a slight angle versus pointed ends. These will give you the best results.

Last commonly used method of eyebrow maintenance is waxing. This is where you use a warm wax and have a Professional place this in the areas of excess hair growth. Strips of fabric are laid over the wax and ripped quickly off taking with it skin and unwanted hair.

Now that we know the different methods how do you choose the best one for you?! First seek a PROFESSIONAL!!! I can’t emphasize this enough! It makes all the difference! Especially because no matter what method you choose you can have so many things go wrong! So start with a professional. If you don’t have one you are comfortable with, start looking at people’s eyebrows. Find someone’s you like and ask them for a referral. I have even been known to go up to random women in the grocery store and ask them who does their eyebrows/ hair/ nails, because they look marvelous! Don’t forget to add the marvelous part, most women love genuine compliments, so it is always best to lead with those!

So what’s on trend with brows at the moment? Thicker and Fuller is the LOOK.

 Here are a few things I have learned about trends, though. First is; trends have to work for you! We have all seen the women who should not be wearing the skinny jeans-they look more like an ice cream cone, than a slammin’ fashion statement. There are so many trendy fashion faux pas’ it’s almost not funny! So if you already have thin brows and it was a chore to get those to grow in-

love them for what they are!

 If you were blessed with an abundance of brow you may enjoy this return to the fuller figure. For those of you that have brows that can go either way, try a little thicker-it makes you look younger. Yes, I said the magical word. Thicker, fuller eyebrows look more youthful.  No facelift required!

For my clients, I recommend that they get them waxed and then tweeze between appointments to keep it looking maintained. I met with Robert Jones recently and he says hands down tweezing and to avoid threading! I know some of my readers will have horror stories to share with all these methods. That’s why you want to start with a professional first and have a referral. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions!

 It’s better than being sorry you went to them in the first place.

 Ask questions like; “How long have you been waxing? Have you ever burned anyone? Look at her eyebrows-that will be a HUGE indication of what you will leave the salon with!

Now that you have an idea of what methods are out there and what questions you can ask, here is an actual diagram of trimming and finding the shape of the eyebrows. Not all of you are going to need to trim your brows but it’s a good reference point. I especially love this chart because it shows you where an eyebrow should begin, highest arch, and where it should end.

Just as a general rule of thumb; avoid having your eye makeup extend past the edge of your eyebrow.

 You have methods, trimming, shaping the brow and know what’s in style but what about tools of the trade and some tips and tricks?! Here are a few of my favorite things to personally use. The first is an eye gel. Certain gels calm the redness and swelling from waxing or tweezing. Eye gels that have extract of cucumber are perfect for de-puffing eyes in the morning, allowing you to avoid the whole cucumber on the eye awkwardness. You can even stick it in the fridge for a chillier, more soothing effect. For this reason, gels are much more suitable for this task than creams.

 Makeup Artist Tip #1: Tweeze your brows after a nice warm shower, they will come out easier and leave less overall redness. Also whenever possible go the direction of your hairs when pulling them with the tweezers.  

The next tool is…Brow gel…it can be a brow’s best friend! Look for a lightweight, clear formula to keep everything in place. It can also be used as clear mascara, for any of you that have amazing thick, dark, long lashes that you really don’t need mascara for and everyone secretly hates you for having. Oops, did I say that aloud? So sorry, but you have to admit we were all thinking it! LOL Give it a try-you may love it!

 Brow pencils are next in our arsenal and are FABULOUS! Look for ones that are mechanical or able to be sharpened to a fine point. 100% beeswax works the best. They are waterproof and the beeswax helps the brow stay in place a little better. The one complaint I hear about brow pencils is that they look “old ladyish.” Do you want to know the secret to avoiding that? First tip: Avoid drawing with them. They are not a traditional pencil that you draw your lines with they are for brows. Use small short feathery strokes starting from the beginning of the brow to the end. If they look too stiff take a brush or spoolie and gently brush them out.

Makeup Artist Tip #2: is to add brow powder to the look, again using small strokes from the beginning of the brow to the end, with a brow brush. Brush it all gently through from front to end to finish the look. Always look for gaps and thinner places and be sure to fill them in.

Even if you have very dark brows you want to fill them in to really polish your look. Try it out and ask a friend-you might be surprised!

 Makeup Artist Tip #3: Now did you know that if you use a high quality mineral eye shadow without shimmer you can also use it for your brows?! That’s right you do not need to have a whole separate compact filled with brow colors. So try it out and see if you already have the perfect shade.

 Of course, I had to include some of Robert’s amazing tools. He really is the king of having the right tool for the job. Here is his amazing brow brush for smoothing the eyebrows before color application and his angled eyebrow brush. It has nice stiff bristles just divine for that perfect application!

 Now that you’ve got the basics! Have some fun!

You’ll be raising brows left and right all over town!

You must never underestimate the power of the eyebrow.
Jack Black

Rack ‘em & Stack ‘em

Tags

Anne Hathaway, Boyfriend Watch, bracelets, Diamonds, Marilyn Monroe

A new trend is on the rise. It is the stackable bracelets. Really it harks back to the 80’s but there are some additions that make it completely modern and on-trend.

The first is an infusion of colors, metals and textures. You can add ribbons or charms on the bracelets to mix and match with the central theme that can either coordinate or compliment your wardrobe choice. The preferable way to wear them is stacked all on one arm and the other to wear a fascinator ring on or 1 single bracelet. For special occasions it’s completely acceptable to bling out both arms!

For those Red Carpet nights there is a casual je ne se quois about stacking diamond bracelets as though you haven’t a care in the world. For Anne Hathaway; “diamonds [really] are a girl’s best friend!” While on the Red Carpet stick to all one tone; diamond, silver, or gold. No need to mix and match here.

Another fun addition to the rack and stack look is the boyfriend watch. You want to look for a watch with a large face, in gold is super on trend at the moment. Then mix and match textures, colors and metals to achieve the perfect balance. If gold is not complimentary to your skin tone you can try a burnished gold, rose gold, enamel or silver.

You can also trade out watches to coordinate with the look from the stacked bracelets. Here are 2 of my own personal favorite combos.

Another perfect example from one of my favorite bloggers; Pink Peonies, shows mixing metals and gems, coordinating with either silver or gold tones. You can see 1 arm has the stack and the other a large chunky bracelet to balance out the opposite arm.

More everyday examples and combinations with textures, stones, colors and metals. Have fun and don’t be afraid to rack ‘em and stack ‘em!

Wild Weather

Tags

Beauty, High Heels, Hilary Duff, lips, Marilyn Monroe, Pink Peonies, Quotes, Rain Boots, Spring, Wellies

The weather where I live has been crazy this past week-windy one minute, then raining, snow next and then sunshine! It seems Mother Nature can’t make up her mind! What’s a girl to do that loves her heels, I ask?

There is really only one fashionable solution – wellies. Love them or hate them, they are a perfect solution for weather that can’t make up its mind. Plus any girl that sports these will feel like ”Singing in the Rain” in no time!

The best thing about them these days is they can be more than just the plain old, black rain boots, we used to know. Today they are fashion statements, and really, well, quite stylish; if worn correctly, that is!

For every day wear I suggest a skinny jean or tapered leg on your pants, layered shirts, with a little sparkle from your jewelry and don’t be afraid to try a lightweight scarf with your jacket in case of a chill wind.

PinkPeonies.com is one of my most favorite sites to go to for fashion inspiration. Apparently she and I were on the same page when it came to wellies.

Here is her fashionista take on it!

(Did you notice she is also sporting the oh, so trendy Hot Pink lip?!)

When you choose a pair with a pattern or pop of color it’ll be sure to put a “spring” in your step, then it’ll feel as though warmer weather is really just around the corner!

Happy Spring!!!

Barely There Look

Tags

Barely There, Braids, Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence, Minamlist, Quotes, Robert Jones, Updos, Windswept Look

You all know how I feel about Robert Jones so you can imagine my delight when he released this new video detailing how to recreate the perfect “Barely There Look” inspired by Jennifer Lawrence in the new Hunger Games film. Not only does he show you some awesome makeup tips (as usual!) But he includes an incredible hair tutorial for a twisted side french braid. You won’t want to miss any of it! And just for fun here is my favorite quote from the book if you have not read the series yet. (So worth it!)

My heart just melts a little everytime I read that part. Enjoy!

Perfecting the Perfect Pout

Tags

Blake Lively, Ingrid Bergman, kissing, lip color, lip gloss, lipliner, lips, lipstick, Makeup Artist, Mr. Darcy, Rachel McAdams, Rhett Butler, Robert Jones

When you talk about lips you can’t help but talk about kissing. The two go hand in hand! I personally feel that lips are meant for kissing. Whether you have thin, full or medium size lips. Every woman desires to have lips that are kisssably soft and always looking their best. I think any man in that woman’s life certainly enjoys the perks of lips like that too!

“There is the kiss of welcome and of parting; the long; lingering, loving; the stolen, or the mutual one; the kiss of love, of joy, and of sorrow; the seal of promise and receipt of fulfillment.” Thomas C. Halliburton

My husband’s feelings on kissing are a little bit different…

“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” Ingrid Bergman

It is of “the a little less talk and a lot more action” philosophy.

Then who can ever forget the preteen game of 7 minutes in Heaven or the first time we heard Rhett Butler tell Scarlett; she needed kissing badly? We may not all have a Rhett Butler in our lives to inform us when we need to be kissed but I believe every woman wants to have her lips feel fantastic…and look kissable; so that when destiny does come knocking she is ready!

The question I am always asked as a Makeup Artist is; “How do I get that perfect pout and how do I choose the correct shade of liner, gloss or lip color? (For that swoon-worthy moment?) Here are some of my very best tips and tricks AND what is on trend in the lips department right now! So you can have the perfect pout when your Mr. Darcy comes along and he won’t be able to resist that first kiss!

Step 1: Exfoliate your lips. Lips have skin that needs exfoliation. Weekly is best. Find one that is gentle and designed for the lips; a lip mask is a great option.

Step 2: Moisturize. A lip balm with vitamin E is the very best, Look for scentless and colorless. This is all prep.

Step 3: Blot the lips gently. After applying lip balm lips can feel super slick. Blotting them preps for the next step.

Step 4: Prime. I use this on all my brides and any photo shoots when I need my lip color to last for a long time. Look for a Lip Primer with anti-aging benefits. This will make your lips look and feel softer and fuller, again choose odorless and colorless.

Step 5: Lip Liner. Choose a color that closely matches your own lip color or the color you are going to use. A neutral lip liner is always a good choice because it matches many different shades of lip color. Look for 100% beeswax and mechanical. So much easier and waterproof!

To begin, you will want to line your lips on the lip line vs. outside of the lip line on your skin. Locate the Cupid’s bow or sweetheart part of your lip. Some people have well-defined others are softer. You want to place the tip of the liner in the top right hand corner of the Cupid’s bow. Gently trace a line down into the V shape of your lip. Then do the same thing on the opposite side. Next go to the lower corner of your upper lip and trace a GENTLE line up to connect with the Cupid’s bow outline. Repeat on the other side. For the Bottom lip start in the center and trace a line going up and repeat on the other side. You now have the perfect outline of lips.

*Makeup Artist Tip: Outlining the lips this way gives you a crisper look versus the Ronald McDonald lip.

*Makeup Artist Tip: To make sure your lipstick stays on even better you can fill in the entire lip with liner.

Step 6: Fill in the lips with your choice of color. I suggest a 100% beeswax lip color for this product as well. Women tend to eat their lipstick throughout the day without even thinking about it. It’s better to know what your lipstick is made of than to guess at what you are ingesting inadvertently.

*Makeup Artist Tip: Nude lips are always best with a bold eye choice.

*Makeup Artist Tip: Bold lips are always better with a more neutral eye. When you have a bold lip AND a bold eye you may inadvertently may be advertising for a nighttime job you do not indeed have. (Just a word of caution.)

Step: 7 Lip gloss. Place the product on the bottom lip kiss lips together to apply to upper lip, fill in where necessary. There is a vast array of lip glosses to choose from these days and it can be hard to know what is best. I suggest trying a few in different shades and types to find what you prefer. I will say the glossier the lip the more kissable it is! Ideally you want to look for lip gloss shades that can go with a multitude of lip shades you already wear.

*Makeup Artist Tip: When applying gloss do not roll the lips together, this can crush the color, so it won’t last as long. Instead disperse it by popping or smacking the lips together and filling in where necessary.

Now this was a very detailed lip look, if you want something a little simpler gloss is the way to go. But now you know how to have the perfect lip day or night!

P.S. I promised the on trend lip look-here it is Hot Pink, with the fabulous retro cat eye. Red is a classic and always looks good but the pink is a fun way to mix it up!

 

I believe…

Tags

Audrey Hepburn, Beauty, Classic, Quotes, Timeless

I Believe…

A girl can never go wrong with Audrey Hepburn! I fell in love with her from the first moment I saw her in Gigi. Timeless, Classic, Beautiful; these things all describe her, and exactly encompasses what I want this blog to be about. All things that are timeless, classic and beautiful.