10/14/2009

Trend - 80’s makeup



It is official- I have reached that dreaded and often talked about stage of life where I cannot get through a day without referencing old movies, music, magazines, TV or better yet starting a conversation off with “I remember when…” I knew it was coming…it was out there like some sort of swamp thing slowly creeping towards me… and now it is here. Some days I wear it proudly like a fine vintage coat, other days I fight to suppress the vast trivial pursuit collection of nonsense that streams through my brain….



Though recycled as some trends may be, they are still dashingly fabulous and I covet them wholeheartedly So of course it is only natural while combing through my recent press releases that I would liken the latest fall beauty looks to those old glam rock images of Tina Chow and Jerry Hall… those dark shimmery eyes complete with almost glossy looking liquid liner and cherubim lips dripping with red gloss…. Cue Roxy Music…



Every fall we see lots of color but this season the division between wearable and un-wearable is all in the flick of the wrist. At Gucci eyes were lovingly swept into winged perfection with washes of pinks, purples and cobalt, but for real life take away the excess off the temples and scale back to smoldering shadow and only elongated liner and you have a sensuous autumn look that’s a perfect update on the smokey eye of the last few years. Kevyn Aucoin - Eye Shadow Palette - #5 is beautiful with a little practice….and blending of course.



Chanel’s new eye gloss in rouge noir worn over smudged eye liner lends an instant sex appeal that goes beyond a safe neutral eye.



Super strong red lips topped with gloss is all the rage but don’t even attempt this without the aide of a good lip pencil… I love Lipstick Queen Shine Gloss in Red along with the matching pencil. This vibe might take some getting used to if, like me you are the kind that likes a natural looking lip. But I am finding what looked so terribly wrong last year actually looks quite luscious now. If you can’t bear the red go the exact opposite end of the spectrum by covering lips with foundation and topping with shiny gloss for the nudest nude.



Lastly keep blush to a minimum and try a bit of neutral contour slightly brushed on the cheeks this will keep the face from looking flat. Try Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow on in Dolline. Brush it right along the cheekbone under your own natural “dent” remember that blending is essential… and your goal is not to go from Snow White to J-Lo … but rather to look ravishing.

10/06/2009

Fall’s Fresh Face


Normally as the autumn approaches I crave that change from light and airy summer garb to darker, richer fall fare. But somehow in my uh- hmmm “advancing” years I seem to gravitate to the same safe go-to shades when it comes to makeup. Yes love, I confess for someone who owns a makeup store and has every shade of the rainbow available to her… it’s bananas! Back in the day it was not uncommon for me to sport blood-red lips, the kind of 80’s crimson made famous in Desperately Seeking Susan. I am positive that the MAC red craze started shortly thereafter , until then if memory serves it was all about the Chanel opal gloss and the darkest tan you could muster…. Imagine purple/white lips and skin the color of a brown shoe…. and let me just say we worked that look to it’s grave…and than thankfully it stayed there!

So now I am desperately seeking a low maintenance look that I don’t have to touch up every two seconds… is that so much to ask? Even though the fall catwalks are always littered with deep dramatic makeup looks, there were a few surprising fresh faces amongst the smoldering ones that work perfectly.


Phi, Stella McCartney and Marc by Marc Jacobs all reminded us that glowing skin and a flush of blush always look modern no matter what season.


So if you are more of an au -natural girl like moi try these tips to get the look.



REN Jojoba Micro Bead Purifying Facial Scrub
Don’t neglect your skin, the better your skin the less makeup you will need.
Proper cleansing and moisturizing is essential, and be sure to use a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week to keep skin smooth.
Deep cleanses with gentle micro beads of jojoba oil to remove dead skin and encourage health cell renewal.


FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation
Mix a few drops of moisturizer with your foundation to keep skin looking hydrated and glowing.
FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation provides the perfect combo of luminous skin with a matte finish.


Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow in Bliss
Easy to apply with just your fingertips or a brush it’s the perfect rosy pink that lends a fresh just- came- in- from -the- snow flush of color.



Becca Eyeshadow in Bouclé
One of my go to beige shades. It gives eyes a finished look without looking makeupy.


Fuchsia Crush Lip Gloss by Becca
This sheer pink has just a hint of color and keeping lips smooth and hydrated.