Jen's bridal party

Jen's bridal party
Most Beautiful Day Ever!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

holiday shine

So while the holiday's are a crazy time for everyone, it seems our skin can be the worst. Between the cold outside, the heat indoors, and all of the yummy treats and stress sometimes breakouts occur. The most important thing to remember is don't pick. Keep your skin really clean and moisturize daily. Also, applying a omega oil to your skin at night can keep it ultra hydrated. Try Philosophy's When Hope is Not Enough 3.6.9 serum. Cheers!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

starting again

to all my blogger buddies, I'm proud to announce I'm writing again. Just been bombarded for advice so I feel so compelled....
Anyway, was told earlier today about a makeup artist who was good, meticulous but took a painfully long time doing someone's makeup (like over 2 hours). Wow, totally unnecessary!! I say "keep it simple." Find a few good products that work for you and stick to them. If you need more drama then add more color but keep it simple in terms of what you're using. Always remember-less is more!
Aaahhh...glad to be back!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Clarisonic

So for all of you exfoliating junkies I want to turn you on to the Clarisonic.  My latest obsession.  It is a skin cleansing brush.  The bristles actually move 300 times per second! Unbelievable!!  It is actually taking exfoliation and cleansing to a whole different level. By moving that fast the brush is actually opening and closing the pores at a very fast rate to pull dirt, makeup and dead skin out of the pores.  It makes your skin 6 TIMES cleaner and therefore your products work 61 percent better!! chaching!!!  Check it out at http:www.clarisonic.com.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Foundation

So, I'm not a big foundation person because I truly believe the natural skin is more beautiful than anything out of a bottle but if you need or want to wear it here is what I suggest.  Make sure you use the right color for your skin.  Seems simple,  right?  You'd be surprised.    Let me tell you how to match it.    Look at your face in the mirror.  Usually the center of your face is the darkest so I generally like to match to that.  Take either the nose or the center part of the cheek and match to that.  Then when you apply your foundation, start your application in the center as well and blend out so the least amount of the product hits the outside of the face. Takes away the "line on the chin" look that is so attractive!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

the importance of eye cream

So I was thinking this morning as I was going through my morning ritual of potions and lotions, how important eye cream really is. I also wish that I had been told that at a very early age.....like 7. When the skin is so beautifully full of collagen and not a wrinkle is to be found anywhere. But alas, when I was growing up nobody even used sunscreen let alone eye cream. So now I am burdened with lovely crows feet or more eloquently put, laugh lines. Not that they bother me so much but as you already know, you can't cover them up with makeup. You can "diminish the appearance" of them and "buff them out" but once you own them, they're yours forever. So here's the thing, eye cream. Now and forever. The skin around the eye is more delicate and needs special attention. Sometimes it is darker and sometimes it is puffy. Sometimes, and most times, it is dehydrated and if you want to wear concealer(as you now know is so important) you definitely need to wear eye cream under it so the pigment won't "grab". Philosophy even came out with one for all eye needs called "eye hope" that is absolutely fab and doesn't require hope-it truly works. How simple is that?! It has two anti aging ingredients to stop more problems arising. Again, what's going on under your makeup is just as important as what's going on on top!

Monday, May 18, 2009

smokey evening eyes

If you want to create a little drama on your eyes for evening, think of using a smudgy eye liner to form a nice smokey look.  Take a dark black or even blue or purple liner and rim your eye.  Blend from the base of the eyelid up.  Using the smudgy point of the liner smudge out the lower lashline.  If you take your pointer and middle finger and pull the outside  corner of the eye apart, you can really extend the color out and up for added effect.  Remember to always prep your eye with either a primer or foundation and powder for lasting effect.  Add some shimmer to the brow bone to catch the light and that's it, gorgeous, sexy eyes!

Monday, May 4, 2009

how to make pretty eyes?

So, you want to learn how to do your eyes?  Lot's of women ask me this question.  I can give you some really easy quick tips.
First, take a look at your eyes in the mirror.  Do they look close together or far apart?  If you have wide spaced eyes, you want to put the DARKER shade of color in the inside corner of the eyelid.  If you have more close space eyes you want to put your LIGHTER  shade of color in the inside corner.
It's a term we use in the business called "highlighting and contouring".  It helps give the illusion that you want to create.
After you apply your darker/lighter shade of color then use the opposite color on the rest of the eye.   You can line your lash line with a dark shadow or eye pencil to pop the eye more and  that's it.  Apply mascara always and Voila!
Keeping it simple will always create a beautiful, clean eye.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

skincare

ok, let's talk a bit about what is going on underneath that makeup that you are learning how to do.  that should really be our jumping off point.  it is definitely the most important element to your makeup application.  if your skin isn't well hydrated and polished, it won't matter how much you do or spend.  i recommend using an exfoliant twice a week to remove dead skin cells (yuck!) and using a retinol product every night.  then making sure you moisturize and apply sunscreen during the day.  Philosophy makes 2 products that i love that have dramatically changed my skin. They make a great daily exfoliating wash so your washing and exfoliating at the same time. How great is that for us busy women?  The crystals are small enough that they won't tear the skin but active enough to buff fine lines. The other product is their "help me" retinol cream for night.  Talk about resurfacing!!  Then moisturize and wait a couple of minutes before applying any makeup.  If you take care of your skin you'll be surprised at how little makeup you actually need.  Remember, beautiful, natural skin is prettier than anything out of a bottle!

Monday, April 13, 2009

My favorite piece of makeup-concealer

often underrated, concealer should be your bff.  I NEVER leave the house without it.   My question is-why don't more women wear it?  The only answer I can surmise is that they are afraid of it.  Crazy but true.  Concealer is so easy to use and it is the one piece of makeup that probably makes the most difference to your appearance.  It gives you the illusion of looking like you've had a solid 10 hours of sleep.  No kidding.  The key is finding a concealer that matches your skin color enough to keep you out of the raccoon eye zone but is still bright enough to give your eye area a lift.  When testing concealer, look for something creamy, and go a shade darker than you think.  Apply it to the back of your hand first to warm it up, then apply to under eye area with a small brush or my favorite tool-a finger. Tada! Beauty.  One more trick, tilt your head down slightly looking in the mirror.  Those pesky dark circles will really show up and you can see exactly where you need to apply the product.  Start from the lowest, darkest point and blend upwards to keep the product from creasing.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Wrinkles

Sooooooooo many women ask me how to cover wrinkles. It is the one question I get asked probably more than any other and the answer to that is, you can't.  Sorry ladies but there is no way to cover them.  That is the cold hard reality.  If you apply too much makeup to try to cover them that doesn't work because the makeup sits deeper in the lines and they appear deeper.  My advice would be wear less foundation.  Lighter coverage, like liquid as apposed to powder. Also, try using foundation which diffuses the light.  They actually make foundation and highlighters that have little sparkles in them to bounce the light off the face.  They're great.  If you're still not convinced, try using a  primer before applying your foundation.  Philosophy makes a great one called "The Present"  which actually has silicone in it so it lays on the skin to create a barrier and smoothes the skin out.  Ultimately, one needs to embrace their  own beauty, wrinkles and all!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Accentuate the Positive

So, let's talk in simple terms here.  We all want to look our best but many of us, if not most of us, don't know how to get there.  We open up our daunting cosmetic drawer or bag and wonder, "what is all of this for?".
Here's the deal.  You don't need all of those products to look your best.  Let me say it again.  You don't need all of those products to look good.   I'm speaking the plain truth here.  Companies make all of those products  to persuade you into believing  that you do.  Here's what you do.....look at yourself objectively in the mirror.  Really notice what is your best feature or features.  We all have at least one.  Let's take eyes for examples.  If eyes are your best feature than purchase fabulous colors or liners to play them up. You can conceal(more on that in the future) under your eyes, apply a little lip gloss and there you go.  Perfection.  You are playing up the positive. The same goes for lips or nose or cheeks.  Putting focus on what works is fundamental in creating a successful makeup and anyone can do it!

Monday, March 30, 2009

My Latest Creation

Hello everyone,
I'm very excited about the launch of my new blog, simple beaute. This will be the place where you can come and learn all about the beauty secrets held by successful makeup artists and beauty experts like me.  I will teach you simple techniques from how to apply shadow to which works best, concealer or corrector.  I hope you will find the information useful and beneficial. Follow me on the road to simple beaute.  Please stay tuned!