Earth Tones: Dolce & Gabbana Stromboli Eyeshadow Quad

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Nothing reflects Fall like smoldering earth tones. My new favorite eyeshadow quad, Dolce & Gabbana Smooth Eye Color Quad in #130 Stromboli.

The eyeshadow quad consists of a light gold, a burnt sienna, a warm chocolate and a metallic charcoal. There are so many color combinations possible and each one compliments the other.

The texture of the finely-milled eyeshadows are creamy and buttery. Extremely pigmented and blend-able, so I recommend using a light hand when applying. These eyeshadows wear about six-eight hours before fading.

To get a smoldering earth tone eye look:

Apply the dark metallic charcoal close to the lash line and beneath the eye line. Then, blend the burnt sienna and warm chocolate hues in the crease for definition. Lastly, add the light gold to inner corner for a highlight.

Peplum Punch: Tory Burch

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Tory Burch’s Madeline Peplum Sweater is a great transitional piece as we await the cold weather. The mid-weight angora and wool blend provides comfortable wear with a flattering fit. Available in Wildberry (pictured), Camel and Black, the peplum style offers a subtle twist on a classic pullover.

The fluttering peplum hem is this season’s most feminine silhouette. Toughen the look with a leather pant or bold print. Or keep it classic with a sophisticated pencil skirt or designer denim.

Sweaters are a comfortable and cozy must-have for colder months, but can get very monotonous and well… boring. Make the season’s staple more interesting with a spicy shade or fresh structure. It will brighten up even the gloomiest of days.

Summer Favorites: Blush

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In the summer, bright and vibrant shades of cheek color is a surefire way to look younger and healthy. Use these products to emphasize a tan, create a youthful flush or mimic a lit-from-within complexion.

Start by choosing the right shade for your skintone. To find your go-to blush shade, pinch your cheeks and then pick a color that mimics your natural flush. This trick will ensure that you’re choosing the most flattering color for your skin tone. If you have fair skin, try a cool pink. Medium skin looks great in vibrant apricot/peachy hues, and darker skin tones look radiant in fuchsia.

Cream blush is a great way to instantly look fresh and dewy. Although it’s staying powder is not the best, especially in higher temperatures, cream blush is a nice alternative for dry skin. To ensure staying power on oily skin, first prime the skin and then set with a powder blush or translucent powder. To apply cream blush, smile and lightly focus the blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Then blend softly back and up toward the hairline. If you apply too liberally, tone down heavy application by blotting the excess color with a clean makeup sponge. Or, use a sheer, luminizing powder to diffuse excess color. The blush then looks like it came from within the skin versus sitting on top of it.

FAVORITES:

Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush: I am a sucker for these gimmicky products. However, this one is fantastic. The formula magically adjusts to your skin’s natural chemistry to create a universal shade. It produces an angelic pink glow that makes you look “lit-from-within.”

It Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Flush Powder Blush Stain in Peony: The most long-wearing powder blush I have tried. The waterproof formula mimics the lasting power and glow of a cheek stain with the easy application of a powder. Packed with anti-oxidants and anti aging properties, this blush gives new definition to a “healthy glow.”

Youngblood Crushed Mineral Blush in Rouge: These blushes are incredibly pigmented and easy to work with. They blend beautifully and last all-day. They feel lightweight on the skin and never settle into lines. A small amount goes a very long way, apply with a light hand for a sheer wash of color or add more for vibrant glowing skin.

Kevyn Aucoin The Pure Powder Glow in Myracle: Full Review HERE.

NARS Cream Blush in Cactus Flower: On trend for summer, this bright coral blush is beautiful on both the lips and cheeks. The velvety texture is extremely easy to blend and apply. Subtle gold shimmers hide in the coral to help create perfectly flushed, luminous skin.

BECCA Beach Tint in Guava: This is the perfect color for summertime. It resembles the act of playing in the sun a little too long. The water-resistant formula can be used on both the cheeks and lips. Produces the most natural-looking flush and smells like summer.

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint in Quickie: A lightweight cream blush that does not pull or disrupt a base. It can be used on top of foundation, powder… anything. The formula is sheer but buildable. The staying power is not the best, but I am obsessed with this color. Quickie is a sheer bubble gum, electric, cotton candy pink. The minute it is applied, it creates instant youthfulness.

How To: Quick Smokey Eye

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The key to any smokey eye look is proper blending. The goal is to achieve a gradient effect, dark to light. Standard black is not your only option, experiment with color. Here’s how:

NEEDED:

⋄ Cream Eyeshadow that matches skintone or Eyeshadow Primer

⋄ Powder Eyeshadow that matches skintone

⋄ Kohl Eye Pencil

⋄ Powder Eye Shadow that matches Kohl Eye Pencil

⋄ Pencil Brush

⋄ Q-Tip

⋄ Mascara

HOW-TO:

1. Apply cream eyeshadow or primer over eyelid to create a smooth base. Apply matching powder eyeshadow to set.

2. Use kohl eye pencil to trace top lashline from the inner to outer corners (this does not need to be perfect).

3. With pencil brush – start smudging. The goal is to have the darkest line close the lashline as color fades up.

4. Dip pencil brush in matching eyeshadow and blend the color up and outward from the pencil liner. (the higher you take this on the eyelid the more dramatic the look).

5. On the lower lashline, use kohl eye pencil to create tiny dots between lashes.

6. With pencil brush – start smudging. Dip pencil brush in matching eyeshadow and smudge to set.

7. Use Q-Tip to clean-up. Finish with two heavy coats of black mascara.

Optional: For more drama, line upper and lower waterline.

Tip: I like to finish this look by sweeping a light soft brown eyeshadow in the crease. This will warm-up the entire eye area.

Magic Wand: BY TERRY Touche Veloutée

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Highlighting click pens are gaining more and more popularity. A hybrid of a concealer and illuminator, these products promise to create eight hours of sleep and bring instant radiance to the skin. The #1 seller in this particular category has always been YSL Touche Eclat.

Terry De Gunzberg, former Director of Makeup Creation at YSL, has her own cosmetics line, BY TERRY. In her years at YSL, she was the mastermind behind YSL’s international best seller Touche Eclat. However, De Gunzburg’s very own take on her wonder product, Touche Veloutée, is even better than the original.

Using soft focus pigments, Touche Veloutée is a nourishing botanical affair that both plumps and lifts the under eye. It’s light reflecting particles create true radiance and an instant pick-me-up. Suitable for use on all areas of the face, the texture is luxuriously creamy, smooth when dried, and completely seamless to blend.

*** Do not buy these products for concealer purposes. The coverage is extremely sheer – if there at all. Use primarily as a highlighter.

Terry De Gunzberg

 “By focusing on the rarest pigments and the purest active ingredients, I have uncovered the quintessence of perfect light. This has allowed me to create modern, precious makeup that harmonizes with the daily rhythms of your natural radiance. Favorite Tip: When you’ve finished doing your eye makeup, use the Touche Veloutée as a highlighter. This works especially well with the smoky eye look. Put a tiny dot under your brows and blend – it will help accentuate the brow bone.”

Queen of Cleansing: Eve Lom Cleanser

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Eve Lom Cleanser

Regarded as the Queen of Cleansing, Eve Lom is one of the most acclaimed and sought-after facialists in the world. Her skincare philosophy is that when it comes to achieving great skin, less is more.

The basis of Eve Lom skincare regime is cleansing. The Eve Lom cleanser is concocted of a powerful blend of Egyptian chamomle, hops, clove, coccoa butter and eucalyptus oil that is suitable for all skin types. This product tones, exfoliates and cleanses all-in-one to achieve perfectly balanced skin.

The cleanser comes with a woven muslin cloth, used to improve skin circulation while cleansing and exfoliates the skin in minutes. It makes your skin feel baby soft and removes absolutely everything.

The Eve Lom Cleanser has been described by Vogue as the “best cleanser in the world” and is also a cult-product used by women all over the world.

EVE LOM CLEANSING TIPS:

Once a day, at night, for normal/dry skin types Twice a day, morning and night, for oily/very oily skin types Massage a small amount onto the face and neck over grime and make-up from the day. At this stage the cleanser will remove all forms of make-up from the skin. Fill a basin with hot water and immerse the muslin cloth. Squeeze off excess water and gently press the cloth onto the face and neck for a few seconds. The heat will soften the skin and open the pores, allowing the aromatic oils to cleanse the skin of impurities. For the optimum cleanse, repeat this stage three times. Fold the hot, rinsed cloth into a square and work it in small, circular movements across the face and neck to remove all traces of Cleanser. The muslin will gently exfoliate the skin surface and encourage blood circulation, leaving the skin feeling exceptionally smooth. When using the Cleanser at night, add this step. Rinse the cloth in cool water and press onto the face and neck. This helps close the pores, giving the skin a more even, toned appearance. It also leaves the skin feeling fresh and ultra clean.

The Halo Effect: Dior Poudre Shimmer Amber Diamond

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Dior Amber Diamond

Powder highlighting products can often look artificial. Dior Poudre Shimmer in Amber Diamond highlights the complexion with subtle sheen. Formulated with  “Jeweled Microdust,” a finely micro-milled powder, the tiny particles kiss the light and leave skin radiant and glowing.

In typical Dior fashion, packaging arrives beautifully in a velvet pouch with a sturdy royal blue mirrored compact. The product consists of five blendable colors in varying sizes; ivory, pale pink, bronze, frosty rose and peach. Each individual shade can be worn alone as a highlight, on-top of blush or as an eye shadow or swirled together to create a warm and glowing champagne/gold sheen. The oil-free powder applies like silk and emits a soft illuminating glow.

Dior Poudre Shimmer is perfect for both young and mature skin. The finely-milled powder has no trace of glitter or sparkle, therefore will not emphasize fine lines or problem areas. It is designed to blend accurately with the skin’s natural tone for an even smooth finish. The universal shade works on every skin tone, making it an effective product all-year-round.

How To: Perfect Red Lips

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How To: Apply red lipstick (or any color) that is long-lasting and won’t feather.

Needed:

✒Concealer

✒Powder

✒Lip Liner (MAC Red)

✒Favorite Red Lipstick (Tom Ford Cherry Lush)

✒Lip Brush

Application:

✒Apply a light coat of concealer to the perimeter of the lips and on-top of lips. This step will help the lipstick stay and obtain truest color.

✒Set concealer with powder to prevent lipstick from bleeding. Keep powder on the outer edges of the lips to prevent lips from looking dry.

✒Starting in the middle, use lip liner to fill in the lips. Layering is key when applying bright colors. The more layers applied, the longer to come-off.

✒Blend the liner using a flat lip brush.

✒Load the lip brush with color from the bullet of the lipstick. By getting more product on the brush initially, application is easier.

✒Use the lip brush to apply the first layer of lipstick.

✒Between layers, blot lips with a tissue to take away excess moisture.

✒Use the lip brush to apply the second layer of lipstick.

Optional: If you want some shine – add a clear gloss to only the center of both lips. This will make lips appear larger. I like using a clear gloss for high-shine, this way it will not alter the color.

Trade Secret: Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

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Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

Reverse lip liners are a trade secret makeup artist have been using for years. These lip liners prevent lipstick/lipgloss from feathering outside the lip line, without adding extra color.

The Cargo Reverse Lip Liner is a natural colored liner that provides definition, creating the appearance plumper lips. When this product is applied to the outside of the lip line and blended, the natural tone highlights and contours the lip’s shape, instantly creating fuller lips. This liner is unique in color, most products on the market are clear and are used primarily to keep the lip product in place.

Due to consistency and color, this multi-functional liner can also be used to: rim the lower lash line creating a wide-awake look, use as a concealer on blemishes or hyper pigmentation or use to define the shape of neglected brows by drawing over vexatious hairs.

Find a use for the Cargo Reverse Lip Liner that suits you and experiment. Just make sure to blend thoroughly to avoid the look of a milk-mustache.

How To: Contour w/ Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit

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Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit

Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit is a palette of two complementary powders, dark and light, that help contour, sculpt and correct the face structure.

Contouring provides definition to the face by accentuating and/or minimizing features. By simply adding shadows, which create dimension, one can sculpt cheekbones, thin/lengthen/shorten the nose and/or make face look thinner.

Needed:

• Angled Brush
• A dark matte powder or cream (2 shades darker than skintone)
• A light matte powder or cream (1-2 shades lighter than skintone)

1. In order to find the contours of the face – make a fishy-face.

2. See diagram and apply where dark shade is placed. The diagram is for placement purposes only. Do not just draw a streak of color down the cheek. Blend…Blend…Blend…

3. See diagram and apply where highlighter is placed. Blend…Blend…Blend…

Contouring all of these areas is not necessary on everyone. Each face structure is different. Find the problem areas you would like to correct and go from there.

Dynamic Duo: Per-fekt Cheek Perfection Gel Duo

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Per-fekt Cheek Perfection Gel Duo

The Per-fekt Cheek Perfection Gel Duo uses two products to create radiant skin. The two different shades, Blushed and Bronzed, instantly enhance the cheeks appearance.

The formula consists of a gel-like texture that smooths beautifully over the skin to create a flawless canvas. Silicone-based, this silky gel reduces the appearance of redness and discoloration, enlarged pores, fine lines and shine. The formula also contains Niacin (Vitamin B3) which helps increase circulation, Caffeine, Vitamin A and E, antioxidants that protect from free radicals.

The Per-fekt Cheek Perfection Gel Duo provides both a bronzer and blush product. The colors of these products are quite intimidating. The bronzer is a dark green-based brown and the blusher, a deep rosy red. I prefer to mix the two products to create a warmer pink-flushed cheek. A drop of product is all that is needed for application, the gels are extremely pigmented but blend easily.

These products are not the simplest to apply, some precision and control is needed. I prefer applying the product with a brush because it renders more control. I use a dense contour brush (MAC 109), and stipple the product on the skin in circular motions.

The Cheek Perfection Duo can also be used on the body, try a little bronzer on the décollage for a sun-kissed appearance. When applied Per-fektly, these products are a great option for the cheeks, however, if not heedful it can end up a duo-disaster.

 

 

 

 

Small but Mighty: Beauty Blender

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Beauty Blender

The one item needed in every women’s makeup arsenal!
The Beauty Blender is a small elliptical-shaped sponge that creates an exquisite finish to the skin. The unique shape gets into every contour and crevice of the face that allows you to flawlessly apply your makeup. When damp, the Beauty Blender doubles in size. Use with a gentle patting motion all over the face and down the neck. Perfect with all assortments of foundations and concealers.