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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

How To: Classic Red Lips


Red lips are always going to be a classic, but when applied the wrong way, it could lead to a disaster! Red lipstick or gloss tends to bleed, smudge, and just get all over the place if your not careful. These are some quick tips on how to acheive that perfect red lip!

  1. Exfoliate or moisturize. If you have really dry lips that peel or flake, exfoliate your lips before applying any products. If you dont have peeling or flaking, use a moisturizing lip balm or lip conditioner. Leave it on for a few minutes and then blot to remove any excess which could cause too much slip.
  2. Prime. After moisturizing your lips, use a lip primer all around your lip line. This will keep your lipcolor from bleeding.
  3. Line. You could either use a red lipliner, or a lipliner that mimics your natural lip color. Either way, both methods work great. Start by creating an 'X' on your cupids bow from the peak of your top lip. This will ensure that you wont go outside the lines. Then, start from the middle of your bottom lipline, with short steady strokes, work the liner out to the corners of the mouth and then up around to your top lip.
  4. Fill in lips. With your lipliner, fill the entire lip starting from the middle of your bottom lip outwards. Blend it all in with a lip brush. This will create a base that will grab your lipstick and keep it on longer.
  5. Lipstick. Take a stiff lip liner brush and your red lipstick. Using a lip brush will create nicer and neater lines. Start again from the middle of the bottom lip and work your way out towards the corners of your mouth and then around to the top lip. Really apply your lipstick well and in every nook and cranny because anything not covered will show. Blot any excess off lips with a tissue.
  6. Gloss. You dont have to do this last step, but if you want more of a modern glossy look, apply a red or clear lipgloss on top of the lipstick. Pat gloss on to the middle of your lips. This will create the illusion of a fuller and more plump lip. You could also take a highlighter of your choice and apply it to the cupids bow for added definition.
  7. Correct. If you went a little outside of the lines, thats ok. Just take a small concealer brush with your favorite concealer (cream works best) and erase any stray marks to really perfect your lip.
  8. The Finger Trick. To avoid any of your lipcolor from getting all over your teeth, do the finger trick! Take your index finger, stick it in your mouth, create an 'O' shape with your lips, and pull your finger out. This will wipe off any lipcolor that went too far inside your mouth. Be sure to wash your finger after!
There you go! The classic red lip! Not too difficult right? Perfect practice, makes perfect!

Products I would recommend:
  • Dior Gentle Exfoliant w/ Pure Lily Extract
  • MAC Lip Conditioner w/ SPF 15 plus Lavender
  • MAC Lip Primer
  • MUD Lipliner in Red (used on model)
  • MUD Lipstick in Lady Bug (orange based, used on model)
Credits:
  • Photographer: Marlowe Holt
  • Model: Justine Stevens

E.L.F. Mineral Makeup Promotion

Hey Everyone,

Sorry I've been gone this past month but I was so busy and just exhausted from work and everything!! But anyways, since I couldnt sleep, I was researching different makeup brands and I heard so many good reviews about E.L.F. (Eyes.Lips.Face.) recently as well as in the past and I never tried it for some reason.. so I went to their website and they have a promotion for their mineral makeup line!! Its 50% off with the coupon code 50MIN on purchases of $25 or more! I thought shipping to Hawaii would be really expensive as most are, but I think it was like $6 or something.. not bad! I bought so much stuff! And their products are soooo affordable! I got so many things, I just hope it wasnt the sleep deprivation that got to me =( When I try them out I will definetly post a review.

The promotion ends April 4th, so be sure to check them out before then if you want to take advantage of this awesome promotion =)

Oh! And, when you sign up (its free), you get a welcome offer of 10% off your next purchase, and if you do purchase something, you can refer 3 friends and get a free gift! Not sure what the gift is, or if its the same for everyone but I will let you know!

www.eyeslipsface.com

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Get the Look: Natural Beauty w/ Tasha

Photobucket

The focus here is on the skin! People always assume that the 'natural' look is easy, but in reality, its the hardest look to acheive. The focus is mainly on the skin, you want to perfect those imperfections. You also want to enhance your natural beauty in the best way possible.

Heres how:
  • Step 1: Analyze your face. Locate any skin imperfections as wells as features you want to enhance.
  • Step 2: Moisturize your skin. You dont want your skin dehydrated because it will show through the makeup.
  • Step 3: Conceal. Locate any blemishes that need covering up. If you have redness use a yellow/green tinted concealer thats more of a cream texture. If you have dark circles, use a concealer that is more liquid form and thats orange tinted. Another option would be a concealer that reflects light (use this only if you dont have bags or puffiness)
  • Step 4: Primer. Always use a primer before applying foundation. It will even out the skintone, smooth your skin, and make it easier for your foundation to not streak.
  • Step 5: Foundation. Start from the middle and work your way out using downward strokes. If you have a pretty even skintone, you dont need to apply foundation to the entire face, just use where its needed. You could also opt to use a tinted moisturizer.
  • Step 6: Eyes. Apply any excess foundation to the lid. For colors, you dont have to use color at all, but for Tasha, I chose a dark blue eyeshadow because her eyes are brown since blue enhances brown. For green eyes, use a dark purple. For blue eyes, use a dark brown.
  • Step 7: Powder. Apply a translucent, matifying powder all over the face to set your foundation and help eliminate shine.
  • Step 8: Brows. Use a brow color that matches the color of the roots of your hair and follow your natural brow structure. I would recommend using a powder form for this look because a pencil might come out a bit too harsh.
  • Step 9: Lashes. Curl your lashes and apply mascara. You could apply it to your bottom lashes as well but only if you really need it.
  • Step 10: Prep lips. Use a primer or lip balm on your lips to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and to moisturize.
  • Step 11: Lipstick or Lipgloss. Apply a beige or pinky beige lipstick or lipgloss to your lips.
Thats it! Now your done! I know, kind of a lot of steps but once you get the hang of it, you can acheive this look very quickly and look like you just woke up that way everyday!

Products I Would Recommend:

  • Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different
  • Concealer: Benefit Boing (blemishes) Bobbi Brown 'Salmon' (undereye)
  • Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
  • Lip Primer: MAC Prep + Prime Lip
  • Lipstick: MAC 'Cream Cup'
  • Lipgloss: MAC 'Fashion Scoop'