Makeover Maven: Natural Look

Today I present my first makeover. I did the makeover on a friend of mine, thank you Trakina! She does not wear much makeup, so I went for a more natural look for her. For this makeover I used all MAC products unless otherwise indicated. Trakina started off with no makeup, per my request. I primed her face with a mist of MAC's Fix+ Spray.

 I then dusted her face with Medium Deep Mineralize Skinfinish Powder using my 187 Duo Fibre Brush. I then used a small amount of Matte Creme` along her nose, under her eyes, and above her browline.

I then used Urban Decay Primer Potion all over her lid.

I sprayed my 242 Shader Brush with the Fix+ Spray and started the eyes by dipping the brush in Tan Pigment and using it on the bottom half of the eyelid. I then used my 224 Tapered Blending Brush and swirled it in Mulch eyeshadow and used it in the crease up to the brow. I used a generic fluff eyeshadow brush and dusted it in Expensive pink on the outer half of the lower lid. I used the lightest color in my LORAC Little Black Palette (upper left corner) with a 228 Mini Shader Brush as a highlight (right below the eye brow). I filled in her eyebrows with a 263 Angle Brush and Brun eyeshadow, and brushed them with an eyebrow brush. I used Sephora liquid eyeliner in Black. I finished her look with her own CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara in the yellow tube.

On Trakina's cheeks I used Stark Naked beauty powder brush (discontinued limited edition) with a fluffy blush brush.

Her lips were done in Lychee Luxe Lipglass with Now In Season LipGelee in the pout.

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Smeared

I'm not sure why this is the case, but after wearing makeup for more than a decade, I still forget that I have it on sometimes. Much of the year, my eyes bother me from allergies. They itch or water. Sometimes without thinking, I just haphazardly rub my eyes and go on about my business. Then I look in the mirror in shock when I realize that my mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow is smeared everywhere. Note to self: "You wear makeup. Remember this. Don't rub your eyes. It makes you look like an arse."

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Dealing with the Big Chop

I am slowly getting used to the short kinky curly/coily 'fro. It is growing on me, and I am learning what products and routine work best for my hair. I have a different texture that I originally thought I had. But after relaxing my hair most of my life, what did I expect. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from it, and as I said before, I am happy about the change. I cannot wait until it starts growing out so I can start to style it different ways. I figure by next summer I will have a good amout to work with. It's a very easy style to work with right now. I can just wash/condition and go. I have been co-washing since I got it cut last Tuesday. Co-washing is a method of only washing the hair with a conditioner. Shampoo tends to strip the hair of natural oils and with the texture of hair I have, I cannot afford to lose any moisture. So I wash my hair with conditioner in the shower, apply a leave in conditioner, and coconut oil. It seems to work good leaving my hair soft and somewhat shiny and healthy. I initially decided to go natural becuase for about 6 years I have been dealing with Psoriasis, which is a skin condition that results in inflamed patches on the epidermis. I am lucky to only have it in my scalp, because some have it all over their skin. I knew the chemicals I was processing my hair with only made the condition worse. I got my last relaxer in February of this year and I have noticed an improvement. It isn't completely gone, but it has improved tremendously. I have especially noticed an improvement in the condition since I cut it and have been washing it more often. So I will keep you guys updated (all three of you, lol) on my natural journey.

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Painting on a Matte Canvas

I discovered a new product this week that I just had to share with you all. I was perusing the MAC counter to see what I could add to my arsenal. I bought my favorite item that I must keep on hand at all times, M.A.C. Clear Lipglass. This makes your lips look shiny and wet, and it does not come off or evaporate easily. I love this stuff and have sworn by it for years. I have tried other clear glosses, but nothing comes close when it comes to shine or longevity. It looks great alone, with colored lip gloss or lipstick.

I also bought a tube of M.A.C.'s Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Full Speed and M.A.C.'s Lipglass in Lychee Luxe. I love pinky corals, and cannot help myself. They even look great together.

But let's get to the actual topic of discussion. I have combination skin with much of my oil along my T-Zone (the area of your face that includes the nose, bridge of nose, forehead and chin). It is a struggle to make it through the day without having to blot this area from all the shine that I have accumulated. The main purpose of my trip was to get M.A.C.'s Matte Cream. It feels like a primer, but as soon as I applied to to my nose, instantly I saw the shine disappear and replaced with a soft finish. This can be used under your makeup after your moisturizer. I can be used as a no-shine primer and gives you a great even canvas to paint on. You can also use it on top of your makeup. I wore it all day yesterday and did not have to wipe the oil off of my face. It's $19 for 25ML container (about the size of a large lip gloss tube) but it it worth it and a little goes a long way.

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The BIG CHOP (can't beleive it's gone)

I did something very drastic yesterday. Something very out of character for me, or so it seems. Guess my character is different than I thought. In March I decided to start growing my relaxed hair for more natural hair. It's been difficult. I've been wearing braids all summer and my hair has grown out a lot. I finally took the braids out and have been wearing it in the braid set, just loose and free, but I've been so tired of what it looks like after I wash it. The roots and soft and kinky, and the ends are long, stringy, and straight. So yesterday I went to my stylist and had her cut it all off. Yep, that's right. I did the big chop. I feel good about it. I feel free. I can go workout, I can walk in the rain, go swimming, drive my convertible with the top down. When I saw myself yesterday, I looked so different. I've had really short hair before, but it's always been relaxed. So this will be an adjustment. My husband thinks it's kind of sexy. I'm going to color it next week. Now, I'm on my way to growing out natural healthy hair. I will keep you updated.

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Eyebrow Mistakes that we make

There are many eyebrows faux pas that come to mind when I look at different women around me. Eyebrows, if done correctly frame the face and compliment. If done incorrectly, that's all you see. These are just a few of faux pas that can been seen on a regular day.

1. Over arched drawn on brows.

Eyebrows should not be part of your hairline. These are too thin, and way too high. No one should look surprised all the time.

2. Someone women do not believe in eye brow arching, but arching your brows cleans up the face and makes you look neater.

3. Unibrows- If you own a unibrow, its okay to pluck that middle area. Nothing like seeing a single brow at work.

4.Some eyebrows are better than no eyebrows. If you mess up, fill them in with a dark shadow and an eyebrow brush until they grow out.

SO, don't overgroom or undergroom your eyebrows. They are very important. Keep them neat and symmetrical. Make sure they color isn't too harsh. When plucking or tweezing, make sure they follow the natural arch of the brow by lining up the inside with the nostril flare, and the outside from the nostril flare to right past your eye.

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Mommy Makeover

I was thinking of something fun to do with my daughter that did not require us to get out in 112 degree weather today. I told her later she could give me a makeover.
daughter:"Yea!!!! Can you put real makeup on you?"

me:"Yes baby, you can put real makeup on me."

daughter: "OOH, I'm gonna make you beautiful and greasy like Beyonce."

me:"Greasy? (lol)"

daughter: "Yea, she's always really greasy. I'm gonna rub baby oil all on your face and legs."

me:" No, that's okay. I think we're out of baby oil."

This should be very interesting. I've never had a makeover by children before. I can just imagine, lots of eyeshadow; crazy, colorful eyeshadow. It won't be symmetrical at all. I'm not even sure if she will use the same colors on both eyes. Blush will be every where. Will it reach the apples, maybe. Who knows. Lipstick may be a challenge that I cannot relinquish control. We may have to try clear lip gloss. She won't be using any mascara on me, I need my vision when it's all done. I will be posting pics this evening or tomorrow. Wish me luck.

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Eyeliner Can Be Your Friend or Be Your Foe

Eyeliner can make or break your entire makeup look. I'll be honest, when I first started doing my makeup I was horrible at eyeliner. I didn't have a very steady hand and I could never get close enough to my lashline to make it look natural. The way I overcame this, was by starting with an angled brush like M.A.C.'s 263 Angle Brush ( I own three) and using eyeshadow. This worked out better for me. I could use different color eye shadows as my eyeliner and it didn't take an incredibly steady hand for this. After a while, I started using the eye kohl pencils, and now I use both methods. I now also use M.A.C.'s 210 Precise Eye liner Brush dipped in M.A.C.'s Paint Pot in Blackground, or Sephora's Long Lasting Eye Liner. I love the Sephora brand, because it comes ready to use with its own resealable flocked tip applicator that does not bend easily. What you want to avoid when applying eyeliner, is a thick line. This ages you and does not look natural. It also doesn't give you room to correct if you mess up.Apply to the top and lower eyelid. Be careful when applying to the inside corners, you want this area to be the thinnest line. When applying, it may be helpful to pull the corner of the eye taught to make it easier to apply without gaps in unevenness. Don't start in the middle of your eyelid, start from the corner. To set your eyeliner when using a pencil, go over it in the same color eyeshadow. I like using liquid on the top lash and eye pencil/eyeshadow combo on the lower lash line. I also use a smudger brush sometimes for a little bit of a smokey look like this.

Makeup Don't

Makeup Do

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Teenage Girls Love Makeup

Teenage girls love makeup. We know this. School is starting soon, and if she hasn't already asked if she can wear makeup, she probably will soon. The issue I had as a teen, was that I wasn't allowed to wear makeup, so when I got to school I applied it. I had different odds and ends of makeup that me and my friends would share and we used it incorrectly. We applied it, but it wasn't flattering for us. If she wants to wear makeup, she's going to wear it with or without your permission. The thing is, do you want her looking older than she should by applying to much or using the wrong colors?  Or would you rather allow her to wear makeup, and make sure she has the right colors and techniques? Teenage girls are already beautiful and they have youth on their side. We don't want to over power their face with more foundation than they need or harsh colors.

Here are a few tips that will help your teenage girl look like a teenage girl.

1. Get your daughters eyebrows arched. You would be surprised by how much this cleans up the face. Make sure you stick with the natural arch of the brow and maintain their thickness.

2. A light dusting of mineral powder is all that is needed. Use a duo fiber brush to lightly apply. This will take the sheen off the face and give balance.

3. Use a light natural color blush. You want her cheeks to have a healthy glow. Apply on the apples and follow the natural bone structure of the cheeks.

4. If you want her to wear eyeshadow, keep it neutral. Light brown's, and beige's. Sheer colors, nothing too dark. Your eyes tell your true age, and if they are masked by heavy eye makeup, she could appear older than she is ready for.

5. Apply a coat of mascara to the upper and lower lash. This will add some depth to the eyes, without having to add an eyeliner.

6. Add a sheer gloss to finish the look.

Starting with the right makeup foundation will be helpful for her to maintain throughout her life. When you start wrong, you more than likely make the same beauty mistakes for the rest of your life. We want to compliment her youthful face, not cover it.

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