Let's talk Makeup! Wear what looks the best on YOU! Not what is trendy.
The most important thing about fashion in general - and your personal style is recognizing what looks good on YOU. It doesn't matter what the latest trends are or who will be wearing that bright TEAL jumpsuit - as long as you dress for your body, skin tone and face. Take a good long look and highlight what makes you *shine*. All of the other 'in' trends will fall into place.
Please note: *It is okay to be different especially in fashion.
[Top: Vegas T-Shirt cut by hand from a random airport tourist shop, size: M]
I used to wear lots of eye shadows and liner when I was in high school and college but throughout the years as I identified with my own personal style, I decided less was more. Instead, I focus on what I want to POP in photos or in a long conversation with my best friend over a glass of wine.
*
I never leave the house without my eyebrows filled in, concealer on, blush
and lipstick/liner.*
1. Eyebrows
I love a thick brow. Does it look good on me? Not so much. If I could, I would pull off the 'Blue Lagoon' Brooke Shields eyebrows daily but I can't. My face is apple shaped at my lightest weight and at my normal weight, pretty round. Therefore, I have to shape it. Eyebrows that arched and highlighted in dark brown shades look the best on me. Again, if you can do the full brow, do it.
2. Concealer or Foundation - or both?
I don't use both. Why? Because I have tons of freckles. I don't mind them.
My skin is more on the dry side (*we will get to face washes and skin types
later). I tend to look for moisturizing concealer and apply under the eye to
cover my very dark circles inherited from my father. I sleep, try a variety of creams
and masks but these circles are not going anywhere. I have tried every brand.
Currently, I use MAC concealer Pro Long Wear in NW 25. It lasts my entire work
day with a minor touch up to transition to night. Lately, I have been use the ‘AirFlash’
Dior spray foundation to finish my look. It is expensive but the Sephora air
brush foundation works just as well.
[Kimono: My grandmothers from the 1950's, size 14]
Shown above, I am in blue: Eyes, Urban Decay in Mildew. Bush, Nars Mata Hari. Lips, MAC – Matte, LipStick and Liner, cheap orange from Duane Reade
3. Liner and Blush
Daily, I wear a green, blue or brown liner just under my eye (*I have medium
brown eyes with no yellow or light highlights in them). At night, I tend to do
liquid liner on top for a ‘cat eye’ effect because my personal eye shape. *This
‘cat eye’ is not for everyone. Currently, I use Urban Decay liners (black and
mildew) and Sephora Colorful blue eyeliner. MAC liquid liner in black is also
recommended.
Daily, I wear blush. This is important. It gives me a flushed color and a
glow. Currently, I use Nars Mata Hari. My skin tone is a bit olive but can be
pale. I do not have a pink undertone at all. I do not pay $50 for a special
blush brush nor do I buy expensive brushes for any products. I pick up a simple
one from Sephora or Duane Reade – and take care of them by cleaning often and
not smashing into the bottom of my purse.
*For eyes that are blue or green, black liner at night is
intense and POPs on you. I love highlighting blue eyes with a similar shade of
blue underneath to bring out the color (the same goes for green eyes). Make
sure not to apply too much eye shadow with the same color though. This will
bring you back to the 80’s which has not come back yet.
3. Lips (*MY FAVORITE)
I have thin lips but you would never know. Without paying
for an injection of filler (even though I totally would), I highlight my lips
by using lip liner. Yes, lip liner. If you do not use lip liner you are missing
out. Throw away the gloss ladies because lip liner will make your lips STAY all
day and add that extra bonus of FULL and LUSHIOUS lips. What I do is line just
outside my bottom lip and very carefully draw a line on my top lips (the thinnest
part for me) where I wish they were…and I fill it in. I try to find a similar
shade of lipstick, typically a matte or light creamy shade to fill in the
bottom and top. I, once again, will cover my lips in the liner. Right now, I
wear Spice in MAC during the day. At night, I change to a red or a pink for
fun.
Most often brands and shades that I use:
MAC – Spice, lip liner (daily, a dark pink)
MAC – Fig, Lipstick (daily, a dark pink)
Urban Decay – Anarchy, lip liner (night, a bright pink)
MAC – Matte, LipStick (night, dark red)
If I have to do a gloss, I use: Nars, Turkish Delight (nude
pink)
