Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Here’s the last of the tips and tricks from my technique binder.

When applying color to the brows, try focusing the application in the arch rather than the inner portion near the nose for a more natural looking brow. A well-balanced eyebrow tends to be more dense in the arch.

Don’t underestimate the effect of brushing the brows. First brush against the hair growth to separate, then up and back towards the ear to shape.

For the look of bleached eyebrows, use Brow Set in a shade one or two shades lighter than your own brows. First brush the want against the hair growth to cover the brow then dip the want back into the tube and brush with the growth of hair.

If using both a brow pencil and brow set, try using a darker pencil and lighter brow set for more dimension.

Fluid Line in an appropriate shade, like Dipdown with the 208 brush, is great to cover any scars or open areas in the eyebrow.

A light powder eye shadow color like Shroom, Rice Paper or Arena placed under the arch of the brow highlights and defines the brows.

After applying a powder or pencil color o the brow, brush through with the 206 brush to soften. Set with an application of clear or tinted Brow Set.

Clean up any stray brush or pencil strokes with a little concealer and a 194 brush. This helps to sharpen edges needed.

In a pinch, Tinted Brow Set can be used to touch up the roots of the scalp as well.

Guys can use tinted brow set in the side burns to make them look thicker.

Mix clear brow set with any desired shade of MAC Pigment for a streak of color in the hair.

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

This weekend I headed over the MAC counter to try the new Mineralize Satinfinish foundation and the artist who worked on me showed me how to use the Mineralize products to get a glowy, J. Lo look. I like having the added dimension of some shimmer in comparison to a flat, matte, look, but I have pretty oily skin so I’m really picky about what shimmer products I use – otherwise, I end up looking like a greasy disco ball if there’s too much glitter. If you like the foundation and the powder consider taking these extra steps because the finished look is really pretty. It gives just enough glow without being too over the top.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on what she did and the products she used:

Fix+ over my entire face.

2. She then used the 190 Foundation Brush to apply Strobe Cream over my entire face. You don’t have to use the brush to apply this cream – if you don’t have one just use your fingers.

3. She then mixed Fast Response Eye Cream with Select Moisturecover concealer, and then applied the mixture with the 252 Large Shader Brush. (Although I liked the texture of concealer mixed with eye cream, I didn’t think it gave me enough under eye coverage, so if I were to repeat this look again I’d leave out dilution of the concealer.)

4. She then pumped some Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation onto a Petri dish. (MAC artists sometimes use Petri dishes because the glass doesn’t transfer bacteria. You can pump the foundation onto the back of your hand, just make sure you either wash them really well or use Purell before putting products like foundation – or any other product – on the back of your hands to avoid transferring bacteria onto your face.) She then used the 190 Foundation Brush to apply Mineralize Satinfinish with a stippling motion onto my face. To stipple, you take the brush (hold it towards the end, like a chopstick) and bounce it gently on your skin and give it the slightest pull. Whatever you do, don’t paint your foundation on in long stripes.

5. She then grabbed three shades of Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder: Medium, Light and Dark. She applied Medium over my entire face with the 182 Buffer Brush. She then applied Light with the 168 Large Contour Brush to highlight underneath my eyes, across the forehead, down the nose, on the chin and then across the tops of my cheeks. With the same brush, she then contoured my cheeks by applying the Dark shade underneath the apples of my cheeks and up into the hairline.

Voila! You’ve got the glowy look! Watch out, J. Lo…

Source: talkingmakeup.com

Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge 1 Antioxidant Enhanced Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser gently and effectively exfoliates cellular build-up and residue caused by pollution, makeup and excess surface oils.  Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge 1 Facial Cleanser is a soap-free, oil-free, pH-balanced cleanser. 

This facial cleanser by Dermadoctor contains 12% glycolic acid, free-radical-fighting antioxidants including white tea extract, pomegranate extract, ubiquinone (CoQ10), sodium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C) and tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E).  Perfect if you are looking to get a radiant skin.  It is also ideal for anyone looking to cleanse blemish-prone skin or simply refresh their complexion.  Other important facts: ideal for most skin types.  Noncomedogenic.  Non-drying, fragrance-free, Dye-free.  Allergy tested. Not tested on animals.  Cost: $24.  Dermadoctor Skincare was created by a leading dermatologist, Audrey Kunin, M.D.

Source: talkingmakeup.com

Talking Makeup loves Keri Lotion!  Did you know that even expensive body lotions use similar ingredients like in Keri Lotion but charge you double the price?  If you start reading the ingredients on the back of your favorite body lotion you will also discover this secret.  The Keri Lotion comes in six formulas that do wonders in healing, nourishing, protecting, softening, and renewing dry, damaged skin.  So you can too have a silky smooth healthy glowing skin, and as Keri Lotion describes it:   “feel like a timeless beauty”.  Here are some of Talking Makeup’s favorites in the the Keri family of lotions:  Keri Sensitive Skin Moisture Therapy is perfect if you can’t stand perfumed lotions and if you have sensitive skin. 

This fabulous body lotion by Keri Lotion is 100% fragrance free body lotion that has been clinically proven to penetrate and gently provide a long lasting moisture to dry skin.  Keri Sensitive Skin Moisture Therapy is also hypoallergenic and perfect for even the most sensitive skin types.  Main ingredients: Aloe Vera and vitamin E. 

Keri Age Defy and Protect Moisture Therapy is a body lotion with an alpha hydroxy complex to reveal younger looking skin and SPF 15 sunscreen to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.  What it does:  Keri Age Defy and Protect Moisture Therapy rejuvenates your skin by lifting away dull, dry skin.  All you get is a skin feeling soft, smooth and nourished. 

New Keri Overnight deep Conditioning Moisture Therapy is a fast absorbing, lightly scented body lotion for an overnight treatment.  Main ingredients: shea butter, natural apple, licorice extracts, vitamins A, C, E.   What it does: New Keri Overnight  Deep Conditioning Moisture Therapy penetrates deeply to restore your skin’s appearance without leaving a greasy after feel.  It nourishes your skin for a healthy glow next morning.  More great products from the Keri Lotion line: Keri Original Moisture Therapy, Keri Advanced Moisture Therapy, Keri Nourishing Shea Butter Moisture therapy, Keri Shave Minimizing Moisture Therapy.          

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

More handy dandy tips from the Barbie Loves MAC Seminar!

Tips and Tricks – Lashes

When curling the lashes, squeeze twice: once closer to the lid and the next a little further toward the tip to give a longer lasting, more natural looking curl.

To thicken the lashes, apply two coats of Prep + Prime Lash. Let dry between coats for maximum effect.

For maximum deposit of mascara, “wiggle” the brush from root to tip during the application or apply from side-to-side rather than up and out.

To open and “lift” the eye, apply mascara to the top lashes only.

For a light coating of mascara, transfer some mascara to a 204 brush and apply.

To help make the eye appear rounder, focus mascara application on the center lashes both top and bottom.

To elongate the eye, focus mascara application on the outer corners of the eye. Be sure to get the little lashes that tend to hide in the outer corner.

To separate the lashes and assist in achieving a soft, “feathery,” appearance, brush through the lashes with the 206 brush while still wet with mascara.

For the appearance of thicker, richer lashes try a technique called “backing the lashes.” Line the eye from under the top lashes with a 259 brush or 266 brush dipped into Fluid Line.

Experiment with layering formulas to achieve a desired effect. Try Fiber Rich lash over Zoom Lash for thick, rich lass without the “Spider” effect.

For quick eye lining, run the tips of a 266 brush along the mascara wand and apply when needed.

Try color on lashes. Navy blue mascara is great for brightening the eye without looking like major color. Violet mascara adds interest and enhances the appearance of green eyes.

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

More handy dandy tips from the Barbie Loves MAC Seminar!

Tips and Tricks – Lashes

When curling the lashes, squeeze twice: once closer to the lid and the next a little further toward the tip to give a longer lasting, more natural looking curl.

To thicken the lashes, apply two coats of Prep + Prime Lash. Let dry between coats for maximum effect.

For maximum deposit of mascara, “wiggle” the brush from root to tip during the application or apply from side-to-side rather than up and out.

To open and “lift” the eye, apply mascara to the top lashes only.

For a light coating of mascara, transfer some mascara to a 204 brush and apply.

To help make the eye appear rounder, focus mascara application on the center lashes both top and bottom.

To elongate the eye, focus mascara application on the outer corners of the eye. Be sure to get the little lashes that tend to hide in the outer corner.

To separate the lashes and assist in achieving a soft, “feathery,” appearance, brush through the lashes with the 206 brush while still wet with mascara.

For the appearance of thicker, richer lashes try a technique called “backing the lashes.” Line the eye from under the top lashes with a 259 brush or 266 brush dipped into Fluid Line.

Experiment with layering formulas to achieve a desired effect. Try Fiber Rich lash over Zoom Lash for thick, rich lass without the “Spider” effect.

For quick eye lining, run the tips of a 266 brush along the mascara wand and apply when needed.

Try color on lashes. Navy blue mascara is great for brightening the eye without looking like major color. Violet mascara adds interest and enhances the appearance of green eyes.

Source: talkingmakeup.com

Check out the new Revlon Limited Edition Collection.  It is refreshing to see drugstore makeup so glamorous.  It makes us wonder if we really need to spend an arm and a leg to get good makeup.  Here are some products in the new Revlon Limited Edition collection. 

Revlon Sugar Sugar is a Sugary, iridescent pearl powder topcoat decorates lips with a crystal-cut faceted effect.  Innovative applicator dabs on the perfect amount of lip topping. Available in 5 candy-like colors: Snowflake, Lemon Drop, Pixie Plum, Sprinkled Pink, Peri Twinkle. 

 
Revlon Golden Affair which is a blush in a seductive color and gold accents giving your cheeks a very dramatic look.  Revlon Golden Affair is an ultra-smooth powder blush formula infused with a beautiful pattern of gold that is blended throughout the product. Available in a range of 4 deep sultry tones: Naughty and Spice, Berry Daring, Rose Rapture, Merlot at Midnight. 

Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Powder is a feather-light, loose powder formula for face and body that gives a subtle illumination while letting your skin shine through.  Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Powder comes with a feminine puff applicator and a dainty satin bow.  You can dust Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Powder over your face for a soft illumination or you can use it to subtly highlight the décolleté.  Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Powder is available in 4 shades: Buff Love, Peachy Tease, Pink A Boo, Goldilooks. 

Revlon Pinch Me is a sheer wash of color for your cheeks that gives you a naturally flushed look.  Pinch Me by Revlon is a lightweight easy to blend translucent gel formula.  Available in 4 shades: Cheeky Cherry, Peach Afterglow, Playful Pink, Plum Flushed. 

Revlon Gold Dust is a diamond-like pearl powder and sheer color that will make your lids sparkle.  Revlon Gold Dust come in soft diamond-inspired shades.  Wear it alone or mixed with one another. Available in 8 shades: Champagne Buzz, Peach My Interest, Lavender Unleashed, Platinum Plaything, Grab Me Gold, Bedroom Bronze.  Enjoy! 

Source: talkingmakeup.com

New from Origins is Origins Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst which is a weightless serum to combat skin dullness, roughness, sallowness, brown spots, fine lines and signs of sun damage.  Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst by Origins main ingredients are rice refinishing complex and radiance restoring rice optics. 

This face serum by Origins also helps to speed your skin renewal by dissolving buildup of lazy, lackluster cells.  Origins Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst is gentle and won’t cause redness, flaking or unpleasant sensation.  How to use: you can use this serum twice daily on clean skin. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.  Cost: $36. 

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

I’m getting so much mileage from the Barbie Loves MAC Seminar I went to a few weeks ago. I finally rifled through the technique folder they gave us and found some cool “tips and tricks” pages. Here are the best tips from the page for brushes:

Try applying skincare with brushes for a luxurious experience.
The 190 brush works well for applying masks and moisturizers.
The 194 brush words well with eye cream.
The 180 brush works well to lather shave cream on the face or body.

When dipping brushes into pressed powder products, like eye shadows, do not “mash” the brush into the pan. This causes breakage of the fibers. It’s better for the brush and more effective to either swipe from side to side or run the brush around in a circle to gather powder.

Try using two brushes for some of those tricky applications, like smoky eyes. Use one brush to pick up and apply the color and the other brush to blend.

When applying makeup, try holding the brush further away from the hair bundle, almost like holding chopsticks. This allows for greater control in application. Not to mention, with the hands out of the way, greater visibility!

Brushes for personal use should be cleaned about once a week. For emollient-based product on the brush use cleanse off oil to emulsify and then brush cleanser to clean and condition.

If after makeup application you find it necessary to throw your brushes in the bag before cleaning, be sure to store the brushes used for liquid or cream products separately from the ones used for powder products to avoid the cream dirtying other brushes. If using the same bag for both, try wrapping the brushes for cream products in plastic wrap or a tissue before tossing in the bag.