If you want staying power, then matte is where it’s at!
Preparation is a key factor if you want your makeup to last. Start by cleansing, toning and moisturizing your skin, and then apply a primer and long-wearing (matte or semi-matte) foundation.
Hot tip!To minimize break-through shine, dust a mattifying powder over your foundation, paying particular attention to the T-zone. To avoid the cakey look, apply it with a very soft, large powder brush.
Cool trick! When your face feels hot … blot! Powder-coated blotting papers are a handbag must-have. They are lightweight and portable, which makes them the ultimate touch-up tool for girls on the go!
My product picks:Diorskin Forever by Dior is my favorite matte foundation. If you want a flawless, shine-free, long-lasting base that won’t budge … this is it! For a fresh, smooth-looking, slightly dewy complexion, choose Chanel’s Pro Lumière or Lancôme’s Photôgenic Lumessence foundation. Both of these stay put and give the skin a perfect semi-matte satin finish.
Sneak a peek! I used Pro Lumière foundation by Chanel in the Gothic Glamor look. For application tips, see page 6 of the Gothic Glamor eBook.
Are you heading out for a few drinks or going on a dinner date straight after work? In a few simple steps … take your office-look into the evening. Grab a portable mirror and do it at your desk!
Makeup artist tip: This look is perfect for Valentine’s Day. You will totally rock his socks!
THE DAYTIME LOOK.
A wash of light-beige metallic eyeshadow(1) over the eyelid, a slick of liquid liner(2) across the top lashes, paired with a pink lip(3) and cheek(4). To take this look into the night, watch the video tutorial and follow the steps below:
Meet the perfect makeup base … Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. It visually smooths lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores leaving the complexion flawless and radiant.
The Formulation.
A silky-textured, oil-free, pale pink paste which, upon application, forms an invisible veil over the skin. It is suitable for all skin types and can be used alone or under foundation.
The Packaging.
A small, red glass pot with a plastic screw-top lid. It comes complete with a spatula so you can decant the product hygienically. Beauty bonus! Zero waste. The wide neck means every last remnant can be scraped from the jar. (Note: Due to the consistency of this formulation, a pump dispenser or tube was not a practical packaging option.)
Edited by Retrochick. Well, I suppose I should start this week’s Links à la Mode with this:
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Here are some lovely links to keep you busy over the Christmas period. M.I.S.S. and JewelryWhore have DIY ideas to keep your mind and body occupied, ID Style and Little Miss Makeup show you how to ramp up the glamour in your makeup bag, whilst Daily Diva Dish and The Working Wardrobe help you plan what to wear for New Year’s Eve and your first day back at work post-holiday. If you run out of entertainment here, then you should check out the full Links à la Mode thread for more yummy fashion goodness. Have a fantastic holiday and I hope that Santa brings you everything you wish for!
“My favorite look of the season is a red lip paired with a nude face, as seen on the runway in the Yves Saint Laurent and House of Holland shows. To get the look, team groomed brows with a wash of light-brown matte eyeshadow and a slick of black mascara. Add a touch of beige to the cheekbones, and to create a bold lip, paint on a rich creamy red lipstick.”
Crimson lips scream Christmas!
To achieve perfect red smackers:
1). Start by exfoliating your lips to remove any dry, flaky skin.
Makeup artist tip: Want a quick and easy exfoliation technique? Rub a dry, soft-bristled baby’s toothbrush over your lips.
2). To hydrate your lips, apply a good lip balm (I love The Lip Balm by Crème De La Mer and the Carmex range).
Makeup artist tip: Ensure you tissue off any excess lip balm before you apply your lipliner. If you don’t, your lipliner is likely to smear everywhere!
At Christmas time, glitter is a girl’s best friend!
For eyelids that sparkle like shiny disco balls, watch the video tutorial and follow the step-by-step instructions below:
The lowdown.
Makeup artist tip! To make eye makeup application easier, keep your eyes open, tilt your head backwards (to stretch the skin on your eyelid taut) and look into a mirror.
1). Begin by creating a base. Prime the eyelid and the area beneath the eye with concealer, and to ensure it stays put, dust on a layer of loose, matte powder.
This week, as I’ve been getting geared up for the holiday season’s shopping (both loving and dreading it) via Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I couldn’t help but compare the posts to stocking stuffers. Why? Because it felt like a nice, sentimental hodge podge of little items that although different, still fit together into the bigger equation, hence my new phrase, “Links à la Stocking Stuffers!” Although I jest, I love the variety of posts this week, from Retro Chick’s guide to ’40s hair for holiday parties, CoolMamaStyle.com’s tuxedo jacket, The Coveted’s adventures in Century 21 and What to Wear’s Art Basel fashionable looks, to Prom Mafia’s run in with Black Friday and SwaySwaySway’s blissful tactics to keep your computer off on Cyber Monday. As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!
“The secret to creating a smoky eye is layering and blending. Layer dark colors over light and blend well.”
Step-by-step instructions!
1). Cleanse, tone and moisturize the skin.
2). For a natural-looking complexion, blend Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous foundation over the face with your fingertips.
3). To even out the skin tone, apply Benefit Boi-ing concealer where needed (i.e. beneath the eye, over the eyelid, and on any imperfections) with a concealer brush(a), and then blend by patting it into the skin with your fingertip.
4). Next, to set the foundation and concealer, take a matte translucent powder(b) on a large, fluffy powder brush(c) and dust it over the face.
5). To make your lashes appear longer, curl them with eyelash curlers(d).
byANGÉLIQUE … where cosmetics and convenience collide!
Angélique is the Wonder Woman of the beauty world. Her innovative range of beauty products and accessories are not only funky and affordable, but they make life easier for the modern girl.
