Make-up for Beginners

Beginners Make-up

Step 1.
How to Prep the Skin -
The most thing I get asked it "Why doesn't my make-up turn out right?" It's all in the prep!
Its important to apply your make-up on fresh, clean skin. There is nothing worse then "adding" make-up the morning after the night before!





Start by cleansing the skin - Using a cleanser to remove any dirt or old make-up on the skin.

Use eye make-up remover - Its important to remove those "panda eyes" with a water base eye make-up
remover, Water bases is used as oil bases removes can leave a residue on the skin which will prevent the make-up being applied correctly.

Use toner on cotton wool - Toners remove any left over cleansers leaving the skin smooth and ready for make-up!

Apply Moisturizer - If you do nothing else, apply moisturizer to your skin. It's a must, so spend a little time on finding the right one for you.

Optional step - Primer - Applying primer is the final step in our prep. It's always the final step before foundation. A little tip on saving money with primers is to use a face primer on lid and lips. Primer really helps the make-up last so is it some thing worth investing in. For tips on different primers check out my reviews.

Full video here: Howto prep the Skin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vqOA8KVcME

Step 2.

Choosing the right foundation for you! 

Few thing to consider when picking the right foundation.

Shade - Which is the hardest to find, but what my video here to see my tips on getting the right shade.

Coverage - Whether you want full, medium or sheer coverage. Click here to see my foundation suggestions.

Finish - Matte finish (suited to oil skin) Dewy (suited to dryer skin) Satin (Suited to most skin types)

Top Tips:

Pick three shades - starting with a lightest shade then you think you are and work up from there. This will prevent you buying a shade that is too dark. (Which most people do)

Try the shades out on your jawline/neck where possible, otherwise your wrist or hand can help give a general guide.

Remember to stand in a doorway or outside to see if the colour matches, it’s also important to blend the foundation and let it set to see the TRUE shade.

A foundation with sunscreen is a safe bet, but you will still need to wear sunscreen under your foundation.

Foundation is totally optional, if you have blemishes or pimples, try strategically placed concealer instead. Or just wear the foundation on the parts that need it, around your nose, under the eyes and on the chin. Always make sure to blend properly.

Watch video here: Picking the Right Foundation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkV_xnQOu0M




Step 3


Applying Foundation


So many different ways to apply foundation. Each foundation has a technique that works best with it. Also the technique you choice will give you a different effects. I have list of my foundation suggestions and the best way to apply them, Click here to view.

So lets go through the different tools you can use -

Finger Tips are the easiest and cheapest to use (because they are always there) They can give you the best finish as the heat can bring the foundation to skin temperature and help it to blend evenly. No matter what tool I use, I always finish off using my finger tips.


Sponges are my favorite to use for many reasons, they blend really well. They can give you full to sheer(light) coverage. Cheap and disposable or you can be super cheap and wash them. Click here to see how I do it.

There are a few foundation brushes, Stippling brushes can be used to apply liquid and mineral powder foundation. It can give you a great flawless look.
When applying liquid foundation using a dabbing and swirling motion works best and using a swirling motion works best with mineral foundation too.
This has been my chosen tool as of late, click here to see why. 



Flat foundation brushes were the most popular choice when I started making videos, They are still popular but being replaced with other tools nowadays. It can give you full coverage. I like using it to apply my primers.
Newer round top foundation can also give you a beautiful application.




Watch video here: Applying Foundation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGKbwWlgJo4

Step 4.


Concealer

For so many of us concealer is over use or forgotten. (I have to admit I used to totally over use it) Concealer is a concentrated form of pigment used to hide some thing (hence the name conceal)
A lot of us focus too much on full coverage foundation and instead need to use concealer to hide our imperfections.

Even though concealer comes in so many forms - Liquid, cream, stick...However there basically two types of concealer that you need for your make-up bag.
One for under the eyes and One to be used on imperfections.


Under eyes

Under the eyes is slightly drier so the concealer that you use need to be slightly moisturising.
It can also be pink/salmon tone to neutralising the blue/dark hues under the skin.
Some concealer can also have highlighters, theses are used for under the eye area to brighten and lift the eyes. Some used these on blemishes but they are not designed for any real covering anything, they are designed to brighten the area.

The most famous out of all the highlighter is a Touche Eclat which is a highlighter, not a concealer despite what everyone believes.



Blemishes/Imperfection


When it comes to spots/pimples you need to use a concealer that is matte and full coverage. Its important that a concealer for blemish has no shine as shine can draw attention to the area you want to hide.


No matter that you concealer only use a small amount, apply it to the blemishes or discolouration only and blend blend blend!!

Watch video here: Picking the Right Concealers - Under Eyes/Blemishes Step 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-2hmAZ70PQ


Step 5.


How to Make Foundation/Concealer Last All Day


So here is a step that I think really might help a lot of you, its some thing I never did as a teen, mostly because I didn't know about it but its is to set your foundation with a powder or a setting spray.

Setting sprays can be used after a full face of make-up as been applied, its great if you use liquid or cream make-up and don't want to set it with a powder. Hold the spray back from your face and lightly mist the face, then allow is to dry. After that you should be all set!

Setting powders can be used after all cream and liquids have been applied. Loose or pressed powders can be used.

Watch full video here: Setting Foundation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UnPBOI6ABs

Smokey Eye Request

Shelby, you have been SO patient and I appreciate it. I get so many requests and I get to them all as soon as I can. They are all so gorgeous!!! Thanks for all of the requests and keep them coming. You can now find me starting my boards on Pinterest under Classy Cosmetics =).

P.S. Do you have the Instagram app for your phone? I {heart} it in a major way! You can do this kind of effect with pictures taken with your phone. My husband does such a great job that I am trying to hire him to do ALL of my photos on the blog ;).

Hair Must!

THE SCOOP: Pita described Kors' collection as urban beachwear, and created a hair style to complement that laid back vibe. He literally split the back of the hair into two sections and double-knotted them like a shoelace. There was lots of texture, too.

"You know Michael's boys and girls, " Page said when describing the makeup. "They're healthy looking, with a bit of sun and wind on their cheeks, like they've just come from an active, beach vacation." Flushed cheeks were the focus with some brown accents around the eyes.

GET THE LOOK-MAKEUP: All makeup by Shiseido. Page used Luminizing Satin Face Color in Orchid, Tea Rose, Petal and Carnation across the bridge of the nose and cheekbones to punch up the "healthy" look. He rimmed the eyes with a bit of Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in Strata. The lips were bare except for a tiny dab of concealer to take the color down a notch.

GET THE LOOK-HAIR: Pita spritzed the hair with lots of Bumble and bumble Surf Spray to add waves and texture. Then he left a chunky section of hair loose in the front and double-knotted the back of the hair, to give an effortless look to it.

Glow Wisdom

Faking A Brow Lift:

It’s an annoying fact of life — as well as heredity and gravity — that our eyebrows start to get a little heavy once we hit a certain age. I knew it was happening to me when my eye shadow started to crease and my upper lids got crepey. While brow-lift surgery can reduce the droopiness, the results, which can sometimes look scary and unnatural, are permanent. Here are some other ways to fake a rejuvenating brow lift:

Get a lift with a high ponytail. Celebs like Penelope Cruz (at the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Reese Witherspoon (at the Oscars), and Kim Kardashian show that this sleek, classic look never goes out of style. A high ponytail lifts everything up and back. Just don’t wear this style too often or you may pull out some hair.
If ponytails aren’t your thing, try taking a small piece of hair (about a quarter inch) from each temple and pull the pieces up and back. If your hair is long enough, tie the pieces together in the back, high on the crown, and hide the tie under the rest of your hair. Or, if the pieces are too short, pin them securely above and behind your ears.
In the office, one of my favorite minimally invasive procedures is a brow “lift” using an injectable filler, typically Restylane or Juvéderm. I put a tiny bit along the underside of the eyebrow, to replace the fat pad that shrinks over time. This gives a subtle lift to both brow and lid. But the injections must be made carefully and precisely, so you don’t end up looking like a Neanderthal.
Many of my patients get great results with a drop of Botox below the brow. This widens your eyes, makes the upper lids less heavy, and lifts the outer part of the brow. If done incorrectly, though, the Botox can make the lids and brows droop, so be sure your doctor has a lot of experience in treating this area.

Keep Your Makeup Fresh:

 When celebrities are shooting movies, they have to look fresh for as long as 16 hours at a time — of course, they have makeup crews standing by to powder their noses and freshen their blush. How can the rest of us still look polished hours after we've applied our makeup? If, like me, you barely have time to look in the mirror during a busy day, try these tips to keep your makeup looking fresh all day long — and through dinner as well.

Use a makeup primer like Urban Decay Primer Potion to help smooth dry patches and calm flaky skin. Your foundation will go on more evenly and last longer. If your skin is oily, look for a mattifying, oil-free primer like Vichy Normaderm ProMat Ultra Mattifying Oil Free Lotion.
Use waterproof eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara. Waterproof formulas resist humidity, sweat, and greasy skin, so your makeup will be less likely to smudge and smear. No more raccoon eyes!
If you reapply powder several times a day, it can mix with your skin's natural oils, settle into pores, and become cakey and creased by the end of the day. Instead, use oil-blotting sheets to control shine. I like Clean and Clear Oil-Absorbing Sheets or Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper. In a pinch, you can use Kleenex or even clean toilet-seat covers. But don't use toilet paper to blot — it has too many fibers that can stick to your face.
If you have a last-minute meeting or date after work and you don't have time to redo your eye shadow from scratch, blot first, then use a shadow brush to “reactivate” the shadow and eliminate creases.

Sunshine Award

I was lucky enough to receive a Sunshine Award from http://birgitscorner.blogspot.com/ So nice of her and I was really grateful! 

The rules are:

• Thank the person who gave you this award

• Write a post about it
• Answer to the questions below
• Pass it on to 10 bloggers who you think really deserve it and send them message to let them know.

The questions and answers are here:

1. Favorite color: I like Hot pink and fuchsia shades, I always go for them in lipstick and shoes and dress and tops and jackets lol Seriously! 
2. Favorite Animal: I love all animals, but I guess dogs, my dogs ( Sandy who is my baby)
3. Favorite number: Lucky Number 21, same as my boyfriends birthday and our anniversary but it has always been my lucky number even before I meet him. (His has always been 7 - My birthday)
4. What perfume am I using right now?: Chanel No. 5
5. Something you always wear with you and identifies you: Don't think I can think of one, I was known for always having my hair down and never tying it up I guess that would be it.
6. What’s your passion?: Make-up, which makes me sound like a girlie girlie but it not just applying make-up it is the theory behind make-up and the history not just about wearing it.
7. What was the last eyeshadow you used?: Mocha by ELF which I love, you can see swatches of it on my swatches tag.
8. Favorite day of the week: Wednesday or Saturday not sure why though.
9. Are your nails painted right now?: Yeah on my hands I have Essence 07 Wanna Kiss? and on my toes I have NYC Hot Pink.

I TAG all the girls that I love hearing from - 

1. http://makeupbysaz.blogspot.com/
2. http://blushblendbeauty.blogspot.com/
3. http://makeup-hair-glitz.blogspot.com/
4. http://ellybellybaybee.blogspot.com/
5. http://obsessedwiththismakeup.tumblr.com/
6. http://treenabean.tumblr.com/
7. http://glamlifeguru.com/
8. Nina Carry (Review Page Facebook)
9. http://www.katieelisabeth.com/
10. http://www.beautybroadcast.net/

July Favorites...Or Favorite

I have just one love this month. But it is for sure true love! As most of you know I have used, for quite some time now, my beloved Nicole Miller Bronzer. I adored the deepness of the color and the tone (not to mention I had three of them and waste not, want not. Although the shimmer did bother me somewhat it wasn't enough for me to abandon it and seek out a new one. That is until I got an email saying there was a sale for Urban Decay online and so naturally I went to take a peek. I went straight to primers since I was getting low on it and somehow was swept into another "aisle".......bronzer! I had heard about the matte bronzers from UD and knew they had to be great so why not just try? I took the plunge and ordered one in Toasted. I HAVE USED NOTHING ELSE SINCE THIS BAD BOY GOT HERE!!! I love it! The color is perfect for me, the contouring is awesome, I use it to warm up a smokey eye...there are JUST no limits to this thing! I feel it's a must for summer (matte bronzer that is) with a touch of highlighting shimmer just above and will do wonders during the winter time by itself for contouring. Are you RuNnInG yet to your local Sephora??? Grab one and you WON'T be sorry!!!!!

What were your favorites for July? What have you been using? Share a comment below or email me =).

P.S. I have missed you all! I miss hearing from you as frequently I'm glad to have had the chance to take a step back but even more overjoyed to be stepping back in =). Love to all!
Jen

Under Eye Problems

Here's a dose from Dr. Jessica Wu of the Daily Glow =):

Whether you want to look relaxed and in control at work or be fresh-faced for a new date, there are ways to minimize dark under-eye circles. Here are some common causes of dark circles, along with ways to treat them:
 
Excess skin pigmentation on the upper part of the cheekbone and under the eyes can lead to dark circles. This can be hereditary or caused by freckles and sun damage. One way to tell if you have excess pigment is to gently pull down on the lower eyelid. Do the spots move with the skin? If so, skin-brightening creams may help. One study showed that a cream containing licorice extract and hyaluronic acid reduced dark circles after six weeks. Both of these ingredients are found in C. Booth Black Licorice Eye Cream ($12.99 at drugstore.com).
 
Thin lower-eyelid skin can also produce dark circles when the dark eyelid muscles are visible beneath the skin (the same way that black panties are visible through thin white pants). Another study showed that a gel containing retinol helped reduce dark circles after four weeks, possibly by thickening the skin of the lower eyelid. Try Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Eye Cream (about $19 at drugstores).
 
Under-eye bags can produce shadows and hollows underneath them that accentuate dark circles. If you wake up with puffy lids, try soaking cotton balls in cold soy milk and holding them on your closed lids for a few minutes in the morning. The cold temperature and anti-inflammatory properties of soy can help shrink swollen tissues and reduce puffiness. However, if you have under-eye bags caused by fat deposits, topical treatments won't be enough to shrink them and reduce the circles. These types of circles may require injectable fillers to fill in the hollows or surgical removal of the bags.