MY OBSESSION! BRONZER

* photo courtesy of www.fashionmagazine.com

If you know me, you know that I am obsessed with makeup but in particular I LOVE using bronzer/highlighter to illuminate the skin. Bronzer comes in so many forms - whether cream, liquid, powder, even mousse...there is a perfect match for everyone.

Most days I layer a combination of bronzing/illuminating products to create a long-lasting glow to my skin. One of my absolute favorite products is MAC Colour Cream Base in "Bronze" .  I use it as highlighter on top of my cheekbones and sometimes on my eyelids as base for my powder eye shadow.  Unfortunately the color is currently discontinued at MAC so I had to go hunting for it on eBay.  I also found a replacement for it in Mak Up For Ever Diamond Cream - Face & Body Irridescent Cream in "#6/Copper".  Years ago I used to wear a product from Shu Uemura called Base Control in "Bronze".  When using cream or liquid bronzer/highlighter I usually top it with a powder bronzer like Cargo's Powder Bronzer in "Dark"  or MAC Iridescent Loose Powder in "Golden Bronze" to set the cream and to further enhance the gorgeous deep golden-bronze color.

On rich, chocolate skin like mine a warm bronze or coppery  color is just lovely but most women can get away with wearing gold...just make it tone appropriate.  So if you're a pale blonde or redhead you would want to wear a pale yellow gold but if you have alot more pigment in your skin you would use a warmer, richer shade of gold.  Some examples of great colors to use as bronzer/highlighter are:

M.A.C. Colour Cream Base - "Bronze" pictured but you can try "Improper Copper"  ($16.50)

Three Custom Color - Mood Lighting Shimmer Cremes in "Afterglow" – A pearlescent champagne with flecks of gold and violet and "On Fire"– A bronzed shimmer with a swirl of opalescence. ($20.50)

Physicians Formula - Summer Eclipse® Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder in "Starlight/Medium Bronzer" ($12.95)

Sally Hansen - Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy: Sun Glow Powder Bronzer in "Summer" ($12.99)

Youngblood Cosmetics - Mineral Radiance in "Sundance" ($39)

Truly fabulous in summer but beautiful all year round I'm a huge fan of bronzer.  Try it for yourself and you'll see what I mean.  And if you need help with figuring how to use bronzer check out my earlier blog post "Bronzer Makeup Tutorial".  Enjoy!

"BRONZER" MAKEUP TUTORIAL

Want to look healthy and tanned without subjecting your skin to the damaging rays of the sun or tanning booth? Then think bronzer my friend!  Some people think bronzer is just for the summer but as the weather cools its nice to give your skin alittle warmth.  Not sure how to use bronzer to get a natural looking glow, then check out the video below.

Bronzer should be applied to the parts of the face that normally get the most sun (top of cheekbones, down center of nose, tip of chin and center of the forehead). It looks most natural if you use a natural matte product or one with subtle shimmer and apply with a light hand. You can always add more product if necessary but apply too much and it can make your face look dirty or muddy. 

PRODUCTS USED: 
Face: Cinema Secrets Foundation Kit #8  ($21)

Bronzer: MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in "Dark" - deep caramel. ($25) and Nixie Bronze Beauty in "Key Largo Beach" - sheer gold shimmer ($24)

Lip: Lancome Le Rouge Absolu - Reshaping & Replenishing LipColour SPF 15 in "Amande Sucrée" ($26)

MAC #188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush ($34)


Model: Shauna Blaize
Videographer: Amanda Taylor Duncan

"BRIGHT LIP" MAKEUP TUTORIAL

This makeup look features a Fall beauty trend from the "Moschino Cheap and Chic" runway. Lead Makeup Artist Charlotte Tilbury used MAC products to create fluorescent pink and orange lips on the models.  The idea was to "portray a young girl who knows how to have a bit of fun.  Bold hues are innocent but make a strong statement." Tilbury kept the rest of the face clean except for soft gold color on the cheek. 

This beauty look can definitely be done in "real life" but note it is a bit intense. Personally I find it to be absolutely gorgeous! What do you think?


PRODUCTS USED:  
Lips:  MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in "Impassioned" - Amped-up fuchsia ($14)

MAC Pigment in "Fuchsia" - Bright fuchsia-pink [Frost] ($19.50)
This product was used on top of the lipstick to matte and intensify the color. The bright pigment creates a super bright lip color that pops off the face.

Cheeks: MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in "Gold Deposit" - Soft reflective golden-bronze. ($27)

aDESIGN Lip brush ($16)


Model: Shauna Blaize
Videographer: Amanda Taylor Duncan

New York Fashion Week Exclusive!!! Behind the scenes with Style Team for Designer Lois Samuels!

I had the honor of being invited by my friend and fellow Make-Up Artist/Beauty Blogger Felicia Walker Benson to cover backstage at Designer Lois Samuels "the Vessel.by lois" Fashion Show.

 

Lois' collection was shown at the opening of Spring/Summer 2010 New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2009 from 2-3pm at 548 Gallery in Chelsea. Felicia was the Key MUA and worked with the Designer to create a makeup look that would accentuate Lois' distinct clothing line. I got the opportunity to chat briefly with Felicia backstage about the look:

Felicia together with team of artist from makeup sponsor, Youngblood Cosmetics, got all the girls looking gorgeous. I spoke with the lead MUA from Youngblood Cosmetics, the lovely Ms. Valerie P. Hernandez and she gave me the breakdown of the beauty look:

 

 

Youngblood Cosmetics Used:

Natural Mineral Foundation and/or Liquid Mineral Foundation
Hi-DEF Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder
Mineral Radiance Powder in "Sundance"
Crushed Mineral Blush in either "Plumberry" or "Sherbet"
Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in "Storm" and "Merlot"
Crushed Mineral Eyeshadow in "Moonstone" and "Cashmere"
Lipstick in "Barely Nude"
Lip Shine in "Crush"

* Also used were Celazome Moisturizing Sunscreen, Mineral Primer, Minerals in the Mist spray, black mascara, and black eyeliner pencil.

I also spoke with lead Hairstylist, Heather Packer from Cutler Salon who gave us the 411 on inspiration for the hair looks for the show:

 Products Used:

Cutler Volumizing Spray and Redken Workforce 09 Hair Spray 

 

Celebrity Manicurist Myrdith Leon-McCormack, a veteran in the beauty industry for fifteen years, was also part of the beauty team for Lois' Fashion Show.  She used nail polish from her M2M Natural Nail Care line and here's what's Myrdith had to say:

Product used:

M2M nail polish in "Scarlette" (inspired by actress Scarlett Johansson)

I was also lucky enough to have a brief chat with model, author and designer Lois Samuels about her clothing line "the Vessel.by lois":

The show was a smashing success and for my fabulous and fashionable Readers I'm including a video that features all 15 pieces of Lois Samuels' clothing collection "the Vessel.by lois":

Hope you all enjoyed this special post for New York Fashion Week and I look forward to creating more exclusive articles for my wonderful Readers!!!!

*Special Thanks to Jasmin, Felicia's Assistant who helped me with videotaping! You're the best!!!!