CONTOUR & HIGHLIGHT TUTORIAL

CONTOUR & HIGHLIGHT (Part I):
In this tutorial I will demo how to contour and highlight your face in a way that's subtle and natural for everyday wear. Usually I prefer to use foundation (either liquid or cream) instead of powder to contour and highlight but I will also demo using powder in Part II video below.

PRODUCT USED:
Cinema Secrets Ultimate Foundation Pallete - Kit #8 & #11  ($21)
Provides a soft natural matte finish and spreads further than most other foundations. It covers like a thin second skin and won't cake or crease. It's water and sweat resistant and won't stain clothes.

CONTOUR & HIGHLIGHT (Part II):

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION:
It Cosmetics - My Sculpted Face Combo Palette & Mini Buffer Brush ($45)
The palette comes with 4 contouring shades designed to match all skin tones and 2 highlighting shades in both shimmer and matte. My Sculpted Face comes with a full color chart so you always have a personal reference chart that teaches you where to apply the highlighting and contour shades to bring out the features you want more prominent, and minimize the features you want to draw attention away from!

Contour & Highlight Tips:

•    Always use a matte shade for contouring!  If you try to hide a double chin by using a contour shade that has a shimmer in it (like a shimmer bronzer for example), it will attract light and can actually make that area look bigger!
•    Use a buffer brush or firm blush brush for applying dark contour shades.  Use a powder or fan brush for applying your highlighting shades.

•    Use technique of Contour and Highlight to:
    o    Slim or Straighten your nose
    o    Enhance your cheekbones
    o    Camouflage double chin
    o    Minimize big forehead


Hope this answers any questions you might have had about contour and highlighting. If not, please feel free to send me an email or leave your question as a Comment. Thanks!!!


Model: Shauna Blaize
Videographer: Amanda Taylor Duncan

SPRING 2010 BEAUTY TRENDS

 

Spring officially starts today so I've created a list of the top beauty trends for spring/summer 2010 from the Runway shows!  

 

1)  Agent Orange - Various shades of orange (coral, tangerine, and peach) were seen on lips and cheeks. It's a universal color that looks great on everyone! 

Show: Chris Benz and Chanel

Get the Look:
Lancôme - L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick in “Chris & Tell”  $29
This advanced lip color provides 6-hour care with continuous moisture and protective Vitamin E. Features plumping polymer and non-feathering color to define and reshape lips.

Bobbi Brown - Cabana Corals Collection: Pot Rouge For Lips And Cheeks  –  [Try  “Cabo Coral” (a pink nectar) and “Calypso Coral” (a bright coral) ] $22

Award-winning, cream-based product can be used on both lips and cheeks.

Bobbi Brown - Cabana Corals Collection: Nectar Shimmer Brick Compact  $38
This shimmering, brush-on powder creates a soft, coral glow. Works well with neutral and peach blush shades. 

2) Pastel Paradise - The '80s trend has moved to makeup, with a palette of icy blues, purples, and other sorbet shadows for spring.

Show: Versace

Get the Look:

Tokidoki – Cromatico Eyeshadow Palette – "Diamante"(purple) $25
A limited-edition eyeshadow palette that allows you to explore both your criminally cute and irresistibly edgy sides.

Yves Saint Laurent  – Ombres Quadrilumières 4 Colour Harmony for Eyes – #3 Absinthe Green $54

Beauty and technology combine in Ombres Quadrilumieres to glide on the skin like the softest caress, pampering and beautifying eyelids with velvety mattness, luminosity, exceptional hold, and comfort.

  

Shu Uemura – Egerie Eye Shimmer Duo – “Starry Violet” $42

Duo color eye shadow set that includes a shimmering creamy liquid and a hyper sparkling glitter powder.

 

 3) Glowing Goddess – Luminous, glowing skin was all the rage for spring.
Show: Thakoon

Get the Look:
NARS - Orgasm Illuminator - (peachy pink with golden shimmer) $29
A complexion enhancer that makes skin look instantly refreshed, radiant, and glowing.

Smashbox – Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion [3 shades: “Diffuse” (pearl), “Glow” (bronze) and “Flash” (peach)]. $24
It's all in the lighting ... luminize your face by blending this oil-free lotion into your foundation.

ILLAMASQUA – Illuminator [5 shades: "Fondle" (peachy pink), "Glimmer" (golden tan), "Halycon" (ivory pearl), "Odyssey" (white pearl), and "Poised" (pale pink)] $18

A muliti-purpose illuminator that goes on wet, but dries quickly leaving a high-shine, reflective finish that lasts all night.

4) Pink Power – A wide spectrum of pinks were seen on lips from baby doll petal pink to icy cool rose or full on fuchsia.

Show: Zac Posen

Get the Look:
Lancôme - Color Fever Lipstick Roses Collection  $25
Color Fever Roses is a sensual new Color Fever collection that transforms your lips with shades that capture the actual color of rose petals.

Chanel – Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour – “Rose Comete” ($30)
A modern interpretation of classic creme lip colour that features a Hydratendre complex to help soften, soothe and condition lips - even boosting their ability to hold in moisture - for a plumper, smoother and healthier-looking appearance.

Stila – Long Wear Lip Color [Try "Coquette" (pink mauve), "Exhilarating" (bright hot pink), "Flushed" (cool pink) and "Intriguing" (fuchsia)] $20
A lipstick and lip gloss all in one that boasts extended wear while keeping lips feeling soft and smooth - never dry.

* Photo credit for Lancome pics: Lancôme press release.  All other Fashion Show Images courtesy of www.style.com

PRODUCT REVIEW: Maybelline New York - Lash Stiletto Mascara

Today we have a guest blogger  -- none other than my sister Michelle!  Michelle's a former plus-size model and has been the beneficiary of my makeup obsession for many years.  She agreed to try out Maybelline New York Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara and tell us her thoughts.  Without further ado, here's Michelle's Review:

First, I must admit that I find it rather ironic that a person who didn't own a tube of mascara until Sophomore year of college is writing a beauty review!  Having said that, somewhere along the way between my forays into modeling in New York and searching for that perfect "no makeup" makeup look, I became more than qualified.  When my sister Karen and I were combing through her makeup stash (as call it) I systematically gave my two-cents about several products so she suggested that I share my non-professional opinion!

I wore the Lash Stiletto Mascara for a few weeks, replacing my usual Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara, and here's the thing.  While I don't think it will win any awards for makeup product of the year, the Lash Stiletto in my opinion is a pretty good mascara.  I found that it definitely gives the appearance of length and achieves desired results in about 2 coats so its claim to give you "stiletto-esque length for your lashes" is fair enough.  Now for the "but"...while it achieves a nice lengthening effect, in my opinion it doesn't do a tremendous job increasing thickness.  I personally found that even when I applied 2-3 coats it didn't give me that va-va-va-voom look the models in their ad sported.  I did notice however that even with multiple coats, it didn't really clump together which is always a plus when trying to avoid looking cartoonish.

Oddly enough, this has found itself in my rotation of everyday mascara because with a neutral face it gives me a little bit of drama for my eyes without looking like I am in "full-face".  The bottom line, Maybelline's Lash Stilleto Mascara is a decent drugstore mascara even if  it doesn't live up to all the hype.

2010 OSCARS RED CARPET BEAUTY

I'm highlighting my favorite beauty looks from the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.  See below for my top picks of women who rocked the Oscars Red Carpet with their makeup, hair and dress:

 

Jennifer Lopez

Wearing pale pink Armani Privé gown and Cartier jewels.  Modern updo with high crown is paired with a classic and beautiful grey smoky eye, pink cheeks and pink glossy lip. Absolutely lovely!

 

Queen Latifah

Wearing lavender custom-made, beaded Badgley Mischka gown. Dark purple smoky eye paired with glossy lilac lip and soft mauve cheek. Just gorgeous and it totally complements her gown and sleek bun.

 

Kate Winslet

Wearing silver Yves Saint Laurent gown and Tiffany jewels. Retro glam hair that evoked Veronica Lake's waves paired with subtle smoky eye, soft cheek and rosy brown lip color. Perfection!

 

Cameron Diaz

Wearing shimmering beige gown by Oscar de la Renta. Lovely, long layered hair paired with glamorous red lip, nude eyeshadow with black liner and soft pink cheek. Now that's classic Hollywood beauty!

 

Demi Moore

Wearing nude blush Atelier Versace gown and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels.  Demi just gets more beautiful as time goes by! A long tendril caresses her face on the right while the rest of hair is pulled back in an elegant bun. Her soft smoky grey eyes paired with rose blush and pinky-nude lip creates an etheral beauty.  

Photo Credit: WWD and Adriana M. Barraza- © 2010