Thursday, August 28, 2008

update your look for fall - dark lips

It's that time of year again! With back to school, back to cool (temperatures) and everything that goes with it, chances are that your summer is nearly up.

What with all the changes going on, you might want to think a minute about updating your makeup for fall '08. Fear not, my friends! One of the most stylish and current ways to update your look for fall this year is to look to the dark side - dark lip colour that is.

Dark lips are all over the place for fall. And there are some extreme examples that should be left to the catwalk (slick black patent lips, anyone?). But this dark lip trend can be totally wearable as the weather gets cooler.

Dark Lip Fall 08
from style.com

An easy way to transition is to think of it as deepening the lip colours you already like to wear. Dark plums, reds and chocolate are all popular options that are right on track this season, so there are options for everyone!

You can also play with the finish to suit your comfort. Try a sheer blackberry lip stick or gloss. Blot down your dark creamy lipstick to a stain, for a hint of softness and longer-lasting colour. Or go full-on dark red, which call look especially chic at night.

Pair your dark lip look with a polished face - groomed brows, lush lashes and a hint of cheek colour to keep the complexion fresh. So pretty.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

makeup for bruises

No one likes to have to deal with bruises, but sometimes they are an unfortunate side effect of the lovely effects of various injectibles (not always!).

Here are a few tricks to concealing bruises:
-prep skin and make sure the area is clean and DRY (you don't want your concealer sliding off a too-moist face)
-opt for a creamy, opaque concealer that comes in a pot or a pan (not the type in a tube, they are usually too sheer)
-choose a concealer that is very close to your natural depth of skintone but with a warm undertone for a purple bruise(the warm/yellow tone helps cancel out the purple of a fresh bruise)
-choose a concealer as close to your own skintone and depth when the bruise is older
-pat the concealer on with a brush directly onto darkest areas first, then feather out into clear skin
-press on a light layer of translucent powder to set (carefully, dont want to lift the concealer) using a velour puff or a sponge

You may repeat with a second layer of concealer and powder if the bruise is very dark, but be VERY careful to not overblend, otherwise you will notice your concealer lifting as you continue your brushstrokes. If it starts lifting on me, I like to pat the area lightly with my finger and then apply a whisper of powder, then try for another layer. If this still doesn't work, I start again.