Surviving the Summer- Tips for your skin

A lot of this is common knowledge so bear with me if you already know what I'm talking about. For the rest of you, it's summer & you want to run around in a cute new swimsuit. But are you prepared? Have you moisturized & applied your sun protection? You may have a dark skin tone, but you still need skin protection from the sun. We all do no matter how well we tan or how much we want to have that sun glow. If you are adamant about getting that tan, try fake baking, it's safer & you won't look like a California Raisin in twenty years. Another way to fake it is with a bronzer. I use a liquid bronzer all over, and for a bonus it makes legs appear slimmer!
There are great spf options out on the market. Powder protection is getting all kinds of accolades, even though I have never personally tried it. My new favorite is a continuous spray, no messy slime on my hands and super handy. However be careful spraying around the face.
And did you know that sunscreen is not the same as sunblock? Sunblock blocks the rays, while sunscreen isn't as strong & needs to be reapplied more frequently (about every 2 hours!) There have been advances in sunblock formulas & you can now find block that isn't a solid color.
Beat the heat & the sun by carrying an umbrella or parasol. This may seem silly, but it can really make a walk in the sun more comfortable & it can be fun & stylish too! I'm always happy to accessorize, it gives me an excuse to shop!
Survive the summer by staying hydrated. If you are drinking alcohol out in the heat, it's even more important to maintain you water intake. You don't even need to drink only water, eat fruit like grapes or watermelon, or frozen fruit popcicles, a fun & tasty way to stay hydrated. Drink what your body needs, don't force water on yourself; we come in different sizes & thus need different amounts of water. Over hydrating can be a problem too, so don't overdo it!
Have fun cooling down, swim, dip your feet, or take cold showers. Keep a water spritzer nearby & spray your face.
Summer makeup should be light & durable. Think tinted moisturizer, liquid or cream blushes & water proof makeup. Another trick is to use milk of magnesia under makeup to block sweat. It works, but it's best for people with oily skin, and needs to be applied thinly or it will leave a whitish residue.
Have fun this summer but treat your skin like the treasure it is! This is the best time of the year to flaunt it so make sure it's always healthy!

Testing, 1, 2, 3?

Hi ya'll! As you all know, my life is makeup. i do a lot of work with independent clients, photographers, films, graphic novels, you name it. But one thing i find frustrating is when i need to "test" a look, or i need a quick pic of some makeup, but i don't have the time to find a photog, a model, and a studio to do so. So i'm bringing the tests home, we bought some lights & are experimenting here. This is not to say we expect to be serious photographers any time soon, but it's a nice way to work at home, get my guy involved, and get quick pics when i need them. Another great use for this is when i need to practice my fx makeups before application on set, with my sweet bf as a model. Nothing is better than a great partnership!
So hopefully soon, when i write about a look, i will be able to post original photos featuring makeup, created here, in the studio. Who knows, i will start a video blog someday too?

The Now Lip

Right now statements are imperative. Everyone has a statement necklace, purse, twitter, you name it. The noughts are about expression, much like the eighties. The statement pout is an easy way to brighten up your expression, and it's easy on your wallet! Following some examples made by Pat McGrath, pucker up baby!
(Check out this great retrospective to her many amazing looks at Beauty Blitz!)
Pat's orange lips for the Prada show might not be for everyone, but most people can pull off a red. One way to really make your red last is to start off with either a full base of lipliner or a red stain. i use Revlon's Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor in Flame which works great for me.
Another color i am enamored with is of course pink, which is making a serious comeback this season. The colors are going to be coral inspired, and also a blue pink, which will make your smile brighter!
Check out this blog on some great colors, and of course i always suggest Makeup Forever because they have the most impressive variety.
Next is the dark lip, which is transitioning. Try a sheer color, like BLACK TIE OPTIONAL SHEER SEDUCTION LIPSTICK, or try Mac's Blackware for a more sheer but delightful version of this years black pout.
Another great but difficult twist can be done by applying a color in the center of the lips & then faded outward to make a kind of stain effect, as if drinking a berry wine & stained from it (or blood for the more gothic minded.) i love this look, and use it often, it works great for my crooked pout & looks wonderful in the summer.

But skip the silver in the "bow" part of the lip, that is strictly a runway look!

All these lip looks should be paired with a subtler eye look, again, perfect for humid summers! My favorite is to add a little mascara, add a tiny amount of blush on the lids, and go! And don't forget your sunscreen!

(Photo credit Laura Boyd Photography)

The Now Face

Right now i am in love with the "nude" or natural smoky eye. It's the same as a regular smoky but with earthtones. Use a dark brown eyeliner with a little bit of black to deepen the look, with your usual black mascara. It's a soft update on the classic smokey look! One of my favorite makeup colors right now are soft beige for the eyes with a slight, smooth shimmer. Try Makeup Designory's Dulce De Leche or Makeup Forever's Metallic Light Beige 125. These colors look great with a natural smokey eye, adding sophistication.
A lip shade i'm absolutely mad about & that goes so well with this looks is Cameo by Face Atelier. To me it's one of the most perfect shades ever made, and it's brand new. Try it!

A Clean Canvas

Before you start a project, you usually begin with a clean work area, whether painting, cooking, or crafting (i hope!) Your face is the same way. You need a clean canvas before you start your masterpiece!
First clean with a good facial soap, not bar soap! (i used bar soap for years & had a red face to prove it.) Burt's Bees facial soaps are my preferred choice, but find one that works for you and your skin type.
Every few days i like to exfoliate my face with baking soda. I love that it's a readily available product, and it's super gentle on my skin. Exfoliating is key to having bright, clear skin! It helps clear blackheads & removes dead skin, and is one of the most essential things you can do for beautiful skin.

After washing & exfoliating, next moisturise, again with a product adequate for the face. This is also a super important step & one we neglect often! Even if you have oily skin it's necessary to replace what you removed with washing. Moisturiser does not apply oil, but much needed water. In the summer's humidity you can usually go without though, as there's plenty of moisture in the air!

After moisturising, and before appling makeup, make sure that the moisturiser is well absorbed, but polishing it over with a sponge or your fingertips.
Now you're ready to start your face!