Category Archives: Makeup

And the Award Goes To…

The big night has come and gone and the 86th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood at the Dolby Theatre did not disappoint. We knew Ellen would entertain, make a few cracks and still remain lovable. And chances were good that Lupita, Jared, and McConaughey would take home golden statues…but when it comes to “the look” who got the highest rankings from The Beauty Wall?

While I loved Jennifer Lawrence’s orange-red Dior, Amy Adams in Gucci and Lupita Nyong’o’s Prada it was Cate Blanchett who stole the show! Her gorgeous nude Giorgio Armani Prive gown with Swarovski crystals and sequins was age, occasion and attention-grabbing appropriate and her hair and makeup was just right.

Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell created the  timeless “Modern Movie Star” look for Blanchett. Here, the products she used so you can copy it at home:

EYES-
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad #2 Effeto Nudo – Jeanine used the warm taupe shade all over as a base; the deeper taupe on the lid and feathered it into the crease to open up the eye; the light brown was mixed with the deeper taupe and applied to the outer crease and center; and the darkest brown was wet and used as a liner

Troy Surratt Lash Curler

Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara – After cutting a strip of false lashes and applying to the corner of the eye, Jeanine applied the mascara to the base of the lashes and pressed it in to give her real lashes a false effect

Makeup Forever Brow Gel

FACE-
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – Jeanine patted this into the skin before applying foundation to allow her to use a more lightweight foundation and to ensure it will stay put all night long

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #10 Beige – Jeanine applied this to the apples of Cate’s cheeks and feathered it out before applying a second coat to ensure she looked like she was glowing from within 

LIPS-
Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in #103 – Jeanine finished the look with this creamy, beige-y pink

 86th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals

 

Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector

Product Review: Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector

Yes, there have been other concealer pens…but none as good as this one!

If you like the convenience and precision of getting a concealer that really covers in a handy, travels-well pen, then this is what you’ve been searching for. I for one, am infatuated with it. Shiseido’s Sheer Eye Zone Corrector has a silky smooth texture and sets to a comfortable long-wearing  finish that really does stay put all day. Simply swipe it under the eyes, at the outer and inner corner and even a touch on your lids and dark shadows and blemishes all but disappear. If only it were permanent!

To purchase: Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector, $30 at shiseido.com.

Get Gorgeous Glowing Skin!!!

Product Review: GlimmerSHEERS, $28 at beautyaddicts.com.

beautyADDICTS has a cult following and with good reason…the products are pretty spectacular! Just ask celebs Zooey Deschanel, Sharon Stone and Zoe Saldana to name a few. I love their GlimmerSHEERS, the ultimate makeup duo designed to highlight the eyes, face and cheeks. Containing skin-healthy ingredients like Green Tea and Jojoba Oil the Glimmer side adds a sun-kissed, luminous glow, the Sheer side makes your skin appear dewy. When combined, it’s out-of-this-world gorgeous!!!

You can use them alone or together to customize your look. I particularly like Express (a golden shade) for my lids and cheeks and I use Seduce (a silvery hue) to make my eyes sparkle by adding it to the inner corner of my eyes. I also like it on my browbone and the bridge of my nose. There’s also a rosy-hued “Motivate” and a lilac-y Glow.

It’s a great everyday look but as with any illuminating product the key is not to overdo it — a smidge too much and you can look greasy. Apply just a bit to the top of your cheekbones, your browbone and down the bridge of your nose. For evening try it on the inner corners of your eyes for some sparkle. Perfect!

 

GlimmerSHEER by beautyADDICTS, $28 each at www.beautyaddicts.com.

 

Biggest Beauty Trend Right Now? A Bold Red Lip

Red Lips are a massive trend! This classic red carpet staple grabs attention for all the right reasons. Just ask Drew Barrymore, Sofia Vergara, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, Lupita Nyong’o and all the other major players that chose bold, red lips at the 71st Annual Golden Globes.

Physicians Formula’s Celebrity Makeup Artist, Joanna Schlip, shares her expertise on getting red right and making it last. She says it’s all about starting with smooth lips, choosing the proper red shade and layering your color.

  1. Prep: Start with a smooth slate. Exfoliate lips to remove dry skin which can be exaggerated with red. Make your own lip fix with 1/2 tsp of moisturizing honey and a pinch of sugar. Gently rub over lips to exfoliate.
  2. Layer: For staying power, begin with a go-with-everything lip stain like Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Glossy Stain in Red, $9.95 at physiciansformula.com.
  3. Color: After your stain has set, layer your red lipstick on top and you’re good to go for hours of eating, drinking and what-not. It’s crucial to choose a shade that flatters your skin tone. If you’re fair (like Taylor Swift) opt for a blue-based red like BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Call the Shots, $18 at sephora.com. If you’re medium-toned (like Jennifer Lawrence) try a bold, brick hue such as Make Up For Ever in Red Brick, $20 at sephora.com. Darker-complected girls will look great in bright, orange-based reds. Try Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven, $28 at  sephora.com.

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year?

Though I know I’ll still be wearing Emerald (Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013) in 2014 you can expect to see lots of bright, gorgeous, Radiant Orchid! This new “it” shade–a purple with fuchsia and pink undertones–flatters most skin and hair tones and is already saturating the market in beauty, fashion and home decor. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute  says “it inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health,” and she goes on to describe this flattering-for-all shade as “surprisingly versatile.”

Whether you’re a purist and will stick with Radiant Orchid as is, or you prefer purple, pink or fuchsia, you’ll have lots of choices. Check out some of my favorites, and get ready to turn heads.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Diva, $25 at shiseido.com. Liquid lipstick with intense color. It’s moisturizing, non-bleed and has a gorgeous lacquer-like finish.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Orchid, $26 at sephora.com. Glides onto lids easily (no tugging or pulling) and really brings out the green in my eyes.

Laura Geller Beauty INKcredible Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Purple Rain, $20 at Ulta.com. Highly pigmented color won’t smudge, smear or run.

Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in Dream On, $1.99 at walgreens.com. An inexpensive, easy way to be on-trend!

Voda Swim “Sports Illustrated” Bikini in Fuchsia Shimmer, $66 (top), $44 (bottom) at vodaswim.com. Called thus because it was featured in Sports Illustrated! It doesn’t get much sexier, for those who find themselves poolside.

Proenza Schouler Mini Pouch Crossbody Bag, $1325 at Saksfifthavenue.com. If money is no object, this crossbody is the must-have bag of the year!

H&M Fleece Top, $29.95 at hm.com. Because you want to look good while working hard for that body.

(image courtesy of Pinterest)

 

 

Top 10 Beauty Products for 2013

If it’s good enough for David Letterman, Amazon and Billboard it’s good enough for The Beauty Wall! Here, my Top Ten Favorite Beauty Products that I wrote about this past year…
Tarte Glamazon Lipstick…because it stays put for hours.

Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer…because flawless looking skin is always in style.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage…because nothing covers as well while still looking natural.

Cane + Austin Miracle Pad…because why look older when you don’t have to.

Lamas Botanicals Pumpkin Spice Polish…because it cleans, sloughs and polishes and it smells amazing.

Lather Vanilla Bean & Shea Soap…because it smells sooooo good.

Korres Shower Gel…because this is way better than the next best thing.

Arrojo Defrizz Serum…because frizzy hair should be someone else’s problem.

Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray…because on some days less is more.

21 Drops…because it helps cure whatever ails you and the packaging is so damn cute.

Think you can’t wear red lipstick? Think Again!

Every makeup artist I’ve ever met says there’s a red shade for everyone. That might be true but a bold crimson lip isn’t something I ever do. I love the look on others but for me, it feels like too, too much.

The way I wear red? Blotted so that it looks like I’ve been eating cherries. I still get the same flattering color but the intensity is toned down to the natural look that I prefer. Truly, it’s a look that works for all!

3 ways to do it:

  1. Apply just a bit of your favorite red lipstick, then rub into your lips with your fingertip.
  2. Swipe on your red the way you usually do. Blot down with a tissue.
  3. Use a lip-stain product. You’ll like Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Flamenco  or Benefit Benetint.

 

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

Broken Beauty

I love this little trick that I learned about years ago!

With a little alcohol (the rubbing kind) and a butter knife you’ll never have to throw out a broken blush or eyeshadow ever again. Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol directly to the broken, dusty pieces of makeup until it’s soft. Then, take the butter knife and spread it across the container so it’s flat and smooth. Within a day or two days the alcohol will completely evaporate. When completely dry it’s good as new and ready for use.

(photo courtesy of ybskin.com)

Nancy Answers: How do I keep my eye makeup from smudging and smearing?

Dear Nancy, I don’t wear a lot of eye makeup but what I do wear always ends up smeared under my eyes. What can I do to stop this from happening? Sincerely, A

Dear A, There’s a very fine line between good intentional smudgy-smeary (think Carine Roitfield) and unkempt smudgy-smeary (think Courtney Love). It works on Carine because she’s polished and french and can get away with more…it’s a confidence thing! Since you don’t want to risk looking like the later, here’s an easy fix.

Chances are your makeup is smearing because you’re using cream based formulas like undereye concealer, cream eyeshadow and/or creamy eyeliner. Oil-based formulas can break down your mascara and cause it to smear. To prevent this use a small makeup brush  to dust translucent powder over the entire eye area after you’ve applied your products. It will help set your makeup and keep it in place. Still struggling? Toss a corrector pen in your bag to easily erase any smudges that might appear. Dior’s new Diorshow Flash Corrector works well. xoxoNancy

(photography courtesy of weheartit.com)