Category Archives: Makeup

You Glow Girl!

Product Review: Pixi Perfection Palette in Lit-Up Lovely, $28 at www.pixibeauty.com

I’ve never been a huge fan of makeup palettes. I usually end up loving one or two shades and when “the chosen ones” are gone, I’m done with it. The second I saw Pixi’s Lit-Up Lovely, I knew that was about to change–I knew I’d used each and every shade and often! All the shades are neutral and sheer (even the darkest ones) so they truly complement all skin tones making it easy to create a variety of different looks with this one palette.

Eyes: There are 16 eye shadows ranging from vanilla to gold, peach, pink, bronze, chocolate and everything in between. They have a nice shimmer to them and can be worn alone or layered. Whether you’re going for a simple swipe of color or anything from pale and icy to dark and smoky, this palette can do it.

Cheeks: The 3 cheek powders are luminous so you’ll want to be stingy, a little goes a long way. Depending on your complexion they can double as highlighters.

Face: The face powders (a highlighter and a bronzer) are more matte and very natural looking. I like the highlighter for subtle contouring and the bronzer for a natural sun-kissed glow.

Pixi Perfection Palette in Lit-Up Lovely will give you a luminous, flawless face. Talk about appropriately named!

 

 

Classic with a Twist!

Review: Maybelline New York, Great Lash Limited Edition Collection, $6.40 at mass retailers nationwide.

I (like almost every makeup artist and model I’ve worked with) love Maybelline Great Lash! The narrow wand makes it a cinch to apply this clump-free formula plus it conditions, colors, thickens and washes off easily. And now there’s six more reasons to love Great Lash! For the month of August only, Maybelline has launched 6 new limited edition bold shades in the same classic formula everyone loves, “Green with Envy”, “I See Blue”, “So Very Berry”, “Teal Appeal”, “Vision in Violet” and “Wink of Pink”.

To make colored mascara work for you, choose the color that best complements your eyes: purple hues work best for those with green or brown eyes, blue mascara is ideal for those with brown or blue eyes and green mascara plays up hazel eyes. For major impact, opt for the teal or pink.

3 Ways to wear it:

  1. Wear it on top and bottom lashes with neutral-toned eyeshadow.
  2. Try it layered over black mascara on the tips of lashes only.
  3. Apply black mascara on the top lashes and coat the lower lashes with your colorful mascara.

Nancy Answers: Am I too old for colorful eye shadow and liner?

Dear Nancy, I love experimenting with bright eye shadow and liner but I’m on the other side of 40. Do you have any tips or tricks to help me look more age appropriate but still embrace my love of color? Sincerely, T

Dear T, If you love the way you look and your confidence cup run-eth over I say who cares! But, the fact that you’re asking the question leads me to believe you’re aware that this look isn’t exactly working for you any more. No one wants to be the girl who looks like she’s trying too hard to be young and trendy and it sounds like that’s the direction you’re headed if you don’t make some changes pronto.

You’ll quickly find out that age-appropriate doesn’t have to equal boring and you don’t need to stick to neutrals like brown, grey and black if you choose toned-down versions of the colors you already love.  If bright blue is your go-to, opt for navy or smokey blue instead. Love emerald, swipe on hunter green. A bold purple might be too bright but an eggplant or plum shade just might do the trick. Try: Tarte SmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner in Plum, Fig, Olive, Moss or Navy, $22 at sephora.com. xoxoNancy

(photography courtesy of www.sephora.com)

 

The Best Lipstick for Everyone!

Finding the perfect everyday lipstick can be tricky. If you’re not sure where to start, begin with your natural lip tone–then take it just up a notch for your most flattering shade–most likely in the rose-toned family.

Before purchasing, you’ll need to try it on. Your natural lip color will determine what the lipstick shade looks like on you, that’s why what works for you best friend might not be right for you. And when you’ve got it, you’ll know. You’ll still look like you, only better!

*Add a clear gloss to make lips appear fuller or blot it for a more matte finish.

 

(photography courtesy of Chanel)

 

 

 

Look Years Younger With This One Beauty Trick!

Makeup decisions can add to or subtract years from your appearance. Here’s an easy way to turn back the clock, no new products required!

Simply concentrate your eye makeup to upper eyes only. It will downplay crows feet and dark circles and you’ll instantly look more wide-eyed and youthful.

To do:

  • Apply a neutral-toned eyeshadow.
  • Line your upper lids.
  • Curl your lashes.
  • Apply a very black mascara to upper lashes only.

Give it a shot and let me know your thoughts! xoxoNancy

 

 

(photography, Oscar Bejarano, 500px.com)

 

You’re Better with Bronzer!

I’m a big believer in protecting my skin from the damaging effects of the sun but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the look of a safe summer glow. I find that powdered bronzer is the easiest and quickest way to wake up my complexion and add some natural-looking, lit-from-within color.

Bronzing 101:

  1. The color you choose should only be a few shades darker than your complexion, anything too dark, too orange or too shimmery will look dirty or fake.
  2. If you have oily skin or have recently applied moisturizer or sunscreen, begin with a base of translucent powder to avoid streaks.
  3. Using a wide, fluffy, rounded brush, swirl it in bronzer and tap off excess. Only apply where the sun hits naturally–your forehead, cheeks, bridge of nose and chin. Blend well.
  4. Add a touch of a warm, rosy blush to your apples for younger-looking radiance. 

Try:

Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder, $38 at bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

glominerals Shimmer Brick, $33 at gloprofessional.com

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Light/Medium Matte Bronzer, $30 at sephora.com.

Best Reason for Waterproof Mascara? Camp!

It feels like yesterday that I was dropping Emma and Sam off at preschool. While the other kids sobbed and screamed clinging to  legs, my kiddos ran right into the thick of things checking out toys, the teacher and all the new faces. If at first I felt that something was amiss, the teachers stepped in and I was quickly assured that I had obviously done something right, my children were confident and secure–they’d thrive! A few years removed from this incident and I’m left wondering what those other parents were told. No doubt it was something to make them feel equally comforted. Even though it feels like it to me, it wasn’t yesterday that I was dropping them off at preschool. A few days ago they graduated from 5th and 3rd grades and in less than a week they’re headed to sleep away camp for the very first time.

Though Emma and Sam are overjoyed at the thought of a month away from home to swim, hike, learn to waterski, sign up for sports and activities, be in a band, a play and participate in color war, I’m having a much harder time. They’re looking forward to meeting new friends and telling stories around a camp fire, I’m thinking about how quiet the house will be.

In all fairness, I knew this day was coming. My husband was a camper from the age of seven practically until he went off to college. When we were dating he actually took me to see his camp! He has lifelong friends from those long-ago summers and one of his old bunkmates even officiated at our wedding so it was only a matter of time. I do know they’ll have the time of their lives, but I sure wish I had some words of wisdom from those teachers now. One thing I do have is waterproof mascara…I have a feeling I’ll be needing it!

I love L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara, $7.99 at ulta.com. It gives me gorgeous lashes that won’t smudge or smear, no matter how many tears may fall.

xoxoNancy

(photo courtesy of www.shopping.com)

 

 

 

 

 

Loud Mouth!

I love the  latest summer makeup look–a swipe of lip gloss and little else. For daytime stick to pale pinks, nudes and sheer coral glosses. For evening, go bold with orange, red, fuchsia or plum.

Glossy lips call for minimal makeup everywhere else. After moisturizing, cover up blemishes and circles with concealer or use a beauty balm if more all-over coverage is needed. Give eyes a touch of pale, neutral shadow and a coat or two of mascara on upper lashes only. Swipe on gloss and your done!

Three Favorites:

Girlactik Star Gloss in Orange Twist, $18 at girlactik.com. A long-lasting sheer apricot that works for all skin tones.

Clarins Crystal Lip Gel in Crystal Plum, $22 at macys.com. Glides on smoothly and has a wonderful blackcurrant fragrance.

Chanel Glossimer in Wild Rose, $29.50 at nordstrom.com. Super-shimmery and extra-shiny.

 

The Hot New BB Cream? A CC Cream!

The hot new BB Cream is a CC Cream!

Beauty Balms (aka BB Creams) have enjoyed their time in the spotlight thanks to multiple benefits of an all-in-one moisturizer, primer, sun protection and a light foundation. Color Correctors (aka CC Creams) are the latest take on this craze. Similar to the BB Cream they do all of the above but also address specific complexion concerns like dullness or discoloration while adding a bit more coverage. Both are lighter than your traditional foundation.

Your skin type, desired coverage and even the weather (dry vs. humid conditions) will all influence your preference.

BB & CC Beauty Tips:

  • Apply sunscreen before your BB or CC Cream to ensure you’re getting adequate sun protection.
  • Blend with your usual foundation when looking for more coverage.
  • If skin is oily, use it as a primer to help set your makeup. If skin is dry, mix in a little moisturizer for extra hydration.

To Try:

Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF30 , $42 at sephora.com

Ole Henrikson Perfect Truth CC Creme Broad Spectrum SPF30, $36, available at sephora.com

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF20, $34, available at sephora.com

 

Something to Blush About…

Product Review: Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush in In Bloom, $24 at www.sephora.com.

I love that extra boost of energy I feel after a good workout. It gets my blood pumping and brings a healthy-looking glow to my complexion that lasts for hours!

Thanks to a little blush, that glow is easy to mimic. The perfect shade for you is the color your cheeks naturally turn when you’re blushing or exercising. To do, smile and apply blush to the apples with a fluffy brush if it’s powder or dotted on if it’s cream or gel. Gently blend up into the hairline and down and out for instant and natural-looking radiance!

I tried Smashbox Halo Long Wear Blush and was more than pleasantly surprised. In Bloom is a pink shade that adds just the right amount of color to my skin. It actually looks a lot brighter in the packaging but is absolutely perfect when applied. With its cool, built-in grinder a little twist gives you freshly ground, mess-free color–the perfect amount every time.

(photo courtesy of Orange County Bride Magazine)