How To Apply Blush

Filed Under (Makeup tip) by admin on 25-12-2008

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Here’s How:

  1. First choose the color using nature as your guide. According to InStyle, the trick is to find a color that matches your cheeks when they’re flushed after exercise or being out in the cold. For a quick test, ’spank’ your cheeks & use the resulting color as a guide. (We suggest doing this in the comfrot of your home away from other people, wink). Another trick is to match your lip color. Fair skin looks great in rose, olive in peach & dark skin in apricot or even red.
  2. Now that you have the color, choose the right formula for your skin type. Powder is typically best for oily & combo skin. Cream is great for dry skin. Liquid and gel are great for oily skin. For even better results, combine cream & powder together. “It helps my blush stay on longer & looks more luminous,” said makeup artist Laura Mercier in O Magazine . Keep in mind stains — great for well-moisturized skin, not dry skin — tend to dry very fast so blend well & fast.
  3. Apply foundation, eye color & lipstick. While blush is usually your 2nd-to-last makeup step (before powder), you should experiment with what works best for you. Some makeup artists like to apply blush BEFORE foundation for a more ‘natural’ look.
  4. Throw out the freebie ‘Barbie-size’ blush brush that comes with the blush. Use a professional full brush instead (I like MAC’s blush brush No. 116), but don’t use the same brush you use for your powder.
  5. Put the blush on your brush, tapping off any excess or put a dab of gel on your fingers.
  6. Look into the mirror and smile. This helps you figure out where the ‘apple’ of your cheek is.
  7. Since you want a healthy flush, it’s best to apply blush only to apples of your cheeks. Keep color light & blended. If you’re using gel or cream, NYC makeup artist Carlo Geraci (in O Magazine) suggests dabbing it on with your middle finger, then blend with your ring & middle finger. The clean finger will pick up any excess blush.
  8. If you’ve gone a bit too heavy on the powder blush, a bit of translucent powder over it will calm it down. For cream blush, blot the color off with a tissue. Since gel & liquid blush ’stain’ the cheeks, the only way to lighten them is it wash your face, moisturize and reapply your makeup, this time more sparingly.
  9. Finish your look with a sweep of translucent powder.
  10. Extra tip: For a sun-kissed sheen dab bronzer powder on your forehead, chin & nose BEFORE you apply the blush. To make sure it doesn’t look like a stripe, use “a big brush & a light hand,” suggests makeup artist Bobbi Brown in Lucky Magazine. Those with darker skin tones should try a caramel-color bronzer (not orange) paired with a yellow-based blush, suggests makeup artist Jeanine Lobell in Elle Magazine.

    Lobell suggests Stila Sun Gel bronzer 
    She also recommends Dr. Hauschka Bronzing Powder 

  11. Expert tip: Feel free to experiment with different ways of shading. Makeup artist Shane Paish suggests in the May, 2006, issue of InStyle, to try a C-shape shading. To do this, apply a sheer highlighting powder in a c-shape from your temples to your cheekbones. It should go from the center of your brow bone to the center of your cheek, Paish said, “like the shape of a parenthesis.”

Tips:

  1. Clean your brushes with baby wipes. If you don’t keep your brushes clean, they’ll gather bacteria and transfer it to your skin.
  2. For a sexy look, dab a little shimmery blush on the highest point of your cheekbone nearest your eye.
  3. Using powder blush? Always sweep it in one direction. Going over & over or around and around causes streaks & can hurt your brush.
  4. Cream blush is great for mature skin. It blends easily & therefore looks very natural. For gel or cream blush, dab a dot on the apple of the cheek and two smaller dots up the cheekbone. Blend the dots together up to the hairline.
  5. Dusky pink blush will warm up any tired-looking skin.

What You Need:

  • blush
  • professional blush brush
  • mirror
  • translucent powder
  • bronzer blusher

275 Medium Angled Shading Brush

Filed Under (Uncategorized) by admin on 22-12-2008

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For applying and blending eye shadow. This brush has soft, smooth fibers and a full, angled design. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature birch, linden and ramin wood handles, nickel-plated brass ferrules.

Mac 208 Angled Brow Brush

Filed Under (Product) by admin on 20-12-2008

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Applies colour to the brow. Use to define or add “fill”. Its precise angled tip provides pro-style application. Synthetic / natural blend fibre. Use to apply powder, liquid or cream products.

secret to a natural, flawless look

Filed Under (Makeup tip) by admin on 30-11-2008

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1. Apply foundation to your cheeks, forehead, and chin using a foundation brush, sponge, or clean fingertips. Blend the foundation all the way to your natural hairline with long, light strokes.
2. Continue blending over the jawline and onto your neck to achieve a natural, seamless look. Check your face and neck in natural light to make sure the foundation is completely blended in all areas.
3. If under-eye circles or red spots remain, do not add more foundation; it can look heavy and cakey. Instead, try a concealer.

 Tip: Choose the shade of your foundation carefully. When testing out shades, pick one that matches the tone of your jawline exactly. It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look in natural light.

 Tip: Begin by applying a small amount of foundation then increase amount to achieve the degree of coverage that suits your skin.

 Tip: For daytime, mix your foundation with a light SPF moisturizer before applying for a smoother, more sheer application.

About M.A.C

Filed Under (Product) by admin on 12-11-2008

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Few would argue that MAC Cosmetics has become the most popular makeup brand in the world today. Since their launch in Canada in 1985, they have grown in leaps and bounds to become the iconic fashion label they are today. This has certainly been helped by the glowing praise they’ve received from a variety of celebrities, including Dita von Teese, Pamela Anderson, Debbie Harry, Alexander McQueen, Fergie, and many others. They made the unusual decision of declaring the famous drag queen, RuPaul, the first ever “Face of MAC” when they had their “Who is the MAC girl?” campaign in 1994.

MAC Cosmetics has a wide range of products. Some of their flagship products include MAC Blush (including their MAC Barbie Blush range), MAC Lipstick, their legendary MAC Brushes, MAC eye liners and eye palettes, and for the hardcore fashionistas and makeup artists, the raw MAC pigments are perennially popular.

The range of MAC can be overwhelming for someone new to the brand, especially via their limited edition collections. They are constantly releasing new products lines and new colours. The downside of this is they are also constantly discontinuing products. Your favourite MAC blush might be here now, but gone tomorrow. Some of their limited edition collections in 2008 include Dazzleglass, Skinsheen, Naughty Nauticals, Studio Moisture, Heatherette, Strobe, Fafi and Slimshine. With each of them potentially having dozens of products, you can imagine the variety in the MAC line!

MAC Cosmetics are also known for their social conscience. They have a number of programs to help the community. In particular, MAC are involved in AIDS research. Their “Viva Glam” product line supports AIDS charities. This program has raised an impressive $100 million dollars, which shows that their commitment to thiscause is more than just lip service. In addition to this, they are known to manufacture their products using cruelty-free methods.

MAC maintain very strong links with their roots, the professional makeup artist, via the MAC Pro program. Paying members of the MAC Pro program, including models, makeup artists, photographers, and celebrities, receive a number of benefits including significant discounts on MAC products, professional support and discount MAC Cosmetics only available to pro members.