January 26, 2010

Photo courtesy of: BellaSugar.com
Q: OK. Give me the blow-by-blow on skin prep before applying makeup...
A: For prepping the skin, it should be clean and remaining makeup should be removed so there is a clean palette. I usually use a toner to clean the skin. I then clean up the brows by plucking or shaving any extra fuzz around the brows
with an eye brow razor. After that I apply a moisturizer that goes with my client's skin type. Eye cream, lip balm, and of course a primer. Primer fills in any cracks or holes there may be in the skin, giving it a smooth surface. The foundation literally glides on after primer, and it is also used to hold on makeup much longer.
Q: I want to use highlighter. What's the best way to apply it?
A: When highlighting the face, I actually normally use a lighter foundation (Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation) to do this. The highlight points are between the eye brows and a touch above them. Under the brows, center of the nose a thin line, top of the cheekbones and center of the chin. Sometimes just a touch on the cupid's bow (above the lip).
Q: How do you apply blush for a natural look?A: Blush is always best in the center (apple) of the cheek. The point of it is to add color and life to the face. When you naturally blush it's in the center of the cheeks. Remove the excess color from the blush and blend outward so there are no streaks or lines.
Q: I have oily skin. How do I get a healthy glow without looking greasy?
A: I use a translucent powder on everyone! Every skin tone. I use RCMA -- No color powder for every makeup application I do. It sets the makeup perfectly, takes away shine, but doesn't change the color, which is important after you've spent time concealing and highlighting. So it's important to set the skin first, then you can apply the right products after to add the glow.
For darker skin I usually do it with a bronzer.
Sun Bunny by Too Faced is a nice one- applied to forehead, nose, cheeks and chin this adds warmth as well as glow. They have a color called Snow bunny that is a highlighter, which can be applied after for highlighting. If your skin is oily, stick with highlight products in powder form. Also remember when it comes to powdering throughout the day, don't use a powder that has coverage like a MAC studio fix or something, because it has oil and its also like applying foundation on top of foundation which just brings out more oil.
Urban Decay De-Slick Powder is a nice translucent pressed powder, Laura Mercier has a nice one as well.
Q: What are the current trends in lip colors?
A: I think people are getting really daring with bold, bright colors for fall 2010. Deep dark reds/almost-black tones paired with a champagne shimmer eye shadow, thin black liner, and a lot of lashes is a great look. Same eyes paired with hot pink lips is very fun for the New Year as well. I think Nude lips are always in especially if you're focusing on the eye.
Q: Hey Carlene! What products did you use on Nicole Scherzinger for the 2010 People's Choice Awards?
A: Check out my blog. I talk ALL about the products:
December 06, 2009

I don't know about you, but the holidays are like coming at warp speed this year. I mean, the snowfall in NYC this weekend was pleasant for some, but for me? A frozen mockery of my apparent inabilty to shop before the very last minute. I love my family and I'd love to find the perfect gifts for them and all, but I've got like a trillion balls to juggle these days. So many balls in the air, I've considered skipping my weekly salon visit just to catch up on um, everything.
In case that day really does happen and my ends start looking a little err, crispy, I'll reach for Avon Advance Techniques Dry End Serum ($4.99). It instantly makes nog-lected (heh, heh) hair in dire need of a trim look sleek and healthy.
The Breezy Synopsis:
1. Give your neglected tresses a gift: a quick boost of shine.
2. Hey, it's even on sale right now...$2.99!
October 07, 2009

Remember Thursday nights at college? Just about everyone was whirling around - oft in the direction of the nearest party. There was not a thought of A.M. work study or auditorium-sized Geology classes. All right I'll be honest. That wasn't exactly my coed experience, but I sure wondered where folks were going as I headed to 7-11 for nachos!
Last night I kind of had one of those collegiate/not-a-care-in-the-world nights. It was a mix of taxis, a guy humping the floor during his Michael Jackson impersonation, and of course French fries. There was also a couple of drinks thrown in for good measure. In fact, one of my special someones took the ol' college days literally and had a little pre-party before the night began.
I'm sensing her skin will be in need of some hydration this morning so I sure hope she carries her purse-friendly Evian Spray Natural Mineral Water, Travel Trio ($16) to work today. The fine mist immediately gives your skin some pep. I'm thinking she can also use the cool spritz the way some discipline wayward cats. If she feels her forehead yearning to mate with her keyboard this afternoon, she can give herself a quick "warning" spray.
So my lovely friend, this one's dedicated to you. Keep your head up (literally).