Makeup Essentials

Makeup must-haves! What are the basic makeup elements?

Every makeup collection should include a few essential pieces: Foundation to even out skin tones and add smoothness. Powder to even skin tones while preventing shine. Concealer to blend and erase blemishes. Blush to add definition and highlights cheekbones. Mascara to brighten eyes and make them appear bigger. Eyeliner to help define the shape of eyes. Eyeshadow accents eyes' natural beauty. Lip liner to give lips the perfect pout for added fullness. Lipstick or lip gloss to add the finishing touch by giving lips a natural glow!

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Choosing Colors
Cool vs. Warm
Foundation
Concealer
Blush
Eye Makeup

How to choose the most flattering makeup colors:

Cool vs. Warm
Choosing makeup can be just as much work as the application process itself. It’s easy when you know what to look for.

First, choose colors that complement your natural skin tones. Remember, the secret to wearing makeup is to make it look like you’re not wearing any.

Second, keep in mind whether your skin tone is “warm” or “cool.” Warm colors will have a yellowish undertone. They are based on yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish-greens, reds and the like. Cool colors have a pinkish undertone. They are based on blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas and violets.

If you have cool undertones, you should wear cool makeup colors; if you have warm undertones, you should wear makeup colors that are warm. Wearing colors opposite of your natural coloring can give you a washed-out look. Once you know if your undertones are cool or warm, you will understand what colors will be most flattering to you.

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Make your blemishes disappear.
Choosing a concealer is quite a bit easier. Concealer should be just one shade lighter than the skin's natural color. It can be worn alone or under/over foundation.

Building a well-blended foundation.
When choosing a foundation, you should always try to match your natural skin color as closely as possible. This will give your skin a natural look. You’ll know when you’ve found the right foundation because it will seem to disappear on your skin. Your powder should be approximately the same color as your foundation, so that the two will blend evenly on your face. If your complex is oily, choose a slightly lighter shade than your actual skin tone. The oil in the skin can make the foundation look darker over time as it oxidizes.

Pressed powder.
Choose a color to match skin's natural tone.

Blushing beauty.
As with all makeup, when choosing a blush color, try to keep it natural. Try to think of the color in your cheeks after you’ve been exercising. That’s the color your blush should be. Coppery tones look great on women with darker skin tones, while pinks and peaches look better on women with lighter skin tones. Keep your blush color in mind when choosing your lip color (whether you choose a lip gloss or lipstick) as you’ll want the two colors to coordinate.

Bright-eyed.
To choose the perfect mascara color, take a good look at the natural color of your eyelashes, and choose a mascara color one shade darker. Remember, mascara is what pulls your lashes to attention and makes them stand out. You’ll want to make sure your eyeliner color matches the mascara color if you want a natural look. For those with fair-colored hair, choose a lighter mascara color (like brown instead of black).

Choosing eye shadow colors is the most difficult of all makeup choices. If you just follow these simple guidelines, you’ll be a pro in no time.

Approach:

• Try speed shading. Use a cotton ball to apply the lighter shade of eyeshadow from the lash line to brow bone for quick, seamless application.
• Did you know that certain shades of shadows can enhance the color of your eyes?
  • For green/hazel eyes, apply plum colors.
  • For blue eyes, use shades of gold and peach.
  • For brown eyes, try pinks or blues.

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Application Guide

How to apply makeup like a pro:

Now that you have all the basic pieces in the perfect colors, it’s time to apply your makeup to your skin. Putting on makeup is an art form, so it’s important to start with a clean canvas … or a face. You should wash your face and neck with gentle facial cleanser and rinse thoroughly with warm water. To keep your skin from drying out, apply an appropriate moisturizer after cleansing. This gives your skin added vitality. Plus, it allows your makeup to glide on effortlessly. Cleanser: You should wash your face and neck with gentle facial cleanser and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Toner: A toner will help to clean any areas that your cleanser could not reach. It aids in balancing the skin and setting a clean foundation on which a moisturizer can hold better. Moisturizer: A moisturizer ensures maximum skin comfort, moisture and resiliency all day or all night. A moisturizer adds back into your skin lost hydration, making the skin softer, smoother and more supple looking. Moisturizers often have two formula choices — cream or lotion. Lotions are designed for normal to oilier skin types. And creams are designed for normal to drier skin types. Exfoliate: Regular exfoliation is recommended for best results.

Concealer: Dab sparingly to the lips and eyelid with a little eye cream, and blend well. Add a touch of concealer to either side of the bridge of the nose (by the corner of each eye). This will highlight and open the eye area. The same effect will occur when concealer is placed lightly along the top of the cheekbones, and blended. Follow with powder to set in place for truer color and longer wear. Foundation: Dab some foundation on a clean finger. When blending, use fingers with downward strokes so as not to disturb the natural growth of fine facial hairs. Be sure to blend well into the hairline and down the jawline to avoid any line of demarcation. Powder: For better adherence and longer wear, use over your favorite foundation and/or moisturizer. Apply powder with a brush to set foundation for all-day wear and more natural coverage. For a smooth application, apply powder with downward strokes so as not to disturb the natural growth of fine facial hairs. For greater coverage, apply with puff in patting manner. For lighter coverage, apply with a brush in a downward, sweeping manner. During the day, sweep the sponge applicator gently across the T-zone to absorb surface oils and achieve a fresh, matte finish.

Next, apply your blush. Blush brings life to your cheekbones. It’s just applied to the cheekbone area. Blush: Shake the excess product off the brush before applying color to avoid harsh lines and an unnatural finish. To ensure the appropriate placement of cheek color, apply product above an invisible line that runs from the bottom of the ear lobe to the tip of the nose and keep product below an invisible line that runs from the top of the ear to the tip of the nose. Color should come no closer than a two-finger distance to the side of the nose. Begin color application from of the top cheekbone, at the center of the ear, and blend downward, using a circular motion along the cheekbone to the "apple" of the cheek. This application technique allows the greatest concentration of color to be toward the hairline and not at the center of the face. If you've applied too much color, and it looks a bit too harsh or overdone, smooth it out by blending away the edges with a neutral or light powder. Bronzer: For a "sun-kissed" look, choose a bronzer and lightly brush it over the forehead, nose, chin and "apples" of the the cheeks. Highlighter: To make cheekbones more prominent, choose a highlighter and gently sweep above the cheekbone. Next, choose a deeper shade and apply to the "hollow" for contour. Apply a gentle sweep of color across the brow bone to highlight the eye area.

Now you’re ready to start on your eyes! Start with the eyeshadow. Eyeshadow: After applying a lighter shade from the lash line to the brow bone, use a darker shade on the crease. To locate the crease of the eye, look in the mirror while tipping your head slightly back. The socket is where the darker shadow should be applied. Another technique is to place the applicator or brush in the center of the eyelid while the lid is closed. Open the eye and the applicator or brush will move directly to the crease. Place the darker shadow along the crease moving from the center of the crease outward from the lash line. At the lash line, finish with a "V" by slightly lifting the brush/applicator upward. Blend well. Use the darker shadow along the lash line to create a smoky effect. Place dab of lighter shadow under the lower lashes to highlight the lash line. Choose an eyeshadow color that matches the eyeliner. Lightly apply it over the pencil eyeliner to make it smudge-proof for longer wear. Pencil Eyeliner: After sharpening the pencil, dull the point with fingertip to achieve a softer line. To apply, gently pull the eyelid taut, getting as close to the lash line as possible, glide the pencil or brush with short, feathery strokes along the lashes. For the best effect, begin at the inner corner of the upper lid and make a fine line that gradually builds to the outer corner of the eye. Line the lower lash line with fine strokes from the center of the lower lash line to the outer corner of the eye. For a more dramatic effect, draw a thicker line along the upper lash line. Gently smudge the line at the outer corner of the eye will create a sultry, smoky effect. To sharpen your pencil, turn the sharpener rather than the pencil. This will create a perfect point, and increase the life span of the pencil. Liquid Eyeliner: For a less intense line, remove some of the product from the tip with a tissue before applying. For a more dramatic effect, draw a thicker line along the upper lash line and leave the lower lashes unlined. Mascara: To avoid clumps while applying mascara, wipe excess product off the wand before application. To keep your eyes from blinking when applying mascara, try keeping your mouth open. To avoid drying out the mascara, do not "pump" the mascara wand into the tube, rather twirl the wand inside the tube to collect product on the brush. For added volume and definition, allow lashes to dry before applying a second coat. To lengthen lashes, apply mascara and then add a second coat to the tips only. While mascara is still wet, gently sweep comb in an upward manner to separate lashes. Black mascara will achieve the most dramatic effect. Brown mascara gives a more natural look. To ensure mascara is fresh, date the bottom of the tube as a reminder that the product should be replaced in 12 weeks.

Lastly, for the final touch, apply your lip color. Lip Liner: Start with a lip liner and create an outline following the natural shape of your lips. Start from the inside and work your way outward to the corners. Lipstick: Then apply the lip coloring from a lipstick. Apply by starting on the edges and moving inward. Lip Gloss: For added glow, apply a single coat of shimmering lip gloss.

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Brushes
For best results, always shake excess product off the brush before beginning application.

Eye brushes

• To achieve a natural finish for brows, use eyeliner brush and sweep color across brows in the opposite direction from which they grow. This ensures color lies on the skin and not on the hairs, which can lead to smudges.
• While mascara is still wet, gentle sweep comb in an upward manner to separate lashes.
• For well-groomed brows, brush brows upward and outward in the direction of growth. Set with gel.

Face brushes

• Beginning cheek color application from the ear, blending downward along the cheekbone to the apple of the cheek allows the greatest concentration of color to be toward the hairline, not at the center of the face.
• Sweep powder brush in a downward fashion to set the look without disturbing the natural growth of fine facial hairs.
• The corner edge of the brush is ideal to place color beneath the cheekbone to contour the face.
• To apply cheek color to the cheekbones, use the flat side of the brush.

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Fragrances 101

Buying Fragrances
Top, Middle & Base Notes Defined

Buying Fragrances

When buying fragrances, there are a few things to remember:

1. Did you know that not all fragrances smell the same on all people? Fragrances have different reactions on each of us. This is why you should never purchase a fragrance just because you like the way it smells on a friend. The fragrance might not have the exact same scent when you try it on.
   
2. Don’t be surprised if a fragrance seems to change with a few hours of wear. This is normal. All fragrances have three notes (or phases) that they go through during a single wear. It might smell different at the end of the day than it did in the morning.
   
   
3. Each fragrance has top, middle and base notes.

• The top notes are what you smell when you put the fragrance on. This period usually lasts for about five to ten minutes. The top notes provide freshness and are often comprised of lighter notes.
• The middle notes, which are also called the body notes, tell the story of the fragrance.
  As the fragrance begins to warm on your skin, the true scent comes to life. The body notes will combine with top notes to expose the fragrance’s warmth and distinctiveness.
• The base notes are the final expression of a fragrance. They are the memory of the top and body notes. Base notes will surface after three to six hours of wear. They are the lasting staying power of the fragrance. Wood, moss and musk scents are common base notes.

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Fragrance Terms

Floral Scents
Citrus Scents
Exotic Spice
Musk

Understanding the scent behind fragrance terms:

Floral Scents An essential oil that is extracted from jasmine shrubbery. Characterized by a sweet scent that’s known as a romantic fragrance. Oil of neroli is distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree. It has a very strong and refreshing, bittersweet aroma and is one of the most widely used floral oils in perfumes. Mexican herb having grasslike leaves and grown for its spikes of waxy white flowers with a highly fragrant lily-like scent. The flower of the cananga tree. It yields a fragrant oil, which is characterized by its sweet floral scent. A flower native to China that is valued for its delicate fruity-floral apricot aroma.

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Citrus Scents An extract from the rind of the bergamot orange. Characterized by its light citrus fragrance. A small orange tree of southeastern Asia with yellow to reddish-orange, loose-rinded fruits.

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Exotic Spice A fragrant oil that comes from mint. It’s one of the earthiest of all essential oils. Known for its distinctive woody fragrance and rich notes of musk. It is used for incense, aromatherapy and perfume. It has a soft, sweet, woody scent. Used to describe a full-bodied, warm fragrance. Its scent is subtle, yet woody. An aromatic spice native to India. It has a sweet, yet spicy fragrance similar to ginger.

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Musk Is grown on oak trees. With a sharp piney scent. A soft piney fragrance derived from various rockroses, which are woody herbs. A shrub or small tree having fragrant bell-shaped flowers that hang below the dark green foliage. Best known for its woodsy fragrance. An essential oil derived from an African grass root and traditionally used to make mats and rugs. Vetiver has an earthy, smoky scent.

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