Tag Archives: makeup tips

New Year, New Beauty!

2016 is just around the corner and one of the best ways to celebrate a New Year is to treat yourself to something nice. I’ve always found that buying yourself a new beauty product is one of the most affordable and glam ways to ring in the New Year.

red lipstick beauty makeup tips

Since New Year’s Resolutions often involve eating less, spending less or depriving yourself of one thing or another, doing a little something for yourself is a great way to offset a less fun resolution. So hit up your local Sephora, Ulta or drug store and get yourself something nice.

Getting your New Year’s beauty on doesn’t always mean splurging or going over budget. I’ve found lower priced products that are almost identical to their higher end counterparts. For example, Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara priced at around $9.49 produces similarly fabulous results to my all time favorite Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara that goes for around $23.00. If you can’t afford to pay $54 for the Urban Decay Naked3 eyeshadow palette, simply pick up a Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Palette for just $9.99. I’ve used both mascaras and both palettes and know from experience that they will give you similar if not identical results.

Even just getting yourself a new nail polish or a Birchbox subscription can get your year off to the right start.  If you’re happy with all the new products you got for the holidays, then why not get yourself a new makeup case to help you move forward with your New Year’s Resolution to travel more? Get ready to get glam!

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Guest Post: The Dos & Don’ts of Bridal Makeup

You’ve always dreamed of your wedding day. So when it comes to the biggest day of your life, your makeup better be perfect. Follow these simple rules straight from a bridal makeup artist and your wedding day makeup is sure to be stunning.

bride

DO have pictures to inspire your artist

Time and time again I get asked for a “smokey eye” or have people say “you’re the professional – you do what you think.” Everyone is so different, and rightly so (my job would be very boring if that weren’t so) but go Google “Smokey Eyes” and you will see my point – there are so many variations. So, get some inspiration pictures for your artist of looks you like. Even photos of something you don’t like can be helpful too.

DON’T use tons of under eye concealer

Some under eye concealer buffed out will be invisible and then a small amount of a slightly warmer than normal concealer applied to the very blue line under the eyes can help to hide those dark circles. You want it to be light though. Applying lots won’t hide dark circles, it will just make them more prominent.

DO use a mirror in good light

When checking your look do make sure you are in good light. Have a wander around your house and check your makeup in different rooms.

DON’T be afraid to say what you think

Your wedding artist will be used to tweaking looks and adapting them to suit each client. So speak up if you don’t like something . You are paying for her to be there and it’s better to do the fine tuning now than have you hate it later.

DO Be Yourself

If you are used to a strong makeup or a natural no makeup look on a day to day basis then be yourself and go with how you will feel comfortable. There are no rules to what you have to be. This is your day. So be yourself only better.

DON’T go all one color

A little color works in pictures and the last thing you want is your face to have disappeared when you get your photos back. Add in a hint of pink or peach lipstick or blush because once you are head to toe in a wedding gown the color can drain from you.

DO take your time

Once you’ve had your trial, be sure to take your makeup for a test drive before making the commitment for the wedding. Go out with your girlfriends or to dinner with your fiance (if you don’t mind him seeing it). Anything to get out and make sure you love it.

DON’T go crazy topping up

If you’ve picked a good artist, your makeup will last. Lipstick should be the only thing you really need to top up. Unnecessary touch ups will only ruin your look.

This guest post is by Clare Ardern of Harry Jon, a leading hair and makeup artist with over 10 years experience. As a specialist in wedding hair and makeup, Clare prides herself on her diverse skill and portfolio to suit every style.

My bridal beauty picks:

Classically Classy: Makeup Tips that Never Fail

Nowadays, classic makeup looks are enjoying a big revival as makeup artists keep emulating them on the runway. Some ever popular looks include cat eyes, a white eye pencil on the waterline, a pink-reddish lipstick and fake eyelashes. From the 40s to the 60s, here’s a list of the most classic and classy make-up looks and how to recreate them.

makeup tips

1. Wear Fake Eyelashes Like Twiggy

Bottom fake eyelashes were definitely Twiggy’s thing. How to achieve this look? Apply an eye primer on your eyes. Choose a vanilla shade of eyeshadow and use it all over the eye up to the brow. In order to create the shape of the eye similar to Twiggy’s, apply a dark grey eye shadow on the socket line and then take an angle brush to apply the black eyeshadow on the socket line. Next, blend the shades together. Apply a little bit of black eyeshadow on the outer edges of the upper lash line and blend it with a brush. Several coats of mascara together with bottom and upper fake lashes will do the trick. Finally, use a white eye pencil on the waterline.

2. Want to Have Makeup Like a Pin-up Girl?

The classic 40s look has come back. This look has two parts: bright eyes and bold lips. Start with the white cream eye shadow which should be applied under the brow and blended with a brush. Use the same eyeshadow on the inner corner of the lid. Draw a thin line with a flick on the upper lash line with a black liquid eyeliner. False eyelashes are indispensable for this look. Finally, accentuate the lips with a red lip pencil and a ladybug lipstick.

3. Classic Elizabeth Taylor Makeup

Elizabeth Taylor’s trademark are gorgeous, full eyebrows. So start with an eyebrow kit and fill in your eyebrows. After you apply an eye primer, apply a rosewood shade of eyeshadow on the socket line and blend it through. Take a vanilla shade eyeshadow and blend it under the brow. Draw a line on the upper lash line and an angled line on the outside corner of the eye with a liquid eyeliner. Draw the line from the end of the angled line back to the lash line, connect and fill in the triangle. For the bottom lash line, use a black eye pencil. Apply a white eye pencil inside the lash line. What about the lips? A red lip pencil and an orange-red lipstick are perfect for this look. Add the final touch to the look with two coats of mascara and fake eyelashes.

4. Classy Like Audrey Hepburn

You cannot get a more classic look than the “Audreyesque” makeup. The most important part of the makeup are the eyes. Use an eye primer and then apply a black liquid eyeliner from the inside corner of the upper lash line towards the outer one drawing a flick. A grayish-brown eye shadow is perfect for this look. I recommend Jane Iredale makeup because of their soft and classy shades (Australian readers, I recommend getting Jane Iredale makeup from Skin Matrix). Take most of the color off the brush and apply it from the outer corner of the bottom lash line towards the middle of the bottom lash line. A white eye pencil on the waterline is, of course, a must. Apply two coats of mascara on both upper and bottom eyelashes. Try to find a pinkish-brown shade of lipstick to finish the look.

Hope you enjoyed these classic, classy makeup tips! Which will you try first?

This is a guest post by Amy Mia Goldsmith. Amy is an Aussie literature student who loves to read and has been writing novels and short stories for as long as she can remember. She is currently studying and working at a bookstore. Her passion is beauty and organic makeup and she loves to spend her free time hiking and of course – makeup shopping! Amy is a regular contributor to High Style Life. You can contact Amy on her Facebook page.

Guest Post: The Most Talked About Summer Makeup Trends

Fashion blogs, magazines and websites directly influence both our cupboards and wardrobes. So if you’ve already chronicled your favorite outfits and accessories for summer 2015, it’s time to top off your best looks with the hottest summer makeup trends. Here are the top makeup trends to try this summer.

1_Welcome back the Lipstick

1. Welcome Back Lipstick

Nude lips might have been the trend for several seasons, but this summer colorful lips are back. Try out the red hot lipsticks from Burberry Beauty or a smudgy stain from Topshop Unique. Remember, men may come and go, but your favorite shade of lipstick is forever!

2_Embrace the colour Purple

2. Embrace the Color Purple

The color of summer when it comes to highlighting the beauty of your eyes is purple.  Lilac is known not only to improve but also optimize every skin tone. Try a grape shade inspired by Vera Wang’s SS15 runway show. To complement your purple eye makeup, you could sport light purple apparel too. But, I’m sure you don’t want to go on the date with your best eye makeup all alone! If you want to shop for your better half too, click here.

3_Anti cat eyes

3. The Anti Cat Eye

Eyeliners give you a reason to be late! Black eyeliners never fail to be a part of any season, but for summer, the way to wear them is different. Start applying it from the middle of your eye to its extreme corner, like we saw Prada and Celine do on the runways. For a truly graphic effect, keep the line straight.

4_Glow Bronzing Powder

4. Glow Bronzing Powder

Summer makeup is absolutely incomplete without bronzer. You can try the Glow Bronzing Powder by Dolce & Gabbana that promises a sun-kissed, natural-looking tone. If this does not suit your skin type, you could also check out sun-inspired bronzing powders by Avon.

5_Metallic Nails

5. Metallic Nails

Metallic manicures are so hot this season. Flaunt your flawless summer skin by using metallic nail polishes. Browse through the Dark Stromboli, Silvery Platinum or Golden Desert shades by Dolce & Gabbana! It’s the little things that attract the most attention.

6_Simple Hair-do

6. Simple Hair

The hairstyles for summer are always very simple. To avoid the sweat and uneasiness, most would prefer to tie up their hair. You can decorate your buns with flowers or very simple accessories. If you don’t like to tie your hair back, just a simple middle parting is totally in!

7_Do not hide your freckles

 

7. Don’t Hide Your Freckles

During summer, freckles are one of your greatest blessings and you sure would not want to hide them under concealers. Try Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Color compact that provides warm color to the face, without concealing or mattifying.

They say that the most beautiful makeup for women is their passion, but cosmetics are easier to buy. So, hit refresh on your makeup kit. Happy shopping!

This guest post is by Suzy Walsh, chief editor for The House of Elegance Fashion. She is a blogger by profession and a fashion expert by passion who loves to write about fashion trends and tips. 

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Trends in Makeup: Golden Eyeshadow and How to Apply It

Make a luxe statement as you walk into your business meeting or while arriving at a dinner with a colleague. Rich, shimmering shades of gold is the ideal way to achieve a ‘goddess’ effect with a sun-kissed twist. This look has been rocked on the runways and by the biggest celebs. Nicole Richie followed this very of-the-moment trend recently at Fashion Week where she hosted the 10th Annual Style Awards. According to Cosmopolitan, she wore her gorgeous eye makeup with a straight, sleek bob with terracotta bronzer and nude lips. Anyone can wear gold eye shadow. The trick is selecting a warm shade of color that will complement your skin tone.

Choose a Shade

From super sunny to smoky and subtle, golden eyeshadow shades can take on a multitude of looks. It works well for a lively daytime or a sultry evening look and is a warm option for holidays and parties. Choose a shade that will blend well with your eyes and skin tone for the best results. Dark metallic shades, such as a golden bronze, can flatter women with ebony or olive skin tones. Fair skinned women should opt for paler shades of gold with yellow undertones.

Enhance the look by combining your gold shadow with other colors. Gold eyeshadow works well with your basic black smoky eyes for a dramatic nighttime look. Darker bronze hues should be applied in the creases, while lighter shades should become more translucent as they reach the brow bone for proper highlighting. Eyeliner should be neutral for a soft daytime look. Using various forms of eyeshadow such as powder, cream or gel can also create different looks. Refinery29 suggests using a cream liner instead of a pencil when lining your inner rims, as it will stay put longer and is more resistant to smudging and fading.

Get the Look

Begin with clean, moisturized skin which will help to adhere the makeup and make it last longer. Prime the eyelid from lash to brow with a light neutral eyeshadow or face powder. Apply a stick, cream or liquid foundation around the eyes in areas that have increased pigmentation. Blend the concealer well to even out your skin tone with your finger or blending brush. Use a dense applicator brush to apply a wash of gold eye shadow over the entire lid area, stopping at the crease.

Using a dark golden brown, copper or other complementing shade, apply color to the crease and outer edge of the lash line and blend outwards. Use a highlighter around the inner corner of the eye and under the brow bone. Complete the look by applying a subtle wash of eyeshadow with a pinkish tone over the entire eye to add an instant pop of color. For a bolder look, use black eyeliner to line your upper and lower lash line. Darken and lengthen your lashes with a coat or two of black mascara.

Use Complements

Use complementing colors on your cheeks and lips to play up your best feature – your eyes! Opt for a subtle pink cream or fuchsia powder blush on the apples of your cheeks. Lips should be kept neutral to make your eyes the main attraction. Clear gloss on the lips can be used to keep them moisturized during the day. The golden eye look doesn’t work quite as well for women who wear glasses. Really make your eyes pop by making the switch to Coastal.com contacts when rocking your golden lids. Contact lenses are also available in colored selections, allowing you to create a variety of looks using your eye color. Golden makeup enhances brown, hazel and green eyes best.

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram