Starlight Starbright

Isn't it funny how some of the best things in life are found in the most innocent and naive ways? Those are the things you grow to treasure and never take for granted. Well beaute must have always been in my genes and blood because at the age of 12 or 13, during a school sponsored field trip to the big nyc (funny fate should have it that years later I would make this remarkable city my home away from home), I stumbled upon a Sephora. What can I say I was in pure heaven. To the point that I returned the next 3 days we were there spending every nano-second I could until my mom had enough and other classmates became a bit resentful that they weren't seeing the Statue of Liberty. Didn't they understand that I had arrived in my mecca?! Well during this fateful trip I discovered one of my most treasured (remember I don't use that word lightly-only if I truly adore and love something) brands, Make Up For Ever, and purchased their Star Powder. That baby and I were inseparable. It was applied everywhere! Interestingly I still have that original jar.

I know I promised another makeup demo post but our next look will be focusing on a captivating inner glow which is mainly accomplished by this amazing product. Star Powder is the perfect mix between shimmer, highlight and just pure brilliance. A little goes a long way with this superfine powder and it's so versatile you can use it as you wish (imagine that!). In the mood for some light reflecting contouring? Meet Star Powder. Need a little radiance to brighten dull skin? Star Powder to the rescue! Want to highlight your perfect nose? Star Powder is your man (just don't umm snort it...it's a joke, laugh!). Anyway you get my drift, right? This silky powder provides the perfecting finishing touch to seal the deal. My favorite shades include Pearl Gold, Copper and Iridescent Neutral Beige. Go to your nearest Sephora, play and discover for yourself!

Usage tip: For extra staying power dampen your brush before application. The pigment can be dense so always tap your brush before applying and remember you can always apply more.

The result: Radiant, glowing star power for your best look!

The Eyes Have It!

Step 5:

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Back in the good ole days of being a student (when time was not an endangered species), I would tear out my favorite makeup looks from magazines and then try to replicate them at home. A couple of things I found. One: the step by step direction provided were never accurate. There's always a key step they managed to leave out. Two: through this trial and error process your artistic imagination may actually lead you to a better look or a signature technique. So today we are going to build from the last two posts and learn one of my all time favorite eye makeup techniques. As you all know I'm someone who needs a serious amount of sleep to get that rested, healthy look. The reality? That rarely happens! Even if I do manage to get into bed at a reasonable hour and am so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open, my brain somehow manages to keep me wide awake running through my "to do" list for the next day or over-analyzing problems. Needless to say there are days I wake up a bit tired looking. So I rely on this technique to not only give me that wide-awake look but to also highlight my eyes when I'm going for a little mystery.

Beaute Guru's Secret 6 Step Technique for the "8hrs of sleep + I draw you in with my eyes" look:
1. Apply your base and crease eye makeup as usual.

2. Apply your desired eyeliner, mascara and concealer.
3. Chose an appropriate light-reflecting, shimmery eye shadow. This is really dependent on your skin tone and the contrast you're looking for. I have an olive complexion so I often stick with a shimmery light pink such as MAC's Sweetlust. My fairer beaute lovers can use a whiter shade.
4. Dip the tip/head of the blending brush into the shadow and tap off any excess.

5. Start at the inner corner of the upper eye lid and brush the shimmering powder in a downward motion following the shape of the eye's inner V. Please see picture above.

6. Blend the highlighting shadow above and below lashes. I particular like working the color along the lower lash line about 3/4 in or to where your pupil starts. It helps exaggerate that brightening look.

Usage tip: My mantra is you can always apply more so start light and build up on the shimmer depending on how tired you look or to achieve the desired radiance. Play around with different highlighting colors. For night time a shimmering gold or peach tone may be quite alluring!

The result: Bright, well rested eyes with a devilish look!

Tool Time, Part 2

Like all little girls I learned at a very young age that all the best things come in small packages....a little blue box with your first piece of significant jewelry, my mom's encouraging love notes in my lunch box, a matchstick box holding keys to my first car. You get the hint. So naturally I have adapted this life lesson to all other aspects of my life. Best purse for a night out? A clutch of course! Best organizer/planner? My blackberry. The one thing that gives me comfort at night when I'm all by myself? My childhood small stuffed animal Coco. And when it comes to the art of makeup I sought out that small tool that would help give that added umph.

The small shading eye brush is one of the most versatile tools in your makeup arsenal. Because of it's flat bristles you can control the application with micro precision for unparralled effects. The tapered oval tip allows makes it uber multi-tasking so that it can be used in so many different ways. We are going to be covering all the eye enhancing tricks this small brush does in the next post but I thought I would give you a proper introduction first. Different brands call this brush different things so, as always, I have included a picture for you. But sticking with our theme the smaller the better. I say this because we want to use this brush for enhancing effects rather than all over application. Aren't you excited for the next post?

Usage tip: Clean your brush once a month with warm water and gentle soap (I like Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo) to maintain its condition.

The result: Small tool for eye popping makeup!

Tool Time, Part 1

The next few entries go out to my Beaute 101 readers who enjoyed the "how to wear red lipstick" article from last time and have asked for more "how to"/tutorial pieces. On a side note to my brilliantly diligent friend Amber: I'm still working on how to write html coding that will link mentions of previous topics directly to that post. If any of my readers know how to do this please help the Beaute Guru. Ok back to the matter at hand. Here's a quick peek at what's coming up. Today and Friday we will focus on the tools you need for next week's eye makeup demos showing you how to create this season's smoldering looks. So stay posted!

As a beaute lover I'm not only obsessed over the products I use but also about the tools that support them making their efficacy so spectacular. Think about it. Where would we be without our tools? Imagine for a second a land with no blackberrys or IPhones...(gasp!) mon dieu as the French would say! We would have to actually pay attention to our surroundings forcing us to walk around actually making eye contact with that cutie across the street instead of click, click, click bbm'ing our friend. Think about it. You could be missing the chance to meet your one and only Romeo all because you're permanently glued to your mobile phone!

To create that perfect eye look that will make the guy across the street fall head over heels in love (just kidding...not really, a girl can always dream!) I rely on a tapered blending brush. Whether it's natural and light or smoky and sexy this brush gives you the perfect control to apply the contouring and defining eye shadow to the crease. Seriously every eye look needs some sort of high/low contrast to give your eyes depth instead of a monochromatic washed out look. I know that the naturalite, barely there makeup lovers may be skeptical...trust me! I don't lie and I search high and low for the very best for you. This brush will take your makeup application to the next level. The tapered brush allows for maximum control ensuring that you deposit the color right in the crease. Now flawless makeup is all about blending. Thanks to the dome-shaped bristles you can really work the eye shadow into the curves and cervices of the crease (yes I just stole that line from a Ludacris song!) so that you get a continuous, accurate coverage. Now most makeup brands have this brush so depending on your budget you can splurge and buy the Rolls Royce version with boar hair or purchase an equally effective version like the one from MAC at $28 (which I use!). Whatever you do invest in one...NOW!

Usage tip: Clean your brush once a month with warm water and gentle soap (I like Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo) to maintain its condition. Remember to always tap your brush after dipping it into the shadow to remove excess powder and use brush in small circular motions instead of the traditional sweeping technique.

The result: Professional eye makeup right from your very own bathroom!

Regal Red, Here for Fall

As you know there's something about fall that makes me giddy like a school girl. And while the return of college football and apple pies gives much to get excited about, what really energizes me is the shift from summer makeup to fall colors. The breezy air ushers in a new, fresh look. Out go the pale lipsticks and bronzer and in comes the smoky eyes and bold lips. One of the biggest fall makeup trends is seductive, juicy red lips...yum! Just take a look at the fall campaigns from the top houses. D&G, Dior, Valentino, YSL, Cavalli, Moschino, Lavin and Ferragamo all feature gorgeous red smackers in their full glory. They range from bright and bold to wine stained and dark. Now I know what you're thinking- it looks great in the magazines but there's no way I can pull that off. Not so! This is a look that is stunning on all, you just need the right shade.

So I spent my Saturday playing around the makeup counters to find the right colors and learn the right techniques for my dear readers. Just imagine this: me in my yoga clothes totting around my gym bag, no makeup with the exception of my bold red lips at 3pm picking up toilet paper at the drug store! Quite a sight, let me tell you! So after that spectacle I'm here to dish on all the tips you need. First off, ANYONE can wear red lips, you just need to find the right shade. There's two factors you must consider: hair color and skin tone. True reds or reds with blue undertones look best on blondes while my fellow brunettes should stick with corals or also true reds. Fortunately for redheads they can do either coral or blue. Fairer ladies with pink undertones look best with blue-reds like MAC's Ruby Woo while olive complexions like me are best complimented by orangey reds (color recommendation below). It may take some trial and error at the makeup counter but trust me when you find the right color you just know. Everything seems brighter.

The key to making the look wearable is using lip liner which will help prevent against bleeding and a clown-like look. Some people use a neutral liner to outline the lips, I prefer in this case to use a red pencil. It helps define the lips and gives an extra punch. After sometime exploring I found my red color...MAC's Russian Red. Sophisticated yet vibrant this will be my number one accessory for fall. Of course like all girls I like options so as you can see from the pictures above, the lipstick can be a bright, true red when paired with MAC's Brick lip pencil (bottom picture) or the color can be darkened for a Merlot look with the Burgundy lip pencil (top picture). Just outline the lips with the pencil first and then apply lipstick. Make sure to gently smack or rub your lips together to help blend the pencil and lipstick or for longer wear you can color the entire lip area with the pencil first.

Usage tip: My favorite part of this look? The rest of your makeup should be kept as simple and natural as possible. A hint of blush, nude eyes and mascara. How fabulous is that? No need to waste time doing the smoky eye. This look is great for a polished look on the go. Also don't forget the lip pencil trick above and use the YSL Touche Eclat highlighter on the outer lip area to help curtail bleeding and keep lips flawless.

The result: Sophisticated yet seductive, ladylike yet sexy, red timeless lips!

Layer It On

It’s amazing how we are programmed to make excuses for not wanting to do things despite knowing that it is in our best interest. Remember when you were kid and the back and forth battles you had with your parents about eating your veggies? Whether you were skillfully arguing that your little tummy had no more for more food or you would simply hide them in your napkin, at the end of the day there was no way of convincing you to eat it. As an adult you now know that these fresh veggies are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and nutrition to keep your body and organs strong and healthy. It’s funny how this same situation plays out for sunscreen. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who insisted that she must wear foundation despite her flawless skin (I hope she’s liking the Giorgio Armani Luminous Foundation!) but could not even dream of layering it over a SPF lotion despite knowing how beneficial it may be for her skin’s health in the long-term. Her reasons of course were quite numerous- sunscreen lotions are too greasy, it will cause me to breakout, I’m in the office all day so I don’t need. You get the idea. Ladies and gents here are the sneaky places UV rays can find you:

1. Driving the car/taking the bus (no the glass is not a UV blocker!)
2. Sitting by a window (same reasoning as above)
3. Walking on the streets (even for 10min)
4. Sitting under a tree, umbrella, etc (yes they provide some protection but it’s not foolproof)

Think about the number of minutes per day your vulnerable skin is left defenseless to the sun. Did you know that 90% of all wrinkles is caused by sun damage? That’s damage that cannot be undone. Proper protection is the key!

Meet Olay Complete SPF 30 Defense Daily UV Moisturizer. This light-weight, rapidly absorbing lotion is a dual purpose hydrating your skin (which you should be doing every am and pm!) while shielding against harmful UV rays. The number one thing I love about this product and cannot stress enough, especially for those foundation wearers who are fearful of layering products, is that this formula is practically weightless. You apply it and whoosh it absorbs immediately, leaving no greasy residue, no stickiness, nada. Instead it leaves a soft, almost powdery after feel. And just to up the ante this lotion is expertly formulated with antioxidant-rich Vitamin E and B to help fight the free radical damage. At $11.99 you can’t beat that!

Usage tip: Back to our usage basics, covered on August 28th, apply a nickel size amount and don’t forget to apply on your neck and decolette area (the vulnerable, unmaskable areas that are always tell tale signs of aging). Wait at least a minute or two to allow for proper absorption before applying foundation

The result: Chiffon sheer UV protection for all day wear.

Part 2

The beauty of beauty (kinda catchy, huh?) is that we can individually have our own preferences, our own routine that is easily supported by the plethora of beauty products out there. While some of us prefer wearing a tinted spf moisturizer like the DDF Sun Protection Enhancing lotion others may actually enjoy the coverage provided by a foundation. Hey, you say tomato I say tomahto...to each her/his own and I'm just here to support you! For my foundation users out there, whether you wear it daily or just on special occasions, there's a certain art to getting that flawless coverage where people are just left guessing if you naturally have that immaculate complexion or is it enhanced?! You see one of my biggest pet peeves is when you can literally see the layers or better yet the kabuki-like masks some foundations leave. In fact on the subways (remember my last blog entry?) I love to guess who's really wearing foundation! It screams from miles away- "this is not real! Can you count the cake-like layers?" There's no absolute reason anyone should be wearing foundation like this anymore, with the advancement of beauty technology that's a thing of the past.

So I proudly introduce to you Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, a revolution in the art of foundation. Imagine flawless, radiant skin with that glow people can't quite place....all courtesy of Armani Beauty. Hydrating yet weightless, this silky fluid glides onto skin for a finish only once possible through airbrush machines. Perfect for all skin types, including oily skin, this oil-free foundation provides all-day buildable coverage that can be customized to meet your needs, ranging from ultra sheer to moderate coverage. Skin is left more radiant and glowing for a dewy, healthy look. Although a bit pricey at $58 per bottle, this is one product worth the splurge! I'm all about cutting corners but there are some hallmark pieces that are pivotal to the rest of your regimen, like foundations which serve as the base to everything, so invest wisely in your face. And just think it gives you the same result as the airbrush machines that the celebs and tv stars use at the fraction of the price!

Usage tip: Fact- must people don't need foundation all over! Instead apply to your t-zone area to even out skin tone and cover any imperfections. Don't be afraid to use your clean hands to help blend...there's nothing worse than a foundation line!

The result: Flawless, radiant skin without the foundation telltale signs...your secret is safe with me!