BlushPretty: Make-up Artistry Weblog

winter pretty

ms. pretty: thirty second makeup

Okay, let's face it ... not everyone can be a makeup guru. Having the natural ability to master tri-coloured eyeshadow or pull off contrasting colour combos takes skill, finesse and time. But really, who would have the time each morning to figure out if MAC's Faithfully Yours lip colour will work with Stila Kitten eyeshadow?  Who? Sometimes life would be so much easier if makeup was one colour fits all.

The style rut: You can't even match your socks in the morning, so what makes anyone else think you can get your makeup colours to complement one another? You're never sure if your gray eyeshadow will go with your new nude pink lipstick or if your peach blush clashes with your new purple eye kohl. Time is never on your side in the morning to stop and make such decisions - wouldn't life be easier if you could have just one colour work for all features?

The style saviour: One tube fits all features cream colour products.  There are very few out there that are made to work on your eyes, lips AND cheeks, but trust me when I say that there are some that do exist. One sleek tube that comes in handy when you are rushing out the door and need colour, stat. Often, the ones that are made to be used all over come in sheer neutral colours with a bit of shimmer - colours are limited, but when you are in a bind, beggars cannot be choosers. Cream colour can be applied with a synthetic brush, straight from the tube, or with the help of your fingers. In the end you may look a bit monochrome and unadventurous since you're dolled up in one colour ... however, choose the proper colour and you will always looked polished and clean!

BP recommends: NARS The Multiple in Maui, South Beach, or Malibu - Maui and Malibu are deeper colours and South Beach has a bit of shimmer. Stila Convertible Colour is only made for lips and cheeks, but you can get away with using Peony or Camellia on the eyes too! Same goes for Benefit Cosmetics Rush Hour .... shhhhh! And, don't forget the original all over cream colour - a tube of lipstick! Think outside the box ... lipstick isn't just for lips!

ms. pretty: stick it to em ...

You're ready to try and tackle false lashes on all on your own. You've picked the perfect pair to give you a sexy little cat eye and have all your tools in place, from a pair of eyebrow scissors to trim them with to your eyelash glue ... that tricky, sticky eyelash glue.

The style rut: You've measured and trimmed your lashes to fit and have practised placement for days on end. You've even perfected your technique by placing a mirror on your countertop and looking down into it when you place your lashes - just like the magazines and celebrity makeup artists have all told you. You've got it down to a science ... except for applying that tricky glue.

The style saviour: I've got two for you. :)  I like to place a dot of glue on an orange stick and use the orange stick to apply the glue across the base of the lash strip. Since an orange stick has a pretty thin tip, I can control the amount of glue that is swiped across and also control where it is placed and it keeps my fingers pretty mess free. My second favourite: Revlon's new Precision Lash Adhesive which comes in a tube with a brush applicator. The tip of the brush is super thin similar to a liquid liner - so we are talking PRECISE application. The formula isn't as thick or tacky as other lash glues but the hold is superb.

BP recommends: Um well, I actually already recommended the two items. Ha! I get orange sticks at the dollar store and the Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive I found at Wal-Mart for $4.67 - not much of a bank breaker. :)  As for lashes, I stand behind my Ardell brand lashes: single clusters in short clack flares and also lash strips 301, 109 and 110. All available at Wal-Mart for under $6.00.

ms. pretty: undercover concealer

Your day-to-day makeup base consists of only your favourite sheer foundation. No concealer, camouflauge, or colour corrector. But, as Murphy's Law would suggest, on the day of your grad photos, or a big job interview, or *gasp* your wedding day, a big zit the size of Iowa arrives and you have no concealer to hide it.

The style rut: Maybe you are on a budget. Maybe you don't believe in carrying more than one product for each feature (something I cannot possibly fathom - who doesn't need a bajillion kazillion eyeshadows?). Or maybe, you happen to be the kind of girl we love to hate who never really needs anything more than a tinted moisturizer or ultra-sheer foundation. You lucky b*tch. Regardless of the reason, you don't carry a concealer in your arsenal. And then it happens, a huge indiscretion appears out of nowhere (take that you flawless b*tch) and you are without protection or cover. Your current base is way too sheer to give it the full coverage it needs.  I bet a bit of concealer would really help you out right now, huh?

The style saviour: There is an easy, simple fix. I admit, a little bit on the "ick" factor but it works. Have you ever unscrewed the cap of your foundation to find a thick gob of it stuck around the grooves and in the cap? I'm sure you have. Well, while you think it might be waste or even be tempted to take a tissue and clean it up - don't. It can come in handy. That thick gunk can actually be smoothed over your pimple, scar, war wound, in a pinch and cover it all up with the same texture, consistency and heavy coverage as a concealer. Really! You would even use the same techniques to apply.  You can take your ring finger to blend it in or a small concealer brush.

BP recommends: Well, I never thought I would be recommending "leftover foundation gunk" to you, but I work with two foundations that produce superior "gunk" or a nicer way to put it "pinch hitter concealer".  MAC Face and Body Foundation collects quite well under the cap and doesn't get too paste like or clumpy. COVERGIRL CG Smoothers All Day Hydrating Makeup gives a bit more coverage since it collects a bit thicker!

-bp-

 

ms. pretty: "ouch" is for boo-boos

Ponytails are easy, right? They keep your hair neat and tidy and off your face. They can be stylized into a 'do if you take the time to tease and curl.  You can wear them high or low, tight or loose.  Versatility is key. It's what makes them fun. What's not so fun?  Pulling out a tangled up elastic band. Ouch!

The style rut: You have elastics all over the place - in the car, in your purse, in your desk, and even in the junk drawer in the kitchen. You'll always need an elastic. What you don't need is that little metal clippy thing in the centre of the elastic that always gets stuck in your hair and causes breakage - they rarely make them anymore, but some do still exist ... and some of you still do use them.  You also don't need those tough rubber bands from your office supplies box - your hair hurts just looking at them. What you really want is something heavy duty enough to hold all your hair but soft and smooth enough that it will never pull out another strand. Hmmm ...

The style saviour: The snag-free style elastics that many popular hair accessory brands have is what you need. These elastics have no metal ferrule (previously referred to as "metal clippy thing") where the two ends of the band meet, which means less hardware to snag your hair. They come in all sizes and widths, so whether your hair is super thick or super fine, you can find an ouchless elastic to suit your hair type. If you have super fine hair, you can get away with those really small thin ones that look like those rubber bands they use for braces - ha ha.  If you have super thick hair, go for the really thick ones. Want something in between?  Try the bungee style hair elastics. These are wrapped around the hair several times to desired tightness and then hooked together!

BP recommends: Anything Goody.  I find this brand doesn't lose its elasticity as fast as others, plus you can get coloured elastics or just a set of your basic black or brown.  Try their Starry Night Gentle Elastics which are great for any hair length or weight.  Need super duty hold?  Try their Stay Put Secure Fit Ponytail Holders.  I'm a big fan of the bungee style and I got my set at Ricky's NYC.  However, I have seen them here in Toronto at select Sally Beauty Stores.  Not going to lie, it takes a while to master the technique. I have only mid-length hair but it weighs a lot - I find this type of band holds securely throughout the day without losing its elasticity.

-bp-

* while I did the makeup for the photo above ... that incredibly gorgeous hair was styled by Manny Bartolome!