BlushPretty: Make-up Artistry Weblog

from runway to real way: big hair + nude lip

So, today, I'm totally going to show you how you can rock your hair like this at work!

Psyche! Are you nutty? There is no way I would send you out like this in public and tell you "it looks soooo good". I mean, I do believe the hairstyle is a a great piece of art ... but it does have its place, and that is not at your desk between the hours of 9 and 5.

I'm more focused on her makeup.

This particular model from the Fur Fur RTW 2011 show is wearing extremely nude lip which, when done improperly, can come off as chalky and dead. What makes this look really work is the subtle use of colour and product everywhere else.

The brown based blush across the apples of the cheek gives her skintone a bit of colour and depth. It's not too pink or too peach, which wouldn't play too well with the nude lip.

A hint of liner rimmed around the eyes give her eyes definition and this is important. If you are going to mute out your lip line then you do need to balance it out elsewhere.

Last but not least, the strong brow. I really like how the strong brow frames the entire look. It also brings the gaze upward to the eyes of the face taking the focus away from the nude lip ... which is good ... since a nude lip's purpose is to take a back seat!

-bp-

 

 

 

from runway to real way: naomi campbell's hot looking lips

It is hard to say nice things about someone who is best known for throwing cell phones at people.

But, it has to be said ... ten years later, Naomi Campbell is still drop.dead.gorgeous.

Look at this picture taken just a few weeks ago during Paris Fashion Week. She's fresh faced, glowing, and undeniably ageless. I hate her. Kidding. I love her.

Her full lips are definitely an asset and I cannot believe how incredibly smooth and soft they look. That's a lot of lip and I'm sure it requires just as much lip balm, lip conditioner and lip exfoliant to keep them that way.

As we move from Thanksgiving (the Canadian one) to Hallowe'en to Christmas, it's only going to get colder here in Canada. And for many of us, colder weather means chapped or even worse, cracked lips. You know the rules.  Don't lick your lips, it only makes it worse. Don't pick at them, it won't let your lips heal properly (I'm totally guilty of this). The best thing to do to keep your lips looking Naomi Campbell hot, is to arm yourself with some great lip product. Here are some good balms to try:

• Rosebud Salve
• Consonant Body Organic Lip Therapy
• Lypsyl Lypmedication with Eucalyptus
• Yes to Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butters
• Carmex
• Chapstick (the good ol' standard)

And while we're talking about lips, don't forget to exfoliate too. Just like the rest of your skin, you need to remove dead skin to reveal healthier looking lips.  Try something like Korres Lemon Lip Scrub or Philosophy's Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub to remove chapped and flaky skin.

-bp-

from runway to real way: deeper than deep lips

It looks like the return of lipstick really is here to stay.

By the looks of Louis Vuitton's Spring 2011 show, where the models walked down the catwalk with deep blackberry-hued lips, lipstick isn't going anywhere any time soon. Deep lips were painted on perfectly at LV and were glossy without looking overly slick.

I actually like lipstick so knowing that when Spring/Summer comes around in 2011 that I won't have to switch from my favourite lip colour to a sheer  shimmery and pinky lip gloss is kind of comforting.

Translate this trend and get a head start by picking up a deep hue or two now.

The current issue of Marie Claire magazine has a little snippet dedicated to of-the-moment dark lip colours.  Their suggestions include:

NYX Lipstick in Black Cherry for fair skin
Laura Mercier Lip Stain in Mulberry for medium skin
Dolce Gabbana Lipstick in Glam for tan skin
Wet 'n' Wild Lipstick in 919B for deep skin

Before applying your lip colour be sure to exfoliate and moisturize well.  A little bit of neutral coloured lipliner can help you stay in the lines and a lip brush can help keep your layers even.

How would I make deep dark lips a little more wearable than the ladies of Louis Vuitton? Avoid anything too glossy, and resist the urge to top of your colour with a shiny, gooey gloss. A little bit of shine is okay ... just don't overdo it.

-bp-

from runway to real way: clean skin

Clean and fresh looking skin really turns me on.

I really like it when a fashion designer sends his or her models down the runway with a barely there kind of look (as we all know though, it's rare that the models are actually NOT wearing makeup). It allows the clothing to stand out, but it also allows the model's beauty to take centre stage as well.

I think a nude face look is best achieved when the skin is naturally clean, glowing and healthy. Once you have that in check, then use your makeup to amplify the entire look!

Achieving great skin is through a myriad of things from diet to health to beauty maintenance. The tips below are what they preach in any beauty magazine or blog, but its always worth repeating really important things.  So here they are:

• drink lots of water
• exercise regularly
• invest in a morning and nighttime cleansing routine 
• always remove your makeup each night
• find products that work for your skin, not against it.
• always use sun protection
• find a great eye cream

Once you have a handle on the above tips, then you can start talking makeup!

To play up great looking skin, invest in a foundation that allows your natural skin to shine through, something lightweight and sheer will even out your skin tone just enough without masking it. A soft pink highlighter, whether powder or cream, can play up the cheeks without adding to much colour and give you a dewy glow.  Taupe shadow can be dusted over the eyes if you need a little colour there. A tinted lip balm or light coloured lipstain can add healthy colour to the lips that isn't overdone.  Finish with a touch of mascara.

-bp-

from runway to real way: kat dennings

I really like Kat Denning's look.

Her sleepy eyes with the strong defined brow, the lips that don't really have a cupid's bow but are certainly full, and her easy hair. (slightly girl crushing here)

A while back I did a post about her look from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, and this past weekend while I was away in Bancroft for a wedding, that same movie was on all weekend. She's a couple of years older now and while she could still play a teen looking for her lost girlfriend while getting some action with Michael Cera, her look is less awkward teen and more "comfortable in her own skin".

For a look like Kat's here (from NOW Magazine), start with a soft light layer of foundation to give the appearance of clear even skin. You can go without the blush, but if you absolutely need it, a really sheer pink powder (something like Benefit Dandelion) can be dusted on for a bit of a pink glow. For the lips, a stain would do, but I prefer using a lipstick, pushing it in with the pad of your index finger, and then blotting it off for the exact same effect but a little more natural. Definitely use a brow pencil and fill in your brows, giving them definition and shape. Be sure to brush through it with your spooly wand and direct the hair upwards and outwards. For the eyes, dust a pale pink shade over the entire lid. The layer should be see through and not to matte but not too glittery either. Something like MAC Girlie or Naked Lunch works just fine.

As you can tell, it's her liner that makes her eyes stand out. If you happen to be skillful with a liquid liner, then trace a line from the inside corner to the outer corner, following the eye line and barely extending it past the end of the eye. You want to start thin and end the line a bit thicker. For most people, liquid liner is hard to master, and if that is the case for you, then try a gel or cream liner with a eyeliner brush or slanted angle brush which will still result in a line that looks just as smooth, opaque and defined but much much easier to do. Smashbox makes a cream liner palette - so you can make this look your own by changing up your eyeliner colour everyday!

-bp-