How To Achieve Taylor Swift’s Stunning People’s Choice Makeup

I gotta say it, I’m really sick of hearing all the Taylor Swift jokes. We all know the girl has changed boyfriends more than I’ve washed my face this week, but come on! She’s a 23-year-old millionaire who might just want to play the field. It’s Hollywood. If you had the dreadful task of choosing between dating Ryan Gosling, John Mayer, Justin Beiber, or Gerard Butler, I might be a tad confused too. It’s kind of like being at Disney World, but only being allowed to go on Space Mountain. What about the Tea Cups? I think I made my point.

Anyways, Taylor looked absolutely fabulous at the People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday. She had a copper-toned smokey eye with a very light, nude lip. I love that she has been steering away from her go-to red lip lately and trying something new. In my opinion, she looks the best she ever has.

After seeing her on the awards, I knew I had to show all of you how you can achieve this look at home. Here are some of the products you can use to recreate her look:

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Eyes:

MAC Indianwood Paint Pot

I love, love this Paint Pot. It’s the perfect coppery, metallic bronze. Paint Pots are one of my favorite things to use as an eyeshadow base. You can also use this alone, but it will really intensify if you put an eyeshadow on top of it.

 

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Laura Mercier Eyeshadow in Terracotta

This eyeshadow is stunning. It has a great pigment to it and you can also apply it wet– to add more intensity. This looks amazing alone, or layered on top of the MAC Paint Pot.

CoverGirl Copper Penny

This would be a fantastic option that you could pick up at the drugstore!

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Lips:

NARS Lip Laquer in Chelsea Girls

I fell in love with this lip color after reading about it here and then getting to try it over Christmas! It’s now one of my favorite nude lip colors. It’s in a pot, which is a feature I usually steer from, but I can make sacrifices here. This is the perfect nude shade, with a hint of peach, to recreate Taylor’s look.

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Do you think you will try this look? Who do you think Taylor should date next?

xo,

Glam NYE Party Looks

If you haven’t yet decided what makeup look you’re going to rock on NYE, I have some stunning looks to share with you. New Years Eve is a night to pull out all the stops and go super glam. I don’t know about you, but I think that sparkles are a must on this night. When choosing your look, I suggest that you pick something to feature on (eyes or lips). You can find out more about that here.

While I will be ringing in the new year with my loves at home (and good chance I’ll be asleep by 11:00 #momlife), I will be living vicariously through you pretty party-goers out on the town. I’ve included looks for everyone from the simplistic novice to the daring diva. Here are my favorite looks to bring in 2013.

The Minimalist

This is a classic, yet subdued look. Anyone can pull this off. This is perfect for those that are still a bit skeptical of their makeup skills, or just want a simple look.

Shimmery shadow used as a liner paired with a nude lip.

The pop of champagne shadow in the inner corner kicks this look up a notch.

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The Red Lip

We all know that nothing screams ‘party’ like a red lip. These will definitely make a statement.

Matte red lips.

Dramatic lashes & lips.

Minimal eyes with a bold lip. This look is one of my all-time faves.

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Glimmer & Glam

Sparkle is essential on NYE. It’s the biggest party night of the year, so if you’re going to wear glitter, this is the night to do it.

Gold glitter will make your eyes pop, especially those with green eyes.

This sparkly taupe smokey eye is a twist on the classic smokey.

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Happy New Years to all of you! A big thank you to each of you that have supported my business and my blog this year. 2012 was such a wonderful year. Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013! Cheers!

What are your NYE plans? What look will you be wearing to ring in the new year?

xo,

How To Coordinate Your Lips With Your Eye Look

I think deciding how to match your lip and eye look is a common struggle among women. I get a lot of questions from my clients about what lip color they should wear to compliment their eye look. Should they go matchy-matchy? Use a plum-toned lipstick with a plum eye? I have broken it down and created these simple illustrations for you. I’ve chosen 3 common looks to help you achieve makeup perfection. These are all great looks that you can also wear at your holiday parties!

1. Sexy Sophisticate

This is a very sultry look that will really draw attention to your eyes. Make sure you keep the focus on your smoked out eyes and pair this look with a nude lip. One of my favorite lipsticks to recreate this look can be found here. You will definitely be turning heads with this glamorous look!

2. Classic Beauty

This retro look is perfect for making a statement. Wing out your liner and pair it with a matte red lip for that old Hollywood glamour look. This lipstick on Lauren Conrad is perfect for emulating this look.

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.3. Romantic Drama

You typically want to choose one focus point, but with a plum-colored eye, you can definitely incorporate a lip color that has a plum-toned base. Personally, I would choose a bit lighter shade than what is shown in the picture. If you’re going for a more dramatic, or a nighttime look, it would work great. Otherwise, pair this look with a nude, toned-down lip.

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What’s your favorite go-to look? How do you pair your lips & eyes?

Fall Lipcolor Inspiration: Lauren Conrad November Allure Shoot

I just love Lauren Conrad. My love (and slight envy) for her stems all the way back to 2004 when I caught a glimpse of an MTV preview of the upcoming series, Laguna Beach. I remember looking at her and Stephen, and cosmetically speaking, they were the perfect couple– just way too easy on the eyes. Gag! She is stunning and she’s one of my coveted beauty inspirations. I have referred to her makeup in many of my past posts. She always looks polished, classic, yet trendy, but never overdone. She has once again knocked it out of the park with her cover shoot on the most recent issue of Allure Mag. I think this color she’s wearing is a perfect fall lip color. Gucci Westman, Makeup Artist for the shoot, describes the color as a “matte tomato red.” There are two great colors you can use to recreate this look. And the great news? One of them is super affordable!

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Perfecto.

So, what can you use to recreate this look?

Maybelline “Are You Red-dy?” $4 on Amazon

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MAC Lady Danger, $15

Both of these colors are beautiful, show-stopping reds. The Maybelline is going to feel a bit creamier and nourishing, while the MAC will be a bit more matte. This is considered a bold lip color. For those of you who aren’t quite as daring, I will be following up with some great subdued options for fall!

What do you think of this look on Lauren? Are you brave enough to try this daring lip?

Favorite Friday: MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast

Dark circles are something that have haunted me for years. Last Friday I told you about my favorite new eye cream to help combat dark circles. This week I’m going to show you one of my favorite products I use to help conceal and brighten under my eyes. Here is my favorite thing this Friday:

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter

This product has a very peachy undertone to it, so it helps to neutralize the dark, bluish tint we get with dark circles. Sometimes people suggest using a yellow concealer, topped with a flesh-toned concealer, to diminish the dark appearance. I’ve found that this can actually make you look gray or green. Yucky. The peach color actually works wonderfully to overcome this common problem. I do not necessarily suggest this color, Bright Forecast, for everyone. This product comes in 3 different shades. Based upon your skin tone there might be another color that works best for you. I am moderately fair with pink undertones, so this is perfect for me.

Bright Forecast color swatch

I use this product under my eyes to help conceal, but it also has many other uses. It’s a highlighter pen, so you can use it anywhere you want to brighten up your face. Common areas would be where we start to see shadowing– around the  nose, forehead, cheeks, etc. If you are familiar with the very popular YSL Touche Eclat, this is actually quite similar, but much less expensive. This product works as an eye primer too. When I’m in a hurry, I use it on my lids before I apply my eyeshadow and it keeps it from creasing. I usually use my finger to apply this product because I feel like it works the product into my skin nicely.

With a multitude of uses, this product can be a great investment. It retails for $23 and you can find it at Nordstrom or your local MAC store. I hope everyone enjoys this product as much as I do. Have a fabulous, safe weekend!

Have you ever used this product? What’s your favorite thing this Friday?

Beauty Inspiration: Emily Maynard’s Beauty Secrets

Everyone who knows me knows that I’m obsessed with The Bachelorette, The Bachelor, The Kardashians, the list goes on. You’ll  hardly ever catch me watching anything that isn’t reality television. In my house, Monday nights are like the new-age Saturday. They’re filled with excitement! As my fellow Bachelorette fans know, the season finale was on last night. I felt very ambivalent about who I wanted to win because I loved both Arie & Jef! I’m sure the women of America are not complaining that she chose Jef because Arie is now fair game. (Indianapolis ladies, he’s in town often for racing. I hear you can find him out and about in Broadripple!)

This season of The Bachelorette has been my favorite by far because I absolutely love Emily Maynard! Not only is she drop dead gorgeous with her southern flair, she seems to be genuinely sweet with a good heart. She has fabulous fashion sense and her makeup always looks flawless. After much internet research from various sources such as Emily’s Twitter and the fashion blog, Possessionista, I saved you all some time and did the stalking research for you. Here is a list I’ve compiled of some of Emily’s favorite beauty items and secrets. Now we can all emulate away. Enjoy!

Haircare:

Sultra Beauty Hair Straightener, Sultra Beauty Bombshell Curling Wand, Sultra Beauty Hair Dryer at Sultra.com

Wen Haircare, $29.95 at wenhaircare.com

Fragrance:

Kai Eau De Parfum, $76 at Kaifragrance.com

Nails:

Essie Fiji, $4 at drugstores

Essie Ballet Slippers, $4 at drugstores

CND Shellac Nails in Romantique, $16 on Amazon

Skincare:

St. Tropez Self Tanner, $30 at drugstore.com

Obagi Gentle Cleanser, $32 at drugstore.com

Obagi C-Exfoliating Day Lotion, $54 at beautybar.com

Sothys First Wrinkles Revitalizing Serum, $59 on Amazon.com

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser (she uses this at night), $15 on Amazon.com

Makeup:

Temptu Airbrush Foundation System, $225 at Temptu.com

MAC Powder (unsure of the exact formula), $22-$28 at maccosmetics.com

YSL Volupte Sheer Candy #4, $30 at Sephora.com

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I hope I’ve provided you with all of the tools you can use to sweep Arie off his feet . Finally, my favorite piece of beauty advice from Emily is, “Always be a lady.”

Will you be buying any of these products, or do you already use some of these? What were your thoughts on The Bachelorette?

Are You Stuck in A Makeup Rut? How To Update Your Look

It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut with your makeup. We’re all guilty of too much continuity in our daily look. When you have the same makeup look for months, or even years, you begin to feel lifeless and bored. Well, at least I do. If you’re fine with your repetitive look, more power to you. If you’re feeling too much monotony and want to change it up a bit, I’m going to tell you how.

When changing up your look, you may not want to change everything overnight. Do what you feel comfortable with. It’s best to start off by changing one or two things, and you may find that’s all you need to update your look.  Here are the 3 main items that I suggest you can change to give you a renewed look:

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1. Eyeliner

Switching up your look could be as simple as changing your eyeliner. If you always use a dark brown, try black. If you always use black, try a deep, navy blue. More color options are deep plums, bronze, or white eyeliner for your lower waterline. A color I recommend everyone to try is navy blue. While this may frighten some, it actually looks gorgeous when applied. Navy blue helps to brighten the whites of your eyes, making your eyes appear whiter and more awake. This color looks good on every skin tone and all ages. Here are two of my favorite navy eyeliners:

Chanel Marine Long-lasting Eyeliner

MAC Fluidline in Waveline

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2. Lipcolor

Lipcolor is the easiest thing to get stuck in a rut with. In my years at the cosmetic counter, I cannot count the times women would come in and tell me they had been using the same lipstick for over 10 years! Oh, and heaven forbid you tell them their favorite color was discontinued, you might get verbally assaulted! The bottom line is, your favorite lip colors will not be around forever. If every cosmetic company kept every lipcolor they had ever made, they would have to have a Clinique store the size of Central Park.

My advice is to go to a makeup counter and try on 3 different shades every year. Everyone needs a summer color, fall color and everyday color. Trying a shade on is the best way to see what looks good on you. Also, don’t be afraid of color! If you would love to wear deep red lipstick, but are too afraid or think it doesn’t look good on your skin tone, then experiment with a deep plum color. Everyone has a shade that looks great on them. You just have to find it. Here is a gorgeous shade I will be wearing to update my look this fall:

NARS Afghan Red

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3. Foundation

Foundation comes in all different finishes: Matte, sheer, satin, luminous, full coverage, etc. Play with different finishes or coverages. For example, I used Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation for years. I started to feel like I wasn’t getting the coverage I wanted anymore and I was looking dull. I switched back to a liquid foundation and my skin looks renewed and rejuvenated. I don’t know if it’s proven or just in my head, but I feel like my skin adjusts to my foundation, just like what happens with skincare or shampoo. I’ve noticed my skin looks best if I switch up my products from time to time. With that being said, a simple switch of your foundation can give you a whole new look. The current foundation I’m wearing and loving is:

LORAC Natural Performance Foundation

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If you’re stuck in a makeup rut, you don’t have to have a complete makeover and spend hundreds to update your look. A simple change of a key product in your routine can do the trick!

Do you ever get stuck in a rut? What are you going to change in order to update your look?

Favorite Friday: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

I’ve been borderline stalking the Ulta across from my house waiting on them to receive these lip colors. As I previously wrote in a post, Emma Stone actually wore one of these balms at the MTV Movie Awards. I knew it was just a matter of time before all of the good colors sold out. After interrogating the girls at Ulta about why they didn’t have this product in stock, I gave up and went to Target. Somehow, I lucked out and got the last two they had. Here are my favorite products this Friday:

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Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, $8

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These balms are great because they’re long-wearing. I wore one of these to the recent Dave Matthews Concert and it stayed on all night! The glossiness does wear off, but the pigment doesn’t. They are very similar (basically identical) to the Clinique Chubby Stick, but half the cost. I will say that the Chubby Stick is a bit more moisturizing. To solve this problem, I simply applied one coat of lip balm underneath the Revlon Balm Stain to add a little moisture. Problem solved! Here is the Clinique and Revlon side by side:

Fraternal Twins

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I bought two colors, Rendezvous and Sweetheart. Rendezvous is the color Emma Stone recently wore. I bought Sweetheart at the recommendation of my good friend, Caiti. I’m glad I did because this one is my favorite. The pigment in these are incredible and they are perfect for summertime. Both of these colors are so trendy and hot for this season. Here is an idea of what my lips look like wearing each color:

Rendezvous

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The perfect look to pair this with is my, “How To Wear Makeup Without Looking Like it.” Pop one of these colors on with a minimal makeup look and you’re ready for summertime fun!

Wishing everyone a fabulous, fun weekend!

What do you think of these colors? What’s your favorite thing this Friday?

How To Wear Makeup Without Looking Like It

As a makeup artist, you might think that I wear a ton of makeup. The answer is no. I love to wear my makeup so that it covers my flaws, but I still look like myself. The best way to describe it is, I like to look like the best version of myself. I think creating the perfect makeup look all starts with the skin. Use a good skincare routine and become diligent about taking good care of your skin and you’ll be on your way to your best makeup days ever. In order to achieve the, “I’m wearing makeup, but don’t look like it” look, you have to start with the basics of skincare. You can find out all about my skin routine here.

There are certain products you need to use to look like you have effortless, impeccable skin. If you’re wondering about the type of look I’m talking about, here it is:

I’m absolutely obsessed with Lauren Conrad’s makeup style. She is such a minimalist when it comes to her makeup. She looks casual, chic and cool. If you think for one second though that she just isn’t wearing makeup and is blessed with naturally radiant, flawless skin, you’re wrong. She is absolutely wearing makeup. She has just mastered how to apply it without looking like pancake face.

I’m going to show you the necessities to master this look. Even though it may look like Lauren just has a little lip gloss and eyeliner on, there is actually quite a bit more that goes into achieving this look. Here are the things you will need:

1. Foundation:

You have to achieve an even skin tone and hide your imperfections. Start with a foundation that gives you the amount of coverage you need. You don’t want to choose one too heavy, otherwise you risk losing the all-natural look we’re going for. Try a few samples from Sephora to see what works for you and what you feel comfortable with. Recently I’ve been on a foundation sampling frenzy and I’m currently loving this foundation from Lorac. It gives me the perfect amount of coverage for my skin.

Lorac Natural Performance Foundation, $36 at Ulta

2. Bronzer:

Lauren has a bronzed look to her skin, but it’s not too over the top. You need to create a little contour to your skin. Sweep some bronzer on your forehead, cheeks and jawline. I’m in love with this bronzer from NARS:

NARS Bronzer in Laguna, $34 at Sephora

3. Highlighter:

Highlighting is the key to giving your skin back the radiance it naturally emits. Dust a highlighter on top of your cheekbones to give your skin the radiance you see celebrities with in pictures. Everyone wants this look. I call it the J. Lo glow:

Who wouldn’t want to look like this?

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle, $34 at MAC stores

4. Eyeliner:

Eyeliner is something I have mixed feelings about. Everyone always thinks it’s strange that I NEVER line my bottom lash line. This is actually my secret to looking like I’m not wearing a lot of makeup. I love the definition that lining my top lid gives me, but once I put it on the bottom I feel like the whole look of my makeup changes. It looks like voilà, I’m definitely wearing makeup. If I’m doing a smokey eye though, I’ll definitely line underneath. If you notice in the picture, Lauren only has liner on the top. They have applied a bronze shadow underneath to give it a glowy feel. I love powder eyeliners because they tend to look a little more natural and you can get them really close to the lash line. Here is one of my favorites from Bare Escentuals:

Bare Minerals Powder Liner Shadow in Onyx, $14

5. Groomed Brows:

Groomed brows help to make you look polished. Make sure you remove any stray hairs. You can do this in form of waxing, tweezing or threading. My absolute favorite brow gurus are Anastasia of Beverly Hills. They have this counter at your local Nordstrom. They shape your brows into the perfect shape for your face. They’re wonder women! Unless you are blessed with perfectly full, shapely brows, you may need to fill them in a bit. I prefer a powder, over a pencil,  to fill in my brows because I think it looks more natural.

Anastasia Brow Powder, $22 at Nordstrom

6. Lips:

Lips are the finishing touch for this look. Unless you put something on your lips, you don’t look completely finished. Apply a gloss, or a nude lipstick. Here is one of my favorite nude lipsticks. You can also find it featured in this post:

MAC Lipstick in Honeylove, $15 at MAC stores

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What do you think about the minimal makeup look? What celebrity do you think wears this look the best?

The Lowdown on BB Creams

You’ve probably been hearing about BB creams every time you turn on the TV or open a beauty magazine these days. There has been a lot of hype about them, but also some confusion about what exactly a BB cream is and what they do. I thought I would break it all down for you and answer some of the most common questions people have about this new beauty phenomenon.

What exactly is a BB cream?

BB cream stands for “beauty balm” or “blemish balm”. These creams originated in Germany, where they were used by German dermatologists to help conceal and heal the skin after laser treatments.  Then, they gained huge popularity in the Asian market, where they have been used by women for years. Finally, they’ve made their way to the states. A BB cream is similar to a tinted moisturizer, but on steroids. It does all of the things a tinted moisturizer does, but it also has added benefits for the skin. This product is an all-in-one.  It’s a moisturizer, primer, SPF and foundation.  If you choose, this product can eliminate 3 steps from your beauty routine!

How will my skin benefit from using a BB cream?

BB creams contain anti-aging ingredients and soothing botanicals that moisturize and soothe the skin. They have SPF with UVA and UVB protection, so they block your skin from harmful rays that cause premature aging. They also contain antioxidants which help to protect the skin from free radicals. Brightening agents are also thrown in, which help to give the skin a luminous appearance. Some BB creams actually can help to treat acne and heal past scarring.

What type of coverage will I get from a BB cream?

BB creams give you slightly more coverage than you would achieve from a tinted moisturizer. You can apply a bit more in problem areas for more coverage. They are perfect for that easy-going summertime look because they give you natural, luminous coverage.

What skin types can wear BB creams?

Most BB creams are formulated for all skin types. It really is dependent upon how much coverage you want to achieve. Personally, I need and also prefer a bit more coverage, so this would be something I would wear to the pool or a casual day when I’m running errands. It would be perfect for someone who has minor skin imperfections. It really evens out the skin tone making the skin look absolutely flawless.

What are some BB creams you recommend?

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, $39

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Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm, $32

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Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45, $39

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Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream, $13

Have you tried any BB creams? What did you think about them?