Kevin isn’t really my first love. Makeup is. I read about it, write about it, shop for it, and collect (some may say hoard) it. But there’s one thing I don’t do with it. Wear it. Well, I do, of course, but I wear pretty much the same thing, day in and day out. And that’s fine, most days. But when it’s time to pull out all the stops for a special big night out, I find myself with too many choices and not enough inspiration. And that’s when I fall back on my same old evening look: black liquid liner, mascara, a little blush and red or nude lips, depending on the outfit. Safe, speedy, and after countless repetitions, seriously boring. I am stuck in a makeup rut. Can you relate? No? Just me? Well, read on anyway… it might be helpful later. For a friend.
I want to reclaim the magic of makeup. The magic I felt when I was little and snuck into my mom’s medicine cabinet to try on her lone lipstick and jar of Rose Dew. (My mom is famously low maintenance). The magic I felt in the days before makeup became just another chore to check off before heading out the door (or, on many days, out of the car). I want to play with makeup. Are you in? Here, 3 fresh new makeup ideas to get us started.
3 Ways to Mix Up Your Makeup Routine
1. Experiment with Color
A few years ago, I held a BeautyMommy event in which I let a MAC makeup artist apply a gorgeous green shadow all over my lids. It changed my life. Well, maybe not exactly my life, but definitely my makeup routine. I had found an alternative to black eyeliner, and it was stunning. Now, I never hesitate to do a soft, well blended wash of a bold shade all over the lid, and keep the rest of the face neutral. It’s my new answer to the bold lip. Sneak away some evening with a girlfriend and spend an hour in Sephora or Ulta, trying on wacky shades you never dreamed of wearing before. Don’t be afraid to play. Makeup washes off! You just may find something that brings out your best features and switches up your makeup routine. (Don’t have a makeup shopping buddy? Call me! I desperately need to replenish my supply of glitter).
2. Experiment with Texture
I have been burned many times by tinted moisturizers that did nothing but make my face look greasy and uneven. All shine, no coverage. So it makes sense that I waited, too long, to try BB creams and CC creams. After all, they are essentially amped up versions of tinted moisturizers. And then one day, while waiting for my color to take at the salon, I discovered a product that lives up to its hype. The texture takes some getting used to; it’s thick, almost like an ointment, but it blends and conceals so beautifully it’s now a permanent fixture in my makeup bag, with my Stila powder foundation compact and my Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.
3. Experiment with Technique
Sometimes, the most innovative ideas come in the way we apply makeup. I have, over the years, applied foundation with my fingertips (great for a natural look!), a foundation brush (Paula Dorf makes the best one – great for precision and control), a makeup sponge (easy to use and toss when they get dirty), and an airbrush can (Classified Cosmetics is out of this world – you can even use it on your legs if you wanted to, say, appear on stage in a bathing suit. Not that I would ever do that). And while I still love these staples, I’ve added a new one to my arsenal: the BeautyBlender. Just look at it. Who thought it could be so much fun to apply foundation?
Now that we’ve covered the different ways you can experiment with makeup, let’s get inspired. And for that, I turned to the red carpet, and the genius makeup artists behind the famous faces. Here, the inside scoop on three of my favorite recent looks!
Get The Look: Burgundy Smoky Eyes
Rosamund Pike at The Golden Globes
Regardless of what you thought of the Vera Wang gown (not my favorite look of the evening), Rosamund Pike’s makeup at the Globes was flawless. The British actress literally glowed. Celebrity makeup artist Melanie Inglessis created an unusual smoky eye using shades of plum and gray. “I wanted the makeup to be a little rock and roll and accentuate her gorgeous eyes…” Inglessis said. To get the glow, Inglessis prepped skin with Sisley Floral Spray Mist and brightened her eyes with Sisley Eye Contour Mask. Sisley Phyto-Cernes Eclat concealer went on under the eyes. “The metal applicator is cooling and helps to further reduce puffiness,” Inglessis says.
“To create Rosamund’s soft, smokey eyes I began with eyeliner in a taupe grey and applied it along the top and bottom lashes in a thick line, Inglesis says. “I blended Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in Mirifique over the line and feathered it up to the crease and Ombre Essentielle in Ebony into the outer corner of the crease to add depth the smokey eye. I used Chanel Intense Mascara on the bottom lashes for a sultry look.” After being prepped with Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm, lips were dabbed and then finished with Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Ingenue. The gorgeous result was fresh and beautiful yet also dramatic. Love!
Get the Look: Flawless Skin
Everybody at The Golden Globes
The focus on the red carpet at the Globes? Flawless skin, contoured cheekbones and a youthful glow, as seen on Emma Stone, Jennifer Aniston and Joanne Froggatt. As Eric Jimenez, Global Makeup Artist and founder of Color Me sonic makeup applicator (I’ve got to try this!) says: “If your foundation isn’t perfect, your whole look is off.” He recommends using Color Me to apply a color matched liquid foundation or BB cream. (It vibrates to help makeup go on evenly), then using the device to set the foundation with powder. Then suck in your cheeks, and using a powder or bronzer two shades darker than your skin, use the Color Me to blend color in the hollow toward the hairline. Add a dot at the hollow of each temple and blend. Highlight cheekbones with a cream highlighter or luminizer just along the cheek bone, the brow bone, the cupid’s bow and the bridge of you nose to catch the light and further define your features. Long, curled lashes and a natural or bold red lip finish the look.
ColorMe is a sonic makeup applicator that vibrates to ensure even coverage.
Get the Look: Upside Down Smoky Eye
Runways and red carpets
Vincent Longo Wet Diamond eyeshadow is a favorite of celebrity makeup artists.
Using Vincent Longo Cosmetics, moisturize under eye area and apply Creme Concealer to the lid and under the eye, using the beautyblender micro.mini. Use a wet eyeliner brush to apply Wet Diamond Eyeshadow in Concerto underneath the lash line, then apply Pro Waterproof Eye Pencil in Ebony over that. Use a small eyeshadow brush to blend liner and shadow together, extending just beyond the outer corners to elongate the eye. Curl lashes and apply mascara.
Inspired? Why don’t you try one of these looks on your next night out!
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