Makeup Mythbuster Monday

Hello Beauties! I've been asked so many questions and have heard a lot of frustration from my friends (usually after visiting a cosmetic counter) that I decided to start a new feature called.... you guessed it, Makeup Mythbuster Mondays. I hope this series will be helpful to you. If you would like to submit a question or like me to bust or uphold a makeup myth for you, email me!

Myth #1--Your concealer should be one to two shades lighter than your foundation.

True---Sort of. Ideally you should have two different concealers--one for the undereye area and once for your face. True, the concealer you use for under for eyes should be one to two shades lighter to conceal dark circles, however if you were to use that same shade to cover a blemish, wrinkle or age spot it would only draw attention to it because it is lighter than your skin and doesn't match your foundation. Makes sense, no? Let's not forget colored concealers for specific issues, for example, green for redness, pink to brighten, etc. So next time you're shopping for a concealer, pick up two, each in a different shade. A good tip is to always apply concealer after foundation--when you apply before, you end up blending it away. Another tip--blend, blend blend! Click here to see my Frugal Friday post on a great drugstore concealer. You'll be able to afford two concealers and your flawless face will thank you!

Tips for a Flawless Face

Step #1- Foundation

Foundation  makes your skin appear smoother and covers flaws like redness, scars, age spots, large pores and can soften wrinkles. The correct foundation for your skin type can give you an "airbrushed" finish, making you look softer and dare I say younger?  Foundations come in everything from a very sheer tinted moisturizer to heavy coverage and several different finishes from dewy to matte.

The perfect shade is key to looking natural and not like you're wearing a mask. With a Q-tip, test the color by swiping each shade along the jawline, if it disappears into your skin, you've got a match. Once you've nailed the color, sweep along your forehead, nose, chin, and cheekbones, then blend outward to help it disappear into your skin. Most cosmetic counters will give you samples of different shades to try at home. Always test in natural light and don't depend only on the lights at the makeup counter.

Step #2 - Concealer

Concealer is the life preserver of every woman's makeup bag. It can cover all sins--from undereye dark circles to sun damage to blemishes. Always apply over foundation for a natural look. For best results you'll need two concealers: one that's a shade lighter than your foundation to downplay dark, blue-toned, under-eye circles and make skin appear brighter. The other should match your foundation to help hide broken capillaries, and uneven skintone. Use a thin makeup brush (preferably synthetic) and apply concealer to the inner- eye corners first (by the tear ducts, where circles tend to appear darkest) and feather it outward.

Step #3 - Brighten

Learn to love highlighters. This secret weapon comes in liquid or powder form and is made with opalescent, pearl-like particles that give skin a sheer finish and a subtle, sexy sheen. Choose the shade closest to your skin tone: Pink and white luminizers complement fair skin, while gold and bronze suit medium to deep coloring. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way, so use a light hand. I suggest using a fan or skunk brush. Use on brow bones, along the tops of your cheekbones, and at the innermost corners of your eyes. Be sure to blend well to add radiance rather than noticable shimmer.

Step #4- Finish with Powder

Powder keeps foundation in place longer by blotting away excess oil. Use loose powder (it offers an airy, light finish) or use your favorite compact powder and sweep it on with a big fluffy brush. Remember to choose a shade that matches your skin.

Frugal Friday

An Allure award winner for best drugstore concealer, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector, is a concealer and highlighter in one tube. On one end is a concealer with a doe foot applicator and on the other end is a highlighter with a brush tip. Genius! I love the consistency of this, the concealer is not too thick, not too runny, it's just riiight. Covers redness, blemishes, dark circles and a myriad of problems we mature women face. Perfect for the under eye area, it goes on smooth and will not settle into fine lines. One of the ingredients is glycerin to help hydrate, so it never looks thick or cakey. Apply the highlighter to the inner corner of the eye to brighten or highlight the cupid's bow of the lip, or brow bone. And at about $9, it’s a winner in my beauty book too!

I purchased this product

Bobbi Brown Q & A

I love Bobbi Brown's philosophy: "Rather than zeroing in on what's "wrong" and using makeup to cover it up, I believe in honing in on what's right and using makeup to enhance it. I can't tell you how many times women come to my makeup counter so fixated on their "bad" feature that they overlook everything else. To those of you who are reading this and nodding your head in recognition, I say: Ease off and stop being so hard on yourself. Pick your best feature (we all have at least one) and make the most of it. Here's Rather than zeroing in on what's "wrong" and using makeup to cover it up, I believe in honing in on what's right and using makeup to enhance it. I can't tell you how many times women come to my makeup counter so fixated on their "bad" feature that they overlook everything else. To those of you who are reading this and nodding your head in recognition, I say: Ease off and stop being so hard on yourself. Pick your best feature (we all have at least one) and make the most of it".

Now on to the Q & A's:

Question: What's the best way to cover fine lines?

Answer: Don't think of your lines as a negative. I think they're beautiful and we get them from living, laughing, expressing ourselves. You can't really cover lines, so focus on making your skin look smooth and even. The best way to do this is with a rich face moisturizer, which will help plump up skin and make lines look less obvious. Use cream formulas of concealer, foundation, and blush; they'll glide over your skin instead of settling and collecting in the lines. If you've got fine lines around your eyes, draw attention away from them by lining your eyes to make your eyes stand out. A touch of blush on cheeks makes you look fresh and pretty. Use a rich lip balm (or even your eye cream) to hydrate lines around the lips. To keep lipstick from feathering, line your lips with after applying your lipstick.

Question: How do you diffuse wrinkles?

Answer: Ultra-rich moisturizers and creamy makeup formulas are the key to getting smooth-looking skin. Be sure to exfoliate on a regular basis with a gentle scrub or an AHA cream. This helps stimulate cell turnover and sloughs off dead skin cells, which can make skin look dull and prevent your foundation from going on smoothly. Make sure your skin is well hydrated. A great moisturizer literally plumps up your skin. Stick to creamy formulas of concealer, foundations and blush. Powder can settle into wrinkles, making them more visible. No one has wrinkles on their cheeks, so play them up with a little extra blush. If you have lines around your lips, keep the area moist. Try using a lip balm on and around the lip area and don't try to conceal the wrinkles with foundation. Instead, pick a creamy lipstick and matching lip pencil to prevent feathering.

Question: How do you cover up dark circles?

Answer: Apply a light eye cream underneath the eye area. It should absorb quickly and leave your skin feeling smooth. If you're using a corrector, use a concealer brush or your fingertip to apply it at the inner corner of the eye. Continue placing the corrector underneath the eye, staying close to the lashes and patting the corrector wherever your see darkness. Gently blend the corrector by pressing it with your fingers. You're now ready to apply your concealer. Use a concealer brush or your index finger to apply the concealer in thin layers. Be sure to blend well. Apply the concealer all the way up to your lash line and - this part is critical - onto the dark areas by the inner corners of your eyes. Use more concealer than you think you need, and blend it into the skin, using your fingers in a soft, patting motion. If you still see dark circles, go ahead and apply a second layer of concealer. To the lock the concealer into place, apply pale yellow powder over the concealer and on the eyelids with a powder puff.