This weekend I headed over the MAC counter to try the new Mineralize Satinfinish foundation and the artist who worked on me showed me how to use the Mineralize products to get a glowy, J. Lo look. I like having the added dimension of some shimmer in comparison to a flat, matte, look, but I have pretty oily skin so I’m really picky about what shimmer products I use – otherwise, I end up looking like a greasy disco ball if there’s too much glitter. If you like the foundation and the powder consider taking these extra steps because the finished look is really pretty. It gives just enough glow without being too over the top.

Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on what she did and the products she used:

1. First she spritzed Fix+ over my entire face.

2. She then used the 190 Foundation Brush to apply Strobe Cream over my entire face. You don’t have to use the brush to apply this cream – if you don’t have one just use your fingers.

3. She then mixed Fast Response Eye Cream with Select Moisturecover concealer, and then applied the mixture with the 252 Large Shader Brush. (Although I liked the texture of concealer mixed with eye cream, I didn’t think it gave me enough under eye coverage, so if I were to repeat this look again I’d leave out dilution of the concealer.)

4. She then pumped some Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation onto a Petri dish. (MAC artists sometimes use Petri dishes because the glass doesn’t transfer bacteria. You can pump the foundation onto the back of your hand, just make sure you either wash them really well or use Purell before putting products like foundation – or any other product – on the back of your hands to avoid transferring bacteria onto your face.) She then used the 190 Foundation Brush to apply Mineralize Satinfinish with a stippling motion onto my face. To stipple, you take the brush (hold it towards the end, like a chopstick) and bounce it gently on your skin and give it the slightest pull. Whatever you do, don’t paint your foundation on in long stripes.

5. She then grabbed three shades of Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder: Medium, Light and Dark. She applied Medium over my entire face with the 182 Buffer Brush. She then applied Light with the 168 Large Contour Brush to highlight underneath my eyes, across the forehead, down the nose, on the chin and then across the tops of my cheeks. With the same brush, she then contoured my cheeks by applying the Dark shade underneath the apples of my cheeks and up into the hairline.

Voila! You’ve got the glowy look! Watch out, J. Lo…

Here’s the last of the tips and tricks from my technique binder.

When tweezing your own eyebrows, it is helpful to map out the hairs to be tweezed by covering them with a light application of concealer or light colored pencil.

When applying color to the brows, try focusing the application in the arch rather than the inner portion near the nose for a more natural looking brow. A well-balanced eyebrow tends to be more dense in the arch.

Don’t underestimate the effect of brushing the brows. First brush against the hair growth to separate, then up and back towards the ear to shape.

For the look of bleached eyebrows, use Brow Set in a shade one or two shades lighter than your own brows. First brush the want against the hair growth to cover the brow then dip the want back into the tube and brush with the growth of hair.

If using both a brow pencil and brow set, try using a darker pencil and lighter brow set for more dimension.

Fluid Line in an appropriate shade, like Dipdown with the 208 brush, is great to cover any scars or open areas in the eyebrow.

A light powder eye shadow color like Shroom, Rice Paper or Arena placed under the arch of the brow highlights and defines the brows.

After applying a powder or pencil color o the brow, brush through with the 206 brush to soften. Set with an application of clear or tinted Brow Set.

Clean up any stray brush or pencil strokes with a little concealer and a 194 brush. This helps to sharpen edges needed.

In a pinch, Tinted Brow Set can be used to touch up the roots of the scalp as well.

Guys can use tinted brow set in the side burns to make them look thicker.

Mix clear brow set with any desired shade of MAC Pigment for a streak of color in the hair.

More handy dandy tips from the Barbie Loves MAC Seminar!

Tips and Tricks – Lashes

When curling the lashes, squeeze twice: once closer to the lid and the next a little further toward the tip to give a longer lasting, more natural looking curl.

To thicken the lashes, apply two coats of Prep + Prime Lash. Let dry between coats for maximum effect.

For maximum deposit of mascara, “wiggle” the brush from root to tip during the application or apply from side-to-side rather than up and out.

To open and “lift” the eye, apply mascara to the top lashes only.

For a light coating of mascara, transfer some mascara to a 204 brush and apply.

To help make the eye appear rounder, focus mascara application on the center lashes both top and bottom.

To elongate the eye, focus mascara application on the outer corners of the eye. Be sure to get the little lashes that tend to hide in the outer corner.

To separate the lashes and assist in achieving a soft, “feathery,” appearance, brush through the lashes with the 206 brush while still wet with mascara.

For the appearance of thicker, richer lashes try a technique called “backing the lashes.” Line the eye from under the top lashes with a 259 brush or 266 brush dipped into Fluid Line.

Experiment with layering formulas to achieve a desired effect. Try Fiber Rich lash over Zoom Lash for thick, rich lass without the “Spider” effect.

For quick eye lining, run the tips of a 266 brush along the mascara wand and apply when needed.

Try color on lashes. Navy blue mascara is great for brightening the eye without looking like major color. Violet mascara adds interest and enhances the appearance of green eyes.

I’m getting so much mileage from the Barbie Loves MAC Seminar I went to a few weeks ago. I finally rifled through the technique folder they gave us and found some cool “tips and tricks” pages. Here are the best tips from the page for brushes:

Tips and Tricks – BrushesWhen choosing brushes consider the following:
Firmer fibers tend to deliver a faster application than softer fibers.
Softer fibers tend to offer greater control of color application.

Try applying skincare with brushes for a luxurious experience.
The 190 brush works well for applying masks and moisturizers.
The 194 brush words well with eye cream.
The 180 brush works well to lather shave cream on the face or body.

When dipping brushes into pressed powder products, like eye shadows, do not “mash” the brush into the pan. This causes breakage of the fibers. It’s better for the brush and more effective to either swipe from side to side or run the brush around in a circle to gather powder.

Try using two brushes for some of those tricky applications, like smoky eyes. Use one brush to pick up and apply the color and the other brush to blend.

When applying makeup, try holding the brush further away from the hair bundle, almost like holding chopsticks. This allows for greater control in application. Not to mention, with the hands out of the way, greater visibility!

Brushes for personal use should be cleaned about once a week. For emollient-based product on the brush use cleanse off oil to emulsify and then brush cleanser to clean and condition.

If after makeup application you find it necessary to throw your brushes in the bag before cleaning, be sure to store the brushes used for liquid or cream products separately from the ones used for powder products to avoid the cream dirtying other brushes. If using the same bag for both, try wrapping the brushes for cream products in plastic wrap or a tissue before tossing in the bag.

Do you love MAC brushes as much as I do?

Product: MAC 182 Buffer Brush
Use: For application of loose powder, pressed powder and pigment
Price: $45.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

I know, I know – $45 for one stinkin’ brush? For $45 dollars at the MAC counter you can get 3 eye shadows, or 3 Lipglasses or even 15 pencil sharpeners! If you wear powder every day, then consider investing in this brush. Save your pennies, wait until you get a gift card, or even ask a friend who is a MAC artist buy one for you and then pay her/him back, because this brush will become a staple in your collection.

I was lucky enough to get the 182 Buffer Brush as a Christmas gift from my beautiful and talented sister-in-law, who is a MAC makeup artist. The brush has a short, fat handle and a full dome made out of goat hair bristles.

And who knew that goat hair could feel so soft? The 182 bristles feel silky and dense, and when you apply product the brush feels like velvet on your skin. You can use this brush to apply loose powder, pressed powder and pigments, and I’ve found it to be pretty much a fool-proof brush. Even if I mistakenly overload it with powder, as long as I dilute the powder (by either tapping the brush or blowing off the excess) the 182 gives smooth, even application.

I use the 182 Buffer Brush with MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder in NC 30, MAC Couture Sheer Mystery Pressed Powder in Dark and MAC Blot Pressed Powder in Medium Dark.

If I use Select Sheer Loose Powder, I open up the powder jar, tap some powder onto the lid, gently dip the 182 brush into the powder on the lid, and either tap brush handle on the side of the powder jar or blow on the brush to dilute excess powder.

If I use it with Couture Sheer Mystery Pressed Powder or Blot Pressed Powder, I gently swirl the 182 in the compact, and then tap the handle or blow off the excess powder.

I like powder to look light and sheer, so I use a light touch as I apply the powdered 182 brush to my face in a circular, buffing motion.

If it weren’t for the steep price I’d give this brush an A. Plus, if you keep your brushes in a brush roll, you may have to store the 182 in a separate cosmetic case when you travel because of the short handle.