Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Makeup Tips: Get The Glowy Look With MAC Mineralize Satinfinish and Mineralize Skinfinish

March 5th, 2007 by Karen 1 Comment

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:

Fix+

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! 🙂

MAC Tips and Tricks Part 3 – Brows

March 5th, 2007 by Karen Leave a Comment

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

When tweezing your own eyebrows, it’s helpful to map out the hairs to be tweezed by covering them with a light application of concealer or a 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 your brows. First brush against the hair growth to separate, then up and back toward 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 wand against the hair growth to cover the brow, and then dip the wand 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 a 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 shape.
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, sharpening edges as 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 their 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.

MAC Tips and Tricks, Part 2: Lash Tips

March 2nd, 2007 by Karen Leave a Comment

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.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Tips and Tricks: Brushes

March 1st, 2007 by Karen Leave a Comment

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: Brushes

When 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 smokey 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 you used for liquid or cream products separately from the ones used for powder products, to avoid the cream dirtying the other brushes. And if using the same bag for both, try wrapping the brushes for cream products in plastic wrap or a tissue before tossing them in the bag. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Drug Store Skin Care – Three Cheap, Affordable Sunscreens

February 28th, 2007 by Karen 1 Comment

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying the amount equivalent to one shot glass (1 oz.) to exposed skin every day. That’s a lot of sunscreen, and you can end up spending a hefty chunk of change if you’re using high-end brands.

If you’re living on a budget then buying a 3 oz tube of $40 Skinceuticals sunscreen may not be a cost effective way to get your sun protection. So what’s a girl to do? Hit the drug store, of course!

I’ve tried many drug store sunscreens and found three that work well: Oil of Olay Complete for Sensitive Skin, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock and Alba Botanica Sea Moss Moisturizer. Here’s the skinny on each of these fab sun blockers.

Oil of Olay Complete for Sensitive Skin SPF 15
Price: $8.99 for 6 fl oz.
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A-

A dermatologist recommended this sunscreen to me and I’ve been using it for over ten years.

Pros: Subtle light scent, sinks into your skin easily (but you’ll still want to let it sit for about 10 minutes before putting on your makeup), provides great every day skin protection.

Cons: When I tan and get darker, I notice that this lotion casts a slight white sheen on my skin. During the coldest and windiest winter days it doesn’t provide enough moisture. I can’t wear it when I work out, because when sweat runs down my face this lotion goes into my eyes and makes them hurt. Ouch!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 30
Price: $9.00 for 3 fl oz.
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

I don’t like having a sticky neck, so I use this sunblock on my neck, shoulders and arms.

Pros: Light scent, leaves your skin feeling dry, absorbs easily. This has excellent sun protection. I went through two bottles of this a week before before my wedding day last July (I didn’t want to be too tan for the pictures) and I didn’t get too dark, even after days of surfing and swimming. I also always wear it when I run, bike or hike outside because doesn’t hurt when it runs into my yes.

Cons: Not very moisturizing, and can leave a slight greasy (yet not sticky) film on your skin after you apply it.

Alba Botanica Sea Moss Moisturizer SPF 15
Price: $14.99 for 2 fl oz
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

This sunscreen has a strong smell — you’ll either love it or hate it. I like it, and I think the bottle is cute, too.

Pros: Smells good, non-greasy, very moisturizing.

Cons: Ample sun protection, but not as effective as Oil of Olay and Neutrogena sunscreens.

When you’re searching for your drug store sunscreens, look for ingredients which provide broad-spectrum protection like benzophenones (oxybenzone), cinnamates (octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), sulisobenzone, salicylates, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and avobenzone (Parsol 1789.)

And always remember to apply your sunscreens 15-30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors.

I go through sunscreen quickly because I slather a lot of it on — while I’m rubbing what seems like a ridiculous amount on I just think of all the wrinkles I’m preventing. I’ve been using sunscreen since my teens and I’m starting to now really appreciate what it can do for your skin. I’m 31 and I still get carded. =)