Thursday, March 28, 2013

Get the gel nail look without the gel!

I love that super glossy look that you get from a gel manicure, but I actually hate the commitment and removal process of gel nails.  So I guess I am totally out of luck for getting that amazing high shine


WRONG!!!!!  Now I can have that gel manicure look with one simple product that works with all my polishes!

its the Nails Inc Gel Effect Top Coat!
nails inc.


Apply this top coat over 'regular' polish and instantly you have that high gloss 'wet' look that you seem to only get from gel nails


Pick it up at Sephora stores or online for $10
http://www.sephora.com/kensington-caviar-gel-effect-plumping-top-coat-P378391

Beautiful!

Prepping Caroline for today's show!



Smokey Eyes

Me and my model, Lauren, from today's Bride Street segment:
Products I used today:

Foundation:  Tom Ford for Gucci "Traceless Foundation"
Concealer:  Tarte Amazonian Clay Creaseless Concealer
Highlighter: Tom Ford for Gucci Highlighter Pen
Bronzer: Bare Minerals "Faux Tan Matte"
Blush: Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in "Natural Beauty"
Lipcolor:  Urban Decay Super Saturated Lip Color Pencil in "Crush"
Shadow Base: Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Shadow in the Champagne #13 Color
Shadow Quad: Chanel Eye Quad in "Mystic Eyes"
Matte Black Shadow: Tarte Matte Black
Liner:  Urban Decay 24-7 Liner in Zero and Eyeko Liquid Liner in Black
Mascara:  Guerlain "Maxi Lash" in Black



More breakdown


Once the link is up from the segment I will post!  Thanks for tuning in!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Smokey Eye Segment tomorrow!

Be sure to tune in to Channel 9 WSYR's Bridge Street show this Thursday at 10am (March 28th) to see my segment on how to create the smokey eye look! 

I am going to be focusing on a daytime smokey eye that anyone can recreate!

Some of my inspirations were:



Also, check out my gorgeous model Lauren, she has the perfect eye shape and color to pull off a dramatic smokey eye!

Major Day 2 Volume & Easy Style to Copy

I am loving this style from Serge Normant stylists on the lovely Julia Roberts:


You can achieve volume like this, even with second day hair (my favorite hair day!) with one simple product:


Serge Normant's Meta Revive Volumizing Dry Shampoo!

This incredible spray goes on easy and creates insane volume!  My favorite use is to get tons of root boost before doing a quick updo with a headband:




Just spray (about 10 inches away) on sections of roots


then let sit for a good 20 seconds, so that its not 'wet' and then massage scalp vigorously so product can soak up oils that will weigh hair down and also to 'tease' roots to higher volume.

Sweep hair up in a messy way and add a headband - so easy and so chic!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

The "No Makeup" Look

I've noticed that it is becoming quite a trend to apply makeup in a way that makes you look like you have none on at all!  Wait, what?!

No really, its this 'no makeup' look that starts with using top of the line moisturizer and highlighter, with a bit of a natural flush and nude shadows to create this flawless skin and natural glow that makes people "notice your beauty and not your makeup"

Ok, ok....I'm willing to hear this out....

Creating this look is fairly simple, you just need a healthy glow and a neutral canvas (aka: use a primer to even skin tone, use a sheer foundation and conceal spots & dark circles)



From what I have been researching, the key product to achieving this look is HIGHLIGHTER, as well as contouring colors, like tans and nudes
Possibly the World's most popular highlighter with the best reviews is the YSL Touche Eclat

this little pen is amazing, it adds just the right level of highlighter (read: no sparkle, just light reflection)
I love this little how-to from YSL:


I also like this guide to applying the highlighter (which can be over or under a sheer foundation or BB cream)


as much as I love the Touche Eclat in the tinted shades, I am really loving a good BB cream, touching up under eyes with concealer, and then using the Tom Ford 'Radiant Eclat'

I love both shades, but the silvery one packs more of a punch!

For you REAL makeup mavens, there is a product that can't be missing from your arsenal, this long awaited release of Tom Ford's (creative mind of Gucci) "Shade and Illuminate" comes directly from a concoction he made for contouring model's for their runways and photo shoots


it doesn't matter what your skin tone is, these 2 shades will work!  It can look intimidating (when I tried it in NYC I was a bit hesitant myself) but it is incredible!

You start by using the deeper shade to create contours

and blending the color with a short haired, but full, brush




notice how the deep color, especially under the cheek bone, created a light reflection that makes the face appear slimmer and more defined?

Here is a guide for most face shapes for deeper shades of countour and lighter shades of highlighter:

finish by adding the lighter shade on areas where light hits (just like the photo up above) I have to say, the master at this is Kim K

she always gets her high and low lights right!

Now that you've got this incredible contoured face - you can sweep just a hint of a natural flushing blush on, such as the most famous NARS Blush in Orgasm (named after the glow you get after...well..uh)



Neutralize reddish tones on your eyelid with a neutral eye base, such as one from Too Faced's line of primers

then just add a HINT of natural/nude toned shadow to the crease, and a bit around the eyes:







Avoid eyeliner, BUT a swipe of mascara can't hurt!






Finish with a natural toned (perhaps a hint of peach or pink) semi-matte lipstick (no shiny glosses, it looks too over done)
I am OBSESSED with Tom Ford's "Blush Nude"

DON'T FORGET:
Define your brows!


Your finished product should result in flawless skin with a bit of a glow







So, are YOU going to try the no makeup look?!?!  I think it will be my Spring go-to!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Sephora sells hair chalk now! PLUS How-To Video from ME!

NEW to the Sephora lineup:  Colorsmash Hair Shadow
colorsmash

$15 each, and comes in 5 shades

My fav?  Jaded
Colorsmash - Hair Shadow

If you want to know more about hair chalking, check out my segment from February 2013, where I give you all the steps to use these 'hair shadows' (pigments/stains) on your hair for fun easy temporary color!



Enjoy!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Color of the Year Set

As you've seen on my Facebook and Blog, the color of the year (created by Pantone Universe, THE leader in all things color) is EMERALD
sephora-pantone-universe


Sephora and Pantone partnered up to create a limited edition set of cosmetics that feature this color
http://www.sephora.com/the-color-of-the-year-collection-P377690

SEPHORA+PANTONE UNIVERSE - The Color of The Year Collection


This $68 set has all kinds of emerald shine, shimmer and glossy color!
- Color Grid Shadow Block Bionic
- Color Code Prismatic Shadow Block
- 1 oz Lightspeed Glitter Dust
- 0.055 oz Graphic Sculpt Waterproof Jumbo Eyeliner
- 0.1 oz Color Cube Lid Stain
- 0.4 oz Color Watt Highlighting Mascara
- 0.4 oz size for Color Code Prismatic Color Block

If you like the color and the collection, but aren't ready to invest heavily in it - then the one product I recommend from it is the lid stain, $16
http://www.sephora.com/color-cube-lid-stain-P377687
SEPHORA+PANTONE UNIVERSE - Color Cube Lid Stain
This ultra glossy cream that dries on eyelids to create a super long wearing (water resistant) pop of color, is JUST what you need to introduce the Color of the Year into your collection!

My favorite look from the 2013 Look Book was this swipe of emerald on the outer corner of the eyes

created with the palette NOT in the $68 kit, which is the
SEPHORA+PANTONE UNIVERSE - Color Theory Shadow Block - Elemental
$26 Elemental Color Block
http://www.sephora.com/color-theory-shadow-block-P378345


What I LOVE about Emerald, is that you can wear just a hint of it and still make a statement, but it also looks incredible when you over-load on it too!  Check out some of my favorite looks: