When this day comes, you know the one, your wedding day, the day you’ve dreamt of since you were a little girl…you’ll want to look your absolute best!!

Wearing the same makeup that you wear day in and day out won’t give you that extra sparkle that you need.  Sure, you can add more, darken it up, brighten it a little but a makeup pro can help you get it perfectly suited to your features and get you looking picture perfect.

A makeup pro knows  how to bring out your best features, diminish the ones you’re not totally in love with and basically work your best angles, bring out your colouring and  make you look flawless.

The experienced makeup artist knows what colours and textures read great in both daylight and evening lighting and what looks good both in person close up and from afar, and in print.   They can also apply your makeup so that it stays put from start to finish.

Can you do that all by yourself? That’s a daunting task if you’re not a trained artist!But a Makeup Artist that is trained and experienced and has all the products needed can sure help you out.  So, make your day an enjoyable and stress free one and call a makeup artist.  The peace of mind you’ll have is worth it and you’ll really show off that dress when your face looks amazing.

Cheers,

Georgia

A Pointed Concealer Brush…

This should be made of synthetic hair so it’s easy to clean

The pointed design helps to cover pimples easily and helps with the application of concealer into the inner eye corner and along the lower lash line

Can also be used as a liner

A Flat Oval Concealer Brush…

This should be made of synthetic hair so it’s easy to clean

Can be used to easily apply concealer over the eye lid, eye primer or cream eye shadow

A Round Large Powder Brush…

Should be made of natural hair to provide a smooth, even finish

Used to deposit powder over the face to set makeup and to buff the skin after powder application to remove any excess powder

A Medium Dome Shaped Blush/Bronzer Brush…

Should be made of natural hair to provide an even application

Use to apply blush, bronzer or highlight colour to define and chisel cheekbones

The Large Dome Shaped Eye Brush…

Can be made of natural or synthetic hair

This shape allows for a sheer or diffused application of colour on the eye

Can also be used to blend out eye shadows and melt any edges

The Small Dome Shaped Eye Brush…

Can be made of natural or synthetic hair

This shape hugs the natural eye shape and will allow for a precise and concentrated application of colour for the crease or to define the upper/lower lash line

Can also be used to apply highlight to the inner eye corners

The Flat Large Oval Brush…

Can be made of natural or synthetic hair

This brush is great for applying highlight under the brow arch and on the centre of the lid

Can also be used to apply lid colour

The Angled Eye Brush…

Should be made of synthetic hair for easy cleaning and be very thin

Great for liquid, gel or cream liners or for defining eyebrows

My Favourite Brands:

Cozzette (featured in the photos) Mac, Laura Mercier, Nars, FACE Atelier

LIGHTEN UP ON YOUR SKIN CARE

Try wearing an all in one moisturizer with a built in primer or try a BB cream which is moisturizer and coverage in one tube.  Less products, faster application and a lighter feeling on the skin.

TRY: EMBRYOLISSE 24 HR. MIRACLE CREAM, DIOR’S BB CREAM, GARNIER’S BB CREAM

BRIGHTEN UP & GLOW

Instead of a heavy concealer/foundation and powder blush, try a mineral powder, brightening pen and a brighter pinky coral cream cheek colour.  You’ll get a soft focus finish that’s easy to apply and looks fresh and clean.  Brighter cheeks and lips are a big trend this Spring!

TRY: PUR MINERALS POWDER, CHRISTIAN DIOR’S AIRFLASH PEN,  & FACE ATELIER’S FACADE CHEEK AND LIP COLOUR IN “CHA CHA”

ADD A BRIGHT POP OF COLOUR TO YOUR LIPS

Whether you choose a matte finish or a glossy one, spring beckons for brighter lips.  Have some fun with bright shades like watermelon, poppy and mango.

TRY: SMASHBOX LONG WEARING LIP COLOUR IN “NUDE”

CREATE A STRONGER BROW

Brows are in!  More natural looking, well groomed and well defined brows rule Spring 2013.

TRY: CHRISTIAN DIOR UNIVERSAL BROW PENCIL

TRY A NUDE EYE WITH EYELINER IN PURPLE, TEAL OR GREY

This Spring try pairing a clean, nude eye with a colourful liner.  It looks fresh and updated.

TRY: SEPHORA’S CHUBBY EYE PENCILS, MAKEUP FOREVER PENCILS OR MAC POWERPOINT PENCILS

DON’T BE SHY WITH MASCARA

Doll like eyes are a big trend this Spring.  Add an extra coat of mascara to your upper and lower lashes. Black is still a tried and true basic, but coloured mascara is huge this season too.

TRY: CHRISTIAN DIOR “EXTASE” MASCARA

“My friend Heather (on the left) with her daughter, the bride, on her wedding day.  I did both of their makeups and used silicone based foundation (FACE Atelier) on both of them for its durability and to achieve glowing skin.  Both of them look radiant and fresh.”

When I  was turning 30,  I thought “Oh my God, I’m so over the hill! ”   A decade later, and I could swear that I had that thought just yesterday!  Wow, does time fly!!

Back in my 20′s and 30″s, I used to wear dark, smokey eyes and powder foundation and the look was mysterious and sexy.   Now that same eye makeup makes me look like I’ve been up all night and powder foundation makes my skin look parched, dried out and a lot older!!  I’ve found that what used to work really well, no longer fits the bill for me and there are many women out there just like myself.  Foundation application definitely needs to be adjusted for your 40′s.  Testing out different products to find the right ones that don’t settle into fine lines or accentuate them or slide off the face during a hot flash, is a  huge task and can get pretty expensive!!

Here are some of my top tips that could save you time and money….

1.  Try a face primer if you haven’t yet.  It’ll help makeup glide over skin better, fills in lines and pores and will keep makeup fresh throughout the day.

TRY: Christian Dior, Laura Mercier, Cover F/X, Clarins, L’Oreal, Smashbox  or NARS

2.  Opt for a silicone based foundation which has amazing staying power and sits beautifully on the skin without settling into fine lines.    I introduced this product to a close friend of mine and she tested it by running on a treadmill for 30 minutes.  Keep in mind that she did not rub her face, but just dabbed the sweat off.  And, the results were…..drum roll please….the silicone based foundation stayed on without streaking!!!  So I can say with confidence that it will make it through a hot flash or through that humid summer day.   The best part is that you don’t need to powder this foundation to set it which is amazing because powder can be aging!

TRY: FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation, REVLON Colourstay Foundation, Christian Dior “Forever” Foundation, ERA Spray Foundation or Makeup Forever Face & Body Foundation.

3.  Think about switching to glycol based moisturizers and toners at nighttime.  Products with glycolic acid help to even out and smooth the skin tone and also to diminish spots and acne scars so you need less foundation.

TRY: Neostrata, Reversa, Clarins, Dermaglow

4.  Try a setting spray to help your makeup stay fresh looking.  If you’re having hot flashes, it’ll help with excessive shine too.

TRY: Urban Decay, FACE Atelier, Clarins

5.  Try using a blush stain.  This type of blush really stays on and you can use it for lips too!

TRY: Benefit’s “Benetint” or FACE Atelier “Facade”

Here’s to sticking it to those hot flashes!! LOL

Cheers,

Georgia

TIP#1 Exfoliate

Generously apply petroleum jelly to your lips.  Take your toothbrush and gently begin to exfoliate your lips in a circular motion.  The petroleum jelly will soften your lips and your toothbrush will remove the dry flakes. Another option is to use an exfoliator.  You can make an inexpensive version in your own kitchen by mixing a little sugar and honey together.  It can be applied with a toothbrush or your finger. After either option, dampen a face cloth with warm water and run it over your lips to remove residue. You may also choose to purchase a lip exfoliator that contains beta hydroxy acid which will aid in the removal of dead skin

TIP#2 Hydrate

Apply a hydrating lip balm to your pout containing any or some of the following ingredients: shea butter, vitamin e, coconut oil or beeswax. These ingredients help to nourish, hydrate and heal chapped lips.

TIP#3 Avoid Licking your Lips

Avoid licking your lips at all costs as this only worsens the dryness by removing the lip’s natural moisture barrier.

TIP#4 Use a Hydrating Lip Colour

Avoid using matte lipsticks and stains when your lips are chapped as these formulations will further dry out the lip. While a lip plumper is great, the effects are tempory and the ingredients leave a dry lip feeling more dehydrated and a little raw. Opt to use a creamier lipstick which will hydrate the lips, and add a dab of gloss if you wish to add fullness or extra hydration.

Cheers,

Georgia

NEW YEARS  is just around the corner!!  For a sultry, sexy and glamorous movie star look try the following makeup tips…

Illuminator tops my chart for an award winning glow! It hydrates dry looking skin and brings back the luminosity that we so long for during the dreary winter months.  Use a pink based illuminator to brighten up your skin tone. If you’re feeling a bit pale add just a drop of a warm bronze illuminator into your favorite foundation.  Mix your choice of illuminator and foundation together and apply using your fingers or a foundation brush.

Gel Eyeliner takes center stage with its unique staying power.  This waterproof, smudge proof, greaseproof gel will have everyone talking about how good you look after midnight! Create sharp, well defined, sexy winged liner with this intensely pigmented product and let your inner Audrey or Marilyn come shining through. Use a synthetic angled eyeliner brush, flat liner brush or liquid liner brush to achieve your desired liner look.  Don’t forget to close your gel liner after use so that it doesn’t dry out.

Go all out and wear red; the season’s hottest colour!  Be sure to line and fill in your lips with a smudge proof red liner and apply a sultry shade of red lipstick over top. For the longest wear, choose a formula in a semi matte or cream finish.  For a softer look rub a cherry colored lip stain onto your lips with your finger and dab a little clear gloss on top.

Stronger lips and perfect glowing skin is totally in this holiday season but make sure to keep your eyes and cheeks soft.  For soft cheek colour that lasts, apply a soft rosy cheek stain on top of your foundation before you powder.

If there’s a good time to wear a set of false lashes, this would be it!  By keeping your eye makeup understated and using a stronger lip colour, you’ll look like a real movie star!

Whenever I’ve asked this question, “What’s the one makeup product you can’t live without” of a girlfriend, client or any talent that I’m working on, most of the time, I usually get the same answer….OH MY GOD, MASCARA FOR SURE!!  Most of us feel naked or not finished with out it!

Besides making our lashes look longer, fuller, thicker and darker, mascara opens up the eyes too, making them look bigger and longer.  What girl doesn’t want fuller more feminine lashes and big beautiful eyes?  Mascara is the bomb in my books too.  A couple of individual lash inserts don’t hurt either!!  You can always enhance your lash line with a couple of inserts first, then curl the lashes and follow up with a couple of coats of mascara. Lashes will look really full and super natural (see pic below for reference).

Next to mascara, foundation came in a close second!  Most women in their 30′s and up will rate this beauty essential above mascara on their list of must haves. Foundation does a few amazing things for our skin.  It evens out the skin tone, removing redness, diminishing brown spots and  circles, and it can give the skin radiance and luminosity.  This makes skin look much fresher and younger!!  Foundation also provides a protective barrier for the skin, and many formulas have added anti aging benefits and sun protection, which further protect the skin.

Today there are so many formulations of mascara that choosing one can seem a bit over whelming.  Firstly, decide what it is you would like to see your mascara do for your lashes.  If your lashes are short and stubby opt to use a lengthening formulation.  If they are thin and sparse, use mascara that thickens.  If you want your straight lashes more curled, there’s even a mascara for that!  For ladies who lack both length and thickness, use both a lengthening and a thickening mascara.  Start with the lengthening formulation and top the lashes off with the thickening formulation.  A lash primer could also be used prior to your mascara application to help achieve fullness without a lot of mascara.   You can also wipe your mascara wand on a paper towel to remove excess mascara which will help you apply mascara more precisely and without clumps.

As far as formulations go,  avoid using water proof formulations on a daily basis as the formulation can be drying on the lashes, and it is tougher to remove which can cause breakage and possibly fall out.  Mascaras come in a variety of colours such as brown which is great for blond lashes and for looking au natural!  Black and Jet Black add sex appeal to any and all lashes.  Violet and Burgundy colours bring out gold and green flecks in the eyes and Navy mascara helps make the eyes whiter and brighter.

My favourite mascaras right now are: Christian Dior “Iconic”, “Ecstasy” & “New Look”, Blinc, Fresh, Clarins “Instant Definition”, FACE Atelier’s “Cry Baby”, L’oreal “Voluminous” and Bobbi Brown, “Glamour Mascara”.

Here’s to beautiful peepers!!

Love Georgia

For years I applied makeup starting with foundation, concealer, powder and then I moved onto doing the eyes.  Quite a few times, I found that there was fallout under the eyes from the eyeshadow and this made the area look messy and the eyes tired looking.  So one day I had an epiphany…why don’t  I just do the eyes first??  I tried it and loved it!!  So now, whenever I do a more dramatic eye, I will do the eyes first, clean up the under eye area and then apply the foundation, concealer, etc.

Start by applying an eye primer onto your upper eyelids and a little along the lower lash line.  Follow with a little concealer on the upper lids and powder to set it.  This will keep your eye colour application looking fresh and smooth for hours! Next apply a “wash” of your favourite colour onto your upper lids by pressing it onto the eyelid and blending upwards to the crease.  Pushing colour onto the lid will give you incredibly long lasting wear.   If you have blue eyes try peachy bronze shades.  Use lilacs and violets for green eyes and anything will go for brown eyes.  Finish with a lighter colour on your brow bone and a deeper colour in your crease and/or outer corner to define the eyes.  For more definition sweep the lid colour under the lower lash line.  You can also add a little of the crease colour along the lower lash line at the outer corners.    For fuller looking lashes, stroke eyeliner along the upper lids (lower lids optional) and finish with a few sweeps of mascara.  If you’re not into colour or liner along your lower lash line, skip this part and move onto foundation/concealer application.  Last but not least, clean up under the eye area (avoiding getting too close to any shadow along the lower lash line) with a cotton swab dipped in moisturizer, to remove fallout.  You can now apply your foundation, concealer, powder  and the rest of your makeup.

Cheers,

Georgia

For many women with a hectic schedule and busy lifestyle it’s hard to find the time to look polished and pretty…right??  Well, looking  fabulous can be easy and not feel like another chore that you have to complete on your already extensive to do list.  With the right products and a little organization, your morning routine can be close to effortless!  In 10 minutes or less you will be ready to face the day looking your best!

PRODUCTS & APPLICATION METHOD

Place all your morning routine products in a drawer/container/bag/cabinet, whatever suits your fancy so they’re always ready to go and you don’t have to rifle around to find your stuff.  I like to use a small 2 tiered pull out storage drawer.  One drawer holds my makeup and the other one stores my hair products.  You can find these little storage drawers at any Walmart in the home storage solutions section.

Start with a basic 2 minute Skincare routine

• Do a warm water splash over your face followed by cold water to tighten the skin and then swipe over the skin with a one step cleansing water. 

• Pat on a day cream (serum before cream is also a good idea if you’re looking to boost elasticity or to improve the texture or radiance of your skin).

• Apply an SPF lotion (it’s best to use a separate SPF lotion over your day cream if you are looking for serious sun protection and anti aging benefits).

Follow with a simple 7-8 minute Makeup Application

• Squirt a little liquid foundation into your palms, press them together then close your eyes and apply over your entire face/lids in downward motions.  If you need extra coverage,  tap on a little more where you need it.  Tap, don’t rub for the most coverage.   I recommend a long wearing liquid foundation if you like the idea of no touch ups throughout the day.

(1-2 minutes)

• Set your makeup and create a flawless airbrushed look with a little dusting of loose or pressed mineral powder foundation.  

(1 minute)

• Sculpt cheekbones and features.  Lighter skin can use mineral bronzer to sculpt and add a little colour.  Darker skin tones can opt for a highlight mineral powder to bring out their cheekbones and brighten their skin.

(1 minute)

• Define the lash line with waterproof pencil.  (30 seconds)

• Bring out and brighten the eyes with a matte highlight shadow (ivory, beige, butter, or light caramel depending on your skin tone) applied to your brow bone, lid centre and inner eye area.  (30 seconds)

• Apply mascara. (1 minute)

• Fill in brows if needed with a brow pencil. (1 minute)

• Dab on a cheek/lip cream/stain. (1 minute)

• Stroke a lip gloss over lips if desired. (a few seconds)

MY FAVORITE BRANDS

* skin care

Embryolisse 24 hr miracle cream and Miscellar cleansing water, Nuxe 3 Roses Cleansing Water, Christian Dior One Essential Serum, Vichy sunscreen

*foundation/mineral powder & bronzer

Makeup Forever Face & Body Foundation, FACE Atelier liquid foundation, Christian Dior Loose Mineral Makeup, Fresh Mineral Makeup, Nars Powder Foundation, Mac Pressed Mineral Makeup, Mac Pressed Matte Mineral Bronzer in “Meow”, ID Minerals loose mineral bronzer in “Faux Tan” and loose mineral concealer in “Well Rested”

*liner/highlight shadow

Revlon Colorstay liners and shadows, Annabelle long wear liners, MAC liners and shadows, FACE Atelier shadows,  Bobbi Brown liners and shadows, NARS pencils and shadow, Christian Dior shadow,  Sephora brand waterproof chubby pencils

*masacara

L’oreal Voluminous, Christian Dior Iconic, Fresh, Blinc

*brow pencils

Laura Mercier, Christian Dior Brow Styler, Sorme and Maybelline

*cheek & lip creams/stains & glosses

Benefit’s “Benetint”  stain, MAC cream blush/lip cream, FACE Atelier “Facade” cheek/lip tints, Laura Mercier cream blush, Bobbi Brown cream lip/cheek tints

Hope you enjoy my tips for quick and easy beauty

Cheers,

Georgia

So what are the hottest makeup trends this season and how can you wear them? There’s something for everyone; from soft and natural to dramatic, dark and dangerous!

Here’s the top trends for the season…

Chocolate Cherry or Grape Stained Lips

Smoky Brown or Grey Eyes

Multi toned Smoky Eyes

Intense Bright or Deep Black Graphic Cat Eyes

Coloured Mascara

Strong Brows are still a major trend

Black Nails with gold or silver french tips

And… Here’s how to wear this Fall’s top trends:

• To create a Clean Look with a little bit of edge, pair a deep chocolate cherry or grape lip colour with a “naked” face.
• For Sophisticated Glamour, top the deep chocolate cherry mouth with soft, smoky brown eyes or grey eyes.
• For Dangerous & dark, pair smouldering multi toned smoky eyes, done in combinations of Soft Grey, Violet & Green with soft nude lips.
• For a Modern Retro Look, one of the season’s top trends, pair a Bright Graphic Cat Eye or a Deep Dark Black Graphic Cat Eye with nude lips and cheeks.
• Strong brows with a Nude, Clean Face  is another favourite this fall.  Try adding a dose of coloured mascara to make it fun and fresh.