beauty bitz

Having had the fashion runways usher in the age of NEON - as the new trend for this spring, it turns my mind toward the correlating trend of Neon Makeup, and leaves me wondering... if I dared even to wear neon makeup (like a shade of neon purple eye shadow) what else in the world could I possibly add to such an attention getting look - that wouldn't totally "jump the shark"? Then, it came to me... Lip gloss!

I know, I know... this doesn't exactly sound like a major discovery, however, it is a brain storm of sorts. Think about it; the long standing rule of makeup has always been - to have a focal point - to take the safe route and concentrate on playing up only one aspect of the face (either eyes or lips, but not both). But... if you're wearing neon on your face in the first place... that says all by itself that you are not the one to play it safe; and without overdoing it, a sweet shade of lip gloss or lip stain could only accentuate the positive in your new makeup look.

So I say go ahead and experiment!

A perfectly pouty lip color may be just the thing to balance out that new neon shadow you're dying to wear and bring it into the trend setting realm of the fashion friendly.

Here are a few brands you may want to try:

Avon Mark Gorgeous gloss Lip Stain

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?src_page=product_list.aspx&level1_id=300&level2_id=469&pdept_id=483&dept_id=488&pf_id=38514

Maybelline Super Stay

http://www.maybelline.com/products/161/lips/lip-gloss/superstay-10hr-stain-gloss/refreshing-red/130?shadeId=899&cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-GoogleBrand-_-MNY+Lips-_-maybelline%20super%20stay%2010&gclid=CKCBj6Wcja4CFeQEQAodmB4NfQ

 Cover Girl Outlast

http://www.covergirl.com/collections/outlast

This season, the fashion runways are lit with color!...

From clothes to accessories, bright is the new bling, and the bling palette of choice is... NEON. Effervescent yellows, peachs, mint greens and pinks can brighten up not only your wardrobe but your makeup choices as well!

Fiesty new lip glosses and electric new eyeshadow colors are available to help all you fashionistas stay on trend. Check out Bobbi Brown's Neons & Nudes collection for a lippy neon fix. Not-so-new but always true, are MAC's Pigments (one of those "must try" items) - which have tons of color and may be layered for an effect that goes from eye catching to obnoxious (depending on how you feel that day).

Even if neon isn't quite your style, there are lots of other vibrantly lovely lip glosses, eyeshadows and creams to help perk up your spring look. New from Maybelline is the Eye Tattoo, pigmented cream eye shadow line; and under her "True Romance" collection, Kat Von D has a colorful palette called: Mi Vida Loca, available at Sephora.

But in case an eye full of brightly pigmented eyeshadow isn't your thing, there are also some really fun colored eye-liners you can use. For the frugal fashionista, Wet-N-Wild has a line of liquid eyeliners that come in two very cool colors (turquois & plum) and are economically priced. 

So, maybe starting with a sassy little strip of color on your eyelid can be your gateway to a colorful makeup adventure.

One thing's for sure, whether you're NEON... or not,  you'll definitely have fun experimenting with CoLoR!!!... and that's what makeup is all about.

Specs

• SPF
• Moisturizing
• Lightly tinted color
• Gloss
• Lasts up to 8 hrs
• 8 colors to choose from
• Price range: $6 - $7.50 (depending on where you buy)

My Findings

• Glides on very smooth (more of an oil based product, similar to Revlon Lip Butter. Unlike Maybelline Baby lips, which has a creamier base, similar to a lotion)
• Non-sticky (yay!)
• Lightly tinted color (unlike Revlon Lip Butter, which has  more of a color pop)  
• Very moisturizing (the Balm stayed on my lips without drying out or flaking, for about 4 hours while running errands - up until lunch time, after which, I re-applied)

I personally don't mind the slick-like feel and the the very light color tint... after all, it is marketed as a lip "balm", so with that being said, this item is being true to it's name.

From a Professional Perspective

I think I will add the L'Oreal's new Balm to my makeup kit. It has just the right amount of glossiness (not *too* shiny)... and the barely-there tint adds a hint of color to the lip, without looking like a lip stick. The perfect thing for one of my natural-look beauty or commercial photo shoots.

Tip

Visit the L'Oreal USA website, complete the How Can I Help You Consultation and receive $1 off any product. Including the new L'Oreal lip Balm!

(link below) 

http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/?page=top{userdata//d+d//|diagnostic|main:supercategory:inthespotlight|media:_blank|nav|overlay:_blank}

Enjoy!

Birthday Makeover

This is Gernise...it was her birthday and she was going out on the town, but she wanted to do something a bit more special. So, she decided to get her makeup done professionally and she gave me a call (through a previous client's referral).

Gernise does not wear makeup and was wary of having an overly "made-up" look.

After I asked a few preliminary questions regarding the current condition of her skin (sensitivities, allergies, medications, oily, dry, normal, etc) we discussed eyebrow shape, eyeshadow colors, "natural" makeup vs "glamour" makeup and we even discussed the exact shade of lipstick she'd like to wear. (details matter!)  And finally, I asked her to email a headshot and a picture of what she would be wearing on her birthday, including the shoes.

Ultimately, we settled on the "natural" look for her eyes and an attention getting red lip. Gernise was kind enough to send me a picture of herself while out celebrating her birthday (as seen above).

Such a lovely and confident look... Gernise's eyes have great definition without appearing over-done and her red lips add just the right touch of sass-appeal!

Gernise was very happy with her look!