Fashion Savvy - Fashion, Beauty, & Style » Cosmetics & Makeup

Three beauty looks to get ready for the holiday party season

fashion — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:24:08 +0000

(ARA) – With the season of soirees upon us, the ultimate look is needed to stand out among the crowd of little black dresses. With a few simple steps, it’s easy to have the appearance of professionally done makeup without emptying your wallet. Be your own makeup artist by trying these three looks from the pros to accent your best features.

Smokey eyes
International makeup artist, Jemma Kidd recommends a dramatic smoky eye to pump-up the glam.

Step 1 – Sweep a light highlighter shade over the whole lid to the browbone.

Step 2 – Apply a dark and intense shade along the lashline, blending up and smoking outwards to the socket line.

Step 3 – Smudge eyeliner across upper and lower lashline; use black for ultra intensity.

Step 4 – Finish off with dark, black mascara, and for a full on look, go for false eyelashes. For an ultra-modern take, add a touch of glitter to lower lids and lashes.

Tip: To finish off the face, use a nearly-naked base, with barely-there flush on cheeks and a nude color for the lips.

Natural perfection
Petra Strand, makeup artist and creator of Pixi, firmly believes that makeup should make a woman look like herself – only more gorgeous.

Step 1 – Prime the skin with a primer – skin will look youthful, glowing and hydrated.

Step 2 – Switch to a base that is sheer and use a concealer for those areas that need a little extra help. Your complexion will look naturally flawless.

Step 3 – Use a cheek gel instead of regular blush to give an instant “lift” with a transparent touch of color on the apples of the cheeks.

Step 4 – Switch from full coverage lipsticks to a tint of color that has both the moisture and treatment of a balm for a perfect pout.

Tip: The next generation of powders is here with a diffused matte finish that is truly perfect to “set your makeup” so that it goes the distance yet you look “fresh as a daisy.”

Sophisticated glamour
For classic holiday glam, celebrity makeup artist Napoleon Perdis recommends being bold and brilliant.

Step 1 – Prime your skin for a flawless canvas for makeup application and follow with your perfect foundation match for full coverage and matte skin.

Step 2 – Make a lip statement. Red lips are the most glamorous trend of the season. Pick your favorite red and make sure to always apply lip liner to prevent bleeding. To give the illusion of fuller lips, dab some gloss only on the center of the pout, over lipstick.

Step 3 – To perfectly complement your bold lips, keep the eyes neutral. Use a neutral and easy palette of taupe eye shadows for a seductive eye.

Tip: Complete the look with black mascara – always remember that three coats is the magic number, and a look is never complete without show-stopping lashes.

Don’t have all that’s needed for the ultimate glam look to show off your best assets? Relax, Target has you covered. Pick up premiere makeup products at budget-friendly prices from Pixi, JK Jemma Kidd and NP Set at Target stores nationwide and at target.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Beauty basics to help you embrace autumn

fashion — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:05:03 +0000

(ARA) – Fall is a time of transition. Not only do you need to prepare your skin for the cold months ahead, but it’s time to transform your look from light and airy to soft and classic.

Focus on a few beauty basics – skin, make-up, fashion and fragrance – and you’ll have all you need for a fantastic fall.

Great skin is always in
As the weather gets cooler and drier, your skin needs extra moisture to keep it supple. Keep warm weather memories alive with a scent reminiscent of summer and try Coconut Milk Body Lotion from The Body Shop. Treat yourself to the finest ingredients – ethically sourced community trade virgin coconut oil from Samoa – and get soft, smooth and deliciously scented skin.

Pucker up
Autumn lips are washed in soft color. International make-up artist Chase Aston says this fall is all about the perfect pout and recommends Colourglide Lip Color from The Body Shop.

Aston shares his tips for luscious and gorgeous lips:
* Use a lip liner for added definition and to help prevent feathering.
* Enhance the natural color of your lips by gently gliding on lip color. For added pout power, use a lipstick/concealer brush.
* Look for a shade that complements your skin tone. With 37 shades, you can easily find Colourglide Lip Color that works for you.

Ultra-modern eyes
This fall, dramatic smoldering eyes are what’s fabulous.

To achieve fall’s hottest eye looks, Aston gives these sizzling tips:
* Smudge together forest green, shimmering grey and lilac to create a chic, modern, smoky eye.
* To create an intense, sultry eye look, look for a palette that features a warm trio of rich brown, golden copper and shimmering sand hues.
* Try a metallic eye definer. Alone, it can be used to line and define or use it to complement your favorite eye shadow. “Choose shades that contrast your eyes to make them pop,” says Aston. “Apply color to the eyelid or along the lash-line as an accent for impact.”

Bundle up
Classic, “back to basics” clothing was all the rage on the fall runways. This season’s must-have piece is the crisp white jacket that works with everything from jeans to a little black dress. The key accessory to sport is perfectly fitting with the chill in the air – gloves. Half gloves, fingerless gloves and long gloves are gracing the arms of starlets walking the red carpet and go with everything from rugged parkas to dainty and ladylike skirts. If you’ve got a special occasion to dress for, or if you’re just plain feeling glam, the gold dress, inspired by the rich tones of autumn, is the choice for your holiday parties.

For more information on fall beauty basics, visit TheBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Your summer beauty routine, inspired by nature

fashion — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:30:27 +0000

(ARA) – Warm weather is here and it’s time to update your beauty routine for summer. Why not take some inspiration from warm weather’s renewal theme and refresh your beauty regimen?

The welcome change in seasons brings longer days, trees and flowers in bloom and more time spent outside. Nature has so much to offer, including inspiration for products that can help you look and feel beautiful from head to toe.

“It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choices with so many new products on the market,” says Jeni Thomas, a beauty scientist with Procter & Gamble. “It can be difficult to know which products really work and which natural ingredients can be effective elements of your beauty routine. The key to finding nature-inspired products that do work is to look for ones that blend and balance nature with science.”

Seeking out products that combine the best of ingredients with the best of science gives you nature-inspired options that really perform and keep you looking your best. While many new beauty manufacturers may be unfamiliar to you, some of the most highly recognized and respected cosmetics brands are now offering nature-inspired products. Consumers often gravitate toward these brands because they are recognized, trusted, and easily available.

Here is a sampling of nature-inspired products from brand names you recognize and that you’ll easily find on your local supermarket or drug store shelves:

* CoverGirl now offers TruBlend MicroMinerals foundation, designed to fine-tune mineral coverage from sheer to full. The product incorporates iron oxides, minerals that give nice even coverage to skin, as well as pearl and mica to give skin a luminous, healthy glow.

* Hair color goes nature-inspired with Clairol’s Natural Instincts line. Like other Clairol products, the hair color blends away gray in just 10 minutes, but relies on an antioxidant-rich, ammonia-free formula with vitamins C and E to accomplish healthy-looking color and shine.

* Consumers know and trust the name Olay. Now the company has introduced a Botanical Fusion Body Wash formulated with scents and ingredients inspired by nature, such as patchouli, rosemary and ginger. The wash incorporates these invigorating scents with hydrating and skin-nurturing ingredients.

* The Cassia plant, a botanical science discovery that helps give hair radiance, softness and strength, is the key ingredient in Pantene Pro-V’s new Nature Fusion shampoo.

“Consumers looking for nature-inspired products no longer have to search specialty shops or the Internet to find the effective products they crave,” Thomas says. “Some of the most recognized names in health and beauty are responding to consumer demand with effective, cost-conscious, nature-inspired products.”

To learn more about nature-inspired beauty products, visit www.pgbeautyscience.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Top 5 must-have summer beauty essentials

fashion — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:45:21 +0000

(ARA) – Summer means making memories with friends and loved ones. There are more cameras at summer events than there are at a movie premiere, and you’ll want to look your best while you beat the heat.

Fortunately, a handful of products that should have a spot in your beauty bag can protect your skin while giving it a sun-kissed glow. Here are the top five affordable luxuries you should have in your makeup kit this summer to keep skin looking healthy, glowing and gorgeous:

1. Bronzed beauty
Just a few years ago, women spent hours soaking up the sun without the protection of sunscreen. Today, we know the dangers of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays and their potential to seriously damage skin. Instead, try Bronzing Powder from The Body Shop in a shade to match your skin tone. Each shade contains the antioxidant vitamin E to protect your skin and Community Trade marula oil, a highly effective moisturizer. Apply bronzing powder over foundation or add shimmer by wearing alone on the face and cheeks.

2. Mascara that stands up to summer
The heat of summer can lead to less-than-beautiful raccoon eyes, so it’s important to have a good waterproof mascara in your toolkit that can stand up to the ocean, the pool and even an afternoon running through the sprinkler.

3. Bright eyes for hot nights
One of the most affordable ways to update your summer look is with eye color and this season’s hottest shades are intense. Celebrity makeup artist Chase Aston recommends Hot Brights Eye Color (available at BodyShop-USA.com). His favorite color combinations? Violet Sunset — a flirty pairing of dusky pink with rich mauve and Pearly Sky – a vibrant deep aqua combined with earthy cream..

“Violet Sunset is the perfect color palette for summer smoky eyes. For both the day and night, smudge this intoxicating color palette around the eyes,” says Aston. “These satin soft shades in Pearly Sky glide onto the eyes, creating a burst of color that shimmers in the sun for fresh, flirty hues for those hot summer days.”

4. Cool and refreshing
Whether you spent your day at a barbecue or the beach, it’s likely you’ll need a quick cool down at dusk. The Body Shop’s Peppermint Cooling foot spray refreshes and revives hot and tired feet and legs in seconds with Community Trade peppermint from England.

5. Vacation beauty
If a vacation or quick weekend getaway is in the cards, make sure your travel kit is packed with travel-sized essentials like mini body butters, scrubs and skincare travel kits from The Body Shop. They save room in your suitcase and provide a beautiful summer glow no matter where you jet off to.

With your summer beauty bag packed, make sure you’ve got other essentials covered. Rock the retro look with a pair of candy-colored, 80’s inspired sunglasses. A stylish and oversized black straw hat looks at home on the runway or shading out the sun and a brightly colored sarong that can go from beach cover-up to casual dinner wear will having you feeling like a gilded goddess.

For more information on summer beauty essentials, visit www.theBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Go Beyond Green With Eco-friendly Beauty Trends

fashion — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:24:13 +0000

(ARA) – Green living doesn’t have to mean forgoing the latest looks, especially when eco-conscious beauty is the hottest thing going. Formulations driven by nature, practices that are kind to the earth and minimal packaging are all cool ways to celebrate the warm weather.

Here are some of the hottest eco-conscious beauty trends going:

Fresh as a Rose
The classic and perfect rose inspires some of the hottest colors and scents of the season. Cheeks blush in pretty shades of pink for day and bold fuchsia for evening while glamorous pink lips perfectly accompany spring smiles. For an all-over ethereal glow, the Roseflower Radiance Stick from The Body Shop is a soft, natural and preservative-free way to achieve a dewy spring glow. Match spring’s romantic mood and sweep the silky, sheer golden pink highlighter along the cheekbones for a subtle shimmer that enhances the complexion.

* Style Highlight
Made with rose oil from the “valley of roses” near the Atlas Mountains, The Body Shop Moroccan Rose Body Butter melts on contact with the skin for superb hydration and releases the delectable fragrance of roses harvested at dawn, at their fragrance peak. It also features rich Community Trade ingredients from Ghana and Brazil.

Pastels and Pinks
This season, eyes shimmer in paparazzi-friendly pastel greens, pinks and golds. Celebrity makeup artist Chase Aston says a soft gold eye shimmer is fresh and modern and is perfect for an allover eye, from lash to brow. For a contemporary effect, a cool mint green swept along the top lash line and underneath the lower lashes sings spring.

* Style Highlight
“To take this runway look to night and capture a perfectly imperfect smoky eye, take a black eye definer pencil and line along top lash line, then dip an eye color brush into midnight blue eye color and smudge over eye definer line,” says Aston.

Waste Not
What is on the outside of a beauty product is just as important as what’s within. Look for sustainably-harvested and fairly-traded ingredients as well as minimal packaging made from post-consumer materials. And when you’re done with a container, remember to recycle it!

Wild Accessories
Reduce, reuse and recycle are today’s hottest buzzwords. Raid your closet for vintage jewelry and accessories or hit your local thrift shop for a bold bargain that pops. When the sun is shining, remember to protect yourself from UV rays with a stylish round pair of sunglasses.

Beauty that Gives Back
Being good to the Earth also includes being kind to the people who inhabit the planet. Everyday products and practices can make a big difference, so look for beauty that gives back.

*Style Highlight
Purchasing a product like the preservative-free Tantalizing Lip Butter from The Body Shop and MTV means a donation is made to the Staying Alive Foundation — a charity saving lives by empowering young people around the world to protect themselves and their communities against HIV and AIDS. Now that’s beautiful.

And when you’re done all your beauty shopping, you need an eco-friendly and stylish bag to carry all your goodies home in. Try The Body Shop Bag for Life, which is a reusable, organically grown cotton bag produced without harmful pesticides.

For more information on eco-conscious beauty, visit TheBodyShop-USA.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Top 10 Tips for Summer Beauty

fashion — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:51:44 +0000

As summer arrives and temperatures rise, beauty routines become increasingly challenged by heat, humidity and other seasonal factors. Looking great during summer months isn’t hard – it just requires smart preparation.

Celebrity makeup artist BJ Gillian and hairstylist to the stars Brett Freedman offer their top ten tips for looking hot this summer.

1. Protect hair color from damaging sun and chlorine.
“If you color your hair, it’s especially important to protect it during the summer,” says Freedman. “Using a product like a spray or conditioner with sunscreen will help keep your hair fresh and healthy and help prevent fading and brassiness.”

2. Keep your makeup light.
“The most important thing during the summer months is to create an environment where your skin can breathe,” says Gillian. “Instead of layering heavy products like liquid foundations, switch to multi-purpose products that provide light coverage, an SPF of at least 15, and look and feel weightless.”

3. Fight frizz by locking out humid air.
“Preparation is key for blocking out humid air and preventing frizz,” says Freedman. “Start with the new Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo and Conditioner with Aquacurrent Science; conditioning is important to ‘fill’ the hair shaft so there’s less room for humidity to come in. Gently blot hair dry after showering, then apply a silicone-based serum to smooth the hair shaft and fight humidity.”

4. Wear SPF everywhere.
“All summer-friendly products have SPF – even lip products!” says Gillian. “Make sure your moisturizer, tinted moisturizer, eye cream and lip balm all contain SPF. Products like Olay Definity Deep Penetrating Foaming UV Moisturizer provide great protection when you’re out in the sun.”

5. Switch to easy summer hair styles.
“You must keep in mind that as there are seasonally appropriate clothes, there are seasonally appropriate hair styles,” Freedman notes. “Summer months are looser and more free in clothing, and the same applies to hair! Choose the right products to tailor your individual hair to the weather. Many women incorrectly think that using conditioner during the summer will weigh hair down, but it will actually help fight frizz.”

6. Prep skin to prevent shine.
“Prepping your skin with the right products can make it virtually ‘shine-proof,’” says Gillian. “Use a multi-tasking makeup primer like DDF Matte Finish Photo-Age Protection SPF 30, which is a great high-SPF moisturizer that dries with a matte finish. It’s perfect for summer months.”

7. Go from poolside to party pretty.
The perfect look for a post-beach party? “You’ll definitely want to do a loose bun to show off the flush of a day in the sun,” says Freedman. “Rinse hair with clean water and blot dry. Then apply a leave-in conditioner that dries with a touch of shine from ends to roots (in that order) and sweep back in a soft, casual bun. Be sure to use a fabric-covered hair band to prevent snags or breakage.”

8. Switch up your skincare routine.
“Any dermatologist will tell you that for cleansers and moisturizers to work effectively, you’ll need to shake up your beauty routine every season,” says Gillian. “Give your skin the ability to let that skincare do its best by shocking it every 90 days with something new. For the summer, switch from a heavy cream to a lighter moisturizer with SPF.”

9. Shampoo smart.
To minimize damage from over-washing hair during summer months, Freedman recommends focusing on the roots. “Use shampoo sparingly and lather up the roots first to zap the sweat and oil at the base of the hair, then use the diluted suds on the ends. Use a mild shampoo to keep your locks smooth, healthy and clean without overdrying.”

10. Wear summer-friendly beauty products.
“A waterproof mascara, like CoverGirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara, makes all the difference in the world,” Gillian says. “Pair it with a great eyeliner to get a smoky look without too much fuss, then finish the look with a dusting of bronzer and a fruity-colored gloss for a punch of color.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Glamour Tips & Trends Show biz “wet makeup” is available

fashion — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:32:24 +0000

(NC)-If you are under the spotlight, on the stage, or if you need makeup that really must stay cool under the most intense conditions, ask about products used in show business.

Kryolan, for example, supplies professional make-up artists with a full range of products, including a noted favourite, Aquacolor wet makeup. It is a long-lasting, intense colour formula and is guaranteed for perfect performance on and off the stage.

Says company CEO, Claudia Long: “Aquacolor wet makeup is multi-purpose. It has an oil-free, non-irritating, glycerin-based texture, allowing you to easily blend and shade the colours. There are more than 250 hues to choose from, including matte skin tones, bright metallics, and shimmer iridescent.

“It is smudge-proof too,” she explained, “making it first choice for all styles of face and body painting. And, just a small quantity can be used to make up large areas, so it lasts a long time – and is easily removed with soap and water.”

More information is available online at www.kryolan.com.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Fall for a new makeup look

fashion — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:40:13 +0000

(NC)-Crisp autumn air may be beckoning your cozy sweaters out of storage – but that doesn’t mean your hot summer look has to cool down too. Celebrate autumn’s arrival with seasonal shades that effortlessly update your look.

“Continuing from spring and summer, one of the big beauty trends this fall is colour” says Lynda Rose, vice president of sales and marketing for Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. “That’s why we’ve created our limited-edition Colour Fusion Collections for eyes and lips.”

Designed for all skin tones, the sets are packaged in deliciously appealing chocolate brown compacts that feature a clear window for easy shade identification and easily slip into party purses.

For eyes, mattes mix with pearls, and pastels mingle with both neutral and plum shades – perfect for creating day or evening looks. Lip duos feature three gorgeous combinations, in a moisturizing formula that lasts up to six hours.

“Fall is also a great time to switch-up your fragrance,” says Rose. “While a lighter fragrance is perfect for summer months, fall is a great time to opt for a more substantial scent.”

Bella Belara Eau de Parfum – a new addition to Mary Kay’s fragrance lineup, that builds on their popular Belara brand – is a fruity floral fragrance that includes notes of apricot, Moroccan jasmine and creamy blond woods in a flirty pink bottle.

So while you’re choosing which fall fashion trends to add to your closet, don’t forget to add something fresh to your beauty routine. With so many warm scents and spicy new shades to choose from, you’re sure to heat up your look straight through to the holidays.

You can locate an Independent Beauty Consultant online at www.marykay.ca or toll-free at 1-866-455-5454.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Makeup Tips: Treat yourself to HD beauty

fashion — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:38:08 +0000

(NC)-Is your face ready to triumph over High Definition?

With an eye on all future videos at weddings, graduations, anniversaries – and indeed, at any special occasion – some of the cosmetics companies are already visualizing in “high definition” to ensure you look your best.

“By 2009, all television broadcasters will have to switch to HDTV,” said Claudia Long, CEO of Kryolan, a leader in the professional makeup field. “Initially it’s a change that only affects Hollywood, but with HD camcorders already available on the consumer market, it’s only a matter of time before all your special memories are recorded on an HD camera.”

HD videos will make each event more life-like than ever, but this type of film quality will also pick up every wrinkle, pockmark, and shadow on its subjects. The naked eye might not see any imperfections on our skin, but an HD camera won’t miss one flaw.

“So with electronics technology rapidly growing,” Ms. Long continued, “the beauty industry found itself faced with developing a makeup that is exclusively geared towards solving HD dilemmas.”

Kryolan (kryolan.com) took on this challenge, applying their professional film expertise to cosmetics-counter formulations for you and me. In Toronto, ask about the High Definition Makeup line at Industry Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Inc. In Montreal, this line sells at Studio Makijaz.

“Not only does this makeup give users porcelain-perfect skin before the camera,” Ms. Long explained, “it also nurtures skin by hosting vitamin E, anti-aging properties, and ingredients that protect from harmful UV-rays.

“Particularly valuable,” she continued, “are the Micro Foundation Matifying Liquid, Micro Foundation Smoothing Liquid, and Micro Foundation Creme, all available in 18 natural colours and can be matted and set with the Micro Silk Powder. These foundations and powder have the incredible ability to take years off and guarantee smooth and even skin on the screen and in real life.

“Our HD make-up ensures that every camera light and angle is a good one. It is as good for your skin as it makes you look on camera.”

Credit: www.newscanada.com

Fall into beautiful skin

fashion — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:42:49 +0000

(NC)-If your beauty routine took it’s own vacation during the lazy, hazy days of summer, your skin may look more baked than beautiful. Prep skin for a new season ahead with targeted products that do more than sun damage control.

Convenient and cost-effective, it’s little wonder that at-home microdermabrasion kits have become sink-side regulars for beauty buffs. “Microdermabrasion treatments use superfine crystals that go to work and polish skin, often with immediate results,” says Lynda Rose, vice president of sales and marketing for Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd. “They’re the perfect way to reveal healthy-looking, radiant skin in the season ahead.”

And if sun damaged skin has given you anything but fond summer memories by way of uneven skin tone and discolouration, Mary Kay’s TimeWise Even Complexion Essence may help.

“This concentrated serum works for women of all skin tones,” says Rose. With a specially formulated complex, it’s clinically shown to restore reduce visible dark spots and minimize the appearance of skin discolouration.

Thin skin around eyes and lips is an easy target for moisture depletion, especially in hot weather, and dry skin in these areas can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Rose recommends an eye cream year-round as part of skin care routine to provide intense moisturization. For lips, Mary Kay’s easy-to-use TimeWise Age-Fighting Lip Primer applies like a lip balm but provides a triple treat.

“Light-diffusing microspheres in our lip primer help to create healthier-looking lips and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Rose. “Plus, when applied inside and outside the lip line, it extends lipstick and lip gloss wear and helps prevent feathering and bleeding.”

With just a few updates to your skin care regimen, you’re sure to put your best face forward in the season ahead.

You can locate an Independent Beauty Consultant online at www.marykay.ca or toll-free at 1-866-455-5454.

Credit: www.newscanada.com