Face Makeup Tips

Ok, so I wanted to get a headstart on Valentine’s this year. We have exactly 1 month. If you have something special very very special coming up and still looking for the perfect outfit, I recommend something quite unique and really put a spin on things this year. I have nothing against the classic red dress or pretty-in-pink ladies, but I am totally inspired by these dresses from Jovani. The brilliant colours are absolutely gorgeous to say the least. And what of the makeup then? To pull off this ravenous number, one must allow their face forward feature to standout, up, and confidently and allow the dress to enhance, not upstage, the one who dons it. Emphasising the eyes is a must and the right makeup is the answer for this.

I would not over-do this look by creating rainbow colours on the lids or you might end up looking like the identical twin of Mimi from the Drew Carey show. Instead go for a dreamy sky blue and silver contrast or an iridescent plum-to-cream mix or a fresh lime green that blends into a snowy white.

If you’re going for blue to complement your blue eyes, you can use shimmer for both the blue in the outer corners and silver for the inner corners of the eyes, blending them into each other and defining the eye socket with a touch of a darker blue. Use a matte nude or white for the highlight on the browbone. Line eyes with a very thin line of black or dark blue eyeliner, and sweep black mascara to create ultra-long lashes. Complement with peachy blush and shimmer lipgloss to complete your face makeup.

For hazel to brown eyes, cover the eyelids in cream shadow with a shine, followed by plum shadow in a V-shape, with the finest point of the V on the outer corners of the eye, and blend shamelessly. You may go over the colour with a light sprinkle of the cream shimmer shadow to give the plum an iridescent effect. Highlight the browbone with a soft pink colour and make sure to have your brows defined and combed. Go for rosy cheeks and lips and your makeup is done.

Green eyes can look enchanting with a touch of green on the eyelids. Let it blend seamlessly into the inner corners over some white eyeshadow, which will brighten the effect further. Line eyes in brown and finish with tubing mascara. Use a tangy coral on the cheeks and lips, with a generous squeeze of translucent lipgloss on the bottom lip. Your makeup should look like a piece of heaven.

Bronzer can be used for all these makeup looks, around the areas that catch the sun.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The new year marks another year of birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and sweet 16s. What are the latest trends for Party Perfect makeup? Which one is going to suit YOU? Every personality is different, and here we highlight two personality types – the First Lady, and the Pop Princess.

The First Lady

We have seen a lot of glitter lately, but I am a stickler for all things timeless and classic, even when it comes to showing up at the trendiest places in town to celebrate the end of the decade and the beginning of the new year. If you’re anything like me, and find yourself in calm candid conversations at parties and galas, and feel best holding your drink in long-stemmed crystalware, you might be a First Lady too.

You can’t quite go wrong with amped-up neutrals or plums and seductive smokey eyes. To make it party worthy, slick on a thin line of liquid eyeliner in black, extending it out to create a cat-like effect a la Audrey Hepburn, and pile on the mascara. Make it a point to find the mascara of your dreams this year, and throw out any rancid stuff you may have tucked away at the back of the dresser drawers. To keep the look young, sweep some shimmer shadow under the eyebrows and the same on the inner corners of the eyes around the tear-ducts. White works well for this, through you may blend some cream if it appears ashy on your skin.

Find a bright pink blush that will give you a sweet flush on the apples of your cheeks. Just remember to tap off the excess from your brush before sweeping it with a light hand over the tallest extrusions of your cheeks and outward.You can always tone it down with a fine powder after. This will give a lovely translucent effect.

With neutral colours on the eyes, you can get creative with the lips. Match your dress here, going a couple of shades darker or lighter so it’s not too matchy-matchy. And remember to dab on a clear gloss for the ultimate party pout. Put that and your lip colour in your purse for a quick pick-me-up once the drinks have started going down!

The Pop Princess

Fun is a priority in your life, and parties fill up your schedule every year. Everybody wants to invite the life of the party and you’re IT! You cannot get enough of glitter, but perhaps only fear it sticking to the wrong places! Yes, you are the Pop Princess!

For the next one, you might like to go for a blue-to-pink eyeshadow. Sweep on a matte pink over the whole eyelid and blend a glittery blue from the outside in. It doesn’t matter what shade, depending on how dramatic you want to go… but the effect should leave you with a purple parting in between the two colours once it is blended. An eyeliner will help define the eyes and get a mascara that will leave your upper lashes looking longer than ever. Apply neutral nude in matte to the browbone, blending down towards the rainbow colours.

Keep cheeks a tangy peach colour and use a peachy gloss on the lips too. This look is perfect for the cooler months (and to get up and get out there on the dancefloor).