A Smoky Eye Makes Your Eyes Look Smaller - Fact or Beauty Myth?

As a pro makeup artist, beauty expert and writer....I get frustrated sometimes.  Why, do you ask, when I have the BEST job in the whole world?  I'll tell ya....
I get frustrated by all of the MISINFORMATION out there in the world of beauty!  I constantly read tips that are just flat out wrong. (It happens in the fashion world too...example, whoever decided that ANYONE looks good in flatforms or culottes!  But I digress....)

Call them Old Wives tales or Beauty Myths, but trust me, ladies, you can't believe everything you read...it's not all accurate, and often those articles don't give you enough information to understand how the tip might...or might not...apply to you.  Today's blog post is about one of those Beauty Myths that totally drives me nuts.  How many times have you read:

"Avoid a smoky eye or black eyeliner!  It'll close your eye in and make it look smaller..."

I know I've read it dozens and dozens of times.....everywhere from beauty blogs to national beauty magazines, and countless women have told me that their friend/cousin/mom always told them that girls with smaller eyes just can't do a smoky eye.  Guess what?  It ain't true!!  It just isn't....and I can prove it.  Wanna see?  Check out these examples of just a few of my real clients....every last one of them wanted a smoky eye but was afraid to try it because they "had heard somewhere" it would make their eyes look smaller.  Take a look......

That last one...it's crazy, right?  Her eyes look twice their size!  It's all in the technique, how it's applied and blended....no harsh edges, and you have to be careful not to overdo. When done correctly, color can be used to create the illusion that your entire eye area is bigger than it really is.  Another key element?  Lashes!  Strip lashes, individual lashes or a couple of coats of glossy mascara will do wonders to visually open up your eye area.

So....have you been avoiding black liner or a smoky eye because you thought you couldn't pull it off? Give it a try, you might be surprised on how flattering a soft, smoky (read: not goth!) smoky eye can be.  If you really want to learn how to recreate this look on yourself, call (972-345-0655) or email (lipservicemakeup@gmail.com) me today to book a private or group lesson and I'll teach you!

Check back here too, I'll be posting more Beauty Myths in the future...the real scoop, no BS.  Have a beauty myth you've always heard and want to find out if it's true or not?  Post in the comments!

(All makeup on this post, and this website by Jennifer Trotter of Lip Service Makeup)

Top 4 Ways To Take Your Look From Day to Night

When fab beauty resource blog SheKnows reached out wanting a few tips on how to transform daytime makeup into a nighttime ready look, I was more happy to share!  (They shared just one of my tips, but here's the entire article for ya!) I often have VERY long days, and find myself working all day with clients and then heading off to a networking cocktail party or industry event with just a few minutes to spare....I definitely use these tips in my own routine too!

Here are my 4 quick ways to take your look from Day to Night:

Start with a Classic Bold Lip - One of the oldest tricks in the book for a reason...it works! Stash an ultra glamorous lip color to take an otherwise neutral look into cocktail party territory. This works especially well if a strong lip is NOT your usual look! It's a bold shift that signals "sexy and special".... perfect for a night out! A shade that works on nearly everyone is a deep berry, but a classic crimson or a winter-perfect burgundy are elegant picks too. 

A few of my fave evening ready bold lip colors are "Hellbent" by Kat Von D, "Snow White" by NYX, "Shame" by Urban Decay and "Rebel" by MAC)

Highlight the Positive - A shimmery highlighter dusted on cheekbones and brow bones instantly gives your face a lift, and picks up candle light beautifully!  Add a bit down the bridge of your nose and on cupid's bow for a fresh look perfect for nighttime. Highlighters to try - Kevyn Aucoin's "the Celestial", Mac "Silver Dusk" Powder and IT Cosmetics in "Hello Light".

Photo Credit Stephen Moleski

Get in Line - an inky black liner instantly adds an air of sexiness to an otherwise subdued daytime face. Choose a pencil...easier than liquid, and doesn't require a brush like gel liners. Line water lines (bottom...and top if you can swing it) then smudge with a q-tip, the whole process takes seconds and is really hard to screw up!
Choose a soft, highly pigmented pencil for a sultry effect.
My fave black liner pick for a no-brush-needed application?  Urban Decay 24-7 Pencil in Perversion ---it's pretty much the pinnacle of smoky black eye pencil! 


Grab Your Falsies - False LASHES, that is! They're not just for black tie

anymore...nothing gives your eyes fluttery impact like popping on a pair of false lashes. And when applied properly, they really aren't too over the top...promise.  Practice at home to get technique down so you can do it quickly when trying to get out the door to after work cocktails. Bonus tip - stash a small tube of dark tone glue! The white glue will eventually dry clear, but the dark tone glue is immediately invisible, perfect if you're pressed for time. Try Eylure Lashes in "Volume" and Duo Dark Tone Glue, both available at drugstores.

Add a bold necklace or earrings, switch out flats for pumps and lastly, ditch your big work bag and tuck necessities into a cute and colorful clutch...done! You just went from all business daytime meh to sultry evening A-mazing! What are YOUR fave day to night tips and products?!?

Photo Credit Express

Want to check out the SheKnows article with tips from celebrity makeup artists and other beauty pros like me?  Click here....

(PS, If you weren't already aware, SheKnows is a great resource for anything you want to know on beauty and style....you'll get addicted!)

Foolproof One-Step Eyeshadow that Works on Everyone...Really!

When I teach lessons and classes, women always tell me that they are overwhelmed with makeup....so many brands, so many types, so many techniques....just too many choices.  That's great for special nights out when you want to experiment and do it up, but for everyday, most women want a simple and quick go-to that always works, no fuss, no muss.  Makes sense, right?  Well ladies, you came to the right place...I have your foolproof plan of action for a simple, easy eye makeup routine that takes seconds, but still looks great!

                                                                 Pinterest.com

SIMPLE DAILY EYE
Start by choosing a neutral shade in a shimmer formulation....bronze, gray and taupe work best! Taupe...or a cross between bronze and gray, works on everyone because it isn't too warm or cool, and the color will automatically adjust to your skin tone.  Bonus....these shades look great with any eye color too!

Apply shadow over lid area up to brow bone and blend well so there are no edges.  Use your finger or a medium size shadow brush to blend.  No need to apply in the crease, you're aiming for a soft wash of overall color.  See how simple this is?!?!  No need for 12 rainbow shades, if you want to keep it quick...this one shade will get it done!

Add a little black mascara and poof, you're ready to go!  If you want more definition, you can add a little black liner like in the photo above, but you don't have to.

A few things to note:

- Choose a shade that isn't too warm (orange) or too cool (frosty or blue looking) for the most flattering effect
- Don't choose a shade with glitter...shimmer and glitter aren't the same!  Shimmer consists of very tiny shimmery particles blended seamlessly into the shadow pigment, glitter is chunkier particles that you can clearly see.  IMO, glitter should be saved for costumes, halloween, cheer competitions, drag shows and Las Vegas.  Ok, MAYBE a girls night out, but you get the idea....it's generally not a good choice for a daytime, natural look. ; )
- Since you're only using one shade, be sure to blend well...no lines!
- Choose a powder, or consider a cream formula.  Cream formulas are super long lasting and don't need eyeshadow primer...again, be sure the shimmer in a cream formula isn't too obvious.

Here are a few of my favorite shades at different price points, but it's not important to choose these specific ones...any similar shade will work.

                                                   MAC Cosmetics - Satin Taupe

                                                     "Barlust" - bottom left corner
                          From the Urban Decay "Smoked Palette" - Sadly, Discontinued!

A closer look at "Barlust" from Urban Decay

                               Maybelline "Bad to the Bronze" - a great cream shadow option!

So there you have it...a super quick eye that anyone can master, with no worries that you picked the wrong color for your skin tone or eye color.  Have fun finding your perfect "one stop shop" shade and tell us what it is!  Everyone can use a new favorite. This eye look  really couldn't be any easier! Simple and quick without sacrificing looking polished and pretty......AND out the door in a flash in the morning.  I think that's a win-win-win!!!!

Looking Great...even WITH the Flu! (Daily Makeover Feature)

Did you get your flu shot this year?  I did!  Like most people I know, I'm so darn busy, I try to do everything I can to stay healthy and prevent getting the crud.....vitamins, hand sanitizer...the works. But guess what?  On the Monday morning before Thanksgiving, I woke up feeling awful....and it turned out to be THE FLU.  What?!?  The flu shot only covers a few strains, and apparently, a different strain not covered in the flu shot I'd already gotten was going around North Texas. AWESOME.  I took Tamiflu during the day, pumped Nyquil at night and didn't get out of bed for several days.... while catching up on way too much reality TV. By the time Saturday rolled around, I wasn't contagious anymore, but still didn't feel or look great.  I had a wedding to do...time to rally!

I arrive at the venue and lo and behold, my poor bride shows up straight from the emergency room with....you guessed it, THE FLU! On her wedding day....is there a worse time?!?!  She had puffy and watery eyes, a red nose and just looked really tired.  Poor thing, she felt awful, but wanted to enjoy her wedding anyway and was determined to buck up. She had the best attitude!!  Her bridesmaids kept her supplied with cough drops and meds while I applied her makeup carefully and thoughtfully, making a few adjustments...a bit more color corrector to hide her red nose, a bit more liner and shadow to make her eyes look glamorous instead of tired and puffy....PLENTY of blush and bronzer for a healthy glow. When all was said and done,...you'd never even know she was sick!

Lindsey and one of her bridesmaids looking amazing...and not sick!....during her wedding reception

Lindsey's mom told me later that looking so good actually helped her FEEL better and enjoy her wedding!  Makeup can really work wonders, can't it?!? So...what can YOU do if you have a cold or flu, but you still have to look good?!?  Maybe it's a job interview, a special party, or yes, even your own wedding......anything where showing up looking like death warmed over just wouldn't fly.

Check out this link from fab wedding blog The Daily Makeover with tips from me and other beauty experts to help you look AND feel better!  Everything from "get the good Kleenex" to solutions to hide your red nose....keep this handy next time you feel awful, but need to look amazing. #noonewillknow!

Here's to hoping your 2015 has gotten off to a happy...and healthy...start!

9 Beauty Tips to Disguise Seasonal Cold and Flu

Lip Stains 101, everything you need to know! (Plus.... Lip Service Featured in Beauty High!)

I recently was asked to write an article on lip stains....great topic!   I think a lot of people aren't quite sure how to use them or which ones to choose.  So, here we go....Lip stain 101!!

WHY CHOOSE A LIP STAIN?

As the name implies, a stain will impart long-lasting color to your lips....it doesn't just sit on top of your lips like glosses and lipsticks do, it actually stains the skin on your lips.  I like to use a stain as a bottom layer for a long-lasting lip color look...great for brides and weddings, or even just a big night out!  Lip stain followed by a creamy lipstick ensures a vibrant color, and won't leave you with that ugly "ring" when your lipstick starts to wear off.  Another great use for lip stains are for very natural makeup looks.  I use a lip stain mixed with balm when I'm doing "no makeup" makeup on children and men for commercial

Commercial Shoot for Girl Scouts of America

work....you can replicate a naturally flushed look that doesn't look like any color has been applied.  Great trick! If you're just a really natural makeup girl, this tactic can also work for you.

PREP AND PRIME 

If you're going to use a traditional liquid lip stain, you have to be sure your lips have been exfoliated and primed with lip balm (exfoliate the night before, do lip balm to sleep in, and again first thing in the morning...let it soak in before you do your makeup.)  I like Chapstick Hydration Lock balm

for this purpose. Lip stain has zero moisture and many contain alcohol and can actually dry your lips a bit, so proper prep is key to good results! 

PICK THE RIGHT COLOR

Lip stains come in many shades, but unlike lipstick, they don't have opacity or creaminess....this means that some shades that might work on you in a lipstick won't look good in a lip stain.  Remember lip stains are all about creating the illusion of naturally flushed lips, so you can't go wrong by choosing tones that duplicate a naturally rosy pout....a mid-tone berry or peachy-rose works on

EVERYONE, as would a soft (not super bright!) red.  Pat on your lips using your 4th finger....gently push the pigment into your lips.  Don't use liner, but you can use a small lip brush if you want a more precise look. Lip stains typically won't bleed like lipsticks do...bonus!

WHICH FORMULA?

For pigment and stain with more moisture, try a lip stain/balm combo, there are many on the market at every price point! (I like the Revlon versions....)  These are a hybrid of lip balm mixed with lip stain, so they provide long lasting color as well as moisture.  They apply like a lip crayon, so it's easy to get precise results.  As with regular lip stains, you'll want to stick with berry, reddish or  pinky-peach shades for the most natural look.  They don't last quite as long as traditional stain, but they're easy to apply and a great alternative option if regular stain dries out your lips too much.  Lip balm/stain combos are a great choice for every day, it's like applying your lip balm and getting a little punch of color at the same time!

Before/After of Client using a rosy lip balm/stain instead of lipstick

WHAT TO AVOID

 If you have sensitive lips, stains might not work well for you, as they might irritate...try a lip balm/stain combo instead.  Everyone should avoid very dark lip stain, as well as very light shades...remember, lip stains don't have opacity like lipsticks do, these colors don't translate well and can look really unflattering.  Avoid lip stains completely if your lips are dry and chapped....this product doesn't provide coverage, so they flakes will show....stick with creamy lipsticks and balms to restore the moisture to your lips.

Want to read more about Lip Stains?  My comments pulled from this article, along with tips from other makeup artists were featured today in a recent article on Beauty High....click here to read more!

I am happy to be a regular contributor to Beauty High....it's an awesome beauty blog...check it out for great tips on skin, hair, makeup and more!