Should you Keep Your Makeup in the Fridge? (Daily Makeover Feature)

Image - Pinterest

Is your fridge full of healthy food, leftovers or "single girl style"... champagne, cake and accessories... like this one?  Probably something a little in between, but can I just say that I really want to know if you really do keep a feather boa in your crisper drawer....#weirdbutfabulous! What about beauty products and cosmetics...do you store any of your faves in the refrigerator?  Nail polish, lipsticks, face creams....do they benefit, or break down...from being in the cold?  There are opinions on both sides of the coin, that's for sure!

When Daily Makeover called to ask my opinion, here's what I had to say.....

When NOT to put cosmetics in the fridge: 

• Kohl eye pencils ...the ones you use on your inner rims...you want those to be nice and soft, not hard. Ouch!
• Cream or Gel cosmetics like blushes and lipsticks shouldn't go in and out of the fridge....the inconsistent temps and repeated cooling/warming/cooling cycle will lead to condensation and changes in the texture of the product.  Gels and creams that are too cold also won't apply or blend well.
• Many people swear by putting nail polish in the fridge, but this can actually make the polish thicker over time,..not good! (Cosmetic manufacturers recommend room temp for nail polish.)
• If your fridge is overstocked with food, especially potential contaminants like raw meats. If you do put products in the fridge anyway, dedicate a separate drawer or even a small tub with a lid. the last thing you'd want for products going on your face is contamination risk from food products, or makeup that smells like leftovers...yuck!

When Fridge storage could be a good idea:

• Eye creams and serums feel great refrigerated!  The cold will work especially well in the
  
  morning to de-puff the undereye area, especially in summer.
• If you live in a really hot area and it's hard to keep your home cool, keeping a few precious items in the fridge might work for you.  (We're talking ambient temps indoors above 80 or so)
• If you accidentally melt a lipstick, a few minutes in the fridge will return it to it's normal shape and consistency.  
• Lip or Eye pencils - If you want a really sharp point on your lip or eye pencil, a few minutes in the fridge before sharpening will do the trick. 
• Organic or homemade cosmetics without preservatives must go in the fridge, but be sure to check expiration because although they will stay fresh longer, they won't stay fresh indefinitely.

My #1 Favorite beauty item to keep in the fridge?  My gel eye mask!   When you wake up with a puffy face or eyes from allergies or lack of sleep, a few minutes with this cold mask on your face will wake you right on up!  Seriously, nothing works better to de-puff and fake a good night's sleep...I learned this trick during the days when I needed to be in FRONT of the camera, theses babies really work. (A gel eye mask is also a great quick fix post nap...read more here....)

Be sure to check out the article with a few of  my comments, plus a few from other beauty experts on the topic.  I always say, if it works for you, then it's not wrong!  When it comes to keeping beauty products in cold storage, it's truly just a matter of opinion. What about you...any beauty products you swear work better when kept in the fridge? 

Lip Service Makeup - By The Numbers

Do you read Allure magazine?  They've always got that little feature near the front, "Beauty by the Numbers" that lists out fun beauty stats using numbers.....some movie star uses 27 jars of face cream each year or whatnot...so interesting!  (Check out this article about Fashion Week by the Numbers for an example...)


So....for fun, I just threw this together with my own little set of random Lip Service Makeup number factoids.  I limited it to items where I either knew the actual number, or could somehow find it, or count to get it.  Ready?  Here we go......

Shoot with Troy Aikman at Valley Ranch

Tip published in Bridal Guide

58 dozen - Number of false lashes I purchased last year

Just a few lashes in my stash!

16 - number of different lash styles I keep in my kit

1 - number of SuperBowl winners I've worked with (hey Troy! )

3 - number of "red lip" purses I own (2 gifts, one I bought myself)


7-14 - age range of the group of Girl Scouts I made up for a National Shoot last year

5 - average number of magazine/blog  beauty tips, and articles I write/submit to various publications each week

714 - number of faces...women, men and children that I applied makeup to in 2014 (I only started keeping track 3 years ago...no idea what my annual average was in the past!)

23 - number of years I've been a pro artist (I started when I was 5...ba dum dum...! I wish...)

18 - how many years ago I created the original Lip Service logo

1 - number of feature films I've worked on thus far - hasn't been released yet..: (  It was fun though!

A super cute lip purse I got as a birthday present!

13- Number of lipsticks/glosses in my purse this very second

6- Number of those lipstick/glosses that are various shades of red (what?  You thought it'd be more?!?)

70 - number of lovely brides I had the pleasure of beautifying last year (Love you girls!!)

16 - Total number of those brides who happen to be nurses

Doing Taylor's bridal makeup....

15 - number of faces in my largest wedding party thus far

1 - Number of times I've done makeup for a girl going to a KISS 106.1 sponsored 100% surprise prom  (it was so cool!  Read more here...)

40- number of minutes I usually schedule for makeup per person on wedding day (a perfect, relaxed pace)

Ashley's surprise prom!

12 - number of minutes I spent per person when I needed to do makeup for 14 fourteen year olds in just under 3 hours (Whew! that was fast!)

Speed makeup on 14 girls!

2 - number of makeup chairs I own (one stays in my car, one for my home studio)

0 - number of times I've applied brown blush to my clients (yuck...it's a pet peeve of mine)

25, 686 - Number of pageviews on my blog right now

1696 - Number of pageviews on my blog from followers in Russia (Russians really dig Lip Service I guess?)

6 - total percentage of my social media followers who are men (Thanks guys!)

4am - time I had to get up to do a big, morning wedding on my birthday last year

89 - number of before/after pics I could find with my striped shower curtain in the background (from my cozy, home studio!)

Sweet Ashley again...see that striped curtain on the right?!?

18 - Bags of Hershey kisses I purchased last year to go into touch up kits/goodie bags (a girl's gotta have her emergency wedding day chocolate!)

6 - Average number of Saturdays I have off each year ( #1 goal? SLEEP!  After that, I'll run errands, get a massage., spend time with friends and family....I try to make those days off count!)

365 - Number of days each year I thank God that I stumbled into this profession I love so much!  (Ok that was cheesy, but I had to throw it in!)

For real...this job truly is my passion!  Not just doing makeup, but helping women feel beautiful, teaching, writing, forming bonds with brides who become friends, and vendors who are now like family.  I'm so grateful to everyone who supports and encourages me so I can do what I do.  And the number I'd put on that?  You guessed it...#priceless.

Have a great day everyone!!

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!!!!

Your Hot Date Makeup Strategy - Just in time for Valentine's Day! (Daily Makeover Feature)

Valentine's Day is less 2 weeks away....do you have a hot date?  If romance is on the horizon, it's time to think about your date night look....clothes, hair and yes...makeup!  There's nothing more romantic and fun than a full on DATE...drinks, dinner, dancing....a date that lasts all night and into the wee hours.  So, how do you get your makeup to play along and last too?  Daily Makeover asked me and some other fab beauty pros for our tips...here's what I had to say:

PRIME - for a long night out, you can't skip the primer step! Use a silicone based primer to prep skin...this gives everything else something to "grab" onto so it will last, plus it gives skin a smoother, sexier appearance.
 

FOUNDATION - choose a highly pigmented liquid or cream foundation, apply with a dampened sponge or foundation brush. Set with long-lasting setting powder (Mac Prep and Prime or Bombshell

Smooth Criminal are favorites) for staying power. For touch ups on the go, an easy trick is to use a bit of mineral powder in a shade that matches your skin...I like Sheer Cover or Bare Minerals. You'll need it if an impromptu makeout session rubs off a bit of your original foundation!

SMOKY EYE- Let's get real....if you plan on kissing a lot, focus the drama on your eyes! A smoky eye with plenty of liner will anchor your whole look...even when your lipstick is long gone.  I love a smoky eye in bronze...it's warmer and sexier than black.  Don't forget either smudged and soft liner

for definition (upper lids and water line) and then finish your look with faux lashes or even lash extensions! With either option, you can skip mascara and still fluttery, dramatic lashes that last all night.

 

LONG LASTING LIPS -  For long lasting lip color, prime lips with a bit of foundation first...then use a lip stain to lay down a base color. Once the lipstain is dry, apply a creamy lipstick or gloss. blot and reapply.  After drinks or stolen kisses, the lip stain will still be there and will help you avoid the worn off look!   If you're doing a smoky eye, stick to a softer, nude pink or sheer berry lip.
 

SETTING SPRAY - When your makeup is done, set it all so it doesn't move! I like Model in a bottle

....fun fact...Oprah's makeup artist uses it! Simply close eyes, hold the bottle about 10 inches away from your face and mist lightly. This sets your entire look for 10-12 hours, more than long enough to romance the night away!

Want to see the tips in the article?  Click here....I had to laugh when I saw that the tip that was published was the one about kissing off all of your lipstick! Well....I've been and am currently in love, so I've definitely #beentheredonethat, and clearly I'm a little obsessed with LIPS. Thanks to Daily Makeover, Aly Walansky and the other beauty pros around the country for contributing....these are practical tips, ladies!

Just remember, these makeup strategies can work for anytime you plan on having a long night out, whether that's with your favorite man on your arm, or with a bunch of your besties for a marathon showing of Fifty Shades...now you've got the insider info to look good from dusk to dawn!

 

Secrets to Making your Forehead look Smaller...really! (Daily Makeover Feature)

Ever heard the term "fivehead" in reference to someone with...ahem...a lot of real estate north of their eyebrows?  As someone who actually has a fairly high forehead.... I completely get that!  When my hair is pulled back, I just feel like there is a LOT of space between my eyebrows and hairline.  Tyra Banks is one notable celeb who has commented on her acceptance of her high forehead..she's so down to earth, and beautiful, of course!  If you feel your forehead is too high and aren't quite ready to just embrace it, what can you do? Recently, I got a call from popular beauty blog Daily Makeover wanting tips to share with their readers on how to utilize tips and tricks to minimize the forehead area....here they are:

Cut Bangs - #1 tip and the quickest solution!

Bangs easily cover forehead surface area and bring the focus back down to your eyes... the best feature on most faces.  Bonus?  A soft, modern fringe can make you look years younger, and can totally negate the need for Botox!  Make sure your stylist cuts bangs in a flattering shape that blends into the rest of your hair, and get frequent trims to keep them in shape.  Check out the before after on Christina Ricci below....when she ditches the center part and wears bangs, her eyes command so much more attention, and her overall appearance is much more balanced. 
Since your

eyes really will be the main attraction, so be sure to play them up with plenty of shadow, liner and mascara! A soft bronze or shimmery taupe shadow with classic black liner and mascara looks good on everyone and works for any situation.  Feeling bold? Go for a smoky eye in plum or gray....universal shades that work on anyone and are easier to wear than black.

Subtle Contouring -  

The key is to use two shades of foundation...the first one should be just 1 shade above your natural skin tone, the second one should be 1 shade darker than your skin tone.  Let me repeat...just one shade difference!  You're looking for a very subtle trick of the eye, so don't go too dark or too light, or it will look too harsh.  Dot the lighter one in the center of your face nose, forehead, cheeks chin, and blend well with a dampened Beauty Blender or foundation brush.  Lightly dot the darker one

around the perimeter of your face...very top of forehead, temples, jawline, under chin....dot on sparingly and blend well, so that the two shade are blended perfectly.  There should be no obvious lines or streaks on your jaw!  This technique is a more subtle version of highlight and contour, but when done correctly, it results in a soft and flattering "halo" effect that will pull the eye towards the center of your face and minimize your forehead.

Eyebrow Love -  brush those babies up

If you have a larger forehead, it's vital that you ensure your brows are shaped, properly, defined and brushed upward. Brushing your eyebrows up and into place can lift your face and minimize the distance between your eyebrows and hairline, plus it opens your eye area and creates a balanced look.  If your brows are sparse, fill in a bit with pencil, powder or pomade....just be sure to use short, hair like strokes in a shade that matches our brows for the most subtle look, and keep it all in place with a dab of brow pomade or clear mascara on a spoolie or eyebrow brush. Brows frame your entire look!  If you don't do anything with your brows now, you'll be amazed at the difference it makes when you give them a little attention....

Wear a Bright Lip - 

If you have medium to full lips, this technique works especially well. Wear a bright red or berry lip (tip - a sheer berry works on every skin tone) to pull focus from your forehead and call attention to your rosy pout and pretty smile.  Color on your lips prevents a "monochrome" look....If your face is all neutral, your forehead will really stand out. Remember, it's all about creating balance in the face and calling attention to features you like, while distracting from those you don't!

Some of my tips, plus more from other beauty pros were featured in Daily Makeover...click here to read this article, plus tips on everything beauty from A to Z!

January Beauty Tips - Winter-Proofing your Skin and Hair! (The Today Show Feature)

I've always loved beauty tips and tricks.... 

Don't you?  I remember reading Glamour and Redbook when I was in 6th grade and just devouring all of the beauty articles...even though I was barely wearing lip gloss and most of it didn't apply to me! I just loved feeling "in the know"....

My passion for makeup and beauty began in the glossy pages of those magazines.  Who knew all these years later I'd be a working makeup artist and writer...doling out the very same type of beauty advice?  #waycool

So...back in December, I wrote about 6 beauty articles for various publications on topics from snowproofing makeup, winter-proofing makeup, and even NAP proofing makeup....just a variety of tips and tricks you can use to look fab no matter what's going on.  January is here and pretty much, everything's been published at the same time.  I guess it makes sense....I mean, why talk about winter proofing makeup in Spring??   

Fast forward to Friday.... this article I wrote was published...on the Today Show!  As in THE Today Show!  My comments/content are interspersed with fab makeup and hair pros, and curated by the awesomely talented writer and beauty blogger Aly Walansky (see her blog "A Little Alytude" here)....who I work with often. She's terrific and really knows her stuff, so I'm thrilled to be included in this Today Show feature with her. AND...let's not forget that these tips are practical and will still come in handy!  Although this week is mild, winter is far from over and we've got some chilly temps heading our way next week.

Ready to read more about How to Winter Proof Your Skin and Hair?  Click here for the full article...

I still love beauty advice....giving it and reading about it...great products to try, beauty hacks, things to make our daily makeup routine easier.  I hope you find my tips, and the other pro tips in this article helpful this winter!  I'll see what other goodies I can get ready for you by Spring ; )

Unexpected Power Nap? Beauty Tips to Hide the Evidence! (Makeup.com feature)

Let's face it, a well timed power nap can be a lifesaver!  I've been known to work from 6am-6pm on a busy Saturday, then hit the couch for a few minutes of zzz's so I can stay awake at dinner for date night. You've gotta do what you can to keep moving, especially in the  middle of wedding season!  Or maybe it's 2pm on a work day, the carb crash sets in and before you know it, you're nodding off at your desk in between meetings.  Studies show that power naps (ideal time is 20 minutes) can be great to restore your mood, energy and productivity, but they sure can wreck your makeup.



So,...whether you're snagging a little shut eye behind closed doors in your office or dozing on the couch at home....how can you look as fresh as you feel after a nap? And NOT to look like a groggy, smeared mess?  Makeup.com wanted to know, so I shared a few of my favorite couch/desk tested tips......

Ice, Ice Baby!

One of the best tricks is to use one of those gel masks you keep in the fridge...

They are super cheap, super easy to use and can reduce puffiness like nothing else! Simply apply to your eye area for a few minutes. Don't have an eye mask?  Use a cold pack or heck, even a package of frozen peas! The cold will energize you, wake up your face and will reduce the puffy eye look that can accompany a mid-day nap.  If you use something frozen, put a thin towel between it and your skin to avoid redness.  (Bonus?  You can also use your cold eye mask anytime for bumps and bruises too....)



That word we all hate....MOIST
(Ugh, I only like that word when referring to chocolate cake, but I digress...)
Seriously....if you have dry skin, a nap will make your skin look parched! Upon waking, you need moisture, ASAP. If you don't have time to reapply everything, simply apply a little oil free moisturizer right on top of your makeup...just use it sparingly.  After that, spritz with Evian water or a hydrating product like Mac Fix+ spray to infuse even more moisture back into your skin.  To finish, I like to take a dampened Beauty Blender and bounce it (a light stippling motion, not rubbing) on my foundation lightly to make sure everything is smooth and blended. When you just can't redo your makeup...this approach works really, really well to rehydrate and refresh your whole look, and it just takes a minute or two!

Want to know even more?  Check out the article featured in Makeup.com with additional "hide the nap" tips from me,   This site is chock full of articles and tips on all things makeup and beauty....you'll be adding it to your favorites list for sure.

Best tip?  If you can, train yourself to sleep on your back like this little guy....if you do, there's  lot less to fix when you wake up.   For the rest of us who sleep with our faces smashed into the pillow...or keyboard....try these tricks next time you've just gotta take a nap, and no one will be the wiser!

Really just  needed an excuse to post this picture... ; )

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!