Before, and After....but what about during?

I have a lot of people tell me: 'I can't do a smokey eye on myself.' I can understand this thought. I have had that moment of dread- This is going to look awful. I have learned in my years of doing lots of makeup. You can call it a mantra, I suppose.

Keep on going and keep it simple.

A smokey eye is not a lot of work, and it's not made with many colors. It's just dark. And when you place the black eyeshadow on your eye for the first time, it's scary. And it's scarier when half of the powder ends up on your cheek bone. Again keep moving. Work with small portions of product and blend and soften. Work from the lash line up and know when to stop...just above your crease. Too much more and you will have a black eye- literally. When you are done, clean up under the eye with makeup remover and continue with foundation and the rest of the face. Do not judge your overall look until your whole face is done. If you 1. Didn't go too high, and 2. blended, you will most likely look at yourself at the end and say- Wow! I'm hot!


Example: note how stark that eyeshadow is. It's not blended and looks overdone and out of place. Then look at the finished product- balanced and beautiful.

Sometimes it's best to step back from the mirror, take a deep breath and keep on going. Give it a shot!

Fashion Week: from New York to Tampa!

Welcome to my Blog!

Friday night I attended Tampa Fashion Week. After primping Laura Hunt of Fashion Forward, I was donned a press pass and shown to my seat in the front row! It was grand fun and it was also a reminder of the importance of being inspired. After the show, I raced home to my computer and started scouring the net for pictures of the 2011 Spring Collections of New York Fashion Week. Then I realized- I have nowhere to put all these great pictures and information!!! A blog, right, I'll start a blog! So, I'm going to use this to keep myself and hopefully others inspired by faces and the fun things we like to do to them!

First Task: Fashion Week- from New York to Tampa:

NEW YORK:
The Orange Lip: This trend is almost 3D! The lip color of the season is as vibrant as your can possibly imagine and completely MATTE.... don't dare lick your lips! And Orange choice is a color that a lot of people can wear and look great in, so this is a trend I would definitely look into.
Lela Rose, MUA: Sara Lucero


Jonathan Saunders, MUA: Lucia Pieroni

The Metallic Eye: You choose the shade. Honestly, if you want to wear green up to your forehead, you would have fit right in with Z Spoke for Zac Posen! If you aren't so daring, the brassy browns and golds are in as well as the soft platinums and silvers.
Z Spoke for Zac Posen, MUA: Charlotte Willer

Monique Lhuillier, MUA: Val Garland

Anna Sui, MUA: Pat McGrath


The Coveted:
These are just looks that I was stunned by. Regardless of whether I'm looking forward to putting this on my face or not, I still love the creativity and skill these makeup artists have.


Vivienne Westwood, MUA: Gordon Espinet


'Imatation', MUA: Nadine Luke
Marchesa, MUA: Talia Shobrook


Marc Jacobs, MUA: Francois Nars

Z Spoke by Zac Posen, MUA: Charlotte Willer


TAMPA:

Understandably, Tampa's Fashion Week was on a slightly smaller scale. However, we still saw lots of the same stuff. I do apologize for the lack of picture quality...they were moving and I was using an iPhone. ;)

JCAGUA showed neon bathing suits paired with a bold lips in odd color choices and matching graphic eyeshadow combos.

APM Images had a little hint of that metallic.


Wade Simpson took Essence Flowers to a whole new level of beauty. Not only was the collection luscious, and completely wearable (if they add a few inches to the hem line), the hair and makeup brought the Doll House inspired look to life. Hat's off to this team- they definitely came out to play! (And they won)