Positively Beautiful - 3/69

Makeup Looks Twice As Nice With This Technique

Published on March 5, 2013
by Carmindy

Stila Jewel Eye Shadow ($20, stilacosmetics.com) and NARS Eyeliner Stylo ($27, narscosmetics.com)

When trying to achieve an intense dramatic makeup look that differs from your “usual,” it’s really about double or nothing. Layering two different products kicks everything up a notch, so try these makeup tips for a magnified effect:

1. Create radiant skin by blending an illuminating primer onto skin, and then apply a liquid foundation.

2. Take eyes from polished to pow by applying a pencil or liquid liner, and then sweep over it with a shimmering shadow in the same hue.

3. A double dose of mascara takes lashes from pretty to party when you use a regular formula followed by a colored or glittered one.

4. Back up a cream eye shadow with a sweep of shimmering sparkling powder shadow in the same color to create mucho magic.

5. Sweep on a sheer colored blush, and then top it with a dusting of highlighted powder for a cheeky punch.

6. Lips look uber luscious if you smooth on lipstick then glaze over it with a shiny gloss.

7. On the body, give yourself a healthy glow by applying self tanner, and then go back the next day and use the self tanner again on a sponge, only tracing along the natural contours of your muscles to make them stand out to give the illusion that you’ve been hitting the gym extra hard.

So use these two-for-one beauty techniques, and take your look to the next level.

How To View Hollywood Glamour In A Healthy Way

Published on February 24, 2013
by Carmindy

The Academy Awards is upon us, and soon we’ll tune in to see what everyone is wearing and how they look. As much as we love to emulate our favorite stars, their red-carpet beauty looks should be used simply as inspiration and not a measure against which you judge yourself. I always say that the real definition of “celebrity” is one who is celebrated, so celebrate yourself and use this visual candy only as a way to play with your own look. A great hairstyle, nail shape, eye shadow or lip color you see on an actress can easily be incorporated into your beauty routine if you approach it with a healthy and fun attitude.

First thing to do is choose a celeb that has your similar coloring, so when you try it on yourself, you will look enhanced and not like you are working against your natural special beauty. You also have to be realistic and understand that these actresses have paid thousands of dollars on professional makeup artists, stylists, hairdressers and manicurists to look as amazing as they do. Wait a day or two after the awards ceremony and visit beauty blogs and websites to learn what they wore and how they did it.

Fair skinned gals with red hair can channel Jessica Chastain and watch what she does with new lip colors that play into her ginger coloring. Blondes and brunettes can keep an eye on Naomi Watts, Jennifer Lawrence, Adele and Jennifer Lopez. Dark skinned beauties can find inspiration for hair and makeup from Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Kerry Washington. Mature women like Emmanuel Riva, Dame Judy Dench, Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren and Sally Field look totally amazing and wear sophisticated Hollywood glamour with pure timeless style. I love watching these legends show up and prove that beauty knows no age! So appreciate the glitz, give it a go at home and pick a night to showcase the new red-carpet you!

A Few Of My New Favorite Things

Published on February 16, 2013
by Carmindy

One of the best perks of being a makeup artist is all the new fabulous beauty lines I’m able to test. Recently, a few amazing lines have crossed my path, and I’m dying to share them with you.

The Moscow- and London-based brand Rouge Bunny Rouge is my current favorite and has a wide range of beautifully packaged makeup and skin care products, along with brushes and fragrances. I adore the Looks page on their website that allows you to choose a model’s makeup look, so you can learn which products were used to create it and see instructions on how to re-create the look at home. Try the Blush Wand in Cheeks In Bloom, the Sea Of Tranquility Highlighting Liquid (try mixing it into your favorite moisturizer and apply it on your body), the Brightening Liner Duo in Eyes Wide Open, and the Loose Glitter Pigment in Fire Drops, which will work with any woman’s coloring.

I’m always on the hunt for a cool makeup satchel, and the little coin bags from See Design are the perfect small size for storing your compact and lipgloss. Made from 100 percent cotton canvas and at a price of around $12 each, you can be organized, look chic and not break the bank.

The organic makeup line Kjaer Weis is a small, but luxurious, collection of cream blush, tinted lip balms and eyeshadow singles. It is a refillable makeup system that offers the refills in recyclable packaging, so when you run out of a product in your sleek silver container, just drop in the new product and off you go.

I’ll keep you posted on any new things I discover, as it’s a real treasure hunt for me and so much fun to share!

Beauty Must-Haves For The Office

Published on February 1, 2013
by Carmindy

L’Occitane Rose Petals Hand Cream, Chanel Glossimer, Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, Visine Eye Drops

To make 2013 a success, many of us are staying late to work overtime. Keep a freshen-up kit at your desk, so your beauty routine doesn’t suffer from long hours at the office. If you apply your makeup correctly before leaving the house, you should only need these few products for a quick touch-up.

1. Blotting papers are important for absorbing oil on the face before touching up your makeup. You will avoid major cake face if you zap the shine before adding on more products. I love the Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($5.49, drugstore.com) to pat away the greasies during the day.

2. A fine tipped concealer brush and a concealer matching your foundation shade will erase any spots or veins that may have peaked out through your foundation after hours at work. No need to ever re-apply a full face of foundation during the day. Just tap on a little concealer to hide any blemishes.

3. Lip balm is a must to keep lips supple in dry office air, so throw in a tinted one, like the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments ($22.50, sephora.com) for a bit of color. I live for these and change my hues with my mood.

4. Hand cream will keep your skin soft and cuticles hydrated. It can also double as a bit of a body moisturizer if you become ashy. Between heaters and air conditions, offices can be like airplanes as far as moisture zappers.

5. A nail polish pen will instantly fix your perfect manicure if you chip a nail on the go. Nothing says tacky like chipped peeling nails, so stay on top of your mani game.

6. Breath spray is necessary to keep your breath minty fresh after meals and coffee breaks. It will also keep people wanting to listen to everything you have to say.

7. Eye drops like Visine Maximum Redness Relief ($6.49, drugstore.com) will take away your red tired eyes after those grueling hours. Nothing says young, fresh and awake like clear pretty eyes.

8. A liquid eyeliner pen is perfect for sweeping on a retro bold eye for a quick day-to-night look. You can be ready for drinks right after work with a quick sweep of black liner winged out at the ends.

9. A shimmering deep eye shadow across the lid is another way to add some extra evening allure.

10. A sparkling light lip-gloss should be paired with the two products above if you have a few moments before going to that business dinner and want to create a smokey eye/pale lip look.

11. A bold lipstick is also another quick fix to go straight from the office to a night out on the town. So pick either your eyes or your lips to focus on to keep balance to the face.

So be sure to keep these items in a makeup bag at your desk, along with a powder compact and lip color in your purse, and you’ll be set for every hour of the day.

Try This Trick To Intensify Your Lash Line

Published on January 26, 2013
by Carmindy

I love playing up my eyes at night, and one way to really intensify my look is to layer my lash line using eyeliner pencils and powder eye shadows. I start off first by using a very dark waterproof gel eyeliner pencil like Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($19, urbandecay.com) or the Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Liner ($18, sephora.com). I trace along my upper and lower lash lines as close to the roots as possible and then end in a slight wing at the outer corners. Also line the inner rims on the waterline unless your eyes are on the smaller side then just skip this waterline step.

Next, I use a flat, angled brush to apply a shimmering powder eye shadow right along the top of the liner. Use a similar hue that is slightly lighter but way more glitzy. This intensifies the liner and makes the eyes sparkle without going overboard. Play with combos like chocolate brown liner with a golden bronze shadow, deep forest green liner with a glowing khaki shadow, indigo blue liner with shimmering silver shadow, pure plum liner with sparkling purple lavender shadow.

On the rest of the eyes, simply Carmindize them using a highlighter under the brows on the brow bone and on the inside corners of the eyes and leave the rest of the lid bare. Use black mascara on top and bottom lashes for a flirty full fringe look. For a really festive flair, top off the lashes with a coordinating hue of glitter mascara, like one of the fun shades from Sephora’s Glitter Mascara Collection ($13 for each, sephora.com).