Published on October 1, 2012
by Carmindy
Combining colors can be an awesome way to try new makeup looks, and there are three cool combos that I really love for fall. One of the chicest pairings this season is light gray eye shadow worn with a deep plum berry lip. I love this look because the softness of the shadow balances the deepness of the lip, creating a sensual, modern approach to beauty. Think 50 Shades Of Grey, like Bobbi Brown’s new Come Hither collection. Opt for the lighter gray shadow in the palette when pairing with a dark lip, so as not to overpower the face.
Try the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Collection Palette ($65, bobbibrowncosmetics.com) with Estée Lauder Pure Color Velvet Lipstick in Black Cassis ($25,
Another mix to consider is a sweep of gold on eyelids paired with purple liner, a luxe, gorgeous look I adore. Try a deep purple liquid liner swept across the upper lash line, ending in a wing, with a dusting of shimmering gold on the lids. Balance the face with a soft rosewood pink lip and cheek. I love the golden shimmer found in Chanel’s Routes Des Indes compact, which stands up nicely against a bolder colored eyeliner.
Try Chanel Routes Des Indes Illuminating Powder With Shimmer ($80, chanel.com) with Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner in Retrograde ($19, sephora.com).
Finally, a multi-toned eye worn with nude cheeks and lips is a fun way to experiment with your inner peacock! Choose jewel tones in deep greens, purples, blues and teals and sweep one shade on the lid, add another along the bottom lash line, and finish with a flash of colored mascara in a third hue for a fab fall look. I tried a blend of loose shimmers (MAC Pigment in Teal, Make Up For Ever Star Powder in Purple) and pressed shadows (L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Eye Shadow in Midnight Blue) to channel my inner crazy ego, and paired the look with BadGal Mascara in Plum by Benefit.
Whether you’re a natural girl or a glamorama queen, try one of these looks at night and see what kind of mischief you can get into.
Published on September 21, 2012
by Carmindy
It’s on, ladies: another fun filled crazy month of fashion shows for spring 2013, and what I’ve been seeing I really like.
Think pink this coming spring, as we’ll see tones of petal pink hues ranging from the shocking to the sweet. At Calvin Klein, pretty rosy pink lips and dark brows looked incredible with the black, white and cream palette of the clothes. Ralph Lauren got really cheeky with a swirl of ripe flush on the apples of cheeks, a look that will not only look amazing on all women, but is a fast way to look fresh and youthful.
Girls at both Ralph Lauren (left) and Calvin Klein sported a pale pink lip. Photos: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway.com
At Rachel Zoe, a berry-stained deep pink lip was a sexy new twist that will look fabulous with a tan when the weather heats up. At Oscar De La Renta, shocking pink was splashed on smiles that stole the show.
Pink lips stole the show at Oscar de la Renta (left) and Rachel Zoe. Photos: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway.com
Marc Jacobs, always known for being cutting edge in the beauty department, went with a pale nude pink mouth that balanced 60s shadow and a super strong brow. Here, I’d stick with the nude lips and go with black mascara for a more wearable look.
Nude lips at Marc Jacobs (left) and beachy pink at Charlotte Ronson. Photos: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway.com
Charlotte Ronson chose pink cheeks and lips on her models to summon up a romantic fantasy as the girls sauntered down the runway in floral patterned sundresses. This is the look I’ll be rocking when the time comes. The best part about pink? It’s universally flattering and keeps us all feeling girly!
Published on September 14, 2012
by Carmindy
Carmindy glows on the red carpet. Photo: Getty Images
Recently I was making an appearance on Good Afternoon America for a beauty segment when one of my makeover subjects asked me how I get camera ready. I’m so busy helping other women look their best in a healthy natural way that I rarely comment on my own more intense television beauty routine.
The difference between daytime natural makeup and camera-ready television makeup is all about the level of intensity due to lighting. All women can use my camera-ready technique for special occasions like weddings, big parties and any event where cameras might be flashing. Lighting can wash you out, making you look a bit pasty and pale, so adding an extra layer of depth to your features will keep you looking bright and gorgeous.
When I know I need to “pop” on film, first I start off with the right Carmindized complexion. Begin by using a liquid foundation and add a little more than usual to really cover imperfections under bright lights. You have to be careful because everything is in HD these days, so you need to take the time to blend well with a non-latex sponge. I carry the blending down my chest as well because I suffer from a lot of melasma and discoloration in that area, and I like to keep my skin looking even all over. A brightening concealer applied under the eyes and at the outer corners creates a halo of light that keeps eyes nice and bright. A light dusting of translucent powder all over will set the makeup, and then the real Carmindizing happens.
For my normal light daytime look, I usually use a cream highlighter to Carmindize my face — but for TV or camera, a shimmering, more-intense powder highlighter is swept under brows, on inner corners of the eyes, on the tops of the cheekbones and around the perimeter of the lips. Brows (especially blonde ones) can disappear under bright lights, so I use a brow pencil to darken and lengthen them for a full sexy arch.
During the day I rarely use eyeshadow, but a sweep of it across my lids and into the crease defines my eyes better under bright lights, and a double dose of mascara keeps the lashes looking lush. Blush needs to be applied heavier and brighter then usual. In person it will feel like too much, but on camera you will look natural. Go for pink, coral or bright rose hues and sweep it from the apples of the cheeks back to the hairline. On my lips I usually try to pick a bright, bold lip color to keep attention on my mouth and the focus on what I’m saying. Bright lip color also keeps my teeth looking whiter on film.
The takeaway? If you’re getting ready for your closeup, just remember to kick it up a notch or two, and then it’s lights, camera, action!
Published on August 29, 2012
by Carmindy
The only thing I like better than going to the beach is to smell like the beach—that way I feel like I’m always carrying it with me. When it comes to keeping the skin on my body soft in the hotter months, I stick with a few go-to moisturizers that always give off a scent of the summer.
It’s important to keep your skin soft and supple when it’s hot outside and to restore some of the moisture that can be lost due to self-tanners, saltwater, chlorine and even dry air conditioners. We are also showing off a lot more skin, so keeping the glow going is essential to looking sexy in your best summer dress.
My all-time favorite moisturizer is the Pure Coconut Oil by Ligne St. Barth. I have used this for years and always rub it into my skin while I’m still wet and just out of the shower. It leaves a light, fresh scent of coconut and makes me dream of far away exotic locations, plus the amazing sheen it leaves behind makes my body look nice and glowy. Just be careful not to throw on a silk dress on top of this oil (which can leave a stain)—I tend to apply it when wearing cotton.
If I am wearing silk, I slather on Korres Guava Body Butter, which is a rich formula that sinks into the skin without leaving a greasy residue and smells tropically divine. You almost want to eat it. Yummy!
A great moisturizer to smooth on after the sun is Skin Trip Coconut Mountain Ocean Moisturizer, which can be found at most health food stores. This light formula with aloe and pure coconut oil is made in small batches ensuring its high quality and freshness.
Now, if you don’t want to smell like the beach but still want all the benefits of the ocean, try La Mer The Body Lotion, which is packed with rich sea algae that will nourish your skin with the sea’s secret bounty.
What’s your favorite scented moisturizer to slather on this summer?
Published on August 20, 2012
by Megan Segura
This summer I had the fortunate pleasure of sharing a beach house with my good friend Soa Davies, owner of Salt Hospitality. She is a food/restaurant consultant and an amazing chef in her own right, so we definitely ate like queens! We decided to pool our resources to address things like sunburns, surfboard scrapes, cold sores, chapped lips and all other kinds of nasties that popped up over the summer and create homemade, food-based remedies for our skin. Here are some of our favorite creations:
Bad Sunburns
A cool bath with oatmeal, baking soda and a sprinkling of fresh mint will soothe angry red skin and leave you feeling cool and fresh.
Scabs
A surfboard mishap left my chin scraped and scabbed one weekend, and with a BBQ coming up, I had to heal it quickly. Soa whipped up a paste blending shredded fresh cucumber, whole fat yogurt, olive oil and a dollop of aloe vera for a quick-fix heal that eliminated the scab in two days.
Cold Sores
A nasty cold sore on the lip is no match for a crazy mix of milk, aloe, crushed Lysine tablets and oatmeal. In fact, the sore never got bigger then a freckle!
Chapped Skin
After a few deep sea fishing trips, wind, salt water and heat left my lips chapped and dry, so a blend of olive oil, beeswax, honey, vitamin E oil (squeezed from a capsule), and a chunk of my favorite red lipstick made the perfect rose tinted lip balm. We put this mixture in little tins and played with various organic fragrant oils and lip colors for some lip-tastic fun.
Will you be trying any of these recipes?
