Brand to know....Korres

Known as Greece's fastest growing natural skincare company. Korres products can be found online and at Sephora stores.  Centuries ago, Greeks discovered the medicinal value of some of their native flora and began to explore their use as natural healing remedies.  Two decades ago, George Korres, pursuing his passion for natural homeopathic remedies, embarked on a journey that within a few years led to the founding of the KORRES brand.

I picked up a couple of their products today and I can hardly wait to give them a try.

I picked the neutral pink beige of this product

Korres Cheek Butter in Philla Rose-warm pink

Urban Decay's Smoked Palette

 Making the rounds at my local Sephora I stopped in my tracks when I spotted this lil baby. I love a smokey eye so this was a showstopper for me. All of these smokin shades are packed into a cool black zippered case. Check out these shades below and imagine the endless possibilities. Or just use the 12 hot look book inside the kit created by a pro makeup artist. $49.00 at Sephora or Urban Decay online.

The King of the Gel Liners

Looking for an all day... long wearing.... no tearing... sensation. Then Bobbi Brown has you covered. In fact this liner is sooo good that it won the Martha Stewart Wedding Award for the best gel eyeliner.  Pick up the gel lining brush from Sephora and you are set! Line all around your eyes for a dramatic look, or just on the top into the lash line to add definition to your lashes or perhaps try the every popular half line from the middle of your eye to the outer corner and all below. Or if you are feeling really daring draw on a winged liner look. Whatever your choose you will be happy you trusted your eyes to Bobbi for a no smudge no budge gel.

My first foray into theater...

I recently had the opportunity to provide the makeup design for a local theater company's upcoming production. Needless to say I jumped at the chance to create the looks. I spent the weekend with my makeup case and tools in hand thinking of concepts for each look for the various characters. What a fabulous time I had! Then, yesterday I presented my designs to the actors, director and producer.  I will return to complete the looks with the actors and do a makeup application later in rehearsals. Here are a few of my face charts and ideas that I presented yesterday. The theme was tacky intense makeup so you can imagine how fun this was.  Therefore, the makeup was heavy and full of color. I can hardly wait to see the finished looks during the show. I promise to post pictures.

Thinking about fall 2012...

As I was perusing August's issue of InStyle magazine I was blindsided with the fact that it's already time to start thinking about Fall 2012. Just when I got used to the warm 80 degree days I realized that my happiest time of the year is just around the corner. I am definitely a fall girl. Some of my most fond memories are of going school shopping with my mom at the mall when I was younger. I say fond because those days are long gone by over 20 years. Back then it was a struggle and argument to have to choose between my favorite Esprit and Benetton sweaters. Yes, I was a preteen of the 80's. Of course I wanted all of them. When I finally whittled my selection to a reasonable amount and brought home my goodies I had to painstakingly wait months before the weather cooperated enough to allow me to actually wear these colorful gems of yarn without suffering from a heat stroke. I can remember how I dog eared my favorite pages of Elle magazine and dreamed that the miniskirt I just purchased would drape as glamorously over my awkward thighs and butt as it did on the models who graced the pages of the magazine. Hey, a girl can dream....  

When I begin thinking about current fall trends that have been across the runways and in the minds of the hottest designers and stylists I wanted to focus on a few of my favorite emerging trends. One of my favorites is the Burgundy lip. For years bright red lips have been a signature look for many top models. But it seems for me, no matter how many shades I have tried I just feel like I can't rock a bright red lip.  Enter Burgundy... It's bold but not to harsh, it can be played up or played down depending on how you apply it. You can go all out and apply it with a lip brush right from the tube or keep it light by mixing it with a matte lip gloss and toning down the shade to a light purple pink. Whatever way to apply it it's simply gorgeous. One to try is Tom Ford's Black Orchid Lipstick, $48.00. Available online at Bergdorf Goodman. This beautiful burgundy shade in particular can be played up or down depending on your mood or occasion. Below you can see that this shade works with all skin tones and hair colors.

For a lighter look use a burgundy shade as a gloss like Kate Hudson below. It takes on a pink tone and looks sheer and fresh. Mix the color with clear gloss and tint as desired.

Or try it matte like below. Apply the lipstick and blot with a tissue. Place the tissue over your lips and blot translucent powder over the tissue. Remove the tissue and you have sexy stay in place matte lips.

One of my other favorite trend this fall, that isn't makeup related, but I love it anyway, is the blunt bang.  This can be rocked on short or long hair. Plus you can mix up your prim blunt bang with edgy cat eyes for extra attention. Meow!

Let's face it trends are eclectic nowadays. It seems that everything goes. Have fun with mixing different makeup looks with different hairstyles. Here are a couple more clothing trends I am loving at the moment. 

The denim chambray combo. Once a no no now it's a Oui on the streets of Paris.

Shiny denim. Too cool for school. This season is full of amazing new denim trends.

Colored denim is still around and now in fall colors to boot.

Wedding Makeup Tips

Grace Kelly in her 1956 wedding portrait

Modern bride keeping it simple and elegant

Here comes the bride.... and she looks like herself.  That is probably the number one tip for wedding makeup is to keep it simple, elegant and understated. Grace Kelly was the master of elegance. Even today her wedding photos are timeless.

Weddings are a perfect excuse to glam yourself up but you don't want to be thumbing through your album years later wondering who's that girl in the bright eyeshadow and dark liner. It's best to stick to a neutral eye palette of creams and taupes and soft pinks or peach lip shades depending on your skin tone. 

On your wedding day you have plenty of time to spend on your makeup. If you are hiring a makeup artist for the big day make sure you have a consult with him or her. Show the artist pictures of the look you are going for and have them do a trial so you know you will be pleased with the results on the big day. At the trial the artist can assess your skin type which will aid in selection the proper foundation and any correctors that need to be used. Such as for redness removal or oily skin types. If you are choosing to apply your own makeup set a day aside at your local Sephora or department store and set up an appointment with a specialist. They will be able to assist with foundation matches for your skin type and shade.  Below I have listed some of my recommendations for makeup that is functional easy to use and naturally gorgeous.  

Primer: Benefit The POREfessional

             Smashbox: Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Foundation: Oily Skin: Guerlain-Parure Extreme Foundation Fluid-available online 

                                      Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear 18 hour wear 

Dry/Combination Skin: Make up Forever HD Foundation

                                      Lancome Teint Miracle

                                      Chanel Perfection Lumiere Long Wear

Blush: Nars Orgasm, Deep Throat

Bobbi Brown: Peony (bright pink)

Bobbi Brown: Nectar (pink coral)

Waterproof Mascara: Dior DiorShow Waterproof Mascara

Eyeliner: Urban Decay 24/7 assorted shades, stick to brown like Underground

Eyeshadow: Dior 5 shade collections Rose Porcelaine, Incognito & Nude Pink

                     Bobbi Brown Desert Rose Collection

                         

A Brand to Know... Inglot

Created by a chemist over 25 years ago Inglot offers high quality products at reasonable prices ranging from $10.00-$40.00, you will find vibrant pigments and cutting edge products that are sure to please the most discriminating makeup buyer. Their new Freedom System allows users to sample multiple products in a variety of shades and combinations. Here are a few must have products from their makeup line. 

Colorplay Mascara in 03

Colorplay Mascara in 04

Sleeks Cream

AMC Cream Blush

I am completely obsessed with the color play mascara. I have been pairing it with smokey eyes and nude lips. I also purchased quite a few of their body pigments powders and I have yet to try them.  I will post a review as soon as I check them out. They come in everything from hot pink to soft champagne shades.  They are also available in matte and pearl.

Inglot Body Pigment Powders

Check out www.inglotusa.com