Aging Fabulous » BEAUTY TIPS

Spring’s Sexiest Makeup Tips

Beth Bender — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:29:35 +0000

Spring is almost here and with that comes all of the trends straight off the runways and into the pages of beauty magazines everywhere. We all know that a wash of a shimmery shadow on your top eyelids is pretty, and that’s all there is to it. But the latest trend that makeup pros are doing for spring is sweeping the same shade beneath the eyes for a look that is extremely feminine and glowy 24/7.

To create this look on yourself I suggest using your fingers for a sheer application especially on the lids, and for extra pigment an eyeshadow brush is perfect. You can use the same brush to sweep the color underneath the eye too. For a beautiful glow on the lids try using an eyeshadow in a light shimmer. Lavender is very pretty and looks great on both light and dark complexions. It’s also less messy and so gorgeous for spring, and yes, women in their 30’s and 40’s can wear colors like this. I do and have been for years.

I know what you’re thinking, I could never wear this at my age, but yes you can. You don’t have to use the exact colors as seen above but something fun for a night out with the girls. Why not? To get this stylin’ look start by adding a pink or purple shadow at your eye’s inner corner blending it up and slightly over the crease of eye. You can use pinks and purples in lighter shade if you prefer.

Next, swipe a shimmery gray or silver below your eye and extend to the outer corner blending up into the crease. A blender brush or medium sized eyeshadow brush is the easiest way to achieve this. For a softer line underneath the eyes smudge with a Q-tip, and get Rock Star lashes by applying a tight black gel liner on the top lids and two coats of mascara. Lash clusters on the ends of each eye are opptional:-)

For lips that scream to be noticed slick on a cream formula right from the tube and use a Q-tip dipped in a bit of face cream to wipe away any smudges. Brush on a pale pink gloss, and for those who desire a fuller lower lip add a touch of a light shimmer powder to the middle of lips. Much easier than a collagen injection, and just as sexy. Finish by applying a concealer with a concealer brush all around your mouth. It gives your lips great definition and perfection without using a lip pencil.

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Your Beauty Questions Answered

Beth Bender — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:37:26 +0000

Whenever I am working, and lately even when I am not, It seems like I am always talking beauty. I share my tips and advice with all of my clients, family and friends. I even shop with them and help them pick out their products which of course I just love. Just a few tips, but many more to come. As always, if you have any questions regarding beauty, give me a shout out whenever you want.

What’s the best way to line the inside of your eyes?

This can be a little tricky but I find that the easiest way is to start by using a waterproof eyeliner. They glide on and last longer. To apply place a finger right below the arch of your eyebrow, lift the eyelid so it pulls away and line beneath the lashline. Try Benefit’s Rich Black BADgal Liner.

I want good makeup brushes but don’t want to spend too much?

Depending on the beauty brand makeup brushes can be very costly. Beauty guru’s like Bobbi Brown, Francois Nars, The late Kevyn Aucoin, and Shu Uemura all have brushes that are amazing, but a little pricey. On the other hand Makeup artists like Sonia Kashuk have fabulous brushes available exclusively at Target that are inexpensive and do the job.

My skin is on the shiny side, what kind of blush do you suggest?

It depends on where the shine is, but usually when you are shiny in the T-Zone a powder blush works best and stays on much longer. When your skin tends to get shiny quicker a cream blush can disappear in no time at all. Also if you are prone to blemishes a mineral powder blush will be better to your skin. Most mineral foundations and blush sit on the surface of your skin and don’t clog your pores.

What’s the best way to apply mascara?

To get gorgeous lashes place the brush horizontally at the base of your lashes and wiggle it side to side as you move up from root to the tip. Holding the mascara brush diagonally, sweep it over your lashes at the outer corners to fan and separate them. If you are a bottom lash girl, use what is left on the wand and hold it perpendicular to the eye and skim the tip very lightly over your lower lashes.

Kisses,

Beth

image credit: Benefit, Sonia Kashuk for Target, Bettes Boutique, Dior for Sephora

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Get Lush Lashes Like Angelina Jolie

Beth Bender — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:52:10 +0000

Lush lashes are always on every gals list, hence the number of mascara’s competing to give you volume, length and thickness. Some of them do and some of them don’t, but there is another way you can get them and have everyone thinking you did absolutely nothing.

Angelina Jolie is known for her signature Cat Eyeliner and gorgeous lashes. You can usually find her sporting this sexy look on the red carpet as seen here at this years Golden Globes. To create a thick-full-lash look that will have heads spinning, try adding some individual lash clusters to the ends of each eye. Start with the short ones first and then add a few of the medium length. I like to start by applying to the center of the top eyelid and working my way out towards the end.

If you’re feeling really daring try adding a few to the bottom as well. This is a big celebrity request whenever I do lashes. One actually asked for two sets of lash strips on each eye. Only in Hollywood baby! What can I say, some girls just love their lashes, so look for a lot more gorgeous eyes hitting the red carpet at the SAG Awards, and Academy’s.

To finish, apply a line of rich black or brown eyeliner, Gel for the non-smudge gals and give your lashes two generous coats of mascara. This is a super sexy look for anytime and it’s easy to do. You can find the individual lash clusters at most beauty supply stores, and drugstores. My favorite are from Ardell and Andrea.

Kisses from Hollywood,

Beth

image credit: Newscom.com

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Have You Checked Out The Snarkstress Challenge

Beth Bender — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:42:14 +0000

Julie from Snarkstress has just started her Snarkstress Challenge! What a great idea to start the holidays off with some fabulous beauty and fashion tips to give you a new twist on how to style your hair, update a blouse, or a pair of pants you’ve had tucked away in the closet for ages.

Julie is actually playing too and I did hear some mention of prizes….ooh, that sounds like fun:) If you’re feeling a little bored why not give your look a little pick me up and check in with Julie as she shares her tips on feeling fabulous.

Today she shows us how to wear a corset for fun, photo’s included. I never even thought to pair a corset with jeans, but Julie looks gorgeous and now it looks like I will be digging through my storage space to find mine.

xx,

Beth

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Smashbox Mini Lip Gloss Set

Beth Bender — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:56:27 +0000

Oh my gosh, another great gift set from Smashbox! The Smashbox Mini Lip gloss kit is so cute and comes with 3 fabulous mini-glosses to keep or give as a gift to a fellow “beauty junkie” and BFF. This cute little carry pouch and glosses are a steal at $16.

A quick beauty tip: When applying your lip gloss, get longer lasting color by filling your lips in with a lip pencil of the same shade and then adding your gloss. If you’re planning to do lots of kissing during the holidays, add one layer of lip gloss, blot with a tissue and add another layer of gloss. Your lips will be singing the “shiny-happy” praise all night long!
This little beauty “must have” is available online at smashbox, and while you’re there please check out their “Let’s Do Lunch” and see what free jumbo beauty product they are giving away this week.

xx,

beth

image credit: smashbox

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SPLENDICITY BUT BETTER!

Beth Bender — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:33:24 +0000

Want the latest in fashion, beauty, and what’s hot? Me too! Check out the new face of Splendicity and all of its fabulous features. Not only can you enjoy the latest in beauty, luxury fashion and accessories, but celebrity style, advice and product reviews to help you decide on a product or pair of shoes you can’t live without.

Now that’s what I call fantastic! Save it to your fav list and forward to all of your friends. The resources are endless, and you can spend hours just on this one site, its that great.

The Holidays are right around the corner everyone. Why not let Splendicity assist you in suggesting the perfect gifts for the special someones on your list!

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I Like It. So, That’s Too Bad!

Teri Cosenzi — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:52:55 +0000

Apparently, if you are of a certain age (like 40-ish) and you do not have short, squared tip, french manicured nails, then you are looked at as “different”.

With dark blue nail shades one of the hottest trends this season, I decided to take the plunge and painted my fingernails with MAC’s Nail Lacquer in Whirlwind. I have worn darker shades on my toes before, but not on my fingernails, so it is definitely something new.

Whirlwind is a frosted metallic royal blue with green, blue and purple pearl. And I really like it more than I thought I would.

To those dozen or so of you who negatively commented on my blue nails over the last few days. Too bad – I like it! Keep your opinions to yourself. I like to try the trends, and do not need to be classically refined as you think that a 40 something mother of four should be. While trends are good, following the crowd that thinks they are all that when they are not, just to be considered “in” is not. Definitely, not!

What do you think?

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The Hair Color Mix Book.

Teri Cosenzi — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:22:48 +0000

I received one of the best how-to books ever last week. It left me wondering, where it was a month ago when I was dealing with my own hair coloring disasters. As the book is just officially released today, I realize it was no where to be found, but I am happy to have it in my library now.

The book is titled The Hair Color Mix Book, and it is written by Lorri Goddard-Clark. Lorri is one of the most in-demand hair colorists in the world. Not only does she work at the Neil George Salon in Los Angeles, she continually is traveling the world to cater to her top coloring clients, some of which are Drew Barrymore (who wrote the forward to the book), Tobey Maguire, Renee Zellweger, Madonna (for her much talked-about Music video and others), Meg Ryan, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and many more.

The book has such easy to follow recipes using products simply found at your local drugstore and in your very own kitchen cabinet. There is also a full color chart to determine your exact hair color and tone, and by knowing this, you can easily follow her recipes to get your desired shade.

With easy to follow directions on how to highlight, ribbon, cover grays, tone down color, and more, you can easily become your own hair color expert. I plan to try her ribbon highlighting method to add more blonde to my golden locks. I will definitely let you know how it goes. As, I have never used foil on myself at home, it should definitely be an experience!

Let me know if this book is a must read for you too!

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Radiant & Restored.

Teri Cosenzi — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:41:46 +0000

Radiant and restored. Though it is hard to feel like it every day, you can look the part, with some help. I need to preface this with the fact that I am skeptical about certain makeup products, especially ones that promise “certain” wonders.

Enter Covergirl’s Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream Foundation. The premise of this foundation is to not only provide coverage for what we want to hide, but to enhance and hydrate as well. In the end, to give the skin the luminous look of a full nights sleep. This foundation contains more complexion enhancing ingredients then I can fathom. But they are there and they work.

The foundation itself is definitely creamy, and I experimented with it by applying with my fingertips, makeup brush, and sponge. Using my fingertips, I got the most coverage, followed by using the brush, then the sponge. I found that using the sponge is the best method for me, as it felt a bit heavy using the other methods.

I was pleasantly surprised as how much I really am liking this Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream Foundation from Covergirl. The coverage is wonderful and very long lasting. And I did get a few comments from friends about how well rested I looked. Seems all those fancy ingredients are working.

Like I said though, it is a bit heavy, and I am going to save this foundation for days when I am not feeling my most radiant or when my skin is drier in the winter. If either of these problems are plaguing you, I would highly suggest trying this foundation.

Advanced Radiance Restorative Cream Foundation comes in 15 universal shades (though I found that mixing two shades together gave me the perfect shade) and retails for $9.99 at your favorite mass merchandiser such as CVS or Target.

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Stop Putting on so Much Perfume!

Teri Cosenzi — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:53:37 +0000

Ok – I am speaking to my Mother, and perhaps some of you too! There is not need to pile on the perfume – or scents. Really – there is not.

I honestly think that my mother could be losing her sense of smell. At 64 years old and diabetic, maybe this is what happening. I have tried to tell her politely that you can smell her rooms away, and that her scent lingers after she is gone.

I recently explained how to layer your fragrance to her. If you don’t know how, you can layer your fragrance by simply using a fragrant body wash and lotion of the same/or similar scents. Then perfume can be used as a refresher, later on in the day. I think that my mother took this wrong. I noticed she has a few new products from Bath and Body Works – all in the same scent. And I think she is layering them all on, and then spritzing herself with the perfume spray to match. Sigh.

How do I tell her politely that she is either doing it wrong or that the scent is not for her. It is obvious that she took (or tried to) my advice. Now, I hate to tell her how “bad” it really smells! To make matters worse, my father even asked me what I gave her. He said he needs to air out the house when she leaves for work!

Oh, Mom!!!

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