Backstage, models’ complexions were evened out with Stila’s Sheer Color Moisturizer SPF 15, while Pomegranate Crush Lip Stain was used as blush.  On the eyes, Camelia Convertible Color, the Fandango duo shadow and the Cobalt Smudge Pot left a gorgeous wash of color.

The finishing touches were Camelia Convertible Color on the lips and a few coats of Stila Major Major Lash Mascara (which I am now dying to try!)

Check out this video of Sarah Lucero chatting makeup backstage – she even gives her secret to great lashes off the runway!

Image via Stylelist, Photo Credit: Laura Kenney.

Post from: Makeup Minute

While I don’t want my makeup to look or more importantly, feel heavy in the summer - I still want to feel polished and pretty.   Here are a few of my favorite tips and products to get that picture perfect summer party look:

1. Lose the foundation! Choose a light tinted moisturizer with SPF to set the stage for your look.  I love Laura Geller’s Barely There Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($30).  It’s a featherweight formula that still delivers a hint of coverage, along with essential sun protection.
2. For a dewy and fresh look, switch your tried and true powder blush for a creamy formula.  I dig Three Custom Color’s bright Poppy Lip & Cheek Stain ($22.50). The versatile hue works on warm or cool skintones and it does double duty as a creamy lip stain.
3. Embrace the sheer, pearlescent finish of an Eye Gloss ($15). Jane Iredale makes a gorgeous assortment of colors – best of all, no brush is needed. Justs swipe on lids with your finger for a slightly imperfect, summer-perfect look. My favorite is Lilac Silk – it looks particularly gorgeous with blue or green eyes.
4. Last but not least, ditch the powder.  Set your makeup with a cooling vitamin and mineral enriched mist like the Minerals in the Mist sprays ($22) by Youngblood. You’ll get the same staying power but with a refreshing blast of moisture and aromatherapy instead of a dry powder finish. Refresh is my favorite of the three blends - it’s a citrusy blend of tangerine and grapefruit.

Do you have any favorite summer-specific beauty looks? If so, leave a comment and share!

This post was sponsored by Neutrogena skinID™ – The only Personalized Acne Solution made just for you. Guaranteed Results or your money back.

Post from: Makeup Minute

TREND: A NEUTRAL, FLAWLESS COMPLEXION

In the spring and summer, your best feature should be flawless skin. But since it’s warmer outside, you have to use a product that isn’t too heavy and won’t run down your face when it’s humid.

TIP: To make sure you don’t over-do it, use a product that gives you sheer, light coverage that makes it look like you were born with smooth, flawless skin! Apply it just like you would your regular moisturizer. An added bonus is finding one with SPF in it! (She suggests Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 – I also love Laura Gellar’s, though it’s a bit more expensive.)

TREND: A SUBTLE GLOW… EVEN WHEN A VACATION ISN’T AN OPTION

It’s not as easy these days to jet off for a weekend getaway, but you don’t want your only glow to come from the light of a computer screen either. The solution? Fake it with a subtle, natural-looking bronzer – one that will make friends ask which beach you spent your weekend at.

TIP: For a subtle glow that is polished, not overdone, use a bronzer that offers gorgeous color and one that offers a mistake-proof formula. Picking the correct bronzer will give the illusion of a soft, smooth surface. Sweep it across cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, neck and chest for a healthy looking fresh finish. Use it to create some cleavage as well! (Joanna suggests Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Bronzer)

TREND: MAKE EYES POP WITH A WASH OF WARM, RADIANT BRONZE

A subtle application of bronze shimmer shadow on the top of lids is right on trend for spring and summer. With the same shade in hand, sweep color gently under the lower lashes to make your eyes stand out for a more dramatic pop.

TIP: Make sure the shadow is applied starting right above eyelashes and take it up just past the crease. Be careful though – if you apply it any higher, the look will go from being in trendy to clown-ish. (Try another great Physician’s Formula product to get this look - Shimmer Strips Custom Enhancing Shadow & Liner – Bronze Collection)

Will you be sporting any of these key trends this summer?

Post from: Makeup Minute

My favorite custom-blend experts, Three Custom Color Specialists, are offering up a sampling opportunity to web shoppers from now through April 23rd.   Get a trio of free concealer samples with any online order (no minimum purchase)!

Image courtesy of Three Custom Color

Three Custom Color’s unique and versatile concealer formula is a favorite of makeup artists (and me!) Use the creamy blend full coverage to conceal redness or dark circles, apply with a wet sponge to use as a foundation or blend with your favorite face cream to create the perfect tinted moisturizer. This is one of my go-to products every morning!

To get the deal, simply indicate which shades you would like to try in Customer Notes during checkout and get flawless! Visit www.threecustom.com to shop.

Post from: Makeup Minute

It’s been a long while since I used a tinted moisturizer, so it was refreshing to to try another one now that summer is here and my beloved foundation will get put away. I have Chanel’s Hydramax + Active in Sand which is only slightly darker than my skintone. It’s not noticeable in the sense that your face looks darker than the rest of your body, but it does look sun-kissed and brighter.

Psychologically this tinted moisturizer tricks you. It definitely expresses from the tube looking like foundation in color and consistency, so I would only dab a little, only to find I needed more. Yet once applied, it quickly absorbs and you barely feel like you are wearing anything at all on your face–it’s that lightweight. It’s non-greasy and your face will feel so soft.

My friend Teri at Beautiful Makeup Search says this: “After trying a few new ones already this year, I think I can officially claim my favorite as this: CHANEL HYDRAMAX + ACTIVE.”

It’s the perfect alternative to foundation this summer. Have you tried it?

* Photo Credit: Chanel

Post from: Makeup Minute

1. I’ve never used a tinted moisturizer
2. I’ve never used Kiss My Face

So it was a double whammy with Kiss My Face’s Tinted Moisturizer in Sisal, which is for light coverage. This moisturizer has an SPF of 8 and its oil and fragrance free. LOVE the oil free part because then it means less shine to contend with for my combination skin.

What they say:

The tints in the Kiss My Face Tinted Moisturizers come from minerals, not from artificial dyes. Enriched with Ester-C our Tinted Moisturizers smooth out skin tones with oil-free, fragrance-free sheer color while protecting against UVA/UVB rays. Use alone as a sheer cover to smooth your facial skin tones or along with our new 3-way color for lips, cheeks, and eyes for an all-natural look.- Helps prevent sunburn.

What I thought:

The moisturizer comes out looking like liquid foundation. I found that while it doesn’t conceal imperfections (you still have to use your various concealers to do that job), the coverage was perfect. Sisal was a half shade darker than my skin tone, so it didn’t look orange or give me that “line” around my jawbone look, but instead added some life to my otherwise pale-get-me-in-the-sun skin. This works perfectly for those days when you don’t feel like getting all dolled up to run to the market, but yet still want to go out with something on your face.

To me, it worked much like a foundation, giving me coverage, yet also worked like a moisturizer keeping my skin hydrated. I applied my powder over the moisturizer and it really was difficult to distinguish between when I use foundation and using this moisturizer. Basically, it killed two birds with one stone, meaning it gives me one product less I have to add to my makeup routine, which is something I always minimize in the warmer weather.

The other great thing is that this tinted moisturizer has a matte look to it. So without using my usual anti-shine products, my skin really had minimal shine. Plus of course the benefit that it is a natural product.

Fabulous!

Post from: Makeup Minute