THE NEW BEAUTY BASICS

 

 

 

Its not your mother’s beauty routine! The days of “one size fits all” beauty are long gone. The face of makeup and skin care  is constantly changing. Advancements in technology and the latest makeup trends have given us new ways to enhance our features naturally and help our skin maintain a youthful glow longer than ever.  That means we may need to make some adjustments to our everyday beauty routine to keep current. Here are some basic rules of thumb to help you revive and update your daily makeup and beauty routine.

Cleanse Correctly

Use a facial cleanser, not a body soap, designed for your skin type. It may sound silly but make sure your hands are clean if you are going to touch your face. A cleansing brush or other device is a great tool to help you cleanse more effectively. Use tepid water and blot dry when you’re done. Cleansing wipes are good in a pinch for quick makeup removal but make sure to give your face a thorough cleanse the following morning.

Get a Serum and Eye Cream

Facial serums are the new normal. These are light weight products with active ingredients, like anti-oxidents and hydrators, that penetrate more deeply into the skin. Serums should focus on your main skin concern, whether its lines and wrinkles, refined pores or increased radiance and should be followed with a moisturizer. Face creams are generally not concentrated enough for the delicate skin around your eyes so you’ll need a separate product. You wouldn’t use a body cream under your makeup would you?
 Use the same guidelines as a serum when choosing an eye cream, focusing on your main concern (wrinkles, dark circles etc). Simply tap onto the orbital bone that surrounds your eye and watch it work its magic.

Blush Naturally

Here are 3 steps for naturally looking blush: contour, blush, highlight, repeat. Use a deeper color ( not necessarily a bronzer) in the hollows of the cheeks. Apply a “pop” of color onto the apples, and a sheer highlight on the tops of the cheek bone. Blend lightly with a clean powder brunsh for the perfect cheek every time.

Simple Smoky Eye

The smoky eye is here to stay and has become a beauty staple rather than a passing fad. The most important thing to remember about the smoky eye is that it’s a technique and not dependant upon a particular color. So don’t jump straight to the darkest eye shadow you can find. Instead, start with a medium-deep tone. The most intensity should be focused at the lash line, both on top and under the bottom. Use a slightly lighter shade in the crease and a highlighter under the brow bone. Use brushes to blend. Finish off with a liner on top, under the bottom and on the water line for a very sultry look.

Brows That Wow

Grooming your brows is not an option. Have them shaped, tweezed, waxed, or threaded on a regular basis. Use a pencil, powder or pomade to define and fill in where you need it.

 

 

Stay beautiful,

Karol

MAKEUP RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

The start of a new year is traditionally a time to re-evaluate and make positive changes to your lifestyle and daily habits. So when you’re thinking about making those important resolutions, don’t forget to include some changes to your makeup and beauty routine. Here are some easy adjustments you can start today to help you reach your goals in 2016.

1.       Be Kind to the Environment

There are more beauty brands now more than ever before who have not only eliminated questionable ingredients from their products, but also recycle containers and utilize resourceable materials in manufacturing. Do some investigating (you can google anything!) and make sure to support and patronize these brands whenever possible.

2.      Use Makeup Brushes and Wash Them Regularly

Okay ladies, it’s 2016… if you don’t know you better ask somebody! Using brushes to apply your makeup is the best way to get a flawless, natural and polished look.  There are some great brushes available now to fit any budget.  But make sure to clean them! Brush cleaner or your favorite facial cleanser will do the trick because they’re designed to break down and remove makeup, which works much more effectively than any shampoo for regular cleaning. Brushes used for creamy products like foundation and concealer should be washed daily, give all others a thorough cleansing once a week.

3.    Follow a Trend

            Whether its winged eye liner, false lashes, strobing or brightly colored hair, find beauty 

            trend you’d love to try this year.  It can be as subtle or dramatic as you want, just step 

            outside of your comfort zone. Take it one trend at a time though, not all at once.

4.      Find a Flattering Statement Lip

It can be a classic red or a sexy nude, but find an amazing lip color that complements your features and enhances your personal style.

5.      Give Some Lip Service

Speaking of lips, make sure you take care of yours!  Use a lip scrub or gentle face exfoliator to remove any dry, peeling skin and follow with a lip treatment or lip balm to moisturize and re-hydrate. The best ones now have a tint of color as well as sun protection.

Best wishes for a beautifully blessed and prosperous new year!

Quick and Easy Smokey Eye!

Want to get a glam smokey eye without spending a lifetime in the mirror? Here's how! I used Makeup Forever's Aqua Liner, MAC eye shadow in 2 shades, Smashbox gel liner, and Ardell lashes. Remember to use colors that look "smokey" on your skin tone. I paired it with a dramatic lip but this also looks great with a nude lip.



Stay Beautiful,

Karol

www.ICArtistry.com

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5 SUMMER BEAUTY MUST-HAVES YOU CAN’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT

Summer is in full swing and whether you’re vacationing on the beach, lounging by the pool or having some fun in the sun at your local amusement park, these beauty essentials will help keep you looking fabulous as the weather heats up this summer.

Sunscreen

The first line of defense is to protect your face and body from the damaging rays of the sun. And what could be easier than sun protection you can spray on? These eco-friendly clear sunscreen sprays from Coola ($24-36) are available in SPF 15, 30 and 50. They're 70% organic and will nourish and hydrate your skin with ingredients like Cucumber Algae and Red Raspberry Seed Oil. Their new Makeup Setting Spray has an SPF 30 as well as Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea and Aloe to protect your face, set your makeup and help keep it looking fresh in even the most humid conditions. Just spritz and go!

Bronzer

Your summer makeup wardrobe is not complete unless it includes a great bronzer to help warm that summer complexion. Trista Minerals by Vita Liberata ($45) is the first of its kind self-tanning mineral powder. It interacts with your moisturizer and gives you a radiant, bronzey glow while the color develops underneath. Comes with a silky kabuki brush for easy application. Can you say semi-permanent contour?

Blotting Papers

Perfect for the summertime these little gems instantly soak up sweat and excess oils from your face and are small enough to carry in your pocket or purse. My favorite: Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (about $5) Press onto the oily areas of your face and get rid of the shine without disturbing your makeup.

A Vibrant Lip Color

A pop of color on the lips compliments any summer outfit and can give life to an otherwise ordinary face. From sheer and glossy to intense matte now’s the time to think outside of the box. An easy option: Bobbi Brown Art Stick ($28) a lip pencil that multi-tasks as a lipstick. Formulated with Shea Butter and emollients guaranteed to soothe dry summer lips, its creamy matte finish will also leave your pout perfectly plumped...try saying that 3 times fast!

A Great Body Exfoliant

Heat, sand and wind can wreak havoc on our body skin, and who wants flakey skin upstaging their swimsuit? Exfoliate at least twice a week to maintain smooth and radiant body skin.  One to try: Wish Three Wishes Sugar Scrub ($38). With a unique combination of sugars and anti-oxidents, shea butter, aloe and Organic Beeswax (instead of greasy oils) this scrub is tough enough to kick dead skin to the curb and restore its soft and smooth texture. And no more slipping in the shower!

 

Add these products to your beauty routine and you'll look extra HOT this summer!

IS YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE READY FOR SUMMER?

Summer is always a challenging time to keep your makeup looking fresh and clean. Luckily, there are so many products out there chock full of polymers to increase their wearibility and help prevent makeup meltdown--and they’re perfectly safe according to the experts. Here are some tips and must-have products to help you beat the heat this summer.

Start With Hydrated Skin

If your skin is dry and dehydrated it can actually absorb the moisture from your makeup causing it to fade away and disappear. Be sure to prep your skin with a great moisturizer and sunscreen designed for your skin type. If you need a quick boost try Patchology hydrate FlashMasque Facial Sheets ($50 for 8/$6.25ea) and Flash Patch Eye Gels ($50 for 30/$1.67ea). These will hydrate thirsty skin in 5 minutes with hyaluronics to bind moisture and plump fine lines, Aginine to encourage collagen production and Betaine to promote long-lasting hydration. With this 1-2 punch you can kiss blotchy makeup and cakey concealer goodbye.

Mattify Don’t Over-Dry

Blot papers and powders are fine for absorbing excess oil and sweat but do this all day long and you’ll end up with a “cake face”.  Did you know that most makeup primers can also be used to touch up over makeup throughout the day? One of my favs: E.L.F. Studio HD Mattifying Balm ($6). For use both under and over makeup it contains vitamin E, jojoba and almond oils. And its clear texture

ELF Mattifying Balm

makes it invisible on the skin. This balm is the bomb!

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow

Use “Water-Friendly” Eye Color

Waterproof and water-resistant eye colors are a summer beauty’s best friend. Cream eye shadow can be applied easily using a brush or your fingers, and stays put even under water. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow ($26) comes in a variety of colors and finishes from matte to shimmer and give the eyelids a smooth appearance.

 If you like eyeliner Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner ($19) is highly pigmented and fade-resistant. It holds up under the most extreme conditions and is so creamy you can smudge it and wear it as a shadow. And your mascara doesn’t have to be waterproof to last. Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite Mascara ($26) can be worn up to 10 hours and provides maximum length and volume to extend lashes without flaking.

Don’t forget, long wearing eye makeup requires effective removal. Skip the wipes and opt for an eye makeup remover designed to break down those waxes, polymers and solvents that help block out water and perspiration. One of my favorites: Laura Mercier Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover ($22). Its oil-free and quickly dissolves waterproof and long-wearing eye color.

Cream Wears Best on Cheeks and Lips
Cream products hold up well on clammy summer skin, and if you can find one that multi-tasks that’s even better. The Multiple Stick by Nars ($39) highlights, sculpts and warms the cheeks, lips, eyes and body and Vapour Beauty’s Aura Multi-Use Blush ($36) Not only works on cheeks, lips and eyes but is also 70% organic to help you look hot without all the harsh chemicals. On lips, skip the gloss and stick with creamy or matte textures. One to try Lancome Le Lipstique ($25) lip coloring stick with brush attached that glides on, stays put and can be worn alone or under your favorite lip color.

                          
Set It and Forget It

You can help extend the wear of your look all day long by using a makeup setting spray. Dior Airflash Matte Touch ($50) has Kaolin clay to eliminate shine and leave a velvety matte finish, and Kat Von D’s Lock ‘N Load Setting Mist ($21) will lock down your look for up to 16 hours. One quick spritz of these after you’re done applying color will keep your makeup in place for hours.

 Follow these simple guidelines and you’re sure to look hot this summer!

OSCAR BEAUTY: The Best Looks on the Red Carpet

As usual, the Academy Awards this past weekend was full of gorgeous gowns and amazing makeup and hair. There seemed to be one over-whelming beauty trend on the red carpet--minimal is best.  Naturally nude faces, radiant skin and lived-in hair styles were the order of the night. Many of the  looks this year surprisingly can readily translate into styles we can duplicate on a regular basis. Here are some of the stand-out beauty trends you'll love so much you may want to try them for yourself.

The Long Bob

The long layered bob (dubbed the "lob) accented with beachy waves on Naomi Watts, loose curls complete with headband on Keira Knightly, and straight and glossy on Kerry Washington looked classy but not overdone. 

Jennifer Aniston

Neutral Face Palette

Gina Rodriguez

Natural and nearly nude color palettes complemented the gorgeously ornate gowns on the red carpet. There were fifty shades of beige...and brown...on the eyes and flushed tones on the lips and cheeks. Impeccably groomed brows were a given. To get the look try The Naked eyeshadow palettes by Urban Decay ($49)
below (l-r) Jessica Chastain, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rita Ora

Bold and Vibrant Lips

Margo Robbie

 From vampy to vivacious it was all about the pout. Shades of berry and deep wine, or classic coral and matte red kicked up the glam factor on an otherwise neutral face. Lush lashes coupled with black, smokey eye liner created the perfect accent for a fierce face.  Try Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick 456-Erik ($36) for a sultry, vampy look and MAC Ruby Woo ($14) is a great universal matte red.

Chrissy Teigen

Viola Davis

Carmen Ejogo

 For a smouldering look on the eyes Estee Lauder Pure Color Intense Kajal eyeliner in Blackened Black ($23) on the waterline and smudged above and below the lash line creates that smokey drama.

Lady GaGa

Emma Stone

Solange Knowles

Casual Hair Don't Care

Whether it was the dampness in the air or the influence of the models on the runway at New York Fashion Week, this year celebrities favored ponytails and messy buns over up-do's and defined curls. J-Lo killed it in this high ponytail and nude-pink makeup palette, and newcomer Dakota Johnson looked fresh and modern in this easy ponytail and fringe bangs.


Both Anna Kendrick and Best Actress winner Patricia Arquette went with intense black eyeliner, a bun and soft coral lips. Get this look with E.L.F Studio Mineral Lipstick in Cool Coral ($5)
  

Sienna Miller and Best Actress nominee Rosamund Pike opted for the "no hair" look with their tresses pulled completely off of the face, a slightly sculpted cheek bone and strong brow. Layer your cheek color using Bobbi Brown Blush Palette ($45) a trio you can layer that includes a neutral, bright and shimmer tone all in one compact.

I Woke Up Like This
Radiant and glowing skin is a must for everyone who walks the red carpet and this year was no exception. The makeup palette was natural and flawless with hints of shimmer and the hair styled almost as an after-thought. With a center or side part, loosely curled or sleekly shined and tucked behind the ears this is definitely the hair "of the moment".  Get that pop of shimmer on your eyes with Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow Palettes ($50)

Zoe Saldana

 ReeseWitherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow, America Ferrer

Lupita Nyongo

Check out your favorite Oscar look and imagine what you can do using the tools you have in your makeup bag. Who knows..you may even surprise yourself!

Stay Beautiful!