One of the most important ways to have great skin is keeping it clean and rejuvenated.  This means protecting your makeup and keeping it fresh and bacteria free.  Here is a very important article written by Leslie Baumann, MD.  Please read!

Here’s to great skin!

Cheers,

Jennifer

When Is It Time to Toss Your Makeup?

After spending half your paycheck at a department store makeup counter, the last thing you want to think about is throwing your hard-earned treats away! But when it comes to beauty products, it’s important to learn when to let go. Past its prime, the makeup that you love can actually cause acne and skin irritation.

First things first: Storage is half the battle. The less oxygen your makeup is exposed to, the longer it will last, so always screw those caps on tightly. And keep your cosmetics in cool, dark places – heat and light can cause makeup products’ preservatives to break down.

Get ready!  Makeup trends for fall 2009 are rich and classic. Dark greens, browns, and other earthy forest colors are used to complement the ever-popular smoky eye. This trend continues to emphasize a heavy accent on the eyes. Look for matte, velvety shadows to complete the look. Smokey eyes and dark eye shadow will continue to be popular, so be sure to invest in some matte black eye shadow. If you want to add a touch of shimmer, a luxurious gold can be used as a hot accent.

Carrying over from the spring, the look for the face is still a fresh, natural finish.  Using foundations that give a soft matte texture with slightly dewy accents provides for healthy, moist skin. Blush complements the foundation trend by being soft and light. Pink tones are used to create an angelic flushed look.  

There are two strong choices for your most sensuous asset, the lips. To compliment fresh skin, nude colored lips paired with rich, smoky eyes are a sexy way to go. But if you prefer a more mature look, bold, classic red is as strong as ever. Just be sure and balance them with very natural eyes. Think pin-up or Marilyn Monroe and your look will be in trend. 

Say goodbye to pencil thin brows! Brows are still very natural, full, and well groomed. And if you need help getting that perfect shape, brow templates are very helpful.

 Now that you are ready to be gorgeous for fall, go express yourself and have fun!

Jennifer Campain is a professional makeup artist and owner of Jennifer Campain Makeup Artistry: jennifercampain.com. 

Hello everyone!                                                       

If you were able to watch me on May 13th  on the WFMZ morning show, I talked about doing the bronze look for summer and specifically pool parties. It’s very easy. To recap, simply start out with a SPF 15 moisturizer all over the face. Next, conceal lightly around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Then sponge on a thin layer of a water-based foundation or tinted moisturizer all over your face.

Using a blush brush, gently dust your hairline, cheeks, nose, forehead with a bronzing powder. Both loose and pressed versions works just perfectly! Next, prime your eye lids all over with a matte shadow in the color of vanilla (or caramel if you are darker toned). Follow this by taking an eye shadow in the tone of warm cocoa and smudging it into the outer corner of your upper eyelid and crease. If your skin tone is dark, then use a deep coffee or light charcoal color. Gently blend over. Finish the look with a dot of a creamy pink-biege toned lipstick.  You’ll want to forgo mascara in case you want to jump in the water!  This is a fun, fresh look for being active and enjoying the sun!

There has been quite a buzz about mineral makeup. What is it? Mineral makeup is a cosmetic that lists inorganic pigments (minerals) such zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, and iron oxides as primary ingredients. These are pigments with natural color derived from the earth. How is it different from standard formulation cosmetics? From a makeup artist’s perspective, it is primarily differentiated by its more sheer nature. Also, since it is powder-based, there are less binders than standard makeup formulations typically have.

Need to get ready in a flash? You can do it in four fast steps:

1. Dot concealer under the eyes, around the nose, and around the mouth.

2. Swipe bronzing powder over the eye lids, cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin.

3. Dot lips with a neutral-toned lip gloss or lipstick.

4. Bend lashes with eyelash curler. Go!

Photo by John Falocco

Good Afternoon Jennifer,

I saw you on the local news earlier this week and I was hoping you could answer a question.

What is the correct or most flattering way to apply eyeliner? The reason I ask, is because I’ve heard so many conflicting things. For instance, for the upper lids I’ve heard to apply close to the lash line but I also heard to apply to the inside rim. When applying liner to the bottom, I’ve heard to start with the middle of the lash line to the outside corner, I also heard to apply to the inside rim and also to apply to both the lower lash line and the inside rim. Confusing!

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank You!

Jill Horvath

Lehigh Valley, PA

Photo by John Falocco

The leading theme for spring is fresh and neutral skin. This is always a priority for me when working with my clients, but now it’s the look! Light, water-based foundations and tinted moisturizers are powerful tools in achieving this light, yet effective result. If you have some “high traffic areas” or blemishes to conceal, simply spot treat them with color correctors, then gently blend with your foundation. To finish, there are many bronzing powders, blushes, and luminizing products available on the market to add a glowing freshness to the face. This can be done quickly and easily and the effect is beautiful, flawless skin.

I was privileged enough to meet the founder of The Powder Group, Michael DeVellis. Michael, a 14-year veteran of the makeup artist industry, was responsible for developing the MAC PRO product line and Artist Relations department for MAC Cosmetics. During his 10-year period as a MAC executive, he experienced the passion of the pro artists he was working with.

Photo by John Falocco

What is blot powder? Blot powder is a unique pressed powder designed primarily to provide shine control without adding any noticeable color or texture to your face. When your face produces too much oil, your makeup will slip, smudge, and fade. Because blot powder absorbs excess oils, your makeup then stays in place longer. Most women are accustomed to using standard loose or pressed powders; however those types of powders contain color that will build and cake. By adding more layers of powder, your original makeup application will become heavy and “cakey”. Blot powder is invisible, therefore it doesn’t cake or build, it only absorbs. For years, blot powder was only available to professional makeup artists for use on film and television sets. It is and was the superior product for frequent touch-ups and shine control on the set. Now many cosmetic brands have made blot powder available to the public to satisfy the growing demand of professionally minded products. Blot powder comes in pressed, loose, and throw away sheet form. These brands carry blot powder or blot sheets: Almay, Laura Gellar, MAC, Tarte, and Avon.

Jennifer,

How do I make my eye makeup last all day?

Nancy Homlish – Allentown, PA