~ Blue Eye Shadow ~

For many, it is a scary thought. The idea of blue conjures up thoughts of MIMI from the Drew Carey Show or even BARBIE …but blue can be done well. It’s all about balance really. And yes, ANYONE can wear blue eye shadow, but it is especially flattering to those brown eyed girls;)

When wearing something extremely colorful or high drama on the eyes, it is best to temper it with nude or toned down colors on the rest of the face. For example, If I do a deep brown smokey eye I would wear a pale pink blush and gloss. If I do a bold red lip, I wouldn’t put on purple eyeshadow. Make sense?

So, here is a BLUE look I did today. It is a bit more dramatic than most would wear for daytime, but I find my occupation affords me the ability to feel a bit more liberated in what I walk around with on my face;) For those who are a bit intimidated at the look, try it yourself with lighter versions of the blues I used, or blend them down with a cream colored shadow to take the edge off.

Here is the look:

Products Used :

FACE:

MAC Mineralize Skin finish Natural in MEDIUM  (applied w/ kabuki style brush)

MAC Blush in TENDERLING  (applied w/MAC 168 blush/contour brush)

LIPS:

MAC lip liner pencil in SUBCULTURE

SOFTLIPS Lip Protectant with SPF 20 in VANILLA

SALLY HANSEN Natural Butter Lip Shine in BLOOM

EYES:

MAC paint pot in BARE STUDY as a base ( applied with fingers)

MAC  eyeshadow in VANILLA all over the entire lid up to brow (applied with a MAC 239 brush)

Pale blue shadow from the COASTAL SCENTS 28 pallete on the inner 1/2 of eyelid ( using a MAC 239 brush)

Shimmery Dark blue shadow from CS PALLET on the outer 1/2 of eye (using MAC 239)

( Blend the shimmery blue up and into crease slightly)

Darkest blue from CS PALLET (navy colored) into the outer “v” of eye ( using a MAC 219 pencil brush)

(Blend carefully inward and upward  enhancing the outer “V” shape)

* I also applied the eyeshadow colors  to my lower lid starting at the inner corner with the lightest color and working outward to the darkest.

TOO FACED lash injection Mascara in BLACK ( curl lashes and apply two coats)

Questions or requests? Simply comment below and be sure to check out KRISTINE MARIE MAKEUP ARTISTRY  on  YOUTUBE and  FACEBOOK

~ My Skin Care Routine ~

FACT: I do NOT have perfect skin.

FACT: I have dark circles, excessive oil and some slight redness.

FACT: I DO have CLEAR, BLEMISH FREE skin which gives me a smooth surface to apply my makeup to and thus gives me the optimal result for my cosmetics investment.

FACT: No matter how much makeup you use, or what type – having GOOD SKIN is what determines the end result. Beauty begins with healthy skin…not your makeup bag.

FACT: I get MORE compliments on my actual SKIN and questions about my skincare than I do on the makeup I wear or put on others…

About 4-6 weeks ago, I began a new skincare routine. Almost immediately, it seemed everyone noticed something was different and daily I was being asked  “How do you get your skin so healthy/smooth/clear?” , so this post will be dedicated to thoroughly answering that question.

While I cannot suggest the perfect products for YOUR skin, I CAN tell you that once you find the RIGHT products for you, being consistent is the KEY to getting the results you want.

And please – Don’t give me the excuse that it takes too much time – you only have ONE face and it takes less than 5 minutes out of your day to make sure it is the best it can be. Make it a habit. Morning and night.  Just a few minutes will start and end your day right and change the way you look and feel. Quality products are available in EVERY price range, so shop around, ask an expert, try before you buy- whatever you need to do to find what works for you.

For myself, my updated routine uses  CLINIQUE products. I am not here to sell you anything but I can say that since I have begun using this product line, most of my skin concerns have been alleviated including excessive oil breakthroughs in my T-Zone and occasional dryness/tightness in my cheek area.

My makeup-free skin is noticeably smoother, the pores are no longer noticed, my dark circles arent near what they once were and frankly, as a woman over 30, I feel good knowing I am taking optimal care of my skin. It may never be perfect, but it is healthy and happy and people DO notice.

Here is my morning routine:

I begin using the CLINIQUE 7 DAY SCRUB CREAM.  It is conveniently packaged in a squeeze tube, so dispensing the perfect amount is easy and keeps the rest of the product sanitary. Using an amount that is about the size of my pinky fingertip, I gently work the mild exfoliating scrub upward and outward all over my face and top of neck before rinsing well with warm water.

My next step is washing with the  CLINIQUE MILD FACIAL SOAP. This gentle cleanser comes with a pump top and I use one to two pumps and work that into my skin adding  bit of warm water to lather and open my pores ( allowing the cleanser to do it’s work.) I wash for about 15 seconds and rinse with warm water and end with a splash of cool water to tighten pores and give a flush of healthy glow.

The CLINIQUE CLARIFYING LOTION( 2 ) is my next step. This toner de-flakes skin, clears excess oils, improves cell turnover and offers a slight tingle to let you know it is working;) I soak a cotton pad or large cotton ball and lightly sweep across my face paying special attention to my T-Zone ( the area my oil tends to be excessive in.)

Once the final stage of squeaky cleanliness is completed, I apply the CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURIZING GEL. Regardless of skin type (mine is oily) ALL skin needs moisture.  Because my skin is SO oily in the summer, I choose the gel moisturizer and use the lotion in the winter when my skin is more normal. I work a small amount (the size of a nickel) all over my face in light upward strokes to make sure it sinks into the skin well.

Next, I apply the CLINIQUE ALL ABOUT EYES cream very sparingly all around my eye area to de-puff and reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines. I use my ring finger since it is the weakest finger and best for patting the cream in around the delicate eye area.

Then I apply the CLINIQUE CITY BLOCK SHEER SPF25 to not only protect my skin, but I have found it acts as a great primer for my makeup (making it last longer throughout the day.)  While it is tinted, it blends invisibly and a small amount (the size of a quarter or smaller) will cover the whole face and upper neck area.

Lastly, I apply the CLINIQUE SUPERBALM LIP TREATMENT to replenish my lips and give them a smooth, satiny look.

At night, the only changes I make in my routine are:

1. Skipping the 7 Day Scrub Cream

2. Adding the Super Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer ( see photo below)

A few minutes. A few products. A desire and dedication to being loyal to your routine.

If in the Virginia Beach area and interested in these products, or anything else CLINIQUE offers – feel free to visit LINDA at the CLINIQUE counter in MACYS at LYNNHAVEN MALL ( You can call  to schedule your appointment 757-306-0666 )  for a personalized consultation and instruction on YOUR skins concerns, best products to address those concerns and how to use them.

Good Luck and Great Skin to you!

Please visit me  and become a Fan on FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE for the latest events, information, updates, videos and more;)

~ Bronze Beauty ~

Bronzer. A simple way to give yourself a sun-kissed glow without the risks of sun and tanning beds. But, how do you choose the right bronzer and how do you apply it properly? Well, it is easier than you think.

First, you have to choose the right formula. Bronzers come in creams, cream-to-powder, liquids, gels, powders ( pressed, loose and baked) and even mousse formulations. If you have dry skin, one of the more emollient types will be best and if your skin is oily or normal, then a powder will do just fine.

Now that you know the formula you need, it is time to choose a color. Yes, bronzers come in many colors with different undertones ( peach, pink, yellow, gold, orange, copper,  etc…) For light skin tones, pink or peach based bronzers work best. Olive skin tones are best flattered in copper undertones and on dark skin – deep shades with gold tones are gorgeous.  Try not to go more than 2 shades darker than your own skin color. Shades that are way too dark will leave you looking like you have dirt on your face instead of that summer glow.

Nexy, you can decide which finish you prefer. Matte or Shimmer. I enjoy both, depending on what I am using it for. If contouring my face, I use a matte shade and if just using it to give myself a glow, I use a shimmer. It really is up to you. 

Now, regardless of what formula you choose, you will want a fluffy brush ( not too large) to apply it with. When using powder , be sure to tap off excess before touching your face. You want to look sun-kissed , not sun-slapped. The biggest mistake with bronzer is using too much. We have all seen it. Not pretty;(  

If using an emollient formula, touch the product lightly ( to avoid picking up too much) and then touch on the back of your hand to see how much product is coming off the brush, and apply when the amount is comfortable for you. 

Bronzer is generally applied to the four main areas of your face that would naturally get the most sun exposure – your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. The first place you lay your brush down is going to get the most product, and for most of us, that would be the cheeks. 

Lightly touch down on the cheeks, then the forehead, nose and then the chin. Once you have a bit of bronzer in each area, go back to the cheeks and begin to blend. Blend your bronzer WELL and if more product is needed, add more. If you add too much, apply translucent powder to tone it down. 

While bronzer looks amazing and healthy on it’s own, adding a bit of blush to the apples of your cheeks for a bit of dimension and blending it all together can make the look more complete and polished. 

Many beauty brands make bronzers. Some affordable options are PHYSICIANS FORMULA and NYC found at drugstores and  on the higher end NARS and CHANEL have lovely options as well.  My current favorite is “LAGUNA” by NARS which is a brown undertone with a subtle shimmer perfect for daytime and everyday wear.

Hope these tips help you out and be sure to subscribe for more updates and visit me on

FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE

~ Alternatives to MAX FACTOR Pan Stick ~

I have been bombarded with search engine inquiries looking for alternatives to MAX FACTOR Pan Stick foundations, so let me give you a few suggestions. Please keep in mind that many of these are not in the same price range ( which is always what gave MAX FACTOR the edge in stick foundations to begin with….) but, there are SO MANY other GREAT products out there, so here are some ideas of who else makes stick foundations:

Kevyn Aucoin

Bobbi Brown

Benefit

MAC

Iman (darker skin tones)

Black Opal (darker skin tones)

Shiesedo

Laura Mercier

Bloom

shu uemura 

Napoleon Perdis

Now, if you don’t need to have your foundation on a stick and enjoy the high coverage and versatility of a cream foundation in general, consider:

Ben Nye

Cover FX

Illamasqua

Personally, I love the versatility of stick and cream foundations so I find myself using these a majority of the time both in business and personal use. I do have a full range of the MAX FACTOR pansticks and am hoping that they will be available for online purchase when they relocate out of the United States. I dread running out and never seeing them again;(

Until then, for those looking for more affordable cream foundation or stick foundation options, AVON and MARK  have affordable options in a similar color range to MAX FACTOR Pansticks. Here is a link to an online store I have had successful dealings with:

AVON STICK FOUNDATIONS

*While your in there, check out the GLAZEWEAR glosses. I love those and AVON has come a LONG way in quality over the recent years. 

For other  stick and cream  foundation options listed above, GOOGLE for retailers and good luck!

KristineMarie

~ Free Lipgloss and Fun Lashes ~

Here it is! The prized for January’s Giveaway – 2 lovely lipglosses from LANCOME (peach and pink) , 1 mini LANCOME mascara in black and some fun Ardell Lashes with faux diamonds.

There are 3 things needed to enter. Please read all requirements and announcement information. 

1. You must be a subscriber to the blog or the NEW KristineMarie Makeup Artistry Fan Page on Facebook.

2. You must post an entry to your BLOG or FACEBOOK  with a link back to me. No limit on how many times you can enter;)

3. You must post the link to your BLOG or FACEBOOK post and “ENTER ME” in the comments section. 

4. Contest closes at 10pm EST on January 18th, 2010. Winner will be announced on this site only and has 24 hours to respond and claim prize. If not, a re-draw will be done to determine another winner, so stay updated or subscribe in the lower right of this page to get updates.

5. This contest is open to all regardless of location, age or any other criteria. If under 18, please have parents permission as I will need the shipping address of the winner and this is not something you want to randomly give out without your parents’ knowledge. I am a parent too, so this is important!

Good Luck to All;)

*For recent work, check the LOOKS section on the right of this page.

As always, subscribe by clicking the link on the lower right of the page for updates, tips, giveaways and photo updates and more.

~ Carrie Underwood Inspired Makeup ~

Sometimes, I get a model that has a certain “look” in mind. In one of my recent shoots, this was the case. My model was inspired by the beauty and makeup of Carrie Underwood, and though they have very different features, I gave it my best effort to recreate the look to a standard fitting of my model and her features. Here is Carrie’s Look:

The model (below) was a true beach beauty. Well, that was my first impression anyway.  Tall, tan, fit and adorable freckles. Carrie is certainly more pale and porcelain, but that wasn’t going to stop us! The signature Carrie look is often known for it’s well defined eyes and soft subtle lips and cheeks. And so, with a little inspiration and a few products, we were off to recreate Carrie and still preserve the fine qualities of the models natural beauty…

The model still wanted to look like herself ( the photos were for her husband and we wanted him to recognize her..haha.) so I kept her skin natural looking and freckles showing ( freckles really are cool!) By adding definition in the eyes and a soft smokey shadow to lend a sultry look to the otherwise -girl next door- inspiration, I believe we were effectively able to achieve a bit of Carries overall essence. A hint of pink on the cheek and lips and well…

The result was simply stunning. Fresh yet sexy. Soft and yet defined. 

This look was created using traditional makeup application ( no airbrushing) and utilized products from several lines to include MAC cosmetics, BEN NYE and Coastal Scents. False lashes were also added for  length and depth.

This  Girl Next Door turned Bombshell/Carrie Underwood inspired look was photographed by Andi Grant.

For makeup application or lessons/recommendations on how you can achieve a certain “look” , please leave a comment below for more information! I offer affordable rates, convenient on-site service and flexible scheduling.

Thanks for stopping in and as always, stay updated by subscribing. ( Lower right corner of this page–>)

KristineMarie

~ Wedding Day Makeup Look ~

The wedding was a stunning outdoor event along the Oceanside that began just as the late afternoon sun began to come down from the sky…

The beautiful bride opted for a traditional wedding makeup look with a touch of red on the lips to compliment the lovely wine colored dresses of the bridal party. With her great skin and fabulous features, it was hard to make her look any more beautiful, but I gave it my best effort.

And so we began…

 

( Look at this glowing skin and excited grin…Isn’t love wonderful? )

 

A Note From The Bride:

Hello Kristine,

I just wanted to thank you again for the beautiful make up job you gave me at my wedding. I had a TON of compliments!!! Thanks again for making me feel sooooo beautiful on my special day!!!

Nicole

You are so very welcome Nicole.

May you and your lucky Groom live Happily Ever after!

~ KristineMarie ~

~ Bridal Trial/Girls Night out ~

This lovely Bride-to-be initially inquired about a Bridal Trial Makeup session for her upcoming October ceremony. The model has such great skin and features that her daily makeup routine is minimal – consisting only of concealer, mascara and perhaps a lip balm or gloss when needed. Here is the before:

We decided on a traditional bridal look with a med/full coverage foundation to create a seamless match between her face and body. The model has combination skin, light in tone (w/ some faux-sun tanning) and pink undertones. We chose colors in pinks, browns and mauves and did some highlighting, gentle contours and added a hint of drama in the eyes to open them up and provide balance to the face. Just before the final shot, the model preferred to add her own few coats of mascara as she was going out for the evening with friends and other bridal party members for a night on the town;) Here is the final look:

The Bride-to-be has since reported back that not only did her makeup last all night long (and then some!) but that she was very excited and happy with all the compliments she received. With a few minor adjustments, the wedding day makeup will be flawless, natural and bring out the best in her already gorgeous features. 

For a complete product list and instruction sheet on how to complete this look, or to schedule your Bridal Trial makeup (free lashes included) , please comment and I will get back to you with complete details.

Individual and Group makeup lessons for Wedding makeup also available at your location. Great idea for Bridal Parties! Reasonable fees and convenient scheduling. Evenings and weekends are available. 

Kristine Marie

~ Bridal Makeup Tips/ Skin Prep ~

This is the first post in the BRIDAL MAKEUP TIPS series. In this post, we will focus on preparing your skin for that special day and making sure it is ready to be made up to your prettiest version of you. Whether you decide to brave your makeup yourself or hire a makeup artist to secure the investment in those photos that will last forever, well cared for skin is essential to getting the most of our your special look. 

BEGIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT:

Be sure to eat healthy and drink plenty of water in the months before your wedding. Yes, it really does make a difference. Water hydrates skin, flushes toxins from your body, aids in digestion and helps keep body systems moving in the right direction. Don’t overlook this crucial step to healthy skin. 

Get plenty of rest and consider a vitamin supplement. Rest and nutrition are keys to keeping your body at it’s best, and in turn, your hair, nails and  skin as well. You not only want to look good, but FEEL good too. Vitamins will help make you feel more energized and make up for things your body may be lacking during such stressful times and sleep is essential to keeping the body rested  and reducing stress breakouts. 

Limit caffeine, alcohol and stress as MUCH as much as possible. Find your zen. Nothing is ever perfect , but following basic rules of skincare and common sense will surely make it close enough.

Establishing the above listed habits now will make it easier to continue them after and be the healthy, happy woman he chose to marry in the first place;)

FROM THE OUTSIDE IN:

Now is not the time to go experimenting with new skincare products or procedures. Doing so days before a wedding could result in irritation, redness and breakouts. Plan to have any serious skincare procedures done at least 4-8 weeks before your wedding to give skin a chance to calm down and adjust to any new products you may have chosen. Special circumstances aside, daily care and once weekly exfoliation should keep your skin fresh, deeply cleansed and clear. 

Brow grooming should be done 3-5 days before the wedding. This will allow time for the redness to dissipate and if needed, only a few hairs will need to be plucked. Other than that, the shaping and clean look will make the most of your features and makeup so don’t forget this step. The same applies for lip waxing. Do so 3- 5 days before the wedding.

If you like a sun kissed glow, try using a skin moisturizer that offers a gradual increase in color. You want to look naturally sunkissed, not sun abused. Best to begin this about 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

The night before your wedding, wash face well, lightly exfoliate (lips too!) , rinse well and pat dry. Apply a drying lotion (Mario Badescu makes an excellent one) to any pimples you may have. Follow up with a lip balm a good moisturizer and get plenty of rest.

In the morning, rinse face well with warm water  and follow up with a very cold washcloth to tighten large pores and wake up your face. Follow up with your regular moisturizer. Avoid one with a high SPF as SPF products tend to have an adverse effect of flash photography. Allow it to settle in well before applying anything else. If you get a pimple, DO NOT pop it. It is easier to cover the bump than to cover the redness that will surely come with having an open sore on your face.  If you are having your makeup done by a Makeup Artist, please consult them on how to prepare.

THE RESULT:

There is never a guarantee with our bodies and skin, but these simple steps should keep most issues at bay and allow you to be your best on your wedding day;) And the end result is when you LOOK better on the outside, you FEEL better on the inside on your wedding day, and EVERYday.

Best of luck and congratulations!

Kristine Marie

NOTE :

If you need suggestions in the Hampton Roads area for a Day Spa specializing in TOTAL BODY CARE (Skin, Nails, Hair, Brows, Waxing) or a Dermatologist – please let me know. I am happy to assist you with quality options.

Part two in this series is here:

https://kristinemarie.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/bridal-makeup-flawless-foundation/