Makeup Article: Your Guide to Holiday Fragrances

“It’s the magic and alchemy of the perfumer’s art to blend and mix the hundreds and thousands of ingredients that can make up an infinite variety of ‘scentsational’ scents. Just like a composer does with music.” Rochelle Bloom, president of the Fragrance Foundation.

Choosing a memorable holiday fragrance can impress friends and family; sometimes people only visit relatives during the holidays. The sense of smell is closely tied to memory, so a pleasant fragrance leaves behind terrific memories. Choosing the right perfume or fragrance can be challenging, however, since there are so many types from which to choose.

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Types of Fragrance

Fragrances are complex and consist of three notes: top note, middle note and base note. The top note is the first impression one gets when the aroma hits the nose. It sets up the middle, which is the heart of the scent. The base note is slightly different and leaves behind a lingering remembrance. Although these complexities can cross categories, they can be grouped in the following classes, which are the best known.

Floral. These can be dominated by one flower, or a bouquet.

Chypre. Rich, long-lasting fragrance comprised of woody, mossy, flowery notes.

Citrus. These scents carry the distinct suggestion of various citrus products, (orange, lemon, mandarin) and are very clean, fresh fragrances.

Oriental. These are a blend of warmth and mystery. Think musks complemented by exotic essences.

Green. Natural, fresh aromas often paired with fruity and floral notes.

Choosing the Right Perfume

Perfumes should be selected that complement a person’s personality and lifestyle. Since scent is linked with memory, some people may choose a perfume that brings to mind pleasant recollections, such as a wedding, class prom or other seminal event. One should keep several perfumes for different events; special occasions such as holidays may require something a little different.

Select the best perfume for individual body chemistry. Each perfume really does produce a different bouquet for each user.

The season should make a difference in what scent a person chooses. Heavy spicy fragrance is inappropriate for hot summer days; but light floral scents provide the right note. Heavier scents work well for holidays but should be used sparingly. Fragrant preparations come in different strengths. Perfume has the highest concentration and should be used in moderation on the pulse points. Eau de Parfum can be used a bit more heavily, but try to resist overdoing it. Many advisers suggest that Eau de Toilette can practically be used as bathwater, but resist the temptation – when it comes to fragrance, less is more.

Happy Holidays!

Image courtesy of http://www.perfectskinclub.com

Cindi Lewis write for GLOSSY, a hair care and beauty products online retailer.

Makeup Article: Holiday Makeup Tips

Want to know how to wear your makeup for the holidays? Well, after countless views of more photographs than I can count I have found the most popular Celebrity Holiday Makeup. I chose my top three favorites and recreated them for your reading and viewing pleasure. Feel free to recreate your own version of these gorgeous styles for you own Holiday events.

The first look is the always in style cat-eye. This look is fun because it calls for a bit of a heavy hand with the eye-liner. First I used a soft shimmery champagne eye shadow color close to the lash line up into the crease of the upper lid. Then I blended a soft brown eye shadow into the crease for some definition. To create the actual cat eye effect I used black gel eyeliner and an ultra fine eyeliner brush by Bobbi Brown. The easiest way to get perfect liner is to start where the upper and lower eyelids meet and paint up towards the eyebrow following the natural arch of the lower lid. Next, start from the tip of the wing and paint in towards the inner eye gradually pointing the line downward towards the lash line till they merge.

Then simply fill in the space where skin is showing if there is any.

This technique will result in a perfect cat eye every time. Take the residual liner on the brush and work it into the lower lash line. I finished the eyes with a brown pencil eye liner on the lower water line to add a bit more depth and several coats of mascara. The cheeks should be subtle but noticeable, so I used a peach blush from Benefit and a touch of bronzer. Finally, I lined the lips in a nude liner and filled in with a beige lipstick with just a touch of gloss for shine.

It is important to keep the lips neutral with such heavy eye makeup; otherwise you could end up looking over done.

The second look is not only a celebrity favorite, but one of mine as well. Incorporating jewel tones into a smokey eye is a great way to make the eyes pop and show off a more fun side to makeup. Color seems to fade from many women’s color palettes as we are “growing wiser.”

This look is a fun and adult way to wear those colors you moved to the back of the makeup drawer. I started with my eyeliner. By laying the eyeliner down first I will still get definition of the eye shape without taking away from the shadow, plus gel liner will act as a primer and help to hold the shadow in place. I created a thick line of eyeliner all across my lid then applied a Laura Mercier wet to dry shadow as my jewel tone. Wet to dry shadows are the best when trying to achieve a vibrant color on the eyelids. Apply one layer wet then pack dry shadow on top until wanted vibrancy is achieved. I lightly blended a medium plum shade into the crease to soften the lines and create a smokey effect. Finish the eyes with tons of mascara. I kept the cheeks soft again with this look by using a rose blush blended with a touch of peach blush. The lips are a soft rose with lilac gloss on top.

Welcome to the land of class! Red lips are an absolute must for the holiday season. The trick to wearing red lips is to allow them to be the featured item. Always go easy on the eyes and cheeks, otherwise a clown may show up to the party instead of you. I started with a white shadow all over the lid and worked a soft grey into the crease for the slightest hint of definition. I blended the grey with a light warmer color for a bit more soft definition of the eyes. Then I used black gel liner to thinly line the eyes. It is fine to give yourself a little wing at the end, the ladies in the 50’s sure did! (That’s how long this look has been in style, Amazing!) I used a golden bronzer to add some warmth all over the face and added just a touch of a soft pink/coral blush. For the lips I began by lining them with red lip liner and coloring in the entire lips. Then I went back over them with “Red” by Bobbi Brown followed by a ruby sparkle gloss for shine and dimension. Filing in the brows with a soft color gives this look a nice finishing touch because the strong structure of the lips is balanced by the more defined brows.

Whether you are going to a party or to family’s house for dinner, any of these looks can be tweaked to appropriately fit the occasion. The Holiday’s are all about celebrating and remembering, so remember to wear your stunning Celebrity Inspired Holiday Makeup and enjoy every moment with your friends and family!

Images courtesy of http://www.holliejean.com

Hollie Jean is a professional Savannah makeup artist and a licensed esthetician. Her speciality is bridal makeup and all natural facials. When she isn’t working she is spending time with her four dogs and her incredible husband!

Hair Makeup Article: Simple Wedding Hair and Makeup Tips for Your Big Day

If you’re bride on a budget, as so many of us have been, then you’re probably trying to save a little extra cash by doing your own hair and makeup on your wedding day. Luckily, with a few expert tips you can achieve professional results and look absolutely flawless when you walk down the aisle…

1. More isn’t always more. Piling on the hairspray on your big day may weigh your hair down and make it look more like a helmet. Make sure to test out your wedding hairstyle beforehand in different weather conditions, such as hot or windy weather, to make sure that you’re using just the right amount of hairspray to hold your ‘do – and no more than that.

2. Invest in some professional tattoo concealer. Whether you have an amazing tattoo on your shoulder blade that you’re proud of or a scary dragon tattoo on your shoulder from a phase in college, using a pro tattoo concealer from a makeup line like Kat Von D will work wonders for camouflage. Remember, practice makes perfect. Test out your tattoo concealer before your wedding day, set it with a spritz of hairspray, and make sure not to get any of your makeup on your dress!

3. Groom your eyebrows as the perfect final touch. Even if you’re worried about darkening your eyebrows, lightly touching up your eyebrows with a contour brush and an eyeshadow shade that matches your hair color will provide a groomed and polished final touch to your makeup look. Your eyebrows are the frames for your eye makeup, and your wedding makeup will look that much more professional when you give your eyebrows a little polish.

4. Focus on one feature at a time. Do you want to play up your baby blue eyes? Do you want to put the focus on your luscious lips? It’s got to be one or the other, not both! If you want dramatic eye makeup, go nude on your lips. If you want bold red or raspberry lips to attract attention, then use a more neutral eye makeup style. Anything more will be overkill.

5. Match your foundation shade exactly. We’ve all seen it before. A woman that chose the wrong shade of foundation and has a line of demarcation along her jaw. That’s an absolute no-no! Make sure to try out your foundation before your wedding day and check it out in natural light. Cover all of your bases by asking everyone you know if your foundation matches your skin tone exactly to avoid a heavy, mask-like look in your wedding pictures.

Image courtesy of http://www.moneycrashers.com/.

Bethany Ramos is a professional wedding makeup artist that co-owns her own website at The Coffee Bump.

Plus Size Skin Care Article: Soft and Healthy Skin for Summer

The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining brighter, and it’s time to get prettified for summer! I’m out in the sun as much as possible, and I love wearing tops and dresses that show a little skin. But being out in the sun and hot weather requires doing a little extra to keep my skin soft, smooth and safe. My favorite time of year is also the time when I step up my skin care game: following just a few quick tips on summer skin care will keep you glowing throughout the season.

Practice Safe Sun

Skin care experts have long believed that sunscreen is a must, even if the sky is overcast. Luckily, choosing products that give you the right amount of protection has become easier because many products ranging from lotion to makeup now have sunblock. But not all sunblocks are created equal; make sure your products protect against both UVA and UVB rays. For a day out in the sun or on the beach, double check your sunscreen to make sure it’s either water-resistant or waterproof. The difference is that water-resistant sunscreen lasts about 40 minutes, while waterproof lasts at least 80 minutes. And if you’re planning to tan – or if you’re getting a head start on summer by visiting tanning salons – be aware that the same safety rules apply for tanning lamps as for the natural sun.

Moisture Is Your Friend

Sun and wind are your skin’s worst enemies during any season, but summer adds a new element to the mix. Showing a little more skin when the weather is warm means that there’s more skin that needs to be protected and moisturized. The majority of drugstore lotions and body creams use mineral oil as a main ingredient, which is a byproduct of petroleum. Mineral oil doesn’t get absorbed into your skin-instead, it just sits on top. After a hot day in the sun, you don’t want your skin to feel like an oil slick, do you? Use a body moisturizer that’s made with natural oils for deeper, longer-lasting moisture.

Lighten Up Your Makeup

I’m not referring just to colors – use lighter foundations and powders, if you can. This will keep your skin’s pores from clogging when the heat causes you to perspire. There are some wonderful and affordable tinted moisturizers available that give both coverage and moisture, and many of them contain sunscreen as well. Finally, take care of your lips with a good gloss or lipstick that contains sunscreen of at least SPF 25 – the skin on your lips needs as much attention as the rest of your body.

Great skin takes work and experimentation. Not every product will work with your skin type, so don’t be afraid to switch it up and try something new. And remember: great skin doesn’t have to be expensive. Look for brands and products that give you the most bang for your buck, and that can last you through the season. Once you’ve found the routine that suits you, follow it every day and enjoy your summer!

Image courtesy of http://www.fash4.com/.

Minni K. is a freelance writer and editor in the Midwest. She writes about hair, accessories and celebrity fashion at Belts and Bangles.

Makeup Article: Fashion is More than Just Clothes – Makeup Tips for Plus Sized Women

Makeup Hints and Tips for BBWs.

You found the perfect outfit and now it’s time to discover your perfect make up. Use these hints and tips to look fabulous every day and for special occasions.

Contouring Your Face

If your face is round, you can add some subtle contouring to make your features pop. To make features recede, use dark colors. To highlight features, use light colors and/or shimmer.

There are makeup brushes that are specially made for contour. Gently brush it over your brown eyeshadow or bronzer to load up the brush. Tap the brush so that excess falls off before using the brush on your face.

Places to apply contour would include under the cheekbones, under the bottom of your face/top of your neck area, to make your face stand out more from your neck. You can also use a bit of contour around your nose. To narrow the top of your face, you can also apply it around your temples.

If you’re going to contour, you must blend and blend some more. If you have harsh edges, it will look terrible. Make sure you have good lighting including a well-lit makeup mirror and check yourself before heading out the door.

Highlighting Your Face

In addition to setting back areas of your face, you can also bring forward other areas by either using lighter colors or using a bit of shimmer. Places to highlight are on your cheekbones and under your brow bone. Depending on the shape of your nose, you may also want to use some highlighting to bring the tip forward to help make a thick nose look thinner.

Be careful of shimmer if you’re middle aged or older. Glistening shimmer can emphasize wrinkles.

Smashbox Lightcast Detail Highlighter provides the right amount of light without shimmer. This is a great product for us 40-somethings who want highlighting but don’t want to emphasize wrinkles. This product is also great for hiding crow’s feet.

Balanced Makeup

You can wear subtle lips and dramatic eyes, or dramatic eyes and subtle lips, but not both. Too much makeup will look garish and if you have dramatic eyes and lips, it will overwhelm your face.

Many women are afraid of lip color but have fun and experiment. You can stick with tones near your own lip color but why not sample the reds, corals, and plums at the department store makeup counter. Don’t be afraid to add some color to your face.

Image courtesy of Smashbox cosmetics.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Kayla Block from Makeup Deal of the Day. She loves makeup but her bank account doesn’t. When browsing cosmetic company outlets, she decided to start one of her own. Makeup Deal of the Day specializes in high end makeup brands at bargain prices. She carries brands like Urban Decay, Smashbox, Benefit, Lancome, Clinique, Estee Lauder, all at discount prices. Join the Makeup Deal of the Day mailing list so that you don’t miss out on great makeup coupons.

Makeup Article: Fashion Is Not Just Clothes – Learn About Makeup

Lots of women are cautious about wearing makeup and for some reason, that’s even truer for plus-sized women. Fashion is more than just clothing. Fashion is your entire look including your accessories, shoes, clothing, and your makeup.

Learn about Makeup

If you don’t have much experience with makeup, go to your local department store and get your makeup done. Some women find this intimidating, but here are some hints and tips to get you through.

Women working at the makeup counters of department stores are also trained as makeup artists. They are there to not only ring up your purchases, but also to educate you on makeup tips and techniques. Of course, they do hope to see you buy product when they’re demonstrating and teaching.

Explore the Makeup

Before you approach a particular makeup artist at a counter, walk around. Sample the various products on your hand. Smell the lotions, explore their textures, play with eyeshadow colors to see how they blend, or try some lipsticks and then rub them off to see how they wear.

You may notice that different brands are geared towards different age groups or different ethnic groups, but don’t be shy about exploring brands that might be geared towards a different demographic market. Different brands will also have varying price ranges. In general, Chanel, Yves St Laurent, and Dior will tend to be at the highest end.

While you’re exploring, look at the women behind the counter. When you play with some makeup you like, and see a makeup artist whose makeup you admire, ask if she would have time to do your makeup.

Department Store Makeup Counter Etiquette

The makeup artists at department stores are paid a base salary plus commission. So, if you approach a department store makeup counter, be prepared to buy at least 2-3 items.

Before you begin, let her know what you’re looking for. Do you want a daytime look for a conservative office? Are you new to makeup and looking for a few small basics that are easy to apply? Do you want to explore a look for a hot night out on the town? A good make up artist can accommodate any of these requests so don’t be shy!

Do feel free to ask her to write down products for you if you can’t buy everything you want all at once. Some makeup artists will even give you their card or call you back the next time that brand is having a special event.

Once you’ve decided on your purchases, do feel free to ask if you can have any makeup samples. They may have prepackaged samples of skin care products and they may be able to create a foundation sample for you.

Even if you have experience with makeup, it’s good to go to the department store makeup counter once in awhile. You’ll come out with a new look and fresh inspiration.

About the author: Our guest blogger is Kayla Block from Makeup Deal of the Day. She loves makeup but her bank account doesn’t. When browsing cosmetic company outlets, she decided to start one of her own. Makeup Deal of the Day specializes in high end makeup brands at bargain prices. She carries brands like Urban Decay, Smashbox, Benefit, Lancome, Clinique, Estee Lauder, all at discount prices. Join the Makeup Deal of the Day mailing list so that you don’t miss out on great makeup coupons.