Q: where have you been lately? missing out on latest in makeup!!!! holidays are just around the corner...you must have some tips for us! ( anonymous - - 07 Nov 2007

A: ( Makeup Junkie - 20 Nov 2007)

Q: What are your thoughts on Clarins and Yves Rocher products? Anything in particular stand out in your mind? ( Anonymous - - 02 Aug 2007

A:

I'll be honest - I've never actually tried any cosmetic products from either brand. I do know that both are known for having great skin care lines. I remember when I was in high school my mother was a huge fan of Yves Rocher skin and hair products, but nothing spectacular stood out from their line for me. If you're interested in either brands I say go out with some girlfriends and explore both lines. Have a few martinis after and talk about what you liked best. It's a fun way to experiment without making a commitment to buy. :cheers:( Makeup Junkie - 06 Aug 2007)

Q: I don't like using long-wear lip colours because it makes my lips dry. I love wearing lipsticks but they never seem to stay on long enough. Is there anything I can use to make my lip colour stay without wearing those long-wear lip products? ( Melissa - - 01 Aug 2007

A:

Hey Melissa!
Thanks for your question! Lucky for us makeup has come a long way! There are now many brands that carry lip sealants to keep your lip colour looking beautiful all day long without having to wear those long-wear lip colours. Make Up For Ever (sold in Sephora and Sears) and Face Atelier (can be purchased online at www.faceatelier.com)both carry great lip sealants that can be applied over your favourite lipsticks! Simply apply your lipstick, blot slightly, and apply the sealant over top. :cheers:( Makeup Junkie - 06 Aug 2007)

Q: Everyone says I look tired even when I've gotten enough sleep. How do I make myself look less tired and more awake? ( Monica - - 01 Aug 2007

A:

Hey Monica!
Thanks for your question! I'm sure you're not the only one that gets the "aw, late night?" question so don't feel bad. I used to get that all the time until I became a makeup artist! Here are some helpful tips:

1. Every morning I like to splash cold water on my face, especially around my eye area. The colder the better if you can handle it lol. The cold water tightens up my pores, makes my face look less puffy, and my skin feels refreshingly wonderful.

2. Use a good eye cream to help reduce puffiness and the dark circles. Keep in mind that eye creams won't take away bags or dark circles; it conditions the delicate skin around the eye and helps minimize the look of puffy eyes and and circles.

3. Use eye droppers if your eyes are red. This will help whiten those eyes.

4. Creamy concealers are good for covering under eye circles or bags. Find one with a good consistency that doesn't cake under the eyes. If you have bags you will have to use a concealer that is a bit darker than your natural skin tone. It won't actually make your bags disappear but will make it less noticeable under lighting. If your circles are bluish/purple in colour, use a concealer with a peachy/orange undertone to correct it and blend a natural concealer over top to match your skin tone. If your circles are not too noticeable, use a concealer that is half a shade lighter than your skin tone. Many experts say to use one shade lighter but I always find it's too light and makes you look like you have a sunglass tan.

5. Stay away from shadow colours that do not compliment your skin tone. If the colour is not right for you, your eyes will look tired. Use shadows that have a slight shimmer in champagne, ivory, light pink, or white golds. Apply in the center of the eye, underneath the brow bone, and in the inner corner of the eye. This will make your eyes appear bigger and brighter.

6. Curling lashes instantly opens up the eyes and applying mascara gives your eyes more definition.

7. A little trick makeup artists like to use and is optional, is to apply a white liner (fair skin) or beige liner (med - dark skin) to the waterline which is the inner part of the bottom lash line. This also helps make the eyes appear brigther.

8. Applying bronzer or a rose blush to the apple of the cheeks will give you a beautiful healthy glow.

9. Give your lips some colour to complete the look with your favourite gloss or lipstick.

Hope this tips help you look bright-eyed and beautiful! :cheers:( Makeup Junkie - 06 Aug 2007)

Q: My makeup is perfect when I get ready, but by the end of the night I'm super shiny and oily! I don't want to keep applying powder because it ends up looking cakey. Is there anything else I can use to take away the oil and shine throughout the night? ( Clare - - 01 Aug 2007

A:

Hey Clare!
Thanks for your question! Trying to keep from looking like an oil slick can be a tricky thing especially in humid summer weather! If you have oily skin, use cleansers and moisturizers specifically for oily skin. To keep the oil to a minimum, apply an oil free face primer before applying any makeup. Make Up For Ever , for example, has a great oil-free primer that is sold at Sephora. This will help mattify the skin and keep your makeup on longer. Instead of using powder throughout the day to take away shine, I like using blotting papers because they don't add on more makeup and you can blot as much as you want without removing your makeup.

Hope these suggestions keep your skin looking fresh and beautiful! :cheers:( Makeup Junkie - 06 Aug 2007)

Q: I love the smoky dark eye look; however everytime I try to create it, it becomes a disaster. Do you have any special tips in achieving this look? ( Sarah - - 30 Jul 2007

A:

Hey Sarah!
Thanks for your question! The smoky eye is one of my favourite looks and can be achieved many ways. Here are the basics for achieving a smoky eye:

1. Prep your eye area with translucent powder to get rid of any oil on the lid. This will help blend the shadow easily and will help it stay on.

2. Tools are essential in achieving any look. I recommend a brush for applying the shadow (flat firm brush), smudging, lining (angled), and blending (fluffy brush). The key to keeping this look from looking like a total mess is to blend your shadow! You don't want to see any harsh lines. Use a back and forth motion with your brush to blend. If you're not quite handy with a brush use a Q-tip to blend and smudge.

3. To keep your shadow from melting away by the end of the day, apply an eye base (cream-to-powder, water resistant) before applying any shadow. Many brands carry eye bases; search and try one that works for you.

4. You can use any colour to achieve a smoky eye; black of course is the most classic form. Always follow the natural shape of your eye. Once you're a pro you can play around and alter your eye shape. Working from lash line to crease is the easiest way. Concentrate most of the colour on the outer part of the eye. For a subtle smoky eye, swipe on eye for a wash of colour until you've reached the desired look. To up the amp, I like to mix eye khols or cream shadows with powder shadows. It intensifies the colour and makes it last longer. If you're a novice, try swiping on an eye khol from lash line to crease and smudge with a Q-tip.

5. A smoky eye can be messy. If you have some fall-off under your eyes, swipe it off with a brush or save your foundation/concealer for last.

6. Pair this look with a neutral blush and lips.

Practice makes perfect! Find a look from a magazine for example and copy it until you've perfected it. Have fun with it - after all makeup does wash off! Look out for my blog on Hype1 where I'll be posting a step-by-step guideline for a smoky eye! :cheers:( Makeup Junkie - 06 Aug 2007)

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