Philadelphia's FIRST Fashion Week 10/09

Whata fun and exciting experience to be a part of! It was held at the 23rd Street Armory. I was able to work with some of the most amazing makeup artists and hairdressers. The models were professional and super to work with. Kudos to Kristie Bergey (KB Experience), Michael Anderer and Charlie Smith for their outstanding vision and creativity. Check them out at philadelphiafashionweek.org. The designers that attended the three days were incredible. I have included some pictures (a bit blurry, sorry!) for you to enjoy. Don't miss it in 2010!!

Sultry Eyes Made Easy

Well who doesn't want Sultry Eyes!? It's easy, fun and beautiful. Start with your face foundation set so that when you begin to do your eyes it blends with the even tones of your skin. Keep in mind that you have to Prime/Set your eyes. What that means is to even out the skin on your eye lid with either some foundation or an eye concealer. Then you lightly dust your lids with loose powder so it does not crease. What this does is allow the eyeshadow to adhere and be true in color. Otherwise the redness/darkness of your eye lids alter the eyeshadow color. Ready to make your eyes sexy, here goes:

1. Start with lining your eyes with a waterproof eyeliner (shades of brown, blue, black). Stay close to the lashes and focus mostly on the outer "v" of the eye, extend slightly beyond the outer corner for some extra lift and glam.

2. Fill in brow with pencil/powder and give definition. Smudge so it's natural looking.

3. Cover lid to brow bone with your lightest bright shade (like vanilla, rose, sheer gold).

4. Take your medium/dark shade and apply with a fuller eyeshadow brush, use wiper motion in the crease of eye and over upper lid liner. Again focus on that "v" shape that extends just a little outside the outer corner. Lightly dust liner with darker shadow under lower lid for staying power. blend blend blend

5. I LOVE lash primer. It makes your lashes look so long. Apply primer then about two coats of black mascara. Gorgeous!

6. For that little extra glam and pop, apply a glittery shadow on the center of the lid with your finger tip or wide shadow brush. That's one of my favorite final touches!

Ok, do it and let me know! Send me a picture. I know you can do it!! Have fun!

It's Prom Time!

I remember my Prom! He was so cute and I was AMAZING!! Yeah, it was a long time ago, but the feelings are the same... will I be the MOST GORGEOUS girl there!!! Ugh, I agonized over every detail. But it really comes down to some basic things. First, being comfortable in your dress because then you're confident. Second, not only are your shoes fabulous, but also are they comfortable - it's NOT cute running around without shoes on because your feet are burning in pain. Trust me, take your time to find beauty and comfort - it's worth the time and dime!

THEN, is your face glowing and not because you have glitter all over it! First, my girlfriend advice to you...

1. Be prepared. Have everything laid out. The night before, get a good night's rest. Drink lots of water. Pamper yourself. If you're going to Fake Bake, do it the day BEFORE! No tanning beds, it's terrible for your skin. There are tons of great lotions and sprays available now.
2. Pamper yourself AGAIN on the day of your prom, avoid stress. Do something that day that makes you happy. No one likes a grumpy date!
3. Now the makeup. I always suggest hiring a makeup artist. It allows you to relax and be taken care of. You will be picture perfect and your look will last all night. It's worth it. It's your special day! Your dad will pay for it : )

If you decide to do it yourself, practice at least once before. This way you have the products and practice you need. Not to mention it's so much fun. But here's some makeup tips:

1. Gently exfoliate your skin and lips. Apply a light moisturizer and sunscreen.
2. Conceal areas on your face that need it. Usually, around the nose, mouth, eyes and lightly over any scars maybe due to acne. Your concealer should be a shade lighter then your foundation.
3. Apply a sheer foundation starting in the T Zone (nose & forehead), and blend outward. This avoids that yucky makeup line around the face. Blend blend blend...
4. Set your makeup by brushing loose powder over your face. Even a big puff with powder is a great way to set your foundation and concealer. This is important, don't skip it. Blend down your neck and dust your shoulders.

Next choose what you want to focus on, eyes or lips. Not both. Which makes you the happiest to do? It changes for me, sometimes I want to show off my lips and be pouty. Other times, I want sultry sexy eyes and soft wet lips.

My next blog will be Eyes and Lips! I have some color combinations for you to think about. You'll love it!

How long should you keep your products?

I get this question all the time. A few basic rules I follow: if it smells funny, toss it! and if I never use it, toss it! However, I know there are "beauty standards" we should follow, so here goes.

• Foundation: toss after 6 months if you haven't used it all up already. It can collect germs and separate - not good for your face.
• Concealer: it gets yucky after 6-8 months.
• Powder (eyeshadow, blush, pressed powder): it's still pretty good for up to 2 years. Cream shadows/blush can get dry and crack, toss them once that starts to happen.
• Mascara: well I can't live w/o this so mine is gone in less then 3 months - but that's the rule. Toss after 3 months because it gets bacteria, especially if you're addicted to pumping it. Take care of your pretty eyes!
• Lip gloss/Lipstick: about one year. Do a smell check.
• Eye/Lip Pencil: if you're sharpening them every time, they last longer and are less prone to bacteria (up to one year). For the others, do a smell check within the year.
• Facial Toners/Cleansers/Moisturizers: 6 months to one year.
• Nail Polish: they separate pretty easily and get unmanageable, so 2 years is really the most.
• Brushes: bacteria can grow in brushes so wash them every 4-6 months in a mild shampoo. If you take care of them, your brushes can last a long time.

Nowadays, many products have a symbol (a jar w/open lid and number in months) on them that tells you their preferred shelf life. More or less, stick to it). Also, many products are now combined with Retinol, Sunscreens and other Anti-wrinkle potions, be mindful to keep these products in a cool place because heat/sun affects the effectiveness of the product as well as it's shelf life.

If you're like me, I bet you have a drawer full of makeup goodies you have collected and swear you're gonna use 'em someday (like those jeans that are two sizes smaller) - but on those boring days of life, I just love to play in my makeup drawer, rediscover products and either save or toss. What is possibly funner then realizing it's time to buy myself something new and fabulous?!! Try it and enjoy!!

What I plan to do for you

I plan to make the experience of beauty fun, sensual and easy. I have so many ideas like, sharing my favorite products and why, how to make the most of what you have in your makeup bag, what products you should not live without and I'm going to post articles that you can easily read and take with you to the store!

I'm going to share links to my favorite beautifying people, like photographers and Life Coaches. Post videos with techniques and testimonials. Share books to read and yummy foods to eat so that your skin and your soul glow.

Being beautiful is a journey. It changes with every season of your life. It takes encouragement to embrace that idea because, men and women alike, all we want is to stay young and beautiful. And the truth is, you can. I promise.

I'm finally Blogging!

As my mother-in-law says "If enough people call you a horse, it's time to buy a saddle". Well, for me it's been "Theresa do you blog?", "T' do you write articles?", "video?", "how to's", "do you have a favorite beauty book?"... I surrender. Here they are!

I love makeup. I absolutely love helping women become a more beautiful and confident version of themselves with makeup. The beauty of makeup is that it's temporary. You can be beautiful with a tinted moisturizer and lip gloss to go to the gym or you can become this glamorous vixen for a hot date. Makeup covers a multitude of flaws and it's easy. I promise.

Let me, help you, become a more beautiful version of yourself with ease.