Rediscovering Your Makeup Mojo

Do you wear the same style of makeup every single day? Are you tired with the same old results? Feel like you need a change?

It sounds as though you are stuck in a makeup rut! However, do not despair – all is not lost!

It is surprisingly simple to update your makeup style. You may not even need to purchase any new products. Most women have in their possession a plethora of products they never use, but could be making the most of!

One of the easiest methods of updating your makeup look is using colour. This is particularly if you always wear neutrals.

It is a terrible shame that many people are too nervous to wear colourful makeup and never venture any further than brown. There is nothing wrong with brown, but we needn’t be limited to it. The secret to success is in the tone used and the placement of colour. With bright or vivid colour, usually only a very little amount is needed to achieve wonderful effects.

If you are too nervous to wear strong colour, try applying a light coat of colour for a subtle hint. When choosing colours for your face, either on lips, eyes or cheeks, consider that attention is always drawn to the coloured area. To play it safe, use one or two pure colours to create your focal point and keep other tints softer to create balance.

If you are interested in trying out new colours but cannot quite make the leap into neon in one go, try teaming up a hint of colour with neutrals. A small feature of colour is often enough of a change without the risk of going into shock! You can increase colour use slowly if desired. In addition, you can tone new colours down by applying only a hint and blending them with trusty old neutrals or pearls. Brightly coloured lip glosses work well, as they provide only a hint of colour. Brown looks great teamed up with pink, turquoise, green, mauve, violet, silver and gold. Beige goes well with blue, silver, olive, mint, bronze, gold and peach.

If you love a particular colour in your makeup palette but struggle to wear it, try wearing a different hue/tone of that colour. For example, if you simply adore heritage green, but feel that is doesn’t suit you, try a pine, jade or even sea green. These colours still fit in the green colour family, but may vary enough to suit you better. There is a tone to suit you!

If you dislike using colour in your makeup and you would rather stick with neutral tones, you may want to experiment with different textures, such as using mattes and shimmers together for a different look. Mixing texture in makeup creates interest and adds dimension. Consider adding some shimmery eyelids and some glossy lips to a matte foundation and cheeks, to lift a tired and dull makeup look.

In addition, using contouring will define your features and add interest. You can opt for tones of peach if you are looking for something different to brown.

Don’t be afraid to experiment – remember, makeup is not permanent and if you are unhappy with the results, you can always wash it off! All the best with updating your makeup style!

Reflections: Shimmery Makeup

Everyone desires a healthy glow to their skin, in particular for the summer months. A soft, smooth and glowing complexion provides the picture of health and is such a refreshing change from the dull and dry skin many of us tolerate during winter.

Shimmery makeup, done successfully, is the perfect way to add a summer glow to our complexion. Applied badly, the results tend to make the skin appear blotchy and uneven. Over-wearing shimmer or frosty makeup can age the skin considerably, as opposed to creating the desired youthful appearance. There is a very fine line between success and failure when wearing shimmery makeup. What is a girl to do?

Firstly, one requires an understanding of what shimmer is and what it is designed to achieve. Shimmer products include liquid, crème, powder and stick varieties of highlighters, illuminisers, bronzers, dusts etc. Basically, shimmery makeup is meant to highlight, as it reflects light. Hence, it is best used only on features which the wearer wishes to bring forward. This frosty texture is designed to be applied as a feature only and kept to a minimum. Keep in mind that shimmer has a great impact on the face, even with a small amount used; applying too much can create glare and make the skin appear greasy. As it can draw attention to imperfections in the skin, avoid using shimmer or frost near crows feet or too much beneath the eyes. Perfect places to wear shimmery makeup are on the brow bone, eyelid, cheekbones and the lips.

Mixing texture in makeup creates interest and adds dimension. It is best to mix shimmer with matte and/or dewy textures, to create a healthy balance between the facial features. Doing so will avoid the makeup appearing too dull and also avoid overkill of shine. Consider, as a rule, adding shimmer to a maximum of two features; using only a hint on each feature. Some examples of scenarios mixing textures are below:

Dewy foundation – matte eyes with shimmer on eyelids only – matte blush with shimmer on cheekbones only – matte lips

Matte foundation – matte cheek colour – matte eyes with shimmer on eyelids & brow bone only – glossy lips

Bronzer – matte cheeks – matte eyes – glossy lips

If you are still a little apprehensive about using shimmer, sift through some fashion magazines and choose examples of shimmery makeup that you like. Then you can attempt to imitate them. Remember, practice makes perfect and before you know it, you will be gliding through summer as the shimmer queen!

Makeup for Men - Mandate or Myth?

In recent times, a new trend has emerged within the field of cosmetics – makeup for men. Cosmetics manufacturers are pouncing on the bandwagon at an alarming rate; producing makeup ranges specifically targeted at males.

This increasing trend has sparked many a heated discussion. The debate continues – is makeup for men a mere marketing ploy, a passing phase or a long-awaited gift to a needy market?

Whilst makeup marketed especially for men is a relatively new concept, the use of makeup for men is not. With the introduction of film in Hollywood, came the requirement for male actors to wear makeup. In the 1940’s, Max Factor provided US Marine Corps with camouflage makeup for use in combat.

In many cultures, for centuries, it has been quite the norm for men to adorn themselves with some form of makeup, for various reasons.

Male personalities in film, fashion and television wear makeup every day and have done so since film began. With the introduction of digital technology, the requirement for makeup is now stronger, as the picture clarity is much higher. Imperfections that would not have been picked up with analogue television are much more noticeable on the digital screen.

This is generally well-received in society, purely because the makeup is applied for wear on camera.

However, makeup for men is growing in popularity and traveling much further than the television or film studio.

Nowadays it is not uncommon for men to have makeup applied for photographs, for various reasons. This can be within the entertainment industry i.e. headshots for entertainers, or photographic shoots for editorial, fashion, or even the family portrait. Popularity is also increasing in bridal makeup for the groom, or makeup for businessmen having professional photographs taken. Men wish to achieve professional, flawless-looking photographs and makeup application can help them to do so. This trend is largely due to society’s requirement for perfection in women and men.

In all these instances, the makeup applied is a straight makeup, designed to create the appearance of a healthy, flawless complexion. The use of this makeup is imperative to obtaining the desired results of perfect skin for photography; in particular, digital photography.

Many men may struggle with the idea of wearing makeup, but a little concealer and powder can do wonders to a man’s appearance, covering blemishes and dark circles. The end result is still masculine, leaving a natural-looking impression.

Rugged men who think little of their appearance are a dying breed. With a growing demand for perfection, men are now under pressure to place as much priority on their appearance as women do. Whilst this is a very sad fact, it is a marketing haven for cosmetic manufacturers!

Though I believe we are yet a long way from the everyday man wearing makeup every day to their nine-to-five job, makeup for men is a growing trend and I think it may be here to stay.

As a makeup artist, I may be a little biased, but personally I do not see anything wrong with a man wearing a straight makeup if required, as long as it is well applied and appears natural. Straight makeup on men is not designed to be detectable! There is one point to remember, however. Makeup is not designed simply to cover imperfections, but to enhance what is already there. Go for it guys!

Product Review: NP "Something Wild" Powder Duo

Cheek Colour is, sadly, often an under-used and under-estimated part of makeup application. Perhaps this is due to a lack of understanding on the importance blush holds. Or, it could be attributed to a distinct lack of know-how.

Either way, blush is a very important step of applying makeup and really should not be overlooked; though it very often is.

Whilst I place less priority on the quality of cheek colour than I do other products, quality certainly does beat quantity. A quality cheek colour will do wonders for adding warmth, depth and dimension to your face when well-applied.

Napoleon Perdis have released a cheek colour duo - the "Something Wild Powder Duo". This compact of two cheek colours is a quality product.

Firstly, the packaging is sturdy, holding a generously-sized portion of product, without being too bulky for your favourite handbag. In addition, it is so very pretty, with a tiger-print on the top of the case in silver and black and a mirror on the inside lid. The compact contains a brush for your convenience. For those who do not already have their own set of makeup brushes, this brush is quite good quality; being soft, flexible, well-shaped and a generous size for blush application.

In the powder duo, the darker powder is for wear beneath the cheekbones, used to contour the cheek hollows. The lighter powder shade is perfect for use as a highlighter on the cheek bones. The powder is highly pigmented, so very little product is required to achieve your desired effect. It flows on easily, blends well and is long-lasting. The duo allows for soft or high-impact contouring as you desire, beneath and on the cheekbones, for both matte and irridescent finishes.

The colours in the Something Wild Powder Duo are perfect fashion colours for this season and will suit almost any skin tone. And the best thing? They double up as eyeshadow, saving you time and money!

Blue Moon: Wearing Blue Eyeshadow

Blue eyeshadow has a rather large stigma attached to it, due to the ultra-bright neon blues of the eighties. But wearing blue eyeshadow need not be a challenge, nor a disaster!
Pure blue is a very powerful colour and so it terrifies most people out of wearing it in their makeup. But you are not limited to wearing a strong hue of blue. There are many shades and tints available, in an array of textures, to achieve any look you require. Think sky blue, ice blue, navy, indigo, midnight blue and even turquoise.
Unsure of which shade of blue to try and where to begin? If you are not accustomed to wearing colour on your eyes, or bright colour, it may be a good idea to begin with subtle hints at first. You can start by wearing neutral shades of eyeshadow over most of the eye and applying only a small amount of blue, in only one area. An irridescent, pearly eyeshadow can be mixed with any shade of blue to create a light, shimmery effect with subtle colour. Or, a neutral eyeshadow such as beige or taupe can be mixed with any blue to tone it down a little.
Perhaps you could begin by choosing an eyeshadow in a very light shade of blue, such as an ice blue. By mixing this with a pearly, shimmery eyeshadow, it can then be applied to only the lower eyelids, blending well for a soft wash of pale blue. Or, if you prefer deeper shades of matte eyeshadow, you could opt for an eyeshadow in a tone such as inidigo or navy. Apply it only to the outer corners of the eye, teaming it up with beige or mushroom on the entire lid, blending well. This serves the purpose of elongating and contouring the eye whilst adding soft colour also.
Still don't know which shade to apply? Many experts will tout rules and regulations on which shades will suit which skin tones, hair colour or eye colour. As experts usually differ in their opinions, these rules can be very confusing indeed. Most of these are pure myth anyway! Examples include "blondes cannot wear blue eyeshadow" or "blue eyes cannot wear blue/must only wear only blue". It is usually better to follow your own preferences. Through trial and error, trying different shades of blue eyeshadow, you will find your own likes/dislikes and be able to make your own decisions, rather than be limited by others' often biased opinions.
However, different shades of blue will create different effects with your eye colour. For more impact, choose a shade brighter or deeper than your eye colour. For a softer effect, wear a shade of eyeshadow closer to your eye colour. Examples are below:
For more impact on light blue or green eyes, wear blues such as navy, indigo, turquoise and royal blue. For less impact, try ice blue, aqua or sky blue. Dark blue and brown eyes pop with blues like aqua, electric blue or ice blue, but a soft effect can be created with navy or indigo.
Remembering that blue can be a very powerful colour, it will draw attention to the eyes when worn in eyeshadow. Hence it is best to team this up with softer cheeks & lips to create balance in your makeup. Wear only what you feel comfortable wearing and build colour up slowly, to avoid overdoing it.
You needn't be afraid to wear blue eyeshadow, with so much range available. No matter what your skin tone, hair colour or eye colour, age or ethnicity, there is a perfect shade of blue out there for you - you just need to find it!

Makeup Mandate or Myth?

MYTH: apply makeup in natural light FACT

Natural light is the most unforgiving and also the strongest light available, making it perfect for applying makeup. You will achieve different results from applying makeup next to an open window in a well-lit room than you will in a room with tungsten lighting.

MYTH: use products from one brand or line only FALSE

You can mix and match brands and lines of makeup products very successfully. This myth would certainly have been begun by a cosmetics manufacturer!

MYTH: blend everything FACT


Well–applied makeup is well-blended makeup. Even strong lines require subtle blending to some degree.

MYTH: less is more FALSE


Less is less. More is more. The terms more and less are relative. Wear whatever is ‘more’ for you, rather than letting someone else dictate that for you.

MYTH: do not mix products FALSE


Feel free to mix anything you like. Lipstick can be mixed with lip gloss, moisturiser or primer can be mixed with foundation etc.

MYTH: cheap products mean cheap results FALSE


Quality in makeup rarely comes cheap, but cheap is relative. Even the most economical products can give great-looking results if they are well-applied, so you need not burn a hole in your pocket. Your budget will determine what you purchase and what your priorities are.

MYTH: makeup is for women only FALSE


Men can definitely wear makeup and the trend for them to do so is growing, as society’s demand for perfection increases. Some manufacturers are designing unisex ranges or ranges specifically for men.

MYTH: all makeup brands are the same FALSE


The difference in products is just as large as the vast range of brands available. Trial and error is the best way to discover what works for you, as each person’s requirements and preferences are very different.

MYTH: never blot your makeup FALSE


Blotting will remove excess oil, preserving the life of the makeup and controlling shine. Not doing so could result in a patchy finish to your foundation. Therefore, it is recommended to blot after applying foundation and before applying face powder.

These tips are an extract from the first chapter of Cassandra's second Makeup Ebook MAKEUP MANDATE OR MYTH? To purchase this book, visit http://cassandraraeferguson.com.au.

Product Review: Empassion Natural Night Cream

After years of using cosmetics available on the supermarket shelves, we are now learning that most of the cosmetic ranges sold today are manufactured with harmful ingredients. Cosmetics are full to the brim with ingredients that are dangerous to our health and wellbeing. These are the very cosmetics we have thought to be beneficial to our bodies!
Chemicals used include Formaldehyde, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Dimethicone.

Some of these are suspected carcinogens; believed to cause cancer. Others clog the pores or coat the skin, causing skin disorders and many allergic reactions. The same products which manufacturers claim are smoothing out wrinkles can actually speed up the ageing process!

We are assured by experts that these chemicals are pefectly safe to use in small doses; therefore cosmetics do not pose a health risk. I simply do not believe them. These dangerous ingredients exist is everything we apply to our hair, skin and teeth. How can they possibly be safe when we use them every day over our entire bodies?

Following my research into the ingredients used in cosmetics, I decided to change over to using only natural products wherever I could. This meant a thorough search for all-natural, organic cosmetics. Finding products that claimed to be natural and actually were was no easy task! Most ranges still contain synthetic ingredients, even though the manufacturers claim they are all-natural or organic. I began my search with skin care and trialled a few ranges before finding one that I simply love. This is the Empassion line of cosmetics.

I began using a few products from the Empassion range and I was very happy with the results. Empassion products are different. The range is made with natural ingredients and the products are not tested on animals, nor do they contain any animal derivatives.

My skin is naturally very dry and I prefer to use a heavier cream at night, to give my skin some deep hydration while I sleep. However, the process of finding a suitable night cream was proving quite a task. Over the years, I never found the perfect Night Cream for me. I found all those I had tried to be too heavy, leaving a greasy film over my skin. This resulted in my skin becoming red and inflamed, or in the excess oil causing blemishes. But, my search has ended with finding the Empassion Natural Night Cream.

I recently purchased the Empassion Natural Night Cream, which is designed for dry or mature skin. It is manufactured with natural oils and butters. The emollients are plant based and organic herbs provide a beautiful but subtle lavender scent. I have found that unlike other night creams, the Empassion Natural Night Cream is quickly absorbed into the skin. It has not been too heavy for my sensitive skin, leaving it soft, smooth and hydrated without becoming inflamed. The relaxing lavender scent is perfect for use at bedtime.

The entire Empassion range is simple to use and very affordable. The packaging is recyclable and purchases help to fund Empassion's worldwide projects to fight poverty. Empassion projects include building orphanages, providing food, medicine and education and providing tools to generate income. You can read about some of the Empassion projects on their website.

Also, Empassion offer a 30 Day Bottom of the Bottle Money Back Guarantee. Customers can return the products and receive a 100% refund of the purchase price.

I have been really happy with the Empassion products that I have tried. So happy, in fact, that I became affiliated with the company!

For more information on the Empassion Natural Night Cream or any other products from the Empassion range, visit their website - www.empassion.com/cassandraraeferguson.