This is just a quick summary of some various ideas about makeup.

Powders, creams or lotions?
If your skin is oily, work more with powders than creams or lotions.

If your skin is dry, work more with lotions or creams. Use powder sparingly because it might not soften.

Soften the top step Usually not necessary for oily skin.
For drier skin:
Just as foiling is a concept for eye makeup, dampening the face after applying product softens the edges, mutes a powdery look making it appear more like skin, not makeup.

Damp, not wet.

A damp sea sponge offers a bit more control than spritzing with a product that might not be as even.

Dark recedes; Light or bright brings forward
This concept works for every part of your face: eyes, cheeks, nose...

You want to lift, not drag down.

Contouring the face
Use the concept Dark recedes; Light or bright brings forward to your advantage.

If you are very fair, like me, contouring might tend to look like dirt on the face. It is more subtle to use bronzer (matte in hollow of cheeks) (with some glimmer along edges of face) or a slightly darker shade of powder in those areas.

Contouring can be done with very defined edges, as Oprah's face is contoured. You can examine her cover pictures to see how contouring is laid out, because it is defined enough that you can see it. This looks good for magazine shoots and TV, but too made up for RL unless you are a star.

More subtle: follow the outlines, but with less difference in tonality.

Highlighting the face
Highlight wherever light would touch your face (the high points) and up the center of your face to draw the eye. This can be done with powder, creams or lotions.

Go for a mix of these two ideas
In general, whatever is under your top layer, looks like your skin
This creates an optical illusion that looks like your skin.
Most people are not aware of this concept or how well it works.

Use a cream or powder blush and highlighter/contouring under your last step (powder or mineral.)

If you are using a cream or liquid foundation, use a cream or liquid blush under your finishing powder. If you try to use a powder blush at this point, it will most likely grab and not go on even. Cream or lotion works better.

OTOH, if you are using minerals in a powder form, you can use cream, liquid or powder in this step, then finish with your sheer setting powder.

Whatever is on top of your last step, looks like makeup, not your skin
Putting some color under your last step, means you can use less in this step. Therefore, while you have color, you look less made up.

Highlight or contour with powders or minerals at this point. Use a cream or lotion, if you have drier skin.

Blush can be powders, minerals or creams depending on the look you are going for and what your skin type is.

Lips
Highlight just above the dip in your upper lip to draw the eye to your lips.

If one lip is smaller than the other and you would like to balance them more, line just outside the smaller lip line with pencil. Be sure to fill in the whole lip with pencil so it holds better and doesn't just leave you with an outline. This can match your lipstick or match your lip line. Experiment with how far outside you can go and still have it look natural.

Contour the lips to make them look fuller by using darker shades at the outer edges or highlighting the center of the lips with gloss or something that glimmers.

Nose
To slim a nose: use deeper color on sides than top; use a slightly lighter color along ridge of nose.
Nose too long: This sometimes happens with aging. Use deeper color on tip.

Chin
Use the same theory as for the nose. If your chin is too prominent, use a little contour.

Cheeks
You are looking to make high cheek bones, rosy cheeks, and slim hollows.

Use light and bright along apples of cheeks and above.

Use deeper in contours of the cheeks, if you wish to try contouring, to slim the hollows.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-17 10:16:52.

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This is Wednesday's FOTD. I wanted to wear blue on my eyes yesterday, and Mary Kay has had some gorgeous ones. This is a blast from the past because all of the colors are discontinued except the new mineral one.

I think blues, grays, greens, purples, blacks, and some browns all look good on brown eyes. Those of us with brown eyes can wear the widest array of colors on our eyes with the possible except of wearing browns which might just deaden our look, if it isn't the right tone for our particular skin tone and eyes.

I haven't been able to figure out why Arbonne does not have any blue eye shadows, except for the navy. I want some blues!

Eyes: Mary Kay except where noted
These colors are some of my favorites. I bought duplicates at the time, which I have yet to dip into. I find now that they are a little bit more matte than I prefer, so using the QP underneath it gives the glow I like.
Base: Nude Frost, then BE Queen Phyllis
Lids: Cloud + tiny bit of newer mineral color
Drylined: Blue Smoke + Bluebonnet (from Bluebonnet/Hickory duo)
Tight Lined top and Wetlined lower: Tidal Wave I love, love, love this color!

Lips Maybelline 465

Arbonne blush
Mary Kay Highlight up the center of my face

What do you think?
I had a super busy day yesterday, and I never had to give my makeup a moment's thought. It kept up with me all day and stayed perfect.

Do you wear blue shadows?
Send me your FOTD photo, and I will post it.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don't steal my posts -- you know who you are

Originally posted 2009-08-27 08:32:46.

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I wanted something fast and easy -- which, of course, never quite ends as expected.

Eyes: nearly all Avon
Base: Avon Lilac Glace
Crease and outer corners: Avon Mark I-Sheer Fondue -- This is a beautiful, deep green. It's hard to get this even on my light skin; I used a bit of water to smooth it out -- I'd rather it be perfect, but hey! it's summer...and unless my eyes are closed, it looks fine...I usually use it for liner.
Wetlined lower: Lancome Ice Princess, pencil, discontinued -- one of my favorite colors, is a shadow and that's how I usually use it.
Lined upper: Avon Mark Mini Marina pencil
Mascara: Arbonne 2 step
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Concealer: YSL Touch Eclat

Face:
Primer: Arbonne -- this has the consistency of SCA's Wrinkle Filament, which is more apricot in color -- Arbonne is a bit smoother in feel, less thick
Foundation: Chanel -- still going strong!
Blush under powder: Chanel stick, discontinued
Powder: my sparkly mix, followed by SCA's hyaluronic
Blush over powder: Lancome Petticoat Pink, cream -- love this color!

Lips:
Arbonne Tickled + Too Faced Make Nice, smooshed; rimmed with Avon Mark Mini Pink pencil
This gives the effect of pencil lining, but is softer.

Arbonne update:
I used the mask this morning. I've been using the lift product every day, especially around my eyes. So far, so good!

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-04 12:14:00.

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Holding back the hands of time seems like a full time job after a while! Well, not really, but still...

How does one get or maintain beautiful skin?
The long and the short of it is: prevent, solve, and maintain.

Does it really matter what you use or do?
How much is genetic?
Those are the million dollar questions. And companies are banking on the answer in research and development.

The answer is both. But with all the products on the market targeted to specific areas of skin, there is a product to solve nearly every skin situation from acne to dryness, even to wrinkles and sagging.

That said, my mother-in-law who had beautiful skin used only Jergens original hand lotion on her face for years. Then she stopped for some reason, perhaps because it was harder to find.

I'd be afraid to do that. I've used specific products from the time I was about 18. Some of them I am still using. The rest I try, rotate, return or rebuy.

Try some new products
Everyone finds products that work for them at a price they are willing to pay and can afford. But if you are still using what you've used for 10 years, you might consider trying some of the newer products available as some of them are cutting edge. Don't discount trying products from companies such as Olay or Avon, both of which have some good, and sometimes very good, skin care.

Add a serum, if you have not used one -- or consider a different one.

I think our skin gets used to a product and it ceases to work as well -- or it has reached its optimum level. Switching products will sometimes jumpstart the skin.

How can you get past the hype?
How much can you believe when images are photoshopped?
Good questions. Dunno. Try them for yourself; listen to your friends, if they have tried them; read blogs such as this one; check out reviews online at MUA or other places.

What about all the claims?
Frankly, to me, most of the claims sound the same. Large percentages see improved moisturization, lessening of wrinkles, smoother texture, brighter look... I always wonder if they are taking someone who has never done anything -- or if they are taking someone like me who has kept abreast of the products. It stands to reason that there will be greater results on a person who has neglected their skin than someone who has cared for it.

What do you do for your skin?
What are your specific concerns?
Is there something you would like me to discuss?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-30 08:23:38.

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Estee Lauder
Re-Nutriv
These might be excellent serums, but you couldn't prove it by me. I prefer EL Perfectionist [CP+]. I have been told at least one of these serums is made to replace and include Perfectionist and Idealist (and possibly Night Repair.) For myself, I prefer to use individual serums depending on what my skin seems to need. Plus often gwp include small sample sizes of these individual serums so you can get a pretty good feel for how one of them works for you.

Intensive Lifting Serum $180

...continuous repair linked to continuous protection...a visible smoothing of lines...skin becomes silky-young to the touch...helps skin increase its own collagen production.

Ultimate Lifting Serum $200

Immediately creates a more lifted feeling. With continued use, exclusive OGG1 technology helps skin reduce the look of past UVA damage. Powerful boosters help skin increase
its own natural collagen production.

Use it faithfully for skin that looks more lifted, firmer, more defined and younger.

Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum $125 for 3.4 oz or $80 for 1.7 oz or $55 for 1 oz.
This one seems to do it all -- it lifts and fills in. Peptides™ begin to amplify collagen production in just 2 hours based on in vitro testing. When I apply it to the back of my hand, I see and feel immediate results. I figure it is doing the same on my face. I never go past an EL counter without putting some on the back of my hands.

Here's what EL says:

It’s our most effective wrinkle fighter ever.
Wrinkles appear significantly reduced instantly and all day long.

See a dramatic 61% reduction in the look of deep, prominent wrinkles in as fast as 4 weeks.

[It] reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots...Instantly skin looks less lined.

* See a 36% reduction in the apparent length, depth and number of lines and wrinkles.
* Fills in and visibly immobilizes wrinkles with a flexible elastomer.
* Skin looks brighter, fresher, more lineless.

Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Estee Lauder says:

Virtually poreless.
* Pores appear 1/3 smaller—instantly.
* See a 69% reduction in the look of pores in just 4 weeks.
* Repairs the look of uneven skin texture,flakiness and roughness.
* See more clarity and luminosity.

Advanced Night Repair
Synchronized Recovery Complex
This won 'Best Serum' Beauty Awards 2009 Fitness Magazine, October 2009. It contains Hyaluronic Acid. I use this when I need a moisture boost. I also use it in the daytime.

This comprehensive, high-performance anti-aging serum-inspired by groundbreaking DNA research-brings your skin a dramatic reduction in the visible signs of aging.

This advanced formula-with 20 patents worldwide-includes all the benefits you love about the original, plus more to help your skin repair itself like never before:

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-28 19:47:47.

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I received REversing Gelee Transforming Lift in my order -- it comes free if you order the full size skin care set. (A $45.50 savings!) I do love the way my skin looks in the week that I've starting using the Arbonne products.

I've used this RG now 3 times -- yesterday morning and evening and this morning.

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, wheat germ and pea extracts.

I can see a difference, can you?

Method of application:
Apply after cleansing and toner. Wait 2-3 minutes before adding moisturizer or night cream.

How it works
It feels as though it tightens and lifts. In a way, it feels like a mask, but you don't wash it off. I'm not 100% sure if it is a preventative and curative product (I think it is) or if it only is a cosmetic effect. The effect is that my skin looks tighter.

My take

If you notice the woman's eyes, I have a little of that going on. I feel that eye is lots better after one day. I also thought I could add a bit more of the lift during the day, if I wanted it to be refreshed again.

I also find my eyes look worse when I'm traveling, even when I use my own pillow, which I do. I'm not sure if that travel-look is because of different time zones or more salt in my diet, but I feel this product would alleviate that too.

So far, all the products I've tried have done what they said they would, unlike the products I've tried before. So, I expect this one to, also.

In a month, I'll compare pictures side by side.

What do you think?
Do you use this one?

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, just let me know and I will put her in touch.

Karin

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