Archive for July, 2012

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[Makeup Question] – Choosing the Right Foundation Shade (When You’re More Than One Color)

Posted in FACE, FOUNDATION, MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP QUESTIONS, MAKEUP QUESTIONS, POWDERS on July 25, 2012 by stylebymeli

MELI’S ANSWER:  

I often explain to people it’s actually more common to be multiple skin tones than to be completely even all over.  It’s especially even more common for the face to be much lighter than the rest of the body.

Ultimately, you want to choose a foundation color that best blends in with your neck so you avoid seeing a drastic contrast between the jawline as it blends into the neck.

I further want to point out that the neck is typically the fairest part of the body being that it gets the least amount of sun exposure.  I understand for many, this proposes a problem because people rather look more tan/darker especially in the summer, but there is a better way to achieve this end result which requires some creative product layering.  As previously mentioned, I find the foundation color (in the medium form of a liquid or cream) NEEDS to match the neck as closely as possible and will serve as the initial base of the makeup application.  Afterwards, you can go ahead and build the color back with powders, both your all-over finishing powder and with the help of a bronzer.  With finishing powder, I usually go up at least a shade or oftentimes a few shades darker to add warmth and give color back to the skin (to more closely match the body if the body is more tan).  It’s okay to do this with a POWDER because powders are much more forgiving in terms of the consistency and product payoff (less concentrated in pigmentation than a liquid or cream product).

I always highly recommend seeking a makeup professional to find the best foundation match and ask them to apply it to the entire face (or simply ask to take home a sample of the foundation so you can test it out yourself).  This not only is the best way to see what it looks in terms of whether the shade matches or not, but also give you a feel for the product itself.

Keep in mind that a foundation may match perfectly but may not be your “perfect” foundation if you find the coverage doesn’t suit your needs or you don’t like the overall finish it leaves your skin.  It is for this reason that I always advise testing out a foundation on the entire face, rather than just a swatch.  

[Do you have any tips to share on choosing the right foundation?]

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[My Thoughts on...] – BB Creams…Along with What They Are and What They Do

Posted in FACE, FACE PRIMER, FOUNDATION, MAKE-UP, MELI'S THOUGHTS ON..., SKINCARE, TINTED MOISTURIZERS with tags , , on July 23, 2012 by stylebymeli

I feel as though BB creams are not only popping up everywhere in the beauty world, but there is an incredible amount of hype regarding these miracle creams. 

For starters, many people may not be completely familiar with the term, “BB cream.”  BB cream stands for “beauty balm” or I have also seen them referred to as a “blemish balm.”  They originated in Asia and have been around for quite sometime, but are just making its way into Western markets.  

In terms of its purpose, it is considered to be an all-in-one cosmetic product that serves as a moisturizer, primer, foundation, sunblock, and skin smoother.  Depending on the brand, these skin boosting elements can vary, but essentially each BB cream is designed to achieve many great things with just one step, one product.  Ahh, sounds like a dream come true!

[Beauty Confession]:  Personally, I have yet to invest in a BB cream.    

Is it something I will be likely to do in the future?  Perhaps.  I do like the idea of having an all-in-one product for days that I have about two minutes to apply face makeup and run out the door.

However, at the end of the day, I don’t like to cut corners when it comes to makeup application.  I just don’t like the idea of using one product for the whole face because the face is too intricate and each surface area has different needs.  Keep in mind, I use two brushes just to apply my foundation and layer a few skin products before I even get to the foundation.

Also keep in mind that as an artist, I always strive for visual perfection and my standards for “perfection” are much greater than the everyday person.  While some strive for convenience and a quick one-step process, I’m most concerned with the overall visual end result.  I just don’t feel a BB cream can create this visual perfection on its very own.

I always like to share this analogy: “Do you prefer using a shampoo conditioner OR a separate shampoo with a separate conditioner?”  So far, 100% of the time, people have always responded that they rather use separate products.  Why?  It’s more effective that way.  This is how I feel regarding BB creams.  The concept behind them are great but at the end of the day, I have no problem using as many as ten separate products for the face knowing that it will not only work more effectively but also visually make the most impact.

[Do you use BB creams? If so, which brand would you recommend?]

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Project Runway Season 10 – Episode 1 Runway Review – The Companion Piece Challenge

Posted in FASHION, PROJECT RUNWAY, Uncategorized with tags , , on July 19, 2012 by stylebymeli

Another season of Project Runway kicked off in Times Square and we’re now in the tenth season.  I’ve been loyally following the show since season two and been hooked ever since!  It’s refreshing to see a new set of designers and based on what I’ve seen thus far within the first episode, I’m mildly impressed with the talent that has been presented and hoping to see progression as the season unfolds.    

The Challenge:  Create a companion piece for your original look.  (Designers were able to create a first look to show who they are as a designer and given a full day with $100 budget to create a second look that compliments their first look).

Guest Judges:  Lauren Graham (actress) and Patricia Field  (costume designer and stylist)

My Runway Review:  (My brief notes taken while watching each designer’s look come down the runway in the order they walked in)

1-  Ven:  Absolutely LOVE the hot pink rose top, the construction and attention to detail is on point, sort of didn’t like the overall styling of that look but the hot pink dress compliments very nicely.  Great set!

2-  Beatrice:  NO STYLE, boring designs, ugly colors, where’s the fashion behind either of these looks???  This girl is not going to last!

3-  Lantie:  Love the lace in the first look, the second look is a disaster…bad fabric choice, bad silhouette, does nothing to enhance the model

4-  Andrea:  Bad silhouettes, boring designs, not very tasteful

5-  Christopher:  Black dress a little boring, could have used a fun color but the second look…AMAZING!  Unique, current, and well executed!  Not crazy about the red lip with this dress, the styling could have been tweaked but the dress is fabulous!

6-  Alicia:  Not my aesthetic but definitely innovative

7-  Elena:  So avant garde and mysterious, definitely caught my eye!

8-  Buffi:  Kinda trashy, lacks taste

9-  Dmitry:  OMG!  [a GOOD omg] Beautiful looks, love the modern elegance within his work!

10-  Kooan:  A little too futuristic and cartoonish for my taste but I’ll give him credit for being unique and limitless

11-  Gunnar:  Very cohesive and HOT!  Love both looks, especially the first one

12-  Nathan:  Mediocre designs, great choice of solid colors

13-  Sonjia:  Interesting pieces, great second look…edgy, chic, and fashion forward

14-  Melissa:  Not a fan of two back to back black looks, they were sharp but nothing too out of the box

15-  Raul:  Not the most tasteful/fashionable looks, execution is questionable

16-  Fabio:  Interesting to a small degree but not memorable

Christopher is the challenge winner of episode one of Project Runway season 10. This definitely was one of the more memorable looks of the evening.

My Final Thoughts:

-  Based on immediate first impressions, I’m a huge fan of Ven’s work.  He has great technical skills, a nice design aesthetic, attention to detail, and point of view in fashion.  I also really liked Dmitry, Christopher, Gunnar, and Elena.  They all had very memorable designs.

-  In terms of least favorite designers, I am not a fan of Beatrice, Alicia, Buffi, Kooan, and Andrea.  This is based on my first impressions from this episode.

-  Although I had mentioned that Ven left me the strongest first impression, based on all the designs I saw, my FAVORITE looks were designed by Dmitry.  (How did he NOT make the top 3 is beyond me!!)

Here are my favorite coupled looks of the evening designed by Dmitry. I absolutely love both designs. They were visually captivating with beautiful silhouettes and brilliant styling details. They were also wearable but managed to have that unique quality and style memorability.

-  I thought it was pretty funny how Kooan’s responses were always so gracious and he would even reply, “Thank you very much” even when completely canned by the judges!  I think his work may just be a little too out there, so I can’t see him lasting too far in the competition, although I’m intrigued with what he will come up with next!

In the middle of the episode, there was a scene in the workroom where Beatrice expressed, “Sewing is harder than I thought.”  The moment I heard her say that, I was thinking there is no way she is going to last (how are you in a fashion designing competition and can’t sew?  Hmm, not sure how she overlooked that one!) and sure enough she was the first to go!  

[On top of that, Beatrice's designs were definitely my LEAST favorite before I even heard her say that. Her designs had NO taste whatsoever, it was just a complete mess.]

[Your thoughts on the premiere episode?] 

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[Makeup Trend Focus] – Indigo/Teal Eye Makeup with Pastel Accents

Posted in BLUSH, EYE MAKEUP, EYELINER, FACE, FALSE EYE LASHES, FOUNDATION, LIPS, MAC MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP, MAKEUP TREND FOCUS, PRODUCTS I LOVE, SMOKEY EYE with tags , , , on July 16, 2012 by stylebymeli

 

I just wore this look over the weekend for my parents’ anniversary party.  Being it was for an event, I strayed away from my basic neutrals and wanted something a little more dramatic.

-  With the eyes, I started off with a light shimmery lid and then smoked out the corners with an indigo blue eye shadow.  Specifically, I’m using MAC’s “Plumage” in the corners which is the only dark blue eye shadow I even attempt wearing.  It is a warm indigo blue and compliments my skin very nicely.  As a bottom liner, I layered a thick black pencil in the lash line followed by a liquid teal liner.  I LOVE colored eye liner on the bottom, it visually makes the eyes look lighter than they really are!  

-  I wanted soft, warm cheeks and picked a pastel coral.  The coral also contrasts with the blue tinted eye makeup being that orange and blue are opposite colors on the color wheel.

-  For the lips, I never like anything too light unless there is a hint of brightness which is why I went for a light, bright baby pastel pink color.  It adds a subtle brightness to my face but not too light to the point where it washes me out.

I’m wearing my new Ardell Double Up eyelashes in the #203 style. (WOW, do they make a difference or what?!)

[Your thoughts?]

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[Outfit Post] with Cropped Denim Vest, Taupe Mini Dress, and Red Lips…A Casual Day to Night Look

Posted in DENIM, DRESSES, FASHION, JEWELRY, OUTFIT POST, SHOES on July 15, 2012 by stylebymeli

I wore this outfit this past Friday.  I wanted something casual that could work for day or night.        

About This Outfit:

[The Outfit]:  I am wearing a cropped denim top from Armani Exchange.  This is actually a bathing suit top, but I have always worn it as a regular top.  I have had this for a couple years now and thought about bringing this to Beacon’s Closet but very thankful I have held onto this piece as I have found new ways to incorporate it into my wardrobe.

The taupe dress is from Guess.  I love the fit of their clothing and know that I can always rely on Guess clothing to fit my body like a glove.

The shoes are Charles David.  They are gold with bow styling detail at front and a cork heel.  Yes, I wear these all the time, especially in the summer!

I’m wearing my gold “Meli” nameplate necklace along with stacked bracelets and a gold studded ring.

[Where to wear this outfit]:  As I mentioned, I’d wear this day or night.  Obviously, not something I’d wear during the day making a trip to the supermarket, but for work, absolutely (cause I can)!

[Stylish Notes]:

-  I always say, “if it’s nice, buy it twice.”   I love this taupe dress so much that I also own it in black!  I can’t even remember which one I bought first, but I definitely made another trip to buy it in another color.  I have had these dresses for at least two years now and still rock them like I bought them yesterday.  They are so simple in style that they never go out of style.  Another good reason why it was a good investment to buy the same dress in various colors.

-  The denim vest is also nothing new but is so versatile that it can be styled very easily.  I was getting tired of wearing the vest with a top that I decided, why not layer this over a dress?

- When wearing solid, neutral colors or anything lacking brightness, I will try to find other ways to add brightness to the final look.  In this styling scenario, I chose to do this by wearing bright, red lips.  Other options could have been wearing bright shoes, accessories, or rocking a bright handbag.

I don’t wear red lipstick as much as a I should but this is not to say I’m opposed to it. I just like to save it for rare occasions or for times I use it to accessorize a look.

[Thanks for viewing!  Thoughts?]

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