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3 Ways to Dramatically Extend the Longevity of Your Makeup

Posted in MAC MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP QUESTIONS, MAKEUP QUESTIONS, NARS on April 17, 2013 by stylebymeli

I’ve been meaning to share some advice regarding makeup and how long it should last.  People sometimes ask me how long my products last and I could never really give a concrete answer.  I recently decided to put dates on the product labels or mark on my calendar when I started a new product just so I have an idea how long they truly last me.  

(Please note:  Keep me in mind, the longevity of a product will obviously vary from person-to-person depending on how often the product is used, the product itself, how much is applied at a time, and many other situational factors).

The last time I started my last bronzer compact, I wrote the date on the bottom just to see how long it was going to last.

In case you were wondering (and you know I have nothing to hide here ;)…I hold no beauty secrets and I’m here to blog to put it all out on the table)…it took me a whopping 9 months to the exact day to go through it!  I sometimes meet women who go through bronzer like water; they replace it every month or two and I can’t help but think, how is this possible?!  This has lead me to write this article to share with you ways to extend your makeup products so you’re not running to replace it as frequently.

Invest in high quality pigments and products:  With cosmetics along with many other things in life, I believe in the basic principle, you get what you pay for.  And cosmetics is no different.  When it comes to eyeshadows, I ONLY use MAC and NARS.  I’m always open to other brands but their shadows’ pigment quality is the best I’ve seen on the market.  What does that mean exactly?  Breaking it down for makeup novices, I mean a single swipe of a highly pigmented eye shadow will GO A LONG WAY.  Whereas with other brands that are not as pigmented, you may have to apply a few layers just for the color to show up.  This is not a good thing.  That means you will go through it so much quicker because you have to apply more of it to activate it (or show up).

Less is more…[you don't need to apply a massive amount to get the product to work]:  I like to watch how others apply their makeup and the majority of the time, I can’t help but notice that people are using WAY TOO MUCH product.  There is really no need to be digging so much into a product to get it to work.  If you do, that means the cosmetic quality is poor and it’s time to upgrade and invest in better quality.  Or you just have to practice on being more “light handed” (apply with softer strokes with light pressure) vs. heavy handed.  With practice, this is an easy habit to fix and can be fixed over time!

Switch it up:  If you have the option to not wear the same exact products everyday, naturally, the products will last longer.  I’ve NEVER gone through an entire tube of the same lipstick.  May sound shocking as a makeup artist, but it truly shouldn’t because you have to keep in mind I don’t wear the exact same shade everyday.  I switch it up.  Now with bronzer, I do wear the same exact bronzer everyday (–or I should say whenever I wear makeup, hey, I’m only human and have my no makeup days too!).  It still lasted me awhile being that the pigment quality is high and I don’t use a ton of it because again, I don’t need to use a ton for it to show up!  Again, back to this original point, if you have a variety of products to choose from and not using the same exact product everyday, it will last a long time!

[Any other tips?  Any questions regarding products I use and its usage?]

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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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[Makeup Question] – Tinted Moisturizer with Face Primer…(Is it Necessary and in What Order?)

Posted in FACE, FACE PRIMER, FOUNDATION, MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP QUESTIONS, MAKEUP QUESTIONS, SKINCARE, TINTED MOISTURIZERS on June 8, 2012 by stylebymeli

MELI’S ANSWER:  This is a great question and one that I get a lot as a makeup artist.  I am also a huge fan of tinted moisturizers and wear one pretty much everyday as my form of foundation.

In terms of the face primer, YES!  Personally, I never skip a face primer.  I totally see a visual difference in the appearance of my skin when I use one versus when I don’t use it.  I realize that not everyone is a visual perfectionist like myself and may not see much of a difference, but besides making the surface of the skin look ultra smooth and flawless (by filling in lines and masking pores) prior to foundation, the face primer will also extend the longevity of your face makeup.  

Face primer is one of the few products that actually accomplishes a whole lot within one product, so I cannot even imagine life without it at this point.  It’s one quick, easy extra step and totally worth it if you take the time to wear face makeup.

Okay, the second part of this question really comes down to a personal preference (meaning there is no right or wrong answer in my professional opinion).  As I had mentioned, the tinted moisturizer is serving as my FOUNDATION.  So, I completely pretend it’s my foundation.

Meaning I still go ahead with my normal skincare regime:  serum, moisturizer, and primer.  Then afterwards, I conceal and apply the tinted moisturizer.  I know some are thinking, why are you using two moisturizers?  Isn’t that overkill?  Honestly, I don’t see the harm in using two moisturizers.  Perhaps if one has oily skin, it may be completely unnecessary to use two.  Keep in mind, I’m also using all of my skincare products very sparingly.  I may use a ton of products to create the perfect face, but when using more products, you can get away with using such a lesser amount of each product and so in the long run, the products are going to last much longer.

FYI, the first moisturizer I use usually has a high dosage of SPF and other properties to suit the needs of my skin (such as anti-blemish and anti-aging).  That’s why I do not like to skip it completely and have the tinted moisturizer replace the first moisturizer.

I do NOT believe there is such a thing as one product that is going to create the perfect face because there are so many elements to the face that need to be addressed in order to create visual perfection; however, if you are just looking for something to throw on in a minute and run out of the door, can you get away with wearing just a tinted moisturizer?  Why, of course…you can totally get away with it and I won’t stop you at the door.  I realize that everyone’s standard for how their skin looks varies, so for most everyday people that are not looking for flawlessness, just something that will kind of get the job done and within a short amount of time…then a tinted moisturizer is the best choice.

[How do you like to layer your face products?]

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[My Thoughts on...] – False Eyelash Glue: Black or Clear? Does it Truly Make a Difference?

Posted in EYE MAKEUP, EYELINER, FALSE EYE LASHES, MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP QUESTIONS, MAKEUP REMOVER, MELI'S THOUGHTS ON..., PRODUCTS I LOVE with tags , , on April 12, 2012 by stylebymeli

As a beauty blogger, I really try to discuss topics that there is limited information on and makeup questions that I’m sure people wonder about themselves.  People don’t realize that there is so much involved with makeup application, hence why I never run out of things to write about!  ;)

Moving forward to the subject of false eyelashes, I’m sure most people that are familiar with its application process know that it is applied specifically with a lash glue.  This can be purchased pretty much at any drugstore, supermarket, beauty supply store, etc.  The most famous brand is Duo, which is a safe latex adhesive and that is also waterproof.  I want to take a moment to emphasize the WATERPROOF aspect of the glue.  (To be further explained later…)

Duo false eyelash adhesive comes in both clear or black. Which is better?

Now what most people may not realize is that there are TWO variations of the false eyelash glue.  They come in both CLEAR (the most common form) and BLACK.  What this is referring to is how they dry.  Although the clear looks white when squeezed out of the tube, it will dry clear.  The black will actually look slightly grey when wet before drying black.

I have actually asked a handful of other artists for their personal opinion and it’s truly a toss-up.  Some strongly are in favor of the black glue because once dried, it looks more like a black eye liner, while others still prefer the original clear version.

MY VERDICT:  If you are given the choice, choose the CLEAR false eyelash glue.

The clear eyelash glue is MUCH BETTER in my opinion because if happen to mess up the application or the glue transfers onto the eyelid at all during the drying process, the clear will dry clear so you won’t see the mishap.

On the other hand, if you do have the same beauty mishap with the black eyelash glue, now you are stuck with a black spot and being that the product is WATERPROOF, you better believe it does more damage than good and that simply trying to wipe it with your finger, is NOT going to remove it AT ALL.  It’s pretty much stuck there unless you apply an oil based makeup remover (REMINDER: oil based makeup removers remove ALL waterproof products!  Specifically, I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT MY MAC CLEANSE OFF OIL, I actually carry the travel size in my purse EVERYDAY…it’s been a lifesaver!!!)

[Beauty Confession]:  I know from experience that the black can be a hassle to deal with because recently I decided to try the black eyelash glue again.  I had it awhile ago, but never really fell in love with it.  Recently, I saw it at a drugstore and figured, let me give this a go again.  Initially, I was liking it.  Being that the black dries black, it definitely makes the black liner look more like a sharp black line.  (Whereas with the clear glue, I like to still apply black liquid liner OVER it after it has completely dried to conceal that there is even a thin layer of glue to begin with).

One day, I noticed that the glue dried black, but a tiny spot transferred onto my inner top lid.  I was wearing a light eye shadow, so you could TOTALLY see the spot and trust me, it was NOT going anywhere!  I tried to rub it off, but it was NOT moving since it was completely dried at that point.  Totally stuck.  The only way I could have removed it is with an oil, but at that rate, that would mean I would have to re-do my eye makeup.  (Talk about a real beauty bummer, no?)

If as a makeup artist this happened to me one time, I’m sure this could truly happen to anyone.  The ONLY time, I would say it’s okay to go for the black eyelash glue is if you are wearing a DARK eyeshadow lid color.  This way if the glue happens to smudge, you don’t even notice a contrast and the black will blend in more easily and won’t nearly be as noticeable.

[Do you have a preference: black or clear?]

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Components of the Perfect Foundation – 5 Things to Always Look For

Posted in FACE, FACE PRIMER, FOUNDATION, MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP QUESTIONS with tags , on March 8, 2012 by stylebymeli

When it comes to foundation, there tends to be many areas of confusion and a lot of questions regarding how to choose one that will maximize the appearance of your skin.  Keep in mind that foundation is a very personal thing, so it will vary depending on various factors and everyone has personal preferences along with different skin types and tones.  Meaning, a product that I am in love with may not necessarily be something I would recommend to every person I know because everyone’s skin is different.

I wanted to break it down into five key components to look for when you’re on the quest for finding “the one” (in foundation terms of course)! ;)

1-  COLOR:  This for many people is exceptionally tricky.  I don’t expect the average person to have a strong enough sense of color theory to just pick up a bottle of foundation and match themselves right off the bat.  That’s what professionals (like myself) are for.  Whenever you shop for a foundation, always ask the artist that represents the line to match you to the shade they think will match best.  Keep in mind, they play with this stuff everyday, all the time so they should have a strong sense of how to match foundation.  If you are not completely confident with their recommendation, don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion.

[Beauty Confession:]  As a makeup artist, although I have the natural capability to correctly match myself to a foundation, I will ALWAYS ask to take home a sample of the product prior to actually investing in it.  I NEED to see how it will look on the entire face (not just swatching a small amount at the store because this sometimes is not accurate enough) and also test it in terms of other factors that I’m going to share below in greater detail.

2-  LONGEVITY:  This is very, very important.  If you are going to invest in the “perfect” foundation, shouldn’t it last the entire day?  Please keep in mind that the longevity of foundation is HEAVILY IMPACTED by your skin prepping choices.  Specifically, a thin layer of face primer underneath your foundation will dramatically extend the life of any foundation.  I absolutely WILL NOT apply foundation without a good face primer, (REPEAT)!  Okay, in other words, face primer is a NECESSITY if you are going to take the time to use foundation to begin with.  

Again, another reason why I recommend taking home a sample of the foundation first (besides making sure the color blends into the skin and still looks like your skin) is that you want to test its longevity.  Will it last morning to night?  If you find it doesn’t wear well throughout the day (and you are prepping the skin with a great face primer before foundation application), then you know that the foundation failed the longevity test.

3-  COVERAGE:  This component of foundation is also very situational and personal.  It’s situational as it depends on the visual needs of the skin.  Does the skin have blemishes, dark spots, and other visable skin imperfections?  If so, chances are you will opt for a foundation with maximum coverage to reduce the appearance of these skin imperfections.

It’s also very personal in the sense that everyone has a different comfort level of how much foundation they need to make them look and feel their absolute best.  I would say MOST people want their skin to look as natural as possible and don’t want to wear a ton of foundation.  However, I have met clients that like a more full coverage look even if their skin is nearly perfect to begin with.  There is NO RIGHT OR WRONG regarding this area because ultimately it’s a personal choice.

The key is finding the coverage that suits the needs of your skin and that ultimately makes you feel most comfortable in your skin.  If you’re looking for natural coverage, then ask for a SHEER formula (lightweight and not heavy).  If you’re looking for heavier coverage, then ask for a FULL COVERAGE formula (texture is typically thicker and often times a little goes a long way).

4-  FINISH:  This element of foundation can really be broken down into many categories but I’m going to explain it in its most basic terms.  With the finish, you are looking at the visual outcome of the foundation.  Examples of this category would include:  matte, dewy, shimmery, satin, etc.  It’s the way the surface of the skin looks after applying the foundation.

This again is a situational (based on skin type) and personal preference (based on style).  With skin types, a person with more oily skin usually is going to ask for a foundation with a matte finish so that it doesn’t look shiny throughout the day.  Whereas a person with more dry skin may ask for a foundation with a more dewy finish, to add more of a glowing effect to diminish the dryness of their skin.

In terms of personal choice, as a makeup artist, I like to investigate a client’s foundation finish preference because I have the ability to make the visual outcome of the skin look any way I want.  (Ah, the beauty of makeup :)…)

5-  BLEND-ABILITY:  This is something many people fail to consider but it’s definitely a component that should not be overlooked. By this term, I am talking about how well does the foundation blend into the skin.  The perfect foundation should effortlessly blend into your skin (usually with a makeup brush, that is always my first recommendation as opposed to sponges or hands) and kind of melt into the skin creating your perfect canvas (I’m talking about your face).  It should blend seamlessly and not really give the appearance that you’re wearing makeup.

I would say cream and liquid based foundations are the best mediums in terms of having a smooth blend-ability but keep in mind that both mediums vary tremendously depending on its consistency (how thick or thin it is).  Always play around and see what foundation blends into your skin best.  (Remember, it should be a fairly effortless process).

[Do you have any foundation tips or tricks you would like to share?]

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