5 Hot New Makeup Trends to Try

When it comes to the high-drama makeup found in fashion magazines, most of us think: “That’s gorgeous, but there’s no way I could pull that off.” But the truth is -- you can rock those looks!

With the proper application, you can make those funky hair and makeup trends appropriate for your lifestyle. Here are my simple steps for making five of the hottest new looks work for you!

Makeup Trend No. 1: Fire-engine Lips
One of my favorite trends for the coming season is the bold red lip. It creates instant glamour, but unfortunately, it also often makes a mess.

How to wear it: To avoid smears, choose a matte lipstick. Apply a thin layer to your lips with a brush. (Don’t rub your lips together, which can smear the color.) Then roll a tissue into the shape of a cigar, place it in your mouth as if you’re smoking it, and slowly drag it out to catch any of the excess lipstick.

Makeup Trend No. 2: Big, Bold Brows
Bold, architectural brows are in. But what looks fierce on the runways can come off a little intense in real life.  

How to wear it: For fuller brows that won’t scare your coworkers, dab a damp-angled brow brush into an eye shadow that’s one shade darker then your hair color. Then, flick strokes of color in any sparse areas of your brows. Make sure to apply in the direction of your hair growth. Next, dip a damp spoolie brush into the shadow and brush the entire brow until it’s lightly coated in color.

Makeup Trend No. 3: Goth Polish
If you’re not careful, inky nails can read a bit Wednesday Adams.

How to wear it: Instead of a straight black, choose a dark, deep hue like charcoal, navy or deep plum. If that’s still too edgy for your day-to-day, get just the right amount of drama by embellishing your base with a lighter hue: Use a scrunched-up tissue to transfer a thin coat of translucent metallic polish. Kind of like sponge painting, dab the tissue over your dark polish until you reach the level of opacity that you want. The layered colors add dimension to your mani -- not to mention a unique look!

Makeup Trend No. 4: Slicked-back Hair
Several spring catwalks showcased shellacked manes, but taken too literally this do risks looking more helmet head then chic. 

How to wear it: To get this sleek hairdo without the theatrics, style your hair while it’s damp. Instead of a gel, use a creamy mousse or hair lotion that will provide hold without the slickness. Then blow-dry, making sure that the root direction faces back and away from your face. Pull back sections from your hairline and clip each section back. (Tip: Use a tissue between the clip and hair to prevent dents.) Once your hair has cooled, spritz hairspray all over, and remove the clips when it’s dry.

Makeup Trend No. 5: Neon Shadows
Dare to wear pops of vivid shadows with these real life application tricks. 

How to wear it: Make those DayGlo shadows more wearable by using them sparingly: Apply the product to the outer corner of your eyes (below the crease). Shake off any excess powder, and with a small, compact “pencil” brush, blend the remaining shadow back and forth into your crease. With a bigger shadow brush, blend a beige shimmer shade over the entire eye. If you want to go bolder, you can either add another layer of your neon shadow, or apply it with an angled brush.

Photo by Doğukan Şahin on Unsplash

5 Ideas for a Romantic Look

There’s no better time to get flirty than on Valentine’s Day -- especially when it comes to your hair and makeup. Soft waves, dewy skin and rosy cheeks create a dreamy, romantic look that’s perfect for the evening, whether you’re planning a big night out or intimate dinner at home. Try the following tips for makeup application to score a look you’re both sure to love.

1. Make some waves.
You can’t go wrong with loose, bohemian waves. Start by working volumizing mousse onto damp hair and blow-drying completely. (If you’re short on time, sprinkle dry shampoo, such as Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, on your roots.) Wrap small sections of your hair around a curling iron, only using the middle part of your strands; keep the iron away from your roots and ends. Repeat until you’ve curled all of your hair, then gently brush out and set with hair spray.

Want to wear your hair up? Show off your neck and shoulders with with a romantically undone ‘do. First, curl dry, unwashed hair with a large-barrel curling iron. Then pull your hair into a loose ponytail at the nape of your neck or to one side, and secure with an elastic band. Twist hair around the band until it forms and bun and secure with bobby pins.  Run your fingers through your hair for some wispy face-framing pieces and finish off with hairspray. For an extra touch, add a pretty headband.

2. Go light.
To achieve a gorgeous glow, skip heavy cream-based foundations. Instead, lighten up your look with an illuminating sheer liquid foundation, such as Stila’s Illuminating Liquid Foundation. Then dab on the concealer only where needed, and set with a translucent powder. To remove excess product, blot with a facial tissue.

3. Try a twist on the smoky eye.
Trade in your usual black or charcoal eyeliner for a pop of color, like emerald green, deep plum or navy blue. To apply, smudge the eyeliner along the top and bottom of your lashes; you want an uneven, soft look. Wrap your forefinger in a facial tissue, and swipe away any excess beneath or in the inner corner of your eye.

For an extra pop, dab a little white eye shadow in the inner corner of your eye or add a subtle gold liner just above the top lash line (apply on top of the colored liner). Keep the rest of your makeup neutral -- and all eyes will be on you!

4. Look pretty in pink.
In the beauty world, going match-matchy is usually a don’t. But the romantic look is an exception to this rule: Soft pink lips and cheeks create a super-dreamy appearance.

To avoid going overboard, apply the blush only to the apples of your cheek. Then add a touch of bronzer along the edges of your face: On each side of your forehead, a sideways “W” motion from the edge of your forehead to the cheekbone, and then from your cheekbone to the side of your jawline.

5. Get soft, dewy skin.
A simple trick for come-hither skin: Apply moisturizer before and after you put on your makeup. (You heard me right -- after!) Like to a topcoat of nail polish, lotion sets your look and adds a little glow. Pat, don’t rub, a little drop of moisturizer on your cheekbones, T-zone and chin -- and you’ll look gorgeous all evening.

Photo by Jose Martinez on Unsplash

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6 Genius Products: The Best New Beauty Trends

Many beauty product trends come and go. (Remember hair crimpers and shampoo-plus-conditioners?) But each year, cosmetic companies release some technologies that can help make your life easier -- and make you look even more beautiful. Here are six of my favorite beauty breakthroughs to help keep you gorgeous all year long.

1. BB Creams
This magic potion is a one-stop-shop for all skin types and tones: It acts as a serum, moisturizer, light foundation and sunblock all in one. Apply to clean skin, or under your foundation if you need extra coverage. A little of this cream goes a long way; simply dab off the excess with a facial tissue. There are a number of brands, which range in price, but I’ve found they’re all created equal.

2. Hair Oil
I’m not talking about your mama’s hot oil treatment! From Moroccan to shea nut butter to argon, these silky serums transform your tresses from dull and damaged to smooth and silk. Made from essential and natural plant extracts, these oils tame fly-aways, add shine and prevent breakage. To use, apply a few drops to wet or dry hair. You can also dab a little on dry cuticles and ashy elbows!

3. Lip Gloss Plumpers
You’ll basically die and go to Angelina Jolie lip heaven with these volumizing lip polishes. These super-shiny glosses are made with ingredients that stimulate lip collagen, resulting in a fuller pout. Use alone or over lipstick, and blot away excess with a facial tissue. I recommend testing before investing, since some can tingle…and not in a good way.

4.  Hair Color Sprays
Let’s take a moment to raise a glass and say grazie to the geniuses who dreamed up these root cover-up products. Whether in a spray, powder, or mascara form, these concealers help cover grays between trips to the salon. They’re also available in fun shades, such as purple, so you can add a pop of color to your mane. Look for brands that are free of sulfates and parabens, such as Rita Hazan’s Pop Color Spray.

5. Eyebrow Kits
Now there’s no excuse for barely-there brows! These brow kits contain all you need to shape your own brows. First, tweeze away stray hairs. Then use the angled brush to apply brow powders, following the natural shape. Lastly, set with a little wax to keep hairs from straying.

6. Eye Shadow Primers
Creased eye shadow is so 2012. This lightweight cream helps keep eye makeup flawless from day to night. Apply the primer as a base beneath your shadow for longer-lasting color; apply just enough to cover your entire lid. You can also use it on its own as an eye-brightener. My pick: one with a shimmer effect like Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Candlelight. Finish the look with a little eyeliner, and you’re good to go!

Photo by michela ampolo on Unsplash

5 Must-Have Tools for Flawless Makeup Application

Most women spend a lot of time and money picking out the perfect lotions, potions and makeup for their skin. But without the proper application, even the highest-quality products won’t do much for your appearance. That’s why it’s important to have the right tools. The correct sponge, for instance, can turn streaky foundation into an even, natural glow, while facial tissues can help lipstick stay put.

As a makeup artist, I handle hundreds of beauty items on a regular basis. Here are the six I swear by, plus simple tips for makeup application.

1. Spoolie brush. The quickest way to look put-together is by grooming your brows. A spoolie brush, which resembles an overgrown mascara wand, can put those hairs in their place. Sweep it upwards and outwards; then trim any errant brows with a pair of small scissors. Finish the look by filling in any gaps or sparse areas with an angled brush dipped in brow shadow.

2. Latex-free sponges. There are many ways of applying foundation: I like using a synthetic brush on my client’s faces. But, no matter what method you prefer, it’s smart to follow up with a sponge. Holding the skinny side of the wedge, tap the flat, square side in circles over the entire face. This dabbing motion blends the product while pushing it into the skin. It also absorbs any extra foundation, which prevents a streaky or caked-on look. It’s my secret for an even complexion.

3. Facial tissues: This simple product is a makeup multitasker. I use it as a blotting paper to soak up excess product and oil, and also to set lipstick. Dipped in a makeup remover, a facial tissue also works to erase errant makeup for quick touch-ups.

I also like to wash my brushes and lay them flat to dry overnight on several facial tissues. Dirty brushes spread bacteria, and product buildup can break the bristles. If you’re too busy to shampoo your brushes, spritz a tissue with a brush-specific cleaner and wipe each one thoroughly.

4. Eyelash curler: Curled lashes make eyes pop in seconds. But most women use curlers incorrectly: You’re supposed to slide the clamp gently up and out, not just bite down on your lashes with it. That’s why I recommend a heated eyelash curler for beginners. This device is like a small curling iron for your lashes, although it doesn’t get nearly as hot. Many also feature a comb to help separate and brush through the lashes. 

To use it, apply a coat of mascara. Then rock the wand at the root of your lashes. Slowly rotate your wrist upwards, sweeping the wand out toward the ends of your lashes. If needed, finish with another coat of mascara.

5. Fan brush. I love shadows with some shimmer, but they often fall from the eyelids onto your cheek. To sweep away any errant shine, I use a small fan-shape brush.

My method: First, I swipe a stripe of loose facial powder beneath each to catch any fallen product. After applying the eye makeup, I use the fan brush to sweep away the powder.

Photo by Tetiana SHYSHKINA on Unsplash

6 Top Tips for Flawless Hair and Makeup Application

We’ve all been there: After an important meeting or event, you discover that there’s lipstick on your teeth or mascara beneath your eyes. As a celebrity makeup artist, it’s my job to prevent these embarrassing beauty blunders. After all, my clients step in front of the television camera to face millions of viewers.

To avoid the most common missteps, try my foolproof tips for makeup application. And if you happen to slip up while dabbing on eyeliner or another product, I’ve got you covered too. My secret? You don’t have to be perfect to achieve a flawless look!

Beauty Blunder No. 1: Smudged Mascara
Tip for Makeup Application:
Accidentally smear a little on the top of your lid? Instead of immediately wiping it away, cover it up with dark-powdered eye shadow. Blend the shadow across for a smoky eye, and feel free to experiment. If you wind up not liking the results, don’t sweat it. Simply wipe it away using facial tissues with makeup remover or wash it off.

Beauty Blunder No. 2: Uneven Eye Shadow
Tip for Makeup Application:
On any given day, I see at least a few women walking around with an eye shadow crease. This unsightly line occurs when powder settles into the fold of the eye. To keep shadow in its rightful place, first prime your eyes before applying other makeup. Swipe a little concealer or powder onto your eyelid to create a smooth surface. Then blend in the shadow for a long-lasting look.

Beauty Blunder No. 3: Lipstick on Your Teeth
Tip for Makeup Application:
You’ve probably heard my tip before, but there’s a reason why it’s been around for years: It really works! After applying a fresh coat, place your index finger into your mouth and slowly remove it. Or if you don’t have time to rinse your hands, take a facial tissue, fold it in half, place between your lips and lightly press down. Either method wipes away any of the excess lipstick on the inside of your mouth; it’s that extra residue that tends to smear onto your pearly whites.

Beauty Blunder No. 4: Flyaway Hairs
Smart Hair Tip:
Call it a beauty catch-22: You need to tame those unruly wisps, but you don’t want to weigh down your hairdo with a lot of product. My simple solution? Grab a clean toothbrush. Spray the bristles with a little hairspray, and then lightly run over any flyways. You’ll distribute just the right amount to put those strands in their place.

Beauty Blunder No. 5: Smeared Eyeliner
Tip for Makeup Application:
Eyeliner can be tricky, but one of the easiest fixes is to use a soft kohl pencil to line the inner rims. You’ll get defined eyes, without having to worry about streaks and smudges. And when applying eyeliner, remember to angle your pencil downward. You’ll get closer to the lash line, which prevents an awkward gap. If you do get a smear, lightly dab with a soft facial tissue to protect your skin while removing excess makeup.

Beauty Blunder No. 6 Streaky Foundation
Tip for Makeup Application:
On hot days, the sweat and humidity can do a number on your foundation. That’s why I like to keep it light in the summer. First, clean your skin with the proper toner and facial tissues. I recommend astringent for oily complexions and witch hazel for people with dry skin. This removes excess oil from the face, which helps makeup stay on longer. Then simply apply tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone, and add a little cream blush. This look is light and fresh, and it’ll never appear uneven.

Photo by George Bohunicky on Unsplash

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