Effortlessly Beautiful Look

The Most Natural-Yet-Still-Stunning Look

My longtime friend and crime in partner for many a crazy college adventure, Anna, just got back from traveling for eleven months (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and Nepal to name a few places) and we had a good laugh at the fact that her entire makeup kit consisted of...toothpaste and a toothbrush.  Super admirable that she was able to travel so barren - I don't think I could have done it!

Here's Anna roughing it on the Thorolong-La Pass (17,769 feet) in the Annapurna Circuit:

Needless to say Anna has been "aux-natural" and graciously let me do her makeup for the first time in almost a year when we had a chance to catch up in La Jolla a few weeks ago.  She played the part quite well in a look I am going to call "Natural Yet Stunning." (every girl, and let's be honest, every guy's dream look)

Skin:

Anna's skin has been subjected to some harsh elements in the last year, so we started with Stila's CC Color Correcting Cream which helps with, well, everything (see my previous post on CC and BB creams).  Then we layered on some of Estee Lauder's Invisible Fluid Makeup foundation.  

We used Lancome's Maquicomplet Concealer for under eye and spot coverage.  I finished the look with just a touch of the aptly titled Blush Subtil by Lancome in Aplum.

Eyes:

We first tamed Anna's eyebrows and filled them in with Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in Medium.

For a light base eyeshadow, I used my new go-to standard, Stila's Kitten Eye Shadow that really does go with everything and is just so pretty.  (Have I convinced you to go out and buy this must-have yet?!)

For a super light, natural eyeliner look, I used the drugstore, wallet-friendly CoverGirl Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner in Cabernet.  Ironically, the product is marketed as "Eyeliner that will give you intense looking eyes that will get you noticed."  And I think it does, but in a very, "Why does she look so pretty right now?" way!

For mascara, we used my other go-to staple, Lancome's Hypnose Star 24H Waterproof in Noir Midnight.

Lips:

Anna has a small, doll-like mouth that would be over-powered with darker hues.  We used a natural-looking yet still colorful, High Shimmer Lip Gloss from Bobbi Brown in Electric Violet (the crazy name does not exactly match it's effect upon application).  This is Bobbi Brown's Award Winning Gloss Formula (and smells good, to boot).

From roughing it in India to looking effortlessly gorgeous at Scripps Pier in La Jolla Shores, Anna easily transformed her look!

Foolproof Day-to-Night Makeup

Foolproof Day-to-Night Makeup

This post is for my oldest and dearest friend Caroline, who also happens to have a super-cute Wine Country meets Manhattan wine and lifestyle blog, aptly titled "Chardonnay Moi" (a little pun on pardonnez-moi).  Check it out  @ www.chardonnaymoi.com.

Day makeup can be tricky - too much and one can look ghoulish, too little and one can look tired and fatigued.  If you're going straight from work to a night out, follow my three simple tricks to transition this look.

Here is my favorite daytime look that I can wear anywhere and easily turn into a nighttime look:

Skin: For an oil-free all day look, start with Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  This primer was the winner of Martha Stewart's "Weddings Big Day Beauty Awards" for 2013.  It's great for keeping your skin smooth and matte (i.e. not shiny).  For foundation, follow up with Smashbox's new Liquid Halo.  A little history about Smashbox - they used to do makeup for a lot of Hollywood studios and they have truly perfected the ideal photo/camera-friendly finish that seems to reflect light in just the way we all want.

Under Eyes:  For under eyes, use Lancome's "Effacernes" Waterproof Undereye Concealer.  To brighten up the under eye area, use Smashbox's "Studio Artist's Favorite" Photo Op Under Eye Brightener.  This extra step is key for me since I constantly fight dark under eye circles.  If you're more of the puffy under eye set, look for products with caffeine in them.

Cheeks: For a shimmery, "glowing" look, I recommend Stila's All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten.

Eyes: My new favorite base or stand-alone light eye shadow is Stila's award-winning Kitten Eyeshadow.  For eyeliner, I use my trusty Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner in Minuit (deep navy).  And for mascara, I love my Lancome Hypnose Star in Noir Midnight  (01).

Lips:

I've been using this lipgloss for TEN years now and it's still my favorite SPF, last all day, goes with everything colored gloss (and only $15).  LOVE, love, love Clinique's Long Last Glosswear in Kissyfit.

Et Voila!

Nighttime version:

Super easy and small enough changes that you can carry what you need in your makeup bag to go from day-to-night (only three extra products required!).

#1 Dramatize the Eyes:

Pump up the eyeshadow - a lot! - with Lancome's Eye Brightening All-In-One Five Shadow & Liner Palette and smudge more of the 'liner' shadow under eyes.

#2 Darken the Eyebrows:

Use Stila's Waterproof Brow Color or Anastasia's (of the famed brow expert) Tinted Brow Gel to fill in and darken your brows.

#3 Swap from Gloss to Lipstick:
Pick your favorite pink lipstick to compliment this look.  I like Mac's Girl About Town.  Mac has great colors for EVERY occasion (plus fun marketing campaigns and packaging...).



~ Ready for a glam night out (with a little help from Instagram, obviously!) ~