The trend this holiday season offers you a couple of different looks from which to choose. Deep red lips balanced with a neutral eye or the smokey, expressive eye with barely there lips. Shimmer is in and is the perfect festive look for the holidays.
Classic Crimson
It’s the return of the fabulous 40’s classic look: pale, creamy skin with defined, red lips.
We’ll all be doing double time with our busy schedules so be sure to begin with a face primer over the entire face including the lips and eyes. You will see changes in your skin immediately; lines will soften and disappear, skin tones will even out, and make-up will stay on longer. Next, apply your favorite foundation. Keep the skin light by applying a foundation that matches your skin, or may even be ever so slightly lighter. Blush should also be in an understated peach or pink tone and applied on the apples of the cheeks and blended away to a sheer hint of color. Keep the eyes soft and neutral, allowing the emphasis to stay on the lips.
Nothing says “holidays” quite like red lipstick; there are many different ways to wear it, so anyone can pull it off. If you have a naturally warmer or more olive skin tone, look for a red with a golden undertone. If your skin is fair and pinkish, try a red with more blue undertones. There are very few true reds out there (those without a specific undertone), but if you find one, snatch it up! Anyone can wear a true red.
Steps for wearing red lipstick:
1. Start with a sharp red lip liner close to the lipstick shade you will be wearing.
2. Apply face or lip primer.
3. Begin at the bow of the lips and follow the outside line of the lips for small lips and the inside line for larger lips.
4. If lips turn down, stop short of the turn.
5. Apply a very light dusting of powder over the liner.
6. Fill in with red lipstick.
7. If lips tend to feather, apply a lip seal over the lipstick.
8. If you are afraid of color, try mixing a little red lipstick in with a clear gloss. But don’t overdo the gloss. Red lips should look moist, not extremely glossy.
Sultry Eyes
For an alternative to the bold, red lips of the season, spark a fire with accents of bronze and emerald metallic eye shadows to create the smokey look of the season.
Choose a deep, rich bronze tone and apply over the entire eyelid. Next, blend in a metallic brown (matte, if your eyes are showing signs of aging or if you do not have a definite crease). Blend on a light shimmer in a cream, peach, or white to highlight the brow bone. Apply a bold eyeliner in a black or black-brown tone and smudge to soften. Next, apply an emerald eye shadow over the liner and/or add a few lashes to build a lush, lash line. Stroke on one to two coats of mascara to add fullness to the lashes. Keep the lips and cheeks in muted tones so the emphasis is on the eyes and not the rest of the face.
Whichever look you choose, if you’ve stayed up late one too many nights wrapping presents or trimming the tree, start by patting a concealer under the inner corner of your eye. Use a blending brush to get an even application or use your ring finger for the right amount of pressure. Remember: pat, don’t rub. Follow up by dotting the concealer lightly on any blemishes or other discolored areas.
Illuminate Your Skin
Skin should glow during the holidays. An exfoliating service teamed with a deep hydrating body treatment is a must for partygoers. Make sure your clients indulge themselves in one of these services. If you do not already offer body treatments, you might want to consider putting together a few packages. Once the body is hydrated, you’ll want to dust on a body shimmer so the skin glows all night long.
Keep in mind that trends might need to be modified to suit your personality. Choose one that works for you and customize it.
Mary Van owner and founder of Mineralogie, a leading mineral makeup company, has been a makeup artist for over 20 years. She has worked freelance, along with owning her own Spa, but now concentrates solely on her cosmetic line. She attributes her success to creating products that work, and are on the cutting edge. Working with celebrities such as Jessica Simpson and LeAnn Rimes, keeps her always-creating new products as trends keep changing. For more information, please visit www.mineralogie.biz.
