Wouldn’t it be awesome to have your own, personal makeup artist come with an airbrush machine to apply your makeup every morning? Well, guess what? With the right tools and techniques, you don’t need one. Behold the BeautyBlender! This is a makeup kit staple that makes me seem like a magician on set. The BeautyBlender is a non-latex, hypoallergenic, mystery of modern science that is used to flawlessly smooth on foundation or tinted moisturizer. With its ability to sheer out makeup to perfection, it’s clear to see why the BeautyBlender is a cult favorite among makeup artists and celebrities alike. Even in areas around the nose and under the eye, this durable, suede-like sponge perfectly applies and blends liquid, powder, mineral, pressed or cream foundation. Best of all, its hot pink and shaped like a little egg! It’s just amazing on so many levels.
Here’s the scoop:
- Use damp, not dry. Wet the sponge and squeeze out any excess water as it expands in size.
- Apply makeup with your BeautyBlender in a stippling motion. This will blend makeup without creating changes in the texture of your skin. You can also roll the sponge in a side-to-side manner to blend the product. Just be sure not to rub or “drag” as you would with a traditional wedge sponge.
- Use the pointed tip of the “egg” for hard-to-reach spots like around the nose and under the eyes. Use the round base for foundation and blush on the larger areas of your face such as your forehead and cheeks. The BeautyBlender is great for applying cream blush too!
- If you have problem skin, the BeautyBlender also works well to conceal blemishes and trouble spots. Apply a tiny amount of product using the pointed end and work into areas needing extra coverage with a “stipple and twist” motion. This will feather out the product leaving you with a perfect finish.
- To clean, wet the BeautyBlender and apply a dime-sized amount of BlenderCleanser or gentle baby shampoo to soiled areas of the sponge. Lather in your hand and rinse until clean. Squeeze to remove excess water and lay on a clean towel to dry. Your BeautyBlender can last for three to four months with proper care and daily cleaning.
- Generate good karma and do your part to help the environment by recycling your BeautyBlender. BlenderSender is the recycling program for discarded BeautyBlenders.
To find a retailer in your area or to find out more about the BlenderSender recycling program, visit www.beautyblender.net read more →
There’s a reason this iconic makeup trend has been around for so long. It’s elegant, sexy, edgy, classic, chic and sultry all at the same time. Whether you pair it with a crisp Theory suit, a Simone leather jacket and ripped jeans or a sexy lingerie set – it’s hot! Here are six easy steps to create the perfect winged cat eye that is all your own. Remember, although this look appears to have been achieved in one clean swoop, that is not the case. Just take your time and practice.
Step 1: Starting with a bare, clean eyelid, smooth a sheer layer of eyelid primer from the lid all the way to your brow. Some primers come with a handy applicator. Otherwise, you can use a flat brush or your fingertips for a smooth, even application across the entire lid. Eyelid primer is essential as it keeps your eye makeup from creasing and it allows for the pigment of your shadow to really come through.
Step 2: Depending on what you’re most comfortable with, you can create a beautiful cat eye with either a felt tip eyeliner pen or a small angled brush and gel liner.
Starting at the inner corner, draw a thin line and take it all the way to the outer corner using small, steady strokes. You may want to gently pull your lid upward so that you can get as close to your lash line as possible. This will give you a base line to work with that follows the shape of your eye.
*Before you begin, practice drawing lines on the back of your hand by applying more/less pressure until you are familiar with how it affects the width. More pressure = wider strokes; Less pressure = thinner strokes.
Step 3: Tilt your head down slightly while looking straight into the mirror. Starting at the outer corner, draw a line that extends upward from your bottom lash line. Use the natural angle of your bottom lash line as a guide while you carefully draw the outside of the wing. For a natural look, extend just slightly past the top lash line.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 on your other eye to ensure that you are content with the position of the wing on both sides.
Step 5: Now from the top of the wing, gently draw a line inward and downward to join your top lash line – almost like an obtuse triangle.
Step 6: Finally, complete the look by filling in the blank space in the middle of the triangle. Add a coat or two of mascara and you’re ready to go!
Clara Isabella is a featured Fashion & Beauty contributor and a well known makeup artist who has been featured on Refinery29 and Touchpuppet, as well as on NBC’s Thread | NY. For more about her click here for her full bio and all of her articles! read more →
After the dark, dull months of winter there is nothing more liberating than brightening up your wardrobe with (what else) COLOR! From New York, London, Paris and Milan, bold brights and understated neutrals were seen all over the SS12 runways. Behind the scenes, make-up artists created beautiful looks mirroring the widespread burst of color seen in designer collections. A mix of vintage and modern were fused together resulting in gorgeous creations that are sure to make a statement on the streets this season. Here we’ve taken our favorite makeup trends and interpreted them into achievable, everyday looks that are unique and perfect for any Bella Beauty.
Bright Statement Lips: One recurring trend we are seeing a lot of is the bold red lip. Designers like Jason Wu, Zac Posen and Anna Sui all showed variations of this classic look. This trend is and will always be here to stay. If you aren’t used to wearing strong lip colors, try a sheer wash of red or bright pink. Sheer colors are a great way to start because they are buildable. You can add on gradually until you achieve the tone that you are comfortable with. Keep the focus on the center of the mouth and build outward.
Colorful Cat eye: The winged liner also had quite a bit of representation on the runways this season. Designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Betsey Johnson, and The Blondes showed modern versions of this 1960s-inspired classic. Inventive “up-ticks” and playful color variations make it fun and flirty. For day, only extend slightly past the lid with an upward angle. For a night on the town, play with neons and brighter hues to show off your playful side.
Whites and Metallics: Contributing to the overall youthful glow of the season, whites and metallics are hugely popular. As seen on the runways of Philip Lim and Alexander Wang, these immaculate shades created a look that was a harmonious marriage of edgy and ethereal. Cream shadows are a great option as they allow for more flexibility and are more pigmented. Apply a light amount of subtle white or silver shadow to your lids and blend upward toward your brow bone to emphasize your eyes.
Power Brows: The artists backstage at Christopher Kane and Versace must have been channelling Brooke Shields circa 1980 while creating this look. Full brows accentuate your natural arch, which is a sign of youth making this trend a makeup artist favorite for spring. Today’s brows are strong but groomed. Tame full brows with clear mascara or brow gel. If your brows are uneven and sparse, fill them in with a brow pencil or powder that is a shade or two lighter than your own hair color.
Flushed Cheeks: Contouring your cheeks is a must this season. At shows like Michael Kors and Christian Siriano, makeup artists were generous with their blush, mimicking sun-warmed skin in shades of hot pink, bold coral and deep rose. For a natural, post-workout flush, apply blush over the apples and sweep upward toward the temples. The bold cheek is a great unexpected way to play up a single feature!
Clara Isabella is a featured Fashion & Beauty contributor and a well known makeup artist who has been featured on Refinery29 and Touchpuppet, as well as on NBC’s Thread | NY. For more about her click here for her full bio and all of her articles! read more →
In today’s stress filled world, it’s critical to carve out a little “me” time and take responsibility for your spiritual and physical well-being. A clean diet and consistent yoga practice are great ways to relax and rejuvenate the mind and body producing significant psychological benefits. But what about being nurtured from the outside in? Not only do weekly mani/pedis and regular facials make you feel glamorous, but they keep you looking your best too. Unfortunately, your schedule and/or budget may not always allow for such indulgences. But what if you were able to create a near-professional spa experience in your very own home? To indulge yourself from head to toe, all you really need is a quick run through your kitchen (or a trip to Whole Foods) to create all-natural, antioxidant packed spa treatments. While there is no substitute for being pampered by a professional, you can easily create your own personal mini-spa with 3 key ingredients — avocados, grapes & honey. Here are some easy, DIY recipes to whip up for your day of beauty. (more…) read more →
With work, social lives, staying in shape and trying to find a spare moment to take a few deep breaths, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get dolled up like a Kardashian. But then again, LESS IS MORE! All you really need is a paired-down daily regimen that enhance’s your OWN natural beauty. When personalizing your health and beauty routine, these makeup musts are everything you need to know at a glance.
1. Overzealous tweezing can lead to barely-there, balding brows. So, stop plucking! Keep unruly brows looking polished with clear brow gel. Dab highlighter directly under the brow bone for an instant eye-lift.
2. Want to look well rested (even when you barley slept a wink)? Avoid piling on the foundation. Instead, use a tinted moisturizer followed by a cream blush. This will keep your skin looking dewy and fresh.
3. When it comes to blemishes, it’s all about color correction. For example, orange-tinged concealers counteract blueish under-eye circles. A mint-green concealer hides the redness of a pimple. The idea is that concealers act as neutralizers. Remember concealer is mostly made of pigment so a little goes a long way.
4. Make your face look slimmer. Apply a taupe powder blush into the hollows of your cheeks, just beneath your cheekbones. Be sure to blend well in an upwards motion so there are no visible lines.
5. To keep eye shadow from creasing, the key is to eliminate as much oil as possible from your lids. Start by applying an eye shadow primer to clean lids before applying color.
6. Pucker up! When your lips look small, the best way to plump up your pout is to dab a shimmery gloss just in the middle of your lower lip on top of your lipstick.
7. To sop up oil and refresh your makeup, lightly mist your face with a toner like Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe. Finish with a dusting of loose, translucent powder.
8. To minimize your makeup bag, pack only the essentials: moisturizer for luminous skin, rehydrating elixir to refresh your makeup, oil-blotting papers to mattify your T-zone, blush, lipstick, and mascara.
9. For sexy, smoky eyes, stay away from blue hues, which can give the illusion of under-eye circles. Instead, opt for shades of black, gray or brown. If you want “color”, try dark green shadows and liners.
10. Take your makeup off every night before going to bed. No excuses! Start with your eye makeup first and then the rest of your face.
Clara Isabella is a featured Fashion & Beauty contributor and a well known makeup artist who has been featured on Refinery29 and Touchpuppet, as well as on NBC’s Thread | NY. For more about her click here for her full bio and all of her articles! read more →