Order in makeup application

I get a lot of questions, if there’s a specific order in makeup application and I always reply that there are no rules or laws in artistry, but after many years of doing makeup, I’ve learned there is a sequence that will make it easier for you. And that sequence changes from day to night as the looks are very different. Makeup is a balancing act and you should determine which features you want to play up and always do them first and step back often between steps to evaluate and walk the line of defining and accentuating vs. looking too “done.”

Additionally, I’ve listed which type of product (cream vs. powder for example) I prefer to use in the daytime vs. the nighttime because the lighting during day hours (sunlight outside or horrific artificial lighting in offices + classrooms) is less forgiving and makeup shouldn’t be “in your face” noticeable. While nighttime lighting is moodier and more forgiving, giving you the opportunity to be more dramatic with your makeup. Ok, here we go:

DAYTIME ORDER

1. Tinted Moisturizer or BB Cream Apply this first with a dampened sponge for more natural coverage.
2. Cream Blush Using your fingertips, dab the cream onto the apples of the cheek for a sweet flush that looks like your blushing. You do this before your eye makeup because often when you see how pretty a little blush makes you feel, you’ll realize you don’t need a lot of eye makeup or lip color.
3. Tinted Lip Balm There used to only be a couple brands that had a couple shades of tinted lip balm. Now some brands have 30 shades in different finishes! They are so perfect for daytime because they add little or a lot of sheer color that looks effortless. You do this step before doing the eyes as well because if you choose a bright color, you might also determine that you don’t need a lot of eye makeup.
4. Brow Pencil This step isn’t necessary for those of you blessed with perfectly arched, full brows; but for the rest of us, a little definition goes a long way.
5. Cream Shadow With your finger, apply a taupe, pearl or light gold cream shadow as a single wash of color on your lid and crease for an approachable look.
6. Kohl Eyeliner This step isn’t necessary unless you feel your eyes look more awake or less rounded with a quick sweep of liner. Just make sure to really hide it in between your lashes then smudge it with a q-tip.
7. Soft Mascara There’s nothing attractive about stiff or clumpy lashes in the middle of the day. Finish the look with a soft and “pet-able” mascara. If you don’t have one, just make sure to first press the wand into a tissue to get rid of excess product.

NIGHTTIME ORDER

1. Brow Powder I start with this step because it really frames the eye and because using a powder can be more dramatic, it helps you determine how much eye shadow you need.
2. Eye Shadow Nighttime is the best time for a smoky look, and eye shadow powder is more blendable than cream shadow, the key to pulling off a smoky eye. Do this step next because powder can be messy and you don’t want it dropping and smearing in your foundation.
3. Longwear Eyeliner Choose a longwear or liquid liner at night to really define your eyes and make it last.
4. Volumizing Mascara Build those lashes up, but comb through any clumps that will ruin the look. Now is the best time to sweep away any eye shadow or mascara droppings that might have fallen below your eyes with a baby wipe.
5. Foundation + Concealer Nighttime is the only time that you can get away with a fuller coverage foundation, so if you love the look of a flawless complexion, go for it. Just make sure to color match exactly and include your neck.
6. Powder Set the foundation with a loose or pressed powder to mattify and perfect the look. This will also make the bronzer and blush go on more evenly.
7. Bronzing Powder Use it to contour your cheekbones, temple, along the hairline, your nose and jawline. A Kabuki-style blush will make it better for blending.
8. Powder Blush Use it to add a touch of color to the cheeks. You apply this before lipstick because again, if you have a little color in your cheeks, you can see how nude or light you can get away with on your lips.
9. Lipstick Because you’ve smoked out and played up your eyes, step back and determine how much color you need on your lips.

** The only exception to the nighttime order is if you want to rock a red or bright lip, then you should apply lipstick as Step 1, so you can balance everything else around it.

How to apply lash strips

QUICK TIPS FOR LASH STRIPS

Lash strips aren’t just for burlesque dancers! I use  them all the time for a look that is very natural and feminine. So today I’d love to teach you my favorite tricks for applying them that make it easy and foolproof.

TOOLS: a pair of lash strips, lash glue, mini scissors, a q-tip and an eyeliner brush

1. Squeeze a dollop of glue onto the back of your hand or a surface that you can wipe it off of after. Wait two minutes for the glue to get tacky. Dip your eyeliner brush into the glue.
2. Sweep the brush along your upper lashline like you would a gel eyeliner.
3. Place the dry lash strip onto the glue line. By doing it this way instead of applying the glue onto the lash strip, you are eliminating the chance for error when you try to pop the lash strip on and it hits other areas of your lid/lashes.
4. With your scissors, cut a q-tip in half and use the cut end to tap along the base of the strip to secure it to the skin.

Follow with mascara or for additional drama, trace over the base of the strip with a black liquid liner. 

Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

I wanted to do a post on my favorite sides to go with the Turkey for Thanksgiving.

So here are just a few of my favorites: 

Corn Casserole

Corn Casserole is one of my favorite sides during the holidays. It is the easiest recipe to throw together and can be prepared with various ingredients mixed in.   Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

1 (14 3/4) can cream-style corn

1 (15 1/4) can whole corn, drained 1 (8oz) package Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup melted butter 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degres  Grease a 9x9 baking pan or 2 quart casserole dish  Mix together Corn, Jiffy, Sour Cream, and butter in large bowl.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 55 minutes, or until golden brown.

Stir in Cheese

                   Southern Baked Candied Yams

 

Ingredients:

• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 
  

• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 
  

• 2 cups white sugar
• 
  

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 
  

• 2 1/2 - 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 
  

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 
  

• Couple dashes ground clove
• 
  

• 1 1/2 – 1 tablespoon real maple
• 
  

• 1/2 tablespoon real vanilla extract

Instructions:

1.    Preheat oven to 350
2. 
   

1.    Wash and dry yams
2. 
   

1.    Cut off the the tips of yams.
2. 
   

1.    Peel yams.
2. 
   

1.    Slice yams into 1/2 thick circles
2. 
   

1.    Place into a 12 x 9 casserole dish. 
2. 
   

1.    In a medium size pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. 
   

1.    Add sugar and stir until well blended
2. 
   

1.    Add whipping cream and stir until creamy.
2. 
   

1.    Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, maple, and vanilla extract.

1. 
   

1.    Pour mixture over yams.
2. 
   

1.    Cover with foil and back for 40 minutes.
2. 
   

1.    Remove foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes.
2. 
   

1.    Plate and spoon syrupy sauce over the yams. Serve immediately.

Fresh Green Bean Casserole

Prep Time: 40 Minutes

Bake Time: 15 minutes

Topping:

  4 slices white bread, each slices torn into quarters

  2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

  4 teaspoon salt

  1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

  3 cups canned fried onions (about 6 ounces)



Beans and Sauce:

  2 tablespoons salt

  2 pounds green beans, ends trimmed, and halved

  3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  1 pound white button mushrooms, stems removed, wiped clean and broken into ½-inch pieces

  3 cloves garlic, minced

  (About 1 tablespoon)Salt and pepper, to taste

  3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  1 1/2 cups chicken broth

  1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1. For the Topping: Pulse bread, butter, salt and pepper in food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about ten 1-second pulses. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with onions; set aside.

2. For the Beans and Sauce: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees F. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add 2 tablespoons salt and beans. Cook beans until bright green and crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain beans in colander and plunge immediately into ice water to stop cooking. Spread beans on paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.

3. Add butter to now-empty pot and melt over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add mushrooms, garlic, ¾ teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; cook until mushrooms release moisture and liquid evaporates, about 6 minutes. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Add cream, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until sauce is thickened and reduced to 3½ cups, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Add green beans to sauce and stir until evenly coated. Arrange in an even layer in 3-quart (or 9×13-inch) baking dish. Sprinkle with topping and bake until top is golden brown and sauce is bubbling around edges, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.

I hope you all try one or all of my favorites. Enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with amazing sides!