Makeup for Beginners [part 4]

Whats next in the Makeup for beginners series?

THE EYES
TO me, doing my eye makeup is the most fun part of my makeup routine. When eye makeup is put on well it should make your eyes stand out and shine.

For beginners there are three basic parts to eye makeup:
1.Liner
2.Shadow
3.Mascara

Liners
Again, like everything else there are tons of diferent formulas available for eyel liner. I'll just start off by telling you my favorite, and by now i think youd know at least what brand that is:

Bobbi Brown's Gel eyeliner in black ink. [$22 at bobbi brown cosmetics.com]
-this is really the truest black i have evr seen and that might be because it is in gel form. If your going to use this gel eyeliner i highly recomend getting the ultra fine eyeliner brush. [$25 at bobbi brown cosmetcs.com]

These two go hand in hand and will create the most perfect black line.

Tip:
-use alone for a sold black line or go over it with black shadow for a smudgier smokier look.

Shadows:
The formula you want for your eyeshadow would depend on how long you want you shadow to last. but for everyday natural looks powder, matte formulas are just fine.
-Use a light color first across entire eye lid [up to the brow line also], make sure to cover the inner corner of the eye too.
-Then contour eyes with a medium color along the crease of your eye lids.
-And if you want, a darker color at the corners.

Tips:
Highlighting the eyes will make you eyes stand out on any ocassion. use a light shade of shimmery something along the brow line and inner corners to complete a dewy look.

Mascara:
Mascara application is pretty basic if your just wanting to go for a more natural look.
-Start at the outer edges and work your way in.
-Make sure you separate them as you go along to avoid random clumped areas.
-Clean off any mascara before it dries.

Hope this helps all you beginners, the last of the makeup for beginners series is this tuesday. We will be talking about the lips. Then we get serious!
-gigi

Make up For Beginners [part 3]

Whats the next step for a flawless skin appearance? Blush.

Not everybody uses blush, or they use a bronzer in place of it [or vice versa]. But for those of you who want to avoid looking like a clown, read on.

Blush also comes in a wide array of formulas; powders, creams, stains, tints, gels and my personal fave, pot rouge. And depending on your desired look, any one of these can work. The hard part is choosing the right color, and applying it in the right way.


Tip: If you already have bronzer on do not use another shade similar in clor. This will end up making your face look dirty.


To find your perfect blush color note the color of your cheeks after you finish working out [or pinch them] Try to get a sclose to this color as possible for a more natural look natural look.


Application: Alot of people like to make the "fish face" when applying blush. I dont particularly like the way it turns out when that is done. I think a more accurate way is to just smile, and apply the blush on the apples of your cheeks blending upward towards your hairline.

-Want to know my fave type of blush and color?

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lips And Cheeks: Blushed Rose [a brown pink] seriously, get it.

$22 at bobbibrowncosmetics

SInce my skin is alittle on the dryer side, this creamy formula is perfect! I dont think i could live with out this stuff. And since its pot rougue, you can put it on your cheeks and lips, so you never have to worry about clashing!

Simple enough? of course.

-gigi

Make-Up For Beginners [Part 2]

Today we will be talking about Bronzers and Self Tanners.

We all want that healthy sunkissed glow, but without the harmful effects of overexposure. However like all other beauty products, THERE ARE SO MANY OUT THERE! Who wants to waste their money over and over again on a product that just looks too fake. The key to a healthy looking tan is moderation. You want your tan to always look natural, so if you naturally have alabaster skin then you don't need to be deep bronzing it. And we all know that orange=bad.

My skin is a little on the lighter side, but i do have somewhat of a natural tannish glow [thanks mom!] But during the winter months it can start to get a little dull. spf makeup can also aid in a more paler face than the rest of the body.

Bronzer Tips for Skin Tones:
Fair Skin: do not use shade of brown or gold, rather use peachy shimmery shades. This actually ends up looking 100% more natural than if you were to use a deeper shade, plus it looks amazing!
Medium Skin: this is my skin. And what ive found to look ultra natural is brownish pink tones. Medium skin tones can get away with a little bit more brown and golden tones than fair skin tones, but still be careful not to overdo it!
Dark Skin: I honestly dont see the need to add any extra color to these skin tones, you should be so grateful! But i understand those winter months when you need that extra bit of warmth to pull you through. I recommend a brownish red for this skin type.

Tip: Don't just apply bronzer to your face, also apply to your neck and blend into hairline to avoid the "mask" look

Like foundation, there are so many different types of bronzer formula's to choose from. They come in either a matte look, or shimmery look. I personally think that a more flat look is more natural, although shimmery is nice for special occasion. They come in powders, creams, sprays, lotions etc. My personal favorite is gel form. It does not cake, and looks alot more natural than other forms i have used, plus it stays. But beware beginners! you definitely have to practice before you go out in public. Gel bronzers are a little on the harder side to blend. A quick tip is to put as little as you can on t first, if its not enough you can always add a layer.

I have found two of the most perfect bronzers in my quest for perfection, its gonna take a breakthrough to knock them out of first place:
#1 we have [of course] Bobbi brown All Over Bronzing Gel SPF 15

Bobbi's unique gel-based bronzer instantly gives the face a healthy, natural-looking glow with the added benefit of sun protection. Depending on desired effect, blend bronzer all over face or where the sun naturally hits - forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin.
To use: Apply to face, one area at a time, blending quickly and evenly. Wash hands immediately after applying. To remove from face, simply use your regular cleanser. Not a self-tanner, so it washes off easily like other makeup.
-This stuff is seriously amazing! it looks very natural, and theres no commitment:)

#2 is RAW and Minerals warm glow

This stuff is pretty amazing also, its not even half as hard to put on as Bobbi brown's and you still get that fab glow.

Now lets talk about self tanners.

These can be extremely tricky, especially for beginners. Most tanners end up having you look like an orange peel, even though they say otherwise. It is important to remember that crucial word; Moderation. Its easy for some people to get addicted to tanning because they love the new color that is now on their skin. All too many times i have seen beautiful girls walk around with the most horrible, overdone self tan. And yes, it is that obvious.

I have only one product that i would like to recommend in this area, although i will be reviewing a lot more in the future [you can never look enough right?] I'll be sure to tell you all if i find a better one, but this one is gold! its easy to apply, and the result look super.
-Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream
-This stuff works magic for fair-medium skin, and it smells delicious:)

Hope this article helped you guys on your search for the perfect sunkissed skin! What do you think?
-gigi

Make Up for Beginners [part 1]

So I know what you all are thinking; Damn Gi, we’ve been talking about skin for the past 3 blogs! But the truth is skin is [obviously] VERY crucial to your overall appearance. And yea not all of us are blessed with great skin, so even better to talk about how to get it right? When you are confident with your skin, everything else seems to look and feel right; from what you’re wearing , to the color of your lipstick.

So, 2 more consecutive blogs about skin and then we get to play with different things. [This does not mean that we will never talk about skin again of course] In this blog we will be talking about make-up for beginners; we will mostly be talking about foundation again, and more comprehensive blogs will be done about tools, shadows, liners, blush, bronzers etc. Next time we will be talking about what foods to eat that can help a great deal with your skins appearance.

Unless you are participating in fashion show, or some other big event you want your makeup to look natural and flawless. This is a lot harder for some than others to accomplish. But with the right type of makeup and technique we can all achieve a more natural look.

Side note: I want to take the time before I start to highly recommend the most amazing make-up manual I have EVER read. I wish I could buy one for every woman on the face of the earth [ya, it’s that good]. Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro. This manual talks about EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you need to know. The quality and quantity of the book is amazing. It’s a must have for any beginner, and even if your pro status its gold.

"Bobbi's 25+ years of makeup artist experience is distilled into one volume that includes over 200 full-color photos and step-by-step instructions as well as a "Ten Step Guide to Perfect Makeup" that teaches you how to apply your makeup in ten minutes or less.Packed with all the tricks of the trade, this book also offers a unique guide for aspiring makeup artists: how to break into the business, put together a portfolio, book work, and work with photographers, magazine editors, fashion designers, & celebrities. (Hardcover, 221 pg.)"

Link to buy: http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/products/spp/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY23162&PRODUCT_ID=PROD14397
Its $32.00 on the website, but im sure you could find a better deal I think I got mine for like $18.00 at borders.

Ok, back to the blog:

Foundation; Choosing the right foundation is very important in helping to give you a natural appearance. There are so many different types to choose from; Sticks, balms, creams, liquid, powders and the list goes on and on. Once you’ve found the type of foundation you like [see previous blog for aid] you can now work on the color.

It is important to buy foundation that matches your natural face color. [Don’t worry, if you feel that your face is naturally too light you can correct it with a bronzer after, which we will talk about later] Never, ever use foundation as a tanner or bronzer! It will never look natural. The correct shade of make -up should “disappear” on your face.

Tips:
-You might have to try a couple out before you know which one is right for you
-Always check your makeup in a natural light, [stand by a window or something]
-you may need a different shade of foundation for seasons like summer vs. winter.

The next thing you need to do is decide what tool you are going to use to apply and blend your foundation into your skin. Again there are so many different tools you can use for different desired affects. There are sponges, and tons of different types of brushes.
What works best for me is a combination of brushes [sponges are ok for getting those hard to reach places, but aren’t really necessary, and defiantly not recommend to use on your whole face]. I like to use a regular foundation brush to apply the foundation across my face:

And then a brush that has a flat head [usually used for powders, but I still think they work amazing for blending liquid makeup too] to blend and buff the foundation into my skin:

This combination provides the coverage I need, but still looks ultra natural, like my own skin.

To shop Bobbi Brown brushes visit: bobbibrowncosmetics.com
I hope this helps all you beginners, and come back to hear more beginning tips on tools, brozers, liner, shadows, blushes etc.
-gigi

ANNOUNCEMENT

Funny Friday is up on Her Novice Fun! Read about my new favorite funny guy!

-enjoy, gigi

Make-up For all Skin Types

Now that we've gotten down all the facts for getting clean, clear fresh skin for every skin type lets take a look at what kind of make up should be used also. Like skin care products, there are certain types of makeup that should not be worn with certain types of skin. I will be featuring my favorite make up brand/ Artist: Bobbi Brown.
[Bobbi Brown= AMAZING!!!!]

Normal skin type: Normal skin types can use use any light, oil free foundation. Even a tinted moisturizer would do. Like Bobbi Browns tinted moisturizer spf 15:


Oily skin type: Should definatly go for a non oil based foundation with a matte affect. Like Bobbi Browns Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation:


Dry skin: SInce dry skin can look dead and flakey, a lumonious foundatiuon can brighten your day. try Bobbie Browns Luminous Moisturizing Foundation


Combination: this skin is alittle bit more tricky, i have this type and i usually use make-up made for normal-dry skin:)

To shop Bobbi Brown Cosmetics visit Bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Any products youd like me to review? whatd you think?
-gigi

Get Clean Fresh Skin No Matter What Skin Type

It is essential to know what skin type you have so you can take the most effective steps in getting clear, fresh skin. there are four main types of skin, and then sensitive.

1. Normal Skin Type- Normal skin is the easiest to care for, and gives you the least trouble. It doesn't feel tight, or oily, and is obviously well circulated. minimum care is required to keep up normal skin type.
2. Oily Skin Type- can be difficult to care for. Face tends to look greasy, and pores are often larger than normal. skin is prone breakouts and acne
3. Dry Skin Type- dry skin is probably the most irritable skin type. your skin will feel tight, and look red, or flaky. If not properly taken care of, dry skin can form wrinkles more easily than any other skin type.
4. Combination Skin Type- [most women have this, including me] This skin type in my opinion is the hardest to manage. usually a more oily t-zone and regular to dry outer area. The t-zone is marked by larger pores, and the areas around by dry zones.

Sensitive skin is usually just a form of dry skin type, except your skin is more fragile. special care is needed in most cases.

How do you know which skin type you are? If you cant tell by the signs then a simple test can be done to show you what type you have. when you wake up in the morning take a clean piece of tissue or blot paper and wipe your face. if you have normal skin there will be little to no traces of oil. for oily skin there will obviously be oil on the tissue or blot. For dry skin there will be no oil [but your skin should feel tight and dry]. For combination skin the tissue or blot will have more residue around your t-zone.


Ok, now that you know your skin type, how do you take care of it? First im going to tell you some skin tips for each type, then im going to tell you what i use for my skin, and how it can help almost any skin type:)

Normal Skin- since minimal effort is required to keep up this skin type you probably already know that any light cleanser is fine:)
Oily Skin- using moisturizers that are not oil based, and even some that create a matte effect can be extremely helpful. Blot papers are also your best friend as you can use them anywhere you want.

bobbi brown Blotting papers $20.00 at bobbibrowncosmetics.com

bobbi brown oli control lotion spf 15 $45.00 at bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Dry Skin- Moisturize! If you have dry skin it is essential to give your skin the much needed, extra hydration. skin masks can also work wonders by infusing nutrients and cleaning those tight pores.

bobbi brown EXTRA SPF 25 Moisturizing Balm $85.00 at bobbibrowncosmetics.com
Combination Skin- Combination skin should be treated separately. So the dry or normal part should be treated like dry or normal skin, and the oily part should be treated like oily skin. This requires two different types of products for the face.

My favorite product is Pro active. Yes i know that Pro Active doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me. Since i have combination skin i cannot use only proactive as i will dry my face out [same with Murad] so i use a light but effective moisturizer on top of the proactive products. i recommend either Biore, or Neutrogena.

Step 1: Renew

This medicated Renewing Cleanser is made with new, exclusive micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide — featuring smaller, finer particles designed to quickly penetrate pores to start killing acne-causing bacteria on contact. Tiny exfoliating beads gently remove dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells to help keep pores from clogging.

Step 2: Revitalize

This refreshing, alcohol-free toner helps remove impurities and excess oil so your skin looks and feels clean, soft and refreshed -- not tight and dried out. Soothing botanical agents gently balance your skin tone.

Step 3: Repair

The repairing treatment is a feather-light medicated lotion that gets deep into clogged pores faster but is designed to be gentler on the skin. It's an oil-free formula that's safe for your entire face.

Once a week i like to use the Pro Active Refining Mask:

Beautifying mask absorbs oil, reduces irritation, heals pimples and prevents acne breakouts with antibacterial sulfur. Leaves skin soft and smooth
($15-20)
It helps with my t-zone by cleaning out my pores really well. and since i have a lot of trouble with my pores i also use [not on the same day] Pro Actives pore cleansing kit:

These things really work, when you lifet it off your face you can see all the dirt that was trapped in your pores. [yuck!]

If you would like to order a proactive kit starting kit for just $19.95 visit their website: at proactive.com

I hope this helps you guys, if you would like me to address anything else of course email me!! thank you for taking the time to read:)
-gigi

what do you think?

Back To The Basics: Getting Clear Skin From The Inside, First.

Tips included in this post
-Exercise

-Cold showers

-Moisterizer

-Body buffers

Ok, so before we even start getting into make-up, skin care products, and all that other good stuff I think we should go back to the basics of skin care. What kind of lifestyle promotes healthy skin?

Its no secret that exercise helps you to lose weight, tone up, and stay fit. But what you may not know is that It can be incredibly benificial for your skin as well, especially if it is prone to acne. David Berman, MD, medical director and dermatologic/cosmetic surgeon at the Berman Skin Institute says :

"There's a lot of indirect evidence that shows that when you exercise your level of stress diminishes. So your adrenal glands are producing less of these male-type hormones that are part of any acne flare-up,"

Although we dont know the main cause for acne it is probably a well known fact that overactive hormones can aide in acne flare ups. So by decreasing their release you can make steps into helping to clear up your face, with the added benifit of realeasing those much needed "good-feeling" hormones while you exercise.

Exercise not only helps with acne, but all of us who suffer from those annoying blackheads and white heads (ugh!). When you sweat your pores are being cleansed from the inside out, helping to further clear your skin (with the proper cleaning habits right after you work out to prevent the opposite effect).

This bring us to the dreaded cold showers. After you have showered with the regular warm water (not hot as this will dry out your skin) to open up your pores and get them squeaky clean, turn the water to cold and let it close your pores right back up. This helps to tighten your pores and prevents things like lotions etc. from cloggin them. You might hate it but it works!

The Next step for getting happy skin is moisturize. I cant say this enough; MOISTURIZE! Dry skin can crack, leading to a red, flakey, irritated epidermis(outer layer of skin). Moisturizer can soothe your skin and provide nutrient and hydration. It is best to put on moisturizer right out of the shower so it can retain some of the hydration already present in your skin. I recomend an oil free, light lotion for your body(dove, neutrogena), and face. Biore is my personal fave in the face dept., and even helps clear pores! neutrogena is also pretty good.

Biore Nourish Moisture Lotion (start around 10$ at your local drugstore)

Also if you have really stubborn skin ive found a wonderful product:

The Ultimate Buffing Cloth- Dermalogica ($12 at glow.com)

Description:

This exfoliating cloth is designed after a product from the Japanese spas. This product is a hygienic exfoliating cloth that is used to buff and polish the body to a silky soft touch. This cloth rids the body of rough skin in hard to reach places. This cloth does not contain any artificial fragrances or colors.

-Whether your a guy or gal you are going to love this! After one use it made my skin feel like silk. I really recomend this product to anyone, and how can you beat that price?

Thank you for reading and I really hope this article helped you all, and to futher your knowledge on exercise and your skin, or any other health topics you can visit WebMd.com

So what do you think?

-gigi

Next time:

How to get clear skin no matter what your skin type-

we will talk about skin care products, and i will be introducing some of my favorites. Also what kinds of food are good for your skin:)

Up And Coming

Here are some of the intended topics for Her Novice Stage's opening*

Health & Beauty:
-Back to the Basics: how exercise can be benificial for your skin!
-Exercise: how much is too much, and how it can be good for you mentally; featuring some of my favorite work outs, and stories

(next post will be about how to get clear skin no matter what skin type, due to a delay in resourses:)

Fashion:
-The History of Fashion, and what it actually is
-The Vintage Fashion: how its my favorite

Art:
-My Novice Art; hopefully you guys dont laugh too hard at it :)
-Featured Artist??? TBA

Fun:
-Things that make me smile :)
-Funny Fridays: The Oatmeal Guy! your gonna love him
-Valentines day [singles awarness day]

I hope you guys like this, and provide feedback!
blogs will hopefully be updated every other day. *
*These Topics are NOT set in stone, and therefore subject to change

4 more days!

I hope all you beautiful guys and gals are thinking of possible topics for the up and coming agenda. just four more days, I dont know about you, but im excited! dont forget, there are several different blogs to choose from (links at the right) and Her Novice Fun is pretty much open to anything :)
should be fun!
-gigi

What would YOU like?

Is there anything that you would like to be addressed in the up and coming agenda of Her Novice Stage? Any topic is fine! it doesnt have to only be a review, you can have something you want featured, like your art or work etc. hope you guys come up with some good ones!!!!

email me at gigi.novice@gmail.com
or reply to this blog
-Her noviceness

Blog Launch!

This should be fun!
Her Novice Stage blog will officially be launching 2/14/10! yep, thats valentines day!!!!!![or singles awarness day]. yeesh, we will have lots to talk about by then. hope you all benifit from this blog and provided much wanted feedback. if you guys have anything you would like me to discuss or review just email me, i will be happy too! Be sure to follow me on twitter and facebook!

Email:
gigi.novice@gmail.com

Main Blog Links:
http://hernovicehealthandbeauty.blogspot.com/
http://hernovicefashion.blogspot.com/
http://hernovicefun.blogspot.com/
http://hernoviceart.blogspot.com/

you can use these link, or use the ones that are always on the right hand side of each blog(LINK LIST TO OTHER BLOGS)
-Love, Her Noviceness