Smoky eyes are not just for big girls

I just hung up with a good friend of mine who is doing a shoot in NYC and is in need of my help. I had mentioned to him I would be going home to attend my son’s graduation and he called to ask if I wouldn’t mind a day or two of work.

How could I refuse? The funny thing is he had given my eyeliner stencil kit to one of the little starlets who will be on the shoot and apparently she is very excited to meet me. How sweet. I am excited to meet her too. Anyone who loves make-up as much as me is someone I want to meet.

I am always so surprised by the number of teenage girls using my products. Even at such a young age eye make-up is a must for so many. My little cousin who isn’t so young anymore does quite a nice job of lining her eyes, doing a sexy smoky eye, and let’s not forget the mascara. She learned a thing or two from me. With Magazines like Teen Vogue who are on it when it comes to beauty & fashion who wouldn’t be inspired to try something different.

Rock on girls!!

xoxo,

Beth

NIA 24 - Niacin Powered Skin Therapy

If you are one of those gals who spent way too much time sunning yourself or maybe you still do then this is a skin care line you should know about. NIA 24 is a company that promises to repair your skin and dramatically improve the appearance of sun damage. The latest addition to the line is the Gentle Cleansing Cream which removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin of essential moisture.

Pro-Niacin which is a patented molecule developed by the company penetrates the skin at a much more rapid rate and goes beyond the surface of the skin to where the sun damage begins. Once it is absorbed into the skin it is converted to nicotinic acid by enzymes in the epidermis and dermis. Because the products are pharmaceutical grade they are only available through a physician.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the line and have been using it for almost two weeks. I am still using Soliv, which everyone knows I love, but I have switched over to this for the day. So far I like the way my skin is looking but the real improvement in your skins texture as well as its firmness should begin to show over a 90 day course with regular use.

On the surface my skin does not look as if it has any sun damage, but I am sure that a dermatologist would say otherwise. If NIA 24 can repair and improve my skins texture & firmness then why not give it a try?

To learn more about NIA24 you can visit their website at: www.NIA24.com

xoxo,

Beth

Rachael Rays Smoky Eyes

Hi Ladies:

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that everyone was wearing their sunscreen. I was working on location and was baking in the sun every time I went out to do a touch up. I had the whole crew wearing sunscreen. I am sure they were real happy the next day.

Anyway, I was watching the Rachael Ray show this morning and couldn’t stop looking at her make-up. Her smoky eyes especially. For some reason they looked funny, maybe it was the dark blue color or the fact that her foundation looked off, but it just didn’t look flattering and seemed a bit too much for the host of a “cooking show”.

I have never really spent much time watching her or her show and was really surprised at how heavy her make-up was. That’s the problem with being a make-up artist. You are always on the job. I know I do a lot of talking about smoky eyes, but then so do so many others. Smoky eyes are and always will be a big favorite for beauty, fashion and any gal who wants a striking eye.

I’m thinking a softer eye color and maybe a foundation that looked a little more sheer would have been so much prettier on Rachael. Let’s face it, with all of the beauty products available and for her celebrity status there is no excuse for not looking your best.

xoxo,

Beth

Choosing the right foundation

Foundations look natural and best when they match your skin tone and give your complexion an overall evenness. Not everyone likes to wear it, but when you do choosing the right color is most important.

One of the ways of doing this is to visit a local department store that Carry’s cosmetics. Most department stores carry Clinique which has a number of products for the face. I prefer to use a foundation stick because you can go as sheer or as heavy as you like. If there are other beauty brands available then you might want to check them all out before deciding.

I usually tell my clients to wear the color while they are shopping to see how it looks after a few hours. If you are near an exit it is even better to check the color in natural lighting to make sure it is even and matches your neck color. You will need a pocket mirror or you can ask the make-up artist to come with you. If you are still undecided then keep looking until you find the one that is right for you. You can also have a foundation custom blended at most Prescriptive counters. The benefit in this is that it is your formula for your coloring. This is only available in a liquid or powder form.

If you are in a shopping center that has a Sephora Beauty Boutique or an Ulta, I would suggest stopping in there as well. They have a huge selection of foundations as well as everything else and no pressure when it comes to buying. There is nothing worse than a sales person who is just trying to make their goal. If you aren’t happy with what you buy, then they haven’t done their job.

xoxo,

Beth

How to remove false lashes

After a recent post about how to apply false lashes I received a number of emails from women who had read my blog and then had some fun putting on lashes. I was thrilled that they were able to do it so well the first time and that they stayed on for more than a few days.

Many sent in emails asking the best way to remove them without hurting their own lashes. That was one thing I left out and very important too! The best way to remove false lashes is to wet the eye area with a bit of warm water so that the glue gets a little clumpy and tacky. Then carefully begin to pull the lashes from the eye lid slowly. This will prevent any of your own lashes from being pulled out.

Once the lashes are off you can rinse the eye area again to remove any glue that may not have come off. Eye make-up remover works well too.

xoxo,

Beth

How to apply false eyelashes with ease

I love lashes!! I love them curled and and I love them dark. I love to add individual lashes and I love to do a full set from time to time. When I worked with Bobbi Brown many years ago I would always be the one who got the job of applying lashes. I did them faster then anyone else and they looked great. I remember doing a Bob Mackie fashion show during fashion week and having two hours to do twenty-five models. That was a challenge that even Bobbi didn’t think I would be able to do in time, but I did.

It was a lot of fun and after that it was always me who would add her touch with lashes. Word got around and the next thing I knew every bride I did make-up for on their wedding day wanted and had to have lashes.

The easiest way to apply lashes without making yourself crazy is to use individual lashes. They look the most natural and if done the right way can stay on for up to a week. I like to use Ardell or Andrea knot free lashes. They come in short and long. For a more natural look I apply the short from the center out and then add a few long ones on the ends. They are sold in beauty supply stores, as well as Rite-Aids and CVS. In New York Duane Reade is a favorite of mine to buy them.

You will need an eyelash glue (Duo is a good one) I like to use Sherani surgical glue because it has a wand applicator. Either will do. An eyelash curler too. The first thing I do is to apply one coat of mascara to the lashes before applying indi’s. This creates a good base. It is also great if your lashes are sparse in places because it makes putting them on a lot easier. Do not curl lashes until the end. The lashes are best applied before curling.

The next thing I do is to pull between eight to twelve lashes from the box and stick them on the front of my hand. They will be split between both eyes. Then I squeeze a tiny bit of glue on the same hand and I am ready to start applying lashes. I don’t recommend using a tweezer. I like to use my hands because you have more control with placing them and it is much quicker.

Begin by taking a lash and dipping the end in the glue. Start applying from the center of the eye out. Slide the lash as close to the lash line without actually touching the eyelid. The knot free lashes are great because they blend in with your own lashes. To finish the look take four to six of the long lashes(2 or 3 for each eye) and apply to the ends. This will elongate the lashes for a very beautiful and sexy eye.
Once you get the hang of this you can go back and add a few more lashes on top or in between the ones already on. This is optional and depends on your preference. When the lashes have dried (usually 5 to 10 minutes) apply another coat of mascara and liner to the eyelid. The eyeliner gives a nice finish to the look and also makes the base of your lashes look thicker than ever. Once the mascara has dried you can curl your lashes.
If you want to keep them on for more than a day. When washing or showering be careful not to get them soaked. If you are washing your face use a wash cloth and be careful around the eyes. Sometimes the glue may turn a little lighter. If this should happen just add a little liner. Liquid or gel liner works the best.

So ladies, the next time you need a little ooh la la try adding a few lashes and get ready for lots of attention!

xoxo,

Beth

Soliv - Hollywoods Must Have for Beautiful Skin

A few weeks ago I wrote about this amazing skin care line called Soliv- Sea 2 Skin. A line of skin care products bringing life from sea botanicals into the skin.

The main ingredient in these products is algae, which as I mentioned before is extremely good for your skin. I have been so amazed by the difference in how my skin looks and in just a short time that I am sure I will be a lifelong customer. Just this morning my boyfriend commented on how I looked like I was twenty. I was shocked and for a woman of forty-five I guess the proof is in the product!

I have never had the pleasure of using a skin care line and really seeing results like this. I am completely thrilled and have been telling everyone in Hollywood about Soliv. At screenings, on location, to every girl I know who wants to look fabulous, and at every Hollywood backyard party.

I did not mention before that this line is also for men too. I recently did a treatment on my boyfriend and saw immediate results. His face actually looked more toned and his cheekbones were more prominent. He is very handsome to begin with, but after one treatment he looked great!

While everyone at Soliv is hard at work and in the process of placing the line at Beauty Bars and Spas across the country, please visit their website @www. Soliv.com to check out all of their products and get ready to love your skin! I will be writing about the line every month and updating you on new locations and any new products.

I promise that once you start using Soliv you will be hooked.

xoxo,

Beth