M•A•C To the Beach

Join MAC in Santa Monica this weekend to view their most soothing, sultry shades of summertime. A safe way to bronze, beautify, and get colour that looks sun-kissed.

Luxe & Lean – Katy Perry Shares Summer Makeup Secrets

We kissed up to a a girl and we liked it. Katy Perry, the beautiful rocker, is happy to share her summer makeup secrets and they’re mostly lean, but also luxe at the same time. Perry has been seen around Hollywood in  Rimmel London Lasting Finish Blendable Powder Blush and Highlighter in Autumn Catwalk. It’s gorgeous on all skin types and costs only $5. She paired it with Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lip Colour in Red Alert for $7. She also gave her eyes a nice thin black lie with Rimmel London Glam Eyes Professional Liquid Liner in Black. Cost $5.

photo: http://www.katyperry.com/

A Dozen Dirty Little BeautyTricks

A DOZEN DIRTY LITTLE BEAUTY TRICKS
By Tamara Gold

Shhhhh, we need to keep this strictly on the QT. Look over your shoulder pads and make sure no one is watching.

I’m about to violate the Secret Stylist Code of Ethics by telling you the little Hollywood tricks we do to make our clients look extra fabulous including treatments stars regularly do before they sit down with us.

Remember that you didn’t hear it from me.

1. No Panty Hose.

Take a little bit of your favorite luminizer and mix it with an amazing moisturizer. Gently apply it on your legs and it looks like you’re wearing beautiful hose, but instead you have soft, natural, glowing legs. Amazing! My favorite for this…Laura Mercier. It rocks for your legs.

2. Shine on? Forget it!

If you’re shiny because of too much running around just hit the ladies room and grab the toilet seat paper cover. ( A new one of course.)  Tear off a piece and blot your face. It’s a great way to get rid of the oil without taking off your makeup. But, those of you have worked with me personally, know I love those tiny little blue oil-blotters from Clean & Clear.  Keeps you from looking shiny and helps you steer clear of that cakey look you get when you powder over your face to keep your shine at bay.

3. Spanx under it all.

Okay, Okay! I know….It’s not always comfortable, ladies, but hike ‘em up. If you have waist, hip, tummy or thigh issues – or all of the above, damn it all to hell – then get out the Spanx because they will suck in it for you. And, if you were wishing you could wear Spanx to the beach, your in luck!  This just in… Spanx Swimwear

4. Botox

A lot of the stars are  doing it. It’s true.  Same with plastic surgery.  I’m sure you knew that, right? You either think it’s okay or you don’t.  If you decide to give Botox a try…make sure you go to someone who knows what they are doing! Yikes.  And, remember…Just don’t go too far. A little bit at a time will avoid those horrid cat eyes. Who wants that look.

5. Hair extensions

No one over 40 has the same thick, long to your butt locks that they did when they were younger. Ask your stylist about extensions if you want that look. Discuss the ones that are the least harmful to your regular hair. There are so many different techniques. Try clip in extensions before you invest the big bucks. Again, go to the pros that do this kind of thing all the time. Extensions need to match your color and blend into the cut of your hair. There is nothing worse than being able to see where the extensions start and that the hair looks fake.

6. Visit your dentist and get your teeth bleached.

There’s nothing more beautiful than a gorgeous smile without the old lady yellowish I-drank too-much-Starbucks teeth. No time today? Try baking soda on your toothbrush and Crest White Strips are another favorite of mine.

7. Get out of your lawn chair.

For those ladies who are still tanning (and I know you’re out there), just know that stars never expose their faces. It’s horribly aging. If you’re out always use sunblock, but also wash it off the minute you get in the house. If you want that tan look then just use an amazing self-tanner on your face. And, go easy. I’ve been a little too “tan” ( read- orange!) in the past from a little more self-tanner than necessary. There are new organic self-tanner’s out there today. Stars do opt for the tan look because less makeup is needed to give them that glow and well, the lights on some sets can really wash you out.

8. Pad it, Baby.

If you’ve got a little tush envy..You don’t need to toss down more carbs to get Kim Kardashian’s curves….because you might also develop a gut at the same time. You can buy butt pads and add them into your jeans the way certain stars do. It’s also fine to pad your bra a bit with those chicken cutlet type pads that look natural. Can you believe we actually add padding to give the right curves? But, it’s available if you need it. Make sure their are securely in place! Nothing worse than a little bra pad playing peek-a-boo when you’re feeling oh-so-sexy…only for your admiring friend to point and say, “What’s that?” Hmmm. Been there. Done that. Laugh it off. That’s the only way out of this one.

9. Wear nude shoes to make your legs look longer.

Check out the pictures on the Web of the “Sex and the City” gals at the recent Showest event in Vegas to hype the movie. They were in gorgeous slinky dresses with nude heels. Even shorter girls will look like tall models. It works! You don’t get the break in the line that you get when you slip on a dark shoe.

10. Buy fabric tape.

You can take a hem when your pants don’t fit perfectly or you wear flats. It’s also a way to change up  a skirt- make it longer or a mini without alterations.You need to do this one while not wearing your clothing. Taping while in the clothing leads to wrinkles, rumples, and uneven hemlines. Still in doubt; Get a second opinion,and make sure you’ve taped it all up evenly. www.hollywoodfashiontape.com

11. Splurge on false individual lashes at your salon if you have a big event.

It’s about $40 to $50 to have a professional makeup artist put them in and they will only last a few days. But if you’re going to a reunion or on a big date or a wedding then they’re absolutely worth it. Your eyes will pop. You’ll feel like a movie star and won’t even need to wear as much eyeshadow. Individual lashes look more natural if applied in between your real lashes. Applied on top of your lashes, a little more glam. Strip lashes really pop the look and take it way up to the max.

12. Smile!

So many of us are so serious (worried, frantic, busy, etc.) Your smile is your best beauty secret of all.

The 5 Deadly Makeup Sins

The 5 Deadly Makeup Sins
By Tamara Gold

Thou shalt not cheat on your husband. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not wear the wrong color foundation!

Okay, that last one might not be Biblical, but it should be known to all women because a bad coat of face is one of the 5 Deadly Makeup Sins. I’m using a word as strong as SIN because these mistakes take all the fabulousness right out of your day.

Below are a collection of several beauty sins. Please repent now!

First Sin – Wearing the Wrong Color Foundation.

You’ve seen the woman at the mall or in a restaurant who is wearing someone’s else foundation color. It looks SO fake or as though she’s starring in a revival of “Cats.” Stop the insanity!  Instead, throw out that bottle and find what’s right for you. How do you know if your foundation color is wrong?

The Golden Rule: You will see that your neck and cheeks don’t match . This is called the line of demarcation. When you try on foundation at a makeup counter, don’t buy it right away. Walk around and go out in natural light so you can see if the color really matches. You won’t test it on your arm or hand, but on your jaw line. The right color dries clean and the line between the makeup and your skin disappears completely.

Remember that foundation that’s too heavy or opaque will make you look older because, it won’t blend into your skin, but sit on top of it. Your foundation should also feel like silk on your skin while it hides all your flaws.

Second Sin- Wearing Concealer That’s Too Light Under Your Eyes — Or Too Much.

Hello, raccoon eyes! Concealer that’s too light for your skin tone will look like you’re on your way to your own heavyweight boxing match or your child took a yellow crayon and colored under your eyes.  Instead of hiding your fine lines or wrinkles, you will be shining a spotlight in that direction.

The Golden Rule: Make sure that your concealer blends perfectly with your natural skin tone. Before buying from a makeup counter, ask for a sample, bring it home and try it out for a day or two in different lights. Test it under your foundation to make sure everything blends. Buy a concealer that’s creamy with a nice neutral tone. You can also add a drop of your foundation to your concealer before you put it on to make it appear unnoticeable. Make sure the foundation is not too white for your skin. My favorite comes from Kevyn Aucoin called The Senusal Skin Enhancer $31.50 (www.kevynaucoindirect.com)

Third Sin – Clumpy Mascara.

You need three coats of a mascara for that perfect look, but make sure you don’t create clumps because you put it on the wrong way. Clumps are often created when you “take a little break” to let each coat of mascara dry.

The Golden Rule: Put on your three coats of mascara quickly and one after each other, so it doesn’t dry sticky and create clumps. If it clumps do happen, use a tiny little eyelash comb to separate the lashes. Remember that my rule is to put on the mascara before your shadow, so you can easily do a quick fix if the mascara ends up in the wrong place.

Fourth Sin – Lipliner on the loose!

You know what I’m talking about here…the solid line that somehow sneaks outside your lipstick.

The Golden Rule: Find a good nude liner like my favorite from Chanel (www.Chanel.com). The next step is to color the entire inside of your lip, blot with a Kleenex to take off any excess and then apply lipstick or lip-gloss on top.  The nude liner is key because it will give you definition even if you use a red lipstick. If you’re doing on-camera work, be careful with the gloss. In this high-definition age, a little lipgloss can look like an oil slick on film and it’s distracting. Try a nice nude liner on your lips with  cream lipstick instead.

Fifth Sin - Too Much Bronzer.

Ooompa loompa, doopity don’t, indeed! Been there! Done that! Go easy on the color. And, make sure you blend.

The Golden Rule: First, don’t put bronzer everywhere. It’s not necessary. Use it to add a little sun-kissed look just where the sun would naturally tan your face.  Second, make sure to find a great blush brush and lightly dust your bronzer on your cheeks. You can use a bit of it to go down both sides of your neck and use a little swirl on your chest. If you’re going sleeveless then hit the top of your shoulders with a bit of bronzer.  For my ladies on camera, skip the  sparkling bronzer, which is distracting when filmed. Use a matte powder bronzer if you need a little more color.

One Coat is Not Enough

There are many things in life that are singular sensations: Your first kiss, hiking the Great Wall and that one-time-only amazing dream where you’re in a love tryst with George Clooney who announces to the global media, “I found The One. It’s Sally from Wisconsin.”

Okay, wake up now.

Sometimes, you need more than just one time. This brings me to your eyelashes because they need three times the love on the daily basis.

Many letters pour into this website asking me, “Tamara, how can I get that look of false eyelashes without the pain of trying to put them on or the expense of going to a professional makeup artist?”

First tip: The key is great mascara and three coats of it. Not one or two…but three.

That’s not the only way you can achieve those delicious thick lashes that all the movie stars have as their most fabulous accessory. Here is the way to have luscious lashes on a daily basis:

1. Most Important: Buy a Great Mascara

One of the best is Dior’s Diorshow in basic black, which retails for about $35 and will last at least eight months. It’s worth it because it’s thick black mascara and the wand is beyond amazing because it’s long, sturdy and will hit every little lash. It’s one of my favorite products for creating major lash action.

Tamara TIP: Often the applicator in the more expensive mascaras makes the price point worth it. Wash and save it when you use your cheaper brands.

2. Apply Mascara Before Anything Else!

Yes, I’m serious here. I promise,  you will use far less eye makeup and it will be a better look. In the studio, I always do lashes first and then the shadow. Plus, this will also save time on cleanup. There’s nothing worse than spending forever on shadow only to ruin it by missing your lashes and hitting your lids with mascara. It’s 6 a.m. and you’re on the way to work. No blame.

3. Use a Wet Q-tip Remove Fallout

My favorite are those pointed little q-tips! I think there so cute, but  don’t under estimate their power! While swiping on three coats of mascara before your shadow has been perfectly placed might just lead to a false sense of  “I don’t need to think about this anymore!” And, you really don’t, but when you find little black specks on your lid; here is your solution. Add a little water to the q-tip to dampen first.  ( This will  get rid of all fuzzies before you make another move) Then, gently glide over your eyelid where ever fallout has occurred.  Ick fact: Eye boogers should also go at this point.

4. Guidelines Baby, Guidelines!

Take a black liner pencil and go really tight onto the part of your lid that touches the lashes. Apply on the top of your lash line.

Tamara TIP: Lift your eyelid up to make sure you’re really getting to the L-spot where you’re almost jamming (I use this term loosely. Please don’t injure yourself ) the liner into the spaces between your lashes.  This is a key technique when you’re applying false lashes. It will save you the naked crack line that may appear if you don’t get the glue in tight enough to the lash line. We all know no one needs to see that, now do they? If you feel confident enough, then use a liquid liner on this spot. This one step will make your lashes appear super dense and ultra lush.

5. Curl Those Lashes Ladies

I’ve read magazine articles that say you should curl after you put on mascara. This becomes a big mess and can even break off your lashes. Always curl before you put on mascara.

Tamara TIP: Once I got a hysterical call from friend who curled while the mascara was still wet and all her lashes stuck to the curler. Permanently. There is no 911 for this tragedy. Only tears.

6. Walk This Way

Here’s the technique the pro’s use. Apply like this…. Go up and then out. Up and out! Do this fast and don’t let the mascara dry between coats or it will get all gunky. If the gunk does accumulate, grab a trusty lash separator….not a pin! Use it to  brush and comb your lashes to separate and get rid of any lumps & clumps. Make sure your lashes aren’t sticking together.

7. Save Yourself from Black Eyes!

Grab  the waterproof version of your favorite mascara when the heat starts risin’. Remember … always wash off all the mascara at night. You’ll not only save your 500 thread count Calvin Klein pillowcases, but when you don’t wash off mascara and sleep in it then your lashes have a good chance of breaking off.

Oh, you might want to save face when you roll over and see George Clooney cuddled up on the pillow next to you.

FAB FIX: So now you have the fab false lashes from just using mascara. One of my favorite stunning looks is to use a neutral, almost skin tone color  eye shadow and blend it into the crease of your eyes and the outer edges. (Don’t use shimmer, but a matte that’s a bit more than nude, but not dark enough to be brown) This tip is how you can achieve that amazing movie star look where it appears as if Gwyneth or Jennifer Garner are not really wearing shadow, but we know they did something. This is that something! I’d add a fuchsia or red lipstick – matte or sheer-  with a bit of clear gloss over it. Fabulous!

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