Valentine's Day How-To by Heather Wilson

A very special and romantic holiday is almost upon us! A day where it is tradition that lovers express their fondness by presenting each other with tokens of endearment!

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, you are probably thinking about purchasing a new outfit and shoes, how you will wear your hair and we hope that you are considering trying something new with your makeup.

No matter who you are spending this day with, be it a special partner or a single ladies night out, the Pros at IMPO want to suggest two makeup looks that are actually easy to achieve despite their intimidation!

Now, we all have our comfort level for an evening or special event makeup look, but this is the day to try something a little extra! So, the Pro’s want you to ask yourself…”are you more comfortable with a brighter lip, or a smokey eye?”

  

In this post, Pro makeup artist and IMPO writer, Heather Wilson will guide you through six easy steps on how to wear a red lip or a smokey eye and she will show you the products she uses to attain both of these looks.

Here is how she does it:

For most of us, we don’t feel comfortable in a bolder lip, but if you have found that perfect red and you are willing to try something new, then Valentine's Day is definitely the day to rock it! 

Let's begin...

First: start with super moisturized and exfoliated skin.

Second: mix 1/2 a pump of Make Up For Ever Uplight with your foundation to get that soft glow (if you tend to be more oily in your T-zone, you will not want to put this product on your forehead, nose or chin). This is also the time to conceal any skin flaws, irritations or dark circles with your favorite concealer product and then set the entire face with a neutral powder.

Third: use Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Base in Wheat to get a nice nude eyelid, but any “bone” colored shadow will do. Then take a color like MAC’s Soft Brown and smudge into top and bottom lashes. You can also add a very thin line of black, liquid eyeliner to define the upper lash line, but feel free to skip this step because if you do not feel confident in using this product the look can turn “vintage” quickly. This would also be the time to fill in your eyebrows with a matching color if needed.

Fourth: apply plenty of black mascara in your favorite brand and you can try a full or half set of false lashes. We love Ardell’s #105 or #301 for accent.

Fifth: a light application of bronzer like Bobbi Brown’s Maui Illuminating Bronzing Powder will sculpt cheekbones and add a slight bit of shimmer.

Sixth: to get a flawless red lip that will last through out the night make sure your lips are not chapped or flaky. Apply a matching red lip liner and use Yaby Cosmetics Lipstick in LC184. Finish the look with a little gloss just in the center of the lip. Alternative red lips that I love are: NARS 413 BLKR Larger Than Life Lip Gloss or Pure Matte Lipstick and Lipstick Queen’s Sinner or Saint.

4 more red lippies that are Pro favorites worth mentioning are all from NYX Cosmetics; Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Perfect Red, Xtreme Lip Cream in Spicy and Absolute Red and Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam.

Maybe you are more of the smokey eye type! If so, I am going to suggest mainly using soft plums for a more romantic flare than the traditional concrete tones popular with rock stars!

Let's begin...

First, follow the same steps for your skin prep, foundation, concealer and powder listed above. Then continue on with...

Eyes: Again, using Laura Mercier Eye Shadow Base not so much as an overall color this time, but instead to hold the shadows in place. Then use three of Yaby Cosmetics Pearl Shadows on the lid: PP017, PP038, PP047 and under the lower lash line. Take a black eyeshadow, such as NARS Night Breed and smudge it into the outer corner and elongate. I love to use Smashbox Gel Liner in Midnight Black softly smudged into the upper lash line because it will stay put all night.

Again as listed above, use a soft bronzer to sculpt your cheeks, fill in your brows if necessary, apply plenty of black mascara and false lashes then...

Lips: Use Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Intense in Satin Blackcurrant for an intense pigment that will match the plum colored eyes. Alternatives are; YSL Rouge Pur Couture Gloss in Violet Edition, Sephora Collection Rogue Cream Lipstick in Crush 23 or a little lighter tone with a hint of brown is Bobbi Brown's Lipstick in Raisin.

If you just can't handle the combo of a smokey eye and a matching dark lip then swap for a soft nude with a hint of pink, but that is playing it safe and on Valentine's Day I say step out of your comfort zone and have a little fun!

Remember to take your time, apply your makeup well and don’t rush! It is important to blend…blend…blend and blend some more for a flawless finish!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!

*all cosmetics listed above can be purchased online or at your nearest Sephora retailer. Yaby Cosmetics can be purchased from their online site or from Camera Ready Cosmetics.

*photos courtesy of Makeup by Heather Wilson.

New Year = New You 2011 - Makeup for every hair color!

It’s a new year and it’s time for some changes!  Out with the old and in with the new!  New workout routines, new eating habits, new personal and work goals, new boyfriends or husbands and…new hair color!

If you are tired of your 2010 look and have decided to finally take your hairstylist's advice and change up your hair color – Bravo!  The Pros are all about having our outer beauty reflect our inner beauty and we embrace new hair color annually too!

As professional artists, we get asked tons of questions about makeup and most are about which are the proper colors for blondes, brunettes, redheads, raven-haired beauties and silver foxes!

The truth is that all color works and it more depends on your skin tone than the color of your hair!  Everyone can wear a smoky eye and a red lip – everyone! You just need to find the right colors for your skin tone!

Wearing makeup color is a personal choice and rules really don’t apply here however, in the interest of our readers, we thought we would compile a sort of guide that you can use if you are having trouble embracing makeup color with your new hair color!

Remember – these are just our opinions, you should always swatch or test colors and take a trip to the counter before you invest!

Blondes:

No matter if your blonde color is warm or cool tone, most blondes look amazing in sheer shades of peach, pink, gold and champagne.  Think “California Beach Girl” when applying makeup for day and don’t be afraid to rock it up a bit at night.  Blonde beauties look chic in a smoky dark eye and pale pink lips!  Since it seems that blonde is one of the most requested hair colors that stylists are asked to create, don’t fade into the crowd with your new “do” – choose makeup that has a slight iridescence to it and your eyes will sparkle!

The products we recommend are:

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow - try in Toast, Champagne, Eggplant, Espresso, Navy, Banana, Rose Gold, Heather or Shell.

Bobbi Brown Blush - Coral or Pink Sugar – pops of color on the cheeks, especially if you have a tan.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick – Bronze

Bobbi Brown Lipgloss – try in Buff, Nude, Tangerine or Hot Pink.

Red Heads:

Red heads only make up 2% of the population so stand out with your makeup color too!  The Pros always stop and stare when we see a beautiful head of vibrant red locks, but if the girl is wearing boring, bland neutral tones on her face, the Pros always let out a big sigh of sadness! Live a little and be bold!  Green eye shadow looks amazing with red hair and if you are going to wear an earth tone, bump it up and think shades of orange like a sunset instead of taupe!

The products we recommend are:

L’Oreal Paris Hip Bright Shadow Duos - beautiful intensity.

L’Oreal Paris Blush - come in both warm or cool tones, but keep them on the lighter side.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick – if you are going for a bold eye then you may want to pair it with a lighter lip.  The Pro’s rule of thumb…match your cheek and lip color (pink cheek = pink lip, but not exact match – just same color family).

Brunettes:

Almost every celebrity goes from blonde to brunette at some point in their career…Scarlett, Cameron, Lindsay, Reese and they all bump up their eyes, cheeks and lip color when they do!  If you are sporting a new brunette hue this year, it is time to retire the frosty pink lipstick and choose a shade that is deeper or bolder.  Berry or wine tones looks amazing, but if you just can’t part with a lighter tone lip color, then choose a more golden-pink, brown-pink or a darker mocha color. Eye shadow color can be almost anything, but you might want to play with colors that compliment your eyes to make them really pop (break out that color wheel)!

The products we recommend are:

MAC + Mickey Contractor Eye Collection – Athma: Eye Shadow X4 – this quad has all the colors you could possibly need!  Essential favorites that will allow you to rock a deep, bold eye or something more quiet depending on your mood.  MAC makes incredibly pigmented shades so purchase more “color” that you can use to accentuate and pump up the essential colors in this palette.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish – use as a bronzer to contour or warm up skintone depending on your overall look!  The Pros love Gold Deposit or try the new Wonder Woman Mineralize Skinfinish in Golden Lariat or Pink Power.

MAC Lips – Spitfire, Stuck on You, Dark Side, Loyal, High Tea, Crème d’ Nude, Velvet Teddy.

Raven-Haired Beauties:

For deep, very dark, black-toned hair, the Pros love either a dark, smoky eye and a light lip or the opposite…a strong red lip and very light eyes with a slight winged out liner!  This is not the time to go monochromatic or neon because you will be mistaken for a teenager searching for her inner “emo!”  Cheeks should remain pale using light matte colors in soft shades.  Now, you can totally go for a red lip and dark eyes, but we recommend saving that look for the nightclub not the boardroom!

The products we recommend are:

NYX Cosmetics Pen Liner – easy to apply and makes a "winged" outer corner achievable!

NYX Cosmetics Eye Shadow Palette – I Dream of Jamaica – a great smoky eye or use for just an overall wash of color.

NYX Cosmetics Powder Blush – Angel or Natural

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream – Milan or Tokyo.

Silver Foxes:

Why stop your hair from greying? This color can look incredible and gorgeous on all women older or younger – yes I said younger!  Some women are finding that they are turning grey early and can no longer fight it (or afford to fight it) and so they are embracing it!  Deep eye colors look stunning with silver hair, but retire the coral lips and opt for pinks, rose or nude tones.  You may also want to ask about lighting your eyebrows.  Super dark brows are too harsh for this hair hue!

The products we recommend are:

Dior 5 Colour Eyeshadow – Incognito or Earth Reflection 609.

Dior Blush – A Touch of Blush.

Dior Addict Lipcolor – Pink Embroidery, Infamous Pink or Rose Lingerie 323.

Pro Tips and Tricks:

Whichever hair color you choose to rock in 2011 remember that all good makeup is about blending.  From foundation to lipstick, you must pay close attention to your application techniques.  That is what makes the difference in a makeup that looks like it has been slapped on haphazardly or with elegance and care.

Enjoy your new look and your new year!