Holiday Makeup

This week I had my makeup done for a photo shoot by a professional makeup artist who I would like to recommend, Pamela Jeffries. I was very happy with the natural look she created for my corporate training head shots. She also does bridal party and special event makeup. http://www.glowmakeupstudio.com/

While working with Pamela we discussed Holiday Party makeup looks. We both agreed that either you make the focal point your eyes or lips. So if you do the smoky eye look, then do a more natural lipstick or gloss. Conversely if you want to do bright red or fuchsia lips, then go light on the eye liner and shadow.

Shimmer is great for parties on the lids, cheeks. and even the bust line. Women with mature skin need to apply shimmer very lightly though. A touch on the center of the lid or just across the top of the cheek bone, as shimmer will emphasis wrinkles.

I will be doing smoky eyes at a black tie event this weekend. Basically this means that after doing a base or makeup primer and light shadow over my entire lid to brow area, I'll apply dark eyeshadow on my eyelids up to the crease. Some apply eyeliner both inside and outside your eyes. I do not like lining the inside of your eyes though, so I just do a dark eyeliner pencil on the top and bottom of my lashes and smug with a Q-tip. Pamela suggests topping the pencil liner with a liquid eyeliner for extra intensity. As a final touch I apply a thin line of the lid shadow below by lower eyeliner and blend with a Q-tip. It's a very dramatic sexy look that is best used at night. Here is my plug, I use Arbonne products, but there are lots of lines that will do. http://www.wardrobeperfect.myarbonne.com/

The photo above is Keira Knightly with smoky eyes and light lipstick.

Sensible Jewelry Gifts

Certainly during this economy jewelry sales overall have declined, yet jewelry is still selling. There are always occasions when nothing but jewelry marks a special events in one's life: engagements, anniversaries, significant birthdays, graduations, etc. In addition women are not just waiting to be gifted, but buying their own jewelry.

My advice to those building a jewelry wardrobe is similar to my advice regarding building a clothing wardrobe: begin with good classic basics. You should have earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and ring in your best base color: white gold or yellow gold. These pieces should work with the majority of your clothing wardrobe. They should look good together, but not be matching. A few diamonds that are not to flashy might be added to your basic metal. Often a necklace may become your signature piece, such as a chain with a gold coin perhaps. These classic pieces will most likely be built over time (often with not to subtle hints to husbands) before Christmas, an anniversary or a birthday. You may even eventually "upgrade" to replace a piece bought years ago.

After these basics are completed you may want to begin another jewelry acquistion plan. Perhaps it will be pearls or a certain colored gem that suits your coloring and wardrobe. As these are all somewhat planned sensible purchases that will be worn frequently for year and years, I personally do not see them as that extragant unless you have very limited discretionary income.

I also suggest buying from a respected jeweler who you can trust to sell you good quality and can handle any repairs needed over the years. In addition a good jeweler will understand what scale and shapes work best for your body structure. Most of my classics pieces are from Asanti Jewelers in San Marino, CA. The owner, Nelson Holdo, even provides safe deposit boxes for his clients. http://www.asanti.com/ The classic gold earrings in this blog are by Suna Bros.