Makeup Tips from a Pro

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24716_10100235082923814_8321491_62230960_1129464_n

Tina Burnham and I met through the brilliant world of blogging. After finally meeting face to face one afternoon in Starbucks, we realized we should have met each other a lot sooner because we had been going to the same church for a long time. haha.

Since our first meeting, Tina and I have collaborated on several projects. Some shoots where she has been the hairstylist, some where she has been the photographer and some where she has been the makeup artist. Tina is SOOOO talented (obviously), and today she is sharing some makeup tips and her favorite products with all of you.

1. What is your favorite overall makeup brand and why?

Mac Eyeshadow
Mac Eyeshadow

Well, I am a little biased because I have a Pro Account, but I am a M.A.C girl. Even without my pro perks, it is mid-price range and affordable.  I love how vibrant their shadows and pigments are, and the wear longevity of them. So many fun colors in mattes and shimmers. I used to be a Lancome girl because my mom was, and I am still a die hard Definicils girl when I am not wearing my falsies! Yes, I wear fake lashes and I LOVE it :).

2. Right now, what lip product do you use the most often - lipstick, lip stain, lip gloss, lip pencil or Chapstick?

how-to-get-soft-kissable-lips
how-to-get-soft-kissable-lips

For everyday natural day look I use M.A.C tinted spf lip conditioner. I used to use the clear lipglass, but it can get sticky and my hair would always get caught in it! I still use lipglass to finish off a lip application. Just a dab in the center of the lips, not to the outer edges, gives the lips a pouty look.

3. What is the biggest mistake people make with their makeup?

id-11-10-10
id-11-10-10

Hmmm.  I don't know about mistakes, but there are lots of tips to applying. Probably the one I would say is a "mistake" is what I call the clown brow. And I have to be honest and say I have done the clown brow back in the day!!!

Many women use a lighter shimmery color or even white shadow right under their brows to highlight them. When you look in the mirror it looks great! Now go take a picture......with a flash.  You look like a clown!!!  When picking a color to highlight use an irradescent shadow, that is subtle however catches light.....NOT shimmer shadows or matte white shadows!  My favorite is M.A.C vanilla pigment.  A MUST in your makeup bag! I can not live with out it! It is the perfect highlighter. Dust it along under your browline or dab your inner eyes and it highlights them perfectly. I often dust some down the bridge of my nose and add some contouring on the sides with some shadow and I just gave my self a "nose" job :).

4. What is the one thing you NEVER miss in your makeup routine?

clip-image001
clip-image001

Probably darkening my brows. I use M.A.C. firm angle brush and some brown shadow to gently fill and line my brows.  I like to use shadow versus a pencil because it is much softer and more natural.  Brows are one thing many people do not realize can really make or break a face. A well shaped manicured brow can open up the face and draw attention to the eyes. If I am doing a au naturel look, I would maybe do a little powder and line my brows!

5. What's your favorite makeup look right now?

Well since we are entering into fall I am inspired by the two looks I recently did for two photo shoots that we worked on! One being the Marie Antionette inspired very classic look focusing on a bright lip. On the shoot since it was for bridal I chose Coral. However for fall I often go RED! Sometimes with bright lips, when applied they look great but within half hour it doesn't look quite right and you can reapply and still doesn't look like when you first applied it. But M.A.C. Pro Long wearing no smudge lip color is my fave. One side is the lipstain, the other is the gloss. I have tried other "smudge" proof and not a fan. This one really doesn't come off, and you don't need to reapply the color only the the gloss. However,  I don't line my lips when using this product because the oils react a little different than the lip color since it is long-wearing formula.  My favorite, Lasting Lust Red! I would also like to trya dark plum lip too for fall :).

rby-makeup-leighton-de
rby-makeup-leighton-de

The other look that I did  was just a very natural pinky "cold" cheeks and lips with a neutral eye or light eye. Many women do the smokey eye with various color combos. Instead with this look you would use lighter colors, which will brighten and open up the eyes giving a softer look. Light foundation, pink blush and maybe an overall dust of shimmer. A very dewey, fresh and clean feel.

Top Hair Products & Tips from an Expert

I have a real treat for all of you. My dear friend Kim Cornwell has decided to share her top hair products and tips with all of you today.

I have collaborated with Kim on two other shoots (Marie Antoinette and Epiphanie), and I'll be working with her again in the very near future. Kim also happens to be my my hair stylist, and I DEFINITELY recommend her to anyone that is looking for a hairstylist in the Chandler, Arizona area. She's uber talented! You can check her out at Triple Threat Studios (480-225-4282).

Now onto the hair goodies and tips...

FOR PREP...When you start ANY hairstyle, your hair needs to be appropriately prepped. TIGI S Factor Silky Smooth and  Morrocanoil are amazing, lightweight products that actually improve the health of your hair while adding moisture, shine and heat protection. I  recommend using a prep product even on air dry days, but make it mandatory before ANY heat on your hair!  For those of us looking to multiply the look of our locks try a volumizer before blowdrying. I love TIGI Catwalk Your Highness Thickening Creme Gel, or for more oomph TIGI Beadhead Cocky.

FOR VOLUME...One of my personal all time favorite is TIGI Catwalk Root Boost. This product delivers awesome volume without stickiness or stiffness. Because it also has slight hold, it helps keep unruly bangs and cowlicks in line. Use cool air at the end of your blow-dry time to really lock volume in place.
FOR FINE HAIR...Fine hair that is lacking a life and movement needs product that brings texture, volume and a good " build up" feel. TIGI Bedhead Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray and KMS Hairplay Sea Salt Spray do just that! Remember, my fine haired friends, keep conditioner off your roots! It will only weigh hair down making it more flat and limp.
FOR CURLY HAIR...For the curly head crew, check out TIGI Curl Amplifier or Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion. Both products hydrate, smooth and define curl without unwanted crunchies that gels and mousses are classic for. Steer clear of products loaded with alcohol because it will dry your hair out leading to frizz. Remember to rinse hair in cool water to help smooth down frizzies and lock in moisture.
DIRTY HAIR SECRET...Need to spruce up second, third or even fourth day hair( you know who you are! ), or just ran a marathon and don't have time to wash your hair? Dry shampoos are a dirty heads best friend. They soak up unwanted oil, excess product and funky smells...leaving hair refreshed, volumized and ready to rock till wash day. I love TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret or for a great buy under $8, Pssssst! works wonders and can be found local drug stores.
HAIR CONTROL....Need to tame down flyaways or piece out your texture and layers? Try TIGI Bedhead Hard to Get Paste. It has a light natural hold and smells completely edible! If you need a bit more separation and hold I recommend a new find of mine...Kevin Murphy Knight Rider or Gritty Business. Love the super smart, sleek packaging and earthy fragrances.
KEEPING YOUR HAIR IN PLACE...Now that your hair looks amazing, don't lose your style! TIGI Bedhead Masterpiece Massive Shine Flexible Hairspray or Sebastian Shaper Fierce offer flexible, firm hold that's not reminiscent of my childhood favorite...AquaNet ( can you believe they still make that stuff?!).  Both smell awesome, having lasting hold and brush out nicely.
WEATHER PROTECTION...Watch out for cold weather in the coming winter months! Treat your dryed out hair to a re-hyrdating mask that smells like an after dinner mint. TIGI Bedhead  Peppermint Hair Mask is super moisturizing, dry hair drinks it up! Over-processed summer hair could use a lil strengthening from TIGI S Factor Serious Conditioner - a splurge your hair will thank you for. A little on the ends twice a month is a great way to keep hair strong especially while trying to grow it out.

Good luck with the hair experiments, and stay tuned for more hair tips!

-Kim Cornwelll

Spring Buns

Well, ladies, you may not want to schedule that appointment for your annual fall chop. It looks like the the Spring 2011 runways are showcasing buns left and right. I, personally, have yet to master a good messy bun, but hopefully between now and April I can figure it out.

Let me know what you think of this elegant trend.

Images found via StyleList.com.

Golden Nuggets - Model Makeup

It has been awhile since I've shared what AVE Styles has been up to, and more importantly, any golden nuggets of knowledge I have gleaned. So, I've decided to start a blog category called "Golden Nuggets" where I'll tell you guys any practical tips I pick up from the biz.

So, here's my first bit of gold...Most models are trained on how to do their own makeup and hair for local fashion shows.

I was a dresser for a fashion show a couple weeks back over at Scottsdale Fashion Square with models from The Agency Arizona, and I really loved the hair and makeup they were all sporting. So, of course, I asked who the makeup artist was, and they replied that THEY were the artists.

So, how do they make sure that they are all going to look cohesive? The Agency tells them to wear natural makeup and shows them how to apply it during orientation. They also show them how to do their hair properly.

No wonder models always look awesome, right?

Well, it got me thinking that as much as we read about makeup trends in fashion magazines, learn how to execute a smokey eye or draw an awesome cat-eye...clean and natural is always the way to go because it matches everything. I follow some street style blogs such as The Sartorialist, and whenever they show models in every day life they always have simple makeup.

So, in the past week I've experimented by not wearing as much makeup, and it's weird...I'm getting MORE compliments. Maybe Coco Chanel was really on to something, less REALLY is more.

Maybelline Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara

I finally finished up my M.A.C mascara that I wasn't too fond of, and took a chance on Maybelline's Lash Stiletto Ultimate Length Mascara. I am really, really liking it. There are many different formulas out there that give a variety of results. For me, I tend to like mascaras that lengthen and separate. This one does just that, and I recommend it to anyone looking for that outcome.