Hot Lip Colors for the Cold Winter Weather

November 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

One of our favorite make up artists, Melissa Wilson of MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio, clues us into the best ways to have smoldering lips this winter.

Being a Rhode Island resident, winter has become one of my least favorite seasons because of the cold, northeast weather. However, even though I’m not partial to snow and cold temperatures, I still always look forward to winter because of the beautiful makeup trends. Particularly with lip color. Winter, in my opinion, is the best time of the year to get a little more daring and bold with your choice of color. During the spring and summer, people generally opt for a clean, bronzy, “no makeup” look. However, when the coolers seasons come around, deeper and richer colors are top choice. Check out some of my favorite colors for this season!

Strawberry from Arbonne is definitely one of my faves. Everyone is looking for the “perfect” red lip, and this is IT! This beautiful, rich red color looks amazing on almost any skin tone, from the fairest of the fair, to darker skinned beauties. It has a creamy, long wearing texture, and it’s sure to get you noticed in a good way!

Another Arbonne favorite of mine is Scarlet. Scarlet is a deeper red color that, once again, looks fabulous on lighter and darker skin tones. If you’re trying to be bold, but not bright, Scarlet is a great choice.

For fall and winter, berry colors are very much in season. One of my favorite berry toned lip colors is Revlon Colorbusrt Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie. If you’re someone who isn’t really into the full coverage that a lipstick gives, and would rather have a more sheer color, then lip butters are great. Although the color isn’t as pigmented as a lipstick, you’ll still get beautiful, natural looking color; plus, they are super hydrating, which is something that is very necessary during the cold winter months.

If red isn’t your color, and lipstick isn’t what you prefer, L’Oreal Color Riche Le Gloss in Mystic Mauve is a great choice. This deep pink color will look great on all skin tones, and is a more natural looking alternative to a red lip, or even a berry. This true to color hue gives a beautiful, even, glossy finish, hydrates the lips, and is perfect to use every day!

So remember, winter is a great time to experiment with lip color. This festive season is perfect for trying different shades of reds and berry. Whichever color you choose, be sure to create a perfect base by hydrating your lips first, then topping with your favorite gloss or lipstick for the season!

Filed Under: Beauty Trends, Makeup, Melissa Wilson Tagged With: , ,

How to Hide a Pimple

October 10, 2012 By 1 Comment

We are very excited to welcome beauty expert Melissa Wilson of MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio to share her insider expertise with us on how to address this common annoyance that happens to even the best of us. 

Let’s face it – not everyone has perfect, flawless skin. There are many of us out there who suffer from acne, seasonal or hormonal breakouts. And when our face isn’t looking its best, we definitely don’t feel our best. Having pimples can definitely be a confidence breaker, but knowing how to conceal your blemishes in a natural looking way can give you the boost of confidence that you need to face the world head on! As a professional makeup artist, here are some tips for concealing your pimples.

1) Start with a clean, well hydrated face. Odds are that if you are experiencing breakouts, you probably have some excess oil in your skin. Be sure to wash your face with an oil-free cleanser, and hydrate with an oil-free moisturizer.

2) Using a flat concealer brush, apply stick or cream concealer to the blemish. Stick and cream concealers give better coverage than liquid   concealers. Using a concealer that is too light or too dark will make your pimple stand out even more, so your concealer should match your skin tone exactly. I personally like concealers from Arbonne International. They give great coverage, are very blendable, and are free of ingredients that will clog your skin even more, or cause more breakouts.

3) Gently press the concealer brush on top of your pimple, giving the brush a little twist. This will help to work the product into the blemish so that all the nooks, crannies, and crevices are filled in.  This step can be repeated until the pimple is totally hidden. I really like the Sonia Kashuk concealer brush. The bristles are firm, yet very pliable, which will reduce any pulling or tugging on the area.

4) Using your finger, gently tap the area around the pimple, smoothing out and blending into the skin any lines created by the concealer

5) Next, apply foundation to the rest of your face. Your foundation can be applied using a sponge, brush, or your fingers. Try not to apply foundation to the pimple, however, if you apply your foundation over the pimple, I suggest using your finger to lightly tap the product on. This way, the coverage that you created with the concealer will not be disturbed.

6) Apply a skin-matching or translucent powder directly to the pimple using your finger, Q-tip, or a small fluffy brush. Avoid putting too much pressure on the pimple, as this could lead to scarring or more irritations.

There you have it! You have successfully covered your pimple! Keep in mind, though, that while makeup is great for covering things up, the key to having a flawless complexion is having a great skin care regimen and a healthy diet. For oily, acne-prone skin, products containing low amounts of salicylic acid or glycolic acid will help to treat breakouts. They will also chemically exfoliate the skin, getting rid of dead skin cells and creating a smooth, polished complexion. Also, be sure to keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water! By following these 6 simple steps to cover up any unwanted blemishes along with proper diet and skin care, you will be sure to stay flawless all the time!

Filed Under: Beauty Questions, Makeup, Melissa Wilson