10 Tips for a Polished Look in 5 Minutes

We all have those days that we want just a few more minutes of our beauty sleep.  Here is a list of 10 tips to look polished in 5 minutes.

1. TINTED MOISTURIZER

Choose a tinted moisturizer with a SPF 30 or higher.  It should match your skin to even out discoloration.  I prefer to use one that also has additional skincare benefits, such as NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.

2. CONCEALER

This product is a quick pick-me-up.  Apply to any blemishes, lightly around your mouth, the corners of your nose, under your eyes and my favorite spot...under your eyebrows.  Applying here will disguise unwanted regrowth and give a lifted, defined look to your brows.  My go-to concealer is Cle de Peau, an award winning multi-use concealer.

3. GEL EYELINER 

Gel eyeliner is a staple for your makeup collection.  It can be used for so many looks.  For the 5 minute look, naturally, we are not going to try to attempt a winged eyeliner style.  This is the time for using your flat eyeliner brush and simply pushing a touch of the gel liner into your lash line.  Quickly, this gives you definition and the illusion of fuller lashes.  

4. MASCARA 

This is the time to reach for your black, full volume mascara.  A good coat or two on the top lashes is all you need.  Make sure you start from the base of your lashes, wiggle the wand slightly as you continue to apply in an upward motion to the tips of your lashes.  This motion will give you maximum volume and encourage a curl, opening up your eyes.  

5. BROW GEL

Brow gel is perfect for taming overgrown hairs for a more sculpted brow look.  It will hold your brows in place throughout the day easily giving them a more defined look.  If your brow hair does not match your hair or you have very fair brow hair, choose a tinted brow gel.  

6. BRONZER OR HIGHLIGHTER 

I know, I know...why "or"??  Because this is the 5 minute look!  My recommendation is to choose whichever feels right to you.  If you're feeling a bit washed out, go for the bronzer.  If you want a radiant glow, reach for your highlighter.  Keep it simple.  Bronzer applied lightly to your forehead and cheeks.  If your neck tends to be a bit lighter than your face, apply it there as well for a more even look.  If you opt for highlighter, apply to the inner corners of your eyes and on the top edge of your cheekbones, applying in an upward motion towards your hairline.  I love the options of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Collection. 

7. BLUSH

Think a subtle pop of color.  Apply a small amount to the apples of your cheeks.  For a soft and easy-to-blend blush with a beautiful color range, try Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush.  

8. LIPSTICK

Remember this is 5 minutes, lipstick only.  So we can cheat a bit here and go for a fat lipstick pencil.  Choose for a creamy formula with a complimentary pop of color.  

9. DRY SHAMPOO

This product is such a time saver.  Dry shampoo is used to absorb oils in the hair, creating more volume.  

10. EARRINGS

This is a fun tip to complete your look.  Choose a pair of earrings to coordinate with your lip and cheek color or a pair that makes your eye color pop.  

I know it's only a few minutes, but how we feel when we walk out the door sets the tone for our day.  I hope you enjoy these tips and have a wonderful day!

Dream Weddings Featured Wedding

Amanda and Philip

I had the honor of working with Amanda on her very special big day.  She was absolutely a stunning bride and their beautiful wedding was featured in Dream Weddings.  You can certainly feel the love just looking at their photos.  

Photo Credits: Epic Photography

Style Me Pretty Featured Wedding

Laura & John

This is a couple I hold an extra special place for in my heart.  I first met Laura in 2010.  At the time, I was living and working in NYC.  Laura was so sweet...and so pretty!  I became the makeup artist that Laura would turn to when she wanted something new or different.  We had so much fun working together!  Over time and many fun makeup sessions, we got to know one another better and better.  And let me tell you, Laura is an absolute sweetheart and she has such a kind, compassionate spirit.  We would talk about work, family, fashion, makeup...all good things.  I remember when she first starting seeing John.  She just lit up talking about him.  So you have to imagine when she reached out to me when they got engaged, I was beyond happy for them.  She also asked me at that time if I would be able to do her makeup for their wedding day.  Words can not express how I feel when something like this happens.  I am always honored to be the person a bride chooses to be her wedding day makeup artist.  Then every so often, it's for a bride that you have known since before the groom and know how perfect they are for one another.  Truly, this was a very special day to me as well.  Each time I watch their video, I cry tears of joy.  Their video captures so much love and joy within their families.  You can see from their photos what a beautiful couple they are and what a gorgeous wedding they had.  What an honor to be a small part in their very special Wedding Day!  

Photo Credits: Bia Sampaio Photography

For the bride's story, more photos and a list of vendors, please visit...

http://www.stylemepretty.com/new-york-weddings/new-york-city/2015/08/12/classically-elegant-summer-wedding-at-new-york-botanical-garden/

Choosing Your Wedding Day Makeup Look

Congratulations!  You are now engaged!  Your mind is probably spinning with so many ideas and questions about the details of your Big Day.  I have created a simple guide to help you with choosing your Wedding Day makeup look.  I regularly meet with brides-to-be for makeup consultations and trials.  I find that ladies sometimes know exactly what they want.  While others think they know, but need to see the look on themselves to be sure.  Then there are the ladies who have no idea where to start.  This guide is for everyone and is easy to follow.   

Photo Credit: AGP Collective

Where to begin...There are a few key factors to know first.

Where are you getting married?  The location of your wedding and the time of day is very important in choosing your makeup look.  Are you getting married in a garden at 1:00 pm or in a cathedral at 6:00 pm?  For instance, a garden-style wedding usually has a softer, more romantic overall theme.  Direct natural sunlight in a garden-style wedding also intensifies the look of your makeup.  While a cathedral wedding tends to lean towards a classic, more glamorous style theme.

The season in which you get married may also influence your makeup look.  The season may help determine the flowers you choose as well as the color of your bridesmaids' dresses.  You want your makeup to complement you personally as well as the hues, tones and textures in your wedding.

The next step is to consider the style of your dress.  There are so many gorgeous styles available.  It is important that your hair and makeup work with the style of your dress to complete your look on your Big Day.  

Next is to choose photo inspiration.  

I always ask ladies to show me photos of themselves.  It helps me understand what makeup styles they feel their best while wearing.  I also recommend choosing photos of inspiration you may find online.  Photos are imperative because they create a visual reference.   For example, your idea of a smoky eye could be quite different from my idea.  A photo provides that visual reference so you can properly communicate your preferences and ideas.  There are a few things to keep in mind while choosing your photos.  First, search for photos with similar coloring and facial features to your own.  Also, you want to remember that most photos have been "enhanced" with photo editing, lighting and filters.  It is important that you look beautiful in your photos and equally beautiful in person.  Keep true to your personal style and be careful of following trends.  This is going to be one the most special days of your entire life.  You should always be able to look at your photos and feel the joy and love all over again.  You don't want to later feel any disappointment for having worn a look that simply just wasn't you or is completely dated and out of style. 

Final Touches

I highly recommend you schedule a consultation and trial for your makeup look.  Of course, you want to see the finished look but also how it wears throughout the day or night, how your skin feels and reacts and how your look photographs.  

This whole process should be enjoyable, fun and exciting!