Don't forget your face
- Jamie Banks
- Mar 23, 2016
- 6 min read
As the flowers begin to bloom and we put away our winter clothes, I only have one thing on my mind - spring fashion. Everywhere I look I see pastels frocks, fun prints and shoulder baring tops. But don't forget your face. The makeup we have been wearing all fall and winter needs a refresh too.
My friends and family can attest that I am no makeup expert (see my "before" look below). Good thing I do know an expert -my friend Angie Cottone, makeup artist extraordinaire, was kind enough to spend an afternoon with me talking about how to execute spring's makeup trends.
Take a minute and fully take in my bare face. This is what 45 looks like without any makeup - eek is right. I'm never leaving the house without something on my face again (y'all know this isn't true but it sounds good).
1. SUN KISSED
This look is totally in my wheelhouse. I like to look somewhat natural and not too overdone. It does, however take some effort. Angie first applied a primer to my skin to prep it for makeup. A primer is an important first step - think of it like painting a wall - you need a smooth surface to begin. Next apply a liquid foundation which will adhere to the primer. I of course asked if you really need both and if one or the other could be skipped. The short answer is no. "It's all or nothing," said Cottone. "if you are not going to do all the steps, then you may as well just go with a bare face," she added. This is why I love this woman - she takes her craft seriously and believes if you don't do it correctly, then don't bother.
Angie went on to explain if you apply a powder blush or bronzer directly on top of the primer it will not pick up the pigment in the makeup correctly. Next she applied concealer to any areas needing additional coverage. For me, that's under my eyes. The final step to a flawless face is a finishing/setting powder which can be translucent or sheer. "The powder is like a top coat for your nails," said Cottone. It keeps foundation from settling into fine lines and from drying out the face," she added.
Once you have applied these four products, it's time to begin adding color/warmth to your face. For this sun kissed look Angie applied bronzer on my temples, cheekbones, and jawline with a large brush. "Determine the shade of bronzer to use by the way your skin naturally tans," suggested Cottone. For me, I get brown and a little pink when I am in the sun, so I would look for a bronzer in this color palette. Angie then switched to a fan brush with the same product for precision to build color and to contour under my cheekbones. This is not contouring in the Kardashian sense; you should not see "lines" between the colors on your face, nor should you look ruddy - everything should be beautifully blended.
As a finishing touch to my face, Angie applied a highlighter to the top of my cheekbones and up around my temples. I love a highlighter, but this is a personal preference and not completely necessary. A highlighter is used to reflect light and make your skin glow. Those who prefer a more matte look can skip this.
She then moved onto my eyes and dusted my entire eyelid with a neutral shade of eye shadow. A lighter shadow was applied under my brows to open up my eyes. An understated pearlized pinky/peach lip gloss was brushed on my pout. Voila! Sun kissed look complete.
I have tried to recreate this look in my everyday life and I am happy to say I can get it done in about 10 minutes - totally doable for someone who is not very good at makeup. It's pretty mistake proof - just remember to blend well.
We spent the most time on this look as it was the base for the other trends which called for a more dramatic lip or eye. You can also do this in real life -no need to wash your face and start all over - just add a bolder lip or eye to your daytime face for an instant nighttime look.
2. STRONG LIPS
A strong, colorful lip continues to dominate for Spring. We decided on red but you can use any bright color. Go big or go home and these lips are big! It's important your lips are well moisturized before you begin, as all eyes will be on them - dry, flaky lips are a no no. Angie explained using a neutral colored lip liner and tracing the very outside of lips will give them more fullness. "Work the liner into your lips by rubbing them together to create a good base," she added.
Angie chose an orangey-red for me because of the gold and brown in my skin versus a blue-based red which would have looked too flat for my coloring. She applied the lipstick with a brush with exact strokes, filling in where she had outlined. Whether you apply a matte or a glossy lipstick is totally a personal preference. I like a glossier look and would even consider just a red lip gloss for a little less-perfect looking mouth. You can also layer a lip gloss over a lipstick for a dramatic, long-lasting look.
Angie's best advice for this look "Keep your eyes simple." This strong of a statement on your lips along with a strong eye can look garish. An understated eye is what I love best about this look. I suffer from sensitive eyes and allergies and they water on the regular. If I can forgo mascara and still look pulled together I am all for it.
3. BLUE EYELINER
Blue, blue, blue...all shades, all variations are being shown for Spring. Light, dark, shadow, glitter, liner - doesn't matter, just get yourself some. I'm not big on eyeliner (see watery eyes above) and certainly put Angie to the test to get this look to not run all over my face. She used a liquid/gel liner which dried quickly and took the line outward and upwards past my eyes for some drama. I liken it to Adele without the almond shaped eyes or the talent (sigh).
If you have watery eyes (check) and liquid liner scares the hell out of you (check) then try a bit of blue eye shadow instead of liner. It requires a less precise application and allows corrections to be made easily. For me this would be a special occasion look but I know some bad ass ladies that could rock this look on the daily.
If the pictures don't speak for themselves then please trust me: If you need a makeup artist for a special ocassion, photographs or just a lesson, call Angie Cottone. Not only is she talented, but also the kindness person who won't let you leave her chair without you looking perfect.
All of the products featured can be found on www.BeautyKind.us BeautyKind is a luxury cosmetics website that allows people to give 5% of their purchase back to the cause/charity of their choice. We all know what we like and are most of the time we are refilling items, so why not give back at the same time?
My cause of choice is the Cam Newton Foundation which enhances the lives of kids by addressing their educational, physical and social needs. Not only it is a great cause, but Cam is my #style sibling (yup, I made this up - maybe it will take off...) - I appreciate and commend the risks he is willing to take to always look fly.
Every time I purchase something at BeautyKind, 5% goes to the Foundation. No extra cost - no leaving my house and all for good cause - It's a no brainer. If you haven't already, please try BeautyKind, choose a cause and make a difference with your beauty dollars. If it's your first time ordering, enter the promo code BanksStatement at checkout and receive $50 off your first $75 purchase.
Spring is about new beginnings, sunshine and fun - enjoy it all and remember not to forget your face (and sunscreen).
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