Keep your face glowing all summer long
Beauty experts share tips on looking glam and glowing for summer
TORONTO - From the season's hot hues to maintaining a fresh face throughout the day, a trio of leading beauty experts share their suggestions for keeping skin looking glam and glowing this summer.
* SKIN
Before reaching for makeup products to get glam, experts say it's crucial for women to ensure their canvas -- the face -- is in good shape.
"What I would love for women to do is start taking better care of their skin instead of relying on makeup to cover it up," says celebrity makeup artist Billy B.
The New York-based artist, whose clientele includes Pink, Sharon Stone and "Sex and the City" star Kristin Davis, says getting skin in good condition doesn't mean shelling out big bucks.
Purchasing an over-the-counter cleanser recommended by dermatologists, like Cetaphil, is one way consumers can try a product without breaking the bank.
"You don't have to spend a fortune. You can get great skin care at the drugstore," he says, during a recent visit to Toronto for an appearance at Holt Renfrew. "An excuse about not taking care of your skin isn't that you can't afford it."
Canadian makeup artist and photographer Korby Banner cautions against using scrubs that are too harsh, thereby creating more stress for the skin.
When it comes to cleaning the skin and pores, Banner says a toner does the job -- and more.
"A cotton ball and toner is a nice way to freshen the face, remove any sebum deposits and airborne impurities and at the same time, give you a very light exfoliation without any harmful effects," says Banner, who has worked on famous faces including Harrison Ford, Tyra Banks and Sheryl Crow.
To avoid layering products, which can be problematic, Banner, who also appears on the W Network makeover series "Style by Jury," recommends items that are two-in-one or three-in-one, like a tinted moisturizer with sunblock.
* FOUNDATION
To keep looking fresh during the day, Banner suggests first using a primer, which will make the makeup last longer without lifting up or starting to look shiny.
He also recommends trying an anti-shine product that will work as a cushion to give skin a matte finish and minimize the look of pores.
But when it comes to an "absolute must," Banner says he loves blotting tissues to remove shine, allowing the user to blot off excess oil while leaving the makeup intact.
"I would say that's the biggest 'no' -- adding more powder during the day -- because all you're building up is this cakey film of skin, oil and product, which looks worse," he says.
"It weighs down your skin, exaggerates all the little lines on your face and makes a woman feel like she's got stuff on her face."
Rather than wearing foundation all over the face, Billy B. recommends using a brush and a little bit of foundation to conceal spots that make you uncomfortable.
Billy B. created a line of lightweight brushes with compact, manageable handles to make it easier to apply and blend product and colour and to tote in a woman's handbag.
He says it's a misconception that a large brush is needed to apply product. This can result in waste.
"Most powder brushes are this big around," he says, making the motion of a large circle around the brush. "Nobody's face is this big around, so it's this gratuitous, glamorous, big overdone thing that a woman thinks, 'That's what I'm supposed to use. That's the powder brush that they sold me for this.'"
* EYES
For application or a quick touchup, a cotton swab can come in handy.
At a recent Q-Tips Beauty Studio demonstration, Banner shared tips on transitioning from the office to an after-work look.
Rather than using a pencil or liquid liner, dip a moistened cotton swab into a cake liner and twirl the base of the eyelashes with some colour to give a smoky, shadowy effect at the base of eyelashes. For nighttime, complete the look with an extra coat of mascara.
When it comes to adding a touch of colour, Banner says bronze takes the gold, whether it's used as on the brow, cheek or eye.
GOSH Cosmetics, a Danish cosmetic line that made its Canadian debut in June at Shoppers Drug Mart, is featuring metallic gold and silver tones with its summer collection,"Golden Glamour."
It includes Gold Digger Trio Eye Shadow as well as silver and gold eye pencils.
Banner says he still has a lot of people wanting Jennifer Lopez's skin and lip colour, which is all about glint and shine and works well day and night.
"She's a great example of what I call a current look with bronzy, fresh-looking, unpainted (skin), some amount of smokiness on the eyes, but a very clean look on the skin, not a lot of blush, not a lot of obvious-looking makeup."
* LIPS
From sheer to bold hues, beauty experts shared different opinions on colours for lips this summer.
Billy B says women often underestimate their own natural lip colour and recommends trying a tinted or clear gloss to showcase their natural pouts.
Banner suggests a muted red with a gloss over top rather than having a really hard edge. To achieve the look, stain the mouth with a deep red, use a cotton swab to twirl it off and leave a slight stain of colour and put gloss over top.
Poppy King, the Australian mastermind behind Lipstick Queen, says with this season's fashion featuring so much bright, bold colour, it's great to do the same with lips -- provided that the makeup is kept minimal.
But when it comes to determining the ideal lip colour, she says she'd rather find out the mood the person is looking for and leave the ultimate colour selection in their hands.
"My absolute unwavering belief is if a woman feels good in what she's doing, it will look good," says the New York-based King during an appearance at Holt Renfrew's flagship Toronto store.
Her line, which has been worn by celebs like Katherine Heigl, includes 10 shades of colour but two formulas: Saints, which a sheer lipstick, and Sinners, which is opaque, as well as Oxymoron, featuring four blush shades for cheeks and lips.
More Life & Times
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
