Fake a Flawless Face - My Favorite Components: Step 2

Step numero dos to creating a flawless face is to summon the powers of great concealers. I say concealers, plural, because they come in a multitude of colors - specific to your personal skin needs.

My hands down, no questions asked, favorite normal concealer is from Nars. It is super creamy and blendable (seriously, how many times has your concealer been dry and cakey - actually bringing MORE attention to what you are wanting to conceal...sheesh). Their formula contains Vitamin E, which looooooves skin and is very moisturizing. This stuff literally melts into your skin. I like to use it under my eyes for brightening purposes (when I don't need to call on my friend 'yellow concealer' for help), on blemishes, and around my nose.

A makeup artist at Nars once gave me a few tricks that I now cannot live without...she recommended using a small concealer brush to apply the concealer right up to my lower lash line under my eyes - this creates a very blended, flawless look....and really brightens your eye area. In addition, she used the concealer on my nose and around my nostrils - I am not kidding, this made my ENTIRE face look even. I am one who has a lot of redness around my nose, and I was absolutely amazed at the difference this step made. Specifically, there is redness right at the base of my nostrils...this concealer is perfectly blendable for such an awkward spot. Again, I recommend using the brush for more precise application.

Click here for more info regarding the NARS concealer....my shade is honey if you need a frame of reference.

For more targeted skin issues, colored concealers can help a tremendous amount. I have had great success with Maybelline...I have the green and yellow colors. The green correction concealer is great for counteracting redness - so if you have a blemish that is really red and angry, use a little green AROUND the blemish - not on top - to suck that redness out. If you have darkness under your eyes, use a yellow corrective concealer to even the skin tone.  

Conceal to reveal, that's my motto.....XOXO, Tiff.  

Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed: How-To #1

I lied...I don't think I can help with tail bushiness.  In fact, please go to the doctor immediately if you even have a tail.  Now that we have that out of the way, let's get to little tricks to make you appear well rested.  

Did you know that you can buy 8 hours of sleep at your local drug store?  Seriously!!  Or a department store, if you prefer.  I think the best component of the "looking more awake" set is a yellow concealer stick.  The yellow is used directly under your eyes, over any darkness you may have there.  I like to start with my primer (green shade from Smashbox, remember) so that the concealer glides on and is easier to blend.  It's really amazing to me how much this one trick helps.  But we're not going to stop there, oh no.  What happens next is a matter of preference...mine is a little shimmer over the yellow concealer to further brighten the area.  Some prefer more of a matte look; in that case, rub some pressed powder on your fingertip and press it over the concealer.  If you want a little shimmy shimmy, I like a product called Doubleglow 7 (clever, huh) by Du Wop.  My only gripe about this product is the packaging - curiously, it is in a little round container and is a little difficult to use as a result.  To keep it from collecting under your fingernails, I recommend using a small concealer brush (which makes application easier anyway).  Either brush or press the Doubleglow 7 or similar product over the concealer.  The last step to creating a great wide-awake look is to line the inner corners of your eyes with a pearly-white eye pencil.  Follow with your normal makeup routine.  Voila...good morning, beautiful!!        

XOXO, 

Tiffany