Category Archives: blush

How Much Makeup is Needed to Create a Natural Look

Posted on by under blush, concealer, eye makeup, eye shadow, face makeup, false eyelashes, makeup, makeup artistry, makeup tips, YouTube

I wanted to write a post regarding natural makeup and what it takes to create a full face natural look.  There seems to be a misconception that creating a look that appears to be natural requires less products.  The truth is, it actually still requires just as many products as a look that appears more dramatic.  When you use more products, the good news is that you do end up using much less of each product so a little goes a long way.

For someone who wants to keep their products to an absolute minimum, it can definitely be done but the face typically will not look as complete, potentially will not last as long throughout the day, and might not look as flawless by the end.  As a professional makeup artist, my visual standard of perfection is much higher than the average person so that is why I will continue to use this many products because I understand how they work and the exact purpose they serve.  I do not like to cut corners when it comes to any makeup application so however many products it takes to get to the end result, I will still use them.

I made a video to show every single product I was wearing today.  I do not wear the same exact products every day as I do enjoy switching up the eye shadow, lip color, and blush.  This is just a general idea of what an every day look for me entails.  I will list the products below that are mentioned in my video:

  • MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot “Soft Ochre” (eye shadow primer)
  • MAC “Vanilla” eye shadow (lid color)
  • Kiko Milano #09 eye shadow (highlight)
  • Addiction “Flash Back” eye shadow (crease color)
  • MAC “Bronze” (outer crease color)
  • Maybelline Line Stiletto “Blackest Black” liquid eye liner (top liner)
  • MAC “Teddy” eye kohl pencil liner (bottom liner)
  • Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara
  • Red Cherry “Wispy” false lashes
  • Benefit Porefessional face primer
  • NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer “Custard – Medium 1”
  • NARS Sheer Glow “Deauville – Light 4” liquid foundation
  • Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free “Translucent” pressed face powder
  • Becca “Moonstone” pressed highlighting powder
  • NARS “Benares – Dark 1” powder foundation (cheek contour)
  • Chanel “280 Golden Sun” powder blush
  • Anastasia “Ebony” brow powder duo
  • Lancome “Sable” eye brow pencil
  • NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil “Bahama”
  • Lipland “Fifty-Fifty” liquid lipstick

As you can see, the final look is very natural looking.  However, I ended up using a total of 20 products to create it, hard to believe (I know)!

How to Choose the Right Blush and the Blushes in My Makeup Kit

Posted on by under blush, makeup, makeup artistry, makeup techniques, makeup tips, YouTube

In this video, I share all the blushes I keep in my professional makeup kit and how I go about choosing the right blush for my clients based on their personal coloring (skin tone, eyes, and hair).  For beginners and most people in general, I do recommend a powder blush as opposed to a cream formula because it is much easier to apply.  I also tend to stick with matte blushes only (I explain why in the video) so this is something to look for the next time you go makeup shopping.  The blushes featured in the palettes are all by MAC:

Light to Medium skin tones:

Sincere (neutral, light apricot beige) – Ideal as a starter blush for anyone who has never worn blush before, anyone who has pink undertones to their skin, or anyone looking for a blush that won’t add too much color to the face as this will appear very natural on the skin
Melba (salmon warm pink) – I use this the majority of the time, it is universally such a beautiful shade that adds color to the face but not overly bright
Peaches (coral) – Great for those who have warm coloring and also a nice pick if you have red hair
Mocha (medium cool pink) – I like this for a person who has cooler coloring, such as a person with blue eyes and dark hair
Fleur Power (bright warm pink) – This works on most skin tones but especially great for someone who has a medium to olive skin tone or a tan.  This will show up nicely, adding a little more color than some of the other shades listed above.
* Fashion Frenzy (hot bright pink) – I always like to keep a hot pink for those who love to wear blush and want their cheeks to really pop.  This works on pretty much all skin tones since it is highly pigmented and shows up very easily.
[*Discontinued shade similiar to the MAC’s Dollymix blush]

Dark skin tones:

Shadester (brown beige) – This shade is actually meant to be used as a contour color but it can be used as a blush, more so on a medium skin tone
Raizin (deep warm auburn) –  One of the best colors to use on a darker complexion, the color is richly pigmented and looks natural once applied
Loverush (deep red wine) – This also has a nice pigmentation but appears brighter on the cheeks, very pretty
** Sweet as Cocoa (natural bronzy color with gold shimmer) – This is a natural looking blush that compliments a darker complexion nicely while also serving as a bronzer on medium skin tones
** Format (deep shimmery bronze) – A popular blush on a darker complexion that provides a shimmer and will appear fairly naturally, not too bright
** Ambering Rose (red and gold shimmer) – I would say this is universally a nice color for any complexion because it warms up on the skin and really brightens the complexion because it has red and gold in it
[*** Blushes that contain a shimmer and are not matte] 

I also mention a shade that is not in a palette, it is a single blush by NARS – Sex Appeal.  I love this color on exceptionally fair skin tones.  Although it looks like a very pale color, it actually pulls up beautifully on the cheeks.  It is a very light, pale peach pink color.  I also always like to use this on someone who is fair with red hair or strawberry blond hair.  

I strongly believe that blush can enhance everyone’s complexion so finding the right shade is the first step.  In a future video, I will demonstrate the application along with the exact placement.

The Best Blush for Pink Undertone Complexions

Posted on by under blush, face makeup, makeup, makeup artistry, makeup techniques
MAC Sincere

MAC “Sincere” blush

Often times when I meet clients with a pink undertone to their skin (as opposed to an olive or yellow skintone), they naturally have a rosiness to their cheeks and do not always like the idea of wearing blush.

As a makeup artist, I find blush to be an absolute necessity in completing a look, whether it is a natural daytime look or for a special occasion.  Why?  Blush instantly makes the skin look more youthful, dewy, and attractive.  Everyone looks good with a little blush!

Even those with a pink undertone should wear blush but the key is using a shade that is not too bright or has too much pink to it.  I always choose a blush that appears almost colorless or one that might seem like it won’t show up too much because on someone with a pink undertone, even a sheer or very natural looking blush will show up because their natural rosiness to their complexion will shine through.

The best blush I recommend for someone who is fair and with a pink undertone is MAC’s “Sincere” blush.  This has a matte finish and shows up without looking too bright.  It gives just a hint of color while also adding some warmth to the face.