How to Get the Top 5 Sexiest Eye Makeup Looks

Tired of your same old mascara and liner combo? Find out how to create the latest eye makeup looks, including a simple smoky effect and dramatic cat eye, with tips from celebrity makeup artist Vincent Longo.

Change Your Look

When it comes to mixing up your makeup look, there are basically two ways to do it: change your lipstick or vary your eye shadow. Swapping your lipstick is a cinch — there's really only one way to apply it, regardless of the formula or color. Playing around with your eye shadow takes a bit more work, however, it's well worth the effort. (See how Beyoncé masters an impressive range of eye makeup effects, like this classic cat eye.) Resident Daily Glow expert, celebrity makeup artist Vincent Longo spills his secrets for creating the top five eye makeup looks

The Cat Eye

A retro-inspired cat eye has landed on the lids of ladies from Marilyn Monroe to Lady Gaga. "It's sexy and playful all year round," explains Longo. Start by using a stiff, flat-headed eye shadow brush to sweep an iridescent neutral shadow over your lid (Mary Kay sells a fabulous brush set for $55). "This will give dimension to the eye and help the liquid liner stay in place," he explains. Next, place the tip of a liquid liner's brush on the outer corner of the upper lashline and draw a line towards the inner corner of your eye along the lashline. (Try Mary Kay Black Liquid Eyeliner for $11) Make the liner thinner as you work your way in, otherwise the whole look will be too heavy and your eyes make look smaller, advises Longo. Once you've lined the rim, go back to the outer corner and brush out and up using a soft hand to achieve the cat eye.

The Smoky Eye

"The smoky eye can be sultry, romantic, mysterious, feminine, and sexy — which is why it fascinates us," says Longo. For a fresh look, forget the old conventions that you must use only black or gray shadow: Longo loves earth and jewel tones for the smoky eye, but his favorites? A deep, black-plum or green smoky eye.  Here are the Mary Kay colors I like to use to create these smokey eye looks ($6.50 per color):

For a traditional smokey eye - black pearl & silver sation

For an earth tone smokey eye - silky caramel & espresso

For a jewel-tone smokey eye - lemongrass & emerald; or blue metal & peacock blue

For a black-plum smokey eye - sweet plum & black pearl

The Party Eye

When attending a cocktail or holiday party, there's a good chance you're coming from (and changing at) the office. So you need to "think day to evening," explains Longo. "Freshen up your makeup, and add a layer of festive to your look."  Try crystalline, spun silk, silky caramel & cinnabar.

The Nude Eye

While the nude look is in, it doesn't equate to no makeup, unfortunately. "Although we define the nude look as naked, it truly isn't," Longo says. Most important to this look, make sure you use a great foundation and concealer to even out your overall skin tone first. (I like the mineral powder foundation $18).  Then apply a light layer of that concealer ($10) to your eyelids and set with a dusting of powder. "This will help the shadow stay put and look fresher longer," he says.  For the nude look, I love the colors spun silk & silky caramel.

The Bold Eye

Using bright color "is always heaps of fun," says Longo. "One bold shade is often enough." An easy option is to apply it as a liner and contrast the bright hue with black mascara. Try a wet-to-dry shadow or a liquid liner for this look as they have the most pigment and thus, the most depth. Mary Kay's mineral eye color can be used as a wet or dry shadow.  For this look, I love to use our NEW spring line cream eye colors in coastal blue, meadow grass, or violet storm $14.

For more information, please contact me at 508-840-8957 or check out my website at www.marykay.com/akester

Adult Acne: Grown Up and Still Breaking Out

Just when you start thinking it’s time to worry about wrinkles, adult acne can strike. Adult acne affects your skin after your mid-twenties, and can continue into your thirties, forties, and fifties. Some types of adult acne persist from the teen years into adulthood, and others come on suddenly during adulthood.

Why Do You Have Acne?

Acne appears when excessive oil, dead skin, and bacteria accumulate in your skin's pores. Clogged pores can lead to blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, and nodular lumps in your skin. Acne commonly affects the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and arms.

There are many reasons adult acne may develop, including:

• Menstrual cycle hormone shifts. Since acne can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations, some women experience adult acne outbreaks at certain times during their menstrual cycles, often around the time of ovulation.
• Pregnancy and childbirth. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and childbirth can cause some women to develop acne.
• Menopause. Female hormone levels can fluctuate widely around menopause.
• Birth control pills. Women who have been on birth control pills and stop may get acne. Also, certain types of birth control pills, especially pills that contain only the hormone progestin, can lead to the development of adult acne. Other birth control pills, however, can help keep breakouts under control.
• Stress. When you’re under increased stress, you may be more likely to develop adult acne. This is thought to be because stress can trigger the production of hormones that stimulate the production of oil in the skin, causing acne to flare up.
• Medications. One of the possible side effects of some medications is acne. Medications that have been linked to the development of acne include anticonvulsants and corticosteroids.
• Skin care products. Certain skin care products, including some sunscreen formulas and hair styling products, can trigger a type of acne known as acne cosmetica in some people.
• Medical conditions. Adult acne can be a symptom of some medical conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome (in women), adrenal hyperplasia (the failure of the adrenal glands to produce enough of the hormone cortisol), and certain tumors. Consult your doctor if you develop unexplained acne.
• Genetics. If a parent, sibling, or child has acne, you are at increased risk of developing acne as an adult.

Acne Prevention and Treatment

You can reduce your chances of developing adult acne and help treat breakouts by doing the following:

• Choose products wisely. Use skin care and hair care products that are labeled as "non-comedogenic" or "non-acnegenic," because these products are less likely to cause acne cosmetica.  Luckily, ALL Mary Kay products are!  Yay!
• Take the right birth control pill. If you take the pill, work with your doctor to find a type that helps control your acne.
• Control stress. Work to get your stress levels under control and do what you can to avoid stressful situations.
• Consider topical treatments. Ask a dermatologist about topical acne treatments, like Cleocin(clindamycin), erythromycin, and retinoids, which can be effective in treating adult acne.
• Ask about oral medications. Certain oral medications such as spironolactone (Aldactazide and others) and some birth control pills can help control the hormonal swings that often lead to adult acne. Other medications, such as oral antibiotics or oral isotretinoin (Accutane and others), can be used in certain situations to help get stubborn adult acne under control.
• Talk with your dermatologist about other options. Your dermatologist can offer certain acne treatments, including injecting corticosteroid medication directly into a nodule or cyst, to help clear your acne.
• Practice proper skin care. Gently wash your face with a mild cleanser, protect your skin from the sun, and resist the urge to squeeze or pop any acne lesion.

Mary Kay sells an Acne Fighters Set for $42 which includes Velocity Facial Cleanser, Velocity Lightweight Moisturizer, Acne Treatment Gel (over-the-counter product), Blemish Control Toner 3 (over-the-counter product) and a bag.

Arming yourself with the knowledge of why adult acne occurs and how to best prevent or stop it will help you maintain the healthiest skin — at any age.

www.marykay.com/akester

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD

Skincare 101

Are you overwhelmed by all the commercials and advertisements that claim their lotion or potion will make your skin look so much better? Do you scratch your head in confusion at all the choices in the skin care aisle of your local drugstore or supermarket? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you're normal.

The Good News About Skin Care

The good news is skin care can be simple. Washing your face doesn't have to be a 10-step process, and you don't have to spend a lot of money to fill up your medicine cabinet with shelves of products. The fact is, good skin care involves 4 basic steps:

• Cleansing - Getting rid of grime and chemicals 
• Toning - Returning your skin to its natural pH balance
• Moisturizing - Hydrating and replenishing the skin
• Sunscreen - Protecting the skin from harmful UV rays

Step 1 - Cleansing

Most of us know that cleansing is an important part of good skin care. The purpose of a cleanser, is to surround, loosen, and make it easy to remove dirt, debris, germs, excess oils, and left-over products applied to the skin. Unfortunately, there are harmful effects of cleansers on the skin. - like some emulsifiers and surfactants (thickening agents).  Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is one such harmful surfactant which strips the natural lipid layer from the skin's surface and destroys its protective barrier.  This makes your skin feel squeaky clean, which means your cleanser is too strong for you.  

Also, many best-selling facial scrubs contain jagged particles, such as apricot and walnut seeds, that do not cleanse the skin, but instead, cause tiny cuts in your face. Even if you cannot see these little cuts, they are more than big enough to allow bacteria to enter. The result is redness, inflammation and blemishes. Many people who suffer from adult acne or sensitive skin are really just victims of popular facial scrubs.  

Many people have dry skin because of their cleansing routines, not because their skin is normally dry. Often people think that their skin isn't clean unless it feels dry and tight after they wash it. People get used to the way their skin normally feels. They come to expect that they will have dry, rough patches on the backs of their hands, itch in winter time, and sometimes have a dull complexion. They don't know that their choice of cleanser could be hurting their skin.

Step 2 - Toning

Toner not only clears the skin of any dirt and debrit left behind on the skin, it returns the skin to it's natural pH balance of 5.5 and closes your pores.

If you're looking to add a toner or astringent to your skin care routine, it's crucial to find one that will work best with your skin type.  So keep these tips in mind:

Have oily or combination skin?  Use an astringent.  These work best when it comes to removing excess oil, says Dr. Nathan Newman, M.D.  Astringents have ingredients such as alcohol, witch hazel, or acids (like salicylic acid) that help reduce oil production and fight acne.  Using an astringent is critical for oily skin as it helps "clean and tighten your pores, making it harder for debris and dirt to penetrate your skin and cause irritation or breakouts," says Murad.  Mary Kay has an excellent Blemish Control Toner 3.  It retails for $13 and contains salicylic acid.  It leaves the skin free of excess oil.

Have dry or sensitive skin?  Use an alcohol-free toner.  Those with dry skin should avoid using astringents or toners that have retinols, glycolics, or benzoyl peroxide in them.  These will be "too drying and may even cause the skin to breakout," says Newman.  Instead, look for one that is water-based and has ingredients like rosewater or chamomile extracts, and vitamin B derivatives like panthenol, which help lock in moisture and prevent makeup from looking cakey.

Your skin needs a certain amount of oil to stay waterproof and resistant to infection.  Too little oil and you have dry skin (which can lead to problems with wrinkles); too much oil and you're shiny and probably prone to acne.

Mary Kay's 3 in 1 cleanser containes a toner which is built in.  It's specially formulated for dry/normal skin, and combination/oily skin.  Also, our Botanical Effects Line has 3 specially formulated fresheners for dry/sensitive, normal, and combination/oily skin.  These fresheners cost $14 and contain panthenol along with other botanical ingredients to create an all natural and affordable skincare option.

Step 3 - Moisturizing 

Moisturizing is an essential step in good skin care. A good moisturizer can stop the dry skin cycle from spiraling into cracked, thick, flaky skin. An effective moisturizer will have a combination of ingredients that:

• Replenish the skin's natural ingredients that help maintain its structure
• Cut down on damage from free-radicals
• Help the cells function more normally

Good Moisturizer Ingredients

In the past, moisturizers were essentially water and wax mixtures that worked by trying to hold water in the skin. The only real difference between these moisturizers was how they "felt" to the consumer. Now there is complex science behind the new state-of-the-art moisturizers that are available. Some ingredients that you'll find in a state-of-the-art moisturizer are:

• Glycerol - Helps water and other moisturizer ingredients penetrate the skin to get where they are needed.
• Ceramides - Help replenish the skin's natural oils.
• Hydroxy Acids - Help with exfoliation of dead skin cells
• Niacinamide - Helps the skin produce more natural oils, and may also help reverse the signs of sun-damaged skin, like brown spots and blotchiness

Moisturizer Bottom Line

Mary Kay offers a variety of moisturizers for young, aging, and aged skin.  Talk to me for mor information.

Step 4 - Sunscreen

The final step in a good skin care program is using sunscreen, but it's the most forgotten. It's easy to tell if your skin is dirty or dry, requiring a good washing or some added moisture. We can see or feel that our skin needs some extra care. Unfortunately, most of the damage to the skin from UV radiation is beneath the surface and happens so slowly that we don't realize how much damage is being done.

Most people know that exposure to UV radiation can cause sun damage to the skin, including sunburn, photoaging, and increased risk of skin cancer. But did you know this damage also occurs when you walk from your house to your car or sit next to a window during the day? Even those little bits of exposure add up over the years and can cause wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer.

Sunscreen Decisions

There are several factors to consider when picking out a sunscreen:

• How sunscreens work
• Everyday sunscreen vs out-in-the-sun sunscreen
• Using a sunscreen alone vs sunscreen plus moisturizer
• Understanding the UV-index
• How to be safe in the sun

Sunscreen Bottom Line

You've worked hard to take care of your skin by cleansing and moisturizing it. Don't undo all those benefits by exposing it to UV radiation. Find a good broad-spectrum sunscreen and make its application a part of your daily routine like brushing your teeth and bathing.

All of Mary Kay's products are Dermatologist tested, suitable for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic (oil and fragrance-free), tested for skin irritancy and allergy, won't clog pores, and we do NOT test on animals!

www.marykay.com/akester 



www.dermatology.about.com

Blush Basics

A Crucial Dose of Color

When it comes to your makeup, blush is like salt: The right amount provides an essential accent, too much is overwhelming. But worrying about the appropriate application shouldn’t deter you from playing with this crucial dose of color. “Blush really lifts the face and balances any other makeup,” says celebrity makeup artist Liz Pugh, of Rimmel London.

Selecting Your Shade

“When it comes to blush, the most common mistake women make involves their color selection,” says Sephora Pro Beauty Team makeup artist Jeffrey English. He says women often choose a tone that's too neutral, which makes skin appear dull.

If you’re having trouble picking a shade that's right for your skin, pay attention to the color of your cheeks after you exercise — that’s the color you want your blush to be, says Sadah Saltzman, hair and makeup designer at Salon AKS in New York City.

Finding the Right Formula

Professional makeup artists award cream blushes high honors for their ability to blend into skin and look sheer, for the most natural effect.

Powder blush does have its place, though: Celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk, founder of the Sonia Kashuk beauty brand, dusts a thin layer of powder blush over cream formulations to make the color last longer. And beginners might do best to stick to powders because they’re streak free, softer, and easier to blend, says Suzette Lamos, boutique sales manager at the Guerlain Boutique & Spa at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Getting the Best Tools

If you’ve invested in a powder blush compact, you’ll need a big, fluffy powder brush, says Carmindy, makeup host on What Not to Wear.  You want a large, soft brush to avoid a striped, streaky effect, she says. Try Mary Kay's Cheek Brush ($10 or $55 for the brush set).

If you use a cream formula, often the best application tools are your fingers. Your body heat will help blend the pigment, and you’ll be able to place the blush precisely where you want it.

Faking a Natural Flush

“The trick when applying blush is to smile and dust it on the apples of the cheeks,” says Stapleton. For the most natural effect, he says, you should “sweep the color back toward the hairline to blend it out.”

“If the blush is placed too high on the cheekbone, the look becomes dated,” English says, “and if it’s placed too low, it can pull your features downward. Blush should be applied two fingers' width away from your nose to create a fresh, flushed look.”

When in doubt, all the experts say that blending is the answer. You want to avoid stripes or any other obvious edges to the pigment. And if you find that you’ve applied too much blush, Carmindy recommends dipping a makeup sponge in foundation and buffing the color down to a more natural hue.

Want to win a FREE set of Mary Kay makeup brushes?  Book NOW and enter to win!!!

www.marykay.com/akester

(www.dailyglow.com)

How To Get Dramatic Eyes

Skip the basic routine and try something bold with your eye makeup instead. With a little practice, you'll master these superglamorous styles.

Use simple tools like shadow and false lashes to make eyes pop.

It's simple to swipe on mascara and a touch of color, but sometimes a little more drama is necessary. Sure, it takes effort to add some serious oomph, but the end results are well worth it when you want to make a statement. Makeup guru Vincent Longo shares step-by-step tips on how to create two different yet equally gorgeous eye looks. One is all about using contrasting shadow shades for a sultry effect, while false lashes and liner take center stage in the other. Read on to get detailed instructions on how to make your eyes look stunning and dramatic.

Line Your Upper Lashes

Start by lining the upper lash line from the inner to the outer corners of the eyes. Keep the line thin at the inner edge and make the line thicker as you go out, extending it slightly up and out. Longo suggests using any deep shade; you can go for obvious choices like black or brown, but more unexpected colors like charcoal or plum work well, too.  Mary Kay's eyeliner is a velvety smooth liner that doesn't sacrifice wear time.  Fade-resistant, rich, stay true color enhances the look of your eyes for 8 hours and is $12.

Smudge the Line

Next, use a stiff eye shadow brush (like Mary Kay Eye Smudger Brush $10) to smudge the line a little bit, maintaining the shape of the line (thin at the inner corners and thicker at the outer corners). "You want to smudge the line up into the crease so it forms a sideways V shape," says Longo. "This opens up the outer corner and gives a very dramatic look." The idea is to blend the color upward so it gradually gets slightly lighter toward the crease.

Enhance With Dark Eye Shadow

Find a dark shadow (like Mary Kay Black Pearl, or Coal mineral eye color) that matches your liner, or experiment with a complementary shade (I like a combo of MK black or deep brown liner with Sweet Plum mineral eye shadow, or steely liner with Midnight Star mineral shadow). Use a brush to dab it onto the outer corner, close to the lash line, right on top of the V shape you created with the liner. This builds up the depth of the color and helps to set the pencil, giving it extra staying power.

Highlight Your Lids

Choose a highlighting eye-shadow color — like beige, champagne, rosy pink, or gold — with either a matte finish (like Silky Caramel, Sweet Cream, White Lilly for $6.50 per shadow), or a little shimmer (like Honey Spice, Moonstone, Spun Silk, Azure, or Amber Blaze). Using a fluffy brush, place the color on the inner corner of the lid and sweep it across to the outer corner. Next, place a dab directly under the arch of the brow to add just a little spotlight.  You can even use a white or skin-colored pencil on the inner rim of the lower lashes to really open up the eyes and make them look bigger. 

Gently blend the edges of the highlighter and dark shadow, but be sure not to go overboard, to maintain the contrast in colors. Use the same dark liner and shadow along the lower lash line, placing more color at the outer corner. Smudge that line into the V shape on the outer corner of the upper lid.

Pump Up the Volume

Finally, curl your top lashes with an eyelash curler and apply MK Lash Primer $15 and a volume-enhancing mascara such as MK Ultimate Mascara for $15 which volumizes and thickens lashes) to both the upper and lower lashes. Concentrate the color at the roots, and don't forget to do two coats.  The best thing about Mary Kay mascara, is it doesn't clump or smudge.

LOOK TWO

Start Look 2 by Curling Your Lashes

Start by curling bare lashes with an eyelash curler, making sure you get every lash from the inner to the outer corners. Don't know how to use an eyelash curler?  Don't worry!  I've included the instructions below:

1. Starting at the outer corner of the eye, gather a small section of lashes and position the curler as close to the roots as possible.
2. Apply gentle pressure as a test — this will prevent you from accidentally pinching the delicate skin on your lash line.
3. Once you've positioned the curler correctly, apply pressure and hold the curler in place for 15 seconds, then release.

Continue this technique as you move along the lash line toward the inner corner of the eye.

Draw a Thick Line for Drama

Using a sharp eye pencil, (Mary Kay eye pencils have a hidden sharpener inside the cap), draw a line along the upper lid, as close to the lash line as possible. You can use any color you like, including Black, Deep Brown, Dark Denim, or Rich Jade, depending on whether you want a classic look or something a bit more unexpected. A thicker line will obviously add more drama, while a thinner line will look a bit cleaner and more subdued.

Extend the liner along the upper lash line past the outer corner. If you choose a thicker line, you can draw a little upward sweep, or keep it straighter if you prefer a thinner line. Along the lower lash line, use the pencil only on the outer third corner, and blend it into the line on the upper lid. Blend the edges of the line a little bit.  Then take a matching eye shadow color, smudge it over the pencil, and blend to set the color.  Here are some color combos:
Black liner - Coal mineral shadow
Deep Brown liner - Espresso mineral shadow
Violet Ink liner - Iris mineral shadow
Bronze liner - Copper Glow mineral shadow
Dark Denim liner - Midnight Star mineral shadow
Steely liner - Black Pearl mineral shadow
Rich Jade liner - Emerald mineral shadow

Choose Your Faux Lashes

A full-strip lash set (great ones sold at Sally Beauty Supply, Sephora, or Ulta Beauty) will add the most impact. I recommend removing all traces of the glue that adhere the lashes to the packaging and buy lash glue instead. Place a thin layer of the glue along the base of the lash strip. Let it dry for a few seconds, then use tweezers or your fingers to place the strip onto the center of the eye. Next, attach the strip to the outer corner and then onto the inner corner, making sure the strip fits snugly at the root of your lashes. For a cat's-eye effect, choose falsies that attach only to the outer corners of the eyes (Laura Mercier Corner Faux Lashes are the perfect shape and size).

Blend With Mascara

Make sure everything blends together, using your pointer finger and thumb to pinch your natural lashes into the fakes. Let the glue dry for about five minutes (take this time to groom and fill in your brows — straggly arches don't fit with this defined look), then apply MK Ultimate Mascara. Using a black liner to match your mascara, draw a thin line (try MK Liquid Eye Liner $11) right onto the lash strip to cover up any traces of glue.

Bat Those Lashes!

Admittedly, perfecting a contrasting shadow effect or applying falsies may not be simple, but you don't need to be a pro to pull it off. Just keep practicing — before you shower is the perfect time, since you can wash off any mistakes — and you'll get it soon enough. Next, throw a party so you can show off your fancy makeup handiwork!


Product List for these looks:
Eyeliner $12
Mineral Eye Shadow $6.50
Lash Primer $15
Ultimate Mascara $15
Eye Smudge Brush $10
Eyelash curler $5-$15
False eyelashes roughly $5

Interested in sharing these techniques with a few of your friends and learning how to do this?  Contact Abbie at akester@marykay.com or call 508-927-4694 or facebook message to schedule your group pampering!  Set something up in February and enter to win a FREE Mary Kay brush set, a retail value of $55! 

www.marykay.com/akester 

Makeup To Flatter Your Face Shape

Vincent Longo offers some simple ways to make your face look its absolute best.

With a few strategically applied makeup tricks, it's possible to create the illusion of a perfectly shaped face. You can downplay the sharpness of a square face, add chiseled cheekbones to a round face, or de-emphasize a longer face. We're not recommending the piled-on "contouring" makeup of the past; these tips are more about producing a subtle effect that's surprisingly simple to achieve. Read on to learn how to make the most of your face shape.

Create a rounded effect on an elongated face shape.

Have an elongated face shape like Sarah Jessica Parker? Longo says to start with shading: Use a fluffy brush to blend a matte, neutral-toned blush or eye shadow along your hairline and chin to create the illusion of shadows, which will help minimize the length of your face. On eyes, concentrate color on the outer corners, and keep the color darker at the lash line; use an eye-shadow brush to blend the color upward. This will help create a rounder look, as will applying blush in a circular motion to the apples of the cheeks; applying it along the cheekbone will create an angular effect, which you want to avoid. Slightly rounding the upper lip line also helps give a softer, rounded appearance.

Add angles to a round face shape.

A few simple application tips can help give angles to a round face shape (think: Cameron Diaz). Longo says to focus on creating the illusion of upward motion with your makeup. On the eyes, draw eye pencil or shadow up slightly at the outside of your upper lids for a cat's eye effect; finish by curling only your outer lashes. Give the appearance of a more chiseled look by applying blush in long strokes toward the ear, shadowing underneath the cheekbones for a subtle sucked-in-cheeks look. Use lip liner to make the cupid's bow of your lips a bit more angular and less pouty.

Minimize the sharp lines of a square face.

Strategic shading can help play down the sharp lines of a square face shape, such as Gwyneth Paltrow's. With a large makeup brush dipped in neutral blush or eye shadow, sweep color along the four corners of the face to add some softness. Longo suggests keeping the eyebrows more rounded and arched rather than straight and angled, which can be too harsh on a square face. Make sure to keep the inner edges of the brows slightly rounded as well. On the cheeks, apply blush along the lower part of the apple, in an upward sweep toward the temples in a U shape to break up sharp angles.

Balance the proportions of a heart face shape.

With a heart face shape, like Rihanna's, the key is to use makeup to reduce the difference between a wide forehead and a smaller chin so that they appear more similar in width. Longo says to brush matte neutral eye shadow or blush along the hinge of the jaw to add shadows and make the face seem more proportioned. On the eyes, keep your liner and shadow on the lash line, but avoid extending it outward, and curl only the lashes in the middle. Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks in a circular motion, and make the lip lines a touch rounded. These tricks will help create a vertical effect that gives a more balanced shape to the face.

Play up a balanced oval face shape.

Women with an oval face shape, including Beyoncé, are lucky to have more flexibility when it comes to makeup application. Longo suggests a few tricks that can really play up your perfectly proportioned face. To maintain balance, the arch of your brow should be closer to the temple instead of above the iris of the eye. Curl all your lashes to give an upward sweeping appearance, and apply blush in a circular motion on the upper part of the apple of the cheek. A full, angled lip will give a more sophisticated look than a rounded effect.

Now it's time to make the most of YOUR face shape!

Now that you've had a custom-tailored makeup lesson from Vincent Longo, go ahead and put his advice to good use. You won't look like you're wearing tons of makeup — you'll just look like an even better version of yourself.

If you're not sure what face shape you have and would like a special makeover, please let me know and enter to win a FREE Mary Kay makeup brush set!!

(www.dailyglow.com)

Improve Your Skin While You Sleep

Be a Sleeping Beauty

Just because you're out cold doesn't mean your skin is off the clock. In fact, the hours you're sleeping may be the best time to help your skin look its best. "When asleep, your metabolic rate is lower, so you're not producing as many skin-damaging free radicals. Plus, you're not exposed to environmental pollutants or UV light that can harm the skin," explains Mary Lupo, M.D., a New Orleans–based dermatologist. "Because your body doesn't have to work at skin protection overnight, it can instead focus on repairing the damage done throughout the day," she says. So any products you use will be that much more effective at hydrating, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and brightening. Take advantage of the epidermal downtime with these easy tips to make you a sleeping beauty.  I recommend the TimeWise Night Solution ($30 for a 3-4 month supply).  This vitamin and antioxidant encapsulated night-time power house combines with collagen enhancing peptides to fade away lines and wrinkles.  It's part of Mary Kay's TimeWise Miracle set and goes on before your night-time moisturizer.  Also, the TimeWise Repair Night Treatment With Retinol ($50). was created for deeper lines and wrinkles to reactivate more youthful looking skin.

Just Add Water (and Soap)

Sounds like a no-brainer, but many women don't bother washing their face at night, especially if they don't wear makeup. Any dirt, debris, and oil that has collected on your skin will clog your pores while you sleep — and lead to inflammation and acne.

If you don't wash first, any product you apply won't be as effective if there are layers of grime in the way. So, at night, be sure to wash your face with a gentle daily cleanser. You'll want to take off any eye makeup as well — pigments from liners and shadows can get into your eyes and create irritation, and left-on mascara may cause your lashes to break. So, at night, be sure to wash your face with a gentle daily cleanser. I'm a fan of Mary Kay's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.  It retails for $15 and gently removes eye makeup without leaving behind a greasy residue.  The TimeWise 3 in 1 Cleanser is also part of the Mary Kay Miracle Set and comes in two formulas.  One for dry/normal skin; and one for combination/oily skin.  It has gentle exfoliation beads that are safe to use everyday.  Not only that, but it has 3 functions in one step: Cleanse, tone, and exfoliate, all for $18!

Ditch Dull Skin

To get the look of fresh, youthful skin, you first need to slough off the dead surface cells, but the process can leave your skin a little vulnerable. Exfoliating away the dull surface layers can make you sensitive to the sun and other elements, so it's best to shed that skin at night.

Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, use a granular scrub or a chemical exfoliant containing glycolic or salicylic acid a couple of nights a week. Mary Kay's Microdermabrasion Set sells for $55 and is worth every single penny.  It contains two steps.  The refiner, which is an advanced exfoliator that immediately energizes the skin to reveal a more radiant, smooth and healthy-looking surface.  Next comes the replenish, which is immediately absorbed into the skin to instantly smooth and soften.

Stay Hydrated

While you sleep, your body temperature goes up, causing you to sweat and release moisture, which dries out the skin. This is especially true in the winter months, when you have cold, dry air outside and the heat on inside.

"To keep your skin hydrated, apply a thin layer of moisturizer that contains humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which bind water to the skin, as well as ceramides that will restore the lipid barrier," says Diane Berson, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University.  The TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer offers these benefits and is $22 alone, or part of the Miracle Set for $90.  You may also want to try a humidifier at night to replenish the moisture in the air.

Battle Bags and Puffiness

To reduce fine lines and dark circles, your best bet is to use an eye cream that contains peptides, a chain of amino acids that signal your skin to create more collagen. Try TimeWise Firming Eye Cream for $30.

"Apply it about an hour before bedtime, to reduce the risk of the product migrating into your eyes, which will result in puffiness or irritation," says Francesco Fusco, M.D., a Manhattan dermatologist. "Use the lightest possible tapping motion with the pads of your ring fingers. Do not rub, and do not apply to your lower lid lash line."

Smooth Your Lips

While it takes more than an OTC product to help achieve full, luscious lips, you can give them a plumper appearance with a little bedtime TLC. Before bed, try our Satin Lips Set for $18.  It's a two-step process that includes the Lip Mask, which effectively exfoliates dead surface skin cells that cause lips to appear dull and lifeless.  Once the mask is wiped off, simply add the Lip Balm (which I like to call lip silk) to hydrate your lips for up to 6 hours.

Assume the Sleep Position

Your most comfortable sleeping state may not be the best for your beauty. "The single biggest reason for accelerated aging of the skin is sleeping on your face," warns Lupo. "The skin is compressed and doesn't get enough circulation, so it breaks down and creases, forming wrinkles."

And if you sleep face down, fluid pools and causes puffiness. Experts recommend sleeping on your back, with two pillows under your head to keep the blood flow moving. If it's too tough to change your sleep position, consider a silk or satin pillow that won't pull at the skin.

( taken from the Daily Glow)