A Beautiful Canvas

Applying makeup is a fine art,just like a painter must use the correct brush on his canvas to get the desired effect,we too, must use good brushes to bring out the beauty of our cheekbones, or depth of our eyes.

I really like Sigma brushes. I own several, and use them every day. The "Something About Marilyn" Retractable Kabuki ($25) makes applying powder products a breeze. Excellent for blush, powder foundation, setting powder, bronzer and even highlighter. This brush features SigMax fiber for high definition application, and the style is so very Hollywood Glam.

What I love most about these brushes is that Sigma takes the guess work out of buying the right brush(s) for your needs by letting you purchase three different ways; Build your own kit, Shop by function or Pre-packaged kits.
The six piece face and eye kit is also one of my favorites, here's what it includes:
Large Powder - F30 - Very dense with a rounded top. Ideal to apply powder products on face and body. Natural bristles.
Duo Fibre - F50 - Specially designed to generate an ‘airbrushed’ finish when used to apply liquid foundation. It can also be used to apply blush, highlight shades and loose pigments. Blend of synthetic and natural bristles.
Pencil - E30 - Precise application of color on the crease, outer corner, and upper and lower lash line. Also ideal to smudge out pencil liner. Natural bristles.
Tapered Blending - E40 - Rounded and tapered top. Specially designed to apply and blend color on the crease. Natural bristles.
Eye Shading - E55 - Soft and dense with a rounded finish. Can be used to apply pressed or loose eye shadows and pigments. Ideal to build intense color on the eyelid. Natural bristles.

Buffer - F45 - Ideal to apply mineral foundation, loose or pressed powders. Also great to buff colors and obtain a soft, blended look. Natural bristles. ($54)

Order online at http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=60123


What's your favorite makeup brush?

Until next time~
Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl






Photo Credits: Sigma.com

Going To Extreme

I have been a fan of Estee Lauder for quite some time. I love to try their eye shadows and lipsticks when they hit the market each season, and I especially love their lip glosses. I have to admit, I have not used their mascara very frequently, so when I was sent a sample of their new Sumptuous Extreme Mascara, I was a bit skeptical about just how "extreme" it would be.

This is one product that delivered results,and I wanted to share just how dramatic the overall effect was.

Here is a shot, before and after.







Before



After

 I have long lashes,but due to how fair my skin is, as you can imagine, without a bit of color,they are barely noticeable. This mascara promises to multiply,magnify,and grow lashes to extremes, and that is exactly what it did. My lashes were full, long, lush, and looked amazing! All without clumping or needing more than just one coat. Better yet, was the fact that it didn't smudge,stayed on all day without flaking, and was easy to remove at the end of the day. I got a false-lash effect without the false lashes. What I liked best about this mascara was the formula wasn't wet or thick like some of the other brands out there. The brush is large, but was not uncomfortable to handle,and the mascara dried quickly,so a comb through was not needed.


I have a new favorite, and would recommend this product to anyone looking for a lash building formula. I loved it.

This formula comes in four different shades,Extreme Black (pictured),Extreme Indigo (pictured), Extreme Brown, and Extreme Violet.
 

Available at esteelauder.com and better department stores for $23.50


Until next time~

Hugs and Hearts

BellevueGrl

A Problem With My "Quads"

Let's face it, we are all attracted by the rich, sumptuous colors that we are seeing this spring. Bright shades of lime green,violet, and hot pink. But exactly what do we do when we get all of those fabulous eye shadow quads home?


I have a very special treat for you, because I went right to the source to get my answers,and would love to introduce you to my guest blogger, Celebrity Makeup Artist,and dear friend Suresh Seneviratne. Suresh is one of Seattle's own,and spends his time between here,New York and LA. When he isn't on the set of a magazine shoot,he can be found giving great makeup tips on Twitter or working on his own beauty collection which can be found at Sureshbeauty.com

Suresh has a fabulous line of lip glosses which can be found at his website, and select salons and boutiques. For an "inside scoop" you can also read here  http://bellevuegrl.blogspot.com/2010/06/evening-with-celebrity-makeup-artist.html
Suresh recently took the time to answer some of my questions in a one on one interview :



There are so many wonderful collections launching with wild violets and shades of pink and peach, how does one achieve that great look we all see in the magazines once we get those pretty palettes home? I can never quite duplicate the look myself.

S- I generally keep the darker colors to contour and the lighter ones to highlight. I think the best way to wear these colors is to mix them with your existing makeup wardrobe. Sometimes, wearing all the colors in the palette at the same time can look garish. The trick to a professional look is to keep it simple. Surround one or two colors with neutrals, blend well and always use brushes. That's how you achieve the magazine looks.

What liner colors do you think will be hot this year?

S- Violets, dark grays, and rich blues seem to be very popular. And layering bright colors such as acid green, cobalt blue, or fuchsia over black liner.

What's your take on the new colorful smokey eye for spring?

S- I've always loved smokey eyes in color. My trick to keeping it chic is to use one or two colors and keep the other shades monochromatic. For example, layer a smokey quartz blue on the eyelid, mix dark brown and black into the lash line and outer eye. Contour into the crease with soft black or brown. A touch of pale powder blue could be pretty as a highlight against the brow bone and inner eye.

What's the one "No-No" that you see a lot of?

S- Mixing too many colors on the face. Lip and cheek colors should always be in the same color family. Eyes shouldn't have more than 3 shades to them or you'll distract your viewer. Remember that makeup is optical illusion. You want to create a harmonious balance of color so that your features are all highlighted to their best degree.

Anything else that you'd like to add?

S- Wash your makeup brushes once a week and remember that less is more!

Suresh can be found on Twitter @ Sureshbeauty
Follow along for great tips and insider tricks.

Until next time~
Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl

Spring 2011- Musings And Predictions

I don't know about you, but thinking about resort wear and bathing suits in January is hard to do. We are shivering here in 30 degree weather,huddled up next to a fireplace with Starbucks in hand. The threat of snow in the next few hours has me a bit worried, as no one here knows how to drive in it.

Our city coined a phrase "snowpocolypse" and it has carried over to the news teams elsewhere;but you've got to believe me when I say that 3-4 inches of snow here will shut down our city,and 6 inches is the end of the world. Us Seattle-ites are spoiled creatures. Give us the pouring rain instead (even though we'll complain about that too!)


Looking out the window,most of us are dreaming of Maui,or someplace where the sun is shining or at least someplace warm...which brings us back to those bathing suits.
 

So, what exactly is on the horizon for the coming year? I am going to say that 2011 will be the year of the statement piece. The bold cuff bracelets are back,as well as jeweled and intricate belts.Spring will be all about adding that special sparkle to an already existing piece,be it through a brocade or patterned jacket or multi-chain necklace.
 
We all know about the designer collections,they grace the pages of every magazine;but let's talk about practical pieces.  Try updating you wardrobe with great finds like these at Arden B. For those of you who don't know ,this company is owned by Wet Seal,and has some great fashions as well as sensibly priced accessories. The cuff bracelet shown here is $29, and the necklace above is $34. Find more at http://www.ardenb.com/
 

Another great piece is the three wishes necklace found at  Anthropologie for $58
Visit their website http://www.anthropologie.com/ for more ideas.
 

Spring is also about vivid colors. Shades of Neon Green,Orange,Purple, and Hot Pink will be back. We'll see it in everything from dresses,to pants, all the way down to our makeup and lipstick shades. Your choices don't have to be expensive. Some choices for dress wear are Dress Barn,where you can get great every day styles as well as fabulous cocktail dresses in the shades you'll be seeing everywhere. The sheath dress here is $39.99 and is a great choice for an evening on the town. Pair with a light bolero or a tailored jacket,and you have the same "hot off the runway" look for alot less.
 

 

This season will bring back the return of the chained handbag,to match the lady-like fashions we will see hitting stores mid February and March.  Note: hemlines will hit just above the knee or about three inches below. We'll even see the return of the maxi-dress this year!   Coach has always been my favorite for handbags. I love the look of their Poppy line because it is fresh,and fun.  The bag shown here is a perfect example  of what you'll be seeing this spring. POPPY CLIPPED LUREX SMALL BAG  $198  Browse more bags at coach.com
 

And finally, be on the prowl with a fabulous pair of leopard print shoes. Jungle prints will be hot again this year. Add your own special touch with a hot pair of heels that will make them purr.  You can find great shoes at Forever 21  The style shown here is $26.80  

Have fun with style this spring. Let a little of yourself shine through,update your look with a pair of earrings, a great bag or a bold colored jacket.

Until next time~
Hugs and Hearts
BellevueGrl


 
 
 
 
 
Photo Credits
http://www.ardenb.com/home.jsp
http://www.dressbarn.com/
http://www.anthropologie.com/
http://sognisorrisi.blogspot.com/2010/10/bright-lights-loving-neon-nowand-for.html
 

The Future Is Looking Rosey

Looking for your perfect shade of red? Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge has launched a vintage red collection that is reminiscent of the screen stars of the 40's.

There are several shades to choose from, from soft rose to daring red ($29) Pamper your lips with this creamy and luscious formula. Lancôme brings Pro-Xylane™; its complete and powerful replenishing molecule, to a lip color for visibly fuller and smoother lips. Rich, satiny, saturated color wraps lips in luxury.Perfect for a pre-Valentine's Day smooch!
 
Here's a list of shades:


Bordeaux (plum red with shimmer),Rose Crystal (cool frosty pink,with a touch of taupe), Jezebel (rich berry red),Ruby Silk (cool, light, ruby red),Mars (copper based red),Merlot (rich wine red),Henne (rich brown-red),Rose Petle (peachy-pink red), Creme De Marron (dusty rose-red)

Available at Lancome.com and at better department stores

Pamper your pout



Until next time~

Hugs and Hearts

BellevueGrl

Resolve To Be A Better You

We've all heard it before,maybe a neighbor casually passes by, or worse yet, our best friend or significant other mutters the dreaded phrase; "You look just like your Mother"And there you are carefully studying your reflection in the mirror looking for gray hair,and noticing those little tiny wrinkles at the sides of your eye.




Did I suddenly age? I don't see myself as a little old lady. I work out three times a week, I'm active, I have friends, I still listen to alot of the popular artists, I'm on Facebook, and Twitter. There is nothing about me that screams "older"

When I was a teenager, I swore up and down that I would never be like my Mother. My mother had no fashion sense,wore bright red,or rose lipstick (yep, the non-smudge proof kind) and had a poof of hair. Her favorite day to day attire was pull on pants. Now, I will admit to bundling up on a cold winters day,but I always check the mirror before I leave the house.

Lately though, I've been feeling a little less then stylish, I guess I fell into the pattern of being a little too comfortable with how I look, because I just didn't feel as stylish as some of the ladies I see walking around in designer boots and glasses. The other day, I tried on a new lipstick shade,and damned if it wasn't a dark red, and you know what? it actually looked good! I caught myself in the mirror at a swanky restaurant, and thought.. "I look like my mother" I saw the same eyes staring back at me,and the same face. Whoa, that was an awakening!

So, this year, I'm making my resolution to be a better version of me. I resolve to "dump the frump" and be aware of not  dressing like a refugee..we all do it, get a little too comfortable with our style or our look, and before you know it people are calling you Ma'am and trying to help you across the street.

Ladies, it's time to "Clean house". If it's been in your closet or on your tabletop for over a year, and you never use it, throw it out! Update your pants or separates with a new belt,or scarf. add an eye popping pair of leopard print shoes (get rid of the sport shoes,nothing makes you look older faster) to the mix. Wear a gorgeous piece of chunky jewelry,and make it your signature piece. When you walk into the room,the last thing you'll hear is "You look just like your Mother."

Give yourself a gift of a new you for New Years


Until next time~

Hugs and Hearts

BellevueGrl