Beauty Tips by Tania

Prime the Skin to Perfection

Longevity is key to any day to night time makeup, especially if you have oily skin. The best way to prep the skin is with a base, try MAC ‘s prep and prime skin base to use under your foundation and after your oil control lotion.  If you have dry skin, use a light to heavy cream depending on your level of dryness.  You can always use heavier cream on the dryer areas and let it soak into the skin for a minute.  Then apply your primer, either with your clean hands or a sponge.  Should you use your hands, press evenly and gently onto the skin.  Now your ready for the foundation. It’s 5 pm and your ready for a new look add a deeper cheek color on the contour of the cheeks and refresh your eye makeup with a darker liner and shadow in the outer corner.  Lastly, dust a mineralized powder in the T zone or use a blotting tissue to pick up shine. Look for a glittery gloss, to apply to the center of your lipcolor. Now have fun…

My favorite lip conditioner for the season

When the fickle weather has got you reaching for every product on the shelf…one thing I know for sure.  The MAC lip conditioner works fast to soften, smooth out dry chapped lips.  Also, I suggest using a tinted color choice in pink or mocha for daytime to repair your lips and restore your confident smile while offering you a soft lip color to compliment your beauty look.   Other suggestions to repair lips from the harsh weather, try using a warm cloth placed over the lips, then use a toothbrush to gently brush off any peeling skin.  Other organic ways to heal the lips,  try 100% shea butter but why stop at the lips, it’s good to use all over the body.

see more at www.maccosmetics.com

Are You Protected?

Rabbit Island off Makapu'u Near Waimanalo, HawaiiSunscreen…it’s the catchword that too many of us put very little importance on. However, it is an essential item in your make-up arsenal – every season of the year. If you don’t protect your skin, you will eventually need to seek correction or trowel on the make-up to cover up the damage.

If you are approaching your special day, particularly if your wedding is here in Hawaii, sunscreen is an absolute must! No one wants to have sunburned photos to show their grandchildren. Make-up alone, even if it claims to have SPF protection, is just not enough. We recommend you use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF under your make-up on special occasions. If you are here on your honeymoon, keep the reapplication going throughout the day if you are sunbathing, sailing, sightseeing – even if it is cloudy outside. Overcast days are one of the most dangerous because we are complacent and so certain that nothing will happen.

Note for those of you who are wondering: The photo above is of Rabbit Island, a popular photo shoot location for brides and other special events. It’s on the east side of Oahu, off Kalanianaole Highway, on the way to Waimanalo. There is a beautiful view of this location from the hike at Makapu’u lighthouse.

To Red…or Not To Red?

Bride with Red LipsIt’s everywhere. It’s bold. It’s beautiful…well, most of the time. Red lipstick. Is this a do or a don’t? In our book, if you want a bold, traffic-stopping look, GO FOR IT! But make sure you do it right.

How to wear red without looking like a little girl caught in Mommy’s make-up drawer:

  • First, find the right red for your skin tone. If you have cool undertones, choose a pink or blue based red. If you have warm undertones, embrace those reds with a bit more orange in them. Pure cherry red is a good universal shade. For neutral undertones or darker undertones – the world is your oyster!
  • To prevent it from wearing off to quickly, outline and fill lips with a good lip pencil.
  • Horror of horrors…it’s feathering! Use a clear lipliner to outline lips first.
  • If you’re not ready to take the plunge with straight up red, try a sheer red until your comfortable going all the way.