Makeup Tips

Do you find yourself skipping makeup and hair in the morning just so you can grab 15 or 20 precious extra minutes of shut-eye? Or worse, are you losing sleep to an overlong makeup routine? Don't do it! There's no need to suffer for beauty in the mornings, and we've got a few beauty tricks up our sleeves that can speed up anyone's maquillage. See five of our easiest ways to make mornings less painful below.

Red lipstick has become synonymous with Valentine's Day, but crimson-hued lips don't have to be your only option. "I like a flushed cheek," says Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh, who recommends getting the look with the brand's Just Pinched Blush Tint in Cheeky or Spicy, depending on your skin tone.

Another way to give your complexion a fresh, fun finish is "to incorporate a pink-toned eye shadow to pop up the eyes in the crease," Quynh explains, recommending Custom Pick Eye Shadow in Sugar Sugar. "Or, you can use pink lips instead of red ones."

And for a brightened effect, finish with a highlighter, such as Touch & Glow Shimmer Cream All Over Face Palette, above your cheekbones and on your brow bone. For something a little warmer, try Glowdacious Illuminating Powder on your forehead, cheeks, and chin. Then all you have to do is watch your suitors line up. 


Valentine's Day is well-nigh, and that means you might have red lipstick on the mind. But does that mind of yours get blown by the sheer volume of crimson-hued shades, intensities, and tones available in stores? And then there's the uncertainty in deciding whether or not a warm or cool color is most flattering. It can all be very unnerving. When it comes down to it, however, "I think it's about preference," explains Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh, who offers up her top tips for doing red right below.

1. The undertones: "Most people can do both warm and cool," Quynh says, adding, "I recommend trying on both tones to see which complements your skin better."
2. The texture: Textures also play a huge part. "Wearing a bright sheer color will be less vibrant than an opaque lipstick," Quynh advises. Of course if you're still stumped, just get them on. "Trying reds on your lips is a great way of figuring out what looks good. It takes the guessing part away."

There are only a select few holidays where going vampy is typically deemed socially appropriate. Halloween comes to mind instantly, but Valentine's Day might be a close second. And while a vampy lip color might not be for you this Valentine's Day, there are other ways you can create a mood with a simple switch of color. "Experiment with reds and pinks in different textures, like glossy, creamy, opaque, or sheer," advises Mark celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh. To see her top selections for setting a tone that's either sweet, sexy, edgy, or vampy, just keep reading.

We're thrilled to present the following post, written by celebrity makeup artist and Vanitymark Cosmetics founder, Brett Freedman!

Bold colors in clothing can make your makeup choices a little dicey. Should you balance a vivid shade with pops of color in the eyes and lips, or go neutral, as not to look too silly? Recently I styled starlet Camilla Belle's makeup for the Art of Elysium event. She wore a beautiful, bright yellow dress that gave me pause in terms of makeup. My first instinct was to do a bright lip and pale skin. I then decided that the yellow should be the only color, and that everything else should be crisp, but neutral.

For the cheeks and lips I wanted to go with Camilla's natural lip color, just a little more vivid: too pink and it would be too sweet/little girl, and too plum it would be kind of Easter-y. To accomplish this, I used Maybelline Dream Mousse in Soft Plum on the cheeks, and Tarte LipSurgence in Enchanted on the lips. It was the perfect way to let the yellow dress take center stage, all while keeping the face from looking low-watt. Want to play with color, too? Be sure to check out Brett's no-fail guide to punching things up when you read more.

Even if you have nothing but a nub of pencil and notoriously shaky hands, you can have perfect winged liner in a minute or so. The following trick makes those concerns a thing of the past. And having your eyeliner ending up completely different on each side? Also no longer a problem. To find out what you need to do to get it right every time, just check out the tutorial now.

New Year's is the perfect time to experiment with shimmer, but too much glisten can look a little tacky and/or immature. So for a more grown-up approach to sparkle and glamour, check out the two great tips below.

• Go for the gold: Apply metallic pigment or shadow to your eyes, suggests Ana Cruzalegui from UK-based lash brand We Are Faux, and pair it with fluttery falsies like their Kitsch lashes ($20). "For added drama without looking like a Studio 54 regular, dab some fine glitter on the center of your lid — just a touch will do the trick," Cruzalegui advises. For the perfect hint of glitz, try MAC Pro Glitter in Reflects Antique Gold.
• Pretty pairings: Amp up your metallic look with rusty gold and deep purple shadows for an edgy take on the smoky eye, and round things out with shimmery nude lip gloss. "For an alternate holiday pick, try a tangy orange-red lip look paired with soft ginger and copper eye shadows," Cruzalegui admonishes. A red-hot option? Nars lipstick in Heat Wave.

It's time to welcome in a whole new year, but before we say hello to 2012, there's one final thing to get right for 2011: your makeup. New Year's Eve is often a celebratory occasion that goes well on into the wee hours, so before you step out in your finest frock, check out these tips on how you can keep your makeup looking fresh the whole evening — or morning — through.

• For your complexion: "It's all about layering," says Ana Cruzalegui, CEO of British-based We Are Faux. Enhance your makeup's resiliency by applying the following three products in this order: a primer prefoundation, a concealer under the eyes and on areas that need a touch more coverage, and a sheer powder to set.
• For eyes: "A cream shadow applied on the lids before you apply powder eye shadow is great for a long night," Cruzalegui explains. She also suggests using water-resistant mascara and eyeliner (MAC Chromaline liner is a favorite) for increased staying power.
• For lips: If you opt for bright lip color, try something with a matte finish. "It lasts longer and is easier to fix throughout the evening," Cruzalegui advises. "And who knows? You may find yourself under the mistletoe."