BellaSugar

The Makeup Tool That Will Change the Way You Apply Mascara

Jessica Cruel — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:51:14 PDT

You could argue that the eyes are the most important part of the face (windows to the soul and all that). For a makeup artist, never has a sentiment rang more true. The eyes are a canvas for many creative colors and techniques, but the last thing you want to do is taint your carefully applied shadows and liners with spidery or clumpy lashes.

Floriane David of Make Up For Ever Academy admits that one of the worst mascara faux pas is the floating lash look (this issue is especially rampant among blondes). She recommends using a fan brush to get right to the root of your problem. First, apply mascara onto the fan brush and then paint onto the lashes. You can also use a shaking motion (with your mascara wand or fan brush) to make sure you are getting the base of your lashes coated. And that's how you shake things up.

Learn to Eye Contour in Two Simple Steps

Jessica Cruel — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:00:00 PDT

You have heard all about the benefits of face contouring, but do you know the makeup artist's secret for chiseled eyes? Find out how to contour eyes with these tips from Make Up For Ever Academy's Lead Educator in New York, Floriane David.

1. Start with a highlighter in a shimmering shade. Using a medium-sized makeup brush, concentrate a dot of this bright shade on the center of your eye. (Imagine you're covering your iris through your lids). This spot will act as the point of emphasis in the eye contour. Next, gently blend outward to cover the entire lid. Make sure that your central focal point still holds most of the color.

2. Now it's time to add definition. Choose an eye shadow that's one shade darker than your skin tone. Take a tapered brush to place shadow close to the top lash line - but only on the outer two-thirds. Then sweep the brush in an upward arching motion from the corner of the eye into the crease. Finally, remove the excess from your brush and blend the shadow downward into the lid. This will blend the highlight and lowlights so that no harsh lines are visible.

And here's another tip from David: When you finish off your contoured eye look with eyeliner, avoid the inner corners. This will help keep your face looking bright, especially if your eyes are closer together.

Source: Flickr User Chantel Beam Photography

Learn the Tricks to Wearing Bold Lip Color

BellaSugar — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 06:49:52 PDT

Having a fresh face doesn't mean that you have to leave off the lipstick. Bold, brilliant lip colors were all over the Spring runways at shows like Jason Wu, Christian Dior, and Anna Sui. In this video, David Hernandez, Pro Educator for Make Up For Ever, shows us what it takes to create a clean, on-trend look with a pop of color.

What We're Sweet On: The Lipstick For Lipstick Scaredy-Cats

Jaime Richards — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:05:07 PDT

If you love the idea of a red lip look, but tend to shy away from the intensity of it all, consider the product and development team at Make Up For Ever your personal heroes. The brand's new Rouge Artist Natural lipstick ($19) is a gorgeous, subtle option that provides sheer coverage that still packs plenty of punch. Emollient but not glossy, this ultracreamy lipstick leaves the prettiest translucent sheen of color behind. Think of this small but mighty offering as lipstick "lite." It's available in 50 shades, ranging from satin to pearly finishes, with standout hues including #N4 (a goes-with-anything pink-beige) and #N31, a subtle fuchsia that's the perfect bright for the upcoming season.

What We're Sweet On: The Goes-With-Everything Lip Gloss

Jaime Richards — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:45:00 PDT

Pantone's color of the year may be tangerine, but there are a few other shades the color forecasting brand has identified as being hot for Spring 2012. And the folks at Make Up For Ever have ingeniously come up with a 10-piece collection reflecting the runway's trendiest hues, one of which is Starfish, a khaki, sandy tone that's more versatile than you might expect. While it may sound a little dull for the lips, the brand's Starfish-inspired Lab Shine Lip Gloss in #M4 ($18), a chrome tobacco, is actually just the ticket.

The more subdued cousin of the gold lip gloss, this neutral-toned shimmer gives bare lips a hint of warmth that highlights the natural lip color beautifully. But what it also does is take vibrant-colored lipsticks or glosses down a few notches. So the next time you're looking for an all-around amazing lip color, try putting the pedal to this metal.

From Makeup Chair to Catwalk, See Mara Hoffman Models' Backstage Journey

Jaime Richards — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:03:47 PST

Mara Hoffman is known for her global aesthetic, and this time around she took her models on a trip to the desert (figuratively, of course). And to achieve the effect, Make Up For Ever's Lottie created a sun-kissed glow with metallic highlights. It's a look that just about anyone can wear, so come for a ride backstage with us to see how it was all put together. You'll find there's nothing dry about this desert-inspired beauty look.

Photo: Roger Kisby

We Put 3 Long-Wear Lip Colors to the Test

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:01:23 PST

Long-lasting lipstick comes in handy for plenty of situations: date nights, birthdays, weddings, and any other time reapplying is a problem. But which ones really stick around as promised? We tried a bevy of long-wear lip colors to see which ones stood the test of time and found three with staying power that will thrill any lipstick lover.

What We're Sweet On: A Just-the-Right-Fit Kit

Annie Tomlin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:47:43 PST

If complexion perfection is your obsession, Make Up For Ever's HD Complexion Starter Kit ($79) is calling your name. The Sephora-exclusive set packages the brand's oil-free primer, invisible finishing powder, a kabuki brush, and one Invisible Cover Foundation - in the shade that suits you, of course. (There are 26, so there's something to match every skin tone.) This satin-finish foundation has earned a fervent cult following for its ability to cover imperfections without looking masklike, and it's particularly good at making blemishes seem to disappear. Not everyone can have flawless skin, but with the right tools, just about anyone can fake it.

This Look Is the Last Word in New Year's Eve Glitter and Glamour

BellaSugar — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:23:25 PST

New Year's Eve calls for more than just your every night smoky eyes and red lips, and we have just the jaw-dropping look to inspire you. Watch Make Up For Ever pro David Hernandez create the ultimate sexy, sparkly look, using everything from glitter to crystals, false lashes, and some serious liquid liner. Let this fantasy look inspire you for Dec. 31 and beyond.

You Can Make Your Makeup Glow Under Black Light

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:52:48 PDT

Fluorescent makeup looks great under the black lights at clubs, but it generally comes in colors you might not want to be wearing once the house lights come on (or out to dinner beforehand, for that matter). And that's why Make Up For Ever Fluo Night Black Light Pigment ($31) is so smart. It's just a fine powder that you mix into whatever makeup you're applying, and it glows under black lights without changing your makeup colors. So you can go from looking pretty and polished to totally wild with the flick of a light switch, or even create "hidden" designs or messages that won't show up until you hit the UV. A little goes a long way, too, so a small jar should last you through months of Friday nights.

Source: Make Up For Ever