Beauty Tip | Changing your hair colour? Use these makeup tips to help your hair look amazing!

Photo Courtesy: Google Images/Rihanna

Have you ever noticed when you change your hair, all of sudden when you put your makeup or your fave lipstick, the makeup doesn't look the same, looks either too dramatic or makes you question your hair change?

A common trend, this time of year, is the seasonal summer to fall transition. It appears in fashion, clothes, makeup and hair. Typically, the hair will be the big change that occurs in terms of colour. Deeper hues and rich tones will take over versus the Summer hues of being sun kissed and golden.

This post, I wanted to share the best makeup tips and tones that you can use when you undertake a drastic hair change. Using these tips, will help your hair transtion pop and will help you see what will look best for which ever hair shade you choose! (Side Note: Other than Platinum blonde, personally I have worn my hair in many different hair tones, so I speak from personal experience that when you change hair and adjust your makeup, it helps you love your hair even more!).

Blondes (White or Platinum Tones)

• Eyes: Soft Greys + Dark Liner or Soft Browns
• Cheeks: Soft Pink/Coral Blush
• Lips: Cool Soft Pinks or Bold Red Lip
• Celebrity Inspiration:  Gwen Stefani

Photo Courtesy: Google Images/Gwen Stefani

Dark Blonde

• Eyes: Medium Earthy Brown to Nude Tones
• Cheeks: Bronze or Brick Toned Blush
• Lips: Darker Pinky Nudes
• Celebrity Inspiration: Jennifer Lopez

Photo Courtesy: Google Images/Jennifer Lopez

Brunette

• Eyes: Light Greys, Browns or Taupe
• Cheeks: Coral Pinky Blush
• Lips: Light Mauve or Coral toned lips
• Celebrity Inspiration: Kate Beckinsale

Photo Courtesy: Google Images/Kate Beckinsale

Red (Mahogany, Black and Beyond)

• Eyes: Bolder Cooler Shades on eyes. Darker Smudged Liner
• Cheeks: Cooler Blush mixed with a matte bronzer
• Lips: Blackcurrant, Deep Burgundy and Magenta Tones
• Celebrity Inspiration: Rihanna

Photo Courtesy: Google Images/Rihanna

Be sure to have fun and be daring! Once you change your hair, you will feel confident and these tips above can help you transition your hair and makeup to make the perfect statement!

Beauty Talk | #Contour Mania or Overload? - How to navigate this #1 Trend

Image/Makeup:  Kevyn Aucoin - The Book "Making Faces".

"This photo is really an illustration of the contours of the face. The application is exaggerated and not to be taken too literally. It's just to show how highlighting and contouring (when sparingly applied and carefully blended) can add definition to the face...You may never do this for everyday life, but for special occasions or photographs, it can really make a difference." 
- KEVYN AUCOIN

We have all seen the countless images of Contouring. The mass number of before and after pics showing the painted makeup 'maps' on faces. Instructions for the proper placement of light and dark makeup to achieve the perfect contour. The faces almost look like a mask of sorts which is now being referred to as a"contour map". Nonetheless, the after photo is always gorgeous, flawless and the makeup looks like perfection.

I have had a lot of my clients and people ask me about this trend. As much as it's popular it has also deterred clients from trying the trend. Especially if you are a person who has never worn makeup or maybe want to see how it's done, the images and videos can be overwhelming.

For this post, I am going to share the types of contouring and my tips of how you can make this trend wearable and simple, whether it's fierce or everyday!

BIRTH OF CONTOURING - Who and where it's used?

• Photography & Movies | Works well with the Flashing lights of Cameras.
• Celebrity | Typically seen on Instagram and with their respective Makeup Artists
• Drag Makeup | Ideal for stage performance to emphasize facial features against the bright lights

Contouring has become extremely popular via Instagram. The trend was really cultivated and developed by many drag performers who understood that to look fierce on stage, they needed to emphasize their makeup.

It works well for Photography because with the extreme flash effects from cameras, a person's face can end up looking too flat or one dimensional. Therefore this makeup technique helped to emphasize and re-create the dark and light areas on a person's face for the best photos.

WHY DO WE NEED TO CONTOUR?

• To define
• To accentuate facial structure 
• To balance light and dark
• Makeup artist technique which is great for Weddings and Special Occasions

WAYS TO ACHIEVE THE LOOK

Fierce Contour
This effect is achieved with Extreme Highlighting and contouring by using Concealer/Highlighter and Cream Foundation

Time: Half Hour
Best Product To Use: A mix of Liquid Foundation, Cream Concealers, Liquid/Powder Highlighters
Celebrity Inspiration: Kim Kardashian

Image Courtesy: kimkardashian.com

Evening Contour
Medium effect achieved when using a Contour Kit that has all of your go-to shades from light to dark, a blush shade and a highlight shade.

Time: 15 Mins.
Best Product To Use: Contour Kits i.e. Anastasia Beverly Hills or BH Cosmetics
Celebrity Inspiration: Jennifer Lopez

   Image Courtesy: google.com/images

Everyday Contour
Light and wearable version for Daytime. Using the natural bone structure as a guide on placement and then using a soft light Bronzer to define and adding a soft wash of blush on top. The idea is to create the shadow into the hollow of the cheek, which is right under the fullest part of your cheek.

Time: 5 Mins. or less
Best Product To Use: Giorgio Armani Bronzer or Matte Toned Bronzer/Blush
Celebrity Inspiration: Mila Kunis

Image Courtesy: google.com

Hopefully this post and the tips above can help any of those who are trying to figure out how to navigate and use this makeup trend. I do feel that there is so much emphasis on the extreme versions of contouring but it can definitely be achieved with fewer products so it's easy, simple and beautiful. At the end of the day, do whatever works for you, whether it be extreme to light.

#GoldenGlobes2015 | Top 5 Fashion Looks!

The Red Carpet is always about the GOWNS! For the 2015 Golden Globes, the beautiful women of Hollywood dressed to the nines. My favourite trend was the silvery toned gowns!

Here are my Top 5 Fashion Looks from the night!

Reese Witherspoon | Calvin Klein

Image courtesy: Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez | Zuhair Murad

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

Kate Beckinsale | Elie Saab

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

Kate Hudson | Versace

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

Julianne Moore | Givency Couture

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

It will be interesting to see these gowns being translated from Award Runway to the retail customer. Typically the most popular award show dresses that are trending are re-worked for Bridal Wear!

#GoldenGlobes2015 | Top 5 Beauty Looks!

Love, love, love awards season! For me, the reason I enjoy these shows is that I get the opportunity to see art, fashion and beauty collide! In addition, we get to see and experience amazing films and the people behind these great works of art.

From all of the lovely looks from the 2015 Golden Globes Red Carpet, I picked my Top 5 favourite looks in beauty and fashion. Everyone looked amazing, but I picked My Top 5 Beauty Looks!

1. Reese Witherspoon | Soft Glam

Image Courtesy: HollywoodLife.com

2. Amal Clooney | Bold Lips

Image Courtesy: Hollywoodlife.com

Jessica Chastain | Hollywood Golden Glam

Image Courtesy: Hollywoodlife.com

Jennifer Lopez | Smokey Glam

Image Courtesy: Hollywoodlife.com

Allison Williams | Movie Star Glam

Image Courtesy: HollywoodLife.com

Loved the glamorous yet soft focused looks for beauty! All of these looks are easy to replicate and can work for any upcoming special occasions or celebrations for 2015! 

#INSTAGRAM LOVE | My favourite Instagram Beauty Profiles

I love the digital age we are in, especially when it comes to Makeup and being able to find inspiration. As those who know me, I do have a love/hate relationship with all the time social media tends to monopolize however, we can control the content we see and the time spent. This digital age has opened the doors and connected our eyes to some amazingly talented individuals all over the world. I have found and learned so much from fellow makeup artists and beauty lovers from around the world.

Today I would like to share my Top 5 Instagram Beauty profiles that I love!

1. AmRezy

Otherwise known as "GLAMrezy" this woman defines how to use Instagram to showcase her talent! I love how vivid and gorgeous her looks are. She has a variety of photos that include makeup looks as well as great fashion pics!

2. VegasNay

A lovely makeup artist who also posts beautiful makeup looks on Instagram. She has moved into teaching makeup seminars and loves to share work of other makeup artists on her Instagram page which shows an admirable quality of who she is as a person.

3. DressYourFace

This Instagram beauty is a Hair and Makeup Artist as of late is really focusing on stunning makeup looks and ways in which to create them. She offers Certified Makeup Courses that she will do with you one-on-one, which has been very popular for up and coming makeup artists. In addition, she travels around North America doing Makeup Events where she teaches her signature looks. She is a beautiful Makeup artist and understands the rules of Photography and creates flawless and photo friendly looks!

4. PreenDotMe

This is a makeup site that shares photos of work done by many makeup artists around the world! This profile helps to ignite creativity among other makeup artists with tons of Photo based tutorials on Eye makeup, Brows, Creative Looks and Nail Art. A great source of inspiration!

5. Real Beauty by Cynthia

Recently discovered this Hair & Beauty Artiste! If you don't know, now you know. This woman has a signature style that is all her own and has amazing hair & makeup tutorials, techniques and tips on Instagram as well as her YouTube channel!

For me personally, makeup inspiration is everywhere! I am constantly learning whether it be at work from my colleagues, on Instagram, Fashion Magazines to watching Videos on YouTube. Creative inspiration is around us and we need to promote, share and continue to pass on positivity for everyone that is in this industry! Hope you all find some inspiration from the lovely women above too!

Celebrity Makeup: Looks you can do yourself!

The amazing thing about Awards shows is that they showcase a lot of interesting and creative ideas in Fashion as well as Makeup.  There is so much diversity in the various celebs that walk the red carpet, that there is always something that appeals to everyone.

I loved that for the 2014 Award show season, the looks were very soft, effortless and romantic! I also like the fact that these are looks that can be easily recreated at home. Check out my favourite Oscar 2014 Makeup looks below:

Naomi Watts | Bold Lips

The looks is soft, glowing and fresh with a pop of colour on the lips.  The glowing skin paired with a bold lip against the back drop of her gorgeous dress is perfection.  

Skin:  Use a foundation with a highlighter built in or a highlighting powder on top.
Eyes: Soft Brown on the crease with vanilla on the lids. Finish with 2 coats of mascara.
Cheeks: Soft Pink blush blended towards the temple and hairline.
Lips: Magenta shade in a moisturizing formula. Be sure to blot :)

Courtesy of: www.ellecanada.com

Kate Hudson | Hollywood Smoke Show
Her look is all about sexy glamour!  The classic smokey eyes with a soft pink/nude lip with contoured cheeks works beautifully with her hair and gown.  

Skin:  Use a matte foundation and set with Loose powder.
Eyes: Soft Pink shade on the lids, soft grey on the crease and matte black in the corner.
Cheeks: Coral blush paired with Bronzer to help contour and brighten.
Lips: Neutral/Pink toned lipstick and finish with a light reflecting gloss on top.

Courtesy of: www.harpersbazaar.com

Lupita Nyong'o | Fresh & Glowing

She looked flawless on the red carpets, especially at the Oscars, with her princess inspired dress and to her glowing and fresh makeup look.

Skin:  Use a foundation and set with a shimmering highlighting powder for extra glow.
Eyes: Sheer light blue, gently blended and swept onto the lids and into the crease.
Cheeks: Peachy/Coral shade blended out on the apples of the cheeks.
Lips: Coral/Pink lipstick with a matching gloss on top to make the finish last.

Such versatile and beautiful looks that will work on all skin tones.  Have fun with experimenting with your makeup looks for any of your special events!  Take inspiration from everything you see and you will find something that will work for you!

Always Smile :) - Sand