What's up, Ombré!

Unless you are living on another planet, Ombré is everywhere.  From hair, eyes and even nails....there is no escaping!  So, it was only a matter of time before this trend made it the the lips.  What is Ombré (you might ask)?  Ombré is French for an effect with a gradual colour transition, usually from light to dark.  For example, with hair, the ends are deliberately lighter than the roots....in a good way.  lol  It is completely different from the look of a dye-job "regrowth" which is just dreadful!  But unlike fashion and hair, when you apply this concept to makeup, it's all about color choices and shading which usually creates a 3-D effect making lips look fuller.

Here's what you'll need:

Find two contrasting colors that are in the same family.  To achieve this effect, one will obviously need to be lighter than the other.

Tip:  It is better to use fairly opaque lip colours for this effect because you want to get enough coverage both with the first dark layer, and then again with the light layer on top.

Once you have picked your color choices, fill your entire lip with the darker shade.  Matte finishes generally work best, so try a matte lipstick or lip liner.  When using matte lipsticks, it is very important that your lips are in the best condition possible and not chapped.  Make sure to condition them, beforehand!

Photo courtesy of Makeup and Macarrons

Next, you will add the lighter shade in the center of your lips for a pop of color.  You can apply straight from the tube, with a lip brush or even with your fingers.  Whichever works best for you!  The lighter shade can be a matte finish, as well.  But you can absolutely use a shimmer or slightly metallic finish.  I find that the latter adds even more dimension, making lips look fuller and bigger.  Once you have applied the lighter shade, blend it into the darker shade.  Be careful to leave the edges darker than the middle.  And it's probably a good idea not to press your lips together too much or else you may lose the Ombré effect that you are trying to achieve.

Photo courtesy of Makeup and Macarrons

Adding a clear lip gloss for more of a modern edge, is completely optional and a matter of choice.  Remember that matte lipsticks can make your lips feel a little dry.

Photo courtesy of Makeup and Macarrons

What do you think...Are you a fan??

XOXO

~Tiaja

Eyebrow Trend: The Bold & The Beautiful!

I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to eyebrows!!  Am I the only one who feels like this??  I mean, to me, there is nothing like nicely shaped and arched eyebrows.  I cringe when I see women with thin lines where their eyebrows used to be.  Or, how about the women who shave their's completely off, only to draw them back on for a "brow" that looks anything but natural?  Never quite understood that "trend".  Eyebrows are a very important facial feature!  They help define bone structure and provide a natural frame for the face.  Not to mention, great brows are the key element for a polished look! 

We all know that brow trends can vary from season to season and year to year.  For all of us who are old enough, i'm sure you remember the thin eyebrows of the 70's, the bushy brows of the 80's (a la Brooke Shields) and the 90's being somewhere in between.  Well today, the look dominating the runways during the Fall/Spring 2012 shows at Fashion Week were strong and sculpted brows!  Designers like Donna Karan, Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenburg and Versace all showcased models with well defined eyebrows strutting the catwalk in Haute Couture (see below).



Clockwise from Top Left:  Derek Lam, DVF, Donna Karan & Versace

  

How To Achieve This:

*Step away from the tweezers and allow your brows to grow in.

*Make an appointment with someone specializing in eyebrows (Beautician, Aesthetician, etc.)  Once you get the perfect line and shape you want, you can maintain it.

*Stick to your natural shape!  Eyebrows should follow the line of the bone just above your eyes.

*Place an orange stick in a straight line from the side of the nose to the inner corner of the eye; this is where the eyebrow should begin

*Place an orange stick from the side of the nose to the outer corner of the eye; this is where the brow should end

*Use a brow pencil or powder to add extra color and definition. For a statement finish, take brows a shade darker than their natural color.

*NEVER pluck above the eyebrows & just take away the odd strays.


Hope these tips help!!

XOXO

~Tiaja

Beauty Trend: Orange...the HAWT color for 2012!

Ask just about anyone in the Beauty & Fashion industry and they will tell you that orange is the "It" color for Spring 2012....Tangerine Tango, to be exact!  Ever since Pantone LLC, the world authority on color in the design industries, declared Tangerine Tango as the color of the year for 2012 a little over a month ago, celebs and designers have taken a serious liking to this vivacious hue!  Splashes of this citrus shade was seen in various shades on the runways of New York Fashion Week and can be spotted on red carpets and in fashion mags, alike.

Tangerine Tango is described as "a spirited reddish orange" that's sophisticated, seductive and, most of all, dramatic. It is a sunnier and warmer alternative to the traditional red and what makes it even better is that this hue flatters just about every skin tone. I personally love the color orange.  It evokes warmth and vitality which remind me of my favorite time of the year....Summer!  And I am definitely looking forward to playing up my features with this regal tint.  If you are not as eager as I am to jump right into this trend and would like to play it safe with sheerer shades of orange and tangerine, there are tons of makeup options to choose from.  That's the fun part about makeup....you can play around with it until you find what works for you.  And be sure to choose one feature to focus on or else you might right looking like the Syracuse mascot! :)

Pictured above: 1) Tom Ford Beauty Nail Lacquer in Ginger Fire; 2) NARS Dual Eyeshadow in Scorching Sun; 3) Benefit Cheek Powder in CORALista; 4) Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Bellini; & 5) Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Atomic Orange.


Check out the celebs below rockin' varying shades of orange lipstick:

Will YOU be wearing orange makeup this year??

XOXO

~Tiaja