Tag Archives: Makeup by Tracie Rosales

Makeup

Red Lipstick: What Shade is Right for You?

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With the holidays around the corner and one of the fiercest makeup trends seen on the runways, television, movies and award shows here are some tips to help you find the perfect shade of red lipstick to rock.

Everyone can wear a red lip it is all about the shade that will compliment your skin tone.

If you have a warm skin tone with brown or hazel eyes, golden or reddish hair tones, golden skin the shade of red that is best for you would be a wine red.  Celebrities that are in this category are: Charlize Thereon and Lindsay Lohan.

If you have a cool skin tone with  rosy or olive skin, blue, green, brown or hazel eyes, and your hair does not have any golden or red tones.   The red lip shade that would look best is a blue based red.  A celebrity that is in this category is: Angelina Jolie.  A  great choice is MAC Russian Red or MAC Ruby Woo.


 If you are fair skin or often describe yourself as being pale, then your choice of red is a  Wine Red.  A celebrity that you relate to is Nicole Kidman. A great choice is NARS Tamango.

If you have olive  skin, then your choice of red is a Coral Red.  Celebrities that are in this category are Kim Kardashian and Penelope Cruz.

If you have medium skin then your choice of red is a Scarlet Red.  Both Jessica Alba and Paris Hilton have medium skin tone.  A great lipstick choice is NARS Afghan Red.

If you have a darker complexion burgundy shades and bright red look great.  Jennifer Hudson is a celebrity that wears both these colors well.

No matter what your skin tone or coloring everyone can wear a true red or a brick tone red.  Clarins Joli Rouge or Chanel Passion are two great choices for everyone.

Makeup

How long should you keep your makeup?

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I get asked quite frequently how and when should you discard your old products, or if lipstick has a shelf life. While I understand not wasting products and the money that you spend, your makeup can breed bacteria if you keep it past the expiration date.

Whether you buy top of the line makeup or hit the local drugstore for your products, they all have the same shelf life. Here are the universal guidelines of expiration on your favorite products. However, keep in mind if your product starts to look or smell off, then it is time to toss and have fun shopping.

Face Time: Cream or gel clensers (12 months); Concealer (12 months); Water Based Foundation (12 months); Oil Based Foundation (18 months); Loose Powder (3 years); Pressed Powder (2 years).

The Eyes Have It: Eyeshadow (3 years); Pencil Eyeliner (3 years – sharpen regularly); Liquid Eyeliner (2 years); Mascara (4 months).

Kiss Me: Lip Liner (3 years – sharpen regularly); Lipstick (1 to 2 years – if you notice that it is starting to smell off, then it’s time to toss).

Finishing Touches: Brushes (years with proper care – clean them weekly and the better the brush set, the longer it will last for you); Sponges (wash weekly, discard monthly); Nail Polish (18 months – shake regularly).

Makeup

Summertime and the makeup is flawless

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As the Summer shows no signs of cooling and a warm Fall is on the way, there are products and tricks that can be used to help brides and bridesmaids keep their makeup looking flawless.

Anna was a bridesmaid for a wedding in Key West this summer. While I did not travel with her to the sunny – and humid – Keys, we had a makeup consultation and practice session so that she could apply her own makeup.

The bridesmaids were dressed in aquamarine color gowns, and the wedding took place on the beach. Anna wears minimal makeup on a daily basis and while she wanted to look great in pictures, she also wanted to go with a softer, natural look. I decided that we should go with a sun kissed look that would complement her coloring and fit the style of the wedding.

In order to begin the combat against the humidity, I used Smashbox anti-shine primer. This product helps keeps oil under control and foundation from running. It should be applied after moisturizer and before makeup.

I used a liquid foundation to match Anna’s skin and then opted for a bronzer – instead of a blush – to highlight her cheekbones and give her a sun kissed glow. The eye makeup featured a lighter smokey eye, only lining the top lid and not the bottom. I used several coats of mascara so the lashes would stand out. By going with a lighter eye, we could highlight her skin. The lip color was a combination of brownish pink that looks great and is more of a neutral tone. To finish the look (and my last step in making sure that her makeup would hold up), I used MAC’s Fix+ which is an aqua spritz that helps finish and set makeup.

After Anna came back from Key West, she sent me a note: “I was concerned about the heat and my makeup coming off, however the products were amazing! I just received the album and was pleased that my makeup stayed on all day and night. They are definitely products worth purchasing for any upcoming event you may be attending. Thanks, Tracie, for the tips!”

While this wedding took place outside of Virginia, the products are perfect for the HOT steamy weather of  Northern Virginia.

Makeup

Things to ask a Makeup Artist before Booking

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Booking a makeup artist for your wedding should be like booking any other vendor. There are questions that you should ask to make sure that you have all the information before your big day. It also will help you decide before the trial if the artist is a good match for you.  Ask to look at the artist’s portfolio or check it out if it is online. This will give you an idea of what style of makeup your artist typically does and if he/she works with brides.

If you are having your videographer or photographer shoot in HD (high definition), is your artist able to use makeup that works with HD?

Is airbrushing an option?

What products does your artist use? This way you will know if you have any allergies to the brands. And if you do, can your artist work with your personal makeup?

Will your makeup artist travel to you on your wedding day? Is there an extra fee for travel?

Will your makeup artist do bridesmaids and the mothers? What are the rates?

If you want the option for after ceremony touch-ups, what is the charge?

If the groom has rosacea and/or breakouts before the wedding, can the artist do a touch-up for him? What is the fee?

Be sure to schedule a makeup trial. If you’re doing engagement photos, have your trial the same day. This way you can test the makeup and have it professionally applied for your photos.

A makeup artist should also ask questions to find out your personal style and to make sure he/she can achieve a look that will meet your expectations. Here are some questions to expect:

What does your everyday makeup style look like?

What is the style of your wedding dress and hairstyle?

Are you having an indoor or outdoor wedding?

What time of day is the wedding taking place?

What are your wedding colors?

Do you have any allergies to product brands or ingredients?