Makeup Look of the Day: The Ingenue

As a real life Ingenue herself, Nicole Kidman personifies this look with exquisite ease.  The Ingenue is very sixties, playful, and ultra feminine.  Sixties ingenue Ann-Margret (above right) is the inspiration behind this look.

The Ingenue requires a basic foundation, face powder, pink powder blush, brown eye shadow for the crease and under the eye, pale beige shimmer eyeshadow on the lids, brown eye liner (liquid is best) for upper lash line, and black mascara for top and bottom lashes.  For the lips I used a natural toned lip liner and then applied a pinky-beige lip color on top.

                                        PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

There are a LOT of lip glosses on the market and choosing the right one can be more than overwhelming.  I have tried a ton of different brands, textures, colors, and applicators.  I have narrowed it down to a few that qualify as favorites, and one of them is my NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Natural, which I used today.  It was perfect for what this look called for-- a pinky-beige lip color.  This gloss actually has more of a creamy consistency than glossy (which also makes it last longer).  Highly recommended!

NYX lip gloss in Natural

Makeup Look of the Day: The Diva

This is the kind of woman who makes a statement without saying anything at all.  Barbra Streisand, Maria Callas, and Cher are the inspirations behind this look.  Not surprisingly, Kevyn Aucoin chose Isabella Rossellini (above) as his muse, and more recently Jennifer Aniston posed for a very similar shoot for Bazaar magazine.  The head tilt coupled with a strong profile shot show off the Diva signature-- a very dark and dramatic eye.    

On myself I didn't go quite as dramatic as I could have, in an attempt to present this as an everyday look. I used dark brown powder shadow in the crease and under eye areas. Then I applied black liquid liner to the upper lash line and extended it out longer than usual to meet the shadow, false lashes, and black mascara on my bottom lashes.  A soft pink powder blush was swept over the cheeks and a natural toned lip liner was applied under a semi-transparent lip gloss to keep the mouth somewhat muted in order to maintain the eye as the focal point.

                                       PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Although it's not the stand out item in this look, I have to credit the pink blush.  A good blush brings your entire look full-circle, especially in the case of a profile shot.  I used mark Good Glowing Custom Pick Powder Blush in After Glo, $8 (meetmark.com).  mark is a multi-level company targeted to younger women and owned by Avon.  This blush is one of my personal favorites because it's very flattering on my pale skin and has just the right amount of sparkle to reflect light around the cheekbones.

  

Makeup Look of the Day: The Chanteuse

"Chanteuse" means singer.  This look is inspired by such exceptional voices- with personalities to match- as Billie Holiday (upper right), Edith Piaf, Lena Horne, and Eartha Kitt, as well as old-fashioned bluesy nightclubs; Vanessa Williams' natural beauty (upper left) translates to a striking and seductive version of the Chanteuse.

This is very feminine but strong makeup.  The eye should be striking, yet still somehow soft.  To get this look, you will need a champagne shimmery eyeshadow (applied heaviest to the inner corner of the eye), warm brown eyeshadow (applied only to the outer upper and lower eye area), black liquid eyeliner, black mascara on curled lashes, beige eye pencil for bottom rims, flesh toned lip pencil, and an opalescent pink lip gloss (the sparklier the better!)

         PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

The black liquid liner and black mascara set against a sparkly champagne shadow gives off a nice dramatic effect.  The liquid liner is especially important and should be extended slightly beyond the outer eye corner.  Similar to a liquid liner, I used Jordana Fabuliner in black (right), which I highly recommend if you're like me and find liquid liner to be too difficult or stressful to apply.  This product makes it really easy with its pointed tip; it's not unlike a felt marker. It has the same effect as a liquid and nobody has to know it's not liquid. And not only is it easier to apply, but it also washes off much easier than a liquid liner.  I only found out about the Fabuliner recently and it's truly one of my favorite finds. Also, at $2.99 a piece it won't break the bank.

Makeup Look of the Day: The Gamine

Deriving from French, The Gamine literally means a very slender girl who is pert, impudent, or playfully mischievous.  Although Gwyneth Paltrow (above left) was made up to resemble Kim Novak (upper right), I think it's safe to say that the ultimate Gamine is- and always will be- Audrey Hepburn.  Because she is a natural beauty with a tomboyish charm, the Gamine doesn't wear a lot of makeup; she simply doesn't need it.

Italian actress Pier Angeli

This is a really simple look.  All it requires is a brow pencil, a little concealer, loose face powder, soft rose blush, eyelash curler, dark brown mascara, natural lip liner, and a semi-transparent pink lip gloss.  Extra styling (pulled back hair, turtleneck, etc.) adds to the essence of the look.

       PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT


This look requires a very strong eyebrow, as you can see on each Gamine featured in this post.  I never draw on my own brows since I have naturally dark brows so this was the first time I ever tried it.  You should use a pencil that is one shade darker than your natural brow color, and you should try to keep it within the lines of your natural arch.  Once I was done with the pencil, I used clear mascara to groom and set the brows so they would look as natural as possible.

Helena Rubinstein brown brow pencil

Makeup Look of the Day: The Icon

Janet Jackson

This look is very similar to the Bombshell, with a few tweaks to offer something distinct. Whereas the Bombshell is primarily worshiped for her looks, this woman is more exotic and is known for her looks AND talent.  She has a stage presence that can't be taught. She is the Icon.

Janet Jackson makes an amazing Dorothy Dandridge, who was of course also played by Oscar winner Halle Berry in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, the role that kicked off her career.

Halle Berry as Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge

Instead of white eyeshadow that was used on the Bombshell, gold powder shadow is substituted and a dark toned lip liner instead of flesh toned is used.  You should be able to see a distinct outline of the lips that should not match the red lipstick. You can really notice this on the picture of Janet Jackson.  Also, Dorothy Dandridge had three linear moles on her face that I actually went back later and added digitally to my picture below.  Otherwise they can also be drawn on with a dark brown or black eyeliner.  

                              PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Gold powder eyeshadow  brings a lot of warmth to the eyes in this look.  Since I didn't have a true gold eye shadow, I opted to do a little mixing of shades to come up with something passable for gold.  I used L'Bel Paris Eyecolour Duo in Ete Chic (yellow shade) and The Body Shop loose powder in Molten Bronze.

Molten Bronze

Ete Chic

Makeup Look of the Day: The Bombshell

Lisa Marie Presley

Add caption

Blonde hair, red lips, false lashes, beauty mark.... are all Bombshell essentials.  The eyes are made up with brown shadow in the crease of lid, white shadow over the entire lid and brow bone, and black liquid liner on the upper lash line.  False lashes are the final touch.

Also, a bright pink blush is swept over the cheeks and lips are lined with a flesh toned pencil before applying a true red lip color and topped off with a layer of glossy red.

A beauty mark on the lower left cheek is the final touch (for this I used the same black liquid liner that I used for my eyes).


PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Although I wouldn't wear them for everyday use, false lashes are literally an eye opener.  You can purchase them at most drugstores and beauty supply stores and they cost as low as $3.  I used Ardell black lashes, #107 and Albolene Duo Eyelash Adhesive.  Applying the lashes can be a little tricky.  You have to put just the right amount of adhesive on the strip...too little and they won't stick; too much and you'll end up with a sticky mess.  Applying the lashes to the lash line takes practice.  The most important thing to keep in mind is to make sure you place them as close to the lash line as possible so they look natural.  My best advice is to do a little experimenting before you actually wear them out.

Ardell black lashes, #107

Duo eyelash adhesive

Makeup Look of the Day: The Heroine

Demi Moore

Ingrid Bergman

The Heroine is a strong woman.  She exudes determination, strong will, and almost an androgynous beauty.   Demi Moore is depicted as Ingrid Bergman's starring role in the movie Saint Joan from 1948.  The Heroine requires very basic makeup: pink liquid or cream blush, neutral brown eyeshadow, beige eye pencil for the bottom rims, clear mascara applied to curled lashes and also eyebrows if you like, and a flesh toned lip pencil.  

                              PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

                  To add shine and weight to your lashes without looking like you're wearing anything, clear mascara is a good investment.  I used Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara.  I also swept some over my eyebrows to help them stay in place for this look.  And one of the best perks of clear mascara is not having to wash anything off!

Makeup Look of the Day: The Exotique

Cher

Louise Rainer

The Exotique  is a celebration of quiet, understated beauty that also has an unconventional charm.  Luise Rainer, a popular actress from the 1930's who was also the first actor to ever win 2 Academy Awards, was an early example of the Exotique.  Cher is striking as a modern version and her features show off the makeup exceptionally well.  The look uses a sheer foundation, apricot cream blush (applied under translucent powder), burgundy cream eyeshadow, black mascara on curled lashes, and a natural toned lip pencil.  The final step is the application of petroleum jelly to the eyelids and mouth.

           

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

It might sound a little old-fashioned but Vaseline is actually a really useful tool when it comes to giving any look a final dramatic touch.  When applied to the eyelids over eyeshadow, the result looks wet and glossy (you can really see this on Cher).  When applied over the lips, especially over a natural toned lip pencil, the result is a   mouth that looks effortlessly glamorous.  It's also makes for a nice alternative to lip gloss when used in combination with a variety of lip pencil shades.  

Makeup Look of the Day: The Siren

Julia Roberts

Rita Hayworth

As the name suggests, the Siren is influenced by the seductive, ethereal women of Greek mythology.  When it comes to Old Hollywood, the Siren conjures up images of Hedy Lamarr, Rita Hayworth, and Gene Tierney.  The look uses gray-brown eyeshadow, black mascara applied to curled lashes (length is important for this look), apricot powder blush, dark flesh toned lip pencil, and a dark berry lip color.

The Siren by Edward Poynter

           PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

A dark berry lip color is probably the most crucial element of the Siren.  For everyday use, a berry lip is also a really nice alternative to red lips, especially because it is considered more appropriate for the office.  I used Revlon Colorstay Lip Color in Burgundy which has a matte type of coverage, meaning it goes on very dry and almost leaves a stain on the lips (matte lipsticks are a bit more difficult to wash off).  If you're looking for long-lasting lip color, I highly recommend trying a matte finish.

Revlon ColorStay in Lavishing Burgundy

                                            

Makeup Look of the Day: The Temptress

Actress Andie MacDowell

The Temptress is an homage to eastern beauty that was very en vogue during the 1930's with actresses like Anna Mae Wong (bottom left).  It uses a black eye pencil on the top and bottom, white frosted eyeshadow, black mascara (which I decided to skip altogether), apricot and golden-yellow powder blush, flesh toned lip pencil, and glossy red lip color (the darker the better).  The black eyeliner is 'winged' up and out by using a pointed sponge-tip shadow applicator.  The white eyeshadow along with the winged liner work together nicely to create an eastern eye shape.  The brows should also be brushed up to create a dramatic straight-across look, which can be a little difficult if you have a strong natural arch like me.  

                                                PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

                        I used Maybelline Soft White eyeshadow, which I have to admit is a really old item (from the '80s or '90s) I never threw away and I'm glad I didn't since it really came in handy for this look.  They don't make this exact shade anymore but it shouldn't be difficult to find a basic white shadow.  I found Maybelline's Snow White shadow online, which should be perfect for the Temptress or any look in which you intend to reshape your eyes.

Maybelline eyeshadow in Snow White 

                                                                                    

Makeup Look of the Day: The Sophisticate

                                                                      

Drew Barrymore

Myrna Loy

The Sophisticate is a strong, grown-up look that evokes 1930's Depression-era beauty.  Heavy, dark-- yet strategically placed-- eye makeup and a dark brown-red lip are key.  Very thin arched brows are also a must-have for the Sophisticate.  For this look I used under eye concealer, face powder, white eye pencil on the bottom rims of my eyes, dark brown powder eyeshadow in the crease of the lids, black powder eyeshadow on the lids, eyelash curler with black mascara, dark burgundy brown lip pencil, and red lipstick.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

ULTIMA II Golden Taupe eyeshadow

Best of Becca pallette

Brown eyeshadow is one of those makeup items we all have and take for granted.  No other color is as universally flattering against ALL skin tones and eye colors.  It's a good idea to experiment to find out what shade of brown works best for you (or the look you're going for).  I don't think a dark brown is my personal best but for this look it was a necessity.   It's a good idea and investment to have a shadow compact containing a variety of browns, from a light beige to a dark smoky shade, like the Best of Becca palette to the right.  Today I used Ultima II eyeshadow in Golden Taupe.