Expertise is Earned! Valuable Asset

So, if you think it is just regular woman who seek the beauty expertise of the pros think again.  Look at the photo the left of our very own stylist, Jamie. She is absolutely stunning. But, she didn’t just roll out of bed like that! Hey, even us pros need help from our co-workers, as well as our own expertise to beautify ourselves. Jamie spends all day styling, cutting, and coloring the lovely locks of our clients. During the day as she is working, she very pretty, but casual enough to get her through the work day. After spending so much time on helping other people look their best, she has to find the time to make herself look her best, too. The picture above is proof that Jamie is just like the rest of us, and needs a little hair and makeup glam from FacesBeautiful to make herself just a little bit prettier! And, wow!! Jamie, my darling you are totally glam and all out gorgeous!!!

Is All That Glitters Really Gold?

 For this fall and winter of 2011 the answer is YES. According to InStyle’s October 2011 issue (page 101) the latest buzz on what is in right now is gold. Everyone’s favorite yellow metal is showing up on everything from eyes to purses to shoes. Gold accessories will never go out of style. So grab a gold bag or a pair of gold shoes and go gold! If you are really bold for gold, then you should get on of those gorgeous gold dresses. You’ll see them showing up all over the red carpet on everyone from Heidi Klum to Jennifer Lopez.

For a more subtle way to add some gold into your repertoire, try swiping a pretty gold eye-shadow over a darker color for some added punch or a gold highlighter on cheekbones to add radiance to the skin.

Every Girl’s Got to Have Eyeliner…!!

Black eyeliner is a staple just like the little black dress. But, once in a while it’s fun (and refreshing) to try something a little different. Jewel-toned (yes, I said jewel-toned) eyeliner can be a flattering and sexy change. Think blues, greens, teals, and purples. The secret to keeping the look grown-up is all in the application and your choice of color.

Purple is the easiest to try because it’s universally flattering. Teal is a bit more daring but looks good with any eye color. Both, blue and green can make eyes look playful. But, if they seem too daunting try layering them over black eyeliner for a softer effect. Do not use flat color; look for a little sheen in your liners. This keeps the color from appearing chalky. 

Not all eyeliners are created equal. When it comes to pencils you need something smooth and easy to glide across the lid. Creams and gels are another easy choice. Dip an eyeliner brush into the cream or gel and draw small strokes close to the lash line. Liquid is usually the longest-lasting, but can also be intimidating. I recommend drawing the line in short strokes and softening the line with a liner brush and eye shadow. This way, you won’t have to worry about getting the line pin-straight and your look will last longer.

Different placements have different effects. Winged is edgy, cat-eye is bombshell, smudged is the soft and sexy. And eyeliners on the lower lashes are hot! Eye liners applied  to the lower lash line or inner rim is a way to make eyes appear bigger.

Remember to keep the rest of your makeup simple. Avoid using any other colors that might clash. Keep your eyeshadow neutral, stick with beige or brown. Since, bright liner draws attention to your eye area you need a good, creamy concealer to cover dark circles. Apply the concealer to your lids as well to cancel out any discoloration on your lids and to create a base to hold the liner in place. Do not neglect your brows either. Make sure they are neat and filled in. Keep blush soft: think a light rose or peach. Use a nude, neutral, or transparent pink on the lips. Anything darker will compete with the liner.  

And, most of all have fun with this! This is a way to make eyes appear brighter in a modern and beautiful way! 

Valuable Makeover Tips From Gail Sagel

Gail's Tip: Less is More: Mom always said, “With makeup, don’t overdo it. Let your natural beauty shine through.” Natural looking makeup has a time and a place, like the workplace or school. But since makeup is about self-expression and playing up best features, having one key element accentuated is not only attractive, but trendy. To update your look, take heed of the good in Mom’s advice, and keep most of your makeup natural while choosing either a dramatic lip or eye color.


Gail’s Tips on The Lip: This season, the red lip is the trend to embrace. When updating your look with one bold feature like the lips or eyes, it is essential for the color to compliment the skin tone, especially with a bold lip color. For fair skin, choose an orange-based red; for medium skin, choose a berry-red or brown-red; for dark skin, choose a red that has a blue base. To get the perfect pout, make sure that your lips are moisturized well prior to application. Use a lip pencil (in the closest color to your lipstick as possible) to create a frame and to prevent your color from bleeding onto the skin.


Gail’s Tips on Eye Shadow: When it comes to eye shadows, experiment! Try different shades to see what works best on your eyes, keeping in mind that skin tone has everything to do with it. Here’s a quick rundown of what colors work for common eye colors: blue eyes should stick with earth tones for maximum impact, green or hazel eyes should have fun with a purple or gold-flecked earth tone, and brown eyes are the winner in this game – they can get away with pretty much anything!


Gail’s Tips: Put Down The Tweezer's: Most mothers warn their daughters when they attempt to sculpt their own eyebrows. Maybe their warning is a reaction to a “loss of innocence” – the moment when the little girl becomes a pre-pubescent and facial hair becomes an issue. “Leave such an important part of your face to the professionals,” my mother would say. And even though I have a knack for tweezing, I listened. But through my personal years of professional beauty experience, I learned that with a few tips, women can feel comfortable shaping their own eyebrows, but Mom didn’t get it all wrong. Consulting a professional to achieve the best eyebrow shape for one’s face, will help establish a natural look, and then maintain it.




**For a universal tip that everyone can benefit from, use gold or white eye shadow on the inner corners of eyes to make them pop. Purple is also a great color to try for every eye hue; its place in the color spectrum makes it a flattering choice for any skin tone.
For more from Gail and information on makeup trends and tips, visit www.FACESBeautiful.com. 

Best Beauty Trends of 2011

What will be the hottest makeup trends for the fall?    

The hot trends for this fall focus on smoky and metallic eyes. Also, the color orange--as Reese Witherspoon said in Legally Blonde, orange is the new pink. Well, she’s finally right. Orange will and must show up somewhere in your color wardrobe. Choose a red lipstick with an orange base, grab an orange toe polish, an orange metallic nail polish, or if you’re daring enough, swipe on a bit of orange eye shadow. But, be sure to add a touch of orange. Oh, by the way, an orange Hermes bag works too! 


Are there any particular products that you are excited by?

Black eye liner is so essential in this fall's makeup look. And, while there are so many to choose from and so many different ways to get the strong liner look – here’s one that I’m very excited by--it’s the Cover Girl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner Pencil in Black Fire. It goes on smooth and quick like a crayon and delivers a very glossy, long lasting jet-black line.    


Do you have any specific makeup tips according to skin tone?

Go metallic for eye shadows! If your coloring is strong, brunette, and deep – choose a silver metallic eye shadow. If your coloring runs paler, blonder and warmer – choose a gold metallic eye shadow. Apply metallic shadow to your lid, just up to the contour, and then follow with lots of black liner. Try a liner with a swoop at the end too, if you dare.

Are there any shades, makeup trends that you think women should leave on the fall runways?

I’m not a fan of monochromatic for the fall. It’s too bland. This is the season of drama and the dramatic. Leave the mono look for the tres chic, ultra skinny models who can’t wait to get out of wardrobe and get hot with lots of liner and bold red lips!


Any other tips for fall beauty?

Fall 2011 is the season for braids. Whether you choose a messy, long single braid or you work a few intricate braids into your look – braids are hot! This season create a look that is sleek and simple with a few braids mixed in. Or, if you prefer a look that seems like it just sort of happened, mix a braid or two in. Braids are very trendy!

Fall is about lashes and brows. Both eyelashes and brows should be thick and full. Eyelashes are in. Lots of them. Lots of mascara, lots of false lashes – frame up your eyes. And, full eyebrows add real drama to your eyes. Shape them up sexy, but don’t wax them away. A full brow adds the drama you need for a really sexy eye!! The combo of full lashes and full brows is just awesome for this fall’s hottest look!    

    

New Make Up Tips and Tricks!!!

After visiting a professional, your only task should be to maintain your brows. The biggest mistake I see at the FACES Beautiful salon is when women over wax or over-pluck.
To measure correctly, hold your finger parallel to the side at the tip of your nose. This is where your brow should begin. When you point your finger diagonally away from your nostril, toward the outside edge of your eye , you’ll find the correct end point for your brow.


Invest in a great pair of slanted tweezers and pluck hairs at an angle, following the direction that they grow. Give yourself lots of light, pluck slowly and take breaks. Make sure you don’t eliminate too much hair – bold brows are in!


Match Your Eye Shadow to Your Outfit


I remember the day I went to school wearing lime green eye shadow to match my lime green top, back when I first began experimenting with makeup. My mother always told me to match my eye shadow to my clothes, and that morning I distinctly remember that she told me that I looked great – something tells me that was not the inner beauty expert in her speaking.
I’m all about whatever colors look best on you, and there are no real “rules” when it comes to eye shadow matching. It’s important to note is that even if a color matches your outfit, it will not necessarily compliment your eye color and skin tone; know which colors work best with your skin tone and be aware of colors that just don’t work.
When it comes to eye shadows, experiment!


Try different shades to see what works best on your eyes, keeping in mind that skin tone has everything to do with it. Here’s a quick rundown of what colors work for common eye colors: blue eyes should stick with earth tones for maximum impact, green or hazel eyes should have fun with a purple or gold-flecked earth tone, and brown eyes are the winner in this game – they can get away with pretty much anything!
For a universal tip that everyone can benefit from, use gold or white eye shadow on the inner corners of eyes to make them pop. Purple is also a great color to try for every eye hue; its place in the color spectrum makes it a flattering choice for any skin tone. 

Allure Special Issue Best of Beauty October 2011

I just love Allure Magazine’s Best of Beauty special issue. It’s coverage of the best products is great, but still for most of us girls this list is can still be a bit overwhelming. Let me share with you a few of my personal favs!

In Eyes, the must haves to me are the Dolce & Gabbana Eye shadow in Laguna – a great green. Layered over of thick black eye liner it adds an instant pop! Finish with tons of mascara. So for the liner, one of my all-time favs is the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner and for mascara you cannot go wrong with Lancôme Definicils. I also happen to love Maybelline Great Lash mascara which is always a classic! Don't forget to curl those pretty lashes with Kevyn Aucoin's Eye Lash Curler!

For lips, Dolce and Gabbana The classical Cream Lipstick in Cosmopolitan is one of the best reds I have seen yet. Not only is the product long-lasting, but with just a swipe you get that elegant, timeless red lip.

Of course, skin care can challenging for many woman. Aside from cleansing, there are two things in skin care than every women cannot go without: a good moisturizer and sunscreen. I like the Aveeno's Positively Radiant Moisturizer SPF 30,  so it is the best of both. In the world of anti aging moisturizers, I think that the Dr. Brandt's Time Arrest Creme de Luxe is an amazing result moisturizer.  Of course, we also run into a few skin care issues like dark circles and pimples. Esthetician, Kate Summerville has a great line, and her CytoCell Dark Circle Corrective Cream will be your best weapon against those awful circles, regardless if they are genetic or due to lack of sleep! A great mask for treating acne is ProActive's Refining Mask, which contains Sulfur- a key ingredient in getting rid of those pesky bumps. Try it as a spot treatment as well.

Let's talk about hair. Wella Professional Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner are great for restoring luster to your locks. And, for us woman with drier hair MoroccanOil Restorative Hair Mask will repair damage. L'oreal Paris EverSleek Sulfate-Free Intense Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner both will tame frizz without weighing your hair down.

And, here are some great extras that us girls can't go without...

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash is great for even the most sensitive skin. For people who suffer from body acne Neutrogena's Body Clear Body Wash never fails. Now, that you have cleansed that skin, you want it to glow, too. Try Lorac's Tantilizer Body Bronzing Luminizer, or a great self-tanner like St. Tropez Self Tanning Lotion. Tan not your thing? A good body moisturizer is a must. I (and Allure) love Eurcerin Skin Balance Skin-Fortifying Body Lotion. Show off your nails, too. OPI's Big Apple seems to always make the list of best nail-polish colors. It's a great red that flatters every skin tone.

And, last but not least my personal favorite: Tweezerman's Slant Tweezer! Come into FacesBeautiful and you'll experience yourself the wonders and painless perfection of brow shaping with Tweezerman. The results are amazing!

Westport, Connecticut Wedding by Lisa Boggs Photography

Ted and Erica of Faces Beautiful performed the Hair and Make Up for this Wedding. Below is a portion of the article that was posted in it's honor:

Full Article Here

From the bride… "After my fiance and I got engaged, we started planning a large-scale rustic fall wedding in the Washington, DC area.  After about 9 months into the planning, we decided that we were way over our budget due to some unexpected financial issues that came up.  We drastically scaled back the wedding’s size and moved the date up from the Fall to the Spring of 2011.  Lucky for us, my fiance’s mother lives in Westport, CT, just one block from the Long Island Sound.  She has a beautiful and quaint back yard right on the canal, which also looks out towards the Sound.  She graciously agreed to host the wedding (for free!) at her home and our planning began in earnest."

It’s not very often that we come across a wedding sans flowers. Flora and Weddings are like peanut-butter and jelly. That is until we spotted this perfect day captured by Lisa Boggs Photography. It’s a beautiful mix of herbs and backyard festivities without a single petal in sight but the pretty factor is soaring right through the roof. This wedding definitely gets the SMP seal of approval for thinking outside of the wedding box. 

Click here for the FULL wedding!

Pink Chair Luncheon & Fashion Show, October 5, 2011

Here is the link for the Pink Aid Event on October 5th at Mitchell's in Westport. We will be doing all of the hair and makeup for the models for two fashion shows. the event will consist of featured speaker, Robin Roberts, the CO-Anchor of Good Morning America. Check out the event, and check back to here for updates.