Jah Provide The Bread

On Thursday I did Corinne Bailey Rae's makeup for her performance on The Tonight Show. Check it out!

(Makeup by me, Hair by Christian Marc.)

I get a lot of requests for makeup and beauty tips for women with darker skin tones, so here are some notes on the products I used to create the look.

For the complexion I used Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #9 with a drop of #11 to keep the color warm.

I highlighted the apples of her cheeks with NARS Blush in Lovejoy

Her bold shadow shades were from the Chanel Eye Shadow Quad Murano

I lined her eyes with MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder

I then coated her lashes with MAC Opulash mascara, which is one of my new favorites...

On her lips I used NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bahama

and topped it off with Chanel Hydramax + Active Lip Care to keep the lips hydrated and slightly glossy...

I finished off the look with a light dusting of MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder along the t-zone to prevent shine, but keep the skin looking fresh!

Hopefully these ideas inspire you with your own looks!

❤
Amy

Love Like A Sunset

Sometime around Mother's Day I got a very sweet package from Benefit Cosmetics. They sent a cute letter about their family beauty secrets and included their favorite products. Most of them were things I love and use regularly, but there were a couple sweet surprises!

Benefit's Erase Paste concealer really blew me away! I can't believe I haven't been using this!
I've never tried anything quite like it before. The consistency is thick and creamy (almost gel-like), but it blends in to the skin effortlessly! The gel-like consistency adds a healthy glow without shimmer. I'm obsessed!

The concealer only comes in three shades, but they seem pretty universal.

I always like concealer to be slightly lighter than the foundation. It's a good way to play with lighting and camouflage imperfections. The orange undertones of #2 really provide an amazing highlight for the eyes!

I am already a big fan of Benefits Dandelion and Georgia face powders...

And now I've discovered a new one called CORALista!

Coral is the perfect shade for Summer! These powders are intended for all over use to brighten up the complexion, but I love to put a concentrated amount on the apples of the cheeks and use them as cheek colors. The shades are beyond gorgeous and they last all day!

Benefit is really on a roll right now! I absolutely could not live without having Benetint, Posietint, and the It Stick in my make up kit! They're even coming out with a new line of amazing fragrances, and I love, love, LOVE all of their packaging and cute make up bags! Yay!

*UPDATE* For 3 days only! Get 20% off all orders at benefitcosmetics.com. Enter MAKEUP20 at checkout. (I guess that means until May 29?)

<3

Amy

P.S. I've always wanted a Benefit Bathina shower cap but never managed to get my hands on one! I think they were discontinued. Sad! :(

Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

Here's a really cool video NARS sent me.

I'm always fascinated to watch the transformation of a face, but what is really notable here is the make up artists use of his HANDS! I find a lot of make up artists are scared to use their hands, but I feel like make up goes on so much better when using your hands to warm the product and blend!

<3
Amy

The Pretty Continues... (Part Two)

Now... on to concealers...

My number on favorite would have to be Cle de Peau concealer.

The concealer is amazing and wonderful but VERY expensive. One concealer will set you back almost $70. So again, probably not something for the beginning make up artist.

Another one of my go-to concealers is the Kanebo concealer pen.

This seems like a light-weight liquid concealer, but the coverage is mind blowing! These concealers run about $30 each.

The one problem with both of these products is, since they are an Asian company, the colors are limited and do not work for darker skin tones.

You really can not go wrong with M.A.C. Studio Finish concealer.

The M.A.C. concealer has a super creamy consistency and they cover the entire color spectrum. Cost is $14.50 per pot. (and the packaging is part of their recycling program, back to mac)

Again, there is a lot to be said for the mark. speedway do everything make up.

The coverage is great and build-able, depending on your needs. It goes on creamy and sets as a powder. I'm floored by this product. The most surprising part is that it costs $8. This is a great way to build a kit!

As for powder... I'm a fan of loose powders. I don't like to suffocate the skin in inches of pressed powder. The good ol' stand by is Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.

It never gets cakey, it's just pretty much perfect...

T. LeClerc Loose Powder is amazing!

It is very light and comes in many different shades (banana, apricot, etc...).

Great for the color theory enthusiast!

I also love Benefit's Bluff Dust.

The thin veil of yellow powder is great for neutralizing redness and evening out your complexion.

Benefit's Georgia is great for warming up your complexion and bringing a healthy glow to your face.

I use this one on myself too!

Benefit's Dandelion has a similar effect! It's a beautiful pink that creates a nice healthy glow!

Benefit recently packaged some of their most popular powders/bronzers together and call it Powder Pop!...

It's a great idea, but unfortunately it is missing my fave, Georgia! :(

Another AMAZING powder is the Chanel Shine Control Powder.

Not only is it light and illuminating, it has SPF! I love it!

Wow, you guys! I had no idea how much I liked powder until JUST NOW! Weird!

To be continued...

<3

Amy