A brighter smile

White teeth have a number of interesting connotations. They are associated with being healthy, wealthy and young, among others. There are also beauty benefits. Whiter teeth also make your skin look less sallow and your lips naturally darker, by contrast. You can see how bright teeth are a great staple for the no makeup look, making everything better before you add even a drop of product.

The good news? Whiter teeth are easier and cheaper to achieve than ever! A few simple steps will make your results even better. 

Select a product like Crest 3D White Advanced Vivid Whitestrips. The new technology is much better than in older strips. The packaging is easy to deal with, the size of the strips is right, and once you put them on they stay on since they have a slightly sticky texture.

Start the process by NOT brushing your teeth. Sounds counterintuitive, right? Apparently, the fluoride in toothpaste can prevent the bleach from doing its job. You can rinse with water or brush without toothpaste if you’d like. I like to floss with a non waxy product as well. Right before you put the strips on you can use a tissue to dry your teeth and help the strips adhere better.

Take the strips out of the pouch and place them on your teeth, covering them as best as possible and avoiding your gums. Since users’ main complaint is that strips don’t whiten between teeth, go over the edges with your nail, pushing the strip onto the space between your teeth.

Avoid eating and drinking while you have the strips on. Wait the recommended amount of time and remove carefully. Feel free to brush your teeth afterwards. Most specialists recommend avoiding dark foods and drinks (berries, coffee, wine) for 24 hours but the Crest website states that it doesn’t make a difference.

Enjoy your new brighter smile and enhance it even more by wearing a stain with a slighty blueish undertone like Covergirl Outlast Lipstain in Plum Pout.

The right makeup for a perfect Drivers License picture

Since I recently had my picture taken for my Drivers License I didn’t think I had to worry when I ran to the DMV this morning to update some information. Well… I learned two important lessons:

1. Always be prepared (I’ve known that one for a while but forgot it this morning
2. DMV’s always take a new picture if you update your license in person at the office

Aaaaaarrrggghhh! My last picture was cute! Today my hair was wet in a pony tail and the only thing I had on my face was sunscreen! I’ll need to see the real deal to assess how bad it was, but I think there will be a next time real soon. Here’s what I recommend that you do when your turn comes.

After moisturizing, apply the level of foundation that is right for your skin right now – since I currently have no blemishes and it’s summer, for me it would’ve been tinted moisturizer. Follow it with concealer. Be sure to get your eyelids and inner corners of the eyes, under eye circles, around your nose and anywhere where you still see a little redness or imperfections.

While I would say that creating beautiful skin is the most important step in the regular no-makeup look, it’s less important for a picture at the DMV because the harsh flash erases a lot of flaws. That said, it also erases your features and shows a disproportionate amount of shine so focus on the next steps!

Add cream blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend. Consider making it a little more noticeable than usual to counteract the flash, which will wash you out.

Smudge brown eyeliner into your top lashes and add as many coats of mascara as you’d like for defined eyes. A little bit of highlighter in the inner corners will help you look awake.

Apply a natural looking lip stain that is darker than your lip shade – this is not the time for beige nudes – and add lip balm or a little neutral gloss if you like shiny lips in a picture.

You should look really great right about now! Let’s finish it off with 2 tricks. First, take a large soft brush and use it to pick up some pressed powder bronzer. Brush it all around the edges of your face – your jaw, ears, around the hairline and a little under the cheekbones. It’s a quick contouring to make you look slimmer and bring attention to the center of your face. Blend with a tissue to make sure there are no hard lines (which would look horrible in your pic!). Then take the same brush, dip it in a little loose powder and go over your t-zone to minimize shine. You need all the help you can get with that flash! Consider bringing blotting paper and using it just before your close-up.

Last but not least, consider your choice of outfit. Sometimes the pictures are cut at your neck, but sometimes your top will show. Remember that the background is turquoise blue and avoid any colors that clash. My favorite style remains a classic shape, like a button down or a top that shows my collarbone, like a boatneck cut, in a bright white.

The scoop neck bejeweled beige t-shirt I was wearing today, not so much… *sigh*

Luscious lips

When your lips are dry, a stain just won’t cut it. That’s the time to turn to the great staple that is the tinted lip balm. Though the whole category has a certain “granola vibe” to it, not all tinted lip balms are alike and you are sure to find something perfect for your needs.

For the color-phobic I’d recommend Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm. Not a tinted lip balm, this one has just a hint of color and sheen. It smells and feels delicious without adding a lot of chemicals to the process. I’ll also admit that it’s on this list because I love it and I’ll plug it wherever I can. : )

If you’re looking for some color without a glossy effect, Burt’s Bees also recently launched a new tinted lip balm. Rose, a mix between pink and red, looks like very natural. Again, I like that the ingredient list is short and sweet.

Last but not least, luxe lovers can check out Fresh SugarTinted Lip treatments. Beautiful texture and scent, with three colors to choose from – Honey, Rosé and Plum.

One product to replace them all!

Many years ago, when I first tried self-tanner on my face, I was very careful. I made sure to use small quantities, rub it in at length and brush my nails after I was done with the application. After a few days of using it I was really happy with the results – the color was very natural and I looked healthy. I was proud of my cheat until a friend pointed out a small detail I had missed. There was a very clear demarcation line in the area where my jaw met my earlobe… I was mortified.

When you think of it, it was only natural... Never do I extend my face moisturizer onto my ears! Try it for yourself and see where your fingers go… Well, with tanner, you gotta! When you are done rubbing it in, work out the leftover from your fingers on your earlobes and around the ear. Now that you know this little trick, you’re ready to look your best.

Nobody does self tanners like Clarins – it’s like they have a magical formula that no one else’s heard of! Their Radiance-Plus Golden GlowCream-Gel is no exception. I recommend smoothing one pump of this product to your skin every night, and switch to every other night once the color is right. I swear you’ll end up wearing less makeup and fewer products when you wake up the next morning.

Defined brows

I’ve written about polished brows before but we should add a second step to that routine if we want to make sure brows look their best, especially if you have a few bald spots or are growing them out. 

Of all brow filling products, powder tends to look the most natural. Think of it as eyeshadow for your brows! The best color depends more on the color of your skin than that of your eyebrows. The lighter your skin, the closest you should stay to taupe, even if your eyebrows are dark like mine. Start light and go darker if the results are not noticeable enough.

Take a stiff, angled and short haired brush, dip it in the powder and then work it carefully unto your brow line, following their natural shape. Even though it sounds a little uncomfortable, apply it against the direction of the hair growth for best results. After application step back and check your work. It’s easier to see if both eyebrows are balanced from a distance.

When you’re done your eyebrows should look a little fuller, more even and defined. Ignore the wax that comes with the brow powder (many times it’s hard to work and flakes) and finish your work with a coat of transparent mascara.

Perfecting skin – level 1

Beautiful skin is essential to the no makeup look. It should look like your skin is naturally flawless. Here are the basics we are looking for:

• Even tone – no blotches, redness, sun spots or pimples;
• Small pores – not really erased since skin needs texture, but minimized;
• Glowing – flawless skin isn’t shiny or matte but has a soft sheen to it, especially on cheeks. Sometimes referred to as dewy skin.

So how do we achieve that? There are many options and many levels of involvement. I’d like to start this series of posts with the lightest one, the tinted moisturizer.

Tinted moisturizers are wonderful products to even out tone, create good texture and achieve the right amount of sheen. Most formulas include some SPF which allows you to skip that step!

Application is refreshingly easy. If your skin is normal or dry, you may want to start with a serum or light moisturizer. Wait a couple of minutes to let it sink in and then proceed to the tinted moisturizer. Pour a largish pea-sized amount of product on your fingertips, rub your fingertips together gently to warm it up and then massage it to your skin as if you’re applying moisturizer. Make sure it has gone on evenly and you haven’t missed any bits. If your skin is combination or oily this amount of moisturizer is probably enough in the summer, but in your case take a fluffy powder brush and add a tiny amount of face powder to the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin).

A favorite of beauty editors everywhere (and mine also) is Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer SPF20. I also like Stila’s Sheer ColorTinted Moisturizer SPF 15. Both offer plenty of natural colors, comfortable wear and a very natural finish.

Curled lashes

Even though eyelash curlers always strike me as torture device, there’s no denying the effect of a good curl. Eyelashes look longer and more noticeable, which in turn makes eyes look bigger and more awake. So… find a way to deal with it, think happy thoughts of gorgeous lashes and do it.

If that pep talk didn’t work, as it hasn’t for me, consider this messy but effective little trick. Get something to use as a block – a spoon, a credit card or a folded tissue – and place it on the upper lid. Keep it there through the whole process. Apply your favorite mascara, wait a couple of seconds, then place a finger at the root of your lashes. Try to bend your lashes upward, against the folded tissue and keep it there for a little bit until it starts to dry.

Enjoy your curled lashes without worrying about pinched lids (just writing that makes me think “ouch!”).

No makeup nails

Some girls spend hours getting their nails done and an equal amount of time worrying about not chipping them. That type of high maintenance beauty is the opposite of the breezy, natural attitude we’re going for.

Still, well cared for nails remain an important part of looking polished. How else can you achieve beautiful nails that are low maintenance? The magical word is buffer. This tool will rid your nails of ridges and make them shine.

Choose a buffer with four sides at most – you don’t need more than that. Use the rougher side to buff the nail in a circular motion. Limit it to two or three circles at most and go through all ten nails. Once you’re done with face one of the buffer, use a dry washcloth to clean of your nails and inspect them. If you still see some pronounced ridges, go over them again. If not, progress to face two and repeat the circular motion. Keep going until the last step, which should feel rubbery and smooth. That guarantees that your smooth nails turn very shiny, almost has if you had a coat of clear polish on.

Since the rougher side of the buffer removes the top layer from your nails, use it only as needed, or on new growth near the base. To maintain the high levels of shine, buff with the smoother side as often as you like. You will never need to worry about a chipped manicure again!

Eyeliner pencil – intensity 1

What is the cosmetic product you take with you to a deserted island? (I’d love to hear your opinions in comments!) As for me, if I had to pick one it would probably be Lancôme’s Le Crayon Khol in Brun (a.k.a. brown).

Eyeliner is my weapon of choice, and I can say that this particular product goes above and beyond. It’s the perfect dark chocolate shade, it’s richly pigmented, it blends better than anything I’ve ever tried and it has considerable staying power.  As if that wasn’t enough, it also wears off well – when it’s a little smudged at the end of the day, it looks even better.

Intensity 1, the first post focusing on eyeliner, is all about intensifying the shape of your eyes in an understated way. Take a sharpened eyeliner pencil and carefully dot it between your upper and lower eyelashes, wiggling the tip into the lash line. Do it at small regular intervals, aiming for at least 10 dots. Run your finger over the base of your lashes gently to smudge any excess.  This technique makes the roots of your lashes darker, which in turn makes your lashes look fuller and your eyes more defined. The effect is very light, but you’ll see the difference. Look for intensity 2 next week.

 

The most underrated blending tool ever!

I need to address my love of tissues. They’re cheap, I always have them around and they do a wonderful job of blending in a pinch. Just do your face makeup like you would normally do – foundation, blush, bronzer – and then use a tissue to gently buff the edges. Concentrate on the jaw line and the cheeks.

And that’s it! Gone are any demarcation lines on your jaw or streaks from a too loaded blush brush. Your makeup is now perfectly natural.

A little sheen goes a long way

How do you extend the no makeup effect to the rest of your body? Maybe you’re wearing a little sleeveless dress and it would be lovely to work some magic. 

There’s a 3-part process that guarantees beautiful results. It’s scrub + moisturize + self-tan. Yep! That will be great, especially next week, after you’ve been doing it for a week. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water and eat a range of vegetables to make the most of nutritional benefits, while you’re at it!

Now, if we’re talking about something that you can do right now, in under 30 seconds, and that will yield very decent results, then we are on the same wavelength. Grab a bronzer stick with just a little bit of shimmer like the one pictured below (I also like Michael Kors’ Classic Leg Shine but unfortunately can’t tolerate the strong floral fragrance), run it once from your shoulder to your elbows, down the front and the back of your legs and on your collarbone (if it’s exposed), and blend lightly. You don't want it all over, just a one continuous line down each side. Kind of like highlighting for the body, it draws attention to one area of sheen, and makes the limbs look slimmer. It’s fool-proof, dries quickly, and doesn’t rub off on clothes. When the light catches and your skin glows, people will think you have had a great body skin routine for a month!

Lips!

Ah, lipstick on the teeth… the ultimate giveaway that your “better than natural” lip color is not that natural after all! I swear I try hard, and even do the thing where you wrap your lips around your thumb and pull it out, to remove some of the excess color. Nothing works for me, which is why I love stains and most of all, sharpie-like markers.

I remember when Yves Saint Laurent came up with their Lip Marker in 2003. I was ecstatic! Sure, it was expensive, the color wasn’t that great (I had #1, the peachiest color that was still way too pink and bright), and it dried up pretty quickly but it was so smart! And it stayed put! And none got on my teeth! I was hooked.

Fast forward to 2010 and those lip markers are everywhere. Covergirl has updated the formula to something that is beautiful, non drying and very wearable. My favorite is Sassy Mauve, which is what my lips would look like if Mother Nature had given them the perfect hue. 

Some people complain about application but basic ground rules will guarantee that you have the best effect. Make sure your lips are in good shape to start with – exfoliate them with a soft lip scrub such as the ones by Lush – moisturize lightly with some balm and apply a quick layer of stain. Step back and admire your work. Add more if needed. 

Even your kissing partner won’t be able to tell you’re wearing lip make up!

Better than natural lashes

If the point is to look like you’re wearing no makeup, what should the deal be with lashes? Your goal is long, defined and clean lashes that still read as natural. There are a couple of lash tints on the market and while they look the most natural, the final look is lackluster (and for a girl who strives for subdued, that’s saying a lot).

Choose mascara that is lengthening or defining, and that doesn’t clump. Newer mascaras with rubber wands are great at creating the right effect, and drugstore brands provide plenty of options. Apply just a couple of coats to the top lashes only, from the root all the way to the tips. If you need to, separate lashes some more with an eyelash comb.

If your coloring is on the lighter side, try dark brown instead of black. Some makeup artists shun brown mascaras but unless your eyebrows are very dark, brown is much better at achieving a natural look.

Don't forget to change your mascara every 6 months or sooner if it starts to dry up and clump (another reason to use cheaper drugstore brands).

Highlighting the best bits

I can almost hear Carmindy, the makeup artist who does her share of magic on the TV show “What not to wear”, raving about the magical highlighter. By highlighting you bring forward the features of your face that deserve attention. Also, since these areas draw the light, your skin seems to be glowing.

Two essential rules to using highlighter:

1. Select the right product. Avoid anything with glitter or large shimmer particles. You’re looking for sheen rather than shine. There are plenty of products out there, including high-end ones like YSL’s Touche Éclat but you can also use pearly eyeshadow from your favorite drugstore brand.
2.       Apply lightly in three places – under your brows, on the inner corner of your eyes and on top of your cheekbones – and blend well. Now that you’re done, go back and blend a little more with your fingers. Glow-y perfection!

Flushed

The blush look I try to recreate is the same that I get naturally, after exercising. My cheeks get a little flushed, a pink/reddish color and slightly dewy.

My current favorite achieves the finish I described above and is called Flush (Tarte clearly knows what they’re doing). It’s a cream-gel that sinks in and looks entirely natural. Though it feels a little sticky right after application, it dries after a few minutes. Staying power is a problem with most cream blushes but I find that this one does a good job of overcoming that.

Apply the stick directly to the apples of the cheeks (the part that is raised when you’re smiling) and blend with your fingers. Start small and build it up if needed. Let it dry until you can’t feel it anymore. Smile when people comment on how healthy you look.

Eyes that look “well rested”

There are few things that I hate more than hearing, “You look tired.” Sometimes I really am tired (and during some phases of my life it was a very accurate statement most of the time) but it bothers me even more when it isn’t true. I hear those words a lot less these days thanks to my little trick.

Inspecting my eyes I realized that my lids are very transparent and naturally have a purplish hue to them. Also, the area above the inner corner of my eyes is rather dark. Even though my dark circles aren’t very noticeable and I took the time to correct them, the other two areas were messing up my work.
 

Concealer became my savior! I’ll still apply a little under my eyes, but the trick really is to do it all over the eyelid and a little around the inner corner as well. Start by trying your favorite concealer and see if it goes evenly on your lids. Mine wasn’t ideal for that area but I have become a fan of bareMinerals Well Rested, which really does what it promises. It doesn’t look like eye shadow, stays put all day and erases all the discoloration and dark spots. My mom is also a fan, since it doesn't settle into lines. Eyes that look fully awake are now available to all!

Well-behaved brows

Brows are easy to forget but since they frame your eyes, it’s a good thing to put a little thought into them. Especially if they’re a little messy and unruly like mine, this tip makes a big difference.

I maintain their natural shape, tweeze the strays that don’t belong and then apply clear mascara. E.L.F. (which stands for Eyes, Lips, Face) makes a great $1 clear brow and lash mascara, but any clear mascara will do. Work the wand through the brows until the shape looks right – they are all pointing in the same direction and look clean – and let it set. 

No one can tell what you’ve done but in 10 seconds you look more polished.

Less shine please!

I live in Austin, TX, which means that the summer is ruthless. Temperatures are mostly over 100 degrees and it’s always sunny. Makeup literally melts when you walk out the door!

After putting on a moisturizer with a high SPF, I need something weightless that will keep shine to a minimum. Powder looks like makeup – a matte finish in August is too much of a giveaway – so I’ve found the perfect product to give me a fresh complexion that looks completely natural.

A pea size amount of Laura Mercier’s Secret Finish Mattifying makes my skin look velvety, like it’s been perfected. I apply it mostly to my t-zone (forehead, chin, nose and areas around nose) and I’m good to go. A friend recently commented that I don’t see affected by the heat. If only!