Now What?

Hola! So in my last post ('Holiday Harriet') I shared some of the make-up I have been using this holiday season (and I even forgot a few things...smh). But now what? What to do with it all you ask? Well, here are some quick tips and tricks for creating your holiday looks!  We all know we have a few more nights to party and we want to bring in the new year on point (especially with that damn Facebook documenting it all in chronological order...sigh). So let's make sure we don't try a new make-up accessory and commit any fashion felonies folks. LOL!

Here are a couple of GENERAL things to remember:

1. If you're going dancing or any place that might be hot, be sure to take oil blotting papers or your pressed powder to touch up your face throughout the night
• Penny uses MAC's Oil Blot Powder or Boscia's Oil Blot Papers
2. Wear waterproof mascara in your favorite brand; it won't smudge if you get all emotional at the top of the hour, or if you just tear up when you laugh like I do. LOL!  
3. Wear lip liner and fill in your lips with lip pencil. This allows you to have color even if your lip gloss or lipstick wears off. If you're concerned about changing the color of the lipstick/gloss, use the same color lip pencil or one that is a shade lighter. Some of you don't want to fight your way to the ladies room, or remember to reapply your lip gloss or lipstick as the night goes on; so this is very helpful. 
• If you're wearing red or dark colored lipstick this is a must!
4. Think about what you want your focal point to be: Are you playing up your eyes? Your lips?  Your cheeks? Try not to go all out if you're a make-up novice.
• Remember to always start with a light application of any product; it's much easier to go heavier/darker, than to fix a mistake because you put too much of something on.
5. Don't touch your face with your bare hands too much. You want to keep your make-up on your face and avoid any possible transfer.

• Be mindful of other people's clothing. Even with make up setting spray I think there is always a chance for some transfer.
6. We may not all like to use hair spray, but you might want to consider a light, brushable one for the weekend's festivities
• Penny recommends Sebastian's Zero Gravity Hair Spray ($9); Garnier Fructis Style Sleek and Shine Anti-Humidity Hair Spray ($4); L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray ($9-$15)
7. Carry Wet One's (Citrus Scented) in your purse if you can for emergency clean up. These work wonders for getting drink and food spills, even make-up out of clothing.
8. Always carry a compact mirror to check for eyeliner smudge or lipstick on the teeth (not a sexy look)
9. Please be sure that you're wearing the right under garments and that everything fits properly (go try them all on now!) There is nothing worse than the look or feeling of ill-fitting attire. Check your bra straps. Just sayin...
10. Pack your portable flats in your clutch or at least have them in the car. We all know that familiar burn in the balls of our feet that comes on half way through the night. Ummm hmmm. Walking out of a party barefoot is not a sexy look (unless your on the beach at a luau).
11. Give yourself time. Unless you're already good at it, make-up application is not a quick process. There are several steps to take for a flawless face.
12. Carry mints in your purse...nuff said. LOL!

(read full story...)

Staying Power

1. Use a make-up setting spray if you plan to be out all night or you know you have multiple stops to make.
• Penny uses Urban Decay's Al-Nighter Long Lasting Setting Spray ($11)
2. Touch up with powder; use a powder puff to apply; tap off the excess on the back of your hand firs and 'press' the powder into the skin. Do not drag it across the face as you will disturb your foundation and the other products you already have on. 

Say Cheese!

1. Make sure your make-up looks good in photos. Maybe even snap a few photos with the iPhone if you have time before you head out to see how the flash reacts to your make-up.
• Check your concealer before you leave the house. Use a skin tone or yellow (not white) powder to set you under eye concealer and fend off reverse raccoon eyes in your photos. I like to use my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Powder because it blends my under eye area with the rest of my face better; I use a sponge and press the powder into my concealer to keep it in place.
2. Clean up any make-up mistakes with a damp Q-tip or cosmetic swab which has a round end and a pointed end (love these)
3. Remember that highlighters, shimmer and glitter products will reflect the light from the flash so be light to moderate with their application

4. If you have time check your make-up before posing for pics. Nothing wrong with asking the person next to you if your false eyelashes are falling off, or you have food in your teeth. LOL!

SPECIFIC TIPS:

• Apply your eye make-up first and then put the rest of your face on. I mentioned this in my last post. This is a pro-tip I've known about for a long time but never tried until now. It allows you to clean up under the eye area and creates a clean crisp look around the eyes.
• Use primer. I don't know what we were doing before the invention of make-up primers but I think they work well to prepare the skin for the make-up and colors you use. Face primer and eye lid primer are essential to Penny's process. No more make-up migration (another not sexy look..LOL).
• Use the proper tools. Fingers are a great make-up tool, but some things are better applied with a brush or sponge. Although high quality make-up brushes can be expensive, its a good investment if you know you're going to wear make-up often. If you're just starting out or on a 2012 budget, get travel size brushes which tend to be a little less expensive. Lots of brands to choose from. I know EcoTools can be found in the drugstore and on the handle each brush tells what its used for (i.e. crease, eye shadow, blush, etc).
• For a beautiful sparkle effect I use Bobbi Brown's Sparkle Eye Shadow in Mica. This is a silver glitter that I simply use my finger to tap lightly all over the lid.
• When using black or dark eyeliner, keep in mind that if you rim the entire eye it will make it appear smaller. Try lining the inner water line instead of on top of the eye lid if you have a small lid space like Penny. And for the bottom lid you can line the water line on the outer corners only. Or try a bright colorful liner on top instead of black for a festive effect.
• A great metallic shadow is Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Cream Shadow in Galaxy or Antique Gold. These pewter and gold shades are great and easy to blend; they also stay on all night!
• Matte lipsticks can be drying; be sure to have some lip balm/moisturizer handy.

Look fab, have fun, and please drink responsibly.

If you have any 9-1-1 questions for Penny, please feel free to leave a comment or email me. Penny doesn't mind being on speed dial if there is a fashion homicide in progress. LOL!

Be blessed. Be beautiful.
Be fabulous!
Penny