18 MAC to School Makeup Tips

Guess what? I decided to go back to school on Saturday. Yup, I attended a 2-hour MAC Studio Talk makeup class at Bloomingdale's in SF, and, like the Chanel master class at Macy's a couple weeks ago, it was packed with makeup tips and new product information.

If you love makeup, brand-sponsored classes like these are a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I found out about the MAC Studio Talk class through the Bloomingdale's website. Ask in the stores, as well (check with the counter staff), because other brands offer similar classes.

Makeup classes like these are often free, but sometimes stores or brands will charge a nominal fee. Classes are usually kept small (30 people or less), and in some cases hands-on (as was the MAC Studio Talk class), where you're able to apply products on yourself. Other times, they'll be more lecture-style. To reserve a spot in a MAC Studio Talk class through Bloomingdale's costs $75, but that amount also applies toward the purchase of MAC products at the end of the class. If you were planning to spend some money on a new collection anyway, a class like one of these may be a fun way to couple your new products with some professional instruction.

MAC Studio Makeup Talk

Each student was given a choice to learn either a bridal look or a club-inspired look. I chose the club look, and the instructors described each step in the process. I picked up a few tips along the way.

1. Beat the Heat with MAC Wipes
When it's hot out, store MAC Wipes ($17) in the fridge. It keeps them feeling crisp and refreshing against your skin when used to remove your makeup.

2. Fix+ to Soothe Red Areas
If you have red, splotchy skin, spritz Fix+ ($16) over your entire face before applying your makeup. Not only does the spray prep skin for makeup application, but it contains soothing chamomile as well.

3. Primer Reduces the Need for Touch-Ups
Face primers are great for oily skinned ladies and gents. You won't have to reapply your makeup as often throughout the day if you use a primer first. MAC has two kinds, Prep + Prime Skin ($23) and Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 ($28).

4. Use Fast Response Eye Cream to Minimize Fine Lines
If you have fine lines around your eyes or mouth, apply Fast Response Eye Cream ($28.50) to the areas before applying any of your makeup (even foundation). The formula contains optical diffusers to minimize the appearance of fine lines.

5. Layer Foundation: It's Easier to Add Than to Take Away
A little foundation goes a long way. It's better to start with less and to build it up to the coverage you want. It's easier to slowly add product than it is to take it away.

6. Studio Tech Foundation for Medium Coverage
MAC Studio Tech ($29), a cream foundation in a compact tends to be lighter than MAC's fluid foundations. I'm normally an NC 35, but Studio Tech in a slightly darker NC 37 provides great medium coverage and helps soften and diffuse lines on the skin.

7. Use Downward Strokes to Apply Foundation
Facial hair and fuzz tends to lie vertically on the skin, from top to bottom, so when applying foundation with something like a 190 Foundation Brush ($32), use downward strokes to and go with the "grain" of the hair.

8. MAC Blot on Your T-zone for a Natural Look
For a natural look, top MAC Studio Tech foundation with MAC Blot Pressed Powder ($21). In the class, I dusted the Medium Deep shade on my T-zone with a 187 Duo Fibre Brush ($42).

9. Apply Bronzer Like a Pro
When you apply bronzer, think of a capital letter E. With Refined Golden Bronzer ($21) and a 187 brush, start near the outer corner of your right eye, swiping down the curve of the cheek bone (under the apple of your cheek). Then, swipe back up the same way. From there, swipe over the right temple onto your upper forehead just below your right hairline. The overall shape you're shooting for resembles a capital E on the right side. Do the reverse on your left.

10. Apply Blush Like a Champ
When applying blush, grab a 187 duo fiber brush. Swipe it on the blush pan once or twice, tapping off the excess powder. Smile in the mirror to make the apples of your cheeks more prominent and apply with the blush using a small, circular motion. Repeat the process, moving the color up from the apples to the hairline.

11. Tame Unruly Eyebrows
If your brow hairs lie in different directions, Brow Set ($13.50) is a handy product to have around. It's a gel that acts like hair spray for yours brows, keeping them in place. It even comes with a mascara brush. In a pinch, you can also use it to tame stray hairs elsewhere on the face.

12. Prime Your Eyes with Paint Pots
Eye primer extends the life of your eye shadows. Painterly Paint Pot ($16.50) is a great multi-purpose eye primer. It's a creamy, nude beige shade that goes with almost all colors. Apply the product over the entire eye using a flat brush like the MAC 242 ($23). You don't need to use lots of product when it comes to Paint Pots; less is more.

13. Eye Shadow on Your Brow Bone
Shading and color gradients with eye shadows aren't just for the lid and crease area. When applying color onto the brow bone with eye shadow, start applying color with the brush directly beneath the highest point of the arch of your brow, applying less color in either direction from there. The center beneath the arch is where you'll want the most color. Concentrating color here creates a focal point and further defines the shape.

14. How to Apply Eye Shadow in the Crease
When applying crease color, use a 224 Tapered Blending Brush, and start with the brush head at the outer end of your lashes (the side near your outer eye). Then, move the color into the crease using a back and forth windshield wiper motion. Lessen the pressure of the brush head as you move the brush into the inner crease; this creates a lighter application of color. The result should be a color gradient that gets lighter as it moves into the crease.

15. How You Hold Your Brush Makes a Big Difference
Where you hold a brush on the handle affects your control. The closer your fingers are to the barrel (the silver section beneath the brush head), the more pressure you put on the brush head. To apply color evenly, place your fingers in the center of the brush handle.

16. Get Big, Bold Lashes with Primer
If you have wimpy lashes like I do, then apply two layers of Prep + Prime Lash ($13.50) after curling your lashes but before applying mascara. It dramatically lengthens and thickens your lashes.

17. Double Your Fun with False Lashes
To take false lashes to the next level, double 'em up. Glue one row of 7 Lash ($12) on top of a row of 3 Lash ($12).

18. Using Gloss to Create a Pouty Lip
Dab a small amount of gloss in the middle of your bottom lip for a simple pouty look that doesn't look too goopy or overdone.

The MAC Studio Talk class at Bloomingdale's was a *blast*! I learned so many new application tips, and I also discovered a few new MAC products I really like (Brown Script eye shadow and Prep + Prime Lash).

To attend a free makeup class near you, check with your local MAC Cosmetics makeup counter for dates and times.

http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/18-mac-to-school-makeup-tips/ Karen Monterichard Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Monterichard

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How to Apply a Facial Mask

A great way to nourish tired and rough skin is to apply facial masks, specifically facial mask sheets. The function of face masks is to provide an intense nourishment of essential ingredients to help your skin become younger looking, soft and smooth.

Variety of Facial Masks
Facial mask sheets are awesome because it helps to remove dry skin from your face and impurities as well as providing moisture and nutrition to revitalize your skin. Just recently we had an excellent review of our Faifia green tea face masks by fellow blogger at Bringing Out the Beauty.

On the market today, there are several types of face masks available

• rinse off facial masks
• peel off facial masks
• facial masks in sheet form with a high concentration of essence

Directions of use differ for each type of facial mask product but there are a few common principles to keep in mind prior to and after applying face masks in order to maximize the benefits of the face mask.

Frequency
Face masks are skin care products that provide nutrition to the skin.

Regarding the mask sheet type of mask, the sachet contains a high concentration of ingredients and essence. So, using the mask sheet or any mask for that matter, too frequently could irritate the skin. Mask sheets are very affordable but it doesn't mean you should just use one everyday.

The frequency of mask application should be around every 2nd or 3rd day.

Prior to Applying Facial Mask

• Double cleanse well. Even if you don't put on make up, your facial skin is still exposed to the dirt and pollution in the air which will only fill your pores.
• Good idea to open the pores so that when you apply the facial mask, all the nutrition is immediately absorbed into your face. Cover your face with a steamy towel or soak your face with warm water and chamomile tea bag.
• Follow the directions. Apply a face mask sheet for the duration suggested in the directions.
• If you use mud face masks, apply an even layer on your face, avoiding sensitive areas such as eyes and mouth.

After Applying the Facial Mask
You can soothe and maintain your moist and nourished skin by applying plenty of moisturizing cream or lotion. If you used a sheet type face mask, you can just pat your face with the remaining essence on your face.

Spa quality yet affordable best facial masks. Don't miss out. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jae_Jun

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The Science Behind Popular Skincare Products

Your skin is one of your most over-looked and under appreciated body organs. Your skin controls and protects your body from external temperatures, bacteria, and chemicals from the environment and other external sources. It protects from trauma, mechanical stress, and our own unintentional abuse. Your skin helps with the synthesis of vitamins and proteins, metabolism, and temperature and fluid balance. In a sense, you skin is one of the most important organs in your body with multiple functions. Shouldn’t your skincare products work with you to enhance those functions and the look and feel of your skin? That is the theory scientists believe who use science to develop better skincare products for the consumer.

Skin is permanent and in a constant state of change. Dead cells slough off every day and new cells take their place. PSP- by Neocutis is the newest and best biotechnology product for your skin today. It uses cultured fetal skin cells to obtain the most natural balanced mixture of skin nutrients available to help your skin be restored and to help with the aging process.

Scientific research conducted by physicians in various University and laboratories around the world have discovered the healing properties of fetal skin for use in restoring and lessening aging of human skin. Cell banks have been developed to provide fetal cells from scrapings, so there is an endless supply for research and the development of skincare products. The products developed by Neocutis, including PSP, are the newest cosmeceuticals in the market place providing the consumer with wonderful sources of skincare products.

Research is showing remarkable performance when products include proteins and other skin nutrients like cytokines, growth factors, and antioxidant's. These products naturally aide in skin restoration and regrowth, help wounds heal with less scaring, and help problem areas like lips and around the eyes and lips where aging lines appear.

Other products with similar natural cell building nutrients have been scientifically developed by Skinmedica and Kinerase. Skinmedica has a product called Nuricell-md which has been clinically proven to reduce the signs of aging and to restore healthy skin to a supple and healthy state. Kinerase developed a similar product called Kinetin.

Scientific skincare products have been long recognized and researched. Consumers are expecting high performing skincare products that do more than moisturize and cleanse.

They are expecting and searching for natural ingredients, rather than the older version of products containing manmade chemicals and dyes. Skincare companies are responding with science and research.

Consumers are an educated group who know if they are being scammed and they look to companies that perform diligent research and conduct safe clinical trials. Consumers do not want any product which would harm people, animals, or the environment in research, development, or production of products they choose to use. It is a tough sell in today's marketplace and new products must make the grade for the consumer to spend their money. With that said, the new scientific based research and development of new skincare products to reduce the sign of aging and sun damage are making that grade.

Consumers will be satisfied when they explore what is available from a scientific point of view, but also from the view of the consumer. These products deliver their promises to restore skin damage and to have an impact on signs of aging. Science proves once again, it is more than hype and has value in the world of skincare products for the average consumer.

Visit: http://www.DrSkinSpa.com for more info and resources.

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