How do I know what color palette works best for my skin tone?

Have you ever experienced the dilemma at the store when attempting to choose makeup for yourself, but not sure if it's the right color for your skin tone?

Here are some helpful tips:

1.  The first step in choosing a color palette, is to determine your skin tone.  The best way to figure this out is to put on a white tee shirt and look in the mirror.   It is suggested that you gauge this in natural lighting, rather than fluorescent lighting.  If you find your skin to reflect more yellow/red tones, you would be categorized as warm.  If you find your skin to reflect more blue/pink tones, you would be categorized as cool.

2.  Once you have determined your skin tone, decide what your skin color is.  Most people fall into one or more categories, fair, medium, olive or dark. Skin color and skin tone do not automatically correlate. 

3.  When selecting a foundation, choose something that matches your skin color.  Test it along your jaw bone to see if it is a match.  Foundations are typically yellow (warm) based and blue (cool) based.  Alot of the time, the foundation colors will be labeled "cool beige" or "warm honey" so you cab derive what tone the shade is made for.

4. Blush is designed to accent your cheek bones.  Blushes can be subtle or extreme depending what type of look you are going for.  Either way, your blush, along with all your other makeup components, should match your palette. Darker-skinned people should choose blush in shades of plums for cool skin tones, or burnt orange-bronze for warm skin tones.  If you're olive skinned, browns and copper blushes are for you.  People with medium skin tones should use apricot, coral, or peach blush. Fair and cool skin types should try shades of pink or rose. Try beige or tawny if you are fair with a warm skin tone.

5.  The purpose of eye shadows are to enhance your eye color, brighten up your eye and make them stand out.  It is so important to put the right colors around your eyes so that they don't look washed out, tired or smaller than they are.  People with warm skin tones should stick to golden hues such as greens, browns, golds and pinks.  People with cool skin tones should stick to blues, grays, silver, gray and plum.  The same rules apply to eyeliners.  Adding additional eyelashes is always an eye-opener too, no pun-intended!

6.  Lipsticks/glosses are the staple of the makeup application.  Once your lipstick/gloss is on, you're ready to go!  It is suggested to test your lip shade on a piece of white paper to determine the predominant color.  For warm tones- select a robust red, warm brown or champagne.  For cool/dark tones- try purple, rose, sheer and pink.

NO Time in the Morning!? Get that GORGEOUS Glow, on-the-go!!!

Do you find yourself often scrambling like a mad woman to get out of the door on time?! We have all found ourselves in this situation before...

Here are a few tips to get that morning glow-on-the-go!

-Cleanse your face with the appropriate cleanser for your skin type.

-Apply a generous amount of tinted moisturizer to your cheeks, forehead and jawline. Spread evenly with a makeup wedge or Foundation Brush.

Never use your fingers, they can deposit oils onto your face that can lead to breakouts. Skin should appear 'dewy'. Wait a few seconds for moisturizer to sink in before proceeding to the next step.

-Choose a concealer to match your skin tone, and apply to all dark spots, pock marks, scars and under the eyes. Make sure to spread evenly, and blend with your skin tone. Concealer should be applied in layers with a brush or a q-tip, never your fingers.

-Lightly dust a finishing powder over your cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.

-Highlight your cheekbones with a pretty blush of your choice.

-Mascara and Lipgloss

You're ready to go, and these steps took you less than 5 minutes!!

10 Steps to Great Skincare

Taking care of your skin is IMPORTANT, Ladies!! As Holly Doss would say ," There isn't a Makeup Artist in the world able to give you the inner glow you can attain by having healthy skin!"  We all have lives, and it is understandable why something so seemingly unimportant gets so often skipped.  However,  good skin care in fact, is indeed such a crucial component of your daily routine.  Below are some suggestions to help improve the overall quality of your skin, which in-turn, will make for more beautiful makeup applications!

 Protect your skin from the sun.

Sun damage doesn't just cause cancer -- it's also a big reason people get wrinkles. Stay out of sunlight as much as possible, and always use sunscreen when spending time outdoors. Many moisturizers and cosmetics feature built-in sunscreen, which is effective and convenient.

Don't smoke.

Cigarettes cause lung cancer and a multitude of other health problems. Smoking also can dry out your skin and make it look sallow. Studies have shown that smoking is a major cause of facial wrinkles ( especially around the mouth).

Cleanse your skin morning and night.

Use a cleanser that is right for your skin.  If your skin is normal, use a gentle cleanser, if you are acne-prone, something medicated, if your are oily, something oil-free, and if your dry, something that is ultra moisturizing. A lot of people make the mistake of using just any cleanser, which can sometimes make the skin condition worse by enhancing the problem, rather than treating the problem.

Eat fruits and vegetables.

The antioxidants and vitamins in fresh fruits and vegetables are great for your skin. Vitamin C protects and promotes collagen at the cellular level, which can delay the onset of wrinkles. The lycopene in tomatoes has been shown to protect your skin from sun damage. Berries and plums are particularly high in antioxidants, so enjoy them every day.

Use a daily moisturizer.

Sun, wind, pollutants and other factors can zap the life out of your skin. Exfoliate your skin gently once a week and use a daily moisturizer (that is right for your skin type see: cleansers) to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Over time, dry skin can lead to fine lines and wrinkles.

Drink plenty of water.

Drinking eight glasses of water daily can aid digestion and excretion, as well as curb appetite, leading to weight loss. But water isn't just good for your diet; it's also great for your skin. Water helps flush out harmful toxins that can build up in the skin to cause breakouts, and it improves circulation. Proper hydration also can help eliminate dark circles and puffy eyes.  

*If you are anything like me, this can be quite challenging.  I have found that if you have a hard time stomaching that much water per day... find a cup with a straw.  It is much easier to reach for something with a straw that you don't have to open to drink.

Avoid stress.

Try to eliminate stressors in your life and take steps to relax. Stress can cause oil glands in your skin to produce excess oil, which often leads to pimples and blackheads. If you are stressed by work, relationships and other factors, try to eliminate stress through meditation, massage and other means.

Exercise regularly.

Daily exercise will help improve your circulation and in turn, your skin. That's because skin, like all your other organs, requires good circulation and blood supply. Regular exercise also improves your heart health, helps you lose weight and gives you a healthy glow. Incorporate 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise into your daily routine.

Wash makeup off before bed.

No matter how tired you get, don't sleep with your makeup on. We are all guilty of this!!  The oil and other ingredients in cosmetics can seep into your pores, leading to pimples and other skin problems. Be sure to wash off all your cosmetics, including eye makeup, each night before going to bed.

Get plenty of sleep.

Sleep deprivation can lead to dark circles, puffy eyes, fine lines and wrinkles. Try to get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Make sure to wash your pillowcases often, too. They can accumulate dirt and oil, which can cause breakouts and other skin problems.

Sources: www.sheknows.com