flawless face for family photos

Say hello to Amy... A year ago I styled their family photo shoot and shared tips, along with A. Kline Photography on styling your own family photos, which you can see here.

It was an absolute pleasure working with Amy (as always) and her family. I had also done her makeup for this photo shoot and have been meaning to share this with you. So here you go, tips on a flawless face for your family photo shoot.

I started with a Primer followed by Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation to even out her skin tone, Concealer under her eyes, and Illuminator wherever I wanted to add highlights. Finishing her face with a light dusting of Powder, Bronzing Powder to contour her facial features, and Blush to further contour and bring color to her beautiful face. Neutral shades of eyeshadows along with several coats of mascara gave her a classic look perfect for a family photo shoot. I finished her look with Lipstick in Radiant Rose. 

It is always more important to work on having a flawless face than trying to achieve the perfect smokey eye for family (or any) photos.

Nervous on getting your "look" just right? You can always ask for tips on my Facebook page, schedule a makeup lesson, or have your makeup done for your photo shoot. Visit me here or call me at 330-893-4902.

Thank you Amy, you are gorgeous!

Photos courtesy of A. Kline Photography

smokey eyes & neutral lips

I decided to do a makeup post and give a few tips on smokey eyes and contouring. All the products I used can be found at http://rigandco.com/.

A smokey eye is really very simple to do but looks dramatic and sexy.

1. Apply dark shadow to the eyelid. I used Ink Mineral Shadow (http://www.rigandco.com/products/Mineral-Shadow.html)

2. Use a light shade for highlighting the brow bone and inside corners of the eye and blend with blending brush. I used Canary Diamond Mineral Shadow (http://www.rigandco.com/products/Mineral-Shadow.html)

3. Apply black eye liner to the upper and lower lash lines. I used Anisette LiquiLiner on the upper (http://www.rigandco.com/products/LiquiLiner.html) and Coal Powderliner Pencil (http://www.rigandco.com/products/Powderliner-Pencils.html) on the lower. I like a liquid liner to do wing eyeliner and the powder liner works great to blend on the lower lash.

4. Apply two coats of mascara. I love my SuperWear Mascara (http://www.rigandco.com/products/SuperWear-Mascara.html), it is both very waterproof and has an easy to apply thin brush especially for shorter lashes.

5. I am in love with the Contour Powder Duo in First Crush 

(http://www.rigandco.com/products/Contour-Powder-Duo.html). I use the brown for contouring under the cheekbones and the pink for my blush. The Angled Blush Brush (http://www.rigandco.com/products/Angled-Blush-Brush.html) works great to apply these.

6. For the lips I did the Rose Color Stick (http://www.rigandco.com/products/Color-Stick-for-Lips-.html), I love the color sticks because they are very easy to apply and feel more like a chapstick than a lipstick. When doing a dark eye, a lighter or nude lip makes your eyes look more dramatic.

client before and after

Say hello to Sue, my beautiful friend and client who so graciously agreed to do a BEFORE and AFTER for you.

She is an amazing individual who is always laughing and a ton of fun to be around.

Married with 3 grown daughters allows her to enjoy retired life with her husband, which also involves traveling to see her girls and grand kids.

Sue has never been one to wear a lot of makeup or fuss about being too fashionable and trendy. Therefore I wanted to give her an easy, natural makeup routine and a wardrobe that matches her lifestyle and personality. 

BEFORE

AFTER

I gave Sue a simple and easy routine that will brighten and enhance her features and sparkly eyes.

We used a Mineral Photo Touch Foundation to even out her skin tone and Mineral Photo Touch Concealer to cover any extra spots and lighten dark areas.

Mineral Matte Shadow in two shades and Mascara added color and made her eyes "pop". We completed her look with a red Lipstick. Doesn't she look fantastic?!

BEFORE

Sue's wardrobe mostly consisted of tees, jeans and tennis shoes because she wanted to always be comfortable and just thought "nothing is going to fit me anyway, why bother". (We can all identify, I think) 

AFTER

Our day of shopping started out trying on under garments as I believe your clothes will fit much better if your undergarments fit well. Notice the difference a great fitting bra in the right size makes. Yes, I just pointed it out. Now off you go for a bra fitting. Hurry. Go. You can thank me later when your "girls" are up and out where they are supposed to be. Need more motivation? It makes your rib cage look slimmer. So go. 

We discovered she loves dramatic colors and patterns, sparkles and jewelry. I could not have been more thrilled. It's amazing what you can wear when you simply give yourself permission. Stop waiting till you are the "perfect" size or shape and have some fun with your clothes!

I still did jeans for Sue since that works for her lifestyle and comfort level. We just did them in a more modern wash and a better fit. What a difference!

We did a suede bootie that she can wear with everything.

AFTER

BEFORE

This was Sue's dressed up version of jeans.

AFTER

I gave her a great fitting, dark wash pair of skinny jeans which she never thought she could wear. A fun graphic tee and striped cardigan is a perfect outfit for her.

Her one request was...I would love to be able to wear a pair of tall boots, followed by "but I know that's not a possibility since I wear a leg brace". Well loving a challenge I found boots that fit her leg brace and are still cool. There was lots of dancing in the fitting room at that point in time! Again, it just goes to prove you should stop limiting yourself if you have never tried something.

How should your jeans fit?

BEFORE

Ill fitting jeans with bulky pockets will simply make your tushy look wider and bulkier. 

AFTER

Great fitting jeans consist of finding a pair that fits your frame well, is a "substantial", denim with a little stretch. Pay attention to your back pockets, they can make or break your tush. Keeping the pockets closer together and going almost straight up and down (as opposed to angling out to the side) will make your tush look smaller and narrower. A dark wash jeans also helps in slimming your legs and tush. Bam, there you have it!

If you know Sue give her a shout out and tell her how fabulous she looks.

Sue, you know I love and appreciate you so much! Thanks again for being my Before and After model.

makeup - before and after

Give a shout out to Heidi who so graciously is allowing me to use her face on our blog. I worked with her in NYC a few weeks ago and am finally posting her pictures. 

Heidi has never worn a lot of makeup for fear of looking to made up and like she's trying to cover up her freckles. I love that she doesn't want to hide her freckles as it suits her and that is how God made her. I gave her a simple routine that fits her personality and sporty lifestyle.

We started with a sheer foundation (Mineral Sheer Tint) to even out her skin tone without looking heavily made up. To further even out and brighten her skin we used Mineral Photo Touch Concealer.

To darken up her brows and frame her eyes beautifully we applied a light application of Brow Tint in Blonde.

Heidi has the most amazing "piercing" turquoise eyes I have ever seen and does not need much makeup to make them stand out. Two neutral shades of Mineral Shadow  was applied along with Eyeliner in Bark and finished with two coats of SuperWear Mascara.

Micro-Bubble Lipstick in Sunberry adds a fun pop of color to finish her entire look.  

Heidi, thank you so much for allowing me not only to work with you but to post your before and after pictures. You are beautiful!

Felicia's prom makeup

Say hello to Felicia, who so kindly let me take pictures when I did her makeup for prom.

I evened out her skin tone using Mineral Photo Touch Foundation without completely covering her freckles. When you have freckles why try to hide them? Own them, it's who you are.

 

I thickened up her somewhat over-plucked brows with a SuperWear Brow Definer Pen.  Your brows are like a picture frame for your eyes so don't underestimate what great brows can do for you. :)

Botanical Shadow Primer was used as a base for her eye makeup to ensure her "look" would stay put for the entire evening. Two shades of Shadow were used along with Creme Liner and three coats of SuperWear Mascara to make her crazy naturally long lashes look even longer and thicker.

These two photos are courtesy of her wonderful mom, Lena.

Hair was done by the talented Bambi Wagers.

Felicia, you look beautiful and once again I had a wonderful time working with you.

Amber's prom makeup

Say hello to Amber, whose makeup I did for prom a few weeks ago.

She wore a beautiful green dress, fabulous earrings, and her hair was amazing (done by Sandra at Sheer Professionals in Wooster, OH), all of which I wanted to compliment with her makeup.

I gave her bold brows using Brush on Brow in Blonde to balance her "sculpted" hairstyle. On her eyes I used a light neutral shadow, a bronze shadow and added a splash of green in her inner corner to compliment the color in her dress. Creme Liner in Mahogany blended into her shadow and a few coats of Superwear Mascara finished her look.

When adding the same color of shadow that you are wearing doing it in smaller areas only will keep it from looking to "matchy-matchy" and like it's Amber's "green day".

with no flash and natural lighting

Amber, thank you for allowing me the privilege of doing your makeup and sharing your pictures. You are beautiful!

prom makeup

A few pictures of prom makeup I did last week.

Say hello to Tammy and her gorgeous eyes! Tammy wanted her eyes to be the focal point of her "look", trust me she doesn't need makeup to make that happen.

I wanted to compliment her dress and hair (which was done by Anita at Dexterity Salon).

I used two very light, neutral shadows with lots of Creme Liner in Mahogany and 3 coats of Superwear Mascara.

I used Mineral Photo Touch Foundation to give her skin a flawless finish, Mineral Blush in pink quartz to give her a rosy glow and Luxury Gloss in Pale Petal to compliment the color and sequins in her dress.

Tammy, thank you for letting me share your pictures. You are beautiful!

Perfect Red Holiday Lips

The holidays are a perfect time to rock the red lips!

Start with great tools. I will be using Lip Liner in Red Velvet, Lipstick in Micro Red, and Gloss in Contessa.

If you have warmer skin tone you will want to use Lip Liner in Scarlet, Lipstick in Polished, and Gloss in Contessa or Dulce.

Before you start, use a lip balm on your lips to keep them thoroughly mosturized. Then wipe the lip balm off so your Lip Liner will adhere.

Start by lining your lips with your Lip Liner...

...then fill in your entire lips with your Lip Liner. This will stain your lips and keep color on them even after drinking, kissing, etc....

Now liberally apply your Lipstick...

...over your entire lip.

Last, apply your Gloss over your entire lip for the perfect glossy red lips.

For a pouty full lip apply gloss only to the center of the top and bottom lip.

Rock your red lips and enjoy the holidays!

Blonde Bombshell

This is the lovely and beautiful Jessica. I did her makeup for prom a couple weeks ago.

I wanted to give her somewhat of a "light" Marilyn Monroe look to match her blonde updo done by Stacey at Salon Sky.

We chose to give her glowing skin, a light smokey eye, lots of mascara, and bold red lips.

Thanks for posing for me! - Hugs, Rhoda

Smokey

Gail is wearing a smokey eye with a nude lip for daytime, yes you can do it. Just keep your outfit simple and toned down.

We started with Lame' Creme Shadow from lashes to brow, Frappe Polychromatic Shadow from lashes to crease, Ink Mineral Shadow in the crease and blending. Coal Powderliner Pencil was smudged into the lash line for definition and thicker looking lashes. We finished with Ink Superwear Mascara that will literally stay put for 3 days.

All products are available online at Rig & Co.

                 

Gail looks polished, "fresh", and ready for spring with a nude lip and coral cheek color.