Colour-Blocking 101

Image: Denim Magazine | Aug ’11

Tips on working on of my fav. Summer trends ever.

1. One trend at a time.

Either Colour-Block OR Animal Prints. Not both. The end is never good when two divas are placed in the same room. Opting for the color-block look is eye-catching enough; Having one trend compete with each other just screams trying too hard.

My two cents would be to choose colour for now and save your animal prints for Fall – it’s right around the corner.

2. Choose your colour battles.

Keep colour in the same family, (oranges with reds, pinks with purples, use the same colour in different shades) …  or not, if your personality would allow you to get away with it. Pair fuschia, orange and light-but-bright blue as Malinda Williams does on the cover of Denim Magazine here, but remember to ground your look elsewhere.

“Either boldly coloured clothing OR accessories OR shoes.”

The “Nicki Minaj” fashion statement only works on Nicki Minaj.

If you choose to wear boldy coloured clothing, keep accessories to a tasteful minimum, and ground the look with nude shoes/ sandals. to pair black shoes with such a multi-coloured, get-up would be a tragic, amateur mistake.

If you choose boldly coloured shoes, let that be the focal point of the look and go with a more neutral or mono-toned clothing choice. The same goes if you choose to wear bold accessories.

P.S. – Neon nail colour also counts as accessories on Grown folk.

Taking heed to this either, [either], or, will be the difference between looking skillfully put together, and looking a saucy mess. It’s a razor thin line, but the results are worlds apart.

3. The Fit-&-Flatter Concept

Bold clothing will attract some level of otherwise unintended attention, so this concept right here is key. With so much going on, colour-blocked items usually work best when worn in a body-conscious silhouette, meaning that the clothing fits very close to the body. Be sure to wear the right underwear/ shapewear if necessary. the tag may say “One size fits all” but all what? All models? All size 2-8s? Definitely not all human beings on this planet. That is physically impossible. What is it made out of? Ballon plastic? Even that has a breaking point. There is a reason why even condoms come in different sizes.

The hotter the trend, the less room there is for mistakes. Know your size and the tensile strength of the fabric that you are wearing. And oh, Spanks don’t catch everything eh, especially if the brand is “fanks”.

4. Tone down the makeup

Another secret to pulling off this bold trend is to keep makeup to a minimum. There is never an excuse to wear red lipstick with this trend. Please and No.  No neon-clothing-with-fuschia-lips-and-blue-eyeshadow combo.  At least not for normal daytime activities for you will look like a 0.99c special. Clown days are over. Less is more.

5. Confidence

As with all other statement trends, the real clincher is here genuine confidence. The kind that emanates from the depths of your soul. The kind that is reflected in the pep in your step, and not store-bought, or BS kind – that’s not substantial enough. It’s very important for you to be comfortable in whatever you are wearing. Pick your peonie and ROCK. IT. HARD.

Carry on.

b FiercelyFabulous

Image

Trend Alert | Exotic Prints

 

 

Roberto Cavalli | Spring 2010 | Animal Instinct

 

‘Exotic’ Prints y’all. They’re everywhere, or will soon be.

This can be considered an extension of Animal Prints, just fresher and less ‘Cougar’-esq.

If you’re into channeling the motherland, this season is yours, Go for it. Though the looks aren’t necessarily authentic exotic/ ethnic wear, they are more inspired. 

It all seems to be about mixing and mismatching. A motley mishmash of [ethnic/ exotic] prints from all over the world. You know the kind of stuff that looks really creative on the runway but really WRONG at the food court in the Mall? That’s it exactly.

Mixing prints is sort of an art, so if you aren’t quite blessed with this talent, wearing just one print and opting for accessories will do just fine. Alternatively you can mix textures, this can work as well.

From bright, bold, rainbow mixes and candy-coloured, chunky (or layered) statement jewelry, to bold floral prints, the heavy print trend is just one cluttered statement.

Think tropical, wait. Forget that.

Lest you mind goes to those insanely unpleasant ‘Caribbean’ get ups that some [tourists] are seen wearing in the Caribbean. Head’s up… that’s not ‘Native Wear‘. That’s ‘Tourist Wear‘. No-one in the Caribbean really dresses like that, seriously. Except maybe the resorts that use them as uniforms, but that’s because that’s what they think tourists would understand ‘Caribbean’ to mean. 

Anywhos, back to the issue at hand, deep, rich, bold colours that reflect inspiration from the Caribbean, Africa, India, Indonesia… and everything in between. I love it.

Just BAT away the premise that spring is ‘dainty pastel season’ – take that. Fabulous. Me ‘n pastels don’t really see eye to eye anyways.

Accessories:

- Tie-died cheese cloths scarfs, tribal printed chiffon tunics, intricately woven textiles, embroidered dresses. 

- Wooden bangles and earrings, stone bib necklaces, and beads. Beads, beads, beads.

Those beaded jewelry pieces from my high-school days come to mind. Those same beaded necklaces that were forbidden as part of the uniform, that everyone so skillfully tried to hide under their blouse and tie combo… yeah.. just like those. Only bigger, more intricate. 

- Leather sandals. Leather earrings. 

- Huge stoned jewelry, – turquoise, tigereye, opal, river stone, quartz, red cherry amber, agate – large chunky, layered jewelry.
And the animals, God bless the animals. Not only the kitty cats get play this season. Python prints, feathers, 

But wait! the prints also extend to the shoes. Of course you can opt for that animal print pump, but what about an ethnic printed one?

And it should be no surprise that braided styles are back. You don’t have to get your Patra on, just one or two well placed braids will do fine. 

And leggings of course. Expect printed leggings to be around somewhere. Whatever you do stay very far away from white or horizontally striped leggings. <shudder>

The key to working all of this drama together?

FOCUS

There must be one focus, either:

1. Similar prints (shapes/ patterns) or

2. Similar colours/ same colour family.

no other iteration works. Try to test this theory and you will end up on in a picture with a black bar across your eyes that carries the title “Don’t”.

Minimalista Chic:

Minimalista Divas can get into the action too. Tribal-inspired assesories can really add a statement punch to an otherwise classic and sophisticated look.

- Beaded pumps,

- Patterned canvas wedges

- A python clutch, 

- Wooden necklaces

- Bold hanging earrings

- A patterned/ tie die scarf

Just one of these well placed accessories and you are channeling a more current version of yourself. It’s that easy. You don’t have to break the bank – just a little thought, a whole new you.

.

The sick beats and rhythms too much flava’for you?  Black and white stripes work just fine.

There are at least 8 more trends for Spring/ Summer 2010 that we can chat about so, sit and get comfy. If this isn’t for you, you may like one of the next ones.

Next stop – The Safari Trend.

.

POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

Trend Spotlight: Animal Print 
Spring/ Summer Getups 2010 | Stripes and Cut outs 
Not-your-eighties Leggings  
Dress Your shape | M-m-m-m-melons
Mystery Fabric 
 

Holiday Glam: Face Bling

Great skin is your best accessory. Why not consider inviting your best features out with some face bling? And unlike the season’s latest fashion trends, you can repeat wear.

These looks are neither for the meek nor are they for the club wallflowers. These are for the Divas who can bring it like they own it, as wearing them will signal to all that you just landed from another planet to chill with us lesser mortals. Needless to say these looks should be worn at night. Choose ONE of the following:

1. Bejeweled eyeliner

Used as a single eye statement, gel eye colour (in pots), eyeliner pencils as well as liquid liners in bejeweled (shine and updated glitter) jewel tones look absolutely stunning on darker skin tones.

Pair with a complimentary eyeshadow in your skin colour and flawless skin/ foundation and concealer application.

Thickly line both upper and lower lids and allow them to meet at outer corner of eyes in a point. The final look will look something short of a cat woman eye mask, only more majorly so.

Finish with ultra black, thickening mascara. Consider also pairing with eyelash extensions, oui papa.

Minimalista glam:

Thinly line upper and lower lids with jewel toned eye liners, or with black shimmery eyeliner. To up the ante, consider lining upper lid with jewel toned liquid liner… yeaaah, wild side here you come.

2. Smokey shimmery jewel-toned eyes

Another awesome look on darker skins as well, it is your usual smokey eye, just on steroids. Consider substituting your usual matte dark grey/ black eyeshadow for jewel tones
- Emerald/ Dark Green
- Sapphire
- Navy/ Midnight blue
- Purple/ plum

Fairer skin tones can try jewel tones in lighter, brighter colours such as aquamarine, amethyst, or jade for example.

It is important to choose rich, deep shades, think of the colours that you would find on a King’s crown, at least the ones in Disney flicks, and not ashy ones. Yes, there are dark ashy shades as well.

Black shimmery eyeshadow can also be used.

Pair with jet back mascara, or consider using eyelash extensions.

Minimalista chic:

Use the same smokey eye application technique, only in neutral jewel-type skin tones. This way eye gets the definition through understated glam.

3. Bejeweled juicy lips

Apply the season’s richly pigmented dazzly lipglosses over bold lip colour in matching or complimentary shade. 

For bold lip colour application click here -> Lady in Bold

Pair with understated glam eye makeup and eyeliner in dark brown for lighter skin tones or jet black for medium to darker skin tones. Add jet black mascara, or consider using eyelash extensions.

Minimalista chic:

Rock the season’s richly pigmented dazzly lipglosses alone or over lip balm. Applying over lip balm tends to dilute application as it allows the gloss to spread easier.

 

*** Caution***
These looks are very high maintenance and should be worn only if and when you are in the position to act like a lady. If you plan to get ‘wasted’ and ‘party like it’s 1999′ all over again, stick to a minimalista chic look. This way even though you may look the fool falling off the table top or topping down the stairs when you are being escorted out the dance, at least your makeup wouldn’t look a hot mess. The paparazzi is everywhere these days man. 

For more makeup application tips click here -> Frump to Fab in 10 steps

Go Glam! 

. 

Supernova
Related GC posts 
Holiday Glam: Hair Bling 
Holiday Glam: Nail Bling
Trend Spotlight: Embellishment
Trend Spotlight: Animal Print 

.

Anti-Aging Tip #2

 

Use Antioxidants Orally and Topically.

Antioxidants prevent and repair the damage done by free radical action on the skin. They are the body’s defense against ruin, and may be ingested or applied topically. 

Vitamin E and C  help protect the skin in this way and are utilized in many topical skin care formulations. A particular form of Vitamin C has a melanin-surpressant and is helpful in treating hyper-pigmentation (darkening of skin due to exposure to sunlight) 

Betacarotene, which is converted into Vitamin A in the liver, is also another well-known antioxidant.

Minerals such as Zinc and copper also help prevent reactions from starting.

Japanese green tea extract has been receiving much ado lately, though it is believed that white tea packs the most antioxidant punch. 

Antioxidants found in skin care also include grapeseed extract and maritime bark extract which contain proanthocyanidins (I can’t pronouce it either but I can spell it!), which are known to be powerful antioxidants. Sunscreen also contains antioxidants which prevent damage to the skin from the sunlight. 

Antioxidants are photosensitive (sensitive to light) so ensure that skin care products that contain antioxidant ingredients are properly packaged to maintain the integrity of the ingredients especially in the cases of specialty serums and what-not. If you can see that a product is darkening in a jar, this is a sign of a good product gone bad; the antioxidants that may have been present in these products are no longer effective.

For more info on the power of antioxidants in your diet see  Anti-Agers

.

Eat up!

Supernova

Related GC post Anti-Aging Tip #1

 

 

Drama Glamour

Liquid eyeliner may just be one of the most challenging cosmetic products to apply. However thanks to advancements in technology, liquid eyeliner now comes in a variety of forms including:

~ Pots

~ Pencils

~ Tubes/ Bottles

Liquid eyeliner gives a more severe, dramatic look to the eye than the pencil eyeliner. It is used to create from intricately sculpted editorial looks to the basic ‘cat eye’, where the eyeliner is flicked upward after leaving the natural top lash line. The ‘cat eye’ is a simple yet classic sophisticated look, which requires nothing more than an eyeshadow in your natural eyelid shade and a (properly) lined upper eyelash.

The key to proper application of liquid eyeliner is to maintain an even line flow as well as to keep the line exactly  on on the lash line. 

Liquid eyeliner pencils are the most simple to use. They look like a pointed felt tipped pen and are used in the same way as you would use a pencil eyeliner. However most do not usually deliver as opaque a colour, as other types of liquid liners.

Using liquid liner directly from the tubes can be challenging.  It is difficult to maneuver the brush as well as the rod that is full of liquid liner, between the eyelid and the eyelash without it smudging either.

A trick is to get yourself an angled brow brush, a brush with short, stiff bristles that is slanted in an angle, usually 45 degrees or less, as shown in the illustration.

- Saturate the tip of the bristles of the angled brow brush with the liquid liner by wiping the tip of the brush along the rod of the liquid eyeliner brush.

- Then, line the upper lash line with the angled brow brush containing the liquid liner. You can use a full smooth motion along your upper lash line or, for more controlled application, you can choose to dab along the lash line with the brush containing the liquid eyeliner pigment, being careful to smoothen out any breaks in application of the line as you apply.

- Carry the liquid liner line past your eyes for the ‘cat eye’ effect’. Be sure to continue the line slightly upward.
This will give a sensual definition to the eye ” “, Continuing the stroke downward will make your eyes appear droopy. ” “

For added drama, start with a fine line at the inner corner of your eye (the corner closer to your nose) and gradually thicken the line as you near the end of your eyes. The larger the size of your natural eyes, the thicker you should make the width of the line as you near the outer corner of your eye (the corner that is close to your ear) to create this dramatic effect. Smaller eyes can be overwhelmed using this technique so experiment to find out which look works for you.

This trick can also be used with eyeliner gel pots or with your powdered eyeshadow.

To use powdered eyeshadow as liquid eyeliner:

- Wet angled brush with water and remove any excess water with a flick of the wrist. 

- Smudge damp angled brush in powdered eyeshadow, creating a thick paste in the immediate area. This does not have to be a huge section of the eyeshadow

- Apply the damp eyeshadow on the angled brow brush to your upper lash line using the same technique described above.

This is an excellent way of doubling your existing shadows – dark brown, grey, black, green, navy, plum…as eyeliners, and saves you money!

.

Practice makes you better when it comes to using liquid eyeliner.

Do experiment to see the number of looks that you can create using this technique.

.

Happy lining!

Related GC posts 
Frump to Fab in 10 steps
Holiday Glam: Face Bling
Holy Concealer Batman!
Trend Spotlight: Embellishment
 

 

Lady in Bold

Red is usually the go-to lip colour where a sexy look is concerned but it is not the easiest color to wear.

Red lip colour is a high maintenance colour. It’s very noticeable when it starts bleeding, a special concern for those of us with lip lines or fine lines that radiate outward from the lips, usually as a result of aging or premature aging caused by smoking, or when it starts to wear throughout the day/night.

Red, like other richly pigmented lipcolours but moreso, highlights any imperfections on the face, so to successfully wear bold red lipstick your foundation and concealer application needs to be on point as any wrinkles, blemishes, dark spots or hyper-pigmented (darkened areas) on your face will be on full blast. 

For minimalista ‘bold’ lip colour glam consider:

- Layering red lipstick over lip balm to create a softer look, with just a hint of colour or
- Choosing a bold but translucent lip gloss instead.

Some tips for successfully wearing red lip colour are below. The same steps would aid in extending the wear of other bold lip colours; fuschia, plum, cherry et. al.

For bold lip colour glam:

1. Select the right red

Finding a tone of red  that compliments your skin tone can be difficult for some skin tones. 

Typically, these work best for the following skin undertones:

-  Warm Yellow skin undertones - Brown reds. Brown undertones in lip colour often bring out the yellow-ness in teeth though so pick your peony. If you are particularly conscious of yellow teeth consider wearing Red’s cousin; a plum or berry based lip colour. 

- Warm Red undertones – Blue reds

- Warm red/ orange undertones – wear similar red/ orange reds

- Cool blue undertones – berry and plummy reds

The same guide can be used when selecting plums, pinks & cherries 

2. Exfoliate & Moisturize lips

Red, dry, flakey lips is not the business. 

Read more about exfoliating lips here

3. Apply foundation to lips

You can use the same shade of foundation that you normally use for your face. This attempts to even lip tone and provide the best possible palette for even application.

Limit application to lip area. In the event that foundation gets on upper and lower lip area, blend well.

4. Layer lips with loose powder

Dust lips with loose powder using either a powder puff or powder brush. This sets the foundation on lips, much like it would on the face, and helps colour last longer.

5. Line lips with lip liner

- Starting at the right corner of  the top lip, move toward the middle of the lip with lip liner, in the exact or similar shade to your desired lipstick colour, using short controlled strokes.
- Move to the left corner of the top lip and repeat.
- Repeat entire process on the bottom lip.

Lip liner applied in this way helps prevent bleeding of lip color, especially where lip lines (fine lines around lips, usually as a result of aging or premature aging caused by smoking) are present.

TiP: Placing the pinky finger (of the hand holding the lip liner) on the chin area while you apply the lip liner on step 5. and 6. can help stabilize and ease application.

6. Fill in entire lip with lip liner

- Starting again at the right corner of your top lip, using the same short, control strokes, fill entire lip from corner moving toward the middle of the lip.
- Move to the left corner of the top lip.
- Repeat entire process on the bottom lip. 

7. Apply lipstick

Using a lipstick brush, apply lipstick with lip brush in the same manner that the lip was filled in with the lip liner.

TiP: For added dimension add a dab of lip gloss on the middle of tip and bottom lip and and blend.

.

Pucker up!

.

Supernova

Related GC Post:
Frump to Fab in 10 steps
5 simple ways to look 10 years older | BMP Tip 1
Smooches!
Q/A: Cracked! 

 

 

Holiday Glam: Hair Bling

My very best time of year is approaching, Holiday Season. 

Good food + Good parties = Good times with family and friends

Incorporate one of these looks to transform a simple everyday look into a night one and stunt on your ‘not-so-good’ peeps:

 

1. Messy
Super neat and sleek hair has no personality. Accentuate your playful side with a touchable messy do.
Update a glam updo with a loose messy bun rather than a slick sculptured one. 

2. Sparkle
Add sparkly accessories  - barrettes, clips and Swarovski pins to update and dress up a simple ‘do. 
Less is more – One statement piece or mix and match a few small pieces.
For a sophisticated chic, stick to simple, abstract designs. No pink hearts. No Hello Kitty. No tiaras.
If you wear statement pieces in your hair, keep earrings and necklaces that frame the face minimal. 
This season, feathers are an excellent statement-piece alternative to large flowers which can tend to look bridal or beauty-pagent-ish.

3. Textured locks
Thread sparkly ribbon between braided locks or braids  to create a dimensional texture. Keep it to one colour to avoid looking like the host’s christmas tree. Maybe a sparkly gold, silver, black or even red,  depending on your hair color and outfit.
Can also work when woven into locks or braids that are neatly pulled back into a bun or chignon.

4. Shine
Work gloss serum or pomade in hair according to texture. for a more relaxed look, spray a little sheen on brush or comb and work through hair. A little goes a long way, adding too much will weigh down tresses. 

5. UpBraid
Add a few unexpected plaits or braids to an updo for asymmetrical chic

6. Play with natural texture
Add color. Warm high lights bring out your festive side.
Well placed warm colored sections around face will brighten up your skin and add dimension to hair in a a season of all-black-everything. This look doesn’t have to be permanent. Transform your look with well placed clip in pieces. 

 

Get glammified.

Supernova

Related posts
Trend Spotlight: Embellishment
Frump to Fab in 10 steps 

 

Holiday Glam: Nail Bling

Healthy, well manicured, buffed, natural nails are always in. Just tend to your cuticles with cuticle oil, vitamin E, almond oil or any such oil nightly and you are always set.

However if you choose to wear nail polish here are some looks to rock this holiday season:

1. French manicure. 
Year-round sophisticated chic

2.  Shimmer
This is grown up glimmer, not your 5-yo glitter-glue nail polish. Coat with a top coat to maintain frost/ shine.
If you choose to wear the more trendy glittery polish, keep your clothing simple and streamlined. 

3. Embellishments
Gems and nail art. Just keep it simple.
No need to have New Year’s fireworks on every nail, choose to highlight one nail on each hand, index or ring finger perhaps. Understated glam is sexy.

DO

- Keep nails a reasonable length.
Regardless of what you see on TV,  people in general, including men, don’t find claw-like nails attractive. 
Plus it screams ‘high-maintenance’.  

Keep nails short to medium length and  squoval (love child of an oval and and square) work best and put less pressure on nails as they require minimum filing when compared to pointy nails.
Shorter nails work well for dark colours. 

- Rock the season’s nail colours. They include: 

- Deep, richer hues of Red
- Black and look-like-black colours
- Metals – Gold, Silver, Champagne, grey
- Purples and Plums and 
- Rich ‘nudes’
- White on darker skin tones.

Candy coloured nails are so summer vacay.

- Maintain nails
If nail colour is chipped remove it and replace with a clear base coat, or rock natural until you can get to polishing them later.

- Maintain cuticles
As with natural nails, maintain cuticles by applying cuticle oil. Almond oil, vitamin E and olive oil all work equally well.
.

If you bite your nails, just stop.

.

Nail it!

POSSIBLY RELATED GC POSTS

Trend Spotlight: Embellishment
Nail Tip | Polish Smudge Fix
Holiday Glam: Face Bling
Makeup Tips | Frump to Fab in 10 steps 
Holiday Glam: Hair Bling  

Stragglers

The way you wear your hair tells the world a lot about you. Just like the clothing, jewelry or shoes that you choose, you can make a statement, or not, just by the way you wear your hair. Long, short, straight, curly, kinky, nappy, bleached, coloured – how you choose to wear your hair is a beautiful reflection of who you are.

Some prefer the siren glam of long flowing hair. Others prefer the chic look of a cropped ‘do. Sensually curly or sophisticatedly straight, beautiful hair is healthy hair. 

You would find that it is very difficult for hair with damaged hair ends to maintain a style. It is dry, frizzy and generally screams “HELP”. Short healthy hair is more attractive than long dry, damaged hair. 

Split ends 

Hair that is naturally curly, naturally long, chemically processed, bleached, relaxed or permed, or heat-styled by the use of blow-driers, flatirons, curling irons or pressing combs for example are at a higher risk of the dreaded split end attack.

-Naturally curly hair has a tendency to be drier than other types of hair and needs to be replenished of both water and oils regularly.

- The longer you grow your natural hair, the more the ends of your hair are put under stress. Environmental stressors include the sun, wind, salt water (beach), chlorinated water (pools) and pollution.  Daily stressors include daily wear and tear  of combing, brushing, shampooing and heat styling. Certain hair products, especially those that contain alcohol for example some types of hair sprays, also contribute to split ends. 

- A healthy cuticle gives hair it’s natural brilliance and shine. During chemical hair processes like perming, relaxing and hair colouring the structure of the hair shaft is changed. The cuticle, or the outer casing of the hair, is altered, which translates into some degree of damage.

In split ends, the hair shaft, an individual strand of hair, is split in at least two. This damage is irreversible, i.e. it cannot be repaired. Conditioners, flat irons, pomades and other innovative hair styling products/ tools can help decrease the dry frizziness associated with split ends by allowing the damaged cuticle of the hair to lay flat, but they do not repair these damaged ends. As soon as the product is washed out, or the hair is wet again, in the case of flatirons and other heat styling tools, the damaged, dry, frizzy ends will return. 

The only solution to split ends so to cut them off. 
This may be painful for some, but the good thing is that the hair:
1. Will grow back.
2. Ends will be healthy
3. Will behave/ be more manageable
4. Will hold styles longer
5. Will style better. 

To help keep split ends at bay moving forward:

- Avoid daily shampooing
Even with the use of a gentle daily shampoo, hair is stripped of hydration and oils. Shampoo every other day or every three days if your lifestyle allows it. Or, if your hair is dry, consider shampooing every other day, and just using a conditioner between shampoos.

- Moisturize hair ends
If your hair is dry, use a moisturizing conditioner after shampooing and deep condition hair ends at least once a month.

- Avoid daily heat styling
If you find yourself having to do this, consider talking with your stylist to get a ‘do that is more compatible with your hair type, texture and lifestyle.

- Avoid over processing hair
Wait the recommended time between your chosen chemical process to maintain the integrity of the hair shaft. Avoid relaxing/ perming and bleaching hair on the same day. These processes need to be at least a week, but preferably two weeks, apart. There are some types of rinses, glosses and semi-permanent colour that can be done more safely just after having done relaxer/ perm. However, these aren’t usually capable of lifting hair colour (making hair colour lighter)

- Trim ends every 6 weeks 
Or when you get your relaxer/ perm/ colour. Whichever comes first. 

 

Let’s prune those barbed hedges shall we?

Supernova

.

Holy Concealer Batman!

Using concealer is an optional step. If you choose to use concealer select one in the same way that you would a foundation – one that matches your skin tone and undertone exactly. Using too light a tone will prompt the uncontrolled “Holy Concealer Batman” response from your peers; too dark and you will look like a raccoon.

 

Concealers come in liquid or cream formulations. The creamier the consistency, the more coverage imparted by the concealer i.e. the better it conceals. These formulations also spreads easier and wears longer.

It is commonly used over foundation to cover imperfections or, for more advanced makeup applications, it may be used under foundation for contouring. 

Concealers are used over foundations to cover: 
- fine lines
- redness
- breakouts
- under eye circles
- hyper-pigmentation (darker skin tone)

Application

- Apply with lip brush for smaller areas like over pimples and small blemishes, or with a flat brush, similar to the foundation brush but smaller, for larger areas.

- Even application by patting gently with a cosmetic sponge or finger. 

Advanced application

For more advanced applications,  concealers are used for makeup contouring, to even irregular lip shapes, and for camouflage reasons. 

Used under foundation, concealers may highlight or shadow an area of the face like the cheeks, to create a contoured look. Here, a concealer in a shade lighter than your skin tone is used on the cheek bone area to make cheek bones more prominent.

Alternatively, in shadowing i.e. applying concealer in one shade darker than your skin tone just under your cheek bones will create a more sculptured look. 

Highlighting and shadowing can also be achieved using foundation, and eye-shadows in the same way.

The key is, just as with clothing, lighter colours makes the area appear more prominent thereby attracting attention to the area , whereas darker colours repress an area making it appear less noticeable or slimmer. 

Face proportion issues can also be corrected with shadowing and highlighting.

Happy concealing!

.

Supernova

Related GC posts:

Selecting the right foundation  
Frump to Fab in 10 Steps

.