Post Natal Necessities

Let's talk changing skin shall we?

I recently had a baby and there has been a drastic change in not only my skin but my skincare & makeup routine.

The extra hormones acquired while pregnant wreak havoc on a womans mood let alone her skin.

The most important thing though is to be sure to take good care of your skin. 

Exfoliate at least twice a week and make sure to moisturize!

My skin has been so dry since being pregnant and then having the baby that I have had to re-vamp my routine!

I use my Clairsonic Mia daily followed by a heavy moisturizer in the evening and a lighter version with SPF during the day.

After having a baby the last thing you may want to do is put on a face full of makeup. However, I would suggest just doing enough to make you feel like yourself each day. It can be a huge boost to your self esteem when the rest of your body is out of sorts.

I've personally noticed more of a pep in my step when I took the time to "put on a little rouge" as my Grandmother used to say.
You may be tired and sleep deprived but that does not mean you have to look like it!

My top three post natal necessities:

I highly recommend a great highlighter such as Smashbox's Halo Highlighting Wand to brighten up the cheek bones. The soft (not sparkly) glow will hit you in all the right places and the two colors (gold / pearl) will flatter any skintone.

image via: Sephora

And let's not forget the other must have - Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

image via: Sephora

It will make your dark circles a thing of the past and the brightening effect will have you ready to pose for pictures with your new little bundle of joy in no time!

Also on my post baby radar - Nars Blush in Orgasm

image via: Sephora

I mean the name says it all but this color flatters every single skintone and complexion.

The light pop of color will help you look and feel like your old self again!

I don't always have time each day to do a full face of makeup but when I use these three products combined with a tinted moisturizer & mascara I find that I am in a better mood and feel much more myself even if I'm just sitting around the house in leggings and a tee!

What makeup products boosts your mood?

All about Eyes

It's been a busy week but I don't have class this Sunday so now I can finally catch up on here and re-cap some of what we've gone over.

This past week was All about Eyes - a favorite focal point of mine.

Because eyes are the windows to the soul right?

And we all want to be seen as having  beautiful eyes.

Even if they are normally a mud brown color.
There are 6 general eye shapes and a plethora of combinations which are distinct to each client.
They are:

• Almond Eyes - the most common shape
• Deep Set - no lid shows
• Protruding -lots of lid shows
• Wide set - large space between
• Close set - limited space between
• Droopy -  minimal lid, shape goes lower at outer corners

*************There is an excellent site HERE that details all the shapes with pictures and a great 'how -to' for makeing up*************

I had the pleasure of working on a lovely model whose eyes were almond shaped.

but upon closer inspection it was discovered they were also protruding as there was a lot of lid and a little bit droopy as the corners turned down a bit.

I started by prepping the eye area witht a little custom blended concealer and  a primer from Smashbox.

Then I filled in her brows ever so slightly with a darker grey/brown (Urban Decay) and highlighted the brow brown (Anastasia).

I then covered the entire lid with a light beige-y shade ( Shroom by M.A.C) concentrating on the inner corners.

Then I created a light > shape on the outer corner to give her some definition and followed that along the crease ever so lightly.

I repeated the same shape on the inner corners but much lighter and not as close to the nose.

I then lined her upper lid w/ a dark grey brown (Red Ginger Palette) and repeated the same liner under neath close to the water line, she curled her lashes and I topped with two coats of mascara and wah-la!

she's a superstar!!

What do you think??

What type of eye shape do you have?