Teenage Dream? Not so much....the not-so-great memories of suffering with Acne

I suffered from acne as a teenager, and have acne scarring as a result. I wear foundation every day to cover it, but still struggle with making it look “even”. How can I make my skin look like it’s even underneath my foundation?

Growing up with acne can be such a challenge, but dealing with the scars for the rest of your life? Definite pain as well as a struggle for your self-esteem. Besides going to get laser removal and chemical peels (which work, but are pricey), there are ways to cover them up with makeup (good news!).

Airbrush makeup is one way to cover up your acne scars; I am a big fan of Temptu airbrush products for this. What airbrush makeup does is it fills in the scars and creates a layer on your skin to create an even look all over. Once it sets, it grabs onto itself, laying on top of your skin creating the illusion of even skin. This type of makeup can be done on your own with some practice, but is best done by professionals, so it could add up cost-wise for daily use. I do recommend this for special occasions though or just  night out. J It doesn’t feel heavy and looks great in person and on camera.

So for those of who can’t have me J over every day to do your makeup? Don’t worry, there is still hope.

       ♥ Start out by applying your moisturizer followed by oil-free foundation to match

          your skin tone. Make sure the foundation is Full Coverage. You will need this in

          order to get the maximum benefit from the makeup. By applying your foundation

         on 1^st, it will keep you from overdoing it on the concealer which brings more attention 

         to your scars.

       ♥ Dab or pat your concealer on-never swipe or wipe. Doing so will rub off your makeup

          and concealer. Choose a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone.

          This will cause the light to reflect and bounce back in those areas, camouflaging your

          scars.

       ♥ Powder your face once the scars are covered; the powder will keep the makeup in   

           place and set it for you.

While this will not get rid of your scars, it should camouflage it enough for you to be able to play up your other gorgeous features and have others notice them as well. Have beautiful eyes? Play them up and have fun with your makeup! Sexy lips! Wear red lipstick!

Whatever you do, remember that your scars are only a part of you and do not define who you are. Show the world your great personality and a smile and that is what people will remember. Be happy and have fun!

Bold Colors on Thin Lips

Dear Cynthia Angelina:

 

I love bold lip colors but my lips are pretty thin. I have a date tonight and would love to take the lipstick plunge, do you have any tips on how I can pull this off?

 

 

I know the standard may be to play down your lips if they are small, but I say NO WAY! Makeup is an expression of you and if you are feeling sassy or spunky and want bold lips then do it!

1.      Whether you are going for red lips ( I like MAC Russian Red) or a hot pink, make sure that the lipstick and lip liner you are using match.

2.      Use some of your foundation as your primer for your lips or, if you have a lip primer, use that instead. This will help hold the color longer.

3.      With your lip liner, make the "v" shape on your upper lip start just outside the natural curve of your lip; don’t go too far above as it won’t look as good. As you line  your lips, use short strokes to follow the lip line to the corner of your mouth.

4.      For your bottom lip, start at the middle (just under the natural line), line your lip, and move to the outward corners as you did for the top lip.

5.      Use a lip brush to apply your lipstick- lip brushes allow your lipstick to go on more evenly and gives you more control.

6.      Add a shimmery shade to the middle of your upper lip and your Cupid's bow to make your lips look even fuller.

And voila! You and your sexy pout are ready to hit the town! Hope this helps and your date is as awesome as you!


Side Note: Be careful when using lip plumpers. You should always test a small area first as they could cause an allergic reaction and that is the last thing you want on your lips.

Birth of a Makeup Blog

My name is Cynthia and I am a makeup artist (or a MUA as we are called in the "Biz"). I am starting this blog at the gentle nudge of my friend Wendy who said a blog would be a great idea to share my knowledge with everyone (especially her).

So Wendy, thank you! I am excited and hope that my knowledge will help people out there with any questions they have and I hope to learn some along the way as well :) You can never know too much.

I love makeup and the way it can transform someone, not only by the way they look but the way they feel. I can honestly say that the way I do my makeup on any given day is a true reflection of how I am feeling. And, on those days where I am feeling gloomy, it can pick me right up by throwing on some bright bold reds, yellows, oranges, or blues.

Thank you for reading this and let's get to it!

Cynthia Angelina