Clumpy eye lashes filled with way too mascara is not a good look for anyone! This has to be one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to makeup. Mascara is meant to take your natural lashes and enhance them to look soft and lush, not tarantula like! To really get more out of a mascara you must try a mascara that will separate and define each lash rather than coat it like crazy. I recently tried the new Christian Dior mascara, Iconic, $27.00. I am in love! The rubber wand that so many cosmetic companies are naming as their own, is really amazing for natural looking lashes that will help to achieve a natural, more separated look. Chanel mascara in Inimitable, $28.00,  is another one of my all time favorite mascaras. For a more affordable mascara with a similar technique, try L’oreal Clean Telescopic, $8.99,  mascara which is really affordable and in my opinion works just as great as the other high end mascaras mentioned.

To add a little more volume to your newly lush lashes, try a volumizing mascara over your defining mascara for the ultimate set of lashes! I created a video below which shows this same technique. In the video I used L’oreal Voluminous mascara, $8.99, which is great for the woman who loves to plump up her lashes!

One last thing, a mascara when used 5-7 days a week, will only last about 4-6 weeks due to bacteria build up and the amount of oxygen that is released into the tube each time it is opened. This tip will help your mascara to look more natural and to not flake off onto your skin! Do not ever add water or any other ingredients to your mascara, this will also help bacteria to mulitiply.

Here is my way of cleaning my makeup brushes, which will help your brushes to last longer and be used to their highest potential! When your brush is clean your makeup will go on so much more smooth and even. I prefer to use MAC brush cleanser which is so gentle on your brushes and not too expensive either! Here are some tips when washing your makeup brushes:

- Use Lukewarm water versus hot or cold.

- Never use too much water, so that the water will not surpass the metal bracket of the brush.

- Use a gentle gel face wash or I prefer the MAC brush cleanse because it is so gentle.

- Give your brushes a deep cleanse at least once a month.

- Do not use dish soap or any harsh cleansers on your brushes.

- Soaking your brushes is not a good idea because the water can get into the metal bracket and break up the glue that holds the bristles together.

- Be gentle and do not dig your brush into the container when cleaning, just swish:)

- Rinse your brushes clean and squeeze out the excess water.

-Lay flat to dry, so again the water does not get into the metal bracket of the brush.

So now it is time to go clean your brushes! You know your poor brushes need a good cleaning:)

“Create Your Signature Makeup Style” Seminar

Sunday December 14, 2008 11-2pm

Magnolia Hotel, Denver, CO

Hosted by Danica Jardien

Owner of Make-up Envy.com and

Ask A Makeup Guru.com

Cost for Seminar: $50 (Includes Seminar and Refreshments)

10% of all proceeds will be donated to Project Angel Heart

www.projectangelheart.org

Learn basic makeup techniques and how to apply them to
your daily look to “Create Your Signature Makeup Style!” I will go over
the best techniques, colors and products to use for all women to help
you look your best on a daily basis, without hassle! Please come
prepared with a “makeup problem” and a picture of your ideal makeup
look.

To sign up contact Danica at (720)939-3650

I look forward to meeting you and helping you to achieve your Signature Makeup Look!

So as most of you may or may not know, I am almost 5 1/2 months pregnant now. On Monday my husband Arshad and I found out that we are having a BOY! We are so very excited and I wanted to share the great news with all of my amazing subscribers because you are all so very supportive and help to make all of this possible:)

Here is a fun makeup tutorial that I did on October 27th for Diwali which was on October 28th this year! Happy Diwali to all of you who celebrate, and for those of us who do not… This is really fun and festive look when you want to stick out in the crowd! Enjoy and Stay tuned for more!

I created this Cat Halloween Makeup for my YouTube Channel for all of my subscribers who celebrate Halloween. I really wasn’t intending on putting this video on my blog, but I thought that it is a really fun look to see even if Halloween isn’t for you. This Cat Halloween Makeup is great for any women who wants a unique look for her Halloween Party! Enjoy!

I know I have said it before, but I am loving this seasons makeup! I have put together a Fall Makeup Tutorial using all MAC Cosmetics. MAC is known for their amazing and rich eye shadows, so I thought that it would be very appropriate! This is for all of us women out there who are scared to really change our makeup for each season. This fall season make sure to really warm up your makeup and try rich browns and berry tones!

Here is a breakdown of what I used in the tutorial:

Eyes:

MAC Eye Shadows

Phloof (Brow Highlight)

  Embark (Crease)

   Cranberry (Outer Eyelid)

MAC Eyeliner

   Smolder Eye Pencil w/ Cranberry Eye Shadow

Cheeks:

MAC Powder Blush

Breezy

Lips:

MAC Half Red Lip Pencil

MAC Sophisto Lipstick

MAC Clear Lipglass

I was the Makeup Artist for this photo shoot on October 12, 2008 in Denver, CO for Model Brittney Pappano and Photographer Junichi from Pixel Photography. I had a blast with these two! As a Denver Makeup Artist I don’t get to see too many high fashion photographers, but have found Junichi and now I am addicted to high fashion makeup! I ended up creating 3 different looks for Brittney; The first look was daytime sexy, the second was a dishelved pin-up type of look and the third was hot high fashion! Take a peak and enjoy! I have decided that I am going to start posting copies of all the photo shoot pics that I will be working on just for fun!

The makeup for Gucci Fall/ Winter 2008 is hot! The look is really not for the average woman on a daily basis, but great for a makeup artist to use for a Runway or Fashion Show look. This look toned down a little for a night time would be great for any woman.

To tone down this look I would use very minimal eyeliner on the bottom lash line and defininetly less black through the crease. Enjoy this video just for fun and some great eye candy for fashion too!

Here is an amazing mask recipe that I made a video for just because I love it so much! Aishwarya Rai who is a Bollywood actress and beauty is known for using turmeric on her skin. This mask is great for the bride to be, applied the night before her big day to leave her skin glowing. The chickpea flour works as an oil absorbent, turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory and antiseptic and almond oil is wonderful for moisture! So there you have it an all in one mask! This is why so many Indian women use this mask before their wedding, because their skin is purified yet moisturized. To have the skin of a Bollywood beauty, read on and have fun making your homemade mask!

Indian Bridal Glow Mask

1 cup of chickpea flour

3 tablespoons of tumeric (powdered form)

Almond Oil (enough to form paste)

Mix ingredients into a paste.

Apply to the face and body, and let set for a few minutes.

Remove by rubbing off mixture with your hands.

This motion will add to the exfoliation process and also help with the removal of fine facial hair, better known as pesky peach fuzz.

Wash off the rest of the mixture and enjoy fabulous, baby soft skin!

This wonderful mask recipe was taken out of Passport To Beauty by Shalini Vadhera.

If you do not already own this book, I highly suggest it! I bought mine on Amazon.com for a little more than $3! I have used so many mask recipes and homemade beauty techniques and love almost all of them. This mask just happens to be one of my favorites since I love turmeric and use it in a lot of my cooking. I also get really great results from this mask. I work with a lot of Indian and Pakistani brides in my business, www.make-upenvy.com where I am a makeup artist in Denver but not limited to just Denver or Colorado! I recommend this mask to all of my Indian brides and in fact to any of my brides who are interestes in natural skincare.