Gwen Stefani is known for her perfectly amazing red lips! Every woman occasionally flirts with the idea of wearing a red lipstick and maybe it is not on a daily basis like Gwen, but it is necessary to have the perfect red in your makeup kit. The trick to the perfect red is to not choose a red with a strong “blue” or “orange” base. Instead look for a red with a neutral base, like MAC Viva Glam 1. That is my all time favorite red, paired with MAC Cheery Cream Blush and I am in Heaven! So, I put together this tutorial for every woman of every skin tone out there to show how to prep for that red lip and how to apply it. Here are a couple of good tips when wearing a red lipstick:

- Don’t wear too much lipgloss, if any! If you choose to wear lipgloss then apply it toward the middle of the lip only in a small amount.

- Do wear a lip primer to prevent from bleeding.

- Choose a matte texture instead of a high shine or moisturizing formula so your lipstick will last longer.

-Do blot your lips!

- Wear concealer around your lips for a more precise lip line and clean look.

- For deeper skin tones, try either MAC Mahogany Lip Pencil or Chestnut Lip Pencil instead of MAC Brick.

- Do carry a compact with you because when wearing a red lipstick you will be touching up throughout the night!

- Speaking of night time, red lipstick is great for a night time look!

- Wear a softer eye that is not so dramatic since a red lip should be the main focus of your look.

As a makeup artist in Denver, Colorado I have a lot of Indian, Pakistani, Iranian and middle eastern clients so I am blessed to have such a diverse beauty to work with. I had so much fun being Sonya’s makeup artist for her August 2008 wedding! She and her family were so sweet and inviting. She was adorned from head to toe and couldn’t have looked more beautiful. She had two celebrations for her wedding, the first night was her nikah (muslim ceremony) and the second was the biggie with over 500 people attending! The first night she wore all peach, gold and hint of light green, so I did her makeup as follows:

Face

Foundation: MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer mixed with Shu Uemera Gold Base Control

Concealer: MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

Powder: MAC Blot Powder Loose

Blush: MAC Peaches and Nars Orgasm

Face Highlight: Nars The Multiple South Beach

Eyes

Eye Shadow Base: MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque

Brow Highlight: NARS Nico Eyeshadow

Crease: MAC Brown Script Eyeshadow

Eyelid: MAC Expensive Pink and Motif Eyeshadows

Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Black Ink Long Lasting Cream Liner

Eye Contour: MAC Carbon Eyeshadow

False Lashes: Ardell Lashes in Demi-Wispies

Lips

Lip Liner: MAC Creme Sherry Cremestick Lip Liner

Lipstick: MAC Ramblin’ Rose Lipstick

Lipgloss: MAC Love Nectar Lustreglass

Lip Highlight: Motif Eyeshadow right in the middle of the lip

The second night Sonya wore all burgundy, so I created more of a dramatic look for her and it is as follows:

Face

Foundation: same as above

Concealer: same as above

Powder: same as above

Blush: MAC Frankly Scarlet Powder Blush

Face Highlight: same as above

Eyes

Eye Shadow Base: Urban Decay Primer Potion

Brow Highlight: same as above

Crease: MAC Cranberry Eyeshadow and MAC Pro Basic Red Pigment

Eyelid: MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow

Eyeliner: same as above

Eye Contour: MAC Carbon Eyeshadow more dramatic!

False Lashes: Same as above

Lips

Lip Liner: MAC Burgundy Lip Pencil

Lipstick: MAC Sophisto Lipstick

Lipgloss: Chanel Glaze Glossimer

Lip Highlight: MAC Woodwinked Eyeshadow

Both nights the main focus of Sonya’s makeup were her eyes which is typically the case for a Pakistani wedding. Her tikka’s were placed with duo latex adhesive which is always a life saver! To view more amazing pictures by Real Photography, visit www.realphotography.com. To view more of my portfolio for my makeup company, Make-up Envy, please visit www.make-upenvy.com.

So I am a busy bee normally runnning from one place to the next, enjoying my day and going from one makeup lesson to having a bride to my home for their Bridal Consultation. I am normally too absorbed in what I am doing to take a quick peak in the mirror and always find the same mess! Oily skin. I know I am always speaking of my oily skin, but it is truly out of control! Normally before I begin an appointment with a client I will blot and powder and try to degrease in any way that I can, but it is during the middle to end of the consultation when I have turned into a complete oil spill! I will be speaking to a client with such confidence and I am sure they are thinking "I hope she doesn’t make my skin look like hers!", or "I wonder if she knows her skin is so shiny?". I don’t know? I have decided to really try to combat this oily skin and try a couple different products. It is one thing to try a product on one of my clients, but I do like to be a guinea pig so I know what I recommending.

 I recently did a photo shoot because I need more pictures of myself for my websites (www.make-upenvy.com and www.askamakeupguru.com). The weather in Denver, CO USA was almost 100 degrees and I am pregnant so it felt more like 120 degrees!  We choose an alley believe it or not behind some houses and found so many unique backgrounds. I was changing from one long sleeved tunic to the next and sometimes wearing a hijab (scarf). I tried a new product before I left the house to see how it would work in such heat, Chanel T-Mat Shine Control. I used it after an oil free moisturzer and hoped for the best! I ended up loving this product! My skin was not excessively oily even hours into the shoot and I didn’t even use my MAC Blot Powder.

So here are a couple tips to keep your skin shine free!

1. Try a cleanser with either Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid to really combat the oil. Use day and night.

2. Do use a toner, but not one that will strip your skin using a lot of alcohol.

3. Eventhough your skin is oily you still need to moisturize, so use a lightweight oil free moisturizer during the day and something a little more moisturizing at night. Sometimes your skin will over compensate for lack of oil by producing more oil!

4. Use an oil free foundation. I use a powder foundation, but there are plently of great matte liquid formulas out there.

5. During the day before you powder make sure to use a blotting sheet to remove the excess oil from the skin and not add a "cakey" look by placing powder over the oil on the skin. I love Palladio Rice Paper Blotting Sheets!

6. Use an ultra sheer powder that is meant for touching up throughout the day. A foundation powder is much too heavy, so I like MAC Blot Powder, Chanel Shine Control Powder SPF 15 and Cargo Liquid Powder.

Now every woman may not need all of this maintenance throughout the day, but for those who have extremely oily skin or live in humid climates then oily or shiny skin can be a big concern! For a woman who experiences oiliness just in her t-zone area then a simple blotting paper or a sheer powder might work for you. Stay cool this summer and shine free!

 I love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here . I would love to hear your feedback and input. I’m listening. Have a makeup or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .

Many women don’t even bother putting on eye shadow in the morning because they know that in just a few short hours their shadow, time and effort will all be bunched in the middle of the eyelid. This is not a good look for anyone! I can’t tell you how many women I know apply their eye shadow straight to a bare eyelid or me on top of a sheer coat of foundation. This is crazy to me, why even bother!

Think of your eyelid as a bare canvas that needs to be prepared with gesso before you begin your masterpiece with paint, or in your case…..eye shadow! So, what is a girl to do? I really do have the oiliest eyelids in town and have to work to keep my shadow on, so I have used many many products out there so you don’t have to!

Here are some steps on how to prepare for eye shadow:

1. Don’t use a heavy eye cream! Use a light-weight silicone based eye cream during the day to absorb excess oil on the eyelid.

2. Don’t put foundation or concealer on your eye lid so you can really get the full effect out of your eye shadow base.

3. Do use an eye shadow base, such as Urban Decay Primer Potion (normal to oily skin), MAC Paints (normal to oily skin) or Laura Mercier Eye Basics (normal to dry skin).

4. Do apply your eye shadow base using a brush if you have a really have a hard time keeping your eye shadow on so the oils in your finger tips do not "breakdown" your eye shadow base. A synthetic fiber brush flat brush will work the best!

5. Do use your fingers to apply your eye shadow base if your eyelids are not excessively oily.

6. Do warm up the eye shadow base on the back of your hand or on a spatula to warm the product so it moves better on the skin.

7. Do apply a thin layer of any eye shadow base.

8. Do know that your eye shadow is only as good as your eye shadow base! Blend that base and blend it some more! If your base is clumpy then your shadow will be too.

9. Do not use a sponge tip applicator to apply your eye shadow, use natural hair brushes when using a powder eye shadow. This will apply less pressure and blend the eye shadow with more precision and in return will look much better!

These are a couple of tips tht really do help your eye shadow to stay in place for the day! Enjoy your crease-less eye shadow!

 I love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here . I would love to hear your feedback and input.  I’m listening. Have a makeup or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .

 I love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here. I would love to hear your feedback and input.  Have a makeup or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .

Here are a couple of tips for the Indian bride when considering makeup for her wedding day:

The Solah Shringar of the bride (Bridal Makeup)
Bindi – Tika - Rakhri: Bindi is the symbol of the bride’s suhaag and Tika / Rakhri is worn in the center of the forehead dropping down to the center of the brow.Nath: Nose ring adds to bridal beauty by giving her traditional look.Jhumka: Earings are another very important ornaments, which add to bridal beauty.

Kajal: The application of kajal on the edges of the eyes makes the bride’s eyes beautiful and attractive.

Mangalsutra: This beautiful necklace of gold and black beads is the symbol of married woman.

Payal – Bichua: Payal is the chain with small bells worn around the ankles and   bichua is sort of ring for the second toe and these ornaments add to the beauty of Ankles 

Choodi: The bangles are considered the most visible signs of marriage and make the bride’s wrists beautiful. 

Flowers: Flowers are very important in the every aspect of Indian marriage. They are considered to be symbolic of life and happiness.

Mehendi: The hands and feet of the bride are covered with Mehendi designs and is the symbol of prosperity and is very significant shringar of the bride.

Kamarband: Waistband holds the sari in place and is a very important waist ornament.

Sari or Lehenga: This is the colorful bridal dress.

Pocha’s: This is the hand ornament of the bride which adds to the beauty of the bride.

Angouti: The ring makes the bride finger beautiful and is the symbol of love and commitment.

Bazubandh: This one of the most beautiful ornament worn by the bride on the upper arm.

I hope you could find this helpful!

  I love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here . I would love to hear your feedback and input.  Have a makeup  or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .

Assalamu Alaikum everyone! Not every muslimah wears makeup on a daily basis, but for those who do finding the right makeup that won’t affect wudu is important. Making wudu is a step that every muslim must take to clean the mind and body before all five of the daily prayers otherwise the prayer being made is not accepted by Allah (SWT).  I usually reapply my makeup after wudu and don’t wear anything that won’t allow water to penetrate into the skin. Nail polish is one item that does allow the nail to become comlpetely clean, so this is not a halal (permissable) cosmetic. I of course always use powder, blush and concealer on my face which is washed off before wudu. On my eyes I use a waterproof mascara (Chanel Inimitable Waterproof in Noir or L’oreal Voluminous Waterproof in the blackest black) and eye khol in the water cil of my eye. Water resistant mascara can stand up to a splash of water, but must not when pressure is applied. Waterproof on the other hand can stand up to water and pressure if you have chosen a good one! Henna pentrates and dyes the skin, so henna on the nails or skin is not considered haram (non-permissable) because water can sill reach the skin and penetrate to clean it. Skin creams are also absorbed into the skin and blocking water to reach the skin, so don’t skip that very important cream for your beautiful skin!

I like to make my bath tub a little sanctuary for making wudu to really clear my mind and not have any distractions. I have my special wudu towels, one one my hands, elbows and face and the other for my feet and my ankles. A beautiful vase by the bath tub to pour water for wudu can be more relaxing that strong running bath water and more relaxing to really be in the moment. Now you are ready to wear your favorite hijab and make salaat! Inshallah this will give you some usual tips for wearing makeup and not affecting wudu!

Assalamu Alaikum!

  I love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here . I would love to hear your feedback  and input.  Have a makeup or bridal question? Email me at  Danica@AskAMakeupGuru.com

Avocadoes are not just for eating! Your refrigerator may hold much more than your families meals, yes your best kept best beauty secrets are sitting right there in your crisper drawer!

If split ends are a problem , then use a ripe avocado and mash it in a bowl  and apply straight to the hair starting at about mid-shaft and concentrating down towards the ends. Let this buttery and sweet treat sit on you hair for about thirty minutes and rinse! Your hair will be softer, shiner, and most importantly the ends of the hair have been sealed and hydrated to rid of those nasty split ends. A nice trim before your treatment is always recommended:)

According to The Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, the avocado has the highest amount of sunscreen effectiveness when compared withother naturally derived oils. Try this vitamin-A rich fruit mashed on your face as a great mask to brighten the skin. Your skin will be left silky smooth and nourished!

Avocadoes are also used as:

1. Avocado has been used traditionally to help people with sexual problems.

2. Great antioxidant and can be used for skin disorders

3. Avocado will aid healing for people suffering from digestive and circulatory problems

4. Another benefit of avocado for the skin where avocado paste can be applied to rashes and rough skin to make it smoother.

5. The brighter the fruit, the more beta-carotene (the substance that helps to prevent cancer) your avocado contains.

If possible always buy organic avocadoes to avoid any pesticides or harsh chemicals:)

 Go ahead I love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here . I would love to hear your feedback  and input.  I’m listening. Have a makeup  or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .

Dubai  is the shopping capital of the Middle East yet still attached strongly to it’s Islamic roots, so women are wearing their hijabs with their Rock and Republic denim and Marc Jacobs shoes. Who’s says that you can’t be a fashionista and be modest at the same time? It is a personal preference for many women, so to each his own:) This is one of my favorite spreads that was in Marie Claire in December of 2006 and I wanted to share it with everyone who visits my blog and is interested in other cultures and my Muslimah Sisters. These women are beautiful and courageous for remaining modest, but also enjoying their love of fashion.

 I Love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here . I would love to hear your feedback  and input.  I’m listening. Have a makeup  or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .

Foundation can be a touchy subject with a lot of women, including myself! Women want that flawless even skin tone,  but not the look of wearing foundation. So what is the solution? Here are a couple of tips when choosing your perfect foundation:

1. What type of skin do you have?

For example if you have dry skin, then a powder foundation may not be for you because it works best to absorb excess oil. If you are dry then a moisturizing formula in a cream or liquid with a satin finish , this would work best for you. If you are combination to oily skin then choose an oil free formula with a natural to matte finish to work with all areas of the face. If you have trouble keeping your foundation on through the whole day then maybe a long wear formula is good for you!

2. Foundation preference: Liquid, Cream or Powder.

 Some women have been using liquid for years and love it while others don’t like the “heavy” feel of a liquid. You must determine what type of consistency you prefer to work with and go from there. Now be realistic! If you give yourself 5 minutes to put on a full face of makeup, then liquid may not be for you because it can take a little more time than most, so try a cream or powder in a compact.

3. Skin Texture

If you have large pores, acne spots or scars then don’t choose a foundation with any type of shimmer or illuminating look because this will only accentuate the texture.

If your skin is dry and flaky then also stay away from a lot of shimmer and matte textures which will make your skin look more dry!

If you have fine lines or wrinkles then again a matte finish will not flatter your skin, so choose something that will help your skin to look soft and supple.

Age spots or sun spots are a toughie too. If you choose a foundation with a yellow base then you now have lovely grey spots on your face! Choose a more warm tone such as a Rosy or beige color to cancel out the blue/brown tone in the discoloration. Concealer will work best for spot touch ups!

Skin primers can work really well to create a fake layer of skin so your foundation stays longer and smooths on a lot better.

4. Match your neck or decollete versus your face, hands or wrists. I spent years of my life attempting to match women for foundation who insisted that I match their wrists, hands or face. These were the same women who had on the “makeup mask” that I could spot from a mile down the mall! Our hands naturally have more sun damage and usually are not the same color as our face, while our wrists have not really had much sun exposure and can be much more light. Every woman’s face is more light or dark than our neck or chest, so that is why it is best to create the appearance that your face, neck and decollete are the same color. You can also avoid extreme discoloration if you wear your sunscreen daily! So next time you go to a makeup counter for a foundation, have them match your neck or decollete area.

5. Different ways to apply your foundation:

Sponge, Brush or Fingers are three ways that you can apply your foundation. Again it is all in your preference, but I always suggest a clean brush versus a foundation eating and bacteria harvesting sponge! Sponges are great for back stage or maybe to smooth out certain areas of the face, but come on they are not that great! Even your fingers may work better than a sponge! Use your foundation brush in downward motions to apply your foundation, buff in your powder and you are ready to go!

IMPORTANT! And please, please, please! Set your foundation with a powder whether it be loose for normal to dry or pressed for normal to oily. So many women complain about their foundation just sort of disspearing and they don’t know why! It is because so many women are scared to use powder in fear of looking older or cakey. Loose powder is the finest form of powder and is even good for a dry and sensitive skin.

 Go ahead I love to chat! Click on comments below and chat with me while you’re here . I would love to hear your feedback  and input.  I’m listening. Have a makeup  or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .