Have you ever wondered when wearing a bright and vibrant lipstick what the rest of your makeup should look like? It is all about creating a focus for your face! The last thing a woman wants is drama on all features of her face (Well, I guess you never know!). The first step is to determine the feature of your face that you want to focus on. Maybe you always have a more dramatic eye and you want to play up your lips for once, so you decide to wear MAC Prep & Prime Lip (to keep this dramatic look on a lot longer), MAC lipstick in Viva Glam I (my most favorite neutral red lipstick that looks amazing on everyone!), MAC Red Enriched Cremestick (Water resistant, need I say more?). Now that you have determined that lips are your focus it is time for the second step which is to create a more dramatic cheek look and you choose to use Shu Uemera Glow On Blush in Red 14 and don’t be scared to add a little highlight to the cheekbone. When using the lips as a focus it is a good idea to put a little drama on the cheeks as well. Third Step is to create a subtle eye look, this means go easy on the frost texture and the bright colors! I am a huge fan of using matte textures on the eyes anyway while accentuating with a little frost. Try MAC Kid eyeshadow in the crease for a softly defined crease and NARS allegoria on the eyelid. Your eyeliner should remain soft as well, so either use a dark brown or black liner with a very soft application and a thin line. So to break it down, when your lips are a main focus then you want to to accentuate the cheeks and play down the eyes. When your eyes (smokey eye, colorful eye, etc.) are a main focus then you want a more subtle cheek and lips, so create that hot nude lip with a soft pink or peach on the cheeks.

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 .

Anyone who knows me knows that I think Kim Kardashian is so amazingly beautiful! Her makeup is always flawless and she loves my favorite cosmetic lines; MAC, Shu Uemera and NARS. Her constant dark smokey eye and nude lip are to die for! Girlicious, who I have to say look like beautiful girls, but who the heck put that concealer on those girls? Doesn’t their makeup artist know to never ever use a high SPF if you will be taking pictures? A great celebrity makeup tip is avoid the high SPF at night because they never know when they will snapped by the paparazzi! This look is the anti-raccoon eye! My clients of Make-up Envy hear me preach time after time about not using an SPF for one of my wedding makeup tips.

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Do you have lash envy? I bet you are admiring your best friend who has amazing lashes because of her favorite mascara she has used for years, but when you tried it you had tarantula lashes! There is not just one perfect mascara for every woman. The truth is that finding the best mascara takes time and patience… kinda like dating! You are introduced to the mascara and you seem a little excited thinking about what might be, but then you find out that this mascara does not want the same lash look as you and then it is time to move on once again in search of that one perfect mascara. Keep your chin up ladies there are plenty of mascaras out there! Now it time to figure out what you really want and don’t be afraid to do your research. Here are a couple of tips:

1. Determine what you want your lashes to look like (full and thick or long and defined)

2. Determine what your type of lashes you have (full, skimpy, long, short, etc.)

3. Choose your mascara based on the brush not the formula.

-Full and Thick lashes: Choose the bristles that are not so close together, there will typically be a lot of space between the bristles just like the first brush in the picture above.

-Long and defined: Choose the brush that looks like small needles that taper at the end. This brush will not allow a lot of mascara on your lash for that clumpy look.

Whatever mascara you end up choosing just remember that your lashes should never be really hard or clumpy, lashes should be lush and soft. Use a makeup remover at the end of the night to remove all mascara and eye makeup to ensure that your lashes stay soft. I love using jojoba oil with a cotton ball which moisturizes your lashes and delicate eye area. I would love to hear about your favorite mascaras! Write to me I love to chat! Salaam, Danica!

 I’m listening. Have a makeup or bridal question go ahead an email me at danica@askamakeupguru.com .

This was a recent photo shoot that I did with local Colorado photographers Andy and Angie Wood at www.a-a-photography.com. Our theme was fire and I had MAC pigment true red burning a hole in my kit! I haven’t been able to use this pigment since I have had it for over a year because it is not everyday that one of my clients asks for bright red eyeshadow. I hope you enjoy the pics and check out the Andy and Angie’s website, they are very innovative and creative photographers that just happened to be the nicest people! Danica Jardien Professional Colorado Makeup Artist, Danica@make-upenvy.com, (720)939-3650.

 Go ahead ChatBack (Click on comments below) to 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 .

 Thanks for staying tuned to my blog! This is Part 2 of my makeup summer tips, I hope you enjoy!

Step 6(Eyes): Summer is all about no fussing and being outside to enjoy yourself, but this doesn’t mean that you have to look blah to do so. Here are a couple of eye makeup tips to kick off your summer look. Waterproof everything this summer will be your best friend! Try a liquid eyeshadow such as MAC paint pots in rubenesque which is a peachy golden tone with a beautiful iridescence. Clarins make great new waterproof eye khols, try turquoise for a bright pop of color that will stay. No need to buy expensive mascara that doesn’t work, try Maybelline makes a great waterproof mascara in the blackest black, but don’t forget to use your shu uemera eye lash curler to curl your lashes first to open your eyes.

Step 7 (Lips): When I think of summer lips I picture full juicy lips that taste as sweet as they look! Try the new Chanel Aqualumiere lipgloss in Vanilla or Candy Glow for a smooth as butter feel and a shine that won’t stop. I also like the plushglass lipgloss by MAC in fullfilled or Posh It Up which actually subtly plumps your lips with a regular use of the product. Laura Mercier makes a great Lip Exfoliant that is paired with a lip balm to keep you lips kiss-ably soft that can be used a couple of times a week. 

Step 8 (Nails): Girls don’t forget to get a pedicure! This is one of my biggest pet peeves when women don’t take care of their feet. I am queen of the home pedicure! Take time out once a week to remove your polish and soak your feet in warm water filled with peppermint oil (2 tsp.), Epsom salt (1/4 cup), and to sanitize I use hydrogen peroxide in the water (equal part to the amount of water). After soaking for 15-20 minutes scrub your nails and toes with a nail brush designated for just your toe nails using soap and rinse. Now it is pumice stone time! Scrub away those calluses girls! Apply a nice moisturizing foot lotion to your feet and ankles, I love Aveda Foot Lotion. Now it is time to polish those toes…. Try the India line by OPI which is rich in color, I have never had trouble with OPI staying on my nails or being true to color.  

Step 9 (Foundation and concealer): Never leave your house without concealer ladies! As women we naturally have thin skin around our eye area which shows darkness and discoloration more so than men, so concealer is one of those products that you should not walk out of your door without. In the summer all of your products should be more sheer so the same goes with your foundation. I like to mix my liquid foundation with one of my favorite moisturizers to acheive that natural look with a glow and apply in circular motions using a MAC brush #187. Use one half pump of your moisturizer or half of a pearl size and half of the amount of foundation that you would typically use and mix them in the palm of your hand to make your own tinted moisturizer. One of my makeup tips that I always give to women is to use a loose powder versus a pressed because the loose powder is so fine that it sets your foundation so much better. Try a water resistant concealer so you don’t find yourself touching up constantly, I like MAC studio finish concealer or Shu Uemeras pro concealer and then set your concealer with Laura Mercier secret powder for a soft luminous look around the eye that lasts all day!

Now I think you should be ready for summer! I hope you find these tips useful for your new makeup look, but don’t hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns! Also, if you are striving to be a bronzed beauty, but you are on a budget I can help to recommend some home remedies and more affordable products to help you acheive your desired look.

Until next time,

 Go ahead ChatBack (Click on comments below) to 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 .

Here are a couple makeup tips for makeup and more from your makeup guru to help you step into summer looking bronzed and beautiful! 

Step 1 (Self Tanner): Luckily I have found the most amazing self tanner that does not make me look fake and yellow, and most importantly has no bad odor and will last over a week or so…. Chanel body self tanner Soleil Identite in intense bronze. I don’t stop at using this body tanning lotion just on my body, I also use this product on my face which caused less irritation than the facial self tanner by Chanel. This product retails at $45… If this is a little pricey my second fav is Victoria’s Secret bare bronze gleaming self tan body tint which has an instant bronze effect and less of a self tanner scent than most. Not into self tanners? I have used the very sheer water resistant MAC Face and Body Foundation in C7 anywhere that I need to look tan that would wash off in the shower at the end of the day.

Step 2 (Bronzer): Anyone who knows me is aware that love MAC and Nars, and yes once again I say that these two lines have two of the best daily powder bronzers. Try MAC Refined Golden powder bronzer for a gorgeous golden glow or Nars in Laguna. Use MAC brush #129 which is a middle sized powder brush to lightly dust the bronzer under your cheek bones, around the your line, in your temples, on the sides and under your nose, under your chin, and my personal favorite under your chin onto your neck. For a deeper skin-tone use Refined Golden in your t-zone and MAC Powder Blush in Blunt which is great for a matte contour and bronzer effect.

Step 3 (Blush): Put away your berry and plum blushes and step into a sweet pink or soft coral blush with maybe a little sheen. Smile! Let me see those apples.. Place Nars powder blush in Orgasm on the apples of your cheeks right above where you have placed your bronzer, so the two products don’t layer on top of each other and look “muddy”. MAC makes a great blush by the name of Dollymix which would work beautifully too if you prefer more a pink tone or have a deeper skin tone.

Step 4 (Highlighting Sheen): By far one of my favorite products that I use on almost everyone is Nars The Multiple. For summer I recommend The Multiple in South Beach and the MAC #191 Brush to apply on the cheek bones, tip of the nose, above the bow of the lip and the bones above your eyebrows. This product stays really well and looks gorgeous on the skin and not too frosty while helping powder products to stay in place when placed beneath.

Step 5(Sunscreen): Most importantly wear your sunscreen and don’t tan! Having tan skin is beautiful and exotic, but tan smart with self tanners. Preserve your beauty and skins health by using Shiseido Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 55 which is recommended by the skin cancer foundation. This products is great for anyone and is non comedogenic so it will not clog your pores. Shiseido is known for great sunscreens and amazing skincare!

To Be Continued…..

 Go ahead ChatBack (Click on comments below) to 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 .

  Ok so maybe I am a little biased, but I am in love with false lashes! I dare you to catch me without my lashes on. You may not even realize that I am wearing falsies on a daily basis, but I like it like that. A girl can’t give away all of her secrets now, can she? This is a great eye makeup tip! When wearing lashes make sure that you buy a natural hair lash with a clear band and then you will cut the lash in the middle or less and apply a thin layer of glue (DUO dark waterproof).     

Let the glue dry for 30 seconds or less, then tilt the lash downwards into the eye and apply just on the outer edge of the eye for that feminine flair!

I will go into further detail about false lash application in my upcoming EBook!

 Go ahead ChatBack (Click on comments below) to 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 .

On Sunday April 20th my company Make-up Envy participated as a vendor and we  had a blast! I met so many great vendors, such as DV Fresh  (videographers) and Laurene from Bridal Yellow Pages and Places with Spaces (great bridal resource guide). I would like to thank everyone who stopped by my booth to  inquire about having a professional makeup artist take part in their special day or to just chat! I will definitely do this again in September! There are so many great ideas out there and a lot of creative vendors, so I highly recommend this show to any bride to be.

Here are a couple pictures