Makeup Meltdown at Summer Wedding?

What's the best way to keep makeup from sliding right off during a hot and humid, outdoor summer wedding?

Here are some of our best tips for helping your wedding-day makeup keep its cool, so you don't end up hiding behind your bouquet because all your concealer has melted off!

How to Minimize Pores

Unfortunately there is no way to make large pores invisible and to shrink them for ever but there are a few things and procedures you can do to minimize their appearance.

How To Use Makeup

We women sometimes like to look good just for ourselves and sometimes we want to make an impression to others. Whatever the reasons for wearing makeup we often find ourselves applying makeup how our mothers or best friends taught us. But are
these the proper makeup techniques?

Your face is Your Canvas

Before your beauty artistry begins, you must prepare your canvas.

Start off with a daily cleansing and moisturizing ritual to face the day fresh and protected. You’ll find moisturizers with sunscreens built in. Also, SPF-loaded foundations and tints are real time savers.

Make sure your brows look well groomed. Check them in natural light near a window and pluck away any strays.

If you tend to be really oily it’s smart to apply a product that controls oil like a mattifying lotion.

Now let’s get gorgeous...

 source: Prepping the face for makeup by Palma Kolansky for Neiman Marcus

Trend alert: make-up for men

Ever since David Beckham turned up on the field wearing nail polish and eyeliner, it wasn't only girls around the world whose jaws were dropping: the whole idea of "real" men wearing make-up no longer seemed such a foreign concept. Well, to a certain extent anyway — the average guy might not be trying to emulate Boy George, but men are increasingly experimenting with key cosmetics basics in a bid to keep up appearances.

Fast tips: 8 make-up tips for men

"Most guys know, if you're sweating anywhere other than the footy field or the bedroom, you're going to look out of control," says make-up artist Elsa Morgan. According to Euromonitor, global sales of men's cosmetics reached $23 billion in 2003.

Since then, large cosmetic houses, including Clinique, have released products, such as concealer, that have been traditionally aimed only at women. "Men have blemishes and under-eye circles just like women do, and recently, it has become increasingly acceptable and desirable for men to take better care of their skin and their appearance," says Scott Miselnicky, Clinique's executive director of global make-up product development.

Men's make-up is not really new — apparently, even the Romans used kohl to line their eyes, chalk to whiten the complexion and rouge to add colour to cheeks. But the trick for guys to carry off colour in the 21st century, is to keep it subtle, says cosmetics creator Napoleon Perdis.

"Contrary to popular belief, men do wear make-up!" says Napoleon, whose top recommendations for men include a mattifying product to reduce shine on their T-zone and a lick of clear mascara to smooth unruly eyebrows. While men prefer not to use the term "cosmetics", there's no doubt the modern metrosexual wants a smooth, even skin tone and is willing to experiment with products offering natural coverage, such as tinted moisturizer, concealer and lip balms.

"There are unisex products available that appear extremely natural and appeal to men's main concerns of toning down redness and hiding dark circles," says Maria Ertas, make-up artist and general manager of Make Up Store.

Mineral make-up is also becoming increasingly popular with men as it has a natural-looking finish and doubles as sensible sun protection.

"Getting men to admit openly that they use any kind of make-up is tricky! But we can tell you, just quietly, that we do have male fans," says Inika CEO, Miranda Bond.

Ladies, lock up your make-up kits now!

Tips for Men

Think make-up's only for women? Nah! Just like your car requires a little touch-up paint and polish now and then, you too can benefit from some "guy-liner" and "mancake" (perhaps not to the extent that Zac Efron wears it).

Beauty news: Trend alert — make-up for men

1. A tinted moisturizer will even out your complexion, helping to disguise acne scarring, age spots and a dull complexion. This is an especially good tip for guys wanting to look flawless for a special occasion, such as their wedding day.

2. For stronger coverage, try a very sheer foundation, or a mineral-based cover, such as Mineral Foundation. This will help cover skin problems such as severe acne or rosacea.

3. Got unruly brows? Ask your hairdresser or barber to trim them next time you're in the salon. If you're game, you can Do It Yourself with some nail scissors, but go easy (trim a little at a time before stepping back from the mirror to inspect).

4. Brow-taming trick number two: brow gel or hairspray. Swipe a little over your eyebrows to whip them into shape.

5. For dark circles, try using an eye cream containing vitamin K. Alternatively, give the under-eye concealer a go. Colour-matching is the key, so chose a shade that works with your skin tone, before gently patting it over the area.

6. Don't neglect your lips. You can exfoliate them gently with a wet toothbrush after you clean your chompers to remove dry, rough skin. Finish with a coat of lip balm.

7. Fix shiny skin with a little mattifying lotion. Rub it between your fingertips before dabbing it over the common shiny areas, such as your forehead and nose. Try a Pore Minimizer product — it'll also help to minimize the appearance of big pores.

8. Warm up your complexion with a dusting of matte bronzer. Use a big, fluffy brush, and focus on the areas the sun would normally hit: your forehead, cheekbones and nose.

Hot Lips

1. Achieve that perfect lip line–After applying your lipstick, put a bit of foundation on a concealer brush and follow around your lip line, erasing any smudges. Voila: a perfect pout.

2. When to use lip stains–Only use lip stains when your lips are perfectly smooth and you don't have lines around the mouth. To get smooth lips, buff lips with a toothbrush dipped in a little water and sugar. Never rub too hard and always follow with a light balm before the stain.

3. Gloss without the goop–Apply a great lipstick and then dab a bit of gloss only on the inside of the fleshy part of the lower lip. All the shine, none of the mess.

4. For high drama–After applying lipstick or gloss, put a touch of white sheer shimmer powder on the dip of the upper lip and right below the lower lip. Great for evening looks.

5. Wearing red–To get that perfect red lip, lightly apply a pale flesh colored lip liner. Then rub a red lip stain on the lips. Follow with a moisturizing red lipstick. Dry formulas look cakey; super glossy ones slip right off. Avoid red lip-gloss as it gets messy fast.

6. Small lips–Avoid wearing dark colors; they make lips look smaller. Do not draw on a big lip with lip liner. Instead choose light or bright shades of lipstick or gloss with shimmer that catches the light for a magnifying effect.

7. Big lips–Stay away from glossing the whole lip. Apply a little in the center on top and bottom, and then blend with your fingertip across the lips for shine that doesn't overpower your face.

8. Whiter teeth–Brush teeth with a little baking soda. Then choose lip colors in cool tones for an icy-white smile.

9. Liner disasters–Never choose a lip liner darker than your lipstick. If you like to use liner on the whole lip, use a balm first to avoid chunky, uneven, dry color.

10. Bleeding lipstick–Line the lips with a pale flesh colored lip liner then fill with a moisture-rich lipstick with staying power. Avoid glosses as they tend to run.

Makeup & Its Uses

"Inner beauty has always deemed itself to be more important and more beautiful than what is seen on the outside".

Almost every woman though, would love a killer face to go with that great personality so we try to use enhancements, such as makeup. This is not always an act to try to impress others or some ploy to get attention, but a new "face" giving an extra boost of confidence. Not only that, but makeup can give a woman opportunities to experiment with new looks.

Whether admitted or not, almost all women love getting complimented on just how beautiful they are on the outside as well as on the inside. A little touch of make up with the correct use of makeup tips can give her that feeling for herself, both inside and out. In just one application of face makeup you could go from looking and feeling like the average, everyday, unnoticed lady, to looking and feeling like a supermodel.

Foundation makeup is one of the most important types of face makeup. Besides just helping to beautify a look, lots of women want to cover unsightly marks or scars that are visible on a clean face. This is where the foundation would come in. It is a base color that comes in various shades and tones to closely match your skin. Foundation makeup also comes in different types, be it the traditional bottle of liquid, in a stick, in the form of pressed powder or even as a creamy type of lotion.

Eyeliner is another makeup staple. Eyeliner is probably one of the most popular because of its versatile use. Not only does it dress up the eyelid area, it also accentuates the eyebrows, can line the lips or even give you a false mole! Eyeliner most commonly used is black although this also comes in a very wide range of colors. There is the traditional eye pencil or something a bit more dramatic, like liquid liner.

Liquid liner is applied using a very fine, pointed brush and takes a considerable amount of patience. Eyeliner is just one type of eye makeup.

Eye shadow typically used to coat the upper lid using two or three shades. You start of with a light shade on the bottom of your eyelid with another light color makeup below your eyebrow, just above the eyelid. The third eye shadow is a darker line in the crease of your eyelid. Once you have used makeup to enhance your eyes you will want to work on your lips.

Lipstick is one of the most common and one of the most traditional makeup cosmetics. It comes in numerous colors, but mostly reds, pinks and browns to help complement the skin tone. Some women also use it on the cheeks as a type of blush. Just like the previous mention of makeup cosmetics, lipstick also comes in different forms. There is the wax stick or more creamy types that you would apply with a lip brush.

Lipstick can be very fun to work with because it can be used to execute different looks. You can go for the matte look by adding a touch of foundation to your lips; then apply the lipstick right on top of that. The foundation also provides a longer lasting hold. You can add shine with some gloss or even make your lips appear to be fuller by outlining your lips with some liner. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Although applying and wearing makeup can be loads of fun, you always need to be careful with the products you use. Here are a few makeup tips to help you. You should test the makeup on the outside of your hand or on your inner arm to do color matching and allergy testing. Mineral makeup normally works well with all skin types and has no irritants. If you have super sensitive skin you will want to use a mineral makeup.

Also, never go to bed without removing your makeup. Regular soap and warm water is great and there are also special creams made for makeup removal. They cleanse the skin of the cosmetics and also moisturize it too. Browsing through almost any female magazine can give you some useful makeup tips.

If you don't own any makeup, you should go out and get some, and get noticed!

Big Day Must Haves with You

The key to successful troubleshooting on your big day is to come prepared. About a week or so before your wedding, stuff a makeup bag with as many of these items as you deem necessary, then entrust it to one of your bridesmaids.

• Aspirin
• Band-Aids
• Bottled Water
• Blotting Papers
• Breath Mints
• Chalk or Cornstartch (cover up smudges on your gown)
• Clear nail polish (stocking runs)
• Cotton swabs
• Eyedrops
• Hair Spray
• Hairpins
• Hand Towelettes
• Hem tape
• Mirrred compact
• Nail File
• Quick drying glue (broken nails or busted heels)
• Safety Pins
• Straws (use to sip a drink without messing up your lipstick)
• Talcum powder (control sweating moments)
• Tissues

Have a trouble free and wonderful day!

Wedding Makeup Guide

The most important part of your wedding day makeup is to look like yourself. You want to look your best without looking like your trying too hard. You have to feel comfortable in the amount of makeup you are wearing, as it will show in your pictures. It is very important that when you look back at your wedding photographs, you'll recognize the face that is smiling at you. Most importantly, make sure that your wedding day makeup makes you feel like the beautiful bride you are and supposed to be.

The best way to insure this feeling is through practice. Practice makes perfect, and your wedding makeup is no exception. Whether you are having your makeup done professionally or you are doing it yourself, practice is the key to achieving your perfect look. If you are going the professional route, it is important to for you to schedule at least one trial session with your makeup artist before the big day. You'll need to make sure that both of you are on the same page, and it may take a couple of sessions in order to achieve this. The same applies if you are choosing to do your makeup yourself, you'll want to practice many times, experimenting both with colors and techniques. You can also go to a makeup counter at your local department store to pick up some helpful hints and special products that will help you apply your makeup flawlessly. Remember, practice is the best way to ensure you remain stress-free on your special day.

The best way to achieve flawless wedding day makeup is to fuse all of these elements together, highlighting all of your features but not allowing any one area to overpower.

Face

The key to a flawless face is having a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly. You want to make sure that the foundation you use blends easily into your skin, virtually disappearing before your eyes. The last thing you want is to see foundation lines around the outside of your face when you look at your wedding photos. To ensure this does not occur, check your foundation in natural light. The artificial lights found in your bathroom and department stores are often deceiving. You will also want to find a foundation that works with your skin type, not against it.

Tip 1: If you have oily skin, you will want an oil-free matte formula that will help minimize shine. If you have dry skin, find a foundation that doubles as a moisturizer so your skin will look fresh all day.

Concealer is optional and a good idea for all brides that have jitters and probably won't get as much sleep as you should the night before the wedding. You want to be careful with concealer, however, since using too much can appear cakey, and actually draw attention to those areas you are trying to minimize. A good way to make sure your concealer blends perfectly is to mix in a little bit of your foundation before application. This way you are sure to get the clean, fluid look you want.

The next step is finding a light, loose power that will set your foundation and concealer, and take away any excess shine. You don't want to load up on powder, as this will only cause you to get shinier faster. Rather, you want just enough to keep your makeup in place and reduce shine for your photos.

Tip 2: It is a good idea to keep your power on hand through out the day, as you will need to reapply before your photos and other special events.


When you decide on your blush color, you will want to find something that will provide you with a natural glow. You will want to use a little more blush than you do for day to day wear as you don't want to appear washed out in your photos. Just be careful not to get carried away. You want to appear natural and not overly made up, which is easy when applying blush.

Eyes

It terms of eye color, it is best to choose muted, neutral colors that compliment both your dress and the other colors you are using on your face, such as your lips and cheeks. Using white or other light eye shadows on the inside edges of your eyes will help brighten and open them up. You can also use this same light color on your brow line for added definition. Beware of using too much shimmer or glitter, as these types of eye shadows will cause you to appear shiny in your pictures.

Tip 3: A light shimmer used to highlight certain areas such as your cheekbones and brow bones is okay, but you may want to take test photos before the big day to see how it is going to look.


Your mascara and eye liner are the finishing touches for your eyes. These items allow you to add as much definition as you desire. You can add extra volume and length to your lashes by using false lashes. These are available in both strips and individuals, depending on the effect you want to create. Individual lashes appear more natural and can be used across the whole lid, or just in areas that need to be filled in. You will want to apply false lashes after you have finished your eye makeup to insure they stay in place. You can also curl your lashes using an eyelash curler to open up your eyes and create the illusion of fuller, longer lashes. Make sure to curl your lashes prior to applying mascara to avoid ripping out lashes and smudging your makeup.

Tip 4: No matter what you decide to do with your eyes, it is best to use a waterproof mascara and eyeliner, especially if you know you will be shedding some tears on your big day.


Your wedding day lip color should look consistent with the rest of your makeup. You'll want a lipstick that is a little brighter than your usual color to ensure that it shows up in your pictures. The first time you put on this darker shade, you may be uncomfortable and feel as though you are wearing too much makeup. If this is the case, you should try wearing the lipstick a few times before the big day in order to get used to it. If you still don't feel like yourself, you can use a similar shade to what you wear day to day as long as it complements your overall look. Adding gloss to your lips will also help your lip color pop and help them to appear fuller in your photographs.

Tip 5: A good way to ensure that your color stays in place is to apply a lip liner all over your lips before you apply your lipstick. You will have to reapply your lipstick throughout the day, so make sure you keep it nearby at all times.