Hide Imperfections

Concealer is more dense than foundation, allowing fuller coverage of
trouble spots and hyperpigmentation (red areas). It can be used over
foundation or on it own, and has greater staying power. Remember, a
little goes a long way!

1. Since the skin under your eyes is more transparent, it tends to
look dark, especially at the inner corner near the bridge of the nose.
To even out the tone, concealer is a must. Using liquid concealer,
gently pat over dark under-eye circles (don't sweep it across the
entire area), then blend with your ring finger.

2. To cover trouble spots and imperfections, apply a thicker cream
concealer onto the blemish or flaw. Then lightly press with a makeup
sponge.

Key Tip: Choose the shade of your concealer carefully. When testing
out shades, pick one that matches your skin tone or one shade lighter.
It helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look on your skin
in natural light.

Key Tip: Prepare your skin with a light SPF moisturizer before
applying concealer for a smoother application.

How To Get A Natural Look (using make-up)

Natural Look

1. Apply foundation to your cheeks, forehead, and chin using a
foundation brush, sponge, or clean fingertips. Blend the foundation
all the way to your natural hairline with long, light strokes.

2. Continue blending over the jawline and onto your neck to achieve a
natural, seamless look. Check your face and neck in natural light to
make sure the foundation is completely blended in all areas.

3. If under-eye circles or red spots remain, do not add more
foundation; it can look heavy and cakey. Instead, try a concealer.

Key Tip: Choose the shade of your foundation carefully. When testing
out shades, pick one that matches the tone of your jawline exactly. It
helps to use a mirror outdoors to see how shades look in natural
light.

Key Tip: Begin by applying a small amount of foundation then increase
amount to achieve the degree of coverage that suits your skin.

Key Tip: For daytime, mix your foundation with a light SPF moisturizer
before applying for a smoother, more sheer application.

Prep Your Canvas (Face) Before Applying Make-up

To prepare a smooth canvas for your makeup, always start off with
clean, moisturized skin.

You'll find that your makeup glides on and blends more easily.

1. Keep your skin free of buildup by using a gentle cleanser in the
morning and at night. When cleansing your face, do so gently in upward
motion stokes - do not tug, pull or scrub too hard to prevent
irritation.

2. Freshen up your skin with a toner containing ingredients that suit
your skin type.

3. Indulge your skin and keep it hydrated with a moisturizer that is
compatable with your skin type. Make sure your daytime moisturizer
contains SPF to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

4. Treat yourself to an at-home-facial 2 to 3 times a week. Use a mild
cleanser, then exfoliate with a gentle scrub that contains exfoliants
that are round and non-abrasive.

5. Apply a facial mask after exfoliating. Rinse off thoroughly and get
a good night's sleep!

Key Tip: Even when you're steering clear of the sun, or it appears to
be a cloudy day, always be sure your makeup foundation or moisturizer
contains SPF 15 or higher.

How To Lips

How To Get The PrrrrrrFect Lips:

Shape up your lips
Lining your lips is important for creating plump, noticeable lips.

Applying lipliner is not only a great way to define and accentuate the
shape of your lips, but also to keep your lipstick from feathering.

1. Begin applyling lipliner at the center of your natural upper lip
line to define the bow then work toward the outer corners to complete
the line. (picture item A)

2. Start at one corner of your bottom lip then follow your natural lip
line all the way to the other corner.

Key Tip: Choose a lipliner that matches your lipstick or a flesh tone
shade for a soft, natural look.

Key Tip: To get plumper, pinker looking lips, do not touch up by
drawing a hard lip line; smudge it so lips look fuller! For a more
dramatic fullness, choose a lipstick shade with a hint of frost.

Key Tip: To avoid lipstick on your teeth, put your index finger in
your mouth and then draw it out slowly with your mouth closed. What
you see on your finger is what would have ended up on your teeth!

Perfecting your pout

1. Apply color onto the center of your lips, blending up and out to
the lip line working towards the corners. (picture item B)

2. For longer lasting color, gently blot with tissue, reapply lipstick
and blot again.

3. For evening, remember to select a lipstick one or two shades deeper
than your daytime color.

Key Tip: For a creamy effect, apply a lip balm to lips before applying
lipstick.

Key Tip: For a matte effect, apply lipstick then blot gently with tissue.

Key Tip: For a sheer effect, apply lip balm. Gently dot a small amount
of neutral color lipstick across lips, then smooth out.

Key Tip: For a glossy effect, apply lipstick then finish with a clear
or nuetral color gloss coat for a moist, seductive shine. Remember,
the more coats you apply, the more shine so turn up the volume!

Want Smooth Lips?

Getting those smooth, soft, and supple lips, By doing these Key Tips.

Key Tip: For smooth, soft lips, take a clean damp washcloth and gently
rub lips for 60 seconds before applying lipstick.

Key Tip: For touch-ups during the day or night, carry a soft
toothbrush in your handbag or makeup kit. Be sure to brush your lips
gently.

Key Tip: Apply a lip balm or conditioner throughout the day to keep
lips hydrated and protected from the sun's harmful rays.

Interview w/ Marie Denee The Curvy Fashionista ...Curvy.Confident.Chic

About Marie Denee- The Boutique
Marie Denee is an upscale contemporary online boutique that offers
today's fashion forward, curvy, confident, and chic plus size woman, a
sanctuary where she can confidently shop the latest designer fashions
in her size, without sacrificing her desires for premium, fashion
forward, and impeccably fit options.

Marie Denee will feature lifestyle apparel and accessories carefully
edited and sourced from all over the globe by designers who see
fashion beyond a size 12.

Marie Denee is dedicated to fashion your curves and bring you fashions
to keep you Curvy.Confident.Chic.

About Marie Denee- The Owner and The Curvy Fashionista
Experienced in retail for over ten years, working in various retail
stores as a stylist, fashion expert, or assistant manager, Marie Denee
lassoed her life experiences both studied and learned to bring her
dream into fruition.

While working in retail, she observed the lack of fashionable options
– the contemporary, highly fashioned, impeccably fitting, high quality
fits that work for a woman's curves. Shopping became an art- learning
how to sniff out the latest designers that "get it."

Working in retail exposed Marie Denee to the evidence that she was not
alone, which at times was a relief but even more a frustration. She
often questioned, "If there are women out here like me, why aren't
designers catering to our needs?"

Fast forward to her post graduate days in college and her entre to
store management, Marie Denee learned about the inner workings of
retail and how choices are made to clothe the modern day fashionista.
Marie Denee dedicated her Masters to research what was available and
who was available in the Plus Size industry to answer OUR plea.

Thus, The Curvy Fashionista was born. After completing her studies,
Marie Denee set out to share with all the Curvy.Confident.Chic.
Fashionistas she could reach that "we CAN don the latest and greatest
of trends, fashions, and styles that are made with US in mind!"

The idea of the boutique was ignited by her life's dreams and
experiences, fueled by her blogging escapades through The Curvy
Fashionista, and revved by her passion for Curvy.Confident.Chic. Plus
Size fashion.

Marie Denee "Plus-Size Fashion Blogger, Journalist and Stylist"

Website: www.TheCurvyFashionista-MarieDenee.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MarieDenee
MySpace: www.myspace.com/thecurvyfashionista
Boutique link: www.mariedenee.com
Blog: thecurvyfashionista.mariedenee.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mariedenee
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecurvyfashionista