How many times have you meticulously applied eyeshadow, liner and mascara, only to have your lids looking washed out and dull over the course of several hours?  When I have 10, even 12-hour work days, I can’t afford to have my makeup go muddy.  I need those crisp lines to remain fixed and the bold colors to stay robust.  How?  LID PRIMER!

If you’re going to do full-face makeup, priming your lids is as integral to the beauty process as daily SPF.  Skimping on this little known trick leaves you lackluster halfway through the day.  Here at La Bichette, we use GloMinerals Lid Primer but any brand will do.  Use a camouflage or concealer brush (the kind with the synthetic bristles) and apply a thin, even coat of lid primer to the entire eyelid and continue all the way up to the brow.  Let the primer sit for a moment before applying your shadow.

When you’re ready to apply your shadow, you’ll notice a vast different in the color intensity.  Another benefit of lid primer is less = more!  Use less shadow and have brighter results than ever before.  Here’s proof… from left to right, we have the eyeshadow without lid primer next to the same eyeshadow with lid primer.

Seems like a no brainer to me!

Eyeliner is not only my most favorite beauty products but it’s the most versatile and history rich of all cosmetics!

First used over twelve thousand years ago in ancient Egypt on both men and women for aesthetic purposes, the mineral mixture “Kohl” was also thought to provide protection from the elements and the evil eye.

After the fall of Egypt, eyeliner took a backseat until the 1920′s. Women had finally won the right to vote sending a surge of independence throughout America.  Fashion became integral to a woman’s identity. With this new found uniqueness, cosmetics were applied more liberally.  It’s no coincidence that around the same time, the world became fascinated by King Tut’s tomb, a stunning archeological discovery made in 1922 by Howard Carter and George Herbert. Treasures buried deep under the pyramids of Giza inspired an exotic look.

During World War II, nylon stockings, became a rarity due to the scarcity of the material. The lack of stockings fueled “Nylon Mania” and caused “Stocking Panic”. Large lines turned into angry mobs that crowded retailers every time a limited shipment arrived.  Sick of facing the the swarms, women turned to “penciling in” seams on their bare legs with eyeliner so that it appeared as though they were wearing stockings.

In the 1950′s, liquid eyeliner broke onto the scene and was used to create cat eyes, a look immortalized by actresses such as Brigitte Bardot and Elizabeth Taylor.

During the 1960′s, eyeliner was further dramatized by the English model, singer and actress, Twiggy.

A little later, Princess Diana made an impact with her blue tightline…

David Bowie became a sensation with his flare for eyeliner…

And throughout time, countless others have followed suit…

I’m off to try a new technique! Hope you’ve been inspired!

    Hello, Love couldn’t be more excited to introduce our first guest blogger! Her work is absolutely amazing, she’s a total delight to be around and she makes you feel completely confident and calm when you’re in her chair. So, without further ado, here’s Cat (and her first amazing post about bridal beauty)!

Cat Smith has been a freelance makeup artist for 7 years.  She is the owner and creative director of Knockout Beauty. She specializes in make up artistry and hair styling. Knockout Beauty was named 2013 Best Weddings- Best Makeup artist in Dallas by the TheKnot.com. Cat is available for all events including weddings, photo shoots or even just a night out on the town! In addition to working with private clients, she has also worked with international beauty brands such as:

- Bobbi Brown

- Yves St. Laurent

- Laura Mercier

- Le Metier de Beaute

Cat’s Five Tips for Wedding Makeup:

Are you a bride taking on the challenge of doing your own makeup for your wedding day? Never fear! With these five tips, you will be able to create your special day look like the pros!

The amount of makeup you wear on your wedding day differs from the amount you would wear on a day to day basis. It is important to keep in mind that you have to wear more makeup in pictures so that it shows up and highlights your best features.

1. Blend eye shadow in the crease and outside corner a shade darker than you usually would. This way it still looks like you, but will be more dramatic in pictures. A safe bet for most brides is shades of copper and brown. These are timeless colors that will always look good.

2. Line both the top and bottom of your eyes with black liner. For the bottom liner, only line inside the waterline with a gel liner and QUICKLY set it with powder. Your eyes will pop but not look too heavy. The powder helps set the liner in the eye and keeps it from running out when you tear up!

3. Keep blush high on your cheekbones and pat the color on your cheek working from the ear towards your nose. This will help keep your cheekbones lifted and give definition. Don’t brush the color from the apple of your cheek back towards the ear. This can deposit too much color near the nose.

4. Use a matte lipstick with a shiny gloss placed only in the center of your lips. The combo of the matte lipstick and shiny gloss give your lips fullness but will not look overdone in pictures.

5. LASHES. Find a pair of lashes that give your natural ones thickness and a bit of length. Lashes do not have to be over the top, but they are the quickest way to add a special touch to your look. If full strips of lashes are too much for you, look for demi strips that are applied to the outside corner of eyes.

*Bonus Tip* To make sure you have the best look possible that will last all day, be sure and use the proper primers and sealants. They will make all the difference!

Hopefully these 5 quick tips will help you find your best look for your wedding day!

XO – Cat

Sources: Sugar Pie Honey Bunch // Juxtapost // Lauren Conrad // Beauty.com // Media-Cache

Too often I have clients who come in the salon and they’re literally petrified to do something different with their hair, especially when it comes to curls. I think the misnomer here is that Shirley Temple curls are fine and dandy on little Shirley, but it’s certainly not the look that many others are striving for. So for all of you feeling feeble with your curl power, take a peek at these outstanding locks for motivation!

Curls can be loose, wispy and appear effortless…

They can add movement to the ends…

They can be structured and voluptuous…

They can be polished…

And they can be downright sexy!!!

So muscle up and show your curl power!

Apparently when you do a juice cleanse, it’s really all you can think about.  I’m presently on day 2 of a 3-day, 6-juice-a-day juice cleanse and yet in that short amount time, all of my friends are not only aware of this journey, but they’ve also been privy to every speed bump, no matter how insignificant, I’ve faced in the past 24-hours.  I suppose that’s why many choose to cleanse while on a blissful retreat, far far away and out of cell phone reception.  Nevertheless, I’m doing it.  I’ve never done one before but got intrigued after visiting The Gem in Dallas.

Why cleanse?  Here’s what The Gem says a cleanse can do for you:

• Flood your body with micronutrients.
• Drop a few pounds.
• Reduce inflammation.
• Curb your sugar cravings.
• Increase your energy and productivity by clarifying your mind.
• Bolster your immune system.
• Kick start a new healthy eating plan.
• Sleep better.

• Glow with bright shiny eyes and clearer, more vibrant skin.

So if you’re feeling sluggish or less sparkly than you used to, give it a try!  There are loads of cleanses to choose from, some that deliver all the juices straight to your door, others that you pick up.  At The Gem, I pick up my 6-pack of juices (that they so cleverly pack in a beer carrier) each morning and I drink the juices every two hours in the order they specify.  Drinking plenty of water along the way as well as green tea if you’re used to a daily cup of joe is integral!

Of course there are other things you can do to keep your beautiful self extra vibrant.  For instance, I found this super helpful Healthy Pantry/Refrigerator Makeover on The Gem’s blog:

TOSS
1. White rice and pasta.
2. Salty, fried snack foods like potato chips and corn chips. Especially those with chemicals and color.
3. Vegetable oil. It’s acidic and tasteless.
4. Sugary cereals, boxes with BRIGHT COLORS, OR PRIZES INSIDE
5. Canned soups, make your own and freeze the extra.
6. High Fructose corn syrup drinks.
7. Yogurt with artificial sweeteners and colors.
8. Any thing labeled sugar free, fat free or ‘lite.’ If they can’t spell it right, it’s wrong.
9. Take a look at the ingredients in your condiments. Try making your own salad dressing.
10. Frozen entrees. Lean Cuisines are loaded in preservatives and sodium.

EMBRACE:

1. Whole grains like long grain brown rice and quinoa. Whole grain cereals. Go Lean Crunch is pretty tasty! Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal is a winner.
2. Nuts.  Raw almonds and pumpkin seeds rock my world. Dried and/or dehydrated fruit. Sliced frozen bananas or grapes are awesome in the summer.
3. Healthy oils like canola, olive, coconut. Spices like Jalapeno Lemon Pepper or Tommy’s Coffee Rub are amazing additions to spice up your foods.
4. There is no finer snack than popcorn made with coconut oil and sea salt.
5. Canned beans: cannelini, black, pinto, lentils. (Dried are best. See easy crock pot bean recipe). Beans and rice topped with salsa and avocado is a perfect protein meal.
6. Sparkling water and limes–the perfect cooler.
7. Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
8. Domestic (or local), seasonal fruits and veggies. Keep all the ingredients for a quick smoothie in the pantry and freezer. Amazing Meals is a great vegan protein addition!
9. Hummus, tamari sauce, salsa, guacamole.
10. Homemade chili or soup.  Keep in the freezer for quick access.

To a more sparkly you!

Sources: The Gem

If you’re like me, the dog days of summer do not easily elicit my most beauty conscious self. Perhaps it’s just a product of my locale but during the summer I have a habit of reaching for the same products, clothes and popsicles that make me most forget about the 100+ degree heat. But getting into a routine, especially during the summer, doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If you could make the following three trips part of your summer standard, you’ll actually look and feel better, despite the heat.

1 - Exfoliate! Summer can be brutal on our skin, even if we’re applying all the right things. Water and sweat resistant SPF works so well because it adheres to the skin which is FANTASTIC when you need it but not so great when the residue remains and clogs your pores. So your first summer ritual is to use a gentle, exfoliating body wash. Yes To Carrots is great because it has finely ground walnut shells for a natural buff, resulting in radiant skin!

2 - Store products in your fridge! If you’ve never put your eye cream in the fridge, you’re missing out on one of life’s more refreshing moments. Anything from eye cream, face lotion, body lotion and especially gel aloe feels much better when chilled in the summer. Not to mention, a cool moisturizer can actually reduce redness, as it constricts dilated blood vessels!

3 - Lighten up! Stash your thick foundations and cream lipsticks for the Fall. Less is more when it comes to summer makeup. Use a tinted moisturizer, cheek stain, bronzing gel and lip gloss. If you tend to get too shiny with this look, switch your rich cleanser to a foam face wash and make sure your face cream is oil-free with a minimum SPF of 15.

Sources: Yes To Carrots, Ziba Blog, Smashbox

I’m a big proponent of going as long as possible between shampoos but usually when I’m nearing day 3, and sometimes even day 4, I’ve got to get creative so that everything still looks “day 1″. For most, the battle between dirty hair and good ole’ shampoo is won by grease. When your roots begin to look like they’ve been pomaded, it’s probably time to suds up. But before you throw in the towel, a cute scarf conceals the grease and is oh-so-adorable in the summer with some cut-offs or a maxi!