African Fashions

Make-up done in three minutes?  You must be kidding me…

While I was looking through some dresses at a specialty store, I unexpectedly heard something that caught my attention.  So I walked across the hall, stood there amazed as I watched and listened to the demo on some tricks to looking good despite all the demands of the daily grind. I learned some tricks from one make-up artist of a popular cosmetic brand and I tried it right away when I got home. To my surprise, it worked on me.  Now it’s your time to do the trick in just 3 minutes.  You can even set a timer if you want!

So here it is, the 3-minute make-up magic:

There you have it sistahs.  The basics always come in handy.  In just three minutes you are all set for the day. Never allow a busy day to keep you from looking pretty.  So good luck and have a great day!

Summer is usually way too hot for your usual make-up, so the key to achieving the best look this season is to lighten up.  Getting away for a while from your usual routine can be easily done when you opt for the more natural bare-bone routine. To complement your favorite summer dress,  it’s all about playing up with little make up as much as possible and still holding up that fabulous look longer while beating the heat on your face, cheeks, eyes, and lips.   

It is always best to keep your face always moisturized most especially in the hot months.  A properly moisturized face can bring out a smooth finish and keeps the base longer even with little amount.   Foundations gets heavy as the temperature rises, but if you must wear foundation, go for the mineral-based sheers that can easily build good coverage.  The ultimate idea for a cooler face against the heat is to go bare or go for tinted moisturizer that can also achieve the same coverage as the foundation.  And if you intend to go around under the sun, a good sunscreen must come in handy.

If you want to maintain a good glow that lasts long, go for the liquid blush or cream bronzers that are easily absorbed on the skin since powder may not go well with sweats.  Use your fingertips to apply a subtle blush and tap onto the apples of your cheeks.

For a defined look that is not overdone and heavy, choose mascara that does magic on lengthening and curling the lashes instead of thickening it.  Go for the lighter and neutral shades for the eye shadows.  If you want to play with colors, go easy on them.  See how Beyonce did it.

On your lips, choose sheer lip tints with moisturizers as well as SPF to get away with cracked and dry lips.  If you already have chapped lips, hide it with a primer and lipsticks with cherry and pink tones.

In a final note to a beautiful look any season, always keep your skin healthy, clear and glowing.  Nothing beats natural beauty! 

As promised, this is the sequel to the blog I had previously on the romantic fashion.  This time around, I will walk you through or maybe take you to the mood for the romantic make-up.  With a light gust of air and a major dose of inspiration, this is going to be an enjoyable experience. A romantic look on African Americans comes with the natural aura of amorous grace expressed in dramatic eyes highlighted with defined curved lines of the sensual lashes and the dramatic lips that focus on colors that speaks playfulness and elegance.

So to be more vivid as I play up with the tips and tricks on getting the romantic look, I searched the web for a picture of Tyra Banks to demonstrate my point (she’s simply just one of my favorite, so I picked her as my example).  Here she goes, isn’t she just mesmerizing and dramatic?

How can you get that look?

First off, you must be able to create a dewy face.  If you have circles around your eyes, cover it up with a light pat of concealer. Just a tad amount and careful blending can do the trick for an even look.   If you must use a foundation, then go easy with a sheer one.  Use a slightly lesser amount than your usual using a brush and sponge.  Make sure it is the right color that complements your tone and undertone.  Up close, it should be as natural and flawless as possible – not caked on and covered up, so go easy on the base.  For a more natural look, you can opt to let go of the foundation, instead use a dusting translucent powder to make you look fresh and glowing all throughout.

For a youthful glow, go with shimmery liquid or loose shimmers on the temples, subtle up on the brow bone, through the center of the nose, and slight on the chin. Generously apply baby pink blush on the apples of your cheeks.  Try darker pinks if your tone is darker than Tyra.  Caution:   Loose shimmers are romantic but loose glitter is a disaster.  So be careful when you have to be all out gleaming. 

Check out Tyra’s eyes.   This is the best time to dazzle and shimmer in a romantic way – but take caution in the blending.  Give that extra glow from the lash lines up to the brow bones using a crease brush.  Go with shimmers in the shades of pinks, peach, taupe, amethyst, and creams.  Forgo the eyeliner, curl your lashes, and go with the mascara.  Apply two coats to get those super sexy lashes. Trick: Let dry the first coat before going for the second one for a more effective flirty coat.

Waive heavy and thick lipsticks - go for the shimmery shades of pink, berry, and apricots.

Now that you’ve got the dress to begin, try these hot tips on make-up and you will surely have that look to charm your man with a dramatic gaze.  Watch out for my next blog on the romantic hair to get the most of the romantic way in fashion…