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‘Looking pretty’ Category

  1. 3 secrets from my makeup bag

    July 26, 2012 by Audrey

    I am often asked about makeup. I have no pretend on being an expert at it, but I guess a little experience and some great basic tools help build a foundation solid enough for people to notice.

    To me, the secret of great makeup is a perfect 50-50 balance between natural and fun. And, as for everything that’s related to appearance, it’s about being appropriate within a context. I have 3 basic makeups:

    The Gym makeup: BB Cream + waterproof mascara + tinted lip gloss. Just enough to look polished without feeling like I’m wearing a full face paint.

    The Work makeup: Full clean foundation + neutral eye makeup + lip gloss. Potentially adding a little color to the lips for a meeting or a networking event.

    The Going Out makeup: Full clean foundation + creative eye makeup (generally linked to the place or the general outfit) + light lip gloss.

    Nothing crazy, but that’s a good rule of thumb. I did not invent the concept but cannot agree more on “chose your battle”: lips or eyes… I chose both, just in different occasions.

    Now for the secrets… Here are my current cannot-live-without from my makeup bag:

    Esthee Lauder Day Wear BBI splurged on that BB Cream a few month back because I had a gift certificate to spend and thought I would treat myself. To be honest, I wasn’t a big fan at first. With winter my skin was extremely dry and the cream tended to flake. But it got better. And better. To the point that I don’t know if I could envision my makeup routine without my favorite BB Cream. Added bonus: it has a SPF 35 and smells delicious.

    Bare Minerals Eye Shadow in Dulce De Leche
    This eye shadow was part of a kit called Sweet Decadence that is, unfortunately, no longer available. I’m very glad that the Bare Minerals makeup lasts so long because I’m a huge fan of the light texture and perfect canvas, to any creative fantasy, provided with that hue. First on my eyelid, in any makeup situation, to smooth and even out the tone. I will be very unhappy when I run out; so if you have any suggestion for replacement, I’m all ears!

    MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo
    If there is a perfect red lipstick for every occasion, it’s MAC’s Ruby Woo. An absolutely gorgeous true bright red, perfect for that pin-up, sex kitten look but also classy enough to work for a professional environment; and the matte finish gives it a real edge other lipsticks lack. Discovered by word-of-mouth from a friend of a friend, I have no problem sharing the secret…

    Now, last but not least, my new discovery: mascara trial sizes! If you can put your hands on them, they’re the best for anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle! I got mine(s) (shhh…) at a Chanel counter in a French department store and I keep one in my car, one in my purse, one in my work drawer… They’re so tiny and easy to use for a quick touch-up, I don’t know how I did without them!

    What are some of your tried and true makeup favs? I’d love to hear!

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  2. Best of… Makeup Remover

    June 26, 2012 by Audrey

    Since I’m back in France, it’s only fair I start celebrating what’s really wonderful about this country. Of course, there will be food & wine… but I thought I’d also share a few out-of-the-box items that are harder to find (but not impossible) in the U.S. and that I really appreciate here. A new series is born: Best of France!

    Avene – Lotion Micellaire (Micellar lotion)

     

    “Technologically advanced cleansing water removes impurities and make-up.  It is based on a micelle principle that protects and releases the softening active principle.” is how Avene is describing it on their website. In my own two words: Magic Water.

    I struggled while living in the U.S. with make-up removers which are mainly presented as cleansing gels that you need to rinse with water. I was used to the good old milk cleanser + toner combo when I lived in France and didn’t like to wash my face with water before going to bed. My skin is sensitive and dry, and it was too harsh on me.

    So while there, I used the retro Cold Cream, which I had to wipe with toner several times before my face actually felt clean. No more combo. Here, one product does it all: micellar lotion! It’s efficient (removes even mascara – although on heavy-makeup days I pair it with a special eye-makeup remover), and it leaves your skin with this freshly washed feeling, without water’s drying side-effect.

    Have you ever tried micellar lotion? Did you like it? What type of makeup remover do you use?

    Category Best of France, Looking pretty | Tags: , | No Comments

  3. Color me Red… and every other color…

    April 4, 2012 by Audrey

    Yesterday I found myself in the Monoprix on Rue de la Republique, downtown Lyon: four stories of goodness. I have always been a fan of Monop’, it’s basically a small supermarket (combining food, health & beauty, fashion and home good) but always had a hyper-feminine edge to it. It’s the center-city girls go-to place for pretty much everything.

    So, as I was hanging out in Lyon’s Presqu’ile (center city), I walked in the Monoprix and made a B-line to the make-up department, or shall I say, the nail polish aisle. I think I’m developing a new obsession…

    I never was very creative with my nails. I think I must have owned a couple pinkish-nude colors and maybe a dark red. For years, my biggest finger nail experience might have been purple one fall… I don’t know what is possessing me lately. I’m not so much into nail art and all those crazy designs, but I have to say, it seems that my thirst for color is bottomless.

    In frosty January I bought “Cocktail Bling” (first from the left), that was the beginning of my Essie addiction and since that I didn’t stop. “Size Matters” (fourth from the left) joined my new nail polish shelf, quickly followed by “Funny Face” (third from the left) in March, when Spring started calling for bright colors, and that I can’t wear without thinking of my friend V.

    So yesterday, couldn’t leave Monop without an April shade… I went with “To buy or not to buy” (second one from the left) because it will look very classy with my new dark navy blue dress, and because nail polish will probably be the only thing I will give in to the spring pastel trend.

    What is your favorite nail polish color? Which is the craziest you tried?

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  4. Lessons from the pros: Style

    December 7, 2011 by Audrey

     We are all wondering how certain girls do it. Do what? Look pretty and put together in every occasion, every day, every minute. Well, I know I do. So I asked my friend, Dana Persia, the owner of Beautiful Brides Philly. Dana is not only a professional stylist, skincare expert and makeup artist, she is a seasoned businesswoman. And she does it all!

    When did you know a career in beauty was for you?
    When after spending over 20 years in the corporate arena, I realized that I wasn’t living my “authentic self” and doing what I was passionate about. In 2006, I decided to launch my business and never looked back.

    Today’s woman is busier than ever. What is the easiest/quickest way to turn a day/work look into something that works for night out?
    I call it “adding and subtracting.” While it may require a little planning ahead, packing a few things into your tote bag before heading to the office can keep you going on through the night. Try a glittery clutch bag, red platform heels or a pair of great dangling earrings. Try  replacing the tailored blazer  with a black sequined cardigan. As for makeup, try a smokey eye with a nude, shimmery lipgloss or if all else fails, break out the red lipstick!

    What are your favorite Fall/Winter 2011 beauty trends?
    I absolutely LOVE all the leggings and tunics. The trick is to stick with black or dark gray for the bottom half for the most flattering silouette. Tunics can be belted or not–just find the cut and style that works best for your body type. Top the look off with your favorite pair of knee-high boots or booties.

    Some trends can feel a bit out-there for the average woman. What are some comfort-zone-friendly ways to rock the latest trends?
    So back to our tunics and leggings. What looks great on a woman who is 5″9, 120 pounds may not look the same on someone like myself who is 5’4″ and has, well, let’s say a more curvy figure.  For those of us not built like a fashion model or who are over the age of 30, the trick is to find tunics that cover the bottom and come to almost mid-thigh. Stay away from loud bold prints choosing solids like plum, peacock blue and deep red. Pair with high-heeled boots for optimum lengthening and height.

    What three makeup item should no woman leave home without?
    1) A great concealer. Find one that works with your skin type as some may be too dry, showing fine lines and wrinkles or too oily causing creasing and making eye makeup run; 2) a lipstick or lipgloss in a color that you can wear on any average day (pump it up a few shades for evening wear); and 3) a decent set of makeup brushes (eyes, face, foundation, etc.), as it makes a huge difference in the application.

    If those words of advice triggered any more questions, feel free to put them in the comment section and I’ll make sure to ask Dana. And for all the brides to be, make sure to Like Beautiful Brides Philly’s Facebook Page or to follow Dana on Twitter @BridesPhilly.

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  5. Going Red

    November 20, 2011 by Audrey

    It is not anything new. The first time I went red was, totally coincidentally, when the Phillies won the World Series in 2008. I’m not THAT of a baseball fan. It just happened that way.

    From there, I have moved on to “redder” and “redder” until I found my perfect shade about a year ago. M. has been doing my hair for several year, at M’s on the Square. And she knew that a drastic change was not a good idea, despite my claims of wanting to “go red”. So we progressively added a little bit of this, a little bit of that, until we found my red.

    MY red has a mahogany base, and, depending on the light, purple undertones. Since I freshened it up this week, I can’t help myself but going green with my make-up: reddish bangs over blue-green eye shadow and black eye-liner. Fun.

    My natural hair color is on the darker side of brown, over the years I tried several different ways of spicing it up, not always successfully. They say blondes have more fun; this one made me cry. I’m definitely not a blonde inside. Big mistake.

    It’s fun to experiment with your hair. Just be sure to be able to trust your hairstylist with your life. And that the (bad hair) day you walk in there in a rage and yell “Chop it off!”, his/her answer will be: “Let’s talk this one through before I pull out the scissors.”

    What is the most drastic change you did to your hair? And how did you adapt to it?

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