Style Me Pretty HoneyMoon Makeup Essentials

Whether you're honeymooning in Maldives, Costa Rica or Vegas, every woman wants to keep that "wedding-day glow.” Thankfully, Professional Baltimore Makeup Artist & Certified Eyelash Extensionist, Tymia Yvette, is sharing with us her Top 5 makeup essentials and tips for your honeymoon:

TIP 1: WAKE YOUR SKIN UP WITH MOISTURE - LAURA MERCIER ILLUMINATING TINTED MOISTURIZER is the best 2-in-1 face product. It protects your skin from harmful sun rays with SPF of 20. It's also a moisturizer with a tint of color that gives your complexion a radiant, youthful glow for that "no makeup" look.  

If your skin naturally has radiance and you dont need the extra luminosity try LAURA MERCIER OIL-FREE TINTED MOISTURIZER. This product gives you the same benefits but contains oil controlling ingredients to control shine breakthrough. 

My favorite technique for applying tinted moisturizer is using your hands! The warmth from your fingertips allows for the product to blend into the skin seamlessly.

TIP 2: GET A YOUTHFUL LOOK BY CREATING A FULL, WELL SHAPED BROW.  The best way to do this is by USING ANASTASIA BROW WIZ PENCIL. No need to bring your pencil sharpener, this mechanical pencil distributes the perfect amount of product on the brow to create and define natural brows. This 2-in-1 pencil also comes with a spooley brush on the opposite end. 

Have trouble filling in brows? First start off by brushing the brows with the spooley, in an upward motion. Next, use the pencil to fill in any sparse areas using light pressure and hair-like strokes. Brush the product through the brows. Step back and look in the mirror to ensure brows are balanced and symmetrical. Repeat as necessary. 

Tip 3: GET THE GLOW FROM NARS POWDER PRODUCTS BY BUILDING YOUR OWN PALLETTE. From the sun-kissed bronzers to the cult-favorite blushes, customizing your own nars palette allows for you to take just the essentials. Start off building your palette with a bronzer to define the face, then add in a highlighting powder to accentuate and add radiance. Finish off your palette by adding a blush that will give healthy color to your cheeks.

Want to pump it for a night? Add in a duo eyeshadow and brush on sheer wash of shadow by mixing the colors together.

Not sure which colors to pick?  For Fair to Medium complexions, (top, right to left) Albatross Highlighting Powder, Orgasm Blush, Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow and Laguna Bronzer. For Medium to Dark complexions, (bottom, right to left) Miss Liberty Highlighting Powder, Torrid Blush, Isolde Duo Eyeshadow and Casino Bronzer. 

Tip 4: GET A BRIGHT EYED LOOK WITH SUGAR LASH MINK EXTENSIONS.

This beauty service is something that you can get done before your wedding day and will last you throughout your honeymoon. Leave your mascara at home because these extensions provide a natural full lash look. They are also double heated for amazing curl retention. Dont have time to visit your eyelash extensionist, URBAN DECAY CANNONBALL WATERPROOF MASCARA will do the trick. This mascara gives you a full, soft lash from its gel formula and wont budge even in sweat-drenched conditions.

TIP 5: GET SOFT AND SMOOTH TINTED LIPS WITH CLINIQUE'S CHUBBY STICK.  Whether you want full color, sheer or somewhere in the middle, there is a gloss stick for you. No need to carry lipstick, lipgloss and chapstick. This product gives you all 3 benefits in a lip product.

FINAL TIP: SLEEPING IN MAKEUP IS A BIG NO-NO.  At the end of the day you want to make sure you remove all impurities to keep skin radiant. Use NEUTROGENA NATURALS FRESH CLEANSING + MAKEUP REMOVER. It cleanses the skin without striping oils away and removes makeup all inone step. Finally, dont forget to hydrate your skin by drinking water. If you're too busy celebrating and drinking champagne, use NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST WATER GEL MOISTURIZER. This oil free moisturizer is a water gel formula that instantly gives your skin a boost of hydration helping your skin and complexion look supple and smooth.

Happy honeymooning!  And be sure to check out the entire article from Style Me Pretty here!

3 Classic Ways To Revive Your Makeup For A Night Out

A dramatic eye is not always created by packing on layers of eyeshadow. It can be as simple as taking a dark colored liner, even your traditional black or brown liner, and lining the top and bottom of your lid. Then take a small stiff brush or even your finger and lightly smudge out the liner. Finish it off with 2 to 3 coats of a voluminous mascara to add drama to the lashes. Step 3 is to naturally contour and highlight your face shape. This step can be done by finding the areas on the face that recede, and placing your bronzer color in those areas. You can also substitute bronzer for a face powder that's 2 shades darker than your complexion. Highlighting is all about finding the areas on the face that come forward. Lightly dust a highlighting powder to make these areas more prominent. You can even use an eyeshadow! An eyeshadow that is an earth tone with some shimmer that is medium to light in color will do the trick.  Check out the entire blog post on She Knows here!

6 Decades Making A Retro Beauty Comeback

A few days ago I was featured on She Knows blog for the second time.  The post is about 6 Decades Making a Retro Beauty Comeback, where I discuss a few makeup tips from the 80s.  While most bold and bright 80s makeup trends are user-friendly, in order to bring those trends to 2015, it's important to soften the harsh 80s styles with a single timeless trick: BLENDING. Yes, blending is one technique that can make or break your makeup (besides wearing the wrong foundation color). Reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper and David Bowie, racing stripes of blush and bronzer were all the rage. Fast-forward to today- having a WELL BLENDED contour application has become a MUST. Creating a blended and sculpted look for the face with bronzer and light reflective powders is making headlines while blush, which is still popular, has taken a back seat. 

How to Apply Flawless False Eyelashes

I am excited to announce I am featured on StyleMePretty's blog once again!  This time you'll read about my tips and tricks on how to apply flawless false lashes.  On your wedding day, mascara may simply not be enough. When all eyes are on you, why not say "I do" to false lashes! Some great lash looks to consider for your wedding day are: Shu Uemura False Eyelashes Smoky Layers, Sephora Collection False Eyelashes Mainstay, MAC Cosmetics 20 Lash, ARDELL Demi Wispies Natural Multipack, NARS Eyelashes Numero 7 and NARS Eyelashes Numero 8 and Femme Fatale Designer Mink Lashes. NARS Numero 8 Bottom Falsies pronounce those lower lashes and are my go-to when completing the overall eye look. My tip: Bottom lashes help to add an unexpected detail that photographs wonderfully. Click here to purchase.

The best option for false lashes are Novalash Individual Eyelash Extensions. Wonder why the Kardashians’ lashes always look so full and long? They wear eyelash extensions. Novalash Eyelash extensions are synthetic or minx strands of hair that are bonded and individually applied to a single eyelash.  The extensions are semi-permanent, lasting up to 3 to 4 weeks. The bonding adhesive is even waterproof. You can sleep, swim, and wake up every morning on your honeymoon and still have that wow factor without adding a drop of mascara. In order to achieve this look, you want to ensure your false lashes are applied by a certified lash extensionist. But look no further, because yours truly recently became certified as a Novalash Lash Extensionist.  To find out more or to book your appointment, click here. 

If you would like to apply falsies yourself, below is a step-by-step guide to achieve these perfect false lashes.

Step One

Pick the right lash (check out the best below). When choosing lashes, make sure they fit your eye shape. You want lashes that won’t over-power your eyes nor will disappear—the right false lash will enhance your eye shape.

Step Two

After gently removing the lashes from packaging, place the inner corner of the lashes on the inner corner of your lash line. Check to see if there is excess lash.

Step Three

Remove the lash from the eye area and cut off any excess with small sanitized scissors.

Step Four

Hold the band of the lash and bend it into an arch shape for 10 to 15 seconds.

Step Five

Apply adhesive directly to the band of the lash in a thin strip, placing slightly more on both edges of the lash. Let the glue dry for 10-15 seconds. DUO Lash Adhesive is a great water-proof glue that doesn’t irritate the eyes and it comes in an easy-to-use squeeze tube. It goes on white, but dries clear but there is also a black tinted glue. However, DUO does contain latex; if you have a latex allergy try Revlon Precision Dark Lash Adhesive. It has all the same benefits of DUO, but is latex-free.

Step Six

Apply the lash from outer edge to inner edge, close to the lash line, above the natural lashes. Be mindful to not place the lashes too close to the inner corner of the eye or too close to the inside of nose, it may cause irritation.

Step Seven

Hold for a few seconds and press the lash into the lash line using an eye liner brush, if necessary.

Helfpul Hint: Practice applying your lashes well before your wedding day. If you find yourself struggling applying lashes with your fingers, use the Lash Applicator applicator from MAC Cosmetics. Its a tool that helps apply lashes easily and precisely.

How To Choose The RIGHT Foundation That Works For You!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE stores like Sephora and Ulta- it's my candy store for beauty products.  I always go in with an agenda of what I'm planning to purchase. But somehow my agenda is thrown out the window because I get sucked in by these huge visuals that say things like "INTRODUCING A BREAKTHROUGH FORMULA OF FOUNDATION". Fast forward about an hour later, I've racked up a bill of $100+ all because I'm constantly chasing that high of - WHAT IS THE BEST FOUNDATION!?!? And once I get these foundations home, I may use them once or twice but eventually I'll toss them to the side because they aren't meeting my needs or wants.

I've realized foundation shopping can be difficult and overwhelming. Mainly because there are thousands of brands that all claim to have "the best foundation".  When people ask the question, "WHAT FOUNDATION DO YOU THINK I SHOULD USE", it takes me so long to answer because I have to become a CSI detective and ask a series of questions to recommend a foundation. Foundation is not one-size-fits-all, there are so many variables to consider when choosing a foundation to ensure its customized to YOU. So here it is- your DIY guide to help you find the best foundation that is customized to your needs and wants.

Let's start with the easy stuff:

WHAT ARE YOUR SKIN CONCERNS & SKIN TYPE?? (If you didn't get a chance to read my last blog, shame on you! Go ahead, scroll down and read the blog on SKIN before you continue reading this one). Since you already know your skin type and concerns, it will be easy for you to answer the next question-HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR SKIN TO LOOK??? Meaning, once you have applied your foundation, what finish or pay-off do you want your skin to have?? Think of the  finishes that you have when choosing paint for your walls at home. Paint finishes come in flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and gloss. Each paint finish or texture gives a different type of look to your walls. It's the same concept for foundation finishes or looks - Matte, Natural-Matte, Natural, Natural-Satin or Satin. 

MATTE

•  no shine/ flat
• looks powdery or velvety
• skin will not reflect light

MATTE FINISH

Natural-Matte

• similar to matte but has a slight shine

NATURAL-MATTE FINISH

NATURAL

• combination of shine and no shine
• looks like regular skin/ real skin
•  "no makeup" look

NATURAL FINISH

Natural-Satin

• similar to natural but has a slight shine 

NATURAL-SATIN FINISH

Satin

• shine
• looks dewy or glowy
• skin will reflect light

SATIN FINISH

Once you figure out the "look" you want your skin to have, next you have to figure out HOW MUCH COVERAGE YOU WANT! Meaning how little or how much of your natural skin do you want to show through the foundation? Sheer, sheer-to-meduim, medium, medium-to-full, or full-coverage are your options. Think of coverage like hosiery- sheer pantyhose, opaque tights, or leggings (and I know what you're thinking - but YES, leggings are apart of the "hoisery" family, not the "pant" family). 

Sheer

•  see-through, barely there, a "veil" 

SHEER COVERAGE

Sheer-to-Medium

• covers slightly more than sheer

SHEER-TO-MEDIUM COVERAGE

Medium

• in-between sheer and full, hides some imperfections but some skin still shows through 

MEDIUM COVERAGE

Medium-to-full

• covers slightly more than medium

MEDIUM-TO-FULL COVERAGE 

Full

• completely covered, can not see through

FULL COVERAGE

By now you should know how much coverage you want your foundation to have.  Now, lets talk about foundation formulas: liquid, cream or powder. When choosing a formula, its a personal preference. 

• Liquids - come in different consistencies from watery, thin liquids to dense/ thick gel-like textures.
• Creams - creamy, smooth in consistency. Some creams come in a light moose texture to a cake texture.
• Powder - Powder foundations will either come in a pressed compact or loose form.

Concealers and setting powders?? Both products are optional. Concealers are great if you want to add more or less coverage in certain areas of the face. For example, you may want full coverage for the face, but something a little more sheer for under the eye. Or maybe you want a sheer foundation but you need a full coverage concealer to cover a blemish. 

Setting powders are also great to add into your foundation routine. Setting powders usually have one or more benefits-

• use all over or in certain areas to add more coverage to foundation
• touch up foundation
• help longevity and durability of foundation
• control shine   

(At this point, I'm sure you're wondering if I will touch on one of the more popular makeup techniques that is happening today - highlighting and contouring. YES! My next blog will be about using concealers to HIGHLIGHT &  cancel-out unwanted discoloration and how to use powders to HIGHLIGHT & CONTOUR).

So we have finally reached the most difficult part of the process, finding the perfect shade of foundation. I purposely made this part of this process last because if you're not savvy at color matching or understanding undertones, you may want to leave this part to the professionals. But if you are at your local target with no professionals around, I want you to know what to look for. Now unless you are an alien, the average person will have undertones that are-

• Warm - think rosey/red
• Cool - think golden/yellow
• Neutral - an equal balance of rosy and golden undertones

WARM UNDERTONE

COOL UNDERTONE

NEUTRAL UNDERTONE

Now, every brand has their own system that indicates the depth (lightness to darkness) of their foundation colors. So once you figure out your undertone, next you need to figure out the depth of your complexion. You will fall within the following catogories:

• Fair
• Light
• Medium
• Dark
• Deep-dark

HOW LIGHT OR DARK IS YOUR COMPLEXION?

After figuring out your category, pick 2 or 3 colors that look closest to your complexion. If you are in a cosmetic store, ask one of the makeup artist to do a color/ shade match for you directly on your face. Can you use the back of your hand or the inside of your wrist?? NO!!! Your hand and wrist are usually a different color than the skin on your face, so you don't want to run the risk of getting a color that is too light or too dark. Swatch the 2 or 3 colors, side by side, from the center of the face to the jaw-line. The foundation that looks "invisible" or "disappears" will probably be the best match. Some women tan everything but their face, you can color swatch directly on the neck for foundation to match the neck and décolleté area. If you can't make a decision while you're in the store, ask for a sample of all 3 colors, take them home and try them on in natural lighting to see which color looks best. Now, if you are doing foundation shopping at your local superstore like Walmart, follow the same process as listed above. Since you can't take home samples (that would be called stealing!) or try it on in the store, my suggestion is to buy the colors that look closest to your complexion. Try them at home and return the ones that don't work.

COLOR SWACTH 3 FOUNDATION COLORS

The one thing you MUST keep in mind are the changes your skin may go through as the seasons and weather change. For example, during the winter your skin may be dehydrated, so you may want to opt for a foundation formula that is hydrating. Fast-forward to the middle of summer when the weather is hot and humid and your skin has a higher moisture level. You may want or need to change your foundation to one that will control oil. On top of your skin conditions changing, you may be a few shades darker from being in the sun. This means the color of your foundation will also need to change to a darker shade. It's common to have 2 colors and formulas of foundation, one for summer and one for winter. 

Whewww, that was ALOT! Hopefully you don't feel overwhelmed. But if you do, LET' S REVEIW-

1. Know your skin type and concerns 
2. Figure out the "look" of foundation that you want (think of the finishes or textures of paint)
3. Figure out how much coverage you want (think of sheer pantyhose vs leggings)
4. Figure out the undertone ( rosey, golden or a mixture of both)
5. Figure out the depth of your skin (how light to dark)
6. Color Swatch (the power of 3)
7. Purchase or sample-it-up... all of these steps = Tymia Yvette did a FABULOUS job teaching you to how to choose the right foundation that works for you...

...UNTIL NEXT TIME, HAVE FUN FOUNDATION SHOPPING XO

If you need any help...comment below😉 

S/S 2014 MAKEUP CHALLENGE - ENDS 6/02/2014

Tymia Yvette's Makeup Challege-Ends 6/02/14

As I was talking to my sister she thought it would be a FABULOUS & FUN idea to see if all you makeup junkies were inspired to create your Summer-time looks. So we came up with the Spring/ Summer 2014 Makeup Challenge!! But of course, no challenge is complete without the most important piece...THE PRIZE!!! So here are the details:

PRIZE: You can WIN a five piece prestige makeup prize pack. (1 Coral-Pink sheer lip gloss, 1 Peach colored lipstick, 1 Brown/ Bronze eyeshadow, 1 sliver-gold light shimmer eyeshadow, 1 peach gold highlighter blush). BONUS PRIZE: 1 pair of Red Cherry lashes.

Makeup by Tymia Yvette

ENTER, LIKE & FOLLOW TO WIN: (1) Follow tyartistry on Instagram and "LIKE" at least one photo OR follow Tymia Yvette Makeup Artistry Business Page on a Facebook and "LIKE" at least one photo. (2) Submit at least one photo of your makeup "in trend" to tymiayvette@gmail.com by 06/02/2014 11:59pm est. Photo Details should include your full name, mailing address and IG or FB name. (3) List all products used to create S/S look and what tip or technique used to create the makeup look.

Not sure what the trend is for this season? Read S/S Makeup Wardrobe Part 1 & 2.

POST CHALLENGE FOLLOWUP: The winner of the S/S 2014 makeup challenge will be featured on tymiayvette.com. The second and third runner-ups will also be featured on tymiayvette.com

RULES & RESTRICTIONS:  Makeup application must be done or self applied by your person.

BE INSPIRED AND HAVE FUN!!

Is Your Makeup Wardrobe Ready For Spring & Summer 2014-Part 2

             S/S 2014 EYE & LIP TRENDS

So I know all of you were sitting on the edge of your seat, biting your nails just dying and waiting for me to post my part 2 of S/S 2014 makeup wardrobe!! But I'm quite certain that wasn't the case. However, I am SURE the only ones who were waiting for this were my overly obessed proteges who O.D. daily on cosmetics and makeup trends (yes I'm talking about you Bri, Neen & Von). Anyway, I've been gone for so long with a pretty bad ankle sprain. Somehow that sprain SPREAD and crawled up into my fingertips which caused me not to give you guys the "need to know" for S/S 2014 eyes and lips. My deepest apologies!  However, since Memorial Day is a few days away and the first day of Summer isnt until June 21st, I figured there is still time for me to inspire my fellow makeup junkies of the world. 

Create that slept-in look with the blackest BLACK eyeliner.

Ok so lets get down to business: Summer-time Eyes! In my last blog, I talked about SIMPLICITY with NUANCES. Keep that aspect in mind when you get ready to do your eye makeup. So you have on your new Lavender-colored blouse and I'm sure you're ready to pull out your MAC Beautiful Iris lavender eyeshadow (one of my faves) but this summer its not about matching your eyeshadow to your outfit. One BIG trend for eyes: show off the shape and flirtyness of the eye. So put the lavender eyeshadow back in your makeup bag and pull out black...yes BLACK.  Start with the eyeliner. It can be cream, liquid, or pencil as long as its black. You'll also need your blackest mascara. Remember those strip lashes you brought a while back - you'll need those too. YEP, its time for the FALSIES!!! However, I know you may be thinking...how is this in trend for 2014? Are makeup trends being reprocessed?? Well remember, skin is glowy and feminine; brows are not overly groomed or sculpted; there are pops of color on the cheeks and lips along with subtle shimmer to help create a light effect to the skin. This means the eyes have to be kept timeless and classic. The liner has a 90's slept-in feel to it, not goth but feminine. The lashes look "DOE-EYED", creating a very 60's lash.

Create Modern 60's eye with Tokyo bottom lashes by Lilly Lashes

A simplistic eye  doesnt mean the eyelids should be kept bare. The eyes are translucent with a natural hue. You can achieve this look by using Benefit's Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Peach Parfait, Venetian Brown or Butter Cream. While getting your Benefit eyeshadows, dont forget your "They're Real!" Mascara from Benefit and your Red Cherry Lashes #13 to help create that 60's lash. If you want to get that modern day Twiggy look, pop on some Tokyo bottom Lilly Lashes. 

Unusal colors on the lips like pastels and coral-reds

Now that we have your eyes in trend, lets tie it in with the oh-so-popluar lip trend we are all obsessed with. The colors have a Barbie-Doll like feel to the lips. Unusual colors like pastel  lavender and bright coral reds. The texture this season can be creamy, glossy or matte, its just all about using color in a non-traditional way. Try Flare lipstick by Illmasqua or Coral Blossom Lipstick by Tarte to accessorize your SS makeup wardrobe.

Now since I made you wait soo long for part 2, I'll give you (and only you) an exclusive sneak preview to Autum/ Winter 2014...

Usually during fall, skin is typically matte. However, this fall and winter, have it YOUR way! Whether you prefer matte or dewy, the main focus is using different textures on the skin to create a 3-D, realistic look. And guess what??? Contours are added back in a big way (not that they ever really went away). A/W 2014 has a strong focus on EYES. The "windows to the soul" will have a architecturally strong, glam-grunge look which will be complimented with the return of *drum roll please* a strong brow....all pulled together in a modern way.

Do I have you hooked yet?!?! Want to know the other trends??? Stay tuned for A/W 2014 MAKEUP Trends and I PROMISE I wont stay away as long XO💋💄.

                                          "Windows to the soul"