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tweezers

Hairs on your face (including that ‘stache) are best removed with thread, not wax. Or you could use this tool, which is the BOMB.

May 25th, 2011, 6:45 pm | 60 comments

by Michelle

moustache woman

So I’m having a mini-crisis here, and it has to do with my eyebrows. You see, my esthetician (or as I call her, “my eyebrow lady”) is about to go on mat leave. Until September, tomorrow is the last time she’ll be wielding a piece of thread in her mouth to coax my eyebrows into shape. And even though she’s only taking, like, four months off, I’m already nervous and worried and not at all sure I can trust her replacement (who, let’s face it, would have clients of her own if she was anywhere near as good at doing brows—right?). So the search begins, because I am one of those people who requires monthly professional brow maintenance and (as you might have gathered) I am super-picky about who does it.

Anyway! Since facial hair is top of mind for me right now, I thought it HIGH TIME I did a post on my philosophy when it comes to this area of female grooming. Let’s talk about brows, let’s talk about moustaches, let’s talk about peach fuzz. This is what I advise. Keep reading »

Twestion time: How can I get fuller eyebrows (like Jessica Stam)?

July 2nd, 2010, 11:45 am | 15 comments

by Michelle

Jessica Stam full eyebrows CFDA awards

Time for another Twestion!

My pal A. writes, via Twitter:

@Beauty_Editor have you seen this look on Jessica Stam? http://bit.ly/a8eo1y love the big brows, can you do a post on brow powders/pencils?

You ask and you shall receive. Because these brows are so mayjah (i.e. they have the potential to go very, very wrong), I actually enlisted the help of CoverGirl makeup pro Greg Wencel to find out how to do them right.

Here’s his advice:

CoverGirl makeup artist Greg WencelQ. Okay, Greg—are fuller brows like this going to be a big trend in the future? Should we all start easing up on the tweezing?

A. The full brow trend has been creeping into the mainstream for at least five seasons and has finally made its way in—so every woman should grow out her brows! Small, perfect, over-tweezed skinny brows are a thing of the past.

Q. But Jessica Stam’s brows are really, REALLY full. Can anyone wear this look? Or do you need to have a certain face shape or hairstyle?

A. Anyone can wear their own version of this fuller brow look—just be careful! Sometimes a full brow can look a little bit handsome, so make sure you contrast it with a feminine hairstyle or clothing.

Q. How do we get the look?

CoverGirl brow and eyemakers eyeliner

A. Use brow powder [or eyeshadow will even work in a pinch] and brow pencil (try: CoverGirl Brow & Eye Makers liner) to first draw on a soft shape. This will make the brows look naturally fuller.

Then brush through with a brow brush. If you’re finding you have any holes where the brow line looks disconnected, go in with the brow pencil only to fill out those areas.

Then take a clear mascara (try: CoverGirl Natural Lash Mascara), and comb your brows upward into place. Combing them up instead of to the side will automatically make them look fuller!

Q. How do you choose the right shade of eyebrow powder or pencil?

CoverGirl Natural Lash MascaraA. Always opt for a softer shade than your natural hair colour. You never want your brows to look too harsh or intense. I have two shades in my kit that work on almost every spectrum: a soft taupe for fair-skinned blondes and redheads, and a soft, warm medium brown for brunettes.

Q. When you’re rocking a fuller brow, what makeup should you wear on the rest of your face?

A. When sporting a full brow, try to create balance with the rest of your makeup. My fave parings are a strong brow and bright lip or a full brow with heavy cheek and nude lip—like we see in the shot of Jessica Stam.

Thanks Greg!

And last but not least—here are a few of my brow product recommendations:

Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow PencilDior DiorShow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil: Absolutely the best brow pencil I’ve tried. The colour is very soft so you can build up the intensity, and best of all it’s got a VERY fine point so you really can mimic the effect of actual hairs.

Tweezerman tweezers: I know we’re talking about growing out our brows, but you’ll always need a BIT of shaping. These tweezers are a cult favourite for a reason. Go for the slanted-tip kind and don’t forget to take advantage of Tweezerman’s free sharpening policy. Oh, and check out the new collab with Benefit—such cute patterns!

Anastasia Beverly Hills: This is your one-stop brow expert. I’ve got an array of the brow scissors, brushes, pencils and powders and everything is great quality. At Sephora.

Damone Roberts Brow Gain: This product helps stimulate brow growth and although I haven’t tried it personally, it’s had good reviews. (Damone is known as the “Eyebrow King.”) The line used to be at Holt Renfrew, not sure if it still is, but you can order online. (OR talk to your doctor about prescription products like Latisse (coming soon to Canada) or Lumigan, both of which can be used to stimulate hair growth if you apply on brows.)

Now tell me…

How full do YOU wear your brows? Is your eyebrow lady still on speed-dial or are you growing yours out? Which brow products do you swear by?

Photo: Style.com

Babe in the Biz: Makeup artist Diana Carreiro

June 23rd, 2010, 10:00 am | 3 comments

by Michelle

Makeup artist Diana Carreiro

You can tell just by looking at this week’s Babe in the Biz, Toronto-based makeup artist Diana Carreiro, that she’s one of the good ones. Although I have a deep appreciation for makeup artisty—think Kevyn Aucoin, whose M.O. was completely painting out your features and then adding everything back in—when it comes to my own face, I like things to be as minimal as possible. (I’ve had as many makeup disasters as hair ones, thanks to over-eager makeup artists wanting to demonstrate their brand’s ENTIRE collection on my face. At one time.)

But Diana is a kindred spirit, I just know it! (Even though we’ve only “met” when I’ve interviewed her over the phone for an article.) Look at her here—you know she’s wearing makeup, but it’s not even detectable! THIS is what I really aspire to on a daily basis.

Diana’s work can be seen in Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, as well as magazines like Flare and Fashion. (Cool tidbit: my beauty editor friends Jill from 29 Secrets and Janine from BeautyGeeks tell me she always uses my new discovery, Mary Kay, on set!)

Diana was kind enough to let me pick her brain on her top makeup artist products and tips, so read on…

Beauty Insider Credentials I’ve been a makeup artist for 20+ years. When I’m not shooting with a magazine or advertising client, I’m devouring fashion and beauty magazines and websites from around the world. I love learning about the latest beauty products, etc.

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany'sBeauty Icon Audrey Hepburn. She was a beautiful woman inside and out.

Top Five Beauty Products Tinted moisturizer with SPF, tweezers, concealer, an eyelash curler and tinted lip balm. I can look polished in five with five!

Beauty Splurge Splurge on foundations products (i.e. concealers, foundations and powders).

Beauty Bargain Scrimp on lipstick and glosses.

First Fragrance Chanel No. 5. It’s what my mother wore.

Trish McEvoy No. 9 Blackberry & Vanilla MuskCurrent Fragrance I rarely wear fragrance as it’s a no-no for work, however, for special occasions I like Trish McEvoy No. 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk. It’s not available in Canada so I’ve never smelled it on anyone else.

Weird Beauty Habit Not really weird… I don’t think… but I do an Aspirin (ASA) mask once or twice a week to exfoliate my face and hands.

Biggest Beauty Fail How much space do you have in this column? I’d have to say the my worst beauty fail was sporting square tipped, 1 1/2 inch long acrylic nails in the ’80′s that I painted everyday to match my outfits. One particularly embarrassing combo was brown with gold sparkles. Thankfully, there are no pictures.

Beauty Pet Peeve Spider lashes. Lashes that are so laden with mascara, they’re clumping and drooping all over the place.

Best Beauty Tip Drink as much water as you can and wear your SPF.

Career Advice This is a very tough and competitive industry. It takes years before one can make a living at it. However, if you’ve the passion and the drive (and a few part time jobs!), it can be most rewarding. Take a course on colour theory, shadow and/or assist a working artist and practice, practice, practice.

Next week’s Babe is beauty blogger Ellen Mirza from Lipstick Powder N Paint!

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