Style

We’re entering swimsuit season which means that women around the country are looking in the mirror and wondering how they’ll pull it off this time around. Finding a flattering swimsuit can be a daunting and demoralizing task after a long winter. Feeling self-conscious about the extra winter weight and loss of muscle-tone may be a yearly tradition for you, but this time Charla’s here to help!

Our fabulous beauty expert Charla Krupp has some advice about how to look younger and feel better in a bathing suit this summer. This week she did an interview with Oprah in which she gave some tips about how to choose the right bathing suit for your body.

Here’s the link to her interview in O, The Oprah Magazine:

Filed under: Media • Style

It seems like everyone is talking about Susan Boyle. The New York Times even devoted a large part of the Sunday Styles section this past weekend to an article about “the dowdy Scottish spinster who sang her way to fame” on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. The reason Susan Boyle is the talk of the town is not just that she’s a great singer—it’s that she’s a great singer who is an unattractive and awkward middle-aged woman. If Ms. Boyle had been young, or if she had been attractive, the story would not be what it is.

What do you make of all this?               

(If you haven’t seen the video, watch it here on YouTube )

Do you think it’s fantastic she’s getting recognition despite her looks, or do you think it’s upsetting she’s getting such extreme recognition because of her looks?  Is this a big deal or not? Have people learned a lesson about making superficial judgments, or is Susan Boyle being sensationalized only to be forgotten after her 15 minutes of fame?  Let us know what you think!

Many people have voiced their opinions on the Susan Boyle story, including our own author, Charla Krupp. On her blog, Charla states that, “Part of [Susan's] charm is the way she looks. What a big mistake it would be for her to undergo an extreme makeover at this point.” Still, since Charla gives such great beauty advice, she lists a few things that Susan could do to change her look if she wanted to. And lucky for us, her tips are useful for us, too. Here’s a teaser:

        5. Only wear light pink lipstick. Dark reds or wines are aging.        

Check out the rest of Charla’s tips here!

Filed under: Media • Style

I don’t know about you, but this time of year I feel very tired and a little beaten down by the short, dark days of winter.  My skin seems to get paler to reflect the lack of sunshine and new adventures  in my life this time of year.  Well, it might sound superficial, but I’ve realized how much better I feel after I put on a little tinted moisturizer, some blush and maybe even a little bronzer.  All of a sudden I look more awake…and even happier. 

I was lucky enough to work on the new Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual and, believe me, it will tell you all you need to know about looking better…whether from bronzer or eye liner, or just eating right.  

I know in May, my cheeks will look a little more flushed from being outside in the fresh air and from walking my dog, but right now I need cosmetics.  Am I the only one?  Let me know.

(photo by Henry Leutwyler)

Filed under: Style

Today is the last day in our week of Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual tips, so I thought we should get to the basic of all basics: What tools should all makeup artists have?

Above is Bobbi’s Essential Kit. These are the basic supplies that you should always have with you. They include:

Depending on what kind of makeup you’re doing, you may also want a Fun Kit, like this one. These are the extra things you won’t need very often, so store them all together in a separate plastic bag or makeup kit.

If you follow this week’s tips, and of course the others in the book, you’ll be on your way to becoming a professional! Or at least an amateur who always has flawless makeup!

(above photos by Henry Leutwyler)

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It’s Day 4 of our week of Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual tips. We’re trying to make you feel good in the cold. (It’s snowing today in New York, so we know all about the cold!) Today’s tip is: Gel Bronzer Application.

1 - Choose the color to enhance your natural shade. Begin at the apple of your cheeks.

2 – Gently apply bronzer to the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. Apply lightly. You can always add more.

3 – Apply bronzer lightly to the areas around the lips, forehead, neck, and ears.

4 – Blend with a clean hand. Add more bronzer if necessary.

And Voila! You’re done! (photos by Lise Varrette)

Filed under: Style

Today’s tip is about Perfect Lip Color Application:

1 – Choose the color and apply it using a lip brush or directly out of the tube.

2 – Beginning at one corner of the mouth, apply an even layer of color over the entire lip area.

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3 – Keep the color within the natural lines of the lips. Use the brush to accurately line the lips.

4 – Continue the application to the other corner of the mouth. Always apply the color into the corners on both top and bottom lips.

5 – Fill in the bottom lip and any missed areas. Press your lips together to evenly distribute the color.

And there you have perfect lips!

(photos by Henry Leutwyler)

Filed under: Style

Everyone wants to have that healthy glow all year ’round, so today’s tip from Bobbi Brown is on: Self-Tanner Application.

Prepare the skin. Always apply self-tanner to clean, smooth, makeup-free skin. It is best to exfoliate first if there are any rough patches. Knees, elbows, and heels are often areas with coarse, dry skin.

Apply a light, even layer. Wait for the color to develop, and then apply a light second coat for a deeper tan. It is easier to build color than to fix mistakes.

Do not forget to apply the product to the neck and ears for a natural looking result.

Wash your hands immediately after using self-tanner. The product will stain palms and the skin between fingers.

Wait ten minutes after applying self-tanner to the face before applying any other makeup or getting dressed.

Most self-tanners take an hour or more to develop into a “tan,” so plan ahead.

Easy enough, eh? For more tips, of course, check out Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual.

(photo by Henry Leutwyler)

Filed under: Style

It’s time for the New Year, New You (not that anything was wrong with the old you!), so every day this week we will be offering up the BOBBI BROWN MAKEUP MANUAL Tip of the Day to help you look great! Bobbi has finally put out the book her fans have been waiting for–it has all of her makeup lessons, tips, and insider information that she’s culminated throughout her twenty years of experience.

Today’s tip is about Moisturizer Application:

Once the face is throughly cleaned and toned, and while it is still slightly damp, apply moisturizer using a clean sponge or your fingers. (Note: dense balms will work only on dry skin.) If you are using your hands to apply any makeup products, always wash them thoroughly so you don’t transfer oils and bacteria to your face. Bacteria on the hands or makeup tools often causes breakouts.

Use about a nickel-sized amount of moisturizer.

Warm the balm or moisturizer between your palms.

With firm, upward strokes, gently press the product into the skin until it is completely absorbed.

And of course, to read more, check out the book!  Stay tuned for more tips all this week.

(Photo by Lise Varrette)

Filed under: Style