Life Through The Eyes Of My Camera Lens

Hello My Lovelies!

Today I am finishing up with the short little blog series on Make Up tips for your Portrait Sessions.  As a Bellefonte Senior Photographer, I have seen a lot of different looks and styles.  As a Mary Kay Consultant, I’ve seen a lot of make up do’s and don’ts that can make or break your photo session.

One of the most popular things right now, is contouring.  It seems like contouring has taken over!  Let me just say of all the make up tips that I’ve decided to share . . . this is the one that I have been putting off.  I could have easily added it to my post last week . . . but I just couldn’t bring myself to go there.  Here’s why – There are SO many videos out there to show you how to contour your face.  The problem is that all our faces are all different.  Yes, we all have two eyes, one nose, and a mouth, but all the sizes and shapes are different.  Also, contouring changes the way your face looks . . . so one wrong stroke and you can end up looking really weird.  What you have to remember in watching all these videos is this:

1. Most of the videos I’ve seen ARE NOT done by professional make up artist!  If you’re going to be a copycat, copy the right cat!!  Take notes from the professionals!
2. What is good contouring for you, may not be what is good for me.

If you click on the link above, it will take you to the Mary Kay website for contouring.  On that page you will see tabs for different face types . . . and a contouring map that goes with that face type.  This is the best way to show you where to contour for YOUR face type.  If you are like me, and your face tends to be a little ‘fuller’ than you’d like – the only thing I would add to the contouring map shown is to put a little bronzing powder under your chin and just under your jaw line.  This creates a shadow effect and separates your face from your neck a little more . . . giving you a slimming effect.

Here are two videos on contouring . . . taught by professional make up artists using Mary Kay Cosmetics .  Keep in mind, these videos are older and the colors they are using are no longer available.  I’m sharing these for the educational value of the tips and tricks used to contour your face.  

This first video covers cheek and nose contouring with highlighting included.

This video covers the whole face, including your eyes and eyebrows.

Whew!  Now that I made it through the instructional part . . . let me show you a few of my favorite products!

I use the Bronzing Powder everyday, and Shy Blush is my go-to color.  The cheek duos are awesome because you can run your brush through both shades at the same time and apply all at once!  Love that!!!

Now . . . let’s Rock those Lips!!  I have to say, right off the bat, I was never a lip girl until I started with Mary Kay.  I used to have chapped lips on a regular basis.  I’d use lip gloss, but I wasn’t really a fan cause I don’t like my lips to feel sticky.  Up until Mary Kay came into my life, my favorite go-to lip gloss was from Bath & Body Works.  My good friend, and Mary Kay Director introduced me to all the wonderful lip products that Mary Kay has to offer, and my love affair began.  If you were to ask me how many lip products I have in my purse right now . . .well I would honestly have to go count!  hahaha!  Hang on –

Yup, my lovelies . . . that is straight out of my purse!  From a girl who only used to carry 1 lip gloss – occasionally – to a lip junkie!  Count ’em up. . . . there are 11 different lip products there!  All I have to say is this:  Mindy, my dear friend and director, if you are reading this . . . your lip fascination is contagious!!!  Love you girlfriend!!!!

SO, are you wondering what all I carry with me?  Right off the bat you’ll notice that 4 of those things look the same . . . and I’ll bet you’ve figured out that those lipsticks are probably my favorite – and you’d be right!  There are 4 different colors, but all the same type.  We’ll get to those in a minute, but let’s start at the beginning.  After all, if you want a fabulous lip at the end you have to start at the beginning to see how it all comes together!

To start it all off . . . I had to first take care of my chapped lips.  I had a nasty habit of biting my lower lip.  It caused problems every winter, and sometimes into the spring and summer.  It seemed no matter what I did, I could never “cure” the problem.  Until I learned about (and tried) the Satin Lips Set.  It comes with a Lip Mask and a Lip Balm.  Once I started using it, my lips got better . . . and have stayed better!  No more chapped lips for me!!

With my lips healed and smooth . . . I was able to start wearing lip products of any kind without issues!  It still took awhile for me to develop my lip look . . . and to perfect the staying power of my lip products.  Then found this . . .

 

This is the TimeWise Lip Primer, and I am sorry to say that this fabulous product is no longer available for purchase, UNLESS your Mary Kay Consultant still has some in stock!  I know a few consultants that just might!  😉  The lip primer works the same way that the foundation primer works.  It fills in all the fine lines in your lips to provide a smooth, even surface for your lip products to rest on.  It also extends the wear of your lip products – just a little added bonus!

After I apply the lip primer, I go around the edges of my lips with a lip liner . . . then I softly color in my lips with the liner.  Why use a lip liner? Good question!  Having your lips lined helps to accentuate the shape of your lips and/or fix any issues you don’t like about your lips.  For instance – getting personal once again here – I have one side of my upper lip (right along my cupid’s bow) that is slightly different from the other side.  I can adjust the look of that tiny flaw so that no one is the wiser.  Another reason to add liner to your lips is to extend the wear of your actual lipstick AND you can use it to change the color of your favorite lipstick so that you can get multiple shades out of the same lipstick!  It’s like wearing the same top with a skirt, then changing the look with a pair of jeans, and then changing it again with dress pants.  If you want to throw on a scarf that changes the look completely.  In this case – “the scarf” would be the lip gloss to top off the look of your lips!

Now just a brief cautionary moment here:  The eye liner and the lip liner look the same (except for the tiny color ring around neck).  Be sure to look at that color ring before you apply your red lip liner to your eyes, or your black eyeliner to your lips. 

So . . . here are the lipsticks I carry with me . . . EVERYWHERE!  Yes, I have multiples of these shades so that this Bellefonte Senior Photographer has the color I want/need with me at all times!  In my purse, and in both of my camera bags . . . and if we are traveling, I take them ALL!!  🙂

As you can see, I’m a neutral girl.  I like to stick to browns and natural lip shades that just add a slight pop to my finished look.   Wanna know what the differences are?  I thought so!

1. Upper Left – is the Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick.  Obviously my favorite since I have 4 of them!  This goes on and feels like you have nothing on!  With the primer as a base, then the lip liner, topped off with this lipstick, I can literally wear it all day and never feel like I have anything on!  Add a gloss or lip oil to it and it’s a whole different story!
2. Upper Right – is the True Dimensions Lipstick.  This one is soft and silky on your lips.  It’s like a fountain of youth for your lips.  They feel softer and smoother and I love that.  I also love this chocolate color!
3.  Lower Left – is the Creme Lipstick.  This was my first purchase with the Mary Kay lipsticks.  I LOVE the Maple Color!!  This creamy lipstick feels like luxury on your lips with its stay-true color and a satin finish.
4. Lower Right – This is the NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss.  This is the gloss I’ve been using for a while now.  It goes on silky smooth and is light enough to alter the color of my lipstick without totally changing it.
5. Bottom Center – These little buggers are the NEW Glossy Lip Oils.  They only come in three colors are new for the Spring 2017 Season.  If you like a super glossy feel without a glowing glossy look . . . this is the one for you . . . and me!!  As you can see the Magenta Ray one is brand new, it just arrived at my house the other day and hasn’t been used yet.  It gives me the perfect shot to show you what it looks like though.  There is a soft, fuzzy tip that the gloss will seep through when you squeeze the tube.  They are infused with Grapeseed, Avocado, and Jojoba oils.  If this is something that interests you, drop everything and call your MK Girl now.  These are only available while supplies last!

So now that you know the different types of lip products out there . . . how the heck do you get that outstanding lip look?  Here are the steps I follow.

1. Prim and line your lips (I use the medium nude shade)
2. Apply your lipstick (a darker shade) just inside the liner
3. Apply second shade (a lighter shade) inside that leaving the darker shade showing around the edge.
4. Apply the lip gloss just it the center – heart-shaped – going over the cupid’s bow on the upper lip and just a touch on the lower lip.

This look adds dimension to your lips and gives you a beautiful “pout” look.  NOW – remember your lips are going to be different from mine.  This look might need to be altered to work on your lips.  My lips tend to be on the thinner side, but not to thin.  If you have fuller lips, you probably don’t need the same amount of dimension that I need.  Play around and have fun with it!

• Bonus tip:  Add a light dusting of the translucent loose powder on the out edge of you lip to keep you lipstick and gloss from bleeding and sliding off your lips.  Also helps to add a youthful appearance to your lips.
• Double bonus tip: add just the slightest touch of Crystalline Mineral Eye Shadow to the top of your cupids bow.  This will act as a highlight for your lips, accentuating the heart shape of your upper lip.

If you prefer something a little more bold, check out the video below!

This video even has me thinking about trying out a Rocking Red Lip!

Here is one thing that I want you to remember for your portraits . . . especially if you will be changing outfits.  A natural look is one that will stand the test of time.  Go classic and you’ll never go out of style!  The little detail matter in your photos, so be sure to pay attention to all the details . . . both you and your photographer will be happier in the end!

Here is one last fun little video that I just had to share.  Sorry about the language!

I hope that you have enjoyed this little Make Up Tip Series!  I you have, I’d love to hear from you.  Tell me what your favorite tip was or what your favorite Mary Kay product is!  Don’t forget to follow me to see what is up next on the blog, and share it out so your friends can follow along as well!

With Love and Blessings!

Mindy 🙂