BritneyB Beauty

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! I have searched and searched and found the perfect look for the 4th of July. My vision is reflected through Christina’s fabulous look below. Make sure to rock that red lipstick for the fourth along with some royal blue nails to show your patriotism!

(click on image for larger picture) 

Start with a nice foundation, I like Trish McEvoy’s even skin foundation for these hot weekends, it is lightweight and easy to reapply, but please don’t forget that SPF underneath! Keep skin protected with Laura Mercier SPF 45 for the face. Its not oily and absorbs right into the skin.  Follow with a nice concealer set like Bobbi Brown’s which actually comes with a seperate powder to put on top of the concealer to keep it from creasing in the hot weather.

Now for the eyes… start by using a nice eye base like NARS eyebase to keep the shadows from moving and setting into the lines. Use a light shimmer powder for the lids, corner of the eyes, and underneath the eyebrow followed with a darker contrasting shadow like a grey or black to put ONLY in the crease and outer corner of the eye. Remember, we are doing a bold lip so if you do decide to use black as your contrasting shadow keep the application very light to give it just a little depth and always keep the lid very light. My favorite set for this look is the CHANEL Les 4 Ombres in Smoky Eye.  It has your light shimmer shadow along with different darker contrasting shadows to play around with.

After the shadow use a black, water-resistant gel liner, my favorite is Bobbi Brown gel liner in Black Ink. Keep the line very thin on the inner portion of the lash line then allow it to build to a thicker line as it approaches the outside corner of the lashline, feel free to extend the line a little past your lashline for more of a cat-eye look as well (just make sure you don’t extend the line too far and it naturally slopes upward to form a SUBTLE ”wing” look). Leave the lower lashline bare to keep the eye simple. Follow with some natural looking false eyelashes like Laura Mercier full lashes, or if you want it to be a little more subtle, she also sells lashes for the outside corner of the eye. Before adding the lashes curl your natural lashes so they flow with the false ones. Also, after application of the lashes use one coat of black mascara to blend natural lashes into the false lashes… again only one coat… and keep most of the mascara on the natural lashes, never use the mascara on the very ends of the false lashes, they will clump!

Finally use NARS Angelika blush and Guerlain Terracotta bronzing powder for the cheeks. Remember, bronzer goes below the cheekbones, on the temples, tip of chin, and down the nose. Don’t use a lot of blush for this look, only enough to give you that pinky glow right on the cheekbones and apples of cheeks. Finish with the red lips! Use a blue/red based lipstick like Chanel Excessive or MAC Red lipstick. Use a red lip liner that matches your lipstick to keep it from bleeding. Finally use a bright royal blue nail poish to finish your look! My favorite is Essie Aruba Blue nail polish. Have a great holiday and with this look fireworks aren’t the only thing people will be looking at! Enjoy!

Britney B

Check out Frieda&Nellie… What a great story these ladies have! I had the privilege of working with them doing hair and makeup for their Stylecaster shoot. They are amazing women that show with hard work, talent, and a passion for your dream you can make anything happen! The friendship bracelets and necklaces they make are a perfect compliment and pop of color to that summer makeup. If you are in shorts, tank-top, and sandals throw on a coral lipstick and one of their necklaces or bracelets to dress up your summer look! You will look effortlessly stunning! Also, what better way to catch the sun than wearing some bling…..and come on….we alllllll love the bling! Check out the Stylecaster interview with them at http://www.stylecaster.com/fashion/13608/frieda-nellie-friendship-bracelets-serendipity#5 AND go to their website to order some jewelry today!

Pick any Frieda&Nellie jewelry to go with this bling inspired summer/beauty look below!

Shop Frieda&Nellie jewelry @ http://www.friedaandnellie.com/

Before hitting the sun give your eyes some pop! Play with the colors in the Dior Earth Relflection eyeshadow set. Use the lighter color in the corner of the eye and the darker browns in the crease and on the outside corner. Pop the pink color on the lid and then use Urban Decay 24-7 eyeliner in Flipside to give those eyes that aqua pop of color on the top and bottom of the lashline! Use a black liner on the water-line to give eyes definition. Don’t forget to curl those lashes and follow with Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in black! Use the Nars Trio for the cheeks. It comes with a blush, highlighter, and bronzer all in one! Use the bronzer under the cheekbone, on the temples, forehead, chin, and down the nose. Blush should go directly on the cheekbones and into the apples of the cheeks. Follow with the highlighter on the oribital bone of the eyes, and above the cheekbones to give you a healthy glow. Finally, finish with Makeup Forever Diamond Lab Shine lip gloss in Shimmering Papaya! The beautiful colors on the face mixed with the bling and vibrant colors of the jewelry will be sure to stop anyone in there tracks! Great way to dress up that outfit and look fabulous in a matter of minutes! Enjoy!

Britney B

Just because you are spending a day on the beach or by the pool is no excuse not to look fabulous! I’m not talking about going out in the sand with a full on smokey eye and fancy hairstyle, but celebs like Sofia Vergara prove that there are fast and convenient ways to add to your already beautiful beachy look and here they are! These products are must haves for your beach bag!

First things first…. always wear a sunscreen! Nothing is worse than burnt, red skin that will lead to pre-mature aging! Use Skinceuticals Sheer Physical Defense SPF 50 for the face. It is so light that it will not clog pores or get greasy, they just came out with a tinted version as well so you can get coverage as well as protect! They also make a great sunscreen for the body.  If you want a little bronze glow grab some Tan Towels for instant color before hitting the beach.  Next…. we are going to assume your hair is going to get a little crazy so instead of fighting it grab Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray… it will add and maintain that wavy, piecy, hair style you get from the salt water and sea breeze without it getting frizzy. Now as far as the face is concerned we only want to bring and wear minimal makeup. My must-haves include a waterproof mascara and eyeliner. My favorites are Chanel Stylo waterproof eyeliner (comes in all different shades) and Laura Mercier Waterproof mascara. Please don’t go crazy with the eyeliner.. remember.. its all about the natural look! Pop a little in the corner on the top of the lid and apply to the water-line… this is all you need! Next you need a good bronzer like Victoria’s Secret bronzer or NARS bronzer. Apply under cheekbones, on temples, forehead, and down the middle of the nose. Always pop on a bright-colored lip gloss like NARS Wonder lip gloss or Shiseido Luminizing lip gloss in Maraschino! I haven’t forgot about our nails and toenails either.. always have them done in the summer!! I love Essie’s e-nuf is e-nuf or Deborah Lippman’s It’s Raining Men colors…they are a great contrast next to the sand! Finally keep a fresh scent by using Bobbi Brown’s Beach perfume. It is a perfect compliment to your look and captures the smell of summer in a bottle! After all of this add your favorite accessories…a beach hat, sunglasses, or hoop earrings! You will for sure be the hottest thing next to the sun!!! Enjoy!

BritneyB