Makeup Mondo

Makeup Mondo's Top 5 Makeup Don'ts

By Nicole Bigras

Ever wonder if you’re really applying your makeup the right way? Or whether or not you’re even using the right spectrum of colors? Relax! So long as you follow the five makeup don’ts listed below, you’ll be on your way to better beauty in no time!

1. Don’t be matchy-matchy. So you’ve just bought the cutest purple sweater and everything your mother taught you about makeup would suggest applying your eye shadow in the exact same color. Hold it right there! This is not the time or place to be matchy-matchy. Instead, focus on colors which will complement your eye color, regardless of what you’re wearing. For example, violets help bring out green eyes, and golds often accentuate blues.

2. Don’t make everything a show-stopper. Wearing a bold, dark lipstick is fun and empowering. So is going for intense, smoky eyes. But doing both at the same time? Not so much. The key is to concentrate on playing up one feature, never a bunch at a time. So if it’s your hot red lips you want people to notice – go nuts with your lipstick but ease up on the eye makeup. And vice versa. The whole point of makeup is to accentuate your beautiful features; not to have each one competing against each other for attention.

3. Don’t confuse your cubicle for the club. Makeup is great for adding personality to your look, but just be cognizant of your environment. If you’re at work at your very-corporate, super-polished office, keep your fake eye lashes, heavy eye liner, and body glitter at home!

4. Don’t always be a bargain hunter. As with everything, sometimes you really do get what you pay for. So save here and there where you can, but be willing to fork out some extra cash when adding more important pieces to your makeup collection – like your foundation or moisturizer. After all, it’s your face you’re applying your makeup to. And usually the higher the cost of your makeup, the better the ingredients.

5. Don’t forget the decade. For some people, the ‘80s were a great time. Notice the keyword: were! Unless it’s Halloween and you’re going as a punk rocker, try to keep the bright, baby blue eye shadow, frosted pink lipstick, and dusty rose blush to a minimum. Just trust us on this one.

April 21st, 2008 / Trackback

Me and Mariah...

Photo: Mimifroufrou.com

By Jenny Pham

The newly-slimmed-down songbird, has several reasons to celebrate these days! Fresh off scoring her 18th Number 1 hit, Mimi also is set to sell 500,000 units in the first week of her latest album e=mc². This will make her a clear winner of the coveted Number 1 slot on the charts this week. In the beauty world, Mariah’s a star too! Her fragrance M, earned a respected Fifi nomination in the women’s luxe category from the Fragrance Foundation just last month.

One more reason Miss Mariah should be celebrating: she keeps looking better every year. We’ll forgive her for the barely-there attire that in the past has bordered on adolescent teenybopper. We’ll even overlook her dabbling into “biker chick” wear. But it seems her new exercise regimen and diet (yah we watched her on Oprah, daaaahlin’), has given her an even sexier look, with a new tiny waist to match. We are loving that super smooth hair and that glow about her! While her (clothing) stylist could use a little help, looks like Mariah hired the right hair and make-up people. After creating a flawless complexion, her make-up artist worked with a soft pink color palette which included glossy shimmery lips and a hint of rosy cheeks.

If this is what 38 looks like, then she is my (excuse the pun)…Hero.

April 21st, 2008 / Trackback

Late Night? Five Simple Ways to Brighten Eyes

Photo: Getty Images

By Carrie Asato

Last night was the party of the century. And guess who was lucky enough to score an invite? But now, it’s back to reality. After hitting the snooze button four times, the usual morning craziness of getting ready for work has been chopped to 15 minutes. Don’t panic! Send those oversized bags packing with five easy steps:

Step 1: Perk up the eye area with an eye gel or cream. Most anti-aging skincare lines have at least a couple of products devoted to decreasing puffiness or illuminating eyes. For an instant benefit, look for one that contains witch hazel or cucumber extract.

Step 2: Cover up imperfections with concealer. Place three small dots of concealer under the eye, starting in the inner corner and working out toward the outer edge of the eye. Gently pat—rubbing can be too harsh for delicate skin under the eye—until the color blends in.

Step 3: Give eyes some color with eyeshadow. For the biggest bright-eyed look, opt for a highlight shade under the browbone and in the inner corner of the eye. Good choices are either a shimmer or sheer color like pale pink, white, or pearl.

Step 4: Get eyes in line with a white eye pencil. Apply a thin line on the lower lashline, starting in the inner corner of the eye.

Step 5: Make eyes pop with a couple of coats of mascara. Use on the top lashes only to avoid drawing too much attention to the undereye area.

April 20th, 2008 / Trackback

Eyelash Emergency

Photo: Getty Images

By Shy D. Winkfield

Eyelash abuse is a silent epidemic that is spreading in large numbers. Help us help you avoid lash-oversight with these mascara basics. We’ll even throw in a mascara recommendation for good measure.

You churn butter, not mascara. The neurotic wand dipping will not only dry out the tube, but you run the risk of stabbing yourself in the eye. Save yourself the pain and the spew of expletives. Take a deep breath, relax, and gently apply your mascara. Working from the outside to the inner crease, start at the base of lash and GENTLY (yes, gently) roll the brush upward to the tip of the lash. Wait 1–2 minutes for the product to dry. Then, reapply ONE coat per eye. Any more and your coworkers will wonder if you ever made it home last night. To finish, softly sweep the tip of the wand over the lower lashes. You don’t need anything too serious, just enough to let everyone know those cute little lashes are there.

To minimize overcoating, blot your wand on a non-lint tissue before every application. If you’re OCD about bacteria getting into your tube, you can use disposable mascara wands. They can even be rinsed and reused, for all you environmentally conscious Mondoliers. Now you can feel good about getting beautiful and keeping germs at bay, all without being wasteful.

Any reputable mascara should get the job done in no more than two coats, but DiorShow Blackout Mascara is the master of its domain. The supersized wand instantly transforms the wimpiest of stumps into full-grown, sex kitten, “come hither” lashes. It retails for $24, but come on…can you honestly put a price tag on beauty? If you can buy designer lattes, you are obligated to upgrade from the pink drugstore staple. The tube is massive and hidden inside is an intense pigmented black that doesn’t clump and stays fresh all day (read: say goodbye to raccoon eyes with this smudge-free formula).

April 14th, 2008 / Trackback