Beauty Tip Of The Week

How to properly conceal under the eye:
When looking at the bare eye, you may notice dark circles. Those 'dark circles' are sometimes an hereditary condition. Broken capilaries may cause the 'blue' under eye color that you experience with dark cicles.
Typically on the color wheel, orange cancels out blue.
Tip:
Use a peachy/orange colored concealor to conceal the blue under eye circles. Then, cover the peachy-orange with a concealor that is a shade lighter than your foundation. This will not only cover the undereye darkness, but brighten your eyes as well.

Be Beautiful and Blessed!!

Denise & Janice

Beauty Tip Of The Week

TIP: Take care of your hands.
In order to keep your hands looking beautiful and at their best at all times, you must take care of your hands. Listed below are some ways that you can preserve the youthfulness and natural beauty of your hands:
1) Wear gloves when doing housework or gardening
2) Always apply a moisturizer
3) Avoid harsh chemicals
4) Use sunscreen
5) Never cut your cuticles.
6) Exfoliate a couple of times a month.

Be Beautiful & Blessed! Have a great week!

Denise & Janice

Ask Illusions

Q. My lips are very dark. They look funny with lipstick on. How do I cover the darkness before applying lipstick? - T. Davis, Raleigh, NC

A. This is an issue for many women. You should start by exfoliating your lips. You can use an actual lip scrub product, or exfoliate with a dry toothbrush (this should be done once to twice a week). After exfoliating, apply a concealor or foundation lighter than your actual shade on your lips. Once covered, apply a light application of powder and then blot with tissue. Then, apply your lip color. Try this and let us know how it works for you. If you have any questions, please let us know. (info@illusionsbeauty.com).

Be Beautiful & Blessed!!

Denise & Janice

Beauty Tip Of The Week

For those seeking that 'glow' that is always seen on Hollywood's favorite actresses......

TIP:
Try using a shimmer blush on the apples of your cheeks to give yourself that dewy look that we all desire. :-).

Be Beautiful & Blessed!!

Denise & Janice

Help Illusions Raise Money For Breast Cancer Research

Help Illusions Cosmetics raise $200 for Breast Cancer Research on our "Beauty With A Cause" blog at http://www.illusionscosmetics.blogspot.com/. Those making donations of $30 or more will recieve a pink handle makeup brush collection exclusively from Illusions Cosmetics.

Beauty Tip Of The Week

Many people ask what the makeup trends are for the new season, whether its Fall or Spring. They are trying to figure out what colors they are supposed to wear based on the trends. We are always encouraging women to do what makes them confortable. So, for this week's beauty tip, we will continue to do the same.
TIP:
DO YOU!! Although we follow trends and different instructions on how to apply makeup, there are truely no rules in makeup. We encourage you all to break from your makeup routines and try something new. For the first 5 readers to respond with photos of their favorite fall makeover, they will receive their choice of an eyedust or a lustre lipgloss from our new "Young Hollywood" collection. With your permission, your photos will appear in a future blog. All photos can be emailed to info@illusionsbeauty.com
Be Beautiful and Blessed!!!
Denise & Janice

Beauty Tip Of The Week

Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is characterized by skin irritation and a low tolerance for certain product ingredients. This condition is year round and not seasonal. Listed below are some tips in treating sensitive skin.
TIPS:
1) Read product labels - search for fragrance free products
2) Use sunscreens with zinc oxide
3) Use creamy cleansers and moisturizers
4) Cleanse morning and night with lukewarm water
5) Moisturize while skin is damp
6) Use acne medications and/or anti-aging products no more than once per week
7) Get facials occassionally (inform Esthetician of sensitive skin)
8) Avoid areas where the air is dry (use humidifiers in your home if necessary)

Beauty Tip Of The Week

TIP: If engaged in outdoor activities in the Winter, use an oil based product to keep skin hydrated. Water based products can cause the skin to feel a tingling/burning sensation which may be a result of the water-based products freezing on the skin. Using a heavier moisturizer creates a barrier between your skin and the elements (cold weather). Always use a lip balm and drink plenty of water. The skin is hydrated when the body is hydrated.

Beauty Leftovers: Making The Transition

This fall promises to bring ‘Fall’ back in a big way, especially with its fashions. So, why should beauty be any different? Fall fashions are using some of our summer pieces and adding layers over them. For example, peep toe shoes worn alone in the summer will now be worn with matching tights. Also, bow-neck blouses will be worn with dressy plaid or tweed slacks with glossy leather belts. As far as makeup goes, some makeup can be ‘recycled’ from the summer and used in the fall. Makeup looks will transition from being a warm bronzy look of the summer to a warm natural look in the fall. Basically, some of the trends from the Spring/Summer of this year will remain popular in the fall season.
The trends forecasted for the fall of this year are earth tones. Now, just because certain colors are forecasted, it doesn’t mean that you have to wear them. We encourage women to continue doing what they have started doing lately, and that’s being themselves. Women are starting to do and wear what makes them comfortable. Continue to do that. If you like to do the popular things, then follow the trends. Here we go…… Trends forecasted for fall 2008 are as follows:
Eyes:
Earth tone eye shadows such as brown, green, gray (not bright shades, but natural shades of these colors).
Lips:
Your lips should be kept very natural with shades of brown, pink, pinky-browns, and peach.
Blush:
Our advice for blush - Use it!!!! During the fall, most people are coming back to their natural skin tone, so the bronzed look of summer no longer applies. You will need some color in the skin to bring balance to your makeup look.
When using blush, use natural tones for your specific skin type.
Some suggestions of colors from Illusions Cosmetics (www.illusionsbeauty.com) are:
Eyes – Bronze, Olive Gold, and Brass Eye dust. Spanish moss, Celebrity, Coconut, and Charcoal Gray eye shadows
Lips – Dream girls Luster Lip gloss, Sequin and Brownie Luster Lipstick, Mocha Ice and Brown Shimmer Lipstick
Blush – Ginger, Hibiscus, and Pink Ice
All color suggestions are for different skin tones. Please visit the website at www.illusionsbeauty.com to select colors specifically for you. If you need assistance, please email info@illusionsbeauty.com. We would be more than happy to assist in your color selections. Until next time, Be Beautiful and Blessed!!

Beauty Tip Of The Week

Most women wonder how to enhance their eyes and some assume that you enhance your eyes with tons of black eyeliner. Enhancing the eyes are simple.

TIP: Try a pair of eyelashes. They are simple and easy to use. Sometimes choosing the wrong pair for the wrong occassion can be a bad thing. For everyday wear, choose a pair of lashes that are natural in length.

Ask Illusions

Q. When I wear my makeup (foundation), by mid day it appears to have faded away. How can I make my makeup (foundation) stay on longer throughout the day? - Minister Twanda Prielou, Balto., MD

A. My first suggestion would be that if you have oily skin, make sure your skin care products are for oily skin and not adding extra moisture to your face. You could try using anti-shine serum or gel to mattify any oily spots on the face. Also, adding a foundation primer to your makeup routine would help your problem of disappearing foundation. A foundation primer will increase the wear and longevity of your foundation. It also helps with filling in any fines lines (thats always a good thing). Last but not least, always set your foundation with a powder. This helps to keep that foundation base in place. I hope this helps. Send us an email and let us know. If you have any more questions or need any skin care or makeup advice, please feel free to email us at info@illusionsbeauty.com with 'Ask Illusions' as the subject. As always, Be Beautiful and Blessed!
- Denise

Beauty Tip Of The Day

When attending that next big event, remember, less is best when deciding on your makeup look.

TIP: When applying makeup for a special event, keep your makeup to a minimum. Play up your eyes if you wish, but down play everything else. Allow your outfit and hair to be the focus. Your natural beauty will come across loud and clear.

* Take a look at my friend and actress Kaira Akita (formerly Kaira Whitehead) at the premiere of her new movie 'Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys'. She worked the red carpet to perfection: Hair, makeup, and her wardrobe was FABULOUS!!!

Beauty Tip Of The Week

As the seasons change, so should your skin care products., especially your moisturizer. Cooler weather will require you to use products that will give your skin more moisturizer.
Tip: As Fall approaches, consider changing your moisturizer.
Suggestion: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer (with or without sunscreen).

Ask Illusions

"Ask Illusions"
This is a section in the Illusions Newsletter that we would like to start including in our blog. Now that the new name for the blog is 'Beauty Talk With Illusions', we would like to use the blog to not only give beauty tips and review great products, but also to answer some of your questions. To submit your questions and or thoughts, please email info@illusionsbeauty.com.

Beauty Tip Of The Week

Tip: Apply makeup only where you need it.
We are often asked questions about how and where to apply certain cosmetic products. If you have great skin and feel the need to cover under eye circles, then just apply concealer under your eyes and don't apply anything else. You don't have to follow the rules (makeup) if they don't apply!!!

Be Beautiful and Blessed!!
Denise & Janice

Beauty Tip Of The Day

For even, flawless, and young looking skin, "Work at it"!!! Good skin is not going to appear overnight if we don't work at trying to have nice skin. My first suggestion for having 'good' skin is to know your skin type. Once you know your skin type, then you are able to choose facial products that are appropriate for your skin. Some examples of skin types are listed below:

Normal - has a sufficient supply of oil and moisture. Normally free of blemishes.

Dry - lacking in oil and/or moisture. Characterized by dry patches and/or flakiness.

Oily - skin has an overabundance of oil. May or may not have blemishes. Characterized by enlarged pores.

Combination - may have dry and oily areas. An example: Oily t-zone and dry patches in the cheek area.

Beauty Tip Of The Week

"Eyebrow Threading"- Most people are used to shaving,waxing, and tweezing any unwanted hair. The idea of 'threading' hair to remove it is fairly new to some people. I was first introduced to eyebrow threading back in 1998 when I attended Aesthetics school. The first time my brows were threaded, I didn't really like it because it pinched a little. After a few more times, I was used to it.

Threading is a proven age-old form of facial hair removal practiced in India, the Middle East and China. The procedure uses a 100% cotton thread which is twisted and pulled along the skin surface of unwanted hair, lifting hair directly from the follicle. As the facial hair is removed, only a slight pinch is felt.
Threading is a natural alternative to shaving (the use of any type of razor), waxing, laser, tweezing, and depilatories when ridding yourself of facial hair. Any skin rashes and or irritations are avoided when threading. Eyebrow threading has become so popular now that there are 'threading' salons popping up in a few cities across the country. The average cost of a threading service is $15. If you are not aware of where this service is offered in your area, you can try 'Epicare', a threading device that works with a two step process: bend and roll.

Beauty Tip Of The Week

For the appearance of whiter, brighter teeth, apply a dab of Red lipstick to the middle of the inside of your bottom lip. I received this tip a few years ago from Actress/Singer, Nona Gaye (daughter of the late Marvin Gaye). It worked for her. Try it and let me know what you think.

Beauty Tip Of The Week

'Beauty' has NO rules, and neither does makeup. Define 'beauty' for yourself.

Beauty Tip Of The Week

Blend, Blend, and Blend again!!!!! When in doubt, BLEND (smooth out)! As a makeup artist, have you ever applied someone's makeup and it didnt 'turn out' the way you intended? What do you do in that situation? My suggestion is to not fret and take a few minutes to get yourself together. When you have calmed down, start blending. Blending helps to tone down all of the bright shades that you didnt really want to apply. Blending also makes your application appear flawless. All makeup can be blended with a brush or sponge. Try it on your next aplication and let me know what you think.