THE TIMELESS RED LIP

Whether you're going for a glossy, matte, creamy, or stain finish, lips become elegant when contrasted with a bare immaculate face.

To achieve the perfect finish and shape...

*Begin by applying a small amount of liquid foundation to lips to neutralize the color and create a base.
*Next, dust a little bit of translucent loose powder over the foundation to set.
*Using a well sharpened red lip pencil, lightly sketch along the outline of your lips, taking care not to go outside the lines. Then, using the same pencil, fill in the entire lip. This will give your color something to grab on to and make it last.
*Lastly, apply your favorite red lip color (Tip: For a matte finish, go a step further and dust a little loose translucent powder on top of lips after the color goes on to create a shine free finish!) (For a sheer finish, skip the lip pencil and foundation completely and just apply to lips directly.)

TRUE GRIT

Not for the faint of heart and making a very powerful statement, this intentionally imperfect black grease paint eye is reminiscent of the rock n roll era and also draws inspiration from surrealist artist Man Ray. I love how the smudged lines and messy mascara creates heavy impact as well as a definite modern perspective on some very memorable retro inspired looks. If you are brave enough to want to try this, begin by painting on any jet black grease paint eye shadow (those sold for Halloween are perfect!) and smudge around eye lids, crease, and underneath lower lashes. Don't worry if the edges aren't blended perfectly or if it begins to break up a bit. This is definitely a more gritty effect and the more the makeup creases the better. For added drama you can fill in the inner line of your eyes with black kohl pencil as well. Add a few coats of black mascara and get ready to ROCK IT!

SPRING/SUMMER TRENDS 2014

In the new April issue of Cosmopolitan Fashion UK, I created my own interpretation of a few hot trends from the runway and translated them in very wearable ways. This bold and almost DAYGLO ORANGE lip makes a vibrant and captivating statement when paired with immaculately bronzed skin and a nude eye.

PASTELS PASTELS PASTELS...soft baby blue and lavender accents on eyes are indicative of spring and can give you an edge in a much more subtle way. Just apply a wash of your favorite pastel tone across lids for a hint of fresh color without too much drama.

MAKEUP TIP OF THE WEEK!

NO NEED TO THROW AWAY BROKEN SHADOW PALETTES!!! 

How many times have you dropped your favorite eyeshadow or blush compact, only to find it crumbled or even just a bunch of dust?? No need to worry! Pour a capful of rubbing alcohol on it and let it sit over. VOILA! In the morning it will be in tact and ready to use!

COSMOPOLITAN UK ASKS ROBIN!

GOING OUT FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN?? CHECK OUT MY 6 GO TO RESCUE PRODUCT PICKS THAT YOU CAN JUST TOSS IN YOUR CLUTCH TO KEEP YOU LOOKING GREAT ALL NIGHT LONG! GO TO WHAT'S NEW TO VIEW THE FULL BEAUTY STORY PARTY QUEEN!

FALL MAKEUP FROM THE RUNWAY TO REALITY

Twice a year, all eyes fall upon New York City, Milan, and Paris as some of the most prestigious designers in the world showcase their new collections. Catwalks are adorned with beautiful models, stunning hair and makeup, loud energetic music, and a star studded guest list to boot. But did you ever wonder how you could execute these makeup looks yourself in a way that's wearable for real life? Translating these color concepts from the runway to YOUR face is a lot easier than you think. It's about taking a fabulous shade or the dewy skin that you see and incorporating those simple ideas into your next application. For the most part, the 2012 Fall shows were surprisingly understated in terms of makeup, however there were a few that stood out in a very theatrical way. Decide which feature you'd like to play up this season and downplay the rest of your face to keep things balanced,  Use the suggestions below to make your new Fall face a fabulous one!

 THE COBALT SMOKY EYE
photo by Imaxtree

Intense blue hues like Cobalt, Navy, and bright Turquoise are very popular this season. And although the designers debuted this daring eye in a very avantguard way, it doesn't mean that we can't tweak the look a bit so that we can all wear this beautiful color.

Apply your favorite cream or powder shadow carefully onto eye lids and bring under the lower lashes to create a halo effect. Be sure to feather out the edges and blend so that the finished effect looks smoky, airy, and undefined. Stay clear of the brow area because color here will make the look way too garish. Finish with 2-3 of black mascara and maybe add a small amount of brow color if needed to finish off the look.

BOLD STUDDED BROWS


How ridiculous we would look if we glued a solid strip of jewel encrusted tape to our brows! Definitely effective for the stage but certainly not in real life. Instead, using either a brow powder or pencil, fill in your brows so that they look slightly more prominent but not cartoon-like. For evening, accent them with tiny crystals to add a little sparkle. My suggestion would be to choose very small clear, gold. or silver studs and, using a tweezer and a drop of eyelash glue, place them onto the outer corners of your brows or even follow the entire shape for a dazzling effect.

GOTH BLACK AND ORANGE EYE
photo by Olivier Claisse/Firstview 

You could probably get away with this eye makeup on Halloween but I'm thinking there are not a whole lot of other times where it would be well received. Black and orange might initially seem like a scary combination but really it all depends on how the colors are used.

An idea would be to apply a clean liquid or kohl black line along the upper lash line, extending it just a bit beyond your lash line. Next, using a marigold or orange shade, softly mirror what you just did below the lower lash line. This duo liner technique will create a sleek appearance but without the heaviness. Also, you can fill in your inner eye line with black as well for a more urban contrasty effect. With this look, keep brows and the rest of your face as simple and low key as possible.

ICE QUEEN WINGS
photo by Olivier Claisse/Firstview

We really can't think of winter without thinking about it's common counterparts snow and ice. For me, there's something so captivating about shimmering white on the eyes this time of year. It creates a cool crisp accent that is instantly appealing. The key thing to keep in mind is to select either a powder or cream shadow that is sheer. You want your eyes to reflect light and look as though they're multi-dimensional instead of heavy and opaque.

There are several ways in which this shade can be applied...The first is a "wash" onto either the eyelids or from the lid up to the brows, covering the entire area all at once. Second, you can take a very thin small angle brush and paint the white on as eyeliner above upper lashes. Lastly, you can apply touches of it around the inner teardrop area to open up the eyes and add light to them. Finish off all looks with black mascara, a flushed pink or bronzed cheek, and a sheer understated gloss or lip stain that is in the same color family as your cheek color.

PUT THE FREEZE ON SUMMER BEAUTY MAYHEM

It seems that we have been experiencing a literal MELTDOWN here in the Big Apple! Temperatures continue to soar to record highs and our makeup, skin, and hair are taking on a life of their own! The good news is that there are some things you can do that will keep you cool AND perform all at the same time.

REFRIGERATE TO INVIGORATE

Did you know that most of your favorite products can be stored in the frig? Eye creams, moisturizers, face masks, toners, etc. work well on their own but, when they are applied cold, create a whole new rejuvenation process. When chilled, they are more effective in de-puffing eyes, closing pores, de- stressing skin, hydrating, and calming your entire face!

COLD RINSE... HAPPY HAIR

Never underestimate the power of a final cold rinse over hair after the shampoo/conditioner. It takes just a quick dousing to close the hair cuticle, which results in more lustrous and shinier hair!

FROSTY FOOT BATH

When the heat is on, it's normal for your feet to become swollen and more prone to blisters and calluses. This "expansion" in size ultimately causes more rubbing and chafing in your shoes than usual. At the end of the day, treat your feet with an icy Peppermint foot bath. In a large tub or pot, fill 3/4 with cold water, add a few ice cubes if you like, and 20 drops of peppermint oil. End with your favorite aromatherapy moisturizer to seal and hydrate. The cold temperature will immediately invigorate your tootsies, reduce the swelling, and the delightful oil will refresh your senses and sooth your feet.

COLD BODY WARM HEART

 

Ever heard of the Polar Bear Plunge? Once a year on New Year's Eve, a group of people in Canada (and now all over the world) put on their bathing suits and go swimming! You might be thinking that, well maybe these people are out of their minds?? Perhaps but the fact is that subjecting your body to a quick freezing dip (or shower rinse) after using heat is incredibly healing to your body. The sudden jolt enhances heart performance and circulation.

MIST AND FORGET ABOUT IT

There's no reason why you need to spend your time worrying about your makeup melting away throughout the day. There are many products on the market that use a specific technology which prevents this very thing and they feel weightless after application. One of my favorites is URBAN DECAY'S ALL NIGHTER SPRAY. Shake it up, mist over your face, and that's it! It really works! Also, MEHRON'S BARRIER SPRAY holds makeup in place beautifully! Whichever you choose, these products will give you a refreshing pick me up and seal the deal simultaneously.

HOW TO GET YOUR MAKEUP PRODUCTS TO LAST LONGER

Buying new makeup can be a very costly experience so, the next time you need to replenish your supply, be sure to keep in mind these very easy tips so that your products will last as long as possible.

AIR IS THE ENEMY!

Creamy formulas can lose their moisture content and cake rather quickly so be sure to close the lid tightly immediately after use to keep from drying out. This also applies to mascara...those of you "wand jigglers" out there are pumping air into the tube every time you jiggle. Instead, just pull the wand in and out only once. You will still receive enough product to coat your lashes and your tube will last MUCH longer!

SCOOP OUT THE EXTRA!

Lipsticks make for great application of color until you twist the tubes down to the end and nothing comes up anymore! But don't throw them away yet..There's still PLENTY of color hidden beneath that you can easily scoop out with a plastic knife. Just remove the remaining color and put it in a little container or your favorite palette and enjoy!

STICK IT AND FORGET IT!

Not sure what to do with all of the eyeshadows you collected that have fallen out of their containers and compacts? No need to worry...A little trick I've come to love is to buy tiny velcro stickers, place them on the back of each individual shadow, then stick them to an empty palette box. Ultimately you will have created your own personally designed color palette that you can just whip out when you need it! FUN!

BE GENTLE!

Makeup brushes are delicate and can sometime cost a small fortune so you need to take good care of them. When it comes to cleaning, be sure to use a VERY gentle and preferably natural product to remove makeup residue and oils without drying the bristles out. I find that swirling them in a chemical free and plant based dishwashing soap in warm water works really well. Place them upright in a glass or mug, let them dry overnight, and they will be as good as new!

SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE!

Liquid foundation formulas and even some luminizers and bronzers can separate over time and disrupt the natural composition of how the makeup was intended to be. So once a week I give all of my bottles a good shaking and store them upside down to keep them fresh.

CHILL OUT!

Most makeup (for the exception of powdered versions) cannot hold onto their true texture in very warm or even hot temperatures. If you know that you will be venturing into heated conditions for a prolonged period of time, put your liquid/cream products in a ziploc bag in the refrigerator the night before. This will shield them from melting too quickly and their chilled new temperature will also feel super refreshing!

6 WAYS TO GET GREAT SKIN

The quality of our skin is a direct reflection of both internal and external conditions. The list below suggests a few easy yet powerful things we all can do to create skin that's calm, glowing, and crystal clear!

1. DITCH THE DAIRY

Did you know that cow's milk wreaks literal HAVOC on our skin? It's true! As my friend and health guru Kimberly Snyder states, "By the time we are 3- 4 years old, most of us have stopped producing the enzymes of lactase and rennin, which are used to specifically break down lactose in milk. The reason we don’t produce these enzymes anymore is because we really aren’t supposed to be having milk anymore." One of the biggest signs that our bodies are trying to rid itself of such unwanted matter is inflammation, blemishes, and congestion on the skin. If clear skin is something you've been striving for, do yourself a favor and stay away from dairy altogether.

2. DON'T OVER WASH YOUR FACE

While it's true that skin should be maintained and kept free from bacteria, dirt, and pore clogging irritants, many women have the tendency to scrub skin too often and too hard. When you wash your face too much, you essentially remove all the natural oils that keep skin lubricated. The constant scrubbing can result in oversensitivity, dry dehydrated skin texture, and can even make you break out. Instead, use a gentle cleanser in the evenings and, in the mornings, lightly dampen a wash rag with lukewarm water to remove any excess oil or dead skin that might have formed during the night. Your skin will thank you for it.

3. GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Sleep is SO critical for us in so many ways. Not the least of which is in the skin department. Without 6-8 hours of sleep, our bodies become deprived and unable to function properly. Our skin ends up looking stressed, lifeless, dark circles and puffiness appear around our eyes, and lines become much more obvious. Taking the time to get a good night's sleep will contribute to a calm radiant face.

4. INCORPORATE A MORNING DETOX INTO YOUR DAY

Before you go right into the day to day grind of infrequent meals, too much coffee, or skipping meals all together, try drinking a detoxifying elixir immediately after you wake up and before you eat. Drinking something as simple as fresh lemon juice in warm purified water or green tea on an empty stomach will flush out your system and aid in ridding it of unwanted toxic matter. Another wonderful option is freshly blending organic greens and fruit together for a highly healing smoothie that your body can absorb very quickly. It will give you energy while flooding your body with essential live enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Try Kimberly Snyder's famous Glowing Green Smoothie www.kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2009/07/11/green-smoothie-recipe/

5. ELIMINATE REGULARLY

It is imperative that we consume at last 30-50 grams of fiber EVERYDAY. If we don't, our bodies can "back up" and become very toxic. The more toxic we are the more we become sick and look noticeably unhealthy. Where skin is concerned, toxicity in the body results in graying skin tone, congestion and inflammation on the skin's surface and an overall aged and unhealthy appearance. A trip to the bathroom at least once a day can make your skin sing!

6. WORKOUT AND SWEAT

The combination of sweating and exercise can be incredibly helpful to our skin. Exercising as little as 20-30 minutes at a time significantly increases our blood flow and stimulates our circulation. In addition, the water we are secreting through our pores acts as a kind of transport system which allows the body to naturally eliminate unnecessary toxins as well. The combination of these along with drinking lots of water contributes greatly to skin that visibly glowing, radiant and healthy.