Karleigh Johnstone: Make Up Artist

60s Inspired Look

2012-03-04T18:59:00.002-05:00

Black Smokey Eye

2012-02-23T21:32:00.002-05:00

Lipstick for the Wish List

2011-11-02T12:53:00.000-04:00

A great lipstick is essential in a makeup bag or woman's purse. If you took a look in my purse you will find MAC Mattene Lipstick in Eden Rouge or Rare Exotic. There are obvious reasons why it has been added to the Wish List.

I have recently been playing with bright lipsticks in my everyday look. It has been difficult finding a lipstick that does not have to constantly be reapplied. Many long lasting lip colours tend to dry out after being worn for some time and although the colour may last, it dries the lips making them feel like leather.

MAC Mattene Lipstick has all the qualities I look for in a lipstick. The pigment is deep and rich, one light coat and the lips are completely covered. The texture is smooth and creamy, it moisturized the lips and does not dry out over time. Easy application, the stick is small and round making it easy to stay on the lips and can be used to nicely shape the cupid's bow on the top lip. Longevity, this lipstick lasts! I apply it once, it lasts all night, when I take off my makeup before bed I have to use some effort to take it off. Finally, a matte finish making the lipstick very versatile- you can create three different finishes; matte by applying only the lipstick, semi-matte/slight sheen by applying chapstick or moisturizer (such as MAC Lip Conditioner Stick) overtop, or a glossy/high-sheen by applying gloss (such as C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine from Bath and Body Wroks, my favourite is Spearmint) overtop.

My favourite look right now is cat-eye liner, nicely sculpted cheekbones and very bright lipstick. Taking it a step further I like everything to be matte except for the very exaggerated iridescent nightlight. MAC Mattene Lipstick in Eden Rouge and Rare Exotic is what I have been looking for to complete my favourite look.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, find me on Facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one), or follow me on Twitter @Karleigh_J.

Ancient Egyptians

2011-11-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

When I think of glamour, I think of Hollywood in the 1930s. However, glamour dates back much further to ancient Egypt. Egyptian people took pride in their appearance and hygiene. Makeup, wigs, jewelry, and perfume was worn as a symbol of social status, for religious/superstitious purposes and used as a medical aid. Lets take a look at the time when glamour was first created.

Today social status is defined by being seen in the lastest fashion trends, having a stylist haircut and weel done makeup. This portrayal started as early as 4000BC. Jewelry was the fashion of choice, showing higher social status wearing precious items such as gold instead of copper which was worn by common folk. Elite socialites would wear wigs at social events. These wigs were put on display in special casing in their homes when they were not being worn. Makeup was applied daily by both men and women. Kohl lined the eyes creating an almond shape and green was a popular colour for eye shadow. Lips and cheeks were rouged and henna was used to colour nails yellow or orange. Makeup was stored in beautifully decorated jars which women would put into special makeup boxes that were brought to parties and put under their chairs. Hygiene was also very important, wealthy people would have their servants pour water over them daily. Perfumed animal and plant oils were used as soap. A lot of pride was expressed through appearance.

It was believed that the level of spiritually related directly to a person's image. Evil spirits were repelled by wearing rings and amulets. The Eye of Horus, God of Sky and Sun could be encountered by wearing green eye shadow. Makeup was even worn on the statues of Gods. Mothers would apply kohl on their babies to avoid the "evil eye" and to strengthen their eye sight.

Mothers were not the only people who used makeup as a health benefit. Physicians prescribed kohl as a preventative from eye disease. This was because of the disinfectant Galena, a blue/grey mineral this is one of the components in kohl. Also, just as football players use eye black strips (a grease applied under the eyes), Egyptians used kohl liner to reflect the bright desert sun from their eyes. Kohl was believe to benefit overall eye health.

Sophistication and glamour is as much a part of history as the beginning of civilization itself. Jewelry, makeup and wigs were some of the earliest inventions. Appearance was obviously a significant part of ancient times. Beauty has a very long history, a very strong present and a very promising future.

How much pride do you put into your appearance? I have always looked at my appearance as a reflection of how I feel about myself. I enjoyed learning that the ancient Egyptians looked even more highly about appearance than I do, relating it to their connection with their spirituality, even as far as equating them with Gods. It is clear why ancient Egyptians are portrayed as elegant and poised, it was part of their culture to be beautiful.

Ideal Brush Kit

2011-04-26T21:20:00.000-04:00

I have spent time trying out brushes and put together a set I would suggest as a good brush set. I have chosen types of brushes I find most useful and the brands I like best for each brush. Once you have an excellent set of brushes you will be able to enjoy applying your make up even more. My application posts will explain how to use the brushes I have suggested you add to your kit.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

A Quick Survey

2011-03-30T00:09:00.002-04:00

Please take a few moments to think about and answer these questions. I want your feedback to be able to provide satisfactory service in the future. Your opinion is important to me.

How much would you pay to have a make up lesson? (Private and group)
What would you expect to take home from the lesson? (ie a sheet with what was covered)
How long would you want the lesson to be? (Minimum and maximum time, use this to consider how much you would pay)
How would you expect the lesson to be set up?
What would you like to learn?
If you were happy with your lesson would you take more?

Please comment with your answers to the questions. Also feel free to email me at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one). Also follow me on Twitter @Karleigh_J. I look forward to reading your responses and building an excellent service for you!

Creating the Perfect Cat Eye with Liquid Eye Liner

2011-03-13T12:11:00.001-04:00

It is difficult to apply a flawless cat eye style eye liner. To make it easier, I have broken down step-by-step how I apply eye liner. Follow these steps and practice and you will have the technique perfected in no time! I have used liquid eye liner, if you have mature skin try using an eye shadow instead.

I have ask Lydia to be my model for this post. This is her before photo without any eye liner on.

1. Make a thin even line across the lid.

2. At the edge of the lid draw a thin line outwards to where you want the tip to end. This will be the bottom portion of the liner's tail.

3.Connect the liner from mid-lid to the tip.

4. Fill in the center of the tail. Touch up any imperfections paying close attention to symmetry and that the liner's tail is a sharp point.

Here is Lydia's after photo now that the eye liner is complete.

Wedding Planning: Looking Your Best for the Wedding Day Part 1

2011-03-03T16:44:00.001-05:00

It is almost springtime, which means wedding season is fast approaching. This post will help all the blushing brides plan the beauty regimens for their wedding day. I'm posting this information now so you have time for the prep work. You have a lot to think about, wedding planning is not easy. Consider me your wedding beauty planner. I am going to give you all the information I can to perfect your look from head to toe. Let's get started!

The first step is to sit down and brainstorm exactly what you want. The sooner you get this done the more time you will have to find it. Here are some things to think about:

What time is the wedding? This is important for scheduling (dressing, pictures, travel time etc).
Where are you getting ready? Do you want your hair and make up done on location or in a salon?
What is your budget for hair and make up? Are you paying for the bridal party?
Do you want the make up artist to stay for touch ups during the wedding? If so be sure to inquire about their day rates.
Is your bridal party getting their hair and make up done by the people you hire, or are they taking care of their own grooming needs?

Now for the details:

What effect are you hoping your make up will create? How do you want to look?
Do you have a theme?
What are your colours?
Do you want the bridal party to coordinate with each other?
Who is included in your bridal party (mother of the bride, bride’s maids, additional family members, etc)

Having a specific idea of what you want makes it easier to find the right person for the job.

Have consultations with make up artists. Consultations are conversations to express what you want and to provide the details of the wedding. The make up artist will explain how they can accommodate your requests. The consultation is similar to an interview. I encourage you to talk to a number of different make up artists to determine which artists you will book trails with. You have tried on more than one dress, why wouldn't you try more that one make up artist?

Be prepared for your make up trial. The more you can communicate what you want, the easier the make up artist can provide your desired result:

· Tear pages from magazines of make up looks you like.

· Bring lipstick, eye shadow or blush you wear.

· Come to the trial with a clean moisturized face.

· It is a good idea to book a trial on a day you have plans to go out. This way you can see how your friends react to the application.

· The trial is your time to become comfortable with the person you rely on to make you look your best on your wedding day. You want know that person will make you feel calm and confident.

· Also discuss what services you will require for your bridal party.

When booking final details ask for a contract, this is a written agreement that protects both you and the professional. Confirm every detail; date, time for make up (both start and finish times), location, rates, number of people and any other specifications. If you decide not to have a contract I suggest saving all email correspondence as confirmation of an agreement. (Have something in writing). Determine if there is a deposit required and what the cancellation policy is. Finalize the payment details- who is paying? What payment methods are available? When is balance of payment due? Pass on the payment information to anyone who requires it.

Here are some suggestions for the wedding day:

Try to eat something prior to getting your make up done.
Brush your teeth beforehand.
Be ready for the make up artist with your face clean and moisturized.
Wear a button up shirt to make it easier to change and avoid smudging.

Wedding Planning: Looking Your Best for the Wedding Day Part 2

2011-03-03T16:42:00.002-05:00

Now that you have the make up details for the wedding day set in stone, consider your other beauty needs. Here are other things to think about:

Hair

Your hair is important on your wedding day. It completes the overall look. Consider the following:

Colour. Do you want to change the colour of your hair? If so, have a couple treatments well before the wedding day. Allow time to perfect the colour and make any adjustments necessary. Have your final colour treatment done one or two days before the wedding (your stylist will determine the timing of your last colour treatment before the wedding). ALWAYS GO TO A PROFESSIONAL, they are trained to know the science of hair dye and how it will affect your hair.
Cut. Do you want to change the cut? I suggested you figure this out and get you hair cut about 3 months before the wedding, giving enough time for any adjustments, to get used to the cut and to see how it grows out. Have your hair trimmed with the final colour treatment before the wedding.
Style. Decide whether you want your hair up or down, straight or curly. Find pictures you like and have consultations and trails with hairstylists.
On the day. Do you want the hairstylist on location, or will you have your hair done at a salon. Consider cost vs. time. Talk to your hairstylist about how to prep you hair for them (washing it the night before or in the morning, air dry or blow dry, etc.)

Spa Treatments

Look on websites like Way Spa, Spa Finder, or Spa Wish for deals on spa packages and services. If you are in the city of Toronto why not book a spa day outside of the city for a daylong get away. Try somewhere like Body Revival in Brampton, it is my spa of choice.

Facial. Have a facial 2-3 weeks prior to the wedding day. Your skin will need some time after the facial to complete the cleansing/detoxifying process.
Manicure and Pedicure. Avoid booking these on your wedding day (24-48 hours works well). Make sure you book enough time to allow your nails dry thoroughly.
Hair removal. If you choose to wax, doing so about 4 days before the wedding will ensure your skin has recovered. If you chose to shave I suggest using Nair or Veet instead, this way you wont have to worry about razor cuts.
Brows. Ideally, the shaping process should begin 8-12 weeks in advance of the “big day”. Arrange for a final “clean up” the day before the wedding activities begin.
Tanning. Visit the tanning booth 3 days before the wedding date, after you have gone for your waxing. This allows a few days for any burning to fade. If you are using a self-tanning cream try it at least a month before the wedding to see how the product reacts with your body chemistry. Tan at you own discretion. If you are looking for a tanning salon try Bask Tanning Salon & Boutique.

Health and Nutrition

Confidence is beauty. Nothing enhances your beauty more than the healthy glow that comes from good nutrition, regular activity and plenty of sleep. As you wedding day approaches you will get busy attending pre-wedding parties and tending to last minute details. In the rush, you may be tempted to substitute convenience for nutrition, remove the gym from you to-do list and ignore your body’s cry for sleep. Instead, make your physical well being a priority. Remember to fuel your body regularly. Eat well-balanced meals and try to choose healthy snacks. Don't put yourself on a restricted diet by focusing on what you can't have, instead focus on healthy foods you enjoy. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Include regular physical activity in your schedule. My favourite work out is a Body Conditioning By Dancers class. BCBD classes are a full body work out structured to use you own body weight instead of depending on gym equipment. Visit the website to learn more and sign up for an eight week session. When you sign up for a BCBD class you are committing to a set scheduled class. If you cannot commit to a set schedule try drop-in classes at places like Aradia Fitness or Flirty Girl Fitness. These are women's only classes that are fun and sassy. It is an excellent way to find your sexy side and build confidence. To shy to go alone, encourage your bridal party to come with you. If you are looking more for stress relief and relaxation try yoga classes. I like hot yoga classes because the warmth of the room helps me clear my mind and lets my body relax into the stretches and poses.

Last and most important make sure you get enough sleep. Planning a wedding takes a lot of energy. By following these simple suggestions you will not only look fabulous but you will also have the confidence and energy to enjoy the day you so carefully planned.

*For help planning the other aspects of the wedding check out Exclusively Weddings or the Wedding Channel Store. For bride just starting the planning process you may want to consider a wedding planner.

Presenting my Website!

2011-02-16T21:32:00.000-05:00

I have been spending a lot of time working on my website and am proud to be able to have it online. There is still a lot of work I plan to put into it, but it is ready for the public to see! Take a look at it for yourself. You can get a better idea of exactly what I do and more about who I am.

Take a look: www.karleighjohnstone.com

Creating Perfect Cheekbones

2011-02-08T16:34:00.002-05:00

One of my favourite parts of make up application is sculpting the cheekbones. I like to start with contour, add blush and finish with highlight. I also like to exaggerate the highlight quite a bit.

Here is how I define the cheek bone step by step:

1. Contour

Use a powder about 2 shades darker than your skin tone and an angled contour brush to apply in a triangular shape under the cheek bone. It will look like this:

2. Blush

Using a powder blush start at the apple of the cheek and follow the cheek bone to the hair line. Try using a colour that mimics your skins natural blush, or for a bolder look try a brighter blush colour (I like to use bright pink). Here is how it will look:

3. Highlight

Finish by adding your highlight to the top of the cheekbone. I like to use a lot of highlight and make it obvious. This is what the finished cheekbone will look like:

Sculpting the cheekbone can create an instant face lift. Look at the difference between Carling's cheeks with and without contour, blush and highlight:

To your left: without contour, blush and highlight.
To you right: with contour, blush and highlight.
You can see that she looks more awake on the right side.

Make Up Kit Essentials: Building a Fabulous Make Up Kit *Part Four: Last Additions to Create a Perfectly Flawless Face

2011-02-06T18:17:00.080-05:00

The next step to the perfect make up kit will consists of the last items you need to create a perfectly flawless natural look. Once you have gone shopping for these items, add them to the ones I have already suggested and set aside 15-30 minutes of play time. Practice makes perfect, you will be able to apply your make up more quickly when you get used to the application process. Before you know it, you will be ready for your close up.

Here are the final items I recommend:

A Liquid or cream foundation

I have already suggested adding a powder foundation to your kit. Powders are a good start because they provide light coverage, and require minimal application time. When you want that "flawless face" it is best to invest in a heavier coverage foundation. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time - a "flawless face" should be rushed. Please refer to my foundation post series for light coverage, medium coverage, or full coverage foundation suggestions. Also, try products from my favourite brands:

NARS
MAC
Smashbox
Bobbi Brown *excellent for darker skin tones!

If you have an obviously uneven skin tone I highly recommend a full coverage foundation. Foundation can be applied with a brush, a sponge, or your fingers. I find a sponge easiest to use.

2. Setting Powder

I feel setting powder is a must when using a cream based foundation. It prevents foundation from moving and creasing throughout the day and allows eyeshadow, blush or other powders to blend easily. Setting powders can be colourless or tinted. The colourless powders are white and tend to slightly lighten the skintone, so I recommend a tinted powder. I use loose powder to set foundation, then a pressed powder through out the day if I start to glow.

Here are some loose powders I suggest:

NARS Loose Powder
MAC Set Powder
MAC Select Sheer/Loose
MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose *excellent if you want to keep a shimmer to the skin
SMASHBOX Photo Set Finishing Powder SPF 15
BOBBI BROWN Face Powder
BOBBI BROWN Sheer Finish Loose Powder *Excellent for oily skin types

Loose powder should be applied with a powder puff, then the excess removed with a powder brush.

3. Blush

Figure out what your natural blush colour is (the colour your cheeks glow when you are embarrassed). Try to find a blush colour that is similar. Generally warmer skin tones should go for a orange or peachy blush, while cooler skin tones should go for a pink blush. Gold tones work well with darker skin tones, it will create a glow rather than a blushing effect.
I would recommend any of the following products:

NARS Blush (powder)
MAC Powder Blush
SMASHBOX Blush Rush
BOBBI BROWN Blush award winning blush! Matte finish
BOBBI BROWN Shimmer Blush award winning blush!

I really like to emphasize the cheek bones. Apply blush starting at the apple of the cheek blending outward towards the hairline.

4. Contour

Choose a contour colour that is about 2 shades darker than your skin tone. Contour is used to create shadows on low points of the face, this is explained further is my past blog post Explaining Highlight and Contour. When defining cheek bones I like to contour first, add blush and finish with highlight.

I do not have specific product suggestion for a contour, I usually use a tanned colour blush, a pressed powder or a bronzer (bronzer is my last choice, but many people quite like using bronzer). Refer to my list of four brands under the foundations part of the post for look for products you like.

AVEDA's Petal Essence Face Accents plays the part of a highlight, blush and contour all in one. Use AVEDA's Inner Light Foundation Brush to apply smoothly over cheek bone (it is angled which is perfect, use the highest point of the brush for the highlight).

Now that you have an exceptional basic kit built, I am going to spend the next few posts showing you how to get the best use out of the products I have suggested. After that, I will suggest items to enhance your kit, compose an extremely useful set of make up brushes, as well as suggest mini kits for travel, a night out and everyday items to carry in your purse.

Always remember, make up is an expression of who you are, the inner beauty people don't always have the ability to see. You are beautiful, show that off by taking time to look your best.

Make Up Kit Essentials: Building a Fabulous Make Up Kit *Part Three: Little More for the Eyes and Lips

2011-01-24T22:38:00.005-05:00

You have gone through your kit, had time to shop and play around with my suggested basics, now it is time to add a little bit more. These five items will help to bring out the eyes and finish your look with the lips.The application will still be super simple and excellent for an everyday natural look. Here are the next items I suggest you add to your make up kit:

1. Eyeliner pencil

This is great to line the tarsal plate (the area just inside of the lashes). By lining the tarsal plate you will emphasize the shape of your eye and create a more finished look to your make up application. Also, you can line the top lid with a thin line and smudge slightly to create a more smokey effect. Eyeliner pencils are great to have in your kit because they can be used for many different techniques (which I will blog about in later posts). There is one eyeliner pencil I currently suggest. I love this product and have already published a post about it. I have not tested other brands of eyeliners, so please feel free to look for other brands.

MAC Eye Kohl in Smoulder

2. Eyeshadow Duo Palette- Neutral Tone

By buying a palette with two colours (a light tone and a darker tone) you will not have to go through the trouble of trying to find two shades that work well with your skin tone and together (you are simplifying your decision). If you have a cooler skin tone choose shades more of an earthy toned brown or with a cooler undertone. If you have a warm skin tone choose shades with more peachy, orange tones. If you have darker skin choose gold or copper tones. Apply the lighter shade over the entire lid then use the darker shade to define the crease.
Brands with excellent duo palettes are:

AVEDA Petal Essence Eye Colour Duo
NARS Duo Eyeshadow

3. Lip Gloss

Find a texture you like (smooth or sticky, light or think). Do you want clear to tinted, if you want a tinted gloss what colours do you like and how strongly pigmented (how obviously coloured) do you want it. Is scent important to you? Test different glosses and find what you like. There are so many lip glosses available everywhere I can't even begin to suggest specific ones.

4. (and 5)

You will need brushes to apply the eyeshadow. I suggest a larger tipped brush for the lighter tone and a smaller tipped brush to define the crease. When shopping look for shadow brushes and the size you want to use. Again start will less expensive brushes and when you are ready invest in better quality brushes. I will make a post in this series that focuses on creating an excellent set of make up brushes.

Have fun, be beautiful, keep building your make up kit!

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Make Up Kit Essentials: Building a Fabulous Make Up Kit *Part Two: The Very Basics

2011-01-21T00:19:00.003-05:00

Now that you have cleaned out you current kit I am going to start with what I believe are the absolute make up essentials to have in your kit. These items are for a simple, fresh look and excellent for people who don't want to spend very much money on their kit or time applying make up. The most basic kit I feel contains 6 items; a pressed powder foundation, a highlighter, mascara and 3 brushes (one for foundation, one for highlight and a brow comb). Allow me to explain...

Pressed Powder Foundation

Pressed Powder Foundations provide a light to medium coverage. They are excellent if you have generally good skin and just want to even out and liven up your face. Since it is a powder it is most easily applied with a brush (when I want more coverage I will use my finger tip as well).

Here are some powder foundations I would suggest:

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
AVEDA Innerlight Mineral Dual Foundation
NARS Powder Foundation
BOBBI BROWN Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation SPF 12 (Bobbi Brown products are excellent for dark skintones)

2. Highlight

Highlight is used to create a glow and emphasize areas on the face that are high points (where the bones protrude forward). Think of areas of the face that the sun naturally hits and light reflects. My favourite places to highlight are the cheekbones. Highlighting the cheekbones can act as a mini face-lift and make you appear more awake and alert.

Here are some highlight products I would suggest:

MAC Powder Blush in Gana *LIMITED EDITION PRODUCT*
MAC Iridescent Powder Loose *for lighter skin tones Silver Dusk is an excellent shade
AVEDA Eyeshadow- 492 Illumination *will suit most skin tones
BARE ESCENTUALS All-Over Face Colour- Radiance *different shades for different skin tones
NARS Highlighting Blush Powder *golden sheen good for darker skin tones
SMASHBOX Soft Lights in Shimmer *2007 best of Sephora Nominee

Note: For cooler skin tones (pink undertones) use a highlight that also has a cool undertone. For warmer skintones (tan/yellow/oranger undertones) use a highlight that has a gold undertone for the best, most natural results.

3. Mascara

I have one suggestion. Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara. It is the number one selling mascara, it was the first mascara ever made and it is sold for under ten dollars (I saw it at Wal-Mart for just under $5.00). This is the mascara I always suggest but I encourage to find one that you like best... just try this one first!

4. (also 5. & 6.)

A powder brush, an angled highlight brush and a brow comb. Start with inexpensive brushes to learn how to use them but be sure to invest in a good set of brushes later on. High quality brushes make a huge difference in your application results. They are generally softer (nicer for your face), longer lasting and less likely to shed.

These products are an excellent starting point for a make up kit. Go out an test the products I suggested as well as other brands to find what you like best. Before you buy take the time to test different products; see how long they stay on, feel the texture, see how well it compliments your skin. Remember you are now making an investment on you appearance, you want to make sure to find what best showcases your beauty.

Now go and start shopping! Please post comments and suggestions about great products you find!

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh.johnstone@gmail.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Make Up Kit Essentials: Building a Fabulous Make Up Kit

2011-01-20T00:24:00.002-05:00

This will be the beginning of another series of blogs. This series consist of items you need to build a great make up kit. I will begin with the very basics; cleaning out your current kit. From there I will continue with a few items that are an excellent starting point for every woman. Each post in the series will be an addition to the basic kit until a collection has been created. I will also include tips for building an on-the-go make up kit (super compact items that you can carry with you at all times), a touch up kit (items you will likely need for touch ups that you can tuck almost anywhere *club nights out ladies, you know what I'm talking about... down the side of your bra- we have all been there). Also, I will make a post on how to pack your make up kit when going on vacation (if you choose not to take a vacation from wearing make up as well- but do you really need mascara on the beach or ski slopes?)

Allow me to start at the beginning. It is likely that most women already have a make up kit (or drawer full of make up that they have no idea what to do with). My suggestion is to go through every piece of make up you have and have a garbage bin near by. Go through and ask yourself the following questions:

When did I buy this?

Why did I buy this?

How do I use this?

How often do I use this?

How long have a had this?

Would I buy this product again?

Do I need this?

When did I buy this?

Make up has an expire date. Mascara for example should not be used after 6 months of opening it. When you pull the wand out and push it back in, air gets into the tube and bacteria can begin to be grow. To help your mascara stay as 'fresh' as possible avoid "pumping" the wand before applying (instead use multiple coats on the lashes, building the mascara to desired look. Apply coats just before the mascara has completely dried to avoid breaking the lashes). Cream based products should be tossed after about a year and liquid products should be tossed if they begin to obviously separate. *Tip: I know this sounds odd but smell your make up when you purchase it, you will know it is time to get rid of it when the smell changes (a chemical smell).

Why did I buy this?

Was it suggested by the employee at the make up counter? Is it a friends favourite product? Was it from a product break down that your favourite celebrity was wearing in a magazine? Was the packaging pretty? (Pretty packages get me every time!) Is it one of you personal favourites that you buy all the time? Do you even remember? Look at the answer to this and if it is not that you like/use the product often chances are it's time to let it go (if the answer is that it is a friend's fav, offer it to them!)

How do I use this?

Quite simply if you do not know the answer you have two options: 1) Learn how to use it by asking someone (karleigh.johnstone@gmail.com I love to answer questions!) or 2) Throw it/give it away. *If you have had the product longer than a month chances are you should go for option two, as you have had the product long enough to know you clearly aren't going to take the time to learn to use it.

How long have I had this?

This is similar to asking yourself when did I buy this, but instead of thinking about whether your product needs to be tossed, think should it be tossed. For example going through my personal kit I found a bright blue eye shadow that I used to wear for dance recitals in the mid 90s. Am I ever going to wear this again? The answer is NO (unless I am going to and 80s themed party, but that is not very likely). Therefore it was gone. When going through your kit it is important to be unemotional. DO NOT BE A MAKE UP HOARDER! If you don't use a product, you don't need it.

Would I buy this product again?

Simple, if the answer is no, it's gone.

Do I need this?

The answer to all the other questions will help decide the answer to this question.

Now that you have an understanding of how to clean out your current kit, go and do it! Use the same rule with make up as for clothing- one in one out. Get rid of one item to make room for a new item. Also remember, I am not telling you if you don't use a product everyday you don't need it, I have eye shadows that I only use when I apply a smokey eye, which I only apply once every two months or so; I'm talking about items you really do not use. These are the items that get lost in the back of the drawer, bottom of your bag and make you say "oh! I remember this!" If you have forgotten that you have it there should be no problem kicking it to the curb (quite literally on garbage day).

Now go make room in you make up drawer, next it will be time to shop!

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Part Three: Light Coverage Foundation

2011-01-02T12:50:00.002-05:00

This is the last part of a three part post. I was asked about what foundation is the best, although there is no exact answer (it depends what you are looking for from your foundation) here are some foundations I would suggest. Part three of my foundation posts consists of foundations that provide light coverage. I tested foundations at Mac and Sephora, I found Mac had a wide range of colours and the price was slightly lower than many of the Sephora products.

I will begin with the foundations that provide the most coverage and end with the foundations that provide the least. Mac's Pro Long Wear is liquid based and has a light to medium coverage. It is priced at $35.50 CAD and comes in a large range of colours. At Sephora Clinique's Super Balanced Makeup provided a light to medium coverage. It has a dwy finish and a range of colours and is priced at $25.00 CAD. NARS Sheer Matte Foundation has light to medium coverage and is available in with a dewy or matte finish. There are lots of colour choices and it is priced at $55.00 CAD. The last light to medium coverage foundation I found was Makeup Forever's Mat Velvet foundation. It has a matte finish is available in many colours and priced at $39.00 CAD

The last foundation with a light coverage that I tested and would reccomend is Shiseido' Lifting Foundation. There are ten colour choices and is priced at $48.00 CAD.

Light coverage foundations are good if you have good skin and just want a light dusting to even small inperfections, or just want a base for the rest of your make up. Light coverage foundations let your natural skin come though.

This will be the final post of my foundation testing, I encourage to go out and find the right foundation for you. Decide what type of coverage you need, the finish you want (dewy, matte or a shimmer)and the type of foundation you like to use best (cream, liquid or powder), finally go shopping! Clueless as to how to find the right colour? Read on:

To find a foundation colour that matches your skin tone it is important to go shopping during the day (when the natural light is at its best) and with out make up on (I know a scary thought to leave the house with a nude face, but it will be to your benefit in the long run). To test the foundations colour place a line with your fingertip from under the cheek bone over the jaw line and slightly onto the neck. It you feel like it is a good match try the shades that are one darker and one lighter than the colour you chose. Put them on either side of the original test and the best match should "disappear". The reason you test the area under the cheek bone to the neck is because the neck can be a different colour to your face so you want to ensure it blends. Once you feel you have found a good colour test it on the forehead as well to make sure it matches the entire face.

Part Two: Medium Coverage Foundation

2010-12-15T22:43:00.003-05:00

This is part two of a three part post. I was asked about what foundation is the best, although there is no exact answer (it depends what you are looking for from your foundation) here are some foundations I would suggest. Part two of my foundation posts consists of foundations that provide medium coverage. I tested foundations at Mac and Sephora, I found Mac had a wide range of colours and the price was slightly lower than many of the Sephora products.

I will begin with the foundations that provide the most coverage and end with the foundations that provide the least. At Sephora I tested the Clinique Superfit Make Up. This was closer to full coverage, but still had some sheerness and could be lightly applied. It had a matte finish. Priced at $26.50 CAD I would highly recommend this foundation.

The Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation has a medium to full coverage, dewy finish and is available in twelve shades. It is priced at $55.00 CAD (at Sephora), although it is a good foundation, I would suggested a lower priced foundation (such as the Clinique Superfit Make Up I just spoke about) over this foundation.

Other medium foundations that have fuller coverage (and are under $40.00 CAD) are Clinique Even Better Make Up: available in twelve colours and is $30.00 CAD at Sephora, Mac Pro Longwear: available in a wide range of colours and is $35.50 CAD, and Stella Illuminating Powder Foundation: a powder foundation (which I personally prefer over a liquid foundation) available in eight colours (making it slightly more difficult to perfectly match your skin tone) and priced at $37.00 CAD at Sephora.

Slightly higher priced medium plus foundations (ranging from $40.00-$50.00 CAD) are Stella Illuminating Liquid Foundation: Shimmer finish (excellent if you want a glowing effect) available in eight colours and priced at $50.00 CAD at Sephora, Lorac Natural Performance Foundation: Oil- Free, dewy finish, available in ten colours and priced at $47.00 at Sephora, and Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover: Dewy finish, available in wide range of colours and price at $47.00 at Sephora.

The next three foundations provide the least coverage of the medium coverage foundations (remember I still have part three: light coverage foundations). First is the Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation: Matte Finish (excellent if you have dry skin and want a moisturizing foundation without a dewy finish) priced at $55.00 CAD at Sephora, Shiseido Stick Foundation: available in seven colours, I would suggest this foundation as a highlight (choose a colour slightly lighter that your skin tone) as it is a stick and you can apply it directly in areas you wish to highlight and then blend it out, it is priced at $42.00 at Sephora, and Korres Wild Rose Foundation: Oil-free with a shimmer (I would suggest this foundation over the Stella Illuminating Liquid Foundation for creating a glowing effect) and is priced at $39.00 CAD at Sephora.

Medium coverage foundations are good if you have good skin but sometimes have areas that you want to cover up (such as the famous pimple on class photo day). Medium coverage foundations provide enough coverage to cover flaws, but still let your natural skin come though. Apply lightly over entire face and then heavier in areas of difficulty.

Part three will be posted soon, so check back if you are looking for a foundation with light coverage. This will be the final post of my foundation testing, after that I encourage to go out and find the right foundation for you. Decide what type of coverage you need, the finish you want (dewy, matte or a shimmer)and the type of foundation you like to use best (cream, liquid or powder), finally go shopping! At the end of the light coverage post I will also include how to test the colour of your foundation to ensure it matches you skin tone.

Part One: Full Coverage Foundation

2010-12-10T14:35:00.002-05:00

This is part one of a three part post. I was asked about what foundation is the best, although there is no exact answer (it depends what you are looking for from your foundation) here are some foundations I would suggest. Part one of my foundation posts consists of foundations that provide full coverage. I tested foundations at Mac and Sephora, I found Mac had a wide range of colours and the price was slightly lower than many of the Sephora products.

The foundation I found that had the best coverage (you could cover EVERYTHING) was Mac: Studio Tech. It is in a compact and I would suggest applying it with a brush or a sponge. I would also recommend that you use a loose powder after to set the foundation and avoid creasing. If you have "dewy" skin, I would also recommend carrying a pressed powder in your purse for touch ups through out the day. This foundation is marked at $35.50 CAD with a wide range of colours, well worth the price!

Other full coverage foundations from Mac are Select SPF 15 liquid foundation and Studio Fix Fluid liquid foundation. These have slightly less coverage than the Studio Tech, but still provide full coverage. I would recommend these if you do not necessarily want to have to apply powder, as it is less likely to crease (however I still suggest to always powder your foundation). Since these foundations are not as oily as the Studio Tech, there would be less need for touch ups through out the day. Both these products are priced at $31.00 CAD and come in wide range of colours.

Out of the Mac store and onto my Sephora finds. The lowest priced foundation with full coverage I found at Sephora was Clinique's Perfectly Real Make Up. It has a Matte Finish and comes in many shades. I would suggest this product, especially if your really do not want to use a powder to set the foundation. It was marked at $30.00 CAD at the Sephora location I was at, it is most likely available at other stores, possibly with a different price point.

The other matte finish foundation I found with full coverage was Lancome's Teint Idote Ultra. Priced at $50.00 (again price may vary depending where you are shopping), I would say this is a good foundation, but there are more cost efficient alternatives that easily compare in quality.

Foundations with full coverage and a dewy finish I found were Tarte: Recreate Foundation with Wrinkle Rewind Technology (priced at $48.00 CAD), NARS: Firming Foundation (priced at $55.00, with a wide range of colours) and Laura Mercier: Silk Creme (priced at $55.00, with ten colour choices). I would recommend any of these foundations I you are looking for the fresh dewy look. Since the Tarte foundation is priced the lowest I would assume it would be the most sensible choice, I personally like the Laura Mercier foundation the best.

Part two will be posted soon, so check back if you are looking for a foundation with medium coverage. If you are looking for foundation with light coverage, be sure to look for Part 3.

Did you find this post helpful? Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear them! Please comment or email me for more specific questions at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

Stay tuned for more coverage on foundation! (Bad joke I know, but it just needed to be written)

Help for the Holidays

2010-12-03T20:25:00.001-05:00

This holiday season, ensure you look your best at all the parties you attend. Whether you want you make up done for a special event, want help choosing the right eyeshadow palette or give personal instruction on how to apply the perfect smokey eye; I can help you with what you need.

Make up application: I will apply your make up for a special event. Single or group bookings available.

Personal Shopper: I will go with you to choose the right make up for you, anything from foundation, to lip stick... I can help fill your make up stocking, so Santa doesn't have too.

Make Up Lessons: I will give step by step instruction on how to properly apply your make up. Lessons are based on what you specifically would like to learn (for example if you want to learn how to apply foundation that looks as though you are not wearing make up, or a perfectly blended smokey eye). Personal and Group Lessons available.

What ever your make up needs this season, I would be happy to help. Email me at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one) for details, availability and pricing.

All I want for Christmas is for you to look and feel your best!

Happy Holidays!

The Right Red Lipstick

2010-11-22T15:49:00.001-05:00

Many ladies I know tell me they want to wear red lip stick but feel that they cannot "pull it off". My answer is one: wear lip stick with confidence, it is a statement to make when you wear lip stick (wear it loud wear it proud). Two: choose the right red that best suits you. Here are some pointers on finding the right red.

The most important thing is finding a red that compliments your skin tone. If you have a cool skin tone (pinker undertones) then choosing a red with a cool undertone is best (more of a blueish red). If you have a warmer skin tone (more golden or orangeish undertones) choose a lip stick with a warmer undertone (even a browner tone of red).

If you are very very fair my suggestion is to stain the lips instead of having a fresh coat of lip stick (you can create a stain by putting on a coat of lip stick and blotting it off, do this a number of times to create a deep colour). If you have darker skin tones I would suggest to do the same. By staining the lips instead of having a bold fresh coat of lip stick, it will soften the look creating a less shocking effect.

For skin tones that are not super fair, or deliciously deep I suggest a strongly liner lip with a punchy red. Make sure to have a matching lip liner, that is very sharp and line the lips, then fill with the lip stick. Blot once to create a lasting stain, then reapply the lip stick for a fresh look.

Also, I enjoy a deep red for fair and darker skin tones. The combination of a dark deep red and staining the lips can be very seductive to light and dark skin tones. For skin tones in between I enjoy a bright punchy red, making the focus on those luscious lips.

The last piece of advice I would give on wearing red lip stick is to make that the "loudest" part of the make up application. Although it is possible to combine a smokey eye with a red lip, I would suggest to down play the eyes and create focus on the lips. I will usually wear minimal make up on the eyes and cheeks (for example just a winged eyeliner, thicker mascara light contour and blush with a little more emphasis on the highlight). By down playing parts of the other area on the face while still bringing them out (the heavy mascara and highlight) it will make the red lip stick stand out, while also subtly bringing out the rest of the face, creating a flawlessly beautiful face.

Questions, comments, feedback? I would love to hear it. Feel free to post a comment or for more specific question feel free to email me at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one).

My Love of Photoshoots

2010-11-17T17:09:00.000-05:00

This post is not specifically about make up. I'm not going to explain how to apply anything, trend or products, I'm going to express why I love what I do.

My favourite way to spend a day is being in a studio doing make up for a photo shoot. I love that there are so many people working together doing what they do best with one common goal... an amazing photo. It is a team that works together and each person has something they know well to contribute, and when everyone involved is passionate about what they do it creates a mood that is indescribable.

A typical photo you see in a magazine is not just about a model putting on clothes and standing to take a picture, there are so many steps from start to finish. There is someone who designs that clothing that the model wears, a designer who designs the jewelry, and another designer who designs the shoes. After someone designs these items there is another person who makes them and chooses the fabric. There are people who take the items and put them together to create the look (a stylist). Usually there is an art director who thinks of the story and mood that they want for the photograph. There are make up and hair people who make the model look the way she does to tell the story the art director wants to tell. A model brings realism in the way they hold their body and the emotions the show in their face. There is the photographer who is there to capture the moment that brings everything together. After the photo is taken there is post production that perfects the photo to ensure the story has been told.

In a photo shoot there are tons of photos, wardrobe changes, different accessories, changes in hair styles or lip stick colours that happen before taking "the" photo. The process is as much a work of art as the final photo and I am so happy when I am part of the creation.

To me a photograph captures the best part of each person involved, the love and passion they put into their work. It is beautiful to see what passion looks like, and the ways people express it.

Trends Through the Decades

2010-11-09T17:56:00.002-05:00

From the 1920s until the 1980s there were distinct make up trends each decade. There are most defiantly trends today, however they seem to change per season, not every ten years. Now make up trends are influenced on past trends and mixed and matched to create endless beauty effects.

In the 1920s women wore pale foundation with a very matte finish. Blush was pink and rose tones and worn lightly and mainly on the apple of the cheek and blended out (creating an "embarrassed" blushing look). Eye shadows were dark neutral colours such as grey, black or plum. Eye shadow was applied to look smokey and create a down-turned eye to create a damsel in distress look. Brows were tweezed thin to be straight at an angle to look worried. Lips were small with a round Cupid's bow in a deep colour (usually a deep plum).

The 1930s was all about being a glamorous woman. Foundation was ivory to pink tones with pastel coloured powders in ivory, mauve, pink green and blue (very pale not electric blue or emerald green by any means). Blush was pale ivory to pink, but a warmed tone closer to reds burgundies even towards yellow (more of a warm gentle sun kissed look). Lips were full and sensual, in the early 30s lip stick was raspberry toned and later in the 30s woman began wearing bright red. Eyeshadow had two different looks, day wear was Vaseline on the eyelids for a glossy look with lots of mascara, in the evening woman wore light iridescent eyeshadow over the entire lid with darker defined creases. Eyes were lined with white liner on the bottom of the eye and heavy mascara was used. Mascara was used to create long thin lashes, not thickness.

Because of the war in the 1940s, women began working and fashion and make up became more masculine. Foundation was natural and lightly powdered. Women often wore only powder and no foundation (money was sparse so make up became a luxury item which meant women only had a select few items in their make up bags). Blush was pink and rose tones mainly on the apple of the cheek and blended toward the temples. Eyeshadow was muted natural colours and mascara was worn with emphasis to the outer lashes. Brows were natural but well groomed. Lips were full and soft with rounded upper lip, in deeper red colours.

After the war was over glamour became women's focus once again. The 1950s was all about the beautiful house wife. Foundation was peachy coloured and more lightly powdered. Blush was pink tones worn on the lower half of the cheek bones creating a defined cheekbone. Eye shadows were blue or white, natural but lighter than the skin colour and the crease was softly defined. Eyeliner was worn and woman began wearing winged eyeliner (not very obviously) and heavy mascara was worn. Lips were full and defined, coral was a popular lip colour. Eyebrows were thick and dark and perfectly shaped.

The 1960s had two distinct looks. There was the hippie flower child look that was free and spirited, very natural but a lot of times hippies painted flowers or peace signs on their face. The other look was the mod look with heavily contoured cheekbones, dark geometric eyes with lots of eyeliner and exaggerate difference between the highlight colour on the lid and contour colour in the crease. Mascara was worn on both the top and bottom lashes and false lashes were very common (on both the top and bottom lases). Lips were nude, pale pink, silvery and white were popular.

The 1970s began to take inspiration from a past decade, the 1920s. Eyeshadow was dark and smokey, slightly down turned (not as drastic as the 20s were). Heavy mascara was worn on both the top and bottom lashes. Eyes were heavily lined in black especially on the inner rim of the eyes. Eyebrows were thin and sometimes bleached. Lips were shaped like the 20s cupids bow but not as small. Dark plum, and dark brown were popular lip colours. As disco became popular, glitter was added to glamorize the look.

The 1980s did not have specific techniques as to where eyeshadow was applied, how the lips were to look or how thin to tweeze the brows. The 80s was about experimenting and trying to express yourself. Make up was every colour known to man, combined in outrageous combinations. The trend in the 80s was to have fun, and many people did.

Looking through pages of magazines it is clear fashion uses past trends to create a feel. Although there are specific trends every season make up is more about what makes you feel the most glamorous. By taking parts of each decades trend each person can apply make up based on what brings out their most beautiful features. Take the time to find what you think is most beautiful and apply it to work for you.

I would love to hear what your favourite decade is for make up, or what part of each decade you like most. Please share your thoughts, and if the way you apply your make up is influenced on trends for past decades.

Questions, Comments, Feedback? I would love to hear it. Please post or you can email me at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com and I will reply to the best of my ability. You can also find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one) or follow me on Twitter (Karleigh_J)

My Favourite Black Eye Pencil

2010-11-01T18:49:00.002-04:00

There are many excellent eyeliners on the market but my personal favourite is Mac's Eye Kohl in Smolder (it is available in other shades). This pencil is creamy to put on and is easy to use in many different ways. Here are some of the ways I like to use this product:

To line the tarsal plate (inside part) on bottom of the eyelid.
Sometimes I rub the liner onto my hand then use a brush to apply a thin line on the top of the eyelid. This makes a softer line than if you use the pencil directly on your eye.
apply a thick layer of liner as though I'm lining my eyes heavily, then smudge it out to create a base for a smokey eye (I then add eye shadow on top)- there will be a more detailed post about how I apply a smokey eye... and there will be pictures!

This liner has dense pigment meaning it is solid in colour, and it smudges very well. The only negative thing about this liner is that because it is so creamy it can smudge if you don't want it to... especially if you are out dancing the night away and become. A way to avoid smudging is to press a black eye shadow over top of the liner, it is kind of like you are powdering the liner the same way you powder your face after you put on foundation.

Take a look at MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder for yourself

Do you have questions, comments or feedback. I would love to hear it! If you have specific questions you can contact me directly at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com or find me on facebook Karleigh Johnstone (I'm the only one).

Stay beautiful!

A Way of Looking at Beauty

2010-10-29T10:58:00.000-04:00

“We can learn to use makeup to emphasize our eyes or downplay a feature. But self-assurance involves learning to live with (and treasure) those fundamental things we can't change: the very features that make each of us beautiful and unlike anyone else.”
— Bobbi Brown

I really like this quote. I believe part of being beautiful is being confident and comfortable with who you are. Make up can be an excellent way to outwardly show how much you care about yourself, since you take the time to look the best you can. If you feel good take the time to look good, and if you don't feel good, take extra time to look good and it may help you feel better.

Explaining Highlight and Contour

2010-10-26T19:39:00.002-04:00

My post yesterday mentioned using highlight to achieve a fresh faced look. I had someone ask to explain what highlight is... here it goes:

The human face is 3D (shocking I know), so naturally when light hits our face there are areas that appear brighter and areas that become shadowed. This is natural highlight and contour. To emphasize what happens when light hits our face we can use make up to bring out our bone structure.

Highlight: typically a highlight colour should be 2 shades lighter than your natural skin tone. This of course is a general rule of thumb for the most natural look and you can use any shade lighter, as long as it is well blended. I personally use I white loose powder shimmer as my highlight, but I go slightly highlight crazy on my cheekbones.

Highlight is applied to areas of the face where the bone structure sticks out most. Areas such as the front of the nose, on your forehead between your eyebrows, on the edge of the jaw bone just before it curves onto your neck, and my personal favourite place to highlight... the top of the cheekbones.

Contour: a typical contour should also be about 2 shades from your skin tone, only darker instead of lighter. Contour is kind of the opposite of a highlight. It is applied to areas on the face where light naturally causes a shadow. I would not suggest to go a lot darker with a contour colour because it may look very obvious, or possibly like you have dirt smeared on your face.

The areas on the face that are most often contoured are the sides of the nose (to make the nose look thinner), in the temples, just underneath jawline where it curves at the neck, and under the cheekbones (the area that you suck in when making a face like a fish)

*One thing to know about highlight and contouring is making sure it is very well blended. when you put the make up on you brush remove the extra powder on a tissue and lightly dust the areas of the face to be contoured.

Now that I have explained the basics of what highlighting and contouring is supposed to achieve, here are some ideas of what products to use.

Foundation that is 2 shades lighter.darker than your skin tone (after you apply your foundation apply the highlight and contour using the same type of foundation before you powder, this will be the most natural look).
Pressed powders (if you have a palette of powders and want to get good use of them use the lighter and darker shades as your highlight and contour, this will be slightly more obvious but still very natural looking)
Blushes, eye shadows, bronzer, shimmer powder, any thing else that will work (these products will create the most dramatic effect, just remember to blend blend blend!)

I hope that explains things so you now have a basic understanding of how highlight and contour works and are able to try and play around with it.

I would love to hear your comments, questions, results about this post. Have specific questions? Feel free to send me an email at karleigh@karleighjohnstone.com, or find me on facebook (Karleigh Johnstone, I am the only one) and I will answer to the best of my ability.