Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Tuesday QuickTIp #38 - August 25, 2009

She's got everything - fab clothes, great jobs, a hot guy, and the most enviable eye makeup on the planet.

Now you can be one step closer to Barbie status - Brett tells us how to get those glam eyes...for real!



To get a vivid, crisp lash line like Barbie, arm yourself with a silver shadow compact and liquid eyeliner.

First, give a silver dusting to the whole lid from lash line to brow line and into the tear duct. Add a sweep of a purple-gray hue to the crease of the eyelid to add depth.

To apply liquid liner like a pro, use one with a felt tip applicator - they're easier to control. Brett loves Sephora's version. Lightly dot on the liner and stay as close as possible to the lash line. Then, press the felt tip firmly into skin (press too lightly and it might bump along) and 'connect the dots' to smooth the line, fanning it up and out toward the temples on the ends.

Remember, liquid liner takes about a full minute to dry. When the liner stops glistening, it's dry.

Voila! You're a Barbie girl!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tuesday QuickTip #37 – August 11, 2009

Have you seen those deep wine and plum lip colors on the shelves (think Megan Fox), but aren’t sure how to pull them off?

As fall approaches, these shades become more popular. Brett shares his advice for rocking a punky dark lip color with style and confidence.

Click below for the inside scoop!



1. To ease into deep shades, try a sheer gloss version. The shade in the tube will have a huge color impact, but it goes on sheer and lets your natural lip shine through. Kind of like the stain from a lollipop!

2. If you want more of a goth, matte look, try a lipstick form. Beware though, the deep, solid pigment in lipsticks can be a bit aging. Brett typically prefers a gloss format.

3. Go sparse on eye makeup – save the smoky eyes for another time. Only one feature on your face should pop, and with a dark pucker, you want all the attention on your lips. You still want lots o’ lash though… maybe try the silver liner trick (Quick Tip #29!).

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Tuesday QuickTip #36 - August 4, 2009

Are small dark patches and discolorations on your face ruining your look?

Lots of women suffer with bouts of hyperpigmentation or melasma. Brett Freedman shares his advice for safely lightening skin and keeping dark spots from coming back.

Click below for the inside scoop!


Tackling melasma and hyperpigmentation is a 3 step process – lighten the existing patches, prevent them from coming back, and disguise what’s still there.

1. Use a lightening cream or gel. Over the counter, you can buy 2% bleaching creams, but to truly see results, Brett recommends asking your derm for a prescription for a 4% facial bleach.

2. Stay out of the sun! Even when you aren’t basking by the pool, your skin is still exposed, and sun exposure makes melasma look more pronounced. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with physical blockers and wear it daily. Brett’s fave? Clinique City Block. It’s oil-free with SPF 40 and contains both titanium oxide and zinc oxide. It looks great under makeup and in photos; Brett uses it on all his girls!

3. Use makeup where needed to disguise patches. The object is to lightly veil dark spots, not to make them disappear under layers of foundation. Apply foundation as usual and then build more coverage in problem areas with a tiny brush dipped in liquid foundation. Brett loves LORAC Breakthrough Performance or Revlon ColorStay for this – both are sheer yet long-lasting.