How to create amazing cheekbones!

Cheekbones are the envy of every women......and possibly man!

We all have them, some more defined then others, but I can quiet happily say it is very achievable with the right tools and products!

When selecting your contour kit/colours ensure you go for a browny/grey/ash colour that has a matte finish. Anything with shimmer or glitter defeats the purpose.......we can add that later! Next, suck in your cheeks, check the natural shadows created on your face and in that dark area go for your life. Blend the product so there are no sharp lines, we want a wonderfully blended area.

I like to add a nice shimmer, cream or powder, it doesn't matter just as long as it compliments your skin tone and you contain the products to the highest point of your cheek.

And for the rest of the look check out the step-by-step video!

Melbourne Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist Zoe Karlis.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ZoeKarlisMak... 
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Pinterest http://pinterest.com/zoekarlis/ 

FACE
Cinema Secrets - Kit #5http://www.makeupandglow.com.au/Cinem... 
MAC Studio Finish - NW25 -http://www.maccosmetics.com.au/produc...

EYES
Shu Uemura Orange & Pistacchio Palette http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/product/...
Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Liner - 001 Onyxhttp://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics...
YSL Mascara Shocking - Blackhttp://shop.davidjones.com.au/djs/en/...
MAC Eyeshadow - Omegahttp://www.maccosmetics.com.au/produc...

CHEEKS
Senna Face Sculpting Kit - Shade 1http://www.makeupandglow.com.au/Senna...
MAC Blush Well Dressedhttp://www.maccosmetics.com.au/produc...
MAC Mineralised Skin Finish Soft & Gentlehttp://www.maccosmetics.com.au/produc...

LIPS
Bobbi Brown Lip Liner - Sandwash Tullehttp://www.davidjones.com.au/brands-b...
Revlon Lipstick - Nude Attitude 001 -http://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics... 

www.zoekarlismakeup.com.au

For all enquiries please email:
info@zoekarlismakeup.com.au

Nicole Richie Inspired Makeup!

Ive recently become a massive fan of The Voice Australia and I think it's due to the fact Joel Madden is a judge - Im just being honest! In true Australian style we have claimed him as one of ours, and I have no doubt we will somehow convince the rest of the world that he is Australian......in one way or another!

And with Joel, comes the ever beautiful Nicole Richie. I absolutely adore that gorgeous thing! Starting from her fashion, makeup and sweet disposition! I've recently fallen in love with her new hair cut which has me thinking I may just have to conform to a NR mini her!!

I recently saw Nicole on Fashion Star, where she is a mentor to a group of up and coming designers. She had the most incredible makeup on and I wanted to recreate the look for you all. When researching her look it became very apparent she has her own style. If not for the show and red carpet appearances, her most worn look is beautiful creamy skin, natural toned smokey eyeshadows with a defined liquid eyeliner and nude lips. I have chosen this look, from the show,  as I think it looked sensational on her. Hope you like it x

Below are the reference shots to the tutorial:

How To: Smokey Bottom Lash Eye!

As you will see or have already noticed there were a few minutes in the clip that didnt upload/was deleted or didnt record (I DONT KNOW!!).

Anyway it was things that you've seen a million times - I applied mascara, a little color to the bottom lash and some blush. I have listed all the stuff below!

Can't say sorry enough!!

FACE

Chanel Pro Lumiere #40

EYES

Burberry Eyeshadow - Trench #02

NARS Eyeshadow - Bali

Bourjois Waterproof Clubbing Eye Pencil

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre #83

Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara

CHEEKS

Bourjois Rose Ambre #74

Chanel Illuminating Powder

LIPS

MAC Creme De Nude

MAC Cremesheen Right Image

www.zoekarlismakeup.com.au

My all time favourite products!

All the products I featured in this video were selected due to the fact 1) I could not do my job properly without them or 2)I personally use them and they are a stand out for me!

I have many many many more 'favourite' products but I think what Ive shown you today is very accessible and worth trying.

Products featured:
Bioderma Crealine H2O
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre Moisturiser
REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Shu Uemura Foundation Brush #18
Beauty Blender
Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation
Cinema Secrets Foundation
YSL Pure Chromatics #8
Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow
NARS Laguna
MAC Springsheen Blush
Revlon Grow Luscious Liner
Bourjois - Contour Clubbing Waterproof 
Anastasia Brow Wiz
Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara
Revlon Lip Butters

Product Review - Mascara!

Ive said it before and Ill say it again I am a mascara junkie! I love what it does to our eyes and when you find that magical one its like you've reached the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow....yes that good!!

The ones featured in this video are all tried and tested! When looking for a good mascara I need it to do a few things:

Last throughout the day nicely (obviously!!).
Not to flake.
Not to smudge.
Not to irritate the eye.
Ensure it has a nice black creamy formular.
The brush needs to separate, curl and lengthen the lash.


The ones featured in my video are below and in Australian dollars (generally $millions more than anywhere else!!!!).

MAC False Lashes $42
YSL Shocking Mascara $52
Benefit They're Real $38
Chantecaille Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara $100
Christian Dior Diorshow Iconic $38
Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara $15.95 
Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer $42
Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara $40
Kevyn Aucoin Curling Mascara $40

Professional Interview Makeup!

Job interviews are absolutely nerve racking and you want to feel absolutely comfortable in every aspect. Just like preparing what you want to say I also think the makeup you wear on the day plays a huge part. No potential employer wants to see caked on makeup, massive false lashes or bright pink lipstick........unless its a particular job you're going for *wink *wink!!

Hopefully this may prepare you in the makeup  department. Keep your nails neat, clean with a soft coloured polish and dont go overboard with the jewellery!!!

xx

Shu Uemura, Aesop & MAC Product Review!

Ive decided to do at least (I'll try!!!) one product review a a week so every third video. Let me know if thats too much!

Products reviewed:

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Subline Beauty Cleansing Oil - Ive been using this for the last 3 weeks and love it. I was a little sceptical to begin with so I was thrilled when they gave me some samples to try. Instantly my skin felt soft and clean and the fact you can remove your eye makeup with it says a lot! The one I purchased has 8 exquisite oils from botanical origin for ultimate solution to 8 skin benefits powerful yet gentle botanical origin removal system for superb cleansing. Rest assured there are several oils for different skin types.

"shu uemura cleansing oil was developed from the knowledge that mr. uemura gained while working as a foremost hollywood makeup artist in the 1950s. the secret to shu uemura cleansing oil is protecting the skin's delicate balance while removing make-up and impurities in a single step."

Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream - As mentioned in my review I was sick of reapplying lip balm all day long and was in the look out for a moisturising lip cream when I came across this. The lip cream soothes and softens which is ideal in any climate. Valued at $15 you dont need to keep applying and it certainly delivers!!

MAC On The Hunt - As part of the 'Styleseeker' release this duo eye palette is beautiful. I love the colours so much and can be blended effortless. I was able to locate the names of them individually which was great  - the bronzy one is called Star Myth and the red bronze is Raving Mand.

Hope you guys enjoyed it and let me know if you have any feed back xo

Alexa Chung Inspired Makeup!

This Alexa Chung requested inspired tutorial is simple and very easy to achieve. When researching her look, Alexa's everyday makeup is pretty much identical, her thin long liner and half way liner/shadow on the bottom lash line is evident in almost all her photos. I love her style and look - "preppy meets grandma"! So cute x

Products featured

FACE
Chanel Pro Lumiere #40
MAC Studio Fix NW25
Benefit Erase Paste #2

EYES
MAC Paint Pot Painterly
NARS Voyager
Bourjois #74
MAC Fluideline Blacktrack
Christian Dior Brown Eyeliner
Christian Dior Extase Black
Anastasia Brow Wiz Medium Ash
Anastasia Brow Gel Clear

CHEEKS
MAC Well Dressed

LIPS 
Guerlain #361

How to apply bronzer!

Bronzer is the one beauty product when applied incorrectly can looked absolutely horrendous..........no ifs or buts! But when applied correctly will give you that Jennifer Lopez goddess glow.

To simply avoid the horror follow these 3 simple rules:

1. When trying to achieve the tanned/bronzed look go for a matte bronzer preferably 2 shades darker then your natural skin tone.
2. Add a seperate highlighter to the areas you want to basically highlight.
3. Apply the bronzer to the areas the sun would naturally hit and blend away.

I not only blog about them but I use them!

Following my previous blogs on gel liners used as eyeshadows and my new favourite Stila Colour Convertibles here are some images using both...........my Easter Saturday prep.

Foundation - Chanel Matt Lumiere
MAC Concealer - NC 25
Bobbi Brown gel liner - Ivy Shimmer Ink
Mascara - Boujoirs Volume Glamour Max Definition Mascara
Cheeks/ Lips - Stila Colour Convertible - Peony

HAIR - Cloud Nine Curling Tong (JUST THE BEST ONE EVER!!!)

The best & worst gel liners!

Im a fan, huge fan actually, of gel liners and I've had the opportunity to work with many different brands.


Those of you who follow my blog know not only do I use the gel liners to line the eye but I often use them as eyeshadows particularly when doing a dark smokey eye. They are perfect for this look as the majority of them are smudge, crease & waterproof and add depth to eyeshadow.


Having said that not all gel liners are the same and Ive even found a huge contrast in liners from the same brand. Some glide on seamlessly and have intense colour while others either look dull or dry up the minute you twist the cap to open it! Below are my favourite and not so favourite liners.

Favourites:


MAC Fluideline in Blacktrack - my absolute favourite black gel liner. This product does exactly what its supposed to. It applies beautifully, gives you a real intense black finish and will not budge or smudge all day! 


Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Bronze Shimmer (not sure if this colour has been replaced with Chocolate Shimmer) - I LOVE THIS LINER!! I frequently use this to create an amazing brown smokey eye but it also makes a nice liner when you want a softer outline. 


Shu Uemura in G Silver- This is a lovely silver shimmer colour which is a nice alternative to a light liner. I like to use this product to highlight the inner eyes near the tear duct - just beautiful.


Not so favourite:

MAC Fluideline in Waveline - Bad, real bad if you thought this was going to give you a lovely blue colour. It applies quite transparent and you need layers to give you an intense colour. So disappointing as I love the colour.


Bobbi Brown and Shu Uemura in Black - my problem with both of these is their longevity. They dry out so quickly and they become unusable in a matter of no time.

How to properly clean your Makeup Brushes!

SORRY! That's all I can say.

I'm terribly sorry its taken so long to post but I do have a great excuse and its called an Hawaiian holiday.

Very soon Ill be showing you ALL of my purchases (*gasp) there is a lot, with reviews and recommendations on them all.

But in the interim, and following my post on brushes, I wanted to share with you the way I clean my much loved brushes. With the right tender love & care brushes can last you a very long time and considering you're spending so much on them its only right you really look after them - right? Cleaning them regularly also rids them of all the yucky unwanted bacteria that lurks and breeds in your brushes particularly if you're a makeup artist!

There are several ways to clean them with my favourite simply being some baby shampoo and warm water. The reason for this is that its gentle and it thoroughly cleans them leaving them without any residue.

• All you need to do is place a small amount of the shampoo into the palm of your hand, wet the bristle part of the brush and gently massage the bristles in with the shampoo. 
• Once you've worked up a lather rinse the brush doing your best to avoid the ferrule (the metal part of the brush) to avoid the adhesive deteriorating. 
• Grab yourself a clean towel and squeeze the brush head/move it gently around the towel to remove excess waters.
• Lay them flat on a table edge NOT STANDING to dry. The reason you need to have them not  standing is to once again avoid any excess moisture moving down the brush particularly the ferrule section causing them to eventually come apart.

For quick and easy cleans in between you can purchase pure alcohol or brush cleanses (MAC stocks one), spritz a little onto a tissue and clean the head of your brush. I often find many brush cleansers leave a soapy/oily residue so I personally would choose the alcohol which instantly cleans and kills any bacteria.

MAC Brush Cleanser

BEN nye alcohol based cleaner

One base - 3 lips!

Lip colour can make a world of difference to any ones makeup. Whether you select a lipstick, gloss, tint, pigment or even glitter it can totally change the outcome of the overall look.

Don't believe me? Below are some examples of how three different colours and even shapes (for fun!!) can look completely different. Remember I haven't changed anything else but the lip product. 


Before you go slapping your lipstick on PLEASE remember flaky dry lips are sooooo not attractive. For a quick do it yourself gentle lip exfoliate mix a little baking soda with some water and gently rub it over your lips.  Then smother on lip balm and let it do its job!!

MAC Cremesheen Gloss in Boy Bait

NARS Bloodwork lipgloss & MAC red glitter

Chanel Noir  Obscurs - Hysteria
MAC studio fix to block lips out.

Have fun with lipstick - there is a shade out there for everyone….if not 10!

So feeling sorry for myself!

Ok, so Im at home, sick and feeling completely sorry for myself…..you'd think Im a man! 


By mistake, I took a glimpse in the mirror and almost dry-reached at the site of my complexion. If feeling like death isn't enough I now look like it. So I guess this is where the topic of foundation comes into it.


I loathe the site of foundation on people. It shouldn't be used to render your face (yes, growing up I too was a victim of this) but instead it should be used to even out your skin tone and often enhance it. 


Obviously if you are blessed with good skin a light tinted moisturiser or sheer foundation such as MAC Face & Body or Chanel Pro Lumiere is more then sufficient. For people with problem skin DON'T think you have to wear a very thick cover - if anything it will only draw more attention to your skin. Choose a long lasting, good coverage foundation such as Lancome Teint Idole Utlral 14hr or Mac Studio Fix and set with a translucent powder to help it set. The trick is to blend blend and blend!

My all time favourite that suits most skin types is Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20. It has an incredible finish, lasts forever and protects your skin against horrible UV rays. I use this on most brides and on the majority of shoots!! Its not cheap but worth every $.

Eyeliner

Over a delicious meal at Saloni in Richmond (I'm still dreaming of that lamb), I sat with my beautiful friend Olga and discussed eyeliner - because that's what we all do, right!?!


Eyeliner can be so much fun and there are many different products we can use with different ways to apply them! Gel liner, pencil, eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner are a few and remember they come in many colours so the possibilities are endless.


Confused? Hope this helps…..


Gel Liner - Gel liners are typically smudge proof/waterproof, so no panda eyes here! First time users may find it a little daunting to apply but with a bit of practice you'll perfect amazing flicks, lines and definition. Gel liners are my favourite by far, with the best being MAC Fluid Line or the Bobbi Brown Long Wear. And if that's not convincing enough, they can double up as an eye shadow. The only downfall is if you don't keep the jars airtight they often dry out.


Liquid Eyeliner - This form of eyeliner is similar to the gel but with the most obvious difference being its ink consistency and the applicator. As it is a liquid I find if you apply it and don't let it dry fully you may end up with rings around your eye. Don't let that discourage you, once again its just practice. I've had a Dior one which I've sworn by but Olga did mention she loved the Stila, so there are plenty of options.


Pencil - An all time favourite for most and a great bridal alternative. It has the ability to be softened and is very  easy to apply. I guess the main thing to look out for is the softness and colour depth of the pencil. I like to go over it with an angled brush to give it a smoother look. I have a million pencils but the ones that stand out for me are the Christian Dior for its creamy consistency and staying power and  the Estee Lauder Double Wear.


Eyeshadow - Who would have thought!! Yes, eyeshadow on top of any of the above, when properly applied gives amazing depth, colour and staying powder. Applied alone, with an angled brush it gives a soft finish that can be reapplied and blended. Truly try this technique as it gives a lovely finish. 

                                 Photographer: The talented Shamim de Varax


Here's some fun I had with eyeliner on a shoot . See, it can be fun and remember to experiment with colour!!!