When I travel one of my pet peeves is hotel bathroom mirrors! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that these were designed by men who never have to apply makeup and never look in the mirror.

Invariably, I try getting super close up or several feet back to see if I can get the overhead lighting to be a bit more forgiving. I inevitably give up and go to the mirror over the desk in the bedroom or grab a hand mirror (if it’s daytime) and go to the window.

What’s up with that?

It should not be nearly so complicated to apply a little makeup! I hate leaving the room wondering if I look scary or not!

And, it’s not just makeup that can be affected. If you’ve ever tried matching colors in a dark room or if you’ve ever left the house wearing one navy and one black sock or shoe then you know what I mean. With inadequate lighting colors aren’t always what they seem and often you don’t realize it until it’s too late to do anything about it.

Unfortunately, so many women settle for the equivalent of hotel bathroom mirrors every day when they get dressed and put on their makeup. If you’ve been putting on your makeup in the dark you’ll be surprised by the difference when you have better light and can actually see what you are doing. You’ll apply your makeup faster and seemingly effortlessly compared to squinting and doing various facial acrobatics just to put on your makeup!

Here are a few tips to keep you from looking like you got dressed in the dark:

Use natural light whenever possible. The absolute best lighting for getting dressed or putting on your makeup is natural light. It allows you to see everything absolutely clearly. No more wondering if your blush is blended well or the powder under your eyes is accentuating any lines. You’ll know for sure. It can seem a bit unforgiving at first but if you like the way you look in natural light you’ll love it everywhere else.

Unfortunately, it is not always feasible or convenient to use natural light since not all bathrooms have access to a window and many closets (and even bedrooms) are very dark. Not to mention that on a cloudy day natural light is pretty much unavailable. Whenever you do have access to natural light, use it — even if it means taking a hand mirror over to the window to check your makeup and outfit before leaving the house. Hint: When evaluating your makeup or clothing in a hand mirror in front of a window, always face the window. You’ll get a splash of natural light on your face and can see everything clearly.

Banish overhead lighting. Because it is over your head it casts shadows giving you dark circles and basically make it nearly impossible to see what you are doing – at least with any degree of confidence. It lights the room but it doesn’t allow you to see your face clearly and without that ability you feel frustrated – or just tired after seeing all those light-enhanced dark circles. It’s easy then to overcompensate by applying more under eye concealer than you actually need.

You don’t have to tear out all the existing lighting in your bathroom (although that would certainly be ideal) and start over. Nope, you can keep what’s there but just do your makeup elsewhere. Instead, invest in a lighted makeup mirror and set it on your bedroom dresser or vanity in your bathroom – wherever it’s convenient. They generally have a “daylight” setting and that will give clean, clear, even light for applying your makeup. (Just be sure you don’t position it directly under an overhead light or next to a table lamp or as these can adversely affect the light from the makeup mirror.)

Change your lightbulbs. Even if your bathroom vanity mirror is lit from the side, you’ll want to check on what type of lightbulbs you are using. Most incandescent bulbs cast a yellow glow which is also not helpful in evaluating color and let’s not even talk about most fluorescent bulbs which make us all look slightly green. Can it really affect what you see that much? Let me share an experience I had that drove this point home.

One day many years ago I stopped at the cosmetic counter to buy some nail polish. I wanted a coral color and found just what I wanted pretty quickly. I couldn’t wait to get home to wear it. As I stepped out of the store into daylight I took the polish out of the bag to look at it again. Imagine my shock and disappointment when the color turned out to be bright cotton candy pink not coral as I had thought? I immediately returned the nail polish but this was a real eye opening experience for me. Indoor lights can fool your eye and most store lighting adds a touch of yellow or green to everything in there.

Whether we are talking about applying makeup in your bathroom or getting dressed in your bathroom or walk-in closet, the best option is full-spectrum or halogen lighting which directly mimics natural light.

Of course, we can only control the lighting in our own home not what we find in stores or dressing rooms. It always amazes me that most stores do not pay more attention to how a dressing room is lit. Do we really want to see every inch of cellulite or look overly tired because of the shadows the overhead lights cast? It can be disturbing and discouraging, and I know it results in lost sales from time to time. Or, have you ever danced around the store trying to find a corner where the overhead spotlights don’t cast funny shadows or where it isn’t so dark you can’t see the detail in a fabric? I do it all the time and always wonder why the stores aren’t more aware of this problem.

The solution is whenever possible take it over to natural light to evaluate the color, inspect the fabric, determine how well it matches what you want to pair with it, etc. If the store doesn’t have any natural light or it’s a cloudy day, do the best you can to decide if you like it and consider taking it home to try it on in better light. Of course, you will only want to do this if they have an adequate return policy.

All lighting is not created equal and poor lighting can definitely distort how you see things. Make your life easier and your morning routine more pleasant by adjusting the lighting in your home wherever possible. And, when it comes to shopping be aware that the lighting is not always optimal and give yourself a break when you stand in front of the mirror or are having a hard time seeing a garment clearly. It will be less of a shock when you get a garment home and find out it’s really eggplant and not brown. Blame it on the lighting and return it if it isn’t what you want.

I have been wearing makeup since I was 13. So, okay, in the beginning I only wore mascara (because I have blonde eyelashes and really wanted dark ones like my friend. Joanne), but it changed my world. The three days I wore lipstick in junior high school don’t count – they were too traumatic! It then took me another 15 years before I learned how to apply makeup properly.

The most important thing I learned is that it’s always important to know what you’re doing when you apply makeup, and that is doubly true when you are a super fair skinned redhead. Even the slightest goof with color or technique, and it’s easy to look like Bozo the Clown! So, believe me, these tips are tried and true!

I also know that women want their makeup routine to be simple and quick. Primping is not high on most womens’ schedules these days (myself included) so knowing what works and what doesn’t let’s us cut to the chase and not futz around with techniques that don’t work or don’t get you the results you want.

For me, part of what was so fun about makeup (and fashion) was that as I learned things that made a difference for me I was able to share these techniques with my clients and give them that same ah-ha experience!

These 3 makeup tips are things I do every single day (and have for years), and I teach them to my makeup clients all the time. Perhaps you are already doing them but if not, enjoy!

Apply your concealer to your eyelids.

As we age (although I’ve seen this with plenty of younger women, too), the skin on our eyelids often takes on another color – blue, purple, brown or red. This color can detract from our eyes and make you look tired, but there’s an easy fix.

Apply a light coat of concealer or foundation to your eyelids. Not just the part under your brow bone (which I already see a lot of women do), but on your lids. This will brighten your eye area and allow more focus to go to the color of your eyes. Use a light color eyeshadow or a dusting of translucent powder over the concealer/foundation, and it will last well!

Make Your Eye Color Pop with One Simple Tip

Have you ever seen a makeup application in a magazine and thought, “Ooooh, I’d love to do my makeup like that.” So, you follow their explicit instructions and when you look in the mirror something seems to be missing. You re-read the directions but, nope, you can’t figure out what you did wrong.

Don’t worry. It’s not you. For some reason they often forget to tell us one very important step that they do that makes a huge difference in how your eyeliner looks. Here it is: More often than not they are applying eyeliner to the upper inside ledge of the eye (and lower inside ledge if they are doing a smoky eye), but somehow they often forget to mention that. It’s a very easy technique although it takes a bit of practice if you are not used to putting something that close to your eyes (contact lens wearers will find this super easy). I’ve been doing it for 25 years, and people always tell me how natural my makeup looks. Using a black, charcoal or dark navy pencil will look great on most people. (Hint: You have to lift up the upper lid a bit to see that ledge I’m talking about.)

Create Your Own Customized Lipstick Color

How many times have you gone to the cosmetic counter to find the perfect lipstick only to leave frustrated. You see other women wearing beautiful colors but somehow you never seem to find exactly what you want.

The simple truth is that many times a beautiful, seemingly perfect, lipstick color is actually more than one color layered. Yes, it can really make a difference and what does it take to create this look? All of about 10 seconds. You apply one color and then another…zip, zip, zip and it’s all done. And, reverse the way you layer them and you will find it will look subtly different from the first way. Or, try applying a lip gloss to your lips first and then your deeper evening lipstick color over that and voila, the deeper color is slightly diffused by the gloss and now feels more like a daytime color.

It’s fun. It’s easy and it expands your lipstick options without buying a new tube!

These 3 tips, while not earth-shattering, are fun, easy and can have a profound impact on how your makeup looks. Play with them and see what you think. I suspect you’ll be pleasantly surprised and be sporting a new look right away!
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Cleaning up our act is what prompts us to set new year resolutions.  In our enthusiasm, however, we often set resolutions that involve a long-term commitment.  We begin with gusto, and sadly, 80% of our well intentioned resolutions fizzle within a month.  After a while we think, why bother and may even stop making them altogether.

Now you can make and complete a few resolutions in a matter of minutes!  They will give you satisfaction, keep your skin healthier, and get your new year off to a clean start!

1. Wash Your Makeup Sponges And Brushes. You use them day in and day out and yet most people rarely think about all the bacteria they harbor…and they do.  You know that powder compact you use every day?  The same sponge has been in there since you bought it, right?  Give it a wash.  Use a little shampoo, facial cleanser, or liquid hand soap.  It probably will not ever be white again but at least it will be rid of all the built up gunk.  One word of caution: if you’ve used it a really long time already, it might fall apart.  It is best to wash your sponge every 2 or 3 weeks (at least).  Once they get to be too dirty they won’t hold up to the washing.  If you fear yours is too old, go to the drugstore and find a replacement before you attempt to wash the old one…just in case.The same goes for your makeup brushes.  Chances are you invested a little bit in them and if they are good quality they will last.  But, not if you don’t wash them.  Built up makeup, oils from your skin, and dirt will eventually break down the bristles, and you’ll have to replace the brush sooner than you would if you simply washed it periodically.  Rinse the brush under warm water.  Put a bit of shampoo or facial cleanser in the palm of your hand and swirl the brush in it.  Rinse it well until all the residue is gone.  Squeeze the bristles gently in a paper towel and allow the brush to air dry.  You’ll breathe new life into your brushes, and they’ll be so much healthier for your skin.
2. Replace Your Mascara.  9 out of 10 women haven’t a clue as to when they bought their current mascara.  This is the one makeup product you don’t want to fool around with.  The dark, damp packaging is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.  Replacing it every 3-6 months is important.  If you buy a new one first thing in the new year you’ll easily remember the date and know when it’s time to get your next one!
3. Throw Stuff Out! Take a look in your cosmetic bag.  What’s in there?  Do you use it all?  Is anything more than 3 years old?  Does anything smell funny or have a weird consistency?  Do yourself a favor and throw out at least 3 things (they are in there, I’m sure!).  Get rid of those weird lipstick colors you got as a sample or the light violet blush you got because it was “in” last spring.  Unload those eyeshadow compacts where you’ve used up the one color you really liked. Admit it, it’s true…you’ll never use the other colors.  Dump that moisturizer you bought on a whim when someone told you it would take 20 years off your face but it felt too goopy to use it long enough to find out.  You’ll never miss these things and your load will be lightened as you head into a new year.

Cleaning your sponge and your brushes can be done while you’re brushing your teeth.  Buy a new mascara the next time you’re in the drugstore or favorite department store or call me, and I’ll send you one (that’s even quicker!).  And throw out 3 things from your cosmetic bag the next time you’re putting on your makeup.  What could be easier and more freeing!

Happy New Year!

As you may be aware, I write a monthly article for One Green Planet — a blog that brings together a range of distinct voices, unified by a commitment to spreading good ideas that benefit people, animals and the planet.

Many of my readers have indicated that they are interested in my vegan lifestyle and the options available to anyone interested in exploring cruelty-free fashion choices.

My latest article, “5 Reasons to Use Vegan Makeup Brushes,” has been published and can be of interest to Vegans and non-Vegans, alike. After all, every woman needs good quality makeup brushes.

Please visit

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/5-reasons-to-use-vegan-makeup-brushes/

to read my latest article.

I invite you to leave a comment on the site or share the article with your social networks as well.

Are you confused? Do you head into a store all hopeful and happy and leave disgruntled and crabby? Some of you tell me that shopping has gotten to the point where you walk into the store filled with dread and a certainty you won’t find anything – that’s how often you’ve been disappointed.

Knowing what to buy and what looks good can feel tricky. I regularly get questions about particular styles and whether they are suited to someone over 40…and in some cases, anyone at all regardless of her age.

So, I thought we’d have a little fun with it. Let’s talk about 5 fashion or makeup styles that are questionable at best and are, in some cases, absolute no-no’s, especially for women over 40(ish).

1. Puffy Short Sleeves. We are not little girls anymore, and puffy sleeves have a tendency to infantilize grown women. Sure, it can depend on the degree of “puff” and the feeling of the rest of the outfit, but if you put something on and the first thing you see when you look in the mirror is a young girl staring back at you, it’s probably best to leave it to the teenagers. If it is combined with a babydoll style top, don’t even try it on.

2. Too Tight Tops. Not too long ago my partner and I were having lunch in our favorite restaurant and a group of women walked in – two young women and a third woman who we presumed to be their mother. The mother was wearing a white spandex, low cut top. It left absolutely nothing to the imagination (especially from behind) and was unflattering on too many levels to count. I felt sad for her because instead of making her look younger it made her look older.

Yes, the style these days is to wear everything super tight, and in some cases it can have a slimming effect (if the fabric has enough body to hold you in). But, more often than not the opposite is true. Combine that with the fact that the designers today (especially in the summer) have a tendency to make tops out of paper thin fabrics that forgive absolutely nothing and reveal everything. Whether or not you find it attractive, the one certainty is that it is distracting.

Always be sure the fit of your garments skims your body and the fabric glides rather than clings.

3. Too Short Pants. Pants that end at the ankle are universally unflattering. They will always make your legs look shorter and never hit you at a place that balances your body. Mostly, they just look like you washed your pants and they shrank but you didn’t notice.

4. Heavy Eyeliner. Many women get stuck in a makeup rut wearing what they’ve always worn because it used to work. The problem is that what was fun and trendy when we were younger can look heavy and overwhelming when we are a tad older. So many women have come to me wearing a thick pencil or liquid eyeliner that probably was chic when they were 20 but now is distracting and just too much on their eyes. We see the eyeliner first and foremost and never get to notice the natural beauty of their eye color.

If this sounds familiar, switch for 10 days to using a powder liner on your upper lashline. Use a small liner brush and smudge it right between the lashes. Use a very dark brown, charcoal or even black. This look has a lot of impact without looking overwhelming.

Wearing eye makeup in a new way can be one of the hardest things for a woman to get used to. It is true that when we’ve seen ourselves the same way for many years, we almost don’t recognize our faces when the makeup changes. Even seemingly subtle changes have a big impact, which is why I suggest wearing your new look for 10 days before you decide (plus it can take you a little while to feel comfortable with a new technique).

5. Unnatural Lip Line. As we get older our lips get thinner. This is bad news for those of us who naturally have thinner lips. Knowing how to plump them up a bit without using injectibles is tricky. I’ve noticed women lining outside their natural lipliner with a lip pencil or wearing their lipstick slightly outside the natural line. Please don’t. Mostly it makes you look a bit like Goldie Hawn in “First Wives Club” and looks simply curious at best.

I understand this issue since I have a naturally thin upper lip. I use a very natural colored dry (not creamy) lip pencil to line just at the upper edge of my natural line. The color looks like my natural lips and that’s about as much as I can push it without it looking kind of scary! In case you’re interested, this is the lip liner I use: BWC Pinky Brown Lip Liner http://www.totalimageconsultants.com/makeup.shtml#lips The dryness of the pencil helps keep lipstick from bleeding.

And, when it comes to choosing a lipstick color, keep it in the light or medium range – never dark. And, smile a lot!

I want to be sure to acknowledge that fashion is not an exact science. I’ll be the first to say that. You will definitely find exceptions to every rule, and I am definitely one for trying new things and exploring new styles. That said, the ones I shared above are fashions that unless you are absolutely, positively sure you can pull them off, let someone else experiment with them. I promise that there are so many other beautiful styles out there that it’s really not necessary to try to “make” something work. If you have to try that hard it generally isn’t worth it, and you won’t miss anything by leaving it out.

Are you a woman over 40 who has your own list of questionable styles? Please share!

I have been traveling a bit more lately than usual. One of my pet peeves is hotel bathroom mirrors! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that these were designed by men who never have to put on makeup in the bathroom.

Invariably, I try getting super close up or several feet back to see if I can get the overhead lighting to be a bit more forgiving. I inevitably give up and go to the mirror over the desk in the bedroom or grab a hand mirror (if it’s daytime) and go to the window.

What’s up with that?

It should not be nearly so complicated to apply a little makeup! I hate leaving the room wondering if I look scary or not!

What I have noticed in talking with my clients is that so many women settle for the equivalent of hotel bathroom mirrors to put on their makeup every day. How they ever see what they are doing is beyond me.

Here’s the culprit: overhead lighting. No, no, no…it will cast shadows giving you dark circles and basically make it nearly impossible to see what you are doing – at least with any degree of confidence.

Overhead lighting is at best utilitarian. Sure, it lights the room but it doesn’t allow you to see your face clearly and without that ability you feel frustrated – or just tired after seeing all those light-enhanced dark circles.

Give yourself a break and a lovely gift. It doesn’t even have to be expensive. Who says you have to tear out all the existing lighting in your bathroom (although that would certainly be ideal) and start over. Nope…you can keep what’s there but just do your makeup elsewhere.

It’s a small investment. Try something like this Conair makeup mirror:

http://www.amazon.com/CONAIR-BE18LC-Polished-Chrome-Lighted/dp/B0000ADY4H

If you’ve been putting on your makeup in the dark you’ll be surprised by the difference when you have better light and can actually see what you are doing. You’ll apply your makeup faster and seemingly effortlessly compared to squinting and doing various facial acrobatics just to put on your makeup! Yay!

If you have a favorite makeup mirror, please share!

What happens when you open your makeup bag every morning?  Do you think to yourself, “Yay, this is fun!” or do you think, “Why can’t I get it to look like the pictures in the magazine?”

One other thing…have you ever noticed that 99% of the makeup directions out there are given on women under 25 years old.  What’s that about?

Makeup does not look the same on mature skin and so many of those tips are useless.

While there is not a one-size-fits-all makeup application, there are a few techniques that can make a big difference when it comes to creating a finished look you like.

And, please, be kind to yourself.  If you are 40, 50 or 60, and especially if you have not had any cosmetic surgery, do not compare yourself to someone 20. It’s a whole different ballgame but that’s not to say you can’t look equally as amazing!

Here are three steps that make a difference:

1. Concealer is Your Friend. As we age the center of the face (inner part of the eyes (near the bridge of your nose), under your eyes, along the nostrils and the lines down to the mouth) can begin to get a tad dark and shadowy.  If you lighten up that part of your face, you feel instantly lighter, brighter and more youthful.  Use a good concealer in that area before applying your foundation.
   
   Hint: Apply a tiny bit of translucent powder over the concealer to set it.
2. Maintain Your Eyebrows.Our eyebrows are one part of our face that we tend to neglect or just plain ignore.  As we get older they often become a bit more sparse or short.  Using a powder or pencil (I’m a fan of powder because it tends to look very natural and is easy to apply) in a tone that complements your hair and skintone will make a huge difference.Unless you are super handy with the tweezers, have your brows professionally shaped.  The difference will surprise and delight you!
   
   Hint: If, up until now, you have done very little to your brows, allow a little time for adjustment.  Changing them can be a bit disconcerting but commit to stick with the change for at least a week.  By then, it will most likely feel just right.
   
   
3. Line & Define. Want to draw focus to your eyes?  You can skip the eyeshadow but always apply eyeliner.  And, here’s the clincher…I know it’s harder to do, but you must apply it to the top lid.  Lining the bottom lashline is optional (and it often depends on factors like under eye circles, the size of your eye, how comfortable you are with a little extra makeup, etc.).  Never, I repeat, never, line only the bottom lash line.  With rare exceptions, this will just make your eyes look bottom heavy rather than give a lift to your face and draw focus to the beauty of your eye color (which is the ultimate goal of eyeliner, of course).
   
   Hint: Powder liner is generally the most natural looking (and easiest to learn to apply) but if you are handy with an eyeliner pencil (natural colors only, please) then go for it.  And, liquid liner often looks hard and overpowering, so I recommend avoiding it!

1. Is Bigger Better?  Do you think that wearing a sunscreen with a higher SPF will give you better protection?  Probably not!  The Environmental Working Group recently reported that, “Users of high SPF sunscreens stay in the sun longer with a single application and get burned when the product’s chemicals break down, wash off or rub off on clothes and towels.  Armed with a false sense of security, they extend their time in the sun well past the point when users of low-SPF products head indoors.  As a result, they get the same number of sunburns as unprotected sunbathers and absorb more damaging UVA radiation, which many high-SPF products do not effectively block.”  Does this describe you?What’s the answer?  No matter what SPF number you wear be sure it has UVA/UVB protection and reapply, reapply, reapply – every hour.
2. Is the Sun Friend or Foe?  If you grew up like I did, your mom cut the toes off of socks so my sister and I could wear them on our arms.  Weird, I know.  But there was no sunscreen back then and since we are both fair-skinned redheads we had our fair share of horrible blistering sunburns.  This was my mom’s very creative (albeit not exactly a lovely fashion statement) way of letting us be outside a bit more without suffering.  (We wore hats and sleeves whenever possible and I was the one on the beach in jeans and wrapped in a towel after 30 minutes baking in the sun…it’s no wonder I don’t find the sun relaxing to this day!)That said, the sun does serve a very useful purpose other than brightening our lives.  It provides us with vitamin D.  Yes, you can get it from supplements but nothing beats the sun for natural vitamin D synthesis.  Just 10 minutes in the sun a few times a week (May through October) (I keep my arms free of sunscreen for that long), and you’re good to go.
3. You Might Not Get Burned But Do You Get Old?   Yes, UVB rays can cause severe sunburns or golden tans so you can see how successfully you protected yourself with your sunscreen.  What you cannot so immediately see, however, is whether your skin has been subjected to too many UVA rays.  The UVA rays are the ones that age you (think A for Aging).  They go through car windows and are strong in January as well as July.  And, the basic SPF rating only tells you how much it protects you from the UVB rays, not the UVA rays.

So, the next time you purchase a sunscreen, be sure it has UVA/UVB protection (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are two of the most effective ingredients).  The last thing you want is untimely wrinkles, lines, sagging and sun spots!

What Are Your Lips Saying About You?

The next time you pass a mirror, stop and take a good look at your lips. How are they? Are they soft and smooth or dry, chapped and in need of a little (or a lot!) TLC?

We often take our lips for granted and since they are always exposed, they take a lot of unintentional abuse. If it isn’t the wind and cold then it’s the heat and sun. Then, we often make it all worse by licking them when they feel dry (and often we are not even aware we are doing that!).

Where I live we are heading into the summer months, and the UV index is rising daily. We are intensifying our sunscreen application, buying hats and finding shade whenever possible…or maybe that’s just me!

Whether you burn or tan (on purpose or by default), there is no relief for your lips. Skin cancer can and does occur on people’s lips so protection is essential. And, there are rumors out there that traditional lip gloss (because of its shininess) can actually strengthen the intensity of the UV rays. Ooops…that’s not good!

Relief is now available. I have been waiting for this for years! Colorescience just came out with a lip product that adds shine and has an SPF of 35 – the best of both worlds!

Oh, and there’s more. It comes with an easy to use wand applicator and is vegan and gluten-free.

Take this opportunity to baby your lips this season, and do it at a savings!

Colorescience Sunforgettable Lip Shine SPF 35 — Reg. $25. Now $21.25

Tuesday, January 5, 2010 – 4:00 pm EASTERN

The statistics are staggering.  Women are starting their own businesses in record numbers, and from what these enterprising women say, it would not be surprising to find out that, as a result, the sales of pajama bottoms and sweatshirts have soared!  When the need to wear a corporate uniform disappears many women feel unprepared to dress for their new success.  What does one wear in a home office?   Comfort seems to reign supreme but some semblance of professionalism is desired, too!  Does it really matter?  Let’s look at 3 critical components (and a bunch of mini-steps) to create a look you love and that supports the growth of your business.

I was born with blonde eyelashes and eyebrows.  Well, okay, technically they are light red but who can tell – either way I can barely see them!

Of course, when I was growing up, wouldn’t you know it, my two best friends had long, dark eyelashes.  So you can imagine that mascara was the very first cosmetic I asked my mother to wear, and I’ve been wearing it ever since (except for a 3-month stint back in 1979, but that’s a story for another day).

Why am I telling you all this?  Because I have had a heightened appreciation for the hair on my face since I was 13 years old.  I have also worked with women with alopecia (a medical condition that results in hair loss) or who are going through chemotherapy, and I can tell you for sure that you don’t realize how much you value something until you don’t have it any more.  Eyebrows are one feature we tend to take for granted and, yes, often, neglect.

What’s so special about eyebrows?  They help define your facial character.  All on their own, they can help you express anger, surprise, joy, sadness…you name it.  Without them you feel lost but knowing what to do with them when you have them is key.

While I have been hyper-aware of my eyebrows for decades, some women barely acknowledge theirs!  Take a look at your brows now.  What do you see?  Beautifully arched, well-groomed brows that frame your eyes and make them sparkle or…well, you get the idea!

For years (shockingly until I was nearly 30!), I thought that because my brows were so light no one noticed them.  Boy, oh, boy, was I surprised when I had them professionally shaped and added a touch of brow powder (in most cases, it is much easier to work with and more natural looking than a pencil).  What a remarkable difference—from then on I have had a new appreciation for my eyes.

Trust me, I know.  If you have been putting off doing anything with your brows, you are not fooling anyone nor are you making the most of a fabulous feature!  Go see a professional.  Not just anyone – someone who knows about brows.  Ask friends who they use, or, if you live in the Boston area I can highly recommend two eyebrow artists (a great way to start, at least)*:

David Nicholas – www.makeupdni.com in Charlestown — 617-242-0177
Julie Michaud – www.michaudcosmedix.com in Wellesley — 617-262-1607

And, if you would like help learning more about brow powder vs. brow pencil (as well as other makeup tips), check out my upcoming workshops: (http://www.totalimageconsultants.com/events.shtml).

(*Hey, if you have a man in your life with unruly brows, drag him along for a shaping and trim.  It won’t hurt his manhood, and he’ll look more polished and well groomed as well!  (David Nicholas works with many men, and his space is very private.))

I welcome all comments: What has been your brow history?  Do you go “au naturale,” tweeze them yourself, or have them professionally done?  Did you ever over tweeze?  If so, did they grow back?  Anyone had permanent brows done?  Do you prefer brow pencil or powder?  Do you have a great brow resource you’d like to share?  Anything else?