BE A DOLL

image: Salvatore Vuono at freedigitalphotos.net

This month, let’s focus on looking lovely for that oh-so-important date. Get clued in on what looks are in whether or not it’s the season of love.

Go light. Heavy makeup is so passé (unless you’re thinking of looking like a dominatrix). Instead, opt for the au naturel look and go light on the foundation and the rest of your makeup. If you must go heavy on the makeup, we suggest you go for the smoky eye effect. (But even then, if you’re not used to this kind of makeup, practice ahead of time, or get a makeup-savvy friend to teach you how.)

Bring out that glow. Look glowing and in the pink of health! How to achieve this look: Go easy on the fonda, sweep shimmering blush over the apples of your cheeks, and swipe on cherry- or pink-tinted lip gloss or a light shade of lipstick. You can use a light shade of pink for your eye shadow, or a neutral hue such as light brown. Line your eyes with dark brown eyeliner—black may look too harsh on you.

Tip: Don’t forget to smile when putting on blush! Also, if you must use concealer, put it after foundation. It’s easier to blend and will look more natural that way.

Have naturally sexy hair. If you have long hair, you might want to curl it for that sexy, tousled-up look. When using hair products (such as serum, gel, or spray), go easy on the ends of your strands—too much product can weigh down your hair and cause your tresses to look limp and lifeless. For those with short hair, a simple blow-dry or even towel-dry will do. Smooth on serum to ensure that frizziness is kept at bay (cold air-conditioning in movie theaters and restaurant can do that to your hair) and you’re all set.

Make like French women and wear red.
On the cheeks. Don’t use dark red blush; instead, choose a reddish-pink or reddish-brown hue to color your cheeks. We recommend using cream or tint so you can control how red you want your cheeks to be. Blend well then pat on loose powder to finish.

On the lips. French women have this trick down pat of wearing bright red lipstick. Just remember to go easy on the rest of your face. Your lips should be the focal point, so use light eye shadow and not too bright blush (just enough for your complexion to glow). Balance is key.

Tip: If you’re wary about putting on super bright red lipstick, try a more muted shade, but still with red undertones. A darkish maroon or reddish brown lipstick might just work well for you.