Fantasia Salon / Spa and Wig Specialists

Moving right along with item number 6 in our list of makeup no nos.

Flakey/Smudgy Mascara: Women tend to hang on to their makeup much longer than they should. Flaking is a good sign that your mascara is either not a good formula, or that it needs to be replaced. Throw it even if you have finished the tube or not.

If you find your mascara runs and smudges under your eyes during the day, try a waterproof formula or one of those “tubing” mascaras. Waterproof mascara can be difficult to remove so a good solution is to use your regular mascara then use a layer of waterproof over it. Or perhaps just use the waterproof on your bottom lashes.

Too Much Glitter: Glitter makeup probably should not be worn by anyone over the age of 14. It travels on your face and leaves strange sparkly spots where they shouldn’t be.

If you have a sparkly personality and must express it through your makeup, a more grown-up option would be to ditch shadows containing large flecks of in-your-face glitter for those with very, very finely milled luninescence or shimmer. Always apply with a restrained hand.

Over-bronzing: Too much bronzer can make your face look dirty or too orange, or too shimmery if you are using a bronzer with shine.

Bronzers with sheen are fine , just be careful where you apply or you will be guilty of our next culprit, “too much illumination”. A little bronzer in winter can add a touch of warmth without making you look too tan.

Too Much Illumination: One or two luminous products can make you look fresh and glowing. Too many can make you look very, very strange. You run the risk of your face texture not matching that of your body.

A few places where luminizing products could work: the cheekbones, the inside corners of the eye, and if the products are subtle enough, under the eye. Avoid using a luminous foundation with a shimmer powder on you cheekbones and a very shimmery eye shadow.

Just because it looks good in the magazines doesn’t always mean it will translate well in real life, approach with a restrained hand.

Neglecting Your Skin: Good makeup starts with a good canvas. This is hard to achieve if you are not taking care of your skin. Probably this one should be at the top of our list rather than the bottom. A good skin care regime is invaluable. Obviously there are enough outside elements which can affect your skin such as smoking, lack of sleep, lack of sun protection and lack of moisturizers are all contributors to bad skin. At Fantasia, we are excited about SkinCeuticals Skin Care products. If you are not familiar with this line, come in and we’ll give you some samples so you can experience it.

Don’t just use anything on your skin. Do some research, seek out a skin care professional and make certain you select a good cleanser, moisturizer and targeted treatment products suited to your skin type.

Also, remember, your face extends further than you think. Don’t neglect your neck and chest, they need moisturizer and sun protection as well.

Treat yourself to a facial and as you are experiencing the products, ask about them, why they are being used on your skin and what you can do at home to maintain your skin properly.

We can’t stop the aging process but we don’t have to look as old as we are if we just avoid some of these no nos.

I’m going to give you 10 makeup no nos in a 2 part series. It’s too wordy to compile it all into one part so, here we go with part one of two parts.

Over-plucked Eyebrows: Too thin eyebrows are unflattering. If you are guilty of this; you need to let your eyebrows grow back in–all of them. I know it will be tempting to clean up all of the new hairs growing in but don’t do it! In order to see which brow shape will best compliment your face, you need to see what you have to start with.

Try masking the new growth with cake or liquid eyeliner which allows you to control the density of the pigment and even paint on faux hairs if needed. It’s best to use a very fine, thin, long brush.

If you are blonde or brunette, use a light/dark brown color. If you have dark brown or black hair, use a black cake liner, keeping it very diluted and building as you go. Even if you can’t afford to see a brow professional regularly, go a few times to learn the best shape for your face and have mistakes corrected so you can maintain your brows yourself in the future.

Too Dark Lip Color: Dark shades such as brown, black, purple or maroon (goth) can look very aging.

Avoid lining lips with dark lip liner, especially if you are not planning to fill them in. If you are really attached to dark lips, try a different version. Shift to a dark lip gloss or a sheer version of what you are used to. Another option is to try a sheer lip pencil if you want your look to last, since glosses and sheer lipsticks tend to wear off more quickly. Re-applying more often is a minimal trade-off for a more youthful and modern look.

Not Blending Well Enough: You may not be able to see that your foundations ends in a line at your jaw, but everyone else can. Blending is the key to a flawless face. If your blush sits un-blended on your cheeks or the little eye shadow you wear is plopped on your lid, it’s going to look like you are wearing more makeup than you truly are.

Only wear foundation where you need it and only blend past your jawline if your face doesn’t match your neck. Get the right tools. A few right brushes will make the difference between makeup and blended makeup. Latex wedges (sponges) are also good for blending foundations and blushes as you can easily dilute color with a few swipes if you put too much on.

Mismatched Foundation: Even if you have found the perfect color for your skin, the foundation you buy in August will not work for you in February. Watch out for foundation that oxidizes throughout the day and changes color.

Every woman should have at least 2 different colors of foundation but 3 is actually better. That way you always have colors to mix to get the right color for your skin year-round.

Focus on finding a good formula that works well with your skin tone and doesn’t turn orange from oxidation. I’ve talked about this many times but if you haven’t tried mineral makeup you are really missing something. At Fantasia we sell (and most of us use) Jane Iredale Skin Care Mineral Makeup and we love it. Sheer formulas (like the mineral makeup) are better if your face is paler than your chest. Tinted moisturizers can be terrific if you don’t need much coverage.

Makeup Overload: A full-on eye with a full-on lip with a full-on face of foundation, blush, bronzer and more is only going to make you look older.

You don’t need to focus equal attention on every feature at the same time. Pick one feature and accentuate it. For example, pair a bright lip color like fire engine red or electric pink with a fresh, natural face.

Focusing on eye-color? Go easy on the mouth with a pale, sheer lip color. It will make the strong eye look modern and more interesting. Anything thick or heavy will look aging.

Okay girls, enough to ruminate on for one day, wouldn’t you agree? I’ll be back at you tomorrow with 5 more no nos.

Per Cosmopolitan Magazine, there are some really big no-nos when it comes to beauty. Before you feel condemned, I will bare my soul and let you know that I’ve been guilty of some of these sins.

There, I feel so much better, having confessed. And now, we shall discuss the 8 big big beauty sins.

• Nibbling on your cuticles. Torn cuticles can lead to hangnails and infections. Keep the skin around our nails moisturized. If well hydrated, you will have fewer snags and be less tempted to pick. If you have issues putting your fingers in your mouth, try a bitter-tasting nail polish.
• Changing your hair color too frequently. Occasionally is okay but dyeing your hair too often weakens it and can lead to an identity crisis. Sure, some of the celebs can get away with it, but often times they are doing it for movie roles or to get attention on the red carpet. And…they have the bucks to repair or hide the damage. Try instead, playing with lipstick and shadow colors. If you have to change hair color- here are some tips.

Bleaching your hair is the most damaging and drying. Only do this once every six weeks. If you want to be lighter; bleach once per month, going one level blonder each time until you reach the desired hue.

Go darker for less damage. This is not as stressful to the hair since you are not stripping away the natural pigment.

Prior to coloring use a deep conditioner. This will help keep your hair strong.

• Going to bed without washing your face. Here I shine as this is something I have never done! When you to to bed with mascara and eye-makeup on you can wake up with unattractive dark circles from makeup residue and perhaps even an infection. Even if you didn’t wear makeup during the day you still need to wash your face as your skin accumulates oil and dirt which can lead to blemishes. For a lazy fix, keep a pack of pre-moistened face wipes next to your bed. That way, no matter how tired you are you can wipe your makeup away in seconds.
• Fake-baking in a tanning bed. Let me be first to say I used to do this every summer. However, I was “delivered” several years ago after learning that UVA rays are called aging rays for a reason-they penetrate your connective tissue, causing premature sagging and the proliferation of wrinkle causing free radicals. And they have been linked to skin cancer and can suppress your immune system. Enough already!

Today we can use moisturizers with color in them as well as the self tanners. If you really need to be dark, keep adding to the color daily until you reach your desired level of bronze.

• Subjecting your hair to heat constantly. Blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons will dry out your hair leaving it dull, frizzy and weak. If you must blow dry, use a medium heat and keep the nozzle a few inches away from your hair. When flat ironing, quickly slide the iron down a section of hair in one smooth motion. Any pauses along the way will create dents and require more ironing. When washing your hair, use a moisturizing shampoo to restore and keep your hair supple.
• Over-bleaching your teeth. There is something to be said for looking natural and bright white teeth do not look natural. The rule of thumb is that your teeth should not be brighter than the whites of your eyes. Constantly applying hydrogen peroxide can leave them ultra-sensitive and prone to chipping.

If you go to a professional, you can expect your teeth to whiten up about 8 to 9 shades. If you are doing the in-home whitening, you will see about a 4 shade improvement. Always follow the directions on the box and consult a dentist with questions.

• Using makeup testers. While your chances of contracting herpes or pinkeye from the bacteria and germs from the testers at makeup counters are slim, it could happen. And, it’s not okay to share lipstick or eye shadow with tons of strangers.

Make sure the makeup counter you visit practices safe sampling. At Fantasia we use disposable applicators, sponges, cotton swabs, tissues, mascara wands and our makeup brushes are cleaned and disinfected. A reputable counter should have well-trained sales associates. Wash your hands when done shopping.

• And finally, and I know you never do this- popping pimples is bad. When you do this you can extend it’s staying power since the dirt from your fingers can force bacteria into the pores and cause infection. Instead of popping, apply benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid a couple times per day. To reduce redness, put some redness reducing eye-drops on a cotton swab, place on the pimple, them follow up with concealer.

If you have been quilty of any of these beauty sins, repent and change your ways. And remember, none of us are perfect!

Have you ever noticed that some people always look great no matter what? I’m convinced we all have our ups and downs (literally as I’m talking weight) but some people never seem to show it.

There are “tricks” on how to put things together so as to “minimize” yourself which is what we will focus on today.

• Let’s start with accessories. Don’t wear broad belts that draw attention to your mid-riff if it’s a tad “broad”.
• Avoid fancy and obnoxious jewelory or accessories. Make sure the jewelry is simple, small and elegant. Too much clutter only adds to the bulk.
• If you wear less jewelry, use good makeup to highlight your eyes. Remember, eye shadow is jewels for the eyes.

When it comes to clothes and colors the golden rule is this. Dress in one color from shoulder to shoe. This streamlines the body and makes you look slimmer- instantly.

If you feel a bit more adventurous, don’t limit yourself to only one color but choose tones that are closely matched.

• Wear the darker color below the waist and the lighter one on top.
• Golden rule number two. Stick to dark colors.
• If you are on the heavier side and short besides, avoid contrasts and opt for a single color instead. Instead of a white blouse and black skirt, make them both black.

Now about the clothes and the cut of them.

• Avoid horizontal designs, bold and big designs and circles, completely. Stripes along the length of the outfit or “V” shaped stripes will help in cutting off inches from vision.
• Choose V or scoop necklines to camouflage chubby necks. Be sure to continue your foundation to the neck area so that there is no color change at the jaw line.
• A loosely-fitting vest can hide a thick waist if a jacket is not needed.
• Wear small prints.
• Use straight cuts and no horizontal stripes.
• A-lined outfits are best. Avoid frills, gathers and layers as much as possible.
• Avoid “tuck-ins” go for blouse styles that can hang loose (particularly if you have a “belly”.)
• Wide neck-lines, particular V-necks are great for heavy bust-lines and those with thick necks.
• If you must add trimmings to the garment, add them along the neckline. Scooped necklines and frills are a strict no-no.
• Clinging fabrics are bad news for heavy people as well as tight fitting clothes. These only help in accentuating the bulge. Wear fabric that hangs loose, with cuts that are not too tight. Crisp fabrics are best suited for over-weight people since the fabric manages to keep its shape.
• If you are fond of sleevelss garments, go for straight cuts at the shoulder which makes the shoulders look naturally rounded. Forget the darts and gathers.

The bottom line? Even though we may be carrying a few extra pounds, we don’t need to “flaunt” it.  A few simple tricks and it will be our little secret!

It can be a challenge maintaining an impeccable image when it’s upwards of 100 degrees outside.

You wake up and shower, iron your clothes so you’ll look “fresh”, style your hair and of course, apply your makeup. Then, you walk outside the door and realize it was all pointless! Your light, cool pants are sticking to you in a wrinkled mess, your hair is stuck to your melting face of makeup. So, don’t you look pretty?

Here are some tips on keeping makeup looking cool in the dog days of summer.

• Wash your face will, moisturize and follow up with a foundation primer. This sets your makeup and keeps your skin from getting shiny.
• Apply foundation but don’t go overboard. Just because you want it to last all day doesn’t mean you have to pack it on. Use a damp sponge or foundation brush for a nice, even coverage. Don’t forget to apply foundation to your eyes.
• Apply your eye shadow as normal. Use a dark brown or black pencil to fill in between your upper and lower lash line. Blend the liner with a flat brush dipped in a shadow similar to your eyeliner color. This should keep your liner from smudging throughout the day. Add a coat of mascara to finish the look.
• Give your cheeks a fresh and natural flush by mixing shades of pink and apricot. Slick on a sheer tint of gloss that coordinates with your blush.
• Dust some matte powder on your T zone and you are done.

Here’s a Summer Beauty Survival Kit:

• Makeup wipes. Great to refresh anytime and you never know when they will come in handy. Put a few in a Ziploc baggie and toss them in your purse.
• Concealer. For touch up, also works great to brighten up the T zone. Use as little product as possible and blend, blend and blend again.
• Compact powder. Shine, be gone! Apply with a brush so you get the sheerest application possible and to avoid weighing down your skin with product overload.
• Bright apricot blush and your favorite lip gloss.

You will now be prepared for whatever comes your way. After, a gal’s gotta look good, even in the dog days of summer!

Okay, it’s REALLY hot out, something we’ve prayed for - those of us in Minnesota! So, how do we keep our cosmetics from melting and running down our face as the temperature goes up? Here are some tips:

• Good skin care is key to making you feel more comfortable with less makeup according to a makeup instructor. Use a cleansing brush to really exfoliate and deeply cleanse your skin.
• Keep it light. Perhaps waterproof mascara on the top lashing only and some bronzing gel on the cheeks will suffice. Throw on some lip balm with SPF 15 protection and you are good to go!
• Avoid oil-based products. Silicone-based gel primers help keep your makeup from slipping in the heat. Easy does it, a pearl size amount is all you need. Apply this before any makeup. This will also help prevent makeup from settling into fine lines.
• Always wear some sort of SPF protection under your makeup. One of the reasons Fantasia promotes Jane Iredale Skin Care Makeup is because of the natural SPF protection. Otherwise, you could consider buying a tinted moisturizer with SPF built in. Mix a little of your SPF with concealer and softly dab onto the eye area. This will keep your eyes from looking dried out and aged as well as protect an often neglected area from the sun.
• Keep blotting papers in your purse at all times, especially in hot weather. They are great for getting all that oil off your ‘T’ zone.
• With powder products, use a blush brush to keep the application light, especially if you use translucent powder to “hold” your makeup in place.
• Curl your lashes and use liquid liner at the base of the lash line. Pencils tend to melt in the summer heat. Stay away from cream shadows, they tend to crease more in the summer.
• Keep shimmer to a minimum. We tend to glow more in humidity anyway, so - no extra shimmer is needed.
• As with any season, balance is vital. If you go heavy on the eyes, go easy on the lips. This is especially important for the more mature women. You don’t want to look like a clown.

Now you don’t have to worry or complain about “melting” in the summer heat. I’m always amazed at those who complain about the heat because it’s such a short season here and I’ve learned to embrace it and not complain. Even if I melt a bit, so what? It’s summer, enjoy!

Ever hear of the K.I.S.S. principle? Keeping things positive, it means keep it simple silly! We have a tendency to complicate things and make them so cumbersome it leads to inactivity because we are so overwhelmed!

How about some simple, common sense beauty strategies. No rocket science here, just some simple, little things which can have big impact over time. Sound good? Here goes!

Love your hair! Everyday! Find a good hairstylist, get a hairstyle that works with your schedule and which helps you look and feel your best, everyday!

Your makeup and moisturizer are important in helping you look your best, are they healthy for your skin? If they are older than 6 months, toss them and get fresh. When your makeup is fresh, you will look and feel fresh!

Pack a small beauty bag for quick fresh ups during the day. Things like face and body moisturizers, lip care products, mascara, feminine products, a nail file and any other critical items you may need when you are on the go.

Instead of turning to sugar or coffee for a pick me up, try a 20 minute walk! It’s refreshing and invigorating and will lift your energy for the rest of the day.

Clean out your closet. Purge, purge, purge. If you have not worn it in a year, get rid of it. Find a good organization you can donate to.

How’s your foundation? Is your bra doing it’s job? How about the panties? Toss any bras or panties that are worn out. Treat yourself for Valentine’s Day, buy a new sexy bra with matching panties. Perhaps you are the only one who will see it but you will still feel sexy!

It’s pretty difficult to hide your hands so no nasty nails! Keep an inexpensive manicure kit and hand moisturizer at your desk. Paper is drying to your hands so keep your hands and manicure pretty by moisturizing and taking care of your nails.

Take 5. A 5 minute beauty break when you take a bathroom break. Remember that bag we talked about earlier? Freshen up. If you’re home, moisturize and refresh. Consistent beauty breaks will keep your hands soft for holding and lips supple for kissing.

What are your beauty habits? What new ones do you need to incorporate? Implement one new habit weekly into your daily routines. Once you work them into your daily routines, you no longer need to think about them, they become automatic!

Being beautiful does not have to be complicated! Remember, K.I.S.S.

Deciding to go gray, or “natural” as it’s now being referred to, is not an easy decision. I know for me personally, it’s not something I’m ready to do anytime soon. If you are one of the brave souls who feel this is something you want to do, here are some suggestions to help you and your hair look good.

There are a couple of ways to transition to gray according to one stylist. If you hair is long or a medium length, cut it short so the gray doesn’t take too long to grow in. The easiest transition however, is to go with heavy highlights in blond, silver or gray. New growth will then blend in with the highlights.

A stylish cut is very important, to keep you from looking matronly. Younger women with gray hair advise having a stylish cut and staying current with fashion and makeup.

Gray hair tends to be coarser, so it is imperative that you use a good conditioner. A purple or violet-based shampoo used once per week will remove environmental toxins from the hair that can cause it to look yellow. A protectant spray will keep gray hair from turning dirty and brassy when you are in the sun. Look for a product that has thermal protection to deflect heat damage and add shine and luster to your hair.

As women age, they lose pigmentation, not only in their hair but in their skin. When this happens, the sun damage and freckles become more prominent. If you are going gray, you will have to rethink your makeup. Consider foundations with more luminosity, more moisture and just a hint of shimmer.

Let’s face it, if your skin is dull, it takes away from the whole package. So, if you have always worn pale, beigy pink, you may have to step it up to mauve or darker pink-brown. Or, perhaps a soft burgundy. You need to compensate for the loss of color in your hair, somehow, someway.

It’s not just about adding more foundation, lipstick or blush. It’s about adjusting the color. A bright lipstick will define the lips better and a lipstick will offer more pigmentation and last longer than gloss. A bit of color on the cheeks makes one look healthier.

Don’t ever go without mascara, that will “fade” you out with gray hair. People who go gray, go gray in their lashes and brows also. You need to add color to your brows and lashes as your eyes are a form of communication. If you are washed out, it can affect the way you feel. It’s important, if you have absence of hair color, that you put the color back in somewhere else.

Just know, if you go gray, that won’t be the only change you have to make. Oh, if life were only that simple!

Everyone lives on a budget, some people’s budgets just might have more zeros(at the end) than yours! If you are smart, you can work within your budget and get the look you want.

There are those with meager salaries who manage to make the best of whatever budget they have and always look like a million bucks. All it takes is some effort on your part.

Is your “looking good” really a budget challenge or a time challenge? Do you wake up 15 minutes before time to leave the house and have to head out with no makeup and wet hair? Or, do you plan ahead and wake up 15 minutes earlier to allow time to blow dry your hair and apply a minimal amount of makeup such as blush, powder and lipstick? You can look good for less but it will require some planning on your part.

Let’s say you like an outfit in a particular magazine. Now think of yourself as a hunter. Scour the stores in search of cheaper alternatives. There’s always TJ Maxx and Marshalls not to mention some mighty fine second hand stores. If you absolutely can’t find what you are looking for, and you know someone who sews, strike up a deal with them. Perhaps you have something to offer for their time and you can barter with them. Go to the fabric store and see if you can capture the look you want with the use of a pattern and some fabric.

Hunting for deals is time consuming but can be fun and, you can make it a family affair if need be. The key to looking good for little money is being willing to invest some time. A lot of women feel it’s too expensive or too hard to look great. Not so! With some effort and some patience, you can be the best dressed woman at the office.

Here are some simple things that can have a dramatic impact on your looking good.

• Never leave home with wrinkled clothes or dirty shoes.
• If you can’t afford or maintain a weekly manicure/pedicure, cut your nails short and leave them polish free by just buffing until shiny.
• Create an everyday “uniform” for yourself. If you prefer slacks, fine. Match them with a few different tops and that’s what you wear to work every day. That way, you don’t stress out in the morning about what you are going to wear. And, think about getting your clothes ready the night before. For me, that eliminates a LOT of morning stress!
• Do your last minute checks before leaving the house so there are no surprises when you get to your destination. Look at yourself in the full length mirror to make sure you look neat from top to toe.

Perhaps fashion is not a priority in your life. That’s okay. Just remember to make sure you look neat, clean, and well groomed and people will forgive your bad taste in clothes.

For those of you who follow the trends, you may be interested to know that the one of the hottest make up trends for Spring is neon lip colors. Yes, neon, with colors so bright they just about leaped off the runway. If you are thinking the look is a return to the 80’s, think again. All the familiar colors you have known and loved such as your blue eye shadows (teal for me) and frosty pink lipsticks are history. This year’s neon and day-glo colors such as fuchsia, orange, yellow, teal and purple, are juicier and more exuberant. However, the makeup artists tell us that these colors are not easy to use.

If you don’t know where to start with the neon colors, choose one hue and go from there. The goal is to get impact without overwhelming your face, according to makeup artist Kathy Jeung. She knows what she’s talking about. Kathy’s clients include Gwen Stefani, Kylie Minogue and Natasha Bedingfield. Kathy says “try a single pop of vivid color on only one feature, concentrating on one area: lips, eye shadow on the lid or just along the lower lash line. Or, try turning colored cheek powder or eye shadow into a liquid eyeliner by first moistening the brush with water before putting it into the product.”

Just remember, whatever you do, a little goes a long way. Many people think that the neon hues won’t work with their complexion, but it’s all about how you wear them. Applied carefully, neons and brights will work with almost any complexion. Darker complexions will do better with the warmer tones such as oranges, pinks and yellows. Apply with a light hand, not a heavy hand says Kathy.

Focus on your eyes. Use either eyeliner or eye shadow, not both. But, it you want to try both the shadow and eyeliner together, use the same color. Kathy says this way the eyeliner will give more color saturation and intensity to the look.

Kathy says “A great barometer for knowing how to wear this trend is to ask yourself, do you feel you look good? Do you feel comfortable? You have to wear it with confidence. Just own it.”

Don’t get me wrong, I like trends. But this is one I’m not sure I could pull off. I think I would have to see a lot of “average Janes” wearing it before I’d take a chance. For now, I think I’ll leave this one for Hollywood.