Christina Flach is a celebrity makeup artist, CEO of Pretty Girl Makeup, and the Beauty Expert
on California Live NBC. www.ChristinaFlach.com.
You are excitedly packing for your long-anticipated beach or European getaway!
The outfits, shoes, and of course the handbags for day, beach, and evening are ready to go. Now… What skincare and makeup to pack? Don’t stress! I have tips and tricks to make you look stunning and won’t melt like that spicy margarita by the pool.
Christina’s Tips and Tricks to make you look Stunning
Prepping your skin is key to getting the makeup to last in the sun and humidity. Once a week during the year and definitely the day before I leave on holiday, I give myself a mini-facial at home.
I am obsessed with derma-planing which is a fancy word for face shaving. It can help minimize the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and most importantly it exfoliates dull skin and clears the skin to enable the products to penetrate more effectively. Peach fuzz is never a sexy look. An added bonus, your foundation, blush, powder will go on smoother. It DOES not make the hair grow back darker or thicker!
I like to do a reverse cleansing which means putting a barrier of your cleanser and moisturizer against your skin before you splash your face with water. There are chemicals in the tap water that do severe damage on top of making the skin feel tight.
Next comes the Vitamin C serum, Eye Cream, Moisturizer, and Sunscreen. Let it sink in for 5 minutes to really penetrate.
I like to invest in protecting my skin by buying a new sunscreen at the start of the summer. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every 3 hours to your body, face, neck, chest, and your hands. We forget to protect our hands, and they end up getting sun damaged and show again
A few easy steps to getting your makeup to stay picture-perfect all day in the sun.
The Elf Gripping Primer is an alcohol-free clear gel primer that creates a glass-like finish, grips the makeup, and firms your skin.
A touch of concealer under the eyes, any dark spots, blemishes, and the lids to have the skin even before we add the shadows and liner.
Fill in the brows with a shadow, brow pencil, or both.
If you have a darker skin tone use a warm sheer gold shadow, or if you are lighter-complected, a cream-colored shadow on the entire eyelid.
Using a plumb, dark or light brown eyeliner on top and bottom of the lash line. Keeping it thin will make your eyes appear larger. Save the liquid black liner for nighttime, it’s too aggressive for daytime!
You can add a shadow on top of the liner, which gives a softer look, and longevity and corrects any mistakes with the eyeliner. Smudge it with an eyeliner brush or a Q-Tip.
Have fun with some color this summer, and let your inner mermaid out. A sheer sparkly eyeshadow will give a hint of glam. Suggested sheer sparkle shadows: emerald green, yellow, orange, pink, turquoise. You can add to the crease or a light swipe across the lid.
This is the only time of year I recommend using waterproof mascara. Add a few layers and extend out to the corners. Be sure to remove before bed, with a makeup wipe or face oil.
I am loving the Pixi Cream Blush and Bronzer that you can use on your cheeks and for a little tasteful contouring, under the cheekbones and the chin to hide any excess skin.
Lastly, you can do a few or all of these tips for the lips. A natural colored lipliner to outline the lips, fill in for long-lasting color, lipstick, and Soul Mates Pretty Girl Lipgloss on top to give the illusion of fuller lips. If you want to be a little “Extra”, press your finger into one of colored sparkly shadows mentioned above and press onto the lips!
Don’t forget that beauty from the inside out means taking care of what you put into your body. Start your day off by drinking a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a pinch of salt for absorption. The lemon juice will give you a dose of vitamin C that protects the skin from cell damage. A daily green juice that all the resorts will make or try a local juice store, and pack your water bottle to fill at filtered water stations at hotels and airports. I pack mint, jasmine, or spicy teas and add to the water bottle, it tastes better and I have no excuse not to be perfectly hydrated.
Have a summer filled with love, laughter, and happy days!
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