Balmain Spring 2012

One of my favorite fashion houses is Balmain. I am obsessed with the tailoring of the clothing, and the rock N' Roll feel.  Spring 2012 Makeup by Balmain was my fav. I love natural "almost nothing" makeup. Backstage at Balmain makeup artist from MAC help create this cool look. The skin very healthy and hydrated. Glowing skin is in! La Mer skincare was used to give the skin deep hydration. To give skin a perfected look MAC artists used a mixture of Face & Body foundation, Studio Moisture Cover concealer, and finished it off with Mineralized Skinfinish Natural pressed powder for a light contour. These products create and mimic the skins natural sheen, giving it a "no makeup" look.  Brows were perfected but not exaggerated. Eyes had minimal shadow, mainly the use of Studio Moisture Cover in deeper shades for contouring, and keeping with that hydrated natural look. MAC Smolder pencil was smudged in the upper lashes giving a fuller appearance. MAC Coffee pencil was used in the lower water line to give a little hint of Rock N' Roll. Lashes from root to tip were coated in MAC X mascara in dark brown. 

 

XX SIRI ELAINE

Nails

I love nail polish, and nail art. I am always collecting colors!

French Tip.  

Colors used: OPI "Alpine Snow", China Glaze "Oxygen" that is my favorite nude color!

Yellow. OPI "Need Sunglasses?"

 Gold.  "Designer...De Better!"

 Tribal. This is a mixture of colors all OPI

 Stripes. OPI "Gargantuan Green Grape".

 Pinks. OPI "Mod About You", and OPI "Ate Berries In The Cannaries"

Gray. MAC "Inert"

 Dark Blue. MAC "Hyper"

XX SIRI ELAINE

Check out Siri Elaine on Twitter!

Street Style

I am hugely influenced by street fashion. I don't like to conform to the typical trends. I like to create my own look, I like to wear what fits my figure and what I think is cool! I love seeing how others put outfits together and what they are inspired by. I love street fashion. I love casual cool.

I would say my style is a mixture of lots of things. Here are a few of my fashion muse inspirations. 

Cara Delevingne

Erin Wasson

Emmanuella Alt

Victoria Beckham

Who, or what are you inspired by?

You can checkout my Pinterest "Street Style" page.

XX SIRI ELAINE

Pinks

Looking for a way to switch up your makeup routine? Go pink. 

Pinks are always a good alternative to wearing red, and can go with almost any neutral look.I love matte pinks, glossy pinks, nude pinks.. Looking for a new color? Here are a few of my favorites!

• MAC-Snob lipstick 
• MAC-Girl About Town
• Limecrime-Great Pink
• YSL-Pink Celebration
• YSL-Provocative Pink
• NARS-Carthage
• Illamasqua-Fable
• Clinique-Extreme Pink
• Maybelline-Fifth Avenue Pink

10 Tips for Wearing Hot Pink Lipstick

1. Keep it simple: with a fun bright color on the lips you want to keep the rest of your makeup simple. Think a neutral look on the eyes and cheeks. 

2. Along the same lines as step one don't over do the blush. It can start to look to much for a daytime look.

3.Though of course there is no “rule” saying you can’t wear bold lipstick during the daytime, if you’re having doubts, you may want to save this look for night, especially if you’ve gone with a brighter fuchsia shade.

4. Hot pink lipstick is also a great alternative for those nights when you want something bold and daring but don’t want bright red lips – it’s also a perfect spring and summer alternative to a classic red lip.

5. Get the undertones right: When choosing a lipstick, you’ll want to select one with blue undertones if you have cooler skin, and if you have warm undertones, then you’re better suited for something more orange or red-based.

6. Many people will tell you fair skin can't pull off bold colors. Well that is completely not true. I think all skin colors can pull off a bold lipstick. 

7. Make sure you have the confidence to pull it off, and if you’re not comfortable wearing it, don’t. There is no point to buying something just because it’s trendy if you feel absolutely ridiculous wearing it in public!

8. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your look! Try all different colors and shades. From soft neutrals to bold colors.

9. TEST Before you buy: I always encourage people to go try on colors at your favorite cosmetic counter before buying.  Then you will know how it looks and wears. 

10. It’s best to test the color in natural light instead of relying on department store lighting. Ask for a sample, or have a sales associate test it out on your lips so you can step outside and view it natural color.

THANKS FOR READING AND FOLLOWING

XX SIRI ELAINE

Dewy-Ya? Punk.

Dewy Skin. 

2012

There’s what we call “dewy” makeup, where there’s a lot of highlighting and it looks like light bounces off the skin, and it looks fresh and pristine. I am happy to say this is one of my favorite makeup trends.

Perfecting the skin is at the top of my list of  favorite things to do when it comes to makeup.

Skin.. is your pallet. I love natural skin, even if you need to wear makeup you can still do it in a natural way.

 Here are a few tips for helping you create "flawless" skin! 

Starting with hydration:

Your skin needs to be hydrated to look its best. Even if you are oily, the skin needs a equal balance of water and oil. So use a lotion, cream, or oil to give your skin hydration.

I love using "spritzers" for the skin a little spray of hydration that will help prep your skin for makeup. You can also spray it over makeup to help set your makeup and take away that "makeup" finish. A few items that will help your skin looking hydrated and fresh:

1. MAC charged water: Meant as a primer before make up, spray this water on your face in the morning to feel awake and energized. It is meant to also leave a satin finish to your skin.

2. Aveda Tourmaline Charged Hydrating Cream: Finely-powdered tourmaline—a naturally energizing mineral—mixed with marine and plant extracts and 11 powerful anti-oxidants. Hydrating. Protecting. Infusing visible life and radiance into your skin—so it glows. It is seriously one of my favorites.

3. Benefit High Beam: is an ethereal pink liquid highlighter that creates a radiantly dewy complexion. For an angelic sheen, this pink shimmering lotion adds a soft, natural afterglow.

4. Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizing balm:If you're skin is really dry after summer or skiing in the winter,  use this moisturizing balm for little color and lots of moisture.

5. Using "fluffy" brushes to apply your foundation will also help give your more of a natural look. A few fluffy brushes I love are: MAC#168 Angle brush, Philosophy "the Supernatural" brush, MAC #187 dual fiber brush. There are many good brushes out there, these are ones I have used and loved and really work!

 ENJOY YOUR DEWY SKIN!

THANK YOU FOR READING AND FOLLOWING!

XX SIRI ELAINE

Organic vs. Natural

Now, More than ever consumers, clients,......you, are questioning what is being put into skin care products we use. With terms such as natural and organic being thrown around the industry, it's important to know not only what these terms mean, but how they affect the way the product is labeled, the way the ingredients are listed on the packaging, and the overall effectiveness of the product. In the broader sense, a natural product is something that originated from a plant or animal source, and an organic product is a natural product that is grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. 

There are many terms and conditions that go into approving organic items, and natural items.

Here are a few websites that give more in-depth detail on Natural vs. Organic.

http://www.mercolahealthyskin.com/

http://www.organicspamagazine.com/

2011 top Natural/Organic Products. Better Nutrition Magazine

When it comes to beauty products there are many lines that carry awesome makeup and frangrances in these categories.Some of my favorite products:

Aveda skincare and products. I am obsessed with their Singular Notes (essential oil blends). Bergamont is my favorite, and I use it as a deodorant.(Aveda Bergamont Singular Note)

I love Lilia Beauty : Pure Lip Care that was founded by the inspiration to create a connection between natural beauty and contemporary fashion using Organic ingredient. 

I really love the color 

 doTERRA Essential Oils are another good essential oil company.

doTERRA.com

There are many good skincare lines and products out there.  I try and use organic and natural products on my skin as much as possible. I also feel that way about my diet! 

XX SIRI ELAINE

Exfoliation

The Importance of Skin Exfoliation:

Physical or Chemical? Learn the difference.

 Exfoliation is defined as the removal of surface dry skin cells.

How Do I Know If I Need To Exfoliate?

A simple test you can do at home to see if you have surface dry skin cells on your skin is to take a piece of clear tape and apply it to the forehead. Rub it gently and remove. Look at the tape, and if there are little pieces of flaky skin, then you need to exfoliate!

Why Is Exfoliation Important?

Exfoliation is considered one of the most important techniques that you can perform on your skin to resolve certain skin problems as well as to achieve healthy and glowing skin.
What are some skin conditions that exfoliation can help?
Acne Scaring, Blemished skin, Textured skin, Dry dull skin, Hyperpigmentation, clogged pores, those concerned about anti-aging...etc. It is a very important step in your skincare routine.
How often should I exfoliate?There are two types of exfoliation first is "chemical" exfoliation or "acids" perform the exfoliation for you. You apply it, leave it on the skin, and it works to dissolve the dry skin cells. These exfoliants include ingredients such as Glycolic Acid, AHAs and BHA, and enzymes such as Pumpkin, Papaya, and Pineapple.For sensitive skin, I would suggest using the enzymes instead of the acids, as these tend to be gentler on delicate skins. There are different levels of peels for the skin. More aggressive peels are used to treat advanced disorders or concerns, those acids can include Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, TCA, Jessner Solution, and the list continues. You must see a licensed professional like a Dermatologist, Plastic Surgeon, or Aesthetician to perform a peel that is more aggressive.  Second type of exfoliation is "physical" this type of exfoliation means that you have to do the work. These exfoliants include facial brushes, sponges, and facial scrubs. Try A combination of both physical and chemical exfoliants will give your skin the best results.

How Does A Person Know If They Are Getting Too Much Exfoliation?

There are a few factors that can suggest you may be getting to much exfoliationIf you use a facial scrub and your skin turns bright red and feels irritated afterwards, it probably means that the grains used in the scrub are too large or abrasive. It is good to use less aggressive scrubs on the face. You want the needs to be smooth and gentle. To harsh of scrubs can cause broken capillaries (little red surface vessels. Look for micro-beadlets, as they will roll across the skin and not cause irritation.

The goal with your skin is to exfoliate as much as possible, with minimal irritation. The skin likes little boosts but not on an everyday basis.

Looking for a good exfoliation?

Here are some treatment options and product recommendations:

Exfoliation Products:

• Aveda Tourmaline Skin Refiner
• Sony Dakar Triple Action Scrub(has chemical exfoliating properties)
• MAC Microfine Skin Refinisher
• Glymed Anti-Aging Exfoliating Masque(has chemical exfoliating  properties)
• Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub

XX SIRI ELAINE