Bridal Makeup Trends For Fall 2014

Sometimes magazines ask me for my thoughts on products or on upcoming trends in beauty and makeup. 
I invariably forget to repost the articles on my blog, This week Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine published a story about 
Bridal Makeup Trends for Fall 2014, and featured me in it. The information is relevant both for girls having a fall wedding, and for girls who just enjoy makeup. 

makeup touchups during a Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine photoshoot

Here is an excerpt from the article:

What are the makeup trends for Fall and Winter 2014 weddings?

Corinna Cooke:

-Metallic eye shadows are huge for Fall 2014. Stay away from silvers and greys – they can make the skin look cold and can enhance any under eye discoloration you may be wanting to disguise! Opt instead for universally flattering shades of bronze and soft champagne golds.

-Eyes are well defined for fall, and this season they are featuring lots of lashes.

-Skin is glowing for fall winter 2014, so get facials and keep your complexion both exfoliated and hydrated, and use a silicone based foundation such as Makeup Forever HD Foundation or Face Atelier Ultra Foundation to keep the skin looking alive and vibrant.

What about wedding day do’s and don’ts? 

Corinna Cooke:

Make up do’s for your wedding day: make sure your skin is super hydrated before you put makeup on. Drink tons of water in the days leading up to your wedding, and that morning apply moisturizer liberally, giving it at least 30 minutes to soak in before you put on primer and foundation.

Makeup dont’s: Don’t use a lipstick shade that is paler than your own lip color – it will look chalky and unflattering to both your lips and your skin tone. 

Also don’t use Bronzer as a contour product. Bronzer is designed to make your face look like it has been in the sun, and as such is reflective. It will also make your skin look muddy. Contour products are made up of black and grey and are designed to absorb light. Try Makeup Forever Sculpting Kit for a perfect contour.

Follow Corinna on Twitter, Facebook and her blog; check out her blog post and video about bronzing- it’s a must see! http://corinnabsworld.blogspot.com/2011/05/bronzer-101.html

Read the full article here

How To Decipher Antioxidants In Skin Care Products

Deciphering Antioxidants In Skincare

We all know that antioxidants help us to fight free radicals that we are exposed to through UV Damage, smoking, smog and other environmental pollutants, but in the complex world of skin care products it can be confusing trying to figure out which antioxidants we need on the ingredient list, and what they actually do.

Here is a breakdown of 6 Major Antioxidants 

found in skin care products

Vitamin C. One of the most important antioxidants, Vitamin C is a powerhouse super skin saver.

*It protects the skin’s cells and support structure from UV damage

*It improves the appearance of sun damaged skin

*it reduces inflammation

*It promotes the production of collagen

* It makes micro – derms and peels more effective

* It boosts the effectiveness of sunscreens

*And overall strengthens the skin’s barrier response.

Idebenone Idebenone is a bioengineered cousin of the human antioxidant CoEnzymeQ10, said to be up to 1000x more effective.

*It targets aging at the cellular source, the mitochondria, where it helps to revitalize the skin’s cells by eliminating excess free radical formation that results from the way skin cells make energy.

* It defends cell membranes

*It has an Environmental Protection Factor of EPF 95, the highest rating of all antioxidants tested.

*It is thought to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and protect skin cells

*The healthier the skin is, the more collagen it produces, which makes it look firmer.

* It reduces inflammatory responses in the skin

*It reduces redness and swelling

Green Tea Because it is packed with polyphenols green tea absorbs really well, reducing inflammation and protecting the skin against UV induced DNA damage.

*In some studies it has been shown to neutralize UV light.

*It is thought to prevent skin cancer

*It rejuvenates skin cells

*It can improve psoriasis and dandruff conditions

*It can soothe acne and lighten skin

*It fights free radicals

*It is a natural anti-inflammatory

Coffee Cherry Coffee Cherries are thought to be exceptionally high in “super” antioxidants.

*It is known to be calming and soothing to the skin

*It has anti-inflamatory properties which reduce redness and swelling

*It protects the integrity of the skin’s elastin and collagen, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Resveratrol protects and defends against free radicals

*It protects against sun damage

*It improves collagen synthesis

*It reduces inflammation

*It reduces cell damage

*some studies have shown that resveratrol can inhibit tumor development

Niacinimide The best of Vitamin B

Niacinamide is the active component in Vitamin B3 and has been shown to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and sooth inflammation. This one is definitely on the A-list of supersonic skincare ingredients.

       *It increases ceramide and free fatty acid levels in the skin

* It stimulates microcirculation in the dermis

*It is said to be able to address skin discolorations (often in tandem with Vitamin C and glucosamine)

*It has been shown to reduce acne

Cameron Diaz Covers Harpers Bazaar

One of my absolute favorite photographers, Camilla Akrans,

shot Cameron Diaz for Harpers Bazaar August 2014 issue.

The interview is well worth a read, with some interesting perspectives including this gem:

On the media’s speculation on her having an intimate relationship at one point with Drew Barrymore after telling a magazine 'all women have been sexually attracted to another woman at some point': "Literally I said, ‘That makes me want to vomit in my mouth.’ That’s like saying I am having sex with my sister. Are you crazy? I wouldn’t even menage with her!”

6 Surprising Mistakes People Make With Facial Sunscreens

Summer is in full swing, 

so there's no time like the present to check in on

your sunscreen habits, and the somewhat surprising mistakes people make when it comes to facial sun protection.

"The shortest distance between your youthful face and one that looks much older is sun exposure.

Get a high SPF. 

Put It On. 

Every Day."

~ Dr. Hirsch via Allure Magazine

1. Buy a broad spectrum SPF with a high number

You need both UVA and UVB protection (A is for aging and B is for burning) and you need to get as high of an SPF number as you can get. All too often people go for a low number thinking they still want to get some color.

2. Dominant Sides

It's easy to unintentionally apply less sunscreen toyour non-dominant side - e.g. if you are right handed, applying less to your left side. You have to  make sure you are applying it evenly.

3. Missing Spots

You have to make sure you apply it everywhere. Dermatologists see many precancerous lesions above the lips and around the hairline, where SPF application has been missed.

4. Relying on SPF in your moisturizer or foundation

No one applies moisturizer or foundation evenly enough or thickly enough to get the actual amount of SPF that is on the label. Always use a free standing facial SPF

5. Forgetting the chest

Your decolletage and throat need a liberal application of facial SPF every single day. Both will age you super fast if you don't take care of them.

6. Use a freestanding facial SPF every. single. day.

Dermatologists will always tell you, you need broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection every day of the year. Apply it after your moisturizer every day for 30 days and it will become a habit.

A youth enhancing habit.

Mirte Maas For Harpers Bazaar Spain, August 2014

David Roemer captured these beautiful images

of Mirte Maas for the August 2014 issue

of Harpers Bazaar Spain.

Love.

4 International Harpers Bazaar Covers August 2014

Check out these 4  international Harpers Bazaar covers for August 2014

Sonaam Kapoor Covers Harpers Bazaar India, August 2014

Rihanna o Arabia - RiRi covers Harpers Bazaar Arabia, August 2014

Elle MacPherson, The Body, turns 50 this month and covers Harpers Bazaar Australia

Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2014

Lebanese designer Elie Saab presented yet another glorious 
Haute Couture collection

as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture, Fall 2014.

above images AP Photo/Thibault Camus

Images below courtesy of DustJacket Attic