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What colors make black eyes pop?

Since this color is technically a neutral, you are lucky and can wear any color eyeshadow!  The colors I’ve found that make them stand out most though are purples, teals, and greens.

What is the best makeup for oily skin?

Oily skin is tough to deal with especially in the summer.  My fix:  an oil mattifier as a primer and mineral foundation.  I know Mary Kay has a good mattifier, and I like Bare Escentuals foundation as it soaks up all the extra oil.  Keep blotting sheets with you for touch ups throughout the day.

Should you match your eyeshadow color to your clothes?

NO!  If you’re wearing a green shirt, don’t wear green eyeshadow- it’s too matchy matchy.  Instead, choose something that is opposite on the color wheel.  My biggest tip:  the brighter the clothes, the more neutral color the makeup- this doesn’t mean you need to do a simple look… You can wear a dramatic look if you have a bright pink top on, but go with a black smokey eye or a brown smudged look instead of something with color.  If you are wearing black, brown, or another neutral, then go with a brighter color for the eyes or lips for that “pop”.

How do you take good pictures of yourself?

Take a TON of pictures!  Out of say 100 that I take, I find maybe 3 that I love.  Also having a flipscreen camera helps as I can see what I’m taking pictures of.   Go outside for your pictures as natural light is more flattering, and hold the camera high to make your face look thinner :)

How often do you shop for makeup?

Let’s face it- the title of the site “Makeup Geek” is because I’m a makeup fanatic.  The bright colors, the textures, the feeling I get when I step into a makeup store- ahhh…. it’s like heaven!  haha!   BUT, I limit myself to just a couple things from different collections as otherwise I’d be living on the streets in a cardboard box.

How do I cover up acne?

Use concealer that is 1-2 shades darker than your skin.  If you use a light concealer, it’s only going to enhance the acne instead of actually hiding it.  The trick is to blend around the edges or apply foundation over the concealer to smooth out the color difference.  If you have redness from the acne, use a green concealer as it counteracts redness- you do need to apply foundation on top though so you don’t look like Kermit….

My favorite concealers:   Coastal Scents Camo Quad,  Make Up For Ever cream concealer, and Bobbi Brown Concealer (for under the eyes)

What’s the best foundations to use?

My favorite for combo/oily skin:  Revlon Colorstay as it dries to a matte finish and covers amazingly well
My favorite for oily skin:   Bare Escentuals   or any other mineral foundation as it helps to soak up the extra oil
My favorite for combo/dry skin:   Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid as it gives a nice dewy glow

What’s some makeup tips for those over 60?

As we age, the first thing that makes us loose our youth is lack of shine to the skin.  To combat that, use cream blushes instead of powder as it gives a more youthful glow.  Most women in this age bracket do not need a full face of foundation, but if you do, then use Neutrogena Healthy Skin as it has a dewy finish also.

To make the eyes brighter and more open, apply light shimmer shadow under the browbone and near the tear duct.  Also, line the waterline with a white or flesh colored eye pencil and curl those lashes- it makes a huge difference!

And number 1 tip for wearing eyeshadow:  go with matte finish instead of shimmer as shimmer makes wrinkles stand out more.  Reserve the shimmer for under the brow bone where wrinkles aren’t as apparent.

Here’s my article on 7 Ways to Look Younger Using Makeup

Where do you shop for clothes?

Since I’ve lost about 80 pounds now, I shop in different stores than I used to (don’t even get me started on why plus size women have to shop at different stores!  I need to open my own clothes shop for women of ALL sizes.   Ok, rant over!)

I used to find really cute things at Lane Bryant or Maurices, but I shop now mostly at Cache (only for tops as they’re a bit pricey),  Macy’s, Windsor, Von Maur, and Express.

How do you do your nails?

This is my girly splurge for myself- manis and pedis with my girlfriends :)  I get them done at a salon in California and they are gel tips using clear/light glitter powder for the tips.  They have all sorts of colors, but I usually do white or clear as I go crazy with my makeup sometimes and don’t want to overdo it- haha

How do you do your eyebrows?

I used to take a stiff angled brow brush and matte eyeshadow around the same color as my brows and fill in.  For the blank spots, I’ll take a dry feeling brow or eyeliner pencil and do small strokes to fill in.  But, recently I’ve fallen in love with Tarte’s Brow Mousse- it’s so easy to use and so natural looking, plus it lasts all day!

I do recommend for shaping the brows that you go 4 times a year to have them professionally shaped- estheticians and hair stylists do brows on a regular basis and can analyze and create a shape that suits you as each person’s face and brows are different.  Then you can just tweeze or wax in between shapings…

How can I avoid looking pale in pictures?

If you know you’re having pictures done, wear extra makeup- especially for blush, lips, and lashes as the flash will wash you out.  If you feel you have just a little too much makeup on, then it’s probably just right for pictures.

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I had so much fun taping this video for you guys!  I feel like I can’t get to everyone’s questions here on the site, youtube, twitter, facebook, and the forum (whew!) so I’d like to tape these type of videos regularly to answer what I can for you guys :)   Have a wonderful week Makeup Geeks!!!!  *muah*