"ask Nancy" is back!

This question comes via our facebook page from one of my former brides, Jayne:

What kind of bronzer brush would you suggest? Nothing too pricey though :)

I personally don't care for a traditional bronzer brush-the dense, Kabuki style tends to pick up too much pigment and I don't feel it distributes it well-(which is probably why you see so many bronzer abusers out there!)

I prefer a fluffy tapered powder brush-even better if it has flat sides. This is because I like to use bronzer as contour-slim down a round face, define jawlines, shrink a larger forehead, shorten a longer face...

A good inexpensive pick is from Sonia Kashuk and runs in the twenty dollar range. it won't give you any harsh, obvious contour lines, just give you a healthy glow. Apply a number 3 shape from your forehead to your chin, as a general rule.

reader question:changing your makeup look to suit a new hair color

Hey Nancy & team! I have a makeup question for you. I have very fair skin with pink undertones, blue eyes and now PLATINUM blonde hair (which I am loving)! However, I think I am going to need to do something different with my eye makeup for during the day. Any ideas, recommendations, suggestions? Thanks!

Audrey Keyes, Tarte Advertising

Going from a golden blonde to platinum is a brave choice, and I must say it looks absolutely smashing on you!

Be sure to add warmth to your skin with a bronzer that is not too orange, such as Laura Mercier's light bronzer. Use it to add definition to your face; add a "halo" into your hairline, jawline, under cheekbones, and just a touch to the nose. (it is so light it will not look like you are dirty!)

You may want to go a bit cooler with your eye, cheek and lip colors-you will probably find that the peachy pinks no longer suit you. Going from neutral browns to grays/pewters in your eye shadows will bring out your eye colors without looking dull and flat. Don't be afraid of black eyeliner, even for day. if you apply it just below the upper lashline it will give you great definition without looking "hard". And don't forget to fill in your brows! Anastasia (avalable at Sephora) makes a gorgeous golden brow gel that will subtly fill in your brows and help them blend with your new color. A beigy blue/pink lip is gorgeous-try MAC Angel and NARS Turkish Delight.

Better yet, have a FACEing class! ; )

reader asks for foundation recs

"Foundation! I'm in the market for a new one. What's good out there? You know I've been a Laura M. girl for a long time, but now with getting older I'm needing more coverage, more moisture and more love. Any suggestions? Chanel? Lauder? Olay? I'm open to suggestions and down to the last of my current bottle.
And also what's really best: sponge, brush or fingers for application?
Thanks!
--Krista"

Hi Krista! I assume you have been using Laura Mercier's oil free foundation? You have a few options if you want to graduate to a foundation with a little more oomph. MakeUpForever's HD foundation is amazing (you can find it at Sephora) It photographs extremely well and makes your skin appear more flawless by blurring imperfections, so it is a great choice for when you are appearing on TV. It is a medium to full coverage with a dewy finish, but feels lightweight on the skin. I like to use a sponge to apply it, and if you set with their HD powder you will further enhance the "soft focus" feature of the product.

Another foundation I especially lurve is Mercier's new creme smooth foundation. It has a very nice illuminating quality to it, which gives you a glow, and extremely great coverage (though you can always sheer it out) Mercier's celebrity artist, Matin (who just did Claire Danes in this product for the Golden Globes) recommends using a foundation brush, and after trying it that way, I was much happier than hen i used my sponge. They also have a similar powder to MUFE's HD, it is called Invisible.

Wichever you choose, I recommend using Mercier's hydrating primer underneath. It will fill in little imperfections, make your skin look smoother, and hold your makeup on longer.

Let us know how you do with your new stuff, Krista!

advice for oily skin

I received a letter in my inbox last week and I asked the bride if I could have permission to use it in my blog. My chance to play Dear Abby, if you will.




Hi Nancy!

I've been reading your blog from beginning to end to get tips for doing
my own wedding makeup. I'm emailing you with the hope that you might
have some make ups tips for my super oily skin.

The wedding budget is very small, so I can’t afford to have my makeup
done for me. And where I am in LA, make up artists are sooo pricey. I do wear makeup, sometimes not for months, sometimes every day, and am pretty good at applying the makeup I have, so I’m confident I can make my face look nice on the day of. However, I am having
problems keeping my makeup from getting oily. My face is very oily and about an hour after applying my makeup, I start to get super shiny.
I’ve tried everything I’ve heard before – use heavier moisturizer(keeps my skin
from drying out which is another problem, but only makes my skin more
oily in the long run), I exfoliate every other day with st ives
microderm scrub, I use Aveda cleanser & toner, aveeno moisturizers, and
I use oil-free makeup as much as possible (mainly Neutrogena and Physicians Formula). I have also tried the avon magix primer that you recommended, but again – one hour later, I’m shinier than a xmas ornament! I’ve also tried sephora’s primer, with the same result.
On the day of the wedding, I will use blotter paper to help the shininess, but that only lasts for so long too. I’m trying to find a solution that doesn’t involve piling on more products, if
possible. I’m also prone to black heads and period-pimples (even though I’ll be 30 in
a month!) so I don’t want to clog my pores any more than I already have.

If you have any tips for oily skin though, I would sooo appreciate
that!

Thank you so much for your time! I know you are a very busy chica!

Meghann
p.s. I love your blog! I love looking at the brides you've prettified!




Thanks Meghann. I am sure there are lots or readers who can relate. I used to have skin that oily but it has leveled off over the last ten years. However I STILL break out. So not right. But I digress.

You did not mention if the skincare you are using is specifically for acnaic skin. It sounds as if you could really benefit from a set like the Patricia Wexler kit sold at Bath and Body Works. It has glycolic pads in it that should really help, and I think you will love the oil free hydrator she sells.And I love that she addresses the needs of adult acne. The last thing you need is cleansers that overstrip and harsh toners.
Many dermatoligists recommend pore strips to combat blackheads, and they will make your pores appear smaller because they will be less clogged. And how cool is all the gross stuff that comes off on the strip, right?
You are right; the Avon majix is not a fantastic choice for the super oily.Try Laura Mercier oil free primer instead. It will control the oil without making you chalky dry like some oil absorbers can. A liquid oil free foundation is a better bet than a mineral powder one; the shimmer in them is nice for reflecting light in real life but can photograph very poorly. When you set with your powder, use a truly translucent one, not one with pigment. Otherwise the oil in your skin can turn that powder darker. And press the powder into your skin with a velour puff, not a fluffy brush. This will give you a great matte, velvety finish without a powdery look, and your makeup will last much longer.
Definitely get yourself some Model in a Bottle. It has a matte finish and will hold your makeup on like crazy. it is an absolute must have. You mentioned you hadn't had much luck with blotting papers, but you hopefully will find if you are able to implement some of these products into your routine you will find you will barely need them!