Imagine by Carleen - Makeup and Skin Care

"Eyes of March" Free Mini Classes

2012-03-08T13:29:00.001-08:00

Under-Eye Area –Thursday, March 15, 6 PM

30-minute FREE class focuses oncosmetic options for the under-eye area. Learn about which ingredients are best for which signs of aging (bags, wrinkles, puffiness,fine lines), whichprocedure options are out there for more aggressive treatment, and a lesson onhow to best camouflage the signs of aging in your under-eye area.

Eye Lashes andBrows – Thursday, March 29, 6 PM

30-minute FREE class focuses oncosmetic options for the lash and brow areas. Learn about lash growth enhancing products , how to use them for lashand brow growth, how to care for lashes, brow shaping and how to get a naturalbrown look with brow powders, gels, waxes, etc. Great class for all ages!

Sign up for classes at by clicking here
Class will be cancelled if there is not a minimum of three attendees. Bring a friend (if it’s a new client get afree gift, too!)

Before and After Makeup Trails!

2012-01-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

I love bridal makeup trials! This bride brought me a photo that inspired the look. She wanted a slightly shimmery eye with brown toned accent and pink lips. I added Ardell cluster lashes at the outer corners with a thin liner. The contouring focused on softening the jaw angle a bit and and making her bridge appear smaller and eyes a more standard width apart. Most people has asymetrical eyes, which can appear more dramatically different with flash photography. If I was photographing her as an assignment I would have taken several more images to catch her eyes more equally open.

This bride wanted dramatic color in her look. She will be carrying flowers with some deep purple and wearing a champagne poi de soire dress. We reshaped her brows and focused on evening her skin tone around the eye area, making her face appear more oval verses oblong and her nose a bit wider to balance out her face so her eyes really pop and appear standard width apart. She also is wearing cluster lashes for more drama.

Acne Facials on Special and More!

2012-01-29T05:56:00.000-08:00

How can a facial improve your acne condition? Acne can be caused by several different imbalances internally and externally. A facial can give your Skin Therapist an opportunity to work with you to discover possible root causes, while at the same time help our skin restore it's natural oil and water balance, barrier function and healing. The skin analysis can help identify the conditions and concerns. Then a deep cleanse and exfoliation will help to shed dead cells, break down their structure and clear out the walls of the pores, all based on which chemical ingredients are used. Steaming with ozone will further soften any sebum clogging pores and kill bacteria. The extraction step, further cleans out the congestion (blackheads, whiteheads, etc). The soothing phase of the facial stimulates blood flow back to your face to promote healing, coupled with antioxidants to help cells recover from oxidation due to environmental and internal stress, and a hydrator with calming ingredients to restore natural oil and water balance. A series of acne facials, boosted with a chemical peel suited for your level of sensitivity, along with a home maintenance program can greatly improve your acne and give you a glowing, healthy complexion with or without the use of prescriptions.

February 2012 Specials include the Acne Facial at $10 off! Click to schedule!

Also on special for February include:

Sinus Relief Facials – $69 (1 hour) – Are yousuffering from Sinus Congestion and discomfort? This therapeutic treatmentis designed to bring relief from sinus congestion, which leads to pain andpressure. The service includes a cleanseand steam, a skin analysis, lymphatic drainage massage followed by cold stonefacial massage using essential oils blended for sinus relief and a hydratingmask.

Winter-timeHydrating Quench Facial - $85 (75 minutes) – Is you skin showing signs ofwinter-time dryness? Steam withhydrating enzymes while you exfoliate dull, dry skin and bring new life to yourcomplexion. This treatment also includesextractions, neck, and décolleté massage and treatment, arm/hand and leg/footmassage with warming mitts and a hydrating treatment mask. A must if you are preparing for a wintervacation or returning from one in the sun to quench your skin with moisture!

Our February Event is:

IMAGINE ROMANCE – Event

Friday,February 17^th at 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Join us fora Happy Hour event, bring the girls, have a Chocolate Kiss Martini and learnhow to do your own smokey eyes and pouty lips! Essentials will also have a display of body scrubs and lotions for demonstration! Space Limited so RSVP to hold your spot – Just $10 and receive a $10coupon for product. Have your firstcocktail of the evening on us and then go out on the town ready for Romance!!

Do you have dry skin in the winter?

2012-01-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

What causes dry skin? The stratum corneum is a layer of skin cells and natural oils that resides on the outmost portion of the epidermis. This layer forms a protective hydro-lipid barrier system to both prevent moisture loss through evaporation
while protecting against invasion from foreign substances (such as bacteria). When the stratum corneum is disrupted, the skin is not capable of retaining the moisture levels necessary for proper skin function; breaks in this protective outer layer make skin more susceptible to irritation and infection. So what can disrupt the stratum corneum and natural hydrolipid barrier? Common culprits
include soaps with harsh surfactants, using hot water to bathe, and harsh environmental conditions that stress skin and strip it of its natural oils. Skin dryness can also be genetic, and tends to become more severe as we age.

The first thing to do is to cleanse gently! Mild cleansers and warm water are the key! A long, hot shower or bath definitely feels great at the end of a cold day outside. Unfortunately, hot water and harsh surfactants are highly effective at breaking down the natural hydrolipid layer that protects skin. Without this layer, skin is less capable of retaining moisture and more susceptible to irritation and damage. To avoid drying out skin choose a gentle cleanser (such as Celloxylin Creme Cleanse), use warm water, and keep showers short and sweet! To achieve the best results, continue your skin care regimen immediately after cleansing to lock in moisture absorbed during rinsing! The rest of the steps are on the website, or you can come in for a skin consultation and receive a customized skincare program designed for your skin type, condition, lifestyle and budget. Better yet, visit me at Essentials Nail & Body Boutique for my Hydrating Quench Facial, the ultimate in restorative treatments for the winter-time! This 75-minute treatment is sure to get you through the winter blues, too! Schedule now online.

January 2012 Specials

2012-01-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

Here are more details on the January 2012 specials mentioned in the previous post.

Sinus Relief Facials – $69 (1 hour) – Are you suffering from Sinus Congestion and discomfort? This therapeutic treatment is designed to bring relief from sinus congestion, which leads to pain and pressure. The service includes a cleanse and steam, a skin analysis, lymphatic drainage massage followed by cold stone facial massage using essential oils blended for sinus relief and a hydrating mask.

Makeup Lesson - $40 (regularly $49) – Want to start 2012 with a new look? Book a lesson and get $40 credit towards products (includes all cosmetics and Rapid Lash, not skin care).

Winter-time Hydrating Quench Facial - $85 (75 minutes) – Is you skin showing signs of winter-time dryness? Steam with hydrating enzymes while you exfoliate dull, dry skin and bring new life to your complexion. This treatment also includes extractions, neck, and décolleté massage and treatment, arm/hand and leg/foot massage with warming mitts and a hydrating treatment mask. A must if you are preparing for a winter vacation or returning from one in the sun to quench your skin with moisture!

One More Month! - Glycolic Peels – Known as the “lunchtime peel”!!

Glycolic Peel - $100 (regularly $125), add on to facial for $45
-will pro-rate if additional peels are purchased within three weeks of first peel.
-Series of 4 for $65 each - $250 must be used by May 31st, 2012
-Series of 6 for $60 each - $360 must be used by June 30th

What is a Chemical Peel?

Chemical peels are used to remove the outer-most layer of the skin and reveal the fresh, less-wrinkled layer below. In these procedures, a chemical formula is placed on the skin, which then peels off, eliminating dead cells and leaving the skin with clarity, luminosity, and showing an improvement in fine lines. These peels will not leave your skin physically peeling. At most you might have some redness for up to 24 hours.

Chemical peels are used for age management and effectively improve the feel and appearance of the skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun exposure, aging, and genetics. They can also treat age spots, freckles, and other superficial hyperpigmentation. Most skin colors and types can benefit from chemical peels, though an esthetician will help you determine which peel may be right for you. If you’re taking acne medication, Retin-A or Accutane, it is advised to stop the medication before and during treatment to avoid complications.

Bring on 2012!!

2012-01-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I am so excited about 2012! I know it will bring a lot of change for many people who have been struggling with various challenges over the past few years. My focus for 2012 is to continue to go above and beyond for my customers to help them bring out and enhance their natural beauty. I am committed to helping you reach your goals for internal and external beauty and wellness. I spent the last few weeks looking at several new product lines and treatments that can bring about positive change in helping us all feel better and look like we feel great!!

With this mind, my January specials are really exciting! The next post details the esthetic treatments, listing a Sinus Relief Facial, a Winter-time Hydrating Quench Facial, Makeup Lesson discount and a continuation of the Glycolic Peel special. You can also see my website for a full menu of my skin and makeup servicves.

My bridal makeup trials are $40 through January 31st, when my 2012 rates will take effect (in case you know anyone getting married, NOW is the time to book a trial).

Apriori Beauty has a special deal on the LifeoxyLEAN Weight Loss Accelerator. Five complexes and 18 key ingredients help to suppress appetite, burn fat, support digestion, detox fluids, energize cells and support lean muscle mass.(*see link for details) Item #052, 60 tablets (30-day supply) Regularly $32 — only $25.60. Also on special at a GREAT price is the Celloxylin® Step 3. Firming Complex, a Highly concentrated serum stimulates collagen, reduces wrinkles.Item #003, 1.0 fl oz
30 mL. Regularly $48 — only $38.40 Shop Now!

For Mary Kay I am offering a 20% discount on anything I have in inventory (you'll have to contact me with your requests so I can let you know what I have). This discount is in effect through January 20th.

Each month I will be hosting an event at Essentials, you will see these as e-vites and on Imagine By Carleen Facebook page under Events. The January Imagine Event is Imagine your Wellness 2012! Click the link to learn to more.

New offerings coming soon...Body Mapping with Wraps for weight loss and slimming/firming, Eye Lash Enhancer (you can Pre-Order Rapid Lash for $49.95 a tube, which lasts 6-8 weeks NOW!), New cosmetic products, Makeup and Boudoir Portrait packages and much more!

And lastly, in order to help you pay for all of your treatments, I am organizing a Gold and Silver for Cash Party, which will be accompanied with some great packages available on that day only! Stay tuned for details!!

I love you all and look forward to this fantastic Journey 2012 will bring us on together!

Holiday looks!

2011-12-12T17:01:00.000-08:00

Don't let your holiday stress show on your skin!

2011-12-09T11:49:00.001-08:00

The holidays are such a fun time! Right? Or are you starting to feel stressed that you won't have everything done in time? Are you striving to make your holiday time perfect? Maybe it's a first Christmas in a relationship, or with a baby, or without a loved one. Quite possibly you are a perfectionist, or just the opposite and feeling stress that your holiday preparations won't measure up to the standards of someone close to you, maybe a sister, or in-law, or parent?

Well, it's easy enough for me to say stop stressing about everything and enjoy your holidays, but it's harder to do. What you can do is to take a few simple steps to make sure the stress of the season doesn't show up on your skin. Stress can manifest on your skin in many ways, from breakouts, to inflammation like rosacea and conditions like eczema. Your level of wellness is reflected outward on your skin, your body's largest organ. If you take steps towards overall wellness, your skin will be more equipped to deal with the mental, physical and environmental stress this season brings.

We all know that proper sleep, adequate water intake, exercise and a balanced healthy diet are keys to wellness and likewise, better skin. I will post a few blogs on this topic to take things a little deeper and help define why these things will make a difference not only in how you feel, but also how you look.

How much sleep is proper sleep? Probably more than you are getting. I am always reading how the average person doesn't get enough sleep. However, it's important to know that while we sleep our body works hardest on repairing itself. During sleep your skin's metabolic rate speeds up and protein breakdown slows down. Proteins help cell regrowth and are needed along with anti-oxidants for the repair of damage from environmental factors such as UV rays. "Deep sleep may indeed be beauty sleep. Daytime sleep will not compensate for loss of nightly 'beauty sleep' as the energy needed for tissue repair is not available during daylight because it is being used elsewhere. " (Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-90598/What-happens-body-youre-asleep.html#ixzz1g4ZaspIh)

Lack of sleep can also make your skin appear more pale, which is very noticeable under your eyes. The "bags" that form from lack of sleep are the result of the thinner, paler skin under your eyes allowing the blood vessels to show through and cast a purplish discoloration.

Some tips for better sleeping habits during this season include limiting caffeine in the late afternoon and evening hours, taking one of those natural sleep aids like serotonin or Valerian root and giving yourself some time to wind down before turning out the lights. Even if you just take 10 minutes and make a list of what you need to do the next day, it can clear your mind for a more restful sleep. If you can go to sleep without the TV on, you will most likely sleep more soundly as well.

So, tonight get your beauty sleep and make that the first step in conquering the effects of stress on your skin.

December Facial and Makeup Specials!

2011-11-28T17:13:00.001-08:00

BackFacials – $45 (30 minutes) – Add a gift certificate to any gift basket (over$45) for just $40

Nails andParty Makeup - $55 package special – New Year’s Eve BOOK NOW, other dates uponrequest

Skin Analysis - $40

Glycolic Peels – Known as the “lunchtime peel”!!

Single Peel- $100 regularly $125, add on to facial for $45

Series of 4for $65 each - $250 must be used by Feb 28, 2012 – does not includefacials as described below

Series of 6for $60 each - $360 must be used by March 31^st - with two appointments including facials

What is aChemical Peel?

Chemical peels are used to remove the outer-most layer ofthe skin and reveal the fresh, less-wrinkled layer below. In these procedures, a chemical formula isplaced on the skin, which then peels off, eliminating dead cells and leavingthe skin with clarity, luminosity, and showing an improvement in fine lines.

Chemical peels are used for age management and effectively improve thefeel and appearance of the skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles caused bysun exposure, aging, and genetics. Theycan also treat age spots, freckles, and other superficial hyperpigmentation. Most skin colors and types can benefit fromchemical peels, though an esthetician will help you determine which peel may beright for you. If you’re taking acnemedication, Retin-A or Accutane, it is advised to stop the medication beforeand during treatment to avoid complications.

The Chemical Peel Series is a series of 6 treatments. The first one will either be a single peel,following a recommendation from a Facial Appointment or Skin AnalysisAppointment, or peel as part of your facial depending on how you book yourservice. It may be recommended to use anat-home peel kit for a month prior to beginning your series, to prepare yourskin for the stronger glycolic acid. Iuse a conservative approach in working clients up to stronger peels to mitigateunnecessary irritation and the possibility of chemical burns. As the peel solution is applied, I watch yourskin under the lamp and mag light for reactions and document the results so Ican help you with at-home care recommendations and administer the second peeleffectively. The second peel will be aweek to ten days following, and will be just a 30 minute appointment, with thepeel solution being left on for a slightly longer time. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth peels willeach be a week to ten days apart, and slightly longer time or a strongersolution depending on how your skin reacts during the series. The middle and/or last peel will include anhour long facial appointment for a total of two facials during your peelseries. During and upon completion ofthe series I will recommend a skin care regimen that will enhance and maintainthe results, including a sunscreen/sunblock that fits your lifestyle and skintype, and provide written instructions.

To book one or more of these services please call Essentials Nail & Body Boutique at 203-483-0503. For more information visit Imagine by Carleen or Essentials Nail & Body Boutique in Branford, CT.

What is a Skin Analysis Appointment?

2011-11-22T08:15:00.001-08:00

This 30 minute appointment takes place in the treatment room. We will begin with a gentle cleanse, followed by a gentle toner. Then I will analyze your skin under the magnifying lamp and document the conditions present on paper and with a camera for a base-line in case you decide to move forward with a home-care and/or treatment plan for improvement. Lastly, I will apply the appropriate moisturizer for your skin type. We will sit down and discuss the findings and I will provide a written recommendation for skincare products and therapeutic treatments.

Offering Skin Analysis Appointments at Essentials, 116 Montowese St, Branford, CT ., on Black Friday, November 25th, 10 AM-6 PM and Saturday, November 26th, 9 AM-3 PM. Just $20 for your appointment and receive a $15 coupon!

Bridesmaid guidelines for makeup

2011-10-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

So many times there is the lone bridesmaid, or two, who opt not to have their makeup done by the makeup artist. If you are the bride, it's a good idea you at least give them some guidelines so they don't standout, unflattering, in your wedding photos. If you are the bridesmaid, you might want ask the bride some questions so there are no big surprises at the 11th hour. A few tips can make a big difference, especially when it comes to how long it takes to get your photos back from the photographer. Poor makeup choices can be a nightmare in post processing. For example, if your bridesmaid wears anything reflective every photo with her will need extra editing to correct it.

You may also have a situation where she chooses to wear a color that might look great on her, but not work with the overall theme. After going through all of the trouble to select dresses that all coordinate, and flowers, shoes, the groomsmens' colors...this tiny detail can make you crazy every time you look at your wedding photos! Another running theme I see is the one person who doesn't want any color on her lips. Many photographers would be bothered by that in editing and pump the lips up with some color so she still looks alive compared to the other bridesmaids in the photo. This takes time, and as a bridesmaid you might not like the shade the photographer uses. better to do them right in the first place.

Here are some guidelines for those doing their own makeup:

No reflective, glittery, shimmery, or sparkles. Although some can be used effectively by professionals, you need to leave this detail to the professionals on your wedding day, an incorrect application can absolutely ruin a perfectly great image.
You should decide ahead of time, with your own makeup artist, the color scheme, so you can communicate it to those doing their own makeup. It doesn't need to be stringent, but you do want to say "no pastels" if everyone else will be wearing warm neutrals, for example, or "no smokey dark shadows" if everyone is wearing light pastels. A good makeup artist can come up with colors for everyone, regardless of their own coloring, that will coordinate with your theme. Admittedly this takes some work and is why, in the long run, it's often wise to just have your makeup artist efficiently do everyone, and to avoid overbuying makeup for the wedding that may not be worn again.
Foundation should be as close to their natural color as possible, weddings are not a good place for bronzers or makeup that may look too orange in the photos. You may have some outdoor photos as well as some inside where the lighting is warm. A photographer once told me we needed to be experts in applying makeup so it looks good in all of the varying lighting that occurs during the wedding day. Also, make sure all foundations are blended well and the face is not a different color than the chest, which is usually pretty bare in bridesmaid dresses.
If you want everyone to be glamorous or natural or classic it is important to communicate that so one person is not under or over made-up.

Not that anyone wants to add another step to the already stressful wedding planning a bride must go through, but a few simple thoughts about makeup beforehand can make a world of difference when all the I-dos are said and all you have left are the memories and photographs.

Glowing skin

2011-09-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I had the pleasure of helping Peggy, prepare for her wedding! Not only did I do her makeup, but I also did her mom's, maids of honor and bridesmaid! Erica, part of my team (and family, my second cousin) was on hand for some updos. When I first met Peggy, about a year ago, she was just in the beginning stages of planning her wedding. I applauded her for speaking with me early on as I was able to help her not only thinking about her makeup look for that big day, but also prepare her skin so it was glowing even without makeup! What a great vision, waking up with glowing skin before you even put any makeup on! On her wedding day I didn't even need to use any concealer!! We had two trials, the first time we met and then one about a month before her wedding to finalize colors. She was diligent about her skin care from the day we met. When she ran out she would see an immediate difference in her skin if she tried to go without the steps in her routine, but by looking at the photos you can she she had amazing results.

What colors did we use for this late-summer/early-fall wedding? With her white dress and the contrast of the warn-toned bridal party I kept her makeup on the tawny/warm side. The Bride is wearing Timewise Foundation, Beige 8 Luminous Wear and Matte wear mixed together for her foundation. On her eyes I used Mary Kay eye primer mixed with Naked Cosmetics Dessert Sun shimmer, Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color, Espresso in the crease and for highlighter I used the Mary Kay Mineral Eye Colors Honey Spice and Sweet Cream. Her eyeliner is Mary Kay Deep Brown, lashes Love Lash Mascara in Black. Her cheeks are a blend of the Mary Kay warm toned mineral cheek colors and on her lips Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Sunset.

Her Maid of honor is wearing a spice-colored dress. Her makeup is Timewise Matte Wear Foundation in Beige 4, over a peach color corrector in her under-eye area. Her eyes have Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color Hazelnut on the lids, Sienna in the crease and Sweet Cream as a highlighter. Her eyeliner is a green gel liner (from my original kit when I went to school), with Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black on her lashes. I used Citrus Bloom Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color on her cheeks, with Cinnamon Stick blended lightly just below her cheek bones. Her lipstick is Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Gingerbread.

The Mother-of-the Bride is wearing a champagne dress. We added some cool tones to her look to perk up her complexion. She is wearing the same foundation as the bride and Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Sweet Plum to accent her eyes and Precious Pink on the lids, with deep brown liner and more of a berry on her cheeks. She requested a coral/pinkish tone for her lips.

Click on the links above to purchase any of the products mentioned. You can visit my website for more information on my wedding makeup services, skin care or photography or email me directly.

On-location transformation

2011-09-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is how everyone looked when we arrived on Sunday morning, as you would expect. Freshly showered and ready for the bridal transformation! Here is our bride, Fabianne. She wanted Eva Longoria eyes and Kate Middleton cheeks and lip, and sort-of big toussled hair. Erica, my cousin and hair partner took on the task of hair for the bride and her four bridesmaids. For her makeup she bought the products that were said to be used by Kate for her cheeks and lips. For the rest, I started with the Mary Kay Primer and mixed the Matte Wear and Luminous foundation formulas in her beige color for something not quite as flat and matte as her trial, but not so luminous to reflect back flash.

Her eyes were done with a mix of Mary Kay eye primer and Naked Cosmetics Desert Sunset DE-02 mixed together for her lid color, the crease was Mary Kay Espresso, with Sweet Cream under the brow. I used black liquid liner with a full strip of Ardell Lashes (Natural 110). I also used Mary Kay Mineral Pressed Powders for contouring and shading.

Her bridesmaids were all required to wear full strip lashes (by the bride herself), which lead to some requests for some glam looks! Here are some before pics:

Here they are ready to go!

I was quite impressed that this bride was all about letting them go with their own look to suite their personality. Even the deep red lips couldn't detract from this stunning and happy bride!

Wedding makeup for red hair and freckles

2011-07-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

My bridal customer has pretty red hair and freckles, which she doesn't want to completely hide, and she wants to enhance her coloring. Hazel eyes and turquoise bridesmaid dresses, with her wedding gown being ivory, presented quite a color challenge. Warm neutrals would have totally washed her out. We opted for cool tones to let sweet plum contouring on her lids bring out the green in her eyes.

I used mineral powder foundation in Beige .5 to provide a flawless evenness and warmth to her skin tone without totally covering her freckles. Her combination skin needed some oil control, but she also wanted some shimmer to her look, without being sparkly. We accomplished this with the mineral powder foundation and added a touch of shimmer to her eyes and cheek bones. The neutral lip color, shell, brightens her teeth by without being overly red/pink to clash with her hair color.. The end result is amazing! I can't wait for her wedding in August to photograph her with her gown and bridesmaids!

What's behind the natural look?

2011-07-12T19:58:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, it take a lot of work to make someone look natural, even when they are pretty to begin with! Below are a set of before and after pictures from a trial last week. The makeup application resulted in much better photos. Her eyes are much brighter and defined. The shape of her face contoured to a true oval, matte skin, cutting down the shine and even her neck is more defined, under the chin area. In order to achieve this I applied a silicone based primer with a matte foundation formulated for Oily/combination skin. Mineral pressed powders were used in several shades for the contouring, darker in areas I wanted to recess and lighter in areas that I wanted to highlight, overall working with the camera lens to reflect the light in the most flattering way. The eye colors are shades of browns with some golden tones to bring out the blue in her eyes. I added three cluster lashes to the outer corner of each eye to help open up and frame her beautiful blue eyes. Soft cool tones on her cheeks and lips finish the natural glowing look!

After

Before

For more before/after looks visit my website. http//imaginebycarleen.com or my page on facebook .

Tips for Lush Lashes

2011-06-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips for long, full, flirty lashes no matter what your budget is. First things first...remove your mascara EVERY night, no matter what, using an oil-free eye makeup remover formulated specifically for your eye area and to remove mascara. Why? Mascara isn't made to stay on your lashes forever and as it dries out over the night and breaks off, you could have lash breakage. Lashes don't grow back easily, and you often need a prescription to help them grow. Using a remover especially formulated for your lashes and eye area will keep your lashes conditioned to avoid breakage, make mascara removal easier (also to avoid breakage) and treat the delicate skin around your eyes, with special care. An oil-free will keep the pores from getting clogged and prevent milia (little tiny white bumps under your eyes) and easy to remove means less pulling and stretching the skin around your eyes, (which can cause wrinkles) .
Another tip, curl your lashes when they are clean, before putting on mascara (to avoid breakage) with an eyelash curler; a tool made specifically to curl your lashes. Keep your eyelash curler clean by replacing the cushion when necessary, and cleaning with anti-bacterial soap or spraying with and alcohol & water mixture.
Replace your mascara every 3-4 months, even if you don't use it every day. Bacteria can breed in the tube and the older the mascara is the more risk you have of the bacteria causing an infection or other eye problem, stye, itchy/water eyes. etc.
Newer mascaras on the market have great new wands for separating lashes and depositing more even coverage of the lashes with less coats. They also are containing more active ingredients to help build stronger, fuller lashes (vitamins, anti-oxidants). Try this one!
There are also products that will make more lashes grow, like Latisse and also some OTC competitive products with the same claims. These products are receiving great reviews and seem to work but if you need them to make more lashes grow, it is said that you stop using them, your lashes will eventually go back to the way they were. False lashes are always an option and can be simple strips or small individual clusters just applied to outer corners. You can even opt for longer-lasting individual lash extensions, applied at a salon by someone certified in the products.
How far will you go to get luxurious lashes?

Getting a Great Makeup Trial - Tips!!

2011-06-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

I often receive emails like the one that came yesterday from a bride to be, getting married in just four months. As most, she thought she had plenty of time for her makeup trial. This is what she said: "I went for a bridal makeup trial today and was disappointed to realize when I arrived that the artist didn't do airbrush makeup. This disappointment was completely my fault for not asking the right questions. The makeup ended up being just ok. I wanted a soft bridal look and got a very "done" looking eye and I still felt very pale and plain rather than a glowing bride to be. The false eyelashes appeared fake and spidery to me rather than soft and feminine. My fiance said I looked overdone, as my normal look is very simple."

She went on to tell me about her wedding date, location, and what she liked about my work posted on my website. Unfortunately I am not available on her wedding date, especially because she so eloquently communicated to me what she was looking for. "I like the pictures you have on your site...especially the sweet bridal look. I just want to have that flawless skin look and soft eyes and lips with a rosy cheeks on my wedding day. I don't have a hair person yet either so maybe we can work that in as well?"

I can't stress the importance of selecting your makeup artist early, even before you have everything else figured out. A good makeup artist will help you design your look, build a relationship with you and become a very trusted advisor in your wedding planning. I have often helped brides improve their skin, find resources for a variety of last minute preparation, and consulted with Mother's of the bride on various beauty issues. On the day of the wedding because I was so familiar with my bride I have been instrumental in the preparations outside of makeup as well.
If you don't have time on your side then make sure you gather photos of looks you like and don't like for your wedding makeup. You may not have the same coloring as some of your photos but your makeup artist should be able to get an inspiration from the looks you are leaning towards. Ask questions also! Especially if you don't have a lot of experience with makeup. You are the customer, and the Bride and it's your day. You have a right to be specific about the services you are seeking. This doesn't mean you have to be a bridezilla, just communicate in a nice way. Not every makeup artist is a match for every bride, and a good makeup artist knows that. Read the customer reviews, although you won't find many bad ones published, there is a lot of information you can find out from the good reviews also. Pay attention to the details and start your search early. Sometimes I trial with my brides twice, for the same price, just so I am comfortable that if something changes right before their wedding I will be prepared. That is the sort of service you can find with a professional. Your photos will be with you for a lifetime and the makeup is as important as the dress for that reason alone.

Turquoise is popping for the spring!

2011-02-21T05:02:00.000-08:00

Several of the weddings I have booked for this spring feature turquoise for the Bridesmaids! I find this so exciting because it offers many options for make-up! For some brides we are opting for complementary warm shades of makeup, opposite the color wheel like browns with some peach or orange undertones and lips that are warm red or golden tan, especially with their white dresses, to really make the bride stand out from the bridal party. For others, the cool-toned makeup palette and an Ivory dress are the better option for a striking bride, using rich jewel purples or blues, or lighter subtle grey-blue, or lavender. It's important to take into consideration the colors in the bridal bouquet as well. If the bouquet is to be strikingly colorful it may be best to stick with neutrals and pull out a warm or cool tone from the flowers up to the lips.
Another seemingly popular color I am seeing is apple red, lending itself to a bride carrying roses and white flowers. This seems simple but can be tricky finding the right tones to draw the attention up to the bride's face from the bouquet. A bright lip color is necessary, or smoldering eyes. A bride that is not used to wearing a lot of makeup and wanting a natural look can be overwhelmed with color on her face, but will find it necessary to stand out from the strong color her bridesmaids are wearing and the flowers she is carrying. It is also important to get the right shade of red to complement her skin tone and not clash with the flowers. Looking for this match is tough because the complementary color to red is green. If the bride has yellow undertones in her skin you should look for a cooler red shade, if she has pink undertones a red with more warmth will help and if she has olive undertones a true red is best. These are all the reasons a professional experienced makeup artist is worth hiring! For more help with you makeup colors book a consultation with a makeup artist. My website has photos for inspiration, http://imaginebycarleen.com. My fan page is also being updated with photos of real bridal consultations!

http://facebook.com/imaginebycarleen

Hiring a Makeup Artist Can Save You Money!

2011-01-30T17:29:00.000-08:00

For many brides, hiring the right makeup artist can actually save money. If you aren't sure how to get the look you want, and don't buy or wear makeup regularly, by the time you buy enough products to put together the right look, you could have paid for your makeup artist! No way, you say? Well consider this. First of all, if you haven't been working with someone to perfect your complexion, you will need a color corrector, a concealer, a primer, a foundation and a powder...before you even get to the color! Which shades do you buy? What if they are wrong, can you bring them back? Who has the time to bring them back! Yikes! The right makeup artist can help you get your skin in tip-top shape, and will have the right colors in her kit. She will know if you can skip the corrector or concealer or if you need a yellow corrector or a peach one for the discoloration under your eyes. She will know that a basic concealer can reflect an unwanted pop of white under your eyes with the flash. She will also know how to make your eyes stand out in a way that you probably never even tried. It may mean blending 4 or 5 shades of colors, which could get costly if you had to purchase that many shades to get the same look yourself. And how about lipstick...sometimes in a consultation we have had to try three different shades to get the one that works the best. A good makeup artist has the experience and the supplies to get it right. My brides also get a free lipstick on their wedding day to have with them for touch ups as needed. Then there is the artful hand your makeup artist using in contouring and highlighting your natural structure of your face with various powders to enhance your most beautiful features and play down those that aren't your favorites. If you are planning a wedding, hiring a makeup artist can save you money, and it will save you time! Visit my website, http://imaginebycarleen.com and my facebook fan page www.facebook.com/imaginebycarleen to see examples of bridal consultation before and after photos, and some of my on location wedding day shots of bridal makeup, for some ideas.

New You for a New Year

2010-12-28T06:55:00.001-08:00

With the new year fast approaching this is the time that many people think about the things they want to change. Whether or it be a resolution, a goal or just an idea, a fresh new year marks an opportunity for change. If you are looking to update your look, here are some easy beauty tips to add into your routine.

Clean out the beauty closet and get rid of the following:
1. Your summertime foundation, you can't use it now if your skin tone is shades lighter, and you won't want to use it next summer as it will be aged, possibly laden with bacteria and I am most certain it will be replaced with the next must-have product launching this Spring anyway.
2. Mascaras older than 3 months
3. Eye colors you haven't worn in a year
4. Sunscreen products with expiration dates
5. Anything you don't like anymore

Look at old photos of yourself with a new eye for detail, what do you want to change? Have you had the same hair style for the last three years? When was the last time someone complimented you on your hair style? It may be time for a new "do". Hair salons slow down a bit after the holidays so you can take advantage of the extra time your stylist has to get some new ideas. Or, try someone new!

Has your skin changed in the past 6 months to a year? Take a good look in a magnifying mirror for uneven skin tones, dark spots, red marks, dirty pores. You may need to visit your dermatologist, or simply switch up your routine. Your skin changes as it ages and it is important to be sure you are using the appropriate products for the current condition your skin is in. I can help you understand the changes your skin is going through, make some product/ingredient recommendations and even help you pinpoint which concerns are worth taking to your doctor. (www.imaginebycarleen.com)

Also, take a look at your wardrobe. What fits? What doesn't fit? Don't wear things that don't fit you properly, it detracts from your natural beauty. Even if you have gained weight, you can still look pretty, happy and successful if your clothes look put together and fit properly. If you can't afford to shop and losing weight in order to fit back into your favorite items isn't part of the plan, consider consignment (www.finestconsignments.com), or setting up a local swap with friends or co-workers.

Lastly, update your makeup look with a new shade of lipstick, a new lip product like Liquid Lips (goes on like a lip gloss, has the staying power of a lipstick) or a new product on the market, such as the Facial Illuminator from Mary Kay, www.marykay.com/carleenr. Start 2011 with a new look and and a new outlook

Airbrushing?

2010-08-22T09:39:00.001-07:00

I received an inquiry last night from a bride who was looking for airbrushing makeup. With her wedding almost a year away, I asked her out of curiosity why she wanted that technique. Is it to get better coverage because she is concerned about her skin? I think many women don't know how to properly care for their skin or how easy it is to transform problem skin into a complexion that looks fabulous with just a sheer coat of mineral powder. I for one would rather work on improving my skin so it looks great everyday, not spend extra money for it to look great just one day. For easy ways to improve your skin and a free consultation find out more on http://imaginebycarleen.com

Unhappy with wedding makeup trial?

2010-08-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

The past couple of inquiries I received for wedding day makeup application were from future brides who did not like the makeup trial applications they had with another makeup artist. When you are a bride this can be really traumatic, especially if the wedding is close! When you are the makeup artist it can be disheartening since you are an artist and proud of your work. In the beginning I also had a few brides not booking because I missed the mark on the trial appointment. Once I took my personal desire to create the perfect artistic visual out of the picture and treated the appointment as I used to treat my business meetings, I realized I had some advice to offer both brides-to-be and fellow makeup artists.

If you are a bride-to-be make sure you allow enough time before the wedding for your makeup trial, and start thinking about what you want our face to look like on your wedding day and in your pictures. Are there features you want to highlight and others you want to play-down? Pay attention to makeup looks you see in magazines or online and be sure to print them out and have them on hand when you met with your makeup artist. Do your best to clearly communicate your expectations. A good makeup artist should be able to deliver what you are requesting, or tell you why or why not it might not be possible.

More importantly, if you are the makeup artist reading this, a simple question I am starting to use is "Why do you want to hire a makeup artist for your wedding day?" This can reveal quite a bit of information about the situation. You might find out that the bride is not sure if does want to hire someone, or is just thinking she wants to be pampered on her wedding day and likes how she does her own makeup already. This is still a great reason to hire a makeup artist, but boy I would really want to know that before I took out one brush so I could be sure I can manage her expectations!

It's not about making the bride look fabulous in my eyes, it's about making her look fabulous in her eyes. So she may have blue eyes and look fabulous with browns and a bronze-toned eyeliner, but if she wants black liquid liner and no shadow, I need to know that before I start. Then I can chose how to manage her expectations and give her some options so she is happy with the results.

So, back to business, Sales 101, I go in my new venture. It's all about building a relationship between customer and service provider, managing expectations and listening!

Is there a proper way to wear eyeliner?

2010-08-17T08:14:00.001-07:00

I get this question frequently and the answer is yes, but depending on your eye shape and spacing, it can be somewhat different from one person to the next. The one thing about wearling eyeliner that is true for all is NEVER line the inner bottom eyelid. Not only does this put you at risk for eye infections, it really does not make your eyes pop or standout. It makes your eyes appear smaller and just bring attention to the eye area, but not in the most flattering way. An easy way to see this is a photo comparison. It will be really noticable if you have pretty blue eyes. Take a photo of yourself wearing black liner on the bottom inner lid and the top lid and then try this application and take another photo and compare. With your eyes clean from eyeliner, use a bronze or deeper brown shade of eyeliner and apply it on the top lid and the lower bottom lid (outside of the lid, beneath the lashes). For most people the liner should start 1/3rd -1/2 way accross the lid from your nose. Unless your eyes are really wide set, keep the liner out of the inner corner of your eyes as well. Slightly smudge the liner with your finger, q-tip or brush. When you see the comparison between the pictures you will notice that your eye color is noticable, and your eyes do "pop", rather than simply bringing attention to the eyelid area with black liner. Eyeshadow clors should also enhance your eye color, for blue stick to the tones with brown and peach.

For your own personal color consultation and application lesson contact me at carleen@imaginebycarleen.com.

When do you declare success?

2010-02-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

For those of us with very little patience, it can be easy to feel the frustration of life's challenges. When you have a goal in mind and begin to build your plan to reach that goal, the obstacles that begin to surface can often overshadow the moments you can celebrate as mini "successes". For me, I can feel like I take a step forward and then something happens and it seems like it is two steps back. Looking at it that way would appear to me that I was not ahead at all, which is quite the contrary in most situations. That step forward is a success no matter what the consequences and how many steps back, or additional road blocks surface as a result.

Removing the emotion and looking at the situation objectively reveals that a step forward is just that, an action taken, in this case toward the pursuit of a goal. The real consequence to ponder is the one that would exist if you hadn't taken take the step forward at all. In order to get from point A to B, you need to move. If that movement takes you down other roads, or paths than planned, it is still movement. Yes, it may eventually take you in a whole other direction, but that is still ok. It is still a success to celebrate because that movement will eventually force you to re-evaluate your goal and see if you need to make adjustments, either in timing, or to the goal itself. The worst case is that you end up with a whole new goal! That is still a reason to celebrate a success! Just arriving at a goal should be a successful moment in your life.

So, keep in mind that each step in the pursuit of your plan should be thought of in a positive way as a success you can declare. By doing so, you will continue to build your confidence, positive outlook, momentum and strength. Besides life is not so much about where we end up as it is the journey we take. The longer the journey, the longer we experience life, and the more we learn. The more we embrace the actually journey and learn to celebrate the small successes, the happier we will be!

The Five Things You Need to Be Successful

2010-01-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

I am not the original author of this, and would not even begin to say who is, but when presented this information on Monday night, I was compelled to share it. There exists a lot of advice, books, and articles out there on how to be successful, and some of them are quite detailed and complex. What drew me to this information was how simple it is to understand, thus making it easy to take action.

The five things, quite simply are:
1. Vision - where do you want to go, who do you want to be, what do you want to accomplish.
2. Skills - the skill set you need to accomplish the tasks and goals you set.
3. Motivation - what is the underlying need that caused you to set the goal(s).
4. Resources - the things/people/relationships you need to make it happen
5. Consistent Work Plan - what you need to do every week/day

The part of this that resonated so well comes next. It is the relationship between what you might be feeling and how it relates to these five things, resulting in a clear and easy way to solve for the challenge(s) that are roadblocking your ability to be successful.

If you are feeling confusion you should focus on your vision and make sure it is clear, and still the right vision. Is it specific enough?

If you are feeling anxiety you should take a look at skills you have and brush-up, practice, or learn more to improve your confidence and relieve the anxiety you are feeling.

If you don't feel a sense of urgency to take action you need to take a look at your motivation. Is there an underlying need you wanted to fulfill when you created your vision?

If you are feeling frustrated you most likely need more resources...leads, larger network, capital, etc.

If you experience a series of false starts then you should work on your organization/time management and get more disciplined to develop and stick with a consistent work plan.

Each of these topics can be analyzed to a deeper level and you can work in all of your personality strengths and weakness, etc, to come up with reasons why you lack motivation, or time management, for example, but the bottom line is that if you are not reaching your goals, most likely it is one of these five things that is missing. By getting in touch with what you are feeling, you can more easily cut through to the one or two things that are holding you back, and fix it.

In today's economy and business environment there is now more than ever, no room for excuses if you wish to achieve success. I felt totally empowered by the information above, knowing that I could solve for any one of the challenges I might possibly face in building my business! Like all things in life, the progression is what moves you from point A to point B. If you feel like you are spinning your wheels and going nowhere, take a deeper look at what that feeling really is, confusion, anxiety, laziness, frustration...and what it means in terms of the elements you should have in place to move forward.

My goal is to build a team of Independent Beauty Consultants in order to advance my career to an Independent Sales Director. If you know anyone interested in part-time of full-time business opportunities please send them to www.marykay.com/carleenr for more information.

Charitable Giving

2009-12-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

This time of year many businesses promote the fact that they are associated with a charity, either by donating products, services, money or time. Sometimes the efforts are great enough that the business attracts some positive PR from news sources, but more often than not, it is the self-promotion that gets the word out. Charitable contributions benefit a business in several ways. First, customers and prospects that become aware of the “giving” will often look at the business in a more favorable way, enhancing your “brand”. When a business donates something to a needy cause, it is evident that the decision-makers in that business made a conscious choice to give. That changes the perspective your customers and prospects have from viewing your business as an entity to viewing it more personally as a person or a group people, who care about something other than their business. You and your business become more credible in the community. It is said to attach a sort of social conscious to your image. In addition, there are financial rewards in the form of tax benefits, which you would need to discuss with your accountant for more details. Most importantly, even the smallest charitable donation, can put a smile on your face, which in turn reflects outward to your customers!

The charity you chose can greatly impact the degree of positive impact the donation has on your brand/image. If you chose a large well-known charity, that carries some recognition with it, but may not seem as if you put a lot of personal thought into it, unless your public knows you have a close personal tie to it. Some businesses will focus on a category, for example, children, or pets. Many times the category aligns with the products and services they offer, such as a pet food store donating food to shelters. The more local and within the community the benefactors are, is usually better as you can see the effect your donation has in the community, and members who appreciate your generosity can easily reciprocate with their own generosity by frequenting your business…which is a great reward for giving!

I have selected The Guilford House as my charity this season because it is local, and I feel the elderly are one of the most overlooked groups of people. It is sad that people work their whole life serving others, at home raising a family, and often at work, also, only to age, be ill and quite often alone in a nursing facility. Many of these people don’t receive any gifts at all! I have chosen to provide them with gift-sets of hand cream and a therapeutic lip treatment to alleviate the discomforts of winter. With the help of businesses like yours, I can provide a gift-set for every resident there! Your donation to this cause will be noted on the gift card to the resident and in a public place at the Guilford House. The donation is $25 per gift-set. I will package and deliver the sets all together on December 23rd. Please email me at carleenmm@comcast.net to arrange your donation, by Friday, December 11th. Your generosity will be rewarded!

E! This week!

2009-12-08T05:36:00.001-08:00

Great news!

Published 12.06.09

Mary Kay® Products to Star on E!, The Style Network

Mark your calendars: Mary Kay® products will star on both E! Entertainment Television and The Style Network this weekend!

Tune in to E! on Friday, Dec. 11, at 6 ET/5 CT to see Mary Kay® products featured on “Holiday With the Stars.”

You’ll learn what’s hot this holiday season from fashion to food, to holiday entertaining. Plus celebrity makeup artist Luis Casco will show you how to create a glamorous “red carpet” look starring some of the hottest Mary Kay® products, and perfect for your next party or night on the town!

And, in a series of Beauty On A Budget-themed vignettes – aired on The Style Network throughout the weekend of Dec. 12 – 13, Luis Casco will show viewers a selection of Mary Kay® products that deliver the most “glam” for the buck.

I will have all the products being introduced, on hand for Christmas gift-giving, or to help you create your new look for the holidays and the upcoming year. Can’t afford the spa? No worries! Mary Kay is helping us with a great new Brow kit and several other products to help you indulge on a limited budget. Feel good, look good, and show the world you are a success!!

www.marykay.com/carleenr

Put Your Best Face Forward

2009-11-09T06:23:00.000-08:00

I am sure you have heard the saying, "Put your best foot forward", but if you think carefully about what that means, it is saying to start with the best possible "you" that you can. Moving forward means taking a step in a forward direction, and you need to move your foot forward to do it, and using the BEST foot will, in theory, lead to the the best results. So, I would like to argue that the best foot is not nearly as important as your best face.

Your face is what most people see when they meet you or even just cross your path. Your face receives the most visual attention from someone when they look at you for the first time. We all know how important the first impression is in any situation when you are hoping to influence someone. Before you even open your mouth to speak, your face is the window to who you are and what you are about. Your expression plays a big part in putting your best face forward. A smile goes a long way to presenting that open, warm, personality we all hope to reveal. But is a smile enough? Can you be smiling on the outside but all the while under the surface be nervous and afraid? Absolutely! Will the smile hide your real feelings? Most of the time, it won't. This is where confidence comes in. Strong underlying confidence does more for your "best face" than just a smile. It becomes the foundation for expression and turns the expression from a visual picture you wish to portray into a true representation of what is inside. A confident person has a sense of happiness that is real!

Confidence is not something you can easily assume. Confidence is something that needs to be built, even consciously most of the time. You have to have an awareness of when you achieve something that makes you feel good and proud and tuck that feeling in a place inside where you can easily recall it when you need a boost. Not everyone is in a place in life where achievements are plentiful and situations present themselves as opportunities to build confidence. I think the easiest way to build confidence is to start with things you can control. These would be things about yourself; your attitude, your appearance, your knowledge. There is much written about the impact a positive attitude can have, and how to turn your attitude into a positive one to help you achieve results. There is even a lot written about "sharpening the saw", learning, and continuous improvement to help increase performance, either in the workplace or even with physical challenges. There is not a lot said however, about appearance. The political correctness of not commenting about someone's weight or attractiveness makes us all weary of speaking about how appearance can impact confidence and improve the first impression one makes in face-to-face encounters. Think about this; job interviews, first dates, meeting the in laws for the first time, new school...the first impressions you make in life are extremely important! They shape what some of the most important people we encounter think about us. Yet, sometimes the elements of our appearance are the hardest to change. For example, I find it harder to lose weight than to read a book and learn something new. And money is a big challenge for everyone these days, who can afford to replace that coat that is from five or even ten winters ago?

So, how do we use our appearance to help build confidence, especially when we may be struggling with elements of our appearance? Let's go back to the face. Would you agree that your face is the first thing people notice? How much would that first impression be improved if your face glowed? A glow comes from the inside, and also can be seen on the outside. A bright complexion can boost your confidence on the inside at the same time it presents health and well being on the outside. When you look in the mirror what is the first thing you see? Your face! How do you feel when you face is bright, glowing pink, clean and refreshed, verses how your feel when it is pale, or sallow, dry, patchy...get the picture? You may not be able to change the bump in your nose you always hated, but with a few minutes a day you can take care of your skin and have a huge impact on the face you put forward from the inside and out!! Proper cleansing and moisturizing is all you need to see immediate improvement. Each time you look in the mirror and see improvement, it boosts your confidence and brightens that smile. The best part about it? Proper skin care is affordable!!!

www.marykay.com/carleenr