Graduation

Last week I was able to transform a beautiful friend into a graduation look.  My friend is very natural and doesn't wear makeup on a regular basis, so we kept the look simple and made her look perfect for her graduation.  


When I was doing her makeup, I thought back on my college graduation.  It is so rewarding to walk onto that stage and receiving your diploma.  I am sure that all of us had our moments of frustration and wanted to quit several times.  It is great to be able to spend time with family and friends and watch them reap the reward of their hard work!


Congratulations to my friend Katrina.


Here are some of her beautiful pictures:

Also, thank you to my friends at personal paparazzi for taking these great pictures!


Enjoy!


Cheers,


Joanna


www.makeupbyjoanna.com

Rachel Zoe....

Rachel Zoe is my favorite hollywood designer!  I love her looks and the show on Bravo!  If you haven't seen it yet, it is a must.  Rachel's makeup is usually simple and her outfits are creative and colorful.  I have a few favorite looks of Rachel Zoe.

I this look is great for an evening out - black tie event, dinner, soiree, etc.  She has smokey eye with nude lips and just some bronzer on her cheeks.  With her light hair, sometimes a smokey eye can be over powering.  In this picture, her liner is heavier with brown toned shadows.

In this look Rachel has a thicker eyeliner with a berry lip.  She has some blush on her cheeks to add to the berry colored lips.  As you can see, her outfit is light and her eye makeup and lipstick isn't over powering the outfit.  Usually rule of thumb, dark lip = light eyes; dark eyes = light lip.

I think this is one of my favorite looks for Rachel.  She has some fall colors on her eyes - browns, plums, nudes.  She has a light pop of color on her cheeks and a berry colored lip.  This is a great look for fall time.

I look forward to hearing your looks!

Cheers,

Joanna

www.makeupbyjoanna.com

Eat Love Pray....

I went to go see Eat Love Pray with my mom that day!  Great movie!  During this entire movie I was absorbing the natural looks on Julia Roberts.  She is such a beautiful women, that natural or heavy makeup looks great on her!  I am excited to try out some natural looks.  Even in fall time, natural looks are very popular.  I believe with a little bronzer and some natural blush, a natural look will look sensational.

PS - the food in the movie looked amazing!!!  Go see it for the food and the makeup!!  :-)

Here are some of my favorite looks from the movie:

Cheers,

Joanna

www.makeupbyjoanna.com

Fall Vision Board...

Fall time is one of my favorite times of the year.  In Phoenix, fall time doesn't really start until November, but I love to know that everywhere else in the country, people are enjoying their Pumpkin Spice Lattes, wearing their new fall jackets, while the leaves are starting to turn colors!

To get into the fall spirit, while it's still 110 degrees out, I have put together my fall vision board.  I have cut out all of my favorite fall looks and put them on a board!  I will be trying all of these looks this fall time.  Make sure to follow up on this blog so you can see these looks come to life.  Also, another fall preview - I will have some videos to show you how to create these looks!

Recently I was a Nordstrom trying out the new fall collections from Chanel and Lancome.  Take a look at these amazing fall looks!

Chanel:

Lancome:

Enjoy!!!

Cheers,

Joanna

www.makeupbyjoanna.com

Flawless Skin... part III

Your canvas is now prepped for makeup!!  I know that there are many products out on the market and it can get very confusing on what is good, should you buy it, what is the difference between each brand, etc. It is important to find products that you feel work for you, so go and sample different kinds of foundations.  


Primer, to use or not to use, that is the question?!?!?  In my personal opinion, I like using a primer because it smooths your skin and helps it look flawless at all times.  If you have any wrinkle (which we wish we didn't), then a primer will fill in the lines and it won't cause your other makeup to fall into those lines.  When choosing a primer, make sure you select something that is not oily for the skin.


On a daily basis, I would recommend using a light foundation or a tinted moisturizer.  It has coverage, but is light and your skin doesn't feel weighed down.  If you have a evening out, wedding, special occasion then I would recommend a foundation with medium to full coverage.  It will last longer on your skin and give you coverage all day and all night long without having to reapply.


It is important to find a great concealer that will help you look fresh.  Many times we tend to get one too dark or too light.  You want to make sure you avoid raccoon eyes, but keep in mind your concealer should be lighter.  You want to use your concealer to help brighten areas.


Powders... Many of my clients come to me and ask for recommendations of powders.  First, I have to say, if your skin tends to be drier, don't use just a powder.  Your skin will appear drier and flaky.  I like to use a light powder or if I feel like more coverage, then I opt to go with a foundation powder.


Once you have complete all of these sets, your skin will look immaculate at all times!  I can't wait to see every one's flawless skin!


Here are my top choices:


Tarte Cosmetics - Clean Slate Primer

Laura Mercier - Primer

Tarte Cosmetics - Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer

Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer

Clea De Peau Concealer (the best)

Laura Mercier Foundation Powder

Jane Iredale Foundation Powder

Cheers,


Joanna


www.makeupbyjoanna.com

Flawless Skin... part II

Now that we have established clean and flawless skin, now it is important what you use to moisturize your skin.  After my favorite toner, I use a serum.  You will read mixed reviews on the importance of a serum, however as serum is different from a moisturizer and it actually absorbs into your skin and penetrates through levels of skin.  Serums create that "healthy glow".

Moisturizers, there are so many and some many different prices.  May clients ask me, if I buy an expensive moisturizer, is it better than a cheaper one.  I am one who doesn't save much on moisturizers, however I will not go out a purchase a moisturizer that costs $300 for a jar.  I think you can find a great moisturizer in every price point.  There are several reasons why moisturizers cost differently.  One main reason is that the quality is higher of the products used as well as branding is another reason.

It is important to use a day time moisturizer and night time moisturizer.  Reason for this is that your skin needs different products for the day (protection against the sun, pollution, even stress) and during the night your skin is rejuvenating.

Lastly, for your skin care regiment for flawless skin.  One of the most important things - eye cream.  Eye creams are the most under used products on the market.  Many individuals feel that this is just a waste of money.  I can tell you, as soon as you started using any eye makeup, you should have been using an eye cream.  Think, when you wear eye makeup, you have to remove it.  Since the skin around you eye area is the thinnest, it dries out quickly, creating premature wrinkles.  No one wants wrinkles!!

Here are some of my favorite products:

Serum - Clarins Generations 6

Day Cream - Clarins Multi-Active

Night Cream - Clarins Multi-Active

Eye Cream - Lancome Genefique

Cheers,

Joanna

www.makeupbyjoanna.com

Flawless Skin... part I

Having flawless skin starts with your skincare.  As a makeup artist, I like working with clients that take great care of their skin. Obtaining the look of flawless skin is very difficult.  I can tell you, I am still looking for the perfect recipe for flawless skin!!

Many clients ask me, what is a good regiment for great skin.  They ask me, should they was their face twice a day or with a drying agent - salicylic acid (especially when their skin is oilier), etc....  Let me tell you what I have learned...

Steps to a clean canvas:

1. If you have mixed to oily skin, you can not use a salicylic acid more than once a week.  You will dry out your skin, which in return will cause your skin to be oilier.  Something to consider would be a oil based cleanser such as Shu Uemura - High Performance Balance Oil cleanser.  Keep in mind, oil fights oil.
2. If your skin is dry, using a delicate cleanser will allow your skin to be cleaned without stripping the moisture from your skin.  A cleanser I would recommend is Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser.  It is important that you exfoliate at least once a week.  That usually is of concern for those with mature or drier skin.
3. Toner, toner, toner... I think that toner is one of the MOST important parts of a skincare regiment.  Reason being, when you wash your skin, you strip PH balance from your skin.  You will notice that your skin will feel a bit tighter and drier.  When using a toner afterwards, you can restore the natural PH balance to your skin allowing your moisturizer to be absorbed by the skin.

Question:

• Do you use a toner?
• Do you feel that toners are important?
• What do you know about toners?

I look forward to hearing all of your comments about skincare regiments and toners!

Here are some of the products I mentioned:

Shu Uemura Cleanser:

Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser:

Bliss Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner:

Cheers,


Joanna


www.makeupbyjoanna.com

Beauty in the fast lane...

As many of you know, after a long HOT summer, fall is perfect!  This is the time that everyone comes out of their air conditioned homes and talk long walks in the park.  The start of fall time also means new looks, new outfits, award shows, fashion week, etc.  This is the perfect time to create that new fall look for yourself.  


As I get ready for "Fashion Night Out" on September 10th, I am looking through all of my September issue magazines and cutting out my favorite upcoming looks.


What are your favorite looks?  Have you tired any new colors recently?  What will be your fall colors?


Here are some of my favorite looks for fall:


Smokey eye with some glimmer

Dark Lips

Gold Eyes

Cheers,

Joanna

www.makeupbyjoanna.com