2011 Party Makeup

Countdown to your 2011 New Years Event!

Photo Courtesy FTV and Randolph Duke 2010

2011 beauty resolution: Be gorgeous everyday! 

 

ink... cosmetics is coming to salons soon!  As I tour the National Capital Region for our "ink... it ~ beauty you" classes I want to ensure our friends and fans feel fresh, sexy, and glamorously gorgeous this year! 

 

Let's check the list...

Rested? - check!  Mani/Pedi? - check!  Swedish message? - check!  Fabulous outfit? - check!  Reservation confirmed for New Years Eve Party 2011? - check!

Only thing missing is your look?  You don't need to go crazy trying to figure out your beauty look for 2011.  Kickoff your new look later this evening with these quick tips.  I have worked with Celebrities like, Shakira, Jaslene Gonzales, Amber Rose and Spinderella just to name a few.  These ladies love to look radiant.  Not necessarily sparkly just beautiful with an enhanced glow. 

When you begin your beauty regimen this evening be sure to start with a clean face.  Then follow these steps.  Randolph Duke's model is wearing one of my favorite looks for evening.

1.  Start with a primer.  This helps fill in fine lines and improves the longevity of your foundation.

2.  You can use either a tinted moisturizer for cover up or my favorite is our ink...cosmetics stick foundation.  I like to use two shades.  One as highlighter and one for contouring.  Big tip here is to BLEND for a flawless look.  Add your highlighter to the high areas of your face and use the darker shade for the low areas.  You can add a light concealer under your eyes to cover dark circles.
 
3.  Repeat this step with a translucent or highlighting powder (high areas) and darker loose powder (low areas - under cheekbone) to really set the look.

4.  Eyes:  To get the look above use ink...cosmetics shadow primer first.  Add ink...cosmetics eyelights in Queen (gold/mauve) right under the brow line as a highlighter.  Take a matte navy eyeshadow and start from the base of the lash and work upward in a windshield whipper motion blending up to meet the highlighted area.

5.  Add false lashes (use a lash that is longer on the edges for a cat-like appearance).  Be sure to use DARK lash glue!

6.  Line both the top and bottom water line of your eyes using a liner brush.  Top these areas with black shadow.  This will lock the product in.

7.  Add a jet black mascara to your top and bottom lashes.

8.  On the apple of your cheekbone add a light shimmer pink/mauve blush.

9.  Line your lips with a nude/pink lip liner from the edges to the center of your mouth.

10.  Finish the look with a high gloss lip gloss and PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR!

Remember to be safe tonight ladies and enjoy yourself! 

You deserve it!  Don't do anything I wouldn't do ;-)! 

Plan your night out...have a safe way to get home!  Drink water to help flush your party exhausted body and don't forget to wash your face when you get home!  :-)  We want to start our first 2011 day with beautiful skin!  XXO Besos!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Don't like Red Lips? Jaslene Gonzalez Sported ink...cosmetics 2010 Lip-gel In The Color "Supermodel!"

Are you already tired of the red lip trend?  Then change it up and wear a plum or wine colored lipstick or lipgloss.  This will still keep you in style this holiday season!  I am completely in love with this look I did for America's Next Top Model, Jaslene Gonzales in New York. 



Holidays are finally here and so are the parties! Fall 2010 runways were full sexy trends. Red lips are all over the girls in D.C. Although I love a trend, sometimes I like to change it up a bit. Staying with the trend but just in a different hue. Dark lips are a gorgeous look.  So, how do you get this trend from the runway and make it your way?

Just follow these easy tips to your perfect PLUM WINE lip!

• Remove dead skin cells by exfoliating your lips first. I like to use Bath and Body, Works Bigelow Soothing Buffer No. 1070.

•Prep your lips with a little moisturizer. This step is essential and will help prime your lip for a dark matte color. In Jaslene’s case I went with a gloss so it would stay moist all night.

•Jaslene is wearing ink…cosmetic’s lip-gel in “Supermodel.” When worn straight from the tube, Supermodel takes on a deep plum appearance. This gloss is magical! When applied with a lip brush you can control the pigment. It goes from a light rosy plum to a dark luscious purple plum gloss. Great day to night product!

Have questions on how to get her whole look? Email me at aycastillo15@aol.com

Last Minute Christmas Gifts For Him!

Now, ladies... between, working, cleaning, cooking, taking kids to functions, loving our husbands, and paying the bills we need to find time to ensure we finish our holiday shopping too.  Don't worry... here is a quick list to assist you in completing this task.

Five must have items for your Man!

#1  Noise Cancelling Headphones $49.99 at www.sharperimage.com

After a long day all he will want is peace and quite.  Or at least to listen to the noise he chooses.  Ladies you have no idea how much your music is fighting to compete with the world's noise until you experience these Noise Cancelling Headphones from The Sharper Image.  Trust me he will love you for this.

#2  The Perfect Shave Kit by Anthony Logistics For Men $50 at http://www.sephora.com/ 

Anthony Logistics designed The Perfect Shave Kit to provide the closest, smoothest, most refreshing shave ever. Infused with nourishing vitamins, exfoliating glycolic acid, soothing aloe vera, and calming benzocaine, this collection banishes ingrown hairs, irritation, and stubble—leaving your skin healthy and protected. Cleanse, buff, shave, and sooth your skin to its pinnacle of smoothness with Anthony Logistics' exceptional, all-in-one regimen.

#3  ProActive Sports Trunk It Golf Gear Organizer at www.amazon.com $29.99.

#4  Black Cigar Set $60 at www.thingsremembered.com

 

Gentleman's pastime that never goes out of style...cigars with the fellas.  This handsome gift will be remembered forever when you personalize the silver finish engraving plate on the front of the black wooden box.  He will be ready for a guy's night out, holding a silver finish mini flask, cigar tube and cigar cutter. Each item is banded in black leatherette with decorative white stitching.  This is sweet for us ladies as well.  I might have to pick me up a set.

#5  Continental Rucksack for $39.50 from by L.L. Bean.  Buy it at www.llbean.com

Great for traveling.  This European-style rucksack has a large main compartment which holds a day's worth of your out door essential items.  L.L. Bean has redesigned and improved this pack, yet the price remains the same as it was back in 1987.  Updates include recycled polyester fabric construction, a pocket for an MP3 player and Air Mesh on the back panel and shoulder straps for improved moisture wicking.  Extra padding in the hip belt adds comfort. Spindrift collars on side pockets help keep items secure.

This handy storage case is designed to store all your honey's golf gear.  Made of durable nylon material designed to last.  Adjustable interior walls allows golfer to customer the customize the storage space to fit their needs.  Mesh ventilation panel allows shoes to breath.  Sturdy zipper and carrying handle allows golfer to easily transport the Trunk It.  Available in black, grey and red.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts For Her!

Only six days left until Christmas and you were so busy you forgot to finish your holiday shopping!  OH NO!  Don't worry!  Her is a list of my favorites that are still easy on your wallets. 

Favorite MUST have items 1-5:

#1  Eighteen Piece Mini Nail Colour Set ($81 Value) for $48.00

 at www.SEPHORA.com

This Sephora by OPI set includes 18 shades that range from essential to edgy.  The nail colors are long wearing, chip-resistant and include a versatile spectrum of reds and a sampling of daring colors that can add fabulous fingertips to any look. 

#2  Also at www.SEPHORA.com

Bliss At-Home Anti-Aging Facial ($159 Value) for $94.  

Formulated with ten anti-aging ingredients this three-step spa treatment will turn back time and make you look years younger.

#3 Lips and Eyes canvas cosmetics case by Anya Hindmarch for $80 at www.NET-A-PORTER.com

Anya Hindmarch black canvas cosmetics case with purple 'Lips and Eyes' slogan and makeup illustration has a top zip fastening with a patent leather tassel zip-pull, an embroidered designer logo on front and a designer-stamped canvas lining.   

A perfect on-the-go, playful and stylish way to carry your cosmetics.  I filled mine with ink...cosmetics essentials lipshine, cream foundation stix in Sandy, oil reducing powder, jet black eyeliner, lash curler, black mascara, blush/bronzer, and of coarse my eye shadow trio in Lioness. 

 

#4 Jean Paul Gaultier Classique X Eau de Toilette Spray 1.6 Oz $65.00 at www.ULTA.com

 

Classique X is sophisticated, sexy, and luminous.  Jean Paul Gaultier pays homage to woman with his unique floral oriental scent in the sensuously curved bottle.  Composed of top notes of rose and star aniseed, heart notes of iris, orchid and orange blossom, and base notes of vanilla and woody amber; Classique is a beautiful and iconic fragrance.

#5  Betseyville Handbags By Betsey Johnson Stud Detail Chain Link Hobo Bag (Compared at $98.) TODAY $69.99 on www.OVERSTOCK.com

This hobo bag from Betseyville Handbags features a metallic fabric exterior with a zip-top closure. Silvertone studs and hardware and a single flat handle with chain link details completes this stylish handbag. Site stated sell out risk is moderate!  So order NOW!

Wish you best of luck on your shopping adventures!  Happy Holidays!  XXO Anna C.

Hello “BLACK SWAN” Brides!

Photo courtesy Monique Lhuillier:

With the movie “Black Swan” premier racking in 1.4 million over the weekend, this film has caused a fashion up-roar with its feathery, ballerina trends and over the top theatrical makeup.  I have recently received emails asking about the latest trends and ways to implement them into the 2011 wedding arena.  Yes, I said weddings!  Designer Monique Lhuillier's dresses are a prime example of how beautiful this trend can be.

Get the look:  Natalie Portman’s (NP) makeup may be a little over the top for your wedding.  Still love the look?  Here is an easy elegant way you can achieve a pretty Black Swan look for your big event.

FACE:  Keep your complection on a matte and neutral tone.  Use concealer where needed and ensure you put powder all over your face.  Blend well for a clean canvas.



EYES:  (This look can be achieved with any of your favorite smoky colors.) 

Place a tiny amount of eye lid primer all over your lid.  Using all matte colors, apply a cream/white eye shadow on your entire eye with a wide shadow brush. 

Then, take a darker violet shade; with your eye open, shade from the inner portion of your nose to the outer corner of the eye at an angle and continue around bringing it down to outer corner of your lashes.  Shape shadow like a crescent moon.  Keep applying until you receive the amount you desire and remember the shape of NP makeup look if you like.  Be sure NOT to mess with the cream portion from your first shadow. 

Next, using a flat liner brush and the same violet shadow, follow your lash line under the outer portion of your lash line.  Top with a little matte black shadow for a more dramatic smoky look. 

Finish the eye with a jet black eye pencil on the inner rim of the top and bottom outer corner of your lashes.  Top with glossy waterproof black mascara.

LIP:  There are two variations.  NP’s look is super sexy and mysterious.  You can use a dark red/black liner all over your lips then top with a matte matching lip color, if you’re daring.  Don’t forget you will be kissing your man later so I recommend applying a natural peach/plum or light pink lip balm or matte gloss so you look sweet and sassy.  Not to mention, I am sure your man would appreciate the transfer consideration. 

Questions for ink... cosmetics

Q: I was celebrating my promotion last night with some friends and saw dark circles under my eyes in a photo we took. I know I work a lot and I'm always tired.  Do you have suggestions on what I can do?  Thanks, Samantha

A: MUA Castillo: Hello Samantha!  It's great to hear you are partying like a rock star! Best RX for your lack of energy and raccoon eyes are...

REST!

 

WATER!

   

EXERCISE!



 

DIET!

 

 

These four areas will significantly reduce the look of your tired parting peepers.

Need a quick fix?  Dab a little concealer under your eyes and use a white or cream eyeliner in the lower rim of your lash line.  This will give the illusion of a brighter more youthful appearance!

Send your questions to ink...cosmetics Owner Anna Castillo @ aycastillo15@aol.com

Time for giving!

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived at Joint Base Andrews today in style! The two, plus a few of Santa's helpers visited the Parents and Children Fighting Cancer Christmas Party.

They arrived via Air Force aircraft on this beautiful winter day, Dec 4. Inside Hanger 3, a crowd consisting of "Rolling Thunder" bikers, military members, and their families welcomed the special guest who came to co-host this annual event sponsored by the Fisher House. This event was great! It included demos from Law Enforcement K-9, face painting, entertainment, and of course food! I had the pleasure of volunteering with my daughter and colleagues. We assisted these wonderful children and their families in order for them to enjoy a day dedicated to them. If you haven't taken a minute to sit back and take park in the gift of giving you are definitely missing out!

Perfectly Naughty Fall 2010

Photo Courtesy: Greg Kessler
Alexander Wang:

Perfectly NAUGHTY Makeup!
For this look refrain from using foundation and concealer. Apply a natural toned brow pencil along the contour of your brow line. Only filling in where it's needed. Then slightly line eye lids with a Jet Black liner (ink...cosmetics, LLC.) Use a tiny bit of black mascara just on top lashes only! With a large shadow brush, tap lid with matte rust shimmer shadow.


Finish with Jack Black Lemon & Chamomile Lip Balm.

How to use: Use 30 minutes before going out in the sun to protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Or apply if lips feel chapped and dry.