Brows!

I am brow obsessed. The right shape and shade of brow highlights the bone structure,
transforming the overall look of the face. I would personally rather go without mascara in
public than without my brows, and I have been plucking them for the last 17 years. But
I wanted to try out a wax job from the pro’s at Benefit Cosmetic’s Brow Bar, feeling the
need to reevaluate my look after so many years of DIY.

To give them enough to work with I had to resist the urge to groom for a whole 2
weeks – not an easy task, as any serial plucker can attest. I knew I was in good hands with
the team downtown, as all Benefit Brow experts are not only licensed estheticians, but
have gone through Benefit’s Brow Academy, which adheres a tried and true methodology
for brow shaping:

1. Using an angled brush, create a line from the outside of the nostril to the tear duct
– where this intersects with your brow bone is where your brow should begin.
(Tip: put a little brow powder on the brush to mark the points)
2. Measure from the nostril to the outer corner of eye – where this meets the brow
bone is where your brow should stop.
3. Measure from the nostril through the pupil – this is where the highest point of the
arch belongs.
4. Connect the dots using your fave powder, wax or pencil. (Try: Benefit Brow Zing
Palette, Shu Umeura Hard 9 Pencil or MAC Eye Brows)

No matter what your face shape, this technique will create the most flattering brow.
How thick or thin the brow is, however, still varies depending on your natural hair
growth and personal style. I like a strong Marilyn-style brow, and let my pro Jeni Hall
know my preferences before we began. Now, being a makeup artist I like to think I have
an eye for these things, so I was impressed when Jeni showed me how shifting my line
ever so slightly and laying off the trimmers gave me a shape that acted as an instant eye
lift!

Jeni walked me through the process, explaining that I should expect redness after we
wax, especially as a newbie, and could possibly get some red bumps the next day. The
actual waxing process was a bit more painful than plucking, but faster, and not nearly
as bad as a bikini wax. With over 7 years of experience, Jeni was a skilled practitioner,
and gave me a brow that was definitely more symmetrical and flattering than my own
creation. She also left me with some grooming advice so they will continue to improve
over time. It’ll be hard to resist the tweezers between appointments, but at $20 it was so
worth it, that I vow to do my best, and be a little less brow obsessed.

Bellevue Fall Fashion Show!

On Friday, September 28th, I had the pleasure of doing makeup for models walking
the runway for the Posh Party Beauty & Trend Show at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.
Working with Benefit Cosmetics I had created the look for the show a month prior, and
was delighted to see how well it suited all the luxurious oxblood reds, deep teals, rich
blacks, and frothy creams of this fall’s fashion haul.

The look was created with Benefits Wanna? lipstick in mind - a gorgeous shade
of plum-pink that is universally flattering and makes teeth look whiter. I refreshed the
complexion in a flash with a mix of “That Gal” Primer and Porefessional Balm. Paired
with Dallas blush contouring the cheekbones, and either Dandelion or Bella Bamba on
the apples, and the look was already sexy, yet still wearable in the daytime.

Eyes for this season were made foolproof with the recent launch of Benefit’s
Peek-A-Bright Eyes palette. For the show I used it along with my fave waterproof cream
shadow in Strut for a bit of sensual drama on the eyes. I packed the deep gunmetal cream
on the lid close the lash line with a synthetic concealer brush, and used a blending brush
to diffuse it through the crease while pulling a little underneath the lower lashes. I then
used the soft ivory shadow in the Peek-A-Bright palette to highlight the brow bone and
a spot of the pink shimmer on the inner corners of the eye. With a splash of the lush
aubergine shadow from inner corner to the outside edge of the iris, a heavy coat of
They’re Real mascara, and flawless brows created with the Brow Zings kit the sultry,
sophisticated look was complete.

It was such a wonderful treat to be backstage seeing my creation come to life with
help of my friends at Benefit. At Sweet P Beauty, we love to help folks take a look at
their makeup wardrobe and create updated looks that are manageable for their real lives.
Invite us over and we can discuss what products you already own that are useful this
season, what needs to be stashed away (or chucked altogether), and what you may need
to add to make getting ready a cinch this fall.

Cheers!
Lindsey