Question by petaj 

As a male not having previously used makeup could you tell me the best way to learn the correct way to use and apply it.

Reply by CMG  

Hi Petaj and thanks for the question.

Well male or female, the best way to learn the correct way to use and apply makeup is practice and play. Trial and error will teach you more about your face and skin then anything else, but here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Take your time when applying your makeup. lf you take your time the results you desire will be better accomplished.
2. It is easier to put more on then to take it off.
3. Concealer should only be used for spot treatments. liquid concealer for dry skin, Sticks and compacts for oily.
4. Dabbing rather than smearing or rubbing actually blends better.
5. If you can see the foundation while applying it, it is too dark.
6. Powders main purpose is to "set" the look and to keep your face looking fresh. If you can't find one that fits your skin tone, go with transparent.
7. Blush should be a color that is almost a perfect match if not a perfect match to your natural blushing color. If you can tell your wearing blush, it is too dark.
8. Good makeup brushes can make or break what you desire to accomplish.
9. (the most important) Never, ever use anyone else's makeup. Ever! And CLEAN your brushes.

Makeup is fun. Be creative and find something you like that really enhances your features. There is no style to makeup. There may be trends, but no real style. The style lies in the person applying it.

Good Luck and keep us posted.
~ Twisted Faces

Question by rosystarrosy 

Hi!! I have light brown hair with medium brown eyes and very light skin with redish/pinkish undertones. I am not too sure what eye shadows (besides brown) or blushes to use without looking like a ghost or very red faced! Also, my lips have a tendency to absorb color, and I usually have to use dark shades because the light ones disappear! What is the best way to determine the best plums, reds, pinks, browns to use with out the ghost/red faced look as well? Thank you! ALC

Reply by CMG  

Hi rosystarrosy, and thank you for your question.

You're lucky as people with brown eyes can wear just about any color they like, because everything complements brown. If you have fair skin though, I would say whatever colors you use, stay away from the hot pink, lime green look. Maybe try a light grey or light plum. Also greens, bronze, blue colors are nice for brown eyes. Make sure you don't go too dark and always blend well.

As far as blush goes, people usually get the blush all wrong or they opt not to wear any at all which usually leaves the look compete. Blush is meant to enhance your cheeks and like the eyebrows it helps frame the face. You should be choosing a color that resembles the color on your cheeks after you have exercised. When you apply blush you should not really be able to tell it is there. If you can see it, it’s the wrong color. I would recommend pale pinks or peach, which actually brightens your ‘inner’ pink tones in your complexion. I would also recommend investing in a good blush brush. The better the brush, the better the application is going to be. Swipe the brush once across the blush, then dab on the apple of your cheek and gently swift back. It should only deposit enough color to highlight, which is exactly what you want.

Lipstick like blush can also be a tricky thing. If your lips absorb most of your lipstick, then I would go with a full coverage lipstick, or a lip stain. Mattes and Creams are usually a full coverage lipstick; Stain is a long lasting color. I would first try a Cream. Cream lipsticks are hydrating mattes, with a combination of dense pigment with moisturizing properties, usually a nice shine and velvety finish. For a nice soft look I would go with peachy colors and beige lipsticks with pink undertones. Berries and “true” reds with blue undertones for a night out look. Avoid reds with an orange undertone, extra pale browns with yellow undertones and hot pink.
I hope this helps. Good luck!

~Twisted Faces

Question by spiritdancer 

I'm 47 y/o and actually look like I'm in my early 30's. I have light-brown highlighted hair, greyish green eyes, fair skin, small but nicely shaped lips. What colors of eyeshadows would enhance the green in my eyes, and would I look better in lipstick or lipgloss since my lips are not as full as I would like.

Reply by CMG  

Hi spiritdancer and thanks for the question.

Green eyes are great to work with. They have a wide range of color that can be use to accentuate the green in them. Chocolate tones in the brown family always look great with green eyes. The lighter neutrals as well like apricot and taupe. Even greens are a good complement. Stick with mint greens, sea greens and teals. Also, gold and metallic colors look incredible. I don’t recommend using blues...all blues, light blue, dark blue. Silver is also a No No. They say that some pinks should not be used with green eyes, but I have used pink on clients with green eyes and it goes great. Also it’s said that soft yellows will be ok, but if you have a yellow undertone to your skin it’s not recommended.

For your lips clear gloss is ok. It does not matter if you have thin, full, big or little lips. Gloss always looks good and enhances. Lipstick colors to avoid are any reds with orange undertones. Also extra pale browns with yellow undertones tend to make people with fair skin look all washed out. Stay away from hot pinks definitely. Go with reds with blue undertones, like soft berries and wine reds. Medium browns with pink undertones are good. A pink slightly touched with gold shimmer is usually very nice for fair skin.

It’s all about play and trial and error. If you see something you like, try it. If you don’t like it, then make a mental note that it didn’t work for you. Most good cosmetics companies will refund you your money. So if you don’t like it, take it back. What do you have to lose, right?
Good luck and I hope I helped. ~Twisted Faces

Question by kate 

I have black hair and blue eyes and an average skin tone. I'm not sure what color shadows, liners, or lipsticks to use. Thanks Kate

Reply by CMG  

Hi Kate and Thanks for the question.

I would recommend using pinks, light greens, maybe some colors with rosy tints to them, as well as your light beiges and taupes and naturally light browns. Shimmer pinks will emphasize your blue eyes. On the lid try using the shimmer pink, then in the crease try a neutral color, like a medium brown or a warmer toned green. Then sweep you entire eye with a light taupe color. Bring that color all the way to your brow bone. You can use black liner but I would smudge it into the lash line. If you are going for a more natural look I wouldn’t recommend putting black beneath the eye, unless it’s extremely light, just enough to make you lower lashes look fuller. For your blush I would recommend using a color that just barely shows. Just a hint of color. Bright blushes and dark hair don’t go well together. It will make you look odd, because at that point you loose your focal point, which should always be the eyes.

For the lips I would go with a lip liner that closely resembles your natural lip tone, or of course on that is at least but no more of 1 shade difference than the lipstick.

Finally, to polish it all off, I would go with a sheer lipstick in a pinkish mauve color. ULTA has a sheer lipstick called Sheer Amaretto. It’s a fantastic color. You should check it out just to get an idea of what colors to use. If you want to spice that up of course apply some high shimmer gloss with your choice of color over top of it.

The most important thing is you have to play in your makeup. Not only is the right shade of makeup about what color hair you have, what color eyes you have, what’s your skin tone and undertones, It’s also about attitude, and the way you apply it. Good luck!

~Twisted Faces

Question by DIANAJI1 

THE SIDES OF MY NOSE ARE ALWAYS REDDISH AND WHATEVER I USE CAKES UP AND LOOKS NASTY. WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST?

Reply by CMG  

Hi DIANIAJI1 and thanks for your question.
Well I would say first off to go to your doctor and see what they think. It could be Rosacea. I have a girlfriend who has the same problem and it’s only on the sides of her nose. I’m not real familiar with Rosacea except through her. I don’t feel comfortable giving you advice on products you should use to help disguise this area unless you know what it is. I know that Rosacea aggravates very easily. Most products aggravate hers, and she can only use a mild cleanser and delicate moisturizer to help reduce the appearance of the redness. If she applies foundation or concealer it flakes badly. Now she is using the Bare Essentials but from time to time that does not help either. Go see your doc and see what they say. If that’s what it is after medication maybe you will be able to use what you normally use and then it won’t cake up and look nasty. Best Wishes ~ Twisted Faces