10 Fashion Week Beauty Tricks That Will Blow You Away

Photo: Imaxtree

Right now, some of the most talented pros in the beauty game are giving it their all at Fashion Week, prepping hundreds of models for the runway and creating next spring's hottest trends in the process. But our favorite part of this epic beauty bonanza that happens twice a year is learning all the brilliant new tricks that we'd never have picked up elsewhere. Here, we've distilled our top 10 tips that you can use right now in your own beauty routine. Don't worry, you can thank us later.

Switch up your eyeliner to make eyes look larger.

For Zac Posen, makeup artist Kabuki paired graphic black liner along the top lashes (MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner, $19.50, maccosmetics.com) with smudged black pencil along the lower lash line. He also lined the waterline with nude pencil and didn’t connect the black liner at the corners. The overall effect? “The black doesn’t close the eye up,” he explained. “It creates a bigger eye.”

Give rock and roll edge to wavy hair.

At Jill Stuart, lead stylist Odile Gilbert coated hair with Kérastase Mousse Bouffante ($36, kerastase-usa.com), then twisted hair with her fingers. “We twist the hair and then leave the ends straight. If we curl at the end, it's too cute,” she explained.

Avoid streaky nail polish.

"The key to layering nail polishes — and nobody wants to hear this — is waiting in between coats,” said Deborah Lippmann backstage at Badgley Mischka, where she mixed two shades, Blue Orchid and La Vie En Rose ($17 each, deborahlippmann.com), on models’ nails. “Apply thinner coats. If you start putting too much on the first round it will never dry, it will streak forever." Your best bet? Wait two minutes in between coats.

The Best Eyebrow Shapes to Flatter Your Face

Photo: Getty Images

Like haircuts, eyebrow shapes aren’t one-size-fits-all. Your perfect brows depend on the dimensions of your face, and the right arches can not only emphasize your eyes and make you look younger, they can even let you get away with wearing less makeup.

“The right brow will help open up the entire eye area and work to improve the face’s overall symmetry,” says celebrity eyebrow stylist Joey Healy (Kyra Sedgwick is a client). “The perfect brow will make you look fresh, rested, young, healthy, and overall, more attractive.” Do we have your attention yet?

So how do you go about learning how to do your eyebrows? For starters, your unique face shape plays a role in determining which eyebrow shape works best for you. We asked Healy to break down the best brows for a range of different face shapes, so you can find your own golden arches.

Square
A square jaw accents the angularity of your face, so softly rounded brows are the way to go. “Make sure your brows are not too angular,” says Healy. “But beware of making brows appear too round; you don’t want to over pluck and create rainbow-shaped brows!”

8 Makeup Tricks to Slim Your Face

If you’ve ever seen look unrecognizable, then you know how transformative certain techniques can be. These easy makeup tricks can take 10 pounds off your look, instantly — they’re optical illusions!

1. When it comes to makeup, dark shades recede, while light colors bring features forward. To use this idea to your advantage, you’ll need a contour color or matte bronzer one or two shades deeper than your skin tone and a luminous highlighter that’s a bit lighter than your complexion. You can use cream or powder textures, or a combination of the two. No matter which formula you choose, be sure to use a makeup brush to blend — streaky contour makeup is a major don’t.

2. Create the illusion of thinner cheeks by applying your contour shade in a diagonal line from the center of your cheek to the ear. Make a slight “fish face” while you do this to figure out the perfect placement, and don’t forget to blend. The higher you place your contour shade, the sharper your cheekbones will look. Swipe highlighter across the tops of the cheekbones to really bring out the contour.

3. Fake a thinner nose: swipe a contour powder down the sides of the bridge of your nose (stop before you get to the nostrils). Blend highlighter down the bridge of your nose in a vertical line.

4. To never have a double chin in photos again, apply bronzer along your jawline to define the area. Blend the shade to create a seamless contour.

5. Play up your eyes, and leave your lips natural with a tinted balm or gloss. Full lips can emphasize roundness on the face, but eyes made to look large with makeup will make the rest of the face appear smaller in comparison.

6. Choose the right eyebrow shape. A higher, more pronounced arch helps balance out a round face by vertically stretching its appearance.

6 Tricks for Flawless Foundation

Photo: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway.com

Foundation is without a doubt the most anxiety-inducing product in our makeup bags. Unlike, say, eyeliner, where you have a bit of wiggle room (it’s not smudged, it’s smoky), when foundation is done wrong, there’s no hiding the mistake. (No wonder all those much more approachable BB creams have become so popular!)

According to a new study commissioned by Make Up For Ever through the research firm The NPD Group, a whopping 73 percent of women admit that finding the right foundation is a challenge. Despite the rows and rows of foundation shades that line shelves at stores like Sephora (or maybe because of it), 54 percent of women say finding their color match is their number one issue, and 62 percent have problems applying foundation correctly.

To help remedy this confusion, Make Up For Ever is kicking off their Foundation Nation campaign with more than 100 events at Sephora stores across the U.S. and Canada from September 20th to October 5th. During the events, the brand’s professional makeup artists will offer one-on-one consultations to “diagnose” clients’ biggest foundation issue and teach them how to solve it by using the correct techniques and products.

This 10-Second Makeup Trick Lifts Your Face

Foundation is without a doubt the most anxiety-inducing product in our makeup bags. Unlike, say, eyeliner, where you have a bit of wiggle room (it’s not smudged, it’s smoky), when foundation is done wrong, there’s no hiding the mistake. (No wonder all those much more approachable BB creams have become so popular!)

According to a new study commissioned by Make Up For Ever through the research firm The NPD Group, a whopping 73 percent of women admit that finding the right foundation is a challenge. Despite the rows and rows of foundation shades that line shelves at stores like Sephora (or maybe because of it), 54 percent of women say finding their color match is their number one issue, and 62 percent have problems applying foundation correctly.

To help remedy this confusion, Make Up For Ever is kicking off their Foundation Nation campaign with more than 100 events at Sephora stores across the U.S. and Canada from September 20th to October 5th. During the events, the brand’s professional makeup artists will offer one-on-one consultations to “diagnose” clients’ biggest foundation issue and teach them how to solve it by using the correct techniques and products.

The brand is also working with celebrity makeup artist Troy Jensen, whose clients include celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kim Kardashian, to spread the gospel of flawless foundation. At an event for editors, Jensen dropped so much foundation knowledge that even we (who have written about 5,000 articles on the topic over the course of a lifetime) learned a few surprising tricks.

1. Use a brush.
Fifty-two percent of women don’t use a tool to apply their foundation, but most makeup artists, including Jensen, insist that using brush is a must for an even, flawless finish. Jensen uses a brush with a domed head—Make Up For Ever’s 152 Brush ($37, sephora.com)—to buff foundation into the skin with light, circular motions. This technique also lets you use less product and build coverage, since it’s easier to add more foundation than to take off excess.

2. Mix and match formulas.
When Jensen’s celebrity clients step out for appearances, “I need their foundation to last for 10 to 12 hours,” he says. “The formula is really important.” Instead of loading up the face with powder, which can look chalky, Jensen uses a mattifying foundation, such as Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + ($36, sephora.com) on oilier areas in the T-zone, and a dewier formula around the perimeter of the face.

3. Prevent creasing.
There’s no magic formula that won’t crease in fine lines, but there are techniques you can use to minimize creasing. “If my client is wearing eye cream, I’ll blot off the eye cream with a tissue because the more emollient the skin, the more likely that the foundation will crease,” Jensen explains. For lines around the mouth, after applying foundation, “I’ll go with a fine brush and I’ll just remove it from those lines.”

10 Things Every Woman needs in her Make Up Wardrobe

What’s Missing?

Style gurus who preach the gospel of closet staples are right: The perfect trench, a well-fitting pair of jeans and a little black dress pull together a wardrobe like magic. Naturally, the same principle works for your makeup bag. Here’s every beauty basic you need to look amazing, no matter what the occasion.

1. Tinted SPF

Every successful makeup look needs a foundation, but that doesn’t mean you have to use one. For most complexions, semi-sheer tints give just the right amount of coverage and let your glow shine through. Choose a product with built-in SPF, such as Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Colour Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($35, clinique.com) or Shiseido Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector SPF43 ($30,shiseido.com). Optional: Add a translucent setting powder to your list if shine is an issue.

2. Concealer

If you’re not using a stick concealer, it’s time to get on board. No other type covers dark under-eye circles and blemishes as completely as these do, whether you blend them with your fingers or a flat, skinny brush. Try L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer ($8.95, lorealparisusa.com) or Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer ($32, hourglass.com).

3. Cheek Color

We love a bright blush, but a neutral shade that won’t clash with with your lipstick (or your outfit) is the ultimate makeup bag workhorse. Not only will a nude pink hue like Nars Cream Blush in Penny Lane ($29, narscosmetics.com) help chisel your bone structure, it’ll give you an instant glow. You can substitute a bronzer, too, as long as it’s matte; try Laura Geller Baked imPRESSions Bronzer ($38, QVC.com), a super silky powder that comes with a cute mini kabuki brush.

Apply Mascara First, and More Backwards Makeup Tricks That Really Work

Makeup artist Napoleon Perdis works on Miranda Kerr backstage at Fashion Week Australia.
Photo: Getty Images

While there’s no real wrong way to apply makeup (have fun! It comes off!), every makeup artist has his or her own method for creating the ultimate effect. Ask five pros whether they apply concealer or foundation first, and you’re bound to get five different answers. But one major makeup artist swears by switching up the order of almost every product that goes on your face, and when we first heard his tips, they kind of blew our minds. Napoleon Perdis, the Australian makeup artist whose namesake cosmetics line is sold at the likes of Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Nordstrom, and whose NP Set line is a Target favorite, shared his best makeup tips with us. Prepare to be amazed.

Tricks To Disguise Thinning Hair

With the introduction of anti-aging hair products, the issue of women’s thinning hair is finally getting the attention it deserves. Whether your hair thins as you age or you experience thinning your twenties (called alopecia, the condition is triggered by genetics and even bad nutrition choices), there are simple cuts, coloring techniques and styling tricks that can disguise sparse strands. We caught up withDiane Stevens, Lead Stylist for Nioxin (the brand known for treating hair thinning) on how she camouflages thinning hair on her clients.

Go Ombré
Starting with a darker base and slowly getting lighter towards the ends creates the visual effect of thicker hair at the tips. Go one or two shades lighter at the base for a subtle color change.

Add Multidimensional Color
Create movement and the illusion of fullness with this color trick. “Have your stylist use different tones and levels to create a soft, multidimensional look,” Stevens says. “Oftentimes, I use three different formulas to do so. I use one shade that is my client’s natural base color, one that is slightly lighter and a third that is slightly darker. This creates a look that includes a play of light and dark shadows.” However, she warms against too many highlights. This draws attention to thinning hair at the roots.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads

Photo: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway.com

In our Q&A series, beauty experts address your most bewildering issues. Have a beauty-related quandary of your own? Submit your question in the comments below or via Twitter.

Q: What causes blackheads and how do I get rid of them?

A: Unlike a whitehead that has skin on top of the pore, a blackhead is a wide opening on the skin with a blackened mass of debris that covers the opening. But don’t be fooled by the name — some are also yellow. This type of acne forms when dead skin is stuck in a pore with excess oil and bacteria.

What Causes Blackheads
“They are caused by an increase in hormone levels which stimulates the sebaceous gland, causing oil to form in the glands, and excess skin cells to get stuck in the pores,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, a dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. She sites other causes such as poor exfoliation, the use of occlusive products (they contain ingredients that slow down the evaporation of water from the skin and block pores), and makeup that clogs pores.

How to Fix Chipped Nail Polish (Like a Lazy Beauty Editor)

No nail polish chips here!
Photo: via Pinterest

We’re right in the middle of Fashion Week here in New York, which means we barely have time to eat and sleep, let alone get a manicure. After a few days of digging in our purses for our iPhones and notebooks, our nails are predictably trashed — but luckily there’s a two-minute fix that camouflages chips without having to start a whole new manicure from scratch.

The trick? A glitter topcoat. Just paint it on right over your chipped polish for an instant fix.

The chunkier the glitter, the better this works — so try one with larger flakes, such as Deborah Lippmann‘s Va Va Voom ($19, deborahlippmann.com). Not only do the sparkly bits fill in polish dings, the light catching effect helps distract from any imperfections in your base color.

We’re especially loving the new speckle topcoats this fall. These formulas use multicolored matte glitter particles to create a paint splatter effect on nails. Try Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots in Clearly Spotted ($3.99, maybelline.com) or Formula X The Explosives ($10.50-$12.50, available at Sephora stores and sephora.com in October).

How to Braid Hair, Better: Tips from the Experts

The Bianca braid from DreamDry.
Photo: Courtesy of DreamDry

It’s Braids Week on Daily Makeover! Check in all this week for braided hairstyle inspiration, tips and tutorials.

Even after watching tons of video tutorials, we admit we still aren’t really braiding ninjas. So we turned to the experts to answer some of our most pressing questions about creating amazing braids. Read on for their genius tips to make braiding way easier.

What are your tips for braiding layered hair?

“Braid hair when wet or damp. This will allow you to catch all the loose ends and form a nice clean braid. Also, using a great texturizing product like Schwarzkopf OSiS+Flexwax helps create a clean and natural finish and holds layers in place.” — Patrick Melville, Patrick Melville Salon

“Braiding layered hair is best on hair that has not been washed for a day. It becomes more malleable and easier to braid. Start by spraying the hair with black 15and1 Hair Treatment. The treatment will help calm the frizz and give a smoother braid. Spray until slightly damp and then begin to braid. Choose a tighter braiding technique to ensure the layering holds inside the braid.” — Donna Tripodi, black15in1 Brand Ambassador – Eva Scrivo Salon

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? We Asked the Experts

How often should you shampoo your hair?
Photo: Getty Images

In our Q&A series, beauty experts address your most bewildering issues. Have a beauty-related quandary of your own? Submit your question in the comments below or via Twitter.

Q: How often should you wash your hair? I’ve heard that washing every day is bad, but my hair falls flat by day two.

A: “You really want to cleanse the scalp about three times per week,” says stylist Patrick Melville of Patrick Melville Salon. “Obviously this depends on the individual. If you tend to have a more oily scalp, you may need to cleanse once a day.”

While certain hair types need to be vigilant about keeping strands moisturized, it’s not necessarily bad to shampoo daily if you like the way it makes your hair look. Trichologist Philip Kingsley, who founded the Philip Kingsley clinics in London and New York to treat hair health issues, is a proponent of daily washing — he even explains his philosophy in this video.

Still, 1 in 3 women will skip a shower or a workout to preserve their style, according to a 2013 Dove national survey of 1,000 women. If you find that shampooing tends to leave your hair parched, you may need to switch to a different formula. Dove Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.49 each, dove.com) leaves hair soft and moisturized without a heavy residue, and contains a blend of amino acids to replenish lost proteins in damaged hair.

101 Beauty Tips Every Girl Should Know

In the world of beauty, there are endless beauty tips and rules to keep you looking fabulous. From secrets about how to style your hair without heat to brilliant ways to fix a broken compact case, the more beauty tips you know, the better you’ll be prepared to handle every situation thrown at you — and look good while doing so. In the list below Beauty High breaks down all those tips to make the industry less scary for women from makeup artists, hairstylists, skincare gurus and of course, our beauty staff. Remember, beauty should always be fun!

101. “Always keep your summer makeup minimal. Minimal and sheer makeup is the way to go when it’s hot and muggy outside.” – Mary Greenwell, celebrity makeup artist

100. “The best thing to do when you go to a makeup counter is be armed with what it is you want to do.”- Raychel Wade, founder of Cheek to Chic and La Prairie’s colour ambassador

99. Use excess eye cream on cuticles. The more you hydrate your cuticles, the stronger your nails will be.

98. For smudge-proof eye makeup, take blotting tissue to remove any oil or any excess makeup from the eye area. Then, apply a small dab of cream concealer to hold things in place.

97. “A good perfume should consist of balanced blend of notes arranged in a way that creates harmonious accord.”- Alexis Bergman, P&G’s Global Flavor and Fragrance Trends

96. To prevent hair color from fading in the summer months, use a conditioning treatment weekly or bi-monthly.

The 5 Rules of Luscious Lashes

During this sticky, humid time of year the last thing we want are globs of makeup. But long, luscious lashes — those are a year-round necessity. Follow these five rules to get perfect eyelashes without having to revert to time-consuming falsies or expensive extensions.

1. Eyelash curlers are essential. 
Sonia Kashuk, makeup artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty, swears by lash curlers as the key to giving lashes that “wow” factor. “Be sure to choose one that creates a beautiful upward curl, such as Sonia Kashuk Dramatically Defining Eye Lash Curler [$8.99, target.com], and with a delicate pumping motion, move from the lash base upward for maximum results.” And always curl before applying mascara, not after. When bare, “The eyelashes are suppler so the crimping of the lash doesn’t feel as damaging,” Kashuk explains.

2. Let lashes set between layers of mascara.
Practice a little patience between each coat. “Giving a little bit of air time between each coat will allow the mascara to set and build upon each layer instead of gooping up as one big clump,” Kashuk says. One of our new favorite non-clumping mascaras is Topshop False Lash Mascara ($20, us.topshop.com) — the formula adds volume while the wand combs and separates.

3. Prevent “spider lashes” with a lash comb.
Avoid spidery clumps by combing lashes after applying mascara. “A metal-toothed lash comb is key; apply a coat, wait a few seconds, brush through eyelashes, and then apply the next coat.” Sonia Kashuk’s new double-ended Lashify Mascara ($6.99, soniakashuk.com) comes complete with a lash comb for quick brushing.

4. Don’t layer different mascaras. 
“I wouldn’t recommend this, as some formulas will not mix well and end up clumping,” Kashuk says. However, some mixing and matching does work. If there’s a wand you perfer over another, clean it off and use with your favorite formula or as a lash comb.

5. Condition and treat your lashes daily.
Just like your hair, your lashes need a little TLC. Lash conditioners, such as Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum ($28.50, sephora.com) work as a primer, creating a smooth surface for mascara. Growth treatments like Latisse “stimulate the eyelash growth cycle, making it longer, so lashes come in longer, darker and thicker,” says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, Co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC. Full results take within 2-3 months, while improvements show within 4 weeks.