Bronzer 101

I adore bronzer.

Its one of the best makeup items ever invented.

Just so happens its also the most abused,

the most wrongly used,

the most downright scary to see.

So, seeing as tis the season for it,

lets go over a little Bronzer 101.

* Get the right color.

Not all bronzers are created equal. You need one specific to your coloring.

Fair skins should look for a pale beige with rosy gold undertones, to add warmth and some light to the complexion.

Olive skins need deep tans with gold undertones, dark skins need more red undertones.

Don't go darker than you would look with a natural tan.

Keep it transparent - you should be able to see your freckles through the bronzer, otherwise its too opaque.

*Don't overshimmer

A little shimmer can make the skin look vibrant and alive.

But be careful. Too much shimmer draws attention to the flaws in your skin

and in the heat can make you look greasy/oily/shiny.

If you're using a bronzer with shimmer, make sure the flecks are very small, and apply it sparingly.

Best used at night rather than out in the sunshine during the day...

*Don't overdo it

The most common mistake is over applying bronzer.

It should land where the sun would hit you, which is across the broad flat plains of the face.

Forehead, upper cheekbones, bridge of the nose and the chin.

I like to hit the collar bones a little, and work the bronzer into the hairline, and the jawline just a little.

Whatever you do, don't color the face in with bronzer - it will look like a mask. 

Or like Magda from Something About Mary.

*Don't confuse bronzer with blusher

There is absolutely nothing fabulous at all about seeing dark brown stripes on someones cheeks.

Blush is for cheeks, bronzer is to give a little warmth and sunkissed color to the skin.

*Choose a formula that works for you

For most of us that means use a pressed powder bronzer, with a large fluffy brush.

Tap the excess off the brush before you start.

Loose powders, gels and creams leave way too much room for error for most of us.

Get super good at applying bronzer before leaving the pressed powder option.     

makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic gets it right with Kim Kardashian everytime

Friday Nite Lite

Just because a girl isn't actually in Italy

doesn't mean she can't at least pretend!

On a hot summer evening

there is nothing quite so lovely as

a fresh Prosecco cocktail.

I found this one in the San Diego News Network blog.

The writer had just come back 

from the new Italian hotspot Puglia.

(I say new hotspot, because it is undergoing the overwhelming

nouveau popularity that Tuscany, then Umbria

endured more recently)

This was what she drank in Puglia:

Strawberry Smash

(they probably don't call it that in Italy...)

This variation on the mojito lets you mix strawberries with your favorite herb such as mint, basil, lemon verbena, cilantro, rosemary or thyme. Try the drink out before serving it friends to get the amount of herbs right for you.  


Makes 1 cocktail


3 ripe organic strawberries, hulled and sliced
6 leaves of one fresh herb such as mint, basil, verbena, cilantro OR 1-inch section of fresh rosemary or thyme
1 ounce good white rum like 10 Cane or clean white gin like Bombay Sapphire
1 ounce all-natural sour mix (see note)
2 ounces prosecco

Add the strawberries and your selected herb to a rocks glass. Smash the strawberries and herbs gently with a muddler until the berries are a pulp and the herbs smell strong. Add the rum or gin if using and sour mix to the glass and give it a stir. Fill 3/4 full with ice. Top off with the prosecco. Garnish with a sprig of the herb you used.


Note: To create my all natural sour mix, mix 1 cup lemon and or lime juice with 1 cup sugar in a medium non-reactive saucepan. Heat over a low-medium flame, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When cool, pour syrup into a sterile glass bottle and refrigerate. Keeps for up to 2 weeks.

 

Five Rules For Playing Hard To Get

I am fast becoming obsessed

with these ridiculous "how to" guides for women

that are just everywhere!

I found this crazy one on msn.com.

It actually said : how to create a little mystery and wind up with more dates!

I sooo want the job of coming up with and writing this nonsense.

But instead, I'm reprinting it

with my own little pictorial

from the divinely decadent Kiki de Montparnasse

lingerie.

Which we will see more of soon...

5 Rules For Playing Hard To Get

1. Use the old fishing ploy.

 if you want to get a fish to bite your lure, you have to keep it moving enough to be interesting, but not so fast as to be too hard to catch. The erratic retrieve is usually the best...

2. Keep some secrets

mete out important details so the guys you're interested in have reason to stay interested in you. 

3. Play to win

don't be a shy or passive player. Put out the vibe that you're only looking for serious suitors, and don't get into the game if the stakes aren't right.

4. Be only slightly accessible

never be too available during the early stages of a relationship. Make him feel like he better work hard to get and maintain your attention. Appear active and in demand.

5. Be sexy but with hold sex

don't give it away when he is perfectly willing to earn it.Its strictly a look, don't touch situation until you're sure he's interested 

(sister if you just show up and say hello - trust me he's interested!!)

By following these 5 handy rules you'll be in good shape to get and keep your date's attention.

(it honestly, really did say that!!!) 

if the 5 rules don't get his attention, 

chances are  this hot little item will   

 for more fabulously sexy lingerie from Kiki check out her website

www.kikidm.com

 

Here's Something Cool!

Here's a little something fabulous to covet!

Business card cases in bright orange, pink and lime

from Graphic Image

Sleek, chic and unique

the bright colored leather is easy to spot

in an overloaded handbag.

Or in a highly organized one!

 

you can find these, along with other cool items,

such as hot pink passport covers

at www.GraphicImage.com

Air New Zealand staff have nothing to hide - behind the scenes

Here's the making of the Air New Zealand commercial.

Air New Zealand staff have nothing to hide (AU)

Hope my pilot has his pants on.....

Product Shoot Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine

Last week I had the pleasure of shooting with Lilet and Glenn Hamp of Light Rain Images.

We were shooting products for a series of articles I'm writing 

(hopefully finished writing by the time this post goes up!!)

for Phoenix Bride and Groom Magazine.

I've never actually been on a product shoot before,

so it was fascinating!

Entirely different from shooting people.

We got loads of behind the scenes pictures,

so you can see how it all goes down.

Product placement, and then lighting it all

are quite crucial.

I so love my helmet, gloves lipstick T-shirt from Driver Boutique

The hat says: 

Driven

For Those Who Bleed Speed.

My friend racer Jennifer Jo Cobb is Driver Boutique.

trying to make everything balance

Lilet has been shooting products for years, so has a great eye for positioning everything.

although it was early morning, the temperature was already in the low 100's

so we had to work fast, before the makeup melted.

Lilet shooting skin care by the pool

waiting for the old guy to exit the shot.

A series of reflectors and mirrors were used to work the light.

Thats photographer Glenn Hamp holding the reflector on the left

Lilet shooting Divinity Jewelry

the main pool at the beautiful Scottsdale Resort 

  fountains at the resort