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6 Pro Tips for Simplistic Makeup

When it comes to a simple makeup look that will work for your busy everyday life, no one does it quite like the French. The French look is all about classic beauty, which appears to be effortless and chic all at the same time. 

A staple of the French look is minimalist makeup. For the French woman, less truly is more — they choose to enhance their natural features and embrace their imperfections rather than painting on a new face with excessive contouring. 

Following the French philosophy and embracing a minimalist makeup routine leaves you with more time to enjoy life. 

 

Read on for seven tips on how to find an everyday makeup routine that you can stick to. 

1. Declutter 

Paris themed makeup accessory kit

It’s safe to say that most women have more makeup than they need or even use. A cluttered vanity and makeup bag quietly eat your time as they cause you to search for the item you need or pause and think about what shade to use that day.

Unless makeup is your profession, there is no need for a makeup arsenal fully stocked with every shade. 

Decluttering your makeup bag will make your chic yet simple makeup look easier to achieve on a daily basis and will save you time each day. 

If you find that you don’t need a full coverage foundation, switching to a tinted moisturizer or BB cream can simplify your makeup routine because it does double duty by acting as a moisturizer and providing light coverage. 


Paring down your makeup arsenal can make applying your makeup less daunting, and you will find yourself becoming a master at using the cosmetics you keep. 


So, where to start when you first decide to declutter? Following a few simple guidelines will get you set in the right direction. The first step to decluttering is an essential one: carefully check each product’s expiration date and dispose of anything that is past its expiration. 

You should also throw out anything where the texture, consistency, or smell is off — old makeup is a notorious breeding ground for bacteria that can damage your skin and cause breakouts.

Organizing

Once you have disposed of your expired makeup, you can categorize everything and tackle each category separately. 

Pick out the items you regularly use as well as the items that you love so much you can’t bear to get rid of — these items can go back into your makeup bag or drawer. Any remaining makeup can be given away or tossed. 


Spilling makeup bag on white background

2. Prep your skin

To achieve the effortless French look, you must prep your skin! Prepping your skin will provide you with a clean palette and smooth complexion, which is a must for a natural look. A smooth complexion will allow you to use fewer cosmetics, eliminating the risk of a caked look. 

Cleansing and moisturizing are the two most essential steps to any skincare routine. By taking the time to care for your skin with intentional, natural treatments, you’ll achieve a complexion and glow that may not need any help from foundation at all!

Daily cleansing helps rid your face of dirt, oils, and other impurities and sets your skin up for success. Regular facial moisturizing gives your skin that extra boost it needs and can help bring a dewy and more youthful look. 


Woman with full eyelashes applying face cream

3. Use lighting to your advantage

When applying your makeup, it is best to use natural light. We’ve all been there — you find yourself in a poorly lit room or a bathroom with yellowish light, and you really take your time getting ready, only to find when you step outside that you have unblended patches, causing you to feel like a clown. 

The best way to avoid this cringe-worthy scenario is to apply your makeup in natural lighting. 

Both yellow and fluorescent lighting tend to make you look pale, which often results in the application of too much bronzer or blush. Lights with blue, green, or pink hues are also common culprits in makeup mishaps. 

Natural light alternatives

While a large, naturally lit bathroom or vanity table is ideal, that is not always possible. A good alternative to true natural light is “natural” white light bulbs placed on each side of your mirror to ensure that your face is evenly lit.

The placement of lighting is nearly as important as the color of the bulbs. When investing in vanity lights, it is important to place lights on each side of the mirror and not just above. Lighting only above the mirror may save space but will cast shadows on your face and make it more difficult to apply your makeup evenly. 

For best results, lights should be installed at a full 270° around your mirror – this will not only yield better results with your makeup, but you will also feel more glamorous, giving you a confidence boost that will follow you out the door!

Well lit makeup vanity

4. Use the correct tools for the job

It’s always so tempting to take shortcuts in life that may not provide the best outcome. This is especially true when it comes to makeup. Using the wrong tools to apply your makeup is like trying to file your taxes on your phone; it may get the job done but will leave you frustrated and with lackluster results. 

For example, if you rely solely on your fingers to apply and blend your cosmetics, you will end up with uneven patches rather than achieving a finished and put-together look. 

While it is true that you can go overboard on makeup brushes, they do have their place in your collection, and if you have not invested in a set of brushes, it may be time to do so.

If you already have a brush set, make sure to take the time and get acquainted with it – learn each brush’s purpose and how to use it properly. If you use the wrong brush for the job, it won’t give you the result you are looking for.

High quality makeup brush set

5. Choose one star of the show 

For an easy natural makeup look, choose one feature to emphasize with your makeup. The best way to highlight one element is to stick with your favorite facial feature. The most obvious choices are your eyes or lips. 

Highlight your eyes

To emphasize your eyes, do not go over the top with colored shadows and liners — stick to a nude or neutral shadow with a slight shimmer, and go with some simple eyeliner that can be smudged for a night-out look. 

Most women tend to pass by the brown eyeliner in favor of black, but brown eyeliner is an excellent choice for a simple makeup look as it looks great on most skin tones and blends better with your lash line, giving the illusion of longer lashes. 

Your lashes are equally important if you want your eyes to pop. Just a light coat of quality mascara, and you’re ready to go!

When choosing mascara, don’t be afraid to go with brown over the traditional black. Brown mascara will provide a more natural look as it blends better with your lashes.

Closeup on eye with natural colored makeup

Highlight your lips

Lips are most easily emphasized by the use of a bold lip color, but it requires a little more than a quick swipe of your favorite shade. 

To make your lips stand out, you should always start with a sharp line drawn with a lip pencil — just inside your natural lip line for a daytime look and just outside your lip line for an evening look. 

Once you have your lips defined, you can apply and blend your favorite shade of lipstick, lip gloss, or even tinted lip balm!

For some extra definition around your lips, you can use a little concealer or foundation powder to make your lip color appear bolder

If you covet the confident red-lipped look of the French, don’t be afraid to try it out for yourself! There is no need to feel self-conscious about the color of your teeth; if you choose a red lipstick with a blue undertone, it can help cancel out any yellowness on your teeth.

Chic model with bold lipstick and sunglasses

Whichever feature you choose to make the star of your face, it’s important that everything else be minimal. When choosing a blush color, pick one that most closely matches your face's natural flush after exercise. 

If you choose to emphasize your eyes, go with a more natural look for your lips by using a nude lipstick or a color that is two shades darker than your natural lips. You should also avoid any temptation to overdo your eyebrows — leave them naturally full as it will give your eyes a more open look without any added makeup.

6. Don’t overdo it

If you are aiming for a simple and natural makeup look, the biggest mistake you can make is being too heavy-handed. Too much foundation, blush, or even lipstick and eyeliner can make you look far from natural. 

Applying too much foundation can also suck the moisture out of your face, leaving you with a cakey appearance, or worse yet, the appearance of crepe paper skin! 

If you find yourself in a situation when you have applied too much foundation, first try blending again, and if that does not correct it, try wetting a beauty sponge and dabbing it on your face to remove some of the excess. 

If you feel comfortable in your own skin, don’t be afraid to skip the foundation altogether or go with a BB cream or tinted moisturizer instead. You can also choose to use foundation in trouble areas only — be sure to thoroughly blend the edges if you go this route.

Fashionable French woman wearing trendy sunglasses

When you sit down to do your makeup for the day, the most important thing to remember is that your makeup should not be used as a mask to cover yourself up. It should be about highlighting your individuality and uniqueness — an expression of yourself. A natural makeup look is timeless. Stick to neutral colors; with simple eyeliner and a neutral color palette, you cannot go wrong!

However you choose to apply your makeup, take a step back, and look at yourself. You are beautiful as you are. Be confident! Believe in your own magic and beauty, and the rest of the world will too.

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Hot Makeup Trends vs Timeless Beauty
March 05, 2021
Hot Makeup Trends vs Timeless Beauty

One of the best things about makeup is how creative and evolving it can be. While clothing trends force you to buy new products every season, trendy makeup often just requires a change in technique. Experimenting, changing, and playing around with hot new trends from Instagram, TikTok, or the runways can be a ton of fun! However, these makeup trends are usually fleeting. Unlike classic makeup looks, they won’t stick around for longer than a year or two! It’s fun to look back at photos from the ‘80s or ‘90s and admire how differently women used to do their makeup, but it’s a little scary to imagine others doing the same with photos of you.  When you get ready for graduation photos, weddings, and other big events, do your makeup in such a way so that when you look back at the photos, you won’t find yourself thinking, “gosh, I can’t believe we all used to wear our makeup like that!”  In this article, we’ll go through each hot makeup trend whose days are unfortunately numbered, and reflect on the more timeless makeup looks equivalent to the trend.  While trends are fun for a night out or a creative Instagram story, classic makeup looks are the ideal choice for the most important occasions, so they’re utterly essential to master!   Hot trend: soap brows Brushed up brows are the go-to look for a ton of influencers these days, who usually achieve them with soap, brow gel, or even a semi-permanent lamination. They make the eyebrows look bushy, fluffy, and more symmetrical, and they’re very reminiscent of the styling for model brows in the ‘80s.  Soap brows give a youthful look and they’re a lot of fun, but like other brow trends before them, we think a new look will replace them shortly.  Classic look: groomed brows Soap brows are great fun—we think they’re going to be a major marker of the end of the 2010s. However, keeping your brows classically groomed has the benefit of looking good today as well as in the future.  Eyebrow pencils tipped with a grooming wand, like the Brow Arcade, are incredibly helpful for this technique since you can fill in your brows and then brush the hairs so they go to the side instead of upwards, to lay down in a more natural way.  Hot trend: fox eyes The fox eye makeup trend has absolutely taken over social media and the red carpet, especially by the likes of US-based celebs Bella Fox and Kendall Jenner. It’s a gorgeous look that gives the face an angular, elven appearance through pointed eyeliner and brows that are shaved off at the arch and filled in on an upward angle.  Classic look: classic eyeliner View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivienne Sabó Paris (@viviennesabo.paris) Fox eyes may be sultry and sexy, but we predict that in the long term, eyeliner that makes the eyes look a little larger will continue to endure. After all, we’ve been doing our eyeliner this way since the ‘40s, and looking back on photos from that era, it still looks stunning.  The trick to keeping your natural eye makeup looking classy is to keep the liner away from the inner corner of the eye, and then to create the wing by following the natural angle of your lower lash line. We have a few more tips and tricks for this look here! Hot trend: baking or strobed skin We live in an era of extremes, with two ultra-popular foundation trends that directly contradict each other. You either bake your makeup under a thick layer of powder for 5-10 minutes, to guarantee an impenetrable finish, or you pack on the glowy serums and highlighters for a strobed, reflective skin finish. It can be great fun to experiment with both of these trends! Classic look: natural skin View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vivienne Sabó Paris (@viviennesabo.paris) In the long term, however, we think natural-looking skin with a satin finish will always be the classiest choice. It’s exactly in the middle between very dewy and matte skin, with the same level of reflectiveness that the skin has when it’s happy and moisturized.  To achieve such an easy natural makeup look, all you need is a light coverage foundation and maybe a touch of concealer. Then, a light dusting of powder with a fluffy brush will help to lock things into place and control excess sheen without making your skin look flat and dry.  Oh, and there’s one more way to achieve this look that’s even easier. Skip the foundation altogether, for the natural, no-makeup look!  Hot trend: flattened Cupid’s bow We first noticed ultra-pouty lips with a flattened Cupid’s bow on the gorgeous Ariana Grande. Then, before you knew it, everyone was applying their lip liner with a continuous, rounded line. It essentially changes the lips’ natural shape, transforming them into elongated ovals. While we love the look right now, it might seem odd in just a few short years.   Classic look: slightly overdrawn lips  While you don’t need to go overboard with it, overdrawing the lip line is actually a very timeless makeup look that goes at least as far back as the ‘30s. The key to achieving lush and full lips without looking cartoonish is to follow the vermillion border, which is the skin-colored line of demarcation surrounding the lips.  The best part? You can create both the classic and trendy lips with our Le Grand Volume lip pencils.  Time and place for every makeup look Every style and technique, from the easiest natural makeup look to the most outrageous hot trend, has its time and place. We don’t want you to forsake makeup trends, because they add spice to life, but it’s just as important to master the classic makeup look so you can look chic for the coming decades. 

How to Look Great on Zoom Calls
February 26, 2021
How to Look Great on Zoom Calls

These days, more of us around the world are using technology to speak with friends, loved ones, and colleagues than ever. Life and communication look different, and so do we. While we’re used to styling ourselves to look gorgeous in person, this doesn’t always transfer through a digital screen. Looking nice on camera is a different skill set, and it’s no longer limited to Hollywood glamour or French fashion shows. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of tips and tricks that will help you learn how to look great on zoom calls. Whether you’re curling up on your sofa for a remote trivia night with friends or armed with coffee for an early-morning work meeting, these video call makeup tips will help you look great and feel confident. Choose the Right Filming Location As the best videographers would tell you, lighting is everything. Sit in front of a window and allow the sun’s rays to light up your features. The best lighting for Zoom calls illuminates your face from the front, not from overhead or behind. Artificial lighting can appear yellow on a screen, which can mess with the way you appear through the lens. If you’re taking a call at night or otherwise don’t have access to natural lighting, try placing a white-toned light in front of you to get a similar effect. Turn off any rear or overhead lights, then check to see if the lighting looks natural on-screen and that you can easily be seen without strange shadows or highlights. You might have to adjust other lights in the room by turning them on and off until you get the desired effect.  Once you’ve chosen the right location, simplify your background so that fellow video call attendees can focus on your face, not the overcrowded shelving or dirty laundry behind you. Adjust Your Camera Angle Next, adjust your camera angle so that you can look better on video. You should be able to look comfortably forward into your camera, not up or down. A camera from below, where most laptops, tabletops, and even our phones are naturally positioned, can distort your features and cause your face to look unnatural. The people you’re speaking with may end up with a view of your nostrils rather than being able to make eye contact. Being able to look straight into the camera will also help with your posture so that you don’t have a sore neck or back halfway through your call. Use regular household items such as books stacked under your device to get a flattering angle. Keep it steady so that it doesn’t topple over, especially if you have children or pets in the home that may bump the table or stand you’re using.  Have Confidence The French know that the first step to success is to have confidence. When you feel your best, your natural beauty shimmers through. Dress from head to toe, even if nobody can see your lower half. Or, have some fun and pair pajama bottoms with your best blouse. The relaxation and happiness you feel when you’re comfortable in your own skin are contagious, so focus on feeling good, and the rest will follow. Conceal Discoloration Concealing discoloration, such as eye bags and red spots, goes a long way on camera, which can accentuate our imperfections. Dab on some concealer to hide any blemishes. If needed, you can also use a camera filter to even out your skin tone. Choose Vibrant Colors You can cause makeup to look better on video calls by selecting brighter, bolder colors than you would when meeting up in person. A vibrant blush and lipstick combo will make you look more lively and less flushed out, as can sometimes happen in a video call. Our Matte Constance Duo Pack comes with two stunning lipstick shades for you to try. Focus on Your Eyes Focus on your eyes while formulating your makeup look to draw attention to them on camera. Cover dark circles and apply Cabaret Premiere mascara for beautiful, full lashes. Pair this with a neutral eye shadow to complement your vibrant lipstick and blush selection, and voila!  Keep it Simple Don’t feel that you have to go overboard on applying your makeup to look cute on your Zoom call. A little can go a long way, and it’s alright to keep it simple. Focus on accentuating one or two features, and don’t be afraid to have some fun trying new techniques or products. Relax, be yourself, and don’t take things too seriously. Preview Before Going Live Whether you’re using Zoom, Facetime, Skype, or even just taking a photo, you’ll likely notice that your face looks much different than it does in the mirror. The lens type, the distance between you and the camera, and the angle can all distort your image. This is why it’s important to preview before you go live so that you have an idea of what others will see. Fix any lighting, makeup, or angle issues ahead of time so that when you take the call, everything goes smoothly and you aren’t stressed about the lipstick on your teeth or that plate you forgot to put away in the background.   Enjoy Your Meeting You're all set to join any video call with confidence! When it comes time to log on, relax because you've thoroughly prepared for this. You go girl!

Lipstick Colors and What Statements They Make
February 15, 2021
Lipstick Colors and What Statements They Make

The color of your lipstick or lip gloss says a lot about you. Your perfect lip color can make you seem seductive, creative, cheerful, flirty, or any combination of traits. As long as you choose a color that fits your attitude on any given day, you can’t really go wrong with your lipstick style.  We’ve put together a list of all the most popular lipstick colors, with explanations of exactly what kind of statements they make. Whether you’re looking to find your perfect lip gloss or you’re more into the matte look, keep reading to figure out what shade will give you your most confident lipstick look, no matter what that means to you!   Red  Red is the most classic and sexiest lipstick color there is. No shade can compare when you want to exude confidence and sensuality in a classy, timeless manner. A woman in red lipstick is ready to face any challenge that life throws at her! It’s a bold color that never goes unnoticed or out of style.  While perfecting a red pout can take a bit of work (and a great red lip liner), once you master it, it becomes a huge time-saver! You can look completely made-up and put together even when you’re only wearing red lipstick and some mascara — it’s the ultimate French girl makeup trick.  Nude  Nude lipstick is a simple yet elegant choice. It gives a polished finish to your look but still allows you to feel comfortable in your own skin. It won’t be obvious to those who look, but you’ll know it’s there, making your lips look smoother and fuller while leaving everybody else guessing.  It’s one of the best everyday lipsticks for every occasion because it goes on easily and it’s always flattering. With bold lipstick shades, you have to be very careful to keep a neat lip line, but a nude lipstick blends into your skin and looks like a natural lip color.  A quick swipe, even without a lip liner, will always look great. It looks amazing with any makeup style, offering the ideal balance for dark eyeshadow or for bronzed makeup looks.  Purple berry   A purple berry lipstick is eye-catching in a very chic way. It’s a great shade for a confident lipstick look because it has the same intensity and depth as a red lipstick but with a modern twist. It’s the perfect lip color for the modern woman!  Oh, and did we mention that it somehow always makes the teeth look whiter? The best time to rock a purple statement lip is when you want to make a lasting impression, especially if you’re in a creative environment. Art gallery openings and fashion shows are the natural environments for a woman who wears a berry lip.  Burgundy  A burgundy lipstick is as sultry as a red one, but with an underlying darkness that adds mystery to your look. This lipstick shade brings to mind the gorgeous sirens of 1920s silent films with its seductive depth.  It can give your look a moody twist or come off as totally mature, depending on how you style it. You can wear it along with dark eyeshadow for a gothic look, or use it to add an edge to a natural makeup style.  As with red lipstick, lining the lips and taking your time is essential! We highly recommend slightly over-drawing the lip line, since such a dark shade can make the lips look a little smaller.   Soft pink  Soft pink lipstick is nude lipstick’s demure sibling. It has a delicate charm that’s particularly flattering to those with cool undertones. It’s a lovely lipstick style to choose when you’re in a feminine, relaxed mood and you want to exude an image of serenity.  Soft pink lipstick is perfect for dates, but it’s also appropriate to wear to class or the office. It’s a nice companion to more intense eye makeup since it’s softness will add balance to your look. Just make sure to choose a pink lipstick that’s at least a shade darker than your skin tone, to avoid looking washed out.  Fuchsia   Fuchsia is vivid and vivacious, with a feminine twist. This bright shade is at the meeting point between hot pink and bright purple. It’s the best lipstick color when you want to feel flirtatious and playful but also independent and strong.  While it might be a little too much for a day at the office, it’s great for wild nights out on the town. It’ll immediately put you in an energetic mood, guaranteeing that you’ll have a fun time no matter where you end up. Because it’s so vibrant, your lips will instantly become the focus of your look, but since it’s not too dark it still works in combination with heavier eye makeup.  Coral Coral lipstick is ideal for those days when you want to express a fiery passion with a cheerful twist! It’s a warm and vibrant color that brings to mind the joys of a vacation to tropical locales. If your skin has naturally golden undertones, it’s even better! It’ll give you the image of a daring, spontaneous woman who’s filled with joie de vivre. You can’t go wrong with coral lipstick, especially for parties or fun dates! While the shade itself feels more fitting in summer, the kind of woman who wears coral lipstick can rock it all-year-round if she so wishes.  Bisous (kisses)! There’s a lot you can say with just a small change in lipstick shade. You can go soft and calm with a natural lip color one day, and transform yourself into a passionate diva in a bold lipstick the next. As long as you feel confident in your lipstick, there are no wrong choices!