Queen’s Gambit Makeup and Fashion

All around the world, many of us are still required to wear face masks in public places. There are no clear signs as to when this will end completely, which means we’ve had to accept that a mask has become a permanent accessory.  But what does this mean for your makeup? Anyone who has tried wearing a full face under their mask will be no stranger to smudges, smears, and mask transfers. And if it’s warm outside, it’s game over.  You’re left wondering "why did I even bother putting makeup on today?"  So, the golden question is: Do you know how to keep your makeup on when wearing a mask? We do; so keep reading to see how! What causes your makeup to rub off? There’s a couple of things going on underneath your mask. First off, wearing a mask causes humidity between the fabric and your skin. This, combined with the oil in your makeup, can cause your makeup to transfer or completely melt away.  Second, every time you breathe (which we do around 20,000 times each day!) you produce warm air which also causes your makeup to lift and transfer.  Third, the simple fact that most masks are in direct contact with your skin makes it likely that at least some of your makeup will rub off onto it. That might sound like a real challenge, but don’t panic. We’ve done a lot of research and figured out how to keep makeup from rubbing off under a mask.  Are you ready to say goodbye to the smudged look and dirty masks?  Give the natural look a try Okay, so this is kind of a cheat way to eliminate all that smudging and smearing.  But if no one’s going to see half your face anyway, why not take a break from makeup or keep things minimal? Less is more when it comes to classic French beauty. Plus, you’ll save money on makeup and so much time in the morning! Your skin will also get a much-needed break.  If you’ve ever thought about embracing a more natural look, there’s no better time to give it a try than right now. Embrace your natural beauty.  How to keep your makeup on when wearing a mask Okay, maybe the totally natural look just isn’t your thing. We get it. Putting your makeup on each morning might be a part of your everyday routine, and maybe it helps you feel a sense of normality during your week. So, although we would recommend skipping foundation and only wearing makeup on the visible parts of your face (your eye makeup), we get it. You might still want to wear a full face of makeup. It’s kind of like lingerie—although it’s not always seen, you know it’s there, and it makes you feel like a total Goddess.  That’s why we’ve rounded up expert tips to help you protect your makeup underneath your mask and keep it in place the whole day.  Use a moisturizer and primer The first step in your beauty routine is to cleanse and moisturize your skin. This will help combat some chafing or spots that masks are known to cause. Next step, follow up with a long-lasting primer. Primer is a great product to use because it’s oil-free, which means it will help keep all the other products you layer on top in place.  But don’t get too carried away and use an excessive amount of primer, because this will have the opposite effect!  Use it sparingly and add a light layer as you normally would.  A matte or waterproof foundation is best If you’re going to wear foundation, look for a matte or waterproof formula.  A waterproof formula will dry and lock onto your skin, without drying it out. On a good day, it can stay put for up to 24 hours!  A matte foundation will also stay put for longer than a glossy one because it’s water-based rather than oil-based.  Apply a thin layer of foundation onto the areas where you need it most, and blend using a brush, sponge, or your fingers.  Tips for applying concealer After you’ve applied your foundation, follow up by applying a long-wear concealer. Avoid overly creamy, luminous concealers as these tend to not set well and are likely to transfer onto your mask. Keep your concealer to your eye area (if you need it), but avoid the nose and chin to keep smudging at bay.  Set your base Now it’s time to set your base.  What you’re after here is a loose, translucent powder. Work it into your skin with a beauty blender or brush. This will allow your mask to slide over your skin without removing your foundation. Although it may be tempting to go all-out with the powder, too much of it will create a chalky effect. And you don’t want to end up looking like a ghost! Make your eyes and brows the star of the show Although wearing a mask can be a nausiance, the great news is your eyes are still very much on show! So, now is the time to upgrade your brow and lash game and make your beautiful eyes pop. This is the first area of your face that people will notice when you’re wearing a mask. In fact, this is usually the first area people normally notice anyway.  Embrace your natural-looking brows, and easily add definition with a good eyebrow pencil Experiment with eyeliner and keep your look as natural or dramatic as you like.  And the final step is to finish with your favorite mascara. This is what really makes your eyes pop! Use an eyelash curler to add lift, followed by an eyelash primer. Then finish with a couple of coats of lengthening and volumizing mascara. Swap bright lips for neutral shades You may have heard this strange myth going around that lipstick sales have plummeted since the pandemic, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Women are still wearing lipstick for their video calls, as they go for a walk to the shops, or as they lounge at home for no other reason than it makes them feel beautiful. But if you are wearing a mask for most of the day, avoid anything sticky because you don’t want it to stick to your mask! Be wary of bright colors too, as if the color does end up rubbing, it will be very visible on your face. We recommend sticking to subtle, light or nude shades in a hydrating formula that nourishes your lips.  Don’t let your face mask ruin your makeup routine! And that’s how to keep your makeup on when wearing a mask.  We hope you’re feeling more confident about going for a more natural look or picking the right products to wear under your mask.    Here at Vivienne Sabó we’re making our eyes the star of the show and having a lot of fun trying out new eye makeup looks! So, remember to have fun with your makeup and don’t let wearing a mask get you down.

Are you looking for some super fun eyeliner looks to explore? From simple eyeliner styles to how to put on liquid eyeliner, and the best eyeliner pencil to use for a chic look, this article has it all! It’s easy to get into a rut with makeup, especially your eyeliner. Do you find you’re always creating the same look day in, day out?  Well, it’s time to mix things up! Whether you’re looking for something simple and chic, quick to apply, a pop of color, or something a little more special—we’ve got a look for you. There really are no limits when it comes to getting creative with your eyeliner. And beginners and pros are all welcome here.  Check out these 11 fun eyeliner looks below.  The less is more look Less can often be more, especially when it comes to French-girl makeup and beauty. After all, who doesn’t love rolling out of bed in the morning and getting their makeup complete in ten minutes? More time for sleeping in, getting your workout in, or even eating a delicious breakfast.  So, if this is your makeup philosophy, embrace it.  This is one of the more simple eyeliner styles on our list. First, you trace your upper lash line making a thin line along your top lashes with a black eye pencil. To complete the look, curl your lashes and add a healthy coat of lengthening mascara.  Told you this was going to be simple and effortless! The semi-outlined eye For this look, you’ll need a liquid eyeliner and an angled brush.  Use both together to trace your upper lash line, kicking the line out slightly at the outer corner of your eye to create a winged effect.  Next, using the liner and brush again, draw a line from the outermost part of the wing you just drew, all the way back to the halfway point of your lower lash line. And voila—you just created your semi-outlined eyeliner look! The French flick The French flick is also described as the toned-down version of a French woman’s classic eyeliner look. The difference with this look is you start at the center of the upper lid instead of the inner corner. This creates a subtle and smooth line. Use a micro angled brush to help you apply your eyeliner in whatever shade you like.  Black is the classic, and you can't wrong with it. Be sure to check your flick is symmetrical on both sides. Two is better than one For this look, you’ll need your standard black eyeliner plus another color for contrast. You can go for a neutral color here or something more vibrant—it’s up to you! Apply your eyeliner as usual to your upper and lower lash line. Next, apply your second color under the lower lashes for contrast. Use an angled brush if you want a thin, crisp line.  Don’t forget to finish your look with a swoosh of mascara to make your lashes pop.  A kitten-eye This look is all about dialing things back a notch from a full cat-eye, hence the kitten-eye name! We’re opting for a brown eyeliner for this one to create a subtler look, perfect to wear day or night. Use an angled brush to lightly line your top lash line. Start at the inner corner and extend it out into a baby cat-eye.  If you want to make this look all about the eyeliner, avoid curling your lashes and adding mascara.  Barely there eyeliner Here’s another simple eyeliner style for those of you who don’t want your eyeliner to steal the show. Applying a long-lasting eyeliner between your lashes is more than enough to add some beautiful definition to your eyes. And if you choose the best eyeliner pen for the job, it’ll last you all day and well into the night.  It’s true what they say—a little goes a long way. Without a doubt, this is an effortlessly chic way to wear eyeliner.  Smudged and smokey To create a smudged, smokey look, use a black pencil to line your lashes. Next, use a smudger brush to blend it out into an almond shape past your lash line.  Then sweep some shimmery gold shadow onto your eyelids and the inner corners of your eye, and blend for a sexy, smoldering finish.  Sleek ‘60s wing On the hunt for a classic winged eyeliner look? You’re going to love this sleek ‘60s wing. Use a peachy cream eye shadow as your base color, applying it from the lash line to the crease. Next, use a fine-tipped liquid eyeliner to draw a thin, straight line from the inner corner of your eyes, all the way to just past the outer corner. The trick is to extend the line upward, in the direction of the tail of your brow, but ease up on the pressure as you reach the outer corner. This will create a softer, faded line. Finish the look with some fluttery lashes by adding a coat of your favorite voluminous mascara. Thick and thin Have you ever played with the width of your eyeliner? This is a fun look to try while maintaining the definition of your eyes.  Try sweeping on a thicker line to your upper lash line, and keep the bottom lash as you usually would. You can even experiment with different colors to make this look extra playful!   Baby wings This is a cute spin on the classic winged eyeliner look. Connect your upper and lower eyeliner with the smallest flick at the outer corners. You’ll still create a winged look, but it’s simpler to achieve and can be just as dramatic. Metallic magic A flash of metallic can take a regular eyeliner look into something that is red carpet ready in minutes! Line your eyes as usual with your black eyeliner of choice. Wait for it to dry. Next, use a metallic liquid eyeliner and apply a thin line on top of the previous line. This will make sure it stands out and gives you that wow factor. We’re loving rose gold right now, but any metallic shade will work well with this look.   You now have 11 fun and almost effortless ways to up your eyeliner game, and try out a new look. Remember, makeup is all about feeling good and having fun. Classic looks are what we adore, but don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something a little different now and then. The golden rule? There are none!    

The world is obsessed with French style, and for a good reason. Paris is one of the world’s fashion capitals, where new wardrobe and makeup trends are introduced every year. It’s no surprise that the French girl has become such a powerful image that women all over the world want to emulate.  However, there are also a lot of misconceptions about French beauty standards that lead to confusion and can make some beauty lovers feel excluded. Today, we’ll bust those myths and share real beauty facts about French style to help you figure out how to make it your own.  French girl beauty is diverse The first image that comes to mind for many when they hear the phrase “French girl” is a pretty blonde actress, like Brigitte Bardot or Catherine Deneuve, with tousled hair and full lips.  While the tousled hair and full lips are often true to French beauty, being blonde or even white is certainly not a prerequisite for having French style. France is an incredibly diverse country, and Paris itself is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. No matter your skin tone, hair color, or cultural background, you can embody the inherently cool, effortless vibe of French beauty.  You don’t have to be skinny  Much like the misconception about skin tone, there’s also the idea that French women are all impossibly waifish, which is another idea that can be incredibly harmful. The truth is that the streets of Paris are teeming with gorgeous women of all shapes and sizes. Online, models like Clémentine Desseaux and influencers like Gaëlle Prudencio are proving that French style has very little to do with size.  It’s not always ultra-feminine   There’s a bit of duality when it comes to French beauty and gender. On the one hand, there’s this idea of an ultra-feminine woman in a flowy floral dress, while on the other hand there’s the image of Jeanne Damas in a blazer and loose-fitting jeans.  French femininity is, in itself, complex, but having some masculine elements in your look is still seen as beautiful.  In a city like Paris, anything goes, as long as it fits you well. You can shop in the menswear section, stick to totally gender-neutral outfits, rock a hyper-femme outfit, or mix everything into your wardrobe, and your style can still fit into French beauty standards.  Red isn’t the only lipstick color    Red lipstick is not a total myth, but we do think its popularity as part of Parisian style has been slightly blown out of proportion. While almost all French women do own red lipstick, it’s not necessarily a daily staple for everyone.  In fact, most days of the week, French women prefer to wear a natural-looking pink lipstick or even just a sheer layer of nude gloss. Red lipstick, on the other hand, is worn to add a touch of drama just once in a while, sometimes during the week and other times for special events.  No one douses themselves in perfume    You might have heard the term “a French bath” in reference to a person soaking themselves in perfume or cologne in lieu of bathing, but that idea seems to come from the English-speaking world. In reality, no one understands perfume as well as the French, which also means that they know how to apply just the right amount.  The cloud method There are two approaches to applying perfume. The first is great if you have a stronger perfume: Spray a cloud of the perfume in front of you, and then walk through it. This will cover you (and especially your hair) in a delicate mist of fragrance that won’t be overpowering.  The strategic method The second method is great for a more gentle perfume or eau de toilette. With this method, you spray the perfume directly on your wrists, and then gently tap them over strategic points, like behind the ears or on your neck’s pulse points. If you’re wearing a skirt, you can add a spritz behind the knees.  This gives a targeted application, so your fragrance will be strongly felt at specific times, like when someone kisses you on the cheek, but the rest of the time it’ll be subtle. If you choose this method, be careful to never rub the perfume, as that will cause it to dissipate more quickly.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money We often associate French style with expensive brands like Chanel and Givenchy, but following French beauty standards doesn’t have to cost much. Sure, many French women have a few basic essentials from luxury brands, whether it be their signature perfume or a pair of Chanel two-tone slingbacks, but they’re just as likely to buy from affordable but trusted brands.  It’s not unusual to see a French woman carry a Saint Laurent handbag along with a thrifted outfit from one of the vintage stores in Montmartre or Le Marais. The same premise applies to beauty products. For instance, most French women buy their skincare specifically from the pharmacy, where the prices are very reasonable. No matter your budget, you can absolutely find high-quality and affordable products that will help you feel beautiful, like the products here at Vivienne Sabó.  There’s room for creativity While French beauty can seem a little uniform with its staples, it’s not meant to be restrictive. In fact, a large part of French beauty is not caring about what others think, and just doing your own thing.  There are some beauty staples, sure, but creativity is still encouraged, especially if you’re aiming for Parisian style. Paris is a big city, so it has its artists and fashion lovers who love to break rules, especially during Fashion Week. If you want to wear unusual lipstick, try something new with your hair, or mix prints in your outfit... it might not be classically French, but it can still be chic.  Make French beauty your own  To truly rock French style, it’s important to know the beauty facts from the myths. While French beauty can seem unattainable, the truth is that it’s very inclusive, so every person who likes the aesthetic can make it their own.