Get The Classic Look of Katharine Hepburn

This Katharine look is all about the lips. It’s a very versatile look that many people can wear.

To get this look:

FACE: The complexion has a nice healthy glow. Apply concealer to under eye area if needed. I like Clinique All About Eyes Concealer. Apply a tinted moisturizer or a sheer foundation for an even but natural look. I like Origins Nude & Improved Bare-Faced Makeup. A dusting of a luminous loose powder will really make skin look glowing. Use my all time favorite luminous powder, Guerlain Meteorites in Beige Chic. Cheeks are accentuated with a bronzer in an upwards motion. Apply Maybelline Mineral Power Loose Bronzer Shimmer Loose Powder in Sunlight Bronze (not pictured).
EYES: Brows are very natural looking. Just apply a clear brow gel or wax like Revlon Brow Styling Gel to keep brows in place. Apply a sheer and shimmery champagne shadow from lash line to brows. Try something long-lasting like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin. From lash line to the crease, apply an illuminating golden shadow like Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Glimmer Eye Shadow in True Glow. Apply a brown eyeliner closely to the top lashes. Applying this is all about making the lashes appear thicker. Use something like L’Oreal Micro Liner Ultra Fine Eyeliner. Curl lashes and apply a few coats of mascara to top and bottom lashes. I like an all around product like Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara.
LIPS: This look is all about the lips so make sure that they are perfect. Line with a rust colored lip liner like Lipstick Queen Lip Liner in Rust. Apply a golden reddish rust shade of lipstick like Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick in Autumn. This is a beautiful color with a smooth formula (not very long-wearing). Apply a coral lip gloss over the lipstick, something like Kevyn Aucoin The Liquid Cyber Lip Gloss in Datura for extra shine and sparkle.

 

Make Me Blush: A Guide to Cream Blush Sticks

I love cream blush because it really sinks in and looks so natural and effortless. The first blush that I ever used was Benefit Benetint which I used for years during my adolescence. Switching over to powder was hard, typically this is reversed. Over the years I’ve been introduced to many different brands that have these twist-up cream blushes. I love them. My skin type is normal, so I can’t say if you have oily skin you’ll love these as much as I do, but there are some great gel stains on the market that I’ll list later. The joy is that these sticks are so easy to use. Just twist them up, dot on your cheeks and blend with your fingers. Repeat if necessary. They’re portable, many can be used on lips and eyes, and they are fool proof. Here are some brands that I’ve used over the years.

Shiseido The Makeup Accentuating Color Stick – This is my favorite formula. First, it is very blendable, has a powder like lightweight feel, never creases, and has a long life span. I have it in Peach Flush which is a medium peach tone, and I have Rosy Flush which is a bright hot pink that looks like a real flush. I also have Champagne Flush which is a glistening champagne that I use as a highlighter and on the eyes. These sell for $32.

DuWop Blush Therapy – This is a cram blush that looks like a gel. Personally, I didn’t like it because it is a bit too sheer. I have a tendency to OD on blush but that’s the look I like. If you are scared of blush then this is a product for you. I think it is impossible to over do it with these. The colors are very bold in the packaging but do not be scared of that. I used it in Hug which is a baby pink that did not show up on my pale skin at all. I later tried Retreat which is a reddish pink and showed up a little better. There are two more shades which I have not tried. Elixir which is a brown-ish pink and Vivaldi which is a bright fuchsia. These retail for $22. Also, I want to note that these have a cooling sensation and have a tendency to dry out big time so always have the lid on tight.

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick – This product is NEW and I love it. It is in a sleek silver tube and has a cream to powder blushing formula. It’s oil-free and very buildable and blendable. I have Rosy Blush which is a deeper rose that looks so natural on. There are three other shades: Glow Blush, Peachy Blush, and Shy Blush. These retail for $18.50.

Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color Stick – (These have been called many names over the years, but I’m sure they are the same formula.) These are classic and creamy and are a little heavier in feel than the others that I have reviewed. However, the price is great at $8 plus Avon runs sales all the time. Currently, they are $5.99. Plus, it still manages to be sheer and easy to use. This formula is a must for dry cheeks. I’ve had it in Tropical Peach which is a warm burnt peach and Powder Pink which is a soft ethereal pink. The other shades are Blushing Nude, Crushed Berry, Golden Rose, Icy Petal, Mandarin Glow, and Pink Melon.

Bobbi Brown Cream Blush Stick – These are lightweight and “dewy” with just enough color. I’ve used Red Berry which is a deeper brownish red. I have to use this lightly but it looks so nice on. I’ve also used Clay, a muted rosy brown that is a perfect neutral and I’ve used Coral which is a lighter coral. The other shades are Desert Rose, Dusty Mauve and Pale Pink. All retail for $25.

Estee Lauder Tender Blush Sheer Stick – These offer a cream to powder formula that wears nicely. I like the formula, I just haven’t found a shade that I love in this brand yet. The colors are very neutral, sheer and safe. I had Natural which is a tawny taupe. The other colors are Bronze, Coral, Pink, Plum and Rose. These sell for $25.

NARS The Multiple – This is a cream to powder formula that is designed to be worn everywhere: lips, eyes, cheeks, contour, highlight, etc. There are a ton of shades. I like the formula but I found that it didn’t wear as long as I thought it should for the money. I have Orgasm, a lovely peachy pink shimmer, and St. Barts, a taupe shimmer. I could list the other shades but that would be boring. There are so many! The colors range from glistening pearl to rich bronzes.

Benefit Cosmetics Rush Hour – This is housed in a slim gold case that is designed to be portable and ready to go. Basically, this is lipstick that the company is marketing as blush too. You know that old trick you’d do in middle school because you’re mom wouldn’t let you wear “rouge”. It’s Sunberry, a dainty, soft plummy pink. It retails for $20 and is MUCH smaller than the others I have mentioned.

There are a ton more of these on the market. I know Laura Geller, Jane Iredale,  Lorac, and Too Faced make some. The ones that I have talked about today are the ones that I have tried and tested. If your skin is mega oily and you still want the convience of a blush stick, you should try a gel formula like Tarte Cheek Stain, Alison Raffaele Gel Blush, mark Cheek Stain, Sonia Kashuk Cheek Gel, or Sephora Brand Cheek Stain.