The Perfect Red Lip Stick. Does it exist?

Is this perfection or just photoshop? 

Ahhh Yes the never ending quest for the perfect red lip is always on during the holidays. I have relied on MAC's Russian Red for years, but recently I have come across a few more brands of red that I want to share with you along with some tips for finding your dream shade.

I have often been asked, "How do I find the RIGHT red for me?" 
Unfortunately the answer to this is ... you have to try it on, but a start is to look at the reds that you wear. If you tend to have more warm-reds hanging in your closet you should try an orange-y red lipstick, and conversely if there are lots of blue-reds in your closet start with those shades.

Once you find the perfect red, the next problem comes in making sure that it stays put and doesn't migrate to other parts of your face. I always start with a primer or liner in the same red shade and fill in my entire lip with it to give the lipstick something to stick to. Wearing red, it's always a good idea to layer. Next apply your lipstick and blot or cover your lips with a tissue and dust powder on top of the tissue. Afterward apply another layer of the lipstick for more staying power. Finally I take my sharp red lip liner and trace the cupid bow for a perfect pout!

As for some of my favorite reds this season:

• Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge #8 for true red  &
• Rouge Dior 678 for a more pinky red. 

Would love to hear your picks!

Red lips were on all the runways for Spring - Check out my post about all the Makeup Trends for Summer 2013 {HERE}


If you'd like to learn more tips and Model's secrets you can purchase my book on Amazon or download it on your computer for Kindle, Nook or iTunes for only $7.99 {HERE}

Makeup Tips for Photos

Hi, I’m Shelley Goodstein, author and Ford model.  Today I’m going to share a few makeup tips to get you camera ready for your next profile photo.

The eyes are the first thing people notice. Never underestimate the impact your eyebrows can make--especially in a photo. A thicker eyebrow is the easiest and cheapest way to look more youthful. The natural look is in, so don’t over pluck and be sure to fill in any bare spots with a pencil or powder in the same color as your hair. Never go darker on your brows—it’s aging AND scary!

For eye shadow, stick to neutral shades and use color sparingly. The goal is to keep a softer focus around the eyes, where aging shows first. Stay away from anything too glittery because it will reflect in your photos, especially with a flash. Adding a gold shimmer or white highlighter in the corner of your eyes will catch the light and give you a brighter, bigger looking eye.

Say goodbye to black liquid liner and hello to soft eye pencils in a charcoal or dark brown color. Nothing accentuates the lines around your eyes like a harsh black line.

That said, ALWAYS wear BLACK mascara to create an eye that can be seen in your photo.  If you want to elongate your eye, concentrate the mascara on the outer corners. If you like the wide-eyed doll look, focus on the center lashes. Another trick is to apply one coat of lengthening mascara followed by one coat of thickening mascara.

A common mistake is to wear a nude lipstick. It makes it look like you have no lips at all. Dark lipstick will make you look older. Wearing lighter and brighter colors will make lips look bigger by creating a pronounced effect. A universally flattering shade is a sheer satin--not frost--rosy pink color. Adding a dab of lip gloss to the center of the lower lip and a white or champagne colored powder directly above the upper lip on the cupid’s bow helps grab the light and makes lips appear fuller.

Blush can help create that “youthful glow”.  Apply it to the highest points of your cheekbones to make your bone structure stand out.

Be sure to use a powder to set your makeup, absorb oil and give you that flawless finish. The right product can instantly help brighten skin tone and soften the look of imperfections without feeling heavy or cakey. Be sure to use a powder that matches your foundation. Don’t forget to brush a little on your chest because the flash will reflect there, and you don’t want your head and body different colors.

And those are just a few finishing tips to help you get ready for your photo! If you'd like to learn more you can purchase my book on Amazon or download it on your computer for Kindle, Nook or iTunes for only $7.99 {HERE}!

2013 Holiday Makeup Trends - Let it Glow this Year!

Deciding what to wear for the holidays can be a tough choice but so is choosing what makeup you'll pair with it so don't wait until the last minute ... just in case Mr Right shows up at the same party you'll want to be looking your best!

This year channel your inner  Hollywood glam and think luminous for makeup. Afterall 'Tis the season to GLOW!

Smokey eyes and red lips are always in fashion for the holidays, but this year the red lips are also matte. Bold lips can instantly change your day look into a dramatic party ready lip! The eye gets a little update with a soft shadow and heavy winged eyeliner reminiscent of a 1940 pin up girl or Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. A q-tip goes a long way in trying to perfect this look and clean up mistakes!

If you're going to a party after work, before piling on some extra mascara, take your eyelash curler and run it under hot water for a few minutes to heat it up. Then, carefully, so not to burn your eye, squeeze your lashes to soften them up so they are ready to accept another coat of mascara without gunking them up or ripping out your lashed. The heated eyelash curlers are also great for curling after mascara, the heat melts the mascara and curls lashes perfectly.

Gold, shimmery highlights are also a big trend for the season and the perfect glow with candlelight! The key is to choose just one place to shine so you don't end up looking like a glitter bomb!

Eyes, cheekbones, nails or lips can all benefit from the midas touch! For luminous, pearlescent skin try Benefits Girl Meets Pearl $30. TO use it, after all your makeup is applied, dot it starting at the top of your cheekbones creating a "C" all the way to your brow bone. Blend with your fingertips until it disappears. And for a golden pucker use Nars Lip Gloss in Albatross $24 over any lip color to give a golden shimmer. To do it yourself, take any gold shimmer eye shadow and dust it on top of cheeks, eyes or lips!

Shelley GoodStein

To learn more secrets about looking your best in real life AND in front of the camera buy my new book Face THIS: Real Advice from Real Models available on Amazon, Kindle, Nook and iTunes.