I am thrilled to announce the launch of my new and imporved site - in Hebrew and English! Please be kind with the Hebrew translation, it will undergo many versions, until I get it right!
www.yochistyles.com
Remember folks, I provide my beauty services throughout Israel.
Tell every bride you know that I offer professional makeup and hair styling services at a location of their choice and at incredible prices.
Have a great week.
Yochi

אני שמחה להודיעה שהעלתי את האתר החדש שלי. האתר בעברית ובאנגלית עם גרפיקה חדשה. הנוסח בעברית עוד יעבור תיקונים רבים

www.yochistyles.com

אני מספקת שירותי יופי לנשים ברחבי הארץ

תגידו לכל כלה שאתם מכירים שאני מספקת שירותי איפור ועיצוב שיער מקצועי בכל מקום שמתאים להן ובמחירים מיוחדים

בשבוע טוב

יוכי

I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been so long since I published a blog entry. First the chagim attacked with full vengeance and I could do nothing but go along for the crazy ride. I washed and set as many sheitels as I humanly could, sold makeup (remember the organic makeup NVEY?) and so much more. Well the month flew by.

Then there has been a whirl of activity around my son's engagement and wedding plans.  Interestingly, through my own (son's, that is) pre-wedding experience, I have gotten back into wedding planning and management. I also took on another wedding planning and management project, so I guess I am back (in a limited manner) in the simcha management field.


Now in addition to my articles and updates on makeup, sheitels and hair, I will also provide information and forms that will be helpful to you as you plan your next simcha.  For expert advice and planning and mangement simcha services, contact me today for a quote.


So what's new in Yochi's world?


I am also happy to announce that I am developing a spanking new bi-lingual website, which I believe will be easier on the eyes and informationally friendly. I also ask all my customers, friends and supporters to be kind to my Hebrew translation. It will no doubt be corrected, updated and then updated so more, before I go on to yet another site version.


I am also planning another sheitel party with my good friends from KosherSheitels Wigs & Hair Factory  for some time around Chanukah.


Planned articles and helpful links:

1) Getting Lost in the Hall - Checking out the simcha sites with comparison forms and more


2) List of halls with licenses


3) Simcha Planning Services - The good, the bad, the free and the worthless
 
Stay tuned.

NVEY   שמעת על האיפור האורגני היחיד הנמכר בארץ

בפעם הראשונה בארץ ניתן לרכוש איפור אורגני איכותי מחברה בינלאומית 

בסניף עדן טבע מרקט באיזור תעשיה פולג שבנתניה -מאחרי איקאה וביג NVEY אני מוכרת את איפור

רק בימים שאני בחנות ניתן לקבל חינם, וללא התחייבות: שיעור איפור קצר, התאמת אישית של האיפור, הסברים על סגולות האיפור וגם 15% הנחה על כל קניה של האיפור! אם את חברת מועדון עדן טבע מרקט תקבלי עוד 5% הנחה

תתקשרי אלי מראש לבדוק מתי אני בחנות: 052-3413249

רוצה לדעת יותר פרטים על האיפור האורגני NVEY
בקרי באתר

 http://www.nveymakeup.co.il/

האיפור נמכר בסניפי עדן טבע מרקט ברחבי הארץ

תתחילי את השנה החדשה עם בריאות בפנים ומבחוץ 

שנה טובה ובריאה

Have you heard about the ONLY Organic makeup sold in Israel?

For the first time in Israel, you can now buy high-quality, organic makeup from an internationally-known company: NVEY. I sell NVEY makeup in the Eden Teva Market branch in the Poleg Industrial Area of Netanya (in back of Ikea and BIG) (and at times in the Eden Teva Market in Gan Ha'Ir).

This is the only truly ORGANIC makeup available in Israel!

Only on the days when I am in the store can I offer you free of charge: a short makeup lesson, personalized matching of makeup to your skin type, information on organic makeup and a 15% discount on all NVEY makeup purchases! If you have an Eden Teva Market card you get an additional 5% discount!

Call me in advance to find out when I will be in the store: 052-3414349

Want to know more about NVEY organic makeup: visit the site www.nveymakeup.com or www.nveymakeup.co.il (NVEY is sold in all Eden Teva Market branches)

Start the New Year off healthy from the inside and out – visit the NVEY booth!

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!

Our Sheitel Party was a great success! With the demand for quality sheitels growing, Styles by Yochi and the Kosher Sheitels Wigs & Hair Factory are planning another party after the Chagim. Stay tuned for details. In the meantime, keep reading my blog for information and insight on all your beauty and simcha needs.

This is the time to buy a new wig for Rosh Ha'shana! Reminder of the second day of my Sheitel Party!
I offer high quality, 100% human hair wigs! A half-a-year quality guarantee. Tens of styles and colors available a great prices.
Special offer with every purchase during the sale: wig styling and first wash and set absolutely free (over 200 NIS value)! And don’t forget my regular five for the price of four wash and sets!
My sale continues throughout today, Thursday, until 10 PM this evening. Call me at my home salon in Hadera: 052-5830535.

זה הזמן לרכוש פיאה חדשה לראש השנה!  תזכורת ליום השני של מסיבת הפיאות שלי. אני מציעה פיאות איכותיות של 100% שיער טבעי. אחריות של חצי שנה. עשרות של דגמים וצבעים במחירים מצויינים. מבצע מיוחד בכל קניה בזמן המסיבה: עיצוב הפיאה + החפיפה וסירוק הראשונה חינה (שווי המתנה מעל 200 ₪) ! אל תשכחי את המבצע הרגיל שלי: חמשה חפיפות + סירוק במחיר של ארבעה. המכירה נמשכת לאורך כל היום, יום חמישי, ועד 10 בלילה. תצרי איתי קשר: 052-5830535.

Wedding Makeup Tips and First Aid Kit

Well the wedding season is off with a bang. Here are more than a few tips and tricks of the trade that can help you through the 'big' day.

I have included a Wedding First Aid Kit list at the end – print it and prepare a bag in advance of the big event. Just don’t forget to take it with you to the venue!

Overall effect for the ladies of the bridal party:

A reminder for all the women in the bridal party: the color of your dress, the color of the flowers you may hold, the lighting effects and the décor of the venue around you all play a part in how your makeup will ultimately look on you - in person and on film.

Bridal party ladies, take a moment to think and rethink your color choices. A dark gown on a dark skinned woman in a dimly lit room will not photograph well, no matter how dramatic the makeup is. If you are set on a specific color scheme, think about accessories (jewelry, scarves, etc) or flowers to help lighten the overall effect.

I can tell you from experience that a large, bright, white basket of flowers can brighten the overall effect for a lovely little flower girl in a too-dark dress as she walked down the aisle in a dimly lit, dark-walled venue. Take pictures in advance and see the over-all effect BEFORE the big day!

Before your big day take into consideration the following:

Skin: Be kind to your skin!

Do not sit out in the sun or use a tanning bed in the weeks before your wedding. Aside from the fact that your skin needs only 15 minutes of sun a day – that's right 15 minutes, you are courting unnecessary trouble (burns, blisters, etc) and much more serious health problems down the road!

This is not the time to experiment with new creams, lotions and potions on any part of your body. Use the same trusted brands you've used for years.

If you want to improve the look of your skin start going to a cosmetician about a month before the wedding and ensure that all treatments are gentle. No extreme peelings or exfoliations.

If any dry patches develop on your face in the weeks leading up to the wedding, use a gentle peeling or exfoliation cream or simply use a little water and sugar (!) and rub it into the area each evening. Rinse in the shower and then finish up with a good facial cream. Be extra kind to this area. Depending on your skin type and age, these dry areas should improve within a week or so.

Lips:

• Chapped lips – winter and summer

This tip is especially important for the bride, but also the mothers can benefit. If your lips are chapped, begin a MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING, apply a thin coat of Vaseline or a light cream on your lips nightly. You can also apply a very gentle peeling to your lips: gently rub sugar into your lips and then wash off and apply a very thin coat of Vaseline.

• Remember to outline your lips with a lip pencil to keep the lip color from 'bleeding' into the areas around your lips.

• Clear lip gloss will help give your lips the illusion of fullness.

• Remember the basic rules of dark and light:

   o A dark lip color makes your lips look smaller.

   o A light lip color makes your lips look larger.

Eyes:

If you wear glasses, think about your lenses. If you are far sighted (can’t see up close) – your glasses magnify not only what is in front of you, but also your eyes: make sure your makeup is more subtle both in color and in style. Think about using a white pencil on the lid line above your lashes from the tear duct to the very corner of your eye to give you the illusion of brighter eyes.

If you are near sighted (can't see far away) – your glasses help you see into a distance, but also make your eyes seem smaller, make sure your makeup is more dramatic. You should use eyeliner and extra coats of mascara to help further emphasize your eyes.

Eye makeup trends change from wedding season to wedding season. The summer wedding season usual brings on more romantic, old fashion, back-to nature trends. A too natural, too subtle Iook - especially when you are wearing all white - will not be flattering in pictures. If you have the hankering from something more dramatic, discuss it with your makeup artist at the trial session.

Overall effect:

Go easy on the shiny, sparkly eye shadows and blushes as these reflect the light and the flash of the cameras can create a bright spot(s) effect on your face, essentially creating blank hole in your face on film, not a pretty sight!

Touch ups on the day of the wedding:

If you are not lucky enough to have a makeup artist on call for the entire event, keep the following tips in mind:

Perspiration: Absorb any perspiration and take the shine from any areas, by first blotting the area with a dry, clean tissue. Blot the area, do not wipe it or your makeup with smudge and spread. You can prepare cotton balls with facial powder or dip in talc/baby powder for light touchups.

You can take with you a cheap concealer or makeup that matches (exactly!) your makeup shade or use talc/baby powder for mini-touchups.

Your eyes: Your eye makeup may run from the hot lights and dancing or become smudged by the over-zealous kissing of family and friends. I recommend that you bring along and have a trusted friend hold for you:

• eye shadow to match your overall eye shading (usually there is more than one shade) and simple disposable brush or applicator

• eye pencil in the same shade applied earlier to touch up the inner lid areas

Your lips: This is a day of kissing and nothing removes lipstick like kissing. Your lip treatment is the finishing touch to your overall look and will give your photographs and video a more polished appearance. I recommend that you bring along and have a trusted friend hold for you:

• lip gloss. This can be a clear lip gloss or a lip gloss with a color close to the one applied earlier.

PRINT AND SAVE!!!!

The Bride's First Aid Kit List:

You can have a kit specifically for the bride and her needs and a separate one for the bridal party or have just one, well organized bag for all the ladies. If the bag does not contain pockets, think about putting each item in a separate zip-lock bag.

Advance preparations: Assign a trusted friend as the Designated Keeper of the Kit. This person will be in charge of the kit and help with any of the fist aid emergencies should they come up. I recommend that this bag of goodies be packed at least a week in advance.

This bag should contain:

• Thread and needles: White thread and also any other obvious thread colors needed (color of the bridal party's gowns, good old black for the men, etc). I warmly recommend including some pre-threaded needles, as this will save time and tears during a dress emergency. Even with pre-treaded needles, you should throw in a spool or two of thread.

• Safety pins (you can't always sew every problem!)

• Travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste

• Breath mints or gum (please don't chew, the video will not be amusing)

• Brush, comb, bobby pins

• Hairspray (hairspray can also be used to solved some problems, like run in pantyhose). I do not recommend you take hair setting gel, it can and will get messy, spill and cause too many tears.

• Box of tissues

• Box of baby wipes (without alcohol to remove smudged makeup that cannot be fixed or just to cool the hands and neck areas)

• Band aides (especially important for the all the ladies who did not break in their shoes in time for the big event)

• Elastic bandage (you will only think this is extreme, if you've never needed one!)

• Q-tips

• Hand cream

• Nail file (cracked or jagged nails can rip a dress, a veil, panty hose or even get caught in a hair style)

• Eye drops (I recommend the disposal, one-use small applicator type and not the bottles)

• Cotton balls pre-dipped in with facial powder (placed in a separate little bag) or simply dip the cotton balls in talc/baby powder for light touchups

• Cheap lip gloss (there is no reason to invest in the gloss, it will probably get lost by the end of the night)

• Cheap eye shadow and disposable applicator (these items have a habit of falling and cracking in nervous hands)

• Cheap concealer or makeup that matches your shade EXACTLY

• Talc/baby powder: great to help blot perspiration and light facial touch ups

• I know some folks also think about taking a blow dryer and curling iron. Unless you have a hair stylist on call or you have someone who will use these properly in a proper surroundings (a room with a mirror, chair, electrical outlets and so on and NOT a bathroom stall), I do not recommend taking these items. They are heavy, bulky and make get broken in transit.

• Lingerie: Pack extra underpants, panty liners, tampons and pantyhose.

• For the gals who wear contacts: extra set of lenses, lenses case and solution

• Antiperspirant

• Perfume: I recommend a light scent

• Nails: there are those who say bring glue, polish and the like. I say, the hands are secondary to the face and can be hidden from the sights of the photographer, while wet nail glue or polish is not easy to remove from a dress once wet glue/polish is smeared all over it.

• Aspirin or any equivalent

• Shawl or wrap, even in the summer there may be older members of the wedding party that will feel the extremes of the air-conditioning

• Extra pair of shoes: I recommend ballet type, white slippers to wear while dancing

• Antacid tablets

• Earring backs (take extra backs from cheap earrings)

• Crazy glue and stain remover. Two very difference products. They are both great, but I feel the damage they will cause in the hands of someone very nervous or when they are not correctly re-capped after use, will be worse than the tear or stain.

• Cell phone and charger. Make sure it is fully charged. You should not be making phone calls, but one should be handy.

The Groom's First Aid Kit:

• Extra socks

• Extra shoe laces

• Thread and needles

• Travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste

• Breath mints or gum (please don't chew, the video will not be amusing)

• Box of tissues

• Box of baby wipes (without alcohol)

• For the guys who wear contacts: extra set of lenses, lenses holder and solution

• Talc/baby powder: great to help blot perspiration and light touch ups on balding heads

• Antiperspirant

• Aftershave: I recommend a light scent

• Extra shirts for the guys, ugly perspiration circles in men's shirts are not a pretty site

• Aspirin or any equivalent

• Link brush or masking tape to remove pesky hairs or particles from a suit

• Antacid tablets

• Cell phone and charger. Make sure it is fully charged. You should not be making phone calls, but one should be handy.

• Elastic bandage (you will only think this is extreme, if you've never needed one!)

• Eye drops (I recommend the disposal, one-use small applicator type and not the bottles)

Invitation to a Sheitel (Wig) Party – Introduce my Wig Line

With the sadness of Tisha B'Av gone (but never forgotten).  It's time to look ahead and think about the New Year to come.  With that in mind, I am thrilled to invite y'all to my first Sheitel Party, just like in the 'old country'.

Styles by Yochi in association with the wonderful folks from Kosher Sheitels Wigs & Hair Factory are happy to invite you to a Sheitel (Wig) Party to introduce my wig line on Wednesday and Thursday, 25 and 26 August from 19:30 in the evening, at my home salon in Hadera.

If you wear a wig all the time or are just thinking about wearing one, you are invited to come on in and try on 100% high quality human hair sheitels and falls, hear tips and discussions on wig care and how to keep you wig beautiful for years to come.

Don't be shy, this is your chance to try on and learn about wigs without embarrassment!

This is also a great opportunity to buy a wig for Rosh Ha'Shana!

Great deals and discounts on wig purchases available on the days of the party.

No obligation to buy! Please feel free to bring your girl friends. This is a great opportunity to see new wig styles and meet new friends. Please call me today to register: 052-5830535.

A Sheitel (Wig) Primer

In this article I want to begin to tackle the world of sheitlach (wigs); the types of sheitlach are found on the market today, as well as tips for care. Please note that this article does not deal with medical wigs, but wigs worn by women for either religious or beauty reasons.

How to Begin
• Always buy a wig from a reputable sheitel macher or well-known wig dealer.
• Always read the label found at the nape of the sheitel.
• All sheitel labels should contain information including: name of manufacturer (usually the brand name of the sheitel and not the actual company that produces the wigs for any specific company) and the wig type (custom, human hair, synthetic and so on), there can also be an additional label containing a hechsker from a Beit Din.


How is the wig designed?
The individual wig hairs are usually gathered into small clusters of hairs, these clusters are then sewn in a row onto cloth strips, each strip is known as a tress. These tresses are then assembled and sewn into either a net cap or sewn as open rows of hair attached to a wig border (known as capless). Whether the wig has a cap or is capless, the border of the wig follows the natural outline of the hair line from across the edge of the scalp at the top of the head, following the hairline down and around the ears and then across the back on the nape of the neck.

The top of the wig will either look the same as the rest of the wig (just rows of tresses) or will have a section in the middle of the top of the wig that is sewn in separately. This section, referred to as 'skin', is made up of a swatch of material, with hair strands hand sewn into it in rows allowing the 'skin' to show through, simulating hair and scalp. This skin area is very delicate. This section can wear out with time and can get torn by improper handling. The skin section is handmade and attached to the wig and is very expensive to replace.

Combs and/or clip/combs are sewn into the top of the wig and the side 'flaps' near the ears. Wigs that are meant to be worn with the hair brushed up from the nape of the neck, as in a bun or high ponytail, will have a clip/comb sewn into the nape of the neck area as well, to hold the back of the wig into place. These combs and clips also wear out in time, but can be replaced easily and cheaply.

At the nape of the wig there is an elastic strip attached to either end of the nape, with an s-clasp or Velcro patch. These strips can be tighten or loosened at the nape of the wig in order to create a better overall wig fit. Like many other things, the wig will stretch a bit with wear and these elastic strips help to tighten and improve the fit of your wig. These strips can also be sewn into place, if they move or unfasten during wear. These elastic strips will also wear with time.

Types of Wigs
There are many types of wigs on the market. Wigs prices vary widely according to the wig type, country of origin of hair and hair type, length of hair and according to the wig company that ultimately sells the wigs.

Custom: These are wigs made of the highest quality, untreated, un-dyed European human hair. The hair is sewn in tresses of lengths of hair, usually knots of 3-hair strands, all sewn in the same direction as it was cut (top of hair is at the cut point and bottom of hair is the natural end of the hair). This process ensures that the hair is arranged naturally and lays naturally. Custom wigs usually have a “skin” top that allows for a part in the hair. Some wigs have a 'multi-directional', which means, as the name suggests, the part can be easily made in a number of places in the skin, as well as being parted from the left or the right. This is the most costly and the most long lasting wig. This wig should be considered a long-term investment and is usually bought for kallahs.

Semi-custom (Remi): These are wigs made of human hair that has been treated and sometimes dyed. These wigs are usually made from European hair. These wigs usually have a “skin” top that allows for a part in the hair. The hair is usually sewn as tresses of hair that are gathered and folded over, this common method of sewing can create a less comfortable wig fit and style, if the stitching is not done properly. These wigs are somewhat less expensive than custom, but are still a good investment and can last for years with good care and maintenance.

100% Human hair: These are wigs made of human hair (usually Asian) that has been treated.

Human-hair blend: These are wigs made of a blend of human and synthetic hair, usually either having a 50-50 blend or 30-80 blend. These are not as long-lasting as 100% human hair, but are more natural looking and usually of a better quality than synthetic wigs.

Synthetic: These wigs made of synthetic fibers. These wigs have the shortest life-span, of usually less than one year unless they are worn very infrequently.


Wig care
All human hair wigs can be washed, cut, styled and dyed just like the hair on your head. Depending on the quality of the wig cap, hair and the level of care, these wigs can last for many years. You can use hot-rollers or a hair dryer or any other hair product on these wigs.

The outcome of dyeing an all-human wig can never be guaranteed as there can be no true 'pedigree' on the hair. As a rule you can only darken a wig color. A good way to lighten a wig is to add light highlights. Again, there is no guarantee that the highlights will 'take' to the hair.

Human hair blends can be washed and styled with certain limitations and can last well over a year and more with good care. You should be very careful with heat settings on blow-dryers or rollers and the like, as the wig hair is not as resilient of 100% human hair.

Synthetic wigs can be gently washed, but cannot be styled and should be kept away from any heat sources. The average life of a synthetic wig is only about a year.

Do you have any questions about wig care or styling. Please feel free to contact me through this blog.

Is my hair too big for my dress? Or Will three kilo of hair extensions really make my waist look smaller?

I've spoken so much about makeup, but have not given bridal hairstyling issues the "blog time" it deserves.

In today's world any and every imaginable hairstyle is available to any bride. You can go from super short to über long and silky (Cher circa 1970s) in no time (ok, that's a lie, it takes hours and hours of work to attach hair extensions and then style the hair, but the end result, if done correctly, can look magnificent). You can tease, curl and straighten your hair and then make it do incredible feats of acrobatics around combs, pins, crowns, clips and veils.

But the bottom line question is: What are you looking for in a bridal hairstyle? or Will three kilo of hair extensions really make my waist look smaller? Like everything else in your wedding, here too, you should begin by asking: What is your overall wedding style? Formal? Country? Laidback? Traditional?

Begin at the beginning… With The Dress
First of all, take a good look at your wedding dress or the types of wedding dresses you are drawn to. Now - WITHOUT taking into consideration your hair (length, color, hair type) or your facial structure - which hairstyle do you feel would be most suited for this style of dress?


You may be "lucky" enough to have seen your dress modeled, in an ad online or in print, with a certain hairstyle that seems absolutely PERFECT for it. [I put the word lucky in quotes, as that piece of luck can make your life hell if you think that this specific hairstyle is the ONLY ONE suited for this dress. It's NOT!]


Remember, you want your entire look to shine: your dress, your face and makeup, your hairstyle and ALL OF YOU! You do not want any one of these components to outshine the others.


Having said this, there may be a 'tiny' part of you that you may wish to downplay or you would rather not emphasize; say large feet or if you are very tall and thin. You can cover up large feet with a long wedding dress that trails the floor and/or wear very simple, matte, not shiny, ballet-type shoes that call no attention to your feet. If you are very tall and thin, you can lessen the severity of any look by wearing a wedding gown that is not too form fitting or wear a dress style that cuts you on a bias or a dress with fabrics that create a sense of fullness without making you look like a wedding cake. And you all know what I mean!


More is More only if Less is Less
Now back to the hairstyle. A simple rule of thumb is that a big, poufy, multi-tiered dress or any dress that has a 'presence' demands a larger, more obvious hairstyle; while a simple, clean-line style should be accompanied by a clean, softer hairstyle.


Your hair should not be competing against your face!
Now that I've set that ground rule, it's time to take your hair and facial structure into consideration. If a big hairstyle fits the dress and your face is just too small and delicate or even too round – IT'S TIME TO RETHINK THE DRESS! REMEMBER: Unless you've just walked down the aisle, it is NEVER TOO LATE to change or modify your dress. You can have your dress altered, adjusted or just sell it on Ebay. You are NOT stuck with any dress!

The point here is that you do not want to look at the wedding pictures ten years from now and exclaim: "WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I PICKED OUT THAT DRESS???"


I've said it before and I'll say it again, your wedding look is not supposed to be a contest between your hair, your dress and your makeup! Sit quietly on a desert island if you need to, but take time to think through your whole look. Sit down with a trusted, objective friend or family member and review your whole look – sketch it out, piece it together with pictures of your gown, your hair and your face if you need to. But don’t wait until the makeup/hairstyling trial session to find out that something may be very wrong with your overall look.


Comfort, Comfort, Comfort
Another consideration when thinking about your bridal hairstyle is comfort. OK, comfort may be the wrong word to use, but you must be able to carry off the style with some modicum of ease. If the style is too heavy or too tight or too exaggerated, you will not enjoy a moment of your wedding. And you are supposed to enjoy your wedding! You are supposed to be able to dance, sing, run, eat and kiss relatives (only after the chuppah) to your heart's content. You are not supposed to spend the evening worrying about ruining your hairstyle and counting the minutes until the simcha is over and you can rip the hairstyle out of your hair. And that may not be possible when your hair has been held captive under a kilo of hair spray, a half kilo of glued beads and crystals and those three kilos of hair extensions. It took my daughter a week of intensive shampooing just to get the hair spray out of her hair!


Want to be daring? Go Bungee jumping after the wedding.


While we are on the subject of hairstyling, I cannot over emphasize the importance of not trying out new haircuts, styles and colors at the last minute before the wedding. Try out any new hairstyle alternatives at least three to six months before the wedding, in order to give your hair time to grow out, return to normal or change the look should anything have gone wrong or you are not happy with the results.


You don’t have three to six months to experiment? Well then YOU SHOULD NOT BE DOING IT! If hair extensions are not enough to create the look you dreamed of, then you should drop the idea. You wedding is not the time to be daring about your looks.


Under the assumption that you do have six months prior to the wedding to change or modify your hair style, you should be doing the following.


• Start with a good hair cut or at least a good trim, even or should I say especially if you plan to grown your hair long. I know many brides want LONG hair for the wedding and don’t want to part with those few centimeters of shagging unhealthy hair as they think it makes their hair look longer. But you have to understand that those few centimeters of broken ends will not take the curl correctly and, if you intend to have an updo, these unsightly hairs will not behave themselves. Let it go and trim your hair and I guarantee your hairstyle and over all look will be wonderful.

• Start treating your skin kindly. No unnecessary tanning (beach or bed), harsh facial treatments, cosmetic surgeries or anything that may not heal in time for the big day.

• Let your eyebrows grow out a bit, so you can style them and have a little more 'to work with" for the wedding.

• Plan any waxing enough time in advance to allow for any redness to subside.

Remember EVERY KALLAH IS BEAUTIFUL on her wedding day!

Hairstyling Primer

In response to requests for information on hairstyling, please find the first in a series on hairstyling.  Look out for hairstyling photos coming soon!

Before Your Style Your Hair
Planning to style your hair for a simcha? Don’t wash your hair for one or two days prior to the event; the oil in your hair will help the style hold better. If you forget and wash your hair the day of the event, put some Moroccan oil or styling gel on your hair before you begin to style.

Oils? Gels? Creams?

Are you confused about all those oils and gels and creams and serums out in the market for your hair? Here's a short review of what you should know.

Moroccan Oil? Grape Seed Oil? Silicon/Serum? Styling Gel?
Moroccan oil is perfect to apply before you blow dry or style your hair.
Grape seed oil and silicon/serum are perfect to apply after you've blown dry your hair to give your hair that final touch of shine.

How should you apply these oils to your hair?
How to apply oil to your hair: Put a few drops of oil into the palms of your hands and rub through your palms and fingers. Then gently touch the tips of your hair, then run your fingers gently through your hair finishing off at the roots.
Use any of these oils sparingly! Too much oil will weigh down your hair and prevent you from creating a hairstyle, ruin the style or prevent the hair from being adequately blown dried.


Blow drying your hair

To get that 'salon-just-blow-dried-look' always work on damp hair. I recommend you purchase a simple spritz bottle and fill it with plain tap water and a few drops of a good cream rinse. This combination will make your hair more manageable and even give you a bit of a shine. Change the water in the bottle every two to three months. If you only blow dry your hair occasionally, fill the bottle with fresh water and cream rinse each time you blow dry your hair.

Where to start? Rule number one: Never put a moisturizing hair crème on your hair before blow drying it, it will weigh down your hair.

It's best to with small sections of hair at a time. You should start with the hair at nape of the neck. Brush your hair well and then clip up all your hair, except a few rows of hair at the nape. Then brush this unfastened section of hair with a round brush, hold taunt and blow dry from the root.

Once the root is dry the hair will be less 'fly away' and easier to manage. Blow dry the hair straight. Once the back of the head is blown dry, dry the sections in the front and your bangs last.

Once the hair is blown dry smooth, you can curl or style your hair in any fashion you wish.

Rule number two: Be careful not to use too much oil before your blow dry or you may burn your hair. Be careful not to use too much oil after you blow dry or you will weigh down your hair and it will look too oily.
Quick hair tips
• Always dye your hair (on dry hair) before cutting it (on damp hair).
• Always dye your hair before applying highlights.
• Always straighten hair before cutting it.
• Curly hair appears shorter when it is dry than when it is wet. A 'dry cut' (cutting hair when dry and not damp as usual) is great for trimming curly hair to ensure you are not getting a too-short haircut or even for do-it-yourself touch ups.
• Trim your hair every six to eight weeks, even if you want to let your hair grow longer or grow out of an old hairstyle.
• Can't stand those in-between times while you are growing your hair out of its old style? Use styling gel to comb back your hair and keep it in place until your reach the desired length. To get more volume out of thin hair, have your hair cut with one or two layers only. The layers give the illusion of volume, without taking away from the length. Too many layers create a look that thins out your hair even more.

Remember to enjoy your hair, it's why we have it!

APPLYING EYE MAKEUP - Absolutely Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Eye Makeup

The focal point of any makeup look is the eyes. In this article I will take you step-by-step through the eye makeup process. As always we start with a good base: clean, moisturized skin. Then we apply the foundation.

Base
No matter what makeup style you wish to achieve: dramatic, subtle, light or whimsical; every look must begin with a good foundation. See my article on How to Apply Foundation and Concealer.

Concealer or Foundation
First let's define the eye area; it's from just below the brow bone (you can feel it with your fingers) until the edge of the sunken area under the eye / the top of the cheek bone (again you can feel this area with your fingers).

You can apply the same foundation around the eye area as to the rest of your face or apply concealer. What's the difference? Concealer is designed to be applied to the area around the eyes and as the name suggests, is designed to conceal any discoloration around this area. It is usually a more oily or heavier consistency than foundation and is not kind to older skin, since, as it dries, it tends to forms cracks in and around wrinkles. Concealer can be used on young skin, which may not always have what to conceal, but some amount of cover or base MUST always be applied in order for the eye makeup to be applied smoothly and be absorbed as little and as uniformly as possible. What about the shade of the foundation/concealer? As with all life, there are two schools of thought: the shade should either be a half a tone lighter or exactly the same shade. I believe that for an everyday makeup look, you should choose a shade that is the same as your foundation. For photo opportunities, use a shade half-a-tone lighter.


Now there are some interesting rules of thumb here:


No matter what the age of the skin, once the foundation/concealer is applied, it should be gently patted down and smoothed again just before applying makeup, as creases will form and the eye makeup cannot be applied as smoothly as it should.


Eye shadow
Today's idea of beautiful eyes is roundish, almond shape eyes, angled slightly upwards at the corners. Any and all eye makeup will help enhance or create the illusion of this eye shape (as much as possible).


As with all makeup, there are basically two types of eye shadow (there are in truth many more types, but they can nearly all be divided into these two categories): powder and cream. As always, the powdered version is much easier to apply and blend and kinder on older skin. Shiny, metallic eye shadows can be found in both cream and powder versions and should be avoided like the plaque on older skin and for photo opportunities, as the camera flash will reflect off this area and the optical illusion created is of a big blank spot. Not attractive on anyone.


Applying eye shadow – where to "put it all":


Confused about where to put "it" all? First 'divide' your eye into three sections measuring from the top of your nostril to the top of your brow with a makeup brush. Section 1 is from your nostril straight up to the beginning of your brow and until the beginning of the iris. Section 2 is from your nostril across from the beginning of your iris to the end of your iris, including the highest point of your brow. Section 3 is from your nostril, past the end of your iris and through the corner tip of your eye and to very end of your brow. These section divisions are also excellent guide lines to determine how to shapes your brows.


Most eye shadows will be applied in sections 2 and 3. Eyeliner will be applied along the top of whole eye. Under the eye you can apply eyeliner or eye pencil, either along the length of the longer lash line or under just section 3.


Start with eye shadow, either a light shade on the eyelid and a darker shade along the crease or the opposite: the darker shade on the eyelid and a lighter shade along the crease. Apply color a bit at a time with a brush or your finger and blend it in to this area of your eye and a little at the edges of the area; each time adding a bit more color and until you get the shade you want. The end result should be a smooth, blended look of color.


The eye shadow illusion:


On your eyelid


When thinking about applying shades – dark vs light - (not colors), take into consideration your eye shape and whether your eyes are set close together or wide apart, sunken or protruding, drooping or slanted. Now look over the following optical illusions eye shadow shades can create.


Remember makeup is there to help us accentuate what we like about our faces and help disguise what we do not. See my site for before and after shots to see how makeup can make the difference.


• Dark eye shadow makes your eyes seem more sunken in, wider and closer together.


• Light eye shadow makes your eyes seem more protruding, smaller and further apart.


Make sure that the outer edge of your eye shadow ends on an upturn. This means that the eye shadow from the tip of your eye till under your brow should be on an angle facing up towards your brow. Don't try to create this angle while applying the shadow. First apply shadow and then "clean" the line using your foundation sponge. Some makeup artists use a business card – you heard right – and apply the shadow on the eyelid and over the business card and once it is removed, the shadow is on a neat 'incline'. I recommend you clean the angle and then gently and lightly brush the eye shadow brush over this line to create a less 'demarcated' area and a more natural-looking eye.

Another makeup tool that can change the way your eyes appear is a line of eyeliner (with an eyeliner pencil or non-metallic liquid eyeliner) drawn above the bottom lashes; from the tip of the tear ducts to the outer corner of the eye. When choosing a shade for this area, consider the following:


• A dark line (black or dark brown/blue) above the bottom lashes, makes the eye look smaller but more angled upward.


• A light line (white) above the bottom lashes, makes the eye look larger and more open.


Tip: When you have some 'extra time', experiment on which eye shadow effects are best for you. Draw a dark line in one eye and a light line in the other and then see which look is better for your shape eyes.


Under your lower lashes:


A line of color under your bottoms lash line creates a more complete eye look. You can either draw a line with an eye pencil or eye shadow. There are two kinds of eye pencil (aren't there always?): a chalky dry consistency and a waxy, smoother consistency. Many times the waxy version has shine or sparkle to it. I personally recommend using the waxy version as it rolls on smoothly and gently. Once applied, you can either rub it gently to give a more subtle look to the eye or you can put powdered shadow on top of it. The wax of the pencil helps the powdered shadow adhere to the area and last longer.

Eyeliner

When eyeliner is applied properly, it can create a flattering and attractive look to your eyes. Don't apply to eyes that are too small or sunken in or wrinkled; eyeliner will just your eyes and your whole face look older. Applied well, it can give the illusion of altering the shape of your eyes. Eyeliner comes in a variety of forms: liquid with its own thin brush applicator, pen-like with a thin marker applicator, a nearly solid form that is applied with a thin brush. You'll need to find the product that works the best for you.

The trick to applying eyeliner:

Here is a nearly fool-proof way of applying eyeliner: apply the eyeliner beginning in the middle of your eyelid and then apply to the outer corner of the eye; just until the end of the lash line and then apply from the middle to the inner corner of the eye. Apply a thin line and then if you wish you can retrace the line to create a thicker and more dramatic line.

Now, you can also create a pointed upward tip at the outer corner of the eye by continuing upwards from the point you stopped. First draw a line perpendicular from the end of the outer corner to the highest point you want for your tip. Then draw a line across from this point back to your lash line and fill in the triangle. The maximum height of the point should be determined by whether you have wrinkles in this area or not. Eyeliner in wrinkles will crack and look very bad. In this case, keep the eyeliner at a minimum.

Instead of standard eyeliner, you can use an eye pencil, as described above in Under your lower lashes, as an eyeliner and draw a line of color across your eyelid. You can smudge this line gently with your fingers to get a less defined, more subtle definition to your eyelid.


False lashes
False lashes are great for simachot. For everyday makeup, I would consider false lashes overkill. If you are considering wearing false lashes, have them applied professionally. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, practice applying and wearing the lashes several times BEFORE the big event. As with everything else in life: practice makes perfect.


What to buy?:


For practice sessions buy cheap lash sets you find in one of those cheap makeup chain stores. For the real event buy only good quality name-brand lashes. These will have a realistic look and feel. Lashes come in the usual set of two upper lashes or as a package of individual lashes to fill out sparse areas/or thicken the outer edge of the lash area. In all cases, buy ONLY good quality glue – the glue should dry clear and clean and be approved by the Ministry of Health.


How to apply?:


Whether this is a trial session or the real event: Lashes should be designed like real lashes: shorter lashes at the inner corner and long/slightly thicker lashes at the outer corner. Check the length of each lash line to your eyes, by lining it up across your eye lash line. If the lashes are too long, cut the OUTER edge. I recommend applying a line of eyeliner before you apply your lashes, as the eyeliner will help give the optical illusion that the lashes are your own and cover up any slight mistakes in application. If the mistake is too glaring, take off the clashes and START AGAIN!


First curl your lashes. You will not be able to do this AFTER you apply the lashes, without pulling them out. Apply a thin layer of glue to the edges of the lashes and let dry for a few seconds; until the glue is tacky. Then apply the lashes, either with lash tweezers or your fingers to a closed eye (this is the reason why it is reasonably hard to apply your own lashes) as close as possible to your natural lash line. Apply beginning at inner corner and then patting down gently as you move towards the outer corner.


Once the entire lash line has been applied, pat down gently and hold in place for some 20 seconds. Then open your eye s-l-o-w-l-y. You many need to "pry" your eye open a bit, as some of the glue may have seeped onto your bottom lashes. Work slowly and gently. Once lashes are applied to both eyes and you are happy with the results, you should reapply eyeliner to ensure the lash line looks realistic and then apply a coat or two or three of mascara to ensure that the lashes are 'integrated' into the lash line.


If you applying individual lashes, first apply mascara to your real lashes and then the fake lashes. If you apply mascara afterwards you may mistakenly pull out these lashes with the mascara brush.


Mascara
Should you apply mascara to both your top and bottom lashes? If your eyes are round and somewhat bulgy, then apply mascara to the top lashes only. This same rule is true for droopy eyes. However with small and/or 'normal' size eyes you can apply mascara on both top and bottom lashes. In all cases, the best way to get that long lash look is to curl your eyelashes with a quality eyelash curler and then add at least two coats of mascara and you're set.


Brows
Brush your brows with a brush comb. You can fill in sparse areas or lengthen a too-short brow with eye shadows in shades close to your own natural brow color. Mix a darker and lighter shade to produce a more natural effect.


Great Hint:
 Use baby wipes without alcohol to clean any mistakes/smudges on your face (remember to reapply foundation – you can also use your foundation sponge to clean mistakes), as well as to clean your hands and surfaces when you are finished applying makeup. Make sure the wipes are packaged as alcohol-free, as the alcohol tends to dry out your skin. Even if you have oily skin, this product is not recommended for use.


Check out my article Makeup and ROI (Return on Investment) or Do I really need to buy everything the ladies in the "Pharms" try to sell me? to understand which eye makeup is worth investing in and which are not.

See and learn more on Styles by Yochi: Your makeup artist, hairstylist, wig stylist for all your weddings and simchas

MY MAKEUP BAG: CONFUSED ABOUT WHICH MAKEUP IS WORTH INVESTING IN AND WHICH IS NOT? Read on…

I am always asked "How much should I spend on makeup? and "What makeup should I invest in?". Let me rephrase the question: "Which makeup is worth investing in and which isn't?"

Let's start by listing the makeup that should be found in your makeup bag, no matter if you wear makeup on an everyday basis or just once in a while:

• Foundation

• Concealer

• Powder (loose)

• Mascara

• Eye liner

• Lash curler

• Eye shadows – powder or cream

• Blush – powder or cream

• Lipstick/gloss/pencil

Here's my Invest / Don't Invest / Don't Go Crazy (Don’t spend a lot of money) list. This list does not discuss how to apply the products, just the "economics" behind them.

Facial cream        Don't Go Crazy

A good day cream, absorbed into your skin before you apply makeup, ensures that the makeup will sit better on your skin. You can buy facial creams either from a well-known company and or a generic brand found in one of those cheap makeup chain stores. Try different creams and see how they feel on your face. Don't be tempted by pretty packaging and large or pretty jars. READ the label to compare the actual quantity of cream in the container, looks as always are deceiving. A good rule of thumb is: the more it smells like medicine, the less perfume additives and the purer the cream.

Foundation        Invest

This is the base for all your makeup. There are basically two kinds of foundations: liquid and solid. Liquid foundation is kind to all skin types, while the solid version is not recommended for older skin, as it may dry and crack and build up in wrinkles. However, as a rule solid foundation is used for all photography opportunities, including weddings, as it is the most long-lasting. For the usual 8 hour days, liquid foundation is more than acceptable. Your foundation should be of a high quality and a well blended consistency that doesn't separate or dry out over time. A high-quality foundation should last you anywhere between 6 months to a year, depending on how often you wear it and how much you apply each time. Foundation should be matched to your skin tone by a professional makeup artist.

Concealer            Invest

Concealer (created to be worn around the eye area, to conceal dark circles, etc.), like foundation, must be of a high quality and a well blended consistency that doesn't separate or dry out over time. A good foundation should last you anywhere between 6 months to a year or more depending on how often you wear it. Unlike foundation, concealer is NOT A MUST in your makeup bag. A good foundation can be used as a concealer. Concealer should be matched to your skin tone by a professional makeup artist.

Powder (loose)          Don't Go Crazy

Loose powder is for young skin only. Powder is not kind to older women's skin. So don't go crazy: buy a good powder from a well-known company and not a generic brand found in one of those cheap makeup chain stores. Although there are only a limited number of powder colors, you should still have a professional makeup artist match the powder to your skin. Tip: in a jam, you can use – SPARINGLY - plain talc to minimize shine from the T area of the face (above the eyes and down the nose).

Mascara              Don't Go Crazy

Mascara MUST be replaced once every 3 months. Why? First of all mascara dries up sooner or later. Secondly, the mascara tube is the perfect place (dark and warm) to grow bacteria that could cause eye infections. Remember, three months and the tube is in the garbage. As to the question of waterproof vs. non-waterproof: the jury is still out on this. I believe it is a matter of personal choice. Non-waterproof mascara is easier to remove and kinder on your lashes. So don't go crazy: buy a good mascara from a well-known company and not a generic brand found in one of those cheap makeup chain stores.

Eyeliner            Invest / Don't Go Crazy

This is a tricky one. If you use eyeliner once in a while: just buy a good eyeliner from a well-known company and not a generic brand found in one of those cheap makeup chain stores. Get rid of the eyeliner every six months or so. If you wear eyeliner daily you can still get away with a reasonably priced one. However, if you use eyeliner daily and need it to last LONGER than the usual 6 hours or so, then you need to invest in a good pot of water-proof eyeliner and good brush.

Lash curler             Invest

Buy a lash curler from a well-known company, it should have a good silicon insert. Many lash curlers have rubber inserts, these dry and crack and will inevitably pull out your lashes. Touch the inserts to feel the difference, if you can or ask a reputable makeup artist to recommend a brand-named eye lash curler. A good eye lash curler should last FOREVER.

Eye Shadow                 Invest

There are basically two kinds of eye shadows: cream and powder. Let's start with cream eye shadow: Cream shadow is not kind to older skin; it will eventually dry on the eye lid and form cracks and shows every wrinkle. Powder eye shadow is perfect for everyone. Powder eye shadow should feel soft to the touch, with an even, powdery consistency. When you rub your finger tip gently over the powder, you should be able to see the same shade of color on your finger as in the container. When you rub your finger tips together, the powder should feel smooth and leave a nice shade of color on your finger tips. Mineral shades have a more coarse consistency since they are made with a combination of color and crushed minerals. But they should still have an even consistency.

Blush             Don't invest

There are basically two kinds of blush: cream and powder. Let's start with cream blush: Cream blush is harder to manage and should only be handled with a very light hand. Cream blush is great for photo opportunities, as it is very longer lasting. However, it is unforgiving and mistakes are hard to correct. Powder blush is perfect for everyone. Unless you are looking for a shimmer blush, which is only good used sparingly for photo opportunities and only on young skin, there is no reason to buy blush. I'll repeat that: There is no reason to buy a separate blush product. Use eye shadow. Yes, ladies you heard me correctly, eye shadow. What shades?  Pinks and browns are good on nearly everyone, EXCEPT women with full faces and red heads. These lovely ladies should be a peach tone color.

Lipstick/gloss/pencil        Don't invest

Lip treatment fashions, such as lipstick, gloss and pencils, change according to style trends, seasons and even the age of the woman and the shape of her lips. Don't invest in any of these. Buy them wherever you wish, even in the cheap makeup chain stores. Have a good selection of colors and treatments and change with the seasons and your mood. There are no hard and fast rules here: pinks are kinder on blondes; dark colors, such as eggplant, are wonderful on dark skin; but there are so many other factors such as creating a dramatic look, a natural look or a pale look. Play with colors and have fun. One good rule is using a lip pencil to create a outline around your lips, this keeps the color in and prevents it from blending into the skin around your lips. This is especially important for older skin.

On this blog, you will find articles on all aspects of makeup and makeup application. Some articles are already published; others will be published in the weeks to come. If there are makeup, wedding or hairstyling topics not yet covered or you would like to learn about a specific makeup topic, please contact me through this blog.

Should the Bride and Groom Wear Matching Sunglasses?

It's beginning to be a mini-trend here in Israel, Friday morning/afternoon weddings for religious couples. I won’t get involved in the never-ending list of reasons why you should never hold a wedding on a Friday: need to schedule makeup and hair for something like five in the morning (I am only slightly exaggerating), a very short set up time until the chuppah and oh so much more. My favorite pet peeve is the fact that your guests need to get there and get home within a strict time period, no matter how long the day is, Shabbat comes in the latest at around 7:30 in the evening. A Friday wedding needs to start on time, because you can be sure that folks will be leaving by two or three in the afternoon, especially if they live far from the simcha site.

Let me talk directly to the happy couple. If you are still committed to standing under the chuppah on a Friday, it's time to tackle one very important issue: the photography. Long after everyone has forgotten the food, your dress and how loud the music was played; the stills and video will be around to remind everyone of the big day.

I warmly recommend that, if you do not have a wedding planner on hand for the entire event, you should appoint someone who will ensure that the photographer captures all the moments you want to cherish. Of course, this particular recommendation is valid no matter when you hold your wedding. Your discussions with the photographer before the event are NOT enough. You need someone who will follow the photographer around making sure he/she photographs Grandma Esther kissing you; your two great-aunts, who haven't spoken in twenty years, sitting at the same table; all your friends from the army/sherut leumi/medrasha and all the cute nephews and nieces dancing together. [By the way, the same recommendation is valid when dealing with the band: no matter what song list you prepared before the event, you need someone to ensure that they're doing their job. The simcha hall representative is available only to ensure that the event keeps moving on schedule, they're not there to ensure your satisfaction with the other venders.]

Back to wedding photography on a Friday. Summer outdoor weddings in the heat of day are killers. The sun is relentless. Remember you can cook an egg on the sidewalk, now think of what that same sun is doing to your face, your makeup and not to mention the overall happiness of guests. Your makeup will fade if not altogether melt in the cruel noon heat. The makeup of nearly every other lady at the wedding will share an even crueler fate, as their makeup is usually not applied as fastidiously.

With all this in mind, I warmly recommend:

• Indoor photos: Make sure that at least half the posed photographs are taken indoors. Trust me, too many of the outside photographs will be over-exposed, will reveal cruel extreme light/dark shadows on the faces of your loved ones and squinting facial expressions due to the sun hitting you square between the eyes (not a pretty sight on film).

• Sunglasses: Ah, the beautiful sight of a bride in a crystal white gown, full length veil with hand-sewn pearls, full makeup and intricate hair styling and sunglasses. Get used to it. Make sure that you and the groom are suitably outfitted in sunglasses and have an extra pair hidden somewhere.

• Parasols: I never liked the 'parasol' bridal party look; young women parading around like a very poor version of antebellum southern belles, but a parasol could be a pleasing solution to the burning sun. Think about providing parasols in white or gentle pastel shades, for yourself, the mothers and grandmothers as they walk down the aisle and stand near the chuppah. Make sure there is someone to collect the parasols from everyone once the chuppah is over and folks go indoors for the meal and dancing. Be kind and allow everyone to eat and dance in an air conditioned hall.

• A good sunscreen: As nearly every good makeup/foundation contains a good sunscreen, you and usually the mothers are protected to some extent. Make sure the men of the wedding apply sun screen as well.

• Prepare the bridal party: Make sure your parents, grandparents and anyone you truly love is suitably protected with sunglasses, sunscreen, parasol and whatnot.

• Water: This goes without saying. Bottles of water should be at hand for all. Once again bottled water should be on the wedding planner's TO-DO list. We don't need grandma and grandpa fainting from heat prostration, not to mention your two pregnant cousins who will surely faint dead away before the ceremony is over.

Have any ideas of your own? Share your wedding experiences with us. Share your wedding pictures as well.

See and learn more on Styles by Yochi: Your makeup artist, hairstylist, wig stylist for all your weddings and simchas

How to Apply Foundation and Concealer

Here is the first in a series of Makeup How Tos:
Applying Foundation and Concealer
Makeup from the skin up
Clean your skin thoroughly, pat dry and then apply a thin layer of moisturizer or a light facial cream. Wait about twenty minutes to allow the moisturizer to fully absorb into your skin. If you don’t have twenty minutes to wait for the moisturizer to absorb into your skin, try to wash and moisturize the moment you get up, before you get dressed. This way, once you are dressed, the moisturizer has done its job and you are ready to apply makeup. Still don’t have enough time? Apply a very thin layer of moisturizer and then gently pat dry any wet areas before applying foundation.


How your skin reacts to the makeup
It's important to keep in mind, that any and all products you apply to your skin will be absorbed into the skin, to a greater or lesser extent, within the first 20-30 minutes. This means that some of the color you apply to your face with be absorbed within the first half-an-hour and then will continue to fade throughout the time you wear it. Which is the reason why you look great the moment you step away from your makeup mirror, but by the end of the day, you look worn and washed out, as if you never put on makeup that morning.


This also means that you should always apply some kind of facial cream and then foundation to give your face the base on which the eye makeup, blush and lipstick can stick and stay on longer.


The final color of your skin can only be gauged a half an hour after application. It is important to keep this in mind, especially if you are about to be photographed. For wedding or simcha photography your makeup should be about half a tone darker than normal to allow the skin to absorb the makeup, so by the time the event takes place, your makeup is the 'correct shade' and not too light.


A good investment
You don’t need to invest a lot of money in an expensive facial cream, but you should invest in a good foundation (and concealer, if you choose to buy one). A good foundation is characterized as being 'from a good family' (well-known company), having a creamy consistency and keeping its color and consistency throughout its shelf-life. What is the shelf-life of a good foundation? It depends on how often you use it. If you apply makeup on a regular, daily basis, your foundation should last 3-6 months, once you learn to apply the optimal amount with the least amount of waste.


A few words about hypo-allergenic cosmetics: each company sets its own standards in order to call itself hypo-allergenic. There are no hard and fast rules, some companies test their cosmetics on thousands of women and some on hundreds. So long as the cosmetic meets the standards set by the company: little irritation or inflammation in the smallest number of participants in the study, the company can use the label "hypo-allergenic". The hypo-allergenic label may only be important if you have skin contact allergies, if not, there is no reason to 'pay extra' for this label.


Foundation color match

Want to know how to ensure a perfect match (for any everyday look) between your skin tone and the foundation color? Try a liquid foundation shade on your cheek area and a solid foundation shade on your chest just under your collar bone. Apply a bit of foundation to the area and gently pat in, if the foundation is almost indistinguishable from your skin tone, you've found the perfect shade.

A liquid foundation is perfect for older skin, as it is kind to the wrinkles and will not build up or crack around these problem areas. In general, young skin can 'take' either liquid or solid foundation, as the skin is elastic and usually wrinkle-free, so the foundation glides over the skin effortlessly and once it begins to absorb into the skin it does so evenly, without 'dropping in' or 'building up' in the wrinkles.


In general, solid foundation is used for all weddings and simchas, as these are important photo opportunities, where we need makeup that can stand up to the heat of the lights, the environment and the hours of dancing and kissing, without running, melting or disappearing from the skin entirely.


How to Apply Foundation
As with everything else, there are many schools of thought as to how to apply foundation. Some women apply it lightly with their fingers, putting a touch on their forehead, checks and chin and then blending it in. Some use a brush, usually a real hair makeup brush. I prefer to use a triangle-shaped sponge. Wet the sponge thoroughly under cool tap water and then wring it out completely, so that it is moist to the touch, and not dripping with water.


I apply a few dabs of liquid or solid foundation to my left hand just below my thumb (I'm a righty) and then pat a corner of the sponge in the foundation. You can also apply the foundation directly to the sponge, but, as with anything porous, it will be absorbed into the sponge and you'll waste the foundation. (You are right, the skin of my hand is also porous, but I work quickly). At the beginning you will 'waste' a little of the foundation, as you may pour out more than you will apply to your face. With time, you will know how much to pour out and apply.


I dab the foundation-soaked corner of the sponge on to my face. I begin with the eye area; first the upper and then the lower lids and then work on the cheeks, chin and then forehead. I always work in tandem: first the left eye and then the right eye, gently smooth or pat the eye area once you have applied the foundation, then apply to the left cheek and then the right cheek. The order of right or left makes no difference, what is important here is to ensure symmetry and uniformity by working each small area one after the other and not working one half the face and then the other. This work method of symmetry and uniformity is especially critical when working on the eye area.


You can apply either foundation or concealer to your entire eye area. Concealer is usually more oily and creamier and is not recommended for oily skin or older skin. I recommend using foundation around the entire eye area.


Concealer
Concealer, as its name suggests, is a cream used to conceal something, in most cases it is used to conceal the upper lid and under eye area, or more importantly, the unattractive parts of the eye area. Concealer should either match the exact shade as the skin around the eyes or half a shade lighter.


Dark circles / red patches under the eyes
There is an 'even tone' cream that can cosmetically (NOT permanently) lighten or neutralize the dark circles under the eye, but these creams should be used by a professional makeup artist, as you need to learn how to apply and then mix and blend this cream with regular concealer or foundation. The basic rules of thumb are:


• dark brown circles under the eyes can be lightened by a pink or red shade. The darker the circle under the eye, the darker the red shade needed to neutralize it


• a pinkish pigmentation is neutralized by green color


• a yellowish pigmentation is neutralized by purple color


• a bluish pigmentation is neutralized by a peach/yellow color


Ruddiness on the checks or any other facial area
Just like the eye area, ruddiness on the checks or any other facial area can neutralized using the rules of thumb listed above. I recommend that you leave the use of these colors to a professional makeup artist (like myself) and mix your foundation with a lighter foundation shade to slightly neutralize these areas and leave the true 'magic' for photo opportunities.


Finally
Once you have applied foundation to your whole face, don't forget to apply foundation to the area under your chin and slightly down your neck, so there is no obvious demarcation mark between your face and neck areas.


Once you have finished applying foundation on your whole face, and before you apply eye makeup, smooth or pat the eye area again. Reapply a drop more of foundation if needed and then begin to work on your eye makeup.


Taking care of your sponges
A good sponge can be reused, for one person only, quite a number of times. After use, rinse out your sponge and hang it to dry. Do not store your sponge closed in your makeup bag, box or kit. Keep it on your makeup table or hang it up. Every few applications, wash the sponge in light soapy (hand or facial soap) luke-warm water, rinse it out well and then hang it out in the open air to dry. Once the sponge no longer cleans well, it's time to throw it out and use a new one.


Powering your skin
I recommend powdering only wrinkle-free skin, as once again the powder, like the solid foundation will cake, dry and crack around wrinkles. For photo opportunities, you can lightly powder the naturally oily areas of the skin: the 'T' from above your brows and down your nose. You can also lightly powder your chin and the tops of the apples of your cheeks.


Powdering tips
If you do not have face powder, you can apply a thin layer of baby talc (unscented, white).


If you have over-blushed/rouged your checks, you can apply a thin layer of white powder or white talc to tone down some of the blush.


Great Hint: Use baby wipes without alcohol to clean any mistakes/smudges on your face, as well as to clean your hands and surfaces when you are finished applying makeup. Make sure the wipes are packaged as alcohol-free, as the alcohol tends to dry out your skin. Even if you have oily skin, this product is not recommended for use.




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