Jul 14, 2011

Black Mascara Is Not Always Best

Seen here, some of my fave mascaras, clockwise from left: Mary Kay Lash Love (NEW!) in I ♥ Brown ($31), Max factor Lash Extension Effect in Brown/Black (About $30), Covergirl Lash Blast Volume in Black ($23).
Have you ever considered using something other than black mascara?


Black mascara is NOT best option for everyone. It's great for those with naturally black or dark hair but for those with brown (like me) or blonde hair, brown mascara is more flattering.


Black can be 'overpowering' and look too stark or contrasting against paler features - and fake too. How could your lashes ever be naturally black when your hair is blonde (or red or auburn, for that matter)?? It has the potential to look 'tacky'. Swap to a brown or brown/black mascara. You'll still have depth and definition without the fakeness of a true black and it will harmonise better with your natural colourings.


See the difference in the photo above? A true brown like MK's Lash Love in 'I ♥ Brown' will also better suit natural redheads and those with naturally warm colourings (light those in the 'Spring' or 'Autumn' colour seasons) - plus it enhances green eyes.


One exception: On the occasion you wear very dark eyemakeup, go black - you'll need it for your lashes to stand out against a dark, bright or dramatic backdrop.

Jul 13, 2011

Honest Beauty Advice or Salespitch??


Last week this deal featured on GrabOne daily deal site and I thought to myself, "Wow, that's a great deal...but only IF you're happy to receive biased recommendations and have your makeup lesson in public..."
If you really want to know what suits you, in private and without the salespitch, visit my website for info on makeup lessons or seek out a mobile makeup artist who gives lessons but doesn't use just one brand and can offer unbiased recommendations.


You'll pay more for unbiased recommendations, rather than advice attached to a brand, but that's the trade off.  As consumers, it doesn't benefit us to get our product recommendations from those who exist solely to sell product, ie any retail counter or beauty department whose main business is retail.


It makes perfect sense from a business point of view to offer lessons based around a brand (and they'll make more money doing it this way than I will on product sales!) - but it's not totally beneficial for the customer: Women shouldn't put their appearance and image at the mercy of one-sided product advice. 


I avoid this by:
• Choosing to use various brands in my makeup kit, as no one brand is failproof and has the best of everything
• Making recommendations from multiple brands when the products perform the same
• Refusing to offer free lessons/makeovers in exchange for product purchase.


This issue of biased advice is why I started 'A Beautiful Education' and what I personally stand for.


If you did buy this deal, or are thinking of going to a beauty counter for a 'makeup consultation' anytime soon, check for the best and worst of Smashbox or the particular brand on offer at www.beautypedia.com.  Check how each product rates and get an honest opinion, so you can see through the salespitch and know what's worth buying - before you go in store.