Ask Elyse: Lashing Out

Dear Elyse,

My lashes are short and sparse, and using a metal curler doesn’t seem to help. Is there any other way for me to get fuller, longer lashes?

-Caitlin

Dear Caitlin,

It’s a sad fact that not every woman is born with full, irresistible eyelashes without resorting to the torture device also known as the metal eyelash curler, but there are alternatives to this retro technique.

Metal eyelash curlers can pull and break your lashes, leaving you with shorter lashes than when you started. Instead, try a heated eyelash curler (like the ModelCo Lash Wand Heated Curler). The curler is warmed by a small metal coil, and all you have to do is put the lashes through the comb and then brush upward. The heat is so slight that it won’t cause a burn, but strong enough to curl. Another perk: with a heated curler you can put on mascara before or after curling, unlike the metal version that only allows you to put on mascara afterward.

Some mascaras bond to lashes more tightly than others, which works if you plan on jumping into a pool, but it’s not so great for keeping them healthy. To make sure your lashes don’t dry out (which can then lead to breaking), try using an eyelash conditioner like ModelCo’s Lash Boost before applying mascara. Once the conditioner is applied, try mascara that specializes in length and volume, such as Madame Beyond Mascara by Napoleon Perdis.

If you’re still frustrated with a lack of lashes, faux is the way to go. You'll want to choose hand knotted clusters with three or four hairs per section, like ModelCo’s Lash Out Single Lashes, rather than the false lashes that come in one strip. When applying, use three short clusters on the inside, three medium in the middle, and three long at the end. This pattern really opens up the eye by recreating the natural ascension of the lashes.

I hope this helps,

Elyse

Ask Elyse: Spring Glow

Dear Elyse,

My skin took a bit of a beating during a harsh winter season and I want a glowing look for spring. Is there any way to get a fresh spring face without tons of cosmetics?

Thank you,
Agnes

Dear Agnes,

If you haven't been hydrating already make it a priority. Not only is it good for your overall health but it can restore elasticity in the skin and clear out the contaminates which cause most skin problems. Also, eating citrus fruits with a high vitamin C content will help in maintaining the moisture balance in your skin and reduce blemishes.

A consistent skin regimen will keep your skin in balance. If nothing else, be sure to cleanse, moisturize, and protect daily while using a mild exfoliate every three days or so to clean out deep-set contaminates.

Choosing a cleanser will depend on your skin type, but the Napoleon Perdis Dream Cream is for all types. Apply it after cleansing as a moisturizer. Its light-diffusing technology will help to hide any blemishes. After that you'll want to apply a primer like NP's Pre-Foundation Skin Primer to lock moisturizer in and keep daily dirt out.

Adding a little color will enhance a girlish glow. A touch of pink on the apples of your cheeks using China Doll combined with a pale glossy pout from Ultra Shine Lip Gloss in Coral will be sweet and subtle. Add a little white eye pencil to the inner corners of your eyes for a wider-looking gaze and you've got the perfect glowing look for spring.

Hope this helps,
Elyse

Our Favorite Face in Fashion

Chanel certainly outdid itself at their Paris spring Ready to Wear, but what we noticed (and loved) was the tender-toned make up worn by the Chanel models.

It was a sort of fragile woodland look, made up of sleepy shades and soft touches. We're pretty sure it will set the pace for spring cosmetic trends and it's surprisingly simple, so we're showing how to recreate it just for you.

It doesn't matter a bit what skin tone you lean toward - Chanel had models of every hue sporting this look. What's important is that you start out with a porcelain smooth texture. That's where Napoleon Perdis' China Doll foundation comes in. A light application will have you looking as flawless as a woodland fae.

Last spring's ever-present pink cheek has been discarded in favour of an earthier pigment - basically it's bronzer without such a heavy hand. Place a light dusting of ModelCo's Colorbox Bronzing Trio just below your cheekbone. Chanel has it stoping about an inch from the edge of the face, but feel free to experiment with the boundaries until you're comfortable.

Your eyes should be soft but certainly not understated. Choose three shadows with a luminescent quality to them - one highlight (see NP's Ultra Pearl Eyeshadow in Candlelight), one medium (Golden Bronze) and one dark (Walnut). The highlight will go at the base corner of your lid (closest to the tear duct) and under the arch of your brow. Next, lightly dust the medium shade across the whole of your lid, going fainter as you extend up to your brow. The dark shade will be blended with the medium, but should only go on the outside half of your eye. Blending is key. You should see no definitive lines of colour on your eyelid.

Lips are last and have a bit of a bruised quality. Gently dab your upper and lower lip in the center with a berry coloured lip pencil - enough to get a shadow of the colour. Then apply a similar coloured gloss like ModelCo's Cheeky Tints to the whole.

Ask Elyse: Smoke and Mirrors

Dear Elyse,

I keep seeing gorgeous smoky eyes on all the A-list actresses on the red carpet this fall, but every time I try it on my own, I just look like a raccoon. Could you tell me the right way to get these eyes?

-Kelly

Dear Kelly,

You’ll want to start with an eye primer to keep the pigments in place. If you don’t have a primer, make sure that your lids are clean so that oils in your skin are less likely to cause cosmetic bleed.

For a typical black, brown or gray smoky eye, apply liner in one of those colors above the upper lash line, drawing line thicker in the middle of eye. If you’re opting for a jewel-toned eye, line eyes with a purple, blue or deep green liner.

For color on the bottom you'll want lighter eyeliner. The trick is to smudge it. You can also apply a bit of shadow to get full smudge effect.

The key to a smoky eye is pairing a lighter base with the darker hue, so sweep a light, shimmery shadow from lid to brow bone. On top of that, apply a darker eye shadow. Use an eye shadow brush to blend in color starting at your lash line, moving upward. Make sure to blend color into the lash line so the eye liner disappears. Stop deep color at crease.

Be sure to keep lips nude or at least neutral so that your makeup doesn’t overwhelm your face.

Hope this helps,

Elyse

The Home Spa Treatment

It's a rare woman who would say no to a spa treatment, but such treatments are usually a rare treat, especially in this economy.

Which is why we at UrbanMinx have compiled a list of choice items handpicked to give you the perfect spa experience (recession style!).

ModelCo Heat Caps are a self-heating & exfoliating mask designed to open pores and cleanse deeply. The unique clay formula instantly heats up on your face like a hot towel treatment, removing impurities and leaving your skin feeling soft and nourished with the calming properties of green tea extract.

Sara Happs' Peppermint Lip Scrub packs a concentrated punch of fresh. Not only cool and refreshing, the scrub eliminates dry, flaky skin to leave lips ridiculously soft and supple.


MOR's Lychee Flower Emporium Body Butter is made with shae and coco butter to give your skin a divine softness. Infused with olive and rose hip seed oil, this soft creamy Lychee Flower formula is blended with exotic signature fragrances for an opulent skin treat.

These Roman Holiday White Chocolate Gourmet Bath Truffles are made with cocoa and coffee butters to soothe your dry skin. These truffles sweeten your bath with white chocolate and a twist of coffee.


This generous 14-ounce hand-poured Seda France Toile Candle has a 60+ hour burn time with a fragrance that is reminiscent of an early morning stroll through a fresh flower market. With cyclamen, jasmine, lavender, geranium and ylang ylang, this is a green bouquet with a hint of heliotrope and cedarwood.

ModelCo's Face Lift Hydrating Mask works to rejuvenate the face and neck area with an intense moisture boost and anti-aging properties that offer a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin appears younger, softer and more radiant – everything your skin needs in one mask.

Soak your body in a this soothing Bath Soak from MOR, designed to pamper and soften skin. This luxury blend combines vitamin-rich Milk proteins with stimulating plant extracts for a moisturizing and relaxing soak.

This Royal Body Creme from Juicy Couture is filled with royal bee jelly, essential nutrients, lipids and proteins - nourishment fit for the skin of a queen. The Juicy Girls command it everywhere they fly.

When a Radiant Tan Has a Double Meaning

A recent release from the Agency for Cancer Research reports that tanning beds are no longer only suspected to be detrimental to your health, but are proven to be carcinogenic (cancer causing) to humans.

The agency's studies reveal the alarming fact that exposure to this sort of radiation before the age of thirty increases the chances for skin cancer by a staggering 75 percent!

We at UrbanMinx agree that a golden glow is the best accessory for a summer day, though not at the expense of good health.

So instead of hitting the tanning beds, why not try a harmless, sunless tanner like the award-winning ModelCo Tan in a Can? The effect is the same - a glowing and even tan - without the expense, the hassle, and the risk involved in UV tanning.

Or, if you're not a tanning fan, you're in luck! The fall looks are rolling in and at the top of the list is posh and pale - a trend most likely inspired by the popularity of vampires in pop culture. Be sure to check out tomorrow's blog to learn more.

Make Your Mother's Day

Mother's Day edges ever closer. Have you got the perfect gift to spoil her on her special day? If you still find yourself wrestling with indecision, why not take a look at these great UrbanMinx goodies for something that's sure to make her feel like mommy dearest!

Treat Beauty Bon Voyage Jasmine Gourmet Bath Truffles ($22) These Gourmet Bath Truffles are made with cocoa and aloe butters to soothe dry skin and sweeten your bath with jasmine and a twist of chocolate.

MOR Sorbet Bath Soak ($22) The MOR Bath Soak from is designed to pamper and soften skin. This luxury blend combines vitamin-rich milk proteins with stimulating plant extracts for a moisturizing and relaxing soak.


Havainas Slim Flip Flop ($24) Havaianas are known for their unmatched longevity and style. Not only are they ridiculously comfortable, but they'll last nearly forever and the slim, sophisticated look of this sandal will have your mum wanting to wear them with everything!


Hot Hang Ups ($19-25) The Hot Hang up is a stylish, portable purse caddy that keeps your handbag within sight and reach, while freeing your attention. These handy little helpers come in all sorts of styles to appease every personality.


ModelCo Lash Wand Heater Curler ($25) Even moms love to have luscious lashes. This heated curler will transform even the shortest of lashes into perfectly curled, wide-eyed wonders in a matter of seconds.


Charmed Forces 2 Peas in A Pod Necklace ($45) It's not always a bad thing to be told you're just like your mother. Celebrate your resemblance with this dainty Peas in a Pod pendant necklace.

Juicy Couture Track Jacket in Doll ($92) As hard as the

average mother works, she should be able to spend more than just one day in comfort. Juicy Couture offers this spring-hued tracksuit an d its matching crop pant to help her do just that.

Juicy Couture Portable Cosmetic Tray ($95) This jewel-bright case is a convenient way for your mother to carry her cosmetics with that coveted Juicy flair.

Juicy Couture Charm Bracelet ($198) This starter piece is gorgeous on its own, but can also be a base for future gifting. Juicy has a wide and constantly renewed collection of charms for customization.


MZ Wallace Clara Bag ($348) This bag is pockets galore, which means your mother will get function as well as fashion. The Clara will give her enough room to stash all of her day's necessities without requiring a search team to retrieve them.

ModelCo Turns Up the Heat

ModelCo turned up the heat on the catwalk at Australian Fashion Week. As part of the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, ModelCo was the makeup sponsor for the debut show of new swimwear label at Hotel Bondi Swim recently. Hotel Bondi Swim is a new range of swimwear and accessories from the collaboration of creative couple Fern Levack and Damion Fuller, who have previously received great success from the fashion label Kitten.

In describing the look for the show, Makeup Director Sam Correy said, "The makeup for Hotel Bondi Swim is chic and sophisticated yet captures the laidback beach lifestyle. The look is Californian girl meets sexy flapper. Gorgeous skin for both face and body is the ultimate accessory and a focus on lashes.”

Models got their glow for the show using the brand’s cult favorite, Tan Airbrush in a Can, and added some of that flapper glamour with the similarly popular Colourbox Eye Pencil and Lash Boost.

Ask Anton: Get a Glowing Tan

Dear Anton,

I’ve managed to get that summer-ready tan, but my skin still lacks luster. What can I do to get that healthy glow that’s been so popular on the red carpet?

Bethany

Dear Bethany,

After all that tanning your skin is probably gasping for moisture like a flower in a desert! The first thing I can tell you is something that is most important for healthy skin, whether you tan or not: drink water, and lots of it. Dryness is the enemy to avoid at all costs. Drinking water helps keep the skin moist, firm, and more elastic. Also, it helps to give you that fresh face that celebs crave these days by improving circulation and enhancing your natural glow.

Another good thing to try is to have a salt bath once or twice a week; by pouring a cup of Epsom and sea salts into your next soak in the tub, you’re improving the overall appearance of your skin as the salts soften and exfoliate. Looking good has never been so relaxing!

There are quite a few products on the market that claim to add life to lackluster skin, but I swear by the ModelCo line out of Australia. Their Shimmer Airbrush Illuminiser is perfect for all skin types. It soothes, softens and moisturizes, leaving dry skin feeling rejuvenated. It can be used on its own or over the top of makeup, so you can wear it whether you’re going for glam or au natural. ModelCo also offers their Polished Body Scrub, which firms skin by stimulating circulation, and polishes away dead skin, which is the cause for most of the dullness you’re experiencing.

Your skin can only benefit from moisture, and it’s not just on a week to week basis. Studies show that healthier skin will hold on to a tan for much longer than dry, damaged skin, so keep your skin happy and healthy this summer. Believe me when I say it will return the favor when the winter months come.

Hope this helps,

Anton