Understanding Highlight & Contour

                                             How to Contour and Highlight for your Face Shape

Highlighting and contouring has been made famous by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jlo.
The purpose is to create light and dark areas to sculpt and shape your face adding dimension for a beautiful symmetrical face. Symmetry is considered the ideal beauty. This technique may be used for photography or every day when modified.

Most celebrity artists like Mario Dedivanovic (Kim kardashians artist) use powders. I had the opportunity to attend his training class in NYC this past  December….he uses powders most of the time. Creams are more for stage makeup and photo shoots. The latest instagram youtube/craze
looks more like you could bake a cake with all of the product! That not a desired look so please proceed with caution when using the cream contour technique! I recommend following celebrity artists like Lisa Eldridge and Charlotte Tilbury for more makeup tips and tricks.

Start by determining your face shape. Once you have done this begin prepping your skin with moisturizer and foundation using fingertips or a brush. Make sure to blend foundation down onto your neck. Your neck tends to be lighter than your face so this will ensure even coverage.

If you are using cream contour products (I recommend Smashbox Contour sticks) you will apply directly on top of foundation. Follow the guidelines above for placement then blend using a small buff or foundation brush. I like MAC 130 brush….make sure to use separate brushes for each color.

Once the highlight and contour are blended apply concealer under your eyes and powder to set.

Apply bronzer to the perimeter of face and blush to the apples of cheeks….add a shimmer highlight (MAC Becca Opal) above blush for moonlit glow!

You can always add more bronzer to the contoured areas for more dramatic effect. 

If you are using contour powder…apply foundation all over and set with a loose or pressed powder. Follow guidelines above for placement then blend using an angled blush brush( MAC 168 brush).

Apply blush to apples of the cheek.

Finally mist face all over with MAC Fix + Spray to add moisture and lock in (set) the powder products….this will give your makeup a skin like appearance creating a natural glow! Take a damp oval sponge or beauty blender and bounce or pat all over the face to pick up excess powder.

These are examples of natural contour/highlight using powder products. Perfect for daytime:)

Hannah Jelinovic is a local model signed with Directions USA and Wilhelmina modeling agency….I am fortunate to work with such talent!

Photos by the Amazing Mira Adwell! miraadwellphotography.com

Feel free to contact me to schedule a private makeup lesson makeupbyamykennison.com 

 910-622-4473

Get the look:

FACE: 

Makeup Forever HD foundation

MAC Mineralize powder

Smashbox Contour powders

MAC 168 angled contour brush

MAC Buff blush

Becca Opal shimmer powder

Cream contour:

Smashbox contour sticks

MAC Brush 130 to blend

EYES:

Toofaced Natural eyeshadow Palet

Urban Decay Bourbon eyeliner

Loreal Voluminous mascara

Anastasia Clear Brow gel

Lips:

Rosebud Salve lip conditioner

MAC Spice lip pencil

MAC Cherish lipstick

Spring Fresh Looks

 When it comes to Makeup there will always be the next best trend and those trends recycle every few years. I decided to share 2 soft looks that will brighten any skin tone using soft pinks and peaches.
Lips are a bit more sheer and glossy...eyes are pastel with a darker chocolate edge liner.

I create something I call a halo around the eye using a soft pink or peach eyeshadow and pencil brush.
This really helps to buff and smooth out the darker crease and liner shades. Its not so harsh and can be created with or without eyeliner.

To create this look I applied pink shadow on the lid and used a light brown crease.

I then added a dark bronze liner and smudged all way around the eye with a pencil brush. To add the "halo" effect use a soft pink shadow to smudge the dark liner... just around the edges. 

Finally, try a pearl shimmer on inner corners for a Moonlit Glow.

I used an off-white eyeliner pencil on the water line to brighten and whiten her eyes.
Springtime allergies can really cause red eyes so this trick will come in handy!

Her cheeks are dusted with a soft bubblegum pink blush and contoured with matte bronzer.

Add a shimmer powder above blush for more of a Glow! Lips are prepped with lip conditioner and filled in with a pink gloss.

Photos by miraadwellphotography.com

  

GET THE LOOK

SKIN-

Ebryolisse Cream embryolisseusa.com

Lancome Tient Miracle Foundation lancome.com

MAC Mineralize Skin finish Powder maccosmetics.com

TooFaced Chocolate Bronzer toofaced.com

MAC Pink Swoon Blush 

Becca Opal Shimmer becca.com

EYES-

Lancome Sienna Sultry Palet lancome.com

Urban Decay Liner Bourbon and Demolition Eyeliner urbandecay.com

LIPS-

Rosebud Salve lip Conditioner

NYX Sand Pink Liner

NYX Eclair Gloss

I really love this smokey peach on the eyes!

I used a soft pearl shimmer on inner corners and under brow bone, then applied peach shadow on the lid. The crease is a dark chocolate brown applied on outer edge only and blended using a tapered fluff brush.  Blending is the key to the halo affect!

You should never see where one color stops and another starts.

I lined her eyes with a dark brown pencil on the waterline and smudged in-between her lashes….I then went over the liner with a deep bronze shadow using a pencil brush to smudge even more. Finally, smudge peach shadow on edges of dark brown liner to soften.

Her cheeks are dusted with a matte peach blush and matte bronzer.

Add a shimmer powder above the blush for more of a glow!

Lips are prepped with lip conditioner then filled in with peach lipstick and nude gloss.

GET THE LOOK

Repeat same steps Above to create flawless skin

EYES - 

Lancome Coral Crush Shadow Palet lancome.com

Urban Decay bourbon and demolition Liner urbandecay.com

LIPS - 

Rosebud salve

MAC Sushi Kiss Lipstick maccosmetics.com

MAC Wildly Lush plushglass

                                         Holiday Beauty
                Its time to Sparkle and Glam this Holiday season!

                 Go Bold with pops of Jewel tones and Metallics!

    

                         Model Hannah Jelinovic

                         Photo Mira Adwell miraadwell.com

                         Makeup Amy Kennison makeupbyamykennison.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I created this Rita Hayworth inspired look for hannah using gold cream shadow and deep plum lips. These two shades work well together because they are part of a triadic color combination…they tend to be quite vibrant even if you use pale or unsaturated versions of your hues.

This look can be achieved with gold cream eyeshadow, deep plum lipstick and gloss.

Apply gold shadow with your ring finger patting in the center of the eye to outward crease then use a pencil brush to smudge under the eyes….it doesn't need to be perfect! Cream shadows are very forgiving so you don't have to be a pro…smudging creates a diffused effortless look.

Line the waterline with black or golden brown liner for more drama.

Plum lips look good on any complexion! Choose a vibrant shade with a blue undertone….this will make the gold shadow stand out. Apply lipstick then smudge with your finger until the color is blended well and layer with gloss. You want it to look more like a lip stain.

I prepped Hannahs skin with Radiance primer by Laura Mercier…this lightweight creamy gel is a universal pearl tint that creates a soft focus effect to minimize imperfections. I then applied concealer under her eyes, down the center of her nose and areas of redness then finished with a loose powder.

I used bronzer to sculpt out her cheeks and added a neutral blush. I love the Hi light powder by Becca in opal…Its a must have for everyone! Place hi light above blush down center of the nose, cupids bow, chin and center of forehead for a moonlit glow! You can never get enough  GLOW!

GET THE LOOK:

EYES-
MAC Rubenesque Cream shadow

MAC Amber lights Eye Shadow

MAC teddy liner

LIPS-
MAC in Rebel for deep plum or Odyessey lighter plum

MAC Dazzle glass in Date night

FACE-
Laura Mercier Radiance Primer

NARS Radiant creamy concealer

NYX Translucent powder in medium

Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer 

MAC Mocha

Becca Opal

                    

Natural Beauty

                                     

                                   

Natural Glowing skin is fresh and modern. With so many women investing in good skincare these days why not show off your confident beautiful face!  This look requires minimal products and time…. with a few artist techniques you will be ready for your close up.

1-Cleanse and exfoliate to create a smooth surface.

Use a tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone and add concealer under the eyes and blemishes.

For those of you who like a little more coverage than a tinted moisturizer use an illuminating moisturizer first then apply a medium coverage foundation. 

2-Apply a sheer layer of mineral powder then add bronzer. For a healthy flush of color try a cream blush on the apples of the cheeks directly after your tinted moisturizer or foundation…..then add powder and bronzer!

Hi lite the inner corner of your eyes and directly above cheekbones to brighten your features. 

You can use cream or powder hilite to achieve this look.

3- Apply a light natural shadow from the lash to brow to create a smooth surface then apply a soft brown from the outer socket to the inner corner using a wind shield wiper motion. Blend Blend Blend!

Give the lashes a defined look by applying a golden brown liner at the root of the lashes….wiggle the liner in between the lashes and smudge with a smudge brush to soften any lines.

Apply liner all the way across the top and outer edge of bottom lashes.

Curl lashes and apply 2 coats of your favorite mascara.

4- Use a sheer nude lipstick and nude gloss to add shine and dimension for a full figured lip!

GET THE LOOK

SKIN:

 MAC BB Cream or MAC Strobe Cream and Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Retoucher Concealer

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder

CHEEKS:

Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer

MAC Cream Blush in Lady Blush

Benefit Watts Up Hi lite Stick 

For Bronzer and Hilite in one Compact try Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow

EYES:

MAC Shell Cream color Base 

Tom Ford Cocoa Mirage Eyeshadow Palet

MAC Teddy Eyeliner

Covergirl Lash Blast mascara

LIPS:

Serenity + Scott Beauty Peach Cobbler Lipstick

MAC Wildly Lush Plushglass

makeupbyamykennison.com

miraadwell.com

maccosmetics.com

Charlottetilbury.com

serenityscottbeauty.com

Autumn/Winter 2o14 

Runway to Every Day

makeupbyamykennison.com

Model Adrienne ODocharty

The 90s are back in full swing from clothes to makeup…one of my favorite trends for fall is the return of metallics for eyes, cheeks and lips! Everyone can pull off this look with a few simple modifications.

The runway look above was created for Rodarte ,NYFW

On Adrienne I started with a natural skin look using Bourjois foundation in shade 51( lightest shade)

and set with mineral powder.

This combo is creamy and flawless without looking too matte or dewy…perfect!

Cheeks were sculpted ever so lightly with Harmony blush by MAC…a pale rose pink blush was used on apples along with Shell Cream color base a a hilight.

I toned down the shadow by choosing a lighter terra cotta and pink for the crease up to the brow….the runway look is a bit severe with dark shadow all way up to the brow…. It could work evening.

I lined her lower lash line with a copper eyeliner and packed a small amount of copper pigment and glitter on top. Brows are natural with a golden blonde brow gel to add texture and shape.

Finally, I applied a violet pink lipstick then added a mixture of clear gloss and silver glitter on top!

For the metallic trend you can mix it up with bronze, copper, silver and gold in the same look or stick to one precious metal for a monochromatic statement! 

Get The Look:

FACE

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Mac Pro longwear Concealer

Mac Mineralize Powder

Mac Matte bronzer or Harmony Blush for Contour

Mac Dame Blush

Mac Shell Cream Color Base

Urban Decay All Nighter

EYES

Mac Pink Bronze Pigment

Mac Copper Pigment

Mac Texture Eye shadow

Mac Girlie Eye shadow

NYX Glide On Eye liner Golden Bronze

Mac Copper Sparkle Pigment

Mac Lust Dust Glitter

Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara

Serenity Scott brow gel in Golden blonde

LIPS

Serenity Scott Lipstick in Kitten

Mac Lipglass Clear

Mac 3D Silver Glitter

           

Channel Your Roaring 20s Spirit with Perfect Gatsby Makeup

How to create a Vintage look with a 21st century touch...

Makeup by Amy Kennison makeupbyamykennison.com

Photo by Lisa Brown bellarosephoto.com

Hair by Rozy Bathon therockinroller.com

Styling by Jess James stylegirlvintage.com

The 20s makeup look was quite severe with thin almost black brows and pointy lips.

Here are a few tips to stay true to the look with a modern approach.

1. Start with your eyes…this will keep you from cleaning fallout from shadows onto foundation.

Use a black or dark gray shadow and follow along the socket line using a pencil brush.

Apply the dark shadow from the outer to inner corner of the eye.

The eyes should be smoldery and rounded.

Apply black eyeliner on upper and lower lash line and in the waterline…work black shadow on top of black liner to smudge the edges for a sultry eye.

Curl your lashes, apply lots of mascara on upper and lower and apply false lashes!

Brows - Use a brow pencil or gel a shade darker than your natural brow to extend…turn slightly downward.

2. Foundation- apply a shade of matte foundation that matches your skin tone  (no bronzer) and set with a translucent powder. Keep shimmer away from the center of the face…you can add under the brow bone and cheekbones.

3. Cheeks -  Apply a red cream blush to the apples upwards toward temples…

Tip: if you don't have red blush you can use lipstick

For a softer cheek use pink powder blush.

4. Lips- Cover lips with foundation for a super smooth base. Use a dark pencil to feather in color.

Stick to deep reds, plums and browns for a 20s throwback to the Clara Bow lip.

Get the Look

EYES:

 Black and Gray Matte Shadows

MAC Carbon and Print.

Urban decay 24/7 liner shade Zero.

MAC Pencil Brush 219 

BROWS: 

Anastasia Dip Brow Dark Brown 

MAC Angled Brush 266

FACE: 

Makeup Forever Mat Velvet Liquid Foundation or

MAC Studio Fix Powder foundation

Bare Minerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener

NYX HD Finishing Powder

CHEEKS:

 Benefit Benetint

LIPS: 

MAC Burgundy or Vino Liner

Chanel Rouge coco shine Lipstick in Fiction shade 81 

serenityscottbeauty.com

wilmingtonmakeupandhair.com

makeupbyamykennison.com

Modern Fresh Makeup

The key is creating perfect skin!

For this look I started with A lightweight moisturizer…no primer was used

The verdict is out on wether primer is a necessary step in your makeup routine.

Pro longwear concealer by Mac was used to cover redness,dark circles and even her skin.

To set the makeup I dusted a sheer layer of Mac mineralize powder on top.

Her eyes are 3 easy steps:

Apply a pearl shimmer on lid and inner corners, a light taupe brown in crease and black liner on upper lash line with tiny kitten eye. Line lower lashes with the taupe brown shadow…this creates a diffused  look with no hard edges.

I used a brow gel by Serenity + Scott beauty in golden blonde. Nice full brows look amazing with a tinted gel to add hilite and texture!

Her cheeks were contoured with NYX bronzer in medium with pink dogwood blush by Serenity+Scott  Beauty on apples.

The hilite powder above her blush is soft and gentle by MAC.

To finish her look I used Cover girl long wear lip ultimate suede in shade socialite shade 025 with Julep 56 gloss by Serenity+ Scott Beauty.

FACE

MAC Mineralize Face lotion

 Mac mineralze powder Med

NYX bronzer Med

MAC Shimmer soft and gentle

Mac pro longwear concealer nw20

Serenity+scott beauty blush pink dogwood

EYES

Lorac palet

Urban decay liner in zero

Extended play lash by Mac

Brow set by Serenity + Scott beauty

LIPS

Revlon Colorstay ultimate suede shade 025

lipliner soar by mac

Gloss Serenity+Scott 56 julep

shop.serenityscottbeauty.com