Brows And Makeup Beauty Blog

Best Brow Products

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:13:00 GMT

My latest brow product recommendations and tips on how to apply them.

http://www.primped.com.au/guest_blog/comments/best_brow_products_by_lien_bui/

Lien
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What does 'natural makeup' mean to you?

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:09:00 GMT

Whenever I ask my new clients about their makeup style, the most common response would be 'natural'.
But you know what???? we usually start off with bare eyes then end up with stunning smoky eyes.

So this is what I know for sure....
Most women would love to have flawless skin (that is, natural with minimal coverage)
but they are wild about enhancing their eyes!! Lack of makeup skills is the only reason women avoid smoky eyes.

I love creating smoky eyes in different dark hues. For the model (below), I used dark purple shimmer eyeshadow on the lids up to the crease then lined her eyes with a black gel eyeliner.

Lien
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ACHIEVE THE QUINTESSENTIAL GLOW LIKE JLo IN 2 EASY STEPS!

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:41:00 GMT

Click on to www.jenniferlopez.com for some stunning examples.

(Confession!! I'm obsessed with her makeup styles)

(Image courtesy of www.jenniferlopez.com)

[Assuming you have concealed any skin imperfections, applied a sheer layer of foundation and finished off with a light dust of powder]

No shortcuts Ladies :) it's important to have a flawless canvas to work with.

What products you need:

1. Nars Blush and Bronzer Duo

- Fair skin: Orgasm (blush)/Laguna (bronzer)

- Med skin: Sin (blush)/Casino (bronzer)

2. A domed-shaped brush or a blush brush

(Image courtesy of www.narscosmetics.com)

Click on www.allure.com/video

(for a great how-to)

STEP 1: BRONZER (additional tips)

- Use a matte bronzer if you have oily skin. This product will give you a more polished finish. Also perfect for face contouring. It creates cheekbones, narrows a wide nose and slims a round face.

- I prefer to apply in a downward motion to avoid blotchiness but it's up to you to decide what's best.

STEP 2: BLUSH (additonal tips)

- Top up with the blush for an instant pop of radiance.

- To find where to apply it, just smile :) in the mirror and start from the apple of your cheeks (the plumpy part) and blend seamlessly halfway towards the hairline. But not at the hairline!

Give it a try!

Lien

What's New For Brows & Makeup in 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year everyone!

2009 was an eventful year with the birth of my gorgeous daughter Anouk in September coinciding with a move to a new home-based studio in Bronte.

I have created a fan page on Facebook and Twitter to stay connected with everyone on a regular basis, writing about everything brows and makeup.

www.facebook.com/browsandmakeup

www.twitter.com/browsandmakeup

You can also track my progress as I undertake cosmetic tattooing training and give you my perspective into this unfamiliar but rapidly growing segment of the cosmetic industry. Hopefully my journey will provide some further insight into the different options available to those seeking an effortless way to stay groomed.

With love,

Lien x

Glamourise Your Old Lipstick!

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:10:00 GMT

Client X (you know who you are :)) has this amazing intense orange lipstick (MAC Morange) while I love the colour I know she's very limited to only wearing it with minimal or no eye makeup.  

Here's how I created a new hue for Client X:  

Having a beige shimmer gloss is the IT product to tone down any lipsticks to a more sexier and wearable colour.  

Note: if you are a lipstick addict, this formula also works with a beige shimmer lipstick (not gloss)

Grab yourself one from Priceline and try it out. You'll love it!!!  

Lien
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Have You Been Avoiding The F-Word?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:39:00 GMT

Master the 6 simple steps to a flawless complexion and get the inside scoop on:

The great powder debate: Coloured Vs Translucent
The lowdown on mineral foundation
When to stay away from powder all together
Pros Vs Cons: Foundation in a can
Rules for touch-ups
The beauty of powder
Where to buy

www.browsandmakeup.com/foundation

This is one of our first newsletters that most of you wouldn't have read. It's
HUGE so take your time and try some of the tips along the way. As always please feel free to share it with your friends.

Lien
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How to keep your brows groomed while I'm on maternity leave

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:59:00 GMT

Hi everyone hope you are well.

I'll be on maternity leave (with my second baby) from 21st September until 6th November 2009.

While I'm off a little while, you may still learn more about how to achieve beautiful brows from my latest video blogs
I shot with the wonderful girls from Primped (www.primped.com.au).

In these blogs, I have included some of my never-heard-before brow tips for you to experiment with.

x

Lien Bui

How-to correct over-plucked brows.

How-to correct over-waxed brows.

How-to balance uneven brows.

MATTE VS DEWY

Thu, 21 May 2009 11:34:00 GMT

Beauty trends tend to follow a cyclical pattern, if you hadn’t noticed.

One minute it’s all about the polished matte complexion and then before you
can say "what is that?" the next buzz word is "dewy" skin and then suddenly
it’s back on with the "shine-free" look.

So, what are the layman’s terms for these beauty jargons?

Matte, oil-free, long-lasting and shine-free are synonyms for a powdered
complexion.

Luminous, dewy and glowing are used to describe a complexion finish that
is non-powdered revealing the skin's natural shine.

If you are frustrated with your blotchy makeup or if you wished your makeup
would last longer than your ride to work, chances are, your skincare and/or
makeup is not suitable for your skin type.

A matte finish flatters an oily to combination skin type because it mattifies
the skin's excess oil for a long-lasting wear. This creates more polished
appearance.

Essential matte products include an oil-free primer and semi-matte liquid
foundation, face powder and powder blush (and/or bronzer).

A dewy complexion works beautifully on normal to dry skin as it hydrates
and add luminosity to dull, tired looking skin. This style translates to a
naturally effortless look.

Essential dewy products include hydrating primer and foundation, cream
blush and shimmer illuminiser (to highlight your cheekbones).

If you are blessed with a normal skin type, either complexion finish will look
fantastic on you.

Lien
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When It Comes To Eyeliner, How Smudgy Is Too Smudgy?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:48:00 GMT

As hard as I may try, there’s no way of ignoring overly smudged eyeliner especially if the person is a friend or a personal client. Without being rude, I usually offer to refresh their eyeliner. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to demonstrate the right technique without them having to ask me.

Everyone loves a black kohl pencil to define the eyes, but how often do we get it right?

I believe an artful application of black eyeliner can instantly transform you into a sexy siren, but applied carelessly or without proper technique can completely spoil your overall look no matter how perfect the rest of your make up is.

My advice is to ditch the kohl pencil - only for now. The best way to achieve a neat and fine line is to apply a black eye shadow as close as possible to the lash line with an angled eyeliner brush. With a bit of practise, you’ll be looking like Angelina Jolie in no time.

Lien
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When It Comes To Makeup, Ignorance Is Not Bliss!!

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:49:00 GMT

I’m always very empathetic when I see a woman with an orangey complexion or visible lipliner. My internal dialogue usually goes something like this, “She can’t possibly think that makeup is flattering? or “Why hasn’t anyone stopped her from looking silly?”.

When it comes to poorly applied makeup, most women need some honesty from their girlfriends. Even more so, they would really appreciate that you care enough to look out for them.

Lien
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Stop Making Excuses For Not Looking Your Best

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:07:00 GMT

Can you relate to any of these excuses?

1. Makeup is only for high maintenance or beauty-focused women
2. I’m too time-poor in the morning (I would rather sleep in)
3. I hate how makeup clogs my pores
4. I’m not creative enough to grasp the techniques
5. I don’t really need it, I prefer to look natural
6. My partner hates the look of makeup

If you have said yes more than twice then I don’t really think you have experienced the true beauty of makeup.

I believe most of us love the idea of makeup and how it can enhance our beauty and boost our self-confidence instantly but it is often our lack of know-how that lets us down.

All you need is to acquire some makeup basics and a lot of practise and you’ll be on your way to becoming your own makeup artist. And then you’ll find that the reasons you had for not looking your best – whether it’s about time, technique or looking natural – were not such valid excuses after all.

I’ve never been nor will I ever be a slave to makeup but I love how a bit of blush and a dab of under-eye concealer can literally brighten up my day.

Lien
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Want To Look Sexier Instantly?

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:02:00 GMT

Watch me (back when I was 5 months pregnant) with model Gemma to demonstrate the power of perfect brows. Sure! Gemma is beautiful without my help but she was thrilled to finally have the brows she'd always wanted.

Lien

Words of wisdom by the late makeup maestro Kevyn Aucoin

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:06:00 GMT

Kevyn Aucoin was one of the most talented makeup artists on the planet. Beyond his amazing body of work and A-list celebrities, he was a beautiful soul.

In 2000 when I was toying with the idea of getting into makeup, I came across Kevyn’s book ‘Making Faces’ at Borders. I was deeply moved and inspired by his view of self-acceptance and inner beauty. From that moment I was determined to be a self-taught makeup artist, just like Kevyn Aucoin.

I hope you will enjoy this wonderful interview.

Brush on for flawless complection.

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:27:00 GMT

Here’s a makeup dilemma I have heard countless times from my clients.

How do I achieve flawless complexion without looking like I’m wearing foundation?

Truth! Many women believe “foundation” is a dirty word, something to avoid if you want to look natural.

BUT this is what I know for SURE! It takes a bit of foundation and the perfect tool to achieve beautiful skin.

You don’t need to be blessed with the ‘good skin’ genes, you can simply buy it online with your credit card!!

How so?

Besides having the right foundation suitable for your complexion, your must-have tool is a foundation brush.

There is endless information on this topic but here’s the real low-down…

What it is:

This brush applies and blends all foundation formulas (cream or liquid) easily on your face, ensuring that your complexion is evenly and flawlessly applied without streaking.

What it does:

It's all about the shape—the tapered, chiseled brush fits the contours of your face and blends formulas seamlessly. The synthetic bristles won't absorb oils or product, making it the most hygienic way to apply product with minimal wastage.
In addition to giving the most natural-looking coverage possible this fail-proof design also works wonders with any kind of creamy product, like face creams, masks, and tinted moisturisers.

How to apply:

Use the foundation sparingly, a little bit of product goes a long way. Pump a 10-cent piece of foundation on the back on your hand, dip the brush in and apply to the centre of your face outwards (focus on your nose, cheeks and chin).

Hygiene:

The best way to keep your foundation brush fresh and clean is to wash it with warm water and baby shampoo after a few applications. Drain the water from the brush head and place it over a bench to have it dry overnight.

Lien
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Lien reveals one of her best kept beauty tips is beautiful brows

Tue, 27 May 2008 02:15:00 GMT

She believes brows can instantly beautify a woman's face when they are shaped with precision. Unlike the usual nasty brow wax from a beauty salon, Lien tweezes brows into perfection with her unique facial architecture: "3 point pencil trick". Click here to find how you can re-shape your ungroomed brows.