Camellia Confidential

2012 BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS

2012-01-05T12:55:00.001-05:00

Compare your own goals to some of the beauty resolutions we accumulated – The staff at Camellia Cosmetics raise our glass - to feeling beautiful in 2012!

My beauty resolution is to pull together edgy and classy looks and make them my own. Then act like it was no big deal.

My beauty resolution is to put a good effort into my appearance every day so that my outside reflects my inner happiness and beauty

Recognize how beautiful I am as an individual and play to my strengths, such as my eyes and curves. Don't focus on anything negative. Stretch or do some yoga every single morning to get those endorphins pumping :)

I would like to stop comparing myself to other girls so much. This year my resolution is to remind myself that everyone is already perfect and just the way we should be.

One beauty resolution of mine is to try new styles!

Exfoliate my face and body at least once a week.

Wear SPF 30 every single day. And I will not forget to cover my ears, neck, décolleté and hands.

Only fake bake from now on. But not to the point where I’m denying the fact that I’m tan when being tan makes no sense at all.

Not pick at any pimples I should (hopefully not) get.

Always wash off my makeup before bed.

Find the perfect red lipstick because it will give me an extra dose of sassiness.

Learn to apply my daytime makeup routine in 10 minutes or less.

Throw out all of my expired makeup. If I can’t remember when I bought it, it’s too old.

Experiment with styles (in the privacy of your bathroom) that I never thought I could pull off.

Stop over plucking my eyebrows.

Have better posture.

Smile.

What are some of yours??

How to Do your Own Eye Makeup for Parties

2011-12-05T18:24:00.000-05:00

If there is one sentence every makeup artist can finish for you, it's "I don't want to look like a " _(hooker)_" We are given these strict instructions, with a little nervous laugh, more than half of the times we start a makeup application. We knowingly nod our approval of working within these perimeters. Hey, who wants to look like a hooker at a party? Here is how to avoid it at home:

HOW TO DO YOUR OWN EYE MAKEUP FOR PARTIES:

1) Don't wash your face and start over. Just wipe down what you don't like, and apply on top of that.

2) Start with an idea, don't just apply color and see where it takes you. Decide - are you going for smokey eyes with light lip gloss, shimmery eyes with lots of mascara and bronze lips, or a cool cat eyeliner and red lips?

3) If you are using shimmer colors, meet them to one another instead of layering them. Shimmer is a combination of many colors, and you never know what you will get if you layer them. You might see green where you didn't put any green, for example (mixing gold undertones in a champagne with the blue undertones in a silver = green).

4) If you are going for a smokey eye, try starting with the lightest color at your brow bone first, then applying a mid-tone grey or brown in the crease, and finally apply your smokey color near your eyelash line and lid. This helps in two ways: One, you avoid the intimidation factor of applying a really dark color to a clean eye, and two, you avoid going too high with your color.(Which will make you look like a hooker}

5) If you are going for that cool cat eye liner, First, apply your eyeliner on top just like your normally would. Next, come in from the outside of your eye crease to meet the end of your eyeliner using a very straight line. Fill it in to make it work. If you try to just continue your eyeliner and curl it up at the end, you will never get it right and you could end up looking like you have fat eyelids. Weird, but true.

It's not hard, and something you need only learn once. For hands on training the pro makeup artists at Camellia are offering FREE Holiday Makeup Lessons Monday - Thursday.

Call 574-243-1730 Heritage Square Granger to book a full lesson.
Call 574-387-4929 Eddy Street Commons to book a full lesson.

Or just pop in if you want to try a quick party idea. We are always ready to show you something pretty.

"You look tired".....

2011-11-12T16:03:00.000-05:00

When someone says "You look tired", isn't that just a subtle way of telling you you look...awful? Here's a little tip, if you've heard this more than once, look at your eyes. The eyes are the first to show anything - lack of sleep, stress, aging, you name it, the eyes will show it. Are you seeing puffiness? Darkness? This is what people see when they say you look "tired." Here's how to fix it in three easy steps.
1. Eye Cream
The first step to any flawless looking makeup is skincare. A good eye cream will help prevent your concealer from caking. Formulas that contain Hyaluronic Acid will lock moisture in the delicate eye area and help control puffiness. Formulas that contain Vitamin C and Alpha Hydroxy Acids will help to brighten. Choose the one that targets your specific concern.
Personal Fave: Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream by Mario Badescu $22
2. Concealer
The right concealer can make all the difference in the world. Choose full coverage, creamy formulas. And remember, while it's perfectly acceptable to go lighter with your shade to brighten, don't go anymore than one shade lighter than your natural skin tone. Going to light will only look odd and will most likely just highlight what it is you're trying to conceal.
My go to concealer: Time Balm by The Balm $18
3. Setting powder
Setting powder is the key to locking your makeup down - you want it to last, right? No one wants to have to constantly re-apply all day. Loose powders work beautifully for this, they tend to be the most finely milled. Your choice of brush will play a factor in how your powder looks as well, you don't want it to look too powdery. A Fan brush will pick up just the right amount of product and fits perfectly under the eye.
Quick Pick: Mineral Veil by Bare Minerals $20

Indian Earth. We found it!

2011-10-20T20:16:00.000-04:00

It's the one that got away. The do you remember... item that brings back long forgotten dreams of perfectly glowing, bronzed skin. Simpler times, when all we really needed was one magical bottle of Indian Earth, "the most natural thing you can wear next to your skin".

The directions promise us that this one product is an eyeliner, eye shadow, lip liner and lip color, highlight and blush, contour and even nail color! I have news for you; this dream fulfilling product never went away. Indian Earth has been with us this entire time. In constant production and serving a loyal clientele. We found it. We have it. You can have it too.

The Original Indian Earth.
Small 2 gram jar....$16.
Large 5 gram jar....$28.
Original Brush...... $ 8.

Now available exclusively at Camellia Cosmetics. Feel good, have fun, look pretty.
Call to hold or ship 574-243-1730.

How to Apply Fake Lashes - Click Here for Video!

2011-10-09T19:30:00.009-04:00

How do you dress up your every day look? If loading on darker eyeshadow and brighter lipstick is NOT your idea of your "best look", we couldn't agree more. Fake eyelashes are one way to break through that every day look and head into extraordinary territory. If you have had a bad experience in the past (I'll spare you the stories I've heard, and OK, I've inflicted on myself) don't let that stop you from trying it again! This time, you have the right products, and the best teachers.

Fake Lashes are a major "secret of the stars". More popular now than ever because the new more natural looking options allow anyone to fake out a thick flirty lash line.

Follow our step by step video tutorial to finally learn how to apply fake eyelashes at home. Our Eyemimo lashes and personal lessons are available for only $10 at Camellia Cosmetics through October 2011. Book your 15 minute lesson today.

In Granger 574-243-1730
In South Bend 574-387-4029

Teen ignoring your makeup advice? Let us help!

2011-05-29T15:26:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you've seen her, maybe you live with her, or maybe...you were her. I'm talking about the girl who rings her eyes with black eyeliner, then piles on dark foundation,creating a distinct line. The girl who looks like she's wearing a mask. Well, I was definitely that girl!

What's the first makeup product that most teen girls discover? EYELINER! And it's usually jet black. Black eyeliner was the first cosmetic I ever picked up -(well, after the Love's Baby Soft, but that's a whole different conversation) - and I thought "the more, the better!" I'm sure this was the start of my long love affair with eyeliner. Everyday I carefully applied my black liner, expertly. Or so I thought at the time. My 14 year old idea of "expertly"? A big, thick line.... all the way around my eye. Inside and out. Blending? That was not a concept I was familiar with. The bolder and heavier, the better. And I loved it.

Liquid foundation was the next big thing in my teen life. I wanted to have clear, blemish-free skin - but I started breaking out early in life. Foundation was my savior. Foundation could make my skin look better.The foundation of my youth - and as many of my clients have told me, theirs too - did not match my skin tone in any way. Mine was thick, heavy, full of oil and orange. Back then, I loved it.

Many years of trial and error, observance, and of course makeup artistry training factored into my makeup evolution. I look back at teen makeup mistakes and shudder. As much as you may have also learned from your own experience, you are probably dismayed to find your teen completely ignoring your advice on how she can learn from you, and avoid the many beauty tragedies that she seems so eager to embrace.

One of the best things about being a Makeup Artist for a living is that I can help teen girls not look like I did at their age. And because I'm a bona fide professional with magazine covers on the wall, these teenagers actually listen to me!

At Camellia, our makeup artists recognize that all teens are not alike. Some teens love makeup but often tend to overdue the wrong products in the wrong way. Some teens are just trying to figure out how to use makeup the right way, but as much as they try they still don't have the skills they need to figure it out on their own.

Moms, we believe a 14 year old girl should look like a 14 year old girl. Our artists highlight the features of young women, and teach them makeup skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. One of the great gifts you can give a teen is the gift of a professional makeup lesson. If I had the chance to learn from a makeup artist, I might not cringe every time I think about how I must have looked during my teen years. Let me help the teen in your life find a short cut through those awkward years.

Camellia Teen Lesson - $30 (toward product purchase)
Recommended - Professional Brow Shaping - $15

Call today!

Heritage Square ~ (574)243-1730
Eddy Street ~ (574) 387-4929

When & Why to put yourself in the hands of a Makeup Artist

2011-04-28T11:13:00.020-04:00

The Artists here at Camellia Cosmetics know that our clients are savvy. You have impeccable taste and demand the best - that's why you choose Camellias. We can provide you with the knowledge and products to look your best everyday. But, what about those times that you want to look extraordinary? Weddings, Bridal Showers, Reunions? These are the times that you want to look your absolute best. These are the times to put your trust in an expert. Why? There are many reasons!

#1 - A Makeup Artist will always see something beautiful in you that you may not see in yourself.
We'll see if you're eyes are perfect for that smokey eye. If your cheekbones look like they're chiseled, we'll play them up. Are your lips full? We'll show them off. Everyone has at least one amazing quality and you will be amazed at how highlighting it can change your perception.

#2 - There are still tricks that we don't show you for everyday.
We're not hiding anything! Promise! The fact is, there are certain tricks that work well for big events that don't fit into most women's everyday routine. While some women may want to contour their face or apply faux lashes everyday, we realize that most do not.

#3 - We know that photographs are around for life.
Have you ever taken a lot of time to get ready for an important event? Spent an hour making sure your makeup looked just right? Then, have you ever looked at the pictures afterwards only to find that your face looks ten shades lighter than your neck? That the eyes you spent so much time on don't even sparkle in the photograph? Did your foundation disappear halfway through the night? We know how to stop that from happening.

#4 - If you have a big event coming up, chances are you may be a little stressed out.
Brides, especially! Even if you're not a bride, whatever important day or night you have planned may be putting some butterflies in your stomach. Why not have one less thing on your list to worry about? Do you need some relaxation time? You can come in, relax, close your eyes and not mutter a word the whole time. We don't mind. This is your time.

#5 - Nothing makes a Makeup Artist happier than having a satisfied client who feels beautiful.
Our only concern is making you feel confident and gorgeous. It's just that simple!

Getting married? Have a big event? Have we got something for you!

2011-03-31T10:39:00.011-04:00

The Artists at Camellia Cosmetics are excited to announce the launch of our Airbrush Makeup services at our Heritage Square location! Airbrushing has been used the world over by professional makeup artists, often seen in movies, photo shoots and weddings. Now this flawless, long lasting service is available in our own South Bend market, by the Camellia makeup artists you know and trust.

What is Airbrushing? In the simplest terms, it is makeup that is sprayed onto the face or body using a fine mist. It provides flawless & full coverage. Best thing of all? It feels and looks like you have nothing on your skin - it just looks like your skin, perfected.

Why should you choose Airbrushing? Beyond the look and the feel, you will not find a longer lasting option. This is the makeup to go with for any big event where you want to look perfect for hours...and hours. Going to be photographed? Airbrush is the perfect choice to look completely natural & glowing in all your photos.

Whether it's for a wedding, or that high school reunion (you know you want to look better than the rest of them. make that ex-boyfriend eat his heart out!) or anything in between, Airbrushing is the way to go.

Contact The Artists at Camellia Cosmetics for any additional information or with any questions.

Heritage Square Location (coming soon to Eddy Street at Notre Dame!)
Airbrush based makeup application: $65
(574) 243-1730

In the Navy....

2011-02-12T09:34:00.001-05:00

I will admit, it took me a long time to embrace eyeshadows that were not, you know, brown. When I started really wearing makeup, Bobbi Brown - the queen of natural makeup - was everywhere. So, all those neutral colors were too. If someone even mentioned the words "blue eyeshadow" to me it conjured up images of the 1980's electric blue shadow & pink frosty lips. (I don't know why the two always go hand-in-hand in my mind, but they do.) There was no blue, green, purple or any other color of the rainbow shade anywhere in my makeup collection. It was all beige and brown. And I was happy. Then, when I started doing makeup professionally, I was forced to start using more color - people were asking for it. People wanted that blue smokey eye. They wanted that vivid blue liner. And you know what? I found my train of thought about these colors - I found that they can be very wearable.

Now, don't get me wrong, you will never see me wearing bright, electric blue shadow. Some women can pull that off, I am not one of them. I play with my blues in a subtle - but impactful - way. Navy shadows in particular are my favorite. This shade flatters every eye color. It brightens & refreshes the eye. It's color that doesn't scream "look at my blue eyeshadow!".

My favorite way to show this off is to press it over a black or brown eyeliner on the top of the eye and pressed softly on the lower lash line as eyeliner. I also love to lightly buff it over the lid for a fast smokey eye. Colors that work wonderfully for this are "Midnight Sky" from Bare Escentuals, "Hussy" from Paula Dorf, "Night Sky" from Alison Raffaele and "Risque Renee" from The Balm. Eggplant shades are also a fantastic option. They especially make green eyes pop and sparkle. "Spellbound" from Paula Dorf and "Red Plum" from Alison Raffaele are two Camellia Artist favorites.

I also adore a beautiful shot of color on a neutral eye. I do this by applying a vivid colored liner on the lower lash line only. Some great options are the Big Fat Fun liner pencils in "Blue" & "Teal" from Bed Head, "Midnight" & "Plum" Big & Bright pencils from Bare Escentuals, "Prune", "Jungle", "Smolder", "Underworld" & "Nightingale" Indedlible Eyes Automatic Liner Pencils and "Peacock", Endangered", "Oceanic" & "Tidal Wave" Indelible Gel Liners from our Camellia Cosmetics private line.

Don't be afraid to play with and integrate color into your makeup routine. The options are endless - from the subtle to the dramatic - and they can look completely natural an beautiful. And if you need a little help navigating these new waters, you know we are here to help.

What a Makeup Lesson is like.

2011-01-09T22:00:00.005-05:00

Many women have thought about having a makeup lesson long before they actually pick up the phone and book the appointment. The lag time between desire and action can be easily explained by our busy lifestyles, but some of the procrastination is often because of anxiety over the following fears:

1) Fear of being shown a heavily made up look.
2) Fear of being talked into something that is not your style.
3) Fear of spending too much money.
4) Fear of wasting time on the obvious.
5) Fear of being judged.

These action draining negative thoughts can stop you in your tracks, keeping you from finding your best look before you even start. So, what really happens in that chair? A typical makeup lesson would go like this;

Introductions are made; I ask about your expectations and get a feel for your personal style with a few questions. I make some suggestions, and we narrow down a final goal look. Once we both agree, the products are gathered and you are offered a mirror to follow along and make sure you know how product is applied, how brushes are used, and where to place color to achieve your makeup artist look at home, quickly and with consistent results. The whole process takes between 25 to 45 minutes depending on your style. Everything is written out in template form, which becomes important once you are looking at your bare face and makeup the next morning, trying to remember how to put it back together! Your look should take between 5 and 10 minutes at home. Your artist will help you find the most important items for your budget.

A makeup lesson with a professional makeup artist is nothing to fear, and while I can explain the process I cannot predict your look, that is between you and your artist.

At Camellia, lessons are free, with a suggested $40 minimum purchase. Call for your lesson today.

Heritage Square (574)243-1730 Eddy Street (574)387-4929

The Best and Worst – This Decade in Beauty.

2010-12-31T18:47:00.003-05:00

I write this the last day of the first decade of the 21st century (just give me this one, math geeks). Having spent the entire decade as a beauty insider, I have sometimes been along for the ride, and sometimes found myself leading the charge for some of the beauty changes we have seen this decade.

The Best List:
1)Women found their voice. Women decided to stop listening to what corporate cosmetics told them to wear, and started to tell corporate cosmetics what they wanted (or more specifically what they did not want) in their own cosmetics. Women demanded makeup that did not contain parabins, mineral oils, lead, and unnecessary cheap fillers that could possibly cause bodily harm. The companies on the leading edge of this new consumer demand became today’s leaders.
2)The rise of mineral makeup. This is one of those cosmetic shifts where we found ourselves leading the charge. When Camellia Cosmetics first opened in January 2004 with area newcomer Youngblood mineral makeup, we patiently explained to each client the concept behind the makeup; I still remember my words “You should let me apply mineral makeup for you while you are here, because it's your only chance to try anything like this”. Proof that you can’t hold a good idea down.
3)Finally, tanning bed skin did not equal beautiful. What took everyone so long? Today, if you see a starlet with a golden tan, you know its self tanner and bronzer. Best when used as a well planned out accessory.
4)The shopping experience evolved. Ten years ago your shopping experience for makeup was dictated by corporate cosmetic companies. I was one of the beauty consultants you may have worked with, me behind the counter knowing the prices, stock levels, sales quotas, and how much commission I had to make off of each piece. You, on the other side of the counter, looking for an answer to your immediate beauty need, hoping it wouldn’t cost you too much, and really hoping you would go home with something you could actually use. The system was broken, makeup is glamorous, but the buying process reflected none of it. I am proud to be one of the leaders who changed that experience, even if women didn’t know it needed to be changed.
5)Smokey Eyes. Any way you wore them, they always looked right. The trend spanned the decade, everyone looked pretty cool.

The Worst List:
1)Corporate Cosmetics is rearing it’s ugly head. Between large international stores trying to force cosmetic companies to create cheaper and cheaper products lines and provide a constant supply of samples to throw in customer bags, and the cosmetic companies themselves running exclusive cosmetic deals that undercut their own retail partners;the very real possibility of a future without small independent makeup companies on either side of the table is here.
2)Those God Awful 80’s keep threatening to return. Can’t we just close that door? Say goodbye to over the top eye shadow colors, blush and contour stripes, and outside the lip liner for good, please.
3)Natural Makeup became cult-like. I’m all for less is more. Just not all the time, under all circumstances, on all women. Some of us look better with skillfully applied makeup. Women over 40 in particular look more polished and pulled together when they graduate from a swipe of lip balm, mascara and bronzer to a makeup routine that really works for them. If only they would be open to it.
4)Botox and Fillers created mannequin heads. A little Botox or Restylane are tools that when used wisely can turn back the clock. These tools combined with the savvy and self confidence of a mature woman can create a stunning beauty. Unfortunately, we are not always the best judge of what we need to “fix”. In fact, from what I see, we are our own worst judge of what is beautiful, and what we could tweak about ourselves. Women obsess over the wrong things. Get a second opinion, and not from the guy who is selling the botox.
5)Home Shopping Shows: I don’t get it. Why women are sending away for makeup and fragrances that they see on a glorified commercial really stumps me. The pretty lady said it works like magic? You can always return it? The host insists it’s a great value? I’m kind of embarrassed for the industry, and really wonder how they managed to pull this one off. The women I meet seem too smart to fall for it.

Cheers to the first decade in beauty of the 21st century! Rebecca

Let's clear a few things up....

2010-12-13T17:56:00.012-05:00

Mineral makeup is everywhere right now - and it's here to stay. It's the perfect option for anyone who wants a natural feel and formula in their foundation. This universal benefit makes mineral makeup a favorite with teenagers just beginning to experiment with makeup, the more mature woman who wants a softer look and for anyone in between. It seems like everyone knows someone who is raving about minerals - and there a lot of misconceptions out there. I want to address a few that I hear quite often.

#1 - "I've heard that mature/aging skin types should not use mineral/powder foundations."
While powder foundation may not be the best option for a more mature skin, it's important to realize that while mineral foundations are in a powder form, they are not powder. They are, in most cases, 100% minerals from the earth. Not all mineral foundations consist of the same composition of minerals. This difference in composition will determine if your minerals will glide on and looking and feeling almost creamy, or be a light dusting of coverage.
And, as with all skin types, how you prepare the skin before makeup application is extremely important. Your makeup will only look as good as the skin underneath it does. Anyone who has concerns with dry skin or aging should first apply a hydrating eye cream & moisturizer and then the appropriate primer before their minerals. The difference between minerals that are put on dehydrated/drier skin without proper preparation is astonishing compared to those put on a prepped skin.

#2 - "I don't need sunscreen, my mineral foundation has natural spf."
While it is true that most mineral foundations do contain a natural sunscreen, we generally do not wear enough to really reap the benefits of sun protection. There is no room to deny the aging and damaging effects of the sun on our skin. Bottom line - a moisturizer or sun screen of at least SPF 30 should be worn, everyday, under our foundation.

#3 - "I can't get a full coverage from mineral foundations."
Nine times out of ten when I hear this, it's because the client has the wrong color for their skin tone. "Undertones" play an important role in selecting a mineral foundation. Undertones are the colors that lie underneath the skin - and they will never change. The most common are pink & yellow. The undertone of the foundation should match the undertone of your skin - if it does not, you probably won't get the coverage or look you were going for. Matching skin tones is fast and easy, just pop into Camellia Cosmetics anytime for a quick professional skin tone match.
Brushes also play a big part in getting coverage out of your minerals. The Kabuki brush is, by far, your best bet for full coverage.

#4 - "I like a more dramatic look for my eyes than what minerals can give me."
Make no mistake, you can get a very dramatic look from mineral eyeshadows! They are full of pigment, and are versatile. You want soft & polished? You can have it. You want that full-on smokey eye? Go for it.

#5 - "I can sleep in mineral makeup."
Never sleep in your makeup. Period.

#6 - "Minerals are a one-size-fits-all kind of makeup."
While minerals are a great option for a wide range of us, they quite simply do not work for everyone. As with any cosmetic, it's all about finding what works best for you. Minerals don't work out? Ok! We will find you something that will.

Channel Audrey Hepburn for the holidays....

2010-12-05T16:24:00.013-05:00

Everyone at Camellia Cosmetics is really loving the old Hollywood glamour look for this holiday season. And who better than Audrey Hepburn to emulate? She embodies the idea of elegance, glamour and beauty. Audrey's look was really all about the eyes. Dramatic winged liner, lots of lashes, a strong brow, subtle shadows and cheek color. While she quite often wore red on her lips, this look is also beautiful with a nude lip. It's also a timeless look, as Natalie Portman shows us above. The hallmark of this style is a that of a woman who feels beautiful and confident.

Let Camellia Cosmetics show you how to look stunning this Holiday season! Mastering and sharing glamorous makeup secrets is what we do best. And, as an added bonus, you will love all of your Holiday pictures this year! Call today to make Hollywood Glamour an option for you.
Camellia at Heritage Square 574-243-1730
Camellia at Eddy Street Commons 574-387-4929

The #1 thing I want to shout from the rooftops!

2010-12-05T14:30:00.009-05:00

Blend that eyeshadow!!!
There is nothing that makes me cringe quite like seeing un-blended, rough-looking eyeshadow. It looks painted on, it looks fake! It looks un-natural. When I see this crime, I immediately want to blend it. It takes all my will power to not break out my blending brush - yes, I carry one in my purse - and start fixing random strangers eye makeup. My friends aren't so lucky, they have been on the receiving end of this blending compulsion.
One brush ladies! That's all it takes! Invest in a crease/blending brush - you will love it! I have been known to say, very dramatically, "You must have this brush in your life!" - and I really mean it. The beautiful thing about this brush is that it can be used in so many different ways. It's main purpose is to blend your shadows together so that you do not have any distinct lines - it looks much more natural. It can also be used for a 30 second smokey eye - dip it into a dark shadow, tap off any excess and simply buff into the eyelids. This super brush can also be used under the eye to "airbrush" your concealer on.
Really, it was great when Oprah gave away all those cars a few years ago, but had she given away crease brushes, the world would be a more beautiful place.

Do you see what I see?......

2010-12-05T13:55:00.007-05:00

I don't know how many time we as makeup artists hear "I never would have thought of that!" or " I didn't know my eyes/complexion could look so good!" but I can tell you, it's a lot! And I'll tell you why - it's because, most of the time, we see something completely different in you than you do when you look in the mirror.

I've had clients tell me they think their brown eyes are "boring" - I tell them they're lucky. Women with brown eyes can wear ANY color. Were you one of the chosen to be born with naturally thick, long, lustrous lashes? Show them off! Find the blackest, most volumizing mascara you can and make other women jealous. Or, at the very least, have them ask you in disbelief, "Are those your real lashes?" Those full lips that you try to down play? We want to gloss them up or find the perfect shade of red. Why? It's called a signature look, your features are what make you beautiful, that's why we want them to be seen!

We know you're savvy - you know what makeup techniques work for you - but sometimes, a new set of eyes can help you find and enhance something you may have never thought of!

The weather is going to break but your wallet doesnt have too!!

2010-11-11T15:47:00.006-05:00

Two wonderful products just in time for winter, are Mario Badescu's Vitamin C Serum and Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin "C". Both have a high concentration of vitamin c which will help strengthen skin internally along with lightening pigmentation brought on by sun & hormones. Another ingredient, collagen, women have raved about for ages thanks to it's skin regeneration qualities. Hyaluronic acid, is a natural skin hydrator that holds and binds moisture to your skin cells,and it's the main ingredient in the latest . Vitamin C Serum or Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin "C" are both great for all skin types, from sensitive to oily, and price ranges are either $30 or $45. Not bad at all:)

My skins second chance

2010-10-15T16:55:00.010-04:00

There is no specific age when you wake up and see the signs of aging. At any age your skin will show the results of your own genetic makeup, your daily activities, personal skin care regimen, and any daily habits you might have. And there will come a day when your skin looks less smooth, clear, and smooth. If this has happened to you, don't flip out - do something!

Here is what I did. The facial superstars Leah and Rachal suggested I get a microdermabrasion. If you have met them, they are pretty convincing. They not only nail what is wrong with your skin, but immediately know what you need to do to make it better. Kind of a break you down to build you up thing. Anyway, here is my experience.

I paid special attention to my skin care the day of my facial, finally realizing that I was probably using all the wrong items for the change in weather. My oil free moisturizer was lacking in the moisture my skin clearly needed, and my cleanser was still deep cleaning my no longer oil pumping pores. It's like I knew, but it didn't register. Something to discuss during my facial.

I slipped into the facial room wearing a hat, scarf, and sunglasses, I'm just dramatic that way. Rachal took my skin care confessions like a pro, not scolding me but easily recommending the perfect cleanser, toner (to strengthen my capillaries) and a lightweight cream.

I braced for my micro dermabrasion, expecting a little pain. Super relieved to find out it doesn't hurt, and its not supposed to. Relaxed.....it basically felt like a combination cat lick and little vacuum cleaner on my face. Thanks to Rachal for her patience, I kept touching my skin as she finished an area - it felt so smooth! I think it took about 25 minutes, just a breeze. I jumped up for a look, expecting my skin to look like a big red plum. I looked normal! (Rachal applied anti-redness relief to my skin before she finished, what a thoughtful touch!) I guess I didn't need the hat, scarf, or sunglasses after all. Sigh.

Can't wait to use my new skin care tomorrow - it's always a pick me up when you stop settling for what ever is hanging around and use what your skin really needs.

Micro dermabrasion Facials are only $55 through the end of November, then back up to the regular price of $70. Call 574-243-1730 to book. Put your face in Rachal and Leah's hands, they won't let you down.

Eyeliner You Can See From Space

2010-10-12T17:44:00.008-04:00

I have been obsessed with the beauty industry for as long as I can remember. I was, most likely, the only 16 year old girl in Indiana who wanted to be Kevyn Aucoin. (In my opinion, the makeup artist of all makeup artists. Honestly, I would have moved to New York and served him his coffee for a living - just to be around that kind of talent. The man was a genius. It was a sad day when he passed away.)

When I first interviewed with Rebecca to work for Camellia, she asked me what my makeup philosophy was. I thought for a beat and then replied "I think you should see eyeliner from space." I have said this numerous times to my clients over the past few years. I can't help it, I LOVE eyeliner. It was the first cosmetic I ever wore. (I'm sure I stole it from my older sister.) Now, do I really believe that people should see your eyeliner before they see you? Of course not! But I do think every woman can benefit from it - it does so much for us! The moment the words left my mouth, I was sure I had lost Rebecca. Thankfully, she loved it!

As well as my documented love of eyeliner, the other half of my philosophy is honesty. I've been to the stores and the cosmetic counters - I can tell when someone is just trying to sell me something. I can't stand it and have vowed never to do it! I want to help women look and feel their best. I have had the opportunity to be trained by brands such as Smashbox, Nars, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Make-up Forever, Givenchy, Bare Escentuals, as well as many others and am happy to pass all that knowledge on! It does me no good to keep it all to myself.

I believe that makeup can change the way you feel, it can change the way you see yourself. Are there more important things in life than cosmetics? Absolutely. Sometimes, though, the most important thing in life is how we feel about ourselves. And, sometimes, a new lip gloss, eye shadow or perfume can pick us up when we need it. It's a beautiful thing.

Introducing Amie!

2010-10-11T12:56:00.004-04:00

Amie has a voice, and we want to hear it. Our newest contributer to the Camellia Confidential brings honesty and the desire to make her clients happy and feeling their best to the makeup table. Highly trained, (and highly opinionated) Amie will bring you the news, tips, and tricks that will make your beauty dilemmas dissapear.

Look for her blogs coming soon!

Isn't it about time someone showed you how to wear eyeshadow?

2010-06-28T21:42:00.002-04:00

5 Big Eye Makeup Lies:

1) If you are doing it right, no one should see it. If this is true, then why bother?
2) Every one should wear eyeliner. Unless, of course, we show you something better.
3) Follow these easy step by step directions... but wait, my eyes are different!
4) Eye makeup just smears off anyway. Not the way we do it.
5) If I could learn how, I would have by now. It's not the student, it's the teacher.

You don't have to know all of the looks, that's our job. You should definitely know how to play up your eyes every single day, and have an evening look to fall back on. One evening look will get you through multiple events, but you might want to change it every couple of years!

Call Camellia today, book an eye lesson with a professional makeup artist. Isn't it about time?

574-243-1730

How to Look Good in Pictures

2010-06-14T21:18:00.013-04:00

Oh, you look good... but you would never know it looking at a photograph. The camera comes out, you panic, and out comes your fall-back pose. I took an informal survey today, asking the artists to show me how they pose for pictures. Half of them looked as if someone was about to throw a ball at their face, the other half had hilarious variations of grimaces. The transformation from pretty to insecure was immediate.

What Not to Do:
*Don't panic- Fight or flight has no place in here. You'll just end up with pictures of your self hiding behind a pillow or looking upset.

*Don't hold anything - Clutching a purse, your glasses, or books will only compress your upper body ; the opposite of lean.

*Don't feel foolish for posing- You will have the last laugh when the pictures are posted.

What to Do:
*Slightly lower your chin, and look up with your eyes. I know, you think you have a fat face so you tip your chin up. It just doesn't work this way. Try it.

*Relax and look at the camera. Over posing causes crossed eyes, tense smiles, and frozen faces.

*Act like you don't mind at all. If the camera thinks you like it, it will be nice to you.

*Ask the photographer to take several pictures, and demand immediate editorial rights. You can take a look at the first pictures to see if you need to make a change, or call it a wrap. Hey, they whipped out the camera phone, you get to call out the ground rules.

Why we Love to see Stars without Makeup

2010-06-10T21:00:00.011-04:00

See Halle, Katherine, and Jessica without makeup! Why do we look,what are we looking for? Have we convinced ourselves that without the benefit of full makeup and artful lighting celebrities have nothing on us, that they are really just like us? Well, yes and yes.

Without makeup and with their hair undone, celebs look like many of my neighbors, cute and approachable. So....does that mean that with makeup and a fantastic hair style, my neighbors would look like celebrities....would we? Isn't that the real question?

As a makeup artist, it's my job to create red carpet looks for everyday women. I know which products and techniques can take them from neighborhood cutie to Hollywood hottie. So, yes, you can look like a celebrity, so can I. But you should let yourself be seen regularly without makeup,it allows your red carpet look to have so much more impact. The contrast helps to create the wow factor. But, please, no pictures.

Heat Wave vs. Youngblood

2010-06-01T22:29:00.006-04:00

Late spring rains conspired with an early summer heat wave to create a beauty challenge this month. Some women respond to heat and humidity by giving up...but not in our camp. We rise to the challenge! This is our time to show off our clever products, designed specifically with real life in mind.

For years one of our faves has been Youngblood Pressed Powder. This oil-controlling pressed mineral foundation provides exceptional concealing properties. With a smooth, matte and natural finish that will keep you looking unflappable on humid, hot, active days.

Our goal is to have those items that women seek out, and Youngblood is a superstar among our exclusive products. Women seek it out - find out why! Next time you come in, spend 5 minutes in my chair and wear Youngblood for a day. Because there is nothing cooler than looking perfectly smooth while those around you are melting.

Why I'm Ticking Women off this Week

2010-05-26T11:12:00.004-04:00

No one likes to go into a store for their favorite lip gloss, and have the sale person tell them to try something else. Every one knows that these people don't go home with you, have not walked in your shoes and can't begin to understand how hard it was to find this perfect gloss, (lipstick, foundation, moisturizer....) to begin with. I do it anyway. How else would you ever know that there is a lip gloss that stays on for at least two hours, looks amazing, and feels heavenly? I'm forcing women to try Tallulah Lip Gloss this week. I'm ticking them off. They can thank me in a few hours ~ Tallulah Lip Gloss $16
http://tallulahcosmetics.com/

Beauty Rule #13, Never let them tell you "you look tired"

2010-05-02T22:38:00.008-04:00

I know, you are tired. Or maybe you feel great, but if you have ever been the recipient of the not so innocent comment "you look tired" you know what a mood sucker it is. Fight rudeness with beauty, using these easy makeup tricks.

To look bright eyed, fresh, and ready to face anything:
- Use an eye tightening eye cream to refresh and wake up your eyes.
- Press a light concealer on the inner corner of each eye, and tip the outside corner too, to cover any redness.
- Generously apply a peach eyeshadow.
- Rub a charcoal colored liner along the top of your lashes, smudge top and bottom very near the lash line with blue shadow, or blue eyeliner.
- Skip the bronzer, go for the blush. Peach, pink, or best of all, peachy-pink blush is very fresh.
- Bright gloss finishes the carefree, happy, anything but tired look.

This is a fun casual beauty look that is fresh, youthful, and wide awake.

Tan like a celebrity!

2010-04-08T22:35:00.006-04:00

Take a page out of the celebrity play book - Fake Bake your way to bronzed summer skin. Fake Bakes application tint not only shows where it goes, but it gives you the immediate satisfaction of looking tan...while you tan.

Fake Bake is an insider's favorite because it doesn't give itself away. No streaking, no tell-tale orange look, it's consistently rated the #1 self-tanner to hit the market.

Fake Bake is a Camellia makeup artists favorite, it solves the question of to tan or not to tan (not to tan!) with a third, better solution - Fake Bake.

The Flawless Face

2010-03-25T21:43:00.004-04:00

I have found that applying full makeup, all shortcuts in place, takes a total of 10 minutes every morning. The rest of the day I reap the rewards of this ten minute investment of time and effort. A typical day includes meeting after meeting, client after client. Add in inpromtu cell phone pics (sure to be posted all over facebook), bathroom mirror checks and bumping into acquaintances at lunch.

Sheer makeup might be in style, but my self image demands a certain amount of coverage and makeup that can go the distance with me. Because once I put in my 10 minutes, it is no longer makeup, it's my face.

Makeup doesn't have to be sheer to look sheer. Your makeup should look like amazing, flawless skin. That's the goal, don't get wrapped up in the reality of how it got there, because once it's on your face, it is your face. Reap the rewards of the 10 minutes a day, every day.

If you have Brown Eyes...

2010-03-25T21:04:00.006-04:00

If you have brown eyes, do you feel a little ripped off? While every woman who is not rocking out the "ready to go" brown iris laments the fact that they have to work hard to get brown iris intensity...women with brown eyes seem to have thrown in the towel on their makeup options. Wrap a black eyeliner around a blue or hazel eye, and you have a dramatic contrast - for the better or worse depending on your skill level and the quality of your liner. But a black eyeliner framing a brown eye gets you....an even darker eye. Here are some of my favorite ways to bring the fun back into the brown eyed woman's beauty routine.

Wrap those brown eyes with brilliant green liner. This is my current favorite look. I usually rub the green big fat liner (Bed Head) right into the upper lash line. Big wow moment follows.

Under 30? Use a smudge brush and ring those eyes of brown with a metallic shadow (silver - my fave, gold, or bronze). OK, the under 30 qualifier is only meant to give you pause, those over 30 can do anything...occasionally.

Eye shadow colors for you right now, a minxy lavender. Translation - a slightly purple silver color. Try Paula Dorf La Dee Da or Metro.

The big idea here is to try color to give those brown eyes a bright lift and re-energize your look.

How to Apply Eye Makeup

2010-02-23T14:17:00.007-05:00

What is it about "How to Apply Eye Makeup" magazine articles that drive me crazy? Let's begin with the idea that there might be a one-size-fits-all lesson, one perfect eye look that you simply cut and paste on any woman? Or is it the fact that most of the tips they give you are just plain wrong, almost ensuring failure. No wonder most women just stick with the eyeliner or mascara. Who wants to fail on a daily basis?

As a professional makeup artist, it is my job to know how to achive beautiful eye makeup quickly, and it had better last. (What Bride would recomend an aritst if she had to touch up her wedding makeup herself?) A clinet's eye shape, eye color, age and style, personal preferences, current trends, and makeup product preference are among just a few of the variables for any one look.

The point is, I have to know all of this... but you don't. You only have to know what looks good on you, and how to get that look consistently. Which is where I come in. A professional artist will show you what YOU need to know to create your top three, and everyday look, a signature look, and an evening look. So put down the magazine, and pick up the phone, call me, or an artist near you, for your personal eye makeup lesson.

Camellia Eye Lessons available in the South Bend area only.
Call 800-517-0013

Why we are obsessed with your eyebrows.

2010-02-14T18:14:00.026-05:00

Brow Sin - Round Brow
Brow Sin - Wide Space
Brow Sin - Hockey Sticks

We are obsessed with helping you avoid the following eyebrow sins;

Brow Sin #1 Hockey Stick Eyebrows. The reason: You have no idea where your arch should be, and now you are committed to maintaining your Hockey Sticks. The Solution: Look straight on into the mirror, your natural brow arch begins immediately over the outside of your iris, (the side toward your ear, not your nose)If this is not even close to the arch you have created then you have some growing to do. To make the growing out process more bearable, invest in a brow pencil. Taupe is a good one for most of us.

Brow Sin #2 The Wide Space. The reason: You are probably a perfectionist. Your eyebrows do not march in perfect order along the inner brow, the wayward brow hairs are plucked away so you don't have to be reminded of their failure to conform. The Remedy: Awareness that brows grow in different directions, beginning with a fountain that will generally sprout toward the nose, then the hairline, and finally the outer ear. They may decide to grow straight down toward the ears. It's OK, let them do their thing. Ease the grow out period with a nice taupe pencil.

Brow sin #3 The Round Brow. Close relative of Sin #1 but a bit more "I Love Lucy", or Ronald McDonald. The reason: you have lost sight of your arch because you raise your brows when you tweeze, and you raise your brows when you fill in. (A round brow is impossible to accomplish without a pencil). The Remedy. Change the habit of grooming your eyebrows with them raised. Relax your brow. Draw a dot at the area of the natural arch, just above the outside of the iris of your eye. From this dot, angle down for a slight angle, like a natural brow line would have.

Brow Sin #4: The Drag Queen. This is the brow that just won't stop. It goes past all reasonable expectations, finally coming to a halt near the outer end of an overly made up eye. The reason: Oversell; you want to show the world that you know how important brows are so you are waving the brow flag. The Remedy; realise that you have been sold on a drag queen look, and if you are not actually performing tonight, then you don't have to wear the brow uniform. Just say no, and put down the pencil.

Brow Sin #5: The Sperm Brow. A cousin of Hockey Sticks, but rounder. The reason; Somewhere you learned that your brows should be left full, so you allowed your inner bits to grow into cul-de-sacs, while vigorously tweezing the remaining brow. The resulting brow resembles, um, yeah. The remedy; get ye to a professional brow groomer. Your carefully cultivated brows needs an objective eye to begin to re-shape them into anything resembling an eyebrow.

Individual brow angst will be addressed in the comment section. The brow bar is open.

Best Eye Cream Ever

2010-02-03T20:32:00.004-05:00

Don't ask me what's in it. I am a makeup artist, not a scientist. I know what works, and this stuff works. It brightens, it tightens, I am pretty sure it wakes me up every morning.

My love affair with eye cream began in my late twenties. Working for Estee Lauder gave me access to things I wanted, bright pretty things; and also things I couldn't care less about, like eye cream. I was beginning to see troublesome fine lines around my eyes, but this was no more than an observation. Certainly nothing could be done about it, right? And I wasn't about to interfere with my eye makeup area (my eyes) by introducing an outside agent.

But I had to sell the stuff, and I decided to use up my free eye cream so I would know how to sell it. A few weeks later, I almost ran off the road when I did a quick makeup check in my rear view mirror and immediately noticed, no more fine lines. They were GONE. Love affair begins. The Lauder gig ended and a long trial run began. I tried every department and drugstore brand. I wanted the perfect eye cream, without the investment price tag. I was beginning to believe I was forever bound to the investment when I tried Mario Badescu. Everything a women with serious skin issues and a healthy amount of vanity could wish for, without the investment price tag.

What does eye cream do? If you have dark, crinkly skin near the inner bottom area of your eyes, you will see a dramatic decrease with a good eye cream. If you have puffiness when you wake up, use eye cream morning only. There are an abundance eye creams to research, but do yourself a favor and just buy this one. Mario Badescu Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream. $18

Beauty - Segmented

2010-02-03T20:14:00.005-05:00

I’m over 40, which puts me in a beauty category. I’m supposed to be fighting any signs of aging – or - engaging in that laughable modern concept of celebrating every sign of aging. The truth is, I’m in denial. And I know I’m not alone.

For every woman who is mourning another lost year, there are three others who are glad the concept of ageing doesn’t apply to them. Then, one fateful day… you find yourself in a category. Over 30, 40, over 50. Panic sets in, shouldn’t you be doing something? Are you breaking any rules, missing out on any insider information?

We didn’t get this far obsessing over do’s and don’ts and following arbitrary rules. Why start now? Face it, lighter hair might look softer on some women as they get older, but darker hair might look better with your skin. Blue eyeliner might be a major “don’t” from years ago, but it might also be just the thing you need to brighten up your eyes. Women over 40 are supposed to finally break free of all of the “shoulds” in their lives, and beauty is no exception.

How to break out? Get an objective point of view - from your sister, best friend, or trusted beauty ally. Now give them carte blanch permission to tell you where you are selling yourself short, ask them what you should be celebrating about your own beauty that you just can't see. Believe me, they will have opinions. If what you hear rings true, then by all means follow through. Nothing is as immediately gratifying to your self image like a beauty shake up. But by all means, don't do what you "should" be doing, especially if it makes you feel like you are playing by someone else's rules.