Lo & Co. Blog

We Have Bridal Hair!

Please meet Jennifer (aka Jennie) the new Hair Diva of Lo & Co.  Jennie is a wonderfully talented hair stylist and she does great makeup as well. Welcome Jennie!!!

 

How to wear a red Lip

I have always loved the sophisticated look of a beautiful red lip.  When I was an actress, I loved playing a 1940s or 50s character and it was always super easy to get into character – just add the red lipstick!  I know, I know, you are afraid of red – you think that you will look like a clown or something even worse!  I have heard it all, but trust  me the right red can make your skin look amazing and your eye color pop.  If you are short on time throw on your red lip, mascara, blush and you look pulled together and confident.  

The red lip was worn by many top actresses at the Golden Globes and many brides are turning to this  classic look and rocking it!(check out my photo gallery). The trend is to have a More stained look,  rather than a perfectly lined, opaque lip.  Red can range from a subtle berry to a kick ass fire engine red.  So no matter what you skin color, there is a great red for you!

The key for a great red is to use more than one color.  I like to have one red that is a deep matte color and a second that is brighter and more moisturizing.. Start by applying a layer of the matte color and press the lips together or press in with your finger to work the color in and stain the lip. Apply color again and blot with tissue a couple of times.  Switch to your second color and repeat the process until you achieve the desired look.  This will add dimension to your lips and makes them look softer and more natural than one matte color.   A red lip pencil can also be used on the lip, but use a color that is softer than your lipstick.

 

Here are some that I use and recommend:

Matte Lipsticks  

Bobbi Brown – Burnt red (orange/red),Redwood (red/brown)
M.A.C. – Retro (brownish red), Dubonnet (orange/ red)
Lipstick Queen - Natural Sinner (brown/red, Berry Sinner (berry), Red Sinner (orange/red)

Sheer lipsticks

Bobbi Brown – Cranberry, Ruby,Plum
M.A.C. Brick- ol-a (pinker red –easy to wear), Spice it up (berry red)
Laura Mercier –Garnet (plum/red)

Lip Pencils -

Nars – Velvet Matte Dolce Vita, Forbidden Red*
Bobbi Brown –Slopes, Brown

*I love these liners! They feel like velvet and you can wear them alone,with gloss or with lipstick.

 There are many drugstore brands which I love, but you can’t try them on in the store.  CVS has a great makeup return policy that lets you return used cosmetics.  Please double check with clerk before purchasing.

You must try on the colors to know the right color.  When you have the right lip color on it should perk  up and brighten your skin color.   Go to a counter and let the sales associate know that you are looking for the right red and you want to try on a bunch of colors. A decent artist should understand and give you a little space, but be there to help you out. For sanitary application, ask for a spray alcohol bottle and a tissue.  Spray the alcohol on the top of the lip stick and then wipe of onto the tissue.  You can apply to your lip directly or with a lip brush.  Go at off peak time for the best experience department store experience (avoid 12-2pm and 5-7pm).

Perfect lip tips!

For dry or flaky lips use a toothbrush (gently) on wet lips to remove flaky skin.  Hydrate lips with a balm and blot of excess before applying color.  Apply color from the middle of your lips and work out.  Clean up a messy lip line use concealer or foundation on a flat brush around the lip area..

 

We love to hear from you – let me know how it goes!

Miss Meghan - Shoe Expert

As I was applying makeup to a bride, she casually mentioned her friend Meghan who is a shoe expert.  Huh?!  Such a person exists? I almost poked her in the eye with my mascara wand as I questioned her on the who, what, where of this wonderful person.  I checked out her website as soon as I finished with my bride and found my new BFF, Meghan Cleary.  Okay, so she doesn't know me (yet) but I am determined to meet her. She has a thriving "shoe expert" business - who knew?

I was watching her videos www.missmeghan.com as she explained her obsession with a pair of powder blue wedges when she was five.  She equates walking in stilettos to doing pilates. Could this be my long lost twin?  

I have always been in love with not only makeup, but everything to do with fashion and beauty.  I remember coveting my first pair of Nike sneakers in the 8th grade. I would sit on the couch with my feet up on the coffee table and stare at their simplistic design.  I loved the sleek blue swoosh on the supple white leather.  Ah, I miss that sneaker.  I still put on my favorite shoes and just look at them.  There is something so beautiful about a high heel and it makes  you feel sexy and feminine.  It has nothing to do with labels for me, it is all about the design and shape. Sure, I covet a pair of Manolo D'Orsay pumps, but I also love my new Nine West giraffe print stilettos.  And, I still love the look and feel of a springy new pair of sneakers. I feel comfort in knowing that their is a  woman out there who has created a successful career out of this love of shoes. It isn't just me being crazy.

Her site has shoe videos, a celeb-shoe cam, shoe-hunting advice, and great advice. I encourage you to check out her aritcle on wedding shoes. http://www.missmeghan.com/archives/category/wedding-shoes/.  Check it out and tell her I sent you:-)

The Nike Cortez (my swoosh was blue)

I Resolve to be . . . Me!

I am not a big resolution person and am sick of trying to fix my flaws. I have spent a lifetime cultivating my faults and quite frankly, I wouldn't be me without them.  Without these flaws I would never say anything inappropriate, never interrupt, never laugh louder and longer than anyone else in the room, never tell a dirty joke, never voice an opinion (strongly) or tell anyone what to do, never eat or drink too much, and definitely never curse!  

Don't get me wrong, if you want to exercise more, eat less, save more, become a better person, and drink more water - fabulous.  But, let's not go crazy trying to change the core of ourselves.  Instead, I have decided to concentrate on more of my positive attributes and habits. 

I like to take the same approach with makeup and overall beauty.  I have heard the most beautiful women complain about their crooked nose, uneven eyes, bad brows, pointy chin, eyes that are too big, eyes that are too small, etc.  In my life as a makeup artist I am always trying to enhance what I think is beautiful.  I am always thinking what could I do to make her look even better.  I often overlook an obvious pimple because I am so caught up with my client's fabulous cheekbones.  I like this method much better than trying to change a face, in which the outcome is rarely good. 

So, this year let's all accentuate our positive (whatever that may be) and stop beating ourselves up for the very things that make us, us!!

Happy New Year,

xoxo,
Lo