A few of the questions I often hear from clients or when working on a commercial makeup shoot is, “What products do you use?” “How do you get your skin to glow and look so refreshed-looking?” “What foundation do you recommend for summer?”

A great picture of summer skin – and I’ll tell you how to get this look. from allure

To summarize, I’m going to give you my tips for having dewy, sun-kissed, luminescent skin for summer – an insider’s scoop, if you will, on the best makeup products to use during these warm, summer days.

My personal go-to’s and favies, at your request!

First and foremost, your makeup approach during the summer should be “less is more.” At the very least, I’ll show you how to wear makeup in such a way that people won’t even think you’re wearing it. They’ll just think your skin looks refreshed, awake, and glowing.

#1. MOISTURIZE (ideally use a moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or more)

Skinceuticals and Obagi all make great SPF/daily moisturizers, but the most important factor is SPF. Regardless of brand/price and whether you get it OTC/dermatologist’s office, make sure it has an SPF of at least 30 (if it doesn’t, layer an SPF underneath your moisturizer). I love tinted moisturizers for summer because they kill two birds with one stone! Your skin drinks in moisture, is protected, and simultaneously gets a sheer wash of color and coverage.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 (ten different shades to choose from), $42

Hands down, the best tinted moisturizer on the market – and an Allure Beauty pick. I use this on myself and on brides who just want a hint of sheer coverage (another great option to try is Nars Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF 30). If you really want a low-maintenance summer routine, try Nars, because it’s three steps in 1. Protection – check. Sheer coverage and a hint of color – check. Moisture – check! This is how we do it, ladies.

#2. USE A LUMINIZER.

What’s that, you say? A luminizer gives your skin that effortless dewy “glow” we all crave for summer. No glitter here – just flawless, smooth, glowing skin with a hint of dewy shimmer. Put it on after you moisturizer and before you put on foundation. OR – try mixing it with your liquid foundation. To apply, use fingertips or a foundation brush to put it on your cheekbones, cheeks, brow bone, and on top of your eyebrows (framing your face, if you will). I also put a little down the bridge of my nose and on top of my cupid’s bow to make lips look fuller.

Try Jemma Kidd’s “Mannequin Skin” complexion enhancer (my friend Danielle introduced me to this product, and now I use it on brides all the time!) $25 at Target.

#3. And last, but not least, USE A SHEER, LIGHTWEIGHT FOUNDATION (or you can omit this step, and just use a tinted moisturizer & a luminizer).

I am seriously obsessed with Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation ($59) right now – a daily must-have summer foundation for me. I got turned onto this product after working with Marisa Runyon (Rachel Zoe’s right hand lady & brand director for Rachel Zoe, Inc.) for a few days on a shoot a couple of weeks ago. Her skin was fabulously flawless, but not cakey: the perfect amount of coverage without looking done-up, and I had to know her secret. It’s quite an investment for foundation – I know – but the reward and outcome is worth every penny. A little bit goes a long way with this sheer foundation, so you’ll be amazed at how little product you need for excellent, yet lightweight, coverage. I use #5, but my skin is fair-to-light.

Other honorable mentions (a.k.a. secret weapons)

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks (dust on top of blush along cheekbones, inner corners of eyes, and on brow bone as a highlight – insane, natural-looking shimmer without being cakey or glittery).

Bronzer – my personal favorite is Nars Bronzer in “Laguna.” Nice saturated hint of color without being orange – zing! Insider tip: brush bronzer on the places where you would naturally get sun on your face (forehead, nose, apples of cheeks). Make sure to blend, blend, blend so that there isn’t a demarcation of dark and light where your face meets your neck.

Stay chic,

Annie

P.S. Hint, if you want compliments on your skin this summer, use a luminizer.

Stay chic!

Annie

Anyone subscribe to Southern Living?

Well, if so, check out page 55 in the current May 2012 issue – a feature called “Meet the New Tastemakers.” I did hair & makeup for St. Louis designer, Amie Corley. A favorite all-time magazine and staple in my home growing up, I was thrilled to be part of this shoot.

You can also see my hair & makeup work in the new Purina “Tidy Cats” commercial called, “PU Patrol.” Funny subject matter, but I loved working with Sam and Megan – both such great-looking, charismatic models. Such a fun shoot! Watch the commercial here: PU Patrol from Tidy Cats

Stay tuned – more to come!

Stay chic,

Annie

Mint (ice cream) green is so delicious. Don’t you agree?

from left, images 1 & 3 – Vera Wang, images 2 & 4, Jenny Packham (image via here)

Pretty, graceful, and elegant, this organic shade is a must in my book for spring.

Tara Jarmon Polka Dot Silk Dress, $630

Topshop pleated skirt, $76 – can’t get enough pleats. The straight, vertical lines are so lengthening and flattering, plus, a pleated skirt drapes in such a way that it flatters a woman’s waist.

Topshop Drape Front Top, $72

D&G Layered Tulle Mini Skirt, $630

Irene Neuwirth mint earrings, $10,680 (ooh, a girl can dream)

Tibi pleated silk chiffon dress, $550

Chloe patent leather clutch, $1,395

Stay chic,

Annie

images via vogue

image credits: Rodarte; Vera Wang; Jason Wu

Peplum-palooza:

A) Mulberry metallic peplum top, $600 B) Alice + Olivia Peplum skirt, $198 C) Alice + Olivia peplum dress, $264 D) Alice + Olivia Mary peplum strapless dress, $330 E) Kalmanovich peplum dress, $1,030 F) Tibi Peplum jacket, $495 G) Giambattista Valli leopard peplum top, $1,430

The key to wearing this ruffled detail is to keep your body proportions in mind, as well as the size and placement of the peplum. If you have narrow hips (straight/ruler/boy-shaped) you can wear a fuller, flared or more dramatic peplum. If you have a small or defined waist, you can wear a peplum skirt with a slim fitting bottom. If you’re fuller throughout the hips or backside (as many of us are), remember that ruffles draw attention; however, the peplum can be very flattering on a hourglass shape. Just remember to stick with a sleek and fitted silhouette, all you curvy ladies.

Two of my fashion favies, Olivia P, and Emma Stone, rocking the peplum:

Palermo wears a peplum top that hits at her natural waistline. The peplum is more subdued, and she wears it with a slender bottom (black pixi pants). In this color-blocked dress, Emma Stone wears a more dramatic peplum on her hips. images via google

What do you think of the peplum? A yay or nay for you? Will you be sporting it this spring? Remember, not every trend is for everybody, nor is it for every BODY.

Stay chic!

Annie

I’m inundated with spring shoes collections right now, and the espadrille is more vocal than ever this season. Classic black, white and nude remain wardrobe staples, while variations using bold, bright colors (orange is hot) and prints (ikat, stripes, etc.) are a welcome departure from the espadrilles of yesteryear.

As always, here are some of my favies:

Rebecca Minkoff Suri, $295 (for legs a mile long)

Seychelles “Memories of You“, $90

Jimmy Choo Perry Platform Espadrille, $550 (to die for with white, tailored shorts)

Ivanka Trump Halyn, $150

Sam Edelman Leroy, $150

Calvin Klein Harlo, $99

Stuart Weitzman Alex, $365

Mark & James by Bagdley Mischka, Reza II, $245 (with any sundress)

Are your mouths salivating? Looking at these make me hungry for resort-wear, maxi dresses and the Caribbean.

Stay chic,

Annie

Note – apologies for slacking on the blog-posts and Wedding Wednesdays! I haven’t forgotten you, but I’ve been busy! Just wrapped up a shoot for Southern Living magazine, among a few other shoots, which I can’t wait to share with you all.

Here are the terms:

• Book a Style & Stella party with me for the month of March, and your name will be entered into a raffle to win a one-hour Wardrobe Consult and Edit with A Chic Critique. (Details: I’ll go through your closet, give you wardrobe and style tips for how to dress for your body type, make accessorizing suggestions, and help you put outfits together.  This one-hour consult is valued at $75).
• Jewelry Trunk Show & Style Party must be booked and held during the month of March for your name to be entered into the giveaway.
• Still need an additional incentive to book? The average Stella & Dot hostess receives $250 in free jewelry and 4 half-off items! Need I say more? The editors of Vogue, Real Simple, and Marie Claire all have their eye on Stella & Dot right now.

Contact annie@achiccritique.com for more information, and to get your style party on the books!

Stay chic,

Annie

Spring 2012 Runway: Tory Burch; Luca Luca; Adam; Suno – photos via style.com

I love how pretty and feminine polka dots are – a simple, yet classic print that will remain in your closet for years. If you’re a little leery of prints, they’re much less overwhelming than a large floral or graphic pattern. Keep in the mind: the smaller the dot, the more monochromatic and tonal the effect will appear. (Tip – if you’re petite or you have a slender frame, look for a medium-sized polka. If you’re curvy or voluptuous, stick with a tinier polka dot). Minnie mouse-size polka dots don’t flatter any body type!

Ali Ro Polka Dot Dress, $298

Tulle Polka Dot Dress, $69

Lipsy Polka Dot Shirt, Asos, $62.97

Tory Burch Ruth Polka Dot Top, $225

Dot It Made Top, Modcloth, $47.99

Michael Kors Polka Dot Shirtdress, $120

Marc by Marc Jacobs cream polka dot dress, $355

Sonia Rykiel Polka Dot Voile Top, $295

A little girlish and sweet, they are an absolute must in my book for spring.

Stay chic,

Annie

Regardless of whether you actually pick out your cake first or not (I would suggest securing your venues, photographer, and band first), it’s true that it does reflect the overall tone and flavor, so to speak, of your wedding reception. Years ago I worked for a wedding & event planner in Nashville, and during our initial meetings with brides, we would ask them to describe the wedding of their dreams in just three adjectives. How would you like your wedding to look and feel? What’s the vibe and aesthetic you’d like? We’d hear responses ranging from “down-home, Southern, and quaint” to “glamorous, opulent, and elegant.” Your cake should reflect these adjectives.

Then there’s the question of fondant vs. butter-cream and the overall flavor(s) of your cake. To tackle this question, I would most definitely schedule a tasting with two to three different reputable wedding cake bakers.

Here are some lovelies to whet your appetite:

Simple and understated.

Prefer the less traditional approach? Why not offer various cakes and flavors to your guests? With a panoply of choices, every guest is sure to be satisfied.

This is a very classic and traditional cake in my book. The ribbons, color, and flowers could all be customized to your color palette, and the pattern could even reflect some detail from your dress.

Sweet, feminine, and floral.

Hope you had a happy & love-filled Valentine’s day!

Stay chic,

Annie

J. Crew Marina Necklace – wear with white jeans! $125

A Peace Treaty, Tubar Ring, $132

The Serenity Stone Necklace, $198, from Stella & Dot (as seen in People Style Watch). 12 carat gold plated, mix of smooth, faceted glass stones and turquoise & dyed jade. A gorgeous, versatile statement piece for summer!

Diya Chandeliers, Anthropologie, $298

Lust-worthy Irene Neuwirth earrings, $3,370

I love how refreshing these shades are: simple, yet classic and sophisticated. Colors like jade, aquamarine, and ocean-blue will complement your neutral basics and really pop against your black and whites for spring!

Stay chic,

Annie