Shimmer Me Timbers! Holiday Makeup Secrets for a Hot Mama

The definitive word for Holiday Makeup 2008 is “shimmer.” First off, let’s define exactly what that is. Merriam Webster says: “To shine with a soft, tremulous or fitful light; glimmer.” The word “soft” is used in that definition for good reason. This is NOT a look that tells the world you fell into a pot of sparkle paint. It’s just a soft “glow,” if you will, a little something special on that beautiful face of yours.

So where can you shimmer? You can do a total shimmer look such as Bobbi Brown’s Copper Diamond Look. She basically takes a pale, smoky-eye color scheme and dusts it all over with metallic copper colors. Here’s how: Bobbi Brown's Tutorial

The Aglow Holiday look at Prescriptives is here: Aglow Video. There is a video of the photo shoot on this page which will show you how they achieved this look. Note that the shimmeriest part of the face here is the model’s mouth.

MAC Cosmetics is featuring something a little different, “Red, She Said;” however, you will also find their Viva Glam Special Edition Look (read that “shimmer”) right underneath. Click on the following link and you will get a schematic of how it was done. MAC's How-To

Now if you are used to wearing a face full of war paint every day, I would give one of these looks a try. However, if eye shadow is a foreign language to you and you call heavy makeup a quick swipe of bronzer and maybe some mascara and lip gloss, I would pick one feature and add your shimmer there. Got lips? Get some shimmery lip gloss and play them up. Pale, shimmery colors with neutral liners look great! There are too many choices to name at your local drug store chains. Grab the one that speaks to you. Phenomenal eyes? There are lots of choices in shimmery shadows. I feel that liquid or crème eye shadow is best for this type of application. I recommend Clinique Quick Eyes Crème Shadow ($15 at your local Clinique counter or at http://www.clinique.com) . There are lots of great colors, but I particularly like the Sparkling Nude and Cocoa Shimmer if you like the metallic look a la Bobbi Brown. Do you have great sculpted cheek bones? Get some shimmer powder and highlight the top of your blush with it. You can even mix a little shimmer powder in with some of that quickie bronzer you throw on as you run out the door to give you just a little bit of shimmer without a lot of shine.

Do you like mineral makeup? Lots and lots of minerals have some shimmer in them, especially the mineral boosters or veils. Again, stay away from the sparkle. Look for a barely perceptible sheen, just enough to make you take notice. If it’s not enough for you, you can always do multiple applications or use a heavier hand. I like E.L.F. Mineral Glow in Shimmer for a lighter skin or Bronzed Mineral Glow for a darker skin tone. A huge pot that will keep you shimmering for a long, long time costs only $8. You can check your local K-Mart stores for an E.L.F. rack if time is tight. E.L.F.’s Duo Eye Shadow Cream also has a slight glimmer and is only $1. Yes, you read that right. . . one lonely buck for TWO eye shadow colors, both slightly shimmery, that glide on nice and easy. Again, check for that E.L.F. rack in K-Mart! Another great drug store choice is L’Oreal H.I.P. (High Intensity Pigments) Shadow Duo. My fave is “Wicked.” It’s a plum/gold combo that is simply stunning.

If you’re still running around finishing up your shopping, baking and cooking and you’re simply out of money for new makeup and/or time to learn a new look, take five and grab your makeup kit, box or caboodle. There’s bound to be something shimmery in there, even if it’s just a lip gloss. Now slick your hair back, add some shimmer in your jewelry and put on your prettiest dress. For a special aura, try some of Elizabeth Arden’s Holiday Shimmer perfume (at Arden counters everywhere). 12 Days of Christmas, here you come!

Now for a quick bit of mush. LOL! As we wind down the last days of 2008, I want to thank you for reading my ramblings as we get Make Me A Hot Mama up and running. Can you believe it’s almost 2009? Seems like it was just yesterday we were waiting for Y2K. The New Year will bring challenges. . . and excitement, too. Hang in there with me. There’s lots more to come!

Meanwhile . . . from my house to yours. . . Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!



Check back next Monday for more cosmically-altering cosmetic advice from our hostess (with the most-est) makeup tips for hot mamas, or see her other work at http://www.powderandlipstick.blogspot.com. You can direct all fan mail to (don't be shy, you know you want to): carla@makemeahotmama.com.
Posted by Ray & Carla Ives