Makeup tips
Nicole Gianuglou of Preen Apothecary in Oakwood offers these tips to put your best face forward at your upcoming holiday parties:
Go Mad
A&E’s critically-acclaimed show “Mad Men” continues to have an impact on fashion and makeup.
Gianuglou suggests adding eyeliner above your top lashes and going for lips coated with matte lipstick instead of those with shimmer.
“There not the old-fashioned, cakey mattes,” she said. “It’s a very lady like look.”
And don’t shy away from berry lips or perky blush on your cheeks.
Colored smoke
Don’t limited yourself to black and gray eye shadows when it comes to creating smoky eye looks. Consider colors like purple, plum and navy, Gianuglou said.
Find balance
Too much makeup is too much makeup. Gianuglou and her staff encourage clients to find balance. This means playing up the eyes or the lips, but not both.
Get faux
Faux eyelashes can be just the drama your look needs. Inexpensive single lash and half bar lashes can be picked up at most drug stores, Gianuglou noted.
“You want to keep them not crazy long or spiky,” she recommended.
Get primed
Gianuglou said makeup primers like those in the NARS Pro-Prime collection can make a good look wear longer.
—Amelia Robinson
Holiday galas — like the Dayton Ballet Association’s Nutcracker Ball set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Dayton Marriott Hotel — provide an excellent reason to dress up.
But Leigh LeBoeuf, owner of Oakwood’s Gamine upscale boutique, said the less opulent parties that come with the holiday season also provide reasons to slip into a cocktail dress and boost the glamour.
Looking great isn’t only a matter of being ultra-trendy, she said.
“Dresses that are timeless can be wore year after year,” LeBoeuf said.
Here are a few tips from LeBoeuf on holiday dresses.
Keep it cocktail
Few area events — even well-established balls — require a ball gown.
A kicky cocktail dress typically does the trick, LeBoeuf said, noting that they are easier to wear.
Soft to the touch
Dresses fashioned out of velvet and silk just scream “Holiday Party.”
“It’s all about luxury and luxury feel,” LeBoeuf said.
Go gray
Chic gray is a popular choice this season and not only in fashion, she said.
“Gray is popular across the board,” she said, noting the influence on furniture and other household items as well. Purple once again is a popular color.
“Black is always good,” LeBoeuf noted.
Party until the ‘cowls’ come home
LeBoeuf said that dresses featuring cowl neck collars are big this season.
“I think it is very elegant and feminine,” she said of the look.
Use the design to your advantage
Slinky dresses can highlight lumps and bumps. LeBoeuf said carefully placed elements like rushing can hide problem hips and bellies.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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