Ultimate Luxury...

Today I want to talk about one of my FAVORITE brands of make-up..

ARMANI

In case you didn't know, yes, Armani does skincare and make-up! Giorgio Armani works with textures and colours the same way he does in his clothing: with precision, perfection and class. If you have never heard of it before, just visit the Armani counter at Holt Renfrew (Sherbrooke st. corner de la Montagne, Montreal). The team of experts will guide you through the line with their passion and expertise..

Here are my favorites:

Foundations: With their amazingly natural textures, Armani Foundations will truly give you the best skin you've ever had, for a price that varies between 55$ and 65$. And knowing that they cover well and spread easily, you don't need a lot every morning! They have a huge range of colours, so be assured they have one to match your skin tone. Pale-white girls, they even have the perfect light colours!

For bare skin results: Try Face Fabric. A silicone-based light formula that covers lightly the imperfections and looks totally nude and amazing! This is your new everyday-perfect-skin foundation. You won't be able to see it on your skin, I swear it!

For THE perfect finish and glowy skin with that Hollywood Star «dewy» effect, it's Luminous Silk Foundation. If your skin tends to be oily, try the Lasting Silk Foundation. Please note that this is the most popular foundation they have, the one all the magazines and stars talk about!

For the ultimate coverage or more mature skin, the perfect match would be the Designer Foundation. The rich creamy texture covers everything while still looking fresh and perfect. They recently came up with a liquid version that is easier to apply but still covering, so check it out!!

They also have a fantastic foundation brush that is made to blend all Armani Foundations to perfection, with its specific hair and shape. Think about it when you are ready to invest for a foundation, the right brush is what makes the difference!

If you want the same light-but-perfect formula that is used in the foundations in your concealer, please note that Armani also does an amazing one.. The range of colours isn't as good as the foundations, but the texture is gorgeous. They also make the best corrector ever, in pink or orange, to fianlly cover the dark circles with more purple or brown in it!

 

Finally, you HAVE to try their lipsticks. For the richest, creamiest, long-lasting-but-not-drying colours, it's Rouge d'Armani. The wide range of colours are divided in 5 gorgeous families: The nudes, the pinks, the reds, the purples and the browns. Their nudes are fantastic! More pink, more beige, lighter, darker, they have them all. Same for the reds: the classic true red, the bright orange, the dark cherry... I can't name them all, just try them!

As a final word, I have to say that it is rare that a brand produces so many perfect products. I have only see this happen with Armani. If you prefer quality over quantity, as well as perfect textures and sheer colours, you definately have to go to Holt Renfrew and pay Chanel, Silvi and Mary a little visit. Tell them I say Hi!

xxx

Urban Expressions Beauty Article!

Here is an article about red lips I wrote with Marci O'Connor from Urban Expressions. Here is the link to the original:

http://www.urbanexpressions.ca/beauty-health/story/simply-red%E2%80%A6-lips-the-essential-guide

Simply Red…..Lips: The Essential Guide

By Marci O’Connor

Photo: Makeup artist: Christelle Souverbie, photo credit: C. Wild 

   

We may not all have Betty Davis eyes but we can all pull off Betty Draper lips this spring. One of the hottest trends – red lips – cheerfully continues, in spite of the fact many women are unsure (and ok, a little intimidated) by the boldness of a crimson pout. We spoke with makeup artist, Christelle Souverbie, who specializes in glamour and vintage looks, for advice and tips on sourcing the perfect shade.

Rouge d'Armani (photo courtesy of Georgio Armani)

With so many choices, how can we pick the right shade of red?
First of all, women need to understand that when they respect the color tone of their skin, it’s much easier to find harmonious shades. There are basically 3 types of skin tones: warm, cold and neutral.
The warm tones tan easily, look more yellow or olive and are enhanced by makeup shades that are yellow-based. Look for colours that remind you of the sun; yellows, gold, bronze, and orange. Stick to red shades of orange, tomato, brick, and brown.
Cold tones usually suit fair skin. Don’t be fooled by a little rosacea {redness} in your face. Look at the rest of your body, like your arms and wrist, and see if your skin tone carries more yellow or pink. For cool tones, your lipstick should be blue-based. That means more pink, berry or purple- based reds.
Some women are truly neutral, meaning they have equal parts pink and yellow skin tones. In that case, you can play with a larger range of colors. You may find the not-too-orange/not-too-pink shade just right {and gorgeous} for your coloring.

Guerlin Kiss Kiss in Smoothing lipstick primer (photo courtesy of Guerlain)

What are your favorite reds out there right now?
I adore bright orange reds right now. As for texture, it has to be creamy, rich in pigment and long lasting. Be sure to avoid lipsticks that dry out your lips. My absolute favorite is Rouge d’Armani lipstick. Their range of colours is unparalleled. Combine with Guerlain Kiss Kiss lip base for an absolutely perfect pout! I also love the texture and colors that Yves Saint Laurent make, like the Rouge Pur Couture or Rouge Volupte,.

Is there a “daytime” versus “nighttime” look for red?
I love the idea of wearing a bright red during the day and a dark color for evening. Many women are afraid of dark lips but if it’s done correctly, a dark red or purple can be extremely daring and sexy!  The secret to looking glamorous rather than garish is to keep your eye make-up subtle. Go for clean black eyeliner and big lashes if you want, but stay away from dark eye shadow.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte featured in Red Muse (photo courtesy of Yves St. Laurent)

Any tips for wearing red this summer?
Regardless of what shade you choose, the only way to wear red lips this summer is perfectly drawn. Use a lip liner that matches the lipstick, draw your lips perfectly (don’t forget to fill in your lips with the pencil, the 90s are over!) and apply lipstick on top. You can overdraw your lips a little bit, just to make your pout look fuller!
Avoid gloss on top; it just makes everything run faster. Go for rich creamy textured lipsticks that will give a shine on their own.

Christelle Souverbie is a Montreal based makeup artist. For more of her beauty tricks and tutorials, visit her at: http://crystalmakeup.blogspot.com and www.crystalmakeup.ca