Playing with Eyeliner: Thursday Night w/ Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon w/ Sophia Loren in Rome 1966

As I prepared tonight for my editorial photo shoot this weekend-- packing my kit in ziplocks and satchels, washing my brushes and organizing my bag, I, per my routine, looked at images for inspiration (as well as any reference photos of the model(s) and makeup if needed). Today's single picture story is an inspiration that caught my eye by photographer Richard Avedon with Sophia Loren taken in Rome in 1966. 

I was practicing fine lines with a new eyeliner by Victoria's Secret VS Makeup Graphic Liner Pen -- which gets a NuyBeauty LIKE!;-) -- on my belly. No kidding. It was a nice bare surface to work on, while seamlessly watching an art documentary (Dirty Hands on artist David Choe)! And I thought of precision, clean lines, crispness... cat-eyes. Hence, Richard Avedon. So above is my makeup musing of the day. 

What do you think?

-- N.C.

Makeup for Vogue China

Recently I had the privilege of painting the stunning face of Chloe Sevigny for Vogue China, the July issue. Have a look...

Photographed by Danko Steiner, Styled by Ana Steiner

Makeup/化妆 by Nuy Cho

--N.C.

The Top 5 Make-Up Brushes Everyone Should Have

Ever wondered which make-up brushes are the must-haves for your vanity? Well here is the definitive list in my piece for StyleUnited.com. So look no further. And if you've got anything to add, please let me know, I'd love to hear what you've got to say :-).

The 5 Must Have Makeup Brushes

-- N.C.

Celebrate White Make-Up Giveaway

Win and celebrate winter whites with make-up from Shu Uemura and Make Up For Ever.

Hi! Keeping my promise to ride the holiday season out with festive, fun holiday giveaways, here's one I've been saving eagerly for the end of December because it symbolizes my favorite color, or maybe I should say non-color: WHITE! I've loved white everything forever. White clothes, furniture -- and white make-up is actually a ton of fun, and actually quite versatile.

For example you can use the above white eyeshadow (a hard to get one from Shu Uemura!) as a highlighter to bring out your bone structure. Use your fingers to gently dab a little on your brow-bones, the bridge of your nose, the point of your chin, and your cheekbones. You can also use a small, pointed eye makeup brush to apply a tiny bit of the white eyeshadow to the inner and outer corner of your eyes to brighten them. The results may surprise you :-).

To have a chance to win the goodies just tell me how you feel about white make-up, in the comment form below. Winner will be announced next week!

--N.C.

*And the winner is Cindy-y! Thanks for commenting!

February Friday Fun: Pink Lip Gloss Giveaway

What could be more fun than getting a light, pale pink lip gloss on a Friday night? Well, I think so! Here's your chance to get a Shu Uemura Gloss Unlimited Lip Gloss in Pink 300S. Just add a comment to this post and you'll be entered. The winner will be announced next week. I can't wait to hear from everyone! Have a happy weekend ...

Thanks for commenting - our winner is Thao!

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Fall Giveaway: The Get Gorgeous Gift Bag

Gift Bag Contents (clockwise):
Philosophy Deep Sea Ultra-Fine Hydrating Mist
Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Vesuvio
Hello Kitty Nail Files, set of four
Maybelline Lash Stiletto in Very Black 951
Tokidoki Cromatico Eye Shadow in Nancy Rocks (bright purple)
e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black 7303

It's getting breezy out, and there's that certain fall, apple-crispness in the air. I've just bought my daughter her winter boots (waterproof and black, a no-brainer for matching), and I couldn't help but get her two fall jackets, also black: one in corduroy, and the other a soft, motorcycle jacket from Old Navy. Soon, it'll be time to bust out the cozy cashmere sweaters!

Given all the changes going on in my family's life with our move, I thought I'd do a fall giveaway, because why not? `Tis the season for some fresh color! And, just to make it extra special, one item I picked for the gift bag spread is the beautiful, just-launched, matte red lipstick by Nars -- in Vesuvio.

So hurry up and get gorgeous! All you've got to do is comment on this post to enter the contest.

UPDATE: Mi-Eun is our lovely winner. Thanks for commenting!

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

The Beauty Clean-Up 101

Life’s messy. Before my daughter A was born, I spent what felt like weeks with my husband throwing out unnecessary things and deep-cleaning. Only for a whole new type of mishmash to enter our home: what began with countless diapers and stacks of bibs turned into Legos and doll accessories running rivers through our apartment two years later. My vanity used to be set up like a make-up playground, but now that I’ve got my hands full with the bee that is my daughter zigzagging about with broccoli bits in her hair, my beauty housing is now all about function.

Before child, I liked to either have my vanity down low so I could sit cross-legged in front of it, or at standard waist height, but without a chair. Overall, I’ve always preferred to stand and apply makeup because it allows for the most freedom of movement. And so when my daughter was born, in order to keep all the cosmetics and such out of her reach, it was easy for me to move the showcase- and most-used items to the top of one of my chests, which is at shoulder height,  making everything conveniently eye-level.

When I start spending more time digging through piles of eye-shadow dusted products to find the right mascara, than it would take me to actually apply the stuff, I know this Mama's gotta start pickin' up after herself.  But with the right organizational tools, involving merely a few simple containers and an easy-to-follow strategy, you can keep your vanity’s clutter at bay -- and the mess will be minutes from away.

Vanity Sanity 1-2-3:

1)    Only while putting together this story did I realize that I use the same, basic system to organize my cosmetics as I do my daughter’s toys: bins. For her, I’ve got big canvas ones with handles. And at the end of every day we sing the "Clean-Up, Clean-Up" song, throw the toys in, and then the bins get tucked away. For make-up, I favor rectangular or square trays for most beauty products, and a cup-like container for brushes, as a simple ways to keep things neat. I keep the items I use the most, in a single everyday tray, which rests closest to where I stand (see photo). I recommend these Stackable Acrylic Drawer Organizers ($3-$5), as they are nice and minimal in their design. For brushes try Sephora Collection’s Makeup Brush Box ($20), or even a tall and heavy ceramic or plastic cup will do.

2)    For items that I don’t use daily, I keep them stored away in special boxes (e.g. my “Lash Box” in the photo) or in drawers – ensuring that my little one can’t and won’t be tempted to go exploring. Within the drawers, I use the same tray system to separate the cosmetics by genre. The container store, in general, is a great place to find things like a 24-Lipstick Acrylic Organizer ($7), where you can put the sticks upside down to see the shade names (this lovely tip courtesy of my good friend, make-up artist, Jason Hoffman).

3)    Every couple of months I go through my make-up, as I would with clothing and shoes, and I do a super cleanse. Part of an easy tidy-up is not having that much around. Go through your beauty supplies and purge all those items that haven’t been of use to you. Don’t hold onto something just because the box it came in a year ago told you you’d be scar-free in seconds.  If you didn’t wear that eye shadow six months ago, chances are, you’re probably not going to wear it today.  Only keep what you use and need, around.


-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

A Gaga Night Out

On Independence Day, I went to see Lady Gaga in concert for her Monster Ball Tour with friends. I had been looking forward to this for months, and as a busy mom to a 22-month-old, this type of night out was a rare opportunity for me. It was a chance to don some super fun make-up (my fave type of über dress-up), sing and dance, and let loose.

Recently, I've noticed my daughter enjoy and practice dressing, be it clumsily. Pulling clothing on and off of herself, she is beginning to enter the world of practical and fantasy fashion. As adults, we have our everyday dress-up, and when we go out for a big night on the town, we pretty ourselves by puckering up with that pouty lipstick or blowing out our hair. This reinforces our inherent beauty and encourages our confidence.

For the special Gaga occasion, I had my good friend, make-up artist Jason Hoffman do an inspired look for me. I gave him free reign to play, and the results involved two sets of false eyelashes on the top and bottom (one set mimicking spider webs), as well as daring eyeliner strokes, and a hot, pink lip. Batting my make-believe lashes with “Just Dance” beating in the background, it was this Mama’s music-meets-maquillage moment.

Make-up by Jason Hoffman. Photo by my good friend B!

Next time you're out to celebrate, try the five-minute version of this look, which Jason and I built around a strong, matte lip.

And, hey, turn the music up while you’re getting ready. 


Five-Minute Glam 1-2-3:

1) Start out with an even complexion; using some sort of foundation/concealer if needed. Make sure your lips are well hydrated with lip balm, as the matte lipsticks you’ll be using require a smooth surface.

2) Jason used Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Schiap ($24) on me. You can also try Wet n Wild’s Mega Last Lip Color in Smokin’ Hot Pink ($3). For a fully saturated lip, use either a lip brush, or the stick itself and start applying the color from the middle of your lips, staying within your lip lines. If you’re feeling color-shy, you can always choose to smudge some onto your index finger and start, little by little. Blend, blend, blend, with either or your fingers or tissue paper. Many times gorgeous make-up is about what you end up removing.

3) A beautiful, bold lip is a fantastic statement, in and of itself. And the look can be that simple. However, if you want some eye flair, Jason suggests taking an eyeliner brush (try e.l.f.'s Small Precision Brush, $3), and using it wet, with a highly pigmented black eye shadow, like M.A.C.’s Eye Shadow in Carbon ($15). The trick is to dip the brush in a little bit of water, which makes for a great, liquid eyeliner. I suggest doing a thick line, with an upward slant, right above your lash line.


-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Shu, Bobbi, Lash Giveaway: Done and Done and Done!

I live for my waterproof liquid eyeliner!

I loved everyone's comments on their favorite beauty products!

When it comes to cosmetics, there's just something about all those colors and little cases of powders and creams that make me giddy. Thanks for loving everything beauty along with me and stay tuned for more giveaways to come (wink)!

The first beauty booty goes to Eva! Enjoy!

xxx
Nuy

NuyBeauty.com's First Giveaway: Lip Gloss, Lashes, Nail Color!

No time to shop for make-up? Post a comment and these could be yours. Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Trio (Pink Blossom, Marina Pink and Cocoa Sugar), Shu Uemura Nail Enamel in P Sparkling Garnet Aquarium, and Lash Addiction's Dream Girl false eyelashes.

Want some new make-up? I love applying make-up on myself and others, as well as gifting it, so right from the heart of NuyBeauty.com's Beauty Closet comes my first giveaway!

I've assembled a trio of products to make for a mini at-home makeover: a Bobbi Brown lip gloss set, a Shu Uemura nail polish, and a pair of fun, false eyelashes by Lash Addiction. All you've got to do is write a comment for this post by next Tuesday, July 6, on what your all-time favorite beauty product is, and why, and you'll be entered into the random drawing.

Why I Love My _______:

Nuy: If I was forced to dump all my make-up except for one lucky keepsake, I'd hold on to my black, liquid eyeliner (with a brush tip). That way I know I could still do a classic cat-eye, draw fake lashes onto my eyelids, or even individually paint my lash hairs as if I had mascara. Liquid eyeliner is undeniably versatile and for me, an adventure.

Now, what's the beauty product you love the most? Let's hear it!

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Tinted Moisturizer: Your Beauty E-Z Pass

Me, starting off an 18-hour day with Boots No.7 Soft and Sheer Tinted Moisturizer in Medium at my Mother's Day breakfast at the Cheesecake Factory (yes, I crave this place once in a while). Please ignore the slightly hideous pattern of the booth chair fabric!

When moms talk about having two or five minutes to get ready, we mean it. When we're with our kids, our precious, few minutes to get us out that door is no longer cushioned by the luxury of "free time." But we all, of course, want to look good for ourselves and the world. And why shouldn't we want to? We deserve it! I've done all sorts of foundations throughout my adult life -- powders, creams, mousses, airbrush/sprays -- but the one kind of coverage I've come to rely on most as a busy mother is tinted moisturizer. You can't beat the convenience of having sun protection, moisturizer, and sheer color on your face in one speedy application.

Life with kids is crazy: crazy good. Meaning there's not usually time to go peek in a mirror and revisit the vanity for powdering and reapplication if your make-up has moved throughout the day. I always leave the house with lip gloss in the pocket of my diaper bag or purse. If I'm feeling extra on-the-ready that day, maybe I'll leave with a compact. But most times, there's too much going on that I'm lucky if I get a quick lip gloss touch-up.

When you use full-coverage foundations, particularly when weather is warm, your pores are more open, and heat, oil, sweat does a number on your visage. This does not take into account whatever might've been sketched onto your face by tiny, prodding hands (Thank you my little A for mommy's "shimmer cream" session this morning, a.k.a. butter sauce from a breakfast of ravioli, which also got into my hair).  By mid-day, with the heavier stuff, you can start to look like you've really got layers caked on. With tinted moisturizer, you avoid any serious cosmetic disintegration. It's light, many times oil-free, and sits tight.

So leave all the moving and shaking to the children, and for your make-up, try starting the day with tinted moisturizer. It might just make your life easier.



Tinted Moisturizer 1-2-3:

It's true that tinted moisturizer won't give you the coverage that a full-blown foundation will, but it will smooth out your skin and fill in lines and wrinkles. If you want to bump up its coverage, simply mix both the tinted moisturizer and a little bit of your regular foundation on the backside of your hand, then apply. You can also use a stick foundation like I do (try the wonderful Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Cover Stick, $42), to conceal problem areas like discoloration or acne. The handy stick form makes it all happen in a matter of seconds. 


Here's a rundown of some of my picks for good tinted moisturizers, from the most expensive to the least expensive.

1) Best Texture: I love the smooth, chalk-less feel of Chantecaille's Just Skin ($62) with mineral SPF 15, UVB protection, which includes anti-irritant and anti-oxidant botanical extracts. It really is virtually weightless.

2) Best Shade Range: Tarte's Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer ($36) with SPF 20, is oil-free, and packed with antioxidants and other beneficial fruit extracts. Because it is paraben- and phthalate-free, it is good for those with sensitive skin. I particularly like that there are a dozen shades to choose from.

3) Best Bang for Your Buck: Boots No. 7 Soft and Sheer Tinted Moisturizer ($12), and CoverGirl CG Smoothers Tinted Moisture ($8), both with SPF 15, are solid drugstore options. I noticed that the Boots No. 7 one has great endurance in terms of coverage (it's lasted me through 18 hour days), and you can't beat CoverGirl for an oil-free choice for less than ten dollars.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Lessons in Life and Eyeliner with the Little One: Part 2 of 2

I do enjoy my eyeliner. Before my daughter A was born, sketching lines on my eyelids was pure pleasure. I'd do fancy cat-eyes with colored liquid eyeliners, and sometimes I'd even paint fake lashes with a tiny brush. I always put my eyeliner through a lot as an active person. Now, as mom to a sprightly almost two-year-old, my eye make-up confronts a shopping list of new elements. Before child (B.C.), I had the luxury of time where I could reapply entire looks at will. If my capricious child throws bubble solution at me, splatters cranberry juice, or reaches for my face with cream-sauce hands, and my make-up is,`redesigned,' I'm lucky if I have a few minutes to dab off what I can. So my eyeliner needs to be able to defy the mighty messes that come with the Little One.

Applying eyeliner, particularly when using the liquid genre, involves a bit of attention, which adds precious time to your beauty regime. Most days I skip it, saving it for the days I really want to pump up my eyes or have those extra five minutes. But the easiest and quickest method of lining your eyes is to simply line the upper half of eyelid along the lash-line, from the middle of the eye to slightly past the outer corners.

For symmetry and even lines,  you can take a q-tip, a sponge wedge or your finger, and gently clean the tops and edges of the line while you're drawing and after. When correcting liquid eyeliner, you may need to moisten your tool with cleanser or moisturizer to help the removal process. With eyeliner you shouldn't see a clear start and end point. The lines shouldn't look like road/traffic lines but like the tips of blades of grass, so blend, blend, blend, as needed. And a thinner line will help you achieve smoother results.

As a busy mama, waterproof liquid eyeliner is probably your longest lasting option, because once it sets, it really can withstand some tough business. If you're not comfortable with liquid liner, I would recommend you stick with a smudge-proof and/or waterproof eye pencil. Liquid liner takes practice and there are ways to do it stress-free, but if the clock's ticking and liquid liner isn't second nature to you, save it for another day.

Everlasting Eyeliner 1-2-3:

In my quest to find an eyeliner that could withstand my daily life and adventures with a 21-month-old, I put various products, and samples that had been sent to me to the test. For a week, I put on a different eyeliners on in the morning. I took the eye make-up off at the end of my on average 16- to 17-hour days so that I could fully assess the longevity of the eyeliner. Here are my two winners, which I suggest you try in black. Black eyeliner is a classic, like the little black dress. You just can't go wrong with it, and it matches everything.

1) This cost-effective eyeliner, Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer ($5) did a surprisingly good job on my eyelids. There was some minor movement of the line, but I had no major smudging. I have small, oily lids, in which make-up tends to move around easily and readily. So the fact that this eye pencil (liquid liner is usually my best option), did so well on me for a big part of the day makes it a great drugstore find in my book. Gently dusting some translucent loose powder on top of your eyelids after your eye make-up is in place will boost staying power.

2) The tokidoki Perfetto Eyeliner ($16), changed my mind about pen-tip (rather than brush-tip) liquid eyeliners, which I had previously felt weren't ever pigmented enough. I had also avoided them because most times they're only smudge-proof and tend to run. However, this one is waterproof and has richly colored ink, which is how it survived a 16-hour day with me -- with the line staying intact.

3) If you want to go for the liquid eyeliner, here's a trick: use the method I mentioned earlier of only lining half your upper eyelid along the lash line. And instead of trying to draw the line in one stroke, starting from the middle of your eye and going out towards your temples, try jotting tiny dashes with the liner first. You can then go back and fill in the line afterward. Remember to let your liquid eyeliner set for at least 10 seconds. A good "set" will ensure a long-lasting line.


-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Bring on the Blush

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Eye Want Color!

Spring is all about change -- the scent of the air, the warmth, the empowering sunlight. And as the season's scenery changes, you can't help but have a sunnier outlook. New York City has been ripe with the bounty of brighter months ahead as winter's cold and shivering tail zigzagged and disappeared into a street corner. A and I celebrated this week, by going on a picnic with our dear friends, drawing our names and faces in our favorite park with chalk, and donning floral frocks and denim minis. To top off the cheerier weather, I also rolled out my eyeshadow palettes for some play. The thing about colored eye shadows is that if you don't overdo them, and keep it minimal, they're actually not as hard to pull off as you might think!

All it really takes is a few strokes, literally. Try a new color! Play around with eye shadows you may already have lying around, untouched in your vanity. Don't be afraid to try out that army green or navy blue from the beauty counter gift-bag.  Don't ever assume that a color doesn't work for you without trying it on first. You may be pleasantly surprised.

I am wearing Shu Uemura's Pressed Eye Shadow ME600 ($20)

Eye Shadow 1-2-3: 

Start with a clean face / clean lids. It's up to you whether or not you want to first line the eyes with some sort of liner. If it is part of your routine, then go for it. If not, don't worry about it. But, if you do line your eyes, stick with black, as it is the most neutral, and will go with whatever eye shadow color you choose.

1) Take an eyeshadow brush that has shorter, firm bristles, like my 5R Kolinsky by Shu Uemura ($58) or you can try Kashuk Tool's Small Eye Shadow Brush ($10), and dab a little bit of shadow on it. Don't get too much on the brush, and blow off any excess shadow before applying. Apply a very fine and thin layer of color at the lash line. And as you work from the inner to outer area of your lid with your brush in nice, steady, soft, strokes, start to fan out the color to widen slightly like a, narrow, sideways `V' toward your temples.

2) The trick to doing quick, risk-free colored eyeshadow, is to minimize the amount of color applied. You don't need a lot of color to make an impact. Keep the color close to the lash line, and refrain from painting big, crowd-stopping blocks of color between your eyes and brows. A little goes a long way. And by keeping the shadow on the light and slim side, it spares you room for error. Think of it as more like lining your eyes liberally with the shadow, rather than shading. And just stick to the top lid.

3) Finish with some mascara, blush and clear lip gloss.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Lips: A Coloring Lesson

What is your favorite color? I love color, period. My first favorite was yellow, and I still adore it -- bright, lush and lemon bright. Over the winter I was passionate for purple. I bought a pair of punk-rock skinny jeans from Forever 21 as a way to break up the monotony of my black and blue denim collection. Then I had A's uncles get her a pair of purple Roxy Girl flare-leg jeans for Christmas. And one of my favorite ways to play with color? Lips, lips, lips. And lip color can be a sensational and easy thing.

Obviously, A is way too young for rouge at 18 months. However, one of my recent ways of engaging her in the a.m. beauty ritual is to fake-apply lipstick or gloss onto her. She delights in it -- usually walking away satisfied right then and there. The other day though, I happened to pick her up afterward, and saw she was staring at my freshly painted peach lips, noticing the difference in hue for the first time. She examined them thoroughly for a few seconds and then looked back up at me with a twinkle in her eye: Mama, I see the change …. and I like it!  I marveled at our first mommy-daughter "color conversation." And not a moment too soon before she wriggled away to go feed her Elmo doll pretzels.

So how does one pull of a pretty, colored lip? I know lipsticks can be daunting because there are so many to choose from and it can seem intimidating to wear a fully saturated, technicolor lip. Make it simple and it won't be difficult. First, keep your face fairly clear of color. Do apply some sort of foundation/powder and/or concealer to make sure your skin is even. Think of your face as you would an artist's canvas -- you want an uninterrupted, bare surface to be able to show off the featured color. Stick to just mascara, use a little bit of eyeliner if you'd like and have the time (but no colors, just black, brown or gray), and maybe a little bit of blush. That's it.

Now, what color? Be adventurous! Don't be afraid to wear a gorgeous red, a spectacular pink or why not even violet? Have the sitter for an extra half hour? Go to your favorite makeup counter and try on some colors. It's a good idea to try on different shades from varying brands to see what works for you, but if you need a cheat sheet or can't spare the time, give these a look-see ...

The Bold Lip 1-2-3:

1) Anyone can pull off a fabulous red lip. Try Ruby Woo by M.A.C. Cosmetics ($14) -- a lipstick reminiscent of the cabaret that is universally flattering.

2) Picture yourself in pink? Generally speaking, the more color you have in your skin, the pinker you can go. If you're on the pale or medium side, try one of my favorite Nars sheer lipsticks in Roman Holiday ($24). If you're on the tanner side or have a deeper complexion, check out Poetic Pink, a semi-sheer lipstick by Sephora ($12).

3) If you dare to go lavender (and do dare because it's a color that is quite flexible with skin color), be spot-on with the lighter lilacs hues that dominated the spring/summer 2010 runways with this Shiseido lip gloss in Cool ($22).

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Make-Up ABCs

Here is a beauty framework I’ve built through trial and error with my daughter that is literally as simple as her ABCs. Sure, there are times when she tries to pull my leggings off while I’m standing at the vanity. And other times when she’s so happy fiddling with my laptop sleeve as a hat that I can indulge in doing my entire face. If she does pitch a fit, I’ve learned to involve her in the process -- like handing her my not-so-nice eyelash curler to play with, which, not to worry, she waves around proudly, putting it no where near her eyes -- and I’m rewarded with one of her awesome smiles. It’s the snap recognition that we’re a team: ever-improvising and adjusting to the sometimes melodic, sometimes chaotic interruptions in life, together.


Make-Up 1-2-3:

These are the ABCs of easy make-up, and all of these steps shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes each.

A = Attractive BROWS. B = Bright EYES. C = Clean LIPS. Listed in order of importance, they are the main elements that define and amplify your face. Even if you only have time to pay attention to one of them you will see a rewarding difference.

1) A is for Attractive Brows
If all else fails with time I make sure my brows are done. Brows shape your eyes and frame your face and expression. I won’t get into heavy shaping issues like tweezing or waxing because that takes more than a few minutes, but you can do a lot to shape your brows without actually removing any hair.

Take a brow brush (here’s one for $1 by e.l.f., or if you don’t have one just use your fingers) and brush or stroke upwards and outwards toward the temples starting from the inner brow. The closer you get toward the temples the more outward, rather than upward, you should brush or stroke. If your brows are sparse like mine, you can fill them softly with a brow pencil remembering to blend afterward, either with an eyebrow brush or your finger. Here are two options for brow pencils: Shu Uemura Hard Formula ($22), or Cover Girl Brow/Eye pencil ($3).

Tip: To set groomed brows, you can brush them with a brow gel. Try these: Christian Dior Brow Fix ($18) or Cover Girl Clear Eye Mascara ($5). And, using a brow gel eliminates the need to brush separately, because you’ll be setting the brow-hairs by brushing with the brow gel wand.

2) B is for Bright Eyes

The simple act of curling your lashes adds surprising width to your windows. For those who don’t know what to do with an eyelash curler, don’t worry, it’s easy. Just take the curler and press the curler up against your upper eyelids so that the lips surround the base of your lashes; then squeeze the scissor-like handles for a good ten seconds. Optionally, you can repeat, but this time place the curler's lips around the middle of the lash to round out the whole curl. The bottom lashes don't get curled. Take a look at the difference it makes:

Here are two great curler options: Shu Uemura ($25), my favorite,  or you can also try this one by Tweezerman ($11).

After curling comes a couple coats of mascara, which takes you from blah to awake in a matter of a few strokes. That little bit of brown or black on your lashes will open up and brighten your eyes. You can’t go wrong with Maybelline for a great drugstore mascara -- I'm currently enjoying the Stiletto ($8), or if you’re willing to spend a little more you can try Imju Fiberwig ($24) which is particularly smudge-proof.

You don’t have to do both steps if you don’t want to. Whatever you can manage will embolden your eyes. Just remember to curl before applying mascara or you could damage your lashes. 

3) C is for Clean Lips

All you need is a bit of tinted lip balm or a subtle lip gloss. Think peach, berry, or nude colors -- not vampy dark browns or overly glittery glosses. A hint of color on your lips can light up your entire face. It makes certain that if you’ve got blemishes, unlike an intensely colored lipstick, you won’t have multiple shades of reds, purples, or oranges clashing on your face, and you're allowed the freedom of a quick and blind application. Try this tinted lip conditioner by M.A.C. Cosmetics ($15) -- I always have it in my pocket.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.

Lash-ing Out

It all started last October when my marriage was struggling, and my then 14-month-old daughter A’s first real-deal Halloween was imminent. My daughter's father and I had originally agreed to take her to our local park together, but then before we knew it, our communication had broken down, and it was decided that he would move out for the time being.  As strained marriages go, the holidays (even Halloween) can be tricky. He wasn't comfortable attending the event with us anymore. Today wasn't our day to fake a happy threesome.

I felt bare. My daughter and I were about to parade our newly fractured family in front of our entire community. A babbling toddler and her recently laid off, half-whole 34-year-old mother. None of the other parents really knew the truth about our situation -- only I did and that was what mattered.

I dressed A in her Mighty Mouse costume. She was a chubby cheeked dynamo and I was feeling like complete shit. I needed a quick recovery. One of the many beauties of being a parent is the way it forces you to face the moment. I went to my mirror. This was it. I’d had a bad day, and an even worse year, but I was about to turn it all around. I was going to make myself up from the outside in.

Luckily, the simplest swipe of eye-shadow or a touch of blush can pep up my psyche. I look good, people compliment me and I feel better. I remembered that I had a stash of limited edition Shu Uemura False eyelashes (adorned with some fabulous faux-gold pearls) stored away in a fire-engine red make-up case – a jewel-filled leftover from the pre-kid days of when I had time to spend hours primping and preening. I cut them to size and affixed them with a bit of lash glue. And as crazy as it sounds, I felt whole again.

We made it to the party -- both of us in costume. I was surprised to discover that while many of my fellow mothers couldn’t detect my recent wounds they did notice my pearly lashes. And they were amazed that I knew how to apply them. Just the sheer fun of chatting falsies and making lash play-dates with other moms was enough to carry me through the whole event.

Being beautiful is essentially having the will to look good, and the confidence that you can look good. The rest is just know-how and practice. Gaining knowledge, perfecting your technique, discovering that you have the will to do anything you put your mind to – isn’t that what motherhood is about?

If you'd like to test-drive lashes like the ones I wore, try these Mini Crystal False Eyelashes by Shu Uemura ($22). A budget option can be found at My Diva's Closet ($7), but you'll have to trim them yourself. False lashes can take you from weary-mama to Jennifer Lopez in five minutes. They'll instantly line your eyes and add sexy depth to your gaze. And they’re not as hard to work with as you think.

Lashes 1-2-3:

1) Instead of starting at the inner corner of your eye, the false lashes should begin at the inner edge of your iris (the colored part of your eye closest to your nose) and end where your natural lashes do. Hold the falsies up to your lash line to get an idea of where to trim them. Don't worry, this is not an exact science, and you'll get better the more you experiment.

2) Lightly dot the the glue along the base of the false lash and use the applicator to spread the dots into a fine line. Let the glue set for at least 30 seconds (until it gets tacky).

3) Gently but firmly press the false lash, which should curl upwards, along your natural lash line. You can use the opposite end of a pair of tweezers to help secure it -- paying particular attention to the ends. Go back and forth with your index finger a few times, pressing until the lash completely adheres.

For Extra Oomph: Set with a light coat of mascara to combine both your natural and fake lashes together.

-N.C.

Disclaimer: Nuy Cho has no affiliation to any of the beauty companies mentioned on www.nuybeauty.com.