North Bay Woman

F A L L 2 0 1 5 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 59 Brow is a more solid permanent makeup coverage but the trend is to fade the color out so the lines are not so demarcated. Estimated cost for Brow Stroke permanent makeup is $450. The procedure is done in two visits, six weeks apart. Total time for the procedure is about three hours. I asked Bridgene what her clients' biggest requests are when it comes to brow shaping. She told me, "Most clients' main concern is having their brows being perfectly symmetrical. I tell them, they are sisters, not twins! Don't expect them to be identical, but they will look alike." Bridgene has some helpful eyebrow tips: ~ Have your eyebrows shaped at least four times a year and up to every three weeks to maintain the proper shape for your face. ~ Use a tinted brow powder rather than a brow pencil for a softer, more natural look. ~ The trend in eyebrow shape is a natural but well-manicured brow that is slightly heavier but not as heavy as the look in the 1980s. Holiday and event eye makeup Once your eyebrows are looking on point, it's time to think about your eye makeup. Gilda Haskins, a Napa Valley makeup artist, says, "Most clients are looking for natural looks these days. They want to keep things soft, fresh and clean. Less is more!" Gilda, who does makeup for teenagers having their senior portraits done, brides and bridal parties, and fashion shoots says she likes to focus more on contouring the eye with eye shadows than on using heavy eyeliner to accentuate eyes. Gilda's tips for eye makeup: ~ A little glimmer and shine can be a good thing but only if it's placed in the right area. For more mature women, add some shimmer to the inner eye area, near the tear duct, or a small amount on the brow bone to add a little brightness. But add it sparingly. Too much frosty eye shadow tends to enhance wrinkles and creases. ~ Choose colors to go with the seasons. Fall means warm tones like gold, neutrals and earth tones. ~ Use makeup to express yourself. Makeup is fun! Dramatic eyelashes For some, the eyelashes are the real star of the show. From a variety of mascaras that promise big, lush, clump-free results, to false eyelashes, the lash has become the "it" thing in dramatic eyes. Thanks to celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry, the trend for eyelashes is big, beautiful, full and lush! Lash extensions, also known as semi-permanent lashes, are artificial lashes attached with adhesive. A single lash is applied to each individual natural lash, resulting in long, thick, eye-popping results. I decided to have lash extensions done and see what all the fuss is about. I set up an appointment with Tish Vargas of Lash Room in San Rafael. I arrived makeup-free as was suggested. Tish asked me about my lash preferences. I said I didn't want an overly dramatic look, but I still wanted noticeable results. Tish suggested a mid-range length lash for me and used a blend of lash lengths, the longest at 12 millimeters and in colors suitable for my natural lash. She also asked me how much of a curl I wanted. I left that decision up to her and she chose a loose curl. Who knew there were so many decisions to make! Lash extensions take a long time. You must be still and keep your eyes closed. The procedure is tedious but Tish told me she enjoys it. "You have to treat each lash individually, taking into consideration the length of the lash you're adding, which direction it's growing in, and what the other lashes next to it are doing. There is a lot to think about." The results were amazing: I barely recognized myself at first. My facial features looked more defined, and I appeared younger, more Top and right: Gilda Haskins' advice is to keep things soft, fresh and clean for the fall and holiday season in gold and neutrals. – Photos by Christina Litle of C. M. Elle Studios. >>

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