Judith August Cosmetics Solutions

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Update on The Everything Pencil Concealers

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You will notice a change to The Everything Pencil Concealers, starting with the shade Pure Beige. The pencil will look the same, but the formula has changed. We want to be as transparent as possible on the change. We had to find a new lab that could produce wooden pencils for us. That being said, the formula could not be 100% duplicated. You will notice that this formula is creamier and less matte and will still contain Vitamin E. We know change is hard, but we hope you like the new pencil as much as we do.

If you have any further questions, email us at: [email protected] or call us at 1.800.528.4878

Update on The EraseZit Pencil Concealers

The EraseZit Pencils will be coming back as a wooden pencil. Right now, we still have our limited-edition paper packaging pencils available. Once they are sold out, we will only have the wooden ones in stock.

You will notice that this pencil is creamier like the new Everything Pencil, and instead of Tea Tree Oil, it will have Manuka Oil which is stronger than Tea Tree Oil. Because the new pencil is made in Italy, there are certain ingredients the European Union has restricted, and Camphor is one of them. So, you will notice that the new pencil will not include Camphor but will include Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil.

If you have any further questions about this product, email us at: [email protected] or call us at 1.800.528.4878

concealer pencil for acne
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Eco-Friendly Shipping

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Have you noticed how we are shipping out orders? We are taking the first steps in using eco-friendly shipping solutions.

Instead of the standard padded poly mailers that cannot be recycled, we’ve decided to use eco-friendly shipping mailers.  Here are a couple of the mailers we are using.

Recycled Bubble Mailers by EcoEnclose

  • Made with 50% recycled content and 10% post-consumer waste
  • They have a dual peel-and-seal strip so after you received your order, you can reuse it again to ship something else.

How to recycle these bubble mailers:  These mailers can be recycled at grocery bag drop offs or wherever plastic bags are accepted. If you don’t have access to thin film recycling near you, you can ship the mailer back to EcoEnclose and they will recycle it for you. Click here to learn more about the EcoEnclose Take Back Program.  

Have you seen those kraft paper mailers that Amazon has started using?  Well, we use a similar one as well.

Our kraft Paper Mailers

  • A lightweight, strong and flexible padded mailer that is curbside recyclable.

For inner packaging, instead of using a clear plastic zip bag, we are now using glassine bags by EcoEnclose.

  • This bag is FSC certified, made with virgin paper
  • Curbside recyclable
  • Naturally biodegradable (though recycling is recommended over composting.)

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A Little Less Conversation… a little more Distraction Action!

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An easy 1-2-3 step for Heavy Bags and Sags!

heavy bags and sags, judith august cosmetics

1  Fill in the eyebrows. A defined arch frames the eyes and draws attention away from droopy eyelids

2  Draw eyeliner on the upper eyelid, if there is room. Start from the middle and working it to the edge the eyelid. Or a triangle of brown powdered eyeshadow blended upward into the crease.

3  Eyeliner along the inner rim of the lower lashes helps draw attention upward and away from loose skin or puffs. Navy, dark brown or teal make eyes pop.

Frankly, very heavy bags and sags
and loose skin are hard to camouflage. Basic cosmetic concealing options and techniques do not work for
this problem. Today, advances
in cosmetic surgery make it a realistic option for unloading truly serious heavy bags and sags, eye baggage.

However, if surgery is not an option – it’s best to shift the focus from the problem by concentrating on eye makeup and highlighting lips and cheeks.

After all makeup is applied, there is one more step you can do that will visually give an “instant face lift” while further distracting from saggy eyes.

Using either a pinky peach blush or in an emergency, a dab of lipstick, place color dots in strategic places.

heavy bags and sags, judith august cosmetics

Don’t leave the dot, that is only for placement. Blend the color in using a circular motion leaving just a hint of color. See how it creates an illusion that the face looks lifted.

Finish the look with luscious lips to help Shift the Focus.

This technique helps focus on the eyes only, not the bags and sags.

So… you may not need a facelift, simply a color lift! 😉

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find all your fave concealers right in our Amazon store!

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Color Balance, personal feature.

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Personal feature with Sonia!

My cosmetic dilemma is caused by a hormone imbalance which shows itself with facial hair and dark inflamed spots around my chin. I have been dealing with this since I was 16 years old. Neither waxing nor prescription medication for hair removal have been effective.

personal feature, judith august cosmetics
Sonia, before applying her tricks and our tips…

I just completed my children’s book on safety, entitled “Saved by the Whistle” and it was heading to the printer. I wanted to look my best for the cover photo shoot without too much “retouching”, but needed help to balance the color of my skin.

Women with darker skin tones often need color balancing. It is a common problem I share with my friends. We have found intense golden, orange tones work best for brightening ebony skin.

I contacted Judith August Cosmetics to discover ways to soften the look of this condition. After receiving products and a personalized profile all I can say is: “Wow! Thank you! Your makeup makes me feel pretty and by the end of the day it pours on self-esteem like you can’t believe!”

Thank you Ms. Judith! 😎

personal feature, judith august cosmetics
Sonia! Author, child safety advocate and
clear beauty!

Here are the top tips and tricks our personal feature, Sonia, used…

Sonia did her own makeup with stunning results.Using effective products from both her makeup bag and ours, she shares her step by step procedure. #protip Always cleanse, tone and moisturize.

1 To color balance, I applied a deep peachy orange with a touch of yellow “neutralizing foundation” on my entire face. I let it set for two minutes before blending. This helped the dark circles under my eyes and removed yellow discoloration on my face, creating an even and brighter palate to work from. I considered this step my “underbase”.

2 Needing additional coverage on the dark inflamed spots around my chin and other parts of my face, I went for the more intense Total Blockout Makeup over the neutralizing foundation, gently applying with a sponge on the dark spots, remembering to include my neckline and chest area.

3 To make my nose appear thinner, I applied The Everything Pencil in Cinnamon, a shade darker than my skin, contouring the sides and around the nostrils. I used a makeup sponge to blend. 

4 With a powder puff, I applied deep beige finishing powder, allowing it to set for another 2 minutes before dusting off the excess with a powder brush. 

5 I finished off with color makeup, eyes and lips, adding a light bronze powder highlighter to my cheeks and forehead which made the whole look “pop like popcorn”. Just what I needed for my photo session! 

Do you love this personal feature with Sonia? We’ll do more of these for you if you like them, so let us know! 😉

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find all your fave concealers right in our Amazon store!

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Trick the eye with optical illusions! 🕴🏻

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Little lessons for Big Pretty Eyes

Under-eye bags challenges come in a myriad of forms.👀

For example, dark circles, eye bags and puffs below your eyes, sagging or droopy skin around and above the eye area, discolorations, a bluish cast, scaly and red or sometimes a yellow pallor. Any, and all of these situations make you look haggard and tired under those pretty “baby blues”!

In this collection of “little lessons” you will learn that each situation and different type of eye bags requires a different type of product, color and technique. Some of these solutions are quick, no-brainer fixes; others may need another step or two.

Few people are blessed with no under-eye puffiness or minimal under-eye discoloration. If you have no puffiness or eye bags, eye cream and light foundation may be all that’s necessary for your eye bags area. Lucky you! For the rest of us…trial and error is the best way to find the colors and product consistency that really work for you and bring that I-just-vacationed-in-Bali appearance. 😉

eye bag, eye bags, judith august, judith august cosmetics
We all have baggage…I just happen to carry it under my eyes! Judith ~ circa 1970

We’ve all got baggage… (and we don’t mean Vuitton!) 👜

However, “eye baggage” in the form of eye puffs, often caused by water retention, allergies, sinus, too much sleep, or you may have actual bags, most commonly caused by a deposit of fat that settles right under the eye – the correct concealer and technique can make a difference. 

eye bag, eye bags, judith august cosmetics
here’s how…and what!

Concealing light puffs or eye bags.

STEP 1 – Mix your concealers together, if needed, to achieve a perfect skin match.

STEP 2 – Pat and blend lightly starting at the outside of the eye and move inward.

#protip Don’t forget to apply concealer at the inner corner of your eye, typically the darkest area. Apply an extra layer of concealer on top of the foundation to give an added boost if needed.

STEP 3 – Powder using an eye shadow brush to reduce shine and to keep concealer in place. The shape of this brush fits perfectly under the eye area.

#protip Desperate measure for de-puffing: You can resort to the makeup artist’s trick of using a very tiny touch of hemorrhoid cream to temporarily reduce under-eye swelling and eye bags.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION: Please only do this if you are in a state of desperation. It really works, but shouldn’t be done often.

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find all your fave concealers right in our Amazon store!

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Paint those Wrinkle Lines Away! 🎨👏🏼

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Soften Fine Wrinkle Lines, Lip Wrinkle Lines & Marionette Wrinkle Lines with Vicki’s Angel 😇

Whether it was in front of the camera, or everyday wear, for years, I have utilized a technique that helps softens fine wrinkle lines and adds dimension to the face. It has always been one of my indispensable makeup tricks.

I was delighted to find another guru, Vicki Fischer, who actually put a name to this simple, effective technique… Vicki’s Angel.

As a makeup artist, Vicki Fischer’s highlighting technique reminded her of an angel. She thought “makeup application should be fun!”, so she started telling her clients that she was “lightening their face with a kiss from an angel” thus “Vicki’s Angel” came to be.

In order to give your face a “heavenly luminescence”, Vicki’s Angel both softens and lightens your appearance at the same time; helping to create the illusion of smoother skin. Tiny lip, frown and marionette lines, any kind of wrinkle lines, all respond well to this technique. The Angel adds softness and dimension.

Use Vicky’s Angel to soften fine wrinkle lines!

It is a fun and easy way to remember a very important part of the makeup process. You will actually require less make up by drawing an angel on your own face and it will extend the life of your makeup.

  • Step 1: Paint on your Angel ➡ Use a concealer color one shade lighter than your foundation. Apply with a small camouflage brush, eyeliner brush, or The Everything Pencil. Hold the skin taut and fill in the lines with the tip of your pencil or brush. Be sure to press firmly into the lines as the concealer works like a filler. Think of it as putty.
  • Step 2: Blend ➡ Take your middle finger and press in the concealer then feather out until it’s barely there. You will find that your fingers are great tools for blending your Angel.
  • Step 3: Foundation ➡ Carefully apply a thin layer of foundation over your entire face. Make sure you do not erase your angel. Let the illumination shine through.
  • Step 4: Powder ➡ Apply loose translucent powder to set your makeup and eliminate shine using powder brush or puff. You will see how your angel lifts, lightens, and softens the lines on your face. 😍

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find all your fave concealers right in our Amazon store!

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Essentials you need for a spooktacular Halloween! 🎃

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PLUS! We’ve got a special treat just for you this Halloween! 🍭 (read on for a special discount!)

The holiday season of parties and get-togethers and last minute shindigs is upon us! You want to look and feel your best for all those fabulous selfies you’ll be taking. There’s nothing like Halloween glam!

First up…Halloween! Nothing says make up like the season of ghouls, ghosts and fantasy. Our make up products fit right into those looks by helping to conceal what you want to hide, highlight what you want to show off and keep it going for hours when those late-night-date-nights happen! ❤️

halloween, make up artist, glam
halloween, make up artist, glam

Just look at how masterfully she used our Killer Coverage to create this stunning and glamorous look worthy of any party! 💋

halloween, make up artist, glam

@chayamua used our Make It Stay – Setting Powder to create this scary-meets gorgeous look! Who doesn’t want to run into her?!?! 😍

halloween, make up artist, glam

How completely dreamy is @sheilashimmers?! 🧜🏻‍♀️ She created this other-worldly beauty and used our Make It Stay – setting powder. We never want this look to go away!

ENJOY 20% OFF WITH OUR SPECIAL TRICK OR TREAT CODE TREAT20!

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find all your fave concealers in our Amazon store!

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Are you a Powder Puff?💨

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#protip ✿ A velour powder puff is the best to set camouflage makeup. A light dusting with a powder brush will not do the trick.

⬇Here you go!⬇

✰1 Sprinkle powder onto a puff and fold in half.

Rub the sides together to work the powder into the puff.

The powder should be immersed in the puff instead of just being on the surface. It will kinda look like a taco!

✰2 Gently press the powder onto your face. Apply in three sections. First, on your forehead. Second, do the right side of your face, then the left.

Don’t forget to powder your eyelids and powder carefully under your eyes. Lipstick stays on longer if you powder first.

If you overly powder, use a fine mist of mineral water spray over your entire face and let it dry for a nice glistening finish.

powder, powder puff, judith august cosmetics
Powder up, friends! Keep that gorgeous look going all day long!

The “Warm Hand” Technique 🙌🏻

After all your makeup has been applied, rub your hands together to get them very warm. Press your warm hands all over your face; in the T-zone, under your eyes and cheeks. The oil and heat from your hands take away the powdery look, leaving your makeup looking fresh and natural.

For our Beauties on the Run! 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

#protip ✿ Loose powders are best to set your makeup,whereas pressed powder compacts are best for touch ups. If you have oily skin, carry oil blotting tissues with you during the day to refresh in an instant.

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find all your fave concealers in our Amazon store!

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Prime Yourself for Beauty Success 💋

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Start with Foundation Primer 👍🏻

Prime yourself with beauty with this great information! Take this advice and update your make up regime! Check out these products that go perfectly with priming!

prime yourself beauty

Check this out friends! There’s some great ideas right here! ↪↪↪

A foundation primer prepares the skin for any type of makeup application and is applied after moisturizer. Silicone based primer is an ultra-lightweight sheer liquid or crème that glides over the skin, leaving a smooth, flawless look and feel. It visually helps “fill in” fine lines and large pores temporarily, and prepares the skin for foundation. Consider it “insurance” for longer lasting, smooth, professional looking makeup.

There are cosmetic companies who put “neutralizing colors”
into their primer products which helps correct some color imperfections of the skin as well as goodies, such as Hyraluronic Acid, and Peptide Complexes and other state-of-the-art ingredients.

Follow the priming steps and check out the previous blog post for creating your perfect canvas. When we start with a clean slate, we finish with a gorgeous glow!

prime yourself beauty
Look at what great primer can do for you! She’s a beauty!

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find your fave concealers in our Amazon store!

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Our Daily Ritual

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Start your day off right with our daily ritual!

Before you get into the art of makeup, prepare that beautiful canvas…

First thing in the morning – reality hits…we need coffee! ☕️

daily ritual, judith august cosmetics, make up artist, morning ritual

and then the real work starts!

morning ritual
a little more, dear?

• Cleanser, toner, sunscreen, moisturizer, eye cream, primer, foundation… whew!

• You need to wait a minute between each step because it is necessary for the skin to absorb the products so they can work together properly… needless to say, that’s a lot of Zen time in the morning. 🧘🏻‍♀️

• Make sure to remove any excess hair through depilatory, waxing, tweezing, or threading on a bi-monthly basis. 💆🏻‍♀️

• Concentrate on keeping eyebrows well groomed because they are the frames of your face.

• Keep a pair of tweezers in your car, while not advocating this while driving; it can be shockingly handy at a stoplight! The lighting is fabulous and it is the only way to really see all the stray hairs. Scary but true! 😱

Don’t worry about a thing. We have a makeup bag full of tricks especially for you! We’ll get you into our daily ritual habit in no time! ✿

Be sure to follow us in your fave place! Instagram and Pinterest and Facebook! Remember you can even find your fave concealers in our Amazon store!

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Tools of the Trade! 🛠😉

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Using professional makeup brushes creates the difference between a simple makeup job and a polished, professional appearance. 🖌💋

My weapons of choice to attack annoying little culprits are great makeup brushes, concealers, foundation and color…lots and lots of color❣️

Keep everything transparent and natural looking using the best tools you can find.

🔝All camouflage techniques require brushes of specific sizes and shapes to achieve excellent coverage. These are different than the brushes you would normally use for color cosmetics. The right brush shape is designed to take the place of fingertips and the rounded and feathered edges help prevent streaking; they apply and blend evenly stroke by stroke.

makeup brushes, Judith August Cosmetics, makeup artist, makeup

If you buy quality brushes and care for them, they will last many years. Bacteria lurks everywhere, so it is necessary to clean, condition and sanitize your brushes, and powder puffs every
few days.💯

I love Cinema SecretsTM professional brush cleaner or use a drop or two of WooliteTM, especially for your “puffs”. After cleaning, reform, shape and dry on a towel or if you’re in a hurry, dry with a hair dryer. 🌬

Be sure to check out our highly recommended concealers right here! Remember to follow us in your fave place…Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

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Concealing and camouflaging…what’s it all about?

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Cam•ou•flage (kam-uh-flahzh) verb Concealment by means of disguise designed to deceive or hide. 🕵️‍♀️

concealing and camouflaging, Foundation, concealer, neutralizer, corrector, camouflage makeup, judith august cosmetics
See how easy it is to carry around The Everything Pencil?! 😃

Foundation, concealer, neutralizer, corrector, camouflage makeup – what’s the difference? 🤷‍♀️ Concealing and camouflaging is the thing, but!

→ What are concealers actually for?

→ When should I use one?

→ What about those funny colored green, pink, and lilac makeup creams?

→ How can I use concealer on under-eye circles without looking like a raccoon – or worse than when I started?

→ Will concealer cover a scar or a skin condition?

concealing and camouflaging, Foundation, concealer, neutralizer, corrector, camouflage makeup, judith august cosmetics
Don’t forget to dot your eyes! 😉

Essentially, you need to know: ⬇

• Each kind of makeup including foundation, concealer, neutralizer/corrector, and camouflage has a distinct texture, covering ability and purpose. 

• All of them conceal to a degree depending on what you want to hide or cover. Selecting the right concealer type and shade for your particular “challenge” and learning how to apply correctly really isn’t tricky once you know a little about each of them. 

Foundation, concealer, neutralizer, corrector, camouflage makeup, judith august cosmetics
contour for beauty!

Terms of Concealment 👩🏻‍💼 (Let’s talk concealing and camouflaging)

FOUNDATION is the most basic makeup, and by nature generally lighter in consistency and coverage than dedicated concealers. Foundation is available in jars, tubes and compacts. A skin matched foundation may be all you need to even out your skin tone, conceal minor discolorations, or cover up a simple flaw 

or blemish. Choose a foundation formulated for your skin type; moisturizing for dry and non-oily for everyone else. 

CONCEALER makeup is thicker in consistency, more opaque than foundation and better for actually concealing. It comes in a wide range of skin shades and can be found in tubes, compacts, roll- up sticks and pencils. Concealer should smooth on easily and not be too thick, dry, cakey or goopy. 

COLOR NEUTRALIZER also called corrector, not a natural skin shade but rather a pale color – like peach, rose, green yellow and lavender. It’s meant to be used under or mixed with foundation or moisturizer. Neutralizers act as a kind of “insurance policy”
to block out unwanted discoloration that might show through makeup during the day. A neutralizer is an excellent base for covering extremely dark circles, bruising and for blocking redness. 

TRUE CAMOUFLAGE MAKEUP is different – it’s more opaque, by using more pigment, and much heavier in consistency than a foundation or concealer. It also comes in a range of skin-tone shades. Because of its thicker consistency, camouflage makeup is not normally suitable for the eye area. Use only where it’s needed. It’s serious coverage. 

TINTED MOISTURIZERS are perfect for those who need just a little neutralizing or simply want a veil of color without makeup. 

LIGHT-REFLECTIVE FORMULAS Today, the newest concealers boasts light-reflecting ingredients. These products rely less on heavy pigments and more on micronized mica quartz, pearl and titanium dioxide which all have light reflecting qualities. They’re also thinner in consistency than traditional concealer formulas. In the opinion of many makeup artists this kind of concealer is good for minor problems, but tends to be less effective for very dark or discolored areas. 

MINERAL MAKEUP A story of its own. It all started in the 70s; I had the privilege of being involved with the first Mineral Makeup; a cosmetic called “Indian Earth” where I was the training director for people demonstrating the product. They learned from me, and in turn taught the public, “The Art of Mineral Makeup”. This type of product was never seen before and became a huge success. 

Fast forward 30 years and minerals are mainstream, highly marketed and categorized as “makeup that is good for your skin”. True “Mineral Makeup” is a natural resource from the earth, finely ground without chemicals, dyes and preservatives. It contains titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, which provide “natural sun blocks, plus mica which gives shine. 

“Today, you want to be aware that many products are fortified with other ingredients which are not true minerals,” says the creator, Diane Ranger. “Make sure to look at the ingredients and choose carefully. While some love this type of makeup, others note that it dries out the skin and accentuates wrinkles. Try it and see if it works for you.” 

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Meet Judith…Creator and Founder of Judith August Cosmetics

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I was seventeen and told that my dream of being a model was over.


The “bags” under my eyes would never allow for great camera work and there was nothing I could do about it. Even going to the plastic surgeon was no help. Back in the early days of cosmetic surgery, they simply would not operate, I was too young. While some girls would sink into the premature wrinkles of defeat, I took it on as a challenge and started the lifelong study of camouflage cosmetics. 

Lighting techniques, camera angles and all types of makeup tricks became an obsession. I studied day and night so I could compete in the glamorous world of modeling. 

Every day, I started concealing something! In the beginning it was my eyes. As I continue to mature I am faced with new challenges, and I realize that there will be more on the way. The problems of my youth became the business of my future. 

Most of the women I meet on my daily path confess to being puzzled about how and when to use concealing products. Over my 40 year career, nearly 80% of all questions have been, “How do I cover up under eye problems?” As cosmetic concealers are my specialty, I decided to demystify the process and to focus on this and other challenges that keep staring us straight in the eye every day! 

Meet Judith…former model and founder of Judith August Cosmetics!

judith august founder creator cosmetics concealer make up
Judith August then and now

I have tucked in tips and tricks from friends in the industry as well as a sprinkling of my favorite modeling shots from years past… they are always fun to see! Please note: I had big puffy bags under my eyes when all these shots were taken… can you see them? 

Whether you are in your 20’s and 30’s concerned about under eye circles and blemishes or 40’s, 50’s and beyond carrying under eye baggage and more, please know it’s true, “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide”. 

The point is, no matter what your age, don’t give up. It’s exciting to know that the modeling techniques I learned and the experience I have acquired will help you to put your best face forward; it’s really a matter of emphasizing the good and minimizing the bad. As you follow the simple steps within these pages, I know you will see amazing results and truly feel good about the face that looks back at you from the mirror. 

Throughout this website, I often refer to my own specialized line of products; Judith August Cosmetic SolutionsTM. I describe the concealing and camouflage techniques that can be accomplished with many other fine brands. I speak on my product concepts because I designed them for you, with specific purposes in mind… I designed them for you, so you can become your own camouflage expert.

It will be our little secret! XO, Judith

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I CAME , I SAW, I CONTOURED!

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GET YOUR “KILLER CONTOUR” LOOK WITH OUR KILLER COVER – FULL COVERAGE CONCEALER ALL IN ONE MAKEUP COMPACT – IT’S ALL YOU CAN WISH FOR!

Looks like the idea of contouring for “The Everyday Face” is here to stay.

Don’t know how to contour your face? Please read on and take a look at these beauties who found a whole new way of using our KILLER COVER – FULL COVERAGE CONCEALER as your KILLER CONTOUR  that not only covers up everything but contours and highlights your face.

Makeup is a tool to create and to enhance the beauty that already exists.  However, if you could be happier with a shorter, thinner nose or a slimmer chin, make small eyes look larger, cheekbones higher, maybe your forehead shorter, contouring may be for you.

The theory is simple: Dark recedes and Light brings forward.  What you want to achieve is the illusion that your features are what you wish to see and a drama you didn’t have before the makeup –which is kind of fun!

SO, TO CREATE MOVIE STAR GOOD LOOKS…

  • Start with a light hand.  You can always add more but, more is not always better, it’s just more.

PRACTICE

  •  Blending is vital – brushes are too. Try with a concealer or contour blush, and blend with a beauty sponge.
  • Use the best lighting you can find so you see results more clearly

For your everyday face, keep it real.  For your dramatic face, add more.

Check out these Magic Making Makeup Artists

GIVE IT A TRY. YOU CAN’T RESIST 25% OFF THE KILLER COVER COMPACT! THE DOUBLE DUTY CONCEALING AND CONTOURING MAKEUP!

USE PROMO CODE: KC25

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The Blocking Technique: How to Apply

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This is the time your secret weapon, Camouflage Makeup, comes to the rescue!

blocking technique

If you have a great deal of discoloration, scars, bruises, birthmarks, etc., you will want to camouflage first by blocking out the problem before applying foundation. Camouflage makeup adheres best when applied directly on the skin. Then go back, over the camouflaged areas with your skin toned foundation, contour and color, to add dimension.

Your goal is to create a canvas that is smooth and flawless by melding the two types of makeup together. If done correctly you will not see a line of demarcation between the camouflage makeup and your foundation. In some cases, the camouflage makeup will be all you need if the problem covers a large area of the face or body.

COLOR

Most people need to blend 2 to 3 colors in order to achieve the correct shade to camouflage the problem. While “The Blocking Technique” is essentially the same for each situation, it is the colors you use that create the magic!

Never “block out” with a color that is lighter than your natural skin tone. You will never be able to achieve a natural color between the camouflaged area and the rest of your skin.

CONSISTENCY

Camouflage makeup is heavier with more pigment than regular concealer and foundation. It needs to be warmed by the heat of your fingers to create a smooth “buttery” finish before applying to the skin. You’ve got to work it to achieve the best coverage. If necessary, you can layer up to three times.

After application, let it set a minute. The product will firm up again going back to its original consistency which ensures staying power.

TECHNIQUE

1 Use the back of your hand as a blending palette. This will provide a more even application than blending directly on your skin.
2 Take the edge of a spatula and “shave off” a small amount of product and put it on your hand. You need very little of it because it is so concentrated.
3 Start with a quarter size amount in the color closest to your “natural skin tone”. Then, place a small dab of a lighter and a darker tone next to it. Using your fingertips, blend colors together to create your perfect shade. The warmth of your fingers will “liquefy” the product for smoother application.
4 Take your non-latex blending sponge and pick up the product from your hand. Tap the makeup onto the affected area using a slight “rolling” motion. By doing this you will not lift the makeup off the skin; you are blending into the skin.

Don’t forget your NO NO words:

NO STROKING, NO SMEARING.

5 Feather out the edges until the makeup blends seamlessly into the skin.
6 Continue with your normal foundation around and/or on top of the camouflaged area until you have achieved even coverage.
7 Set your artwork with loose translucent powder using a powder puff. Let it set for three minutes. Buff off excess with a powder brush.

If you look too powdery a light mineral water finishing spray can be used or, the “warm hand technique”.

TOUCHING UP

If you need touch up during the day, use a pressed powder compact in a natural skin toned color, not a translucent color. It will refresh your makeup to its natural hue.

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The Healing Art of Camouflage Cosmetics

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blocking healing

Most often makeup is used to enhance or dramatize; however, there are many who use makeup to handle temporary “flaws” and others who need camouflage to manage significant conditions from pigmentation problems due to birthmarks, bruises, age spots, scars, tattoos, vitiligo, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, acne and the after-effects of surgery.

Camouflage makeup can go anywhere you need it: face, hands, neck, on large or small areas. You can use camouflage make up alone or just on a small area, applying your normal foundation on surrounding areas. How much of each of you use depends on the extent of the problem.

I call this technique “Blocking” because that is exactly what you do. You visually “Block out”, or erase unwanted discolorations by layering product until you achieve your best coverage.

You are unique, so it makes sense that product color, consistency, and the techniques you use can be different from someone else’s. There is no one answer.

The best answer is to experiment to find the best solution for you. There are many fine concealing products on the market today. This type of makeup has come a long way since its beginning on stage and in the cinema.

Makeup is serious business.

When choosing your concealing makeup, look for the words “full coverage” or “buildable coverage”, which means you can make up your face, but can reapply more layers, to your discolored areas, without a cakey look.

In the following discussion, you will learn the best way to handle most conditions that might come along. If you don’t see your specific problem mentioned in these pages, don’t fret. I assure you, similar techniques can change and lessen “the look of what you do not want”. Just follow the steps and practice, practice, practice. We may not erase each and every problem but it will be a fraction of what it was.

My goal is to allow my readers to make positive choices with good products, using the right instructions to make a difference in what you see in the mirror.

The first step to any “blocking technique” is SUNBLOCKING!

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The Power of Pink: Our Secret Weapon

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power pink 1
These are my “oldest” friends, actually they prefer to be called “forever” friends. We have been playing together since we were thirteen years old; naturally bright and pink and glowing and are still playing the beauty game all these years later.

The rules and the products are different now and it takes longer, but the beautiful part is that we still have each other to laugh and share secrets, just like when we were kids.

The one thing we all agree upon is that today, color is our secret weapon and “think pink” is our mantra.

There is no way to get around the fact that when our skin looks tired, we look older. The surprising effect of the color pink is its ability to help us look 10 years younger… fifteen if we want to lie.

Dealing with allergies and hormonal cycles, makes the appearance of dark circles more intense and the face falls to the floor… THINK PINK! Use a pink or pinky beige concealer pencil or cream which will brighten your under eye area and help lift your face back up when you get an attack.

There is a Color Pink for Every Skin Tone

  • True pink (nothing too bubblegum)
  • Soft berry for women with cool undertones
  • Pink coral or pinky bronze are best for warm complexions and fiery redheads
  • Soft pink or dusty rose illuminates the cheek bones and draws the eye upward, perfect for the elegant years
  • A deep shade of rose or rosy red is “the right pink” for dark or Mediterranean complexions

To lift a tired, sallow complexion, we love the ritual of applying a subtle touch of pink blush right on the “apple” of the cheeks.

power pink 002

pink blush makeup lift

How to lift your face using ColorLift Beauty Blush – click here.

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The Power of Lavender: Using neutralizer to even out discoloration

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A former actress turned Public Relations expert, June had to face the public with a fresh face. She learned the Power of Lavender.

  1. Dark brown under eye circles
  2. Yellow undertone to her skin
  3. Broken capillaries and some brown spots on the surface of her face

The three different discolorations on June’s face makes her a perfect candidate for lavender. Lavender acts like neutralizer, blending the different areas, creating an even palette to work from.

We mixed a lavender liquid foundation into her existing makeup. Start with a dab or two of the lavender then add more until you reached the balanced coverage. The skin takes on an illuminating glow, making her skin look fresh and flawless.

3 Options for Using Lavender

  • Option 1: For a light veil of lavender use a lavender primer under your foundation.
  • Option 2: For a heavier block-out, use a lavender liquid or crème foundation before you apply makeup.
  • Option 3: Mix liquid lavender foundation with your skin tone liquid foundation or cream to cream.

lavender_color

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The Power of Color: Understanding Undertones

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The Power of Color: Understanding Undertones

undertone one

Many years ago my mentor, Aida Grey, the legendary cosmetic guru of Beverly Hills, taught me many lessons. Her theory on “how to discover your own unique facial color undertone” has served me and my clients well.

To determine your personal colorization, take a look at the inside of your forearm. If your veins look blue, you are most likely to have a pink or cool undertone to your skin. If your veins look green, you have more yellow or golden undertones to your skin.” Using this information, it makes sense that certain foundation and concealer colors will be more suited to you than others. As Aida would say…“flawless can be found!”

Peachy orange with a touch of yellow is perfect for warm undertones.

Don’t let the colors fool you. The optical illusions created by these shades blend perfectly with warm skin tones. Depending upon how light or dark your skin is, this color spectrum will lighten shadows, under eye circles, and erase brown spots.

The Power of Peachy Orange

Jennifer has warm undertones and peachy orange worked miracles.

  • Under eye darkness
  • Erasing brown spots
  • Softening shadows

When we used her normal skin toned foundation and concealer, we found the “darkness” still came through. Adding another layer of “peachy orange” under her eyes and on brown spots and freckles; we evened out her complexion to perfection.

peachy orange

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Are you Bluish, Reddish or Brownish? Neutralizer Tint

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Are you Bluish, Reddish or Brownish?

neutralizer colors 1

Which neutralizing tint is best for Karen?

Is she bluish, reddish or purple, or… is she grayish or brownish?

The correct answer is…Bluish, reddish and purple. So she would use a yellow based neutralizing color. Experiment using your neutralizer under or over foundation. Sometimes you’ll need both to achieve your best coverage.

Mix-and-Match to your own skin tone

To neutralize bluish, reddish or purple under-eye circles: choose a yellow-beige neutralizing tint like Judith August’s Special Care Cover.

To neutralize grayish, brownish under-eye circles: choose a peach-orange or peach-pink based neutralizing tint like Judith August’s Orange Masking Creme.

FOLLOW KAREN’S SIMPLE STEPS:

  1. First we applied a foundation over her entire face.
  2. With a small camouflage brush, we mixed the two neutralizing colors together. A deep golden beige on the puff under her eye itself gives the illusion that the puff is receding.
  3. For the very dark line that is under the puff, we took an eyeliner brush and applied a lighter yellow beige concealer to paint the line away. Patting gently, with the little finger, we blended the line into her skin.
  4. Using a small powder puff, or small fluff brush, we placed loose translucent powder to set and take the shine away and give the illusion of a smooth surface.

THE EFFECT: The puff appears flattened and less noticeable.

You will need:

  • Light eye gel (optional)
  • Eye cream
  • Foundation
  • Yellow-based camouflage make up
  • Loose translucent powder
  • Small oval camouflage brush
  • Fine-tip eyeliner brush
  • Small, fluffy eyeshadow brush

Note: I’m a big fan of pink to brighten and lighten. We used the Everything Pencil in Pink glow to give Karen a color boost.

neutralizer colors 2

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Neutralizers: Heavy Artillery for Dark Circles

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Neutralizers: Heavy Artillery for Dark Circles

Often, simple foundation or concealer alone is not enough. If your dark circles are so, so, dark and the discoloration starts showing through during the day, you may need “The heavy artillery”, a color neutralizer.

Neutralizers are pale color tints, like yellow, peach, rose, lavender or peachy orange. They are not natural skin shades, and are available in cream, liquid, or pencil forms. Essentially, neutralizers work along with your skin toned foundation or concealer.

Under eye circles can show up due to lack of sleep, stress, smoking, bad circulation, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, allergies or sinus problems. Sometimes deep set eyes or skin with blood vessels very close to the surface may look shadowy.

The Key to Successful Camouflage is Color.

The biggest challenge is concealing those little rascals without looking racoony, or worse than when you started.

Trick the eye with these optical illusions.

Working with Neutralizers

There are two ways to work with neutralizers:

  1. Apply a color neutralizer first, under your foundation.
  2. Or, mix a dab of neutralizer into your foundation, moisturizer or primer.

Don’t worry about perfection the first time, practice makes perfect – and after all, makeup does wash off. See the table below for neutralizer guidelines.

Peachy Orange

Cancels greyish, brownish, or bluish discolorations. Best for medium to dark toned skin.

Yellow Beige

Cancels red, bluish or purple discolorations. Best for lighter toned skin.

Peachy Beige

Cancels and brightens dull skin with yellow undertones. Best for light to medium toned skin.

Golden Beige

Cancels darker reddish, bluish or purple discolorations. Best for medium to dark toned skin.

Lavender

Cancels and brightens red allergy eyes or very dark circles. Best for very fair toned skin.

Aqua Green

Cancels reddish discolorations. Best for lighter toned skin.

neutralizers

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Little Lesson: When Deep Thoughts Create Deep Lines

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Little Lesson: When Deep Thoughts Create Deep Lines

deep lines

Kat Wright ND and CEO of FROWNIES FACIAL PATCHES is a Naturopath committed to using all natural plant based ingredients in her products.

She has developed cute little “Eye Gel” patches, made with herbs and cactus collagen to help the problems we face in the tender eye area. Natural ingredients like these promote beauty by helping increase circulation, firm the skin and reduce fine lines.

Keep them refrigerated for maximum refreshment.

There are many patches on the market today that are infused with ingredients like collagen and Vitamin C in order to help reduce the effects of allergies and aging.

By the way, I frown upon facial exercises; while they may work temporarily, when you stop, you face can fall to the floor again.

Nutrition and Your Skin

I know, I know. You hear about diet and exercise all the time but why is it critically important?

In her book “Your Health in Your Hands – Living and Aging Well” Kat Wright explains: “being hydrated is the most important anti-aging secret to beautiful skin. Hydration internally does as much as hydration externally.”

Eating fresh vegetables, drinking plenty of water and avoiding processed foods are the beginnings of all the good things you can do for yourself. It’s nature’s way.

Refresh your Eyes, Refresh the Spirit

Use this tried and true yoga technique to relax your eyes.

  • Sit up straight and close eyes.
  • Rub your hands together very fast. Feel the heat build up in the palms of your hands.
  • When the palms of your hands are very warm, bring those warm hands up and place them on your closed eyes. Let the healing begin.
  • The heat from your hands will soothe your eyes and relax and refresh. All you need is three minutes and a place to hide.
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Little Lesson: Soften Wrinkles, Crinkles, & Refresh Allergy Eyes

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Little Lesson: Soften Wrinkles, Crinkles, & Refresh Allergy Eyes

refresh allergy eyes

Homemade refreshers

For cooling and soothing tired, irritated and stressed eyes, the following tricks can be found right in your kitchen. Revitalize with cool veggie slices, cotton pads, or tea bags. Mother Nature knew what she was doing.

Place thin chilled cucumber slices on eyelids for 10 min.

The chill, coupled with the natural, mild astringency in cucumber juice soothes and gently tightens eye area.

Place damp, chilled tea bags on your eyelids for 10 min.

The tannin in tea has a lightly astringent effect on the skin. Black tea is best. Lie down and rest with tea bags on your closed eyes to calm skin and relieve puffiness.

Place cotton pads soaked in water and witch hazel on eyelids for 10 min.

This plant extract is a proven, classic anti-inflammation remedy – especially effective at soothing and reducing puffiness.

Place thin discs of fresh, peeled potato on eyelids for 10 min.

The natural potato “juice” easily absorbs heat from your skin, and provides a soothing, sensation for puffy or irritated lids.

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Little Lesson: Crow’s Feet Relief

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Little Lesson: Crow’s Feet Relief

crows feet relief

Two-step tip for crow’s feet or crepey, thin skin texture

  1. To plump up this delicate skin, dot on a medium-weight eye cream to add moisture that’s missing, then pause – it’s the 60-second rule – let the moisture melt into your skin.

  2. Finish with dabs of lightweight foundation. Dot and blend using your third finger.

Sweet Eye Crème Technique

The thinner the skin, the more visible the wrinkles.

Try mixing a touch of honey into your eye cream. Pat the cream-honey mixture aggressively around your eye area to help plump up the tissue, especially the outer corner where those cute little laugh lines appear. Let the honey-plus-eye-cream settle in, and then lightly dab off excess before applying any other makeup.

Out and About?

A portable vitamin E stick in your purse means you can “quick fix” makeup lodging itself in the lines under the eye. Take a bit and warm it between your fingers and pat around the eye socket and corner of the eyes returning you to the “honey fresh” look you left home with, in the first place.

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Little Lesson: Lighten Your Lids

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Little Lesson:
Lighten your lids,
lighten your look.
Hide eyelid discoloration.

lighten your lids

Your eyelids contain oil glands. To keep eyeshadow from disappearing apply an eyeshadow primer to blot the oil.

Eye shadow primer is applied to the lid and under the brow, and helps cover vein discoloration as well. It will hold your eye shadow on all day, and will prevent it from creasing. For this reason, it is best to use a primer instead of foundation which tends to be oily.

The Everything Pencil™ is a perfect primer for this because of its consistency.

You can also find shadow base in a mascara-type wand, a tube, or a little pot, usually in a neutral shade. Apply with your finger-tips, or clean eye sponge applicator, and blend. Proceed with your eye makeup.

A Cinema Secret for droopy eyes!

Take a small applicator and dip it into a highlighter makeup and apply on the outside corner of your eyes, blending it out and leaving a hint of highlight. This will visually open and lift your eye.

False Eyelashes Opens, Brightens, Lifts Droopy Eyelids!

Droopy eyes can be lifted by applying eyelashes. You can add either individual lashes or clusters to the outer corner and/or the center of the upper eyelid. This technique opens the eyes and maximizes the look of big and beautiful. A full strip of lashes will defeat this purpose.

Curl eyelashes first, then add mascara, (black is usually preferable); apply eyeliner to prevent skin from showing between natural and false lashes. The closer you apply lashes to your lash line, the more natural they will look. Be careful of using a whole strip of eyelashes if natural is the effect you are looking for.

Apply glue onto the lashes, let dry for 30 seconds until “tacky”. Pick up lashes with applicator or tweezers, add to base of eyelashes and hold till set. Keep adding till desired look is achieved and droopy eyes are camouflaged. For longer wear, finalize with an additional application of liquid or gel liner.

Choose eyelashes made of human hairs in a blend of black and brown. Start off with just a few and add where needed. Practice is the key to successful application.

NOTE: Black glue dries more quickly and speeds the process.

Eyelash Curler Lift

I have five words to say about eyelashes. Curl! Curl! Curl! Curl! Curl! There is no quicker, cheaper, faster, lift than curling your eyelashes. It opens the eyes, lifts your lids and makes you look years younger.

–Robert Jones, Makeup Virtuoso

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Little Lesson: Distraction Action

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Little Lesson: Distraction Action

An easy 1-2-3 step for Heavy Bags and Sags

Frankly, very heavy bags and loose skin are hard to camouflage. Basic cosmetic concealing options and techniques do not work for this problem. Today, advances in cosmetic surgery make it a realistic option for unloading truly serious eye baggage. However, if surgery is not an option – it’s best to shift the focus from the problem by concentrating on eye makeup and highlighting lips and cheeks.

  • 1 Fill in the eyebrows. A defined arch frames the eyes and draws attention away from droopy eyelids
  • 2 Draw eyeliner on the upper eyelid, if there is room. Start from the middle and working it to the edge the eyelid. Or a triangle of brown powdered eyeshadow blended upward into the crease.
  • 3 Eyeliner along the inner rim of the lower lashes helps draw attention upward and away from loose skin or puffs. Navy, dark brown or teal make eyes pop.

This technique helps focus on the eyes only, not the bags and sags.

  • 1 Arch Eyebrow
  • 2 Blend & Lift
  • 3 Line Inner Rim

More Distraction Action

An easy 1-2-3 step to Brighten & Lift

After all makeup is applied, there is one more step you can do that will visually give an “instant face lift” while further distracting from saggy eyes.

Using either a pinky peach blush or in an emergency, a dab of lipstick, place color dots in strategic places.

  • 4 Color dot over the arch of the eyebrow.
  • 5 Color dot on the upper brow bone.
  • 6 Color dot on the apple of the cheek.

Don’t leave the dot, that is only for placement. Blend the color in using a circular motion leaving just a hint of color. See how it creates an illusion that the face looks lifted.

Finish the look with luscious lips to help Shift the Focus.

So… you may not need a facelift, simply a color lift!

  • 4 lift
  • 6 Flush
  • 5 Brighten

distraction action

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Little Lesson: Concealing Medium or Heavy Bags

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Little Lesson:
Concealing Medium or Heavy Bags

Here‘s The Concealer Principle

The interplay of lights and darks is key to cosmetic camouflage. A dark tone “recedes,” a light tone “brings forward.” Color choice is critical.

Bit-of-Blush Option: Instead of using a slightly darker concealer – try a dot of powder blush in a dusty rose or pinky orange shade. Apply lightly, directly on the puff or bag. Just whisk it on. It can work wonders! Experiment with this technique, but don’t be heavy-handed.

You will need:

  • Eye cream
  • Eye gel (optional)
  • Foundation – your exact-match shade
  • Concealer one shade darker than your skin tone
  • Concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone
  • Loose, translucent powder
  • Small oval camouflage brush
  • Fine-tip eyeliner brush or concealer pencil
  • Small, fluffy eyeshadow brush

Eye Gel & Cream

Apply eye gel first and follow with eye cream. Pause between each application, count to 60 – that’s the 60 –second rule which allows your skin time to absorb product.

Skin Tone Foundation

Apply skin-tone foundation around your eyes and on the eyelids. This evens out the entire skin tone. Again, follow the 60-second rule.

On the Puff

To flatten the appearance of the puff, apply concealer one shade slightly darker than foundation. The darker concealer gives the illusion the bags are receding. Use a camouflage brush or your finger to apply.

Under the Bag

Use a lighter concealer shade to erase the dark line just underneath the puff. Dip an eyeliner brush into concealer and work precisely into this area, or choose a creamy concealer pencil. Dot and blend.

In the Corner

Don’t forget the inside corner of the eye area (near bridge of nose) where the skin may look darker. Start lightly! Heavy concealer will only make it look worse. You can always add more if necessary.

Powder

Dip your small fluffy brush into loose powder and tap off excess. Lightly dust the under-eye area to reduce shine. This technique makes the under-eye area appear smooth and all one even color.

Quick Trick: Desperate measure for de-puffing: You can resort to the makeup artist’s trick of using a very tiny touch of hemorrhoid cream to temporarily reduce under-eye swelling.

CAUTION: Please only do this if you are in a state of desperation. it really works, but shouldn’t be done often.

medium heavy bags

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Little Lesson: Concealing Light Puffs or Bags

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Little Lesson:
Concealing Light Puffs or Bags

Your eye area thrives on moisture.

There are no oil glands under the eyes, which makes the eye area tissue a target for dehydration. I believe everyone needs an eye cream – no matter what. Choose a cream that’s light in texture so it won’t weigh down the delicate tissue. Use your third finger and gently pat the cream around the eye area. Start from the outside corner of your eye and work into the inner corner. Give it a minute to absorb.

Eye gel for firming – an option.

Try applying an eye gel before eye cream. Gel can stimulate the blood circulation, and help relieve water retention – which is a typical cause of puffing. Some gels, if they are light in texture, can be left on for a lifting effect. Others are too heavy and must be removed after a few minutes with warm water.

Then, after removing gel, re-apply a very light eye cream. Follow with concealer in the appropriate consistency to handle your particular “challenge.”

You will need:

  • Light eye gel (optional)
  • Eye cream
  • Two lightweight, creamy concealers: one that matches your skin tone, plus one lighter for blending
  • Loose, translucent powder
  • Small, fluffy eyeshadow brush
  • Camouflage brush

Step 1

Mix your concealers together, if needed, to achieve a perfect skin match.

Step 2

Pat and blend lightly starting at the outside of the eye and move inward.

Step 3

Powder using an eyeshadow brush to reduce shine and to keep concealer in place. The shape of this brush fits perfectly under the eye area.

Note

Don’t forget to apply concealer at the inner corner of your eye, typically the darkest area. Apply an extra layer of concealer on top of the foundation to give an added boost if needed.

Handle With Care

Skin tissue below your eyes is delicate and, like a rubber band, its resilience is very limited. If you stretch and pull at it, this fragile skin will soon look saggy and wrinkled.

light puffs bags

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Viva La Makeup

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I love you Ms. Alicia Keys, BUT, I’m not giving up my makeup bag, NO WAY!

Singer, songwriter Alicia Keys has put a ban on makeup.  At least that is what has been all over the internet lately. I guess there is a revolution going on and I don’t want to be a part of it.  Do you? “#Nomakeup” is a meme, a movement, an inspiration to some and insanely ridiculous to others.

Ms. Keys disclosed all the insecurities she has felt over the years being in the public eye.  She wrote about the anxiety that the use of makeup, or no makeup has produced whenever she left her house. What if someone shot a photo of her?  What if they post it?  How did she look?  She is sick of it. Makeup is just “phony armor,” she writes.

Did Cleopatra think makeup was “phony armor”?  Did Cave Women, African Warriors and Native Americans think painting their faces “phony armor”?   Face painting gave them strength, attraction, and a way to communicate.

Wearing makeup or not wearing makeup is nothing new.  It comes up every couple of decades as a “Cause Célèbre”.  Remember “Burn Your Bras” was another so called revolution?

Well, makeup is a real part of my existence.  I own a cosmetic company and that is the business part of me. We are dedicated to helping people improve their appearance through the use of the right cosmetics. Everybody’s got something to hide, whether it’s a simple annoying flaw or more serious coverage.   Is this phony armor if one’s self esteem is improved?  That’s a good thing.  If cosmetic challenges don’t bother you, that’s a good thing too.

On a personal level, I like to “face my world” with all the help I can get!  That’s my happy place! Contouring, strobing, baking, highlighting, “the twelve step program to create the latest eye makeup look,” well, that’s a different story!

Ms. Keys, it’s great you can look good and feel good without makeup, but, just to let you know, I’ll never let anyone take away my Orange Masking Crème!

For those of you my fabulous supporters and customers, go for what is important to you. I’d love to hear what you have to say.  Write me a comment below and by the way, any time you can receive a 20% discount for your fall season supplies, that is a good thing too!

 

Viva La Makeup,

Judith

____________________________________________________________

20% off your entire order.

Use promo code: makeup20

Offer ends:  10-11-16

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Little Lessons for Eyes

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under eye bags

Little Lessons for Eyes

Trick the eye with optical illusions! The game starts here!

Under-eye Challenges

Under-eye challenges come in a myriad of forms. For example, dark circles, bags and puffs below your eyes, sagging or droopy skin around and above the eye area, discolorations, a bluish cast, scaly and red or sometimes a yellow pallor. Any and all of these situations make you look haggard and tired under your “baby blues”!

In this collection of “little lessons” you will learn that each situation requires a different type of product, color and technique. Some of these solutions are quick, no-brainer fixes; others may need another step or two.

Few people are blessed with no under-eye puffiness or minimal under-eye discoloration. If you have no puffiness, eye cream and light foundation may be all that’s necessary for your eye area. Lucky you! Skip to the next topic.

However, “eye baggage” in the form of eye puffs, often caused by water retention, allergies, sinus, too much sleep, or you may have actual bags, most commonly caused by a deposit of fat that settles right under the eye – the correct concealer and technique can make a difference.

Trial and Error

Yes, there are so many cosmetic products out there, no wonder you’re cross-eyed! You can hardly try them all. But, frankly, trial and error is the best way to find the colors and product consistency that really work for you. Let this chapter be your guide to getting wise about concealing and get ready to go “under cover”.

We all have baggage… I just happen to carry mine under my eyes. They told me I would never be a photographic model because of the bags under my eyes. I proved them wrong.

-Judith August

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The Skinny on Powder

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powder puff

The Skinny on Powder

FALSE: The biggest misconception is that powder is bad under the eyes because it makes lines more prominent.

TRUE: Loose translucent powder helps to set the makeup, keeping the product “at the surface” and not allowing it to move or migrate into the lines.

Getting Set for Day

Without powder, makeup will break down after three hours. With powder, the makeup will stay intact from the time you apply it until you take it off.

Setting powder is a necessary step to cut shine and give your face a matte finish, especially for camoflague makeup. It minimizes imperfections and blends harsh edges to give an overall soft, beautiful look.

For light to medium skin tones, translucent powder works well because it sets makeup without changing the color.

Note, translucent powder is not invisible. The term is often confused with the word transparent. Translucent powder is less opaque than other powders but not colorless.

For medium to darker skin tones, I prefer a skin matched powder to avoid a chalky look.

Powder was the first beauty product on the market, and is still the number one seller today.

The Powder Puff Technique

A velour powder puff is best to set camouflage makeup. A light dusting with a powder brush will not do the trick.

1 Sprinkle powder onto a puff and fold in half.

Rub the sides together to work the powder into the puff.

The powder should be immersed in the puff instead of just being on the surface. It will kinda look like a taco!

2 Gently press the powder onto your face. Apply in three sections. First, on your forehead. Second, do the right side of your face, then the left.

Don’t forget to powder your eyelids and powder carefully under your eyes. Lipstick stays on longer if you powder first.

If you overly powder, use a fine mist of mineral water spray over your entire face and let it dry for a nice glistening finish.

The Warm Hand Technique

After all your makeup has been applied, rub your hands together to get them very warm. Press your warm hands all over your face; in the T-zone, under your eyes and cheeks. The oil and heat from your hands take away the powdery look, leaving your makeup looking fresh and natural.

For the Beauty on the Run!

Loose powders are best to set your makeup,whereas pressed powder compacts are best for touch ups. If you have oily skin, carry oil blotting tissues with you during the day to refresh in an instant.

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Paint the Lines Away

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Paint the Lines Away

Soften Fine Lines, Lip Lines & Marionette Lines with Vicki’s Angel

Whether it was in front of the camera, or everyday wear, for years, I have utilized a technique that helps softens fine lines and adds dimension to the face. It has always been one of my indispensable makeup tricks. I was delighted to find another guru, Vicki Fischer, who actually put a name to this simple, effective technique… Vicki’s Angel.

As a makeup artist Vicki Fischer’s highlighting technique reminded her of an angel. She thought “makeup application should be fun, so she started telling her clients that she was “lightening their face with a kiss from an angel” thus “Vicki’s Angel” came to be.

In order to give your face a “heavenly luminescence”. Vicki’s Angel both softens and lightens your appearance at the same time; helping to create the illusion of smoother skin. Tiny lip, frown and marionette lines all respond well to this technique. The Angel adds softness and dimension.

It is a fun and easy way to remember a very important part of the makeup process. You will actually require less makeup by drawing an angel on your own face and it will extend the life of your makeup.

Step 1: Paint on your Angel

Use a concealer color one shade lighter than your foundation. Apply with a small camouflage brush, eyeliner brush, or The Everything Pencil. Hold the skin taut and fill in the lines with the tip of your pencil or brush. Be sure to press firmly into the lines as the concealer works like a filler. Think of it as putty.

Step 2: Blend

Take your middle finger and press in the concealer then feather out until it’s barely there. You will find that your fingers are great tools for blending your Angel.

Step 3: Foundation

Carefully apply a thin layer of foundation over your entire face. Make sure you do not erase your angel. Let the illumination shine through.

Step 4: Powder

Apply loose translucent powder to set your makeup and eliminate shine using powder brush or puff. You will see how your angel lifts, lightens, and softens the lines on your face.

Make your own Vicki’s Angel

vickis angel

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Start with Foundation Primer

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start foundation

Start with Foundation Primer

A foundation primer prepares the skin for any type of makeup application and is applied after moisturizer. Silicone based primer is an ultra-lightweight sheer liquid or crème that glides over the skin, leaving a smooth, flawless look and feel. It visually helps “fill in” fine lines and large pores temporarily, and prepares the skin for foundation. Consider it “insurance” for longer lasting, smooth, professional looking makeup.

There are cosmetic companies who put “neutralizing colors” into their primer products which helps correct some color imperfections of the skin as well as goodies, such as Hyaluronic Acid, and Peptide Complexes and other state-of-the-art ingredients.

See How A Primer Works For You

  1. Apply on one-half of your face and wait for two minutes for evaporation to take place, and then apply your foundation.
  2. You will be amazed at the difference between the two sides of your face. Try it on your hands and decollete too!

Prime Advice

“Primers have been used in the film industry for years. They are the perfect preparation for camera close-ups because of the silicone based material. They also extend the wear of the foundation and prevent color fading. If you are wearing something low cut, it is just as important to put primer on the chest area. This skin needs as much protection as your face and is often ignored. No wonder the neck and chest areas often age way beyond the face. Give your neck, hands and chest tender loving care! It’s a Cinema Secret.”

Maurice Stein, Hollywood’s Master Makeup Magician

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The Daily Ritual: Makeup in the Morning

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the daily ritual

The Daily Ritual

First thing I do in the morning is make coffee… my lifelong pleasure… then I blindly reach for the concealer. I can’t go anywhere without them! Coffee and concealer – my daily duo – is the way to start the day, it is my ritual and personal Zen time.

First thing in the morning – Reality hits and the real work starts! YIKES!

  • Droopy Eyelids
  • Puffiness
  • Red Spots
  • Dark Circles
  • Zits
  • Spider Veins
  • Age Spots
  • Frown Lines
  • Wretched Lines Around The Mouth…

Before you get into the art of makeup,

Prepare your canvas

  • Cleanser, toner, sunscreen, moisturizer, eye cream, primer, foundation… whew!
  • You need to wait a minute between each step because it is necessary for the skin to absorb the products so they can work together properly… needless to say, that’s a lot of Zen time in the morning.
  • Make sure to remove any excess hair through depilatory, waxing, tweezing, or threading on a bi-monthly basis.
  • Concentrate on keeping eyebrows well groomed because they are the frames of your face.
  • Keep a pair of tweezers in your car, while not advocating this while driving; it can be shockingly handy at a stoplight! The lighting is fabulous and it is the only way to really see all the stray hairs. Scary but true!

Don’t worry about a thing. We have a makeup bag full of tricks especially for you!

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Build Your Own Concealer Kit

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build your own concealer kit

Build your own Concealer Kit

Let’s get started to achieve your flawless & fabulous finish!

You will need:

  • Basic liquid or cream foundation matched closely as possible to your facial skin tone.
  • Three concealer shades: one that matches your skin tone, one that’s a shade lighter, and one that’s a single shade darker.
  • One or two neutralizer colors tints for your special needs. Basics are green, pinky orange, yellow, and sometimes lavender.
  • Loose translucent powder and a large velour powder puff.
  • Non-latex sponges* – little triangular shapes are great for smoothing and blending especially around the eyes and nose. They’re easily available at most drugstores and cosmetic counters. *People with sensitive skin might be allergic to latex.
  • Cotton pads for blotting excess makeup, cotton swabs for erasing mistakes, hand sanitizer, tweezer, eyelash curler, and pencil sharpener.
  • Add to your kit a fixing spray to help makeup stay in hot weather or under lights.
  • Of course you will add your personal color palette.

Special Tool Tip

The Everything Pencil™, a Judith August exclusive, is convenient and easy to control. A creamy formula, it is heavy enough to cover up yet lightweight enough to blend easily. This pencil contains Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and is doctor approved.

Because every part of the body is a different color, sometimes it takes more than one pencil to blend the right shade. This handy little cosmetic tool is available in six shades. While The Everything Pencil is perfect for your makeup kit, don’t just stop there! Keep them in your bathroom, purse, and car for a quick cover up… “It covers up everything for everybody, every day!”

Best sharpening technique:

Keep pencils in the refrigerator before sharpening.

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Concealment: Tools of the Trade

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Tools of the Trade

concealer brushes

The indispensable: powder puff and brushes to set camouflage makeup.

Using professional makeup brushes creates the difference between a simple makeup job and a polished, professional appearance.

My weapons of choice to attack annoying little culprits are great makeup brushes, concealers, foundation and color…lots and lots of color. Keep everything transparent and natural looking using the best tools you can find.

All camouflage techniques require brushes of specific sizes and shapes to achieve excellent coverage. These are different than the brushes you would normally use for color cosmetics. The right brush shape is designed to take the place of fingertips and the rounded and feathered edges help prevent streaking; they apply and blend evenly stroke by stroke.

If you buy quality brushes and care for them, they will last many years. Bacteria lurks everywhere, so it is necessary to clean, condition and sanitize your brushes, and powder puffs every few days. I love Cinema Secrets™ professional brush cleaner or use a drop or two of Woolite™, especially for your “puffs”. After cleaning, reform, shape and dry on a towel or if you’re in a hurry, dry with a hair dryer.
concealer brushes chart

Brushes you will need:

  • Fine tipped brush (eyeliner or lip liner brush) works well for precision spot concealing for fine lines and small scars.
  • Small oval camouflage brush, (the size of your baby finger) is used “to place” concealer under eyes, under lashes, into the inner corner of your eye, under the brow, and on to the lid; creating a smooth even palette for successful color application.
  • Medium oval camouflage brush, (the size of your middle finger) is wider, giving you more control as you blend the concealer from the under eye area downward onto your face.
  • Small fluffy eyeshadow brush fits perfectly under your eyes for a light powdering.
  • Large oval face brush for your foundation will blend and further refine your application.
  • Large fluffy brush or Kabuki brush is used when it’s time to powder the entire face.

When you are using your fingers, always ”lift out” product with a spatula so not to spread germs.

No double dipping with fingers!

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Is Concealer Your Best Friend or Worst Enemy?

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concealer friend enemy

Concealer can be your best friend or your worst enemy

Best concealer choice!

Color is critical! It should be either one shade lighter or match your foundation. Most women think the lighter the concealer, the better it will cover darkness THAT’S WRONG! A concealer that’s too light will make you look gray. The whole idea is to try to “correct” the darkness in the under eye area so it appears the same color as your face.

Best makeup test!

Before you buy any makeup, check the color at your jawline, in natural daylight. Be sure the color matches perfectly between your jawline and your neck to avoid a line of demarcation. If you see any difference in color, that shade is not for you.

Best light!

The best “true light” is outdoor or window light. Natural light makes all things highly visible – so a “lighter touch” with makeup should be your rule for outdoors. If you’re inside all day, be sure to check your makeup in good indoor light. (FYI – florescent lighting tends to have a green cast, not flattering to the skin.) Best asset at your vanity mirror is lighting on both sides, not just overhead. The goal is all over even illumination. Lighted makeup mirrors with magnification show the true picture.

Best application techniques!

You will find that your fingers are some of your best tools. However, working with a brush or sponge provides more control
and precision, plus you will use less product. For a smooth, poreless look… blend foundation down, against facial hairs and not upwards into the pores.

Best “60 second rule”!

“Give it a minute!” for your skin to absorb moisturizer, makeup, sunscreen or foundation and pause after each new layer of
product. When air hits makeup, it becomes thicker which provides better coverage. This will help create a longer lasting and polished finish.

Best advice!

The skin on every part of your body is a different color. Your face, eye area, neck, hands or legs may need more than one shade of makeup blended to create a perfect skin match.

Best words!

Gentle, patting, dabbing, pressing, feathering, stippling; especially around the eyes. Never ever drag, slap, scratch, scrub,
scribble or pull.

YOU ARE A 3-DIMENSIONAL WORK OF ART THAT IS SEEN FROM ALL ANGLES

  • Once you get started, blending your makeup properly is vital…
  • A three-way mirror can be a great friend
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Terms of Concealment

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Terms of Concealment

FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION is the most basic makeup, and by nature generally lighter in consistency and coverage than dedicated concealers. Foundation is available in jars, tubes and compacts. A skin matched foundation may be all you need to even out your skin tone, conceal minor discolorations, or cover up a simple flaw or blemish. Choose a foundation formulated for your skin type; moisturizing for dry and non-oily for everyone else.

CONCEALER

CONCEALER makeup is thicker in consistency, more opaque than foundation and better for actually concealing. It comes in a wide range of skin shades and can be found in tubes, compacts, roll-up sticks and pencils. Concealer should smooth on easily and not be too thick, dry, cakey or goopy.

COLOR NEUTRALIZER

COLOR NEUTRALIZER also called corrector, not a natural skin shade but rather a pale color – like peach, rose, green yellow and lavender. It’s meant to be used under or mixed with foundation or moisturizer. Neutralizers act as a kind of insurance policy” to block out unwanted discoloration that might show through makeup during the day. A neutralizer is an excellent base for covering extremely dark circles, bruising and for blocking redness.

TRUE CAMOUFLAGE MAKEUP

TRUE CAMOUFLAGE MAKEUP is different – it’s more opaque, by using more pigment, and much heavier in consistency than a foundation or concealer. It also comes in a range of skin-tone shades. Because of its thicker consistency, camouflage makeup is not normally suitable for the eye area. Use only where it’s needed. It’s serious coverage.

TINTED MOISTURIZERS

TINTED MOISTURIZERS are perfect for those who need just a little neutralizing or simply want a veil of color without makeup.

LIGHT-REFLECTIVE FORMULAS

LIGHT-REFLECTIVE FORMULAS Today, the newest concealers boasts light-reflecting ingredients. These products rely less on heavy pigments and more on micronized mica quartz, pearl and titanium dioxide which all have light reflecting qualities. They’re also thinner in consistency than traditional concealer formulas. In the opinion of many makeup artists this kind of concealer is good for minor problems, but tends to be less effective for very dark or discolored areas.

MINERAL MAKEUP

MINERAL MAKEUP A story of its own. It all started in the 70s; I had the privilege of being involved with the first Mineral Makeup; a cosmetic called “Indian Earth” where I was the training director for people demonstrating the product. They learned from me, and in turn taught the public, “The Art of Mineral Makeup”. This type of product was never seen before and became a huge success.

Fast forward 30 years and minerals are mainstream, highly marketed and categorized as “makeup that is good for your skin”. True “Mineral Makeup” is a natural resource from the earth, finely ground without chemicals, dyes and preservatives. It contains titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide, which provide “natural sun blocks, plus mica which gives shine.

“Today, you want to be aware that many products are fortified with other ingredients which are not true minerals,” says the
creator, Diane Ranger. “Make sure to look at the ingredients and choose carefully. While some love this type of makeup, others note that it dries out the skin and accentuates wrinkles. Try it and see if it works for you.”

Foundations mix well together if it is the same formula. However, oil base mixed with water base will separate.

terms of concealment

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What’s Concealing and Camouflaging All About?

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What’s Concealing and Camouflaging All About?

concealing_and_camouflaging

cam•ou•flage (kam-uh-flahzh) verb

Concealment by means of disguise designed to deceive or hide.

Foundation, concealer, neutralizer, corrector, camouflage makeup – what’s the difference?

  • What are concealers actually for?
  • When should I use one? What about those funny colored green, pink, and lilac makeup creams?
  • How can I use concealer on under-eye circles without looking like a raccoon – or worse than when I started?
  • Will concealer cover a scar or a skin condition?

Essentially, you need to know:

  • Each kind of makeup including foundation, concealer, neutralizer/corrector, and camouflage has a distinct texture, covering ability and purpose.
  • All of them conceal to a degree depending on what you want to hide or cover. Selecting the right concealer type and shade for your particular “challenge” and learning how to apply correctly really isn’t tricky once you know a little about each of them.
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Gotcha Covered: Introduction

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judith august

I was seventeen and told that my dream of being a model was over. The “bags” under my eyes would never allow for great camera work and there was nothing I could do about it. Even going to the plastic surgeon was no help. Back in the early days of cosmetic surgery, they simply would not operate, I was too young. While some girls would sink into the premature wrinkles of defeat, I took it on as a challenge and started the lifelong study of camouflage cosmetics.

Lighting techniques, camera angles and all types of makeup tricks became an obsession. I studied day and night so I could compete in the glamorous world of modeling.

Every day, I started concealing something! In the beginning it was my eyes. As I continue to mature I am faced with new challenges, and I realize that there will be more on the way. The problems of my youth became the business of my future.

Most of the women I meet on my daily path confess to being puzzled about how and when to use concealing products. Over my 40 year career, nearly 80% of all questions have been, “How do I cover up under eye problems?” As cosmetic concealers are my specialty, I decided to demystify the process and to focus on this and other challenges that keep staring us straight in the eye every day!

I have tucked in tips and tricks from friends in the industry as well as a sprinkling of my favorite modeling shots from years past… they are always fun to see! Please note: I had big puffy bags under my eyes when all these shots were taken… can you see them?

Whether you are in your 20’s and 30’s concerned about under eye circles and blemishes or 40’s, 50’s and beyond carrying under eye baggage and more, please know it’s true, “Everybody’s Got Something to Hide”. The point is, no matter what your age, don’t give up. It’s exciting to know that the modeling techniques I learned and the experience I have acquired will help you to put your best face forward; it’s really a matter of emphasizing the good and minimizing the bad. As you follow the simple steps within these pages, I know you will see amazing results and truly feel good about the face that looks back at you from the mirror.

Throughout this book, I often refer to my own specialized line of products; Judith August Cosmetic Solutions™. However, the concealing and camouflage techniques I describe can be accomplished with many other fine brands offered in department stores, salons, spas, doctor’s offices and catalogs. I speak on my product concepts because I designed them for specific purposes and know how well they work and… I designed them for you so you can become your own camouflage expert.

It will be our little secret!

Want to find out more? Judith August literally wrote the book. Buy a copy of Gotcha Covered today!
Gotcha Covered - Camouflage Book

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The Best Pink Blush Colors For Your Skin Tone – Tips & Tricks

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The Best Pink Blush ColorBeauty with perfect natural makeup look

Blush is the one product in your makeup bag that can truly brighten your complexion.  Your face just isn’t complete until you’ve put on a dust of blush across your cheeks.  Now, instead of tired, sallow looking skin, you’ve got a healthy and radiant look

“Think pink” is my mantra. Think of it as a ‘Color Lift‘.  There is no easy way to get around the fact that when our skin looks tired, we look older.

I will share a secret with you.  I have a lot of yellow in my skin and darkness under my eyes.  I want my husband to see a fresh face before him when he wakes up in the morning.  It just takes a minute but makes me feel so much better too.  I reach for my coffee and then my blush brush.  This magic Color Lift starts my day.  I feel like a flower.

 

Picking your most flattering shade

So, you love that coral orange color your friend wore the other day.  It was very fresh for the summer.  Well, that doesn’t mean it’s going to flatter you, but there is a coral with a pink undertone that will let you shine.

Here’s a little breakdown on the shades that generally flatter which skin tones:

Fair – Pale or baby pink look pretty on lighter skin tones.  Try our Color Lift Beauty Blush in Soft Pink

Light/Medium – Soft berry colors are best.  Try our Color Lift Beauty Blush in Berry Pink

Medium/Tan – Pink/peach or pinky bronze colors are best.  Try our Color Lift Beauty Blush in Peachy Pink

Dark – Deep rose or bronze with a deep pink undertone look beautiful on dark skin. (New shade available soon)

best soft pink blush makeup best pink blush makeup best peachy pink blush makeup

How To Apply

Take a look a this video to see how fashion maven Janice Wilson applies her Color Lift in the shade Peachy Pink.

 

Don’t stop at the cheeks.  The full effect of Color Lift is to swirl the brush or puff into the product and go from the cheeks on to the contour of the eyes and a touch over the arch of the brows.  I even add some on the my chine and under the jaw. Remember to start lightly, you can always add more. Once you get the hang of it and the amount of color that is best for you, prepare to be amazed.  Now you’ve got a new approach to applying color to make you look another year younger, or two.

 

Happy Blushing,

Judith

 

 

 

 

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Tips On How To Contour Quick & Easy

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Tips On How To Contour

best contour pencil

It sure has been extreme contour mania on the internet and in stores lately.  Looks like a huge push for movie star good looks and the “Kardashian way” to makeup.  I started this blog weeks ago and before I could post it, a wonderful piece came to me on the internet.

Well, I have nothing else to say since “The Cut” beat me to it with great observation from the makeup artist, Patti Dubroff.  I respect her and anything she has to say.  If you check out her comments, she is right on, and the philosophy at Judith August Cosmetics backs up her thoughts completely.

Read the article here: http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/05/why-does-this-makeup-artist-hate-contouring.html

how to contourWhat We Think

Our belief is that makeup is a physiological endeavor to make us look and feel good about ourselves. Nobody’s perfect, and that’s the truth.  A fad of trying to reshape your face is not a pretty picture if you don’t know how.  Leave that to the professionals.

Don’t get me wrong, a little bit here and there can be effective when you want to mimic dark shadows which add depth and minimizes certain areas on the face. The theory of makeup is that dark recedes and light brings out the area you want to enhance.  But, there is contouring that creates an illusion and then there is contouring that goes overboard which in my view is unnecessary and unnatural.

The Best Kept Secret

The Everything Pencil – Face & Body Concealer comes in five colors, the darkest being Cinnamon.  But very few know about all the many things you can do with that color.  It is perfect, for light to medium skin tones, to contour, shape and define features on your face.  A unique color, with a natural undertone which mimics the shadows of you face without looking way overdone!

Discover All it Can Do

Contour cheekbones – sculpt under jawbone – define eyes – use it as an eyeshadow – shape your nose & forehead- enhance your lip, and if you have medium dark to dark skin tones, use it as a concealer.

Its trusty companion, The Everything Pencil in Ultra Light, is a great highlighter and will help to pull features forward.  Use it on top of cheekbones, under eyebrows, under concealer, soften fine lines around the mouth, and plump up lower lip by highlighting on the center.

Happy Contouring,

Judith

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BEST WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS FOR GLOWING SKIN

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BEST WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS FOR GLOWING SKIN


It has been a very unpredictable winter so far, but in most of the country you can bet on cold!  With change in the air, there is change in your skin as well. Here are a few tips I practice to keep my skin healthy, hydrated, and moisturized whether I’m in the desert climate of Las Vegas, or visiting some of my favorite places like New York, L.A. and New Orleans.

 


tips-for-winter-skin-care -laura mercier face polishEXFOLIATE YOUR SKIN

I exfoliate 3 to 4 times a week for maximum impact. What it does is to remove the old, dead skin cells and speeds up cell renewal, which allows new healthy cells to go grow. This treatment not only helps create smoother, clear skin but helps keep makeup looking smoother and to stay on longer. Your concealer and foundation will not have “old yucky, dead skin patches” to hold onto!

WHAT TO USE AND HOW TO USE IT

Exfoliants come in different formulas. Choose products with naturally moisturizing ingredients such as oatmeal, which has anti-inflammatory properties. My favorites are a sugar or almond scrub. For st. ives apricot scrub - winter - skin - caregentle skin smoothing I love St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Laura Mercier’s Flawless Skin – Face Polish is a good one as well. They are different consistencies, so I can always change things up a bit. Avoid products with strong ingredients like chemicals, acids and other ingredients that can burn or cause redness and swelling. Salt scrubs are also very good but I don’t recommend salt for sensitive skin, especially on the face. The body is another story.

 

tips-for-winter-skin-care-africa's best herbal oilBODY EXFOLIATION

Use your body scrub all over while in the shower to get rid of dead skin. Moisturize immediately with the bathroom door closed in order to trap important water in the epidermis and reduce itching and dryness. If your routine includes a relaxing hot-soak in the tub, exfoliate in the shower first while your bath water is heating up. The bath water temperature should be warm when you submerge into the lovely soak. Very hot water will dry out your skin. Add almond oil, milk or Epsom salts to soften the water and help with aches and pains . A bit of lavender oil is especially good in your tub to create an even more enjoyable and relaxing soak.

When you emerge from your “home made spa”, apply body lotion or oil while your skin is still damp to create a protective layer on your skin. I love Africa’s Best – Herbal Oil which I buy from the drugstore. Infused with many natural oils, I find this has become a miracle in dealing the brutal cold winters. Use alone or mix with other body lotion.

Bundle up and enjoy a cold winter night while you are toasty warm under the covers!

 

Warmly,
Judith

 

P.S.  Here’s a recipe I just came across for an enticing DIY blend at home.

Ingredients

½ cup Organic Coconut Sugar

½ cup of ground coffee

¼ cup of Organic Coconut Oil

20 drops of Vanilla Oil /  4 drops of cinnamon essential oil.

 

Warm Coconut, Vanilla and Cinnamon oils in a pot over a low heat.

Heat just enough to blend easily with the sugar and coffee grounds.

Remove mixture from the heat and let cool.  Place it in a bowl or jar.

Apply to the body for a delicious LATTE LOVE!

 

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The Best Last Minute Beauty Gifts of 2015

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It’s the holidays and time for that last minute rush. Need a few ideas? Everyone has something that they would like to improve about themselves – or as I like to say: “Everybody’s got something to hide”. If you’re a last minutes shopper…You know who you are!!! For that person that has everything, you can’t go wrong with one of these favorite (and affordable) makeup and beauty gifts.

 

A Face Brush For Beautiful Skin and Great Makeup Applicationclarisonic brush

Give the gift of beautiful skin with a Clarisonic ($99.00 and up) facial brush. This brush system exfoliates and removes makeup beautifully. It promotes visibly reduced pores, leaves your It leaves your skin glowing and helps your makeup last. This is a beauty gift everyone (they even make them for men) will love. Find Clarisonic at Clarisonic.com

 

A Makeup Brush Cleaner – To Keep Brushes Looking New

You know how important it is to clean your makeup brush collection regularly for healthy beautiful skin. The best time-saving solution to that problem? Sigma Spa Express Brush Cleaning Mat makeup brush cleaner($32.00). It is the easiest and most efficient way to clean your brushes. The perfect beauty gift for the hard to buy for friend who has everything. Get it here.

 

Lip Scrubber – For Kissable Lips All Yearlip

Fabulips Pout-O-Matic Spa-Powered Lip-Perfecting System ($48.00) from Bliss exfoliates and smoothes lips for a beautiful, full look, plus it will help your lipstick stay put. This set includes all the essentials for soft, healthy lips. You can get the Fabulips Pout-O-Matic here.

 

An Electronic Foot File – Keeps Tootsies Pretty and Smoothe

If your friends love to create their own spa experience, then they will love pampering themselves with the Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File ($34.99). It gently buffs away dry, calloused skin and leave the feet smooth and silky. Buy the Amopé Pedi Perfect here.

 

amope pedi perfect

“Gotcha Covered – The Compact Guide To Camouflage Makeup”

And because no Christmas would be complete without it (please excuse the shameless plug), “Gotcha Covered – The Compact Guide To Camouflage Makeup”(Holiday Special $14.95) makes a 1-GotchaCoveredgreat gift. It includes step-by-step instructions on how to cover just about anything anywhere on the body.

I believe that everyone has a right to healthy, beautiful skin and love to share my knowledge of how to achieve that goal. Get your copy of “Gotcha Covered – The Compact Guide To Camouflage Makeup” here.

 

 

 

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How To Cover A Tattoo With Makeup

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How To Cover A Tattoo With Makeup

There’s a reason concealers and cover-ups are in high demand.

Maybe that lovely lady you saw today, with the gorgeous skin, is hiding something. Maybe even a tattoo, or perhaps a bruise from an injectable. The truth is, everyone has something to hide.

 

Tattoo History

As long ago as 300 BC, in Japan, tattoos were used on criminals, identifying their crime and serving as a form of punishment. On the flip side, tattoos were used by criminals to inspire fear in others. Today, we see them used by gang members, prison inmates and ex-cons, for the very same reasons. French prisoners who had earned their stripes by the commission of violent crimes were among the first to communicate their status through the use of tattoos. Over the centuries, humans have displayed a strong need to decorate and adorn their bodies and faces, to tell their stories. Today, this ancient art form has firmly established itself in the American mainstream.

 

killer cover concealer tattooTattoos Today

Studies show that at least 10 million Americans today have at least one tattoo. If you don’t have one yourself, you certainly know someone who does. Sadly, however, what you/they thought was a good idea at the time, could now be a great regret. In fact, 50% of people with tattoos now wish they’d never gotten them. Short of tattoo removal, is it possible to get rid of a tattoo?

 

Corrective and Camouflage Makeup

While one certainly may opt for removing tattoos altogether, there is another, less painful and easier, solution. Cover them up. Quickly and painlessly. So, what is the best makeup to cover a tattoo?

 

tattoo cover makeup kit

                                          Cover Up My Tattoo Kit

Judith August Cosmetics – How we cover a tattoo

As a pioneer in the field of corrective cosmetics, we have just what you need to cover, hide, conceal and correct just about any flaw you wish wasn’t there. Be it a bruise, a blemish, a scar or a birthmark or a tattoo. Our secret is Killer Cover – Total Coverage Concealer. This waterproof concealer was designed to cover the most difficult skin discolorations that traditional concealers cannot touch. When you see how completely it conceals a large tattoo, just imagine what it can do for vitiligo, birthmarks or bruises.  Check out our Tattoo Kit, which includes Killer Cover, August Minerals Setting Powder and Makeup Stay Makeup Spray Sealer.

 

Permanent Removal Versus Camouflage

There is also laser tattoo removal. And while this method has become more sophisticated in recent years, there’s still no guarantee of complete removal. The ink used and how deeply it was deposited can greatly affect results. If that tattoo is a great regret, a series of advanced laser treatments may be the best option. Count on 5 to 15 sessions to see results.  Killer Cover will temporarily cover that tattoo, until you remove it, leaving your skin clear and smooth.  Instead of living with the mantra of “What was I thinking,” you are now free to bare it all.  Or a little. Leaving no one the wiser.

 

how to cover a big tattoo

Photo courtesy of Maurice Stein. Founder of Cinema Secrets.

Got Something To

Tips to Cover Tattoos

Hide?

Got Something To Hide?

Check out our complete line of cover-ups and concealers  here: We’ve Gotcha Covered.
 

Happy Concealing,

 Judith

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Celebrating 30 Years With A New Website & New Products!

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It’s hard to believe, 30 years and counting! The words “Thank You” doesn’t begin to express

how grateful I am for your trust and confidence in making 30 years in business possible. 

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
JUDITH AUGUST

I started Judith August Cosmetic Solutions with a vision and one little ol’ concealer pencil. This was not just any ordinary pencil. It was The Everything Pencil™. Why the name? Well, it simply covered up and concealed everything, with a great formula that had amazing staying power.

In those days, it was an innovation to have a concealer, in a pencil form, under a brand name. All these years later, I have designed many more specialty products to help with any, and all, of your concealer needs from simple annoying flaws to serious coverage.

THE ART OF THINKING SMALL

The company has held its own with the “Cosmetic Industry Giants”, because like you, we know bigger doesn’t always mean better. It is our smaller size that is our strength.

When I started, my mission was to keep the business “boutique” size and to never stop talking and listening to our customers. Well, here we are, still talking and listening. We can understand what you need because we all want and need the same thing; simply to look our best today, tomorrow and always.

The fact is that “nobody’s perfect” so don’t believe the retouched photographs you see in magazines. If only!

JUDITH AUGUST MAKEUP

WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE

When under eye bags threatened to derail my modeling dreams, way back in the 60’s and 70’s, rather than to give up I decided to look for a solution; “A Cosmetic Solution.” My quest started then and became a lifelong study of camouflage cosmetics.

If you have been with us for some time, you may know the story. If you are a newcomer, WELCOME! If you want to read more about Judith, click here.

Beautiful face of young woman with cosmetic foundation on a skin. Beauty treatment concept

SEE HOW WE CAN HELP 

We understand that wanting to look your best has little to do with vanity. Actually, I think a little vanity is a good thing because “When you look good you feel good, when you feel good you can face the whole world!” So, what makes you feel better can be only one or two simple products.

We can help you become an “undercover makeup artist”. Our new site zeros in on the right product/s for your needs. You can also see how others have become their own makeup artist.   Check out these Before & After’s.

CONCEALER FOR MEN

MEN MATTER TOO!

Makeup for men? Why should women have all the fun?   Men may not be as quick to admit it, but our products have helped “secretly” cover up what they want to hide. It’s been “our little secret” for years, but now we think they should have their own page.   Click here for products they’ll love!

YOUR CONCEALER SPECIALIST

So, the mission continues. If you have an idea for a new product that may be another cosmetic solution that could hide and help, please let us know. We’d also love to see your before and after photos!

Contact us at [email protected] or 1-800-528-4878.

NEW PRODUCTS

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COVER UP MY TATTOO  3 Piece Kit

Killer Cover™ Total Coverage Concealer

Designed to cover your largest and darkest tattoo.

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August Minerals™ Finishing Powder: Translucent

All-natural, organic mineral powder sets your camouflage makeup.

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Make It Stay, Make Up Spray – Makeup Setting Spray

Seals the makeup and keeps it from fading.

Click here to order

          

 BEST UNDER EYE CREAM

 

FIRM UP – WAKE UP  Super Eye Cream

Pre-concealer and makeup eye treatment.  Reduce the look of under-eye wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles. This special ingredient blend protects and firms the delicate under-eye area. Use morning and night, under makeup or alone.

SPECIAL INGREDIENT BLEND:

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol): Often called “facelift in a jar” helps firm and tighten the skin. With continual use, DMAE gives skin a more defined and uplifted appearance.

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID: This advanced antioxidant improves the appearance of skin tone and texture by fighting free radicals. Also lessens the appearance of puffiness by regulating the production of nitric oxide, which controls blood flow to the skin.

VITAMIN C ESTER (ascorbyl palmitate): Helps repair skin damage by promoting new collagen production. Helps maintain skin firmness and tone and improves skin texture and radiance.

Click here to order



OUR GIFT TO YOU!gift-box-icon

We thought the best way to say THANK YOU is an Anniversary Discount!

30% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER

Use promo code: judith30

expires: 9-30-15

Again, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You!

-JA

Read More about Celebrating 30 Years With A New Website & New Products!

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Why was I chosen to be the one with impossible dark and red under-eyes!

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I’m running around in circles trying to cover up my very dark circles. Not only dark, but during allergy season, red irritation comes through and I’m a mess!

To make matters worse, my natural skin tone is very light and trying to find a concealer that addresses all of these issues is almost impossible!

Well this impossible dilemma became possible when I found Aqua Tint™ by Judith August Cosmetics. Hallelujah!

The product is light green, aqua, and is designed to be a neutralizer you can wear under your concealer of foundation.  It literally erases the intensity of the dark circle by providing a diffused color to build the rest of my makeup on.  It’s a brilliant concept for those of us with light skin who need extra help.

Green and yellow are the colors in the color spectrum that neutralize red.  However, with my milky white skin, if I used yellow, it would be simply, yellow…YUCK!  Green is a cooler color just like my light skin so it is perfect.

It is also very easy to use.  Once my moisturizer has had a minute to set, I kindly pat AquaTint from the bottom of the circle, right across the eyelid and lightly to under the brow.  I’m also very red around my nose and under my chin so I use it there as well.  Once in place, I wait another minute and then cover the green with my normal concealer allowing another minute before adding foundation, blush and lipstick.

Why wait a minute between steps?  Judith August reveals in her recent book, “Gotcha Covered – The Compact Guide To Camouflage Makeup”, that when you let any cream product set a minute before blending in, air hits the product, and the product itself coagulates and grabs onto the skin, therefore providing better coverage and staying power.  Who knew?

All these little tricks make me feel better and look better allowing me to face my day.  No worries!  Isn’t that what makeup is for?  I Love This Stuff!

Have Fun!

Susan Haller / Guest Blogger

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How to hide Post Surgical Scars Beautifully and A Tale of the Most Amazing Breast Reconstruction Surgery Few Women Know About

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Camouflage Cosmetics and Concealers have always been a blessing for women who have undergone facial and cosmetic surgeries. It’s wonderful to be able to hide every sign of scarring until things fade beautifully on their own. But what’s even more gratifying for me personally, is to hear stories of women who have benefited from my products after serious, non-elective surgeries.

I’m so thankful that we live in an era when it is possible for women to face something as major as open-heart surgery and yet come out with only a tiny scar the width of a pencil line as a “souvenir” of their bravery. I’ve heard incredible stories about these newer, less invasive procedures that can leave fewer and less scary scars.

No story has affected me as much as the one a friend told me about the work being done at a hospital in The Garden District in The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery specializes exclusively in breast reconstruction, either after a cancer diagnosis or a preventative measure for women with the BRCA gene. Only a handful of surgeons across the country are now performing this surgery, and sadly, most people know nothing about it!

At the Breast Center, two internationally acclaimed surgeons, Dr.’s Scott Sullivan and Frank DellaCroce use advanced micro-surgical techniques to restore the breasts of women who have undergone mastectomy. Unbelievably, they don’t use implants although they can certainly do an excellent job for those who prefer them. However, in most cases, these surgeons reconstruct lovely, natural breast out of the women’s own tissue! The before and after photographs on their website will astound you and show what artists these doctors truly are. Go to www.breastcenter.com to see stunning results.

The skilled surgeons create natural looking breast using fat from the tummy or buttocks. In the process, patients receive a bit of a “tummy tuck” or “buttocks-lift, which is an extra perk because this is where the fat comes from. There are scars of course, but as they fade, camouflage makeup corrects and covers and helps the patient feel beautiful in no time.

This center and its treatments are a far cry from what use to be in the beginning of “Breast Cancer Awareness” in this country. As I mentioned above, I lived in New Orleans in the 70’s. Everything about the subject of breast cancer was very “hush, hush” in those days. Then, there was a national television program on PBS called “WHY ME”, which was narrated by the actress Lee Grant. This special opened up much dialogue about Breast Cancer and its realities and hopes for the future. Breast reconstruction was not well known at the time and very few went through it.

breast_center_of_new_orleansAfter the broadcast, the PBS affiliates went into each local market for a discussion on the subject with a panel of doctors, patients, and Reach for Recovery Professionals. I had the honor of being chosen as the moderator on this special. My job was to field the phone calls from the viewing audience to the expert on the panel that could answer that particular question. It was one of the most worthwhile public service jobs I ever had. For me, it was one more step in realizing how important the role in corrective cosmetics can have on society and pushed me further into my future work.

I always welcome your stories about new procedures that lessen recovery time and scarring. Those positive tales help others have less fear. Let me know about your hopeful experiences.

For more information watch an informative lecture by Dr. Scott Sullivan himself regarding this state-of-the-art surgery. www.breastcenter.com/support/encourage-october-2010.

After all….everybody’s got something to hide!

For now,

Judith

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7 Beauty Routines We Don’t Recommend

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Discovering unique beauty secrets that work magic for you is one of the nicer aspects of being a woman. I, like many of many us especially love finding simple beauty routines that involve natural, everyday ingredients. But, I have to say, some beauty tricks my friends have shared with me over the years seem to border on the bizarre.

What do you think?

Here I’ve listed the Top 7 strangest ones ever brought to my attention. This is not to say they don’t work, at least for these women. I’ve got to wonder, though, how they came up with the idea to try them in the first place!

  1. A charming professional woman I know swears by Boraxo, the powdered industrial hand cleaner, as a facial cleanser. She says its granular texture has a light exfoliating property that leaves her skin dewy and squeaky clean. I’d say anyone who wants to try it might want to test it first on a small patch of skin…
  2. Another friend who tends to develop dry, scaly areas on her face uses Scotch tape to remove the shedding skin. She applies it with light pressure to the flaky patch, and then gently pulls it off. According to her, you can see how effectively it takes care of peeling skin by checking out what’s stuck to the tape afterward. I think I’d be afraid to look…
  3. For taming brows, there’s stroking a dab of Chap Stick lip balm before filling in with your eyebrow pencil. I’ve also read that movie stars use a touch of lip balm on the inner corner of the eyes as a highlighter. Really? Maybe in a pinch…not too bizarre.
  4. To hide blemishes, a touch of nasal spray combined with redness reducing eye drops is supposed to reduce the inflammation, making them nearly invisible. (Here’s where I have to tout our very own EraseZit Pencil.I feel confident this does a better job, without exposing your lovely skin to a chemistry experiment!)
  5. Here’s a good one: Who knew Pepto Bismol makes a great facial mask? Apparently, the active ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, is an antibacterial agent that shrinks pores and dries blemishes. (This beauty method also gives new meaning to the phrase “pretty in pink.”)
  6. Having a long day at work, your oily skin breaking through your makeup, and no time to retouch? Try tearing a piece from a tissue toilet seat cover, found in every ladies’ room, to absorb the shine. It probably works, but really, who thought of this!
  7. Probably the most economical beauty secret of all is cutting a potato in half, then, rubbing it on the skin to help fade scars. Potato juice is supposed to be fairly effective, and it’s certainly harmless to try. Especially since the latest in scar creams are tremendously expensive. But…

If your potato doesn’t quite give you perfectly flawless skin, try some of our Judith August concealers – designed to hide scars beautifully. Best of all, they are all pleasant and pampering to use, unlike your average potato.

Do you have an unusual, unique—or even bizarre—beauty routine you’d like share? I’m always curious to know what things women have tried, and I know others will be, too. Do tell!

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How to Have Flawless Legs: Say Goodbye to Spider Veins!

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Summer will be here before you know it, and that means flirty sundresses and a lot more skin on display, especially legs. Every year at this time, I start worrying whether my legs are worse than the year before. Are they too pasty? Did a tiny crop of spider veins appear over the winter?

I must confess that I created Invisible Stockings years ago for my own less-than-perfect legs. After months of getting the color and consistency right, I shared my “magic potion” with you. Soon I’ll be taking two or three bottles out of stock so I’ll be covered this summer because, thankfully, you all will take the rest! I’m so pleased you like it as much as I do!

Now as I face the long hot summer, I’m armed with Invisible Stockings and The Everything Pencil. The combination of the two is a foolproof strategy for covering veins, bruises and anything that makes me feel less than proud of my gams.

(BTW, the pencil is perfect to cover up most of the small veins. Then simply apply your “invisible stocking” over the pencil. Try using The Swirly Brush tool. The application is flawless and feels yummy too!)

Invisible Stockings’ summer bronze tint (along with the Everything Pencil for hiding veins and imperfections) is a definite one-up on bronzing and tanning creams for legs. I believe women not only want a touch of color, but love being able to conceal any flaws. And at JA Cosmetics, we’re all about gorgeous legs! After all, don’t we all dream of having legs like a dancer or Hollywood star?

Here in Las Vegas, we’re privy to the secrets of showgirls with those amazing legs that seem to go on forever. Tanning booths? Spray tans? Not for them. Their perfect legs come from flesh-colored fishnet tights. From the stage, they not only simulate flawless skin, but the elasticity in the tights makes their legs and buttocks seem to defy gravity, too! Unfortunately, these specialized tights are extremely binding and uncomfortable. The dancers can’t wait to get out of them after a show. We all know that feeling—we’ve worn pantyhose before! They’re the worst.

Besides being uncomfortable, fashionistas have been telling women to “lose the hose” for years. Pantyhose sales have plummeted as a result of changing preferences. We’ve embraced the trend of bare-legs-and-seductive-heels since the heyday of Sex and the City. Office wear has gotten a lot more relaxed, too. Besides, who ever enjoyed putting on nylons or dealing with the inevitable runs?

The trouble is, we still want those beautiful showgirl legs and that youthful, sun-kissed look. Bronzers and tanning products have gotten better—less orange and streaky– but most don’t provide extra coverage to hide the veins and superficial flaws we’re not fond of. The combination of The Everything Pencil and Invisible Stockings is truly a dream come true!

Ladies, you are definitely going to have a leg up this summer. Invisible Stockings also offers flattering color when applied to your shoulders, décolletage or upper arms. I’d love it if you’d send us a photo of your lovely legs– maybe even include a “before” shot– and we’ll share with others. I know you’ll be proud to show off the results! And who knows? If your photo gets lots of comments, you may be the winner of our divine Swirly Brush…Just for showing off!

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Facial Exfoliation: Too Much of a Good Thing?

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Spring is in the air, a season for new beginnings! In the world of beauty and cosmetics, one tried-and-true way for a fresh new start is exfoliation. Regularly removing dead layers of facial skin gives your concealing products and makeup a smooth “canvas” to work on. Plus, younger, fresher skin is hiding just below that dull-looking layer on top. (Have you noticed that sloughing off the old skin cells gives your face a healthy glow like nothing else?) Think of it as spring cleaning for your face.

Still, I’ve always wondered: If a little exfoliation is a good thing, is more even better?

Recently I came across an article that discussed whether it’s possible to over-exfoliate the skin—to slough off the outer later of cells so often that the skin cells no longer reproduce. That’s a pretty scary prospect. Before tossing out your facial scrubs, though, keep reading, gals!

Many dermatologists recommend that you gently exfoliate no more than once or twice a week. Why? The top “horny” layer of your skin does have useful functions. One of them is protecting the fresh skin below from harmful UV rays. In addition, rough and frequent exfoliation can damage the newer skin cells. Sometimes it takes awhile to find the right exfoliating products (and frequency of use) that will be best for your own skin.

Popular options include facial scrubs with salt or sugar granules, or hydroxy acids, which chemically slough off the old skin. More extensive treatments include dermabrasion and chemical peels, done in a dermatologist’s office. Most of the time, trial and error helps us to find what’s best for our unique skin type.

But—what about over-exfoliating? If we exfoliate too often, can we run out of new skin cells? The article I read explained that cells do only replicate themselves a limited number of times. (Normally, the differentiated cells in the human body can only divide about 50 times.) Does that mean that the more we exfoliate, the faster we’ll use up our skin cells?

Thank goodness, it doesn’t! And here’s why: Something called “The Hayflick Principle” determines the life span of only a certain kind of cells– “differentiated” (specialized) cells. Each time a differentiated cell replicates, it loses a tiny piece of its DNA chain. Eventually, the chain gets so short that the cell can no longer reproduce.

Of course, this would be a very bad thing, if we were sloughing off differentiated cells that could never be replaced.

Fortunately, your skin consists of two types of cells. The deepest layer of the skin is able to produce a second type of cell, a “stem” cell, which can produce more differentiated cells and more stem cells. Every 35 days, you’ll have a beautiful “new” layer of skin. (This explains why you can never “wear out” your fingerprints!) We never need to worry about running out of skin cells.

What are your favorite exfoliating products and routines? We’d love to hear what’s been working for you. I’m curious about experiences you’ve had with various exfoliating products, and I know others will be, too. What are your favorites? If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please share it with others and send us comments. We’d love to hear from you.

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Top Ten Tips for a Gorgeous “Selfie”

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Hate how you look in “selfies?” Don’t panic. We’ve discovered ten expert tips for taking a great selfie. In fact, we’ve got the inside scoop on how to look absolutely stunning in your smartphone photos. After all, our mission at Judith August Cosmetics is to help you put your best face forward in every situation. It’s all about knowing the right techniques.

We first realized that unflattering selfies were a hot topic when we heard on the news that plastic surgery is dramatically on the rise, all because people are horrified at how they look in their cell phone photos. Even worse, maybe you’ve already made an appointment yourself. Yikes! But you don’t really need to fear selfies anymore. Breathe a sigh of relief, and cancel that nose job consultation.

Many of us don’t like how we look in any photo. But selfies are truly the worst. There’s a good reason for that. Cell phone lenses simply are not designed for close-ups. They’re made for wide-angle shots of landscapes or groups of people. (If you’ve ever been in a large group photo standing near the edge of the frame, you may have noticed you look about twice as wide as you do in real life. That, my dear, is the lens distortion, and NOT you.) In a selfie, the lens distortion is enhanced because the camera is so close to the subject. You don’t look like that.

Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the hottest tips from experts for improving your odds of looking better when you take your self-portrait. Read on, and get ready for your close-up!

  1. Look for diffused lighting. Car interiors are great. Why? Because light is streaming in from windows all around you, lessening harsh shadows. Try experimenting in rooms with big windows. Sometimes being backlit by a large window produces soft, natural light on the face. In some cases, facing the window will erase all traces of shadow and make you look flawless. Try everything!
  2. Experiment with head angles, rather than photographing yourself straight on. Take lots of pictures to find the best angle for your features. At the same time, you can double check hair and makeup.
  3. Shoot from a camera angle slightly above your eye level. Lower angles produce the illusion of extra chins. Unless, of course, you want to make your chin bigger.
  4. Use the zoom feature to tighten up and compress the image a bit. This removes some of the distortion.
  5. Use apps for post-production to change the exposure or filter the image. These include Snapseed and Camera +. With Instagram, you can use flattering filters.
  6. Smile a lot. It feels silly, but serious selfies often are not very natural looking.
  7. If you have dark circles under your eyes, lift your chin. (For the ultimate remedy, of course, you can always count on Judith August Cosmetics for the best concealer products.
  8. Are you still reading this? If so, check out the special surprise for you at the end!
  9. Take a ton of shots. You’ll learn a lot about light and angles, and you can try on different expressions to see what works for you.
  10. If freckles, wrinkles and skin conditions appear exaggerated in your selfie, Judith August Cosmetics products offer solutions that will make you feel good about yourself not only in photos, but in real life, too!

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The Kindness of Strangers

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My first experience developing “The Everything Pencil ™ Face and Body Concealer was due to a desire I had to help strangers who were facing skin issues. As a “Post Operative” makeup consultant for cosmetic surgeons in Beverly Hills, I was tasked with teaching women who had experienced everything from elective surgery to car accidents and burns on how to develop a “whole again” look through the application of corrective cosmetics.

In 1986, the beginning of it all, I needed a quick, effective product that was portable and easy to manage. I scoured the beauty supply places in order to find “just the right” tool. The sales girl, a complete stranger, took me way in the back and sitting on the shelf, showed me an unmarked pencil that was filled with cosmetic concealer. I was immediately intrigued by the simplicity of the idea “A pencil…of course! That’s it!” I then set out to find more about this little incognito pencil with nothing more than “Made in Germany” printed on the side.

Finding the company in Germany, strangers answered the phone and were delighted that the little pencil was so right for my needs. In no time at all the people who were strangers at the lab across the world introduced me to a sister lab here in the U.S.A. where we soon became business associates and friends. They agreed to create a concealer pencil with ingredients and texture to my specifications. “What do you want to call the pencil?” they asked? “Well, it covers up and conceals absolutely everything so why don’t we call it “The Everything Pencil ™ Face and Body Concealer”. And so this little incognito pencil became the first true product in our line of cosmetics specializing the art of camouflage makeup

A dear friend, was once a stranger, gifted me with the Judith August logo, (believe me, my handwriting looks NOTHING like that) and one more piece of my business puzzle was put in place. I was helping strangers and strangers were helping me.

One evening, walking out of a party, I passed a woman who looked at me and said “I have to know you!” She was a complete stranger but I liked her immediately. Trading numbers, she found me at the coffee shop a month later with a stack of papers strewn on the table and a perplexed look on my face. What I had before me was the first writings from “Gotcha Covered, the Compact Guide to Camouflage Makeup”. “The Stranger” turned out to be a writer… Heaven! Three years later through a thousand cups of coffee, a lot of laughs and a whole lot of rewrites… the book was born. And where a stranger once stood, a solid friendship was realized.

When did you last depend on a stranger? When did you help a stranger by giving them information that will help their lives become better? When the last time kindness of a stranger made your day? Was it the person next to you at the stoplight letting your know your right front tire was low? The teenager at the grocery store who saw you struggling with the big bag of kitty litter and placed it into your trunk for you? Perhaps it was the woman at the bank who ran to give you the debit card you inadvertently left in the ATM machine. Strangers showing a bit of kindness in the world make our day.

“I have always depended on the kindness of strangers” to spread the word about my products and frankly, they have never let me down. In the daunting business called “cosmetics” I continue to thrive and I am grateful for each and every experience I have bringing me from stranger to friend. Who was the stranger in your life that turned you around and allowed you to face the world beautifully? Drop us a line at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!

Warmly,

Judith August

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Meet Your Anti-Wrinkle Angels by Judith August Cosmetics!

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What skin issue bothers you the most? The polls are in and a majority of you said WRINKLES!

YOUR ANTI-WRINKLE ANGEL BY DAY: The Everything Pencil™ – ULTRA LIGHT

Use this color pencil under your foundation and see how lines seem to soften and disappear.

Can you see your Angel at work?
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YOUR ANGEL BY NIGHT: Furlesse – Wrinkle Reducing Patches

For years women have been searching for noninvasive solutions to reduce the appearance of stubborn furrow lines between the eyes trying everything from anti-aging creams to Scotch tape. Today Furlesse,™ the newest approach to relaxing furrow lines, debuts its innovative anti-wrinkle patch.

Designed to be used nightly, the transparent, hypoallergenic and latex-free patch fits comfortably between the eyes, holding skin in place while you sleep.

Check them out at furlesse.com

anti-wrinkle

WRINKLE REDUCING GIVEAWAY!

Receive a FREE sample of FURLESSE with any purchase of THE EVERTHING PENCIL – Face & Body Concealer from judithaugustcosmetics.com

To receive your FREE sample, type in GIVEAWAY, in the “how did you hear about us” box during checkout.

Hurry! Supplies are limited.

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Women Who Inspire: Camille Duskin, Gateway Arts Foundation

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Women, who inspire me, are the women who take the time to inspire others. Camille Duskin of Las Vegas, Gateway Arts Foundation is just such a person. Over the last few years, she combined mature performance artists together with youthful artists in a successful mentoring/scholarship program to develop the young master to greatness.

Gateway Arts Foundation scholarship recipients range from music to dance, spoken word to novelist and she recently won the Las Vegas Mayor’s award for Philanthropist of the year. While she is small in stature, she is big in humanity and drive. Every month she features magnificent artists, new works and shows of every variety. While the lineup of performers that want to work with her is growing by the day and hopeful scholarships nominees are starting to come in from across the nation; she believes that Las Vegas has enough talent and to consider anyone else is not necessary at this time.

Camille grew up in an environment where celebrities from across the globe, would gather around her family grand piano and spend the evening singing the songs of her uncle Harold Adamson, a huge talent that wrote for MGM Studios at the height of the “Hollywood Musical” era. Camille’s beloved mother “Hattie” was also a great supporter of the arts and when she died, her home in Vegas was turned into a performance house that holds small concerts to support Gateway. Many venues in town welcome Camille and her foundation as she has gained both the reputation and the audience to support her widely growing organization.

Fearless in her approach and love of both the artist and the many art forms that possess the stage; Camille is also tireless in her faith and knowledge that the arts are necessary for the positive growth of Las Vegas as a whole. She truly believes that funding artists is the only way to bring brilliance to the surface allowing them to shine.

Funny how life is a simple twist of fate, while Judith August Cosmetics covers minor flaws, Camille Duskin at Gateway Arts Foundation uncovers minor flaws and in essence, through self discovery, we both strive to build self esteem and create splendor. In the end, we find the beauty that lives amongst us and we give it to the world to enjoy…isn’t that what inspiration is all about?

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Happy Holidays – Woof, Woof!

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In the frenzy of Christmas

And last minute blogs

We thought we should mention

The joy of our dogs

We’ve all been through turtles, hamsters and guppies

But all of our treasures, have shown up as puppies, to rescue

Well…what could we do?

But wonder…which one here, is rescuing who?

Anxious and waiting at home for “the gals”

Bubby and Lilly are Carmen’s best pals

Diane’s darling Brandy and Jodi has Bean

And Judith’s love, “Lola, the Wonder Dog Queen”

Whose job in the office is “Sound the alarm”

And truth being told, she is perfectly charming

Keeping us laughing, well, let me just brag

That if she could talk… oh the tails she would wag

Reminding us friends, that a dogs dedication

Is simply to cherish our life’s celebration

Wishing for love that for you is “just right”

We wrap up this time with a thought to delight

A woof and a kiss and it’s suddenly clear

From doggies, and Judith and all of us here

“May this season be joyful and filled with good cheer

And the happiest Holiday…See ya next year”

FA LA LA LA LA… LA LA…LA LA!
FA LA LA LA LA… LA LA…LA LA!
FA LA LA LA LA… LA LA…LA LA!

We want to see who’s apart of your family!
judith_and_lola
LILLY
bean

Share a photo of your pet/s on our FACEBOOK page!

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THE NEW PILGRIMAGE

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As Americans, Thanksgiving is our day to pay homage to the wonderful life we lead. We travel miles to find home. We hug and hold the people that we dearly miss and we feed complete strangers because we have more than enough to share. In line at Best Buy or the soup kitchen or in our private homes, personal pilgrimage allows us all to journey to the shrine of friends and family, TV’s and new memories for the very best reasons of all… the sentimental ones.

BY: GUEST BLOGGER SUSAN HALLER

CO-AUTHOR “GOTCHA COVERED THE COMPACT GUIDE TO CAMOUFLAGE MAKEUP

Pilgrimage:

1: a journey to a shrine or other sacred place

2: a journey or long search made for exalted or sentimental reasons

Back in the day, the Pilgrims made their way to America, to live a better life and celebrated Thanksgiving with complete strangers who welcomed them in. These days, my son makes his way to Best Buy to get a cheap TV and celebrates Thanksgiving with the complete strangers waiting in line who welcome him in.

When I asked if I should bring food, he said, “God NO! I have so many people bringing me plates of Thanksgiving dinner that I will be like a soup kitchen!” He is thankful for the opportunity to have a night of camaraderie with complete strangers and loves the whole challenge of being in the front of the line to get the TV.

I know that he faces this night with good humor and a lot of laughter. The same applies to all of us who make the yearly pilgrimage to celebrate love, life, delicious food and an afternoon of friends, family and football.

As Americans, Thanksgiving is our day to pay homage to the wonderful life we lead. We travel miles to find home. We hug and hold the people that we dearly miss and we feed complete strangers because we have more than enough to share. In line at Best Buy or the soup kitchen or in our private homes, personal pilgrimage allows us all to journey to the shrine of friends and family, TV’s and new memories for the very best reasons of all… the sentimental ones.

Me? I look forward to an evening in the future, sitting on the couch watching his new TV with a big bowl of homemade popcorn between us. Wasn’t that the pilgrim’s first food? No matter what age we are, Thanksgiving takes on a new hue for all of us. Let us know what your favorite part of the day is. We love hearing from you!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Judith August Cosmetic Solutions

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Glossary: So Many Foundations, Concealers and Neutralizers Oh My!

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Did you know? “Foundations” are the foundation of the cosmetic market? With 20 billion dollars in worldwide sales in 2011, and continued growth, foundations appear to be one of the strategic products for cosmetic brands. This choice is not to be neglected or taken lightly. As Women, we need to take our time and test several products to decide which one will suit our body chemistry and skin type.

With all the massive advertising coming in from all the major cosmetic companies, it seems as if you need a Masters Degree in Biology and Science to find the formula that works best for you.

What happened to just finding a color I like and slapping it on?

Let me help you learn just what foundation is actually for and how to apply it for the most effective results… And as a reminder, “Mon Cher” … NO SLAPPING… “Pat and blend” is my motto.

Foundation is such an essential beauty product; like a cherished companion, once we find it, we are friends forever! Designed to be “mostly invisible”, it allows the skin to appear re-texturized; smoothing wrinkles and correcting imperfections. With so many different skin types, selection requires attention for every age from younger consumers’ right through our senior years.

“Again with the skin types?”

“Yes, my friend, each skin has a type; dry, oily or combination. Sometimes you have an issue like Rosacea, Vitiligo, Acne… stuff like that. Your foundation and concealer are the products that create an artist pallet for all of the wonderful eye shadows and blush colors you use to compliment your daily look.”

Essentially, you need to know about each type of makeup; Foundation, Concealer, Neutralizer, Corrector Camouflage, and what they do. How different skin types and skin issues will react to each product, and just what those funny lavender, pink and green shades are for. Knowledge is power and educating yourself before you dive into the cosmetic section of the internet or cosmetic counter at the mall, can save hours of time, a great deal of money and what could become a massive headache.

Still Confused? You are not alone! That’s why we just posted a glossary, defining all skin conditions and the products that are perfect for each challenge at every age and stage of life. It’s a jungle out there and I am here to guide you right to the land of fabulous!

Just like Sacajawea guided Lewis and Clark, My new book Gotcha Covered: The Compact Guide to Camouflage Makeup allows you to find the perfect look by teaching you all the latest techniques, tips and camouflage tricks helping you “Makeup” your own face by covering the stuff that you don’t like to see in the mirror. I like to say “Everybody’s got something to hide” and this book specializes in concealing dark circles, rosacea, post surgery bruising and other issues that show up in our lives. You can purchase my book HERE.

Old school and “new techniques” are all the rage here at Judith August Cosmetics where my instructional videos on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boYg0Ye7UhU are available for you to explore the art of camouflage makeup and to find the technique that is perfect for you.

We think we covered all your questions in the glossary, but please let me know if I have missed something that is important to you. I can be reached at [email protected]. Stop by the website and like us on Facebook. My staff and I love finding more ways for all of us to conquer the beauty jungle.

Just remember, every step of the way- “I’m Judith August and Gotcha Covered.”

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The O Word

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It was my birthday last month and my darling friends took me for lunch and as we are all “living” in the second half of our century, we boo-hoo’ed all the hateful words associated with the word old…”Older, is a much better word than the word old”, I said, “There is a marked difference in intent and attitude.”

The Thesaurus describes the “O” word as, aged, mature, elderly, cantankerous, prehistoric, primeval, archaic, outdated, obsolete… all terms that have no relationship to the way I feel every day. I am still 36 in my mind, although certain parts of my anatomy don’t react in the same delightful way. (Who knew that peppers and sausage for breakfast would stricken off the list of food to eat?) Bottom line, while I refuse to be stuck in the world of “Old” I can handle the world of “older.”

Looking around me, my friends do their best to stay in shape; walking dogs, water aerobics, pilates, and still many of us have more doctors appointments than ever…does that mean we have to get Old? “Good Heaven’s NO!” My friend Barbara just ran a 5K marathon at 80-ish and wondered why she was so tired at the end of the run.

Remember when you were 5 and your 28 year old mother was “old” and God knows as a teenager, you could never imagine sex at 60. Getting older is all relative. Aging can affect us in incredible ways, the bad and the good; fortunately with today’s modern products and techniques, our bad habits don’t have to show.

Over time as I watched the changes on my own face. Through my business I am fortunate to work with chemists and colorists designing camouflage makeup that works for me and everyone else. I love creating wonderful products that give us a fresh, young appearance, covers age spots and dark circles; filling in wrinkles, allowing us to look amazing right through the elegant years:(Notice I didn’t use the “O” word?).

I would love to spearhead other phrases for getting older…any suggestions? Lets hear from you, who knows, perhaps a movement for the wiser, the graceful and the stylish’ will be put into place. I have a good friend that compares aging to the feline world. Babies are kittens, 20s are kitties, 30s are cats, 40s are cougars, 50’s-70’s lioness, 80’s the sphinx (The wise one who simply looks back upon history with candor and interest). We can also change the dynamics of the word by simply adding a few letters:

“Old becomes Gold with Untold tales of adventure and Bold stories of glory and wonder.”

Life is longer than ever…enjoy,live,love,hug and pass along wisdom. Be young in your mind. We still have a lot to do…there’s still time… Like I have always said…old is someone else! It’s just another “O” word!

Judith August is the author of “Gotcha Covered – The Compact Guide to Camouflage Makeup”. It’s the perfect at home manual for everyone who wants to cover and conceal cosmetic challenges. From simple annoying flaws to serious coverage, this colorful book is the educational “go to” for learning the art of camouflage makeup.

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Survey Questions and Answers

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Six Whole days of a makeup free face! Yippee!

No makeup for me! I’m not going to cover up any age spots, sunspots or dark under eye circles-not worrying about wrinkles, lines or an occasional zit! I’m on vacation; bare faced and carefree on the California coast! Of course I’m hiding all of the above with behind a fabulous pair of oversized sunglasses yielding only to my new coral pink lipstick and hot pink lip liner. Sooo California!

My husband and I are on a six-day road trip up the coast. But, to tell you the truth, we may not get further than Santa Barbara. It has always been one of our favorite spots and after staying for two nights we couldn’t leave our most cherished hotel in the area, The Upham Hotel, a beautiful charming and peaceful hotel that kept calling to us—Stay, Stay. So we decided to go no further and vegged out in this tranquil atmosphere of beauty and sunshine. I had plenty of down time to contemplate on all of your comments from the survey we sent to you weeks ago.

I’m so very happy that my staff and I decided to reach out to you directly with a significant discount on your favorite products instead of going through a research firm to do the study—after all, our inspiration comes from extraordinary women we meet everyday, so it is your opinion we value. Our number one priority is fulfilling all of your expectations to your concealing and camouflage needs. Here is my feedback to your questions.

 

We were asked:

Q. What are some new products I can look forward to?

A. MAKE IT STAY Makeup Spray will be here in a couple of months. This will be a spray to make the makeup last longer without smudging. This will best be used with the Killer Cover. We are working on a self-adjusting foundation like you’ve never seen before along with a basic Face Primer that really works!

 

Q. Any new colors in THE EVERYTHING PENCIL?

A. YES, Almond, just released. A perfect blend of light beige with a yellow undertone for all of you with a light to medium olive complexion. We are also releasing another color— Natural Tan, a deep beige for sunkissed complexion.

 

Q. Will there be more instructional videos?

A. YES, more videos on the way. There are more tip and tricks to share with you. In the meantime we do have quite a few on YouTube and don’t forget there are great before and after along with in depth application techniques in my book GOTCHA COVERED, The Compact Guide to Camouflage Makeup. You will learn how to Cover up and conceal just about anything! Good tried and true ideas and plenty of beautiful photos. CLICK HERE TO ORDER

 

Q. Do you offer samples?

A. ABSOLUTLEY! Just call or email and they will go right out to you for no charge. Call 1800/5284878 or info @judithaugustcosmetics.com.

 

Q Do you sell to retail outlets?

A. YUP…just CLICK HERE for a listing of our retail stores. Please note, we do not sell to department stores…we like being small and intimate. Be sure to call the store before you go to see if they carry the items you are interested in. Some carry THE EVERYTHING PENCIL only.

 

Still going through your survey comments and will answer more next week………. Stay tuned.

In the meantime the sun is out in glorious Santa Barbara and its time for a walk on the beach PLUS, a nap. I highly suggest the art and beauty of doing nothingness!!!

Here’s looking at you!

Judith

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