Looking for ways to add some polish to everyday makeup and hairstyles? Want to transform a daytime casual appearance into an evening sensation? Local stylists and makeup artists offer tips on how to notch up your look from good to great, whether you’re wearing a suit, jeans, cocktail dress or evening gown.
Start talking hair
Dina Culotta, a stylist with Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa, gives stylist Katie Baxter a fishtail braid, a glamorous style that’s perfect for special occasions.
There’s no need to do anything that feels unnatural, even for an evening event, according to hair stylist Dina Culotta of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst.
“I think first and foremost of the client’s comfort level,” Culotta says. “It’s extremely important for a person to talk to her hairdresser. I stress to my clients that they talk about themselves. I like it when clients bring pictures of things they like and what they don’t like.”
Clients should also discuss the clothes they’ll be wearing when choosing a particular hairstyle.
When preparing for a special occasion, look at hair trends featured in “red carpet” events, says Culotta. “Google the Oscars, Golden Globes and MTV music awards. You’ll see the trends. The biggest ‘no-no’ is that you don’t want people to say ‘that’s 1989.’”
Some of the latest glamorous hairstyles include waterfall and fishtail braids, Culotta says. “They’re a great way to make things more interesting. They can spice it up, even with long, straight hair. They’re great for kids, too.”
To some extent, clothes dictate hairstyles, Culotta says. For example, clients wearing suits are often professionals looking for a sleek, softer look and low-maintenance hairstyle. “They don’t want their hair to be a distraction. Tendrils will not work for an office.”
Short vs. long
John Anthony Marinucci, creative director of Studio MZ Salon and Spa, advises simple twists to make a powerful look or hair down for a flirtatious look. (Kristine Leffler)
“Simply taking a ponytail and twisting it up creates power,” says John Anthony Marinucci, creative director at Studio MZ Salon and Spa in Woodmere. Suits are “power clothes,” he said. Those wearing them often have shorter hair or they’ll wear long hair in an up-do. “We’re seeing a lot of that influence in ‘Mad Men,’” he said, referring to the Emmy-winning AMC cable television show that’s set on Madison Avenue of the 1960s. “Wearing your hair down doesn’t give a woman the power she needs. It looks too casual.
“For evening … that’s the time you should be wearing your hair down,” Marinucci says. “Evening is a more romantic, feminine, flirtatious time. You want to use your feminine characteristics to soften your look.” Those with short hair can finish it with a shine or gel “to make it jump up. For long hair, you want to have curls or waves. What’s currently popular is to wear it to one side or the other in a twist or braid. That’s beautiful!”
Hair extensions are also in style, Marinucci said. “On the West Coast, everyone’s getting into extensions, although they’re not for everyone. If you don’t do the complete package, it doesn’t look good.” Often a haircut and style is needed for an extension to look natural, he said.
If there’s a “no-no” among hairstyles, it is to wear a miniskirt or short dress and very long hair, Marinucci specifies. “It shrinks you. For me, it doesn’t make sense.”
“You can take a ‘don’t’ and on the right person, it’s a ‘do,’” says makeup artist and hairstylist Laura Zeltner of Z Beauty LLC in Bratenahl. Hairstyles are somewhat dictated by the size and shape of the face. “Right now a simple up-do is a high bun. That’s a style that works well on someone with long hair and smaller features. It doesn’t work on someone with a larger head and features. It takes a collaborative effort with your stylist to find a style that best suits the individual. Just because a style is current doesn’t mean you have to wear it.”
Makeup adds polish
Laura Zeltner, owner of Z Beauty LLC in Bratenahl, reminds clients that skin tone can change throughout the year. (Gregory Johnston)
As hairstyles multiply and shift, so do makeup trends.
“Most women feel confused when they see a variety of color options,” Zeltner says. “There are so many options now and a new makeup line every week.
“During summertime, it’s always good to go for a warm tone or sun-kissed look,” Zeltner advises. When looking for foundation, consider your personal skin tone, whether it is pink, yellow or golden, she says.
“It’s best to go where you can try before you buy to make sure you have a good match,” Zeltner says, noting that skin tone changes throughout the year, even when using sunblock. “Your summer color will be at least a shade or two deeper than your winter color.
For a “polished look,” Zeltner says to start with mascara. “That automatically makes you feel your eyes are more visible.” Then, put some color on your face. “Whether you’re a bronzer person or a blush person, it adds polish.” And, for the lips, she says, “Do something, whether it’s lipstick or gloss. Just putting it on makes you feel better. Even if you’re a minimalist, you still need more polish.
“With more time, take each a step further,” Zeltner says. “Work with eye colors and shadows,” as well as different shades of lipstick or gloss. “You may add lashes in the evening.” Several options are available for applying facial color, including foundation, tinted moisturizer and pressed powder.
Eyebrow shaping and pencil also add a finishing touch, Zeltner says. “The eyebrows are like the frame to your eyes. Everyone has a different brow shape. Have your brows sculpted and groomed. If they’re sparse, fill in with a taupe brow pencil. It works for everyone.”
Makeup artist Elizabeth Snyder says to consider the company and the occasion before choosing a look.
(A•K•Snyder Photography)
When and where?
When selecting makeup, consider the time of day, venue and clothes, says Elizabeth Snyder, a freelance makeup artist at www.ESnyderMakeupArtist.com. “Day is going to be clean and natural,” she says. “We ladies will usually like to enhance our features softly.”
For evening, Snyder advises, “Pick a certain feature to take the spotlight and run with it. Whether it is adding a darker, smudgier eyeliner and a set of lashes or amping up your lips with an en vogue bold lip color. But only choose one feature to focus on to avoid looking overdone.”
“Business makeup” for the working woman “is usually kept very minimal, basic and clean, but perfected,” Snyder says. By contrast, “social makeup is a little more fun, depending on the social occasion: Maybe a touch of an ultra-shiny lip gloss and a cat-eye-lined eye or a fun Kim Kardashian-esque smoke eye. Just keep in mind the company you’ll be keeping and the occasion.”
Also consider what you’re wearing, Snyder says. “A more plain outfit, I feel, can take on a more bold and statement-making face. Rock a classic, red lip or dramatic eye within your comfort zone. Busier patterns call for a more structured, clean look to balance out the pattern.”
Select the right colors
Careful color selection is needed when choosing blush colors, Snyder says. “There are basic colors a certain skin tone should stick with: Fair complexion, use sandy pink tones and soft apricot; medium complexion, bronze and neutral pinks; tanned complexion, deep, bronzed rose; olive complexion, golden brown, rich rose and plum shades. For a dark complexion, try deep red and dark bronze.”
Snyder also individualizes eye shadow: For gray or blue eyes, use copper, bronze, brown, pewter or deep charcoal. For hazel eyes, use soft pale mint, rich green, emerald, or rich reddish brown. Colors for green eyes include raisin, deep plum, soft lilac and plum gray.
“Brown eyes can basically pull off anything,” Snyder says. Enjoy shades of blue, gray, deep plum, purple, copper, rich brown and black.
Best tips for redheads: Use green soft copper and reddish brown or bronze eye shadow and light coral or natural lips. “Here’s a pro tip,” Snyder shares: “Line the top eyelid with a brown pencil. It helps bring out the eyes while still being beautiful, soft and less harsh than a black pencil.”
— Sue Hoffman —