Adele's Signature Lashes & Liner

Adele

Like every single other human I know, I am completely obsessed with Adele—her personality, her music, and, being the beauty-obsessed human that I am, her quintessential makeup vibe. Think full, fluttery lashes, buttery lips, a glowing, perfectly sculpted complexion, and perhaps most famous of all: that signature winged eyeliner. Basically, if I could become any celebrity for a day and copy their exact beauty aesthetic, it’d be Adele’s. Can you blame me?!

Of course, since this isn’t Freaky Friday, I can’t actually switch bodies with the singer. That said, I am so lucky to have access to the amazing artists who have helped curate her look over the years. Enter celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Michael Ashton who’s credited for creating that aforementioned signature beauty look Adele's become globally known for.

PHOTO: 

@MICHAELASHTON

“My work with Adele spanned over 13 years—starting just before the release of her first album 19 and continuing through 21, 25, numerous iconic television appearances, award show red carpets, and several world tours,” he shares. “After being introduced through a mutual friend in 2007, I popped over to her house to trim her fringe, and she asked if I could do a quick bit of eyeliner for her before she went to meet friends—the eyeliner obviously got the seal of approval and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Since I adore Adele, Ashton, and his amazing artistry, (and because the singer’s birthday is just around the corner on May 5th!) I couldn’t resist asking Ashton to share his best tips, tricks, and product selects for those of us who want to channel Adele’s iconic beauty aesthetic at home. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know.

Tip #1: Prioritize Your Skin Prep

PHOTO: 

GETTY IMAGES

"Skin prep and skincare is key!" says Ashton right off the bat. "I’m a huge fan of facial oils and balms that really nourish the skin so it is hydrated and doesn’t lose elasticity. Spending extra time using the right skincare before complexion products like foundation and concealer will really amplify your natural radiance. I’m a huge fan of brands like Decléor and Caudalíe as well as more accessible drug store brands including Embryolisse, CeraVe, RoC, and La Roche-Posay."

-ERIN JAHNS

Source

Ariana Grande Added Tons of Hidden Meaning to Her r.e.m. Beauty Collection

I'm just gonna say it... there are a lot of celebrities who have no business launching a makeup brand. Ariana Grande is not one of those people. 

Though, I'll admit, when I first heard the rumors that Ari would be releasing a cosmetics line of her own, I was unsure of what to expect. That was until I jumped on a Zoom call to talk about it with Ariana herself. 

Granted, a face-to-face (read: screen-to-screen) with one of the world's biggest pop stars is enough to make anyone giddy. But it wasn't her satin-smooth voice, her easy wit, or even her shockingly accurate Jennifer Coolidge impression that got me excited, it was the way she genuinely *gushed* about each product like they were her own children pups.

Ariana wasn't down to slap her name on a tube of gloss, cash her check, and return to her pop star lane. She wanted to be involved in every step of the process—from testing out the formulas, brainstorming packaging ideas, and meticulously naming each item. 

Because she wanted r.e.m. "to feel super authentic to me," little touches of Ariana wink at you from every iota of the collection. The highlighter she wore on stage during the thank u, next tour, the falsies that can be seen on every episode of The Voice, and the product names that only the most die-hard stan would understand—from beginning to end, each of the 62-item line positively reeks of Ari (literally—she picked the toasted vanilla scent, too). 

"I wanted to make sure that everything looked kind of like a prop from Star Trek or Black Mirror or something like that, because I wanted to treat it kind of like an Apple, Tesla situation. I didn't want it to look like makeup," Ariana explained. 

Noting that she's "a huge fan of like scifi, vintage, horror, space stuff," (something Arianators already know), the "NASA" singer said that she wanted to "create our own world" with the product packaging. 

With her team, Ariana designed a minimalist, but unique-looking collection that stays true to her futuristic aesthetic. The color names, though, are where her personality really jumps out, with nods to her heritage, albums, and favorite pop-culture moments. 

"The names are all super personal to me—like 'Sunset in Gildone,' that’s where all my family is from on my Nona’s side in Italy. And, you know, we got 'Cannoli' on the 'Principessa Palette,' 'Boca Moca' is a shade, which is named after my hometown Boca Raton," Ariana said. "The other ones are called 'Principessa,' which means princess in Italian, and the other one is 'Midnight Snack.' Kind of a curveball, but ya know."

"The Babydoll Palette' is—that was what my grandpa used to call me and my Nona calls me that and it's on my finger," she continued, showing off her finger tattoo. "So, yeah, the 'Babydoll Palette' is the one that I sort of gave the most personal name."

Of course, with multiple Harry Potter tattoos and two dogs named after characters from the books, the life-long fan was morally obligated to make at least one nod to her favorite series within the collection. 

"One of the shades on [the 'Midnight Snack'] Palette is called 'Plumbledore,'" Ariana said, laughing. "In case you had any question regarding my involvement—it's 'Plumbledore.' Another one is 'Cheeky Hijiki,' which is my favorite snack."

Beyond that, Ariana wanted her first release to include all her personal favorite products: plumping lip gloss, highlighter, eyeliner (liquid and pencil), lip stain, falsies, mascara (with two different formulas: one for lengthening and one for volume), lipstick, and eyeshadow (in powder and cream). 

"I had this vision for my line and it ended up being exactly how I sort of dreamt it would be," Ari said. "It feels so honest and so true to me." 

Shop Chapter 1 Friday, November 17 on the r.e.m. website.

Flash Back Friday with Sprayground !

#FBF to Fall 2013 ! Our first time ever on a private Jet! Thanks for booking us Co Co & Breezy!!

Sprayground X CoCo & Breezy

Photo by D. Dacosta (http://ddacostaphotography.blogspot.com),
Makeup by Jhenelle Hill (www.neonfix.com),
Creative Direction / Styling by Coco & Breezy (www.cocoandbreezy.com),
Bags by Sprayground (www.sprayground.com)

How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

We paint, contour, and flush our faces with makeup brushes every day, but how often are those brushes being cleaned after the fact? Turns out, not enough. (Shocker.) According to dermatologists and makeup artists, we should be sudsing up our tools on a weekly basis — at least — in order to prevent bacteria buildup, which can ultimately led to unwanted breakouts. We here at Neonfix have to clean our brushes after EVERY client. We are a bit OCD. Read on to find out how to clean up your makeup brushes the right way.

First of all, how often should you clean your makeup brushes?

Most dermatologists will tell you to soak your tools, especially foundation and concealer brushes, once a week — at minimum — to prevent product buildup. Because these brushes are used on your face, the cleaner, the better, says Bobbi Brown. "Brushes that are used around the eyes should be cleaned at least twice a month," she says. "All others can be washed once a month." We definitely think you should wash weekly if not daily.

According to makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci, soaping up your makeup brushes regularly can extend the life of the bristles and make for a better makeup application. "Brush hairs and sponges are porous, so they hold onto oils, debris, and bacteria," she says. "If your brushes are dirty, your application will be spotty and blending will be difficult."

What should you use to clean your makeup brushes?

The best (and most thorough) method for cleaning your tools requires only water and either a basic shampoo (nothing with too much protein /keratin which can stick to brush hairs and make it difficult to apply product.), gentle soap (regular soap formulas can dry out the brush's bristles, especially if they are made of natural hair) or brush cleanser. (Easy, peasy.)

How do you actually clean the brushes?

Follow these seven steps for cleaner, good-as-new brushes and blenders.

1. Wet the bristles with lukewarm water.

2. Place a drop of makeup brush cleanser, shampoo or soap into the palm of your hand.

3. Gently massage the tips of the bristles in your palm.

4. Rinse the bristles.

5. Squeeze out the excess moisture with a clean towel.

6. Reshape the brush head.

7. Let the brush dry with its bristles hanging off the edge of a counter, thereby allowing it to dry in the correct shape. Never let your brushes dry on a towel — the bristles can become mildewed.

Mid-wash, keep the base of the brush head away from soap and water. The bristles are glued to the base, and water and detergent can cause the glue to disintegrate and the bristles to come loose and shed. Do not dry vertically — this will cause water to leak into the ferrule [the piece that joins the bristles to the wand], which will also loosen the glue and lead to bristle loss.

Do you recommend any makeup brush cleaning products?

Three products stand out: My personal favorite is the Mac Cosmetics Brush Cleanser, the 2X Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove and Vera Mona Color Switch.

-Jhenelle Hill

THE "RARA" LASH FROM LASH FIX NYC

MUA: Jhenell Hill

Photo by George Chemas

How BOMB Does the “RARA” Lash look on Goddess model Yo Akalu_ 💣💣💣 ??? Lashes by Lash Fix NYC Duhhhhh www.lashfixnyc.com Airbrush by Kett Cosmetics The Idea: Take your Mink lash game to the next dimension! Undefined 3-D angles and infinite facets. A divine meeting between your inner energy and your outer Glam Goddess. .

Hair Fix: Topical Biotin Benefits for Hair: Does it Really Work?

By now it’s common knowledge that popping biotin daily won’t guarantee long, lush hair. The truth is that biotin doesn’t make hair grow faster or longer. It can only promote longer hair by strengthening the hair follicle. Stronger hair allows each strand to reach the end of its growth cycle. Your genetics then decide just how far that cycle will take you — to mermaid-like lengths or average, below-the-shoulder ends.

Another sad fact: Unless you’re deficient in biotin (or B vitamins), the supplement won’t make much of a difference. “Most people get enough biotin from foods as well as the biotin our bodies produce,” says dermatologist and scalp expert Dr. Rebecca Kazin. So popping a pill (just like any vitamin supplement you don’t need) won’t do much…or anything at all.

But now there’s a new breed of biotin products, coming in the form of serums, shampoos and even hairspray. Topical biotin offers the same (not-so-reliable) results as ingested biotin, but it guarantees the added benefit of instant fullness. “Applying a hair product that is made with biotin will help strengthen the surface of the strands,” says Schwarzkopf Essence ULTÎME celebrity hairstylist Richard Collins. The formulas coat each strand and thereby increase the diameter of each existing hair. 

[ Everything You Need to Know About Taking Biotin for Hair Growth ]

Schwarzkopf Essence ULTÎME is one of the first to offer a full range of biotin-infused topicals. Biotin+ Volume & Vitality Shampoo ($6.97 at Walmart) promotes less breakage because of the blend of biotin and keratin. The result is overall thicker hair in as little as seven days. Our tester was impressed. (Matrix Biolage FullDensity Thickening Shampoo works similarly to remove follicle clogging impurities and promotes more durable strands.) The other winner in the collection is the Biotin+ Volume & Vitality Daily Serum Spray ($6.97 at Walmart). The lightweight spray doesn’t weigh down even the finest of hair and adds fullness by adding smooth movement to hair’s natural texture. Just don’t brush after spraying on damp, just-washed hair for better volume.

For a boosted blowout, try Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizer ($18 at Sephora) — a blowdry spray. Hair instantly has more height at the root and over time, it can even promote hair growth. While biotin adds strength, the formula’s ginseng root and ginger root are the ones that really promote growth. Ginseng stimulates blood flow to the scalp and follicles, while ginger, a natural oil, helps energize the follicle.

Bosley Healthy Hair Follicle Energizer ($18.99 at Bosley) also helps thinning hair. The leave-in serum contains biotinyl-GHK that protects hair follicles, while scalp activators help to increase the energy levels of the follicles and promote healthy growth. Just dab a few drops where thinning occurs most.

While instant results are common, how much difference you’ll see over time is debatable. “Topical biotin has been reported to improve the appearance of skin and hair, but it is difficult to know how much is able to penetrate the skin, scalp and hair cuticle barrier,” says Kazin. All of the formulas are formulated for thin, fine hair (read: lightweight and won’t weigh down hair), so they automatically promote fuller-looking hair with or without biotin’s help. 

But what about the fact that I've been Trying a new brand called Mane Choice, whose products are also infused with Biotin, and my ponytail looks and feels thicker after a month of testing their Orchid Gel 7 laid Back edge control? Is that the result of castor oil & magic D vitamins or merely a coincidence? While we wait for more studies and concrete evidence on topical biotin benefits, we’ll be dosing our hair with the seemingly miracle formulas just in case OKKUUURRRRR!

- XOXO Jhenelle Hill

source

This Weeks Fixer Beauty Give Away! Armani Beauty!

Congratulations to the Neonfix Facebook Armani Beauty Giveaway Winner Danielle Hill!!! This could be you but your playing games !!! The answer was "SILICA" !!!!

Yes Silica! It's the secret that has Beyonce, Rihanna, Issa Rae, Kim Kardashian ( probably Kanye too) and all of your other favorite celeb skin looking as smooth as a babies bottom.

Follow Neon Fix on Facebook and Stay Tuned for next week Wednesday's Beauty Giveaway at 7 pm!!!!

Danielle won a Giorgio Armani mascara and eyeliner!!!! 

Yesterday's Contest. . .
FREE BEAUTY GIVE AWAY QUESTION!
First Person to Comment below with the right answer to the question wins a free Armani Beauty Mascara & Eyeliner give away!!!!
WHAT IS THE 6 LETTER MINERAL INGREDIENT IN MOST FACE PRIMERS AND MANY OTHER BEAUTY PRODUCTS?
Here are your clues:
-It's clear.
-It starts with an S and ends with an A
-It absorbs oil and sweat, so your makeup lasts longer and you don’t look like a frying pan all day.
-It helps your makeup adhere to your face better.
-It thickens the consistency of a cream or lotion.
-It helps foundations spread onto your skin more easily.
-It improves even distribution of pigments in cosmetics, preventing them from settling in makeup.
I'll be posting a winner in an hour ! Comment fast because i'm including my instagram family too !
Are you ready to play?
Good Luck from Neon Fix !!!

Follow us on Facebook and Stay Tuned for next week Wednesday's Beauty Giveaway at 7 pm!!!!

XOXO Jhenelle Hill

www.primandp.com

www.jhenellehill.com