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Beauty in Your 30's

By Makeda

When a woman reaches her 30's, she begins to feel established and easier in her skin. The 30's are the decade when many women begin to do the "superwoman" thing - balancing family, career and personal time. You may begin to see the first signs of aging - just a few lines around the eyes, drier skin, etc. But it's okay because you can still take steps to combat the signs of aging and take good care of your skin. Be sure to eat well, exercise regularly and always, always wear sunscreen - every day, rain, snow, sleet or shine. Wearing sunscreen religiously is the best beauty tip I can give anyone. It will minimize sun damage and, therefore, minimize wrinkles and age spots, as well as help to prevent skin cancer.

One of the more interesting dilemmas of this age range is that, while you may be beginning to battle the signs of aging, you will probably also still have the occasional breakout. Fighting wrinkles and acne is no joke. Don't overdry your skin when you try to battle your breakouts. Make sure to use an oil-free moisturizer and gentle acne products - nothing intended for overly oily teenaged skin.

For the busy woman on the go, beauty products that serve multiple purposes are a GOD send. NARS The Multiple sticks and products like that are great because you can use them to apply color to lips, cheeks and eyes and there's nothing more sophisticated and classy than a beautiful face done in the same color palette. Brands like Bobbi Brown make great make-up palettes that will have all the products you need in one small case that can be tucked in your purse for convenient touch-ups during the day. In fact, Bobbi Brown is a great company for those of you who seek to look naturally beautiful because her make-up is done in colors that are, by and large, sheer and subdued - leaving you looking beautiful and polished, but not like a glam queen.

Here's a few looks you can try for different situations you may face in your life as a woman in her thriving 30s!

For a sheerly sexy look:
Don't use lots of coverage - skip concealer or only use it under your eyes to cover any dark circles and on any blemishes. Use a tinted moisturizer or a sheer liquid foundation, dotted only on your forehead, cheeks and chin. Use a luminizing/highlighting stick or liquid and apply on the parts of your face that are naturally kissed by the sun - the bridge of your nose, cheekbones and forehead. Using a pink cream blush (here's where one of those multiple sticks would work well), apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upward into your hairline and downward a bit for a natural flush. Curl your lashes and apply a double coat of mascara. Apply a luscious pink gloss - do away with liner.

For a sophisticated professional look:
Fill in your brows with an appropriately colored powder or brow pencil. Apply a foundation and concealer around your nose and under your eyes. Use a large, fluffy brush and dust your face with translucent powder. To look naturally beautiful, apply a coppery blush or skip the blush and use bronzer instead. Use a brown shimmery eyeshadow and dust it all over the eyelid and under your bottom lashes. Use a pearl-colored shadow as a highlight under your brows. Use black liner to rim your top lashes, curl your lashes, and apply one coat of black mascara. Finish up with a neutral lipstick. You can add a dot of gloss in the center of your top and bottom lips and smoosh, to give your lips a bit of shine and the illusion of a fuller pout.

Give these looks a try, ladies, and tell me what you think! I can be reached at makedamaysa@gmail.com, through my website, www.makedamakeupartistry.com or my business e-mail address toya@makedamakeupartistry.com.

Perfume-scented hugs and lipstick kisses,

Makeda