New year, new you: 5 Beauty Panel resolutions to inspire you to step out of your makeup comfort zone
New Year’s resolutions are no new concept; we’ve been making (and sometimes breaking) them for years. The secret to maintaining your goal? Make it fun! When it comes to beauty resolutions, anything goes, really. As long as you’re keeping up with the basics, like wearing SPF every day and taking your makeup off at night, there are no rules!
With that being said, we all have looks that we’ve always wanted to try but have been hesitant to go through with. Whether it’s going out bare-faced or trying a bold new lipstick shade, 2015 is the year to do it. And just like that, you have a fun New Year’s resolution.
Challenge 83: What beauty look outside of your comfort zone will you try in 2015? See the answers now! »
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Jump to: JENN FONG | AMY MCKISSOCK | CASSY JONES | BRITTANY MESSNER | ELLIE SOMFELEAN
Jenn Fong
Toronto | A Beautiful Zen
I don’t know if you noticed but there were briefly some rumblings on Twitter that coloured eyebrows were going to be big in 2015. I haven’t seen that realized on the streets yet but I’ve always been inspired by editorial shoots that featured coloured brows. If that’s not a really “out there” look to try in 2015, I don’t know what is.
What you’ll need: two colors in the same family (one lighter, one darker), gel eyeliner (not mandatory), concealer, thin angled liner/eyebrow brush.
First, feather in the gel liner along the lower boundary of your brows. Use short strokes and follow the natural hair growth pattern. For me, this means upward strokes in the inner brow and sideways strokes as my brow extends outwards. Then, use the lighter shadow and feather in the the rest of your brows to your desired shape. Next, create shadow by interspersing the darker shade through the brow but also more towards the outer edge. Use concealer and define the edges of your brows with short strokes, again following the natural growth pattern of your hair. Also, make small strokes within the brows themselves to ensure you don’t get a block of colour (unless that’s what you want). Your eyebrows naturally have gaps and skin showing through, and the concealer should try to mimic that.
Products used: Inglot’s AMC gel liner and shadow.
Amy Mckissock
Burlington | The Prettyvain
A new year and a new me – transforming into a woman who is going to be bold with her choices at the vanity and beyond. Bold choice number one: matte skin, heavy brows and a dark lip with minimal to no eye makeup. I saw this look on a girl working at an Urban Outfitters in Toronto and was taken back by how striking it was. Her face was a pale canvas and the only thing the artist had painted was eyebrows and lips – I loved it. But the old me would never dare to try a bold look like that – it was shockingly beautiful and demanded attention. But why not demand attention? So today I step outside of my comfort zone to recreate the look.
There are two key products for this look, a gel brow product and a deep aubergine lip product. Application must be meticulous, which means finding the right tools and beginning with a primed, perfected base. I shaped my brows using an angled brush and a tiny amount of the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Medium Brown. This pomade is heavily pigmented, can easily create defined lines and won’t budge all day, making it my go-to brow product for every look. Once you’re happy with your brow shape, simply give them a quick brush upwards with a brow gel and move onto the lips. For me, a deep aubergine lip can be created using a single product, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. This is a staple for beauty junkie’s everywhere –- the colour is perfection, housed in a pencil so it’s easy to apply, and it’s long wearing. The final look falls somewhere between 80’s grunge and eclectic chic, setting you apart from the rest.
Products Used: Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Urban Decay Original Primer Potion, Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, Benefit Gimme Brows, No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner, and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu.
Cassy Jones
Ottawa | Exquisitely Chic
Ever since discovering the wonder that is makeup, there haven’t been many times I’ve gone out without being “made up”. Bold colours, smoky eyes and doll-like lashes have become my go-to — and I’m happy to be that way. Always putting that much effort into your look can be taxing, though. Not to mention it lengthens my morning routine quite a bit.
This year I want to try stepping into something a little more uncomfortable. I’m going to try rocking a “no makeup” makeup look more often and keep my makeup low-key on days when I don’t necessarily want to get dolled up.
A few products here and there to define and even out skin tone can be just enough to make you look awake (even pre-coffee) but not so done up that you look like you’re headed to “da club.”
Products used: NYX waterproof eyeliner, Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation, Julep Big Mascara, Mary Kay Cream Blush, Maybelline Brow Drama.
Brittany Messner
Calgary | Life, Set Sail
This year I am (finally) feeling comfortable enough to rock the vampy lip look out in public. I’ve always loved this look especially on fairer skin tones, but for some reason have felt a bit self-conscious in the past wearing such a bold colour. This year I’m all about trying new things and taking some risks, in the way I wear my makeup and in everyday life! There are so many shades that I can’t wait to try, but I’ve been loving M.A.C’s Media lipstick in particular lately. I especially love how it accents my eye colour. I’m only disappointed I didn’t find the confidence to try this look sooner!
Products used: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Terre Neuve, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NW15, Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion in Original, Tartelette Matte Palette in Free Spirit, Force of Nature, Dreamer and Multi-Tasker, Make Up For Ever Artist Graphic Liner, Clinique High Impact and Bottom Lash Mascara, Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe, Tartelette 12-Hour Blush in Celebrated, MAC Lipstick in Media.
Ellie Somfelean
Montreal | My Beauty Box
This year I’m planning to step out my comfort zone by trying to use more natural cosmetics. I’ve always been somewhat reluctant about trying green products due to the fear that they might not perform as well as traditional cosmetics and have limited colour selection and products.
Today I managed to use almost all natural make-up to create a bold look. I’m slowly discovering more natural brands that put out exceptional products that are, dare I say, just as good or even better than conventional cosmetics. That’s right, I won’t have to sacrifice performance and quality while going green.
Products used: Zuzu’s Dual Powder Foundation, Zuzu bronzer, Zuii Blush in Peach, Boho Cosmetics Sable eye-shadow, liquid liner and mascara, Gabriel Cosmetics taupe shadow, Boho Lipstick in Red Carpet.
 them for years. The secret to maintaining your goal? Make it fun! When it comes to beauty resolutions, anything goes, really. As long as you're keeping up with the basics, like wearing SPF every day and taking your makeup off at night, there are no rules!
With that being said, we all have looks that we've always wanted to try but have been hesitant to go through with. Whether it's going out bare-faced or trying a bold new lipstick shade, 2015 is the year to do it. And just like that, you have a fun New Year's resolution.
Challenge 83: What beauty look outside of your comfort zone will you try in 2015? See the answers now! »
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at beautypanel@fashionmagazine.com. Read on for the answers to this week's challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Jump to: JENN FONG | AMY MCKISSOCK | CASSY JONES | BRITTANY MESSNER | ELLIE SOMFELEAN
Jenn Fong
Toronto | A Beautiful Zen
I don’t know if you noticed but there were briefly some rumblings on Twitter that coloured eyebrows were going to be big in 2015. I haven’t seen that realized on the streets yet but I’ve always been inspired by editorial shoots that featured coloured brows. If that’s not a really “out there” look to try in 2015, I don’t know what is.
What you'll need: two colors in the same family (one lighter, one darker), gel eyeliner (not mandatory), concealer, thin angled liner/eyebrow brush.
First, feather in the gel liner along the lower boundary of your brows. Use short strokes and follow the natural hair growth pattern. For me, this means upward strokes in the inner brow and sideways strokes as my brow extends outwards. Then, use the lighter shadow and feather in the the rest of your brows to your desired shape. Next, create shadow by interspersing the darker shade through the brow but also more towards the outer edge. Use concealer and define the edges of your brows with short strokes, again following the natural growth pattern of your hair. Also, make small strokes within the brows themselves to ensure you don't get a block of colour (unless that's what you want). Your eyebrows naturally have gaps and skin showing through, and the concealer should try to mimic that.
Products used: Inglot's AMC gel liner and shadow.
Amy Mckissock
Burlington | The Prettyvain
A new year and a new me – transforming into a woman who is going to be bold with her choices at the vanity and beyond. Bold choice number one: matte skin, heavy brows and a dark lip with minimal to no eye makeup. I saw this look on a girl working at an Urban Outfitters in Toronto and was taken back by how striking it was. Her face was a pale canvas and the only thing the artist had painted was eyebrows and lips – I loved it. But the old me would never dare to try a bold look like that – it was shockingly beautiful and demanded attention. But why not demand attention? So today I step outside of my comfort zone to recreate the look.
There are two key products for this look, a gel brow product and a deep aubergine lip product. Application must be meticulous, which means finding the right tools and beginning with a primed, perfected base. I shaped my brows using an angled brush and a tiny amount of the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Medium Brown. This pomade is heavily pigmented, can easily create defined lines and won’t budge all day, making it my go-to brow product for every look. Once you’re happy with your brow shape, simply give them a quick brush upwards with a brow gel and move onto the lips. For me, a deep aubergine lip can be created using a single product, the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu. This is a staple for beauty junkie’s everywhere –- the colour is perfection, housed in a pencil so it’s easy to apply, and it’s long wearing. The final look falls somewhere between 80’s grunge and eclectic chic, setting you apart from the rest.
Products Used: Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, Marc Jacobs Beauty Marvelous Mousse Transformative OilFree Foundation, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Urban Decay Original Primer Potion, Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade, Benefit Gimme Brows, No Bleeding Lips Secret Lip Liner, and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu.
Cassy Jones
Ottawa | Exquisitely Chic
Ever since discovering the wonder that is makeup, there haven't been many times I’ve gone out without being “made up”. Bold colours, smoky eyes and doll-like lashes have become my go-to -- and I’m happy to be that way. Always putting that much effort into your look can be taxing, though. Not to mention it lengthens my morning routine quite a bit.
This year I want to try stepping into something a little more uncomfortable. I’m going to try rocking a “no makeup" makeup look more often and keep my makeup low-key on days when I don't necessarily want to get dolled up.
A few products here and there to define and even out skin tone can be just enough to make you look awake (even pre-coffee) but not so done up that you look like you're headed to "da club."
Products used: NYX waterproof eyeliner, Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation, Julep Big Mascara, Mary Kay Cream Blush, Maybelline Brow Drama.
Brittany Messner
Calgary | Life, Set Sail
This year I am (finally) feeling comfortable enough to rock the vampy lip look out in public. I've always loved this look especially on fairer skin tones, but for some reason have felt a bit self-conscious in the past wearing such a bold colour. This year I'm all about trying new things and taking some risks, in the way I wear my makeup and in everyday life! There are so many shades that I can't wait to try, but I've been loving M.A.C's Media lipstick in particular lately. I especially love how it accents my eye colour. I'm only disappointed I didn't find the confidence to try this look sooner!
Products used: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Terre Neuve, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NW15, Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion in Original, Tartelette Matte Palette in Free Spirit, Force of Nature, Dreamer and Multi-Tasker, Make Up For Ever Artist Graphic Liner, Clinique High Impact and Bottom Lash Mascara, Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Taupe, Tartelette 12-Hour Blush in Celebrated, MAC Lipstick in Media.
Ellie Somfelean
Montreal | My Beauty Box
This year I'm planning to step out my comfort zone by trying to use more natural cosmetics. I've always been somewhat reluctant about trying green products due to the fear that they might not perform as well as traditional cosmetics and have limited colour selection and products.
Today I managed to use almost all natural make-up to create a bold look. I'm slowly discovering more natural brands that put out exceptional products that are, dare I say, just as good or even better than conventional cosmetics. That's right, I won't have to sacrifice performance and quality while going green.
Products used: Zuzu's Dual Powder Foundation, Zuzu bronzer, Zuii Blush in Peach, Boho Cosmetics Sable eye-shadow, liquid liner and mascara, Gabriel Cosmetics taupe shadow, Boho Lipstick in Red Carpet.){kind=link}