Glitter is definitely a fun way to get dolled up for a night out, but it does have its limits. Most people can wear glitter, but I would recommend that methods of application adjust with age. Remember, we always want the make-up to draw in attention to the person wearing it rather than to the make-up itself. You are wearing the make-up rather than the make-up is wearing you! Follow these guidelines for some strategically placed glitter that will make sure you are the focus of the evening:

Teens
At this age, you can get away with just about anything when it comes to glitter. But you still don’t want to overdo it (glitter is one of those cases where you can have too much of a good thing)! Choose one area of the face to highlight with glitter. If you spread glitter all over the place, people won’t know where to look! To keep it fun and classy, add a little bit of glitter on the eyes and then some gloss to your lips. Now, you’re party-ready!

20s – 30s
Glitter is great for that evening holiday party, but pass on using it for daytime and at the office. For a night out, use a tiny bit and dust it atop your finished eyeshadow look. Move your head at different angles and see how the light picks up the gorgeous glimmer. Remember, less is more so keep the glitter to one area as well for a sophisticated glam look.

30s – 40s
Depending on your skin’s condition, women in this age range should be more weary of glitter, particularly when using it around the eyes. Glitter can make fine lines stand out and highlight uneven surfaces on the face. For lids that are more crepey, I would stray away from glitter completely. For smoother eyelids, use your discretion and apply glitter sparingly.

40s plus
On the face, stick to luminescent products and add just a hint of shimmer to the skin. Glitter can have an aging effect and give the impression that the wearer is trying to pull off dated looks from the past. No one wants to be labeled as having a look that's stuck in the 70s! Instead, modernize the glitter look and use luminescent products. These products are much more forgiving as they distract away from fine lines, but still attract attention towards the main focus—you!

Moral of the story - glitter is fun, but it's not meant to be overdone (unless disco goddess is your intended look!). A little goes a long way.

Check out my latest product review post on Make-up Junkie:

I wasn’t one to jump on the mineral make-up bandwagon (I love me my make-up and really don’t mind a full make-up routine of foundation, concealer and powder!). But for lighter days and times when you’re rushed, mineral make-up definitely makes sense...and it doesn't hurt that the ingredients are made to be better for your skin! For a mineral make-up product, I initially found L'Oréal's Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Powder to be quite heavy and even cakey in appearance. I thought it might be the flat brush that came with the product or the fact that it was a pressed (rather than a loose) powder that made the application seem to apply thicker than usual. Not one to give up on a product after only one try, I did manage to have better results on the second day by using a dome powder brush and a lighter hand in application. Using this type of brush helped to better distribute the powder over a larger area of the face - I didn’t have to keep dipping my brush to grab more powder for application, which also meant less risk of using too much product (likely the cause of the initial cake effect). Instead with the dome brush, it only took a couple of swipes and I was good to go!

In terms of coverage, the product was good without being too thick and cakey once I adjusted for the brush and technique. I did like the fact that when I checked the mirror at lunchtime, there wasn’t as much shine in the T-zone as other powders I’ve tested out. I tried to tweak the application technique for the remainder of the week, still using the dome powder brush and a lighter hand in application. I tried the powder with foundation on one day (I know...defeats the purpose of mineral make-up, but I had to try!) and without foundation on another day. With foundation, it worked as a good setting powder. Without foundation, it went on smoothly, but I had to ensure I thoroughly moisturized to avoid any drier areas of my face from standing out. Throughout the week, the results were the same: decent coverage that didn’t require much touch-up after a half day’s wear. I found L’oreal’s Bare Naturale to be an ok powder, but it lacked the wow-factor that made me think I have to scoop up several of these right now!! Also, since I had to use a separate brush not included in the orginal packaging, I think I will save the $12 that you’d pay for this and put that money towards a mineral powder that has that ‘it’ factor!

Have you tried L'oréal's Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Powder? Did you have better results? Leave a comment and let Make-up Junkie know!

ARTIST TIP: If you feel like you’ve applied too much powder, use a clean buffer brush and use circular motions in the areas of concern to buff off any excess product.

The days are definitely getting chilly out there! We’re all pretty good about maintaining a moisturizing routine, but don’t forget to protect the lips before heading out into the winter cold. To keep your lips supple during the freezing temperatures, make sure you pack a lip balm and spread some on the lips before heading out the door! Here are a couple of tried and tested lip balms that will help you battle any wind chill factor:

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
Where to find it: Kiehl's stores
Price: approx. $10
I have Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 in my client kit and another one for personal use in my purse! I love how it leaves a subtle shine while keeping the lips soft. I apply some on the lips in the morning and at night when I apply moisturizer. You'll also find me applying it throughout the day (balm addict, much?!) The packaging is great - you pump out a little at a time as you need, rather than dipping your finger in the product which can promote bacteria growth. I prefer the original non-scented version (why mess with a good thing?), but the product also comes in fun scented versions of Pear, Cranberry and Mint (which I believe are limited edition).

MAC Tendertone Lip Balm
Where to find it: MAC stores & counters, online at www.maccosmetics.com
Price: $17.50
Yes, the price is a bit up there for a lip balm, but I've been using Tendertone for several months now and it still doesn't look like I've put a major dent in it! I'm a chronic lip gloss applier too; you'll find me putting some on every couple of hours. The balm leaves a nice hint of colour (well, considering it's a balm and not a gloss!) while leaving your lips supple. The packaging is in a sturdy container with a screw-off cap (yes, it's withstood the test of me dropping it a couple of times - not on purpose!), but just make sure your hands are clean before dipping in for some product. Tendertone could be found earlier this year at MAC, but is currently in limited availability. If you're lucky enough to scoop one of these up, you won't be disappointed!

More Tips
Adding some balm to the lips keeps the lips soft and smooth for lipstick (and lip gloss) application. Remember to avoid licking your lips - it only provides fleeting relief and actually ends up zapping the lips of moisture. Whatever your lip balm of choice, wearing just a little something (even some Vaseline) is better than facing the cold weather with bare and exposed lips!

Here are a couple more pics from the shoot with Nadia this past weekend. I love the aesthetic behind this second look and our muse, Katie, is absolutely stunning. It's definitely not a look recommended for everybody, but Katie stands out from the crowd and pulls the dark eyes and dark lips look off effortlessly.

These inspiring images of Emily's wedding back in September come courtesy of GTA based lifeimages photography. lifeimages is comprised of talented duo Alex and Tiffany Albojer, who aim to bring a unique creative and candid touch to wedding photography. Definitely mission accomplished here, as looking at these pics evoked a sense of emotion in me, when it wasn't even my wedding!!! (Well, I did play a tiny tiny role, but you know what I mean!) Click on the photos to see the full resolution and gain the lifeimages experience for yourself!

See the original post with more pics and behind the scenes on lifeimages blog.