5 Key Ingredients To A Successful Makeup Application

Hello beautiful!  Here are a few tips I've put together to help you achieve a fabulous makeup application. Keeping these 5 tips in mind will improve your makeup techniques & help you feel confident.

1. Clean Face: Yes, it seems that simple & it is!!!  Having a freshly cleaned face will help in the application of your makeup. Why you may ask?  This will aid in a smooth application of foundation, prevent bacterial buildup & control oil production. 

2. Proper Brushes:  Using the correct brushes can take a makeup application to the next level. It will help properly blend eye shadows, contour with bronzer/blush on cheeks, apply foundation evenly & smooth out any excess product.  I prefer using professional brushes from MAC or Sephora because they last for years (when cleaned properly) & make my applications flawless. 

3. Correct Foundation:  If you take anything away from this post, applying the proper foundation is one of the most influential pieces to a flawless face. Too light or too dark will defiantly stand out in person and be accentuated in pictures. The key is to first understand if you are a cool or warm tone & then go from there. I personally have to mix to foundations together to achieve my correct shade.

4. Correct Lighting:  Using the correct lighting while applying your makeup will help with blending your shadow & contouring your foundation.  Some lights can give off a warm or cool hues.  Also, make sure they are not casting shadows on your face. I prefer to use natural light to apply my makeup. I can see all the spots where I need to apply concealer for extra coverage & I blend my blush easier. 

5. Enhancing Correctly: Not everyone needs to contour their cheekbones, brow area or forehead. Contouring & highlighting is made to enhance features & create the "ideal" oval face shape. For example, if your have deep set eyes, you do not want to highlight the brow area. Your eyes are already deep set so applying a highlighter will only accentuate the area. Knowing your face shape will help you decide what to contour/highlight & what to stay away from. 

Enjoy ladies!  Always remember: feel fabulous & you'll look fabulous. 

AS SEEN IN: Your Beauty Industry Magazine: MY TOP 5 MUST-HAVES

AS SEEN IN: Your Beauty Industry Magazine

My Top 5 Must-Haves

1.Hot Pink Tweezers & Lash glue - Not only do I use tweezers to apply lashes but 

they help with those stray brow hairs.  One of my pet-peves is having un-manicured 

brows at a photo shoot.  The brows are the tools that define the eye and when 

properly manicured, can lift the lid, open the eye and transform the face overall.  Lash 

glue is awesome for quick fixes on the go and adhering lashes to the eyes. 

Tweezerman Tweezers & Duo Lash Glue are my favorites for both. 

(www.tweezerman.com , MAC Stores) 

2.Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner - The best brush cleaner I have ever used.  I helps 

disinfect, clean and conditions the brushes.  It is made to increase the longevity of the 

brushes and offers the sweet sent of vanilla.  (www.cinemasecrets.com) 

3.Immaculate by Hourglass - This liquid to powder foundation I recently discovered 

and is fabulous at shoots or everyday wear.  It is formulated to absorb oil and 

camouflage imperfections while delivering a long-lasting matte finish all day. The oil- 

free, humidity-proof, and water-resistant formula transforms instantly from liquid to 

powder creating an all-day finish and never looks dull or flat.  Immaculate Liquid 

Powder Foundation is infused with clinical levels of two powerful anti-aging 

ingredients—phytostem edelweiss and lavandox.  In other words, it’s liquid magic! 

(Sephora, online & in stores) 

4.Too Faced Better Than False Lashes - HELLO FABULOUS LASHES!  I have found 

the solution to short, fine lashes thanks to this double formula that kicks butt! I love 

applying 2-3 coats of each formula to lengthen & fatten lashes.  The name really says 

it all. (Sephora, online & in stores) 

5.Make Up Forever Aqua Black - This waterproof formula lasts all day into the 

evening without smudging or running.  The first time I used this was at an underwater 

shoot and the super long cat-eyeliner didnʼt budge an inch!  I was amazed and 

instantly fell in love.  My lids, like many clients, get oily during the day where it can 

cause the liner to smudge on the upper lid.  Aqua Black will stay on all day and not 

move until you cleanse your face in the evening.  (Sephora, online & in stores) 

website www.kiaramooneyhmua.com 

blog: www.kiaramooneyhmua.blogspot.com  

facebook: www.facebook.com/kiaramooneyhmua 

AS SEEN IN Your Beauty Industry Magazine: Romantic Wedding Updo

AS SEEN IN Your Beauty Industry Magazine

Romantic Wedding Updo

Everyone loves the look of a upswept undone updo.  Wether you are going out with a group of your gal pals or strutting across the red carpet, your hair is a statement and completes your look.  A current trend that you may have seen on the red carpet at the Golden Globes and Oscars is a new take on a finger waved updo.  This style can be worn to just about any event and lasts thought out the night without touch-ups. You may have noticed this loose but sexy style on Lauren Conrad, Amy Adams and Taylor Swift.  They updo styles for 2013 will be much softer, sexier and more laid back compared to the past few years.  You can easily take a day look and transform it into a night look by adding hairpieces, glamorous pins or stylish headbands.  Below is the step by step tutorial on how to achieve this upswept, undone updo.

1. Make sure your hair is 100% dry and you have the proper tools when achieving this look.  I prefer to use all my hot styling tools from Hot Tools.  The waver that we will be using to create this look and other curling tools can be purchased online or at local retailers.

2. Start by adding a protective gloss to the hair, working it from ends to mid shaft and comb though.  Professionals use Kenra Shine Serum because it evenly distributes, adds amazing shine and helps with thermal protection without making the hair greasy. 

3. Create a deep side part then section the hair into three sections; two in front and one in back.

4. Using the waver tool, take two inch horizontal sections starting at the face-flattering point alongside the corner of the brow and work your way down the hair shaft.  You will continue though out all the sections keeping the wave pattern consistent.

5. Once finished, spray with Kenra Volume Hairspray #25 to set the waves.  After hair is set, take a small drop of the Kenra Shine Serum and “rake” though the waves with fingertips only.

6. Leaving the front two sections out, tease at root in the back section to create volume then comb into place a low ponytail and spray with Redken quick tease.  Secure on the opposite side of the front part.

7. Twist hair loosely around fingers to create a low bun and secure with bobby pins.  Back comb the front section (the one with less hair) and loosely pin back to create softness to the front.  Spray lightly with hairspray to set.

8. Backcomb the remaining section and spray root with Redken quick tease.  You may pin back some of this section depending upon on length of your hair and how much you prefer to be shown.

9. Spray entire updo with the Kenra Volume Hairspray to set and finish the styled look.

10. Here, you can add a fun clip or jeweled piece to your hair for an extra glamours look. 

FEATURED ONLINE with EsteticaUSA Magazine

This article is written by one of the managing editors at EsteticaUSA Magazine, Marie Scarano.  I usually bombard Marie with my work from photo shoots, fashion shows and creative projects.  This time, I sent her information and photos about my hair show this past August.  Check out what she wrote:

WEBSITE: http://www.esteticamagazine.com/eventsnews/item/2327-kiara-mooney-raw-boston


When RAW summoned Boston-based hairstylist and make-up artist Kiara Mooney for their Kaleidoscope show, she responded with "Fearlessly Avant-Garde"

Every month, RAW, the indie arts organization for artists by artists, selects and showcases artists in film, fashion, music, art, performing art, hairstyling, makeup artistry and photography and accessories. RAW creates a one night showcase event that features local creativity in all of its flavors.

So when RAW contacted Kiara Mooney, she didn't hesitate. Kiara told Estetica why she called her collection “Fearlessly Avant-Garde”, saying, “I wanted to put on a show that offered different textures,larger than life hair and combinations of styles that people haven't seen. I actually connected two of the girls together with a braid and gave one of my models a necklace of hair! I didn't want any limits which is why I chose the word 'fearlessly'.”

Kiara worked closely with jewelry designer Tracy Belben, who created eight chain link bodysuits for the show. So while the models sometimes give a dark impression of being “chained” down, their hair expressed total freedom and rebellion.

“I wanted a certain dark feel to it and continued a certain 'teased & textured' look to all my models. I wanted some "roughness" to the look, almost "bad-ass" dark beauty,” explained the featured artist. And as if to mimic the chain jewelry, she even gave one of models a “veil” made of hair she hand wove ad hoc.

Mooney also draws inspiration from many sources for her hair, make-up and headpieces (featured in the Spring issue of EsteticaUSA), including shapes from nature, like feathers and seashells from local Cape Cod beaches.

A "raw" talent to be reckoned with, with a global and fearless vision of world beauty. 

Creative Director: Kiara Mooney
Hair: Kiara Mooney & Michelle Orescovich 
Supportive Hairstylist: Brittney Bodwell
Photo: Dan Minicucci
Lead Makeup Artist: Yolanda Thurmann
Jewelery Designer: Tracy Belben  
Headpieces: Kiara Mooney

Visit www.RAWartists.org and www.kiaramooneyhmua.com for more information. 

 

 

How Does One Find Inspiration?

 <3 Inspiration <3

I am always asked "Kiara, where does you inspiration come from?  How do you create?"  My answer is simply look around you!  Everything is my inspiration!  From the colors that we over-look everyday, to other creative artists and craft stores that I pretty much live in.  I love different textures, patterns, colors and ways to mold pieces together.

I was visiting my cousin down in the Cape in early June where we stumbled across Megansett Beach.  This is where I got the fabulous idea to make a shell headpiece after chasing my little cousins around.  The shells had great texture & dimensional color to them so of course I would hot glue the crap out of them into a shape of a crown!!  Because thats what you do when you stumble across mountains of seashells :)  Also, who wouldn't want to be a sea princess for a day!!!  I had no use for this crown, no photo shoot planned but something just drew me to them.  I took a loverly lunch box that my cousin had tucked away in her car and spent over an hour and a half fishing though the shells.  I looked at texture, color pattern, shape and size.  I must have chosen over 300 shells for this headpiece.
















This past June, I was asked to do hair & makeup for such a talented photographer +diana lemieux.  Her work pushes limits, explores her creative mind and has graced +Vogue Italia numerous times.  To sum it up, her work gives me goosebumps (which isn't very common when I look at photos nowadays)!!!  She informed me the fabulous +chelsey angers would be the model for the shoot & I must say she's one of the favorites.  Diana said the shoot will take place at a small beach in Gloucester MA at sunset.  This instantly made me happy because I knew this was the team I could use my headpiece with.  So the next day I started hot glueing the shells together and adding diamonds to the top of the piece for extra sparkle.


The shoot was a success, as if I was expecting anything less!  Especially since Diana was behind the lens & Chelsey was in front of the camera.  The following week Diana informed us that 3 of our pictures were accepted into +Vogue Italia !!!!  The pictures can be seen here!  Below is a sneak peak of the shoot!!

 

CHECK OUT DIANA'S WESITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE











CHECK OUT CHELSEY'S FACEBOOK PAGE

PHOTOGRAPHER: +diana lemieux

HAIR/MAKEUP/HEADPIECE: +Kiara Mooney 

MODEL: +chelsey angers 

DRESS: Ashley Rose Couture Designs

AS SEEN IN YourBeautyIndustry Magazine

AS SEEN IN YourBeautyIndustry Magazine

Everyone loves the look of a upswept undone updo.  Wether you are going out with a group of your gal pals or strutting across the red carpet, your hair is a statement and completes your look.  A current trend that you may have seen on the red carpet at the Golden Globes and Oscars is a new take on a finger waved updo.  This style can be worn to just about any event and lasts thought out the night without touch-ups. You may have noticed this loose but sexy style on Lauren Conrad, Amy Adams and Taylor Swift.  They updo styles for 2013 will be much softer, sexier and more laid back compared to the past few years.  You can easily take a day look and transform it into a night look by adding hairpieces, glamorous pins or stylish headbands.  Below is the step by step tutorial on how to achieve this upswept, undone updo. 

STEP-BY-STEP
1. Make sure your hair is 100% dry and you have the proper tools when achieving this look.  I prefer to use all my hot styling tools from Hot Tools.  The waver that we will be using to create this look and other curling tools can be purchased online or at local retailers.2. Start by adding a protective gloss to the hair, working it from ends to mid shaft and comb though.  Professionals use Kenra Shine Serum because it evenly distributes, adds amazing shine and helps with thermal protection without making the hair greasy. 
3. Create a deep side part then section the hair into three sections; two in front and one in back.
4. Using the waver tool, take two inch horizontal sections starting at the face-flattering point alongside the corner of the brow and work your way down the hair shaft.  You will continue though out all the sections keeping the wave pattern consistent.5. Once finished, spray with Kenra Volume Hairspray #25 to set the waves.  After hair is set, take a small drop of the Kenra Shine Serum and “rake” though the waves with fingertips only.
6. Leaving the front two sections out, tease at root in the back section to create volume then comb into place a low ponytail and spray with Redken quick tease.  Secure on the opposite side of the front part.
7. Twist hair loosely around fingers to create a low bun and secure with bobby pins.  Back comb the front section (the one with less hair) and loosely pin back to create softness to the front.  Spray lightly with hairspray to set.
8. Backcomb the remaining section and spray root with Redken quick tease.  You may pin back some of this section depending upon on length of your hair and how much you prefer to be shown.
9. Spray entire updo with the Kenra Volume Hairspray to set and finish the styled look.
10. Here, you can add a fun clip or jeweled piece to your hair for an extra glamours look. 
I hope you have fun creating this fabulous updo.  Please feel free to check out YourBeautyIndustry Magazine (YBI) to check out more Step-By-Step's and beauty tips from the best in the industry.

MEET KIARA

For over 11 years Kiara has taken each individuals texture, personality and vision to create a customized look.  Kiara uses leaders in her industry, art, photography and everyday life as her inspiration to create.  She feels blessed and grateful to have worked with various photographers, models and designers based out of the Boston & New York area. She has experience with photo shoots, runway, pageants and fashion shows and currently works at Amore Salon in North Reading MA. Her work has recently been published in various magazines out of Boston, California & New York.  She is constantly updating her portfolio, participating in runway shows for various designers and is creating and directing her own hair show in June 2013.  Stay for a while, explore her website and hopefully you too will become inspired.

Glam Glow, Does It Really Work?

So I decided to purchase this lovely product after seeing it everywhere. I saw this product on other blogs, in stores and online and decided to do my own experiment. Can I just say I LOVE the packaging!! You open up to "Hello Sexy", how fun is that!!! I was a little bit skeptical because it was $69 for such a tiny bottle. They say you can get 17 full facials or 1000 spot treatments out of the jar which is a great savings for me (both time & money)!!! My days are usually filled with salon, photo shoots, runway shows & family/friend time . . . . Oh yeah and beauty sleep when I can!!!! Anyways, my little spa party started with the application, waiting time then finally results!!!

Application
-apply with your fingers to clean face
-spot treat in areas where treatment in needed
-apply mask to entire face

Waiting time
-5,10,15 or 20 mins (I chose 20 for maximum results)
-Pore-Max will reveal dots which show impurities in your skin (yuckie but I knew it was working when I saw them appearing)
-face tightened with the longer it sat on my skin (love that feeling)

Final results
-removed with warm water & sponge
-followed up with regular skin care regimen
-skin felt fresh, clean & glowing

Why is it so fabulous!! This treatment is chuck full of goodies!!! Acnecidic-6 (6 acid blend), pore-matrix technology (extreme absorption carbon), offers bio-life-cell-science (goodies like licorice root, cucumber, ivy & chamomile) and eucalyptus leaf. It helps with pores, problem skin, blemishes, pimples, breakouts, zits, spots, black & white heads, razor bumps & in-grown hairs (which is ideal for men). I purchased my product at Sephora in the Burlington Mall and couldn't wait to try it! I must say I loved it and work recommend it to anyone.