tangerine tango

The color pros at Pantone report "tangerine tango" as the color of the year. This is absolutely glorious! It's happy, carefree and fun–just like spring. Aren't you ready to feel fresh and free with your look? Spring is a cinch! There is no need to reinvent yourself because it's ok to incorporate one new thing. Whether you are cool or coy, this season's trends make it super easy.

You may already have look-creating makeup essential in your possession, but if they are in the way back of your makeup drawer (read: more than two years old), it's time to find replacements.

Your spring/summer makeup menu: red, bright and/or nude lip color (see chart from Vapour Organic Beauty on finding red and nude lip color); skin-tone flattering blush (Vapour's Aura Multi Use Blush for the perfect flush); bronzer (Vapour Solar Bronzer in Simmer is stunning); eye liner; and a pastel or pop of color for eyes and nails (Butter London Spring/Summer 2012: disco biscuit, bossy boots, slapper, trout pout, knackered).

Express Spring/Summer 2012:

• Enjoy a pop of color for your lips. Go bright red or try a sassy orange. If you want to play it safe, go with a bright gloss that's sheer.
• A monochromatic face. Just a hint of color for cheeks and eyes is super easy to achieve with Vapour Aura Multi Use Blush (spark, intrigue and impulse are sure to be season favorites).
• Beautifully bronzed. Use the high points of the face (cheekbones, forehead, nose, chin) as a guide to achieve that back from the beach look; keep eyes and lips simple.
• Vintage eyeliner is a go. Play with this liner look until it feels right for you, and practice to achieve your desired shape. See blog repost from myheartistry for a great "how to" on winged liner. Image below courtesy of myheartistry.
• Brows are thicker and fuller. Brow gel is a must-have for that brushed-up and youthful look. (Senna Brow Fix X available at sarimotley studio).
• Going nearly nude on the lip. Remember, there is a fine line between ghastly and gorgeous. To find the nude that suits you, go one shade darker than your skin tone with a hint of pink or peach.

For more inspiration on a bright and beautiful look for your spring/summer 2012, stop by sarimotley.com or visit the contact page to make an appointment (Houston area). See you soon.

pop and pastel 2012

Runway insight from Butter London's creative team started the sarimotley spring/summer 2012 season off with pops of color and pastels. It so nice to have choices when it comes to the latest trends. With Butter London's three free nail lacquer, spring/summer collection, you'll find: neons, teals, neutrals and super soft pastels.

This collection offers soft opaque shades in cantaloupe (trout pout) and perfectly pale pistachio (bossy boots) with intense retro turquoise (slapper) and a hot pink with the slightest bit of glitter (disco biscuit). And when your in the mood for a neutral nail, the oyster lacquer with glints of glimmer (knackered) is just lovely.

Find these colors and more at sarimotley.com.

Spring It On

We all know, Spring is about new life blooming forth. This Spring that means giving your everyday look a new life too. The word on the street is that Spring 2011 is about color - exciting color that says you're not afraid, and you love to make a statement. Not just bold colors for the sake of bold colors, but your personal flare with a little forward thinking dare to create a balance that feels right for you.

The recipe: take elements of nature, luminous skin, soft washes of color (for the eyes), and add divers color statement like intense coral cheeks, bright pink or zesty melon lips and lemony yellow nails. Next step, just go ahead and be gorgeous.

For more information on creating your season color wardrobe, send an email to sari@sarimotley.com or visit the contact page.

Happy Spring!

A Note For Your Nails

I think one of my new favorite ways to add a little pop color comes in the form of nail lacquer, most specifically that of butter LONDON.

Butter LONDON is a "3 free" lacquer, that means no formaldehyde, no toluene and no phthalates, they "believe in colour, not carcinogens." Said to become spring favorites are cheeky chops (lemony yellow), dosh (apple green with gold), scoundrel (purplish mauve), primrose hill picnic (punchy, tropical fuchsia) and teddy girl (retro, bubble gum pink) to name a few.

Spring Update Twenty-Ten

If you haven't already noticed, Spring is in full swing - as should be your makeup. Maybe you'll enjoy a new take on your favorite neutral or find fun-to-wear colors that bring out your creative side. Whatever you do, do it with confidence and flair.

Spring is about an alluring glow that not only oozes radiance, it also boldly states you know who you are. This is the time of year when it's OK to play with delicate shimmer on the eyes and cheeks. Were not talking disco ball here, think softer and less assuming. Achieve this with Stript Mineral Veil before or after applying Stript Crushed Mineral Foundation (available in ten shades).

This season's color palette offers a fresh new energy to sheer and glossy: imagine just picked when in comes to reds, pinks and corals. Yes, corals... yesterday's corals are tuckered out. Seek out present-day melons, peaches and tangerines with hints of honey and soft gold like Stript Lipstick-Liner Pencil in Holly - my favorite of the day.

Red lips are moving forward with brighter intensities than before, and gold is just glorious - being seen anywhere from eye lids to tiptoes. For a great multi-use gold, check out Stript Crushed Mineral Eye Shadow in Misty.

Keep your go-to neutrals close by, but this time pair them with one bold color like a cherry-red lip (Stript Lipstick-Liner Pencil in Scarlett or, for your pinker days, Clover). Earth tones always feel safe, and knowing you can freshen them up with accents for your eyes like honey golds (Misty), peachy corals (Jasmine), perfect plums (Latoya), mossy-like greens (Roxie) or beautiful blues (Venus) is a real treat.

Lastly, lashes are stepping up to bat, read: all the rage! Find your favorite glue-on pair from simple to snazzy. My personal favorites, NTR 13 & 14.

To revamp your look for Spring or schedule a makeup lesson, send an email to sari@sarimotley.com or visit the contact page.

Happy Spring.

I'm Loving Spring

Well almost!! Just another day and Spring will have sprung and all will be happy in the world. Or at least I will be less cold, less layered and enjoying a more sheer look with my makeup.

My favorite Spring going forward concoction: mix your best match shade of Stript Crushed Mineral Foundation with a pea-size bit of do-over moisture to create a dreamy, creamy tinted moisture.

For more information on finding your just-right shade go here, or send a email to sari@sarimotley.com.