August Notes...

I’m constantly asked how we cope with the summer heat here in Las Vegas ???

As the song says SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY.  Well, I’m here to tell you it ain't so easy and certainly not breezy!

And that brings up another question.  We are asked how Cosmetic Companies handle sending products out in this wretched heat?  I’m sure that Medical Companies have the same problem.

TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR PRODUCTS IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER...ICE PACKS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND!

Rest assured that we take tender loving care of your products and if are cream or liquid concealing make-up consistencies...and, if necessary, depending on how far away you live, , we use those cute little icy guys!  And we only ship Monday through Thursday so they are not sitting on a truck somewhere!

You can also request overnight (expensive, Yikkes, but some do!)

So rest assured, RAIN, SLEET, SUN, SHINE ...WE’LL KEEP YOU COVERED BEAUTIFULLY...(NO DRIPPING!)

Best, Judith

I admit it, I'm at an age where the blogosphere still befudles and amazes me a bit, but I'm a quick learner.

Check out the following postings on a few of my favorite Judith August Cosmetic products.

Invisable Stockings @ easymakeupvideos.com

Orange Masking Creme & The Everything Pencil @ stylegoesstrong.com

I was thrilled to be interviewed by Kari Solyntjes whose blog FABOVERFORTY is just right up my allet!

She was most generous and kind for the time and energy she put into this interview and I thought you might like to read it...She made me feel like a real movie star just like my mother always told me I should be.

enjoy the read...go to faboverforty.com

I was interviewed the other day by a reporter.  In addition to talking about my corrective cosmetics, she asked a provocative question.  She wanted to know what I had learned about life vis-a- vis my business over the years.  This brought to mind something I had not thought about for years.  It is what I call "Invisible Threads" and it reminded me why I do what I do.

Since I founded Judith August Cosmetic Solutions more than 20 years ago, women from all over the world have reached out to let me know how their lives have been affected by their cosmetic challenges.  Some suffer from serious conditions like birthmarks that dramatically affected their self esteem, while others simply wanted to improve their appearance by camouflaging minor flaws like under eye circles....just something simple that makes them feel better.

The amazing thing is no matter where these women were from, and I've met thousands from almost every continent, we all had common "Invisible Threads" that connected us.  Our desire is to be and do our best, not only for ourselves, but for those in our lives who we love and who count on us.

I feel so grateful that I have many many sisters through out the world!

Warm regards,

Judith

Thanks to blushqueen.com for the lovely review of The Everything Pencil.

Always, Judith

I’ve been reading a lot about the decline in plastic surgeries because of the recession (except for apparently butt lifts – go figure). The statistics don’t surprise me, but after all these years of being in the business of using cosmetic coverage makeup to correct or cover flaws, it does surprise me, somewhat, that so many people are just now learning, or maybe relearning, how to apply makeup to enhance their appearance and visually “correct” flaws. I only have anecdotal information, but I can tell you that we’ve seen an increase in the number of people going to our Judith August web site and YouTube to watch our application videos, especially for Killer Cover™.   I guess the old saying is true – “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that years ago when I was breaking into the photographic model world, I needed to find a way to cover my under eye bags. Since at the time, doctors considered me too young for plastic surgery, I had to learn to use cosmetic coverage. I’m glad I did. The skill has served me well all these years.  If you’ve ever considered plastic surgery and have chosen not to…for whatever reason, I encourage you to learn more about makeup application techniques. Check out concealer tips on my web site. You also might find some useful information at the FabOverForty website – it’s a great site for those of us who are darn proud of being “Fab Over Forty” and everything that means.   

Read more about plastic surgery vs. cosmetic coverage solutions.  

You also will find interesting:

August Notes...Judith's Tip for Covering Eye Baggage

August Notes...Makeup 101 - Foundation, Concealer, Color Neutralizer and Camouflage

Some very interesting comments were placed on The Rosacea Forum website the other day from men who were so frustrated with their attempts to cosmetically conceal the redness associated with Rosacea. My heart went out to them as they talked about the demoralizing affects of not only living with Rosacea, but from applying and wearing camouflage makeup in public. I was so moved that I had to write the following response. 

Dear All:

This is Judith August writing. I’ve dedicated over 20 years of my professional life to helping people cosmetically cover skin challenges such as Rosacea. And in working with both men and women alike over those years, I have certainly come to understand the frustrations and issues of self esteem that come from suffering with facial flaws---be it acne and blemishes, Vitiligo, scars, Rosacea to name a few. I also understand the challenge for us to find a possible cosmetic makeup solution to hide and/or dissipate these problems. I have walked in your shoes. You see, I have and continue to have serious “bags” under my eyes and years ago when I wanted to be a photographic model and plastic surgeons considered me too young for corrective surgery, I took matters into my own hands. I studied skin tones, lighting, makeup and its application to compensate for the appearance of my under eye bags. In the course of my achieving my dream of being a photographic model, I developed a line of corrective cosmetics.

Now, to the comments and concerns expressed in this dialogue. Here are helpful tips that can help you cover and work with Rosacea.

First of all, find a good skin care regime that will nurture and tone down the sensitivity of your redness.

Next is understanding that basic skin tones lie at the heart of developing an approach which more naturally conceals and camouflages redness. Most of us have yellow in our skin. So, a yellow-based cover is more compatible with most people’s complexions.

Green is not an appropriate tint to diffuse redness.

I certainly understand a man’s reluctance to wear makeup.

My male clients have had great success in covering their redness without the look of wearing heavy makeup with my EraseZit Pencil™. It’s an antiseptic concealer and corrector and its tea tree oil formula calms redness and irritation. It comes in two corrective colors. You dot it on and blend it in. That’s it. Plus its portable size allows you to throw in your pocket for quick touch ups. Another product The Everything Pencil™ is also a face and body concealer. It has a vitamin-enriched, aloe vera formula and comes in six corrective colors that can be used alone or blended together. 

I hope I have helped you. If I sound like a mother-hen, it’s because I am!

If you have any questions please call me at 1-800-528-4878 or email me at judith@judithaugustcosmetics.com. In the meantime take a look at the Judith August Cosmetic Solutions website at www.judithaugustcosmetics.com.

 P.S…I also make great chicken soup!   

 Best regards,  Judith August

 If you want to read more visit The Rosacea Forum

Always, Judith

Nothing makes you look more haggard and tired than puffiness or fatty deposits under your eyes.

If you have “eye baggage” in the form of eye puffs, which is often caused by water retention, allergies, sinus, too much sleep, or you may have actual bags, most commonly caused by a deposit of fat that settles right under the eye – the correct concealer and technique can make a difference. If you have light puffs or bags, here’s how to get started:

You will need:

    * Light eye gel (optional)

    * Eye cream

    * Two lightweight, creamy concealers - one that matches your skin tone plus one lighter for blending.

    * Loose, translucent powder

    * Small, fluffy eye shadow brush

    * Camouflage brush

Step 1

Mix your concealers together, if needed, to achieve a perfect skin match.

Step 2

Blend and feather applying lightly. Start at the outside of the eye and move inward.

Step 3

Powder very lightly with an eye shadow brush to reduce shine and to keep concealer in place.

Don’t forget to apply concealer at the inner corner of your eye, typically the darkest area. Apply an extra layer of concealer on top of the foundation to give an extra boost if needed.

Always,

Judith

Judith’s 60 Second Rule:  Wait a full 60 seconds for your skin to absorb moisturizer, makeup, sunscreen or foundation, and pause after each new layer of concealer or neutralizer. This will help create a longer lasting and polished finish. My customers love this technique and the polished results when they use my Fabulous Finish™.

Always,

Judith

I get emails all the time asking me questions like, “what’s the difference between foundation and concealer?” Or, “I’m confused, should I be using a neutralizer; I don’t know what to do about my dark under eye circles.” I do my best to answer your emails personally, but I thought now might be the perfect time to share some basic definitions with you.

Foundation is the most basic makeup and is generally lighter in consistency and coverage than dedicated concealers. Foundation is available in liquid form or in jars, tubes and compacts. A basic lightweight true skin-matched foundation may be all you need to even out your skin tone, conceal very minor discolorations or to cover up a simple flaw or blemish. Choose a foundation formulated for your skin type; if your skin is dry, use a moisturizing formula and use a non-oily formula if your skin is not dry.  

Concealer makeup is a little thicker in consistency and more opaque than simple foundation. It comes in a wide range of skin shades and forms. For best results, a concealer should smooth on easily, not be too thick, dry, cakey or goopy.

Color Neutralizer, also called a corrector, is a pale color tint – like peach, rose, green, yellow and sometimes orange – not a natural skin shade. It’s meant to be used under and mixed with foundation or concealer for skin discoloration problems. Neutralizers act as an “insurance policy” to block out unwanted skin discoloration that might show through other kinds of makeup during the day. A neutralizer is an excellent base for covering extremely dark circles or bruising, or for blocking redness around the eye area.

True Camouflage Makeup is different. It’s more opaque and much thicker in consistency than a foundation or concealer. It also comes in a range of skin-tone shades. Because of its thicker consistency, camouflage makeup is not normally suitable for the eye area. One needs to know the subtle ways to use camouflage makeup so it does its magic without looking cakey or mask-like. Use camouflage makeup only if and where you really need it. It’s serious coverage.

Makeup Primer is a liquid or lotion formula designed to prepare the skin surface before makeup application. Primers most often contain waxes, polymers or silicone all of which smooth fine lines helping the surface of the skin appear temporarily even. Foundation applied over primer goes on more smoothly, as do blush, eye shadow, and many other cosmetic products.

I hope this helps to clear up any confusion. If you have any questions, feel free to email me, Judith@judithaugustcosmetics.com. I’ll do my best help. In the meantime, keep reading August Notes for application tips and more…

Always,

Judith