When is it time to let go of your favorite makeup products? It’s a question that many women ask themselves but likely take few steps to find out unless their products look as if they are “going bad.” But unlike food products, sometimes the signs of aging beauty products are not obvious and should be determined by the length of the products intended use. We spoke with Professional Makeup Artist Maria Rivera about when to let go of aging makeup and what products come out on top with the best life span. She first noted that most beauty products have a shelf life of two years.  The life span of the product begins once opened. Also check any marked expiration date on the packaging if there is one to ensure it has not expired.

CONCEALER
Shelf life: 2 years.
Life span: Typically lasts for 2 months with everyday use.
Once oil visibly separates from product indicates that a product is starting to age.
Recommended: Skin Perfecter Concealer by Bodyography (http://www.bodyography.com)

POWDER FOUNDATION (Press Powder & Loose Powder)
Shelf life: 2 years for press powder and 2-5 years for loose powder.
Life span: Both typically last for 3-6 months with everyday use.
With powders, do not blot your face with the same sponge you use to remove oil from your face; the powder will harden when the sponge is placed back into the compact and the life span will be dramatically cut. Wash a used sponge with shampoo after 1-2 weeks and toss if the sponge gets too soiled.
Recommended: Every Finish Powder by Bodyography (http://www.bodyography.com)

LIQUID FOUNDATION (Water-based & Oil-based)
Shelf life: 2 years.
Life span: Water-based liquid foundation typically last for 3-6 months with everyday use while oil-based foundation can last longer; approximately 6-9 months.
Recommended: Natural Finish Foundation (water-based) by Bodyography (http://www.bodyography.com) & Color Stay Foundation (oil-based) by Revlon (http://www.revlon.com)

CLEANSERS (Cream & Gel)
Shelf life: 2 years.
Life span: Both typically last for 3-6 months with everyday use.
Recommended: Special Cleansing Gel by Dermalogica & Cleansing Solution Cream by Dermalogica (http://www.dermalogica.com)

EYE LINER
Shelf life: 2 years
Life span: Full-size pencil eye liners with typical everyday use 3-6 months; this is also dependent on sharpening. Retractable eye liners can last up to 9 months.
Recommended: Urban Decay Pencil Eye Liner (http://www.urbandecay.com) & Kiss New York Luxury Retractable Eye Liner (http://www.kissnewyorkusa.com)

EYE SHADOW
Shelf life: 2-5 Years
Life span: Typical everyday use for eye shadow is 9-12 months.
Recommended: MAC Eye Shadow (http://www.maccosmetics.com) & NYX Eye Shadow (http://www.nyxcosmetics.com)

LIP LINER
Shelf life: Similar to eye Liner, 2 years.
Life span: Typical everyday use will last up to 3-6 months depending on whether you use lip pencils to only line the lips, or to line the lips and fill in color.
Recommended: Urban Decay Lip Liner (http://www.urbandecay.com) & NYX Lip Liner (http://www.nyxcosmetics.com)

LIPSTICK
Shelf life: Up to 4 Years.
Life span: Typical everyday use for 6-12months
If the lipstick ages and has a rancid smell or odd odor, toss it.
Recommended: MAC Lipstick (http://www.maccosmetics.com)

MASCARA
Shelf life: 1 year. Once opened the shelf life decreases to 4 months.
Life span: Typical everyday use for approximately 1-2 months
Once mascara is exposed to air the product will begin to dry. Pumping the brush back-and-forth into mascara container can also reduce the life span.
Recommended: Lash Envy Express Volume Mascara by Kiss New York (http://www.kissnewyorkusa.com)

EYELASHES
Life span: Lashes last approximately 3 uses or 3-4 weeks with care.
You can prolong the use of lashes if you remove adhesive and clean the strip with alcohol.
Recommended: Ardell Strip Eyelashes (http://www.ardelllashes.com)

Maria Rivera is an accomplished and creative makeup artist with experience in all aspects of media makeup: fashion, video and print. Maria Riviera’s Twitter: @Makeupmaria

Words by Guest Beauty Editor: Jen Prudhome
(Photo above by Richard Philips/MAC cosmetics)

We all know that 60% of what is put on our skin is absorbed, but who knew chocolate was so good for you? Well, the Mayans and Aztecs did, as they learned early on about the hydrating and healing properties of cocoa butter. This balm became a staple remedy for healing chapped skin and easing sunburn. Studies show that cocoa powder has anti-oxidant activity more potent than red wine. Also Cocoa Butter’s mildly protective effects against heart disease are well known. Here’s a quick DIY Facial remedy you should try this month!

Homemade Chocolate Facials

Ingredients:

1 tsp cacao
½ tsp honey
1 tbsp sour cream or yogurt / kefir or 1 tbsp avocado
1 tsp oatmeal powder

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Apply on the face, gently massaging it so that oatmeal can start exfoliating the dead skin cell layer. Leave it on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with luke warm water. Thoroughly cleanse with a hot towel and extend a facial massage with warm cocoa butter. Now rest with a soothed spirit and fragrantly smooth skin.
Don’t forget to breathe, smile and be happy.

Source: Irina Wardas, Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

*For a twist, play Aesthetician and spoil your partner with this in home spa treatment!

Knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life at a young age is a hard job, and at times it can be overwhelming. For Michael Beel (far left in image), it took him a little time to find his way. Before cutting tresses and creating hairstyles, Beel was studying Law and Marketing at Otago University. After giving a friend a Medusa inspired hairstyle for Halloween he was offered a job in a salon sweeping floors and shampooing heads. Loving the atmosphere and creativity Beel knew his calling was in hairstyling and not Law.

The inspiration behind his hairstyles are about texture and dramatic shapes. “I still wanted to keep it soft and feminine and the style of photography helped achieve this result,” the 33 year-old stated through an email. Everything from soft dreads, curls, to frizzy or crimped, Beel is able to able to make any shape. But practice makes perfect, and preparation equals a successful shoot. “Hair is my passion and my life and even on my days off I am practicing, researching, or planning my next shoot or show. I practice on mannequin heads all the time at home, to try out the shape and structure of each look so I know what I need to do on the day.” He also believes that having the right team for shoots is imperative in order to receive the right results.

Beel has also been able to travel throughout Australia, Singapore, India and New York for fashion week. The same passion he has for hairstyling, he shares the same enthusiasm for traveling. He wants to expand his success all over the globe and most importantly, partake in International Fashion Week. For over a decade Beel has been doing hair and leaves no room for other career choices. He has no regrets from switching career paths and says, “I absolutely love traveling and I am fortunate enough to travel some great places and try great flavors of the world. If I wasn’t doing hair I would love to be a food critic or do a TV travel show. It wouldn’t be law or marketing!”

Even though Beel has thrived in his career, he gives credit when it is due. He admires hairdressers like Antoinette Beenders, Robert Lobetta, Akin Konizi and Jayne Wild. Wild has been Australian Hairdresser of the Year twice and has contributed many years to the hair industry. But Beel holds his mentor and close friend, Derek Elvy, very close to him. “[Derek Elvy] is an iconic member of New Zealand’s hairdressing industry and has had work published all over the world. He has been my friend and mentor for 12 years.”

In Australia, hair dressers are able to exhibit their talent in a hair expo, and Beel was a finalist in 2004, 2009 and 2010. “These awards are the Oscars of the Australian hair industry,” he stated. In order to participate in the show a 20-30 page resume has to be submitted of your styles from the whole year, a business turnover, your contributions for the apprentice industry, how that has been promoted and any editorial spreads.

From now until next year, Beel will be preparing himself for another round at the hair expo. Even though he has not won a title yet, he is grateful to have been a finalist and is enthused for 2011. “Being a finalist three times is an absolute honor and privilege in itself. But I will be entering again. As you put your heart and soul into entering these awards and you learn so much about yourself, but deep down I also want the title!”
Words by Crystal Hardman

Recently, Obvious Magazine had the pleasure of taking an introspective look into the career of industry Make-Up expert Daniel Chinchilla, the host of TLC’s “Get Your Face On”.

Since his descendant into the city of Angels in 2000,  Daniel’s career has taken flight as one of the most  sought after Make Up Artists in the fashion and entertainment industry. With a successful portfolio and elite clientele listing, Daniel launched his namesake beauty brand in 2009.

It’s OBVIOUS a talent such as Daniel’s is always on the go. Yet, this visionary virtuoso took a moment to share a few insider tips and tricks on how to use Daniel Chinchilla Cosmetics, as well as, the things in his life that keeps him inspired….let’s take notes!

ObvMag: What drew you to the world of Make Up?
DC: I was drawn to Make Up by the talents of Kevyn Aucoin and his ability to transform. The visual transformation abilities of one of my mentors Kevyn Aucoin, he help me realize the depth and artistry that can be achieved with make-up.

ObvMag: Who or what inspires you?
DC: My mother is my greatest inspiration she’s always there to encourage me.

ObvMag: One of your signature techniques is your optimization of the “flawless look”. How can your clients and consumers alike achieve this look using your foundations?

DC: First of all, thank you so much! I’m flattered that people believe that I have mastered the flawless look. I designed the foundation for an easy error-proof application that gives all faces a naturally flawless finish.

ObvMag: What separates Daniel Chinchilla Cosmetics beauty brand from its competitors?

DC: I designed 13 yellow based shades that to suit any skin tone and type. The choice to include vitamin and mineral ingredients in the line further promotes healthier skin within my product line. In addition, the formula for D.C.C. makeup is paraben free free,  fragrance free and non-comedogenic, and fragrance free.

ObvMag: Enlighten us on your personal involvement in the research and development of your brand?

DC: Yes I was. The most important thing to me was to give It was most important to give women a product that would be easy and convenient. In addition to camera ready color combinations and foundations,  the D.C.C. brand infuses natural . As well as beneficial to their skin by using mineral ingredients that have anti-aging properties.anti-aging ingredients

ObvMag: What type of coverage can we expect from your foundation and is it for all skin types?

DC: It’s a water and mineral based foundation that extends long lasting coverage for all skin types and tones.

ObvMag: What would be the one thing that you would love for our readers to know about Daniel?

DC: I feel very fortunate to work in an industry where my imagination and inventions enhances the beauty of women every day. Whether they’re client or a fan of the D.C.C. beauty products, I love to make women look and feel beautiful!

ObvMag: What advice can you extend to our readers on replicating runway looks into their daily make-up routine?

DC: Actually it’s quite simple. The looks on the Runway are exaggerated for the “wow” factor. You can use the same colors and tone down the application technique for a more natural look.

Check out Daniel’s website: www.danielchinchilla.com

Twitter: @dchinchilla

Happy New Year Ladies!  Let me be one of the first to welcome you to 2010. A year that will be filled with love, beauty and more beauty. Let me direct your path to some things that may have been left out from under the tree.

Bring in the Moisture Family $10 – $20
www.carolsdaughter.com

From Carol’s daughter to you. She gives us the ultimate reward of hydration. These products will keep your skin hydrated supple and beautiful. There’s nothing like H2O for the skin, absolutely nothing!

Perfect Prep Eye Primer $35
www.mallybeauty.com

Perfect Prep Pore Less Primer $35
www.mallybeauty.com

Mally has created the ultimate product. It gives you invisible pores, refining and smoothing your skin and the best part it’s all found in a jar. Perfection at it’s best.

Perricone MD Citrus Facial Wash $35
www.perriconemd.com

Fight aging, pollution and all the impurities of the environment year round! Say bye bye to fine lines, clogged pores and dull skin and hello to the new found you! Isn’t change simply beautiful!

Ladies you are now entering the land of complete perfection is skin care. So the focus of fall should be preparing your skin to battle the harsh winter which is approaching on the horizon. So take your time to achieve the ultimate form of beauty your skin!

Clarisonic Plus  $225
www.clarisonic.com
The ulimate skin care tool. The Clarisonic Plus takes your skin care regime to a completely different level. It removes all impurities from your skin in a matter of one minute flat. (that includes your make up). The ultimate advantage, it is compatible with all skin care products on the market. Now you can’t beat that with a bat!

Perricone MD Citrus Facial Wash  $35
www.perriconemd.com
Geared towards a normal/combo skin. This refreshing wash removes make up and all the impurities of your day! Yet, leaves behind a more luminous, healthy vibrant you!

Carol’s Daughter Bring in the Moisturizer Gentle Face Toner  $19
www.carolsdaughter.com
Sound the alarm! This toner from Carol’s Daughter is delicious. My skin says thank you everyday. This item only has one warning, you may kiss yourself in the mirror. Girls you have been warned, be careful out there.

Perricone MD Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer  $280
www.perriconemd.com
Ladies, Ladies, Ladies. I found a moisturizer that has snap back in a jar. It firms, plumps and moisturizes. There is Heaven on Earth, ooh I love technology!

Photographer: Maciej Korzeniowski www.studiolightroom.es
Grooming: Junior Queiros www.juniorqueiros.com using YSL cosmetics
Model: Viviana  Pérez

Sensual, mysterious and elegant.

Soft velvety, ventilation, light like a cloud… A delicious texture which melts on the skin and brings a warm pink color to cheeks, accentuating the cheekbones and illuminates the face.

Bright shadows in tones silver, lilacs, dourado green and purple lips, a combination that express sensuality and femininity. A bright peach to unify all skin tones and a iridescent brown to increase and tailor the cheekbones.

LOOK FOR THE FALL – BOLD LIP

Reader Email

Shelly: I’ve always wanted to try a bold lip but I’m afford it won’t come out right like in the magazines…help! -Shelly B., Seattle, WA

Donaldo: Shelly, never try to match a shade like the models in the magazines or ads. Always select a shade that matches your skin undertones and a color that you are comfortable with. Doing so will build your confidence. Dark shades look better during the evening. Great look for a wedding reception or a night out with the girls.

Send questions and comments to: donaldo@obviousmag.com

Photographer Cris Beltrán for www.crisbeltran.com
Makeup Artist Júnior Queirós using YSL cosmetics www.juniorqueiros.com
Photographer Assistant Abián Hernández
Model Alena for UNO BCN www.unobcn.com

Photo: Maciej Korzeniowski for www.studiolightroom.es
Grooming: Júnior Queirós www.juniorqueiros.com using Rimmel London makeup products
Model: Annick for 5 Avenue Models

Summer is finally here! It’s time to get rid of your prolonged winter blues and open yourself up to a new world of beautiful hues. I’ve personally selected some summer ‘Must Haves’ that will make you more confident with applying your makeup. Have fun with it. Even if you don’t like what you’ve started with, you can always wash your face and start over.

SMASHBOX SHEER FOCUS MOISTURIZER ($30 Smashbox.com)

This light weight tinted moisturizer is a definate must have for the summer. With an SPF of 15 and anti-aging properties, what is there not for a girl to love!

UNTAMED COLLECTION ($18 lipgloss,$22 double-ended eye brightener,$24 creamy cheek color, $29 waterproof shadow liner trio,$24 cheek highlighter Smashbox.com)

As the mercury rises, untame your beauty with these ferocious colors from Smash Box. It will make any beast or man stop dead in their tracks.

SUSTAINABLE SHADOW BOX($36 Urbandecay.com)

10 Shades of color to reinvent your look for summer, plus a shadow primer for a worry free creaseless day. Added bonus, it’s eco-friendly!

HAIR BONUS!

PHILIP B MAUI WOWIE BEACH MIST ($22 PhilipB.com)

From the beach to the streets. This is not your typical styling beach spray. It adds moisture,shine and has humidity control for those ooh so sticky days! Believe me, your hair will thank you.

Q&A

Q.
How can I control the excess oil in my T-Zone? Especially, during the summer.
Anna. Atlanta, Georgia

A.
From your mouth to God’s ears! We are both in the same boat, so here is a paddle sweetie. Bobbie Brown’s Blotting Papers. Just blott, place in your designer bag and go. How simple is that, you got to love it!!

Q.
I live in a very dry climate and what do you recommend for hydration?
The Voice. Denver, Colorado

A.
I definately recommend Hydramax(+) by Chanel Cosmetics. Also for the girl on the go, Shu Uemura Facial Mist. They are both a tall glass of water for the face.