5-Minute Face: The Quick and Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman by Carmindy, Palma Kolansky (Photographer), Palma Kolansky (Photographer)

From Barnes & Noble

The radiant woman on the cover of this book is its author, Carmindy, the makeup wizard of the Learning Channel's popular What Not to Wear. In The 5-Minute Face, she applies her painterly wisdom to the faces of readers who worry that they don't have the time or dexterity to do themselves justice. Her guidelines, product suggestions, and easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions aren't just simple; they actually enhance your beauty without burying your natural luster under layers and layers of artificial applications.

From the Publisher

You're only five minutes away from your most beautiful face--and celebrity makeup guru Carmindy is here to show you how to make those minutes fly!

The key to a gorgeous face isn't expensive cosmetics, complicated makeup regimens, or cluttering your bathroom counter with bottles and tubes--it's using the right products in the right places to enhance your own unique, natural beauty. We know what you're thinking: "Sounds simple, but how do I know what's right and where to put it?" Carmindy, makeup artist on TLC's hit show What Not to Wear, knows exactly what and where--and she's here to share her secrets.

Carmindy believes that the key to a great look is learning how to enhance your best features with sheer washes of color rather than hiding under layers of artificial-looking makeup. In The 5-Minute Face, Carmindy shares her beauty philosophy, offering a practical, easy, and always successful makeup routine that works for all ages and skin types.

The steps for achieving the 5-minute face--from smoothing on foundation to slicking on lip color--are simple. In each chapter, Carmindy provides easy step-by-step instructions on perfecting the makeup technique that's right for your face, including tips on how to decide which products fit your skin tone and how to apply them for optimal results. In addition to the 5-minute makeover, she discusses:

• How to Get Brows That Wow: Learn what brow shape best frames your face.
• What's Age Got to Do with It?: Tricks and trade secrets that keep every woman looking beautiful, from teens to women aged fifty and over.
• Beauty Comes in All Colors: Freckles? Blemishes? Carmindy solves the problems that make finding the perfect makeup for your skin tone difficult.
• Building on the 5-Minute Face: Carmindy shows how to build on the basic face for special occasions, covering everything from sexy dates, to looking right in all-white at your wedding, to mastering hot trends like smoky eyes and metallics.

Accompanied throughout by beautiful photography by Palma Kolansky and Devon Jarvis, The 5-Minute Face is every woman's guide to enhancing their unique and beautiful features with the perfect makeup routine.

Product Details

• Table of Contents
• Read a Sample Chapter

Table of Contents

Read a Sample Chapter

The 5-Minute Face

Regan Books

Chapter One

One of my main goals when I apply makeup is to let my clients' skin show through; I don't cake on foundation or concealer. But in order for skin to be in its best possible shape, you've got to treat it well. It isn't hard. Just find the right cleanser, wash your skin in the morning and before bed, and use moisturizer regularly (a daytime lotion with SPF and something richer, like a cream or serum, at night) to make your complexion radiant. And when skin glows, so will the rest of you. Below, find your skin type and take note of the easy-care steps.

Oily Skin

Oily skin tends to break out more, even into your forties, but regular cleansing can go a long way to keep your face clear. By about age thirty-five, you may notice that oil output slows and skin is more normal. And, good news: that extra oil keeps your skin looking soft and youthful longer than other skin types.

The right cleanser For day, use a foaming gel cleanser. The lather will help break down sebum (skin's natural oil), and since foamers typically don't leave extra moisturizers behind the way creamy cleansers do, they are your best bet for keeping skin clear.

The right moisturizer Use an oil-free lotion. A lot of women assume that if their skin is oily, theyshould skip moisturizer. Not true. Your skin will feel dehydrated and will overcompensate by producing more oil. Trick it into thinking it has enough moisture by using an oil-free formula. This will also function like a primer to even skin texture so foundation goes on smoothly, which will help makeup last longer. At night, apply an oil-free lotion with alpha hydroxy acids to exfoliate skin and keep pores clear. Use this regularly and you'll notice softer, smoother skin and fewer breakouts.

Normal Skin-Combination Skin

The truth? Normal skin is combination skin! Yup-we all have more oil glands along our T-zone (the forehead, nose, and chin) than on the rest of our face, and every one of us sees shine there. Normal skin has a dewier T-zone midday, but few pimples. It can teeter toward oily or dry.

The right cleanser Use a daily liquid cleanser. Liquid cleansers tend to be mild and well balanced, so they will wash away dirt and oil but won't overdry your skin.

The right moisturizer Use lightweight lotions. Lotions will give you the perfect amount of moisture without being too heavy. At night, use the lightweight lotion and add a cream formula on your drier areas. This is the ideal time to apply a rich cream that may be too greasy for daytime use-your skin will be glowing when you wake up!

Dry Skin

Dry skin has its pros and cons. Pores are usually less visible and you rarely get a blemish, but if you skimp on moisturizer, lines can stand out more and skin can look flat.

The right cleanser Choose a creamy cleanser. This type of product will offer lightweight hydration. Keep in mind that dry skin needs moisture added to every beauty step, including cleansers and foundations.

The right moisturizer Use a cream that will replace lost moisture to keep your skin soft and supple. Try to remember this five-minute rule: if skin feels tight five minutes after applying moisturizer, your formula isn't rich enough. Try applying the cream to damp skin in order to lock in water for maximum softness. At night, add a super-rich cream with antioxidant vitamins. Just keeping your skin well hydrated will plump it up for a youthful, fresh look. Tip: Use a humidifier in the winter. You'll be amazed at what it will do for your skin (and hair, which may also be dry). Tap on a rich eye cream and lip balm at night, as well.

Eye Cream: Worth the Splurge

Sure, you can apply face lotion under your eyes. But dedicated eye creams are made to be gentler, with nonirritating ingredients that won't sting this sensitive area or cause tears. I'm not one for extra stuff rattling around my makeup case, but this splurge is worth it. If you have puffiness, look for formulas that firm. Circles? Try products with vitamin K.

Toner Talk

Twenty years ago, toners were made of witch hazel, alcohol, or both. They were marketed to banish excess oil, and they did-too well! Most of us who used them were left with parched skin. Not surprisingly, they fell out of favor and were viewed as an unnecessary step. Today, gentler versions are available. Botanical toners are refreshing and smell especially good. Myself, I love simple rose water (it's hydrating and calming) or cucumber water (it's a mild astringent and good for oily skin). Both can be found at health food stores. Tip: pour rose or cucumber water into a spray bottle, store in your fridge, and spritz away to rejuvenate skin on a hot day.

Sunscreen Smarts

I am diligent about wearing sunscreen, and you should be, too. It is the single best way to keep skin looking young and healthy. Not convinced? Here's what regular use will help prevent: fine lines, deep wrinkles, discoloration (like light or dark patches), roughness, crepey texture, sagginess, broken capillaries, and of course, skin cancer. That's quite a list! I use SPF 15 for intermittent exposure-when I'm running errands from store to store-and SPF 30 or 45 at the beach or when I'm out for a bike ride or hike. Read labels and choose a formula that's "broad spectrum." It will protect you against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and B (UVB) rays. Choosing daytime moisturizers with built-in suncreens will also save you time in the morning, cutting out an extra step.

Beautify Your Body!

Want fabulously sexy skin all over your body? Who doesn't! These easy tricks will leave you touchably soft and radiant from your neck to your toes.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The 5-Minute Face by Carmindy Copyright © 2007 by Carmindy. Excerpted by permission.
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