Blog Posts by CharleenBellezaBlog

Sugar skulls used to celebrate in Mexico In this video blog I'll show you how easy it is to create a Día de los Muertos (or Halloween!) inspired nail art designs in a few easy steps.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Just as we're all gearing up for Halloween here in the US, locals in Mexico are preparing to celebrate Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) on November 1st; it's a national holiday during which family and friends gather to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed. Among the traditions kept during this holiday are private altars created in honor of the deceased decorated with flowers, food and sugar skulls. Sugar skulls, with their bright colors and ornate designs, are the inspiration behind this beauty tutorial. Follow these steps to create a quirky and fun nail design perfect for celebrating Día de los Muertos, Halloween or just standing out.

SUGAR SKULLS
Step 1:
Before applying any nail polish you will want to apply a base coat. I love Nails Inc. Kensington Caviar Base Coat, which

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Stay on trend with these beauty tips tailored for olive skin tones, and learn how to recreate the hottest makeup look seen on the runways this fall.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina
Fall makeup tips straight from the runways
More mulberry please!
The number one color on the fashion runway this fall was a dark shade of purple called deep mulberry, but for those of us with olive complexions who want a more wearable version, I have a few. For a stained mulberry look with a glossy finish, try Mark's Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain in Showy Flamboyant and Vibe Impression. My favorite mulberry-inspired lip color at the moment is Clarins Rouge Prodige Lipstick in Orchid Pink, which is a very wearable purple shade. Another great fall hue is Bite Beauty's Honey Lip Laquer in Gamay, which is a pretty rose shade that leans more to dusty light berry on olive skins. Made with natural ingredients, this high gloss finish will leave your lips moisturized for hours. For those of us who like to wear nude on our lips year round, Read More »from VIDEO: Copy the Fall Makeup Looks from the Runway

Latinas usually have to battle with straight eyelashes no matter how curly the locks may be. Here are some easy options for creating striking lashes at home.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina
Dramatic eyelashes at home
Fabulous drugstore mascara
L'Oreal has come out with an innovative formula which extends the length of your natural lashes. The Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara adheres fibers to your eyelashes and elongates the hair strands. This mascara doesn't flake or smudge throughout the day and leaves your lashes clump free. Another great mascara from L'Oreal is the Voluminous Power Volume 24 HR Waterproof Mascara. It has a large curved brush which adds tons of volume and length. If you have straight lashes that don't curl easily, I definitely recommend getting a waterproof mascara which will hold a curl much longer than a non-waterproof one.

Check out my video on adding drama and glamour to your eyes:

 

High-end favorites
Benefit's They're Real Mascara has found a cult following among mascara

Read More »from VIDEO: The Secrets to Adding Instant Drama with Fake Eyelashes

In this video tutorial I'll show you how to get Eva Longoria's sultry look form the 2012 Alma Awards.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina Eva Longoria

Eva looked stunning on the red carpet of the Alma Awards. This Latina sure knows how to bring the "wow factor". Let's go step by step on how to re-create this look.

Gorgeous skin
Apply a moisturizing base like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm to hydrate and replenish the skin. Then, apply a makeup primer to ensure the longevity of the makeup. I used Tarte's Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfecting Primer. Eva had very matte looking skin, so I used Tarte's Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation to create a flawless canvas. In order to expertly blend your foundation, try using Urban Decay's Optical Blurring Brush. To hide those under-eye circles, I applied a bit of Tarte's Maracuja Creaseless Concealer, and blended it in with Sigma's P88 Precision Flat Angled brush. I also used Bare Minerals new Stroke of Light Eye Brightener to give a

Read More »from VIDEO: Get Eva Longoria's Sexy and Sophisticated Makeup Look

Great lip color for olive skinsIn this video blog I'll show you some of the new products I'm loving right now. Get ready for Fall with these amazing beauty finds!

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Colorful lips

Everyone who tries Obessesive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars can't get enough of them! The Lip Tars are unlike anything you've ever tried--a high opacity lipstick concentrate in a gloss format. You only need the smallest drop to color your mouth. The products have a creamy texture that soothes the lips with peppermint oil and Vitamin E. They are also 100% vegan and cruelty free. With so many colors to choose from, you are bound to find one you love. Lately I've been wearing Harlot, a bright hot coral red, but for those who like a more subdued color, Trollop is a nice peachy pink that goes great with olive skin tones. The full line of Lip Tars just started selling at Sephora, so get ready for bright hot lips!

All-in-one matte foundation

I have oily skin, and I'm always looking for the next best matte

Read More »from VIDEO: A "trollop" of a Lip Color Perfect for Olive Skins

Having a flawless, "airbrushed" look is easier than you think! In this video blog I will show you my favorite system, and how to expertly apply makeup using an airbrush kit.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Why choose airbrush?Airbrushing creates a perfect makeup finish

The number one question I am asked as a makeup artist is "how do I find the right foundation color for my skin?" This is a tricky subject as all skin colors are unique, and it's hard to find the exact shade that's right for you. This is especially difficult for Latinas with olive complexions trying to find the right tonality in a sea of alabaster and ivory. What makes airbrush foundation an excellent choice, beyond giving your makeup a flawless finish, is the fact that you can mix different foundation colors to get the precise match for your skin. The airbrush system I chose is from Dinair, and I couldn't be happier with it. With Dinair you get to choose your foundation shade from a range of options, plus they offer blush, bronzer, eyeshadow shades, and

Read More »from VIDEO: Airbrush Your Way to Perfect Makeup at Home

Removing embarrassing excess facial hair doesn't have to be a chore. In this video blog, I'll show you what products you can use to banish any unseemly hair in a snap.

Tips for hair free skinBy Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Ready-to-use wax strips
Traditional at-home waxing kits can get a little messy, but with bliss Poetic Waxing Wax Strips for Face you can skip the mess and easily remove facial hair. The strips come double sided with 20 strips in each box. The process is super easy; all you have to do is warm up the strips between your hands for 15-30 seconds. My little trick is to warm up the strips against a lamp for a few seconds. The wax really grips on to the hairs and quickly removes them. The bliss wax is formulated with Aloe Vera making for a more soothing experience. There's even a little bottle of post waxing oil in the box that instantly takes away any stinging you might feel afterwards. I love using the strips between my brows and upper lip area. Waxing is the longest lasting of all home

Read More »from VIDEO: Get Rid of Pesky Facial Hair

Don't miss frizz-fighting tips in this video blog.In this videoblog, I'll show you all the fabulous products I use to keep my hair silky and frizz-free.

By Charleen Gonzalez for Shine Latina

Dry shampoo

As a Latina with frizzy and thick wavy hair, I have to constantly battle the elements in order to keep my locks in check. I'll show you how the right products will help you transform your hair into a luscious and frizz-free mane. For starters, try not washing it everyday. Why? Your hair has oils that work to keep it naturally conditioned and hydrated. Every time you wash your hair, you strip it of its natural oils, leaving it less hydrated than before and causing potential frizz. Instead, opt for washing your hair every other day, or in my case, every two days. In between hair washings I use Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Dry Shampoo Spray, which sprays clear and cleanses the hair and scalp, as well as removes excess oil build up, and adds volume to the hair.

Check out my video to find out the best anti-frizz products in

Read More »from VIDEO: How to Tame the Frizz Right Out of Your Hair