Fancy Face Cosmetics

The holiday season is here, and that means so are the parties! This time of year is always filled with black tie balls, company holiday parties, cocktails with friends and who can forget the great fundraiser galas. If you are like us what you wear to the party is just as important to the party itself. Follow this guide so you always show up just fancy enough with out going over board.

Casual
Meeting the girls for a few holiday drinks…grab a pair of skinny jeans. Top with a flowy blouse, fitted leather bomber and some stylish boots. Don’t forget to accessorize with some earrings and a cute scarf.

Business Casual
Just because you are heading out with work colleagues doesn’t mean you need to stay true to your favorite khaki pants and boring collared shirt. Try spicing up a pair of fitted black dress pants with with festive fur or a sparkly top.

Cocktail
What girl doesn’t love to throw on a cute cute cocktail dress and dance the night away. Ditch your little black dress and try a bold color. Look for a dress with unique details, the one shoulder dresses are taking over this season.

Black-tie
A black-tie event offers you the perfect way to flaunt your best attributes so make sure to pick a dress that flatters your figure. Don’t forget to fancy up your dress with a great pair of chandelier earrings and a clutch purse.

Need helping picking your holiday outfits?? Email our experts fashion@fancyfacecosmetics.com

Stay Fancy!
XOXO
Amanda

Did you drink too much eggnog and scoop seconds of the mashed potatoes? Use these slimming hair and makeup secrets to erase that holiday bulge in the time it takes to ask Santa for a gym membership.

Give Your Hairstyle Some Height
Add volume to your hair around the crown area by teasing the roots and spraying with hairspray. This extra height will give you the illusion of a longer and more narrow face. Jennifer Morrison’s volume-boosting braid is a great example.

Go Nude
Stick to neutral tones of blush. No strong pinks! Instead of swirling blush on the apples of your cheeks, do the entire cheekbone, blended softly into the hairline. This will emphasize your bone structure. Round circles of pink blush could pronounce rounded features, while a more blended application like Taylor Swift’s blush effect, creates more depth. Also, apply a light dusting of powder to cut down on shine and avoid using shimmer all over the face. The more light that is reflected from your skin, the bigger your face will appear, so stick to shimmer products on your eyes and cheekbones.
*Try our Blush in Supermodel to achieve this look!

Go For Side-Swept Bangs
Get a haircut with long side swept bangs and jagged pieces around the cheekbones. Bangs that cut across your face diagonally, like Jayma Mays’ hairstyle, will reduce the appearance of a full face while long cheek-level pieces can break up the span of wide cheeks.

Stick With Sleek Hairstyles
A straight hairstyle will flatter your face without adding unnecessary volume at cheekbone areas. Just like clothing, the sleeker and more streamlined the style, the more slimming the end result. You can’t beat Jennifer’s blowout.

Enhance Your Cheekbones
Learn how to contour underneath your cheekbones using a deep taupe colored shading powder. First sweep translucent powder all over your face, then blend the contour powder right under your cheekbones similar to Reese Witherspoon’s look. This creates the appearance of a shadow cast by your cheekbones, making them look more defined. Also, sweep a little contour powder under your chin to reduce the appearance of a double chin.
*Try our new Sweat Resistant Mineral Powders to achieve this look!

Use these tips and tricks, and stop feeling guilty about that extra slice of pumpkin pie!

xoxo,
Nikki

Winter dates can be fun and exciting. While many think there is nothing to do during these winter days that are short, cold and of course many times snowy they are just plain wrong. There are tons of different options when it comes to winter dates. Check out a few below submitted by some of our Fancy Fans.

1. Create a snow-person together. It was so much fun as a kid to build a snowman why not share that fun with the one you care about?

2. Snuggle by the fire with a yummy holiday drink…hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps is great!

3. Bundle up and head to an ice rink…so what if you can’t skate very well, half the fun is laughing at each other as you attempt to stay standing up.

4.Bake together, I would love to share recipes with you but my baking usually ends in the smoke alarm beeping.

5.Cuddle up for a good movie, there are so many great classic holiday movies!

6.Head to a museum,every city has a few great ones.

7.Check out a local wine tasting.

8.Explore your creative sides together with classes at a local business or community college.

9. Get the fireplace going, rip open a bag of marshmallows, and make some s’mores.

10. Rent snowmobiles and hit the trails.

We would love to hear more of your great winter date ideas…so feel free to share them below!

XOXO
Amanda

It’s holiday season, which means your social circuit is officially in full swing. But don’t you hate it when friends post less-than-flattering party pictures of you on Facebook? We’ve put our pageant and red carpet training to good use to share our best makeup, hair and picture posing tips to ensure you look hot in every shot.
Find Your Best Angle
To determine the angles from which your face looks its best, Experiment by posing in the mirror; it will quickly become obvious which angles are most flattering for you. Once you’re aware of this, use the best angles as much as possible in the future. For example, Kim Kardashian always tries to be photographed with her chin down and from her left.

Chin Up
The dreaded double chin – it’s the worst, right? Even if you don’t have one, you’ve probably been photographed from an angle that made it look like you did. How can you avoid it? It’s always best to stick your chin out and slightly pulled away from your neck. It will feel awkward, but the camera doesn’t detect the proportion of how far you pull out your chin. That way your jawline is stronger, and you will help to prevent a double chin look.

Look Longer And Leaner
You’ll rarely see a celebrity standing fully face-forward to the camera. To help your body look its longest and leanest like Dianna Agron is doing here, think of a Miss America contestant’s traditional pose. Never stand flat to the camera – always angle your body a bit to the side. If you angle yourself slightly, you can take down several inches off your hips. Always put one foot in front of the other as well.

You Put Your Hand Upon Your Hip
It’s not just a classic song lyric from the ’90s; it’s great posing advice that stars like Eva Longoria clearly follow. A great trick for making hips look slimmer is to pull your body forward from the waist up slightly towards the camera. Put one or both of your hands on your hips. Your arms will look more toned as you will be flexing the muscle slightly when you are holding them on your hips.

No One Likes A Faker
To get a genuine smile in your pictures, think of the camera lens as a person (a person you’d like would definitely help) and then smile. If you’re posing for a series of photos, don’t keep holding your smile—your mouth is going to start shaking and feeling awkward. Move your jaw around between pictures for a glowing grin like Anne Hathaway’s.

Helpful Hints
What are some easy ways to avoid taking a bad photo? I have a few never-fail tips: Wear dark colors in photos. Don’t wear shiny material; it reflects light and can make even the slightest bulge look much bigger than it is. My favorite trick is to make sure you add some sheen to your hair for the photograph. It’s so simple, but shiny hair can make a big difference in a photo. Plus, regardless of your fancy gown, fierce shoes, or flawless makeup, dull-drab hair will make YOU look dull and drab…no bueno! —I love Organix Cherry Blossom Spray. The flashes picking up that shine are a great thing, and will have your hair looking like you paid a fortune, rather than 5.99 at your local drugstore! Winning!

Send us pictures of your best red carpet worthy pose, and you could win free makeup from Fancy Face Cosmetics!

Xoxo,
Nikki

Today is the big day! Not only do we finally get to see K. Stew and Rob get married, but then we meet their little half-vampire baby! While we know Mackenzie Foy has been cast as their daughter, we can’t help but imagine what Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s child would look like in real life.

Thanks to some brilliant and very scientific* technology, we have the final product! Don’t know about you guys, but we were a little scarred by the results. Whether they were to have a boy or a girl, this is one scary looking kid! We love Kristen and Robert as a couple, but maybe the two-some should stick to just dating for a while. No need to rush into baby-making just yet.

But don’t take our word for it. Take a look at the R-Patz baby down below and let us know what you think in the comments!

*Our technology is not scientific at all.

Xoxo,
Nikki

Looking for the small something to stuff a stocking? Then Karl Lagerfeld might take your fancy.

While we’re certain he’d like the love, it’s not the designer himself that we’re suggesting you stuff beside a fireplace. Nor can we offer up any of the design talent that has given Lagerfeld a career spanning quite so many decades. Rather it’s a snow globe that caught our eye – a snow globe not only designed by Lagerfeld, but featuring a shilouette of his likeness.

The snow globe also features a quote from the designer

“Mon plus grand luxe est de n’avoir à me justifier auprès de personne”
For those gift recipients who aren’t francophones the quote translates to “My greatest luxury is never to have to justify myself to anyone.” Words to live by!
The Karl Lagerfeld snow globe is available, replete with gold snow flakes (gold snow, not a fan), from Sephora stores $45. And, just so you know, I have a birthday coming up in two weeks…in case you were thinking of the perfect gift for a Fancy Girl!

Xoxo,
Nikki

Cheerleaders are unique in more ways than one. We’ve got talent, athleticism, showmanship, the will to succeed, ambition, beauty, brains, sportsmanship, and the capability to command the attention of thousands of people. It’s no wonder why so many former Cheerleaders grow up to be singers, actors, and even Presidents! Take a look at this list of famous former cheerleaders. (We’re trying our best not to giggle at the style of uniforms way back when!)

George W. Bush
President George W. Bush was a Cheerleader at Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling grew up in Dallas, Texas and was once a Cheerleader at Southern Methodist University, as well as an actor. He went on to produce top rated TV series such as “Charlie’s Angels”, “Melrose Place”, “Fantasy Island”, and “Beverly Hills 90210″ to name a few.

Alicia Silverstone
Alicia was a Cheerleader before her roles in “Clueless” and “Batman”.

Ann-Margret
This Swedish born actress who starred in “Pocketful of Miracles,” “State Fair,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Viva Las Vegas” with Elvis Presley, “Stagecoach,” and “The Cincinnati Kid” was once a Cheerleader.

Cameron Diaz
Cheered for Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California
Could you picture Cam as anything but a perky cheerleader in high school? Check those ’80s-style teased bangs on this Pollyette!

Calista Flockhart
Calista Flockhart of Ally McBeal fame was a high school Cheerleader in Medford, NJ.
Carrie Underwood
Cheered for: Checotah High School, Checotah, Oklahoma. In a part of Carrie’s “All-American Girl” music video, she played a high school cheerleader, which really wasn’t a stretch. The “American Idol” star lent her voice to the Checotah Wildcats when she was a student there.

Cybill Shepperd
Before becoming an actress, Cybill was a Cheerleader and model.
Dakota Fanning
Cheered for Campbell Hall, Los Angeles. Dakota is quite the little daredevil. “I really love doing toe touch baskets,” the cheerleader and two-time homecoming queen told American Cheerleader magazine of her fondness for high-flying stunts.

Deana Carter
Country Singer, Deana Carter, was a Cheerleader and student body President in high school.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower, our thirty-fourth President, excelled in sports including cheerleading.
Eva Longoria
Cheered for Roy Miller High School, Corpus Christi, Texas and Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas
No, that’s not the Joker beneath all that white makeup; that’s Eva during her days cheering on the Javelinas atTAMUK. Think she and fellow “Desperate Housewives” star/former cheerleader Teri Hatcher have herkie competitions during their free time on set?

Fergie
Cheered for Glen A. Wilson High School, Hacienda Heights, Calif.
If you’ve seen the Black Eyed Peas in concert, you know that Fergie loves to flip around on stage. But you would’ve known that if you caught a Wildcats football game back in the early ’90s when Stacy was a pom-pom girl.

Franklin D Roosevelt
Among his many other activities, our thirty-second President, was a football Cheerleader at Harvard.

Halle Berry
Cheered for Heskett Junior High School and Bedford High School, Bedford, Ohio. This model turned actress was a Cheerleader, an honor society member, editor of the school paper, and class president in high school.

Jamie Lee Curtis
Can Jamie’s roles in movies such as “Halloween”, “Prom Night” and “The Fog” where she is known for screaming be attributed to the fact she was once a Cheerleader?
She Cheered for Beverly Hills High School, Beverly Hills, Calif. OK, you caught us. This photo was taken on a Halloween long after JLC graduated from Beverly Hills High. Still, we’re pretty amazed that she’s still got pretty perfect form. Give this lady the spirit stick!

Jessica Simpson
Cheered for Richardson North Junior High School, Richardson, Texas
From Tony Romo to Eric Johnson, Jessica has a pattern of falling for football players. But there’s a reason: As a former cheerleader, it’s her natural inclination!

Jimmy Stewart
Jimmy Stewart made over eighty motion pictures in his career, but before acting he was a Cheerleader.

Katie Couric
Katie is Co-anchor of NBC’s Today show and an Emmy Award winner.

Kathy Griffin
Cheered for: Oak Park High School, Oak Park, Illinois. Shocking but true! This is how Kathy (pictured center) describes her stint as a pom-pom girl: “I was a soccer cheerleader. It doesn’t get nerdier than that. I was fired from the soccer cheerleading squad after one year, which I believe to this day is unprecedented. You have to understand, no one went to the soccer games. In fact, I believe part of my duties as a cheerleader was to bake brownies for the team.” Kathy, it might have something to do with the bent arms in your High V! It’s okay, we still love you, and love that your from our hometown!!!

Kirsten Dunst
Cheered for Notre Dame High School, Los Angeles, Calif. When Kirsten prepped to play Torrance Shipman in “Bring It On,” she didn’t have to learn much about the sport. Why? Because she cheered all through high school until she graduated in 2000, coincidentally the same year the movie came out.

Madonna
Cheered for Rochester Adams High School, Rochester Hills, Michigan
Does it really surprise you that Madonna (pictured center) has said that when she was a high school cheerleader, she liked to provoke her fellow students by baring her underwear and hairy armpits?

Mandy Moore
Cheered for Pop Warner. While she didn’t continue cheering in high school, Mandy was able to use her five years of Pop Warner experience when she played Lana Thomas in 2001′s “The Princess Diaries.”

Megan Fox
Cheered for Morningside Academy, Port St. Lucie,Florida
In 2009 Megan got to relive her rah-rah days when she played a boy-eating cheerleader in “Jennifer’s Body,” which we’re guessing wasn’t much of a stretch from her high school days.

Meryl Streep
Meryl was nominated for her first Academy Award for her role in her first film “The Deer Hunter”. She is also a graduate of Vassar and Yale.

Michael Douglas
Like father, like son. Michael not only resembles his dad, Kirk, but followed in his footsteps as an actor and Cheerleader.

Miley Cyrus
Cheered for Premier Athletics, Nashville, Tenn. Miley Cyrus may not have had a normal high school experience, but at least she got to have somewhat of a normal childhood, which included seven years of shaking pom-poms. Fun Fact: Premier Athletics wears Fancy Face Cosmetics!!!!

Lindsay Lohan
Cheered for Sanford H. Calhoun High School, Merrick, NY
How cute does little Lindsay look in her Calhoun High School cheerleader’s uniform? LiLo shook pom-poms there for the brief time that she attended the Long Island public school. But she’s not the only celeb to have rooted on the Colts: Deborah Gibson’s an alumna of the squad.

Paula Abdul
Cheered for Van Nuys High School, Van Nuys, Calif., and the L.A. Lakers. Paula was homecoming queen, head cheerleader, and voted Most Likely To Succeed in high school. She went on to become a Laker Girl. Paula is a choreographer and singer/songwriter.

Raquel Welch
This sex symbol of the sixties was already hiding from the paparazzi as a cheerleader in highschool.

Reba McEntire
Well known for her Country music, Reba was barrell racer in rodeos and a Cheerleader.

Sally Field
Sally Field is an Academy Award winning actress, who starred in “The Flying Nun”, “Norma Rae”, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, and “Forrest Gump”.

Samuel L. Jackson
This talented actor who starred in “Pulp Fiction”, “Shaft”, “A Time to Kill”, and “Die Hard 3″ was a cheerleader.

Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock attended Arlington’s Washington-Lee High School, where she was a cheerleader and was voted “Most Likely to Brighten Your Day”. She has starred in numerous movies including “Forces of Nature”, “Prince of Egypt”, “Practical Magic”, “Making Sandwiches”, “Hope Floats”, “Speed 2″, “In Love and War”, and “Time to Kill” “The Proposal” and “The Blindside…to name a few!

Steve Martin
This famous comedian can add Cheerleading to his many talents.

Terri Hatcher
Terri Hatcher of Lois and Clark fame, was a SF 49er’s Gold Rush Cheerleader/dancer.

Vanna White
Not surprisingly, Vanna was a Cheerleader before her success on “Wheel of Fortune”.

Xoxo,
Nikki

Stand Up Straight!
Your grandmother, mother and dance teacher were right: Slouching conveys an air of insecurity and timidity. Ever wonder why model Chanel Iman always looks so put together? It’s not just her designer duds; it’s her posture when she wears them. No matter what you have on, standing tall will always project confidence and a smart appearance.

Rock A Pink Pout
Cold weather can drain your complexion of color. A pop of pink will bring out the rosiness in your cheeks and brighten up your entire appearance. Even if you don’t have time for any other makeup, a pretty pink lip like Olivia Wilde’s presents a more polished appearance than going completely bare-faced. Keep your lip color matte for a more mature look.

Get Glowing
Want to know a little secret? We’ve seen Miranda Kerr in person, and her skin is naturally a lot paler than it is in this picture. With all the new illuminators and highlighters on the market, anyone can fake a gorgeous “I just got back from St. Barts” glow in mere minutes

Sport A Sleek Side-Part
You know what’s not Fancy? Flyaways and loose, scraggly ends. Freida Pinto’s low ponytail not only looks sophisticated, it shows off the actress’ delicate bone structure. To copy Pinto’s polished coif, spritz a little hairspray on a comb before running it through your hair. Create a deep side part that’s different from your usual one to avoid flyaways. Leave your hair loose or secure it into a low ponytail with a hair tie that matches your hair color.

Make A Statement
There’s nothing wrong with a little embellishment. Garcelle Beauvais’ outfit may say “casual,” but she makes her look red carpet-ready with the addition of gold statement earrings and a turquoise necklace. Adding a statement necklace or dangling earrings to an outfit will instantly dress up your look and tie together everything you’re wearing, your hairstyle and your makeup.

Wake Up WIth Makeup
Early morning talk show appearances are probably most celebrities’ least-favorite part of the job. Imagine having to wake up at the crack of dawn and immediately go on high-definition television? The horror! Starlets like Ashley Greene never worry; though, because their makeup artists have a little secret for making them look awake and refreshed: White eyeliner. Lining the bottom inner rims of your eyes with white liner makes the whites look whiter (even if you have that lovely morning bloodshot look), and your eye color will pop.

Perfect A Polished Ponytail
When you have to run out the door in five minutes or less and your hair is a hot mess, a polished ponytail is the perfect solution. Every woman should master the ideal ponytail for her face: Maybe yours is in the middle with loose, face-framing bangs like Evangeline Lily. Other women look best in high ponytails that have a bit of volume in the crown. No matter what your ponytail locale, it’s a great go-to hairstyle when you need to look polished in a pinch

Wrap It Up
Looking at Zoe Saldana’s casual girl-about-town outfit, what’s the first thing you notice? The actress’ sunglasses, snakeskin bag or her tie-dyed blue scarf, right? Saldana’s actual clothing was probably the last thing you took note of, which is the genius of accessories. Without her brightly colored scarf and other add-ons, the starlet would be wearing a boring black sweater with leggings. A vibrant scarf is a great way to punch up any outfit.

Accessorize Your ‘Do
Headbands, barrettes and hairpins have come a long way from the ones you wore when as a child: Think hammered leather, bejeweled metallics and patterned ribbons. Evan Rachel Wood’s leather headband by Jennifer Behr gives her prim and polished short hairstyle an edgy flair.

Banish Bushy Brows
Even if you don’t have time for a salon visit, taming your brows will clean up your look in an instant. The key is finding the best brows for your face shape and carefully plucking strays that fall outside those brow lines. Elizabeth Olsen’s thick brows balance out her round face, and the actress keeps them carefully trimmed. If you feel your eyebrows have gotten too bushy, use a small scissor to even out the tops and create a smooth line.

Xoxo,
Nikki

False Eyelashes
The eye area is the most sensitive on the face, so take extra care when removing false lashes. The best method to avoid irritation or damaging your own lashes is to grip the lash from the longest point (the outer corner) and peel inward. High quality lashes can be reused if properly cared for. Be extra delicate when removing them and massage a little makeup remover into the strip. Reshape the lashes and place them back in their case with the lid open so the moisture evaporates.

Face & Body Paint
We love makeup that lasts all day, but makeup with staying power can be stubborn sometimes. You’ve got to bring out the big guns to get it off. My four steps for removing any long-lasting makeup products are remove, dissolve, scrub and cleanse. Start with your favorite makeup remover, follow this with a deep cleansing oil–it can dissolve a lot of residue on the skin. Third, use a scrub to slough away all the stuff the oil brought to the surface. Finally, clean skin with a foaming cleanser.

Face & Body Glitter
When it comes to getting off glitter, which seems to get everywhere and refuses to come off once you put it on, makeup artists agree in a tried-and-true method that you probably already have at home: Scotch Tape ($6). Sounds crazy, but works great! Follow with your cleanser and moisturizer.

Temporary Hair Color
Try Colour Oops or Prell. My number one tip is do not put temporary color on your hair if it has any porosity (dryness) at all. The color will become permanent and stain the cuticle. Wash three times with Prell ($4) or, if your hair is more stubborn, use Color Oops and follow the directions on the bottle.

Hair Extensions
Try TIGI Catwalk Your Highness Weightless Shine Spray ($12) to separate the hair and loosen any sticky material. Then, Clean the hair with a deep cleansing shampoo and conditioner. If that doesn’t work, most beauty supply stores carry a remover specifically for hair extension glue bonds that will take it right out. This process can be a pain in the butt, and no matter what they tell you, bonded hair extensions are extremely damaging. Next year try Clip In extensions! They come in every color imaginable and can be reused over and over again!

Removing Smells
Use a Dry Shampoo like KMS Makeover Spray. When you’re ready to wash it, cleanse hair with a deep cleansing shampoo followed by a deep conditioning treatment/masque and a leave-in serum. If you want a DIY remedy, use fruit juice: Try using grapefruit juice for blondes and tomato juice for brunettes and redheads. While showering, simply rinse through hair before conditioning. This will take away the stench of glue, hair spray, and hair color.

Glittery & Dark Nail Polish
To quickly and easily remove glitter nail lacquer, saturate a cotton ball with The Stripper ($18), place it over your nail and wrap tin foil around it for five minutes. This will lock in heat and allow for easy breezy sparkle removal.

Fake Nails
You will need a glass (must be glass) bowl, and a bottle of pure acetone. Pour a small amount into the bowl and “soak” fingertips. Every 60 seconds, lift nail out, and rub with an acetone soaked cotton pad. Once again, this takes time, so be patient. Do not pull, tear, or file the falsies off. They must melt off–it’s the only way to safely remove them. Always apply plenty of cuticle oil after you have removed the nails to hydrate and condition your nails.

Happy Halloween!

Xoxo,
Nikki

“If you can’t tone it, Tan it!” is one of my favorite expressions. Let’s face it, a golden glow can help erase a thousand flaws, and help to give a healthy radiance to any complexion. Just be aware that when using any tanning products that there is a fine line between having a golden glow, and looking like you rolled around in a bag of Doritos….Yes, you can quote me on that.

Even now, with the Winter fast approaching, it’s the easiest way to give yourself a boost. It is the subtlest, easiest pick me up. Trust me, even though I am Italian, I self tan all year long. It’s 100 times better for you than tanning beds, plus, you won’t speed up your aging process! (and let’s be honest, who dreams of the day they have wrinkles…NO THANK YOU!)

My newest find was introduced to me a few weeks ago, and I have loved the results. SUN Laboratories Ultra Dark Self Tanning Lotion Set gives you everything you need to achieve a realistic tan. Not orange, not stinky, not streaky….perfect!

We caught up with The Self Tanning Queen Sinead Norenius (whose own self tanning line Beautisol is wonderful!) ,and she took the words right out of my mouth:

“This product is one of my favorites! The lotion glides on pretty easily so you can work it into your skin without rushing, which helps prevent any streaking. It has a light almond scent and looks fabulous on your skin right away. Don’t let the guide color scare you! It is pretty dark in the bottle and when it first goes on, but once you massage it into your skin it ends up looking like a “light latte” color. This product gives a really natural color and seems to last longer than some of the others I have tried. ”

Xoxo,
Nikki