JoAnn M. Romeo Aesthetics

The good news: Your eyelash extensions look fabulous. A common question for people considering eyelash extensions ask, “Can I wear makeup with them?”. The answer is thankfully “Yes!”. The bad news is half your eye-makeup collection needs to go. Eyelash extensions can last for up to six weeks, but wearing the wrong makeup can lead to lash fallout and extension damage, dramatically decreasing the length of time your lash extensions look full and fabulous. For a lot of women, eyelash extension alone make them look feminine, awake, and put together. Many women feel comfortable wearing only eyelash extensions! However, this is not always the case for everyone. Eyelash extensions aren’t going to fix acne, scarring, discoloration, dark circles, or other skin concerns. And even with the pretty and sometimes dramatic statement of lashes you will still want some pretty shading and definition on your eyes. That’s great! Here are some tips and ideas for showcasing and pre...

There are a lot of tips that I can give, but as mentioned in my previous blog, there is  general information or teaching and specific information or teaching. What do I mean by this, according to Webster Dictionary.... relating to or affecting  all  people or things in a group; relating to the main or major parts of something rather than the details – not specific .

How many of you out there have watch YouTube Video or read “How to” instructions in magazines? Did it look like the picture or person in the video? If not, and most likely it did not, it is because this is considered general information or teaching vs. specific information or teaching. What do I mean by this, according to Webster Dictionary.... relating to or affecting  all  people or things in a group; relating to the main or major parts of something rather than the details – not specific .

FOUNDATION: So if BB and CC creams provide some decent coverage and even skincare benefits, is this the end of traditional foundation as we know it? I don’t think so. Traditional foundations can be custom mixed, and this highlights probably the most important difference between all these BB, CC, DD creams, and tinted moisturizers usually come in only a few shades. Foundations come in dozens of shades, ensuring a more exact skin match. Personally, these creams are kind of like a shampoo and conditioner all-in-one, it does not give the exact finish you want. Some makeup artists like to use some BB and CC creams as primers, then put on the foundation. BB, CC, and DD creams can be convenient products for people looking for the all-in-one sun protection, hydration, and complexion camouflage, but the reality is that there is nothing particularly revolutionary or special about them. Most Western-style BB creams are tinted moisturizers, and most CC creams are lightweight foundation...

CC CREAMS: The difference between BB and CC creams are subtle. CC generally stands for “color correcting” and the products are meant to address issues like redness or sallowness (usually with light-diffusing particles), where BB creams are like lighter foundation with a few skin care benefits thrown in. CC creams are a variation on the BB cream to separate their products from the glut of options out there. CC creams generally provide more coverage than BB creams but not always, and are pitched as being formulas that can cover flaws as well as provide skin benefits, but they don’t always do that. CC creams are more of a whipped, light, fluffy feel and finish, kind of a new and improved BB cream. Where BB and CC creams get most confusing is the benefits and coverage, which vary greatly between different brands. You would have to be diligent in reading the ingredients and most importantly, trying them out to figure which is best for your of what you want to do. Truth, is a g...

BB CREAMS: BB creams were originally developed in Germany and used for skin care following a cosmetic surgical procedure. “BB” stood for “Blemish Balm” (blemish referring to any skin imperfection, not just breakouts). They caught on big in Korea, and then became a must-have beauty product in most of East Asia, therefore they are known to be an Asian important. They have become super popular in the last 2 years here in the US.  When these products hit the US market, they were renamed as Beauty Balms. Regardless of the country, the main selling point of BB creams is that they provide some amount of coverage similar to a sheer foundation along with some extra perks. Therefore they are lighter than a foundation but heavier than a tinted moisturizer. What are these extra perks? They are sun protections, skin lightening, and anti-aging ingredients. An all-in-one product for daytime. While the additives in the BB creams can have the same efficiency as they would in stand-alone...

If you've been reading and seeing while shopping for cosmetics lately, you are seeing a new group of products referred to as BB, CC, or DD creams, which is a genuine alphabet soup or a lot like shopping for bras. But what do they all (supposedly) do? What’s the difference between them? And most importantly: which should you use? These among other questions, have been brought to me as a skin therapist in my treatment room. These flesh colored fluids are just another formulation that have joined the tinted moisturizers and standard foundations on the shelves as potential skin-perfecting options. These are new products, all with enticing claims. These creams are supposed to do everything from fading dark spots and healing breakouts to fighting wrinkles, lightening dark circles, and brightening skin tone. Who wouldn't be intrigued with these particulars? Truth be told, there is not a ton of differences between the various skin cream acronyms, but we can have a favorite in...

Now that the sun is shining and we are shedding our Winter layers, we are feeling motivated to refresh our beauty look with new hairstyles and pops of color on our faces. There is no better place to look for inspiration than the tops looks from Spring 2015 New York Fashion Week! It is finally time to take those stunning looks from the catwalk and re-create them in real life. This spring, take a fearless and original approach as a makeup artist by dipping into some extremely expressive shades. This season, the colors are as shocking as they are soft – just as in nature. With colors reaching from earth to sky, Spring 2015 captures the organic beauty of the American Southwest in high-impact hues that inspires casual chic looks. “Spring 2015 is inspired by one of the world’s most naturally beautiful color palettes. From breathtaking blue skies to gleaming desert sands, giving the women the freedom to create a look to match any mood.” – Rick DiCecca This season’s collection foc...

Last week I spoke about reassessing your skincare routine. This week I want to talk about reassessing your makeup bag. Spring and fall is when I reassess my makeup in my makeup bag. Why? There are several reason, which are listed below: To pick new colors for the season. Bacteria and germs gather from mixing powder colors and become dirty. There is a shelf life to makeup. What is the shelf life of your makeup? Powder based products: 2-3 year Liquid Foundation: up to 1 year Lipstick and Lip Gloss: 2 years Lip Liner: 1-2 years Mascara and Liquid Eyeliner: 2-3 months Pencil Eyeliner: 2-3 years Bottom line…when in doubt, throw it out! Why? So that you do not risk getting an infection. Some makeup’s have an obvious sign that they have gone bad, while others do not. Next time you buy something new, mark the date that you opened it with a sharpie. Makeup brushes should also be part of this routine for cleaning or changing. Why? Your makeup brushes can also h...