Some of my secrets for looking beautiful
I have noticed over the years that many women have difficulty applying a makeup foundation smoothly and evenly. Of course, choosing the right foundation for your skin type is key, however, there are steps, which should be taken to prepare your skin first, to help achieve that sheer and flawless look. I always start with a good cleansing and I really love Yonka Crème Nettoyant. I follow with Yonka toner lotion and then moisturize with Yonka Pample Mousse. My facial ‘canvas’ is now ready.
MaryCurran, my hair and makeup expert, and I both agree that it is critical to begin any makeup coverage with a good primer, and on me, Mary likes to use Lorac Aqua Prime oil-free primer. Apply it evenly to the face and neck using a sponge, foundation brush, or your finger-tips. Then, comes the foundation and lately, we’ve been using Chanel Mat Lumiere long lasting soft-matte – SPF 15. Use the same technique of blending evenly with a sponge or foundation brush, applying the foundation lightly over the jaw line. The old rule that less is more is also true here – you only need enough to lightly cover the face, and by using products that contain SPF, you will help protect and preserve your skin from sun damage.
After the foundation comes the concealer and we love Yves Saint Laurant Touche Edat Radiant Touch. This light, highlighting concealer is applied under the eyes, blending outward using a brush or fingertips. And here’s a good tip from Mary – If the concealer you already have doesn’t go on smoothly enough, try mixing it with a touch of your foundation to change its consistency – it works like a charm! Mary says that by following these basic steps, you should easily obtain the flawless and youthful skin that we all desire. Here are some of Mary’s secrets for applying gorgeous makeup.
Dear Martha
Mary Curran must really know her stuff because in your recent photos with Richard Gere you look gorgeous, really pretty
Although I find that Polish people, are often very beautiful. And lately you appear to be aging in reverse and looking younger. So what you do health and otherwise works.
So sorry about the puppy
hope you get another one soon.
How lucky to have a make up artist.
michele
Posted by: michele | March 15th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
She does a wonderful job with your hair and make-up. You always look radiant.
Posted by: Jenna Lang | March 16th, 2009 at 4:50 am
Thanks for sharing your tips with us. I really enjoyed hearing Mary's story of her rise to Martha fame.
Posted by: MellyG | March 16th, 2009 at 5:13 am
It's true, Martha! - you don't look your age at all! In my humble opinion, you've never looked better! In the TV Macy's commercials, you look absolutely fabulous, and I especially loveloveLOVE you in the color yellow (with your blonde hair). You obviously are doing something right! Gee whiz, I'm twenty or so years your junior, and your flexibility (due to Yoga) is far superior to my own. (And) I do believe that a good diet is contributory to healthy skin and hair (and good looks overall, in general!)
I practice a good skin care regime and wear makeup each day. I always joke that I am absolutely dead, though, without my "eyes" (mascara!) and find applying mascara is the most tedious of the process (and I have long lashes [go figure]!). In fact, a brand that I've been using for 18 years has recently been clumpy when brand-new (several times), so me-thinks I'm going to have to shop for a new brand, and for me, it's got to be just so!...(Big sigh!) I'm not looking forward to the "hunt"!
Thank you, Martha, for inspiring us to be the best that we absolutely can be - in all the facets that make us up as individuals.
=^..^=
"Do not forget little kindnesses, and do not remember small faults."--Chinese Proverb
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | March 16th, 2009 at 6:17 am
(pssst. martha. hop on over to see your look-alike.)
Posted by: Absolutely Not Martha | March 16th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Mary Curran, those of us with your dark hair, need instructions for us, not everyone is blond.. Thank you!
Posted by: Sheila Radford | March 16th, 2009 at 7:30 am
I have been using the same Chanel foundation for many years....there is nothing like it for natural-looking great coverage. I also love their eye shadows, mascara and long lasting lip gloss. Have tried others over the years, but always end up going back to Chanel. Nice to know your make up expert approves.
Posted by: lil | March 16th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Martha,
I am sure Mary is uber-talented but I will also venture that much of your beauty comes from within.
Posted by: The Cotton Wife | March 16th, 2009 at 10:09 am
where do you purchase yonka products?
Posted by: maryshubert | March 16th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Love your very natural look and thank you for sharing with us the products that are used to achieve your look. My issue (as i age...now 62)is with eye makeup...i can't seem to get eye shadow to adhere nicely even when using a good MAC product underneath to help it along. I've kind of stopped wearing it as i don't want to look like a *painted* lady...
Posted by: Sherey | March 16th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Thank you for addressing Makeup products/techniques for people like us, of "a certain age", who are 50+ yet still attractive and active. But having a make-up artist work on your canvas is entirely different from applying the makeup by yourself, particularly when one's eyes arent what they used to be and the 5X mirror no longer cooperates unless one keeps the glasses on. Have you ever tried to apply eye shadow or liner while wearing your glasses? It's why so many women get disenchanted when this happens and end up not wearing any make up at all (or worse, looking like a clown).
I would like to see a number of issues addressed in your posts or TV shows:
1. How to find and assess an image consultant in one's geographical area. Women in the forties and fifties are likely in need of making style changes in their appearance, from makeup to hair to clothing. Young women would benefit from this too, as many return to work when their children grow up. SOme others may want to make changes after losing a lot of weight and find they have no idea where to begin.
2. Hair styles/colors/products for women who do not color their hair (from salt and pepper to platinum white, this is a marketing group that is NOT addressed. Ditto for makeup that works for this group). And please use models that represent our market segment.
3. Real clothes, at real prices - and let's not forget THE shoes. At 45 and 55+ one does not wear spikes for 10 hours at work, yet there are no fashionable shoes with a comfortable heel for the mature business woman. I live in Florida and many business women here (college grads even) still make 22-30K per year; I know this is also true for other areas of the country, geographically removed from large metropolitan areas. It's hard for us to afford those, Northeast big-city prices, you know!
I enjoy your shows, I read the magazine(s) and I love your crafting products: everything is quality and class. I am sure you could address these issues with the same care as everything else you take an interest in. Thank you for this opportunity to make suggestions - and continued success for all your personal & professional endeavors.
Posted by: Vianna | March 16th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Love it ... I agree w/ the others, you have beautiful skin. Skincare is so important, so thanks for sharing some of your techniques w/ us!
Posted by: Carly | March 16th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Well, she certainly does an outstanding job on Martha's makeup--she always looks fantastic! Of course Mary has a great canvas to begin with.
Posted by: April Steele | March 17th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Martha, you look fabulous! Thanks for the tips, your beauty is lovely and natural. I always start my routine with a good cleanser, toner and moisturizer too.
Posted by: Christine | March 17th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Hello Martha, I am retired military Air Force and I thought of an excellent marketing idea for all the world can enjoy. I think it would be nice if you could codify your recipes into baseball cards like formats with recipes and photos of yourself so families and friends alike can enjoy and trade recipe cards and collect them which can be past on to generation to generation as collectibles. Ideally to venture even more perhaps celibrities can give you their favorite meals and photo with their recipe for specialty cards.
Respectively,
Leo
Posted by: Leo Birch III | March 17th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Hi Martha,
I noticed you knew how to hold a knive and fork when eating lunch at Richard's restaurant. Perhaps when you next visit you can give Richard and his wife a lesson. I would love to know your views on table etiquette particularly with Americans. I bet Hillary Clinton knows how to hold a knife and fork properly. Maybe a a possible discussion topic on your show?
Rick (US Expat)
Posted by: Rick Sawicki | March 18th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Martha: Keep on looking great. Are you attending your 50th reunion this year?
I had mine last year here on South Coast of Oregon......it was probably the best of all of them. I enjoy all that you do and so sorry about the puppy....
In my dreams I would love to come spend a day at any of your homes, hang out and see you in action.....in the garden, on the horses, etc.
You are a remarkable woman.
Posted by: Kay | March 19th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hi Martha, I think you would look good even without makeup. You have such a beautiful & sweet face. The makeup only enhances your wonderful good looks. JoAnn
Posted by: JoAnn Pochciol | March 20th, 2009 at 10:19 am
TerribleTim is with you Martha. How do you respond to someone on twitter? It is confusing, maybe even useless.
Here is a link that TerribleTim dedicates to Martha Stewart. Spread love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdyZWryIQGE
Posted by: TerribleTim | March 22nd, 2009 at 10:50 am
Martha,
I am so glad you now provide more beauty and fashion help to us. Thank you.
I think you have a lot of good advice.
I just received my April issue of Martha Stewart Living and I thought the section on beautiful blazers was awesome. (I also enjoyed reading about Prague.)
If you can't live like a rich woman at least you can live vicariously through her. Thank you.
Your friend,
Sonia
P. S. The articles on Easter and Spring crafts and food were great also.
Posted by: Sonia | March 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hi Martha, Now I see why you look so beautiful all the time on your TV show, in your magazine, on your website, on your blog, etc. You have two of the best hair and makeup experts I've ever seen! Eva Scrivo and Mary Curren are great at what they do. Dani sure looks great on this blog! Thanks for explaining all of the different beauty products and how to use them. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 28th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hi Martha, yes you do look wonderful at your age, good eating habits are a must.
I don't wear make-up never have, well except for eyeliner.
My skin looks dreadful and I have tried many creams.
Now using Dr. Weil's ORIGINS, and using it faithfully and my skin seems to look dull, some lines etc.
My skin seems to drink up the moisture.
Can you suggest a great cream for me.
I am 69 although healthy my face looks blah!!!
And stares at me every morning
Thanks
Posted by: Beverly Boisen | April 5th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Hi Martha. I wasn't sure where to enter this post. You always look great and I just wanted to comment on something you were wearing on last week's show. It aired Tuesday April 7th. You were wearing the most beautiful necklace. It was a pearl necklace I think. It really looked so beautiful with the green blouse. What a great colour on you.
Posted by: Debbie Panton | April 10th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Martha, I truly enjoy watching your show every day, and I have been a fan of yours for many years. A friend and I were lucky to get tickets to the taping of your April 20 Colour Show broadcast, and came from Toronto/Thornhill, Canada to be part of your studio audience. During our 3 day stay in New York, we were also able to get hair appointments with stylist Mary Curran, who was fantastic. The theme of "customer service" that is an integral part of your approach really came through in our contact with Mary. She called me to confirm our appointment several times and made sure all would go smoothly. We were treated like VIP's by Mary and the salon staff. You and your team bring many great ideas and inspiration to my home. Many thanks, now, for a wonderful New York experience.
Posted by: Blanca Abramson | May 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
You are looking radiant recently! thanks for sharing your secrets! I love Lorac's products, especially their blush, which I buy on the cheap at Shop.com: http://www.shop.com/LORAC_Blush_Pink-100620035-p!.shtml
Keep on dispensing the beauty advice. I'd give anything to look as good as you.
Posted by: KatLuvsShoes | July 3rd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I just love your hair!!!!! Could you post pics so I can take them to my stylist?
You look so young!!!
Thanks -- love your show.
Posted by: Patty Simrall | July 7th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Just wanted to say how very much I admire you, Martha. I have watched your television shows for years and love your magazines. Your unending talents just astonish me. Just wanted you to know how much I enjoy everything you do and I pray for you and wish you every happiness.
Posted by: Suzanne Taylor | August 28th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Dear Martha -
Your beauty regimen really works - you look terrific! My question is this, I love your clothes. No offense, but they are age appropriate, sophisticated and see to fit your build soooo well. PLEASE share the names of the designers you where and where we can purchase. I am currently unemployed, a little overweight and busty. I need to find longer shirts that cover hips, go around my bust and with 3/4 sleeves or long sleeves. Everything you wear meets my criteria. I need to find clothing (tops especially) that I can wear with pants or skirts. HELP!!!!!
Sue
Posted by: Susan Weit | September 25th, 2009 at 11:12 am