Makeup Inspiration - Glowing Skin

Almost every bride that sits in my chair for a consultation has the same request "I want to glow!" Well, there are so many amazing products available that will help you do just that - glow. Over the the years I have discovered many and have compiled a list of some of my favorites below. Please enjoy and let me know which ones you love most!

1. Lancome Color Fever Lip Gloss in Inferno, $26

2. Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights Bronzer in Dusk, $30

3. St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion, $40

4. Nars Monoii Body Glow II, $59

5. Lancome Star Bronzer Aqua Stick in Diva, $39

6. Nars BronzingPowder in Laguna, $34

7. Dior Matte Bronzer in Amber, $45

8. Nars Illuminators, $30

9. Smashbox O-Gloss Gold Intuitive Lip Gloss, $22

10. MAC Cosmetics Pigment in Melon, $20

11. Nars Shimmer Eyeshadow in Goldfinger, $24

12. Benefit Sun Bean, $26

13. Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Powder, $49

14. Tarte Mineralize Bronzer in Hotel Heiress, $29

15. Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, $19

16. Nars Body Glow, $59

17. Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Shimmer Cheek Glow, $39

18. MAC Cosmetics Luster Drops in Sun Rush, $20

19. The Body Shop Brush-on-Beads, $21

20. Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion, $26

21. MAC Cosmetics Extra Dimension Highlighter in Glorify, $29

22. Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Silk Road, $34

23. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Beige, $39

24. Sally Hansen Airbrush Shimmer, $3.75

Loving - Model in a Bottle

"How long will my makeup last?"

“Will it stay on all night?"

 "Do need to touch up throughout the night?"

These are some of the most frequently asked questions I receive from my clients during our consultation. I always reassure them that their makeup won’t move! One of my tricks for helping me live up to this promise is Model in a Bottle setting spray.  I love this product because it really works! When I use this spray on my clients, I have full confidence that their makeup will remain intact all night. A generous spray across their face is always the last step in my makeover process. I have been using this on all of my clients since I first discovered years ago and it hasn’t let me down yet!

You have to give it a try! Are you a believer? I'd love to hear how you like it!

Loving - Physicians Formula phMatchmaker lip gloss

image by Fashionably Wed via physiciansformula.com

Remember the popular mood lipstick of the late 80s? What  about the mood ring? Well, Physicians Formula pHMatchmaker lip gloss has brought back the trend of mood adjusting lip color but with a modern approach. I happened to find this amazing product while on a quest for the perfect fuchsia high shine gloss. I ended up finding the perfect color and even more! What makes this product so unique is how it contains, as their site explains, "Fluorescein Based Dye [which] senses the pH level of your skin & adjusts within 60 seconds to create your perfect shade." How cool is that! The color will look different of everyone plus I also noticed that the color remains like a lip stain, even after the gloss has worn off. It also has a built in mirror and LED light for easy touch ups. I'm loving this product and you will too - give it a try!

Loving - Beauty Blender Sponge

I absolutely adore my Beauty Blender sponges. I waited a while before purchasing one, didn't want to be so quick to drink the Kool-Aid, if you know what I mean. Then I ended up going back to buy two more. I'm drinking & serving up the Kool Aid now - trust me it's magical! I love how easily it smooths and blends different textures. Just dampen the sponge with a bit of water and you're ready to blend away. It works its magic on everything from primers to liquid foundations and creamy concealers - a flawless finish every time. It's different from ordinary makeup sponges for several reasons, starting with that bright pink color. Since most cosmetic sponges are just plain white, this one makes a bold statement. Then there is the texture, it's super soft to the touch yet still firm enough to get the job done. Another aspect that makes this sponge so revolutionary is its shape, it fits comfortably in your hand and the pointed tip maneuvers in between all the crevices of the face effortlessly. This product makes you think, "what did we do before the Beauty Blender?" Kinda like the question, "what did we do before the Internet." It's just that innovative!

Does the Beauty Blender have you under it's spell? Is it really fabulous or am I, as June Ambrose has been know to say, just drinking my own Kool Aid? Please let me know what you think!

Makeup Inspiration - Drugstore Favorites

Don't drink the Kool-Aid, it's not necessary to go to a  high-end cosmetic counter in a swanky department store to find good quality beauty products. To prove it, I've compiled a list of some of my favorite beauty goodies that are available right at your local drugstore. And the best part is you'll find them at a bargain price!

1.      Burt’s Bees - lip balm, $3

2.      L’oreal - Elnett satin hair spray, $15

3.      Revlon - Colorburst lipstick in fuchsia, $8

4.      T. N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel, $6

5.      Duo - lash adhesive, $8

6.      Essie - nail polish, $8

7.      Revlon – Moon Drops lipstick creme in orange flip, $9

8.      L’oreal – Lineur Intense felt tip liquid eyeliner, $9

9.      Cetaphil – daily facial cleanser, $8

10.   Revlon - Photo Ready foundation, $10.50

11.   Ardell - Accents (love Demi Wispies) false lashes, $4

12.   L’oreal -  Voluminous mascara in carbon black, $6

13.   Palmer’s - Cocoa Butter Formula w/ Vitamin E lotion, $6

Bridal Gift Idea - Birchbox

images via birchbox.com

Birchbox is a fun gift idea for brides-to-be or anyone obsessed with beauty products. If you’ve never heard of Birchbox, it’s a unique beauty company that offers a monthly subscription to a beauty box  filled with 5-6 deluxe samples that are delivered to your door once a month.  If you love surprises like me, for just $10 a month you can receive a variety of beauty samples ranging from skincare to fragrance by established and or new companies.  No worries, cancellation is available at any time and there is no additional charge for shipping. The memberships also come in 3 and 6 month gift cards which make for a fabulous bridesmaid gift idea.

Also on the site you can find a wide variety of popular beauty products available for purchase.  One of their more unique products offered is the Limited Edition: Here Comes The Bride Birchbox. Here are some details according their site: “These days, it seems like everyone we know is getting hitched. In honor of all our favorite brides-to-be, we’ve created a special collection that makes the perfect gift. There’s everything she needs for her journey to the aisle, from a purifying botanical skincare set to the cutest customizable stationery. A $140 value!” What a great way to make a bride feel special and pampered!   

Have you ever purchased a Birchbox for yourself or as a gift? I’d love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment!

Must Have Holiday Sets

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

That's right, the holiday season is in full swing and

the cosmetic industry never disappoints this time of year.

(Click CONTINUE for all the details on these fabulous holiday sets)

Pictures of My Weekend

Who doesn't love something free? I know I do. Dear Gap, thanks for the FREE jeans!


A few of the weapons in my arsenal!


Used my Z Palette for the first time!


Had a blast making over this bride and her daughter/bridesmaid.


They truly looked like rockstars!


My little cousin "the actress" celebrating her 1st birthday at Chuck E Cheese. Check out her film debut in the movie, Due Date, in theaters now! Happy Birthday Kennedy!!!

LOVING - Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Palette

 

Urban Decay Naked Palette, $44

I am a huge fan of palettes! I love them because you always get more bang for your buck. This Naked Palette not only comes with 12 large eye shadows but it also comes with a doubled ended 24/7 eyeliner and mini Primer Potion.

What I love about it:   

• Texture: Rich texture and pigmentation for all 12 of the glitter, shimmer and matte shadows.
• Benefits: A lot of bang for your buck -12 shadows, double ended eye liner and a primer.
• Versatility: The shadows are from nude to midnight blue which means the possibilities are endless!

Check out a look that Julie did on her YouTube Channel - I just love it!

IMATS LA 2010

My first time attending the IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) was a blast! Imagine a convention center jam packed with 119 cosmetic vendors and 9,000 makeup junkies. Amazing!

I must admit I was quite overwhelmed by sheer abundance of people when I first stepping into the show. Just check out the crowds!

I love brushes so much which is why the Royal Langnickel Brushes booth was my first stop. Their brushes are exceptional quality and an unbeatable price!

1. Large Kabuki (synthetic) $6
2. Powder Fluff (natural) $10
3. Line & Smudge (natural) $5
4. Dome Powder Pointed (natural) $13
5. Talkon Contour (synthetic) $8
6. Complexion (natural) $10
7. Baby Dome (natural) $8
8. Small Stippler (synthetic) $7

The quality of these brushes is amazing. They are made from sturdy wood handles and soft dense fibers comparable to MAC's. I'm sure they will last for many years.

Then I browsed  through looking at some of the most talked about booths.  I bought a couple things from: Naked Beauty, Miss Adore, Youngblood Cosmetics, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics & NYX.

I also had fun meeting the popular YouTube Makeup Gurus like:

Cute sisters Blair & Elle! Check out their channels here and here.

The very fun & talented Kandee Johnson!

 And the very creative Julie G!

These talented young ladies were all so nice and boy were they popular!

Overall the show was much more than I expected. My favorite parts were taking advantage of the discounts at the booths and the fabulous fashion show.  Needless to say I will be attending the IMATS again next year!

LOVING - Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars

Blending different colors and textures is absolutely one of my favorite techniques to use on clients. I love to mix it up! The Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars are perfect for blending with your favorite lip products.

 Lip Tars in Cha Cha & Hush, $12.50

What I love about them:

• Formula: 100% vegan, contains Vitamin E, Hemp Oil & Peppermint Oil
• Texture: the perfect balance of light & creamy 
• Benefits: intense color which means a little goes a long way
• Versatility: wide range of colors that are perfect for color correction & enhancement

LOVING - Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

It's so fun to share about beauty products that I've fallen in love with! Every week I will attempt to share about something in world of beauty that I think is extra special. This week the eyes have it!

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, $24

What I love about it:

• Formula: gentle & fragrance free
• Texture: super smooth & perfectly balanced (not too dry or oily)
• Benefits: enhances the life of eyeshadow without creasing, hence the name "smudge proof"
• Versatility: works well with all types of shadows - creams & powders

Give it a try I'm sure you'll love it too! And when you do let me know what you think!