Mac Release- Tabloid Beauty

Just wanted to put a little note out about the recent MAC release called Tabloid Beauty. They released a couple new products and the interest with these is the statistics they had done to back up there claims of eyeliner lasting 8 hours or mascara that increases fullness by 112%! I just wanted to touch on the Prep and Prime skin refined zone which is awesome to help reduce pores on your face. This can be applied before your makeup which will help improve the look of your skin after foundation. The statistics and testing on this product are very good showing that there is an immediate reduction in visibility of pores by 37% and with regular use it shrinks the pores by about two thirds. So I think this product can be used for dual use, as a primer to prepare your skin for makeup all the while helping to reduce pores. Healthy skin is the first step in good Makeup application so check out this and all the products in the Tabloid Beauty line at MAC. Feel free to ask me questions or leave comments :)

False Eyelashes Brands & Application

Hello everyone! Tonight I will talk a little about False eyelashes and the simple way I apply them. The photos above reflect two of my favorite eyelash brands. I have probably tried over 100 different brands and will usually only purchase from about five of them. There are so many different types and styles of eyelashes to select from so I hope this can give you a little help in the process. I will only use eyelashes that are made from 100% human hair (These are Sterilized). This is very important because it is not about them looking "real" because many looks I do are not an real looking but more dramatic. It is about them being easier to work with and they are reusable. Some forms of eyelashes that are not human hair are made out of CRAZY things like plastic or foils and those are extremely hard to form to your eye, apply mascara and curl. That does not work because wearing false eyelashes requires more then just sticking them on and walking out the door. With human hair you can apply mascara, curl them, and wash them which is great so you can reuse them. If cleaned properly, you can wear the same pair for about for 1-3 weeks! Ok so back to it, I love, love, Mod Lash which are made by Andrea lashes. For my daily style I wear Mod Lash #45 which is shown on me in the photo above. I only use strip lashes for the top and sometimes use individual lashes for the bottom but I definately prefer strips. When I want to step it up and create a dramatic look for my clients I will often use the Runway Lashes which are made from Ardell. These are part of the Makeup Artist collection and are very popular with celebrities. The Runway lashes are shown in the first picture above. Two other brands I use are; Sherani lashes and Elise, Elise lashes are not average lashes. They are feathers and bright colors which are great for photo shoots just not used for an everyday look. One tip about lashes is that many people apply eyeliner when they wear eyelashes to help cover the false lash line which is good to do when you are learning how to apply. Just remember when you wear eyeliner with them you need to apply your eyeliner after your lashes are on and the glue is dry! One other thing to remember is to apply all your eyeshadow before putting the lashes on. Ok, so here are some steps to take when applying the False eyelashes of your choice.

1)After taking your lashes out of the package, flex them a couple times to help them form better.

2)Hold lash as close to lash line as possible and press them down to see how well they fit. If they are too long take them off and remove a little of the corner with scissors. Check again to make sure fit is correct.

3)Hold your lash at the edge of tweezers and apply a very small line of Duo adhesive to the false lash line. You can do this with the glue tube or apply glue on a toothpick then to the lashes.

4)Hold the lash with glue on it for about 30 seconds to allow the glue to get tacky.

5)Apply the false lash as close to your own lash line as possible and take your tweezers to go along the line and press down gently. Be sure to double check the outer corners to make sure they are holding good.

6)This is optional but if you choose to apply eyeliner then apply it after the glue has dried-note white glue will be clear when dry. You can apply liner on top of the actual false eyelash line or above and blend in any gaps between your lash and the false lash.

7)Curl your lash and the false lashes together making sure not pull on the false lashes.

8)Apply mascara to your own lash and false lash in an upwards motion. After you have applied as many coats as you prefer use a lash comb and brush them again in an upwards motion making all the lashes seperated and going in the same direction. Applying the mascara acts as a second glue by bonding your lashes to the false lashes.

Remember it takes practice and patience for anyone to learn and after a few times you will be a pro! I will be doing another post soon on cleaning false lashes so that you can wear them many times. Below I have added a link of where you can purchase all the lashes mentioned above and the Duo surgical glue. As always, questions and comments are welcomed :)

Duo Surgical Eyelash Adhesive

Today I am talking about Duo Surgical Eyelash Adehesive. People sometimes refer to me as the "Lash Girl" because I never leave the house without my false eyelashes on and it is something I teach many clients to do. I always get many questions about the application and products I use so I am going to make this a 2 part blog. Today I will talk about the glue and for my next post I will discuss some great eyelash brands and have reference photos. Duo glue is by far the best glue I have ever tried and is one of the top rated glues on the market. You can find Duo sometimes at Drug stores but it mainly can be found at MAC, as it is the glue they use, and at many other cosmetic stores. It usually comes in a small white box and has a small white tube with blue writing on it. This glue will work for any false eyelashes including human hair lashes and can be used to glue jewels or other accesories onto the skin. This is 100% safe and gentle to your skin because it is a "surgical glue" and has medical uses also. It is a clear, liquid latex that when exposed to air becomes rubbery in consistency. There are no other glues on the market comparable to this as it is surgical, if it gets in your eyes it clumps together so you can gently remove it. I have very bad eye allergies and my eyes are extremely sensitive and this is the only glue I can use for myself and clients that is non irritating and safe! There is one thing you need to be aware of before you run out to try this glue-they also sell a Duo glue that is non surgical. That glue is a bit stronger but not surgical. I recommend the surgical adhesive as it can hold eyelashes for up to 24hrs, is waterproof and gentle. The non surgical glue comes in clear and dark while the surgical grade only comes in clear. This product usually comes in 1/2 oz tube and sells from 3-6 dollars. I am adding a link below of where to purchase this product but you can also purchase it at MAC. Remember, my next post will be part 2 on this subject so stay tuned for "The best Faux eyelash brands and how to apply them like a Pro." Thank you friends and as always questions and comments are welcomed :)

MAC Viva Glam Aids Fund

Just wanted to make a quick little note about the 2 new Viva Glam Lipsticks released by MAC. I wanted to share this info because it is really cool that Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper have there own lipsticks! Lady Gaga's is a pale pink and Cyndi Lauper's is a Reddish Coral. The tube of lipstick has there autograph on them too which is very cool! Ok but the reason I wanted to share these is because these are part of the MAC Aids program so all proceeds go to an Aids fund that MAC works with. So you can get a really cool lipstick for $14.00 and your money will help a great cause!

Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil

Tonight I am talking about the Anastasia brow pencil. I usually use a MAC brow pencil but decided to try something new to add to my kit. Anastasia products have been respected in the industry so I picked there basic eyebrow pencil, called the Perfect brow pencil in Ash Blonde. Let me tell you how pleasantly suprised I was at the quality of this product! It differs so much from a regular brow pencil in that it is like a soft crayon in pencil form. Many people find problems in brow pencils whether they are filling in, darkening, or drawing a brow. Problems are usually caused with regular pencils being dry, making it harder to apply with less consistent color. If you experience this problem you should definately give this product a try! It went on so smoothly for me, stayed consistent in color and blended well with my brows. They offer 6 colors; Ash Blonde, Blonde, Strawburn, Medium Ash, Brunette, and Ultimate Brown. You will have no problem finding a good match for your coloring. I also wanted to mention that Anastasia has a full line of products including the Brow Enhancing Serum. This is a liquid gel that you apply to sparse hair and it regenerates and increases brow growth. Most brow serums currently on the market offer this same result in 3-6 month time span while this is 4-6 weeks. I am going to try this out and let everyone know how it works. Although, it is going to be very hard for me not to wax my eyebrows for 6 weeks, eeek scary, but I will give it a try. I will take a before and 6 week later photo so we can all see if this is really worth the $36 for a small tube. So stay tuned for more of the Brow growth serum and go and get yourself an Anastasia brow pencil. Questions and comments are welcomed :)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer

Hello again. I have missed a few blogs but plan to do a couple to catch up. Tonight I am going to talk about a staple in my work kit, I rarely do a clients Makeup without using this- The Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer. This primer comes in a tube with a sponge applicator and is very similar to a liquid concealer. I use the original eyeshadow primer which is a "sheer nude" color. I apply this from the lashline to the brow line and gently blend it with my ring finger, or you could use a soft sponge. This gives a sheer, matte coverage to your eyelids before applying shadows. This product can be used on many different skin types and works wonderfully for people with fair skin that have visible veins on there eyelids. I have tried many different eyeshadow primers and this is by far THE BEST! First it neutralizes your skin color then provides a great base for your shadows. After applying it just apply your shadows as usual and you will be pleasantly surprised! Your eyeshadow will stick to the primer making them brighter and more vibrant, it does not crease and your shadow can last 24 hours as it has for me! If you love to play with eyeshadow colors this is the product for you. I have worked with clients and used this product and they have called me the next day to say there eyeshadow was still on and looked great. It is also great for people who live in a humid climate or during the summer as our skin has more oil, our Makeup tends to run or not last as long. If you try this product, you will never have that problem again. Urban Decay just recently released another eyeshadow primer, it is exactly the same as this except it is lightly colored. This one is called Sin, and has a shimmery champagne effect. If you try that one it is best used as your primer and base eyeshadow, as it works as both. Just apply your color after and leave the primer as your base color. Ok, well hope everyone gets a chance to try this great product. Again, questions and comments are welcomed..

Kevyn Aucoin

So today I thought I would write a little about Kevyn Aucoin, former celebrity Makeup Artist. Although he is deceased, his work lives on in books and the Kevyn Aucoin Makeup line. I admire his work and have learned so much of what I do from his super informative books. I literally grew up looking at the pictures and transformations in his books in complete awe. His books inspired me to become a Makeup Artist even as a young girl. To this day, years after his death, his work is still used as a sort of prototype for todays Artists. If you are interested in Makeup, whether it be to improve your own look or to expand your skills as an Artist pick up a copy of one of his books. He published three books during his life; The Art Of Makeup, Making Faces and Face Forward. A fourth book published after his death, called Kevyn Aucoin: A Beautiful Life, this book has some Makeup tips but focuses on his life and works. I always suggest that people purchase Making Faces, which for me has been my "refer to" book for tips and inspiration. This book covers the basics from A-Z for beginners to advanced Artists. In this book he not only gives everyday tips but uses celebritites and transforms them to look like different people. Some of the celebrities featured in this book include; Winona Ryder, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Demi Moore and Courtney Love to name a few. You will be amazed at how Makeup application can transform or just bring forward your beauty. Lastly, I would like to say to pay close attention to how Kevyn Aucoin shares how each cosmetic or tool can have many uses in very non conventional ways. Some of the tricks that I use I will share when I finish my post on tips and tricks. Thank you and of course questions and comments are welcomed :)

NARS Orgasm Illuminator

Ok, so for my first blog I am going to talk about and give my review of a new product from NARS. This cosmetic line is second to MAC in my favorite products used on myself and clients. NARS just released a skin Illuminator called "Orgasm." I highly recommend this product for all skin types and skin tones as it is universal in color. This shimmery liquid gives a glowing, fresh, dewy look to your skin. It is very lightweight and can be used many different ways. You can use this product alone if you do not wear foundation, it can be applied before foundation, or you can mix a little with your liquid foundation. I prefer to mix the products in order to get the full effect, while wearing it under your foundation can diffuse the effect. You can apply it all over your face, neck or chest to give a clean, illuminating effect. Using illuminators and face highlighters are great products to use when you will be photographed. Cameras can make our skin appear dull and this illuminator can reverse this making your skin in photos look bright and healthy. Another tip I like to use is to dab and blend a small amount of the NARS Illuminator on your brow bone, underneath your brow line. This helps to define your brow and brighten your eyes. You can purchase this NARS product at Sephora. Questions and comments are welcomed : )