BeyondBlushing...

New Obsessions....

2011-01-29T14:16:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder if I will grow out of my little obsession I have with cosmetics, skin care products, and fragrances. My prediction is no. It's so much fun! The last couple of weeks I have been playing with a look that just feels soft, dewy, and fresh. I was inspired to do this look because of one product: Rain's lipgloss in Peach Midler. It's such a perfectly pretty peach lipgloss. With a subtle sparkle and lots of shine it's what I consider a PERFECT lipgloss. Not sticky or thick but emollient and conditioning. It's awesome and Rain offers a great variety of colors!

So with my Peach Midler lipgloss I just thought it deserved a soft and pretty look to showcase it. NARS illuminator in "orgasm" was the perfect product to mix in with my tinted moisturizer for my dewy glow. It's such a beautiful effect. Clean and soft. I've kept it very simple with my eye makeup. I start with Kat Von D's eye shadow primer (it's super good!)layered with Midnight Cowboy Rides Again (a neutral eyeshadow with lots of sparkle). Then a sweep of liquid liner in black for a sultry cat-eye followed by a few layers of black mascara. Voila! My look is complete! Takes me 10 minutes top to get ready and I feel like I have a great day look for work or a casual weekend day! For now, it's a simple look that I love all inspired by a great lipgloss!

What will inspire me next....?

happy holidays!

2010-12-07T20:36:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go? Much has changed in my life since my last post. I got my first official teaching job, received my masters degree, and started getting grey hair. Boo. I'm sure all of the above relate to each other some way some how : ) The things that have stayed constant and have provided me much escape from my hectic life is spending time with my family and my pursuit/past-time/obsession with messing around with cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance.

To be honest, there hasn't been much time for playing with new products. I've stuck with my tried and true products and have narrowed the time it takes for me to get ready in the wee hours of the morning to about 20 minutes. My faithfuls remain to be: That Gal primer (benefit cosmetics) mixed with, either face & body foundation (mac)or a tinted moisturizer by either Urban Decay or Benefit (I still can't pick a favorite between the two), Sugarbomb (benefit) or Orgasm (NARS) or Sin (NARS)or Pink Swoon (MAC) for blush (just depends on my mood--and outfit), Kat Von D's awesome eye primer, and then a quick application of a neutral eyeshadow (all different brands), still lots of eyeliner--I like MAC's powerpoint eyeliners and Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliners, Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara by Tarte, and finally lipgloss (any will do--but Sephora brand seems to be my favorite of late)! Of course I finish myself off with either a quick spritz of a fragrance or a quick swipe of a rollerball--Luv (Sharon Bolton) is still at the top of my most favorite of all fragrances--and it's time to reorder! All that and I'm ready for my day and feeling put together!

Now that the holidays are upon us, I find myself taking time to stroll through the cosmetic department at our Macy's here in Temecula. My has that department changed since I worked there several years ago. Yes we had all the usual counters, Benefit, MAC, Clinique, Chanel, Estee Lauder, Lancome, etc.. But now the department is bursting at the seams with many of the amazing lines in the cosmetic world--just a few fantastic lines they've added are Bare Minerals, Philosophy, Urban Decay, a Benefit Brow Bar, and much more! Yes, Sephora is my personal place of nirvana but I love walking through a department store like Macy's and having all these wonderful lines at my finger tips to literally touch, feel, smell, and discover.

So, during this holiday season I am going to take some extra time and go play and discover new favorites to be found. My daughter has taken a liking to the very cute line, Tokidoki--and I absolutely love the packaging! Have you made any new discoveries in the cosmetic world as of recent? Please do share!

Happy holidays! Take out your red lipstick, glitter, and go be beautifully merry!

the AHHH-MAZING: Urban Defense

2010-07-24T11:10:00.000-07:00

Whoa! I consider myself a pretty loyal person. Once I find a great product I usually stick with it. I have been using the same tinted moisturizer for the last couple of years and I truly love it but when I saw that Urban Decay came out with their own version, "Urban Defense" I couldn't get my mind off of wanting to try it out. It just so happened that I had ran out of my other product and was strolling by Sephora last week when I decided to cheat on my faithful tinted moisturizer and purchase Urban Defense (in Halo--light) by Urban Decay. Oh my goodness! I LOVE IT!

The product glides on nicely and has the perfect sheer coverage I love. It's lightweight, smells nice, and my favorite result is that it does not leave my face shiny! I'm not a big foundation lover--especially during the hot summer months-- so when I can use a tinted moisturizer that gives me the sheer coverage I like and protects with a SPF 20--I am in skincare Heaven! My, hmmm - hmmm, fine lines are less visible, my pores are refined and nearly invisible, and with a light dusting of a sheer loose powder my skin looks near perfect!

I am 110% satisfied with this product and I know I have just discovered a new favorite in which I pledge my loyalties to...

Next on my radar from Urban Decay is the Naked Palette and I have to try the new Lip Junkies!!! And of course...I'll let you know what I think!

#1 rule for skincare: Moisturize and Protect!

2010-07-02T09:04:00.000-07:00

Janson Beckett’s Sun Block Daytime Moisturizer with SPF40 has officially moved to the top of my list as my favorite sun block moisturizer. I have been using this moisturizer for just over a month and there is a lot that I really love about it. The first thing is that the product is very light-weight which for me--is a crucial element. I absolutely cannot stand the way heavy moisturizers feel on my face. Especially for all day wear. (A heavy moisturizer at night is a different story for me). Second, this product absorbs very quickly and leaves a super silky finish that feels fantastic and is a great base for applying makeup (or not). It doesn't feel like you are wearing any sun block/moisturizer at all! I love that! I personally do not wear a lot of makeup in the summertime and if I feel like I need a little bit of coverage I will usually wear a tinted moisturizer. But with this product I just add a little bit of foundation to the moisturizer and apply it that way getting the benefits of the light-weight moisturizer and sheer coverage of my foundation. Third, I really appreciate that this product is made out of really fine ingredients which include demineralized spring water, aloe, and shea butter.

This sun block and daytime moisturizer does not burn my eyes, feel heavy or greasy, it is fragrance free, and most importantly I am getting my UVA and UVB protection that will help keep my face (and neck and chest) looking youthful and smooth!

Without any hesitation, I HIGHLY recommend you try this top notch product!

Fine Lines....? Puffy Eyes....? Dark Circles...? No problem!!!

2010-06-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

I'm baaaaaack.....well at least until life gets crazy hectic again. The last year and a half of my life has been so totally busy that I feel a bit dizzy when I think about it. I finally completed my mild to moderate special education teaching credential program AND completed the course work and thesis project for my masters in education! Ahhhh! Yes! I am very proud of my accomplishments but now I am on the lookout for a teaching position. But in the meantime, I will be happy to be blogging again about some of my favorite things....

I have been on vacation for a week and a half now. I have spent four days in San Francisco, spent some time at the beach, gone to a car show, organized and cleaned my house,taken my kids to the pool several days in a row, and in the meantime applied for twelve different teaching positions. I got two calls back. One for a telephone interview in which I did in my pj's and one regular face to face panel interview. You would think that I would be all rested up and looking my best with all this time off but NOPE--I jam my days full and have trouble falling asleep at night and unfortunately my brain is programmed to wake up at 6:30 A.M. even though I can sleep in....ugh!

Anyway, my face to face interview was this afternoon and I was freaking out just a bit because I was up late last night at the Angels vs. Dodgers baseball game, eating my nachos, drinking my beer, and getting a great session of people watching in. By the time I got home and to bed the wee hours of the morning had snuck up on me and I had to get some sleep! I woke up a few hours later and looked like hell! I showered, had my coffee, and I was still looking horrible. Then I remembered that I had a Collagen-Fibre Eye Pad Kit that I had already used once and was amazed with the results.

This kit is pretty cool. It comes with four eye pads that are contoured to fit right under your eyes. These pads are made of collagen fibre and infused with Myoxinol which is extracted from hibiscus flowers that helps relax the tissue under our eyes giving a smoother appearance. Who needs botox these days with such amazing products like this one? So, I put the eye pads on and then apply the skin energizing gel to moisten the collagen pad. This helps contour the pads under the eyes and provides optimal results by reducing the puffiness and dark circles from lack of sleep and proper water consumption. Fifteen minutes later I took the eye pads off and honestly, the results are terrific. I looked like I was completely rested. My makeup went on flawless and I walked into my interview feeling confident and knowing that I looked my best. Well almost confident--I was a little nervous that my duct tapped hemmed pants would come undone--but that's another story.

You're Not Too Late....

2010-03-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

Straight from the PR desk at Urban Decay:

Win a necklace from Tom Binns for Walt Disney Signature, valued at $875, AND an Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows. 10 runners up will also receive the Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows. Enter to win NOW!!!!!

http://www.urbandecay.com/promo/contest/Alice/index.cfm

So excited for this opportunity to be able to win this awesome necklace and of course that awesome Alice in Wonderland palette!

Good luck to the rest of you too!

Juice Beauty Green Apple Collection!

2010-02-16T14:05:00.000-08:00

I'm having surgery to repair my broken ankle tomorrow so I thought I would take my mind off my worries and do what I know best...focus on skincare. I thought I should treat myself to a nice at home facial since I know I will be on my back and in major pain for the next 3-4 days. I don't take the time to do facials often but when I do--my skin always feels amazing!

I had a new product that I was also dying to try! The Green Apple Peel for Sensitive skin from Juice Beauty! So, first I started out by using a face wash. Today I used the green gel cleanser from MAC cosmetics. Once my face is clean I do a simple 15-20 minute steam. I heat up water, throw in a couple of camomille tea bags, put the water and tea in a big bowl with a towel over my head--creating a nice steamy tent. I take in nice long breaths and relax as my pores are being opened and exposed to the chamomille tea steam. It is so relaxing, smells so good, and is one of my favorite parts of an at home facial. Next is when I finally got to use the new Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel product. I put it all over my face and let it set for ten minutes. This is what the Juice Beauty website says about this produt,

Designed for sensitive skin, this refining hydroxy-acid complex of certified organic apple, lemon, grape juices and raw cane sugar exfoliate for visibly improved skin tone and texture. Vitamin antioxidants and essential nutrients hydrate and nourish fresh skin for a healthy, beautiful complexion.

After I left the product on for ten minutes I used a wash cloth and warm water to remove it. My skin was looking tight and had a great glow to it. I followed up with Elizabeth Arden's, Prevage Anti-Aging Moisturizer. I love that stuff.

So, I am feeling really good in the skin care department. I know that I am going to be laid up for several days and knowing that I just did a through skin care regimen--I feel much better. I highly recommend any of the products that I used today. They are so amazing, light weight, and effective.

URBAN DECAY Spring 2010!!!

2010-02-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

One thing that I can absolutely say is that my life is never, ever dull! Just when I thought I was on the path of freedom--on my way-- literally --to celebrate the completion of my teaching credential program I took a lame spill off my porch and broke my ankle! What a dork! I find out if I need surgery tomorrow.....but in the meantime, when I'm not totally doped up and loopy, I've decided to catch up on some reading, writing, and planning of birthday parties and family vacations we would like to take this year.

First off, I couldn't wait to share my ever consuming love of Urban Decay Cosmetics with everyone. It just so happens that it ties in very well with the preparation of my daughter's 12th birthday party that we are planning for her--an Alice in Wonderland/Mad Hatters' birthday! Consequently, Urban Decay just released their Alice in Wonderland palette last week! I must get my fingers on this darling palette full of great shadows, 24 7 liners, and a primer potion! I could just die and go to Heaven!!! I have a vision of doing my daughter's and her friends' makeup from the palette while sipping on all types of teas from whimsical glasses, nibbling on fun finger foods from funky plates, while in a room decorated with all kinds of big and small paper lanterns, big playing card streamers, candles, and shiny ornaments. Oh, and all the while my daughter will be wearing the cutest dress that I found on urbanoutfitters.com today! Who knows if it will all come together like I imagine....but I'm going to try! Might be somewhat difficult with this whole broken ankle thing! UGH!

Anyway, as I mentioned before...URBAN DECAY...is one of my all time favorite lines of cosmetics. I feel that the line is fun but sophisticated because of it's durability and whimsical qualities. Creative, sassy, and cutting edge are a few of the feelings I get when I use products from this particular line of cosmetics (which is just about EVERYDAY). The new spring line is of course a necessity in every ladies makeup bag!

I've mentioned a time or two before that I am such a sucker for packaging and honestly, Urban Decay's new STARDUST eyeshadows have some of the most innovative packaging I have ever seen! You have to try it for yourself but what is so cool is that you just lightly squeeze/pinch the sides of the eyeshadow and the top smoothly pops open! Trust me....It's cool! Gosh, you know the product is going to be amazing when just getting to it feels cool! Yes, and the eyeshadows are great! Just enough sparkle that it's noticeable and fun but not so blatant that you might feel like a Las Vegas showgirl (nothing wrong with that....) but in my opinion it is the best of both worlds. I am a teacher who loves wearing glitter....but I don't want to look immature or inappropriate while I am teaching high school students! They're amazing....and they last all day! These beautiful shadows can be worn dry or wet for a more vibrant look! Get yours....they're amazing!

New 24/7 glide on pencils were also introduced in the new Spring line from Urban Decay. These little pencils should be a staple in every ladies cosmetic tool box. They glide on so smoothly, smudge for a perfect smokey eye, and they truly do last all day without wearing off! I'm dying to get my hands on Binge, a beautiful navy blue color and Crash, a gorgeous deep eggplant color that have just been added to the 24/7 glide on pencils family! Funny enough, I was going through all my stuff and I actually do not own a navy blue eyeliner! Crazy--I have every other color blue though (cuz blue looks wonderful on brown eyes)--so without a doubt I will have to snag one of those eyeliners!

The other little secret weapon I have always kept in my makeup artist kit is Urban Decay's Primer Potion. I love it on both the eyes and lips...personally. Well Urban Decay decided to step it up another notch and add a new Potion to the mix....Eden! It's a beautiful matte neutral which I found myself wearing alone with some mascara for a quick, clean, and natural look! Fantastic! Another product that I now cannot see living without!

My little cosmetic obsession tank has been temporarily filled (until the next thing comes along that I can't live without) just in this one great Spring collection! Go to your local Sephora or Macy's and check out the products yourself. I promise you....you won't be disappointed!

ELLIS FAAS: "ONLY TESTED ON SUPERMODELS!"

2010-01-16T18:22:00.000-08:00

The last year of my life has been completely consumed by my commitment and dedication to continue my education in obtaining my teaching credential and masters in education. I honestly was unsure what to expect since it had been so many years since I had done my undergrad work--and I'm not going to lie--life has been crazy hectic! I didn't really expect that I would miss THIS industry as much as I have in this past year! I've been privileged in the past to pursue my passion of doing makeup, researching, and being hands on with cosmetic, fragrance, and skincare lines,...and then writing about it all--BONUS! So, I am very thankful when I am introduced to lines that are new to me and I get the opportunity to try them out. This is where ELLIS FAAS comes in....

What a cool line of cosmetics from ELLIS FAAS! From the sleek packaging, amazing product, and very cool developer behind the line--I am truly impressed at this very high class, top quality, and functional line. I'm not surprised since the creator or ELLIS FAAS is a former makeup artist too! Her amazing reputation and experience working in Paris, New York, and L.A. definitely gives her credibility and expert knowledge in what a makeup line should look like and consist of. Again, I'm thoroughly impressed! The colors in the cosmetics have amazing pigment. As a matter of fact--this is the first line where the pictures of the make up in the brochure and on-line actually look like the same color of the actual product. I love that! I've been using the Creamy Eyes in E205 and the Milky Lips in L201.

First of all, the Creamy Eyes product is a liquid (creamy texture) eyeshadow that applies evenly and dries to a semi matte. I was super impressed with the durability and the coverage. Without a doubt I need to add more colors to my existing makeup collection!

The Milky Lips in L201 is a wonderfully translucent red lipstick. The color has a really beautiful warm undertone which, in my opinion, is one of the best shades of red I have ever worn! This is the season for darker shades...especially red lipstick! The lipstick is pretty long lasting. I didn't need to reapply except for after eating or drinking--but that was okay because the lipstick left a great red stain on my lips without any type of bleeding. I like that too....I can just add a simple gloss or cherry chap stick on top of the stain once the lipstick wears off if I choose to not reapply.

So, in a nutshell--ELLIS FAAS makeup line is absolutely incredible! I love the innovative packaging (check out the pen holders and the all in one holder at the ELLIS FAAS website ) What a great way to keep your makeup bag well organized and everything you need in one spot! Brilliant! I hope you are as impressed as I am! Check it out!

Victoria's Secret: Velvet Amber Blackberry Eau de Parfum

2009-11-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

Surprise! Surprise! I love to smell good. Not just "good" but "GOOD!" There is a delicate science to achieving smelling GOOD vs. smelling tacky, cheap, and over the top. When I walk in a room I don't want people wondering "whoa! how much perfume does she have on?!" Instead, as I make my way through a room I want my scent to evoke thoughts like. "Mmmm, she smells clean, good, sweet, (you can feel in a pleasant adjective) is it her perfume, lotion, shampoo, what?...I want to be near her!" This is what I consider mastery in subtle fragrance wearing 101.

So my birthday is in three days and the only things on my birthday wish list are fragrances! I have practically run out of all my favorites. Not surprising since I'm the kind of lady that will put on some perfume even if all I am doing is going to pick up the kids from school! In the meanwhile of anxiously waiting for which fragrance my hubby and kids will pick off my wish list I am wearing the newest scent from Victoria's Secret. I have to admit--this is the first perfume I have ever bought from there. I had gone shopping for some lotion and they were having a special promotion for their newest scent--Velvet Amber Blackberry. OH MY GOSH! Smells so good. Like pure sweet floral goodness! I forget that I even have it on until I happen to wave my arm in front of my face or bring my hands/wrists up to my face. Then I am instantly delighted in my subtle aroma.

This is proof that my addiction just keeps getting worse! I now have another "favorite" to add to the list....

Style Black MAC launch

2009-09-27T13:53:00.000-07:00

I really have not been this excited about a MAC Cosmetics launch in a long time! Everyone knows that I absolutely love MAC. I've been a loyal follower for about fifteen years and was even fortunate enough to be part of their dynamic company for a few years. It's like your first love--there will always be a special place in your heart even if you go out and expand your horizons.

Anyway, I feel giddy again. Like I ran into my first love at the super market and now can't seem to get it off my mind. This launch is awesome! I LOVE eyeliner--and if you know me--this comes to no surprise. My mom used to say that I was "heavy handed" when it came to applying my eyeliner. "No, mom. I put it on like this on purpose!" She never totally understood my fixation with black eyeliner. That's okay. She thought I would grow out of it but here I am, 33 (almost) years old, and like a kid on Christmas morning excited about getting my hands on the Style Black products.

You can't go wrong with these amazing mineral shadows that have a vein of shimmer/sparkle running through them. You can wear them wet or dry and are pretty amazing. The one I HAVE TO HAVE is called Blue Flame. It's a black eyeshadow with blue pearl veining. AHH-MAZING!

There is also a black grease stick (I'm curious about getting my little paws on this), a "PENULTIMATE" eyeliner--which is basically a black liquid eyeliner that comes in the packaging of a felt tip pen. I don't have this product yet either--but as I am writing about it I am in full COVET mode. They also released a product called "glimmerglass" in which I'm very curious about. Also, they released a couple of creme color bases that my kit is incomplete without. I think a trip to the PRO store is in order.

Beautiful Bright Youthful Eyes...all thanks to Anastasia!

2009-07-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

I swear that I feel like I have just experienced Christmas in July! I have been faithfully using the newest and greatest product from Anastasia: Line Erasing Serum. It says it all in the name! My results have been superior and one to boast about! My skin is totally concealing the hectic lifestyle I lead and I owe part of that to the line erasing serum by Anastasia!
As I am creeping into my mid-thirties, going to grad school, raising two children (one being pre-adolescent), and being the most perfect wife, mom, student, friend, sister, daughter I can be—I can use all the “line erasing” I can get!
Seriously, I have pretty fair skin—probably the Spanish and Irish in me—and although I tan nicely, I still try to avoid those harmful sunrays. This can be kind of difficult living in beautiful Southern California so I slather on SPF like it’s going out of style to keep my skin looking youthful as possible. Although I take all these precautions—those pesky fine lines are still making a presence around my eyes! I know, probably from all the laughing and smiling I do in my blissful life….right?
Okay, back to reality. I work hard and I am aging every day. Just like we all are. I have no problem whatsoever growing…hmmm, hmmm, older, wiser, and more mature. But I refuse to look my age if I don’t have to! There is no need for drastic measures—just yet—especially when I can discover amazing products that deliver results and are good for my skin.
The Line Erasing Serum is made up of natural hydrators and ingredients that are superb like gogi! I am super picky about textures of skin care products. If it is heavy, sticky, or gooey—I don’t like it! Fortunately the Line Erasing Serum passed my picky test and went on super lightweight and smooth! I naturally tend to be on the drier side and I felt that this product really delivered in the hydrating department—extra bonus. Then the added effects of brightening my skin, smoothing out those pesky fine lines, and making look bright eyed and bushy tailed….no doubt about it—I’m a believer! There is a Santa and Christmas came early!

I heart smelling good!

2009-06-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

One of the things that make me feel good and pretty is knowing that I smell good. I usually have at least five different fragrances that I alternate between since I wear perfume EVERYDAY. Even if I am just going grocery shopping I will put some perfume on. Roller balls are my absolute favorite. Their portable and small enough to throw in your makeup bag.

Top of my "favorites" list is still "LUV" by Sharon Bolton Scents: "An intoxicating, ultimately feminine scent of rare pink gardenia, lush Hawaiian white flowers, and a hint of creamy vanilla with a delicate whisper of white musk." I don't know if I will ever find a fragrance that I love more. Although I do need to try out "Dream" from her line...it sounds divine: "A heady concoction of fresh bergamot, white freesia, and mimosa with accords of amber, sandalwood and exotic musk. That's what dreams are made of!"

For mother's day the kids took a trip to Sephora and got me the Juicy Couture roller ball fragrance and the Nanette Lepore roller ball fragrance. I couldn't be happier. I love them both!

The Juicy Couture fragrance notes: Watermelon, Mandarin, Pink Passion Fruit, Marigold, Green Apple, Water Hyacinth, Crushed Leaves, Tuberose Absolute, Wild Rose, Princess Lily, Tuberose, Caramel Créme Brule, Vanilla, Precious Woods, Patchouli.
The Nanette Lepore fragrance notes: Moonstone Rose, White Peach, White Cranberry Juices, Magenta Nectar, Black Currant, Orange Jasmine, Persian Lime Juice, Velvet Violet, Amber, Indian Sandalwood
I cannot forget to mention the other two fragrances taking residence in my purse: Alfred Sung "Always" and "Pretty" by Elizabeth Arden. These both are classic smelling fragrances and smell sooooo good and are very lightweight. They have floral, romantic, sweet notes. Keepers for my "classics" collection.
These days I am finding that I have more roller ball fragrances in my purse then lip gloss! So funny. At least I always smell delightful...even if I am just going to the grocery store.

Do yourself a favor and explore all of these wonderful fragrances. Who says you can't have a different perfume for everyday of the week?

Seriously?!

2009-05-30T13:55:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. I have had a stack of intentions and so many products that I have been using that I want to talk about but this grad program is kicking my butt! I don't even know what "free time" is anymore. So now that I am on the total verge of burn out and have four chapter reviews due, a power point presentation due, an essay, and classroom observation due, I have decided to blow it off for a few minutes and write about some products that I have been using lately and am really enjoying!

Where do I begin….okay…it's gotta be about eyebrows today. Since I am short on time but still like to look somewhat put together every day I like to focus on eyes. A couple of weeks ago I went to work without makeup on (which I usually always wear…especially lots of eyeliner since I love smokey eyes) and the kids were like, "Mrs. Fuehrer, are you okay? You aren't wearing any makeup!" Little did they know, I did have mascara and lip gloss on…just no eyeliner! For crying out loud, I don't want to not look like I'm not feeling well just because I don't have a smokey look going on! What do fifth graders know anyway?! It still got me thinking and I decided to show those fifth graders that I'm no one trick pony and I can wear many different looks! So, I have been exposing my new more natural looking eyes lately. I can still look decent and made up with just a few key products!

I needed to clean my eyebrows up. I've been very loyal to Angel at the BeneFit Cosmetics Brow Bar at the Promenade mall in Temecula but I couldn't resist going to the new kiosk that opened up that does eyebrow threading. My sister has done it many times and swears by it. I had to give it a try! So I went, and it was a pretty interesting experience. I think getting my eyebrows waxed is faster and less painful but I have to admit that the threading technique gave me a fantastic shape and really clean and defined lines. I liked it. I've gone back twice now but I'm starting to miss the BeneFit Brow Bar. I'll probably go there next time my brows need some work. Anyway, once your eyebrows are cleaned up and shaped nicely it is easy to maintain and define a beautiful look. I do this by staying loyal to some of my favorite products by Anastasia.

Anastasia has come out with a very clever product that is a 2-n-1. It's an eyebrow pencil on one end and the most fabulous eyebrow gel I have ever used one the other end. So convenient! I love when things are easy, simple, and multipurpose. Instead of having a zillion things in your makeup bag this is an easy way of having two essential products in one! Thank you so much! That's not all that I am happy to talk about from Anastasia….there is also a brand new mascara that is the bomb! My lashes look longer, fuller, and very black! I love that this mascara doesn't cause all my lashes to clump together in a sticky heap. Instead my lashes stay separated and volumized. I also like the fact that when I get watery eyes or remove this mascara my eyeballs don't sting. I hate when that happens!

All I have to say is when it comes to brows and lashes…Anastasia has got it right! There hasn't been a product yet that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed from her company. I have a friend that used to get her brows done by Anastasia herself way back in the day. She is always so impressed when I talk about these amazing products and has to mention how much she enjoyed getting her brows done by her in a little tiny hole-in-the-wall place before Anastasia became the eyebrow guru she is known for today. I love stories like that.

smooth, glowing, youthful skin...

2009-03-24T16:46:00.000-07:00

What's up? Time flies when working, school, kids, sports, etc...seem to take over your life! All is good here on the home front. I am in my eighth week of grad school and coming up to the end of my very first term. It has been a lot of work but very informative in many ways. I am looking forward to getting my special education credential and getting out there with the kids. Once all the school stuff is done I feel I will be very well prepared and ready to teach some kids!

So, last night I was in class and I was having trouble concentrating because of the email that I had received earlier about the grand opening of Sephora in our very own Promenade mall here in Temecula, CA. I am so excited. If I had more time on my hands I would totally want to get a part time job there just to be in the mist of all the glorious products. I had made a mention out loud about how excited I was that Sephora was opening up this week at our mall. And to my surprise a really beautiful classmate of mine (whose makeup always looks good so I assumed she knew a thing or two about cosmetics and of course Sephora) asked, "what's Sephora?" I gasped out loud in disbelief! After I got over my shock of the question we got into a conversation about makeup, of course.

Lately, my conversations surrounding cosmetics has covered the topic of mineral makeup. I haven't always been totally impressed with it. The products I tried never wore well through out the day either making my skin feel shiny or the product would kind of sink into my pores...and that's with wearing a good primer underneath too. Anyway, a couple of months ago I was introduced to more of the Intervene line and also Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 20 by Elizabeth Arden. Right away I incorporated the new Intervene products into my routine. A night time stress recovery moisturizer that makes my face feel like silk and a time fighting radiance serum that glides on so smooth and makes the surface of my skin so soft that I find my self touching my face with the back of my hand just to feel the smoothness. If you haven't tried the Intervene line yet you are really missing out. These products seem to be ahead of there time. Leaving my skin soft, smooth, hydrated, and youthful.

With that foundation of skincare I expect my foundation to look good. Most of the time I just wear a tinted moisturizer and primer but on the days that I am working I feel like I need just a little bit more coverage. I decided to give Elizabeth Arden's mineral foundation with a SPF 20 (BONUS!) a go one morning. I was intrigued by the packaging first of all. You actually grind off the product you will be using by twisting the top part of the compact. I love that and it feels like you are getting a fresh supply every time. Gold star for packaging! Next, I grabbed by Kubuki brush and started buffing on the powder when immediately I had to lean in closer to the mirror. Were my eyes deceiving me or was my skin looking absolutely flawless with such a light layer of mineral powder? I compared my left side of my face where I applied the foundation to the right side of my face where I had none. I was truly shocked and amazed. I've never seen such a difference with hardly any product on. My skin tone was totally even and you wouldn't even be able to tell that I had any makeup on! Kudos! I love this stuff. I wore the product and throughout the day I checked in the mirror periodically to see if I was getting shiny yet or if the foundation wore away or separated. I'm happy to say the foundation was long wearing. I touched up with some sheer powder in the afternoon and that was it.

I can finally say that I believe in mineral foundation. Thank you, Elizabeth Arden for making such a superior product!

my lipstick revival

2009-01-26T20:16:00.000-08:00

I feel guilty. I have turned my attention away from what once was an obsession of mine....LIPSTICK. My obsession started in high school. I religiously wore dark berry colored lipsticks in which every morning I would come out of the bathroom and my mother would say, "blot your lips, honey. you don't want to look like you got smacked in the mouth." I laugh now but back then it was so irritating hearing that every morning. I liked my dark lips against my fair skin and big brown eyes. That was the point. I swear, hearing my mom tell me to "blot my lips" everyday will haunt me forever. Even as a grown woman (and being a makeup artist) I still fear that my lipstick is too dark and I give an extra blot just to make sure I don't look like I was "smacked in the mouth!"

So I think once I became a mommy, eleven years ago, I kind of put my dark lipsticks away and started to opt for lighter lip glosses. Slowly a transition was made and before I knew it, I would buy lipsticks that I was attracted to but then kind of put them in the drawer and forget about them. "This is crazy!" I thought to myself. I decided to put my lip glosses on standby and bring lipstick back!

The holidays were a perfect time for me to do this. I like doing "holiday makeup" and nothing goes better than rich berry hues, reds, and warm browns. Even on the days where my eyes were too dramatic (in my opinion) to sport a bold lip too, I opted for a classic nude lipstick.
My foolproof method for applying stay proof lipstick is very simple. I make sure, first of all, that my lips are well conditioned. I personally love rosebud salve to provide a perfect well conditioned lips. Next I like to prime my lips. My favorite product to use is Urban Decay's eyeshadow potion. I know it's for the eyes but I absolutely love it on the lips. Not only does the product provide the most perfect foundation but it also nudes out the lips giving a perfect canvas for any color lipstick I chose to wear. Now I was ready to put on whatever lipstick I would showcase that day!

These have been my choice favorites...

Nars: Roman Holiday...it's a pretty pink that is sweet and innocent.

Clinique: Black Honey...this might be borderline lip gloss but it is a gorgeous dark warm wine colored glossy stain. Oldie but goodie.

MAC cosmetics: "O"...this lipstick has multi colors depending on the color lip liner you wear. It could go red, brown, or burgundy--so awesome! Also, Rocker, makes a great sparkly red lipstick!

Elizabeth Arden: Ruby Pearl....one of the most amazing red lipsticks I have ever had! Absolutely gorgeous. I wore this one often along with another red, Poppy Cream--a totally classic red.

Urban Decay: Midnight Cowboy...this is one of their newest shades. I actually loved this lipstick. It lasted a long time but it was shimmery and emollient like a lip gloss. Best of both worlds. It's a great neutral everyday shade.

Chanel: Vamp...a classic. A gorgeous ultra dark plum-y shade. This shade makes me feel dark and sultry. Seriously, give it a try and see what kind of attitude you take on!

I found the following picture here: blog.modernmechanix.com

So crazy! Will we be so shocked in the future when we find the "vintage" pics of our eyebrow stencils? Food for thought....

Win! Win! Heavy Metal and 24/7

2009-01-14T19:57:00.000-08:00

I wear many hats...and by "hats" I don't mean those things you put on your head. I mean that I fulfill many roles such as wife, mother, sister, daughter, dedicated friend, and student, and I get paid for the roles of substitute teacher, makeup artist, and nutritional cleansing advisor. You might wonder why I am telling you this and what does this have to do with either makeup, skincare, or fragrances. Well, depending on the role I am playing I get to focus on different types of makeup, different colors, and different application techniques. Ahhhhh...now you're following where I'm going!

Basically when I'm not in the classroom or in a traditional setting where I have to behave somewhat modestly and appropriately I choose to have a lot of fun with bold looks with my makeup. Sometimes I love to do a traditional look and maybe jazz it up with a subtle stroke of sparkly glitter on top of my eyeliner or a vibrant punch of colorful fuchsia gloss in the center of my lips. Other times I enjoy being totally bold and colorful with blues and purples and greens or a mixture of different bright colors on my eyes. It's artistic expression and freedom and it keeps me feeling young and spunky!

Urban Decay has been a long time favorite choice of products for me. The Heavy Metal glitter eyeliner from Urban Decay has been an absolute favorite for me. The colors are bright and bold or chic and dazzling and the actual product is high in quality. The gel based liner goes on very easy and dries quickly to a stays-put won't flake off product....and it lasts all day--or night! I've been wearing glitter in or on my makeup for the past fifteen years and will probably die with some time of sparkle on my body. These Heavy Metal liners have never let me down but instead keep on impressing me especially with the latest launch of amazing colors in StageDive (bright green), CatFight (hot pink), Groupie (light pink), and Midnight Cowboy (gold). YEA!!!

If you are really experimental and like to change things up from time to time try layering these Heavy Metal liners over top Urban Decay's 24/7 glide on EyeLiner! This is what I love to do. You can create so many combinations of colors from being subtly sparkly to bold and glittery. The latest colors inspired by the beautiful peacock to join the 24/7 EyeLiner family are: FlipSide (a beautiful shimmery teal blue), UnderGround (a metallic taupe), Grafati (an awesome bright green), and Ransom (a killer purple). These eyeliners on their own STAY PUT! They go on smoothly and dry to a smudge proof and waterproof amazingly long lasting eyeliner. Then, if you are like me, and LOVE to add extra pizazz you can really kick it up a notch with layering with those Heavy Metal glitters. It makes an amazing duo!

These product are one way I can either kick it up a notch when doing my makeup or add a touch of fun to an everyday look. Eyeliner is only one medium that I use. Check back soon and read about the magical cream eyeshadows, the wide range of lipsticks I love to use, and other key products to sparkle and shine and turn ordinary routine makeup to extraordinary!

The FIRST Highlighting Brow Kit to hit the market!!!

2009-01-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year my friends! There's nothing like starting the new year with NEW product! It makes me giddy! Especially when I get to introduce the newest most cutting edge product on the market. This time the kudos goes to: ANASTASIA of Beverly Hills. They have revolutionized the market with their brand new Highlighting Brow Kit which is the FIRST baked brow product to hit the market!

I've been testing it out for you and of course it's AMAZING! There is a highlighter trio that is shimmery and natural and also a trio of brow shades so you can mix and match your perfect brow shade. The shadows can be used as is or if you dampen your brush a little you will kick up the effects for a bolder look. Very cool. I love multi-functional products! I also used the dark "brow" shades with a dampened flat angled brush and used the product as an eyeliner. It stayed on and looked natural and flawless all day. I think the 2009 brides are going to go crazy for this product. It's perfect for your wedding day and as a kit to take with you on your honeymoon!

Thanks Anastasia for this multi-dynamic product. The quality is amazing and is priced just right....only $32. You can go out and get yours on January 29th at Sephora! Don't wait. I'm sure this will be one of those products that will be hard to keep in stock.

Simple Scents

2008-12-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! Things are definitely different this season then any that I can remember. We are experiencing a lot of changes in our economy, government, and work which, of course, impacts our personal lives. I've noticed the stress level rise all around me and I have decided to take a different approach...an attitude of gratitude. There is always something in our lives that we can be grateful for. It does not always have to be the big materialistic things sometimes it's the simple things in life. It's a gesture of love or a simple appreciation for the beauty in nature that surrounds us.

Personally, I choose to see the glass half full. I just recently lost my father and although it makes me tremendously sad that I don't have the opportunity to hold his hand and tell him I love him I can look back at his long life and see how he chose to live a humble life where family and hard work was where the heart is. He worked hard and his family came first. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, and working on his cars. He kept himself well groomed and those were his simple pleasures.

It got me thinking about my simple pleasures. I also love my family and friends and I appreciate the gift of time. As far as personal indulgences go I LOVE coffee, I LOVE burning candles and sitting by a nice fire and I LOVE to smell good! It makes me laugh as I write it down. I know it's okay to enjoy these things. I also am thankful that I have a humble blog that I can share my opinions and talk about the pretty things that bring me joy!

I've been wearing perfume since I was about twelve years old. Do you remember, Love's Baby Soft...lol. I eventually graduated to a more sophisticated scent...liz claiborne...lol again. Next was Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden and by the time I was a senior in high school my choice fragrance was Obsession by Calvin Klein (a pretty sophisticated scent for a 17-18 year old young lady--don't you think?).

Throughout the years I just really found an appreciation for different types of perfume and how these different scents provoked different feelings in me.

Some made me feel sweet and innocent for example Nanette Lepore and Thymes Kimono Rose.

Others made me feel a bit playful and flirtatious--for example Benefit's Maybe Baby and Issey Miyake.

I feel sophisticated and "grown up" when I wear Badgley Mischka Fleurs de Nuit.

I have a couple of "everyday" scents that I really enjoy too...most recently the Harajuku Lovers "G" was given to me as a birthday gift--Thanks, Kristie--you are a doll! It smells like "vacation" to me and I've been wearing it often (I would love a real vacation!).

I even have a "holiday" scent now--which reminds me of Christmas. Red Door Shimmer is one that is available now for the holiday season and it's a good one! It's sultry and playful and it makes me feel warm and cuddly.

One thing that hasn't changed for two years is my favorite perfume oil of all: Sharon Bolton's Luv. I wear it all the time and I am literally addicted to this fragrance. I feel like this fragrance provokes all of the above depending on my mood. It makes me feel happy everytime I put it on my wrists and behind my ears. Mmmmmmm!

As I mentioned above...it's the simple things in life. As you are out and about Christmas shopping this year you might want to consider giving the gift of fragrance to your loved one. You would be amazed at how just smelling good makes you feel good. Wouldn't that be a sweet gift in light of all the "drama" of life?

M LAB

2008-12-07T18:57:00.000-08:00

Very rarely do I come across a product where I literally see amazing results after only one application. To tell you the truth, I usually test a product out for a minimum of 4-6 weeks before I review it and usually in that time...I test it out on other people and get their feedback too. Things have been totally different with M LAB.

I tested the Body Treatment Cream one night before bed. I applied the product to my feet, legs, and arms (paying extra attention to my elbows and feet since they are extra dry). It instantly absorbed into my skin leaving a very silky smooth finish and the cream had a light and fresh scent to it. Nothing to overpowering to climb into bed with. I was "happy" with the product and result so far. Never did I imagine that I was going to wake up in the morning and have the softest, smoothest, most hydrated skin I have ever experienced without paying a fortune at the spa.

I immediately made my husband feel my skin to see if he noticed how soft it was....he did...! I did some research online to find out how and why my skin felt so incredibly soft. This is what the website: http://www.mlabonline.com/ says about the body treatment cream:

"a fusion of peptides, exfoliants and hydrators help
to promote collagen and
elastin production, smooth and brighten skin tone,
and provide long lasting
moisturization"

The product totally lives up to the expectations of the description. How delightful! True advertising! It has become routine for me to put extra body cream on my elbows every morning and night because of how dry my skin is there. I hate the feel of rough, dry skin. I am elated that I have found a product that is so rich in moisturizer that not only do I no longer have to lather my body twice a day with body cream but the last time I used M LAB body treatment cream was two days ago and my skin (including my feet and elbows) is still silky soft.

M LAB offers a whole range of skincare products. I definitely need to try out this entire line. I have a sneaky suspicion that I would not be disappointed and possibly look years younger! Everybody needs to check out this line. It receives my highest recommendation and I can't wait to try the other products. Let me know what you think once you try this line out!

BLUSH

2008-12-03T20:07:00.000-08:00

I can't get enough of the new reality show, "BLUSH"

It's awesome! Everybody who really knows me knows that my secret indulgence isn't chocolate but instead it's reality TV. And when you mix reality TV with one of my passions-- makeup....there isn't anything better!

These makeup artist are really talented and pretty entertaining. I have been "doing" makeup forever and I love that the creativity factor is never ending. I am so inspired by what other people do, nature...in general, and the idea that thinking out of the box but still being simplistic is a sure shot at being successful.

So to all my fellow makeup artists, cosmetic, skincare, and fragrance lovers, and those of you who just appreciate creativity for what it is: keep being inspired, enjoy a fun and exciting reality television show, and never stop believing in the small random acts of kindness that keep us optimistic and happy. I truly believe that "cosmetics," in every sense of the word, can bring joy. I've experienced it in my own life. I have seen women come out of their shell as they sit in my director's chair during the process of their makeup application. I have seen body language change, confidence emerge, and a flame that is lit in their spirits. Makeup artists are not just finding your perfect red lipstick or the right formula of foundation we are encouraging, giving hope and raising confidence. So finally, a reality TV show that showcases the artistic ability and human spirit behind a great makeup artist. I'm so proud!!!

An answer to our Anti-Aging body prayers!

2008-10-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Although we are officially in the fall season we are still having summer weather here in Southern California. It’s crazy! The temperatures have been well into the nineties and we are only a few days away from Halloween! Honestly, it’s time to cool down…Not only because I love the fall time weather, but also my family and I are constantly outside in this hot weather due to my kids being involved in softball and baseball. We have practices and games and I am out in that hot sun exposing my precious fair skin to more sun then I am really comfortable with. I am adamant about wearing sunscreen but I needed an extra barrier of protection and restoration for my delicate, precious, skin and my prayers were answered when I was lucky enough to be able to test out Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage Body Total Transforming Anti-Aging Moisturizer.
It’s got the amazing ingredient blend known as, idebenone, a super powerful antioxidant and a tripeptide blend which has proven anti-aging benefits. Just as we all know, sun is very damaging to our skin causing sun spots, wrinkles, and dry, saggy skin. But also we face nuisances like stretch marks, scars, and dimpled skin…but now there is a helpful solution: Preavage Body. I’ve been using the product everyday for the last four weeks mainly on my arms, décolleté, and chest (where I have had the most sun exposure) and my results are definitely visible. My skin feels and looks smoother and firmer. I am so thankful! I was never doubtful that this product would deliver. I’ve been using Prevage Anti-Aging Night Cream for my face for quite a while and I still totally LOVE it.

If you haven’t tried this line yet, you really owe it to yourself to check it out. I promise… it is phenomenal! Check it out at www.elizabetharden.com or go to your local department store to get a hands on experience and then let me know what you think!

BeneFit Cosmetics Brow Bar Fun

2008-10-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

As usual, my life is always a complete whirlwind. I’m not complaining. I really love being busy. I love having my kids involved with sports activities (although it is 5-6 days a week). I enjoy volunteering at the kids school. I appreciate any work I can get these days (“work” coming mostly in the form of substitute teaching). But with all that said, I REALLY enjoy a stolen moment to pamper myself and do something spontaneous and girly.

Just last week I had the opportunity to steal a few hours away from doing housework and other random responsibilities and visit BeneFit’s Brow Bar at our local Macy’s. It opened up approximately six weeks ago and I couldn’t be happier. Once upon a time I too worked for BeneFit Cosmetics and I had always wanted to experience the BeneFit Brow Bar (which at the time the closest one was in San Francisco…I think). So my friend, Kristie, and I decided to give our brows a BeneFit makeover. We were so incredibly happy with Angel, the girl who did our brows. She was so attentive to detail, sweet, and highly skilled at her line of work. Right then and there I vowed I would ONLY let Angel touch my brows. She did a fantastic job. I thought I always had fairly decent brows but she found a way to take them to a whole new level. Your eyebrows can be so expressive and a perfect way to look “complete” without having to add a whole lot of makeup. Sorry….I got a little bit off track….So as I stole a few precious hours for myself I called my friend, Barbara, to be my partner in crime. I stole her away from her responsibilities and introduced her to Angel.

While we were at the BeneFit counter my friend, Barbara was treated to a mini makeover and I couldn’t get over the results. She looked so subtly beautiful. “Oh yeah!” I thought to myself, “this was totally what I loved about this line.” Simple, quick, and radiant are the results achieved when applying a few basic “fix-its” from the BeneFit line and best part is it only takes like three minutes! Perfect for a last minute fix up when you are running short on time, get a last minute call, or quite frankly…can’t stand to spend any longer than 5 minutes doing your makeup! Check out these products:

That Gal, a luminous primer (I definitely need to start wearing this everyday)!

You Rebel, a tinted moisturizer that perfectly evens out your skin tone while moisturizing and protecting.

BeneTint, a liquid stain that gives you perfectly rosey cheeks (and can also be used to stain your lips too). Next time you’re at a BeneFit counter ask one of the artist what BeneTint is originally infamous for….you’ll get a chuckle out of it!

I have seriously broke out my “That Gal” primer and “BeneTint” stain from cosmetic hibernation from my kit and have worn these products everyday since! By the way, when applying BeneTint, Angel showed us that if you keep a small cosmetic sponge handy, once you apply the stain on your cheeks you just quickly dab and blend with the sponge quickly and your cheeks will look perfectly pinched and not streaky. Give it a try.

I know that I’m not the only one out there with a hectic schedule and hardly any time to spare but if you can get away with stealing some time I highly recommend you visit your local BeneFit counter and give these products a shot. I’m totally loyal and after the terrific results Kristie, Barbara and I have received I couldn’t help but share my experience with you!

Cosmetic Stains = Freedom....What?!?

2008-09-15T22:39:00.001-07:00

I love anything that sparkles, shimmery eyeshadow, yummy smelling fragrances, a great pair of shoes, candles, girlfriends… It’s no question that I am a girly girl and I enjoy my girly world. There is so much in my girly life that I would like to experience and see that truthfully I can not stand wasting my time on things that need to be redone over and over (with the exception of applying lip gloss)! Honestly! When I apply my makeup in the morning I expect it to stay on and look good for the duration of the day. I take careful time to prime my skin just right so my foundation, eyeshadow, and blush look fresh and pretty all day. And I’m sure to use a setting spray and powder so that I can go without havening to blot my skin more than a couple of times a day. Last thing I want to be remembered for is the “girl who always had her mirror out fixing her makeup!” Ugh! Not for me.

This is why I am so thankful when I truly find those amazing products that help make our lives so much easier and our makeup picture perfect all day. Come one and come all and add these amazing products to your makeup regime:

Anastasia of Beverly Hills Eyebrow Marker. An actual eyebrow stain marker that is a universal color and adheres to both your skin and hair. The application is smooth, soft, and subtle. Not only is it a “stain” which is equal to longer wear time it also helps improve the wear power of all your other favorite Anastasia of Beverly Hills eyebrow products that you would apply over top of the eyebrow marker. So, those misshaped or sometimes sparse eyebrows are easily transformed into beautiful perfect shaped brows making your eyes standout in a natural and powerful way!

Tarte Cosmetics 4 Day Stay Lash Stain. AHHHHH! It’s like the Heavens opened up and a ray of light came down and landed on this amazing product. I definitely have the 4 day lash stain on my pedestal! Not only is the mascara amazing…it also conditions your eyelashes with a great water based formula and a B5 vitamin and mineral pigment to help thicken lashes and still look pretty and natural. And honestly it does stay on for a few days!!! I love, love, LOVE, this product!

I couldn’t be happier to share both these products with all of you. Anything to make our crazy, hectic, busy lives a little easier and still look glam is just what the beauty doctor ordered! So go be beautiful…but please enjoy all of life too without worrying about how your makeup is holding up…but instead know that you look just as put together as you did when you spent the time putting on your makeup for the day!

Road Trippin Cosmetics...

2008-08-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

Going on a two week road trip was quite the adventure. My husband, two kids—ages 8 and 10, my brother-in-law and his wife, and me….all in a seven passenger minivan! So when I say ‘adventure’ I mean craziness! Could you imagine the luggage alone for six people for a two week long trip? We actually did pretty good at packing minimal bags especially since I am a notorious over packer. The one thing I absolutely could not do without…even if I had to carry it on my lap for the entire trip…was my beloved MAC train case. Even though I had to be very choosey with the makeup, skincare, fragrance, and hair care products I wanted to bring—it would all be safe in my sturdy, heat resistant, water resistant, case.

So after our entire trip was said and done I have to admit that I fell in love all over again with a few of my favorite products. Everyday I would use Purity Made Simple face wash by Philosophy to cleanse my face in the morning and the evening. It smells so good and really does a gentle deep cleaning. I am from Southern California and traveling through the South and on the East Coast with that very hot humid weather…my face felt so grimy by the end of the day. I’m used to the dry heat and needing tons of moisturizer…but on this trip a daily deep cleaning felt necessary. Now I am addicted to using that cleanser for its gentleness and I will definitely be repurchasing it. As a side note…I also used the Amazing Grace shower gel every day. That stuff just smells sooooo good and fresh. And my skin felt so incredibly soft. I have always loved the whole Amazing Grace line and for some reason I had it stashed in the back of my medicine cabinet. One thing for sure is….it’s definitely staying out of the closet and in the shower for now on!

As far as makeup goes…you all know how much I love it. I didn’t think I would be in the mood to wear it everyday because of the weather but I think because I started out with such a great base (clean, moisturized skin) I felt very comfortable wearing it just about every day. A light coat of MAC Face and Body Foundation mixed with BeneFit’s Do It Daily SPF moisturizer was a nice way to keep my skin protected and even looking without looking or feeling like I had on foundation.

I either wore Tarte’s cheek stain in Flush, MAC’s Dollymix blush, or just bronzer on my cheeks each day.

As for lips it was either a Sephora brand sparkly lip gloss I have (not sure the name but it is a nude pink with refined sparkles in it). I love that gloss so much! Or I would just wear cheery chapstick…forever a favorite!

Now eyes….no matter what kind of eye shadows I wore I knew my base needed to be there. I swear by MAC Cosmetic Paints. They are totally tried and true and I think a must-have for EVERYONE! I personally either wear “bare canvas” or “stilife” on a pretty regular basis. Of course I had a little bit of everything as far as eye shadows go. The range was from neutrals, some bold and bright colors, and of course some darker colors and all different kinds of textures. I carried several different lines but no matter what I would start with that MAC paint. One of my favorites that I had was this really pretty Dior Palette –“stylish move 970.” It’s a great palette of five colors that you can do a lot with. I love the rich plum color along with the lighter shades which really provide a lot of versatility.

Eyeliner is another must-have…in my never so humble opinion. Again I can swear by all Power Point Liners made by MAC Cosmetics. My two must-haves that I actually carry in my purse everyday are “Stubborn Brown” and “Engraved.” They work great in the inner rim of the eye…if you are into that look. I am…I swear I am such an eyeliner lover. I can’t get enough of it and I love to wear it. I also like that the Power Point liners go on so smooth like a kohl liner but then set to a more smudge proof and water resistant liner. I still set it with eyeshadow just as added protection but I love that I can get a real defined lined or the perfect smudged and or smoky look. Blinc’s Kiss Me eyeliner also made its way in my case. I just can’t go on a long trip like that without such a long lasting, heavy duty, liquid liner. That stuff has CRAZY stay power! It is seriously the most Perfect product for that retro wing-tip liner that my husband loves whenever I wear it. I’m more of a “smoky” girl but once in a while a clean, wing tip, upper lid lined eye is simple and chic.

And of course makeup isn’t complete until you frame those eyes by taking care of our eyebrows. I was so thankful for the Anastasia Eyebrow grooming kit. Everything I needed and then some in one kit. I totally fell in love with the eye brow gel while on my trip. That stuff works so good and doesn’t get flaky at all. A total bonus in my book. Of course I had to finish eyes out with a hefty layer of mascara after a quick curl with my Shu Uemura curler. I had Loreal Voluminous mascara. I love it. Two coats and lashes look thick, long, and black!!!

I finished everything out with a light dusting of MAC cosmetic’s invisible set powder. I’ve been using this stuff nonstop since the bridal season began this year. A sheer dusting of this light weight product does the trick in setting make up and absorbing shine. It’s a winner!

Now that I am home I have a much deeper appreciation for all these wonderful products. I have drawers full of all kinds of different face, cheek, lip, and eye products which I have a total separation-anxiety-panic-attack when it comes to trying to weed some of the products out because I love it all…it was a good reminder to me that I can still have lots of options and versatility with limited supply. So my friends and daughter are stoked right now knowing that I will be going through my stuff and sharing all my treasured goodies. Of course this stuff has a shelf life and I am happy to share with other makeup enthusiasts’ like me!

BEAUTIFUL BROWS by Anastasia

2008-07-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was a young girl and fascinated with Brook Shields and the other power supermodels-- eyebrows have always been a favorite feature of mine on the face. The way eyebrows frame the eyes and give so much expression and personality it’s fascinating to me as both a makeup artist and an avid people watcher!

A few years back when I first heard of Anastasia and her boutique in Beverly Hills I made a personal vow that one day I would definitely experience what she has to offer. I haven’t been there yet but it has been a pleasure to have her products here at home and now part of my makeup kit.

Well groomed brows make all the difference in the world when making a statement with your eyes. Even if you are unaware of it…we all make statements with our eyes even before we open our mouths. We make eye contact when we speak to people. We sometimes speak through our eyes in the way we look around or the way we look at other people. There is no better way to looked bright eyed and approachable then to keep well manicured brows and to use eye brighteners or illuminators to help our eyes look open and awake. And guess what….Anastasia of Beverly Hills has all the answers and products to help us achieve our well groomed, bright eyed, beautiful eyes. Better yet…we can do it all from home (although a trip to Beverly Hills would be a hoot)! Anastasia made grooming our eyebrows from home as easy as 1, 2, 3!

You can purchase a kit that includes everything you need. I have the five piece kit and it’s incredible. We’re talking tools like tweezers (the BEST I have EVER used), a double ended brush (slanted angle on one side and spooley), stencils (four in all to find your most perfect shape), brow powder (which helps give definition, shape, and fill in any voids), and lastly brow gel (to keep the perfectly done up eyebrows in place)! Then you can highlight and brighten up your eyes with EYE LIGHTS SHIMMER and/or EYE LIGHTS MATTE. You just apply either or both products beneath your eve brows on your brow bone and both in the corner of your eyes and outer corner to help open up those eyes, cover up dark and puffy eyes, and look fresh and awake. Every time I do special event makeup I never forget to do these steps. It makes all the difference in the world.

Who doesn’t want approachable, bright, playful eyes? Anastasia has really earned her title of eyebrow guru and expert and her products don’t disappoint but instead offer a quick and easy way to achieve glamorous results simply at home. Check out her website at www.anastasia.net to check out the full line of products and read all kinds of amazing tips she has. I promise you will be beyond satisfied but addicted to beautiful brows after experiencing products by Anastasia.

INTERVENE by Elizabeth Arden

2008-05-11T19:13:00.001-07:00

It’s that time of year again when I am just totally and completely consumed with bridal makeup! I love it. I love being a part of making a woman feel and look beautiful on one of the most special days of her lives. She knows she looks her best as she is gliding down that aisle to her beloved….her future….her hopes and dreams in front of her as she passes by her family and friends. I starting to notice that there was a difference in the final result of a makeup application on a woman on her wedding day and I needed to put my finger on what made a woman glow on her wedding day. I think it just comes from within. Like maybe from the joy and excitement or maybe from the sweet anticipation that the bride feels as she is getting ready to start the rest of her life as a married woman. Whatever it is…I am always on the look out for those products that give that “Special Glow.”

As always, I am constantly trying new products. Of course I have my constant favorites in which I am loyal to but I also from time to time find some gems that earn a spot on my “tried and true” favorites list. This is where I have just included Elizabeth Arden’s newest foundation, INTERVENE. I have used it now for a few months and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I am not someone who wears foundation everyday and when I do it is usually a nice sheer lightweight formula which helps even out my skin tone and tone down my freckles : ) Well, it seems like each time I have worn INTERVENE by Elizabeth Arden I get compliments on how beautiful my skin is. Last time somebody actually commented on how bright and flawless my skin looked. Wow! What a compliment….especially with my lack of sleep and hectic schedule. I felt anything but bright and flawless. So now INTERVENE has become my feel good foundation. I wear it when I need a little pick me up and I feel confident when I have this foundation on.

Elizabeth Arden has done a beautiful job in creating a foundation that actually helps pause the signs of aging with the technology of using “biodormin.” Like I said, with results of evening out skin tone, brightening skin tone, and the micro-mineral pigment liquid formula you are going to LOVE this foundation. It comes in 12 shades so you should have no problem finding a shade that works for you and with an SPF of 15 and oil free formula there is no reason why you shouldn’t pick up a bottle of this foundation and try it out for yourself. I am using it on all my clients this season and couldn’t be happier with the results. Go check out more info on the product at www.elizabetharden.com

Smell Good=Feel Good!

2008-03-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

I am amazed over and over at how our senses truly play such a big role in our attitude and mood. I just went through a pretty intense knee surgery and have been feeling like blah just lying around completely unhelpful. I never realized what a complete control freak I am until I really came face to face with having no control over anything and completely depending on the help of my family and friends for everything. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life that are willing to sacrifice their time and joyfully take care of my needs. THANK YOU : ) Anyway, as I was laying here feeling blah I knew after three full days of no showering I was in desperate need of a sponge bath and a good hair wash. After finally getting the “okay” to go up stairs I was anxious to smell and feel clean and refreshed.

My hair desperately needed to be washed. I had dry ends and an oily scalp, tangles galore, and my hair certainly didn’t smell good. I had some products that I had wanted to test out from Crème of Nature. I knew this was a perfect time to try out this organic infused hair care line even though it has been designed for ethnic hair my hair situation was definitely going to put these products to the test. I used the Kiwi and Citrus Moisture-Active Shampoo first. It smells so good! Kiwi is known to protect hair while citrus is known to cleanse. The shampoo lathered up so nicely and my scalp felt cool as I rinsed the shampoo out. I decided to follow up with a special Jojoba and Olive Oil Moisture-Active Deep Conditioning Treatment. I felt like my hair really needed a deep conditioning and this Crème of Nature treatment really delivered great results. I massaged the product into my hair and left it on for twenty minutes while I gave myself a sponge bath. The jojoba is a conditioning agent and skin protector and the olive oil provides conditioning, strengthening, and improves the elasticity of the hair. My hair felt silky and smooth as I rinsed out the conditioner and it smelled fabulous. I followed my conditioning treatment up with the Lemongrass and Rosemary leave in Conditioner just on the ends of my hair which were extremely dry. Crème of Nature totally delivers! My hair feels healthy, clean, and repaired. Yes! Two thumbs up to great organically infused hair products that provide clean, soft hair.

Once my hair was clean and undergoing a deep conditioning….it was time to have a sponge bath! I filled up my sink with hot water and pumped out some “Luv” body wash by Sharon Bolton Scents into the water. I thoroughly washed down my body and then rinsed off, dried off and then lathered myself in “Luv” body lotion by Sharon Bolton Scents. Oh my gosh….I already felt a million times better just from that process. I’m a girl that ALWAYS wears perfume or fragrance of some sort. I couldn’t justify spraying on perfume as I laid “out of it” on the couch but fragranced body wash and lotion are a different story. I needed to use a body wash and I always need to apply lotion on my body after I shower—and actually throughout the day. I’m known as a serious lotion addict. So to use my Sharon Bolton Scents products just seemed to make good sense to me—after all they are my very favorite and I always feel pretty when I know I smell irresistible. Even if I was laid up on the couch I suddenly felt good, positive, and ready for a speedy recovery.

Nanette Lepore

2008-02-17T14:05:00.000-08:00

I really get a kick out of being a girl. And a girly girl I am!!! Dabbling in makeup, skincare, and fragrances gives me such a high and I can't get enough of it. Everyday I HAVE to see what's going on over at Spektra.com to see what is new and upcoming and of course I get my doses of hellodollface.com that my dear friend, Cindy is the creator of. There is just such a multitude of products out there and I love reading people's opinions on them. It is also always my pleasure to introduce and review products that I haven't seen on other sites yet or those that I just absolutely fall in love with!!!

Okay, so everyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for packaging. Probably one of the main reasons that I owned almost the entire Benefit Cosmetics line at one point! I have been brought to my knees once again for some of the most adorable packaging I have ever seen with Nanette Lepore's new fragrance "nanette lepore." The vintage feel of the small pink bottle and the black bow with white polka dots around the round cap. I find it all so adorable. So when I opened this precious little goodie and sprayed my wrists.....Mmmmmm....a warm fuzzy just went through my whole body. The smell is intoxicating in such a whimsical way. So fresh and light but a delightfully warm undertone. I found my self starting to spray my neck, then the back of my neck, my chest, and then all over. I wanted to be a dancing doll smelling of playful sweetness with a sensual afterthought to those I passed by. This is exactly how this fragrance makes me feel. It is definitely going on my favorites list! I've often wondered what was going to be the first fragrance that I would buy for my daughter. She is only 10 now but I figured maybe for her 13th birthday I would let her test out the glamorous world of fragrance and cosmetics.....Of course in an age appropriate way. I really think I have found what will be her very first Perfume. I am so excited to love a fragrance so much that I can't wait to gift it out three years from now!

Check it out. I hope you love it as much as I do!

xx

Elizabeth Arden, MAC Cosmetics, and Very Sexy by Victoria's Secret--All faithful, tried and true!

2008-01-24T18:08:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I have always enjoyed writing along with my passion of doing makeup. When I finally combined it with my passion and love for the world of cosmetics I had finally found a hobby that truly brought me joy. It's been fun exploring all kinds of different cosmetics, fragrances, and skin care products and I found testing them out on myself, friends, family and my makeup clients honestly brought me a lot of excitement and pleasure. Before I knew it I realized that coming onto my humble blog was a source of relaxation and a nice break from my everyday life. That fact didn't come so clear to me until my life kind of became turned upside down and inside out over the last few weeks. From recovering from the holiday vacation--straight into moving into a new house--to preparing for major knee surgery--while covering my bases for work, family, and home--not to mention that we will be starting wedding season here in about 6 to 8 weeks-- I have truly missed sitting down and writing about my latest tried and true products! For those of you who come back regularly--a big THANK YOU!

I have had the opportunity to try a few new products recently but I know that is a few of the older ones that have really done their duty in making me look well and rested when the truth of the matter is that I'm not! My friend and co-worker Rhonda and I went on a three day work trip to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. Of course while we were there we had to be responsible and have our head in the game for work--which was successful--but how do you go to Vegas without experiencing the night life Vegas has to offer? So we worked hard all day and stayed up most of the night (averaging about three hours of sleep three nights in a row)so that we could party and live it up while we were there. Besides from LOTS of coffee and other caffeinated beverages I owe a few beauty products some major thumbs up!

So, although I only got a few hours of sleep each night I KNOW that my Elizabeth Arden Prevage night cream definitely did it's beauty sleep magic. My face looked rested and smooth and the skin around my eyes looked soft and firm. Prevage certainly is my best beauty sleep miracle maker!

Now, I also have to give kudos to my favorite MAC cosmetics product: PAINT. It has been one of favorite cosmetics for years and years. With just a thin layer of this creamy product on my eyelids under my eyeshadow I was able to go all day and then turn my daytime makeup into night time makeup in just a flash without my eyeshadow ever wearing off. I'm serious. This is a kit must have and I never go on a job without it!

Last but not least I never leave home without a trusty lip gloss. Santa actually put a few in my stocking that I had never tried before from Victoria's Secret. I loved them. I had a nude shade, a coral shade, and a sparkly pink. I brought all tree to Vegas with me and wore them all weekend long.

Get Jack Black!

2008-01-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! It’s so exciting to be starting off a brand new year. I personally have so many new things going on in my life and I am excited to see what the year will have to offer. My family and I decided that we would end the year right and spend our Christmas budget on a winter vacation instead of all the Christmas gifts and parties and everything else we normally do. So we were off to Lake Tahoe the day after Christmas and spent a week enjoying all the winter activities. So you may be wondering how my Christmas vacation ties in with my favorite subjects of beauty and cosmetics but of course in my beauty obsessed world it’s never hard to do. So the big news is Jack Black Skincare! This is a skincare line geared to men but I thoroughly enjoyed the lip conditioner/treatment all week long.

When you are enjoying all the winter activities such as snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, and enjoying those nice brisk walks through the winter streets your exposed skin really takes a toll. It’s easy to get dry cracked lips and wind burned skin. I insisted that my husband and son actually take some time to really take care of their skin and prep it in a way that would be beneficial and protective in the elements. Each day I recommended that they use the Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 with Blue Algae Extract and Sea Parsley. It provides the protection and the botanicals that are nourishing to the skins. I was impressed at how light weight and moisturizing the cream is. Also my husband is very sensitive to highly fragrant products and refuses to smell “girly.” The moisturizer is fragrance free and even the most macho man wouldn’t be ashamed to use these products.

Our precious lips are also extremely sensitive to extreme weather conditions. So I was happy to carry along Jack Black’s Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 with Natural Mint and Shea Butter. We all used this product! I love the emollient base and minty smell. This product is awesome in restoring your lips to be smooth and kissable.

So now is the time to have the men in your lives taking care of their skin before they hit those slopes or face the cold windy days. Do what I did. Just set the products near their sink next to their toothbrushes. That way remembering to use their moisturizer after they wash their face and brush their teeth in the morning becomes routine. Just so you know Jack Black makes a full line of products from shaving cream to shampoo and conditioner so you can get your man hooked on the entire line!

I love my boys!

I got my EYELASHES permed!

2007-12-20T13:31:00.001-08:00

Have you ever gotten a perm…..for your EYELASHES? Yes, I said “perm.” I know it sounds bizarre but let me tell you….it’s AWESOME! I personally am obsessed about keeping my eyelashes curled. I just think it looks good. Especially on those days that I really don’t have time to do my makeup or don’t want to—I will still always curl my lashes, apply a little bit of mascara and some lip gloss. Well getting my eyelashes permed were one of the best things I ever did. Instead of havening to curl my lashes multiple times a day to keep them where they belong they are already curled and remain curled. I still use my eyelash curler on some mornings when I use a little bit heavier of a mascara. So now I think I’m hooked!

Here’s how the process went down. I went and saw my esthetician, Tracy and she had me lie down. She cleaned my lashes with one of her Dermalogica Products to make sure I didn’t have any makeup residue on my eyelashes. Next, she pulled out her teeny tiny eyelash perm curling rods and picked out the size I would need. I get such a crack up out of the perming rods for lashes. Isn’t that funny! Next, Tracy went through the process of perming my lashes—I believe there were three different steps involved with the products. By the way, while my lashes were processing she plucked and manicured my brows—they never looked better! Approx. 45 minutes went by and I was done. My lashes were delicately curled. I went home and threw on some mascara and was really impressed at how great and open my eyes looked.

So now there will be no more over obsessing over my eyelash curler. Instead I will go visit Tracy every three months and get my lashes “done.”

I can’t do a post about eyelashes and not pay tribute to a few of my favorite mascaras:

Mascara X by M.A.C. Cosmetics

Lights, Camera, Lashes! by Tarte Cosmetics

Lash Injection by Too Faced Cosmetics

Are you a MAC cosmetics ORIGINAL?

2007-12-15T00:31:00.000-08:00

I’m not kidding when I say I have been using MAC Cosmetics for half my life. We’re talking a good sixteen years! I fell in love “originally” with Studio Fix Foundation in C2 and N3 (I’ve always needed to mix the colors). Of course I really liked the foundation but I found myself wanting some of the vibrant colors that MAC had to offer. I swear the lipsticks had a hypnotic way about them that just lured me over to them. I had to pick them up, test them on my hand until I had at least a dozen stripes on my hand from testing out the colors and textures, and then choose a favorite that I just could not leave the store without. Then as I went to purchase my lipstick I couldn’t help but browse by the eyeshadows. How could I buy a lipstick and not an eyeshadow? Won’t the eyeshadow’s feel left out if I walk on by without even testing a few out to see if there were any I just couldn’t live without? Of course they would! And that’s how I slowly but surely became a MAC addict and started building my collection.

I honestly believe that I have earned my place as a MAC “original.” With purchases of Russian Red lipstick (everyone knows that MAC’s lipsticks are what put them on the map), My C-Thru Lipglass (such a pretty sheer lipglass that is a great medium for mixing with all kinds of other colors), and lets not forget my first three eyeshadows: sketch, carbon and shroom. Along with my very first professional brush: the coveted 266 brush (the slanted angled brush that you can use for brows, eyeliner or to intensify your crease). I was hooked from the get-go! I need to mention one thing that I have always really loved about MAC cosmetics as a company is that when I started working for the company I really was introduced to a whole new world of techniques and skills. MAC has always encouraged individuality and uniqueness for everyone. I didn’t go work for MAC and was then taught how to do makeup the MAC way….that would go against everything they endorse. Instead, they nurture each of our individual passion and skill in applying makeup which made up this wonderful culture of very unique and creative makeup artists. I’m so privileged to have been part of that society. And to have learned so much by working with all different sorts of clients and other makeup artists. So in tribute to Individuality and Uniqueness……

I am delighted to tell you all about MAC’s the Originals collection which will be released the day after Christmas!!! Yea! They are bringing back and vamping up the products that have become “must haves” or products that may have been discontinued but long desired. All in celebration on ones individuality and originality—this collection is going to be fierce! I found these pictures from temptalia.com of the collection that will be hitting counters on December 26th, 2007:

Lipsticks
Utter Pervette Soft pastel pink (lustre)
Nouveau-frou Beigey grey pink with white pearlized pigments (lustre)
Rozz Revival Watermelon reddish-pink (lustre)
Sandy B Light shell pink (frost)
Russian Red Intense bluish-red (matte)
Retrofluid Sheer deep plum with gold and red pearlized pigments (lustre)
Back to Del Rio Deep brown red (lustre)
Supersequin Plummy pink with silver pearlized pigments (lustre)
Twig Twig Neutral brown plum (lustre)
Chintz on Chintz Sheer mid-tone yellow brown (lustre)

Lipglasses
Full On Lust Neutral brown pink (cream)
Nico Now Mid-tone grey purple with multi-coloured pearlized pigments (frost)
Avarice Mid-tone yellow red with soft red pearlized pigments (cream)
Real Desire Deep plum with red pearlized pigments (frost)
C-Thru Soft peached-beige with shimmer (cream)

Eyeshadows
Daisychain Soft yellow-beige with soft white pearlized pigments (satin)
Ochre Style Mid-tone yellow brown with gold (frost)
Frisco Soft pastel pink (matte)
A Little Folie Mid-tone red brown (matte)
Clue Mid-tone grey with silver pearlized pigments (frost)
Alum Mid-tone blue grey with soft blue pearlized pigments (satin)
Charred Deep steel grey with silver pearlized pigments (frost)
Memorabilia Mid-tone purple (matte)
Parrot Deep aqua blue with bright green and blue pearlized pigments (frost)

Eye Pencils
Indigo Muted greenish-blue
Coffee Muted brown
Ebony Soft black

Pigments
Kitschmas Light airy shimmering pink mauve with pearlized pigments (frost)
Violet Vivid bright purple (frost)
Golden Olive High frosted green gold (frost)
Melon Soft bright golden peach (frost)
Steel Blue Rich deep turquoise green blue with small pearlized particles (pearl)
Reflects Blackened Red Sparkling burgundy
Reflects Very Pink Sparkling fuchsia pink
Reflects Transparent Teal Sparkling white with turquoise
Reflects Antique Gold Sparkling taupe

As if the collection weren’t enough….MAC is also going to put on an “Are you a MAC Original” contest! I was able to participate in a sneak preview of the contest in Los Angeles at the Paper Magazine Event in early November. Basically the contest will be regional and national and there are big stakes at large. We’re talking a $1000 MAC gift card as a grand prize in the National contest!!! The regional contest will be held in the six key cities: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Houston. The winner of the regional contest will win a $250 MAC gift card plus the Originals collection and a story in a local publication!!! I can hardly believe it! What a fantastic idea! You’ll have to wait until the product launch for more rules and regulations to be posted at www.maccosmetics.com on the “Are you a MAC Original” contest. So start thinking about how you are a MAC original and you never know...you may have great rewards headed for you in the near future. Regardless, it's always fun looking back on our journey and seeing where we started and where we are now. Our roots are set with key moments in our lives. Although we are just talking cosmetics here....I know first hand how a little bit of sparkle or a great lipstick can make a bad day into one that has something to feel good and be joyous about. So think back about your "originals" and discover your story that has evolved into your beauty regime today! Good Luck!

Introducing PREVAGE Anti-Aging Night Cream by Elizabeth Arden

2007-12-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

I have been using PREVAGE Anti-Aging night cream for the last two weeks. My skin looks younger. It felt smoother and firmer in just a few days. Impressive—for sure. What’s neat about this product is that it is proven to help your skin’s night time natural repair process with amazing ingredients like:
Idebenone (a skin revitalizer) which is encapsulated and time-released in the night time moisturizer;
Mega Complex-A (a vitamin based blend) like vitamin A, which smoothes lines and wrinkles, Lemon Peel extract—a brightner for age spots and discolored skin, and Vitamin E which restores our skin.

This is all really cool right? But wait—the moisturizer comes in this futuristic jar that keeps the product sealed and fresh. There is no way that air can mix in with the product and also the innovative design keeps the product totally sterile. I really appreciate that being the germ-a-phob that I am. Go to any Elizabeth Arden counter to check out the PREVAGE collection. If you are like me and are a sensory person you will most certainly be delighted. The products smells so good, it’s a fantastic night time cream without feeling real heavy, and simply tried and true—the product delivers what it promises: to repair, refresh and recover.

MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam Lipstick

2007-12-04T07:10:00.001-08:00

December 1st was World Aids Day. A day to bring awareness to the disease and what is being done to eradicate it. Although I am a few days late posting, I think it's great to bring awareness to AIDS all year long. This is exactly what MAC cosmetics does and why I have always been so proud to either work for them or refer their products to all my clients. They introduced their Viva Glam lipstick line thirteen years ago in an attempt to raise money and awareness to AIDS and HIV. This is what is posted on their website:

"The M·A·C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M·A·C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. The M·A·C AIDS Fund is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with underserved regions and populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical donor in the arena, the Fund strives to raise awareness of four key issues in the fight against HIV/AIDS: prevention, the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS, access to care, and adherence to medications and treatments. To date, the M·A·C AIDS Fund has raised more than $95 million (U.S.) exclusively through the sale of VIVA GLAM lipsticks and lipglass, donating 100 percent of the selling price to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. "

We now know that MAC has surpassed the $95 million and has raised $100 million! It's Incredible!

MAC is able to raise them money through people like you and me who love lipstick. They have six different Viva Glam shades and the entire purchasing price goes straight to their AIDS foundation. Remember this when you are out and about Christmas shopping this year. My personal favorite Viva Glam color is V. It's a beautiful pinky nude and I promise it looks good on everyone!

Go and support a worthy cause. Get yourself a Viva Glam lipstick and pick one up for your BFF for Christmas too!

xx

Elizabeth Arden, Sharon Bolton, Benefit Cosmetics, Issey Miyake...you decide your favorite scent!

2007-11-28T15:55:00.001-08:00

It’s that time of year where we get together with our family and friends and celebrate our family traditions. I absolutely love the fall and winter time. I love to embrace the Holidays—giving thanks for all that I hold dear, celebrating the birth of Jesus, and finally closing the year out with a big bang (usually my “big bang” is a good card game and a few drinks!)

Although Christmas time has a very spiritual meaning behind it in our family—we still enjoy the regular traditions of Santa Claus, holiday parties, and gift giving. It’s so much fun—especially those white elephant parties! That's why I would like to take the next couple of weeks to post on some fabulous gift ideas.

First on my list is fragrances! Who doesn’t enjoy a nice bottle of perfume? Also, It’s an item that people don’t always like to splurge on for themselves but can really appreciate it as a gift. I’d like to spotlight on: Badgley Mischka Fleurs de Nuit by Elizabeth Arden. This is my night time…going out…all glamed up perfume. I honestly feel like I have gone back in time to when getting dolled up was a glamorous event. I can imagine Marilyn Monroe putting on this scent before going to a Hollywood cocktail party. Badgley Mischka smells sophisticated and sensual. Check it out at ElizabethArden.com! Just putting it on changes my mood and makes me feel sexy and flirty in a very confident way! This one’s a winner!

Another favorite that I have to mention is Sharon Bolton’s Luv. It comes in a handy rollerball that I always kept in my purse—until it was completely used up. I loved it as an everyday fragrance. It has a very warm-tropical-floral feel to it. I will be addicted for life! I think having a perfume oil in a rollerball form is brilliant. It makes it so easy to freshen up while you are out and about!

Maybe Baby by Benefit Cosmetics is a great gift to give. This is another light and flirty scent. Perfect to put on when you are having a sweet intimate evening with your loved one. I’ve continuously had this perfume for about four years. Love it!

Issey Miyake is a fragrance you absolutely cannot go wrong with. I think it smells good on everyone. It's light enough to be an everyday scent but has that warm undertone that makes it a more formal smelling scent. My husband bought me this perfume several years ago and it is one of my favorites. I try to keep it special just for him and wear it when we go out on a date or are spending the day together--alone! He loves it and I think he feels special that I have my own favorite scent that I wear just for him!

Happy gift giving and let me know what your favorite scents are too!

The Birthday Girl!

2007-11-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

I came home a couple of nights ago from doing a little Christmas shopping and to my surprise I had a birthday cake waiting to greet me with all the love a mom could ask for in the form of a baked with love birthday cake. Oh my heart just melted! It is so cute. The way Isabelle decorated the right side and Ethan's left side with the backwards 3 (didn't he notice that?!) I thought it was the most precious thing ever and it definitely is way better than the Sprinkles cupcakes that I got last year! Thanks Erica for doing this with the kids--I love it so much! What a thoughtful gesture!

Today is my birthday and I am so excited. It's silly feeling all giddy like a kid--isn't it. But I can't help it--I get to be pampered by spending time with my friends and family and that's truly my favorite thing in life. You know relationships--they're the only thing eternal in our lives--Good company and a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks and I am on cloud nine! Even though it's a Monday and I have to work--I absolutely adore my coworker, Rhonda--she's great company and has a sweet heart. It's my pleasure to spend my birthday in the office with her.

Every year I tell people to not worry about buying me gifts but instead lets get together for a meal! I love socailizing and eating is always a good time too! Well, every year there are a few people that just can't help but buy me a gift and this year I have to pay tribute to the thoughtfulness and generosity of my brother in law and sister in law for the "Bithday Girl" gift set by philosophy. I love it! Who knew that they could top last year's Sephora gift card and the Amazing Graze body wash? How totally thoughtful especially since I know they think I am crazy and obsessed with all my makeup and skincare--with it bursting out of the seams of my drawers and purse! But I truly love the stuff--and they truly picked out a perfect gift! Thank you so much!

After all the craziness surrounding this Thanksgiving weekend I was delighted to dive in and test out my birthday gift. It was like giving myself a mini spa treatment and I felt and smelled so good when I was all done! Who wouldn't after using these products?:

2 oz. amazing grace perfumed shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath,
2 oz. purity made simple one-step facial cleanser,
1 oz. time on your hands exfoliating hand cream,
1 oz. soul owner exfoliating foot cream, and
.5 oz. kiss me red highly emollient lip balm.

So, if you're looking for a funtastic gift to give to that special someone in your life--I highly recommend "birthday girl" gift set by philosophy. Even if she has everything a girl could ever want she is going to love this cute and functional set!

Lip Rescue 911: MAC Cosmetics Tinted Lip Conditioner

2007-11-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

The weather here in Southern California has been so crazy this year. Really extreme--it's hot; it's cold; it's windy; it's dry; is it about to rain? All these drastic changes in such a short amount of time is starting to cause havoc on my skin and hair! So I have had to kick up my consistency with my beauty regime.

My biggest pet peeve is that I cannot stand having dry lips so I have practically lived with my MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in my hand. I love the way it makes my lips feel so moisturized and soft and perfectly tinted. The conditioner is very emollient and the vanilla flavor and smell that it leaves is addicting. I need to have my lips in prime condition so that I can really jazz them up for this holiday season. You know...matte, dark, glossy, shiny, glittery...all the different choices for fun holiday lips!

Also, on another note, I always prep my clients with a tinted lip conditioner and seriously-- everyone loves it! When it comes time to apply any formula lipstick the tinted moisturizer does a wonderful prep job!

This product also makes a perfect gift for everyone. There are some people out there that don't really care for much makeup or those of us that are absolutely obsessed with it and this product meets both those needs. We can all use a little bit of lip therapy right? Go to your local MAC counter today and find your favorite shade. Mine is Petting Pink. I hope Santa puts more of these in my stocking!

Beyond Blushing!

2007-11-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

I love the fall and winter time! The mornings and nights are getting chilly here in Southern California and our sweaters are now coming out of hibernation and making their way towards the front of our drawers. I was watching my kids play outside a couple of evenings ago and I was just in awe at how beautiful their skin looked. My daughter who is pretty fair and my son who has more of an olive tone complexion get pretty tanned during the summer months. Well with their tans fading and their skin lightening to their beautiful shades I couldn’t help but notice how the cool air left the most pretty sheer pink tone to their cheeks. Of course I think my kids are absolutely stunning just like every mom out there feels about their children but It also reminded me of the blushes I have in my kit and all the different formulas and textures that blushes come in. So I've been inspired to share.....

Of course my makeup case is full of every texture and formula of blush that MAC cosmetics has to offer along with some cult favorites that I will pay tribute to too! So here is the breakdown of MAC blush formulas and textures:

“POWDER BLUSH FINISHES:”

“FROST: Iridescent, lightly shimmering colour. Adds highlights: provides a frosted "bloom" to the cheeks.”
—I love these for the holiday seasons. They are also beautiful as cheekbone and temple highlights

"MATTE: Flat matte finish. Goes on lightly. Builds well. Blends with the skin."
—Matte blushes have always proven to go on really well on more matured skin and I also love the way they photograph! I like to use more of a Matte textured blush during the holiday season where there are lots of pictures being taken and my makeup is done a bit more formally.

"SATIN: Light refractive sheen-style finish. Adds subtle highlights to the skin."
–Satin blushes are definitely the way to go when you are unsure of what finish you are really looking for. I think anyone can get away with wearing a satin blush and look absolutely fabulous. It’s the best of both worlds: sophisticated and perfectly highlighted.

"SHEERTONES: Shy-on tints in a sheer-on micro-refined powder. Not transparent. Goes on faint. Looks real.
–Alright, I know I am not supposed to play favorites but I have to admit that the sheertone formulas are my absolute favorite! They go on like a beautiful watercolor. So natural as if the color just looks perfectly placed.

"SHEERTONE SHIMMER: Jet-milled and micro-fine, just like Sheertone, but tickled with just-enough shimmer to make light dance on the cheeks.” –Again, my favorite blush that MAC makes. It’s a beautiful subtle highlighted blush that makes me feel like I look fresh and awake even after putting in a 12 hour day!

The other interesting thing about the sheertones is that in the pots they seriously look like they are going to pack on an intense color on your cheeks—which is deceiving because like I said once you start to apply the color it comes out more like a beautiful watercolor for the cheeks. My favorite color is dollymix—which looks like a super bright pink but applies like a perfectly pinched cheek! I like to also use my sheertone blushes as eyeshadows sometimes. They are just so pretty!

BlushCrème: Luxuriously soft and creamy, this cream blush tenderly flushes the cheeks or brings them into full-blown rosy bloom. Blends well; layers exquisitely. Gives a vibrant, dewy fresh, slightly shiny look to the cheeks. Apply with a brush or fingers.—I probably use the blushcremes more than you might expect. I almost always use them on homecoming and prom applications. I just love the dewy look that these blushes leave. Also, when you have skin more on the oily side these blushes are awesome! As well as the exact opposite—they also make skin on the dry side more pretty and vibrant.

My cult favorites that I have to pay tribute to in order make this post complete are—drum roll please:

Benefit Cosmetic’s BeneTint—Of course an amazing product. You can stain those cheeks, lips, and even eyelids with this rose infused must have multi-purpose cosmetic.

Tarte’s Cheek Stain: It’s notorious for it’s long wearing power and beautiful dewy finish. I actually keep one in my purse for a quick pick me up when I need a quick makeup application! I love Flush

Last but certainly not least:

NARS: Orgasam. Need I say more? Absolutely, with out a doubt, the color that truly looks good on everyone. I started pairing it with NARS Sin blush and just felt that the duo not only looked great together but also aways made for a good conversation starter!

Never say you will never wear bronzer....

2007-11-12T07:22:00.000-08:00

My sister Michele and I are total BFF's! I adore her! Not only are we really great friends but I'm sure she had something to do with my obsession with cosmetics....maybe it was the makeup applications she would give me when I was nine years old to look like her (which was a very glam punk rock look)! And of course I was walking around like I was hot stuff since I knew I was looking like my big sister--right down to the monkey boots, fishnet tights, plaid skirt, and random punk rock top. Those days were so much fun. Anyways, where I am going with all this is I am always very excited and privileged when my sister can come and work with me on a job. There are times where the wedding party is just too big for little 'ole me to handle all by myself. So a couple of weeks ago I had a large wedding party and Michelle was up to the challenge of coming and helping me out with the girls.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a few things that Michele had brought with her that I didn't have. Specifically some Too Faced Cosmetics products. Of course I couldn't wait to get my little fingers on those. Especially since my sister who NEVER would wear a bronzing powder was raving about Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer: She wasn't kidding. The bronzer is not only totally cute but perfectly functional for almost everyone! I absolutely loved it too. I ended up using it on almost half of the girls I did makeup on. It has a very pretty and subtle highlight to it and just enough pink to it that your face looks fresh and bright. Loved it!

On our way to the wineries where we had our job, Michele was like, "try this..." and handed me over a clear lipgloss. I put it on and immediately loved how slippery and emollient it was. Then immediately my lips started having a stinging sensation. "What's in this stuff?" I asked her. She then informed me that it was the Too Faced lip injection plumper: Well the product definitely lived up to its purpose. My lips certainly had a nice bit of plumpage going on and were a pretty dark pink color. I hadn't used a lip plumper that I felt was as effective until using this one. I liked it!

The final product that Michele brought to the table that was AMAZING was Too Faced Eyelash Injection. This mascara was awesome. I again used this mascara on all most everybody I did a makeup application on. It without a doubt plumped the eyelashes and made look thick, full, and long. The brush on the mascara wand was very thick and plush too. I loved how this mascara gave that very pretty thick doll like eyes. The girls lashes were beautiful even without adding any false lashes. I was certainly very impressed. I can't wait to go out and add these products to my own kit. Although I wouldn't mind having my sister around for all the makeup jobs I do. That would be fun! Thanks Michele--Love you!

The Days of Our Lives

2007-11-02T22:58:00.000-07:00

So, what a crazy last couple weeks this has been. Many events have occurred that have left me in a serious tailspin. From being surrounded by fires, having my home become a safe haven for Grandma until she could go home, the kids out of school due to poor air quality….not to mention a Halloween party, carving pumpkins, Halloween makeup, Trick or Treating, the Harvest Festival, cheer-camp, two birthday dinners for some dear friends, some very special visitors and oh did I mention I also carry a full time job?! I’m exhausted all over again just writing down the list! So although the last couple of weeks have been trying I have also re-discovered a few beauty gems that I had not brought out for a while and I would love to share them with you!

First, the week of the fires was horrible. It was hard to breathe without my chest aching and my hair, skin, and nails really did not respond well to the poor air quality. After my hands became so dry by the end of the week I broke out my Rosebud Salve and started using it as an intense moisturizer for my hands. I had severe hangnails on almost every finger and decided to also dig out my cuticle oil—what a miracle that was. I wish I had a brand name for it but I don’t. It just comes in a tiny bottle with a cap with a brush on it. I brush the mango smelling oil onto my super dry cuticle and within a day my fingers were all healed up. Thank goodness too because I had a big wedding party that I did today and that would of looked horrible coming in with my fingers all dry and irritated—no bueno.

Next, my skin was a wreck….very dry. I started to use my six phase Isadermix system that I have and I swear my skin has never looked better. I will be posting on these products specifically in the very near future so I don’t want to go into to much detail tonight but basically it is a system that consists of Step 1—cleanser, Step 2—microdermabrasion, Step 3—toner, Step 4—Intense Vitamin C Serum, Step 5—Day time moisturizer with a SPF 30, and Step 6—Night time moisturizer. I am completely amazed at what these products have done. I’m totally hooked. And after I gave Grandma a facial while she was staying with me using those steps plus the Face and Neck Lift product all there is left for me to do is throw my hands up in the air and yell, “Hallelujah!” And Grandma totally felt the same way. She was speechless after the results of one cycle with these very awesome products! More to come later….. (Bet you can’t wait!)

Now that things have settled down a bit and my family are back in their homes and safe I could focus on Halloween. I love doing makeup for Halloween. Lots of glitter, foiled eyelashes, and breaking all the general rules (as far as makeup applications are concerned)! I can be such a rebel—I know. I had a good time doing my daughter, Belle’s makeup and her best friend, Annie on Halloween. They looked so cute as a graveyard fairy and a pirate. So cute! We had caked on glitter because we could not get enough of it. The eyeliner mixing medium from MAC was my best friend when it came to packing on that glitter! Check out me and my daughter at a Halloween party:

So that brings me to today. What a wonderful day it was. I had a great wedding party in which all the women were so sweet, kind, and beautiful (inside and out). My sister, Michele was there assisting me on the job and that made my day even that much better. My sister and my passion of doing makeup all together…what a glorious thing!

We had our Strobe Cream from MAC going full force. Those women looked absolutely radiant by the time we were done with them. We did very pretty and very different looks on each girl. I totally appreciated the willingness and great communication to ultimately achieve looks that everybody was satisfied with. I left that job feeling so energetic and excited knowing that those beautiful women were about to celebrate a party of a lifetime. And my bride was so sweet and absolutely stunning she could take anybody’s breath away. I wish her and her hubby all the best.

Trick or Treat?

2007-10-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

When it comes to makeup-- we want all the tricks and that's our treat! With Halloween on the horizon I thought it would be appropriate to treat you and share some of my favorite tricks of the trade!

Today's trick has to do with the lips....and this might be useful as you make yourself up for all those frightful Halloween parties you will be attending.

When you start applying your makeup apply a lip conditioner right away so by the time you get to your lips they will be soft and subtle when you go to apply your lipstick. As you prepare your lips it is wise to always use a primer. I love both Paula Dorf lip primer and Urban Decay Potion for the lips(i know it says "eyeshadow primer" but trust me...it's phenomenal as a lip primer!).

Next, pencil you lips in with your lipliner and then go back and smudge the liner all over your lips so that you get a nice even application without the "lipliner defined" edge. Now you are ready to apply your first coat of lipstick. Do so generously and now we are going to set your lipstick: take a tissue (if it is 2 ply--separate the tissue so you have a very thin sheet) press it up to your lips and blot. At the same time, take your big powder brush and dip it in either translucent loose powder or blot powder and brush over your blotting tissue over top of your lips. Your lipstick is now "set." Go ahead and apply another coat of lipstick (you can repeat the process again if you would like) and fix up your lipliner. Finally your lips look fabulous and your lipstick life will be totally extended even though you have a night of eating, drinking, and maybe a little bit of smooching to look forward to!

Try these colors from MAC cosmetics for a deep rich red lip: Mahagony lip pencil, Rocker lipstick and a smidgen of oversexed plushglass. It's beautiful!

MAC Face and Body Foundation

2007-10-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

So, I promised you all a review on one of my new favorite foundations. Drum roll please.......MAC Cosmetics Face and Body Foundation! I really have fallen head over heels for this foundation. It is a water based foundation that provides sheer coverage which you can layer for more coverage if you need it. I have been using this all summer long on all my clients and everyone has loved it! It doesn't matter what your skin type is--this foundation will work for you.

As a makeup artist, I love that this product is so easy to mix for a custom shade. My own skin tone changes so much that I am constantly needing to change up my foundation. MAC Face and Body makes it so easy to blend two colors together and get a natural, soft, and pretty complexion. Once your foundation is on you can use a pressed powder to set everything and then just carry your blot powder in your bag to touch up on any shine you may get during the day.

Now for the "body" part of Face and Body Foundation, you really can use this product all over your body. Do you need to even out the skin tone on your chest? Do you have any spider veins you would like to cover up on your legs? Or simply would you just like to go out with out any hose on but need a little something on your legs? Again, MAC's Face and Body Foundation is the trick you didn't even know you were looking for. Give it a try...I bet you'll love it!

Sparkle! Shine!

2007-10-05T23:01:00.000-07:00

I simply love this time of year. I like the seasons change, the longer nights, the cool brisk mornings…..and especially the kick off of the holiday season. By kick off I mean foot ball and by foot ball I mean homecoming….and by homecoming I mean really fun makeup applications! Shortly after the homecoming blitz comes Halloween which is also a really fun time to be creative with my cosmetics.

Now, whether we are talking homecoming dances or Halloween one main ingredient always comes to mind…GLITTER! I heart glitter. Truly. Ask anyone who knows me. I don’t reserve glitter for special occasions and Halloween. I literally wear it through out the year as the spirit moves me. Every since I ever started wearing makeup I have had some sort of glitter in my collection. Some days I put it on and I swear it just makes me feel happy all day long. Maybe I’m getting too old for that kind of glitter wearing behavior but I don’t care. I’m sure it keeps me young at heart.

Some of my favorite glitter products date way back. I got this cool pot of loose colorful glitter at Aardvarks in Hermosa Beach like fifteen years ago and I still have some left! It’s crazy…it’s loose and it just stays on the skin like its emollient but it’s not. I’ve been in love with all sorts of different glitters ever since. Especially glitter for the eyes!

Loose Glitter is awesome because of the various things you can do with it. From mixing it with your lotions and rubbing on your body, to adding to a body spray for a quick sparkly spritz, adding to any of your regular makeup products for turning your ordinary in to a sparkly delight! You can’t really go wrong with loose glitter!

My favorite glitter products are glitter eyeliners. Urban Decay, MAC Cosmetics, and Hard Candy make a few of my favorite glitter liners. The liquid glitter liners are really cool because you can smudge the brush on your finger tip and then press the glitter all over your lids for a very sparkly lid! The pencil liners with glitter in them are really great because you have more control with where the glitter is placed.

My second favorite glitter products are lip glosses that contain glitter. Snow Girl, Love Nectar, and Oh Baby are just a few from MAC Cosmetics that I really love. Sephora’s lip glosses are also really amazing and I always have at least one in my purse!

I can’t mention glitter with out giving a shout out to nail polish! Glitter is a must when it comes to painting my toes! I love taking the loose glitter from MAC Cosmetics and mixing it with some clear nail polish for a thick layered sparkly nail polish.

I think that is a fine coverage of all things glitter that I love. So go out my little pretties and shine on!

Boutique Treasure!

2007-09-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

I get so giddy when I find a little hidden treasure when I least expect it. As I was walking through one of my favorite "old town" stores, the Farmer's Wife, I was drawn to the section of the store where there were fragrances, lotions, bath salts, and other yummy things I could get my hands on. I immediately spotted the word "rose" and was instantly drawn in. I LOVE rose water and am always looking out for it. But this little goody caught me by surprise. Kimono Rose by Thymes isn't your typical rose smelling fragrance. This one is unique in ways I am going to attempt to explain.....

The feeling that was provoked when I tried on the roller ball fragrance was one of instant satisfaction. I was thinking about how I couldn't wait home and give my hubby a hug to see if he noticed anything different. The scent is subtly powerful, romantic and sweet, with both light notes and bold notes. This is the description on the Thymes website:

Sparkling and lyrical, Kimono Rose is unabashedly feminine, beautifully layered
with an undercurrent of intrigue. A sheer, sensuous floral heightened with
effervescent sweet clementine and voluptuous cassis on a creamy bed of satiny
rose, peony and jasmine petals…finished with a kiss of smooth, silken vanilla.
Delicate but dynamic; softspoken, yet striking, it is a modern reflection of who
you are, and who you want to be…all wrapped up in one truly lovely fragrance.

It comes in sprays and lotions and candles. Oh I can't wait to get my hands on the entire collection! I love that it comes in my new little favorite....the roller ball (which was introduced to me when I started wearing Sharon Bolton Scents in LUV)....so I can just throw it in my bag and run. Go check this stuff out. I promise you won't be disappointed!

I'm Baaaaack!

2007-09-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

My goodness! It has been a while since my last post. Let me start off by saying that this summer has been one of my busiest and most rewarding in the makeup artistry industry so far. I'm so thankful for all my clients and the amazing job opportunities I have had. The jobs are still coming and I am so excited. I love meeting new people....while getting to share such a special day with them. It has created bonds that have served as a catalyst for some very wonderful friendships. Thanks to all of you .....and you know who you are ; )

Those of you that have been faithful to beyondblushing, a big THANK YOU to you. I am back to post regularly again about the products I have come in contact with and are currently using. I have a lot to talk about and some new fragrances to introduce to you too. So check back soon and I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm dying to tell you about a wonderful rollerball fragrance that I have fallen in love with, my new favorite foundation by MAC cosmetics, and an amazing skin care line that I am in the process of testing out.

TTFN

xoxo
Lisa

Crazy Rumors?!

2007-06-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

When it comes to summer time all I can think of is carefree makeup! We are all out and about enjoying the hot weather. We are spending lots of time in and near the water. The days are long and the nights are perfect for getting together and barbequing! I’ve been carrying around a few awesome goodies in my makeup bag that aren’t letting me down this summer. First is: Crazy Rumors?! I love the name of the line—so cute and fun. This is a line of all natural vegan friendly lip balms! What is also really cool is they come in flavors of your favorite latte and tea drinks! You will always find one of these yummy and friendly lip balms in my makeup bag. Two of my favorite things--coffee and soft lips! Go get yourself some of these amazing lip balms and perk up those lips!

BRUSHES! BRUSHES! BRUSHES!

2007-06-01T23:14:00.000-07:00

Your tools are going to make all the difference in the world when it comes to makeup application. I’ve been wanting to do a write up on brushes for a really long time since I feel that they are so important on how your final result is going to look like when your makeup application is complete. I can’t start to count all the times when I used to work at makeup counters and I would see people get their makeup done completely—they would buy all the products—except for the brushes—and would be back at the counter later all disappointed that they could not “recreate” the original look. BRUSHES people! It’s all about the BRUSHES! Make sure when ever going and getting your makeup done that your artist is educted on brushes and teaches you how to properly use them and take care of them. They are an investment--but I promise--one worth making

I have about a zillion brushes and sponges and puffs and yada, yada, yada but I usually find myself always going back to the same set of basic brushes. These are my gotta-have-it basic brushes:

A foundation brush—which I use to apply my moisturizer and foundation (when I wear it) It is always made up of a synthetic material and is a flat paddle shape. I love using a brush for moisturizer and foundation. Not only is it cost effective since you are using less product—but it feels like you are getting a spa treatment too. My clients love it!!! Some of them have even come close to falling asleep! Also your coverage is going to be more even and flawless. I recommend you foundation brush for your moisturizer, primer, foundation, and large area concealing.
A big powder brush is totally necessary. Not only does the powder brush provide a nice finish to your moisturized, primed, and nicely covered with foundation face—it also disperses the product evenly and not too heavy providing excellent coverage. You could also use this brush to apply shimmery body powder to your body! So of course you need a medium size blush brush. And if you are one of those people who don’t bother putting on blush—you should start. Blush is so pretty! Sometimes it’s all you need to look pretty and fresh. By dipping the tip of your blush brush in either a cream blush or a powder blush and applying it in light circular strokes on the apples of your cheeks is going to provide a beautiful hint of color to your cheeks and make you look pretty and fresh. You could also take you blush brush and sort of pinch the fluffy part together creating a thick and full line and dip that into your bronzer and go along from the top part of your ear slightly under your cheek bone and towards the bottom of the apple of your cheek in a very slight “J” motion to create a more multi-dimensional and defined cheek. Then let your brush go back to normal and blend out any harsh lines.
Now we come to brushes for your eyes. I think there are three basic brushes you have to have to be able to recreate any look that you want.

First is a medium or large shader brush. With this brush you would apply your eyeshadow primer and your base eyeshadow. It should be somewhat of a more dense brush so that you can pack on color if you need to—depending on the look you are going for. The edge is slightly rounded and the brush itself is not too fluffy or thick. Again, I like more of a paddle like shape. That way you can either blend with it or place color specifically with it using a patting method instead of a stroking method for blending.
Next—and I consider this a key tool for your eyes—you have to have a crease brush or also called a contour brush. I love this brush. This is so important when trying to create a classic look with a light lid and a darker crease. This brush is usually a little bit longer in length, not too thick, not too dense—but slightly, and comes to a mildly pointed tip. That way you could dip the tip of your brush in your eyeshadow—knock off the excess—and depending on the pressure you put on the brush, you can create a very defined crease. For example, with lighter pressure—just going back in forth in a windshield wiper motion or circular motion on the very outer corner of your eye. Now with heavier pressure, the brush disperses the eyeshadow in a wider area so your crease is broader and defined that way.
Lastly, for gotta-have-it basic brushes—we can’t forget about the slanted angle brush. This brush holds a dear place in my heart since it was the very first professional brush I ever bought. I still have it and I use it on a regular basis. This brush is so important because you can use it to either put on a liquid eyeliner or dip it in an eyeshadow and use it as an eyeliner. It’s great for getting product into your lash base and also for setting a pencil eyeliner. You know what I mean? After you apply a pencil eyeliner you could use your slanted angled brush dipped in a powder eyeshadow to “set” your pencil eyeliner. It really does help with increasing the length of time your makeup stays on. Also the slanted angled brush is an awesome tool for feeling in your eyebrows. It’s mainly the only tool I use on my brows.

So those are my favorite basic brushes. Six total! Of course you can get real fancy and buy all the different shapes and sizes but truly—those five brushes are phenomenal and can create just about any makeup look you want.

As far as picking a line of brushes you want to invest in I have an amazing company I would like to recommend. It is called Branded J and it is an incredible line—in several ways. There motto is “a brush with heaven.” And that’s exactly how these brushes feel. The whole line is completely synthetic—with a purpose! This is really unheard of in this industry—every line I have ever used has had a mix of animal hair fiber brushes and synthetic. But Branded J is different in a really big way. Don’t you just love a rebel?! Someone who thinks outside the box and goes against the flow?! I do! And that’s what Branded J Collections represents. This company has drawn a line in the sand that they aren’t crossing it and have deemed themselves as a completely animal cruelty free line—AMEN! There are absolutely no animal hair brushes in this line. This was foreign to me at first because I have always used brushes made out of animal hair fibers but once I was made aware of how some of those brushes are made and what those animals go through—I was seriously shocked. It’s more then a simple “ hair cut.” Then I started to use some of the brushes from Branded J and I was beyond pleasantly surprised at the results for being completely synthetic. They are so soft and silky and make makeup application flawless. So I completely stand behind the mission of Branded J and their product. It’s a win-win situation when you choose to use brushes from Branded J. Check out their website and read about their products and their mission at http://www.brandedjcollections.com/. Don’t forget to check out their “F.Y.I.” section—it’s very informative.

A cup of coffee and products by Skyn Iceland are all I need to start my day!

2007-05-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

I love being able to try out new products! It is so much fun for me. I have been testing a few different lines over the last six weeks and I am really happy with the results from the products. Today I’m going to focus on a line called Skyn Iceland. This is a skin care line that I have been using every morning for a couple of weeks. There are several things that I love about this line. First off, the scent of the products is very invigorating which really awakens my senses first thing in the morning.

After I wash my face and then moisturize with the Antidote Daily Lotion (so awesome!) my skin feels tingly and cool. It’s that kind of peppermint-y cool feeling that really wakes you up and adds life into dull morning skin. Second, my favorite thing about any moisturizer is when it absorbs quickly and dry’s to a natural finish and Skyn Iceland does just that. My skin feels soft, it smells good—and the biggest surprise is that it make’s an awesome base for my foundation! My makeup looked beautiful all day over the moisturizer-- Even after I worked out at the gym! I totally recommend that you try out this line if you love soft skin, could use a nice pick me up in the morning, and are looking to simplify you daily routine by using one less product-a primer for your foundation—since the moisturizer doubles as a great primer!

Check out their website at www.skyniceland.com. It is so informative and the line has a lot to offer. I'm throughly impressed and love feeling like I don't need to try to hard to get beautiful soft skin when there are products like the ANTIDOTE from Skyn Iceland.

2007-04-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

My life has been a crazy whirlwind lately. I’ve been under a tremendous amount of stress for the last month both personally and professionally. From meeting deadlines for work to planning two parties, having company in from out of town, and then the usual hustle and bustle of taking care of the husband and two kids. I’m not complaining—but sometimes life seems really overwhelming. Exhaustion starts to take place and my body takes a toll.

The first signs that I start to notice when stress is prevalent is that my skin starts to break out, looks red, uneven, blotchy and aged. Does that sound familiar to anyone else? I know my sister is the same way—stress rears it’s ugly head on her skin too. Well, I got up this morning and took a long HOT shower and decided that I would give myself a well deserved—and needed facial. A little time to pamper myself before coming down stairs and cleaning up the mess from yesterday’s baby shower and preparing for a late afternoon barbeque and Laker game with some close friends.

I started my “facial ritual” by inspecting my skin with my magnifying mirror. “Wow,” I thought to myself. My skin actually looked pretty good. Where were all my usual signs of stress? Why hadn’t I broke out in a red blotchy mess? Then it dawned on me that stress had no power over my consistent daily skin care regime and my obsession with drinking almost 100 oz. of water a day. You see, I have been religiously using some new skin care products by Juice Beauty for the last four to six weeks. It’s awesome stuff! Juice Beauty products are 95% organic! Incredible! That includes the ingredients and the base “juice” that the products are made from. Melissa and Karen—the masterminds behind Juice Beauty left no stone unturned as they found the finest organic ingredients all around the world. Check out their website to read about all the details of this totally innovative healthy line for our skin at www.juicebeauty.com. An interesting statistic I learned from this line is that “our skin absorbs up to 64% of what we place on it, so what we should feed our skin should be organic.” Especially when we live such hectic lifestyles that most of us do nowadays.

So my daily routine has gone something like this: I cleanse and tone my face with the cleansing milk—it smells good and makes my face feel smooth and clean. Then, I treat my face with the green apple antioxidant serum—usually every other day for my skin. I definitely moisturize with green apple antioxidant moisturizer every night, and during the day I protect my face with the SPF 30 tinted moisturizer. I’ve also started to apply a mask once a week. I’ve been using one by “KOSE.” The name of it is Seikisho Mask White. Don’t let the name fool you—It’s a black peel off mask. It is made with Nano Black powder which is the ingredient that allows all the nutrients to absorb quickly and also provide the air tight seal so that the Vitamin C and Chinese and Japanese herb extracts have a chance to really penetrate the skin—providing the benefits of brightening the skin, hydrating, and regulating sebum production. This is one of the first peel off masks that contain vitamin C and actually helps prevent the formation of age spots and freckles! I seriously feel like I am giving myself a spa treatment when using this mask. It’s really cool. You can find this product at www.neimanmarcus.com

Juice Beauty is proving to be a great skin care regime for me along with my Seikisho Mask. My skin not only feels smooth but it actually looks radiant and pretty. This is a great way to prep my skin for my makeup. I’ve even noticed that I’m not even wearing foundation everyday anymore. Just the way I like it—especially right before summer! I cannot stress enough how important our skin care regime is for total effects when we are all made up. I love color! Eyeshadow, blush, lipstick,….but none of it really doesn’t look as good as it should if you are not properly prepping your skin and taking good care of your skin from the inside out. That means drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and properly cleansing-treating-and moisturizing your skin. It makes all the difference in the world. I understand that we all have different needs and levels of how we like to take care of our skin. That is why I am always reviewing different lines and products in the hope that one will take residence with you and your life style—and it’s a lot of fun trying all the different products out there. They each have something unique and alluring about them. I hope you are enjoying and learning and practicing healthy skin care with me!

Pretty Lips….all day!

2007-04-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

I love a great lip stain. Recently I have become addicted to Tarte’s Rise & Shine in “cherry and pink. I don’t use the word “addicted” too often either. Seriously, they stay in my purse instead of my kit so I have access to them whenever I want. What makes Rise and Shine so special is that it is a lip stain and gloss…and they’re waterproof! One end has a felt tip to apply the lip stain and the other end is a plumping gloss in either a sheer pink or sheer red. The stains are so pretty and the gloss is that perfect kind of gloss that isn’t too sticky but remains on the lips for a good amount of time. “Pink” is a perfect color pink that will look good on everyone—really-- and the red reminds me of that natural pigmentation babies have when their lips are bright and pretty. You know what I’m talking about, right? And that’s just the stain part! The gloss has a tint of color which is nice and the bonus of a plumping agent. It’s like killing three birds with one stone (I know it’s a morbid expression). These are two products that are going to be hard to top in the category of function and durability. I am pleased to introduce these products to all my clients and friends since I know they are going to look great and wear well.

Kudos to Tarte Cosmetics!!

MY FINE LINES WERE GONE IN 4 DAYS!!

2007-04-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

I’ve mentioned before that I am 30 years old now….which is a major mile-stone, right? Well, it feels like it to me. I’ve always looked young for my age but have a personality that is somewhat more mature than my age. I think it’s been a pretty good balance so far. A reversal in this process would not be cool though. I certainly do not want my skin aging faster than I am ready for it to or for what it should be for my age. I would much rather mature personality wise than look wise. Not that I have anything against matured skin. I don’t. I always have said that we earn our wrinkles and when we get older we should embrace and be content with who we are and wrinkles usually come with the territory. But for now I would like my skin to look as young, fresh and radiant as possible without surgery or botox.

I noticed that I started to get some very small fine lines around my eyes in the last year. Nothing that really bothered me yet…and my friend still thinks I’m crazy but they were there. I also was born, raised, and have always lived in Sunny Southern California. The sun is always shining and we live a pretty active outdoor life. The last two summers we have been spent a great deal of time out on the lake…obviously in the sun and water. I already have freckles and somewhat fair skin so I always wear a high spf but I am still getting some sun damage to my skin. I know it. Jumping in and out of the water, a moisturizer can only stay on so long even if it is waterproof. So once again—short story long—my point is I have had some aging affects and sun damage to my skin which is going to age it moderately.

“Whatever” has been my attitude thus far. I know I take good care of my skin and drink plenty of water so if I am going to start getting fine lines around my eyes then, “whatever.” So I thought…….I started using a line of products in which I think might be a small miracle. It’s called Kinerase. I only had a two week supply but I honestly saw results after about four days and felt result literally right after I used the products. I couldn’t keep the back of my hand from stroking my baby soft cheek. And when I wasn’t doing it I was telling my husband, “Feel how soft my skin is. Seriously, you have to touch my face!” Of course I wouldn’t leave him alone until he would indulge my requests. He had to admit, my face did feel amazingly soft…like silk. Like I mentioned, about four days later my skin look visibly tighter and more vibrant. After two weeks I really do not have evidence of the fine lines I once had. CRAZY!!!

My routine went like this: I woke up and washed my face with the Kinerase Gentle Daily Cleanser. I then applied a C-6 Peptide Intensive Treatment topical cream all over my face, neck, and décolleté. Next I used the Kinerase Pro+ Therapy Advanced Repair Serum mostly around my eyes and let that absorb in for a few minutes. Lastly I would finish up with the Kinerase cream spf 30 moisturizer and the “canvas” was ready to be primed for makeup! That night I would do the same routine again except for the spf 30 moisturizer—instead I just used a daily moisturizer, Kinerase cream.

These products are awesome. I love that there are solutions to healthy looking skin with out going under the knife or havening to do and intense series of chemical peels and whatnot. I’m truly amazed at how wonderful these products actually are. Go check out the website and read up on “kinetin” the amazing ingredient that sets this line apart from others. www.Kinerase.com Let me know what you think!

Viva Las Vegas

2007-03-30T15:06:00.000-07:00

There’s nothing more cool then improvising last minute and being totally satisfied with the results. What am I talking about? Well, short story long, my husband and I are going out of town for a quick weekend get away to Las Vegas. My morning started out crazy, as usual. I had the kids, my dog, work, and other loose ends that all needed to be tied up. So I threw my hair back in a ponytail, took care of all my responsibilities on my “to do” list, packed my bags for the weekend and jumped into the shower.

Ahhh, finally a moment of relaxation. I lathered up with some tropical smelling body wash called Tiare Flower by ILE DE TAHATI. It smells amazing….like vacation. It’s “spicy and sensual” and has a long lasting fragrance. I was able to relax just from the scent of my body wash. Once I got out of the shower I smoothed on my Tiare Flower Inu Body Lotion on my freshly shaved legs and the rest of my body. I love to layer my fragrances. It makes me feel clean and fresh and smelling exotic all day. Since Tiare Flower is made up of the precious tiare gardenia, crushed bamboo, ylang ylang, tropical frangipani and opulent tuberose and then all warmed with native vanilla—I need a fragrance that would compliment my tropical, sensual, sweet self. I knew what would go perfectly! Sharon Bolton’s, “Luv” Perfume oil.

Patti LaBelle is addicted too. So I’m in good company. I really must admit, I’m somewhat glad that Sharon Bolton does not offer a deodorant in the scent of “Luv” 'cuz I know I would look like a fool sniffing my armpits all day—and I would—I wouldn’t be able to control myself. You may think I’m kidding but go try it yourself. You’ll totally relate to what I’m saying. Sharon Bolton is going to start a culture of people going around sniffing themselves all day and asking other people to smell them too. It’s true. Ask my coworkers. I’ve been telling them to smell me all week! How embarrassing to admit to that! Anyway, after lathering up with my body wash, then lotion, and lastly my “Luv” all I could think of was-- Yes!! It all went so well together. So now I was smelling just fine and it was time to do some quick makeup.

This is where my improvising came in. I had already packed my bags with all my usual makeup. My brushes, my everyday makeup, and my fun stuff. Part of me felt like going all natural with maybe just a tinted moisturizer by Tarte and a lip stain and mascara but then I thought, “No Way! Not to Vegas.” I had to glam it up-- at least a little bit. I had just recently got a package from Tarte cosmetics and was in the process of trying everything out throughout the week. I noticed black eyeliner with an angled brush on the end and thought I would try it out. I started out with a quick tinted moisturizer called "Sunburst Mositurizer" all over my face. It's a great light-weight moisturizer that has little bronzing beads that add a natural "sun-kissed" look when you apply the moisturizer. Then I used a shadestick in a shimmery nude color called "beige-ing" by MAC all over my eyelid. Next I took my new Tarte black eyeliner called "starry night" and lined the top part of my eyes in ‘ole kitty glam style and then lined my inner “water-line” on my top and bottom eyelid. I took the brush and started stroking and smudging the eyeliner into my lash line and smudged upward too. It created and instant smoky eye. Next I was happy to use my new Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara by Tarte. It’s awesome too. The brush is full and slick allowing optimum application. My lashes looked amazing after two coats! Classic! I took a little bit of sparkly black eyeshadow and defined my crease, some Moon Beam by Benefit Cosmetics and applied it on my cheekbones and brow bone and bada-bing bada-bang, I had an instant, sultry, classic look that I could be proud to wear to Vegas.
The last step was just a little bit of my new favorite lip stain called "rise and shine" by Tarte. I have both cherry and pink and I refuse to pick a favorite. I love them both! I was viva Las Vegas ready and it only took me 10 minutes from start to finish.

What does your scent say about you?

2007-03-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

So, I have a sister who is six years older than me whom I have always admired for her fashion and beauty sense. Seriously, she is so cool. She knows so much about fashion and a lot about the whole beauty industry. We get on the phone and chat hours on end--on a very regular basis-- about lipsticks, perfumes, celebrities, and the latest “finds” we’ve come across. I love her. She is one of my best friends.

Anyway, when I was a young girl and she was a teenager she wore Obsession by Calvin Klein perfume. Ohhhh, I always thought she smelled so good. When I could, I would sneak a spray here and there and when I was finally old enough to wear perfume you can guess which one I chose. I thought I was just so cool trying to smell like my sister. But that was it, I smelled like my sister. I needed to have my very own signature smell! Ever since, I’ve been on the hunt. But the hunt could not and will not ever be over. From what I’ve discovered I don’t have one unique signature scent. I have several and they are all dictated by my mood. Or sometimes my mood is dictated by my scent! That’s why the hunt could never be over—the search for enticement and mood enhancement will never be over…but I have come across some perfumes that will totally remain favorites and always in supply--

The newest scents I’ve been fortunate enough to start using are “Zoe” and “My LuLu” by Fresh Scents / Terri. Here is what Fresh Scents by Terri has to say:

My LuLu:
Unique, Captivating, Alluring
This bewitching fragrance has won the hearts of many with its unique combination of China Rain and Gardenia. The floral scent has a bold and beautiful presence that is, at the same time, subtly mysterious.

Zoe:
Soft, Sexy, Feminine
Customers swear by this scent which is a finely blended combination of Light Musk and Sheer Musk. If you like a soft, sexy, ultra-feminine fragrance, Zoe is the scent for you

I’ve worn these two scents either alone or together all week. What I have come to realize is the two scents mixed together make me feel very sexy—in a fun way! I’m applying the oil, My LuLu, behind my ears and on my wrists and then giving myself a quick spritz of Zoe. Laying the two scents make a great combination and I can smell it all day! Today, I am wearing Zoe, alone. I feel like I smell warm, pretty, and mature….not like a little girl overdoing it with my fragrance. But speaking of little girls, as a third grade completion gift to my daughter, I will be getting her one of Fresh Scents / Terri shimmer spray. They all smell so good so it’s going to be hard to pick just one. I’ll have to let her smell all the samples—that are available by purchase from www.freshscentsbyterri.com -- and let her decide which scent provokes her mood best.

If you are interested in finding a unique scent that is all yours you definitely need to check out Fresh Scents / Terri. I promise you won't be disappointed!
Happy hunting to you in finding all your personalities through the sense of smell.

Bat those lashes!

2007-03-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

Hello! I have had so many conversations about falsies lately that I figured I would finally blog on…drum roll please…..“false lashes!” Yea! They are so much fun. You can be subtle where no one would even notice or you can be out right daring and bold. Some people think they can only wear lashes for special occasions but I know people who wear them everyday….looking beautiful and soft. I always recommend falsies for my bridal clients since the false lashes make their eyes stand out more in pictures and at a distance for all those adoring on lookers. For those of us that want to add just a little bit of spice to our look there are several different sizes and shapes to choose from.

I have always bought my lashes from a MAC counter….except for the fun ones they have at the Halloween stores during the Halloween season. Anyway, MAC Cosmetics #7 lashes are an all time favorite. They look sooooo good on everyone…..and natural. I like to cut my strips in half and wear the long tips on the outer corner of my eyes and the shorter strip in my lower lash line. Layering a couple of sets of lashes is always a fun thing to do too…if you really want that thick, lush, dramatic look.

One thing you need to remember when wearing lashes is you must measure and cut them to fit your lash line. You can ask the artist at the counter to do this for you when you purchase your lashes. If you decide to do it yourself remember to trim the strip from the outer corner since the lashes are designed to fit the inner part of your eye perfectly. I always save the pieces I cut since you can have fun with the spare pieces. Try layering a few spikes to the center of your top and bottom lash line. It looks really cool in a galactic modern way. Or again, adding some extra pieces to the outer corner of your eyes give a very “kitty-glam” look.

Now, the trickiest part about false lashes is applying them. Trust me, it’s easier putting them on yourself then putting them on someone else. The trick is to put the adhesive on the strip (I use duo brand adhesive) and let the adhesive get a bit tacky. That way the lash strip won’t slip around when you place it on your lash line. The trick is to just be patient. Once you place the strip you have a second or two to push it down onto your lash line with a tool or your fingers. I use a slanted angle brush. The adhesive will dry clear but I always go over the strip with a layer of eye shadow or eye liner. I don’t usually put mascara on my falsies but that’s just my choice. You can if you want. If you don’t add mascara to them you can get more wear out of a pair of lashes. I like to use mine at least four or five times before I throw them away.

Now it’s your turn to go out and play with some false lashes. You’ll be amazed at how much you are going to love them. If they seem difficult at first to apply remember to just be patient and try, try, try and you will succeed.

Try this look: A retro kind of Audrey Hepburn look: Add a matte eye shadow like Bare Canvas Paint with Vanilla eye shadow on top. Then add a grey color like Nehru to your crease. Add a layer of liquid eyeliner to your top lid following your lash line then winging upward slightly at the outer corner of your eyes. Curl your lashes…I love Tarte’s eyelash curler…and add one layer of mascara. Try voluminous by Loreal. Next the magic is going to happen once you apply a strip of #7 and then a strip of #20’s on top of the #7’s. Now you got some knock out retro looking eyes. This is an easy day look that can be transformed to a great night look just by adding some black eyeliner to the inner rim of your eyes.

The secret to long lasting eye makeup is....

2007-03-06T19:25:00.000-08:00

MAC COSMETICS, Paints!

Seriously! As I begin to get ready for another glorious wedding season I start to weed through my makeup kit and sift out some of my favorite products. Sometimes things get shuffled to the back of my case due to time constraints, quick improvising, or clients tastes. But the one thing that is never forgotten about and always used is my MAC cosmetics paints. They come in all sorts of colors and textures. You can choose a shimmery nude like, Stilife or a bright red like, Flammable or an everyday-under any eyeshadow color like Bare Canvas (my favorite). All it takes is a fine layer on your eyelid to prevent creasing and adds durability to your eyeshadow. What's really cool is you can wear the beautiful colors alone or as a primer under your other eyeshadows. I personally always wear them under my eyeshadows. The paints add another dimension of texture to my eyes and again, it allows my eye makeup to look freshly applied all day. It's magical, really. I've noticed how clients who usually tend to have problems with their eye makeup creasing find Paints to be a saving grace. They agree that if you are going to take the time to put your makeup on in the morning obviously you want it to stay put--right? That's why we l-o-v-e Paints by MAC!

Try this look: (all products can be found on www.maccosmetics.com)
Bare Canvas as an all over base on your eyelid, Brule eyeshadow on top of the paint, Shroom on your browbone as a highlighter, Embark in your crease and outter corner of your eye, and a fine line of Stubborn Brown Powerpoint eyeliner on your top lid getting slightly thicker and tilted upward towards the outter edge of your eyelid and into the lash line of your bottom lashes.

This will create a clean...classic...everyday look. Try switching up the colors for different looks--like plums and pinks, or shades of green. Whatever you do...have fun and feel beautiful!

ahhhh, baby soft hands!

2007-02-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

Wow! It sure has been a while since I've been able to post and I have lots to talk about. First and foremost with this dry winter season I couldn't think of a better place to start off then by talking about body moisturizers. I've been pleasantly surprised by a couple that I have been using so far during this winter season. The first has been Udderly Smooth Shea butter which I have been lathering on my feet at night and then covering with some socks when I go to bed. My feet have been soooo soft and smooth. It's been a great way to keep my feet feeling silky soft during a season of dryness and cold weather.

Another product that I have used forever and ever is Keri Lotion. I've have always been fond of the clean scent, lightweight texture, and the long lasting effectiveness Keri Lotions provide. Having a tendency to have dry skin, it feels good knowing as soon as the "dry skin season" begins for me there is a reliable product that I can always turn to. I'm even more excited to see the newest campaigning being done with Keri Lotion which celebrates women and art! It's so awesome and satisfying. I get that feel good feeling that comes with finding products that work well and also represent something bigger and profound. Kudos to you Keri Lotion!

He thought I was 24!!!!

2006-11-03T16:47:00.000-08:00

I am literally weeks away from turning 30 years old and to tell you the truth….very excited about it. I’m not all caught up in feeling like I’m getting old and all that hoopla. I’ve always thought I’ve looked young for my age and have enjoyed growing up and maturing. I was taken aback recently when somebody I see on a regular basis due to work related duties commented on me being the same age as they were after telling me they were 24 years old….I was shocked. I was like, “honey, you’re just a baby!” and he commented back about how we were the same age and I was like, “NO……I’m hitting 30 here!” He was really surprised.

Well I thought about this little fortunate exchange of words for a while. What about me make people think I am younger than what I actually am? I’ve always been on more of the mature side. My best friends are all older than me….even by 8 or more years. So it’s not me acting immature that makes me look young. I’ve had two kids so I don’t have that cute hip body anymore that might make me look young. Hmmmm……Ah ha! I know what it is. It’s my skin. I take very good care of my skin and drink tons of water. By taking care of my skin I mean, I take great care in choosing good products to lavish my skin in. Most recently I have been using these awesome Dr. Brandt products day and night and the most fabulous Sanoflore products at night.

My regime has gone a little like this: In the morning I cleanse my face with this wonderful rose infused shea butter soap that I buy at Trader Joes. It smells so good. Sorry I don’t know the name or brand off hand but I’ll get back to you on that. My cleanser changes often since I love trying new stuff all the time….but the rose infused soap has been used the most lately. Anyway, after my face is cleansed I always do some kind of antioxidant treatment. For example I love Dr. Brandt’s lineless gel and “c” gel which have healthy doses of green tea, grapeseed extract, and vitamin C. The green tea ingredient, which contains caffeine, is a great way to perk up your skin and tighten it a bit, while the grapeseed extract is a natural botanical with anti-aging properties. Love it! I told ya, I’m growing old gracefully!

Next, of course, I moisturize. I can not speak highly enough of the Lineless Cream and Infinite Moisture by Dr. Brandt. It is sooooo lightweight and absorbs into your skin so quickly that you almost forget it’s there….until you stroke the side of your cheek and your skin feels silky smooth. Now the canvas is ready to be painted.(We’ll talk makeup another time, of course!).

Now, when the evenings come and you need to unwind…this is a great treatment. I like to do this at least once a week. Draw yourself a nice hot bubble bath, grab a great book or magazine and soak. If you’d like you can put a few drops of lavender oil or chamomile oil for calming effects in your bath. I also like eucalyptus and peppermint for a more invigorating scent. Burn some candles and unwind. Once you feel totally relaxed and calm and you start your nighttime skincare regime give these products a try once or twice a week: Sanoflore Firmness Mask followed by Moisturizing Oil. These are totally organic products from Italy and they are absolutely amazing. I feel like I’ve been to the spa after using these products…especially the Moisturizing Oil. I massage it into my face and onto my neck and décolleté (the delicate skin on your chest beneath your neck). After I used it the first time my husband was even stroking my face! He was like, “can you put this on your whole body?!” Your skin will feel baby soft!

And this…is what I attribute to the deception of making people believe I am only 24!

Who wants beautiful skin?

2006-10-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take the time and share some information I have on some wonderful skincare products. There are so many different directions I can take with this subject and instead of doing a generic general synopsis I would like to take my time and dissect the different areas of skin care and focus on specifics. So with that said, here we go!

I've been doing an experiment over the last few months that I'm excited to share with all of you. Kline-Becker, the makers of StriVectin-SD, sent me a very generous package with several different pieces of their products. I had always been curious about the "miracle cream" that I heard so much about. Especially since I've had a couple of kids and genetics proved to be unfortunately cruel with my UN-elastic skin. The stretch marks came and never went away. Faded of course but still remained. I decided to give StriVectin a go. I have to admit, I was totally skeptical and pretty sure it wasn't going to work. But I made a decision to remain faithful to my new regime of applying the light minty smelling cream on at least 3-5 times a week. I liked the consistency of the cream right away. It was light weight and absorbed very quickly. The scent was light enough for me to still wear my other favorite body lotions (which I'll post about later) and perfumes. After about six weeks I was personally able to see a difference. Crazy, huh?!

Whoa! This stuff really works. So I started using StriVectin-SD eye cream along with a powerful antioxdient face moisturizer they sent me. Even with the summer sun taking a toll on my skin and delicate eyes from all the squinting I think I can really see a difference. My skin looks pretty and clear and my pores are tiny and almost nonexistent! Gosh, I am so impressed by these products. I also have StriVectin HC and NE which are hand treatments to help with dark spots and the look of aging hands. I may not necessarily need these two pieces of product but I am loving how soft my hands feel and how good it makes my nails and cuticles look. Especially when I am touching the faces of brides and other clients. My hands are very important in how they look and feel.

My expectations of StriVectin have been far surpassed--to say the least. I recommend this product to anyone who has stretch marks that make them feel uncomfortable in the skin that they are in. This product can really make a big difference. If stretch marks aren't an issue for you but some fine lines around the eyes are, you won't be disappointed in the eye cream. Seriously, these products are amazing. I am currently using them all. I even just started using some deep wrinkly serum on a scar that I have to see if it will smooth it out at all. I'll keep you posted on my my findings. Go check out this stuff at: StriVectin!

Viva Glam!....I Heart Viva Glam!

2006-09-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Due to the recent launch of MAC's latest addition to their Viva Glam family, Viva Glam VI, I would like to share with you about Viva Glam from MAC Cosmetics!
My email is "i.heart.vivaglam" for a very special reason. I really love MAC products and I'm extremely proud to participate in their awesome charity program. For those of you who don't know,

"First introduced in 1994, VIVA GLAM lipstick has become one of the fashion
world's most glamorous and successful fundraising initiatives of all time. A
success since its red-hot launch. The VIVA GLAM program was further enhanced by
the introduction of VIVA GLAM II in 1997, VIVA GLAM III in 2000, VIVA GLAM IV in
2002, and VIVA GLAM V in 2004. M·A·C Cosmetics continues to underwrite all VIVA
GLAM related expenses and along with its retail partners, contributes 100% of
the retail selling price of each VIVA GLAM lipstick to the M·A·C AIDS Fund."

This program is really helping lives. Where ever a MAC counter or store is located, 100% of the money made by their sales of Viva Glam collected go to a local AIDS charity in that area. For example, the area I am in, the sales of Viva Glam have gone to a charity called, "Momma's Kitchen." It's like having a meals on wheels organization that is helping feed men, women, and children living with or affected by AIDS. AWESOME! Thank you MAC Cosmetics for your support and generosity. And I thank all of you who go and and purchase the VivaGlam lipsticks.

You will most definitely find a shade and texture that fits your personality and complexion in this line. I love all the colors and I own them all, of course. The new lipglasses are absolutely beautiful. I can use Viva Glam V lipglass with everyone. It's a beautiful neutral color with just the right amount of shimmer and shine. Go find your perfect Viva Glam shades and wear your lipstick proudly!

Beyond Blushing!!!

2006-09-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

Beyond Blushing, literally! We are talking cheeks, baby! Summer is coming to a quick end and Autumn is setting in. Our sun kissed complexions start to fade a bit this time of year. We darken our hair a bit but we're not ready for the intensity that the winter brings out in our beauty scene. So I like to take this time of the year and really focus on cheeks! Cream blush, powder blush, cheek stains, highlighters, shimmer or matte? Whoa, what a lot of choices for the cheeks. Well, I'm about to share with you all the formula I use for beautiful blushing! I personally use a three step process that consists of a core color, a highlighter, and a contour color. It's a winning combination and a stunning finish. Really, sometimes this is all I do in the morning along with a couple of coats of mascara and a great gloss. It's so fresh and pretty!

Depending on your skin complexion the color and textures you use will vary. I personally love using Nars orgasm almost everyday. I tend to use it as my base color on the apples of my cheeks. On darker complexions you can use this color as a highlighter. When you smile there is an area of your cheeks that plump up and or out. This is the apple of your cheek! This is also a great area to use a Matte textured blush, a stain like from the makers of Tarte or BeneFit's Benetint. If you like creme blushes this is a great area to apply those too! And when it comes to applying creme blushes, it is certainly okay to use a brush....I do. I know a lot of people think they need to use their fingers because they don't know that it is okay to use a blush brush with an emollient product. It is! And I find that it makes for more even coverage.

Next I contour my cheeks with either a bronzer or a darker blush. I usually use a matte texture or a MAC sheertone blush as a contour. To know that you are contouring in the right place I usually start where my ear lobe begins and then follow my jaw line down curving up the bottom of the apples of my cheeks. This creates a beautiful sculptured high cheek bone. Depending on the drama you want to create...the more of a darker color you use the more intense your look will be. Please do me a favor....even if you are looking for intensity....be sure to blend your contour line well. You want to create a look that blends together effortlessly and naturally. Really, we are talking everyday, not theater!

Lastly a highlighter is in order. Something with a little bit of shimmer or iridescence is always really pretty. Again, I have to go with MAC cosmetics creme color base for a great highlighter. I sweep a light color like "hush" or "shell" on the top of my cheek bone and up into my temple. Sometimes I even highlight right above the top of my outer eyebrow. It is such a pretty luminous effect.

Facial anyone?

2006-09-16T19:47:00.000-07:00

Need a good facial?

My goodness it's been a busy couple of weeks for me. Too much work and not enough relaxation. Does this sound familiar to anybody else? I decided to treat myself to a manicure, pedicure and a facial last night. The manicure and pedicure I left up to someone else to give me but I really do find pleasure in relaxing at home, putting the kids down, uncorking a bottle of Stella Rosa,** and giving myself a great facial. My sister taught me this great facial regime that I'm going to share with all of you! I seriously have the most awesome sister ever. I love you, Sis!

First you take some chamomile tea bags and boil them in a pot of water. If you have lavender oil or another oil you love you can add this in with the pot for the fragrant aroma and sensory experience. Meanwhile, you are turning on some candles and soft music and finding a good magazine to thumb through. You're wine should be nice and chilled and ready to be poured! Once your pot of water with the tea bags has come to a boil turn the fire off and let the water cool for a few minutes....but don't wait too long because you want the water to still be hot. Next, we pour the water into big ceramic bowls and find a couple of towels. We then take our bowls to the coffee table and put our faces over the bowls with the towels draped over out heads. Is this making sense? We are creating somewhat of a tent for our face which allows the steam to open our pores. The scent of the oils and the effects of the chamomile is very soothing to your skin. It may get a little hot....like a sauna beneath your towel so you might want to take a break and have a sip of wine! We like to take a good 20 to 30 minutes during this time. You can do it in as little as 15 minutes if you don't have the time to spare.

Now that your pores are wide open and your skin is soft and hydrated it's time to purify with a great mask. One of my favorites is PURE EMPREINTE MASQUE a Purifying Mineral Mask with White Clay made from Lancome. This is one I have used for years. I LOVE it! I have a couple of new masks by Sanoflore that were just sent to me by Heather with Tractenberg&Co that I will be reviewing in the next couple of weeks along with some other skin and body care. Thanks, Heather! Come back and see what I think!

After you mask has set and then been washed away with a nice warm washcloth I like to tone. I've been using a rose water toner that Benefit Cosmetics used to make. It has been discontinued which I'm so bummed about but I'm out on the prowl looking for a replacement!

Last but not least a good moisturizer is in order. I am a moisturizer whore! I admit it. I have at least 20 different ones that I actually use on a regular basis. I guess which one I choose depends on my mood and what time of day I'm using it. You know, day vs. night moisturizers. Our skin has different needs during the day then it has at night. Anyway, the one I seem to usually gravitate to after this facial routine is Caudalie. I have many of their products and one of my favorite moisturizers is the C20 Moisturizing Cream. I love their products. Chalked full of antioxidants and are made from the "vine." Check out their website!

So you are now down with your "at home" facial. You should be feeling nice and relaxed having beautiful glowing skin. Now go finish your glass of wine!

**To those of you who either are under the legal age limit for drinking or just prefer not to drink alcohol a great spa water in place of wine is also divine. I like to add cucumber, lemon slices, lime slices, and orange slices to a big pitcher of water and ice for a great spa water!

Let's "play!"

2006-09-03T00:56:00.000-07:00

Jouer, "to play" in French, is a new line to me that I just tried out this summer and I have to tell you how pretty the colors are. So soft and sweet. Quite innocent really. I love the "I'm not wearing makeup" makeup look that I was able to achieve by using these great products. The line is innovative with how the products are uniquely packaged. The colors are in individual cases which the containers slide and snap together which are ideal for making your own custom palette. You could snap together an entire look for the evening and throw it in your purse so that after your day at the beach you could quickly find your palette and apply your makeup effortlessly! Brilliant! I'm looking forward to trying their new powder eyeshadows that they just came out with along with some other goodies. I'll keep you posted on how much I'm sure to love them! Oh, and a big shout out and "thanks a million" to Veronika with Jouer.

In My Makeup Bag

2006-09-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

Okay you all. Hold on tight because I have an awesome product to share with you. It's Matte by MAC Cosmetics.

This product is something I've carried in my kit for a couple of years but for some reason it had gotten pushed to the back of my case behind everything else. Kind of like that always great fitting t-shirt that you love and from time to time it gets misplaced or forgotten about but when you find it again and wear it, it feels so right! That is Matte for me in the makeup realm.

I was reminded of it today. I was finishing up a consultation that I had with a client and soon to be bride. She looked beautiful. Stunning really! She was perfectly satisfied with her makeup application and felt gorgeous.....but I knew she was missing something. I couldn't put my finger on it at first because of her beautiful blue eyes that were so striking because of the soft smoky plum colors we had applied to her lids and her perfectly pouted peachy glossed lips and her sun-kissed bronze complexion. But as I examined her closely I realized the one thing that was throwing her off for me was the fact that she had just a few large pores around her nose and on her cheeks. Ahh ha! Instantly I knew what would literally erase that problem (no, not airbrushing her pictures) Matte texture! So I asked this beautiful bride to take a seat for another second. She did and I performed my magic trick. I erased those few large pores on her otherwise flawless face with a sweep of my 190 MAC brush. She was speechless. "What the heck did you do!?" She exclaimed. "Oh, just a little trick I had up my sleeve. How do you like the way your skin looks?" I asked. She could barely even speak. She was so amazed at the results a quick second and a single product could do. Once again I am a believer. I vow to never push my beloved Matte to the back of my kit again.

FYI: A little bit of this product goes a long way. I apply it by squeezing a small amount onto my brush and then softly dabbing it on the area I want it to cover instead of just brushing it on. It's also a great product to use on your eyelids if they are shiny due to having more oily skin.

Gorgeous Locks!

2006-09-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Hair for Brunettes!

When a dear friend of mine, Distressed Jeans, went to a wonderful little shindig a.k.a.: Melanie Segal's Platinum Luxury Suite for a pre-Emmy party, she was able to snag up all kinds of goodies. Read her post about the wonderful event and all her goodies here . Anyway, Distressed Jeans is a beautiful blonde while my head of hair is more of a mix of browns, reds, and a smidgen of blonde highlights. So I lucked out when she gave me her Bed Head shampoo and conditioner in Brunette Goddess. First of all, this shampoo smells good enough to eat. Like sweets that were freshly baked. I don't know, every time I've used this stuff I've craved a cinnamon roll! The sweet smell is surprisingly long lasting.....which I love! My hair feels like pure silk and is so shiny and pretty! I only like to wash my hair a few days a weeks and with this shampoo and conditioner my hair still looks fresh and clean even if two or three days have gone by between washings. It's a new favorite of mine. If you're a brunette or somewhere within the vicinity you have got to try this stuff. You'll be happy you did!

A M A Z I N G, seriously!

2006-08-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

Kiss Me by Blinc

Whoa! Have I got an awesome liquid eyeliner for you! This stuff goes on so smooth, so fine, and SO black! It dries quickly and stays on like no other liquid liner I have ever used before. Seriously, I did some major "cat eyes" on myself over the weekend. We had a late night out and although I broke the cardinal sin of skin care by going to bed without washing my face, I woke up the next morning and my eyeliner looked as perfect as the moment I had originally applied it! Crazy! I'm a believer. Hallelujah! Rejoice! Check out their stuff at http://www.blincinc.com/.

In My Makeup Bag

2006-08-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite everyday scents is Maybe Baby by Benefit Cosmetics. Here's what the company has to say about their alluring scent:

"Do you want to know a secret? Maybe Baby. Benefit's classic
eau de
toilette captures a tumble of white blossoms in this romantically
spirited
fragrance. Maybe Baby is playful and flirtatious, like a wink across
the
room, a lingering gaze or a shy smile.
Tips and tricks: Layer maybe baby
body lotion and the eau de toilette for a flirtatious fragrance that lasts
all
day long!

Voted best fragrance to
give or get by Elle magazine!

Top notes: apricot and white ginger; Middle
notes: water blossoms,
lychee, bergamont; Base notes: white musk and warm peach
This is a fragrance that I can throw on for an everyday scent and feel pretty and flirty all day! Or wear out at night feeling sexy and knowing that I smell irresistible! What are your favorite scents? Let me know ;)

A little bit about....me!

2006-08-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hello lovely dolls!

First off, let me thank you for visiting this new blog. I know there are a million and one to choose to look at and read and I really appreciate you time, interest and support. Thank you :)

I have been doing makeup since I was a young girl. My Aunt would go through her makeup once a year and give me all the cosmetics she didn't want anymore. It was like Christmas for me. I would then patiently anticipate snagging my sister's Vogue magazine when she was through reading it. Naturally, for me, the next step was putting those tossed out magazines and cosmetics to use! I would find a girl in the magazine whom I thought had cool makeup and then attempt to copy the look on my face with the colors I had. It was so much fun. Oh, and by the way....this was in the 80's so you can only imagine all the vivid blues, purples, greens, thick eyeliner, bright blush and heavy lipstick.

Only if my mom would have taken pictures of my creations along with the tears from the magazine. It would have been classic! Most of the time my mom would just take a look at me, shake her head slightly, and smile softly. I know she was my creative potential. Of course she never let me even near the front door with my copy cat Vogue face but that was okay with me. I enjoyed trying to figure out technique and mimicking those gorgeous pictures anyways.

As I became older and was permitted to wear makeup to school, I never missed the opportunity. I would wake up early and do my makeup everyday. I was only allowed to wear natural/neutral colors but I made them work. I was also allowed to wear eyeliner. Remember the maybelline eyeliner? The red pencil that you had to use a lighter to soften the pencil with the flame in order for it to go on smoothly? That's what I had to work with. I made it my goal to master putting on that eyeliner. I eventually did and realized this when I was receiving comments from adults and friends at how well I could apply eyeliner! As the time went by I started doing my friends and family makeup for special occasions. I was always satisfied with the results and the way it made me feel to make somebody else feel and look good.

As I graduated high school I decided to take a route that at the time I considered to be more of a sure thing: college. Makeup artistry was fun but I didn't see the security in it from the small town that I was in. I would still do makeup for friends and family for whatever special event that they had but nothing consistent. I eventually graduated from college and unfortunately was not satisfied in my career choice or should I say lack of choices. So I went and applied at the local Macy's to work in the cosmetics department. It was a blast meeting people and being able to do makeup on a daily basis. I learned a lot during this time. As a couple of years went by I was convinced that I was truly satisfied being a makeup artist but not being in cosmetic sales. So I quit my job and started to do freelance makeup. It was ideal. I could work when the makeup counter needed me and for their special events and I had freedom to go out and do more special event makeup on my own.

I had been doing makeup for random weddings for years and this was now my opportunity to really seek business in this area. I love wedding makeup. It's my favorite. Brides are usually gleaming which makes what ever makeup you do that much more beautiful. I went and advertised myself at the local bridal expo and met a lot of people both in the industry and also potential brides. It was so exciting. I made a lot of contact and started doing even more makeup. Most people always asked the same common question or had the same concerns in regards to cosmetic products or technique. I love helping people find what's best for them in these areas. I have a great friend who runs a very successful blog in fashion and beauty who encouraged me to start this blog to get those common questions and product reviews out there. So here I am now.

I would like to gear this blog around cosmetics obviously sharing tricks of the trade and technique with an emphasis on the best products out there that are tried and true. I happen to love bridal makeup. So I welcome all you potential brides and your questions and comments. But really, all makeup is fun. From everyday wear to special event. There will be no discriminating here. I do have to warn you, I've worked for one main cosmetic line for the last three years and tend to use most of their products. I'm not trying to be bias it's just what I'm familiar with. I'm currently working on expanding my kit and using different brands. As I do this I will post my reviews along with how the products worked for me and my clients. I hope you enjoy! Also, if you have any questions and/or comments about any products or techniques you would like to know about email me. I'll do my best to post questions and answer them to the best of my research and knowledge. Thanks!

Trick of the Week:

2006-08-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for that, "I'm not wearing foundation!" foundation look? Well, one good trick of the trade is to spritz your foundation brush with a product like Fix + by MAC Cosmetics after applying your foundation or while you are applying your foundation. Just brush over your entire face up into your hair line and down the base of your jawbone, chin, and neck. This will give you nice coverage but with a natural sheer radiance. Set with some blot powder and your skin will look refined and poreless!

Tried and True

2006-08-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

Tried and True: A basic summer look

Although I am not really one to bask in the sun and get super tan, I still love summer for it's long days and warm nights. My coloring usually turns a shade or two darker and my freckles come out. I find myself not needing to spend too much time on being creative with my makeup since my new summer color is pretty all on its own. A simple sheer SPF Foundation/moisturizer along with some mascara and a peachy gloss and my look is simple and pretty.

On other days I get away with just spritzing myself with some Fix+ by MAC Cosmetics and adding a little bit of tinted lip conditioner with an SPF of 15. Of course I don't ever forget to add a bit of mascara. I love "X" by MAC Cosmetics. It's one of those mascaras that I like to use as a undercoat during fall, winter and spring but during the summer it's all that I need.

I would love to hear your favorite summer looks and products. If you are a makeup junkie like me, you can't get enough of this stuff!