Guru or just a Googler? Gwyneth, I get it.

    I know most of you don't agree with The Guru Gwyneth and what she stands for or claims not to stand for, but I get it. I get Gwyneth. In a  new article for Vanity Fair Gwyneth explains that she is a common woman, a common mom. We are all common women, common moms, and common people. We all do things a bit differently. We are intrigued by what someone else is doing or has done, likes and loves and obviously covets.

 As Gwyneth birthed GOOP in 2008, I gave birth to my son. Since then, I too became an advice giver. Who am I kidding? I was always an advice giver. I just had a different way of giving the said advice and asking it. Facebook was a game changer for me. Oh, and of course Google! I google everything! Who doesn't?

  We (anyone that blogs, gives advice or has information to share) are all doing the same thing that Gwyneth is doing; sharing knowledge or new found knowledge about something they are passionate about. May it be the best new gluten free recipe, skincare product or new it shoe. We have all wandered over to GOOP, for advice of the best restaurant in FiDi, the newest Tracy Anderson video and yes the hottest new sunglasses. Don't lie you know you have and you lived every second of it. Even if it was out of your league (or mine), we still love GOOP. You hate it?  Why do we always have to be haters? Be happy for women and what we all have to offer each other. Gwyneth might be consciously uncoupling or steaming her vag. So what???
 We love to give advice, right? I know I do. People ask me stuff all the time. Skincare questions, makeup questions, what I eat, where I eat, where I workout (if I am at that moment) and where I shop? I am a happy advice giver. If you don't want to hear it don't listen. But it is everywhere. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google, every bit of social media; it is all a platform for giving advice and answering questions just like Gwyneth's blog GOOP. We might not all agree on the advice that is given but it is there. There when you are bored, in a pinch for a fabulous recipe to impress your mother-in-law or new mom friend or while planning a great night out. We all do it we ask, we receive. We are all common, including Gwyneth. Maybe, we are just on a different playing field? Isn't that ok?

Big bag of goodies!!

 One of my friends,Jenny Hutt (also a makeup client) gave me the opportunity to go through a giant duffle bag of NYX products last week. Wow is all I can say! What a fun 3 days I had going through each and every product and color. We discovered the line together at a book launch for How to look expensive by Andrea Pomerantz Lustig about 2 years ago. We fell in love right away. Jenny and I started to incorporate NYX's products into our makeup routine right away. Foundation, blushes, bronzer and lip colors.

When I told a couple of my makeup artist friends about NYX - and how great the line was - they were hooked as well. We all have become obsessed and love their foundations, lip glosses and cream blushes. 

When Jenny handed me the bag to play with and go through, to find her colors and colors for her daughter and niece, it was my pleasure! Added bonus I got to check out the new spring 2014 line!!!

 The Butter lipsticks are incredible! The texture is exactly what you would think: melt on your lips perfection with the perfect pop of color. Smooth and vibrant color minus the grease. Perfect for someone who is looking for the idea of a gloss without the tackiness of a gloss. Insert Linda Silver joke: like butta!!!

NYX matte lipstick has been my go to for my clients that want that Hollywood glam lip with out the hefty prices tag. Each color amazing. Light nude mattes to rich reds and plums. The texture of the matte lipstick is creamy with a fully matte dry down. The staying power is truly unreal. Brides have told me days after their wedding that they never reapplied their lipstick! 

 The baked shadows are so much fun!! Sheer color with just the right amount of shimmer. The baked shadows can be used wet or dry! Wet for high pigment color and dry for that sheer tint of shadow. You can't go wrong with any of the huge array of colors. I love the blues, grays and the golden browns and bronzes.

NYX  new invincible foundation  is a full coverage matte foundation, great for the oiliest of skin. Great range of colors for every skin tone. Oil free, very light and airy on skin. great for someone who doesn't like the feeling of makeup but needs/wants the fullest of coverage.

NYX tinted moisturizer is one of the sheerest tinted moisturizers I have used. An amazing product for someone that is looking for a dewy, hydrating glow. Definitely the type of product you can use as an everyday go to makeup. Very light coverage with just a touch of color.

NYX mascaras are amazing! Lush Lashes is a full collection of 7 different types of fragrance free mascara. All are jet black and not clumpy at all. The brushes are full to thin depending on your preference. You choose the type depending on your lashes needs and your lashes wants!  

NYX now offers color mascara! Blue, purple and brown! Match up your eye color to enhance your eye color with theses great tinted mascaras. 

• I was once told by a makeup artist a long time ago that, " There is no, NO or Can't in makeup". I listened to that advice and give that advice to all of my clients. Makeup is to enhance and make you feel great. Makeup is always an added bonus even if it is a swipe of a blush or gloss. Makeup should be fun and playful and NYX definitely is FUN!

What we put on our bodies. Part 2

 As promised I continue to review and use products that are healthy on our skin and for our skin.  I was sent a full line of Hush&Dotti vegan, gluten free, organic products. Wow! I get to try all these goodies?
 Well I was pleasantly surprised to find that I loved each one. As some of my friends, clients and family already know the eye balm is my fave!! I recommend it to everyone I talk to. It comes in a stick, how convenient and sanitary. Amazing for someone who doesn't like the usual pot of eye cream. I mainly use it at night but it can be used under makeup as well. GREAT for the dry skin guys and gals. I think my 2 favorite ingredients in this product are arnica, which fights darkness and cucumber will cool and de-puff. I find every other eye cream/balm I have used will leave me puffy by morning. NOT this one. The scent of the eye balm is incredible thanks to theses little ingredients, oh and they are beneficial too! 1-Grape seed reduces signs of aging and, 2-sweet orange oil brightens the under eye. I have been using it on my hands and cuticles too!
 The sugah sand is divine! I am a sensitive skin girly, and this mixed with the hot cloth cleanser is amazing. The balmy butter and the scrubby sand create the perfect mix (as little as you want or as much as you need) to slough off any dead skin while hydrating the new baby skin underneath. The sugah is literally like looking at the beach in a bottle. I have been using it face, neck and chest for the last couple of weeks and what a smooth difference. I only do it 1-2 times a week. For someone with severely flaky or oily skin you can do every other night for radiant glowing smooth as silk skin.
 The product that scared me at first was the dream drops. I thought, I am combination skin with a tendency to breakout why would I put oil on my skin??? Listen up ladies this is why: hydrate skin and sooth skin with one product packed with vitamin a (retinol think retin a) vitamin e (antioxidant) and vitamin c(collagen building). In other words great for all skin types. Normal skin with no issues just in need of great hydration; the dry ladies worried about anti aging and dark spots; and great for an oily skin with acne scarring. Fun tip, drop into palms of hand and press onto face and neck, use the leftover on hands and elbows. A definite before bed treat!

 I have really enjoyed my Hush&Dotti experience and will continue to use and incorporate these products into my life and my makeup kit. As a makeup artist getting the skin hydrated and prepped correctly is very important. Makeup can not be flawless without flawless skin. We all need to work harder on getting our skin right. Healthy eating, and healthy skin care make for a healthy glow. xoxo

P.S what to use on our bodies is next! stay tuned

What we put in our bodies matters, how about what we put on our bodies?

 Over the years I have become more conscious about the food my family and I eat. Going from healthy mainstream foods to organic, then gluten free and gmo free. We feel good, enjoy what we eat and have found this transition quite smooth. It all started with milk and eggs, then fruits and veggies and have eventually incorporated meat, poultry and other foods. 

I never thought what was going on our skin was important; but how could it not be?
As we have been on this healthy journey to improve our well being, it's only natural to worry about what is going on our skin. I started out really slow. I will take you through the process and will add products as I find them.

 I am dedicating my next few posts to skin. Natural cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and treatment (anti aging) products. I will also add what we use for our son, Mason.
To start off I tried a bunch of products from a company GoldfadenMD. Wow!! The first dermatologist developed natural skincare brand! 

Organic, natural ingredients. When do you read that on a product? I was almost hooked. 

No animal testing! Score

Mineral, alcohol, silicone, paraben and gluten free! Holy...can I say cow???

This was for me. I needed to incorporate this line into my life and into my makeup kit. 
I forgot to mention hypo-allergenic! It just keeps getting better, right? 

Did I mention I am sooo sensitive? I literally breakout (hive or pimple) if someone looks at me the wrong way. Not this time. This stuff works. 

So here is a breakdown of these amazing products that I have tried:

Doctors scrub: smells delicious ,feels great on the skin and will not dry out the skin. My skin looked immediately brighter and clearer. No redness after I used, which is a usual occurrence. But the best part, wait for it... I think my pores are starting to look smaller! Yay!

I am always searching for the perfect oil free moisturizer. The ones that I have used in the past gave a minimal amount of hydration and didn't do anything for the tone or texture of my skin.  I have finally found one that does not dry me out, and does something for the appearance of my skin.

Vital Boost: the lightest of scents, oil free moisturizer. Great for all skin types. Infused with rejuvenating Vit D and hyaluronic acid. My skin felt instantly hydrated and glowing. This lasts all day and I have not been shiny at all. I have noticed my skin becoming smoother and clearer and 100% brighter.

Some of the amazing ingredients in these products are:
 Oil of grapefruit- helps cleanses and clear blemishes
 Coq10-protects the skin from free radicals and helps improve collagen
 Retinol- Vit A in a pure form, helps diminish the appearance of fine lines
 Hyaluronic Acid-revitalizes damaged tissue increases the skin’s viscosity and  elasticity
I am so excited to continue using and incorporating this line into my kit. My next product to try out is their cleanser ,  peel and the light treatment for discoloration. I will keep everyone posted! feel free to ask any questions and add your favorite products!
Xo

 

Best Bright Blushes

 

  Saks NYC Bobbi Brown counter(circa 1998) I was taught to give myself and everyone I touched with a blush brush a POP on their cheeks. I give it to Bobbi for starting a trend in blush that I can't seem to shake. Now it's back on trend and so are my cheeks. I have gone from sand pink to pale pink to the oh so bright and beautiful peony.  Day to day I will change it up. I find the brighter the blush the better! I really do believe anyone can pull off a great bright blush. We all need that pop. Brides to be, I am talking to you! We have become obsessed with being bronzed and glowing. A beautifully bronzed face with no pop doesn't cut it. Ladies, promise me that you will take a look in the mirror and ask yourselves- "Do I look bronzed?"; Better yet- "Do I look bright and bronzed?". If your answer is no, run to your nearest store or click the links and pick up a Bright Blush.

 It has become much easier to find a Bright Blush now as opposed to 1998. Ladies you can wear this look year round. If you have drier skin pick up a cream blush, normal to oily opt for powder. Below I posted some pictures of clients I have done makeup for with the Best Bright Blushes. Links to the products I use and love. Below are some bright pinks, corals and of course my original go to blushes.
  Bobbi Brown  Pot rouge in Calypso Coral or Pale Pink are great cream options. You can also use the pot rouge for your lips! Other great powder options from Bobbi are: Berry, Apricot, Nectar and Cranberry.  Favorite blush brush to pair with the powders is also from Bobbi. Happy popping, I mean shopping! xo

Are yours real? I mean your lashes...

To enhance or not to enhance that is the question. 

 We all love fake lashes and extensions but sometimes you just need to give your lashes a rest and go back to a simple life and just wear mascara. It is so hard to keep up,yea yea with the Kardashians and with all the adds on TV, raving that this product will make your lashes look like they are a mile long  or that product that will plump your lashes like Brandi Glanville's  _ i_ s (you fill in the blank). We see the models and we know better. They are usually wearing extensions, strips or some added individuals and of course the occasional photo shopped lashes! All of these adds make you run to the drugstore and scoop up any lash building product you can find. You get home and are instantly thrilled or completely disappointed. It all depends on if you bought the right mascara for your lash type.

 I am here to set the record straight. It does work, mascara does work! Mascara has amazing powers! All by its lonesome, you just have to find the perfect one for your lashes. As a makeup artist, I see around 20-25 sets of eyes per week. The straight lashes, the white lashes, the barely there and the long fine lashes, oh and the pre-curled lashes. If I missed your lash type I apologize, and promise you will find one that you love listed below. The mascaras I am listing as must haves will literally cover them all. 

 What you want to do is find a jet black, thick but not goopy mascara with a great wand. Waterproof is all about preference. Waterproofing the lashes is a definite YES for weddings and other events (Vegas pool party) or if you are a teary eyed gal. I personally like a non waterproof for everyday. 

 My personal favorite is Bad Gal from Benefit it is great for someone that wants to lengthen, thicken,separate and make the lashes intense. It is a matte black formula which helps make it look more like you are wearing false lashes. I have blonde medium length semi full lashes and this mascara definitely takes me up to the look of a set of falsies without the fuss. I will post a before and after pic. I use this mascara on a daily basis.

Another Benefit fan fave of mine and lots of my clients is, They're Real great for the girl with a shorter thicker lash line and or someone with a straighter lash. This mascara will help lengthen the lash and intensify the thickness without clumping and making the lashes heavy looking. The brush is designed to get right to the root of the lash. This mascara also helps curl the lash as well. This formula is glossy as it goes on and can be layered over Bad Gal. The two together can still maintain their silky formula even when layered.

My other favorite thing about these two mascaras is this! They come in a mini size and I literally have them everywhere. http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/theyre-real-mascara-deluxe-mini

http://www.sephora.com/badgal-lash-mascara-P49014?skuId=713941 

 My favorite for my makeup kit is Smashbox full exposure. I use this for most of my clients for so many reasons. Lengthening fibers mixed with a volumizing formula. The brush is great too. It thickens and lengthens the lash while separating. The mascara can layer without clumping or flaking! It is jet black and not goopy at all. 

check out my mascara free lashes and my Bad Gal lashes

No Mascara

With Benefit Bad Gal

Enjoy giving your lashes a rest and trying out these mascaras. xo

New foundation, does it have to be a mask? Only if we are referring to Spanx!!

I ventured out into a new territory in the world of makeup. On my hunt for a new foundation for my clients I came across the usually suspects but wasn't inspired.

While at Seporha, as I said last week, I found Coverfx. Gluten free, paraben free,talc free oil free foundation.  (How perfect as I have been Gluten free for over a month) Many clients ask for gluten free products and this entire line is. 

It comes in a tube(great for travel). This natural finish foundation is long wearing  and water-resistant. I used it on 7 clients this weekend and absolutely loved it. I posted some pictures below to show how great the coverage is. Far from a mask!

All of my clients this weekend asked for their shade and what they should use to apply the foundation. I suggested the foundation brush from Coverfx and their appropriate shade. The color range is fabulous from a pinky porcelain to a beautiful espresso. I started out with a basic range but will continue add all shades knowing now how much I love it.

The application is amazing glides right on smooth as silk. I mixed an illuminizer from Benefit into it for one client, wow glowing gorgeous skin! You can make this foundation full coverage or as sheer as a tinted moisturizer. 

I also purchased the eye primer from Coverfx. Using it as an eye cream and shadow primer.  I don't think I have  ever had such ease with concealer. No creasing and it all stayed put. This is a definite must have.

I am sharing a link to the main site. First timers get 15% off their purchase!

http://www.coverfx.com/natural-finish-oil-free-foundation.html

Happy shopping!

Xo