Tuesday Tip: Rim with Rimmel

Really readers, Rimmel has become my favorite soft kohl black eyeliner!



Pencil eyeliners often don't stay in place all day (on me at least), or they somehow end up smearing under my eyes...not the case here. I've been using the Rimmel Jet Black Kajal Eye Liner Pencil (Soft Kohl) for a few weeks now and it is working perfectly. At $3.19 this is a GREAT deal! An even better deal is how I ended up with it at Ulta a few weeks ago for free.....I stumbled upon this little product when I was browsing Ulta (as I often do). I was about to get my usual level one rewards product- a 200 count bag of cotton squares...I always use them on myself or clients when removing eye makeup, so why not get them for free right? Well, I noticed a Rimmel eye pencil was one of my options (some of the options change each quarter). I figured why not check it out, I always need eye pencils. I will definitely be purchasing another black pencil and a few other colors for my kit...who knows I may even get a few more colors for myself too!

Glamorous Giveaway!

Just in case anyone is wondering, my giveaway offer from a few posts ago still stands! I am going to do a giveaway of a gift card in the amount of $15 to the winner's choice of Ulta or Sephora.

Here are the two components that will make the drawing happen....1. Spread the word about my blog to your friends. I will not do the drawing until I have 50 followers...I'm now at 35 followers, so this is totally achieveable :) 2. Comment on a blog post from today forward...only people who comment will be entered for the drawing (if you have commented on or since August 2 you are already in the drawing).

Once I reach 50 followers I will enter the names of people who commented into random.org (in the order they comment in) and I will let random.org select a winner. Then the winner will just have to let me know where they would like to shop within 48 hours of me announcing the winner, which means you will need to check my blog. Help me make this giveaway happen!

Tuesday Tip: Be a Skinny Girl

As in Skinnygirl Cosmetics by Bethenny Frankel! You may know Bethenny from The Real Houswives of New York City, Bethenny Getting Married? or Bethenny Ever After. Or you may know her better because of her Skinnygirl Margarita. Bethenny is an accomplished business woman who has decided to venture into the world of cosmetics and I'm loving her being in it!

Skinnygirl Cosmetics are sold exclusively at Walmart, which means they are definitely affordable. I was drawn into the line by the cute packaging and of course her name (what can I say, I'm a huge Real Housewives fan). While the packaging is great I was more concerned about the actual product...and after trying a few different items I'm hooked and debating which product I will try next. The good news is that since they are priced so low it will be easy to try new products. Here are a few of my favs (so far...)

Plumping Lip Gloss (in peach)- We've all tried plumping lip glosses...some work, some don't....some make your lips so numb you can't feel them. Not the case here, the gloss makes your lips tingle a little, but nothing major. The gloss has a sheen to it, so the sheen mixed with the plumping action gives your lips a great pouty look...you'll be ready to walk the runway in a fashion show or in your everyday life!





Cleansing Facial Cloths- these face wipes are a-maz-ing...perfect for travel, keeping in your gym bag, or using instead of face wash on those nights when you are oh so tired and don't feel like going through the exhausting steps of actually washing your face. They have a faint cucumber scent which makes me feel like I'm stepping into a spa!

Face Solutions Kit- This fun kit includes a Detox Face Mask, Vitamin C Face Scrub and an Energizing Lip Gloss. I appreciated that both the mask and scrub left my face feeling refreshed and moisturized. So often with masks or scrubs you feel like your face has been robbed of all moisture. The lip gloss was a fun touch, I don't know how "energized" I felt, but it was a good clear gloss that wasn't too sticky and you can always use more than one of those, right?!




Tinted Moisturizer- This moisturizer really impressed me because it has a brush on the end, which helps with blending. For some reason I HATE using my fingers when applying foundation on myself, it weirds me out, so having the brush there was great. The moisturizer had enough coverage in it that it blended/evened out my skin tone...this is the perfect product if you want a little something on your face when you go for a run or to the gym, or if you don't wear a lot of makeup it will serve as a good base. It comes in different shades and has SPF, which you know is a must.

You can order these products online or get them at Walmart, from what I saw online prices range from about $5-$15 which means they are absolutely worth a try!

Images from walmart.com

2012 Grammy Makeup I'm Loving

While I'm enjoying the performances and fashion of the Grammys what I'm loving the most is the makeup! Here are a few of my favorites....

Taylor Swift's subtle look- usually she rocks a dramatic cat eye, and tonight she has softer eyes with pretty pink blush. I'm loving this look and it is something that makes her eyes stand out more than her eye makeup...try this look at home with light brown shadows and black pencil eyeliner. Don't forget your powder blush...check out one of my favorite color lines Nars for the perfect color.

Rihanna's almost black lips and blonde waves- the last time I posted about Rihanna was after her MTV Video Music Award performance and she had red hair with red lips. Tonight she is making an equally bold statement, and it looks just as great! For beachy waves like her's use Fekkai Beach Waves. Spritz this on wet hair, let it air dry or use a diffuser. You may want to add a few curls to your top layer with a straightener or curling iron...spray and go! And for plum, almost black lips visit MAC...I love thier lipsticks, and remember, being extra dramatic is a good thing sometimes!

Adele's smokey eyes- What's not to love, she has big almond shaped eyes that are perfectly made up in gray smokey shades...the key to a fabulous look is being sure to highlight the inner corners of your eyes and using a gel or liquid liner and lots of mascara. Create a cattier look by thickining your liner on the ends and bringing it to a point. With smokey eyes a soft pink or nude lip looks perfect.

Lady Antebellum's Hillary looking fabulous in plum. Brunettes always look amazing in plums, she had a perfect plum smokey eye going on with plum nails. Her super straight hair added to the look. For straight hair you'll love use a Chi, or my current favorite straightener HAI.

Tuesday Tip: Prime Your Armani Foundation

I've always been a huge fan of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and will continue using it with my Make Up For Ever foundation when I do makeup for events. On myself I've always used Armani foundation...well, not always, just since I worked there in 2006. If you've read my blog for more than a minute you know one of my favorite brands is Giorgio Armani. The reason I don't use their foundation when I do event makeup is because it can shift and isn't waterproof. Make Up For Ever is hard to beat when it comes to longwear.

Well, on my last trip to Dallas I stopped by Neiman Marcus to purchase Luminous Silk Foundation in #4 (my winter color which is the time of the year I embrace my Snow White complex). They were having a special where I could get my foundation, a new blender brush and the foundation primer (Fluid Master Primer) along with a couple of samples for $125 (it was a $190 value). I know that is a lot of money for makeup, but it was a steal for Armani since their foundation alone runs around $60. I indulged knowing that sets and good deals like that are hard to come by at the Armani counter.

Can I just say I am SO pleased with my purchase! The way to wear Luminous Silk Foundation is with Fluid Master Primer! My makeup is sitting better on my face and lasting longer. So, I realize not all of you wear Armani makeup, but for those of you who do start using their primer if you don't already. If you click on the Neiman Marcus link you can go to the exact set I purchased. And for the rest of you, find a primer that works for you...Smashbox, Laura Mercier, MAC and many other lines offer them. They can do everything from change your skin coloring to balance your skin from oily to normal or simply make your makeup last longer....all of those sound good to me!

Makeup Montage is Back!

Good news--I am officially back to blogging. To my loyal readers, I've missed you and writing about all things makeup. I have had a few busy months, and have decided to fill you in on seven major things that happened while I've been away from my blog:

1. I got engaged in early October to T- an amazing man, and have been busy planning our wedding that will be next summer

2. I was maid of honor in October for my friend T, a childhood friend, here is a picture of me and the beautiful bride (I did her makeup)




3. I went to Dallas twice, both times eating at fun places, a couple of them I'd go to again are: Mi Cocina and The Porch

4. Indulged in Sprinkles (the best cupcakes EVER, which makes it a major event!)

5. I was maid of honor for another childhood friend, S, in November, here is a picture of me and the glamourous bride (I did her makeup too)



6. I purchased some awesome makeup- more to come in the next couple of weeks on what I found

7. I did makeup for many fabulous return clients- Homecoming, weddings, and photo shoots....I have SUCH a fun job!

Don't forget, I'm giving away a $15 Sephora giftcard once I have 50 followers, you must comment to be entered in the drawing!

Tuesday Tip: Amazing Aveeno

I love trips to Ulta because it is such a one stop shop! On Saturday (thanks to a giftcard from a friend) I spent some time in Ulta finding great new products, and purchasing some old favorites to replace what has been used up. I stocked up on my favorite eye makeup remover (one for my kit and one for me), Neutrogena. I bought one of the fabulous Essie fall shades I recently blogged about...the color is a great rust called Very Structured. Of course the amount of nail polishing I do requires Nail polish remover. Then I was off to moisturizers since my Kiel's is about to run dry and I wanted a quick fix. I found myself in front of Aveeno, partially because I have another friend who I did makeup with in California who swears by it and because it was buy one get the second half off. So, for around 20 some dollars I got their positively radiant daily moisturizer (with SPF 15- a must!), and also smart essentials nighttime moisturizer. The daytime moisturizer is user friendly with a pump, goes on smooth and feels lightweight...it also has the faintest smell of sunscreen, which reminds me of the beach so I'm loving it. The nighttime moisturizer feels rich on my skin and I woke up still feeling moisturized, it has a light almost floral smell (I'm not a floral scent person and it doesn't bug me).

I couldn't be happier with my new products and the fact that I found great deals, had a $3.50 off coupon and got a free pack of 200 cotton squares since I'm in their rewards program....thanks Ulta!!

Tuesday Tip: Know About Nars

I'm not only a fan of Nars because of their amazing color range, but also the fact that their colors are pigmented....that's right, when you put on their eyeshadow or blush you actually see the color without having to use a ton of product! They have great new colors for the fall including a new duo eyeshadow with plum and a dusty rose. Also check out their nail colors, or look for something similar at your local drug store...we are talking chocolate, plum, gray and taupe for fall....I LOVE it! The colors make me think of an argyle sweater, which is oh so fall!

Tuesday Tip: Nice Nails

How does Essie always draw me in with each new color collection?! I am adoring their new fall collection with colors that really represent fall....muted tones, a rust color, charcoal, and of course a deep dark plum. These colors are retro and fall at the same time, be sure to get one or find something similar at your local drug store!




Photo from www.enailsupply.com

Tuesday Tip: Try New Eyeshadow

Do you tend to wear the exact same eyeshadow everyday? If you answered yes then it's time to change it up...you can go out and get all new colors, or just change one color in your daily routine. For example, if you usually use a matte cream color as a highlight or base try something with a shimmer. If you usually use a light brown for your contour switch to a red brown or a brown with a sheen to it. While I don't recommend using all shimmer shadows unless you are in your teens, twenties or going to an event you can still mix in a little shimmer.

When it comes to great shadows that are pigmented and have a great sheen Stila is the answer. A few favorite colors of mine: go lightly, kitten, starlight, barefoot contessa, twig, poise, and coco.

If you don't want to buy an individual eyeshadow Stila offers lots of super cute pallates with great colors. An added bonus is that if you sign up for the newsletter on Stila's website you will get 20% off your next purchase....eyeshadows anyone??!

Tuesday Tip: Terrific Tweezers

I realized today that I haven't shared with all of you my favorite tweezers....you've probably heard of Tweezerman products and that their tweezers are the best, well, it's true! I got hooked on this product when I first started doing makeup. They were a suggested product on my supplies list for makeup school and I figured they had to be great since my instructor and others at the school recommended them...after actually using them on my clients and on my own brows I saw how GREAT they are. These tweezers in many makeup artists' kits....which means they are a product for the pros, and one you can own and use everyday. Their most popular design is the slanted tweezer. I LOVE that there are so many designs and colors offered (why should tweezers be boring, right?!), and while you may think $25 is a lot for tweezers you can know that they will last. You can mail them in to be sharpened for FREE and they can be repaired for $5 (all of this info is on their fabulous website).

Whether you just need new tweezers, travel size tweezers or a brow kit Tweezerman is where you should look. You can easily find this product at Sephora, Ulta, or drug stores.

Quick tip: if you tweeze your own brows remember to step away from the mirror from time to time so you can look at yourself from afar, this will help you avoid ending up with super thin brows that need to be penciled in...and remember less is more, tweeze a few hairs at a time, don't overdo it.

Tuesday Tip: Spread the Word

It's hot outside so I want to give you a reason to shop...in an air conditioned place with makeup. I am going to do a giveaway of a gift card in the amount of $15 to the winner's choice of Ulta or Sephora. Here are the two components that will make the drawing happen....

1. Spread the word about my blog to your friends. I will not do the drawing until I have 50 followers...I'm at 32 as of now, so I don't think I'm asking for too much :)

2. Comment on a blog post from today forward...only people who comment will be entered for the drawing.

Once I reach 50 followers I will enter the names of people who commented into random.org (in the order they comment in) and I will let random.org select a winner. Then the winner will just have to let me know where they would like to shop within 48 hours of me announcing the winner, which means you will need to check my blog. Let's see how quickly I can give away a gift card!

Tuesday Tip: Watch Out for This Heat

With these extreme summer temperatures now is not the time to leave your makeup in your hot car...not only will annoying things happen, like lipstick melting and concealer oozing out of the tube. Your foundation and concealer can go bad if you leave it in extreme heat enough times. So, if you take your makeup with you during the day carry a purse or bag big enough to throw it in there so it can stay in air conditioning. Makeup is something that you don't want to go to waste, replacing it is costly and inconveinent.

Need a fun way to keep cool this summer? Try this fun tip that I did when working at Armani Cosmetics: Put your toner over ice (or in the fridge for awhile if you are at home), when you use it you will feel extra refreshed!

Tuesday Tip: Shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Every year, in July to be exact, Nordstrom has their Anniversary Sale. This is a sale like no other...their brand new fall merchandise is marked down for two weeks and then the prices go up on August first. You can find boots for fall, cute tops, jeans, accessories and more for great prices. One of my favorite things to check out during the sale are all of the beauty products. Most lines launch a limited edition item or set for the sale. Other lines pull their best selling products and put them in a set together...this is a GREAT time to buy products you love at a marked down price, or try something new.

A few of the sets I'm loving are:

Bobbi Brown 'Tortoise Shell Beauty Kit: this set includes a shimmer brick and gel liner (two products I mention here and use often) in addition to other great items



Kiehl's Powerful Moisture Restoring Set: This set has five items, two are favorites of mine, Avacado Eye Cream and Ultra Facial Cream. It is a $116 value and is only $76 during the sale.



Estee Lauder's free gift with purchase is full of products you will actually use and the bag they are in is adorable! The gift with either eye shadows or blush (and other fun things) is yours with a $35 purchase.

To see all of the beauty exclusives click here. Happy shopping!

Tuesday Tip: Add Some Volume

I've tried many products on my hair to add more volume (including lots of teasing and hairspray) and it wasn't until I started using volumizing shampoo and conditioner that I really got results. So, if your hairspray, gel, mousse, etc isn't doing the trick try one of these products that I love.

Big and Sexy Big Volume Shampoo and Conditioner

This product adds volume and smells great...the first time I tried it I got the travel size at Ulta which is convienent....I love great travel size products, and I like getting sample sizes of products the first time I use them so that I can try them out.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner

This product really adds a lot of volume to your roots. I don't love it for everyday use, but for every few days or using it on the day of an event you want volume for it is awesome! And good news, Bumble and Bumble is sold at Sephora now in addition to select salons.

Tuesday Tip: Be Patriotic

In honor of the Fourth of July (one of my favorite holidays) being yesterday, I have for you my favorite red, white and blue products. There are so many things I love about July...the intense heat, the season, having barbeque's and going to the beach...why not celebrate the Fourth of July all through the wonderful month of July?!

Red:

There's nothing better than a fabulous shade of true red lipstick...while there are many out there one that has been worn by celebs and looks awesome on is MAC's Russian Red. Remember to line your lips (I prefer to use a neutral color) so that your rockin red lipstick doesn't go anywhere!

Pair that lipstick with these adorable red shoes...I definitely can't resist red pumps.



White:

When it comes to white what else can I talk about but my Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream?! I'm such a fan of Kiehl's. This face cream is light enough for daytime use, but rich enough for night time...I really couldn't live without it!

Once you've applied your moisturizer and fabulous makeup you are going to need some amazing accessories. When it comes to accessories there are two items I am obsessed with...scarves and watches. I got my white Michael Kors watch a couple of years ago and it is still one of my favorites. Whether you choose a bulky watch (like mine) or a thin band, Michael Kors, Fossil, or ToyWatch a white watch during the summer is a must. You can pair it with a casual sporty look to dress your outfit up, or wear it with the perfect summer dress for night time.



Blue:

Blue nail polish, whether dark like OPI's Russian Navy, or light like Essie's barbados blue can be so fun during the summer. If you feel a little silly with it on your fingernails just use it on your toes...remember with dark colors or fun colors like blue sport it on shorter nails.




What would go better with blue nails than a fabulous pair of blue jeans...since jeans are another obsession here are some of my favorite brands that you should check out the next time you are at the department store or at your favorite boutique: Paige Premium Denim, J Brand, True Religion, Easy Money Jeans, Hudson and Miss Me....yes I do love jeans!

Happy Fourth of July, and happy summertime!

Tuesday Tip: Nails

I'm all about painting my nails fun colors during the summer. Usually I sport my OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or anything that resembles it, but during the summer I branch out. Here are some fun finds for nails:

Crackle Nail Polish by OPI:



Essie's summer collection including bright oranges, pinks and reds...all with fun names like the one below, Braziliant:



Also, I'm loving all the different takes on the basic french manicure...use colors other than just neutral and white. Use bright colors, or have black on your tips to look trendy rather than white.

It's the summer, so treat yourself to a mani or pedi and try something new!

Tuesday Tip: Make Gel Liner Easy to Apply

I went to use my Bobbi Brown gel liner (in espresso) this morning and it was looking a little pathetic. There are just a few clumps of gel liner left in the jar, but I am bound and determined to use it all and not let any go to waste. Well, as I began to apply it I couldn't even get the product on my brush....major problem...so, it was time to figure something out to make it work, eyeliner to me is a must. What I discovered is a little trick everyone can use to make their gel liner apply smooth and perfect.

First, I cleaned my brush, you can't apply makeup with brushes that have makeup on them or are dirty. I put Neutrogena eye makeup remover on a kleenex and rubbed the brush in swirl motions on the kleenex to remove the product, you wouldn't believe the amount of gel liner that was on the brush (yuck!). Next I used my perfectly clean brush to apply the liner, I realized that by having a little bit of eye makeup remover on the brush it helped break down the gel liner that has dried out some with time. My liner went on in a perfect line thanks to my brush being clean so there were no clumps of product on it and it went on easily since the eye makeup remover made it more of a liquid consistency.

Try this trick out if you have gel liner that is drying out or is a dry consistency. I know that Bobbi Brown and Maybelline's gel liner is great but a drier consistency than MAC's liner.

Tuesday Tip: Traveling

Packing for trips and traveling can be such a hassel. Especiallly when it comes to flying and making sure your items are 3 ounces or less and fit into a quart size bag, and then there's the fact that your items in your checked bag end up opening or exploding sometimes, so they all have to be in ziploc bags. I feel like a bag lady by the time I pack all of my items for a trip. Here are a few things I do to keep my cosmetic items to a minimum so that I can fit everything I need in my carry on and suitcase that I need, but not be weighted down by bottles and jars...

Try out sample size products or items you get from a gift (at a cosmetics line) on your trip. I have tons of sample size face creams, eye creams, eye makeup removers, etc...before I go on a trip I get out my sample size products and see which will work for me...sometimes this leads to me discovering a new great product!

Buy travel size products. So many people carry around full size products because they think that travel size products by that brand are not made....most lines sell items in travel size. Walmart and Target have lots of options, and so do Ulta and Sephora...so you are bound to find a brand that suits your beauty needs.

Buy or reuse small jars and bottles...I am all about refilling travel size shampoo bottles with more shampoo. I'm sure many of you already do this. Another thing I do is I reuse sample size pots and jars for my moisturizers, face creams, face wash, etc. This way instead of bringing my huge Neutrogena face wash I bring a less than 1 once jar with enough for my weekend trip. If you want to purchase travel size bottles Ulta has a set of 4 that are bright colors and fit into the requirements for air travel. Also, Sally Beauty Supply is full of bottles and jars that can be used for travel.

Make it work...before I travel I think through what I REALLY need...I'm a makeup artist, so I tend to think I need everything, but I've come to terms and I don't need all of my makeup on a trip. Think through your makeup, bring what you wear everyday and then one extra eyeshadow for night time, or a different lipstick. You don't need a multitude of makeup products. Also, think about the skin care products you are bringing. In my everyday life I use a daytime moisturizer, night cream and eye cream. When I go on trips I usually just bring my daytime moisturizer and eye cream...I ditch the night cream for a few days. Think about what you can leave behind for a few days so that you have less to pack.

Tuesday Tip: Love Liquid Eyeliner

There is something I just love about liquid eyeliner....it has such a clean and glamourous look to it. It is not the thing to wear if you plan to shed a tear (does anyone remember Lauren Conrad's tear shedding moment on The Hills with liquid eyeliner running down her cheek?). Well, here are a two of my favorite brands of liquid eyeliners for those moments you want to look fabulous and you know that you don't need a waterproof product.

Prestige This is a good basic liquid eyeliner that you can't go wrong with.

e.l.f. This only costs a dollar...what can be better than that?!

Remember, you only need to (and should in my opinion) line your top lashline with liquid liner, not your lower. Also, it comes in different shades, so experiment...if you feel like black is too harsh try a midnight blue or a plum!