Thursday, July 28, 2011

And the 2012 MAC Viva Glam Spokepeople Are....


Ricky Martin & Nicki Minaj were chosen to represent the campaign that has raised over $218 million for AIDS research since its inception in 1994 (that's about $13 million a year!). Every single penny of your $14.50 is something you can feel good about and look better for! Information has yet to be released about the lipstick shades. If Nicki's is anything like her Pink Friday Lipstick, its sure to be a massive bestseller. As for Ricky, I'm anxious to see what the shade will be and if he will wear it in the photos. Time will tell...but in the meantime consider making a positive purchase by sporting a previous shade of Viva Glam until you can get your paws on the new ones.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Beauty Steal of the Week

When researching Beauty Icon of the Week, Carmen Dell'Orefice I came across her quote about this week's steal: Bag Balm! It is a product developed for farm animals teats and hooves that has gained cult status as skincare miracle. Carmen said, "If it's good enough for horses, it's good enough for me." Well, of course, I had to order some right away (I've since noticed it at most drugstores, shelved with moisturizers). It came promptly in the mail and I couldn't wait to try it. In reviews it is raved about for deep moisturization and is even thought to quicken the healing process of wounds or abrasions as well as or better than Neosporin®. I recently developed an itchy little rash between my fingers where my wedding ring sits. So I whipped out my cotton gloves and slathered it on my hands, covered up my paws and went to sleep.
Now, if I'm being honest I will tell you that the scent of this product is less that appealing. In line with the reviews, I found it to smell medicinal with a farm-animal undertone. One of the chief ingredients is Lanolin, a waxy secretion of the sebaceous glands of farm animals, so there ya go. Its just not a product you put on when you intend to leave the house. That being said, the scent is bearable in light of the results.
In the morning, my hands were baby smooth and the rash was significantly reduced. The product (along with the scent) is easily washed away, leaving only fantastically renewed skin. Following further applications, my rash is gone and my devotion for Bag Balm has only just begun.
Prices range from $4-8  for a generous 10 oz. tin. Available at most drugstores and online.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Beauty Steal of the Week

This weeks steal comes from NYX Cosmetics and is their Slim Lip Liner Pencils.
I recently read an article in this months issue of Allure magazine that most drugstore lip and eye pencils that have the label  "Made in Germany" are usually comparable to luxury brands due to the fact that there are only 2 factories that manufacture those products there. According to the experts its a safe bet that the pigments and waxes used are similar to those in high-end products. So I decided to keep my eye out.
I was in my local beauty supply stocking up and I noticed that the NYX lip pencils read "Made In Germany" on them. There was a wide range of 60 colors, which, along with the packaging, mimic that of MAC's liners. At $2.99 a pop, I decided to pick up a handful and try them out. I was excited to find that the colors were highly pigmented and the consistency was high quality. Not only that! They have a decent amount of wear time.
Now, I kinda have a hard time dissing MAC...but if I can save $10 and get virtually the same product, I'm gonna do it! I suggest you try them out for yourself. I doubt you'll be sorry.

Wedding Expo...

I had lots of fun at the Wedding Expo this past weekend. It went really well and I made lots of contacts with prospective clients and other artists. Thanks again to everyone who helped me get everything together and to the organizers of the event!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Wedding Events Expo


If anyone is in San Francisco this Sunday, head to Treasure Island for the Wedding Events Expo at The Winery SF from 11am-5pm. I will have my own booth and will be giving free consultations all day long. There will also be tons of different vendors (food, music, flowers, rentals, etc.), covering all your wedding needs, lots of free samples, and tons of giveaways! Come check it out!


Sunday, July 10, 2011

Beauty Steal of the Week

This week's featured beauty product with a price tag to cheer for is e.l.f.'s Essential Individual False Lashes.
At a whopping $1 these lashes perform just as well as other brands (Makeup Forever, I'm pointing at you!) that are 15x's the price! The only downside to this product is the subpar quality of the included eyelash glue. However, you can snag that at the drugstore and still be under a 1/4 the price of even the drugstore brand lashes! 
For those of you who don't really use false lashes or have never tried, let me preach a sec. I understand your apprehension. I really do! Why bother? Its a hassle, right? They are too much for an everyday look...right? Wrong! Sure, full strip lashes may be a bit dramatic for anyone less showy than a drag queen but individual lashes are a different story. A natural-looking story. When you apply just one individual lash at the outer corner of each eye, you create magic. I am relatively new to this myself and have only done it a handful of time but I am already a believer. Even up close, no one can tell you're wearing them. Its a subtle secret used by many classic beauties like Marilyn and Angelina, to name a few. If its good enough for them, its good enough for you! So next time you need that little something extra, consider making a $1 investment.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Photo Shoot 7/5/2011

Photographer: Lawrence Pan
Models: Madison Lawrence, Erin Yelda, and the fabulous Pong Sixiengmay
Makeup: Joel King

 See more photos from this shoot after the jump!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Treat Yourself To...


Too Faced Perfect Lips Lip Liner is described as "the only liner you will ever need" which isn't too far from the truth. It was created to mimic a flattering natural lip color. This product definitely evens out your lips tone and can be used to shape and define your kisser any time a natural look is desired. It has a velvety consistency and wears very well throughout the day. It looks fabulous by itself, underneath lightly pigmented lipsticks, and is definitely a winner when paired with gloss. Its a little expensive at $18.50, but is something you can use everyday and get a lot of wear out of. As an eye makeup person who can usually only be bothered applying lip color once a day, its my go-to liner.

Beauty Icon of the Week

This week's icon is Carmen Dell'Orefice. The 80 year old supermodel has been consistently working for 67 years! Muse to Salvador Dali at age 13, on the cover of Vogue magazine at age 15 in 1947, and more in-demand than ever today, she has been the picture of grace and beauty for any age.
Carmen (the mononymous name she is known by) stopped dyeing her hair in her mid-40s saying, "I'm not giving in to anyone else's idea of how I ought to feel and look." She embraced the natural stages of graying and now has her hair toned 4 times a year to lift the color to a pure white.
She says beauty starts with thought and attitude. She also lives a healthy lifestyle. "I exercise every day. I don't get up and have a cup of coffee anymore. I get up and move to get blood to my brain. Train like an athlete, get enough sleep, not too much booze, and never smoke." She also credits her sex life as a key element in maintaining her youth. "Sex is part of it. Life has to be a balance, and I've figured out the balance for myself. Sex always!"
When asked her favorite beauty product, her answer is the cult favorite Bag Balm, an ointment developed by a dairy farmer for softening cow teats and horse hooves. "If it's good enough for horses, it's good enough for me."
 Get Carmen's makeup look after the jump!