New product testing in action this week

Out of my "face makeup" I reached for something new this time: Laura Mercier's oil-free primer and tinted moisturizer, same combo I have been using from Philosophy. I am super anxious to try something new.

Will be reporting soon...

stay tuned.

Lush lash love

I have spent years of my life in search of the perfect mascara. A mascara that does not end up under my eye mid-day leaving me looking like a crack whore/raccoon-eyed freak. I've spent countless hours (dramatic) in the mirror touching up my smeared/melted mascara face mess, until now... after a long and treacherous search full of technique tricks and trying out expensive mascaras, I crossed paths with a life changing product.

I introduce to you...

drum roll please

MAC's Opulash Mascara

Allow me to name the reasons why I name this mascara a must-have beauty essential:

- Price point, at $15 it does not break the bank

- Super duper dark black color provides a dramatic look, even when paired with simple eye makeup

- Large and in-charge wand covers lashes quickly and effectively

- Amps up lashes in volume (uber thickness factor) and length

- I love that in one swipe I am done (it dries very quickly, so a second swipe needs to happen fast). My routine: curl, apply right eye top, right bottom, touch top again, re-dip, top left eye, bottom left top, touch top again

- The no-smudge factor alone is amazing

- If you're weird like me, you will love this as a little bonus: when you wash your makeup off, the mascara comes off in little clumps/tubes and does not run down your face (think non-crack whore look) - fab!

With all of this lash love, I have to dish on another incredible lash-y product I am not addicted to: LiLash.

I have been using this product for about three months and I can tell a major difference in the condition, and LENGTH of my lashes. When first using this, I used it every night, now I use it two- to three-times per week, or when I remember.

Mikey told me my eyelashes we getting too big, I told him lashes are like diamonds, there is no too big.

Color, Color, Color: lips, nails and the in-between

I left the MAC counter this weekend with two new fall lip purchases, and a sweet reminiscent feeling to post my fave colors of summer. With fall technically around the corner, the Utah weather makes me feel as though I still have plenty of time to rock my favorite warm-weather shades of COLOR!

This summer I made the commitment to start donning brighter, bolder lip colors. I am really a pale/nude lip lady, but really amped it up this summer with shades of hot pink and even some bright red!

I plan to keep this trend alive the rest of the year, continuing to stand out in my bright red lips all year long and adding some deep, dramatic colors to the mix for the cold months.

My favorite summer colors have included shades of pink, blue and coral.

Toesie and Nail Colors ...

- OPI's: Flit a Bit, Don't Know.. Beets Me, Mermaid's Tears, No Room for the Blues, Shorts Story and Gargantuan Green Grape

- Essie's: Forget Me Nots, Peach Daquiri and Splash of Grenadine

Lips ...

- Revlon's Fairytale

- MAC's: Cherry and Magenta lip liners, Superglass Superflash gloss, Scan-Delicious Kissable Lip Color, Beaute lip gloss and MAC Red and Lustering lip stick

http://www.fashionfame.com/2010/09/marc-by-marc-jacobs-spring-2011-collection/

http://wearcolor.tumblr.com/post/8208326564/via-sterlingstyle-color-me-pink

http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa168/Wun2ThaVisionary/?action=view&current=1316717_249320_2153632839911_1219117351_2722276_5249835_n.jpg

From my accessories, to my cosmetics, to my nail polish options and fashion - these shades have ruled my SUMMER palette; mixed with neutrals, mixed with each other and mixed monochromatically, I LOVE it all!

Trend-spotting, I am excited to see these same colors in warmer clothing options - corals, reds, turquiose-y blues, purples, greys... MMMmmm... cannot wait to get me some of these new colors!

Falling for warm, rich colors

Along with my festive decor throughout our home, the aroma of warm pumpkin and cinnamon filling the air and the closet season switch out, I have busted out some of my favorite fall makeup colors.

During the fall and winter seasons, I like to switch up my hot pink cheeks and pale pink lips for warmer mauve-ish tones.

Here are some of my very favorites, the pumpkin is a nice touch, right?!
Cheeks: Plum Foolery
Eyes: Twinks, Arena and Antiqued
Lips: Liner - Half Red, Lipstick - Viva Glam VI

Do have any fall favorites?

Oh, you're making me BLUSH

I love all things makeup, but blush definitely tops my list of must wear items. I alternate colors throughout the week and specifically throughout the seasons. This summer I am rocking different shades of pink, my fave!
I recently began using MAC's beauty powder in Pretty Baby. I love it! I use it on top of my pressed powder to warm my face (cheeks, forehead, nose, chin) and then I focus one of my bright pinks on my cheeks.

My go-to blush colors this season are: MAC's Well Dressed and Pink Swoon, and Nars' Deep Throat. In addition to powder, beauty powder and blush, I still sweep about one big swoop of bronzer.

What's your favorite summer time blush hue?

Hair & Makeup for the Bride... Jamba!

Having been besties for years and years, I know how extremely picky and stuck in her ways Jaima is. This can be both a good and a bad thing. Knowing herself that she can be a bit neurotic when it comes to hair and makeup, and especially new ideas, Jaima asked muuuah to do her hair and makeup for her and Chris' engagement pictures. I lalalalove doing things of this nature, even if I have to tell my client to "shut the hell up" and "just let me do my thang."

So- as I told the beautiful Bride to shut it and deal with what I was about to do... she cooperated and ended up looking so gorgeous. Jaima looks great everyday, but we added some drama (and more makeup than usual) to her everyday self and she looked stunning, and totally picture ready!

I went through ALL of my makeup and pulled the colors and tools I wanted to try, packed up my 'caboodle' and some hair tools and went on my merry way to meet my client.

Jaima has really thick hair... I wanted it more curled than her normal curled days and full of bounce and body. Will she hate me for posting this pic? Possibly... but she looks great so I don't even give a care. I took fairly small sections and spritzed the strands with Redken's Hot Sets 22 (one of my favorite thermal setting sprays), wrapped it around my 1" iron and then pinned each curl. After setting for about 30-40 minutes, I took out each curl and sprayed her whole head with Bed Head's shine spray- amazing for separating curls. At this point Jaima is freaking out like expected, not wanting her to curls to resemble those of when she was about 7; "OMG, (nervously laughing) this is really curly Machel, like too curly." Yeah, it was curly but... her hair is so thick and heavy I knew the would relax and fall.

Because Jaima literally has flawless skin (no blemishes- ever, no blotchiness, no pores and beautiful olive coloring) she opts to not wear face makeup: concealer, foundation and powder. The items I cannot live without. As a huge believe of the light-coverage MAC Mineralize products that I use, I persuaded her to purchase these items as they are critical for these pictures, bridals and the wedding day. Yes, I am the artist for all of these events.

Due to her great complexion, eye color, hair color and outfit selection (which I will not spoil here) we went for some great neutral colors and just amped it up with a more heavier-than-normal application.
We used some of my most fave colors....

Eyes:
(All MAC colors)
Painterly base: patted on from lash line to just above crease
Patina: lash line to just above crease, and a thin line on the lower lash line
Twinks: Blended from outer corner to mid-crease with a thin line on lower lash line
Orb: Brow bone to just above crease... blending the Twinks in beautifully
Blitz and Glitz fluidline: Heavier line on upper lid
Typographic: Bottom lash line
Engraved waterproof liner: on the inner rims
All of this topped off with curled lashes and a few coats of black mascara...

Cheeks:
Nars' (I hate to say this, I really do) blush in Deep Throat

Lips:
MAC's whirl liner, Viva MAC VI lipstick, Nars' Rage gloss

We used some MAC pigment in an opalescent shade to highlight around her eyes and cheekbones.

We are going to have a practice wedding day round and bridals, I will be sure to take more "in the midst of the action" shots to show more on application techniques, etc. I will be posting a few of Chris and Jaima's engagement pics on here once they get them to show their hot'ness and my great work in action!

My investment in make-up brushes

Part of being the (wanna be) make-up "guru" that I am requires all of the tools, right? That's what I think too. Brushes make a huge difference in the application of your make-up. I have seriously invested in some fabulous brushes... almost all MAC brushes. Unless you're a baller, it takes time to accumulate a brush collection. I realize that there are more luxurious (meaning expensive) brushes than the ones I use, mine are my high-end choice . . .

Some invest in stocks & real estate, I invest in make-up & beauty tools.

I have had my fair share of inexpensive brushes... and they do not last long, nor do they make applying your make-up easy. The more you DO with your make-up, the more important quality brushes become. A dramatic look requires more make-up, thus requiring more tools.

Being the product junkie that I am, there is something that makes me feel prettier when I have the time to utilize each brush for its own detailed purpose. Extra processes, and taking over an hour to get ready automatically makes me feel more glam.

Check out MAC's Brush Finder. Lancome Foundation Brush. Bobbi Brown Eyeliner Brush.

I am doing Jaima's hair and make-up in a couple of weeks for her and Chris' engagement pictures... check back to see these tools in action and how they impact the result of a super-foxy bride!

#5: Shu Uemura UV Underbase & Eye Lash Curler

Last year at about this time, I was a mall-maniac, more than usual. Constantly shopping for engagement outfits, wedding day accessories, honeymoon clothes, gifts and of course make-up. Being a maniac I made a number of discoveries, Shu Uemura's underbase and their eye lash curler being two of them. I have been a faithful fan ever since!

As anyone who I work with can attest to, I look pretty shitty during the week. Almost always rocking a ponytail (clean ones too) and much less make-up than I sport on the weekends. The lack of looking decent is due to my A.M. time constraint; I would much rather sleep an extra 30- 40 minutes than look glammed out each day!

Every day,whether the workweek rush, the weekend glamour girl or the pool side babe, I always use my eyelash curler. I know there are some ladies who travel with this tool in their purses, re-curling throughout the day. I do not take my passion for this tool that far, but I do use it daily. Why I love it: I have yet to hurt myself with it; some curlers are flimsy, open too wide and just suck. This one has a wonderful pad, opens so perfectly and somehow curls with such precision. It is not as fancy as some of those out there, with bouncy springs or extra gadgets attached, but I am telling you- this one is a keeper! I had not read the product description until now... hello, totally sums up why I love it. the emblematic shu uemura eyelash curler featuring enhanced design and upgraded features... provides a protective, stay-put edge for improved safety and optimum curl... precise engineering applies perfect amount of pressure on eyelashes... calculated shape and size of frame length and ergonomic handles ensure stability and control.

When I do allow myself the time to get adequately ready, I follow some extra make-up steps. Some have been mentioned before (eyeliner, more eye shadow, etc.), and using this underbase is one of those do it when I have time kinds of things.

I apply just a small amount of this slightly-tinted, mouse-textured underbase/primer all over my face with my Lancome foundation brush. Using this product, my make-up (foundation and powder) last longer and go on much smoother, like flawlessly. What I love is that within about one minute of application, my skin has a natural glow and appears less red. One of this product's features is to reduce redness, and it for sure does.
Love both of these products and highly recommend them to you! Shu Uemura can be purchased in the Nordstrom's costmetics department.

Obsessed with: Make-Up ... Just the Beginning

It all began in 1990 with Hello Kitty cosmetics. They do not even make the kind they used to carry any more. I remember... Hello Kitty store in Fashion Place Mall (I believe). They had a small make-up counter on one wall in the store with an array of eye shadows, blushes, lip sticks and of course complementing nail polishes. Between my obsession with this line, routinely visiting the Lancome counter with my Mom and my Grandma letting me play in ALL of her make-up, I developed a passion for make-up. Owning it, playing with it, organizing it, applying it on other people and on myself.

I do NOT go all out all of the time. I am almost always in a hurry to get to wherever I am going, limiting the time I have to apply make-up. Do not let this lack of week day full make-up fool you. I of course have my essential products I use each and every day, but I also have the products I LOVE but cannot use everyone due to time constraints.

Keep in mind, I have not even purchased any make-up for like, seven months! I used to buy a new shadow, lip stick and so forth at least ONCE a week. You can see why it was critical for me to leave the retail industry...

Here is my (quick) everyday routine (Just the Beginning):

PREP: I start the morning with my white tea moisturizer that I have previously wrote about (one of my all-time fave products). I use it in the AM and PM.

FYI: Now, after chatting with girlfriends and such, I realize I use way more make-up on my simple days than most girls would consider simple. I am always cautious about NEVER having make-up face though! Usage tip: use all "facial" products (concealer, foundation, etc.) sparingly, especially if your skin is a bit dryer.

FACE: I first apply concealer; I switch off between Clinique's All About Eyes and Lancomes' Effacernes. If I am going out or if I am expecting to have a super-long day, I opt for Lancome- it's waterproof and lasts all day. Next I use one pump of MAC's Mineral Satin Finish Foundation (light coverage but it really evens out my skin tone and gives a nice finish), MAC's Mineralize Skin Finish Powder (I am sure to pat this under my eyes too to help prevent eyeliner and mascara messes), MAC's bronzer in Golden and of course a blush- usually Cubic, Prism or Pink Swoon.

Depending on the day I play my eyes up more... weekdays I usually stick to MY basics...

EYES: MAC's paint pot in Painterly (always prevents creasing and is fabulous when you are going for a darker eye and want to really pack color on), MAC's All That Glitters (I use this main color all-over my eye with nearly every look), Satin Taupe (perfect for a natural eye or you can really play it up and create a more smokey look) and Orb (the perfect matte blending color with the right shade of peach to avoid a "white out" eye). I top this simple look off with a thin line of MAC's Fluid Line in Blitz and Glitz (black) and if I want to take another 25 seconds, I go over that line with MAC's Typographic eyeshadow. Finally I lightly fill in my brows with Handwritten and put a coat of ANY mascara on my top lashes. (Mascara is the one item I will not run and grab a $30 tube of every 4 weeks)!

WHEW... good morning sunshine! These are my favorite every day products and colors... more fave products, colors and brushes to come soon!