Review: Annabelle Cosmetics Skinny Brow Liner

I have been using this wonderful little product on myself and on my clients for the last few years and I must say that I have been more than pleased with it.

Most of us are used to using pencil brows, and we all know the routine..  sharpen, apply, correct, sharpen... and it almost always still looks smudged.. ugh

Say goodbye to your frustrations!  Annabelle has the solution!

This gem of a product takes the frustration out of brow applications..  It is very fine, which allows for a precise application and make brow filling practically foolproof!  It is retractable and it includes a brow shaping comb as well. Some would prefer a spoolie instead, but in all honesty, it doesn't bother me at all.

The formula is matte, waterproof and hypo-allergenic... three words you want to hear when describing a brow pencil!

And the best part... it costs less than 10$ per pencil!

It is available in a number of colors:  Universal Light, Universal Medium, Universal Dark, Universal Ebony, Universal Taupe, Universal Auburn

I cannot tell you how many clients I have turned on to this product. 


Seriously.. two thumbs up!

SALLY HANSEN MIRACLE GEL NAILPOLISH

 For many years, I have been doing my own nails and, (not to toot my own horn) I think I have gotten quite good at it. 

 

Clean nails, basecoat, 2 coats of polis and topcoat. 

 

Problem is, I tend to knock my fingers around, wash dishes, type, clean, grab stuff... you know, LIVE...  and unfortunately, my nails bare the wrath of my day to day activities.  Generally, I am lucky if I can extend my mani to a week.

 

Now... I know what you're gonna tell me...  but the beauty industry has given us gel, and shellac and acrylic nails so you won't have to worry about mani longevity.  Buut, if you are anything like me, you don't necessarily have the time or the budget to get your mani done regularly at a nail salon.

 

I have tried many different brands of basecoat, polish, topcoats... There are some really good brands out there.. Orly, Opi, Essie... but I have to say, for longevity, Sally Hansen takes the cake with their topcoats (especially the Insta-Dry topcoat)

 

BUT!  they have now OUTDONE themselves!

 

BEHOLD the Miracle Gel™ nail color and Miracle Gel™ 2X Volume Top Coat (cue angels harmony here)

 

While shopping, this is what I saw:

• 2 Steps   
• Up to 14 Days of Color & Shine   
•  Easy Removal   
•  No Light Needed   
• The Next Best Thing to a Salon Gel Manicure!

So I gave it a try. And let me tell you, I am VERY pleased.

 

I bought color 430 called "Crème de la Crème" along with the 2X Volume topcoat.  Firstly, gorgeous color.  It's the perfect combination of white and barely-there pink.  (they offer 61 shades btw)

It goes on a little uneven when applying the first coat, but once the second coat is on... perfection.  It does dry quickly, so make sure to have something handy to quickly scrape off the color that gets on the skin (it happens to the best of us!).

 

After about 5  minutes, I applied the top coat and (to quote the instructions) I let natural light do the rest, and put it to the test.

 

right after I finished my nails

 

If I wasn't a little OCD and if I didn't need my nails to be perfect, the color would have easily lasted 14 days.  I managed to tolerate 10 days.   But even after the 10 days, the shine was still there and the color had lasted with minimal cracking and chipping (referring back to how much abuse I put my hands through, its really impressive).

 

Wow.  okay!  this could be interesting!  My first thought was to go and buy all the colors, I was sold!  But then, reality set in and I remembered that I have about 40 colors in my nail kit that I spent money on.... Hmmm, what to do, what to do...

 

So I tried using one of my preferred OPI nail colors with just the 2X Volume topcoat.  It has been 10 days and my nails are still looking presentable! Minimal cracking, no chipping and slight wear and tear on the tips.  Very very impressive!

 

not bad! 10 days later

 

I am definitely going to try to resist my impulses and try the Sally Hansen Duo again and see if I can make it last the 14 days ;)-  Though I have zero doubt that it will.   It seems that there is a science to combining the 2 items.  According to the website, the Miracle Gel™ Color and Top Coat formulas were developed to be used together as a system.  Who am I to doubt science? :)

 

Final thoughts:

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up to anyone thinking of purchasing this nail product.  GO FOR IT. Get the duo, you will not be disappointed!

 

 

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Review: Maybelline The Nudes and The blushed Nudes palettes

I was walking down the cosmetics aisles of the pharmacy, as I usually do on my trips there, when something caught my eye in the Maybelline display.  Nude palettes! AFFORDABLE nude palettes! (They retail for almost 13$/palette + tax)

So I bought both ;)

With all the hype surrounding the Urban Decay Naked palettes that retail for a whopping 64$ + tax, it is no wonder that there are dupes popping up everywhere.  Other examples are the Coastal Scents Revealed palettes, and L'Oreal's Color Riche La Palette Nude or even Annabelle's Smokey Nudes Eyeshadow Pallette.


At first glance, the color options that these palettes offer are impressive.  You get 12 colors per palette, and each contain a combination of matte and satin shades.

The original palette has a combination of bronzy tones, ranging from champagnes to taupes to golds and browns/blacks

The blushed palette has an array of pinky tones ranging from a vanilla to rose golds to silver/greys and a sparkly plum

Application: 

As soon as you swatch the colors with your fingers, you understand that the color payoffs are quite sheer, especially the matte shades.  The more satiny shiny shades are more pigmented. 

Right away, I would recommend that these palettes be used with an eye primer and a dense eyeshadow brush (or even your fingers) to apply.

bronze palette swatches

blushed palette swatches

 

Final thoughts:

 

 

The colors are gorgeous, it is obvious that they gave the color choices a lot of thought. Most of the shades have a wonderful satiny finish that are easy to apply and easy to blend out. 

 

The variety available in the palettes makes it easy to go from day to night without the bulk of having to carry around a bunch of different pans and the user-friendly-ness of not having to break your head deciding which colors go well together. 

 

However, I do wish that the colors would be more pigmented.  Colors that are adequately pigmented not only facilitate application but also give the wearer the choice of degree of intensity they wish to have.

 

All in all, a good buy for the everyday woman looking for a variety of choices for an affordable price :)

 

 

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Why Is a Bridal Makeup Trial so Important?

You got engaged! You are over the moon and it is now time to plan your dream wedding!

You have the venue, the band, the dress... Now all that's left is the makeup. You find a makeup artist you like and her portfolio seems to match the vision you have for yourself on your special day.  You ask yourself if a trial is really necessary?  

The answer is a resounding YES!

But why?  Below is a list of answers to that question along with some helpful tips.  Enjoy!

---------------

1.  Getting to know you.  The makeup artist is meeting you and your face for the first time.  The trial is the time for her to ask you the necessary questions about your skin type, allergies, likes and dislikes, etc.  There is generally no time on the wedding day to be having those discussions or for her to familiarize herself with your face.  This is also a time for her to get to know you as a person.  For the artist, this will help with the creation of the perfect look.

2.  Do you speak the same language? A person's makeup lingo is very different from a makeup artist's lingo.  Many times, I've had brides use adjectives such as "dramatic", "cat eye", "smokey eye", "light", "dark", "glam"... These words (and many others) can mean two completely different things to you vs your makeup artist.  It is during the trial that you will be able to determine if the words you gave the makeup artist really described the vision you had in your head.  Your makeup artist should be open to criticisms and tweaks you want to do to the makeup on the wedding day.  

3.  Will you like her? It is important to know whether or not you will get along with your vendors, especially your makeup artist.  More often than not, your makeup artist will be the first person you see on your big day and your relationship with her will set the tone for the rest of the day.  The time you spend with her at the trial will determine whether your personalities will gel nicely.

4.  Go out and enjoy.   Do your trial on a day when you have an event to go to.  One where your hair will be done and you're dressed to impress. This will give you a better visual of the makeup and how it actually looks when you're all done up.  If you do your makeup trial in sweats with your hair in a messy bun, the makeup will stand out and you may be taken aback by the intensity of it in comparison to how "regular" the rest of you looks.

5.  More is less.  It is important to remember that whatever look you are aiming to achieve, the makeup artist will be applying with the camera in mind.  What does that mean?  Let me explain...  Anytime you have a professional photographer and/or a videographer in the mix, the makeup artist knows that the makeup has to automatically be at least 40% more intense than usual.  The camera, the natural light, the flash... all of those will wash out the applied makeup in the pictures.  This means that the makeup artist will need to: a) use more makeup than usual, b) use brighter/darker tones than usual and c) intensify the products applied... more than you are used to.  The right amount of makeup will make you look flawless and natural in the photos with all the right parts of your face highlighted.

6.  Take it for a test run.  Testing out the makeup is as important as the makeup application itself.  You want to know that the makeup will last all day and all night.  Getting dressed up and going out after your trial serves a double purpose.  Will the makeup stay intact? Will your skin get oily?  Will you have any reactions to the products? Are you comfortable with the false lashes? Are you comfortable in your own skin with the makeup on? Was it too dark? Too light?  Was it perfect and everything you hoped it would be? By the end of the night, you will have enough information to give your makeup artist good feedback for her to work with on the wedding day.

7.  The details.  The trial is generally a good time to finalize (as much as possible) the details for the wedding day. A lot can be lost in translation when

communicating by phone or by text.  Take advantage of the face-to-face and discuss the pricing, the wedding day schedule and any other important details.

----------  

I hope this is helpful to all you future brides out there 😊

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Am I a warm or a cool tone?

Makeup tip of the day: WARM VS COOL Foundation

Many of us have heard these terms when it comes to makeup, but when we're standing in front of a plethora of foundations, who has the time to think about it and figure it out? 

Here's a little trick: Don't look at the skin on your face. More often then not, our face has a different coloring than our body. 

Cools have have more red, pink-y, blue-y hues in their skin while Warms are more yellow, orange-y, peach-y. A neutral tone is an equal blend of the two tones.

Pull up your sleeves and take a look at the veins visible on inside of your forearms. Are you doing it? Good.

If your veins looks more blue, you've got cool undertones.

If your veins look more green, you've got warm undertones

Another cool trick is to think back to the type of jewelry you wear. Do you look best in silvers or golds? Generally, silvers are more flattering on cool tones, and golds look more radiant on warms.

So what does this all mean? ** You want to always match the tones in your body upward into your face to neutralize and blend.

So, for example, if your face has mostly cool undertones, but you have determined that the rest of you is a warm, then you will be choosing more golden-shade foundations, in order to neutralize the cool tones in your face. ** Always remember to blend down into the neck and decollete!

WHEN IN DOUBT and all of this is too confusing, stick to neutrals. 

Et voila! 

The assumptions of makeup trials

Wedding and event season is coming up, and that means that many ladies request a trial session to make sure that their makeup is 100% perfect on their special day.

Trials are an important part of the makeup process, there's no denying it... So I am a little confused as to why clients diminish the importance of a trial if its so important? (Confused yet? Join the club)

Let me explain:

On the day of the trial, your makeup artist  will spend more time with you communicating and creating a full makeup look (sometimes multiples) to make sure that you both have the same vision in mind, and until you see exactly what you envisioned in the mirror.  Your makeup artist will use all the same products (sometimes more) and in the case of those who want at-home service, will transport all her makeup and tools to your location (chair, light, heavy makeup bag, supply bag, etc...) to ensure a comfortable and complete experience for you.

So, now that we know the extent to which a makeup artist works for a client's  makeup trial, why-oh-why do clients expect to pay a fraction of the price or nothing at all for the makeup trial?  

We just established that the makeup artist is putting in more of his/her time, energy and products for the trial and yet, many are still under the impression that it isnt worth the compensation.

Its like saying that you will eat at a restaurant for your birthday and are eating the same meal at the same place a week before, but are not willing to pay the price of the food and service provides because it isn't actually your birthday....  

Boggles my mind.

The importance of cleansing your face before bed. JUST DO IT!

How many times have I heard someone say ``I was too tired/too lazy to wash my face before bed``... ``I shower in the mornings anayway``... ``I wasn`t wearing any makeup that needed washing off``...

Hearing someone tell me they don`t cleanse their face before bed is like nails on a chalkboard to me... cringe-worthy.

Anna Pursglove recently wrote an article for Dailymail UKrelating how she bravely decided to challenge herself to not cleanse her face before bed for one month.  After one month, her skin specialist announced that her skin had aged by a DECADE!!

So what happens to our skin while we sleep?
Skin regenerates itself while we sleep; dry skin sheds, creates collagen & elastin, elimintes toxins... And as we get older (inevitably every day), our skin needs all the help it can get!

Makeup and external pollutants create a barrier on the skin during the course of the day, and not washing off all the `guk` on a repeated long term basis can cause more damage than we may have thought:

• prevents the production of collagen and elastin (the stuff that makes your skin tight and youthful) therefore causing saggy and wrinkly skin
• prevents old skin shedding to make new for the new younger skin
• cloggs pores, therefore creating larger pores and acne
• irritants get locked in and can cause allergic reactions and redness
• uncleaned eyes can cause infections and lash dandruff 

Do I need to continue??

It is hard to offer a suggestion of cleansers, because every skin need is different, but I can tell you that my cleansing routine includes Ponds cold cream with a hot face towel followed by a quick wash with african black soap. 

So now that you will all start cleansing before bed, please take the extra 5 seconds to moisturize as well to help keep your face hydrated and healthy.  Your future self will thank you for it. :)

How to determine your face shape

This post will be helpful to both the men and women! It doesn't happen often! What is it?

How to determine your face shape.

Figuring out your face shape can help in MANY different ways: 

1) Applying makeup

2) Finding the style of glasses/sunglasses that will best suit you

3) Figuring out the most complementary eyebrow solution/shape 

4) Best haircut/hairstyle 

Here is a breakdown of the most common face shapes:

OVAL: Face is more long than wide, narrow but prominent cheekbones, face gradually tapers towards chin, generally symmetrical.

SQUARE: Face has strong features, as wide as it is long, wider jaw, square chin.

ROUND: Face is as wide as it is long, rounded features (forehead and chin), wider cheekbones.

HEART: Length of face is a little longer than wide, wider forehead tapering to a pointed chin, hairline is pointy in the middle and rounded on either side.

OBLONG: Face is more long than wide, outline roughly resembles a tall rectangle with rounded corners, may have prominent chin. 

TRIANGLE: Face is a little longer than wide, broader jawline, smaller forehead 

DIAMOND: Face is a little longer than wide, tapered hairline, pointed jawline, widest at temples/cheekbones. 

So how to figure out your face shape? One way is to stand in front of a mirror, pull your hair back and trace the outline of your face with a bar of soap onto the mirror. A second way is to find a photo of yourself and draw the outline of your face onto the picture. 

Xoxo Teny

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Guest Review: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

When my friend Teny saw me pull out a big white tube from my purse at the end of our breakfast date, she asked me what it was, as I was putting on my lips.

I was so excited to share it with her. Its not your conventional lip balm, but its a miracle cream I swear by and have so, since 1999. (pre Y2K! ha!)

When I was just a young fashion photography assistant, I would watch big make up artist put this product on the model's lips as a natural look and replacement for a gloss.

I asked them what it was...and I have since then used it and sworn by it. It is the very reason I have non-chapped lips and never worry about lipgloss.

The cream is called Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. Its a 50 ml tube that goes for about 35$ and will last you YEARS.

A classic, and a woman's must have. It can shape brows, revitalize shine, soothe dry hands (although I find it too greasy for it), smooth cuticles. Helps prevent chapping, peeling, and windburn. I use it as a lip balm in the winter months and in the spring when wind is a big factor.

In cold winter days, when we're all looking grey, I add a touch of my Mac Beet lipliner and mix in a dab of my eight hour cream and i got myself luscious lips that are also protected with a hint of color.

The only downfall is that it has a faint medicated smell. It doesn't bother me but your significant other may be slightly bothered by your kisses. In which case, I suggest you wear it to bed at night and wake up with fresh lips. I've even also burned myself in the kitchen and used it! I'm telling you...you won't want to live without it!! Grab one at any The Bay store.

-Magnolia 💜

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Review: Sonia Kashuk Perlescence Long Wear Creme Shadow

While shopping at Target yesterday, I came across the Sonia Kashuk line of products.  I have been reading some good reviews about her stuff so I decided to give them a try.

I ended up purchasing the pearlescence long wear creme shadow in "Diamond-01" (an ivory-white color) and "Moonstone-03" (a bronzy-gold color)

swatches of diamond (above) and moonstone (below)

Once I got home, I decided to try the products right away.  I applied the colors on my lids - without prepping or priming - and went about my business.

My thoughts?

GREAT little product.  The packaging is sleek and appealing and very very easy to use. Application is simple with the sponge-tip wand, and the product gives you enough time to play around with it if you wish to blend it out, but once it sets, it's bulletproof!  The shadows stayed on my lids even after my shower, all the way to the next morning; after a night of sleeping with my face in the pillow.

For anyone looking for a good on-the-go product to give you a boost, this little gem is a definite must-have in anyone's makeup kit.  And the best part? It's affordable at just 8.99$ per tube.  (Canadian Targets have 30% off makeup products now)

Comes in 4 colors: Diamond, Moonstone, Quartz, Tiger's eye

For the full line of products, visit SoniaKashuk.com 

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10 other uses for your moisturizers!

Many of us are guilty of having lots and lots of different moisturizers in our beauty cabinets.  Why? Mostly because we have moved on to a newer more interesting moisturizer.  Sounds bad, doesn't it? LoL.  

No need to feel guilty though, here are some ideas of what you can do with the moisturizers you own: 

1. Dab some of your night cream on your elbows and heels

2. Use some on your hair to prevent flyaways and to add a nice shine🙆

3. Put a little on your lips before stepping into the shower.  After your shower, rub your fingers back and fourth on your lips to exfoliate the dead skin and moisturize at the same time! 

4. Facial moisturizer with SPFs can also be used on the hands to help prevent wrinkly hands and sunspots☀️

5.  Add some brown sugar or coffee grinds to some moisturizer to make your own exfoliator

6. Use moisturizer in the shower in lieu of a shaving cream🚿

7. Mix a little of your favorite foundation into your moisturizer to make your own tinted moisturizer

8. Use a dab of lotion on a cloth to remove stains off of leather

9. Use a dab of moisturizer on the ends of damp hair after a shower to protect from styling dryness

10. Rub a drop of moisturizer through your hands and then through your clothes to help with static cling 👗

Are there any other uses for moisturizer out there ?  Let me know !  😊

**photo from Google images 

Tarteist clay paint liner by Tarte Cosmetics

Simply put, this little product is pure awesome

This is my new, favorite product of all time.  No contest.

** Photo found on Google images

First, the description of the color is "triple-black".  Drool.  You had me at hello. (See my previous post "my obsession with black eyeliner" and you'll understand)

Its a liquid, its a gel, its a cream, its in a tube!  

Don't get me wrong, I still love my liquid liners and my cream liners as much as the next person, but this!  Its the perfect marriage of both!  Comes out liquidy (but not too liquidy) applies SO smoothly, and dries as pigmented and as mat as a cream liner!  

As if that wasn't good enough, the product is long-lasting (12 hour wear) and waterproof!  And trust me when I say, a little goes a long way!  What more can a person want? 

Oh and don't get me started on the blending tip! Pure genius! The tube helps you control the amount you want to squeeze out and then you basically load up your brush right in the blending tip!  No more putting product on your hand,

No more black liner stains for days on end! 

Basically, in case it wasn't clear enough, this is a great little product and I would definitely recommend it to anyone, whether a makeup artist or not. 

Retails for 29$ at Sephora 

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4 steps to make your eyes pop!

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.... If that's true, why not play up the eyes to make them really stand out?  Here are 4 easy steps to play up your most important feature :)

** photos used were found on google images

1.  Cover up the dark circles:
Dark Circles and puffiness make eyes look tired and alot smaller.  Concealer and highlighters can definitely do the trick.  For dark circles, a salmon-toned concealer will help correct the browny shadows.  Also, drinking LOTS of water eliminates toxins from the body and can also help to keep the dark pigmentation and puffiness at bay.

2. Pump up your lashes!
More than once, I have preached the importance of curling your lashes to help open up the eye.    So curl those lashes, and use a volumizing mascara (like L'Oreal's Voluminous or Rimmel's Scanadaleyes) to help set the curl and really give you a thick, dark lash-line.

3. Define your brows
Sparse brows can often make the eyes look droopy, thus adding to the "i look tired" effect.  Lightly filling in your brows with a pencil or a powder will help define the brows and help give you a more youthful appearance.  The brows are also an important step to help make your eyes stand out more!

4. Highlight in the right places
The art of highlighting is an important step that most tend to overlook.  Though it may sound complicated to do, achieving a successful highlight on the eye is really quite easy.  You can use a concealer, a nude pencil or a nude eyeshadow powder to achieve this.  Simply apply a bit your product to the "inner V" of the eye, the center of the eye lid and under the brow bone and blend using your finger-tip.  That's it!  you can see in the before and after that this little trick helps give your eyes a more open and alert look!

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Natural vs Synthetic

When choosing or using your makeup brushes, it is important to consider the material it is made of. 

The material of the brush will determine the quantity and the quality of application.

Synthetic brushes are generally made of nylon, acrylic, taclon or plastic fibers and are best suited for cream of liquid products such as concealers,liquid or cream foundations, lipsticks or gel eyeliners. The synthetic fibers do not absorb the product and allow a smooth application and finish.

Natural brushes are made of natural animal hair such as pony, squirrel, sable or goat and work best with powder products such as blushes, bronzers, face powders or eyeshadows. They are more textured and porous than synthetic bristles therefore picking up powder well for a greater concentration of color during application.

** If you have allergies to animals, it is probably best to stick to synthetic brushes in order to avoid reactions on the skin. A good line of synthetic brushes are the Real Techniques brushes by Pixiwoo.

Teny Xoxo

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The new trend in men's beauty... Colourful beards!

Little by little this awesome trend is creeping its way onto the internet kingdom and taking the world by storm!

I must admit, that women have about a million ways to express themselves beauty-wise, but the options for men are quite limited.

Yes, they can carve designs into the hair on their heads or style their facial hair a certain way, dress a specific manner... but this! This definitely calls attention to the man sporting it!

A man dyeing his beard is not something new; Just for men has been offering that option for years.  But #coloredbeard has taken colouring facial hair to a whole new level!

I have found some exceptionally cool ones for you all to enjoy but there are so many cool styles and colors out there!

I think it's pretty obvious that I am digging this trend, but I want to know....  how many of you out there would dare to try this?  What colour would best match your overall look?

This guy is on Fire!

        

An ombre vision!

How many of you are green with envy over this look?

My name is Bond, Purple Bond

Some men are matching their beards to their wedding outfits!

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I've got Marsala on the brain!

So Pantone declared that the color of the year for 2015 is Marsala.  For many of you those words are gibberish.  Don't worry, I wasn't sure what all this meant at the beginning too.. (queue Michael Jackson's "You are not alone" here)

Allow me to help you understand.

To start, let's talk about Pantone.  Who are they and why do THEY decide what color is color of the year?
According to the website, the "Pantone Color Institue provides color trend forecasting, color insights and customized color consulting.  They help companies make the most informed decisions about color for their brands or products to gain a competetive edge.  "

So now that that's cleared up, the next question would be.. What is Marsala?  Honestly, the best thing I can do is quote the words directly from the website. Seriously, read on and I'm sure you'll agree with me.

"Marsala is a naturally robust and earthy wine red...Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, excluding confidence and stability...Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanante a sophosticated, natural earthiness..."

FANCY RIGHT?! The marketing department has nailed it!  I want to meditate, eat, drink and go for a long hike all at the same time!

And I don't think I am the only one that is under the Marsala spell... It made its official debut on the runway for the Spring 2015 showcases and it is everywhere now!  Beauty, interior design, graphic design...

That being said, lets talk about the MAKEUP.  (finally right?)

Mostly every makeup company has been bitten by the Marsala bug.  It's a gorgeous versatile shade reminiscent of the 90's makeup trends.  As a makeup artist, I am signed up to many many (many) makeup-related newsletters and let me tell you... Marsala is coming up ALOT.  For those of you interested, here are some products that have been inspired by the color of the year!

• MAC lipstick in "Sin"
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Stained Gloss in "Nomad"
• Kevyn Aucoin expert lip color is "Bloodroses" or "Dantrice"
• Stila Foil Finish eyeshadow in "Metallic Merlot"
• L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche lipcolor in "Divine Wine"
• Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip gloss in "All Night Long"
• Makeup Forever artist shadow in "Morello Cherry"
• Bobby Brown blush in "Berry"
• Nars blush in "Almeria" or "Seduction"
• Sephora + Pantone Universe - Eyeshadow palette, Matte lip cream, Shimmering cheek trio, Liquid liner, mascara and brow highlighter..

And the list goes on and on and on...    Get the picture?

I am definitely looking forward to jumping on the Marsala bandwagon.  And you all can be sure that it will be coming up in many of my makeup looks this year!

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My top 5 go-to makeup products

So today, I thought to myself,  Why not talk about some of the products I actually have in my kit and actually use on myself and my clients. Simple right?  One would think... It actually took alot of focus to figure this one out... lol.

                                             

1.  Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage mini-palette:  

This is a professional product that was created to correct and conceal skin disfigurements, discolorations and tattoos.  It is especially dense and pigmented (it has to be to live up to its claims right?)  and can withstand water, heat and physical strain.  It's no wonder that it's one of  my go to product to cover dark circles, blemishes and hyperpigmentation.  

2. L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara: 

A staple in my (and most) makeup artist's kit.  Now I know that every woman has her favorite mascara, and will swear by it to the grave - and that's fine.  I am not saying that this is better than all the 100000 mascaras out there, but it is definitely one of my faves!  It goes on smooth, with very little clumping, adds just the right amount of volume without giving you the "spider eyes", and has the most intense black-color payoff you can need in a black mascara.   

3.  L.A Girl Cosmetics Gel Glide Eyeliner:

This gel eyeliner pencil is a game-changer for me.  L.A. Girl has managed to successfully put the wonderfulness of a gel liner (which we all know I love) into and easy-to-use pencil!  Waterproof, long-lasting and pigmented as all heck.  I even carry this little gem in my own personal makeup case for day-to-day use :).   I love this product so much that I even ordered multiples in case my clients wanted have one for themselves ;)

4.  Bare Minerals SPF broad spectrum mineral foundation: 

To be fair, this product is not in my professional kit, but it is in my personal one! Great coverage, long-lasting, and such a light wear! This foundation is definitely one of my go-to products!  The website says that the product is formulated without parabens, binders, fillers or synthetic chemicals and clinically proven to promote clearer, healthier-looking skin. Sooo, win win!

5. An angle brush:  

OK OK I know this technically isn't a product, it's a tool.. so sue me!  But it is definitely a go-to for me!  It's so versatile!  It can be used to apply product, smudge product, to blend product, wet creamy and dry, on eyes, brows and lips!  See what I mean? Totally worth mentioning!

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What's in my bag... airbrush foundation edition

I carry liquid, cream, powder and airbrush foundation in my makeup case.  However, most often, for my clients, I prefer using the airbrush products.  

So what is airbrush makeup?

The simplest way to explain it is that the makeup is sprayed onto the skin using an airbrush applicator instead of being applied with sponges, brushes, fingers, or other methods. Traditional powder or liquid based make-up can settle and appear in pores and wrinkles and be visible on HD film. As the makeup is sprayed on, it connects with the skin as millions of droplets of formula.

My facvorite part about using airbrush makeup are all the benefits:
1) HD finish; Ideal for weddings, events and special occasions
2) Longer lasting than traditional powder or liquid foundation, wearing upwards of 12–24 hours.
3) The technique is more sanitary than traditional makeup application
4) Buildable-coverage application that is applied in a sheer and even manner. The result is perfect-looking skin achieved with a minimum of product.
5) Suitable for all ages and skin types
6) Hypo-allergenic (always inform yourself about the formula used if you have sensitive skin)
7) Sweat, heat and dust-resistant
8) Quick-drying, will not rub off on your clothes
9) Light-weight and natural; you won't feel "cakey"
10) Easy to color-match clients' complexions by custom color-blending

I myself use the Belletto Studio airbrush kit on my clients. Their formula is water-based, therefore silicone-free, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. (http://bellettostudio.com/belletto-benefits)

Feel free to ask me more about the airbrush makeup technique for your next makeup appointment!

Xoxo, Teny

*sources: wikipedia, occmakeup.com,makeuptalk.com, bellettostudio.com.

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I am oozing jealousy... For drag queens!

I am sitting in my living room watching RuPaul's drag race... And I am in absolute AWE of them! 

Forget the fact that they turn themselves into GORGEOUS women with their makeup and brushes (and other various props), they transform themselves into characters!
That is a double whammy! 

They are on point EVERY SINGLE TIME! I am envious!

The contour! The highlight! The eye makeup! The... Everything! **** Deep breaths, i need to put my excitement into words...

They have this talent to manipulate colors, lights and shades to create the look they wish to achieve, and its nothing less than magic! The lines! The details! Magic!

I already incorporate highlight and contour in all my makeup looks, but my goal is to one day be as good as these ladies are! 

*Sigh* ... It's an art... And I love it ❤️

I urge everyone who is interested in makeup (Especially the art of sculpting the face with highlight and contour) to youtube drag makeup transformations and watch in awe and the talent these ladies display!

To help you along, here are two links to get you started.  You can watch season 5 contestant Vivienne Pinay's contour magic in this link: http://youtu.be/FmjcLpLjCQMAnd her eye makeup gorgeousness in this link: http://youtu.be/SjlLj1zj3kU

And finally, below are pictures of season 6 contestant Courtney Act. And season 7 contestant Miss Fame.  Wow.

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FACEBOOK : TenySarkissianMakeupArtist

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Why makeup?

Why makeup? 

Because as far back as I can remember, it is what has always caught my eye. 

Because while watching news broadcasts, award shows, makeover shows, red carpets, commercials, tv shows, my main focus would be on the makeup.  Did I like it?  If I did i would try to figure out how to recreate it.  If i didn't, I would try to determine why and I would visualize what I would do differently to make it better.  

Because while driving past movie sets around the city, my goal would not be to catch a glimpse of a passing celebrity, but to figure out which one was the makeup trailer and whether or not they would let me in to watch them work. 

Because there was a point many many years ago where I thought wanted to be a fashion designer, but i would spend more time on what went on the model's faces rather than focusing on the clothes...

Because when I look at someone's face, I can immediately see the possibilities of what I could do if i got my hands on them...

Because I am in constant awe of the makeup I see in magazines, on models and celebrities...

Because I wish I could be as good as some of the makeup artists out there.

Because it is the only thing that makes me want to work harder to be better at it.

 

So why makeup? 

Because of all those reasons and a thousand more. ❤️

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FACEBOOK : TenySarkissianMakeupArtist

INSTAGRAM: @tenplatinum  

My 3c's. Makeup as easy as 1-2-3!

Most of my clients are women with a hectic schedule; trying to juggle work and kids, and a social life.  They tell me that don't really have the time to do their makeup every day before leaving the house.

Those statements are usually followed by: I have dark circles, I look tired all the time, and I am not happy with how my skin looks... How can you help?

The truth of the matter is, doing your makeup - that statement - doesn't have to be as scary or as time-consuming as you might think!  It's actually very simple.  Day to day makeup doesn't always have to include eyeliner, foundation, lipstick or eyeshadow...

All you need is 3 easy steps to create a more awake and fresh-face and I promise it won't take more that 5 minutes.  I call these my 3 c's.

** before you start, It is important to always start with a clean and moisturised face **

Step 1: Conceal

Cover the dark circles under the eyes, and any blemishes or discolourations on the face.  This step will give you a more even complexion.  You can also use a bit of the same concealer under and just above the brow bone to give they brow a more "lifted" appearance.

Step 2: Curl

Curl your lashes!  This is an important step for *most* ladies, as curling the lashes can work WONDERS to help open and brighten the eye.

Step 3: Coat

The purpose of mascara - the whole reason it was created - is to define the lashes to help enhance the eyes.  The simple act of applying mascara will hold the curl and darken the lash line to help make your eyes pop.

Give the 3c's a try and you'll see that makeup isn't as scary and as time-consuming as you  may have thought!

** For a more enhanced look, add some blush or some bronzer before you go!

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Facebook: TenySarkisisanMakeupArtist

Instagram: @Tenplatinum