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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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.

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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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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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!

For more:
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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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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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The hype about Castor oil...

I have been reading alot about the various benefits of castor oil and I am most intrigued about what castor oil can do for hair growth...

I have heard many times from ladies sitting in my chair that there is hair missing in a part of their brows due to overzealous plucking or how they wish their brows/lashes were thicker/darker, etc..

So I started researching, and castor oil started popping up everywhere.

Castor oil is high in ricinoleic acid, which is very effective natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. This can help keep any fungus or bacteria from inhibiting hair growth.

Castor oil is also high in omega 9 fatty acids. Omega 9 fatty acids are nourishing to both the hair and the follicle, thus helping with hair breakage.

Castor oil has a unique ability to be deeply penetrating, and this helps it to deliver its nourishment deeply into the pores and the follicles that produce hair.

How to:

Using your fingers, gently massage a drop or two of castor oil into the brows and lash-line every night before bed.
In the morning, wash your face with a cleanser or soap to remove any oily residue (oil will cause your makeup to run)

Additional benefit: Castor oil, when applied to the skin, penetrates deep and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. This in turn helps soften and hydrate our skin,
helping it delay the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
So when applying castor oil to brows and lashes, use an extra drop and massage it around the eye area for extra hydration.

If you have had experience with castor oil, I would love to hear your results!

Teny xoxo

to my surprise.... Ponds cold cream!

I went to the store a few weeks ago looking to buy the Pond's moisturiser and I left with the cold cream by mistake. 


My first instinct was to return it, but I decided to do a little research first. Boy am I glad I did! This little jar contains 190ml of awesome! 

Cold creams have been around forever and can be used for MANY different purposes! 
It is a very effective makeup remover and skin cleanser, moisturiser, exfoliator, lip balm, face mask, and can even be used as a shaving cream for men!

The description says that it contains mineral oil, which helps to remove impurities (makeup, daily dirt, and morning sebum) and beeswax, which is a great ingredient that helps lock in moisture.

I have been using it for 2 weeks now and I must say... Wow!

First of all, it really does provide a deep clean! Generally, when cleansing my face, there is always some residue that shows up on the toner pad, but not after using the cold cream! Every ounce of dirt and makeup is gone!

Second, I noticed that the blemishes that I had been struggling with lately are gone! (How to use cold cream to reduce acne: http://m.wikihow.com/Use-Cold-Cream-to-Reduce-Acne)

This product is a little wonder and I am thrilled with the results! 

I would love to hear from you! Do you use cold cream? What do you think? Do you use it in any other beneficial ways? Let me know!

My obsession with black eyeliner

Hello. My name is Teny and I am addicted to black eyeliner... 

I am positively obsessed with black eyeliners; gels, pencils, khols, powders, liquids... You name it, I love it.  Especially the ones that say "blackest black" or "absolute black" or "ultra black" on them.   *drool* 

Black liner gives the perfect definition and intensity to the eye... Creating the most alluring "come hither" look...

But don't get me wrong.. Using black liner takes a certain finesse; there's an art behind it.  Slapping on the liner in a hurry is not enough! No no...

Black liner can be used by all, as long as it's done right!  It isn't about just pulling the line and going... Its about finding the right texture, the right shine, the right "blackness" and mostly, the right thickness and shape to suit your eye.   !! Not everyone can pull off the same black liner look !!

For example... A beauty with a more hooded eye will need to sport her black liner in a different way than someone with prominent eyes.  Also, someone with a fairer/more earthy skin tone would user her liner differently than someone with a darker/more olive tone...

The type of liner along with the application technique will differ from person to person. 

And, the prep before applying the liner (any liner for that matter) is also important.  Prepping the eye area (ie: not just putting it on the bare, oily eyelid) makes ALL the difference in the intensity and durability of your liner look.

*sigh* its an art, and I love it ❤️

So to sum up... If I were stranded on a deserted island and there could only be one item of makeup I could take with me... You guessed it!  It would be my black liner.  

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