Brianda..."The Make-up Artist"

Studio contouring blush and bronzing powder

2011-03-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

(blushed/bronzed)
by
E.L.F
1st lets talk about packaging. I love it. I love its matte black color (this is from their studio collection) I love that it comes with a mirror in its compact this isn't very common for a blush/bronzer. The mirror makes it easier when your on the go and don't have the time to carry a separate mirror or use your powder compact mirror like i used to do. Also, not to trash drug store items but don't these usually look cheap? this one doesn't at all and i love it!
Now lets talk about the actual product, i love the colors!, they are absolutely perfect for my skin tone. However this isn't a very universal compact, the bronzer and the blush together will probably work better on darker skin tones more in the caramel/tan color (i use studio fix powder from M.A.C nc42 to give you an idea). The blush will most likely work on any skin tone if applied correctly. Lets talk about the bronzer, it definitely wont work as a bronzer. Its way to dark, i like to use this as a contouring powder. Even for contouring its a bit dark on my skin tone so i use very little and i find that it blends very well. Lets talk about texture, the blush its a bit powdery not too much but be careful to not waste too much product your brush will pick up a bit too much! the bronzing powder has more of a velvety texture and you wont have this issue. After all i find this to be a good product, its very well worth its price, at only $3 you cant really beat that!

What do you think about this product?

Next on my blog ...

2011-03-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

I have so many products to review. I been adding so much to my kit and i would love to share it with all you makeup lovers. I also been buying a lot of products for my personal use.

Coming soon, reviews of these products:
E.L.F Products;

False lashes (individual,dramatic and natural)
Essential shine eraser sheets
Studio contouring blush and bronzing powder (blushed/bronzed)
Essential water proof eyeliner pen (all colors)
Studio SPF 45 sunscreen UVA/UVB protection powder
Cream eyeliner (all colors)
Essentials eye blending brush
Essentials lip defining brush
Studio complexion brush
Studio Fan brush
Studio kabuki Face brush

i think i have more of their products i just cant think of it right now..
M.A.C Products;

Eyeshadow deep truth
Eye Pencil power point ( engraved)
Lip treatment lip stick
Prep + primer line filler

Revlon Products;

Beyond natural cream lip gloss (140 spice)
Revlon grow luscious by fabuluash

and alot more coming soon make sure to check in!

New website!

2011-03-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

Check out
www.makeupbybrianda.com

What do you think? Send me your ideas my page is still under construction!
I'd like to hear your ideas, opinions and criticism.

I have been working on this for a long time unfortunately i am very busy and its hard for me to put a lot of time in to it. I am definitely trying to make my days longer some how to finish this, since i am really excited for my new website. I actually renewed all my marketing material and order new pens, magnets, and business cards with new logo and all. Hope to hear from you soon.

A Floral Affair

2010-08-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

Honey Bunch by REVLON

I have to admit. I'm the type of girl that if you have two boxes, one says designer and the other says "no name" without thinking twice i will take the designer box. I guess that mostly applies to every-time i purchase make-up. I always try to fill up my makeup bag with high end cosmetics, not to mention my kit.My makeup kit can't have drug store cosmetics in it, i don't find it professional.For the past months i been allowing myself to try more drug store products. It all started with mascara (that i didn't purchase, my mom did) and i honestly found that those mascara's worked better then a lot of the ones i purchase at Sephora, Macy's or the M.A.C store, let me tell you i hate M.A.C mascaras. I love everything M.A.C except that, i tried them all none made me happy! but anyways i already made this too long, what im trying to say is that i wasn't giving drug store products enough credit. However, they have now made it into my makeup bag. Im not sure that i would let them in my kit but will see..
Enough of that. Lets talk blush. Ok so my favorite blush, the one you will always find in my makeup bag is "Dame" From M.A.C (review coming soon) I have recently added a new product to my makeup bag " Honey Bunch" by REVLON from A Floral Affair collection. I think, im not positive but im almost sure that this was from a limited edition collection. This has been added to my list of favorite blush. In my opinion it has the perfect 3 shades.

A dark bronze like shade
A champagne/light bronze shade
A peach shade

I find that they can work well with most skin tones, specially now trough out summer. I usually mix them all together. Sometimes, i use the peach color on the apples of my cheeks and i mix the bronzers and add them to the bottom to add a bit of contour. I love it. The best part about this it retails from $3-$5 for about 8g It is also easy to blend into your skin, there is nothing worse then someone walking around with a vertical like on their face or how about a perfect circle...hmm. The colors are vibrant so its important to blend when applying (you should be doing this anyways)

*I didnt purchase this myself it was a gift from Raine528i on YouTube. Thank you so much! <3>

Love:Bri

No i wasn't payed to this review, no i am not affiliated with any of the brands above, i received this as a gift and yes this is my honest opinion

so tell me...

2010-08-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN MY BLOG?

I haven't been able to write in my blog, so i figure i ask you! Please feel free to leave a comment with any request.

thanks,
Brianda

Lets talk Mascaras!

2010-05-04T23:22:00.000-07:00

...before my daughter was born, the most important part of my makeup routine was my fake eyelashes. There was nothing easier then a pair of eyelashes to make my eyes pop. Of course, life is different now. I seem to be doing everything different including the way i do makeup on myself every morning...or afternoon i should say. Since i don't have as much time as i had before i been focusing on mascaras instead. I guess i have been looking for the same characteristics that most people look for in a mascara.

What i look for in a mascara...(In order)

Blackest Black (If it doesn't say blackest, it bothers me a bit)
Fullness (I like mascaras that give my lashes a very "thick" effect)
Length

The two most recent mascaras i been using are L'OREAL's "Volume Shocking" and MAYBELLINES's "Pulse Perfection" i love these both and hate them too, i wish these two could be one and then we would have the perfect mascara.

L'OREAL "Volume Shocking"

Description: Mascara in "Blackest black", it has two sides (2 steps), one side is a primer that helps lengthen and thicken lashes, primer brush wand is a full mascara wand medium size very basic, mascara side wand is designed like a small comb.

so.. you know how i told you those three things i look for in a mascara? well...this one has them all. The only problem is it doesn't do them very good =( First of all let me say that i love the intensity of the color in this mascara, it is definitively very black and vibrant i also love that it comes with a primer. Unfortunately that's not enough, this mascara makes my eyelashes long and thick but it clumps them at the same time. The problem i think comes from the mascara wand, the way its designed it picks up so much product and its a bit hard to work with. One thing i have to mention is that i noticed i was loosing eyelashes, i am not sure what it was but my eyelashes were cutting off! this happened to me, my mom and little sister. My mom went to buy 3 of these so we were all using them.

MAYBELLINE "Pulse Perfection"

Description: "blackest black",rubber brush wand, flexible wand, vibrates when applying, you have to hold vibrate button trough out the application.

The best part of this mascara is that you can apply at least three coats and you wont get any clumps! I like the fact that it vibrates too, pretty cool lol. I am not sure it helps so much though, i tried applying it without the vibration and it definitely looks the same hmm. This one doesn't give me that full-thick effect i like, it adds a bit of length but not so much. This mascara gives a good simple clean effect. I would recommend this for very natural neutral looks, and before i forget i have to tell you i love the brush.

So..bottom line is that i use both depending on my mood, i find that the L'OREAL one is a bit too much for my job so i have been using Maybelline's during the day and my other one at night. I am not disappointed with these mascaras because i know that these don't make miracles they have to be applied with patience and the right way.

<3>

NEXT!

2010-05-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

Coming up!

Mascaras (The last ones i have use, 2 very popular ones)
Weight loss (Dieting, Exercising, supplements and more)
Baby anything (I will start blogging my experiences as a mom, questions, answers, gear..)
Eyebrow's (anything and everything that has to do with eyebrows)
Bargain Hunting =)
Anti-aging serums, moisturizers, creams...

I will soon be blogging about everything above and so much more!

Stay tune =)

<3
Bri

Inside Brianda's Brain =)

2010-05-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

omg! there is definitely so much to say, i don't even know where to start.Alright, lets start with makeup. Its probably not necessary to say that i love makeup but i am going to tell you i do. The reason really why i want to talk to you about makeup is to inform you since i didn't do this before...that my reviews will not always be about the latest makeup trends, brands, favorites...nope. My reviews will be of anything that i purchase for the most part myself. Usually when a new item comes out everyone goes crazy over it they can't wait to get it, and as soon as its out they run to the store only to be disappointing. Well..that doesn't happen to me very often i rarely buy things just because they are new or because they promise something. Need less to say i will sometimes be reviewing items that maybe came out a couple of months ago but i am just trying now. This is going to be random but i usually write my daily experiences in a diary but i haven't in a while because i been so busy, i definitely miss my diary though. The past couple of days i thought about writing in my blog instead but then how weird would that be right! omg..this blog is not making since no more. Talk to you later...

Love, <3
Bri

INSIDE BRIANDA'S BRAIN

2010-04-01T00:20:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to write a blog about everything in my mind. You know ideas, goals, dreams etc. This is my first one, i will probably be writting these once in a while and i just decided yup just now, that it will always have the same tittle "INSIDE BRIANDA'S BRAIN". I got that part out of my head and now i don't know where to start. I have also been wanting and trying to put time aside to add at least one blog post for wardrobe of the day but my little girl just makes it impossible. My outfit of the day just to get things clear wont necessarily be my actual wardrobe of the day, not always anyways. I will probably look up the items im wearing and put them together for you, other times i will of course add my own picture and sometimes it will just be a wishful wardrobe. I will soon be adding a post with my absolute favorite products. Something i also look forward to sharing with you is my diet and exercise plan that i am still designing, i am trying to do something that works with my schedule and my short time as a mom.Also! stay tune for reviews coming soon on my favorite perfumes and my latest collection. That's all i can think of right now plus i am really tired but i promise there's a lot more!

Love,
Bri <3>

ALERT!!!

2010-03-30T23:58:00.000-07:00

Gift with purchase

The 1st makeup brand i ever used was Clinique. I loved it them and i still do now. My only issue is the intensity of pigment in their colors. Don't get me wrong most of you probably think there's nothing wrong with their colors but as an artist i need a bit more to work with. In my makeup kit i have a couple of their lipsticks but nothing else. All my Clinique purchases are for my personal use. I will soon be visiting my local Macy's they are currently have one of those gift with purchase hmm things. Who doesn't want a free gift with their purchase? Every time they have these i buy something usually something i ran out of, rarely something new. I love the gift bags because they give me a chance to try product i haven't tried plus i love the cosmetic bags they always give out.
Love BRI <3>

no i wasn't paid for this blog post, no i didn't receive any kind of compensation yes this is my personal opinion

Mardi Grass Inspired Makeup!

2010-03-23T00:26:00.000-07:00

Makeup is a big passion of mine, mostly because i see it as a form of art. Through makeup is how i let out my creativity. I believe makeup artist are exactly that, just another type of artist exactly the same and equal to a painter or even an architect.Makeup artistry is something i always look forward to, my job or someone else's it always gets my entire attention. Here is my Mardi Grass Inspire makeup i hope you like!

My weekend =)

2010-03-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Hope everyone had a blast this weekend. On my side i had a lot of work, but it was a good one!...Friday i worked at a Fashion Show in Hollywood, Saturday Fashion show in Beverly hills and this morning i did makeup for a video shoot! Tomorrow ill be back at school. I will soon be doing a review on Evian's Facial Spray. I just finished my first bottle. I have a lot more review coming up since i have a lot of new products and i'm still trying them out. Definitely stay tune =). I am also planning out some makeup turorials!

Talk to your later!
Bri <3

Precious Pink

2010-03-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

Lip Gloss by SEPHORA

Last year i got a cute set of 3 mini SEPHORA lip glosses! as my 2009 Bday gift. Who doesn't love gifts? I was so excited. I thought they were the cutest thing. I haven't tried them all. Truth is i am usually not a lip gloss person, but this lip gloss has me reapplying all day. In my mini set i got Precious Pink, Rosy Glow, and bronzed beauty. The only one i have tried so far is Precious Pink, I love it!. Its the perfect nude lip gloss. I say nude because its a very light pink almost a light peach color. Let me explain myself...Don't think this lip gloss would be good to create a nude lip color. It definitely isn't not alone anyways since its not very pigmented, i love applying this on top on my nude lipstick it works great. I sometimes wear it alone too just to make my lip color a bit lighter. You really want to know why i love it? Want to know what makes me re-apply? Simple, its scent. Its scent remind me of cherry flavored candy.This lip gloss also moisturizes and is not sticky at all.

Bargain Alert!
*Don't miss out SEPHORA is currently offering a set of 8 mini lip glosses (Precious Pink included) for only $20! a $40 value!

The Good

Small, you can fit these anywhere. Very cute.
Awesome Scents, you wont resist these.
The price, its a great deal.
Not Sticky
Moisturizing

The Bad

This is the only size available (Precious Pink)
Not very pigmented

*0.23 fl oz
*Precious pink is the light pink shade on the right size (referring to picture)

1. Did you get this product free by the company, or did you buy it yourself? I received this product as a bday gift for being a beauty insider

2. Are you getting paid or compensated by this company for this blog? No i am not being compensated in any way.

3. Are you affiliated with this company? Nope i am not.

4. Is this your honest opinion or a paid review? This is my Honest Opinion

THE MAD HATTER

2010-03-12T22:51:00.000-08:00

Alice In Wonderland

I wanted to do a look inspire by this picture, notice i said inspire because i didn't mean to recreate.I just sort of used the colors from the pictures ...i did a some purple contouring, used the green of his eyes in my tear duct etc... I had a lot of fun doing this, is always nice to just get creative. I didn't plan anything this just sort of happened when it pop to my head last night at midnight. It was something like omg she is finally asleep now what do i do.If you don't already know i have a 3 month old baby. Anyways, i hope you like the look i came up with. I will be creating more looks inspired other characters. Stay tuned.

Love,
Bri!

Trial Runs! ? Make-up Trials?

2010-03-09T21:13:00.001-08:00

Wedding season is coming, yay! So.. i usually work on photo shoots the most, but for the past two weeks i been doing makeup trials almost everyday. I love weddings thought. I have never been married before, but i love doing trials and just planning and coming up with this perfect look. Its a long process, sometimes stressful but always worth it at the end. Lately i noticed that brides dont want to go for that usual bridal look. Brides are asking for very edgy almost dramatic looks, and i love it. My favorite kind of makeup looks are those dramatic ones, you know i love fantasy and when art is involve, so if i can add a little more color to a bride that makes it all better! I do love the usual bridal look though, very classic. You just cant go wrong, but i do love those brides that are willing to take the risk and be a little different. Tomorrow i will be doing another trial cant wait to see what this bride will want for her wedding day!

VITAMIN E CREME by VITAL CARE

2010-03-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

Review
I seriously love this Vitamin E creme. That's just a name by the way, It actually contains vitamin's A,D & E which are actually all antioxidants. This is very moisturizing! Its perfect for winter season. It helps keep my skin soft and it definitely locks in the moisture. This Creme would probably work as a regular daily moisturizer for someone with dry skin.Another great thing in my opinion is its scent, is sort of like a simple fresh scent, and i like that.You really want to know the best part? It retails for about $5...

So it claims it does/has:

Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin D
Rejuvenates
Restores
Moisturizers
It has Age-Defying antioxidants (you know the vitamins)
Maintains youthful appearance
Replenishes harsh elements
non- greasy
smooths wrinkles

Alright...so i don't know about all that! but for $5 you cant go wrong!, its supposed to be non-greasy but during the summer time this was a bit greasy for me. It is definitely worth the price and i forgot to mention this is a huge 8oz jar.

P.S One more thing, i am often asked what to do about dry skin when applying makeup. Makeup usually gets flaky if skin its not properly moisturize. This would work great to prevent that if apply hmm idk about 15 mins before makeup application make sure everything its absorbed into your skin and remember to apply while your skin is still wet!

1. Did you get this product free by the company, or did you buy it yourself? I purchase this product myself.

2. Are you getting paid or compensated by this company for this blog? No i am not being compensated in any way.

3. Are you affiliated with this company? Nope i am not.

4. Is this your honest opinion or a paid review? This is my Honest Opinion

"INGENU" Rouge Sensation by LANCOME

2010-03-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

Review
Hello, everyone! so i have been trying to find the perfect nude lipstick for a long time, well actually there's so many perfect nude lipsticks but not for my skin tone, at least i don't think so. I am a NC42 in M.A.C's studio fix to give you an idea. I always try them out and most of the time they are too light so you know i feel a little weird since i have a darker skin tone. Lucky for me about a week ago i was going trough a box of lipsticks from Clinique, Estee Lauder and Lancome. I don't really use lipsticks but you know those that you get free with your purchase? Yups those are it, so i found this lipstick i had never seen before i couldn't believed i missed it! I been using it everyday ever since.

The GOOD =)

This is perfect for darker skin tones! I like to describe this as a pale nude pink
It has no scent =)
Its long lasting, alright so i put this on and it doesn't come off unless i take it off i like that
Its matte
I has great pigmentation

The BAD =(

I been looking for this lipstick everywhere, i think its discontinued =(

Alright so i really Love this Lipstick, i was a bit upset that after I'm done i cant purchase this anymore! So i guess finding it wasn't such good luck lol. I don't really follow Lancome makeup so i am not sure if this was part of a limited edition collection.

1. Did you get this product free by the company, or did you buy it yourself? I got this product free when i purchase some of their products.

2. Are you getting paid or compensated by this company for this blog? No i am not being compensated in any way.

3. Are you affiliated with this company? Nope i am not.

4. Is this your honest opinion or a paid review? This is my Honest Opinion

Today was a good day BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

2010-03-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day..so i finally figure out how to see how many people were subscribed to me. I always thought subscribers and followers were both the same thing but i guess not because my page still says zero followers hmm. I am still trying to figure blogger out! but no worries i will get it soon i just never have the time.Anyways today was my daughters first time at Chucke cheese i took so many pictures i feel like i have to capture every moment but i have so little time! lol i imagine all moms feel this way..last week i forgot to take a picture of her for a day and i was so upset with myself that i didn't take a picture in her cute little outfit lol. I couldn't forget myself! but today i made sure to take plenty. When we got home from visiting Chucke i changed my little baby into her pajamas as i got her dressed she dropped her shoe. When i reached down to get it i realize something under my bed, and VOILA! there is was my Vitamin E Creme and since i found it i think i will stop using CLINIQUE's youth surge and start using that as my daily moisturizer until i visit my local Macy's. =) Today was a good day.

CLINIQUE youth surge SPF 15

2010-03-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

Review

I have mix emotions for this moisturizer... I love and hate it at the same time.

I love its thick formula
This is great for winter time and very cold day
It would be a great moisturizer for persons with very dry skin
Who doesn't want a moisturizer that already has SPF?
It leaves my skin very soft

The first thing i notice when i applied this was its smell, in my opinion it has a strong smell of sunscreen. It really bothers me!
This burns my eyes!, alright so i know its not supposed to go in my eyes but when i apply this around my eye area it burns, and it has gone in my eye by accident it burn so bad! (i don't usually have sensitive skin)

So its main ingredients are octinoxate, octisalate and titanium Dioxide. All these three ingredients help protect your skin from the sun. Octisalate also helps to keep your skin moisturize. I guess that explains the strong sunscreen smell lol!...I been using this moisturizer since i ran out of my usual clinique's dramatically moisturizing gel, i wouldn't purchase this again. That smell bothers me that bad and its the only reason why i wouldn't buy it again. I think it keeps its promise by decelerating age since protecting yourself from the UV rays is the only way to stay young.

HONEY I WASHED THE KIDS

2010-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

Honey i washed the kids-Solid Perfume by LUSH
Review
The first time i tried the soap HONEY I WASHED THE KIDS by LUSH I immediately felt in love with its scent. Unfortunately the scent didn't last as long as i wished it would. I was actually bummed...you know that feeling when you hear all these great things about something and it turns out its not like its told? well..Lucky for me Lush came out with this solid perfume. I adore everything about this perfume. Its scent its very long lasting! No need to keep reapplying even thought i do. That's how much i love it lol. Another awesome thing about this product is that is long lasting itself, i had this for about 2 months and it still is almost full. I know many people have a problem with the packaging but i think its cute. This is very easy to fit anywhere, you can take it with you everywhere you go, definitely portable. I will be purchasing this product again, no doubt! So tell me whats your favorite LUSH product?

Coming Soon!

2010-03-04T01:34:00.000-08:00

Hey!
So, i recently started using some new products, (not necessarily new in the market just new for me) some i bought and some i received as gifts. Here's a list of some of the new products i will be reviewing.

Alba Botanica "Sun" Sport Sunscreen
Clinique's Youth Surge
Sephora's Lip gloss (Precious pink)
Honey I washed the kids solid perfume from LUSH
Lancome's Rouge Sensation Lip stick
Olay's eye lifting serum

I will also start blogging about my make-up Kit and Outfit of the day, by the way these two were the winners of my blog question, thanks to everyone who voted! Pictures coming soon!

"Stay tuned"

Cinema Secrets setting powder vs M.A.C (REVIEW/COMPARISON)

2010-02-28T18:01:00.000-08:00

Since make-up school, i have always used Cinema Secrets setting powder. This has always been one of my favorite products in my entire kit. I recently ran out, so i decided it was time to give M.A.C's setting powder a try. I thought that it would maybe replace my Cinema Secrets one...but it turns out i like them both for different reasons.

M.A.C PRO $24.00 /Cinema Secrets $14.00
30g/56g
loose powders?/mineral powder
NOT antiperspirant/antiperspirant formula
Black lid/clear UV lid
Both colorless and available in other colors

I like Cinema secrets powder because it has more of a velvet like texture, is really soft and easy to brush off(i usually use this under the eyes for eyeshadow fall out). On the other hand M.A.C's powder is not as soft, M.A.C's website describes it as a velvety finish but i think otherwise. However, in my opinion the M.A.C powder works best as a setting powder because the Cinema Secrets powder stays on white on top, it takes more effort and work to blend. M.A.C's powder goes on invisible.I guess ill continue to purchase both.

Cotton Candy anyone?

2010-02-25T20:56:00.000-08:00

Review-Savina Nail color (Cotton Candy)

I am obsessed with anything pink. Any think pink i want. So... when i visited my local Nordstrom rack about a month ago i found a new love. Ever heard of "Savina" Nail color? if you have you probably already know that they have the prettiest colors, at least in my personal opinion they do. "Savina" carries the prettiest pink's. I bought other colors besides pink's of course but my favorite nail color was "Cotton candy". The best way i can describe this color is by saying its name could of been pepto bismol!....yup it is exactly the same color.

This nail color stays on. I had it on my nails for more then 2 weeks
It's very affordable. I think it retails for about $3.50, and its about the same size of an O.P.I
They carry just about any nail color your looking for including some with glitter

This color goes on very dull. You have to add a top coat no matter what! or it will look like you colored them with a high lighter
When you do decide you want the nail polish off, it takes a little more work to take off then other nail polish