I Make You Up

Zuca is fantastic!

2012-03-01T00:16:00.005-08:00

For all these years of working on the makeup field and truly loving my passion, the only negative about my job was hauling my makeup. I think I've tried everything starting from; small makeup cases, through trying organize everything in regular suitcase, then large rolling cases - nothing seamed to work for me. With in time I found myself not being able to pack my stuff anywhere! then additionally to my luggage (for the comfort of my customers), I had to add a directors chair. Just add to it my purse + coffee + car keys...First of all I looked like a mule walking with all that stuff hanging on me to the fancy hotel, second...ohhh I just couldn't take it no more. So I've done a lot of research, checked through many reviews and that's how I found my ZUCA. Its amazing how light, how easy to pack, and carry around this thing is :) You can purchase it under this link http://www.zuca.com/, and to find out more about it watch my VIDEO ( in both languages - English and Polish )

English;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By4N4xsZ0KM
Polish;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ws6fntbUjI

I got NAKED 2!

2011-12-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

After a huge success of "Naked" palette by Urban Decay, and after a long wait... I finally put my hands on "Naked2" and guess what?!?!?! I am amazed by it! The difference between "Naked" and "Naked 2" palette is that, the second one is in definitely in cooler/neutral tones. It has only two matte colors, and it comes with one full size, double ended synthetic brush. It has 5 exclusive colors to the palette, and also the mirror is way bigger than "Naked". Overall I am very satisfied, and I am highly recommending this palette!

And here is my tutorial I shoot, first time ever! Quality isn't great ( I was using my laptop webcam, everything has undertone of blue). Also, forgive that silly watermark, after hours of figuring out editing software ( never used one before), and after I uploaded my video this nasty watermark showed up. But it disappears after 1 min. Learned hard way, next one will be way better :)

So if you would like to find out how to get this look with your NAKED 2 palette, watch my video :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ztb5N3GDAY

Enjoy!!

Cosmetic Calculator

2011-12-02T14:12:00.001-08:00

Have you ever wondered if this old, crusty eyeshadow is still usable? Or how about your old perfumes you had for couple of years, or body lotion? Well, I did! And guess what; instead of expiration date, all I found on a product was bunch of codes and numbers. It was impossible to figure it out, when certain thing expires and how long is its shelf life....until I found this webiste http://checkcosmetic.net/. Its amazing! and so simple to use. Just pick a brand and type in code!

Enjoy!

Lipstick overload

2011-12-01T23:30:00.001-08:00

There is nothing like “too much” Make-Up! Only problem is that; “too much” Make-Up, sometimes can be hard to handle. Doesn’t matter if you are a traveling Make-Up Artist, or just a person who loves to collect all colorful goodies. It is easy to find yourself with stuff all over your makeup bag, case or a drawer. I will show you an easy, inexpensive way to organize all your lipsticks. (Especially the ones you used for a while, and they don’t look to good in their original tube). This simple way is especially helpful for all you freelancing artists, who often have to quickly pack your stuff and move from gig to gig. It is also very clean, sanitary way to handle all your lipsticks.

All you going to need is couple of lockables jewelry compartments ( you can find them at Michael's or any other craft store, and they cost only around $2!).

Simply pick all your lipstick tubes, decide how you want to organize colors in your compartments and cut your lipstick in to them; (you can use a toothpick to dig them out of the tube)

Put your tray in to the microwave for 60 sec. and watch your lipsticks melt!

Carefully remove them from the microwave; let it cool for about 2 minutes and Voila!!! You brand new lipstick palette is ready!

If you feel creative, melt two different shades of lipstick in same compartment ( you can create a very unique, brand new color!)

To apply lipstick on yourself: simply use your lip brush!

If you are a professional, make sure things stay sanitary; use a spatula or a clean brush, and scrape some product on to back of your hand or clean tray.

Have fun!

Winter vs Summer

2011-11-30T11:44:00.000-08:00

According to my question from Examiner.com about foundation; check out difference in colors between my summer, and winter foundation! Crazy! And I am a person who tries to stay away from the sun :)

But what to do when you are in period “in between”? It’s simple! Instead of going and spending money on another shade, just like a “pro” use back of your hand as a palette, and mix your summer and winter color in proportions 1:1. It really works :)

I like to add a dab of my favorite moisturizer, for super hydrating effects.

Hope that helps!

Examiner and FeeBee Baker

2011-11-28T19:41:00.001-08:00

Couple weeks ago, I had an opportunity to answer few questions that I've been asked by FeeBee Baker from Examiner.com. Feebee is a former model manager from Detroit, has modeled for and worked with Gigi Hunter, Ms. Petite Michigan Pageant, and Detroit Institute of Art amongst others. She currently operates her own fashion entity that includes designing, styling and working as a fashion writer. She currently writes fashion articles for two online publications as well as weekly updates on her blog Feebs Fashion Forward.http://www.examiner.com/

And this is what she asked me;

"What is the biggest mistake you see with women when it comes to makeup?"

Aleksandra: Women are afraid of any changes, they tend to stick up to their everyday routine and apply the same products and the same colors on a daily basis. Just the little changes in the style of makeup, applied with new tones and shades could make an enormous difference which could make them look fresher and feel younger.

"Is there anything women should do differently for their skin or makeup as the weather changes?"

Aleksandra: Foundation! Lots of women forget about the fact that with the winter season our skin tends to get less sun rays, and that makes us paler. Let's make sure not to apply same shades of foundation through the year. During the winter, I recommend to use more natural and softer foundation tones, which would not turn our skin to orange (compared to the rest of our body). During the summer; feel free to play with bronzers and darker powders to achieve this beautiful sun kissed - summery look.

You can find entire article under this link: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-detroit/all-beauty-no-beast-don-t-let-bad-makeup-ruin-your-fashion-sense

Talk to you soon :)

Little introdution

2011-11-28T16:41:00.001-08:00

Hello, and welcome to my blog!
First of all, thank you for stopping by :) My name is Aleksandra Waibel, born and raised in beautiful city of Wroclaw, located in Poland. (English is my second language, so on the start I am apologizing for all grammar mistakes - I'll do my best :) ). Moved to USA 7 years ago, with head full of ideas, and dreams which with every day I am slowly realizing. I have a husband named Andy, and 5 furry kids ( 2 dogs, and 3 cats ). I am a crazy animal lover, I'll pick any stray from the street! As much as I love animals, I love Make-Up. I've been a Make-Up geek for over a decade now. Even earlier in my childhood, my favorite activity was going through my moms cosmetic bag. My first serious gig, was a wedding Make-Up application for my friend wedding (I was 14 years old when I did it! ). Then I've worked at the local burlesque, mostly with males. I loved to put Make-Up on this guys! see how slowly they transforming in to beautiful woman's! After I moved to USA, I stated working at the Christian Dior Make-Up counter. with in about a year, I became a manager - and I hated it. No creativity, just pushing products!. It was all about numbers, and I didn't feel like pulling them. I just wanted to sell my talent, not $200 cream I really didn't believe in - so I quit :) and I became a freelancer. I don't want to make this first post, super long and boring, so to make long story short; with in 4 years of doing whatever I am doing on my own, I am super excited and happy with the place I am right now :) I still climb my ladder, and with every day, every photoshoot and wedding, I am still learning and I still want to get better. I decided to start this blog because; I believe that all of us have right to know all make-Up tricks, and things that allow us to feel beautiful. I will try to share all my knowledge, and whatever I've learned so far, so that any of you will be able to use them on daily basis. I will review my favorite products, looks, brands that I had a chance to try for many years, on endless photo shoots or movie sets. I tell you what is worth to spend over $50, and what doesn't. Of course, this is only my personal opinion! I will gladly answer any question, so go ahead and shoot me an email.

Till next time! :)