Josie Collorafi Makeup Artist

Spend More, Get More at www.eyeslipsface.com

2010-11-19T22:45:00.000-08:00

E.L.F. does not get nearly as much love as it deserves. You really can't beat the price. This has turned into one of my most favorite brands. No, seriously!

When I first discovered E.L.F, I thought it was more like a little girl brand. A new Bonne Bell if you will. Over the years, as the brand introduced new products and tools, I realized this isn't your little girl's makeup. I understand you get what you pay for. But with the prices at E.L.F what you get is some surprising quality. I've become obsessed.

But now for the most amazing deal. Go to the site now. You have until 11/21/10!!

Spend $50 and get a $25 gift card. (Use code CB25)
Spend $25 and get a $10 gift card. (Use code CB10)
Spend $15 and get a $5 gift card. (Use code CB5)

You can get Holiday gifts for all the makeup lovers on your list. And then a lot for yourself.

Happy Shopping!

Leona Lewis: Neutral Eye with a little something special. ;)

2010-08-31T02:55:00.000-07:00

I've always loved a Neutral eye with a pop of color. Well apparently so does Leona Lewis.

She looks absolutely beautiful and this eye makeup isn't too dramatic yet it has a little something that makes you do a double take. Here she is using an electric green almost teal. But this look can be done with ANY color. I would recommend to make your eyes pop, we'll pull out the color wheel:

Brown: I believe that with Brown eyes you can pretty much wear any color you want. I like purple tones on brown eyes. But Teal is my go to color with this type of look.
Blue: Any color with an orange tone is amazing on blue eyes. This would look awesome with an orangy-ish, copper.
Green: Purple tones would definitely make green eyes pop.
Hazel: Another versatile eye color depending on what you're looking for. Purple will bring out the green in hazel eyes or a blue color would bring out the gold tones.

If you've always coveted those bright, bold colors this is a great look to introduce them to your makeup collection. Baby steps.

How to do a Matte Smoky Eye

2010-08-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

I am asked very often, by family and friends, about how to do a smoky eye. So last night, I attempted to film my first makeup tutorial. My boyfriend and I set everything up and I locked myself in the bedroom. It didn't quite work out as planned and at 1:00 in the morning, you could tell I wasn't into it. I guess it wasn't meant to be because the camera went dead before I could finish. I'm not having luck with video tutorials. I'm hoping I'll get it right sometime.

Prime your eye using whatever primer you're comfortable with. I used Two Faced Shadow Insurance.
Since mattes tend to go on kind of blotchy (how technical is that) take a creamy brown product and use this as a base as well. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Dark Brown would be a good choice but any brown base would work. Apply this lightly on the lid and blend it out with a synthetic brush like MAC's 242.
Then take a medium brown color like Espresso by MAC, and using MAC's 239, pack this all over the lid. Use this color to very softly blend out the crease. (Loew Cornell 1/4 " Maxine Mop is a great alternative to this brush.)
Next use a rusty, brick color to warm up the crease. Apply this lightly with a fluffy brush like MAC's 224.
Use a darker brown or a black to lightly darken (lightly, darken-Does that make sense?) the outer V.
Take that same color and use it as a liner on the lid.
Use this same dark color under the eye and concentrate in the outer corner.
Take a flesh tone color, and use this as your brow highlight and to blend down the crease color.
At this point, you can either line your waterline with a dark brown or black pencil. If you choose to skip this step, take a flesh tone pencil and "clean" up the waterline because I'm sure some product got on there.
To add a little shimmer, I took Shroom by MAC and applied this under the brow.
Curl your eye lashes, apply your favorite mascara, and falsies if you wish....and you're done.

I love to do a matte smoky eye. It's dramatic without looking too overdone. If it is possible for a smoky eye to not look overdone. :) Sooooo, that's it. On the lips you can use a neutral color or go all out. It's up to you.

How to spot fake MAC products

2010-08-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

This has been said time and time again but I thought I would revisit the topic. You can tell a brand has gained notoriety when people start to duplicate it. We saw it with Louis Vuitton, Coach, Gucci, and Fendi. And now we are seeing it with MAC Cosmetics. So I thought for those of you that want to know if a product you're buying is fake keep reading.

I worked on a dance recital a few months back, and the "artist" had this huge brush set. I looked over at it and I said "Oh that's a nice brush set." Instantly, she replied "Yeah it's MAC." So I thought I would be nice and tell her that she got ripped off. (I said it more discreet than that.) Do you believe she debated me on this? As she pulled out her 120 palette with MAC printed on it. The girl she was working on says "I didn't know MAC made a palette like this." And the artist says "Yeah, she says it's fake but I got it straight from the manufacturer that supplies MAC." Huh? SMH.

Most MAC products found on ebay are fake. We all want a bargain but I would suggest that you hit a CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet) for this. You will most likely be buying a fake product off of an auction site.
Any brush set that comes with a sponge tip applicator is fake. MAC doesn't offer these. With that being said......
A 32 piece brush set for $50 is definitely fake. Some of MAC brushes cost close to that or more. Why would they make a whole brush set for that price? So if you see this:.

Don't bother. It's a fake. And honestly, it's not a good brush set either. My friend bought it off of ebay and it's awful.

MAC eye shadows that have a flip top with a mirror and sponge tip applicator underneath.....FAKE. As I said before, none of MAC products come with this type of applicator.
The Hello Kitty collection was another huge duplicated product line. Hello Kitty had the Too Dolly quad and the Lucky Tom quad. That is exactly what they are; a QUAD with 4 eye shadows. So if you see a palette with 6 rectangular eye shadows. It's fake.
120 palette from MAC for $69.99. Come on guys. 1 eye shadow costs $11 for pan only. Let's do the math. $11 times 120 equals....$1,320. Now why would a company then say but we'll give you this sweet deal. Now really. Think about it.

Now I know some people say well why does it matter if it's fake or not. It matters because why buy the product just because it has MAC printed on it. People who know anything about makeup buy MAC for the quality of the product not the name. A fake product may not have that same quality as the real thing. You don't know what's in it. It's just not worth the risk. Do your homework about any product that you buy to use on yourself or, better yet, your clients.

Sally Hansen Blue Nails with "Zebra" Print

2010-08-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

How come, every time I do my nails, I have to pee as soon as I'm done. I don't get it. Does this happen to anyone else?! Anywho....Moving on.

I do this look often. I started doing this on metallic nails and it looked absolutely awesome. So when I was painting my nails one day with this bright Sally Hansen polish in Brisk Blue, I decided let me try this with Zebra print and loved the results.

I filmed a nail tutorial for this but since I was too lazy to grab my video camera and tried to film it on my Samsung digital camera...it didn't quite work out. But oh well. Next time. If you want to see a tutorial, let me know and I'll try again. Products used:

Alison Raffaele - Acne Response Face Primer

2010-08-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

I've had this face primer for awhile now so I decided to start using it again. And with that I decided to do a review. I'm kind of a fan and I'm kind of not. The product claims to be a face primer and acne treatment. I can't say that I have noticed a difference with my awful blemishes that have appeared suddenly. I can definitely say that it doesn't leave my face feeling dry. It actually has a very smooth texture and allows your foundation to apply nicely. When I applied it, I put it on my favorite palette (my hand) and applied it with a sponge. After, I put my foundation on my hand to be applied with a MAC 168. So when I went to wash my hands, it seemed that once the water hit that spot where the products were it acted like a sealant. I tell you this stuff would not budge as I scrubbed my hand with soap and water. I would imagine that if you spritz your finished makeup with some MAC Fix+ or a similar product, it would probably increase the staying power. I haven't tried this yet, but I'll let you know. So I guess I'll continue with the pros on this one.

Not tested on animals.
The packaging is made from recycled material AND the bottle itself can be recycled with your plastic.
Free of parabens, oils, talc, and other yucky stuff.
Contains SPF15!

And now for the cons:

Even though a little goes a long way, this 1 Fl. Oz. bottle retails for $44. Yikes!
One of the biggest cons (and why I would probably not recommend this product to everyone); when applied the primer leaves an ashy sheen. Even on my pale skin. This is not cool. I have started using this only on blemishes, under my eyes, and other spots where I tend to apply layers of makeup to achieve maximum coverage.

When I noticed the paleness that this leaves, I used a foundation that was a shade darker than my skin tone. This helped. All in all, the product is definitely a good primer. It does the job. I'm not a touch up kinda gal and when I used this, even with layers of concealer, foundation, and powder, I did not have to reapply my makeup at all. There are certainly more affordable primers out there that will give the same results. So I guess, I'm neutral. If you want a product that is paraben free and environmentally friendly, then Alison Raffaele is the one for you.

YouTube and Makeup Gurus

2010-08-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

I've recently got back into watching makeup tutorials on YouTube. Wow! Since I started watching these types of videos about 3 years ago, the beauty community on this site has grown like craaazzy!! I have learned a lot over the years from every video I have watched. Even if the lesson is what NOT to do. :) With that being said, I have decided to make a teeny-tiny (very tiny) list of my favorite gurus on YouTube. These users really know their stuff. Links to their channels will be listed under their names. So go check them out, watch a few videos, and if you feel like I do hit the yellow subscribe button.

My ALL time favorite gurus!!!

xsparkage AKA Leesha
http://www.youtube.com/user/xsparkage?blend=1&ob=4
Leesha is a pretty famous guru. Anyone who frequently visits the beauty community on YouTube probably already knows who she is. She is one of the most knowledgeable about makeup application, products, and such. But on top of that (and what keeps me loyal to her channel) is that she is one of the most natural. You can tell that she isn't reading from a script. You can tell that she is sincere in her reviews. And she isn't one to go on and on. She is to the point making it easy to watch her whole video rather than skipping pieces. 5 Stars Leesha!!! BTW: Her "first impression" videos are awesome. I hope she makes more soon.

Petrilude AKA Josh
http://www.youtube.com/user/petrilude
I found petrilude through Leesha's channel and was so happy that I did. I have learned a TON of tips, tricks, and techniques from him. He is an insanely talented artist. I can't stress that enough. He gives me chills sometimes. He is another guru that is to the point, tells you like it is, and is definitely sincere and natural. I mean, I don't know these two users personally but you can tell that they are just doing their thing.

The best product reviews!!

pinkiecharm AKA Irene
http://www.youtube.com/user/pinkiecharm?blend=1&ob=4
If you want an honest review on a product, check out this channel. She reviews high end to drugstore products. Her reviews are very detailed. You can tell she is honest in her reviews because she doesn't always say "This is fabulous!!! Get this." So whether she gets the product free or she pays for it herself...who cares! She tells you what she thinks. And I totally trust her opinions.

HOWEVER....With that being said, everyone is different. So what works (or doesn't work for pinkiecharm) may be the opposite for you. So take product reviews on YouTube (from any user) for what they are and that is mostly opinion.

Just a few more:
Koren: http://www.youtube.com/user/EnKoreMakeup
Makeup Geek: http://www.youtube.com/user/makeupgeektv?blend=7&ob=4
Michelle Phan: http://www.youtube.com/user/michellephan?blend=8&ob=4
Samantha & Nicola: http://www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo
Elessa: http://www.youtube.com/user/pursebuzz
Tiffany D: http://www.youtube.com/user/makeupbytiffanyd?blend=1&ob=4

Anywho.... I can go on and on with makeup gurus that I come across in the YouTube world and that I adore but those listed are just a few I trust based on the content of their videos. So if you want to start "learning" from makeup tutorials go check them out. Take it for what it is. And enjoy.

**Please note: Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can name themselves a "guru" on YouTube. So just because someone says a product is good or a technique will work doesn't always make it fact. Sooooo, don't bombard any user with hate mail or comments because what they put in a video didn't work for you. In addition, I will be the first to tell you that there are no rules to makeup however I have seen quite a few videos of things that are just plain wrong or not flattering. So if you're trying to learn to become a makeup artist then do a little more research and practice, practice, practice. Experiment. Try things out. If it doesn't work, try it differently etc. Okay, I'm done.

I'm back...

2010-07-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

Working full time, attending cosmetology school at night, and freelancing on the weekends is starting to drain me a little bit. But anything worth it is hard work. So my motto: You gotta do what you gotta do. My busy schedule has put my blog on hold for a too long period of time but I have come to the decision that I must put aside time every week to post here and share as much as possible.

A while back I was in the drugstore perusing the cosmetics and picked up Rimmel Stay Matte powder. I'm really into the matte face so I thought I'd try it. I haven't looked back and have replenished this item time and time again. (I even bought one for my kit)

As someone who suffers from dark circles, I use a lot of makeup under my eyes to mask the darkness. Corrector, concealer, foundation, and then setting powder. I have found, even if I use the heaviest of products under my eyes, I never have a creasing problem once I set it with this product.

The powder comes in 3 shades: Transparent (001), Sandstorm (004), and Silky Beige (005). It provides very light coverage so the right color will easily blend into any skin tone. The product states it will control shine for up to 5 hours however I have never needed to touch up throughout the day. (Tip: If you do feel like you need to touch-up your powder; first blot off any oil with a tissue or oil blotting cloth and then apply the powder.) It also helps to minimize the appearance of pores and leaves your skin with a natural finish rather than a powdery look which is never cute. For $5 - $7 you really can't go wrong.

The powder can be applied with a powder brush for a light finish. To achieve more coverage I use a latex-free sponge. (Brush/Sponge not included)

The packaging on this product has seemed to be an issue for some users however I really like it. I feel like it keeps the product safer than the usual pressed powder compacts. To me, it feels more durable. I wouldn't just throw it into my purse but I do carry it in a small makeup bag and it has never opened, broken, or cracked.

In reviews I have read, this product has been compared to MAC Blot Pressed Powder which is priced at $22. You do the math.

DermOrganic Argan Oil vs. Moroccan Oil

2010-03-07T17:28:00.000-08:00

Essentially, it is the same exact thing. Moroccan Oil is just another name for Argan Oil. This “liquid gold” as it is often called is a beauty secret of Moroccan women. Or it was.

The Argan trees grow in Southwest Morocco. On these trees is a small fruit and inside this fruit is the Argan seed. The seed is cold pressed to release the oil. And Voila! The fruits grow twice a year and the seeds are pressed by hand.

Now I'm sure you have seen in your local salons the Moroccan Oil brand. I've decided to compare the ingredients of the Moroccan Oil compared to the DermOrganic Argan Oil. I'll tell you right now, I like that the Argan oil is certified 100% organic. So.....DermoOrganic – 1, Moroccan Oil – 0.

Moroccan Oil Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Butylphenyl, MethylPropional, Argania Spinoza Kernal Oil (Argan Oil), Linseed (Linum Usitatissimum) Extract, Fragrance Supplement, D&C Yellow-11, D&C Red-17, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

DermOrganic Argan Oil Ingredients:
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Argan Oil, Grapeseed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) Glycereth-2 Cocoate/Benzoic Acid (Natural Preservative), Fragrance.

As you can see, the basic ingredients are the same in both products. However, DermOrganic has far less ingredient with the Argan Oil being the third where the Moroccan Oil has it listed as the 6th. I know which one I'm choosing.

You can not purchase the DermOrganic Argan Oil from the website but click HERE for a list of distributors by state. The cheapest price I found is at Discount Beauty Center: 4 oz. At $16.99.

The same goes for Moroccan Oil. This can be purchased at salons. If this is your choice, you can find a salon near you by clicking HERE. As for price, Sleekhair.com is selling 0.85 oz. travel size for $13.99. The 3.4 oz. is on sale for $36.99 as I type this blog.

2010-02-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

The Coveted Tear Sheet

2010-02-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

Tear sheet basically means a page "torn" from a magazine or other publication. This proves that your work was published. In this day and age, you will even see virtual tear sheets from online publications. These are usually in PDF form and can be printed for your book.

Portfolio Building

2010-02-11T19:56:00.000-08:00

A portfolio is a makeup artist's key to landing jobs. This book will showcase the work you have done and looks you can accomplish. It is your holy grail.

Every makeup artist will want to show that they can handle dramatic, over the top looks. They will glue feathers, stones, candy, and anything they can get their hands on to a models face. This is all well and good. It definitely shows your skill, but if your book is littered with these types of pictures it won't benefit you.

You're portfolio should have range and variety. It should show that you can handle a clean look up to a high fashion look. Don't do the same look over and over again. Recently, I was listening to an excerpt of an agencies portfolio building workshop and the agent said the worst thing is to open the book of a makeup artist and see a picture of a girl going for a night out and then turning the page and seeing the same look on a girl at the beach. It doesn't work. The makeup should tell a story just as the picture should. You're not going to do a smoky eye to go to the beach so don't do it on a swim suit photo shoot.

Don't do your own photography, unless you're a photographer. I know you'll see articles out there saying take snapshots of makeup you do. Yes, this is great to document looks you've done but an agency is not going to want to see these. It's amateur and will not flatter your work. There are a lot of things that go behind a picture; lighting, angles, even a little retouching. A snapshot from your digital camera won't cut it.

Your portfolio should reflect the work you want to obtain. If you want to do bridal and you're targeting beauty salons then you're work should be simple, clean, and pretty. On the other hand, if you're targeting alternative models that will be looking for dramatic, colorful looks then your book should reflect that. Think about who you're targeting when putting your book together.

Basics:

Black or gray. You can go out and get a zebra print book because you think it's cute. Sure, you'll definitely be remembered but the person opening that book is going to be expecting a certain look throughout your pictures. Keep it simple with a black/gray book so that you're not judged.
Size: usually 11 x 14 - Make sure you're getting hi res files to print. When they're blown up to 11 x 14, you don't want blurryness.
Pictures should not have any logos or watermarks on them unless it's a tear sheet (more to come on tears)
Get a book with a pocket on the front or back so that you can keep copies of your resume and business cards.
ALWAYS have doubles of the pictures in your book. If you lose your portfolio, you lose any documentation of your career. Sure you can contact the photographers you have worked with but why go through all that stress?

Prepping The Canvas 2

2010-02-10T04:31:00.000-08:00

Choosing The Right Foundation Color:

It is very important to choose the proper foundation color. Having the wrong color can do more harm than good by emphasizing flaws or just looking plain unnatural.

Step 1:
Determine whether you have cool tones or warm tones. There are many things that can trick us into choosing the wrong skin tone. So, the fool proof method is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they are more blue than you have cool undertones. However, if they are more green then you have warm undertones. Sounds silly. I know. But it works.

Step 2:
I see a lot of women testing foundation on the inside of their wrist. This is an old myth and is not the best place to test foundation. Choose 3 colors that you feel would best match your skin and test these on your cheek* by painting a stripe with each of the colors. And then blend. Whichever “disappears” into your skin is the proper color. You should never see the foundation.
*Another old method is testing foundation on your jaw line into your neck. Your neck is not exposed to as much sun as your face so it will obviously be a lighter shade. And where are we applying foundation? To our faces.

**STOP**

Many women choose foundation that is darker than their skin tone thinking that it will make them look “tanner”. You know who you are. Instead of using your foundation to achieve a sun-kissed glow, use a bronzer or blush to give yourself that healthy color. In order to look natural, it is VERY important that your foundation match your skin perfectly.

Prepping The Canvas

2010-02-09T23:21:00.000-08:00

Foundations:

When choosing a foundation, it is VERY important to make sure you have the proper color. I have been know to purchase two foundations and mix them just to insure that the color matches my own skin tone. I don't like heavy coverage so I stay away from liquids unless it is a special occasion. Otherwise a little concealer where needed and powder foundation are my choice. Below are the different types of foundations. (And there are many). I suggest choosing the one that you are most comfortable in applying and that will give you desired results. Don't get discouraged. It took me many years to get to the point where I found what works for me. It is trial and error and that is the fun in it. Most makeup stores or counters will provide you with samples when possible. I highly recommend using samples for a week or two, just to make sure you're happy with the product and how it sits on your skin. I have tried on foundations in the store, loved it, bought it and a week later ended up not using it for whatever reason. And become familiar with your stores return/exchange policy.

Tinted Moisturizer – A one step process, tinted moisturizer provides a hint of foundation with your moisturizer. This type of foundation is ideal for those who want to even out their skin tone with minimal coverage. This is a great choice for dry skin types.

Mousse or Whipped Foundation – Another good choice for dry skin types is whipped or mousse foundation. This is basically a liquid foundation with air “whipped” into it, making it lighter and smoother.

Liquid Foundation – This is the most common choice in foundations. Women like liquid for the ease in application and versatility. Most liquid foundations have build-able coverage, meaning that layers can be applied where needed going from minimum coverage to full coverage. Or they can be applied with a damp sponge for a smoother application. Liquid foundation can also be mixed with your own moisturizer to create a tinted moisturizer.

Cream-to-Powder Foundations – Foundation and powder in one. For those gals that want a quick and easy application, cream-to-powder foundation is a great choice. It is usually found in a compact form. It spreads like a cream foundation but dries to a nice powdery finish, minimizing oil and lasting throughout the day without needing a separate setting powder.

Powder Foundation – This is found in a compact and a great choice for oily skin types. It can be applied with a powder brush for minimum coverage or a denser brush or a sponge for maximum coverage.

Mineral Foundation – This is all the rage now. Mineral foundations can be either a loose powder formula or liquid formula. They are made entirely of minerals, hence the name, and are considered great for gals with sensitive skin.

Cake Foundation (Or “Pancake Makeup”) - This looks like a regular powder foundation, however it is water activated. You can spritz a little water on the “cake”, mix your tool into it until you receive the desired consistency, and then apply. Just like a cream-to-powder foundation, cake makeup goes on smooth and dries to a nice powdery finish. I would recommend this product to more advanced makeup users, as it can get frustrating trying to obtain the right consistency.

Color Theory in Relation to Makeup Application

2009-12-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

Having an understanding of color theory is really going to make a difference in your makeup application. It is going to help you pick the proper colors and hide flaws. Here are a few examples of how you can apply color theory to your makeup.

Complimentary colors (those opposite on the color wheel) will cancel each other out. They will also create contrast making colors pop. A contradiction? Read on.

A common mistake that I often see is girls wearing blue to make their eyes bluer, green to make their eyes greener, etc. But, if you look at the color wheel, orange is opposite blue. So, you blue eyed beauties, try a shadow with an orange tone. Brown eyed girls; try a shadow with a blue or purple tone. I haven't forgotten you green eyed babes. Try a shadow with a red tone; pinks and corals are a great choice.

Now concealing: as I mentioned above complimentary colors cancel each other out. So to hide those stubborn red marks, dab a green concealer on the spot.

Color Theory

2009-12-01T00:10:00.000-08:00

Color theory is very important in your makeup application. If you have an understanding of colors then you will achieve better results.

Primary Colors – Red, Blue, and Yellow are considered primary colors. All other colors are a mixture of these three shades.

Secondary Colors – Any color that is a mixture of the primary colors is considered a secondary color. For example, blue and yellow make green. Green is a secondary color.

Complimentary Colors – These are colors that are opposite in hue on the color wheel. For example, red and green are complimentary colors.

Monochrome Color Scheme – This is a scheme including one color of different values. Red, rose, and pink are an example of a monochromatic color scheme.

Adjacent Color Scheme – Also called analogous colors involves colors that neighbor each other on the color wheel. Orange and yellow-orange are an example of analogous colors.

Cool and Warm Tones – Colors with blue undertones are considered cool colors and those with yellow undertones are considered warm colors.

Black & White – These could be used with either cool or warm colors.

Now that you've got the basics, see how this information relates to your makeup application.

Dear Santa....

2009-11-30T23:22:00.000-08:00

Sephora is ready for the Holidays. If you're looking for a great gift for a loved one (or yourself), selected gifts are shipping for free this week so take advantage. Enter promo code HOLIDAYSHIP at checkout. Here are a few of my favorites. Loved ones if you're reading this...*hint hint* ;)

Lash Stash Mascara Sampler ($104 value) is only $39.

Hourglass Superficial Lash
Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara
Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing and Strengthening Mascara
Benefit A Little Bit BADGal Lash Mascara
Smashbox Lash DNA
Laura Mercier Thickening and Building Mascara
Fresh Supernova
Sephora Lash Stretcher
Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain
Cargo LashActivator

What a great way to find a new favorite. I love these sampler sets. So onto another one.

Lip Service Deluxe Sample Set ($119 value), $38

Duwop Private Red
Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Sheer
Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Beau Bordeaux 11 or Radiant Rosy 14
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Roman Holiday (vibrant pink sheen)
Korres Guava Lipstick in Wine Red (burgundy wine)
CARGO Plantlove Botanical Lipstick in Muir Woods (sheer spiced mauve)
Tarte Vitamin Infused Lipstick in Hatha (shimmering berry rose)
Laura Mercier Lip Coulour-Crème in Pink Champagne (cool rose)

NARS Velvet Matte Lip pencil makes this set worth it.

I saved the best for last.

The Best of Make Up Forever Set ($91.50 value) is only $49.

0.04 oz Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L
0.23 oz Smoky Lash
0.35 oz HD Microfinish Powder
0.5 oz Travel HD Microperfecting Primer
0.84 oz Sens'Eyes Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser

If you have never tried any of the Make Up Forever products, now is the time. This is a great deal.

Sampling

2009-11-30T23:12:00.000-08:00

What's great about makeup counters and stores like Sephora or Ulta is that they will provide you with samples of products for you to try before you buy. With every order on www.sephora.com you are able to choose 3 free samples. It's a great way to find new favorites.

Other makeup companies sell trial sizes of their products, which is another great way to make sure you like the item before committing to a full size bottle that may just sit in your makeup drawer and never be used.

Here are some tips on sampling:

1 – Go straight to the source. Some companies (like Sephora mentioned above) will offer samples on their website so it might be a good idea to join their newsletter.
2 – Cosmetics counters are provided with vials/jars to create samples for customers. And some are even given sample sizes of some products.

The Etiquette To Obtaining Store Samples

Be polite. The employee is not OBLIGATED to give you a sample. If you try a product and like it then buy it. When it comes to foundation ask for a small sample to try for a week or two before you make the commitment to purchase it.
Do not be greedy. Two or three samples are more than generous. Don't ask for more.
Know what you're asking for. If you're on the prowl for a cleanser then ask for a sample of a cleanser that is right for YOU. Not just whatever they have on hand.
If you are going to be frequently asking for samples, then be a good customer as well. The employees behind the counters know who is a loyal customer and who just wants freebies. You may think they won't remember but they do.
3 – There are some sites out there that will offer free samples of products just be careful where you put your information.
4 – Keep your eyes peeled in magazines. There may be ads or coupons for a free trial size with purchase or other samples.

Capri Cosmetology

2009-11-30T22:54:00.000-08:00

After years of throwing the idea up in the air. I did it. I enrolled in Capri Cosmetology. Orientation is this Wednesday and classes officially start on Monday. I can't wait.

I will be extremely busy working a 9-5 and going to classes from 6-10. It will be all worth it in the end.

Capri has a great education and their statistics speak for themselves in proving that statement.
In the Cosmetology program (June 2008) out of 69 graduates who took the written exam, 56 passed. Not bad. And out of 62 graduates who took the practical, 62 passed. That is amazing! The school has an 84% completion rate and 53 graduates out of 62 in 2008 are currently employed in the industry. All of these figures make me feel like I've made the right decision.

My estimated graduation date is March 2011. The program is 1000 hours and I am going part time.

Sky's the limit after I get licensed.

Regarding other projects: I will be doing makeup for a web series and am still scheduling collaboration shoots. I will be working with Al Salerno once again and hope that this shoot is comparable if not better than the last. He is so talented and we created some awesome shots. I am really looking forward to working with him again. I still have to work on Color Fetish Makeup which I hope to be launched soon.

History of Makeup Continued

2009-10-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Roaring 20's:

In the beginning of the 1920's the skin continued to be painted with a cream or ivory colored foundation. However in the middle of the 20's skin began to brighten up with a matching foundation or even a shade brighter. For blush, a spectrum of rose colors started to show up along with even orange. Lips were painted a deep red, brownish red or plum and lipstick was applied to emphasize the Cupid's Bow of the upper lip and exaggerate the lower lip. The width of the mouth was de-emphasized.

The infamous smokey eye was brought back from the Egyptian Era. The eyes of the 20's were shaded quite dark and eyelashes were enhanced with dark black.

The Wartime 40's:

The 40's were the era of the natural beauties. The skin was bright and rosy and eyeshadow was left muted with soft browns or grays. The lips continued to be emphasized but in this era there was a choice: 1) lips were painted to be semi-natural with light reds, orange, or rosy tones; or 2) contrast was created with cherry reds, crimson or orange-red. Either way you choose, lips were to be soft and full so lip liner was applied to emphasize the upper lip.

The Glamorous 50's:

Timeless, Classic, Pin-Up, Glamour. There are so many words to describe this decade. This was the time where women wanted to emulate the starlets of the silver screen. Skin needed to be flawless so Max Factor created the Pan Stick foundation which is still a staple to some artists today.
The cheeks were rosy and blush was applied in two circles on the apples of the cheeks. Thick eyeliner was a must have so liquid eyeliner was introduced to create that bold line along the lid followed by two coats of black mascara. And we all can't forget the finishing touch: a bright red lip.

The Psychadelic 60's:

Makeup still took a lot of woman hours to apply in the 60's. Green and blue eyeshadow was definitely in every woman's makeup bag. Lashes were dramatic and spiky. And the nude lip was introduced. This era emphasized the eye and toned down the lip.

The Natural 70's:

Hello bronzer!. It was all the rage to be a tan and toned beach girl. Golden skin and minimal makeup. That was the 70's.

1980's GLAM:

I think women got bored during the 1970's because the 80's took that clean skin and painted it. It was considered normal to do a full face of makeup to go to the office. Even men were wearing makeup. Hair Metal! Bright colors, bright lips, heavy liner....And can we forget that heavy contoured cheek. Blending was optional in the 80's.

1990's:

The forgotten era. The poor 90's get no love. Beverly Hills 90210 and Baywatch introduced us to a cleaner look once again. We had our fun with makeup in the 80's so in the 90's we used it to enhance our beauty, not cover it up. Sophistication...That's all.

History of Makeup

2009-10-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

For thousands of years, cosmetics have been used to make women (and even men) look and feel beautiful.

Greeks:

Greeks called cosmetics “Kosmetikos”, which means skilled in adornment and was used for face and body decoration. Although the practice was reserved to women of wealth, makeup was an important part of Greek fashion.

The Greeks tried to achieve the pale skin look by rubbing a mixture of white lead with water and smoothing this on their faces, necks, shoulders, and arms. Women then used crushed berries or reddish powders made from seaweed or flowers for their lips and cheeks. Their eyes were shadowed and lined with soot.

Egyptian Era:

It was the Egyptians who produced cosmetics on a larger scale. This production was very similar to that of today's. The Egyptians' eyes were lined with powdered kohl. Their lids were painted with turquoise powder from green copper and lead ore and powdered red clay was used on lips and cheeks. Henna was another popular cosmetic used on the Egyptians' hands and feet. Even their eyebrows and eyelashes were enhanced with carbon, black oxide, and other substances. Cleopatra was famous for her milk baths which is known to soften the skin. In this age, makeup was used by both men and women.

Victorian Era:

Makeup was not as popular. It was considered unacceptable in society. Pale skin was a sign that women were wealthy enough to not work outdoors the veins were traced with a fine blue paint to make the skin seem more pale. However Queen Alexandra became a trend setter when she brought back the painted face look which was copied by women.

Edwardian Era:

This is the era that turned everything around for cosmetics. Makeup became more chemical based instead of the herbal products of earlier eras. The pale skin was still all the rage, so women continued to paint their face with white lead mixed with a cream base. Then rice or pearl powder was applied and finally rouge and lip color. An interesting point of this era is that this is when cosmetic tattoos were started. Women of this age would have their lips and cheeks tattooed to be constantly bright.

Women discreetly shopped for cosmetics. They would hide under heavy veils and leave through back doors of the shops. But in 1909, Gordon Selfridge introduced what we know as the cosmetics counters or stores of today. Cosmetics were openly displayed and women could test and shop for products. Other stores then followed suit.

Some of the ingredients of cosmetics in ancient times are considered dangerous today. For example, lead which was used in eyeshadow, eyeliner, and foundations can cause the skin to corrode, poisoning, and eventually death.

Even the tools that we use today can be traced back thousands of years. In the Babylon ruins, evidence of tweezers and brow brushes have been found.