the Vanity

Bullets for the Better

2011-02-02T19:47:00.000-06:00

ELLIS FAAS

This is such an innovative brand.

"All products are fluids, not only so they all fit in same sized “bullets”, but also because an enormous part of the human body consists of water. Therefore liquid makeup tends to blend into the skin more easily than solid makeup: the products will melt into the skin instead of lie on it."

This product goes on smoothly, the colors are very vivid and doesn't take a lot of product to get a good application. This would save quite a bit of space in any artists kit. I love the design...its very unique! However, i am big on using cosmetic wedges when applying foundation...i just feel it gives a better application and if using this item in your professional kit you really need to pay attention to your sanitary methods. Overall...i really like this brand!!

Acne Scarring!

2011-01-18T21:30:00.000-06:00

Acne scars can be a major inconvenience to anybody as it gives the idea of a bad skin complexion and sometimes causes a blow to one's self confidence. That's why it is important to understand and know the different ways of treating and clearing up scars left by acne. Here you will understand the different methods of getting rid of acne scars. Hopefully in the end your scars will be a thing of the past and you may have more good news for your skin's health.

Aside from expensive scars treatment methods which are found to be effective but not in the financial reach of most of the population, it is important to know that there are also some natural and much cheaper remedies in getting rid of acne scars. These are treatment methods that you can use to treat your acne scars right at the convenience of your home.

A natural acne scar treatment is the best solution method especially for those who possess sensitive skin because natural treatment doesn't create side effects or rashes that may further destroy your sensitive skin.

1. One of the leading methods of clearing acne scars is the use of oatmeal cleanser. It helps eliminate other skin defect like blackheads and also help sin the effective removal of acne scars. The oatmeal method consists of a mixture of rose water and an oatmeal powder; together they will form a paste that you can apply over the areas of your skin affected by the scars.

After applying it allow about fifteen minutes to pass then afterwards rinse with cold water, this process allows the oatmeal to close all existing skin pores and helps clear up a lot of your existing scars. To see the best kind of results you should do this everyday.

2. Another leading treatment option is the use of honey. Considered as one of the best natural remedies, honey plays a great role in defeating bacteria that actually causes acnes. After cleaning your skin, you can then apply honey to the affected part of your skin. Wait ten minutes before rinsing it with clean water.

3. Others include applying lotions and gels that are available at leading pharmacies and are highly recommended by professionals. The most important thing to remember when dealing with acne scars is that you should be patient with one kind of treatment and use it until the remnants of your scars are completely taken care of.

4. Another well known acne scar treatment is the use of the process called laser resurfacing. It's a process that involves a laser being applied to the affected skin and with that it will kill the bacteria that forms the scars. This can take anywhere from a number of minutes until an hour or so and usually takes between 2 to 10 days for the skin to heal completely.

Remember there are now a lot of ways to clear acne scars.

Just be patient in looking for a method that can fit your needs.

Are you seeing red?

2011-01-18T21:26:00.000-06:00

NEW Redness Solutions Makeup SPF15 with Probiotic Technology

Soothing oil-free makeup instantly colour-corrects flushing, blushing. Calming ingredients help minimize flare-ups. Beneficial probiotic technology helps strengthen skin's barrier. Keeps environmental triggers at bay with SPF plus antioxidants.

OIL TO REMOVE OIL....REALLY?

2011-01-17T22:24:00.003-06:00

Believe it....this works!!

The reasons we have so much trouble with mainstream skin care products are numerous, but two reasons, in particular, lead the pack. These troubling products strip the oil out of our skin, leaving our largest organ trying to repair itself by replacing the oil stripped away. This leaves us in a cycle of being tight and dry followed by the inevitable oil slick. Each time we strip the oil away, our skin over-compensates for the lack of moisture by creating more oil! Crazy huh!...Not really!!!
Do not be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil, alone, will not bring you blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits, blackheads, whiteheads...these are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the buildup of all of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious force to be reckoned with; it is there for the benefit of your skin, allowing your largest organ to function properly. It is naturally occurring. Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your skin so that it may function properly.

When washing your face
Washing your face is typically done in the evening, prior to bed. There should be no need for deep cleansing in the morning if you're waking up with skin cleansed the night before. In the morning, a quick wipe with a warm washcloth should suffice. We don't want to overcleanse our skin as this will serve only to irritate and cause more oil production. The objective of using this method is to deep clean while balancing our skins oil production at the same time.
Begin massaging the oil into your face. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, so there is no need to use a makeup remover or wash your face prior to the massage. I've found that this removes even my stubborn waterproof mascara and concealer. It proble wouldn't even hurt to warm your oil up a bit as the warmth helps our pores open up!
Using slow, firm motions across the skin, massage the oil deeply into your pores. Take your time and focus on your problem areas. You want the oil to work into your pores so that blackheads and the like can be dissolved and steamed away.
pick up your clean washcloth and soak it in clean, steamy water. We want the water to be warm enough to open your pores and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores, nor will it remove the oil efficiently. We're not scalding our skin, we're steaming to coax our pores to release the oil carrying the impurities. We're essentially steaming our skin as an esthetician would, but without the luxury of a steam machine. If you feel you still need to rinse...apply a luke warm to cool water directly to skin. Applying hot water to your skin may result in broken capillaries or irritate any rosacea causing redness!
If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your oil blend, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it onto your damp skin. Gently massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Your skin should now glow!

CREATING YOUR OWN BLEND OF DEEP CLEANSING OIL::

Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil.
Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil.
Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed Oil

The starting point for creating your own, personalized skin cleansing oil blend is knowing your general skin type. Those with dry skin will want less Castor Oil. Those with oily skin will want to blend in more. Finding your perfect combination of oils will probably take a little bit of trial and error, so start with very small batches. Once you know what your ratio of oils looks like, you'll be able to blend much more at a time for convenience.
You can vary these percentages to match your own skins needs. If your skin feels too dry, you'll need to use less Castor Oil and replace it with more Sunflower Seed Oil. Keep in mind that Castor Oil is the drawing, cleansing, and purging oil for your pores. The Sunflower Seed Oil is to dilute the Castor Oil in viscosity (thickness) and additionally provide moisture, nutrients, and other benefits. When you go to replenish your oil blend, I suggest cleaning your bottle thoroughly with dish soap or the dishwasher. Better yet, if you can replace the bottle, this is ideal. You want to be extremely cautious in introducing bacteria to the bottle.

EyeShadow Techniques!

2011-01-11T16:43:00.000-06:00

I have received a lot of questions on how to apply eyeshadows or what colors to use. I really wont get into colors since this really is a broad question to answer and so many color sequences to choose! Makeup is really trial by error and there are NO rules!

Depending on the shape of the eye or what shape your wanting is determined on the technique.

SMALL EYES: They are proportionately smaller in comparison to the rest of the facial features

ALMOND SHAPE: These are the most common eye shape with their upswept lift at outter corner

WIDE-SET: If there is generous space between both eyes

CLOSE-SET: If there is little space between both eyes

HOODED: If you can't see your eyelid

DEEP-SET: If you can see some of your eye lid in the outer corners of your eyes, but this section of eye lid narrows as it gets closer to the inside corners of your eye

PROMINENT EYES: These eyes which set far forward in the face tend to dominate the facial features. The eyelids are too pronounced

As you seen from the diagram above...the eye is sectioned into 9 sections...However it really should be 10 when you include the inner corner of the eye where your tear duct is.

REMEMBER TO GO DARKEST TO LIGHTEST WITH YOUR COLORS!

If you are wanting to open your eyes up and have them appear bigger then follow this technique::

-apply darkest eyeshadow into outer crease, outer lid and above crease area from the outside of eye to just before the middle of the lid. You can also pull more of the darkest shadow into the above crease area.

-then apply your second color to the middle area blending it into the darkest color.

-then apply the lightest color in the inner lid area blending it into the middle color

-apply highlight to inner corner & brow area (BLEND)

-take a clean buffer brush and go over entire lid to make sure its blended

If you are wanting your eyes to appear smaller then follow this technique::

-apply darkest color in the outer crease area from outer corner to right before inner lid area.

-apply second color to middle lid area up into upper crease area blending into darkest color

-apply the lightest color into inner lid area blending into middle color

-apply highlight to brow area (BLEND)

-take a clean buffer brush and go over entire lid to make sure its blended

HOWEVER...ANYONE CAN USE EITHER TECHNIQUE!

Does Makeup Expire (Repost)

2011-01-10T12:07:00.000-06:00

I couldnt have said it better myself!!!

According to the FDA, cosmetics aren’t required by law to have expiration dates, so you can’t just look at the label to know when a product has retired. However, some companies are labeling dates on their products for us consumers who would rather not have more bacteria on our skin than necessary.

Be aware that expiration dates are simply a guide to go by and that a product’s safety may expire long before the expiration date if the product has not been properly stored. For instance, cosmetics exposed to high temperatures or sunlight, or opened and examined by consumers prior to purchase may substantially deteriorate before the expiration date.

Makeup preservatives should kill common bacteria (personally, I stay away from preservatives unless they are plant based), but as studies show, a little bacteria is in makeup before we buy it. Once you open your new product, airborne bacteria swarms in. You add to the bacteria by touching the product with unclean hands. Then, to top it off, you use an unclean applicator. Know that aging cosmetics lose their power to fight the bacteria no matter how gentle and clean you are when using it.

So the question is how long can we keep our little hopes in the bottle, and can we extend the shelf life of them to protect ourselves from infections, like pink eye and skin breakouts?

The answer is in this guideline. Let me help you clean out your makeup bag and medicine cabinet.

Color Makeup

Liquid foundation lasts three to six months. Cream foundation can last four to six months. Foundation in a pump dispenser will last a little longer, because it is less exposed to air than jar foundation. If it has a higher percentage of pigment, such as mineral makeup, then you have about a year. Here’s a tip: Use a disposable applicator and use the front of your hand as a palette.

Concealer has a shelf life of six to eight months.

Powders, including eye shadows and blush, last a year.

Mascara lasts for three months. Hint: Never pump your mascara; air just pushes back into the tube. Clean your wand with tissue every couple of days. It helps prevent clumping.

Lip gloss and lipstick have a shelf life of one year.

Eye and lip pencils will stay fresh over a year with continued use of sharpening; you’ll know when it has gone bad if it crumbles.

Miracle Must Have

2010-12-03T11:25:00.002-06:00

You will see me saying this time after time....i am a firm believer in all brands. Even though i work for a great brand and carry many great brands in my kit....i just dont feel that one brand has ALL the best products. But this little jar of wonder is a definite must have for any girl...or guy ; )

The name couldnt be any more self explanatory! Even though it comes in three different shades...i highly recommend staying with the light with any complexion. Trick is...when you put a light color concealer under your eyes...WHETHER YOU HAVE BAGS OR NOT....it gives you an instant awakening and brightness to your face. So try it out...you wont be disappointed!!

*Live, Laugh, Love to Look Good*

Juara SkinCare

2010-11-22T12:12:00.003-06:00

I had the priviledge of receiving some products from Juara to try! Anyone who knows me on a work level...knows that i am all about skin prep before applying any makeup. I wanted to start using/carrying a product in the my kit that was botanical based since i work on all skin types. Juara sent me their Rice Cleanser, Rice facial scrub, sweet tea & rice moisturizer, and their Tamarind tea hydrating toner. I absolutely love this line of skincare. My face felt so clean, smooth & hydrated. My favorite product by far is the Toner...it feels so good on your skin and a little goes a long way!! If you ever have time to look this product up...please do so and let me know your thoughts on it!!

*Live, Laugh, Love to Look Good*

Your Thoughts

2010-11-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

All business owners want to hear amazing things said about their business but I am a firm believer that even though bad responses hurt feelings...ALL criticism is constructive! We can learn from it and build from it! All business's thrive on word of mouth so this blog will be available for all clients to give their opinions on me as a person & makeup/hair artist!

Hopefully it's all good ;)

Liquid vs. Cream vs. Powder

2010-10-31T16:08:00.000-05:00

There are so many sub categories of foundations!
full coverage, sheer coverage, HD, tinted, SPF, mineral, illuminating, anti-aging, acne, matte, loose, pressed, moisturizing, drying, etc.
Whatever you buy is your preference! But there are some common misconceptions that women do not know or are not told when it comes to finding the right foundation! I am not going to get into brand vs. brand, or dry vs. oily! I am going to discuss what type you should choose for your clients AGE and whether they will be wearing it EVERY DAY!! Of course when your choosing something for a one time look then you are pretty much choosing what works best for the camera and that's totally different!

-Now as a pro artist you should know by now how to find the right color...and if you cant then here is a good tip for you! Foundation is determined in the MOST NATURAL LIGHTING & AT THE JAWLINE! However..for darker complected women...FOUNDATION IS BETTER MATCHED IN THE CENTER OF THE FACE! If this isn't being done then you are not doing it right!!!
-Choosing a foundation type can be difficult for everyone especially when you are only being told what the issues are...but it shouldn't be difficult once you understand what type of foundation is best suited for age. TOO many times i have seen products pushed on customers just to make a sale. You would think that doing right by customers and giving them a product that they would love and tend to come back for would be the best choice for businesses but its apparent that "making the sale" is!
So..here are some pointers on keeping your clients happy and coming back to you!

Yes...choosing whether you use a liquid, cream or powdered foundation is also determined by what kind of coverage you want...BUT Its also determined by how mature your clients skin is! I know that mineral powder foundation is all the rage now...especially in older women! BUT...powdered foundation should NOT be used on older women and ill tell you why:
powder cakes into wrinkles regardless of whether a primer is used...but don't get me wrong...primers are always good to use to help makeup not sink into large pores or to help makeup last longer! But its NOT going to get rid of wrinkles and when you use a powder...all is does is accentuate your maturity!! My best advice for more mature skin is using a liquid foundation! If liquid is too heavy then i would recommend a tinted moisturizer! I'm NOT a big user of cream foundations but if that's what you like then creams would be OK too! If mineral makeup is the only way your client wants to go...they do make it in a liquid!!

Now...i know that sometimes a powder is good to use to help with oily skin regardless of age but i recommend using a pressed powder for mature skin with a flat brush or sponge in just the areas you feel oily and NOT all over the face. Loose powder will tend to sit on top top of the face and may be too cakey!

About My Blog!

2010-10-31T14:44:00.001-05:00

After a lot of contemplating I have decided to make my blog only about my traveled road, tips & tricks, and industry knowledge that will only come from things I've learned, things I've come up with on my own, and my personal views. There are so many other great blogs that talk about product or gives video tutorials so there is no reason that I try to do the same thing. Of course...i will definitely post links to those blogs that i come across that i feel will give my readers good advice!

Everything I've learned that has made me a stronger and more knowledgeable artist has come from a variety of great people. I wouldn't be where I am today without their generosity and the chance they gave me to prove myself. Of course...I'm not by any means more or less than any other artist out there...I've just been very lucky to have met and worked with the pros that i have! I still have a lot to learn and my skill is still being perfected. Though...i really pride myself on differentiating myself from most freelance artists because even though I'm sure we all love our jobs its never been about the money for me. I am quick to accept any job if it will be beneficial to me in the long run! I'm not beyond assisting any awesome artist cause walking away with additional training or experience is worth more than a paycheck!! If i am part of creating amazing work then I'm succeeding!

Just remember that my advice, tips & tricks, and experiences are just that....MINE! They may work for you and they may not! You may get discouraged...i have been plenty of times...but the good is always followed by the bad but if this is your passion as it is mine then don't let anything keep you from it!

The Question Everyone Wants Answered!

2010-10-23T15:17:00.003-05:00

How Do I Become A Successful Artist?

That's quite the question & certainly one that I asked when i first started out....and still ask every now and then! I do suggest you read my introduction first. Remember that every artist is different! I don't have the answers to everything so I can only tell you what I've learned in the last 5yrs I've been freelancing. With this said...i hope this helps in one way or another.

1. Find what type of artist you are : Makeup Counters, Wedding, Theatre, TV, Print, Fashion/Beauty! Whatever your strengths...start there and build up! Some of the best advice I received when first starting out was "Find an artist you most admire, study her work and thrive to do better"...this brings us to the next step!

2. Build a portfolio!!! This is an absolute MUST!!! Your portfolio shows you as an artist...its your identity. So having a great one will only put you at the top. You may find yourself doing A LOT of free work in the first year or two but don't fret...it will pay off! Once you have built your portfolio then be sure to send out a mass email to production. PR, Film, Music, and advertising companies in your area to put your work out there. Also look into social networks for industry professionals and sign-up!! This brings us to the 3rd step.

3. NETWORK!!! I cant stress this enough!! You must put yourself & your work out in your community and let people know your here. Never turn down a job if you don't have to. Always remember...YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU WILL MEET, WHO WILL SEE YOUR WORK OR WHOM THEY MAY KNOW!!

4. Build relationships! Everyone has their favorite artists...the ones they go to first. Whether its someone who is already established or someone working up the ranks...find someone you can build a trusting relationship with. Become their Go to Girl/Guy!

5. BE READY TO INVEST!! starting out in any business takes money to make money. There is no simpler way of doing it. Nashville is only capable of so much...if you seek more then you either A. need to relocate or B. need to travel. Other areas will NOT seek you out if you don't establish yourself in those areas as well.

*My personal opinion*
6. Don't fall into a clique!! Attaching yourself to one group of people is so stupid. Branch out and make friends with everyone...whether they get you work or not...having those relationships is just as important. Never limit yourself!

These steps are just the stepping stones so how far you want it to take you is up to you! Good Luck!!

*Live, Laugh, Love to Look Good*