Pro Beauty Blog: Makeup Tips, How-to Apply Makeup, Replicate Celeb looks, Beauty 411

Beautiful Eyes

2012-11-06T11:38:00.003-08:00

First off ,I don't want to sound like a conceited snob but the first thing I get are compliments on my eyes.

When asked what my favorite feature is I always say my eyes. I cant stress how important it is to take care of the eye area , and if you are anything like me you like to play up those eyes!

Winter is approaching faster then a stampede of zebras, and I always encourage my clients ( and I practice what I preach) to up the moisture in the skincare regimen . It doesn't matter what type of skin you have, when the winter comes you need extra moisture. The area that gets hit the hardest is the delicate eye area.

I recently came across this product that has kept my eyes looking fresh and fab and now that I found it I will use it until the day I die. I have tested many eye serums out there but this by far ranks #1 on my list.

ELITE EYE SERUM

A little bit goes along way with Elite eye serum

I just dab a little around the eyes in a circular motion each morning. It is really important to have a good eye serum before applying your makeup, especially your concealer, if your schedule is anything like mine , you thrive on coffee, concealer and a good eye cream, to keep you going.

Gear up , winter my be brutal battle but you can win the fight with a good eye serum!

Beauty 101: Tips & tricks for combatting dry /dull skin

2012-10-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has dry skin knows that the winter weather brings about its own unique skin care challenges. Dry skin tends to appear dull and flaky in the cold, making it difficult to keep your makeup looking dewy. Use the following tips to help your dull skin glow and your makeup looking fresh all day long.

1. Once to twice a week use a gentle exfoliator that is designed for dry skin. This means it will effectively exfoliate the dead skin cells and clean the skin, but will not strip the skin of its natural oils. For in-between uses, choose a hydrating cleanser.

2. Use a hydrating oil free moisturizer; it is essential in any dry skin care routine. Dry skin needs hydration to stay healthy; however, omitting oil based moisturizers ensures that your face will not look greasy.

3. Use a foundation primer. Primers tend to be silicone based, which make them ideal for sealing in moisture with the added benefit of reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores. Smashbox Photo Finish which is one of the preferred primers of make-up artists everywhere has a hydrating primer.

4. Choose makeup that is designed for dry skin. Formulas that work well for dry skin are designed to be hydrating, long-wearing, and has a creamy consistency.

To keep your makeup looking dewy and fresh throughout the day, use a refreshing mist, such as Evian refreshing spray, which will help keep the skin moisturized and your makeup flawless.

Summer wedding look I like.....

2012-06-01T09:08:00.001-07:00

Summer is upon us, and I am super busy with weddings. What is popular among my brides is a brighter lip! I am happy to oblige because I think red lips are great for a summer weddings, especially a vintage theme one! So if you have a wedding planned this summer dont be afraid to request a nice shade of red, coral or pink.

Elite Makeup Artistry & Hair Styling

GO ORGANIC MAKEUP!

2012-02-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to introduce a mascara I have recently fallen in love with , On the quest to find a great mascara that is lash friendly (free of toxins and chemicals) I came across physicians formula organic wear mascara in cvs, after reading the label ingredients I was sold:

Ingredients: Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water.* Glycerin. Iron Oxide. Microcrystalline Cellulose. Glyceryl Stearate. Water. Beeswax.* Jojoba Esters. Tapioca Starch.* Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax.* Stearic Acid. Glyceryl Caprylate. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice.* Cellulose Gum. Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract.* Glycine Soya (Soybean) Oil.* Hydrolyzed Oryza Sativa (Rice) Protein. Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate. Magnesium Aluminum Silicate. Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract.* May Contain: Titanium Dioxide.

This mascara is great for anyone who would like longer , conditioned and healthy lashes. The down side is you must replace it quicker than normal mascaras with preservatives. It does take a couple coats to see fullness and length but let it dry in between coats. After two weeks of using this mascara I’ve seen a difference in the length of my lashes because of non-drying ingredients.

Must Have Fall Nail Colors...

2011-09-03T01:01:00.000-07:00

Must Have Fall Nail Colors

Essie Fiji & We can do it Pink

Now that Fall is upon us, its time to get with the program,the nail color program that is. My all time favorite colors that are great for an awesome mani & pedi are great all year around colors. I tend to favor Essie polishes because they have a great range of natural , nudes and pinks colors. I love the light color polish look because it can go with any outfit you wear and a plus it makes peep toe shoes look fantastic! My two favorite pedicure colors that I can't live with out are fiji and we can do it pink. These colors are great for weddings, essie is favored amongst brides and bridal parties.

                                                                                 Today I decided to try something new for my pedicure color, and that is take my two favorite colors and mix them together. It came out wonderfully! I layered we can do it pink over fiji.

For my Manicure I choose one of my
favorite brands which is Zoyas lulu. I like Zoya for the simple reason that they are formaldehyde free and they do not use harsh chemicals in their products. I have dry brittle nails so I tend to stick with Zoya for my nails. This color is also a must have for a wedding event.

Zoyas color lulu
is a must all year around!

Essie Fiji & we can do it pink/ Zoya Lulu

For my Manicure I choose one of my favorite brands which is Zoyas lulu. I like Zoya for the simple reason that they are formaldehyde free and they do not use harsh chemicals in their products. I have dry brittle nails so I tend to stick with Zoya for my nails. This color is also a must have for a wedding event.

Benefit they're Real Mascara review

2011-08-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

Benefit they're Real Mascara review

After reading all the reviews and the hype about benefits new they're Real Mascara, I did something I promised myself I would not do again, and that is dish out more

then $15 on a mascara your going to have to replace in 3 months. Who could resist the charming and alluring ads ! I know I couldn't. I love wearing false eyelashes and there was a point where I wore them everyday, but reality checked in and I don't have the time that I used to. So when I see a mascara that promise the look of false lashes, I jump on it.As soon as the package arrived , I ripped it open and followed the suggest directions on how to apply. I apply horizontally with zig zag motions to work it in. I noticed it look a lot of swipes to achieve the look of thick full lashes I like. As you can see above it gave me full and length but also a little clumping. After about 5 or more swipes I began to notice my lashes felt heavy, I do not like to feel like I have mascara on. I recommend a lash separation comb with this bad boy.If you have the money to spend and want to splurge , this is not a bad decision but I would save your money for something else, like a manicure. After final consideration I will stick to my two favorite (drugstore brand) mascaras which is Covergirl Lash blast and Covergirl Natureluxe.

Low Cost Alternatives

Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara Review

If you like the look of long thick lashes and don't want to want to dish out the big bucks, I suggest Covergirl lash Blast mascara. It delivers what it promises and it doesn't clump nor feel heavy. one to two coats is all you need and you'll be on your way!

Covergirl Natureluxe Review

If your like me then your some sort of health conscience, you want a healthy alternative for you lashes. I like that Covergirl came out with a mascara thats a bit more natural. I kind of shyed away from it at first because my asumption was natural = not good results and chemicals = great results, I can be a give me my chemical kind of girl. But after taking a closer look at the ingredients, I was sold on the fact they use beeswax instead of all those heavy alternatives. After first application I was hooked! it gave me the same results as Benefit they're Real mascara and Lash Blast without all the chemicals. I mostly wear this on a daily basis.....So if your health conscience, have sensitive eyes , don't like heavy , clumping mascara but like the look of a designer mascara , then this is a winner!

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Confessions of a Shoe Addict

2011-08-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

Sexy Fall Shoes

The first step in getting help for an addiction is to admit you have one! Here, I will go first “hi my name is Danielle and I am addicted to shoes”.I will help you with your addiction by giving you a unbiased reviews on shoes before you dish out your hard earned bucks.you can count on honest and reliable reviews. Now, "for the love of shoe" lets get on with it!

Sexy Leopard Slingback Pumps

These leopard peep toe pumps are great to wear out for the night on the town. These bad gals will make a great transition from work to play.They have internal padding which provides comfort and fits true to size. I like that they are slingback which makes them easier to slide on and off and allows air to circulate so you don't end up with sweaty feet. I like them most with a pair of skinny jeans, it helps elongate the legs.

Steve Madden Sexy Sandal Heels

This sandal pump was love at first sight! I brought these in the summer for a wedding and felt this would make a great transition over to fall. They are classy casual and can be worn day are night.They are great for weddings, dates, the office...it's a very versatile shoe. They are super comfortable which is a plus ( I was able to dance for hours ).I like to see this shoe paired with a dress, and I wore my pair with a turquoise spaghetti strap flow dress to my best friends wedding.Steve Madden out did himself in this shoe.

Sexy Zipper Pump

I like the uniqueness of this Platform pump. Zippers are making a come back and I like the fact that it's on pump. It runs true to size so your toes don't feel cramped and its round toe so you don't feel uncomfortable. I brought these for work ,and I am on my feet all day, so my main concern apart from style is comfort.They passed the test for comfort and style!

How to Create the Pin-up Girl Look

2011-08-29T02:28:00.000-07:00

How to Create the Pin-up Girl Look

The pin-up girl look symbolizes seduction and glamour of the 50s. This look still turns heads in today’s modern world. This look is perfect for a night out and for that special event. Although it does not require the skills of a professional makeup artist, practice does make perfect. With the proper techniques you will be on your way to becoming a 1950s pin-up girl. Try this look before attending your next engagement .You will feel and look like a glamorous pin-up girl, and get the attention of one.

Things You’ll Need

· Makeup brushes

· Eye shadow base

· Eye shadow

· Black eyeliner (liquid or sharp pencil)

· Mascara

· Foundation

· Setting powder

· Blush

· Lip liner

· Lipstick (red)

Instructions

1. Apply eye shadow base, which helps the shadow to last longer. By applying it before foundation it will help for an easier clean up in case of an accident. Apply base to entire eyelid as you would a shadow. You can use a brush or your ring finger. Blend evenly

2. Apply eye shadow.Apply a neutral colored eye shadow on the entire eye lid using your shadow brush. Then take a light to medium contrasting color and apply to your crease with your brush. Blend evenly.

3. Apply eyeliner to the upper eyelid. You can use either a pencil, liquid eyeliner or both for a more intense look. Take your time. Start lining at the inner corner of the eye, carefully moving toward the outer edge. Extend the liner about a quarter inch past the outer edge of the eye, and flick upward toward the temple to create a winged look.

4. Apply mascara. Use black mascara, and apply two to three coats then use whats left over and swipe over your bottom lashes. Wipe mascara wand and use as a brush to remove any clumps.

5. Apply foundation. Use your foundation brush and apply foundation in upward strokes on the face until completely covered. Blend evenly.

6. Apply blush. Dip your blush brush into the blush, swirl, tap, and shake the excess off. Use what is left over on your brush to apply to the apples of your cheeks in a circular motion.

7. Apply setting powder. Dip your face brush into the setting powder, swirl, tap, and shake the excess off. Use what is left on the brush and apply to the T-zone of your face.

8. Apply lip liner to your lips so that they do not bleed.

9. Apply your lipstick and blot.

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