MAKE UP BY ME: THE PRECISION SPONGE AT WORK

Below are some photos of me using the Precision Sponge. Check out the post I just made about how this is my new favorite makeup tool!

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE TOOL YOU HAVE TO HAVE

SEPHORA’S PRECISION SPONGE

Happy Hump Day! (can you believe it’s only Wednesday?)

This past week I had an AMAZING shoot with photographer Lauren Cowart & models Nyne Lyves & Millie. We did 4 different looks, which was so ambitious, but we got it all done & they are GORGEOUS. Two of the photos are below, but I promise more amazing photos are to come!!

Millie

Nyne

I used a new tool I picked up the day of the shoot when Lauren & I went out to run some errands. I had heard of the Blender Ball – $19.95, but since it isn’t carried in the Sephora store I went to, I opted for the PRECISION SPONGE – $12 instead. This sponge is AMAZING! That’s the only way to sum it up. I used it with NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and also with MAKE UP FOREVER INVISIBLE COVER FOUNDATION HD – $40. Unlike a brush, this sponge easily distributes all of the makeup evenly over the face & leaves it with an amazing airbrushed, glow-y quality. If you don’t have one – try it! I’ve been using it every morning on my skin instead of my fingers or a brush as I usually do.

Blender Ball

Precision Sponge

My next purchase will be the Blender Ball because I’ve heard great things about it.

**PLUS – This is cheaper than a foundation brush from Bobbi Brown or MAC (two companies that make my favorite brushes). **

Tags: Blender Ball, Lauren Cowart, MAKE UP FOREVER, Millie, NARS, Nyne Lyves, sephora

PRODUCT REVIEW: MY NEW FAVORITE MASCARA!

I’d like to introduce you lovely ladies (& men) to my new favorite mascara…

If you remember I’ve done a few mascara posts siting such mascaras as Covergirl Lash Blast & Dior Iconic among other…BUT I’m now obsessed.. I repeat OBSESSED… with this new mascara.

Nuetrogena  Healthy Lengths Mascara – $7.49

This mascara does NOT clump at all, builds amazing, clean length, & comes off easily with any type of face wash (no makeup remover necessary although it is also formulated in a waterproof version as well.).

I received an amazing package from Neutrogena & absolutely loved everything in it, but this was by far my favorite item. More reviews on Neutrona products are to come.

 

BEHIND THE SCENES: MAKEUP BY ME

Here is a behind the scenes picture from a shoot I did the other weekend. Such a fun time! As soon as the full photos are release I can tell details about it. It was an honor to be asked to do makeup for this. I can’t wait to see the finished project!

LOVE

EVENT NEWS/REVIEW: THE ART OF FASHION

Last Friday (Friday the 13th) I attended a pop up art exhibition – The Art of Fashion- at the Chelsea Room in the Chelsea Hotel. The beginning of the event was an art show with several top emerging artists who had their art on display & afterwards there was a fashion show in the same room.

It was a lot of fun to see different artists’ work & see how they each expressed themselves. There were abstract artists, photographers, & artists who used acrylic paint on different odds & ends, like an old door with great window panes. My boyfriend’s friend Ben was one of the artists on display & I absolutely love his stuff – I’m hoping to work with him on some shoots in the future. Ben set up his computer with a slide show of his art while he talked to the different art enthusiasts about his inspirations & how he went about creating each photograph.

The event was great (the wine was terrible) & it was nice  being able to see support local artists. If you’d like to check out some of Ben’s work click here.

PS. I know if my mom reads this post she will be jealous. My grandfather & grandmother were artists, as are my mom & aunt.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Hanneli Mustaparta in Calvin Klein

Tags: Calvin Klein

THE EPITOME OF FASHION/BEAUTY

NICE MENTION!

Just wanted to share a link to the Philip Kingsley blog - they mentioned my review of their event the other day. I thought it was cool they highlighted my site!!

Tags: Philip Kingsley

NEW POLISH! POLISHING AS WE SPEAK

My nails are a MESS & I needed a manicure/pedicure like a month ago. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with nail polish & obsessed with painting my own nails. SO tonight. I’m painting my nails. I picked up this color by Essie – Aperitif is the name.

Wish me luck – red is tricky!

Tags: Essie

EVENT NEWS/REVIEW: PHILIIP KINGSLEY CLINIC

Sunday Funday!

I had a great week! On Thursday night I went to a Philip Kingsley event at his New York City clinic. The clinic is located on East 52nd Street between 5th & Madison. I had trouble catching a cab after work – since EVERYONE & their mom in Manhattan was trying to do the same thing. But I managed to find one after almost giving up & my PIC {partner in crime] Erika met me outside the clinic.

Philip Kingsley himself was in the building along with other great editors from the major magazine outlets. There were a few representative from the London office & we chatted with one of the NYC consultants who explained the Philip Kingsley products and mentality to us. First of all, they don’t do color, cuts, blow dry, style or anything of the sorts here! This is strictly a TREATMENT center for scalp & hair. Even if you don’t think you have a hair problem, you’ll shortly discover that you do .

A Little About Philip Kingsley:

• Called “The Hair Doctor” by The Times and “The Hair Guru” by The New York Times, Philip Kingsley, born in London, has been a practising trichological consultant since 1957 and a Fellow and past Chairman of the Institue of Trichology.
• The list of Kingsley’s clients reads like a world’s Who’s Who. He even created the product Elasticizer specifically for Audrey Hepburn.
• Check out the site here.

A Little About the NYC Clinic:

• There are two consultation rooms where you meet with Philip or another consultant who proceed to closely examine a strand of your hair. This is where they talk to you about your diet & how you currently maintain your hair. They work to make sure you are getting enough B12 & other vitamins essential to healthy hair & a healthy scalp.
• There is a large room where quite a few hair stations are set up. For the event, there were gift bags for editors & online influencers so they could test products out at home. There are steam machines to sit under once product has been applied to your hair and/or scalp; this opens up the pours on your scalp (similar to a facial) & helps the product penetrate your hair & scalp.
• The clinic is minimal & reminiscent of a doctor’s office, but WAY more fun. Everyone there was extremely knowledgable & helpful. I learned a ton & am so happy I attended this event!

A Little About What I Got:

• I walked away with a wonderful gift bag. It had the ‘Moisture Extreme Jet Set’ pack & the ‘Soft & Shiny Jet Set’ pack.
• I also received press materials from the PR agency LaForce + Stevens with some great information on Philip & the product

My Review:

• I used the product last night & I’m already OBSESSED! I currently have extensions in my hair. About two years ago I cut my hair off into a pixie cut. As of six or seven months ago I decided I wanted to grow it out so I’ve had extensions in ever since. Next weekend I’m taking my extensions out & am even more excited to use the product. A little nervous to see how long my hair is. Wish me luck!
• I loved the ‘Moisture Extreme Elasticizer Extreme’. This is a super-moisturizing treatment that you use PRE-shampoo. I learned that a pre-shampoo conditioner is just as important as a post-shampoo conditioner. You apply this to dampened hair & allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse it out & proceed with the prescribed shampoo & conditioner.

• I also used the ‘Moisture Extreme’ shampoo and conditioner. Absolutely love this stuff. I can’t wait until I can use it on my entire head & not extensions.

I have tried so many products & this is HANDS DOWN the best product I’ve ever tried. I will be heading back to 52nd & 5th soon to re-up. Trust me – TRY IT! 

*UPDATED WITH EVENT PHOTOS

Tags: LAFORCE + STEVENS, Philip Kingsley

OH KARL…

“It’s yellow, it’s ugly, it doesn’t match anything, but it can save your life.”

Oh, Karl!

LOVE THESE BRIGHT KARDASHIAN NAILS

I love these bright nail polishes. I also snapped a picture of some of my bright polishes. Check them out below.

GOSH! I am obsessed with nail polish.

OMG. MY ‘AMERICAN GIRL’ GIRLS… DO YOU REMEMBER?

Do you ladies remember this book?!? I found it during my most recent trip home to Maine. AHHH I used to LIVE by this book. Please please please tell me other people were obsessed with it like I was.

The Care and Keeping of You – American Girl Library

The Care and Keeping of You - The American Girl Library

PRODUCT REVIEW: BRAD BIOPHOTONIC SKIN CARE

Happy Monday! 

My newest discovery goes by the name of BRAD BIOPHOTONIC SKIN CARE. I came across this skin care line whileI was reading one of my favorite online magazines – Allure. Allure said that this skin care line is the “newest cult following in L.A.” so I decided to check out Brad’s website. (P.S. I’ve become a skin care junky – having weird thoughts that I’m going to start getting wrinkles & dark circles. I’ll do anything to slow/stop this process…)

Brad launched this line in Spring of 2010 so it is still relatively new. I was instantly drawn  to his products because of the descriptions & decided I wanted to order the ‘Universal Cleansing Gel.’  I wrote Brad an email (being optimistic about getting a response of course) & I did get a response only a few hours later! I let him know how interested I was in the cleansing gel & asked if he had samples of other products. Unfortunately, Brad does not give out samples right now, but he did inform me that a gift came with it. The gift was the ‘Sea Minerals Ferment Supreme Healing Concentrate.’ Great name! I was sold. I decided to throw in the fact that I write run my own site & loved doing product reviews. Brad was so generous & decided to send me the ‘Hydrating Correction Intensifier‘ as well. LOVE BRAD! 

Anyway… I got these products only a few days later & I was so excited to try them. The cleansing gel is used once a day & the elixers can be used whenever you feel your face needs them (twice a day maximum). So far I love the ingredient list, the way the cleansing gel foams up, how clean my face feels after using the gel, & how the elixers are gel/serum based & do NOT leave me feeling oily which is super important with the summer approaching.

I’ll make sure to give you updates on my skin’s changes if you promise to make sure to check out BRAD BIOPHOTONIC SKIN CARE!

PRODUCT REVIEW: NAPOLEON PERDIS

Happy Monday!

I got these great Napoleon Perdis products the other day. I wanted to let you all know a little about them since it’s not a product I frequently post about. Perdis is a native of Sydney, Australia and is now based in Hollywood, California. He launched his makeup line in a small studio in Sydney in 1992, so he’s pretty new to the ‘official makeup line game’! Today, Perdis has 78 stand-alone concept stores and over 4,500 point-of-sales locations in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

I got two products to review: 

1. Napoleon Perdis Devine Goddess Lipstick - $22 – This is described a vibrantly fresh, bleed free color that leaves a glimmering finish. I can definitely attest to that description because the color is definitely pigmented and goes on smoothly & leaves a creamy finish. 
2. Napoleon Perdis  Mesmer- Eyes Mascara – $25 – The directions say to apply two coats of the mascara for long, club free, elegant lashes. I like that this comb is a unique, it’s not your usual mascara BRUSH, but instead it’s a comb. It gives you that doe-eyed look that was super popular on the runways this season.

Devine-Goddness Lipstick

Mesmer-Eyese Mascara

I hope this helped you guys out & that some of you will step out and try some new products that you haven’t before. I can’t wait to keep experimenting with Napoleon & other new products.

Happy Makeup Hunting!

*Thanks to LAFORCE + STEVENS for supplying me with the product to review!  

Tags: LAFORCE + STEVENS, Napoleon Perdis

MY HIT LIST: BARE ESCENTUALS!

Hi Everyone! I haven’t used a ton of Bare Escentuals yet, but I tried one of their powders once & I loved it. One of my best friends from home (Maine) swears by Bare Escentuals & I’ve been meaning to try their products. This is going to give me the push & I’ll be sure to let everyone know my honest (as always) opinion about the products I try.

Disclaimer: This is a great product for the melanin-challenged – faux tan info below! I am not personally melanin- challenged, but this may even give me a little extra glow.

Here’s some more information:

The new Bare Escentuals Beautifully Bronzed Deluxe Two-Piece Collection  $54.00 is scheduled to debut on QVC Thursday, April 21. 
 




The brand creates formulas from pure ingredients, and has recently created a power packed faux tan that not only delivers a natural and healthy-looking tan but also moisturizes and hydrates the skin with aloe vera and emollients. This summer must-have features a deluxe 16-ounce size and a new Deluxe Tan Brush that makes application seamless and streak-free, with no messy, post-tan clean up!
 
Bare Escentuals Beautifully Bronzed Deluxe Two-Piece Collection will be available on QVC beginning Thursday, April 21 at Midnight (ET) and on QVC.com, while supplies last.

How to use:

1. Before applying Faux Tan Sunless Tanner, prep skin first. While showering, exfoliate skin carefully to provide the smoothest surface to glide sunless tanner over.
2. Using the Deluxe Tan Brush, apply Faux Tan Sunless Tanner to dry skin. Use quick strokes to buff all over the body using a cross hatch or circular motion, being sure to smooth away any edges.
3. Because the color is visible during application, don’t worry about any embarrassing goofs like rings around the ankles, elbows and knees. Just be sure to buff more lightly over these crease-prone areas.
    
   Tip: Make sure to rinse the brush after each use. This will keep the brush in the best shape for future faux-tanning. You know I’m crazy about my brush cleaning!

Tags: Bare Escentuals, QVC

NEW NEWS!

Hi Everyone! I know I went MIA again for a little bit. I had a Smucker’s event with work & spent last week in Ohio. The weeks leading up to the event were crazy & so was the event week. I finally feel like I’m above water with my workload and can get back to blogging a little bit more.

I HAVE NEWS!

I’m going to be writing for Examiner.com New York regarding Manhattan Makeup. I’m really excited to be taking on this freelance job & hope you all follow it! Examiner gets over 7 million unique views per month so I’m glad to be contributing. I will be sure to update you once I start posting on a regular basis. I’ll need all of your support!!

GORGEOUS FUCHSIA LIPS

I love this makeup look on Kim Kardashian. Fuchsia lips are such a statement & can dress up a casual outfit.

 

Try NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Funny Face $24.00 (below) to achieve the look. Top the lipstick with a matching gloss or a lipgloss with a gold tinted lipgloss.

Tags: Kim Kardashian, NARS

PRODUCT REVIEW: NARS OBSESSION

I absolutely love NARS. Here are some product reviews:

1. NARS Blush and Bronzing Duo in Hungry Heat $39/$40 – A great bronze/blush duo for lighter complexions. You can mix the colors together or use them separately.

TIP: I use a nice angled brush like MAC 168 Large Angled Contour Brush

2. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Terre De Feu $25.00 – This is a color I purchased he other day & I love it. It’s still not the perfect red I’m looking for, but I’m getting warm!

TIP: I put on a light coat of lip balm & put on a lip pencil that matches my lip color or the color of the lipstick. This gives the lipstick a longer staying power.

3. NARS Blush & Bronzer Duo in Sin/Casino $39/$40 – I purchased this color recently & I LOVE IT! My new favorite blush is the Sin color. Great for olive to deep complexions looking for a warm natural flushed color. The bronzer is great & easy to layer on.

4. NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Bangkok $25.00 – A great color for fair & light complexions, or a deeper complexion looking for a pale, matte lip.

I hope some of you will try these products. They’re great & go on so naturally. It’s important to buy good brushes to apply the color the best way. I rely on MAC’s brushes – they’ve never failed me. Good brushes make such a difference in product appearance.

Tags: MAC, NARS