Make Up For Ever is heaven

My kit is filled with hidden cheapy treasures $1 concealers, $2 lipsticks, $4 foundations. I enjoy a mix and match. I've seen some of the "greats" use drugstore products alongside department store, and specialty brands. I'm not a makeup brat, I could give a "Hoot" less if the company has a celebrity ambassador, if they were just recently name dropped by the hottest magazine, and hell... I definitely don't agree that the product is better the more expensive it is. But if you're going to spend some serious money, and go after a "higher level" of product It should be about nothing but diversity, in every sense of the word. I want a product line to cover all of my clients needs, and my own. So, when it comes time to replenish my kit and spend some serious cash it's amazing to be able to pick up a phone and order everything I need in one shot. Make Up For Ever is my absolute favorite line and is always my go-to hot spot for products. I'll risk the chance of sounding infomercial-ish to show you my favorite MUFE products, and maybe you'll agree, or try them out sometime.

HD Primers - I'm loyal and true to these primers as they offer something for everyone. (Green to reduce red, pink to brighten, caramel to warm ashy skin etc.) When it dries it will leave you with a perfect and luminous canvas.

HD Foundation - Since makeup is completely going HD it's important to have a base that will cater to that. These foundations come in the most versatile range of skin tones that I know of, and have the most flawless finish. Try using two shades to sculpt the face.

HD Blush - I've found that cream/liquid blushes can look more natural than powder, however for someone not used to applying them it can turn into a big ole mess on your face. These blushes can provide a sweet glow or a deep contour and they're a little easier to work with as they don't set as fast as some others.

Star Powder - This is really a kit secret weapon! Add to foundation to create a highlighter, add water for the perfect eyeshadow, even combine it with your body lotion for an all over dew. You name it, you can use it. So worth the cost being as it can double as so many different products.

Lash Fibers - My most FAVORITE lash primer! The fibers elongate and thicken so well, then just top with a couple coats of your favorite mascara and I promise you will see more longer, more voluminous lashes.

Aqua Cream - Works similarly to their flash colors but you won't need to seal it as it's waterproof and sets fairly quickly. Use this to get a crease less vibrant pop of color on your eyes, or play around with the color on your lips or cheeks.

Special FX products - Body paint, FX , or Avant Garde with products ranging from cotton string underwear, fun lashes/glitter/crystals to coagulated blood. My favorite would be the plasto wax as you can use this alongside a spatula to erase eyebrows to fully transform a character, or you can create scars/bullet wounds/gashes.

When it comes to Make Up For Ever's products the limits are endless, most everything is multi-functional, which is why they're so amazing! You truly get more bang for your buck, and it's worth every penny.

Do you have a MUFE product fave I didn't list?

MINT craving.

After seeing Beyonce's "Why don't you love me?" video where she flaunts her manicure of Chanel Le Vernis in Nouvelle Vague, I've had a fetish for anything, and everything MINT. Dark or light green it's just so refreshing and fun to the eyes. It got me thinking... what other products do I love that are cool, breezy, fun and-well-minty. Here's a little list for you to get into the spirit.

Make Up For Ever - Flash Color - Pale Green 21- $23 - To me flash colors or SO fun. They really give you the room to be creative. You can use this ANYWHERE. Yes, anywhere. Lips, eyes, cheeks. You could really use this color to bring out your eyes! Try first using a light, shimmery shadow such as shroom (M.A.C) and then adding this color lightly to the inner corners of your eyes and then a tiny bit in the sides and just a tiny amount underneath. It will be a very unexpected play with colors.

NARS - duo eyeshadow - Habanera - $32 These colors are absolutely gorgeous on and off the palette. You can go light, and build up to your liking. Coming in a plum and mint color there are SO many ways to wear this. Have fun!

Smashbox - Photo Finish Primer- Color Adjust- $38 - Just as MINT relaxes, soothes, and refreshes you this shade of green primer can do the same for your skin tone! If you suffer from redness and irritation this will reduce the redness and become a perfect base for the start of your makeup.

M.A.C - Pearlglide eye liner - Under currant -$14.50 - I love this line Art Supplies by M.A.C so fun, and it really does remind me of crayons, and colored pencils like we all used in elementary school. You can use this deep minty shade to line the rims of your eye lids, or use on your water line. It really brings out brown and blue eyes the best.

Tokidoki - Punk Lash Mascara - Mad Rocker- $18 - I love this because it doesn't go on too heavy, and dark. You won't go from normal to avant garde in one coat. You can build it up, which is always a plus. Start at one coat for a tint of color, and add more to get your desired effect. Again, my favorite color irises for this shade are brown and blue. But any could pull it off.

Chanel Le Vernis - Nouvelle Vague $25 - Again, the shade that started it all. I figured I would give more props to the inspiration of my new obsession. Not looking to spend that much on nail polish? A great alternative is Revlon Nail Enamel - Minted- $3.50. It isn't as thick as Chanel, so more coats will be necessary to achieve the look.

Do you have any faves to add to the list? What do you think of the Mint trend?

Pale is the new tan...

Photo credit: Allure Magazine

Or--it should be.

Back in high school is when I started tanning in a bed, the almost immediate results really blew me away and it gave me this burst of self confidence! I tanned indoors and out from 15 years old until 23. I'm 26 now. I'm what you'd call a recovering tanorexic, tanaholic or whatever new cute nicknames they may say. Thing is, it wasn't cute. Naturally I have milky white skin, which now as a makeup artist I'm in love with! But before I felt hideous unless my skin was dark. Especially since I have dark hair and eyes. My love for dark skin still stands true, it's beautiful and to any of you ladies out there I'm envious! But it was time for me to step out of the bed, off my lawn covered in tanning oil and put on some SPF. Preparing for a vacation a couple years back my desire to look more west Indian than french Canadian resulted in severe sun damage. I won't get into gory details but.....let's just say I've spent some $$$$ on anti aging products and color correcting primer. Ahem. Since I've vowed to be SMART about sun, and healthy about my skin. Thought I was the only one at first but slowly I started noticing Hollywood ladies like Bryce Dallas Howard, Zooey Deschanel, Kristen Bell, Amanda Seyfried, Rachel Mcadams, Ann Hathway, Christina Hendricks and new to the club Megan Fox look amazing rocking it Au Naturale. What are your plans for this summer?

Looking to stay protected?? Even a lil'?? My Favorite SPF products!!

Aveeno - Baby continuous protection sunblock lotion - I know it says baby, but... I love this product. First off it's SPF55!!! Which means it blocks out over 98% of all incoming UVB rays. Use a generous amount and work it in well.

Josie Maran - Argan Protect SPF 40+ Natural Daily Sun Protection: Whoa...a mouthful. With a name like that it has to be worth something, right? Correct. This is the ONLY product I know of that can serve as a sunblock and makeup primer, while improving your complexion and reversing damage that's already done. Consider the days of white sunblock masked noses over...

Dior- Diorskin Nude Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF10: This is my FAVORITE foundation of all time. It gives you an airbrush quality base, has a little bit of dew to it, and you don't NEED to put a moisturizer underneath as this is a hydrating product.

DuWop Revolotion SPF15: No one at the beach has to know you're cheating. You can mix this with a little body lotion the night before to achieve natural healthy glow. Feel free to also apply it during the day for a little shimmery bronze and to benefit from it's SPF15.

Shiseido Sun Protecting Lip Treatment SPF 36: Don't forget your kisser! This is pretty much sunblock for your lips, and it moisturizes amazingly. ALSO, big plus: Buying this product or any other "skincare challenge item" over $20 earn you a credit. Every 4 credits gets a FREE featured reward. Check out the program!

Pair these skin saviors with your favorite sunglasses, and maybe even a cute hat and you're golden, figuratively speaking. :)

What do YOU use to protect your skin during the year????

Check out Megan Fox dissing tanning in the June issue of ALLURE, out May 25th.

For more information skin cancer-or protecting your skin visit SkinCancer.org

The Makeup Show 2010

Going into the Makeup Show I was stunned.

It was like planet makeup. Which I'd have NO problem moving to if such a place really existed! I saw people bouncing around table to table scanning new products and checking out the amazing deals. Bodypainters, models, Bloggers, celebrity hair & makeup artists, and stars alike were all mixed in the crowd brought together for one thing: The love of makeup, and it's art.

I was pulled over to Eve Pearl's booth, got to meet her, and she showed off some of her products, which I must say I fell for. You should check out the magic the HD dual pressed powder creates. You can use it wet, or dry, and it's formulated to not get that cakey appearance that most powders get when damp.

At the Stila booth I was introduced to their One step makeup. Absolutely a kit must have as it's a quadruple threat. A primer, foundation, concealer, and powder all in one! Also 100% natural mineral, and paraben free which is a get out of jail free card for your skin. The best part is it lived up to it's hype.

My skin got a makeover at Luminess Air. I'm a Temptu snob, so I must admit I had all intentions of walking past this booth. But I have this condition where I can't say no to people. Glad I stayed! The makeup itself had the consistency of water as its basically a mineral airbrush makeup. Went on smooth and up close looked like MY skin! Oh yeah, and try the body glow it's amazing for those glowaholics out there, and the prices were extremely reasonable!

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics had Lip Tars! Incredible, as they appear to be a gloss, dry to a satin finish, and have the lasting power of a lipstick. My favorite colors: RX, Tarred, Hush, Vapid, and Hoochie.

These were just a few of my favorite products... after my browsing I was off the the Makeup Beyond Beauty master class with Make Up For Ever's creator and artistic director Dany Sanz!

Sitting in the class waiting for it to begin, and who comes in but Kevin James Bennett. I was so excited!. As a fan of his work I was a little too intimidated to talk to him (Still kicking myself.)

He provided the sweetest introduction for the very beautiful, and talented Dany. She spoke a little about her top secret ;) tips and tricks, and demonstrated how to create an edgy snow white. Two things I noticed about her artistry is she approaches makeup like painting. She literally sketches the face as you would paper or canvas. As a mixed medium artist myself I've always had trouble combining the two. She definitely blurred that line for me, which I think will help me to take my makeup to the next level. It also seemed as her catch phrase was "Why not" which she would say before taking a makeup risk. Most importantly the words that stuck in my head from Miss.Sanz would be "Makeup should be fun! Experiment, it can always wash off." She was so inspiring.

All in all I'd say it was an amazing day. Next year I will go for the two days as there is just so much to see, do and learn. Oh and bring tons of money. Starting to save as of...now. :)

Did you go? What did you think?

P.S I have a trillion pictures and my camera/computer cord is M.I.A so...I will load and update asap. :)

Revamped Retro

For those that know me there is no secret. If I could go back in time and be a pin up girl, Bettie Page, or Marilyn Monroe -- I would.

As today's "Rockabilly" culture is okay, It's not 1940. I've always wondered how to make 2010's pinup a little less phony, more fashion forward and FRESH. Well Katy Perry and her glam team figured it out. Though I was sad this was just a wig, it's a bright blue version of Bettie Page, with a dramatic winged eye, and a revamped retro bathing suit.

Stunning all the way around!

#CaliforniaGurls music video!

Paperself...

So, I'm in love with paperself!!!

I saw these online a while back, and then someone had a pair at the Makeup Show NY and let me see them, SO FUN! Original, creative and the looks you can execute with these are endless. The only downside is that these are based on chinese paper cutting. Meaning these falsies ARE paper. Still, if you're gentle and meticulous you will have a one of a kind eye. My favorite's are the peonies, even cuter in person and they mean happiness and good fortune. :)

(Photo of Peonies courtesy of Paperself)

VS Obsessions...

I remember in Junior High and High School I was OBSESSED with Pear Glace, Strawberries & Champagne and Vanilla Lace lotion and spray from Victoria's Secret. It was the perfume before perfume! I graduated from those smells to the likes of Heavenly, Body by Victoria, and along the way have been seduced by their Heidi Klum's Supermodel collection before it was--as I like to call it--de-shelved (Bring it back!!!!) and of course Very Sexy. It's safe to say Victoria's Secret has not only been the go-to place for sexy apparel but also for our beauty needs. I have a few favorite's I'd love to list, all perfect for the summer goddess you'll soon unleash....

Secret Moments - Island Escape Sheer Fragrance Mist - $12

This smell is amazing! Tropical and sexy without being too overpowering. That being said it has lasting power so you won't have to re-apply a million times which is perfect when on the go.

Beauty Rush - Appletini Hypergloss Shampoo & Conditioner - 2 for $20

If you're looking for a little hair pick me up give this a shot.... makes your hair incredibly shiny, clean and has a really fresh scent.

VS Makeup - Limited-edition Spring 2010 Mineral Bronzing Powder - $14

This is the perfect bronzer. Not too orange, not too dark and just the right amount of shimmer. Get creative with your applications to get a full body glow.

Naturally Victoria's Secret - Grapefruit, Lime & Mint Energizing Body Polish - $18

My favorite body scrub hands down, smells fresh, and just as it says it completely polishes your skin to it's true form. Also, use this before getting a spray tan or using an at home tanner...you'll have less smudges and gathering of color that would normally adhere to dry skin.

VS Makeup - PRO Matte FX Blotting Gel - $16

Use this neat little compact to freshen up your natural skin in the heat, or use to keep your makeup flawless when you start getting a little shiny and oily without adding any extra product.

Beauty Rush - Luminous Shadow in Glow Nude - $7

Small enough to throw in a tote for a beach day, and just enough color to glam up your eyes without looking overdone. Try using over an eye primer if you'd like it to last all night.

Naturally Victoria's Secret - Vanilla & Sandalwood Hydrating Body Lotion - $12

Intoxicating smell, and leaves your skin soft and smooth. I love to pair this with the Grapefruit, Lime & Mint Energizing Body Polish.

All perfect for the simple and undone look of summer, give some of these a whirl, and i'm pretty sure you'll be pleased. Have a favorite I didn't mention? Share below! :)

Ye ole Book of Face....

Hey Facebook addicts... "Like" me and we can chat makeup, fashion, tips and questions!

Photography - Melissa Kosswig

Makeup - Me

Hair Stylist - Bill Schrlau

Model- Valerie D.

Floral Jewelry - Stylish Blooms

(Search on Facebook for more information)

Hag-to-Fab

The shocking truth is....I'm a closet frump-a-lump.

I could peruse fashion magazines all day, I know the hottest looks for hair and makeup and chances are I could name every designer you're wearing. However if you stopped by my house on any given day unannounced--err okay, I'll be honest, even announced-- I will be rocking bed head, and sweats.

Somehow after noticing my first fine line, and having 2 children I lost the desire to make MYSELF look beautiful. My attention has been fully directed to other women at shoots, runway shows, wedding days, or consultations. After I work with a woman I love watching her stand just a little bit taller, walk with just a little more swag, and smile because she feels on the outside, the way she knows she is on the inside. That is really what drives me to be a makeup artist. So, why don't I do that for myself when it's so easy? I'm starting a new section of this blog to bring myself from hag to fab and I'm going to document it the entire way. Weight, hair, skin, clothes--it's all getting revamped. Lord help me. ;)

In the same rut? Feel free to join me, and share with me your tips/struggles/hopes..... I'm excited!

Check back this Monday!