Product Review: YSL Touche Eclat

Touché éclat from YSL was created to give the illusion of a full night sleep with the swoop of a pen. An illuminating, brightening concealer virtually erases the appearance of tiredness and aging. This product adds light to the skin, giving you that well rested sleeping beauty effect. Your entire face will look brighter, making your complexion more radiant, while giving your tired eyes an instant lift. It comes in twelve shades, so chances are there is a perfect shade for you, and you will see the transformation immediately. It is 40$ in most retailers, which may seem a little pricey but it’s absolutely worth what you pay. If you have dark circles, lines, and tired skin, this product was made just for you! 

Need a fresh look for summer?

Have a summer wedding or event to go to? Try this look! i started with a clean foundation on top of Laura Mercier mineral primer (which is great for keeping makeup in place all night long) and used a fan brush to apply a thin even layer of bronzer, adding more to the cheeks for contour. Then use a light shimmer all over the eyelid, with a golden light brown in the crease. Throw on some wispy lashes, and a pop of bright pink lipstick and you are ready for any summer occasion!

Trend Spotting! Metallic Brows

Surfacing on the runway and the pages of cosmo this summer, the metallic eyebrow can be a fun way to dress up any makeup application. If you are going for a bronze-goddess look, a subtle golden shimmer in your brow will amp up your makeup. A great example of this was recently featured in cosmo. If you are up for a night on the town , a bold metallic can take your look from standard "going-out" makeup to something that really stands out and gives you some vamped-up glam. In the most recent Fendi runway shows for summer 2012, they did a dramatic and funky spin on the metallic brow. What I love about makeup is that you can take one idea and go as subtle or dramatic as you want, and you can rock it either way. 

Hey, Sailor

Yesterday, Mac launched it's new "Hey Sailor" collection, which is the perfect theme going into summer. While some of the colors feel repetitive, the lipsticks instantly caught my eye. The line came out with four colors that are not only gorgeous, but practical. The first color, "Sail la Vie" is an orange red gives a beautiful pop of color and is perfect for summer. "Salute!", the second color is a peachy nude that is also ideal for light flirty summer makeup. If you are a little tanner "To Catch a Sailor", the third color has a shimmer to it and is a nude tone slightly deeper than salute. The last color, "Red Racer"  is a gorgeous red, that is ideal for a night out, or can give a daytime outfit sexy flair. The best thing about these colors is the price! Each one runs for 15.50 which is a steal compared to other major lines. These things sell like hot cakes so grab yours today! 

Product Review: Self-Tanner

So summer is finally here, and I am proud to announce that I have found a self tanner that I LOVE! Yes, I said it! The Quick Self Tanning Gel from Shiseido gives a gorgeous bronze to any shade of skin, even the lightest of skin tones. There is minimal smell, and if rubbed in evenly it is absolutely splotch free. It doesn't look orange, and it lasts a few days, up to a week. With each layer, your tan deepens and looks even more luminous. It runs at around 30$ in most retail locations. If you are looking for a self-tan that looks completely natural, this is completely worth the money.

It's Wedding Season.. Again!

The most recent wedding I did was on a ranch in central California. The theme was vintage and rustic, so the makeup was more natural. Here are a few preview photos of the bride and a few of the bridesmaids. I used mostly golds and browns, with subtle contour and peachy cheek tones. For lashes I used individuals for a more natural look. Everyone looked lovely! Photos: courtesy of Inktree Photography, check them out! 

                               Simple Smoky Eye

Product Review: Precleanse by Dermalogica

If you are looking for a product that not only removes makeup, but also gets rid of excess oil and nourishes the skin, you NEED this! I recommend using a cleansing oil before you wash your face with your regular cleanser, so you can get to the surface of the skin. The precleanse will wipe away all the debris and buildup that is in the way of your cleanser really doing it's job, and has the ability to cut through even waterproof makeup. It also nourishes with ingredients such as Vitamin E and plant based oils. Surprisingly it is also great for oily skin! All you do it put about a nickel size in your palm and massage it all over your face. Then add some water to your hands. It has a built in emulsifier and will immediately transform into a milky cleaner. You will feel the debris and makeup coming off. After rinsing, continue with your normal cleanser.

Some of my toys...

I recently had the opportunity to meet Troy Jensen at the LA makeup show. This guy is so inspiring and encouraging. He has been a celebrity makeup artist for years and has so much wisdom and real deal experiences to share. I love being inspired!

The classic dark smoky eye is one of my favorite looks. Especially when it is on a clean subtle face and the eyes get a chance to pop. There is something sultry and mysterious about it. I was playing around with some new shadows and it resulted in this! The best way to keep the shadows from getting to messy is to start with the lighter colors and work your way into the deeper ones. When it comes to black shadows it's always best to start with a small amount. Remember you can always add but its a huge mess when you try to take some away!

"Beauty Without Expression is Boring"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Product Review: Mineral Primer by Laura Mercier

I get asked ALL the time whether or not it matters to wear primers under foundation. It absolutely does! Not only will it make your foundation stay on longer, but it will look smoother and it won't separate when your skin gets oily throughout the day. This mineral primer from Laura Mercier is 30$, which I know sounds pricey for a primer but this single tube should last you a very long time. A little but goes a long way!! This line has a variety of primers but the mineral is by far my favorite. It is absolutely worth the purchase.

Getting lots of new product this week! Excited to write some reviews and get your opinions :) Happy Sunday!

Spring is near!

Here are some fun colors to check out from the latest Spring collections. I love the combination of all the peachy pinks, lavender purples, and jade greens. These flirty but sophisticated "garden party" colors are sure to be seen all over this spring.

It's been awhile since I have posted any photos of my work, so here is one! Amy Houts is the model for this more natural, summer makeup look.