Nail Obsession: Gel Nails

Hello Divas,

It has been a while but I am back!  School has taught me so much about skincare and also hair and nails.  I shadowed some of my nail tech friends and learned so much from them. I wanted to grow my nails out and asked them to do them and they advised me a great way to grow them out.... Gel!  I also wanted to protect my nails while doing facials in school and after graduation.   I have been using gel on one hand since they advised me midway through school and have noticed the difference.  I use to pay $25-40 for a gel set when my son was younger and have now learned I was not getting a true gel set.  The things you learn in school.  First time I tried I had the gel cured too far on the skin but I have learned and improved.

Below shows my current nails with gel overlay.

This 2nd photo shows the nails that I have been using regular polish on mainly.  I will be adding gel overlay on these also so they can catch up with the left hand.

I love the fact that the gel has helped maintained  my length and also my polish jobs look better much longer.  I do my nails every 2-3 weeks now.

I will do an update in a few weeks of my nail growth and maybe some new designs I have been practicing. Once I get my esthetics license and start my second career, I definitely plan to go back for nails!

Back to School Intro: Beauty School No Drop Out(Grease Fan)

Hey Divas!

I decided it was time to make some more changes in my life and started school.  Instead of going for my Masters Degree, I decided to follow my passion.  Great decision for my career and life.  I dropped out of the IT world a while back due to conflicts with my true passion in life.  I have also been presented some opportunities as a makeup artist, but they wanted someone licensed.  All of these led me to Michigan College of Beauty for an Esthetics license.  Also I love great looking skin and showing people how to get and keep great looking skin.

So please join me on my journey from Makeup Artist to Makeup Artist/Licensed Esthetician.  I will be writing about my experience in beauty school for the next 5 months.  If you have any questions I will answer them also.

Skincare: Know Your Type...Are You Using The Right Products!

Hey Divas,

Skincare is very important and high on my list of things to do for my clients.  I currently am not a licensed esthetician but plan to be one day.  I have the books the schools use, have read them and currently plan to save funds for my esthetics's education. That is how important skincare is to me.

Many times people think the makeup they are using is causing their skin to break out, make them too oily or too dry.  The truth is that many times it is the skin care products we use that cause these issues and what we put in our bodies.  Drinking plenty of water helps, but also using the right products for your skin type helps also.


There are various skin types, Dry, Combination, Oily, Acne Prone, etc. and you have to know how to treat the different types. Clinique is one of those brands that does their best to educate clients on skincare.  They were started in 1968 by dermatologists.  Their main focus still is skincare.  

My regiment: Oily Liquid and Travel Soap, #3 Clarifying Lotion
and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel(DDMG)

I have been using their 3-Step System for over 6 months and have noticed a difference in my skin. I use 3 because I am combination oily.  I love the products because they work great, are 100% fragrance free and allergy tested. 

The system is numbered from 1-4(1 for the driest skin and 4 for the oiliest). The numbers and types are printed on all the products to make it easier to know what to use.  Not knowing your skin type and using the wrong products can make your skin dryer or oilier than it is normally.  You should use what works best for your skin and not others.   

Clinique also has an iPad app in a majority of stores and online to assist with skin typing. Along with Clinique hired and constantly trained Consultants/Beauty Advisers this is a great tool.               


Check out various brands and sites such as Clinique and many others to see what they have to offer and how to learn your skin type.  Knowing your skin type leads to using the right products for your skin.  

XOXOX
BCB

Monday Makeup Must Have: Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancers

Hey Divas!

I am always in search of the best foundations and concealers for my kit and myself.  If the skin is not flawless in the shoot then flawless eyes and lips will not matter.  I truly believe you have to master creating a great looking canvas first. With the right products, tools and artists this can be achieved. Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer is one of the must have gems for your kit and yourself.

I purchased four of the Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancers(KA SSX) a few years back on a whim when Sephora decided to stop carrying the line(I guess because many consumers didn't know this product truly is a gem).  I ordered SX 13 assuming it would be the best match for my skin.  It is close but a little too red when I am not tanned.  I also purchased a SX 14, SX 15 and a second SX13 for my kit.  They ran out of the lighter shades before I could purchase them all.  At 75% off you know I tried to get them all or at least more to mix and match.

left to right( SSX 3,5,13,14 and 15)

There are a total of sixteen shades, SX 1 - SX 16.  I purchased SX 3 and SX 5 directly from Kevyn Aucoin Beauty at The Makeup Show Chicago this past June.  It was one of my first stops.  I may purchase SX 1, SX9 and SX 16, so that I can have the lightest and darkest plus a more mid color.   

I have used these on various shoots and shows and the models love the way their skin looks and feels with this product.  They mix well with other products also and can be used as concealers, foundations or tinted moisturizers.  You need to use very little to have full coverage(less than a pea size).  A little goes a long way. 

Half my face done with SX5 and SX13 mixed

SX5 & SX13 mixed

No foundation on this side

I have combination oily skin and with proper skin care and after 7-8 hours of wearing as a foundation I have not been oily and still maintain a majority of the product on my skin. As long as these remain on the market I will continue to purchase Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancers for my freelance kit and my personal kit!

Check out www.KevynAucoin.com to find out more out this and other Kevyn Aucoin products.

If you have this product or have tried it please let me know what you think. :)

XOXO
BCB