Makeup/Skincare Mondays Basics Series: Winter Lipcare

During the winter time I noticed my lips are more prone to being dry, flaky and cracking.  This is due to dry heat, cold wind and a busy schedule. I normally keep 3-5 lip products in my purse at a time.  During the winter time I keep at least one thick/sticky gloss and/or lip butter in my purse and at my desk to keep my lips protected all day.  Thick/sticky gloss works great for me year round because it last longer and it more moisturizing to me.  I know some people hate the sticky lip feel but I love the fact that they last longer and I don't have to apply any gloss, etc. to my lips alot during the day.  I prefer lippies in the pot like MAC Tendertones, The Body Shop lip butters, and Rosebud Lip Balm.  They work great and I carry a covered  lip brush so that I am not dipping my fingers in the pots.  I also try to exfoliate 1-2 times a week with Lush Sweet Lips or Bubble Gum Lip Scrubs.  They are great scrubs, tasty and natural.

I probably should wear scarves more often to cover my lips and cheeks when out in the cold wind.  When I do, I prefer to wash my scarves at least every week or maximum of two weeks to keep the germs and dirt away from my face.         

Makeup/Skincare Mondays Basics Series: Office/Purse supplies

I apologize for being a day late.  Too many jobs, but trying to do more on the blog this year.  Today I want to talk about supplies to keep on hand at your work desk, in your purse and even in your car for the winter time.  I carry hand sanitizer in my purse and keep one handy on my desk at all times.  So many germs are being passed around these days.  I also carry a small kit that contains lotion, pressed powder, gloss and/or lip balm, and mascara.  I always keep a container of hand lotion in my desk also.  In this weather the skin dries out so fast and even though I wear gloves my hands tend to get dry every few hours.  I also sometimes use the lotion on my face if I do not have a facial moisturizer on me.

I sometimes will throw in a few travel eye brushes and a quad or trio of shadows if I forget to do my eye makeup before I leave the house.  This especially occurs on days when the weather and roads are bad and in Michigan the roads can get very bad and travel time can double.  Today the roads were ok but the parking lot and walkways were icy.  Being at work on time is more important than makeup so I will do it after I get to work or before I leave work if I have an event after work hours.  I also keep makeup books in my bag and on my desk in case the weather is too bad to go out to lunch so I can catch up on my lunch time reading.  Things I may add in the future are face charts, and a palette or two to create some looks.  You never know if you may get stuck at work or have to stay overnight in a hotel due to the roads are too bad to travel on and it never hurts to have some things to do. 

As far as in my car, I normally just keep lotion, sun block and hand sanitizer due to low temperatures can damage some products. 

Makeup/Skincare Mondays Basics Series: Wintertime Skincare Basics

Some of my Spring/Summer time products

Winter is a time to take extra care of your skin.   It is so easy to think that the sun can't damage it, etc, but all the elements can cause your skin to not look the way it should look.  We all want our skin to look and be healthy but sometimes we don't take care of the inside or outside so that it can be healthy.  Below are some tips on keeping healthy skin during the harsh winter months.

1. Drink plenty of water.  Water flushes out the impurities in skin.
2. Exercise tones the skin, sweats out the impurties in the skin and keep the body in good shape.
3. Wash your face at least twice a day(When you wake up and before you go to bed and never go to sleep with makeup on.  
4. It is good to use half as much cleanser, wash to remove makeup and oils and then the other half to wash again to fully cleanse the skin. 
5.  It is also good to exfoliate the skin 1-2 times a week and use a mask afterward to help pull out the impurities in the skin.
6. Always use a moisturizer that works for your skin type. One with an SPF is even better to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun year round. The glare of the sun off the snow can sometimes cause worst skin damage than during the summer time.  Using a SPF is especially important if you do a lot of winter sports. 
7. Also wash your scarves and hats often to prevent dirt and germ build up that can cause breakouts of the skin.

 I normally have to switch the cleansers and moisturizers I use each season.  I  have combination/sensitive skin and mainly use products for that skin type.  During the winter months I use products that are more moisturizing and protect my skin from the cold wind with hats, scarves and gloves even if it is a short walk to the car.  Protect and moisturize your skin year round so that you can look fabulous year round.

XOXO
Tantalizing Eyez MUA

Happy New Year Divas!!!

Happy New Year everyone.  I hope you all have had a great holiday and started this year on great footing.  Due to software and internet issues I have not posted or done videos as much as I wanted to, but that will change as of this year.  I am looking at new software, maybe a new camera and a better internet connection.

My goals this year is to take some advance makeup classes to improve my skills, go to more shows(IMATS, The Makeup Show, etc.) and network more.  I also plan to build and improve my portfolio, and expand into other areas.  In my other career,  I was having a discussion with a coworker and stated that it is always good to be diverse in your skills.  It makes you an asset to the person you are working for and makes you more employable.  I pray that we are all more successful this year. :-)

My 1st Photo Shoot!!!

Hello Divas,

I have been keeping busy lately between my  two careers.  Below are pictures from a photo shoot I have done recently.  I was asked by a local designer(Akosua F-Fashion Designer) who I meet while assisting for Fashion In Detroit to do makeup for a photo shoot.  So I jumped at the opportunity.  You can get a feel for people when you first meet them and know if you can have a working relationship with them.  Akosua is professional, down to earth and cool to work with.  She also has some fabulous designs.  She has a suit I need once I lose some more weight. The photos are untouched.

Akosua F-Fashion Designer
Models: Sierra Ariel, Sierra Marie
Brows & Lashes: Holliwood Lash
Makeup Artist: Belinda Campbell
Jewelry: Bridgette Odum
Photographer: Rob Will

(no photo editing or retouching)

I worked with a great team of people which is always a pleasure.  This was my first photo shoot and definitely not my last.

Review: MAC Pro Longwear Foundation

Pro Longwear Foundation

Pro Longwear Foundation is a lightweight liquid foundation that provides buildable medium coverage with a natural, long-wearing finish. this long-wearing formula provides the longest wear of any of our foundation formulas - up to 15 hours! once it is completely dried down on the skin, the colour remains the same for all 15 hours (TBC). the creamy formula feels comfortable on the skin and blends easily and evenly, with a generous amount of playtime. it conains specially treated micronized pigments that help give a smoother, flawless-looking finish on the skin and also contains ingredients to help control oil on the surface of the skin. it has an spf of 10 and pa++ protection that provides broad spectrum uv protection. it is transfer-, sweat- and humidity-resistant, derm- and ophth- tested, non acnegenic and for all skin types.

nc15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 42, 45, 50

nw20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50

I received this through a blog sale and I have to say I love this product.  I wanted to try it out and also use in my kit.  I tested the product on myself and also used it for my first photo shoot.  The model was a little lighter than me and it worked perfectly.  The color did not change on me or the model.  The shoot was for less than 10 hours so I can not verify if it lasted for 15 hours on the model and I usually wear foundation for 12 hours or less.  It did last for 12 hours on me with no color change.  It does not provide heavy coverage as stated by the description, but since I don't need heavy coverage it works great for me.  As far as my kit, this product works great.  Ninety percent of the models I have worked on don't need heavy coverage... maybe medium.  I actually prefer creams and then liquid foundations.  As far as MAC foundations... full coverage is still my favorite for myself and my kit. I also like to mix my foundations instead of purchasing the whole range of colors. Pro Longwear has a decent color range that I can work with. 

Compared to

      MUFE HD foundation -  A+ 

      MAC Full Coverage     -  A

      MAC Pro Longwear    -   B+( A- for being a light - med coverage with a great finish.)

Overall

Application:   A

Pigmentation: A-

Wear-length:  A+

Blendability: A-
Size: A
Price: B+
Ingredients list/info: A
Overall grade: A-      

IMATS Toronto 2010 Series Part 6: Day 2

Day 2 at IMATS was very educational and shorter.  As soon as I walked in the door I headed straight to hear and see KJ Bennett.  He was represented by Yaby Cosmetics this day and explained "you have to love doing doing makeup, you will make mistakes and you will learn and grow from them."  His whole kit he was using fit into a messenger bag.  He showed us six palettes that held his eye shadows, blush, bronzers, press powders and creme foundations.  He also stated it is best to use a self setting makeup remover in the eye area so that the makeup will not slide off.  He was using Embroylisse.  He also showed that using a flat top brush like MAC 212 brush... wiggling it along the lash line creates fuller looking lashes.  He also mainly added powder to the T-zone.  He created a gorgeous look for the holidays.

I stayed at the same stage to see what Stila's Dominick Briguglio had to show us.  His workshop started with models walking around the audience and one to the stage showing us the looks from the face charts that were placed in the seats with an eyeshadow.  He discussed the One Step products that Stila has come out with and applied them to another model while explaining the products to us.  One step correct only comes in 8 shades so it does not cover the darkest complexions(SMH).  The products look good on the model.  I just hope they come out with a wider color range of foundations for women of color.

I skipped out a little early to check out David Klasfeld of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.  He had a lot of great information also.  He advised 12-20 max psi for compressor and that you should not constantly run your compressor at the highest psi due to you can burn it out faster.  He also advised on holding off on the powder so you don't get powder build up on clients especially on camera.  He stated we need to learn to control the shine from within(during priming the skin).  Also when asked about doing detailed work with an airbrush... he stated fine detailed work is better by hand.

Roque Cozzette was the last presenter I saw of the day due to I had to get back to the USA early.  He talked about Cracking Couture: what you should and should not do in the fashion industry.  He advised assisting out MUAs, finding a photographer whose pics you like(makeup wise) and while backstage don't hand out business cards while assisting and don't over step boundaries.  If you are a great assistant you will get recognized and gain more jobs.  He also mentioned that while assisting under another MUA's name/company it is best not to use the images from the event on you website, etc... because they are the recognized artist of the event, etc.  Many times we want recognition and to rise quickly up the ladder, but some times you have to wait your turn.  Be patient and work hard because one day you can be the MUA with assistants. I learned that also from his presentation.  People see the work we do, but we have to go through the proper channels also.  :)  

I also saw the student showcase before I left.  The artist did some fabulous work.  As far as products, I mainly purchased brushes.  NYX is cheaper state side and so was NARS.  Being on the budget that I am on, I basically picked up what I needed... more brushes.  I am still deciding on an airbrush system also, but plan to get Temptu and/or OCC.  I still plan to get some Yaby shadows/palettes and more brushes.  I am already making a list for future shows.  I also wished I had the time to see Eve Pearl and Tom Savini.  Tom Savini is a wonderful actor, makeup artist and he founded the Tom Savini Special Effects Makeup program.  I loved him in From Dusk 'Til Dawn.  I hope I get a chance to see him and Eve Pearl at another show.  More pictures and videos to come on Youtube.  Overall a great 2 days of makeup that I must repeat yearly at least.  :)