Product Review: Enkore Makeup Cuff'lette

Upon hearing Koren of Enkore Makeup LLC was developing a palette you could wear on your wrist, I just knew I had to purchase some!  During IMATS Toronto 2011 at Donut Friday I was priviledged to see a prototype of the Cuff'lette.  I was very impressed with the design and couldn't wait until the final product would be available.  A few days ago I received the two I ordered.  I have to say I love them and they are my favorite palettes in my kit now. 


I tested them out today while doing my makeup at work.  Some days I need to do my makeup at work on my break.  I normally put my foundation on the back of my hand and apply with a brush or sponge from there.  This normally means I have to wash it off my hand after I am done.  Today with the cuff'lette I didn't have to wash my hand afterward which meant I could get back to work quicker.  I even had time to get a 2nd cup of coffee.

Cuff'lette took 3 years to develop and was highly anticipated by Makeup Artist and Makeup Enthusiast.  It is a must have for any makeup artist kit. 

Pros:

• it adjust well to your wrist(pinch-n-fiddle to shape around wrist)
• lightweight
• easy to clean and sanitize
• great size for multiple products (dimensions: 2.5 x 3)
• connected to wrist so less chance of losing during event or someone walking off with it.
• shipping time and package
• sturdy product( dropped while packing to leave work and it did not break)
• stainless steel
• price point

All the types of palettes in my kit

Cons:

• none I can think of. :)

You can purchase this great product at:

www.Enkoremakeuponline.com



Detroit Fashion Week Spring Summer 2012 Collections



Last year I was given an opportunity to be a Makeup Artist and volunteer for Detroit Fashion Week Spring Summer Collection 2011.  I had an amazing time and learned so much.  I did everything from setting up chairs and handing out passes to the press, buyers, etc to doing makeup up for the student showcase.  It is one of the best opportunities I have had working with a wonderful group of people in the fashion industry.

This year is no different.  I already feel the excitement in the air as I attended the volunteer meeting for the Spring Summer 2012 collection.  Designers were fitting models while we learned what we need to do as volunteers.  It was a short meeting but Brian Health, Founder-Producer and  Rebecca Clark, Director of Design made sure all questions were answered and information given.   

Detroit Fashion Week will began September 18, 2011 with the DFW Designer Reception and Preview Party at Emagine Theater in Royal Oak and sponsored by UNEEK COLLECTION.  Last year's party was a great networking event and the preview of UNEEK Collection was hot.  I can't wait to see the designs for this year's show.    

The other events include:

September 22         Charity Auction and Pink Design Showcase by DFW Designers

September 23         Student Design Showcase and Party by Design w/ Michigan Aids Coalition

September 24         Designer Showcases featuring TAIYON COLLECTION SS2012 RUNWAY

                                   After Party at Kacent

                                   630 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48226

  

Tickets are already on sale for the events scheduled for September 18-24, 2011.  All information on the show and links to purchase tickets can be found at the official site http://www.detroitfashionweek.com/index.htm .  

Ruby Kisses Cosmetics Review

Part of the Blogger preview bag included a  fabulous bag full of Ruby Kisses Cosmetics products.  I decided to purchase some items from beauty online supply that were not included but really interested me also.  Ruby Kisses can also be purchased at most local beauty supply stores.  I would suggest calling 1st to make sure they carry the products you are looking for.  One store I visited only had the eye liners. I prefer to not drive store to store to get everything I want so I ordered online and received free shipping.

I received the below products at The Makeup Show Chicago:

Face:
All Over Glow Bronzing Powder in Deep Glow #4
All Over Glow Bronzing Cream in Golden Goddess #1
HD Set n' Forget Setting Powder in Invisible #1

Eyes:

24 HR Eyeshadow Magic eyeshadow primer

Eye shadows in Almond Butter #6 and Banana Cake w/Purple Frosting #3

24 HR Eye Define eyeliner pencil in Purple Glitter #14, and Very Black #1
Never Smudge Liquid eyeliner in Royal Blue #3
HD Gel Liner in Rich Black #1

HD 24/7 Gel Eyeliner Brush

Big Lash Mascara

Very Sexy Mascara

Lips:
Staining Mood Gloss - Mango Butter
Menthol Lip Salvation

Nails:
HD Nails in Hot Pink Pants #6 and Peach on Fire #3

I purchased from beautyonlinesupply.com some extras:

3D Face Creator in #10, Level 10
Brow Polish in #3, Shimmering Blonde

Liquid Eyeliner in #3, Chocolate

Xxpress Liner and Shadow in #18, Va Va Voom

Auto Lip liner in #5, Plum
Color Design Lipstick in #23, Lavender
Super Gloss in #9, Raspberry

I tested the above for over 2 weeks to fully test all products for allergic reaction, longevity, and quality. 

I also picked up two packs of Kiss i-Envy: Individual Eye Lashes (Luxe Black) on sale.

Overall, The products are good.  Starting with the face and body products I love the All Over Glow Bronzing Cream.  It is great for a nice glow/highlight on the face. You can also mix it with your foundation and lotion for a sun kissed glow for the face and body.  The 3-D Face Creator is a 2 color foundation/concealer that is great for creating dimension and depth to your look.  It has a semi-matte finish and does last though out the work day.  I tested it in different temperatures and it held up well with the HD Set N' Forget Setting Powder.     

The 24 HR Eyeshadow Magic eyeshadow primer also works well.  It is not as thick as Urban Decay but it does make your eye shadows last over 12 hours and no creasing.  Also a little is all you need.  The Xxpress Liner and Shadow works great as a base when used with the primer.  I love the eye liners.  I applied them to the back of my hand and ran water over them and none of the colors ran.  All but the liquid liner came off easy with soap and water.  I have sensitive eyes and did not have any reactions to any of the liners also.     

The eye shadows are a bit too frosty for me but will work nicely for those who like frost.  I do like them in the inner corner of my eyes.  I prefer mattes, veluxes and satins.  Color payoff is not bad and packaging is nice and clear.  Plus they look like they may depot easy.   

 
I love the lip products. They all perform well. My favorites are the Staining Mood Gloss and Super Gloss.  They both are not sticky and last 4+ hours.  The auto lip liner is great also.  
 

 Big Lash mascara is described as being a super volumizing mascara(big and bold).  It added some volume but I still prefer my CG Lash Blast. Very Sexy mascara adds length.  Both do not clump and I love the look when I use both.  I first apply one coat of Very Sexy and one- two coats of Big Lash and my lashes are gorgeous, have length and volume.     

Love the nail polish.  Great colors at a great price and I had it on for a week before it started chipping.   The Gel Liner brush is not the best.  It detached into two pieces after 2-3 usages but glue can fix that.  The brush works fairly well at lining the eyes.   Overall Ruby Kisses has some good quality products at good prices. 

My top five favorites (in no particular order) from the line include:

All Over Glow Bronzing Cream

Brow Polish in #3, Shimmering Blonde

HD Set n' Forget Setting Powder in Invisible #1

Staining Mood Gloss - Mango Butter

HD Gel Liner

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

IMATS Toronto November 2011

The International Makeup Artist Trade Show Toronto will be back November 12-13, 2011 at the Toronto Congress Centre.  If you missed last year's show and The Makeup Show Chicago then you definitely do not want to miss this year's show.  With over three months to save for hotel, travel, food, products and more, I expect to see more of my fellow makeup artists, vloggers and bloggers from the US this year.  Michigan does not have events such as IMATS and The Makeup Show so we have to travel to the events if we want the education and also to test and see the products in person.

IMATS Toronto is a great event for makeup artists, aspiring makeup artists and makeup enthusiasts.  It is open to the public and the tickets are affordable.  It is best to purchase tickets in advance.  IMATS is an opportunity to network with other makeup artists and to see what new products are out.  IMATS is also an opportunity to watch some of the best in the industry teach a new technique or style of makeup you may not know. 

     Check out the International Makeup Artist Trade Show  website for further information on the show. You can also check out http://tantalizing-eyez.blogspot.com for pictures and more on last year's IMATS Toronto. 

Video/Youtube coverage on IMATS Toronto:

IMATS Coverage    
IMATS:Koren of Enkore Makeup
IMATS: Kandee Johnson

BCB

Jennifer James Beauty: Brow Boot Camp

Sunday June 10, 2011 in Detroit, I had a fabulous opportunity to be a model for Brow Boot Camp.  Jennifer James is a fabulous global makeup artist who loves to teach the knowledge she has gained throughout her career.  She loves teaching industry standards to those who are willing to learn and want to improve their makeup skills.  Too many tend to think local, but she teaches with a global outlook. 

The goal of Brow Boot Camp is to create brows that obey facial anatomy, learn and know beauty industry aesthetic and to look at the whole picture(face).  Even as a model I picked up so many tips that will help me as an artist.   Symmetry, precision and obeying facial anatomy are stressed and looked at through a magnifying glass. 

Learning and practicing the basics is very important before moving on to more advanced skills.  This applies to all areas such as makeup, computers, etc. You can't learn to program a computer if you don't know the basics of how it works.  The same thing with makeup.  Jennifer teaches us that you have to study the whole face to create beautiful brows.  The class is very hands on and Jennifer is a caring but stern teacher.  She will "step on your toes", but when they heal you are a better artist and grow from the experience.

I also experienced what it was like to be a model.  Being in the model seat was a great experience.  Alia Moss was the makeup artist I modeled for and she did a great job on my brows. She treated me the way I hope I treat all models that I have done makeup on.  It was different for me because I couldn't always see what she was doing but I trusted that she was going a great job.  All models should feel that way when they sit back and let us work our magic.         


If being a global makeup artist is your goal or you just love makeup then this is the class to take.  Jennifer travels to different states and teaches a variety of hands on workshops including "Fashion Makeup For Runway and Print" and also hosted "The Industry Insider Pro Pods for The Makeup Show Chicago which was a great success.  The makeup world is constantly changing just like the IT world and as makeup artists it is our job to continue learning and growing. To learn more check out her blog, and take a class or two.


You can catch her on twitter, JenJamesBeauty  tweeting such great tips as below: 

★ #MUAs: Our goal is a body of work marketable in many places in the beauty world,not just where u happen 2 be. #GlobalAesthetic #MakeupChat

Below are links to her other pages and sites:

http://www.jenniferjamesbeauty.blogspot.com/  tips and more

http://www.jenniferjamesbeauty.com/  for classes and more

facebook -JenniferJamesBeauty

The Makeup Show Chicago Blogger Preview 2011

One of my last tweets before leaving for Chicago stated, "Bring an open mind and a thrist for knowledge!"  That is exactly what I did for my 1st ever The Makeup Show.  As soon as I got off the bus at Union Station, I grabbed my luggage and headed over to Venue One.  I prefer to know where I am going and the area ahead of time so I decided to walk over with Alia my roommate and fellow bus rider for the show.  We arrived  forty-five mins to an hour later and as soon as we walked in the door, we received a hug from James Vincent.  He is so down to earth and wonderful.

Crystal Wright and her interns Chaka and Alia

Next we meet Crystal Wright and Sam Fine while they were setting up for the next day.  Alia  interned for Crystal Wright and had already meet her.  It was such an honor to meet three of the people I wanted to meet already before the show had officially started.  Crystal Wright and Sam Fine are also down to earth and so approachable.  I felt at home already. 


We walked around to where the Blogger preview was being held and Eye Kandy Cosmetics was setting up. We had to check out Eye Kandy and test it out.  I will have a review on it soon.  Elessa aka Pursebuzz was already over in the area.  She is such a sweet down to earth person and friendly.   

Alia and Elessa(Pursebuzz) at Eye Kandy Comestics Booth

Chaka getting her eyes lined at the Eye Kandy Booth

Next we attended the Blogger Preview for the show.  James Vincent entertained and educated us on what to expect for the next two days and showed us some of his favorite products.  Joanna Schlip joined him on stage for a quick hello and to tell us about her new product Red Carpet Kolour Body Glow. 

  Danessa Myricks also discussed Ruby Kisses Cosmetics and the competition they were having during the show.  Jennifer James also discussed the Pro Pods which were featured in the New York show and were brought to the Chicago show as well.

So many makeup artists/bloggers/vloggers in attendance networking and discussing the show.  Later some of us met for dinner.  It was great meeting and getting to know all of these fabulous ladies.  I loved all the gorgeous natural hair styles.  I struggle with my hair some days, but seeing all the gorgeous styles inspired me.   

   

Azia from facesfromaziajs chatting with Rachel and SanTara 

Vanessa aka vanewpc(Youtube) tweeting.

Sherry Blossom talking with Afrobella, Chaka and Alia 

Rachel(makeupbyrachelo) and SanTara(TheGorgeousBlog/TheGorgeousIngredient)

Jennifer James chatting in the background

The blogger bag had great products to test and add to my kit.  I will be doing some reviews soon. Below is a video showing some highlights from the Blogger Preview. 

Youtube-Blogger Preview Pt. 2

  

The Makeup Show Chicago 2011 Haul

I mainly went to The Makeup Show Chicago for the workshops and networking, but of course I couldn't resist buying a few things for my kit.  I also received some other products that I am currently reviewing.

On Makeup Magazine was a must have for me due to all of the information provided.  It was a great purchase and I have been reviewing them since coming back from the show.  I  picked up two Kevyn Aucoin blushes, a orange-red and a peachy color.  The Kevyn Aucoin blushes have been added to my kit also.  Great matte blushes at a great price. 

The Powder Group bags were also an awesome buy.  I am in the process of converting most of my kit to clear bags and these bags are great.  I can easily see what is in them when I have a smaller space to work in or for quicker set up time.  Eye Kandy Glitters are wonderful to create that glitter liner look you may want for a photo shoot.  I picked up Bubblegum- medium pink and Ballistic Berry-pewter and dark blue color for my kit.  Last but not least I picked up a single sided spatula.  I only picked up what I felt I could use in my kit or help me improve as an artist.  There were so many great products and companies there.  I look forward to getting more next year.     

The Makeup Show Chicago 2011 Haul on Youtube