Tag Archives: Northern Virginia makeup artists

Review of Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes

(Photo Credit: Younique)
(Photo Credit: Younique)

Many women will agree that they were not blessed with amazing lashes. Thus begins the quest for finding a mascara that can give you the length, fullness and gorgeous lashes. There are a ton of mascara’s on the market, however, I have found that finding a great one that combines both length, fullness and does not smudge is not an easy task. My clients ask me all the time if there is an alternative to wear false eyelashes so I know I am not alone in my search.

I recently have been hearing the name Younique from many and hearing about there Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes. The three step process uses the Transplanting Gel and Natural Fibers, to help create the appearance of thickness and volume to your existing lashes. I was fortunate to be given a set of the Moodstruck to test out on my lashes. The pair of wands are packaged in a gorgeous case which makes it easy to keep the two products together in your makeup bag, as one can not be used without the other. First you apply the Transplanting Gel which is dark in color and will remind you of a mascara, in texture. Apply the gel to the top of the lashes and then underneath so as to keep your lashes curled. Next apply the natural fibers to the lashes, which must be done immediately after the gel so that the fibers will stick. Once both eyes have the two steps applied to them it is time for the third and final step, which is actually going over the lashes with the Transplanting Gel. By doing the third step it will set the fibers into place and maintain the gorgeous length and volume. It may take one or two times of applying to get the technique in application down, while it is easy, it is different than using regular mascara.

So, is it worth it? YES! The difference that the 3D Fiber Lashes make to your own lashes is very easy to see, it really does everything. It will give you the look of false eyelashes without the glue and hassle. It is very noticeable without having to use a mirror to see it and if you were taking photographs, your eyes will pop. The 3D Fiber Lashes do come off with makeup remover and are in fact water resistant so you can wear them out in the humidity or cry and they will not smudge.

The set is $29 USD and will last you three months, which is about the time that you should replace mascara in your makeup bag as to keep your products clean and bacteria free. The bottles are generous in size and product so I am sure that it will last and keep giving you those amazing lashes that you have always wanted but were not born with.

* I received the Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes to test. My opinions expressed in this post are my own. *

MAC Cosmetics Latest Collection: A Fantasy of Flowers

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)
(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

“A dream world bursting with brilliant blooms of colour.  A stunning bouquet of shades draw you in with hypnotic  movement as magical fantasy emerges glowing with a floral essence.  Rose coloured hues burst from lustrous Lipstick, while a heavenly hybrid of Mineralize Eye Shadows blossoms with natural splendour.  Cheeks are kissed with graceful glow of Mineralize Blush, and vivid pops of coulour flourish as Fluidline and Nail Lacquer bring this flowery fantasia to life”.  This collection will for sure make you think spring no matter what climate you are in.  Bright, Bold and of course MAC quality.

Mineralize Eyeshadow (Four Shades): $21.00 USD

  • Golden Hours: Copper bronze, golden brown, soft golden peach, pale yellow gold (Frost)
  • Great Beyond: Deep blue violet, dusky plum, icy white lilac, soft mauve violet (Frost)
  • In the Meadow: Ice shimmering white, dirty olive green, golden mint, pale yellow (Frost)
  • Pink Sensibilities: Pinky brown, chocolate brown, yellow pink, icy blue pink (Frost)

Fluidline: $16.00 USD

  • Phlox Garden: Vivid violet
  • Sassy Moss: Vivid green
  • Pigment: $21.00 USD
  • Chatreuse Bouquet: Shimmering acid green
  • Lily-White: Pale butter-yellow shimmer
  • Pink Pearl: Shimmery lavender-pink
  • Violet: Vivid bright violet purple

Mineralize Skinfinish: $30.00 USD

  • Perfect Topping: Pale pearlized pink
  • Stereo Rose: Copper bronze

Mineralize Blush: $25.00 USD

  • Azalea in the Afternoon: Mid-tone cool pink
  • Petal Power: Coral pink with gold shimmer

Lipstick: $15.00 USD

  • Dreaming Dahlia: Sheer red-coral (Lustre)
  • Fleur d’Coral: Pale creamy peach (Lustre)
  • Heavenly Hybrid: Mid-tone berry (Lustre)
  • Naked Bud: Neutral sheer nude (Lustre)
  • Rose Lily: Sheer pastel pink (Lustre)
  • Snapdragon: Mid-tone blue pink (Lustre)

Cremesheen Glass: $20.00 USD

  • Flare of Fantasy: Mid-tone pink beige
  • Galaxy Rose: Mid-tone violet pink
  • Nectarsweet: Soft pink
  • Pagoda: Frosted cool pink
  • Playful Petal: Electric magenta
  • Star Quality: Bright orange-coral

Nail Lacquer: $16.00 USD

  • Girl Trouble: Super glitter pink (Frost)
  • Pep Pep Pep: Light peach nude (Cream)
  • Saint Germain: Light cool pink (Cream)
  • Soiree: Sparkly light bronze gold (Frost)

Brushes:

  • 159 Duo Fibre Blush $35.00 USD
  • 187 Duo Fibre Face $42.00 USD
  • 286 Duo Fibre Tapered Blending $32.00 USD

A Fantasy of Flowers is a limited edition collection, so as always if you want any of these colors get it soon before it is too late.

Best Grammy 2014 Beauty Looks

There were so many memorable moments from the 2014 Grammy’s last night from the performances, to the winners and of course the red carpet.

(Photo Credit: Sam Fine Beauty)
(Photo Credit: Sam Fine Beauty)

Queen Latifah made a splash with the officiating of the I-Do’s of 33 lucky couples.  She looked stunning and showed a dark lipstick with a gorgeous canvas of glowing skin.  The Queen’s makeup artist Sam Fine picked a great look.

(Photo Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Taylor Swift is one young lady that really does rock great beauty looks on red carpets.  What I loved about her look tonight was that she went a different route than her normal gorgeous red lip.  Her light pink lip is perfect so that her silver smokey eye.  Also loving her hair pulled back in a chic ponytail.

(Photo Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Whether you were a fan of the dress or not Katy Perry‘s makeup and hair looked amazing.  The bubblegum pink lipstick was a great color that gave a fun statement.  Perry’s hairstyle was a nod to Elizabeth Taylor.  Her hair was twisted into a large bun and a shine mist was applied to get that polish.

 

(Photo Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
(Photo Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Tamar Braxton glowed on the red carpet.  Her makeup was subtle and really showcased her beauty.  It was a look that was perfection, from the perfectly lined eyes for a pop, fresh skin and a light pink / nude lip.

(Photo Credit; Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
(Photo Credit; Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Anna Kendrick’s sideswept hair was inspired by icon: Veronica Lake.  It was a fabulous style to showcase her beauty and the dress.  To create this look use thermal rollers and brush out.  And don’t forget to add the frizz control to keep your mane looking smooth.

Whose look did you love?

Review: Too Faced Jingle All the Way Makeup Set

(Photo Credit: Too Faced)
(Photo Credit: Too Faced)

Whether you are thinking of a holiday gift or a little something special for yourself this Too Faced Makeup Set could be a great option for you.  I personally was immediately drawn in by the packaging and cleverness.  A compact that holds products perfect for a purse and enough that you have a touch-up kit to take on the go.    The compact contains: 11 eyeshadows, a blush, a bronze and a Limited Edition iPhone 5 case designed by interior Mary McDonald (and Bravo TV Star).

First the compact and iPhone case, completely sturdy and good looking in person.  The other thing that I liked was you can flip the makeup around and clip it in backwards so that it stays protected in a purse or makeup bag.

The makeup of course is great quality and the palette contains eye shadows that will work for any skin tone as well as take a day look to an evening look.  For me the shade of the bronzer is a shade that if I use lightly could double as a powder for a quick on the go touch up.

Overall for $25 it is a great gift for a glamour girl and fun to have!  Keep in mind this is a Holliday Limited Edition gift, so it is out now until it sells out.

Garnier BB Cream: Skin Renew Review

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(Photo Credit: Garnier)

I remember a few years ago when the hype was HD Makeup, and now it is BB Cream.  Everyone seems to make it and it is the must have product.  Many clients have been asking me what is it and do they need it.  BB Cream is actually not a new product it was originally formulated in 1960.  BB Cream stands for Beauty Balm and is promoted as an all in one product that can replace your moisturizer, serum, foundation and sun protection.  

I was fortunate to receive a sample of Garnier BB Cream: Skin Renew to test out.  It is the company’s first BB Cream that combines hydration with tinted minerals and Vitamin C.  I found that the product was very creamy and smooth, reminding me of a moisturizer and tinted to match my skin tone.  The product gives a good amount of coverage and evened my skin tone.  I was surprised that the coverage lasted longer than a tinted moisturizer which I personally am not a fan off, and more like a traditional foundation. 

It is a great option for the upcoming Spring and Summer months, easy to use and not a strong scent.  Skip the tinted moisturizer which does not hydrate as well as a BB Cream and gives minimal coverage if any.  I would still recommend to clients to use a moisturizer after washing your face and a serum based on skin type.

Creating Drag: MAC Makeup Class

I had the pleasure of being able to attend a MAC Cosmetics pro makeup class, “Creating Drag”.  I was so excited to meet the instructor Romero Jennings as he has been a MAC Pro for many years and he has mastered the art of beauty makeup along with editorial makeup you find in Hapers Bazaar, Vogue and other major publications.  I knew that the class was going to be a great lesson in creating contour and highlights in a face not to mention some amazing glamour.  However, I learned more in those 2 hours than I expected, added to my bag of tricks and had a blast.  The transformation was amazing and I thought that I would share some photos so that everyone can see the before and after.

mac pro mac pro 5 mac pro 2 mac pro 3 mac pro 4

Make Up For Ever: Black Tango Palette

black tango makeup forever

(Photo Credit: Makeup Forever)

Experience the sultry side of Argentine Tango with Make Up For Ever‘s new Black Tango Palette.  Founder and Creative director Dany Sanz‘s took her love of Argentine Tango dancing and turned it into a makeup palette that everyone can enjoy and re-create the sexy look.

The limited edition palette features Makeup Forever’s Aqua cream shadows, which are smudge proof cream eye shadows that do not crease or fade.  The four shades are a black with red highlights, black with green highlights, black with blue highlights and ivory.  The shades are ultra rich jewel tones that can be warn this fall and turned into an incredible smokey eye.

Smokey Eye Application:

Photo Credit: Sephora

-Apply a dark shade across the eyelid and blend.
-Using the same shade, line the lower lash line and lightly smudge.
-For an added highlight, apply the ivory shade to the browbone.
-Finish with Aqua Eyes OL and Aqua Smoky Lash mascara for a completely smudge-proof look.

This limited edition palette can be purchased at Sephora for $45.

MAC Cosmetics: New Heavenly Creature Limited Edition Collection

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

July marks a new MAC Cosmetics Color Collection: Heavenly Creature Colour.  On the surface these colors look marbleized, however, on the skin they blend in for a stunning “celestial” effect.

As with any beginning to makeup application it starts with the skin, and the Heavenly Creature Collection has a Creature Skincare to start with. The trio features a Super Duo Charged Water Technology with a eye cream, moisture gel, and a water cleanser. The limited edition brings back an old favorite with the Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator.

The Mineralize Skinfinish has a high-frost metallic finish in four gorgeous shades: Light Year, Center of The Universe, Star Wonder and Earthshine. It is the perfect product to add color and cheek highlights or over all color to the face like a bronzer.  Perfect for a lightweight summer option.

MAC Heavenly Creature Collection Mineralize Eyeshadow

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

The Mineralize Eye Shadows have baked minerals refined into a powder that is light yet, still has the amazing signature MAC color pigments that can be applied in light layers to get the color effect you are looking for. Finish off your eyes with False Lashes mascara.  This mascara’s feature is to give you the volume and curl of a false eyelash without actually using false eyelashes. The formula is matched by its unique double-lush brush.

MAC lipstick

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

The five new lipsticks add color and texture to the lips that stand out on the runway or on the streets. Add the Cremesheen Glass over the lipstick to amplify the color or use alone. The Glass is a non-sticky, creamy lipgloss that has a fantastic sheen.

Hit MAC online or play in your MAC Cosmetics store as theses colors will be gone soon.

Smashbox Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener Review

(Photo Courtesy: Smashbox)

As a makeup artist I know the importance of making my clients eyes look brighter as well as using the tricks on my own eyes especially after a long night.  While a white eye pencil is a great trick to use in the corners of your eyes or to rim your lower lashes.  I do find that at times white can be a little to bright or the white pencil becomes noticeable and instead of it being a great trick everyone notices the white liner.  I came across Smashbox’s Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener and was intrigued by the product.  What I immediately noticed is that the two sides are slightly different shades, but more of a flesh tone color.  I decided that I would test it on myself before adding it to my kit.

The inner rim side of the pencil is perfect for lining the lower inner rim of your eye.  The texture of the pencil is soft so as not to irritate your eye and adding a brightness look without looking white.  It brightens your eyes in a subtle way that people will notice you look more refreshed without knowing your secret.

The other side of the pencil is labeled Highlight and can be placed in a couple of places to get the bright eye affect.  The first option is to apply on the inner corners of the eyes.  It also can be used underneath your brow to make your eyes appear bigger and wider.  Smashbox also states that you can apply the product to help with dark circles and use it as a concealer.  I do agree that you can use the pencil this way however, if you have very dark circles it may not give you enough coverage and be better to go with an under eye concealer.

I am a fan of this pencil and have been using it on my clients and brides as a new option for brighter eyes.  Ditch the white pencil for the Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener worth the $22 investment.

What’s hot in hairstyles

Working with brides and bridesmaids, I find that every year there’s a hairstyle that gets requested a lot. This season I have brides and bridesmaids who want the “Waterfall Braid”. What is ironic is I have also been getting emails from people asking me, “What is a Waterfall Braid”?

A Waterfall Braid is a take on the classic French Braid. Instead of starting your French Braid down the middle and taking an even amount of hair on each side, this braid starts on one side of your head and wraps around the back. The appeal is that it looks complicated but it really isn’t. Based on what you are looking for, it can take the place of a half up/half down hairstyle.

The hair that is not braided can then be styled straight or wavy, or you can add curls for a more romantic feeling. The Waterfall Braid also gives a way to pull your hair all the way up in a fun and stylish way and will beat the heat for those summer weddings. The ends of the hair can be twisted in a bun so that it is completely up and off the face.

Either style of the Waterfall Braid lends itself nicely to adding flowers, feathers or a fun hairpiece within the end of the braid – another fun hairstyle option that is all the rage this season with brides and celebriti