My Beauty Must-Haves!

Hello all my readers! And a BIG HELLO to all my new readers! This post is dedicated to all the products that get me looking half decent in a short amount of time. At 5am, you don't have a whole lot of time to look good and refreshed and these products are those that I frequently reach for and am always replacing. I've always been a fan of mixing high and low end products and getting more bang for your buck. I'm beginning to try more things and am discovering that I need to step out of the box sometimes!

NYX Liquid Liner- I hauled my butt off back when they had the 50% off sale and I picked up one in navy blue and black. They are super pigmented and the little brush is very simliar to MAC's #209 liner brush. It's very precise and easy to wing liner with. I actually keep this in my desk at work and do my liner once I get into the office because my eyes water like crazy from waking up early and the cold weather. It was SUPER CHEAP too!

Maybelline Lash Stilletto in Black- This is one of my favorite mascaras right now. The synthetic brush is amazing for my sparse lashes and it gives me great length without clumping. The packaging is really cute and the actual texture of the mascara is super moist...so clumping never really happens!

MAC Studio Tech Foundation-This medium but buildable coverage foundie is my favorite from MAC. It gives you great natural matte coverage. The tri-hybrid formula of water, emoillients, and powder give the skin a very fresh faced look. It's the only foundie by MAC that's self-setting. The packaging is great because it's in a compact and can be applied by sponge...ideal for people on the go! I have these stocked in my kit because you tend to go through these quickly. The water absorbs pretty fast when used with a sponge but I love it so much I don't mind.

MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Powder-This is something that I am LOVING right now. I bought it right when it came out and have bought replacements twice already! My kit cannot go without it and neither can I. In the warmer months, it was the only product that kept my face from looking like I rubbed chicken grease all over it. It really blurs the skin. It's like a photoshop tool without the photoshop! What I like about this kit-wise is that you don't have to match your client's to a colored powder. It looks good on everyone whether your a NC15 or an NW45.

MAC Creamsheen Glass in Boy Bait-This is the best nude ever! I love how these glosses aren't sticky at all. The color is gorgeous and soft. The only down side is that I have to dip the applicator in the gloss like 4 times until I get the color I want. It's not sticky and gooey like the other glossses so I don't care at all. I would, however, use a brush applicator instead of the deer-foot applicator. Maybe that would help the amount of times you have to dip...HMMM.

Johnson and Johnson Baby Lotion-I've been using this since I was little. It's my after-shower moisturizer and I can't live without it. The scent is permanently embedded in my skin. Who doesn't love the smell of babies? It gives me just the right amount of moisture and I've always gotten compliments on how smooth my skin is. The price point is great for this as well. Me and Noelan share this at home :)

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer and Treatment- The concealer pictured is actually the trio. I have put this in my kit and also bought a single concealer in medium. Why didn't I buy this magical item before?! It's the most amazing concealer I've ever tried. The pigmentation is bananas and the texture is very creamy. Don't be fooled my oily skinned friends, it absorbs like a dream so it doesn't ever feel slick. By nature, the skin around our eyes tends to be drier than the rest of the face and this product is God send. It makes me actually look awake and I can't stop gushing about it! I set this with some powder and I'm good to go! There's a lot of this formula in the little pot so there's a lot to go though.



Bath and Body Works Body Butter in Midnight Pomegranate-I just discovered this. I'm so used to my baby lotion, I forgot about all the amazing moisturizing options out there. Upon shopping for Christmas presents, I came upon my new favorite scent from Bath and Body. It smells great and has just the right amount of sweet, and spices. The texture is amazing and doesn't make your skin all greasy like other body butters. I love this product on the hands and arms.

There you have it! My beauty loves for this season. What are some things you think I should try?

Have an outstanding day today everyone! Tell all the negativity to "Keep it cute, or put it on mute!"

Tip of the Day..

Have you ever accidentally shaded or filled your eyebrows in too dark? Have you ever just wanted to lighten your brows a bit?

If you have disposable mascara wands, put a little bit of concealer on one and brush it lightly through your brows. They will instantly lighten them or even soften the look of your brow color. Make sure its a VERY small amount or else the brow may look flesh toned.


Have a great weekend everyone! Remember to laugh...it's great for the soul!

Blue FOTD

Good day folks! I'm back with a whole new plan! I may not be posting as often as I used to, but I promise I will try my best to get at least two a week in. This past weekend, we went to a good friend's house for his birthday. Such great authentic Mexican food! I decided to actually do my makeup..hence, an FOTD!

Blues are something that remain neglected in my collection and I've been seeing so many beautiful blue looks lately, I had to try again. I actually really ended up liking the color scheme. I've also been stacking my Ardell lashes. Walmart was having a sale and they were $1 each after Halloween! Wish I would've bought more.

The lid color is MAC's Gorgeous Gold, crease color is NYX's (light frost blue..will put name in when I get home :) ), and the outer corner color is MAC's Prussian (LOVES!). If any of you out there are matte shadow lovers, I suggest getting MAC's Matte Squared shadows from their permanent line. The color payoff is bananas and the texture blends like a dream. I also used a bit of MAC's Texture in the crease to blend. If you want to know about anything else used, holla at a playa!



Next up, I'll be showing you guys my kit bag! Love you all and HELLLLLLLLOWWW to my new readers!

Consider it my Winter Hibernation!

Happy Friday my peeps! I'm back with a whole new attitude! I've been gone for a while from the blogging scene due to my increase in my workload as well as my insane schedule with working out and all that jazz. I really missed you all so now I'm going to try and post at least twice a week. I plan on getting posts out to all my loyal readers because I love you all so much! I wanted to share the last makeup I did. It was for my younger cousin, Jenella and she was on her way to a wedding. She was wearing neutral colors so she wanted to do a fun smokey eye using colors. I ALWAYS tend to dip in my pinks and purples. I used a purple shadow from MAC...totally forgot the name but I remember it was from the Starflash launch. The light pink used was MAC's Mink Pink. If you have any questions regarding products used, ask me!


Below is an interview that I was a part of for my brother's friend, Brandy. She had to interview someone in the field she'd like to get into and she chose me! I felt so special and was so happy to do it! It really got my thinking about why I do what I do and rectified (RECT-ified..hehe) my reasons for doing makeup. Read all about it!

1. How did you get into make-up artistry?

- I was always interested in the technique and art behind makeup so I applied at MAC. I didn't get it the first time and tried at a different location and was hired on the spot.

2. Would you say working behind-the-counter is just as knowledgeable as going to a make-up school?

- I can't really say because I didn't go to makeup school but the training I received was amazing. The company I worked for paid lots of money for our extensive trainings and certifications. But the thing you have to remember is behind-the-counter makeup is different from makeup artistry because when you work for a counter, you only know of YOUR own product. So you are oblivious to other brands and types.

3. Why make-up?

-Makeup for me is great because it allows me to express myself in ways I cannot in an office. I have my 8-4PM job and makeup let's me tap into more of a creative side. I love how it makes my clients look and feel. I've never had a person get out of my chair and not feel beautiful. It brings a sense of confidence out of people even if it's just mascara and a gloss.

4. How long have you worked in this field? Did you hold any other positions while working in this field?

- I've been doing makeup for about 7 years now! It started my senior year in high school. My cheer squad and I were in a competition and I gave everyone a smokey eye and red lip! I work for a corporate company in SF now and freelance.

5. Would you say you have your own style when it comes to being a make-up artist? If so, how would you describe it?

- I guess you can say that I love softer more blended looks. I love colors that bring features out but editorial looks are always fun to do too. It really depends on what my client expects out of me. My style is to please the client or photographer. Don't get me wrong, I love a electric teal eye shadow just like everyone else, but I think there's a time and a place for that.

6. What skill sets are necessary in your opinion to

succeed in this career?

- I think you need to be the type of person to work well under pressure. Imagine having 30 minutes to get a bride ready! Multi tasking is another good trait to have as well because you'll find yourself moving 150 mph. You definately have to have a friendly approach as well. Clients want you to be honest and not tell them everything looks great when it really doesn't. You want to make them feel you can be trusted. After all, you are in their face!

7. What are key characteristics of successful people in this industry?

- Theres one artist that I've been following and that's Eve Pearl. She does makeup various tv shows and has her own makeup line. I've taken a lecture class with her and she talks about how she never stopped and how her passion kept her going. You just have to want it and know that if you work hard enough, you could be really successful! Another thing is listening. You need to listen to your clients needs and wants.

8. What is a typical day of work for you?

-When I am working with a client, it's pretty much hauling my kit full of great products and making people feel beautiful!

9. How secure is this field?

- If you're a freelancer like myself, it's not very secure at all. People these days don't have the money to pay for the services. There are peak times like wedding, prom, and holiday seasons but nothing is guranteed unless youre getting paid by a retailer.

10. How competitive is this field? How could I prepare and/or get an edge on others?

- This field is pretty competitive because there are so many aspiring makeup artists. You need to be ahead of the curve at all times and make sure you know of different products out there. From high end to low end products, there are a lot of great tools out there for all clients. You can get ahead by doing your homework and knowing of different techniques for different shapes and colors of faces. Start building your kit with the essentials you'd use on your clients. Beauty blogs and forums are a great way to learn techniques and products.

11. What are some of the pitfalls of this profession? What about the perks?

- Some of the pitfalls are that the work isn't constant, sometimes you get picky clients, and some people don't take us too seriously. They don't see the need for someone like me. Some perks are that I get to work on my own time and write my own schedule.

12. What keeps you motivated when doing your job?

- Not many people can say that the do what they love. I love making people feel great and making people smile. I love how makeup can be so innovative but also so simple and classic. Makeup trends are always changing just like fashion.

13. What is your favorite part about being a make-up artist?

- I love making people feel special for their special occasions. It's really rewarding and an honor to be a part of people's big days.

14.Do you have any inspirations when it comes to doing make-up?

- Pat mcgrath, Eve Pearl, MAC senior artist Victor C. (whom I've had the pleasure of working with), and anyone else who is innovative, isn't afraid to take risks, and loves what they do.

15. What kind of salary could I expect as an entry-level?

- It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you freelance on your own, you become your own boss and determine how much you will make. I'd recommend starting at a counter to get more product knowledge and learn how to deal with clients.

16. Is there someone else you could recommend I contact?

- I'd look out for beauty bloggers and youtubers. Makeupbyrenren has become one of my good makeup freelancing friends and she has a popular channel on YouTube.

17. In what direction do you see this field going in five to ten years?

- There is always a demand for makeup. People will always be looking for a better product and new things. It will definately always be booming.

18. Would you recommend this profession?

- If you have a passion for it, then o highly recommend it!

19. Any advice to aspiring make-up artists?

- No matter how discouraged you get, don't give up. There have been times where I wanted to give it up for a lack of clients. I just thought about how much I loved doing what I do and it kept me going. Market yourself and put yourself out there even if it's for free at first. Your going to do a LOT of free makeup before you get paying clients. Go on craigslist and look for aspiring photographers to work with. Build relationships and networking is a big thing in our industry as well.

I'm back everyone! Don't you worry your pretty little heads.....