Foundation I am loving....

I've had quite a few questions lately relating to what foundation I am currently using (on myself and clients). I feel I am very lucky in the sense that I get to test makeup. So, here are my picks on foundation. Please know, these are more full coverage foundations, since this is what is appropriate for my clients (brides, photo shoots, fashion shoots). With that said, here are my suggestions....

Makeup Forever Mat Velvet




According to the Makeup Forever website, this foundation will hide skin's imperfections, evens out skin tones and matifies with a non-oily finish. I can truly attest to this. Mat Velvet leaves a flawless, velvety finish to the skin. This foundation is also water resistant, so it will stay on all day.
When you first try this foundation, you will notice that it is a thicker than most foundation. This allows for the full coverage. Since it is thicker, you will use less foundation, so one bottle will last longer than most.

You can purchase Makeup Forever at your local Sephora store, the NYC Makeup Forever store, or at www.sephora.com

Eve Pearl HD Foundation




According to the Eve Pearl website, this foundation provides a full coverage with a non-greasy texture. I can attest to this as well. This foundation also evens out skin tones and hides skin imperfection. The main difference is this foundation leaves more of a dewy finish to your skin, where the Mat Velvet leaves a matte finish.
In case you haven't heard of Eve Pearl, she is the makeup artist for the Today show.

You can only order Eve Pearl products through her website at www.evepearl.com


Hope one of these work for you all. If you have any makeup questions, or a product you would like for me to review, let me know and I'll do a post on it.

Banana Republic coupon

Over the holidays, Banana Republic was giving out 40% off coupons for each Wednesday during the month of January. So far, this month, I've only missed one Wednesday coupon. I have carefully laid out my plan as to which full priced item I am going to get the next week. So, here is the beauty I plan on purchasing tomorrow.




I think what I like best about this necklace is that it has both gold and silver intertwined, so I can wear it with both colors. Plus, turquoise is one of my favorite colors.

There is also a bracelet to go along with it, but the BR website didn't have a picture of it.

So, what do you plan on buying?

Insider information on MAC pigments...

In case you all don't know, recently MAC streamlined (and downsized) their pigments. They now come in a new slimmer container. I was speaking with a fellow Makeup artist, who works at a local MAC store, and I asked her what they were doing with the old products. She stated they are sending them to the outlets, AKA "The Cosmetics Company Store." SOOOO, you know where I will be going for some of my new pigments! I called my local outlet store in St. Augustine, FL, and they confirmed they do have some of the pigments in store, although, they would not give me the price over the phone. They did say they are much cheaper than the retail price. These pigments retail for $19.50 a pop. I will definitely be stopping by to pick some up. Now I need to figure out what colors I want......

MAC in Lillyland

Today I picked up a few items at my local MAC store. Before you all ask, no I do not work for MAC, I just love a lot of their products. In the makeup industry, consistency is key, and with MAC, you can never go wrong (except for their foundation, not a big fan). Here are some pics of the items I bought. I'll be testing these out first and will then do a review for all of you.

Creamblend blush in "Florida"




Creamblend blush in "So sweet, So easy"




I swatched both of these colors while in the store, and the one thing I will say now is they both are very creamy and beautiful colors. The "Florida" color is bright, but actually gives a beautiful glow of pink. The "So sweet, So easy" color gives a gorgeous natural glow.

More of a review to come...

Eye Candy for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so I thought I would give you all some eye candy .....


So far, these make my heart melt.....

Tory Burch makeup bag



I wish I could use this in my kit, but it will definitely not hold enough of the makeup I own. I will definitely use this in my purse, though!



Tory Burch tote



One can never have too many totes, right?

Banana Republic necklace



I just LOVE the turquoise in this necklace.

Banana Republic shoes




I know it's still winter for most of you, but here in FL we can usually start wearing open toe shoes again in early March. Gotta plan ahead!

NEW MAC Studio FIX Lash Mascara Review

As a professional makeup artist, I am constantly trying to new products. Aside from being a Makeup artist, I think every woman out there is on a quest for the perfect mascara that does it all. Well, ladies, I have to say, I have tried most of them.
This past week, MAC debuted their new mascara, Studio Fix Lash.



I went to my local MAC store this past week to check out the Lillyland Collection (review to come soon) and I was introduced to this mascara. According to the MAC store salesperson, this mascara with its new wand was supposed to enhance even the thinnest of lashes into long, voluminous lashes. Well, I decided I needed this for my makeup kit. A lot of my clients need the extra va-va-voom for either their wedding day or photo shoot. If this is such a great mascara, I decided I needed one for my kit and one for myself. I have long lashes, but who doesn't want longer, more voluminous lashes, right?
Yesterday was the first day I tried out the mascara. Well, I have to say, I was a bit disappointed. Yes, it did give me volume, but definitely not the length. The formula was very nice and glossy. Even when I added more mascara, it never got clumpy.
The brush is made from plastic, which is supposed to help enhance the lashes. I have never had luck with these plastic brushes.
So, ladies, if you are looking for a mascara that enhances the thickness of your lashes and adds volume, then this is your mascara. BUT, if you are looking for length, look elsewhere. Right now, I am still loving my YSL Singuilar, Too Faced Lash Injection and Dioshow mascaras. If you are looking for a mascara that is not on the expensive side, but still great, Maybelline Great Lash (the pink and green tube) now makes a BIG LASH mascara which is great. I use this in my makeup kit and have never had a problem.

I hope this review is helpful to you all. If there are any other products that you would like me to review or if you have any makeup questions, please leave me a comment here or send me an email.

January Photo Shoot Modernized Fairy Tales

This past week, I had the pleasure of working with some amazing photographers for a "Modernized Fairytales" photo shoot at Ottis Castle in Vilano Beach, FL. I have never been inside Castle Otttis before, although, I have driven by it many times. It is gorgeous on the outside, but breathtaking inside. It has three levels plus a rooftop which you can see for miles in every direction. The spiral staircases makes you think of the animated fairtytales we used to watch when we were little. Now, just because I said that this castle was in Vilano Beach, FL, does not mean that is was a warm and sunny day at the beach. It was quite the contrary. This day, the thermometer was registering a windy 45 degrees. It was so cold and windy, that, I, at one point, had to stop myself from applying liquid eyeliner on Stephanie because my hand was shaking so bad. We all got a little laugh out of it, though. As the sun started setting, the day got colder, so we bundled up as best we could and kept a brave face for the poor models that were shivering. In the end, the pictures turned out spectacular. I can't wait to work with these photographers and models again.


Rapunzel


Pocahantas


Cinderella (My model)



All the Makeup Artists and models



It was so cold at the end of the night, that I wore my ski jacket, which I never thought I would be wearing in Florida!

Happy New Year!

Good bye 2009...Hello 2010!

This year has been a wonderful year in our household. Here's a recap of our 2009

Learned the ropes of being a new mom.
Experienced being a somewhat single mom while hubby was away for a few months. It was wonderful and scary all at the same time.
Started my own business so I could stay at home with my little man, Thank God it's flourishing!
Have met so many people through my business and blogging. Hope to meet so many more!
Have reconnected with old friends.
Took hubby to Hawaii for his birthday.
Went to the World Series to support the Phillies. They didn't win, but the experience was AMAZING!
Sebastian celebrated his 1st Birthday. It was such an amazing day. I can't believe he's already one. Am I ready for #2? Maybe...
Hubby and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. I can't wait until we celebrate our 10th, 20th...50th....
We had a great Christmas celebration at our house again.

I feel truly blessed to have been able to spend all of these with our families and friends.

These are just some of the things that made our 2009 so special. I can't wait to see what 2010 and the new decade brings....

What are some of the special things that happened to you last year? What are you looking forward to in 2010?