Sephora Double Contouring Cream Blush

Great color payoff, can be a bit messy.

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Diary of an MUA: Teachable Moments from Clients f. Anastasia, Christian Dior and Chanel

I had the pleasure of working with a bride and her family this weekend at the beautiful newly renovated Le Meridien Arlington on Saturday.

Having done a trial prior to the big day we had an idea of what direction the look would take.  As Makeup Artists we plan but we also try to be prepared for anything so we have our little arsenal of tried and true products that we turn to to address any beauty emergency.  So after having a trial with not only the bride but also her sister aka Matron of Honor, her mom and a few days before the wedding the mother of the groom I was pretty confident that I knew my plan of action.

Well, the point of a trial is to determine if the client indeed wants to utilize your services for their special day, yes, but it is also to make sure that the makeup will hold up for the duration of the event and skin reaction to the products used.  More often than not we will tweak our work on the day of to accommodate any of those things.  With the mom's involved it was determined that we did indeed need to change some things and for them it meant incorporating products that they are used to using and therefore more comfortable with.

I never have an issue with this because it helps to ease anxiety or nerves and as a beauty lover it may give me the opportunity to try new products.  This past weekend afforded me exactly that chance.  Here are the items I got to use and am now wanting to add to my kit.  Listen, the struggle is real out here for beauty junkies!  :)

Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow - Stylish Move

 I used this palette on the M.O.G. (mother of the groom), who as you can see was definitely not afraid of color.  I used it to give her a smokey eye with the deepest amethyst shade being the center of attention.  It was beautiful.  The color is buildable but also keep in mind that you dont need much to get the true color.  The palette is not chalky, very smooth in texture but not powdery.  If interested you can pick it up from Sephora.

Anastasia All in One Brow Kit

Also for the M.O.G. her brows were a bit sparse.  During the trial I filled them in with powder following her natural brow shape.  This client however was no shrinking violet and wanted a stronger brow on the day of the wedding.  She had recently purchased an Anastasia brow kit so we utilized that to give her the brow she was more comfortable with.  This kit was so perfect in achieving her desired look that I would be a fool not to get one for my other clients.  I have tried other stencils and while you can achieve the desired shape they were a bit stiff and tricky to mold to your face if using it on yourself without the aid of taping it in place.  The A.B.H. stencils are flexible, almost like a silicone or gel and very easy to fit to the face shape.  The Anastasia All in One Brow Kit is available at Nordstrom.

Clinique Instant Perfector

Chanel Perfection Lumiere

 

Lastly on the M.O.B. (mother of the bride) we found that the airbrush makeup wasnt the best option for her.  She wanted a bit more coverage as she had some scarring she wanted to minimize.  After applying her Clinique Instant Perfector, we then used the Chanel Perfection Lumiere to give her a more flawless finish.  I loved the Clinique perfector as it helped to fill in the visible pores and gave a nice matte finish to the skin that allowed the Chanel foundation to glide over the skin with no problem.  I use Chanel Mat Lumiere on myself so I already knew it was a great product.

Everyone was happy with their looks, so much so that I had someone request to be added so she could get her makeup done as well.  And thats what keeps me going, being able to see someone admire themselves in the mirror and be pleased with what they see.  That satisfaction in turn satisfies me.

It pays to be flexible because you just may learn something!

Have you used any of these products?  Tell me what you thought if you did.

Shana vs. Sephora

Word on the beauty streets was that Sephora had sent out gift cards to Beauty Insiders for the holidays.  I heard varying amounts, some said $10, some said $15.  There was also a bit of confusion on the fine print of the offer; it was either a gift card void of a required purchase or you had to spend a certain amount for the card to be valid.  Another issue that arose was some people were saying they received an email while others received an actual card in the mail...

When I was first asked if I had received a gift card via email I went through my gmail with a fine-toothed comb and still came up empty-handed.  Anyone with gmail knows that its pretty darn close to impossible to lose an email for good.  It seems they keep everything forever, for better or worse...but again I looked, did a search, checked the trash - no git card email.  I then said OK well whatever because it seems that every time Sephora runs a promotion there is confusion.  Some people get it and others don't.  I was able to move on from the situation...

Earlier this week I checked the mail and had received some love mail from a fellow YouTube buddy so I decided to record a video while I opened the package.  Well in looking through the mail, while on camera, I noticed a card from Sephora...yes THE card.  Although I had moved on from it I have to admit I was excited that my card had finally arrived!  Again I was on camera as I read through the card because as it turns out I was actually on my way to the mall for some holiday shopping so I wanted to see if I could use it while running errands; thats when I noticed the dates: Valid December 1 - December 12...the problem was that it wasnt delivered until December 13!  

I was so irritated and shared my frustration with my fellow beauty blogging buddies.  Turns out a number of them were in the same predicament.  Either they never received the gift card even though they are faithful Sephora shoppers or they received it late like me.  I had in my mind and the point was further driven home by Kerris of Pumps and Gloss, that I needed to call Sephora and voice my concern.  So that's what I did!  To find out what happened check out the video below:

Too Faced Holiday Collection

There is no escaping the fact that the holidays are upon us.  It is evident in the drop in temperature and even more so upon entering just about every major retailer and being greeted by Christmas decorations.  Some of our favorite beauty brands are getting in on the act as well, for instance Too Faced has released a holiday collection that is sure to provide a look that dreams are made of.

1.  Send Her Sweet Dreams with the Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection ($52): This exclusive collection features 15 silky shadows, best-selling Shadow Insurance Primer, two blushes, a bronzer and highlighter - everything she needs for an everlasting ethereal glow!

2.  She’ll Take Her Dreams To Go with the Glamour To Go Dream Edition ($22): This pocket-sized, vintage-inspired palette has eight shadows, a lip gloss, bronzer and soft, sheer powder blush to go from day-to-night in an instant.

image c/o www.toofaced.com

3.  Make Her Daydreams Come True  with In Your Dreams Makeup Collection ($39): She can transform into a pretty princess, nature goddess or femme fatale in a flash with this collection of three complete looks and signature “How To” Cards for flawless application every time.

image c/o www.toofaced.com

4.  Wake up aSleeping Beauty  with the Beautiful Dreamer Makeup Collection ($46): A pretty pink bag filled with a shadow quad, shimmering lip gloss and bronzer/blush duo that’s perfect for a holiday sleepover!

image c/o www.toofaced.com

Kits are always a great option for the beauty aficionado as well as the beginner because you get options and you get to try an array of products from a brand at once for a break in price most of the time.  The color payoff in most Too Faced products is rather good.  I have been lemming their smokey and natural eye kits for quite some time.  I will check these latest offerings out as well and get back to you with some pictures soon!  Too Faced is available at www.toofaced.com as well as Sephora and Ulta.

Sales Splendor: Illamasqua offers up to 65% off on summer sale favs!

Known for pushing the envelope when it comes to beauty ideals, UK brand Illamasqua has become quite popular here in the U.S.  Those who like to think outside of the box when it comes to makeup flock to Illamasqua for inspiration and the tools to make their creations come to life.  Illamasqua is currently sold at Sephora however they also have their own site which ships internationally.  If you have ever wanted to take your creativity to new heights then here is your chance.  Here are some standout items in the sale:

Liquid Metal in Stoic now 25% off

Stoic is a vivid metallic cream that lasts all night. Use above the lash line and smudge with fingers or a brush to illuminate and define your eye shape.

Lipstick in Ignite now 25% off

A bright red orange, with a matt finish, let your lips speak volumes with this colour-intense lipstick. Apply lightly for

a long-lasting lip stain, or complete with Sheer Lipgloss in Brilliant for a bolt of high-shine colour.

Eye Liner Cake in Zeal now 25% off

A softer alternative to your traditional black, mix pine green Eye Liner Cake in Zeal with a drop of Sealing Gel and apply with a sharp angled brush for a water-resistant eye liner that will last all day.

Beauty Bulletin: Great Brit! Nails Inc. is now available in the U.S.

The U.K. has blessed us here in the states with such awesomeness as The Spice Girls, Adele, The Beatles...all music related but in the beauty world we have also been heavily influenced by Pixiwoo, GossMUA, Illamasqua, Sleek Makeup, I could go on and on.  We often gaze at our computers longingly just hoping the brands would become readily available over here (BarryM Cosmetics and BlackUp anyone?) and while we make a way out of no way in this industry it makes it all the better when the brands realize that the admiration over here is just as great as in their home countries.  All that said it is with immense pleasure that I share with you the arrival of Nails, Inc. to the U.S.! 

Made available exclusively at Sephora stores and at Sephora.com the brand contains 42 polishes all named for iconic destinations in the UK.  A few favorites are as follows:

Polishes, $9.50

Brompton Place – bubble gum pink

Carnaby Street – shocking yellow

Haymarket – duck egg blue

Maddox Street – darkest metallic grey

Piccadilly Circus – dark pink cerise

Porchester Place – fabulous orange

 

 

 Special Effects 3D Glitter, $9.50

Bloomsbury Square - bold purple

Connaught Square - vibrant royal blue

 

Sloane Square – charcoal grey / black

 

Special Effects Crackle Top Coats, $9.50

 

Camden – black crackle 

 

Hoxton – purple crackle 

 

Islington – pink crackle 

 

NEW Farringdon – gold glitter crackle 

 

NEW The City – purple glitter crackle 

 

NEW The West End – blue glitter crackle 

Recent Deals and Randoms

Did you know that each week Sephora updates its deal/sale section?  Did you know that one week they had the audacity to have 2 NARS shadow duos for only $10???  Do you know that I hopped on that so quick it would make your head spin?  Ok great.  Here is what I picked up:

 NARS Balthazar

  NARS Balthazar Swatch

NARS Wicked

 NARS Wicked swatch

 I also picked up this $5 Sephora Glitter Shimmer Pot

 And this Sephora Collection Colorful Artist Lipstick Palette for $15 - jury is still out on whether this can remain in my kit or not.

So word to the wise, keep your eyes peeled for the Sephora deals, you never what you may luck up on!

Here are some other random purchases and things I have come across lately:

I FINALLY have a new laptop!  I used to have a net-book (the second netbook in less than a year) and I hate them...with a passion.  They don't last and are a waste of money - yeah I said it.  The kids now each have a net-book and my mom took advantage of the faux Black Friday sale that Wal-Mart had in early November and got me this Compaq Presario.  Thanks Mom!

YAY!

Has anyone seen these?  I ran into them at Walmart - its the new baked line from Black Radiance that includes 4 shadows and I believe 3 new blushes.  I snapped a pic of the ones I wanted to try but for some reason I didnt get them that day and now I cant find them anywhere else.  The particular Wal-Mart I went to is rather far so I wont be back anytime soon.  Hopefully they show up near me soon so I can try the line, especially that blush.

These were the green and pink shadows from the line.  I couldn't figure out why they didn't contain more green and pink, but looked more gold...

I saw this Hollywood Makeup Artist studio kit at Michael's and thought it was too cute and funny.  Y'all know I almost got it right?  LOL  Look at the different faces you can practice on!

Lastly, Cindy had a blog sale recently with some great deals so of course I had to participate.  Here is what I got:

FINALLY!  The infamous M.U.F.E. #92 and it is all that everyone says it is.  Why didn't I get this before?  I try not to feed into hype too much, when you are a makeup lover there is always hype - I would be broke if I gave into everything.

 

NARS Bellydance

NARS Bellydance swatch

Cindy is such a sweetie - there was an address mix-up so she resent the items to me via priority mail once they were returned to her and she checked the parcel before sending and discovered this happened in transit.  Awwwww man!  To make up for it she sent me another goodie at no extra charge:

Nars Mediteranee!  This has been on my wish list for a while and now its finally mine!  Thanks again Cindy!

M.U.F.E. #92 vs NARS Bellydance eggplant/purple color

Thats all for now!