Overdue IMATS/Drugstore/Sephora Shop and Tell!

In April, I had the pleasure of attending IMATS NYC (International Makeup Artist Trade Show), I am so lucky to be able to just hop on the train or in my car and go because it is so close! I must say, if any of you attended the one we held here in the city last year then you will probably agree with me when I say that this year was SO much more organized and better overall! There was so much more space which meant we got to have more vendors! We even got to walk around without bumping into others ;) haha I can definitely say that I had such an amazing time there! I even met Kandee Johnson, one of my very favorite women.  Inglot and NYX had the longest lines from what I could tell, but it was all worth it :) Check out what I picked up below as well as from Sephora and Target :)

Kandee and I :)

INGLOT & NYX Concealers in a jar purchased from IMATS, Sonia Kashuk Concealer quad purchased from Target.

INGLOT Freedom System 10 Shadow Palette purchased from IMATS, LOVE these shadows, so beautiful and pigmented!

NYX Lip Products and JulieG Nailpolish purchased from IMATS

Tarte Mini Sized Eye Primer and Face Primers purchased from Sephora, Model in a Bottle Setting Spray Purchased from IMATS.

Mini Tarte Bronzer in Park Ave Princess and Blush in Amused purchased from Sephora.

Also stopped by the Give Good Face booth and picked up one of these awesome T's! I like to wear this when I am doing makeup on someone haha too funny!

Along with this, the only other thing that I didn't photograph because I am in the process of cleaning them would be my Royal Langnickel makeup brushes, picked up 4 single face and eye brushes.

I will probably review some of these purchases further with a little more time, want to make sure I test them out well!

It's Not A Magic Wand,

xox

Holiday Series: Beauty Related Stocking Stuffer Ideas UNDER $20!

With the Holidays right around the corner, I have been browsing through so many shopping catalogs and stores.  I love buying the big main gifts, but find the little stocking stuffers to be the most fun to pick out :) I have a little sister and cousin and many women in my family in general so finding things that are beauty related whether it be hair, nails or makeup are always a safe bet. Below are some things that I found that I think would make great stocking stuffers!


1.

Eco Tools 5 pc. Brush Set.  I LOVE these brushes.  They are such great quality, can be found at most drugstores and are a great price! These can for sure be found at most Targets, where I often see mine :) Price: $10.99!

2.

Yes to Blueberries Brightening Facial Towelettes.  These are my favorite makeup removing and cleansing wipes.  They are all natural and from my experience really get my makeup off pretty well.  (I always wash my face after anyway) I do however love that they don't have that oily residue that most others leave on your face.  Price: $7.99

3.

Burt's Bees From Head to Toes gift set.  This is a great idea to allow someone to test out some new products.  These are all travel sized but are enough for you to get a real feel if you are going to want to purchase the full size or not.  This set contains pretty much everything the title says, foot cream, lip balm, body wash, Nourishing body lotion, deep cleansing cream and hand salve. I love Burt's Bees because they are another all natural company! :) Price: $12.99!

4.

Nicole by OPI are some really great nail polishes. I love when the polish companies come up with cute Holiday gift sets, again another way to test drive a few colors without making the commitment to purchasing all full sized ones.  These colors are adorable and some have a nice glittery shimmer in them :) I spotted these sets at Target just last week :) Price: $10.00!

5.

This roller ball is from Marc Jacobs.  This is my signature scent when I go out, it smells absolutely amazing! Buying someone a roller ball perfume is perfect for two reasons: one, they may have this perfume, like myself, and love it, but lets face it--sometimes we are out and need a refresher after a long day, this is a great thing to keep in your purse! Secondly, this is great if you are purchasing this for someone who doesn't have this fragrance already, again a great way to not feel guilty about trying it out without purchasing the full sized one! This can be found at Sephora and other fragrance/beauty retailers I'm sure :) Price: $20

6.

Urban Decay 24/7  eyeliner duo in Bourbon and Ransom.  I own both of these eyeliners and can attest to how amazing they are! They are great in the waterline, glide on smooth and are just overall great quality.  This duo is a great stocking stuffer because you are giving someone the gift of trying out the 24/7 eyeliners (if they don't already have them) and if they do, maybe you are adding two new shades to their collection! Making a duo with a neutral color and a bright color was a great idea :) Price: $14.00!

7.

The Sephora by OPI Glimmer Wonderland Nail Polish Set is just perfect for this Holiday Season! It contains 4 mini polishes and again is a great way to try all of these gorgeous shades out! I really love the color scheme in this set, purples and pinks and glitters galore! Price: $18!

Stuffing Stockings with Beauty on a Budget Everywhere,

xox

Lets Kiss & MAKEUP!

Have you ever gotten a sudden small breakout on a part of your face that you normally don't? Noticed some abnormal irritation on your face? This could in fact be from "dirty" makeup brushes! Makeup brushes can sometimes harbor some serious bacteria if not cleaned proper enough or often enough. These bacterias transfer onto your face and can cause blemishes and breakouts. Just as you wouldn't put a dirty toothbrush in your mouth, you shouldn't put a dirty brush on your face. Below I am going to show you a simple way to deep clean your brushes. Now this is just MY way of doing it, you can adapt your own way as well, as long as you're getting those babies clean! I suggest being near the sink as this will make things a whole lot easier and you will be using water.

What you will need: Sponge, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I learned this trick from a makeup artist!), Baby Shampoo, a dry cloth to lay your brushes on and paper towels or napkins.

First you are going to want to spread out your brushes on a clean dry cloth. You will be using this cloth later as well to lay them on for the drying process.

Second, grab some EVOO and drizzle a small amount onto a paper towel or napkin

On this napkin in a swirl like motion and swiping back and forth motion as well, you are going to work the brush through the Olive Oil. This conditions and gets some of that deep built in makeup out. You will often notice immediately, I definitely do, that tons of makeup comes off right away! I get so happy when this happens haha

 Grab a clean sponge and moisten it with some lukewarm water and add some baby shampoo (any brand).

 Next, take your brush and swirl back and forth in a circular motion on the sponge, creating a nice lather. This is another way of cleaning the brushes and also washes off all of the oil.When you are finished, rinse the brushes with the bristles face down in a light stream of water. work the soap out with your fingers.

You do NOT want water to seep underneath the metal part on your brushes! This will cause them to rust and you will get much less use out of your brushes before you find them falling apart at the hinge. Always work with your bristles face down!

After each time you use your brushes on a daily basis, you do not have to do this deep clean. I do it to my brushes every two weeks (I do not wear makeup everyday). In between though, when I do use them, I ALWAYS sanitize and clean them with a regular daily makeup brush cleanser. You don't have to use a MAC one, I just so happen to have this one. Any brand will work just the same. For this do the same method that you did with the Olive Oil and the Napkin!






Hope this was explained easy enough! Enjoy and remember a clean face is a happy face! xox

The Fork & Knife of Makeup!

Just as we use different utensils to eat and write, we also need utensils to paint the canvas called our face! Makeup is truly an art, they don't call em' makeup artists for nothing. I've seen some work done by artists that completely transform the clients look and I always thought it was so interesting. I do not want to be a makeup artist myself, but I can definitely appreciate their talents. For years I have been doing my own makeup, I started doing makeup that required more than two brushes Sophomore year of high school. The brushes I used were cheap to say the least, but hey I was just experimenting so I didn't want to go all out yet. In order to achieve a masterpiece you need to be patient, practice and most of all HAVE THE RIGHT UTENSILS (tools)! For the makeup connoisseur this would be brushes, all kinds, colors, and textures. This Christmas my boyfriend purchased me the best brushes ever, and I'm so excited to talk a little about them :) 

Sigma Makeup Brushes Complete Kit with Brush Roll. Click here for more info!

I can definitely say that these brushes, and any good brushes for that matter, make makeup application so much easier, and all in all more fun! I have yet to really use every brush, but for the most part I have tested all of these babies and I'm in love :) This is the perfect starter kit for anyone who does makeup on a daily basis or just for special occasions as well. Its easy to use and easy to store away nice and neat, something we all know I'm obsessed with haha Thanks Gerard! <3