One Scoop

July 22, 2008

Turn bath time into a wonderful, fizzy, experience.
Simply drop one scoop of Me! Bath ice cream into your tub and watch it fizz away and release mineral sea salts, aromatic oils and nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, milk and flower petals.  The scents are unbelievably dreamy!

These bath bombs are a huge hit not only with me but also with my 2 little girls.  My favorite is “Land of Milk and Honey”  closely followed by “Vanilla Purity”. Theirs, “Havana Banana”, “white chocolate heaven”.  No matter the flavor, skin emerges energized, moisturized and very lightly scented. With over thirty flavor to choose from, it’s easy to treat yourself.

1 Scoop: $8.00

Custom Color

July 20, 2008

My favorite liner, Revlon Nude, has long been discontinued.  I just about hit the roof when my beloved liner was not even available on eBay.  What is a girl to do?

I had heard through diverse message board about Three Custom Color Specialists a company specializing in make-up duplication.  The idea to be able to replicate my favorite liner really sparked my interest and I decided to do some investigation of my own.

3CC is a remarkable company with a great concept, bringing favorite beauty products back from the dead.  The company was launched in New York in 1997 by a team of professionals, 3 to be exact, with over 30 years of experience in the beauty world.  They’ve expanded considerably and now offer over 250 ready to wear cosmetic products, their real specialty is the custom blending service.

Here’s how it works: Send a dime size sample of your favorite discontinued product, lipstick, gloss, blush, eyeshadow, liner, cake liner, concealer, foundation you name it.  3CC will then analyze the shade for color, texture and coverage and create a formula that will remain in their permanent files.  Their Costum Blending archives, now contains over 9,000 discontinued shades of color cosmetics dating back to the 1930′s.  How great is that!

So if you’re desperately scraping off your favorite tube of lipstick or hanging on to the last few crumbles of eyeshadow send them in to 3CC and they’ll resurrect them!

In Quest of the Perfect Brows

July 15, 2008


Eyebrows are the focal point of your face.  They give structure and determine your final look. Therefore, it is most important to have well groomed and defined eyebrows.

If your eyebrows are poorly shaped your facial expression may differ from what you really wished for.  For instance, eyebrows with an arch too round may give the eternal surprise look, while a droopy shape give you a sad face.  Not exactly ideal.
Another big no no, hair below the brow bone. How do you create a color graduation for a smokey eye when there is no space?  Hair below the brow bone is equally disturbing when going for a natural look.  It creates a shadow making the lid appear dirty. Get rid of it.

Achieving perfectly arched brows is a lot easier than it looks.  If you’re unsure on how to shape your own brows make an appointment with a professional.  Most estheticiennes will be able to determine the correct shape for your face.  You’ll be surprise how a simple change can completely transform your look.

If you decide to give it a go on your own, here is a small guide to assist you identify the ideal form  for your eyebrows.  First and foremost choose a good quality tweezers.  Tweezerman and Rubis make my favorite tweezers; they’re amazingly sharp and make quick work of the tiniest, pickiest hair.  My favorite is the Rubis Swiss tweezer.

Step 1) Start by drawing points with an eyebrow pencil.  Lightly mark points A,B,C and D.  To make it easier use a ruler or a a thin brush handle.

Point A should be aligned in a straight line with the wing of your nose to the inner corner of your eye.

- point A is the beginning of the internal eyebrow

Point B should be aligned with the wing of your nose to the outer corner of your eye.

-point B is the end of your eyebrow

Point C should be in line with the outer edge of your iris.

-point C is the beginning of your eyebrow arch, the highest.

Point D should be in line with the outer corner of your eyes.

point D is the end of your eyebrow arch.

Step 2)  Start cleaning your eyebrow by eliminating unwanted hair. Begin with the lowest hair going up towards the brow bone until reaching desired thickness.  A medium thickness is recommended. Don’t go tweezer crazy, you can always remove more hair later.  Tweeze as little as possible above your brow so as not to disturb their natural line.  Stay on the eyelid.

Step 3)  Once the hair is gone apply a light moisturizer.

Step 4)  Depending on the fullness of your brows you may be content with the way your brows appear now.  If not, wait until redness is gone and skin calmed down.

Step 5) Although not my first choice, pencils may be used to fill in your brows.  Before starting make sure your pencil is very sharp.  Avoid long strokes, rather use several short ones at an angle so as to create the illusion of small hair.  The result will be more natural.

I find powders overall more natural.  Use an angle brush, apply in small strokes from the inside to the outside.

Some of my favorites:

MAC brow shader:  A compact of two sheer pressed brow powders that work together as a combo to refine and define the arc of the entire brow area. The darker “brow” powder is used to add a soft natural tint of color that fills, defines, shapes and adds polish and volume to the brow, while the highlight color of sheer fine pearl is used to add light highlights around the brow bone. Available in five natural brow shades. $32

MAC small angled brush:  Applies color to the brow. Use to define or add “fill”. Its precise angled tip provides pro-style application. Synthetic/natural blend fiber. Use to apply powder, liquid or cream products.  $39

Brow Ex-press: For the more challenged, this nifty kit comes with a stencil.  I love the price!
Created from the brow Goddess Anastasia, contains all brow essentials: four perfect stencils; two brows powders; an angled brush; cream highlighter; and wax cream to hold a perfect brow in place all day. $38

Feel free to add your favorites!

Categorized: Pro talk, Tools

RevitaLash Chronicle: Week 6

July 13, 2008

Last month, “I decided to give a try to RevitaLash, the eyelash conditioner that promises to make your lashes longer, thicker, fuller… over time. This is week 6 of my final testing and review period.”

See also:
week 1

week 2
week 3
week 4
week 5

While using RevitaLash, I mentioned noticing new growth, specially on the outer corner of my eyes.
So, just to make sure this wasn’t a figment of imagination, I purchased the most powerful magnifying mirror I could get my hands on, placed it in front of a window with tons of natural light and begun the examination.

There was no wondering anymore.  Indeed, I could clearly see about ten new lashes growing on my top lash line.  I wonder how many more lashes will grow if I continue this application?  I’m so excited!

RevitaLash is a success in my book, and I recommend it to anyone in search of more beautiful lashes.

Here is my list of pros and cons.

The pros:

- Easy to use
- Quick to apply
- Painless
- Long lasting
- Substantial results
- Part of their proceed goes to cancer research

The cons:

- Expensive at first
- Slow process

Have any of you used successfully or not RevitaLash?

Backstage with Billy B. at the Life Ball

July 12, 2008

I have a lot of admiration for celebrity make-up artist Billy B.
He is an icon in the make-up world and as far as I’m concerned a total genius with his tools. Billy is self taught and that alone is remarkable my friends.  Every time I attend one of Billy’s workshop, I get back to work totally inspired. It’s magic.

This video was taken during the 16th annual Life Ball in Vienna.  This event is an AIDS fundraiser and Billy B. was the mastermind behind all the glamorous, very sexy girls walking down the runway for the opening ceremony: Agent Provocateur.

Agent Provocateur unites fashion, lingerie, live rock n’ roll and erotic dance.  The night was sizzling hot with sensual Agent Provocateur runway show on a red ribbon catwalk. The make-up was spicy, with beautiful red pouts, deep smokey eyes and totally over the top costumes and hair — what a night!  Oh girls, I wish I was there.

This You tube video is as close as it gets.  Enjoy!

ColorOn… for real?

July 10, 2008

Have you heard about the latest eyeshadow buzz… ColorOn?
In case you haven’t, let me fill you in –  ColorOn is an oval shaped, color filled applique that is basically applied on the lids then peeled off revealing a “flawless look”.  These press on color patches were created by a professional make-up artist to “provide women with simple, time saving and innovative technology.”  Sephora has picked up the line and an exclusive collection has been made for the beauty giant.

Although ColorOn has definitely me curious, I can’t help but wonder about the application result.  How could one oval shaped sticker work on every eye?  Surely, you wouldn’t apply eyeshadow the same way on an almond shaped eye as you would on me.  Arch, brow bone, crease differ from one person to the next, and there isn’t just one make-up application that would work on everyone.  That’s basic.

I would be a tad less doubting on the product performance if the models on the website looked better.  To be fair some of them look fairly good, but in all seriousness?  Green eyeshadow all the way up to the brow beside some strange looking pink? A random patch of blue at the outer corner? Dark brown on the outside and inside corner with a splash of gold dropped in the middle?  They just look weird.
Based on the “one size fits all” applique sizes and shape, it seems to me like major blending and adjustment would need to take place in order to achieve a decent look and leave the house.LOL.  So why bother?

Some of the more outlandish one like the zebra or the camouflage may be fun for Halloween but that’s about it.

They’re definitely not high on my must try list.  How about you?

Would you use press on eyeshadows?

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Rachel R.

July 8, 2008

Rachel got married on June 21st.  She had the most piercing eye color ever and enough hair to fill a room.  Nice!
I airbrushed her make-up, which was a great considering how hot it was that day. Her hair was loosely pulled back with waves and she had me place very pretty pins right by the top of her veil.

Alain Martinez was the photographer.  Can I tell you how impressed I am with his personality, talent and style?…. VERY impressed.  I have worked with tons of wedding photographers, Alain is top notch.  Based in Miami Alain and his team travel all over.

Alain, too bad I didn’t know you when I got married!

RevitaLash Chronicle: Week 5

July 7, 2008

Last month, I decided to give a try to RevitaLash, the eyelash conditioner that promises to make your lashes longer, thicker, fuller… over time. This is week 5 of a 6 week testing and review period.”

See also:
week 1
week 2
week 3
week 4

Apparently RevitaLash stimulates lashes growth… at least mine. New baby lashes are sprouting improving the overall appearance of my lash line. It is a very slow process and I wonder how many more lashes I will get.
Next week is the final post on the subject and I will let you all know my final thoughts.

Sophorn S.

July 5, 2008

Meet Sophorn… Beautiful inside and out.

She had amazing hair and couldn’t have picked a better style for herself.  She was wonderful to be around, and creating the perfect do for this angel made my day.

Sweet Sophorn, thank you so much for your great spirit and those gorgeous shots that showcase my work so beautifully.  You’re FAB!

First with no flower.

Ready!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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