This blog is now officially WWW.BEAUTYSTYLED.COM

As more individuals are subscribing to this blog, I know it’s due to the content I’m posting and not because you’re a fan of my work. I get that- and love that. I decided to switch the site to focus more on content rather than myself since there are plenty of places you can keep up with me and my makeup artistry (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter).

I wanted a name that people can remember and be able to access without going through my personal sites.

There are so many things that I’m passionate about. Makeup Artistry, helping people with their skin, being an educator and also being a personal stylist for beauty. That’s what made me want to create “Beauty Styled”. I’m proud to be constantly trained in so many makeup and treatment lines and want to give you the resources and expertise needed to make the often confusing decisions about which moisturizer works better for you or which eyeliner won’t run.

Any questions or topics you would like me to address, please contact me at MDMAmakeup@gmail.com

XX Megan

My Experience with At-Home Exfoliation and Chemical Peels

Ever since I had my first experience with Chemical Exfoliation I’ve been hooked. I’ve taken it upon myself to become educated in skincare, specifically with AHA/BHA and Peptides. There are really amazing things out there that work and the first thing I look at on skincare labels is the Ingredient List.

Here’s a quick little background on different exfoliators:

AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid): Alpha hydroxy acids are a group of natural acids found in foods. Alpha hydroxy acids include citric acid (found in citrus fruits), glycolic acid (found in sugar cane), lactic acid(found in sour milk), malic acid (found in apples), tartaric acid (found in grapes), and others. Alpha hydroxy acids seem to work by removing the top layers of dead skin cells. They can also increase the thickness of deeper layers of skin, promoting firmness.

via WebMD

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid):

There is only one beta hydroxy acid – salicylic acid.Beta hydroxy acid works mainly as an exfoliant. It causes the cells of the epidermis to become “unglued” allowing the dead skin cells to slough off, making room for regrowth of new skin. Beta hydroxy acid is reported to improve wrinkling, roughness, and mottled pigmentation of photodamaged skin after at least 6 months of daily application.

The difference you need to know:

The main difference between alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acid is their lipid (oil) solubility. Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble only, while beta hydroxy acid is lipid (oil) soluble. This means that beta hydroxy acid is able to penetrate into the pore which contains sebum and exfoliate the dead skin cells that are built up inside the pore. Because of this difference in properties, beta hydroxy acid is better used on oily skin with blackheads and whiteheads. Alpha hydroxy acids are better used on thickened, sun-damaged skin where breakouts are not a problem.

via dermatology.about.com

Glycolic Acid:

Due to its excellent capability to penetrate skin, glycolic acid finds applications in skin care products, most often as a chemical peel performed by a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or licensed aesthetician in concentrations of 20 to 70% or at-home kits in lower concentrations between 10 and 20%. In addition to concentration, pH also plays a large part in determining the potency of glycolic acid in solution. Physician-strength peels can have a pH as low as 0.6 (strong enough to completely keratolyze the epidermis), while acidities for home peels can be as high as 2.5.[9] Glycolic acid is used to improve the skin’s appearance and texture. It may reduce wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and improve many other skin conditions, including actinic keratosis, hyperkeratosis, and seborrheic keratosis. Once applied, glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. This allows the stratum corneum to beexfoliated, exposing live skin cells. Highly purified grades of glycolic acid are commercially available for personal care applications.

via Wikipedia

Now that you are basically an esthetician, here’s my thoughts on my at home 40% glycolic peel!

Warning: I’m not responsible for you hurting yourself with this stuff- if you purchase it read the directions and always do a patch test.

IT’S AMAZING. It’s only to be used every 3 weeks but I’ve been finding little uses for it as well. I started by applying rubbing alcohol all over my face (this was totally terrifying) and letting it air dry. Afterwards I performed a small patch test on my jawline using the acid on a thick Shiseido cotton pad. I left it on for about 90 seconds and while I got a bit red and tingly it didn’t burn. I went ahead and applied the acid all over my face, neck and décolleté and turned on the timer. It said to leave on 3-10 minutes. Even though I’m a bit of a daredevil I set it for 3 minutes. The instructions said to have baking soda in water to restore pH. I didn’t have baking soda (I always buy it and I never know what I do with it?!), so I used my organic coconut oil since it has a pure pH. I had distilled water and a washcloth on standby.

Holy crap this burned so bad. I had my hairdryer on my face on the cool setting the entire time. I first felt it burning around my nasal fold and I should have removed it then as thats where I always get dry patches- it’s just a weird part of my face. I left it on for the entire time breathing lamaze-like. As soon as that timer went off i had that cold wet washcloth on my face. This made it burn even more!! Apparently that is what happens. As soon as I was sure I had the acid off I had my organic coconut oil on. It was immediately soothing. My face looked insane.. (see pics) but the next day the redness had subsided yet I did have exposed skin in my nasal fold from burning it.

2014-02-03 01.11.45 2014-02-03 01.12.11 2014-02-03 01.54.47

I did not pick anything over the course of the next few days. My skin was very dry and felt almost velvety although it looked alright with makeup. By the 5th day my skin was perfection. My dark spots were gone, I didn’t have a single blemish and I was inspired to tell you guys the tale. Everything I used is listed below, exactly where I ordered it from.

NARS Multiaction Hydrating Toner, or Shiseido Eudermine (http://amzn.to/1eQwfuZ)
Kate Somerville Exfolikate (http://amzn.to/1m8ACpa)
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peels for face (http://amzn.to/1eQvvGr)
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Smoothing Body Towels (http://amzn.to/LIkJVM)
Philosophy Microdelivery Peel (http://amzn.to/1jxYG33)
The PMD (Personal Microdermabrasion) (http://amzn.to/NCXmPl)
40% Glycolic Acid (http://amzn.to/1hcALG2)

Products to have on hand for treatment during after Chemical Peels:
Shiseido Cotton (http://amzn.to/1eHRNZp)
Organic Coconut Oil (doing a video on this product- it’s life changing) (http://amzn.to/1eUvNub)
Baking Soda
Distilled Water

Creme de La Mer (Contact me to order)

Ridiculously Easy Smokey Eye Tutorial
WingedSmokeyEye

via MDMAmakeup on Instagram

I am pretty good with being able to understand problems people have with makeup. I’m very blessed that I just have always seemed to get how to hold my skin to apply eyeliner, what faces to make when doing my brows.. it just comes natural. I realize about 75% of people who use makeup don’t have those built in makeup superpowers. That’s okay! You should still be able to give yourself a sultry eye without a visit to the makeup counter. Here’s how!

Products used:

Laura Mercier Eye Base: Wheat
http://amzn.to/1oj7k5U

Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow: Burnt (I think I said brown) Sugar
http://amzn.to/1gsCnGT

Chanel Illusion D’Ombre: Mirifique
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/chanel-illusion-dombre-long-wear-luminous-eyeshadow/3196939?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1046&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_2_C

MAC Pigment: Naked, Reflects Gold (MAC Store Only)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mac-pigment/3080074?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=60140410&fashionColor=&resultback=176&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_C

Dior Art Pen Liner
http://amzn.to/1eT5STE

NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner: Rue Saint Honore
http://amzn.to/1dGZhqO

YSL Faux Cils Mascara: #5 (Best EVER)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/yves-saint-laurent-volume-effet-faux-cils-mascara/2810921?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=2375500&fashionColor=&resultback=227&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_A

MAC Brow Gel Pot: Dirty Blonde
Was limited edition, can be replaced with Color of your choice in Anastasia Dipbrow

I’m so sick of being pale (but I’m terrified of the sun!)

I hear the same phrase on a daily basis now and it’s making me reevaluate what my insecurities are. Overly tanned skin is so faux-pas now, so why do I still feel insulted when people tell me how wonderfully FAIR my skin is?! I know it is meant in the best intentions but it stings so much!

Studying skincare so heavily the last couple of years, I am now fully committed to only going outdoors with my sunscreen on. I vow not to lay in a tanning bed ever again, although I do succumb to versa spas from time to time!

Being a beauty stylist at Nordstrom, I have the faux-tan world at my fingertips. I’m very lucky, but I’m also a realist. If it takes time, commitment, and any sort of process it’s just not for me (if you’re into it, more power to you!). When I decided to color my hair rose gold, it was done 12 hours later, and when I’m having an insecure, “Ew I’m so pale!” moment I want to be a bronze goddess, NOW. Some people look amazing super fair, I’m just not that fortunate.

Here’s my go-to favorites and techniques to get instant tan for a last minute hot date (you never know- you may have met a ridiculously hot British guy the night before), or just a “I don’t want to feel gross and pasty” day.

1) CLARINS Intense Bronze Self-Tanning Tint $35 (Nordstrom, Amazon)

What I love about this product is the intensity, the consistency and how fast it does the trick. It’s like TAN JUICE. I love this paired with Shiseido cotton, which is a thicker cotton that doesn’t fall apart, and ends up being the same as fancy drugstore cotton per pad ($9 for 160 pads). Just swipe it over the face, neck and decollate. It’s also wonderful for people suffering from vitiligo as it can be poured into a rollerball (usually for perfume on the go), and rolled over the skin where pigment is lighter.

I’m swanky sometimes, so I like to put this stuff in my airbrush machine and give myself a spray tan!

Lately, because I feel icky and pale but don’t like long processes, I’ve been adding this to my Chanel La Nuit night creme (order through me via Nordstrom for a free gift) and waking up with color!

2) St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse and Mitt (Nordstrom, Amazon)

This is my ultimate favorite full-body, in-a-hurry tan. Exfoliate skin right before use in the shower with Kate Somerville Exfoliate Body, or Arcona Fruit Enzyme Body Scrub. Dry off and chemically exfoliate. Here’s two ways.

These Body Exfoliating Wipes from Dr. Gross are by far the best body product I’ve ever purchased. If you have a buildup of dead skin on your legs you can get what looks like little clogged pores, red dots, and ingrown hairs. Wipe these pads over your body 1-2 times weekly before lotion. I promise you’ll see a result the first time you use it. Especially if you’re ingrown-hair prone around the bikini line or thighs. The acid exfoliates everything and seals the follicle so it’s bye-bye irritation. Afterwards I use Arcona Pumpkin Lotion (10% Glycolic Acid!) mixed with Ahava body lotion because it helps with ingrown hairs, lightening scars and keeps skin smooth! Go about your day and at night Pump the tanning foam onto the mitt and start applying. The mitt keeps your hands from becoming tan and ensures a completely even application. The whole process takes me about 5 minutes from feet to neck. Sometimes I use it on my face, but I prefer the Clarins for that. Just to ensure I don’t get this on the sheets, I use my T3 Hair Dryer to quickly set it on my body. Wake up, rinse off, look like you went on vacation! This stuff is the bomb.

3) Soleil tan de Chanel

When these products just aren’t enough and you want to look REALLY TAN, fake it with your primer. I use the Chanel Soleil tan de Chanel that has built in color. It washes off, but the tan you’ve done underneath wont! (I can send via Nordstrom, with a gift!)

4) GLEAM by Melanie Mills (Amazon, Melanie’s Website)

And after you’re all bronzed and beautiful, you want to give those legs and arms an amazing glow, and look like JLO in photos- use GLEAM by Melanie Mills. She was the makeup artist for Dancing with the Stars and now sells her amazing body glow to all of us! I love it- it’s definitely on my legs every time I show skin (I use Rose Gold).

 

 

I went to my first Korean Spa… and lived to tell the tale!

Lately I’ve been working so much that all I do when I get home is sleep. I feel like I’m missing out on so many awesome things I could be doing. I promised myself that on my next day off I would accomplish 2 things: Laundry and KOREAN SPA!

Let’s just say I accomplished 50% of that.

When I first moved to LA someone told me about Korean Spas. I was told it was under $20 to get in and you can spend all day there and even sleep there if you want. There are pools and saunas and mud masks and they scrub you down etc. I was all about it.

After planning which spa had the best deals via Yelp.com, we chose Natura Spa in the heart of Koreatown, LA. I met a new friend there and after figuring out parking during the beginning of rush hour, we were ready to be pampered. Having lived in NYC before Los Angeles, my friend had been to a Korean Spa before and told me to bring different skincare products like masks and peels, as well as a bathing suit. As we entered the spa we were immediately greeted by super Korean women that asked us what services we wanted. The way it works is that you pay admission, but then the admission gets waived if you buy 2 or more services.

They offer services for men and women (men’s spa is totally separate, there are no co-ed areas).

Womens Services Included (taken from www.Natura-Spa.com):

B O D Y   C A R E

Body Scrub$30 + $15 Admission Fee

Massage$40 + $15 Admission Fee

Scrub & Massage$80 + Admission fee waived

Aroma Package$100 + Admission fee waived

Silver Package$130 + Admission fee waived    

A C U P R E S S U R E

30 min. Session $30 + $10 Admission fee

55 min. Session $55 + Admission fee waived

85 min. Session $80 + Admission fee waived

110 min. Session $110 + Admission fee waived   

A C U P R E S S U R E   W I T H   O I L

30 min. Session $35 + $10 Admission fee

55 min. Session $70 + Admission fee waived

85 min. Session $105 + Admission fee waived

110 min. Session $140 + Admission fee waived    

F O O T   M A S S A G E

30 min. Session $30 + $10 Admission fee

55 min. Session $55 + Admission fee waived    

S K I N   C A R E

Regular $60 + Admission fee waived

Special $100 + Admission fee waived

Special Plus $130 + Admission fee waived    

N A I L   S E R V I C E S

Color Only $10

Manicure $15

Pedicure $25    

T A N N I N G   B E D

1 Session $15

Since it was my first time there, I wanted to know what I was getting myself into so I opted for no extra services and just the admission fee. They handed us each a wrist band with a key attached for our lockers. As I undressed and began to put my bathing suit on as privately as possible in a room full of naked women, my friend then said to me, “I don’t know if bathing suits are allowed. Some spas don’t allow them.”

My reaction:

As I approached the entrance to the spa pools, there it was…  a sign that said “No Swimsuits beyond this point”

As I looked around, no one seemed to care whatsoever. There were so many naked people I had to tell myself that I would be drawing more attention to myself if I didn’t go along with it. I walked back over to my locker, slowly removed my swimsuit under my robe, and began my journey.

My friend was all about it. In a split second she was robed then, BAM! We just got to know each other very quickly. Her bravery and self confidence was super inspiring so I dropped my robe then immediately turned the shower on, grasping my girls. I felt like everyone was staring at me, that was, until I noticed they weren’t. No one cared. There were boobs and vaginas everywhere! I suddenly felt like I was part of this secret sisterhood of liberated free females! I felt so empowered! I COULD BE NAKED IN FRONT OF STRANGERS.

The first place we went after showering was straight to the first hot tub. It was like taking a bath with my friend, but in a totally normal way (?!). As I began to relax, and more and more boobs crossed my vision, I began to realize how dependent upon covering ourselves up we are. Literally everyone in that room had the same number of breasts, the same piping, lots of love handles, and apparently open minds. It was not only physically rejuvenating, but also psychologically. I felt more accepting of my flaws than I have in a while. I also felt much more cultured.

The next hour or so we went from hot tub to freezing tub to hot tub to steam room to sauna to clay room, back to freezing tub and so on. We took a break from all this nekkedness to do a face mask and have some fresh juice. My friend had fresh grapefruit juice and I had strawberry and kiwi juice. We relaxed, watched some Korean soap opera and then went back for a final dip. After feeling totally comfortable and not self conscious before, the fear returned all over again. I ignored it, showered, got super naked again for a while then showered again before drying my hair and getting clothed (thank god!).

The experience was so different for me, and had to be one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. Ultimately it was awesome and I look forward to it again in the near future. My skin is glowing, my pores are non-existent and I feel like a stronger woman.

THE THINGS WE DO IN THE NAME OF BEAUTY!!!!

The 2014 International Makeup Artist Tradeshow (IMATS) Los Angeles Post (Haul Included)!

It’s been 2 years since I attended the IMATS in LA.

Imagine walking into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory (if you love chocolate), or the world’s largest hang out with orangutans (if you would love this so much then you and I are more alike than you may think!), whatever the case the IMATS is total paradise to a Makeup Addict like myself.

Other than the awesome fact that they turn the Pasadena Convention Center into an explosion of everything Makeup related, what I love is the feeling I get when I walk in the doors. There is a mix of people ranging from young girls interested in makeup, to beauty bloggers, to “fakeup artists” (basically they cover themselves in glitter, every color of Sugarpill eyeshadow and glue upside down lashes on their upper cheeks), to *I do this for a living* Makeup Artists, to the most insanely talented SFX makeup artists on earth.. and oh yeah, Jeffree Starr was there too.

I go to the IMATS to get inspired. Just being in a room full of people with the same passion and ambition I have makes me get really competitive and hungry. The second time around wasn’t as magical as the first but I expected that. I went mainly for two reasons: to gawk at the incredibly amazing special fx characters and prosthetics- THE SHOPPING!!!! I gave myself some limitations this year as my budget is pretty tight due to moving to LA, and just you know, living in LA and eating food in LA. I was not allowed to buy eyeshadows (except for sugarpill- I can’t stand not owning any anymore – damn you instagram!!!), primers of any kind, face setting spray, mascara, foundations (unless airbrush set), or skincare or anything from Naimies, Frends or Nigels’s (I can go there any time and their deals for pro artists weren’t really any more exciting than they already are).

I had some specific brands I wanted to check out: Anastasia (the makeup- not just brows), Sugarpill eyeshadows (because if I see instagram posts with 3439104831 likes and all they used was tako and bulletproof I would feel like a failure if I didn’t own some), Inglot, Chella, Limecrime, NYX, OCC, Parian Spirit, Senna, Stila Pro, Wolfe, and any brands with Mink Lashes.

How good did you think I did? Here’s the scoop-

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Anastasia’s makeup was “just okay” to me. I didn’t jump up and down with the eyeshadow palette they offered at IMATS, and was about to buy some of the new Dipbrow Gel Brow pots (obsessed). I had to tell myself that I still had three gel brows from MAC’s brow launch last year that I need to go through and they are literally the same thing. I was interested in the contour palette, but it just reminded me so much of the terrible contour and blush palette from BH Cosmetics that I wasted money on. After getting home though, and seeing more posts about it I do regret not purchasing it. I ended up leaving with the Brow Pro Palette, which normally is not sold, and the new brow fix primer (wax pencil that you use before applying color to brows).

Via Google

Total: $72

Sugarpill

I stood in line for Sugarpill and when it was my turn I was kind of amazed how small the line is. Granted, it’s relatively new but for such a huge name I was like “oh this is it?”, until I swatted the colors. They are so pigmented it’s ridiculous. I bought 4 shadows (Tako, Bulletproof, Poison Plum and _), and 2 loose shadows (Birthday Girl and Tiara). While I don’t think I’m going to be rocking the colorful goth look anytime soon, or ever, these shadows are fantastic and are a much better quality and value than MAC’s Gesso and Carbon (sorry, MAC!). Also, I usually de-pot all my shadows but I’m leaving these as they are- the packaging is too cute, down to the box!

Insanely Pigmented Shadows

Total: $54

Inglot

Even trying to approach Inglot was a hot mess. There were swarms of people and I literally got pushed trying to look at some regular looking eyeshadows, so I left. I can say that I was only interested (and still am) in two products- their gel eyeliners and their new setting powders that provide a soft glow and are HD approved. They were the same price at IMATS as I can get with my pro card so I’ll scoop up some of the fun gel colors later on.

Chella

Walked by, not interested.

Limecrime

Cute display as always but looked rummaged over and I still have an electric blue and grey lipstick I’ll never use from 2 IMATS’ ago. Passed.

NYX

The only thing I cared to pick up was the Milk fat pencil, and they were sold out. Too much of a headache to even look at anything else. Passed.

OCC

I love lip tars but I have so many already that I never wear, and I wasn’t allowed to buy any lip color anyways! I was interested in the pencils, and still am, but it was late and I couldn’t decide on what colors I wanted so I passed.

Parian Spirit (apparently best brush cleaner)

LOOKED EVERYWHERE, COULDN’T FIND IT. Left pissed.

Senna

I came ready to buy their cream blush palette and also check out their other cosmetics as clients of mine have raved about how great the line is. I would have definitely purchased some, if the employees weren’t so extremely rude, stuck up and unattentive. I will never buy anything from them, that isn’t how I do business with them. Plus, their cream blush palette was redone to be larger and it was super dry. I had to rub a stipple brush extremely hard on it to even get it to show color on my hand. PASS.

Stila Pro

The way Stila Pro was advertised, I was so excited to see what products they had in their pro line. Turns out there isn’t a pro line. It was just Stila. Which is great but I could get that anytime with my pro card. Passed.

Wolfe

I wanted to buy some body paint starter kits. Wolfe is known for them. Sadly, looked everywhere couldn’t find it so  I passed. Maybe next year!

Mink Lashes

There were two brands that had amazing mink lashes. Flutter and Velour. I will definitely be getting some of these, but their discount at IMATS was less than the pro discount at Naimies/Frends/Nigels so I passed.

Sounds like a sad day but nope… I found so many great things from other brands I didn’t plan on being in love with!!

Image via Instagram

Face Atelier 

The last thing I need is any new foundation but I had to stop and see what all the fuss was about. Face Atelier has been in magazine after magazine and on celebrity after celebrity. I asked them what their other favorite stand out products from their line were. They said the Airbrush thinner to make any foundation into airbrush. I already have the Make Up For Ever one but what the hell. They also recommended the Matte setting spray. They said that after spraying on top of airbrush, you can tweak little things without screwing it up. The only thing I didn’t like is that I asked how their airbrush thinner compared to other brands and the lady (who certainly acted like the brand owner) said very snotty, “I don’t pay attention to other brands.” I seriously had to force myself not to walk away. What a stuck up bitch, seriously. My forces prevailed and I left with some seriously good product, although I had a bad taste in my mouth.

I picked up both the airbrush base and the matte finish. I had to get a mini of my color foundation to test on myself before I would put it on a client. I like that they sell minis of their foundation- very important to a pro MUA.

Total: $62

Morphe Brushes

Hi my name is Megan and I’m a Makeup Brush snob (“HI MEGAN!”). I have more brushes than I know what to do with. The last thing I needed was any more but these prices were crazy low. In my head I just wanted to feel the terrible quality but as I caressed these brushes against the back of my hand.. that feeling never happened! They were so soft and Excellent quality. The handles aren’t the fanciest thing in the world but it didn’t matter I couldn’t pass up a fat fan brush, a flat kabuki brush, a new lip brush and a mascara brush.

Morphe Brushes

Total: $20 (HAH)

Gleam by Melanie Mills

Melanie Mills is a well known, emmy winning makeup artist that worked on “Dancing with the Stars” for several years. Her claim to fame was how much the cast members’ glowed from head to toe. She intelligently decided to market that and created “GLEAM”.  Gleam is a body makeup that basically turns you into JLO the second it touches your skin. Unlike other body glow brands, GLEAM stays on once it sets and doesn’t rub off. It also doubles as a lotion. They also sell body highlighting powder and the most amazing huge brush I’ve ever seen/touched.

After talking with Melanie herself, I picked up all three products and didn’t look back! Melanie, by the way, was so humble and sweet and went out of her way to give me genuine good advice from MUA to MUA. She also cut me a good deal, which will keep me buying her brand in the future.

Total: $120

THE MAKEUP LIGHT

Do you remember being like, 7 and that new Barbie came out that had the COOLEST dress, and the COOLEST hair, and the COOLEST car? Like you would have done anything to have that damn doll?? That is how I feel about The Makeup Light. Oh my god. I could take down my entire studio set up which takes up a quarter of my living room, and have better lighting with this product. It’s perfect for photographing makeup and recording videos. (I bought the GLAMCOR light set a couple years ago and I hate it. It makes everything yellow and blinds you. Also the lights fall apart and I’ve had to superglue it back together twice.) The Makeup Light closes right up and you can take it on jobs. I would have bought it in a heartbeat if it was in the $200-$300 price range but it is retailing for $650, and they were selling it at the show for $450 with free shipping. With only having a 6 month warranty, I just couldn’t. I just couldn’t. This was the most heartbreaking thing of the day.

Total: $0 😦

themakeuplight

Perfect selfie lighting with The Makeup Light

TAT2U

Basically badass sharpies to draw all over yourself with. The inner child in me couldn’t resist. I had to get 3 of them. Will I ever use them realistically? Probably not. But I HAD’TA.

Total: $25

Beauty So Clean

Makeup Pro’s can’t have enough of this stuff. I spray it on all my product before it touches my client’s skin. I picked up an extra bottle for less than half off the retail price.

Total: $10 (retail $25)

Kryolan

Oh boy. The love affair began. Kryolan is serious makeup for serious makeup artists. It’s a brand from Germany that unlike many of the biggest makeup brands in the world, actually make and manufacture their own product. The result is absolute perfection. Most pro’s already have the Derma Palette, which I had to pick up. On top of it I wanted so much more but in due time. I also splurged on their setting spray, which is in a hairspray type of can. It was a super fine mist that locks on makeup all day long and makes it waterproof. Their gel liner colors were amazing and since I didn’t get any Inglot, opted for these instead. I bought Aubergine (dark burgundy brown), (a light pink) and they were out of Sienna (red brown) but she gave me the tester (barely touched, and nothing Beauty So Clean can’t handle!). I was still bummed about Senna and that damn blush palette but REJOICE- Kryolan’s was so much better!! The colors are beautiful and blend together to create almost any color you like. Picked that up!

They have a new product that is for body art called Aqua Color + and when I start exploring that artistic side I’m definitely getting it. You can layer other colors on top of each other without them blending together. They weren’t available for sale yet, but were super fun to play with. Another product I got to test out is their new Derma Liquid Foundation. It’s the liquid form of the Derma Palette and dried to a total matte finish that looked just like perfected skin. Powder unnecessary. Right now they have US locations in San Fransisco, Chicago and Boston. Maybe soon there will be one in LA!

Derma Color D1 Palette

Total: Around $85

KETT Cosmetics

When I airbrush people I generally tend to use Silicone Based Makeup. Here in LA, a lot of people don’t like Silicone or are scared of it (mmhmm… no reason to be). I have been leery about going back to water based after using OCC, which I cannot stand. After speaking to lot’s of pros out here, they all recommended Kett. I picked up a starter set of their Water Based Airbrush foundations. Generally speaking, if you’re drier you go with SB, if you are oily or breakout prone, you go with Aqua based. That said, it is truly a preference and both work for both skin types. Can’t wait to try it out on myself, and if I approve, on my airbrush clients!

Kett AB Starter Set

Total: $70

Model in a Bottle

Super famous for their setting spray, I stopped by this booth to see what else was new. I stopped myself from picking up their famous setting mist, because I already have a new bottle of fix + at home and didn’t need it (thank god because I later found Kryolan!). What I was super interested in was their lip fix. It seals any lipstick color without drying out your lips. Perfect for my brides that love that YSL or MAC color, but don’t want to reapply and definitely don’t want it to kiss off! I bought it and then after my purchase, they were so nice to gift me the eyebrow sealer as well. I can’t wait to try these products out and review them!!

Total: $8

ZÜCA

One of the best purchases I’ve ever made was my Züca Pro Bag. I use it on every job I do. It quickly overflowed and I bought a Stilazzi Large Set bag, which works but it very heavy on my shoulder once it’s full of all the extra supplies, brush set, cleaning stuff, palettes, etc. I wanted to know what they have been up to the last 2 years, and fell in love with this cute little bag that fits on top of your Züca! It even has space inside to keep your iPad and other media devices. Problem was it was $160. I waited until the very last minute of the show, and swarmed back around and offered $120. They finally accepted as they were packing up then DUN DUN DUN Chase turned my card off for fraud protection. Haha. So I awkwardly stood there on hold making these people wait on me but all prevailed and I got my new baby.

Zuca Skipper Artist Bag

Total: $120

All in all, it was a great day. There were so many more booths that seemed to have great products, I just didn’t need them at the time. I wish I would have been able to see all the classes and lectures. A cool part of the day was helping my friend Ashley get into her costume.

My first cosplay experience

My first cosplay experience

Ashley Transformation IMATS

Finished Product!

Finished Product!

She modeled for Frank Ippolito (Face Off) and wore a skeleton prosthetic that was applied on stage. I spent around $700 including my IMATS ticket and parking. It was a pricey day, but the value of the products I received, and the extra options I can now offer my clients was well worth it. See you next year, IMATS LA! If you’re in the NYC area, the IMATS are coming to you next. The show is April 11th through the 14th. Tickets are available at http://www.IMATS.net.

MY IMATS 2014 HAUL!

HD Foundation Test: Make Up For Ever vs Revlon Photoready HD
(Taken from Google)

(Taken from Google)

(Quite) A while ago I got curious while at Walgreens and decided to see what new advancements Drugstore brands have come out with. That day I found a lot of things I still love, my favorite being Maybelline Color Whisper Balms (compare to Giorgio Armani Sheers lipstick or YSL Volupte Sheer Candy). I was the most curious about Revlon HD foundation because luxury foundation, eye shadow and liquid liner is something I just can’t stray away from. I bought a bottle and brought it home, turned my studio lights and my DSLR on and got to the test.

The application of both foundations feel similar and I used the same application technique on both sides of my face.

At first I was extremely impressed with this foundation for being Drugstore. I liked it more than many brands I work with on the regular. It was nearly undetectable from the MUFE. But I needed to know how it photographed. I pride myself as an artist that not only can make things look outstanding on film, but natural looking in person as well, which isn’t the easiest thing to do.

Behold, the results, keeping in mind that these looked almost identical to the naked eye. Lighting is the same on both sides.

These photos are uploaded directly from my camera, zero altering has been done.

Image

With flash…

Image

And in lower lighting… I was also having an allergy attack so sorry for the runnyish nose, hey at least I keep it real.

Image

Both foundations had equal coverage to the eye, so if you’re looking for a nice looking foundation, I approve. However, it in no way compares to the Make Up For Ever HD which it is clearly a “knock-off” of. If you can’t tell which is which, the right side of my face (left side of the photo) is Revlon, and the left side of my face (right side of the photo) is MUFE.

If you’re a makeup artist trying to build a less expensive kit in the HD foundation department, I do not approve. Womp Womp!!

To Celebrate NARS Cosmetics 20th year, they just released the NARScissist Palette

To Celebrate NARS Cosmetics 20th year, they just released the NARScissit Palette

15 Classic NARS Cosmetics Eyeshadow Shades available at Nordstrom and NARSCosmetics.com. I have about 30 available for my clients but it just went viral so these will be going soon.

Colors include:
All About Eve I, Madrague II, Fez, Bali, Coconut Grove
Madrague I, Nepal, Ashes to Ashes, Brousse II, Mekong
Bellissima I, Lhasa, Deep Pewter, Dogon II, Pandora II

Email me to reserve one- MDMAmakeup@gmail.com.

I met Makeup icon Charlotte Tilbury (oh, and I moved to Los Angeles)!!!

Wow. In the last week I’ve turned a year older, did my first official LA red carpet makeup for the Golden Globes, and most importantly met one of the people I look up to the most with my career and aspirations. I ran into Charlotte Tilbury, a very famous makeup artist from London, at a Golden Globes after party. Amidst all the stars I spotted her from across the room and couldn’t resist an introduction. Charlotte, along with artists like Val Garland, Kevyn Aucoin, Gregory Arlt, and Ve Neil, is someone who has changed the beauty industry. I say beauty rather than makeup because so many ideas about beauty in general, high end makeup, red carpet looks at work, etc. have been brought forward by these innovative and talented artists. The secret mystique of celebrity beauty has gone from being Hollywood Secret to easily discovered via books, backstage videos, and even youtube videos from artists themselves.

A new respect for the makeup artist profession has emerged over the last decade and specifically the last few years. It’s one of the most sought after careers these days but it’s a job based not only on talent you truly have to be born with, but also creative vision and stellar networking skills, as well as being a generally genuine and true person that your clients love working with.

Charlotte has accomplished every dream I currently have for myself and has even started her own brand of cosmetics that is seriously SMASHING (imagine that in a dreamy Brit accent). I have to say, I’m truly grateful to have been given a mix of talent, luck and ambition that has finally gotten me to Los Angeles where I can really begin my journey.

Image

via @MDMAmakeup on Instagram

I met her again at Nordstrom the day after, and I had a chance to get her advice about a lot of things, as well as learn all about her makeup and skincare line she has. She has me obsessed with her “magic cream” and I’m yet to even try it! Her products vill a void in an immensely saturated industry. Her videos are remarkably easy to follow and she’s downright fab. Check out her website at http://www.CharlotteTilbury.com and keep your eyes open, her products may be available near you soon 😉

Golden Globes 2013 Red Carpet Makeup

I love any excuse to get dressed up so red carpet events are a personal drug to me. I love seeing people we are entertained by in film go characterless and come together in some serious jewels and designer duds. While E! may be nitpicking about who wore the best gown- I can’t help but critique the makeup!

Watching this years GG’s on a 50″ LCD TV gave me a whole new reason to keep my eyes glued! Everyone was HD ready and it showed!

It was evident that the makeup trend last night was BOLD eyes and natural lips (not really nude, but a true lippy color). Here are some of my favorites:

Kristen Wiig

Image

My favorite look of the night by far! She had such a perfect smokey eye that I emulated it today (see below). The red carpet pictures don’t show the perfection as much as when she was on stage but it was dark, sultry but not over the top. Lot’s of women I work with in their mid/late 30’s wouldn’t dare to wear a bold eye like this but Kristen rocked it and looked stunning. Dating Strokes rocker Fabrizzio Moretti must be bringing out her inner badass.

To recreate this look use a full coverage foundation that will make your skin appear smooth as butter such as Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. For added perfection a concealer like Cle de Peau will cover even the darkest of circles and brighten your overall look. Dust a peachy blush like NARS Deep Throat on the apples of your cheeks and then run through the center of your face with whatever is left on your brush. I used the new MAC Brow Collection “Dirty Blonde” Fluidline Brow Gel to shape my brows then added more drama with the Veluxe Pencil in Deep Brunette. On the lips, a subtle shine lipstick such as Chanel “Boy” does the trick because this focus is all about eyes (I used NARS Sex Machine).

To get Kristen’s perfect smokey eye you’re going to need to break out your brushes. To prep my eye I used MAC Painterly Paint Pot smudged from my lash line to my brow. I then grabbed my NARS Kalahari duo and blended with the MAC 217 brush nearly all the way up to the brow. I used the more lavender (right) side all over the eye and the topazy gold side (left) dusted on the lid and into the crease. While I liked the look and thought it looked like Kristen’s I made mine a little bit more dramatic by adding NARS Mekong Shadow at my lashline and blending up very softly. I used NARS Mambo liner on the bottom smudged with MAC Brown Script and tightlined my eyes with Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Liner in Black. I topped the look off with Chanel Le Volume Mascara.

Image

Jessica Chastain

Image

A classic, beautiful look matched perfectly with her hair and wardrobe. Jessica is newly famous but has made a huge impact in the movie biz with her role in Zero Dark Thirty. She won best actress and her makeup artist made an appropriate decision with her makeup. She didn’t need to look like anyone else or too sultry because she isn’t that recognizable *yet*. Her MUA gave her a very “Old Hollywood” look with subtle contouring, a nice berry lip and a natural, eye that was simply tightlined and made bolder with long and separated lashes.

To recreate this look try Trish McEvoy BB Cream, NARS Orgasm Blush, YSL Glossy Stain in #3, Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials in Bare and Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Liner in Black smudged into your lash line. Top with a lengthening Mascara such as Cle de Peau “The Mascara.”

The “Can you believe I just gave birth?!” Look… Claire Danes!!!

Image

Good Lord!!! Claire Danes has literally never looked so good! Representing her role as Carrie on the Showtime Drama, Homeland, Claire had her makeup artist create magic by stripping the delusional, sometimes bi-polar and never really dressed up character into a total seductress! With the red dress, tousled blonde waves, flawless skin and that intense smokey eye, this is the reason I watch these Award shows. She’s a new mom and she makes it look easy for the rest of us.

To create this look use a foundation that will give you an instant photoshopped appearance such as (my well known favorite) Diorshow Airflash. When using Airflash I like to correct and conceal first (for this look I would choose a Bobbi Corrector and Illamasqua concealer) because I’ll be buffing the foundation over the top and don’t want any streaks or fingerprints. After taking care of the skin dust a Golden Bronzer such as DiorNude “002 Sunlight” over the contour areas. Top with a Peachy blush like YSL Creme de Blush 02. Claire has hooded eyes which are my favorite to smoke out. Try a Kohl Pencil around the entire eye such as MAC Smoulder and blend the line so that it’s smudged with a MAC 219 pencil brush. Use a MAC 217 blending brush in a greyish sultry shadow (try Patina from MAC) and blend just over the crease. Top with Dramatic Mascara like Chanel Le Volume and add a neutral pink lipstick and you’re set. Lashes are always a great option as well!!

I hope this inspired you to try some of these great Golden Globe looks! As always feel free to comment with any questions!