Bridal Beauté: Before and After

There’s no doubt the bride is the center of attention on her big day. But her wedding party should look good also. Uniformity in their makeup look whether it’s two attendants or 12 is important. Occasionally I do trials for the bride’s attendants because they want to see how their makeup will look too. So here is a before-and-after of a client who’s sister is jumping the broom in July and the products I used.

My client has never worn makeup and didn’t know if she would like the look or feel of it until she looked in the mirror…

To PREP her skin: ARTISTRY Hydrating toner and moisturizer, Replenishing Eye Cream and Natural Born Cosmetics foundation primer. For the FACE: ARTISTRY Medium concealer and Self-Defining Sheer foundation in Sable set with Honey pressed powder. I also used a little of the foundation on her eyes to create a base for the eyeshadow. I defined her BROWS with my favorite brow pencil from ARTISTRY in Deep Brown. My client has gorgeous hazel EYES so it wasn’t hard to make them pop with ARTISTRY Golden Lynx all over, MAC Tan pigment on the lid with Soft Brown swept over to diffuse the shimmer a bit and Swiss Chocolate in her crease. ARTISTRY Bone eyeshadow and Aglow was used as a highlight under her brow. I lined her eyes with a mix of brown and black gel eyeliner for some serious staying power. For the CHEEKS: Black Opal bronzer and a sheertone peach blush. For the LIPS: Episilk lip balm to condition and moisturize her lips. A reddish brown lip pencil for definition with ARTISTRY lip color in Flatter.

My client was all smiles and can’t wait for her sister’s wedding!

*Shop ARTISTRY products in my new online beauty store.

Beauté Must-Have: Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss

A good lip gloss is hard to find, and I’m always on a mission to find one. So count me a forever fan of Avon’s Glazewear Lip Gloss. Sixteen beautifully pigmented shades originally priced at $6 each, now on sale for $2.49! These glosses give shine and moisture without looking or feeling tacky and sticky. Wear them alone, with a lip liner or over your favorite lip color. My favorites: Cherry Liqueur (a warm-rose shade), Island Glow (a bronze inspired taupe) and Pinked Ice (a nude-y pink). Sale ends March 3 so hurry, hurry, hurry. To purchase, visit Avon.com.

Beauté Splurge: Narcisco Rodriguez Essence Body Cream

I was flipping through W magazine recently and peeled open the sample insert of Narcisco Rodriguez Essence Body Cream, and it was love at first smell. Really. I’m picky when it comes to creams, lotions, fragrances, shower gels, etc… because many give me an instant headache. But when I find one that works, I have to get it. I stopped by Nordstrom to try it up close and in person. I was still in love. It’s a rich, luxurious and sensual cream that left my hands feeling delicate, satiny and soft. It melted into my skin and my hands were soft and supple for hours. I can’t wait to try it all over. It’s gently scented with essence, which the company describes as a “pure, luminous fragrance with a modern heart of musk enhanced by radiant notes of rose petals, powder notes of iris and hints of amber.” This body cream is definitely a splurge for me. The 6.7 oz. jar is $80. But I’m worth it!

MUA Beauty Shoot Special with Ajani Truth

Are you a makeup artist in the DC area? Looking to build your portfolio? Or just looking to shoot with a good photographer? Then check out this special from photographer Ajani Truth. I have shot with Ajani on several occasions and he is the truth. No pun intended. He’s a great photographer with a warm personality and spirit. And you WILL get the shot! To see more of his work, visit ajanitruth.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @ajanitruth. Book your appointment today by emailing booking@ajanitruth.com. I can’t wait to shoot!

Smashbox Spring Kits

Smashbox has put together some lovely kits to get you glam and gorgeous for spring. I was at Nordstrom recently and played around with Glambox—Beauty in Bloom, above. It really is a nice collection of gorgeous Spring shades for lips, eyes and cheeks. It includes two brand new products and over 13 limited-edition hues.

What’s in the kit:

• Lip Tech in Posey
• Baked Cheek & Highlighter Palette in Blossom
• Fan Brush #22
• Lip Enhancing Gloss in Petal
• Beauty in Bloom Eye Palette
• Bionic Mascara in Jet Black

I’m especially loving the Sweet and Sultry beauty kit which includes 4 shimmering shadows, 3 cream liners, cheek color (Blushing Rose), and 2 glosses (Hype and Illume), plus a mini double ended brush for lining and smudging. You can create many looks with this set, and I plan to do just that.

Kits available at smashbox.com and/or your local Nordstrom.

M·A·C Viva Glam VII: Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper

M∙A∙C Cosmetics and the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund bring you the newest faces of Viva Glam VII: Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper. As part of the “From Our Lips” campaign, M∙A∙C is introducing Viva Glam Gaga and Viva Glam Cyndi lipsticks. Each lipstick will retail for $14 with 100% of the sales being donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund.

The limited edition VIVA GLAM Cyndi, above, features a high-lustre finish and a light coral-red color. VIVA GLAM Gaga has a high lustre finish and is a cool blue-pink shade.

The M·A·C AIDS Fund was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. To date, the M·A·C AIDS Fund has raised over $150 million in 67 countries exclusively through the sale of M·A·C’s VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass. I’m totally loving these colors especially Viva Glam Gaga. To purchase, go to www.maccosmetics.com or visit your local M·A·C counter or store.

The Fashion World Loses Alexander McQueen

British fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead at his London home on Thursday. He was 40 years old. McQueen was known for his dramatic statement pieces and impeccable tailoring.

“McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs,” said Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue. “At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashions shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over.”

According to a story from the Associated Press, his runway shows — more often like performance pieces because they were so dramatic, and sometimes, bizarre — were always a highlight during the Paris ready-to-wear fashion week.

His edgy creations have been seen on numerous red carpets, worn by celebrities including Lady Gaga, Sandra Bullock, and Cameron Diaz.

Alexander McQueen. Gone too soon.

Bridal Beauté: Before and After

I really enjoy doing bridal makeup and can’t wait until the wedding season kicks into high gear. Last month I was busy, busy, busy with bridal trials for clients who will be tying the knot in the upcoming months. Here’s a before-and-after and the products I used. Hope you enjoy!

My client has oily skin and has had recent breakouts and irritation. The after….

To PREP her skin I used ARTISTRY Balancing toner and moisturizer; Replenishing eye creme and Steelo primer. For the FACE: ARTISTRY Absolute Oil Control foundation in Hazelnut (I love this foundation because it dries down to a matte finish—perfect for those with oily skin), and a translucent powder in Dark to set. I defined her BROWS with ARTISTRY Deep Brown eye brow pencil (love the fine point tip on this self-sharpening pencil) and a brow powder. On her EYES: Neutral eye colors from one of my palettes with MAC Embark in the crease. I lined the eyes with Auraline Black Gel Liner (has great staying power), and used a half lash on the outer half of her eyes. For CHEEKS, MAC Ambering Rose Blush, Refined Deeper Bronzer to contour and ARTISTRY Aglow to highlight. For LIPS, used a deep brown and plum lip liner, a beiged pink lustre lipstick and a pinkish pearl LORAC Crock Mocktail gloss for added shine.

My client was pleased in the end and can’t wait for her wedding day!

**ARTISTRY products are available for purchase here in my online store.

TREND Beauté: MAC Spring Colour Forecast

Although we’re snowed in in the nation’s capital, my thoughts are on warmer days ahead thanks to MAC’s Spring Colour Forecast collection. With four vivid, sensual color palettes designed to capture the essence of the season, there’s something for every mood, every demeanor, every emotion.

“If it giggles, tickles, pleases, it’s PINK” Some of my favorites from Spring Colour Forecast 1:

• Rose Outlook Eye shadow
• Cultureclash Lipglass
• Galore Nail Lacquer
• Pink Burst Lipstick

“If it’s a tawny, sensuous, glowing, it’s CORAL” Spring Colour Forecast 2 features this must-have color for the season. I’m loving:

• Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach
• Kumquat Lipglass
• Hot Hot Hot Eye shadow
• Crush Metal Pigments (copper gold, yellow gold, green gold)

“If it’s wicked, noble, naughty, it’s PLUM” Express yourself with these plum good items from Spring Colour Forecast 3 that caught my eye:

• Bruised Plum Eye Shadow
• Lavender Wind Lipglass
• Hang-up Lipstick
• Imperial Splendor Nail Lacquer

“Dare to be as bold as gold with AMBER” Warm it up with Spring Colour Forecast 4. I’m eyeing:

• Abalone Shell Nail Lacquer
• Beigeland Lipstick
• Limited edition eye shadows Manila Paper, Flip, Aztec Brick and Creole Beauty
• Almondine Lipglass

View the entire collection online at maccosmetics.com or visit your local MAC store or counter.

TREND Beauté: Celebrity Fragrances

I don’t usually get caught up in the celebrity perfume hype, but I have to admit I’m curious about “Heat” by Beyoncé which arrived on the market this month and “Kim Kardashian” which is available at Sephora.

Top notes of Heat are decorated with red vanilla-orchid, magnolia, neroli and peach. The heart of the scent offers a combination of honeysuckle, almond and musky cream, while the base finishes with sequoia wood, tonka and amber. Heat includes 30, 50 and 100ml sizes, along with a 200 ml golden lotion. Prices vary.

Kim Kardashian reportedly has crisp top notes, lush mid tones and a warm sensual base thanks to the following notes: mandarin, honey suckle, orange blossom, pink jasmine, tuberose, sensual spice, gardenia, jacaranda wood, tonka bean, vanilla orchid, musk and creamy sandalwood. Kim Kardashian is available in a 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz sizes and a 0.33 oz rollerball parfum and prices range from $16 to $65.

I doubt if I buy either, but when I get a chance, I will sniff and tell. Has anyone else tried them? If so, what did you think?