Our #828SpringShoot designed//coordinated by Urban Shindigs is up on Burnett's Boards Today! Makeup by yours truly!
Holiday Gift Guide 2014-Sephora Favorites...and mine too!
For those beauty lovers out there, this blog is for you! Every year, Sephora comes out with their holiday gift sets. These sets include a variety of different brands and best off all, they're affordable! One of their most popular set is the Sephora Favorites Superstars. This is my favorite set and I just purchased it the other day. The Superstar kit comes with Sephora's best selling beauty essentials, ranging from various makeup products to nail polish and perfume. This limited gift set includes 12 different products and 9 of them are full size. Yes, FULL SIZE and all for $75.00 ($225.00 value). If I were you, I would get this soon before it sells out!!
So, let me break it down even further, so you can see what you are actually getting:
This set contains:
- 0.003 oz Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown
- 0.25 oz Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional
- 0.05 oz Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Mascara In Jet Black
- 1.7 oz Bumble And Bumble Surf Spray
- 0.34 oz Chloè by Chloè Rollerball
- 0.4 oz Formula X Nail Color in Ignite
- 0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Rosè Tinted Lip Treatment
- 0.5 oz Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
- 0.16 oz Nars Cosmetics Blush in Orgasm
- 1 oz Smashbox Cosmetics Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 in Light
- 0.016 oz Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner In Intense Black
- 0.05 oz Urban Decay Eye shadow in Sin
For those of you that love mascara and are looking to try different brands, this set is for you!
Sephora Favorites Lashstash -$45.00 ($118.00 value)
This Sephora Favorites Lashstash is a mascara set that lets you explore 10 different mascaras and find your favorite lash looks. It features new mascaras, your favorites, and bestsellers to choose from—and a bonus full-size lash primer and makeup remover to keep eyes looking luminous.
This set contains:
- 0.05 oz Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Mascara In Jet Black
- 0.2 oz Buxom® Lash Mascara In Blackest Black
- 0.07 oz Clinique Dual Ended High Impact Mascara And Lash Primer
- 0.17 oz Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara
- 0.1 oz Kat Von D Immortal Lash 24HR Mascara
- 0.135 oz Lancôme Paris Hypnôse Drama Mascara
- 0.84 oz Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
- 0.067 oz Sephora Collection Outrageous Curl Dramatic Volume And Curl Mascara
- 0.32 oz Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara In Jet Black
- 0.08 oz Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
- 0.06 oz YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Baby Doll
Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip-$25.00 ($90.00 value)
This set is a FABULOUS deal for only $25.00. This is a great gift to give to a friend or family member. For $25.00 you get a 6-piece lip sampler set with coveted glosses, sticks, tints, and lacquers—including one full-size product (Smashbox gloss in Pout)—in pink and nude shades.
This set contains:
- 0.03 oz Urban Decay Mini Naked Revolution Lipstick
- 0.12 oz Nars Deluxe Orgasm Lip Gloss
- 0.07 oz Buxom Mini Full On Lip Cream in White Russian
- 0.02 oz Marc Jacobs Mini Lust for Lacquer in Kissability
- 0.05 oz Deluxe Bite High Pigment Lip Pencil in Meritage
- 0.20 oz Full-size Smashbox Be Legendary Gloss in Pout
Well, if you are looking to splurge a little more on lips (maybe for a gift for you), than I would recommend this next gift set.
Sephora Favorite Give Me More Lip-$59.00 ($192.00 value)
This is a 17-piece, must-have lip sampler set of sticks, glosses, liners, treatments, tars, liquids, balms, and creams in an irresistible array of red, pink, nude, and berry shades.
This set contains:
- 0.05 oz bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie™ Lipstick in Speak Your Mind (bubble gum pink)
- 0.01 oz Benefit Cosmetics Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm in Posie
- 0.07 oz Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Palomino (vibrant magenta)
- 0.04 oz Buxom Mini Full Bodied lipstick in Menace
- 0.08 oz Fresh Sugar Berry Tinted Lip Treatment
- 0.03 oz Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon
- 0.10 oz Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Outlaw
- 0.09 oz Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in Blush (medium rose brown)
- 0.07 oz Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Red Armour
- 0.018 oz MAKE UP FOR EVER Waterproof Lip Liner Pencil
- 0.08 oz Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Black Dahlia Lip Tar: Matte Test Tube
- 0.068 oz Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion in 10 Red Essence
- 0.04 oz stila Stay All Day® Vinyl Lip Gloss in Nude Vinyl (medium pink nude)
- 0.06 oz Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Moody
- 0.04 oz Tarte LipSurgence Power Pigment in Flush
- 0.05 oz Too Faced Cosmetics La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream in Naked Dolly
- 0.16 oz Too Faced Cosmetics Melted Liquefied Long Wear Lipstick in Fuchsia
Sephora Favorites Draw the Line-$30.00 ($79.00 value)
This is an amazing sampler eyeliner set, including one full size product. This set features liquid, gel, and pencil liners that let you flick, drag, sweep, or smudge on liner. Create countless looks with multiple formulas for precise pigmented application, inner rim lining, long-wear, contouring, and subtle to smoky looks.
This set contains:
- 0.028 oz Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12 HR Wear in Black Lace
- 0.01 oz stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Dark Brown
- 0.007 oz Kat Von D Deluxe Tattoo liner in Trooper (black)
- 0.01 oz Nars Cosmetics Via Veneto Larger Than Life™ Long Wear Eyeliner (black)
- 0.01 oz Deluxe Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner in Blacquer
- 0.02 oz Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Double Ended Eye Pencil in Perversion and Rockstar
To see more of Sephora's Favorite Gift Sets click here. Remember, these sets are limited and they won't be around for long, so get them while they're hot!!
Back to Basics
In honor of all the kids going back to school this month, I thought I would do a back to basics 101 blog about makeup. Many of you tell me, “Erin, I just want to look natural. I don’t want to look like I am wearing a lot of makeup”. I get it, completely. My goal as an artist is to bring out your best features. For example, if someone has beautiful, clear skin, you don’t need to slab on the foundation. Rather, look at the skin and see if there is any redness or small blemishes and just use foundation or concealer in those areas, leaving the rest of the skin clean. Now, I am going to cover the basics for creating a natural look.
Foundation: If you are going to splurge on one makeup product, I recommend that you treat yourself and buy a good foundation. Higher quality foundations usually contain a higher quality of pigments, which last longer on your skin and appear more complimentary. The overall goal of wearing foundation is to look as if your not wearing at all.
**Foundations I recommend***
How do pick the right color of foundation:
The best way to choose a foundation color is to pick three different shades. Take a Q-Tip and swipe the different colors along your jawline. Of the three foundations, you will want to choose the shade that disappears into the skin, matching your neck color. To get a flawless, smooth look, I recommend using a brush to apply your foundation.
Eyes:
When choosing an eye shadow you want to make sure you choose shades that contrast with your normal eye color. The goal is to make your eyes stand out. Listed below are shades of eyes shadows that you should pick according to your eye color.
Cheeks
To really choose the right color of blush for you, look at yourself when you actually “blush”. You know, when you get embarrassed or red in the face from being outside. If you tend to be naturally cool and have a rosy undertone, I would recommend a blush shade in rose or pink. If you have warmer undertones, then I would choose a melon or peach color.
Lips
The best way to choose your lipstick shade is based on your undertone. Most lipsticks will have a warm or cool undertone, so pick a shade that matches close to yours. I’ve included some color ideas based on your skin tone:
Of course, finish your look off with some mascara and you're good to go!
Chula's Mission Fundraising Launch Event 8-26-14
Chula's Mission
About Chula's Mission
Last week, I was contacted by Mayra Elizabeth San Juan and Lyndsey Ruiz to do their makeup for an upcoming news segment for Fox 5 San Diego. These talented and inspiring young women are the founders of Chula's Mission and were about to kick off their fundraising launch event. Chula's Mission is a supportive place for young, motherless girls between the ages of 11-13 years of age. Chula's Mission offers offer unique and dynamic grief counseling that incorporates cooking classes, which are designed to aid in the healing process, by providing the comforts found in an age old tradition shared by many mothers and daughters. The goal is for each girl that comes through Chula's Mission to grow into a bright, well-adjusted, and successful young woman. Through the generous hearts of volunteers and benefactors, motherless girls will have the opportunity not only to heal, but to thrive.
“There’s sense of missing the role model, of not having someone to give you guidance on how to be a woman in today’s society.”
Hope Edelman, NY Times Bestselling Author of Motherless Daughters: The Legacy of Loss
Center for a Healthy Lifestyle located in Solana Beach, CA
5 Tips for Finding a Makeup Artist for your Wedding
All of us future brides envision ourselves on our wedding day, looking as beautiful as can be. With hundreds of photographs being taken and bridal makeup needs to look flawless.
Whether or not you consider yourself an expert on makeup, the extra stress is not worth the burden on your big day.
Please ladies, do yourself a favor and hire a makeup artist. Here are some of our top tips and tricks for finding the best makeup artist for your wedding day.
Tip #1:
Start researching makeup artists approximately 4-6 months before your wedding day, especially if your wedding is going to be in the summer time. It is crucial that you plan ahead so you can get the best makeup artist possible on your wedding date.
Tip #2:
Have you had any friends recently wed? Did you love the brides makeup? If so, ask her who her makeup artist was. This way you can get the low down from a trusted source. If not, then searching on Yelp for local makeup artists is a great place to start. Read reviews and make sure to look at their portfolios closely before considering a trial session.
Tip #3:
Schedule a trial run. This is extremely important. A trial run may range from $45-$100, but it's a smart investment. During the session, you can go over the look and style you want with the makeup artist and get a preview of how you will look on the big day. We do not recommend skipping out on this step.
Tip #4:
Book your trial. We suggest trying out a couple of makeup artists first. If the first one was so-so, do not settle. Remember, this is your wedding day, we want you to look your absolute best. Try before you buy.
Tip #5:
Book your makeup artist! You've done your research. You've met with various stylists and read countless reviews. And you've even completed at least a couple trial runs. Now you're ready to make your decision with confidence.
BONUS TIPS!
- Research various makeup looks. Print or clip out photos you love the most and want to emulate. You may also use pinterest for this as well.
- Bring your camera on the trial run. Have a friend or the makeup artist photograph you after they have finished your look. See how the makeup looks on camera and make any adjustments if necessary.
- Do not get a facial right before your wedding day! Do it a month or so prior. We tend to break out, or have skin irritations after facials which is why that is not a good idea right before the big day.
I hope you learned some useful information from this article and I wish you all the best in finding the perfect makeup artist for your special wedding day. Contact me today if I can help you in any way. Stay Beautiful!
How to fix your broken eye shadows, blush, bronzers and more!
How many of you have ever dropped your favorite eye shadow on the floor, watching it break into a million little pieces?
I know I have, one too many times.
I wish that I would have known this little trick a long time ago. I could’ve saved many compacts (and money)! Now, you can actually fix the broken powder by using rubbing alcohol. This trick will work on any sort of powder-based makeup. Let’s begin!
- Add a few drops of the alcohol to the broken powder compact or eye shadow case.
- Once you add the alcohol, it will turn into a soupy consistency. I recommend taking a toothpick and stirring it around, breaking up the small pieces.
- At this point, it will now turn into a paste like substance, which you can smooth out with your finger or with a top of a spoon to shape it back into the compact.
- Wait a few hours for the shadow to harden or leave it out overnight (the method I prefer for best results).
*** The alcohol will completely evaporate so you don’t need to worry about it staying in the powder.
Congratulations!
You just saved yourself some money by not having to buy new products!!
July Favorites
It's July and I wanted to share a few of my favorite products this month that I love.
If you are looking for a great bronzer, I recommend Perricone MD No Bronzer Bronzer ($35). This serum is awesome and works on most skin types. It's super easy to apply and looks very natural on the skin.
If you are looking for a reasonable drug store blush, go with Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso ($7.99). The color is radiant and lasts all day long. Plus, you can't beat the cheap price.
BareMinerals recently came out with their new liquid foundation called Bareskin ($28). This foundation is great because it’s buildable, allowing you to adjust the amount of coverage. The foundation does give your skin a dewy finish, however if you use their mineral powder on top, it will give a more matte finish. I recommend using the Perfect Face Brush ($28), which accompanies the foundation.
In my earlier blog, I wrote about achieving the perfect winged eyeliner. Well, Benefit has now made it that much easier to create that look. Benefit’s They’re Real! Push-Up Liner is easy to use and longwearing. It goes on smooth and creates a nice dark opaque line.
Last but not least, I love MAC Fix+ Spray. This is a great spray to set your makeup or just to refresh on a hot summer day. It also leaves a refreshing, invigorating scent.
Let me know if you have tried these products and what you think of them!
10 Makeup Brushes Every Girl Should Own
As a make-up and product obsessed junkie, I have learned to appreciate the art of mastering makeup application.
In order to master the application process, one must obtain the correct tools. Brushes are by far the most important accessory a makeup diva can own. Down to the shape, bristle hair, size; it all makes the world of a difference. We highly recommend purchasing brushes at high end department stores and not your local CVS. The luxurious style full fluffy style brushes tend to do the trick much better than the others. Here is my list of must-have makeup brushes.
1. Angled Contour Brush
This is by far my favorite type of brush. A nice angled contour bristle, will give you that contoured flawless perfection. In order to achieve this look swipe the brush with a darker shade diagonally along your cheekbone.
2. Foundation Stippling Brush
A stippling brush is great for applying a nice dewy foundation. Lightly dab this brush with foundation along your face for a flawless dewy finish.
3. Eye Shader Brush
This is a basic brush that shades your lids any matte or shimmering shade. You can even use this brush for smudging along the lashing, and lining your crease.
4. Beauty Blender
Though not a brush, the beauty blender has been a huge commodity over the last year. There is a reason why! This amazing tool blends foundations, blushes, bronzers and contour shades to perfection for an ultimately flawless face.
5. Dual Ended Brow Brush
A double edged sword that combines a brow brush with an angled brow brush can be used to achieve arched eye brow perfection. Use the brush for grooming and the angled side for filling in brows with powder.
6. Bent Liner Brush
This brush is ideal for applying a gel liner on your lash lines. The curved tips helps create a straight line that can be difficult to achieve otherwise.
7. Stiff Dome Brush
This brush is perfect for creating a smoldering smokey eye. By softly feathering alone lids you can blend out your crease for a sexy look.
8. Soft Dome Brush
A dome shaped brush with soft bristles will be ideal for blending out harsh lines created by the brow bone or crease line. You can also use this brush under your eyes to hide dark circles.
9. Pencil Brush
A pencil brush is great for shading on the lid, crease of eye or along your lash line. Darken your outer “v” for a dramatic look.
10. Cheek Highlighter Brush
Ah, atlas the cheek highlighting brush! We love this soft bristle for a shimmering highlight along the top of your cheekbones. You will be glowing!
So there you have it ladies. I hope you enjoyed this post! Stay tuned for more beauty tips and tricks.
Do you own any of these makeup brushes I mentioned above? If so, leave me a comment below and let me know how you like them. Thanks!!
An ultra sexy look in just minutes.
Perfecting the Winged-Tip Eyeliner look in 4 Easy Steps
I recently had the opportunity to do makeup for a pin up look.
As you may know, the pin up style is one of my all-time favorite looks. To me, there is nothing sexier than wing-tip eyeliner and thick lashes.
Now, I know how hard it is to obtain a smooth line as I’ve attempted the look countless times, often getting annoyed and frustrated. I am here to tell you that it does take practice and patience and maybe a little Scotch tape. Whoa…wait a minute, did I just say Scotch tape? That’s right, the tape you use to hold things together!
What you can use to achieve this look:
- A black eye pencil
- Liquid liner
- A pen or gel liner
- Scotch tape
Step 1:
Prep your lids with a primer or concealer. You will want to stick with a color that is close to your skin’s natural tone. The primer or concealer will help your look last all day
Step 2:
After applying the primer, take about an inch of a piece of Scotch tape. Press the tacky side of the tape on the back of your hand a few times to make it less sticky. By doing this, it will help from sticking too harshly to your eye area. If your skin is too sensitive for the tape, using a business card or credit card will work too.
Angle the tape by placing it up from the outside corner of your eye towards the lower end of your brow. If you want less of a dramatic wing, I recommend that you angle the tape towards your temple.
Step 3:
Apply the pencil or liquid liner above your upper lash line. Start from the inner corner of your eye and work toward the outer corner. A great tip when lining your upper lash is to dot your eyeliner on and then connect the dots. Make sure that you keep the eyeliner as thin as possible. If you go too thick of a line, it’s tough to remove and can get messy. By sticking with a thin line, you can always build up for a thicker look. Continue along and draw a line beside the tape.
Step 4:
Next, go back over the line of the wing and upper lash line. You will want the outer edge to look thicker than the inner corner. Last but now least, pull the tape off and take a step back and look in the mirror to make sure the wings are symmetrical.
If you're happy with your look, apply your favorite mascara or add fake eyelashes to enhance the look even more.
It's your day to shine
All of us future brides envision ourselves on our wedding day, looking as beautiful as can be. With hundreds of photographs being taken and bridal makeup needs to look flawless.
Whether or not you consider yourself an expert on makeup, the extra stress is not worth the burden on your big day.
Please ladies, do yourself a favor and hire a makeup artist. Here are some of our top tips and tricks for finding the best makeup artist for your wedding day.
Tip #1:
Start researching makeup artists approximately 4-6 months before your wedding day, especially if your wedding is going to be in the summer time. It is crucial that you plan ahead so you can get the best makeup artist possible on your wedding date.
Tip #2:
Have you had any friends recently wed? Did you love the brides makeup? If so, ask her who her makeup artist was. This way you can get the low down from a trusted source. If not, then searching on Yelp for local makeup artists is a great place to start. Read reviews and make sure to look at their portfolios closely before considering a trial session.
Tip #3:
Schedule a trial run. This is extremely important. A trial run may range from $45-$100, but it's a smart investment. During the session, you can go over the look and style you want with the makeup artist and get a preview of how you will look on the big day. We do not recommend skipping out on this step.
Tip #4:
Book your trial. We suggest trying out a couple of makeup artists first. If the first one was so-so, do not settle. Remember, this is your wedding day, we want you to look your absolute best. Try before you buy.
Tip #5:
Book your makeup artist! You've done your research. You've met with various stylists and read countless reviews. And you've even completed at least a couple trial runs. Now you're ready to make your decision with confidence.
BONUS TIPS!
- Research various makeup looks. Print or clip out photos you love the most and want to emulate. You may also use pinterest for this as well.
- Bring your camera on the trial run. Have a friend or the makeup artist photograph you after they have finished your look. See how the makeup looks on camera and make any adjustments if necessary.
- Do not get a facial right before your wedding day! Do it a month or so prior. We tend to break out, or have skin irritations after facials which is why that is not a good idea right before the big day.
I hope you learned some useful information from this article and I wish you all the best in finding the perfect makeup artist for your special wedding day. Contact me today if I can help you in any way. Stay Beautiful!