I met up with Gregg Hubbard in Bryant Park again yesterday. He was meeting me to hear about my recent job offers & to offer me advice & put me in contact with a woman he knows who is high up in the cosmetic industry! AND he gave me a Sephora bag filled with cosmetics goodies…

MY DREAM COME TRUE!

The bag was filled with things from eyelash curlers, concelear, to Smashbox eyeliners & eyeshadows, Laura Mercier blue pallette of eyeshadow & an amazing kit of foundations! Gregg wanted to make sure I got the bag before the photo shoot happened… so nice of him!

I had never heard of the foundation before. It is called FACE Atelier & a woman created it. The products are also endorsed by PETA! Gregg told me that she even helped sponsor one of Beyonce’s tours so Beyonce has worn her foundation during performances. Gregg warned me it dries very glowy, so glowy & dewy that I may even want to tone it down depending on the finish I’m going for. I was so excited to use it on Rihanna in the shoot that night.

Rihanna is a model who recently got signed to Wilhemina modeling agency. Check out, Lauren Cowart’s, the great photographer I work with, site where Rihanna is featured. She is the first post so click here!!!

The foundation was amazing! It is a full kit & Gregg was so kind to give it to me. Check out the Face Atelier site here to see the amazing products. The foundation was so silky & blended RIGHT into the skin & had an amazing finish. The entire kit retails at $499.00!! WOW! I have such an assortment of skin colors – it’s amazing.

I used a MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush $34.00. I have two of those brushes and have had them for probably two years – I wash them about once a week or more depending on what makeup I have going on that week.

Wait until you guys see this pics. Here’s a couple behind the scenes photos! Excuse the suckyness that is my camera phone – I hate the BB Curve.

Okay I picked up some new products the other day & want to give you all a little review of them!

1. Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder $33.00 – This bronzing powder is a top rated product from Bobbi Brown & after using it I can see why! This bronzer is super smooth. I bought a nice stiff contouring brush from Sephora to apply it with. I purchased the “deep” color because I wanted to use it as a contour on my cheeks, nose, & use it along my hair line to blend all of my makeup in. It is so seamless. I love Bobbi Brown products for skin as I’ve said many times before!

2. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Blush $25.00 – LOVE THIS BLUSH! I got it in a number 8 -PDA, which is described as a Pinky Nude color. I use a MAC brush I have for foundation to apply it. Like all other MAKE UP FOR EVER products this is made for pictures & television. It is so smooth & creamy & blends perfectly. Totally worth it, especially because you can put it on sheer & build the color up as you want. The color can get really intense. I can’t wait to use this in a shoot!

3. Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara $19.00 – AJ Crimson suggested this mascara to me. I bought it & wasn’t super impressed, but it definitely gives a lot of volume. I still actually like the $10 Sephora mascara I tried the other week. I feel like this mascara is very heavy & clumped a little bit. But still a good mascara nonetheless.

I’d suggest the Bronzer & Blush. So amazing and a great fresh look. There’s a picture below where I used all three products

I spent a little time trying to look for lipsticks the other day. I hit Bloomingdales & checked out some counters. Two counters that caught my eye were Giorgio Armani & Yves Saint Laurent.

I didn’t actually try any one at Giorgio Armani because I was planning on dyeing my hair & wanted to wait until after I dyed it to find a a new lipstick to match. I did try on a great pink shade at Yves Saint Laurent that I loved! I will probably go back and purchase it at some point.

I’m still trying on different shades but here are the two types of lipstick I mentioned.

The Yves Saint Laurent lipstick (ROUGE VOLUPTÉ) is great coverage, super creamy & not sticky. I love it! I’m definitely going to purchase one of these.

The Giorgio Armani lipstick (Rouge D’armani Lipstick) I put on my hand just to view colors. It went on so smoothly & was also creamy. I loved two of the red shades I tried on & will keep you all posted on my purchases. Plus they had TONS of other gorgeous colors. Seriously, go check their lipsticks out!

If you find a color you absolutely love it’s worth spending the few extra dollars for the creamy-ness of their lipsticks.

The other day I decided to do something I never do…

BUY MAKEUP FROM A CONVENIENCE STORE THAT I COULND’T TRY ON!!! (I always love to try my makeup on before hand & wear it outside in natural lighting  before I decide to purchase it)

Anyway… I bought Revlon Photo Ready because I THOUGHT a friend told me to get that. Apparently she listed a different type of Revlon foundation, but I found that out after I bought the Photo Ready Foundation. I got it in caramel, which almost matches my skin color, maybe me in the winter, but not me with a tan.

Needless to say I tried the caramel Photo Ready Foundation & wasn’t a fan. It was smooth, but the finish has these micro reflective sparkles (I don’t even know what to call them). I guess to make your skin luminious, but I do not like it!! It was a weird finish, I could see the shine on my hands & I got oily faster throughout the day. Maybe it would work for someone who has dry skin, but it’s not for us oily skinned folks!

I will try another Revlon foundation in the future & tell you all what I find. This just wasn’t the one I liked. For now I’ll stick to my Bobbi Brown for everyday foundation & concealer if I need it – they have amazing skin products!

So most of my product reviews have a majority of the same products I always use, but this product review has two products in particular that I’ve never tried before. I took the picture above in my bathroom of some things I picked up this past weekend. I needed a red and pink lip liner, I wanted two different colored lipsticks (both are great!) & decided to finally invest in some Bobbi Brown foundation. NOTHING has disappointed. Check out the review below…

1. NEW – Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation SPF 15 – I have never tried Bobbi Brown foundation but I hear AMAZING things about it. I have a concealer from Bobbi Brown and absolutely love it. This foundation did not fail. It looks like you have NOTHING on at all – I use a sponge to put it on & it’s flawless – definitely my new favorite foundation for everyday/a night out – for photoshoots I still like MAKE UP FOR EVER – Get it at Bobbi Brown counters at department stores or online here. – $45.00

2. MAC Satin Lipstick in Rebel - My friend Kelcie loves this color & it looks amazing on her – I also love it – especially when I go back to black hair. It’s a deep color but still vibrant. $14.00

3. Illamasqua Lipstick in Underworld – this lipstick is only sold at Sephora. I tried this brand I’ve never even heard of but saw the color & needed it. It’s this briiiight purple color – AMAZING on. Try it please! $20

4. Sephora Collection Long Lasting Eyeliner - I never really use Sephora brand except one of their mascaras which I’ve been given for free because of my points I get for shopping there – but I wanted a new eyeliner that didn’t come off as easily as my Loreal so I tried this – it’s amazing. Great brush to apply either a super thin or thicker line & it didn’t come off throughout the day but comes off easily with eye makeup remover! – $10

Hope you guys enjoyed and will try some of these products

When summer rolls around the heat can really mess up your makeup & make you feel sticky & not cute. Here are a few tips to try to beat the heat & keep your makeup looking fresh all day long.

- Use an oil free moisturizer after washing your face. I love Aveeno’s oil free moisturizer with SPF (so important for the summer).

- USE A PRIMER – people skip the priming step, but it’s so important. The primer will help your makeup stay put, not crease & last longer. It really preps the skin so foundation & concealer stays smooth. MAKE UP FOR EVER has an amazing primer & different types depending on your skin color or skin problems. Check them out here.

- Only use foundation & concealer where you need them. Unless you really need it, do not put foundation over your entire face. Using a slightly damp sponge will also help put on a sheer layer of foundation.

- Use waterproof mascara. Whatever your favorite kind is, get it in the waterproof version so if you sweat – it won’t matter! I love Dior Iconic mascara & Covergirl Lashblast mascara. Also, find an eyeliner that doesn’t run. I love MAC Kohl pencil, but some people find they smudge. Again, using a primer will help with this problem.

- Lastly, use blotting sheets! Clean & Clear makes a set of oil sheets that I love. Just put them in your purse & use them whenever. They won’t remove your makeup but instantly removes shine. I made a post about them a couple months ago too.

What I’m about to say is usually a huge

NO NO!

However… I like to think nothing is ever off limits – it just depends on your execution.









Recently there has been the use of white eyeshadow (such as the picture above of a Donna Karan model during one of her shows)… This look is crsip & clean & I tried it on Jessica Couch in our last shoot, but only had a white liner to do it. I wouldn’t recommend using a liner because it creases – & creasing with white are VERY obvious. Instead, try a white shadow – I haven’t tried any yet, but I’m sure if you use a nice primer from Smashbox or MAKE UP FOR EVER on your lid, followed by white eyeshadow by MAC with an angled brush you could get this look. Keep your face clean & bronze + a few coats of jet black mascara to get wispy strong lashes. This would be perfect & I’m going to try it soon!

I LOVE facials – but they get a little pricey for me… not an option right now! However, there is an amazing alternative and that is a…

DO IT YOURSELF FACIAL!

I love DIY facials because they’re so simple, but really make a difference. I like to do do my facials whenever I have the chance, maybe every other weekend – never more than once a week so your skin does not get irritated. The best time is to do it at night so you can sleep with no makeup & let your face rest. You will wake up with glowing skin – it makes a huge difference, I promise!

Step 1: Use an exfoliating wash like the Queen Helene All Natural Cocoa Butter of Honey & Oats Scrub. I also like exfoliating scrubs from Neutrogena. Wet your skin with a little water then take a good amount of whichever exfoliator you choose & work it in a circular motion all over your face for about a minute. This is one of the most important steps because you get all of the dead skin off & allow the other products to soak into your skin.

Step 2: After you wash off the exfoliator, bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove, take it off of the stove, set it in the sink & lean over so the steam hits your face. Put a towel over your head to trap the steam inside of the towel. If it is too hot, wait a few minutes & try again – it shouldn’t be uncomfortable, but should feel hot and steamy like a sauna – this step helps you sweat out toxins in your skin & clear your pores. Do this for about 7 minutes.

Step 3: Skip this step if you can, but if you can’t resist the urge to pop any pimples – this is the step to do it. Just be careful!

Step 4: Wipe your face off with a washcloth & apply a mask. I love this Decleor MasqueI got a few years ago from a spa in Maine I used to go to. It’s a little pricey, but I loved it. My favorite mask is the Olay Clay Mask. Spread a thick layer all over your face. Most masks say leave it on 5-10 minutes, but it doesn’t hurt if you leave it on an extra 10 minutes. Put on some relaxing music n just lay in your bed with your mask on.

Step 5: Wash off the mask with warm water, making sure to remove all traces.

Step 6: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to get any remnants of the mask off.

Step 7: Put on a very thick layer of moisturizer/face lotion on – I love Mary Kay Velocity Face Moisturizer or try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Night Moisturize – I say a thick layer because your face just went through a lot so this will be sure to restore any moisture that was lost during the process.

Now sleep tight! It helps if you have a fresh pillow case – you might as well go all the way.

I hope some of you try this & can tell a difference in your skin – you really should be able to!

I had a woman named Tracy G.M. James ask me suggestions about bright lip color – She sounds like she knows her stuff about makeup & I gave her some suggestions about lip color. I also decided I’d make a post about some amazingly brightly colored lipstick.

Bright lip color with a bare face is a huge trend for the spring, make sure you skin is super smooth & glowy, put on one of these bright lip colors & you’re all set.

1. NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in “Funny Face” – This lipstick is described as fuschia color, it’s extremely creamy & has a blue undertone to it. Get it here for $24.00

2. Color swatch of Funny Face… Visit Sephora or a NARS counter at a department store to try this color on.

3. NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in “Schiap” – This lipstick is SUPER fluorescent, I’ve only seem a couple people pull it off, but it’s gorgeous. My friend Zewidi has it on in the picture below. Get it here for $24.00

4. NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in “Heat Wave” - This lipstick is semi-matte, creamy & a really bold color. It’s described as Orange Red & that’s exactly what it is. I wore this in a recent photo shoot. You can see the photo below. Get it at the NARS website for $24.00

5.  A color swatch of NARS’ Heat Wave

6. MAC Morange – This lipstick is bright orange – not for the weary, the color is really intense, but very pretty. The finish is an amplified cream. You can buy a matching lip liner from MAC or opt for a reddish orange lip liner to play down the orange of the lipstick a little bit. Make sure you blend the two well. $14.00

7. MAC Russian Red - This color is described as an intense bluish-red and the finish is matte. I love this color & there is a picture below of me with it on a couple years ago – gorgeous color.$14.00

Try some colors at MAKE UP FOR EVER – I see the colors all the time, but have yet to try one of their lipsticks. Based on their intensely colored eyeshadows I bet they’re lipsticks are really pretty on as well.

I randomly decided I wanted to do a post on waterproof makeup verse non-waterproof makeup. I have both because some occasions you want to have waterproof makeup and others you do not.

Waterproof Makeup Occasions Include…

1. Graduation

2. Weddings

3. Funerals

4. Baby Showers…Baby Birth…Baby anything

5. Swimming

Below I have included my four favorite products, two waterproof products and two non-waterproof products. I live by these products for my eyes. On a regular day I LOVE my non-waterproof eye makeup because it comes off SO easily.

If you do NOT want your makeup to come off - trust me, these waterproof products aren’t going anywhere! Especially the eyeliner below – it takes some strength to get it off. You’ve been warned so take a look …

1. Covergirl LashBlast Volume Mascara

2. Loreal Lineur Intense Eyeliner

3. Covergirl Waterproof LashBlast Volume Mascara

4. MAC Liquidlast Liner

Everyone knows that C-Thru is my favorite lip gloss from MAC, but how could I forget about my second favorite MAC lip gloss “Oyster Girl”. I don’t think I’ve included this lip gloss on my blog yet – so here we go.

This lipgloss is an AMAZING color – it has full coverage in this gorgeous pink-gold shade. Take a look – try it – it’s perfect on ALL skin colors (as is C-Thru).

Tinted Lipglass $14.00

So this winter break I tried out some new stuff - mostly lipstick and while in DC partying with my favorite people… @_thefire_ & @zewiditujewel n co. I realized that bright lipstick just may not be for me. I feel so… I dunno… so not finished.. so… just not right.

Here is the new color I purchased from NARS the other day called Schiap… & it’s just not working out between us. I’m deifnitely not saying don’t try this color.. It’s AMAZING & I may try to make it work betweene us again :: sigh ::

The winter can make your skin look DOA. However, there are ways to make your skin glow again… just follow a few simple steps.

1. Exfoliate - use a GENTLE exfoliater with rounded beads – not jagged – Olay has some great ones. Only do this 2 or 3 times a week – too much exfoliating can damage skin more & produce more oil

2. At night, use a heavier moisturizer than you usually would, put on a heavy layer & let it soak in over night – try MAC Moisturelush Cream $32. In the morning you can use your usual moisturizer if you feel too oily with the heavier night moisturizer on.

3. For a nice natural glow mix some loose iridescent powder with a moisturizer (for just a sheer glow), a tinted moisturizer (sheer glow), or your usual foundation (regular coverage but with a glow).

I love MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in “golden bronze” for deeper complexions or “silver dusk” for very light complexions. $22 – I’ve had this powder for years & I swear I’ll NEVER run out. It’s gorgeous on the skin.

I am not a huge fan of the newest Covergirl lashblastlength mascara.

To the left, Drew Barrymore, Covergirl’s newest spokeswomen, is supposedly wearing the mascara  uh, yeah RIGHT! Those are falsies. Anyway….

I got this a few weeks ago & thought I’d give it some time, but it’s no where near as good as the Covergirl Lashblast Volume Blasting mascara. To be nice I’ll say that the mascara does give lashes length & I guess that’s all it promises in it’s name, but I like mascara that does a little more and grabs on a little stronger – this formula seems very light and weak. It’s great if all you want is length & very subtle long lashes though.