Boston Fashion Week ‘11

I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of BFW’11 representing YBI (Your Beauty Industry).  I have a new understanding and respect for all the work that really goes on behind the scenes!  The shows I worked on include: The Launch, Prajje, Victoria Dominguez Bagu, Marie Galvin, and Daniel Faucher.  I didn't get to make many pictures myself but luckily there were tons of photographers there and all the photos came out amazing!




                     Cleaning my brushes between models                  Ann and I working on the 1st look

Backstage in the tent was such a rush, everything is calm until the first walk onto the runway.  I never realized how crazy things get when you have to change looks between walks!! Sunday night’s show for The Launch had the first look being a black lip which had to be changed to a bright red and there was about 30 seconds for the switch! That was the absolutely the biggest challenge of the night, as we are making final touches as the girls are being rushed to the runway.





The next challenge of the night was changing the look from the first show to the second.  The first show had a silver smoky eye with a thick blue liner on the bottom, and the second had no shadow with a thick 50’s style winged liner.  Getting that blue liner off was extremely difficult! That stuff did NOT want to come off!  With a lot of patience and careful scrubbing, most of it came off and what was left behind was covered with concealer.  Shout out to Christina Mirabella for her help and tips!

Below is michelle, who was the first model I did for the Victoria Dominguez Bagu Collection along with the other two models I worked on.  For the eyes I used Yabi shadows bought from the IMATS, and for face MAC face and body foundations.

The Launch featured new young designers such as Candice Wu whos designs are shown below.  She was my absolute favorite!!!

Daniel Faucher was another favorite, his dresses are so elegant and have such an attention to detail.  All the models were such a dream to work with, so sweet and professional.  For the liner i used my favorite, Buxom gel liner in leatherette.

Being involved in Fashion Week was so much fun, I loved seeing so many creative and talented people.  Hopefully next year will be even bigger!!

Xxoo Michelle

Wedding trial & birthday makeup

Good morning friends,

Last week I had a makeup trial with my friend Melissa who is getting married.  It was lots of fun especially since her bachelorette party was that night so she was all set to hit the town!  What we decided on was a defined natural look with a full flirty lash, plus Melissa is young and doesn't need tons of makeup! She really loved the lashes and it looks wonderful on her! (To me your lashes can never be thick enough!) The wedding is Sept. 1 so i'll have more pictures of the final product after that!

It was also my friend Jell's birthday that weekend and before everyone went out to dinner to celebrate she asked me if I would like to do her makeup. Of course I was so happy she asked me! On Jell I did a smoky eye with a bold lip, very Kat Von D! It was a lot more dramatic than her normal look but she rocked it!

What do you think about the looks? Let me know! :) Hope everyone's having a great week!

Xxoo Michelle

BIG news!!

I am happy  to announce that as of Aug. 15th I will be newly employed by Sephora! I am sooooo excited!  Those of you who know me personally know that I have been trying to get a job there forever! (especially since I took Debra Macki's makeup class) Over a period of 3 months and 2 interviews I finally have the job!  Also, with this new job i'll learn a lot more about hundreds of products to share with you guys on here!  I can't wait for my new career to begin! Just wanted to give a short update!

At the beginning of September there's a wedding for a friend I worked with who I am doing bridal makeup for, along with a few bridesmaids. Be sure to check back here in a few weeks to take a look! :)

Xxoo Michelle

Modus Fashion Show!



The makeup look was a dramatic smokey eye with a neutral face.



Hellooo everyone! I want to apologize for the delay on this post, things have been very veryyy busy and i'm finally on vacation from work this week so now I have time. :) I'm going to try to have a new post at least once a week!

Back in June I was invited as part of the Your Beauty Industry makeup team for the new Modus Collection fashion show in Boston at Faneuil Hall. 

Santi DeOleo (aka Krazy Kulo of JAM'N 94.5) introduced his sophmore collection of Modus and unveiled his newest line, Modus Girl with a rock and roll style fashion show. A few of the local personalities from the Boston area who were a part of the show included: Phunk Phenomenon of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, Mike Giardi and Joe Haggerty of CSNNE's 'Great American Hockey Show", Tyisha Fernandez of Fox 25, Chanty Sok of The Fighter.



Santi DeOleo

The YBI Hair & Makeup Team: Ann, Sara, Michelle, Nanci, Toni, Christin, Kara, Jacqui, Christina



The show was a lot of fun, I got to see a few of my friends and meet some great people! If you're interested in the clothing line go to: moduscollectionclothing.com and be sure to check out: yourbeautyindustry.com for more behind the scenes!

Thanks for reading! :)

Xxoo Michelle

Let's talk about Lipstick!

LIPSTICK QUEEN by Poppy King Review

Today’s review is on lipsticks! I have the “Discovery Kit” lipsticks which are the 3 best selling shades which include Medieval, Saint in Pink, and Butterfly Ball in Sigh.



left to right
Butterfly Ball, Saint, Medieval



 If you want to check out these lipsticks for yourself the website is: Lipstickqueen.com

*Medieval is a shade that claims to be flattering on anyone. The website gives a cute little history lesson about how wearing full coverage lipstick in medieval times was a sin and how women used lemons to stain their lips a translucent blood red color (umm.. ouch!) It’s also Vitamin E based with a touch of pigments and is supposed to look like you are not even wearing lipstick... but “like you naturally have gorgeous swollen cherry lips.”

-I originally liked this product the best at first and I find myself using it less and less. Definitely more of an evening look, but I still keep this shade in my makeup bag in my handbag as an emergency go-to lip color.



Medieval



*Saint is a collection of 10 lipstick shades with an opposing collection called sinner… now the difference is in the formula, Saint has only 10% pigment where sinner has 90%.  It says… “The sheerest, moistest, most serene lipsticks you have ever tried.  Just a hint of beautiful color but enough depth to make an impact whether it be a pink, nude or a deep blackberry. Absolutely no glitter (Saints are far too humble for such audacity).”

- After using this lipstick a bunch of times I have really come to like it, it feels great on my lips and never gets dry (none of these lipsticks do!) I like this shade for summer to update my makeup routine.



Saint in Pink



*Butterfly Ball – Shimmer Treatment Lipstick

With 5 shades to choose from, this luscious formula contains Vitamin E,C,B and Aloe Vera to moisturize and treat the lips.  The site says... ” Glides on light and see through as a butterfly wing with a flash of bright turquoise iridescence to disarm them charm your target (Also helps your teeth appear brighter!)”

-In my book anything that says it will help teeth look brighter is worth a try!



Butterfly Ball in Sigh



What's your favorite lipstick?

Xxoo Michelle

The Makeup Show NYC & MAC Pro

Hello Dolls!

As some of you may know earlier this week I was in New York City for The Makeup Show and a MAC Pro class.  Sooo much fun!! I went with my two friends and fellow makeup artists, Toni & Christin.  First day in NYC was The Makeup Show, very similar to the IMATS except it is open to the trade only.  I was very excited for Make Up For Ever to be there... and get a discount on products!!  For the most part all trade shows are the same and you are forced to either squeeze your way to the front or get left behind.  Luckily, I got everything I wanted to get at the show and I wish I had bought more, but hey there’s always next year :)

Christin, Toni & myself

Products from MUFE:  Both sizes of the HD powder, empty palette, and 4 eye shadows (numbers are 168, 147, 171 and 148)

From Mehron I got another face smoothie for my kit, and the Pro color ring concealer.

The second and final day we had our MAC full day bridal lab.  The class was held by two MAC Artists, Gina Bettelli and Chantel Miller.  They both had their own model and spoke back and forth about the products being used and techniques for the different skin types.  After the demonstration everyone in the class was paired up and applied foundation, eyeliner, and a red lip to their partner.  I really loved the class and would definitely attend another especially in New York City! I love the vibe there.. so much going on everywhere but very exhausting haha anyways.. At the end of the class we were able to shop for an hour with our gift cards(which wasn’t enough time at all!) and come to find out most of what me and the girls wanted was sold out :/ 

From MAC I got a couple of empty palettes, fix +, 3 blushes (pink swoon, sunbasque, and dollymix ), the “mickey” palette (which includes: jaan, folie, vivah, and carbon), and a paint pot in painterly.

It was such a short trip but I had a lot of fun, can't wait to visit the big apple again!
xxoo Michelle