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

benefit highbeam review

Happy Friday! 

Today I am talking about highbeam by benefit, which is a satin pink luminescent complexion enhancer.  I really love the versitility of this product that all skin types can use this!

My main reason for trying this product was to use on my brow bone and inner corners of my eyes, eventually I branched out and started blended some on my cheeks and nose.  I must say I like using this mainly on my eyes, when I go to blend on my cheeks I feel it gets kind of streaky if I dont blend fast enough.  One downfall would be that the formula dries very quickly so once it touches your skin you need to blend fast! Highbeam definatley will give you an amazing glow that will brighten up any look!

Selling price for this item:
$10 for the size pictured above (3.9 ml/0.13 fl. oz.)
$24 for the larger bottle (13 ml/0.45 fl. oz.)

Other tips:

*I also like to use highbeam as an eyeshadow if i'm in a rush and I want a hint of shimmer on my lids.

*Put a dot on your finger and start at the top of the bridge of your nose and sweep down for a slimming contour effect!


Tried this product before? Tell me what you think about it!
Have a great weekend everyone!

xxoo Michelle

Face Primer Review: Smashbox vs. bareMinerals

Hi Guys!

Today I am reviewing 2 kinds of foundation primer. First is the “Prime Time” by bareMinerals and second is the “Photo finish” by Smashbox. 

 I have used both kinds back and forth over the past few months. All you need it a pea size dot to blend all over your face, you will not look greasy if you use the correct amount! What I found with the Smashbox primer was that if my skin was dry it would look flakey once I applied my foundation. I didn’t even realize my face was that dry especially since I use moisturizer religiously. (and you should too!) The worst thing a skin product can do is enhance a problem rather than help fix it.  Whereas the next day when my skin was just as dry and I used the bareMinerals primer, my face looked smooth with no flakes!  Needless to say I’m definitely favoring the bareMinerals over Smashbox.  Maybe now that the winter dryness is over I’ll give smashbox another try.

I know that some people say a primer really isn’t that important but I find it does help your makeup apply smoother and last a little bit longer.  If you’re not 100% about buying a product see if they have a smaller sample size instead.  I hate spending a lot of money on a product i’m unsure about and end up hating.  Sephora and Ulta are really good about highlighting the On-the-go items near the checkout, I wish they had more!

As far as price goes...

Smashbox can range from $16 for the 0.5 oz. to $49 for the 2 oz.

vs.

bareMinerals starts off at $14 for the 0.5 oz. to $21 for the 1.0 oz.

Overall, bareMinerals primer is one of my must haves. Have you tried it before? What are your thoughts on face primer, need it or leave it?

xxoo Michelle