fotd: a plume of smoke

FACE

• L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base
• Revlon PhotoReady Foundation in 004 Nude
• MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW20
• Benefit Powderflage Powder Concealer
• MAC e/s in Brun + Wedge (mixed to fill in brows)
• MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty

EYES

• MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
• MAC e/s in Blanc Type (brow bone)
• MAC e/s in Brill (lid)
• MAC e/s in Scene (crease)
• MAC e/s in Plumage (outer corner + crease + lower lashline)
• MAC e/s in Black Tied (outer corner)
• L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS

• Eva Garden lip shiner in 09

fotd: lime sublime

FACE

• L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base
• MAC Full Coverage Foundation in NC20 (as concealer)
• MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Medium
• MAC Blush in Style
• MAC e/s in Brun + Wedge (brows)

EYES

• MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
• MAC e/s in Lime (inner lid)
• MUFE e/s in #92 (outer corner + crease + lower lashline)
• MAC e/s in Blanc Type (inner corner + brow bone)
• MAC e/s in Satellite Dreams (lid)
• L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in Blackest Black

LIPS

• MAC lipstick in Cherish

skin: more than meets the eye

I'm sure all of you are aware that I am a working makeup artist, but did you know that I am also a licenced esthetician?

Granted, I may not perform facials, pedicures or massages anymore but skin care is definitely an important element in doing a great job as a makeup artist. I stress a good skin care regimen to all of my clients. Surprisingly enough, I still get a lot of people in my chair who reply to my universal question of "What are you currently using on your skin?" with a shameful answer of "Soap and water." In this day and age, that answer will not suffice.

I am 31 years old. I am no example of perfection. I have a drink now and then, don't get enough rest, sometimes forget to wash my face before bed, and shamefully have a cigarette or two...or three. I tell you this because DESPITE all of that icky stuff I do, for my age, my skin looks great in comparison to some other people my age (and even YOUNGER).

The reason for this is: A - I stay out of the sun. B - Good genes. C. Proper skin care.

The key point in my rant today is skin care, kids. More specifically, eye care. I have been diligent with a solid skin care routine since my late teens, and started using an eye cream at twenty. I know that may have seemed premature to use an eye product at that age, but boy am I glad I did. Remember, it is the thinnest skin on our entire body and unfortunately the FIRST place that starts to show signs of aging (a.k.a. wrinkles).

My opinion is to at least start using an eye cream by the age of 25. This way you beat wrinkles to the punch; perhaps avoid their arrival for a few extra years. Now to all my twenty-something gals out there, this doesn't mean you steal your mother's beloved eye cream for yourself....or even vica versa. Different age groups have different needs. The younger you are, the lighter-weight product you'll need. As you get older though, you'll require something more rich and nourishing as the skin gets drier and less elastic.

Here are some of my suggestions:

For the twenty-something crowd

The Socializer by Elizabeth Grant

Dual pen style packaging: For the day, Bright Lights uses mica, a mineral light diffuser that instantly brightens. Late Nights blends peptides and Ulva Lactuta to repair, awaken, de-puff and rejuvenate.

For our 30-somethings

Hydra C Eye Contour Gel Cream by Marcelle

Makes all signs of fatigue vanish thanks to this gel-cream enriched with cucumber, caffiene and plant extracts to improve blood flow and reduce puffiness and dark circles.

For our late 20's/early 30's

Revital Eyes by Cures By Avance

Designed for the first signs of aging, fine lines and puffiness. Instantaneously replenishes lost moisture, fine lines begin to diminish and the upper and lower lids are protected.

For our 30's/40's

3-in-1 Eye Complex by Eva Garden

A complete eye contour treatment that combines 3 actions in 1 -anti-dark circles, wrinkle minimizer and anti-puffiness.

For our fabulous forties

Evening Primrose Eye Cream by Korres

This instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. It's formula diffuses light with a brightening, concealer-like effect.

40's - 50's - 60's and beyond

Green Science Firming Eye Cream by AVEDA

This rich product saturates and nourishes a more mature eye with the help of of argan oil and peptides, visibly lifting and toning the delicate area.

There you have it. And as for the rest of the face and what to use...that, my friends, will have to be another rant/post altogether.

To be continued....

fotd: all that glitters

FACE

• L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base
• MAC Full Coverage Foundation in NC20 (as concealer)
• MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in Medium
• MAC Mineralize Blush in Light Over Dark
• MAC e/s in Brun (brows)

EYES

• MAC Paint Pot in Perky
• MAC e/s in All That Glitters (lid)
• MAC e/s in Coppering (outer corner + crease)
• MAC e/s in Twinks (outer corner)
• MAC e/s in Sumptuous Olive (lower lashline)
• MAC e/s in Humid (outer lower lashline)
• MAC e/s in Blanc Type (brow bone)
• MAC Fluidline in Dipdown
• L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in Blackest Black
• MAC e/s in Phloof! (inner corner)

LIPS

• MAC Slimshine in Lovey-Dove

trend: dark lips

One of the looks I am LOVING this season is the dark lip. Paired with a minimalist eye, this look is a perfect mix of sexy, sophisticated and polished. As much as I love a classic red pout, using a shade with a plum or fig undertone is a modern twist during the cooler months.

If an opaque shade is not for you, definitely find a finish that you feel comfortable with. I like a stain during the day and then up the amp for a night out with something creamy, dark and rich.

Matte, cream, satin, glossy or barely there...whatever you prefer, here are a few options to get the look.

LAURA MERCIER LIP STAIN IN MOCHA

a rich milk chocolate stain for a hint of dark that is more than a hint of sexy.

NARS VELVET MATTE LIP PENCIL IN BAHAMA

a pink brown shade that would look great on a paler complexion

MAC PRO LONGWEAR LIPCREME IN FAITHFULLY YOURS

a blackened dirty purple with a creamy finish, this is designed to stay put for 12 hours.

FRESH SUGAR PLUM LIP TREATMENT SPF 15

sheer berry plum shade for those who are shy to anything super opaque.

CHANEL COCO ROUGE LIPSTICK IN 18 ROUGE NOIR

ultra lux and creamy, this is an opaque blackened red that will vamp up your look in a heartbeat

fotd: pretty in pink

I wasn't expecting to do such a bright look today. Honestly. I had been sent a bunch of goodies from Marcelle and Annabelle cosmetics a while back and wanted to play with them. I also haven't done a face of the day in some time and wanted to share a fun look. This is what came out of it all. A little 80's, a splash of punk and a sprinkle of Barbie. I dig it. Do you?

I was really impressed with the vibrancy of Tutu eyeshadow. Not to say I wasn't dazzled by the other eyeshadows (they are DAMN good quality for the price), I just didn't expect it to be that pink. LOVE IT!

The breakdown:

FACE

• Revlon PhotoReady Foundation in 004 Nude
• MAC Full Coverage Foundation in NC 20 (as a concealer)
• Benefit Powderflage Powder Concealer
• MAC e/s in Brun, Brule, Wedge (mixed to fill in brows)
• Annabelle e/s in Tutu (used as blusher)

EYES

• MAC Paint Pot in Mosscape
• MAC e/s in Blanc Type (brow bone)
• Annabelle e/s in Tutu (inner corner + lower lashline)
• Annabelle e/s in Acid Reflex (outer corner + lid + crease)
• Annabelle e/s in Rainforest (lid)
• Annabelle e/s in Fantasy (inner crease)
• Annabelle e/s in Lagoon (lower lashline)
• Marcelle Power Volume Mascara (3 coats)

LIPS

• NYX Lip Pencil in Dolly Pink
• MAC Dazzleglass in Rags To Riches

buzzworthy: cheeky monkey cosmetics

Hello beauty lovers!

One of my clients recently sent me a package with a couple of products from an up and coming Canadian line called Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics. The first thing I noticed was the amazing way the company has branded itself. Created by Andrea Pahn, a non-conforming (in a good way) mother of three, the brands philosophy is to stray from the boring day-to-day product and add a splash of risque into the mix.

The company's literature that I received contained images, like the following, which was a little too bad ass to ignore. With polishes named Pop My Cherry, Nail Me and Cougar, how could they NOT have my attention?!

When playing with the polishes, I noticed that these definitely hold their own against other brands I love and use. The packaging is simple and pretty. You get a lot of product and the applicator is nice and thin for precision. The actual lacquer applies very nicely; two coats are plenty to get the true colour. All their products are "3-free", meaning they do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP. As well, they are non-toxic and rate a 1 on the skin deep cosmetics safety database. A funky brand that's safe to use - always a winner in my books.

Here are some swatches:

BOOTY CALL - A DEEP METALLIC COOL AUBERGINE

HANGOVER - A SHIMMERY MILKY TAUPE

WET DREAM - BASE COAT

For more info on Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics, visit their website.