A $42 moisturizer has never been something I was interested. My cocoa butter has always done me well! Just a few weeks ago, my girls from Total Beauty and I went to the flagship Kiehl’s store, and let me tell you, it’s amazing! I’ve been to many Kiehl’s counters (I’ve used their deoderant and Repairitive Hair Pak) but there’s nothing like the flagship! Much of the store’s decor still remains the same as it was in the 1800’s. The Imperial Body Balm is a odorless, mustard yellow shade, interesting to say the least. The key ingredient is Sea Buckthorn Berry, a fruit found in Russia and China. It’s known to protect, restore and heal. How amazing is that?

If you’re trying to do some early holiday shopping, you might want to consider the Lip Balm #1 40th Anniversary set! You’ve seen the balm in several publications, and now you can give it out to friends and family! Each is individually packaged, and comes in 6 delicious flavors. I’ve only tried the original non-scented, but I’m really going to need the mango or vanilla in my bag ASAP!

Now that MAC Style Black has finally taken the World by storm, I felt it appropriate to show how to use the products. The new shadows come in four shades jam packed with color, but they might be a bit intimidating. If used without a moistening agent, the shadow might not just lay on your eyes, but fall onto your cheeks, and float away around your room. (Trust me, I learn it while doing the MAC Style Black video review.) MAC Mineralize products have a lot of versatility due to their wet/dry capacity. Sure there are other products from brands that can be used in the same manner. The technique can be applied to all of the eyeshadows and blushes from this line. So, if you want them to look more intense, just follow the tutorial below.

Here’s what I used for this tutorial (all MAC unless otherwise noted)

Sea and Sky Mineralized e/s duo
NW35 Studio Finish Concealer
Swiss Chocolate e/s
Feline Eye Kohl
Red Cherry Wsp Lashes
MUFE HD Foundation #875
Blunt and Brown Script on Cheeks
Nars Honolulu Honey Lipstick

I created these videos over a year ago, but they are still very relevant today. Here’s part one of the tutorial, where we fully apply the eye shadow. It’s a very easy look, and this technique can be easily used with any Mineralize Products.

For the second part of the tutorial, we’ll finish the look with lashes!

Think of these as Shadesticks, but with 5 times the lasting ability. The black has to be my favorite. It’s super black and edgy, but with a purple glimmer. I was skeptical about these because to me, greasepaint just sounds like colour will run down your cheek as the day does on. These are really creamy, and they aren’t transfer resistant. I ran my fingers over the swatches over and over, but nothing came off! For more of the grease effect, I would use the Black Cream Color Base on top!

The purple (“V”) and blue (“B”) will be part of the MAC Dsquared collection that hits stores October 1st!

Oh, a surprise feature! There’s a built in pencil sharpener in the back of the pencil! You’ve got the option to make the point as thin r dull as you want for precise application!


I thoroughly enjoyed the MAC Style Black Collection! It’s out in stores today, so be sure to check it out! Here’s a video review of the collection!

My first job as a professional makeup artist was with Smashbox Cosmetics. I was so happy to be making good money and playing with makeup at 19 years old! Now that I look at the brand, I really think it has made a drastic change for the better. I will definitely do more reporting on them. I came over to the site because I found these fantastic honey based glosses that Smashbox made a few years ago. While on the site, I saw the sale, and immediately knew I had to tell you all about it! Here are just a few of the products that you should consider picking up!

The picture above is a “Try Me Kit“, where you can sample the best of the best at Smashbox. This includes the infamous Brow Tech brow kit, the cream eye liner kit, Photo Finish Primer, and many others! For $30, you can’t go wrong!

Lip Brillance-This trio of long lasting, rich lip colors were the perfect finish to any look. It’s a great palette to keep in your bag, and you can easily custom make your own signature colors. I’ll be purchasing “Skybox” when I return from New York Fashion Week.

Rapture Eye Shadow Kit-I was a big fan of these because Smashbox really stepped it up with the quality of their eye shadows. They are much more rich and silky then they were in past years. This kit gives you a ton of colors to try plus a couple of brushes. Now that the prices have gone deal, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage!

Skin Tint-I used these as cheek and lip stains back in the day. Working at the counter (and being very intimidated at a new artist) I never really used these on customers. They are liquid gels, and so perfect for a dewy or stained look!

I also love that Smashbox creates palettes and sets to try lots of products for a fraction of the price. Take advantage while you can, once people find out about this sale, it’s going to be raided!

MAC wasn’t going to let brands like Make Up For Ever, Cargo and Kryolon have all of the HD fun! MAC whipped up a new collection of products that have been on their shelves for years. This time, they’ve introduced them with a twist. To sum it up, MAC is basically saying that they’ve been ahead of the game for years! Ha! Face and Body foundation has been a MAC store exclusive for over 20 years. The first time I used it was during the Barbie collection. I had on a green sundress, and wanted to look flawless like Barbie! I moisturized with lotion, then used my hands to rub the N9 shade all over my arms, legs, neck and décolletage. Then, I set everything with pressed powder. Perfect, even skin. The main image above is a hoard of Face and Body Foundations from my dear friend Warren’s kit. Clearly, he swears by them. He used them on his model Julia at a photoshoot at Studio400. ( That’s a whole other blogpost, and it’s coming soon!)

Also in this collection are 8 Mineralize Powders, baked in an oven for hours and jam packed with over 77 minerals. The result? Naturally matte skin with substance. My friend and fellow makeup artist Niki told me that she uses these on every member of the bridal party, and they all rave over the finish. I love the effect of buffing it in over a cream foundation, the glow is out of this world!

That’s not it, though! Also in this collection are 5 new lipsticks and the infamous skunk brush duo, the 187 and 188. Stay tuned for the collection, on counter September 10th, 2009.

Emmy wining Makeup Artist Marie DelPrete gave MAC an exclusive interview about makeup for HDTV. Here’s a quick excerpt of what she had to say.

Q: If I were to open your makeup kit right now, what items would be down to the last drop (name specific
M·A·C items)?

Skin Care – Strobe Cream, Prep + Prime Skin, Blot Film

Foundations – Face and Body Foundation

Concealers – Select Cover Moisture

Powders – Invisible Set Powder, Blot Pressed Powder in Medium

Bronzing Powders – Matte Bronze

Blush – Blush Créme

Eyeliners – Penultimate In Rapid Black

Eyebrows – Eyebrows In Lingering and Fling

Mascaras – Pro Lash In Charcoal Black and Coal Black

Lips – Viva Glam V & VI

Tools – 190 Foundation Brush

Q: You’ve perfected the art of makeup – for HDTV and otherwise – with your envy-worthy application of
makeup. Can you share your top five tips for HDTV makeup application (eyes, face, cheeks, and lips)?

Brighten, don’t lighten. Use illuminating products to help bring brightness to recessed areas of the face. I
love using M.A.C. Strobe Cream.

Think satin. Powder the face to a satin finish. A matte finish is too flat and heavy-looking for HD, while a
dewy finish reads as too shiny. Satin comes across as a healthy glow.

Blotting Paper. It’s great for touch-ups, removing surface oils and helping to limit powder buildup. M.A.C.
Blot Film is the perfect product.

Good grooming. The high def camera will find all of those unsightly facial hairs, nose hairs, unruly
eyebrows, unibrows, ear hairs and peach fuzz. Beards and mustaches should be well-groomed.

Finish with a bronzer. Use a bronzer at the very end to put life back into the skin.

Within the upcoming weeks, MAC will be featuring a collection with a black focus, literally! I’m talking about black glosses, lipsticks, nail polishes, eye shadows and things of the like, with a sprinkling of other edgy shades. I haven’t seen the entire collection in person, but some of the colors are re-promotes from previous collections. In this image, I’m wearing a look that you will most likely be able to achieve with the new colors. I’m wearing Night Violet Mattene Lipstick, which will be available in the new collection. To top it off, I applied a Tux-De-Lux lipglass from years ago! I bought this color when I was 17 or 18 years old, so trust me when I say that it’s vintage. (And yes, it’s old. Also no, I don’t wear it often. So why do I have this ancient lipglass? I have no idea.) I don’t typically wear dark lip colors, but I have to say that this combo could be a fall winner!

(Click the picture to get a better look at the lip color!)

Mr. Fierce himself has collaborated with Victoria’s Secret for a Fall Collection, Christian Siriano for VS Makeup. He’s got an Egyptian theme, so rich, luxuorious colors are on the plate. What I’m most excited about? The Kajal Eyeliner! I see so many women wearing this, then I run up to them and ask where they get it from, and they say from India or Trinidad! I know you can purchase them from Bazaar’s and other local places. Enough ranting.
I’m also pretty stoked about the Sublime lipgloss. One of my undercover favorites is coral colored lips! I’m definitely going to have to bring this one home. If you’re in NYC today, go meet Christian at Vicki’s on 34th and Broadway!

For more information, check out Christian Siriano for VS Makeup at VictoriasSecret.com!