The one face that so many of us waited in suspense for was no other than Lady Gaga. Most people love her, or they hate her. I wasn’t really a fan until I saw her video for Bad Romance. In those 3 minutes, I was hooked. I won’t go so far as to say she’s so different, because people argue that she hasn’t reinvented the wheel. She’s major enough that she is now accompanied by my favorite makeup artist, Billy B. I’ve been talking about him for years on this blog, so I’m assuming that I don’t have to give an intro. He’s been working with Gaga for the past few months, thank God. She’s had some pretty major appearances since the release of her newest EP, The Fame Monster. This soft grey smokey eye and bubble gum pink lip was flawless. I love how big he made her eyes look. They demand attention. The brows are simply perfection. Contouring, lovely. She looks like a glamorous woman, a role that she doesn’t play often. I’m not saying this because I love Billy, I’m saying it because it’s the truth (well, it’s my opinion anyway!) The outfit was outrageous, and she wore it well. Armani Prive meets Lady Gaga. Lacefront hairline…not so much.
Whatever the case, I LOVED Gaga’s performance. It was absolutely perfect. Sir. Elton John served in this glasses and 5 pound earrings!
I could be alone, but images like this inspire me to be a better makeup artist. Since I am avidly building my kit, pictures like this give me insight on what the big boys and big girls in the game are doing. To the right you’ll find an image of some of Billy B.’s products laid out for use. This is thousands and thousands of dollars worth of product! Trust me, this is one twentieth of what is in his kit!
If you look really closely, you can see the Studio Fix compacts labeled on the outside for easy location. You’ll also find a bottle of Duo and hair extension glue (aka track glue, hehe), a pill jar full of lip colors (most likely broken-off lip sticks), sponges (I’m guessing they are made by Alcone, the best in the industry!) and Ben Nye and Iman loose powders inside MAC travel containers. Ooh, and over at the top, you will also spot a few tubes of L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara, Billy’s fave.
If you want to see the many faces that Billy uses these products on, check out his website at www.billybbeauty.com. And, don’t forget to check out the BEAUTIFUL salon that Billy created with Syd Curry in good ole Mississippi, BillyBBeauty & Syd Curry Salon. It’s just adorable!
Finally, the truth on which promising products will actually help — and which are just money-wasting hype
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Since I have a few gigs coming up, it’s time for me to add to my kit. This go round, I’ll be doing more Caucasian women, so foundations and powders are needed!
There are quite a few brands of makeup that are widely used by the pro artist community, but not necessarily by consumers. In a few months, I’ll probably purchase the Neutral Graftobian Hi-Def Glamour Creme Super Palette. I’m also interested in the infamous RCMA Foundation Palettes. Before I order, I will most likely order some samples of the products. I’ve never used anything from either brand, but I figure it’s worth a shot! I’m really loving Camera Ready Cosmetics, Pro Artist Mary Erikson caters to the individuals in the artistry field! You absolutely must check out her site!
Celebrity MUA Billy B. swears by Face Atelier Ultra Pro Founations. I have watched him use them on several models. After seeing the results, I was instantly intrigued. In a perfect world, if I was making CRAZY good money, I would stock up on every shade of Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. Too me, it’s the ultimate. ‘Nuff said.
As of right now, it is in my best interest to do what I thought of all along. I bought a wide array of MAC Concealers a few months back, including Studio Finish, Select Moisturecover, Studio Stick and today, Studio Sculpt concealers. I haven’t purchased Select Cover Up for my kit, I suppose because I didn’t like the way it looked on myself. For sure, Studio Finish runs my kit. I own 10 shades, because it is so very versatile, you can keep it full coverage, or thin it down for a more sheer coverage. It can cover tatoo’s, birthmarks, moles, and everything else!!! If you’d like to see how I use it as a foundation, check out one of my first video tutorials on Youtube : Flawless Full Coverage Skin!
I can’t even stress how excited I am for The Makeup Show NYC. Seriously, it’s going to be SUCH a great time. Every year that I go, I have such a fabulous time. Warren B. and I went last year, and it was just too good of a time. If you are a pro makeup artist, you just have to be there. Actually, that’s the only way you can be there. There are no other options! Brands such as Make Up For Ever, MAC Pro, Becca, Alcone, Graftobian and Smashbox will be there, amongst several others!
“Can I use this as a higlighter for under my eyes? I have been searching high and low for something for my face and can’t seem to find anything.Makeup forever has a contour and highlight duo,but when I went to sephora they were all out…Please help“
SB Says:
The first thing people usually run to in concealer. This is completely fine, try to use one that is warm toned. If you use cool toned concealers, this will make any dark circles and imperfections stand out a bit more. Remember, darker/warmer recedes and lighter/cooler brings forward! Use a brush or your ring finger, and remember to set with a powder so it doesn’t crease!
Try using a lighter dusting of powder under the eye. I’ve learned by my favorite make up artists to use a lighter loose or pressed powder under the eye. This is just another alternative. Billy B. uses Studio fix with a brush and Sam Fine uses MAC Loose Powder with a sponge. I tried the loose powder in NW35 (the same color he used on the NW50 model he was working on) and it works great!
Also, there are many liquid illuminators that do this exact thing. One of the most praised in the industry is the Touche Eclat by YSL. Just use the pen in the appropriate area, and blend with your ring finger or a brush. Bobbi Brown also has one, the Tinted Eye Brightener. I would do this before applying foundation.
Did I tell you all that I am thinking about locing my hair?? I’m about 70% sure that I want them in, like, next week! I may just try them myself to see the look, then take them out until I am ready. Najahface breaks down some different ways to start your locs here!
This portion was cross-posted at Scandalous Beauty:
Yes, it’s true. I want to loc my hair! I have been thinking about it for months and months now, but haven’t officially expressed my feelings about it. But, as the days go by, I constantly check out locs of all shapes, sizes, lengths and colors. I even re-watched videos of myself in twists just to make sure that I was comfortable with the look. I want my locs to be about the size of my pinky finger!
I have had such an awesome time during my natural journey! I haven’t had a relaxer since 2005!!! There are a ton and a half of options for natural hair, and I haven’t done a tenth of them. But I just love, love, love the locked look!!! I must have it!!! I will probably procrastinate and not get them done for a few more months, since I already bought those huge tubs of Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercream andQhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream. That stuff was NOT cheap, so I will NOT loc until I use them entirely! To be on the safe side, I’ll probably keep my hair twisted more often.
Doesn’t Lauryn Hill look amazing in the picture? Billy B. was the face beater, clearly.
Yes, it’s true. I want to loc my hair! I have been thinking about it for months and months now, but haven’t officially expressed my feelings about it. But, as the days go by, I constantly check out locs of all shapes, sizes, lengths and colors. I even re-watched videos of myself in twists just to make sure that I was comfortable with the look. I want my locs to be about the size of my pinky finger!
I have had such an awesome time during my natural journey! I haven’t had a relaxer since 2005!!! There are a ton and a half of options for natural hair, and I haven’t done a tenth of them. But I just love, love, love the locked look!!! I must have it!!! I will probably procrastinate and not get them done for a few more months, since I already bought those huge tubs of Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercream andQhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream. That stuff was NOT cheap, so I will NOT loc until I use them entirely! To be on the safe side, I’ll probably keep my hair twisted more often.
Doesn’t Lauryn Hill look amazing in the picture? Billy B. was the face beater, clearly.
I mixed the colors together with a cotton swab on a piece of aluminum foil for easy clean up. Did you want to see the whole look, including foundation, cheeks and lips??? Check out the video below, which will also tell you all about the Scandalous Beauty Meet and Greet, and the next Billy B. Beauty Contest!!! I’m so Excited!!!
I just ordered my second jar of Shine and Define Gentle Styling Serum from Oyin. As you may remember, I wrote a post about Oyin products earlier this Summer. And I’ve found yet another use for this bad boy!! I told you all that it helps bring out coils on wet hair. But, now that I have started to twist my hair, this is my BFF. I like to twist on clean, dry hair, becuase it makes the length of the twists longer, in my opinion. So, I like to section off the hair, and add a dime sized amount of this serum to slightly dampen it. I make sure to coat as much of the hair as possible. After I’ve twisted the hair, the ends curl right up! Every few days, I run a bit more about this through my twists to control flyaways. I freakin’ love this stuff!!! I wasn’t a big fan of twists, I’ve said it in a few videos. But in the You Tube video below, I’m rocking my second ever set of twists! I pinned them up to give them a different look.
