10-10-10

Huge day of weddings all over the World today.  Most Wedding/Catering Venues were taking weddings as late as 10pm to fully take advantage of booking for this day of 10's.  Makeup Luxe partook in services for a few of these Events this weekend...here is some of our work with Natalie and Michelle. (more pics to follow)



Luxe be a Lady Tonight!!!

Check out some of Ana's work, one of our Team Luxe Makeup Artists, as she WOW's Dawn at her wedding trial.

LASH OUT LOUD

HAUTE & NAUGHTY LASH

M.A.C.

It's the best of both worlds in one tube of mascara.  Keep it soft and defined for day and bold and thick for night - the choice is yours.

This innovate & clever design has two seperate components with one amazing brush.  The chambers inside the component either remove more or less mascara depending on your desired look.  It's non-flaky and long wearing, great buildability if you need a touch up before happy hour.  And at $18.00 its a real steal.

My personal favorite M.A.C. mascara is Pro-Lash, however, this is running a very close second.  Although I do prefer the Haute look over the Naughty, this is going to be a big hit for those of you who love changing it up.  Doesn't hurt that the packaging is pink with purple glitter either - Gotta love M.A.C

Some of Our Recent Work

Photo by Dimitri

Photo by Dimitri

Photo by Steven Kahn

Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate

All though there is always the looming "oil slick" as we move through this summer heat, it is important to remember that oil does not = hydration.  To protect your skin from the harsh environment and loss of water (essential for healthy youthful skin) I have two recommendations that are simple and incredible convenient.

Kinerase Hydrating Antioxidant Mist provides your skin with an alcohol-free nutritional spray that protects your skin from free radicals while reducing irritation. 

M.A.C Fix+ is packed with vitamins, minerals and a cocktail of skin calming ingredients that gives your skin radiance and a well needed drink.

Both of these products have additional benefits that they can be used to set makeup and can be used continuously throughout the day.  I like to recommend putting either of these products into a pocket mister (available at your local drug store) for the convenience of carrying them in your bag.  The Kinerase Antioxidant Mist is ideal for those working in the city and those who are in front of a commuter or on the phone consistently.

Other products you may like:

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Evian Mineral Water Spray

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Facial Mist

Prime Time

Smashbox recently lunched their newest primer into their arsenal of complexion perfection products, Photo Finish Targeted Pore and Line Primer.  This primer is packed with peptides for anti-aging, Chinese mushroom extract for hydration, and mattifiers to reduce shine.  Perfect for those clients who need special attention paid to those fine lines creeping up around the eye, enlarged pores, and mattifiers for those extra shiny pools that show up just hours after putting on your makeup.

I have been working with this for a few weeks before it was launched into stores and I LOVE it.  On myself, it keeps my makeup in place on the sides of my nose where it tends to get lost in my pores and smoothes the surface of my orbital bone where those fine lines like to mess with my concealer.  On clients, it creates an incredible flawless finish and can be used to spot treat any excessive oils that may pool up throughout the day.

This primer is still to be used in conjunction with your regular primer, but just a finger tips length of product gets rid of all your makeup woes.  My only gripe...the packaging makes it difficult to get the product out and you have to really work to blend it in by patting it into the skin until absorbed - or it will streak and pill under foundation.  Definitely worth trying and adding to your daily makeup routine. 

Other products you may like:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer

Smashbox High Definition Healthy Fx Foundation

Light up your Skin

  

Fusion Beauty has done it again...revolutionizing skincare and color in their newest product Illumifill.  Of course Kim Kardashian is the logical face of Illumifill, but aside from her glorious glow there are both immediate and long-term benefits to using this product. 

Not just your average skin highlighter - this roll on doesn't just add shimmer to your face, it plumps, highlights, and restores the skin we remember of our younger years. Packed with hyaluronic acid Illumifill instantly fills in fine lines while diminishing shadows with its light reflectors.  Apply this fragrance-free magic potion to your nose, cheeks and forehead for optimal results.

On the technical side of things here is what Fusion Beauty describes as Illumifill's long term results, "The concentrate of Amplifat™ suspended in calcium based microspheres helps to restore the appearance of youthful volume to key areas of the face that may have lost density and to improve the appearance of deeper lines & wrinkles with continued use over 28 days.  No-Line™, a complementary ingredient to Hyaluronic Acid & AmpliFat, derived from nutmeg seeds, proven to stimulate the accumulation of lipids in the skin to specifically target lines and wrinkles. It boosts the efficacy of the immediate results of the HA as well as works over time to visibly smooth out fine lines and wrinkles."

Illumifill is available at Sephora or Sephora.com

Other products you may like:

LipFusion Infatuation

LipFusion Color Shine

LiftFusion Face Lift

Passport to Poland's Pride

Created over 25 years ago, Inglot, an innovative cosmetic brand has significantly impacted the market. Their sleek packaging, high quality ingredients, intense pigmentation, and trend setting colors make for a makeup artists ultimate playground.

With the kaleidoscope of colors and broad spectrum of tools and accessories, Inglot is a force to be reckoned with in the cosmetic industry. One of the busiest, most sought after investment at the Makeup Show NYC 2010, Inglot was 3 people deep for two days in their corner territory amongst a wealth of choice competitors.

Although not new to industry - Inglot offers industry constituents, and consumers alike, the convenience of their Freedom System; a magnetic customized stackable set of palettes. The palettes come in a variety of sizes and shapes fitting all your complexion, eye, lip and brow colors. This is beyond ideal, and not just for the traveling makeup artist but also for the on-the-go mom, the over-worked nurse, or the young debutante just getting herself familiar with makeup.

Definitely worth a trip into Times Square. It's not just their products you'll love, its their prices too.

Makeup Show NYC 2010

Make Me Up Before You Go Go

Makeup Show NYC 2010

Definitely worth the hype.  So much going on, so much to see and play with I wasn't sure where to begin, but to my pleasant surprise it all started with Smashbox.

Smashbox offered all of their customers instant enrollment in their Pro Card - FREE!!! You had me at "Hello".  Once again Smashbox stepped out as a front runner with their great value kits for face, complexion, highlighting, brushes, lips, and cheeks. They kept the kits simple with a significant value.  Their team was out in front and interactive. Smashbox offered a workshop where they wowed their audience with their Red Carpet tips and tricks.

Once submerged in the sea of artists, staffers and special guests you found yourself a bit overwhelmed with where one could start off this journey of education, play and lavish spending.  People surrounded Temptu, Smashbox, Makeup Forever, M.A.C, Brushes and most of all Inglot.

Following the "I Give Good Face" buttons and T-shirts over to Inglot, I was ready to break in my credit card for the day.  Inglot may very well be the big hit of the show with their incredible custom palettes, pigmented colors and fabulously textured products.  Although staffers appeared to be unprepared for the swarming crowds, the deals far surpassed the time spent waiting for purchase. Their color selection along with wide array of products were perfect for both the beginner, who is starting out their kit, or for the tenured, who needs to replenish.

Uninviting and unimpressive was M.A.C Pro and their team.  No one was even the slightest bit excited - it's makeup folks, what's not to be excited about? Products were limited to just their Pro line of Lip Mix, Pigments, Glitters and not much else.  Even their model, photographed above in yellow body art, was uninspiring.  Very disappointing.

Overall though the show was definitely worth the $50 admission. I was thoroughly pleased with my purchases of a new Temptu Airbrush System and my Inglot bags packed with product.  Hoping for a larger venue next year, otherwise I give the day a B+.

Singin' the Blues

My favorite look of this season so far, all my clients have gone wild over it - once they step outside the box and embrace COLOR.

Smashbox has launched some new amazing colors to their collection, all permanent fixtures - so you won't have to worry about limited availability. These colors can be used with ANY combination of colors you are wearing on the eye - my favorites are golds and bronzes, grey and navy, and even browns and nudes.

Teal Jet Set

  A Waterproof Metallic Turquoise Gel Eyeliner applied with an effortless application as a traditional liner or in the rim of the eye. I like it worn in the water line, as a base on the lid under a shadow or just as a basic liner.

Peacock Limitless Eye Liner

  A new Teal waterproof liner with the capability of giving on-point definition or an no-budge-smudge. I don't recommend it for the waterline - but when using teal jet set in the waterline, this is Peacock Eye Liner is the perfect partner smudged under the lower lash line.

Aquatica Eye Shadow

A highly pigmented Marine Blue shadow described as having a "cashmere" texture for easy blending and a flawless finish. Smudged over top of Peacock Limitless Eye Liner this shadow creates an eye popping smokey look. This shadow is also superb to pop any eye shadowed look by contributing bold color or of long wearing bold shadow place on top of Teal Jet Set and blend out.

Suggested additions to this look:

Hyperlash Mascara

Photo Op under Eye Brightener

High Definition Liquid Concealer

Utopian You

Eye M Glam by Mario Dedivanovic

It's here...the glow we always admire from afar, but can never quite achieve at home. Mario Dedivanovic, Kim Kardashian's person makeup artist, has finally created this incredible sheer powder that will give your skin the perfect golden goddess of a glow.  Mario describes his innovative new creation as a, "universal shade that is flattering on all skin tones".

Lift and highlight the cheekbones and brows, plump your lip by placing on the cubids bow and/or amplify your eyes with a little in the inner corners. For more intensity you can also wet your brush with water or mix into your tinted moisturizer/foundation for an all over gorgeous glow.

Mario suggests: 

"Dust EYE M GLAM along your collar bones and dekolletage at night"

Check out this product and others by Mario at http://www.giella.com/

Friday Face-Off 4/30/10: Smoked Out

SMOKED OUT

Add some serious sex appeal to your eyes with a the sultry smoky look. Whether you use black or try some other options with colors like blues, golds or your greens - darken those lids and/or creases and you'll be sure to turn some heads (and in a good way)!

Some tips for creating a smokey eye...

• Since you are working with darker shades it is recommended that you do your eyes before your face.
• Build your color when working with darker shades creating depth and darkness by layering your color.
• If using multiple colors create a gradient of color so there is a smooth transition of color, no hard lines.

Kristin's Smoky Eye Favorites:

M.A.C Paint Pot in Painterly

Smashbox #20 Double-Ended Smudger Brush

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes in Mat Black

Go Bare for Mom

Just In Time For Mother's Day!!!

Join the Team of the new Bare Escentuals Boutique for their Grand Opening at The Mall at Short Hills Friday April 30th.  Located on the lower level near Macy's

Enjoy complimentary make-unders and gifts with purchase. Inquire about entering to win a $75.00 gift card on each day of the opening weekend.

Please contact Bare Escentuals to schedule an appointment (973) 564-8507.
 
 
Mother's Day gift ideas include:
Gift Card
Refillable Buffing Brush
Tutorials
Buzz Worthy Collection
 
You can find more gift ideas at www.bareescentuals.com

Lashout with Opulash

Why spend $24.00 on dior Show when you can get the a less dry, more dramatic look with better benefits for less.

Available April 22, and exclusive to Nordstrom for the time being, M.A.C presents Opulash - an innovative 15 hour wear mascara that is sweat and humidity resistant, sweeping lashes to lengths they haven't yet s...een. The brush makes... makes it happen, full and round to grab hold of the roots and lift, but tapered at the end to reach those tiny corner lashes so they don't get lost in the shuffle.



At $14.00 USD/$16.00 CDN it is an amazing deal.

Opulash is available at your local Nordstrom or at Nordstrom.com
 
Other products you may also like by M.A.C:
Wipes
Pro Eye Makeup Remover
Fluidline

Bow Down to the Brow

Was walking through an Ulta the other day when I came across a great find and a product must have. Whether you travel, and don't have access to your brow guru, or you just want to extend the time between your waxings at the salon, the Anastasia Mini Wax Kit is a steal at just $12.00. 

Kit includes:

5 Natural Birch Wood Sticks
14 Muslin Strips
Complete Waxing Instructions

I pride myself on the shape of my brows, so who better to trust then the Brow Maven herself: Anastasia. Easy to use, great value and stellar results. 

Anastasia Mini Wax Kit is available at:
Ulta.com
Sephora.com
Nordstrom.com

Other products by Anastasia you may want to try:
Tweezers
Tinted Brow Gel
Universal Mini Brow Kit

Friday Face-Off: Get Your Gloss On

Gloss, gloss, gloss and lots of it! Laquer up your lips or shine up your lipstick with your favorite gloss. Email pictures along with products used to makeup-luxe@yahoo.com.

Deal of the Month - 20% off Foundation

What an amazing deal!!!! For a limited time you can get 20% off your favorite foundations from Smashbox at any Ulta, and also at Ulta.com.
For the customer this is a great opportunity to replenish your favorite foundation, or if you are new to Smashbox try their fabulous complexion products. For the makeup artist, what a great opportunity to update your kit with some of the industries leading foundations.
Don't miss out on this opportunity.

Come see me at Ulta in Rockaway Mall, NJ from 12-5 on April 21 and I'll match you to the perfect shade.

Shu Uemera Says Sayonara USA

After putting a ton of money into marketing, packaging and promotion of their United States launch 2 years ago, Shu uemera is saying, "Sayonara". They haven't made as much or even close to what they put into the launch so you will only be able to replenish your Shu favorites online or overseas.  Their legendary lash curler will still be available for sale, but all else will be off the shelves as of June 1, 2010.

For amazing service, suggestions on new products, and/or replenishment call Nancy at Neiman Marcus Garden State Plaza 1.201.291.1920 or Michelle at Neiman Marcus Short Hills 1.973.912.0080

Supplies will not be replenished so once they are out it will be luck of the draw with special orders.

So Sayonara Shu, you will be missed...it's sad to see you go!


Some of Makeup Luxe's Recommendations are:
Nobara Stick Foundation
Gold Base Control
Painting Gel Eyeliner
Any of their fabulous lipsticks
Cleansing Oils
Facial Mists

Friday Face-Off: Let's Get Cheeky

This weeks focus is all about poppin' color on those cheeks. Highlight and contour, lift and liven up you face. Keep the color soft, or bold, make them glisten or keep it matte - whatever your preference make your cheeks your focus.

Great tools to use: Fan Brush, Blush brush, Contour brush, Tapered Face Brush

BEAUTYBLENDER

If you want camera ready, flawless, professional makeup application you need to have the beautyblender in your tool box. An innovative makeup sponge applicator gives both the consumer and makeup artist flawless complexion with a professional finish. This easy to use tool has a suede-like texture for effortless blending capabilities. By using the wide end, you can blot and blend makeup or use the smaller end to get precision around the eye and nose.

This eco-friendly non-disposable sponge is sold alone or in a set with a specially designed cleanser. The blendercleanser is designed to not only clean your beautyblender and rid it of bacteria and product, but it houses your beautyblender on a pedestal while it dries. All you have to do is wet your beautyblender with some water, apply the blendercleanser to soiled areas, work into a lather - rinse, repeat if necessary, squeeze any excess water out and then let it dry. Conveniently this non-latex hypoallergenic sponge can be put in the beautyblender pouch and tossed right into the dryer on the air-dry setting. (The beautyblender is not meant to come into direct contact with extreme heat sources).

Prestige Beauty Event at Ulta

Come visit me and get some great tips and tricks, update your makeup for spring/summer and have fun with Smashbox!!!

Sunday March 21:  Ulta Maywood 11-4pm

Thursday March 25:  Ulta Maywood 12-5pm

Saturday March 27:  Ulta Rockaway 12-5pm

Thursday April 1:  Ulta Maywood 12-5pm

Saturday April 3:  Ulta Holmdel 12-5pm

Book an appointment or walk-in