Makeup Forever Pro Social

June 10, 2013- New York

I attended a Makeup Forever Pro Social makeup workshop. The two looks being taught were the top two most requested-Bridal look and Editorial look. Emily, the Makeup Forever Academy Makeup Resident, started the class by solidifying the idea that all brides she be waterproofed on their big day. As a makeup artist, your work has to look good there and ten hours from now, makeup longevity is key. Before applying the makeup, one must decide what type of bride she is-does your bride want a classic look? Bright coral lips? Cultural makeup look? Emily decided to add color on her model’s eyes and keep the lips muted.

Emily started the bridal look by using the All Mat Matifying Primer ($47) on the entire face including eye lids. Next, she applied Face & Body Liquid Makeup ($40) for a Fresh (water resistant) Look. She concealed and highlighted with the HD Invisible Cover Concealer ($29). Then, she added powder in the center of the face, which is the area that tends to emit most shine. Afterwards, she added HD Microfinish Blush ($26). “People’s skin eats powder,” said Emily which is why she used the cream blush. In the spirit of keeping it all waterproofed, two different shades of Aqua Brow color ($20) was added to shape the brows. Lastly, on her eyes a pinky coral was applied in Aqua cream ($23) along with individual lashes ($16). A spritz of Mist & Fix Setting Spray ($29) and the end result was a fresh faced beautiful radiant bride.

The next look was Editorial based. Emily stated that with editorial makeup it is like telling a story with your artistry.“You have to have a plan." Her plan for the Editorial look was based on taking inspiration from nature/desert/dunes. With this in mind, she used oranges, golds, and coppery browns to bring it to life. “Bright lights make the makeup look flat so bring out all the shapes for editorial makeup,” stated Emily. Contouring and blending was essential for this look. Another rule of thumb is not to use glitter for flash or movie makeup. After creating a sharped edge eye with a deepen plum Microfinish Blush ($26) as a contour and lots of high light, the last step now was to add the lips. “I want the lips to look like she ran into a man and ate his heart,” joked Emily with the laughing audience. To achieve this she darkened the center of the lips and lightened in the outer corners. Finally, Emily’s model was close to being done, but Emily had a few more tricks up her sleeve. She added large lashes that she cut herself as individuals and the look was a super sexy wild woman of the dune effect-absolutely gorgeous!

To purchase any of these products you can visit Sephora (Sephora.com) or go to The Makeup Forever Boutique- 8 E 12th St (between 5th Ave & University Pl) New York, NY 10003 (http://makeupforeverusa.com/mufe/)

"We are Beautrichful"

An often overlooked and perplexing hair disorder known as Trichotillomania (also known as Trich) is a compulsive hair pulling disorder. I was first made aware of this disorder when MTV True Life did an episode about it. In the episode a young girl felt ashamed and alone because she had several bald spots, but she couldn’t help but to keep pulling. I recently learned from Abby Walker that Trichotillomania affects 1 out of 50 people. Abby Walker is the CMO at Natural Wellbeing Distribution Inc. who helps educate the millions of women suffering from hair loss, thinning hair, and damaged hair. “Millions of people are affected by Trich, nearly 90 percent of reported cases are women,” said Walker. Walker promotes using Hair Essentials; a leading dietary supplement designed to naturally combat hair loss, repair, and revitalize damaged or dormant hair follicles, and stimulate healthy hair growth. “For those who are still struggling with Trich, or have controlled or conquered their urge to pull, we encourage them to try Hair Essentials to help naturally stimulate the hair regrowth process - whereas wigs and extensions are a temporary fix,” said Walker. “With Hair Essentials proprietary blend of more than 20 herbs, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and other nutrients, it is designed to naturally repair and revitalize damaged or dormant hair follicles and stimulate healthy, faster-growing hair. Oftentimes, Trichotillomania can be overcome by building self-confidence and seeing even the slightest improvement in one’s appearance.” Walker also decided to partner up with HelpMe2Stop.org to bring awareness. HelpMe2Stop.org was created by Charlene Blacer, a Hair, Health, Growth Expert, who has been changing the lives of hundreds of Trich Sufferers since 2004. This non-profit organization became 501c3 on Oct. 30, 2009 after helping hundreds of clients stop/cease hair pulling since 2004. There have been many success stories along the way. The “Stop Pulling Hair Out Waiting For A Cure” campaign helped a client who is now 7 years pull free! With this partnership they are looking for salons to help. They call it pull-free salon hubs. The requirements to participate are simple. They would like a salon that is warm, caring, and willing to help. “For specialty salons, HelpMe2Stop requires that the hair technician not practice in shaving the head prior to installation of cosmetic hair enhancements as shaving services defeats the purpose of hair regrowth,” said Blacer. Anyone interested to help can make a donation for the cause, recommend the Hair Essential supplement, refer a salon to participate, buy a t-shirt from HelpMe2Stop.org which will bring awareness and proceeds go towards the cause, and/or be a board member and help raise money and awareness. For more information, please visit www.helpme2stop.org and http://www.hairessentials.com.

Elin Bianco Hair Care Products

At the International Beauty Show New York (IBS New York) & The International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conference New York (IECSC) 2013, Elin Bianco hair care products were featured. The packaging was very feminine, a soft pink, and the smell of their products were like a soft baby powder that I can smell all day. This line is suitable for all hair types and infused with a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and keratin. AT Elin Bianco, they believe that hair is like an accessory for women that you wear every day. “If a woman’s hair accessory doesn’t look good, she doesn’t look and feel her best.” I agree the best feeling in the whole world is walking out of that salon with freshly washed styled hair. The blend of ingredients in Elin Bianco has scientific studies to back up their claims. The flax oil helps with scalp issues while olive oil helps with spilt ends. One ingredient used called Sea Buckthorn Oil (Oblipicha) is buzz worthy. My night time regimen from Fresh (Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil) includes Sea Buckthorn and my blemishes that were under the skin for weeks were gone after two uses. Not to mention how soft my skin felt. If this ingredient can do this for the skin, I am really curious as to what it can do for my hair. This rare super fruit is said to have healing properties as well. According to Elin Bianco’s hair catalog, it will rejuvenate dull color treated hair. Elin Bianco’s hero product is the treatment mask (salt free and enriched with organic palm kernel oil). It is scientifically proven to help severely dry or over processed hair feel smooth and silky. In addition to its core ingredients, this product also has coconut extracts. I received a deluxe size sample of this treatment and it smells so good. My hair stylist, Yahayra Dejesus, owner of Clean Cuts Salon, massaged my hair with this treatment for 5 minutes and then rinsed. You can go under a vaporizer for the product to penetrate deeper. Dejesus did a double color process on my hair and then use the Elin Bianco’s treatment mask. My end result was beautiful shiny, soft, healthy looking hair. Another product that everyone should try is the Hair Perfume. The scent is of a soft baby powder (so soothing to me). It is said to last a few days in the hair. It is all natural, alcohol free, and the best part is that it prevents unwanted odors to penetrate the hair. This protective shield is so uber important because for me smells always stick to my hair-whether it is a BBQ smell or when my friend smokes her cigarette next to me. I am hoping that after I use this I can solve this hair woe. These products are sold exclusively in salons. **Bonus-When paired up with the Profashion hair straighteners, the result is soft, shiny, healthy hair. The Profashion hair tool is 100% titanium plates and it heats up to 450 degrees. I really loved what it did for my hair at the 350 degree-it beat my GHD and T3 Iron any day!

Finding a Scent of My Own

I have been on serious hunt for my signature fragrance. What notes do I love? Should I have a day perfume? Night? Should I mix and customize my own? Should I have a summer one? Every day for the past 2 weeks, I have been spraying myself with two different fragrances each day to get a feel of what I like. What I found is that I have liked a variety of different perfumes and I am really to graduate from the mediocre body splashes into a big girl scent. My new discovery: Versace Crystal Noir: A floral-oriental feminine scent and more bold than what I am use to. I decided this can be my night time one. It smells kind of like coconut on me-Yummy! Notes: Gardenia, Amber. Summer/Beach fragrance: I have been wearing Sugar Lychee by Fresh for about two summers and only to the beach and I always get compliments. It has blends of citrus, juicy lychee, and mango. Sounds good enough to drink! Notes: Grapefruit, Italian Lemon and Lime Blossom, Lychee, Mango Flower, Freesia, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Amber. All time go to fragrances: Gucci Guilty Notes: Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Peach, Lilac, Geranium, Amber, Patchouli. Viva La Juicy Notes: Wild Berries, Mandarins, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Jasmine, Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Praline. Ev final note: I like how each fragrance has a story, whether it is the shape of the bottle or the memory it is suppose to evoke. For instance, Gucci Guilty it is said, “Made for the woman who shatters expectations, this fragrance imbues a feeling of power, a sense that she can attain whatever she wants even the thrill of the forbidden.” I would imagine that all women want to feel this way! The note that seem to be most evident in all these perfumes is Amber! I almost named my daughter this too..I am slowly but surely getting closer to learn what scent works with my body chemistry. I will continue my search until I try every perfume every made to mankind (I have a lot of time on my hands apparently).