Ok, so in the video it says I just got this. Well at the time that was true. However, it has taken me a little bit of time to get around and edit this video to show you.
This is a quick look at what you get with the Temptu S Compressor Intro Kit from www.temptupro.com. I kept hearing how much better silicone airbrush makeup was vs water based so I had to give it a try. Stay tuned for upcoming videos with a complete review and tutorials!
I'll also show you how to set it up in under 30 seconds. It truly is that fast!
As many of you may have figured out I have a weee bit of an addiction to makeup. Especially to MAC. I had palettes upon palettes of MAC Cosmetics 15 pan eyeshadow palettes and they just kept on stacking up. Not to mention my blush habit. Ugh.
When I heard about the Z Palette, created by Makeup Artist Zena Shteysel, I just knew this would solve many of my issues with having just too much, without having to sacrifice one single shadow. Z Palettes don't have any separators in the palette, allowing much more room. And allowing different size and shape pans to go together in one place.
Another great feature is the see thru window so that you can see what color palette you have without having to write on it. I also love that it is magnetized, and eco friendly. And the super cute prints are to die for. Zebra, hot pink, cheetah, you can't go wrong.
I choose the Black Pro Palettes. The Pro palette gives you just a little more space and room for a brush if you choose. As you can see in mine, I have 4 rows of MAC eyeshadows and one small row of a few Mary Kay shadows I had. They were the only ones that would fit in that small space. But, hey, I got a packed palette. The MAC palette only held 15, now with the Z Palette I have 28 in one palette.
I also love that I can fit these palettes perfectly in a makeup bag that I got from www.wholesaleaccessorymarket.com (shown in top pic). I can get 8 of them in there nice and tight and they won't float around in my makeup kit.
They are a bit spendy. $28 each for the Pro, $20 for the large, $14 for the small. But well worth the investment for a life of simplicity. Check them out www.zpalette.com.
While on a fun shopping day with my daughter, we decided to stop by the 99 Cent store to get her a toy. I love to check out the beauty section and to see what little gems I could find. And this was my lucky day! To my surprise I found a wide array of false eyelashes for less then a $1 each!! But are they good? I purchased one of everything they had. I figured, why not? They are only a dollar each. I'm sure I can use them in different ways other then lashes if they looked terrible.
Moving on to our girl's night out. I decided that this was a good time to give them a try. I went with the S1 lash. They looked like a glammed up version of a natural lash. I noticed right away the the lash was not real human hair, but a synthetic. That's ok. I just would never put these on a bride or for something very special. But for being a synthetic they were very light. And they looked great on. Good shape, good length, great feel.
Removal of the lash from it's container was effortless and of course with my DUO glue it stuck on my lash line fabulously all night long. I asked everyone what they thought and they thought they were real. I'll go with that!
Overall, I say, why not? These lashes are super fun to play with and for the investment you won't be loosing out. And you won't feel bad about throwing them away after one application.
In my pursuit of finding the perfect airbrush system for my growing Makeup Artistry business I have been researching and researching endlessly for some time now. One of the biggest players in the airbrushing community is Dinair. Time and time again they popped up and I heard really good things about them. And importantly I saw that fellow Makeup Artists were using them on their clients. So I had to give it a try. By far, Dinair was one of the most competitive priced kits out on the market. You really got your bang for the buck. Especially if you get in on one of their specials that they often hold (sign up for email notifications) you really get a lot for your money. I happened to get mine right before Christmas. I ordered the Personal / Pro kit in Opal White. The deal was Free Shipping AND I got an additional 4 colors that I got to choose. Also included in the kit:
8 Glamour foundations Cleaner Airbrush gun Airbrush Compressor in one of the standard colors Eyebrow stencils Training materials Training DVD Sample Concealer Eyeshadow Shield Small Moist and Dewy Samples of Air Tan Training Foundation
What a deal! And all this for only $229.00. They also give you a one year warranty and one free lesson after you view the DVD for additional support.
It only took 2 days for the kit to be delivered, at Christmas time. Very impressive. I finally got to test this baby out. It was really easy to assemble and so simple to learn how to use. The opal white looked more silver than what I had thought. This little compressor was truly so light and small. This would be so easy for me to travel with. And the color range was great. I instantly found my correct shade. What you see on the outside of the bottle is basically what you will get. Just a few drops in the gun and you have a flawless face. I even attempted at doing eyeshadow and blush with out even practicing first and it looked awesome! The bronze shimmer is amazing on your lids and has beautiful sparkle. You can even use this as contour and adding a shimmer to your face. And I used the blushes on my lips as lipstick followed by Moist and Dewey as a lipgloss. Amazing! However airbrushing your lips doesn't last very long. But longer then regular lipstick.
Now for the Cons: As a Makeup Artist it is important to me to not be exclusive to any brand. I want to get a big color range and try different finishes. This compressor will not work with the silicone based (S/B) foundations. The compressor is not powerful enough to pump out the thicker formula. However the gun will hold up. I had hoped to keep the tiny compressor and use the gun from the other brand. But it's the opposite in this case. Not the gun, it's the compressor. Be fair warned. Dinair will except returns in 30 days but you will have to pay the shipping back and a 15% restocking fee. I also found that the water based formula was very drying. And I have oily skin. So just put in a few drops of Moist and Dewey with the foundation and you should be good.
However, with that said, this system is great. And the makeup is beautiful. They have a huge color range and lots of different finishes. Including the Paramedical which is great for covering tattoos, scars, burns, etc. And the size is perfect for on the go or for someone that doesn't have a ton of space. I would recommend this for a Makeup Artist starting out in airbrushing and I would recommend this to the everyday gal wanting a flawless finish daily with a system that is easy to use.
A few weeks ago E.L.F Cosmetics was offering 50% off their already amazing prices. I used it as an excuse to get a Haul! I spent $70 including shipping and it was simply amazing how much stuff I got. You can purchase E.L.F at Target stores or online at http://www.elfcosmetics.com/. Target sells it at the regular price with limited selection, so it's worth it to get online and see everything E.L.F has to offer. I purchased a ton of stuff so I can't possibly review every piece here, but I will tell you my must haves and the overall opinion of the brand.
The biggest stand out product was the HD powder. It was only $3 before discount and stands up to the spend $30 Makeup Forever HD powder. Use this powder sparingly and it looks great on every skin color and type. It also gives a soft, not matte look. It looks beautiful in person and on camera.
The pressed powder products such as eye shadows and blushes are not very pigmented and have alot of fall out. But if you work with it and layer you can end up getting a good result. For the price it is fun to have some of the colors on hand. Especially the blushes, which had a great rage in colors.
The loose powders like the pigments and matte eye shadows are VERY pigmented and go a long way, so use sparingly to avoid over doing it. I also love the matte eye shadows to use as a eyeliner. They have a slightly creamy texture and really adhere to the skin. This is a great product, I just wish there were more options in colors.
The lipstains claim to be long lasting, but they didn't hold up like the MAC Prolong Wear. But for the price, again, it held up good enough. With a nice range of colors, Red Carpet paired with MAC's Cherry liner being my hands done favorite red color of the season!
Since the eyelashes were synthetic I didn't really want to try them. But I am glad I did. They felt light and natural and 2 pairs for only $3 felt great! And for a limited time you can get some super fun feathered lashes in 3 different colors at a steal.
E.L.F carries a really nice line of brushes in both their Essential and Studio lines. Get them all, they are worth it.
Overall I felt that this line was pretty good. Everything was under $3 each before my discount. If you catch one of their sales, which is frequent, I say you get a ton of stuff and have some fun with it! You won't be disappointed.
Get an E.L.F. Cosmetics makeup look by viewing this video tutorial:
I just got done watching the pomp and circumstance of the wedding of the decade along with millions of others across the globe. Kate Middleton, of middle class stature, marries a Prince and becomes the envy of all woman, the Duchess of Cambridge and the future Queen of England. You would think that with all the media attention and hoopla, she would not risk for a moment how she will appear to millions and millions of people. It is rumored that Kate opted to do her own makeup on her big day. Now, she didn't go into it without any kind of training. She hired makeup artist Arabella Preston to hone in and master her technique. Most brides especially of celebrity status would never have taken that risk. Why she decided to do this? It hasn't been said yet. But I certainly applaud her for trying. I would have personally have done more of a softer look with less eyeliner, especially along the lower lash line. Or have at least blended it out more. But her use of color was lovely and ultimately she looked beautiful. The warmth of her eyes really compliment the rosy cheeks and lipstick. This look would be gorgeous on any skin tone. And I love her bold eyebrows which are making a full comeback especially for this Fall.
Kate Middleton's classic and elegant wedding gown was designed by Sarah Burton, director for Alexander McQueen. This girl just went up in points in my book! She kept it simple and chic, and certainly not over the top like Princess Diana's dress was. Her dress has been compared to Grace Kelly's timeless gown. The lace bodice and long sleeves partnered with a tasteful plunging neckline is so modern yet classic. She kept her veil simple to let the lace and tiara, which was borrowed from the Queen made by Cartier, shine. Her train was dramatic yet at a comfortable length.
Her Maid of Honor and Sister, Pippa Middleton, also wore Alexander McQueen in an ivory scooped neck with cap sleeved dress. This dress is reminiscence to the red dress that Cameron Diaz wore to the 2010 Golden Globes. She looked absolutely beautiful and the dress fit her like a dream. It's interesting that Kate had her bridesmaid's were white.
I am so fascinated with how popular hats are in England. Every single woman wore these wonderful hats in every over the top style from large saucer types, floral bouquets, feathers, and these amazing little artistic hats worn in the most awkward of places. On their forehead. If you were not wearing one, then you were the minority. Each hat was a work of art. Some notable wearers were Victoria Beckham, the Ferguson Daughters, Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor, & Camilla Parker Bowles.
The Queen Mum also looked lovely in a canary yellow dress and matching hat. I loved that she wore such a cheery color.
Everyone who watches the Royal Wedding are mostly curious about the fashion. And that's what it gave you. Fashion, fashion and more fashion. Starting with Kate's timeless appeal and to the celebrity and Royal guest's fashion choices, it was surely an event to watch!
Get Kate Middelton's Wedding day makeup look. Check out this video:
I heard about bhcosmetics from many good reviews and amazing tutorials of other makeup artists on YouTube. Everyone boasted about how great the product was for the price and how many looks you can achieve from a single palette. So of course I hopped onto their site and ordered the 3 120 color palettes they offered. Because I was in desperate need of more eyeshadow colors, especially 360 more shades. Come on now, for a makeup junkie this is an amazing fix! For a mere $75 (I got a special promo for buying all three) I feel that this is certainly a real bargain. Think how much MAC costs, $14.95 a piece! But was the product good? How was the customer service? I was pleasantly surprised to get my palettes in just a few days from ordering. Each palette was packaged in a protective sleeve and bubble wrapped. When I took off the sleeve a beautiful shinny black heavy palette appeared. Love the first impressions. I opened up the lid and WOW! All of these bright gorgeous colors had me in a daze. Oh the possibilities! I was getting really excited! In the inside of the palette are two separate palettes housing 60 colors each. And each one of the palettes has different colors. Some may look like duplicates but when you swatch them they are slightly different or there is a different finish. The colors appeared highly pigmented and easy to apply. Some where more difficult then others. Overall I would say for the cost this is the perfect product to have on hand for practise and to try out of the ordinary looks. You really can get creative with the color range available. And each pan of color was a generous amount. You will have this for a long time! Go and get it! Free shipping with orders over $50! I am loving this company! http://www.bhcosmetics.com/.
Here's a tip on how to remember what color you used for future reference since they don't have names. Flip over the palette and write numbers using a colored Sharpy.
P.S. Check out my video tutorial series featuring this product coming in the next few days!
Here is a follow up to this weeks review on Mary Kay products. I didn't have the color cosmetics available to do this look so I did a look off of a color card that they provided. I followed step by step to see how the look would come out based on their instructions. On the color card it gives you three different looks using the same color scheme. I choose to do the Classic Look for this tutorial. The result: beautiful! The red lips are stunning in person and it's the perfect raspberry red lip. The eyeshadow and blush colors were just the right combination to compliment the red lips without looking over done. I also found the product to easily blend and apply. It lasted all day with no fail.
Colors Used:
Eyes- Crystalline, Hazelnut, and Granite Mineralize Eye Color
Deep Brown eyeliner by Mary Kay (or any deep brown)
Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in black.
Blush- Sunny Spice Mineralize Cheek Color
Lips- Raspberry lip liner by Mary Kay (or any raspberry red lip liner)
Red Rouge Creme Lipstick
All from www.marykay.com. Contact me for 25% off your order. Limited time.
When you say Mary Kay Cosmetics, what comes to mind? Some would think, MLM company, makeup for old people, or maybe, the reps are inexperienced. But when you do a search on the Internet, they were the number one selling makeup brand in America. That is pretty impressive! There is no secret that I am a supporter of Direct Sales companies. I sell Guy and Eva Jewelry. Used to sell Premier Designs. I've promoted and purchased Miche Bags, Stella and Dot, Juice Plus, and Tahitian Noni. So why did I have this stigma placed on Mary Kay? Perhaps it is my undying loyalty to MAC Cosmetics. Or my fear of what I think people might think. My amazing Massage Therapist, Melissa Beasley, sells Mary Kay. Every time I came in for a massage her Mary Kay catalogs were in the waiting room. I would thumb through and I became impressed with the way they presented the products. The catalog looks more like a small fashion magazine and gave tons of great tips on how to apply makeup. As a makeup artist, I fell in love with this. I like to learn new things and I believe this is extremely helpful for customers that have no idea on how to apply the makeup they just purchased. Every catalog has new looks. You can cut them out and put them in a binder for future reference. Their website is also impressive, offering makeup artist looks, option to purchase, trends, makeovers, ecatalog, budget beauty, and editor pics. This is definitely not an "old person" company! This is for woman of any age who are hip, young or young at heart, on trend, and are eager to learn and look their best! Ok, I'm convinced to give it a try. I purchased a range of products from Melissa to test. I did this several months ago. So I have given it time to really get an idea how I like these products or don't like them. Here's what I tested:
Eye Primer: This product is essential for anyone to provide the lids of the eyes an even textured area to apply eyeshadow. Primer hydrates, smooths, and absorbs oil. Making eyeshadow go on and blend easier and last way longer. After trying out this product I recommend it to people with dry or oily lids. Overall I felt it did what it was supposed to do. And at a more affordable price then other primers. A little bit goes a very long way. In fact, less is more. Just apply a very thin layer. This tube will last you a LONG time! $12
Medium Coverage Foundation: I felt that this product provided a nice coverage without going too heavy. I would use it with a translucent powder instead of the Mineralize ones. The range of colors was great. There is sure to be a color for everyone. $15
Concealers: This is probably my favorite item from Mary Kay and I use this in my makeup kit for customers. The consistency is thin enough and thick enough to give the right amount of coverage without pulling or drying out the eyes. Or looking too cakey. The colors are simple and universal and they also have a Yellow corrector, which is great for dark circles. And makes the eyes appear less red. $10
Mineral Powder Foundation: I am not a big fan of loose powders mostly because of the mess they cause and the chance of applying too much product. This foundation is no exception. I didn't care too much for the color choices. They were all a little too pink. 85% of woman are going to have yellowy tons and try to minimize the pink in their faces. Unless you have porcelain skin I wouldn't go with this. $18
Ultimate Mascara: Hands down, everyone go out and get this. I used to use eyelash growth serum which I discontinued about 10 months ago. I have been getting TONS of compliments on the length of
my lashes since using this mascara. I don't believe this mascara contains any growth enhancers. But WOW, what a difference. Maybe it's a coincidence? Who cares. Go and get it! $15
Mineral Cheek Color: Nothing too special here, but a nice color rage and it applies nicely. $10
Cream Lipstick: Again, nothing too special here. Goes on nice, color ranges are pretty. Lasts a decent amount of time. $13
Time Wise Miracle Set: I really liked this skin care routine. The cleanser goes a long way and foams up really well and takes off makeup gently and effectively. They treatments felt good on my skin, but I am not sure I saw a ton of difference in the condition in my skin. But I would say there was improvement. Especially if you take into consideration that it is not a pharmaceutical grade product. The lotion felt like it had the perfect amount of moisture in for my skin. I would recommend this. $90
Satin Lips Set: I have actually used this for many years. The mask is a great exfoliant and the balm feels great and leaves your lips so soft. Highly recommend this set! $18
There are other products I am interested in with Mary Kay. They are coming out with a new Face Primer and a new line of Time Wise Foundations. I would also like to check out the makeup compact and eyeshadows. Overall I feel like this company offers a quality product at reasonable prices and it helps women and supports charities. Its a winning solution all around. So I decided to sign up with the company so I can try more products and offer a discount to my subscribers and myself. Fans or Subscribers can purchase any Mary Kay products from me at 25% off. Just contact me and let me know what you want. Take a look at the Ecatalog here. Get more details on my Promotions tab!
Here's a Makeup Tutorial using Mary Kay Cosmetics! Check it out:
I am so excited to start on this new adventure with Guy and Eva. I feel really lucky to be the first to represent this jewelry line in the Sacramento Area! This video is for you if you want to get to know G+E a bit more. Also visit www.guyandeva.com/michellekinkaid to view the product line, hostess plans and opportunities with G+E!
I am looking for hostesses for the month of March so I am offering incredible incentives to get my business going! If you are in the Sacramento region message me at www.facebook.com/guyandevamk or at michellekinkaid@gmail.com. Don't forget to "like" my page for updates on G+E! Also check out my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/michellekinkaidtv.
When I had read an article that Kim Kardashian and her family only use Red Cherry 100% Human Hair Eyelashes, I immediately hit Google to find out how I can get them. Have you seen how insanely long their eyelashes are? And perfect? Can you tell I am seriously jealous? They are surprisingly not offered at many stores. But the best price I found them for was at http://www.madamemadeline.com/. They were only $1.99 a pair and you got free shipping if you spent $85. I know that seems like a lot of pairs of eyelashes but for the beautiholic such as myself that's a bargain. Especially since Red Cherry offers a huge selection to try. In addition to the already low price of these lashes Madame Madeline sent me 2 free pairs. What a deal! Just to give you a comparison MAC offers 100% human hair lashes for around $15 a pair. Now you understand why I am so excited. Did I mention that Red Cherry's lashes are 100% Human hair and NOT synthetic? Well that can be a big difference. Human hair is much lighter and natural feeling then a synthetic lash. So I placed my order. Roughly 40 pairs and almost all of them different.
The shipping was so fast. Just about 4 days. I opened up my box and my heart soared. Ahhhh. They are gorgeous! The packaging isn't very attractive, but I don't care. It's what's inside that counts. Some of the lashes are really dramatic. I wouldn't even wear them except for a fashion shoot or for Halloween. Or if I was a drag queen. I think some people could pull it off such as the Kardashians, but not me. There are so many that are appropriate for everyday, for weddings, for a night out. For those of you that want a little umph. My favorite for a natural look is the 747M (pictured). This style also comes in a small and large. (M is for Medium). I would recommend a small if you have Asian eyes, small eyes or very little lashes. Medium for medium length lashes and eyes, and large for you know, large eyes. I also had a bride that loved the #1 for her big day. I am amazed at the quality of the lashes for the price. I would put them up there with MAC's line. They are easy to apply, light to wear, and very comfortable. The range of styles is impressive too. And you can't beat the price. My vote is 5 lip smacks. Hands down my new favorite lashes to wear. Go get yourself a pair or 40.
How do you apply False Eyelashes? Check out this video!
Last night I went to a hostess party at my friend Stacey's. There were really trendy jeans from VaultDenim.com and the brilliant Miche Bags. Seriouly? Why haven't I thought of this genius idea to have one base purse that has amazing organization and have "shells" to easily switch out your bag without having to unload everything? I am the self proclaimed Organizational Maniac and this is a maniac's dream come true. I hate to admit, but I have been carring around a teenie tiny purse for over a year now just for the sake of laziness and not wanting to switch out my purse. I can't even zip it. And I have two kids lugging around with me all day. So I have an additional diaper bag I carry around too. So when Stacey showed me her bag last December I told her "you better invite me to your party". I can't even get enough of how affordable these purses are too! The gal that was selling them had a special deal. For the large bags (which is what I got since I have kids and I am hoping to eliminate my diaper bag!) the base bag and 2 shells was only $100 and I got a 3rd shell for half off. I walked out the door with all but 1 shell (it had to be ordered) for only $129.30 which included tax. That is 3 bags for that price! I have to say that is pretty reasonable considering the bag size, quality, style and functionality. Did I mention that they have DIAPER BAGS too? Yep! And they fit the big base bag! The bags that I got was a basic shiny black, the Shawna, a coppery gold, the Natasha, and a fun yellow with black trim, the Allie. There were plenty others that I liked but I thought that I spent enough for now and I needed to give it a longer term try before I invested some more. A lot of the designs were in my opinion a bit dated or "old". But too each is own and I am sure others will like these designs. I think that I need to host a party of my own so everyone can see how awesome these bags really are. You can check them out for yourself at http://www.michebags.com/. Love Love Love!
I went to go visit my friend Kate, who just had a baby boy, and noticed this amazing nail polish on her toes. They were cheetah print! I wondered how did her manicurist do that? Turns out it is Minx Nails. What is Minx Nails, you may be asking? Well here it is straight from the company itself:
About our sassy company Where on earth would you find a completely new and unique product in nail fashion? In sunny California, of course, where the sun, sea and surf surrounds some of the most beautiful women in the world who need to look sensational whether they are waxing a surfboard, attending a movie premiere, or glamming out for Hef’s next bash at the manor.
While it is hard work gliding through each day and night (and after-hours) looking gorgeous with a touch of naughty, Minx is here to lead the way. The golden flash of fingernail as you beckon for the brunch waiter… the sparkling arc as you firmly grasp the last pair of Jimmy Choo’s on sale… the perky glint of silver wrapped around a fresh Pinkberry smoothie… once you’ve been Minxed, your life will never be the same.
What's a Minx? In our definition, a Minx is a sexy, confident, naughty but fun individual who lives every day like it is a big, ripe juicy apple ready to be bitten. We’ve channeled this cool factor into Minx, a new and glamorous way that lets women (and men!) extend fashion to their very fingertips.
What exactly is Minx?
Minx is a solid film with an adhesive back that is heat activated. The heat gives Minx the conformability to fit over the compound curves of nails and seals it onto the nail bed. Minx is brewed in North County, San Diego, California. The patent pending proprietary material Minx is made of can be easily removed with heat by either the manicurist or the client.
So I decided to give it a try. After all it looked soooo fabulous! On the Minx website http://www.minxnails.com/ you can get a list of salons in your area that do this. I have to tell you, not many. There were only 170 in the sunny state of California where the product was originated. I was so excited to find one in Folsom at Maribou Salon and Spa.
I met with Lori a nail specialist and certified Minx artist. I choose the Day of the Dead Skulls since Halloween was only a week away. She warned me that the Minx on my hands may only last about 4 days which was still much longer then nail polish. With nail polish I start chipping the next day. I also had her do my toes which she mentioned could last about 3 weeks. The process was fairly quick - about a hour for my fingers and toes. No polish or chemicals were used. I LOVE the look of my new nails!!
Fast forward a week and my fingers are peeling a bit but with a little heat I can rub it back down to adhere to my nail. My toes are doing wonderful. Finally the day after Halloween I had enough of my hair getting caught between the Minx and my nail so I removed the Minx off of my fingers. It was so easy! Just like peeling a sticker off. It's amazing they stayed on this long. I decided to keep my toes since they were doing awesome. I still have them on at the time I am writing this blog. AMAZING! And they look like the day I got them.
My overall review is 4 out of 5 lip smacks! I didn't do five because of the cost. I paid $60 including tip. And there was no pedicure or manicure involved. Just application of the Minx Nails. I was impressed with the designs and how long the product stayed on. It is definitely a naughty little splurge that every fabulous girl should try!
I am a Wife, Mother, Makeup Artist and lover of all things fancy and pretty. I hope to inspire woman to tap into their natural creativity and experiment and have fun.