Merry Christmas, Loves!

A Big Thank You to Lashem and Chrislie Formulations

I was so happy to receive a package of goodies from Lashem & Chrislie Formulations in the mail last weekend!  I have never tried any of their products and was extremely humbled to learn that they are a fan of my work and wanted to send me some items to try and discuss a potential collaboration.

How cute is their tote bag?! I received a package filled with eyeshadow palettes, a contour kit, a lipliner, mascara, brow tint, eye cream, false lashes, and nail polish.

For those of you who are not familiar with their products, Lashem's brand features mascaras, eyeliners, lash boosters, and lash/brow enhancing serums + anti-aging skin care for the everyday woman.  Luckily for me, these products are formulated with gentle, non-irritating ingredients - I'm extremely sensitive to harsh chemicals in products, so these products are right up my alley ;-) .

Chrislie Formulations is Lashem's sister brand and they feature cosmetics like eyeshadow palettes, contour kits & lip, nail and eye products.

My first impressions:

• I really like the packaging of the Lashem products - smooth and sleek, they look high-end and would look great on my vanity or in my purse. 
• Confession: I had to swatch the gorgeous nail polish (because we all know how obsessed I am with all that glitter!) and I am pretty obsessed!

I will be trying out these products throughout the next full week or so and will report back :-) Again, a huge thanks to Lashem and Chrislie Formulations for their generosity!  

Because I'm All About Them Brows !

Brows & a bright, even-toned complexion can make all the difference when it comes to natural makeup.  I did a wedding party last weekend and wanted to share these photos with you to demonstrate what a difference fuller brows & color-corrected skin can make.  These ladies look fresher, less harsh, and younger - they all expressed the same concerns: discoloration of the skin, and wanting to look natural & not overdone. 

Entourage Wedding Makeup at The Langham, Pasadena

Today was a busy day at the Langham - call time was 5am and Thy & I worked through 2pm to stay for touch-ups!  We successfully completed the entire entourage's makeup in time for the church ceremony.  The Langham is undoubtedly my favorite venue of all time, and I never get tired of being there.  I wish I had more photos to share with you guys, but it was so hectic (not to mention lighting was so terrible!) that I was not able to take photos of everyone - Here's a teaser - with finished photos to follow :)

Glam Session with a Focus on a Glowing Complexion

I had a glam session with Joanna a few weeks back - she had questions regarding makeup application since her daily routine consists of only mascara - and we had a great time going over product suggestions as well as technique tips.  

I gave Joanna a bronzy smokey eye that did not overpower the rest of her face & focused on contouring & giving her a glowing complexion + a fuller brow- honestly, how great does her skin look?!  

Joanna loved her makeup so much that she left me a glowing review ! Thanks, Joanna!  I'll be waiting for your call once your boyfriend proposes! ;)

Contour Game on Point with Senna Cosmetics' Face Sculpting Kit

I will rarely post selfies on this blog, but I just had to share my latest obsession with you guys:  the Face Sculpting Kit from Senna Cosmetics.  Let me tell you - ever since I discovered this amazing product, I have definitely stepped up my contour game.  My hairstylist will gladly tell you (and believe me, he does remind me every time I sit in his chair) that I have an abnormally large head - and, naturally, a large (and flat) face that goes with it.  As a result, I am constantly finding new ways to shape & contour my face with products to give myself the illusion of cheekbones & a higher nose.

The Face Sculpting Kit from Senna is so easy to use that I literally use my fingers to apply & I blend with the brush that is included.  It comes at a hefty price of $48 but I can vouch for this product & its value - it is a perfect blend of shadow & highlight and isn't overly warm like other so-called "contour" products out in the market nowadays.  It was originally developed for use on Desperate Housewives & is now available to the public.  If you're on the fence about trying this product, I say, GO FOR IT!

Tis the Season .... to be Shopping ;-)

Hello my dears!  

I haven't been updating for the past couple weeks because it has been a crazy month filled with weddings, private makeup workshops, and bridal previews, not to mention lots of shopping.  I'll admit it - I'm one of those people who have awesome self control when it comes to money & I am a self-acclaimed savvy shopper ... - BUT - I tend to go crazy once in a blue moon (insert innocent face here).  In my defense, all the money that I'm saving has to go somewhere, right? (I'm sure my boyfriend would beg to differ .... ). 

Anyway, I've been on a crazy rampage lately buying new products for my makeup kit and organizational items to keep my kit streamlined.  I've been getting a lot of bookings lately that require me to do makeup for 7+ clients in a very tight amount of time, so being organized and having everything in its place is very important to stay on schedule & really, just for my sanity.  I'm excited to share some of the items I've purchased in the past 2 weeks with you guys: 

How adorable are these clear pouches with polka dots on them?! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am obsessed with patterns & especially polka dots - so it was a no-brainer for me when I saw these PERFECT zipped transparent pouches to organize my kit.  The best part? They were only $8 for all three! 

Can you say, organized much?  Ever since I got this little magical box, my makeup game has completely changed - I could not believe what a difference this made.  I was always scrambling to find these little essentials in my kit, so having them all in one organized & neat place has made a world of difference.  

Okay, okay ... not makeup-related but who can say no to candles, especially for the holidays?! I scored 4 candles from Bath & Body Works for $8.50 each, which originally retail for $22.50 each.  I told you I was a savvy shopper ;) 

A huge, huge haul from Naimes & Nigel's Emporium!  I stocked up on lashes, a brand new brush funnel & HD Powder from Make Up For Ever, Skindinavia's Setting Spray, some MAC essentials, a powder foundation palette from Graftobian for my male clients, some sponges, a Kryolan mattifying primer, and some skincare from Peter Thomas Roth.  A hefty dent in my wallet but well worth it!  

What have you guys purchased lately? Does the holiday season bring out the shopper in you? 

Bridal Makeup Preview in Whittier, CA

Last weekend, I met with Maggie, my bridal client, for her bridal makeup preview.  She was anxious and concerned about covering up her dark circles and dark spots/skin discolorations, but I quickly eased her nerves after she saw the end result of her trial.  She was super happy with the look we ended up with - natural, glowy & radiant with an emphasis on her beautiful eyes!  What do you guys think? 

Wedding Beauty Checklist

I have noticed a lot of last-minute brides trying to book services a week or two before their weddings, so I wanted to post this Wedding Beauty Checklist for all brides-to-be for reference.  Please book ahead! Remember, your hair and makeup should NOT be at the bottom of your to-do list or your budget - you will be looking at those wedding photos & video(s) for years to come!

Download & print the wedding beauty checklist here.

Makeup Lesson: Everyday, Simple Yet Put-Together Look

My beautiful client Lina wanted to learn how to achieve the perfect simple, everyday polished makeup look.  The only makeup item she owned was an Almay eyeshadow palette, so we started off with the basics of the importance of using primers & product suggestions/basic makeup application techniques.   I can't wait to see how her makeup application techniques improve with practice over time! 

Bridal Glam at All Saints Church, Pasadena

I had the pleasure of working with Hera for her wedding this week at All Saints Church in Pasadena.  We had a hard time finding a place to set up that had adequate lighting, but everything worked out in the end.  She was so excited the whole time - it was absolutely refreshing to work on someone who was genuinely excited for a new chapter in her life :-). Congrats, Hera & Tyler! 

The radiant bride! 

Hera's sweet mom was telling Thy & I about her 3 amazing daughters, 2 of which live in the Philippines. She was so happy with her makeup that she sent photos over to her daughters overseas! 

Makeup : Tina Tom

Hair: Thy Nguyen 

January 2015 Wedding Bridal Makeup Preview

I had the pleasure of doing a bridal makeup preview for Jenny recently for her wedding in January 2015.  She is such a funny and chill bride and the best part was that she was not afraid to give me specific instructions on areas she wanted to change - One common thing that I see among brides is that they are so timid during the trial but end up complaining or make changes as the wedding date approaches.  Remember, a bridal makeup preview is a comprehensive review and effort to come up with the perfect look on a bride's wedding day, so honesty and clarity is key (and sometimes photos wouldn't hurt, either ;-) !

Makeup: Tina Tom
Hair: Thy Nguyen

One thing that we are going to change for the day of the wedding is her lipstick - she requested a more nudey pink.  Her areas of concern were dark circles & redness around the nose.  Jenny was super happy with the outcome of her trial and loved her brows & contouring + eye makeup.  Her hair was done by Thy, a hairstylist that I team up with.  Can't wait to get her dolled up again January!

Ready, Set... Glam!

I was so happy to get a mother-daughter duo glammed up for the mom's 60th birthday party last weekend!  They were such a pleasure to work with and I am so happy that they were pleased with the outcome :) Take a look below:

This beauty was super concerned about her dark circles, but I was able to conceal the darkness with Graftobian's foundation palette.

This hot momma rocked this red lippie - and of course, it is the one and only "Ruby Woo" from MAC.

One major area of concern was their dark eye circles, which is hereditary.  I used Graftobian's cream foundation/concealer palette and lightly dabbed it onto the outer "ring" with my finger & blended with a concealer brush, then used Ben Nye's Banana Powder to set. 

The ladies loved their makeup & they even wrote about their positive experience on my Yelp page! 

Beauty Haul from Sephora, Tarte & Camera Ready Cosmetics

You guys, my wallet is crying - but I am one happy camper ;-) . I went kind of crazy buying beauty products last week - but in my defense! - most of the products I purchased were to replenish products that had already hit pan and were for my kit for my clients. 

Any of my clients will know that I use top quality, professional brands as well as mid to high-end street brands.  I put in a lot of time, money, and effort into researching products and obtaining them because I always want to use the best-quality products on my clients.  Lately, I've been hearing about some artists in the area who will offer services for a fourth of the price, but use low-quality, sometimes even counterfeit cosmetics.  It  really irks me that any true makeup artist would do that, and that consumers will actually hire these so-called "makeup-artists" and in a way, condone this type of behavior.

Anyway, away from the negativity and back onto my positivity float : I restocked on some new Clarisonic brushes, my beloved Tarte Smooth Operator finishing powder, and my favorite Tarte blush in "Exposed."  I purchased Ben Nye Banana Powder to add to my kit, as well as the Senna Contour Kit (LOVE!) and the Senna Brow Book, which has been a serious lifesaver for my past several gigs.  I also wanted to try out the Tweezerman tweezers to see what the hype's about - but really, I was not impressed at all .... For an almost $30 pair of tweezers, I expected much better. I also got Caudelie and First Aid Beauty moisturizers to use for skin prep on my clients.

Hope you have a great week!

Weekend Madness in San Marino, CA

Hello Lovelies!

The past weekend was so crazy filled with appointments that I completely forgot / didn't have time to take many photos of my work!  Luckily, I remembered to take some photos to share with you guys - enjoy! 

YSL Lippie with an emphasis on contouring & a glowing complexion - doesn't she look gorgeous?!

This client was hesitant about getting her makeup done because she always hid behind her glasses - but I'm so glad we were able to bring her out of her shell & find a natural look that she was comfortable with!

This client was afraid that her eyes would look small without using eyelid tape - but I assured her that the specific lashes that we used would be perfect & enhance her eye shape.  She was pleasantly surprised by the results :) !

Lookbook Fashion Shoot for Destroyed by Fame @ Opulen Studios, Downtown LA

Yesterday was a long but fun-filled day of shooting with the gorgeous Rebecca Pilger & handsome Cobi Barnhart for Destroyed by Fame's new 2014-2015 lookbook.  I cannot WAIT to show you guys the finished shots! Here is a sneak peek:

Drugstore Bargain Buy: Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in "Celestial"

I am always being asked what lip color I'm wearing, and lately, my go-to has been a cheapie but goodie drugstore find by Rimmel London!  I've been OBSESSED with this liquid lipstick/lipgloss/lip lacquer for the past 5-6 months.  If you have never tried it, you are missing out.  Rimmel London's Show Off Lip Lacquer in "Celestial" is a creamy, conditioning pigmented lipgloss that is seriously comparable to my favorite Chanel Double Intensite Lipgloss in "Rose Quartz" !! The staying power is not bad - I don't need to touch up for several hours & even when the color fades, my lips are stained with a pretty pinky color so they don't look too shabby.  The color is absolutely perfect - it doesn't scream "I'm wearing a bright pink lipstick" and it's natural enough to wear with a dramatic eye look or no eye makeup at all.  *Confession - I even wear this lipcolor to the gym!

The best part is that this gloss is only $4.99 vs. my $35 Chanel lipgloss.  Let's face it - a girl can't always have her Chanel when the wallet's a bit tight!  It also lasts FOREVER.  I've been wearing this lip lacquer for the past 4 months (and reapplying roughly 2-3x a day) and it is now barely starting to show signs of emptying out.  This trusty alternative will be a staple in my purse from now on - so excuse me while I go order some more! 

September Ipsy Glam Bag

My September Ipsy bag arrived last weekend while I was in SF & I've been meaning to post about the goodies I received, so here it goes!

This month’s bag came in a silvery studded pouch.  Inside, I received the following:

1.       Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss:  I thought this lipgloss was okay – the color was more on the berry/plum side upon swatching even though it looked to be deep red in the tube. The consistency is a bit runny but that might work for those who don’t like anything too thick or sticky.

2.       Pacifica Eyeliner:  It was a shimmery slate gray shade.  I can’t speak for the staying power because I haven’t used it yet but it is a pretty flattering color that I think would work on most skin tones!

3.       Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Cleanser: Made with aloe vera, cucumber & watercress, this fragrance-free formula is meant to be safe for all skin types with no irritation.

4.       Mitchell and Peach Luxury Hand Cream:  This hand cream had a scent that I was not entirely fond of – I can’t explain it but it just smells a little too chemical-y for my taste.  My mom really liked it though, so I’m handing it over to her so it doesn’t go to waste!

5.       Crown Brush C476 Crease/Shadow Brush: I’m pretty excited to use this brush because I LOVE dual-ended brushes/products – anything to keep my makeup bag a little lighter because I need all the help I can get!  The brush quality appears to be pretty good – the bristles feel soft & substantial. 

What did you guys think about this month’s Ipsy bag? Comment below!

Halloween Makeup Idea: Skull Face

Halloween will be here before we know it, and I started early with Halloween makeup ideas!  Shing was such a good sport today for letting me practice skull makeup on him.  I think it turned out pretty well - What do you guys think?

Products Used:
Chanel Perfection Lumiere 10 Beige
Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil "Perversion"
Random Black Grease Paint from Party City
MAC Fluidline "Blacktrack"
MAC Liquid Liner in Black

Stay tuned for more Halloween makeup ideas in the next several weeks!

Make-Up Monday: MUFE Aqua Brow & Sigma Beauty's Brush Holder

Happy Makeup Monday my dears!! 

After a quick trip to San Francisco for the weekend, I (not surprisingly) came back with some beauty purchases that I am extremely excited to use.  The first is Aqua Brow in #25 by Make Up For Ever.  I'm always game to try something new for my brows - but have been stuck in a rut lately with my MAC rectractable brow pencil in "Spiked".  It's fast & easy - what more can you ask for in a brow product?! But alas, I've been suckered in with MUFE's Aqua Brow, a tinted, water-resistent gel that is used to fill in your brows.  I wouldn't recommend it for newbies because it dries quickly so you need to work fast with the product.  I actually really like it because it's over 100 degrees over here in Southern California this week, so anything to help my brows stay on is A-OK with me!

Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow, $20 from Sephora

Swatch of the product - the color intimidated me at first, but it goes on much lighter once it's applied to your brows !

I totally wiped off a corner of my brow before taking this photo .. oops!

I also purchased a travel brush holder, because the brushes on my kit were getting all over the place & the brush belt was just not cutting it.  After years of working with clients, I've found that the best way that works for me to display brushes is to keep them in a cup/holder rather than on a belt around my waist - that way, I can actually see what I'm reaching for rather than constantly looking down & digging around.

This brush holder by Sigma is made with faux leather & seems pretty sturdy - it has a clasp closure & opens up to two separate cups so you can separate your face brushes from your eye brushes.  I have yet to use this on a shoot/ appointment, so I'll definitely get back to you guys on the performance of this product! The one thing I like about it so far though, is that it will fit all my larger, full-sized brushes.

Stay tuned for my next post - Ipsy's September Glam Bag!

Sigma Brush Holder, $25 from Sigma Beauty

This is what it looks like when it's closed & ready for travel.

Star Sighting: Mario Lopez!

Shing & I went to Universal Studios a few weeks ago and saw Mario Lopez live while taping an episode of EXTRA! Let me just say that he looks as beautiful in real life as he does on television. *total fan crush moment*

 

We went on the new Minion Mayhem ride & were thoroughly disappointed. I feel like the ride was totally overhyped and after getting off the ride, Shing & I were pretty sad campers.  The upside was that we watched the Water World show for the very first time & it was loads of fun -- if you guys have never seen that show, you must check it out!  I'm lucky that Shing covered me while the "pirates" were blasting us with water guns!

Have you ever been to Universal Studios? If so, what is your favorite ride at Universal?

I'm Cheating on my Chloe . .

My current favorite perfume is Tory Burch's new fragrance.  I don't know what I love more - the beautiful, lightweight floral scent with a tangy top note or the gorgeous packaging - honestly, how amazing is this packaging, you guys?! I am obsessed with the gold (I'm actually obsessed with all things gold), the laser-cut cap and just the overall design of her line.  The entire collection is so beautiful that I might just pick up a few items for the sake of having something pretty in my bag!

via The Glitter Guide

Have you ever purchased an item just because the packaging was cute? Comment below!

Quick Trip to San Diego

Shing & I took a quick overnight trip to San Diego a while back ... it was a much needed getaway that involved a lot of shopping & eating -- perfect in my book, if you ask me!

Our delicious breakfast which composed of an omelette, acai bowl, breakfast sandwich, fruit & lattes!  We needed to fuel up before our shopping adventure at Fashion Valley ;-)

Right before we had a feast at Crab Hut!

Toby's First Sleepover

 Toby had his first sleepover at my sister's new apartment recently! He was so excited for his new squeaky toy that he played with it for hours & even fell asleep on top of it! My parents were devastated without Toby making noise & causing trouble at our house.  My mom even called my sister at 12:30am to ask what they were up to! 

Poor baby is finally tired in this photo <3