Wedding Makeup - Chino Hills, CA

I had the pleasure of doing makeup for a group of fabulous ladies yesterday for a wedding in Chino Hills, CA.  When I left the hotel room at 3:30pm, the temperature was 85 degrees!  That definitely called for an extra spritz of setting spray to hold everything in!

The ladies were so happy with their makeup - it is so gratifying to know that I am able to make people feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside!  I honestly feel that that is the most fulfilling part of doing what I do - feeling so blessed and thankful today :-)  Happy Monday!

Valentine's Day Nails & A Sweet Surprise

Currently Obsessed with...... Chloe Eau de Parfum

I am currently obsessing over this Chloe Eau de Parfum !  Perfect for any time of the year, but particularly for Spring/Summer, its light floral notes are subtle and office-appropriate.  I currently own it in the rollerball version, reasonably priced at $25, until I take the plunge to purchase the full size (1.7oz) for $105.

What scents are you loving for Spring? 

via theKit

Happy 4th Birthday, Toby!

I can't believe that it's been 2 years since my family adopted Toby!  The laughs and smiles that Toby brings are priceless :-)  

IMATS 2014 Haul

Happy Monday my lovelies!

IMATS has come and gone, and let me just say that this year's turnout was INSANE!  I attended the Sunday show, and there was a line literally 2 blocks long to get into the Pasadena Convention Center. Next year I will be sure to purchase tickets for the 1st day because a lot of items were sold out, much to my disappointment... And probably much to my wallet's delight!  In 2.5 hours, I was able to score the following products:



Face Atelier Foundations - Set of 7 ($150)

My very sad attempt at swatching the Face Atelier Foundations



In the process of creating my own personalized Palette with the PRO Z Palette ($19), and 6 INGLOT lipsticks ($4 each)



My complete Z Palette! It was my first time "de-panning" so I ruined 2 of my CARGO Blu-Ray Powders :-( Ahh!!!!! 



INGLOT Freedom Palette - 10 pan ($60) (this was really pricey.. but I couldn't help it - it was too gorgeous to pass up!)



Bdellium Tools Brushes - I bought so many that they couldn't all fit in the photo.  12 brushes: ($98)



Of course, my ABSOLUTE favorite Brush Cleaner by Parian Spirit ($25 for the enormous bottle, $5 for the spray bottle)



Here I am, absolutely exhausted, but happy as a clam :-)

IMATS 2014 Wish List

IMATs 2014 at the Pasadena Convention Center is only several days away and I am beyond excited to be attending this year for the very first time! I have so many things on my wish list that my poor wallet is going to be sobbing - but that will definitely not stop me from replenishing my makeup kit as well as my personal stash with the newest & greatest products from some of the biggest brands in the beauty industry!

For those of you who have not already checked out which companies will be exhibiting at the show, here is a list:

IMATS Floor Plan

Exhibitor List:
Alcone
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Appeal Cosmetics
April Love Pro Makeup Academy
Ardell Lashes
Bad Ass Stencils
Bdellium Tools
BeautySoClean
Beauty Treats / 2nd Love
Behind The Seen Organics
Belloccio Airbrush
Bésame Cosmetics
BH Cosmetics Inc.
Bodyography Professional Cosmetics
Brett Brow
Cailyn Cosmetics
CAO Cosmetics
Chella Brow Bar
Cici Fashion Brush
Cinema Makeup School
Cinema Secrets
City Color Cosmetics
CosmoCube
Crown Brush
Crystal Works
Dante Disposable Products, LLC
Dermalogica
Dinair Airbrush Makeup
Dose of Colors
Downey Makeup Academy
E.I. School of Professional Makeup
Embryolisse USA
Enzo Milano
European Body Art
European Body Art
Eve Pearl
Eye Kandy Cosmetics
Eye Kandy Cosmetics
Frends Beauty / Stilazzi
Gleam by Melanie Mills
Graftobian Make-up Company
Grafton Cosmetics
Grande LASH-MD / Grande HAIR
Grex Airbrush
The Hair & Makeup Artists Network
Hakuhodo
IMATS Photo Booth
The IMATS Shop
Inglot
IPKN Cosmetics USA
Iwata-Medea Inc.
Ka'Oir
Kryolan Professional Make-up
LA Splash Cosmetics
Lady Moss Beauty
Lilit's Makeup Studio
Lime Crime @ Naimie's
M•A•C Pro
Make Up For Ever
Make Up For Ever Academy
Make-Up Artist magazine
Make-up Designory
Make-up Designory
The Makeup Light
Makeup & Effects Laboratories, Inc.
Makeup Geek710Mehron, Inc.
MicaBeauty
Million Dollar Tan
Model in a Bottle
Morphe Brushes
Muse Beauty / Kett Cosmetics
Naimie's Beauty Center
Naimie's Beauty Center
Naimie's Beauty Center
Naked Cosmetics
Nigel Beauty Emporium
Nurturing Force @ Grex Airbrush
NYX Cosmetics
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
Pacific Instruments, Inc.
Parian Spirit
Poise Makeup Professional
PROmakeup.com (FACE atelier)
PROmakeup.com
RCMA Make-up
Reynolds Advanced Materials / Smooth-On Inc.
RockStar Wigs / Tokyo Crush
Royal & Langnickel Brush Mfg.
Rubber Wear by Sticks and Stones
Ruby Makeup Academy
Sacha Cosmetics @ April Love Pro Makeup Academy
SauceBox Cosmetics
Senna Cosmetics
Sigma Beauty
South Seas Skin Care
Stila Cosmetics
Stiletto Pin Up Cosmetics
Sugarpill Cosmetics
Tat2U
Temptu Pro
Thomas Surprenant Specialty Makeup
Vancouver Film School
Veil Cosmetics
Velour Mink Lashes
Violent Lips
Violet Voss
Wolfe Face Art & FX
Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics
Züca, Inc.

I am so disappointed that Z Palette will not be attending because I wanted to buy some customizable palettes to free up some space in my makeup bag :( -  However, you can bet that I will be stocking up on brush cleanser from Parian Spirit, as well as creating more eyeshadow palettes from INGLOT.  I have no clue where to get some more brushes for my kit, which is currently stocked with Bdellium Tools brushes.  I am tempted to splurge on Hakuhodo brushes & buy some basic brushes from Sigma Beauty, as well as some brow products from Anastasia Beverly Hills.  

What to do, what to dooo?  Makeup Heaven is only several days away - hope everyone already has their lists ready! 

Tasty Tuesdays - Baking Pizza Muffins for the Very First Time

Those of you who know me might be well aware that I am not a fan of cooking - ironic, I know, considering my father is a retired chef of 35 years.  Growing up, I was spoiled with delicious cooking from my mom AND my dad, thus making it unnecessary for me to have to learn to cook. 

Since it is a new year, I have taken it upon myself to attempt to learn to cook some easy dishes.  My first attempt at baked goods? Pizza Muffins!  

This is probably the easiest small-bite appetizer in the world - Here is the recipe that I followed:

Ingredients:
1. cooking spray
2. 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough
3. 10 tablespoons pizza sauce (such as Ragu® Homestyle)
4. 10 slices pepperoni

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 10 muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Press biscuits, one at a time, between hands to flatten. Place each flattened biscuit in a muffin cup; press into bottom and up sides of muffin cup. Set aside for biscuit to settle and slightly rise, about 5 minutes. Lightly press biscuits into cups as needed.
3. Spoon 1 tablespoon pizza sauce into each biscuit; top each with 1 slice pepperoni and 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until biscuit is lightly browned and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Remove each pizza from tin and place on a cooling rack, about 5 minutes.

I modified the recipe a little bit to use only 1/3 of a biscuit for each muffin & added extra cheese, sauce & pepperoni (what can I say? I love to load on the ingredients!).  I waited until the tops of the muffins were a bit crispy before I took them out of the oven.

Delicious, Delicious ..Now on to the next cooking project! What are some other easy recipes that you know for beginners like me?