Review of Beauty Blender - makeup application with a sponge

Today I want to tell you about Beauty Blender with a long ass story to go with it. Of course I was drawn to it, its a pink egg for Pete's sake! But I thought it was over priced, 2 eggs and the cleanser and it ain't cheap! I visited Madina (Israeli cosmetic shop, they claim their makeup is made at the same place Dior is manufactured at in Italy... I say the proof is in the pudding, but more on that later) the other day, all fresh faced looking to purchase a concealer brush. I have one or two of their eyeshadows and by chance I happen to have met/know the gorgeous model who is their 'face' of the company, that's about it.


I know they have great brushes however, and the prices (for Israel) aren't too bad. The guy inside was busy with another customer so I perused their goodies. I like that they carry Evian spray and nail polish from Essie, the rest seemed a bit bland but ok. So after a while I discover the eyeshadow collection, find one I like and wait. and wait. Ok! so I can serve myself... and I do, only to have the guy wander over and warn me that the products are not testers. AND then check to see that I did not touch the one I pulled from the shelf. SHEESH, duh. I was ready to walk out... but then I played dumb. I had no makeup on and frankly my hair these days is a mess (another story.) so I looked like a good victim, I mean customer.


I told him I wanted to try the concealer brush so he brought out concealer (this is when he told me it was like Dior) and I was ready to go at that point but he loved that I had a great face for makeup and was clearly uninitiated into the makeup world (silly man) and went on to do my entire face. THIS is when I met Beauty Blender. He chose a foundation that I would have thunk was gonna be too dark, but lo and behold it wasn't! The Beauty Blender (and ok, I admit the foundation, too) ROCKED. It was so soft and applied the foundation so softly and evenly, it was super natural looking. I was kinda hooked. Then he went on to tell me how to contour my fabulous cheek bones (his words, not mine) and well, to keep this short; I got a whole lesson on how to apply natural makeup for day. LOL

I got HARD sold everything under the sun. Seriously, he took out all his guns. I attempted to be strong and bought only a few things. Beauty Blender Set, Foundation, a moisturizing lipstick in the palest of pink, a cream eyeshadow also soft pink to use as a base (yummy) the brush I came for (why does it always happen that I go for one thing and leave with too much??) and oh, the eyeshadow and some hair silicone for these dry ends (ugh!)
So... I tried the Beauty Blender on my friend and regular model, Talia. She likes to look very natural and was going to an evening wedding where she would be dancing, a lot. It was great, although it did not seem to use less product as he had suggested it would. Light, soft, natural and no issues with lines on the jaw. I used it on me next, and that's when I finally felt it had been worth the cashola. It was dreamy, in a word. And fast, no touch up needed.


In the picture of me, you see that I applied foundation (with my handy dandy Beauty Blender Pink Egg) as well as adding blush to contour my 'fab' cheek bones. This is my BEFORE, as in before concealer, eyes, mascara, blush, lips and whatever else... but I did also apply the pink cream shadow as a base. I went on to get crazy and did a BIG version of my popular Mermaid eye.
So what do you think? Would you try the Beauty Blender? I love mine and am even thinking of giving it as Christmas gifts to my pals. What do you think of the Mermaid eye?

Juicy Grape - new handmade nail polish by ME!

Today I am introducing this new nail polish I created, Juicy Grape. You can do this yourself at home, I promise, it's super easy! I first made a blend of pigments - you can use your own pigments or loose eyeshadow


With my polish, I blended purple and black along with a secret blend of shimmer and color that I am sorry but I am not sharing with you... I know, I suck. (Glittersniffer Cosmetics makes an incredible line of affordable, handmade, vegan colors that POP!)

Once I had the color I wanted (which I can now also use on my eyes as well) I took a high-quality clear nail polish and poured some into a small disposable cup. Using a tiny spatula to scoop out the pigment, I blended the two together to achieve just the right consistency.

By the way, I used the same brush that comes in the clear polish bottle as you can clean it after without damaging or compromising the clear polish in the bottle. Just clean with nail polish remover and wipe off color.
























Make sure to put a layer of clear polish on your ready to paint nails so that they will be smooth and also so as not to stain your nails from color. If you have time, I also suggest clipping your cuticles and putting on cuticle oil so your hands and nails look their best (which I did not take the time to do in these pictures - obviously) Then paint. Simple as that. Allow each layer to mostly dry, as you do not want to create bubbles on your pretty nails and then finally, after cleaning the brush, add clear top coat. Voila!

In the photos you can see the process, I first show you the actual polish, notice the high density of color and shimmer. Then I painted my nails, using 2 coats of the Juicy Grape. Then I added a final coat of clear nail polish to give it a high shine. I love the final product, it's rich and dense with tons of glittery shimmer!

Getting fishy with fun colors from Glittersniffer.

Ok, so I had so much fun with the Neutral colors, I had to go all Mermaid-y on ya! From one of our favorite gals, Glittersniffer cosmetics... I used Sammy Jo, Marva and another one which I don't have the name of just handy (Kush, maybe?). Sorry 'bout that. Then I used Urban Decay eyeliner in Deviant (blue) and Ransom (purple)
Same technique: I used Sammy Jo for the center, blended around it using Marva.

Playing with Fire - a M.A.C. lovestory

I used Coppering for the spot of fire, blended around it using Smut and in the crease I blended the two. Used Teddy eyeliner and Prep and Prime eyeshadow primer. M.A.C.
It was Ortal's idea, I put it into action. Love it!

Spent the day at M.A.C with my girl Ortal!

I am a product whore, I am a product whore, I am a product whore. It is simply a fact I cannot refute. Does it help that my friend Ortal is a make up artist in my Mecca? Not really. In fact, it is rather dangerous.


Friday is a preview party at M.A.C. and I got the lowdown. I could look but not touch all the new yummy-ness and let me assure you, it's goooooooood!
The sets are divine, you MUST get the one with the shimmer in Shimpagne Just sayin'. The new Dazzleglass in She-Zam, has my name on it. No really, back off chicky, it's MINE. The lipsticks are like WHOA. Let's just say a couple of them are serious bursts of fab color.
We played and she did my face (how can I resist a make up artist telling me what a perfect canvas my face is, with my cheek bones and my lips and those eyes... yup, I suckered right up to the chair) We used Plumage (which was then OUT OF STOCK, damn her) and Humid and Coppering and....



Damn girls, I almost forgot the NEW eyeliners coming out!! Grab 'em quick!! She did things with blush that made me see my face like it was all spankin' new! I took a couple of pics with the cell phone, and as you can see they are hardly worth posting but I wouldn't leave ya hanging...

I got D-Squared LipErase lip balm and fell in love, I got the Prep and Prime eyeshadow primer and LOVE it more than my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (although who can resist the adorable packaging) (there is an EXTRA large version now) and had to bodily remove myself from the store before I bought more brushes. I have an addiction, it's true.

I also started my Christmas shopping early and loaded myself down with bags from Toys R' Us, but thats just cuz' I'm such a good mama! :P

Interview with Glittersniffer Cosmetics Head Goddess, Lela

We tracked down our busy friend, Lela of Glittersniffer Cosmetics and got the lowdown on how she got to be one of the most successful handmade mineral makers out there! Her products ROCK, the colors all POP and the natural fabulous-ness of Vegan products not churned out by corporations and filled with junk appeals to us all (even if some of us are closet hoarders of product in fancy packaging...)


Glittersniffer, love the name how did you come up with that?
-I really wanted a name that would stand out and would be edgy. Everyone knows what glitter is and therefore I thought a Glitter"Sniffer" would definitely catch some eyes. Plus- it's just fun without being over the top in one genre or another.

Tell us how you got started making make up?

-I was reading up on mineral makeup when I learned that many big companies pack their products with ingredients to make their expensive ingredients last longer. I decided that I would no longer spend 16+ dollars on ONE eyeshadow pigment and decided to take matters into my own hands. ( Editors note: Glittersniffer Eyeshadow is only $5!!)

Were you passionate about make up previous to this?

-Very. I was very intrigued by all the colors I saw when I came across MAC or likewise makeup stands.

How many tattoo's do you actually have?

-Haha, I get asked this on every interview! I have 1 half sleeve and 7 other tattoos. My husband is a tattoo artist in the Metro Detroit area so I'm a pretty lucky gal :)

Are you a make up artist?

-Not officially. I have done makeup for pay however I'm actually a very big homebody. I'm very good with people however I feel much more comfortable being behind the curtain so to speak.

Are there commercial brands you will use? Which ones and why?

-I use Urban Decay Primer Potion, only because I haven't mastered the recipe yet =D

What is your favorite color eyeshadow?

-Hot Chocolate and 8-Mile. It seems like they blend amazingly well with any other color I add. They both produce incredible depth. 24K also makes my heart super happy.

What makeup item would you take on a deserted island if you could only choose one?

-Well, if I was on a deserted island I'm thinking for the sake of sanity I would like to have some solid perfume :D

100% Vegan mineral make-up, wow. Why would that benefit me and my face?

-I don't even know where to begin! Mineral makeup really is the purest form of cosmetics out there, granted that they don't have any "fillers" which is generally products like talc and those related to it. These can actually make your pores look horribly enlarged after time. If you do your research, you can find quality cosmetics although the choices are getting smaller and smaller all the time.

Any holiday gift items or sets you are cooking up for your fans?

-I am! I have quite a bit of new items coming up. It's just a matter of finding time for it. I have set out on my dream of becoming a home based business quite some ago although I still have a family and a full time job so it's rally hard for me to find things that I like to do like making new products. I am however, getting close to that dream and doing Etsy full time... at that point you can expect my shop to officially go Rock star status.


Thank you, Lela!! I can attest to the fact that her eyeshadows are incredible, and her Fresh Outta the Dryer Solid Perfume is like going back to my childhood! You heard it here my friends, get to know Lela ( I secretly fantasize that she will name an eyeshadow after me... just sayin')


OH and if you want a great way to try a bunch of her goodies all at once, go snag yourself a
Super Sampler Gift Bag! And be quick about it.

xoxox
Whitney

Hey, it's me!

So... I figured since I like makeup and you like makeup and I like talking makeup and buying makeup and trying all things new that this would be a damn good place to gather some friends and just talk about it. Simple enough?
I am about to start studying to be a make up artist. I have been talking about doing it for like 12 years! Since life has changed (more about that as we get to know one another better) I figure it was about time I followed that dream!
I will be posting my product reviews, photos of make up application on myself and models, discussing the benefits of hand made products and why I still use commercial brands as well :)
I want to hear from you. I want to know what you are coveting these days, your pictures, your ideas and all that fun, slumber party BFF stuff we girls need despite how old we get!
One of my favorite hand made make up makers is Glittersniffer, aka Lela. She will be my first victim, I mean interview! I love her name, her eyeshadows and so much more. She rocks, and I am sure you will agree! Here's a teaser of the interview to come:

Yay! Finally, a sample bag with nearly EVERYTHING Glittersniffer Cosmetics has to offer PLUS- a very special surprise product that has been in the works for some time now and I bet you won't even see it coming! It is however, quite fabulous and extra special!

See, I told you the girl rocks....