Conscious Beauty

And The Oscar For Prettiest Makeup Goes To.....

2009-02-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

Taraji P. Henson.

Need I say more. She's rockin my all time favorite glam look: smokey eyes, soft rosy cheeks, and a sexy, nude lips. You Go Girl!!!!!

Testing On Animals To Make Ourselves Feel More Beautiful

2009-02-16T16:05:00.000-08:00

Is this really a joke? I mean......c'mon!!!

The thought of poor defenseless animals being poisoned, blinded, and the like, just so that the consumer can feel better about the product they are about to put on their skin, eyes, lips, etc, is a big JOKE to me! On the other hand, there are a lot of people out there who would actually feel better and secure of themselves if a product was tested on animals to ensure their safety level. I don't know about you, but I think I'd feel not only safer, but a whole lot better about myself to know that no rat, mouse, or bunny rabbit was poisoned or blinded for beauty's sake.
I never want to come across as "preachy", cause I'm not the "preachy" kind of person, but this is near and dear to my heart, and dear to millions of hearts across the globe. I really think we all can make a huge difference if we protest the companies that test on animals by not using their products. The cosmetic companies that do not test have similar, more beautiful colors that its virtually impossible to ignore.
Let me just say, also, that there are other ways to test cosmetics without harming poor defenseless animals. I've read that with the technology we have these days, you can actually grow, (yep, grow) human "skin". Thus can be used to test new cosmetics before going out on the market. See! There are also donated human eye corneas that can be used to test eyeshadow, mascara, etc.
As a makeup artist, I personally use high end cosmetics for my kit that are featured on PETA's Do Not Test List (www.caringconsumer.com). Companies like MAC, Smashbox, Bare Escenutals, and Urban Decay are taking the stand against animal cruelty, and you should too. You have a choice just like everyone of us. My choice as a professional, a human being, is to stand against animal cruelty.

Product Of The Moment: Smashbox Lip & Lid Primer

2009-02-11T18:42:00.000-08:00

Ladies:

The days of re applying your feathered lipsticks, and faded eyeshadows are finally over. Smashbox's Lip & Lid Primer to the rescue!!!!

Perfect if you're getting ready for that special event, hot date, your wedding.......OY! This double-ended sensation will help you get through your awkward beauty moments by making sure your eye and lip colors stay where they belong, on your face. And of course, thanks to Smashbox's commitment to cruelty free cosmetics, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Knowing that bunnies weren't dyed and blinded in order to create this product, I can feel more confident when applying it to my clients.

Using the Lip & Lid Primer is a cinch. Just apply to the eye and lip areas using the appropriate end of each stick, and blend with your fingertips, or a synthetic brush. Its made with vitamins and ingredients such as cucumber and chamomile, so your eyes and lips will feel soft and nourished.

Enjoy~

http://www.smashbox.com/LIP-LID-PRIMER

The Galvanic Spa System II, by Nu Skin

2009-02-09T15:30:00.001-08:00

Just when I thought the world will never understand that beauty without cruelty does in fact exist, I came across the most exciting skin care, anti aging, non surgical facial complexion device since........well ANYTHING! This device will deliver to you its famous "10 Minute Face Lift" which has everyone talking about by the way. Nu Skin's: The Galvanic Spa (aka G Spa) System II. This hand held device brings you spa results at home in just 10 minutes twice a day, two-three times a week. And I am very happy to say that I am now a part of this exciting family, and will be selling the G Spa. Also, I will be including the famous 10 minute face lift treatment with my makeup applications as a complimentary treat. What could be better? A non surgical complexion enhancing treatment before a big night out on the town, wedding, special events, etc.
The Galvanic Spa System II includes two treatment gels with ageLOC technology, an ingredient that can help slow the aging process, by dispersing the ingredients into the epidermis, which will then give your complexion its youthful appearance, visibly reducing the signs of aging. The first gel is a pre-treatment gel which you apply to the skin first. In combination with the G Spa device, a negative charge repels both the G Spa and the gel, dispersing the pre treatment gel into the skin and grabs at the impurities. The second gel works with G Spa to send a positive charge to help send ageLOC ingredients into the skin. The positive charge then pulls the bacteria out of the skin in which the negative charge helped trap. The results: a more youthful, glowing complexion with an enhanced lift in the skin's collagen.
An aging demon called arNOX, is an invisible process that's responsible for aging by dispersing the ugly free radicals into the skin, which in time will kill its collagen and elastin, very important proteins. In fact, recent studies by Stanford University explains that people with a higher level of arNOX, appears to look seven years older than their chronological age, whereas folks with a low level of arNOX, appears seven years younger than their age. The G Spa will be responsible for combating arNOX right at the source.
And finally, one of the best things to come out of this wonderful product, is that it is on PETA's DO NOT TEST list. There is definitely such a thing as beauty without the guilt after all.
G Spa has numerous celebrity followings which includes Nicole Kidman, Lionel Ritchie, Linda Gray, Kim Coles, and Brad Pitt, who affectionately calls his G Spa system his "wrinkle iron".
As mentioned earlier, I will be including this treatment with my makeup applications for free. If you would like to learn more about G Spa, you can visit www.nuskinusa.com. If you live in any of the Los Angeles/Santa Monica/Venice areas, please feel free to contact me through this blog for a free one on one session, and I will take you through this fantastic journey to a more fabulous, youthful you.

The Eyes Are The Windows To The Soul

2009-02-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

Let's face it: A lot of women (and some men) are afraid of makeup, and its not because of the “right” foundation , or that “perfect” lip color. Eyeshadows, along with eyeliners and mascaras, are often the culprits of why a lot of women give up on makeup altogether. Eyeshadows are known to play little tricks on you every now and then. They can also become pretty tricky when it comes down to selecting the right shades for your look. Depending on the shape and color of your eyes, and in most cases your skin tone, applying eyeshadows can be really easy and actually quite fun. Aside from the colors you've chosen, the most important thing to remember is that “less is more”. I took a twist on this old saying by adding a few more words into the mix: “less is more, the more the better.” In other words, don't be afraid to build and layer colors,20whether its only one color, or two. Take the time to apply your chosen colors using a modest touch. Make sure when picking up colors with your eyeshadow brush, you remove excess color. This will make application less of a hassle because you're now doing it at your own pace. Then sweep the color from your lash line towards the crease area, the “dip” of your eye where your lid and brow bone meets. When you're comfortable with the first application, don't be afraid to add a little more to build color.