So Much To Do...So Little Time

This week is going to be sooooo busy for me!! I have deadlines, fashion shows, photoshoots, and work!!! I really need to work on getting things done ahead of time. Sometimes I will start things and put them away. Then pick them up right before the deadline. Not Good. I must admit that I love it though!! I feel like the Pat Mcgrath of DC. I set trend!! Who would have thought that lil' ol' me from tumble weed county Florida would be a trendsetter?? My momma knew it all along!! I know this may be an early prediction, but soon we will be working side by side one day.

The Accidental Find

Yesterday, I am doing a quick little stroll through Sephora (as usual) just to try freshen up my makeup (i'm ghetto, I know....but doesn't everyone do it??). I am looking for a cute gloss to update my lips, so I head over to Smashbox to try out this lipgloss that has been voted in Allure as one of the best. Try it. Hate it. Well not hate it, but not impressed. I was looking for that something goes on nice and creamy, but not overly glossy. No disrespect to the lipgloss gals out there, but sometimes I like to look a bit more PG-17. Patent leather shiny lips just does not go with everything.

Back to the story... so I stumble upon Laura Mercier's new lip stain that I have been reading rave reviews about. I thought I knew the Sephora in Pentagon City like the back of my hand. I was not even aware that Laura Mercier was there!! There they were, sitting, looking pretty as if they were waiting on my arrival. At first, I was a little apprehensive about the pot-like packaging, because I don't like to dip my fingers into lip products (of course I used a lipgloss wand at the store...but it doesn't come with one). But then I thought...What the hell? It's all in the name of beauty. Now, I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon of a new product just because everyone else likes it, but when I tell you I LOVE this product, I really mean it. Being in the mood for a nude lip, I tried on Mocha (a rich chocolate brown) then put a little Peach Glaze (nude peach) in the center. The application was so easy. There was a glide on the lips like a gloss, but not the shine of a gloss. I didn't need a liner (although with some colors like the reds a liner will be necessary), and the colors looked gorgeous on me. At the end of my day, the color was still present. This is something for the gloss girls that don't like lipstick and for the lipstick girls that don't like gloss. I literally feel like I stumbled upon a gold mine!!

Be sure to take the quiz to the right!!!

Old Friends, New Habits

Good Morning.

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Mine was good. I bumped into an old friend of mine that I haven't spent time with since sophomore year (you know we speak and keep it cordial...but doing real friend stuff...no). Purely by accident we ended up going to a beauty event that you could purchase beauty products for dirt cheap prices( by invite only). I'm talking MAC shadows, gloss, eyeliners, and foundations no more than $3!! After we finished there, I still wasn't satisfied with my new fix of product purchases, so then we went to Target. I finally got to see the new felt tip eyeliner developed by Pat Mcgrath before she left Proctor and Gamble.

Ok, so I am swimming this morning as usual...and someone stops me and tells me that my form is incorrect because I am bending my legs. For as long as I have been swimming, I never knew that when you swim, you use a scissor-like motion. I always flapped my feet and bent my legs. WHO KNEW??!?! I proceeded to try to correct this and ladies.....it was so hard. I was flapping and flopping like someone who didn't know how to swim!! So embarrassing!! I didn't give up, and needless to say I still have some improvement to do....lol. This ties into how we form bad beauty habits, like using a black liner around the mouth and filling in with red lipstick ( I must admit that I was a victim of this in 7th grade...I even took a school picture like this). Or taking your finger and applying eyeshadow without a base.

This is merely to say, if you are unhappy with the results of your beauty routine...take a step back and watch exactly what you are doing. If your eyeshadow is creasing at the end of the day, use a base. Eye liner smearing, when you apply to your waterline...use a powder to set it. Just like someone was watching me swim today, someone is always watching you. Someone else can see what you do not, so getting someone that you trust to tell you the truth (not a friend, because they can lie to spare feelings) could be of benefit. Everyone wants to look and feel their best all the time, so just take a moment to make sure that you are doing everything you need to in order to accomplish this.

Be sure to take a moment and take the quiz...also post comments or questions!!!

BROWsing

Happy Monday!!!


My weekend was very relaxed and fulfilling. I went to Sephora to see if they had anything new, then went off to show my friend how to tweeze and shape her brows. I headed over with my bag filled with Tweerman tweezers (the kind with the sharp, pointed tip), concealer, brow pencil, MAC 266 angled brush, small scissors, brow gel, alcohol, hydrocortisone cream and clean mascara wands. The look on her face was hilarious, when I knocked on her door and she saw how many tools that I had. I had come prepared to do brow reconstructive surgery!! LOL!! Paying someone else to wax your brows isn't always necessary. I learned this when the wax left me looking like I was experiencing puberty for a second time...and my brows were way too thin!! And I was out of twenty dollars!

The first thing to do when preparing to tweeze your brows is to evaluate the shape of your brows and what you would like them to look like. If you naturally have very thin brow work with that shape. The same applies if you have naturally full brows. Thin over tweezed brows are not complementary to every face shape. You want your brows frame your face and bring out your eyes.



Next brush your brows upward and trim any hairs that extend above the brow bone (the bone that your brows sit on). Then brush your brows upward and outward. If you have a curly hair texture, your brows maybe this way as well, so use a little brow gel to hold them in place (Maybelline makes an excellent brow gel for only 5 bucks!!). With your concealer, trace out the desired shape of your new brow(make sure to trace underneath the brow..called the underscore of the brow). MAC has these convenient little concealer sticks that look like chunky pencils. I love these!! Remove all the hair that the concealer is on. It may be easier to locate the hairs that need to be removed, if you use a concealer that is one to two shades lighter than your foundation. Once all the hairs have been removed, remove the concealer and evaluate your new shape. If there are any gaps, grab an angled brush and fill in. Please whatever you do.....DONT USE BLACK!!!! Ewww.....Elvira is not the intended look. If you have blonde hair try a very light brown or cement colored shadow or brow pencil, if you are a red-head try a camel colored shadow, brunettes try a dark brown. African American women with darker skin tones, should try a deep brown like espresso. I will list my favorites for each below. I have posted a before and after picture of Kevyn Aucoin's sister after he tweezed her brows....this is the G rated version....lol. There are also little illustrations to help guide you.

Before the Tweeze After the tweeze

I hope you can see the difference. Removing the excess hairs created more space between her eye and brow, which opened her eyes up.

1. Evalaute the shape of your brows. Hold a pencil vertically next to your nose so that you can see where your brows should begin. Next move the pencil to in about a 35 degree angle to see where they should peak (or where you arch should be. Finally extend the pencil another 20 degrees to see where they should taper off.







2. If you have hair that extends past where the pencil starts, tweeze them. When tweezing, grab the hair at the root and quickly remove it in the direction that the hairs grow. When filling in the brow, make sure to use short hair-like strokes to get the most natural looking brow. Once your finish, your brows should look nice and uniform. Don't worry if you don't get it right on the first try...Rome wasn't built in a day. Keep practiciing!! If you really need a little more help visit your local beauty counter and get someone to help you. Or get your brows waxed and shaped, then just maintain them by tweezing the hairs that grow in.

Try these Brands for Brow Pencils and Shadow

1. For Blondes...
Lingering Brow Pencil by MAC
Cement Eyeshadow by Bobbi Brown
Beguile Brow set by MAC
Blonde Brow Set by Bobbi Brown (brow gel that deposits color)


2. Brunettes/African Americans
Stud Brow Pencil by MAC
Spiked Brow Pencile by MAC
Espresso Shadow by MAC
Mahogany shadow by Bobbi Brown
Cork Eyeshadow by MAC
Show off Brow Set by MAC (brow gel that deposits color)
Girl Boy Brow Set by MAC (copper colored brow gel)


3. Red Heads
Taupe brow pencil by Bobbi Brown
Texture Eyeshadow by MAC
Camel eyeshadow by MAC

The Big Apple

Happy Thursday Everyone!!!

Don't you just love the feeling after a good workout? You look good and feel great. I love it when I look in the mirror afterwards, and I have this cute little glow on my cheeks. There is a way to look like this always with a little hint of blush added to the apple of the cheek. Just smile and take a blush brush and pop it on. It literally takes 5 seconds. Blush is a way to give your skin a quick little glow and uplift. Just take a look at Kiya(right). She looks like she just stepped off a trendmill in a pretty, polished sort of way. I posted these photos up just so you can see, when applied correctly the difference blush can make.

I have seen women walking around with red faces from blush being applied incorrectly. Blush should be applied on the apple of the cheek. To find the apple of your cheek, just smile and the protruding area is your apple. Once you locate your apple, take the blush brush and lightly dip it into the blush. Next, starting at the apple apply the blush in a backward (toward your hairline), downward motion. This will ensure that your blush looks the most natural. My favorite formulation of blush is cream blush. Most women look at the consistency of cream blush and cringe. It looks goopy!!! Cream blush is the most natural looking blush. It gives a glow that seems to come from within and can double as lipcolor. It works wonders on dry skin, but can be used on oily girls too (especially in the winter when oily girls seem to get a bit drier). Apply cream blush with fingers or a brush in the same manner as powder blush, just be sure to work the product into the skin. The result should be a glow that seems to come from the inside!! Above is a picture of Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Velvet Plum (this color looks lovely on darker skin tones) and Cargo Powder blush in Coral Beach (this imparts a pretty peachy glow). L'oreal HIP also makes an excellent cream blush that dries down to a powdery finish in a variety of colors that won't break the bank. Check your local drugstore or Target.

Color selection is based solely on personal preference. I believe almost anyone can wear any color. It just depends on application. If you want to wear NARS Exhibit A (which I do from time to time), go ahead!!! Just make sure you use a blush brush (not the brush that comes in the packaging...invest in a brush blush) to lightly apply until the desired color is obtained. Don't be afraid to try a color on if it looks to bright in the packaging. It is important to remember that once the product goes on, it will go on diffused and will not look nearly as bright on you. Never judge a Blush by its color. Sometimes when I am in the market for a new blush and I want a little help picking one out, I will ask the beauty advisor. I do not like it when the first thing they pick up is a color in the plum family. As a woman of color with darker skin, we always get thrown into the plum box. They look wonderful on, but don't be afraid to try bright colors as well. The only exception to this rule is if you want to cover redness on the cheek area. To apply a red toned or pinky blush would just make the redness more obvious. Instead opt for a bronzer. Blush goes on smoother, more intense, and last longer if there is some type of foundation, tinted moisturizer, or primer applied underneath. Well, tomorrow is Friday and that means I will be spending a couple of hours in Sephora and at various beauty counters testing new products. I can't wait!!!

Remember*** Blush is about application technique...not so much color!!!
I also wanted to wish Rhonda and very happy Geburtstag!!!!

My Lipgloss is Poppin'!!!

Swimming three times a week can really take a toll on the beauty regimen...Normally, after getting out of the pool, I slather on my Bobbi moisturizer, a little tinted moisturizer, and gloss. I'm not speaking of the overly shiny, I just ate a bucket of Popeyes gloss, but you know.....like I just licked my lips a little. They glisten.

This post is dedicated to all the gloss gals. In speaking to a few my friends, I have come to realize that their main beauty staple is gloss. Especially one particular friend, who no matter how many times we go to Target together, she always leaves with the same caramel colored gloss. To see the smile on her face, one would think that she just got the new Billy B. brush set...LOL. I can always predict which gloss she will choose....the brown one. It boggles my mind how we get so set in our beauty routine, that we actually go out to purchase a million different brands of glosses all in the same color family. I love gloss....in fact it was my first obsession with makeup. Every friday when I got my allowance, I would go to the Big Bee drugstore and get a new lipgloss. I especially used to love the push up kind that covergirl came out with. Never in the same color though!! I always tried to diversify my lipgloss collection.

Gloss is a great way to try a red, bright pink, or a coral that you thought you might be too dark or light for(I hate those sayings). My favorite red gloss is the MAC lustreglass in Venetian. It gives you a hint of color...just enough so you can imagine what you would look like if you had the lipstick on. Plus it still give you the shine of a gloss. I pair it with Currant/deep red liner...I look so nice and 50's but with a modern glossy finish!! I usually reserve the red lip for special occasions, like the Red Carpet, Dates, etc. Now on a day that I'm feeling girlie, I love hot pinks!!! Makeup Forever has this nice hot pink in Candy Rose that gives medium color payoff, but not overwhelming. I love hot pinks and coral in the summertime!! It's goes with the weather. I swear Christian Dior has the longest lasting gloss that I have ever tried!! I can go for hours and not touch up!

Gloss is an excellent way for you to step a couple of feet outside of your comfort zone when it comes to color. Never go by how the gloss looks inside the tube. Once it goes on your lips the color becomes more diffused. Using a darker or lighter liner will also change the color. I almost always mix atleast two different colors to get that perfect color. So...don't limit yourself when it comes to picking formulations or colors...and always remember to exfoliate lips before applying gloss. Try to have a variety of colors!!!! Play around and have fun!! The Drug store is always a good place to start. Loreal HIP and Revlon make awesome gloss for only $7.

Try These Out:

1. Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Raspberry

2. Bobbi Brown in Bright Pink

3. Stila Lip Polish in Glaze

4. Cargo Lip Duo in Bora Bora

5. Nars Lipstain Gloss in Indian Red

The 7 Deadly Sins of Makeup

I know, I know....I am out doing myself today with two posts, but I just had to. This couldn't wait until Wednesday. Walking around DC today, I could not help but spot women sporting some horrible makeup.

Ladies, here are a couple of things to consider when deciding what makeup to wear.

1. YOUR EYESHADOW DOES NOT HAVE TO MATCH YOUR CLOTHES or YOUR LIPSTICK!!! I can't tell you how many times I have seen this today alone. Makeup is about coordinating with your clothing but not matching. If you have on a purple shirt, it is ok to wear a gold or muted green shadow. Imagine seeing someone with a green shirt, green eyeshadow, and green shoes and acessories......

2. Extreme Brow highlights are outdated. I think I see this more from people who are MAC victims. It is ok to have a brow highlight, because naturally there is a highlight there. BUT if you are a chocolate gal walking around with NW25 under the brow.....please find the nearest bottle of makeup remover. Makeup is about expression...but lets be progressive and modern.

3. TWO Toned lips.....ewww!!!! Kevyn Aucoin made this trend hot back in the day with Mary J, but folks that was back in the 90's. Lets fast forward to the present. Please blend the liner in with your lipstick. Your lips will still have definition. It is about a natural transition of color. Chestnut liner with C-thru gloss, Nightmoth with explicit gloss.....no!!!

4. Brows that are 5 shades to dark or tattoed on!!! NO!!!!! Unless you are a blonde please do not apply. Your brow color should match your hair color. No one should be able to tell that you fill your brows in. It should look like you were born that way.

5. Ungroomed brows....the age of catepillars on the face are gone. Full brows are in...but they are still groomed. Just lightly tweeze the hairs that need it. The Brooke Shields trend is still relevant, but even her brows were groomed.

6. Black liner is not everyday!!! I love the Cleopatra/Elizabeth Taylor look. Love IT!!! But not for class everyday, not for work, speaking with clients with your eyes looking like a racoon is not cute. Brown liner is softer. And please do not only line the bottom.

7. Overly powdered skin. Women are walking around here looking like they have literally packed 5 layers of studio fix on!!! Real skin is not overly matte or powdery looking.

Step away from the sponge. Invest in a powder brush.

Ladies...don't let me see you on the street. I'm watching!! You have been warned!!!

Paint the Town Red!!!!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. I sure did!!! The Runway Africa show was on fire!!! The makeup was on point, the models were stunning, and the designers just put the icing on the cake. The makeup followed trend. Fresh, nude, pretty faces, and of course the always sexy smokey eye with a bold lip. The last scene was very tribal. The models came out with tribal markings. It was incredible!! Don't worry if you missed it....I will be posting pictures on Wednesday. By the end of the show, I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs...."I AM AFRICAN!!!"

I got a chance to sneak backstage to observe the products that the makeup artists were using to achieve such natural looks. What did I see? The new MAC paint pots in bare study, bronze and gold shadows, strobe cream to give the skin a nice radiant glow, and MAC studio mists foundation to even out skin, but still leaving it dewy. No one was using powder!!! The makeup artist explained that the object was to keep the skin looking "fresh, like real skin."

This brings me to the next topic of discussion....eye shadow base.

How many times have you spent an extra 20 minutes doing dramtic eye shadow only to find that by the end of the day, the shadow has done a hoodini or creased ? Go ahead...it's ok to raise your hand. I see it all to often. This is happening, because the oil on your eyelids have practically broken down your eyeshadow and caused it to crease. To eliminate this use a base. A base will act as a barrier against the oil. New technology in cream shadows make them an excellent choice to use as a base. Cream shadows are now long wearing and crease free!!! My favorites are the MAC paints, MAC paint pot (arrived on counter August), Bobbi Brown Cream shadow, and NARS Cream shadow. They come in a variety of colors. Using a base will also help you get a more intense color payoff. If you want to use a Jewel Blue eyeshadow, use a Jewel Blue base to get a long wearing, non-creasing, intense Jewel Blue color on your lids. Some artist like to use concealers as an eyeshadow base. I like this method only if I know the shadow will be on for a short period of time or if the person has dry eyelids. Using concealer underneath as a base for someone with oily eyelids is asking for trouble!! Chances are you have double the amount of oil on your eyelids than on your face. Concealer already contains some type of emollient, which is like adding fuel to an already burning fire. New cream shadows go on "wet" but dry down, so work fast! Apply a thin layer, because if applied to thick it can look clumpy. On those days, when you have to be to work at 8AM and you wake up at 7:30, cream shadows can be worn alone, with the quick stroke of your index finger. I love the Bobbi Brown cream shadows in Burnished, Suede, and Aqua. I also love the MAC paints (in the squeeze tube) in Graphito (perfect base for a smokey eye), Architecture, and Bamboo. NARS won the InStyle award for "Best Cream Shadow." For you gals who live out in areas where there aren't any MAC, Bobbi, Sephora, or Christian Dior counters....you can always go online.

Keep the lid on tight!!! They will dry out if not!! OK well, class dismissed. Remember to post if you have questions or want a particular topic discussed!!! Have a Beautiful Monday !!!

Meet and Greet

Are you totally lost on how to apply foundation? Don't know which brand is best for your skin? Tired of spending money on products, only to find you were a victim of the poorly trained sales girl, trying to make her sales goal?

Well honey, your prayers have been answered, and Mona is here to rescue you out of your beauty rut.

My name is Mona. I have been a makeup artist for nearly ten years and am currently residing DC. I have studied under some of the best in the industry, and worked for some of the most prestigious cosmetics brands. I am here to guide all those gals out there who need a roadmap to guide them through the beauty isles of Target and Bendels. I will discuss everything from that perfect shade of lipstick to the best pairs of tweezers. I will even keep you up on the last trend happenings in the beauty world by giving details on the makeup happenings backstage....

I am off to a wonderful weekend !!!!

***Remember -"Foundation should look and feel like your second skin!!!! "