Tag Archives: Make Up For Ever

The Makeup Show Chicago

June 12, 2013

The Makeup Show made a stop in Chicago this past weekend and I ventured to the Bridgeport Art Center to check it out. It’s the spot to be for makeup artists – with seminars from some of the best artists in the business and major discounts on brands. I always view this as a prime opportunity to soak up tips from the masters and do some shopping as well (hello, NARS at 30% off!) Plus, spending time with James Vincent, celeb makeup artist and Director of Education for TMS, is like catching up with an old girlfriend. He’s always got the best stories and scoop. For example, he shared that this palette by TMS exhibitor Graftobian (Madison, WI-based company!) is a Fashion Week staple for Dick Page— Shiseido artistic director and one of the most in-demand makeup artists in the world. And, of course, he spoke about some of the work he’s been doing with Florence (of THE MACHINE!) lately.

I left filled with great insider knowledge and a handful of products that I’m super excited to try. This double-sided brush from Crown is a dead ringer for a Stila version that is three times the price. James says he loves using the smaller end for blending along the sides of your nose where product tends to build. As he said that, I instinctively touched that part of my face. He’s so right! Another new to me brand is Nurturing Force and their HD primer, called Blot Out Offensive. It has a mousse-like texture and the experts tell me that this one is best used for spot treatments on oil-prone areas. The ingredient list is short and aloe-based, which I appreciate. A few bright multi-use products caught my attention – the new OCC Stained Gloss Lip Tar in New Wave and Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Moist Glow in Liquifuschia. The former has the appearance of stained glass on the lips and when layered under foundation, peeks through as a natural flush. I’ve already started using the Senna Totally Transformative Eyeshadow Primer and don’t think I’ll ever part ways with it! It’s tinted (I use shade light) and billed as a wrinkle reducer, color corrector and eyeshadow magnet. So far, delivering on every front. And, Make Up For Ever debuted its new Smoky Extravagant mascara at the show and I got my hands on a tube! It’s officially launching next month. The wand is cone shaped and the formula is super black and glossy.

While there, I also had a chance to meet the lovely Arielle. She posted a few recaps on Beauty By Arielle, so head on over and say hello!

Make Up For Ever Make Up Bag Remix Recap

April 12, 2013

The Make Up For Ever Make Up Bag Remix tour stopped in Chicago this past weekend, setting up shop at the Old Orchard mall in Skokie. This was the perfect excuse to get my makeup done and hit up Madewell and J. Crew at the same time. I packed up my makeup bag with some everyday staples, spring pinks and the new Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Foundation that I’ve been testing for the past few weeks.

Talking Aqua Creams. That’s shade #2 in Melissa’s hand.

The Remix tour offers a bit of everything — master a bold lip, perfect a barely-there look or just figure out just learn how to make your makeup bag work harder for you. My mission? Do something a little exciting with the eyes, using grey, not black, and pair it with a bright pink lip. Melissa, a NY-based Make Up For Ever artist, gave me some great tips and a pretty killer look. She used a lot of my own makeup, too. For the eyes, she used several different Aqua Liners, in shades of grey and silver on the bottom lash line and this Diamond Powder in the inner corners to brighten it all up.

Never one to keep a good beauty tip to myself, Melissa taught me when using the Aqua Cream, or any cream shadow, to use two brushes. One that’s firm and flat to place the color on the lid and the other that’s dense and fluffier to blend it out. I also was looking for tips to using the Pro Finish Foundation, which is billed as a wet or dry formula. Up until this point, I’d been dusting it on dry over my tinted moisturizer. You could say I was tentative to experiment but now I prefer using it wet! The key is to douse the bristles of a kabuki brush (I use this one), ring them out so the brush is fully damp (but not dripping) and sweep it in a round motion over the pan and buff onto the skin in a circular motion. You would think the coverage would be heavy and perhaps even cakey, but it’s weightless –no powdery feeling whatsoever!

After Remix-ing it with the Make Up For Ever folks, I took in some Old Orchard shopping and found the perfect chambray shirt at Madewell, naturally. Also – I no longer have to venture out to the burbs for a chambray fix, Madewell is officially open downtown as of last week!

312 To Do: Make Up For Ever Make Up Bag Remix

March 21, 2013

MAKE UP FOR EVER is currently on an epic road trip shaking up makeup bags throughout the country and they’re headed to Chicago April 6 and 7. The Make Up Bag Remix tour is headlined by Make Up For Ever’s team of professional makeup artists with a single goal of making your makeup bag work harder for you. It’s simple: you bring your make up bag (filled with products from any brand) and artists will give you a 30-minute eval and consultation on how to create your most flattering look. Want to pull of a bright lip? Wear blue eyeshadow? Or just create a perfect complexion? They’re up for it all. The remixing goes down in their mobile Make Up School and a photog is on hand to capture the “after” look and load on to MAKE UP FOR EVER on Facebook.

For those looking for some one-on-one time, you can book an appointment at MakeupBagRemix.com. The team will be at Michigan Ave. and Illinois on Saturday, April 6, from 12-8pm, and Sunday, April 7, from 11am-7pm.

I’ll be there with my makeup bag and the brand’s new Pro Finish Powder Foundation, which can be used wet or dry. I can’t wait to get some tips on how to best use it — I trust Make Up For Ever wholeheartedly on matters of the complexion (hello, trusty HD Invisible Cover) For those on-the-go, they’ll also have a special touch-up station with Pro Finish.

NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE — the event will actually be held at the Old Orchard mall in Skokie, near the Barnes & Noble entrance!

Low to Luxe: Rose Gold Eyeshadow

March 6, 2013

Fact: there is a singly universally flattering shade of eye color for every woman. I’m talking one perfect match for all, regardless of skin color, tone or lid shape. This uber-flattering color is none other than rose gold. It’s like the LBD of shadows. Whether you have skin like Nicole Kidman or Kerry Washington, or somewhere in between, rose gold will work for you. It fuses the best of pink and gold, leaving out the sometimes tough to wear red and brassy tones. It’s never too pale or too dramatic. And importantly, it’s never boring. As winter drags on (and on and on), I’ve been counting on the brightening effect rose gold lends. With a wee bit more bronzer than a cloudy day calls for, it’s almost as if it the sun is shining out. If we pretend is it true?!

In low to luxe fashion, I’ve pulled together the rose gold eyeshadows that have a place in any woman’s makeup bag.

File this under worth a trip to Walmart: Drew Barrymore’s Flower Beauty Color Play Crème Eyeshadow in Wild Geranium. The gel consistency is unexpected and it feels much more luxe than its $8 price tag.

Eyeshadow in stick form is especially convenient. Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow, $20, in 30E and Laura Mercier Caviar Stick, $24, in Rose Gold are top notch. The creamy formula makes blending a breeze with your fingers and they’re both incredibly long wearing.

Benefit is introducing new (and major adorable) packaging this month as well as a brand new formula of eyeshadow that is beyond smooth and finely-milled. There are 12 colors in total, but the soft rose gold Nude Swings is a must-have.

My long-time favorite NARS Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow allows for a truly custom rose gold shade. It’s rose gold dissected! Sometimes I swipe a bit of both colors on my brush and apply, other times I layer them directly over each other on the lid and of course I wear the colors on their own because I can. At $34, this is more luxe than the others but it’s like three shadows in one.

Note to fellow blue-eyed beauties: the additional bonus of rose gold is that it really makes your eyes pop!

The Truth About My Brows

February 27, 2013

I love wearing and doing my makeup. I also love that I can be comfortable without makeup. Except there is a but. It’s my brows, guys. They are becoming a big problem. And by big I actually mean little and sparse. I’ve always had brow probs — cowlicks, vague arch and now the inability to grow really at all. What is up with that? I’ve always heard from those older (and wiser) than me that this can happen and they ain’t lying. It’s getting to the point where I’m not totally comfortable without a little fill. It’s a part of my routine on most days, but now I think it’s necessary every day.

The last time I got a brow wax was last summer and things truly haven’t been the same since. I tweeze the strays with my trusty Tweezerman’s (the best tweezers ever, period) but there’s no real growth where I want it to be. The upside is I have an arsenal of brow fixers that make my situation less of one. Here are my favorites!

At the start of the year, MAC launched a new pencil, Veluxe Brow Liner, and it might just be the best pencil I’ve ever used. I’ve been off of the pencil kick lately because most need to be sharpened too often. You only need to be left with a little nub while traveling once for that to be a concern. However, I think I’ve only had to sharpen this once in a month. It’s my go-to low maintenance, 30 second brow.
Make Up For Ever owns waterproof everything, so it is no surprise that the Aqua Brow is practically permanent (in a good way). The texture is a mix between a cream and a gel – the tiniest bit is all you need. I will use this a ton come summer.
I reach for Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Brow Mousse often, nearly daily before the MAC Veluxe Brow came along! It’s a really dry consistency and I prefer it to powders.
I’ve used a lot of different brushes, but this mini Anastasia brush is the only one that works for me. It’s precise and can be used with any product.
Benefit High Brow Glow is a savior for my “vague arches.” I swipe it under my arches before I fill and blend well with my fingers. It adds a little lift and brightness. It’s an extra step in my beauty routine that is totally worth the time.

Any advice you have to share on getting brow hair to grow would be much appreciated. I’ve dabbled in a few serums but nothing that has really had an impact. Help!