Monday, December 30, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Your best eye shadow shades
-Jillian Raposo
Not sure which eye shadow colors best suit your eyes? This can be very important because not all shadow colors are meant for everyone. Here are some tips for what shades of eyeshadow you should be wearing....
Blue Eyes
With blue eyes, you should stay far away from blue eyeshadow. If you want you eyes to pop and look mesmerizing then try wearing earth-tones, such as browns with a slight purple base, taupe, and slate colored grays. If you want to have a little fun outside of the earth-tones, then try a nice rose colored eyeshadow. The coolness from the pink/purple eyeshadow will be a really nice contrast to your blue eyes.
Brown Eyes
Brown eyes can get away with wearing almost any color of eyeshadow. But if you want you eyes to pop then try either green eyeshadow or pink eyeshadow. With brown eyes, you can also use blue eyeshadow, and if you have gold flecks in your eyes you may want to try an eyeshadow that has a gold shimmer to it. Brown eyes can even pull-off wearing brown eyeshadow, but be careful because certain tones can look muddy against your beautiful brown eyes.
Green/Hazel Eyes
In order to get green eyes to pop, you should try wearing various purple shades. The contrast in color to your eyes will make them seem more dramatic. If you want your eyes to stand out but look more natural, you may want to try warmer mocha brown shades or warm colors with slight orange undertones. Basic eyeshadow colors for green eyes would be earth tones with slight hints of gold, taupe colors, mocha browns, and lavender-purple shades. Since most green and hazel eyes has a variety of flecks, feel free to experiment with these colors so you can find the perfect one for your eyes.
Here are some amazing trio's from Almay if you want an easy and affordable way to emphasize your eyes :)
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
DIY Lip Scrub & Hair and Scalp Treatment
-Brielyn Vitorino
It's that time of year!! The time for giving, not receiving. The time for holiday cheer. Time to cheat on that diet on some festive treats... because New Years is for vowing to get back in shape!! It's time to rock those tall boots, & sport that sequined top!! It's that time when lists are long, and bank accounts get low... & let's be honest, it's the time of chapped lips & dry scalps!!! (I bet you so didn't see me going there!)
It's true, cold weather conditions combined with dry heat indoors can really do a number on your skin & scalp. There is nothing cute about flakes falling from anywhere but the sky!! So, I found some really great recipes you can DIY to keep your lips smooth, hair shiny, & pockets fat!! Who knows, if you love it enough yourself, you may want to gift these little remedy treasures, too!
Happy Holidays!!
<3 Brielyn
Lip Scrub
-small container with lid
-2 teaspoons of white granulated sugar
-1 teaspoon of olive oil
- a couple drops of desired flavoring. You can really get creative with this. Anything from flavored extracts to a little bit of Kool-Aid would work fine. If you choose to use Kool-Aid please keep in mind a little bit goes a long way. Also be mindful of the coloring that are in these, blues and purples could be scary, but pinks and reds could be fun!
Method: In a small bowl, combine sugar, olive oil, & flavoring. Mix it together until a paste like substance forms. Scoop and pack into your chosen container. To exfoliate, take a small amount on your finger, and rub in circular motions all over your lips. Wipe clean with a warm cloth and follow with applying a nourishing lip balm. Voila!! A totally edible, lickable sugar scrub that won't break the bank!
Luxurious Hot Oil Hair Treatment
-1/2 cup of sweet almond oil (or jojoba oil)
-5 drops of lavender essential oil
-5 drops of rosemary essential oil
Method: Mix all oils in a glass bottle and shake or stir well. When ready to use, heat oil in a water bath. Pour 3-5 tablespoons of oil in a glass measuring cup. Immerse the measuring cup in large bowl with hot water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until oil is warm. Evenly distribute oil onto dry hair, wrap hair in a hot towel, and leave on for 20-30 minutes. Shampoo & condition as usual.
It's that time of year!! The time for giving, not receiving. The time for holiday cheer. Time to cheat on that diet on some festive treats... because New Years is for vowing to get back in shape!! It's time to rock those tall boots, & sport that sequined top!! It's that time when lists are long, and bank accounts get low... & let's be honest, it's the time of chapped lips & dry scalps!!! (I bet you so didn't see me going there!)
It's true, cold weather conditions combined with dry heat indoors can really do a number on your skin & scalp. There is nothing cute about flakes falling from anywhere but the sky!! So, I found some really great recipes you can DIY to keep your lips smooth, hair shiny, & pockets fat!! Who knows, if you love it enough yourself, you may want to gift these little remedy treasures, too!
Happy Holidays!!
<3 Brielyn
Lip Scrub
-small container with lid
-2 teaspoons of white granulated sugar
-1 teaspoon of olive oil
- a couple drops of desired flavoring. You can really get creative with this. Anything from flavored extracts to a little bit of Kool-Aid would work fine. If you choose to use Kool-Aid please keep in mind a little bit goes a long way. Also be mindful of the coloring that are in these, blues and purples could be scary, but pinks and reds could be fun!
Method: In a small bowl, combine sugar, olive oil, & flavoring. Mix it together until a paste like substance forms. Scoop and pack into your chosen container. To exfoliate, take a small amount on your finger, and rub in circular motions all over your lips. Wipe clean with a warm cloth and follow with applying a nourishing lip balm. Voila!! A totally edible, lickable sugar scrub that won't break the bank!
Luxurious Hot Oil Hair Treatment
-1/2 cup of sweet almond oil (or jojoba oil)
-5 drops of lavender essential oil
-5 drops of rosemary essential oil
Method: Mix all oils in a glass bottle and shake or stir well. When ready to use, heat oil in a water bath. Pour 3-5 tablespoons of oil in a glass measuring cup. Immerse the measuring cup in large bowl with hot water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until oil is warm. Evenly distribute oil onto dry hair, wrap hair in a hot towel, and leave on for 20-30 minutes. Shampoo & condition as usual.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Applying Foundation
-Jillian Raposo
There are so many ways of applying foundation that it can be overwhelming to know which way is the correct way. Every makeup artist will have their own opinion on what is the right way, but here's mine. Before even applying your foundation you want to make sure you start off with a clean and moisturized face. Applying makeup over a dirty face is just going to contain the dirt and bacteria, which can lead to breakouts. To ensure that your makeup will last throughout the day, it is recommended that you use a primer. And YES they work! Now here's where it becomes confusing for some. What do I use? A brush? What kind of brush? A sponge? My fingers? Help!
Here's my opinion....
The BEAUTY BLENDER! The beauty blender is your way to a truly flawless face. It's foolproof and will make you feel like a true professional. It is a small egg-shaped sponge that when soaked in water becomes a large and luxurious feeling applicator. The pointed side is great for areas such as the under eye and around the nose and the larger part is great for an all over application. You can either dab the sponge into your foundation or spot the foundation onto your face and blend it in with the beauty blender. You will want to use a bouncing or stippling motion and really dab the foundation into your skin to get a flawless finish. If you're the type that uses your fingers, this will also be a much more sanitary option. It is important to clean it between applications and I highly suggest buying the cleanser that goes with it. A single sponge goes for around $18.50 and the sponge/cleanser combo $33. I've had mine for about a year now and it still looks like the day I bought it. Definitely worth the money. There are 3 different colors you can choose from. The original hot pink, white, and black. I prefer the black so it doesn't look as dirty. Whichever you choose, they are all the same.
Beware of knock off's or look alikes!
I know after reading this you may be tempted to run to Walgreens or wherever to try to find a "cheaper" version but I can tell you from personal experience that there is no comparison. I've tried the ones from Walgreens, CVS, TJ Maxx, etc they are terrible! Save yourself the money and time and buy the original.
You can find the original Beauty Blender and most Sephora's. I prefer to get mine from www.naimies.com They have a larger variety and also offer the cleansers. Right now they are offering the pink beauty blender for $14.80 instead of $18.50 so hurry!! You can also find tons of other great beauty products on their site as well :)
There are so many ways of applying foundation that it can be overwhelming to know which way is the correct way. Every makeup artist will have their own opinion on what is the right way, but here's mine. Before even applying your foundation you want to make sure you start off with a clean and moisturized face. Applying makeup over a dirty face is just going to contain the dirt and bacteria, which can lead to breakouts. To ensure that your makeup will last throughout the day, it is recommended that you use a primer. And YES they work! Now here's where it becomes confusing for some. What do I use? A brush? What kind of brush? A sponge? My fingers? Help!
Here's my opinion....
The BEAUTY BLENDER! The beauty blender is your way to a truly flawless face. It's foolproof and will make you feel like a true professional. It is a small egg-shaped sponge that when soaked in water becomes a large and luxurious feeling applicator. The pointed side is great for areas such as the under eye and around the nose and the larger part is great for an all over application. You can either dab the sponge into your foundation or spot the foundation onto your face and blend it in with the beauty blender. You will want to use a bouncing or stippling motion and really dab the foundation into your skin to get a flawless finish. If you're the type that uses your fingers, this will also be a much more sanitary option. It is important to clean it between applications and I highly suggest buying the cleanser that goes with it. A single sponge goes for around $18.50 and the sponge/cleanser combo $33. I've had mine for about a year now and it still looks like the day I bought it. Definitely worth the money. There are 3 different colors you can choose from. The original hot pink, white, and black. I prefer the black so it doesn't look as dirty. Whichever you choose, they are all the same. Beware of knock off's or look alikes!
I know after reading this you may be tempted to run to Walgreens or wherever to try to find a "cheaper" version but I can tell you from personal experience that there is no comparison. I've tried the ones from Walgreens, CVS, TJ Maxx, etc they are terrible! Save yourself the money and time and buy the original.
You can find the original Beauty Blender and most Sephora's. I prefer to get mine from www.naimies.com They have a larger variety and also offer the cleansers. Right now they are offering the pink beauty blender for $14.80 instead of $18.50 so hurry!! You can also find tons of other great beauty products on their site as well :)
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Brushes
-Jillian Raposo
Brushes can be a crucial part of achieving a well blended makeup application. When I first started my career as a makeup artist, I used brushes from Walgreens, Victoria's Secret, and random brushes that came with eye shadow palettes. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why it was so hard to achieve a professional blended look. Well, IT WAS THE DARN BRUSHES! Over time I started my collection of MAC brushes and as my collection grew I was noticing that I was doing a much better job. The eyeshadow packed on better, with far less fall out. Color's were blending together seamlessly. And it didn't take me as long to create a look. Now I know MAC brushes can be a little pricey but for me they are totally worth it. All MAC brushes are handmade with the exception of holiday collections and sets. The sets are machine made and mass produced (not as good). Handmade brushes are much more full and better shaped and will last much longer if taken care of properly.
As my business grew it was time for me to purchase another set of brushes to help speed up the process of cleaning in between clients. This time around I decided to try out Sigma Brushes. Sigma brushes have been know to be highly comparable to MAC. The difference between the two are that, Sigma brushes are machine made, the handles are slightly heavier and longer, and they're much more affordable. Having the two collections side by side I notice that my MAC brushes are shaped much better and much more densely packed. For the price though, I think Sigma does sell great quality brushes. Well which one's do I like better???? At the end of the day I like certain brushes from each collection. Here are my faves, where to find them, and what I use them for.
MAC
All over face: #138
Blush and contour: # 109
Packing on shadow: #239
Blending: #287 & #217
Defining pencil brush: #219
www.maccosmetics.com
Sigma
Concealer: F60
Foundation: Flat Kabuki F80
Large eye blender: E40
Packing pigments on lid: F70
Angel brush for brows: E65
http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=230740
please use this link! I get credit :)
For my fine tip brushes for gel liner and such, I have tried both brands and prefer painter's brushes from the craft store.
The brand I currently use is Princeton 3750 series, from AC Moore and the brushes are:
Spotter 5/0: This is a super fine tip brush that is great for gel liner
Angled spot detailer: Also a fine tip but is angled, which helps creating the "cat eye"
Chisel Blender: Small flat top brush, great for smudging out liner.
http://princetonbrush.com/3750-decorative.html
*Disclosure: This is just "MY" opinion. I'm sure there are better brushes out there, but these are just what I have tried and liked. I do not get paid for my opinion or to represent any of these brands. I do however get a small and I mean minuscule! commission from Sigma for each sale.
Brushes can be a crucial part of achieving a well blended makeup application. When I first started my career as a makeup artist, I used brushes from Walgreens, Victoria's Secret, and random brushes that came with eye shadow palettes. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why it was so hard to achieve a professional blended look. Well, IT WAS THE DARN BRUSHES! Over time I started my collection of MAC brushes and as my collection grew I was noticing that I was doing a much better job. The eyeshadow packed on better, with far less fall out. Color's were blending together seamlessly. And it didn't take me as long to create a look. Now I know MAC brushes can be a little pricey but for me they are totally worth it. All MAC brushes are handmade with the exception of holiday collections and sets. The sets are machine made and mass produced (not as good). Handmade brushes are much more full and better shaped and will last much longer if taken care of properly.
As my business grew it was time for me to purchase another set of brushes to help speed up the process of cleaning in between clients. This time around I decided to try out Sigma Brushes. Sigma brushes have been know to be highly comparable to MAC. The difference between the two are that, Sigma brushes are machine made, the handles are slightly heavier and longer, and they're much more affordable. Having the two collections side by side I notice that my MAC brushes are shaped much better and much more densely packed. For the price though, I think Sigma does sell great quality brushes. Well which one's do I like better???? At the end of the day I like certain brushes from each collection. Here are my faves, where to find them, and what I use them for.
MAC
All over face: #138
Blush and contour: # 109
Packing on shadow: #239
Blending: #287 & #217
Defining pencil brush: #219
www.maccosmetics.com
Sigma
Concealer: F60
Foundation: Flat Kabuki F80
Large eye blender: E40
Packing pigments on lid: F70
Angel brush for brows: E65
http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=230740
please use this link! I get credit :)
For my fine tip brushes for gel liner and such, I have tried both brands and prefer painter's brushes from the craft store.
The brand I currently use is Princeton 3750 series, from AC Moore and the brushes are:
Spotter 5/0: This is a super fine tip brush that is great for gel liner
Angled spot detailer: Also a fine tip but is angled, which helps creating the "cat eye"
Chisel Blender: Small flat top brush, great for smudging out liner.
http://princetonbrush.com/3750-decorative.html
*Disclosure: This is just "MY" opinion. I'm sure there are better brushes out there, but these are just what I have tried and liked. I do not get paid for my opinion or to represent any of these brands. I do however get a small and I mean minuscule! commission from Sigma for each sale.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Halloween Makeup Ideas
-Jillian Raposo
Whether you're looking for an extreme eye catching look or just a simple fun look, makeup can be the make or break of your halloween costume. A costume just doesn't have the complete effect without the makeup. Makeup can also be great for last minute costume ideas that don't involve much of a costume. With many looks you can rummage through your closet and come up with something great as long as your makeup is on point. Here are some ideas for some simple and fun looks, without breaking the bank. At first glance some of these looks may be intimidating, but by following the YouTube tutorials below you'd be suprised how easy they can be. You'll never know what you're capable of til' you try. Go at your own pace and you'd be amazed at what you can achieve.
Click the links for a complete tutorial :)
Whether you're looking for an extreme eye catching look or just a simple fun look, makeup can be the make or break of your halloween costume. A costume just doesn't have the complete effect without the makeup. Makeup can also be great for last minute costume ideas that don't involve much of a costume. With many looks you can rummage through your closet and come up with something great as long as your makeup is on point. Here are some ideas for some simple and fun looks, without breaking the bank. At first glance some of these looks may be intimidating, but by following the YouTube tutorials below you'd be suprised how easy they can be. You'll never know what you're capable of til' you try. Go at your own pace and you'd be amazed at what you can achieve.
Click the links for a complete tutorial :)
The Rebrand
-Jillian Raposo
As some of you may know, my business was first called “Pretty Peacock”. It was a name that originated from an experience that took me to where I am today. Unfortunately, there was some trademark issues with the name and it was being used and under protection by another business owner. I thought my career came to an end when I was informed that it needed to be changed. I was so discouraged and so overwhelmed by the work that it would take to start over. Although it’s just “a name” it’s a lot of other things as well. It’s a brand, its what people associate you with, it’s something that took a lot of time and effort to get out there. Along with the fact that it’s also on business cards, t shirts, and all my marketing material! It brought me to a really dark place as a business owner. It made me almost feel like, I knew it was too good to be true that the business was going so well from the beginning. Picking out a new name seemed nearly impossible for the reason that everything I liked was trademarked. And I sure as heck didn’t want to go through that again! With some time and LOTS of patience, new ideas slowly started to emerge. With all the hard work, determination, and passion that has gone into creating my business, it only seemed appropriate to give myself a little credit and use my name in the business name. So where did “M.E.” come from, you ask? I have to give my husband credit for that one. He thought it would be a great idea to call it “make up by me”. It was simple, to the point, and cute. The only problem once again, became trademark issues. So after thinking of ways around that, it resulted in “M.E.” which has so much possibility. It stood for “ME” and it could also stand for two other words as well. That’s where “Makeup Excellence” emerged. Slowly but surely, the pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together and the ball got rolling towards rebranding. With a new name, came new ideas. Ideas for a new logo, new website, photo shoot, etc. Although the process of “rebranding” seemed impossible and discouraging it now became exciting. Everything this time around became such a reflection of ME. It was more my style, more professional, and more mature. It made me realize that I’ve grown as an artist, and so has my business. At the end of this journey, it has become very clear to me that everything happens for a reason. As mad as I was at the woman that made me have to change everything, I now want to thank her. This process has made me a much stronger person and business owner and has taught me to never give up.
“Things don’t go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be.”
~Charlie Jones~
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