Jill's 10 Current Favorites

I had such amazing feed back on my blog post "10 things I couldn't live without" that I thought I'd update you all on some of my current favorites. So with that being said, here they are in no particular order.

1. Maybelline Brow Drama: Thank you from the bottom of my heart Maybelline! My brows are a constant struggle and this product is my saving grace. It thickens them and makes the hairs stay so perfectly in place. It's pretty much mascara for your brows. (find it at any drugstore) 
   
2. Sonia Kashuk Bronzer/Blush duo in the shade "glow". For $12 this product is amazing!! It gives you such a healthy and radiant glow. It's completely build able so if you want a subtle glow apply a little. If you want to look like a golden goddess keep applying! (find it at target)
   
3. MAC #287 Duo fiber brush: Seriously, where have you been all my life!! Best brush to conceal under eyes ever. (find it at any MAC store or www.maccosmetics.com)
   
4. LA Girl Pro Concealers: These are probably the 2nd best concealers I've ever used and they are less than $3! (MAC prolong wear is still my ultimate favorite) They are so creamy but dry so perfectly without creasing. Great for highlighting and contouring. (Find it at http://www.ikatehouse.com/la-girl-conceal.html for $2.49)
   
5. MAC #210 Precision brush: I've been struggling for so long trying not to make my gel liner too thick and I finally found my answer. This brush is sooo thin that you can't go wrong. (find it at any MAC store or www.maccosmetics.com)
   
6. MAC  Prep + Prime Natural Radiance: People have been asking me, "Do you airbrush yourself?" because my skin has been looking super flawless lately. Although it may be partially due to my amazing MAC prolong wear foundation I think I have this primer to thank as well. Instead of trying to explain it's amazingness here's a description from the MAC website.(find it at any MAC store or www.maccosmetics.com) A silky gel emulsion, rich in natural ingredients, that hydrates and primes to improve foundation or powder application, control oil and promote smooth texture. Vitamins E and C protect with antioxidants, while caffeine calms skin. Illuminating pearl powders reflect optic brightening. Now in two shades; Radiant yellow especially effective on deeper skin tones and Radiant Pink for fairer skin tones. The formula disappears upon application, resulting in a beautiful glow. (www.maccosmetics.com)
   
7. Dr Brandt Pores No More: If you have pores you'll love this stuff! After your done with foundation (or before) pat this on to the areas where you have large pores, then powder. WAHLAH! no more pores! (Find it at Ulta or Sephora)
   
8. Dose of Colors False lashes "Showstopper": My favorite lashes of life. That's all :) (find it at www.doseofcolors.com)
   
9. Lime Crime Velvetine Matte lipstick: I love how unique the colors are and they last forever on your lips. Some of my favorites are Suedeberry, Pink Velvet, Wicked and Utopia. (find it at www.limecrime.com or www.naimies.com)
   
10. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge: If you love the beauty blender this is an amazing dupe for it. I think I may even like it a little more due to its shape. It's about $5.99 at Ulta and worth every penny. (find it at Ulta, Khols, or Target)
    

MU Before & After Controversy

-Jill Raposo

I'm sure by now most of you have seen a ton of articles on "The transformative power of makeup". As most of you have seen the transformation can often times be dramatic and amazing. But what upsets me about this whole thing is the fact that people are often deemed "ugly" in their before's and "fake" in their afters.  As a makeup artist I have witnessed the power of makeup and how much it can change someone for the better, never the worst. It is amazing how someone who has been picked on for a birthmark, imperfection, acne, etc can take on a new confidence through makeup. I have had clients on the verge of tears saying "they've never FELT this beautiful". That is the key word, FELT. It's not always about looking beautiful, it's about feeling beautiful. 

Do you blame someone for wanted to cover something they don't like? Some might say it is to trick men into thinking you're beautiful but if you ask a real man they would know that beauty comes from the inside. Makeup can never make you pretty on the inside, and even a girl with a face full of makeup can be ugly. Beauty is what you portray not how you appear. Unfortunately we live in a superficial world consumed by reality TV and celebrities and think our standard should be to look like Kim Kardashian. It's impossible to have a face full of imperfections these day and walk out the door without feeling ugly. So when you see these "before" pictures of girls with imperfection and the "afters" of them looking flawless it's not because they're "fake" its because they want to feel beautiful and maybe fit in with the superficial standards of the world. 

Jill's Top 5 Beauty Gurus

-Jill

As most of you know I am a self taught artist. I haven't gone to any makeup schools or haven't been taught by any specific individual. I have however mastered my skills with the help of some beauty gurus. I have never stopped learning and still continue to watch videos from these amazing artists to stay current with trends and to keep getting better and better. So if you have a passion in makeup and don't know how to get better without spending tons of money on school here's some of my favorite gurus that can help you out.

1. Kandee Johnson: My ULTIMATE favorite beauty guru and reason why I started makeup. This girl has a heart of gold and is just purely awesome. 

   

   https://www.youtube.com/user/kandeejohnson
2. Jaclyn Hill: A former MAC employee and Boston native. She's a little crazy at times but totally skilled. 

   

   https://www.youtube.com/user/Jaclynhill1
3. Nicole Guerriero: I LOVE this girl. She's so talented, funny, and REAL. Sometimes YouTube gurus can come off really fake to get attention but she is so genuine and enjoyable to watch.

   

   https://www.youtube.com/user/nguerriero19/featured
4. Chrisspy: If you like extreme looks, this is your gal. She's amazing at winged liner, cut creases, and mega contour. 

   

   https://www.youtube.com/user/ChrisspyMakeup
5. Gossmakeupartist: This guy has great product reviews/advice and has great tips & tricks. I'm not crazy about his tutorials because they're usually on himself but he's on point with great product recommendations. 

   

   https://www.youtube.com/user/gossmakeupartist

Brown smokey eye

Benefit's Push up liner Review

I am such a sucker for new products, especially products that claim to make you're life easier. When I heard about the new Benefit push up liner, I was psyched! I couldn't wait to go to Sephora and get my hands on it! I had seen it all over YouTube and thought it was a "must have" product that would probably be sold out everywhere because it was so great. Boy, was I wrong. 

Here's what Benefit claims it to be...
Benefit They’re Real! Push-Up Liner is the first foolproof and budge-proof gel liner in a pen. This eyeliner’s soft AccuFlex™ tip is custom-angled to draw an easy line. Its flat, wide guard gently pushes lashes aside to get close to lash line. A gorgeous way to open up eyes, this matte black gel formula won’t dry out, and its cutting-edge tip ensures a precise line every time. 

Sounds great right?! Wellllll.... It sucks. I was so disappointed!!! The applicator tip does not give you a "foolproof" wing liner and I actually found it more difficult than just using a liner brush. I also didn't like how dry it rubbed on. It didn't glide on at all and I had to keep twisting the tube to crank out more liner as I was going. Maybe mine was just a bad tube but I think if it were a bit more wet it would've worked better. If you've tried it out and love it or hate it, comment below!! 

If I could only own 10 products...

-Jill Raposo

Although I hope the day never comes that I would only own just 10 products. If I had to choose 10 products/tools here's what they would be. (no particular order)

1. MAC Fix Plus spray: I can honestly say that there's not one day that I go without using this product. If you're going to purchase just one product from MAC let this be it. I use this spray before and after I apply my makeup. I use it to wet my shadows so that they illuminate more and last longer and it's also great for a hot day at the beach to refreshen your skin. What it is, is an aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, and cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of sufi.  It adds radiance and really makes your makeup look dewy and natural.  
   
2. MAC Mineralize skin finish natural: I've used numerous face powders in the past and absolutely none compare to this line. This powder provides the most natural, comfortable, and flawless finish on the skin and comes in a great variety of color tones. 
   
3. Sigma F80 brush: If you are going to buy 1 brush let it be this one. This brush is SOOO great for applying foundation and unlike any other. The bristles are so compact and soft that it creates the most beautiful airbrushed finish without any effort. Just dab it into your foundation and buff it around your skin and you won't be sorry! 
   
4. MAC #286 brush. I never knew how important it was to have a proper blending brush until I found this baby. This is by far my most favorite blending brush. The bristles on this brush are just the perfect length and softness for giving your shadow the most airbrushed effect. 
   
5. MAC Pro longwear concealer: Definitely the longest lasting concealer with the best coverage. I've been using this concealer for years and have never found a need to use any other. It doesn't crease under the eye and doesn't fade throughout the day. Its also great to add to a BB cream to get a little extra coverage for an all over face application.
   
6. Benefit "They're Real!" Mascara. I've tried them all! This is my super duper favorite! After my lash extensions made all my real lashes fall off this mascara really came through for me. Although I was left with hardly any lashes this at least made me look normal! On a regular bases this mascara does make it look like you have falsies on. 
   
7. Maybelline Eye studio get liner: After trying many high end brands of gel liner I always return to my Maybelline gel liner. This liner is so long lasting, smooth to apply, and super bold. It's also affordable! Gotta love great drug store products!
   
8. Lorac Pro Palette. If I had to do a job with just one palette this would be it. It has such a great variety of colors and I mostly love that there are an even amount of mattes and shimmers. There are natural tones and beautiful smokey tones all in one palette. 
   
9. MAC Paint Pot in the shade Painterly. I use this on mostly every single client and on myself before applying shadow. This creates such an even base for shadow to stick to and also enhances the shadow color. 
   
10. Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner. This has been my favorite liner for years now. Its so dramatic, smooth to apply and long lasting. 
    
    
    
    
    

Lash Extensions

I really didn't want to have to do this because a lot of my close friends offer lash extensions. But as a beauty blogger, I feel it's my obligation. First and foremost, this is just MY opinion. So I recently did lash extensions for the first time and here are my thoughts. Although they look GORGEOUS and its so great to wake up looking fabulous, I just could not get used to them! To me, they just weren't comfortable. They felt as if I used super glue mascara and were terribly hard and itchy. As they grew out I also didn't like how tangled they started to get in my other lashes and how messy they started to look. And mostly, it is nearly impossible to use eyeshadow without having it stick to the lash extensions. So after a fabulous smokey eye, I was left with powdery looking lashes that I was unable to clean. I tried a wet lash wand and cleaning them with a wipe but nothing fully cleaned them except a shower. So in conclusion I removed them and was left with kermit the frog looking eyes.  And if you're wondering how I removed them, I didn't just pull them off (ouch!). I used a lot of steam and baby oil to remove them as gently as possible but the result was inevitable. My fabulous natural lashes have now been compromised and it's going to be a lot of false lash strips for this girl, until they grow back! I do not blame my friend who did them in any way and don't believe they were done improperly, they just weren't for me. 

As a makeup artist, here are my words of wisdom...

• DO NOT do them immediately before your wedding for the first time. Try them at least 6 months in advance, that way if you don't like them you have time for you lashes to repair themselves.
• Be prepared for your lash extensions to have eye shadow stick to them, it's inevitable! (if anyone has any suggestions of how to avoid this please comment below).
• Lash strips are so much better! I'm a lash strip junkie and have been using them for years and I must say that although they are a pain to put on at least they don't damage your lashes. 

Ugh the things were do for beauty!! In the end, I'm not mad that I gave them a shot. I believe in trying everything once and at least now I can offer some lash extension advice to my clients.