Has beauty become an unrealistic expectation?

-Jill Raposo
Let me just start off by saying,  I love the Kardshians. They're stylish, beautiful, and entertaining. But have they taken the idea of beauty too far??

Kim has opened the doors for curvy girls to embrace their curves and for that I am thankful. That was all good and dandy until her butt kept growing and her waist kept shrinking to an unachievable state. Regardless of whether it's a result of hard work or surgery what I don't get is why it's gets taken even further and photoshopped. More and more celebrities have been found guilty of photoshopping their own selfies when there's no need for it!

Kylie Jenner has made her mark in the world for her now famous "plump lips". How she achieves them is the mystery everyone's has been dying to know. Some speculate that it's lip injections or fillers while she claims that it's just a result of overdrawn lip liner. As a result of this Kylie lip craze, girls have been overdrawing their lips, using lip plumping devices, and even getting injections to "keep up with the Kardashians".

I get it! This is why they are successful and how they make their money. But what I don't like is the fact that it makes being beautiful almost unachievable now a days. Beauty is now being defined by perfect bushy arched brows, long thick hair, high cheekbones, plump lips, a tiny waist, and a big ass. The influence these girls have had has spread like wildfire.

It never seemed to bother me until I've realized that it's affecting the makeup world tremendously! Makeup has now gone beyond just the makeup. The instagram girls I've been following for years have all morphed into Kardashian look a likes!  It started with the famous Kim K. contour which I love, but has slowly morphed into so much more, and photoshop to top it all off! In every instagram photo I look at they have super plump lips, high cheeks, and lashes for days. And these girls are posting selfies on a daily basis! It makes you think, are they getting ready all day just to take a picture and then spending a bunch of time afterwards to edit it?  I say this by no means to be a "hater" or out of jealousy BY ANY MEANS. I'm confident in who I am and have no interest in becoming anyone else. I simply bring the issue up to concentrate on the fact that real beauty has been taken over by artificial beauty.

It pains me when a client brings me an instagram photo of makeup. Although I love recreating a look I cannot give you high cheekbones, plump lips, and bushier brows without you looking totally overdone in person. People don't realize the these pictures have been severely altered and enhanced to look picture perfect. This is something that Nicole and I have stuggled with as artists for a long time. We are constantly trying to recreate these "instagram" looks and once we think we've got it we take a picture and it's not even close. Even with a great camera and lighting there's just no way to make it "picture perfect" without enhancements. That is one of the reasons why I don't post a lot of makeup looks on instagram. There's just no point! I will not succumb to photoshop and if you're looking at my work and another artist that does use photoshop you're just going to think they're better.

I just wish people would be themselves and be proud of it. It would make young girls grow up with less bullying, more realistic expectations, and less emphasis on the unimportant things in life. Life isn't about spending all day in the mirror and taking selfies all day. It's about enjoying the people and experiences around you. Life is short, so don't make it even shorter by cluttering it with unrealistic expectations.

Beauty comes from within, the outside is just a bonus ;)

Comment below with your opinion! Do celebrities influence your idea of beauty?

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.