FINE: The Basics of Beauty

I just finished watching Sam Fine’s new DVD, FINE: The Basics of Beauty.  Awww…I’m in love all over again. Now, I remember why I admire and look up to him. He is an amazing makeup artist. He has a way of bring out the best features on a woman’s face. 

FINE: The Basics of Beauty DVD

I read his book, Fine Beauty, years ago. It had a lot of helpful tips to get me started with basic makeup application. This DVD is a great follow up to his book. The set up of the DVD is straight forward and easy to follow. No matter the level of one’s expertise, the step by step style he used, makes for a great learning experience. 

I just had to share! Check out the DVD, if you are a visual learner like I am!!

 

Thots,

Tiwa

Product Review: Myrabelle Mascara Shield

The World Wide Web is an amazing place. Through the web, I have been able to read many reviews of makeup and beauty products. Some of the reviews are soooo compelling, that being the Makeup Junkie that I am…I get mesmerized. I usually end up walking myself directly to the store or logging on to product’s website and making the purchase. Only to get the item and realize it doesn’t work quiet the way I expected. I have come to realize, I can’t rely totally on what others have to say. The products that works for one person might not necessary work for me or my clients. So, every now and then, I will do reviews on products I purchase. I promise I will give you my honest, unbiased personal opinion. Armed with that information, you can then do your own research and see if the product is something you would like to add to your “makeup bag”.

Myrabelle Mascara Shield

Do you ever get mascara on your eyelids when you apply mascara to your lashes? My sister and I have extremely curly lashes so this is typical with us. It can be so annoying!!! I purchased the Myrabelle Mascara Shield to help eliminate this problem.

The Shield

Instructions

 Pros:

Great idea

Easy to clean

Would probably get the job done if you have very long eyelashes

Added bonus: The shield is Pink. My favorite color!!!

Cons:

The curve of the shield does not fit all eye shapes

The shield disturbs and smudges eye shadow applied to the eyelids

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Verdict:

If you ask me, the old business card trick works better than this mascara shield.

Price: 5 out of 5 (Very Reasonable)

Creativity: 5 out of 5 (Very Smart Idea!)

Packaging: 5 out of 5 (Nice! Great instructions and I like that the shield is Pink, lol)

Functionality: 3 out of 5 (It doesn’t work for all eye shapes, therefore it doesn’t do the job for me)

Thots,

Tiwa

FTC Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this company. I purchased the item with my personal funds. I was not paid to use or review these products.

Cold as Ice…

One of my favorite photographers, Chi Brown of Vibrant Photographics, contacted me about a concept for a model, named Ms. Ice. He wanted her to have a frozen look. This is how I translated his vision.  I think it turned out nice. What do you think?

Photography by Vibrant Photographics

Eyebrows, Glasses and Makeup

So, I have been wearing glasses since the 6^th grade. I started wearing contacts towards the end of high school but I wear glasses on a daily basis (I wear contacts on weekends or “special” occasions). That leads me to the reason for this post. Eyebrows, Eyebrows, Eyebrows…. I personally believe eyebrows are very important, because they frame the face. If you wear glasses (or sunglasses) the importance of well groomed eyebrows increases significantly, because glasses draw attention to the brow bone.

Image Credit

I have tried all types of methods to shape my eyebrows:

• Waxing
• Plucking with tweezers
• Threading
• Shaping my brows myself with a “eyebrow razor”

My favorite methods are threading and using an “eyebrow razor”. Waxing is ok, but really, if the person doing it doesn’t get it right the first time, then you are out of luck. I do think plucking is necessary to get rid of stray hairs and to give a polished look, but plucking your whole eyebrows takes forever.

I have found threading to be more precise. They take only a few hairs at a time, so one can avoid going overboard. With shaping your own brows you are in control, (but you must have steady hands). Always, make sure to take a step back from the mirror and put on your glasses in the process to ensure your brows are proportional, and then continue.

Some random things to think about when it comes to wearing glasses and makeup:

• Make sure you blend your foundation and powder properly- The handles of glasses and the nose pieces have a tendency to take off some of our makeup. Blending the foundation will help to limit how much comes off.
• Practice good hygiene with your glasses (or sunglasses)- This will prevent you from breaking out at the areas that touch your skin. To clean your glasses, put some minted alcohol on a cotton pad, then wipe the handles and nose piece. Next, rinse your glasses with warm water, then wipe it down. (Disclaimer: Use your discretion before you use alcohol on your glasses. Glasses frames are made from different materials. Plastic frames work better with this cleaning method).
  

I hope you find this helpful!

Thots,

Tiwa

 

Celebrity Inspirations: Solange Knowles

And another one…

So, I was watching the 2009 Video Music Awards (VMA’s) last month (I know I am late, lol) and apart from all the drama which took place that night, a few people really caught my eye. Case in point: Solange Knowles, I had to take a second look at her. I totally loved her new look, it was refreshing. Her makeup was on point and it fit perfectly with her new hair cut. Below is a picture of Solange at the VMA’s:

Solange at the 2009 VMA's

Below is a picture of a similar look created on a model (Ayanna). Photography by Anthony Cole

Face:

I used my Graftobian foundation Palette to find her perfect match.  Feel free to use whatever concealer, foundation and powder that works best on your skin type.

Eyebrows:

Smashbox Brow Tech- in Brunette

Eyes:

NYX White (inner lids)

NYX Deep Charcoal (middle of lids)

MAC in Carbon (outer lids)

White Pearl Pigment (to highlight the brow bone)

MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating (to line the waterline)

Urban Decay Liquid Liner- Perversion

Lashes:

Marykay Ultimate Mascara in Black

False Lashes – Flash in F15 Black

Lips:

Lancome Lip Colouring Stick in Fraichelle

NYX Lip Liner in Pinky

Light pink lipstick from my lip palette

Cheeks:

Ben Nye Blush in Desert Coral

Finish the look off with a bronzer of your choice. I used Max Factor Color Genius Bronzer in Sun Kissed

My next entry will be about Eyebrows and Glasses!!

Thots,

Tiwa

Celebrity Inspirations: Katy Perry

I love Katy Perry’s style. The modern vintage pin-up look is really her thing. Her eye makeup really pops in this picture…which gave me  an idea, why not recreate some of my favorite celebrity looks but add my own twist to it.

I recreated the look at a 50’s pin-up photoshoot recently…but I decided to go with red lips instead. The model, Morgan was a pleasure to work with. Photography by Ed Frazier.

For this look I used glitter (which can be very messy). Make sure you pack on the glitter with a disposable applicator, rather than using an eye shadow brush. Also, spray a liquid set on the applicator. MAC has one it is called Fix +.

Disclamier: Please be aware, not all glitter is safe for the eye area. The glitter particles can scratch the cornea. So please be careful when dealing with glitter around your eyes.

Face:

Use whatever concealer, foundation and powder that works best on your skin type. Make sure the products match your skin tone perfectly and blend, blend, blend.

Eyebrows:

Smashbox Brow Tech- in Brunette

Eyes:

NYX Eye Pencil in Silver (inner lids)

NYX Eye Pencil in Black Bean (outer lids)

MAC Reflects Pearl Glitter (inner lids)

MAC in Carbon (outer lids)

White Pearl Pigment (to highlight the brow bone)

MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating (to line the waterline)

Urban Decay Liquid Liner- Perversion

Lashes:

Cover Girl Lashblast mascara waterproof in very black (I curled her lashes before I applied the mascara)

False Lashes- Ardell Lashes #116

Lips:

Rimmel Lip liner in Ravish

MAC Red Lipstick

Cheeks:

MAC Intenso Mineralized Blush

I used Pro MUA Hightlighter (in Light) above her cheekbones

Enjoy!

Thots,

Tiwa