MY PORTFOLIO

Best Lipgloss for $7

Nyx Mega Shine Lipgloss

$6.99

I just love pulling out my Nyx lipgloss, they're very
pretty and have really great pigments.  Nyx
lipgloss comes in creamy, metallic, pearl, and
sheer finishes.  I recommend Nyx lipglosses
to everyone because of the wide variety of colors
and finishes to choose from (very suitable on many
different skin tones).   I personally feel that this
line is somewhat comparable to MAC Cosmetics.
Because of the range of vivid colors and all of the 
different finishes.  Nyx lipgloss has a slight vanilla
scent and a slanted doe foot applicator.  I am
still working on owning every single one.  I am
a true Nyx Cosmetics fan!!!

Starting from the right side 
120A Sponge Cake
122 Natural
135 Soda Pop
157 Chandelier
113 French Kiss
129 Beige
155 Perfect
145 Salsa

Starting from the right side
112 Frosted Beige
105 Gold
135A Beige Pearl
121 Vanilla
117 Chestnut

Starting from the right side

discontinued-Nyx Girls 31 Red Tint

135 Orchid

Nutmeg

144 Copper Penny

141 Silver Plum

133 Burgundy

134 Sunrise

126 Plush Red

Since I don't have swatches of my own, I found some
good videos to demonstrate the beauty of these glosses.
Please watch and subscribe to the following videos.

Makeup Books: For Beginners

Great Books to Improve your Makeup Skills!!!

I love makeup books.  I have a pretty big makeup
book collection.  I created a list of books for women
who are curious to learn more about makeup.
Books can get costly and plus, im a sucker for
deals, so check out these titles out on Amazon
or any other discount book site.


 

Looking Younger by Robert Jones $21.95

I love this guy, especially his books.

Because there is so much to know

about makeup, and he does an excellent

job in breaking everything down.

Trust me you will need this book

if you desire to look better and younger.

Makeup Makeovers:Weddings by Robert Jones  $19.95
One of it's kind, created just for brides, but the
cool thing is the steps may be applied towards
everyday makeup application.  If you plan to apply
your own makeup on your big day "Buy This Book"

The 5 Minute Face by Carmindy $16.99
I really love Carmindy, she has a great spirit.
I found myself pretty impressed with her on the
TLC show "What not to Wear".  I recommend
all of Carmindy's books particularly this one.  I
Love how she put the reality in the fact that most
women don't have the luxury of time to apply makeup.
The 5 minute face shows you how it is possible
to look great under 10 min.  This book is good
for everyone particularly busy moms and business women.

 Iman: The Beauty of Color $29.95
Finally a great book for ethnic women.  Book has great photos of celebrities from Selma Hayek to Tyra Banks.  This book offers an understanding on how to choose products for your tone and how  not to be afraid to experiment and play with bold or striking colors.

Jemma Kidd: Make-up Masterclass $24.99 
I just knew that this artist sold her makeup at Target. 
This book made me open my eyes to her. This book
is in my top favorites.  This book also has so many
tips, illustrations, and how-to's,  it's for everyone,
"just get it"

Bobbi Brown: Makeup Manuel For Everyone from

Beginner to Pro $32.00

Bobbi's best book, this is a great book

and I would recommend it to almost everyone

who is interested in makeup application.

Vogue Beauty $35.00
Pretty book, I love art and great beauty shots.
This book is filled with them, it is a classic.
Caution: it does have slight nudity in it
Which doesn't bother me because it's natural.
This book contains info on hair, skin, body,
nails and perfume.  If you are a perfume
fanatic you will love this book.

 Plastic Surgery Without the Surgery:The Miracle of Makeup Techniques by Eve Pearl $14.95
This is a wonderful book filled with techniques
and tips to challenge yourself, and boost up your skills.
This book is on corrective makeup, and it may
seem a little advanced for a beginner, but I feel it can
teach you alot about how to work with your bone
structure.  This will take your makeup
application to another level.

Glamour Gurlz by Joanna Schlip $19.95
Great book for teens starting out with makeup.
Great photographs and easy to follow and understand.

Thalia Belleza! Lessons in Lipgloss and Happiness $19.95

This book surprised me, it's a really good book I

totally recommend it for women with olive skin tones.

Thalia's book has alot of tips, illustrations and pretty

pictures.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes:

Nothing Is Better Than Clean Tools!!

I absolutely love cleaning my brushes I don't know why,
I remember while freelancing at MAC Cosmetics how the other artists absolutely hated the thought of cleaning brushes so I would volunteer to do them. As an artist Working on many different faces everyday clean tools for each client is a must.

It is important to cleanse your brushes because they can contaminate and ruin your makeup or will cause you to have bad reactions whenever you use them. Brushes can be quite expensive so in order to maintain the quality of your brushes you must take good care of them. 

It may seem tedious to cleanse your brushes after every use, especially if your the only one using your brushes.  I recommend washing your brushes after the 4th time of use.  

This also includes sponges and the biggie your eyelash curler. Eyelash curlers can get pretty gross if neglected too long.

Here's How I Clean My Brushes:

• I get a small glass bowl (plastic ok too)
• Drop a pea size amount of baby shampoo in the bowl then add warm water (not too much) filling it midway
• Stick brush in the water still holding it (never let your brushes sit in the water too long with too much water, brushes eventually will fall apart)
• After 5-6 Seconds start to move the brush around slowly and you will see all the remnants of makeup in the water
• When you feel it's clean enough take  brush out of the bowl, hold brush so bristle/hairs are facing downward
• Rinse with luke warm water and squeeze out the excess water in the brush and reshape so you can lay brush down to dry.  (never pull down at the bristles while squeezing out the water or reshaping as this will pull brush hairs out of the ferrule)

Everyone cleans their brushes differently so I found these videos of the top makeup gurus on youtube demonstrating how they clean their brushes. Try my method or try the gurus. I felt I should show you more options so you  can find what works for you.

Best Makeup Santizer

THE SOLUTION TO MAKEUP BACTERIA: 

A PRO MUST!!!

 

BANISH BACTERIA WITH THE WORLD'S FIRST COSMETIC SANITIZER

This product is for everyone, pro makeup artists, and makeup users. To prevent acne or skin irritations you must be sure each product and tool used on your face is clean, safe and bacteria-free.

Over time all makeup gets bacteria on it from the oil on our skin, fingers and even bacteria that is in the air.

Even if you’re the only person using your makeup products, bacteria from the environment and the natural oils in your skin can easily contaminate all of your products – especially powders!
 

Some makeup items may be sanitized with alcohol such as waxy or creamy things, but alcohol may ruin your pressed powders eyeshadows and blushes.

 BeautySoClean removes bacteria from your makeup without altering or drying it out!

While working, the most important thing to me, besides being professional is to have all my products clean, and sanitized before and after each client.  

You never want to be the reason someone broke out or worse the spread of conjunctivitis (pink eye) because your makeup was dirty.  Always clean after each client to prevent cross contamination.

Make sure to spray down creams and powders, with BeautySoClean to ensure that they are sanitized. 
The wipes are cool to use on mascara, lip gloss, and lipsticks.

This is a must have product for everyone especially the aspiring makeup artist.  While your in practice mode with friends and family, this is a great time to exercise sanitation precautions before working with paying clients.

FACTS:
“In a laboratory study Beauty So Clean was clinically proven to effectively remove Staphylococcus Aureus, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Escherichia Coli (E. coli). These bacterium were found on makeup from personal makeup bags and in-store tester displays. BeautySoClean has been specially formulated with the perfect balance of alcohol and emollients. So, not only will it never dry out or degrade your products, it actually will not alter the pigments!”

Spray: Oils from your skin and skincare products ultimately wind up on the surfaces of your makeup, leaving bacteria behind ; but daily use of Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist on new makeup will remove bacteria and keep your products looking new.

Wipes: Using a Cosmetic Sanitizer Wipe on your lip-gloss wand, mascara wands or lipstick tubes after each application will help prevent this contamination and ensures that they stay fresh and bacteria free.


MakeupByRenRen does a good review demonstrating  Beauty So Clean, so check it out.  I felt inspired to add some Enkore vids on sanitation as well so watch, learn, and enjoy!

Eye Cream Recipes

Eye creams can get pretty expensive, so try some of these recipes I found in this great book.  I guarantee you that the natural ingredients used in these recipes may be better than the products on the current market.


Cocoa Butter Eye Cream

Cocoa butter is a great emollient. It smooths wrinkles, leaving your skin flexible and well moisturized

3 Vitamin E Capsules
2 teaspoons cocoa butter

Instructions: Cut off the tip of the capsules. In a small bowl, mix the oil from

 the capsules with the cocoa butter. 

Mix well.

Application: Gently apply around the eye area in the morning and the evening.

Green Eye Cream

Avocados are abundant in essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish skin inside and out. Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin.

1 small cucumber
1/2 teaspoon mashed avocado

Instructions: In a blender, puree the cucumber. In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of the pureed cucumber and the avocado.

Application: Apply this gently to the eye area every morning and evening



Brighten Eye Cream

Avocados contain more protein than any other fruit. Their natural oils offer hydration. Sour cream will lighten dark circles.

1 teaspoon avocado
1/2 teaspoon sour cream

Instructions: In a small bowl, mash the avocado with a fork. Blend in the sour cream and mix well.

Application: Massage this gently around the eye area every morning and evening



Almond Soft Eye Cream

Almond oil is safe to use around the eyes. It can heal even red or irritated skin. Combined with mayonnaise, it perfectly softens to prevent fine lines.

1 tablespoon almond oil
1 tablespoon mayonnaise

Instructions: In a small bowl, combine the oil and mayonnaise. Mix well.

Application: Gently apply around the eye area



Avocado Repairing Eye Cream

Avocados are high in vitamin E. When they are combined with vitamin E oil, you'll have a rich emollient that keeps fine lines at bay. Use sparingly.

1 avocado
3 vitamin E oil capsules

Instructions: Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of avocado in a small bowl and mash it. Cut of the tips of the capsules. Squeeze the oil onto the avocado and mix well.

Application: Massage a small amount of this gently around the eye area.


No puffy-Eyes

A little potassium will hide even the most sleepless nights from under your eyes.

1 small potato

Instructions: Shred the potato, then wrap it in a small piece of gauze.

Application: Put this over your eyes and rest for 15 min. Rinse with warm water, then apply your night eye cream.


Book: Return to Beauty:Old-World Recipes for Great Radiant Skin
Author: Narine Nikogosian