Phamexpo This weekend

This weekend is the Phamexpo(Professional Hair and Makeup Expo) in Los Angeles. The event is open to the public and super beneficial to pros and the beauty lover.  The launch of the expo was last year and it was really intimate and similar to IMATS with professional speakers within the industry, workshops and vendor deals on purchases. In fact it’s the same place where Imats is held and Phamexpo replaced the original Imats date before it moved to January. So We now have 3 makeup conventions, (that i know of)! How awesome is that?!  I assume since the buzz is getting around and this year will be a lot more people, which is good because as an artist or makeup lover it is important to support these expos so they keep coming back with awesome beauty deals and insightful information for pro and aspiring artists. Not so great because of the crowds but great to be around other artists  and like minded people who share your passion. Lets face it, not everyone understands the methods to our madness. The speakers and education they have to offer is enough to go even if you can’t buy anything.

Last year I meat a few other artists who has helped me get to where I am today. It’s amazing for networking, learning and to get products and learn about what’s new.  I highly recommend this event if you are in the Los Angeles area, aspiring artist, makeup lover. It’s all good! http://www.phamexpo.com

I will be in this workshop taught by the amazing Donna Mee on sunday. I am currently an Empire Student and TRUST when I say you want to hear what she has to say. She’s absolutely amazing!

Come out and support the industry we love and appreciate! What are you waiting for?!?! 😛

Are you going to the Phamexpo this year?
Www.phamexpo.com

Black Friday Deal from Skin Authority!

I LOVE Black Friday(I am a shopaholic) because they are always amazing deals everywhere! For me it outshines Thanksgiving…is that weird? I’m always so excited so I don’t mind standing outside in the cold, all night for a good deal. Although i REFUSE  to camp out for days…its not THAT serious. I really do wish more makeup brands had black friday deals(actually maybe that’s good for my wallet that they don’t).

Well Skin Authority has announced an AMAZING black friday deal. Buy one get one free. Enough said!

Skin Authority is arguably one of my favorite skin care brands so I gotta show them lots of love, why? because it WORKS!  And the staff amazing and so helpful! I have reviewed a couple of their products and I will review more within the next week. Hopefully I can find some time with my busy schedule.

You don’t have to stand in the cold for this deal! To participate in the Black Friday Weekend Event beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, November 29, visit the Skin Authority website: www.skinauthority.com/blackfriday to begin shopping. Want to shop in person? The website lists participating Skin Authority authorized retail and spa locations and will continue to be updated until Black Friday.

Not sure what to buy? Skin Authority offers specially trained and certified Skin Care Coaches to assist customers in choosing the right products. They listen to needs, help set goals, recommend the best products, and hold your hand throughout the entire process. Skin Care Coaching is free and available in-person at participating retail locations, through the Skin Authority website: www.skinauthority.com/myskincoach or via phone at 1-866-325-7546, option 4.

Stay tuned for more details!

Crown Brush- My Personal Favorites

My Favorite Brushes from Crown

I love a good makeup brush. More so I love a good, inexpensive makeup brush. Every IMATS or Makeup Show I NEED to stop by Crown Brush to stock up on my favorites and see what they might have new in stock. They are really inexpensive and some are really good quality, others not so much. With prices like $5, $7 or $10 for some good brushes, how can one not stock up?  I am particularly fancy the eye brushes because they are really good dupes for a lot of Mac or Sigma brushes. They are synthetic brushes and get the job done. The quality is par considering the prices. Here are some of my favorites that I use daily at home and in my kit. I own multiple of these babies and I could always use more 🙂

C204 Red sable Oval- A flat shader brush I use to pack on eyeshadow. I also like using this for cream eyeshadows or pigments because it is synthetic. It is really soft and dense.

C205 Red Sable Oval- The smaller version of the C204 I like to use to get in the smaller areas like the crease and the inner corners of the eye. Because of the pointed round tip, I also like to use this as a smudge brush and/or as a lip brush. I own a few of these.

C433 Pro Blending Fluff-An exact dupe to the Mac 217 blending brush. I love, love this brush and I own quite a few of these. They are super soft, blend beautifully and they don’t shed.

Mac pencil Brush vs. Crown Pencil Brush

C431 Precision Detail- A Dupe to the Mac 210 brush. The crown brush is a bit more thicker but I don’t mind the thickness. I use this for detail work in the crease and to smudge shadows, liner, etc.

C149 Small Round Contour- I like this one for detailing work on the lash lines or in the crease.

Crown has brushes that are dupes(They have no names or numbers) to the Sigma Precision Eye and Face brushes. I only got the dupe to the P80 Precision Flat brush. I like it and it serves it’s purpose. The Sigma brush is fuller and more dense. I like using this for concealer and/or to apply cream eyeshadow.

Crown Brush vs. Sigma P80 Brush

Crown has a brush(with no name or number) that is a dupe to the Mac 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush. I believe the Mac brush is more dense but again this one serves it’s purpose well. I kike using this brush for any cream product, especially blush and highlight. When I use this for foundation I find that it streaks a bit, probably because the brush isn’t as dense.

Dupe for Mac 130 Brush

Illamasqua free international &UK shipping!

Happy hauling!!!

Celebrate your alter ego this weekend with FREE UK & international delivery on all orders. Available across the full Illamasqua range, including the new Human Fundamentalism collection, it is the perfect opportunity to push your limits with a bold new shade and create your new springtime look.

FREE UK Standard Delivery: Enter promotion code: UK2012

FREE International Delivery when you spend £45: Enter promotion code: INTER45

Both offers end at Midnight GMT Sunday 1st April.

Real Techniques Brush Set-Core Collection

These brushes were created by makeup artist and YouTube sensation Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo from the UK. These brushes are designed to use on the face. They are synthetic brushes so they work great with liquid and cream products. Likewise I feel they also work perfectly with powder products. These are fabulous all around brushes. They pretty much do anything. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE these brushes, so much I bought two sets. The price is just as brilliant as the product. I use them daily and can not see my makeup life without them.

Available in Ulta stores and online, The Core Collection set comes with 4 brushes. They include:

A detailed brush– I think this was ideally made to use with concealer but I actually like this as a lip brush. I like to use it to apply lipstick and to get a nice sharp outline of the lips.

Pointed foundation brush– In my opinion this is too small to apply foundation all over the face. I think it’s fine to get in the small spaces like the sides of the nose or around the lips. I like using this brush for concealer under the eyes or on dark or red spots. I love it as a contour brush. I get a good contour of the nose and the cheeks with this brush, especially when I use creams or liquid.

Buffing brush-I think this brush is brilliant! It’s so soft and so dense, I love how my foundation looks when I apply with this brush. If I could marry this brush I would. It’s great with ANY product; cream, liquid or powder, it gives a flawless finish when applying liquid foundation. It even works great with my Bare Minerals. I like it for cream blush too. I can’t stress enough how wonderful this brush is so let’s move on.

Contour brush– Another favorite of mine, perfect for cream and powders. With it’s pointed tip this is good for highlighting and contouring the face. I also love applying my blushes with this because the tip puts the product exactly where you want it.  Application is super easy and perfect.

Quick Review:

Product: 5/5- Excellent value for excellent very soft brushes. These brushes are universal and can be used with just about any product; cream, liquid, powder. Great all around brushes.

Packaging: 5/5- The brushes are not big, bulky or heavy and they come with a cute travel case/stand. The brushes are also colored with like aluminum handles so they stand out from the usual black brushes.

Price: 5/5- $17.99 for 4 brushes, you really can’t beat that! In the US they are only available at Ulta stores and online. You also get a nice travel case/stand (not pictured -sorry) to hold your brushes. This is an excellent starter face brush kit or if you just want to add more brushes to your collection. Perfect additions to any brush junky’s stash.

Makeup Show LA Preview!

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SOOOO, I finally have some time to do some writing! What a busy, fabulous weekend! Friday night was spent working on the play production of Once on this Island and Saturday with St. Patty’s Day and the Makeup Show LA!

Makeup Show was a fabulous show, well organized, great speakers and seminars and just so much fun! For those who don’t know, the Makeup Show is a makeup convention where makeup brands sell their products for as little as 30% off to as much as 60% off their prices. Vendors included Makeup Forever, Inglot, Kevyn Aucion, Smashbox, Naimes, Nigel’s, OCC, Alcone and so many more. It’s a great way to network, learn what’s new in the beauty-shere and of course buy products for your profession or your obsession. I bought a lot of good products (Inglot was my favorite spot), some stuff for my makeup kit and stuff I wanted to try out for my personal stash. I didn’t really take as many pictures as I would have liked but I was too busy buying stuff 🙂 I didn’t get to see a lot of the panels I wanted to see and I didn’t take advantage of the Professional Resource area like I wanted to, so I’m a bit bummed. I was just so overwhelmed. Next year for sure I’ll have a much better game plan.

I liked the Makeup Show so much better than IMATS because Makeup Show is Pro (and students) only and yes they definitely ask for proof.  IMATS is open to everyone and it’s just ridiculously and uncomfortably crowded. Every year brings more people. IMATS is bigger and has more vendors like MAC, Sugar Pill and NYX to name a few but honestly for me they were not missed because there was so much more to choose from. Makeup Show was a lot more intimate, I didn’t have to stand in line for hours to get my stuff, I could actually move around and I got to see a few seminars. Every vendor at the Makeup Show is at IMATS so yeah, big thumbs up for the Makeup Show LA. I might actually pass on IMATS this year…maybe 😉

So here are a few pictures from the show I’d like to share. Product Reviews are definitely coming soon (whenever I find the time to test products and write) and a more detailed look at my stuff. I’m just so tired and want to relax right now with St. Patty’s day last night….yeah just know it was a good night. AND I had class this morning so I’m exhausted! Hope you enjoy!

Urban Decay Friends and Family Sale!!!

Get 20% off Urban Decay products!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Urban Decay! Reviews soon to come! 🙂

Are you going to check it out?! Maybe buy something? Share your hauls please!!!