I'm Baaaack!!

Hey All! It has been a very long time since the last time I have posted anything. Six months @ least. There hasn't been much going on. I have been working on my graphics business along with trying to build my wedding business. I have decided that I am going to take over the DMV, as far as this makeup thing goes. So I hope that they are ready for me. Once I am done here, I plan on going to the Big City! So with that said I am on a serious grind looking for some of the best photographers the east coast has to offer to test with. I will be sure to let you know how it goes.

In other makeup news. I have also in past months chilled out on the purchasing of MAC products. I am looking to get out here and see what these other lines really have to offer. So far Make Up Forever is my front runner. I am absolutely in love with all of their products, especially their HD foundations. At somepoint I am going to own them in every color. First I need to submit for their artist discount program.

I think that in my future posts I am going to include more stories about my makeup journey to the top as well as my product reviews. So some new products that I am going to be reviewing very soon are products by Lush, Makeup Forever of Course, and whatever else I buy when I go product shopping this weekend.

The model in the pic above is Sara, and she was shot by Rodney Mickel. Makeup and editing by me of course. This is one of my most fav pics in my portfolio to date.

www.allthingsmakeup.com

So, its finally finished!!! I am so happy to announce that I have finally finished my web site and it is up and running. I did everything myself. A whole month of reading about 2 or 3 different 900 paged books....lol. Very many sleepless nights and I saw the sun rise many mornings...lol. But it was all worth it. Just to know that I did it all by myself. Hell of a learning experience, maybe I will take some classes and be a makeup artist/graphic-web designer.

Anywho, make sure you check it out....

www.AllThingsMakeup.com

E-Makeup Magazine by Melanie

Bombarded daily with make-up group invites on Facebook, I began to ignore most simply because it has become absolutely impossible to keep up. As I filter through the long list of groups that I belong to I come to one in particular called The Passion of Make-Up. I click on the icon and there is a brief description of an online makeup magazine. Eating, sleeping, and breathing all things makeup, I thought to myself that this would just be another online magazine with simple tips and tricks. Boy was I wrong.

When I clicked on the E-Makeup link I was welcomed with the most vivid of colors and a fun layout of what the online magazine had to offer. The color filled abstract design of the homepage alone left me craving for more about my new discovery. I see a link for a free preview issue of the magazine which became available for Spring/Summer ’08. I downloaded the issue and was overwhelmed with excitement of what was to come. When the magazine finished downloading I opened my first interactive issue. There were instructions on how to view the magazine and get the most out the interactive layout. I was given the option to view the magazine page by page or by clicking on one of side subsection tabs.

With over 250 pages of colorful face art and interactive fun the magazine featured detail step by step instructions on subjects such as choosing and applying the right foundation, and basic and advanced eye applications. Welcoming readers to send in letters about makeup concerns and tips the advice section of E-Makeup offered and abundance of step by step tutorials in addition to professional advice and alternatives. In the trend section of the magazine the editors welcomed us into world of trends by creating a detailed report of the hottest makeup trends from major fashion houses and from the runways of the four capitals of fashion Paris, Milan, New York, and London. Another fascinating aspect of the magazine was the history portion. As makeup artist we like to think that we have a profound knowledge of makeup history. The history section had an entertaining story about a man who wanted to help his sister Mayble approve her appearance. He then began to mix coal and Vaseline to create a coating that his sister would apply to her lashes. Can you guess what product was developed and which company developed it?

I could go on for days about what this wonderful online interactive magazine has to offer. With hundreds of vivid pictures, eye catching layouts, and interactive fun E-Makeup Magazine has to proven to be the best makeup magazine online and printed seen to date. With 4 issues made up of over 250 pages distributed quarterly this modernized action packed makeup powerhouse of online magazines is definitely here to stay.

Make sure you visit http://www.e-makeup.eu/ to subscribe and download your free copy of E-Makeup Magazine for the ultimate online interactive magazine experience.

Make-Up Forever Aqua Eyes by Melanie

Eyeliner has always been a must for me, definitly in the top five of things I never leave home without. Trying to keep the eyeliner from running, different story.

As MAC Artist, I rarely was interested in trying other products. Not that I wasn’t interested at all but mostly because of the generous discount that full time artist receive a long with the gratis and EMS. So I guess I was spoiled. Engraved Powerpoint Eye Pencil was my staple.

One day I decided that I would bring some variety to my overflowing makeup case filled with MAC products. I headed to a nearby mall and went into Sephora. I checked out several liners from a few different brands all claiming to have that waterproof staying power. Within about fifteen minutes the backside of my hand was covered with about thirty colors sectioned off by brand. I grab a tissue and a dab of hand sanitizer and wipe the backside of my hand and throw my tissue away. I walk over to the shadows and began to sample them on the back of the same hand and when I look down, the Make-Up Forever section of Aqua Eyes liners was still present. I was very impressed. Checked out the price tag and for $16 I decided to pass. Spoiled by a MAC discount….lol

When I get home the product was still on my hand I couldn’t get it off my mind. Luckily the Make-Up Trade Show in NY was right around the corner. Long story short….I bought them all.

This liner has defiantly become number one on my list of pencil eyeliners. Its soft yet has incredible staying power. It easily stays put as well as smudges when needed, and acts as a great base for shadows. Make-Up Forever describes this as “A two-in-one eyeshadow and liner pencil. A waterproof pencil that adheres to the eyelids and resists water even under the most extreme conditions, without running or fading.” Now although I am absolutely in love with this pencil I would consider it a more water resistant product. After a day in the pool the liner had faded away. But under normal conditions, and in situations with watery or running eyes, and even crying, this product has tremendous staying power when compared to its competitors. A must have for a bride on her wedding day.

Make-Up Forever Aqua Eyes Liner: $19 - www.makeupforever.com/www.sephora.com

Got Questions?? I Got Answers!!!

A feature that I defintely want apart of my new blog is a question and answer session. After receiving so many questions about my YouTube tutorials, I thought to myself I can't possibly answer each of these by making a video. So as I continue to make videos, I will post them all here. Leave comments and PLEASE FEEL FREE to send as many questions as possible, about anything makeup related, and request what looks you would like to see in my next YouTube tutorials. Questions that don't need a video answer I will place as a new post in my blog and provide you with the best possible answer, other questions will have video anwers with demonstrations.

Email all requests and questions to:
InsideMyMakeupCase@allthingsmakeup.com

Orgasm vs. Super Orgasm..Can you handle it? By Melanie

Who would have thought that Orgasm could have gotten any better? The peach toned blush with gold speckles created a gentle sheen with a silky finish, wearable among women of all skin tones. Creating a soft flush on the palest of skins, and a warm glow on those with richer skin tones, Orgasm blush has proven itself to be truly universal. A make-up artists staple, an every season favorite, and a record setting 5 year Best of Sephora Winner, Orgasm Blush has been recharged.

As a Sephora Beauty Exclusive, Nars Cosmetics has released the highly pigmented counterpart Super Orgasm. With a more intense shade of peach and an extra dose of gold shimmer this super charged favorite creates an even sexier flush toned hue. From neutral to daring, this shade has the ability to provide any look with just the right pop of color.

So for those of you who were already in love with the Orgasm original be prepared to fall in love all over again. As a fan of of the fab favorite, and all peach blushes, when Super Orgasm was released I immediately ordered one. The very flattering shade has the ability to act as a blush and highlight in one.

Nars Cosmetics blush in Orgasm: $25 (http://www.narscosmetics.com/)

Nars Cosmeitcs blush in Super Orgasm: $25 (www.sephora.com)

Congratulations Brittani & John!!

Married October 3, 2008.

Congrats Brittani, you looked beautiful and you were such a joy to work with. Be blessed and may your love be eternal and everlasting.

~Melanie