Holiday Fun in Miami

I travelled home to Miami,Fl for the holiday and you know I had to bring my kit!!!!! I made over my aunt. Did my grandmother, aunt, and cousins brows. Did hair. I mean it was makeover central at my moms house. Here are a few pics from my aunts makeover.

I went beyond the norm for her this time. Something fun and funky. Not your normal everyday makeup. It was fun to do and she enjoyed it.

Before/After

Close up on the eyes

Side view

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Motives Cosmetics: Hit or Miss?? I'll Be The Judge

Motives Motives Motives Motives. So much controversy over one little brand. I've heard so much about it and have even have seen the product books and packaging. That alone was impressive because the products have the look of a high quality brand. But as you know, i don't make decisions off of looks alone. I have to play in it a bit.

I was glad when Lisa Montgomery Moffa invited me to view her salon presentation. I was like FINALLY, i get to touch the products. Her product knowledge was impeccable , the demo was exceptional but I want to get my hands on it.

So here's my thoughts:

The line has so many products and 99% of what i tried was truly awesome. They have professional products that deliver professional results. They have professional makeup artist products that you can't get from most cosmetic companies that allow you to sell their products. So when they say this is not your typical line, they aren't telling you a lie. The products are fairly priced, not super cheap but not super expensive.

My favorite products of the night

-Motives Custom Blend Foundation ($40)
You can now tailor your foundation just for you. You can customize the color, the formula, the add ons, etc. Need extra moisture in your foundation? You can add that in. Need silicone in the foundation to make it HD? Yes, you can add that as well. So many options. And the great thing is that the foundation  is mixed right in front of you and then it is transferred to foundation bottle with the motives logo on the front.


-Motives Eye Base ($14)
It smoothes a neutralizes the lid without adding color. It's a light cream to powder finish. I applied an eyeshdow over it just to test and I experienced no creasing

-Motives Eye Candy Creme Eye Shadows ($15.75)
MY FAVORITE PRODUCT OF THE NIGHT. You can use these alone or as an eyeshadow base. The colors are so pigmented and long-lasting that I was amazed. You usually dont get this type of pigmentation from cream shadows. I mixed the cotton candy cream shadow with a purple regular shadow and the combination was GORGEOUS!!!!!!

-Motives Pressed Eye Shadoe ($12)
Pigmented isn't the word. And I used them dry. I can only imagine what they would look like if i used them wet. (see watch at the end)

-Lip Pumice ($14.95)
You can get rid of all the dry and chapped skin on the lips with this one tube wonder. It gently exfoliates without being too harsh

-Hydrating Lip Balm ($17.50)
This product contains Vitamin A and C and hyaluronic acid with collagen, shea butter, tangerine butter, and natural tangerine oil. The must have treatment of the season

-Full Color Lip Shine ($16.95)
This is a mineral based formula that delivers super pigmented color. You usually don't get that from a lipshine. (see the swatch at the bottom)

-Rich Formula Lipstick ($14)
Super creamy. Super blendable. Lots of moisture. Beautiful colors. Need I say more?

-Lip Crayons  ($14)
The lip liner with the most!!!! Super creamy. Doesn't skip. and its super long-lasting

All of the setting sprays ($29 each)
-10 Years Younger Setting Spray- sets your makeup and reduces fine lines and creasing
-Weightless Moisturizer with SPF 8- A lightweight moisturizing spray that's great for all skin types
-No More Shine Makeup Spray- Reduces melting,sliding and creasing and also creates a shine free canvas before you apply your makeup (A MUST HAVE FOR OILY SKIN)

-Dual Perfection Powder- ($25)
Also known as the wet/dry powder. You can use it dry to set your foundation or use it wet for more coverage (and when they say wet, don't wet the product, wet your sponge or skin.)

-Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation ($24.95)
A mineral liquid foundation that self sets. It dries to a powdery finish. LOVE THIS STUFF!

There's so many other products in this line that are sensational. You just have to see for yourself. I'm jumping on the Motives bandwagon, so watch for tutorials and links. I want to jump on-board while I still can!!!

makeup set-up

makeup set-up

Demo Before

Demo after with Custom Blend Foudation

Some products I have

Full Color Lipshine in Glamber/ Pressed Eye Shadow in Blueberry Frost

Sedona Lace: An MUA's Best-New-Friend!

I have officially found my new best friend. I am the biggest pink anything fanatic and these brushes are the ESSENCE of ME!!! lol. I know i am going overboard but i absolutely love them. From the brush roll, to the handles, to the bristles, I LOVE THEM.

So let's get started.

They come in simple clear packaging and the brush roll feels like leather but I'm pretty sure that it is simulated leather. it is however very nice and the best part of it is that it is pink!



You can't really see it but Sedona Lace is pressed into the material! Another pro!!!



So now onto the brushes. There are 12 brushes in this kit. All the essential brushes you would need for a complete face of makeup. The only brushes that are not here are a lip brush and a eyebrow/lash comb (but those aren't essential to a kit in my opinion). The brushes are numbered as opposed to named. The handles are study and standard length, and best of all PINK!!!! The bristles are made of synthetic fibers but are super soft and beautiful. There is a protective flap inside the brush roll to keep your brushes safe, and all of the bigger brushes (face brushes) have the brush guards of them (which i tend to keep). They are also in a protective plastic which i throw away but its great that the plastic is on them when they ship.

Sedona Lace 813 (duo fiber brush)

Sedona 850 (angled/contour brush)

Sedona 727 Foundation Brush



376 Brush (Powder Brush)



Sedona 305 (short shader brush)



Sedona 407 Angled Shader Brush



Sedona 863 Blending/Crease brush

Sedona 941 (Large Flat Shader)

Sedona 904 Pencil Brush

Sedona 954 (concealer brush)

Sedona 772 (liner brush)

Sedona 561 (Angled Liner Brush)

So now I want to show you the brushes compared to someone other popular named brushes

MAC 190/Sedona 727

These brushes are pretty much the same. The brushes are both dense but bendable and of very good quality

MAC 168/MAC 168SE/Sedona 850

Sigma F50/ MAC 187SE/ Sedona 813

The density is the biggest difference in these brushes. The MAC is the most dense. The sigma is a less voluminous copy of the MAC. The Sedona's density isn't the best. I will have to test it to see if I like this brush

Sigma E35/Sigma E40/Sedona 863/ Random Crease Brush

I use these brushes for almost everything. From blending shadow to blending concealer. Density again is key. The bristles of the sedona brush are less dense and a little longer than the others but i believe it will do wonders with blending due to the bristles being less dense. So I love this one alot more than the others. It's fluffier.

MAC 218 SE/ Marche Crease Definer/Sigma SS219(old numbering)/Sephora Smokey Eye Brush

The Sedona is a little less tapered so if your looking for precise crease placement,  i would go for another brush but for blending or placing color, i would definitely grab this one.

Sedona 941/Sigma E60/ MAC 252SE

The same. No difference in my book.

MAC 150/Sedona 376

I actually like the Sedona more than i like the MAC. The Sedona is a lot fluffier.

Sephora Liner Brush/Sedona 772/ MAC 209SE

This is the only brush I'm not exactly fond of. No density at all. The bristles are too soft for lining. Not sure what I will use this for. I will have to test different things..



SOOoooo. I hope my review helps you and pulls you closer to ordering the Sedona Lace Brushes. You can find the set on www.sedonalace.com. The price is super affordable, at 49.95. I ordered two sets. 11 out of 12 brushes are absolutely fabulous. If you have a set, post your thoughts into the comments section.


As a little bonus!!!!

Michael's brushes for painting

 



I purchased these brushes from Micheal"s craft store. I use these brushes for alot of things. They are super durable, super easy to work with and best of all, super inexpensive. Go visit your local craft store. They have amazing selections for artists that can be used for makeup.

Pro Product Dupe of the Week:Ben Nye Visage Poudre

Well this product IS a PRO product already but the price is super phenomonal. Ben Nye products rock my socks. The performance they prvide plus their prices can't be matched.
These ultra-neutral powders provide superior matte finish with a subtle glow. They are translucent with just a hint of color and are available in 4 shades (Banana, Cameo, Buff, & Beige Suede)

The Banana Formula is most often compared to T.Leclerc Banane loose powder 

You can ue this as final setting powder to set your
makeup (ie: blush, bronzers, etc) or to set your foundations and concealers and to control oil/shine.

PROS:
* these powders are unscented
* the price is awesome. they run from $5-$8 at most retailers
* it leaves a great finish
* photographs beautifully
* the coverage is translucent therefore it fits all skintones and types
* does not leave a powdery or ashy residue.
* great for setting concealers
* great for oil control
* A small bottle goes a long way. This product lasts and lasts
* a little product goes a long way
* improves the staying power of your foundations and concealers
* it doesn't settle into fine lines

Cons:
Well really, i couldn't find any cons. This powder is fabulous on all fronts. You may want to remove product from the jar it comes in for easier transport and less mess, but that's not a con in my book.

If you google the product, so many stores will pop up. I purchased mine from CRC Cosmetics.com and Makeuyp Mania.com. They both have great products and great prices.

NAIL COLOR OF THE WEEK

Color shows more blue but it is actually teal

My color of the week is made by Milani. The color is 504 Fresh Teal!!!

Until next time lovies! XOXO

Sexy Santa Shoot

My life has been super busy lately and all i can do is thank God. I love that I'm getting the opportunity to do what i love doing and I'm doing it more often. This past Saturday, I did a Sexy Santa/Pin-Up Photo Shoot with a Meetup group I belong to. This shoot was a photo frenzy shoot in which various models are brought onto various sets and various photographers take pictures. So to say there were quite a few people is an understatement. Luckily, some of the models did there own makeup, but check out the ones that I did.

Alissa Before

Alissa after

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Loke Before

Loke After

Now check out the edited pictures

Hope you enjoyed the work. I enjoyed doing it. Until next time! XOXO!!!!

Me in the middle and the models and a photographer