Fun & Inexpensive Ways to Play in Makeup by Shakinah B.

When I first got into makeup artistry, I believed that I had to use top-of-the-line products in order to achieve my look. I was wrong on many counts and I ended up wasting good money on products that I didn’t even know how to use. In my research of quality (and inexpensive) products, I came across a fabulous site: www.bhcosmetics.com. Unlike some sites that sell poor quality makeup at too-good-to-be-true prices, BH offers quality, and with an assortment of palettes to choose from, this is one-stop shopping for the artist-in-training.

The palette varieties include blush, neutral, matte, shimmer, even a 66-color lip gloss! All products are under $30 (plus shipping), richly pigmented, and worth the money. Products arrive immersed in bubble wrap. I recently purchased the 88-color eye palette and love how it complements my Bare Essentuals, MAC and Smashbox products. Since the products are inexpensive, I don’t feel like I am wasting money when I am practicing new looks. I enjoy the versatility and the convenience of having a quality palette that is ready to go.

The only downside about the site is that because its popularity is increasing, there are delays on shipping; everything is out of stock and backordered by at least two weeks! Since I am so impressed with the products, I have ordered the neutral eye palette and the lip gloss palette as well and will twiddle my thumbs until they arrive…

Shipping delays aside, try it out and see for yourself!

Love,
Shakinah

Makeup Academy Week 3 by Trisha S.

~Hey Everyone!

Ready for Week 3 of Makeup Academy?

After last weeks outing, it was time to get back to work this week! This week we touched on the concept of corrective contouring. This is the use of cosmetic highlights and contours to change or alter features. Once you master the basic highlighting and contouring techniques you can take these techniques farther to correct features that are not as flattering as others.

We then moved on to face shapes. This was very interesting to me because we learned how to correct facial balance based on shape. Let’s look at the basic shapes and how to correct them.

Oval: longer than it is wide - has good proportion. No correction need.

Oblong: long and slender – almost twice as long as it is wide. Add width with highlights on outer portion of cheeks.

Round: same height and width. Add shadows on cheeks from bottom of cheekbone towards jaw, highlight forehead and chin to make face appear longer.

Square: same height and width – flat across on top and bottom. Add shadows to jaw line and hairline.

Heart: widest around eye and temples – full forehead which narrows to tapered jaw line. Highlight around jaw line and hairline.

Diamond: widest across cheekbones – narrow at forehead and jaw line. Highlight the sides of the jaw line and forehead.

Triangle: widest at jaw line – tapers into narrow forehead. Shade the sides of the jaw to tone down fullness, highlight forehead. Inverted triangle: widest across forehead – narrows to very weak jaw line and pointy chin. Highlight jaw line, shade forehead at the hairline.

A good basic rule is to shade any areas that are wide and full and to highlight any areas that are weak or narrow.

Next we talked about Cheeks! The purpose of blush is to give color variation to the face and direct attention to or away from certain features. There are several forms that blushes come in. The most popular is powder, followed up by cream and liquids. Liquids can be hard to work with and if you don’t have experience, you can end up looking like a doll with those two red circles on your cheeks! Creams are fun and they last all day once you set them with a powder.

There are three parts to your cheek. Inner: From the side of nose to under the iris (avoid this area at all times). Central: Under center of eye outward to arch in eyebrow. Outer: outside edge of the iris to hairline (only use this area to widen the face). Some other areas to avoid are: The base of the nose and too close to the underneath of the eye.

When applying makeup it is important to select a cheek color that matches overall makeup design. If you are wearing a warm blush, you need to have warm colors on the eyes and warm lips. Same for cools; cool blush means cool eyes and lips.

Let’s look at some colors: COOLS: Pinks, Blues, and Purples. WARMS: Orange, Yellow, Gold. BOTH: GREEN – you have your khaki greens which have more yellow which makes them warm and then your blue greens which make them cool. RED – blue reds, like fuchsia, are cool while orange reds and corals are warm. BROWN – there are same browns that are dark and have a purple hue to them, these are cool. Warm browns have more of the yellow or gold hue to them.

Next week we are doing eyes! YAY!! Be sure to check back for that. We will talk about the proper way to apply eyeshadow and blend colors. I will also be doing a simple smoky eye tutorial. See you next time!!

Love,

Trisha

Reana's Recycling Tips by Reana S.

Now any of you who know me know that I'm the last person to talk about recycling and going green, however, my priorities change completely when it has to do with FREE MAKEUP! Not many girls know, but MAC has an excellent, easy recycling program that lets buyers trade in their old, empty, finished, or unwanted products for free new makeup! Read below to see some tips on how to take advantage of this great program and yeah yeah....save the environment at the same time...

Back 2 MAC Recycling Program

In an effort to save the environment, do some charity work, and give consumers a little bonus, MAC has the awesome Back 2 MAC (B2M) Recycling Program. The program accepts six empty, used, finished, or unwanted MAC containers and offers customers a free lipstick of their choice, excluding Viva Glam products. To participate in the program, just grab an empty Ziploc bag and start collecting your empty containers. For those of us who use lots and lots of MAC products, you will find your bag full very soon! Empty mascara containers, MAC wipe packaging, lipsticks, lipglosses...B2M accepts anything plastic, metal or glass. B2M does NOT accept used sponges, trial/sample containers, or disposable products like the q-tip makeup wipes or disposable eyeshadow applicators. Once you have collected 6 empties, proceed to Step 2: Take your Ziploc bag of unwanteds to your local MAC, or mail it in through the website. I do not have personal experience mailing in my recyclables through the website so I can't offer any feedback on that, but I do know it is a service that has recently become available. Step 3: Select your free product! If you take your recycling to a Nordstrom or Macy's counter, you can select any non-Viva Glam lipstick as your FREE product. If you can make it to a MAC Store, do it! MAC Stores let customers trade their recyclables for a free lipstick, lipgloss, OR eyeshadow! We can even get limited edition products OR special products like Dazzleglass, Plushglass, and Mineralize Eyeshadow! This is a great way to trade your unwanted, used products that you would throw away anyway for brand new, awesome product valued at up to $19.50.

MAC Eyeshadow and Blush Pro Palette

MAC has carried empty palettes for blush and eyeshadow at their MAC Pro locations for a long time, as a way for professional makeup artists to easily carry around large amounts of MAC makeup. MAC makeup professionals are able to purchase eyeshadow and blush without the black plastic pot casing, for a lower price and then insert the products into an empty palette. The empty palettes sell for $14, the eyeshadow refills for $11, and the blush refills for $15.50. As a way to save plastic and offer loyal, collecting consumers a small price break, MAC has now made these options available to all at http://www.maccosmetics.com/ and all free-standing MAC store locations. I have close to 20 full eyeshadow palettes (hey, I've been collecting for 10 years ok?!) and 7 full blush palettes, and I highly recommend this system as a way to get more organized, be less prone to dropping and losing loose makeup, saving some money, and helping the environment.

But what to do with all of the regular MAC eyeshadow and blushes that we have collected throughout the years??? What to do!? No fear my friend, I have an awesome solution for you! You can “pop” the eyeshadows and blushes out of their black plastic casing and insert them into your empty palette. This is a moderately difficult process but there are currently three different methods available and does get easier over time. Once you have popped the eyeshadow out of its black plastic case, you can recycle those empty cases for free product! If you do your whole collection, you should definitely collect at least a few recyclables and maybe even enough to right away redeem for free product.

I hope these simple suggestions help you save some money, organize your collection, and feel better because you are doing a small part in helping the environment. MAC’s Pro Palette system is proof that even makeup artists and enthusiasts can go green and help the environment. Please e-mail reanamation@gmail.com with any questions, and look forward to my next post about How to Depot and what MAC actually does with that recycled plastic! Trust me, it’s not what you think…

Love,

Reana

Hair and Beauty Expo Review, Atlanta GA by Trisha S.

Hello Everyone!

 

In my last post I talked a little about the Hair and Beauty Expo that was held here in Atlanta, GA last weekend. Well, the Reanamation Studios team thought it would be even better to talk about some of my favorite vendors and provide you all out there with some inside links to super great products at super cheap prices. There were over 200 vendors there at the show so there were a lot to choose from! I have picked what I thought were the best three, offering great deals and a wide range of products.

First, let’s talk about brushes. As we all know, brushes are EXPENSIVE!! Being artists like we are, we may spend up to $200 just trying to buy brushes to fill our kits for use on others. For most of us, money is tight right now. So for some awesome brushes at amazing prices, check out Morphe Brushes. I picked up about 10 of these little cuties for around $50. They have several different kinds to choose from like synthetic, badger, and even retractable brushes for us ladies on the go! All of the brushes I played with were good quality and most importantly, priced right! They are also cruelty free for all you animal lovers out there! You can find these brushes at www.morphebrushes.com.

 

The next place I checked out and loved was Colour U Cosmetics. This vendor offered a wide variety of colorful eyeshadows and glitters which I was told were eye safe. They had many shades of red, copper, and rust which are known to be non-eye safe. They also had brushes, lipsticks and lipglosses as well as foundations. I did not buy anything from this vendor because I wanted to look at everything there before I started purchasing and then I got lost! I never made my way back!! Luckily for us, I picked up a flyer while I was there the first time! Check out there website atwww.colourucosmetics.com.

 

Last but not least was Modern Basic Beauty Supply. Again, this vendor offered a huge variety of single eyeshadows, 5 eyeshadow palettes, blushes, brushes, foundations and many other products! The eyeshadows I checked out were smooth and pigmented. Most of them were shimmery but I did see a few matte ones. They had 6 blush palettes and individual blushes too. This vendor does have a website but it is “Under Construction”. Hopefully, it will be up and running soon! The web address is www.mbbeautysupply.com.

Be sure to check these out and let us know what you got!!

Love,

Trisha

The Magic of Mascara by Jessica S.

Getting the perfect look is so important to all of us, and it’s difficult to find because there are so many different elements. I have found that the most understated thing for most women when they apply their makeup is their eyelashes.  I’ve sat in a makeup chair to get my makeup done countless times only to leave having my eyes looking great as far as eye shadow is concerned, but having something else seeming to be missing. It’s always the same thing, that last crucial thing that most people leave out. That last touch which make your eyes pop more than any eye shadow can…is PROPERLY APPLYING YOUR MASCARA, GIRLFRIEND! Now that I have discovered the best tips and tricks, I will pass them onto you my dear friend, as I share the Magic of Mascara with you!

As I mentioned before, every time I have gone to get my makeup done I always end up working on my lashes. The standard procedure for most is to curl lashes with some sort of contraption intended for that; and then to apply the mascara. However, I have discovered a better technique that not only curls your lashes but keeps them curled all day/night long! 

Step 1) Find a mascara that really works on your lashes – my two favorites are MAC Plush Lashand Two Faced Lash Injection.

Step 2) Get a sturdy metal eyelash curler; very important!

Step 3) Start by taking your index finger and lifting your lid so you can get to the root of your lashes. Then take your mascara of choice and brush it through your lashes from root to tip, make sure you get every single lash (even the little baby lashes closest to your nose). Then carefully brush through your bottom lashes (hold the brush vertically when doing so – ensuring that you don’t get any clumpiness or get the mascara under your lashes)

Step 4) Then take your eyelash curler to your lashes and make sure before you clamp down that the curler goes down to the root of the lashes as well just before your lid meets your lashes. Clamp down and hold it there for about 10 seconds and make sure to squeeze the clamp every second. Repeat until you are satisfied with the appearance of your lashes… but I highly doubt you will have to do this more than once!

I hope these tips help your lashes look absolutely gorgeous!

Love,

Jessica

Makeup School Week 2 by Trisha S.

Hey Girls!

            Week 2 of makeup school was crazy!! We knew that we would not be in the classroom all day and everyone was super excited about our field trip! We only spent about 3 hours in the classroom but we learned some very important techniques!

 

Contouring & Highlighting

 

            When you think of contouring and highlighting what is the first thing that comes to mind? For me it’s cheekbones! I have often wondered how women with full, rounded faces make it look like they have perfectly chiseled cheekbones! Now, I know. I have often experimented with this concept but with no success. Now that I know the tricks though… WOW!

           

            First, there are some basic rules

 

1. Always do your contours first. Your foundation will then cover the places you have added darkness and lightness to and blend it all together.
2. Use a powder or foundation that is 3 shades darker for contours and 3 shades lighter for highlights.
3. Contours can be corrected with highlights but highlights cannot be corrected with contours.
4. Always blend, blend, blend!! And then, blend the two together!
5. You want to try to trick the eye with the shading. Kind of a “You see it but you don’t” kind of thing.

 

Ok. Now let’s talk about the areas that you are going to work with for the shadow.

1.      The nose – Here you want to use a dark shade to make the nose slimmer. You do this by drawing a line from just above the nostrils up to the bridge of the nose. Then blend the lines down towards the face. If you have a longer nose you can also add some darkness to the tip of your nose to make it appear shorter.

2.      Cheekbones – Here you want to start at the tragus of the ear and go under the cheekbone. Blend upwards.

3.      The eyes – Here you want to put the darker shade in the crease of your eye. This will make your eye POP! Start at the outer corner and work inward. Go all the way across to the inner corner.

4.      Jaw line – Here you want to shade underneath the jaw line. This will make your jaw line seem more prominent. Blend downward into the neck.

 

Next we are going to highlight. We are going to work in the same four areas but do the opposite of the last time.

 

1.      The nose – This time we are going to add a lighter shade to the ridge, or top, of the nose. Blend this outwards and down into the shadow you made earlier.

2.      Cheekbones – Add a lighter color on the tops of your cheekbones and blend downward into the shadow.

3.      The eyes – Here you are going to add a light shade to the brow bone, or frontal bone. This is the area right underneath your lashes. Start from the inside next to the bridge of your nose and go outwards toward the end of your lashes.

4.      Jaw line – This time we are going to apply the lighter shade right on the front of the jaw line. Blend this highlight downward into the shadow.

 

Once you get the hang of this you can take your features to a whole new level. You can make your features either very subtle or very prominent. You can also do corrective contouring which we will talk about next week.

 

 

After a very short class, we went to the Georgia World Congress Center for the Hair and Beauty Expo, which I can't wait to write about in a few days! Well I hope you are enjoying this series about makeup school, and don't forget that you can e-mail me at trisha.reanamation@gmail.com with any questions. Have a great week girls!

 

Love, 

Trisha

MAC Prep + Prime Review by Reana S.

Hey Ladies!

How important is prepping and priming? When salespeople at the cosmetic counters try to sell you on pricey primers, is it just a gimmick or are these products really useful? These are questions I have often wondered myself and now having found the answers, am hear to share them with you, our excellent beauty buyer!

Prepping the skin is a very, very important part of the makeup application process. Remember that makeup is art and you always want to start with the cleanest possible canvas, right? So please do spend the proper time on skin care, whether you are wearing little, no, or tons of makeup that day.

Priming refers to another form of skin preparation, this time preparing your skin for the application of cosmetic product. Priming can take place on the eyes, lips, eyelashes, and/or skin itself. Priming is definitely a more advanced step, but investing in the products and technique is a worthwhile task, as doing so will turn up the level in your look and artistry. There are several priming products on the market today, but I have found the best product + price to be in MAC's Prep and Prime Collection. There are various products out there, but I have found many that do very little for a very high price, or just leave my skin feeling sticky or heavy. Tis not the case with these products though!

For eyelashes, I highly highly recommend MAC's Prep + Prime Lash. I apply 2-3 coats every single day for healthy, long, thick, glamorous lashes. Using this product can lessen the need for costly mascaras. I really can't do this product justice in a blog entry so do me and your lashes a favor and just TRY IT!

For eyes, you can use MAC's Prep + Prime Eye or another neutral eyeshadow base. I usually just use eyeshadow bases in whatever color eyeshadow I am wanting to wear, but still a great product.

For lips, I recommend MAC's Lip Conditioner Stick SPF 15. I have many of these, one in my makeup bag, one in my purse, one by my nightstand...the list goes on and on! This is a great, lightweight product to smooth and soften the lips. You can use it under your favorite lip product or by itself for healthy lips. I love to put it on before bedtime because it allows me to wake up with luscious lips! For moisture, this product was recommended over the Prep + Prime Lip.

On top of moisturizer but underneath makeup, I highly highly recommend MAC Prep + Prime Skin. I didn't much care for the sunscreen-infused product, but the regular skin primer is amazing. I wear it even on days where I wear very little makeup, and am sure to wear it all over to prepare for those heavy foundation days. This product seals open pores and leaves skin very smooth and perfect. Its an overall great investment and is best applied with a brush.

Before applying makeup, I love to use MAC Prep + Prime Line Filler. This is a relatively new product that is absolutely amazing. It is a wonder product, no kidding! It is great for filling in fine or large lines, especially around the eye area. Definitely a must have!

To set your makeup, Trisha and I love Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. It is an invisible way to set your makeup, seal pores, and reduce shine. I have only tried this product over makeup, for which I absolutely loved it, but Trisha often wears it alone over simple moisturizer for a plain but perfect look. 

With these products, no one has to know about that little blemish, acne scar, or huge open pore that every one of us is bound to have! These products are all worth their reasonable price and should last you a long time; a little bit goes a long ways...

Happy priming ladies!

Love,

Reana

MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Fall 2009 Headliner Launch Review by Reanamation Studios

Hey Girls!

Trisha and Reana were very lucky to have pro VIP access to last night's MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Fall 2009 Headliner Launch PARTY! Coast to coast, the party was hot (literally!), crowded, and colorful. Trisha and Reana were very excited to attend the party, indulge in the luxurious hors d'oeuvres, and meet with other professional artists and shoppers. We thought we would come home and be able to tell you what you could skip from this collection, seeing as MAC's launch-happy Summer has left our wallets high and dry, but let us just be honest now:

Ladies, there is really nothing that you can skip from this collection.

Trisha loved each and every one of the Technakohl eyeliners, ranging from bright lime green and fushia to mid-range blue and fun pop orange, to basic black. The fine point of the Technakohl liner makes it easy to draw a thin, straight line while the ease of the twist-up makes it a no-hassle, sanitary, easy product to use. These colors are bright and limited edition so make sure to stock up! "You never know when you might need a lime green eyeliner." Love, Trisha

Shakinah loved the two blushes from the new collection. The Perfect Cheek was a very light blush, perfect for highlighting, while Notable was a very dark blush perfect for contouring. These are great products for makeup artistry and a sure hit for fall.

Reana just loved everything. Why doesn't that surprise anyone? Reana purchased each brightly colored eyeshadow, as each color was beautiful, highly pigmented, and very very unique. MAC has nothing like these colors in their permanent line so make sure to stock up on these as well! The glitters and pigments were also a surefire hit, with bright, bold colors making a splash for a colorful Fall. The eyeshadow quads were brilliant, each one containing four unique colors expertly paired together for a flawless eye.

The lip colors from the collection were beautiful, and there was an excellent range of shades for different skin tones. We highly suggest connecting with your local MAC artist for a one-on-one session regarding this collection. The colors and products are amazing and though some appear bright and bold, others are more neutral and versatile. There is something for everyone in this collection, and for some there is everything!

Feel free to e-mail us with questions or comments on the new launch, we are happy to answer them for you! Makeup Art Cosmetics launches next Thursday, 8/20/09 at all MAC counters and stores in the US. 

My First Week at Makeup Academy by Trisha S.

Hello Everyone!!

 

On Saturday I started the next step in my goal of becoming a licensed makeup artist! I finally found a makeup school in Atlanta! Yes, we are behind the times here! I have been anticipating this class for over a month and a half and I was both scared and excited about the whole deal. Reanamation Studios thought it would be fun for our readers to follow along each week.

There are two instructors. The owner/instructor has worked both in Atlanta and Hollywood for over 20 years and has worked with some well know actors and actresses. The other instructor just moved back to Atlanta from Hollywood after teaching and doing makeup there for 22 years! These instructors are both seasoned professionals with experience and CONTACTS!!!

After the introductions and passing out of our “kits”, it was time to get cracking. The first day was pretty much a basic overview of skin and color. Next week we will get into more of the application aspect. The first thing we talked about this week… Sanitation. This subject is so important. Whether you are just starting out or have been doing makeup for years, you always want to be sanitary. This means washing your hands, using a hand sanitizer, and cleaning your work area and brushes! Make a production out of sanitizing your hands in front of your client! They LIKE that!

Next we move on to the skin. Shades and tones of skin are also important. You want to be able to look at your client and see there skin tone. Are they warm or cool? Which colors are going to look best on them? If someone has a pink tone to them then cool colors like purple, blue, and pink are going to look best on them. If they have a yellow tone to there skin then colors like golds, beiges, and some browns are probably there best bet for natural looks. Now if you want bright colors that are gonna POP, then by all means, switch the palettes around. If someone has warm skin and you put cool colors on them, they are gonna show up!

We also covered color theory. This is where we talk about which colors to use on the skin to cover or disguise imperfections. We learned how to mix our own foundations using six colors: white, yellow, purple, green, and two colors of brown, one warm and one cool. This was not as hard as it sounds. At first I was thinking,” There is no way I’m gonna be able to do this!” But it wasn’t as bad as I thought. All you really have to do is know color theory and know what kind of skin tone the person has.

After playing in the foundations and doing some makeovers mixing our own concealer, foundation, and powder, we moved on to eyebrow waxing and false eyelashes! I have never been a fan of false eyelashes but I tell ya, after putting them on the other girls I ran right out and bought two pairs for myself! Next week we are going to the Hair and Makeup expo show here. We all have to wear false lashes so I picked up a super funky pair of Makeup Forever purple spikey lashes!!

Tune in next week for tips and tricks on highlighting and contouring!

Love,

Trisha

E-mail me at trisha.reanamation@gmail.com with questions!

Updates! by Reanamation Studios

Hey Divas!

Let me apologize for the delay in blog entries. Last week was a difficult week for our team as we dealt with family emergencies, emergency illnesses, family trips, and our overall just crazy busy lives! We try to put makeup as a priority but unfortunately it cannot be first on our list all the time. A tragedy, we know. I hope you ladies can forgive us and accept this week's awesome lineup as our sincere apology.

In other exciting news, our very own satellite beauty consultant Trisha has been accepted and begun training at Atlanta, GA's Makeup Academy! The course is once per week for three months and lucky for us, Trisha has agreed to keep us on track with her learning. I am so excited to read all about Trisha's first week at the makeup academy, and next week she will be going to this awesome makeup show with her class! I'm sure you, like me, can't wait to hear all about it! Stay tuned for Trisha's weekly blog postings about her class content, favorite products, and development as an artist and makeup professional. This is a great opportunity for the Reanamation Team and our members to get educated on the art of professional makeup application. Make sure to visit our site frequently to keep up with Trisha's tales of makeup and beauty bliss, plus our usual MAC launch updates and beauty advice.

Coming up soon, make sure to visit us for....

--Trisha's first day at Makeup Academy

-- Reana's Recycling Tips 

-- Shakinah's Mineral Makeup Review

-- Jessica's Mascara 101

-- Review of MAC's Makeup Art Cosmetics Fall 2009 Headliner Launch (Reanamation Studios has early VIP access!)

and

--Trisha's cream eyeshadow review

We hope you ladies are as excited as we are!

Love,

Reanamation Studios

MAC Love That Look Review by Reanamation Studios

Hey Ladies!!

Love that Look? We sure do! Here is our review of MAC's latest and hottest Summer 2009, Love That Look. 

As a follow up to last year’s Starflash collection, MAC has brought back some amazing Starflash finish eyeshadows. A few of the colors are repremotes of last year’s collection and thank goodness, because these beautiful shadows are very smooth, buttery and pigmented. Here is a breakdown of each color:

 

Ego: A light yellow pink. This is one of our new favorite pink shadows. It’s not too glittery or shiny and is just a great baby pink shade. Wear it over Fresco Rose Paint Pot to really bring out the pink shade.

 

Smoke & Diamonds: A frosty dirty taupe. This was one of the more popular colors from last year. It is kind of a pewter, smoky color. Its great for nighttime drama OR daytime; the perfect smoky eye daytime look when you don’t want real dark blacks and grays.

 

One-Off: A medium green with silver sparkle. This shade is close to Kelly Green PRO pigment. We love greens so we just had to add this to our collection! It is great by itself, with Rated R from this collection, Aquavert from Sugarsweet, or Humid eyeshadow.

 

Fashion: Described as a light grey green with gold pearl, but really more of a light blue grey. Goes great with Strike A Pose for a pale blue smoky eye!! Check out the pics of this look in the Looks section coming soon!

 

Unbasic White: Bright off white. This color is great for highlighting and inner eye definition. VERY similar to White Frost but with a smoother texture.

 

Style Snob: Dirty pinkinsh brown with gold pearl. This is Reana's favorite color from this collection and has become a staple in her collection. Stay tuned for a Look with this color!

 

Strike A Pose: Deep blue green. This color was one of Trisha's favorites from this collection, and looks great with One-Off or Fashion.

 

Rated “R”: Bright yellow green. Kind of a green mustardy color. It is much more pigmented than Bitter from the permanent line, frosty, and a little more yellow. More yellow than NARS Rated "R," since we know you were curious!

 

Fashion Groupie: Light blue violet. We are such suckers for purple. Similar to Lotusland from last year's Starflash and Satellite Dreams from the permanent line, but a beautiful color and texture if you are a purple enthusiast like we are.

 

Dreammaker: A frosty yellow gold. A beautiful highlight color that looks great with Glamour Check or Rated “R” if you are daring enough to try the gold and greenish yellow combo!!

 

Grand Entrance: Frosty peach beige. Very pretty. Trisha wore it today with Fashion and Strike A Pose and loved it. It makes a great highlight color as well.

 

Glamour Check!: Frosty reddish brown. This is also a re-premote and looks best on darker skin tones. It is a great crease color with Style Snob, Grand Entrance, or Dreammaker, or can be worn by itself for a pretty bronze look.

 

Overall, we are happy to have saved up for this collection. The Starflash texture is so amazing and the colors are very pigmented. This collection is definitely a must-have for any makeup enthusiast and has a great variety of colors for those just starting their collection. We hope you love this collection as much as we did!!

Love,

Reanamation Studios

Summer Beauty 201: Eyes + Lips by Reana S.

Hey Girls!

I hope you enjoyed the first installment of Summer Beauty because its time for the second article! Now that we have covered the basics of skin care, sunscreen, face makeup, and accessories for summer, its time to talk about the very important topics of summer eyes and lips. Here are some basic tips for flawless summer beauty, no matter how hot the days (or nights, you sexy thing you!) may get!!

Eyes:

-- Avoid heavy cream bases for eyeshadow. Just skip it! You only need your eyeshadow right now, so just focus on the application method. Instead of using a base, use a sheer application technique with a loosely-packed brush for day or a tightly-packed brush for night. Warm colors are a must have in summer, particularly those with shimmer or glitter. Now is the time to wear those pretty bronze shades so leave the grays and navy's behind and trade up for some gold tones! Bright colors are also fun in summer; use bright shimmer colors all over the eye for a basic, colorful look, or varying shades of the same bright matte color for an advanced, defined look.

-- Avoid layers and layers of your favorite mascara. Instead, find one mascara that does it all in one coat. I highly recommend Dior Blackout, MAC Prolash, or CoverGirl Exact Eyelights. Stick with one coat! Summer is about looking gorgeous but naturally so!

-- Eyeliner is not necessary in the summer for most. For those of us (myself included) who must wear eyeliner at all times, I recommend a long-wearing gel eyeliner. Pencil eyeliners will not hold up in the heat, and instead will cause a melty mess. Liquid eyeliners can smudge and are difficult to apply. Instead, try MAC Chromaline if you can get to a MAC Pro Store, or MAC Fluidline or Smashbox Jet Set Gel Eyeliner at your local department store. I have tried numerous eyeliners and these are tried and true formulas that will last through the hottest of days.

If you would like to wear a bright colored eyeliner on top only, this might work out okay. This is a cute, low-maintenance look for summer and eyeliner is more likely to survive the heat on your eyelid rather than underneath. Try Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil, it comes in a variety of colors and kind of lives up to its name of lasting 24/7. Kind of.

Lips:

-- Please put down the lipliner ladies! Summer is for yummy drinks and sexy kisses, not perfectly defined matte lips. (That is on board for this Fall/Winter, though!) I personally would stay away from any sort of lip definition but if you cannot, make sure to use a creamy, soft lip liner to gently define the lips. Avoid harsh pencil liners that will draw perfection lines. Flawless beauty but naturally so, remember!

-- Lipstick is also a bugger in the summer. You have to remember to take it with you along with a mirror to reapply. It gets everywhere or else dries your lips, so I say leave it at home if you can.

-- So what should you do for sexy summer lips? Gloss!!! There are a variety of beautiful glosses out there for summer, both at the drug and department stores. I love MAC Dazzleglass, which comes in enough shades for daytime glow and nighttime drama. Feel free to pile on the gloss, and don't forget to take it with you! Glosses with attached applicators are always easiest to apply on the go; try to stay away from pot glosses that require a brush, mirror, oh god, my purse is already full just thinking about these!

Well I hope you find these Summer Beauty tips to be of some use while on your wildest of adventures. Just remember that when the heat turns up, the makeup list turns down!! I must go rinse off my facial mask; my favorite part of beauty in any season is flawless skin! See you soon girls!

Love,

Reana

Graphic Garden Review, Eyes by Trisha S.

 

Last week we talked about the Graphic Garden Lip Collection. The Graphic Garden Collection is an exclusive collection by MAC for Nordstrom’s highly-anticipated annual anniversary sale. This week we will explore the eye aspect of Graphic Garden. MAC released two limited edition eyeshadow palettes, each including 6 limited-edition shadows and a 213SE brush.

Fresh Cut

: Starting at the top left and of palette, down left side and up right side:

 

Fresh Cut (VP) is an iridescent shade of pinkish white with a purple shine. I was not at all impressed with this color and could not get it to show up on me, even with a primer.

Sun-Shy (L) is a light to medium orange with a gold shimmer. It’s a little bit of a coral color but mostly orange. I really liked this color.

Poppy Noir (V) is a dark brown-black with a little bit of purple in it. The closest color to this would be Beauty Marked

Part Peony (L) is a coppery-red shade with a frosty sheen. Reminds me a little of Cranberry

Floral Inc. (F) is a smooth pop of medium pink. It’s feels like a fairly neutral pink, perhaps just a touch cool. It’s similar to Swish but a little more in your face pink.

Bloom Cycle (VP) is a smooth, violet-white shimmer shade. This is Sweet Lust’s pearly, slightly darker cousin.

Graphic Garden

: Starting at the top left and of palette, down left side and up right side:

Social Climber (VP) is great for a highlighter color. It’s a white that is very slighty off-white.

Straight Hedge (VP) is a grayish-white with green-gold pearl. Very pretty, and it is tempting to get, since it is more unique. I would say that it is similar to Vex, but without any purple sheen.

Graphic Garden (V) is a deep black with purple shimmer. Very similar to Top Knot. Actually it looks the same next to it just less glitter.

Linear Lilac (VP) is a purple color that is a little on the pink side. Very soft and pigmented though. Similar to Stars N’ Rockets but a bit more pinky I think.

Botanical Blue (F) is a light to medium blue with just a hint of green in it. Very pretty.

Wild Wisteria (L) is a light aqua color. Pretty but is like a green Shimmermoss.

 Overall, the palettes are wonderful. The compacts are metal and includes the 213SE brush which is so cute! The brush is a little small to do a whole look with but works well for highlighting the inner eye and brow bone. Most of the colors in the palette are dupe able, but if you’re a sucker for cute packaging then by all means, get them both! The front of the palettes feature a holographic print with either the poppy or rose pattern that is exclusive to Graphic Garden!

At $35 dollars a piece for 6 eyeshadows and a handy little brush, it’s a good value. Especially if you are just starting your collection. Be sure to check out my looks using each palette, on The Look page! Have a great week girls!

Love, Trisha 

Summer Beauty 101: Face + Accessories by Reana S.

Hey Ladies!

Has anyone noticed this HOT HOT HOT weather lately? I absolutely love sun and am so excited for such a beautiful summer. However, it must be noted that summer beauty is a way different ballgame than our usual. When the temperature gets over 90, or in my city over 100, here are some tips to stay comfortable, practical, and still beautiful!

Accessories:

1) Steer away from layers, this is a winter look and is great way to keep warm. Instead, wear loose, flowly clothing in bright colors. This will keep you cool and stylish.

2) Forget the huge purses with tons of metal hardware. Instead try lightweight totes, not necessarily plastic or PVC; there are cute cloth or recycled ones available everywhere and I'm sure you have something in your closet! ;)

3) Please don't wear UGGS. Don't do it!! It is  summer and Uggs belong in winter seasons. Use this sunny opportunity to wear your cute flip flops during the day and sexy heels for those hot summer nights.

Face:

1) First, it is very important to keep up with your 3-step skincare routine. Stay away from any heavy face creams, and instead use a sheer, lightweight moisturizer (see Jessica's prior blog entry for a good recommendation). If you tend to be oily, a good mattifying moisturizer is key. I highly recommend Lancome Pure Focus.

2) Second and most importantly, SUNSCREEN! Sunscreen does not replace your step 3 moisturizer, it is a separate step 4 for these sunny months. Also, please please please don't skip on your sunscreen just because your makeup claims it contains some sort of SPF. It may, but it isn't enough!

3) Stay away from heavy or creamy foundations, even though there are a lot of great HD formulas coming out right now. These foundations are great for a later time, but right now they contain oils and silicones that combine with summer sweat to clog your pores, increase oil production, and make you more prone to breakouts. Eww! Instead, use a matte concealer in problem spots (MAC Studio Sculpt concealer is a personal favorite) and let fully dry. Finish with a light setting powder (MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural) applied with a brush. Don't even think about the sponge ladies!

4) Finish with your favorite bronzer, highlighter, or overall skin shimmer. There are a lot of great products out right now to achieve this look so visit your local makeup counter and get to trying some on!

I hope these simple beauty tips help. As always, don't forget to drink plenty plenty plenty of water! Have a wonderful summer, do fun things, and stay tuned for the 2nd installment of Summer Beauty 101 next week. Eyes and Lips!!

Love, Reana

MAC Viva Glam: A Beautiful Product for a Beneficial Cause by Shakinah B.

Our awesome makeup artist Shakinah recently wrote an essay on MAC's Viva Glam lipstick and marketing campaign, and after reading it I am very excited to share it with our readers. So, for today's post, take a break from the plentiful MAC launches and learn about a great beauty product that also benefits a worthy cause. Please e-mail Shakinah,shakinah.reanamation@gmail.com, for references or inquiries.

Viva Glam is a name known throughout the entertainment industry for two reasons: it is a fantastic product line and it supports a fantastic cause. In 1985 former makeup artists Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo founded MAC, the company which made a “glamorous outspoken red” lipstick titled Viva Glam. After being professional and personally touched by the AIDS epidemic in 1994, the founders created the MAC AIDS fund, and decided that 100% of the SELLING PRICE from their Viva Glam products would go toward global advocacy, research, education, and treatment for those who support and people living with HIV/AIDS. This differs from other charity products in that the $14 selling price of the lipstick is donated to the cause, rather than just the profits. For this reason, MAC is the third largest corporation globally recognized as a leader in HIV/AIDS contributions, topping $120 million to date.

 

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has had a substantial impact on the health and economy of many nations and since the first diagnosed cases in 1981, men, women, and children have been infected and killed by the millions. Tosken and Angelo created a product that is not only creative and influential, but an organization that makes a difference in the lives of millions around the globe. There are many companies that donate to worthy charities, but very few of them develop a product that gives 100% of that product’s sales to those charities. As the need for financial resources increases, Viva Glam has what it takes to make sure that the MAC AIDS Fund can continue to be a leader in supporting that need. For $14 a tube, Viva Glam is making a difference- one tube at a time. Viva Glam started with one "outspoken" red shade, but now comes in seven beautiful shades that are suitable for all ethnicities and skintones. Viva Glam shades are also available in 3 lipglasses, also $14 each. Visit www.macaidsfund.org to learn more and make sure to pick up the products on your next visit to your favorite MAC location!

Viva Glam: A Beautiful Product for a Beneficial Cause by Shakinah B.

Our awesome makeup artist Shakinah recently wrote an essay on MAC's Viva Glam lipstick and marketing campaign, and after reading it I am very excited to share it with our readers. So, for today's post, take a break from the plentiful MAC launches and learn about a great beauty product that also benefits a worthy cause. Please e-mail Shakinah,shakinah.reanamation@gmail.com, for references or inquiries.

 

Viva Glam is a name known throughout the entertainment industry for two reasons: it is a fantastic product line and it supports a fantastic cause. In 1985 former makeup artists Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo founded MAC, the company which made a “glamorous outspoken red” lipstick titled Viva Glam. After being professional and personally touched by the AIDS epidemic in 1994, the founders created the MAC AIDS fund, and decided that 100% of the SELLING PRICE from their Viva Glam products would go toward global advocacy, research, education, and treatment for those who support and people living with HIV/AIDS. This differs from other charity products in that the $14 selling price of the lipstick is donated to the cause, rather than just the profits. For this reason, MAC is the third largest corporation globally recognized as a leader in HIV/AIDS contributions, topping $120 million to date.

 

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has had a substantial impact on the health and economy of many nations and since the first diagnosed cases in 1981, men, women, and children have been infected and killed by the millions. Tosken and Angelo created a product that is not only creative and influential, but an organization that makes a difference in the lives of millions around the globe. There are many companies that donate to worthy charities, but very few of them develop a product that gives 100% of that product’s sales to those charities. As the need for financial resources increases, Viva Glam has what it takes to make sure that the MAC AIDS Fund can continue to be a leader in supporting that need. For $14 a tube, Viva Glam is making a difference- one tube at a time. Viva Glam started with one "outspoken" red shade, but now comes in seven beautiful shades that are suitable for all ethnicities and skintones. Viva Glam shades are also available in 3 lipglasses, also $14 each. Visit www.macaidsfund.org to learn more and make sure to pick up the products on your next visit to your favorite MAC location!