Style Black Review by Trisha S.

Hey Ladies!!

We have been waiting for MAC's newest collection, Style Black, all summer and today it finally hit stores! Several members of the Reanamation Team have been saving up their recycling to trade for the amazing eyeshadows and lipsticks from this collection, and you know we were first in line to pick up the other great products too! I woke up at 7 this morning to be sure to get to the mall by opening and be first in line to play with and purchase Style Black. Here is what I found...

Mineralize Eyeshadows $19.50

Young Punk is a black base with purple-pink pearl

Gilt by Association is a black base with goldish olive pearl

Cinderfella is a black base with silver pearl.

Blue Flame is a black base with blue pearl.

I loved all of these!! I would definitely suggest a brush like the 242 or 252 to apply them wet. Instead of mixing medium, you can mix 1 tbsp. Glycerin to 3 tbsp. of water. Glycerin can be found at your local pharmacy and costs about $3 for 6 oz. I used the mixture to apply Blue Flame and then applied Cinderfella all over it dry to really get some shine!! Stay tuned to www.reanamation.com to see the pictures of my finished look!

Greasepaint Stick $17.50

Black is actually a purple-black with purple shimmer in it. I loved this product so much. It may be the replacement to Shadestick, not sure yet. It goes on easily and can be smudged for a smoky effect or used as a liner but very carefully, as it is a thick product. It is easily layered with eyeshadows too, and is best used underneath all of these new beautiful shadows!! This is such a great product that I actually bought two, definitely my favorite product of the entire launch!!

Cream Colour Base $16.50

Black is a solid black that is not quite glossy but slightly shiny.

Bat Black is a burgundy color that is a little shinier than Black.

Cream Colour Base can be used on eyes, lips, or cheeks. Not all colors are approved for all areas of the face so be sure to check. Both of these products serve as excellent bases for the new eyeshadows as well, but are more difficult for consumers to work with.

Lipstick $14.00

Black Knight is a Cremesheen finish black that is also a little glossy. It does bleed so be sure to use a liner on your lips and set with powder. This is a good time to schedule a consultation with one of us so we can show you exactly how to pull of the black lip look. Trust me, its not as simple as just applying it straight out of the tube!

Mattene Lipstick $14.50

Midnight Media is an almost black lip color that is not completely opaque. It does have a red tint to it but it pretty much just looks black on the lips.

Night Violet is a wine colored shadeof purple. It goes on a little more opaque than Midnight Media. These dark colors also look best with a lip liner.

Glimmerglass $18.00

Blackware is a sheer black gloss. It is a bit on the grey side and has no shimmer but is shiny.

Bling Black is a sheer black that has goldish olive glitter.

Blackfire is a sheer black that has purple and pink glitter in it. It also has a purple-y tint to it.

I was excited by the pictures of these, but was disappointed upon seeing and using them in person. They were a bit sheer for my taste, but can look prettier when layered over another lip product. I usually don't have time for all of that, so I skipped out on these. You can probably skip these too and still survive.

Nail Lacquer $12.00

Nocturnelle is a cream finish, glossy black. It’s not really anything special, just black, glossy polish. It is part of the permanent line as well.

Seriously Hip is black with goldish olive glitter. It is a perfect match to Bling Black Glimmerglass.

Baby Goth Girl is a black with purple and pink glitter. It is a perfect match to Blackfire Glimmerglass.

The nail polishes, while pretty, are nothing spectacular. MAC’s formula is not the best and at $12 a piece, I can find something similar and less expensive.

Overall: I am so glad that I not only saved up for this collection, but also dragged myself out of bed at 7 a.m. to be at the mall at 10 a.m. (I made it at 9:40). I have never been a fan of mineralize shadows but recently discovered them and how pretty they can be if you know the technique. I love the ones that came out here!! This is an awesome collection and a great way to kick of the Fall and Winter seasons. I highly encourage you to check this collection out this weekend and get a haul of your own!!

Love,

Trisha

In High Def Review by Reana S.

Hey Girls!

As television and technology are changing, the demands of makeup and on makeup artists increase. While high definition television and film are a pleasure to watch, it can be a PAIN to prepare for! To help makeup artists with their plight, MAC has released the In High Def collection of products that are excellent for high definition film and photography. Makeup artists can take this opportunity to take advantage of the products and excellent education MAC has to offer on the subject of makeup for high definition. While most consumers, on the other hand, will not have to wear the makeup for high definition photography or film, YOU can use these products on days or nights where and when you are going out and know the cameras will be out! And the pictures WILL end up on Facebook the next day!! Reanamation Studios is proud to offer one-on-one sessions on how to use these products for everyday use so please contact us at reanamation@gmail.com to schedule your consultation!

Although this collection received negative reviews by MAC fans, I must say that as a makeup artist and longtime MAC collector, I really really liked this collection. I bought every single item in the collection that I didn't already have and love each one either for use in my kit, collection, or personal stash!! With that, here is my product run down...

The In High Def collection offers the old-school cult favorite Face and Body foundation in a variety of colors to suit any and every skin tone. The foundation can be used on the face with the 188 Brush or on the body with the 187 Brush, both featured in the collection. F&B Foundation can be (and for High Def, should be) set with Mineralize Skin Finish Natural, which is also featured in this collection in a variety of shades.

My favorite part of this collection is definitely the new lipstick, which is featured in 4 limited edition shades. Fair skinned women can use Close to Real, a very light creamy shade. Medium skinned women can use High Def lipstick, which is a beautiful nude pink shade. Darker skinned women can use Sharp Focus, which I have been using nonstop since the day I purchased it. Anyone and everyone can use Resolutely Red, which is the absolute best shade of red I have seen in a long time. It is important to choose the shade of lip color that is right for YOU in this collection, rather than what shade you think is pretty. This is a great collection and is very customizable to make YOU look beautiful, so spend time with your local MAC artist or the Reanamation Team to make it happen!

Love,

Reana

MAC Upstarts Review by Reanamation Studios

Hey Ladies!!

MAC often releases packaged sets containing travel or trial-sized products for buyers to try. MAC's latest release of Upstarts comes in three varieties, one for skin care, one for eye makeup, and the last one for face makeup. These cute packages are a convenient and economical way to try new products without having to buy the full size, and are excellent to travel with. I love and use my Upstarts kit from last year every single time I travel, and am always thrilled to have my beloved Cleanse Off Oil with me wherever life takes me! Here is what Reanamation Studios had to say about each of the three sets...

Upstarts: Well Prepared, $47

This set is a great starter kit for someone who is trying to figure out what skin type they have and what the bare essentials are when it comes to preparing the skin for flawless makeup application. When it comes to applying makeup, it doesn’t matter how well you do it if your skin looks awful; to put it simply makeup does not and cannot conceal EVERYTHING! The MAC Prep + Prime products are a great way to properly prepare an amazing canvas, and you can refer to Reana's earlier post on the subject for more details on each product. This set, however, contains the basics of prepping the skin for makeup application and removing makeup after the day is done.

Prep & Prime Skin

- Prep + Prime Skin is an incredible product; this primer is so fluid and it also intensely moisturizes your skin. Not only does this make your skin glow but also provides a great canvas to start applying your makeup to. Prep + Prime Skin is extremely soothing and evens out any blotchiness on your skin. Of course everyone’s skin is different and will behave differently, however, it is very important to give the product a chance because it may be the one product to use, making your skin look flawless. This product comes in a full-size here and makes the set a great deal.

Prep & Prime Translucent Powder

- The Translucent Powder is a great product to use in order to set your makeup, making it long-lasting and flawless looking. Aside from that, this amazing product also reduces the size of pores and any imperfections that you may have. A great thing about this powder is that because it is in fact translucent, you never have to change shades through the seasons when your skin goes from light to dark. I have heard that the best way to wear this product is just on top of freshly moisturized skin, giving you an incredibly healthy look. This product also comes in a full-size here, further making the set an even greater deal!!

Cleanse Off Oil

- The Cleanse Off Oil and is definitely a product I recommend to use daily! I use this product every single day to remove my makeup; it also picks up any excess oil left from lotions, moisturizers or makeup previously used. After using this, your skin truly feels naked and refreshed; because Cleanse Off removes all excess oils it allows your skin to breath easier so you pores do not get clogged from the oil and silicone that is in most of your makeup.

Fix +

- The Fix + spray is a classic product that most MAC artists swear by. It contains glycerin, which helps makeup adhere to the skin, as well as other moisturizing ingredients that keep skin hydrated. Fix + has many other various uses that can be explored and experimented with. We personally like to spray a layer over toner and underneath moisturizer to help seal in moisture throughout the day, or spray our shadow brushes with it before using a mineralize shadow, to get the most out of the color.

Upstarts: Lined & Lashed, $27

Zoomlash Mascara

Zoomlash mascara is a lengthening mascara that is excellent when worn alone or layered coat after coat for a more dramatic effect. This is Reana's personal favorite mascara and she highly recommends it to anyone and everyone! This product comes in a full-size package.

Prep & Prime Lash

Prep & Prime Lash is a lash primer, previously reviewed in Reana's Prep & Prime Review. It is a great product for preparing the lashes and can also be layered for a more dramatic effect. We at first weren't sure about this product, but was pressured (in a good way) by a very trusted MAC artist to just buy it. Upon purchasing the product, this has become a staple in both our kits and personal collections and we are going through it tube after tube!! This product is full-size.

Pro Eye Makeup Remover

This mini eye makeup remover is wonderful for removing that stubborn black eyeliner and coat-after-coat mascara. If you have ever woken up with raccoon eyes from last night, this product is a must-have. The formula is gentle enough for the eye area but tough enough to remove anything and everything that should not naturally be in your eye area. This miniature size is a great way to try the product, or pack in your travel bag for a vacation.

Nightsky Soft Sparkle Pencil

This pencil is a sultry way to wake up any makeup look with drama and definition. The Soft Sparkle formula is easily manipulated and can be smudged or winged out for various looks. There is a slight shimmer finish to this black pencil, making it the perfect accessory for your evening cocktail dress. This is a stay-put formula that will remove easily with the above eye makeup remover.

--We haven't tried enough of the products in the Upstarts: Flawless package to ethically give you a detailed review. I encourage you to visit your local MAC store or counter and work with an artist to try each product and make sure they are right for you. This set is a good value but only if you love the Mineralize foundation, which we personally do not have experience with. The only way to find out is to try it, so head out there ladies! We hope you enjoyed this review of this year's Upstarts collection and will highly consider picking up one or all of these convenient, value-priced sets

Love,

Reanamation Studios

Flirt with Fall Review by Trisha S.

Hey Girls!

Academy Award-nominated Hollywood makeup artist, Christina Smith, and MAC have teamed up in this launch of lashes for you to “Flirt with Fall” in. Even though the collection contains 6 lash sets, only two of them are new. The other 4 are permanent fixtures of the MAC line. If you adore false lashes, then this collection is right up your alley.

• #43 Lash - Natural length. Wispy bundles that give even flirty fringe. Blend of black and brown hair. (Permanent)
• #44 Lash - Unique combination of separate bundles at inner corner and dramatic winged outer corner. Blend of black and brown hair. (Permanent)
• #45 Lash Half lash - Long separate bundles look both wispy and dramatic. Blend of black and brown hair. (Limited Edition)
• #46 Lash - Full and short. Blend of black and brown hair. (Permanent in MAC Stores)
• #47 Lash - Extra long side swept hairs combine with fullness at the base to give an edgy look. Blend of black and brown hair. (Limited Edition)
• #48 Lash - Slightly more dramatic length. Wispy bundles give flirty fringe. Blend of black and brown hair. (Permanent in MAC Stores)

If you are new to MAC’s lashes, this collection is an awesome way for you to get to know the products. The 4 existing lash sets are some of the best sellers that MAC has to offer. They are easy to use and can last for 8-10 “wears” if taken care of properly. The retail price is $13.00 per set, making it well worth your investment. If you need help applying false lashes, refer to my previous post on this topic and remember that practice makes perfect!!!

Love,

Trisha

Fall/Winter Trends 09 by Reana S.

Hello Everyone!

I'm sad to admit, but Summer is coming to a quick halt and Fall is now in full swing. Though the disappearance of sunny days and hot nights leaves me a bit depressed, the addition of several new makeup looks and launches brightens my day back up! Today I am going to share the trends for the upcoming season with you as well as review the MAC collection for the season. As a professional makeup artist, I have access to the latest tips and tricks for the seasons directly from the celebrity and catwalk artists themselves. Here's the run down of what is HOT and NOT for Fall and Winter...

Face/Skin:

Sculpture is key this season. Increased concentration is placed on the shaping and various angles of the face, rather than an overall easy glow or shimmer. Lines are created with highlighting and contouring the face, which you can learn more about in a consultation with one of our artists. 

IN: Sculpting powder, Shaping powder, Angled contour brush, Matte blush/highlight/contour colors in tones slightly darker or lighter than your own skin tone

OUT: Bronzing powder, Shimmery highlight, Bright blush

The Eighties:

Say What?! Yes you heard it right, 80's style and makeup is apparently making a splash comeback for this Fall and Winter. Can't say that I'll be rockin this trend, but just in case you are planning to, here are some things to get prepared for...

-- Ultra lined, ultra bright, standout, LOUD LIPS!

-- Winged-out eyeliner. This is easiest to do with gel eyeliner and an excellent brush, in my opinion. I have never tried this trend on myself but I do know that practice makes perfect. Set some time aside to experiment with different products and techniques, not forgetting to keep the eye makeup remover handy!

-- Contoured cheekbones

-- Funky, bright blush

-- Brightly colored, standout eyeshadow specifically electric blues

The Lady is  a Vamp

Big for Fall and Winter is the traditional smoky eye paired with daringly dark burgundy and even black lipstick. Several lines have already released their dark lip colors for Fall, and many have included an actual black lipstick in their release. The traditional smoky eye is achieved with a few different shades of grey eyeshadow plus a matte black shadow to add depth, texture, and definition. Using a soft black pencil liner that smudges will give a softer, more sultry and smokier edge to the usual hard black line. To prepare, stock up on:

-- A light, medium, and dark grey shadow from the brand of your choice

-- A shimmery grey shadow

-- A matte black shadow

-- Blackest black mascara

-- Dark lipstick

-- Black eyeliner 

-- A tool to smudge black eyeliner

Also in trend and on point for this season is...

-- Red lips

-- Blended eyeshadow (look for a good blending brush)

-- Earth and chocolate tones

-- Warm, spicy lips

And now, a review of MAC's Fall/Winter 09 Trend Collection...

MAC's newest collection, Trend F/W '09, is a dark, vampy collection that will leave you wanting to grab the latest black coats and stiletto boots to be ready, upfront, and fashion forward for the season. This collection quickly reminds us that the fun, bright, cheery weather and colors of Summer are in the past and we now have to prepare for the darker, sexier, and more sultry weather and colors of Fall and Winter. 

The collection has one rollerball perfume, Asphalt Flower, which smells amazing and is a great gift or personal item for $20. It is small and convenient for travel or purse reapplication. The collection also has one eyeshadow palette, Tone: Grey, that contains the 4 colors needed for this year's smoky eye, featuring a pearlescent blue highlight unique to 2009. I recommend this palette for anyone who needs grays for their collection and/or to prepare for this season's trends. The colors are all beautiful, perfectly textured for easy application, highly pigmented, conveniently packaged for Winter travel, and a value at $36 instead of $48+ for each individual shadow. Seasoned makeup artists and/or collectors can probably skip this palette.

The real highlight of this collection, in my humble opinion, is the lip colors. This collection features three lipglasses, New Berry in a dark berry shade, Runway Fave in a very light mocha creme + shimmer shade, and So This Season in a vampy purple shade. No matter what your skin tone, you can find a lip color to meet your needs for the upcoming season. I absolutely love the lipsticks from this collection too, and have successfully purchased each one. My favorite so far is Faultlessly F/W which is a very very dark purple/violet color. Hipster is another dark shade, but this time with a pretty deep, burgundy wine shade. Red Full Stop is nothing like its name and instead boasts a sheer coral finish, and Our Pick is about as nude as nude can get! Each shade of lipstick or lipglass can be worn alone or, unlike most other MAC launches, with its corresponding partner. This collection makes it very easy to be Fashion Forward for Fall, and I highly recommend you stopping by your local MAC to check it out! 

Stay tuned this week for a ridiculous amount of information, including eyebrow basics, tips on High Def makeup, new makeup looks, and of course, launch reviews!! Until next time...

Love,

Reana

Updates! by Reanamation Studios

Hello Divas!

Whew! We are getting to a time where once again, MAC has outdone us. MAC currently has several different launches going on simultaneously, making it very hard for us to keep up with our blog AND budget! But, we love love love MAC and will try to keep up to date as best as possible. If you see something online or in store and have a question or comment, of course e-mail us at reanamation@gmail.com

You will find these launches at your local MAC Store or Counter:

-- In High Def

-- Trend Fall/Winter '09

-- Flirt with Fall

-- Nail Trend F/W '09

-- Makeup Art Cosmetics as seen by Richard Phillips

-- Makeup Art Cosmetics as seen by Maria Kalman

-- Makeup Art Cosmetics as seen by Marilyn Minter

Online and in some stores, you will find:

-- Upstarts (3 collections of eye, face, and skin products conveniently packaged together)

After Thursday, add these to the launch list:

-- Style Black

-- Dazzleglass Cremes

-- Zoom Fast Black Lash

All of these launches are still going on and products from each are still available online, in stores, and in counters. I highly recommend the Makeup Art Cosmetics line and this has been one of my favorite launches this year, but if you haven't stocked up from this collection yet, you might want to use caution...Makeup Art has a lot of bright colors, glitters, and pigments that were perfect for the hot summer heat. If you look at the trend for Fall/Winter 09, however, you will see that colors are cooling down to vampy, dark and almost gothic kinds of looks. 80's dress and music style are also on board for Fall/Winter 09 trend though, so keep a few of your bright colors around if you feel like being on point for the trend. 

If you are like me and stick to classic, tried and true looks regardless of the season, use this opportunity in MAC history to stock up on a variety of interesting and different products. There are several great products out right now and we will do our best to keep you informed on what to grab and what to HAVE for now, for the upcoming season, and forever!! 

Keep us informed too! What have you been buying? What must you have? What can you live without?

Love,

Reanamation Studios

Makeup Academy Week #6 by Trisha S.

Week 6 of Makeup Academy was All About Lips!!

This week was fun and little tough too!! Lips are a very important part of the face and this class was almost as intense as the eye class! As always, we began with the purpose of lip color, which is to enhance or correct the shape or color of the lip.

In order to know what kind of lips you have you need to know the part of the lip. The dip in the middle of your upper lip is called the bow. The highest point on each side is called the peak.

There are three common lip shapes:

1/3 Lip: This is the standard lip shape and considered the most attractive. From the bow to the peak takes up 1/3 of the lip and from the peak to the corner is 2/3.

1/2 Lip: This lip shape is considered glamorous and attractive. From the bow to the peak takes up ½ of the upper lip and from the peak to the corner is the other ½

2/3 Lip: This lip shape is most commonly used on singers and theatrical performers. From the bow to the peak takes up 2/3 of the lip and from the peak to the corner takes up 1/3 of the lip.

To help your lipstick stay on you longer, apply foundation to the lips first. Line your lips with lip liner and then fill in your lips with that same liner pencil. Apply your lipstick next, and then use a burhs to press some translucent powder onto your lips to set the cream. Apply some gloss if desired, and you're done!!

There are many corrective techniques to make the lip appear smaller or larger, depending on the look you are going for. For more information on these techniques, schedule a makeup consultation with us! You can e-mail me at trisha.reanmation@gmail.com to ask any questions too :)

We have a very exciting weekend ahead of us, in more ways than one, so be sure to visit us often to keep up! Until next week...

Love,

Trisha

Take THAT Recession! by Shakinah B.

I enjoy going up and down the make-up aisles at drugstores, especially when there is a sale. Believe it or not, everything a person needs to build a decent everyday-wear collection can be found at CVS, Rite Aid, or Wal-Mart. With the competition for your beauty buck, drugstores are now permitting returns on cosmetics if you are dissatisfied with your purchase and the sales are REAL sales- often times there’s BOGO (buy one, get one) action. This comes in very handy, especially with face powers and foundations. It is easy to stock up and save at the same time. Here are my top five drugstore favorites:

1. L’Oreal HIP Products: I refer to this as M.A.C for drugstore diva; it is of the highest frugal quality. The lipsticks and glosses have excellent wearing time and don’t dry out lips. Eye color comes in duo sets or pigments which are rich in color and fun. Every HIP product that I used worked well with othersJ For an autumn day lip, try heroic (deep mauve with light gold shimmer) and night “Extrovert” (deep brick red with a satin finish)
2. Maybelline Fabu-Lash Mascara: I have tried high end mascaras and nothing comes close. Long live Blackest Black!
3. Store brand Witch Hazel: the cheapest, most effective toner, it naturally removes pore- clogging impurities for $4 per 12 oz. bottle
4. Revlon lipstick- I am in love with the shade “Black Cherry” (deep burgundy with a shine finish). The shades and finishes are beautiful and the formula is non-drying
5. Vitamin E oil- use it at night to help keep the skin radiant and rejuvenated

While I love my department and artistry brand cosmetics, I will stock up on a drugstore sale in a heartbeat! I encourage you to check out the cosmetics department next time you are at your local drug store or Target/Wal-Mart and let us know what you find!

Love,

Shakinah

Rock & Republic Review by Reana S.

Hello Readers!

Last week I had the pleasure of checking out a newcomer to the cosmetic counters, Rock & Republic. I was particularly interested in the makeup because Rock & Republic is a clothing brand rather than a beauty brand. I checked out the brand at my local Nordstrom and had mixed feelings. 

The line is small and carries a modest amount of products in a reasonable variety of colors. The line does carry beauty basics such as primer, basic brushes, eyeshadow, blush, and lipgloss, but only carries one mascara and does not have any lipstick. All products were highly pigmented, some almost too much so! The packaging of the products is over-the-top, making me wonder if the $28 I'm paying for one eyeshadow is for the packaging or the actual product. The counter was very clean and the product display was excellent, including a tv with video feed from past R&R fashion shows.

I tried several of the products: eyeliner, blush, eyeshadow, and highlight. All of the products were of good quality for both consumer and artistry use. The eyeshadows are very soft and pigmented, with a smooth, buttery texture that MAC can only dream of! But...at $28 a pop I'm the one who has to dream about owning more than just a few. The R&R blush was enticing, but upon application was very very highly pigmented, making me feel that the products might be difficult for most consumers to easily use. The price of the products is very high in my opinion, but may or may not be worth it to you depending on your relationship with makeup. My review in a nutshell?

Size of Collection: Medium

Variety of Colors: Average

Price: Costly

Quality: Excellent

Value (Cost to Quality Ratio): Average

Packaging: Wasteful, and impractical for artists

Consumer Use: Average; good products but some may be hard to use

Artist Use: Average; high quality products but also highly priced, impractically packaged, and small selection compared to MAC, Make Up For Ever, or NARS

My Haul: Small! Mental (shimmery blue) Gel Eyeliner ($24) and Adrenaline (the perfect rust color I have been looking for all summer!) eyeshadow ($28).

Overall: This is a unique line that you may find amazing or negligible, depending on what is important to you in your makeup (price, packaging, quality, value, artistry, or consumer use). I think it is worth picking up a few items for your collection if you are an artist or connoisseur, or splurging on a full makeover of products if you don't spend too much time or money on makeup. Either way, this brand does have something to offer for everyone and I highly recommend checking it out! Let us know what you think; reanamation@gmail.com

Love,

Reana

Makeup Academy Week 5 Review by Trisha S.

Last week was Week 5 of Makeup Academy, meaning we are officially half-way through! I can't believe our course is almost over, but I am so excited to be half-way towards becoming a professionally certified makeup artist! This week was more of a technical week for us. We discussed eyelashes and how to apply both band and individual false lashes. Many women are fascinated by the look and appeal of false lashes, but are intimidated by their application procedure. That is why I am here to help! Applying false lashes is actually a simple procedure but it does take practice. Here are the basics; review them, buy some false lashes at your local drugstore (save the $11 MAC pairs until you become an expert!), and practice practice practice! To apply your false lashes, 

You will need:

Lashes

Lash adhesive

Toothpick

Tweezers or orange stick

Scissors 

When you look at the lashes in the case, that’s how they go on you face! Very easy to remember and cute to say! Most lashes are shorter on the inner corners and get longer on the outer corner just like your natural lashes. So if you put them on backwards, well, you might look funny!   

When looking down into the case you will see a tiny strip that the hairs are attached to. That is the actual band. That is also where the adhesive goes. You want to take the lashes out of case and press them to your eye first to measure. Some people have longer eyes than others! Trim off any overhang before applying. Also, never assume that both eyes are the same length. You will want to measure each lash separately. The best way I have found to apply the adhesive is to squeeze a small amount of glue into a palette or some other surface, dip a toothpick into the adhesive and then apply a thin layer to the band.  

Now you are going to take that band and starting at one corner or the other, place it on the eyelid. It makes it easier also if you are at a vanity or table with a mirror on it so that you have to look slightly down to see what you are doing. You want the band to be as close to your natural lash line as possible without actually being on the lashes. Once you get one corner attached, move across the eye, pressing the band down until you get to the other corner.  

Now that you have them attached, open your eye and look at your lash line. If there is any space between the band and your natural lashes, take the tweezers or orange stick and push the band down toward your lash line.  

That’s it! You have now applied your band lashes and you look gorgeous!

Individual lashes are a bit more complicated but I found them easier to wear personally because the band lashes feel like little shelves on my eyelids. If you would like to know more about either type of lash, email me at trisha.renamation@gmail.com. 

See you next week!!

Love,

Trisha

Priceless Products by Reanamation Studios

Hey Girls!

The Team at Reanamation Studios is filled with beautiful girls who are beauty ADDICTS and know a thing or two about neglecting other life essentials to splurge for the latest MAC launch or sale at Sephora. We all have extensive makeup collections; Jessica's favorite item to collect is MAC Fluidline and has her makeup organized in the professional MAC case; Reana has been collecting MAC for over a decade, and Trisha has both a large personal collection AND professional kit. While we love our many products, the Team at Reanamation does have a few products that are just simply priceless. These are our products that tried and true, time after time, do the job and do it quick. If asked to live without these products, well, we just might not.

Jessica:

Dry, chapped, and cracked lips are definitely a NO NO!!! The absolute best thing I have found for my lips is MAC Lip Conditioner Stick and I will NOT leave home without it. I never do! The Lip Conditioner Stick is way better than any Chapstick, gloss, or lipstick I have ever used. It makes your lips feel satiny smooth and leaves them extra kissable ;) The Lip Conditioner Stick is $13.50 and offers your lips all-day UVA and UVB protection. It provides moisture and gloss to the lips, and to add to the excitement, MAC just released four limited edition glosses with this same formula plus a little extra color tint! Perfect for summer, and an overall timeless product that I don't want to think about life without!

Reana:

I absolutely love MAC Pro Lash Mascara. I have tried many, many mascaras, both expensive and inexpensive, and this is the hands-down winner. I use anywhere from 1-4 coats of mascara per day so it is important for me to keep a mascara that is efficient as well as well-priced. This mascara retails for $13 and lasts 2-3 months, well worth the price! It is a great mascara and does the trick in just one coat, or can be layered coat after coat for a more dramatic effect. I never leave home without at least one coat!

Trisha:

If you are anything like me, you are always looking for the product that takes steps out of your normal routine. I have such a busy life that it is hard to always have 45 minutes to get through my normal makeup routine. Well, I finally found a product that does this and helps me cut ten minutes off my routine!! 

MAC Pro Hyper Real Foundation is a smooth liquid foundation that has a pearly sheen to it. It goes on easy without a lot of streaking and provides great coverage. Because of the sheen to it, it cuts out the need for Mineralize Skin Finish powder, and sometimes even blush (depending on how fast I gotta go!) It makes my skin look dewy and glowy without a lot of fuss. I use the 187 brush to apply it to my face. 

Hyper Real is available only through MAC Pro but sometimes you can find it at the CCO (Cosmetics Company Outlet). If you cannot locate a bottle, you can get a similar effect by mixing Studio Fix Fluid with a bit of Strobe Cream. Mix products together with your favorite round foundation brush, in a petri dish for sanitation or the back of your hand for a time saver!

We hope you girls love our priceless products as much as we do!! Have a great weekend and let us know if you find any priceless products of your own, at reanamation@gmail.com.

Love,

Reanamation Studios

All About Crease! By Jessica S.

Hey Girls!

I hope you have enjoyed reading and using our makeup tips and tricks as much as we enjoy sharing them with you! I was inspired by Trisha's last week of Makeup Academy and decided to continue my trend of blogging all about EYES with these simple tips:

When applying my eye shadow I find that it is very important to put emphasis on the crease of your eye because it gives you the most definition and gives your eye a distinguished shape. I must say my favorite way to create visible dimension to my eye is by using neutral colors; making your eyes pop with neutral and dark browns. Reana also recommends using matte shadows for the crease, as they add texture, depth, and definition to the eyes where shimmer shadows do not. Follow the simple steps below to end up with amazing eyes!

-       Pick out three of your favorite colors; one light, one similar in color to the light one (but a medium color), and then a substantially darker but still similar in color. 

-       Then apply a thin layer of moisturizer on you eye 

-       Take the medium color (using a regular squared eye shadow brush) apply the shadow to your lid. 

-       Then take the darkest color that you chose (using a thin angled brush) apply the shadow to the crease of your eye starting at mid eye and arch the brush from the crease to the outside corner of your eye. 

-       Then take a blending brush and blend in the shadow you just applied to your crease so it isn’t so bold but is still distinguishable. 

-       Lastly, apply the lightest color on and just below your brow bone with a light feathered brush. 

And Voila! Truly outstanding eyes! For a more detailed, personal explanation and to pick custom colors for your skin tone, visit www.reanamation.com to schedule a consultation or makeup lesson. See you next time ladies!

Love,

Jessica

Catching Up! by Reanamation Studios

Hey Divas!

So sorry that we have been out of touch lately but the good news is that we are BACK in the studio and ready to make you look beautiful! Thank you for visiting our blog and don't forget to sign up as a follower!! 

If you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback, please e-mail us!

reanamation@gmail.com

Love,

Reanamation Studios

Makeup Academy Week 4 Review by Trisha S.

Welcome to week 4!

This week we learned about the eyes! If you are like the rest of us at Reanamation Studios, you are obsessed with eyes, eye shadow and eyeliner! This was an interesting week for me and one that I was anticipating!

Let’s look first at the purpose of eye shadow. It is to correct or enhance the shape of the eye or the color of the eyelid and to decorate the eye. There are many types of eye shadows such as wax solids (pencils, sticks, and crayons), crèmes, watercolor cakes, and most commonly, powder.

Let’s look now at the three main areas of the eye:

--The lid
--The crease
--The frontal bone (brow bone)

The lid can be broken down into four parts:

--Inner – this goes from the tear duct to the start of the eyebrow
--Central – area above the pupil when looking straight ahead
--Outer - outer edge of pupil to the end of the eyebrow
--Side – from the end of the brow to the temple

The recommended way to apply eye shadow is to apply a medium shade to the lid, a darker shade to the crease, and a light color to the brow bone. I am not necessarily a fan of this application method. I prefer to not go all the way across in the crease because it tends to give the look of a circle or raccoon eye. I like to apply a light shade to inner half of eyelid, a medium shade to outer half of eyelid, a darker shade in the crease but only about half way across, and a super light highlight shade to the brow bone. But, it is basically up to you and how you think it looks best to suit your eye shape.

You do not have to use 3 shades of the same color all the time. Play around and have fun with it. You could do yellow on inner lid, orange on outer lid and maybe a brown or red in the crease. How about green on the inner lid, blue on outer lid and purple to define the crease and add some depth! There are hundreds of combinations but the main thing to keep in mind is to BLEND!!! You definitely do not want to have lines in between the colors.

When applying eye shadow it is important to use colors that match the overall look of your makeup. You want to keep cool colors on eyes, cheeks and lips. Same goes with warm colors. You would not want to wear orangey blush with purple eyes and red lips. I hope you find these tips useful, and don't forget to check out our work at www.reanamation.com to get inspired! See you next week!

Love,
Trisha

Save Your Skin! by Reana S.

Hey Divas,

Though I love love love makeup artistry, collecting, and application, my actual background and training is in skincare. I have a lot of education and experience in skin care, and am constantly asked by friends and clients for tips and tricks to flawless skin. I also have many friends who I watch go on costly, harsh medications to treat their skin conditions without following these SIMPLE steps first, and this has prompted me to share some really simple yet effective tips on keeping your skin healthy.

1) Drink Water!
Yes water. Not soda, not juice, WATER! My skin looks best when I drink more than one liter of water per day, as it keeps skin hydrated. Hydrated skin is healthy skin, and skin that has a naturally beautiful glow. For those who have oily/acne prone skin, H20 will flush out excess oils and toxins, and help to balance your skin condition.

2) Take Off Your Makeup!
Makeup contains oil and silicones that make us look beautiful, but CLOG PORES. Yes I said it! This is what the girls at the counter don't tell you, but makeup yes, does clog pores. A clogged pore will result in a pimple or blackhead, and is definitely avoidable. I highly recommend keeping makeup removing wipes at your nightstand so that you never forget to remove your makeup before sleeping.

3) Wash Your Face!
Hey, I said simple right? This seems simple yet I see so many girls at work, the mall, or just around town who I can immediately tell have not washed their face and/or are dehydrated. So, proceed to the next step to learn how and what to use to wash your face but never forget to do it twice a day!

4) Find a Skincare Regimen for YOU
Not all skin is created equal, so the same skin care products and regimen (routine) won't work for everyone. There are a few different types of skin and various skin concerns, and in order to get beautiful, healthy skin, you need to take time to determine YOUR skin type and YOUR skin concerns. Reanamation Studios offers skin care consultations where we do this for you, please visit www.reanamation.com for prices and services anc contact us at reanamation@gmail.com with any questions you have.

Once you have determined your skin type and addressed your skin concerns, invest in the products that are recommended for you. The key word here is Investment. You might spend a lot of money at first, but it is better to shell out the dough for the products recommended for you than to buy and try countless products that just won't give you what you need. If you use your products conservatively and as directed, I promise you they will last a long time. Speaking from personal experience...it was really hard for me to cough up the $40 for my Lancome Pure Focus moisturizer, promised to help with mid-day oil caused by makeup. I decided to purchase it from Nordstrom so that I could return it if I didn't like it. Well, I absolutely LOVE it and have used it sparingly for over 8 months now. My Clinique small-sized toner ($13) has lasted me 7 months, also well worth it.

I hope these basic tips remind you how easy it is to take care of your skin. Please do try these tips, especially finding the right products for you and keeping up with a daily routine, before starting any medications to address your skin concerns. We are always happy to help you with your skin care needs, and hope you will visit us soon!

Love,
Reana