makeup & a twist out

Parabens I found at home

Ok so I thought it would be a good idea to go through my cosmetics as well as general products that are used in my house to get an idea of just how much paraben consumption is taking place in my household. I didn't do cleaning products. I will at another time. This time I just wanted to focus on the basics since not everyone wears makeup. Thankfully there were no parabens in the shampoo & conditioners I use, but they were in every type of lotion we had in the house including the baby lotion! I couldn't believe it but if the FDA doesn't have rock solid proof that there is a connection between parabens & cancer they won't take the chemicals out of our products. I would think that knowing that parabens act like estrogen in your body would be reason enough but hey all we can do is be informed and do our own research. Its time we read ingredients and become familiar with labels. Luckily there are so many different natural products being brought into the beauty industry that we have choices. I don't want to alarm anyone to the point where they feel they have to throw out all of their products. I would just suggest that when you run out of these products that you replenish your stock with natural, paraben free alternatives. I threw all of these items out because I was in a position to get more but don't feel pressured. Phase the products out that you use the most and do your own research to get what is best for you. My infant now has natural baby lotion instead of the regular brand by Johnson & Johnson. We also use an aveeno lotion which is also paraben free. I now use this instead of the Dove face lotion that I loved so dearly. Should I find a natural dove facial lotion with a smell that I like I will return. I also replaced the olive oil that I was using for his scalp & hair. Now we use tea tree oil. It is natural and paraben free. Just thought I would share. Feel free to chime in or share your own favorite products & whether or not you had any luck finding a replacement. My hope is that soon we will be free of all or most harsh chemicals and safe to grab from shelves whatever we like.

Natural Makeup - PARABEN FREE

Its being brought to our attention that many of the every day makeup brands that we all use have chemicals in them that can be linked to cancer with prolonged use. We can make smart purchases by knowing what we are exposing ourselves to and what to avoid. There are Green makeup lines that specialize in makeup that is chemical free & toxin free. There are natural makeup brands that can be purchased and are as inexpensive as drug store brands all the way up to the most popular makeup brands.

What should we do? Ok before you go crazy... don't. There are things we can do to reduce & eventually eliminate our consumption of such chemicals.

1) Instead of chemical washes use natural exfoliants & face washes. They can be purchased & even made in your kitchen.

2) No need to throw out all of your makeup collection. You can start phasing out your old makeups that have parabens & replace them with natural makeups slowly. Start with foundation, face powders, & bronzers since they are used the most on your face.

3) Read the labels. Be sure to pay attention to the cosmetics you purchase in the future & read them even if they are labeled organic. Look for paraben free makeup.

4) Always wash your face & remove all makeup before bed.

5) There are paraben free makeup products in different makeup lines. To keep from throwing out good makeup blindly, go online and read the ingredients to be on the safe side. Don't assume that you automatically have to give up your favorite brand.

Paraben free drug store brands: Physician's Formula,Loreal Bare Naturale, organic wear, burt bees, Green by nature, Avalon organics & more.

Sephora: Bare minerals, Juice beauty organics, Josie Maran, Boscia & more.

Brands such as Makeup Forever also sell Paraben free makeup such as their HD microfinish blush.

Parabens can also be found in some deodorants, shampoos & home cleaning products, so lets get in the habit of reading the labels.

Lipstick swatch & Review

I grabbed a few lipsticks from my makeup case that I've put into rotation lately. Not all of them but here are a few. I grabbed a few of the ones that are on shelves right now so that if you love it you will spend wisely. If you hate it, you'll save some money.

In order from left to right:

#735 Champagne Shimmer (Maybelline colorsensational).

This swatch is furthest to the left on my hand. You can barely see it because it is so close to my skin tone. Its very faint next to the nude shade to the right of it. This is a very sheer lipstick good for those days when you want you lips to have an understated look. Moist on lips & only minimally tinted.

#G20 from Sephora's Lip attitude Glamour line. Its nude & creamy which is why it is one of my favorites. Goes on smooth and is perfectly pigmented.

#R24 Sephora Rouge. This is a rich plum shade that is bold. This is not a favorite shade on my skin complexion. I think this shade of lipstick will look better on a warmer skin tone.

#Q425 berry bling CoverGirl queen collection

This lipstick is pretty & creamy. I love this happy medium between pink & purple. Keep in mind this is a sort of sheer lipstick, so if you are looking for a bold blunt color it doesn't pop as much as the Sephora rouge lipsticks. This is a sheer fruity looking shade.

#R11 Sephora Rouge Fuchsia

This is one of my favorites that I wear the most. Its a strong pigmented color. As far as moisture it is a medium, not too dry but not moist. This color is the perfect accessory for almost any occasion & its fun.

#S07 Star lip attitude by Sephora

This lipstick is super creamy & moist like a lip gloss. It smells great & has a sweet taste to it. This shade of bubble gum pink is perfect & looks great on anyone. Its not too bold & not too subtle with just enough shine to it.

#Q515 Paint the town Covergirl Queen collection

This is a bold red lipstick with medium moisture. It smells great & goes on smooth.

Maybelline dark red lipstick. Very creamy & moist. This lipstick is very pigmented & thick. It has a shimmer to it with a heaviness that makes it suitable for night wear. The label came off so I can't remember the product number.

#075 Let me pink by Maybelline

This is a rich rosy color, but not my favorite. This color is likely better suited for a fairer skinned woman. This lipstick is also very dry which I do not like.

celeb inspired makeup looks

Here are some celeb inspired makeup looks I've done. The newest one being Rihanna's makeup from her music video titled "Who's that girl". These are all fun, not exact but very close. I would never wear this much makeup outside because I'm not a celebrity, but it's fun to try :). I will definitely be coming back to "makeup inspired looks often since its one of my favorite themes. What's life without a challenge?

-xoxo Ffbyje'

Makeup trends for Spring/Summer 2011

As a makeup Artist, its my job to be up on the latest trends and to notice what makeup styles are current. A couple of my favorite makeup trends that have picked up lately are the bold colorful lips & flushed cheeks! People seemed to shy away from lipstick and were focusing on glosses and stains instead, but now lipstick has made a comeback in full force. Flushed cheeks were very popular in the 80's and now women are wearing a more refined version. Whether coupled together tastefully, or worn one at a time these trends are here and I'm loving it! The rule for carrying these trends out will be the same for both and that is to wear MINIMAL eye makeup in accompaniment. Back in the 80's this look was bold but was also paired with wild, colorful eyeshadow. That is where our preference differs today. We either play up the eyes or the lips, not both. With a great bold lip you don't need a lot of eye makeup. Just add a little mascara to keep you from looking washed out, but you don't even need eyeliner. This look is very fun & flirty so don't be afraid to find shades that suit you! Reds, oranges, fuschia...try them! We always showcase our eyes. Let your lips & cheeks do the talking for you this time & enjoy!

Natural Facial Scrubs: chemical free and easy to make

Thinking about buying an expensive facial scrub? Think again. There are so many different ways to make a great scrub using natural ingredients that you can find right in your kitchen. Being chemical free is a lot safer for your body and will leave your skin feeling great. We have what we need right here naturally, so why not put it to use. I used to try lots of different products on the market just trying to achieve the clearest complexion possible. It actually wasn't until I put all the chemicals down that I found my skin in much better condition. I've tried a few different homemade scrubs and the sugar/honey scrub is my favorite. Its easy to make, smells great and won't taste disgusting should you accidentally get some on your lip. Organic milk is also great to add to the scrubs if u like, but with just sugar and honey you will achieve greatness! Just use a teaspoon of honey & half a teaspoon of sugar and blend together in a bowl. Apply to the face, gently rub into face in a circular motion and rinse very thoroughly so that you remove any stickiness. Enjoy!

Makeup Q & A

Everything you've wanted to know but never got a chance to ask.....

"It ain't for everybody"

Q: I was wondering is there any type of foundation that doesn't break you out. I've never tried it but I have seen people break out from it.

A: Depending on your skin type, you may or may not be more prone to breakouts. While you can only be sure about the foundations you use personally, there are foundations on the market that were created to give the frequent makeup wearer a clearer complexion. Neutrogena skin clearing foundation is designed to help clear your skin as you use it. Each individual will have to find foundation that works for their skin type, but there are a few key points to remember when using foundation in an effort to maintain your clearest possible complexion.

1) Always remember to apply your foundation to freshly washed skin that has been moisturized. Using moisturizer is important for skin care, but it also creates a small barrier between your skin and the foundation itself.

2) You want to use a foundation that is oil-free and noncomedogenic. This is so that it will not cause you to have clogged pores or blackheads. Using a hypoallergenic foundation will also decrease your chances of having an allergic reaction since it will contain little to no potentially irritating substances.

3) Cleanse face properly and exfoliate after removing makeup to get rid of any residue.

4) Do not sleep in your makeup. Give your skin a chance to breath and be chemical free!

5) Try buffing your foundation into your skin with a Kabuki brush instead of applying it with a sponge, your fingers or some other brush. This type of brush has shorter hairs and is very dense. Because of that this brush blends perfectly causing less foundation to go much further. This technique makes it easier for you to maintain coverage using less product.

6) Finally, if you continue to search and still don't find a solution you can always go to the makeup counter of a brand that you trust and explain your specific skin needs and they may be able to help you find something that was over looked.

Q: Are there any ways to make your face appear a little more tan without using a tanning booth or spray tans?

A: Bronzer can be applied to the cheeks, brim of the nose, chin & forehead (matte bronzer looks most natural). You can also use a trick that JLo is known for and that is to wear a lip color that is just one shade lighter than your skin so that it gives you a faux tan. It works quite well as long as you don't over do it by going too light.

Q: When wearing red lipstick, what should the eye makeup look like? Is there a rule?

A: Yes and no. When choosing red lipstick you want to be careful and find shades that compliment your skin tone. Don't be afraid to wear that red lip bold and with confidence. When done right it can give you the most classic look. In some cases women may wear red lipstick with a bold eyeshadow, but this is always going to be an eye shadow in one color and probably for a major event rather than an everyday look. Also be ware that not every one's face can handle that much makeup. The general rule is that you either play up the lips or the eyes and not both or you will resemble a clown. So with a red lip it would be best to keep the eyeshadow very low key with something soft giving you that barely there look. You can even just make your dark eyeliner and mascara the focal point on your eyes only coating the lids with concealer or foundation and let your lips steal the show. In this case you don't want your eyes competing with your lips, so less is more.

Q: Any tips on blending?

A: Blending is super important when it comes to makeup application. It makes all the difference in creating a makeup look that is flattering. You want to make sure that you are using quality brushes since it is your tool for blending. Even if you can't afford expensive brushes you can still find quality at a lower price just by shopping around and knowing what you are looking for. You'll want to make sure that the brush you use for blending is the appropriate brush for the part of your face you are making up. For instance, you could never blend your eyeshadow in the crease of your eye with a blush or contour brush. Educate yourself and it will save you money and improve your skills. Its going to be easiest to blend eyeshadow by applying it little by little rather than applying too much and trying to remove some and start over. Your face is your canvas and you'll want to keep it as clean as possible to achieve the best results so take it slow. You can always add more. Blend your eyeshadow with a fluffy dome shaped brush and make sure that both eyes have the same intensity. Lastly but most importantly practice, practice, practice! Blending is so important so don't cut any corners and blend as much as you can because it will only make your look more polished.

Q: What are some tips for creating a smokey eye in colors other than black?

A: Its fun to do a smokey eye and play with colors. The important thing to remember is that you should apply the lighter shades towards the front of your lids and always put the darker shades towards the end of your eye where your crease is to smoke and blend it out. Having that lighter shade on the inner corner along with using a highlighter will give your eyes the appearance of being more open. Doing this backwards would only make your eyes look more closed and you wouldn't achieve that bright-eyed effect that women desire. Whether using pigments or shadows just keep in mind that blending is important so that it all works together. You don't want the colors conflicting with each other or looking clumpy. A smooth blended look is desired. If you are doing a smokey eye with just one shade, the smallest amount of black shadow can be applied in the crease and will create depth for a perfect monochromatic look!

Q: How do I find the right red lipstick for my skin tone?

A: Not knowing the answer to this question is the reason so many women are afraid to take the plunge. We never have to let anyone tell us that we can't wear red lipstick because we are African American . It simply isn't true. No matter what shade you are, there are reds that you can at least try. The ultimate choice will be left to you. As for the rules about reds, fair skin women look better in lighter shades of red lipstick like corals or peachy pinks and should stay away from dark lipsticks that are brown-like. For the lip shade to be flattering on you it should be a shade or two darker than your natural color. If you are a medium shade you can go a little darker with tones that look rosy or a cherry red. You will look best in the rich reds instead of the bright reds. If you are a dark-skinned woman you will look gorgeous in the deep plums and chocolate shades as well as the richest of reds. Remember that whatever shade you are, any lip color is worn best with confidence.

Q: How do I find the perfect nude lipstick for my skin tone?

A: Stick to a color that is very close to your own natural lip color or you will be defeating the purpose of wearing a nude lip. It doesn't need to be exact, but don't stray too far. If you are of a lighter skin tone, you will most likely look best in a pink or purple shade of nude lipstick. If you have a warmer skin tone you will look best in a nude lipstick that is closer to a peach or brownish shade.

Q: Bronzer vs. Highlighter

A: Bronzer is used to warm up the face and create a golden sun kissed look. Highlighter is used to brighten the face and is applied in slightly smaller amounts than the bronzer is. Highlighter is shimmery whereas bronzer can be matte or shimmery. The highlighter is designed to "highlight" certain features about your face and make them more prominent. Light will hit these areas of your face and reflect off the highlight color making these features look more prominent.

Q: Brushes. what are the sizes and what are they used for? Also, how do you keep them clean?

A: There are so many brushes that can be used to do makeup. I'm going to focus on what I think are the basic brushes that everyone who cares about makeup should use. You may choose whichever brands you like to supply your brush collection, but I will use Mac's collection as a reference since its the most well known.

1) Basic powder brush used for all over the face to apply things like powders, blushes & bronzers. (Mac #129 powder/blush brush, or #150 lg powder brush)

2) Angled face brush used to contour the cheeks. (Mac #168 brush)

3) Kabuki brush used for buffing the cheeks and rest of the face. (Mac #182 brush)

4) Foundation Brush used to apply foundation all over the face. (Mac #190 brush)

5) Stiff angled brush has some different uses, mainly filling in the eyebrows. (Mac #208 brush)

6) liquid/cream liner brush (Mac #210 brush)

7) Short shader/smudge brush used to smudge eyeshadow or eyeliner & dense shading of eyeshadow (Mac #214 brush)

8) Eyeshadow brush for your lids (Mac #213 & or #239 brush)

9) Fluffy dome brush for blending eyeshadow (Mac #217 brush)

10) concealer brush. (Mac #195 brush)

11) lip brush (Mac #316 brush)

12) Flat definer brush used to line eyes with color giving them instant definition. (Mac #212 brush)

All makeup companies sell makeup brush cleaners. These are designed to clean & disinfect makeup brushes and extend their shelf life. Brushes can also be cleaned with shampoo.

Q: Any tips on easy ways to apply eyeliner on the lid? I have a terrible time making the line straight.

A: Applying liner on the lid along the lash line is a great trick for making lashes appear fuller and giving the eyes that crisp finished look. As a beginner it is perfectly fine to start off using an eye pencil to draw this line. Just like anything else it takes practice. Instead of trying to do the entire line all at once take shorter, smaller strokes until you have it filled to your desire. Once you feel confident enough with this you should begin to try using liquid liner. Liquid liner can be intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll be glad you did. Remember, short slow strokes to begin and practice makes perfect. For a natural looking "cat eye" gently shut your eye and just trace the line of your lashes to the end of your eye. Keep it thin, and it will be just what you're looking for. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't turn out right on your first couple of tries. You'll get it soon enough.

Q: Is there a proper way to apply bronzer?

A: Bronzer is intended to give the face a bronze glow in the same places that the sun would naturally tan the face. You apply bronzer to the forehead, cheeks, brim of the nose and chin.

Q: How do you create a dewy look with makeup?

A: There are many different ways to create a dewy look. Trying different things out will help you find what you like. Here are some things that work:

1) You can try using a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation.

2) Use a gel or cream blush instead of powder

3) Use a very shimmery highlighter for your cheek bones

4) Use cream eye shadows or all purpose gloss on your eye lids

5) Mix a little bit of shimmery cream bronzer in with your foundation before applying it.

6) Use and all over the face shimmer for your cheeks and eyes.

7) A high shimmer eyeshadow can be used to highlight your cheeks and make them look dewy.

Q: How do you keep your eyeshadow vibrant?

A: Always apply a base or primer before applying eyeshadow to keep it from falling out. This will make the eyeshadow pop and last all day.

Q: What's an easy ay to do a smokey eye?

A: Stick with a light color for the front of the lid and blend out just a little bit of a darker shadow from the crease to the outer ends of the eyes. If that gets too messy for you, practice by adding a little at a time and blend as much as possible. A quick smokey eye can be done with just a soft eyeliner and a brush. You draw along your lash line and then smudge and buff it out lighlty with a brush. It will be very subtle but very sexy still.