Veuset Organizers

As a Makeup Artist there is nothing better than to have all of my makeup de-cluttered and nicely organized. I want to be able to see everything and also have it at a hands reach. My freelance kit can easily get cluttered because I’m constantly buying new products. If I don’t keep a list or have everything visible, then it can easily become lost. There have been times that I end up buying a whole collection of single eye shadows, then they end up cluttering a whole compartment/section in my kit. As much as I would love to take all my makeup with me to a job or a client’s house, its just not a reality. So whenever I think up of a way to de-clutter or scale down the products that I need, then I’m all for it.

no more messes

I love the craft store. It’s the best place to find storage solutions. I’ve found a couple of plastic containers to depot my foundations, lipsticks and I’ve found a good place to put pigments and glitters. But when I first heard of a new brand called Vueset that had come out with makeup organizers I really wanted to try them out. There had been other Pro brands that did also have storage containers but they were for a much steeper price. Truthfully, they were just not within my budget. So I went to their website to see what types and prices they had.

I can say that they are reasonably priced. They range from: $14- $18. They come in a variety of styles, they are sleek and compact. They are 100% see-through and are easily stackable with one another. Best of all, they fit perfectly in my makeup kit. They aren’t too bulky, and they are very light weight. They only take up a fraction of the space that a whole bunch of lipstick tubes would. The two styles that I have are the “Tahiti” and “Viking Jack.” In their website they have a total of 6 versatile palettes that can literally be used for any need or product. I use my Tahiti palette for de-potting all of my lipsticks. Each compartment of the Tahiti palette has enough space to fit an entire tube of lipstick. Or it can also be used to put small samples of foundations or concealers (kind of like Bobbi Brown’s Universal Palette.)

Included is a photo of my most used lipsticks in the Tahiti palette. As for the Viking Jack, I use it for cream foundations/ neutralizers and foundation correcting creams (like MUFE’s Flash Palette.) OK, so let me know what you think. Do you own any? Do you know of any other reasonably priced ones? Sound off in the comments. XOXO- Laura

“Viking Jack”

PHAMExpo 2014

I’ve been way too excited for this event. After attending the 2013 PHAMExpo I knew I had to come again. There are just too many things I still need. As a makeup artist, there really isn’t such a thing as a complete kit. There will always be a new product or tool that you need. I attended the expo for the very first time last year. My friend and I talked about it for weeks prior to the event. 2013 was the debut year for PHAMExpo (Professional Hair And Makeup Expo). If you’ve never heard of this makeup event before, well you’re totally missing out. Here is a straight-forward description of PHAMExpo that I got from their website.

What is PHAMExpo?
Professional Hair and Makeup Expo (PHAMExpo) is the ultimate event for savvy beauty professionals, students, and anyone interested in the latest trends for hair and makeup. With leading brands, the latest products, and the hottest new treatments under one roof, PHAMExpo is the best place to brush up on all things beauty.

This expo is done here in So. Cal. in the city of Pasadena, the same place where they also have IMATS every year.I’ve bought my Saturday ticket and I just can’t wait for all those special guests, speakers, and low, low, low makeup deals. I know I’ll be taking advantage. If you want more information or to buy your tickets head over to their website. You can also see pictures of last year’s event. Happy shopping everyone. XOXO-Laura.

Royal BeautyBlender

Behold, the Royal BeautyBlender!

I know, I know, we’re almost half way through the year and this might be old news to some of you. However, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on this baby for a long while. It wasn’t available in any of the Sephora’s near me, it has always been online only. I was at Jcpenney doing some summer shopping and my Jcpenney has a mini Sephora store. Let me remind you at this moment that I only walked in to browse. Right when I walked in there it was, the Beautyblender that I always wanted. Was it the unique color that made me want it? IDK. Was it that it was limited edition? Possibly. All I knew is that I needed it in my life. Let me be the one to tell you that I don’t regret it. So I took one home and this is what I know so far.

This Beautyblender is just as soft as the others. I have three of the original pink ones and they are sooo soft. All three of them are at different stages of the BB life cycle (LOL). One is almost new, another one is ripped, and my very first one has lasted me 1 and 1/2 years, and is super stained. So I’m very excited about this new one. When I used it for the first time, it applied well, smoothly, and no lines at all. But when it came to cleaning, right away it started bleeding. However, it wasn’t absurd bleeding. In the website the BB looked much brighter, and when I first saw it in store I was a little disappointed because it looked like a dull purple. I thought that it might have been lint or dirt from storage, but it is enclosed in a plastic dome so that couldn’t be it. Oh well. Nonetheless, this is one of the best ways to apply my foundation and concealers. You can buy yours at the Sephora website.

My Beauty Mistakes

It’s been over a week now since we all saw Angelina Jolie walking out on a red carpet with something peculiar on her face. As we all know, it was HD powder that had not been blended smoothly. Being such a high-profile celebrity you’d think that these sort of makeup mistakes wouldn’t happen to her, but it did. That only proves that she’s human too. I’m not going to go into a full description as to what went wrong that day or I’d be beating a dead horse. If you would like more information on why this happened to her (as explained by MUA Wayne Goss) this video will help.

Yeah, I cringed a little but I’ll have to confess. It’s happened to me too. So I know how she must have felt in that exact moment. I know I’m not alone here, don’t be shy, lets share our stories. So in solidarity I too want to share my most regrettable makeup moments/mistakes. Looking back it actually makes me proud of how far I’ve come in my makeup career. I remember when I couldn’t even blend eyeshadow. But without further ado…

Makeup Mistake #1: The wrong foundation

So it all started in the 6th grade. That pivotal moment when everything starts to change and that included my skin. To me, it was inexplicable. Like always I tried everything to cover my face and hide my huge pimples. Hence my most regrettable mistake: wearing the wrong foundation. At this point it was also my first trip to the drugstore makeup aisle. Basically a deer in headlights moment. My mom doesn’t wear makeup, nor did I have an older sister or sibling to help me pick the right one. Its so easy to end up picking the wrong one. What you see in the glass container is not always what you get. So as any teen at that time, I just got whatever looked closest to my skin tone. Also, the foundation names didn’t help either. Golden Beige, Natural Beige, Sand Beige, Warm Beige ? It was all Greek to me. At times it was either too light that I looked ghostly in pictures. Other times it was slightly darker, and just looked awful. It took me a while to figure out where I ranged, but once I found “the one” I was all smiles.

Makeup Mistake #2: Over Powdering

I have oily skin. So wearing foundation by itself was not enough. I still to this day have the shiniest T-zone. So naturally I started using powder foundations. Thus where the second regret/mistake begins. I used to think that applying more powder would control more oil, but no. It only lead me to cake-ville. Looking back I cant believe that I walked around like that. Even worse is that no one ever wanted to say anything. Probably one of the makeup terms that I hate the most is “Translucent.” When I first heard about them I rejoiced. I said to myself “finally the search is over,” but I was far from it. However, I decided to give them a try and I totally regret it. The different ones that I bought were too chalky/ talky and gave me a dead look. So I immediately passed.

Makeup Mistake #3: Over Tweezing

My tween years were my bushiest, and my mother reminded me everyday. I laugh at it now. By this time every celebrity had the over-plucked Pamela Anderson look/brows. So it became popular to have thin eyebrows. However, every time I looked in the mirror, mine were on the thicker side a la Cara Delevigne. So I did what I would not want anyone else to do. And that is to tweeze your own eyebrows. Especially if its your first time. It was long and painful for sure. And as for who my brow “muse” was, it was Jennifer Lopez. Every time I looked through magazines they always had a picture of her for either best dressed or best beauty. Long story short: I now get them professionally done once in a while, and I up keep with brow palettes.

Makeup Mistake #4&5: Clumpy Lashes/Shimmery White Shadow

This is probably the one beauty crime I see being committed daily, the clumpy lashes. I don’t remember this ever being “on-trend.” And what’s even worse is that people have no shame. My sister loooves her clumpy lashes. I remember that right before going out to P.E. my friends and I used to head to the restroom and re-apply our mascara. For what? I don’t know, we just did. By the time I was in high school my mom started using makeup. One of her friends used to sell Avon and she had gotten me a 3-shadow palette. I had read in one of my magazines that white shimmer was good for “brightening” your eyes. Don’t get me wrong, it totally does. However, I must have thought that if it was good for “brightening” then maybe if I applied it all over my eye then it would look even better. Le sigh. Oh how I was wrong.

So this concludes my makeup mistakes/regrets. I know we’ve all come very far since those cringe worthy days. So tell me, what’s your story? XOXO- Laura.

Put A Butterfly On It

O.K. Can we just take a moment and check out Sephora’s new limited edition Mother’s Day gift bags.

So Sephora came out with these Limited Edition gift bags for Mothers Day. Starting May 4th through May 11th you got complimentary gift wrapping with any in-store or online purchase. The gift bags came in three different sizes to suit any gift choice. When I first saw these bags in an email last week I knew I had to have them. I’m a sucker for pretty packaging, and I know my mom is too. These bags feature different abstract images of butterflies. The images were obviously created using makeup, and the artist’s imagination. If you want to find out more on the artist Spiros Halaris, and his interview in the Sephora Glossy on what inspired him click here.

I’ve always been a big fan of Sephora’s limited edition bags. Not too long ago, for Christmas 2013 they also came out with limited edition gift bags and I was fortunate to receive one. Here is an image of their Christmas 2013 gift packaging:

So pretty right? Well if you managed to get one of the special mothers day bags, share it on social media with the official hashtag #PutAButterflyOnIt. I know I will.
XOXO -Laura

Beauty Talk: Loyalty Cards

Ok, so you went shopping for makeup and you are now waiting in line to pay. Do you… A) Take out your money to pay or B) Scramble through your cluttered purse to take out your loyalty card? If you chose “B,” then congratulations you are just like me. I refuse to leave the house without all of my store loyalty cards. I mean c’mon who wouldn’t want to get rewarded for shopping? No one right? However for some of us it may not be so convenient. So how do you decide whether you should or shouldn’t apply for a loyalty card? Since every time we step up to pay we get asked if we would like to apply for one. Though registration is free, we politely decline. But how does one know when to get one, and most importantly, which one?

Any card you apply for has to be complimentary to your shopping needs. If you feel like you don’t visit the makeup shops or department store counters, but occasionally like to pick up a little something for yourself. Then maybe they’re not for you. However, if you are a professional or a makeup junkie then you can benefit from these “special programs.” On a regular basis, big companies issue discounts and coupons on your favorite brands or for your favorite stores. They also advertise through email or internet. This is a great opportunity for you to try something new or different. You may end up getting one or two dollars off the MSRP, but if you are a “store card” holder you may get additional special savings/pricing, or even free gifts with purchase.

Every store/website has its own way of determining your loyalty status. Some stores use a point system, others use quantity discounts. (Disclaimer: Not every store has the same program. Please consult your local store for rewards policy.) With point systems, every dollar you spend is worth a varied amount of points. (Example: $1= 1 point; $1= 1,000 points; or $1= 250 points) So the more you spend, the more points you get. After you reach a certain amount or level, that’s where the discounts come in. Thereafter you can redeem your points, or decide to accumulate them for an even bigger reward or discount.

In many drugstores, you can get bulk offers. For example, at Rite Aid if you buy $15 worth of Maybelline products you can get “$5 Up Rewards.” If you buy any two lip colors from Almay you get back “$2 Up Rewards.” (The previous were just examples, prices, and promotions will vary by store and location.) These “Up Rewards” can be redeemed within 24 hours, or the next day after 6am. This is one of the many perks of the drugstore loyalty programs. You don’t have to wait until you reach a certain level. They can be used the next time you visit their store. Many of the bulk special pricings are most commonly found at big drugstore chains. Not all programs may be available everywhere.

Many loyalty card holders like myself enjoy the added benefits of special points like double or triple points per dollar. At both ULTA and Sephora, after you reach a certain level you can get upgraded. At ULTA, after spending $400 in 1(one) calendar year you get upgraded to Platinum Member. For more information on this program click here. At Sephora, after spending $350 in 1(one) calendar year you get upgraded to V.I.B. status, and after that if you spend $1,000 in 1(one) calendar year you get upgraded to V.I.B. Rouge. For more information click here.

You may probably be asking which ones I have. I currently have Rite Aid Wellness +Plus, CVS ExtraCare, ULTAmate Rewards, and Sephora Beauty Insider. I used to have a Sally’s Beauty Supply Pro card but I never found myself using it. I will also be doing another post on Pro Cards, but that’s another story. So even after all I’ve said, I tried to break it down as smoothly as possible. Because shopping should be fun and why not get rewarded at the same time. Once again if you would like more information on the programs mentioned the links are provided in this post. There are certainly a lot more of them out there, but these are the ones I know about. Let me know of others to spread the word. Thank You. XOXO- Laura

Cheap Thrills!

Hello Ladies!
As you may already know, I love drugstore makeup. What I love even more is drugstore makeup on sale. A couple of days ago my local Rite Aid was having a 40% off discount on ALL Wet n Wild products. So I immediately squealed (internally, of course). I’ve tried Wet n Wild products before and had a very good experience with them. I’ve tried three of their MEGA LAST® Lipsticks and love them very much. They have very good coverage, pigmentation, and very smooth application. I currently own the shades: “Bare It All,” “Just Peachy,” and “Dollhouse Pink.” I didn’t want to hesitate any longer so I visited their website for more product information and shade selection. They have a total of 26 colors that range from neutral nudes to deep purple plums. I already knew which ones I wanted to get. I went to the store with my sister and I ended up buying 7 of them. It took me a lot of will power to leave the rest of the lipsticks behind. Thankfully my sister was there to wrangle me back in line. Below are pictures of me wearing the lipsticks on bare lips. No lip liner nor lip primer. Price breakdown: MSRP: $2.29 each; Rite Aid: $1.99 each; Rite Aid 40% off: $1.20. I saved $0.79 on each lipstick, for a total of $5.53 in savings on 7 lipsticks. Eureka!
XOXO -Laura

“Red Velvet”

“Sugar Plum Fairy”

 

“24 Carrot Gold”

“Dollhouse Pink”

“Pinkerbell”

“Don’t Blink Pink”

The colors I bought.

“Think Pink”

Bonjour Belle!

Hi beautiful!

This blog had been an idea of mine for some time now. I couldn’t be any happier that it’s finally happening. It took me some time to think about it and deciding what my niche would be. Essentially, I want my blog to be consisted of mostly all beauty products and beauty related topics. I love packaging that catches my attention. I have no shame in admitting that. However, I want to give you my take. Particularly new on-the-market products. I don’t want to necessarily review or swatch EVERY single product out on the market today. Just those three new shades of L’Oreal Colour Riche lipsticks. I promise. Or maybe even those new Lip Butters by NYX Cosmetics. I want to venture through the drugstore makeup aisles and Nordstrom counters to discover a new favorite product. However, a girl needs more than just beauty products to “get herself together.” I also want to review hair care and skin care products. As a freelancing makeup artist, skin care (essentially good skin) is very important for a flawless makeup application. It doesn’t matter if your powder or foundation is the very best of Chanel or MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid. There is no amount of makeup that will give you the illusion of good skin. So there is no need to cake it on ladies.

 

As a college student saving money is a top priority for me. So another thing I will like to emphasize is product value. I’m always on the hunt for a good deal. So wherever there is a 60% off sign you’ll find me there. I’m a couponer and I have been since 2011. Before I shop I do price comparisons from different stores and websites. I try to find the best deals and coupons available. I get great satisfaction knowing that I got a good product for a good price. After every purchase I like to immediately test my products out, try it with different looks and so forth. Did it reach my expectations? Will I repurchase? Should I recommend? Those types of questions come to mind every time I try something out. Basically, I will be doing all the testing and math work for you guys. I will also be including photos to go along with every post. Give you full info, ingredients, product “promises,” and my final verdict. I will also do swatches and test how long they wear. I’ll apply the product in different ways and see which one is the best way to apply it. I want to give you my true honest opinion, and I would also love to know what you think of the product as well. I will also try to be consistent with my blog posts. I’m going to start doing 1(one) blog post per week, unless otherwise noted. I will let you guys know in advance through my social media platforms: Twitter & Facebook. I currently don’t have Instagram, Pinterest, or Tumbler etc. You can go ahead and like, follow, or subscribe. (It will make my day I promise.) Not every post will be a review. My blog will vary from swatches, beauty talk, makeup looks, techniques, tools etc. Being a freelance MUA I will do “before and after” looks of my clients, obviously with my clients permission. I don’t want to put anyone who doesn’t want to be online. With that said, many hugs and kisses XOXO –Laura.