The Return of YourMakeupGal

Well, hello there stranger.

I had no clue that it's has been such a long time since I've been up on the blogging game.  It's funny how life just sneaks up on you and instantly takes over everything you thought you had under control.  I am still trying to figure out this adulating thing, I suppose.

Quick update:  life is good.  GREAT, actually.  I still live in Atlanta.  I have an amazing job working for a large MAC Cosmetics location that requires most of my time and attention.  The rest of it, I openly give to my very energetic puppy and the amazing friends I've made since moving to Atlanta 2 years ago!  Yes, 2 YEARS!

So here is my re-commitment to myself...  BLOG more.  I need to remember to share my work with the world as I am definitely still doing makeup amongst the management world of retail cosmetics.  I no longer will be lazy about posting reviews and pictures of my work!!

So as a kickoff, post vacation...  here is a list of items I am currently obsessed with...

• MAC Cosmetics Lightful C Tinted Cream SPF 30 with Radiance Booster
• MAC Cosmetics Select Sheer Powder
• MAC Cosmetics InstaCurl Lash
• Sephora Fine Line Waterproof 24 HR Eyeliner
• MAC Cosmetics Veluxe Brow Liner

This list came to mind while visiting my friends recently in Jacksonville.  Knowing how makeup obsessed I am, a few comments were made about how I travel with such little makeup.  Honestly though, who really wants to be bothered with a heavy makeup case and a full face of makeup in 100 degree weather?  Not I!!  And yes, there are times when I love to throw on a full face of makeup but vacation calls for a "less is more" take on makeup in my humble opinion.  So take a peek at these items.  Give them a try.  I promise you that it will be great!

MAC life

 I get paid to color. :D

depotting 101

People come into MAC all the time asking about transferring their individual eye shadows to a palette... otherwise known as depotting.  It's actually a pretty easy process.  There are a few tutorials on +YouTube that will help explain the process.  Basically, you start by separating the plastic casing from the plastic insert holding the actual eyeshadow pan.  I have found this is best done with the flatter side of scissors.  To all those who think depotting with scissors is dangerous...  I laugh in the face of danger.  But if safety is an issue, you can certainly use a flat head screwdriver or butter knife.  Next, melt the glue that holds the eyeshadow pan to the plastic with a lighter.  Just be careful not to burn your fingers!  I know that a lot of people suggest using a flat iron, but the flat iron method hasn't worked for me in the past.  Feel free to test your luck...  Viola!  You should have a single eyeshadow pan without any pesky plastic.  AND... the empty plastic casings can be recycled in the Back To MAC Program.  For every six empty containers (anything glass or plastic), you can get a FREE eyeshadow, lipstick, or lipglass.  Sweet deal!

points to ponder...

1. depotting can be done with any regular eyeshadow or blush

2. although I have seen it be done, depotting does not work well with mineralized or cream products

3. gather all tools needed before starting process (screwdriver, lighter, etc.)

4. be sure to remove all glue and/or use a piece of paper to prevent glue transfer

my blush palette... 

 

 

 

UPDATE and UPDATES...

Hello fabulous people!  Today was a great day that left me feeling inspired and ready to take on any makeup challenge!  Every quarter or so, I attend a training UPDATE on the coming trends and products by MAC. We also get refreshers on great MAC products as well as makeup applications. After today, I'm ready to beat some faces!!  And that's what I did with my teammate, Stephanie... super sweet and talented gal I might add.  Here's a lil peek at some of the fun that was had today:

In other news, I found out that you can watch +The Wise Kids on +Hulu for FREE!!!  Well, there are a few commercials but its totally worth it!!  I love that little film a tad bit more every time I watch it!!

certified!

Last week I was able to complete my Advanced 1 certification with MAC which consists of perfecting brows, highlighting and contouring, unique liquid eyeliner, a bold red lip, and tattoo cover-up.  As an artist, I like being challenged with new techniques or a look that I might struggle with, such as liquid eyeliner.  I'm constantly learning...

Products used on the beautiful Claudia...

• brows: brunette brow pencil, studio finish concealor
• highlight/contour: prolongwear concealer mixed with face and body, blot powder
• eyeliner:  blacktrack, bootblack, and PRO eye makeup remover, 
• lip:  cherry and burgundy lip liner, russian red lipstick, red brick eyeshadow, studio finish concealor
• tattoo cover-up: studio finish concealer, studio sculpt foundation, careblend pressed powder  

and then...

VACATION!!

celebrating with my friend, Kathy

#5daymakeupchallengesoutheast

At our most recent MAC Update training, we were challenged to create five different looks and showcase them on Instagram.  I'm an +Instagram addict...  some may even say #hashtagwhore.  To which I reply, "long hair, don't care."  HA!  This challenge was actually kinda cool because it's so easy to get stuck in a makeup rut.  Even us brilliantly talented makeup artists can find ourselves grabbing the same products day in and day out.  And not just for our own makeup applications, but for clients as well.  It's not exactly a secret that I live and die for Constructivst Paint Pot.  Each day we were told to describe what the focus feature was, products used, and the estimated time to complete the look.  While focusing on lips, eyes, skin, trends, etc. isn't too extraordinary of a task, listing the actual products used can be rather daunting.  This can be difficult for a #macgirl or #macboy since we have a million products on hand and sometimes (often) get a little product happy.  Each day of this challenge, I would decide upon my "look" and the focus feature then force myself to use a limited number of products as well as brushes.  I think this was a great refresher for me as a makeup artist to think as a customer would and to test my artistry skills.... two things that can always use a little improving. 

And here is a visual of my journey through this challenge via my Instagram pics:

(and feel free to follow me via Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook)

This lipstick color is my power color.  I feel like I can get anything I want when I wear it.

I'm typically not a fan of super high-lighted skin, but the trend is growing on me.

My FAV quick, easy eye look is always a brown smoky eye.  ALWAYS.

I have been using Violet Pigment for years...  it's a surprisingly easy way to add color!

You can never go wrong with #33 lashes and blacktrack...

Viva Glam

EveryDay is Worlds AIDS day at MAC. But Fridays are the most fun because we promote Viva Glam!! If you visit any MAC location today, you should see us all wearing these neon yellow shirts for Viva Glam NICKI 2... a yellow-tone lavender that looks shocking but is surprisingly wearable. The full selling price from every Viva Glam lipstick and lipgloss is donated to men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. And you get a fabulous lip color!!! Do it!!

MAC Archie Girls

Are you a Betty?  Or a Veronica?

It's the anniversary collection to Wonder Woman and MAC has created a "retro-rocking" collection to ignite the fires of love this Valentines Day.  

The MAC FL Mall team is having a massive event center stage with complimentary makeovers to help you find a fresh, new spring look.

Call me or text me at #321.279.6543 to book your appointment!!

Friday, February 15th through Sunday, February 17th

10:00am - 7:00pm

obsessed

best way to end the day...

followed with MAC Complete Comfort Creme of course!

Park Avenue Fashion Week 2012

Marilyn Monroe for M.A.C

LOVING this collection.  and LOVE my co-workers...

so blessed.

xoxo

Marilyn Monroe for M.A.C

sometimes, my job is too cool for words...

M.A.C : The Marilyn Collection

M.A.C

The Marilyn Collection

 invitation to view, play, and purchase items from this very exclusive, limited collection

 call Christien Marie at #321.279.6543

to schedule your makeup demo

Sept. 27th - Sept. 29th

11:00am - 6:00pm

M.A.C store at the Florida Mall

let there be LIGHT

It's so easy to get stuck in a makeup rut.  I am certainly guilty of wearing my favorite combo on days when just one cup 'o joe doesn't seem to be enough...  MAC Paint Pot Constructivist, MAC eyeshadows Satin Taupe/Antiqued, and MAC eye kohl Smolder.  Yup, this is my staple.  Although being a MAC girl, I have been known to shake things up a bit with a different smoky eye or a simple eye look paired with a bold lip.  A little known fact about me may be that I'm a sucker for a statement pink lip.

One of my favorite eye looks is called a "lightbox" and involves bringing "light" to the center of the eye... typically with a frost eyeshadow or a pigment.  And yes, I do this look with the MAC Paint Pot Constructivist ALOT.  I have no shame.  At all.

So here are a couple examples of the lightbox:

products used:
MAC Paint Pots Constructivist/Bare Study
MAC eyeshadows Sable/Phloof/Carbon/Hepcat
MAC eye kohl Smolder
 

products used:
MAC Paint Pots Blackground/Painterly
MAC pigments Naval Blue/Old Gold
MAC eyeshadow Jaunty
MAC fluidline Blacktrack

Beth Ditto for MAC

Ever since I learned that MAC is teaming up with Beth Ditto for a fun summer collection, I can't seem to get enough of her.  She's both loved and hated by many but there's no denying that she's fierce as hell.  She exudes self-confidence, amazing personal style, and incredible talent.  I think she's a freaking genius and I can't wait for her collection to debut!

AIDS Walk Orlando 2012

AIDS Walk Orlando 2012

Saturday, May 19th

Lake Eola

8:30am

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For the 17th year in a row, people will gather at Lake Eola downtown to walk in order to raise awareness and donations for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in Central FL.  Please come out to the walk to show your support or offer a monetary donation by clicking HERE.

A few facts on HIV/AIDS taken from AIDSWalkOrlando.org:

•Florida Dept. of Health estimates that statewide 125,000 people

        are living with HIV/AIDS

•Cumulatively, Florida ranks 3rd in the nation for HIV/AIDS infections

•Florida ranks 2nd in the nation for Pediatric HIV/AIDS cases

•In Central FL (Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard County) over

        15,000 people are infected with HIV/AIDS

•Of that 15,000 - over 9,000 of them are in Orange County

•1 in every 476 women in Florida is infected with HIV/AIDS

•2 teenagers every hour nationwide are infected with HIV/AIDS

•1 in 5 individuals who are infected DO NOT know they have

        the disease

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You can also show support by visiting your local MAC and purchasing a Viva Glam Lipstick or Lipglass.  100% of the selling price from each Viva Glam sold goes directly to the MAC AIDS fund which has raised over $248 million dollars to date.  And you get a fabulous new lip color!  Locally, the MAC PRO store is selling lipstick lanyards for any monetary donation you can give. 

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AND finally... a little fun!!  Come out to the "Ravishing in Red" party at PULSE for a benefit drag show.

covet the power

I love a bold lip and I love this color!!

the brightest of days

I do a lot of bridal makeup. Seriously, I've lost count of the number of weddings I've been lucky enough to work in the past five years. LOL!

Something I noticed today while doing the makeup for a bride, her maids, and her mom is that everyone seems to be battling dry skin as of late. Even when at the store, I swear I'm on repeat when it comes to discussing issues with dry skin. Without a doubt Orlando's crazy yo-yo weather and recent pollen boom are culprits.

Times like this call for extreme seriousness. MOISTURIZE! And drink lots of water!! Then drink more water.

You can also incorporate the Softening Lotion and the Essence Serum from the new MAC Lightful Marine-Bright Formula series. These are two of my favorite products to use on extremely parched skin. The Softening Lotion will prep the skin for other products to be more easily absorbed into the skin... such as the Essence Serum, which helps to naturally bring out brighter skin while reducing the appearance of aging spots. I LOVE to massage this into the skin with my fingers in an upward motion. Trust me, you will never look parched (aka old) again...

a perfect mani

MAC Cosmetics "Steamy" with Sephora by OPI "G-listen to Your Heart"

Because baby, it's cold outside and I'm longing for the beach-filled, sunny days ahead...

Niki and Ricky for Viva Glam: MAC Cosmetics

It's here!! The new VIVA GLAM is out today!!

Maybe it's the social worker in me, but I love that MAC Cosmetics supports people living with HIV/AIDS through various efforts such as Viva Glam, Kids Helping Kids, Volunteer Days, AIDS Walks, World AIDS Day, etc. Did you know that every cent from the sale of any VIVA GLAM lip product goes towards the MAC AIDS FUND? Just 1 Viva Glam can help to provide shoes to a child living with HIV/AIDS, or 23 female condoms, or 233 male condoms, or 1 private therapy session to someone affected by this horrible disease. So go get your pretty on with the hottest new lipstick and know that your money has helped someone, somewhere in need.

And if you weren't already aware of some of the past Viva Glam sponsors, this is pretty cool...

A little glimpse of what the Viva Glam Niki looks like on me (paired with a Etcetera Pro Longwear Lip Pencil and Nice Buzz Plushglass)...