#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...

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

Happy NEW Year!!!

WOW! I can't believe that it's 2011 already. Although I'm sure everyone is scratching their heads wondering where the days of 2010 went?! Did anyone make any specific beauty resolutions for 2011?? I don't typically make any new year resolutions but I know 2011 is going to be full of great things! The trends seem to be a BOLD lip color and satin skin. I already prefer a more natural base look, but I think we are going to see more "dewy" looking skin. And if you haven't made a new year resolution, perhaps just cleaning out your makeup bag is a good place to start...

I realize it's been a while since my last update but things have been majorly busy for YourMakeupGal!! The holidays at MAC have left me with little free time. Somehow I did manage to find time to do a couple holiday makeups though. And I was recently approached to be a contributor for the Orlando area Examiner.com. My first submission was a holiday insipred look. Click on the link below to read the actual article but here is a picture in the meantime!

http://www.examiner.com/makeup-in-orlando/christien-marie-orlando-makeup-artist-review

eye vibe.

Colors Used:
shadow - Makeup Forever: 004 (black), 075 (neon pink)
liner - Stila Smudge Pot (black)
mascara - Maybelline Great Lash (very black)