Sephora + NARS = ❤

Last month I was browsing the Sephora website, stocking up on Lancome HYPNÔSE when I ran across this amazing, limited edition NARS Sea of Love Set

The set contains mini sizes of 

NARS Multiple in Orgasm, NARS Blush in Super Orgasm, NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight, and a full size NARS Illuminator in Laguna.

These happen to be some of my favorite products for creating a beachy, bronzy, natural look.  It turns out I like the Multiple even better in this mini size because it's easier to apply.  These products are great for my personal makeup kit because they're small and easy to travel with.  It's a great and affordable way to introduce some classic NARS products into your professional kit as well!

❤
Amy

Jah Provide The Bread

On Thursday I did Corinne Bailey Rae's makeup for her performance on The Tonight Show. Check it out!

(Makeup by me, Hair by Christian Marc.)

I get a lot of requests for makeup and beauty tips for women with darker skin tones, so here are some notes on the products I used to create the look.

For the complexion I used Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #9 with a drop of #11 to keep the color warm.

I highlighted the apples of her cheeks with NARS Blush in Lovejoy

Her bold shadow shades were from the Chanel Eye Shadow Quad Murano

I lined her eyes with MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder

I then coated her lashes with MAC Opulash mascara, which is one of my new favorites...

On her lips I used NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bahama

and topped it off with Chanel Hydramax + Active Lip Care to keep the lips hydrated and slightly glossy...

I finished off the look with a light dusting of MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder along the t-zone to prevent shine, but keep the skin looking fresh!

Hopefully these ideas inspire you with your own looks!

❤
Amy

Perfect Ten

New obsession!  My friends at Tarte cosmetics sent me a lovely package recently and I am totally obsessed with their new LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain

Tarte has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and I LOVE a good lip stain!  All of the shades are amazing, but Lucky is my favorite.  It goes on smooth and evenly, and doesn't crease like a lot of stains tend to do.  It's a very nice matte texture, and it plumps the lips with a refreshing, minty tingle!

I'm also loving the new TEN Natural Cheek Stain they sent over!

It's an amazing shimmery pink, that gives your cheeks a natural flush.  TEN is a limited edition shade to celebrate Tarte's tenth anniversary so don't snooze on this one!  It's sure to sell out!

❤

Amy

Modern Love

I have told you before about Jemma Kidd's JK line for Target, which is a great and affordable way to build a make up kit with quality products. I was recently lucky enough to be introduced to Jemma Kid Make Up School, the higher end Jemma Kidd line sold at Neiman Marcus and Space NK.

I am so privileged that I have access to so many amazing cosmetic lines, but I have to say the products I am using from Jemma Kidd Make Up School feel like they were made with my specific needs, taste, and aesthetic in mind.

The first stand out product is the STAIN, FLUSH & GLOSS LIP & CHEEK DUO.

I am a big fan of using lip and cheek stains to achieve a natural look that still pops on camera. Sometimes I will just dab a bit of lipstick in the center of the lip or on the cheeks with my fingers.

I used this lip stain for a cover shoot on Thursday. I did a dramatic smokey eye with dewey, highlighted natural skin and a stained lip. Everyone complimented me on how great the make up looked, and even straight men were telling me they love the "subtle lip". Now THAT'S a compliment!

I'm also really loving...

STARDUST CRÉME SHADOW

Unlike many creme shadows, it lasts without creasing and is highly pigmented for a great color payoff. You can build the color for added drama.

DEFINE STAY-PUT EYE LINER

Water and smudge proof (although I don't mind a smudged eye liner!), it applies effortlessly with a silky texture and comes in a great range of colors. I really love the purple one called "Peacock"!

FIRMING I-SILK LONG-LAST COLOUR

Absolutely amazing shimmery shades to achieve a perfect red carpet look! Very wearable and long lasting, and like a lot of Jemma's products, it has anti aging benefits!

I-RESCUE BIO-COMPLEX COVER from the "pro" line

This is a beautiful, creamy concealer that is also an eye "treatment". The shades brighten the eye area while working to diminish fine lines and puffiness. Available in 3 shades, light, medium, and dark... they are highly blendable and create a beautiful highlight.

Since I'm a big fan of using a concealer pencil as an eye liner to make the eyes look open and bright, I'm really looking forward to trying the I-PERFECTOR PREP & BRIGHTEN DUO

and as a fan of a glossy eyelid I can't wait to try LIP & EYE DEWY GLOSS

I told you these products were made for me!

A lot of the products are infused with jojoba oil, minerals, and/or vitamin E so they pamper your skin, and since Jemma Kidd is a make up educator, all of the products come with a little "make up lesson"!

Sometimes it seems like everything has been done before. That's why I appreciate innovative products that are changing the way we do make up. For me, right now, that includes Benefit, Beautyblender, Tarte, and now I'm adding Jemma Kidd to that list.

Check out the Jemma Kidd website for some really great "backstage tips", and register for their email newletter to hear about all of their great products and be sure to let me know what you think!

<3
Amy

Love Like A Sunset

Sometime around Mother's Day I got a very sweet package from Benefit Cosmetics. They sent a cute letter about their family beauty secrets and included their favorite products. Most of them were things I love and use regularly, but there were a couple sweet surprises!

Benefit's Erase Paste concealer really blew me away! I can't believe I haven't been using this!
I've never tried anything quite like it before. The consistency is thick and creamy (almost gel-like), but it blends in to the skin effortlessly! The gel-like consistency adds a healthy glow without shimmer. I'm obsessed!

The concealer only comes in three shades, but they seem pretty universal.

I always like concealer to be slightly lighter than the foundation. It's a good way to play with lighting and camouflage imperfections. The orange undertones of #2 really provide an amazing highlight for the eyes!

I am already a big fan of Benefits Dandelion and Georgia face powders...

And now I've discovered a new one called CORALista!

Coral is the perfect shade for Summer! These powders are intended for all over use to brighten up the complexion, but I love to put a concentrated amount on the apples of the cheeks and use them as cheek colors. The shades are beyond gorgeous and they last all day!

Benefit is really on a roll right now! I absolutely could not live without having Benetint, Posietint, and the It Stick in my make up kit! They're even coming out with a new line of amazing fragrances, and I love, love, LOVE all of their packaging and cute make up bags! Yay!

*UPDATE* For 3 days only! Get 20% off all orders at benefitcosmetics.com. Enter MAKEUP20 at checkout. (I guess that means until May 29?)

<3

Amy

P.S. I've always wanted a Benefit Bathina shower cap but never managed to get my hands on one! I think they were discontinued. Sad! :(

Here Comes Everybody

When I arrived home from work yesterday, I found this waiting for me!

The Tarte Vanity Limited Edition Palette

This set features:

- 16 brand-new eyeshadows
- 16 brand-new lipglosses
- Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara
- Deluxe Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess
- Deluxe luminizer
- Four powder blushes
- Deluxe eyeshadow
- Eyelining brushes

I am SO stoked on this!  The shadow colors/textures are amazing!  It's a really great value, so I recommend you get it before it's gone!

<3 

Amy 

Update! Bad news, reader Amy V. tried to buy it, but they are "temporarily out of stock"... maybe they'll get more?

Tired Yet

KanYe and Perez  like The Ting Tings video.

I like... 

Tarte cheek stain

Spinnerette

My fiance

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in 362 (fuschia!)

Twitter

Makeup Beat

and the fact that I just tried to say "appearance" and "experience" at the same time, and created the new word apperience...

I had a long day on a music video yesterday, two jobs today, and a very early call time tomorrow... I'm tired, but I'm not complaining!

<3

Amy

I Came So Far For Beauty

Dior has been blowing my mind with their amazing make up products lately. Back in November I was lucky enough to get my hands on their Night Diamond Luminizing Powder and I've been obsessing over it ever since.

It adds a gorgeous glow to the face/collar bones/arms/legs.... and the packaging is totally cute!

I've been singing the praises of their Pro Cheek cream blush for awhile now

The colors are rich, and the cream stays in place nicely.

Lately, I've totally gotten in to their Diorshow Blackout Mascara

I love the big chunky brush for creating a dramatic look, and the color is deep black... it doesn't dry out to be an ashy grey!

Now I just got an advance of Dior's new Harmonie De Blush in "Rose Brazilia". Oh my gosh, it is so beautiful I can't even stand it!  It's a combination of peach, pink, and dusty rose with a shimmery gold laced through. I can't find a picture online yet, and the pic I tried to take did not do it justice. When this hits the counter, it is a must have! It's so gorgeous I don't even want to use it!

<3

Amy

P.S. I've added some new features to the side bar of my blog. --------->
You can now follow me on Twitter, and I've made a playlist of some of the music I'm listening to which will be changing up from time to time. You can also see what users are following my blog, so be sure and check out their lovely blogs as well. Let's get interactive!

Dream All Day

Amazing new product alert!

Benefit is coming out with a new pinker version of benetint called posietint!

I just got my hands on it and it's an amazing poppy-pink version of it's predecessor.  It's natural and sheer and lasts FOR HOURS on cheeks and lips!

Available in June!

<3

Amy

Multi Tasking

Nars Cosmetics has posted a really interesting story about what led to the creation of one of my favorite products, The Multiple.

Read the story here.

<3
Amy

Saturday Savior

Yesterday I received a beautiful package from Dior. I haven't even begun to try all the products, but so far the Pro-Cheeks blush is completely knocking me out!

It's a creme blush, and the texture is really unique. It's kind of spongy, so I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I totally love it. I have it in Hip Peach, which is a really beautiful color. It seems to last longer than any of the other creme blushes I use. I'm highly highly recommending!

Today my friend Alex called me and saved me from a dull day of doing laundry and lounging around my house. Instead I got to be creative and have a fun, inspired day in the park! My life is so fun sometimes. :)

<3

Amy

Oh Scott!

Currently living for:

Scott Barnes Creme Color

Really creamy and highly pigmented.  Beautiful on cheeks and lips! Available at The Beauty Closet, of course.

<3

Amy

Lip Service

Uh oh, new obsession alert!

I'm already a big fan of Tarte cosmetics... 

I love their cheek stains

And their eye shadow

Today I was on a shoot with a super cool designer (more on that later), and she had this great lip stain with her!

It was tarte 24.7 lip sheer

It was a great natural color that really stayed put! It also has SPF which is wonderful. Most stains tend to crease and settle in the cracks of your lips (and kind of look like you've been drinking Hawaiian Punch!), but not these! There's a color for every day of the week and I want them all!

<3

Amy

Get Glowing!

Has anybody tried The Creamy Moist Glow by Kevyn Aucoin?

It looks amazing!  I need to plan a trip to The Beauty Closet, tout d'suite!

<3

Amy

I'm Flipping Out!

You know how I've expressed my love for mark. on this blog.  I really love it, you guys.  

I am in no way paid to talk about any product at all, I'm not part of any blog networks, and I don't even have advertisers on this blog (although I would be open to the right ones). Everything I tell you guys is my honest to God opinion.  

Mark. is super fresh, young, fashion forward, and affordable!  The packaging is totally cutie-pie (and I'm a major sucker for packaging).  When I posted about mark. before, I even got an email from a major "high end" beauty insider telling me she felt the same way!  

Well, I have gotten my hands on the mark. flip for it compact, and I've got your sneak peek at the Spring '08 version!!!!

It has two eye colors, a cheek color, and FOUR lip colors.  TO-DIE-FOR!  

It reminds me of a younger version of one of my all time favorite brands, Stila, but the compacts are only $18.  

They've also recently launched the little block box

with shimmer cubes for eyes

and shimmer bars for cheeks

I love the customizable aspect, and you know I love me some shimmer!  Pretty pretty colors!

Another great thing I've learned about mark. is that they have a really great palette system!  


This is perfect for all of my budding make up artist readers!  The individual palettes range from $4-$8 and then you can fill them with your favorite eye ($4) 

and cheek ($6) shades.  

Which, by the way, I am totes impressed with their colors, pigment, and texture.  They also have lip glosses for the palettes

but I haven't tried them yet. 

I honestly really appreciate what mark is doing.  I would have killed to have this stuff available to me when I was building a kit!  I hope you will take advantage of it.  

Also, I get emails all the time from recent beauty school graduates asking me what they can do for extra money while they build their clientele (without working at a counter).  You can sell mark.!  If this had been available to me when I was starting out, I would have totally been a full blown mark representative, no doubt.  

There are some links on their site, meetmark.com that will tell you how to get started and I would LOVE to hear about your experiences selling the products, if you so choose!

<3

Amy