Rave On

New obsession! Chanel Long Wearing Luminous Eyeshadow

Although it's a cream shadow, the formula and texture is like nothing I've ever seen before.  The colors are beautiful and, unlike other creams, the shadow stays put and does not crease! It can be used as shadow or liner, and it comes with the cutest little Chanel eyeliner brush.  I suggest you try it immediately!  My favorite shades are ILLUSIOIRE and EPATANT.

❤
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

Late In The Day

I know I'm late on this one, but I have finally gotten to try some products from Jouer, and I'm kind of kicking myself for not trying them sooner!

First off, I'm really excited about their Age-Repairing Perfector

I've never been a huge fan of cream or mineral foundations, but this product has made me a believer! This foundation gives amazing, buildable coverage without looking thick or cakey. It's filled with all kinds of goodies that are great for your skin, and boasts a beautiful satin finish. I love that it's available in such a wide range of shades, and unlike most mineral products I have tried, it doesn't oxidize and change color as the day wears on! I love it SO much!

The next totally amazing (and super innovative!) product I'm recommending from the line is Essential Matte Touch


I think a gorgeous beauty look should be glowy in all the right places, and more matted it out in the wrong ones, while looking effortless and NON powdery. This is a great way to mattify your (or your client's) skin where needed, without a powdery finish. And like the other Jouer products, it's packed with beneficial vitamins and antioxidants!

The Jouer Lip Enhancer is another really unique product from the line that I'm totally in love with!

It's very nourishing and hydrating like a lip balm, but with consistent use it actually plumps your lips and improves the look of your lips!

Jouer also has a beautiful range of wet to dry Powder Eyeshadow

These gorgeous shades are perfect for an effortlessly beautiful look. The light-diffusing, highly pigmented, matte and shimmer shadows have a gorgeous finish that doesn't crease. I think "bordeaux" is my favorite!

As if all of these products were not impressive and innovative enough on their own, Jouer has created the most unique packaging that allows you to interlock all of your favorite products into one convenient palette!
I love cosmetic lines that are innovative and actually CHANGING the way we use make up. Jouer is certainly at the top of that list, and I look forward to trying more from this line!

<3

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

And This Is The Money Maker

Do you remember my favorite ever contestant from Project Runway, Mr. Chrisitan Siriano? Of course you do! His dedication to his hairstyle alone made me a fan.

HE FLAT IRONS THE ENTIRE FLAWLESSNESS! HELLO!

But then, recently... he lost me...

To my shagrin, Victoria's Secret announced they were launching a Christian Siriano line of make up and I was all "Oh HELL to the NO, THAT IS NOT OK. STICK TO CLOTHES YOU LITTLE MUNCHKIN!"

Well, his peeps sent me a package of said make up, and I basically got my snotty little butt handed to me on a silver platter.

Little did I know, our fabulous little Christian was a make up artist before he was a clothing designer, and there is no other way to say this without being cliche... his make up is FIERCE!

The eye colors are beautiful and highly pigmented. The texture is a dream. My fav eye colours are "Oasis" (the beautiful blue you see here), "Sandstorm" (a gorgeous pinkish burgundy), and FAV FAV FAV is Gilded Fierce (a smoky black with beautiful gold shimmer)...

The lip glosses are divine. I've always found VS lipgloss to taste and feel yucky but apparently someone from MAC has come in and revamped the line... These glosses glide on like a dream, don't feel sticky at all, and are taste-free! I've tried a gorgeous coral pink called "Sublime", a shimmery nude called "Embrace", and a hot mama night out on the town burgundy red called "Chic". Love Love!

They also sent me a beautiful Highlighter Bronzer trio called Sunspell Bronze that's nothing short of amazing, but nothing will ever replace my Tom Ford for Estee Lauder brozner (sorry boo!)

They didn't send me the eyeliner or brushes which is like... COME ON! I'm the eyeliner queen!!! I MUST try immediately!!!!

Christian Siriano for Victoria's Secret will be available this fall!

<3

Amy

P.S. The packaging is so chic it reminds me of the beautiful make up my Granny always had (and that's the highest compliment I can give!)... The only other make up to make me feel that way lately was Tom Ford's line for Estee Lauder.

Diamonds Are Forever

I just got a preview of Dior's amazing Summer '09 and it is knocking me out! I'm totally in love with the Dior Addict Lip Polishes!


Sorry for the lame camera phone shots, but these don't hit the counters til May so I can't find an official picture. But... how gorgeous are those colours??? What you can't see here is the really cool patented spinning applicator! It feels so great when you're applying it to your lips, like a little massage! The texture is super super glossy, and the colours are sheer. I'm so in love!!!

I also got to check out the new Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Electric Lights from the Dior Cristal summer collection!

The colours are très très iridescent! I'm totally feeling the silver and blue!

These new products will be available in May, so keep your eyes peeled! These are MUST HAVES for any beauty buff!

<3

Amy

P.S. My awesome finger nails come courtesy of Kimmie Kyees. :)

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?

They Call Me Quiet Girl

I did the make up on The Ting Tings video for "That's Not My Name" directed by the amazing duo of AlexandLiane... It premiers today on MTV but you can watch it right here!  (Make sure you click on the "settings" button to watch in HIGH quality!)

The Ting Tings - New Music - More Music Videos

Katie's look was achieved with Shu Uemura Luxe Lashes

and Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow in Gray 950

and Black 990

Katie's also wearing a custom lip colour I created by mixing a few of my favorite lipsticks with a creamy concealer. Try making your own custom colours. The possibilities are endless!

<3

Amy

Down Like Disco

The Cobra Snake went to Korea, and as you can see from these pictures, Korean girls are making some pretty epic beauty choices!

Luvzit!

<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

Purple Rain

Yesterday I told you about my contribution to In Style's 2008 Best Beauty Buys, and today you can check out In Style's 2008 Best Beauty Buys online!

And don't forget to check out the best part...  ;)

<3

Amy

Where It's At

In Style magazine's annual Best Beauty Buys issue has hit the stands, and it features a quote from me!

(click to enlarge)

Every year In Style surveys make up artists, hair stylists, manicurists, and dermatolgists about their favorite products.  If you love beauty products as much as I do, I highly recommend picking up this magazine.  Although I've contributed in the past, I think this year's issue is the best yet!

<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

Golden Eye

The red carpet turned gold at the American Music Awards tonight! A majority of red carpet divas opted for a touch of gold shadow on the eyes.  (Click photos to enlarge)

To create this look yourself, try NARS eye shadow in Goldfinger

Also, can somebody please give me the number of Miley Cyrus' dentist?!  Her new smile looks amazing!

<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