But I just want makeup...who cares about skin care?

Most women love to shop.  What's one thing you should spend an arm and leg for? Shoes. Why? You need to take care of your feet, or you'll be thoroughly disappointed as you get older. What's another thing you should spend an arm and leg for? SKIN CARE.

:gasps: Huh???

Yes, it's true ladies and men. We all need a quality skin care regimen to practice twice daily. It also must be tailored to your particular skin type.

So many times I see people coming to my counter asking for a foundation or concealer to cover spots, redness, dryness, etc. The first question I ask is: What are you using for your skin? Most times my customers will look at me like I just turned into an alien because they "don't bother with skin care" since it "costs too much."

I'm not just out here trying to collect commission from a sale. It's really vital to take care of your skin. I'm sure you've seen women wearing foundation only to notice their flaking skin underneath. I'm sure you've seen women pounding on concealer for that spot because they won't use a repair serum. If you're only buying makeup, then you're doing serious damage to your skin. Your art work is only as good as the base you put it on. Try painting on a piece of wood that's blistered and dirty. Now try that same painting on a piece of wood that's smooth and clear. Tell me which one will look better.

STEPS IN SKIN CARE:

1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Repair
4. Moisturize

Repeat this twice per day.

So the next time you go to a makeup counter, be sure to asks about skin care catered to your specific concerns. Then take progress pics along the way as you see your skin change due to daily care.

I'm Back!!!

Hey F.A.B.S. dolls!

After months of being away, I'm finally here with some stuff I'd like to tell and show you. Since I've been gone, I've completed my Bachelors degree, and I now work as a Beauty Advisor at an Estee Lauder counter.

I'm surrounded by makeup everyday, and it's given me ideas for topics concerning makeup/skincare. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at faceartbysyd@gmail.com. I get all e-mails sent to my iPod so I'm guaranteed to see them.

Stay tuned for more posts. *muah*

All Hail Shellac...or Not

CND's Shellac is the polish everyone is trying these days.  Supposedly, it's only a polish, and guaranteed to last 14 days without chipping.  Well I tried it for my bday.  I went to a salon on March 19, and started taking it off April 3.  I definitely got my money's worth. Here's my pros and cons list:

Pros

• Lasts longer than 14 days.
• Minimal chipping
• Shine never goes away
• Helps grow nails quickly
• Somehow prevents nails from breaking
• Builds a somewhat stronger nail

 Cons

• It's hell getting it off (I tried two methods in my video)
• Need pure acetone or something close to it to get it off
• It took 3+ days to remove with method one
• It's a process for removal...taking 10-15 minutes of acetone soaking with method two
• Nails gain some bruising (scratches and slight dents)
• Requires extreme buffing afterwards
• Polish moves up vertically as the nail grows similar to how acrylic nails look when you need a fill-in

So would I try it again?

The answer is maybe.  I'm concerned about what's in the product that makes it last so long.  While my nails did grow, I don't like the bruising.  I got bruising even after using the foil method (see my video below).  Due to this bruising and lifting that the polish does, I'm inclined to think there is some acrylic in the polish.  I hate acrylic.  I'd rather have no damage, and the same quality of Shellac. 

I suggest you give it a try.  It does look pretty for 14+ days, and I got a lot of compliments. :)

MAC Wonder Woman Collection: Athena's Kiss Review

I'm not this huge MAC fan so when they come out with new stuff, I'm the last to know.  I saw my cousin with Athena's Kiss on, and I knew I had to buy it!  It wears like a truly pigmented lipstick, but it's a gloss.  At first I didn't like it because it seemed to make my already big lips look bigger.  I'm daring though.  I had to try it again.  I'm in love!  It lasts for a long time, and you don't need a lot.  When the color starts to disappear, you'll still have glossy lips.  Just pat the wand on your lips, and rub your lips together.  Voila!  No need to smudge it in with the wand.  Get it before it runs out!

Face Regimen

For the past couple months (since mid-January maybe), I've been using black soap to clean my face, and moisturizing it with shea butter.  I try to wash twice a day, but due to my laziness that hasn't been so successful.

I remember back in December I looked at my face, and was disgusted.  I had acne repeatedly on my cheeks.  Since I have a problem with picking with things, my cheeks were beginning to scar.  I'd used black soap before, and liked the way it felt so I got a hold to more.

A friend of mine suggested I use shea butter to moisturize instead of lotion.  After doing it for two months now, I'm seeing great results.  While I can still slightly see scarring, it's much clearer on my cheeks than it was in December.  I've had much less blackheads.  My face doesn't get oily like it used to with lotion.  I don't have those huge pimples that last a long time.  The few pimples I get are small like heat bumps, and disappear quickly.

I'm still getting used to this whole acne thing since it just popped up when I was 22.  However, black soap combined with shea butter is a great regimen that everyone should try.  Dudu Osun is a good brand of black soap too, and you can use either yellow or white shea butter.

Makeup Nevers

• Never pump your mascara wand in and out of the tube.  To get more product, simply swirl the wand in a circle, then pull it out of the tube.
• Never blow on your brush.  Tap excess product on a paper towel or the back of your hand.
• Never use mascara past three months.  Tape a piece of paper with the date around the tube to remember when to discard.
• Never put makeup on a dirty face.  A clean and moisturized face goes a long way.
• Never double dip.  Discard disposable mascara wands after they've been in the tube once, and wash brushes often.
• Never forget the hairline, by the ears, and neck when putting on foundation.  Nothing's worst than snapping that picture, and realizing you look like you have on a mask.
• Never wear foundation that's lighter than you unless it's intentional or being used as a highlight under the brow or under the eye.  You'll look like a clown.

In My Makeup Bag

So you want to be a makeup artist?  Don't know where to start?

Here's a list of things that can help you be on your way to becoming a makeup artist.  Remember you don't have to go name brand crazy to produce quality looks.  A less expensive company like e.l.f. can do the same thing as MAC if you know what you're doing.

Shadow

Shadows are the main thing for makeup.  Don't be afraid of color!  There are so many companies that make shadows, and you can pick whatever you choose.  The true test is based on pigments.  You want your shadows to be very pigmented so that the colors pop.  The easy route is to try a search on eBay for "manly 120 palette."  Trust me, you'll love all 120 colors.  Not to mention shadows can be used for everything including lip colors, blushes, and for contouring.

Lips (Glosses and Lipsticks)

What's your look without a hot lip color?  Remember to always go light on the lips if you have a dramatic eye, and dramatic on the lips if you have a light eye.  Nude lips are always fantastic, and can be done with a nude base with a lipgloss.  I don't use lipsticks often, but see what works for you.  Keep a variety of colors like the lip palette at Coastal Scents, or use shadow and gloss.

Concealer

Have dark circles or spots you need to cover quickly?  Use a concealer for this job.  A little goes a long way; just pat lightly with your fingers.  e.l.f. has concealers for $1.

Primer

If you want your colors to last all day without creasing, then use a primer before applying shadows.  There are also primers for the face to make your foundation last.  Concealers can be used as primer.

Mascara

Without mascara, your look will look flat.  Let those lashes pop.  Depending on the one you choose, a little will go a long way.  When it comes to mascara, I have to say you'll come out of pocket a little.  You get a cheap one, and you'll notice it won't do the same job.  I suggest Maybelline Colossal Mascara.

Liner

Get them in all different colors:  black, brown, white, blue, etc.  You'll need liquid eyeliner as well as pencil eyeliners.  I'll tell you the difference in a later post.

Powder

I prefer powder foundations over liquid foundations.  You might want the opposite.  It's really up to you.  Get one that is your skin color, one a little darker, and one a little lighter.

Brushes

Eye shadow, blending, angled, kabuki, eyeliner, foundation, lip, and blush brushes are all needed for your kit.  You don't need MAC necessarily.  Most of my brushes come from e.l.f., and they were all $1 per brush.  Try Crown, Sigma, and EcoTools.

Makeup Remover

Must have!  You can either go out and buy one; any drugstore brand will do.  Or you can shop around your house.  Castor oil and olive oil work great.

Sanitaries

This is the beauty business.  You'll be doing work on many people with the same products.  Therefore, you need a pack of disposable mascara wands and lip brushes.  Throw them out after one use.