Archive June 2010
Sun-Safe Summer Skincare
GUEST POST: Written By Joseph Snyder from MetropolitanMD.
July has been dubbed The American Cancer Society’s “UV Safety Month.” Since beach weather (thankfully) doesn’t wait until July, you should know that you can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to a golden glow without the risks.
We all know by now that we need SPF, and with many makeup and face creams including at least SPF 15 already built in, that’s already a step in the right direction for many of us. I actually took a look around on my last shopping trip, and realized that it was almost harder to specifically find foundation or tinted moisturizer containing zero sun protection.
Now, if your not one to wear makeup to the beach or say, for an outdoor jog you really must get familiar with a good facial sun block in addition to one for body. Alba Botanica’s sun care line is a great choice for both, offering non-chemical protection up to SPF 45, and is loved by shoppers who choose natural products either for green reasons or skin sensitivity issues.
Reapplying = More Effective than High SPFs!
So what about the newer SPF 90+ lotions out there? While those with very fair, sun sensitive skin may want/need to go high with SPF, Dr. Edward Lack (Chicago rhinoplasty, dermatology) warns that this can become more of a marketing gimmick to make you feel like you need a higher and higher number whenever its available. Reapplying to keep that protection barrier on your skin strong is key, and will do a much better job than applying an extremely high SPF once and allowing it to wear off.
“Ideally you put on sunscreen an hour before going outside, then reapply it just before exposure. If you will maintain direct exposure as on the golf course or on a boat put the sunscreen on again every 2 hours,” Dr. Lack advises as a general rule.
Don’t Forget About Sunless Tanner!
Now that you are refreshed on staying adequately protected, we mustn’t forget the sunless tanner. If you’re a recovering sunbathing addict and haven’t tried one yet, now is the time; and sticking to some cult favorites will ensure a seamless transition into a faux glow with no looking back. Lavera‘s sunless lotion is THE organic choice, while the entire Clarins‘ line is highly recommendable- a favorite being the Self Tanning Instant Gel for a fast dash of color with no mess as you walk out the door in the morning. What’s not to love?
Written by Joseph Snyder, on behalf of MetropolitanMD, a Chicago liposuction, facial rejuvenation, and cosmetic surgery center.
IMATS 2010
I was only able to attend the International Makeup Artist Trade Show on Sunday but I definitely got my makeup fix out that one day. Out of the five years I have been attending the show, this year was definitely the craziest! The crowds were insane with a record breaking attendance of over 8,000 makeup artists and enthusiasts!
The Alice and Wonderland discussion panel featuring Christina Ceret, Lindsay McGowan, Mike Smithson, Patty York and Shane Mahan.
The agent/artist relationship discussion panel featuring Timothy Priano, Charnelle Smith and Madeline Leonard. I thought this discussion was one of the most informative of the day! The host asked really good questions for the agents and the agents definitely told it like it was! One thing I found interesting was that most of the agents agreed that a physical portfolio is a thing of the past and that they now prefer to look at websites (the simpler the better)!
3 time Oscar winner, Ve Neil was doing a demo at the Crown Brush booth on Sunday. I was surprised how little people actually stopped to watch 
I definitely did!
Special FX work at MUD’s booth.
One of my favorite body painters (and my former teacher), Nelly Recchia was doing her thing at Cinema Makeup’s booth.
One of my favorite booths of the day!! Miss Adoro lashes. They were selling each pair for $1 each! Amazing.
The mega popular Makeup Forever booth! At one point, the line was literally wrapped 360 degrees around the perimeter of the booth!! And it was a BIG booth.
Left: Body painting at Makeup Forever. Right: Body painting at EI
The always crowded Crown Brush booth. I wasn’t in the mood this year to battle so I didn’t get any brushes. It’s not like I need more, they’re just so cheap!
And can somebody explain to me why Real from A Real Chance at Love was there? hahaha
I hate to say it but it was a bit too crowded this year. Pushing and shoving to the front of every booth got old quick, so I bypassed the opportunity to buy several things I’d been wanting for my kit. It worked out for the best though because it forced me to avoid impulse buys and save $$$! 
Overall, I had a great day, stocked up on new items for my kit and met some really amazing artists! I always love hearing James Vincent talk, and KJB’s Secret to Sucess seminar was hilarious and inspiring.
Did you Attend IMATS this Year? What did you Think?
10 Ten Things to See and Do at IMATS!
Guess what time it is Los Angeles??
IMATS, the International Makeup Artist Trade Show is happening this weekend! I love attending these trade shows because it’s a great opportunity to network with other artists, learn about and sample products as well as score some awesome discounts. You don’t even have to be a makeup artist to attend, as the show is open to all makeup artists, and makeup lovers alike!
If you will be in LA this weekend, here are the top 10 things to check out at IMATS! (Note: My top 10 list is more relevant to beauty makeup artists/lovers but also check out all the amazing FX stuff as well!).
Top 10 Things to See and Do at IMATS
1. Signed Here: A Panel Discussion of Agents from the Top Artist Agencies
This is a great opportunity to gain better understanding of agents and what they can do for you! They will cover building an effective book, getting signed by an agency, going out on jobs etc. There will also be an informal question/answer discussion which is amazing.
PLEASE do your research on agent/artists relationships at least a little bit before asking questions. Have you ever heard the saying “there’s no such things as a dumb question”? Well there is, and there were a lot of dumb questions last year lol. Respect the agents’ time.
This discussion includes Madeline Leonard from Cloutier, Charnelle Smith from Aim Artists, and Timothy Priano from Artists by Timothy Priano.
2. OCC New Lip Tars
I hear the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is launching 2 new shades of their amazing Lip Tar at IMATS! Get there early, because these babies go quick. Also check out their Loose Pigments!!
3. Alice in Wonderland Panel Discussion (Sunday 3:30-4:30)
Don’t miss this panel discussion from the makeup artists behind Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland! Christina Ceret, Shane Mahan, Lindsay McGowan, Mike Smithson and Patty York are all scheduled to appear.
4. Yaby Cosmetics
Love, love, love Yaby! Since you can usually only buy Yaby online, IMATS is the perfect place to check out the brand and sample some of their amazing products in person. I recommend their empty palettes, pearl paints, foundations, neutral eyeshadow palette.. ok basically everything! 
5. Dany Sanz Iconoclast (Saturday 2:30-3:30)
Dany Sanz is the creator of Makeup Forever and will be speaking on Saturday at the show! Also be sure to stop by the MUFE booth as they always honor the 40% artist discount.
6. Embroylisse
Be sure to stop by the Embroylisse booth and check out their Lait Creme Concentrate moisturizer (also known at 24 hour miracle cream)! I looove this stuff!! It makes your skin feel baby smooth and I’ve had models actually start clapping when I pull it out lol. Must have.
7. Kevin James Bennett Steps to Success (Sunday 2:15-3:15)
Don’t miss Emmy winning, Kevin James Bennett speak this year! He used to be Director of Artist Relations for Makeup Forever but I am excited to see him talk, now that he is not necessarily representing a specific brand. He is an amazing artist, has great stage presence and definitely knows a thing or two about success.
8. Crown Brush
Who doesn’t like cheap brushes?? While they don’t last forever, you can’t argue with the $1-15 price tag. This booth is definitely one of the more popular ones so be prepared to push, poke and jab your way to the front! It’s seriously a war zone, you should really start preparing mentally and physically right now lol. Try to get there early, choose your brushes and bounce before the crowds start piling up!
9. Eve Pearl- High Definition Beauty (Saturday 3pm-4pm)
Eve Pearl is an Emmy winning makeup artist who works on The Today Show and The View. I always try to pop into one of Eve’s classes because she is a wealth of knowledge and a great speaker. While you’re at it, check out her booth too and pick up some Salmon Concealer. She usually has great deals at the show!
10. Glimmer Body Art/Glitter Therapy
Ok, so I hate glitter and will not be visiting these vendors personally (in fact I will most definitely keep a safe distance from it haha) but people FREAK on these booths! Glimmer Body Art has glitter tattoos, while Glitter Therapy has individual glitter in all colors. One of the booths (can’t remember which one), has a product to make perfect glitter lips a la Christina Aguilera in Not Myself Tonight.
I’ll be there doing press for Last Looks Blog so if you see me, come say hi!
Tickets Prices: 1 Day All Access $40
2 Day All Access $70
Exhibit Floor Only $20
Hours: Saturday 8:30 am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 5pm
For more information check out their website www.imatsshow.com
New Work: Alexandra Daddario for Style File Daily
I had the pleasure of working with Alexandra Daddario from Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief for Style File Daily. The shoot was really fun and Alexandra was super sweet (and her skin was flawless!!).
Makeup and Hair: Me
Stylist: Allie Wood
Photographer: David Heisler
If you get a chance, check out Style File Daily.com! It’s an awesome new fashion site with trend reports, celeb features and interesting tips:
www.stylefiledaily.com
Shu Uemura’s New Futuristic Lashes
Ravers rejoice!! Shu Uemura has released their newest false eyelash collection, Neo Tokyo Odyssey and these lashes are packed with serious sparkle and shine.
From Shu Uemura’s Website:
“20xx Tokyo… superb skyscrapers are casting sleek silhouettes, unique, unidentified monuments inspire ultra modern graphic designs. In a new sophistication, Neo-Tokyo girls get dressed up in cyber sexy fashion with enchanting eye makeup and extravagant glimmering lashes.”
The Neo Sparkle. Each hair is coated with “diamond like” glitter.
The Neo Fringe- These come with a set of upper and lower lashes with silver and gold fringe.
The Neo Reflector- Silver coated lashes with mirror like shine. These are the lashes that appear in the Tokyo Lash Bar 2010 advertisements (below).
Unfortunately, like all of Shu’s premium lashes, they will set you back about $65 a pair..
What Do you Think? Would you Drop Bank to Wear Disco Balls on your Eyelashes??
WTF Alert: Christian Dior Contact Lenses?
Ummm??
John Galliano, fashion designer for Christian Dior is stepping outside the box by designing Dior contact lenses! Complete with the gold edging and “CD” logo, now you can blink in style. LOL!
Can you imagine having a conversation with someone who had letters inscribed on their iris?? I would die.
Dior came out with a line of designer contacts in 2006 called “Dior Eyes,” looks like they’re ready to test the market one more time…
Would you Wear Christian Dior IN your Eye??
The Scoop: Kim and Khloe’s Laker Nails
Lakers Nails!
So the Lakers just won and Los Angeles is going CRAZY right now!!! I’ve been listening to non-stop horns, yelling, cheering, fighting outside for the past hour! LA loves their Lakers!!
Celebrity Nail Artist, Kimmie Kyees, painted Kim and Khloe Kardashian’s nails for the big game. Check out their different shades of purple to support the team!
Kimmie shared on her Twitter earlier today that she used OPI’s Rumples Wiggin from the Shrek Collection on Khloe and Motive’s Her Majesty on Kim.
Kim is wearing the dark purple and Khloe has on the light purple.
Were You Rooting for the Lakers or the Celtics??
Smashbox 50% Off!
Smashbox is 50% off on Hautelook right now!! They have a bunch of cool lipgloss, eyeliner, eyeshadow sets as well as a whole lipstick palette with 18 colors for only $10! I want the “Brow Tech and Cream Eyeliner Kit” but I’m going to be good today
Check it Out
HERE
**Hautelook is a website which hosts private, online sales. It’s similar to GiltGroup. You have to register to see/buy from the sale, but I have bought from them in the past and they are totally legit 
Past beauty sales have included Eve Pearl, Laura Mercier, CoverFX etc..
Milani’s HD Advanced Concealer Vs. YSL Touche Eclat
Drugstore vs. High End
I love perusing drugstore beauty aisles in hopes of finding amazing products for really cheap. About a month ago, I came across an exact look alike of YSL’s bestselling Touche Eclat highlighter/concealer! Of course, I snatched it up as fast as I could and kept my fingers crossed that this Milani knockoff was as good as the real deal.
Review: Milani’s HD Advanced Concealer
First of all, can I just say that I am annoyed this is called “HD” concealer. What about it makes it HD?? I never used the brush applicator because of sanitation reasons, but I tested it on my hand and the brush strokes are completely visible. If I used this for HD work, I would be fired haha, Lastly, HD is not a “product,” it is a technology. Makeup for HD is all about the application, and nothing else.
Ok, now that we got that out of the way… lol
I’ve been using Milani’s HD Advanced Concealer on several different shoots over the past month to test it out. The click pen is kind of annoying to use. It took about 20 clicks to get the product out when I first opened it, and I thought it was broken! It still takes a few seconds for the product to dispense and when I work, time is money so it’s not ideal for me. I can see how it would be a great product to throw in your purse for mid-day touch ups though! The product is very creamy and easy to blend and and doesn’t accentuate dryness under the eyes, or give off that ugly cakey look. It works well for mild darkness under the eyes, but if you have anything more than that, you probably need a more heavily pigmented product. It doesn’t last all day and you will most likely need to touch it up a few times, but for the price it is a great option! It only comes in four colors and I wish they had a better range to accommodate darker skintones.
YSL vs. Milani
Packaging
At first glance, you would barely be able to tell the difference between the two products. They both come in a gold, pen-like tube with a brush applicator. They also both have the clicker at the bottom to dispense the product.
Product
Both products have a similar consistency and feel to them. The main difference is that Touche Eclat works best for highlighting and the HD Concealer is better for concealing. Although it claims to brighten, Milani’s version does not contain the light reflecting particles that YSL’s does. That right there is enough to put each product on different playing fields.
Price
While Yves Saint Larent’s Touche Eclat will set you back a whopping $40, Milani’s version is only $6.99!!
The Bottom Line:
Milani’s product is a great, cheap concealer option. It works well and is great for on the go touch-ups. There are some similarities between YSL, and for the price, it’s definitely a great alternative but in my opinion, they shouldn’t really even be compared.
Have you Tried Milani’s HD Concealer? What do you Think?
Red Carpet Makeup: The Tony Awards 2010
Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett at the Tony Awards 2010
I LOVE Cate Blanchett! I think she is soo stunning and her skin is flawless!! Can you believe she’s 41?! Her makeup at the Tony Awards last night was so complimentary to her face, she looks like she is glowing!
I’ve really been liking Scarlett Johansson’s makeup lately! Even though purple and pink eyeshadow can be really difficult to pull off, I think it worked on her last night. Super fun and fresh.
These Are My Picks for Best Makeup Last Night, Who Wore Your Favorite Makeup??
