A wise woman once told me....

Honestly I do feel much more calm and prepared to take on the world when I have my "face on"... My mother too. I'm certain I learned it from her... I love you mom!!!

Paper-Cutting Edge: PaperSelf Lashes

I recently did a springtime beauty trends test shoot and decided to incorporate these new PaperSelf Lashes. They are inspired by the art of Chinese paper-cutting, and, in my opinion, add a VERY cool element to a photograph. 

photo: Lisa Ramsay

This style is called "scorpion"

I have also bought regular & small "deer & butterfly"

I think the way to really highlight the uniqueness of the PaperSelf Lashes is to conceal the eyebrows... i did this here using the old Elmer's Glue stick method... brush up the brow, slap on some Elmer's glue stick (I like the purple kind), let it dry, and pack on makeup. :)

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012 colors!

One of the major perks of blogging, tweeting, and networking of any kind is when you get a little love from makeup companies, p.r. people, and trade show swag.

In other words: FREE PRODUCTS!!!

I was recently lucky enough to receive the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012 colors...

OH MY GOD, they make me want to dive into the nearest pool and do the back stroke. Seriously.

The eyeliners are the standouts for me so far, especially the VIBRANT matte ones.

Lilac

Acqua

Lemon

They glide on effortlessly smooth, and have a handy smudger on the end so it's easy to get either a solid line of color, or a blended pop of color.

And at a very close standout second are the lip glosses.

The colors are so soft...
I gravitated immediately to
Raspberry.

And one cannot overlook the sexy gold packaging on the entire 

Dolce & Gabbana line of makeup.

I feel very high fashion pulling out my compact on the metro!!

My first COVER!!!

I am beyond excited to announce my newest COVER!!

South African FHM

feat. Irina Shayk

For this shoot we just kept it super sexy simple.

*even skin*

*black rimmed eye*

*natural lip*

*evian spray on the body*

HANDS UP, this is a STICK ON!!!

The topic of today is not burglary, nope, it's the new trend:

STICK ON NAIL ART

I will admit, at first I immediately discounted it as press on nail quality, which we all know is certifiably C-R-A-P, not an option.

Buuuuut.....

Apparently, I was wrong. 

I overheard some women I trust talking about them, and going on, and on... So I knew I should give them a whirl.

I first tried Sally Hansen Salon Effects in "Laced Up"

 I loved them.

It took a little bit of skill to apply them, but then again so does painting your own nails. Patience, and following the directions is key when applying stick on nail art. One thing I noticed was that I always thought I needed a smaller strip than I actually did, so I'd have to peel it back off and use the next size up. I wasted a few sizes learning this but it turned out okay because they include between 8 and 10 sizes to fit most finger nails, so I had enough.

Then, I tried a different brand, Nail Couture Los Angeles in Gemstone.

They have a way cooler selection of designs, but they are a little more difficult to put on. They are called "nail foils" by this brand, which confused me because they felt more like paper. And their method of application is a little different as well, clear nail polish is required on top and underneath of the "foil". Sally Hansen was just, stick em' on and you're done basically...

Overall... I like this trend. I feel like my nails look super cool, and they do stay on pretty well!!

Try them!!

Numero Magazine

Bible.

I just purchased my first of what I KNOW will be a library full.

*all photos Numero magazine

I am a LIPSTICK QUEEN, no wonder I love this product....

Hey guys! I have a new fantastic brand I want you to all run out and try!!!

LIPSTICK QUEEN

I first saw it in another artist kit, and was very curious because the packaging was very discrete...

clear, no blatant label, and cute...but she used it on every single model she did. It HAD to be good....

Either alone, or over any other lip stick or liner, it was UNBELIEVABLY shiny and yummy!

My first addition is the 

Shine- Hard Core Gloss in Wine Sinner, but only because they were out of clear...

 

It is sticky, colorful, and a must have for any Lipstick Queen. Trust me...