Reviews
Review: Scott Barnes Body Bling
What is it?
Scott Barnes is a celebrity makeup artist with a client list to drool over. He has made up the faces of Beyonce, Kate Hudson, Kim Kardashian, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Celine Dion. Barnes is most known for being Jennifer Lopez’s makeup artist for over 11 years, and he is solely responsible for her signature “glow.” Lucky for us, Scott Barnes has created a shimmering body moisturizer to gives everyone the opportunity to look sunkissed and red carpet ready like the stars!
Keri Hilson Wearing Body Bling at the Grammy’s
Why is it Amazing?
I have been testing out Body Bling on myself and at shoots for the past week and I’m obsessed with it! There are two different colors you can buy; Original, which gives your skin a gorgeous bronzed glow or Platinum, which gives off a lighter, champagne colored glow. Platinum is perfect for fair skin because it doesn’t apply color, just a natural golden shimmer. I can’t decide which one I like more!
Up close and in sunlight, the product is very shimmery but step back, and the shimmer blurs, making your skin literally look like it is “lit from within.” Bonus: It also evens out small imperfections.
Last week, I used Platinum Body Bling on a photoshoot for a “young hollywood” actress and I loved how it translated on camera!! The photographer asked me if I had done anything to her skin because he loved the “healthy, glowy, already photoshopped” effect.
I love that Body Bling rubs effortlessly into your skin without leaving unattractive streaks all over your body. It also lasts forever, I still had some on even after I showered!
This product is super versatile too! You can wear it at the beach when you want to add a little sexy to your suit, or rub some on before a date so you sparkle in low level lighting of your favorite restaurant.
Scott Barnes Demonstrates How to Apply Body Bling
Where Can I Buy It?
You can purchase Body Bling on Scott Barnes’ website: Here OR find a retail location near you that carries it: Here
Any Cons?
-This is a high end, luxury product so unfortunately it’s expensive. ($38 a bottle for 4 fl oz)
-Some people might find the product to be too shimmery (up close) or too “glamorous” for their taste.
Jennifer Lopez’s Infamous “Glow”
Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products or samples. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally.
Review: Sigma Makeup Brushes
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For the past few months, I have been seeing Sigma Brushes in the brush rolls of many of my colleagues and celebrity makeup artists that I have had the opportunity to assist. Of course, I had to test these brushes out for myself! I have been test driving my new Sigma Makeup “Professional Brushes Complete Kit” for about a month and I am excited to finally share these awesome (budget-friendly brushes) with everyone!
Review:
My first opportunity to use my new Sigma Brushes was on a photoshoot with an actress named Alexandra Daddario, from the film Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief. Even though I usually go through tons of brushes when I work, I forced myself to use only the 12 brushes in my Sigma brush roll (ok, ok… and only like 8 of my regular brushes as well 
). It was much easier than I thought it would be since you have pretty much every brush you need to do a whole face! I need more when I work, but you could definitely get by on these 12 for everyday makeup application.
Quality
On first inspection of the brushes, you can tell they are very good quality. The bristles are silky smooth and they just feel well made. I use a lot of brushes from Crown (which are cheap, but not necessarily the best) and the difference a quality brush makes really can transform your application. After a month of use and routine cleaning, they are still holding up really well. I’m getting a little bit of shedding from several of the brushes, but not enough to worry too much about.
Price
One of the best things about Sigma Makeup Brushes is their price! They are extremely affordable, especially since the quality compares many higher end lines. The Professional Brushes Complete Kit that I have is only $69 without the brush roll ($89 w/brush roll). To get an entire brush set at that price is an amazing deal that would be hard to find anywhere else. If you are on a budget but don’t want to skimp on quality, I highly recommend Sigma Makeup Brushes.
Standouts:
The pencil brush is one of my favorites from the collection. It really helps give a precise application and is awesome for applying eyeshadow to the crease of the eye. I also love it for buffing out a harsh eyeliner, to get a smokey effect. I definitely have found myself reaching for this brush the most!
This has become one of my favorite concealer brushes! It is very firm and the shape is great!! It has a slight point at the tip which I really like for doing detail work. It can cover a pimple effortlessly! It came in handy on a recent shoot when the model’s foundation kept creasing in her undereye folds. I would just pop in and quickly knock it out with this brush and we’d be shooting again in the blink of an eye.
I looove Duo Fibre brushes!! The synthetic tip blends foundation, powder, blush etc flawlessly for an amazing, airbrushed look. This Duo Fibre brush from Sigma is great because it compares to MAC’s infamous 187 brush, for only a fraction of the price! The only real difference between the two is that MAC’s is slightly denser and $26 more expensive! MAC’s 187 retails for $42, while Sigma’s retails at $16. Yes please.
I am in love with this little “Hollywood Glamour Kabuki” brush! It is sooo soft and cute! It’s a little too bulky and awkward to fit in my brush belt, so I’m actually keeping this one for personal use! It buffs my powder and bronzer on flawlessly and is retractable, so perfect for throwing in your purse for mid-day touch ups!
Any Cons?
-The Eyeliner Brush (SS209) is a little too thick for my taste. I prefer a slimmer brush that allows me to build. For someone with smaller eyes, or not much of a crease, the line you would get from this brush would probably be too thick. On a positive note, I have been using it on the lips lately and actually love it! The point gives me control and the ability to make perfect lines while eliminating bleeding.
-The Contouring Brush (SS168) has altered shape after several washings. It is not as tight as it used to be, which is makes it more difficult for precise contouring. It’s slowly becoming a great blush brush though 
- I wish all of the brushes were available for individual sale. As far as I can tell, some are not available to purchase separately.
Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products to review. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally.
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?
Review: Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder- Give Yourself the Cheekbones You’ve Always Wanted!
What is it?
Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder is a contouring powder. The color is specially made to mimic the “color” of shadows, so when properly applied it can be used to shape, sculpt, minimize or sharpen features!
Why is it Amazing?
Kevyn Aucoin was a makeup artist renowned for his dramatic and incredible transformations using makeup. Check out this picture (below) where he transformed Calista Flockhart into Aubrey Hepburn and Gywneth Paltrow into James Dean!! How could his sculpting powder not be amazing?
One of the main reasons that I love this product is because of the color! Many times, people use bronzer to contour, which can look too orange, or contain shimmer. This product is formulated with brown, gray and red pigments to create the look of a natural shadow!
I recently used the sculpting powder on a model with a rounder face. The photographer wanted her to look more angular for a specific look, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to see how well this actually works! I sculpted out cheekbones and contoured around her jawline, hairline and along her nose. It worked beautifully!! She looked like a different person.
It goes on super smooth and blends really well. It comes with a sponge but I use a brush to apply. I would think that the sponge might deposit too much color.
Where Can I Buy It?
Kevyn Aucoin’s Website
Or check out Amazon.com, Drugstore.com and Beauty.com
Any Cons?
-The price! At $42 a pop, it’s not the most budget friendly product 
Keep an eye on HauteLook.com! They have sales on Kevyn Aucoin and I got mine for 40% off!
- You really have to practice with this one! It’s really easy to use too much product which will make your face look dirty. Not cute.
Lea Michelle’s makeup artist Melanie Inglessis used Kevyn Aucoin’s sculpting powder on her for the 2010 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.
Kristen Stewart’s makeup artist, Beau Nelson uses Kevin Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder on her all the time. This picture (above) is from her appearance on Jimmy Fallon.
Do you Contour? What Products Do you Use?
UVSunSense: UV Awareness Around Your Wrist!
Although the first official day of Summer doesn’t start until June 21st, it definitely already feels like the season is upon us. The weather has been gorgeous (at least in California ), kids are getting out of school and everyone is slowly beginning to post beach pictures up on their Facebook pages. When temperatures heat up, naturally, people start heading outdoors while unfortunately exposing themselves to the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Of course, you would never forget to wear your sunscreen, but how hard is it to remember to reapply?? Check out this awesome new gadget that will make your life a little easier and a lot more safe.
What is it?
The UVSunSense is a new product that has been gaining a huge amount of recognition in the press. It’s an easy to wear bracelet that indicates when you need to reapply sunscreen and also when it’s best to get out of the sun!
How Does it Work?
When you first apply sunscreen, apply it to your UVSunSense bracelet as well. It will turn bright purple when activated by sunlight and the color slowly starts to fade, the longer you are in the sun. When the color reaches light pink, you need to reapply sun protection. When it gets to light yellow, you should probably head indoors.
Where Do I Get One?
The UV Sun Sense bracelets are available many places online such as Amazon.com or CVS.com, or check out their website to find a retailer near you!
How Much Are They?
$6.98 for a pack of 7 bracelets.
Any Cons?
-Unfortunately, it’s not the most attractive piece of “jewelry” you can wear to the beach haha. I can definitely see some people dismissing it because of how “uncool” it may look, but with that said, I have no problem compromising my fashion sense to avoid wrinkles and skin cancer
-Since everyone’s skin and sensitivities to the sun are different, I cannot imagine that the bracelet will work the same for everyone.
www.uvsunsense.com
Review: Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Shampoo
I buy drugstore shampoo. I have a ton of hair, and go through it way too fast to be able to afford $30 bottles of the good stuff! Usually, I jump around from product to product trying out new shampoos but I can’t believe that I’ve actually found one worth buying over and over again! Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness is my favorite drugstore shampoo that I have found (so far)!
What it Claims to Do:
None of Your Frizzness is a smoothing shampoo that gets rid of frizz by utilizing it’s humidity resistant formula. It contains mandarin balm and pearls and smells incredible!
Why Do I Love It?
Initially I bought this shampoo because of the smell!! Mmmm, so good. Also, because I thought the name was dumb and I wanted to make my boyfriend uncomfortable by forcing him to use a shampoo called “none of your frizzness” haha.
It makes my hair silky smooth and smells amazing!! People always ask me what kind of shampoo I use because my hair smells so good. I definitely wouldn’t categorize my hair as “frizzy” unless I’m near the ocean (when it starts to slowly creep upward and curl 
) Well, when I ran out of None of Your Frizzness and began using another shampoo, I noticed the tiny hairs along my hair part were actually a tiny bit frizzy! I never saw it before, but having frizz free hair for a month spoiled me and now I notice all frizz and prefer for it not to be there. I love this shampoo and I don’t even really need it.. If you actually do have frizzy hair, imagine what it could do for you!
Any Cons?
- It’s from a drugstore (if you care about that sorta thing)
- It’s like the only Herbal Essences shampoo that doesn’t come in the jumbo size which is really annoying because I have to spend $5 for 10 oz instead of $8 for 23 oz.
Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar Swatches
If you haven’t tried Lip Tars yet, you are definitely missing out! They have replaced almost all of the other lipsticks in my kit. They stay on forever, are extremely pigmented and you can mix and match to create your perfect color! What more could you ask for???? While don’t have every color, I’m getting pretty close. I still need Memento, Vapid, Complex, Botanical and Fondue.
When I posted two swatches for Obsessive Compulsive’s new lip tars, Demure and Hoochie (here), I got tons of requests to post the rest of the collection!
Ask and you shall receive…
**My black, Tarred, is pretty old and has started separating. I chose not to swatch it because it wouldn’t give true representation of the color.**
www.occmakeup.com
Which Ones Do You Have? Which Ones Do You Want?
Review: Yaby Creme Foundations
Have you heard of Yaby cosmetics?? If not, you need to know about them asap! It’s a makeup line designed for makeup artists by a makeup artist and everything I have tried from from the line has been amazing! I am always on the lookout for new foundations because my favorite thing to perfect is the skin. After being completely impressed with their pearl paints and eyeshadows, I decided to try Yaby’s creme foundation palette and have been testing it out on set (and on myself) for about a month. It’s slowly becoming my go-to foundation palette. If you are on the hunt for awesome coverage with a lightweight feel, definitely look into Yaby!
What is it?
A waterproof, silicone based, full coverage foundation with a lightweight feel and amazing texture!!
Why is it Amazing?
Ohhhh, where do I begin?? 
Texture and Pigment
I decided to buy the yellow-based foundation palette after hearing rave reviews from other makeup artists. The first time I used it I fell in love with the texture!! It is sooo buttery and smooth! At first, I was a little disappointed in the size of the refills but once I used it for the first time, I realized why they are so small… They are so pigmented so a little bit really does go a long way. You don’t need much at all to cover the whole face and if you decide that you need more coverage in certain areas, simply go over them again with another thin layer and viola!
Staying Power
After using these foundations several times on set, I decided to try it on myself because I was getting jealous! lol. Let me tell you, I’m super picky when it comes to my own foundation and this is the best foundation I have ever found for my skin! No exaggeration. I have really rosy cheeks naturally (that I hate, and cover as often as possible), and this foundation completely erased the red. It was full coverage but I didn’t feel like I was wearing any at all! As the day went on, I kept checking the mirror and nothing changed! No oilyness, none of it rubbed off, nothing!! That reminds me, since I don’t usually dig into my kit to do my own makeup, I need to buy myself my own color asap!
Great for Pale Skintones
Another thing I loved is that their palest shade is super pale! Sometimes it’s hard to find colors to match really really light skintones, and this is my new go-to foundation when making up super pale models that haven’t seen sun, ever.
Two In One
If you’re a makeup artist these are perfect because you get a full coverage foundation, but if you desire a lighter coverage, they can be thinned down with a silicone based thinner. It’s like two products in one!
Price
Oh, and did I mention that they are only $8.75 each! SUPER CHEAP! You can’t even buy a Revlon foundation for that cheap.
Where Can I Buy it?
You can purchase Yaby on their website at www.yabycosmetics.com (they are a Canadian based company). If you’re looking for a retailer in the U.S, www.camerareadycosmetics.com carries it too!
Any Cons??
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There’s not a lot of darker shades.
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You have to buy online so you can’t test the colors on your own skin. Major bummer.
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Each color is designed to fit inside of a palette, so when you buy 1 shade, there’s not a set compact that it comes it.You basically just get a refill (great for makeup artists, not for consumers) so you will have to get creative.
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Some of the shades may be a bit too yellow for regular consumers who don’t have the means to mix different shades to get the perfect match. (Again, I only tried the yellow palette, I’m not sure what the pink palette looks like).
I used Yaby Creme Foundation for this shoot!
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Have You Tried Yaby?? What Do You Think?
LEAVE A COMMENT
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Important: I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally. For this particular product, I have not recieved any compensation, incentive or product for a positive review.
Review: GHD Hair Straightener
GHD Flat Irons – Worth the Money?
I love how it matches my room
What’s All the Fuss Over?
GHD produces one of the top selling hair straighteners on the market. Folica.com rates it as one of their top 10 straighteners and professional hairstylists have been using them for years. One of the coolest things about GHD stylers is that they are not just for straightening! The rounded barrel allows you to curl, flick and add volume all with the very same iron. The advanced ceramic technology senses the porosity of your hair, applying the perfect amount of heat each time (eliminating too much heat on areas of your hair that are damaged). Another cool feature is that it has universal voltage for travelers! GHD stylers seal in your hair’s natural oils, moisture and color and they have a “Sleep Mode” that shuts the styler off after 30 minutes of no use! This is one of my favorite features of the straightener. I can’t even count the number of times I have left my curling irons and straighteners on alllll day long because I forget to switch them off before I leave the house. Last but not least, the irons go into “shiver mode” if the room temperature drops below 5 degrees. Shiver Mode fights condensation that occurs in such low temps, which could damage your iron. Cool! Now you can straighten your hair inside your igloo with no worries!
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Does it Work As Well as it Claims?
Yes! I have been testing my flat iron out on set for s everal weeks, on all different hair types. The first time I used it, I was shocked at how quickly it heats up! I usually turn on my hot tools way before I actually start using them, to give them enough time to heat up. In less than 30 seconds, my GHD made a chirping sound, letting me know it was hot enough for use! It straightens hair perfectly, leaving it shiny and soft. Last week, I was working with Asian model who had very straight hair already. The photographer wanted to add a little bit of body to her hair, while keeping the straight style. I used my GHD to add lift at the roots and curl the ends under. It was so easy, and made her hair look voluminous and full. The other day I was experimenting on myself, making curls and crimps, it’s insane how many styles you can create with just this one tool! Definitely makes my job a lot easier! I have already replaced my current straightener, and my GHD is my new go-to flat iron.
Which Styler is Best for Me?
There are three different sizes of the GHD stylers. The regular size is their most popular, and will work with all hair types. They have one with wide plates which is great for super long hair, or really thick hair. The wide styler will create larger curls. Lastly, they have the option of a ministyler for short hair. This one is also great for men!
regular
wide
mini.
Any Cons?
- The price! Unfortunately, GHD stylers are on the more expensive side. Expect to pay between $200-300 depending on where you buy from .
**I haven’t owned the iron long enough to vouch for it’s lifespan. A lot of flat irons (from all different companies) have a reputation for dying too early. GHD does offer a two year guarantee though which gives me some confidence.**.
Check out GHD’s website. They have styling videos as well!
www.ghdhair.com
Disclaimer: From time to time, companies will send me products to review. I pride myself in providing my readers with honest feedback of the products I am testing. I will not recommend something I would not use personally or professionally. Sending me product does not guarantee a review and I accept no monetary compensation for in exchange for reviews.
Do you own a GHD? Do you want one? Tell me what you think!
LEAVE A COMMENT!
Review: MUFE High Definition Elixir
MAKE UP FOREVER HD ELIXIR
MAKE UP FOREVER’S High Definition Elixir is a relatively new product for the brand. I have been carrying it around in my kit for several weeks waiting and wishing for the perfect opportunity to whip it out and finally see what all the fuss is about. Lucky for me, I was given two opportunities this past week to test out the product.
What is it?
MUFE Elixir is a serum desinged to hydrate and brighten your skin.
What it Claims to Do:
MUFE says that their Elixir boosts the skin’s hydration levels up to 520% after 15 minutes, and lasts throughout the day (175% after 6 hours)!!! The unique formula is also said to restore skin’s radiance and leave a super smooth surface for the rest of your makeup.
Does it Really Work?
Yes, yes and yes!
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The Skinny
Test 1: On a recent photo shoot, I was working with a model who has been taking Accutane (an intense acne treatment), leaving her with extremely dry, flaky skin. Obviously, any makeup I put on her would not glide seamlessly if the canvas was not properly prepared. I began with the Elixir and applied it to her whole face using a foundation brush and I let it sink in for a few minutes. A little goes a long way!! It is very lightweight and it absorbs into the skin really quick. After the Elixir, I applied a heavier creamy moisturizer and finally, foundation. I kept a very close eye on her skin throughout the 8 hour shoot and it held up amazingly! I barely had to touch it up.
Test 2: During the same week on a commercial shoot, another model with dry skin sat in my chair. Her skin was not as bad as the first model, but she had flakiness in corners of her nose and dryness underneath her eyes and around her chin. I massaged MUFE’s Elixir into the dry spots with my finger tips and they disappeared completely allowing the rest of the makeup to glide on. There was no hint of dryness anywhere, and we were shooting in HD! HD sees EVERYTHING.
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I definitely recommend this Elixir if you suffer from dryness anywhere on your face. When your skin is flaky and dehydrated, makeup tends to get caught and gather in the dry areas. If you massage in a little bit of the Elixir, the dryness disappears! It’s not greasy at all and it’s oil free. I cannot say I really noticed a change in the overall radiance of the skin, but I usually work on brightening the skin with other products so maybe they masked it
The only con about MUFE’s magical Elixir is the price At $38 a bottle, it might be out of budget for many customers, especially if you are already using moisturizer and primer in your skincare routine.
However, if you can afford to try it, I recommend that you do! You’ll be hooked.
