Pure Belly Giveaway

Pure Belly Giveaway
Pure Belly is a maternity line my sister Paige Smith owns in California. This product line is amazing and super comfortable. Pure Belly gifted the Pure Comfort Backless Tank and The Perfect Pregnancy Panty to me. At first I was hesitant to try them on since hey I am not pregnant, but once on me that thought did not get a second chance. Both of these products are very comfortable and do not look like pregnancy products when on. And I love the bamboo fabric since it helps keep me cool in this hot Florida weather. Check out the Pure Belly giveaway above for a chance to score some Pure Belly for your closet.

Make up Artist for Advertisement: Blend True

2011 Winter Fashion Ball

2011 Winter Fashion Ball

Blend True will be doing make up for Fashion Designer Sandra Hagen at this years 2011 Winter Fashion Ball. Very excited to be working with such a talented team and Sandra's amazing designs. The runway make up and hair has been determined and I am so in love with the look. Tickets are on sale now and will definitely sell out so buy them up quick fashion lovers.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
I have this in my kit and use it often because it works great. I used the one pictured at the top just the other day for a dark shadow. This product kept my deep rich colored eyeshadow exactly in the place I applied it. This product lasts through the whole day with out creasing. A little goes a long way so it will last a good while.

Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011

Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011

I have been a little behind on my blog since I have been super busy with work lately. I have no complaints in make up world, love being busy! Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011 was a lot of fun this year. I did make up in advance then got to do make up on the models backstage. Doing 30 second make up changes backstage is a crazy adrenaline rush that I was happy to experience.

Again Kimberly Hendrix won my heart with her amazing designs! (shown upper left picture, make up by Blend True). I had the pleasure of working with almost all of the designers in this years event. The make up inspiration boards for this years event were a lot of fun. One of my favorites this year was the cat eye make up requested by Jcagua's line this year. (shown upper right picture, make up by Blend True)

Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2010

Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2010

Today I am getting ready for Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011! I am happy to be a part of the make up artist team again this year. The main runway show for Tampa Bay Fashion Week is tomorrow 9/23/11. So of course I can't help but think of last years event as I prepare for this years. Very excited to see what the designers will want this year for make up.

The image above is from Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2010. Make Up: Blend True, Fashion Designer: Kimberly Hendrix, Model: Julia

Rogerio Martins Designs

Rogerio Martins Designs Say Zar
I had the pleasure of doing make up and hair for Rogerio Martins Designs look book for his new Say Zar line. Rogerio has designed a line of dresses using a fabric that mesmerizes the eye. Each dress has a comfortable yet sexy feel to it. Rogerio Martins is a Brazilian Designer whose designs formally only sold in Brazil. This line will be produced and sold in the US and will be available in high end stores near you soon.

Zoya Touch Collection

Zoya Touch Collection

Neutrals are in style and offer a nice clean look complementing any attire you decide on. The Zoya Touch Collection is a nice assortment of colors and is perfect to help find your perfect shade. Minka is the lightest and is a nude. Shay is slightly darker and with a pink shade to it. And Pandora has a hint of a rose shade. All three are opaque in color with a small amount of shimmer.

*Zoya’s polishes are formulated without toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, and camphor*

 

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Perfume

The first time I spelled this fragrance I was working in retail cosmetics and feel in love instantly. So when my Mom asked what I would like for my birthday that year of course my answer was Light Blue. And I can honestly say I have never ran out of this perfume, since yes it smells that good. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue perfume is a beautiful arrangement of bluebells, jasmine, and white roses, with a splash of Sicilian citron. Purchase the Light Blue gift set, this scent layered is heavenly.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish
Adding the extra step of using a primer in your make up routine can increase the longevity of your foundation. One of my favorite primers to use is Smashbox Photo Finish which always helps me obtain that flawless face look. Photo Finish primer is lightweight and gives the skin a nice silky feel. This primer contains vitamins A and E, grape seed extract and green tea. Photo Finish is oil free and helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and pores for a perfect foundation application. Minimal to no fragrance to it and a little goes a long way.

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque
Any one who has damaged their hair due to color, sun, styling, or even wind could benefit from this Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque. This product smells great and made my hair feel nice and manageable. I would suggest using this product at least once a month.

• Leaves hair deeply nourished
• Improves elasticity and shine
• Provides long lasting conditioning benefits
• Repairs dry, damaged hair
• Rejuvenates and rebuilds the hair
• Infused with macadamia oil, argan oil, tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts

Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Lotion for Stress Relief & Bug Repellent

Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Spearment Body Lotion

We are so fortunate to have a amazing dog sitter for our two Chihuahua's Mojo and Buddy. Dana conveniently lives in our neighborhood and our dogs adore her! One day Dana and I got to talking about the bugs here in FL and how they can chew you up. I had told her that I hated putting bug sprays on since I would then have to jump in the shower after night walks so I would not rub off the repellent on my furniture or worse my dogs ingesting it by licking me. Dana told me she had been using Bath and Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Lotion. This lotion had kept the mosquitoes from biting her. Turns out this is part of the Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy line an added bonus. Eucalyptus essential oil clears the mind while spearmint essential oil uplifts.

I put this product to a two night test while wearing a dress one day and shorts and a tank the next to expose as much skin for my experiment as possible. Both nights not even one bite!!! Amazing since the mosquitoes treat me as an all you can eat buffet normally. I saw them flying near me but they did not bite me! And my husband said I smelled great so its definitely a keeper!

Piggy Paints For Kids, Pregnant Women and Puppies!

Piggy Paints

On my recent trip to CA I saw that my sister had painted my little niece Aubrey's toe nails. She just loves looking down at her toes with her bright pink polish! Too cute!! After searching on line I found this line called Piggy Paints. This line offers a safe nail polish for your little one or you when you are pregnant! There are no toxic chemicals; it’s free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, Bisphenol A, ethyl acetate and acetone. Piggy Paints also offers Puppy Paints for when you or your little one can not resist painting your dogs nails! Not surprising this line added an embittering agent to their product to prevent licking or chewing. This is a water based paint so it is recommended to apply 2-3 thin coats, air dry 60 seconds then blow dry polished nails for 1 minute with your dryer set on warm/heat/low.

Piggy Paints Polish 
Non-toxic
Low Odor
Water-based formula
Hypoallergenic
Fun, vibrant colors
Dries to a hard, durable finish
Cruelty-free
Safe for use during Pregnancy!


Need to remove that polish safely Piggy Paints has a polish remover that is acetone free!

Piggy Paints Nail Polish Remover
Low odor
Hypoallergenic
No acetone
Contains aloe vera and vitamin E
Recommended 3 years and up

QTICA Qnail Half Time Polish Drying Accelerator

Qtica Half Time
Florida Sand and my pool bottom were constantly damaging my polish on my toes. Until I went for a pedicure with my Mom. At the end of the pedicure they tilted my foot downwards and dropped a one drop of QTICA Qnail Half Time Polish Accelerator on each nail. This polish accelerator made my dry time quick but it also made my polish stronger. This product will prevent any dents, smudges, streaks or bubbles in your polish. This product comes in a small bottle but the product goes a long way so lasts a long time. I was able to find a bottle of this at Ulta. Worth the money and the extra step in my nail routine!

Klorane Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover With Cornflower Water

Klorane
While on a trip to Canada I realized I had forgotten my eye make-up remover at home and asked my Mother in law if I could borrow hers. She gave me a bottle of Klorane Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover with Cornflower Water. Not only did it remove my eye make up easily with a cotton ball it was very sensitive on my eye area. This product also does not leave any residue on your face after removing your make up. Last visit to Canada I noticed this line also carries a eye make-up remover that removes waterproof make up. So of course this has been added to my must buy next trip list!

Product Details

• Gently removes make-up from the very fragile eye contour
• Soothes skin around eyes
• pH similar to tears
• Safe for contact lens wearers
• Hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested
• Paraben, silicone, and sulfate free

Cornflower

Plant origin:

France

Benefits:

For centuries, cornflower has been known for its soothing, softening and anti-inflammatory qualities. Grown exclusively in France, the cornflower is harvested during full blossom. After it has been dried in special clay ovens, the cornflower water is produced by a special distillation technique that preserves all the precious active ingredients and purity of the cornflower.

Estee Lauder High Gloss

Estee Lauder High Gloss

When I used to work with Estee Lauder I sold a lot of Estee Lauder's High Gloss lip gloss. All I had to do was show up to work wearing High Gloss and it sold itself! High Gloss offers many shades to choose from. Honey looks awesome on me adding a perfect shimmer color to my lips. A tube of High Gloss lasts a long time even with daily wear.

Top 50 Global Beauty Brands 2011

Top 50 Global Beauty Brands 2011
Independent brand valuation firm Brand Finance has compiled its first list of the top 50 most valuable cosmetic brands in the world. P&G’s Olay comes out as the most valuable global beauty brand and has been around since the 1950s. Some of the others might come as more of a surprise in this valuable industry study. This chart also highlights your favorite brands parent company which is always fun to see.
*Click on above chart to enlarge image of chart*

ion Anti-frizz Solutions

Ion Anti-Frizz Solutions

I have a slight curl through my hair that causes my hair to tangle easily. So of course I am always looking for a solution to tame this hair of mine. When I moved from California to Florida I then had a wonderful frizz effect to my hair compliments to the humid weather. One day while in a Sally's Beauty Supply I can across the ion Anti-frizz Solutions line. I purchased the Leave-In Conditioner and the Lusterizing Cream. Great purchase at an unbelievable price and 100% Vegan! My hair not only felt silky smooth it also was amazingly easily to comb through. The leave-in conditioner is light so it does not seem possible to use to much. But with the Lusterizing Cream a little goes a long way, if you use to much you will be back in the shower for a redo. I currently have not tried the other products in this line but definitely will be in the future.


ion Anti-frizz Solutions Leave-In Conditioner

• Strengthens and increases manageability
• Conditions and detangles
• 100% Vegan
• Ion Leave-in Conditioner moisturizes, detangles, strengthens, protects and gets rid of frizz, leaving hair soft and silky. Lightweight formula is great for use on all hair types.

ion Anti-frizz Solutions Lusterizing Cream

Smoothes split ends and eliminates frizz  

Hydrates and adds shine

100% Vegan

Paraben Free

Ion Lusterizing Cream provides lightweight smoothing for silky, shiny frizz-free hair. Great for straight, wavy or curly styles.

Tweezerman Tweezers

Tweezerman Tweezers
A great set of tweezers is a must have essential for every woman! Tweezerman has a variety of styles and color options to choose from. They also offer a free sharpening service for your tweezers. This service takes 4 to 6 weeks so I suggest you have an extra pair on you. I had to purchase a second one due to this so I decided on the above pictured Petite Tweeze Set. This set is perfect for when I travel and includes a mini version of the Slant and the Point tweezer. 

Tweezer Tips:
*Make sure to keep you tweezers clean to avoid bacterial build up by using isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball after each use.
*Avoid dropping tweezers, as it can damage the tips and throw tweezers out of alignment.
*Keep tweezers dry. Even stainless steel can rust if kept wet.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner is a keeper! I keep this waterproof liner in my make up kit at all times. This gel liner glides on smooth and is fantastic for that liquid eyeliner effect. This eyeliner sets once dry, so work fast! I recommend this product for a steady practiced hand since this product is not forgiving if you mess up your line. Available in 14 colors to choose from it makes it hard to choose just one!

Pink Marbled Nails

Pink Marbled Nails
I woke up early today and decided to play with some pink marbled nail designs. My nails are naturally long. When they get to this length I tend to play with polish more often. This technique can also be done on artificial nails. I will do a tutorial on this in the future with some new designs and different colors. Have a particular design you would like to learn? Send me a message and I will do my best to add it in to my future tutorial instruction.

Follow for your chance to win: Lush Dorothy Bubble Bar

Follow this blog for a chance to win a free Lush Dorothy Bubble Bar (Follow entry deadline is August 31, 2011. One winner will be chosen for this offer. Contest only valid in the U.S.A)

If you know how to pamper your self then you have been to Lush! This product line can keep you in their store for way longer than anticipated. My last trip to Lush I was attracted to the Dorothy Bubble Bar mainly because of that cute little rainbow. The rainbow on the bar reminded me of my sister who's favorite movie is Wizard of Oz.  It smelled wonderful so I read the Description

"Any friend of Dorothy's is a friend of ours.

We're taking you far from the rain and grey clouds to somewhere over the rainbow. Your bath-water will be as blue as the skies over munchkinland and the exotic scent of ylang and sweet figs will make you want to go skipping off to see the wizard.

That familiar scent of figs. If you love our Figs and Leaves soap, you'll love Dorothy. You can lounge in the blue waters and inhale the scent of orange blossoms and fresh fruit. "

SOLD! And what a great purchase it has been! You use your bubble bar by crumbling bits off of the bar into running bath water till your desired bubble love level is reached. Which my bubble love is large and I had only taken half the rainbow off the top of the bar for my first bath. This one bar lasted me through five relaxing bubble loving baths!

Blend True Website

www.BlendTrue.com

My website officially was live online starting late yesterday! I can not even explain how excited I was to have my site up and running. It has been an exciting fun roller coaster that I never get tired of riding. Check out my website and I hope you will check my blog often for new posts. I have some exciting shoots coming up and of course Make Up Make UP Make UP!

Blend True's Graphic Artist

JillBrewerDesign.com

Over the past two years I have been collecting pictures of make up jobs I have done. My favorites recently went to my Graphic Artist Jill Brewer Design. I love being a Make Up Artist and needed my website to reflect this. Jill was able to take these pictures and create an amazing website for my business. The site she created for me is professional with a clean contemporary edge. Jill also designed my business logo that I use on my site and business cards. I am so fortunate to have worked with such a skilled Graphic Artist. Her creative abilities are a great asset to any business owner. I will continue to recommend and use Jill for my future business needs.