Grateful

Sending blessings to everything this day. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

This pencil is great for natural or glamorous eyebrows.  Easy to use and a spoolie at the other other end of the pencil. Even tho it is a good pencil, I can find a cheaper one very similar to this but it is hard to find all the colors (Maybelline Define-A-Brow. Although I appreciate Anastasia's line because of the variety of shades. 

Bareminerals Bareskin

I was very intrigued about thing foundation when it first came out and there were good/bad reviews. I went in Sephora and tried it for myself.  Right away I knew what it mimicked - airbrush makeup. Airbrush foundation that you would put in an airbrush machine. This is why so many people had complained about this, is was a new foundation, and when I say new, I mean texture, and how to apply. 
This Bareminerals Bareskin went smooth on me and didn't settle into my little lines, it did not emphasize my pores with which surprised me because I have very oily skin and I live in Hawaii.  

Regardless of what anyone tells you, you need to prep to your skin very good. I tell my mature clients, those who have dull dehydrated skin condition, especially my brides, to start to drinking more water to hydrate your skin and a find a very hydrating moisturizer.  

Prepping your skin for your skin is very imperative for this foundation. Skin type is different from skin condition. Skin type is dry, combination, oily. Skin condition, for example, would be acneic, dehydrated, rosea, and sensitive. You want take in consideration all those elements when you prep your skin, customize it you. 1. You always want to make sure you've exfoliated your skin to get rid of any flakiness, that would be accentuated with foundation. I like to use Dermologica's Daily Microfoliant.

It's gentle and safe enough to use everyday. I usually use it in the morning before starting my skincare regime. 2. Using some sort of serum wether it be one to help brighten using vitamin c, one that targets wrinkles or a lifting, and one for acne. I use Image Vitamin C Serum

And because I have acne scars, I also use Image iluma line Lightening serum 

3. Moisturize, moisturizer, moisturizer! But, moisturize according to you skin type. Even oily people need to moisturize. 

4. As an esthetician, I'd say that you need sunscreen if you want to prevent hyperpigmentation. But it's at your discretion. 

5. Let all of these products get absorbed for about 10 min. Then use an oil-free primer. Let that set, for 2 minutes. 

6. This is where I do the something different. This may not be good to everyone but it has worked for me. I start using a finely milled transparent powder to lock in all the moisture and primer.  I then put the foundation. You'll find that your in more flawless, it stays on longer, and pores are not accentuated. It kind of just glides on the skin. This method could be used for any foundation as well. I don't thnk you need that brush the suggest for you to buy. Any kabuki brush or brush like that would work fine. 

I hope this helps and hopefully change your mind about this products. It truly is a wonderful foundation.  

How did you become a makeup artist?

A lot of people ask me question, "How did you become a makeup artist?"  When I was 15, my first job was a makeup artist at photography place. At that time, it was  a prestigious job to have and the fact that you can get in spoke highly of you. 

Before I got that job, I always dabbled in makeup. In 7th grade, I remember the first time I ever touched makeup, I tried Revlon liquid liner. It was weird, I practiced and practiced til I got it right. I got compliments on it and that got me in the world of makeup. I dove right in with magazines like Seventeen, Allure, anything that would inspire me. 

At my first job, they trained us and drilled us on how to do "their" makeup for photography. Everyone would leave their loving themselves even more. That's when I realized, I want to do this. I had a great satisfaction seeing women leave and noticing they were more confident. 

In 2011, I went to makeup school and got certified. Thankfully I had awesome teachers and mentors that would ask me to do jobs with them. I did a lot of TF and networking. Then, one of my teachers believed in me so much, I was asked to teach in a prestigious place and curriculum. There was nothing better than sharing my knowledge and to help them take the next step in to their career. 

Since having my condition and the radiations, I have since layed low. I am still doing some freelance. Once I beat this condition, I'm going full swing with my esthetician and makeup. 

Looking forward

Today was a stay home to nothing at all day (except for early morning cleaning, playing my daughters in between laudary) and I have a love and hate relationship with that time to myself. Either I'll do online shopping, I think about how my life is going, how it's not going as I expected as I'm pushing 30. 

I think about the past,how much talent I had and because of my insecurities and no support, I didn't pursue it. Sometimes it's hard to follow your dreams when people see it as a joke when it's a passion of mine. It's a daily struggle to be this strong person that everyone sees in you because of bearing 2 beautiful girls and holding an AVM thru it, and now after 3 brain radiations...no sometimes it's too difficult.  I feel so happy when I see my girls but yet so disconnected. They are so smart and beautiful and I can't compare to their daddy. Someone told me that I am exactly where God wants me to be. That I should feel blessed that I was chosen to be a testament. It's so hard to believe that at times. I am thankful that I can still walk, talk, comprehend.

I've got a longs way to go but th faith is still their

The Day After Christmas

I am the FAN of Christmas, my maiden name means Christmas so it's in my blood. I did not participate Black Friday, I only went once and will never do it another. So instead of indulging in retail therapy, we went tree shopping and decorations for our house. This year I wanted white and silver. I think it was a good decision. 

Needless to say, today isn't even December and who knows what other decorations.

A quick makeup using fingers only

So I was bored and decided to play with some makeup. Unfortunately I didn't have my usual brushes with me so I wanted to see how I would be able to pull it off. 

Let me know what you think?

Cynthia 

Ipsy October Glam Bag

I am so excited to share my thoughts on this month's Ipsy Glam Bag. 

I am in loooove with this bag. It's a turquoise color and an alligator skin look-alike. What's inside is even more exciting for me:

The Figs and Rouge hand cream smells delicious. I loved it for the smell but not necessarily as a hand cream.  My hands deal with clients, my kids, cleaning, and washing dishes. At the end of the day, I'd like to slather my hands in a heavy moisturizer so I wake up with soft hands so I can take on another day. This was too light for my taste. 

If any of you had purchase this at Sephora, you know the price is outrageous for just face wipes. But you also know how good these are. Just buy it, you'll feel the difference. 

These are the makeup that was included in the bag:

The compact looking thing is a cream highlighter. On my skin, it gives off more of a silver sheen to it. Not really my taste on my skin but awesome to have in my skin for other skin tones. 

The lipstick is from City Color Be Matte. The color is beautiful, anyone would be able to pull it off. 

This last one is Volume Eyes by Model 69. The brush is big and look like a mix of a fiber lash and regular mascara. You know this will make your eyes pop. 

People, if you haven't signed up for Ipsy, you are missing out. Deluxe sample sizes  products every month and an easy way to build your makeup kit and try all products. Go to www.ipsy.com and take a look at what they're all about. 

IMAGE SKIN CARE

Lately I've been venturing out my usual skin regime. I asked a fellow esthetician friend about a line she swears by. She uses Image Skin Care. She told me about the products and she recommended I try it out. I did my research before making my purchase. Because of my AVM and radiation, I really need to be careful with what goes on my skin.

Their mission statement "IMAGE Skincare, a professional corporation, is dedicated and committed to providing our customers with the highest integrity of service, professional products and continuing education in the field of skincare and esthetic procedures."  

If you look on their webpage www.imageskincare.com you will see the bio on founder and director. 

There are numerous products for any skin types. My skin type is oily, condition is acne prone skin and acne scars. I'm an Esthetician (yes there are very awesome Estheticians out there that have real skin conditions but still provide great services) and I needed a change up the peel I would do on myself. Only professional licensed Estheticians should do this and able to perform this. After much research and consulting my fellow Esthetician, this was the new regime for me and my new grade of peel, a Jessner peel for my deep acne scars. Microdermabrasion helps it even more but that will a later topic. 

The first one is the Ormerdic. This collection is their "organic ingredients but medical effectiveness. I got the Balancing Facial Cleanser because it's exactly what it says, balancing. This cleanser is a gel cleanser, which I love, because it foams on the skin and feels fresh. It takes off dirt and makeup and balances your PH so much that you don't need a toner. I still use a toner, but that's my preference. Best of all - it's paraben free. 

In their Ageless line, I decided to try the Ageless Total Resurfacing Masque. This is an "micro-exfoliating masque with alpha hydroxy acids" that help to resurface and rejuvenates the skin. Alpha hydroxy and often used to lighten and brighten hyperpigmentation and/or acne scars.

This masque is very important as a post treatment after my peel. It is a hydrating enzyme masque. This aids in exfoliating the buildup of dry, dull skin. It's filled with vitamins A, C, E which helps promotes healthy, more younger skin. Who wouldn't want that?

"A hydrating serum that incorporates the new technology of oil-soluble Vitamin C with the highest bio-availability to immediately soothe the visible effects of environmentally damaged skin. Vitamins A, E and highly potent anti-oxidants nourish the skin to create a healthy, youthful glow. Paraben free." This is a must as post treatment for those who does peel or laser. 

The Iluma line is amazing. This Intense Lightening Serum "Quickly diminishes all forms of pigmentation from sun spots to melasma. Formulated by plastic surgeons, this revolutionary intense lightening line utilizes Vectorize –TechnologyTM to deliver potent encapsulated lightening agents to correct and prevent pigmentation and uneven skin tone."  

I am on the 1st week of using these products. For one week, it's amazing how much the tone and texture of my skin have changed. Usually after 2 weeks you'll see a difference with any skincare line. It being only 1 week seeing that much of a difference, that says a lot about this skincare line. 

Cynthia

AVM AWARENESS MONTH

Pink is associated with breast cancer

Purple is associated with lupus 

Burgundy is AVM awareness this month. Show your support by wearing burgundy. As a survivor the radiation surgery, doctors don't know how my brain wil react in the next year or if it will shrink, how much brain damage from radiation. Everyday is struggle to have energy and do daily things with one side of my body's mobility is slowing down. 

Our brain is so complex and an AVM makes it even more complex. So bring this to awareness so our doctors and learn more about this condition. Where burgundy  

SMASHBOX PRIMER

I've had this primer in my professional kit for a while and decided I'd finally try it on myself. My skin type is oily and my skin condition is acneic. My skin can get pretty sensitive which makes it looks red. This primer helps to smooth out the skin and cancel the redness (on the color wheel, the color opposite of red is green). I haven't tried it on myself because I don't think it'll work on my skin even in  this Hawaii humidity. I did 2 thin layers  of the primer. 

It did cover some redness around my nose and cheeks. I don't think it did much for the smoothing and I could see  some shine break thru within seconds of applying it. I have handful of clients who  are oily and acneic who I've used it on. I have seen great results with their makeup using this product. In my opinion, there are more professional products that have worked better for me. It's a matter of  trying different products that works better for you. This is great primer, but not one that I prefer for myself. Let me know  what  you think my results were from the  before and after or, if there no difference. 

Cynthia

Ipsy September Bag

If you haven't hear of Ispy, you may want to look into signing up as a member. Every month you get sample size - deluxe sample size products (sometimes new). This is great for makeupartists ask they can try it on themselves and add that to their kits. These are good for aspiring makeup artists as there are makeup and skincare products, also could be added to their kits. When I started, I had a mixture of drugstore products, MAC and samples. Starting of small is a perfect way to find the 

best products that are good for your artistry, but most importantly, your clients. All you makeup junkies out there (I'm one too, what makeup artist isn't what), these are perfect for you too. All these samples, and it's all yours for a monthly fee of $10. Think about it, it's worth it. 

On to the products

Every package comes like this. Every month is a different look of makeup bag, a major plus!!! :)

This lipgloss Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss. The consistency and thickness is like MAC's lip glosses. The applicator is a doe foot, the flat doe foot ones that lets you get every curve on your lips. Talk about luscious lips. 

There is another makeup, an eyeliner. It's a Pacifica brand. The color is grayish-greenish metallic color. The pro is the color pay off is awesome, but when I swatched, the tip fell off too fast. Either making the trip from Cali to Hawaii changed the tip very soft. 

One of the highlights of this bag is this face wash, 100% organic. I have yet to try it, but I super excited. 

Last product is this luxury hand cream. The smell is so sweet and I love how it's a perfect consistently. 

 Ispy tipsy,

Cynthia

Update

I'm sorry I've been so MIA. There have been some very significant things in my life and it made me realize, makeup isn't the only thing I want to blog about. Makeup is still my passion I would gladly answer any questions, but I want my readers to really know about my life and what type of health condition I have and have to deal. I'm don't want sympathy but bring awareness to the condition I have. This condition is AVM. 

Here's some info from Wikipedia:

"Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal connection betweenarteries and veins, bypassing thecapillary system. This vascular anomalyis widely known because of its occurrence in the central nervous system, but can appear in any location. Although many AVMs are asymptomatic, they can cause intense pain or bleeding or lead to other serious medical problems.

AVMs are usually congenital and belong to the RASopathies. The genetic transmission patterns of AVM, if any, are unknown. AVM is not generally thought to be an inherited disorder, unless in the context of a specific hereditary syndrome."

So, being said, I have gone thru 3 gamma knife radiation surgery from July 2013-February 2014; all three months apart. The anatomy of my AVM is one the most complex out there. So complex that when I went to UCSF, one of their teachers had ask if they could "use" my brain for studies, and your damn I said, shall I ever pass away, they could take my brain to study. Hey, anything to come up with preventions for the future. My AVM is in my brain, left side that controls my mobility, speech, and comprehension. Since getting my radiation, my mobility have gone down significantly, to be honest, I look like one who had a stroke. I can't deny the fact that I have good days and really bad days that I am too embarrassed to be seen that I would stay home. My daughters (5, 4) have been understanding of my condition and have been trying to help me. One day, one day, there will be an answer to this phenomenon. 

Crown Brushes

Oh how I love Crown Brushes. I first heard about it from beauty guru veterans Kandee Johnson and Koren. I now know that Koren have teamed up with Crown Brushes to make his own line *sigh* a makeup artist can only dream. 

I've used and still have some crown brushes that I use on myself and clients. What I love about the brushes are number 1. the affordable prices 2. the quality for the buck. They're not cheaply made, you must take care of them as you would your own hair or anything of your brand name brushes. 

I got a plethora of their eye brushes including those small synthetic brushes that I believe Sigma made popular. 

Deluxe crease IB119. This brush is the perfect size for artist to get right into the crease. Perfect for blending out that cut crease. This is also  perfect for Asian eyes, small enough to get right in there instead of using like a MAC 224. 

Similar to MAC 219 but isn't precise at the 219 making it better to smudge that line til your heart's desire. Hello smoky eye's best friend. 

This brush is very interesting. It's soft, it's angle makes it so beautifully effortless with blending a transitional color. 

These are synthetic brushes that Sigma made popular as the mini of the face synthetic brushes. Does exactly the same thing Sigma brushes for a lesser price. 

The top brush is a little weird. I was expecting the brush to be more fluffy. I have to find a purpose for, maybe highlight. The other brush would be good for highlight for contour as a more precise placement. 

Tools of the trade are important, especially when it comes to your brushes. Remember to treat your brushes as if it were your own hair. Take care of them and it will help you with your craft. Just because a brush says it purpose should only be used for one purpose, be creative, almost every brush can be used for other parts of your body. It is you who is the artist, so whatever is comfortable to you, will show in your art. 

Cynthia

Glitter and pop

Eyebrows are soft. 

Smoky eyes with a pop of glitter and soft pink lips.

Chili Pepper Lips with Aqua Eyes

Products Used:

- Urban Decay Anti-aging eye primer that I brought up to my eyebrows. I always do this to ensure long lasting brows

- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pomade in dark brown 

- MAC texture as my transition color

- MAC espresso on my crease

- Deepened my crease with MAC embark

- added MAkeupDesignory in Carbon and MAC Shadowy Lady to the inside corner and outer corner with a little bit of a winged looked

- used MAC Saddle and Texture to blend out the edges. 

- in the center of my eye I used reflects glitter ( I can't remember the name). 

- at the bottom lash I basically did the same thing to smoke everything out.