Tag Archive | Cosmetics

Val Garland Dazzles at Milk Studios

Makeup Maven Val Garland worked all day the present the beauties in which I and my good friend Jaleesa were able to bask in at the end of the night. Inspiration is certainly something that many at the MAC Pro event kept echoing. Her more than a dozen artistic beauties that were on display in a beautiful black dress and simple black pumps, captivated many hearts. Avante garde and that weird kind of beautiful life intimated art in the most fantastic way possible. Enjoy some of my favorites below.

For more looks and pictures from the night check out my FB page

Val Garland MAC cosmetics MasterClass In London

Skin Care Review: Previse

Apr11

It’s that time of year again… Spring is here! With a new season comes new skin care needs and sometimes issues if you haven’t created your year round regime. Thankfully Previse came out with their new baby, Previse SunSheer at the perfect time and MMNYC has been privelaged enough to try it out along with skin care tailor made to meet my needs. Can you imagine finally a company gets that its possible to have normal to combo but also have dry skin sometimes or any combo you can think of?!

Here is a simple blurb about Previse that really grabbed my attention about the amazing lifestyle line:

More than just an anti-aging line, Previse takes a proactive approach to skin health and a conscious effort toward skin fitness. “By taking an active roll in the health and fitness of our bodies largest organ, we are preventing the unwanted signs of aging and reducing the risk of skin problems including skin cancer,” says Sean Patrick Harrington Founder and CEO

Aviva Drescher member of “The Real Housewives of New York City and Founder and CEO Sean Patrick Harrington

So here the skinny on why I love Previse!

Review:

Customizable skin care that is based on my needs no matter what time of year.
My skin wasn’t irritated by any of the products whatsoever
Purify Step 1.0: Remove Impurities leaves my skin feeling brand new not dry or flaky just perfect
Nutrify Skin Type 6 Liposomal Tonic is AMAZING! After cleansing my face and using the tonic I was left tighter pores, and mattifyed skin which was a perfect canvas for my makeup application.
Defend Skin Type 6 Epidermis Plus was the cream on top moisturizer that moisturized but didn’t make me feel greasy and further nurtured my skin.
Now the pièce de résistance the SunSheer Sunscreen which at first application I wasn’t in love with because of the white film that it left immediately but after a minute it absorbed into my skin and then I felt it… tingling the good kind that make me look at the bottle and say “Whoa this is cool!” It took me back to my first spa facial that I had and that feeling I instantly thought how awesome I could have a spa facial everyday of the year.

SunSheer Sunscreen

Overall: I am so very pleased with the results that I am receiving with Previse three step regime and the SunSheer Sunscreen my skin has never felt so good and has been breakout-free the entire time of my use. I’ve noticed tighter pores and even fresh blemish marks getting lighter with time. Only thing I’d change if possible is that the SunSheer didn’t go on so white but its not at all a deal breaker. With a great price point, great community on their website and customer service that trumps most companies, you’ll never be left in the dark.

Merli says: Go get it!

Grade: A+

Would you like to try the line out? Let me know the more comments the better the likely hood of fantabulous giveaway to my readers.

: SunSheer Sunscreen

: Aviva Drescher member of “The Real Housewives of New York City and Founder and CEO Sean Patrick Harrington

Spring Cleaning: Makeup Bag Overhaul

Mar28

How many of you have a makeup bag that looks like a bomb went off in it and left a disarray of lip pencils without tops, unsharpened, powder pieces at the bottom of your bag, and brushes that look like you’ve been dragging it to the mud?Maybe something like this….

A Bomb went off in your bag time to say BYE Boom!

If that’s you it’s time that you say bye bye to that makeup and whose life has already passed on and continues to be the sole reason why you break out every time you apply makeup. The truth of the matter is that all of your makeup has an expiration date and after that you’re just harboring a germ infested fugitive and reapplying it to your skin, your lips and your eyes.

How do you know when to throw away, cleanse or sanitize your products? Well I’ve made a simple chart for you to know. Mark your calendars, set an alarm in your phone, smell your products, and your products believe it or not will become ineffective.

Below you’ll find a helpful chart that will assist you in knowing when its time to chuck somethings while, keeping certain things nice and clean will add life to your prized special edition colors from MAC (yup I understand)

Here are a quick few tips to keep in mind:

Wash your brushes every week
Keep a bottle of alcohol in a spray bottle and spray your bottles and wipe once a week if you can.
Sharpen pencils before every use and even if its just you wipe your point with some alcohol as well
Ladies your lipgloss can harbor so much germs before reapplying make sure your lips are clean and give your lip gloss wands some cleaning love as well.
Smell your products they’ll tell you and show you when they aren’t good for you anymore, let em Go!

Product	Throw it Away!
Mascara	Every three months
Foundation	One year
Concealer	12-18 months
Powder	18 months
Blush/bronzer	18 months
Cream blush	12-18 months
Eye shadow	18 months
Eyeliner	18 months
Liquid eyeliner	Six months
Lipstick/lip gloss	18 months
Lip liner	One year
Nail polish	One year
Makeup sponges	Wash after each use, then throw away after a month.

Rihanna Turns It Up With MAC

Feb20

Hello!?! Have my eyes deceived me or it true that Rihanna is coming out with a bomb collection with MAC Cosmetics? Yes it is true and its not just one lip color, its a four part collection which will debut during her concert in Brooklyn…Holla! The first product to unveil will be Rihanna’s signature piece RiRi Woo, a lipstick inspired by her favorite MAC product, Ruby Woo. MAC will open a pop-up shop on the first night to showcase the line. How cool is that?

Oh yea yea yea… Oh yea oh yea. Yes @badgalriri is doing it major 2013 collaboration with @maccosmetics and I’m super excited about this luxurious looking collection. #rihanna #maccosmetics #makeup #beauty #rosegold (Photo credit: MissMerli)

There is more though folks there will be four collections, under the cute name RiRi [Hearts] MAC but of course. Here is the breakdown as follows: The summer collection also includes two additional lipsticks, a Lustre Drops shade and a powder blush duo. Fall’s collection will be 16 pieces which include four lipsticks, a deeply pigmented Lipglass version of RiRi Woo, two multishade eye shadow palettes and false lashes. Then if you didn’t get enough or like I know will happen everything WILL sell out holiday will bring another 10 items, including nail polish, a makeup bag and more lipsticks.

Save your dollars ladies its about to get real, RiRi real! Are you looking forward to this collection?

Here are my all time fave makeup looks from @Badgalriri to date.

Byron Lars Fall/Winter 2013 Presentation

Feb19

I was honored to be apart of the makeup team that slayed the model faces of Byron Lars presentation once again. Keyed by @Passport2Pretty Kenecia LaShae, the look was that girl, who wears red lipstick, minimal makeup and tons of lash. We all know that girl, I am that girl on the fly and we love her don’t we?! The style and looks were so fun, structured with whimsy. Who ever thought socks with tights would work? Now I know they do and I’m in love with the idea. Now enjoy the looks from the presentation.

For more Pictures like my Facebook Page

The makeup station (Mine)

That’s the designer himself getting his models ready

Fall

Brandon Sun NYFW Fall 2013

Feb16

Boho chic got a modern twist at the Brandon Sun fashion show, Elizabeth Arden and Red Door created the easy breezy look. Master stylist Zahir Ziani created a chic bohemian bun using the Resistance Double Force by Kerastase (one of my fave hair products) to create a firm but sexy bedroom hair. For makeup the focus were bold and dark brows think Beyonce’ with dewy skin and a matte lip. A great everyday go to look was created using Elizabeth Arden Pure finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer, along with color eye shadow in shimmering copper, beliini, and truffle were utilized to create that sun kissed look. Along with the ceramide cream blush in pink and ceramide ulta lipstick in Cameo to finish off the beautiful look.

Merlot Skin Care Launches My Daily Beauty Kit

Feb6

Merlot Skin Care, the best-selling natural grape seed-based skin care brand, announces the launch of their “My Daily Beauty” campaign. If you don’t know I’m a huge fan of the organic company that continues to raise the bar when it comes to everyone’s skin care routine.

Merlot Grapes (Photo credit: cight)

You can check out my review here. Their new campaign is to help create a easy to follow skin care routine that leaves nothing left to guessing just easy as 1,2 and 3. Merlot’s “My Daily Beauty” kit is a three-step skin care routine: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Merlot Grape Seed Cleanser, Hydrating Toner, and Merlot Moisturizer with SPF that come in a recyclable box, and that you can purchase at merlotskincare.com but only for a limited time. Here is some info about the kit which retails at $38 dollars. Not to shabby at all.

“My Daily Beauty” kit includes:

Grape Seed Facial Cleanser – one of the gentlest cleansers available. Softens skin and removes impurities with a non-drying, soap-free formula.
Hydrating Toner – freshens and firms skin. An alcohol-free way to clean pores and prep skin for deep moisturizing.
Merlot Moisturizer – a lightweight, anti-aging formula with SPF. Fragrance-free, absorbs quickly; the perfect pre-make-up primer.

Make Up For Ever DIY Lip Palette

Feb3

If you’re a beauty junkie like many women are, you’ve probably amassed quite a large collection of lipsticks. There are certainly enough hours, days, and weeks in a year that you can justify why you need seven different reds, three nudes, 4 pinks, and 2 purples but how exactly do you do that and ensure that you are putting all your colors to use? Of course its obvious, a lip palette! One that you can bring with you on trips, makeup jobs, and organize nicely in your vanity and it’s as easy as one, two, three. Check out my short photo tutorial below using Make Up For Ever lipstick and empty flash palette. You can do this with any brand lipstick.

Items Needed:

1. Spatula

2. Palette ( I purchased mine at Make Up For Ever Boutique also available at select Sephora‘s)

3. Lipstick

4. Alcohol

5. Paper Towel

Slice the top off

Scoop product out of tube

Place Lipstick in Palette

Voila! All set beautiful colors all in one spot.

Using spatula remove labels from lipstick tube and place under corresponding color

Sam Fine for Fashion Fair Event

Jan31

A few weeks after introducing you to the amazing Sam Fine For Fashion Fair Supreme Collection I was invited out to an official launch of the collection and surprise surprise Mr. Fine himself was in the building! This was a low key, relaxed event where a group of bloggers were able to swatch and look at the collection intimately. Sam shared his faves in the collection, the process of creating it, and what is on the horizon for Fashion Fair as their creative director.

I’m already sold on the collection but why should you purchase it? One Word: SAM FINE! No but seriously the lipsticks are moisturizing and pigmented to the heavens and the two palettes are simply perfect for every woman. The packaging… lets talk about how luxe it is and still the collection is affordable. Dare I say, it this is the first time Fashion Fair has really appealed to the younger masses in forty years.

Sam Fine is a makeup artist so he isn’t just making a product to sell but something that pros can use that lives up to high standards a brown that reads that way on the darkest of complexions, a highlighter color that is magnificent and not chalky, bold colors that pop… I can go on and on but I won’t the collection speaks for itself. Sam Fine also shared that there will be more colors added so this is going to be a growing collection. Seems to me Fashion Fair can only continue to go up up from here Awesome! Up next, a tutorial on three looks with the Alfami Coast palette so stay tuned.

Sam posing with his work of art Gina

The before

Sam Fine mid sentence and ShakeThatBeauty’s Tia Williams swatching to her delight.

Sam Fine talking about the different shades and Christina of LoveBrownSugar taking notes

Tunisian Nights

Amalfi Coast

Champagne Toast

Moroccon Spice

Pink Parfait

Deep Suede

Whispering Rose

Dynasty Red

Cognac

African Violet

Here is dynasty red on the lips and a light eye using alfami coast

Happy New Year from Inglot Cosmetics

Jan9

One of my fave cosmetic lines that caters to the makeup artist who also doesn’t neglect the everyday beauty junkie, Inglot Cosmetics, has decided to pay it back. By giving everyone a discount on their wonderful line of makeup and tools. If you don’t know Inglot Cosmetics you better get to know them! Known for their super pigmented shadows and blush, along with a growing nail polish line that makes me squeal with excitement, Inglot is a force to be reckoned with. Don’t believe me try it for yourself.

What will you be getting from them?

Inglot (Photo credit: Esmay de Olde)

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