Is the Beauty Blender worth all its Hype???

  I know you all have seen it, this egg shaped bright pink sponge that is re usable. It hit the market a few years back and has been a "must have" to professional artists and makeup lovers since. See, but I wasn't sold on it at first. I'm not a huge fan of sponges. I have thousands of dollars in top quality brushes, why would I use a sponge?!?

  The hype over this little pink egg shaped sponge intrigued my curiosity and I had to find out for myself if it was really what everyone was making it out be! So I logged onto Naimie's, one my local makeup emporiums, and bought the two pack. When I received it in the mail I thought to myself "A reusable sponge, hmmm ewwww, but let's try this out!"

Cute package and The color PINK can grab any gal's attention!

  So, I took those little bad boys out of the package and pulled out some of my foundation and gave it a go! I decided to use my MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid with it. I damped the sponge as suggested then misted it with my MAC Cosmetics Fix+ Spray. I then put a few drops of the foundation on the back of my hand and sprayed it down with my Fix+ spray. I do this with studio fix fluid b/c it is on the thicker side and by spraying it down with Fix+ spray it gives it a lighter feeling on the skin and it gives off a more natural dew but still with great coverage! ANYWAYS back to the sponge. I dipped the BB (Beauty Blender) into my foundation mixture and started to stipple it on my face.

MAC Cosmetics Fix+ Spray, MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid and the BB

  UMMM it was like LOVE at first sight! It gave off a beautiful, flawless, airbrush like effect with out me having to use my airbrush. I was amazed and sold all at once!! The HYPE was TRUE!

These are untouched unfiltered pictures the one on the left is with a flash the one on the right is with out a flash

  After I came off cloud 9 about this amazing little egg shaped fabulousness in a sponge I then thought about cleaning, sanitizing and cost.True, I do get a Pro Discount at a lot of places but for those that don't this little magic sponge could be a bit on the pricey side for some. So here's a few details about it

1. It's said to last 3 months
2. You HAVE to clean it after every use and you can buy a combo of one BB and the cleanser at Sephora or for professionals apply for the Naimie's Pro card and get a deal on them
3. The cleaning seems a bit time consuming but it's really not after doing it a few times it becomes part of your daily makeup routine.

  What about the knockoff brands you ask?? Well I wanted to try the REAL DEAL first and to be honest any knock off brand has a lot to live up to after using the real thing!! But if I find one that can compare to the BB and I'm not just talking color or shape I'm talking quality I will be sure to let you all know ;) but till then my recommendation to all of you weather you're a professional or just a lover of makeup the BB is a must have for yourself, your kit, your mama and grandma!! BLEND ON MY FRIENDS!!

My makeup still looked flawless at the Giants game in the San Diego heat (untouched unfiltered photo)

IMATS 2012

Once again the International Make up Artistry Trade Show rolled into town in Pasadena California, and once again I was in attendance for this fantastic show full of amazing Artists, classes and of course shopping!! Except this year I had the pleasure of attending as a Pro Card holder and got to enjoy all the perks that came along with the card. Such as Pro Night on Friday night. I gotta say it was nice to see the calm before the storm. I was able to shop in peace and take my time and even enjoy some pro night only specials that select vendors were offering! As an added bonus I was allowed to bring one guest to enjoy this experience with me. Awww pro night :)

My first purchase of IMATS 2012 at Pro Night was my Zuca Pro Kit

Pro Night Bevies with the Girls

Then came Saturday morning the first day of IMATS 2012 and yes just like last year the line curled around the convention center all the way to the Sherton hotel but thanks to my trusty lil Pro Card I was able to walk right in and was so grateful I didn't have to stand in line in the Pasadena heat. Talk about a change from the clam Pro Night experience! The convention center was booming with music and packed with patrons and their IMATS 2012 bags ready to get their shop on!!

This year at IMATS the cast from SyFy FACE OFF (my ULTIMATE FAV show) were in attendance this year as well as two of the shows Judges Glenn Hetchrick and Ve Neill! So needless to say this was shaping up to be a GREAT IMATS! Oh, did I mention they had a panel discussion and some of the contestants even were instructing a few classes! Yup! GREAT IMATS! Plus you could catch your favorite contestants and judges at various booths around the convention center. I gotta say it was such an honor to meet and chat with some the contestants from the show as well as meet Glenn Hetchrick and Ve Neill.

Ve Niell one of my idols

Glenn Hetchrick

Season 2 of FaceOff  Jerry and Winner Rayce

Cast members of Season 1 & 2 of SyFy's Original Series FaceOff

Another great thing at IMATS 2012. was how they opened up the exhibit hall full of all the monsters and prosthetics and connected it to the main floor with the rest of the vendors. They added SFX vendors, the Adobe Photoshop studio, a stage to display guest SFX artist in action, the student competition studio area and of course all the MONSTERS!! And speaking of monsters I had the honor of meeting Constance Hall, daughter of Cleve Hall aka The Monster Man.

The Wolf man and I just having a chat

Tea Time with Frankie

Constance Hall

As for my haul of goodies, well this year amongst many other awesome stuff I purchased just to name a few Yaby powders, Embryolisse skin care, NYX, MUFE, and Eve Pearl. My BIG purchase was my Zuca Pro Artist kit aka THE LIFE CHANGER!! All ready "Black Bettie" has made my life soo EASY!!

My Haul

As I say to all my fellow Artist and aspiring Artist IMATS is the place to be when it's in town. It's a great opportunity to learn from the best in the industry, gain knowledge and education on all aspects of makeup weather it be in class or from vendors, build/restock your kit, network and overall GET INSPIRED!! I had such an amazing time this year and met some great artists. The ladies who joined me for this trip this year were such great company and I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to go with! I can't wait to do it again next year!! But don't forget though IMATS has switched its next year dates with London so next year IMATS LA will be JANUARY!! Hope to see you all there ;)

Curling Wand Craze

So I'm sure we have all seen the unique curling wands in the stores, and I'm sure we have all looked at them and said "Hmmm That looks like too much work and I may burn my finger prints off or leave that annoying burn on the neck which everyone mistakes for an adolescent hickey!" Well I can assure it that it is easier then it looks and comes w/a heat safe glove! Which I am glad it did seeing as how the first time I used my wand I caught my ear with a little singe action, but the curls this thing gives is beyond BEAUTIFUL!! I'm sure the next thing you're asking is "Which one should I get??" Seeing as how there are a million and one different kinds out there. Well, I did some research and went with the Remeington T-Studio Pearl Ceramic Styling wand 1-1 1/2 inch barrel (the big one) It's pink and made with crushed pearls. It's heat goes up to 410 which is the same as any other kind of wand such as Babyliss, but I paid half the price! I got my Remeington T-Studio Wand at Target for $30.00 bucks! I KNOW RIGHT!! DEAL! It has a digital screen, came with a handy little heat glove (which is key so you can wrap your hair all the way to the ends) and the heat can be controlled so you can go up to 410 or as low as 360.

The Remington T-Studio Pearl Ceramic Styling Wand

Now I'm sure your next question is "Ok I bought it. So how do I use it??" First and foremost make sure you got some time and aren't in rush. I say this because at first it is a little awkward but once you find your groove you can speed through your hair fairly quick. Make sure you spray your hair with a heat protector since this thing gets so high in heat you want to protect your locks as best as you can. I then recommend sectioning your hair off and starting from the bottom and working your way up. Now when positioning the wand to wrap the hair around it I recommend two things
1. Position the wand w/the tip downward
2. Wrap the hair AWAY from your face that way it frames the face better

Wrap in sections

Also wrap your hair all the way to the ends if you don't you'll have some straggly ends which do no justice to the beautiful waves this wand produces. Now how long you hold your hair wrapped on the wand is how tight the curl will be so less time will be a light wave, more time a tighter wave/curl. Same goes for the thickness of the hair you decided to wrap. I went with different sizes and thickness to create more volume w/all the layers that are in my hair.  I know you may be inclined to want to break the wave right away with your fingers but DON'T! Wand your section, Spray with hairspray and move on to the next section. You want to allow the curl to cool and set before breaking them all up. So go through by section wrapping your hair down the wand, then spraying your section and moving on to the next. Once you finish your whole head I suggest waiting about 5-10 minutes plus to let your curls cool. This is a great time to do your makeup while you wait. Then go through and break the curls with your fingers and a pointed comb and finger style to your desired shape.

Use the point end of the Comb 

So the first time I used my wand my hair was about 2 days dirty and kinda limp b/c it had been in a bun/pony for those two days as well as air dried after the shower. I wasn't expecting much b/c my hair like I said was pretty limp that day but to my surprise it gave me FULL beautiful waves!! I seriously could have put my face on and went out with that hair! The picture below is my second time using the wand, but with clean hair. BAM! Gorgeous full waves for days!! I am sooo in LOVE w/this wand that I bought the smaller one as well to get those smaller layers. I can't wait to use these wands on my next client. So Ladies with all that being said GET CHA' WAND ON!!!

Sexy Smitten Kitten Hair