6.24.2010

IMATS SHOPPING LIST!

Hey everyone!

I’m so excited for IMATS! I will be leaving first thing tomorrow (Friday) morning! I can’t tell you how excited I am. All I have been thinking about is which classes to attend and how am I going to fit shopping in between the classes. I will only be at IMATS on Saturday and will fly back to the bay Sunday morning.

While in SoCal, I plan on visiting my makeup school too. They recently changed locations and I wanted to check it out. I also wanted to get some info on their eyelash extension course, but I’m not sure if I really want to pay for it. Since the economy isn’t too hot right now, I sometimes wonder if it is a good idea (the course isn’t cheap).
 Another thing I want to do on my short trip down south is to track down the Gobi truck (am I spelling that right?)! There is one up here called Mogo, but I haven’t had the chance to track down this truck yet. If you don’t know what this is…its basically a taco truck but instead of traditional meats and fillings, they use Korean BBQ for the meats. YUM!

But the main focus of this trip is IMATS! My poor bank account is in trouble this weekend! I wanted to share some products that I have been eyeing for a while now, but decided to wait for IMATS to purchase them (why not…I gets discounts here!). I will just list the booth/brand and what products I will be checking out. Anything in bold means I will definitely be purchasing. I am just going down the exhibitor list from the IMATS site, so the vendors will be listed in alphabetical order.

My IMATS shopping list:

6.18.2010

MY FAVORITE LIP PREP PRODUCTS




So I tried Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment about a year ago.  My sister bought this product and I tried hers one day and fell in love.  Before using this, I swore by Burt's Bees Wax.  I still like Burt's, but I have moved onto something better. 

I think Sugar moisturizes my lips really well.  It leaves it soft and helps my chap lips.  The one I picked up also has SPF15 which makes this a good everyday use lip product.  The only con about this product is that it feels a bit "greasy."  I over looked that at first because of the amazing results on my lips. 

Whenever I apply makeup, I start with prepping the lips first.  By the time the rest of my makeup is done, my lips are primed and the chap lips are gone.  With Sugar, I would take a tissue to blot the access.  Since its a bit greasy, forgetting this step would make my lip products slide off my lips (depending on what products I use) and it wouldn't last as long.



But a few months ago, I found my holy grail lip treatment product.  I found Korres Lip Butter.  I heard about it through youtube a while back, but never tried it.  After constantly hearing about it, I finally picked up this Lip Saver Roll (to the left). 

To my surprise, I liked it better than Fresh's Sugar.  It doesn't feel as greasy.  I still blot my lips before applying my lipstick/gloss, but it isn't as bad (greasy) as Sugar.  It feels like the product absorbs into my lips like butter!  It takes care of the chap lips and lasts a long time (I usually wear only-no other makeup products- lip butter during the week).  With Sugar, I would have to reapply very frequently.  With Korres Lip Butter, I rarely need to apply more.  It doesn't wear off that quickly. 

The only con would be that its in a jar.  I carry a retractable lip brush with my lip butter at all times, but its still not as convenient as Sugar's tube form.  But if you don't mind this packaging, I would definitely try out Korres Lip Butter.  I use it in my kit now for prepping lips and I love it.  I don't think I will change this anytime soon (unless you think there's something better out there - then please tell me in the comments).

Thanks for reading!
<3 kat


 

Does one need to attend Makeup School to become a makeup artist?

This topic seems to come up quite often in the makeup community.  I have seen some pretty strong opinions on the subject and wanted to share my two cents. 

I attended Westmore Academy for Cosmetic Arts in Burbank, CA.  It was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot.  I can confidently say that it was a good investment for me and it made me a better makeup artist.  Now with that being said, I don't think one needs to attend makeup school to become a makeup artist.

Don't get me wrong, school could be that extra bit of training needed to fine tune some makeup skills or learn the basics (which I needed).  The reason I decided to attend was that I didn't have a variety of makeup experience.  I am the type of girl that wears very little makeup.  I would say 90% of the time I go out with absolutely no makeup on at all.  So for me, I wanted to learn the basics (especially foundation, skin matching, etc...).  I also found the business lectures/discussions very helpful.  The instructors were makeup artists actually working in the field (movies, photoshoots, runway, music videos, etc...) so they gave us lots of tips on how to market yourself, contracts, agencies, and lots more.

Now for someone who has experience (applies makeup regulary on themselves or anyone else), I think they could easily become a makeup artist without going to school.  There are so many self taught makeup artists on youtube (and in general) and they are amazing.  I look up to many of them because of their makeup skills. 

Makeup artisty isn't something that can be taught in a classroom and the individual instantly becomes a makeup artist.  It takes work and practice.  Some people have natural talent and that will get them far.  For others, school might be needed to give them some new techniques and inspiration.  In any case, I think it is really up to the individual to decide if its right for them.  I don't think it is necessary.  But its a nice extra to have if you have the extra money.  I won't lie; school was pretty expensive so it was an investment for me.

Let me know your thoughts on this subject in the comments below.  And feel free to ask questions if you have any.  =)

<3 kat

6.06.2010

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Review

Benefit Cosmetics stay don't stray



Benefit Stay Don't Stray Review

I tried this product a few times and I think I have a set opinion on this product.  The first time I used this product, I didn't think it was too bad.  I did notice that the pump would pump out too much product and I had to adjust the pressure used on the pump.   It did seem a bit thick and very opaque.  This product seems like it would work well if you had any discoloration on your lids.  When I first used this primer, I only had makeup on for half a day before removing my makeup and since the color was very neutral, I didn't check to see if it creased or I didn't notice any creasing.


The next time I used this primer, I didn't seem to like it as much.  I used a tiny bit, but it still seemed to be very thick and opaque.  It made the area around my eyes look very pale and pasty.  I usually don't wear foundation, so it was a problem.  I was only playing around with makeup this time, so I didn't get to test it for creasing.


Now I just used this again the other day for work and it was horrible.  Luckily I just wore neutral colors on my lids because when I checked at home, my shadow creased!  And it was bad.  I should have known since this primer is creamier.  After the other problems, along with creasing, I will have to pass on this product.

Some things to keep in mind:
  • I have very oily skin
  • I have extremely oily lids
  • I have issues with any type of makeup staying on my eyes (especially liner)


I would say to try out this product if you have dry skin and have a light complexion.  It might not crease if you have dry skin.


Has anyone else tried this product?  Please tell me what you think of it in the comments if you have.


Thanks for reading!
< kat











6.01.2010

giveaway 06012010



giveaway details:


there are 4 chances to enter:
#1  youtube
#2  blog (on this post)
#3  Facebook page
#4  twitter @makeupbykat


you may enter only once for each method listed above (up to 4 entries total per person)
duplicates will be disqualified all together =)

must be 18+ years old or with parental permission to enter giveaway.

only open to US subscribers...sorry.
i can only ship within the US right now.


***check back often to find out the official end date of the giveaway.  the winner will have only one week to claim the prizes before i hold another giveaway.  to make this easier, bookmark this blog page or favorite the youtube video above.***


#1  youtube rules:
you must be subscribed to my youtube channel
http://youtube.com/user/blushingartisan
(click the subscribe button - its free)
     and
leave a comment on the giveaway video with the names of 5 MAC pigments or glitters


#2 blog page rules:
you must be a follower on this blog
(click the link to the right)
     and
leave a comment on this specific blog post with the names of 5 MAC pigments or glitters




#3 facebook page rules:
you must click the "like" button for my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=18494&post=78094&uid=224966512008#!/pages/SF-Bay-Area-CA/Blushing-Artisan-Makeup/224966512008
(found at the top, to the right of "Blushing Artisan Makeup)
     and
leave a comment in the forum topic "giveaway 06012010" with the names of 5 MAC pigments or glitters
(found in the discussions tab)




#4 twitter entry
you must follow me on twitter
http://twitter.com/makeupbykat
     and
post this msg on your twitter:
giveaway entry for @makeupbykat
http://blushingartisan.com/giveaway-06012010





Now on with the prizes:





mentioned in the video-
MAC fluidline - blacktrack
MAC fluidline - dipdown
Benefit dr. feelgood (sample)
NYX lipstick - topaz
NYX lipstick - raisin
MAC pigment samples (5)


new prizes added-
NYX dual sided eyeliner (2)
Ulta eyeliner (2)
Ulta lipliner (2)

shop for makeup artist supplies & tools @ blushingartisanmakeup.com

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