Viewing entries tagged
makeup class

In Control

 

The moment I tested out the NYX Total Control Drop Foundation, I knew I had to have it. It’s super lightweight almost like water and the coverage can be anything you want it to be! Anything from sheer to FULL coverage, you’re in control. As a make-up artist, I always tell people that I either don’t do my make-up or I go all in and prefer my full coverage.

Last week though I had a cold, like all of New York did, so my skin wasn’t looking lively. I decided to try a tiny bit of this foundation for a rare sheer coverage just to make me look healthy again and was literally in shock at how natural I looked. Up until then I was using this foundation for full coverage only and was still obsessed. Now I can say this is the only foundation I would also ever wear on it’s own without setting, without concealer, without blush, without anything else. The price point for this foundation is reasonable at $14 and there are 24 shades available which is amazing! I was able to get my hands on most shades so I’ve also added this to my kit to share with my clients. NYX does recommend using this with the Total Control Drop Foundation Brush but really any good buffing brush will do the job just as effectively. 

By Miryam | NYC Makeup Tonight Instructor

PRIMED AND READY!

Using a face primer underneath your foundation is a very important step in not only skin care but also making sure your make up lasts longer throughout the day without having to touch up. Right after applying my face primer I like to apply my eye primer right away and massage it down to my under eye area as well as if it were an eye cream. I find that doing that prevents my under eye concealer from creasing no matter what concealer I go for! It makes perfect sense too because the formula for eye primers have an extra umph meant to specifically PREVENT eye shadows from creasing so why not apply that same concept for your under eye right? I’m not going to lie I have more then one favorite eye primer that all work well with my sensitive eyes and feel very similar if not the same during application. I recommend Smash Box 24 hour photo finish, Urban Decay primer potion (original) or Milani eye shadow primer if you’re looking for something more affordable. 

By Miryam | NYC Makeup Tonight Instructor

BLINKING GOOD BLINC BLACK LASH PRIMER!

I have previously received a Blinc Mascara in a past Boxycharm and loved the tube packaging. However, I was never able to really try it before my mom decided she wanted to keep it for herself! Snooze you lose right?! For this month’s Boxycharm, I received another Blinc product and this time it was a Black Lash Primer for Jet Black Volume! My first impression was that I loved the fact that it was a BLACK primer. The white ones never really caught my eye because I always thought a white base would dull my black mascara. The wand is like a narrow comb so its easy to get to the base of your lashes. After letting the primer dry, I used my Doucce Punk Volumizing mascara and I instantly noticed that my lashes looked longer then they would if I used my mascara on its own. However, aside from the length it really did make my mascara JET black color wise. Although I didn’t notice any extra volume I can’t complain about the extra length! 

NYX FACE AWARDS

This weekend I was lucky enough to attend the NYX Face Awards Launch Party & received a GENEROUS goody bag. The very first thing to catch my eye were the new Colored Felt Tip Liners. I swatched them last night to test how pigmented they are and the different strokes that I would be able to do. Let me tell you,  they passed with flying colors….literally!  I also decided to sleep with the swatches on to test their durability and woke up with them only slightly faded, but the lines were still in tact! They are available in six gorgeous shades; white, royal blue, cobalt blue, teal, grey and chocolate brown. They are all dry and semi matte, which is my personal preference. They retail for $10 each, so they are a great price for what you are getting, including the sleek packaging. However, I do recommend storing these face down to avoid the felt tip applicator from drying out. Happy lining ladies!

By Miryam | NYC Makeup Tonight Instructor

LONGING FOR LONGO

I naturally have pale lips which I HATE because without make-up, its one of the things I least like about my face. However, the power of makeup always gives us an answer!  My go to lipstick for a natural no make-up day is Vincent Longo Cosmetics Lipstain Lipstick in ‘Fluer de Flirt’. I take it with me everywhere I go because its such an easy and comfortable formula. It’s glossy, but like a sheer balm so it’s not sticky and when the moisture eventually dissolves into your lips, it leaves behind a beautiful natural stain. This specific color though is what makes it perfect even with no make-up on because it doesn’t look like make-up! It looks like your lips….but better! Loving my lips again :-) 

By Miryam | NYC Makeup Tonight Instructor

TRESTIQUE CONTOURING

Look familiar? For those that follow our Blog - these are the previously reviewed Trestique products in action!

First I started with the bronzer in Brazilian Bronze to define or contour the hallows of my cheeks, forehead, nose, beneath my bottom lip & jawline. On the apples of my cheeks,  I used the blush stick in Bora Bora Coral and the highlight stick in Maldives Luminescent on the highest points of my cheeks, down the bridge of my nose, center of my forehead & my chin. Once I was done with placement, I blended them out to banish any harsh lines. Also, because I was doing a full face application, I set my face with powders instead of leaving it as is.

I just love these products - easy to use for anyone at any level of makeup skills!

By Miryam | NYC Makeup Tonight Instructor

LINE UP, LINE UP!

If you’re just starting out as a make-up artist or entering into the makeup world just for yourself, you understand the struggle to invest in great quality products for your kit. Lucky for you, there are countless affordable products out there that are just as great as high end products. You just have to know where to look!

City Color Cosmetics lip liners are only $2.99, with the special price of $1.99 going on right now, making it about $24 to invest in all 12 colors available! That’s like 1 high end lip liner for the price of this whole range! You can’t beat that price. Its creamy formula can be compared to MAC Pro Long Wear lip liners and they are just as pigmented as well. The best part is their black sleek design doesn’t look cheap at all, considering the price which I still can’t wrap my head around. High end packaging and results, for a price you will barely notice. 

TRUSTY TRESTIQUE

Trestique is one of the newest innovative products on the market and it definitely came in with a BANG! For all you hard working ladies who need a quick and easy routine, this one’s for you.

Trestique offers a variety of face sticks meant to enhance you’re best features. The creamy gel formula blends in smoothly to your skin so much so that I personally consider this the most subtle yet effective formula for the ’no make-up make-up’ look. Each product comes with refillable applicators so you can keep your tools fresh and like new for longer. You can even swap one of the applicators out with a blotting sheet cartridge! I’m pretty sure this has never been done before so that’s innovation at its best!

I’ve been lucky enough to try everything except the brow pencil. I can honestly vouch for everything Trestique. The lip crayon is matte, yet comfortable... just the way I like it. The eye pencil doesn’t crease and their face products are undetectable. It’s all worth the price you’re paying for these life savers.

Right now through tomorrow they have a special $40 off two-week introductory! Don’t miss it, go grab it!

By Miryam | Makeup Tonight NYC Instructor

LASHES FOR DAYS!

When women ask me what my favorite mascara is, it may surprise them that my answer can be found at your local drugstore. I always tell them it's Cover Girl Lash Blast and then I include the following tip without hesitation; 

When you’re looking for a mascara that will hold the curl you created, you want to look for one that is waterproof. If you don’t feel like it's giving you enough volume or length, your second or third coat can be another mascara you love for that. Just make sure your base coat is waterproof (and ideally Cover Girl Lash Blast) so that your curl is locked!

Now here is why Lash Blast is my favorite; This formula is strong but lightweight so it doesn’t clump up my lashes. The wand separates each lash in perfect sync and in the same direction so you don’t end up with any open areas. Then I can add any volumizing mascara and VOILA  my lashes will look fluffy and last all night long! 

However, you do have to be careful when removing your makeup as the waterproof mascara is obviously meant to endure water. The best way to remove it, is with an oil based eye makeup remover or just plain old baby oil on a cotton ball or soft tissue. Hold it over your lashes and let it sink in for a little before wiping so you aren’t rubbing your eye too long. Rinse and repeat for your next night out!

By Miryam | Makeup Tonight NYC Instructor

KAT VON D - EVERLASTING LOVE LIQUID LIPSTICK IN BOW AND ARROW

Matte liquid lipsticks have been all the rage lately and Kat Von D’s are a definite must try. These highly pigmented colors range from very unique to what’s hot on the streets! Also, despite being matte, which tends to be very drying, this everlasting liquid lipstick is beyond comfortable. It’s also super easy to apply because unlike others, it doesn’t leave behind streaks as you go. However, this long-wear formula is no joke so I do suggest using a mirror to make sure you stay within the lines!

By Miryam | MakeUp Tonight NYC Instructor

CONTOURING ON A BUDGET

As most of my readers know I love to contour and recently I've been wanting to contour with a concealer so I decided to purchase this from the drugstore. I am really liking it because the color is perfect, it blends beautifully, and it's very creamy. I apply it to the areas I want to contour such as my jaw, the outlines of my forehead, and of course the hallows of my cheeks... I then blend it out with my beauty blender. Oh and I apply my foundation before I contour with this product. You can also contour before applying your foundation if you want a more natural effort-less look... but I like a strong contour!

SETTING SPRAY - THE BEST!

So, I was in the Sephora line waiting for my turn to pay and AS ALWAYS I end up buying something from their products by the checkout line! I cam across this and decided to try it!

This is when my life changed!

I will not, I repeat WILL NOT, leave the house without this on my face ever in my life again! 

I swear to you this is like an extra strength hairspray for your face it is amazinggggggggg! I do not know where it has been all my life! If you touch-up your makeup throughout the day you need this in your life! My makeup looks just as flawless as it did when I applied it!

I can go on and on about how amazing this stuff is but you guys need to try it out!

By Greta | MakeUp Tonight LA Instructor

NAKED HIGHLIGHTER

Ok ladies, please trust me when I say you need this in your life because YOU NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!! For all my beauties who love a gorgeous highlight do yourself a favor and purchase this product you will not regret it. It is such a beautiful shimmer color I always get compliments when I wear this. I like to use a fan brush (or the brush it comes with) and place this on the high points of my cheeks (as you do with any highlighter). Now, I know this product isn't for everyone because it is very shimmery and very pigmented but for those of you who like these qualities, buy this...it's worth every penny!! Oh and I use it as an inner corner highlight too!

By: Greta | MakeUp Tonight LA Instructor

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