IMATS L.A. 2011

IMATS L.A. 2011

This was my first IMATS trip and I was incredibly excited. When I arrived I was so overwhelmed by all the people, the makeup, the booths, and artists doing amazing work! I had so much fun! I went on both days, Saturday & Sunday, and I am so happy I did, because there was so much to see, and so much to do! From 20%-40% off makeup, to spotting amazing makeup artists and youtubers. 

I am so happy with all of my purchases, and unfortunately I couldn't buy the entire place lol, BUT what I did buy was amazing...and soon I can show you guys some of the things I got and do some reviews on them :D

I can't wait to go back next year!

-Jess

JUST A SCRATCH

Whether you want to freak someone out or get all banged up for Halloween, this look is fun to do and super cool! Creating this look is going to be different for everyone because this isn't about being perfect. The messier it looks the more realistic it looks.

It doesn't take expenisve makeup or any crazy special effects to do stuff like this....Here's what I used.

MATERIALS USED:

-BLUE, PURPLE, BLACK, RED eyeshadow

-RED LIPGLOSS

-ANY LIPSTICK COLOR YOU WANT

-SCAR WAX (cheap at any halloween store)

-CONCEALER

-SPONGE (FOR TEXTURE)

WHAT TO DO:

I had already worn makeup out that day so I just added a little more black eyeshadow on my lids and lipstick. Now comes the fun part.

STEP 1. Start molding your scar wax at any desired area. Eyeball it, think of what cuts, scabs, and scars look like. 

STEP 2. Apply concealer to the scar wax areas to blend into your skintone for a more natural look...

STEP 3. Start adding you eyeshadows. Use any DARK PURPLE  shadow to start dabbing underneath your eye, your temple, ur cheek. (make sure your shadows are matte. No bruise looks sparkly :) I made it so it looks like I fell and scraped my face.

STEP 4. Add red and black and blue shadow lightly on top of the purple shadow (blotchy)

(YOU CAN USE THE TEXTURED SPONGE TO GIVE IT A VEINY LOOK, by dipping the sponge in the shadows//red)
STEP 5. Get your red lipgloss and mix it with a small amount of black shadow and apply inside the cuts with a Q-tip of small brush. (You can smear it, make it drip, or whatever you prefer.)

STEP 6. Use some black shadow and water and apply it to the under eye area and let it drip down, giving it the effect of tears.

AND VIOLA YOUR DONE. 

Of course you can add anything else you like :)

HOPE THIS HELPED. 

Thanks!

-JESS

NYX JUMBO PENCIL REVIEW

NYX JUMBO PENCILS ™(about $4.50 or less)

0.5g or 0.18oz

CLAIM:" A radiant eye liner that also doubles as an eye shadow. Made with a blend of mineral oil and powder, our creamy Jumbo Eye Pencils glide on effortlessly—no pulling, tugging or fading—and come in a rainbow of vivid hues. "

FIRST IMPRESSION: The First time I used these it took some experimenting. The reason for this is because most people including me use this as a base on the eyelids, and being that it is creamy, it may crease on your lid. Besides that they are very pigmented and really help brighten ur eyeshadow or make it pop. My favorite everyday shades are black (black bean) and white (milk). 

HOW I WEAR IT: The way I use this product is mostly as a eyeshadow base. The thing you have to remember when using this is you should use a pretty good primer underneath. (URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION, MAC PAINT POTS, TOO FACED SHADOW INSURANCE...ETC) When applying this to your lid, do not go above your crease, staying on your lid keeps it lasting longer and less chance for creasing. After applying it pat it and blend the edges with ur fingers for a nice smooth application.

QUICK TIP: Using the black as a base, apply a shimmery iridescent shadow or glitter; makes it look awesome! ;)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Overall I really like these pencils,I use them almost everyday. The only thing I would say is because they are quite fat, they wont fit in most pencil sharpeners, but you  can purchase one from NYX($3-4) comes with 2 diff. sizes

SCORE (1-10): 7.5

MAKEUP BY ME (2)

These were so much fun to do! 

:D

-makeup by me 

-Jess

FAVORITES

FAVORITE LIP PRODUCT: CARMEX MOISTURE PLUS (about $3)

It is the best chap-stick ever! Its a very moisturizing chap-stick that has a glossy look to it.

When I have chapped lips, after putting this on once..My lips are so soft; and to top it off, it smells like vanilla =)

It also comes in two tinted shades (besides clear) : Sheer Pink Tint & Sheer Peach Tint.

FAVORITE BLUSH: MAC BLUSH in MELBA (about $20)

I love this color, because it goes with pretty much anything. Its the perfect shade between a pink and a peach. 

FAVORITE MASCARA: MAYBELLINE THE FALSIES VOLUME EXPRESS (about $5-6)

The Perfect Mascara :)

FAVORITE EYELINER: LA GIRL FINELINE LONG LASTING FINE TIP LIQUID EYE LINER (about $5-6)

I love this liner! It is so easy to use and you could take it anywhere on the go, and it lasts a pretty long time without drying out.

FAVORITE MATIFYING POWDER: E.L.F TRANSLUCENT MATIFYING POWDER (about $3)

I wear this everyday over my foundation , and it helps it stay on all day, while making my skin look matte and flawless, and for $3 its a steal!

FAVORITE EYESHADOWS: URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE (about $48)

This palette has shimmer shadows, and matte shadows ranging from a pearly champagne color to all kinds of browns to black and grey. The pigmentation in this palette is AH-MAZING. I use these shadows everyday and you can create a large variety of looks with only these 12 shadows

COMES WITH: URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION (MINI)

& URBAN DECAY 24/7 EYELINERS IN ZERO AND WHISKEY

FAVORITE BRUSH SET: BDELLIUM TOOLS 10 PIECE MINERAL BRUSH SET (about $70)

These brushes are such good quality,they clean easily, and don't shed. I use these brushes everyday on clients and they come in so many different varieties, and colors. The quality is worth the price :)

-Jess

MAKEUP BY ME

These are a few pictures of some photoshoots I did.

Photography by Ruzz

&

Makeup by Me

-Jess

Laura Mercier Foundations Review

Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation: $42 US

1 oz. 29ml

****
FACTS:

-Oil-Free & Non-Drying

-Lightweight feeling but Medium to Full Coverage

-Vitamins A, C, E antioxidants (Protect the skin from harmful effects in the enviro.)

-Long Wearing

****

CLAIM: "This highly pigmented foundation can be applied lightly for a sheer finish, or layered for fuller coverage. Each shade was designed to enhance the natural undertones of the skin. Ideal for all skin types."

FIRST IMPRESSION: Whoa!, Yes that was my first Impression lol. I feel like its a second skin but a clearer and more wonderful looking skin. I have acne scars and a few blemishes once in a while, but after one thin layer of the foundation my skin looks amazing. This has amazing coverage! And its buildable without looking cakey and nasty, which for me is a plus. Two thin layers and everything is covered perfectly!

HOW I WEAR IT: I wear this Foundation with the Laura Mercier Mineral Powder (below), and im set! The two work so well together! 

COVERAGE: If your someone who LOVES full coverage, this will give it to you without looking cakey, But if your someone who likes MINIMAL coverage this could also be used lightly to just give you a softer look. You could even mix the foundation with a little bit of your favorite moisturizer and have a really nice tinted moisturizer :)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The price on this foundation is pretty pricey for a foundation, but to me its honestly worth it! Go to your local Sephora and ask for a sample, take it home and try it out. Make sure you chose the right color! This will make sure you no what ur buying before u buy it. I brought home a sample and fell in LOVE! I would recommend this to anyone from dry/normal skin to combination/oily. And this lasts me all day!!!

SCORE (1-10) : 9.5

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15: $35 US

0.34 oz./9.6g

****

FACTS:

-Oil-Free

-Non-Comedogenic

-Anti-Aging Properties

-SPF 15

****

CLAIM: "A finely milled powder composed completely of natural elements with 15 active amino acids. Helps clear the skin of toxins, promotes healthy skin cell growth, and fights the aging process. Oil-free and water-resistant, it can be applied either as a buildable foundation or a pigmented powder."

FIRST IMPRESSION: My First Impression on the Mineral Foundation was its sort of Luminesce on the skin. Its nothing obnoxious, crazy shimmery or sparkly, its barely noticeable but it  does give a nice glow to the skin, and it feels very natural.

COVERAGE: The coverage with this powder is really nice and it has a slightly less coverage i'd say than the BARE MINERALS FOUNDATION. I've been using Bare Minerals for 6 years and i thought i'd give the Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation a try. I really do like how it gives you a really natural looking finish that could be buildable upon your desire. I havent personally experienced any breakouts to this Foundation, even though my skin is very sensitive and acne prone. 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: If your someone who has blemishes, acne scars, or rosacea, this will give you a good enough coverage alone without any liquid foundation, but I personally use a liquid foundation because I do like a more full coverage. If you have oily skin, it would be recommended to use a primer with this for longer lasting coverage. I have normal skin but during the day it sometimes gets a bit oily, but with this foundation i've noticed i dont have to reapply or blot during the day because it keeps my skin looking fresh all day. Now, it is a bit pricey but its a good investment. :)

SCORE (1-10) : 8.5 

-JESS

Half Human Half Dead

Products used:

Skeleton Side

-White Cake Makeup (for the skeleton side)

-Black Cake Makeup (used for skeleton's "eyeshadow", lashes, eyebrow, mouth, and side "contours")

-Blue Eyeshadow (underneath the bottom lash line//then blend out a little)

-White Cream Concealer (I used this for the teeth)

Human Side

-Foundation

-Pink Blush

-Red Lipstick

-Black, Grey, and Light Grey (Creating a Smokey Eye)

-False Lash (only on this eye)

-Jess

Rainbow Fish

This is one of my favorite looks I did. :)

Products Used:

-2 shades Purple Eyeshadow (darkest purple on the corners of the temple, lightest in the center of the forehead)

-3 shades of Blue Eyeshadow ( " )

-3 shades of Green Eyeshadow ( " )

-Yellow Eyeshadow

-Orange Eyeshadow

-Red Eyeshadow

-Black Gel or Cake Liner

-Purple Lipstick (I put a Shimmery and Iridescent Blue Eyeshadow in the Center of my lips)

--------

I used the Black liner to draw some random scales on different parts of my face, and then I filled in certain scales with the darker version of the shadows. For my Eyes i Just used the Black Cake Liner and then Drew some fake lashes.

-Jess