Spring Awakening!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Spring Is Here!

I know that I've been terribly remiss in posting (for, um, months) but for good reason...I've been SLAMMED! Weddings, Celebs, Videos, TV Shows, Photoshoots, Charity Events...oh my!

Let me start with the fabulous work of Sarah Bridle of Noire Belle Studio...geesh. If you've ever thought about boudoir, this is the girl. I've been styling for Sarah for nearly a year now and we've been so lucky to work with some amazing women.

Currently we're featuring some Father's Day Packages that are:

1. Hot
2. Hilarious
3. All of the above..

Yes, Ladies...the answer is 3. ALL OF THE ABOVE!!

Next order of business is the wedding season that is upon us here at Something You... Here Come the Brides, Indeed! Believe it or not wedding season seems to have started in February this year and hasn't let up since! So many gorgeous girls have gone down the aisle that we just don't know what to do with ourselves. Now add prom on top of that and it's a whirlwind of lipgloss that keeps on coming... No wonder I've been overheard saying "weekend? what weekend?".

Sprinkle in a little man make-up for Doug Rice's fab new video Bridalicious Bootcamp, a former hair band member for Celebrity Apprentice and some fast fixes for the Fort Worth edition of Whose Wedding Is It Anyway and you'll understand why the last thing on my list has been blogging....or sleeping...or thinking....what's my name again?

Now for the part that I'm most proud of, Charity Events! I have been on the Make Up Crew for such fabulous events as ESTEEM: A Fashion Show benefiting the Elisa Project, FashionCITED:A Style Event benefiting Legal Hospice of Texas, Alice In Wedding Land benefiting Brides Against Breast Cancer, and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Auction and Fashion Show benefiting Make-A-Wish...whew!

There are photos coming and some specific posts about a few of these events that are on their way. For now, I'll bid you adieu...someone needs eyelashes and I'm the one with the glue!

Mucho Smoocho,
Shannon the Make Up Artist!

FOUNDATION FRIDAY!!!!

Perricone MD – No Foundation Foundation

Everyone knows how I feel about kits, but how I feel about fabulous foundations that act as treatment rivals that love constantly. Whilst at the local Sephora, I was bestowed a fab gift upon checkout and *gah*, I think I'm in love. I have long adored Perricone Skincare and the addition of this cosmeceutical makes me skip around the studio like a school girl...ok, I do that anyway.

No Foundation Foundation is being touted as the "...first anti-aging finishing product..." and it makes perfect sense in the new "real skin is in" days we're living in! Oddly, I haven't really encountered much hype about this product, but that doesn't surprise me since Perricone takes a silent-but-deadly-approach to product marketing. (I know if I see the Perricone name, I snatch it up & know it won't disappoint.) I’ve also been rereading Dr. Perricone’s book – The Perricone Prescription (and eating lots of salmon!!) so this was kind of a serendipitous GWP.

I am always on the hunt for a lightweight moisturizer with:

• DMAE – dimethylaminoethanol – topical application improves appearance of aging skin
• ALA – alpha lipoic acid – topical application arms skin with anti-oxidant protection and boosts skin’s radiance

What I got was very possibly *hooked* on No Foundation Foundation because it contains both DMAE and ALA. But wait, there's more....this does even more that make my skin happy! It does all this stuff, too:

• provides a non-chemical SPF 30 with micronized Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide
• contains Vitamin C Ester (another super anti-oxidant that boosts skin radiance/glow and smooths the skin’s surface)
• contains Dimethicone and Cyclomethicone – (silicone oil and silicone derivative that are found in many popular foundation primers and give a smooth lustrous appearance to the skin)
• is considered “oil-free” by FDA labeling requirements (though it does contain traces of Lemon Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, and Bulnesia Sarmientoi Wood Oil)
• is tinted and offers translucent natural coverage (think tinted moisturizer)

On paper, this is an all in one product dream come true!! It is a bit spendy at $50 for one ounce but I truly believe that if you properly apply this (or any) product properly, a little goes a long way. Nevertheless, it has all the promise of something I will love, long time.

Here's a quote from a fellow makeup slut like myself:

"After several weeks of use, I’m not sure I love this product as much as I wanted to, but I do really like it. I think the major drawback, for me, has been that it has an ever so slight heavy/tacky feeling. In my humid Texas climate (especially in the summer), this is not a feeling I want. So, I’ve actually taken to mixing a drop of my daytime moisturizer with the No Foundation Foundation. This makes the consistency JUST RIGHT; however, it kind of knocks down the precedent of being a perfect all in one item. The coverage is what you would expect from a tinted moisturizer – it’s very very natural and translucent. If I desire a bit more coverage, I can dust a little mineral makeup over it. As a side-note – I noticed in various reviews on Sephora’s web site that some people have complained about a fishy smell. I can’t say I thought the product smelled “fishy’ per se. I did notice a distinctive supplement/citrus type smell that completely dissipates after application.

Bottom line: I will keep using this until I’ve finished the product, and I might re-purchase. It’s the closest so far to my ideal all in one for day. However, I will probably keep my eyes open for the appearance of my dream all in one product with a bit lighter consistency."

I have not experienced it in the Texas humidity yet, but I have pranced around the gym in it and I must say that it performed much better than I did...through the Ab Blaster class and Boot Camp...it didn't run into my eyes and my pretty rosy post-gym glow could be appreciated by all because my skin could be seen through the NFF.

Here's the skinny from Sephora:

• What it is: An age-fighting makeup that provides natural coverage and non-chemical SPF 30 protection.
• What it is formulated to do: Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation offers translucent coverage allowing the natural health and glow of skin to shine through while protecting the complexion against damaging UV rays. It works to correct skin undertones and offers all-day moisture, providing an even, dewy finish. A dose of specially treated pigments, blended with light diffusing mica, instantly soften the look of lines, wrinkles, and pores, creating a flawlessly radiant look.
• What it is formulated WITHOUT:- Parabens
• What else you need to know:This formula includes anti-aging actives, DMAE and Alpha Lipoic Acid, which help to firm skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles over time.

So there you have it, my Lemmings...MamaMamaMakeup likey-likey.

MuchoSmoocho,
Shannon the MakeUp Artist

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FOUNDATION FRIDAY!!!!

Revlon PhotoReady...are you ready for YOUR close up?

So I was marching through ye olde neighborhood Target a few nights ago and what has found its way to the coveted end cap but this new foundation by Revlon. The bottle is interesting because it has a pump which (from a make up artists POV, rocks for a host of reasons) and is contoured in a way that makes it easy to hold while you're working. Now, I am a make up artist with discerning taste in foundation (I mainly airbrush) so needless to say, when something says "gives skin the airbrushed appearance" I perk up and check it out!

Now, I've heard some buzzy-buzz about this (and Loreal, FYI...they'll be on the HD bandwagon too) but was afraid I would have to wait to try it but NO! This is technically not supposed to be out until March 2010 but Target and CVS have early releases and this means I'm all over it! BOGO at CVS if you can because this is about $14.00 each.

I have previously tried Make Up Forever HD foundation and Cargo Blu-Ray HD foundation and liked their results initially but did not like the fact that they oxidized and left my client with an orange tone after a few hours. Smashbox has been holding my attention with their HIGH DEFINITION FOUNDATION and HALO powder but it's painfully spendy so I've been on the lookout for something with good medium coverage that's buildable. I think this might be it!

Pros:

• Has a little shimmer, gives a subtle glow to the skin that creates an almost "dewy" effect.
• SPF 20 which is fabulous for day wear for those of us who are of the pasty variety and/or are fighting the age monster tooth and perfectly manicured nail.
• Recommended tool for application is the foundation brush (currently GWP at Target) which means less touching of the skin and less opportunity for nasty breakouts from those gnarly sponges we refuse to through out.
• Buildable coverage which means you can start out with a thin layer and keep building up until you have the coverage you desire. Some days call for more camo than others...
  
• Lasts forever...we all remember ColorStay from Revlon, well this does stay & doesn't get that gummy look that sometimes occurs from CS if you let it go too long.
  

Cons:

• Has a little shimmer...that's not so great for everyone. (complaints of looking Cullen-esque have been reported but you be the judge)
  
• SPF 20 which is NOT great for photography...this will only matter to MUAs and photographers.
• Limited color offerings (for now).
• Better for oiler skin types because of the high level of pigment which can be drying.
  

So there's my $2.50, buy it and try it and tell me what you think...I will continue airbrushing but I feel pretty confident recommending this to my clients who are looking for fab coverage and a great price point!

Merry Christmas, Poodles!

Muah,
Moi

www.something-you.com

Old School Remedies!

Ever since I was a little girl, I've had more than just a mild obsession with all things make up and beauty product related. There was this fabulous book about "Concoctions" at the public library that I checked out about a million times (and probably ended up keeping) that had a section about beauty treatments you could make yourself. If I remember correctly, I tried to bottle & sell some of it to the neighborhood ladies at some point. Needless to say, it didn't sell like Girl Scout Cookies but it did get me hooked on natural remedies to ever present skin issues and teach me to question ingredients not just in my food but also in my skin care! It also made me the "Go To Girl" for all my friends when they had a monster zit on prom night or pores as large and prolific as an oil producing country...

All that being said, I would like to present a new segment on natural solutions and kitchen concoctions that have worked for centuries! First Installment: Aspirin Facials!

Aspirin: It Ain't Just For Headaches Anymore!

I've used a variety of aspirin facial recipes since my early adolescent years to combat breakouts. It works because Aspirin is a form of salicylic acid so it’s fantastic exfoliant and acne treatment. Dermatologists prescribe it every day and you’ll find it in tons of anti-acne products.

There are several different facial aspirin recipes and depending the condition of your skin you should adapt the recipe and blend to suit your skin and needs. Experiment until you find the right balance!

Oily Skin: In the summer when my skin gets oily I crush up 10 aspirin tablets and mix in whatever fruit acid I have (lemon, lime, or orange juice) in the refrigerator. A dairy product (lactic acid) such as yogurt, cream, or milk can be substituted for the fruit acid or used in combination with the basic aspirin facial recipe for the oilier skin types. I even keep an aspirin solution in a small spray bottle in the shower to mist my back and legs to prevent acne from developing, especially during the summer.

Dry/Sensitive Skin: In the winter months when my skin’s a little more on the dry side, I blend in a dab of honey, aloe vera pulp or olive oil to give my skin a moisturizing treatment at the same time.

Emergency: If I feel a zit deep under the surface, a crushed asprin mixed with a little green tea makes a great little scrub and mask. I’ll sleep in it if things seem really dire. Also great for the post waxing ingrown on the bikini line!

Basic Facial Aspirin Recipe

5 to 10 of plain aspirin- (the cheap generic kind is just fine) finely crushed for a mask and a little chunkier for the scrub.

Mix in your favorite fruit acid, freshly squeezing the juice from a lemon, lime, or orange or use green tea. Add more to create a thin mask or use very little for a thick paste.

Apply a thin layer with your hands or use a spa brush (looks like a paint brush) to your face, chest and/or back and allow to dry for 15 minutes.

Rinse with warm water and moisturize with something light but enriching.

Bottom line, Aspirin rocks. It’s an all around versatile natural skin care ingredient that has the added benefit of being an excellent anti-aging skin care treatment. Not to mention it’s cheap and probably already on your medicine cabinet!

Muah!
Moi

Now You Can Follow Shannon and Something You... Make Up Artistry!
Website: http://something-you.com/
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Fort Worth Star Telegram!

My little article from a few weeks ago...so happy to be in launch mode!

Thanks to everyone who have gotten me this far!

Shop talk: Makeup tips, shoes for the needy and new stores at NorthPark | Life & Arts | Star-Te...

Holiday Ideas for Everyone!!!

Christmas is coming, the Holidays are here and I have picked out what I want in MY stocking!!

Now, I could go on forever about how much I love a good kit but this is ditch-everything-else-worthy. All I need is my tinted moisturizer & a lovely dusting of powder and I'm ready to take on the world! Gentlemen, I'm not sure if you're allowed to purchase such things for your lady friends but every woman-on-the-go will appreciate this compact little guy & it will really free up some space in the powder room! In fact, if you're buying one of these little kits, why not give a gift certificate for a "Happy New You" make up clean out session from Something You... Make Up Artistry? I think this is an awesome idea!

Here is MY holiday pick and something no woman should be without!

Laura Mercier Colour Wardrobe

$98.00(online)

Laura Mercier Colour Wardrobe is the perfect accessory this holiday season!
The two-tiered compact holds six Eye Colours, 3 Cheek Colours, 6 Lip Stains and 2 finishing Lip Glazes, along with expert tools.

• The top palette contains: African Violet, Cafe Au Lait, Sandstone, Celestial and Coffee Ground Eye Colours; Plum Rose and Nude Cheek Colours (exclusive); Double-Ended Eye Colour and Corner Eye Colour Brush and a full size mirror
• The bottom palette contains: Mocha, Scarlet, Melon, Mulberry, Nude and Rosette Lip Stains (exclusive), Brown Glaze and Pink Glaze Lip Glazes (exclusive); a Double-Ended Lip Brush, and a mini magnifying mirror
• 2 X 0.05 oz./1.5g; 2 X 0.05 oz./1.5g; 2 X 0.05 oz./1.5g; 3 X 0.17 oz./4.9g; 6 X 0.04 oz./1.3g
• A $235.00 retail value

So there it is, my lovelies...if you'd like to drop a hint so Santa Clause make sure he knows the referral came from Something You... Make Up Artistry!

Muah!
~Moi

Holiday Blockbusters...make space on the vanity, Honey!

Every year the cosmetic lines go head-to-head to out-GWP (Gift-With-Purchase) /PWP (Purchase-With-Purchase) one another. Nine times out of ten the winner is Estee Lauder or Lancome due to their sheer size and market share. I wish someone else worth having in heavy rotation could compete but that is not really an option so here's what we're left with.

This year, IMHO, Estee Lauder has THE holiday blockbuster set-and it is insane. They are referring to it as the Color Spectacular and it is available online (it almost puts Lancome’s to shame) for a mere $55.00 with a fragrance purchase. It's valued at $340.00 and for once, I'm almost convinced that they're close.

Now, Dear Reader, you must understand my personal feelings about Lauder, Corp. on the whole and what giant over-marketed-under-quality mayhem they have wreaked on wonderful brands (Prescriptives, MAC...anyone?) during their reign. However, this blockbuster is really pretty damned fabulous for the once-a-year make up buyer or their mom.

The big centerpiece, IMESHO, is the shadow palette, with 15 shadows. (does anyone remember the swoon worthy Laura Mercier palette from Neimans? OMG.) It’s definitely an “anyone” palette, as the shades are tres' wearable without being too shimmery. The number of shadows in the kit makes it perfect for travel or the purse, or downsizing the makeup collection. The shades are Vanilla, Ginger Drop, Mink, Sand Box, Amethyst, Camouflage, Bronze Cube, Mocha Cup, Cinnamon, Honey Drop, Pale Moon, Sugar Cube, Ivory Box, and Roseberry Duo. Add to that 3 Artist's Eye Pencils (great for smoky eyes, in SoftSmudge Black, SoftSmudge Brown and Slate Writer) , Projectionist High Definition Volume Mascara (10-day supply, in Black), Lash Primer Plus (10-day supply) and full size Gentle Eye Makeup Remover and just you can't miss!

In the blush department we have the trifecta of enhancement with two blushes (Nude Rose and Pink Kiss) and a bronzer (the matte Bronze Goddess that is universally flattering)...and we're talking big rectangular pans (not just chintzy stripes) so it makes them a lot more useful and long lasting. All of the shades are very user friendly and the little brushes (even though they should be thrown out or burned upon arriving home) are a nice touch.

Moving onto the lips. There are four full-sized Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks (full-size, in Candy, Rose Tea, Fig and Tiger Eye)...all of the shades are lovely and super silky.

Finally, there are the accessories. You get four different make up brushes-a face brush, a blush brush, a lip brush, and an eye brush. I have tried the EL brushes but they are only slightly better than your fingers but they're free so whatcha-gonna-do. They are perfect for the gym bag or the flight pack that won't be a full blown tragedy if they go missing...or your 10 year old niece who needs to be involved in your cosmetic existence without great investment . Additionally there are two cases (a small red train case and a gold zip pouch) along with a look book to help you navigate this cosmetic cornucopia.

Enjoy & Happy Holidays!

Estee Lauder Color Spectacular

$55.00 with any fragrance purchase

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