Archive for May, 2009

Product Review – Smashbox HD Concealer & Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash

May 21, 2009

I have 2 great reviews on 2 products that are important to me – concealer and facewash…

I am extremely picky about my concealers…how it feels, how it looks, how it covers. The Smashbox HD concealer goes on so smoothly and it covers beautifully – without looking cakey and it covers undereye darkness, blemishes and discoloration. Pair it up with the Smashbox HD liquid foundation and you will look like a superstar. This is what I use for everyday wear but if you are doing your own makeup for your wedding – go with this pair of products FOR SURE!! I am in love! Yes, it is $25 but sign up on the ULTA website and you will get special offers sent to you all the time. It’s highly pigmented so a little goes a long way, it will last you a long long time.

Since I started using Proactive, I have sworn by it until I got a free sample of the Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash. I noticed a difference in my skin in 2 days. My skin looks the best it has in years! I have tried so many things, I exfoliate once a week by doing a mask or scrub, wash my face every night, moisturize, etc…nothing has compared to what this face wash has done for my skin. My makeup looks better because of it!! :) I’m sure this facewash isn’t for everyone (I’m no dermatologist) but I only get occasional breakouts and it’s working out perfectly. I highly recommend it!!

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The Anti-MAC Movement

May 21, 2009

Another question I have been asked a lot is about the MAC ban going on with most makeup artists and some of their former customers. I am not knocking MAC artists because I was one. MAC artists are usually very very good.
There are many blogs/posts/discussions about the anti-MAC movement all over industry boards and makeup artists blogs so here’s a recap of what’s being said:
Estee Lauder took over MAC years ago and over the past few years, they have revamped the formulas and lessened the quality in the process. Before a giant company like Estee Lauder bought them out, MAC was high quality and was originally created just for makeup artists. Estee Lauder assumes that no one will know the difference… I noticed it immediately and actually thought I had to clean my brushes because it couldn’t be my MAC eyeshadow?!…but then I stumbled across more and more artists that were having the same problem and it’s true, they changed the formulas to make more money.
The other rumors are that MAC is taking all of the freelance makeup artists jobs because they PAY designers to have MAC employees do all the makeup and then don’t give the individual artist credit for the work; supposedly they have given employees a sales quota to meet and it was never about selling before but about art and customer service and lastly, they are not with the trend anymore – Cover Girl and Maybelline are beating out the all mighty MAC on new trends which is sad if it is true.
Needless to say, I am phasing out MAC in my kit – not because of this MAC ban but because I actually noticed the quality has diminished. Luckily, I stocked up on the old MAC shadows that were my favorites before the formulas changed in fear that they would be discontinued someday so I still have a lot of MAC to go through but it’s the good stuff.

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