My Makeup Life

I’m Carisa Janes of Hourglass Cosmetics, and This Is My Makeup Life

January 31st, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

The My Makeup Life series asks beauty biz insiders, bloggers, makeup mavens and artists to share their holy grail products, tricks, tips and favorite beauty tools. Is there anyone you would like to see featured in My Makeup Life or questions you think I should ask? Let me know here.

Name: Carisa Janes
Location: Venice, CA
Day job/current gig: CEO and Founder of Hourglass Cosmetics
Hangouts online: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and hourglasscosmetics.com
Current favorite Product: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush
Beauty inspirations: Creativity in any form, art, architecture, photography, technology, film & design. I’m also inspired by different locations — Venice (CA), Tokyo, Stockholm.
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Insatiable

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

Veil Mineral Primer — I forget how important it is until I neglect to use it. Veil Fluid Makeup has been my go-to foundation for many years, and Ambient Lighting Powder is hard to resist. Over the course of a day, I use Dim Light, Radiant Light and Luminous Light, in that order. It’s my personal lighting technician.

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette ($58), a limited edition item from holiday 2013

When did you start getting into makeup?

All the women in my family, including my grandmother, my mother and my step-mother, were beauty enthusiasts. As a teenager I’ll never forget my mother taking me to the Chanel counter of a department store in California. The fact you could express yourself with makeup has long inspired me. It still does.

Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss in Lush (bottom) and Origami (top), $28 each

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

I always wear a primer, so that my makeup has longevity. I use multitasking products, such as a foundation with anti-aging ingredients and SPF. And, like most women, I can apply mascara in my car while stopped at a red light.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes in Radiant Magenta (left) and Diffused Heat (right), $35 each US and $41 CDN

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I’m Jerrod Blandino of Too Faced Cosmetics, and This Is My Makeup Life

December 13th, 2013 by Karen 27 Comments

Name: Jerrod Blandino
Location: Irvine, California
Day job/current gig: Co-Founder and Creative Director of Too Faced Cosmetics
Hangouts online: Twitter, Facebook and toofaced.com.
Beauty inspirations: First and foremost, it’s the women in my life. My sister growing up. Kind of the idea of being little and seeing my really feminine, fabulous sister, but she was also super kick-@ss. Fashion. Interiors. Wallpapers. Car paint. Cupcakes. Pastries. California. Of course, the beach. It’s such a big part part of who I am. You know, it literally comes from everywhere. I become very obsessed with things. I love anything retro glam, classic. Ya know, I love trends and I love the ’80s and I’m obsessed with, you know, just accessories and fashion. I love stationary and wedding cakes and chocolate and clovers and chihuahuas. I love horses. I don’t know, I’m obsessed with horses all of a sudden…
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Joyful!

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

I cannot live without and will never live without my Bulletproof Brows, which is my new product that’s coming out. People will be ADDICTED to it. It will change your life.

Too Faced Bulletproof Brows Universal Brunette — Bulletproof Brows in Universal Brunette (one of two shades; the other one is Universal Taupe), $30

My bronzers, my bronzing wardrobe. I have a different bronzer for every different outfit. Every different time of year, every moment. It depends on where I’m going, what I’m doing. I’ve built a bronzing wardrobe that I’m absolutely addicted to and will never give up.

And I love my Amazing Face Powder Foundation. It’s the quickest way to look like you’ve been completely taking care of your skin and have been getting eight hours of sleep and drinking all the water that you should be drinking.

So, those are my obsessive products that I use every day.

When did you start getting into makeup?

Well, that’s kind of funny that you asked that because it’s kind of weird. I was always an artist growing up. I was that little kid who won art shows and was always drawing, and I was obsessed with The Muppets! I went to art school and actually became an art teacher and taught kids art.

Ya know… Well, really in high school, I remember my friend, Bernadette was amazing, and she would spend three hours in the mirror doing her makeup. It was the late ’80s and early ’90s, and I remember thinking that this was just like another form of art. I clicked into that, and I remember the moment it clicked. I was sitting in her bathroom watching her. She was putting on, like, eight different lipsticks to create whatever look she was doing.

And so, then I went to art school. I went to animation school for Disney and Warner Brothers. It was a sort of school where they’d find talent and furrow them in [and it was there] I discovered makeup on accident. I got a job at Estee Lauder behind the counter at Saks Fifth Avenue — it was all totally an accident, freakishly — and on my very first day behind the counter, it all made sense. My art background, my creative background, my dreaming — the way I looked at the world was very cartoonish, always, growing up. I was always ready for, you know, the stuffed animal to come alive and talk to you. I was that kid. I would wait for the rainbow to come into my background so I could climb it and go into the clouds. That was me.

And when I got my first client in the chair, I saw that this was just a different type of art medium, but it was an art medium that would transform people. It would embed self-esteem into women. I saw the transformation that occurred when I was doing my art on people, not on paper. And I was hooked.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

My best beauty time-saving trick? Okay! Alright, so this is what you’re going to do. You’ve going to wake up, and wash your face. You’re going to apply my tinted BB Creme, my BB Balm, because it’s got every amazing skincare serum that I’ve ever tried in my life embedded into that formula. It’s full of moisture, full of anti-oxidants, full of anti-aging, decongesting, wonderful ingredients but it also gives great coverage. So, instantly, boom — we’ve got your skin covered.

Too Faced Bronzer Boxes — Too Faced Bronzers, $30 each

We’re going to take my Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer that’s full of antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients, and we’re going to spread that around the perimeter around your face, closest to the hairline, around the jaw, and through your cheekbones. Boom! We’ve got you sculpted and you’re ready go.

You’ve got to put on my Better Than Sex Mascara, because it’s so rich, and so thick, and the powered peptides in that thing make it so black that you don’t need eyeliner. So you’re going to wiggle that right along your lash line. After that, a little bit of my Lip Injection Plumping Lip Gloss will get your lips full, pink and luscious, and you’re out the door. You’re ready to go to work, you’re ready to go on a date, you’re ready to meet your kid’s future husband, you’re ready to have sex, whatever you want.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

Easy. It’s my Teddy Bear Hair Retractable Kabuki Brush. It’s great for bronzers, it’s great for blushes, it’s great for powders. It’s retractable and twists up and down.

If you keep the head twisted down almost so it’s really tight, and you just get a mound, and the bristles are tight, you get a lot of coverage. You could even use it as a quick eyeshadow brush if you wanted. You could use it as a sculptor. When you twist it up all the way and it gets to its fluffiest self, it’s the perfect bronzer, loose powder, powder foundation applicator. And because it’s synthetic hair, you could even apply your liquid foundations with it. So it does everything!

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

You’ve gotta smile. You’ve got to feel it. You’ve got to love your life, you have to feel it from the inside. Because you can do anything you want in the world to the outside, and it’s not going to make any difference. The most beautiful people in the world are the people who are happy, who are self-confident, and who love to be alive. Who are joyful, who are kind and full of love. You know?

The new Too Faced Haute Chocolate Spring 2014 collection, available now at toofaced.com

What’s your skincare routine?

Oh sh*t, do you really want to get into that? Honey, we’ll be on this call for eight hours.

[KAREN: Okay…so give me the abbreviated version]

Ooooooh, HONEY. Obsessed with skincare! I have lots of great friends in the industry. No, I’m lucky enough to meet and call friends like Dr. Brandt one of them. I’ve been given too much information so… (Laughs.) But because of that, because I know of this, I’ll tell you what I do. A lot of the things I use and love and depend on are in my makeup. Because I’ve realized how important it is, and how important it is to preserve and take good care of your skin. And with science, nowadays, I can incorporate that into my cosmetics.

I’m going to abbreviate it for you because it gets scary! I use DermaQuest Peptide Mobilizer, and then I use Stem Cell Day Serum, and then I use a skin growth gel, it’s Bio-Serum, it makes your skin grow thicker and stay healthy. I do that. Then, I use an eye serum. And I fluctuate back and forth.

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I’m Sonia Kashuk of Sonia Kashuk Beauty, and This Is My Makeup Life

December 6th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

Name: Sonia Kashuk
Location: New York City
Day job/current gig: You know, it’s funny because I know that I came from being a makeup artist, but now I’m more like a makeup creator, or a beauty creator. It’s funny, I’m all these mini subtitles in the world of beauty. I guess day-to-day, it really is about being a creator.
Hangouts online: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, soniakashuk.com, and target.com for the Sonia Kashuk Beauty line.
Current favorite product: I would have to say, one of my current favorite products, which I think is, like, a makeup bag must-have, is my pro pan, Eye on Neutral Matte Palette.
Beauty inspirations: For me, it’s not about places. It’s words. I think refinement, I think polish, I think confidence. It’s more of that type of thing when I think about beauty than it is, per se, a place.
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Polished.

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

I am a huge fan of skincare products, and I have to say, my Foundation. Because to me, if your skin looks good, you’re already more than halfway there. So I think it’s, like, really owning and working to maintain the quality of your skin, and then really embracing that. And I think that a tube of foundation can perfect any imperfections and kind of take the skin to that “wow” factor of, like, “You’ve got beautiful skin!”

When did you start getting into makeup?

I really didn’t fall into doing makeup as a profession until my early 20s. I was kind of floundering through the fashion and display worlds and trying different aspects, but I was always working with color, shape and form. But I didn’t really find my way into beauty until my early 20s.

The truth is, I was actually doing the wardrobe for the Funkytown video, and at the last minute, the makeup artist cancelled. And the songwriter/director said to me, “Sonia, you’re kind of into all that kind of stuff. You need to do the makeup.”

You know, I was a bit, like, “Are you kidding me?” I had no idea. But, it’s like, you kind of get thrown into something, and I had no idea what I was doing, but I loved it. And that was really the transition point that put me into beauty.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

I think, probably, it’s my Illuminating Bronzer that I have, because it’s super fast and makes skin look drop-dead gorgeous.

I think that bronzer now is definitely a year-round product, and it makes you look alive — or at least like you just came back from a recent trip. Like, I’m always getting, “God, Sonia. You’re skin’s so glowy. Were you just in the sun?”, and I’m like, “It’s my bronzer!” So I feel like when someone gives you that kind of compliment…we all strive to look like we just got back from vacation, and I think the Illuminating Bronzer will do that.

I like applying it with a brush. If you want a lighter application, use my Large Duo-Fibre Brush. I start it on the cheek with a little bit under the cheek to give it more of a hint of contour. Then, around the apples, kind of up into the hairline, and then a slight dusting on the cheek and a light dusting on the neck, so it just looks even. And you have this kind of very fresh-faced, bronzed glow.

The thing I love about this bronzer beyond the illuminating factor is that it doesn’t lay down heavy on the skin, so it has this incredible see-through quality.

I think some people still have this thing about bronzer — what bronzer was as opposed to what bronzer is today. It has beautiful texture, and you get just radiant skin. A bronzer is definitely what I think must be in everyone’s bag as well.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

Eyelash curler.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

You know, this is going to sound a little bit crazy, and I was like, “Do I even say this?” but I’m going to.

Because I am a grown-up — I have to admit, I am a grown-up — I’m not such a fan of fillers, but I am a fan of Botox when used correctly. When not overdone, I think of Botox as an age-maintenance tool.

And, I think that what happens with a lot of things in our society and in our life is that things get blown out of proportion, out of control, people misuse products. And I think Botox got kind of a crazy rap because of the extremes that we have seen from so many women. But, I think when used correctly by the right professional, it can maintain and help preserve the appearance of your own skin and really make a big difference with age maintenance.

When speaking to amazing doctors and plastic surgeons, people that I’ve had conversations with, plastic surgeons that in the past who were doing lots of face lifts are no longer doing that because they feel that when they’re maintaining things correctly, they can get such incredible results with age maintenance [with Botox].

I’m a fan of it when used correctly, and I think,unfortunately, it’s more often than not misused. That’s kind of a tricky thing to get into, but I have to say that it’s an incredible tool, you know, an incredible product, when not overdone.

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I’m Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book, and This Is My Makeup Life

September 6th, 2013 by Karen 36 Comments

The smashing Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book

Name: Sabrina
Location: Southern California
Day job/current gig: For my day job I currently work as a business analyst for a Fortune 500 company (it’s in the top 100 within the US). My work covers a diverse range of areas for financial and market analyses. My background has always been in finance. Prior to my current job I completed my MBA in Finance and Marketing.
Hangouts online: thebeautylookbook.com, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin’. I’ve also recently started a lifestyle blog called Styled Notes.
Current favorite product: Diptyque Candles — any scent! I love re-using them once they’re burned to hold brushes, flowers, pens, etc. They make a beautiful decorative accent for home.
Beauty inspirations: My favorite local makeup artists from Chanel, the Dolce & Gabbana team from Saks Houston, numerous beauty and fashion bloggers. Fresh cut flowers are always an inspiration for color.
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: That’s hard! I think I see beauty in lots of different things. What I like most about it is playing with the different textures and finishes.

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

I can’t live without sheer glossy lipsticks like Chanel Glossimers, YSL Rouge Volupte Shines, Chanel nail polishes and my Edward Bess Daydream Bronzer. I also swear by my Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation. Current cult-classic favorites include Chanel Boy, NARS Fez, Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara, Diptyque Baies Candle and Chanel Particuliere Nail Polish.

When did you start getting into makeup?

I started getting into makeup in high school with Bonne Belle and Jane (mainly clear glosses). I remember my first gloss with color was Wet and Wild Bronzeberry lipgloss (back in the ’90s). My first beauty splurges were MAC lipsticks in Wuss, Pink Glaze and “O”. I didn’t really get into wearing makeup items other than lips until college.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

I’m rarely successful when it comes to time-saving for beauty. Although when I’m short on time, I use a warmer bronzer as a contour/bronzer/blush. My favorite is Chanel Soleil de Tan (the cream bronzer in the big tub). It goes with anything and gives the face a healthy glow, so you don’t necessarily need blush to brighten your look.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

My top three beauty tools include my Solano Hair Dryer, Shu Uemura Tweezers and Mason Pearson Detangling Comb.

That’s Calvin, but I call him Pumpkin; he’s a ragdoll cat and just turned 1.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

I never knew how to contour until a Trish McEvoy artist showed how to blend in bronzer on the sides of the face in the shape of a “3.” After that — it made contouring easy!

What’s your skincare routine?

Right now I alternate between Dior Purifying Foam Cleanser and SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser (morning and night). To remove long-wear foundations I use Koh Gen Do first before cleansing.

I’m in between toners right now. To moisturize I alternate between Le Metier de Beaute Revitalizing Anti-Aging Day Creme and Chanel Resynchronizing. I don’t always use weekly masks or scrubs, but my holy grail face mask is by Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage Essence Mask. It works wonders for your skin, making it baby soft and leaving you truly refreshed and glowing.

I also use Cle de Peau Eye Cream, but I often neglect eye care (it’s a step I always forget).

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

Paraffin waxes for hands and feet. The results are amazing but short-lived (and pricey). And they feel pretty weird to me.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

I’m a minimalist when it comes to styling. My look is always evolving as I brave bolder colors, but it’s still typically very natural. I’m also rarely without some kind of bronzer.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

Oh, yes… I’ve cut my own hair before (disaster) and had a perm when I was in grade school. Also, multiple times I’ve asked my hair dresser to cut off “one more inch”, only to regret it afterwards.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

Nordstrom by far. They have the best customer service and friendliest sales associates, and you can’t beat their free online shipping. I also like shopping at Neiman Marcus and Barneys (perfume heaven). Other favorites include J.Crew, Banana Republic and Sephora.

Anything else you want to share?

Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog was my inspiration to start blogging back in 2009. She had openings for guest writers, and I submitted an article on Le Metier de Beaute glosses. It was a lot of fun.

I’m Taylor Leigh of My Lucite Dreams, and This Is My Makeup Life

September 5th, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

Name: Taylor Leigh
Location: New York, NY
Day job/current gig: Full-time dog momâ€¨
Hangouts online: mylucitedreams.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Current favorite product: RMS Beauty Oil. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is a very close second.
Beauty inspirations: ’60s mod, late ’60s and ’70s rock and roll, the ocean and the runway
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Natural

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

I cannot live without an antioxidant-rich, natural and organic facial oil and serum. I am currently obsessed with RMS’ Beauty Oil. Other absolute musts are the Shiseido Eyelash Curler paired with L’Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara, the only two products that add definition on my otherwise invisible lashes. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye concealer is the absolute best at concealing my dark under-eye circles with a natural finish. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner in Mat Black for my signature cat-eye.

When did you start getting into makeup?

I have always loved makeup, along with painting, and I found a similarity between the two. I didn’t start wearing makeup until I was 14, and it was just mascara. At 16, I discovered black liquid liner and started to draw a cat-eye, which later evolved into the one I wear today.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

Tinted moisturizers and BB Creams are huge time savors for the ease in which they apply, but I never use either as a substitute for skin care or SPF. Also, a multi-use cream blush for both lips and cheeks and everything applied using your fingertips. I recommend spending the most time defining the eye area with mascara and liner.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

The Shiseido Eyelash Curler.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

Wear your SPF. I have diligently worn sunscreen and kept my face out of the sun since I was 18. I am thankful that I did so.

What’s your skincare routine?

I have a natural approach to skin care, using only products with natural and organic ingredients. For me, a natural skin care routine has been the most effective. I never, ever fall asleep with makeup on and always properly cleanse and hydrate my skin, no matter what.

In the mornings, I cleanse with Shea Terra Organics Moroccan Argan & African Wild Honey Cleansing Elixir. I use One Love Organics Active Moisture Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover twice in the evenings, one time to remove makeup and again to thoroughly cleanse. I use a Clarisonic 2-3 times a week with the Honey cleanser. After cleansing, I tone with the Toning Mist from Kahina or Sanita’s Moisture Mist. I keep both toners cool in the refrigerator. I then apply RMS Beauty Oil both day and night. For a serum, I use One Love Organics Active Moisture Vitamin C Serum, and if I need additional moisture I use Kahina Argan Oil in the evenings. For weekly treatments, I alternate several different masks and exfoliating treatments. I adore the Detox Mask and Protein Masks from Osmia Organics. I also use Kahina’s Antioxidant Mask, May Lindstrom’s Clean Dirt, and Origins Plantscription mask.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

I’ve done some strange DIY beauty treatments when I was younger, like mayonaisse in my hair, egg white facials, and I added some very colorful streaks to my hair using Kool-aid.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

I like to play around with new looks and trends but I definitely maintain a defining â€˜look’. My look is long straight hair, side-parted to the right, black winged-liner, a nude lip and a dewy complexion.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

There aren’t too many, but there certainly are a few. I once cut my hair very short, my inspiration being Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Great Expectations’. It wasn’t a look that worked well for my naturally curly, frizzy hair. I thought I could somehow maintain the look but you can’t really straighten really short hair well. That was the year of the bandana. I also wore the shade Bubbles from MAC for a good amount of years that gave me that “white lip” look.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

For beauty, I love Sephora, Barneys, Neiman Marcus, spiritbeautylounge.com and beautyhabit.com. For clothing and accessories I frequent Century 21 Department Store, Bloomingdales, a number of small boutiques in Soho, and online at asos, shopbop, and revolveclothing.com.

Anything else you want to share?

I have many hobbies, including making jewelry, playing guitar, drawing and painting. I also have a great passion for alternative medicine, aromatherapy, and herbs. I believe that dogs are people too and this includes my 9 y/o Maltese Blu, whom I love to spoil.

I’m Tiffany Nguyen of Will Work for Makeup, and This Is My Makeup Life

September 4th, 2013 by Karen 17 Comments

The terrific Tiffany Nguyen of Will Work for Makeup

Name: Tiffany Nguyen
Location: Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Day job/current gig: Pharmacy student
Hangouts online: willworkformakeup.blogspot.com, Twitter and Instagram
Current favorite product: Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder in 04 Sun Blondes. Instantly believable sun-kissed skin? Yes, please.
Beauty inspirations: My best friends, clear blue skies, tropical beaches
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Ever-changing

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

Armani Master Corrector in 1 to neutralize under-eye darkness, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Dior Matte Bronzer in 002 Honey Matte (bring it back, Dior…or else!), Shu Uemura eyelash curler, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing Mascara, and C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm, for the softest lips ever come morning.

When did you start getting into makeup?

I’ve been enamored with makeup for as long as I can remember, and I think my mom not allowing me to wear it during my teens just made me obsess over it even more. It had become a full-blown addiction probably by the time I turned 16.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

Skip the foundation. Instead, I like to dab liquid concealer liberally on any spots and hyperpigmentation, and blend it out using a big buffing brush, so that it kind of spreads the concealer all over like a foundation, while still being concentrated in the areas where I need the most coverage. In a time crunch, a good full-coverage liquid concealer like NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer can serve as a foundation, spot concealer and under-eye concealer, all in one. I like to think of it as a one-stop shop for all of my complexion perfecting needs.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

Hands down, my Shu Uemura eyelash curler. My lashes are nothing without them, regardless of what mascara I use.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

Makeup comes off. For this reason, I don’t really care if in 30 years I look back and think I looked ridiculous with neon pink lips or glitter on my cheeks. To me, makeup is a form of self-expression that requires little to no commitment. â€¨

What’s your skincare routine?

In the morning, I just wash my face with the Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and moisturize with Embryolisse.

At night, I remove my makeup with Shu Uemura Fresh Cleansing Oil (it takes off waterproof mascara like nobody’s business!) and cleanse with Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm. Then, I followup with a chemical exfoliant like DDF Glycolic Toning Complex and a hydrating serum (I love Vichy’s Aqualia Thermal Serum) before topping it all off again with a healthy dose of Embryolisse.

Once a week, I’ll use my Clarisonic with some Cetaphil cleanser and maybe throw on a mask or two.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

Surprisingly, nothing I can think of off the top of my head! Makes me feel like I need to venture out more.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

Not really. I’m not particularly attached to my hair, and I’ve had it short, long, and every length in between, one day loving it and the next day hating it. I’m pretty boring when it comes to hair — I usually wear it straight, down and unstyled….due to laziness, not preference!

As for my makeup, it really all depends on how much time I have. If I’m not running against the clock, I like wearing winged liner and making sure my lower lash line is defined with some shadow or soft liner. I just think it makes my eyes stand out more. There are, however, three things that are non-negotiable: 1) under-eye concealer, 2) blush, and 3) something on my lips, although it doesn’t necessarily have to be the three specific products pictured below.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

For my 8th grade Awards Night, my best friend and I wore turquoise eyeshadow with matching turquoise loose glitter patted on top…from lash line to eyebrow. Let me just tell you, there is no amount of blending in the whole world that could’ve made that not look cray cray. But, you know what? We had fun and loved how we looked that night. Though I don’t regret it necessarily, I wish I could’ve told my 13-year-old self that loose glitter is not eye safe!

Oh, the horror.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

For makeup: Sephora. If I’m buying products from a luxury brand not available at Sephora, I’d rather just buy online. I hate makeup counters. Too much pressure. For clothes: H&M and Nordstrom Rack. For anything and everything: Target.

I’m Celia San Miguel of Sicka Than Average, and This Is My Makeup Life

September 3rd, 2013 by Karen 6 Comments

The charming Celia San Miguel of Sicka Than Average

Name: Celia San Miguel
Location: New York, NY
Day job/current gig: I’m a freelance writer for a number of magazines (mainly LATINA), and I’m also a social media manager for a leading digital agency in NYC. In addition to that, I’m also an on-air style and beauty expert, working mainly with Telemundo here in NYC.
Hangouts online: sickathanaverage.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
Current favorite product: Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge lip color and Ouidad’s Moisture Lock Leave-in Conditioner
Beauty inspirations: Markets, flappers, can-can dancers, Chinese hibiscus flowers, pink peonies, parakeets, butterflies, Mick Rock’s glam rock photographs, Brazilian samba dancers, punk fashion…. The list is endless!
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Exuberant 😉

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

The list of products is endless! Starting with the basics, I can’t live without my Clarisonic Mia 2 for a really deep and thorough cleanse. I’m always testing different facial cleansers, but I tend to come back to the Korres Wild Rose Daily Brightening Cleanser, the Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash, the Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser, and the L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Cleansing Foam. As far as moisturizers and anti-aging products, I like using the Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid SPF 15 over the EstÃ©e Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator during the day and, at night, I apply the Clarins Double Serum and then add my nightly moisturizer (either Caudalie’s Premier Cru or L’Occitane’s Immortelle Precious Night Cream). And that’s just skincare!

As a makeup junkie it’s so hard to pick just a handful of products! For the face, I love Tarte Cosmetics’ BB Cream, Make Up For Ever’s Pro Finish Foundation, Hourglass Cosmetics’ Veil Fluid Makeup, Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation, Hourglass Cosmetics’ Ambient Lighting Powder, and NARS’ blushes (Orgasm is still one of my all-time fave shades). For eyes, I swear by Urban Decay’s eye shadow palettes (the Naked 2 palette is so fantastic!) and Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Shadow pencils. And, since I’m all about bright lips, I tend to gravitate to Illamasqua’s lipsticks and Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist lipsticks or, for a more liquid, slick look, I’ll use Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Rouge lip colors or OCC Makeup’s Lip Tars.

When did you start getting into makeup?

I think around the time I was five or six! I remember watching my grandma getting ready in the morning, and she had this ritual that seemed so glamorous to me as a wide-eyed little girl. I still remember the facial massages she gave herself while applying her Pond’s Cold Cream and the way she’d blot her lips after smoothing on her favorite shade of lipstick (a wine-ish red from EstÃ©e Lauder). It was magic to me.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

A healthy, glowing complexion and a bright lip goes a long way. When in a rush, I’ll typically reach for one of my favorite tinted moisturizers (I adore Hourglass’ Illusion Tinted Moisturizer, NARS’ Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, and Tarte’s Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer), and then I’ll mix that with a drop of luminizer, like the NARS Illuminator or one of Make Up For Ever’s Uplight shades. When you apply the mixture to your face, you’ll get that nice bit of coverage with an added glow that makes you appear lit from within. Add a nice, creamy lip color in a vibrant shade and you’ll be good to go!

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

I’m currently obsessed with the TRIA Hair Removal Laser. I always suffered from ingrown hairs on my legs and, since I started using the TRIA a year ago, it’s ceased to be a problem (and, of course, there’s less hair growth overall, which cuts down on shaving time). Given how costly in-office laser removal treatments tend to be, this tool is as an absolute lifesaver.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

Hmmmm… So many things come to mind! I think some of the greatest advice I received involved the art of using concealer. For example, to cover a reddish patch or a blemish, you want to use a concealer with a mint-y, light green tint so as to neutralize the redness and then, afterward, dab on a neutral shade that matches your skin tone. Similarly, to cover purplish or blue under-eye circles, you’ll want to reach for an orange-tinged concealer and, again, dab the neutral shade above this one. It’s all about make up color theory and learning which hues neutralize each other, which complement each other, and so forth.

What’s your skincare routine?

Check out the answer to the No. 1 question. 😉

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

There were several peels that were a bit scary (to say the least), but I think some of the weirdest things have involved at-home, DIY treatments that I attempted (like coffee scrubs and hair masks with egg yolks and mayonnaise and avocado). I’ve learned over the years that I’m not particularly gifted at whipping up these all-natural beauty remedies and treatments, so I pretty much steer clear, since having to clean up the mess afterwards is never fun.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

Not really! I love to experiment with different looks — it’s part of the fun for me. That being said, I love color, so you’ll usually find me wearing either bright eye colors or vibrant lip hues.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

Of course! I wore acrylic nails as a teen and twenty-something and I thought I looked so fly but, really, it was a hot mess! And then, of course there is the plethora of botched hair color experiments, which include a jet black color that left me looking like Wednesday Adams and a bright, orange-tinged red that was Carrot Top all the way.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

I love Sephora, of course, as well as Ulta, but I also love going into drugstores and roaming along their beauty aisles — whether it’s Duane Reade, CVS, or Walgreens.

Anything else you want to share?

For one, I own over 50 perfumes, and I wear them all since I firmly believe in switching up scents depending on your mood, your outfit, and your destination. What else? I have tiny feet, so even my 11-year-old stepdaughter wears a larger shoe size than me (it’s kind of embarrassing). Oh, and you’ll never catch me without earrings on — I even wear tiny studs when I sleep! What other random factoid can I give you? Oh yeah: some kids used to call me Punky Brewster as a kid, which I secretly loved since I always thought she was so scrappy and funky. Oh, and I used to have the hugest crush on Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest when I was a teeny bopper, and I still get hype every time “Scenario” comes on!

I’m Xiao Lim of Messy Wands, and This Is My Makeup Life

August 21st, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Name: Xiao Lim
Location: New York, NY
Day job/current gig: I work in the marketing division of a start-up company.â€¨
Hangouts online: messywands.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+
Current favorite product: RMS Luminizer (one-stop highlighter for all skin tones)
Beauty inspirations: Keira Knightley, Tao Okamoto, Michelle Williams in that recent Louis Vuitton ad, and Gong Li
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Experimental

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

My Shu Uemura retractable brow pencil in Seal Brown. It’s not available in the United States anymore, so I have to buy it in bulk when I visit home (Malaysia).

When did you start getting into makeup?

I was 18 years old when I *really* stepped into a MAC store for the first time…

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

Use fingers. You can blend out eyeshadow in the crease with your fingers if you want it badly enough!

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

Oh, dear. I suppose if my apartment were burning and I could only save one thing I’d say my brushes (it took years of shopping on different continents to amass my current lineup), but skincare is more essential to me.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

My mom told me not to put on so much makeup. I still disagree with her when I want to have fun with my face, but I try to remember that behind her gentle admonishment is a reminder that I should take good care of my skin so it’ll last me through, oh, forever hopefully.â€¨

What’s your skincare routine?

In order: Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist, Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Eye Cream, then it’s a choice between Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil, Tatcha Ageless Enriched Renewal Cream, Tatcha Camellia Beauty Oil, or Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

I racked my brain and couldn’t think of anything that’s truly out of this world. I’ve actually managed to enjoy facial extractions?

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

Arianne of The Glitter Geek fame coined my trademark blog photo pose as “deer in headlights,” which is pretty accurate. As for makeup, I go from no-makeup makeup to full on 1920s excess in the space of a single post.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

My batwing eyebrow phase, though that’s less a “decision” than an unfortunate (and unfortunately well documented) period of my life when I just didn’t have good eyebrow drawing technique.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

I love Nordstrom.com and Sephora.com for their great testing (otherwise known as return) policies. I try not to return products unless I absolutely have to, but the ease of shopping through those two places is the reason why I’m increasingly relying on e-shopping. As for clothes and shoes, Shopbop.com and Zappos.com have similar policies!

Anything else you want to share?

Puppies are adorable, too!