Skin Scentuals Winner!!!

Hey Ladies,

Posting to let you know the winner of the Skin Scentuals Giveaway. So many of you gave great reasons as to why you'd love to win. It was a hard decision. You were all good. But we really liked how Cheryl Isaacs described each product that she'd like and why.

She read the post and pointed out the ingredient that would work for her skin type. Nice. She also read the Skin Scentuals website and mentioned what benefits the products offer.

On a different note, we were also inspired by Cheryl's business helping small business owners find the resources they need for success.

So, Congratulations, Cheryl. Send me an email at makeuptheory AT verizon.net to let me know for sure what you'd like and your contact info. Your products will be sent out soon.

Thank you all for entering. There will be a giveaway with a BRAND NEW product from Cover FX very shortly. Stick around.

What's in my Stash

Two more days to enter the Skin Scentuals Giveaway!!!



Whenever I meet someone new and they learn I'm a makeup artist, the first question I get is, "What products do you use?" This question is two-fold. Some women want to know what I use in my work kit (aspiring makeup artists or Multilevel marketing reps ask this one), while other women want to know what products I use personally.

The inquiry is almost always whispered, as though we're discussing top secret subject matter. If I'm in a social setting, it can create a frenzy if other women realize I'm giving out free beauty secrets. Hosts hate having me at parties.

As much as I understand the question and I do the same thing when I meet, say, an interior decorator ("Where do I get the best organic bamboo flooring?"), it can make every day feel like I'm "on duty."

I tried to devise a quick, one liner, something like the log line for a movie, "I have a large assortment of good quality brands in my kit." Women weren't buying that AT ALL. They wanted name dropping.

But the truth is I have so many different brands in my kit (and my bathroom) it would take several cocktail parties to get through the list. But since going (mostly) natural/organic with my products, I've found an easier way to answer the question.

"I find almost all of my products on the Indie Beauty Network!" Aw, sweet, simple and informative.

Most women I encounter haven't heard of the Indie Beauty Network. That's because the brands/women whose products are on the Indie Beauty Network don't usually have Lancome's cashflow, so you won't see full page glossy ads in this month's Vogue.

That doesn't mean the indie products aren't good - some of them from a beauty standpoint and an environmental one.

Brands like Urban Apothecary and Priia provide all the lux and shimmer of M.A.C. with a healthy twist. On shoots, I regularly use Eve Organics and Fusion of Color eye shadows and concealers, respectively.

These brands and hundreds more are found at Indie Beauty Network. When I want natural bath products or raw ingredients for my homemade hair products, I hop over to the site to see who's got the best shea butter or purest essential oils.

The social network is a great plus. Can you get online and discuss the ingredients in your foundation with the formulator over at Clinique? I think not. The option to customize my colors, textures and ingredients (with the person who's actually making the product!) is a nice perk.

Occasionally, women balk at the notion of ordering makeup and skincare online. I originally thought I'd hate it, too. But it's not a big deal at all. Order samples before you get the full sized product. I now find I prefer ordering online because I don't have to fight through the mall scene every time I need to replenish my favorite blush.

To connect with this community of great product manufacturers, go to the Indie Beauty Network social site and sign up for an account. You don't have to be a makeup artist, just a beauty enthusiast.

Here's a fun list of why It's good idea to buy indie.

Disclaimer: Not all products found on the Indie Beauty Network are natural or organic. I do love a few big name brands and products that don't fit the healthy description. Sort of like a vegan who sneaks down an ice cream cone now and again. Nars Orgasm blush will always be my first love (for my work kit) and Loreal Voluminous carbon black mascara will be placed in my coffin with me. I've already requested it in writing.

My Time in Paradise

For several years I've wanted to go to Southern California. There were always excuses as to why I couldn't go - too much work, not enough work, hotels are expensive, home/life drama, etc. Well, earlier this month, I said, "I'm doing this."

I contacted a friend from my church who recently escaped, I mean "moved", from Pennsylvania to Southern Cali. She immediately offered her home in beautiful Sierra Madre as my crashing pad. No need for a hotel. She also arranged a house in Hollywood where I could stay if I wanted a grungier experience.

That left me with simply airfare and rental car to cover. I found an incredible deal at Priceline - $442 for round trip airfare and a zippy red Hyundai Elantra (with a sunroof) for eight days!

I was set for my adventure.

My friend with the free crashing pad works as a producer in Hollywood from sun up to sun down, so she had little time to show me around or even hang out. That was fine. I had wheels and a map.

And I had Jenn.

Jenn has been a cyber friend for several months (a reader of this blog!) and she happens to live two blocks from the beach in Southern Cali! She loves makeup, uber healthy fusion food and shopping till she needs oxygen injections. We are obviously twins separated at birth.

Pasadena, Long Beach, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Bel Aire - we drove from morning till night. Beach hopping, eating, clothes shopping, eating, getting lost, eating... I admire a girl who can slurp down a $9 hemp milk, fresh ginger and kale smoothie with the best of them.

But we did do a few touristy things. My producer friend arranged for Jenn & me to get an insider's tour of the Warner Brothers lots - my dream employer.

We had a blast!!!

Thank you, Jenn, for spending so much time showing me the cooler spots. And thanks to my other friend (who would rather remain anonymous) for your hospitality. I will be back (hopefully to stay).

I've been desperate for an injection of diversity, fashion and great food. Here are pictures from my trip. Of course, the picture above is Jenn and me hitting up a cosmetics store. It's an addiction.







This was taken on a set at Warner Brothers.


Rodeo Drive was incredible.


Versace, Baby!



Overlooking Bel Aire



Jenn at the beach




Downtown Sierra Madre


NOTE: GOOGLE IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO ADD COMMENTS TO THIS BLOG FOR SOME REASON. I AM UNABLE TO RESPOND TO YOUR COMMENTS AT THE MOMENT. HOPEFULLY, GOOGLE WILL STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT SOON.

Yeah, it's fixed!!! The Comments button is fixed. Phew. That was annoying.

Skin Scentuals Review & Giveaway

Before I left for Los Angeles (which I LOVED, by the way), I told you all how I received this amazing stash of all natural skin and bath products in the mail, compliments of Skin Scentuals.

It's always fun to get beauty and bath products in the mail, but lately I've been dealing with a bout of depression. Anything good that happens to me helps to lift my spirits.

Boy, did this box help!

Nine luscious products ranging from giant, floral scented bath bombs to a whipped butter body scrub arrived in full sizes via UPS. I've had three weeks to pamper myself and take notes for all of you. Here goes, face products first.

Face EScentual Gentle Face Cleanser
This product really is the gentlest face cleanser I've ever used. It has a slightly milky consistency thanks to yogurt powder (packed with lactic acid for hydrating dry skin)and Colloidal oatmeal. It's also loaded with natural anti-aging ingredients like aloe, grapeseed oil and rosehip seed oil. I've used this cleanser every day since it arrived.

There are no sulfates, parabens, mineral oil or petroleum. For those of you who lust after lather, this isn't the cleanser for you. And I don't know how effective it would be against oily skin. But for dry, mature skin this is a keeper.

Face EScentual Cleanser
This powder cleanser, containing Green tea powder, Bladderwrack Powder (a seaweed rich in amino acid that prevents the skin from losing moisture), Honey Powder and Yogurt Powder, exfoliates and works as a nourishing face mask. I like products that have multiple uses. Less bottles in the bathroom.

With this cleanser, I simply scoop out a small amount, mix with water and work in circles across my face. The slightly grainy texture exfoliates, leaving my skin really soft and smooth.

Because I'm addicted to the Gentle Facial Cleanser, I've mainly used this cleanser for weekly exfoliation or as a nourishing mask.

Simply Clean Toner
This toner is a mild formula made with aloe, rose water, natural Witch Hazel and willow bark extract. I didn't NOT like this product, but nothing stood out for me. Since I'm a mixer, I usually do my own toner from Aloe Vera juice and Witch Hazel. As far as I can tell, it works just as well.

But for those who'd prefer the convenience of a pre-mixed solution, this is a good product.

Dead Sea Mineral Masque
LOVE THIS STUFF!!! This tingly, minty green masque is pure heaven. The clay used is extracted from the mineral rich Dead Sea (which boasts a higher salt & mineral content than any ocean in the world). Essential oils and aloe are added for extra benefits. I left the mud on my face & neck for 15 minutes. When I washed it off, my skin was glowing. This is a keeper.

Aloe Vera Face Moisturizer
This very light gel moisturizer is a great daytime moisturizer underneath my mineral makeup. It adds just the right amount of glow and moisture without being greasy. But I prefer something heavier for night time. Ingredients include aloe, licorice root (a skin brightener) and lavender EO.

Now for the body products:

Whipped Shea Souffle
My flaky, dry skin loves this stuff. The whipped shea nut and mango butters are taken up a notch with olive oil, black current oil and grapeseed oil. I smoothed this on after getting out of the shower and my skin was radiant. I will warn those with oily or normal skin, this may be a bit much on the oil department.

But for me, it was just what my thirsty skin needed. I'll be ordering a pound of it for the winter. No more ashy knees!

Whipped Butter Body Scrub
I tried to like this product, I really did. But in the end, I don't. It has virtually the same ingredients list as the Whipped Shea Souffle, so I don't get it. Well, actually I do. The exfoliating granules (I think its sea salt) irritated my skin. I normally do brown sugar drenched in oils as a body scrub, so maybe I just have problems with salt scrubs in general.

But the product also left a tacky (almost sticky) film on my skin. So, this one won't be on my list.

Bath Bombs
I've seen bath bombs in chic little bath stores and thought, what a gimmick. Well, I've been reformed. What a fun, colorful bath experience I had with the two bath bombs from Skin Scentuals. First of all, they were huge. I barely got my hand around one of them. And when I released it into the water, the fizz was media-worthy, no lie. A moment later, a floral scent filled my entire bathroom while my bath water turned Caribbean sea green.

I slid into the warm water and immediately felt the shea butter and oils glide across my skin. I'll never bathe without a bath bomb again. LOL I want to try their chocolate version.

Sweet Dreams Bath Oil
I really like the old style apothecary bottle and the herbs floating around inside the oils. But the product - it was all right. I guess after the high-impact bath bomb, sprinkling a few drops of oil in my bath was anti-climatic. But I get it. There are a lot of good ingredients in this oil that help nourish the skin and relax the mind.

Overall, I like this line a lot and I'm excited that it's handmade and all-natural. The only thing I really don't like about this line is the labeling. I stored my bottles in the shower and two days later, I couldn't read a single label. The ink was smeared so badly, I was left guessing which product was which. So, be sure to store them away from water.

Would you like a chance to try these fun, nourishing products? Sherri Antras, creator of Skin Scentuals, has graciously offered to do a giveaway with her products. And it's a good one!

You can CHOOSE a Facial Collection filled with a full-sized cleanser, toner and moisturizer matched to your skin type all shipped in a beautiful gift box. This is a $57 value.

OR

You can choose a Bath Collection which includes an 8 oz body lotion, a body scrub and a spa soap (honey almond sounds yummy). This set is valued at $43.50

Wait, there's more...

OR

You can get 4 of her wonderful bath bombs in a pretty gift box. With scents like Wine & Roses, Orange Creamsicle and Peppermint Candy, it'll be so much fun experimenting. I had the Mediterranean Breeze. It was wonderful. This set is worth $22.

If you'd like to get your hands on these freebies, here's how you get your name in the running.

1. Publicly follow this blog. I say this every contest and get about seven entries from people who don't click the follow button at the right. You won't be entered into the drawing if you don't publicly follow this blog.

2. Hop over to Skin Scentuals and pick out which of the sets mentioned above (they are not sets on the site, but they've been put together especially for this blog's giveaway) you'd like to win.

3. Come back here and let me know through a comment which products you'd like and why. Make it good because this one isn't a random drawing. It's based on real need. If you can convince me that you really need that set, it'll be yours.

This contest will run through May 31th. Good luck, ladies!

Shoot Season

Things are a little hectic on my end as my photo shoots have picked up. Not as much as normal during this time of the year (the economy is hurting us all), but it's still enough to keep me on my toes.

On Thursday I shot with a young aspiring model for her comp cards. She'll be in New York City in July at the International Model & Talent Association competitions.

Here are more shots of Paige. Good Luck, girl!

Becca Winner!!!!

Hello ladies,

I am so sorry it's taken me two days longer than I promised to report the winner of the Becca Giveaway. As you know, I was in Los Angeles for a little over a week and then as I was flying back into Chicago, my connecting flight to Pa was canceled. I sat in the Chicago airport for five hours. I didn't get home until nearly midnight instead of 6 PM. Grrrr.

I had a shoot bright & early the next morning.

Never fly United. A friend who flew from Hawaii to Chicago to connect to Pa had her flight canceled just a week ago. Not particularly customer friendly.

Anyway, back to more pleasant things - our Becca Giveaway winner is...drum roll, please - Housewife Savant!

Congratulations pretty woman. You're going to look gorgeous in the colors in this collection.

To everyone who entered, thanks so much. There will be other goodies going out in the near future. Keep reading.

Hugs.

Awesome Becca Giveaway

This post is about a very cool Becca giveaway, but first I want to gush over the goodies I got in the mail today. The UPS man knocked on the door a few minutes ago bearing a medium-sized box.

I didn't recall ordering anything, but often companies send samples for me to try and blog about, so I signed for my unknown goodies and headed to the kitchen for a knife to pry my way inside the box.

To my delight, I got an amazing stash of full-sized skincare and bath products from Skin Escentual - an Indie line that I've been dying to try. Their commitment to completely natural ingredients is impressive. Their Dead Sea Mineral Masque contains wonderful ingredients like Dead Sea clay, organic Aloe, sea kelp, Kosher vegetable glycerin and Sweet Orange Essential Oil.

Besides the masque, I got a cleanser, toner, moisturizer and a yogurt & green tea exfoliating cleanser.

Body products included a shea/mango whipped body butter, a whipped body scrub, sweet dreams bath oil and a beautifully scented bath bomb. I see a very long, candle light bath coming on.

Stay tuned because I'll write about my faves when I return from Los Angeles on the 14th of May.

Now for you ladies - I received the gorgeous Best of Becca Palette pictured above just so I could pass it along to one of you. It contains two eye shadows - one metallic gold and one metallic bronze (would be gorgeous on most skin tones)- one lip & cheek creme in Blossom, a creme blush in Turkish Rose and one eye/face/lips gloss in a white/mother of pearl hue entitled Bird of Paradise.

There's also a cute double-sided eyeliner/eye powder brush. This palette is a $65 value. You get a chance to win it by 1) publicly following this blog (hit the button to the right that says Follow) and 2) leaving a comment after this post telling me you really want the palette.

That's it. I will post the winner on May 14th when I return from my Los Angeles gig.
I'm not sure how busy I'll be out there, so I may not be able to post your comments right away (unless I have a moment to sneak to a laptop - I won't be bringing mine), but I'll go through them and post them as soon as I return.

Then I'll put your names in random.org for a totally fair drawing. How does that sound?

Good luck, ladies!

P.S. the color in the palatte that looks lavender isn't. It's more of a orange/pink color. Not sure why it looks lavender in the shot. Also, this palette is not mineral makeup. Becca's mineral line does not launch until the summer.