Long wear and comfort!!-Richmond VA wedding makeup artist Aaron Ellerbrock

I have to say that I am thrilled with the Sephora brand Cream Lip Stain. First, it is only $12 so you can't beat the price. Second, it is packaged like a lip gloss so you don't need any tools to apply. Third, the pigmentation is amazing!!! You don't need a lot of the product yet you get great pay-off. With a lot of stains, the color is not very vivid and that is not the case here. Finally, it is not too drying. It feels good while it is on and lasts hours and hours. I will say if you are going to wear it on a regular basis, be sure to use an emollient lip moisturizer to replenish and comfort the lips once you take the product off. If I had one negative it would be that I would like to see more variation in the colors. Many of them are similar so be sure to check them out in the store as on-line it is difficult to discern the true color! I give this product an A-. What do you think??

Revlon baby sticks review

Y'all know I have a mad obsession with cream blush, and lately I have been really loving the quality Revlon has been bringing to the table. Their glosses and their just bitten lipsticks are to die for!

Gucci Westman, makeup artist extraordinaire, has been designing their collections for quite some time now and I have been loving nearly all of it...

I was stalking my neighborhood Walgreens for these cheek and lip tints, only to be completely let down by them. NO pigment whatsoever! It's like trying to use cherry chapstick as blush. just the merest hint at color. Don't waste your money on these; mine are headed back to the store!

REVIEW:ROC Retinol Correction wrinkle resurfacing system

I have been hearing great buzz about ROC for quite some time now and saw this product very positively reviewed on the Today show, so I thought I would give it a go.
For anyone who has used the purest form of Retin A, you know that it is effective, but it is also A)expensive and B)highly irritating to the skin
Same goes for glycolic peels. They are around $100 a session and two-three days later you start molting. All your skin peels off in sheets and you usually also break out since your skin is "purging" itself. Not terribly attractive!
So what's a girl to do if she wants a more even skintone, more smoothness, fewer fine lines...but is on a budget and doesn't want to be unsightly in the process?

This two step night treatment claims to give the same effect that peels do, only more gradually and more gently. I have been using it about two weeks now and my initial reaction was to the high quality feel of the product. My years of high end retail have made me quite the texture snob, and generally when i use a drugstore moisturizer, I am very put off by the cheap scents and the formulations don't seem to absorb very readily into the skin. This product felt expensive to me right away. The first step is the retinol lotion and the second is billed as an "activator". It has a very silicone-y, primer type texture that gives you that instant gratification of a smother look to your skin. I found that a bit gimmicky for a night cream but at the same time I admit I liked it.

I am a pretty tough critic when it comes to skincare. I wasn't blessed with "good" skin and really have to work at it constantly to keep breakouts at bay, even now. But I can honestly say that after four days on this system I started getting compliments from girlfriends. I went to breakfast with no foundation on at all and one of my makeup artist friends demanded to know what I was using. This NEVER happens to me.
As I continued to use it I saw an increase in smoothness and just better clarity; less dullness.
I would HIGHLY recommend this to a bride who wants to improve her skin for the wedding but is afraid of anything drastic that could make her face look worse before it gets better. And the price point is right around $26 so you cannot beat the value, considering its effectiveness!
Let me know what you think if you purchase this; I would love to know!

The fantastic and frustrating world of foundation-Richmond VA Airbrush Artist Aaron Ellerbrock

Foundation can be your best friend and your worst nightmare. Who hasn't had the experience of spending an afternoon trying on brands, types, and shades, making a purchase, and then getting home and hating it? But, when you do find that perfect match it is like finding your best friend! We recently asked you to share with us some concerns you have with your foundation, and we have some suggestions. So, here goes...

"Do I need to wear a foundation?"
Bottom line answer is no. But, that is like asking, "Do I need to go to the gym?" It is a question that only you can answer for yourself. Foundation is there to help you look and feel more confident, not make you feel like you are tied down to it. Often people reserve their foundations for special events so they look a little more polished. People also will use foundation, but maybe not over the entire face; just in the areas where the skin is uneven. That is why, if you do wear it you want it to match perfectly. Don't pick one to give you a little more color (that is what a bronzer is for). So even though this sounds like an easy question, I think it is more complicated.

"How do I pick the perfect color to match my skin tone?"
This is where the trial and error process comes in. If you go to a department store and can try different foundation shades make sure you are testing it on your jaw line. Grab three shades that you think are close to your tone and do a swipe of each on your jaw. You don't want to test on your hand or wrist as you won't be wearing it there. Secondly give it a few minutes to dry down. Depending on the stability of the pigments the foundation may dry to a different tone. Don't rush this! Then, take a mirror and check yourself out in the natural light. Stores often have lighting that either casts a pink or yellow hue and that can change how the color looks in natural light. If you are just picking one up from the drugstore, this is where it gets tricky as you can't try one on usually. When you are doing this, remember that most of us have both pink and yellow in our skin. Don't get fooled by things like freckles or a little redness in the cheeks! Also, check with the store on their return policy to see if you can exchange it if the color is not right.

"I don't want to look like I am wearing foundation. What should I use?"
This is where your tinted moisturizer or BB cream comes in. You can read all about BB creams in recent blog posts. These products are wonderful because they offer a light coverage, really just something to even out the skin, but don't have a lot of texture. Texture is why we get that "made up" look. The less texture on the skin the better. Now, if you need coverage because of special concerns you may need a fuller coverage foundation for that area (and yes, having two foundations is VERY common). Also, if you are a powder foundation kind of girl, look for powders that do not have a lot of binding agents or talc in them. My favorite powder foundation is Cover FX and it has no talc in it!!

"Do you prefer a BB cream or a traditional cream foundation?"
Again, this depends on how much coverage you need. BB creams are often used as a quick fix for running around in the day time, but not so much for when you want a flawless complexion. I love them both and this is a perfect example of having two types of foundations. Use your BB cream for a day at the office, for running errands, for weekends and then use your traditional cream foundation or fuller coverage foundation for the party, the date night, or the board meeting.

"Do I need to use my regular moisturizer with SPF if I am using a BB cream?"
Not all BB creams are created equal. Many of their benefits tend to skew in one direction (ie: moisture, coverage, spf protection, etc). Also, not all BB creams have an spf, although most do. You need to make sure you are reading up about your BB cream to see what benefits you will get. In general I like to recommend that during the winter months it is probably best to continue to use your daily moisturizer under you BB cream and then in the summer you may be able to use your BB cream alone for daytime and then use a good night time moisturizer.

"What type of foundation is best for a dry skin?"
Usually drier skins like a cream based foundation, for the simple fact that they are more emollient. They have the ability to blend more easily across the skin. Often powder foundations will show up more on a dry skin (taking us back to the idea of too much texture on the skin). Again, if you love a powder use it, but make sure you are picking the right one. As far as a cream foundation, I am going to once again go back to Cover FX. They have an amazing cream foundation that can be applied as lightly as a tinted moisturizer (using their synthetic powder brush) or as beautifully as a full coverage foundation (with the traditional foundation brush).

"What is a reasonably priced foundation for an oily skin?'
This of course depends on what type of foundation you like. Powders can be great (as long as you look for non-talc ones) and liquids are beautiful (maybe go for oil free), so you need to know your preference. Although Laura Mercier tinted moisturizers have been a staple for many people, they are $43 dollars. If you want to get a similar effect but not break the bank you should take a look at Aveda Inner Light ($23) or Boots No. 7 Soft and Sheer ($9-$12). You may not get as many skin care benefits, but hey, that is what skincare is for!

"Should I put foundation under my eyes?"
My basic rule of thumb is the right tool for the right job. Foundation can always be used in a pinch, and as technology has evolved it is not as "bad" as it used to be to do this. However concealers are created a little differently as the skin around the eye is much more delicate. Also, your foundation may not be the right color to hide those dark circles. For a quick fix, when you are in a hurry sure, but when you want to make sure you are looking your best, take an extra 2 minutes and use an under eye concealer.

I hope this has been useful to you! If there are other questions you have please feel free to leave a post and we will answer them for you. Happy makeup-ing!!

Mascara Madness-Aaron Ellerbrock, Richmond VA makeup artist

Where do you begin when you are looking for a mscara? Do you want to lengthen, define, darken, curl, thicken; do you want waterproof or non-waterproof; do you want a liquid, cake, or cream; do you want a black, brown, or another color? We could go on for days asking mascara questions!!

Mascara is one of the oldest beauty products ever invented. OK, well not exactly but as early as 4000 BC ancient Egypstians used a substance called kohl to darken their lashes, eyes, and brows. It wasn't until the 19th century that a chemist named Eugene Rimmel developed a modern day mascara using the newly invented petroleum jelly. And interestingly enough, not long after an American man named T. L. Williams developed a similar product for his sister Maybel. He then started a mail order business that grew into what we know as Maybelline!

Only you can decide which mascara is right for you, but you should definitely keep your eyes out for reviews and posts as they can help you in your search for the perfect mascara!

I thought I would give a quick review on some that I have tried. And FYI, all of these are the waterproof versions. First, my current favorite is L'Oreal Voluminious Million Lashes. It did a great job of defining the lashes. The lashes looked longer and fuller and had more curl to them after using this one. I will caution that it feels a little thicker on the eyes, but that is the price you pay for the "falsie" look. You certainly don't notice the feel after it dries down. Because it is a thicker mascara it does take a little more work to get it off, but again, that is not a bad thing. Also be careful to comb through so the lashes do not stick together; however I just recently read an article that Ginnifer Goodwin's makeup artist actually pinches a few of her lashes together to give a more false and spikey look when she is going "high fashion".

Next I tried Maybelline Colossal Volume mascara. My lashed did not look as long as they did with the L'Oreal. It did curl my lashes but again not as much as the L'Oreal. Of course, this formula is for volume and once again, they were not quite as full as they were with the L'Oreal. There was no smudging and this product did feel a little lighter; a little more natural. It was easy to get off and there was absolutely no clumping with this one. So maybe this is a little more daytime and the L'Oreal is more for night.

Probably should have gone with the iconic Cover Girl next, but I ended up trying the new Maybelline Rocket Volum'eExpress. Bottom line was it was very nice but still not as good as the L'Oreal in my opinion. I would rank it above the Colossal Volume in terms of fullness and lenght. It was a little thick for my taste but the brush was good at keeping the lashes separated as you apply. No clumping either.

The Rocket and the L'Oreal were both VERY waterproof. They were not going anywhere, so you definitely want to have a waterproof makeup remover to get these off! And you can usually get a buy one, get one 50% off at Walgreens and CVS so not a bad deal at all.

Let me know what your favorite is and we will do some more comparisons soon!

I might be falling in love...with Cover FX/by Richmond Virginia Makeup Artist Aaron Ellerbrock

 

So I know I am not Oprah, but I thought I would share one of my "Favorite Things"! I often get asked what products I love to use and what makeup I think really gives a great pay off. Of course, over the years I have added or changed that list as new products are developed or as old favorites change their formulas and become less than stellar.

I now have a new favorite in the area of creating a canvas (foundations, concealors, powders, bronzers). Of course for my brides I still mostly use the OCC airbrush foundations, but for my other clients I am now recommending the Cover FX line. I can't say enough about how great this product is, especially after their recent relaunch. The line seems to have an amazing grasp on how to create foundations for everyone.

I hear over and over again "I can't find a foundation that matches my skin tone" or "It looked good when I first put it on but then later it just looked wrong". Finding the right foundation can be tricky, especially if you are just trying to pick one up at the drugstore. First and foremost, you should always match your foundation on your jaw line and make sure once it dries down, the color is perfect, meaning you don't see it on the surface of your skin.

I recenty had the great fortune to talk with the Vice President of Glodal Sales and Education for Cover FX, Alisha Gallagher. Since I have several of their products in my kit, I was thrilled to have the chance to ask her a few questions. Here are some of the highlights of our conversation.

Aaron: Tell me a little about the creator of the products at Cover FX.

Alisha: His name is Victor Casale. Previous to Cover FX he was the Chief Innovation Officer at MAC. He is the man who created such well know products as Studio Fix and Lipglass. He is so amazing because not only is he so creative but he is also a chemist! He also created a red lipstick for Madonna on her "Blonde Ambition Tour" called Russian Red. It has become an iconic color. It is very wearable for that woman who is looking for a perfect red and was worn by Michelle Williams in "My Week With Marilyn".

Aaron: Why are your products so special?

Alisha: There are three main points of difference that make us so special. First, our tag line is "Great beauty begins with a great foundation. Can't find your shade? We can!". At Cover FX we have an extensive global color shade palette. 28 shades! But what we do that is so different is we spend a lot of time making sure we focus on the undertone of the skin, not just the depth of color. So many lines have a lot of shades but they go from light to dark without altering much in the undertones. That is why foundations often seem to not match. At Cover FX we make sure we have the right blends of "N" neutral, "P" pink, and "G" golden to ensure a perfect match.
Second, our products are extremely healthy for the skin. They are free of gluten, talc, mineral oil, parabens, and fragrance. As a matter of fact they are actually vegan!
Thirdly, the products have a very high performance level. We use a high level of refined pigments in our products. This allows you to get what you are looking for without having to use a large amount. The beauty is that you can apply them for a sheer coverage or build them to get a full coverage.

Aaron: What would you say are two must have products?

Alisha: That is a hard one, but if I had to pick two I would say the Pressed Mineral Foundation (a pressed mineral foundation with buildable coverage) and the Total Cover Cream Foundation (an emollient cream 2-in-1 concealor and foundation). The Pressed Mineral Foundation has no talc so it is luminious, not chalky or matte looking. And the Total Cover Cream Foundation can be applied as sheer as a tint  or you can build it to a full coverage foundation.


Cover FX is sold at Sephora stores, but not all of them. For those in the Richmond area, they are sold at the Sephora at Regency. For those of you in the Cincinnati area, your best bet is to order from the Cover FX website for now. I would of course chat with Nancy at BRIDEface first so she can assist you in picking the right products. And don't foget to get the right tool for the right job. Cover FX have some amazing brushes that do very specific things. They have used technology from DuPont to help create creulty free brushes that perform amazingly! Also, if you would like to see it in print, check out Richmond Magazine's December "Mother of the Bride" shoot. I used the Total Cover Cream Foundation on our model!

So whenever you feel you are just not having luck in the area of foundation or concealors just remember what Alisha at Cover FX says, ""We have your shade!" Happy Shopping!!

Long wear shadows...really??/review by BRIDEface Richmond makeup artist Aaron

Do They Really Last??

 

 

 

 

Today I thought we would take a look at some of the "drug store" eye makeup out there that claims to be "long wear". I picked up a couple of Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadows as well as the ColorStay Smoky Shadow Sticks. Now as many of you know, it is weird, but I put these on myself so I can review them first hand. This time I happened to do it while visiting my parents in Ohio, Needless to say my dad was kind of confused on what I was doing!!

I tested the Revlon products against some that were a bit more expensive. In this case it was Urban Decay's eyeshadow in Oil Slick and the Buxom Stay-There cream/gel shadows in Schnauzer and Saint Bernard. I basically created a smoky eye on each eye with these brands.

While the Revlon seemed like it was going to work very well, I found there were a couple of issues. First, the longevity was just not there. When I did just the powder shadows, or just the cream sticks, they did not last past a couple of hours. However, when I combined them (using the cream sticks first and then layering on the powder) the longevity was much longer. Another issue I found was that the color did not stay vibrant. I was quite pleased at the look of the pigment when I first applied, but then it just sort of seemed to become dull over the course of the evening. Finally, I was less than thrilled with the fact the product did not blend easily. You really need to work the product in to get a good smooth finish and if you don't it can look very "cakey". Once it dries you can't blend anymore (which is a good thing) but you have to make sure you are happy with the initial application.

The Urban Decay and Buxom products proved to be much better. The color stayed much more vibrant and true. My eye looked like it had true pigment even hours later. Again, the longevity was increased when I layed the products vs. using them individually. And of course they were much easier to blend. I loved the feel of the Buxom shadows. They are very "cushy" and easy to apply. I also liked how I could build the color by letting the creams dry for a minute and then putting another layer on.

My thought is that the Revlon is great for everyday wear. Although I don't think you can get 16 hours, you can certainly get by with these. However, if you are trying to get "fancy" for a dinner or an event, these just won't cut it. I feel you would be much happier pulling out the big dogs (like Schnauzer or Saint Bernard) for such occasions.

The Revlon powder shadows can be found for $6 to $8 and the sticks can be purchased from $7 to $9. However you can often pick up a buy one, get one 50% at Walgreens or CVS. The Urban Decay shadow and Buxom shadows can be picked up for $18 each at Sephora.

Happy Make-up Wearing!!

BB Creams; What is the hype about?-Richmond VA Makeup Artist Aaron

So BB creams have been getting a lot of press lately. With that press seems to come a lot of confusion from the consumer. So let's take a minute to find out what a BB cream is about and if it is worth all the hype.

First, BB stands for "Beauty Balm" or "Blemish Balm". It really became popular in East and Southeast Asia during the 80's but was originally formulated in the 1950's to be used after surgery or laser procedures. The reason for their popularity in Asia was the fact that the product was a great multi-tasker. There are tons of formulas on the market, many touting anti-inflamatory or soothing properties. The ones that you will find in US stores generally combine the following benefits: a skin prep (think primer), light weight coverage (think tinted moisturizer), hydration (think light weight skincare), and anti-ageing protection (think SPF and antioxidants). Now some of the formulas are heavier on one benefit and lighter on the other, so you need to do a little research to find out which is best for you.

Even though BB creams have not been available in the US for many years, they have flooded the market and have people flocking to stores like drag queens to a foam padding sale! Clinique, Smashbox, Stila, Dr. Jart, Garnier, Maybelline, Too Faced, Estee Lauder, and Boscia are just a few of the ones out there now. The price range on these is anywhere from $12 to $40.

Now Dr. Oz raves about the Boscia one and it has a good amount of skin care properties to it. However, it is only one shade, but can read the skin to mimic your tone. I think if you have some olive tone you are OK but otherwise this one is better as a skincare product. Many makeup artists like ones from lines like Smashbox and Too Faced as they have more coverage to them and more shades to choose from. This is why you have to pay attention to ingredients and color options. Do you want one that offers a lot of hydration, or do you want one to give you nice coverage. The best way to find the one that works for you is to try one out. If you love it great! If not, pass it on to a friend or family member and try another one.

In my experience (but note, I have not tried all of them) I really like the products but do think they have some limitations. If you are on the dry side, or it is in the Winter months, I don't think they offer enough moisture and you probably would still need a moisturizer under the BB cream. But, right now (in these crazy warm Summer months) if you are normal or oily, you can probably get by using it without a separate moisturizer.

Secondly, be aware of ones that have an SPF of 50 or more. Most doctors and dermatologists agree that once you get that high of a number, the product is really no more effective (30-45 are great numbers to look for).

Thirdly, many of the BB creams will have ingredients to help make the tone and texture of the skin more even and smooth. This is often done with light reflecting agents. That may translate to "shimmer" or "sparkle". So, if you are putting a bronzer on top, you might want to try a matte bronzer instead of one with more shimmer. Remember "disco balls" are fun but can date you too!

If you are someone who requires a heavier coverage, this may not be the one and only product for you. However, it is a great way to "refresh" your SPF as most BB creams can go on over traditional foundation if you desire.

So in closing, my opinion is I like BB creams, but for the right person and the right time of year. I think they are worth the hype, as long as you are realistic about they payoff. When you need to lighten up a bit, this is a perfect product, but I don't think I would use it alone as we head into late Fall or Winter. I do think you should check one out, especially now as Summer is beating down on us. With this new phenomenon I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave me or Nancy a message on our Facebook pages (BRIDEface Richmond or BRIDEface) if you have tried one. Share your experience so others can benefit!!

Urban Decay Naked I v. Naked 2

If you are in the know about makeup brands, you have probably heard that the original Naked palette by Urban Decay was nearly impossible to get your hands on for several months last year. women went nuts for the sleek velour case and the range of colors in the all-neutral collection. In fact, every time I take it out of my kit and a client is unfamiliar with it, she always swoons.

I heard grumblings from my makeup artist friends that they were too shimmery, but when I finally got mine last fall, I was in love. The complexity of the shades was what won me over-these are not just boring browns. I think the reason there was so much hype over this product was the value ($230 if you bought everything separately; it retailed for $48), the gorgeous packaging, and the fact that the shades work on the vast majority of people. It also came with a really great eyeshadow brush and a mini primer potion, a shadow base that has quite the cult following.
I just recently purchased the Naked 2 palette (as soon as Sephora messaged me that it was in!) and this one comes with a fabulous double ended brush and a mini lipgloss that is my current favorite. The packaging once again is irresistable; in fact I like it better because the metal will hold up better than the flocked velvet stuff.
There are a few shades that are repeated from the first palette, but they have included more matte shades this time, and fewer intimidating-looking dark colors. I broke it in yesterday on a large wedding party and found it to be very versatile; the only times I had to stray from it was to reach for pops of my beloved purples. I always like a nude eye to have a bit of a surprise inside.
Bottom line is, I am not sure an average person "needs" both palettes...if you only wanted to buy one I would say get the first one if you prefer options to do a rather dramatic eye and the second one if you are tamer.

the only lipliner you'll ever need.

I always, always use lipliner on my brides. It ensures longevity and gives a cleaner edge to the lipline, lending more definition to the shape of the lip. I can even out any asymmetry and even subtly build a bit of volume. It will keep lipgloss from bleeding over the edges too.

However i have challenged myself to use my very favorite liner every time i wear anything on my lips. Anyone who has taken my FACEing class knows i only really use ONE liner in my entire kit, and that is Jordana rock n rose. $1.99 at Walgreens, girl. Kid you not. It's a roll-up, it's a perfect consistency, and the color is flawless; not too pink, not too brown, not too orange. Everybody goes nuts for it. It can even be used to fill in the entire lip for a great pinky nude lipstick. You don't even have to sharpen it!
I like to lightly sketch with the side of the pencil so the liner doesn't look too obvious.

What am I lusting after?

To be honest, I plan to go get all of this except the $245 Clarisonic toy. Yes, I know it is supposed to infuse your undereye with serum and make you look 25. Too rich for my blood.
Rest assured that I will likely come home with twice what I intended to purchase.Unfortunately they know me at Sephora and MAC and always get me to buy too much.
I have been dreaming of NARS Orgasm Illuminator since it launched; I have the iconic powder blush (doesn't everyone?) and the multiple stick as well and am obsessed with both. One for me, one for the kit. Everyone raves about the Urban Decay and I really want all three shades of this eye primer. I am dying to get Laura Mercier's new salmon concealer; they were out at Saks last I checked, which only makes me want it more. The MakeUp Forever set is an amazing value and looks great for travel. (travel; what's that?)
A lot of people ask where I learn about new products. I spend a lot of time on Pro Makeup forums. I basically distrust most magazines for product recommendations. Same goes for most beauty blogs. Most of these bloggers are given free product to try, so that completely destoys their credibility for me. (ATTN:Cosmetic companies! Despite my high and mighty attitude, I CAN BE BOUGHT. Call me)
my wishlist by nannobanan on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Travel Kit ($40 Value) HD Complexion..., $29
NARS Orgasm Illuminator, $29
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 0.34 oz Original, $18
Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System for younger-looking skin, $245
Under Eye Perfector Laura Mercier

New amazing Laura Mercier stuff...

I cannot wait to try the new illuminating tinted moisturizer. The original one is so incredible I can't even imagine how she managed to improve upon it, but my friend Alisha reports that it is da bomb.

And how brilliant is the concealer pot with the powder stashed underneath?

In a shameless plug, I will be returning to my old stomping grounds next Friday August 1st, working Mercier's Face to Face event at Saks.

Please call 513 421 6800 x366 to book an appointment with me! You simply won't find a better foundation or concealer than hers. I could use this line exclusively forever. I would have to quit doing makeup if they ever went under. : )