Get the look - Violet Zombie

What was used:
MAC NC20 Studio Fix
Urban Decay Primer Eye Potion
MAC Eye Brow Velvetone Pencil
Urban Decay Polyester Bride
Sugarpill Absinthe Chromalust
MAC White Frost Eye Shadow
Sephora Eye Shadow Collection Aspen Summit
MAC Dazzle Lash Black Mascara
MAC Engrave Eye Pencil
MAC Ebony Eye Pencil
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil Ransom
Yaby Blush Refill bl020
OCC Lip Tar Divine
OCC Brushes
Crown Brushes

OCC Nail Lacquer - Tattoo

A couple of months ago I made a trip down to Toronto for IMATS (International makeup artist trade show) and spent the day shopping, learning and watching makeup demonstrations. I stopped by at the OCC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics) booth to pick up a few products. They gave me a few items to review, one of the products they gave me was a nail lacquer called tattoo. This product is brand new and I don't think it's even on their website yet for ordering. It's a very dark forest green like but almost black in some lighting with a hint of green. Hence the name tattoo, it looks like the color of a faded tattoo which I think is pretty cool. I tried it recently and I love the results. You only need one coat of this polish but you can apply two if need be. A little goes along way. This is probably some of the best nail polish I have ever used so far. I've been wearing this color for 5 days now and still no chipping. I did how ever apply a coat of clear polish over it for protection, I always recommend one or two coats of it over your color.

Each nail lacquer is $8.00 and totally worth the money. In my opinion this is way better than OPI. I'm not sure about China Glaze since I have never tried it but have heard nothing but great things about it and have read good reviews. OCC also offers a discount to MUA's at 20% off, so you can't go wrong! The polish is an easy application and dries very quickly, they are also very pigmented. These polishes are definitely camera ready and ideal for editorials, a must for any MUA or manicurist. My pictures below:









Image from occmakeup.com, go here for more!

Sugarpill Cosmetics!

Okay I know these have been out for a long time now and everyone and their mom has reviewed them, but I wanted to put my own two cents in. I recently made an order from Sugarpill to see what the hype was all about and ordered two loose powders and two pressed powders. I ordered royal sugar chromalust, absinthe chromalust, love+ pressed eye shadow, and dollipop pressed eye shadow. The loose come in a 5 gram jar and the pressed come in a 4 gram little compact container. I got my package this passed Wednesday and needless to say I was very impressed with their packaging of the items. The package of the products themselves is super cool but that's not the only reason to like a product people! I first tried the pressed eye shadows and am very in love with the colors. They are very bright and very pigmented. They remind me very much of Make Up For Ever's pressed eye shadows and are cheaper since MUFE is $19.00 and Sugarpill is $12.00 each, unless you get the MUA 40% discount like me from MUFE then it's a different story. They also reminded me a lot of Kryolan eye shadows as well. Let's say maybe Kryolan and Make up for ever had a baby, the out come would be Sugarpill.

As for the loose shadows (chromalust) I find them very pigmented as well. They go on very smooth like the pressed shadows and are easy to blend. Although as pigmented as they are I still recommend to always use a primer on your lids no matter what, since it will make the life of wearing your eye shadow a lot longer. For Christmas eve I did try the dollipop and it was very bright on and I find that if you have an eye brow brush or eye liner brush it can also be used as a liner if you damp your brush a bit. I haven't tried it for eye brows but I'm sure if you're crafty enough it could actually work. One thing I did find while applying this is you should use loose powder under your eyes to catch the falling shadow when applying because it can get a bit messy and these will definitely stain your skin. If you don't like to use loose powder, try using a tissue and holding it under your eye to catch the falling shadow it's just good practice. With the mentioning of staining, I did find that the love+ and dollipop do stain your eye lids for a day or two after removing it with makeup remover or makeup removing wipes just like Make up for ever's pressed eye shadows. Not totally a big deal and might not happen to everyone but did to me.

So my conclusion, it's some of the best makeup I have ever purchased from and will buy from them again. I know $12.00 maybe steep and you think it'll break your bank but for this good of a quality it's so worth it! If you like bright intense colors this brand is for you. Thumbs up to the packaging as well since it's not just all about awesome packaging with disappointing products inside. This is definitely awesome for photography and theater. Every MUA should have some Sugarpill in their kit! My pictures below, enjoy:









From left to right above swatches: Absinthe Chromalust, Royal Sugar Chromalust, Dollipop pressed shadow, and Love+ pressed shadow. sugarpillshop.com for more!

OCC Brushes!

Recently OCC Makeup (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics) came out with their own brush set, I happen to get a set while I was at IMATS Toronto for review. This is a set of 9 brushes from OCC and is also vegan friendly. The brushes are very soft and are shaped for easy application for makeup. Brushes are a bit on the pricey side if you're used to buying from Crown or Coastal Scents, but you're paying for quality. In my opinion the more expensive and well made brushes produce a way better application than say if you bought from a cheap distributor. In other words you get what you pay for. Over all review, I would recommend these brushes. They're definitely worth the money especially if you are a professional MUA, you're better off to invest in a good quality brush set to get the best results with your makeup. Plus some of the eye brushes are shaped differently than any other brush company I've seen so far, which makes way for a new experience with eye shadows, eye liners, etc. Go to occmakeup.com for more!



Image from occmakeup.com



My own image!

*More reviews, looks and other goodies on the way!

Kryolan - Rio Palette

For those of you who don't know who Kryolan is, they are a theatrical makeup company from Germany, they are sold through distributors here in the U.S. I've been using this brand for a few years now and I really enjoy their products. For them being a theatrical brand of makeup, you know it's going to be along the lines of Ben Nye. I recently bought this rio palette from IMATS in Toronto from their booth, it was only $26.00. For 5 shadows it was totally worth the money. The colors are very bright and I just love bright colors, always a sucker for buying them. I also purchased their eye shadow base along with it, which was $6.00 for a .33 oz tube. The base is very creamy and goes on smooth. The color is a light beige and kind of looks like a foundation. I did find if you rub it into the skin too much though it does start to flake off a bit, this could be due to dry skin also since it is Winter. The shadows themselves, I must say I am impressed! They're bold, bright and are very soft and smooth, definitely can tell they are easy to blend which is also a big plus. All the shadows are very pigmented so you know for photography they'll be a hit. Over all I say definitely worth picking up and so is the eye shadow base for the money, in comparison to Urban Decay's which $18.00 to $29.00 a tube.





Links to buy:
kryolan.com
danceshopper.com/ballroom-make-up-kryolan
shop.ebay.com/shrinkle/m.html
camerareadycosmetics.com

Black Friday Makeup Deals!

Okay so I made a list of makeup deals out there for today and for the weekend! Go shopping already!

Sugarpill Cosmetics-
pink weekend going on! 30% of 11/26 and 20% 11/27 - 11/29, use code pinkweekend

Lime Crime-
Black Friday to Cyber Monday! 40% off 11/26 - 11/29, use code BLACKFRIDAY40

Medusa's Makeup-
Black Friday Offer! Only $39.00 for the Electro eye shadow collection to the first 100 customers until midnight black Friday.

NYX Cosmetics-
50% off Thanksgiving Bonanza Nov. 26th 9am - Nov. 29th 12am

Too Faced Cosmetics-
Free shipping on all orders, ends Nov. 29th.

Smashbox Cosmetics-
Free shipping on any order, not sure when this expires.

Lush Cosmetics-
Get free 2 day shipping plus a limited edition perfume, and a $10.00 e-gift card when you spend $150.00 or more only while supplies last! Use code: BLKFRI10

Shu Uemura-
Enjoy 20% off plus free shipping on orders over $50.00, offer ends Nov. 29th. Use code: WISH2010

Coastal Scents-
Black Friday to Cyber Monday, 33% the entire store, Nov. 26th - Nov. 29th!

High Voltage Cosmetics-
Black Friday Sale, 30% off your total order, Nov. 24th - 27th.


Makeup Designory Cosmetics-
Holiday weekend sale 20% off all orders and free shipping mudshop.com! Use code: cybermonday2010

Mad Minerals Makeup-
25% off all orders up to Nov. 30th

Stila-
20% off all orders, use code: STILALOVES now til Nov. 30th.

OCC Makeup-
20% off Lip Tars, one day only!
(SPECIAL ONE DAY ONLY SALE! From 12:00AM tonight through Monday, November 29th at 11:59 PM PST, take 20% OFF all Lip Tars! Use code CYBER 2010 in the Special Instructions section at checkout. Don't forget, now through December 31st, all orders over $50.00 USD* qualify for complimentary Ground Shipping within the contiguous United States! All orders under $50.00 USD receive reduced flat rate ground shipping also within the contiguous United States.)


All I could find for now! Update as I find more...

Makeup on Etsy!

So I've been spending a lot of time on etsy and wondered what people offer for makeup, to my surprise I've found tons of them selling and making their own cosmetics. I think it's really cool to see so many different kinds of brands from smaller lesser known businesses than always buying from MAC or Sephora, let's just say there's more out there. So I made a small list to check out since there's a lot more than I would have guessed, these are the ones that stood out to me the most!

Spectrum Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/torik2009

Zombify by Zoe Zombie-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/gothcupcake

High Fidelity Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hificosmetics

Heavenly Naturals-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeavenlyNaturals

Madd Style Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moloverox

Rock a Betty Beauty-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RockABettyBeauty

Brazen Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BrazenCosmetics

My Beauty Addiction-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBeautyAddiction

Sarah's Naturals-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/smerchant

Harlot Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HarlotCosmetics

Candy's Sweet Treats-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/candyssweettreats

Glory Box Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GloryBoxCosmetics

Lost in Makeupland-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LostinMakeupland

Moi Minerals-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moiminerals

Face Candy Couture-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FaceCandyCouture

Apocalipstick by Abbylipstick-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/abbylipstick

Posh Wash Soap-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Poshwashsoap

Earth Angel Minerals-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EarthAngelMinerals

Concrete Minerals-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ConcreteMinerals

Working Girl Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WorkingGirlCosmetics

Killer Cosmetics-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/killercosmetics

Sweet Petula-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetpetula

Lip Sync-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LipSync

Glam Gloss-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GlamGloss

Twink Beauty-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/twinkbeauty

Bath Bomb Confections-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bathbombconfections

Antoinette's Bath House-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/COUTUREBLONDE21

Burnt Mill-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/burntmill

Bath Buddies-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BathBuddies

Platypus Dreams Gourmet-
http://www.etsy.com/shop/platypusdreams

There's a ton more, but that's a good list to start! More product reviews, looks, and IMATS review coming soon...

Cosmetics Shelf Life

I always wished my cosmetics would last forever, but unfortunately not. Being a makeup artist it's hard to throw away my makeup but let's face it, it doesn't last forever. All cosmetics have some kind of expiration even though it doesn't say on the package, so I looked up this information and found out how long a lipstick, eye shadows, and the rest of your makeup should last before you need to toss it.

Foundation (Cream or Liquid) - 2 years
Powder Foundation - 18 months
Concealer - 2 years
Powder - 2 years
Mascara - every 6 months
Lipstick - 12 to 18 months
Lipgloss - 12 to 18 months
Lip pencils and Eye Liners - 12 to 18 months
Liquid Liner - 3 to 6 months
Eye Shadows - 2 years
Cream Shadows - 12 to 18 months
Blush (cream or liquid) - 2 years
Bronzer - 2 years
Moisturizer - 2 years
Eye Cream - 6 months
Sunscreen - 2 years
Face Cream - 2 years
Nail Polish - 1 year

*More looks, IMATS review, and product reviews coming!

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Brush Set!

OCC has just released their wonderful brush set! http://www.occmakeup.com/brushes.html

While I was @ Imats I happen to get the set from OCC. I will have a review of the brushes soon. Here's a photo of what they look like:



BRUSH #001: LARGE POWDER BRUSH
BRUSH #002: FOUNDATION BRUSH
BRUSH #003: CONCEALER BRUSH
BRUSH #004: TAPERED BLENDING BRUSH
BRUSH #005: ANGLED BLENDING BRUSH
BRUSH #006: SHORT SHADER BRUSH
BRUSH #007: LARGE SHADER BRUSH
BRUSH #008: SMALL SHADER BRUSH
BRUSH #009: ANGLE BRUSH

*More coming soon: looks, imats and reviews...

What I got @ IMATS Toronto!

I recently attended IMATS in Toronto, here's everything I got while there. This was my 4th makeup show in Toronto and my second IMATS, since the first two were the Canadian Makeup Show before IMATS took over. I will cover more on the event soon! You can't go wrong with a trade show, so much to learn and buy. Everything was discounted and reasonably priced, so much cheaper than going to Sephora in my opinion with way better product for your dollar. I plan on going to IMATS in NYC, this will be their first and that takes place in April on the 9th and 10th, go to www.imatsshow.com for more info!



What I got:

OCC LIP TARS-
RX
Strumpet
Hush
Conquest
Divine
Memento
Vapid

OCC LOOSE COLOUR CONCENTRATES-
Wasabi
Pollencount
Chlorophyll

OCC NAIL LACQUERS-
Strumpet
Chlorophyll
Tattoo

OCC BRUSH SET (9)

YABY LIQUID FOUNDATIONS-
Ivory
Buff
Honey

KRYOLAN-
Eye Shadow Base Tube
Eye Shadow 5 Well Palette Rio

CROWN BRUSH-
BK5 - Dual Length Powder
BK15 - Large Chisel Fluff
BK13 - Blending Fluff
BK14 - Deluxe Oval Shadow
BK11 - Angle Eyeliner
Disposable Mascara Wands

TEMPTU-
S/B Makeup Sample Pack

*More coming soon, reviews, IMATS, and looks!

Recent Shoot!

I recently did a shoot with photographer Zach Rose and model Kerry Quaile. Here are a couple photos from that shoot.





Products used:
Smashbox Photofinish
Yaby Liquid Foundation
Make Up For Ever concealer
Make Up For Ever HD Loose Powder
Naked Eye Shadow Base
Yaby Pearl Paints
Smashbox Cream Liner
Mac Mascara
Yaby Blush
OCC Lip Tar
Yaby Brow Powder

*More coming soon, Imats review, product reviews, and more looks!

Get the look - Charcoal Smoke

What was used:
MAC Studio Fix NC20
MAC eyeshadow White Frost
Ben Nye Lumiere silver eyeshadow
MAC eyeshadow Forgery
Suzi Q Cosmetics black loose pigment
MAC eye pencil Ebony
MAC Powerpoint eye pencil Engraved
MAC Dazzle lash black mascara
MAC brow liner Velvetone
MAC Lipstick Snob

*More coming soon, Imats Toronto and makeup reviews!

Auxiliary Magazine - Aestheic

Recently I did a small editorial for Auxiliary Magazine for the Oct/Nov issue. For those who aren't familiar with the magazine, they've been going strong for almost two years now and mainly focus on alternative music and fashion. Go to www.auxiliarymagazine.com to see more! You can also read it for free online so why not check it out and support?

Aesthetic - Medieval Metal

Photography: Zach Rose
Makeup Artist: Rachel Mazzie
Hair: Vaunt
Models: Vaunt
Machine Sex (Christina Matthews)





*More coming soon!

Loose Pigments - List and where to buy!

Okay, so who doesn't love loose shadows and pigments? Below are some of the brands I always buy from and in my opinion are all amazing products. Let's do some shopping!

Lime Crime-
$14.00 each
Dust Eyeshadow
16 shades
www.limecrimemakeup.com



Glamour Doll Eyes-
$10.50 to $21.00
Shadow Towers (3 to 6)
many shades
www.glamourdolleyes.com



Obsessive Complusive Cosmetics-
$10.00 to $11.50
Cosmetic Glitter
Pure Pigments
Loose Colour Concentrates
many shades
www.occmakeup.com



MAC-
$19.50 each
Pigment
34 shades
www.maccosmetics.com



Make Up For Ever-
$19.00 to $24.00
Metal Powder
Pure Pigments
Shimmer/Glitter
Shimmer and Glitter
Diamond Powder
many shades
www.makeupforever.com









Urban Decay-
$20.00 each
Loose Pigment
12 shades
www.urbandecay.com



Medusa's Makeup-
$6.00 each
Eye Dust
Glitter
many shades
www.medusasmakeup.com



Sugarpill Cosmetics-
$12.00 each
Loose Eyeshadows
18 shades
www.sugarpillshop.com



NYX Cosmetics-
$6.00 to $3.00
Chrome Eyeshadow
Loose Pearl Shadow
many shades
www.nyxcosmetics.com





Kryolan-
$6.95 to $11.95
Satin Powder
Glamour Sparks
many shades
www.kryolan.com





Naked Cosmetics-
$15.00 to $60.00
Mica powders
many shades
www.nakedcosmetics.net



Gosh Cosmetics-
$14.00 each
Effect Powder
many shades
www.goshamericas.com



Cinema Secrets-
$7.50 each
Hollywood Lights Glitz Powders
Hollywood Lights Shimmer Powders
many shades
www.cinemasecrets.com



Miss X Cosmetics-
$8.00 each
Eyeshadows and Glitters
many shades
www.blackpillredpill.com



Mattese Elite-
$6.99 to $13.00
Pure Color Powder
Star Dust Powder
Shimmer Glitter
many shades
www.matteseelite.com







Inglot-
price is unknown
AMC Pure Pigment Eye Shadow
many shades
www.inglotcosmetics.com



Beauty from the Earth
$6.50 each
Multi-Use Minerals
many shades
www.bftecosmetics.com



Ben Nye-
$9.00 each
Lumiere Luxe Powders
21 shades
www.bennyemakeup.com



Graftobian-
$9.99 each
Luster Powders
25 shades
www.graftobian.com



Coastal Scents-
$1.00 to $39.95
Mica Powders, Pigments, and Glitters
many shades
www.coastalscents.com







Fyrinnae-
$5.90 to $6.35
Magic Eyeshadows
many shades
www.fyrinnae.com



Aromaleigh-
$3.00 each
Mineral Powder
many shades
www.aromaleigh.com



Jesse's Girl-
$3.99 each
Pure Pigment Eye Dusts
29 shaes
www.jessesgirlcosmetics.com



Loreal HIP-
$10.00 to $12.00 each
Shocking Shadow Pigments
12 shades
www.lorealparisuse.com




*More coming soon!