"A Cosmetics Circus"

Finally!  I had been looking forward to the Nordstrom Fall Cosmetics Trend Show for weeks and was now on my way.  I was fashionably late, (okay it's not fashionable to be 2 hours late) but I made it.  Armed with my Starbucks coffee, I walked in and was instantly surrounded by a mist of this season's newest fragrances (Gucci Guilty wasn't bad).  The place was packed with products and loads of vendors and beauty experts.  There were also plenty of bare-faced Nordstrom customers who were all excited to start their shopping.

There was a show going on upstairs, so I took the escalator to catch the tail end of it.  A tall, lively man was on stage giving away attractive looking prizes...it was celebrity make-up artist Ross Burton.  The lucky ladies collected their gifts in what appeared to be a "come on down" Price is Right kind of game.  After the show we all headed downstairs, where many of the customers scurried to make their purchases and sat down to complimentary facials.  A man even approached me to ask if I wanted my scalp analyzed (got a nice chuckle at the offer).  I declined, but at least now we know there's a demand for this service.

After observing all the hoopla, I decided to say hello to a few familiar faces and make my purchase.  I took some pictures, looked at the new goodies, and decided I should at least sit down to try a couple of eye colors.  After a quick makeover by Estee Lauder artist LaShawnda Thompson, I stumbled across a list of Ross Burton's top ten beauty must haves.  Check them out in the photo spread at the bottom of the page!

Beauty Volunteer Getting Lashes and Make-up from a MAC Artist

Ross Burton's Top 10 Beauty Must Haves

1. Clarisonic
2. Philosophy Microdelivery Peel
3. Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate
4. Kiehl's Creme de Corps
5. Nars Orgasm Multiples
6. Lancome Definicils Precious Cells Mascara
7. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation
8. Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
9. EGO Flatiron
10. Fusion Beauty Lip Plumper

Face Night Treatments by Kiehl's
Liquid Foundation by Bobbi Brown

The Pink Ribbon - A True Reminder

The Women Behind the Pink Ribbon

By now, we all know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  You've probably seen the lovely pink ribbons, which have become the international symbol associated with breast cancer.  As we take the time this month to support those touched by this disease, we should remember to use the popular pink ribbon as a reminder...

Scheduling an annual mammography exam is one of the most important steps you can take in preventing breast cancer, or detecting other potentially dangerous tumors.  A mammogram, as it's called, is a noninvasive x-ray test used in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.  An annual test is recommended for women age forty and older.  However, if there's a family history of breast cancer it is not uncommon to begin screening at an earlier age.  According to http://www.radiologyinfo.org/, mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.  Sounds like a great reason to keep health insurance in my opinion!  You should also educate yourselves on how to correctly perform monthly breast self-exams if you are in your teens or early twenties.

So what does all this have to do with beauty, you ask?  Well since most of us are optimistic in hoping for a cure, it's crucial that we take every opportunity to support breast cancer research.  Below, I've listed a few retailers who make significant contributions toward the cause, with your help.  You may be wondering why you should purchase products when you can simply call up Susan G. Komen for the Cure to make a donation.  I guess the question is, how likely are you to pull out your credit card and make that call?  It doesn't matter because there are so many ways to make a difference!  Here are a couple of links, and fun products you can buy to help in the fight.

Ulta Cosmetics - 100% of your contribution will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Sephora - In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, Sephora is offering a collection of pink ribbon products

*Visit Avon.com for this product*

Or donate here

Shop the pretty items shown below.  Net proceeds go directly to charities like the Women's Research Cancer Fund and CancerCare.

Lipstick by Estee Lauder
Watches by Avon

Please let me know if this article has any influence on your decision to make a donation, thank you.

Look of the Week: Spotlight on Aronda

This week, I happened to get lucky in my search for models.  I asked cousin Aronda to stop by, and immediately she said yes.  She would even come over on her day off.  I wondered what type of look we would go for, and finally decided on something that wouldn't scare her - sheer lips and evening eyes!  I simply couldn't resist doing shimmer on her eyes, especially since she rarely wears eyeshadow.  I also had fun using lots of lip gloss on Aronda's beautiful full lips.  Take a look at our before and after pictures below...

 

To get The Look:

(face)

-Photo Finish Foundation Primer by Smashbox

-Concealer Camouflage Cream Palette #16 by MAKE UP FOR EVER

-Luminous Silk Foundation #9.5 by Georgio Armani

-Get Even Face Powder #3 by Benefit

-Bronze Blush by Bare Escentuals, layered with Copacabana Blush by Flori Roberts

-Faux Tan All Over Face Color by Bare Escentuals

-Citrine Radiance by Bare Escentuals

(Eyes)

-Charcoal Brown Eyeshadow by MAC (to fill in brows)

-Prime Time Primer for Eyes by Bare Escentuals

-Tiger's Eye Eyeshadow by Bare Escentuals

-Yellow Sapphire Eyeshadow by Bare Escentuals

-Cream Soda Eyeshadow by Bare Escentuals

-Rapture Eyeshadow by Bare Escentuals

-Woodwinked Eyeshadow by MAC

-Liquid Eyeliner by Mary Kay in Black

-Great Lash Mascara by Maybelline in Blackest Black

(lips)

-Sheer Gloss Lipstick Nuance Beige by Shiseido

-Buxom Lip Gloss Bianca by Bare Escentuals

-Lip liner pencil Rose Brown by NYX

(brushes)

-Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush by Bare Escentuals

-Angled Brow Brush by BE

-Tapered Blush Brush by BE

-Eyeliner/Eyebrow Brush by Mary Kay

-Eye Definer Brush by Mary Kay

-Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush by BE

-Heavenly Liner Blending Brush by BE

-Flawless Face Brush by BE

-Flawless Radiance Brush by BE

-Tapered Shadow Brush by BE

-Lip Brush by The Body Shop

-Eye Crease Brush by Mary Kay


1. Begin with clean skin and foundation primer. Apply Prime Time for Eyes to both eyelids (entire lid). Keep applicator clean by using fingers.

2. Sweep Cream Soda Eyeshadow over entire eyelid, lash to brow bone. Eye Definer Brush

3. Pack Rapture Eyeshadow onto lower half of both eyelids. Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush

4. Use Tiger's Eye Eyeshadow on outer corner of eyelid. MK Eye Crease Brush

5. Use Heavenly Liner Blending Brush to line the bottom eyelid with Tiger's Eye Eyeshadow. Follow with Nehru (Black) Eyeshadow on outer half of lower lid Eyeliner/Eyebrow Brush

6. Line inner rim of eyes with a soft brown pencil.

7. Use Woodwinked Eyeshadow from inner corner of eye to middle lid. Wet/Dry Eyeshadow Brush

8. Blend Tiger's Eye from outer corner into mid crease. Eye Crease Brush.  Finally, highlight browbone with Yellow Sapphire Eyeshadow.  Tapered Shadow Brush 

9. Apply mascara and liquid eyeliner.  Then, clean off any fallout from underneath the eye.  BE Make-up Remover Wipes are good.

10. Apply your concealer...usually needed on blemishes, under the eyes and any area containing redness. Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush

11. Apply foundation by dotting it onto the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.  Use a sponge wedge to blend outward.

12. Apply blush, and follow with a light dusting of Faux Tan All Over Face Color. Tapered Blush Brush

13. Fill in brows with shadow.  Angled Brow Brush

14. Dust entire face with Powder.  Follow up with a very small amount of High Definition Powder (only high-shine areas), Flawless Face Brush.  Lightly dust Radiance on top of cheeks, sweeping toward the temples.  Flawless Radiance Brush

15. Apply lipstick, plenty of lip gloss, and lip liner.  Blend line into gloss with lip brush.

"Smile for the camera!"

Aronda loved her new Sunday look;-)