Sunscreen and You

Hi beauty lovers! Since we are smack-dab in the middle of summer, I thought it might be a good idea to post a sunscreen education refresher. Here is a list of things you may not know about sunscreen that I've compiled.

FACTS

1. Makeup with SPF isn't enough to protect your skin. 

While it's great that you chose a foundation with SPF 15, that's no where near enough to protect your skin. Consider it a supplement; you still need the real deal underneath. You would need at least a teaspoon of your foundation on your face (way too much) for the SPF to actually work. Pick an oil-free SPF formulated for the face at around SPF 35 or higher. Slather this on, apply a face primer to keep it from sliding, then end with your foundation or powder. 

2. Reapply every two hours

While it's difficult to do this on the face after you have applied makeup, this rule of thumb still applies to your body. How many times have you gone to Vegas, applied sunblock once at noon and sat at the pool til 6:00pm? Think your SPF was working that whole time? Think again. Oh, and please stick to high SPF. Trust me, you will still get a tan.

3. Sunscreen is a must even if you don't work outside.

If you notice more freckles on the left side of your face, it's because UV rays are penetrating your driver's side window. Just because it's cloudy (UV rays are still out and about), or you are technically "indoors" doesn't mean you are protected. Sunscreen please! 

4. The difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens.

Chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s UV rays; mineral sunscreens block those rays. Both are FDA-approved. I prefer chemical because it stays on better under makeup, but it's really up to each and every one of you.

5. Sunscreens do expire.

According to many dermatologists, sunscreens should be tossed after one year. If you have left your sunscreen out in your hot car, drawer etc, it can lose its effectiveness, and even worse, grow bacteria and fungus (sick!) A skin expert also informed me that the FDA now requires the expiration date to be on every container of sunscreen, so check your bottle for the date!

6. Even the darkest skin needs to wear sunscreen daily.

Dark skin contains more melanin which acts as a natural sunscreen, but it only provides the same protection as an SPF 15, which is basically useless. Skin cancer doesn't discriminate, so make sure you protect yourself with an SPF 35 or higher.

Lady C's Picks

Face

Water resistant, paraben free with both UVA & UVB protection, this Alba sunblock is my daily go-to.

This dry-touch sheer sunblock gives you heavy duty protection at SPF 70, great for outdoor activities and poolside.

Body

Hawaiian Tropic is well-known and fantastic. They even have a line for sensitive skin!  Trust me, even with an SPF 50, you will still tan.

DO NOT USE

Spray SPF cans are TERRIBLE for the environment! Half the bottle gets wasted spraying into the air and ruining our  ozone. The other half gets ingested into your lungs as you try to spray yourself or your kids. Just don't do it people.

Katy Perry's Summer Vamp look with YB Skin

Hi peeps! Sorry it took me so long to post, I just got back from my bachelorette weekend in Vegas and I'm less than two weeks away from being married. Needless to say, my mind is on complete overload and I'm scatter-brained for life. 

Anyways, has anyone seen the post-divorce look Katy Perry has been rocking? I'm in love with the purple hair and vampy makeup. She doesn't quite look goth, it's more teetering on the edge of "dark pinup." It's like the goth from high school grew up and got a job. Katy's face is a makeup artist's dream: big, round, blue eyes, long lashes, strong brows and smooth complexion. So anytime she does a new look, I basically die. 

What's special about this tutorial is that all the products I will be using are from Youngblood Cosmetics. I really love that this company was created by a dermatologist who cares enough to make all of her products cruelty-free and paraben-free. Why not highlight a brand whose products are harmless to animals and whose products are actually good for your skin, right?

Here's my take below:

This look was a very clean, simple eye with strong eye brows and a deep dark lip. 

Click the video below to watch the tutorial

YOUNGBLOOD PRODUCTS USED: 

Ultimate Concealer (medium)

Pressed Mineral Foundation (warm beige)

Crushed Mineral Blush (Rouge)

Eye Illuminating Duo

Crushed Mineral Eye Shadow (Alabaster)

Pressed Eyeshadow (Merlot)

Incredible Wear Gel Liner (Eclipse)

Brow Artiste (Dark)

Mineral Lengthening Mascara

Bistro Lipstick

You can find all these awesome products on www.YBSkin.com

Vivid MD Skincare- Satin Cleanser

Hi pretty girls, 

I'm back with another product review, and this time it's up-and-comer Vivid MD Skincare's Satin Cleanser. I came across Vivid MD Skincare while at a mixer for the Hair & Makeup Artists Network. Vivid was created by Hollywood makeup artist Kim Greene. According to the site, "Vivid MD Skincare are natural products that were developed under the direction of dermatologists, plastic surgeons, clinical estheticians, and make-up artists. It is a unique and effective line that repairs and renews damaged skin. All our products are paraben free and come in 100% recyclable packaging. It is enjoyed by both the medical industry and top celebrities." 

I have to say that the satin cleanser is very gentle and removes makeup and dirt from the skin with ease. Being of oily skin, I'm always wary of creamy textures in my cleansers, but this one left my skin feeling soft, not greasy. With ingredients like Rosemary, Chamomile and Seaweed extracts, this is great for sensitive skin. One thing to keep in mind is that because Vivid MD Skincare's products are all-natural, they do have a shelf life, and will go expire if you don't use them up right away. 

Satin Cleanser $25

I would absolutely buy the Satin Cleanser again. I'm also interested in their Purifying Whipped Cleanser, which doubles up as shaving cream for me and women, while also cleaning your skin. I did have a chance to try a sample of  the Perfection C Serum, but to be honest with you, the smell was too much for me. It's a super strong orange-y scent, and unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of citrus or even perfume for that matter. I guess I can blame it on my allergies. 

Ally the Unicorn Stagg

My friend Allyson Stagg of the Las Vegas Style Sirens is sickeningly pretty, and an amazing makeup artist. After accompanying me to the IMATs this year, she sent me these photos of herself wearing all of her new purchases, and I swear to you I had to throw my phone down and walk out of the room because of  how enchanting they were.

I felt that this look was really meant to be since today is National Unicorn Appreciation Day (according to Lime Crime creator, Doe Deere)

She went for a monochromatic (one color) look, which I always forget is an option.

PRODUCTS USED:

Lime Crime's brand new Aquataenia Palette

NYX Liquid Crystal Liner in Crystal Pink

NYX Lip Liner in Dolly Pink

Lime Crime's Airborne Unicorn lipstick

Too Faced Free Shipping

Hi guys, just wanted to pop in and let you know that Too Faced Cosmetics is offering FREE SHIPPING starting Thursday, June 28th to Wednesday, July 4th. Use the code below. 

I recently bought their 3 Way Lash Lining Tool and I love it. 

Happy Shopping!

IMATS L.A.- June 23, 2012

It's that time of year again! Every June, the International Makeup Trade Show makes its way to Los Angeles. This year, I took my fellow makeup artist and BFF Allyson Stagg of the Las Vegas Style Sirens  along. With my wedding looming in the near future, I really couldn't go berserk like I did the previous year and buy everything I wanted. I walked out of there with only $50 worth of products, can you believe it?! The IMATS were a little less crowded this year, with exhibitors ranging from makeup giants like MAC, Urban Decay, and Ben Nye to boutique lines like Lime Crime and Sugar Pill, to up-and-comers like Youngblood Cosmetics and OCC. Naimie's Beauty Supply took up an entire aisle, which I like to call "Heaven," with products otherwise unreachable to us L.A. girls like Lise Watier and Smashbox. I'm happy to report that the theme among most of the booths was paraben-free, cruelty-free products. The only thing that bummed me out this year is that I literally saw NONE of the beauty bloggers and Youtube gurus I follow there. I was so disappointed, I love meeting other people in the beauty industry and I have no idea where they were and why they weren't there. I was super sad that Kandee Johnson didn't make it out this year as well, due to her father's recent passing. Your presence was missed, Kandee, and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 

Here's Ally and I at the entrance

My fun collage of some of my favorite products at the IMATS

Clockwise from the top: the IMATS signage outside of the Pasadena Convention Center, OCC Lip Tars, Lise Watier Lip Stains and Lime Crime's Carousel Gloss and Eye Liners.

The Youngblood Cosmetics booth, where I ran into friend Adriana Perez of the PR crew :)

Youngblood Cosmetics. I love their primer and eye cream

Some of the special effects makeup being done on the floor 

I bought Too Faced's 3 Way Eye Liner at the Naimie's booth...great stuff!

Ally and I are wearing Lime Crime's Mint To Be and Cosmopop lipsticks.We had so much fun looking at the products at their booth!

I found THE Eve Pearl doing makeup on the floor of the trade show. Amazing!

I absolutely adored these Sugarpill girls. I love how bright and fun their makeup line is.

I chatted with Doe Deere, creator of Lime Crime, again. I like to pick her brain about Lime Crime's products and just what goes on in that blue-haired head of hers. Not only is she super creative, BUT she is also a savvy business woman, something a lot of artists in this business lack.

As usual, it looked like My Little Pony threw up glitter  and rainbows on my hand.

Always testing products.

 We swung back around to the Lime Crime booth and ran into the inspiration behind Doe's "Aquataenia" line, real live moon mermaid Traci Hines. 

She's just so darn magical!

A cool body painting by Mehron Cosmetics. I love how good the painting came out on the fabric of the bra, it really looks like she's wearing nothing!

Here's my stash from the IMATS: South Seas Airbrush Tanning Solution, South Seas Coffee Body Scrub, Too Faced 3 Way Lash Lining Tool and a sample of Kollagen's 24kt Gold Eye Serum. Not pictured: Ardell Lashes and Duo Black Lash Glue.

Phew! Two happy but tired makeup artists who may as well have spent the day in Disneyland. 

Join me at the IMATS in Los Angeles next year on January 18-20th! Tickets are already on sale: https://makeupmag.com/imats_tickets/cPath/239/

Geometry Never Looked More Fun

I'm excited to bring you guys the ever requested geometric design for nails. I would rate this nail art's difficulty level as "Intermediate." It's physically an easy design but there are a lot of steps involved. I adore the look of this. It's probably in my top five favorite nail designs I've done. I get compliments on it everywhere I go. The colors pop and are very eye catching together. Looks great on tan to dark skin! 

POLISHES USED: 

(Peach) Life & Beth Nail Lacquer by MAC

(Mint) Get in Lime Nail Polish by OPI

(Grey) Chinchilla Nail Polish by Essie

(White Striper) by Sinful Colors

Rush 60 Second Top Coat

Orly Base Coat

Watch the tutorial below: