MAC Cosmetics started their MAC PRO cosmetics line to accommodate makeup and beauty professionals all over the world. MAC has always been a professional-quality line of cosmetics, but knowing that makeup artists and everyday MAC customers have different needs, MAC made their everyday line, of more mainstream products, available to the public at MAC makeup counters and free standing stores.
The MAC PRO makeup line consists of over 300 different makeup products, each of which is designed especially for those most creative professionals; make-up artists, photographers, aestheticians, models, stylists, costume designers, cosmetologists and the like. The PRO products are generally more pigmented, and have more varied finishes to allow these creative individuals to do almost anything with their makeup. The line also includes really cool items such as glitters, chromacakes, paint sticks and pigments, as well as tools such as applicators and airbrushes.
In order to be able to purchase any MAC PRO product, you actually have to have a PRO membership. However, once you get the membership, there are many benefits available to you. For instance, MAC is continually offering classes to help makeup artists improve their skills, as well as events where pros can meet and talk. Anytime you order over $150 of products, you get free shipping, and you can also get discounts to certain industry publications and make-up schools. Learn more about the benefits.
How to Become a MAC PRO Member
So how do you get a MAC PRO membership? Simply head over to the MAC PRO website for current instructions on how to apply. and download an application. You actually need to be working in a beauty trade to even be able to get a PRO membership. Categories that are eligible for membership include makeup artist, aesthetician, cosmetologist, performer/on-air talent, fashion stylist/costume designer, photographer, model, hairstylist, and nail technician. Choose just one category on your application; if you are a makeup artist, you will get a 40% off discount on MAC PRO products, and any of the other categories of professionals get a 30% discount.
Along with your application, you will need to prove that you actually work in that profession by providing two accepted pieces of professional criteria. This includes copies of items such as certificates and diplomas, professional licenses, copies of your contract, or a program/press materials with your name on them. You will also need to send a copy of your driver’s license and a payment of $35. Your membership lasts one year.
In addition to discounts on the products, free shipping, and access to professional forums and classes, MAC PRO also promised excellent customer service and the most comprehensive selection of professional makeup anywhere. Your benefits will be accessible at over a hundred MAC locations in over 30 countries across the world. So while the everyday fashionista may not desperately need to get her makeup from the MAC PRO line, I can’t imagine more fun than getting to play around with this line of incredible makeups and tools.
Rollergirl Eyeshadow Palette from Urban Decay – A Review
Having the same eye shadow on your evening date and your friend’s pool party isn’t really the best idea. It’s like wearing the same outfit from work straight to the night club. The variety of colors and techniques you use on your makeup will not only make you more interesting, they’ll also help you stand out. Urban Decay Cosmetics launched the Rollergirl Eyeshadow Palette that comes with four shades and a miniature lip gloss that can help you achieve different looks to last for a whole week. The makeup palette is available starting in April 2011 and is priced at $32. You can get it at urbandecay.com, Sephora.com and Sephora stores, Ulta.com or Macy’s.
With the Rollergirl Eye Shadow Palette, you get a set of four shades plus an additional lip gloss and eye liner. You can easily do your own mix and match from the stunning colors that create unique combos for varying looks.
Overall, this mini makeup palette is a great choice if you want some great neutrals (plus a touch of fun in the hot pink Woodstock shadow). But, sometimes neutrals are best if they are hand picked to really coordinate with your skin tone. On the plus side, this palette could be a great option for a less intense smokey eye look. The only other drawback in my opinion is that the colors do have quite a bit of frost in them. Sometimes I get a little tired of this look and want something with more of a subtle sheen rather than a full on frost finish. But, all in all, for many, this palette is a great, go-to, everyday collection of products.
Eye Makeup Tips and Eyeshadow for Blue Eyes
Once you know the best techniques for applying eye makeup, the next challenge comes in determining the best shades for your eye color, skin tone and overall coloring. For those blue eyed girls among us, here are a few eye makeup shade selection tips:
First off, always remember this little rule. Colors are complimented best by shades that are opposite from them on the color wheel. For instance, blues and violets are complimented well by yellows and oranges. With eye makeup for blue eyes, this doesn’t mean you need to bust out bright orange or yellow eyeshadow, however. It does mean that you incorporate those shades into your choices of color families. The yellow and orange color families in the eye makeup world include a whole slew of colors including gorgeous golds, bronzes, peaches and tans. Eyeshadow shades from these colors families will help make blue eyes stand out. If you have bluish-violet eyes, try a nice gold shade, like Goldmine powder eyeshadow from MAC. If you have more of a greyish blue eye, try a bronze color such as MAC’s powder eyeshadow in Amber Lights. As a general rule, chocolate brown, beige, bronze and gold will work very well for blue eyes.
photo credit: You’ll also want to take your skin’s undertone into account. For example, let’s say you’re considering trying a light brown eyeshadow shade. If your skin is on the cooler side, choose a cooler version of brown like MAC’s powder eyeshadow in Era. If you have warmer skin, you can pull off a warmer version of brown, such as MAC’s powder eyeshadow in Soba. Soba and Era are very close in color depth, but Soba is a warmer version than the other. If you have very light skin or very dark skin, you will probably be looking for a very dark chocolate brown or a very light beige shade as opposed to just a light brown. You should start with the basic general shade based on your eye color and skin depth, and then try to find a version of that color that compliments your overall warm or cool undertone.
You can also experiment with various shades of eyeshadow for blue eyes by visiting a makeup counter. This will give you the chance to try dozens of shades and get eye makeup tips for blue eyes in person based on your individual eye shade and coloring.
Stay tuned! We have eye makeup tips coming for green eyes, brown eyes and hazel eyes! xo
Stila Cosmetics Promotion – Free Full Sized Stila Mascara
Starting today, Stila is running a promo for a free full sized Major Lash Mascara by Stila plus free shipping on your entire order with any purchase of $40 or more. To get this deal, simply visit this page and then enter code SUMMER11 at checkout. The offer is only good from today until this Friday (April 15, 2011), so act quick if you want to try this Stila Cosmetics mascara.
Get a Free Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss
Love Victoria’s Secret lip glosses? You’ll definitely want to get this freebie! This promo is only good until May 4, 2011 and is redeemable in stores only. Just print out this coupon and bring it in to any participating Victoria’s Secret store to get a free full sized Beauty Rush Lip Gloss with your purchase. Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Glosses are perfect for spring and summer since they come in fun, bright shades and yummy flavors. Get yours today.
Free Bobbi Brown Eye Liner, Lip Gloss and Eyeshadow Coupon Codes
From now until 6/24/2011, get a free full sized product of your choice of the following plus free shipping with any $65 purchase at Bobbibrown.com:
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Mahogany Ink (enter coupon code GEL44)
Bobbi Brown Naked Rich Color Lip Gloss (enter code RICH44)
Bobbi Brown Soft Peach Eyeshadow (enter code PEACH44)
Enter the code of your choice at checkout at Bobbibrown.com to get your free product and free shipping on your entire order. Enjoy!
Stila Cosmetics Introduces “Last Call” – Discontinued Products at 50% Off
Stila is now featuring a “Last Call” page on their website where customers can purchase discontinued Stila Cosmetics products at 50% Off. It is similar to MAC Cosmetics‘ “Goodbyes” section, except Stila is offering the products at a discount. If you have any long time favorites that are heading for the hills, this is the best way to stock up on those products now before they’re gone. Enjoy!
How to Create Your Own Eyeshadow Palette
For a lot of makeup fans, eyeshadows can be hard to resist. You might go to a cosmetics counter to pick up something else but while you’re standing there waiting for the sales associate to ring you up, there they are… dozens of pretty, fresh eyeshadows begging you to buy them. The next thing you know, you’re at home trying to find a place in your already-overflowing makeup drawer for your newest five shadows. If this sounds like you, it’s time to make your own eyeshadow palette.
Making your own eyeshadow palette makes sense for a lot of reasons. First of all, it’s very practical because it frees up space in your cosmetics drawers. Even if you end up using this newly empty space to justify future makeup purchases, you still have to admit it’s handy. If a lot of your eyeshadows are from MAC, this is also a good idea from an economic standpoint because once you take the eyeshadow pans out of the pots, you can return the empty pots to MAC and get a free lipstick as part of their recycling program.
Perhaps the best reason to make an eyeshadow palette is because this enables you to group colors that go together well all in one place so you can apply them more easily. It can actually take a fair amount of time to shuffle through your makeup drawers and dig out different colors to see if they look good together every day. When you make a palette, you do all the matching work beforehand and then you have everything laid out together for the future. This also helps you use up those colors that you always seem to forget about. Depending on the size of your collection, you could make a few palettes of different color families such as a warm, cool or neutral eyeshadow palette, a summer vs. winter eyeshadow palette, as well a few others like a neon, bright, shimmer, cream or matte eyeshadow palette.
This task will be easiest if most of your shadows are the same size. Many cosmetics brands sell empty palettes that their shadows can fit into. If your shadows are various sizes or from different manufacturers, or if you want to include blushes or other products, you can always make a homemade palette. This is also a great way to save some money. All you need is an empty CD case and some magnetic sheets, which you can pick up from craft or office stores for a few dollars. Take out the plastic piece that holds the CD (this is usually black) and trace it onto the magnetic sheet. Then cut out the piece of magnet and glue it into the CD case. Some eyeshadow pans will stick to the magnet on their own. If not, you will need to cut out some magnetic strips and stick them to the bottom of the shadow pans.
If the shadow comes in some type of compact or other packaging, it will be necessary to remove the shadow from the pot first. This can usually be accomplished by carefully melting the glue underneath the pan. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to de-pot eyeshadows by MAC and other brands. Alternatively, you can often buy shadows in simple pan format. Pan eye shadows are available from MAC on their main maccosmetics.com website as well as their macpro.com website.
It’s always a good idea to label your shadows when you make a palette. It might not seem important now but once you hit the pan and need to replace a shade, you may not be able to remember the name of the color. When you make your palette, create a color guide on a sheet of paper. Make swatches of each color in the same order that they appear in your eye palette and write the name of the shade underneath. Use a piece of paper the same size as a CD booklet and simply insert it into the cover of the CD case. Then close the CD case and there you have it: your very own homemade custom color eyeshadow palette!
Guerlain Mascaras – The Rundown…
Among the most popular products offered by Guerlain is their mascara. All of their mascara is well-formulated and features some of the most sleek and appealing packaging to be found on any mascara anywhere. The most coveted of all the Guerlain mascaras is the new Le 2 de Guerlain.
Le 2 de Guerlain is an innovative mascara that features two wands. There is a rubbery thick wand designed for applying mascara all over your top lashes and a smaller wand that helps you to fine tune the bottom lashes and lashes in the inner and outer corners of your eyes. The smaller wand also works well for applying a second coat on your top lashes. It does take longer to dry than your average mascara but it definitely delivers on its promise of long, thick lashes. It holds a curl well but can be a bit clumpy without proper combing. It is also available in several colors that go beyond the typical black and brown mascara shades such as deep blue and shimmery purple. It stays in place very well which means it can be tricky to remove. An eye makeup remover that is formulated for waterproof makeup is a must if you want to get all of this off of your lashes.
Guerlain Maxi Lash Mascara helps create the illusion of thicker lashes. In fact, it can be so thickening that an eyelash comb is a must-have when using this product. It does a great job of thickening but not enough to make it stand apart from other thickening mascaras on the market. The formula is also a bit on the dry side. After a few weeks of use, the remaining product tends to dry out rather quickly so it’s important to keep the cap tightly closed if you tend to go through mascara slowly.
Divinora is one of Guerlain’s most popular mascaras and although it has been recently discontinued, it is still relatively easy to find and has obtained a cult status. This mascara will not give you dramatic eyelashes that will leave people wondering if they are fake. However, it is perfect for every day, office, or outdoor wear. It makes your lashes look full and separated without looking obvious that you are wearing mascara.
Guerlain has something to offer everyone with their mascara selection. Whether your lashes are too short, too thin, or not defined enough for your liking, you will be able to find a mascara from Guerlain that can improve the appearance of your lashes.
Benefit Cosmetics: High Beam Highlighter
When it comes to getting fresh glowing skin, Benefit High Beam can’t be beat. This liquid highlighter from Benefit is one of the most popular highlighters on the market for a good reason. There are many highlighters out there and most of them are duds. It’s a product that’s hard to get right. Instead of a youthful glow, many highlighters give a greasy shine. Others have noticeable chunks of glitter that look ridiculous in sunlight. Even the ones that do look alright tend to clog pores. Benefit got the formula right when it created High Beam. This is definitely one of our top Benefit makeup picks.
High Beam comes in a small bottle with a brush attached to the lid, similar to the packaging of nail polish. However, it is easier to apply it with your fingertips as that gives you more control over where you apply it and makes blending easier. For the most natural look, dab the brush onto your fingertips and then dot the product onto your cheeks, brow bone, and the bridge of your nose and then blend it in an outward circular motion using your fingertips. It is fairly long lasting which means you won’t need to touch it up during the day. However, it is easy enough to tuck the bottle into your purse just in case.
In the bottle, the liquid looks a bit on the pink side but when applied, it makes your whole face look brighter without any trace of pink. The color works even on the palest of skin tones. The popularity of High Beam has also led to the creation of a warmer-toned version, Moon Beam, which looks particularly nice with a deep tan.
Benefit’s High Beam is a great way to get radiant skin without looking shimmery or oily. It is subtle enough to wear during the day, but it’s easy to get a dramatic look by applying it with a heavy hand for a night out. Like other Benefit Cosmetics products, it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin or clog pores. Overall, this is a well-rounded highlighter that really delivers on its promises. Just a small amount of product can totally transform your face from dull and tired to bright, awake, and glowing.
Estee Lauder to Purchase Smashbox
After an announcement yesterday, Estee Lauder has confirmed their intentions for Smashbox to become part of the Estee Lauder family. Estee Lauder already owns several popular brands including MAC Cosmetics, Aveda, Origins, Bumble and Bumble, Prescriptives and Clinique as well as their own cosmetics brand. Estee Lauder will purchase Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics Inc. in a deal that is expected to close sometime around July. Their intentions with the deal are to attract a broader base of younger, more modern customers. Estee Lauder believes they have the expertise to help the brand reach its full sales potential. When the company purchase the MAC Cosmetics brand in 1998, it had sales of about $100 million. It has now become an over $1 billion business and Estee Lauder hopes to have the same monetary success will the Smashbox brand.
Pout Cosmetics Review and Recommendations
Pout Cosmetics is a boutique makeup line that emphasizes fun. With cute packaging, clever product names, and a very relaxed sales approach, Pout is one of the least intimidating makeup companies around. Pout came onto the scene in 2001 and quickly gained popularity. Although Pout has since closed up shop, it still has a cult following and Pout products can still be found through various outlets online.
Pout first became famous for its lip gloss, thanks in part to Kylie Minogue. After she wore their lip gloss in her music video for “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”, everyone wanted to know what she was wearing and where to buy it. This helped draw attention to the line as it was first taking off. The shade she wore, Pop My Bubble, is one of their most popular. It’s a medium bubblegum pink color full of shine that makes lips look fuller. Bite My Cherry is another great shade in their lip gloss line. It’s a cherry red color that fades beautifully to become more of a rose shade on the lips. Their lip glosses are packed with shine and are also moisturizing. They are a bit sticky in texture, so if you’re not a fan of sticky lip glosses, this is one to avoid. However, the stickiness does help the lip gloss to last longer.
Pout also has a winner with its Flush Blush. One frustrating thing about blush is that it tends to fade quickly but this powder blush is highly pigmented and wears beautifully. Apricot Totty is a vibrant coral shade that leans more toward orange. It brightens up lighter skin tones when applied lightly with a skunk brush. For those who shy away from orange blushes, Blossom Belle is a peach blush with just a touch of pink and a bit of golden shimmer to help warm up the face.
Pout’s mascara is also worth checking out. It is not heavy or thick like most mascaras, and it doesn’t do a great job of thickening. Instead, the formula is fairly watery which means it looks pretty natural on the lashes. It’s particularly suited to those with full, short lashes because it lengthens without clumping. The brush is very thin and small so it is easy to get mascara onto corner lashes without applying too much.
Pout is not only cute and clever, it also has some standout products. It’s definitely worth trying to track down a Pout lip gloss, blush, or mascara to experience some of the fun for yourself.
Basic Tips for a Natural Eye Makeup Look
A natural eye makeup look is an important one to master. Many occasions call for subtle or natural looking makeup, from conservative business settings to an early morning dentist appointment. You want to look put together but don’t want it to be too obvious you are wearing makeup. Here are a few tips for giving your eyes some definition without looking like you tried too hard.
-Start with a base to neutralize any redness you may have in the eye area and to help your color last all day without creasing. Eye makeup products like MAC Bare Canvas Paint or Too Faced Shadow Insurance are perfect for prepping your lid for a neutral look.
-Swipe a soft neutral shade all over the lid. You can go with a beige, peach, or bone color depending on your skin tone. Matte shades or slightly shimmery ones such as MAC Grain are ideal choices.
-Apply a taupe or brown color in your crease using a rounded crease brush. Avoid red-based browns. A color like MAC Satin Taupe is flattering to most skin tones. After applying, use a blending brush to blend as much as possible so the color fades gradually.
-Use a pencil eye liner in a medium brown color. A soft pencil in a color similar to your lashes like Urban Decay Bourbon or MAC Teddy Eye Kohl gives you the most natural look. A gel liner like the soft shimmery brown MAC Ostentatious applied with a light hand can also look pretty and natural. Liquid liners should be avoided altogether.
-Curl your lashes and then apply one coat of mascara to the upper lashes only. Go with a brown mascara or dark brown if your hair is very dark. Black can look too harsh for natural makeup looks.
-Be sure to fill in your brows. This is an essential step for making your face look complete. Use a powder or soft pencil in a shade that is just slightly lighter than your natural brow color. Follow your natural arch and fill in the brows, being sure to blend well.
-A brow highlighter helps round out your look. A neutral shadow such as MAC Vanilla applied to the brow bone just under the brows adds a little highlight/definition without adding color.
It is very easy to get a natural eye makeup look with the right makeup products and a little bit of practice. After a few tries, achieving this look will become just as effortless as it appears!
Senna Foundation
Senna Cosmetics is an indie beauty brand that brings the expertise of a pro makeup artist with experience working in film and television right to your makeup drawer! For a great look, you need to have a smooth, clean-looking canvas to work with. That’s why it’s so important to find a great foundation, or base product; Senna foundations offer many different options with different finishes for your optimal “perfect canvas.”
The mineral makeup trend is still going strong as women seek a lighter, more natural, and breathable way to cover up skin imperfections. Senna offers several different mineral based foundations. Pressed Mineral Mix foundation provides buildable coverage with all the benefits of mineral makeup, but with less mess. It’s easily portable and comes in six shades. Mineral Mix Cover and Finish foundation is loose, contains no common irritants such as dyes or waxes, provides sun protection, and provides complete coverage—even for extreme redness, such as that related to rosacea. In the lid of the Cover and Finish is a pressed powder in a slightly darker shade that can be used for bronzer, contouring, or just as your skin changes color slightly.
Too often, oil-free foundations are also full-coverage foundations. Senna foundation is lightweight and buildable, eliminating the chance of a mask-like finish. The Senna Matte Finish Liquid Makeup is water based and oil-free, and builds to your desired level of coverage. It has options for both warm and cool skin tones in a total of 15 shades.
Slipcover Cream-To-Powder foundation offers a creamy base without any oily additives, and works equally well on oily and dry skins. Moist Matte is a compact foundation that can be used wet for full coverage, or dry for sheer coverage.
Each of the Senna foundation formulas has something to offer everyone in terms of coverage, color, and finish.
Free Shiseido Serum Sample at Sephora.com
For a limited time, you can get a sample of a Shiseido Serum with any purchase at Sephora.com. Choose one of two different serums. Enter promo code SUPERSERUM at checkout.
See more from Shiseido!
An Intro to Benefit Eyeshadows
BeneFit has several great eyeshadows that really hold up well and are made with the great quality you would expect from them. The creaseless cream eyeshadow is a cream shadow that comes in a little pot. It is very similar to MAC Paint Pots. Cream eyeshadows tend to have short wearability, but BeneFit really got it right with these as they tend to last all day. The color is buildable, meaning you can put a sheer layer for an all over lid wash or apply a few layers for a more colorful look. You can also use them with a liner brush as an eyeliner, making them very multifunctional. One color that is great for all of these uses is Busy Signal. This shimmery brown color reminds me of a penny. It is great as a copper base and also as a liner. You can also mix and match the shades to create your own custom look.
BeneFit velvet eyeshadow is another winning formulation. Powder eyeshadows are hard to get right, but this one does not disappoint. These pressed powder eye shadows are finely milled and velvety as the name implies. The application is very smooth and the colors are easy to blend. They also look fantastic layered on top of the Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow. The color selection is not very large but many of the colors are universally flattering. Leggy is a pink champagne color with a very slight shimmer that is understated enough for work but also great for evening looks. Another winning color is Skinny Jeans. This one is very metallic so it’s better for going out. It’s the perfect pewter shade with a hint of green and would also pair well with smoky looks.
BeneFit has a great line of eyeshadows. The price is a little higher than many other department store shadows, but the quality makes it worth it.
