Oh so new, Oh so exciting!

Hello again my loves! I've been trying out a lot of new stuff which I'm eager to share with you, but first , I had to share this because I'm so excited as waterproof products have a special place in my heart.

Are you ready for this one?

Ok, so every gal has a favorite mascara . Whether its lengthening, thickening, or volumizing, you have tested everything , found the one you liked , and now your life is complete right? Wrong! The summer months are approaching us, and with that comes pool parties, humidity and wedding season . What if you could temporarily transform your mascara to stay on through all these situatons when a watery eye is inevitable?

Well, now you can! The brilliant people at Anastasia Beverly Hills bring you LASH GENIUS.

This amazing new colorless topcoat "waterproofs" any mascara, so you don't have to sacrifice any of the benefits of your fave, just add a little LASH GENIUS

- Jellified Triglycerides give it a silky lightweight texture, while Silicone Resin provides that long lasting hold and waterproof action.

Other fun facts:

Works great as a clear mascara, or to refresh mascara you applied earlier in the day without making it clump...

Do your lashes not hold the curl after you apply mascara? a thin coat of LASH GENIUS will "set" the curl before you apply your usual formula.

...and of course like all amazing eye products, this bad boy is Hypoallergenic.

LASH GENIUS will be available at Sephora beginning in May and will retail for $21.00

Tip :

Be sure to remove this and any waterproof products with oil based cleansers ( keyword is usually "moisturizing") It will save time and be less harsh on the eye than face wash which doesn't always remove eyeliner and mascara. ( ex: raccoon eyes )

Try:

Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads, or Andrea Eye Q's Makeup Remover Pads, both can be found at drugstores and retail for less than $ 5 dollars.

Happy Shopping!

Con Carino,

Alejandra

Love at THE MAKEUP SHOW LA

This past weekend I had the pleasure of spending my Saturday with pretty ladies Christina Marrale, The Beauty Queen ,and A Makeover Muse's own Dana Waldie . We attended the annual MAKEUP SHOW LA .For those who may not be familiar, The Makeup Show is a two day event where over 50 makeup/skincare companies showcase their upcoming collections , and newer lines introduce themselves to the industry .This event is a MUST for any professional working in this industry . The Makeup Show is not only a networking opportunity but a chance to see what's trending in the world of beauty. Throughout the event, top makeup artists teach classes, host discussion panels and speak to young hopefuls who may be starting out, or seasoned makeup artists who are always looking for new ways to feel inspired. Im so happy I was able to attend and learn as much as I did. It's an amazing feeling to truly love what you do .

* The fiery redhead above is none other than "Mama Makeup" herself Sharon Gault. A true inspiration, who has worked on all the big names, Cameron, Britney,Madonna, Christina and Gaga, just to name a few.

Stay tuned for my reviews on some fun new stuff, both featured at the show and a few things I picked up on my weekly beauty store run.

Con Carino,

Alejandra

Bronzer 101, An Introductory Course

Lets talk about one of my favorite products. My instant pick me upper, my happiness in a compact, the secret to my skin's radiance....BRONZER! Matte, shimmery, powder or liquid, nothing makes me happier than a little color on my face!

Why it's amazing?

Other than it's actual function which is essentially to give the appearance of a tan, bronzer is the step beetween foundation and blush. It "warms" you up and provides an overall glow that will leave people thinking you just got back from vacation. PLUS! it's a great way to buff out blush mishaps when we get a little too excited brush in hand.

Can i use bronzer?

YES! EVERYONE CAN It's not secret that i love to lay out in the sun. ( yes I am trying to quit) BUT i am very careful about protecting my face . While the rest of me becomes toasty and golden, my face never has enough color, so i BRONZE. The trick is to look natural, think JLo

not Snooki. The other great benefit of bronzer is that while some women are lucky enough to find one foundation that matches their skin perfectly, olive and darker complexions can have a little bit of a harder time.My forehead has always been darker, since it gets the most sun exposure. As a MUA, I have no problem blending here, adding there, sometimes 2, even 3 foundations at a time, but that's not always practical for everyone. When a foundation is too light, you will notice a grey ashy cast across the face, THIS is when you use bronzer, keep reading and i'll explain how.

What kind is good for me?

This depends on your preferance. Matte ( non shiny) bronzers, add color, create contour and are usually the most pigmented. Frosty, shimmery or sparkley bronzers are typically used to reflect light and create a "glow" or dewy look. These types of bronzers don't usually have a great color payoff so i prefer to use them on top of an existing bronzer or blush . Last, you have your liquid bronzers or the kind that come in stick form. These are probably the most natural looking because they are absorbed into the skin like your foundation. Please note, if you are using a liquid or cream, make sure the foundation underneath is also a liquid or cream. This is kind of a standard in makeup, cream to cream, or powder over cream, never cream over powder. It can get a little messy or blotchy if you're not careful.

*Im obsessed with Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder...and yes it smells like chocolate!

Where do I apply it?

After you have moisturized and applied foundation , evaluate your face. Where does the sun naturally hit you? Forehead ( nearest to the hairline) bridge of the nose, and cheeks.

If you are using bronzer to warm up a foundation, create a "halo" effect around the

hairline, down to the temples, and into the chin and neck area. When a foundation is too light, this is where it's most noticeable.

Anything else I should know?

Yes! Remember that anything frosty or shimmery will highlight textured skin, so use carefully or avoid all together and opt for a matte.

Translucent powders ( compact or loose) make great bronzers too. Pick a shade 1 or 2 shades darker than your skin tone. These are usually more dense and easier to build with.

*Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder

can be used alone or as a bronzer.

Last but not least...try it! The next time you know you're heading to the mall , pack a powder brush in your purse and make your way to Sephora. Ask the salesgirls what bronzers they like and play around. Look at yourself in different lights while you do your shopping and then decide.

Other Faves:

* Smashbox Sunkissed Matte is perfect for light to medium skin tones

*NARS Illuminator (Laguna) isn't quite a "bronzer" but a little of this brown with golden shimmer liquid in with your foundation or tinted moisturizer, will leave everyone asking "what's on your skin? "

*Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick-Bronze is a MUST have. Sweep across the high plains of your face and you will instantly feel fancy.

Love your Skin

Ladies Ladies! Spring is upon us. Harper's Bazzar.com, listed their runway makeup trends, topping my list is a trend being referred to as “Baby skin” Skin that looks clean and almost bare, so go ahead and break free of your full coverage foundation. Embrace those freckles and dare to limit your makeup to only highlighting key features ( brows, lips, cheeks) BUT FIRST, get that skin, baby soft and radiant.

Here's how...

1. HYDRATION! HYDRATION.

Beautiful supple skin begins from the inside. Water is your best friend. Sugar is the enemy.

2. MOISTURIZE. A good moisturizer is as vital as deodorant. A great makeup application begins with a beautiful canvas. Whether it’s a full-face makeup kind of day, or a run to the grocery store, a moisturizer specifically formulated for your face and skin type should always be used. When your skin is properly moisturized, makeup is absorbed evenly and appears flawless. If the skin is dehydrated, foundation is difficult to blend and picks up over dry patches. The end result is splotchy, heavy looking and unnatural looking foundation…in short, not cute!

If you are reading this and have oily skin, thinking you can get away without it, think again. Oily skin may need a more lightweight formula, but skipping it all together will actually make your skin produce more oil. So, if you are concerned about oil production and how it affects the longevity of your makeup, stick to a moisturizer that is lightweight for day, and a heavier one at night when our skin does most of it’s repair and regenerating.

3. EXFOLIATION should be done on clean damp skin. Dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of the skin, creating a layer of dirt or sometimes even dryness. Exfoliating the recommend amount for your skin type will keep the skin looking fresh and allow the absorption of your moisturizer. Women with drier skin types are recommended to exfoliate about 1, maybe 2 times a week, depending on the level of dryness. Where as those with oily skin types can exfoliate up to 4 times a week without any kind of irritation. A great idea is to keep your exfoliator in the shower and exfoliate at the end of a hot shower so the pores are nice and open. A good exfoliator should leave the skin feeling soft and sometimes a slight tingle may occur when applying moisturizer directly after. If the skin remains red and the tingle is more of a burn, a less abrasive exfoliant is recommended.

4. SUNBLOCK, A minimum of Spf 15 for everyday and Spf 45 if you're going out into the sun. Remember the less sun damage on the skin, the less there is to cover up. Women of all ethnicities should wear sunblock. While some may take longer to see or feel burned, the sun is just as harmful on everyone.

So there you have it, the basics to ANY skin care regimen . I promise you when done regularly These 4 basic things make a world of difference.

Con Carino,

Alejandra

My top picks for easy, natural, luminous "baby skin" makeup

Lightweight, dewy finish. Just the right amount of moisture needed for day use, also comes in Oil- free

Apply on the high plains of your face for a glow that is radiant not sparkly.

Perfect for a soft flush. Color looks like it’s coming from the skin, as opposed to resting on top.

When i first fell in love...

At least once a day a client asks me how I got into this industry. My response is usually a quick bio, followed by a joke about how I'm not really good at anything else. However, the other day, I really started thinking about where this obsession came from? and it hit me.

My mother worked as a housekeeper for a wealthy family in Brentwood, CA for almost 12 years. The lady of the house, was a former psychologist who married well and asked (via intercom) that her diet coke be brought up every afternoon around 2 pm. She had a makeup artist and a hairstylist who made house calls regularly. Yes, she led quite the glamorous life of an LA socialite but, she also was a mother. As a mother , she understood that children got sick and that they had two months off once a year, so i was allowed to go to work with my mother whenever she needed to take me. For a 7 year old, this was awesome. I swam in the pool, ran on the treadmills and explored the grounds of the property with the nannie's kids who also were frequent visitors. The best part of my day was in the morning. My mother would tidy up the bathroom after her boss would leave for the day. Scattered all over the vanity were all the greats, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Laura Mercier, Chanel , you name it, this lady had it. I'm quite the "experiencer" now, so you can imagine what i was like then, i didn't have an understanding of boundaries, so I would try everything on. I would end up with a face full of makeup, ready for my close up. At the time, there was no way my mother would ever spend more than 7 dollars on a lipstick. Yes she was quite the girly girl, but she was/is a minimalist, so as long as she had her essentials, she was set. This was as close as i would ever get to Neimans.

Sometimes if we were really lucky "la patrona" would give away product when a color didn't work or for any other reason. My mother would bring it all home and use it on herself, so while my friends were playing with Lipsmackers lip balm, i was lathering in La Mer. I loved going to work with my mom. She exposed me to a world completely different than my own , a world that at the time seemed impossible to be a part of, and now the industry i belonged to.