Archive for the ‘Cosmetics’ Category

I had the honor and privilege of attending FACEDRAMA Cosmetics launch party.  The company’s tag line is “Where beauty is a serious matter.”  As a beauty aficionado, I agree with  that statement 100 per cent.  The event was filled with color and merriment.  The young, beautiful African dancers doubled as models, while the African drummers enticed the crowd with rhythmic force.  The Vu Lounge was decorated in pink, silver and black.

Keka Riley (L) and guest Dannielle W.

Keka Riley is the founder and creator of FACEDRAMA Cosmetics, a former model turned make-up artist. She also won Mo’Nique’s F.A.T Chance in 2006. Ms. Riley has been working as a professional make-up artist for over 8 years and wanted to create a line of cosmetics that would be extremely pigmented where a little goes a long way.  Plus, we don’t always have time to apply layer upon layer.  Her shadows are pigmented and the lip gloss are shimmery and luxurious.  FACEDRAMA Cosmetics has a full beauty line including concealers, loose pigments, lipsticks, lip liners, and eye liners. She also has an extensive foundation line with 17 shades.  Keka said that she wanted to create foundations that her family and friends could use i.e no more mixing.  The foundations are hypo-allergenic and contain Aloe and Vitamin E.

One of the many great things about FACEDRAMA Cosmetics is that Keka and her staff care about the community.  The company has partnered with Humana Organizations After School Enrichment program and Aspire Higher Girls Empowerment program. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of FACEDRAMA products will assist these organizations.  What a great idea!! You can get your beauty and philanthropy on at the same time.

FACEDRAMA Cosmetics Singles and Palettes

I sampled the eye shadows and lip gloss and the colors are quite pigmented. In the pics below, I only swiped once to get each swatch.  For the matte lovers, the eye shadows will not disappoint. The colors are soft and blendable.  I think if you do not like matte, you will quickly become a convert.  I am impressed with the quality of the products.  A single shadow is $18 and the palette is $52.  Definitely worth price since some of the money will be re-invested into the community.

FACEDRAMA Cosmetics Palette Swatches

FACEDRAMA Palette

FACEDRAMA Soft Brown Smokey Eye Look

FACEDRAMA Shimmery Green Smokey Eye Look

On a personal note, Keka Riley is an amazing person.  She brings everyone in and makes them feel like they have been friends forever. She also highlighted another Beauty Maven, Felicia of ThisThatBeauty Blog, who has developed a line of make-up brushes. What is quite evident is that her staff adores her.  The care that the FACEDRAMA Cosmetics staff takes with the products, let’s me know that they also care about the customer and her needs.

FACEDRAMA Cosmetics staff

Please, please, please check out this line, you will be pleased.

Keep it Glossy,

Mix Maven

I was introduced to the cosmetic brand,  FACE atelier via Specktra.net.  Some of the members loved the products, especially the foundations.  I was re-introduced to this brand at The Makeup Show in Los Angeles.  The Pro-Team was quite helpful. FYI: FACE atelier is the official makeup sponsor of Madonna’s Confessions Tour.

I was matched up to the Ultra Foundation PRO in Cocoa #10, which happens to be the darkest shade FA carries in the line.  FACE atelier needs to create darker shades because it is the right thing to do, BUT FA does offer products called Zero Plus and Zero Minus to foundation darker or lighter.  The foundation costs $30 for the size is a bit steep, but I love it.

I really like the coverage and the liquid does not burn or tingle my face like some other high-end brands. I love the fact the foundation is unscented. There is no SPF in the products, so users can always add the desirable number of SPF.

Sidebar: Use the Beauty Blender sponge for smooth application.  All beauty mavens  should be using the Beauty Blender and cleanser, which is the best EVER!!!

Face Atelier products can be found online as well as in salons and boutiques around the world. I wish that FACE Atelier was available in more stores.

FACE atelier PRO Foundation #10

Mix Maven

Who remembers the The Wu-Tang Clan’s song, C.R.E.A.M (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)?

In the FOTD, I tried the Cinema Secrets Hollywood Lights (loose e/s) in Dolla Bill.  This brand is popular among professional makeup artists who work in the theatre and/or movie/tv production .  The Hollywood Lights are similar to MAC pigments and Reflects Glitters (both of which I love!)  I prefer foiling the (non-glitter) Hollywood Lights as the color payoff is more intense.  The cost is 7.50/USD and be easily found on the web.

All MAC Products unless stated.

Face

• NC 50 Studio Sculpt Foundation
• NW 43 Studio Sculpt Foundation
• Natural MSF in Dark

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• Pharoah P/P
• Electro Sky P/P
• Purely Cosmetics Cream To Powder Bronzed Brown
• Smut e/s
• Signed, Sealed e/s
• Cinema Secrets Dolla Bill loose e/s
• Era e/s (highlight)
• Stila Smudge Pot – Black
• Black Russian Pearlglide e/l
• Milani Black e/l
• NYX Teal e/l
• Napoleon Perdis mascara

Cheek

• Warmed MSF
• Stark Naked Blush

Lips

• Sweet Tooth T/T
• NYX Mauve l/l
• Hello Kitty Cute-ster
• Cremesheen Glass Boy Bait

My Sassy Lips need an agent.

Mix Maven

I have been eying Too Faced Beauty Mark for awhile. The duo is part “Black Foil” and “Gilded Rose”.  The “rose” side is a soft neutral color that could work well for day and night and is  similar to MAC’s Expensive Pink.  The color payoff is less gold on me than Expensive Pink.*I just love it*

Too Faced Beauty Mark Duo

I do not recall all the products that I used
other than Too Faced Beauty Mark.

So I have decided that, once and for all, I am giving the Pink e/s a rest (as in acquiring more).  For some reason, most brands, Too Faced and Nouba are the exceptions,  have healthy fall out.  Is there an ingredient in the color that does not agree with my skin…probably.

Anyhoo, if you are a WOC and like Pink e/s, I find the best bases for them are:

1. Benefit Pre-nup creaseless eye shadow – A metallic rose
2. MAC Nice Vice (from the Fafi collection) – A reddish purple.  (Hard to find, so check your local CCOs)
3. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Hot Pink
4. HiP L’Oreal Color Rich Cream Crayon in Unmistakable (A deep pink)

Stay Pretty,

Mix Maven

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the lovers in the world.

Mr. Maven and I chilled out today.  We hung out with friends and met some cool folks.  We have decided to take out the Parents for Valentine’s Day because we love them very much and they have been quite helpful to us.

I love the Threesome mineralized trio eye shadows.  The medium pink is gorgeous and pigmented.  It is nothing like its recent ancestors.. so smooth.

So I decided to try the Studio Sculpted Foundation.  I really like this foundation.  The coverage is medium and build-able, similar to Studio Tech, but WOW oh WOW does it feel very light. At times during the day, I forgot I was wearing foundation. *Love it*

I am so in love with Blonde MSF.  Initially, I decided to bypass the Blonde Brunette Redhead collection. The collection looked quite dupable and I did not want to waste money on MAC colors that I already have.  So when I strolled into Macy’s, I had no intention of purchasing anything from the collection.  I swatched on my hand and it was smooth.  (I guess you can say that SMOOTH is the word of the day).  The color was brilliant and definitely would work as an eye shadow. I am glad I bought the Blonde MSF.  *Thanks Mama Maven for the Macy’s Gift Card*

All MAC Products unless stated.

Face

• NC 50 Studio Sculpt Foundation
• NW 43 Studio Sculpt Foundation
• Natural MSF in Dark

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• Benefit Lemon aid (More about this one later)
• Hip L’Oreal Crayon Unmistakable
• Purely Cosmetics Cream To Powder Bronzed Brown
• Outspoken Trio m/es
• Plum Dressing e/s
• Satellite Dreams e/s
• HiP Flare Duo (Tan Gold side)
• Phone Me side of Duo Pencil
• Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Eye Pencil
• Urban Decay Lust 24/7 Eye Pencil
• Napoleon Perdis mascara

Cheek

• Hello Kitty Tippy Blush
• Blonde MSF

Lips

• Hello Kitty Popster lip conditioner
• NYX  Salsa l/g
• Hello Kitty Big Bow l/s
• Neo-Sci Fi Naked Space l/g

The Makeup Show is a must-attend for all industry professionals and students.  The Los Angeles show will be held from March 15-16, 2009, 9:30am-5:30pm, Daily. (Sunday and Monday)

THE MAKEUP SHOW L.A.
CALIFORNIA MARKET CENTER
110 EAST NINTH STREET
LOS ANGELES, CA

Advance Tickets
1-Day: $35
2-Day: $50

At The Door Tickets
1-Day: $50
2-Day: $80

Some brands that will be featured at the event are Lancôme, P&G Beauty, Smashbox, Mario Badescu Skin Care and Kissable Couture, Shu Uemura, Billy B Beauty, Embryolisse, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Pencil Me In, Make Up For Ever, Senna Cosmetics, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Three Custom Color, Linda Mason Elements, and Alison Raffaele Cosmetics.

The keynote speaker will be Billy B, Makeup Artist Extraordinaire.  He will be speaking on A Career in Makeup.

The show will also include workshops, seminars, individual hands-on workshops, business forums (touching upon beauty techniques and applications, skin tones and makeup products, tools of the trade and the business of the beauty industry), and product demonstrations.

The Makeup Show LA is proud to announce it’s palette of beauty authorities from today’s top celebrity makeup artists:

Billy B, Ve Neill, Scott Barnes, Napoleon Perdis, Maurice Stein, Ronnie Specter, Marvin Westmore, Crystal Wright, Joe Blasco, Robin Siegel, Elke Von Freudenberg, Sharon Gault, Eve Pearl, James Vincent, Orlando Santiago, Michael DeVellis, Jon Hennessey, AJ Crimson, Kevin James Bennett, Johnny Lavoy, Patty and Farah Bunch.

For more information about the Makeup Show LA 2009, check out the General FAQs and Travel Info.

I will be attending this event, so I do hope to see you there.

Mix Maven

Discount Code VD20

Cherry Culture is having a 20% off (on any order) sale for Valentine’s.  The sale is going on now until January 31, 2009.  So stock up on your fave beauty brands, including NYX Cosmetics, LA Colors, Kleancolor.

Happy Haulin,

Mix Maven

Green is one of my fave colors of all times.  I love all shades of green, except for light (mint) green.  Green represents life, freshness, balance and growth.  Can we all agree that green is opulent and elegant?  I do hope that First Lady Michelle Obama will be wearing to green to one of the inaugural balls.

Michelle Obama in Lime Green.

Gangstarr Girl requested a smoky green eye look.

In this look I used:

• Moss Scape p/p
• Makeup Forever Diamond Lime e/s (no likey this eye shadow, very grainy)
• Barbie Springtime Skipper e/s
• Wild and Crazy You Rock e/s
• Saturnal e/s
• Soba e/s
• MAC liner
• L’Oreal mascara

Mix Maven

Smashbox is having a Beauty Blowout Sale in the Curtain Call section. Discounts range from 25-50% off.  Free shipping and samples with every order.

Happy Haulin,

Mix Maven

Seymone, make-up artist extraordinaire, told me about La Femme products a few months back.  At the time, I was looking to purchase some blushes.  She told me the quality and prices were good. La Femme is a discount cosmetic brand that is quite popular among Professional MUs.  Seymone pointed me to MakeupMania.com.

I ordered a few e/s pans ($3), a couple blush pans ($3)  and some sparkle dusts, which are similar to MAC pigments and Ben Nye’s Lumiere Luxe Powders.  The  sparkle dust’s color payoff sans base is intense.  A jar (no sifter) contains 4.5g.

Ordering from MakeupMania.com was a delight.  There was a slight problem with the order and when I called to make changes, the customer service rep  answered on the first ring.  She quickly made the changes and the remaining order was shipped.

Here are swatches of La Femme’s Sparkle Dust I found on YouTube, which contributed to my purchase.

All MAC Products unless stated.

Face

• NC 50 Studio Tech Foundation
• Natural MSF in Dark

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• Benefit Lemon aid
• Greenstroke p/p
• LaFemme Khaki pressed e/s
• Purely Cosmetics Cream To Powder Bronzed Brown
• Embark e/s
• Neo-sci Fi Magnetic Fields e/s
• Eyeko Honey e/s (from the Makeout Girl Manga Book)
• Soba e/s
• Milani Color Brilliance Eye Pencil – Black
• Napoleon Perdis mascara

Cheek

• Warmed MSF

Lips

• NYX Tea Rose l/g
• Pink Manish l/g