I'm Moving!!

Hey gorgeouses!!!

I have been pretty MIA (missing in action) this week, and the reason is that I have been insanely busy packing, cleaning, and wrapping things up at work because I am moving to the East Coast!!! (of America, that is)!! My hubby is pursuing a new opportunity there and so we are moving within the next week. I am still going to continue with my daytime consulting job, but I will be moving to a different office.

I am super excited and a little nervous all at the same time, but looking forward to new adventures! I feel like picking up and moving to a new city is something that is easier done when you are young and don't have children, so I am embracing this opportunity. One day I hope to come back to California because my family is there, but in the meantime, cheers to new beginnings!!

Bobbi Brown Brush Set - 68% off!! Nordstrom Exclusive

UPDATE!! I did indeed get the brush set I talked about below, and I took a quick pic for you my lovely readers. The brushes are (top to bottom):

• Eye Shader 
• Eye Shadow
• Face Blender
• Ultra Fine Eye Liner
• Eye Brow
• Concealer

I am really loving the quality of these brushes as they work really well and the bristles are incredibly soft! Check them out for yourself.

I saw this an amazing deal and just had to tell you guys!! Right now Nordstrom is having an exclusive deal on a Bobbi Brown brush set. The set includes 6 (yes, 6!!) Bobbi Brown Full Size brushes for $75!! If you were to buy these brushes individually it would cost you $178!!! That is 68% off!!

The set includes Bobbi's famous Face Blender brush, Eye Shader Brush, and several other very useful brushes. I don't have a pic or anything, but the set is not being advertised or sold online, only in stores. The stores will ship to you if you don't have a Nordstrom store, but call now if you are interested. The set is part of the Nordstrom Anniversary sale that started last Friday, and I am sure these will sell out fast, if they haven't already!

Oh and I know I haven't done a review yet (hopefully soon), but Bobbi's brushes are AMAZING quality! They are super soft (among the softest bristles of any brand I've tried), work wonderfully, and they are made so well they last and last, no matter how often you wash them!

Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner Review

At IMATS, I picked up the Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner. This high performance brush cleanser is targeted towards makeup artists, but I think it is the best brush cleanser for makeup newbies and pros alike. I got a large bottle of the cleanser (not pictured) , a small travel size spray bottle, a few handy cleanser wipes, and the cleansing tub:

The formula of the cleanser itself is amazing. It cleans and disinfects in a matter of a couple minutes, and it contains alcohol so the brushes dry very quickly and can be used almost immediately after cleansing. Here is the pamphlet that explains more about the cleanser and the recommended methods for cleaning and disinfecting brushes. If you click on the image below you can view a larger, more readable version.

The mini spray bottle is great for on the go, because you can spray the cleanser directly on the brushes and wipe them clean. The wipes are also handy as you can simply swipe your brushes across the wipe. However, the method that is most effective and recommended is using the cleansing tub. The tub is like a jar and it comes empty without any solution. It has a ring at the bottom with a plastic grate on top. The idea behind this is that the grate is raised about half a centimeter above the bottom of the jar, and when you clean your brush in the jar, makeup and dirt are removed from the brush, fall below the grate, and settle to the bottom. That way, the fluid above the grate is still clean and can be used to clean more brushes. This is the jar empty:

After pouring in some solution (I usually pour enough so there is a centimeter of cleanser above the grate), simply take a dirty brush and dip it in the solution for a couple minutes. Swish the bristles around and rub them against the grate to help loosen makeup particles. 

In a matter of seconds the brush is clean:

IMATS 2010 - Part 3: More Pics and What I Got

I got a bit delayed in posting a few more photos from IMATS, so here they are:

Some are artistic, like the one above, some are beautiful and fantasy-like, like the one below:

As mentioned before, body painting demonstrations are HUGE at IMATS, and some of the designs are so detailed and creativ. A lot of the models are 90% naked, but they are wearing underwear (which usually gets painted over), and little pasties.

Speaking of intricate designs, check out this next one....

MAC In The Groove hype...the MSF that deserves more credit

Everyone has been talking about Stereo Rose Mineralize Skin Finish (MSF) from the new MAC In The Groove Collection, but what about the other MSFs? Those deserve some love too, especially Comfort, which is a brown neutral color and although it might not look like anything fancy in the case, it is sooo wearable and is really a gorgeous color.

My all-time favorite MSF is So Ceylon, which is also in the brown family, so when I got Comfort I was worried they would be too similar, but see for yourself:

Current Faves

So I know this post is called Current Faves, and while you may think I would tell you about products I am currently using and loving, I am going to tell you about 2 products I love so much that I actually finished them!

The first is the Stila Lip Glaze in Blackberry:

I actually love the Stila Lip Glaze formula so I like just about all shades. However, this one shade complemented both dramatic eyes and simple neutral eyes, so it was perfect to carry around in my purse. The Lip Glazes are non-sticky, last several hours without fading, and are available in shades that are  opaque or sheer, glossy or shimmery, so I can find just about anything I need within this one line of glosses. I also like the brush applicator because it feels like I am painting my lips and makes applications fun. To add to the fun, each of the Lip Glazes have a flavor that complements the shade. Of course, Blackberry tasted a bit like berry punch. It isn't so strong that it feels like I am applying a 10 year old's play makeup, but it adds a touch of youthfulness to a high-performing product.

Another product I absolutely cannot live without both in my personal stash and in my professional kit is...

Deepika Padukone Makeup Breakdown

One of my family friends in India is pretty well connected and was telling me how Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone is a desi (Indian) girl next door. She eats real food and actually gets hungry, she doesn't spend every last waking second at the gym, and she is pretty down-to-earth. And another thing, she has natural beauty. A lot of actresses rely on the magic that is makeup in order to keep up their image. Deepika looks great even bare-faced.

That inspired me to read a bit more about Deepika Padukone and in doing so, I came across some photos of her from the Cannes Film Festival this year.

She definitely has a hot body, but I think her hair and makeup are absolutely gorgeous:

Her makeup is simple yet elegant, and is appropriate for everyday and a fancy event. Here is how to create the makeup:

MAC In The Groove - Quick Note

Since the new MAC In the Groove collection releases today, I just had to tell you to check out the Mineralize Skinfinishes and the Mineralize Eyeshadows. I know, in the past both products were super glittery and had a lot of fallout. Not anymore my friends. Both products are super smooth and satiny, no chunks of glitter here. The shadows especially are very wearable and for me to actually like them says a LOT. Anyhoo, just promise me you will give these products a chance and at the very least swatch them the next time you visit MAC. Thanks dolls.

IMATS 2010 - Part 2: Workshops with Makeup Masters

I attended several of the classes/seminars/workshops at IMATS and let me tell ya...a lot of the hot shot makeup artists are HILARIOUS!

I went to Eve Pearl's session, where she discussed kit essentials, talked about her product line, and did several demos. This gal has got so much personality and talent that it's no wonder she is a 5-time Emmy-award winner, has madeover tons of celebs, has done work all sorts of media productions, has her own makeup line, has her own studio in NYC, and still exudes that warmth that makes you want to be BFFs with her.

Summer-Proof Makeup Kits!!

I have really been loving Make Up For Ever (MUFE) lately and I have sooo many products to tell you about. However, life has been so busy that I haven't had time to photograph them for you...but I will definitely let you in on my faves during the next couple weeks.

In any case, I saw the most amazing kit while browsing the Sephora website: