Makeup Artist Keeping It Real: 5 Authentic Tips For Everyone

 

 

1. Use sunscreen everyday. Reapply at least twice to stay protected. The sun is the biggest offender to our skin. It causes serious premature aging. So uneven skin tone, wrinkles, dark spots, redness, sunburn. Make sure to check your label because there are only a few good sunscreens on the market. I have more articles on sunscreen formulation you can check out.

2. Use a skincare line that is vegan, botanically based, free of harmful chemicals, and works with your skin type. We all have some skin sensitivity. The only way we can deal with that is using a vegan formulated line. Something that is proven by science to work and do amazing things for our skin. That would be Arbonne.

3. Make sure you are using coverage appropriate foundation. Keeping it on the lighter side is your best bet. Let your skin shine through and cover the imperfections.

4. Drink a lot of water. Watch for the ingredients on the water bottle. Some contain serious chemicals. Drinking Spring water keeps skin hydrated and looking fresh.

5. Smile. As long as you are smiling and showing your confidence you will look amazing every day!

 

My name is Christine Ross, and I am a Makeup Artist in Los Angeles. I am all about keeping it real with makeup and skincare by providing the best products for my clients. I take the time to research ingredients and make sure my clients get the best based on their needs. The beauty industry is over saturated with false promises and too many chemicals. I sort through it all and get my clients on the right track. No more money wasted on high priced brands that don’t follow through. I am here to help you be the best version of yourself inside and out.

Beauty Review: Erno Laszio Phormula 3-9 Repair Balm

Claim: .The iconic nourishing balm creates a protective Health Dome™ that strengthens skin and reduces irritation, and provides intense hydration for skin stressed by dry patches, sunburns and post-surgical scars.The most effective elements and compounds in the natural world to nourish and heal the skin.

Key Ingredients: Tamanu, Chaulmoogra, Tacamahca Seed Oil, Glycosaminoglycans, Matrixyl

Review: phormula 3-9 claims to be Dr. Laszio’s masterpiece. Aversion of this cream was designed for Marilyn Monroe to treat an abdominal scar. The texture of this balm was very creamy and was thick like a balm. I found it hard to smooth it over my skin. I had to use a lot of the product to cover my face. Though my dryer skin did feel hydrated.

This formula doesn’t blow me away. The Tamanu ingredient is from Polynesia. This ingredient is known for healing ever skin ailment you can think of. Though there is no scientific evidence to back up the claims. Chaulmoogra oil was once used to cure leprosy worldwide and is a skin irritant. This cream is similar to other emollient based moisturizer. If you go to the website this cream claims to heal wounds. Wrinkles aren’t wounds.  This cream isn’t worth the $249 price tag.

Source: Beautypedia.com

Ingredients:

Water, Petrolatum, Cyclomethicone, Emu Oil, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitol, Emulsifying Wax, Nf, Cetearyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, PEG-40 Castor Oil, Dea-Cetyl Phosphate, Calophyllum Tacamahaca Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordii Oil Copolymer, Allantoin, Carbomer, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Polysorbate-20, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Glycosaminoglycans, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Yeast Extract

Beauty Review: Herban Essentials Lavender Towelette

 

Claims: Herban Essentials essential oil towelettes are made with the highest quality pure essential oil, which not only makes them smell amazing, but makes them naturally antibacterial and antiseptic as well. The most common use for the towelettes is to cleanse the hands and kill germs, but there are millions of ways to use these wonderful wipes!
Toss them in your purse, backpack, briefcase, car, wallet, or gym bag to enjoy their germ-killing, mood-lifting, fabulousness everywhere you go!

Review: When I opened the packet The room filled with a fresh lavender scent. The towelette was large size. I wiped it over my hands and they felt clean and the scent lasted for a while. I did however rub it on my arm and my skin felt a little itchy. I can be sensitive to lavender products. This product can be used in the laundry, in the bath tub, under your pillow to help you sleep.

There is no scientific evidence that lavender oil is good for the skin. This ingredient may have antibacterial properties to it. Lavender is primarily a fragrance ingredient. When Lavender is exposed to oxygen(when it’s applied to your skin)one if the fragrant components linalyl acetate forms substances that lead to dermatitis in and out of sunlight. Reasearch also indicates that other components of lavender specifically linaloo, can be cytotoxic, which means that when you apply this to your skin it causes skin cell death. Lavender oil is the most potent form. Even small amount will cause irritation. I strongly insist this ingredient is avoided in skin care products. This ingredient is ok when used for aromatherapy purposes.

This product was featured on Allure’s Best of Beauty. This proves they don’t understand what products are best for healthy skin.

I would never recommend this product. It is harmful to your skin. However id you do not apply this to your skin it works great for relaxation.

 

Source: Beautypedia.com, Herban Essentials.com

Beauty Review: Aromochology Clean & Fresh Parfum

The essence of the Aromachology blends are to remind us each and every day who we are, where we are and what we can become. Each personal scent fuses together a hint of the past, a touch of the present and much of the future; an aroma to trigger memory, mystery and the energy of the moment.

Notes: White Tea, Bergamot, Green Tea, Cardamom, Lemon Balm, Precious Woods.

Review: The scent is fresh and uplifting. Right away my nose if filled with the fragrance of Green Tea and Lemon Balm. The Top notes soon fade away and I was left with a light sweet woodsy scent that lasted all day.

Beauty Review: Kate Somerville ExoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

Claims: The next best thing to Kate Somerville’s facial at home. Balance the skin with hydration, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, Smooth and soften skin.

Review: This product is filled with irritating ingredients. Cinnamon, Orange, Geranium, Patchouli oils, and Rosewood. The packaging welcomes light and sun to compromise the formula. The lactic acid is supposed to help exfoliate the skin but the pH is too high to work.

I do not recommend for anyone. This product is a waste of money.

Source: Beautypedia.com, katesommerville.com

Ingredients:

Water/Aqua/Eau, Lactic Acid, Polyethylene, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pectin, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit, Lactobacillus Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Ceteareth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dehydroxanthan Gum, PEG-100 Stearate, Salicylic Acid, SD Alcohol 40-B, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Sorbic Acid, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Honey (Mel), Acetic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Bromelain, Papain, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Cinnamal, Beta-Carotene (CI 75130), Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex (CI 75810)

Beauty Review: Jane Iredale Tantasia

Claims: Self Tanner that is hydrating and natural looking.

Review: This self tanner is similar to most self tanners. It turns your skin a darker color with the ingredient, dihydroxyacetone. Most self tanners use this ingredient. This product isn’t as hydrating as I thought it would be. I have dry skin and I wished I had put on a moisturizer under the self tanner. This product didn’t irritate my skin at all. I recommend for Normal to oily skin types.

 

Source: Beauty Pedia.com

Ingredients:

Water/Eau/Aqua, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Glycerin, PEG Crosspolymer, Acetyl Tyrosine, Copper Gluconate, Dihydroxyacetone, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Mica (CI 77019), Caramel, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Sodium Chloride, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Root Extract, Iron Oxides

Beauty Review: stila cosmetics smudge crayon waterproof eye color

Stila smudge crayon waterproof eye color caught my eye because it claims to be a primer, eyeshadow, and eye liner in one. The gel based formula stays for 6 hours that doesn’t crease or smudge. This formula has a slight pearl finish. You can barely see the shimmer. The product is very creamy and WATERPROOF!

As an eye liner if you like a fine point you won’t love it. The crayon is already a little thick for a liner. The color is so highly pigmented that there is no way anyone who isn’t a makeup artist could use this as an eye shadow and get it to blend out. If you want to try it out I recommend this for a smokey eye. It’s easy to draw right in the crease and blend out with your finger tip. Please use it sparingly because it is very creamy and a little goes a long way. This product is absolutely waterproof. It stays on and will not move. I did a whole load of dishes with it on my hand and it was still there. Use a small amount as a  primer to make your shadow last all day and night. However there are better eye shadow primers out there. This product is fun and it is good if you only have time to smudge a little color into your lash line before running out the door or if you want to wear a little makeup to the gym.

 

Beauty Review: Diptyque “Tam Dao” eau de toilette

Diptyque was founded in Paris in 1961 by three artisans to sell their fabrics and decor items from their travels around the world. The trio offers colored candles to match their fabrics, adding perfumed wax. Customers fall in love with the inimitable fragrances. Word travels. Cachet grows. In 1963, they introduce the first Diptyque scented candle. In 1968, the first line of Diptyque fragrances is launched. Today, the three Parisian artists are world-renown purveyors of fragrance and scented candles. The bases of the eau de toilette
bottles and their glass droplets are reminiscent of the paper weights the store once sold.

I tried the Tam Dao fragrance. This eau de toilette base is Sandlewood from Goa. This fragrance was inspired by elephants walking through the jungle causing the roots from great old fragrant trees to rise from the ground.

This fragrance would be great layered with a more sweet scent. The base is warm and spicy. The Sandlewood is very strong and eventually softens on the skin. This is definitely a Fall and Winter fragrance. I love the heritage behind the line. The fragrance is for more mature women. I don’t see anyone under 40 wearing this fragrance.

Beauty Review: CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser

Claims: This gentle cleanser is an all in one cleanser. It removes make up, dirt, and oil. This cleanser thoroughly removes face and eye make up. Leaves the skin hydrated and supple.

This cleanser is sulfate free which is a plus, provides wheat amino acids to hydrate and soothe skin. and glycerin to moisturize. This cleanser is good for all skin types and ages.

CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Cleanser is a great fragrance free cleanser. This cleanser does not remove waterproof makeup. Unless your skin is prone to redness and severe irritation I recommend using a make up remover first then cleansing your skin. This cleanser did leave my skin smooth and hydrated. I loved it.

Beauty Review: Borghese B Lip Gloss

I love lip gloss. I have a serious problem. I am always looking for a new gloss. I know many of you have the same issue. It’s so easy to get carried away and not realize how many you have. Once I emptied my purse and found that I had 12 glosses in there!

There are so many different formulas. Every line has a gloss. How do you know which one to buy? A lot of companies claim to be more moisturizing, have more vitamins, more pigment, less pigment, anti-aging ingredients, sunscreen. The claims never end. I am going to try a new gloss every week and narrow it down to the best gloss!

First up is Borghese B Lip Gloss in Fiore. The color is great. A beautiful shimmery nude. Too much sparkle so the more mature ladies doesn’t have to worry about the sparkles. This is a very sophisticated shimmer. The formula is a bit sticky and when I rub my lips together I can feel the thick formula because it is a long wear formula. There is no sunscreen in this formula. This is a deal breaker for me. Protect your lips!

So, beautiful color, sticky and thick formula, no sunscreen. However it does keep the lips hydrated with Aloe, Jojoba Oil, and Avocado Oil. I give this lip gloss two stars.