A Total Knockout

Victoriana meets art deco meets ultimate rock chic...KO (READ: Knock Out) nail polish is the creation of makeup artist Mike Potter.

Available in 11 colors and a top coat (Flatte Top)-- Flatte Black, Powder, Liberty, Calamine, Karen, OX, Pool, Plaster, Concrete, KOKO and Match provides a long-lasting matte finish that can also be buffed to a shine.

Knockout Polish retails for $19 at koknockout.com
and other retailers

Hold Me, the Case that holds it ALL!

Ever start packing to head out of town, you get to your cosmetics and such and end up with umpteen different cases, makeup bags and ziplocks to store everything you need to stay fab on your trip?? If so, you are not alone.

Lucky for us some brilliant mind with this same problem designed the ultimate traveling beauty case to combat this beauty woe. And even luckier for me, I stumbled across this great find just a couple weeks before I head to JA.

Hold Me...It's your vanity drawer, the clutter on your bathroom counter, that bulky travel organizer, and you know, those mismatched little zippered cases in your purse. All rolled (literally) into one super neat bag!!

This bag is practical and stylish, made with a Knew Suede outer and interior highlights from sleek, washable cotton in your choice of 3 designs: Miss Suki, Vanity Dames or Les Fleurs. There's also a an all black, all suede version as well.

The tie closure accommodates varying degrees of depth, depending upon the number and shapes of your enclosed items. The center section, "heart", of the bag can hold various palettes that can easily be used while they are open. The center section has a separate liner in the bottom, easily removable for cleaning, and for use outside the bag if needed. The brush/tool section has fifteen compartments; some will hold single items and some, multiple items.


Hold Me retails for $100. If you've got a few extra bucks to burn, I definitely think this case is a wise investment. *ordering my Hold Me NOW*

Shu Uemura Closes its Doors

When I heard the news, I nearly shed a tear. On Monday, L'Oreal announced it would no longer sell the Shu Uemura brand in the US.
I heart Shu Uemura products and simply adore the iconic lash curler so when I heard that L'Oreal would be closing its doors in the US, I panicked thinking I wouldn't be able to find Shu Uemura products in Nordstrom or Neiman's anymore.

Silly me...While the company will discontinue sales in the US, you can still purchase dramatic lashes, lash curlers, cleansing oils and other cosmetics online. WWD reports that 80% of the company's sales are made in Asia, this announcement comes as no surprise.

Shu Uemura marked his name as one of the great artists in the makeup industry back in the 1950's--trust, he's not done yet.

OCC Lip Tar Spring Collection

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is back with their new Lip Tar Colors for the spring! I did a couple posts last fall and nothing has changed...I simply love them!

This season's collection, designed by New York based celebrity Makeup Artist Katie Pellegrino...From ultra muted plum/beige to bubble-gum violet Vapid or magenta Hoochie and fuschia-rose Demure, these shades are definitely something to OBSESS over.

Available now at OCCMAKEUP.COM!

Your Beauty Questions Answered (BQOTD): Day Creams vs. Night Creams

Today's beauty question came from a new client who came for a facial the other day. Wanna hear it? Here it goes..


Q: What is the difference between day and night creams and is it necessary to use both?

A: Day creams are generally lighter and more suitable under makeup. Most of the day creams sold today include sunscreen. Obviously, sunscreen is not necessary in a night cream. Whether you need to use a night cream is determined by your skin type. Dry or mature skin may benefit from an intensive moisturizing cream at night.

Until next time...

Brows to Die For

If you know me, you know how I feel about brows (and you've probably heard me say this a million times)...They are, dare I say, the most important feature on the face. They shape your face and can make or completely break your look.
Personally, I'm a fan of a fuller, well-groomed brow. Overall, they tend to look more natural.
Damone Roberts, "The Brow King" says "As a whole, the thicker the brow, the softer and prettier a woman can look. The thinner you go, the more severe and sinister you look. Thin eyebrows can make you look mean".

That brings me to the point of this post: Whether you went a little buck with your tweezers, you were butchered at the salon,

you don't have an understanding of what works well for you or maybe you were born with naturally thin brows, there are products out here to help.
While there are plenty of products that boast of facilitating or accelerating hair growth, you still need to practice patience!! Your brows will not grow back overnight so, hang in there.

Here are a few of the leading brow growth products on the market:

Ardell Brow and Lash growth Accelerator - $5+

The claim: works to repair weak eye lashes and restore thickness to thinning and over-tweezed or waxed eyebrows. The concentrated serum uses multi-proteins to increase growth as well as additional conditioners that work to soften dry, brittle eyelashes so that they are able to grow fuller, longer and thicker.



Damone Roberts' Brow Gain - $35
The claim: Brow Gain helps to create healthier looking, fuller eyebrows by stimulating the surrounding hair follicles. Generally, results will be seen about 6 to 8 weeks after use begins. Individual results may vary. Your face deserves the perfect frame. With The Eyebrow King’s Signature Brow Gain as the catalyst, that goal is within reach.


Peter Thomas Roth's Brows to Die For - $85

The claim: Thanks to a patent-pending ingredient (called prostaglandin analogue complex), brows look thicker and fuller with regular use. It is also chockfull of vitamins (B5, A, C, E) and aloe vera, which are also said to nourish hair in the area. With consistent, daily use, brows look more robust and ready for a little trim after a month.

If you have tried these or other brow growth products, feel free to post a comment about your experience. We'd love to hear about it!

Beauty Question of the Day

I'm Back! It's been a while, I know...My apologies.
Anywho, I decided to start a series of posts called "Beauty Question of the Day" where I address some of the questions I get from clients, friends and anyone else who may share my obsession.

Disclaimer: I AM NOT A DOCTOR! However, I am a licensed professional (Esthetician and Makeup Artist) with an obsession for beauty and passion for helping people fall in love with themselves. My advice is based strictly on my education and training, my skills and abilities, personal experience and the experiences of my clients.
Now that we have that out of the way, here your first BQOTD and my advice:

Q:Do I have to use skin care products from the same range/product line?

A:You don't have to use products from the same line. However, many ranges are formulated with ingredients that work together. This ensures that you are getting enough of the good ingredients and not doubling-up on those that are potentially irritating. If mixing and matching works for you, I say, go with that.

I hope you find this segment of my blog useful. TTFN.