Theanswer is pretty simple! A great set of makeup brushes! No you don’t have to go to extremes and buy a massive set. You just need to make sure you have a set you put together by putting a set together on your own. Or by the set. I also occasionally use a makeup setting spray. But I think MAKEUP looks better when applied with the proper tools. Sort of like a good baker or chef uses.
You really don’t need a dozen or more brushes. Depending how much makeup you use and what makeup you use will determine that. Makeup brushes make your makeup to look so pretty and gives your face a professional finish too. And the quality of the brush does matter. But you don’t have to spend a fortune $$$. And sorry a Dollar Store set won’t give you or your makeup kit what you need.
The main brushes you need are these:
A fan shaped blush brush
A concealer brush
An eye shadow brush one small and one larger for the outer corner or under the eyes to line or do a smoky under eye.
An eyebrow brush and lash comb.
A foundation brush or makeup sponge.
A fluffy powder brush.
A lip brush which will make your lipstick 💄 last longer.
If you really want to own more. Add as you need.
The key thing to remember is to PLAY, explore and see what works for you before you invest in a lot of brushes. If you are a beginner or a PRO make-up artist you might need to use a few more eye brushes but the more brushes you have doesn’t make you a better make-up artist!
And always remember clean brushes make a difference too! Dirty brushes make you break out and result in a dull and dirty looking complexion.
MAY is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month. As we celebrate the beauty of this month and shine a light on people who are from various Asian countries and Southeast Asia too. I embrace their cultures and beauty and skin care tips.
So, I thought I’d share a few of their beauty and skin care secrets.
As some of you know I have shared that I am an All American girl who just happens to be a combination platter. You know like on a Chinese Take Out Menu. One from Column A one from Column B. Some people call or label me exotic. I am proud to be of Polish and Chinese descent. Before I speak some people think I arrived from the Orient and speak with an accent. The only accent I have is a Northern one aka NYC.
I never looked like anyone in my school growing up and was taught by my mom and grandmother the Polish language. I also enjoyed and learned about Polish food and desserts. I love ❤️ Polish food.
I do eat with chopsticks 🥢 and adore all kinds of Asian foods and drinks!
And I’m in love with Asian beauty products and what they offer our skin too! How about you?
China is known for it’s rice powder for the face. However it is also found in Singapore,Thailand,Vietnam and Japan.This hard cake looks like a square brownie and sets makeup and tones down shine.The products lasts quite some time and takes a while to use. Used with a Kabuki powder brush I have been using it for years.
Rice is not only a staple in our diet but also now found to be beneficial in face creams and facial treatments. I love to give myself and my clients Rice Water masks also known as a Rice Water Toner.
You rinse some rice, soak the rice overnight in water 💦 and place the infused rice 🍚 water on flat cotton round or apply with a fan shaped mask brush (stiffer than a basic fan brush used for applying makeup) allow the mixture to rest and dry on your skin at least 15 minutes.
You can brighten the skin with these rice water toners aka rice face masks. Use once a week or more. You can feel the difference in your skin usually after first use. Over time the brightening will happen. My favorite one to make is with aromatic Jasmine rice.
Matcha Tea is high in anti-oxidants and makes a fabulous warm jade green TEA. Or you can enjoy a glass cold. I enjoy the ritual of making it and creating masks with it.
All you need to make a simple mask is:
2 teaspoons of Matcha powder,1 teaspoon of of water and 2 teaspoons of organic honey. Stir them well.
Apply on a clean face and leave on the face at least 15-20 minutes. Rinse with Luke warm water. Your skin will glow!
Women of India love certain spices for their food and on their skin. Turmeric rules! Coconut oil is yet another beauty essential for healthy shiny hydrated hair and skin. They love to use home-made Rosewater 🌹 on their skin!
There are all kinds of Jade Face, eye and body rollers.
Gua Sha sculpting tool. I have been using them a long time before they were cool and sold in America. Men love to use them too!!
A word to the wise. Like designer handbag please don’t be fooled by copies!
You know you see face rollers at many stores now. They are usually NOT made of jade. They are made of glass to look like jade. They crack and break really fast. You never want to drop them on the floor.
Papaya’s are loved in several countries for smoothies, fruit smoothie bowls and for the skin. Papayas work magic on brightening and lightening the skin.
I hope you enjoyed this beauty trip to Asia with me! I’ll post even more from my travels.
If YOU have a favorite beauty secret from Asia and Southeast Asia … do 💋Kiss & Tell!
How time flies going through a global pandemic. First you soak in the information you are told. It is hard to even believe what is happening. The days go by very slowly and seem so surreal. Oh the newness of it all. The new normal. Our stay in place at home becomes your way of life. We have even forgotten the day of the week.
The sun 🌞 still shines,the rain ☔️ still comes down and the birds 🐦 are happily singing away. Spring 🌺 has finally arrived for most of us and life keeps growing and going.
But somehow you know things are different now. While I do have my husband to keep me company in quarantine I do not have any children. But …I do have babies! They sit waiting for me in my business. My charming beauty cottage nestled on a quiet street in a neighborhood of homes and business offices.
My babies are the beauties on my shelves. Pretty things that make you look good,smell good and feel fabulous.
I have days at my studio to organize things, rearrange, answer telephone ☎️ calls and emails and to stock up on our shelves,pack up mail orders 📦 and to above all clean and disinfect even more for this COVID-19.
I worked so hard for what I have achieved and have come a long way. I am sure if you own a business or have and are devoted to a career you know what this feels like too.
I HOPE and pray my clients come back to shop and get dolled up with me. I yearn to pamper skin and paint faces. How about you? How’s your business life? Are you even able to open in your state?
But it will be different and with face coverings,masks and not my usual things. I so enjoyed serving blooming 🍵tea,gourmet coffee and something edible. Sweets or fresh fruit and veggies. But now…not sure. I loved hosting fun and yummy shopping 🛍 events. But for now none will be held. My lipstick red doors are closed. I am not officially open and am just shipping orders.
I am an all American girl that happens to be Eurasian and my husband says I am a Combination Platter off the Chinese Take Out Menu. People ALWAYS ask me what is my nationality. Even more when I moved from up North to sunny Florida. When I moved here for my husband I was so in love I forgave Florida for the HOT temperatures and the horrific humidity. But as time went by I came to the conclusion I hate the heat and my makeup melting. I also noticed brides and bridal parties hated it too. So, I pulled out my little box of love for my complexion and made them look amazing. This box is my makeup savior and go to. I have used it on my face since I was a teen and now on my clients for TV work, red carpet beauty moments,photo shoots and for my brides and bridal parties.
It is an Ancient Chinese secret handed down from generation to generation.
What is it?
A white looking brownie (yes like the Brownie we eat). It is a hard cake that becomes loose when applied with a powder brush.
Beautiful Benefits?
It is feather light powder that makes your makeup last longer.
Makes your colors remain true especially when you have issues with your makeup turning colors and helps them remain true.
Great for oily skin and complexions with a bit of acne
Tones down shine!
Sets your makeup!
But wait there’s MORE!
When I make up my face or a client’s face and I accidentally put a bit more blush on or eye shadow too overpowering or doesn’t look right….I simply take a brush,dip into my rice powder and clean up,soften and blend it out.
Oh and not only does it look great on brides and photographs nicely. It also is great for women of a certain age who get steamy and hot flash. Calms the heat and the powder cools the skin with a soft matte finish.
If YOU or your client’s makeup is missing that little something or you crave all things Asian Beauty and or something new this is for YOU and to retail to your clients too!
I don’t think I could live without IT AND a gorgeous lipstick.
If you want to increase those holiday sales for the Holiday season starting with Black Friday you need to carry lipsticks!!!
Most spas and salons don’t and that is a BIG mistake as far as I am concerned. If you don’t carry lipsticks they are going elsewhere to buy it after they leave your business.
To get started all you need are a few colors of lipstick, a clear lipgloss and a lip liner or two. TESTERS are the key to sales. If they can’t try them. They may not want to buy one.
Offer, hand sanitizer, plenty of tissues and a disposable lip brushes.
Keep your makeup area immaculate. Cleaning up after every client is important.
During the holidays and winter lip conditioners, balms and clear glosses sell. But REDlipstick comes out of hiding and reigns supreme!
When applying lipstick there are a few points I would like to make:
First teach your clients exfoliation of the lips is key. Either with a lip scrub off your shelves or a teaspoon of brown sugar and a dash of olive oil. Oh so exfoliating and soothing and makes the lipstick glide on like silk.
Fair skin: The complexion is prone to redness and may be very sensitive. Look for sheer,blue based reds. These hues don’t look over the top and too bold against pale skin.
Olive skin: This warm undertone complexion can pull off almost any color! RED included.
Dark skin: This hue can be warm or cool. If the skin has golden tones (think Halle Berry), choose reds with a brown base like brick red, cinnamon and such. Is the skin darker and more blue-based go for deep ruby with a hint of pink. Cherry or a burgundy.
Let the lips be the center of attention! Lipstick is an instant face lift…don’t forget that!
Even if your clients say they don’t wear makeup…Don’t let that stop you from painting her pout and most likely selling her a bodacious lipstick!
Two of my fav’ recipes for a Multi-Masking are below.
My clients often say they have very sensitive skin so for them to love the skin and face they own I like to mix and match face masks. Customizing by hand is so much fun!
I like to make one mask for the T-zone and maybe another on the cheeks. It just depends on what the skin is doing and looking like.
Being Eurasian and love all things Asian. I love to use Matcha Powder and a dash of fresh aloe from my outdoor garden or window garden.
What you will need is:
1 teaspoon of matcha powder
3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel (from the plant)
Stir the two together. Apply on a clean face.
Leave on at least 15 minutes and rinse with luke warm water and a wash cloth.
The skin will love it!
Lavender Bud Pore Refining Clay Mask
1 teaspoon of bentonite clay
A dash of water say 1/3 of a cup (I eyeball)
A few pieces of lavender buds
Mix all together and make a liquidy paste-like mask.
Apply on a clean face. This aromatherapy mask and clay will make the pores more refined and temporarily tighten the skin.
Leave on the face at least 10-15 minutes. Rinse well 🧽 . Next use your skin toner on a cotton pad and a dash of moisturizer.
The skin will look amazing and the lavender scent will smell and be so relaxing while it dries.
Use on your skin or on your clients.
Take care of your face. It’s the only one you’ve got!
PS
These recipes are from my beauty book coming out in 2020. I hope you’ll enjoy them and stay tuned for more.
Life, Lipstick, & Glowing Skin 