Soy Candles

I know this is off topic and has nothing to do with makeup, but.... THEY SMELL SOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Pacifica makes these amazing soy candles that burn so long, are packed with essential and natural oils and are phthalate free. They also have lead free cotton wicks! So Good!!! 

You can find them at Sephora or at Pacifica.com

Beauty Schooled

Hello All! 

Ok, so like I said I have been dedicated and determined to get these videos up on here! I'm just ripping my hair out trying to perfectly edit them! 

Needless to say, if anyone has any particular look / palette they would like to use or just anything in general you would like to see, please email me at:

paula_ocot@hotmail.com

Thanks!!!!! 

Sweet Smells

                                                                                                                                                         

The minute I saw these cute lil' fragrances I had to try them! And let me tell you, they smell so yummy! 

Aside from the way they smell and look, I love them because they are all alcohol free, paraben free and there is no artificial coloring! 

"Perfume for everywhere you want to be kissed!" 

The fact that they are solid and so tiny means that you can literally throw them in your purse or pocket and freshen up without the hassel of carrying big bulky bottles. 

They come in 8 delicious scents:                         

• Vanilla Sugar Glaze
• Vanilla Pom D' Amour
• Vanilla Fruit Sorbet
• Ananas Imperial
• Blue Orchids
• Vanilla Lemon Pie
• Musc & Patchouli
• Lilas Spiritual 

You can find these awesome lil' guys at Sephora!

They are each $18 

Breathe Life

This is AWESOME! O.P.I. makes amazing colors as it is, and now they have created one for a good cause! Not to mention that it is a really pretty silvery/ airy bluish color ( Think of the VW Beetle in "Vapor") 

Portion of the proceeds from this polish will go to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America! 

Summer in the City

I was inspired by this look today because it finally feels like summer!! I used my cousin Sheena as my model and used bronzes and pinks for this look. 

We filmed a video, its just in the process of being edited, so as soon as that is done you will definitely be seeing it posted up on here! 

For Eyes:

Step 1: 

Apply Too Faced Shadow Insurance all over lids. ( From lash line to brow bone, P.S. if you will are going to fill in the brows, you can also apply a little shadow insurance on the brows to keep powder / pencil on.) 

Step 2:

Using Smashbox Eye Lights Trio in "Beam", apply the lightest color from lash line to brow bone. 

Step 3:

Apply "Virgin Isle" Cream Color Base from MAC to the lid

Step 4:

Apply MAC "Posthaste" shadow over the "Virgin Isles" to add a brighter pop

Step 5:

Again, using the Smashbox Eye Lights Trio in "Beam", use the darkest color in the crease. 

Blend well in circular motion

Step 6: 

Line eyes with Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof liner in "Black" 

Step 7: 

Apply Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara in "Black" 

Make Up Forever Celebrates 25 Years!

I love Make Up Forever! This by far, has to be one of my favorite beauty lines! 

They are celebrating their 25th Anniversary, and have given the website a makeover and its HOT!! 

In this new site, they pay homage to Dany Sanz - creator of Make Up Forever. She began as a sculptor and painter turned makeup artist! 

She is truly an inspiration to me, and in my eyes has truly perfected the art of makeup. 

Check out the site at:

Make Up Forever

Miracle Mask

In honor of Earth Day, I am posting and reviewing my favorite facial mask. 

The "Japanese Matcha Green Tree with Acai & Goji Berry Mask" made by Pangea Organics

This is honestly in my opinion a "miracle mask". Let me start off by saying that it's created with whole organic and natural ingredients and essential oils which is awesome! 

This mask will detoxify your skin, literally make any redness or inflammation on your skin disappear, energize, hydrate and regenerate cells! Jeeze, the only thing it doesn't do is jump out the bottle and apply itself on your face ; )

But it doesn't end there, on top of the product being amazing for your skin and the environment, you can actually soak the packaging that the product comes in and plant it to grow medicinal herbs!!

                                                             

"The packaging is manufactured with zero waste at UFP's molded fiber division in Clinton, Iowa and created from 100% post-consumer newsprint-without glues and dyes.   

Always looking to be unique Pangea wanted to embed medicinal herb seeds in the molded fiber paperboard.  Consumers can grow medicinal herbs by soaking the box for one minute and planting it in about 1” deep of soil.  The whole concept revolves around the idea of packaging having multiple uses and its life cycle continuing beyond its initial purpose."

This mask has received recognition in many magazines and has won 5 awards!

• ShapeYou's GearAwards (tm) Great Gear of the Year Award – Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask

• Natural Beauty Award ‘07 – Face Care: Face Mask Category, Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask - Natural Health.

• Best of Show Awards ‘07, Natural Products Expo West 2007 -- Best New Vegetarian Product, Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask – VegNews.

• New Products Showcase Award '07, Natural Products Expo East 2006 - Best New Product for 2007, Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask.

• H20 Fitness & Wellness for Women 1 st Annual H20 Beauty Awards - Best Overall Mask - Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask

To find out more about Pangea Organics, visit:

Pangea Organics

10% off Beauty & Fragrance @ Lord & Taylor

                                                 

Starts on April 22nd and ends on April 26th!

I love discounts! 

Video Tutorials Coming Soon

Within the very very very near future, I will be posting video tutorials on a variety of makeup topics and looks!!

Sit tight! and thank you for reading ; ) 

Girl Crush

I have the biggest girl crush on Sofia Loren. She is a true classic, elegant, and sexy as hell beauty. 

In my opinion, it's her cat eyes that draw me in. I think she is very magnetic! 

To get a classic Sofia Loren Cat Eye Look, I recommend:

Lorac's "Front of The Line Waterproof Eyeliner in Black"

Makeup Forever's "Smoky Lash"

Scarlet Lips

Anyone that personally knows me, knows that i love red lipstick!! 

When I decide to wear it, I use this dynamic duo:

Clarins Rouge Appeal in "Scarlet" and MAC Lipliner in "Brick".

The Clarins Lipstick smooths over your lips like gel, has the texture of a silk balm and is extremely long lasting.   

I included a picture of my beautiful sister and I, and we're both rockin' this lip combo ; )

Makeup to Match Nude Fashions

Nude colors are huge on the catwalks for Spring / Summer of 2009, designers such as Chloe, Lanvin, Christopher Kane, Herve Leger by Max Azria and Derek Lam are showing nude coloured clothing.

How do you match your makeup to nude ensembles without looking washed out you ask? Well I came across this amazing article that can give you tips on how:

  Make Up Tips To Match Nude Fashion

According to makeup artist Arianne Pool, "You have a couple of choices here - you can keep your eyes neutral by blending shades of cappuccino, latte and chocolates. Lashings of dark brown mascara will add definition. An apricot flush of colour on the apples of the cheeks adds that needed hint of colour. A soft sheer apricot lip colour will give the look balance."

I posted some pictures of my favorite beauty buys that can be the perfect tones to match any nude outfit! 

Smashbox,  Eyelights in "Beam"

Kevyn Aucoin, Flesh Tone Lip Pencil

Hope you enjoy ; ) 

Waterless Moisturizer

I came across this product the other day as I was doing a makeover and fell in love! This is the first ever waterless moisturizer that literally melts into the skin when you apply it!

The Barrier Repair is loaded with amazing ingredients for your skin such as evening primrose oil, shea butter, vitamin C and bisabol. This moisturizer will soothe irritated skin caused by environmental assault and strengthen skin's natural lipid barrier.

You will not only love what it will do to and for your skin, but you will also love the incredibly silky texture.

Good to Glow

For a sun kissed glowing look, I love to use Smashbox's Artificial Light.

The best thing about this luminizing liquid is that you can mix it with your body lotion, face primer and foundation for a natural glow all over your body! You can also use it alone to highlight your cheekbones.

This liquid is pack with Vitamins A, C, E, ginko biloba and green tea extract! Not only will it enhance to your natural beauty but its amazing for the skin as well!!

Now that the weather is getting warmer, this is definitely the perfect liquid to add to what you already have to give you a beautiful bronzed look!

Nivea Collaborates with Lingerie Designer Chantal Thomass

Nivea has teamed up with Chantal Thomass to make this super cute beauty collection. Nivea have always believed in a one size fits all philosophy, creating creams and cleansers that are staples in homes across the country.

The collection will have Eight lipsticks, two blushes and six eyeshadows!

Discount On Makeup for Students

I just went to an Ulta Store, and I came across the best info. ever:

Every first Tuesday of the month Ulta gives students a 20% discount on everything in the store!!!! How awesome is that?!?! All you have to do is show a student I.D. and they will take 20% off your entire purchase.

For those of you that are not familiar with Ulta, they are a beauty store that carries brands like Bare Minerals, Too Faced, Urban Decay, Lorac, Smashbox, Revlon, Maybelline, etc..

Ulta is an awesome store because they carry makeup and skin care that your local pharmacy offers and then some!!

So if you're a student definitely take advantage of this!!

Beauty Blender

I have seen the Beauty Blender in so many magazines, and have read celebrities and makeup artist rant and rave about this magical makeup sponge!  Finally, I have been able to get my hands on one and completely understand why it has won Allure's best for two years in a row!!!! 

The Beauty Blender flawlessly blends in foundation and blush, giving it an airbrushed finish without all the extra tools!!! The elliptical shape of this sponge makes it foolproof to use, not to mention it fits and flexes with every curve of the face, nose and under eyes.  The texture of the Beauty Blender is so silky and suede like - you'll be rubbing this sponge on your face even if you don't wear makeup! 

The Beauty Blender is latex free, odor less and non-allergenic. 

It sells for $19.95 and can be purchased at:

 BeautyBlender.com

If you're curious to see exactly how the Beauty Blender works, you can check out this video:

Beauty Blender

Hope you love this as much as I do!!!!

Make Up Forever HD Foundation

After trying just about every foundation possible, I tried the Make Up Forever HD Foundation and by far this one is the BEST! This foundation offers anywhere from a medium to full coverage with a flawless and natural finish. It was created specifically for the needs of digital imagery, so for all you makeup artists that work on shoots, T.V., etc.  this will make your model look effortlessly radiant and flawless!  It is extremely long wearing especially if you top it off with the HD finishing powder, and you only need about two pumps of foundation for your entire face! It's oil-free so I promise you won't break out!! It is definitely a must have in your beauty bag and makeup kit!! It is available in 15 shades that range from ivory to brown, so there is a shade for everyone!! Love love love this product!!