Made to Makeup

25. Prestige Manager/Makeup Artist/Actress. Coffee addict. Follow me for tips, tricks and product drops for all your makeup and skin needs!

[madetomakeup]

Makeup of the day #inspirebeauty #mua #kissesdownlowvideo #teamkellly

[madetomakeup]

Second attempt

[madetomakeup]

Gamora practice run. #halloween2014 #nerd #makeupartist #fantasymakeup

[madetomakeup]

My Summer Favorites

Hello, beautiful people! Sorry for the delay. I recently got a hold of a bunch of skin care gratis and I'd thought you guys might appreciate an update on my current summer obsessions! First up...

The Clarisonic Mia

So worth the investment! If you had asked me 2 weeks ago I wouldve told you to save your money but since I got mine I've been obsessed! So what makes this spinning cleansing brush so amazing? Well first, lemme tell you.. it doesn't spin it OSCILLATES! What the hell does that mean? It means it the brush head rocks back and forth (a la "I'm A Little Tea Pot" style) so that it deepy cleanses your pores by flushing them with water and your favorite cleanser, thus allowing for a cleanse that;s 6X MORE EFFECTIVE then using your hands alone! So for me, (the eyeshadow and cake face queen!) hat means I no longer have to use a makeup wipe, precleanse, use a second makeup wipe and eye makeup remover and THEN cleanse to get my skin feeling squeaky clean every night. 60 seconds it all it takes and since owning one, I've practiced much better skin care habits (that means no more falling asleep with my face on!) Moreover, this sonic cleansing method also makes your skin more receptive to product absorption, meaning your acne treatments/vitamin c/anti-aging serums are better absorbed and more effective! Hollerrrrr! There are few different clarisonic devices available to choose from, such as the Mia 2 (which has 2 speeds with a 2 year warranty) or the Aria (soon to be renamed Mia 3 with 3 speeds/3 year warranty) but if you have normal skin and your balling on a budget, the original Mia works just fine. So put it on your christmas lists or start budgeting for it!

After a week's use, I've noticed that not only do the pores around my nose look ridicilously smaller, but the texture of my skin feels and looks so much softer... But that might also be due to...

Philosophy: Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

This schtuff right here is amazing. Why? Run to your nearest Ulta and ask a consultant for a hand demo using this product. Massage less than a dime size amount onto the back of one hand with a little water. After you wipe it away do a side-by-side comparison of both hands. What you should notice is an INSTANTANEOUS brightening effect. Next, try rubbing a little bit of moisturizer onto that hand. Next try rubbing the same amount onto the other hand. You should notice how the moisturizer on the exfoliated hand is absorbed much more rapidly, leaving less residue and shine. So what exactly is this product and when is it used? It’s an exfoliating facial wash that acts like a 30 sec “no peel” peel to resurface the skin. By removing dead, dry, excess skin, fine lines/wrinkles,  acne scarring/marks and dark/sun spots are reduced, products are better absorbed (allowing them to again, work more effectively) and your skin is left feeling/looking softer and smoother! The best part is that this product is gentle enough to use every morning because it is BOTH a chemical (glycolic acid) and physical (spherical microbeads) exfoliator that promotes radiant skin with no irritation!  I suggest using this product in the morning because it allows for a smoother makeup application and you should find less is needed for the coverage you want! Tip: The 16oz bottle ($40) is the better deal than the 8oz ($27) and it’ll last you easily 6 months to a year because you only need a dime size amount.  

~~~~~ Now you may be thinking, Myisha, why would I pay THAT much money on a name brand product when I can get the exact same product by a different brand for a lot cheaper instead? The reason is this: Mass vs. Prestige What does that mean? At Ulta, for example, you might have noticed how one side of the store houses Maybelline, CoverGirl, Neutrogena products while on the exact opposite side there’s Urban Decay, Bare Minerals, and Dermalogica. That’s because the store is divided up into 2 different sections: Mass vs. Prestige. Mass cosmetics/skin care is exactly what it sounds – it’s mass produced in a factory, thus allowing the product to be cheaply made and available at half or even less than half the price of its’ costly competitors. What that also means is the product’s integrity/composition can vary. So? Well, have you ever noticed how one compact of Maybelline Fit Me powder in the shade “Warm Beige” looks a little pink, while the other one directly behind it, also “Warm Beige” looks a bit more yellow? Or, how one bottle of Neutrogena Apricot scrub leaves your skin looking amazing then the next month when you buy and use another bottle of the EXACT SAME CLEANSER your skin breaks out like a mofo? Or, how one day your Revlon Color Stay wears for 8 hours and a week letter, you notice it begins to fade/oxidize by midday? The reason why Prestige brands are excluded from coupons and cost almost double the price is because that brand has committed to crafting their products consistently every time, sort of like a guarantee. Also, the prestige options are usually made with better quality ingredients, are absent of fillers/additives/parabens (which can irritate the skin), have a longer shelf life (meaning it doesn’t lose its potency/effectiveness as quickly) AND less of the product is needed for the results you want (such as ½ pump of foundation for full coverage vs. 2 pumps) so that the product lasts you almost 2x as long.

Soooo you could buy a cheap cleansing brush that might SPIN (which could cause irritation), with a brush head that ISN’T anti-microbial (or anti-bacterial, meaning you COULD end up just spreading dirt all over your face or exacerbating a breakout). Or,  maybe youre might be more inclined to spend $10 on your Revlon liquid foundation each time you purchase it (such as 2x a month, a total of $20/month) because it seems more cost-conscious than coughing up $39 for Smashbox Studo Skin (1 bottle/2 months). In other words, you could spend $40/2months on a mass cosmetic OR $39/2months on a prestige cosmetic that’s better for your skin (and look at that, its cheaper too in the long run!)  So if you have difficult skin, OR if you take your skin seriously like I do, make the investment on Prestige products. If not just for the free gifts with purchases! :) <3 Myisha

[madetomakeup]

#cheekbones #contour #highlight #makeupoftheday

[madetomakeup]

Primers, BBs and CCs! Oh My! (Part 3 - CCs)

First off, let me apologize for the long (and I'm surely anticipated...) delay with this post. A lot has happened since then. In a nut shell, I decided to take a leap of faith and move 32 hours away to Portland, Oregon with my boyfriend and I honestly could not be happier! But anyway, let's talk about CCs, shall we? What is a CC? What does it stand for?

Depending on who you ask and the brand, the acronym CC typically refers to a "Color Correcting" (or "Color Control") cream. After the successful launch of BBs in the industry, various cosmetic lines decided to capitalize on this by addressing a major concern shared by most women: uneven tone/complexion. What makes it different from a BB?

Like most BBs, CC creams also prep the skin and may serve as a primer that also moisturizes, smooths texture, conceals and enhances both the coverage and longevity of wear of your foundation. It can be worn alone, or under powder/liquid. Most contain an SPF (check to see if it's mineral or chemical!) to also protect the skin. But the major point of difference is that CC's aim to help correct discoloration, such as reducing redness or sallowness (yellowish tone) and not only do they serve as a quick fix, but some can even help increase clarity and a more even complexion not only as a quick fix, but also as a treatment when used over an extended period of time. So where to start? My Recommendations: 1. IT Cosmetics - Your Skin But Better CC Cream SPF 50+ ($38)

If you haven't heard about IT cosmetics yet, you need to crawl out from under your rock. I can not say enough good things about both the founder and the line! [ Quick Back story: Jamie Kern Lima, a former news anchor, was tired of her makeup melting off. As a sufferer from rosacea, she decided to partner with a group of plastic surgeons to create a cosmetic line for both women with/without sensitivities that would not only endure the day, but would also offer benefits when worn and voila, IT (Innovative Technology) Cosmetics was born! ] What makes their CC so amazing is that it can truly be worn by itself as a full-coverage foundation. Moreover, it is one of the few available that actually has SPF 50+ (!!!) UVA/UVB broad spectrum PHYSICAL sunscreen. So there's no harmful chemicals or additives but it is jam-packed with anti-aging peptides, vitamins, antioxidants and is clinically proven to improve texture, brightness, and your skin's hydration by 79%! Need I say more?

It's available in 4 shades, just over an ounce at 1.08 fl oz.

2. PUR Minerals CC Cream SPF 40 ($38)

For the same price, you can also choose to invest in PUR's CC option. Also available in 4 shades and at 1.05 fl oz, this CC cream utilizes plant based ingredients to brighten and color correct your complexion, as well as erase brown spots, blemishes and fine lines.

3. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream SPF 30 ($39)  

For those of you who prefer organic cosmetics, JB's 1.7 fl oz CC is a 12 in 1 product that corrects color and repairs damage by increasing cellular turnover, promotes elasticity and firms the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and evens both the tone and texture of your skin. The only negative? It only comes in 2 shades. Womp womp. 4. Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream Dark Spot Correcting SPF 30 ($42)

The most expensive (and smallest, 1 oz? Wtf?) CC on our list, this one is available in 7(!!!) shades. The point of difference? This CC is super lightweight, and in addition to neutralizing and brightening the complexion, addressing dark spots, sun spots AND post-acne marks and  controls oil for all you oil-blotters out there!

There you finally have it! Once again, sorry for the long delay. Now that I've finally gotten settled in my apartment, updates should happen much more frequently. My next post will be on both skin and color, so be on the lookout for it soon! ~ Myisha :)

[madetomakeup]

Primers, BBs and CCs! Oh My! (Part 2 – BBs)

Hello beautiful people! If you didn’t catch yesterday’s post on primers I suggest scrolling down. To my followers: welcome back! Let’s continue onto Part 2 of 3: BBs! What is a BB and what does it do? BB stands for “Beauty Balm” and can serve multiple purposes, allowing for a faster beauty routine (aka, more sleep)! Now for those of you thinking “Ew, all-in-one products are terrible” rest assure these are a-maaazing and ideal for both the minimalist and full-coverage makeup wearer! So what does it do? Let me break it down for you… 

Hydrates     BBs provide moisture for your skin. Now don’t get me wrong, I still highly suggest moisturizing (day AND night!) after cleansing because hydration is a huge preventative step in premature aging but if you have normal skin or want to save some time, these bad boys can be pretty nourishing. Besides, you can always replace lost moisture with a toner which can also reset your makeup.

Primes     If you’re too lazy to scroll down, here’s a quick reminder: primers help you face retain moisture, minimizes your pores, protects your skin from potential breakouts & environmental damage, promotes both the blend-ability and longevity of you foundation/makeup, and lastly, acts a base for makeup to adhere to (like a nail base coat), creating velvety smooth skin which allows for better coverage with less product.

SPF      Most BBs have SPF in them to help protect from UVA/UVB rays, thus providing an Anti-Aging aspect to them. This (along with moisturizing regularly!) should be considered the most of the most important (yet unfortunately, often neglected) part of your morning routine! Unprotected exposure to the sun is the #1 contributor to signs of aging – ask any esthetician! To quote Michael Jackson (may he rest in peace): it doesn’t matter if your black or white! So REMEMBER: Protect yourself before you wreck yourself, foo’. Truuuuust.

Color & Coverage        Most BB creams can be worn like a tinted moisturizer, however, some, like Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Beauty Balm ($34), actually diffuses light to blur imperfections, reduce redness and enhance your own beautiful natural complexion. Most, however, like this one from Smashbox ($39), are tinted, so depending on the amount of coverage you desire, you can wear it alone or underneath your favorite powder/liquid foundation for better coverage with less cake!

 So that’s the jist of it all. How to choose? Here are some additional options: Too Faced ($34) Available in 5 shades, diffuses light and offers sheer but buildable coverage.

Benefit ($38) One of the newest around, Benefit markets their product as being “Bigger than a BB” because it sets to powder and also helps balance moisture and controls oil production so it’s ideal for oily skin and warmer weather. Available in 5 shades.

Philosophy ($38) Available in 3 shades, Philosophy’s  A to Z  BB cream is lightweight, with antioxidants, and is also paraben, fragrance and oil-free so perfect for those of you with sensitive skin. So there you have it. Tomorrow’s post will cover CC creams, as well advice on which of 3 is ideal for you! Thanks for reading ~

[madetomakeup]

Primers, BBs, and CCs! Oh My! (3 Part Post)

Part 1: What is a primer and what does it do? So unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed all the hype on BBs and CC creams. I’m here to explain the benefits and differences of both but before I do let’s talk about one of the most important steps in your beauty regimen: the power of a good primer!

So you know how when you paint your nails, you prep them with a base coat to promote length of wear? Primers essentially perform the same function. After cleansing and moisturizing your face, it’s PRIMETIME! Your moisturizer not only provides hydration, but it acts as your first protective barrier. Your primer is your second form of protection and is essential to every makeup bag! Not only is it especially necessary for those of you with oily/combination/acneic skin, but also for those of you who’d like their makeup to last longer than 2pm. It’s understandable if you have no interest in spending $40 on a foundation but a primer is not something you want to skimp on. A good primer can do multiple things:

Promotes the longevity of wear for your foundation/makeup      Primers help minimize your pores. If you’ve ever had your foundation disappear by midday this is probably why—with the passing of time (and with age) your pores become enlarged. A good moisturizer (and toner!) will help with this problem since their increased size is usually in response to a lack of moisture.  Shockingly, dehydration is the same reason why oil production occurs. So if you suffer from shiny T-zones and are in constant need of blotting papers, consider upping your moisturizer and primer game!  Oiliness is your skin’s attempt to overcompensate for moisture.  A good moisturizer paired with a primer helps your face retain that hydration so your makeup looks fresh and dewy all day. (For those of you with flaky/dry skin, stay tuned for next week’s post on Toners vs. Setting Sprays!)

Promotes the blendability & coverage of your foundation       If you’re using more than 1 pump of liquid foundation (if it’s good quality, a half pump should suffice) then you’re using too much and flushing your money down the drain. A good primer should leave your skin feeling silky smooth, allowing your foundation to go on easily and adhere, allowing better coverage. Or, if you wear powder foundation (like BareMinerals Ready Foundation), one dip of the brush for each side of the face should do the job. ***If you have hyperpigmentation/discoloration/acne scarring see Parts 2 & 3 on BBs/CCs for fuller coverage with less cake.

Protects from Breakouts      If you’ve ever experienced a breakout after wearing foundation, then this post is for you! Because our pores can open up throughout the day it’s important to use a primer as that second protective barrier! This prevents makeup from being  directly absorbed into the skin and causing a breakout.

Anti-Aging      Most primers contain SPF. Regardless of the season, it’s important we protect ourselves from constant sun exposure. Our failure to do so is easily the largest contributor to premature signs of aging. While most foundations also contain SPF, a primer beforehand will help ensure we’re protected from harmful UVA/UVB rays, as well as smoke, free radicals and various other forms of environmental-damage all day long.

So where do you start? Almost every makeup brand has its’ own primer to choose from. Here are some options:

Smashbox ($36-42)      I don’t think any other makeup line has a larger variety (and sizes) of primers to cater to your specific needs: whether it’s color correction, hydration, blemish control, Smashbox has something for you! Urban Decay ($31)      UD offers 2 different options:  one for pore minimization, another for brightening & tightening.

However, my absolute favorite primer thus far (and trust, I’ve tried almost every single one known to man) is Benefit’s Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer for a few different reasons:

When it says 15 hours, it’s no joke. Get ready for makeup that endures all day long!

It lasts forever! It’s in a stick form and a little is all you need. These bad boys last me at least a month and a half.

Since it isn’t a cream/serum the risk of overusing is eliminated. And it’s hands free so there’s no mess. (Just be weary when applying on breakouts – you’ll want to wipe the stick clean after so bacteria from acne aren’t spread elsewhere.)

It’s one of very few primers whose ingredients list isn’t entirely composed of silicone!

Silicone sits on top of the skin to help you retain moisture and is what makes your skin feel silky smooth. It also provides something for your makeup to adhere to so it stays on. However, some can react negatively to large amounts so be weary of primers that contain silicone/silica/dimethicone (almost anything with a “cone”).

Stay tuned for BBs (Part 2) and CCs (Part 3), coming later this week! Thanks for reading!!

<3 Myisha

[madetomakeup]

#newhairdontcare

[madetomakeup]

[madetomakeup]

Back on my grind! #inspirebeauty #mua #makeup #makeupartist #madetomakeup

[madetomakeup]

I dont condone wearing makeup to the gym cause it can cause breakouts but here's proof of how well urban decay's all nighter setting spray works and the endurance of lipstick queen's lipsticks!

[madetomakeup]

[madetomakeup]

goodnight moon.

[madetomakeup]

Speed up your morning routine!

Okay, so you know how the night before a big morning you lay out your clothes and pin your hair up in flexi rods to save time in the morning? You can do that with your makeup too! Get 10 more minutes of sleep by setting out your beauty products the night before for a quick and easy cleanup. You’d be surprised at how much time you save!

[madetomakeup]

Eyebrows 101

Audrey Hepburn, Beyoncé, Meagan Good – Women known for their eyebrows. Whether you like ‘em thin, thick, or high-arched the secret to a good brow is achievable in 3 easy steps. 1. Spooleys are your friends!

After cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your face, groom your brows with a spooley. They range from $6-$25. Or if you want to pinch your pennies a clean mascara brush works fine! The Anastasia Duo Brow/Eyeliner Angled Cut/Spooley Brush (#12) is the perfect tool because it takes care of two needed brushes! ($18)

2. Brow Filler

There are a variety of products available to achieve that iconic brow. Some people prefer pencils but powders, gels and brow kits are on the rise. Urban Decay’s Brow Box is available in 2 shades for $29 and includes a magnified mirror, brush, and a pair of tweezers. For a dollar more Benefit’s Brow Zings come in 3 shades and include an additional brush. Both kits are similar in concept - you first prep with a pigmented wax to shape and hold the brows then set with powder. The most affordable option is Lorac’s Take A Brow ($22), available in 4 shades (Auburn for you red heads!). Although it lacks a mirror it offers 2 setting powders (as opposed to one) to get that perfect color match. The only downside is you almost always run out of the wax long before the powder.

The newest and most affordable innovation in brow filler is Anastasia’s Dip Brow Pomade. At $18, it comes in 4 different shades and is the ideal all in one – the smudgeproof, waterproof, creamy formula sculpts, sets and defines your brows for all day wear and is perfect for the oily/combination skin type.The best part is this product is bound to last forever because a little bit goes a very long way.

After filling in your brows (regardless of if you use a pencil, powder, gel, etc) don’t forget to brush out your brows with your spooley! Unless you prefer the "Meagan Good" brush away the excess for a natural look.

3. Concealer (Optional)

You can do this before or after filling in your brows. I personally like to do this after. This option is especially helpful for those days you’re in between waxes/threading sessions. Dab a little concealer on the back of your hand and with an angled liner brush, outline underneath the brow to create a defined brow highlight and conceal those tiny hairs. I also like to do this before tweezing, that way I avoid the risk of over-plucking and funking up my arch. You can also do this above the brow but be careful not to create a halo – you know you’ve seen it before. So blend, blend, blend! And blend some more for good measure!

Hope this was helpful. For those of you who ignore your brows, don’t! You can get your brows waxed/threaded/tweezed and tinted at hair and nail salons for $7-$20.  You’d be surprised what a difference a nicely groomed and filled in brow can have on your whole look and your confidence level. By simply taking 2 minutes out of your day you can call more attention to your eyes ~