[Giveaway] Let's start off the New Year with silky smooth skin

I know I've been MIA for a while, but I finally have the perfect giveaway for you guys! So lets start this New Years off right with your very own PMD Personal Microderm Device! I'm not sure if you read my review that I did for Beauty Collection, if you haven't you can view it here.

Photo from PMD Personal Microderm Facebook Page

I really love this tool, especially because for some reason now that I'm a little (dare I say it) older, I'm more susceptible to breaking out - yuck.

PMD Personal Microderm was having a huge giveaway and I happened to be one of their winners (I only paid for shipping and handling), so, in return I am giving it away to one of you! The value of this unit is $179.00 but keep in mind that I did win a factory refurbished unit. It's new in the box and  never used. The unit that I reviewed I received directly from Beauty Collection. Pictures below are of the unit that I won and am giving away.

As you can see it comes with the essentials you need. This unit comes with the PMD tool, adapter, about 4 discs blue and greens ones, a CD, two suction cups (one for the smaller discs and one for the larger discs), and 3 samples. I'll make this easy, just enter on the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to enter to win. Good luck and Enjoy!

**Please read the Rules on the bottom of the Rafflecopter before entering**

PMD Personal Microderm

[DIY OMBRE GLITTER NAILS] Eye Kandy Cosmetics... Not just for your face and body...But your nails too!

I went to get nails done on Sunday because they needed to be filled. I ended up taking my acrylics off and redoing them because I wanted them a little longer and wider. I usually just do the natural fill with a clear coat on top. It's pretty abnormal for my nail technician because most people who get their nails done want the whole Sha-Bang. But being me, I change my nail color pretty often, I'd say about once a week, so I tell my technician "just a clear coat please!". I get home and put on a thin coat of Orly's Sheer Nude........

Yeah this lasted me ONE DAY! LOL. My friends were right, who was I kidding! Bare nails are not for me. Even my husband thought my bare nails looked weird - I do not concur with his thoughts.

So with New Years around the corner, I decided to go sparkly! You know me, I love my shiny things. Instead of just using any regular ol' glitter polish I decided to use my Eye Kandy Cosmetics Glitter and turn that into nail polish. I did a little step by step Ombre look, I think you'll love it. Check it out.

All the materials you need

Materials Used:
Beauty Secrets Hardener - I got this from Sally's and used this to mix with the Eye Kandy Glitter.
Eye Kandy Glitters - I used Toffee and a limited edition color Winter Wonderland.
Seche Vite - Top coat.
Makeup Wedges - Used to create the Ombre look, you can get at any drug store or Target or Walmart.
Scrap piece of plastic - I used this to mix the clear coat and glitter together. You can even use an old CD.

Step One:
I mixed the Beauty Secrets Hardener with a little bit of the Eye Kandy Glitter in Toffee. Then I dipped the makeup wedge and started on the tip of my nails and gradually dabbed upwards. I did this to all of my nails and waited for them to dry a bit.

Step one with Toffee on my pinky nail

Step Two:
I mixed the Beauty Secrets Hardener with a little bit of the Eye Kandy Glitter in Winter Wonderland. Then I dipped a different makeup wedge and started where I left off with the Toffee. I started pretty close to the tip because I wanted that Ombre look and just kept gradually dabbing upwards.

Voila - finished product. Taken without flash.

Step Three:
I used the Seche Vite as my top coat. Watch closely when you're doing this final step because you will see how much more your nails will shine once you put the top coat on. You think that your nails were shiny before the top coat- oh boy they sure are shiny after a nice top coat.

Taken with flash. I like the photo before this one.

I LOVEEEE the way my nails came out. Its super extremely shiny. I swear it seems shinier than a regular glitter polish. These pictures do not do the glitters justice. Well it also doesn't help that I did this at night time with no natural lighting - tee hee. You can pretty much do this with any of the Eye Kandy Glitter colors. Check out their Facebook for tons of ideas and updates. They have TONS of beautiful colors - you'll want them all! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my mini tutorial!

Hope everyone has a fantastic and safe New Years! See you all next year!

[Photoshoot] Alice in 'Wonder'land with a hint of Tim Burton

In my line of work, Makeup Artistry, you have to network and amazingly you build relationships with the people you've met. I am very grateful to have met and worked with some very talented people, from models, to photographers to people who design and make custom wardrobes. Networking makes my world go round, and I love it.

Yesterday's collaboration turned out beautifully. The custom made wardrobe for 'Alice' turned out 100 times better than I could have ever imagined. Onsite location was perfect, and of course our photographer worked her magic and took a lot of great photos. She captured every movement and pose as she always does with all of her work. Makeup was on point, some may think a little scary but that's the look we were going; for a darker version of Alice. All in all, yesterday's photo shoot was something special and I loved every minute of it. I don't have all of the photos, but check out the few that I do have below.

Model: Kaite Hansen

Model: Kaite Hansen

Model: Kaite Hansen

What do you think?? Not your normal every day routine, but I think it turned out great! With passion, talent and creativity, you definitely achieve your dreams. Don't forget to check out the work of everyone involved with yesterday's photo shoot.
Photography by:
Kristine Wahner Photography
KW Photography Facebook

Wardrobe by:
Octaviana Corsetry
Octaviana Corsetry Facebook
Makeup and Hair by:
Makeup by Sammie
Makeup by Sammie Facebook

Our work in progress digital magazine, please give us a like on Facebook!
Reves Creatifs Magazine
Reves Creatifs Facebook

Makeup (and tools) used:
Graftobian, Ben Nye, Mehron, Inglot Cosmetics, Eye Kandy Cosmetics, MUD, Cinema Secrets, Sigma Beauty, Bdellium Tools.

[Contest] Just in time for Mother's day!

We all know who to credit for our upbringing; our mom's of course! Now, she doesn't even have to be blood related to be your mom. I know a lot of people out there don't know who or where their biological moms are but that's okay. Because the lovely lady that you call "mom" is your mom no matter what the DNA results say.

This contest is for deserving moms. If you know someone, you should definitely nominate them for a day of Glamour! Check out the contest at Kristine's blog here for more information on how you can nominate a deserving mom. Don't forget to like Kristine's FB Page and my FB Page for updates.

[Experience] Boudoir Photo Shoot

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR! I know I've been MIA, and I apologize for that, but I am back now. I'm only back part time, but I am back none the less =).

I love networking. Did I tell you guys how much I LOVE networking? Seriously, it's the best thing to do especially if you're trying to run a business. I came in contact with a wonderful photographer, Kristine of Sisters Photography. I was fortunate enough to work her Boudoir Photo shoot. Check out my FB page for some photos here.

Fun Fact: Did you know that boudoir is pronounced bow-du-wah [figures since it's kind French]? Maybe I'm the only one that didn't know - oops =).

Moving forward. I had such a wonderful experience. It was definitely worth the 11 hour day. I met some amazing women and was able to help make them feel THAT much more confident before they took their photos. I, myself, am not that comfortable with my body, but after seeing these ladies bare it all with such confidence, I feel like partaking in one of these shoots one day.

If you're local to San Diego, Ca and want to do a Boudoir photo shoot, then you should definitely get in contact with Kristine at Sisters Photography. Kristine understands how intimate and private the Boudoir shoots are and she takes everyone's privacy very seriously. When you're in the studio, its just you and her, no one else - unless of course you're having a girls day Boudoir shoot, then that's a different story. You can check out Kristine's FB page here. Don't forget to "like" her page!

That's all I have for now. Keep an eye out for my next reviews. There's tons I need to tell you all about, I just haven't gotten around to writing it down. Soon my beauties, soon.