Category Archives: Smashbox

Makeup Before and After: Less is More

Posted on

Sometimes the brides I see look really good without any makeup. Such was the case with a recent bride whose skin was glowing, lashes were long, and lips so rosy they looked to be glossed already. Now what? Enhance, enhance, enhance. Luckily she didn’t wear too much makeup as part of her daily routine so she was happy with a natural-glam look that would take her look up a notch in order to match the formality of the day without going overboard.

Here’s a glance of her before and after.


Before..


…And after


A closer look. See what I mean? Even her teeth are sparkly white!

 

What I used: Smashbox Glambox Cover Shoot Kit

This kit really is everything you need in a box and what I used for most of her look. I wanted to keep her shadow soft and pretty since she doesn’t often wear any, so I used their neutral Photo Op trio – Honey all over, Ambient the shimmery golden tone on the lid with the dark brown (Spice) on the outer part of her lid as well as under her eyes for a drop shadow effect.

I lined her upper and lower lid using the charcoal shade in their Cream Liner Duo to give a nice base for her thick lashes. I added a full strip of false lashes (Modlash #22) to give a little more volume with a few coats of Full Exposure mascara on top to blend them together with her natural lash.

For her cheeks, I wanted a cheery pink so I swept Callback Cream Cheek Color on using a natural hair fluffy brush until it looked flushy and bright.

Her lips have so much natural color to them, she just needed a hint of Tabloid gloss.


Glambox Cover Shoot Kit

Other products used:

Skin Prep: Trilogy Rosehip Oil
Foundation: Kett Fixx Cream Makeup in N3
Concealer: Temptu Pro Concealer Wheel
Bronzer: Jouer
Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent, just a dab to set her eye concealer and also pressed into her t-zone.
Setting Spray: Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish

Makeup Before and After: Lisa’s Lids in Neutral Fall Shades

Posted on

Beautiful neutrals are combined with a few shimmering plum and copper shades in Smashbox’s Softbox Palette from their Fall 11′ Girls on Film collection. It’s a home run, no-brainer, perfectly perfect collection of shadows that anyone would love. I know it will get more use in my kit, but I’m struggling because I want to wear it. I’m sure my kit will win out because I used most of the shades to create this look for Lisa, a recent bride who wanted to keep it natural and light.

I think these photos also highlight what a false lash can do for the eyes. I used my go-to Ardell #110 full strip lash which look so natural on that most anyone can use them. Seeing that lash against her upper lid makes her eyes appear so much larger.


Before…


And after, check out what a difference the lashes make!


Another look, click to enlarge


Softbox Palette

I think the best thing I’ve learned over the years from doing makeup on countless women is that you don’t have to pile it on to look great. Evening out the skin and adding well-placed (and well blended) splashes of color are often all you need to bring out your features to just look like a great version of you. And really, isn’t that all we’re looking for?

Makeup Before and After: Catherine

Posted on

I’ve been remembering to bust out the camera when I see brides for their makeup pre-wedding trial runs lately which is great because who doesn’t love a good before and after makeup pic? Catherine is gorgeous and just as sweet. For her fall wedding, we wanted a neutral colored eye with a dash of plum peppered in and pink lips and cheeks. Here’s the short list of what I used to create the look (lashes were Ardell 110 btw, the ones I use most.)


Click image to enlarge.

Cheeks:

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Hot Pink

This is some of the best cheek color I’ve used. It’s creamier than Stila’s popular Convertible Color with a perfect consistency that’s so easy to apply and blend. It beats out Stila’s (and many other) versions, and it’s what I’ve been using under powder blush for a guaranteed all-day color pop.

Lipstick:

Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Honey Pink:

There are few rules in makeup, but lips and cheeks matching will always be the standard for a look that flows so I applied some pinky lips to match her pinky cheeks. Even a non-lipstick wearer can get behind Lauder’s Pure Color Gloss Stick, the sheerest and shiniest option for those who want color without the weight.

Lip Gloss:

Smashbox Limitless Long Wearing Lip Gloss in Limitless:

A gloss from Smashbox is hard to beat, they aren’t sticky and the colors are right on the money. Limitless is one of those shades that flatters all and gives the right amount of shine for a sexy pout. It gets a lot of use in my kit.

Serum:

Make Up For Ever HD Elixir:

This light as water serum flies a little under the radar, but it’s an essential in my kit. It’s so dry here in Colorado (especially in the summer) which leaves skin thirsty, and makeup doesn’t look good over thirsty skin. Before priming, I always add a few drops of HD Elixir to the skin for a big drink of moisture that disappears allowing whatever you’re adding on top to melt in like magic.

Eyes:

Rain Cosmetics Diva Eye Shadow Quad in Viva Las Vegas:

Vegas-based Rain Cosmetics made a big splash in the world of beauty as a super glam line of makeup essentials as fun and glitzy as its home state. I love this shadow quad which includes a neutral base shade, two matte browns that can double as liners, and a peachy pink that flatters all skin tones. They have a ton pigment and they blend and wear really well. It’s one of the very few non-mainstream brands that made their way into my kit- which says a ton about its quality.

Eye Liner:

Make Up For Ever Kohl Pencil in 10K:

One of the best color stories for fall 2011 is MUF’s Smoky Couleur Collection, filled with plum and jewel tones that are so deliciously sexy. I used their 10K violet liner instead of a harsh black shade to bring out Catherine’s gorgeous blue eyes on both the top and bottom lash lines as well as her lower rim.

Finishing Powder:

Tarte Smooth Operator:

Don’t underestimate the oil absorbing power of Smooth Operator. Its finish is as good as any and its ability to keep skin shine-free without a chalky finish is unparalleled.


Beautiful in the before.


And beautiful in the after.. Click for full sized images.

What’s New From Smashbox? Full Exposure Mascara, Limitless Lip Stain, Softbox Palette

Posted on

I realized in the car the other day that I was literally wearing 7 coats of mascara. No, I don’t rock a Tammy Faye lash, but I do lay down a lengthening formula (a few times) before a volumizing one (a few more times) which I’ve found gives me super long, separated lashes. Do I like the look? Yes. The process? Not at all. Full Exposure Mascara was literally formulated for gals like me who are getting their layer on and using two different types of mascara for a long, defined look we all crave. I can honestly say that Full Exposure gives a fullness in one coat that usually takes me 4 or 5. I’m typically a drugstore mascara girl, but this is one I’ll actually buy.

I didn’t really have a go-to lip stain for my brides who wanted a stay in place solution that wasn’t heavy or thick. Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm was invented for the girl who wants color without goopy weight. It’s a kissable, drinkable, totally bas-ass lip stain with a tinted balm that you smooth on top of lips to keep them fresh and shiny. It’s now what I recommend to all of my brides and women on the go who don’t like to re-apply color.

Softbox Shadow Palette is one of my favorite palettes in a long time. It’s a perfect mix of liners and shadows in sexy grays and bronzy coppers with a few neutrals tossed in, it truly is an all-you-need grab and go for countless looks. Also included is a brush you’ll use for years, and one of my favorite eye primers around.

Four Seasons Denver Shoot with Studio JK Photography

Posted on

A few weeks back I was asked to be the Makeup Artist for a shoot at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver. The pics would be a part of their marketing materials as well as to provide future brides inspiration on the venue. Our beautiful model wore breathtaking gowns from Priscilla of Boston, and super-stylist Erin Ferris (Tanto Salon Denver) and I got her glammed out with 3 different looks. Here are a few of my favs from her first look and what I used to achieve it. I’ll post parts 2 and 3 of the shoot later on.

First of all, big wow to Studio JK Photography, a Denver-based husband and wife team who rock my world with their brilliant captures. You can see why they travel the world photographing weddings, they’ll be in Greece next month in fact.

Secondly, I used so many different products during the 10 hour shoot that it would take forever to highlight them all. Instead, I’ll give with my ‘hero’ products for this look, and when I post the other 2 looks from the day, I’ll do the same.

I’m working. And, apparently cross-eyed.
Gorgeous Colorado skyline in the background.

Pretty amazing right?

In a shoot like this when you change the model into different looks, you do so with the color aspects like eyes and lips, but typically leave the skin as is so I needed a primer that would hang on to whatever I was putting on top for the whole day. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light grabbed the makeup and kept it looking fresh. This was the first time I used their light version, it’s as good as the original and absorbed right in.

I wanted a little more coverage and staying power after I applied her foundation so I went to one of my new favorite finds, Estée Lauder Double Wear Powder. It locked in the makeup and kept shine away for the entire day. No small feat when hot lights and tons of movement is involved.

I wanted her to have statement eyeliner (click on the 2nd pic to enlarge) so I laid down the groundwork for the liner’s shape using a dark brown powder shadow and an angled brush. When I got it even, I went over it using Iman Luxury Liquid Eyeliner in onyx, a deep black with specks of shimmer that lightly glistens in the sun.

Klorane’s Soothing Make-Up Removal Wipes helped me out big time. I needed a wipe that would remove all of her eye makeup quickly but also gently. If these wipes didn’t remove makeup so easily, her eyes would have been red from rubbing and it would have taken me much longer to get her looking perfect. Even the waterproof mascara melted right away.

Look for our peacock-inspired part two very soon..

Smashbox Spring 11′ Collection; In Bloom

Posted on

I’m loving In Bloom, the spring collection from Smashbox that is filled with feminine, flirty, cheery shades that will slowly draw you in until you’ve nabbed the whole collection up.

I’m mostly obsessed with their Creamy Cheek Duo, one of the best cheek cremes I’ve ever used. Its sheerness allows you to build up mistake-proof color that’s flushy, natural, an super sexy. I’ve been dabbing a bit on my lips too for an easy monochromatic look, just add a few swipes of mascara and that’s all you need for an easy weekend look.

If you liked their Artificial Light lotion, then you’ll love the new powder version. A small, spongy applicator allows for precise application to the brow bone, cheeks, and your eye’s inner corners for a perfectly balanced sheen that tops off any look.

Check out this vid from Smashbox Lead Artist Lori Taylor who shows you how to get a look that’s In Bloom and just right for spring.