New-York-Times-yisellsantos

I withheld these photo's for almost a year (yeah I know, crazy!) due to a possible magazine publishing.  After a year we still haven't heard back from the magazine and figured that if in a year they haven't contacted us, they probably never will.  Now without further adieu, here is the gorgeous Siobahn.  Enjoy!

I was recently invited to attend a St. Tropez event last month where I was able to walk away with a wonderful goody bag of some of their products.  I've heard of the brand before but never had the pleasure to try it personally.  Now, I've tried several bronzing products before but never quite fully satisfied.  While most products have pro's and con's, I found that the St. Tropez products have a lot of pro's.  Here are some of the products I received and tested:

Self Tan - Bronzing Mousse
I tried this on myself, at night and after my shower.  I applied it only once with no re-application whatsoever.

Pro's:
* Lasts about 3 - 4 days
I believe it really all depends on the soap you use, how many showers a day you take, how much you apply (or reapply) and if you use a loofa/sponge.  Obviously the more you shower, the faster the product wears off.

* Doesn't rub off
As stated, I applied the product about an hour before heading to bed.  There was no product residue on the sheets or my clothes.

* No streaks
Unlike many bronzing products, St. Tropez goes on evenly and leaves no streaks on the skin.

* Not orange
Thank goodness because my first fear was that I was going to wake up looking like an Oompa Loompa.  Not the case here.  The color you first apply is the color that sticks with you, even as the color starts to fade.

* Lighweight
Love that the skin really absorbs the product and leaves you feeling as if you never applied anything at all

Con's:
* The smell
It's not a bad smell, but it does have a tiny hint of "tanning product" smell on it.  I suggest applying at night about an hour before showering (or you can apply after your shower - just shower in the morning *duh*).  The smell doesn't really stick to the sheets much and I found that it fades after a day and half.  I do have to say that my husband didn't really enjoy the smell much.

Self Tan - Bronzing Gel
Again, tried on myself after showering.

Pro's:
Almost as same as above
* Lasts about a week
* Doesn't rub off
* No Streaks
* Not orange
* Stronger color

Con's:
* Takes a bit to dry
I find that the gel feels a bit heavier than the Mousse.  Not a sticky heavy, just more like a wet type of heavy.  It's better to apply this product a good hour before showering.  Once showered, the heavy feeling goes away.

* The smell
Again, not a bad smell but it's definitely stronger than the Mousse.  Better applied at night at least 1 hour before showering.  If you apply this after showering or right before heading out for the day, forget applying any perfume.  My husband hated the smell of this one.

Wash Off - Instant Glow Body Lotion
Because this product is only for a temporary tan and washes off with one shower, you have no choice but to apply it the day of, right before heading out.  This is a great product if you don't feel you want to commit to a whole week of being tan or just want to tan certain areas.

Pro's:
* No streaks

* No commitment
Great for just bronzing some parts such as shoulders, filling in tan lines or if you're doing a shoot and don't want to commit your model/client to a whole week of being tan.

* Buildable
I love that you can choose to have a light tan or something a bit darker.  If applied and you feel that you want to go a bit deeper in color, wait until the product is completely dry and set in before applying another layer.

* Translates nicely on film/photos
What you see is what you get.  No weird flashbacks of white or orange.

* Not orange
No Oompa Loompa effect (always a plus).

* Doesn't rub off
Although it's a lotion, once dry and set into the skin (give or take about 5 - 7 minutes), it will not rub off onto your clothes!  You don't see this a lot with temporary products so it's nice to know that you can wear light colors and feel confident that your tan won't wind up on your clothes.

* Lightweight
No heavy or sticky feeling.  Feels just like any regular lotion.

Con's:
NONE

Misc.:
I can't really put this into a pro or a con because everyone has a different sense of smell.  For me, it just has a bit of a lotion smell but not terrible.  You can definitely wear your perfume and not worry about having 2 different smells on.  I did find that there is a bit of an after smell (again not terrible) about 2 hours after application.  I didn't really mind the smell and neither did my husband.

Skin Illuminator - Gold
Gorgeous light shimmer and beautiful on pretty much any skin tone.  Great if you want a hint of luminescence and best used on shoulders, collar bone and legs.  A little goes a long way so careful not to over do it.  No crazy smells either.

Applicator Mitt
While it's not necessary to have this little accessory, it is nice to the touch.  Has a velvety feel to it and really does help the product go on evenly (especially the Self Tan products).  Since the Self Tans are semi-permanent,  I don't suggest using your bare hands to apply it.  Another alternative to buying/using the mitt is to use a fluffy brush to apply.  Something dome shaped like a Kabuki Brush, in a circular motion and making sure to blend.

I feel the Mitt is best for personal use and a brush is best if on set.  The Mitt is washable so if you feel you like that better, I suggest having more than one.

All products available at http://www.sttropeztan.com

I've been requested to post many things and answer many questions but recently there was one person that requested (and was curious) to see what was in my personal makeup bag.  Thank goodness that it was a recent request because if this would have been requested last year...my makeup bag would have been a shameful one.  I'm one of those makeup artist that really does try to buy things for myself, to keep my makeup bag full of awesome goodies.  But every time I buy something "for myself" I end up sticking it in my kit and I get left with the crappy drugstore stuff that makes you wince lol!

This year I made it a priority to keep my personal makeup bag up to date, clean and crap free lol!  Although there are still some drug store items in there, it's only the good gems I find - I promise!

Face - From Left to Right: RCMA Foundation (that I use ONLY as concealer) in Shinto 1 Cover FX Tinted Moisturizer in E Deep FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation in #6 (sometimes #5 depending on the time of year)

Liners - From Left to Right: Shu Uemura Lip Pencil in Pink Beige Maybelline Define-A-Line Eyeliner in Ebony Black Mehron Pro Pencil Slim in Absolutely Black Mattesse Khol Eyeliner in Demin Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 11L Laura Mercier Khol Eye Pencil in Purple Sapphire Prestige Liquid Liner in Azure Prestige Liquid Liner in Black Maybelline Define-A-Brow Pencil in Dark Blonde

Mascaras - From Left to Right: Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash in Blue Covergirl Lash Blast Length in Very Black L'Oreal Voluminous in Blackest Black Kanebo 38C Silk Performance in Black

Cheeks - From Left to Right: CARGO Blush in Catalina Urban Decay Baked Bronzer (which my awesome husband bumped into and shattered) in Toasted MAC Highlighter Glimmershimmer in Astral Rays

Lips - From Left to Right: Caudalie Lip Conditioner Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Iced Amethyst Clinique Lipstick in Pink Spice Shiseido Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Irise Maybelline Wet Shine Fusion in Berry Intense Cover Girl Wet Slicks in Grape Splash Lancome Juicy Wear Seal & Shine (has some silver shimmer in it) Anastasia Hydrafull Gloss in Moi Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Quartz Pot on Top: Urban Decay XXX Slick Gloss in Cocoa

Shadows This is a palette I bought over Ebay.  It's super cheap and it works for ME.  I'd never carry this in my kit.  I don't have any amazing eyeshadows in my personal bag because every time I buy one, I use it it my kit (It's a problem I'm still working on haha).  I really only wear eyeshadow (that isn't neutral) on special occasions anyways.

Brushes The brushes I have, have been given to me as gifts.  I can't really remember the last time I actually purchased a brush for myself.  The one on the far left USED to be in my kit and then I took it out and replaced it so I kept it for me (the brush was just too long and kept warping in my brush roll).  The Shu Uemura brushes were a gift from my BFF and the Crown Brushes I actually picked up at the Makeup Show Year two for someone and they never came to claim them so I kept them for myself.

I also carry some stuff in my purse (that I didn't photograph) which are the Victoria's Secret Lipgloss, Bath & Body Works Lipgloss and a Lip Stain from Maybelline.

So there you have it folks!  That's what's in my personal makeup bag.  I'd love to see what's in yours.  Send me some links or write in the comment section what you wear on a daily basis.  I'm curious to see what others have in THEIR makeup bag!

Lip stains...one of those things you LOVE but can't ever get for your kit because most of the ones in the market are just impossible to clean and keep sanitized between clients.  That is until I ran into TWO very awesome products.  One of them I had already tried and fell in love with the second my lips touched it, but the second one I semi discovered today (I say semi because the real discovery goes to Erin Chaney).  Face it, spraying some alcohol on it isn't quite cutting it and it just makes the point all weird after some time.  This is why I love:

When the first Naked Palette was released I remember not being able to find it anywhere in stores or online because it was sold out!  Now, there are talks about a Naked 2 palette that according to Urban Decay's website and Twitter page, is "coming soon".  Rumor has it that its in December, while others say that it's in February just in time for Valentines day.  I'm going to bet that it's in Dec just in time for the holidays.

Naked 1 came with a Good Karma Eyeshadow Brush and a mini Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
Naked 2 is said to come with a Duel Ended Brush and a Lipgloss in "Naked".

Here are some product shots that have been circling the interwebs for a couple of days.

Colors from Left to Right:
Foxy
Half Baked (which is in the first Naked Palette)
Bootycall
Chopper
Tease
Snakebite
Suspect
Pistol
Verve
YDK
Busted
Blackout

I have to admit that I don't really see too much of a big change here except for the black color (Blackout).  Nothing I don't already have in my kit (or something close).  First off, they're using Half Baked AGAIN and second...can we say SHIMMER BOMB?!  I would have loved to see Naked 2 filled with beautiful matte colors.  As an artist who works mostly doing catalogs, TV/Film, Corporate etc., shimmer shadows aren't always appropriate.  But for a consumer, this is heaven!

While I love my Naked 1 palette to death, I don't think I'll be getting Naked 2 (no pun intended, ha!).  For those of you who will probably get it anyways, I'd love to hear your feedback on the product.

Relating to your creative beauty images in your portfolio, what do you like to use when creating such images?  Would creams or pigments be ideal? 
I love using both!  Every artist has his/her way of doing things.  I use everything and anything from MUFE Flash color palettes to OCC loose shadow powders.  There are times that I forget to pack things in my kit and I make it happen by using lip/eyeliners or even scraping eyeshadows and mixing it with lipgloss or vaseline.  What you use is up to you and what makes YOU feel comfortable.

What are your favorite concealers?
There are so many great concealers on the market and I know many makeup artist that use different things than I do but for me personally, I really love the MUFE Camo Concealers and the Graftobian Hi-Def Glamour Cream. The Graftobian creams I use as both foundation and concealer.  They're just THAT awesome.  I find that it's also the best cream product that mixes well with my MUFE HD foundations for when I need a little more extra coverage.

Do you contour?  What are some great tips and tricks for contouring?  What products to you use to achieve the best result?
I do contour!  Contouring is a very tricky thing to do.  Just like applying eyeliner, it takes practice. Getting to know the different types of face shapes, bone structure and facial muscles is key.  This is why I like applying moisturizer with my hands, so I can feel the bone structure and get a better sense of how I'm going to use the bone structure to my advantage.  Not everyone get's contoured the same way but some basic tips and tricks you can use are:

- Contour in the 3 shape.  With your brush, "draw" the #3 on your face.  What do I mean by that?  Start at your temples, curve down to your cheekbones and curve down again along the jaw line.  Sometimes you can even contour the forehead along the hairline for a nice sun kissed look, but wouldn't recommend doing it if you have a low hairline.  It will make your forehead look smaller and a bit awkward.

- Use the "Triangle of Light".  The triangle of light is the basic of highlighting.  Things you highlight are: forehead area between your eyes, brow bones, bridge of the nose (unless you have a larger nose, then you'd contour the bridge), under eye area and chin.

I use a number of different products to contour.  It really all depends how much contouring I'm doing, what medium I'm contouring for (TV/Film/Print), skin color and of course, the face shape.  I use both powders and creams and even use darker concealers and foundations to get the effect.  I love powders better because I feel I have more control, but again, every artist is different and you should use what works best for you.  Some pressed powder products I carry in my kit to contour are:

- NARS in "Laguna"
- MAC in "Matte Bronze"
- Face Atelier in "Brazilian Blaze"
- Black Opal in "Classic Espresso"

Do you own a Zuca?  I'd like to buy one but don't want to spend the money if I'm not going to like it.
I do own a Zuca but unfortunately this is one of those questions that's really difficult to answer because everyone has different tastes.  There are a lot of factors to think about.  Do you drive?  Do you take public transportation a lot?  Would you rather take everything out and lay it out or leave everything in and work out of your kit?  How much stuff do you carry?  Do you adjust your kit differently for different jobs and only take what you'll need?

I live in the concrete jungle of NYC where I use public transportation to get to my jobs.  The city streets are filled with cracks and pot holes and not to mention people constantly kicking and bumping into my bag on the crowded subway.  I also prefer to lay everything OUT of my kit, carry only what I need for the job and adjust my kit to the particular job I'm doing (which, when doing hair, actually allows me to fit BOTH hair and makeup into ONE bag -- I show how I do that here).  I love my Zuca, it's shock proof which is great because my eyeshadows are safe from cracking, fits perfectly between the subway turnstyle, it has a built in chair that I use while on set and it fits everything I need in there (unless I'm using the airbrush or using hot rollers in which I carry a separate shoulder bag because they don't fit in my Zuca).

Now if you like to carry lots of stuff (or very little stuff) or like to work out of your bag, then the Zuca is not for you.  I know artist who love to carry their kits on clear shoulder bags and work directly from there.  To each it's own.

As per request, I've taken pictures of what I carry daily in my kit.  I have a LOT of stuff that I don't bring and that I didn't take pictures of but maybe one day I will and share that as well.  I do a lot of commercial, catalog, TV/Film etc. so I mostly carry and use neutrals.  Any questions on particular colors or brands please feel free to ask me.  So with further adieu, here is my kit:

My skin care stuff: From Left to Right:  Embryolisse Moisturizer, MUFE Eye Makeup Remover, Maybelline Makeup Remover, Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner, Alcohol, Toner, Hand Sanitizer

I use these mostly for print work: Top - Black Opal Stick Foundations: Black Walnut, Heavenly Honey, Hazel Nut Bottom - From Left to Right: Face Atelier  #0-, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, 0+

I use these A LOT for Film/TV work.  I use the same 3 colors and mix them with each other.  I carry more than one of the same color just to make sure I don't run out in the middle of a job.  With these 3 colors I make it work for pretty much everyone. The first 3 are #118, the two after that is #128 and the last one is #177

MUFE Camo Palette Concealers #1 & #4 MUFE Camo Concealers Singles (since I'm running out) #14 & #15 Graftobian Palette Warm #3 (I use it as both concealers and foundations)

Eye Palettes Left Side from Top: Kat Von D Palette in Beethoven, Diane Brill Eyeshadow Singles in Belgian Lace & Lace Ribbons, Ramy Cream Shadow Quad Right Side - Top: A mix of different shadows all in one Z Palette, Bottom - Crown Brush Neutral Palette.  Most of the colors are surprisingly good.

My fun colorful kit Various brands depotted into a Z Palette including NYX, NARS, Urban Decay, Yaby, Nixie, MUFE, MAC, Too Faced and Shiseido

Urban Decay Naked Palette

MUFE Flash Palette

Macaras, Eyeliners, Eyebrow Pencils, Lash Curler and Sharpener

Blush Palette, Bronzers, Highlighters, Setting Powders

Depotted lipsticks into a Japonesque Palette - Side 1

Depotted lipsticks into a Japonesque Palette - Side 2

Currently slowly transitioning the lipsticks in the Japonesque palette into the Z Palette. More glosses, other lipsticks and lip liners.

Lip Tars: I don't carry every single one with me in my kit, I just pull the ones I need according to the job.

Sephora Lipgloss Palette (Don't let the sparkles fool you, they're amazing for TV)

Supplies: Sponges, Mascara Wands etc.

All of the lovely brushes

I never really blog about the weddings that I do.  Not really sure why but I know that I just had to for this particular wedding.  Not only is the groom my husbands work buddy and good friend, but I met his wonderful wife Elaine through their friendship.  They are also the only couple that I know, other than my husband and I, that are so into each other.  That are as sickeningly cute and pretty much profess their love to each other every chance they get (plus their vows truly made me shed some serious tears).

I was super excited when Elaine asked me to do hair and makeup for her wedding.  I just knew she'd be such a beautiful bride.  And I was right!  Here are the pics to prove it!  Enjoy!

Available at: Saks, lauramercier.com, Bergdorf Goodman

Note: Just because it says "Limited Edition" doesn't mean that you still can't pick these up in regular size.  Only the Mini set is limited edition.

As much as I stress about how assisting is the best way to really learn the in's and out's of this business, I always love having some books to help out with the process.  When I first started out, these books were my bibles.  I read them from cover to cover, learning everything and anything that I could.  Some have really great information and some are just purely for eye candy purposes.  While I don't own every single one of them, I'm going to list them anyway.  I'll list them in two separate categories (which I own and read and which I've heard others highly recommend).

I'm sure many of you have read other books that are not in this list. So please, feel free to share your favorite books and I'll be sure to add them to the list.


IN MY LIBRARY
Color: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors by Betty Edwards

Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin

Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin

The Art of Makeup by Kevyn Aucoin

Kevyn Aucoin a beautiful life: The Success, Struggles, and Beauty Secrets of a Legendary Makeup Artist by Kerry Diamond

Beautiful Brows: The Ultimate Guide to Styling, Shaping, and Maintaining Your Eyebrows by Nancy Parker & Nancy Kalish

Makeup Makeovers: Weddings: Stunning Looks for the Entire Bridal Party by Robert Jones

Makeup Makeovers: Expert Secrets for Stunning Transformations by Robert Jones

I always stress how pro cosmetics are the way to go when working in the industry.  I stand by this 100% but, I do admit I have a few drugstore items that I use both in my kit and for personal use.  Some are great for both, some are only good for personal use.  Either way, they're probably items that you'd never think were any good just by looking at them or judging them by brand.  Here are a few items that I use:


2. Color Sensational Lipstain
I was curious about these lipstains because I've tried other lipstains before and have never been completely satistfied.  So in looking for a product that works for me I decided to give this a try.  Glad I did because it's awesome!  This stuff really does last!  I've put it on early in the morning, worked, talked, chew gum, drank, ate, talked some more and my lips STILL had color on them!  I like to pair it up with a tad of one of the many lipglosses I own (we'll get to that later).
Use: Personal
Colors I own: Feelin' Rosy, Cranberry Crush


3. Define-A-Line Eyeliner
A friend of mine was over and left her eyeliner behind.  I thought it was pretty interesting that she chose this as an eyeliner.  So, of course what do I do?  I test it (on the back of my hand).  I liked the smoothness of it and picked it up for myself.  I love to use it on the lash line the best and then use the smudger for a light smokey eye.  It's not waterproof but it has pretty good staying power.  I don't recommend you use it for the water line.  Because it's not waterproof, it'll bleed down to the under eye section and you'll have raccoon eyes in no time.
Use: Personal
Color I own: Ebony Black


4. Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil
For my kit I use the Tarte emphasEYES brow pencil but I was looking for something more for ME.  I would be using this daily and didn't want to dish out $20 for the Tarte everytime I had to renew it.  So I pick up this little guy in hopes that it comes close to the Tarte one.  It's pretty close and totally worth it.
Use: Personal
Color I own: Dark Blonde


5. Define-A-Lash Volume Mascara
To me all mascara's are pretty much the same formula wise.  So when I buy mascara I tend to buy it because of the wand.  Yes I love that this mascara is waterproof (great for weddings) but I love the wand the most.  In fact, whenever I replenish, I keep the wand and throw the rest away.  I wash the wand thoroughly and keep it in my kit instead of buying disposable wands. I, of course have a good 4 or 5 wands I rotate and I always clean them between clients.  I feel like this wand really adds the volume it promises and it gets into those little inner corner hairs that are usually difficult to get to.  It's become my night time mascara.
Use: Personal & In My Kit
Colors I own: Very Black