eyebrow enhancer ~ arabella, I went to the mall last night to try both the mac and shu uemura.  I passed the Shu counter first so she did them for me…  it took her literally 1 minute.  When I looked, my jaw dropped, the best I have ever seen them look!  So natural, perfect color!  

I told her my biggest concern is making it look natural myself…and she told me to try it on my daughter (13yrs) so I did.  Her eyebrows are untweezed and very sparse.  They looked awesome, and it was so easy to do.  I was sold.  They didn’t have the color I need in the store!  ugs!  going to hunt online today.

mascara ~ when I looked at the reviews for the brands arabella and bella gave, there was also a Blinc mascara there and all the reviews there said “NO RACCOON EYES”.  THat is biggest issue for me.  I have tried every single drugstore type, 3 from clinique, bobbi brown’s everything.  Anyone have experience with this Blinc mascara?  It apparently makes tubes around your lashes…

lastly, looking for forehead wrinkle cream suggestions

TIA!

My mom loves Blinc mascara, fiberwig is a close second for her. I think you’d be happy with them in terms of keeping pigment on your lashes and not your face. They have survived well on my face during sweltering summers, but I tend to go for all-out glam lashes (i.e. Dior Show) and these are a bit more natural looking on me.

As for wrinkle cream, I love Decleor and any of the spa skin care lines that Nordstrom carries. Do you have a Sephora nearby? I’d go in and ask them for samples from brands like N.V. Perricone, Bliss, Ole Henrikson or Claudalie. I’d also go with Smashbox’s primer for easing out lines- definitely the best primer on the market. I’d be interested in hearing Mandirocks’ thoughts on this since she works for Smashbox. I worked with Dior, Lancome, Clinique, Benefit and Clarins mainly.

Inga,

thanks so much for the suggestion!  do you use the fake lashes?  I have always been intrigued, I am totally intimdated and scared they will look fake! 

I ended up trying the Loreal tube-technology mascara ~ it totally works, no raccoon eyes!  but like arabella said, it is more of a natural look!  (Didn’ go for the blinc only cuz there isn’t anywhere nearby that sells it)  I may try to the lash blast/voluminous waterproof combo…however I really want to try the diorshow but I have to drive a ways to get it, what to do! 

arabella, thank for your help on the cream!  next time I am in the area of sephora (30mins drive) I will ask for those samples!  I totally love the smashbox primer, my gosh does it work!! 

for creams I have used so many, so far i think olay regenrist works best.   right now I have a sample size of the new clinique youth surge, but I can’t wait to get those samples, I didn’t realize they did that at Sephora!
128, I read an article from a MUA who said her secret for everyday natural look makeup is the stila illuminating foundation and bobbi brown foundation stick as the concealer so that’s what I use…  I really do like it!  but I always wonder if I can do better so I am looking forward to hearing what responses you get

Hey beauty gals!

Inga- About getting into freelance makeup artistry…I did go to school for it (after college) and worked for Clinique for 2 years before I went back for my Master’s and teaching certificate. When I went into teaching, I really missed the makeup, so a friend of mine (who was the counter manager for Laura Mercier at Nordstrom) suggested the freelancing on weekends and in the summer. The Smashbox manager overheard me talking to her about it, and hired me on the spot as well! So four years later, I still freelance for both lines. I would say the best thing to do is make friends with the counter managers of the lines you like, then have them get you into contact with the account executives of the lines, since they’re the ones with the authority to hire you as a freelancer. I hope you can get into it, because it really is an ideal summer job for teachers! (since it has nothing to do with kids, and let’s face it- we need a break!).

Onetwoeight- I feel obligated to recommend the Smashbox lip and lid primer. Not just because I work for them…it’s just a great product! Evens out skin tone on eyelids, and makes your shadow go on more vibrantly, stay on forever, and the best thing- it prevents those annoying crease lines that sometimes happen after a few hours of wear. The lip side is cool too (it’s dual-ended). That prevents your lipstick and gloss from sliding all over and getting into fine lines. Check it out! OH, and our photo finish primer is of course the greatest thing ever for smoothing fine lines and pores before makeup, and keeping it on all day.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Mandi

Onetwoeight: I’d second what Mandirocks said about Smashbox’s primers. For concealor, I love Lancome’s yellow tinted concealor that comes in a tube with a wand. It’s black and has a “doe-foot” applicator, I think it’s called Macquillage? I also have Mac’s Paint Pots which will also keep your eye shadow on through even the hottest summer weather. The shades come in a wide range, you can apply with your finger and they last forever. For redness and lines, Benefit’s “It Stick” is a does-it-all sort of a product good to stick in your purse.

Workinprogress: Try shopping from Sephora online! They have a generous return policy and  you can score free loot and shipping discount incentives if you visit retailmenot.com for promo codes.  

Ckrodd: Your daughter should drop off a resume and/or fill out a department store application at their main office. I’d also recommend she go around to the counter(s) she is interested in and ask to speak to the counter manager to express her interest. If she has a portfolio, I’d suggest she bring that as well. There can be a lot of drama sometimes in the counter and the freelance employees get to avoid most of it since they’re not there all the time or competing for commission. Both have their benefits, but I’d personally rather freelance.

Hey everybody,  For acne sufferers or those with aging/wrinkling I highly recommend that you read my review in VP:

http://www.ventpark.com/reviewspark/get-rid-of-acne-p1/