Pick of the Week...Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

Pick of the Week...Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

Kitschkween's Makeup Videos on Vimeo!

Kitschkween's Makeup Videos on Vimeo!

Wonder Woman Makeup Tutorial

redirect: Wonder Woman Makeup Tutorial

Pick of the Week - M.A.C. Gloss Texture

Pick of the Week - M.A.C. Gloss Texture

Tokidoki Makeup Review & Tutorial

I've always loved the super kawaii clutter of Tokidoki Designs. Now they have a whole cosmetics line available at Sephora that I couldn't refuse. I really didn't expect much from makeup in packaging so cute it made me want to vomit rainbows and unicorns, but I was pleasantly surprised. My video shows what I love about the eyeshadows, brushes, mascara, lip stain and lip glosses. There are also swatches and an application tutorial. Tokidoki!!! SQUEE!!!

How to Spot Fake MAC Cosmetics on Ebay

My new video shows you what to look for when shopping for MAC Cosmetics on eBay. There are thousands of counterfeit M.A.C. Cosmetics in the world, and the internet makes it that much easier to dupe people into thinking it's the real thing. In my video, I cover brushes, eye shadow palettes, and the Hello Kitty collection. I've learned from my mistakes, and I now know that there's no better deal than buying MAC from real MAC counters, real MAC stores and the MAC website. They are extremely reasonably priced, and the US sells it for less than any other country in the world. This tutorial is meant for those of you who seek out those discontinued or limited edition products that are no longer available. A tip for brushes: JUST DON'T DO IT. The video explains why...

Ask Marissa..."I Hate My Big Nose!"

Jane Doe: I hate my nose. I think it is big and well just don't like it. Are there any make-up ideas that could draw attention away from my nose and mouth maybe to my eyes instead? 


Me: Shading (or contouring) should do the trick. Use a matte bronzer or brown eyeshadow. Use a fluffy tapered shadow brush like M.A.C. #224 ($29), and blend the powder on the each side of the bridge of your nose. Make sure you blend well, so it doesn't look like there's makeup there.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - M.A.C. Lip Pencils

I absolutely love M.A.C. Lip Pencils ($13)! They glide on smoothly, wear for a long time and have great coverage. I like wearing these more than lipstick because you get more precise results. I like to wear 2 lip pencils; one for the liner and one as the lipstick, then top it with a Lip Glass ($14.50) or Tinted Lip Conditioner ($14.50) Some of my favorite combinations are:

Bright Hot Pink-
Line: Cherry
Lip: Magenta
Gloss: Viva Glam Gaga lip Glass

Neutral Brown-
Line: Cork
Lip: Subculture
Gloss: Soothing Beige Tinted Lip Conditioner

Red-
Line: Brick
Lip: Cherry
Gloss: Viva Glam Cyndi Lip Glass

Nude-
Line: Stripdown
Lip: Oak
Gloss: C-Thru Lip Glass

Ask Marissa...Good Full Coverage Foundation and Masks

Jane Doe: Can you recommend a good foundation for covering up redness and acne scars? Another silly question to is about masks I have never used one are they beneficial for my skin what do they do?


Me: As for a foundation, MAC Studio Sculpt ($29.50) would be great for those concerns. It's also oil free and sets itself so you don't need a powder. 

Masks do different things. For a deep cleansing (sucking all the crap out of your pores and preventing acne) I would suggest Clinique Acne Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask ($20). For a moisture boost, I really like Laura Mercier's Intensive moisture mask ($32). It's oil free, so it's safe for acne prone or sensitive skin. If you want to brighten your skin, Clinique Turnaround Instant Facial ($36.50) is amazing! It promotes rapid cell renewal (the birth of new skin cells to replace old dull ones), so your skin will be bright and radiant.

Hope this Helps,
Marissa

Looking Greasy in the Club?

 In the 6 or so years I've maintained social networking profiles, I noticed a horrible epidemic plaguing a lot of young women:  pictures of them in night clubs were REALLY bad. Their heads were whiter than their bodies and their faces were greasy looking. Camera flash is not very generous to our features, but super generous to our flaws. All these pretty girls were looking deathly ill.

I didn't go to school for makeup artistry, so everything I know is basically through trial and error. Here are some things I've learned about flash photography:

DO contour appropriately

DO use a foundation and powder a couple shades darker than your skin tone, or cover your neck and shoulders with your normal foundation

DO use matte finish foundations, concealers and powders. This includes blush. Eye makeup isn't as important to be matte, but it does make a more beautiful picture.

DON'T use shimmery finishes on your face. This will make you look greasy and gross.
DON'T use foundations or concealers with pink undertones. This will make you look pale or ashy.

Here is the difference between a do and a don't:
DO

I used a matte finish foundation, concealer, powder and blush.

A light colored lip gloss with no shimmer and minimal glitter will accentuate you natural lip color.

On my eyes is just a black crayon that I blended upwards. I didn't use a highlighter.

When you contour correctly, there's no need to highlight.

DON'T

I used my normal radiant finish foundation with a satin finish concealer.

I used a shimmery loose powder followed by a sheer coral blush and shimmery highlighter on my cheekbones.

You can see that I look really greasy and my face is lighter than my neck. This makeup is beautiful in person, but doesn't translate well in flash photography. 

Here's what it looks like without flash:

Ask Marissa...Clinique Discontinued Clarifying Makeup!

Jane Doe: Clinique stopped carrying the foundation I use, what do you like as a medium coverage foundation for oily skins? I've been looking around and nothing has jumped out at me yet. I am almost out, so I am going to need to get some soon.


Me: Which foundation did you use? Have you tried their Acne Solutions foundation ($24.50)? It's pretty amazing. I also like Teint Idol Freshwear ($32) by Lancome. I know you don't have a MAC near you, but if you ever make it Louisville, try Studio Fix Liquid foundation ($26). Studio fix controls oil throughout the day and has buildable coverage.


Jane Doe: I can't remember the name of it. It was their last acne one that was in tube. It always separated if it sat for too long. I am sure that's why they got rid of it.


Me: It was either Continuous Coverage Makeup or Clarifying Makeup.

Jane Doe: Clarifying. You are on it!


Me: Some people use their brains for money. I use mine for beauty. It's way less shallow. LOL.
You would love the new Acne Solutions one then. Its not thick. It's actually kind of creamy. It has a natural finish so you don't look all dry and cakey. Plus it controls oil and keeps skin clear with salicylic acid.

Jane Doe: Cool. i will have to check it out. Thanks for the advice!

Me: Clinique gives foundation samples now too. :D

Kitschkween Jewelry

I will be permanently adding my Kitschkween jewelry and accessories to this blog. :D

Ask Marissa...Facial Hair

Jane Doe: When I use foundation, which I have to.. When I apply it under my nose and above the mouth I am left with a darkened area where it sticks to the other wise invisible small hair there all women have it I think, but when I apply foundation it suddenly becomes noticeable and looks like..well like I have the start of a mustache =( How can I prevent the foundation from sticking to the hair and still cover that area of skin up?


Me: The best suggestion I have is hair removal. Either wax or get one of those mini facial hair groomers, such as the Conair 2-in-1 Fine Line Trimmer (drugstores, $8.99). I use the hair groomer b/c wax irritates my skin, and it's expensive to keep up. The hair groomers are very gentle and won't leave bumps. I even use this on the little fuzzies around my eyes so makeup goes on smoother.
If you don't want to do hair removal, stick to powder foundations. They are less likely to give that shadow. My favorite one is Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Powder Foundation ($24).

Ask Marissa...Eye Primer for Red Eyelids

Jane Doe: I'm looking for a good eye primer but can't decide which one to go for. I want something that neutralizes the skin on my eyes (I have a lot of redness) but also gives my shadows mega staying power. 


Me: I have 3 favorite eye primers; M.A.C. Paint Pot in "Soft Ochre" ($16.50), Lancome's Ombre Perfecteur Pen ($23), and Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($18). All have yellow undertones to neutralize redness, and the staying power of shadows are amazing!

 
 

Ask Marissa...Moved to the Desert

Jane Doe: Do you have any recommendations on skincare products. I have been using Clinique, Shiesido, and other stuff, but looking for a good affordable one to try out. The weather here in Vegas is dry so something new will be good. Thanks for your help!

Me: It depends on what your main skin concern is. I like different brands for different things.

Jane Doe: I have sensitive skin but mainly dry out here in the dessert. Funny, my skin was oily in the Bay (Area) haha. Any good suggestion on moisturizer?

Me: For the day time, I would stick with Clinique. I love their Superdefense cream for very dry skin ($42.50). Here's my blog about it:

http://pompsngloss.blogspot.com/2010/07/marissas-pick-of-week-moisturize-your.html

At night, I love Origins Night-A-Mins cream ($36). It's really thick, but it won't break you out.

I know you wanted something less pricey, but you really get what you pay for in a moisturizer. 
Cleansing can be a little cheaper though. I like either Aveeno Positively Radiant cleansing pads (average price, $7) or Oil of Olay Daily Facial Hydrating cleansing cloths (average price, $6). 

Hope this helps.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Lioele Pore Clean & Tightening Pack

A couple weeks ago Promise Phan (one of the most talented makeup gurus on YouTube) posted a link to http://prettyandcute.com/ on Facebook. There, I discovered a magical brand of Korean cosmetics called Lioele. It's a fairly new company whose business model is the Cinderella story (evident in their packaging). Lioele believes that true beauty can be found in everyone.

Lately, I've been seeing pores that I never saw before.
"Great," I said. "I'm aging."

Thus began the search for pore shrinking skincare products that wouldn't dry me out in the winter. On the Pretty and Cute website, I saw the Pore Clean & Tightening Pack ($20). The picture showed 2 tubes so I thought,
"This looks interesting. It's like a 2-step pore tightening system."
Well I was wrong. Only 1 box came. So then I thought,
"Okay? So maybe it's like a gel peel or something."
Wrong again.
What it actually is, is a mask. Yup. Just a mask. I was really disappointed, but then I tried it.

The clay mask was a dark gray color that had the same consistency as other masks I've used. It did have a distinct smell of leeks. Leeks aren't in the ingredients, but I don't know what else to compare it to. It was very fresh, crisp, and green smelling. Not quite grass. Not quite celery. just plant like.

Here is a list of some ingredients and what it's supposed to do:

During application, the scent of the mask started to calm me. I was liking it more and more. When it started to dry, I could feel it going to work. It felt almost as if there were little suction cups sucking all the crap out of my face. It didn't hurt or feel itchy like some other masks do.

(Ever wonder what your skin would look like when you're 80?)

Rinsing off the mask was easier than other masks. I didn't have to scrub or rub it off. My skin felt really smooth and soft. I didn't feel any film or oils or anything at all, just my skin. Even though it felt clean, it wasn't squeaky and tight. I could easily glide my finger across my cheeks without skipping. It's hard to explain. My skin just had a nice slip to it without being slippery? My skin looked brighter and more radiant.

Here's how I knew it worked:

After I completed the process, I noticed a little blackhead and blemish that I didn't have before. 

Here's a tip- If you use a deep cleansing mask for the first time and you don't have any new blackheads or blemishes, then it's probably not working all that well.

In the end, I really liked this mask. I would have never tried it, if it wasn't for the misleading picture and mysterious lack of info on the website. I already have a couple masks that I like, but this mask is definitely a favorite. It's fresh, gave great results, and is perfect for my acne prone skin that turns dry in the winter. *Two thumbs up*

Ask Marissa...Balancing Extreme Combination Skin

Jane Doe: I have normal / combo skin and in winter it usually gets a little dry...but this winter it's behaving very differently. My skin is very dry in the cheeks and around the eyes, enough to where it is tight and uncomfortable most of the day. But my t-zone is just as oily as it would be in the summer and seems to be more prone to breakouts than usual. Any suggestions for how to tackle this? My current system is to cleanse with a normal cleanser, use a mild alcohol-free toner and moisturize with philosophy hope in a jar / eye hope for the eyes. I also exfoliate 4x a week and do an at home peel every other week.

Me: I would say stop using Hope in a Jar. Any oil on your face will make the oily areas worse. I don't want you to waste your money though, so just use it at night with an oil control lotion on your t-zone. During the day, I would suggest MAC's Studio Moisture Cream ($32). It's safe for oily skin, but is very moisturizing. It gives time released moisture throughout the day and has spinach to help circulation. It will also add radiance to dry dull skin. Keep using your cleanser for normal skin, but switch to one with a toner in it. A toner's main purpose is to pH balance your skin after using a cleanser that is too acidic. All of MAC's cleansers a pH balanced, so you don't need a toner. No tone r= no irritating dry skin and no under-toning oily skin. Try MAC's Creamwash ($19.50) or Green Gel cleanser ($19.50). Both are ok for all skin types.

Jane Doe: Perfect thanks! I haven't tried any of MACs skincare maybe it's time to give it a go. I think I'll have to grab something from the Champale collection too.

Me: Champale was made for you! All of MAC skincare is made with natural ingredients. No synthetics. No animal testing. All cruelty free.


Jane Doe: I love everything in that collection, I really want the quad though. It reminds me a little of my fav MAC quad Liza eyes which is really really old but just very pretty neutrals. Does the MAC skincare smell good?


Me: Some of it has no fragrance. I don't remember what Studio Moisture cream smells like, but the Green Gel cleanser is very crisp and clean. It's got green tea and algae extract.

Ask Marissa...Acne Scars & Rosacea

Jane Doe:  I have horrible skin and I have tried a lot of cleansers and toners ect for it I look forward to trying a mask I hope it will help, 'cause so far nothing works and it is embarrassing. I have even had women tell me you need to wash your face more. It's Rosacea and acne scaring I tell them but still get the looks of question .


Me: I can only really tell you how to cover up and soothe rosacea. Only dermatologist prescribed treatment can cure or control it. 

As for acne scarring, you might want to try Stri-Vectin. It's pretty pricey ($135), but it lasts a long time and works wonders. Within 2 weeks of using stri-vectin, my purple stretch marks turned white. Stretch marks are scars too. For something less expensive, start out with Maderma (you can get it at Walgreens, $30) until you notice results are not improving anymore, then move up to stri-vectin. You will need to use a very good moisturizer on top of Maderma and Stri-Vectin, because there is a lot of retinol in it and will make your skin feel dry and uncomfortable.

When you cover up acne scars, always wear a makeup primer underneath your foundation. This will fill in any lines, wrinkles, pores and acne scars so that your skin will have an even texture. Since you have a lot of redness, I suggest using the Sephora brand green corrector primer ($15). The green hue will neutralize any redness. Follow with your foundation, and setting powder.

Jane Doe: Ok I will do when I can find one in my area and TY for the advice. Doctors are way to expensive for me right now to go to for skin care. I used to have a face wash with tea tree oil in it that worked wonders for the Rosacea but it is no longer made I have looked for a new one to try but can't find anything like it. Never thought of using Maderma on my face I have some and will be using it thank you.


Me: If you can find pure tea tree essential oil, one drop in your cleanser and/or moisturizer should do the trick.

Hot Topic Makeup Haul (with videos)

Yes. Yes. I know. I know. Hot Topic is just another corporation that exploits a subversive culture, and flourishes off the allowance of adolescent posers.

Whatever.

Remember the Kitschkween (that's me for those of you who don't know) motto: "Like what you like and don't be sorry for it."

A person shouldn't have to prove their authenticity to anyone. If they like Britney Spears AND Siouxsie and the Banshees, leave them alone. If they have torn clothing with safety pins all over the place AND like to wear Nike shoes, leave them the hell alone. We are all trapped in a world where if a subculture is discovered by a greedy corporate monster, they will find a way to make it mainstream. So please. If you shop at Hot Topic because you don't know where else to find awesome clothes and accessories or discover music you can't hear on the radio, then don't be ashamed. You can just quote the above highlighted statement when someone busts on you for being a poser.

Moving right along...

Here are parts 1 and 2 of my review:





Since you can't really get a full sense of the swatches, here are some pictures:

Lip/Eye Pencils

Eye Crayons

Integrity. Love. Unity. - Why I Am a Kerli Fan

Deep in the woods of Estonia, a little Moonchild was born. Her free spirit, big heart and artistic soul could hardly confine this whimsical creature to such a tiny place in the world. Keeping her integrity, her passion for self expression made her into the surreal beauty known as Kerli.
Jay (hair guy for Pomps n' Gloss) was who first told me about Kerli. Knowing my love for gothic-lolita style he said
 "You have to check her out on myspace. You would just DIE!!!"
And I did. I swear I couldn't stop squealing. Then something magical happened. I pressed PLAY on the music box thingy, and it was all over. Not only was she the closest thing to my perfect doll, but her music was awesome too! I was hooked- a Kerli fan for life.
As I did a little more Kerli Googling, I found that I was drawn to her makeup (which she does herself). It was so clean, yet fantasy like. Everything she wore (which she mostly makes) and sung (which she writes all of) was an inspiration to me.

Now for the icing on the cake...
Kerli started the movement of The Moonchildren. A Moonchild is "one who belongs to a community of integrity, love and unity." She is very spiritual and grounded. She is crafty and resourceful. She is original and generous.
If you know nothing about this amazing artist, you can learn more about her on her Moonchild Academy website where my makeup tutorial was featured. She offers free downloads of her music and you can see all her videos (all the concepts are hers) on youtube. She makes music videos, craft tutorials and video logs.
I hope you all fall in love with her like I did. She really is amazing. There is something for everyone to like about Kerli.

Kerli Inspired Gothic Lolita Makeup Tutorial from Marissa Rhoades on Vimeo.