Marissa's Pick of the Week - Tapered Shadow Brush

The Tapered Eye Shadow Brush is my favorite eye shadow brush ever! In fact, I love it so much, I have 4 of them- 2 for me, and 2 for my artist box. I only own Lancome's Blending Brush #17 ($27.50), but other lines carry similar brushes. This brush gives the perfect shape on your outer corner and crease everytime. I also use it to apply shadow all over, and to flawlessly blend colors together. Another great use for this brush is settling your under eye concealer with a loose powder. Holding the brush vertically, roll it across under your eyes with just a little bit of powder. To see the use of this brush in action, view my last video tutorial.

Smoky Eye Tutorial

This was a very unplanned, spur of the moment video tutorial of how to create a smoky eye. I've never edited video, but I tried my best. Please try ignore the lame Musak, and occasional whining child in the background.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - NYX Pigments

NYX Loose Pearl Powders are sold as eye shadows, but work like pigments, and for only $2.50 a pop, why spend up to $20 more on department store brands? The highly concentrated powder can be used on your eyes, face, lips, and eyelashes. You can find NYX products at www.nyxcosmetics.com, Ulta stores, and Ulta's website.

Here's a rundown of my NYX Loose Pearl Powder look:

Eyes:

All Over - Yellow Pearl

Outer corner, fanned out from the top of my cheek bone to the temple - Orange Zest Pearl

Under eyeliner and lashes - Jade Pearl





Face:

Apples of cheeks & bridge of nose- Very Pink Pearl







Lips:

no lip liner- Orange Zest Pearl on top of Make Up For Ever Lipstick #201

Marissa's Pick of the Week- Asian Beauty

Yes. My pick this week is a book, but not just any book. What I have chosen for you is the best beauty book I have read so far. This includes books by Bobbi Brown, and The African American Women's Guide to Successful Makeup by Alfred Fornay. Not only is this a great reference for makeup application techniques, but it also has suggested skin care regimens, beauty tool knowledge and lifestyle recommendations for better looking skin.

Margaret Kimura (pictured right) has finally put a guide out into the world that focuses on the unique texture, skin tone and features of the Asian Woman in her book, Asian Beauty ($30). Her book models range from Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean to Indian, Filipino, Malaysian, and mixed races. Other ethnicities can benefit from this book, as her techniques have been used on hundreds of people in Hollywood and skin care tips are universal. Known as the "Blending Queen" in the makeup artist industry, her book is 210 pages of how to achieve a smooth, natural looking complexion to build the perfect canvas for color.

Check it out at the library first. Chances are, you'll want to buy it. It also makes a beautiful coffee table book at the very least.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Glitter!!!

1. I like glitter.
2. I like inexpensive, quality makeup
3. I LOVE NYX Glitter Cream Palette!

The website says it's 6.00 USD, but I purchased my pallet in "Sureal" for only 4.00 at a beauty supply shop (probably because "palette" was spelled wrong). I like using this formula with powders because it intensifies the pigments while adding a glittery effect. After experimenting with this cream shadow, I learned a couple things. It does not play well with other cream formulas, and it's a must that you pat it on, not stroke or rub. I like using a foam tip eyeshadow applicator or a concealer brush. It can be a little frustrating to get the hang of it at first, but once you figure out how to apply it, you will love it.

Here are the shades on my bare skin:

With a black base:

With a white base:

You can see how the glitter is subtle so that it's fun and pretty, not strippery.