Yummy411: Pure Luxe Swatches

Dear friends,

I've been so curious about a lot of the mineral makeup eye shadows and online makeup. I've only tried a few, but those few companies aren't known for their bold and spicy color selections like these others that I've been drooling over. So finally I took the plunge. I am very apprehensive about ordering makeup online especially since many of these places only take Paypal. Secure, but just fishy because everything isn't guaranteed.

I ultimately went with two companies so far that made me feel rather comfortable from their sites: Pure Luxe and M*A*D Minerals. Deciding on colors was easy as I used Rocketqueen as a guide ;)

First up for swatches is Pure Luxe.

I ordered some red glitter, Ruby Slipper. I wanted some to help with some ruby red lips that I keep imagining! Port Red and this glitter? Wowzers!

(l-r) Antique Lace, Promiscuous, Peach Champagne and Darling eye shadows. The first two I'm interested in using them as highlighters for the brow bone.

(l-r) Hi Ho Silver, Sour Apple, and Rococo. Not the silver I expected, but oh well.

Last but not least, MOON GLOW!!!! This was love at first site. I thought this was the highlighter that Rocketqueen uses, but I guess it's pretty similar. I was very anti-highlighter for a while, using only concealer. Since seeing this and using this.. ahhh the world is a different place! It looks a bit ashy here as it's a yellowish, cream color. It's almost a more refined version of MAC Dazzlelight (?) eye shadow of sorts. Use a #217 brush to apply= LOVE.

About the shadows: I like these shadows because they are finely milled, like most mineral shadows that I've used so far. The staying power is awesome, but of course I'd still use a base or wet them for more intensity. I look forward to purchasing more. I have to finish up going through her fotd's to find some more awesome colors to play with!

What you should know when ordering from many of these sites: most have great options to buy samples or a full jar, most will use paypal so be very specific if you have a shipping address different from your billing address. Put this info on the site's order form as well as paypal !!!

Next on the to buy list: Taylor Made Minerals, , Fyrinnae, The She Space, and Coastal Scents mica (TMM and Fyrinnae's website were driving me crazy, so no order just yet!)

Yummy411: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Yummy411: BCI 4th Annual Celebrity Makeup Symposium, Part 1

Okay family! I'm so excited that Tawanna was able to attend Bennett Career Institute's 4th Annual Celebrity Makeup Symposium! Unfortunately, since I wasn't able to attend, I asked Tawanna if she would be a special Yummy411 correspondent! So here's Tawanna account of the special occasion!

Saturday

The symposium started Saturday to sign in, get your kit and attend the meet and greet that followed over at Catholic University (no major training or instruction went forth).

At the Meet and Greet, a few of the celebrity artists were introduced. This also gave an opportunity for attendees to visit a few of the instructors product tables where you could buy DVDs, and other makeup products. The MAC recruiter Homa was there for artists interested in working at a MAC counter within the DC metro area.

Following was the makeup fashion show and makeup competition!

Click photos to enlarge! Do you see Billy B in there! (The last picture shows Mr. Chet Bennett the founder of BCI, to the far right.)

Day 1: Sunday (All classes were held at Bennett)

The entire group 250 attendees were split into groups of 12-14 people per group. I was part of the "Blush" group.

Our schedule for Sunday was:

-James Vincent - Editorial Makeup - very humble; very informative. He's with the Powder Group; www.thepowdergroup.com ; which is the group responsible for On Makeup Magazine. (The Powder Group is hosting the Makeup Show in NYC on May 18-19, 2008.)

-Lorena Simpson - Foundations - Freelance Artist, very informative, taught on training the eye to mix foundations to match the shade of your client. A very hands on class and extremely helpful! We were informed to buy our own little small clip lamp lighting like from the hardware store, so that you can see what your foundation will look like in lighting similar of that which the photographer will use -- because lighting when you do the makeup may sometimes be different than the lighting used when the client is being photographed.

-Aisha Ferguson-Building Your Kit - Amazing! So willing to answer everyone's questions. Very knowledgeable about the industry. We were filled in that we should always keep up with the trends and stay in the know of what is hot this season. By the way, lilacs and blues are what's hot, similar to the Naughty Nauticals MAC line. She trained us to take products and use them outside of the traditional purpose; taking your lip liner and using it as a blush instead; taking your lip liner and eye pencil and using it as a eyeshadow color (she picked the products out of my kit and I had to demonstrate to her how I was going to use the lip and eye color as eyeshadow). She also mentioned that translucent powder softens anything once applied (eyeshadows, blush).

Lunch time!

-Gerald Armstrong -Quick Hair for on Set - One word: outstanding! He pretty much spoke on the "unfabulous" life about makeup that no one ever sees from the outside looking in. That you need to be a quick thinker, fast when it comes to working on a client. Key things like, when traveling overseas for gigs, that you have a European adapter, otherwise you won't be able to use your electrical items since Europe has a different electrical socket. Doing research prior to going to a shoot, asking questions to the Creative Director on the professional shoot and find out what looks are trying to be achieved before getting started. You may be asked to do hair; even though your job is just the makeup. You may not be a cosmetologist, but you already know how to pull back hair and add a fake ponytail. You may need to fluff out hair on a Caucasian woman and use aerosol spay to hold, because if you use spritz and it gets in the models eye -- and that's a lawsuit.... Great stuff!

-Billy B- Building a Celebrity Clientele- Amazing, Amazing Amazing, (did I mention he was amazing?) This man is so cool, no arrogance about him at all, although he should have every right to be, working with Mary J and Beyonce as part of his celebrity clients. This seminar, all of the attendees were brought back together as a whole inside Bennett's auditorium. He gave us a pep talk prior to demonstrating such as: don't copy what he does as an artist, but to build and do the "things" that makes you separate as a creative makeup artist (he didn't say this in arrogance, but more as a mentor.) Learning how to work on "real" woman is how you build on being an artist (as opposed to perfect runway models). Working at a counter and touching real faces, that's how you build on your knowledge. Watching the trends, trying to stay modern, telling us that trial and error is how you learn. He demonstrated on a lady's face and transformed her into non-other than Beyonce herself! He used only one dark brown color to sculpt throughout her face and defined her under the neck! He answered questions as he demonstrated and stated that you start light and build and go darker if you have to, in order to avoid making mistakes. He says that once he sculpts and shapes the face, then he can determine where he's going to go next when it comes to eye color and lips, and that makeup application order doesn't have to always be eyes first, lips last order each and every time.

Want to know what happened on Day 2 of the 4th Annual Celebrity Makeup Symposium?

Check back for the details from Yummy411 correspondent Tawanna!

Yummy411: BCI 4th Annual Makeup Symposium

I have some great news coming to you in the next two posts! A special Yummy411 reader, Tawanna, gives us major details on Bennett Career Institute's 4th Annual Makeup Symposium. It's the largest celebrity makeup symposium around. Workshops and classes were led by some of the industry's best including Sam Fine, Billy B, Valente Frasier and more! Check back for a detailed report on how things went down!

For now check out this video to give you some insight on the annual Makeup Symposium!

Yummy411: Smashbox's Beauty Guru Event

Yummy411: The She Space Limited Edition Set- Color for a Cause

Some of you may be familiar with The She Space, the wonderful mineral makeup company that I'm anxiously wanting to purchase from.

Heather at The She Space came up with two limited edition colors for Colors for a Cause- a birthday fundraiser benefiting a young boy, Chris that is suffering from cystic fibrosis. Check out her wonderful cause for which she's raising funds!

A snippet about the fundraiser and the LE colors from Heather:

"Both of the colors pictured are not what they appear to be! Why? Well, when you look at somebody who is suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, you don't see the disease and all of the struggles that go along with it. I have created them to be multi-dimensional and appropriate for all skin tones! The color on the left, Live in Color is a neutral taupe base that has layers and layers of light reflecting, color changing pigments....so this shade goes from taupe to a subtle blue, green. gold, silver, and violet. The shade on the right, Happy Birthday Chris is a deep cocoa brown with the same color changing micas. Both shades are a light shimmer with just a tiny hint if a twinkle to them and will be fabulous on any peepers you apply them to!Because this is a fund raiser, they are only available in full size jars. Purchase them individually for $5.00 a piece or in a duo for $9.00. If you would like to simply to donate to our fundraiser without purchasing pigments, you can do it two different ways. If you have a pay pal account simply send us the funds at info@theshespace.com and in the area where you can type a note, please type the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS. If you do not have a pay pal account, you can send a check or money order to:

About Face Cosmetics

37 W Quincy Suite A

Westmont IL 60559

Please make checks or money orders out to The She Space. I will collect all of the funds and put them into one big check for Chris and his family with the money we raise from the LE pigment sales!Thank you again!"

Get your duo now! The fundraiser for these LE shades ends tomorrow at midnight!

Yummy411: Oh no! Look what I've started....

Dear friends,

My little sister, The Voice, is starting in makeup... she just turned 13! I gave her a stash of my old stuff that I didn't want; lipglosses and one or two cream shadows. She wanted more and I didn't want her in my 'collection' so with her earned money she bought this.

She felt that if she got her brows done, she'd look better with her makeup (who told her such a thing?) So for her birthday, I groomed them a bit. Like her lashes, she has thick, curly, burly brows, that I shaped and trimmed a bit which gave her lashes more room to shine!

Usually, I'll come home to this, a simple lid color, but as you can see. she dabbled in some lime/yellow at the corner (oh don't tell her that I'm sneaking her self paparazzi pics for my blog!):

Then I put a touch of blue on the outer corner and some purple liner (Urban Decay's liquid liner in Crash-- eehh I see why it's a 'good bye' item!)

Then! She went to the bathroom again and came out with this! She got into my Ben Nye Azalea and my MAC Aqualine liquid last liner!

Oh yes! She cam whores too! Myspace kids! LOL! And that's my Palatial lipglass LE!!!

Today, it's this.... she's working her little Claire's palette and Milani lipgloss!

Oh well.... maybe we can show her a few things and start a makeup group!

(gorgeous gold, expensive pink, satin taupe and tete- a- tint (sp?), milani eye liner in aqua and fascinating eye kohl)

Oh Sunday, I went to a Bilal concert... his music is pure sex! I won't ever be caught at his concert without a date again. My eyeliner stood up to a couple of tears.. I heart Bilal!!! One of my fave songs by him is on myflashfetish player if you're interested (in the upper right corner). Oddly enough, I was standing with half of the MAC counter staff from Pentagon who came to the concert after work!

Yes! Ledisi came out as a special guest. She is the truth and the light yall! I don't know why I've been sleeping.. (not on her beautiful locs though! LOL)

(sorry I'm not the best concert cell phone photographer =) )

Ahhhh! What a night!

Yummy411: Accessory Bug for Mother's Day

Are you all still looking around for the perfect Mother's Day gift (or want to know what I want, LOL)? Check out what's now my newest online stop for cute and affordable purses -- Accessory Bug! Gift Mom (or me) with one of these purses using the discount code mom08 now through 5/08/2008 to receive 20% off your purchase.

Pictured left is the Green Large Vicky Zebra Print Faux Leather Satchel Bag, $45.99 (before discount!).

Yummy411: Consume Consciously + FOTD!

Dear readers, I love Nireyna, this you all might already know. This FOTD was inspired by one of her recent looks (w/ tutorial). I don't have her eye shape, so I didn't follow her instructions completely. However, I gathered as many close colors as possible and tried to do something similar. I love it, I hope you all like it!

Face: Strobe lotion (I'll have to place this stuff carefully as it can look sweaty )= ), MSF Natural loose in medium dark--AGAIN, I HATE THE PACKAGING OF THIS STUFF!!!!

Cheeks: Eversun Beauty Powder Blush (I hate that it looks a bit unblended on camera.)

Eyes: UDPP, Otherworldly paint pot on lid, Red Earth's Acid 2 on lid, Jesse's Girl eye dust (in greenish-gold similar to MAC's Old Gold pigment) and Soft Brown e/s in crease, outer v Atlantic Blue (MAC Pro?) e/s, Pure Luxe's Moon Glow for highlight and Nicka's white e/s lightly at tear duct, Milani's Color Brilliance eye pencil in Aqua on lower lid and Smoulder eye liner on water line and to line top lid. Maybelline's XXL Volume Curl and L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black on lashes!

Lips: Buoy -o-buoy lipstick! (This might be my perfect nude. It looks more pink in pictures, but really it's better than Bare Slimshine lipstick in that it's not as 'moisturizing' or as pink.) It looks like I may or may not be wearing lipstick.

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Most of us (or you, LOL) are enjoying our weekends as we are blasting through Spring. Going out, letting your hair down and possibly partake in some spirits, of the liquid variety. With many of us working on weight, maintaining, losing or even struggling with it know that going out with friends can present a 'stick with' or sabotage the diet (ehemm, lifestyle) situation. As far as drinks are concerned, wine isn't your only choice when being calorie conscious. You have some options! Check out this fabulous list of low calorie drinks from Confessions of a Fitness Diva and enjoy the weekend guilt free!

Lemon drop (shot) - 35 cals

Purple Haze - 103 cals

Virgin Mary (shot) - 22 cals

Rum & Diet Coke - 115 cals

Tequila Rose (liquer) - 69 cals 1.5 oz

White Zinfandel - 80 cals 4 oz

Sidecar - 117 cals

Light beer - 110 cals

Non alcoholic beer - 70 cals

White Wine Spritzer - 40 cals

For more great fitness information and to read the rest of the article that this list was pulled from, check out Confessions of a Fitness Diva blog here!

Yummy411: CS Brush Sale; China Glaze's Frostbite

Coastal Scents is having a Mother's Day sale on their brush sets. Get 15% off now through May 4th. I know we have this love hate relationship with them, but y'all know I've been wanting the mini badger brush set!! Woot!

ADesign brushes is having a sale on it's mini brush set for $20- Another Mother's Day treat! What a steal. The case alone roughly goes for $25!

(COM.com Brit) Frostbite, is the first color I've been wearing from the China Glaze WOW collection. It's electric! It's depth took me by surprise. It's blue, but then it sometimes looks like a deep ocean (bright/light at the top and then gets a bit deep and dark). I've gotten used to it, but sometimes I'm worried that I'm going to scare people away with my ultra funky nails LOL!

(Different lighting)

Yummy411: MAC Naughty Nautical Launch

Hi all... so I want to talk Naughty Nauticals. Sorry folks, no swatches here. I swatched a little too much for it to make it back home and take pics of it.

Anyhooo, if you care to chat about it and hear my take on it.. let's go!

But first, I must give a shout out to Ms. Tameka (sorry if I misspell your name)! It was my first time meeting a Yummy411 reader (that wasn't a friend or family member) outside of the blog! I was so honored to meet her. When she recognized who I was, I really felt special. I'm always trying to look out for familiar faces or even those Specktralites in my area. Good meeting you Tameka!

Okay, back to the show

Lipsticks- most are lustres and barely there colors. If you like Bare Slimshine l/s, possibly even Viva Glam V, you'll like the Buoy Oh Buoy. On me, it's a true lustre, barely there color, close enough to lip conditioner in tinted beige. I got it=( It might make a return. The star of the lipsticks was truly Port Red! If you missed Queen's Sin from this past Christmas collection Antiquitease then you'll definitely want to hop on this!

Lipglasses- A bit of a snore to me, but they definitely have a bit more dimension that looking at promo pics online. I like Bateaux which is this collections version of those very familiar or comfortable with Sinnamon lip lustre, or Oh Baby lip glass-- tan with a bit of pearl, not iridescence nor glitters, but a shine more or less of a toned down chrome glass. Love Knot is a blue based baby pink with some light blue iridescence. It's soft, but definitely there. Cute, but I passed because I know this is something I would definitely layer and not wear alone. I need products to be stars in their own right. A MAC MA was wearing Dervish lip liner, Buoy oh Buoy lipstick and Ensign lipglass (so she says ;)) Great looking combo on her!

Eye Shadows- If we aren't fixated on lipglasses, the next product to catch our attention is usually the eye shadows. If the lipsticks are a snore, then these will definitely put your lights out. You may notice Submarine eyeshadow which is a pretty vibrant blue. Great blue if you don't own any flashy blues and it's not super frosty. I passed since I wasn't sure how close it was to my Blue Storm eye shadow from a recently passed collection, Blue Storm. I think blue storm is darker, but Submarine is definitely smoother than my Blue Storm which is rather chalky for a frost. Illegal Cargo and Shore Leave are very pastel and frosty.

Pigments- Mutiny's the star of this clan. It's a light sky blue aqua. Very pretty. The others are very pretty, but I just wasn't intrigued and didn't know how I'd use them. I know there will be some people on Spectra that will blow my mind with these simple colors, so I'll wait on their lead =p Lovely Lily is a shade up from viz-a-violet, which is barely a shade up from violet.. see the trend? I passed. Mutiny might win me over though.

Polishes- Of course the blue Naughty Nautical polish is on my radar. I'm looking for a dupe of Dior's signature blue polish color!

Well, that's the collection for me in a nutshell. What's your take? Did you check it out? Haul? Tell me about it!

Yummy411: My Beauty Secrets

Thanks to Mischo Beauty and Nywele for tagging me!

My Foundation: MAC SatinFinish SPF 15 in NC37
My Mascara: Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black (or DiorShow baby!)
My Blush: MAC Powder Blush in Sincere
My Eye Shadow: ?? Too many to choose one!
My Day Cream: Dove Anti aging moisturizer
My Lipstick: Hi Tea l/s
My Beauty Product Brand: MAC
My Essential Beauty Product: concealer-- now do I always wear it? lol NO
My Favorite Makeup Product: Blush
My Perfume: Right now, Ed Hardy for Women
My Nails: OPI. The neutrals are so basic and mundane, but once they go on, it's something so simple and pretty about them!
My Feet: peep toe shoes with an excellent pedi of course!
My Hands: Neutrogena Hand Creme... smells good and really moisturizers with a little bit!
Three Products to bring on a deserted island: sunblock, lip balm and Zyrtec... I know my allergies will make me throw a fit!
Woman I admire for their beauty: my grandmothers! Strength, wisdom and courage!
Woman with the Best Sense of Style: I'll get back to you on that
My Ultimate Dream: Becoming the Renaissance woman I dream of!
How Do I Define Womanhood: A sense of self-confidence and self worth.
My Favorite Fashion Publication: Lucky

Check back later for my tags (ETA: Belle Cheveaux, Roselyn, the Muse, Vanessa, Lynne, Slvrlips, Virtuous Blue , Suzie C and Beautylogic! Tag, your it!) and MAC Naughty Nauticals Discussion tonight!