Yummy411: Go Mommy Go- Shawnta

Blogger, sister- friend and mommy of two, Shawnta is our Go Mommy Go today! Recently, Shawnta was called at the last minute to drop into a prospective employer's office. With only minutes to spare, she was at the ready with this look, putting a pretty face forward!

Here's what she used:
(Eyes)
UDPP
MAC tete-a-tint on lid and browbone
Matte mid toned brown in Milani Dream Baby Quad on crease
MAC Spiced Chocolate on crease and outer v
Jordana Brown Pencil Eyeliner
Loreal Volumnious Mascara

Very pretty and professional don't you think? She definitely mastered being a mommy on the go!

Check out the full story and more pics of her look here!
Thanks Shawnta for letting me feature you!

Yummy411: Blush and Reality TV Makeup

Are you guys watching Blush on Lifetime. I know you makeup junkies are!
Last night's episode included a 'Bridal Makeup' elimination challege.

**SPOILER ALERT**

If you are waiting for Lifetime to re-air this episode, don't read any further.

Myke was eliminated because his look for his bride wasn't a classic beauty/soft, timeless bridal makeup. He chose to give the bride what she wanted versus using his best judgment as the artist, so the judges said. I wish I had the picture to show, but he used heavy liner around the bride's huge eyes and peach, really more orange makeup for eyes, cheeks and lips.

Question to artists, wives, brides-to-be and some-day-brides-to-be: How do you feel about what Myke did or according to the judges- his lack of judgment?

For me, at the end of the day, the bride is paying for what she wants. She has to feel comfortable with how she looks. I'll give her my artistic opinion, but she ultimately decides. I'm not on a reality TV show, where you have to chose how the bride feels (his bride LOVED her look) or your winning entry, so that's just me. What say you? What was your favorite bridal look last nite? Let's discuss in the comments!

In other reality TV news:

Tyra gives Isis her sex change

Real Housewives of Atlanta Recap! Which cast member do you feel wore the best makeup on the show?

From last nite's episode, I'm a fan.

Yummy411: Chanel Teint Innocence Foundation Compact

Chanel Teint Innocence Foundation Compact, $55 From Chanel "Naturally luminous makeup with spf 10 Innovative compact foundation offers luxurious glide-on application, delivering greater colour purity for a natural, even, luminous complexion."

From me- Chanel is right! A nice cream foundation. It feels cool and smooth upon application. It's fragrant, but that's okay and doesn't linger too long. Nice coverage. Sleek compact with a mirror and a velvet case-- extra posh!

Overall- This would have been a decent foundation, if I didn't have combination skin. Maybe, my blot powder would have taken care of the oilies, but at almost $60, I didn't feel like coaxing and doing too much just to make this foundation work. With quite a few shades available, I think my shade Natural 4.5 was a bit too red dark for this winter weather (more so after oxidation). Had customer service been more helpful than just nice, I probably would have walked away a bit more satisfied... a decent color match and a better foundation for my skin type (ooh seriously interested in the pro liquid foundation!). Why do I deny the term 'luminous' which I know means 'sweaty look' for me?

Check out the pics below:
Foundation used with a setting powder. Taking pics took the cake for me. What in the sweaty hell??

Have you tried this or other Chanel foundations? What's been your experience.. share! I'm a crack fiend looking for my next high (in luxury foundations LOL!)

Yummy411: By Request- Makeup Tutorial

Hi Lynn! This post is for you! You requested to see how I do my makeup step by step so here it is! I'll do another tutorial on a different look some time soon ha! I tried to chose something simple that can easily be replicated. Since I told you all the smokey look was very easy, I wanted to show you.

This model served as inspiration, but the makeup wasn't copied exactly.

Start with priming the eyes. I used concealer.


Use a neutral, light shadow all over the eye area from lash to brow.

Use a black pencil to give concentration of color near the lash line.

I used the same shader brush to apply the neutral shadow, to place some gray shadow above the black liner and overlapping it a bit.

Then I used my fluffy blending brush to blend out the gray.

It looks like this so far.

I used my pencil brush to put some silver shadow in my inner corners.

I made sure to keep the intensity at the lashline, by touching up the black with a bit of black eye shadow. Then, lined the water rim with the same black eye liner I used on my lids.

I stop to conceal under my eyes, but then used the same pencil brush to add a shimmery taupe color on my bottom lid. I want to draw definition to my eyes, but didn't want to go all out black down there. The model up top actually just has a gray on her bottom lid!


To finish up, I filled in my brows, added some lashes and dusted my face with MAC's MSF natural and Cover Girl Mineral Bronzer in Light Bronze. Blush in Bombay Glow by Lancome and Melrose Mood l/s with Beige Linen Dior lip gloss.

Hope that helps Lynn!

Yummy411: Solange Blogs about Nails!

Solange. is blogging. about nails.
1. Solange- I love her!
2. She's blogging- Check out her blog. Omg, as if i don't already have enough blogs to oogle over... not another Kim Kardashian (which I fell off that horse. I can't keep up with her million posts per day)!!
3. She's blogging about nails- B and Jamila keep me into the polish game... Solange's got all of that covered!

*Do you guys remember these that I saw at Fashion Week in NY?*
Thanks Gangstarr Girl for putting me on!

Yummy411: Thank you!

Have you seen this? Are you crying? She so made me cry because I can certainly relate!!!! I'm not a queen of blending or guru or anything, but I relate just on having a passion that you've invested yourself in and not sure where it's going to take you. I love Lauren from Specktra, to Myspace and to YouTube.

That brings me to say... THANK YOU to all of you! Yummy411 has been going strong for over 2 years now. I started on a passion for makeup, but I continue to do this for all of us. I don't get paid to do this. I have one ad and it's not bank roll. I sacrifice my time, sleep, and some more (my wallet! LOL!) but I love it and I love all of you! The feedback, the community we've built here.. all of this means so much to me. I hope as my artistry grows that Yummy411 grows and our community here grows and that you all follow along for the journey-- to the lurkers, subscribers, commenters, fellow blog sisters (and brothers!)-- everyone I THANK YOU!

Yummy411: Christina Aguilera Makeup

Why Christina, are those Cleopatra lashes?? LOL

I love her makeup. I was stunned by this cover. What do you think?

Yummy411: Testing, testing 1, 2, 3.. Kryolan HD Foundation

Preliminary test trials of Kryolan HD Foundation Cream (of the 4 available- mattifying liquid, soothing liquid and the airbrush liquid are the other formulas). I have foundation on one side of my face. Can you tell which?

Both sides are covered now, but one side is darker than the other....


At some point I set this with the micro silk powder, then I went back over it with some MSF Natural powder. I lost track with the pics.. oops!

Oh yeh, let me attempt to do the smile trick*

These colors are bright, but holy smokes, this line has soooooooooooooooooooooo many shades available, like 56 or something crazy like that...(top left-mattifying liquid, top right-soothing liquid, bottom left- cream foundation, middle- micro silk powder)

Initial impressions:

Might be lighter than MAC's Studio Fix Fluid.
Not costume makeup at all.
Pretty impressed with the feel of it.
I don't feel like there's anything on my face (no tightness, oily-ness or anything) The micro silk powder feels damp at first.. how weird, cool, interesting is that???

I'll report back after wearing it a whole day and some and putting makeup over it...

Yummy411: L'eau D'issey Issey Miyake Perfume

L'eau D'issey by Issey Miyake is my latest fragrance crush. I was never into that type: classic, from the old school, beyond my years. But thanks to the KidYum, I scored it- a trial lotion bottle. It was instant attraction. Light, feminine, warm, familiar, clean, and sophisticated. I know it's been on the scene since the early 90's, but I finally had a close encounter at Nordstroms. I'm totally smitten! As much I was hugely opposed to "bouquet juice", this however, won me over. L'eau D'issey, like fragrances such as J'Adore and Carolina Herrera 212, is my definition of a grown woman's fragrance, but not overly mature.

Notes: Lotus, freesia, cyclamen, rose water, fresh peonies, carnation, white lilies, precious woods, osmanthus, tuberose, amberseed and musk.

Yummy411: Alert! I need Konad Plate m63!

Haha! I guess I need to order it ($5.90)! Aww such LOVE!

Yummy411: Monday's Randomness

About the face:

Didn't want to post this oh too familiar, gray smokey look, but the secret is... IT'S SO EASY! Couldn't help but to use it as a default look--simple with a bit of drama. (Satin taupe in crease and bottomlid, Carbon smudged out from lashline, and silver at inner corners. Neutral shade as highlight and to blend out Satin Taupe. Both top lid and waterline lined. Mascara on top and bottom lashes.)

Mentions: For this pic, I put on Pink Grapefruit as I NEVER use it and I'm wearing NYC's Cognac polish... I was trying desparately to get my nails like this (well for those who got this issue can see better what I'm talking about.) umm wowzers! My other recent polishes that are done justice! But I might need this Lippman. Thank you Lextard~ Okay last one.. better than MAC's $$$Yes?

• Hmmm Seymone may be right ;) ...though I don't have MUFE HD foundation to compare it to. My initial reactions are that I like! I'll keep testing to see how I feel overall.


• It's real! I got off the Metro today to people advertising for 'how to rent out your home for inauguration' 0_0


• Can you be my Barak and I be your Michelle? She looked so beautiful. She even called out Barak for saying that 'washing dishes is soothing.' Ha! On national tv!


• I picked up Glamour Game this weekend...hmm didn't consult with Michelle or Scrangie first =( Katee, how did I forget about Laura Mercier's Caviar Dreams?


• The love or hate polish is still getting lots of love. Two of my sisters just raided my stash for it and I see it in the street alot. Don't like that, try Metro Chic.

Having a good Monday?

Yummy411: Smokey Eye Week! Day #3 and Milani Lip Mixer

Okay, so the Smokey Eye week didn't go as planned, but! The looks are forthcoming so let's get on to the show.

I decided to do a traditional smokey eye. The other looks were very light and soft and not quite as smokey. In person, yes; in pics, no.

EYES
Loreal HiP paint in Witty
Smokey Eye Palette
Lightest color all over the lid
Carbon on the lid
Sparkly gray color in the crease
Silver shadow at tear ducts
Revlon liquid eyeliner to line top lid
Urban Decay's Zero liner on waterline
Urban Decay's green metallic liner (from the VIP liner set on bottom lid)
topped with a bit of Satin Taupe eye shadow
Maybelline Colossal mascara on top and bottom lashes
Dermablend concealer in tan
Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder
Cork and Swiss Chocolate e/s in brows, concealer to sculpt and shape

FACE
MAC matte gel in t zone
Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark
MAC Blot Powder in Medium Dark in T zone

CHEEKS
Eversun Blush

LIPS
**Milani Lip Mixer lip gloss**
I originally wore Propogate lipstick and VG 5 lipglass

MILANI LIP MIXER LIP GLOSS
The Drugstore Paparazzi has been quite lazy lately. It's hard to believe that Milani has released some new products before I could post on the other newly released items from October. I guess I'll put it up soon for archival purposes =p Not only did I spy the new Milani stuff, I saw the Sally Henson for Traci Reese nail polish colors in my neck of the woods! Can't believe it! I saw some new L'Oreal products and nail colors.. yum! I told you the Drugstore Paparazzi has been feeling a little lazy lately. Not even any cam phone pics of these finds... =/

Among the new products- Mousse Foundation and squeeze tube glosses- one special product caught my eye! Lip Mixer lip gloss! It boasts shine and a 3 mix lip gloss in one. Check out the pics and swatch.



Here in the tube from left to right, you have sparkles, middle you have a shimmer coat (more metallic sheen in my eyes) and the bottom layer (far right) is the cream color. Once the doe foot applicator is taken from the tube, it passes through all 3 layers to give you a load of shine and product.



I got the color called Lip Mix. It's the nude shimmer color of the 6 or so colors released.

This picture makes it seem bronze colored with shimmer, which in essence it is, but when applied to my lips I get more of a nude sheen with a silver pearl. I adore this! This will be at the top of my lip gloss pouch for everyday wear!



Check those lips baby!

Have you seen this Milani gloss in your drugstore? Have you tried this gloss? What do you think?

Yummy411: Kia and Ren Talk Makeup in Pictures!

(photo source: Dcepcion Photographers)

Hey gang,

Many of you know that fellow blogger, Ren and I do freelance makeup. I love seeing her work and often compare notes. One of the biggest points of interest for me right now is how makeup translates in professional photography. We decided to collab on what we learned and what our favorite tips are for makeup in pictures, professional photography or to enhance personal picture taking!



Here are my top 5:
-Contouring the face. Great to find your favorite foundation with blanket even skin, but the face needs to have dimension, contouring!
-Use shadows with different finishes. Different finishes give the eye makeup some dimension as the light plays on the different textures. Mattes absorb the light and shimmery shadows bounce the light off of them.
-Use black mascara for full, lush lashes. Dark brown is nice, but black is where it's at!
-Liquid foundation or other foundation and powder will mimic flawless skin in a photo. A lot of powders alone are very sheer. Great for every day wear, but flashes and cameras dissect the skin and can find those dark spots that you think a powder may be covering.
-SMILE! Smiling makes for a pleasant photo! Other expressions are artistic and cool, but overall it makes us feel good to see a smiling image. Shush now! I'll practice what I preach, lol!

Now, go over to Ren's blog and see what her top 5 tips are!

Don't take our word for it, check out these celebs! All praises to their glam squads (makeup artists!).. oh yeh and Photoshop.

Yummy411: My HG Facial Sunscreen- Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40

Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection 40 is the best! Light formula, barely there fresh scent, doesn't make you sweat profusely, high SPF and doesn't give me a white-ash tone. (I'll try this on my dad next to let you know how it works for darker skin tones, but I doubt there would be a problem.) Oh, Sephora says, "It has anti-UV and anti-pollution protection with 100% micronized, microdispersed mineral filters that guarantees optimal tolerance for even the most delicate skin." Nice! I agree with optimal tolerance. Changes with my facial wash and moisturizers, this has never caused a problem. Over looking the price, $40, this is my HG facial sunscreen! Gotta love Clarins skincare!

Yummy411: Smokey Eye Week!

MAC's Smoke Signals collection of last year was too much fun. I, however, missed out on the fun and didn't get the Smokey Eye Quad. Luckily for me, they included a Smokey Eye palette in the Christmas collection this year. In an effort to put my Smokey Eye palette to use, I'm declaring this my Smokey Eye week! The Smokey Eye is one of the most requested and popular looks ever, even by brides!

Starting with Sunday's and Monday's Looks:
(Smokey Eye palette used for both; for future looks I will keep a list of detailed color and placement!)

SUNDAY

MONDAY

For Monday's look, I tried the orange color concealer trick. Sorry for not providing full frontal pics, but my eyes were looking a bit wonky. =p While I got many compliments, I will still work on this. It's not quite to my satisfaction. I did say I was neurotic right?

Yummy411: Concealing My Dad's Dark Circles

I'm a bit neurotic about my dark circles that I've inherited from my dad. No matter how many concealers, foundations, brightening powders, etc. I've tried, I never feel I've concealed enough. I'm learning to live with them a bit, as I check mags and some of the world's prettiest people do not have clear, bright skin under their eyes.. and I'm not talking the photoshopped promotional pics. This time I wanted to see if I could cover the dark circles of all dark circles: my dad's dark circles!

Sleep deprivation, allergies, dehydration and diet plays a major role in the appearance of our dark circles.

Here is my dad's dark circle, no makeup.

Eek, one of the concealers was way too light!I tried some trusty black opal and it seems to be a better match.

As much as I like the coverage, there was a tinge of gray that needed to be canceled out in a different light (he's using a mag to cover half of his face.)

I took him to the studio (aka my bathroom). All looks well and is a drastic improvement.

Now I wanted to try another trick to cover dark circles... the orange cream! Maybe this would get rid of the gray tinge! I only had some orange type lipstick, but once applied to my dad, it appeared pink. DIY Eve Pearl's famous salmon concealer perhaps?? Basing your concealer with a orange cream color base is supposed to get rid of dark circles completely!

End result! The tinge of gray is gone! Amazing! Yes, scroll back up to see my dad dark circles before we started this process... wowzers!

Neurotic like I am about dark circles? Check out the Dark Circles Blog!

Yummy411: Almost a year ago..

• My hair was much shorter!


• I stopped taking my crease colors so far up to wear more conservative looks.


• Is this Engaging MES?


• I guess I hadn't found my favorite concealer.


• What was I talking about when I posted this pic?

Yummy411: Smashbox Ultimate Beauty Palette

An Ulta exclusive! Yum!
Ulta's description:
Smashbox Ultimate Beauty Palette ($59) A must have eye, cheek and lip color palette with nearly 100 shades of Smashbox favorites! Take your look from daytime chic to evening drama flawlessly. Perfect to give as a gift or keep for yourself. Palette includes:
70 shadows
8 cream eyeliners
8 lipglosses & 4 lipcolors
2 blush shades
brow tech
soft lights
4 brushes

Hmmm good deal? Or comprised quality? Find it here.