My: where's spring? nail jam.

Hey Bettys, 

I'm feel stuck between winter in spring.. I'm so in limbo.. I'm not quite ready for springy pops if color on my digits. 

So I go neutral.. With brushes of gold glitter in a gradient flow, starting from my cuticle and fading around the middle of my nail bed. 

Super easy spring limbo nails!! No extra brushes or tape.. The top coat of polish will blend the gradient fade if applied whil glitter polish is still damp! 

Butter London Nail Lacquer. 

Left to right..

Lushington and Trallop

Yes honey!! These polishes have staaayying power to wear sans chipping for at least a week!

Worth every penny..

Play, and go for it!

I live for big hair! I just do

Hey loves!

For, I would say the full life span of me having my locs.. I have done nothing to my hair. 

No styles just maintenance. 

Until.. I was booked for a salon event and received hair services by one if the stylists.. I went from infatuation with the pinup style done with the help if (arts and crafts) pipe cleaners and a ton of pins, to falling in LOVE with the release of spiral curls once the pipes were removed. 

It instantly jugged up everything! 

After a good cleaning and tightening up of the roots, I wrapped 2-3 locs around individual pipe cleaners, starting from the root. Folding one end of the cleaner around the root of my locs, wrapping and thing folding the tip around my ends.

Unless you have a hair dryer, it may take a day for your hair to fully dry. You can either let it hang dry or keep it cute by tucking and punning your wired hair unto a bun like I did. 

It's good to use black or dark brown pipe cleaners. I had to use the neon colored ones, which honestly I don't mind too much. 

I waited two days before taking the cleaners out from my hair. My hair truly takes forever to dry. 

Remove.. And fluff!!

Then boom! Gorgeous Chaka Khan curls!! I love my hair bumped up like this every now and then! As it falls, the curl will become a wave!!

In the NY or DMV area? Book you Makeup Artist / Hairstylist

This season has our calendars filling up fast! 

In the NY or DMV area? Set up your trial today!!

Get us for you wedding day.. Email: booking.velvetfaces@gmail.com

Crowned brides : my favorite for bridal hair!

Hello Bettys!!

I'm always referring to my bridal trials and the overwhelmed bride that has not yet narrowed down her vision for beauty on her big day. 

I always say, don't be afraid to grab a pile of your favorite pics, a glass of patience and a stylist with the confidence to help guide you toward the best look. Last thing you want is a bunch of "yes" people, not weighing in on what works. 

When it comes to bridal hair, I love texture more than anything. I like to see my brides wearing their hair like crowns.. In a beautifully delicate fashion. 

It adds character to their style story.. Keeping in mind that the venue, the dress, the flowers, the hair, the makeup and even the manicure.. It should all flow and tell a tale of your vision for the day. Each detail complimenting the last. 

Here are a few of my favorites.. These styles work well for bridesmaids too!

And there is always the headband. Adding character and delicacy to shorter hair. 

Lydia M

Shimmer shadow.. Perfect for prom

These Magnificent Foil Shadows by Stila are perfect for prom and evening makeup. 

The shimmer in these Foil Shadows are a definite bonus!

Today's makeup fix: 

I used Indigo Punk cream shadow by butter London to prep my eyelids. Perfect for giving the Stila Magnificent Foil Shadow something to hold in to. Also keeps shadows from creasing! All day!

 

Then I stippled Stila's Magnificent Metals Foil Shadow in Metallic Violet over my lids with a blending brush. You can also pat it on with your fingertips. 

I polished the look with a matte bronzer in my crease and a navy blue shadow in the outter corners. MAC Cosmetics Contrast eyeshadow is perfect for this. 

I didn't use the dropper that comes along with the Stila shadow. 

I love doing purples! The shimmer of the Stila shadow was a nice bonus. 

I'm all over these butter London nail lacquers for this spring!!

Hello Loves.. 

I'm all into these butter London nail lacquers this spring... The show stopper that steals my heart, and I'm sure will steal yours too, is the blueish tealish pale lacquer in Poole. I super must have for spring. Poole is a polite pop of color for your ten digits that I'm sure you'll love. I love it on any skin tone. Yes any! And because it is a product of butter London you know it's gentle in the nose and also 3 free!! Gotta love it! 

Also a few of my other suggestions for the intro to spring: 

Try them. Get them. Love them. Enjoy!

Spring poppy eyes!

Add a pop of color to your eyes this spring. 

Try this show stopping trend on the top lid or just below the lash line. 

I like to jazz it up by adding multiple colors. 

You can get the look for spring, by using your color eyeshadows that are a bit too racy to wear on the whole lid for everyday wear. 

Butter London added a color line to their Lacquer brand with great springy color play. 

From left to right. 

Brown Sugar

Inky Six (my fave!)

Jaded Jack (my second fave!)

Pistol Pink 

They're water proof, perfect for when the weather really heats up and all your spring trips to warmer climates. They glide on real easy too with their creamy texture. 

The line also makes a cute lil spread of color mascaras for that subtle color fix! 

And yes they do show up on the lash.. 

From left to right, names are the same as above liners. 

Play with with it.. Use complimenting colors on the lash and lid. For example . Green liner and purple mascara, or vice versa. 

Later loves!

Happy first day of spring.. And hello wedding season!

In lieu of the season, I'll be sharing my favorite trends for spring and bridal daily.. From makeup looks to hair and nail color. 

I'm so glad to chuck deuces to the winter and welcome the fresh looks of the spring. 

Some call it arrogant I call it confident.

Keeping your skin prepped for spring with body butters : C Booths

Hey! 

Since last spring, I have been in love with my cheap fix, C Booths body butters! My absolute fave is the Egyptian Argan Oil.. But I also like the fresh scent of the Olive Oil butter too. 

 

I was at an Ulta when someone put me on to the brand (also carried at Walgreens and Rite Aid). Sometimes I can be a product snob and initially I was like, I just need my Sabon... But I'm sold! On damp skin, these butters keep your skin hydrated and their sexy scents are everything! They leave a soft, non greasy sheen on the skin with lasting all day moisture. 

Need a good sugar scrub to rid dry winter skin?  Their Strawberry a Scrub actually has berry seeds In it to help exfoliate the skin! 

C Booths will usually run you about 7 bucks and is well worth the try!!

$30 Sephora or Ulta gift card Giveaway

Your choice.. 

Are you a Ulta Junkie or a Sephora Addict?

What are your die hard favorite beauty products?

Transformation Artist: Highlighting and Contouring Workshop

I'm going to be teaching a hands on Highlighting and Contouring Workshop in Baltimore MD. 

Instruction will include:

- Skin tones and types

- Perfecting the canvas with primers, foundations and concealers

- Theory of light and dark illusions

- Understanding face shapes

- Creating contrast with highlighting and contouring. 

Space is limited to maintain the integrity of the class. 

Class fee is $150 

Reservation fee is $50 (will be deducted from the class fee)

Email booking.velvetfaces@gmail.com with questions and for additional Info!!

The art and wonders of contouring..

I love the transformation of contouring and highlighting. The art of sculpting with shading, never ceases to amaze me. 

There isn't a client that I don't contour and highlight.. Joking with one of my besties, I said, with lips perched "(pffft) I can contour an apple and give it life"! 

#joking #notjoking I just know what I can do.

Then I did it.. It was a bit of a quickie. I didn't want to beat the apple into a sauce!

Check it out:

Nothing's impossible.. The word itself is I'm possible. 

Want more??

Book a spot in my next contour and highlighting Makeup Artist intensive workshop! 

April 26, 2014 in Baltimore, MD

Bring me spring..

I'm not anti social..  But in the am.. Just give me my coffee and let me be for the next 35-45 minutes. 

Lavishing in my perfectly made iced caramel macchiato 

Trying to tune out extra convo.. So I'm posting.. Note to men.. A woman sitting alone isn't always a sitting duck!! #ijs

I've been keeping it fresh these days.. That's what spring is about!! 

Good fresh skin and a bold lip..

Get it with :

Nars Foundation (my love interest of the week) 

Smashbox Limitless Liners (priceless) retractable and they keep a point!!

And your favorite bold lip!! Mine is Infrared Matte by Smashbox

Enjoy our shaky intro to spring.. Make it beautiful!

Later Bettys!