Our time here is limited... Make it beautiful

Hello Bettys!!

I live the life of a full time freelance Makeup Artist.. Even when I'm not working.. Believe me I am working! My down time is no time to get comfortable and slack.. 

Off of one gig and on to the next.. Always working in the set up.. Not just for the now.. But for my future as well.. Our time is so limited isn't it?? Make it beautiful. 

My makeup of the day: all MAC products.. Comment if you'd like the tea on what I used! 

 Good night.. Maybe

Be a Betty..

Hey Betty's 

Let me explain :

If you're following.. Reading.. Or even just looking.. Chances are you're a Betty like me.. Either that or someone else trying to crack the code. 

Be the best version of you.. And work on that everyday! 

What?! There ain't no more to it!

High shine and a long wearing mani.. Without the crazy UV light?! I'm in!

Hey Betty's! 

Happy Friday.. Really everyday is a celebration though.. 

Friday doesn't mark the end to my anything.. Except maybe the school bus hustle with my son. I still feel a little kick back going through my veins though.

Today, I scored some goodies from Butter London.. You know, the backstage, gone front stage nail polish brand? 

Wait now! Their New Patent-Gel Top & Tails!!! It's their innovative UV less gel set. 

It's my new key to a long wearing mani! No more mid week and Friday night polish changes. 

Excuse me.. I have some primping to do! 

*grins ear to ear*

Be unapologetic!!

Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn. -Gore Vidal 

Be #unapologetic 👊

This repost, from one of the accounts I fancy on Instagram. 

I couldn't agree more.. Do what feels good to your soul!! 

At the end of the day.. You have to please you! Don't complain, don't explain.

Good morning : quote of the day

Eye jewels.. And gloss cream

Go ahead and primp!

Makeup, Art, beauty.. Is my pulse. I swear it runs through me. I connect to this quote so much because I know and understand the power of beauty.. 

It's in the confidence that comes with a fresh manicure.. Or the perk that you lips get naturally with an application of lipstick.. It's not a cover up!! Nope, it's enhancement. I say this on a day that I layered my skin with MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix first, and Studio Sculpt Foundation Second. All doll faced.. 

I see it all the time.. The turn around in my clients mood after I get my fingertips and brushes on her.. I can't say that I give them LIFE (that's a bit cocky) but I do bring them to anew. 

Feel free on your down days to take a moment and add an extra coat of mascara or lipstick.. Because the truth is, when you look good you feel even better. You will exude confidence! 

Go ahead and primp!

Today's Eye Candy

Hello Beauties!

Check out today's Eye Candy!

Oh and the lip...

All done with MAC Cosmetics eyeshadows and glitter pigments. 

My goal today? 

But look good while doing it! 

Okay, Beauties! 

Take my quote of the day with you.. And be well!

Bridal beauty and the case of, "You tell me"

Valentines day is out of the way and March is just up the street.. Which means, engagement season will start to fizzle out and *Wedding Season* begins.

I do a lot of Bridal work during this season, so one of my current duties is to stay up on the bridal trends in beauty for this year. Amazes me how it changes, every year and with every season. 

Sometimes I have Brides that have a crystal clear view if their wedding day.. Other times, my Bride may not have a clue. She just looks up at me with sass on her trial appointment like, "You tell me, you're the professional?!"

I thought I'd take a moment to help some of you Betty's out. The Bridal makeup and hair too, for that matter; is all about communication. Make it easy with visuals. 

Where should you start?? Well, we have award shows for a reason you know. It's an opportunity to check out gorgeous red carpet looks. It's the best for seeking your bridal beauty looks! Here is a few: 

Red carpet looks are great for hairstyles too!!

Here is one last tip: unless you find a look that is totally you.. Seperate what is ideal for you. How do you want your skin to look? What kind if lip do you like? What will be your focus? The eyes or the lips? 

Remember, if you know what you want..You will get what you want! 

Of course a great Makeup Artist can give you great Bridal Beauty, but you have to give her an idea of what you consider beauty.

Me and my team of Artists are available for Bridal bookings in the NY, NJ and in the DC, MD and VA areas.

To book:

Velvetfaces.booking@gmail.com

Give me $20 dollars, I'll give you better skin! Well.. Not me, them.

Hey beauties! 

I want to make sure that you know that Ulta Stores, also have salons.. And within those Salons they also have some spa services, like facials.. Microdermabrasion etc.

The great thing about their service menu is that they offer a 20 minute $20 Flash Facial to target and treat your skin and concerns. Convenient huh?? I thought so too! Check it out! 

There you go. You can thank me later :) 

There is no excuse.. Treat yourself don't cheat yourself!

💋💋 beauties!

No I'm not lucky, I'm blessed... Yes!!

Hello hello beauties!

A few weeks ago I didn't drive, no; I drug my cousin to ulta for some foundation picks. I personally don't have anything against it, but I do not use drug store brands on myself or in my kit. I just don't. 

However, my ear is always to the streets about buzz and reviews.  I've also color matched some clients in a few drugstore brands as per their request. I know what works and what just isn't worth it. 

Based on my cousin's complexion I suggested Iman Foundation. We went with the liquid. It looks and works great for her. And I think the foundation was like $11 bucks.. It's was a super easy buy! 

Anyway.. When were at check out we were offered to fill out for their raffle for Dermalogica products.. I love good skincare; but I never really win anything. I filled out the form anyway. Just days later I got a nice little "You Won" call (on a day that wasn't so nice) for not just the product but for a full facial too.. Nice! 

 I stripped quickly (you know waist up), for my complimentary facial and went home with my free goodies. I needed it and loved it! 

It was a no makeup Saturday for me. I was out shamelessly beating faces sans makeup myself.. Oh well. My skin was on exhale!

The next time you're in Ulta and they ask you to fill out a raffle form.. Why not just chuck'em your email address and cell number. You never know. 

Later beauties!

Don't let others dull your shine, because it's shining in their eyes!! You are a Mother F*#king SUPERSTAR!

Found this!! Thought I'd share it.. We should all walk around like.. Yeah, I'm that________!!

If you have a friend that needs to be reminded share this with them too! Don't confuse arrogance with confidence. Confidence is a hell if a drug! Exude it! Let it come through your pores! 

Feast for the eyes.. Glossy magazines and cabin fever.

Hey Beauties! 

Snowy days give me cabin fever and a growing magazine collection. 

Going through Elle, one of my favorites for reading, gushing, gotta get it lists and just looking; I came across few feasts for my eyes.  

A cool way to rock a bold lip and keep the lips 

I'm in love with this! I may not wear my bolds and reds the same for a long time! 

How to do it? 

Simple..

1. Use a black eye pencil in the corners of the mouth.. About a centimeter in, my lips are pretty full so a cm and a half (almost) worked for me.

2. Apply your red lipstick all over. I like a nice deep cherry color. I used Viva Glam 1 by MAC Cosmetics for this look. 

3. Use a lip brush to blend the two shades at the corners of your mouth. You want to blend the deeper black area toward the red area of the lips.

4. Top by rimming the lips with Gloss Pur Black by YSL. 

This eye caught my heart too. Just a clean well blended eye with double liner. 

Totally brings pop to the eyes!

1 Start from the two wings at the outer points of the eye. Try using an angled brush and black powder shadow first to be your guide. 

2 You want to create a V with your wings.  Don't get hung up too much on its perfection if the line (not just yet).

3 Use a precision liquid liner brush and either a gel or liquid (I used liquid Artliner in Black by Lancome). Start from the inner corner and draw your line along the lash line of the upper lases. Drag it all the way out and over you soft V from the previous step. 

4 Use concealer and an angled brush to clean your lines up, If necessary, and make them nice and sharp. 

Add a few coats of mascara and done! 

 For the shadows, I used all MAC Cosmetics eye shadows: 

Prep the lip with a cream color base or paint pot. Painterly is perfect for this (MAC)

1 Use a concealer brush to apply MAC's Yogurt  eyeshadow to the lid. Pat the shadow on for a higher impact of color.

2 Use a taught blending brush to apply Vanilla eyeshadow to the brow bone. All along the brow bone. 

3 Use a blending shadow brush in the crease to apply Shale eyeshadow.. Go over Shale with a soft wash of a Stars and Rockets Eyeshadow. 

You're using Shale to shape the eye and Stars and Rockets to add just a splash of  color. 

How the two work together: 

I'm always in the magazines for inspiration, transferring runway to everyday and paring trends together to live happily ever after. 

Hopefully March and the approaching spring will keep the snow at bay so I can skip the whole antsy cabin fever thing.💋💋

Later beauties!! 

Guess who's biz-ack!?

Hello hello beauties.. Somehow I've managed to crawl my way from up under a rock.. Seemed a lil' cozy at first, but I'm not really a dark, tucked under a rock kind of girl.

The last year has been.. A lot, a lot in a great way. I call the last 12 months "The Emancipation of Lydia (Lilly)". Feel me?

I've seen a lot in people.. In things.. In myself.. In life in general and found myself  revived and inspired. 

So, I'm back to give you beauty, artistry, and sometimes, not so pretty; from my eyes. I'll offer some thoughts from my mind and sometimes quotes from others. I'm about tips more than I am about product reviews and I will share. Writing is one of my first loves ( I think I have a few simultaneously). Pardon me if I write too much for you.. It's going to happen! But pics and captions are for you!! And I get that. 

So that's it, I'll commit (maybe more for me than for you, no offense.. Love you though!). Enjoy getting Beauty Marked by Velvet Faces 💋