Darphynia's Diary

First off, a big thanks to Revlon and Crowdtap for the products in this post.  I recently received four face products to help create the perfect photo-ready look:  Revlon Photoready™ Pore Reducing Primer, Photoready™ Brightening Primer ($12.99 and up at Ulta), Revlon Insta-Blush™ in Nude Kiss ($12.99 at Ulta), and a 4-in-1 Blending Sponge ($7.99 at Ulta), (list provided by crowdtap.com ). Left to Right:  Pore-Reducing Primer, 4-in-1 Sponge, Insta-Blush, Brightening Primer.

MAKE Beauty creates professionally formulated skincare and makeup that are user-friendly and "designed for personal experimentation."  You may be wondering what that means.  That means you are able to customize your look and tailor every product to your specific needs.  You can go from barely-there to super-pigmented in just a couple of steps.  Blend, layer, and play to your heart's content.  Their makeup formulas contain high-quality pigments that can be toned down or cranked up, depending on your mood.  Want a no-makeup look?  No problem!  Headed out for a fun night on the town and want a bold, super-pigmented look?  MAKE has all you will need. I was sent a mini eye shadow & mini lipstick to try out (see my Instagram post here ), and I must say that I love both of them.  The eyeshadow is a wonderfully neutral color that looks great by itself or blended with other colors.  Taffy is the color of the lipstick I received...

A friend of mine introduced my to YSL's Touche Eclat complexion highlighter years ago, and I was instantly a fan.  The product is a splurge at $42.00 a pop, but works extremely well.  YSL recently released a line of color neutralizers in violet, green, and bisque ($38.00/each). Image courtesy of sephora.com Image courtesy of sephora.com Image courtesy of sephora.com I received a neutralizer in green, courtesy of Influenster, to try out.  The creamy, unscented formula is not sticky and will stay put all day.  It is also matte, so no extra oiliness, and it is very lightweight.  A little goes a long way, and my under eye circles and redness nearly disappeared.  You can see how well the product mutes out my skin tone, so imagine that on problem areas.      Sorry for the fingerprints! I kept cleaning the package, and still... The tube out of the package. Click the button at the bottom to dispens...

So I thought I would be productive and get a head-start on Christmas shopping.  Since Halloween and fall have been taking over stores since August, you know the holiday items will soon follow.  I try to get most of my shopping done over summer, unless there are holiday sets I can't pass up.  ULTA had some good promotions, a couple of which may still be available, and BOOM, half my Christmas list is complete (okay, not half, but nearly).  Anyway, here is what I purchased: Sorry!  The picture isn't the greatest. 1.  ULTA Brand Eyeshadow Palette:  Gilded Gold Image courtesy of ulta.com For a store brand, ULTA has good-quality pigments.  Both this and the Gilded Rose palette are great for anyone who is looking for something to travel with, or someone who is just starting to wear eyeshadow.  There are several finishes (i.e matte, shimmer, etc.) and colors from across the more neutral spectrum.  You can go from a fresh, no-makeup...

Image courtesy of kohgendo.com Image courtesy of kohgendo.com Image courtesy of kohgendo.com It is so important to remove your makeup before you sleep.  It's common knowledge, but how many people actually remember to every time?  KohGenDo makes it easy to to remove makeup without much effort.  I have tried all types of makeup removers, prestige brands and off-brands:  Creams, oils, wipes, you name it, and nothing has worked as well as KohGenDo' s Cleansing Spa Water .  For about 10 years, it has been my go-to for removing even the most stubborn makeup.  Waterproof and long-wear makeup are no match for Spa Water, which is free from: artificial colors, synthetic fragrance, and mineral oil derived from petroleum.  It is also alcohol- and oil-free, and if it happens to get in your eyes, they won't burn.  Every night I apply Spa Water before the rest of my routine .  I also make sure to have a bottle on sets and photo shoots,...

Fluidline in Silverstroke. Image courtesy of maccosmetics.com I have loved MAC 's Fluidline since it was launched.  My first purchase was Blacktrack, which is (of course) flat black.  At first, I only used Fluidline as a a liner.  It has amazingly long staying power, and doesn't transfer to my eyelids.  A little goes a really long way.  Normally, I apply it with the 231 brush or Billy B's brush eleven because it is more dense and rigid.  It really all depends on the look I am going for.  Just run the tip of the brush through the Fluidline (it has a gel liner consistency)--you don't need to use too much-- then apply it as you would any other eyeliner.  Image courtesy of maccosmetics.com Image courtesy of billybbeauty.com I got to thinking about it.  I am always looking for makeup that has multiple uses.  For instance, some shadows make great highlighters, and some blush hues work great on lips.  Of course, y...

Image courtesy of beautylish.com & Billy B Beauty So, I wrote about the Billy B makeup brushes when I first purchased them years ago (I want to say it's been about 10, or near it).  Now that is has been awhile, I thought I would update you on whether or not they are still kickin'.  Billy Brasfield (Billy B) is an amazing makeup artist who made a name for himself, and has worked on a plethora of celebrities throughout his career.  He has also been an inspiration to countless aspiring MUAs, and I love his work.   Anyway, he had (literally) just come out with these amazing makeup brushes, and those who attended the seminar were the first to be able to purchase them.  From what I remember, they sold out.  Anyway, I have used them on photo shoots and sets, and they have not fallen apart yet.  Each brush is very well made, lightweight, and the short handle makes them very travel-friendly.  The retractable lip brush has a wonderful enclosure,...

they're Real Mascara Image courtesy of benefitcosmetics.com While everyone is drooling over Roller Lash, I am still obsessed with Benefit's they're Real mascara (and eyeliner).  I always apply mascara after I have curled my lashes.  Even those claiming to curl on their own never seem to do a good enough job.  When I see the majority of mascara applications, most apply it at the base and simply move the want up towards the tips.  Others work the wand back and forth, but few apply it in a rotating motion.  Working from the base, take the wand and rotate it outward.  It is the same motion that is described in the "how-to" section for Roller Lash.  The rotating motion will allow a more even distribution of the mascara while simultaneously minimizing clumping.  You can work the wand back and forth while you rotate as well.  After I apply mascara, I use a heated eyelash curler to give some extra lift.  I don't know about you, but my las...

I have tried nearly every eyeshadow primer out there:  Benefit, Smashbox, Urban Decay, Too Faced, etc. and the two that have worked the best for me are Urban Decay and Too Faced.  The Benefit and Smashbox brands box made my shadow crease within an hour or so.  I am focusing on Too Faced tonight because of the wide variety of finishes that their Shadow Insurance comes in.  At IMATS LA last year, I purchased one of each type of Shadow Insurance .  I love each of them for different reasons.  Here are some pros and cons of each--one of the biggest pros that they all share is that they do not come with a wand.  Not only does it make the primer easier to apply, it also makes it easy to use in any setting, whether you are working on a bride, shoot, or going for a night on the town.  Remember that a little will cover both lids, so about the amount of half a pea or less should do the trick.  Let it set while you prep, the...

Makeup Monday is here!   Have you ever loved a brand so much that you wanted one of everything?   Awhile back, I saved enough to do just that at IMATS LA, with one of my favorite brands, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC).   While I don’t much care for the name, I can live with it knowing the quality of their products.   OCC makes one of my favorite lip products of all time, Lip Tar .   I have been using Lip Tars on myself as well on clients for years.   They come in a wide variety of colors and finishes.   From nudes to reds to off-the-wall colors, such as Rollergirl (vibrant lavender) and Technopagan (blackened purple w/blue pearl), anything is possible!   Finishes come in matte, metallic, and (new) gloss.   Lip Tars can be used alone or combined to create your own, one-of-a-kind color.   All colors are versatile and wonderful for creating the perfect pout for all occasions.   Lip Tars will ensure a gorgeous and unforge...