Makeup School vs Self-Taught!

Happy Friday beauties!

I uploaded a new video on my channel late last night, and I'm doing a little bloggy blog post to go along with it!

So obviously you do not have to go to school to be a successful makeup artist, I want to start by stating that. However, I will give you my background, and that is that I am a graduate of Joe Blasco Makeup Artist Training Center in Orlando, FL. I took the Masters 1 Program (16 weeks), which included 3 weeks of beauty, then special effects (old age, hairworks, bald cap application, injuries, blood making), then the last four weeks were prosthetics (lifecasting, sculpting, making negative and positive molds,running foam latex, applying and paint the prosthetic). I learned so many amazing things and although it was a SUPER stressful experience, it was very much worth it and I would do it over and over again if I had to (but thankfully I won't have to... i hope haha).

I met so many amazing people that all shared the same passions as me and I gained a few very good friends that I know are life long makeup sisters of mine.

There were many things that benefited me by going to a school instead of being self-taught, and that is the following:
- I came out of there ready and prepared in just a few months.
- Had a great school on my resume which I have been told has been the reason for hiring me for some jobs (not all though).
- Had a second pair of eyes to judge my work, and not only were they a second pair of eyes, but a very professional and experienced set of eyes.
- Many models to work on to make my portfolio have variety.
- Structured lesson plan that laid everything out and it all flowed nicely.
- Had access to industrial ovens and all of the necessary professional supplies.
- Met amazing professionals.
- Got so many tips and insight in such a small amount of time.
- Got drilled and a very "real-life" industry experience. Got my times down while still achieving a flawless look.

HOWEVER.

All of the above are things that you can achieve and accomplish as long as you have the DETERMINATION and SELF-DISCIPLINE to do so. NOTHING is impossible and there are SO many talented, amazing professional makeup artists that were self-taught. Money is a HUGE negative to schools as it is VERY pricey. PLEASE never EVERRRRRR think that you can't be a pro unless you go to school because you most certainly can. It just might take longer and more work put in, but it is very possible. That's what youtube is great for. ;) I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to go to school because it was convenient and fast (but also grueling, stressful, and crazy).

Whether you go to school or not, follow your dreams lovelies! You can accomplish ANYTHING. There are so many talented self-taught professional makeup artists out there and what's going to matter is your work and talent!
Love you guys! xoxo
Breanna:)

LOL "kabuki makeup" a classmate did on me, goes perfect with my nsync shirt ;)

sexy, huh? ;)

when the beauty students were leaving us fx and prosthetics kids!

my zombie mermaid creation!:) for my monster construction project!

love them so much!

lol my bearded lady;)

working hard sculpting for my prosthetic!

my own creation turned on me :'( haha hope you enjoyed!

Beauty Favorites of 2012!

Hello lovelies! One of my many New Year's Resolutions is to keep up with this blog, along with posting YouTube videos more frequently. So I guess I will start with a favorites video for the year of 2012.:) I tried lots of new products in throughout the year, but there were a lot that I just kept going back to, and that stand out in my mind because I'm always reaching for them! 1. Dinair Airbrush Makeup system and foundation. - I just never find any foundation that does what this does for my face. It always looks natural and clean, it's fast, it's easy, and I just can't find anything else that compares to the finish this leaves on my skin. I'm a mixture of Honey Beige and Vanilla. :) 2. Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - It's pricey, but lasts a long time! I just use it for my dark circles and it really camouflages them so nicely. It does get flakey or cakey throughout the day or settle into my fine lines. It's such a smooth and creamy product, and I'm just in love with it! 3. Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Quad - This product has saved me many times on the go. It has a skin toned concealer, a salmon colored concealer, a green concealer, and a powder inside. The concealers are very good quality, super creamy, don't look cakey, and the powder is so fine and soft. I really love this product and have definitely hit pan on a couple of the colors. The green is really fantastic for neutralizing redness! 4. Wet 'n' Wild Megaliner Eye Liner Pen - I always used the Megaliner, but now I've been using the one in pen or marker form, and I really love it. The one downside I always found to the original Wet n Wild liquid liner was the applicator didn't give you a lot of control, but the pen fixes that problem. The best part is the price, and the liner is still such a great formula. 5. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette - This palette has been my bff this year. I love the size of the palette because it fits everywhere, and it's lightweight so I can take it everywhere with me. Whenever I've traveled this year, this is the palette that I take because it can go with every outfit. I just love it and have used it so much this year. 6. Purity by Philosophy Facial Cleanser - Nothing compares to this amazing face wash. The teeniest amount takes off ALL of my makeup, literally, without having to scrub. It's so gentle. I've had very sensitive skin this year and the gentle ingredients have been amazing. I just love this product so much. 7. Rimmel Lycra Mascara - I kept going back to this mascara this year and wasted money on others. This is such a great drugstore mascara, so it's great in price and makes my lashes look great and feel so soft. The best part is that it doesn't flake! 8. Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30 - This is by far the GREATEST drugstore oil control moisturizer. I use it in the mornings and it makes such a huge difference in my skin! Those are the products that I just kept going back to this year! Happy New Yer everyone, let's make 2013 awesome!<3 Blomus 66710 Nexico Cosmetic Mirror (Google Affiliate Ad)

Dinair Airbrush Cleaning and Maintenance

Hey beauties! Here's how to take apart your Dinair airbrush and give it a really good cleaning, and some tuning up! It may look hard, but I promise it's super easy and once you do it, it'll be easier and easier. The better you take care of your airbrush, the longer it will last and better it will perform!:)

Here's what you'll need:
- tweezers
- Dinair airbrush cleaner (for water-based makeup ex. Dinair Glamour)
- rubbing alcohol (only if you're cleaning out silicone-based makeup ex. Dinair Paramedical)
- q-tips
- tissue, paper towel, towel, or rag of some kind (to catch the stuff you spray out, and to wipe your hands)
- Dinair airbrush lubricant or petroleum jelly ex. vaseline
- Dinair airbrush cleaning caps (for overnight cleaning without the jar)
- Dinair docking jar or any cup or jar filled with water (for over-night cleaning without the caps)
- rubber band
- plate or tray (some surface to work over that could catch any little pieces that fall during maintenance

Some important things to remember:
- Don't put the lube or Vaseline into the airbrush, it will ruin the airbrush! ONLY put it on the parts I show in the video!
- Be very gentle with the needle tip!

Here's the video.:)

Tutoria- Ombre Inverted Black and White

enter makeup diary's giveaway!!!!:)

http://www.makeupdiary.org/2011/08/makeup-diarys-huge-just-because-thank.html

there's the link, she's WONDERFUL!

Tutorial- Electric Black Eye

Products used:
- urban decay primer potion
- nyx jumbo eyeliner pencil (milk, rocky mountain green)
- inglot eyeshadow (lime green, forest green, deep plum, white, aqua blue)
- urban decay eyeshadow (purple)
- wet n wild mega liquid liner (black)
- lash accelerator mascara

apologies for my lack of posting/videos!

i've been working on some things for you guys and also... drumroll please...
i got a job as a makeup artist and esthetician at a salon nearby!:)

so i've also been doing stuff for that and i had to talk to my old job and blah blah blah...

okay no more excuses! i will be posting some videos tomorrow night!

until then, here's the before and after pictures of my new hair!

Secret Wonderland inspired tutorial

inspired by this bottle lol

Products used:
- monistat anti-chafing relief powder-gel
- murad primer
- benefit porefessional
- garnier nutrisse anti-dark circle roller (tinted)
- dinair airbrush foundation
- maybelline dream matte powder
- urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
- nyx eye pencils (milk, strawberry milk, purple)
- inglot eye shadows (light blue with glitter, white, matte black)
- urban decay eye shadows (alice in wonderland book of shadows: in wonderland, underland)
- sugarpill eye shadows (dollipop, afterparty)
- rimmel lash accelerator mascara
- ardell fashion lashes (glamour)
- tarte amazonian 12-hour blush (dollface)
- rimmel lipstick (rose blush)

Summer Fun Look!

Products used:
- monistat anti-chafing relief powder-gel
- murad primer
- benefit porefessional
- garnier nutrisse anti-dark circle roller (tinted)
- dinair airbrush foundation
- maybelline dream matte powder
- urban decay eyeshadow primer potion
- nyx eye pencil (milk)
- nyx eye pencil (baby blue)
- inglot eye shadow (glitter yellow, glitter aqua, glitter lime green, white, matte black [not the actual names, eye shadows are numbered and confusing])
- jordana eye liner (blue)
- beauty rush liquid glitter eye liner (gold)
- nyx glitter (gold)
- rimmel lash accelerator mascara
- ardell fake lashes
- tarte amazonian clay 12-hour blush (blissful)
- revlon lipstick (fuschia)

tinted moisturizer!

Tinted moisturizer is an amazing alternative to foundation in the hot summer!
Products used:
- monistat anti-chafing powder-gel (as primer)
- physician's formula healthy wear tinted moisturizer (fair-light)
- benefit porefessional
- garnier nutrisse skin renew anti-dark circle roller (tinted)
- maybelline dream matte powder

E.L.F. Eye Shadow Duos

There are so many eye shadows out there, and everyone automatically assumes that the more expensive, the better. That's definitely not always the case. I fully admit that I am soooo cheap. However, I'm also extremely picky about quality. E.L.F products have had a bad reputation in the past, but I am finding that they've truly improved their products, and a lot of them are fantastic and at SUCH a great price. I bought a few of the eye shadow duos recently, and I have found that I love them more than some of my inglot or urban decay shadows (which were my ultimate favorites).

They're $1 each. No, I didn't forget a zero. Just a dollar, for an amazing, pigmented, great amount of product.

I own three duos- Mocha Swirl, Butter Pecan, and Black Licorice.

Here's the swatches over an eye shadow base:

The first two are Butter Pecan, the middle two are Mocha Swirl, and the last two are Black Licorice.

Butter Pecan has a medium/dark brown and a beige. The brown is matte and the beige is a bit shimmery. They're wonderful for a quick neutral eye.

Mocha Swirl has a light pink with some gold in it (gorgeous!!!!) and a light brown. They're unique colors that could add a little pop of color, without getting too crazy.

Black Licorice has a silver and a dark black. Both have glitter. The black is AMAZING. The glitter is throughout the entire shadow, and I actually swatched it and compared it to my glittery black inglot color and the E.L.F black is definitely way more pigmented and wayyyy more glittery. You can't see it in the picture so much, but it's amazing.

All of these colors were swiped once with my brush before applying it on my hand. You get so much color. I like to keep the Black Licorice and the Butter Pecan in my little travel makeup bag, just in case I need a quick neutral or smokey eye.

These are amazing!<3 Go get them nowwww.:)

Sunset Eyes!

This was a fun look.:)

Airbrush Foundation video!

I already showed a post with before and after pictures, but this is an actual video so it's much better.:)

And here's some pictures, too!

Giraffe Print Tutorial!

This was such a fun look! My next video will be recorded with an HD camera, not my webcam, so you will be able to hear me better, and see better! Promise.;)

Products used:
lancome eye shadow base aquatique
inglot eye shadow colors used:
351 MATTE
35 SHINE
54 AMC
405 PEARL
25 SHINE
376 MATTE (as liner)
jordana cosmetics fabuliner in 02 brown
rimmel london lash accelerator mascara
dinair airbrush foundation
monistat anti-chafing gel (as a primer! ...seriously)
clinique pore minimizer instant perfecter primer (on t-zone)
loreal matte powder
10 colors blush palette bh cosmetics
6 colors contour and blush palette bh cosmetics
revlon brow fantasy in dark blonde
maybelline shinesensational lip gloss 05 peach sorbet

pictures:)

Thanks for watching/reading!<3

Bassu Gold Oil by Surface Hair- Review!

Surface is proud to present its newest styling product--BASSU GOLD.  

-Nature's perfect OIL for medium to coarse hair.  

-Contains Argan & Babassu Oil which helps penetrate, restore, and intensify natural shine while providing Hydration & Protection.

-Helps to shine, soften and smooth hair.

-Free of Artificial Color.

^ Description of product:)

 

I had the opportunity to try out this product, and oh my goodness, am I EXCITED about it! So, let's be honest, when I read "OIL" I was very worried. My hair gets greasy super easily and typically I run away from those products because for me, any product that is oil-based makes my hair look like I took a swim in an oil refinery- even if I use the tiniest drop. However, I thought I would give it a shot! This product is AMAZING. I swear, I have the weirdest hair type ever. My hair looks extremely thin, dull, and frizzy. When you feel my hair, it feels so thick. It holds on to water like you wouldn't believe, and takes about 45 minutes to blow dry. No matter what I do, it stays frizzy. I hardly spend any money on hair products because they never ever work. The first thing I noticed was the packaging, the product doesn't come out too fast at all.  I love the cap, I'm not sure what it's called, but it just twists slightly to allow the product to open and then you just turn it slightly back to lock it. I thought the product would be really thick and sticky, but it's not at all. You don't have to scrub your hands to get the traces of oil away, it just seemed to melt into my hair completely. Something I found interesting was when it comes out, it looks just like egg yolk! Which may seem gross, but it doesn't smell or anything and it feels nice. You only need a tiny drop. After I blow dried my hair, I realized my hair was SO shiny and felt so amazing! AND NO FRIZZ! The only thing I disliked, is that it doesn't feel moisturizing when you put it in wet hair. I like my hair to feel silky immediately. But it was just fine, I just sprayed some of my leave-in conditioner.:)

 

I give this product FIVE STARS!!!!:)

 

 

 

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me by the company to review. All of the opinions expressed in this article was my true opinion, I was not told what to say.

Eye Makeup Look Inspired By Katy Perry's New Music Video!

I'm going to start posting YouTube tutorials soon. But until then...

Apply an eye shadow base.
Using a white eyeliner pencil, fill in your entire lid. Make it as smooth and even as possible.
Using a stiff shadow brush, pack a white eyeshadow all over your lid.
Use a brush with a nice point to apply a dark blue eyeshadow and create that outer point.
Then using a crease brush, put the dark blue into the crease. I applied might damp, it makes a huge difference in how dark and vivid the color is.
Using a light skin tone color and a stiff brush, highlight your brow bone and soften up that blue on the top so it looks gradient and not so harsh.
Taking a black gel eye liner, line your upper lash line and wing it out.
Line your inner corner of your eye and underneath your lower lashline with a white eye liner pencil, wing it out below the black liner, leaving a little triangle space in between.
Go over the white liner with a white eyeshadow.
Line your eyes below the white eyeliner with a wet dark blue eyeshadow or a blue eye liner, meet it up with the winged out white liner.
Apply hot pink eyeshadow below the blue eyeliner and in the space between the black and the white eye liner.
Apply false black lashes.
Use Lash Accents or cut full size lashes (hot pink colored ones) and apply those on the outer lash line.

Eyeshadow used in this tutorial was used by Sugarpill Cosmetics!<3

YAY!

Airbrush Makeup, foundation of choice.

So many years, time, and money have been wasted on stupid foundation that didn't work for my skin. It either didn't cover enough, or slid off my oily face in this Florida humidity the second I stepped out onto my front porch. I couldn't touch my face at all, or my makeup would be completely off. It was stupid. Not to mention my dirty foundation brushes! Yikes. Come one, I'm at 18 year old girl. I hate cleaning my room and my car, why would I want to spend a half hour cleaning my foundation brushes (which I swear hold an entire bottle of my foundation, at least it seems like it with how long they take to clean!). I'll admit- I was way too lazy to keep up with that. So that would lead to nasty bacteria-carrying brushes, and rub (irritate) the brush onto my blemishes, attempting desired coverage, which would be hopeless for me anyways.

Then, I got my Dinair Airbrush system. Life. Changing.

I have the cute hot pink one, I mix half Vanilla and half Olive Beige. Dinair foundation sets almost instantly, and even in this life-sucking Florida humidity, I don't even need powder to set it. The only time I ever set it with powder is if I have a long work day or if I know I'll be running around. I sit there and watch as my blemishes literally disappear from site.  My face has cleared up so much since getting my machine in December. It looks so natural. The makeup covers my dark circles. The application is so quick and easy. There's no harsh or gross scent. I don't have a complaint. I love it so much, it's my favorite of all of my cosmetics. I love watching my clients' faces when they see how flawless their face looks after I use it on them. It's just amazing in every single way.

Here's the (scary) before picture:

Here's the happy after picture: (excuse the window light hitting my forehead!)

Yayyyyyyyyy!:)

Victoria's Secret Liquid Glitter Liner Review and Swatches!

There are so many glitter liners out there that when applied, do not look glittery at all, but in fact flat and goopy and disappointing. Victoria's Secret Liquid Glitter Liner is NOT going to be one of those cosmetic items that you hate and then toss to the bottom of the makeup bag. This liner will become your new, go-to liner for any and every occasion. It applies smooth and every little bit is glittery and sparkley. The result is so beautiful. The applicator is fantastic, you can apply the thinnest line for subtle shimmer during the work/school day, or a thick bold line for a fun night out! It stays on strong! What's even cooler? You can apply one color on top of the other and it will look like your own custom made color, perfect for matching every color in your outfit that day! Versatile cosmetics are the best.:) You'll definitely be going back for every color once you try your first one. I bought two the first time, pictures of those swatches are below.:) I will definitely be going back for more!

Sally Girl swatches!

So today after class I went by Sally's Beauty Supply. They had a sale on the Sally Girl eyeshadows, buy five get one free. They're 99 cents, 94 cents at the Beauty Club price, so I thought since they were so cheap I may as well try them out. I grabbed Rose, Latte, Beige, Glow Green, Aqua, and Coral. I was extremely disappointed with Latte, it's yellow. It doesn't show up AT all. It wasn't even worth showing you the swatch. But then again, I was expected much out of them. Maybe Latte would look better applied wet? I'll try that and let you know. I was more than happy with Rose, Glow Green, and Coral. I had to kind of rub Aqua a couple of times, but it's a pretty color.:) And Beige would make a great color for the brow bone or inner corner of the eye.
Here's some pictures! (I apologize at how terrible these are, bare with me, this was my first time doing this. And by "this" I mean blogging and taking pictures of swatches.)

The picture is refusing to rotate, I'm new at this, I apologize. But here's what they look like. They come individually, but you can connect them. Kind of cool!

Glow Green! I absolutely love this green! I was so excited about this! The only good green I have is for the Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland book of shadows. And this one has glitter in it!

Rose! This is a beautiful pink. It could even work on the cheeks.:)

Beige! This would make a nice brow bone color or an inner eye corner color.:)

Aqua! Love this blue! It's worth the little bit harder you have to work for the pigment, although it would be fantastic if you didn't.

Coral! I don't think this would make a very good eyeshadow as much as it would a highlight color for the cheeks! It's so shimmery.:)

Disclaimer: None of the products in this blog were given to me by the company, I did this on my own time and by choice.:)