PRODUCT REVIEW - MAI COUTURE Blush and Bronzer Papers

Here's video review of blushing and bronzing papers from innovative cosmetic brand, Mai Couture.

Blush Papers ($16) - 50 sheets  ($28) - sheets and case
Add color to your cheeks anytime with these remarkable blush papers.

2 in 1 Oil-Blotting and Bronzing Papers ($22) - 100 sheets  ($36) - sheets and case
These lightly powdered bronzing paper eliminates oil and has just the right amount of shimmer to give you a glowing and flawless complexion.

Me and Mai Tran of Mai Couture at The Makeup Show in New York.

THE MAKEUP SHOW NY (2010) - DAY 2

Hello my Lovely Readers...I'm back with details from Day 2 of The Makeup Show in New York!  After being awake until 4:30am uploading pictures and writing my blog post after Day 1  I was exhausted. I slept longer than planned but still arrived at The Makeup Show in time to have a full and exciting day. Without further delay here's my rundown of events:

The Main Floor of Metropolitan Pavillon was packed! There were people everywhere...all the vendors looked very busy. I've been coming to The Makeup Show since it's inception in 2005 and each year the Show just gets better and better. Unfortunately I missed the Main Floor Seminar, "The Bulletproof Bride: Durable Bridal Makeup" being presented by the incredibly knowledgeable, Kevin James Bennett of Make Up For Ever. I was early for the presentation by the lovely and gifted Ms. Valerie P. Hernandez for Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics though.

Valerie's presentation was also on Bridal Beauty so I did get some helpful tips for my bridal clients.  See below for a few pics of the products used and the final results. I'll be doing a separate beauty blog review of Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics in the near future.  It's the Rolls Royce of mineral makeup lines.

During her presentation Valerie used a product from the new, soon to be "phenome" cosmetic line, Mai Couture.  I featured the line in my blog post from Day 1 of The Makeup Show. Thought it was smart to add to my kit while they were in New York so went back to their booth to buy another blush color. I"m totally in love with their Face Papiers! I had to take a picture with the President of the company, Mai Tran (I'm wearing the Blush Papier in "Uptown"). A full Product Review of this line will be posted soon folks!

The Makeup Show is a great place to bump into the "who's who" in the Beauty Industry.  I was walking by the L'Oreal Paris booth when I ran into their Celebrity Hair Stylist, Mr. Johnny LaVoy.  I know Johnny from my days of taking Makeup classes at The Powder Group (TPG).  Everyone associated with TPG has really grown over the past few years. Proud to say I'm a Powder Group alum!

Next on my list of cosmetic companies to visit was Obessive Compulsive Cosmetics (O.C.C.). If you're a long-time fan of "Karen's World of Beauty "blog then you know who David Klasfield is and how terrific  O.C.C. products are.  In addition to being an incredibly talented and brilliant Artist, David is one of the kindest, most generous and laid-back person I know.

His innovative product, Lip Tars, have taken the Fashion and Beauty world by storm since their introduction during Fashion Week in Feb 2009 (see my previous post/review of Lip Tars).  Even more colors have been added to the already amazing lineup. I'll be posting an updated Review of the Lip Tars including swatches shortly.

I then headed off to participate in TPG Pro members-only event, "Portfolio and Website Review" with Michael DeVellis.  In this session The Powder Group Founder Michael DeVellis, discusses the two most important ways of promoting your work; your online presence and your print portfolio. It was extremely informative and I'm happy to say my portfolio was one of the "good" examples. Michael has known me since I first started doing makeup professional so to have him compliment my work and my advancement in the makeup field felt really, really rewarding. I've made so many sacrifices for my craft it's good to know that it hasn't been in vain.

I also ran into James Vincent -  Celebrity Makeup Artist, TPG Presenter and Director of Artisty for "On Makeup" magazine. James has played a vital role in my development as a professional Makeup Artist. He was the first Artist I ever assisted on a professional photo shoot and helped me learn what it takes to be the Key Makeup Artist for a fashion show. I love him to death!!!!

Back to the Main floor I made my final loop around the  vendors. I was looking for a replacement for my cream foundation palette but since Cinema Secrets (one of my favs) wasn't there I decided to check out Graftobian.  They had some really great palettes too but since I only needed to replace 1 or 2 colors I didn't buy anything. Now I'm regretting that I didn't just buy 2 or 3 new palettes. They were really nice.

I swatched colors from three palettes, from Top to Bottom: Warm Palette #3, Cool Palette #2 and Specialty Neutral Palette

Another newbie beauty brand that I discovered at The Makeup Show was BFR-Beauty For Real.  I didn't get a chance to swatch their lip products since the Show was ending but I really love the innovation of the line and the colors looked gorgeous. I'm including a pic of the display so you can get an visual idea of what I'm talking about. I'll be doing further investigation on this line so stay tuned.

And for those curious folks out there, here's picture of my haul of beauty products from Day 2 at The Makeup Show:

Everyone was packing up to go home so that ended my spending spree/review of The Makeup Show. I hope you Readers enjoyed taking this voyage with me. Until next year my friends!

THE MAKEUP SHOW NY (2010) - DAY 1

I can't believe it's been a year since the last Makeup Show but the calendar doesn't lie! I wanted to share the experience of what it's like to attend The Makeup Show in New York for all those aspiring Makeup Artists as well as the everyday women that loves beauty.  As usual, when The Makeup Show comes around I'm stressed and sick (see post from last year) but I didn't let it stop me.  I wanted to see the latest products from my favorite cosmetic brands, new beauty lines, Makeup Artist friends and Beauty Bloggers so I pushed through the pain and here's a visual account of how the day went:

First stop was at Smashbox Cosmetics area...it was packed but I managed to swatch some of their Lip Enhancing Gloss and new Limitless Eye Liners:

Top Row: (Light Gloss Collection) Illume, Orbit, Radiant, Aura
Middle Row: (Medium Gloss Collection): Pixel, Expose, 35 MM, Capture
Bottom Row: (Dark Gloss Collection): Starlit, Tease, Sultry, Electric

Limitless Eye Liner: Onyx (black), Java (dark brown), Black Violet (deep purple), Indigo Ink (deep navy), Peacock (teal)

I also went by the Face Atelier booth to check out their new Ultra Foundation for Women of Color.  Here's a swatch of the new colors:

Top to Bottom: Zero Plus Plus, Heat, #10, #11 mink, #12 sable

Next up was another one of my favorite brands, Stila Cosmetics. I ran into Sarah Lucero, "stila's celebrity makeup artist extraordinaire," who I first met at the NY Fashion Week Blogger Event this February.

Most of the products I wanted was sold out...I was soooo lusting after these new Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liners:

From Top to Bottom: purple tang (Purple with Shimmer), peacock (Cobalt Blue), moray (Olive with Shimmer), blue ribbon (Navy Grey), lionfish (Brown with Shimmer), silverdollar (Metallic Silver), koi (Metallic Gold)

I did get the chance to finally buy my Long Wear Lip Color in "Intriguing"(fuschia) -- it had been sold out forever! I was also able to pick up "One Step Correct" a new product that will be launched in September.  It's a skin tone correcting and brightening serum. Lucky me, I able to buy the last "preview"one available!

A brand that I first met at The Makeup Show last year has become my new love - Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics. Their Lead Makeup Artist Valerie P. Hernadez is truly talented and the sweetest person you'll ever meet. I got to know her better when I covered the NYFW Show for Designer Lois Samuels. Youngbood Mineral Cosmetics was the cosmetic sponsor and their products were used exclusively for the Show. (More info to come on Ms. Hernandez and this beauty brand!)

Below is pic of all the color cosmetics products I purchased and some free L'oreal swag. I was the model of restraint and only purchased things that I really needed or lusted after.  I stuck to my budget and I'm so proud!  I also stocked up on Makeup Artist staples from Alcone like brush cleaner, sponges, puffs, etc.  Nothing glamorous so I didn't post a picture.

I also had the opportunity to meet a new beauty brand, Mai Couture, that I'll be covering in a later post. Here's a sneak preview of their beauty products:

I also ran into a bunch of my Makeup Artist, Beauty Blogger and TPG (The Powder Group) friends.  It's always like a reunion at The Makeup Show. I really enjoyed myself despite being under-the-weather. I can't wait to go back and experience Day 2 tomorrow. Stay tuned Readers!!!!