Christmas/ New year Makeup tutorial look 1

Hey guys!

Check out my latest makeup tutorial for Christmas!

Enjoy!

Ciao bellas!

Sephora Precision sponge..a beauty blender dupe?

Hey chicas!

Hope your keeping well and dolling up for the festive season. I am trying so hard to sit down and record some Christmas look videos but I'm so busy with an Indian bride at the moment. I will try to get at least 2 tutorials up in time for the 25th.

The other day i was browsing in Sephora and found a cute little yellow egg shaped sponge freakishly similar to the beauty blender sponge. 

I thought, for 50dhs (circa 13 USD) was a pretty good price to pay if it works the same as the beauty blender which retails around 20USD. 

I ended up buying it and tried it with my Studio fix fluid foundation and also my RCMA cream foundation.

The verdict? Its much denser and stiffer then the beauty blender and a lot smaller in size and does not expand like the former. 

It does however apply liquid foundation beautifully. It doesn't quite bounce the same but if you sort of dab it in it works really well to blend the foundation to a lovely airbrush finish.

I would definitely buy more of these if only they weren't such a pain to clean!

They stain, therefore however much you try to wash it, it will stain. So unfortunately I will use them on myself but not on clients as they look dirty. 

Sadly, I prefer the beauty blender, but this isn't a bad dupe for personal use. I think it works better with liquid foundations rather then cream due to the lack of "bounce".

Would I buy it again? Yes..if I figured how to get rid of the stains.

Anyway , thanks for stopping by and let me know if you tried it and what you think?

Ciao bellas!

xxx

Update and Product Review

Oh my god! Its been ages since I updated my blog. I have been absolutely CRAZY busy with work. I also went away for my birthday to Lebanon..amazing trip I will blog a bit about that later.
I am planning on doing lots of tutorials during the holidays so stay tuned...
In the meantime a quick review on a new foundation iv been using...


Benefit Some kinda Gorgeous foundation faker!

I picked this up the other day in a little gift set which came with Bad Gal lash and Coralista blush (which is absolutely gorgeous by the way) and i decided i would try out this foundation.

Okay so at first its not an actual foundation. Its more of a tinted moisturizer with a light -med coverage. It is very silky and liquid but dries to a complete powder matte finish. I really like it. Its light and airy and great if you don't like too much coverage and want to look as natural as possible (like me ).

I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who wants or needs coverage but you can simply go over blemishes with a concealer. I believe that foundation is not for coverage its for evening out skin tone, and concealer is to be dotted where needed for that beautiful flawless look.

Anyway, it comes in 3 shades which isn't great but kind of works somehow. I'm not sure the darkest shade would work for women of color because it might turn ashy.

I do like this very much and i feel as its long lasting as well.

Try it out! I got the one in medium.

Cheers!

Ciao Bellas!

xxx

The History of makeup kits

Hey guys,
I stumbled upon this amazing website that has pictures of old makeup kits..some of these are from the 1900s  which is pretty cool to see... enjoy!


1900 Stage makeup kit, probably for a white male.

 Complete professional actor's kit in it's original tin box, most probably used by a white male in the early 20th century.

Complete and unused white female Max Factor theatrical "student" kit in original box (1940's?)

This one has fake stage money in it...circa 1920s

This one probably belonged to a male actor 

various cream eyeshadow, or greasepaints

I hope you guys enjoyed this. I find it fascinating to learn about what they used to use back in the day for stage and film, but the best is when you actually get to see it for yourself. To me these are relics :) 

For more check out http://www.costumes.org/classes/makeupclass/oldkits6.htm

Until next time!

Ciao Bellas!

How to choose the correct foundation

When it comes to choosing the correct foundation, many people think they know how to but they actually make some common mistakes. Unless you have studied makeup or are a makeup junky, its most likely you do not know how to correctly match your own foundation. 
I have compiled a couple of pointers for you to follow when you go out on the search for a foundation. I know this is a long post, but it covers all you need to know about foundation application. Remember, if your foundations is not right, the rest of your makeup will suffer. 

1. To start off, you must identify your skin type. Is your skin dry, oily, combination or normal? This is very important when choosing a foundation because nowadays there are foundations to match skin types. This is important if you want a foundation that will suit your skin type. Imagine if your skin is dry and you get a foundation for oily skin..you will end up with even drier skin!Why? Because the one for oily skin is designed to prevent shine and will mattify. Get it? :)
2. Identify your skin tone/ethnicity. This is important. You need to know what undertone your skin has. Most ethnicities are of a yellow undertone. Fairer skins usually have a more pinkish or warmer undertone. Once you have determined this, you can correctly choose the color of foundation. I prefer using yellow undertones because they are more naturally found in the skin. If you are fair, your skin usually looks more pink. To tone this down, a yellow based foundation is best. Once you have determined your undertone, you can proceed with a dark or light or anything in between which fits you.
3. Decide what texture and finish you want. When you know what colour is best for you, you now need to decide what type of finish you want. There are many different finishes and textures now out on the market

Finishes

• Matte- no shine finish, usually looks very flat and is best for oilier skins. Normally it gives the most coverage. This is best used in photography or on film/tv
• Satin- a semi matte finish but still shows some skin. Its good for most skin types if you want that natural look but with coverage.
• Glow- this was made famous by Jennifer Lopez, the J lo glow. Its usually a satin finish but with a more natural finish that captures light and gives you a healthy radiant look. Perfect for the summer months.
• Shimmer- this is normally a high shine foundation look best kept for fashion/editorials. Its got a shine shimmer pigment in it and if you have oily skin, it will enhance all your pores and you will look like a disco ball 
• Tint- the sheerest of them all, usually in a tinted moisturizer. Its extremely light and just evens out the skin tone giving you an even finish but no coverage. Best for normal clear skin that don't need coverage

Textures

• Liquid- the most popular. From really sheer to full coverage. 
• Cream- the highest amount of pigment, therefore has the most coverage. Good for photography/film and drier skins
• Cream to powder- relatively newer on the market. It has a creamy consistency, but dries to a powder finish. Great for combination skins 
• Powders- these are powder foundations. 2 in 1 where it does everything in one application. It gives coverage and sets. Usually good for everyday use and is great for oily skins. If you have a drier skin, you may not like this. 

      4. Decide the amount of coverage you want. Do you want a sheer one? A full coverage? A medium natural coverage? Or maybe just a tint? This can be determined by identifying whether you need to cover any blemishes, discoloration or if you want a heavier look.

• Always match your foundation to the rest of your body. The most common mistake is matching it to your face or the neck. The neck is the lightest part of your body because it doesn't catch any sunlight therefore remains much lighter then everywhere else. 
• When you match a foundation and it completely disappears into the skin, it means its the right color for you.
• Foundation is supposed to be your second skin. It must not be obvious. If it is, it defeats the purpose. 
• If you need to conceal any blemishes or discolorations, use a concealer after you apply foundation. This way you wont cake it on!
• Remember, if you need to take photographs, be wary of foundations with too much spf. The titanium dioxide will reflect the flash in the cameras and give you a ghost white face!
• Always blend it to perfection! There is nothing worse then seeing foundation streaks and marks where it hasn't been blended in!
• Use a brush to apply it. If you use a sponge, make sure to wet it, this will prevent it from absorbing all the product in it and wasting it.
• If you choose to apply it with your fingers, please make sure you wash your hands to prevent from spreading germs onto your skin. Using fingers can be amazing due to the heat production from skin to skin. Great for blending it in to a natural finish.
• Always set with a light dusting of powder to keep the foundation in place all day. 

Hope this helps and if you have any further questions, send me a message and i will do my best to answer them!

Ciao bellas!

xoxo

My top 10 neutral MAC eyeshadows!

Hello everyone!


So the other day at a shoot, I was sitting in between touch ups and had a thought...what if I didn't have any mac eyeshadow? What would I do without my favorite ones? Scary thought. So that inspired me to write a list of the ones I cannot live without that I reach for all the time. These are mainly from my neutral palette, because mac does the best (in my opinion) hehe :) Enjoy!


Satin Taupe
Taupe with silver shimmer(Frost) 
Gorgeous all over the eyelid and goes with anything. Great for a soft smoky eye. I love it on brown and blue eyes.

Cork
Muted golden brown (satin)
Perfect to fill in brows and to lightly contour the crease

Sketch
Burgundy with red shimmer (velvet)
Beautiful shade to contour the outer eyelid and as an all over smoky colour. Makes green eyes pop!














Espresso
Muted golden brown (matte)
The perfect shade for filling in brows,contouring the crease 
and as a neutral shade for pretty much anything!

Brule
soft creamy beige(satin)
The best for all over base or a natural highlight under the brow

Woodwinked
warm antique gold (veluxe pearl)
My all time favorite bronze gold goes on anyone, but especially on blue eyes, really makes them pop!

Bronze
Gold brown with gold bronze shimmer (frost)
Truly the best true bronze. Perfect for weddings,natural smoky eyes and day makeup.This is really pops on green/blue eyes

Mulch
red brown with bronze pearl (velvet)
Love this gorgeous red brown for a warm smoky eye or just anything really. Such a versatile brown




                                             








Patina
Taupe brown with golden pearl (frost)
One of my all time favorite mac eyeshadow that i cannot replace anywhere else. A soft gold with a slight taupe tint. Such a unique color

Club
red brown with green pearl (satin)
This is a fantastic unique color. Depending on the base you use can either look green or brown. Duo Chrome love it love it love it !












There are many more that I love but these are the ones I always reach out for. I do love many other brands as well. I will do some more top favorites in the next coming posts. What are your favorite mac eyeshadows?


Ciao bellas!
xoxo

Update!

Hey guys!
This is going to be a short and sweet update. I am sorry iv been away, but had the opportunity to work on the set of the still in production Mission Impossible 4 movie installment assisting the makeup department. It was a fantastic 3 days and i had such a blast! Tom Cruise is pretty awesome! Now i'm sick with the flu so wont be doing much until i get better! No one wants to see sniffy red nosed alessia making makeup tutorials haha!

Stay tuned though i have some amazing videos coming up...
Ciao bellas!
xoxo

The best makeup remover EVER

Happy Eid to all !

This is the best makeup remover on the PLANET!

Seriously, removing makeup is KEY to having clean beautiful skin, so a good makeup remover is pretty hard to find.

I have tried and tested a few but none would remove my mascara or eyeliner very well (yucky black marks on pillow). I found this in beauty bay Oasis Center mall about a year ago and to this day its been my savior.

I have had Lasik so my eyes are super sensitive and i wear a lot of eye makeup regularly so this breaks it down and removes it tears free :)

The Balm, Balms away eye makeup break up is the way to go chicas!

Fortified with antioxidants, vitamins A,C and E and plant derived sterols and lipids, this smooth wax based makeup remover breaks up eye makeup in no time and doesn't sting or irritate the delicate eye area.

Apply a small pea sized amount and gently massage the whole eye area and remove with damp cotton pads!

I love it!

Until next time 

Ciao bella's 

xxx

Peel away dull skin!

Hey guys


I'm back with another review. Sorry iv been away for a while but just so busy with work. I have recently been qualified in ELEMIS facials as part of my beauty therapy work and so happy about that. I got to work with all their products and let me tell you i am sold!
I have tried and tested many skincare brands, clinique, khiels, lancome, Nivea, Cetaphil, Drugstore brands like Olay, Neutrogena etc you name it, my skin has tried it. I have always changed skincare because Id be happy with something then id change my mind. 
Elemis is a fantastic brand and il be doing a full video review sometime in the next week or so where Il explain in more detail and show you my entire skincare routine

For now i'm raving about this scrumptious, beautiful, divine exfoliator, Papaya Enzyme peel.
This is not a scrub, its a non granular leave on enzyme rich cream exfoliator. Enzymes are catalysts that speed up an action in cells, therefore nibble at your skin peeling away the dead surface skin and leaving you with a fresh smooth even and brighter complexion. They are normally fruit or plant based enzymes and this one has papain (papaya) and pineapple. 
The scent is absolutely divine, i kid you not you will love it. Perfect for drier skins but great even if you have combination skin or oily skin.If your skin is very reactive or sensitive, this might be too stimulating for you.  It is packed with Anti Oxidant rich Vitamin E and marine algae to repair and nourish the skin leaving you with a dull free face! Leave it on for 10-15 mins and apply it twice a week.
This peel does WONDERS for mature skin thanks to the milk protein and marine extracts which feed the skin. 
You can find it in top spas world wide and select department stores. 

Thanks for stopping by
Ciao bellas!
xxx

Ruby eyes/Red eyeshadow Trend Holiday tutorial

Hope you guys like it!
Sorry Iv been away for a while but super busy with training with Elemis and work. Will do my best to update you and blog more.
Ciao bellas!
xxx

Sophia Loren Inspired makeup

Hello chicas! (and guys)


I did a tutorial for you inspired by one of my favorite Italian actresses, Sophia Loren.
She needs no introduction since shes a legend. Famous for her timeless beauty, curvaceous Italian body and a true talent for acting (academy award and Oscar winning).
I did a makeup look which has the key elements to her signature look..hope you guys like it!
She shot to fame in the late 50s and has been an icon ever since. Her makeup always is immaculate, sexy sultry and very feminine. Known for her smoky, cat like eyes and luscious lips. 
Key elements were matte skin, bronze eyes and defined thick cat liner. Lips were matte too with a little bit of a sheen.



What I used


Face
Smashbox photo finish primer
Graftobian HD creme foundation
Graftobian invisible set powder
Nyx Blush
MAC emote blush (contour)


Eyes
88 warm palette by coastal scents (diff shades of brown)
Highlight color from palette
MAC smolder pencil
Kryolan black cake eyeliner
Smashbox brow tech


Lips
Rimmel 1000 kiss lip liner in "Tiramisu"
MAC myth lipstick
Clear gloss

I loved the fact back then being a woman meant having curves and it wasn't considered "plus size"...she was often called "the Italian Marlyn Monroe" Stunning!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Ciao bella's!

xxx

KISS "The demon" Halloween Tutorial

Ciao!
Another video for you guys, this time for Halloween...its my first one. I hope i can make a few more before the end of the month. Lets see!
So i chose to recreate a pretty easy one..KISS! Gene Simmons "the demon" is the lead member from the crazy 70s born rock band. 
Its not hard to do just take your time with it and all you need is black and white makeup, and a lot of accessories. I recommend if you decide to go for this on Halloween, get a black wig and tease the life out of it and make sure to really cover your hairline! 


Hope you like it!
Check out the link to the video ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtQC4VH4li4

What i used 


MAC chromacake in pure white
Sleek white eyeshadow
Maybelline brow pencil
Kryolan cake eyeliner in black

Have fun with it guys! 
Ciao xxx

Winter 2010 Armani makeup

Hello makeup junkies!


I have made another tutorial for you. I have been away for a while and now I'm on a roll..uploading a Halloween one in this moment..:)
This tutorial is another trend video, inspired by Armani winter 2010 runway look. Beautiful Smokey rich plum eyes and scarlet lips. Easy to do and you can tone it down if you think its too much .
Hope you enjoy it...

What i used (All MAC unless specified)
Face
StudioFix Fluid NC40
Smashbox Photofinish primer
Mineralize skinfinish Medium Dark
Stila contour kit
Coastal Scents blush palette "mauve" color


Eyes
Nyx white eyeshadow base
Dazzlelight eyeshadow
Fig 1 matte eyeshadow
Sketch eyeshadow
Smolder
Prestige blackest black mascara
Smashbox browtech


Lips
Plum royal cremestick liner
Russian Red


Heres the link 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZmMeomApdU



My blog is still being funny with me so i can only insert the link and not the actually video. :(
But anyway have fun trying it out and remember you can use any color you like if you want to change it abit. 
Enjoy
Ciao bellas!
xxx

My top must have brushes for your kit!

Hey guys!


Sorry for slacking off a bit with my blog posts and videos, but have been busy with work, interning etc so just haven't had much time on my hands to update!
Anyway, today iv decided to blog about the most important part of makeup..tools!
In particular, brushes. Like an artist cannot live without his to paint, makeup artists or anyone who wish to apply makeup simply can't without top quality brushes. There are many companies on the market that sell good quality brushes so you have no excuse! :) Its important that when buying brushes, you know what to look for and how to take care of them in order for them to last you a long time.
There two types, sable (real hair) usually made from goat, squirrel etc, and synthetic or semi synthetic..oops thats three types hehe..
For powder products its usually best to go for sable because they pick up more product and can be easily washed. For anything cream or liquid, synthetic brushes are best for this, because they are easy to wash and hold up better for oils etc. Don't get me wrong though, i don't believe in rules. Therefore you can use your brushes for anything! Just as long as you wash them with shampoo and treat them with love, then they will last!
So, my top picks? I have made a list of my top brushes that i simply cannot work without, remember though, you don't need to go out and buy 50 brushes, a lot of the times they can be multi purpose.


Eyes

Mac 239 
Flat stiff brush used for applying color and blending. An essential brush for eyeshadow application. Natural hair 

 Mac 224 

Fluffy dome shaped brush used for blending out eyeshadow and can also be used for concealer application (alessia's tip) Natural hair

Mac 217 

Similar to the 224, but smaller and more dense. Has more hair, which is better for blending and can also be used for applying eyeshadow in the outer eyelid or crease. This is also great for concealer. The holy grail of blending brushes. Natural hair.

Mac 219

Pencil shaped brush used for smudging out eyeshadow, eyeliner and great for detail work in the crease area of eye. Natural hair

     Smashbox slanted brow brush

     I love this because its got a double end. One end is this slanted semi       

     synthetic brush for filling in brows and the other is a straight push liner.

     Essential for brow work and also eyeliner application

Face

Mac 187 

This brush is amazing. Commonly known as the stippling brush, this little baby is specially designed with fiber optic bristles which blend out foundation to a beautiful airbrush finish. Can also be used to apply cream blush and powder products for a lighter finish. Natural and Synthetic

They also have a smaller one which works just as well.

Mac 190

You can find this brush literally anywhere. Its a classic shaped synthetic foundation brush and applies creams, liquids, primers moisturizers..anything! A must have in any kit. Synthetic

Mac 116 

Blush brush ,you can find these anywhere. Medium sized natural bristle brush used for applying powder blush. A classic

Kabuki

This one is from sephora, but again you can find these anywhere. I love this brush for pressed or loose powder and bronzer.

Mac 168 angled 

This is perfect for contouring, highlighting and shading sculpting cheeks and general blush. The fact the its slanted or angled, it fits perfectly in the hollows of the cheeks :)

Those are some of my top favorite brushes, but there are many more that i use as well. It was tough trying to short list the ones i wanted to mention because I'm obsessed with brushes but these are the most essential ones you will need to complete a makeup application that looks professional and polished.

I know its a long post but i hope this will be helpful for those of you who are just starting out. Remember, an artist without tools cannot create art! I'm so cheesy! haha

Take care guys and until next time!

Ciao bellas!

xoxo