Bronzed Beauty

Bronzed Beauty

Hi Loves! I know it’s been like forever since I wrote a post! The life of a Makeup Artist… on set doing makeup for beauty campaigns, fashion lookbooks, commercials, private makeup lessons, makeup for weddings, etc. You get the idea… ♥ By now I’m sure you have seen some social media buzz from a recent beach shoot I worked on. I thought I’d share with you how I created this beautiful bronzed beauty makeup look for gorgeous model Fallon Baker! I started creating this makeup look by prepping the eyes with a shadow base. You can use your foundation or an …

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Fall Softly Collection

Hi Loves! I’ve been so busy beautifying the world, I figured I should take a breather and share with you the newest Sigma Beauty Fall Softly Collection. I must say, its absolutely gorgeous! ♥ First, let’s chat about the Fall Softly Collection Eye Shadow Palette. It comes with 12 shades bringing forth a new shift on traditional fall hues. The other day I created a really pretty soft smokey eye using the colors Kissing Cousin (lid), Keen On You (crease), and Go Deep (corner). For green eyes, I love using the purple shade called Elderberry, to really make the eye pop! …

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beautiful wedding makeup look

Beautiful Wedding Makeup Look

I loved creating this beautiful wedding makeup look on Olivia! It’s so soft and elegant, perfect for a day wedding! Love this look as much as I do? Read on how to get it! How to create this Beautiful Wedding Makeup Look: 1) As always, I like to start by prepping the eye for shadow. 2) I then swept the Goddess Glow Highlight Duo by Sigma Beauty on the lid using the shimmery color on the inside corner of the eye and the matte peachy color on the rest. Then I carved in a matte brown shadow called Espresso by Mac …

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Lorac Pro Eye Shadow

Lorac Pro Eye Shadow

Hi Loves! Have you seen the Lorac Pro Eye Shadow Palettes? They are gorgeous and of course, as a Professional Makeup Artist, I had to purchase both of them. ♥ The original Lorac Pro Eye Shadow Palette comes in a black palette. It contains 8 matte shadows and 8 shimmer shadows. Each Lorac Pro Eye Shadow is velvety smooth and very pigmented. You can use these shadows either wet or dry. It’s really hard to pick my favorite shades from this palette, I seriously love them all! How to wear the Lorac Pro Eye Shadow Palette: For a basic day time …

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Haute Collection Pro Brush Set

Haute Collection Pro Brush Set

Hi Loves! I’ve been testing out this gorgeous Haute Collection Pro Brush Set by Jennifer Leong and wanted to share with you! Haute Collection is an online boutique operated in Canada, cruelty free, and has created theses pro makeup brushes with 100% synthetic Persian wool. What I love most about this Pro Makeup Brush Set is that the hair on each brush is so soft and gentle for my ultra sensitive skin. ♥ The Haute Collection Pro Brush Set includes 10 brushes which is perfect for any makeup application. There are 4 face brushes to include a 1) mini flat …

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Golden Coast Palette

Golden Coast Palette

Hi Loves, I recently ran across the Arbonne Golden Coast Palette Set and it is so unbelievably gorgeous I just had to share! As a professional Makeup Artist, I’ve seen a lot of makeup and it really takes a lot for me to get excited about a product. This palette is incased with a beautiful design of orange and coral seashells. The inspiration of this set comes from the sun-kissed beauty of Australia’s breathtaking, beachy coastline. Inside the Golden Coast Palette Set, you will find an array of four gold-dusted eyeshadows, coral bronzer, eyeshadow brush, and a mirror inclosed with …

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Jason Wahler

Jason Wahler

As a Makeup Artist that works in southern California, I just absolutely love doing on-location photoshoots because of the beautiful places I get to visit. The shoot with Jason Wahler (Laguna Beach, The Hills, Celebrity Rehab) and Naluda Magazine was held at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. What a gorgeous location! For this blog post I thought I’d share some behind the scenes fun! My call time was 11am and I arrived slightly ahead of schedule to meet up with the team. We were escorted to a lavish hotel room so that we could set up before Jason arrived. …

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mineral lustre

Mineral Lustre

As a professional Makeup Artist, I’m always excited to test out new products. So of course I couldn’t wait to open the box of samples that Mineral Lustre sent me the other day. I love snail mail! 😉 I instantly fell in love with the Eyeshadow Trio called Smokey Nan. You can easily create a smokey look with these three shades: white, silver, and dark blueish-grey. These shadows are so incredibly pigmented! You only need a tiny bit of product to really make the eye pop. These smokey eyeshadows are a loose mineral in its purest form. Mineral Lustre products are …

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Standout Eyes Gel Liner

Hi Loves! Have you seen the new Sigma Beauty Standout Eyes Gel Liner Collection yet? These liners are beauties! ♥ The Standout Eyes Gel Liner Collection features six beautiful long-wearing colors. All gel liners are versatile, yet unique, and have intense pigment. These liners go on smooth and have a fluid-like finish. As a professional Makeup Artist, my favorite thing about these gel liners is that they are so opaque! Let’s chat about the colors! 😉 Wicked is such a cute name; it’s the blackest of black liners. This color is perfect to use for any makeup application. Liberally Toasted is a gorgeous …

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orange lipstick

Orange Lipstick

Hi Loves! We’ve all seen it on the red carpet, fashion runways, magazines, celebrity outings, etc. The orange lipstick trend is sooo very hot this year, especially now for Summer! 😉 Pair this beautiful makeup look (that I created for model Jenya, below) with a white top, floral dress, or swim suit. A pretty shade of orange lipstick is perfect for a day at the beach or a night on the town! Here’s how to get the look: 1) Apply primer to the eyes to make eyeshadow last longer. Try using the Tom Ford Eye Primer Duo, a unique blend of powder and …

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Lip Gloss Tips

Lip Gloss Tips

Love wearing lip gloss, but want more staying power? Here are a few lip gloss tips to help make it last! Tip: Lightly exfoliate your lips with a gentle scrub. Lip gloss will adhere better to smooth lips! Try using Fresh Sugar Lip Polish, a sweet treatment that leaves lips feeling soft. This formula is enriched with real brown sugar crystals to gently buff away dry flakes. It nourishes the lips with the oils of meadowfoam seed, jojoba seed, and grapeseed while shea butter provides long-lasting moisture. A great treat for the lips! Tip: Use a lip concealer. Lip concealer …

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The No Makeup Makeup

The No Makeup Makeup Look

Hi Loves! Let’s talk about the no makeup makeup look! This look is very on-trend right now, especially since it’s getting a little warmer out. I had such a fun time creating this makeup look for gorgeous model/actress Brittaney (photo below) during a photoshoot and thought I’d share it with you. This look is just perfect for a summer day at the beach or pool! 😉 Here’s how to get this flawless no makeup makeup look (photo below): 1) Start by prepping the eye with a base like the Eye Priming Perfector from Becca. This eye primer creates an invisible canvas …

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Top Ten Makeup Must Haves

Top Ten Makeup Must Haves

Hi Loves! As you know, once in a while I randomly post “Ask Me Anything” (makeup related) on my social media pages. Sometimes I am able to answer these questions right on the spot; others I like to blog about. I received a great question from a fellow makeup artist and thought it would be really fun to answer it here! Q: What are your absolute top ten makeup must haves for your kit? A: This is a fabulous question! Each makeup artist has their favorites depending on what type of work they do. Here are my top ten makeup must …

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Bahama Mama

Bahama Mama Bronzer

Bahama Mama matte bronzer is a makeup must have for Summer! As a Makeup Artist, I’ve been using this pretty bronzer called Bahama Mama from The Balm, for various makeup applications to include bridal makeup and editorial photoshoots. I used Bahama Mama over the weekend during a makeup application I did for my friend and long time client Anna, who was getting ready to compete in a bikini fitness competition. If you are on my Facebook, I’m sure you’ve seen the photos posted. 😉 Bahama Mama is not only a bronzer, but it can be used for contouring or as an eyeshadow …

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makeup brushes

Makeup Brushes 101

Let’s chat about makeup brushes and their uses! As you know, I’m a Makeup Artist and I teach private makeup lessons and makeup classes in Orange County. The question comes up often during these makeup sessions on what each makeup brush is for and how it should be used. I thought I would share just a few basic makeup brushes that are must haves for every makeup application and perfect to add to your makeup bag. 😉 Makeup brushes can be synthetic, natural, or dual fiber. Synthetic makeup brushes are best used for liquid and cream products such as primer, foundation, …

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peach makeup

Peach Makeup Must Haves

Hi Everyone! As a Makeup Artist, I’m always testing out new products and looks. I’ve been totally obsessed with peaches this week and just had to share! ♥ My favorite peach makeup must haves are as follows: 1) Sigma Beauty Eye Shadow in the shade Grasp – This shade is a gorgeous papaya color from Sigma Beauty’s Individual Eye Shadow Collection. It has a pretty frost finish and blends just beautifully. This shadow is so rich in pigmentation and is paraben-free. Today I carved this color right into my crease. This shade is so versatile; you can use it on the …

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Tips On How To Use MAC Fix +

Hi Loves, The past few days have been pretty crazy on my end celebrating my birthday, teaching makeup lessons, doing makeup applications for proms and weddings for my private clients. I’ve also been doing makeup for a bunch of photoshoots in both Orange County and Los Angeles, with one to include yet another celebrity! Yes, I know…totally exciting! 😉 The life of a Makeup Artist! ♥ I’ve noticed within this past week, I’ve been really obsessed with my MAC Fix + Finishing Spray. I thought I’d share some tips on how to use Fix + and its variety of uses. …

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Bridal Makeup

Beautiful Bridal Makeup For Your Wedding Day

Hi Loves, Are you getting married and searching for the most gorgeous makeup look for your wedding day? I had a fabulous opportunity to do makeup in Los Angeles to create a beautiful bridal makeup look and wanted to share it with you! (photos below) Here is a step by step makeup tutorial on how to recreate this wedding day makeup look for brides to be! If you have been following my makeup blog for a while, you know the very first step I like to do for a makeup application is prep the eye. Start by applying an eyeshadow makeup base …

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How To Get Perfect Brows

Hi Loves, Let’s talk about how to get perfect brows! 😉 When doing a makeup application on myself and clients, I always spend time working on the brows. Why you ask? Eyebrows are one of the most important features of the face, as they frame the eyes. Without a good frame, there will be no focus to beautiful eyes and gorgeous eye makeup. Tip: The beginning of the eyebrow is determined by the inner brow line, which extends from the tear duct upward.  This means that any unwanted stray hairs past that point should be cleaned up. Be sure to use …

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Makeup Must Haves: Scoop of Sugar

Hi Loves, I ran across this cute line called Sugar (Sugar Brand) the other day and just had to share! Anyone who knows me well would agree that my two favorite things in life are makeup and sugar. 😉 So of course, I was totally excited to open my box of Sugar Brand goodies. ♥ Their packaging is totally adorbs (short for adorable) with a little wink girl logo in white and pink. Sugar Brand has an array of products to include mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, concealer, primer, lipstick, lipgloss, lip balm, cheek color, highlighting glow… you get my point. My …

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How To Achieve A Fresh Faced Makeup Look

Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of doing makeup for lovely model Lyssa during a photoshoot recently. For this blog post, I thought it would be fun to explain how you can achieve this fresh faced makeup look (photo below). This makeup look focuses on creating flawless skin while incorporating a pop of color which is totally wearable every day. Start by prepping the eye lids with Too Faced Shadow Insurance. These come in several shades. For this look, I chose the basic one that does not have shimmer. Sweep the lightest shade from the NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette from NARS …

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Makeup Tip – Soft Smokey Eye

Hi loves! Want your eyes to pop, but don’t want the harsh black eyeliner look? Create a soft smokey eye by using this makeup tip. Tip: Sans that eyeliner for a softer look!  Under the eye, sweep a light brown eyeshadow from outer corner to inner corner. Then carve a darker brown eyeshadow from outer corner to just to the middle. This technique will enhance the eye, provide a simple smokey effect, without the raccoon eyes. See photo below of the makeup I did on model Lexi for reference. Enjoy! ♥ Debra Johnson Makeup Artist Orange County, California Don’t forget …

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Get the Look: Model & Actress Aubrey Evans

Hi loves, As always, I love doing makeup for the lovely model and actress Aubrey Evans. Not only is she totally gorgeous, but she’s also really fun to work with too! ♥ Recently, I worked with her on another photoshoot and had to share this beautiful makeup look. This look focuses on highlighting and contouring the cheekbones and really defining the brow. Here’s how to get the look: Prep the eye lid with a primer to make sure eyeshadow stays put. You can use a foundation, paint pot, or an eyeshadow primer like the Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer. Carve a medium …

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Ask Me Anything – Moisturizer, Foundation, Mascara

Hi loves, It’s always so fun writing these Q&A blog posts. 🙂 I received some really great questions this week when I posted “Ask Me Anything” (makeup related of course) on my Facebook page and wanted to share them with you! Q: What is the best makeup and moisturizer for oily and acne prone skin in the summer? I do not need heavy coverage. A: I would opt for a lightweight moisturizer that sinks into the skin. Try using the 3-Step Skin Care system by Clinique; Skin Type 4: Oily. The clarifying lotion will help control shine and the moisturizer will …

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A Natural Foundation You Can Stick With

Hi Everyone! As a professional Makeup Artist, I’m constantly testing out new makeup products. Recently, I ran across the newly reformulated Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick and let me tell you… it’s gorgeous! This new Skin Foundation Stick, as they call it, is available in 24 practical shades. This foundation blends beautifully, evens out skin tone, and provides a natural look. It is a long wearing formula, and the website states that it is great for all skin types. I love that this new formula has olive extracts and shea butter – perfect for moisturizing the skin. I recommend applying this …

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