What's in my Makeup Kit!

I made a three part video of what is in my makeup kit for those of you who asked to see it, since it would help you decide what is important to have when building yours. Here I will write a list for you to refer to.

1. You need a bag! I have the Zuca Pro Artist and Zuca Backpack
2. Sturdy cup to put your brushes in while working.
3. Q-Tips
4. Makeup Remover Wipes
5. Finger Puffs which are good to use when applying lipstick for example because your hand will usually touch their face and I don't want the oils in my body to transfer to their face.
6. Receipt Book for wedding trials, etc. and pen.
7. Roll of Paper Towel
8. Wrap to cover your clients so that makeup doesn't fall on their clothes.
9. Cotton squares for removing makeup.
10. Empty zip lock bags to place your dirty brushes in.
11. Brush roll for your brushes or a case for them.
12. Have a wide variety of brushes!
13. Sponges
14. Lip Palette (have a wide variety)
15. Eye brow razers
16. Tweezers
17. Scissors
18. Beauty So Clean Makeup Sanitizer
19. Waterproof Makeup Remover
20. Alcohol base brush cleaner
21. Bronzer's for every skin tone
22. Palette
23. Spatula
24. Baby wipes (to tame fly aways, good for photo shoots)
25. Tissues
26. Gum (remember how close you are to the clients face!)
27. Oil Blotting Sheets
28. Glue Stick (if you cover up eye brows)
29. Hand Sanitizer
30. Hair Clip
31. Eye drops
32. Airbrush Kit (compresser with plug/cord/airbrush gun/wide range of airbrush foundation colors/airbrush cleaner)
33. Z Palettes (great for saving space. You can put eye shadows, blushes, powders etc. anything in a pan)
34. Wide range of eye shadow colors
35. Wide range of blush colors
36. Highlighters for all skin tones
37. Graftobian Pressed Powder palette
38. Mascara Guard (helpful in not getting mascara on the eyelid)
39. Waterproof and regular mascara
40. Black and Peach eyeliner pencil
41. False eyelashes (strips and individuals)
42. Clear brow gel
43. Duo Lash Glue
44. Silicone Based primer
45. Wide range of cream blushes
46. Wide range of foundation colors
47. Wide range of concealer colors
48. Graftobian corrector palette
49. Rich moisturizer/primer for dry skin types
50. Oil absorbing primer for oily skin types
51. Embryolisse dry skin balm (see video part 3 for info about it)
52. Edible lip scrub
53. Nail file
54. MAC mixing medium
55. 3 translucent loose powders (peach, medium, dark)
56. Wide range of lip liner colors
57. Waterproof lip liners from BH Cosmetics
58. Lip vitamin
59. Wide range of lip glosses
60. Waterproof lipstick from Make Up For Ever
61. Sharpener
62. Urban Decay Naked Palette
63. Urban Decay Ammo Palette
64. Make Up For Ever 12 Flash Color Case (used for lips, cream blush, foundation, eye base)
65. Black/Brown Gel liner
66. Waterproof black gel liner from INGOT
67. Loose pigments from MAC & INGOT
68. Different paint pots from MAC
69. Fix + by MAC (for dry skin types)
70. Model in a Bottle (Sets makeup; spray on after makeup is done)
71. Anti bacterial Brush cleanser
72. Water bottle (to dampen my sponges)

Hope this was helpful!

Blog awards!

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Thank you for everyone who chose my blog as best blog! You are too sweet. Here is the tag that goes along with it, and below are blogs I choose as best blogs!

7 things about me:

1. I'm Puerto Rican-American
2. I'm married and we have one son.
3. I was a theatre major in college with a focus in teaching & an English minor.
4. I went backpacking in Europe for a month when all my belongings got stolen in Spain!
5. I never let my nails grow, habit from playing the piano
6. I'm obsessed with chocolate cake
7. I'm a novel junkie, I have my own library at home

-Favorite Color: I really don't have ONE favorite. Sorry.

-Favorite Song: omg favorite questions don't do well with me, don't have just one.

Your favorite dessert: Ok this one I do! Chili's multan lava cake, omg! Soooo good!

What is pissing you off: That I'm not receiving things I should have gotten a long time ago!

When you're upset, you: Think about it for hours and then vent to my husband or someone in my family.

Your favorite pet: My favorite pet was my dauschaund Muffy who left us years ago.

Black or White: to wear? Black

Biggest fear: Of not fulfilling my goals.

Best feature: my eye lashes, I get asked if I'm wearing falsies all the time.

Everyday attitude: Hopeful and happy.

What is perfection: A day spent with my husband and son. Being a mother brings the best love in the world.

Guilty pleasure: omg, I don't know why but I like Jerseylicious, and love Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

BEST BLOG WINNERS:

INTRO TO BEAUTY

MAKEUP MAJESTY

STARLIT DESIGNS

BEAUTY BY KRYSTAL

DULCE CANDY

LATINA MAKEUP & BEAUTY

ROBERT RIOS PHOTOGRAPHY

www.MakeupToGo.com

THE AMY FACE

-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

Behind the scenes of a magazine shoot

Finally, I am posting my behind the scenes pictures from a photo shoot I did in April for Simply the Best Magazine. It's a South Florida magazine so if you don't live in South Florida, you can still check out the photos on their website which is already out. The actual magazine won't be available until July 1st, so it's around the corner! And I will post those photos in another blog.
Photographer: Anjelica Martinez
Stylist: Dann Ryan Weir
Hair stylist: Leslibeth Mora
Makeup Artist: ME! :)

Leslibeth is my biffle & is amazing! Check her out at www.starlitdesigns.com



We started out the shoot at a Jewish Temple and then got kicked out by the police, lol. So then the rest of the shoot was at the Sense Hotel in South Beach. We had a lot of fun, although it was so hot that even the stylist took off his shirt and got in the pool! I just dipped my feet in.

-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

Make Up For Ever Pro Road Show

Don't miss out if you will be near by, it's free and first come first serve!

MAKE UP FOR EVER is very excited to announce the launch of our first ever Pro Road Show! Beginning in August 2011, The Pro Road Show will bring the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Studio experience to you. Each stop on the Pro Road Show will provide your local make up and beauty community with exclusive access to MAKE UP FOR EVER‘S full range of professional products, bringing together make up artists, industry insiders, models and entertainers for a weekend of make up, education, career building and networking!
 
Join US in…
 

San Francisco, CA  |  August 13-15  |  W Hotel San Francisco
Miami, FL  |  September 10-12  |  W Hotel South Beach
Austin, TX  |  October 8-10  |  W Hotel Austin
Atlanta, GA  |  November 12-14  |  W Hotel Midtown

 
At the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pop Up Studio, attendees will be able to experience and order products from the full selection of over 1,400 references, including our Artistic and Special FX products. Apply for the brand’s Backstage Card Professional Discount Program which is open to all working professional makeup artists, students, licensed graduates, models, actors, performers and other industry professionals. The pop up studio will be open from 10:00am – 7:00pm each day during the event.
 
In the MAKE UP FOR EVER Education Space you will be able to attend complimentary educational sessions presented by members of the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Education team along with other top industry experts and local talent. The full education schedule will be available soon on makeupforeverpro.com and all requests and reservations can be sent to prorsvp@makeupforeverusa.com.
 
A MAKE UP FOR EVER Networking Event will be held on the Sunday evening in each location. It will give you a chance to meet and mingle with other local contacts in the industry as well as interact with members of MAKE UP FOR EVER’S Pro and Artist Relations teams.
 
So come join together with make up artists, industry insiders, models, and entertainers for a weekend of make up, education, business development and networking!
 
*This event is open to all make up artists and industry professionals. Attendance is complimentary. Space in educational programs is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information please visit makeupforeverpro.com or email us at artistrelations@makeupforeverusa.com.

Bridal Trial/Headshot finally arrived.

A while back I posted two pictures of my biffle, Lesly, whose makeup I did for our head shots that day. But it was also her bridal trial since I'm doing the makeup for her wedding in November! Well, here is the head shot, HOW AMAZING IS IT!? Click the photo to enlarge it.

Makeup Used:

Mac's Paint Pot in Painterly

Urban Decay Naked Palette: Virgin, Sin, Buck, Smog, Dark Horse

Mac's Paint Pot in Delft

Mac's NC15/NW20 eyeliner

Diorshow Blackout Waterproof Mascara

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in Medium

Dinair's Dark Golden Beige foundation

Contour with Graftobian powder palette

NYX bronzer #3

Dior's Highlight powder

Mac's Cream Color Base in Pearl

Tarte's amazonian clay blush in Natural Beauty

BH Cosmetics lip liner in Raspberry

NYX lip gloss in Addis Ababa

Mac's lipstick in Girl About Town

Model in a Bottle setting spray

I even filmed a tutorial on the look here:

How to Get Started as a Makeup Artist

I made a three part video on how to get started as a Makeup Artist. I don't have all the answers but I was asked by a few people to give them some tips. 

Everyone will have a different path in becoming a makeup artist, and there are so many different types of artists out there, so find your nitch. If you want to be a wedding makeup artist, I highly suggest buying space on TheKnot.com. If you want to do makeup for movies, make sure you live in Los Angeles, California. If you want to do makeup for print, there are many agencies in big cities that you will have to show your portfolio to before getting signed. 

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And the winner is!

The winner of my Makeup Giveaway Contest is.....

KACER!!!!

Congratulations Kacer, and thank you for everyone who participated. I choose a winner using random.org. Kacer, please send me your full name & mailing address. 

Makeup tips for the Mature Woman

(click on image to see true size) This is the makeUNDER I did that was featured in New Beauty Magazine. Look at the difference! 

Have you ever been walking around somewhere and encountered an older woman with the most over done and unflattering makeup? I personally know women who have fallen victim to bad makeup application. So what can you do to help? With these tips and tricks, maybe you can give them a little makeover to open their eyes.

First, let's discuss where mature women can go wrong, and tips to fix them.

1. Many women have the wrong foundation color. Old habits die hard, and many women still test foundation color on the back of their hand. I suggest testing foundation around your collar bone or above your jawbone and at the bottom of your cheek. Having the right foundation color is important because having the wrong color can make you look washed out, pale, or ashy, which will only age your appearance.

2. Bright eye shadow colors are a no no. You risk looking like a clown. The older you get, the more you want to emulate youth, and youth looks natural. Therefore, neutral colors are a must.

3. When women are inexperienced with makeup, black eyeliner is a bad choice because it is applied wrong and will run under the eyes and make the eyes appear smaller. The older you get, the more your eyes droop, so you want to open up your eyes by using a white or peach eye liner on the water line.

4. Curling the lashes will help open up those dropping eye lids.

5. Stay away from shimmer eye shadows! Yes, they are beautiful and appealing and were used throughout your younger years, but once your wrinkles come through, a shimmer shadow will only highlight the wrinkles. A great trick to make those wrinkles unnoticeable is to use matte eye shadows.

6. Just like bright eye shadow is a no no, so is bright blush. Again, mature women want to emulate youth, therefore pale pinks or peaches are great colors for the cheeks.

7. Stay away from white concealers under your eyes. Your under eye concealer should only be a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. Using a concealer 3 or more shades lighter than your skin tone will highlight under eye wrinkles.

8. To wear the red lip or not? A red lip can age you if not done properly. If you are going to wear a red lip, cover your lips with your foundation or concealer. This will help fill in the wrinkles in your lips and prevent the red lips from bleeding through the wrinkles . Also, using a matte red lipstick is dry and prevents the lipstick from bleeding through wrinkles. A soft eye should be worn with a red lip. But again, if you want to look youthful, a pink, brown or peachy nude is the perfect lip.

9. A great trick for the mature woman is contouring. A common problem mature women have is sagging skin at the jawline. Using a matte bronzer or contour powder on the jawline will emulate a shadow on the area, which makes it less noticeable.

10. Your eyebrows should be modern. When I say modern, think what "is in" now. Thick and full eyebrows are in. Many older women still wear that super thin eyebrow or have none at all from plucking, and draw an unnatural eyebrow shape. Quick fix: go to a drugstore or Sephora near you and buy eyebrow stencils and fill in your eyebrows with a liner or eye shadow.

Less is more for the mature skin. Below is a MakeUNDER I did following the same tips I have given you.
-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

Makeup Tips for Mature Women

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Vanessa Hudgens Inspired Makeup Look

Here is my video on a Vanessa Hudgens Inspired Makeup Look.
Hope you enjoy!

Eye Primers

My Article on Eye Primers

Check out my article on eye primers, just click the link above. 

What I love about writing article on squidoo is that they have Twitter and Facebook buttons to share the article. They also have a like button on the top left corner of the article, so hopefully you like my article! I come out with an article every Monday!

Mac Paint Pot Painterly .17 Us Oz (Authentic)
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube Original
Too Faced Shadow Insurance

MAKEUP GIVEAWAY CONTEST!

Today starts my Makeup Giveaway Contest! Here is what you can win:

Travel size Lancome Definicils High Definition Mascara - Black, Travel Size FUSION BEAUTY Lip Fusion - Crave, Travel Size Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Travel Size Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Think Pink Makeup Brush Set, 56 Shadow & Blush Palette, Pair of false eye lashes, and an Eyelash curler!

Here are the Rules:

1. The first way of winning is to simply "follow" MY BLOG. Then, under this specific blog entry,  write a comment that answers this question: If you were on a desert island, what 3 makeup items would you have to have with you?  

2. The second way of winning is to sign up for my Newsletter, and reply to your Welcome Newsletter Email with the answer to the question above: 

If you were on a desert island, what 3 makeup items would you have to have with you?

I will compile all of the email addresses and choose a winner using Random.org. You only need to enter once and remember, the winner is chosen at random. Anyone in the USA can enter, and I will ship the items to the winner.

The contest begins June 20th, 2011 and ends June 26th, 2011 at Midnight!

GOOD LUCK!

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Luis Casco: Celebrity Makeup Artist

As a Latina myself, I love learning about other Latina's become successful in this country (USA). I came across Celebrity Makeup Artist Luis Casco, who definitely represents his culture. If you aren't following him, here are his links:

Luis's Facebook

Luis's Blog

His work is so beautiful and flawless. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. I can only hope to be at his level one day, meet him, and ask him a million questions!

Ciao!

Makeup by Luis Casco

I asked Luis on facebook what he used for the eye shadow and he said he used
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream 13 Warm Beige

Behind the Scenes: Jewelry Photo Shoot

Here is out lovely model, Natalia Stines with Posche Models. 

Here is some of the beautiful jewelry by designer Josette Doyle. You can see her work at www.JosetteDesigns.com Her jewelry has been purchased by Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Lautner, and more. She is super cool and nice. 

Here is the first necklace we shot. Amazing isn't it?

This is my favorite look out of all from the shoot. 

This is a brighter version. I love that necklace. She was channeling her inner Beyonce. 

This was a cool feather looking necklace. Here she was channeling her inner Gaga, =)

In this photo she was wearing light purple jewelry so I custom made that purple lipstick with my Makeup Forever Flash Palette. It's funny because every time I custom make a lip color with that palette, it seems to be everyone's favorite. Natalia wanted to go home with that lip color. MAKE UP FOR EVER 12 Flash Color Case ($216 Value) 12 Flash Color CaseOur hair stylist was Rick Lesser who was soooo much fun. I love friendly, talkative people. He is even helping me get my articles on Stylists411! And photographer T LaNiece who always likes to have a good time! Can't wait to see the photos T! 

-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

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All About Face Primers

My Article on Face Primers

or you can read it here:

The number one question I get about face primers are: Do they really work? My answer: Yes.
But! Not every primer works and not every primer is right for your skin type, so you have to do the shopping if you want a primer that works for you; and not everyone cares to use one.

Men understand primers in terms of painting a wall. You use a primer to coat your wall and then go over it with the color paint you have chosen. Well guess what, it is the same concept for face primers. You are giving your face a base to fill in wholes and to give something your foundation can stick to.

Why do women use and love primers?

1. They fill in pores and fine lines. Therefore, when you put your foundation over your primer, your skin looks more smooth and even.

2. There are color correcting primers that can help reduces the appearance of certain colors on your face, for example, most women get red in the hormonal areas: forehead, nose, around the mouth, and chin. For this you can use a green correcting primer which will reduce the redness.

3. They keep your foundation lasting longer. Before I used a primer, my foundation was gone within 2 hours. With a primer, my foundation lasted for at least 8 hours.

4. There are primers that benefit your skin type. Moisturizing primers help dry skin types stay moisturized, and there are oil free/mattifying primers that keep the oil at bay for oily skin types. For you oily skinned people, this does not mean the oil will never seep out, but a good oil free primer will keep you oil-free for a longer amount of time and bring you less oil than you usually get.

Most primers are silicone based. What does that mean? Silicone is what helps fill in your pores and fine lines, makes the primer blend-able, and gives it that smooth texture. Some people's skin do not do well with silicone based products, but thankfully, there are water based primers for people with sensitive skin.

A Few Primers out there to buy:

Bare Escentuals primer: It was the first face primer I ever used and it wowed me. I have very oily skin and the oil would suck my foundation in, never to be seen again, so when I used this, I knew that it worked. It is also water based.
Bare Escentuals Prime Time Foundation Primer Oil Control 1 oz

Smashbox primer: I have not used it but I do know that it is water based (for those of you who want to try a water based primer).
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer .5 fl oz (15 ml)

Nars primer: Another one I haven't tried but is also water based.
NARS Pro-Prime(TM) Pore Refining Primer - Oil-Free 1 oz

Make up For ever HD primer: these come with a no color primer and color correcting primers. I used the neutral primer and I thought it was good but not great. Sometimes I felt like it did nothing.
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microperfecting Primer 1 Green

Cover FX mattifying/acne fighting primer: I don't feel like this primer works for me but that might not be the case for others. Cover FX has other face primers for other skin types.
Cover FX Clearprep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment 1 oz

L'Oreal primer: These are color correcting primers. I have not used them but a makeup artist told me she uses and likes the green correcting primer.
L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Color Correcting Anti-Redness Primer, 0.68-Fluid Ounce

There are many primers on the market. I don't buy them just to test them. I usually only buy one when I run out of my current one, but you can find reviews on www.makeupalley.com or www.YouTube.com

Application:
It is up to you how you'd like to apply your primer. I use my fingers. You can use a sponge or a foundation brush. A foundation brush is my least favorite just because you lose some of the product in the brush. With your fingers you make sure all of it goes to use and can reach and fill your pores and fine lines much better.

I hope this was helpful! Have a great day!

-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

Bridal Trial: June 12, 2011

Today was Jennifer's Bridal Trial. She wanted airbrush foundation which looked really flawless. She's not used to wearing makeup but she told me her fiance LOVED it! 

I used a yogurt pink on the lid, and a gray and purple in the crease. I used NYX boho chic cream blush on the cheeks, and on top used NARS orgasm blush. For the lips, I used BH cosmetics waterproof lip liner in earth, and went over it with NYX lip gloss in french kiss net. 

See you July 2nd for your wedding Jennifer!

Foundation Deluxe Airbrush Makeup Kit - Black Onyx Compressor - Fair Shades

MAC Eye Shadow Refill: Yogurt

NARS Orgasm Blush

BH Cosmetics Waterproof Lip Liner Earth

Simple Night Makeup Look

Here is a video and photos of the makeup look I had on tonight. Definitely longer than my fast mommy makeup, but nothing super hard to do. I went out for my sister's 25th birthday which is why I got all made up in the first place!

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A shoot I did a while back

I did a shoot months ago for a new magazine called Sofi Lifestyle Magazine. This was supposed to be in their first issue, but turns out they are unorganized and have yet to come out with an issue, but nonetheless, here is a photo from that shoot.

Photographer Cesar Valera

Model Sarai Diaz

MUA me

Hair Stylist Leslibeth Mora

The colors have been altered which is sad because can't see how the makeup really looked in person and it was sooo pretty.

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-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

Contest giveaway arrived!

FedEx came and dropped off a box of goodies! Waiting for the next box. I also got the brushes in this package but I didn't want to open them because it was tightly packed and sealed.

-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

All about Tinted Moisturizers!

READ IT HERE or READ IT BELOW

Moisturizer + Foundation = Tinted Moisturizer!

So there are two ways you can get your hands on a tinted moisturizer. The first is buy one, and the second is make it yourself! Not from scratch though!

Almost every makeup brand has a line of tinted moisturizers; from drugstore to high end. Every brand's tinted moisturizer is different as is everyone's skin type, so you must try try and try until you find the right one for you!

When you buy a tinted moisturizer, know this:

1. It it definitely LIGHT coverage.

This can be a good thing if you like that, or have decent skin and don't need to cover up red pimples or scars.

This can be a bad thing if you need full coverage to cover up scars, etc. Although a way around this is to use a Tinted Moisturizer and use a high pigmented/concentrated concealer over only the spots that need the coverage and make sure the concealer matches your skin tone.

2. They most likely have SPF.

This is a great plus because we all need protection from the sun, so this is great for a day by the pool or beach.

The down side is that if you are going out for a night with friends and taking lots of photos, you will have a white over cast/glow in your photos because the flash reflects off the SPF, so you might want to stick to regular foundation for going out at night or events where you will be taking lots of photos.

Also, some Tinted Moisturizers smell exactly like sunscreen, which is a downer. For that I might as well use Banana Boats Sunscreen!

3. It will most likely leave you with shine or oil.

This is fine for dry skin who need the extra moisture, but bad for people with oily skin. For oily skin types, set it with a powder and use blotting pads throughout the day; that's the only way around it. If you don't do this, I promise you that you will be shiny. If you're out at the park all day, then it doesn't really matter does it?

Now for making your own Tinted Moisturizer!

This is great for oily skin types because you can use your daily oil free moisturizer with your regular non SPF foundation.

I pump a quarter size of my foundation on the back of my hand, pump the same amount or less ( depending on the coverage I want that day ), take my foundation brush and mix the two together and now I have a tinted moisturizer with no SPF and oil free! I also take it down to my neck.

Personal reflection:

I own two Tinted Moisturizers. One is from Cover Girl (drugstore) and the other from Laura Mercier (high end). The only difference I see from drugstore and high end is NOT quality, it's simply that drugstore brands have a smaller range of colors for different skin tones.

I prefer my Cover Girl Tinted Moisturizer over my Laura Mercier for many reasons.

1. The price is much less than high end brands.

2. It is creamy and easy to blend.

3. It does not move after I put it on, even if I sweat.

Why I don't care for my high end Tinted Moisturizer:

1. It doesn't blend as easily and sometimes get blotchy when trying to blend.

2. Even if I don't sweat, if I touch my face anywhere, Tinted Moisturizer comes off on my fingers.

Some people swear by Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer which is why I want to make it clear that this is just my personal opinion and that because everyone has different skin types, it might not do to others what it does to me.

I hope this was helpful! Have a great day!

-Makeup Artist Jessica Rivera

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