Polish Pic{k}s

As a fan of dark polishes, I was shocked to find I didn't have a basic black option in my arsenal.  I wanted a cheap & cheerful option for a Halloween themed mani, so I chose Black Creme by Wet & Wild.

 I have to say this: I was impressed when applying it, it's held up beautifully & I was thrilled with its $.99 price tag! I'll be scooping up more of this polish. Happy Halloween my Boo-ties!

Peace. Love. Polish.

Files From the Brow Whisperer

Yet another first time client came in to be "fixed." Someone had taken off her poor tails. At my request, she left everything alone for 2 weeks prior to seeing me. You can see where they were lopped off & that they're starting to come back in.

I conservatively waxed above & below.  I always explain that I will leave some hairs, to hope that more will fill in. Great brows are a journey!

The "After!" I showed her how to softly enhance her new shape with powder, which will help her see the big picture & put down those tweezers. Finally she has brows that fit her stunning blue eyes!

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer.

Files From the Brow Whisperer

It happens to the best of us...even I can't believe it's almost September! All of a sudden, you realize your brows have gotten out of hand. You know it's a situation when your hubby is helping you get an appointment ;^)

To give more lift, I worked on taking the roundness out of this client's brows. She already has a full face. It actually helped that she had let them grow in, in the before picture you can see previous technicians gave her brows a rounded look ~ not a great fit for a round face shape.  Now her arch is gaining some strength which gives the illusion of lift to the eye area- brow powder will help accentuate that even more. Have you stopped taking care of you this summer? Fall is the perfect time to change that!

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer.

Mani Monday

So Instagram (are you following moi @PeaceLoveLipgloss ) has been inspiring me to get a little creative with my manis lately! Here I used OPI's I Love Applause as the main color. I applied some crystal accents in the wet polish in the middle finger & topped with clear to prevent them from popping off. It was my first time trying nail tape for the striping, as well. I did the pinky nail in Essie's Pink About It with accents in OPI's Alpine Snow. All in all, I think it turned out really cute!

Peace. Love. Polish.

Files from the Brow Whisperer

My client has fabulous brows, but she also has a brand new baby boy- so they're hidden at the moment!  I know new moms are starved for time, but maintaining your brows helps you appear pulled together - even if your teeth aren't brushed, you haven't slept & there's spit up on your shoulder...

I always keep her brows full & lush- since they're so striking.  One quick visit & at least she's looking well rested!

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer.

St. Patrick's Day Inspired Eye Make-Up

St. Patrick's Day themed make-up has a time & a place. As a make-up artist I'm comfortable pushing the envelope a bit more than others. For those of you wanting an age & office appropriate look that still honors the green tradition try using something similar to the following:

Using an angled brush dipped in water, I applied a bit of Sleek Cosmetic's Forest eyeshadow from their iDivine Ultra Mattes V2 Darks Palette to my upper & lower lash line winging it out.

I've mentioned Pixi Beauty's Endless Silky Eye Pens & my obsession with them in previous posts. That's saying something as eyeliners rarely do much for me, but I own close to 10 of these. I struck gold with the EmeraldGold shade, which has stunning micro flecks of gold in it- super shimmery & gorgeous! I heavily lined my lower water line with it & topped with a few coats of mascara- easy peasy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Peace.Love. Lipgloss.

Veronica Mars Movie

Friends of mine know I have been obsessed with a show called Veronica Mars from way back when. I, on occasion- still have marathon viewing weekends. So when word got out that the fans would have a chance to bring it back & on the big screen no less through Kickstarter, I jumped at the opportunity.

I was able to go to the NYC premiere this week as a backer perk. The fact that it was the night before my birthday made it perfect timing for a little getaway.  The red carpet.

An aerial shot of the red carpet as we headed up to the actual screening.

Veronica Mars herself, well actually Kristen Bell looking stunning with backers from Kickstarter.

The boys from Veronica Mars up close from my seat: Ryan Hansen, Chris Lowell, Jason Dohring & creator/mastermind Rob Thomas. It's been an amazing feeling being part of a group over 90k strong that brought the show back to life. The movie premieres nationwide in select theaters today! So in between having some pints in celebration of St. Patty's Day- try to see the film & make this unique project even more of a success. You don't even need to be familiar with the series to enjoy the movie. I hope you love the finished result as much as I do!

Peace. LoVe. Lipgloss.

All Things Oscar

The Oscars are a favorite day of mine- I love everything about them, movies, beauty, jewels & fashion! So I decided (Mother Nature be damned) to host a viewing party. It was quite fun to throw together- with some of the accessories affordibly picked up at the dollar store, like the vintage inspired popcorn containers & movie sized candy.

To go with the gold star theme, I decided to spray paint bottles of prosecco & champagne to give them a gilded appearance. I loved the results- which were super easy, I just covered the labels with post it notes & got my spray on!

Gold star balloons from the dollar store provided valuable entertainment for the cat - see video of her trying to steal the decor on instagram!

The red velvet cupcakes renamed Red Carpet Cupcakes that were dusted with edible gold glitter were a crowd favorite.

So as far as the actual show- no real surprises as to the winners, I loved Ellen hosting! My pick for best dressed? Kate Hudson- hands down. Kate knocked it out of the park in her Versace gown that was the epitome of old Hollywood glamour. I also thought Angelina Jolie, Jessica Biehl & Sandra Bullock brought their A game. Who topped your list?

Peace. Love Lipgloss.

Files From The Brow Whisperer

This busy Mom was a first time client who hadn't had her brows shaped in over 5 years- since her daughter was born. She would pluck here & there but had lost a general shape.

With waxing we instantly made the eye area look more groomed & lifted. It always perks up the eyes, giving the illusion of being well rested. Which let's face it, is rarely the case!

A quick tutorial on further enhancing her brows with brow powder & she was off & running- literally!

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer. M

Happy Valentine's Day

Trust me in that whoever you're buying a sweat treet for would much rather have Too Faced's Chocolate Bar Shadow Palette over actual chocolate. So much less guilt! $49

Their blush is a great way to say I 'heart' you, too. $30

For a more affordable option, check out Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting products~ like this blush. $11.99

Philosophy's My Heart to Yours Gift Set has a little bit of everything at a great price point if $24. Whether or not you even have a Valentine, I say be sweet to yourself!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Files From the Brow Whisperer

Another first time client came in this week, with a bit of P.T.B.D. (Post Traumatic Brow Disorder.) As per my request, she left her brows alone for at least 2 weeks before her appointment with me. More hair there is = more canvas I have to work with.  Sometimes I feel like clients pluck on their way to see me!

Since this was her first visit & she had been overwaxed in the past, I was conservative. I left them very full.  There are some patchy spots underneath that we're hoping will grow in. I then gave her a tutorial on brow powder & filling in her brows.

See how brow powder can be your best friend! It keeps your on one the prize - while you're growing them in. It's such a night a day difference + I feel like it helps my new clients put down the tweezers. That's their homework if they want to see great results. Her brows go from okay to amazing with that final step! 

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Red Onion, Baton Rouge

So I love interior design almost as much as I love make-up. I guess I favor things where fluctuations in personal weight don't matter;)

I went down to visit one of my best friends in Baton Rouge last week. The fact that it already seems like forever ago amazes me. Anyhow she recently moved into a lovely new home, so we were hopping into a lot of decor stores.

Red Onion literally made me cry with happiness. I couldn't resist, onions -> crying. I'll stop, promise. It was very me, style wise. I love orchids, but the glass vessels & color palette had me swooning.

Luckily holiday was still up around the store in some places.

My friend Shelley ended up choosing this amazing succulent garden for her kitchen island. It's stunning & adds real presence to a large piece of marble countertop.

Since I couldn't carry anything as heavy as her piece home with me, I scooped up a live olive plant & some faux succulents for arround the house. Though I often loathe fake plants, when I find a really believable one- I'll mix it in with some live plants to cut down on maintenance. I hope these pictures do the store justice- pop in if you're in that area. I was obsessed & so inspired.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Latest Obsession: Jouer Lip Enhancers

I don't know what neck of the woods you're reading this from, but here on the East Coast- it's freezing! I normally like the cold, but this is redonkulous. Everything on me is dry- my hands & lips particularly.  I even broke down & bought a humidifier. My latest obsession to help fix my parched pucker: Jouer's Lip Enhancers. Those of you familiar with the cult favorite Sara Happ Lip Slip, this is very similar in texture- just enhanced slightly with color.

From left: Pearl Enhancer in Peach, Tinted Enhancer in Bellini, Tinted Enhancer in Cosmo, Pearl Enhancer in Nude, Tinted Enhancer in Shiraz & Pearl Enhancer in Rose. 

My personal favorite has been Bellini (of course it's named after a cocktail!)- it's a gorgeous apricot that instantly wakes up your fave. The fan favorite at the boutique has been Rose Pearl. With these temperatures & the enhancers priced at a reasonable $16- I'll be adding more to my assortment!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Files From The Brow Whisperer

Whenever a new client reaches out to me for an appointment, I ask that they leave their brows alone for at least 2 weeks. I prefer even longer so I have enough to work with in terms of establishing a new shape. This client gave me a great canvas!

This is immediately following waxing while the client is still on my treatment table.  It's a night & day difference after trimming & grooming her brows.

An even better shot looking straight at the eye- see the lift she now has to the eye area. Amazing if I do say so myself;)

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer.