Must Have Make-Up Monday: Mally Dream Brow

Often in Files from the Brow Whisperer, you'll see the before & after of just my waxing. For people who have never filled in their brows before, I then give them a tutorial on how doing so enhances their new shape in their initial visit. People with any color hair can benefit from filling in their brows- it subtly pulls everything together & gives a lift to the eye area.

Often I stick with powders, as I feel like they look more natural & are easier for my clients to use versus pencils. That being said, Mally Beauty just launched a product called Ultimate Performance Dream Brow, which since I'd like to think I create dream brows- I wanted to get my hands on!

It's a cream, but very soft in texture, almost a whipped consistency. The brush that it comes with is actually awesome- a spooly on one side to groom into place & then a nice angled brush to fill in on the other side, that is just the right firmness. The product's texture helps keep my brows in place without being crunchy, which as I'm getting older I need as my brows are getting more unruly. This texture is also great for those without a lot of hair, as it will adhere to the skin more effectively than powder. For those who are nervous about using a product with more intensity pigment wise, I always suggest going with a taupe option, which is usually offered in most brands. I have jet black brows & I'm wearing taupe- it's a very universal brow shade. See, you can't even really put your finger on it, but my brows look better- exactly what a brow product should do. So go on & kick your brows up a notch!

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer.

Atralin Gel

Those who know me, know that I consider myself the Queen of exfoliation. We're not talking scrubs here people- but AHA's, enzymes, peels: the good stuff. I tell all of my clients that in order to fight the signs of aging & to be blemish free, you must be using an exfoliant. It also ensures the rest of your skin care regimen will be working that much more effectively, since it's not sitting on dead skin. That being said, I can usually spot someone using Retin-A from a mile away. Their skin is red, raw & peeling. No thank you. Vitamin A is the gold standard for Dermatologists for anti- aging, though. So when I heard about Atralin I was intrigued. Vitamin A blended with my fave hyaluronic acid to minimize irritation & to hydrate. The texture is like a whipped gel that sinks in instantly- I love it! I topped it with one of my favorite moisturizers (Jan Marini's Transformation Face Cream) and woke up to smooth, radiant glowing skin.
Summer is not the time for most to be trying new prescription exfoliants, but since I shun the sun like a vampire & am always fully dipped in SPF, it's ok. If you know you'll be by the pool a lot this season, hold off integrating it into your regimen until fall. Whenever you introduce a new potent exfoliant into your skincare regimen I always suggest doing it 2X the first week, then 3x the next week and easing into using it every night to minimize irritation & possible peeling. An added plus? There's an awesome rebate for Atralin that I found out after I initially purchased it {I about fell over at the @$215 price tag!} Just go to their website, fill out your email & you can get Atralin for only $25 this year! That's a steal of a deal- you'll be on your way to gorgeous skin Beauties!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Files from the Brow Whisperer

I'm sure my clients dread it when I whip out my camera- they know they're going to be in the Brow Whisperer file! This client is a perfect "before" candidate, though. Her brows aren't horrible, they just lack definition & shaping.

Can you believe this is even the same brow? It is! Trimming the hair, waxing below & especially above in this case makes the brow look more pulled together. I've said it before & I'll say it again- brow waxing & regular brow maintenance should be at the top of every woman's list!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

A Wedding to Remember

This past weekend was a bit of a juggling act for moi, as I was both doing the make-up and officiating at the wedding of my cousin!

Here I am with the divine wedding planner Beth Bailey of Elizabeth Bailey Weddings.

It was a gorgeous affair- the flowers were exquisite by Romantic Flowers of Baltimore!

The bride & groom wanted a very relaxed & causal lounge vibe amongst their good friends and family at their home.

The cake was stunning & delicious by Sugar Bakers of Baltimore.

This is the only picture I have so far of the bride, but she was gorgeous! We went with a very natural California "glowing sun kissed" look that was perfect for her! I'll post more when I get the photographer's shots!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fall Fashion Fete

Our Fall Fashion Fete at La Papillon was a blast! I of course, made the nibbles to reflect our fall theme! I made spice cupcakes with cream cheese icing topped with candy corns, and experimented with new Bon Bon flavors in strawberry & lemon topped with autumn colored sprinkles. Blood orange punch & champagne with mangos rounded out the offerings.

Stephanie of Bradshaw Styling was so proud of me that I actually wore a pattern that night & stepped out of my comfort zone of all black!

Our massage therapist, Lindsay was my make-up model that night. I smoked out a soft green look on her eyes prior to the lecture while I wore a smokey gray eye. She was a great sport in that I demonstrated one look on one eye & another on the other during the tutorial -which she wore for the rest of the night!

The lovely Monyka Berrocosa of MyCity4Her also popped by to show her support. It was a fabulously fun night celebrating glamour & style! What could be better?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fall Fashion Fete

Tonight's the night beauties! For one night only Stephanie Bradshaw of Bradshaw Styling & yours truly will come together & become the Glam Squad!

We'll give you tips & tricks on how to be your most gorgeous self- so don't miss it!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Crushing on Coral Crush

So I've read a few glowing reviews of Maybelline's Coral Crush from fellow beauty bloggers & that it's hard to find... so of course it became my mission to find it & have it! I'm a smokey eye + nude glossy lip kind of girl, so I think it's important to step outside of my comfort zone every now & then.
Here is a quick swipe of the lipstick. The color is a great pick me up on days when you're feeling a little "blah."

Alas, after twenty minutes I had reverted to my old ways by blotting & topping with a soft gloss to tone it down. What can I say, this girl likes what she likes. It's a shade that's right up my mom's alley, so she benefited from my little experiment!

Peace. Love. Lipstick. M

Burberry Beauty

The British fashion house is stepping into the beauty area, I mean who isn't these days? Cultivated by designer Christopher Bailey, the products are housed in sleek gunmetal containers with their signature Burberry plaid embossed on them.

20 sheer eyeshadow shades in the line are more muted due to Bailey's belief that "You shouldn't be able to see makeup- it should simply enhance your natural beauty." So I doubt you'll be seeing crazy intense pigments the like of MAC.


There are 21 lipstick shades & 12 lipgloss shades in the collection with prices starting at $27.

Look for their foundation in the shade aptly named Trench! So tell me your thoughts about the launch my beauties... are you excited or over it? Will you be picking up a piece? Look at the entire collection here & let me know if you're thinking ohhh or ehhh!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Sweat Proof Summer Make-Up

I had the amazing opportunity to be the beauty expert this past weekend on WBAL, our #1 local news channel!

It was a thrilling, yet nerve racking experience. But I am proud to say that I did not faint or stutter( even when a dog barked from another segment!) I was up at the crack of dawn to get myself beautified before my 6:30 AM call time. It was so neat seeing the behind the scenes of how the news is filmed. It's actually very mellow, calm and quiet on the sound stage(besides my heart that was thumping a mile a minute!)
I had expected camera men, but all of the cameras are motorized, so it was just the anchors, one producer, 2 other guests and little old moi on the set. The segment was on sweat proof summer make-up, so make sure to check back tomorrow to see the products that made the cut to be one of my picks!
Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M