Dear Readers,

I have been contemplating this letter and I am truly humbled by the Creator of this amazing world we live in. I say that because while I have been working in the field of beauty for over 30 years, much of my experience came simply as the result of wanting to be of service…to women. I think back to the joy I felt when I opened my new Avon Sales Kit at just 12 years old.  I couldn’t wait to deliver the newspaper to those on my paper route. Yes, they would find an Avon catalogue in the bag. When I collected for the paper, I would ask for their Avon order. I developed relationships with the ladies with makeup, for makeup is something that most women use in some fashion or another. I had no idea in 1995 that permanent makeup would become such an amazing instrument that I would use and meet some of the most incredible women that I would have not met otherwise.

While I really enjoy applying permanent cosmetics and the “wow” of taking years off with no surgery, I knew that I could offer more. In 2009 I made a decision to open my own studio and get back to the paramedical tattooing that I began in the mid-90’s.

That same year while continuing my education, I participated in an areola tattoo workshop and that was my introduction to the MTA (Myself: Together Again) non-profit organization. I was so thrilled to see the beautiful photo journal of one woman’s personal journey told so beautifully…the advocate in me began to blossom.

Permanent Makeup is a wonderful solution for women undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments for cancer… easing the distress of hair loss during an especially difficult time. With the increase in early detection and breast cancer awareness areola tattooing also known, as Breastheticsis becoming the number one choice for complete breast reconstruction post mastectomy.

I want to thank you again for your support and participation in my effort to let women know about their rights, choices and options for complete breast reconstruction post mastectomy.

Please visit http://www.myselftogetheragain.org/ or call my studio for more information or to purchase a booklet for you, a friend or family member.

Serving you is truly my pleasure,

Holiday parties are just around the corner. Here are a few party makeup tips that won’t make you look “costum-ish” using my favorite products from blinc, Colorescience, TINte and Xtreme Cosmetics to get you ready to go from work to cocktail party.

Rule Number One: Never play up BOTH the eyes and the mouth.

Rule Number Two: For the ultimate holiday party makeup, apply more shimmer or go deeper with the red lipstick.

Rule Number Three: PRIMER is what we wear to make sure that our makeup keeps looking fresh and clean for a good 16 hours (8am-midnight).

What are the hottest makeup trends to watch this holiday season?

Two looks are classic and hot right now: The “smokey”, shimmery eye (must try this with the Glideliner by Xtreme Cosmetics) paired with light lips and the deep red lips (Perfect Pout Collection by Colorescience) and balanced with a light eye. Shimmer is in this year, as it was last year, and with Shimmering Face Pearls…oh, it’s the perfect look.

What can you do to punch up your conservative work look without taking it all off and starting over?

Taking your makeup from work to evening is actually pretty easy if you prep yourself. Apply primer, mineral foundation, mascara and gloss or lipstick before work. After work, use Illuminating Pearl Powder for a flawless finish (it’s truly anti-aging), cover any blemishes or discolorations with Corrector Palette and color cheeks. Then follow these steps for either the Smokey Eye look or the Deep Red Lip look:

For the Smokey Eye 

1. Apply your eye makeup: Eyeliner on both top and bottom lashes (be sure to smudge it, dark eyeliner will age you), an eye shadow primer (I like flesh primer by blinc), and a shimmery shadow on the lid. Don’t apply any more mascara unless your earlier application has rubbed completely off – otherwise you risk getting clumpy lashes.
2. Dab a shimmery blush to cheeks with Bronze, Rose Petals or Sun Kissed Shimmering Face Pearls.
3. Apply a Chablis Lip Polish and finish with Zin shimmer or your favorite flavored Lip Shine with Face Pearls.

For Deep Red Lips 

1.  Cover unsightly veins or discoloration on eyelids with Perfekt by Colorescience.
2.  Apply a very light shimmery blush (Nikki Pink Shimmering Face Pearls) on the top of the cheeks.
3.  Use Lip Definer to refresh lip line, fill in with Cake Lip Shine by TINte.
4.  Line eyes with Graphite Glideliner and freshen mascara if needed.

Better yet, come to our Holiday Trunk Show and Makeover Event Wednesday, November 30^th from 4-7 pm and experience makeup that does more!

What Women Want…to Maintain Middle Age!

Consultations over the years have revealed one thing consistently. Women want to look natural and do less. … wear less makeup, spend less time and have a beautiful, healthy look…yes it’s possible.

While the reason for scheduling a permanent makeup consultation is to find out how it can help achieve the look they want. I will begin recommendations with demonstrating and discussing the various “distractions” our faces have. Yes, certainly loosing eyebrows and having our lips thin or lashes lighten can wash a face out, but consider the unwanted colors of red and brown from sun damage; and pink, brown and blue hues under and/or around eyes resulting from aging or genetics…finally the lines, fine or not so fine. The most common response — women wear more eye makeup, darker or brighter lipstick and notice the lack of eyebrow. The eyebrow is one facial feature that women spend the most money on while trying to find the best pencil, powder, shape with stencils and professional services than any other.

In younger years, our skin was even colored, toned, and smooth.  Our makeup was all about color. We had all colors of eyeshadow, blush, lipstick and more. The picture I’ve painted may seem bleak, it’s not — simply out-dated. Think “canvas” instead of color. Our face is the canvas and when prepped;  we can wear less makeup,  spend less time and look our best.

Introducing the Virtual Facelift (VFL) Makeover to meet your need as the woman wanting to “maintain middle age”. This makeover is all about using a “no-color” makeup to enhance brows, eyelines and lips. An even skin tone to take away distractions (the color we don’t want) and adding back color that has softened with time that creates the illusion of a non-surgical lift… with or without permanent makeup.

The VFL Makeover is a one-hour makeover and demonstration that includes step-by-step instructions that turn back the hands of time for a younger you, all the time.

Step 1:
Even skin tone taking away distractions
Correct with Wild to Mild Primer,
Protect with Sunforgettable SPF50 Medium,
Colore with pressed All Even, and Perfect with Setting Mist.

Step 2:
Redefine brows they make a big difference
(Universal Brow Definer – there’s no other pencil like it!)

Step 3:
Enhance lash lines with Xtreme Glideliner pencil
(soft to bold and what a hold!)

Step 4:
Redefine lip line with Goddesses Aren’t Born
(funny name, great universal pencil)