To You

source

To those we lost, here's to you. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Daily Grind

top | bottom | shoes | nails | lip

It has been years since I left the retail world of working behind a counter as a make up artist and have been a happy freelancer ever since. There are times however, that you miss the stability and the steady income. I'm not saying I am diving back because with all of my projects, it is almost (keyword) impossible but I will be taking a demo position at Bloomingdale's for roughly a month or two. What is a demo? Basically, I am covering until they find someone to place there permanently. That also means that I need more black clothing. Once I started freelancing and limiting myself to 2-3 days for any line, I started adding color to my armoire of duds but now it is back to a sea of black. Of course working in cosmetics, you can always have a little fun with your make up. So it is back to the Daily Grind for me and yes, the daily full on face!

The Preview

Get ready because The Makeup Show is coming to Chicago. While in New York, I was able to peak in and see what was in store for us. I sat through a session on the perfect smokey eye which one can never have too many techniques on how to achieve certain looks and walk through all the vendor booths. There are too many to list but I narrowed it down to some of my favorites.

 Everyone rants and raves about Tom Ford lipsticks and how great they are but before Ford there was Kevyn Aucoin. I do believe every woman should own one. May I suggest The Expert Lip Tint in Enchantaberry. It is smooth and luxurious just as a lip product should be. It amazes me that not many places carry it but thank goodness for Barney's always knowing what is best. 

So everyone in the blogosphere is aware of BirchBox but did you know they just launch a box for men? I didn't either. Now while BirchBox is a $10 subscription beauty service, the mens box is $20. The reason for the increase? Those dapper dudes get a lifestyle box. Just check out the sock by Richer Poorer which can range from $12-$20 alone. Not a bad deal, not bad at all.

I ran into the ladies from Artistry Beauty. You may recall how obsessed I was with their lipgloss not too long ago. I actually received some pretty awesome skincare as well so I thought I would peak in and see the whole line. I'll share that fun stuff in a later post because it just needs its own.

What make up artist/junkie would go to the show and NOT stop by Make Up For Ever? The big hit had to be their new Aqua Shadow. These smudge proof pencils are not yet available at Sephora so go ahead and stock up while you are there. I did.

I will be attending the show in Chicago so join me, you won't want to miss this.

Bite This

A shopper's dream

This was on Tuesday after my last meeting. I know, I'm such a tourist.

The heels came off in this city

I will go in next time and come home with all my "needed" coffee table books.

I apologize for the radio silence last week. I had so much going on. So this time last week, I was in La Gran Manzana (Big Apple).  Last Monday was a long day filled with meetings and a lot of coffee. In the morning, I was able to attend the The Make Up Show, more about that tomorrow and meet up with one of my favorite NYC gals. I had a little break so I hit up Bleecker St where I not only saw Hilary Swank but fell in love with a jacket at Sandro. I do not know which was more exciting but I am guessing the latter. People do not excite me as much as gold jackets do. I finally saw BOOKMARC, the bookstore by Marc Jacobs but looking at my watch, had to hail a cab to my next meeting. After a quick wardrobe change at my hotel, I made my way to Fred's at Barney's to have lunch with my friend Dan. Dan considered me one of the top blogueras (bloggers) to follow on Latina.com just last month. It was great to reconnect. Two meetings and one sushi dinner later, I made my way back to my hotel to crash and burn. 

Sofia Puckers Up at The Met

Everyone has been obsessed with the dresses seen at the Met Gala better known as the Met Ball, the "Oscars of the East Coast". What beautiful dresses they were also but what was truly beautiful was COVERGIRL Sofia Vergara and her flawless face. Celebrity make up artist, Kaylee McAdams shows us how to achieve this Latin beauty's red carpet look.

"Sofia's bright lip was inspired by the Marchesa collection (she wore Marchesa) and we chose a grapey-pink hue since it's one of Sofia's favorite shades. 

I first applied COVERGIRL NatueLuxe Silk Foundation in Nutmeg all over her face using a blender sponge. I then used COVERGIRL TRUconceal Concealer in #4 just where we needed under the eyes and around the nose to keep the makeup sheer. To set the look, I used a big fluffy brush to apply COVERGIRL Clean Pressed Power in Soft Honey and then used  COVERGIRL Cheekers Blush in Plum Plush to compliment her lips.


I wanted to create an eye on Sofia that's lighter than usual. I applied COVERGIRL Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner in Truffle along the bottom lashes from the outer corners to the very inner corners and then applied a lighter line along the lash line at the top to create dimension. I applied COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadows in Swiss Chocolate on top of the liner on the lid to create a softer effect and then used COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadows in Mink along the brow bone. I used two coats of COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara in very black on the top and bottom lashes to finish the eyes.

I lined the lips first with COVERGIRL LipPerfection LipLiner in Beloved and then filled them in with COVERGIRL Queen Collection Lip Color in Regal Raspberry using a lip brush to create dimension and contour the lips."

I am not going to lie. She was stunning and you all know how much I love her red carpet looks. Of course, once again, she rocked it. You know who is will rock it? You. That is right, this is my first giveaway so come and get it. Two of you lucky chicas can pucker up like the Colombian beauty with COVERGIRL Queen Collection Lipcolor in Regal Raspberry. All you have to do is:

 1. follow @COVERGIRL on Twitter
 2. Like COVERGIRL on Facebook

 3. follow me either here or @styleblacklabel

 4. Leave a comment when you do letting me know how fabulous she is and how awesome I am.


Open to US followers only. I will announce the winners next Thursday.

Good Luck!

I was not compensated in any way shape or form for this post. You guys already know how I roll. If I don't like it, I can't run with it but anything with Sofia can be all over my blog.

Mom's Wish

So I am a bit behind on my wish list for Mother's Day but in all honesty, the hubs doesn't really shop until the day before anyhow. I decided to make it easy and list items from the mall 2 minutes away from our home. Here are my top 7 picks.

You know I live in denim but the one thing I do not have is a brown belt to hold up my slouchy boyfriend jeans. 

I have a fun arm party going on with my gold bangles, cuffs and thin chain bracelets but I do not have a gold watch. This is more than a need than a want.

I just love shoes and fringe.

I also love leopard.

I had the same faux leather jacket for years and had to rid of it this year. I love that this looks so similar.

I feel in love with this ring years ago. We found a similar one from the Swarovski outlet and even though it was a bit tight, I batted my eyelashes and walked off with a new ring. Recently, on my trip to Miami it cracked and I was told it could not be fixed. It is the first time I cried over a piece of jewelry. I still remember how cold it was the night I bought it, the chocolate truffle mocha I was drinking and even the feeling I had the first time I wore it. If nothing else...if nothing else.

In the end, these are all material things. Nothing makes me happier than an hour long shower without being bothered, a morning latte and all the kisses and giggles a mom can get. Happy Mother's Day to you mommies! 

All Dressed in White

So I'm getting married again! Just kidding. This is the awesome fun photo shoot I did for The Everygirl. Every single person I met that day was amazing and it made the day so much fun! I also got to meet Madison who designs some really fun jewelry pieces that will be in my armoire soon. Check out the photos from the shoot here.

Cruella {OOTW}

top: H&M | tank: Old Navy | shorts: Vintage | shoes: Old Navy | jewelry: THS | lipstick: Cruella by Nars

I had a very casual day out with the hubs and the baby on Saturday. House hunting, lunch and of course watching the fight with friends after. I will say that my lipstick (which was never touched up) even got me a booking with a new client! Hooray for days like these.

Don't Call Me Gwen-Ever

I didn't do my manicure of the month for April and just as I was about to skip May, my girlfriend Sara was kind enough to get me Don't Call Me Gwen-Ever from the OPI Spiderman Summer 2012 collection. Thank you Sara for making my day!

NYC

Heading out for a quickie next week! Just 48 hours and hoping to solidify some projects while I am there. In case anyone wants to connect, you know where to find me!

Simply Pretty Eyes

Sometimes the prettiest looks are never the most complicated. Personally, this is one of my signature go-to looks for eyes. I start with perfectly groomed brows. My brows are thicker and need to be tamed a bit so I use Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper after I get them threaded. If nothing else that day, well groomed brows make the eyes look more awake and brighter. I skip the eye shadow most days and simply go for a bold eye line with Glam Eyes Gel Liner by Rimmel London and finish off concealing the dark circles with Resilience Lift Extreme Concealer by Estee Lauder. It takes 2 minutes in the morning and I look complete without ever looking over done. What is your go-to for simply pretty eyes?

My S/S Beauty Wish

So with Mother's Day right around the corner, I thought I would take some time to create some "lists" for those in my life to follow. I love to look bronzed during the warmer months. I am, of course, talking JLo glow and not Snookied out. That also means my make up routine gets a lot simpler i.e. no foundation or concealer. 

1. Bobbi Brown Rich Color in Lilac. As if I do not have a million and one lipsticks, I really think this could be the one...to wear all season of course. 

2. Trish McAvoy Thickening Mascara. Who doesn't want thick full lashes when nothing else is going on around those eyes.

3. MORE LASHES. I have tons of false lashes because of course, when all else fails, right? This time I want some a bit longer lasting. Sin Cosmetics in Chicago offers applications that last well over a week. Sign me up!

4. Hoola by Benefit. Who is going to be bronzed without bronzer? 

5. Bloomies Gift Card. Yes, please. This one is just in case you missed something on the list. Also, I will not discriminate. I take Barney's as well.

6. VS Body Glow.  All over my legs, abs, arms...pssshhh...body hello. 

Oh and in case the man in my life needed to know the last thing on my list. I want to Dance Again!