Behind The Table to Behind The Scenes

Are you interested in doing nails for Editorial shoots?   Do you want to learn how to get the agent that gets you the Editorial Manicuring jobs?   Look no further.   If you live in the New York area or can get there, manicurist Angel Williams is teaching a class called 'Editorial Manicuring; From Behind The Table to Behind The Scenes' at M Wild's Studio in New York City on May 17, 2015.   For more info, email Angel at angelnailsit@gmail.com.  

 

 

To hear more about Angel's class or how Angel started her career in the nail industry, tune into Beauty Talk on Blog Talk Radio for her interview with us last night.

How Long Is Too Long????

Note to self .....Makeup doesn't last forever!!!  How many of us have 'junk drawers' and or makeup bags full of makeup?  Old Makeup?  I think it is safe to say that most makeup wearers have a collection of makeup that they have been holding onto for awhile.  After continuous use of makeup products and keeping them around too long, products may carry harmful levels of bacteria.  It's this bacteria that causes unwanted breakout.  Listed below is a list of makeup items and their suggested expiration dates.

1) Lipstick, lipgloss, lip pencils -18 months - 2 years
2) Eyeshadow, pencil eye liner - 2 years
3) Liquid Eye liner - 3 months
4) Mascara - 3 months
5) Blush (powder) - 2 years, (cream) 12 - 18 months
6) Foundation (cream) -  12-18 months, (oil free liquid) 12 months

This list is just a guideline.  If you notice a difference in color or odor of the product, please throw away immediately.  I hope this post really helps you all in cleaning out those makeup bags and 'junk drawers'.

SPRING 2015 Bridal Beauty Tips

Spring 2015 Bridal Beauty Tips

Bridal season is rapidly approaching. Illusions Cosmetics wants to help you create a beautiful makeup look by sharing a few Bridal makeup tips.  Following these tips will help you to create makeup looks that you will treasure on your wedding day and years to come in your wedding video and photos.  Your skin should be healthy and refreshed.  All facial waxing (brows, lip, chin) should be done at least two weeks before the big day.  Only minor cleanup should be done, if necessary, on the day of the wedding.   Cheek color should be very subtle with shades of peach and pinks.   Pastels and shades of caramels and browns can be used on the eyes for a soft look.   Pinks, corals, reds, and wines should be used to give the lips a pop of color.  Your wedding look should not look like your everyday makeup look.  There should definitely be a difference in what you apply and how much you apply.  Apply enough foundation to give you the proper coverage for your photos.  The remaining tips are more suggestions on making your big day perfect.

1. Apply a makeup primer before applying foundation on your wedding day. The primer forms a barrier between your skin and the makeup and it helps the makeup stay on all day.

2. Avoid trendy eye shadow colors so that your makeup won't look dated in your wedding photos.

3. Get your makeup professionally applied.  It makes a huge difference in your photos

4. Use water proof mascara.

5. Using a charcoal, navy or mahogany eye liner will look a lot softer than black or brown liners that often have a severe look.

6. Pale lip colors will make you look washed out with a white gown; therefore try brighter lip colors on your wedding day.

7. Avoid using eye shadows with shimmer

8. Prime the eye so that eye shadow will last all day.

9. Use foundations with a yellow undertone, they create a warm, healthy appearance in photos.

10. Avoid alcohol and certain foods, the night before your wedding.  Misuse of alcohol will have you looking less than your best on your wedding day.

Beauty Trends for 2015

Check out our very own Denise Tunnell in the March/April 2015 issue of Sophisticates Black Hair Magazine.  Denise, along with six other makeup artist gives readers a Makeup Forecast for 2015.  See pages 104-105 of the magazine.

Beauty Talk Online Radio

Last night film and television stars attended the 72nd annual Golden Globe awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.   Beauty Talk was definitely watching and taking note of all of the fashions as well as the hair and makeup looks.   Check out our latest edition of Beauty Talk to hear all of the Golden Globes Red Carpet chat. Click here  Beauty Talk and Red Carpet Beauty

Beauty Talk Online Radio

Do you want to hear the latest news, tips, tricks and advice in the Beauty industry?  Do you want to be uplifted, informed, and inspired?  Join us for BeautyTalk, our online radio show every Sunday night at 9pm EST/6pm PST at Blog Talk Radio.

Get Ready for the PHAMEous Nails Competition at PHAMExpo

This June 28th and 29th in Pasadena, CA, PHAMExpo presents The PHAMEous Nails Competition. Created and Produced by Beauty Talk Radio and Lysa Comfort (Nailympics & Charisma Nail Innovations), this competition will feature some of the best nail techinical talent around. The competitions' MC will be Katie Carzola (The Painted Nail) and will feature celebrity and international nail judges.
Awards will be handed out to some of the world's top technicians after two days of stiff competition testing all manner of skills and artistry.  Entrants will be able to test their craft in cateogories such as NailArt,  Acrylic & Gel, Selfie 1 Hand Salon Art as well as 1 Hand Flat Art.

The competition is open to first time nail competitiors as well as seasoned professionals with three separate divisions.   Bring the entire salon ( up to 6 people) and compete as a team and take home the trophy.

We at Beauty Talk are so happy to be a part of this and we hope that you will want to take part. To register please visit www.PHAMExpo.com.  If you have questions, email PHAMEousnails@PHAMExpo.com

Lupita Nyong'o, An Oscar Winner!!!

Beauty is her name.... Actress Lupita Nyongo, known for her character "Patsey" in "12 Years A Slave"  has taken the world by storm with her talent, beauty, sophistication, and her eye for 'whats hot' in fashion.  The 31 year old actress and  fashionista has 42 award nominations under her belt and 27 wins. On March 2, 2014, Lupita won her 27th award (an Oscar) at the 46th Annual Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress. What an honor for her in her role as "Patsey" and what an inspiration she is to others. As she ended her acceptance speach, she said one thing that I'm sure touched many people, and that was ," No matter where you're from, your dreams are valid." I'm looking for more great things to come from this beautiful young lady. Congratulations Lupita!!!


Lupita Nyong'o Oscar Look:

Dress:
Lupita wore a powder blue gown by Prada, and jewelry and a headband designed by Fred Leighton

Hair: By our friend Larry Jarah Sims
Larry used products from "Smooth & Shine" and "Got2b" to create Lupita's look

Nails: By Celebrity Manicurist Deborah Lippmann
Deborah used La Vie En Rose, a pastel pink shimmer from the Lippmann Collection

Makeup Artist Feature....Grammys Makeup Look

Makeup Artist Yolande Denise Johnson is an LA based Makeup Artist. Her work can be seen on many famous faces from music videos, to televison and red carpets.  One of Yolande's latest beauty sessions took place on the morning of the Grammy's when she made up a music ICON... Mc Lyte . Lyte's makeup always look beautiful by the way.... I asked Yolande to share with us the breakdown of Lyte's look, here is what she had to say...."Let's start from the very beginning. MC Lyte has gorgeous skin. She takes very good care of herself. Lyte eats clean & has a regular routine of exercise and drinks plenty of WATER. These key essential things are what keeps a womans' skin healthy with a healthy natural glow. I started off moisturizing her skin. I then applied primer to her face so that the makeup would lay on top of the skin and wouldn't sink into her pores. Once the skin was primed I was ready to Paint! I used Laura Mercier liquid oil free foundation and YSL Oil free Teint Parfait as my base. Then I went in with eyeshadow and highlighted her brows. Once I completed her shadow and eye brows, I applied eyelashes & mascara using Black Creme eyeliner from MAC to her almond shaped eyes. Contouring & highlights for the cheeks an cheekbones are done with soft browns from Laura Merciers Bronzing Powder and Polished Creme Blush.  I finished up her lips with MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick & Cherry liner. Lyte was #GrammyBeat and Red Carpet ready."

Nail Polish Gets a New Reality Show - Beauty Packaging Magazine

Nail Polish Gets a New Reality Show - Beauty Packaging Magazine

Old Concept, New Twist

 

After experiencing a wonderful PHAMExpo and bringing home quite a few products, we've decided to highlight some new products on this blog as well as on our Blog Talk Radio Show.   One product that I was most impressed with was the Stick With It Palette created by Monetta  Plassmeyer of Mettano Designs.  

There are many reasons why I like this palette, but here are just a few:

*  The palette is deep enough to hold pencils, tweezers, brushes, etc.
*  It has a unique cling surface (no magnets needed)
*  Cleans easily with a moistened towelette
*  Double sided

The Stick With It Palette may be purchased online at www.stickwithitpalette.com. 
Participate in our GIVEAWAY and you may be able to win your very own Stick With It Palette

To enter the giveaway,

Follow Beauty Talk on Instagram (@beauty_talk_media) and @stickwithitpalette), Repost the Giveaway post using #BeautyTalk and #StickWithIt

If you are not on Instagram, Follow us on Twitter (@illusionsbeauty or @beauty_talk), Retweet the Giveaway Tweet using #BeautyTalk and #StickWithIt.

The Winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 7th.  Good Luck!!

 

New Affordable Laser Treatments

It's all the rave at www.sephora.com.  Check out the latest in laser treatments.  The TRIA Hair Removal Laser 4X is the first and only FDA approved laser available for home use.  It retails for $449 and after continued use it provides the permanent results that you are looking for.   The TRIA is effective on most hair and skin tones.  If you have darker brown skin, the TRIA is NOT safe for use because of the higher levels of melanin in the skin.  The laser may injure the skin.  For more information on the TRIA Laser,check out www.triabeauty.com

PHAMExpo

There is a new and fresh perspective to the beauty trade show....PHAMExpo!!! PHAMExpo comes to the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, CA on June 29th and 30th of this year. "PHAMExpo is the ultimate event for savvy beauty professionals, students, and anyone interested in the trends for hair and makeup.  With leading brands, the latest products, and the hottest new treatments under one roof, PHAMExpo is the best place to brush up on all things beauty." Talk about exciting, we at Beauty Talk are beyond excited about this inspiring two day expo jam packed with exciting brands, information, and makeup artists and stylists prepared to bring  the latest trends in makeup, hair, and nail care. You don't want to miss it. Listen in every Sunday night to Beauty Talk with Illusions for your chance to win free passes to the show at  www.BlogTalkRadio.com/BeautyTalkwithIllusions. Also, join us on Facebook and Twitter for an opportunity to win. For more information about PHAMExpo, go to www.phamexpo.com

Beauty Talk: Beauty News - Jan 13,2013

If you were fortunate enough to catch Sunday night's show, you caught a great one.  We were joined by the talented Roy Cox of Roy Cox Photography (www.4-optic.com).  Roy offered his advice on taking great photos as well as what makes a great makeup artist, model, etc.  He also talked about what the key components of a portfolio were.  To hear more of Roy's show, check out http://www.blogtalkradio.com/beautytalkwithillusions/2013/01/14/beauty-talk.

Also, check out the 'Beauty News' from the show.

1) IMATS LA will be on January 19th & 20th at the Pasadena Convention.  Makeup Artist magazine will host a PRO Only event on Friday, January 18th at the convention center. For more information or tickets to the show, please visit www.imats.net

2) Join us next week for a discussion on how to market yourself as a freelance artist with our friend Donna Mee.  Joining us in the Beauty Lounge will be Lisa Brown-Hall (@ghettofashionista) with her 10 minute recap of the Golden Globes Red Carpet.

3) Are you interested in organic and natural beauty products? The Organic & Natural Beauty Show takes place on June 2-3, 2013 at Excel in London. www.naturalbeautyshow.com

Beauty News - Jan. 20, 2013

Hello Beauties!!! 

Welcome to the Beauty Lounge.  Tonight's news is as follows:

* Marietta Carter-Narcisse just released her 2013 Makeup Weekly Planner.  It retails for $49.95. 
 The planner includes:
    a) dates of makeup trade shows
    b) product bucket list
    c) dates of award shows and film festivals as well as quotes from some of your favorite makeup
         artists, plus much more.
For more info or to order the planner, go to www.mariettacarter-narcisse.com

* Move over IMATS and The Makeup Show, there's a new beauty expo in town....PHAMExpo (Professional Hair And Makeup Expo) will take place in Pasadena, California on June 29th and 30th at the Pasadena Convention Center and we have tickets.  Follow Beauty Talk weekly to get info on how you can win FREE 1 day passes to the show.

Z-Palette Giveaway

Its Giveaway time again......

This time we will give a away 4 Z-Palettes.....2 Red Palettes and 1 Faux Blue and 1 Faux Gold Palette.  To be entered in the drawing for these wonderful palettes, you must follow the directions below completely.

We are looking for two winners.....

To Enter you must......

1. Follow this Blog (Beauty Talk with Illusions) and leave a comment as to why you like the Z-Palette and
2. Follow @Beauty_Talk on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway, Beauty Talk and Z-Palette using hashtag #Zpalettegiveaway


If you are already following both the blog and Twitter account.....great and thank you, but you must still leave your comment and tweet. Anyone leaving a comment and tweeting but not following or vise versa, will not be entered into the drawing.

If you've received products from a Beauty Talk Giveaway or Contest within the last 30 days, you may not participate.

 Wednesday, December 5th is the last day to enter the drawing.

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, & Cyber Monday Sales

Help us Celebrate the Holiday with our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday Sales....


*From 6am - 10am ....Free Shipping on orders over $100

*From 10am-2pm ...... 15% off all orders up to $99, 50% off all orders $100 +

*From 2pm-6pm .....Buy any 2 lip glosses, lipsticks, eye shadows, and or blush colors and receive 1 free

*From 6pm-10pm ...... Purchase a foundation stick and pressed powder and receive 25% off of your total order

Purchase 2 or more foundation sticks and receive FREE shipping.
Purchase 2 or more pressed powders and receive FREE shipping

*From 10pm-12am FREE shipping on all orders.

This sale repeats itself everyday until 11:59pm Cyber Monday.  


www.Illusionsbeauty.com

Contest: Win a New Makeup DVD

Win the new Makeup DVD by Celebrity Makeup Artist/Beauty Expert Tia Dantzler: Red Carpet Beauty Secrets

If you ever wondered how Tia creates her Red Carpet looks for her Celebrity clients, wonder no longer. On her new dvd, Tia  will share her secrets, tips and techniques for creating her Red Carpet looks

Its easy to enter....

* Follow our blog  'Beauty Talk with Illusions' here to  have your name entered to win. Leave your email in the comment section after this post. If you are already a follower of our blog...

*"Like" our Facebook Fan Page for "Beauty Talk with Illusions, online radio" and/or
*Follow us on Twitter at @Beauty_Talk

Actually, the more pages you Like/Follow, the more chances you have to win.

 The contest will run for one week only.....It starts today, Nov. 15th and ends on Nov. 22nd. The winner will be announced on "Beauty Talk" on BlogTalk Radio (www.BlogTalkRadio.com/BeautyTalkwithIllusions) as well as on Facebook (Beauty Talk with Illusions Online Radio) and Twitter(@Beauty_Talk).

Women of Color Wednesdays

The Bollywood Smokey Eye:

The Smokey eye for an Indian woman is a little different than the traditional smokey eye. Bollywood is all about color and drama. To create the perfect Bollywood smokey eye, here are a few tips....

*To widen the eye, use a dark color on the outside of the eye from the lash line to the crease...use a bright color on the inside of the eye and blend into the dark color.

*Use a light shimmery color on the lid

*Line the bottom of the eye with a dark eye color

Beauty Tip Tuesday

Beauty Tip Tuesday:

To keep eye makeup from smudging and to help it last longer, consider the following tips...

1. Use an eye shadow primer to help the shadow to stick to the eye.
2. Use a cream eye shadow and set it with a powder eye shadow.
3.  Use a liquid liner, once it dries, it is harder to smudge than other types of liner.
4.  Use a Water Proof mascara...