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10 Drugstore Face Masks Skin Experts Recommend For Fall

Being a Beauty Expert & Influencer I must try out a lot of products to share with you What’s New and What Works. When Aly Walansky reached out to me about some of my favorite drugstore face masks I was happy to share with the Today Show what’s really good and easy on the wallet. Below are two of my beauty testimonies that I shared with Aly.

As we look forward to wearing new fall fashions, we’re already ready to give our beauty routine an update. These face masks will help restore and refresh your skin for the new season, and they’re all approved by celebrity makeup artists, skin-care experts and dermatologists. Plus, they’re available at your local drugstore!

Guilt-free shopping is a good bet for everyone.

Shea Moisture African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask9. SheaMoisture African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask

“This is great for anyone who got a little too much sun this summer. It’s a perfect, 10-minute treat for the skin because it draws out dirt and improves the appearance of troubled skin from the summer’s sun. Because this product is made with natural, organic ingredients, your skin will look and feel refreshed. The Tea Tree Oil properties will help heal any sun damage while the Tamarind Extract natural astringent will exfoliate the skin leaving the complexion brighter,” said celebrity makeup artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis.

 

Olay Regenerist Luminious Overnight Mask10. Olay Regenerist Luminous Overnight Facial Mask Gel Moisturizer

“By leaving this mask on overnight, the vitamins, mulberry extract and humectants will hydrate and brighten your sun-damaged skin. It’s a gel-based, peel-off mask that doesn’t leave any mess in the morning,” said Gomez-Duplessis, who has worked with Jennifer Aniston, Rashida Jones and Queen Latifah.

Read the full article here

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Beautiful Day Of Makeup At Warren Tricomi Salon on Saturday

 

img_0500-1Another busy day at Warren Tricomi Salon in Greenwich, CT today. The best clients ever are the ones that comes in and let me do my artistry without any paint by number instructions. That’s my biggest pet peeves when I’m dealing with clients at salons. On set the energy is totally different models and celebrities they come in and just get made up.

Today’s clients allowed me to do what I do best they trusted my artistry and I’ll give them my best work.

Here are some fun pics from today.

 

Clarissa is a sexy bride who wanted a smokey look, she did come in with a inspirational picture but she told me to do it my way. At the end she loved her makeup better than the inspirational picture. The highlighter I selected was Stila Heaven’s Hue Highlighter in Kitten and on her lips I used Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Angelo.

Brittany was going on a date with her hubby to the city and she wanted to look hot. Brittany is a newly newlywed so I wanted to really give her a sultry makeup look. I pulled out some of my fav products as you see, Dior beauty & NARS blush in Orgasm

 

Cuvget Stimulating SerumWith both ladies I prep their skin with ČUVGET Stimulating Serum. I’m such a fan of this serum because I actually see a difference in how my client skin looks instantly and I feel that their makeup look so much better. Not only does their face look flawless but the skin is more radiant. If your looking for a new collagen serum definitely look into ČUVGET because I am obsessed with the results and the ingredients; arctic berries, marine extracts with potent peptides as well as betaglucans that helps to stimulate your stem cells improving your skin after every use.

 

 

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Fun Makeup Assignment At The Bravo Media Studio

I am so excited about working this assignment at Bravo Media Studio in New York. After a busy week working the Bruno Mars & The Hooligans assignment I was happy to be working on 2 females that I have so much respect for. Without giving away any info on the assignment my talents were TV Personality JWow, actress Tichnia Arnold and 2 female talents that will have a major role on this episodes.

I had such a great time with JWow in the morning on set, she is such a sweet girl. Love her energy and I luv that she likes to play with makeup. So JWow gave me free range to do what ever with her makeup, my kind of girl. We both luved how Stila cosmetics highlighter showed up on her. The foundation I used was Stila cosmetics Stay All Day Foundation, it’s one of my favorite to use on set because I like the way it shows up on camera and on photos. Here are some of the items I used on JWow.

Tichnia flew in this morning and came straight to the set to work. Now that is what I call A-LIST. On Tichnia I gave her a sultry dark eyes with a nude lip from Dior Beauty. I don’t even know how I got through with doing her makeup. She had me laughing the entire time. I wish more celebrities have her energy and personality on set. We connected over me being a lupus warrior and she luv how I did her makeup. Here are some of the items I used on her.

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On the ladies I could not wait to pull out the few Fenty Beauty items I had. The products looked beautiful on the ladies. Fenty Beauty and Stila cosmetics made for a great team for my boogie down brown ladies.

 

 

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18 Healthy Hair Products That Will Save Your Post-Summer Strands

18 Healthy Hair Products

While we’re still mourning the end of summer (R.I.P.), our hair is certainly ready for a break from the sun, chlorine and ocean.

TODAY Style turned to Hollywood hair gurus to get the scoop on the best products to revive fried hair after summer. The best part? They’re all available at drugstores nationwide.

Here is my beauty testimony on L’OREAL Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Conditioner.

L'OREAL Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Conditioner in Apricot Oil.jpg17. L’OREAL Paris EverCreme Deep Nourish Conditioner

“To bring back dry, overexposed hair that has been soaking in the sun and pool this summer, I suggest this conditioner with apricot oil. Treat your hair to a deep-moisturizing conditioner that will help nourish it back to a soft, silky texture. Plus, it’s gentle on colored hair and there are no harsh sulfates or salt that will strip it,” said celebrity makeup artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis, whose clients include Erin Andrews, Allison Janney and Jordin Sparks.

Read the full Today.com article here written by beauty writer Aly Walansky

 

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8 Life-Changing Ways Makeup Artists Store Beauty Products

In July, when POPSUGAR reached out to me about being a part of an upcoming article I was so elated. They shared with me the topic they would be speaking to I knew exactly what I would personally contribute to. On my mirror vanity now sits a few of Bath & Body Works  empty jars that I use to hold my makeup brushes, lipsticks and lip gloss. My favorite scented candle from Bath & Body Works is Black Teakwood. Those sexy masculine aroma of; Rich Mahogany, Black Teakwood, Dark Oak, Frosted Lavender makes me feel so sultry while I’m sitting at my vanity getting dressed.


Here’s a snippet and what I shared with POPSUGAR

If you love collecting new beauty products to the tune of multiple visits to Sephora every month, you’re probably amassing quite the stockpile. And while there’s nothing wrong with trying out the latest and greatest, owning so many products that you can hardly close your vanity drawer or medicine cabinet is no fun. To keep your pretty self sane and all of your favorite products organized and in sight, we asked top makeup artists to share their best-kept secrets for clearing the clutter and streamlining their beauty routines.

Reuse Old Candle Jars

 

Brushes with Pearls
Image Source: gia-co.com

“Because I have an obsession with candles, I always seem to have so many and a variety of sizes so I knew I could do something great with them. Once I was done with the candles, I would break up the remaining pieces using a butter knife, wash out the glass container, and then put the container in the microwave for 20 seconds. Wipe away the melted wax with a paper towel, then stuff the glass with different things. Get creative by gluing on items like beads, crystals, beans, jewelry, or whatever you like!” — Brandy Gomez-Duplessis, celebrity makeup artist

 

Read the full article on POPSUGAR by clicking here.

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List Of Things You Will Need To Rebuild After Hurricane Harvey

Residents wait on a roof top to be rescued from the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans ..Today is the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a day that has changed my life. I feel like a PRO with surviving hurricanes unfortunately. As I’m glued to my television watching CNN and talking to family & friends in Texas I’m hearing they are now doing MANDATORY EVACUATION in certain areas of Houston. Because I have lived through it and have managed to rebuild with some challenges I can share what you will need to move forward. So, if you still have time to gather a few things please be sure to grab the following items to help you with rebuilding.

  • Insurance Papers-Home & Business
  • Birth Certificates & Passports
  • Drivers License
  • Marriage License
  • Social Security Card
  • Taxes
  • Property Records-Home, Cars, Boats
  • Legal Records
  • Medical Papers
  • Shot Records For Kids
  • Kids Report Cards
  • Bills with your mailing address on it
  • Last two month bills -You will need because monthly service companies will lose all of your payment information so they will recharge you for service that you already paid.
  • Business Owners-Contracts for anything you lease/rent
  • Computer & Charger

mold homes

Hurricane Katrina 1

It will just make your life easier if you have these items. Get ready to fight, get ready to be on the phone for days trying to get through to who ever you need to speak with, be ready to stand in lines, be ready to research for yourself, read those last pages of your contracts so you will be ready for companies that will want to fine you / sue you later. Don’t expect that you will be good because you have insurance, know the difference between flood, water, and wind damages, educate yourself. Redcross & FEMA can only provide you a temp fix for a few days-weeks only. Hopefully you took clear pictures of properties in your home because you will need a lot of proof.

Good Luck with everything, stick together, spouses please be patience with each other. Everyone handle stress differently. This is the time that you will need to lean on each other. Men, it’s ok to cry, let it out, don’t be ashamed. Because you all are dealing with emotions that you have never experience. It’s so heartbroken to see others drowning right before your eyes will be something you will never forget. I made that mistake trying to stay strong trying to deal with all the bullshit that I didn’t have time to cry in process what the hell had just happened. Again stick together and talk to your kids because their little minds are in shock especially if they witness bodies. I’m still in shock from seeing dead bodies upon returning home.

I will continue to pray for Texas!

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Glam Life Of A Makeup Artist In Connecticut Who Works In New York

 

img_8453-1Everyone always think my work life is glamxurious and it is but the most challenging part when I don’t have a driver is dealing with the subways in New York City.

So just like how I started my blog in 2007 for a small group of individuals, I was making these videos below for a family member. Then the light came on that my followers would enjoy seeing me going to work. I apologize for all the videos but hopefully you enjoy watching as you come along with me to work. I am going to try in do more videos let see where this goes. Maybe one day I’ll have a camera crew following me doing a show on “Inside The Life Of A Makeup Artist”.

My alarm was scheduled for 4:45am and my train was for 6:15am. I live 22mins away from the train station so I have to be fast with hair & makeup. So I’ve gotten accustomed to getting everything ready the night before because in the morning I don’t have time to think about anything. I don’t drink coffee and I can’t have Redbull’s anymore because of my heart so I have to be organized. But once I’m up I’m pleasant I’m not a grouch.

You ready……

Usually on the train in the morning I’m taking selfies on the Metro North, I’m maybe reading my script, I’m going over my call sheets, listening to music and/or a self-help podcast.

Almost to Grand Central, this stop is Harlem 125th. When I get here I start freshening up my makeup.

Making sure I’m good before I walk away. I brought my Swiss Army bag because its smaller since I was only doing makeup on Nashelly Messina.

When I’m walking I need comfortable shoes on. I can’t do my heels anymore my feet would give me major attitude if I even attempt to do that. My FitBit is not going to be able to keep up with my steps today….BAM!

Wasn’t I just here at Grand Central? Days like this I wish we would have kept the NY brownstone.

Look how empty Grand Central is on a Sunday morning.

I guess I’m standing

Aww shit! I hate this part right here (singing the Pussycat Doll Song)

On a weekdays I have to be faster getting through this section, if not I’ll get run over…seriously!

The first thing I grab usually is my inhaler when it’s a lot of freaking steps. It all depends on the station.

I’m good now, being underground is a beast when I have my makeup kit which means always.

Since I’m 20mins early a stop at Starbucks for my signature; Iced Lemon Pound Cake and a Cool Lime Refresher. Nash lives across the street so I have time to relax.

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Beauty Influencer Day At Beauty Expo In New York

 

Once again I’m headed to the city to attend a private luxury beauty event hosted by Beauty 2. It’s always an honor when I get invited to these exclusive events. Being a Makeup Artist, Beauty Editor & Expert I have to stay on top of what’s new and what’s coming out in the beauty world so going to these beauty events help me to stay current. As a beauty influencer my peers are looking forward to me sharing honest feedback on beauty products. I invited my gal pal Ilse who’s a lifestyle blogger to attend with me because I knew she would really enjoy getting great content to write about.

So come along with me and let me show you all of the great new brands we met at the luxurious Beauty 2 event while sipping on champagne. Thank You Beauty 2 for creating an experience for us beauty lovers it was such a glamxurious day!

Next time I’m bringing a larger bag for all of the goodies I received.

Arriving to BEAUTY 2

Mythologie New York is a organic skincare line that makes botanical facial oil

Christine at Hynt Beauty showing us the different lipstick shades & the high pay off

One Over One has such a great idea for that effortless makeup look

One Over One is all about simple makeup, if you luv tinted moisturizer you will luv this

BOTANE is from South Africa and they focus on optimizing the immunologic power of the body

Cleo & Coco Natural is 100% natural/vegan charcoal deodorant and body powder brand

Sigil Scent is a unisex long wearing natural fragrances for the body

Java Skincare is a green coffee infused skin care that’s all natural

Battington Lashes is 100% handmade silk lashes that could be worn up to 25 times

Lust Cosmetics is a luxury nail lacquer that’s vegan, cruelty, and gluten free

Revival Body Care is a all natural skin & hair care that’s eco-friendly and cruelty free

Stiks Cosmetics is all about being tech chic using the one handed method to open product

Spongelle Beyond Cleansing is a body wash infused luxury buffers

Biodara is a eco-conscious organic luxury skincare line for auto immune warriors

Enamour is a minimalist natural skincare line for families

Gold Label Cosmetics is for the ambitious beauty enthusiast

dome BEAUTY is for the everyday woman who love long wearing products

CLE Cosmetics is a luxury sleek makeup line

SKOT Beaute is inspired by travel & ancient beauty rituals

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Makeup Review On Kylie Jenner “I Want It All” Birthday Collection Palette

img_9013HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLIE JENNER!!!…well, it’s not really her birthday. Kylie’s birthday is on August 10th so we just missed it. We are celebrating Kylie Jenner, Kylie Cosmetics newest makeup item, “I Want It All” Birthday Collection Palette on Makeup And Martinis. OMG, we had so much fun filming this one. You have to watch for yourself to see our feedback on the palette.

My partner and crime Johnny went all out with cupcakes, Mionetto prosecco and a signature Kylie Jenner Birthday martini.

No more talking, check out the video.

The palette contains:

9 Kyshadow pressed powder eye shadow palette

  • 1 pressed powder blush
  • 1 pressed powder highlighter
  • Each I Want It All contains the following shades:

Kyshadow

  • Birthday Girl (satin shimmering champagne)
  • Buttercream Frosting (matte warm cream)
  • 1942 (matte warm taupe)
  • Forever Young (matte warm soft pink)
  • New Year, New Me (metallic red plum)
  • The New Black (matte bright pink)
  • Party Time (matte light dusty mauve)
  • Celebrate (metallic golden brown)
  • Midnight (matte black)

Blush

  • Cheers (matte light pink)

Highlighter

  • Confetti (shimmering light pink)

PRICED at $54.00

Hope you enjoy our makeup review video 

 

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I Love Having A Busy Monday

 

As you know by now I like to start my Monday’s with a motivational quote for the week on my Instagram page is; Grow to be a force, everyday this week act like your the CEO. Make yourself accountable, not everyone is a hater and/or jealous.

I started my day with doing brows & makeup on one of my favorite clients cabaret singer Wendy Scherl in Ridgefield, CT. Wendy is performing tonight in New York at the Metropolitan Room. I always enjoy doing her makeup because we have the best conversation ever.

After doing makeup I had a meeting in Stamford, CT to talk about doing a Beauty Happy Hour event next month. I’m so excited about doing this but I know it’s going to be a lot of work planning it.

I had to rush back home to bring my son shopping for school things. He’s going to be a junior in college so he’s half done. Jordan is a biology major, he wants to be a Physican Assistant in the ER.

After mommy duties I had a phone conference with Johnny to go over our upcoming Makeup & Martini’s NYC makeup review video. We also discussed doing a tasting on Saturday in Stamford to go over the menu for my Beauty Happy Hour event.

It’s now 9pm and I need some me time, a date night with myself.

So what’s on your agenda this week?

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