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CT Bloggers Babe First Annual Brunch

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I was so excited about attending the 1st Annual Official CT Bloggers Babe exclusive Brunch at Heirmloom Market in Wethersfield, CT. It’s a influencer event hosted by a popular CT blogger for bloggers. It’s such a needed event for the CT community of bloggers & influencers.

The event was sponsored by Eddy Farm CT, Whole Foods Fairfield County, Tattly, Pearls And Plaids, Hartford Prints, Salt Mystic, Stilleto Beauty Cosmetics, and Consignment Originals.

Everything was lovely and the food was delicious. I always enjoy meeting the women I’m following on social media. The best part is it’s always nice to go somewhere and don’t feel ashamed to be a blogger, taking pics of every moment. Look how amazing the brunch was.

 

 

 

 

 

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6 Beauty Items I Used At Apollo Fundraiser In The Hamptons This Weekend

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Life is great can I get an AMEN!

On Saturday morning I received a text from Holly, a woman who I luv & respect in the production world. When I saw her text I knew that it would be work related, but what I didn't know was the how fabulous. After only receiving very little information I was booked for the assignment and packed up my makeup kit and was whisk away from Warren Tricomi Salon in Greenwich to the East Hampton. While in route, I was receiving info from Holly on who was being added to my list for hair & makeup. When I started seeing words like butler and security then followed by confidential, I knew this assignment was a major one. Once on the property my driver was talking with security then I realized it was a star-studded event from what I over heard. So my phone was put away no pics was going to be taken I was going to enjoy my blessings of being in this environment doing hair and makeup for the chosen ones.

Once the evening was done my driver brought me to my hotel I still didn't digest everything because I was tired that I feel right to sleep. For me as I write this article I am now thinking about my glamxurious evening in the Hamptons. There were so many great run in's with celebrities but my favorite was when a woman  mistaken me for the fabulous Cookie, actress Taraji  P. Henson.

So do you want to know about my lovely evening? The Historic Apollo in the Hamptons fundraiser is held at Ron Perelman’s magnificent home, The Creeks, in East Hampton. It was the 8th Annual fundraiser for The Historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY. I was slated to work on one of my childhood music artist, the talented Patty Smyth. She was the opening artist and she sung my favorite Patty Smyth song "Warrior". I even shared with her while doing her hair and makeup that I would be doing a lot of hair flips when she perform that song. Another person I was slated with was the beautiful actress Rashida Jones and the amazing singer Alice Smith. This night was operated under the supervision of the Apollo Theater Foundation, which is a not-for-profit organization who's goal is to preserve and honor its storied legacy. For Ron Perelman to host this glammed out event says a lot about him. I was hoping for an opportunity to meet Ron Perelman, just for what he was doing for the Apollo theater was amazing. I'm crossing my fingers to get a call back next year. I'll be better prep with the right hair & makeup items. But I had a great kit for the misty weather and I think the ladies makeup held up really well.

Patty Smyth…can you see that highlight & contour

Alice Smith…her glow was from Stila & lips from Dior

So many fab guest I saw were: Alicia Keys, JLO, Jrud, Pharrell Williams, Jamie Foxx, Bon Jovi, Chris Rock, Mavis Staples, Justin Timberlake and many many more.

My Top 6 Beauty Items I am So Glad To Have With Me For Apollo In The Hampton were:

Beauty Blender

 Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

 Urban Decay All Night Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Foundation + Concealer

Stila Cosmetics Heaven's Hue Highlighter in Kitten

L'OREAL Paris Elnett Satin  Strong Hold Hairspray 

 

 

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Do You Know The Difference Between Champagne & Prosecco Because My Bartender Didn’t

As many of you know I’m a devoted Champagne and Prosecco drinker. My two favorite brands are Maison Veuve Clicquot and Mionetto Prosecco. I don’t need a special event or occasion to pop open a bottle of one of those fancy bubbles. Today during lunch I realized that a restaurant bartender didn’t know the difference between the two. Well, to keep the story short we noticed at lunch the bartender kept pouring us Prosecco but charged us for champagne. Everything was taking care of by the manager who was so embarrassed because the poor girl said she’s been doing this for some time because she didn’t know the difference.

Luv my Veuve Clicquot

Luv my Mionetto Prosecco

So, what’s the difference between Champagne & Prosecco? Here’s a tip about the two wines from Wine Folly. 

*The quick answer is Champagne is from France and Prosecco is from Italy, but there are some other things to know about both wines –especially if you like bubbly wine.

Champagne

Champagne is a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France around the city of Reims about 80 miles (130 km) Northeast of Paris.

  • Made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes
  • Produced using a costly method called the ‘Traditional Method’
  • A standard pour of Brut Champagne has ~128 Calories (12% ABV)
  • $40 for a good entry-level Champagne

Prosecco

Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in the Veneto region of Italy around the city of Treviso about 15 miles (24 km) North of Venice.

  • Made with Prosecco (a.k.a. Glera) grapes
  • Produced using an affordable method called the ‘Tank Method’
  • A standard pour of Prosecco has ~121 Calories (11% ABV)
  • $12-14 for a good entry-level Prosecco

Read more about it on Wine Molly

If you didn’t feel like doing all that reading basically champagne have persistent bubbles, its stronger with a drier taste and prosecco  has a lighter, spritzy bubbles and the taste is more fruity and sweet, at least to me. So, now I’m wondering how often does this happen. Have anyone else ever caught your bartender pouring you the wrong wine but charged you for a higher end wine?

 

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Speaking To Beauty Industry People On Olay Eyes Skincare

The day is here, I’m heading to New York to speak at a sales meeting with beauty industry people on Olay Eyes skincare products. Remember when I shared with you how a company out of London had reached out to me about attending a beauty focus group & dinner. After chatting with me through Skype they decided that my experience and knowledge of beauty, that I would be perfect to come in to teach them on skincare.

I enjoyed speaking to my industry peers on something we are all passionate about. It’s such a great honor being acknowledge as a Beauty Expert. For them to appreciate my style of teaching and to respect that I have been in the industry for 20 plus years was a nice feeling. Still luv how when I entered the room the ladies all screamed, lol like I was a celebrity. It was cute.

 

I spoke about skincare in general, the different skincare brands & items and the benefits of each item. I gave them tips & tricks that I like to use when working with skincare. Then the last topic was the 2 Olay Eyes items they wanted me to speak on were;

OLAY EYES ILLUMINATING EYE CREAM FOR DARK CIRCLES UNDER EYESOLAY EYES ILLUMINATING EYE CREAM FOR DARK CIRCLES UNDER EYES 

  • Reduces the appearance of dark circles under eyes in just 2 weeks
  • Distinctive dual-swirl formula is designed with an eye cream to deposit light-reflecting pigments
  • Reflects light from the eyes for smoother, more radiant skin tone
  • Hydrates to nourish under eye area for a luminous glow

OLAY EYES EYE LIFTING SERUM FOR SAGGING SKIN

OLAY EYES EYE LIFTING SERUM FOR SAGGING SKIN

  • Hydrates to plump sagging skin and reduce the appearance of under eyes bags
  • De-gravitizes and hydrates sagging skin to reflect a firmer, lifted eye look
  • Eye serum, formulated with an Amino-Peptide and vitamin complex, increases surface cell turnover
  • Hydrates to smooth and brighten under eye skin
  • Fragrance-free, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing
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Makeup & Martini’s NYC Makeup Review On Stila Cosmetics

img_7405We are back at it again with our 2nd episode of our makeup video Makeup And Martini’s NYC. I am so elated to share with you a gifted box of makeup from Stila Cosmetics on this segment. I am such a fan of Stila and I also want to share with you that I was a Stila rep back in 2011. I’m still such a fan of the brand and I use a lot of Stila products when on set because I LOVE STILA! So, today Johnny and I will share with you some of the products that was sent to me. Because I’m a die hard fan I am familiar with some of the items but Johnny is new to Stila so I’m delighted to watch Johnny play and fall in love with Stila.

https://youtu.be/5bLsQYHGGY8

If any of you have ever been around Johnny and myself you know all we do is drink and talk makeup, makeup, makeup when together! So Johnny had this fun idea that we should just turn the camera on and just let whatever happens, happens. Well, this is what we’re doing. We not trying to be similiar to anyone just being us having fun. Because we both have a sassy personality we really never know what will come out of our mouth so put on your seat belt and sit back enjoy the foolishness that we bring while sipping on our Finlandia Vodka.

Here is the list of the items we were playing with in the video from Stila Cosmetics.

*Stay All Day Foundation +Concealer

*Heaven’s Hue Highlighter

*Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

*Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Palette

*Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

*Huge Extreme Lash Mascara

YouTube Page: Makeup And Martini’s NYC 

Instagram Page: makeupandmartinisnyc

 

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The Life Of A Makeup Artist Who Does Video Blogs

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I really enjoy been busy with a variety of things that pertains to my career. This morning started at 8am prepping for a second Skype interview from the team in London about my upcoming speaking engagement.

I have worked so hard as a makeup artist in the beauty & entertainment industry for 20 years and the last few years I have looked at others avenues in the beauty industry like speaking at events about makeup & skincare. So when I receive emails and calls about speaking and educating others it’s a dream come true because as I have gotten older I am looking to stay in the beauty industry but I’m now ready to educate others more whether it’s aspiring makeup artists and/or consumers.

 

The call went very well I was able to get all of my questions answers and we went over my time frame, topics, and products needed. After the call I headed out to meet up with Johnny to film our second makeup video for Makeup & Martini’s NYC. I feel that the second video was so much easier and felt really good because I once again love to teach so I was able to show a little of that on the second video. I can’t wait for you all to see it on Friday.

Recently, I was gifted with a box of goodies from one of my favorite makeup brands so I waited to open the box of goodies with you all. We also took still pics for content to use on our Instagram page as well. If you haven’t followed us yet please do when you get a chance. Once again thanks to Finlandia Vodka for supporting us with products and our cute Finlandia martini glasses.

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Behind The Scenes pic while filming Makeup and Martini’s NYC 

Can I tell you how much hard work goes into this whole world of video blog. For now we are the producers, the directors, the lighting people, the camera people, wardrobe stylist, makeup artist, hairstylist, and bartender. Poor Johnny has the hard part he does all the editing. This is why all of those 100’s of videos I have of myself on my computer and hard drive just sit there is because I don’t have the patience for editing. So I am grateful for having Johnny cuz he handles all of the social media as well.

After filming we discuss our next week topic. So that we can have current content for you all.

Don’t forget to tune in on tomorrow to see our second video. Thanks Guys!

 

 

Instagram Page: MakeupandMartinisNYC

YouTube Page: Makeup and Martini’s NYC

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The SPF-infused Drugstore Makeup You Need To Try This Summer

Once again I was invited by the Today show to offer a beauty testimony. Today’s content is on SPF -infused drugstore makeup. As a makeup artist, a beauty expert, and a beauty influencer it’s why I work hard and always give my best artistry because it’s an honor to be asked.

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You already know that sunscreen is a summer essential, but what you might not realize is how many different ways you can shield against sun’s harmful rays. While you should always start with traditional sprays and lotions as your base, mineral powders and, yes, even foundation can help protect your skin while looking flawless.

You don’t have to travel far to score summer-friendly face makeup; many of the best formulas are available at your local drugstore. From SPF-infused foundation to BB cream, these are the protective products to stock up on right now.

Read the full article on the TODAY Show page by clicking here

Brandy Gomez-Duplessis did makeup on singer Ellie Goulding for her performance at the NBA All Star Weekend & makeup/hair on Actress Allison Janney at Sundance Film Festival

Photo Credit: Brandy Gomez-Duplessis

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Beauty Enthusiasts Skyping With An Agency From London About Makeup & Skincare

On Monday I received an email with an invite to be a part of a research project in NYC for a major manufacturer of skin care products. We set up a Skype interview to chat with the Senior Consultant on Tuesday morning. The company is based out of London and they thought that I would be a perfect fit for an exclusive expert private dinner in New York. I will take part in an informal 2-3 hour discussion with 5 other beauty/skincare enthusiasts in New York to discuss beauty trends and make up techniques (particularly the eyes).

The interview went very well and it look like I may be doing a private Beauty Happy Hour makeup class with the company a day before to educate the staff on the beauty products. I always love speaking about beauty to an audience who also love it. The last 3 years I have really been focusing on branding myself as a public speaker and it’s been happening.

Look forward to sharing more with you next week after I attend the event.

 

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How Do You Deal With Bad Allergy

I know on social media we only suppose to share glam things but this is a part of my glam life. I don’t have allergies but my body ( #lupus ) think I do. All of my sinuses are infected so I always sound congested like I have a damn cold 24/7. Enough is enough, today I’m going to fight this like I have allergies.

What do you do when you’re fighting your allergies? I’m accepting suggestions & tips..