Blog | Page 23 of 225 | Makeup By Kim Porter

Lipstick Lovers Worldwide MAC Lipstick Giveaway

February 2, 2015 by Kim S. / blog, Giveaways, The Beauty Council / 15 Comments

Do you have that one best friend you look up to for fashion or beauty advice? The friend that always has the latest threads, and knows what’s on trend when it comes to makeup? I know you have that friend you’ve been dying to rummage through their stash, right? Guess what? Now, you have that chance! Think of us, The Beauty Council, as your online beauty besties. We have come together to give away one of our favorite MAC Lipsticks!!!

From now, until February 13, 2015, 11:59 p.m. PST you have the chance to enter to win 1 of 17 MAC Lipsticks in our Lipstick Lovers Worldwide Giveaway! My favorite lipstick, just in case you were wondering, is the MAC Lipstick shade in Smoked Purple. Smoked Purple is a matte lipstick that is a deep eggplant purple. It’s been in heavy rotation this winter.

A photo posted by Makeupbykimporter (@makeupbykimporter) on Jan 22, 2015 at 8:42am PST

Entering The Beauty Council’s Lipstick Lovers Worldwide Giveaway is easy. All you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter widget below, and follow the prompts for extra entires. Be sure to tell your friends. I’m sure they’d love to win a MAC lipstick, too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in winning one of our favorite MAC Lipstick shades.

Fragrance Friday: Scentbird, an Affordable Luxury Fragrance Subscription Service

January 30, 2015 by Kim S. / Fragrance Friday, Reviews / 19 Comments

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This Fragrance Friday, I’m excited to share with you both a new fragrance I’ve been wearing, and a new fragrance subscription service, Scentbird New York.

Have you heard of Scentbird? They’re a luxury fragrance subscription service offering subscribers, for $14.95, a 30-day supply of their choice of perfume. Scentbird has over 350 luxury fragrances to choose from, so no matter your scent preference, you’re sure to find something.

In order to try out the Scentbird subscription service, I was provided a 30-day supply vial of Shalimar Parfum Initial packaged in a sleek purse spray . Shalimar Parfum Initial is described as:

A luminous amber-floral fragrance. The fresh, citrusy burst of bergamot gives way to a delicate floral heart: an orchestrated overdose of rose, jasmine, and iris. Its base of vanilla and tonka bean instantly creates addiction, like the captivating feel of cashmere on bare skin.

Initially, when offered to review Shalimar Parfum Initial, my thoughts were, “This is such an old fragrance.” I mean, my aunt used to wear it. Dating back to 1921, Shalimar is definitely a classic scent. However, I was reassured that Shalimar Parfum Initial is an “…updated, younger version…” They were right! I am absolutely in-love with this fragrance!

Although I do miss the sparkling citrus opening, I do notice the middle notes – iris, rose and jasmine – a lot more. For me, it opens immediately into a beautiful soft, powdery iris, and then I get a hint of amber and vanilla. The iris is what got me since it’s the same thing that had me stuck on Guerlain’s Insolence.

Sillage is pretty good. I noticed that iris and soft powder notes last longer on the skin than any of the others. As far as longevity, Shalimar Parfum Initial doesn’t wear on for hours on end like other perfumes I own. I’d say I get up to 5 hours wear. But, thankfully, the Scentbird vial is compact enough for me to tote around in my purse. I’m thinking this vial will last me quite some time, too.

Although a young, feminine fragrance, I don’t think Shalimar Parfum Initial is for everyone. To me, it screams, ‘I’m distinguished, elegant, and classy.’ It’s for a confident and sophisticated woman, who’s comfortable with her sensuality. Dare to wear it during the day, which I have, and love. But, I also think it makes a great date night scent. Either way, I say, ‘Wear it at your own risk.’ .:wink:.

I’m happy Scentbird suggested and scent over Shalimar Parfum Initial for me to test out. I love it. I’m going to pick up a full-sized bottle to add to my perfume collection.

At $14.95 a month, Scentbird is an affordable way to try the luxury fragrances you’ve been lemming over, but just can’t bring yourself to spend the money on at the moment. The monthly subscription fragrance service is also a great way for those individuals that like change, and would prefer to not spend money on a large bottle of perfume they know will just sit on their dresser for days at a time without use. Oh, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, a Scentbird subscription would certainly make a great gift to your special someone.

Makeup by Kim Porter readers can enjoy 25% off of their first Scentbird perfume with Code: SCENT25

What do you think about the Scentbird fragrance subscription service? Will you try it?

Create a Flawless Face in Under Ten Minutes

January 29, 2015 by Kim S. / blog, Makeup Looks, makeup tips / 27 Comments

I BOUGHT THIS | AFFILIATE LINKSAFFILIATE LINKS

Let’s face it, we are all busy, especially during the week when we’re getting ourselves and our kids ready for school and work. Really, when do we have time to put on a full face of makeup with highlight and contour, and all of the other Instagram-famous makeup trends? Truth is, we don’t. At least I do not. However, I’m a firm believer in keeping up appearances whether it’s just by adding a little mascara, lipstick or lip gloss. I’ve also found that with just a few essential products, anyone can create a flawless face in under ten minutes.

I’ve put together this list of products you or anyone else can use to create a flawless face in under ten minutes.

Sidebar: I know I don’t have to say this, or maybe I do, but please, please remember whenever you’re applying makeup to make sure you’re applying it over clean, moisturized skin. I can hear an oily girl saying, “Well, my skin is oily, I don’t need moisturizer.” That’s false. Oil and moisture are completely different things. Just take my advice and moisturized. Your skin will love you.

Now back to the list of products to create a flawless face in under ten minutes.

Concealer/Corrector

If you have discoloration, the best way to create a flawless face in under ten minutes, is by correcting any dark or red areas (under your eyes, blemishes, pimples), and then add concealer. Make sure you blend, blend, and blend some more!

Foundation and/or Powder

Next, I follow up with my favorite foundation and/or powder. You can see what my favorites are for winter in my previous winter beauty staples post. Unless it’s that time of the month, I, for the most part opt to only apply the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in shade ‘Dark’. Afterwards, my skin looks amazingly natural, and polished.

Bronzer

To bring my face back to life, and add some dimension, I apply bronzer. I’ve been using the Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder (Shade #7 for the last six months).

Mascara

You do not need to add eye shadow, at least in my opinion, in order to create a flawless face in under 10 minutes. Just curl your lashes and apply your favorite mascara. You may line your eyes if you need/want to should time permit.

Brow product

I’ve said this numerous times, and I’ll say it again… I do not leave my house without my brows done. My favorite product has been the Anastasia Dip Brow used with an angled liner brush. Sorry, you won’t find the Instagram-famous concealed, block brow here.

Lip product

After applying your favorite lip product, either plain gloss, a stain, or your favorite lipstick (I’m wearing ‘Rebel’ by MAC), you can congratulate yourself because you have successfully created a flawless face in under ten minutes.

This look was simple to do, and as I promised, it took me under ten minutes to create it. I don’t look like I’m wearing a ton of makeup; it’s a more refined, and polished me.

Have you perfected the art of how to create a flawless face in under ten minutes? If so, what do you use?

Hair Care Tuesdays: Introducing Philisha Mack, CEO Preeminence Salon & Boutique

January 27, 2015 by Kim S. / Hair Care / 24 Comments

I am beyond excited to share this platform. As the owner of Preeminence Salon & Boutique for the past three years-I have definitely been on a journey. As a southern bell-born and raised in Sumter, SC – I come from very humble beginnings. Since a very young age, I had a passion for beauty, fashion and hair. I was one of the gals that would constantly change their hair, cut it off, color it, and weave it up down and all around lol! If there was a style-I probably tried it. As I grew into my college years-I realized how the stigma of having a “professional” hairstyle impacted a lot of women and played a role in their overall style. This was a notion that always confused me, after-all I grew up in a household that taught me how important it was to be a beautiful, caring person on the inside-so essentially the saying, “I am not my hair” was something that I lived by. Of course, the discussion of good hair, bad hair, natural hair straight hair has been beaten to death over the past couple of years, but I wanted to preface this post with my humble beginnings because is has played a larger role in my journey as a salon owner.

I currently reside in Atlanta. Now, for those of who have visited-you know that this is the HAIR MECCA of the south. Bronner Brothers is huge here as well as an influx of salons. When I moved from the city to the suburbs- I was finding that there were not many salons that could properly condition and style my natural hair. I would drive to the city on the weekends and literally sit for hours although I made my appointments in advance. I can recall on several occasions entering at 9:00 am and leaving at 5:00 pm-I mean it was ridiculous. So of course, I researched salons closer to my home; however, they were largely Caucasian salons. And when I would enter, they would look at me and my natural hair as if they saw a ghost lol. They had no clue how to manage my hair. There was, of course, one person who conveniently catered to people with natural hair, but she was never available when I wanted to make an appointment.

I am happy to say that I have created a multi-cultural salon that is located in Marietta, GA. I have a diverse clientele and stylists who service individuals such as myself as well as women with various textures of hair.

If you are searching for a salon home in your area here are 5 tips:

1. Research the salon on yelp, but do not stop there-As a salon owner, I get so upset that Yelp publishes negative reviews but does not highlight positive reviews nor do they make them generally available for the public (You can’t please everyone and the ones that are not pleased are quick to go to yelp, lol) – I say this to say-do not exclude a salon solely based on yelp reviews.

2. Decide how far you are willing to travel and research salons in that radius

3. Check out first time specials at salons or even check out Group-on deals so that you are able to try them out and save some money in the process.

4. Ask family and friends if they could refer you to a stylist/salon that they have had great experiences with-There is nothing better than a referral and often times their salon will get an incentive for referring them.

5. Do not be afraid to venture into a specialty or boutique salon- A stylist does not have to have your same hair texture to know and understand the science behind styling and maintaining your hair.

Please leave your comment below- Have you had similar experiences at the salon? If you are ever in the Atlanta area-I invite you to visit Preeminence Salon & Boutique. Learn more about our salon & Premiere Make-Up Classes here.