Blog | Page 37 of 225 | Makeup By Kim Porter

Review: NYX Matte Bronzers are Perfect for My Brown Skin {Swatches}

April 19, 2014 by Kim S. / blog, Reviews / 25 Comments

Warmer weather means less makeup, and more skin. Bronzers allow you to achieve a fresh face looked without much effort. Bronzers come in shimmer or matte shades, and can be powder, liquid or cream.

I’ve been using NYX Matte Bronzers since last January since they were one of the few affordable cosmetics brands that carried shades that would work for darker or brown skintones. I purchased the NYX Matte Bronzers in shades ‘Dark Tan’ (deep warm brown) and ‘Deep Tan’ (deep golden brown). Out of both shades I purchased, I used Deep Tan the most. When it broke I became ill with sadness. Deep Tan worked best for my complexion since Dark Tan is a tad bit too warm for my taste.

The NYX Matte Bronzers have zero shimmer, which make them perfect for girls with oily skin. They pack a lot of pigment, but as long as you use a light hand, and blend you will be satisfied with the natural bronze look afforded by using it.

The NYX Matte Bronzers are very soft; however, they are powdery, and I did experience fall out, which can make them messy if you’re not careful. Just tap off the excess before applying the NYX Matte Bronzer to your face to avoid any mishaps. I also like how well the NYX Matte Bronzers blend into my skin with ease.

After applying the NYX Matte Bronzer in the morning, I find myself re-applying it at least 6 hours later, which is pretty decent wear, especially for the price.

I know people tend to use bronzers as contour, but I don’t since contour shades are supposed to be grayish or ashy, and these are too warm, especially the Dark Tan NYX Matte Bronzer.

I would recommend the NYX Matte Bronzers to anyone looking to achieve a natural, healthy-looking complexion. At about $9.00 per 0.33 ounces at Ulta.com, they’re affordable compared to my NARS Bronzer*, which costs $38.00/ 0.28 ounces. The NYX Matte Bronzers come in a clean, sleek black compact, and are available in five shades: Light, Medium, Deep, Dark Tan and Deep Tan.

Have you tried NYX Matte Bronzers?

What did you think?

*Affiliate Links

The Makeup Show New York 2014 Has New Vendors, Speakers, Education and more #tmsnyc

April 18, 2014 by Kim S. / blog, Miscellaneous / 0 comments

The Makeup Show New York 2014 is just a little over two weeks away. This is one of the only trade shows that’s geared towards makeup artists that I attend annually. The discounted cosmetics are appealing, but, I love the education provided at The Makeup Show New York. The free keynotes and seminars, and the paid hands-on workshops are all helpful for those seeking to build on their makeup artistry and become a better makeup artist. There’s always something new to discover and learn at The Makeup Show New York. The Makeup Show New York is a pro-driven industry event open to those individuals and companies involved in beauty and fashion. Makeup artists, retail artists, aestheticians, cosmetologists, hairstylists, fashion stylists, buyers, agents and photographers. Students enrolled in courses related to makeup, hair or aesthetics are invited to attend as well. Proof of professions, such as a business card, industry license, COMP card, etc or student status is required at the door prior to gain entry.

What’s New?

New vendors: Sephora,Adamis, Cao Cosmetics, Ve Neill Brushes, Vincent Longo Cosmetics, Black-Up,Gorgeous Cosmetics, Serenity and Scott and more.

New Products: Kett Crème Correctors, CLEANSE by Lauren Napier, Sephora Collection Lip Kit, Cattiva, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ summer collection, OFRA Cosmetic Foundation Stick, Temptu’s 2.0 starter kit and more.

The Makeup Show Gala, Colour Couture; Beauty and Beyond on Friday, May 2^nd from 6pm to 9pm at Metropolitan Pavilion. To purchase tickets or for additional information contact jeremy@themakeupshow.com.

“THE MAKEUP SHOW ICON GALLERY” The Makeup Show New York Icon Gallery will provide a glimpse inside his professional and personal life that exhibit his achievements in the beauty industry, share special moments from his life, and bring us behind-the-scenes to view some of his most important and inspiring work.

Seminars on the Mainstage

“Understanding Beauty” with Alice Lane – What is beauty? Why is it beautiful? These are just a couple of the questions and queries we will explore as Alice also allows us a look inside her career which includes clients like Vogue, W, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and V. Watch Alice demonstrate the fundamentals of color, contour, and placement and guide us through the idea of adding art back into our makeup all the while inspiring you to develop your own eye, understanding and signature style.

“A Career in Makeup” with Troy Surratt – Troy Surratt has gone from behind the counter at Alcone, to assisting Kevyn Aucoin, launching the makeup line Tarte and onto consulting positions for Beauty.com and beauty giant Maybelline. In his first time keynote at The Makeup Show, Troy will talk to us about his own career highlights and his favorite experiences in this industry he loves. He will also share his tips for a successful career and offer us an in-depth look at his eponymous Surratt line that combines his intimate knowledge of beauty and the business with his understanding of what every pro needs in their kit to create amazing makeup applications.

“The New Movement in Makeup” with Ashunta Sheriff – In her first time at The Makeup Show, Ashunta will share with attendees her thoughts on how to build a beauty brand and name while maintaining your own ideals and integrity. She will shed some light on how to make your own artistry celebrity worthy and share her technique for developing her signature contour and glow gorgeous makeup look.

“Something Wicked: Creating a Character and a Career on Broadway” with Joe Dulude – Bringing characters to life for the Broadway stage is a much coveted and very exclusive area of makeup artistry. Joe Dulude joins us among the artists who have created makeup and characters that have captured our imagination on this 10^th anniversary year for the Broadway production of Wicked. He will bring The Wicked Witch of the West, the one and only Elphaba to life on the stage. Making Up With

Merrell Hollis – As an award-winning make-upartist and grooming expert, Merrell has worked with some of the biggest names in music, film and fashion. Merrell will share how he got started in the industry and show you the why’s and how’s of creating a flawless foundation, the essentials to stunning celebrity makeup and demonstrate theartistry that has transformed the faces of icons and legends including WendyWilliams, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Faith Evans, Naomi Campbell, Diane Von Furstenberg and Kim Cattrall to name a few. Watch as he shows the detailed techniques for which he has become known for and listen as he shares insight on what you can do to build your own career in the celebrity makeup field.

Click here to find a full list of the workshops and education available during The Makeup Show New York.

2014 The Makeup Show New York Ticket Rates

Advance Ticket Prices:

One Day- $55.00
Two Days- $75.00

Tickets may be purchased online here

Student Ticket Rates – 10% off advance ticket rates or at the door. Student proof must be shown when picking up your ticket. Local 798 Union Members– Receive complimentary entrance Monday, May 5th 2014. Please RSVP to sophia@metropolitanevents.com before Thursday, May 1st. All union members will need to present a valid 2014 union card. Group Tickets – Group Rate available for groups of 15 or more. For more information email Sophia@metropolitanevents.com Door Ticket Prices: (tax not included and will be added on at the door)

One Day- $65.00
Two Days – $85.00

Get Social at The Makeup Show New York

Hashtag #tmsnyc and see your images come up on our live-feed as we prep for the largest NYC Makeup Show!

Two LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers You Need in Your Skincare Arsenal Right Now!

April 15, 2014 by Kim S. / blog, Reviews / 42 Comments

I feel like I’m constantly speaking about how the rigid New York City winter weather has wreaked havoc on my skin. Something can work for a month or two, and as soon as there is a fluctuation in temperature, my skin becomes temperamental. It’s frustrating. Lately, I’ve been using two LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers, and my skin is asking me why I didn’t start to use either of the two LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers sooner. The two LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers I’ve been using are ‘Dark Angels’ and ‘Angels on Bare Skin’.

Since I know my skin loves charcoal products, I began to first use the Dark Angels LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser. Dark Angels is a charcoal and black sugar cleanser that gently exfoliates, absorbs excess oil, and leaves the skin looking brighter and feeling smoother.

Dark Angels LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser

Ingredients: Rhassoul Mud , Cold Pressed Avocado Oil (Persea gratissima) , Glycerine , Powdered Charcoal , Black Sugar (sucrose) , Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate , Perfume , Linalool , Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album), Rosewood oil (Aniba rosaeodora)

Cost: $12.95/ 3.5 oz – $31.95/8.4oz

The Dark Angels LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser was gentle enough for me to use both night and day, but, if you do experience dryness from overuse/over exfoliation, then cut back to once per day. After my first use, my skin no longer looked dull. Areas where I had some dry skin that my other cleanser and facial sponge failed to remove, the Dark Angels LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser got rid of. I was amazed at how smooth, soft and supple my skin was after rinsing, too! There were times when I used it before going to bed that I didn’t even have to use a moisturizer – I’d just use my Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster and go right to sleep, and wake up with great skin!

The Dark Angels LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser can get a bit messy if you aren’t careful. Just make sure you add the proper amount of water to it, creating a paste, and then apply it to your face. I usually rinse it off while I’m showering, and it hasn’t stained my face or my tub.

Angels on Bare Skin LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser

Ingredients: Ground Almonds (Prunus dulcis) , Glycerine , Kaolin ,Water (Aqua) , Lavender Oil (Lavandula hybrida) , Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia) , Chamomile Blue Oil (Matricaria Chamomilla) , Tagetes Oil (Tagetes minuta), Benzoin Resinoid (Styrax tonkinensis pierre) , Lavender Flowers (Lavendula hybrida) , Limonene , Linalool.

Cost: $13.95/ 3.5 oz – $33.95/8.4 oz

Angels on Bare Skin LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser is another reason my skin is thanking me. The ground almonds and lavender flowers make it a great gentle exfoliator for daily use even twice a day. When using it, it doesn’t feel like it’s doing much, but after you rinse it off, your skin is like ‘WOW!’ Super soft, moisturized, radiant and clean.

Angels on Bare Skin, like Dark Angels can get a bit messy, so I use it in the shower, too. I first apply it over the sink, and let it sit on my face sort of like a mask while I’m washing everything else in the shower, and rinse my face last. This also allows the Kaolin clay to better do its job.

I’m going to admit that I [accidentally] tasted Angels on Bare Skin. While massaging it into my face, some dripped down onto the crease of my lips, and I got a hint of sweetness. Thank God all of the ingredients are natural. It was only a little bit, so I’m certain I wouldn’t have died.

Overall, I’m happy with both LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers. Both cleansers leave my skin feeling clean without feeling stripped and dry. Since using both LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers, my skin has looked so much better. I can now go out without makeup (no concealer, no foundation), and still have a fresh faced look.

Although a little bit expensive, you can get a lot of use from a 3.5 oz jar since you’re not using that much; you only need a pea sized amount for your entire face; however, if you use it for your face and your body, you will definitely run through it a lot quicker. The LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers are also available in a large size to accommodate those individuals who prefer to use them on their face and body. The LUSH Fresh Face Cleansers are the perfect option for whipping your skin into shape for the summer. Just think of it as spring cleaning for your skin.

LUSH Fresh Face Cleanser Options:

Aqua Marina: Those who have a tendency to react to citrus or strong herbal oils will find salvation in Aqua Marina’s gentle aloe vera and moisturizing nori seaweed. Especially cooling on wind-chapped faces, Aqua Marina is perfect for normal to dry skin types.
Herbalism: Best suited for those who have tried everything to clear up their oily and blemish prone skin with an antibacterial blend of rosemary, nettle and chamomile. Ground rice bran acts as an effective exfoliant, while kaolin clay deep-cleanses pores.
Let The Good Times Roll: A luxuriously soft and sweetly-scented cleanser, Let The Good Times Roll is made with maize flour and corn meal to gently exfoliate, and a dash of cinnamon powder to cleanse and warm cold winter skin. It’s perfect for normal or dry skin types looking for a light exfoliation.