My favorite Foundation is On-sale Now! Stila Natural Finish Oil Free Makeup {Photos & Swatches}

February 15, 2013 by Kim S. / blog / 1 Comment

My new favorite foundation is Stila Natural Finish Oil Free Makeup. Unfortunately, they are phasing this out. Any time I wear this foundation, I receive many compliments on “my skin”. Some people have even said I looked airbrushed in photos and in person. I first purchased the Stila Natural Finish Oil Free Makeup when hautelook.com had it on-sale for $8.00! I’m upset I had only purchased one. That bottle wound up falling and breaking, too! Talk about bad luck. After that, I purchased shades ‘I’ (dark golden) and ‘K’ (deep golden peach) from the Stila website for $19 each. Now, hautelook.com has the Stila Natural Finish Oil Free Makeup for $15, which isn’t too bad. The sale ends Saturday, February 16.

Description:

This ultra light, easy to use formula provides medium coverage and a semi-matte finish. Stila’s oil-free formula is both blendable and buildable, leaving a natural vibrancy on the skin

Below are swatches of the product. I hope Stila replaces this foundation with something comparable because I love it!

Have you yet tried the Stila Natural Finish Oil Free Makeup?

What’s your favorite foundation?

IBM Smarter Commerce: What #MySmarterCommerce means to Makeup by Kim Porter

February 12, 2013 by Kim S. / blog, Miscellaneous / 4 Comments

Finally, I am able to let the cat out of the bag, and announce that the Makeup by Kim Porter brand has partnered with IBM for their social media influencer program, IBM Smarter Commerce. IBM wants to know and see what Smarter Commerce means to people like you and me, and see how technology directly impacts our personal lives and careers.

The IBM Smarter Commerce platform will allow major brands like Sephora, Macy’s, Acura and Nike to provide their consumers with the ultimate customer service experience through all avenues, such as social media, digital, retail and mobile. IBM recognizes that as times change, so does technology, and with that businesses need to focus on Smarter Commerce.

The IBM Smarter Commerce campaign could not have come at a better time for me. As many of you know, outside of working full-time, I am also a Makeup Artist. Social media and technology has played a major role in the way I advertise for my business in an affordable way, attract clients, and staying connected with everything going on in the beauty and fashion industries. Smarter Commerce also plays a role in a new joint endeavor, fellow blogger and long-time friend of mine, Janique of Hergoodybag.com are pursuing. Stay tuned for more information.

As part of the IBM #MySmarterCommerce campaign, over the next 30-days I will share through content, conversations and social posts, what Smarter Commerce means to me. My Smarter Commerce story along with other campaign participants content will be presented in March during the South by South West (SXSW) panel presentation – giving all influencers in attendance the consumer perspective on what Smarter Commerce means to us.

Over the next 30-days or so, I hope you will join in on the conversation with me via my twitter and Instagram accounts with the hashtag #MySmarterCommerce, Facebook and blog to let me know what Smarter Commerce means to you, too! This is an exciting opportunity, and I will appreciate any support you give.

What does Smarter Commerce mean to you?

#spon: I have been invited by IBM to share my honest thoughts and experiences around Smarter Commerce, and as part of this collaboration, IBM may provide me with product, access, content or other forms of remuneration. All opinions are expressly my own.

See how butter LONDON Kicked off NYFW Backstage with Dannijo & La Perla

February 8, 2013 by Kim S. / blog / 1 Comment

butter LONDON kicked off NYFW backstage with Dannijo and La Perla. See the fabulous nail looks butter LONDON’s Global Colour Ambassador, Katie Hughes, created for the designers during NYFW Backstage.

Designer: DANNIJO

Lead Manicurist: Katie Hughes, butter LONDON Global Colour Ambassador

The Scoop: Inspired by vanity and old Hollywood glam, the collection pays homage to the way things used to be, while referencing bold, contemporary styles

Nail Look: Katie created three nail looks for the Dannijo presentation:

Look 1: Yummy Mummy

Look 2: La Moss

Look 3: La Moss with a layer of Saucy Jack on top

*As always, Katie began the looks with the butter LONDON Nail Foundation and finished with butter LONDON Hardwear Quick Top Coat

Designer: LA PERLA

Lead Manicurist: Katie Hughes, butter LONDON Global Colour Ambassador

The Scoop: The La Perla Collection was inspired by Spain and the Spanish rhythm where traditional and contemporary facets meet. The Black Label Collection was inspired by the exotic side of art.

Nail Look: Katie created two nail looks for the presentation, one for the La Perla Collection and one of the Black Label Collection

Look 1: Katie matched the models skin tones with one of the three lacquers in the Starkers Collection: Shandy, Crumpet or Tea + Toast

Look 2: Union Jack Black with Yummy Mummy

*As always, Katie began the looks with the butter LONDON Nail Foundation and finished with butter LONDON Hardwear Quick Top Coat

Disclosure: The information and photos were provided by the company or its PR for informational purposes.

Makeup Artist! Here’s your chance to assist James Vincent & other Artist During NYFW

February 4, 2013 by Kim S. / blog, Miscellaneous / 0 comments

I think everyone, at some point in their lives has a dream of either working New York Fashion Week (NYFW) or attending. Celebrity makeup artist, James Vincent, along with the dreamy Jon Hennessey are hosting a NYFW Exclusive workshop, ‘Work the Runway: Exclusive Hands-on Workshop’.

The workshop will take place on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at The Metropolitan Pavillion in New York City from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. I’ve attended a Jon Hennessey workshop before, and he is very informative! If you have $345 to invest in your career, and would like the opportunity to assist during NYFW, then this workshop is for you!

About the ‘Work the Runway: Exclusive Hands-on Workshop’

James and special guest will give you insight into the design and production process as well as the art and business side of being a Key Artist. In the first workshop portion, you will see behind the scenes from every side. James and guest will bring you through the act of assisting and understanding what you need in your kit, how to prepare yourself for the position, and what it means to interpret a key artist’s design, personality and instruction. They will also show you the ins and outs of leading a show and guide you through the gritty reality of being a lead from collaborating with designers to consulting with your team and communicating your ideas and inspiration. You will receive feedback throughout the process from application to the final view on the catwalk. You will walk away from this workshop with the tools you need to succeed as a fashion runway artist as well as an understanding of how to get these coveted and exclusive positions.

In the very exclusive third part of this workshop, selected artists will have an opportunity to assist James and The Makeup Show artists behind the scenes of New York Fashion Week and experience the wonderful chaos and creativity that happens backstage. This is a great way to expand your resume and reach new levels of experience.

What shows you may have a chance assisting with?

Well, James Vincent will be kicking off the season with Suzanne Rae’s fashion show sponsored by Kevyn Aucoin on February 6 and then continue on with shows at Style360, February 11 – 13, where he will be working his talent backstage with Jon Hennessey on a line-up of high profile fashion shows and celebrities, including YARNZ, Tumbler & Tipsy by Michael Kuluva, Ashton Michael, FrontRow, Boy Meets Girl by Stacy Lgel, and Le Smurfette curated by Lois Sakany &Sami Grand-Pierre. James and Jon will be working with each of these designers to bring an individual sense of makeup to each collection and will bring the vision to life on the runway using Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, AOFM PRO, Embryollise USA and Cult Nails.

Are you convinced?

Check TheMakeupShow.com for more details on how to sign-up!

Good Luck!!!

Disclosure: This information was provided by the company or its PR for informational purposes. I was not paid for this post. Opinions are my own and are honest.