Steal or Splurge! Kevyn Aucoin vs. Maybeline: Brow Pencils

Now I *know* we all love a good steal on a beauty product that is magical. Since I purchase more beauty products than the average bear, I'm always on the lookout for a great deal and addition to my kit. Dollface Makeup Artist (MUA), Jessica, introduced us to her Maybelline 24-Hr Tattoo Cream Shadow steal beating out Make Up For Ever's Aqua Cream!  Now she has found a new product for me to review this time. 

Introducing the contenders:

Kevyn Aucion's Prescion Brow Pencil in Brunette- $24 *available on Amazon.com

• Kevyn Aucoin Precision Brown Pencil (Brunette)
• Made with the thinnest lead available
• Smudge to add warmth or draw individual hairs
• Packaged in a slim, retractable tube & accompanied by an attached brow spool brush
• Brunette is a warm brown shade

Maybeline's DEFINE-A-BROW in Dark Blonde- $5.69 *available online and in most stores

• Precisely fills grooms brows
• Built in comb
• Smear proof formula

On first glance they look very similar.  Both are thin and both have a comb or brush attached.  "Dark Blonde" from Maybelline is the most comparable color to Kevyn's "Brunette".  TIP: Most professional MUAs love a universal color in our kits that really do work on most skin tones.  This color is very similar to a "taupe" which is a chameleon that truly matches to most clients. 

After using both on myself and clients, I found the Maybelline to be good enough but not spectacular. The line was a nice color but it was lacking in prescion.  And prescion is the number one thing I love about Kevyn. I love being able to recreate natural brows by adding in the tiniest "hairs" with this pencil. It looks really clean and natural. The spoolie over a plastic comb was also more helpful in grooming.  My verdict is to SPLURGE! but feel free to get a steal of a deal with Maybelline for now, then give Kevyn a try.

I really wanted to swap out my Keyvn in my pro kit for Maybelline, but I am not sold enough to make the swap. With that said, I do think this pencil is a great deal better than most brow pencils on the market. This is the first time we've come across a thin pencil, so that in itself is fantastic!

I hope this entry has helped you! Please let us know if you have any questions or other products you are interested in learning more about.

xo- jules

Makeup Parties!

This Ain’t Your Small Town Home Party!

The idea of hosting or attending a home party has always made me sigh a little bit, in part because of the triangle business strategy and pressure to become a sales person for this particular company, and also because I know I’ll feel obligated to buy something I don’t really want.  Small towns are notorious for these events, along with door to door sales, and before you know it, everyone is selling the same products.

When I found out that Temptu, the airbrush makeup I adore so much, was testing out a new idea with a different type of home party, I was a little anxious.  I love the product, even swear by it, but I never wanted to put that kind of pressure on my friends and family.  So I did my research, and this is what makes hosting or attending a Temptu party different.

1)      Many of you have seen Temptu in Sephora.  Many customers were not properly learning how to use airbrushing at home.  This was causing returns and dissatisfaction with a product that really is the definition of amazing!  (Check your dictionary – the word “amazing” has a picture of Temptu beside it.)  There’s a reason that for a long time, airbrush was only available to the pros.  There are specific things you need to know to get the results you want, things that aren’t hard to do, and if you are being educated on using the system, these results are easy to achieve.

2)     There’s no pressure to buy, because this makeup proves itself.  All I do is explain what it is and why it’s so awesome, and you get to try it for yourself.  You actually get to experience the beauty of Temptu airbrush, and be the judge about whether or not it will work for you.   You also get to go home looking like a movie star, always a plus in my book!

3)     Say you order a system, and when you receive it, you’re having issues.  Guess what?  I’m a phone call or a Facebook message away!  I can answer any of your questions, and you don’t have to deal with customer service.  Say you return from vacation, realizing your makeup no longer matches your new glowing tan.  Guess what?  Same thing!  We meet up, maybe have coffee, and I match your summer skin with the color that blends perfectly!  It couldn’t be any simpler!

4)     Dollface is the only company in the Southeast, and one of three on the whole east coast, who retails Temptu.  We are professional makeup artists who use only the best products on our clients, and Temptu is one brand that is an absolute must have in our kits.  This airbrush makeup really delivers.  Basically, when you purchase a system, you’re purchasing it from a professional who has worked with all kinds of faces and products and decided that this one is the best!  You essentially have a personal makeup artist at your fingertips!  (Who hasn’t wanted one of those at some point or another?)

So, if you decide to have a party, let us know!  We can hook you up with some great makeup and give you an excuse to get all your girls together for something everyone loves! 

XOXO, Jess

If I Had $100 Dollars…

Put yourself in this scenario… A crime has just taken place; a theft.  The burglar has made off with your entire makeup collection (gasp and clutch pearls).  For your loss, your insurance company gives you $100 to rebuild your kit.  What do you buy?  Where do you begin?  I have thought long and hard on what I would do if, heaven forbid, I was in this situation.  Here is my list of must-haves…

Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Fluid $27.00 – This is the category in which a splurge is necessary.  Liquid and cream foundations are most versatile in that their coverage is buildable from medium to full coverage when used alone or can be thinned out for lighter coverage by adding a little moisturizer.

Concealer: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer $6.44 - This product doubles as a brightening concealer and a highlighter   It does a great job under the eye, along the check bone and in the cupid's bow of the lip!

Translucent Powder: e.l.f. Studio HD Powder $6.00 – This ultra-fine powder give a beautiful, glowing halo effect to the skin.

Blush: (cream) e.l.f. Studio HD Blush $3.00 – Cream blush can work triple duty as blush, lip stain, and eye shadow!

Bronzer: NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in All Over Bronze Glow $4.99 – This matte powder works as a beautiful contour and can be used as an eye shadow as well!

Eyeshadow: (cream) Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded $5.94 – Jessica recently wrote a fabulous review singing the praises of this cream shadow!  Check it out here! I have made it my pick because it can be used alone or under powdered eye shadows as a brightening primer. (powder) e.l.f. Essential Little Black Beauty Book in Day $6.00

Eyeliner: (pencil) Maybelline Define-A-Line in Ebony Black $4.94 – Looks great as a solid line and smudged for a smoky eye.  (gel) Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Gel Eyeliner $5.49

Brow pencil: Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Dark Brown $5.99 – A blog post about this product is coming soon!

Mascara: Maybelline Volum' Express One by One $5.94 – Actually, ANY of the Maybelline mascaras will do the job!  Love them all!

Lipstick: e.l.f. Studio Lip Stain $3.00 & e.l.f. Essential Luscious Liquid Lipstick $1.00

Mist & Set: e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set $3.00 - I use this as a dupe for MAC Fix+.  Not only does this spray set your makeup keeping it looking fresh all day, but it also moisturizes your skin with aloe, cucumber, green tea and vitamins A, C, & E.

All this brings us to a grand total of… $88.73 (according to www.target.com online pricing).  What a savings!  All of the products are very highly reviewed and most of them have lived in my personal and professional kit at one point or another. Thanks to advances in science within the cosmetics industry, it is easier than ever to get quality products without breaking the bank.  So, go out there and give them a try!

Cheers, dolls!

Melissa

MONSTA music video

One of the best parts of being a makeup artist is having a career that is a completely different job every day!   From weddings, pageants, and balls to commercials, special effects, and fashion shows, there are so many ways to find satisfaction in my work.  A prime example of this happened last week when Dollface was responsible for the looks at an on-location music video shoot for the UK band, Monsta.

 The band was signed by Universal Records, and we did the makeup for their first single’s music video in their costume and makeup trailer, whose driver led us through unseasonably cold temperatures to obscure locations around southeast Georgia.  These included the middle of the woods amongst pine trees and thorns that kept snagging my feet (I learned quickly that sturdy boots were more appropriate than Croc ballet flats), an abandoned dilapidated church with no windows, a swamp and more woods, and railroad tracks guarded by a policeman against any suspect characters who might arise.  (And they did – we spotted him escorting an unfamiliar man off set!)

Having grown up in rural Georgia, a part of me felt at home in the woods, and I am proud that I was able to trek though the woods with the men on the crew with confidence and minimal falling down.  Hey, I didn’t say I was good at battling the elements, just that I am familiar with the elements.  A vivid memory I have of childhood is entertaining myself by tying my shoelaces to the tree stand while my daddy hunted.  To his exasperation and confusion, I couldn’t explain why I had done that, and had to be freed by a pocket knife.  It’s funny how little things can prepare you for what’s up ahead.  A brush belt and a set bag were my entertainment this time.

Speaking of pocket knives, day one called for this essential country girl tool when I needed ash to get a particular effect on an extra’s face.  Because makeup artistry requires wings, I had several empty Red Bull cans in my car, and sliced the top off of one to create a mini bonfire.  I have to say I was pretty proud of that one – I think my husband was too!  It must have sounded exciting and flashy to him, because that night he told me “Don’t let all the glamour go to your head.”   My response:  “Glamour?  What glamour?”  I felt pretty much like a proud caveman.   The entire weekend was full of prehistoric makeup artist make-it-work pride, namely battling wind and cold induced chapped lips on the cast!

The makeup was fun and the band was so sweet (and REALLY enjoyed Southern food, particularly barbeque and homemade mac ‘n cheese).  The entire cast and crew were extremely inspiring!  I was in awe of the techniques and commitment from everyone involved.  And on top of everything, I got to listen to an awesome song I think y’all are going to LOVE!  So without further ado, here is a link to the Monsta’s Messiah (minus the music video – you’re going to have to wait just a little longer for that!)

MONSTA Messiah

xoxo, Jessica Mock

A Fashionista Bride

I would love to take this opportunity to personally introduce you to Lindsey Hopkins.  I had the absolute priviledge of getting to know fashion designer and bride-to-be during her wedding week.  Lindsey married her MIDDLE SCHOOL sweetheart, that's right- 8 grade folks!  She is currently designing for brands carried at Target, but most importantly her own line called Lindsey Hopkins Collection.  

This beautiful blonde with bright blue eyes came to our studio complete with a great spirit and mood board of her makeup inspirations. Typically brides don't have such a clear idea of what they want to look like, so I was thrilled to have photos of her dream makeup. We collaborated on the details and designed the look for her bridesmaids. Besides being talented, Lindsey is really funny and easy to be around.  I know it's been a good trial when my mascara is smudged from laughing so hard! On the morning of Lindsey's wedding Makeup Artist, Jessica, joined me to assist me in providing special care for her friends and family.  The morning and afternoon came fast but a sweet group of ladies remained feeling and looking fabulous.  

Lindsey, I'm sure you had an amazing wedding and reception!  Wishing you the very best time in Thailand and we can't wait to see your photos. Congratulations on all the success that will continue to follow you on your amazing journey.  You have big fans in Savannah!

Sincerely, Jules