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Post Natal Necessities

Let's talk changing skin shall we?

I recently had a baby and there has been a drastic change in not only my skin but my skincare & makeup routine.

The extra hormones acquired while pregnant wreak havoc on a womans mood let alone her skin.

The most important thing though is to be sure to take good care of your skin. 

Exfoliate at least twice a week and make sure to moisturize!

My skin has been so dry since being pregnant and then having the baby that I have had to re-vamp my routine!

I use my Clairsonic Mia daily followed by a heavy moisturizer in the evening and a lighter version with SPF during the day.

After having a baby the last thing you may want to do is put on a face full of makeup. However, I would suggest just doing enough to make you feel like yourself each day. It can be a huge boost to your self esteem when the rest of your body is out of sorts.

I've personally noticed more of a pep in my step when I took the time to "put on a little rouge" as my Grandmother used to say.
You may be tired and sleep deprived but that does not mean you have to look like it!

My top three post natal necessities:

I highly recommend a great highlighter such as Smashbox's Halo Highlighting Wand to brighten up the cheek bones. The soft (not sparkly) glow will hit you in all the right places and the two colors (gold / pearl) will flatter any skintone.

image via: Sephora

And let's not forget the other must have - Photo Op Under Eye Brightener

image via: Sephora

It will make your dark circles a thing of the past and the brightening effect will have you ready to pose for pictures with your new little bundle of joy in no time!

Also on my post baby radar - Nars Blush in Orgasm

image via: Sephora

I mean the name says it all but this color flatters every single skintone and complexion.

The light pop of color will help you look and feel like your old self again!

I don't always have time each day to do a full face of makeup but when I use these three products combined with a tinted moisturizer & mascara I find that I am in a better mood and feel much more myself even if I'm just sitting around the house in leggings and a tee!

What makeup products boosts your mood?

Windows to the Soul

They say the eyes are the window to the soul and I am inclined to agree that they are quite an important part of one's daily beauty routine. The way we focus on our eyes can change the entire way a makeup look is viewed. They are the cornerstone of most makeovers and an essential part of how we view ourselves.

Being that mascara was the first thing I was allowed to really wear, I rarely leave the house without it as I feel it adds just a little extra something to my overall look.  That certain "je nais se quais" if you will.

This month's issue of Allure magazine has a whole article dedicated to "Eyelash Effects" and how they have changed over the years. It's also noted that 50% of women would choose mascara if they could only use one cosmetic.

To me that says a lot. There are no shortage of new mascara's on the market weekly and I am one of those people that is perpetually buying a new one in hopes that this will become "THE ONE" but I've realized that they are all good for different things.

I've recently discovered yet another mascara that has tickled my fancy for the last month or so.  Benefit's "They're Real" - a jet black mascara that not only lengthens but curls, lifts and creates volume for a spectacular false lash effect.

The domed brush tip also helps to define even the smallest of lashes ( I like to use it on the inner corners and the bottom lashes for extra drama). I already have curly lashes so this just brings out the volume and gives them some extra "oomph".

I'm also a huge proponent of false eyelashes. What a great and fun way to amp up your look without spending hundreds of dollars on eye lash extensions! The lashes of today are much more exciting than those of yesteryear. No more scary caterpillar-esque strips that just scream FAKE LASHES but are more about filling out skimpy lashes or just add a dramatic effect.

Some of my favorites are by the brand Baci - they range from Natural, Glamour (rhinestones) and Paradise (think pink feathers) and they are just FUN accessory to add to your look!

You can also find decent ones at your local Sally's Beauty Supply (Ardell) or ULTA (  NYX makes some KILLER ones!)

Do you have a favorite eye makeup product?

Scrub-a-dub-dub

I think I'm in love with a scrub.

A body scrub that is.

You all know I go absolutely ga-ga over new beauty (read makeup) products but did you also know I have a small obsession with bath products as well?

Yeah. Skincare is the business and I aim to keep mine in top notch condition.

Of course I exfoliate my face because I want my makeup to look its very best.....but I'm also slightly obsessed with exfoliating my body as well.

Spring is here and Summer is coming just around the corner and that means short dresses, shorts and .....(gulp) bathing suits!

A few weeks ago Hautelook was having another great beauty event, this time they were featuring 100% Pure a wonderful beauty & skincare brand that has a TON of yummy treats for me to choose from that not only smell great but are good for my skin!

The products are all organic and vegan and contain no harsh additives.

No emulsifiers, thickeners, fragrances or preservatives.
The downside to the lack of preservatives means your products have an expiration date that is clearly shown on the package.

The upside is that you don't have to worry about any harsh reactions from use AND you know exactly how long the product is good for!
To me the benefits far outweigh the downsides.

I was fortunate enough to score 2 separate sets:

Organic Boxed Fruit Body Scrub set ( three 6oz. scrubs :Organic Blood Orange, Fuji Apple & Pomegranate) - retails for : $35.00 - I paid $14.00

forgot to include the body lotion

Pomegranate Body Kit ( Body wash 16oz., Body Lotion  7.5oz & Body Scrub 13oz ) retails for: $45.00 -  I paid $18.00

All in all I spent $32.00 (excluding tax)..... not a bad haul if I do say so myself.

It arrived on Monday (earlier than expected so that's always a plus) but I forgot about it until I was in the shower Tuesday morning.

I quickly hopped out of the shower and ran down stairs to grab the scrub and test it out.

It's A-MAZING. I am so happy with my purchase!!

The scrub is perfect in my opinion.

Not too harsh, not too slippery and not overly pungent and left my bedroom smelling delicious for hours!

Left my skin silky smooth and not dried out and allowed it to soak up the moisture from the lotion.

LOVE.

If you haven't - go get some here and check it out for yourself! 

Your skin will thank you.

Learning Curve

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending a M.A.C Pro workshop for Bridal Makeup at the M.A.C Pro store with the fabulous Keri Blair.

As an artist, I am always looking for new techniques and pride myself on learning as I go.

Makeup is an ever-changing art form and there is always something new to learn so I love to attend different types of classes and see what I can see!

Keri is a M.A.C senior artist and absolutely A-MAZING.

I've never met her before but her energy and demeanor inspired me a great deal.

She answered all of our questions regarding the wedding makeup business and then did a brief demo.

One of my favorite things (aside from her fabulous personality) was that she did not stick to having a simple and muted palette for the "bride".

She smoked her eyes out big time but in a non-i'm-going-out-partying-tonight kind of way.

Quite ethereal really - sadly I didnt get a pic on my phone but if you have a chance ; go check out her site see some of her amazing work!

As a M.A.C Pro Student member I have the opportunity to take Master Classes that they offer and learn new techniques, be exposed to new products and shop my heart out!

My kind of day.

Here'a  quick pic of what I scored - nothing major just some key basics to add to my ever growing kit!

face charts, lip conditioner, brush cleaner, brush #130, Fix+, complete comfort creme

And last week I received my order from Red Ginger via Hautelook:



15 shade concealer/corrector palette & 32 lip color palette





Self- Promotion

I don't have "sponsors" for this blog but from time to time I do plug certain brands or businesses simply because I like them.

Not because they are paying for ad space or have given me kick backs.

Not saying that I'm opposed to that ( Hear that Target, Nordstrom, Smashbox and M.A.C??)

But having said that I have to do some shameless plugging for ME for once!

Many of you know that I am a makeup artist in my "spare time" and have been honing my skills for the better part of the last decade. 

Well this year I plan to take my business to a whole new level and that's where YOU come in!

So please go to Facebook (you're going to check it in 20 minutes anyway if you're not already logged on)  

and "Like"my business page 

SweetEmotionsMakeupArtistry  

feel free to recommend to all your friends as well!!!

  

About Sweet Emotions:

Sweet Emotions Makeup Artistry  was conceived by Amber Dorsey  in 2007 and inspired by her love of makeup and all things beauty related. 

Her goal is to create wondrous moments of glamor, educate to keep clients informed and to inspire women to be their very best version of themselves every day.

Sweet Emotions Makeup Artistry  is a full service makeup artistry company dedicated to providing makeup application and education to women of all walks of life, having them recognize the beauty within and helping them to let it shine!

Amber has a strong desire to make women feel beautiful in their own skin and provides a training and education service that teaches women of all ages and races how to apply makeup that compliments not only their complexion but age as well!
Amber has spent the better part of the last decade making up her friends and family for every occasion and finally decided to bring her artistry skills to the public!

Photo shoot mania

Good afternoon my lovelies!

This past weekend was filled with makeup madness.

Saturday was a portfolio shoot for my new website (stay tuned!) , followed by a fun makeup application for an anniversary party for a girlfriend and Sunday was a bridal consultation!

Good times!

For the photo shoot on Saturday 5 of my fabulous co-workers happily volunteered their faces so I could create a few fun looks I hadn't tried and my fabulous friend, Rob, was gracious enough to lend out his studio and take the pictures for me ( he has wicked photography skills).

I did a total of 6 looks on 6 different faces in about 5 hours while rocking out the choice musical selection and giggling the day away.
I had a few inspiration pictures and was excited all the girls were totally game for whatever I had in mind.

Most of the models generally wear little to no makeup on a daily basis so it was a bit of a shock to see themselves so glammed out but I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out.

Here are a  few sneak peek's!!

Tell me what you think!!