Monika Ruzicka- Make-Up Artist

Hello everyone!  Another crazy week, so I have not been able to post as much as I wanted to.  I recently had the opportunity to help out a friend.  This friend happens to be an AH mazing Make-Up Artist named Monika Ruzicka from The Blonde Salon.  Not only has she done my make up for my wedding as well as my bridal party and engagement pics, she is also the Head Make-Up Artist for the NFL St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders.  HOOOOLLLLAAAA!  :)  I am helping Monika build her website, so that means pictures of make up!  If you live in the St. Louis Metro area and need a fabulous make-up artist, make sure to contact Monika at the The Blonde Salon!

On a side note: 

Like my new watermark????  It is also my new logo! Eeekkk!  SO excited!  HUGE shout out to Natalie Spencer!  She is an AH mazing photographer AND owner/decorator of The Lush Cake.  Not only is Natalie gorgeous, but her cakes and photographs are also gorgeous.  So make sure to check out Natalie Spencer!  Thanks again Nat!  :)

Have a FABULOUS day! :)  Happy Earth Day!

Purple...I'm Obsessed...

SO recently I have been on a purple kick.  Purple tops, purple trench coat, purple flowers, purple nail polish, and now purple makeup...love it.  My fav color is red but purple is running in close second right now.  I recently visited my local MAC makeup counter and picked up a few things.  I know a lot of women out there want to try new eye shadow colors and may be a bit hesitant, but I say go for it!  The best thing you can do it go to your local/fav makeup counter and just play!  It's fun....AND you may surprise yourself.  I REALLY wanted to try some new shades and had my eyes on the new Spring line....especially the purple....I was not sure if I could pull it off (my skin is very fair) but the MAC genius behind the counter really convinced me to rock the purple.  So that's exactly what I did. :)

I picked up the "Limited-Edition" Spring Colour 3. 

Which includes Mink Pink, Bruised Plum (my fav) Black Tulip, and Jungle Moon. All different shades of purple, very pretty.

Had to share.... :)

Here's a view of what they look like....I used Opal by Bare Escentuals as a "highlighter" under my eyebrow.  I felt my skin was too fair to use the "mink pink" as a highlighter.  Then used Bruised Plum all over my lid, Black Tulip in the outer crease and outer part of the lid, then used the Jungle Moon as a liner above my lashes.

 Like my freckle above my eye?  It's my "signature" freckle....(that's what I call it...) Oh and my hair is wet in this picture....just in case you were wondering... (Ewww why does her hair look crunchy)...lol...
I was thinking the same thing....  :)

I also picked up this AH mazing little secret....well it's not a secret....Eye Paint in Bare Canvas. 

Just apply this all over the lid (even under your eyebrow) before you apply any eye shadow.  This creates a "smooth, crease-free surface which allows for easy application of your eye shadow, blendability (I like that word) and flexibility of coverage".  Basically your eye shadows last way longer through out the day and they go on a lot smoother. 

AND you only need to apply a tiny bit of paint, a little goes a long way.

*Note- Do not use foundation on your eyes.  Why you ask?  It creates a crease, it is not dermatologist tested, and it absorbs your make-up.  Your eyelids are one of the most sensitive areas of skin.

(You can thank the lovely and talented Monika Ruzicka for those awesome tips!)

I also picked up some new makeup brushes.  The "most exciting" brush out of these would have to be the MAC 190 Foundation Brush.  LOVE it. 

I have used makeup sponges FOREVER...FFFOOORRREEEVVVEEERRRR....like that?  So this was hard for me, but Monika Ruzicka insisted that I switch to a foundation brush.  "Sponges are like a divorce...they take half"...so you are basically wasting half of your foundation to a sponge.  So divorce that sponge!  The foundation brush is SO much better and my MAC foundation goes on faster, more evenly, and looks more polished.  It does, I swear. 

Then after "splurging" at the MAC counter, I ventured on over to Target. I remembered Andi writing about in her blog how much she liked her makeup brushes from Target.  There I picked up a few by Sonia Kashuk to add to my collection.  Thanks Andi!

PS:  The 150 large Powder Brush is my absolute FAV of my "collection".  I use this brush to apply my MAC Blot Powder.  Love it. 

Finally, to conclude my "purple" obession for the day, I picked up a new polish called  Do You Lilac It by OPI.  I REALLY like this purple.  According to OPI, "it's purple with an attitude"...well ok then...

Please don't judge my cuticles!  Please?  I have the grossest (word?) bad habit of chewing my cuticles...I know I know...I'm sorry...I can't help it...

But the color is truly gorgeous....you should try it! :)

SO I hope that helps all of you ladies (and men) who are on the fence about trying new colors (especially purple).  Don't be afraid to go outside of the box or your "comfort zone" and try something new.  You may just like it!  Then want every single colored eye shadow MAC has to offer....like me....  :)

Looking forward to Sara's Senior Portrait Session this weekend!  Stay tuned for that! 

Have a FABULOUS weekend everyone! :)