This DIY makeup brush holder idea is inspired by ones I’ve seen at Sephora. [I die and go to heaven every time I step foot in there.]
Change the look of your bathroom and display all your makeup tools with these adorable holders. It is so easy-peasy and all you need is your own creativity.
You literally can choose any theme or color.
I purchased the rectangle glass vases at Michael’s {on sale} for $3. I adorned a couple with a few accessories.
Swarovski crystals for some sparkleTo change it up, I decided to do one vase in glitter ribbon, wrapped in brown tulle.Adorning the rustic bronze piece with Swarovksi crystals using E6000 glue.All of these supplies found at Michael’sThese are the poly-fil beads. They work, but are not as pretty as the glass beads Sephora uses.
**Super important when choosing the filling for inside the vases, make sure it is made of material that will not scratch your makeup brushes.**
I did some research and found poly-fil {which is used to fill dolls} and tested them to be the safest in making sure your brushes are not ruined…BUT THEN I discovered the actual glass beads Sephora uses [pictured below and found Save-on-Crafts].
See the difference? The glass beads are so pretty.
Wait…we’re not done organizing…
If you’re feeling extra crafty try this easy idea:
Use Modge Podge on the inside of the jar (a thick, even layer), pour your color choice of glitter, let dry. And violá[!], a jazzy new lip pencil [or whatever your little heart desires] holder.
Container Store acrylic makeup organizer, new DIY makeup brush holder, and of course, my Clearcube.
Phew! It feels so good to be organized.
I mean think about it, we spend all this money on products just to throw them in a cold, lonely, and dark drawer. Display them beautifully and proudly for all to enjoy.
My lipstick personality falls between two, of course.
After pulling caps off each lipstick in my ENTIRE collection, I came to the conclusion I definitely fall between
FLAT TOP:
&
SHARP ANGLE TIP:
What I think happens is, I start off with trying to keep the original shape of the lipstick (OCD, much?), but with continued use (obvi becoming more obsessed) it transforms into a total flat top.
Complicated, I must be. Ha!
[From left to right: +Viva Glam Nicki +Pink Nouveau +Candy Yum-Yum +Viva Glam Gaga] Check out that flat top!Viva Glam Gaga is one of my absolute favs.
What does your lipstick say about your personality? I would love to know!
TOM FORD’s collection of nail lacquer’s are unreal.
Now here is a man that cares about quality. From his stylish sunglasses to his ultra luxe cosmetic line, the guy knows how to lure women.
His nail lacquers have definitley stirred up some serious buzz too. Known to push the envelope, TOM FORD created his line of nail polish with his attention grabbing names like: Dominatrix, Bordeaux Lust, Bitter B*tch, Naked, and Carnal Red.
The colors, which cover the full range of neutrals to brights, are beautifully saturated and high shine.
I received the Viper nail polish as a Christmas gift from my brother [[who happens to resemble TOM FORD]] and it is as sophisticated as I had anticipated.
TOM FORD and LAWRENCE BROWN= Twinsies!Viper looks dark in the bottle, but the actual color painted on the nail looks similar to the color of the Jasmine Rouge sample packaging color. [[<<<To die for perfume btw]]TOM FORD cosmetics entire line offered at Neiman MarcusColor in the sunlight. If you look closely, you can see my reflection in my middle finger. Ha! Talk about high shine.Essie-Beyond Cozy paired with TOM FORD-Viper for an fun look.
Now his products will set you back a pretty penny. TOM FORD cosmetics is truly luxury at its finest. Totally worth it.
If you want a more affordable alternative, I recommend OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark. This color has been my go-to for years! No matter what, it remains a staple in my nail polish collection.
Lincoln Park After Dark is a little deeper than Viper, appearing more black. Viper remains a true purple, while Lincoln Park After Dark is described by O.P.I. “where midnight meets purple”.
Over the holidays, I freelanced for Chanel and was able to play with new Spring 2013 Collection: Printemps Precieux De Chanel.
Photo courtesy of Chanel
Printemps Precieux de Chanel is very feminine and flirty, named for the precious beauty of Spring. Said to be inspired by an old photograph with an “unusual yet sublime brooch set with amethysts and placed on rough fabric”, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, Peter Philips created a whimsical collection of nude, pink and deep plum tones.
Photo courtesy of Chanel
The whole line is so gorgeous; but I was immediately drawn to the highlighting powder. I literally had to pick myself up off the floor when I laid eyes on the stunning, limited-edition,Poudre Signae de Chanel.
The powder is definitely the “highlight” of the entire collection; as it is elegantly embossed with Chanel’s famous trademark.
+very sheer, with a subtle soft pink undertone, and is oh-so buttery soft
+the light-reflecting properties give that elusive glow to the skin
+adds the perfect amount of shimmer & luminosity because it is so finely milled
+literally melts into your skin creating a flawless finish to any makeup look
+beautiful for all skin tones
Chanel’s Poudre Signae de Chanelilluminating powder is described as a soft pink; but I think it definitely has a warm, yet, subtle golden undertone to it.
I once heard that eyebrows are a sign of power. I’ll take it.
So, let’s talk eyebrows–bushy, thin, barely there, and all kinds of in between.
This blog is a long one! Grab a seat, a healthy snack, even a glass of wine[[<<yes, please!]] and let’s get the deets on brows.
Hands down, eyebrows are the most important facial feature for me, as a makeup artist. You can’t have a fabulous eye look without equally fabulous brows. [[ It’s like peanut butter without jelly, a ship without a captain, or cookies without milk. You get my drift.]]
And believe it or not, your brows play a vital role to the brilliance of your complexion. You know, that inner glow we so desperately need/want/desire/live for? Don’t be too quick to forget about our furry caterpillars or lack their of.
Mis-shapen brows can even make you look–brace yourself–OLDER. [<<GASP!]
Still not convinced? Ch-ch-check this out:
OK–this pic is a bit overdramatic, but it solidifies my point: your brows are everything.
I am VERY particular about my brows and trust only one person to handle their business.
I have been so excited to share with all of you my very own eyebrow guru:
Nikki Davidson-Saito
+ Introduce yourself and tell us a little about your experience/expertise:
NS: Hi my name is Nikki Saito. I have lived in San Diego for 15 years now, originally from Toronto Canada. I am a board certified esthetician and I have been shaping brows for almost 13 years & love every minute of it! With the help of Anastasia Of Beverly Hills training, eyebrow shaping has become my passion & something I truly believe I was meant to do! Every time I shape a persons brows I feel incredibly honored to have helped in the transformation of their already beautiful look! It is the most rewarding job I could have ever hoped for!
+Your brow philosophy
NS: Very simple – Eyebrows frame your face, I help shape the frame so you put your best face forward!
+How do you know what shape is best for your face?
NS: Every person is different and every face is unique. That’s what makes this so much fun. I look at your individual bone structure and take facial measurements to ensure your eyebrows fit you. No one wants eyebrows that look like they were put on with a marker, they should be natural and compliment your face. The best compliment I can have is when people say to my clients: “your eyebrows look great”!
+How often should we make an appointment to have our brows groomed?
NS: 4 to 6 weeks is the perfect amount of time depending on how fast your hair grows. Maintenance visits every 4 weeks will allow for just a brow clean up of unwanted strays without the shape being lost.
+How do you feel about tweezing vs threading vs waxing?
NS: My preference is waxing with tweezing to trim as necessary. It is almost impossible to remove all unwanted hair using Threading. With waxing all stray hair & peach fuzz is removed in one swipe, allowing for a smooth surface which is good for makeup application & a clean, precise look.
+What are the most common brow mistakes that women make?
NS: Over tweezing! I think it is safe the say that all off us at one point have butchered our brows! Whether it was in High School, an unfortunate Salon experience, or just an oops in general!
The other mistake that is most common is not knowing the correct brow measurements for your face shape. Meaning tweezing your brows to short, taking to much from the middle, or the biggest oops, putting your arch in the wrong spot!
+Are there any brow products or tools women should invest in?
NS: Yes! A brow pencil to fill in any sparse spots in your brow. Unfortunately we aren’t all blessed with a full, thick, perfect brow. But we can all achieve that look with the right brow pencil. My favorite pencil is the Anastasia Brow Wiz. This magical pencil is so easy to use & come out so natural looking! This fine tipped pencil is retractable, allowing for precise lines (like hair strokes) every time! Including a brow brush on the end for easy blending. A must have!
+Any brow trends you are loving right now?
NS: Right now, all the craze is big, bushy full brows! Think Brooke Shields in Blue Lagoon! I love this look, it’s so natural & anyone can pull it off! Whether you have a naturally full brow or you fake it with a great brow pencil. A full brow is great for any makeup looks, natural, glam or bare faced. A full brow has a mind of its own, not needing much more then a daily swipe of clear brow gel to hold the look in place.
Brook Shields in The Blue Lagoon
+If you had to choose just one product for your brows, what would it be?
NS: That is a hard call as there is so many amazing brow products out there, but Anastasia Clear Brow Gel is by far one of the best products out there! As we all know, brows have a mind of their own & never want to stay in place! Brow Gel will hold each hair in perfect place, almost like a hairspray! The best thing about it being clear is no one will know its there! Almost as though you have perfectly tame, shapely brows, precise brows no matter what!
Isn’t Nikki amazing? And let me tell you, she knows her stuff. Even if you think you have no brows to work with, I promise you she can help.
Nikki’s adorable room located inside the JC Penney Salon in Fashion Valley.
Nikki actually only tweezes my brows because my skin is so sensitive to wax. Whatever your needs are, Nikki is there to listen and give you exactly what you want.
If you’re in the SD area and want to make an appointment you can contact Nikki at 619-297-2342. Be sure to like her ‘Brows By Nikki‘ Facebook page too!
And while your at it, have you liked Loveleigh Beauty’s Facebook? Don’t be scared.
Happy New Year! I hope each one of you had an amazing holiday. Mine was a little cray, but in a wonderful way! I’m feeling blessed more than ever.
I can’t get this song outta my head “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and I’m feeling gooood…”. [Imagine me sashaying down the hallway whilst singing.]
I’m so sorry its been so long since my last blog! Ay, Ay, Ay I’ve been having MAY-jor computer issues. Hopefully, I have all the kinks worked out (fingers double crossed) and I can get back to it.
I have so much to share with you in the new year. Inspiration for me has been everywhere!
But first, it’s that time of year again–where we make all kinds of redic promises to ourselves. But this year, I have decided to nix the uge ((short for usual)) of:
*stop biting my nails
*try the latest fad diet
*workout everyday for 2 hours minimum (um, yeah right!)
*blah, blah, blah [!!]
Let’s face it, life gets in the way and then we end up feeling worse than when we started.
This year I’m not setting myself up for failure.
So with that said, let’s pick one thing and make a change for the better. Create a positive habit. Every moment is a chance to achieve or at least strive for something greater.
Let’s quit placing importance on a singular point in time as a catalyst for change. That concept is so flawed! Be the change you want right now. Today. Everyday. Not just on January 1st.
So, my New Year’s resolution? Be PRODUCTIVE. I want to thrive in all aspects of my life.
I want to flourish in love, my family, my business, friends, health, fitness and all things loveleigh [duh].
What are some of your resolutions? Or shall we say positive changes of life?
“It’s time to think beyond the washcloth and elevate cleansing to a sonic level.”
The Clarisonic Mia (can be found at Nordstrom) is the perfect compact skin cleansing system. It’s the convenient travel-friendly sized version of the original Clarisonic. It will change your life.
Mia set contains:
– Clarisonic Mia One Speed Brush
– International pLink™ charger for worldwide use
– Sensitive Brush Head
– 1.0 oz Gentle Hydro Cleanser
Embarrassing as it is, at 30 years old, I suffer from occasional breakouts. Truth be told, I have tried everything under the sun to prevent this travesty. I blame it partly on hormones (<<–pretty sure they need to simmer) and majority on my freakishly sensitive skin. Blah! Needless to say, I’m a little cray about keeping my peachy clean complexion.
This magic little machine not only has cleared my skin, but has actually made it softer and improved the texture when I added it to my current skincare regimen.
After 3 months of consistent Clarisonic use. I have a tinted moisturizer on with a light, mineralized powder dusted on top. Oh, and blush of course. 😉 No foundation and no filter.
The Clarisonic Mia Benefits:
+Suitable for all skin types
+Removes makeup 6x better than traditional methods
+Cleanses so thoroughly that skincare products absorb better
+Helps reduce blemishes, oily areas, and dry skin
+Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
+Lessens appearance of visible pores
+Promotes collagen
+Creates noticeably healthier looking skin
What else you need to know about the Clarisonic Mia:
It should be added to your daily skincare regimen to promote smoother feeling and looking skin. It will not strip your skin and is recommended by leading dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, and Loveleigh Beauty’s very own skincare expert, Janee.
Be sure to pay close attention to your skins needs though. I use Tazorac (a retinoid) and sometimes I will refain from using my Clarinsonic Mia everyday if my skin feels extra sensitive. Sometimes I may skip a day, it depends.
DO NOT over exfoliate. Ever. Find your skins balance.
There are different bristle heads to choose from. I use the the sensitive skin bristles and I make sure to change them out every 3 months. It’s imperative you change them to avoid germs. Let’s face it, germs are everywhere and the last place we need them is on our face. Ew.
Another essential product to add to your skincare regimen is a quality manual scrub. [[I’m not talking about your drugstore St. Ives Apricot one either. That scrub will actually scratch the surface of your skin and cause more harm than good.]]
I’m obsessed with Torrey Pines Dermatology Fortified Exfoliation Scrub. It delivers a soothing wave of cleansing heat[<<literally, like a heat wave] as it gently removes dead, dry skin cells, excess oil, and residue to reveal healthier, younger looking skin. This deep pore exfoliation scrub also contains minerals that trap impurities to be washed away while releasing moisturizing conditioners to soften and smooth the skin. It’s ah-mazing! No joke.
I like to use the manual scrub before a special event so my makeup glides on like butter. Try it!
I’m so loving this hair trend right now! They are here to stay too.
We first saw the fishtail craze over the summer, and it isn’t going anywhere this Fall/Winter season either. {{Yay!!}} Seriously, a fishtail braid can work for any occasion: work, school, errands or even a hot date. It may look intricate, but I’m here to tell you it is so easy-peasy.
Harper’s Bazaar recently featured an article on the rise of the “fun bun”. The top knot is a fall hairstyle that you can rock with any fashion style. We’ve seen adorable top knots on celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, and Gwen Stefani. Each one staying true to their glam, boho, and rocker, fashion styles.
I’m obsessed! Why? Because they are so chic, stylish, a little edgy, and not to mention, so gorgeous! A hair-spiration!
For those of you with shorter hair styles, not to worry because you can easily add a clip-in extension, or two, to improvise. You can achieve a whole new look + still be a part of the fun.
Now remember, the idea is to create a look that is NOT precise. Once you’ve completed either look, use your fingers to pull each section of the braid out, or slightly tug on each side of the top knot to loosen. This will add life, texture, and overall visual appeal, to the look. Unless you’re a professional ballerina, that bun should not be perfect!
For all you mamas, we can’t forget about our little divas! I adjust the style accordingly. For my daughter, I regularly do side braids, heart braids, and cute little buns {<<—she is soo not a fan of buns, so bribery may be necessary ;)}
Outside french braid- starting at the top right side of head, wrapping around to form a pony tail on the opposite side.Tight, side braid, only using a small section of hair. Add a bow or flower to complete the look.My fav ❤
Here are some of my beautiful friends and their versions of the trend for hair-spiration and viewing pleasure:
Fun, right? Whatever your style is one of these will surely work for you. It gives us so many options to our everyday hair routine.
Allow me to introduce my dear friend, Chandra Campos. She is one of San Diego’s elite makeup artist’s and specializes in bridal looks. Not only is she amazing (duh!) but her charm and wit add to her whole package. One convo with her and you’re liable to be laughing your boo-tay off with her one liners. 😉
Ch-ch-check her out…
One of our infamous self-portraits
+Tell us a little bit about yourself?
CC: I was basically born into the beauty industry; everyone in my family is either a business owner of a salon, spa, or has been in the industry for 30+ years. Needless to say, I know makeup and skin like the back of my hand. I started with M.A.C. cosmetics and soon realized I loved doing weddings, personal events, photo shoots, etc. I left MAC and started Chandra Campos Makeup Artistry. My business is growing and I’m very excited for whats to come in the future. I think my clients are in for a real treat.
CC: I find that most people don’t do their eyes before their foundation. By doing your eyes first, you’re not working twice by having to fix your foundation from eye shadow fall-out. [<<This is an excellant tip! Remember this loveleigh’s!]
+Foundation you’re obsessed with right now?
CC: Chanel Perfection Lumière. I’m currently obsessed with the glow-y, healthy-skin look. Chanel does just that, plus, gives a soft finish, with a natural looking feel. It’s as if you have nothing on!
+Favorite Skincare product:
CC: NeriumAD! My skin has never looked and felt better. [Visit her Nerium website and stay tuned for Chandra’s blog too]
+Quick trick(s) to spice up someone’s everyday look:
CC: To add something fast to your everyday look (without spending a lot of time) add a soft brown eye shadow to the bottom lashes–this will make your eyes look more polished. Extra mascara and you have a quick, easy, and finished looking eyes.(A few suggestions: soft brown, saddle, texture, all M.A.C. colors)
Also, add a mineralized highlight right above the cheeks to give that subtle glow and your look will be complete. ( M.A.C. mineralized skinfinish powders are beautiful as highlights)
Here is a perfect Fall Wedding makeup look Chandra created for our friend Ahsue:
Nanoo Gold (M.A.C.limited) & Hush (M.A.C.) & Nylon (M.A.C.) on lid
Saddle (M.A.C.) & Soft Brown (M.A.C.) in crease
Black liner–on top only (Makeup Forever in aqua black) Saddle lined on bottom lashes Mascara is Smoky Lash by Makeup ForeverMixing YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Illuminating Foundation with Chanel perfection lumier’ to create the perfect combo for her skin color.Using a Beauty Blender for contour color by Nars in Tahoe.
#34 M.A.C. lashesCheeks: Dainty with Peaches by M.A.C. to create that perfect, soft peach with a touch of pink. Lips: Have to have it lip liner by M.A.C.- YSL Rouge Volupté in 30 (Faubourg Peach) with Hue (M.A.C.) and Patty Cakes by Metal Edge.
+Talk about your vision for Ahsue’s bridal look. What inspired you?
Ahsue is naturally beautiful. Makeup is about adding, creating structure, or definition that isn’t there. Ahsue already has everything we love so I just played up her natural structure; with colors that are already in her palette. (i.e. warmer colors)
Ahsue is very unique and trend setting. I kept that in mind when I created her soft and clean makeup look that would match her style. I only wanted to enhance her already beautiful face.
So stunning, right? I know, that’s why I had to share with all of you.
If you’re getting married and want to consult Chandra, please visit her makeup website.
Loveleigh Beauty 
