These products rotate on the reg; but this is what I’m obsessing over right now.Die for this color. That Marc is a smart man.This bag literally fits so many goodies!Say buh-bye to dry lips with Tarte’s Lipsurgence + pick your favie color while hydrating. Perf!YSL Volupte needs no intro. Go get one! All the colors are so beautiful!
She just so happens to be my girl, and I couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishments.
What I admire most, is her dedication, hard work, attention to detail, and that a real passion is her driving force to succeed in life. It’s impressive.
Oh boy, is she a real spit-fire too! Countless memories filled with so much laughter, it hurts with this one.
Perfection! {Photo Credit: Flash of Life Photography}
+Hey doll, introduce yourself and give us some deets:
My name is Tonya Brewer. Born & raised in sunny San Diego. I didn’t grow up with much…just enough, but I always knew I wanted more. From a young age, I was always obsessed with beauty & fashion. I always tried to make new trends of my own.
Fast forward to my late teens, fresh out of high school I enrolled into cosmetology
school.
To pay what little bills I had, I also started working for MAC Cosmetics. MAC really helped me find my passion for the art of makeup. While working at MAC I never turned a job down; weddings, Quinceañeras, parties, family photos…you name it, I’ve done it. Eventually that turned into bigger jobs. Performers, photo-shoots for magazines, TV Shows.
Then, finally I got THE phone call. I was asked to be the MakeUp Artist / Hair Stylist for the Demi Lovato’s South American Tour. I literally dropped everything & my life has never been the same since.
After the tour, I was lucky enough to sign with an agency & I have had the opportunity to work with celebrity clientele ever since. Love my life. xxxo
Obvi her style has been on point from the start! Rockin that denim like no other.
Right now I’m obsessed with LESS, minimal everything. For hair I’m loving the undone look. One of the latest looks I did on my client, Bella Thorne, for her last red carpet was a messy fishtail braid. I threw in some cute velvet ribbon to keep it young & fresh like her.
As for makeup, I die for lash overload. Lately my go-to look is a boyish, smudged eye shadow, with a pink or berry lip stain.
+What one hair styling product are you loving?
Hands down can not live without Shu Uemura Volume Maker. Easiest way to add volume & texture.
This was a very fun red carpet look. Bella and I wanted to put a twist on one of our favorite hairstyles, which is a fishtail braid.
Exact Steps to Bella’s Fishtail Braid:
+For Bella’s fishtail braid we started with damp hair.
I applied Shu Uemura Fiber Lift Protective Volumizer from root to tip and blow dried the hair in large sections using a round brush.
This product is great for adding volume & protecting the hair from heat.
+Once the hair was dry, to keep the fishtail secured to one side, I braided starting at her right ear and continued the braid down the nape of her neck towards her left shoulder.
+You only take the regular braid to the nape of the neck. Doing this keeps the hair secured to one side.
+Before starting the next step, I lightly misted the hair with Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer Finishing Spray. Bella and I thought it would be great to dress the braid up by adding some ribbon that complemented the dress. So I took the two pieces of velvet ribbon, one blue and one green, tied them together at one end, and I used a bobby pin to secure the ribbon at the top of what will be the start of the fishtail braid.
+The first step in creating a fishtail braid is to separate the hair into two equal sections. Keep one section in your left hand and one section in your right hand.
+The next step is to take a thin section of hair from the outside of the right section of hair and cross it over to the left section of hair.
+Repeat the process on the opposite side by taking a thin section of hair from the outside of the left section of hair and cross it over to the right section of hair.
+Now the ribbon we pinned in, I treated as if it were an extension of her hair and crossed it back and forth in the same pattern.
+Once you complete this method all the way down you want to tie the bottom of the fishtail off with a clear hair tie.
+Once the braid was secured, I took what was left of the ribbons and wrapped them around the clear hair tie, tied a knot, and cut off the excess ribbon.
+Once the braid was finished I loosened and pulled at the braid & ribbons to give it a slightly imperfect look.
+I then secured any loose ends with bobby pins and lightly misted the hair again with the Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer finishing spray.
I’m obsessed with weddings! Every year I look forward to friends or family tying the knot. I get so excited to check the mail and see what color scheme and venue the invitation will reveal.
Maybe its the love, the details, that inner glow of a blushing bride, or a bit of nostalgia [I’ll be celebrating 9 years of marriage this year! ((sigh))], I love ‘em.
If you’re just dreaming up that perfect day, or recently engaged and planning your entire wedding around what you’ve found on Pinterest, it is important to remember the beauty related details.
Let’s be real, it’s the biggest day of your life! You will care more about how that lip combo looks than any other moment in time. All eyes will be on you.
No pressure, right?!
The way you style your makeup for the big day is very important to your overall bridal look. Keep in mind, wedding makeup falls between your everyday casual look and more dramatic evening makeup; in terms of color, style, and intensity. Except, if you’re going for a themed wedding; then you will need to style your makeup accordingly.
Makeup will highlight your best features and bring out the hidden beauty in your face. It will also turn you into that blushing bride we all want to see and you’ve always dreamed of being.
So I have created aBridal Beauty Do’s & Don’t list to consider:
MUST DO:
+ Hire professionals: for both makeup and hair. Trust me! Even if you’re going for an au naturel look, you will still be wearing a significant amount of makeup that is beneficial for photos and will last all day.
+ Setup trial-runs: Super important so there are no surprises and you get the exact style/look you want. Have realistic expectations; but don’t be afraid to speak up. At the end of the day, the professional you hired wants you to be happy with their work too.
+Moisturize,Moisturize, and then moisturize again: Sometimes planning a wedding can cause anxiety/stress that can wreak havoc on our skin. Of course, its easier to say don’t stress, but let’s be real here. So extra moisturizer will make your skin prepped and ready for a flawless makeup application.
+Have day old hair (or more depending on hair type): Even I, with crazy grease-monkey hair, withheld from washing the day of. Every hairstylist I know recommends this and actually prefers dirtier hair; it’s easier to style. If you’re concerned about oil, use a good dry shampoo [UNITE 7 Seconds Dry is a good choice].
+Wear False Lashes: A must! Seriously, don’t be scared. They look incredible in person and can do wonders in photos. I prefer strip lashes, but have seen individual lashes done beautifully too.
+Spray tan well before: Naturally, you will want to look like a bronzed goddess. So a good spray tan will do the trick. Doing it 2-3 days beforehand will allow the extra bronzer and that nasty smell fade into a sun-kissed glow. Don’t forget to exfoliate like a maniac right before though.
+Wear waterproof/Smudge-proof Mascara (even with lashes on) & Stay-proof Foundation: A few tears are bound to happen. It can be a very emotional day[!!]-so it’s best to be prepared. Wearing a good smudgeproof or waterproof mascara (find the one I recommend here) will ensure everything stays in its proper place. Also, setting your stayproof foundation with a translucent or mineralized powder is an essential technique.
My stunning cousin, Joelle.
ABSOLUTELY DON’T:
+ Do anything Cray! Seriously, its not the time to experiment. The main goal is to look like yourself, only more stunning. So no cutting, coloring, or any other potentially disastrous change you might be considering.
+No random facial treatment(s): it may sound like a fab idea, but don’t even think about it. Start any facial treatment program at the very minimum, 3 months before. You want to give your skin time to recover. Plus to make sure your skin doesn’t have a bad reaction. Could you imagine developing a rash? It can happen people.
+Though shall not wax/thread/tweeze your eyebrows: At least a week prior. Makeup WILL NOT adhere to fresh skin. It can also leave bumps and redness behind that is impossible for anyone to cover. [For brow grooming tips visit my post on eyebrows.]
My beautiful friend, Kim at her wedding last year.
Essential products/tools to purchase
Even if you hire a professional, these are important items to have with you.
Lip combo of choice: liner, lipstick, and gloss for touch ups.
A new mascara: no one likes old clumpy mascara. Plus, I’m a freak about my own personal mascara that no one else has ever used-even if your MUA uses disposable mascara wands.
It’s the beginning of wedding season! Bernardo Winery Spring Bridal Faire is the place for any bride-to-be. Some of the best wedding vendors in San Diego will be there.
Including the dynamic duo that is Loveleigh Beauty and Chandra Campos Makeup Artistry! Come play. Enjoy some bubbly, fine wine, makeup and a fashion show with makeup provided by yours truly.
We will also have a booth set up to answer any questions/concerns + share our bridal beauty tips/tricks.
I will def be blogging about the fashion show and experience, plus share the different bridal looks we will be showcasing for the season.
Also, I’ll be posting important tips like which foundation works best, tricks to make your lip-color last, and how preparing your skin starts weeks in advance.
Hope all you Loveleigh’s are having a wonderful day filled with love!
Whether you’re basking in romance, fainting over your flowers, over indulging in rich, dark chocolate or attending an anti-valentine themed event, I have your makeup choices covered.
If you’re the latter then remember this:
A fierce red lip can cure any case of the blues.
My FAV reds: Ruby Woo, Lady Danger, Russian Red
Here are a few quick picks for your makeup today or whenever you feel like looking fierce.
EYES: Keep your eyes simple; Blacktrack gel liner for that sexy cat eye.
CHEEKS: The Perfect Cheek blush. [The name says it all]
LIPS: Kiss Me Quick stay-proof lipliner + Lady Danger lipstick
Driven by Love lipglass, Lady Danger lipstick and the Perfect Cheek Blush
Don’t forget to add a cute hair accessory!
I LOVE: A beautiful red flower or a glittery gold hair tie (<<remember these)
I will leave you all with these inspiring words:
“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get-only with what you are expecting to give-which is everything.” –Katharine Hepburn
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’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.
Loveleigh Beauty 