How I De-tube and Melt My Lipsticks

Being a makeup artist, sanitation is the MOST important thing. You never want to spread germs from client to client so keeping a clean kit is very important. Regular cleaning of brushes, spraying of alcohol on your tools and pencils, and wiping down of powder products. Also, using separate lip brushes and scraping your lip products on a palette.

My lipsticks were seriously overpowering my kit as far as space goes so I decided to find a way to save space and help keep things more sanitary. I "de-tubed", as I like to say, the majority of my lipsticks. It was a hard decision because I love the little tubes and found them so portable, and I especially loved my limited edition tubes. Plus, think of all the Back 2 Mac you can do!

I have found that it is a whole lot easier to just use my palette knife and scoop out a little lipstick onto my palette and then to use a lip brush on clients.

The lipstick I am going to be de-tubing and melting today is Fleshpot. I've decided to put it in my Pink Palette next to Bubbles. I am using a little jar set from Joann's. You can find it here.

So lets start!

1. Get your tools together! I usually use my palette knife, but any item that can help you scoop is acceptable.

2. I use the lighter to remove the lipstick label...

...and stick it on the bottom of the empty jar.

3. Using your cutting tool, slice your fully rolled up lipstick at the base and into the jar.

4. Using then end of your spoon or scooping tool, slide it into the lipstick tube near the edge.

5. Slowly scoop out the lipstick and put it in the jar.

Fleshpot I found was very ...stiff. Maybe it was just the tube I got, but it was a little hard to cut through, it also made this process a little messier than usual for me. When getting all the lipstick off the spatula, i got a lot on the side of the jar which isn't usually the case.

6. Get all the excess you can out of the tube.

7. Your jar of lipstick should look like this.

8. Next Place it in the microwave. I have found that warming it up in the microwave for no more than 45 seconds at a time is perfectly safe for the lipstick as far as color, texture, and preservation. It still has that vanilla scent when solid again!

9. Slowly remove your jar from the microwave and it should be fully melted. If not, reheat for 15 second intervals until fully melted. Then let it cool off on a flat surface.

Here is the lipstick 45 seconds after microwave removal.

And here is the lipstick 5 minutes after microwave removal, completely solid.

Place in your palette and you're good to go!

I only cut down half of St. Germain, Fresh Brew, and Bubbles (not shown) for my kit and saved the tube for myself since I use them often.

The ones I didn't detube at all were Pure Rose from Ungaro, Fashion Mews from HK, Hi Top from Fafi, and Strayin from HK. Cause who says you have to de-tube everything!

I hope you enjoyed reading this step by step tutorial on how to de-tube and melt your lipsticks. Don't be afraid to try some new fun things with your makeup.

xoxo,
Jaimie

Sweet Tooth

Sugar is sweet. And so are these photos.

My photographer Svetlana and I got together this weekend to capture this idea I came up with. I've been so excited to do it. I was supposed to do it last weekend, but due to model issues it didn't work out. But fortunately I picked another model and I have to say she is better than my original choice, Stefanie pulled it off spectacularly!

Teisha Alston did great things with her hair. Yes that is cotton candy in her updo!

Products used:

Face:
Cinema Secrets Foundation
MAC Beauty Powder in Flower Mist Dew
MUFE Star Powder
MAC Eyeshadow in Parrot
MAC Pigment in Mutiny

Eyes:
MUFE lashes
Stila Kajal Liner in Onyx

Lips:

Mac Lipstick in Show Orchid
NYX Liner in Fushia
Clear Gloss

Also, Publix Icecream and Sprinkles! Yum!

Photoshoot with Arielle

Hey everyone!

I know Its been a while, I have to be more regular in posting for you all. I've been doing a lot of shoots lately and have been heading out and trying new things. I did two very different photo shoots this weekend and I'm really loving the edginess of this one. More editorial. I'm really heading in that direction more and I'm LOVING IT! I'm working with some great photographers and clients and I expect to have more pictures back soon.

Here are some pictures of a shoot I did just this Saturday. The model's name is Arielle and I love her look. Big love to LK with the photography. She is AMAZING.

My Scent Arsenal Part 2

Last week I posted about my favorite daytime perfume, Burberry Brit. But today I’m going to finish up and tell you the one that completes my scent set. The other perfume I wear is Giorgio Armani’s Sensi. I think it is the ULTIMATE in evening fragrances.

Product: 5 out of 5

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Quality: 5 out of 5

Price: $ 75 for 3.4 oz. / $55 for 1.7 oz. at Ulta

The Claim: “A sensitive, serene blend of clean elegant notes, Sensi opens with a burst of Kaffir Lime softened with Acacia Farnese. Sensuous barley, Cape jasmine, palissander wood, benzoin and vanilla accents create subtle nuances of sensuality. Mood: Sophisticated, floral and soft.” – www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com

The Good: It must be the mix of lime and vanilla that does it for me in fragrances because I LOVE this scent. I think it’s sensual and feminine without being dainty and girly. Its deep and husky and sexy. Both men and women wonder what it is I’m wearing and I don’t blame them lol. I think it smells THAT good. The simple and clean clear bottle shows off the amber liquid and the Sensi Logo is printed inside the glass.

The Bad: None

Overall: A definite keeper. Perfect for nights out and the fall and winter seasons. Again, I will say, this may not work for you as everyone’s body chemistries are different, but atleast take the time to find out! =} I think its pretty long lasting; we always think our scent fades, but we really just get used to the smell being on us so we don’t notice it anymore. But for an even longer lasting application, you can also purchase the body lotion and apply it before you spray your perfume.

My Scent Arsenal - Burberry Brit

Are you guys OCD about some of your possessions? I know I am, and I'm not quite sure if anyone else does this. I can't have too much of some things because I feel I'm being "unfair" to the others. I can't have multiple necklaces that I really like and then not wear them. Yes yes, I'm a weirdo. My mother bought me a diamond heart necklace for my graduation in 2005 and I wore it almost three years straight everyday. Then this spring, I got a Tiffany Tag necklace and now that has become my everyday necklace. I have earrings that are for certain styles and looks (huge gold doorknockers, silver hoops, flashy nighttime gear), but the only ones I wear are a set of pearls and a set of diamond studs. They're classic and just my style and I go back and forth between the two pairs at different times of the year. The only thing this doesn't apply to is makeup, and even then I try not to have more than one of the same things. My perfume is no different. I have a couple of different fragrances, but I only really wear two. An everyday, daytime scent. And my special occasion, seductive, evening scent. Today I'm going to review my everyday favorite, Burberry Brit.

Product: 5 out of 5

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Quality: 5 out of 5

Price: 3.3 oz. - $85/ 1.7 oz. - $65 at Burberryusaonline.com, but is usually significantly cheaper at a department store, Sephora, or another online retailer.

The Claim: “Top notes are Italian lime, icy pear and crisp green almond. A green oriental fragrance that features a surprising mix of sugar and spice. Heart notes: sugared almond and white peony. Dry down notes: amber, mahoganywood, tonka beans and vanilla.” - Burberryusaonline.com

The Good: I'm in love with it! Though how can you be surprised when I wear it everyday? lol. While I've heard it described as fresh and floral, it is nothing of the sort and I'm glad. I'm not a "floral" perfume girl at all; I'm not a girlie girl either I'd say so I really don’t like the dainty rose scents. I personally don't like the smell of many flowers and having my perfume smell like a bouquet is not for me at all. But you really don't think "girly flowers" when you smell this. I think, “classy and sophisticated beauty”. I love the crisp scents of the lime, pear, and almond. I'd never think that the three of them would smell great together, but they do. Citrus and Sugar. It also gives off a scent of vanilla without it being too sweet. A woodsy vanilla and amber. Oh its just so good.

The Bad: I have nothing bad to say about it.

Overall: One of the best perfumes I've ever had. It’s perfect for everyday and I'd be surprised if you didn't get complimented on it. But you really have to try this perfume in person and let it marinate on you to gauge it adequately. Due to different body chemistries, perfumes and fragrances smell differently on different people. But I'd recommend that you definitely give it a chance. And the bottle is so cute. I'm not even a brand snob, I just like high quality things. But you can't deny how cute the Burberry plaid is on the bottle. =} If you're looking for this scent even lighter, try Burberry Brit, Eau de Toilette. I've owned it also and its just as good. I prefer the Eau de Parfum though, because it lasts longer on me and is stronger. I know that at different times during the year they have special sets for the Burberry Brit Collection. Twice I've got it in a set with a lotion and shower gel, so keep an eye out if you're looking for a set.