Month: August 2013

bareMinerals: BeautyCon Look

Posted on August 30, 2013 by

At BeautyCon last weekend I was excited to see Leslie Blodgett, creator of bareMinerals, a unique makeup line I’ve tried off and on, and recently began re-incorporating into my beauty routine as I’m trying alternatives to talc-based products. She offered her words of wisdom, admitting that at age 50, she was older than the other YouTube Gurus she shared a panel with and had plenty of advice from her years in the beauty biz. She and the other panelists discussed taking your day dream to a dream job and encouraged beauty entrepreneurs of all ages to stay true and work hard and be grateful for every opportunity to work your passion. The one thing she said was that she’s always loved communicating with her customers, which she has done since the chat rooms of the ‘90s and now with social media.

It’s clear, because bareMinerals offers some beloved products and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take home a BeautyCon goodie bag of bareMinerals products*. I had been wanting to try their eyeshadow compacts since I’ve been loving their face products (particularly the “Warmth” powder and “Mineral Veil” finishing powder.)

Here’s a look I created from my goodie bag gifts:

Products include:

READY Eyeshadow 4.0 in“Serendipitous”, “Magnetism”, “Fate”, “Apropos”
READY Blush in “French Kiss”
Marvelous Moxie Lip Color in “Hot Shot”

Stay tuned for a full report of BeautyCon’s Industry Night!

Kastle

*Makeup samples provided by bareMinerals. See disclosure

Tags: bareMinerals, Beauty, beautyCon, Cosmetics, leslie blodgett, Makeup, mineral makeup

Month: August 2013

OCC Makeup and Gail Potocki Present: Fragmented Alice

Posted on August 23, 2013 by

I’ve been an OCC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics) fan since I discovered their Lip Tars about a year ago. These highly pigmented colors create a bold lip that lasts and is a favorite among pro makeup artists.

They recently launched a color collection in collaboration with Symbolist painter Gail Potocki called, “Fragmented Alice” – a twist on Alice in Wonderland where the makeup colors complement Potocki’s collection of Alice-inspired paintings that are hauntingly beautiful and have elements of gothic psychedelia.

“I’m thrilled with how Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics translated my work into the collection …it’s a unique way for others to physically inhabit the universe of ‘Fragmented Alice’,” said Potocki of the OCC collection.

OCC’s “Fragmented Alice” products were featured at the opening reception for Potocki’s exhibit at the Century Guild gallery, which was transformed into a surreal tea room for the night. Both the evening and the paintings had a juxtaposed sense of darkness and glamour that was beautiful.

See more of her paintings on the Century Guild website.

The Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics products in “Fragmented Alice” include:

Lip Tar Metallic in “Fragmented”, a metallic acid green glaze that leaves a foil-like finish on the lips.

Nail Lacquers in “Severed”, a bright crimson crème and “Gryphon”, a cement grey crème.

Loose Colour Concentrates in “Inflicted”, a patinaed red/lavender; “Curved Sky”, an icy white to iridescent blue; and “Nevar”, a dirty golden olive. These micronized color pigments are fused with light- reflecting mica and can be used to apply shimmer on the eyes, lips, cheeks and body.

I got to try out the lip tar and loose colour concentrates* and created the look below. First, I primed my eyes with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Then I put down a base of Miliani Shadow Eyez cream stick shadow in “Winter White” to create a nice white canvas for the concentrates to really pop. Then I applied “Curved Sky” to the lids and “Nevar” to the crease and a little under the eyes. The “Fragmented” Lip Tar on its own is a little green for regular outings so I tempered it by applying a nude lipstick of Mac “Lush Amber” as a base and used the Lip Tar for a metallic finish.

Be sure to check out OCC’s uniquely inspired and gorgeous “Fragmented Alice” line and Gail Potocki’s collection at the Century Guild, 6150 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. (Note: the Google Maps directions are incorrect! The gallery is across the street from the Helm’s Design District.)

Go ask Alice,
Kastle

*Makeup samples provided by OCC, see disclosure.

Tags: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Fragmented Alice, Gail Potocki, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic, OCC

Month: August 2013

Morphe Brushes Boutique: Grand Opening Party

Posted on August 15, 2013 by

A quiet little corner in Burbank, CA was thumping with big beats erupting from under a white tent, as a line wrapped down the block of eager makeup enthusiasts waiting to see the new Morphe Makeup Brush Store, the only one of its kind to feature entirely makeup brushes. Morphe threw a bash to celebrate its grand opening with DJs, a candy bar, fancy appetizers and a party crowd.

Every makeup lover knows, its not just the cosmetics you buy but the brushes you put it on with to get the right look. Morphe Brushes offers an extensive selection of cruelty-free natural and synthetic hair bristles at very reasonable prices.

I was eager to see the store, so I did a quick lap in the party tent and got in line. The Morphe Boutique is small so only a few people were allowed in at a time to allow room to shop. I’ll admit my patience was wearing thin, but I was rewarded when I heard my name called from the raffle announcer. I won a huge gift basket filled with skin, hair and nail products! What a treat!

I finally made my way into the store and it is truly a delight. Wall to wall brushes of every kind, cases, cleaners and palettes of makeup. Since I’m always changing my makeup and trying new looks, I’ll definitely be hitting this place to get the right tools.

Congrats Morphe on your new home! Check out the party pix below:

Visit Morphe Brushes Boutique at 616 South Victory Blvd. Burbank, CA 91502

Brush on!
Kastle

Month: August 2013

Pinup Girl Boutique: 1 Year Anniversary Party

Posted on August 1, 2013 by

It was an extra special night at the Pinup Girl Boutique. Celebrating the store’s 1-year anniversary, the clothing brand proved they successfully have made the leap from an online retailer to a couture fashion name with an international following of pinups. They have not only created a clothing line but a glamorous, retro-inspired lifestyle to aspire to that is lived everyday by “Team Pinup,” the models who not only show the looks in the catalog but also work in the store, design the clothes, create the hairstyles, and offer their talent as makeup artists. They created this one-stop-shop to allow everyone be the pinup bombshell they always wanted to be!

And they’ve clearly struck a cord with their audience, who love their monthly parties as a night to dress up and wear those fabulous Pinup Couture fashions. These gatherings are always a great night to go shopping because it’s like a living fashion show, seeing so many people in the Pinup Girl Clothing. My wish list always grows when I see what dress look good in real life. Fortunately, the parties coincide with Magnolia Park’s Ladies Night Out shopping nights when discounts of 10% and up make these fabulous fashions a little easier on the pocketbook.

For the anniversary party, the place was jam-packed. Drinks flowed, new friends were made and I was blown away by the talent lined up for the night. On the small stage in the center of the store, comedienne April Richardson, who sports her own retro flair and Bettie bangs, opened up the night and was hilarious.

Next up was Andra Day whose soulful voice was so moving and she got us all grooving! She was discovered after going viral on YouTube with her covers of pop song mashups. She is currently signed with Warner Bros. Records and working her debut album.

Lastly but certainly not least, was Katrina Parker who gained attention for coming in 2^nd place on “The Voice” TV show. She looked so sweet in her big ‘60s-style hairdo and her voice blew the place away. Katrina is gearing up to release an album funded by Kickstarter.

Both singers are right on the cusp of big time fame and now we can say we saw them early on!

I always find it funny when the Pinup Boutique has performers in the store, they always comment, “this is the best looking crowd we’ve ever played to!” And it’s true, the pinup customer knows how to dress up for a night! The store was filled with beauties working their retro-inpsired look, which is elegant and sexy. Talk about some great people watching! And the night was capped with a toast as Team Pinup gathered on stage to thank their customers, raffle off some prizes and introduce a new line of Pinup Couture handbags for which the crowd gave a loud cheer. Did I mention my wish list was growing?

Check out the party pix below and more on Flickr.