Fierce Impressions

First impressions last an eternity. Sometimes when you're nervous you make a silly comment...and you give a bad impression during that dream job interview. Sometimes you wear the wrong outfit...and your dream guy's mom isn't impressed. I'm sure you all have personal stories of times where you have given the wrong impression, when it was really not your intention. When you find yourself in a situation where the first meeting counts, how do you make a good impression? Could your makeup alter the perception of who you are?

Would you wear a bold lipstick when making that first impression? When you think of Christina Aguilera, instantly your mind thinks about her signature red lips. She left her trademark, and left a fierce impression on our minds.

Leith Crop Jacket from Nordstrom

Petra Braided Bracelet by Stella & Dot

As I told you in my last post, I would use my NEW Smashbox Master Class Style File Kit and show you how it's done. Click here for application advise. My lips are a NEW collection by Laura Mercier. It is an orange, red. I normally am attracted to true reds...but this one caught my eye. It's pigment is intense, and I find it does not bleed very much. Sunrise is fierce.

Want my bracelet? Ask my girlfriend Christina Saur Papoulias how to get it here.

XOXO
Priscilla

Steven Khan

Photography and makeup go hand in hand. Beautifully applied makeup, can show up even better with a talented photographer who understands lighting, shadows, and angles. I have been known to add a few more layers of foundation to my brides or contour a model with intensity, because I'm thinking about the pictures that follow. Smashbox Studios and Smashbox Cosmetics prove my point. A photography company that created cosmetics to uphold a long day at a shoot. Ironically, the creators of both of these companies are descendants of Max Factor, click here for more details.

Every once in a while cosmetic stores will host Steven Khan, a photographer who has partnered with Smashbox for 15 years, to take YOUR pictures after a makeover (must purchase $100 in cosmetics to qualify). Every gal should have a photo shoot in her lifetime, and this is your opportunity.

Book your appointment, to meet Steven Khan:
July 16, 2011 @ the Roseville Ulta
July 17, 2011 @ the Dublin Ulta

Photography by Steven Khan 2010

Photography by Steven Khan 2010

Check out one of my favorite NEW Smashbox set here, exclusively sold at Sephora.
Stay tuned to see how I use this kit!!

XOXO
Priscilla

Easter Essentials

When I was a child I looked forward to family gatherings and Holiday parties, I always planned my outfits with precision and thought long and hard about what I was going to wear for the occasion. While writing my blog, I realize not much has changed...getting dressed and doing your makeup is an art, it's how you want to present who you are to the world.

Easter is the perfect time to wear white, soft yellows, and pastel floral prints, it's the time to be excessively girly...but what about your makeup? Try picking light lavender shadows, go easy on the eyeliner and just spend a little more time on your lashes. Curl, prime, and apply 3 coats of mascara. Choose subtle pink hues for your lips and cheeks-Remember, you always want to match your lips and cheeks for a natural look. To see an example of these colors click here. Don't forget about your fragrance and nails, which are your greatest accessories!!

Lola Fragrance By Marc Jacobs

Estee Lauder Long Lasting Nail Lacquer in Wicked Green

Benefits Dandelion Brightening Face Powder

Bobbi Brown: Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Powder Pink

Happy Easter my friends!

xoxo
Priscilla

Dreaming while Awake

Free People's blog is super inspiring. They always have these earthy, gypsy looking pictures that allow you to continue dreaming while awake. I feel like I want to travel the world when I read their posts...

It's fun to have access to other makeup artist's kits-especially when it's for a catalog. Most girls I know love to dig around their BFF's makeup bag and "borrow" some new colors...you escape your daily routine of "you" and get to be "her" for a second. NARS is a brand that I dream about day and night, and I would die to dig around Francois Nars' makeup kit, and escape into his world for a second...sigh... I find that Free People uses NARS quite often, wonder if they feel the same as me?

I love the final product of a photo shoot, but sometimes I get giddy over the behind the scenes pictures even more...so I wanted to share my excitement for Free People's April Catalog!

products used: 1. nars copacabana on cheekbone 2. black eye pencil 3. black mascara 4. stila gerbera on cheek and into the lip 5. bobbi brown eyeshadow in cement 6. nars lipstick in barbarella

Free People April Catalog Look 2

Free People April Catalog Look 2

Enjoy
XOXO
Priscilla

Tea Party

I have written before that I surround myself with inspiring people, why...because they push me to be a better person, a better artist, a better woman. I also love connecting my girlfriends talents and together we create a masterpiece! I have been friends with some of these ladies since high school, and some just for a few years through the internet.

Taylor, and I have been talking about a photo shoot for a while now-we had so much fun! If it weren't for her, I would have never started blogging...I admire her passion and determination to begin Glitter Guide, and her posts from Sterling Style are my daily addiction for inspiration.

Danielle Derksen, is my old high school cheer buddy. We have reconnected over the years, because we are always bumping into each other at weddings...doing hair and makeup! She too is full of zest for her career, and it is depicted in her beautiful up-do's, colors, and cuts. If you are a bride, I would highly recommend her for your special day! (*Mona Lisa Salon in Los Gatos)

Rachel, from Sweet Tooth Confections started her company with her equally talented husband Kyle. Her cookies, cakes, and yummy treats are ALL from scratch! Every goodie melts in your mouth! She too is a true entrepreneur who I am lucky to know.

Heidi Morgan, our photographer is a dear friend I "accidentally" met over Model Mayhem. Her personality is charming, inviting, and her attention to detail is admirable. She is a trustworthy person, and a pleasure to work with because she will get down and dirty to get that perfect shot for you.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures, as much as I enjoyed being part of them. I was inspired by Bobbi Brown's Bikini Pink for this look. I also used subtle green tones on the eyes. Great combination for Spring Time!

Check out what Nail colors I used here.

To view more pictures click here.

XOXO
Priscilla

Packing for Vegas

I just got back from Vegas for my darling friend's Bachelorette weekend. It was my first time there, and I went with a great group of gals! We stayed in a suite at the Venetian, with the perfect sized bathroom for the 6 of us to get dolled up. Going on a trip with girls, I plan on helping with their makeup...whether it's a quick tip here and there, assistance with eye lash application or doing a complete makeover I always come prepared!

When I pack my makeup bag, I pack light compared to most artists and makeup junkies...most people are surprised with how little I bring. I have a Trish McEvoy planner, but I can't help but use my good ol'Benefit bag! Both give alot of room to store brushes and foundation bottles.

Here are some products I recommend for a trip to Vegas:

1. Anti-Shine by Smashbox will guarantee beautiful pictures (instead of sweaty pictures) at 2am, after dancing. Use a pea size after you moisturize...rub it into the skin until you feel a tug. I use mine on my T-zone and nose.

2. I just got my Estee Lauder GWP this weekend, and it came with the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer. It was moist, yet stayed in place. It was fabulous to cover my dark circles after our long nights out...I even used it all over the face for a light day time look by the pool!

3.MAC's Studio Fix fits great into my clutch (Read about it here)offers perfect coverage, and has a mirror.

4. I touched up with my Bare Escentuals Baby Buki Brush. It's tiny, cute and travels well.

5. LASHES LASHES LASHES!! Use one at a time, double stack them...just use them!! It's not a normal occasion, so try the craziest ones!! Don't forget your lash glue!


6.Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Gel Liner in Black Ink is designed as an eye liner, however I applied it like a cream shadow...I patted MAC's Carbon eyeshadow over to intensify the smokey eye.

Here is the beautiful Soon-to-be-Mrs. after we did her makeup...

XOXO
Priscilla