Hey everyone! I've been gone so long, I know. I had to do some evolving, some growing, some soul cleaning and things that nature. This post will be a life update, but first, let me just take the time to say thank you for all the support from when I was really active here on the site. I took some time this morning to look over my analytics and y'all were really coming through for the kid! Yeeeeesss. Ok, so here's how life has been:

Work. Okay so my work life been amazing. I didn't get to announce it to you all because I was sooo busy, but I now i have my own studio! Yes, a studio. Full out esthetics. The name is Glitz Beauty Lounge and it's the best thing I've brought to life (besides the boys). We are located in Philly and offer everything from lash extension, to makeup, to nails...all things beauty except hair. I am so blessed to be working for myself and doing what I love. BUT I recently found a part time job because business can be slow some weeks and I get bored. So basically, three times a week I will be working for Brand Connections (a marketing firm) as a beauty concierge  for Target. I DO NOT WORK FOR TARGET. I am hired by a contractor to work through their company through target. awesome right? I will be blogging my first day of my work so that you can see what it is ill be doing.

Momming. The most challenging thing I believe I've ever been faced with is raising Nur and Nova. I love my boys to death, but being a mother is NO JOKE. Nur is now a year old and Nova is 8 months old. I think because they're both under two, it makes things like 10 times more complicated. Yeah lol but I'm blessed to have them both.

Living. Now when I say this, I don't mean my physical house. I mean, in general, just... living. I haven't been the happiest I've ever been lately. I won't get into details, but I have been exposing myself to the world more: trying new foods, removing bad energy from my life, focusing more on enjoying instead of fighting the universe when things don't go as planned. I plan to travel soon. I feel like it will ease me a bit more if I'm outside of my norm.

Just Being Me. Other than all those things mentioned, I've basically just been watching Netflix shows, waiting for Insecure, A-typical, and Orange is the New Black to air new seasons, Listening to Lip Service, The Read, The Friend Zone, and living my days like they're my last.

 

It's almost that time!! So, I feel like it's safe to let all of you know what it is that a friend and I have been working on. A while ago, I pitched an idea of a podcast to a friend of mine. 3 hosts, 1 studio, 1 central theme: POP CULTURE. When I pitched the idea, I made it very clear that were to be ourselves: as raw as possible and no holds barred.

 

The friend that I pitched the idea to, Shahaad, then found our third co host, Ron. We studied, we brainstormed, we collaborated our ideas and now... IT'S HAPPENING!!

 

So I know what you're all thinking. "What's with the twosome photo?". That's the name of the podcast everyone: Let's Have a Twosome. I also know that you're all a bit confused now. If there's three of us, how could it be a twosome? Well... Shahaad is moving away out of the city for a while and will return in April to join us. Until then, it's just Ron and myself and MAYBE a guest host from time to time.

 

We will be discussing world news, entertainment news, music, events, life and also accepting letters from our audience so that we can extend our advice and build a connection with you all. We will be airing an episode a week and look forward to the experience.

 

Until we air our first episode, we will be going live with each other on IG to discuss everything that will be on our show... kind of like a mock show (we're calling it a pre podcast). Follow us on IG (@tali.michelle , @i.amron) for all of our pre podcasts!

 

xoxo 

MAC x Puma

 

 

YESSSS!! Ya'll know I'm super excited about this one. I have been waiting for a collab with a sports line from MAC for some time now. I would have thought that Nike would jump at the opportunity or even Adidas, but no. It's... PUMA.

 

This is perfect. While Puma is a fitness line (so this will be such an interesting collab), it is also very fashion forward. Both brands have worked with a slew of celebrities including Rihanna who has Puma x Fenty and had two fast selling MAC collabs that launched in 2013. In 2014, Rih Rih became the creative director at Puma for women's collections.

 

My predictions for this collab are that there will be a MAC collection that Puma will contribute to and a clothing collection that MAC will contribute to. In the makeup collection, I'm calling a sweat proof foundation/ concealer (I mean, they are collabing with a fitness brand). This would be ground breaking. Now we can all be cute af at the gym and go hard. Ouuu and there's going to be such sleek packaging. Both brands are known for black and white signature combos as far as packaging but I don't think they'll stick to the usual this time around.

 

Just get your savings ready now because there's also talk about an Aaliyah collection. Geez.

 

xoxo

 

 

Fenty Beauty Is Here !

I know!! I always say "don't kill me" but y'all can this time. I've been SUPER busy with preparing for EJ's arrival that I totally neglected the blog! Oops! 

But I promise to make it up to you all with this post right here. 

So a few weeks ago, Bad Gal RiRi took the beauty world by storm when she debuted her makeup line Fenty Beauty by Rihanna. We all went bananas for it was being carried by Sephora, reasonable in price AND included 40 Fu*king Shades of Foundation!! 40! 

Of course I had to grab something. I mean, after all, I am a huge fan and a makeup lover so t was only right I spent my life savings on the collection. Right? Wrong. I went on Sephora's site, grabbed what I could because almost everything was completely sold out (my shade of foundation still is). 

It has been recently reported by Forbes that Rihanna's beauty line is set to make more than KKW Beauty and Kylie Cosmetics. WOW! Go Robin! 

A lot of things excited me about the line but I think where Rihanna became an innovator is when she blessed us with forty shades of foundation ranging from porcelain to the deepest of melanin... on her first try! Most times, makeup companies tend to have a wide range of shades but they fail to cater to brown girls who are the deepest of ebonies. But Rihanna and her team did a great job of targeting shade range and also multiple undertones (which is SUPER important).

So let's get into all the products... 

Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation $34.00

Ok so this foundation is meant to feel like skin. It is very light weight and thin. It was inspired by Rihanna's makeup go to look which is soft and natural. It's supposed to give you a "nothing there" sort of feel. So if you're looking for cake, this isn't it. I will say that is foundation dries very quickly so you must work fast when using it. Nonetheless, it is a must have! 

Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter $34.00

BITCH! 6 ones to choose from! 4 which are duos! 2 which are singles! 1 which will change your life!! 

Ok so if you know me you know I love a good glow!! I attended the launch party at sephora and when I say I fell in love with all six of these!!! Each and everyone one has its own umph to it and if you're a MUA, I highly suggest having all of the duos in your kit. TROPHY WIFE. Trophy wife is like putting 24k melted gold on your face!! It's life changing and if you want a versatile highlighter, these are for you! You can use them as an eyeshadow, cheek highlight, on your collarbone, where ever! 

Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer $18.00

This is where I got a bit disappointed. Because like.. there's only 1?? But I had to remember what was the inspiration and goal behind putting this line together... a no makeup makeup look. So when I purchased and received my gloss bomb and put it on, I felt exactly where RiRi was coming from. This shade of gloss literally looks good on anyone. It's perfect as a topper for a pinky nude lipstick such as velvet teddy by MAC. It's just a s beautiful on its own though too. I feel like you can't just buy one of these... you need at least one in your purse at all times and a back up to keep at home... and it smells Soooooo goooood and sweet OMG! I love the gloss because it's really smooth and not sticky like other glosses and has a really settle shimmer to it. Perf. 

Match Stix Trio $54.00

I have it and I love it!! Ok so this is basically an essential I'm the collection. 3 sticks: conceal, contour, highlight. Genius! I love the creamy feel of all of them although a few bloggers have complained about how it feels against the foundation. You just have to know how to work with it. The trios come in different sets: lights, mediums, darks. The combo I purchased was the deep set: suede (concealer), expresso (contour), and sinamon (highlight). It's a must buy, but if you don't want to purchase all three, or one of the stix doesn't quite match you too well, you might want to invest in the...

Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick $25.00

This product is a fighter which comes in ten colors (golds, rose golds, orange, purple, red orange). I kind of want them all. 

Match Stix Matte Skinstick $25.00

This product is a concealer. It comes in 20 shades. I want them all for my kit. 

Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer $32.00

I didn't really see the point in purchasing this item because I have my go to primer that I swear by. But for the hell of it, I tested it at the launch party and it feels really nice actually. It's very moisturizing so I wouldn't suggest using a moisturizer before applying this... it moisturizes and primes. It is in fact not a silicone primer and had a pinkish color to it. 

Invisimatte Blotting Powder $32.00

I haven't heard too much about this powder. Again I have a powder that is my holy grail so I wasn't too pressed to try this. What I will say is that it's very soft and velvety and I will accept it as a gift but as far as purchasing it myself, I'm in no rush. 

Full Bodies Foundation Brush 110 $34.00

This is probably the only brush I want to purchase out of the collection. It is amazing from what I got to test at the party. It is very soft and rounded and sort of dense which is good for buffing. Every review that I've watched says that this is the only brush they would use with the foundation. But a duo fiber brush would also work good with the foundation in my opinion. 

Cheek Hugging Highlight Brush 120 $32.00

Also known as the "shark tooth brush", this brush is used for the highlighters in the collection. It's shape is literally meant to hug your cheek and get that product blended into your skin. 

Portable Contour and Concelar Brush 150

Portable Highlighter Brush 140

Portable Touch Up Brush 130

All portable brushes are $24.00

I wouldn't suggest really buying these unless you're always on the go. The Contour and concealer brush is the only one I would aim for because it's rounded shape allows for use of multiple products especially touch up powder. 

Precision Makeup Sponge 100 $16.00

Ladies and gentlemen.. we have a beauty blender! Playing around with this, I need it and here's why: the flat part. 

Although I blend my concealer out with a flat tapered foundation brush. I wouldn't mind using this sponge to blend. Word on the street is that the flat part blends like a dream and the rounded part can be used for foundation application. You could also use the flat part to bake. 

Invisimatte Blotting papers $16.00

I'm not going to lie. I want to try these. For some reason I prefer sheets over powder because it's less product being packed on my face. I love the color of the case too which is a plus. One thing that doesn't benefit me (but to each its own) is that there's a rumor that these are meant to double as rolling papers for marijuana. We all know Riri blows it down, so it wouldn't be too hard to believe. Lol 

If you have any questions or comments about this post or any of the products, please feel free to comment below 

Xoxo 

UPDATE

...Le me just start by saying it feels sooo good to be back. I have so much content for the site it's insane!! I promise you all that my absence was for a good cause. Let's get into it:

Okay so first of all, if you know me, you know that I'm never not working on biggering and bettering my brand. With that being said, I'm working a bunch of business things needed to open up the salon. I will be making not one, but TWO very big announcements on May 28th and June 10th here on the site so stay tuned.

Secondly, I am a mother. So while I love blogging and making videos, please be mindful that I am a parent first. Being a mom in something that I put 200k percent into so if my schedule isn't always consistent, keep that in mind. By the way, Nur is now 8 months and crawling, clapping, saying small words, and just the happiest little chicken nugget I've ever met!

Next, my youtube schedule...oh dear. I have finally come up with a schedule and a system that will allow me to record, edit and bring you all content at least twice a week. With that being mentioned, I'm editing a vlog as I type this.

Speaking of schedules and content, now that I'm finally back in blogging mode, I will be bringing you posts on the days that I don't post to youtube, which is about three times a week.

I hope you all didn't think that I've forgotten about the site and abandoned it, but we are back like we never left...

xoxo

Btw: I'm partnering with two really dope aspiring entertainment moguls to bring you all something really amazing... stay tuned!!

10 Best Foundations from Celebrity MUAs

 

Foundation can be tricky. From selecting which color best fits your tone, to what kind of coverage is best for you, it can be a very tedious process. Even selecting a great foundation that best fits your budget can be crucial.

My very fist foundations were from MAC and let me just tell you, I was having a good money week because I bought all 3 at one time! I went with Match Master, Fix Fluid, and Pro Longwear. But as a makeup artist ad enthusiast, I always suggest requesting samples before purchasing the actual product. It will save you TONS.

According to these celebrity make-up artists, here are the top 10 best foundations.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer $44

"I love this product! Its creamy consistency allows for easy application and blending, and it offers sheer coverage with oil control and a semimatte finish. Plus, there's great color selection for a wide range of skin tones." — Francesca Roman

 

Avon Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation $12

"This is one of my favorite foundations because it creates a flawless canvas for me to work off of. It's lightweight, gives just the right amount of coverage, and still allows the skin to breathe." — Lauren Andersen

 

Pur Cosmetics 4-in-1 Liquid Foundation $36

"I live for this foundation! The color ranges are extremely competitive with other luxury brands and I've used it on so many of my clients. It has a rich, smooth texture, blends really well, and provides the perfect amount of coverage without overcaking — definitely one of my go-to products." — Saisha Beecham

Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick $46

"The stick application makes this perfect for when you're on the go. Not only is it mess-free, but the formula offers full coverage (essentially like a concealer), goes on silky, and buffs into the skin like butter! The line's color range is also amazing — it has you covered on every end of the spectrum!" — Alison Christian

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation $45

"This goes on so smooth and light like a tinted moisturizer, but adds an amazing amount of coverage like a full-coverage foundation. It's definitely my go-to for clients right now." — Joy Fennell
 

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation $64

"This foundation is still the gold standard. You can work it as sheer or opaque as you desire. It sets to a glorious, dewy finish and stays color-true as long as you wear it. Unbeatable!" — Erin Ayanian Monroe

 

 

MAC Face and Body Foundation $28

 

"This supersheer foundation, which has become a cult favorite, has a watery texture that can offer the lightest of coverage. It also dries down and can be built up if you'd like more. It mimics the skin's texture, offering the perfect veil of pigment. It's best applied with a flat nylon brush (like MAC's #191) and is good for all skin types." — Ashleigh Ciucci

Mar Jacobs Beauty Genius Super-Charged Oil-free Foundation

"This provides both lightweight and 24-hour wear, all while leaving the skin with a beautiful soft matte. It's my go-to for a flawless, airbrushed finish." — Gilbert Soliz

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet $48

"This foundation creates a matte finish with thin, velvety consistency. I love how the liquid delivers without looking cakey (unlike many alternatives out there) or feeling heavy." — Roman

Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation $48

 "Good matte foundations are hard to find, as they're usually too drying or too heavy for real-life wearability. This superpigmented, superlightweight formula packs a punch with the smallest pump. It gives an airbrushed effect to the skin, while still being touchable. It sets to a satin-matte finish that looks flawless and natural. It's best applied with a Beautyblender (with all the water squeezed out!) and is great for normal to oily skin." — Ciucci

Kat Von D Lock It Foundation $35

"This product is highly-pigmented, waterproof, and provides full coverage with a matte finish that lasts 24 hours. I also love mixing it with the Kat Von D Lock-It Hydrating Primer ($32) for a more lightweight, dewy finish." — Erik Soto