Our Friend Maya

Say bienvenue to our friend Maya! She's a double threat: a professionally trained and accomplished makeup artist AND a licensed cosmetologist who is amazing at styling hair!

I'm not sure if it's the Mona Lisa smirk she always has on her face, or her sultry French accent...but we just love her!!

She's lived in places like France and India and traveled the world sharpening her art and skill, studied under renown artists, and worked for lines such as Dior and Laura Mercier...here's a peek at what products are her fav's right now!

photo credits: top Paul Ferradas, bottom Jeremy Montemayor

Should you ever book P&P for your wedding or special event you'll most likely meet her in person, as she often joins our beauty adventures! From Suburban Mothers to International Models, Maya has done it all! We are so excited whenever she joins us!

Chin Chin (Cheers!) to Mothers, Models, and Maya,

Get the Look: 60's Love

I absolutely loved this look from our recent photoshoot with Paul Beattie...friend and fellow Glamonomics blogger, Maggie was our lovely model! Want to get the look? Here's how...

For Maggie's eyes I did a classic dramatic brown eye...very similar to a classic bridal look! Chocolate on the lid, a clearly defined crease, and champagne in the inner socket. Then I added a cat eye with my favorite ELF cream liner in black!

Big lashes and a custom blend lip color added that 60's retro vibe we were going for. I can't get enough of Makeup Forever's Flash Color Palette! Endless lip possibilities! I utilized the white and pink colors for this blend. NYX matte bronzer in Dark Tan gave her an extreme contour.

For the hair, Ashley curled it, then teased the crown and pulled it into some up and some down. When she pinned the hair back she pushed the hair up even more to get that ultra volume...lots of teasing and Bed Head Hard Head hairspray gave Maggie that amazing bouffant!

Check out more pictures from the shoot and a summer clothing favorite of mine on Glamonomics today!

Cheers to Pale Lipstick, Bouffants, and Retro Glam,

 

BB Cream: Your Friend With Benefits

BB Cream...I'm sure by now you've all heard of this innovative product...and if you're like me, you've had some questions! (Umm like, what does BB stand for?) Today I have the pleasure of being on Smitten With Pretty where I will be giving you the whole BB Cream Breakdown: what is it, what makes it special, and who should buy it! So make sure to stop by Smitten With Pretty so you can get the 411!

I have definitely been on the BB cream bandwagon for some time now...testing and trying and comparing. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about! So here are the ones I've tried so far (in the order I tried them) and what I think about them...

1. Smashbox $39: I liked it. "Hmm...so this is BB Cream, huh!" Felt nice, covered well for something that doesn't call itself a foundation, and it's oil absorbing properties were a pleasant surprise! Didn't feel slick or overly shiny like I do with tinted moisturizers. Great to know that despite the SPF it is camera friendly. I was intrigued to try other brands to compare...

2. Estée Lauder DayWear $38: A little sticky, didn't spread as nicely as the one by Smashbox. "Perhaps I bought too dark of a shade?? I think I'll go back to using the Smashbox one."

3. Clinique $37: "Hellooooo BB cream I officially love you!" Covers amazingly, anti aging benefits too? Yes please! I didn't feel the need to wear foundation and loved that it was actually bettering my skin. Stays put all day. Instant love!

--insert me trying the Lauder one again, "I'm a little more tan now, maybe I'll like it? Nope." Even more dissatisfied after trying the Clinique.

4. Diorsnow $60: "Dior you never let me down!" Texture was great, I love that it's in the Diorsnow line (corrects tone) and the SPF 55 packs a wallop! Only currently available in one tinted shade tho. So if you have deeper skin it'll look ashy. And if you're tan, your face will look lighter than your body. So for most this will not be a stand alone product, you'll want to use it under foundation. But if your fair complected, it's perf! Consider this your sporty BB, your go to the gym or hiking or beach makeup option! I'm curious to try their Hydralife BB now... 

--insert me trying Lauder again, " I will like this, I will like this! Ugh, no I feel splotchy and like it just doesn't settle right!" Boo! I really wanted to like you! BUT what I will say is that I think a dryer or more mature skin may really like it. Just not right for me I guess.
--Continued to alternate between the Clinique and Dior. Oh ya what about Smash? Used it again for a couple days...nice! I still think Clinique is better tho.

5. Garnier $12: "Ok my drugstore dare, what do ya got? Hmm..." Not bad, definitely a good budget friendly option. But not as good as the others I tried. More sticky, not as great of coverage. Reminiscent of tinted moisturizer--insert Lauder flashbacks--So comparable to Lauder's I suppose.

Well, there is my honest detailed journey with BB cream...which took well over 2 months by the way! I definitely liked Clinique the best, and loved the Dior for those extra sun-filled days. When it's all said and done, I'd say BB is a must for everyone! Make it your Summer best friend (It'll probably end up being your favorite for every season! It will be for me!). You just can't beat the benefits!

Cheers to BB Cream, Best Friends, and Benefits,

 

Summer Beauty Update: $35

Still needing more pick me ups for your summer look? Here's what's on my list for the warmer weather...

  

1. Kate Moss for Rimmel London: these lippys feel amazing, wear like a dream, and are under $5. My favorite is shade 12

2. Maybelline FitMe foundation: a long time favorite of mine. With a lightweight, luminous finish, you can consider this tinted moisturizer's big sister. Perfect for those days when you don't want to feel too "made up." Around $6

3. Kiss Nail Decals: lasts up to ten days, tons of fun patterns and less than $6 a box! Good for nails and toes...or be daring and do the "accent nail" trend. I love this floral pattern!

4. Jergens Natural Glow: Skip the damaging sun and use this daily for a believable tan! LOVE this stuff! Definitely in my top 5 self tanning products! Under $8

5. ELF cream liner: $3 and lasts ALL day! Summer-proof liner to be sure.

6. Forever21 Hair Clips: Aren't these yellow roses cute? $2.50

7. Clean and Clear Antibacterial Face Wash: one of my favorite face washes, this $4 miracle will take care of any extra yuck (ie: sweat & bacteria) that comes along with the heat.

8. Color Club in Jackie Oh!: less than $3, and free from all of the poisons in typical polishes! Love this electric shade!

So many beauty treats, so little time! Pretty nice though for only $35 right?!

Cheers to Sunshine, Summer-Proof Makeup, and Beauty Pick-me-Ups,

 

Summer Beauty Update: a new look for $15

The warmer weather proves that summer is almost here. And while it is exciting to bust out the sandals and summer dresses that were ignored during the winter...it's fun to add something new to the routine! Here are the things that were in Ashley's (Polish and Pout's Lead Stylist) shopping cart this week!

1. Easyshine Glossy Lip Color by Jordana: creamy sheer color and only $1...need I say more?

2. ELF Bronzer: skip the sun damage and bronze it up baby!

3. Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear nail polish in Twisted Pink: its all about bright colors right now! That neon tank top too much? A bright polish is a great way to ease into the trend!

4. ELF Eye Liner in Black: rock the graphic (aka bold) eyeliner trend for only $1

5. Sally Hansen Insta-Dry polish in Snappy Sorbet: the perfect summery coral!

6. Remington Hair Clips: these bobbys come in a variety of fun colors and are only $2.50 a pack! Use as a cute way to pin back those bangs or be daring and follow the new trend of showing your bobby pins when you put your hair up!!

Love Ashley's picks!! I'm thinking that I definitely will go buy those colorful bobby pins ASAP!! Do you think you might give your summer look a boost with these items? It won't do too much damage to your wallet...Plus, if you're like me and not feeling "ready" yet for bikini season, I'll let you in on a secret: beauty products always fit ;)

Cheers to Warmer Weather, Bright Colors, and Things that Fit,