For my intermediate makeup class we had to design something that would have to be created by a foam mask for our Final Project. This is what I came up with and thought it would be a good idea to share it here in my blog. I had so much fun designing it, and actually bringing it to life. My design was inspired by aquatic creatures, and this is what I came up with. The life mask that is shown in my last post was needed in order to make the foam piece. More work that I thought it would be, just to make the foam, cause we actually mixed up the ingredients to create a foam, then baked it and then painted it. And here are the pics so you can take a look at my final project.My friend Mary(the mouse) came up with this design of a gross mouse which I thought it was genius, it looked so good, she did a great job! and My makeup class is shown at the bottom with our fabulous makeup teacher(former makeup artist of Betty White and Marie Osmond)

Life Masks

Here is the latest in what I have done in my intermediate makeup class. Since our last project has to be a mold for our faces, we had to do life masks so we can design on them.I have to say it was a once in a lifetime experience. We started the class with a prayer(which we never do) and asked that we all be calm during the process on making them... later I found out why.

1st. we put on hair caps, to make sure we kept all the hair out, and we applied vaseline to our eyelashes and eyebrows. then the process begun...

2. As you can see in the picture above, 3 girls where there to apply the masks correctly. 2 of them applying the pink material(I forgot its name) and the one sitting across is making sure that the nostrils are open so the person can breathe normally.And then the scary part begun... I actually did good at that point but a couple of girls freaked out the moment they had their faces covered.

3. then plaster was applied all over the face to keep the mask on place. at this point it starts to get warm and hard. and this is where I panicked! I couldnt hear very well and started to have a hard time breathing, and it is not like you can just take it out once it is hard.  I could just hear my heart beating hard and I started to wave my hands so they could come help me out, it was quiite scary I must say, something had to come hold my hand ( haha I know how it sounds, but it helped) for about 20 minutes.

 

Once the mask got dry, I was able to just take it off. Then I poured out plaster  in the negative and voila! there is my face!

The $1 EyeShadow

Hello everyone! As you know I love makeup and I am always trying different brands and colors just for the fun of it. From Chanel to Arbonne to MAC to the grocery store makeup and now to this! You guys are not going to believe what I have found. I must say that after trying thousands of products I don't easily get impressed, but this totally knocked my socks off. So last Friday I went to "Dollar Tree" to get some shower caps and I was walking through the -beauty aisle- I saw that they actually sell make up, yeah you read right, make up! And for a buck! Out of curiosity I had to see what things they have to offer for just a dollar. To my surprise they have quite a variety and among all I saw this eyeshadow (L.A. COLORS in purple):

I thought to myself... "what the heck, its just a buck. If its crappy as I am thinking it probably is, I have just wasted one dollar out of my wallet," so I decided to get it. Then I came home, took a shower, and decided to give the new eyeshadow a try. Mostly when I've tried a cheap eyeshadow, the real color never comes across when you apply it on your skin, therefore making your money worthless. All I have to say after trying it is: best dollar I have spent! It actually went on really good and it was a really rich color. Here is a pic showing how I applied it:

I do have to say that it is a really good $1 eyeshadow to try whenever you want a different look to your usual make up, I saw this purple one and a dark aqua blue at the dollar store. In my opinion I wouldn't recommend it for daily use (you know.. if you are paying a dollar you cannot be getting the best ingredients) but it would be fine to use here and there.

That Friday I went dancing in the night time, so when I got home and I was about to get my makeup off, and to my again surprise, the eyeshadow had stayed on almost perfect (and you know how sweaty one gets). Next time you go to the dollar store you will have to get one and try it just for fun! Here are some more pics that show the color and application of the eyeshadow.

SPRING IS HERE!

Hello chicas! Spring is finally here and so are the bright and funky colors! Warm weather is always welcome and I love being able to bring out the other half of my wardrobe and bring a little bit of spicy flavor into my make up. I thought it would be a good idea to give you make up tips for these next months. First of all I have to say you gotta be brave, this spring's fashion is bringing really bright colors with it so step out of your comfort zone and get a couple accessories, clothes or make up, to step up your game this spring.

A couple of weeks ago I went shopping with my mom and we were so amazed of how colorful the stores were. Skirts, pants, shoes, and everything were bright colors or had stripes (which are really in for the spring). I have to admit that I like trying to follow new fashion trends but I even thought it was a little bit too much for me, but still decided to get a couple of things out of my repertoire and I have loved the things I got, so you too must be brave and it will surprise you.


So when it comes to make up time, do the same, be bold and explore new colors!













LIPS! this is your chance to show off your lips- bright pinks, oranges, and reds are a great spring look. If you are not used to wearing bright lipsticks, definitely don't go straight for a hot red because you won't feel like yourself. Try pinks or peach colors and gradually add a stronger color till you feel comfortable wearing them.















EYES- try bright blues and purples and bright eyeliners. Have fun with your eyes, they really show off your personality and this spring is all about being expressive :)

Purples go great with your eyes if you have brown or green eyes, it will make your eyes pop!

Just for reference- if you want to try a bold lipstick, make sure your eyes are very low key (unlike my pictures above where they illustrate all the trends at once). You either go for the eyes and keep your lipstick very light or go for the bold lips and keep your eyes simple. Try earthy colors on your eyes if you go for the bright lips or try just eyeliner with mascara on them.

Hopefully you get to try something different this spring and have fun doing it!

how to clean your brushes

Sephora Nano Eyeliners

    

Last week I was was in the mood to get some make up, but something different from the usual, so I drove to sephora and walked around not really looking for something specific and I found the eyeliners from Sephora [the Sephora brand]. I ended up up getting this purple eyeliner and I have never tried sephora's own brand before and I was actually pretty impressed on how well they go on the skin. You know, if you get a cheap eyeliner they dont even color, but this one is just $5 and its great, and they have them in 8 different colors! Now that I have tried it I will have to go and get some more... I mean for 5 bucks I wont even feel guilty of getting the whole line :)

 Next time you get an eyeliner, get these little guys [cause they are smaller... no wonder they are so cheap] a try. Either way if you don't like them you just wasted 5 bucks and if you do, you will now have an excuse to upgrade your make up kit with tons of different eyeliners !

Old Age Makeup for Medium-Big Stages

Hey guys! I just have the best hubby in the world! he let me apply make up so I can practice my old age make up for a big stage. So I am posting some pictures of the process. I have so much fun doing this... while in the other hand Jake told me..." You didn't mention this was an hour process" while I was applying it [I am glad I didn't, if not he would have not let me.. thanks hubby!]

This is Jake before, and the products I used (eye cream foundations, brushes, powder, latex and sponges)

The first thing to do is to draw lines in the wrinkle that comes when a person smiles,

 

Then blend the lines and apply the white cream eye shadow under each wrinkle, then powder the whole face and apply the latex with a sponge in the desired areas.

 

I applied latex in Jake's eyes, forehead and on the nasolabial fold. You apply it and wait till it completely dries before you can apply second and third layers.

This make up can be used for medium-big stages. It is really fun to apply, so if you want to see what you will look like in a couple of years, give this make up a try :)

I did a purple smokey eye on Melody, just for fun.. so we decided to show the -how to- video

How to switch from day to night makeup

Need to go to a party and don't have the time to re-do your make up? Then, this will help!

I get it! there are times that we get an invite to go somewhere fancy or a party and your make up isn't ready for that, so here are a couple of simple steps that will upgrade your make up and you can even follow them while in the run...

I watched this video a couple off weeks ago with my husband, and I had this overwhelming feeling that reminded me of who I am, and the real important things in life and I thought it would be a good thing to post here. I talk about make up and beauty in my blog, and I know how important it is for us women to wake up, get ready, fix our hair, fix our make up and look good. But what if one day all of that is gone? what is going to be left? Stephanie is such a great example of endurance and real beauty, even though her outside beauty is no longer the same, the real Stephanie still is the same, her real beauty will never be gone.

Make up is fun and I love it, but after seen this video definitely made me think about me, the real me and how I am working towards a better Nikra. Hopefully you all enjoy the video and can reflect for a second of all the wonderful blessings you have every day and value your real beauty!

The Making of Audreys Wedding Make Up!

I had so much fun doing Audrey's make up! My dear friend Melody gave Audrey her make up session as a wedding gift... how nice of her :) So they both ( and Gus) came to the test session and we sure had a lot of fun gossiping around latino celebrities and of course getting her make up done. The test make up for a bride is huge, thats when all little details have to be fixed... not a the wedding day. I did one style of eye shadows in one eye and a different one in the other.. Audrey liked one, Mel liked the other one, and I liked them both! So we then mixed them into one look and Audrey was a happy camper.

 
We tried purples and browns, and she picked the browns but in a more intense color.

 By the day of her wedding, we already knew what we were going to do, so  I jumped right on!
And here she is on her wedding day! looking beautiful :)

BEST EYELINER

This is my new favorite liquid eyeliner!  Since I was 12 my mom used to buy me the Dior liner which was the only liquid "PEN" eyeliner that was out there and I absolutely loved it till... last year when I saw that Chanel came out with the same idea but they improved it!







This liner is so so so easy to use, and it is darker than the Dior liner which I used for over 10 years. For all of you who have trouble applying a straight line with your eyeliner.. wala!  You are going to love it, it is so easy and glamorous! It will last you about 4 months if you use it everyday, like I do. You can get it at Nordstrom or online, its costs is $34, but its quality its worth every penny. So try it whenever you get a chance!

[ As you can see in the picture, the end is a brush that is shape like a pen, and you twist at the end of the eyeliner to get as much or as little eyeliner]