Honest Beauty Advice or Salespitch??

Last week this deal featured on GrabOne daily deal site and I thought to myself, "Wow, that's a great deal...but only IF you're happy to receive biased recommendations and have your makeup lesson in public..."
If you really want to know what suits you, in private and without the salespitch, visit my website for info on makeup lessons or seek out a mobile makeup artist who gives lessons but doesn't use just one brand and can offer unbiased recommendations.


You'll pay more for unbiased recommendations, rather than advice attached to a brand, but that's the trade off.  As consumers, it doesn't benefit us to get our product recommendations from those who exist solely to sell product, ie any retail counter or beauty department whose main business is retail.


It makes perfect sense from a business point of view to offer lessons based around a brand (and they'll make more money doing it this way than I will on product sales!) - but it's not totally beneficial for the customer: Women shouldn't put their appearance and image at the mercy of one-sided product advice. 


I avoid this by:
• Choosing to use various brands in my makeup kit, as no one brand is failproof and has the best of everything
• Making recommendations from multiple brands when the products perform the same
• Refusing to offer free lessons/makeovers in exchange for product purchase.


This issue of biased advice is why I started 'A Beautiful Education' and what I personally stand for.


If you did buy this deal, or are thinking of going to a beauty counter for a 'makeup consultation' anytime soon, check for the best and worst of Smashbox or the particular brand on offer at www.beautypedia.com.  Check how each product rates and get an honest opinion, so you can see through the salespitch and know what's worth buying - before you go in store.

**Jedi Mind Trick** Vote for Lillybeth Melmoth & 'Iceland' in the Jane Iredale Makeup Competition!

I've submitted my first entry for a national makeup competition!  The theme of the 2010 Jane Iredale Makeup Competition is 'International Inspirations'.  My entry, 'ICELAND' was created in the studio using only Jane Iredale products.  No retouching of photos was allowed.

The judges will choose the official winners but voting is underway NOW for the People's Choice award.  Voting closes Aug. 22nd.  I don't think mine is the best - and of course you can vote for whoever you want - but I'd love to have your support.  

See all the fascinating entries and cast your vote here.

My entry is 10th row down and on the right.  The short voting form is at the bottom of the page.  Should you choose to vote it'll take about 15 seconds to fill out and you'll also go in the draw for a Spring/Summer 'Perfectly Nude' makeup collection worth over $360!

I'm proud of my entry and appreciate your interest.   If you'd like to go one step further for me, consider spreading the word (and website link) to vote for me through your blog, on facebook and your social networks.  Thanks!

5 Essentials For Special Occasions Makeup!

With the chill of WInter here (in New Zealand) and the Summer party & wedding season still months away, you'll probably find yourself with fewer special occasions to 'dress-up'. But don't despair, ball season is here! Whether it's a school ball, business awards night or Winter wedding on your calendar, use your next big social event as an excuse to shake off the cold and look your hottest ever.

I created this high fashion look for model Briar's portfolio photo shoot last month. It was created in the studio of Mount Maunganui photographer Logan Davey.  The makeup look shown here could be customised to rock the dance floor at any ball or party (perhaps minus the crystals on the lips) and has all the elements of a special occasions look:

1.  Dramatic eyes that demand attention
2.  Bold lashes that steal the show
3.  A flattering lip colour
4.  Clever contouring with bronzer
5.  And a decorative touch (in this case, the rhinestones) to add interest and intrigue

It all adds up to an unforgettable look that inspires confidence in the wearer. Can you imagine how fearless you'd feel in this makeup?!  You can enjoy professional makeup in your home when you book the services of a mobile makeup artist.   For more info on mobile, professional makeup in the BOP, visit my website.  For the daring people who wish to recreate this look themselves, I've added a list of the products used below.

PRODUCTS USED
SKIN: Mary Kay (MK) Full Coverage Liquid Foundation in Beige 400. MK Mineral Loose Powder, Beige 1. MK Bronzing Powder, Sandstone. CHEEKS: MK Mineral Cheek Colour Pink Petals & Cheek Palette in Soft Sable. EYES: MK Mineral Eye Colour in Spun Silk, Granite, Iris & Sweet Plum. MK Eyeliner, Black. Maybelline Define-A-Lash Waterproof Mascara, Brownish Black. MK Eye Colour as a brow shadow, Hazelnut. Fairy-style False Eyelashes, Black. Purple rhinestones. LIPS: MK Creme Lipstick, Frosted Rose. Pink rhinestones.

View My Professional (But funky!) Makeup Slideshow

Click here to play my updated makeup portfolio

Face Painting Photos from the ITM 400 Roadshow

The face painting today at the ITM 400 Roadshow was my first corporate face painting booking.  Previously I've done not-for-profit events where the customers paid $3 for a cheek design and $6 for a full face painted.  Today was a little different as the customer was Oregon ITM Mount branch so it was free for the punters!

There was a good atmosphere in the Oregon ITM building where, surrounded by stacks of timber and building supplies, locals got to see a V8 supercar up close, get their posters signed by a ITM 400 driver, enter a nailing competition (fastest time was 1.9 seconds), drive the V8 simulator and get their face branded with their preferred car logo.