Gu-views

Gu-views

A review of some of out favorite beauty guru reviewers

Trending for some time are the "self-proclaimed" beauty gurus ...... and many are worthy of the appointment.  These YouTube phenomes keep you in the know about EVERYTHING via weekly video uploads that are like mini sitcoms, wittily commentated and professionally edited by bright, articulate, and funny gals (guys too), who put themselves out there and create a family of subscribers. These are like the girls you meet in a nightclub bathroom who compliment your lipstick or help a sista out when her makeup is down her face.  These are the anti-haters who don't need to put someone down to build themselves up.  They want to share everything and take pride in showing others.  They teach, talk, empty their purses, take us shopping with them,  and invite us into their lives.  Some have shared personal tragedies and find an enormous support system within their YouTube community, while allowing others who have had similar experiences to connect with them.  Others have built up such followings that the they have actual "meet & greets" with their fans or collaborate with top product lines in creating a signature item. They aren't afraid to make mistakes, try new things, experiment and  honestly bring us fresh and relevant content.

The genre itself has it's own language:

• Hauls - large purchases which are often demonstrated and discussed.
• GRWM - Get ready with me.  It's like watching your bestie getting ready to go out and talking you through her look, how she does it, etc......
• LOTD - Look of the day.....list of what ya got on from hair extensions to shoesies.
• Monthly Faves - You can guess that one..
• What's hot and what's not - breaking down latest and maybe not-so-greatest products of the moment.  Because some of these gurus have created such a name for themselves, they often receive products before they are even in stores and give us a sneak peak.
• Swatching- when a new product launches and it comes in a myriad of colors, they bravely subjects their faces, eyes, lips, hair and even arms to each colors swatch to help you see how it looks on.  They usually let you know if you should run out and buy it now or sit back and wait for the next big thing.

The list goes on.....

So, let's turn the tables and review the reviewers themselves.  Here are my top picks (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
Take a look at them and please let me know about others I should check out.

Bunny AKA grav3yardgirl

Where to even begin.... this hip chick is by far one of the most honest, sincere and not to mention, hysterical gurus.  Young and old alike will find themselves waiting for the next vid.  She has a family of subscribers called her "swamp family" and her creativity is off the charts. From "hurls" (her personal hauls) to "Does This Thing Really Work??!!",  she is so comfortable in her own skin and so candid about goofing up or pointing out her "face demons" (zits).  She's an amazing role model for other young girls still finding their way  Aside from the typical guru stuff, she talks about bullying, Internet haters, and just being you and loving yourself. She is open about her own struggles with depression and her quirky and wacky style make her one you must check out!

Kandee Johnson

Kandee has been a professional makeup artist and her skill is obvious as she recreates celebrity looks, and transforms herself into Disney characters.  She is filled with tips and tricks and is probably one of the happiest people on Earth.  She ends her videos with a "big hug from her house to yours" and you feel her genuine sincerity.  She also talks about bullying and loving yourself and tries to impart that products and potions are fun and artistic... but not a life altering fix and self-love is where it's at Talking about personal experiences as well, she relates to her subscribers and you feel like your part of a real family.

Jacklyn Hill

Another happy camper, Jacklyn is funny, witty and articulate. Starting her makeup career with MAC, (as did I 100 years ago ....) she now shares all her behind the scenes tricks, demonstrating new products, talking about her faves and has collaborated with Becca in branding her own namesake powder highlighter.  Business savvy and oh so sassy, she's another one not to miss.

Lilith Moon

This chick comes up hairstyles that are serious works of art.  Like beautiful cakes that are too pretty to eat, if I ever could master one of these, I would probably never take it down.  Of course, her fingers dexterously glide around making it look effortless, but she talks you through, step by step, in the sweetest, calmest voice and just seeing her creations is inspiring  She has awesome ideas for the hair extension obsessed (myself included) , and her idea about how to attach them to make the perfect ponytail blew my mind.  Why didn't I think of that????



COMING SOON...... My next faves because the list certainly doesn't end here
Besos xo!

Breaking Down Beauty Buzz Words

With the explosion of beauty gurus on Youtube, we have been able to follow along on the latest trends with fellow make-up artists and the beauty obsessed  through tutorials, must haves products, product hauls, "what's hot and what's not" etc......

One of the biggest evolutions I have seen of late is the amazing creativity and experimentation of gals everywhere who aren't afraid to try new looks and products and share them with their community of subscribers.

So, in the spirit of getting my own followers up to date, here's a wrap up of a few BUZZ WORTHY trends...Coming soon will be an in-depth look at them all......

Contouring and Hilighting:

Everyone seems to have perfecting the art of working with light and shadow to sculpt their faces, sliming it's shape, refining  their noses, bringing out cheekbones and bringing their best features front and center.

     Brands such as, Anastasia of Beverly Hills, Kat Von D, Smashbox, and Make Up Forever, (just to name a few) jumped on this trend making kits that give you everything you need to get the look. Taking out the guesswork, these kits are designed to mimic natural shadows, using matte shadows, with warm grey based colors to get a natural and professional look.  Long gone are the days of muddy bronzers.  With practice and learning the proper placement of each tone, anyone can have the professional magazine worthy result.

"BROWS ON FLEEK":  Eyebrows have moved to the forefront.  No longer are they just a finishing touch, they have become a central feature and created their own industry.  ABH started as a celebrity eyebrow groomer and later catapulted to one of the first branded lines - flooding Sephora and Ulta with everything from brow pomades, pencils, stencils, waxes and powders which finally matched real brows and allowed everyone to make the brow statement once only available to the famous.

FALSE LASHES:  Yet again, the regular peeps can have those gorgeous lashes once only seen on the Red Carpet.  Do you remember when J-Lo wore the infamous green Versace dress that plunged down - and down..... ?  While the world was focused on the cleavage and bronze goddess skin, the beauty obsessed noticed the stunning fringe on her eyes - quite different from the thick, black-banded lashes we had seen before.  They had a light, breezy feel and when the light caught them just right, were an insanely gorgeous golden - auburn color.  It was later revealed that these lashes were hand made from 100% mink and cost upward of $500.  I know, ignoring the price, it seemed like we all said "I must have those". 

     Fast forward, Velour Lashes, Flurries, Koko, Eyelure and others brought lightweight mink lashes to all of us.  Whether you wanted a little boost to what you had or full-on drama that could catch a breeze and lift you off the ground, you had it all in your reach. They cost anywhere from $10 - $40, but if properly cared for, you could get up to 20 wears out of each pair.

Drugstore brands such as Ardel and Andrea were still on the scene and up'd their game as well.

LIPS A LA KYLIE:  No last name necessary.  Once Kylie K started posting pics of her famous pout on Instagram, we all wanted them.  Ignoring the "did she have lip injections" debate, out came gadgets that gave you a temporary pucker.  Fullips, Candylipz, Liptiful and gave us plastic pucker devices that essentially when suctioned on, swelled up your pout and gave you a few hours of  an unavoidably kissable kisser.

HERE'S A TASTE........To be continued because we have lots more to get us up to date.

LOVE YOU BEAUTY BELLAS!

Besos xoxo

Spending some time with my very own beauty gurus 😍😍

I'll be back up September 2015 with

• Monthly Faves
• You Tube Gurus
• Sephora and Ulta Hauls
• Need to have of the latest products
• Tutorial, tips and more

SWEET 16

Well queridas,
Sorry I've been away, very busy juggling work and life (like everyone else) but I'm back.

I did the make up for the sweetest "sweet 16" girl ever on 4/18. She was having a HUUUGGEE party in NYC, 250+ teens and adults for a night of disco dancing and dining. Her dress was on loan from Miss Teen USA (circa 2007) and was spectacular. It was a sequined mini, sparkling with tropical colors: a soft aqua with champagne gold bling accent . She wanted make up that would complement the dress, bright and fun, but still suitable for a 16 year old.

We did a trial the week before, the day she was going to have her professional pictures taken. The colors turned out brighter than we wanted and the aqua lid was "too visible". We wanted a subtle wash that would show when she blinked. Her beautiful Asian eyes were almond shaped, so for the real day, I focused on the extension of the line more than the coverage of the lid.

The photos came out amazing, as you know, photos need a hit more of color to show up properly. So in the end, it worked out and on the real day, she was a fairy tale princess.

In fact, after she left to meet her mom at the hair salon, her mom and aunt rushed over, not having time for a full face, but asking for a quick eye and lash application, along with an airbrush style concealer to camouflage some hyperpigmentaion.

Her mom was so happy and couldn't stop saying how beautiful her daughter looks, music to any MUA's ears. ASAP, I will post the face chart along with the photo shoot and actual day photos.

The look:

Cle de Peau (CPB) Refining FDN in O20

CPB Brillance enhancer in ORO across upper check, temples and corners of eye

CPB concealer in Beige

Clarins face embellisher in Rose, under eyes and almond the "butterfly" shape on face (cheek bone, under eye, down nose, chin).

Chanel Rose PP high lite powder under eye to set

MAC invisible powder to set
Chanel Khol liner in Aqua (discontinued)
Shiseido Hydro Powder e/s in H2, and H11
MAC Black Tied e/s
SOS demi-lash

YSL Everlong Macara in black
Guerlain lip liner in Rose Beige
YSL Golden Gloss #7
Guerlain Meteorites LMT EDT Butterfly Glitter Spray (Face and Hair)