Shaking in My Boots

I have never been the most technical or creative makeup artist, but what I have been is on the other side in the chair. A gawky, insecure kid thrown into a world of high pressure, grown-up fashion who was expected to know what to do. How to pose, behave, have confidence, stay skinny, make the million dollar clothes look perfect. Yeah right, I faked it most of the time. I burnt out, grew to dislike fashion and the superficiality it left behind. Yuk, puke, gross, leave me alone to be free to find and express myself as an artist. Find the uniqueness we all have inside. Makeup was no different, silly, sometimes petty and jealous, leaving me empty. I took a long, overdue break, walked away, moved to the country. I simplified my life, began to write and take myself seriously. It took twenty years to let go of the past and find true beauty within.
Looking back there was way too much pressure. After a time, I realized the world I left behind would always be a part of me. I missed it. The makeup, the fun stuff, the friendships, joy and the little things.
I love making women up, empowering and transforming them into their most beautiful selves. They are always grateful and overwhelmed by their beauty. The transformation is simple for me, I can empathize once being in their place. It feels good to give back. It's bridal season, the shaky, scared out of her mind brides sit uncomfortably in my chair. I know exactly what to do to calm her nerves. Starting with a little lavender massage, and simple, glowing, clean skin, she relaxes in an instant. I highlight the eyes, brow and high cheekbones with MAC's Pigment shimmer powder in silver (Vanilla) or gold (Naked or Golden Lemon). Adding Ardell lashes in black for the right amount of dramatic flair, and a touch of black liner close to the lash line. I sweep Chanel's Tan de Soleil bronzer over the forehead, down the nose and the jawline, and MAC's blush in Pink Swoon for the perfect blushing bride.


CoverGirl's Mascara in EXACT EYELIGHTS EYE-BRIGHTENING WATERPROOF MASCARA, is the perfect mascara with hints of shimmer that adjusts to your specific eye color, resists water, smudging and 100 degree heat. She's calm and ready to take that leap of faith. And I'm happy. Really, really happy I could help.

http://www.covergirl.com
http://www.maccosmetics.com
http://www.chanel.com
http://www.ardelllashes.com/Lashes/?filter=5&value=2&sm=event
Bridal Image Courtesy of Jackie Cioffa at CieloBluePro.com

Squeaky Clean

Sometimes I love to apply just concealer to the face. I adore a super clean look, with no color, and pretty, polished finish. Hard Candy's Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette is so darn cute and compact, don't let that fool you. It's the ultimate makeup kit, smoothing out even the most difficult skin. Armed with 6 shades, it comes in 2 color palettes, one for fair skin and one medium tone. E voila, you're ready for your close-up. The texture is light, creamy and blends effortlessly. It comes with an attached brush to make application and travel a snap. Normally, I arrive at a job with my sturdy, over-sized Jeep backpack, filled with every product under the sun. How cool would it be to show up on set just once, with one product? Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette. 

It's perfection, pure and simple.

Jackie Cioffa Makeup for CieloBluePro.com 

A touch of Hard Candy's Moon Glow Shimmering Translucent Powder infused with illuminating gold powder dusted lightly over the face, leaves the skin looking soft & supple, the perfect "moonlight glow result." I hear vampires are hot this season.

http://www.hardcandy.com/
http://www.walmart.com

24 K Bombshell Baby

As promised I'm sticking with my Hard Candy theme, and the festival of posts all week. The products are too cool for school. I'm feeling & rocking out the glitter and GOLD. First up, Hard candy's GLOW all the way tropical tan bronze & gradual self tanner. I love the beautiful color it distributes. I could see J LO using it on her VENUS shaved million dollar legs, infused and shimmering with GLOW, in 24 carat gold. GLOW deepens over time, and will not rub off or stain your clothes. Who loves ya, baby? Hard Candy does, that's who.

Hard Candy's Eye Def Glitter Eyeshadow coats the eye with a fine layer of glitter in a pretty shadow base, staying put all day. Ditch is a gorgeous coppery bronze, that delivers the perfect amount of sparkle. In eight shades, ranging from metallic silver, to algae green to electric blue, there's a perfect color for everyone. The over sized tubing is funky and the applicator is extra long, amazing. 

I can't wait to work this look on the next photo shoot. 

To complete the look, use Hard Candy's Take Me Out Liner and rim the inner and upper inside eyes heavily, so that liner melts right into the Eye Def glitter shadow. Apply liner in Abyss, a sparkly black, sticking with the sexy glistening, theme. Creating that perfect dirty, mysterious, sexy, cowboy boot wearing hottie, stuck in the desert melting sun look. 

http://www.hardcandy.com/products.php?cat=5                                                                                    

http://www.walmart.com/

Image of Carre Otis Courtesy People Perfect.com

Dirty, Delectable, Decadent & Delicious

Lady Gaga. Madonna. Mother Teresa. Trailblazers. 

New York, London, Paris, Hollywood, glamour cities where ladies are out making their mark, and not apologizing for it. Make no mistake, Hard Candy might be thought of as a junior line, but it's all woman. Dramatic sparkle and sheen, packing some serious punch. It's high quality, brazen makeup that makes me want to live a brighter, bolder life. I'm having way too much fun experimenting with the product. The tattoo lipsticks, I'm keeping for them for myself. Painted Lady, Manic Shine seems an appropriate name for the times. A summer romance, a road trip, route 66, a killer red dress, 10 inch spiked heels and smoldering red lips. What are you waiting for? Sometimes, all it takes is a lipstick, positive reinforcement and a nudge, to rediscover one's sexy, empowered self. I'm digging the Hard Candy decadence, self confidence and power in a tube. A little Manic Shine, On The Prowl, a creamy red, long lasting lipstick is all you need. Perfect for a delectable night on the town, where anything goes. And you're in charge. 

http://www.hardcandy.com

Rocking the Killer Cases

My friends over at the DNA Public Relations Agency (recently featured in WWDBEAUTYBIZ' s PR It List) sent over the coolest, professional artist train case by Soho Beauty, CHUCK full of Hard Candy makeup. I'm going to dedicate a bunch of posts to Hard Candy and the eclectic, tempting pieces. First, let's talk about the wicked beauty case. Normally, I'm not a fan of adding big, heavy, extra bulk to my kit. It gets way too heavy to cart around. Soho Beauty cases are ultra light, keeping your product neat, clean and organized. It's great for travel and has tons of space for easy access. I retired my ancient, three ton, beauty case and use it to store my Burton diamonds :) and fabulous jewels. Available at Walmart, Target, and other major drugstores, Soho Beauty cases are genius marketing. How smart. Professional quality at drugstore prices? It's a win- win all the way. 
http://www.dnapublicity.com



Images Courtesy of Soho Beauty.com 




"SOHO Beauty Cases are a trendsetter's tackle box, offering women the most fashionable choices to hold their most coveted beauty items. New shapes, new function and a fresh attitude: SOHO Beauty Cases are organization at its most stylish. Mission accomplished."
http://www.sohobeauty.com/index.php

Working at The Car Wash

I was asked by a friend to assist her with a bridal party this week-end. It's summer, there are tons of boys and girls taking the plunge. The only snag, the bride has requested airbrushing. I am unfamiliar with the technique. I was trained by the tactile masters, who use their fingers as brushes. The Temptu Airbrush System could not be farther away from my makeup application. I live for Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation. So, I borrowed a colleague's machine, grabbed a victim and began playing with foundation colors and the gun. It felt foreign, like you're painting a car instead of a face. I have to say, after a few tries and mists on the face, it left a flawless, layer of foundation. (however heavy it seemed to me). Once I got the shade right, I asked my friend how it felt? Her only comment was, "cold." Will I be running out to purchase my own Temptu Kit? Probably not. I love the look of translucent, breathable, flawless skin, using the sheerest possible foundation and minimal concealer. My 'client' came back later that day. I have to admit the foundation stayed put and looked pretty. Bride's all over the country have been requesting airbrushing and paying top dollar. Temptu's been used for High Definition TV, to cover scars & tattoos, and concerts for some time. Carrie Underwood is a fan of Temptu's Air Pod Body Glow and recently wore it on American Idol. Rest assured, brides and maidens, you can now have your special day, worry free. Temptu makeup holds up, for pictures, the reception, well into the night and even the after party. Temptu has come out with personalized kits available at Sephora. Is airbrushing the wave of the future, only time will tell.

“TEMPTU Airbrush Makeup helped Carrie survive the 100 degree Atlanta heat and humidity during her wedding, her makeup was flawless from beginning to end.  I love TEMPTU airbrush makeup because not only does it look beautiful in person but also in pictures, and no need for touch-ups on the photos. And now, airbrushing is not just for the pros like myself, but now anyone can go to Sephora and start airbrushing.”






http://temptu.com/
http://shop.temptupro.com/c-189-best-of-bridal.aspx
http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml?brandId=5960
http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/Foundation/foundation,default,sc.html
                                                                            Images Courtesy of Temptu.com

Mental Health Awareness Month & Sliding Glass Doors

I try to keep my beauty blog, light, fun and frivolous. It's make-up after all, and while it has the power to heal the outside transforming the face, today is about shining light from the inside. If you have ever lived with or lost someone to Mental Illness, you know the horrific wake of shame, sadness, havoc, guilt and despair it wreaks. I have known intimately, many brilliant, glorious, fire blazing, lit from within souls. No one is safe from the crazy, the insidious cancers of the mind. While the media makes Catherine Zeta Jones and Charlie Sheen's Bipolar Illness seem glamorous, I assure you it is not. I stumbled across the non-profit site, Little Episodes through a writer friend. This safe, artistic space is a place to write, where it doesn't matter if the day is grey or electric blue. It's this wicked, cool vibe community, where artistic souls are free to create, art, music, poetry, with no judgement. No beauty editors glaring from the sidelines, no judging your weight, height, looks, no apology necessary. The talent and caliber is sublime. The collective energy feels like some fantastic secret, private and freeing at the same time. It's the new millennium movement, a Kerouac, Rilke, Plath collective for these modern times.
Maybe outer beauty is enough for you, it's not for me. If you're searching for inner beauty too, found through artistic expression, and a world filled with no criticism, Little Episodes is the place for you.
Founder Lucie Barat has brought together a stellar team, published 'known' artists, as well as unpublished talent, created a platform for all voices to be heard. That takes guts and determination. That is beautiful. I applaud LE for all the good they do. Bravo.
I am a proud LE member, a published writer in Brainstorms, part of the LE anthology series. 
As LE expands and grows, they are looking for donations. "No donation is too big or too small." Instead of that drink or dinner out, why not support Mental Health and the LE movement, a life saving cause, and give whatever you can to Little Episodes.
And if you can't contribute, just pass the word on. You never know who's out there listening, eager to help.
                                                          

Little Episode's Lucie Barat with LE contributor Sadie Frost

                   Image Courtesy of Little Episodes  
                                                                                   

                                                              
                                                              








                                                            
                                                        

http://littleepisodes.org/products-page/
Brainstorms, featuring 'Model Behaviour' by Jaqueline Cioffa


http://littleepisodes.org/

The Right Stuff

Bronzer never really goes out of style, just like NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, back in rare form after a long hiatus. So whether you're a Donnie fan or a Joey groupie, there's something out there for everyone. I use bronzer all winter long, but in summer, I like to kick things up a notch. Experimenting with different shades and textures. If I'm going to be on location braving the elements and extreme heat, I might mix a bit of foundation, like Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation  #4 with Fluid Sheer # 8. Armani's Fluid Sheer # 8 is not for the light at heart. It's a gorgeous, rich, deep sheen of sexy, luminous color. Two dabs mixed with LSF are all you need for a full glam face. The best part, it looks radiant all day, and well into the night, long after everyone has packed up and gone.

http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/

Stila's new and improved Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer is weightless, and packed with sweet ingredients, like ginkgo biloba and chamomile for antioxidant protection. It's sheer, easy to wear. Neither too warm or too yellow, it's a pretty shade of peach. It feels light and wears well on its own. Pop it in your purse and you'll be ready for whatever mystery the day or evening might hold.

http://www.stilacosmetics.com/

Chanel's Soleil Tan de Bronzer is the oddest, cool bronzer by far. It's not a cream, or a gel, and goes on smooth like velvet, drying instantly. It's a favorite among artistes both young and old. I love using it with a brush to contour and sculpt the face, the high cheeks, the nose, the brow and jawline. The color is a pale shade of brown, not muddy or orange with no hint of sparkle. It's the perfect base for fair skin beauties. Whatever your personal favorite, I say get out there and enjoy yourself. Me, I'm a NKOTB Donnie fan. When he break out the 80s moves, it makes me smile. The Beastie Boys are back with a vengeance. Make Some Noise people, break out your sexy, your bronzer and celebrate life! 
http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Bronzer-SOLEIL-TAN-DE-CHANEL-8867

Image Courtesy Hootan Vahidi Photography
Makeup Jackie Cioffa for CieloBluePro.com


NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK 
http://nkotb.com/

Beastie Boys Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
http://beastieboys.com/

Life in The Sun

I have been a fan of SkinCeuticals skincare for some time now. They make serious, kick your butt, stellar skincare. Whenever I've used CE Ferulic along with Retinol 0.5, I've been told, "my skin doesn't glow it glistens." I have raved on and on about their products before, but this post is dedicated to Skin Cancer awareness. It's no joke and a deadly disease. SkinCeuticals has joined forces with Melanoma Research Alliance, "One person in the US dies of Melanoma every hour." Those are horrifying statistics, when it's too easy to get yourself checked by a dermatologist, before you become that number. SkinCeuticals has dedicated a Facebook page where you can join the cause, share stories, find important, life saving information and educate yourself. 

Summer is coming quickly, by all means get out and have fun. Lord knows winter has been way too long. Soak up those rays, swim in the ocean, get outside for a run. Remember to apply your sunscreen generously before heading out. SkinCeuticals has a broad spectrum of Sunscreens, sure bets to satisfy everyone. What are you waiting for, click and support.

http://www.facebook.com/SkinCeuticals?sk=app_210332472312669

http://www.skinceuticals.com/_us/_en/home/index.aspx

Smack Dab in the World of Kaleidoscope Color

CEW just came out with the finalists for their prestigious beauty award ceremony. The best of the best, voted by the leaders in the beauty industry, la creme De la crop in the cosmetic industry. I glanced through the products and spotted a few of my favorites, and some intriguing new lines, too. 

CEW has launched a new group of finalists, the ever popular and growing Eco lines, including Amala, Alterna Haircare, Aveda, Jurlique, Pomega5, Sophyto, Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, The Body Shop, Vapour Organic Beauty, and Yves Rocher. 

A big fan of all things au natural, and good for the environment products. I can't wait to test drive these eco friendly brands. Amala intrigues me, one because I love the name and second because of its 'straight from the root' philosophy.

"Amala skincare enhances natural beauty by embracing the individual and benefiting the world. Amala. In Sanskrit, “most pure.”  "The ancient word Amala has many unique meanings, but it is the harmony of all of them that resonates most with us. We believe that if we love and respect the earth as we would our own mother, nature will give us everything we need to look and feel beautiful."

http://www.amalabeauty.com/

A big hooray to my friends at Cover Girl. Their Liquiline Blast Eye Liner Pencils made the CEW finalists list. They may not be liquid, but are smooth enough to create a fabulous liquid look, application made easy. The sponge tip makes blending a snap, Liquiline Blast is waterproof, so it stays where you put it. I love all the CG products and use lots of them in my kit. They are already winners hands down, in my book.    

http://www.covergirl.com                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                           

And last but hardly least, ANTHELIOS gets my vote. By La Roche-Posay their sunscreens are beyond amazing.

Anyone who has been to France, is in the biz, or reads the beauty rags knows there is no better, superior sunscreen out there. I was first interested to this cream by my brother, a model and the face of CK ONE for many years. He was  a longtime resident of Paris, and something of a cream junky. I had to chuckle when my 'fancy beauty editor' friends started bringing it back to the states in multiples, the newest discovery. I 'm glad its available stateside, everyone deserves to be protected and pampered. ANTHELIOS, thank you for saving my skin and doing it so delicately. 

ANTHELIOS- CEW has picked the latest Ultra Light Sunscreen 45 for the body. I pick them all.  "Revolutionary ultra-light sunscreen with SPF 45 and Cell-Ox Shield™ for protection down to the cellular level."

http://www.anthelios.com/
                                                                                                                                                                                 

http://www.cew.org/eweb/