Monday Wisdom...

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched ... but are felt in the heart.

by Helen Keller

Countour Contest

Morning Peeps!

So I was in a browsing mood again...you know the one where you surf blogs and check out what people say and do...


I found this fab contest at this crazy place: Beauty Crazed
http://www.beautycrazed.ca/2010/04/my-sculpted-face-by-it-cosmetics-soon.html

I entered...you should to....or at least cross your fingers for me!

Nibbles,

2010 Walk For Animals!

Napoleone (my precious Papillon) and I will be Walking for Animals on: Saturday May 1st, 2010 at the Crown Point Shores in Mission Bay! If you are in the Area come out and support! if not and sill want to support Animal you are welcome to make a donation here.

We are super Exited!!
I'll post pictures Promise!

Nibbles,

Happy Earth Day! 50 Ways to Help the Planet!

PLANT A NOTION

1. CHANGE YOUR LIGHT

2. TURN OFF COMPUTERS AT NIGHT

3. DON'T RINSE

4. DO NOT PRE-HEAT THE OVEN

5. RECYCLE GLASS

6. DIAPER WITH A CONSCIENCE

7. HANG DRY

8. GO VEGETARIAN ONCE A WEEK

9. WASH IN COLD OR WARM

10. USE ONE LESS PAPER NAPKIN

11. USE BOTH SIDES OF PAPER

12. RECYCLE NEWSPAPER

13. WRAP CREATIVELY

14. RETHINK BOTTLED WATER

15. BAN BATHTIME!

16. BRUSH WITHOUT RUNNING

17. SHOWER WITH YOUR PARTNER

18. TAKE A SHORTER SHOWER

19. PLANT A TREE

20. USE YOUR CRUISE CONTROL

21. SECOND-HAND DOESN'T MEAN SECOND-BEST

22. BUY LOCAL

23. ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT

24. INVEST IN YOUR OWN COFFEE CUP

25. BATCH ERRANDS

26. TURN OFF LIGHTS

27. GREENER LAWN CARE

28. PICNIC WITH A MARKER

29. RECYCLE OLD CELL PHONES

30. MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE

31. RECYCLE UNWANTED WIRE HANGERS

32. RECYCLE ALUMINUM AND GLASS

33. TELECOMMUTE

34. KEEP YOUR FIREPLACE DAMPER CLOSED

35. CUT DOWN ON JUNK MAIL

36. CHOOSE MATCHES OVER LIGHTERS

37. LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING—ONLINE

38. GIVE IT AWAY

39. GO TO A CAR WASH

40. PLASTIC BAGS SUCK

41. FLY WITH AN E-TICKET

42. DOWNLOAD YOUR SOFTWARE

43. STOP YOUR ANSWERING MACHINE

44. SKIP THE COFFEE STIRRER
45. FIND A BETTER WAY TO BREAK THE ICE
46. USE COTTON SWABS WITH A PAPERBOARD SPINDLE

47. PAY BILLS ONLINE

48. STOP PAPER BANK STATEMENTS

49. USE RECHARGABLE BATTERIES

50. SHARE!

One step at a time we can make a difference.

Nail Art: Cute

Fashion..."when it comes to fashion, no heels can be too high, no clothes can be too uncomfortable", no hair can be too outrageous, and no nails can be to flashy or cute!
Well I guess that is up to interpretation. Japan is the leader of extreme fashion not just in clothes and accessories but now also in Nails! Yep, you will never have a boring manicure again!
Did you know that there is a "Asia Nail Festival" in Osaka Japan?
How about a Japan Nail Association?
That is what I call taking your nails seriously!

On that note let me show you some of the images I have found online while working on my "The Makeup Artist and The Manicure" article.

Now... aren't these Adorable?!?!?!?

P.S. I did find some outrageous ones...but I'll post them later.

Nibbles,

Monday Wisdom...

Those who will play with cats must expect to be scratched

by Cervantes

18 Skin Commandments...

Skin...the largest Organ in our body... and the one we women constantly obsess over.

We buy fancy product, have expensive treatments put ourselves in little dark rooms all in the hope to fight "the wrinkle".

I often speak to women that believe that "brand" and "price" will somehow ward off wrinkles, is Coco Chanel really so much better for you than CG? Maybe...maybe not. It depends on your skin, the quality of it, the texture and of course genetics.

So here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with skin...My new 18 Commandments! There are probably more but so far these are the ones I believe are worth following.

1. Sunscreen

This is the best way to keep your skin from getting wrinkled, saggy, and speckled is sunscreen, I believe in using a minimum of SPF 30 for everyday, higher for a day outdoors.

Sunscreen should be Broad-spectrum formulas (meaning they shield against both UVA and UVB rays) with Mexoryl or Helioplex offer the longest-lasting protection.

This is for all skin types and colors...we all get sunburned!

Apply 30 min before leaving the house, and reapply if you stay out for longer than 4 hours.

2. Water!

Drinking plenty of water is key to keeping your body and your skin hydrated. Water in it's pure unsweetened form is the best thing for your skin. Soda, coffee, teas and even juices are not considered really water...make it a point to have a nice glass of water in the morning with your breakfast (room temperature water is best), and avoid drinking water 1 hrs before going to bed. We want to be hydrated not bloated! Check out the 10 rules of Waking up like a Star!

3. NO Smoking
OK think about this...if it makes your lungs black ...what does it do to your skin?

Smoking helps develop more deep wrinkles and blotchier skin tone. Gives you an ashy look, no youth shine here, and to complicate things, research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, has stated that every decade of smoking results in a perceived extra 2.5 years of age.

4. Little Alcohol

Moderation is key, if you drink more than one cocktail a day, and your skin suffers. Alcohol increases the level inflammatory agents in the bloodstream, what does it mean?? that in the long run it hasten skin sagging, this comes from Dr.Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist in New York City and Coral Gables, Florida.

5. Clean Makeup Brushes

You will ask why? I use them, they are mine, I do not share! That sounds good to me but...
Well how about, muddied colors, clogged pores, and bacterial infections? These are just a few thing that can happen by using dirty makeup brushes. Makeup Brushes (for personal use) should be cleaned at least every 3 weeks, there are plenty of product out there to do just that, or simply use a gentle shampoo and make sure you rinse them well. Alcohol will dry them up so if you really want to disinfect them, purchase a product or go online, there are tutorials on how to make your own brush cleaner.

6. Taking care of more than your face.
Skin care doesn't stop at your jawline! Neck, chest, hands are almost always exposed, and yet they rarely receive same level of hydration and sun protection as our faces. Bad part of this is that the skin there is more delicate and just as vulnerable to aging as our faces. What to do: The next time you apply serum, face cream, or sunscreen or give yourself an exfoliating treatment, extend everything down to your décolletage. You really do not want to have a wrinkly chest at 35!

7. Moles! Not the ones underground...the ones on your body!

Know where they are even the less obvious ones such as your on scalp, the soles of your feet, and under your nails. Have them checked by a Dermatologist once a year (especially as we get older and wiser). Check your moles every month and if anything changes...one grows hair or pops up overnight or something...call your Dr and get it checked.

8. Sleep More

This is not insomnia, I am talking about staying up late for no good reason and doing it often.

Lack of sleep cause stress, which can aggravate all skin conditions, including acne, eczema, etc.

Sleep is also helps your body repairs the damage from the day, by not sleeping enough (7 to 8hrs) the cell turn over process starts to slow down resulting in older more worned out and sallow skin.

9. No Sleeping with Makeup

OK the Hollywood stars do it in movies...they go to bed looking fabulous and wake up looking fantastic. But we do not do that...we wake up looking more like a high breed between a raccoon a blow fish and a frog! So think of this...letting skin marinate in makeup overnight and not to mention a day's worth of oil buildup, can lead to clogged pores and zits. To make things better your body temperature increases slightly when you sleep, that means that it enhances the absorption of whatever is on the surface of your skin. I think I would rather have night cream absorbed in my sleep than makeup.

10. Stop Zits Popping

It's as tempting a bobble rap for some of us. We see it we go for it. Simple but very very bad!
Why? Because popping, as tempting as it is, causes the bacteria to go deeper into the pores, causing inflammation, infection, and scarring. It's like giving zits a second life!

Going out there are getting the harshest chemicals in the bathroom won't help, either, treating any breakout with too much benzoyl peroxide damages the skin around the spot and can cause more irritation.

11. Eating Junk Food

You are what you eat!
Cut the junk fast food, grease stuff, and you can see an improvement in skin condition and acne in about six weeks. Hungry? have a snack like peanut butter, nuts, and avocado, fruits of any kind, taking in healthy fats provide nutrients for the hair, skin, nails, and basic metabolism.

12. Neglecting Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes thinner than practically anywhere else on the body, it's also the victim of a lot and lots of abuse.

Here is how:

1. Stop Rubbing!! Every time you rub your eyes, you risk breaking delicate blood vessels, this leads to darkening, dulling, and thickening of the surrounding skin.

2. Protect! Make sure you always apply an anti-aging eye cream. Chose on with retinol in it, if retinol is too strong, consider peptides, and or zinc, this increase elastin production, which can reduce crepiness! Beauty is the eye of the beholder...or just the eyes!

13. Be Wise with Products...or choosing theright ones.

There are plenty of books/tutorials/free web info on skin types, but somehow the shiny bottle and fancy packaging still takes precedence on wheter or not the products is good for your skin type. Learn your skin type you will be much happier choosing product that will work for you.

14. Cell phones

OK this sounds weird, but lets look at it for a moment...
Talking on the phone means resting your chin or cheek against it (cell or old-school), and that can lead to breakouts, whether or not the phone is clean and bacteria-free. Friction, occlusion, and heat, generated by the phone plastered to your ear can make you breakout. What to do? Talk less or get a headset...this will also save you money!

15. Over exfoliating
OK so we read/hear/see how supposedly exfoliating is good for you...well it is in moderation. Squeaky-clean pores may initially feel good, and the whole "baby's butt" thing is quite alluring, harsh cleansing or too much exfoliating can actually exacerbate oil production and worsen breakouts by spreading bacteria! If you "have to" exfoliate a gentle alternative would be to use a glycolic peel, three times a week.

16. Couch Potato

Exercise along with lifting your mood, increases blood flow to the skin. Increased blood flow will cause a healthy-looking flush. This happens almost instantly! And it improves over time, it has been shown to decrease tension and stress, which can result in better looking skin.

17. No Tanning

So we all saw Baywatch or at least heard of it...beautiful tanned women running around in perfect bodies with a red bikini...or whatever.

How do we mortals achieve that look...well Brozer, Self-tanner, pro-airbrush tan are all your friends. The real baking in the sun is not good for you, your mama told you, your Dr. told you, and now I am telling you. Get out of the sun lady!

What is a tan? To protect itself from continued exposure to the sun, skin thickens and produces melanin, the pigment that darkens cells. Pigment change from UVA or UVB light can cause premature aging and increase the likelihood of skin cancer! Tanning beds are even worse than laying in the sun, since they emit concentrated UVA light, which penetrates deeper than the combination of UVA and UVB rays found in sunlight!

So the moral of the story? Use Sun block and Avoid Tanning beds!

18. Products Overload

Skin care routine should be 3 steps...maybe 4. After that is toooo much!

Do not add products because you think are good or because you want to cut down time and deal with 2 or 3 skin problems at a time! Adding things without checking to see whether they're duplicating ingredients or if they are compatible will cause you more bad than good. Not all products are compatible and sometimes, active ingredients cancel one another out, or they double up and cause irritation or skin damage. Give your skin a chance, use mild product in the recommended amount, establish a simple skin care routine and if it sounds to go...chances are it is fake! My routine...cleans, tone and moisturize, at night I add eye cream. All the rest is optional!

Nibbles,

Monday Wisdom...

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

by Pablo Picasso

I love your blog award!

My First Blog Award!!!

Talented and Inspirational Jay Anne Cosmetics has passed the “I Love Your Blog Award” on to me. I am honored and grateful that such a talent would think of me!
Thank you so much Sweet!

So here are the Rules:

• *Post the award on your blog
• *Link the person who has give you the award
• *& Pass the award to other 15 blogs you've discovered

So, I pass this award onto these talented ladies! You ladies brighten my day!

Desiree

Janel

Nalini

Gena

Crystal

Sara

Klaudia

Keisha

Anastacia

Amandita

Aiyoh

I_HEART_RED

Mauryzya

Nina

Unicorn

Check out these Fabulous Blogs!

Nibbles,

MI Contest Winner Wednesday, April 7th 2010

Model Insider Contest Winner Image of the Day!!!

Wednesday, April 7Th 2010

This image is one of the "Black and Gold" set that I worked on some time ago, this set is still one of my favorite and it seems like a favorite of others since it is the 2nd Contest Black and Gold Wins!

Model Hopeful
Photographer John Wishard

Makeup by Yours Truly Naiyana

Aspiring Makeup Artist, Hair Stylist and Models should join the MI community http://modelinsider.com/

Nibbles,

Lancôme BI-FACIL Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover

Silly ME! Someone left me a comment on what I would recommend as a EYE Makeup Remover...somehow I was able to erase the comment...not on purpose! I wanted to publish it...but then hey! it just was not there anymore :(

I started using makeup...at the age of 16...that was sometimes ago. Anyhow I have tried many different eye makeup removers over the years, some that were supposed to be best sellers, some that were less known, but in the end I always went back to my favorite one...Lancôme BI-FACIL Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover!
I have to say that the formula has changed over the years, but this one is the best one yet.

Because of my long hours at work and life, I use CG Exact Eyelights mascaras and MAC Powerpoint EYE Pencil there alone would give anyone a headache to remove, with Lancôme BI-FACIL Double-Action removing even the most stubborn eye makeup job is a piece of cake.

So what do you need to know:

• The formula activates when shaken gently.
• It remover waterproof eye makeup.
• Ideal for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers.
• Leaves eyes feeling cool and relaxed, with no oily residue.
• Removes make-up, while moisturizing the eye area.
• Does not dry out the sensitive skin around the eyes.

How to use it:

• Well I pour a small amount on a cotton ball/square and hold it onto the eye for a couple of seconds, then wipe clean.

Or...

• I wet my eyes with warm water, dab the solution with my finger all over eyelid and eyelashes, dampen a washcloth with warm water and wipe it all away!

So there...My EYE makeup Removing secret is out!

Nibbles,

Monday Wisdom...

Art does not solve problems but makes us aware of their existence.

It opens our eyes to see and our brain to imagine.

by Magdalena Abakanowicz

Indian Princess

OK, I was thinking of writing some big elaborate piece since I love these images! But I will refrain and let the images talk for themselves.

What you need to know:

Thao is a gorgeous Vietnamese model that I have been eyeing for some time, so when Nancy called and asked me if I wanted to work with her...I was like "Hell YEAH!!" no actually I said ..."sure when?" still trying to come off professional ... you know... somewhat composed ...
I have several models on my "wish" list ... she is on it since I want to work with her again. Hopefully I did not scare her off...I do that sometimes...LOL

Okay here are some images :)

Please note...
The theme is choosen usually by the model unless Nancy or I have something specific in mind...

Indian Princess Team:

Model: Thao N

Photographer : Nancy Wishard

Makeup by yours Truly

Hair...even if you do not see it in this set: Amanda Witherspoon

Thao asked Nancy if she could send one of the images to a photoshop wizard (later we found out...all the way in ROME!!) Location is not the important...I just tough it was cute that the Wizard was in Italy (I'm half Italian) The Beauty of the Internet!

NOTE to Models:

If you agree to a TFP; know that you still have to ask the photographer if you can have someone else work/retouch/photoshop the images. I know this has been the source of many debates in the modeling network sited "who owns the copyright?", " what can be photoshoped and what can't" etc. I suggest approaching a TFP like a partnership, you would not do anything behind your partner's back and would not want your partner to do anything behind your back... Permission to "retouch" is especially important in a major manipulation.

Why? Well it's all about Model Usage Licenses

And here is the result:

Photoshop Wizard: A3rd Vision

Nibbles,