My Response...

This is my response to that completely craptastic waste of e-space called Is Blogging The New Media?. It paints many beauty bloggers in a negative light. I posted this in their comments as well, but as they moderate their comments, you never know if this will see the light of day. So I am posting it here.

I am a professional makeup artist first, blogger second. I don't go to product launches and I can count the number of free things I've received on one hand, its been 4. Its definitely not the backbone of my blog or why I started it. Its a place for me to have fun and talk bout my work. If I love something I say so, if a product has negative points I say so. I do so in a way that the everyday person, who are the majority of my readers, can understand and I talk about what matters to them. But free items are definitely not the majority of what I review. 99.9% of what I have is bought by yours truly. Half the time I'm so busy in the real world I'm not churning out review after review and look after look. I think it definitely simple minded and hateful to generalize most bloggers. I've met many a "self proclaimed" makeup artist who knows less about products and hygene than some of these "silly and sad women" bloggers. Who are YOU to say?

Blogs have always been a place of personal experience for everyday people. Anyone who has a thought can blog, and they have a right to. Who cares if things are swatched on arms. A girl in Croatia can see exactly what a lipstick shade looks like on the arm of a blogger, because since she can only order the product online, and the only swatch she is provided on the site is a little block of color. A girl who has a darker skin tone can see exactly what a product looks like on another dark skin tone from a blog because the online shop only shows the image on a lighter model. For you to not recognize the benefits and positive impact of blogging is sheer ignorance.

This part of your article:
"Again, I’ve done my investigation since this conversation, and are you kidding me? These are NON professionals who’ve tried them out 2 or 3 times and trashed them straight off. I’m a professional makeup artist and have been using them for about 6 weeks on dozens of different faces and am now prepared to give them an appropriate review, based on experience and a test over time."

One, why are you so upset? Do you have a personal stock or interest in these products? Are they giving YOU freebies? Secondly, it is your right, just like anyone elses, to do a review of a product. That is the whole point of reading blog reviews. Reading the many different opinions of different people. There may be someone who has a certain skin type or condition that impacts her review, and should be mentioned. And there may be a person with that exact same skin condition looking for someone else's experience with a product before they buy. What if one of those dozens of faces you have put a product on goes home and writes their experience on how the application felt and how their skin is once they are home for all to see. Is their opinion totally worthless?

I, for one, am not outraged, I'm chuckling here because your outlook and your attempt to discredit every "non makeup professional" (by YOUR standards) is VERY pathetic and only makes you look like a petty child who dislikes the "new kid". Not every blog is perfect, not every one is useful. Some are all about "hauls", some are not. But there are some authors of these blogs who are more educated than you may think in makeup and journalism and are so to the point that companies and the general public can value their viewpoint. Few people are lucky enough to find work in their field or their passion. Some people are fully trained, but doing other things with their life. What makes them any less of a great view point than you and MAF? Is it simple because they are not in an "online magazine" and haven't "paid their dues"? Stop being so childish.

Oh and I'm not scared to leave my information. I know I'm great and so is my work. My blog is www.justkissnmakeup.com and my Model Mayhem is http://www.modelmayhem.com/897431

Tyra Tip #5

Tyra lets you know that simply moisturizing doesn't cut it!

New Orleans Saints Black & Gold Tutorial

Hey Loves!!

I'm back with a tutorial! Yes, a TUTORIAL! Ages, I know! As many of you know my family is from New Orleans. You shoulda seen my house last weekend when the Saints won. They're going to the Super Bowl for the first time!! It is very exciting and we're definitely going to celebrate. I put together this look for y'all in case you want to celebrate and root for the Saints too! I hope you enjoy it!

MAC Blooming Blush | A Review

Review of my favorite blusher ever! MAC Blooming.

Product: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 5 out of 5
Price: $18.50 at MAC


The Good:


My perfect pink blush. I don't even think I was a blush girl before I found this blush. Its the prettiest perfect pinky peachy blush with the tiniest bit of glow. The formula is very powdery smooth and totally blendable. Its one of those colors that you can use both on your cheekbone and just on the apples. It just looks really natural every time. it also lasts FOREVER! I use this blush religiously and I can tell you the first picture is what it looks like now and that's definitely going to last me a long time. I also really like that it is very easy to build. Sometimes I just want a very light pink tint. Sometimes I really wanna go for that baby doll, apples on the cheeks look. Blooming is great for both.


The Bad:

DON'T DROP IT! If you drop it, it'll crack into itty bitty pieces and its hard to recover.

Overall:
A definite must have. Even if you have to search for this blush, its worth it. Contact your local CCO or call Gone But Not Forgotten. I have another one I use for my kit and it is definitely perfect for every skintone. You'll be in love!

Skin MD Shielding Lotion | A Review

Skin MD has sent me a bottle of their Face, Hand, and Body Shielding Lotion.

Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 3 out of 5
Quality: 3 out of 5
Price: $ 18 at your local pharmacy (and Skin MD Online)

The Claim:
"Shielding lotion is a lotion that forms a protective barrier on the skin and keeps out irritants and chemicals. It also allows the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better. It is a big advantage that shielding lotions are light and go on without a greasy mess."– www.skinmdnatural.com

The Good:
As a kid, I used to have really bad eczema on my as a child. It was only on my arms, between my elbows and wrist, but it was bad. Sometimes even scaly. It got better as I've aged and now its completely gone, but I still have very sensitive skin. I can't use every moisturizer and not every product works for me. What I liked about Skin MD's Shielding Lotion is that its really natural and clean. When I first opened the bottle you're not hit with a fragrance, just the smell of lotion.


When I first put it on, I was skeptical because it wasn't very thick. I usually think creams moisturize better than lotion. But apparently that isn't exactly true. Winter has been doing a number on my skin this season, but the Shielding Lotion really has been doing its best to keep my skin moisturized. I tried it on my face and body, it worked well on my face, but I prefer it for hand and body usage. My face doesn't get as dry as my body does so I think the shielding power would be a little much for my face. Body wise, it works nicely.

The Bad:

Price: Not many of us buy $18 lotion. I do wish there was more product in the bottle, 4 oz isn't enough for the routine they recommend on the back which is 2-8 hours until moisture level improves, and then just once every 12-24 hours.

Overall:
At $18, this 4 oz bottle of lotion is a bit on the expensive side. But if you have sensitive skin and are on the hunt for a really good moisturizing lotion, I do recommend it.