AOFM Post Grad Perk: Bobbi Brown Masterclass

A few weeks ago I attended a Bobbi Brown Master class hosted at the Executive offices in SOHO in NYC. I was able to attend this class because I graduated from the Academy of Freelance Makeup (AOFM) in October of last year and this class was one of the post grad perks. 

The Bobbi artist was Marc Reagan and he was absolutely phenomenal and demonstrated the Bobbi products very well. 

He showed the top 10 Bobbi products everyone should have and explained why they are such great products. With these products you can makeup up any face as an artist or as an individual getting into makeup this is a great starter set to begin with and then build upon.

Their 10 Step MU Kit Must Haves Include:

1. Long-wear gel liner in black ink

Use an ultra fine liner brush to apply 

You can also use this product to do a quick smokey eye as well

2. BBU Palette 

This palette consists of the full range of concealers & correctors from Bobbi Brown and the full range of crème foundations as well

I definitely concur that this palette is a must have for every artist. You can apply foundation to any skin tone with this palette and you can also change the texture of the product just by mixing it. Use a bit of the cream foundation and mix it with a moisturizer and then BAM! A tinted moisturizer!

3. Shimmer Brick

This is the original highlighter. They now have different variations that include a bronze palette, neutral palette, rose palette and others. You can use the Brick palette as a highlighter, blush, bronzer or as eyeshadow. 

4. Pot Rouge: lip and cheek color

Crème blush and lip: This product was developed from her watching her grandmother use her lipstick for her lips and cheeks. Best applied with fingers to blend evenly on the skin.

5. Bronzing Powder

It is very hard to find matte shades, so Bobbi developed matte bronzers that give a realistic glow to the complexion. They help connect the head to the body, so that you are not walking around with what appears to be a floating head! 

6. Extreme Party Mascara

This is the only formula that builds on itself and can be reapplied up to 4 times in a day and never clumps. It has triple black pigment so that you get those super black lashes to frame your eyes. 

7. Long Wear Crème Eyeshadow 

This is a 12-hr formula and is humidity and sweatproof. You can use these as an eyeshadow bases and will help to provide a base color that can be utilized to build a beautiful eye that will stay put all day.

8. Universal Pressed Powder

It takes away red and oil and can also help to set under eye concealer. 

It comes in 7 colors and in the fall they are planning to expand the range by 4 more shades. 

9. Basic Brush Collection

This includes 6 brushes in a beautiful case. It is perfect for the beginner artist or someone just getting into makeup. This collection gives you the basics that you need to start building your makeup portfolio.

10. Numbers 1-10 lip colors

These are the colors that started off her career. No one had an all brown/nude based lip range back in the 90’s. With this range you can create any color. 

If you decide to try any of these Bobbi Brown products you will definitely be able to use them for multiple purposes, as we can see from the top 10, she loves versatility!

She believes that you need to get bold with definition! You can’t define with whimpiness according to her! So pick something you love and let it shine!!

Enjoy & Be Beautiful! 

www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com
www.aofmakeup.com

Summer Picks Part III: The Perfect Summer Ensemble

When I think of summer I always imagine that perfect white ensemble that just looks fresh and crisp. This summer outfit combines a classic simple style with a bit of funk on the side.

On Jenna I paired Classiques Entier ‘Dorena Twill’ crop cuffed pants in Cream Turtle Dove (pretty much an off-white) with the Parker Silk Corset Top in white (www.nordstrom.com).   The white top is a strapless peplum, which creates a beautiful, elegant silhouette for any figure. 

A Peplum flair detail on a garment helps to create a waist or can help hide certain areas that we aren’t the happiest with. 

To spice up the all white look I added the Micha Design Hawk Pendant & Feather Necklace. This adds a bold and edgy element to the clean look (www.nordstrom.com).

For the bracelet I put a Kate Spade New York ‘Idiom’ hinged Changing Spots in white/gold on her wrist for a delicate touch (www.nordstrom.com).

As the final touch, I paired the amazing Vivolo platform sandals from Aldo with the outfit (www.aldoshoes.com).  The shoes are nude but have a funky flair with the orange, black and white layered platform. They are very high but super comfortable and can be paired with a cute summer dress as well. They are also great for an evening out during the summer or great for a cute day time look. As you all know by now I am a true believer in adding pieces to your wardrobe that can be versatile and used so that when you get them you are making a wise investment. 

This great outfit can be worn to a summer BBQ.  Granted, this is only if you are not clumsy, like me, and when you wear white it doesn’t take on magical powers that attract all stains around you to your clothes! This is also a great look for a summer yacht party (I thought everyone went to those in the summer!), a movie date with that special guy or drinks and shenanigans out with the ladies. 

You can dress up the outfit a bit more by adding a fitted pencil skirt to the ensemble. Or dress it down by pairing it with high waisted jean shorts.

If you are not a chunky necklace kind of person add a skinny belt to the waist of the top in black or choose any color or pattern under the sun to add a little funk to it.  

Enjoy & Be Beautiful!

www.nordstrom.com
www.aldoshoes.com

Summer Picks Part II: Glowing Summer Makeup

On Jenna I did a great summer look that is quick and easy and gives you that beautiful glowing complexion perfect for a fresh summer look.. 

For her face I put on the Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector in Ligh/Medium. It also comes in Medium/Deep and has SPF 15 and UVA/UVB protection. This is a great base because it gives you the perfect coverage to even out the skin and adds a little glow while protecting and perfecting the skin at the same time.

Over top I used Stila’s One Step Bronze Skintone Illuminating Bronzing Serum. This is a great all over glow that gives you that perfect bronzed skin while giving your skin a visibly smooth texture. You can use it over top of the BB cream as I have, or by itself. 

For the blusher I used Nars Multiple in Orgasm. The Nars Multiples are great multi-use tools that everyone should have in their makeup kit. You can use it as a cream blush or as a lip balm. It has such a smooth texture that when applied it blends seamlessly with your skin and gives the appearance of a natural flush to your cheeks. 

For her eyes I put the Nars eyeshadow primer, the Smudgeproof Eyeshadow base, on to ensure that the shadow wouldn’t crease in the hot sun.

Then I applied Makeup Forever’s eyeshadow in N˚306 Diamond Shadow. It adds a subtle shimmer to the lid for a fresh bright look. 

As a liner I used Makeup Forever’s Aqua Black Cream Eyeshadow just to her lash line to add subtle definition that won’t smear or run if you decide to take a dip in the water. 

For her lashes I applied DiorShow Iconic waterproof mascara in black. This gives the lashes beautiful separation and curl to open the eyes and give a youthful essence to the face. 

On her lips I used the Clinique Chubby Stick in 06 Woppin’ Watermelon. This is a great item to throw in your beach bag to add that subtle pop of sheer color to your lips, especially when you see that hot lifeguard coming your way. 

For her hair I used Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner to help give her beach waves that are soft to the touch. This product will also help to protect her hair from the sun and chlorine and salt water. 

A fun color for your nails is the Nars nail polish in Kutki, which is what I used on Jenna’s nails. After I applied the color I put on the best fast drying top coat in town, Seche Vite. I know it has a weird name and my Mom and I always seem to refer to it as seviche, which is definitely not the correct name. Regardeless of the interesting name, it will give you dry nails in no time! And it also helps your polish to stay on longer with fewer chips. 

I hope you try this look out and see how you like it! Maybe it will become your new everyday makeup routine! 

Enjoy & Be Beautiful! 

www.clinique.com

www.sephora.com (where I go to shop for most of my products)

www.dior.com

www.nordstrom.com (where I got my Dior mascara)

www.stilacosmetics.com

www.birchbox.com (where I got the Stila bronzer sample)

www.narscosmetics.com

www.makeupforever.com

www.seche.com 

www.mixedchicks.net

www.target.com (where I got my Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner)
All photography done by Carolyn Thombs www.carolynthombsphotography.com