Sabrina Guest Writes on Makeup Majesty!

I am SO happy to announce that my very favorite makeup artist, and very close friend Sabrina wrote a very entertaining and adorable product review for Makeup Majesty! I previously interviewed her on my site and got phenom feedback from all of you - Makeup Artist Extraordinaire and she is now guest writing for me! SO, here it goes - enjoy dolls! xoxo, Makeup Majesty

Chainsaws, hammers and nails oh my! Go to any hardware store and it will carry any supply you need for home improvement. But could one buy such a product that will improve one’s skin… make it smooth as a baby’s bottom… rid of all those harsh, flaky, rough patches. Perhaps, a cosmetics counter in the finest department store or at least the local drug store!

Well ladies and gentlemen I present “Grandma’s Old Fashioned Lye Soap”!



“Lye” I gasped, as I stood in my local AIDS Hardware Store and looked down at the pile of pale, white bricks wrapped in cellophane. “Is that even legal to sell?” as I picked up the block pictured with an old clothing wash board.

As I turned it over out of curiosity, I read “good for dry skin, egsima and rosea.” I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Since I can remember my mother embedded in my head that I must cream every day. At six-years-old I was Mary Kay’s youngest customer. (Well, of course my mom would order her cream and we shared.)

It’s a good thing to because when I was being built they forgot to include oil glands to produce any sebum. When I say I am dry… I mean, I am dry… My skin, my hair…dry as a bone, Even my nails are brittle… I can’t even wear contacts because my eyes get so dry with the lenses in them.

So for the 23 years I’ve been on this earth, I’ve spent a good portion of time searching for products to satisfy my needs. I won’t even discuss my hair because that would be a full length feature. But, after all the oils and lotions and “what have ya” I feel like I’ve finally come across a product that not only really does do what it says, but employs itself as a solution to the problem and not just a “minute man” like fix.

“Grandma’s Old Fashioned Lye Soap” has not only accomplished what it said it was going to do but went above and beyond. The large, fragrant-free bar, costing only $6, foams up leaving a satin like film on your skin. And once out of the shower and all toweled off, your skin will feel smooth and look healthy. You will have the advantage of appearing and feeling as though lotion was applied, but get the pleasure of skipping the slimy excess that usually feels uncomfortable.

I most certainly have seen a huge improvement in my skin. It feels soft and I’ve actually stopped using lotion. In fact… my feet were so infested with dry, flaky skin and calluses (attractive I know) that even that has subsided tremendously. I am truly impressed with this soap and I think you will be to.

And if you not dry like me, don’t think this soap isn’t for you. Yes…especially good for sensitive, dry and problematic skin, the pure mild soap is actually great for all types of skin. This bar soap is pure, and does not obtain harsh dyes, fragrance, detergents and other man-made chemicals. It also last twice as long. Ah… something economic and reliable… who would have thought that existed…

Side Bar: “Grandma’s Old Fashioned Lye Soap” can also be used to relieve sunburn, insect bites and poison ivy and oak. AND… it relieves flea problems for our furry little friends!

I Met Bobbi Brown!

Bobbi Brown and Me at Bloomingdale's 59th Street!



Bobbi's table of treats, including her Spring Collection



Bobbi Brown area of Bloomingdale's 59th Street


So exciting!! I met Bobbi Brown today at Bloomingdale's on 59th Street in NYC. She was doing a Meet and Greet and beauty consultations with the help of her very talented team of makeup artists.

We sat for a while and chatted - she is extremely down to earth and casual! We were talking about concealers, and I had told her about my recent purchase of the MAC Studio Sculpt concealer. She suggested I also try Bobbi Brown Eye Bright, which some of my readers suggested to me as well! I played with the product a bit, and it seemed to be a nice creamy and smooth texture. Definitely on my list to try!

Just wanted to share the photos with your ladies! Have a great night xoxo

Ask The Expert - Make-up Artist Extraordinaire Part Two!

Sabrina shares makeup products that she can't live without! More makeup love from my FAVORITE makeup artist!



Makeup Majesty: Share some makeup products, from any brand, that you cannot live without?

Sabrina:

First thing is first…Vaseline. I adore it. I have like 13 jars on hand at all times. They’re all over my house, in bags, in pockets… I have different sizes…I’m obsessed. I’m constantly lubing up my lips. But it’s also very versatile. It can remove make-up, hydrate your skin and nourish your lashes. It even helps soothe cuts and burns! I’ve used this product all my life and I will never stop!

Second, false lashes… I can’t live without false lashes. They make such a huge difference for both appearance and the overall outcome of the make-up application. I love all types of lashes. I enjoy double staking them as well. (I used to wear 4 pairs of lashes, but I’ve calmed down I suppose). I love to pair up a crosshatched lash with a spiked lash on top. I use lashes from local beauty supplies and MAC!

Third… cake eyeliner and a thin, straight brush. I’ve used a lot of cake liners, but I love MAC’s fluid line in “Blacktrack”. It’s the best b/c it’s water resistant. I also love the #210 brush. I hate angle brushes for doing liner… it’s so awkward. Plus, you get a nicer point on the wing when you use a straight brush. If you want a real old school cake liner, the type our grandmothers used…the one you have to wet and work at getting that perfect consistency…then I suggest MUD's cake eyeliner. I'm also an eyeliner junkie so I put a classic liquid on top after I apply my lashes. I find that it covers the band better and you’ll get a more dense black finish. I also apply liner to the upper waterline, so there is no pink showing and the false lashes look that much more realistic as well as making mine look fuller. I guess I can’t live without black eyeliner!!!!

Fourth… eye brow pencils and or shadow to fill in eyebrows. When you have well groomed, nicely shaped, full eyebrows, it creates your whole face. Eyebrows are so important… they are the shape and expression of our faces. It makes such a huge difference when you have the right shape as well. I know from experience. When I wore pin curls, waves and side bangs, I could get away with an arched eyebrow with a squared off end. However, I had to start wearing a curvier, more round eye brow when I cut my Bettie Bangs… it’s a shape on the face that makes a huge difference. I use MAC’s “Stud” eyebrow pencil and I go over it with MAC’s “Mystery” eye shadow. I then set it with a dark brown mascara or hair wax. I like MAC’s eyebrow pencil b/c the mechanic pencil allows for precise application and the formula is dense in pigment. I hate regular sharpened pencils for the eyebrow… I feel as though it comes out a bit sloppy and the color pigment is not vibrant enough.

Fifth …MAC’s “Ruby Woo” lipstick. It’s the perfect red for me, it’s not too drying to the lips and its “retro matte” finish stays on all night…even through a few martinis’ and a pack of smokes.

And there you have it ladies! What are some products that YOU can't live without?

Ask The Expert - Makeup Artist Extraordinaire

It's near impossible to describe Sabrina. A few words come to mind immediately: unique, gorgeous, fabulous, magnetic, entertaining, ambitious, creative, multi-talented, witty, loyal, and loving.

She is one of the most amazingly talented makeup artists i've ever met, not to mention one of my closest and most beloved friends. I've asked her to answer some of our very important makeup questions, in a new category i'd like to call Ask The Expert.





Makeup Majesty: What type of makeup training have you had?

Sabrina: I attended the School of Make-up Designory also know as MUD in Soho. There I was taught and tested on Fashion, Bridal, Couture, Corrective, Male, Video, Television and light FX/ Character makeup. I was certified by New York State.

I have also been trained by MAC Cosmetics and have been certified by the company as well. I have been P.H.D., Basic, Advanced and Lesson certified. However, in this industry, one must keep an open mind and not have an ego. There is always something new to learn. I don’t care if you’ve been doing make up for 2 weeks or 2 decades. You can always learn something.

I also feel that in recent times due to technology Make- Up artists have changed some ways they have done make-up due to HD film for example. There’s a whole new way to cover up a blemish these days!


Makeup Majesty: Top 5 MAC Cosmetics products you would suggest for new comers?

Sabrina: “Plushblack” mascara, “Viva Glam V” lipstick and or gloss, select moisture cover concealer, “engraved” eyeliner and either “warm soul”, “pinch me” or “sweet as cocoa” blush depending on skin tone. These are good basics to start off with. These can be paired with other products the customer already has and they can see the quality of the makeup and most likely come back for more!


Makeup Majesty: Who is your Makeup Muse?

Sabrina: Hmm… growing up I read all of Keyvn Aucoin books and studied his work. I was fascinated by the way he transformed his models with just make-up. I suppose that’s why I have always had this fascination and admiration for make-up. I was amazed how a single lipstick can change one’s appearance.

I have personally been inspired by Hollywood legends and pin ups for my personal make-up. I’ve worn a classic 1950’s look since I can remember. But just various cultures inspire me and moods and music and movies. If I’m feeling sexy I’ll don my wings and red lipstick and represent everything I stand for. If I’m down, I’ll listen to sad music and pile on black liner and eye shadow till it appears that I have 2 holes rather than eyes.

Animals can inspire me, houses can inspire me …anything can inspire me. I like to create a look that goes with what I see. Men are also a big inspiration. I suppose it’s very Stepford Wife of me but I can see a man and I like to create a female version of him or a female for him… because I am so enamored with men. I think they are so sexy, witty and strong and so on. Therefore, when a woman reminds me of a female version of a certain male…it’s something I enjoy.

Also, the people I work with… they inspire me. Working with other artists you always learn, teach and inspire each other. It’s the beauty of working at MAC.
As for what I do on people… the individual inspires me. Each and every person that sits in my chair will cause a frenzy of creativity. They tell me their story and I create a character and look for them.


Makeup Majesty: Suggest a MAC lipgloss shade that compliments anyone.

Sabrina: THAT”S EASY!!! Love Nectar Lustreglass. The gloss looks great on everyone. I don’t care if you are snow white or midnight black. It will look great on you. Also the texture is a happy medium for many people. It’s not totally slippery or too honey like. Also, it looks great over any lipstick!


Makeup Majesty: Biggest makeup pet peeve?

Sabrina: Well there’s the classic orange line that outlines the jaw line because people want to be 10 shades darker than what they really are. They forget to blend it out or put bronzer on their neck and chest. My other big pet peeve is when clients want heavy smokey eyes and won’t let me fill in their eyebrows and won’t let me apply false lashes. It just looks unbalanced to me.


Makeup Majesty: Out of all the MAC mascaras, which one do you use on clients the most?

Sabrina: I’m huge into PlushBlack. I use black, almost always, because black will define the lash best. But I also love the brush. The brush allows me the curl their lashes as well as separate them. It applies a thick coat that is even but not clumpy.

Makeup Majesty: If you were to make a Sabrina cocktail, what would it be made of?

Sabrina: Equal parts of whiskey, loyalty, honesty and independence then garnish with immaturity and eccentricities.