A Girl’s Guide to “Packing light” & The Makeup Show LA

I love February. I really do. Its rich with things to celebrate:  Black History Month, Groundhogs day, Valentine’s day… And there are tons of conferences happening.


I recently flew to Washington D.C. for the Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference and had such an amazing time! But the day before flying out was another story. Everywhere I looked I had accumulated piles of stuff to pack, but little idea as to how to fit it all in my suitcase. 


I realized a few things about my packing style:

• I pack everything.
• I tend to break my suitcases.

When it came to packing my makeup, I wasn’t sure if I should stow it in my checked bag or take with me in my carryon.


Word to the wise: when in doubt, check your makeup. It would really be a shame for you to discover that one of your favorite items was over 3 oz, or looked shady according to airport security and get thrown away. However, packing pressed powder (which I carry with me all the time) and a small tube of lip gloss is harmless.


Because my stay in was in D.C. was short, I decided to take the essentials.

FACE:

• CG Smoothers AquaSmooth compact foundation
• ELF tone correcting concealer (this was an experimental item I’d never used before the trip. It’s a little too orangy for my ivory skin tone.)
• Maybelline mineral powder blush (I actually carry my powdered blush in the owl. So fun!)
• Powder brush from Target

 EYES:

• N.Y.C. eyeshadow (this was another impulse buy that turned out to be pretty nifty. I especially like the liquid base and highlighter palette)
• Revlon eyelash curler
• Almay liquid eyeliner
• Maybelline Lash Stiletto waterproof mascara (I swear by this stuff.)
• Q-tips for quick corrections

LIPS:

• Mary Kay Satin Lips (to protect my lips in the cold weather)
• CoverGirl Outlast lip-stain (for effortless looking color)
• Mary Kay signature lip-gloss

NAILS:

• Sally Hansen Xtreme wear (I wear Mint Julep and have received more complements on my nails than ever before. Try it!)

So, as you can see I have a wide variety of products here. From super inexpensive to your favorite splurges, when taking short trips it never hurts to pack the essentials. But it’s also important to consider what you’ll be doing there. In my case, it was sitting inside all day listening to panels—no need to look wear rock-star glamorous makeup. But if you are taking a trip for pleasure and plan on meeting a bunch of new people, bring some items that’ll give you room to shake up your look a bit.


Speaking of conferences, I’m curious if any of you reader’s in the American Makeup community has heard of The Makeup Show LA. At this event, leaders in the makeup industry will be unveiling no products, there will be hands-on workshops led by makeup artists and tons of opportunities to connect with makeup artists and beauty aficionados. 

On the event’s blog, they’ve got some of the workshop topics listed. I’m especially intruded by the Danessa Myricks: Perfect Skin Workshop and Daven Mayeda’s Hands-on Workshop: Basic Hair Styling for Makeup Artists.

Stay tuned, and I’ll be keeping you updated on the exciting things happening at The Makeup Show L.A. If you live in the area (or have a rich sugar-daddy willing to shell out enough money to cover the trip!) you should go. It’ll be a great opportunity to get ahead in the industry. 

By:Anna Williams

OFRA Cosmetics and Bio Picasso Body Paint

Until tonight, I was unaware that OFRA Cosmetic Factory ever existed.  When I checked out their website, I was impressed by the variety of products they sell.  From skincare to brush sets, their website is choc-full-of any beauty supply I might desire.  I’m especially drooling over their Mineral Baked Palette—so many pretty colors.

The bright and vibrant palette of the brand’s cosmetics reflects this company’s colorful past.  Named after its founder Ofra Gaito, this company was born in South Africa where Giato worked as a beauty therapist/esthetician in her own Salon and Spa.  Her gift in the salon, spa and beauty business has since spread across the world through various salons ranging in locations from Europe, Australia all the way here to America.

Now, I’m sure you’re going to check out your site to read the full “About Us” section for Ofra Giato’s total biography and more fun facts about the company and the their products. While you’re there, check out the OFRA’s Bio Picasso Body Paint.

I’ve always been enamored with artistically done makeup.  From the makeup that dramatically highlights the eyelids of John Galliano’s runway models to Alexa Meade’s hyper realistic body painting photography, those looks are achievable with Bio Picasso Body Paint. The body paints come in primary colors red, yellow and blue as well as green, brown, black and white.  This is excellent if you are like me and love to mix pigments to create flawless hues! The paints can be applied through air-brushing or cosmetic brushes.

And here’s a fabulous fact: The Bio Picasso Body Paints are water-based, which is preferable to oil-based products because water-based products are much healthier for your skin.  Using water based products also reduce your chances of getting clogged pores!

Bio Picasso body paint can be purchased through the OFRA website: While you’re there, be sure to check out their other products! They’re “just beautiful.”


By: Anna Williams

American Makeup Receives Blogger Award

Make-up artist and fabulous blogger Jen from the Love of Beauty is Taste. The Creation of Beauty is Art blog has nominated us for the “Versatile Blogger Award.”  This is a really fun way of highlighting fellow bloggers that you enjoy following.

According to the “rules” of the award, I’ve got to “Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.”  Thank you Jen! I’d like to encourage you all to check out her site and say “hello!”

 “Tell us 7 things about yourself.”

 This is an excellent opportunity to introduce myself to you all.

1. I am Anna Williams, American Makeup’s new contributing journalist.
2. When I’m not blogging intensely, I’, studying Creative Writing at the University of Central Florida.
3. My philosophy for wearing makeup is “You wear the makeup. It doesn’t wear you.”
4. If I was stranded on a desert island and had to bring one cosmetic tool, it would have to be my eyelash curler.
5. I sell handmade floral accessories on etsy.com. Check out my shop: lepastiche.etsy.com
6. One of my favorite pastimes is theatre; both acting in and attending shows. I love stage makeup.
7. I’m equal parts “girly girl,” “book worm,” “bohemian artist,” and “sci-fi geek.”

Now its time to spread the love by awarding “15 recently discovered new bloggers” the Versatile Blogger Award. Many of you are our own faithful followers!

1. Confessions of a Beautyholic – Beauty Blog (http://www.confessionsofabeautyholic.com/)

2. The “E” Girl (http://the-e-girl.blogspot.com/)

3. CuteNerdGlasses (http://cutenerdglasses.blogspot.com)

4. London’s Boutique (http://londons-boutique.blogspot.com/)

5. Diamond Solitaire (http://prettydiamondsolitaire.blogspot.com/)

6. Makeup Look (http://makeuplook.blogspot.com/)

7. A Fashionista (http://fashionista-marika.blogspot.com/)

8. hivennn (http://hivennn.blogspot.com/)

9. Fashion Photography Obsession (http://fashionphotographyobsession.blogspot.com/)

10. The Jasmine Addict (http://thejasmineaddict.blogspot.com/)

11. *Kiss an Makeup (http://kissanmakeup.blogspot.com/)

12. Painted Ladies (http://www.painted-ladies.com/?p=10114)

13. EauMG (http://www.eaumg.net/olo-portland-violetleather-perfume-review/)

14. The Non-Blonde (http://thenonblonde.blogspot.com/)

15. The Beauty Alchemist (http://www.thebeautyalchemist.blogspot.com/)

And now, if we’ve mentioned you, it’s your turn to pass it on!  Just follow the steps and don’t forget to do the final rule: ”Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award(s)”.


By: Anna Williams