2010 Make Up For Ever Pro Social Events and Collections

Make Up For Ever (8 East 12th St., NY, NY)

I had a great time at the pro social events hosted by Make Up For Ever at their New York flagship store on August 25th and December 16th of this year. It was great reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. Getting to chat with my dear sweet friend Michael DeVellis (VP of Pro Artist Relations at MUFE and founder of The Powder Group) and receiving a great big hug from James Vincent (Makeup Artist and The Powder Group's Director of Artistry). Also, it was a real treat to meet makeup artist Orlando Santiago. With my shopping list in hand, I proceeded to start swatching eyeshadows, blushes, foundations, etc... from one end of the store to the other.

The August pro social introduced the makeup artist community to MUFE's newly launched Rouge Artist Intense lipstick. Prior to its release, I'm sure you saw this ad in any one of the major beauty and fashion magazines. Also, if you live and/or work in New York City, you saw the ad on public transportation and atop the yellow taxis. I must admit this has become one of my favorite beauty ads. Congratulations to all at Make Up For Ever!

While at the pro social, I was able to check out the color selections available for Rouge Artist Intense and how it would feel once it was applied. In finishes of matte, satin and pearl, Rouge Artist Intense lipsticks are pigmented, creamy and go on with the smoothest application ever! I purchased one for myself (#41)* and two as gifts for friends at the office. They LOVED product! As one friend said "it was so smooth it felt like butter!"  She then followed with "I want more colors!"


*N.B: I chose #41 as it's one of my favorite tunes by the Dave Matthews Band.  Give #41 a listen here. 

December's event was to Rock For Ever. I love the packaging for this collection. They're black metal tins with raised black, silver and gold studs. You can either keep the product in it or use the tin to store something else. The model's Smoky Rock makeup and hair look fabulous! To learn how to achieve this look click here.

Below are images from the entire Rock For Ever collection.

          

                  

                   Rock For Ever Star Powder and Aqua Eyes

Rock For Ever Aqua Eyes

      Rock For Ever Star and Diamond Powders

Rock For Ever Eye Shadow Palette

Rock For Ever Best of Make Up For Ever

I hope you were able to attend one or both of these events at Make Up For Ever. They're such great networking tools. Here's hoping they will continue these types of events in 2011.

Make Up For Ever has been quite busy not just developing new products, but stores too. I know in late September they opened up a really awesome boutique and studio in NYC at Sephora's store in SoHo. I  I plan on stopping by there this week. They've also opened two other boutique/studios at Sephora Venetian in Las Vegas, NV and Sephora South Coast Plaza, in Costa Mesa, CA. So I'm very excited to see what's they have in store for us next year.

Well it's time to go check the kit and do inventory. I've to make room for next year's purchases. ;-)


As I slowly raise one hand, preparing to wave goodbye to 2010, I will also prepare to raise the other and warmly greet 2011. My wish for all of you consists of four simple things:

Eat... Pray...  Love...

and

2010 Holiday Reflections

In my 2009 Holiday Reflections post, I spoke about the unexpected snowstorm that descended upon us just before Christmas. Guess what? they're predicting anywhere from 11 - 16 inches for December 26th. Well at least this time I know it's coming.

Although I was rather late, I had fun doing last minute shopping. I was standing in line at the UGG Australia store (corner of Madison Avenue and 58th Street), waiting to get in to buy boots for my niece. It wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected. The line moved rather quickly (maybe I waited 5 - 7 minutes). However once I got inside, the store was packed. Thank goodness I was able to get a sales associate very quickly (she was finishing up with another customer). I gave her the style and color of the boots I wanted and told her I would be waiting on line. That's right another line. Longer than the one outside (it circled half of the store). Thank goodness they keep the line moving. Again, I think I waited less than 10 minutes before I reached the cashier. All in all my experience at UGG Australia was quite good. Next stop...Macy's!

It took me awhile to get to Macy's (traffic and all), but it was worth it. The store was jam packed with people doing their last bit of shopping. I made my way over to the Estee Lauder counter. I'd been admiring EL's "Glamour Is Golden" collection for a couple of weeks and decided to purchase it. the "Glamour Is Golden" collection contains 18 Pure Color eyeshadows (large compact); 3 EL Signature Silky Powder Blushes and Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer (small compact); 4 Pure Color Long Lasting Lipsticks; 3 Artist's Eye Pencils; Pure Color Gloss (double-ended); Gentle Eye Makeup Remover (for all skin types); a makeup brush set (face powder, blush, eyeshadow and lip brushes); mirror (4x6); cosmetic case and cosmetic bag. The total value of this collection is US$340.

As it's a PWP (purchase with purchase), the price of the collection is US$55.00 with the purchase of any Estee Lauder fragrance. I hadn't quite decided which scent I would purchase. I'd narrowed it down to "Azuree" and "Aliage". The sales associate sprayed Azuree on one of my wrists and Aliage on the other. After walking around Macy's for a bit, I took a whiff of each wrist and decided on Aliage. I chose Aliage because it's lighter with just the right touch of citrus to balance it out.

Before leaving Macy's I stopped by the MAC counter. I purchased the Smolder Eye Kohl pencil (for my personal use) and the Smokey Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter Kit (again for me), which comes in a lovely tartan tin. The product's write up says "Everything you need for that dark-side finish. The Pigments: Jigs & Jive, Naked, Blue Brown and Dark Soul light up with the flash of Reflects Blackened Red Glitter. Even though the containers are smaller, they were filled to the top. These pigments will last me a long time. 

                  Happy Holidays to you and yours!