Let's face it!

So I've briefly covered the basics on some makeup tips and ideas, which by the way I will get into depth shortly. But lets gets off topic for a second and talk about skin care. Skin care is extremely important when thinking about makeup  because if your skin ain't cutting it your makeup won't either. Whether your young and have teenage skin, in between, or aging we all need something on our skin because plain vaseline, mosturizer or water won't do you justice. Think about it like this, wouldn't you want to age like Halle Berry  or Demi Moore and be complimented for your youth and vibrance. Well its all about prevention and prepping people! You can't just use any cheap product and expect in 20 years to look like a million bucks, unless of course your one of those rare kinds that got the lucky draw with great genetics. To some it may seem like nonsense because we live in a world were the future seems so far away and the now is more important but jump on the bandwagon and take care of your skin now because you'll be paying a pretty penny when your visiting your dermatologist for botox injections. 


Moving along! So what is it that is essential to great skin and aging prevention?


1) A Great Cleanser! You need a cleanser that is good enough for you skin type and that will eliminate all the dirt/environmental pollution. If you have Normal/Dry skin always opt to a cleanser with hydration, lack of hydration is one of the main causes of wrinkles. Oily/Combination skin should cleanse with a oil or sebum eliminating cleanser, glyocic acid cleansers are great for this type of skin. I rotate between tow Mary Kay cleansers, the 3 in 1 cleanser for Combination skin and the classic skin care cleanser, Deep cleanser 3. Buy Great cleansers!


2) Great Mosturizer! You need a mosturizer again that's customized to your skin type. Going to Duane Reade and buying ponds or olay mosturizers is good for the moment because it fast and takes little thought but we are beyond that right!? We are the best! the Halle Berry's of the future, so why not pay a little more for  one the best accessories a woman has,  her face. I use Mary Kay's oil control lotion 3, its sooo good at controlling oil! Check out these amazing mosturizers!


3) SPF protection/Anti-oxidants! Sad to say and think of, but we are surrounded by pollution and the sun rays are getting worse. I remember as a kid going to the beach and maybe putting a little sun lotion and coming home black, not burnt. Nowadays I put spf 30 and I come home black. Also, take from bad experience, going to Miami and using Spf 4, thinking I was cute and going to come back golden then enduring 2 weeks of disgusting peeling and redness. The horror! Avoid it and use Spf please, burnt or leathery skin will not make you feel better. If interested in purchasing SPF before summer!


Other options to maintain perfect skin that are added bonuses are Toners/refreshers, weekly Masks and Microdermabrasion. 


Toners/refreshers are usually a step before mosturizing, great at eliminating what your cleanser didn't catch and for balancing your skins PH level. Witch Hazel is a great toner if you want a cheaper solution. Other options for Oily/combination skin would be a salycic acid toner, good for blackheads and a natural inflammatory for blemishes. Toners/Masks


Masks are great for a weekly deep cleanse. Get a clay based mask for Oily/combination skin and a hydrated mask for Normal/Dry skin.


Lastly, Microdermabrasion is skin renewal at your fingertips. Kind of like playing god with your skin cells. When you use the product it takes off a layer of your skin, exposing new vibrance underneath. Microdermabrasion kit!




One thing to always remember Ladies! Its not about Money its about quality! Invest wisely.

Let's talk coverup baby!

While most of you ladies don't like to apply or hate the look of foundation and coverup, the truth is maybe you just haven't found the right one. Trust me, I've been through trials and tribulations to find the right color and texture. The one thing that I think we've all been through is finding the right one that covers evenly and doesn't look or feel like cake. Whether its to covers those dark circles under your eyes, cover up uneven tone or to coverup that annoying zit, we should all know what we are looking for because foundation, concealer and tinted moisturizer are not created equal. So let's begin by breaking it down to a science with each type of coverage and what it is used best for



Full coverage foundation: Coverage is very opaque, and used to cover birthmarks, vitiligo, hyperpigmentation and scars. It is sometimes referred to as “corrective” or “camouflage” makeup. It generally contains up to 35% pigment,  professional brands such as "Makeup forever," is designed for use on stage, and contains up to 50% pigment. Most celebrities are wearing a full coverage makeup. Mary Kay have to types of full coverage makeup that I love! Both are customized to your skin type, one being for normal/dry skin and the other for oily/combination skin that absorbs oil and controls shine.  Make sure to check them out!
 For Normal/Dry Skin   For Oily/Combination Skin


Medium coverage foundation: Coverage is mostly used to cover freckles, discolorations, blotchiness, and red marks left by pimples. Generally contains a 25% pigmentation. I would say that Mineral Powder foundation (like Bare essentials) would fit into this category as well. 
I use Mary Kay's Medium coverage foundation in Beige 300. Mary Kay's Medium Coverage




Tinted mosturizer: Covers unevenness and slight blotchiness, but is not opaque enough to cover freckles. Generally contains a 15% pigmentation.
Check out the tinted moisturizer with Spf 20


Concealer: Used best to mask pimples, dark circles and other small blemishes visible on the skin. Can be used alone, but in my opinion best used in conjunction with foundation. Contains the highest amount of pigmentation of all.  Great Concealer!


Okay, so now that we've got that down, let's discuss application tips! 


The absolute best way to apply foundation or any type of concealer is with a liquid foundation brush. Think about it in a different light, you wouldn't comb your hair with your fingers you would use your hair brush, so why apply foundation with your hands. Its quick and easy you think, but actually application with a foundation brush is a lot easier, corrective and way more effective for hygiene purposes. Your hands are walking germs, and even if you've washed them beforehand why have foundation all over them and taking the risk of getting your clothes dirty. But its personal preference so let's move right along! Want a foundation brush?


- Primer vs. no primer: I personally have not used a primer for my own application but I honestly will now that I'm selling primer. I've had primer put on for several occasions by another makeup artist during photo shoots. Primer works best to smooth out skin texture and extends the life of foundation throughout a long day. It is very good if you have scars and also, for those of you with oily skin since it has a very matte finish. Think of it like actual paint primer when you paint a wall, you add primer and it covers up the color under while giving the finished paint a better look.  Primer you will love!


Application of foundation: Always start at the center of your face, by applying it on your cheeks and forehead. Finish your application by blending outward. 




Ladies, if you would like a free color consultation, if you are confused or would just like your makeup done for a special occasion. Don't be afraid to email me at Jalmonte101@gmail or at jalmonte@marykay.com. I can hook you up! :-)

Eyeshadows Spring 2011

The eyeshadow trend for spring 2011 reflects tropical paradise! Think blues, corals or for the even more daring, neon shades. 

 Pretty hues of Blue make a powerful statement that any fabulous women would love to make! I personally have never used blue shadows but I love the way it was used on the model to the left, very bold but suttle in a way. Never use blue with a dark lip shade or heavy blush! Thats a big no no! You don't want your look to be clownish or to resemble halloween makeup. Nude lips are a perfect way not to compete with your eyeshadow. The key to a pretty blue shade is blending blues, don't opt for just one blue shade. You need at least two shades, light and dark. For a more sexy and professional look you can use 3 shades. Also, skip the black eyeliner if you like to use liner, instead you can use a darker shade of blue eyshadow as liner or just plain navy eye liner. Lastly, do not wear blue eyeshadow to match your clothes! It should complement the color you have on, never match!  For fair or ivory skin, I recommend, Mary Kay's blue shadow in Midnight star and Blue Metal. For olive or darker skin complexions, I recommend Denim Frost and Azure. 
Check out the recommended pretty blue hues here!

 Green is one of my personal  favorite colors of eyeshadow since it compliments dark eyed, brown haired, olive and dark skinned woman. Green is shown as a spring 2011 eyeshadow trend but honestly this color can be worn year round! The shade of green just has to be right. As with the blue shadow above, its best to apply green shadow blended in 2-3 shades, using the softest green shade at the brow line and on the lid (Mary Kay Lemongrass shadow). The third darkest on the crease and/or as a liner subsitute (Mary Kay Ivy Garden shadow) and second darkest to blend the lightest and darkest together (Mary Kay Emerald shadow). If you opt to only using two shades, light and dark, you should use the a medium dark shade on the lid and a light shade on the upper eye and brow. Lastly, stick to neutral colors for cheeks and lips, as shown in the picture to the right.
Look at all 3 Green shades as explained above!

Pastel purple is gorgeous on any complexion! For fair or ivory skin complexions I recommend that you use a lightest shade of purple on the lid/brow line (like Mary Kay Lavender Fog Shadow) and for a darker skin tone, the second darkest shade of purple on the lid/browline (like Mary Kay Iris shadow). The darkest shade should be used on the crease and/or eye line for both complexions (Mary Kay Sweet plum). The second darkest shade (Mary Kay Iris eyeshadow) for ivory/light skinned complexions should be used to blend and for darker complexions, instead the lightest shade (Mary Kay Lavendar fog) should be used to blend. The picture on the left is an example of what makeup artist calls a "dramatic" look. This look is perfect on any complexion, you can just follow the picture using the 2nd darkest on the lid, the 3rd darkest shade on the crease and the lightest shade on the brow line. 
Click here to check out the Purple shades I've recommend above!


P.S. For the ladies who don't know, I'm offering free makeup makeovers! If you or even your friends want to have makeup and mini facials, contact me by clicking on the link below.
Contact me here!