I have to admit the first time I saw these egg-shaped sponges, I thought these would never work for my technique in applying makeup. To my surprise, upon actually putting a Beauty Blender to use, I now cannot live without and, these cute little pink eggs, have found a permanent home in my ZÜCA.

Check out this fabulous how-to video, I assure you it will change the way you apply foundation forever!

First of all, my lovely blog readers, my apologies for being absent lately.  Work has taken me all over the world, quite literally, and I have not had much time to let you in on my new finds in makeup products.

Recently, it came to my attention, that I am about to hit the 10,000 follower mark on Twitter.com!  With this exciting news, it gives me great pleasure to announce My Favorite Things 10K Twitter Followers Giveaway!

Details….

- Once @victoriastiles on Twitter reaches 10,000 followers, 1 lucky follower will be selected at random via Twitrand.com to receive the prize.

- The winner will be notified via a Direct Message through Twitter.com, so you MUST follow @victoriastiles to be eligible to win.

Prize…

- The lucky winner will receive a collection of makeup artist Victoria Stiles’ favorites in beauty products and supplies. Included in this ultimate prize are some hot items in the industry:  Beauty Blenders, OCC Lip Tars and a GLAMCOR Classic Light Set, among other top beauty products!

Thank you everyone for your love and support!  Remember, you MUST follow to win! Good luck!

In no particular order…..

OCC Lip Tars: Beta, Interlace, Reverb, Lo-Fi, Analogue, and Tone

My friend and owner of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, David Klasfled, introduced me to their latest 6 colors added to their infamous OCC Lip Tar Line.  I cannot wait to put these in action!

Kissable Couture Set

I snagged this set from Celebrity Makeup Artist AJ Crimson, creator of Kissable Couture. I love gloss.

MAKE UP FOR EVER: Aqua Eyes and Pigment

From MAKE UP FOR EVER, I purchased #8 and #17 Aqua Cream and #18 Pigment Purs in addition to a new Flash Colour Palette (mine was pretty worn out so time to replace it!).

Beauty Blenders

I’m excited to use Beauty Blenders more often.

FACE atelier Ultra Foundation

My most used colors in my kit from FACE atelier Cosmetics are #1, #2, and #4 Ultra Foundation.

Embryolisse 24 Hour Miracle Cream

Can’t forget a skin care staple! I don’t leave home without Embryolisse 24 Hour Miracle Cream and I snagged a travel size, perfect for my kit!

Yaby Cosmetics

I worked the Yaby Cosmetics booth with founder and fabulous makeup artist, Liz Yu. She threw a couple of items my way for helping her out. I picked up the Finishing Touch Highlighter Palette, Dramatically Neutral Palette, and a popular show item, Heated Eyelash Curler.

jeune d' age organics

Jeune d’ age organics was not at The Makeup Show, but I met with the owner, Michael Lamb, along with owner of Purely

Diamond Perfect Finish

Cosmetics, Robyn Bloom, Saturday night and had a blast talking shop. In June of last year, I wrote this post about a favorite skin care item of mine, Pumpkin Peel from Jeune d’ age. I’m looking forward to checking out the Acne Cleanser and the Marin Toner Mister.

Robyn Bloom introduced me to Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect Finish. I’m excited to put this powder to use because it already works great on my skin. I carried it around with me in my purse during my weekend in LA.

Bottom line, I could not do what I do without the MAKE UP FOR EVER Flash Color Case.  This item is so versatile and a necessity in any pro-kit!  The case comes with 12 grease paints that can be used ANYWHERE– eyes, cheeks, lips, face, and body.  The paints are highly pigmented and can be set with MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder (which was wrongfully accused of those celebrity powder mishaps on the red carpet last year).

Here are a few visual examples of how I use MUFE Flash Color:

Veil Story: Photo by Mark Gong

In the Veil series, photographed by Mark Gong, I used the black grease paint from the MUFE Flash Color Case to shape the brows, giving the model a deep, defined arch, and on lips to tie in the dramatic effect.

Mighty Aphrodite | Capitol File Magazine | Mark Gong

In this editorial, I highlighted the model’s cheek and brow bones with the gold color in the MUFE Flash Color Case, giving her a Grecian statue effect.

The Garden | Ella Manor

In The Garden series, photographed by Ella Manor, the look was modern Elizabethan.  I used mainly the MUFE Flash Color Case to create her look by pressing the Light Turquoise shade on her lid, Coral and Fuchsia mixed for cheek color, and softly dabbed the Red color on her lips.

For more information on my work, please visit my portfolio site at VictoriaStiles.com.

Makeup by Victoria Stiles for Capitol File Magazine

Red lipsticks, these are a few of my favorite things…

I once heard if you wear red lipstick to a job interview, you are perceived as a confident, powerful woman, which can enhance your chances of landing the job.  Personally I love red lipstick and it is my go to product of choice when I want to liven-up my own makeup.
Here are a few of my favorite red lipsticks that are in my ZUCA:

- OCC Makeup NSFW Lip Tar

- Yaby Cosmetics Chili Hot Lipstick

- Josie Maran Argan Oil Lipstick in Devious

- M.A.C. Cosmetics Ruby Woo Lipstick

Today they arrived and I am super excited to organize my kit with these wonderful bags!! How cute are they!?! So many uses, the possibilities are ENDLESS!

Fuchsia-Aqua Quart Tili Bag

Currently these bags come in Fuchsia-pink, Orange-lime, and Blue-green shades. Each color comes in 3 different designs. Each shade is available in 2 sizes, one gallon and one quart, with 12 bags/box.

Large box one gallon bags $8.49
Small box one quart bags $7.49

A steal for chic organization!

Shop Tili bags now!

There’s no denying my love for Yaby Cosmetics.  I was first introduced to this brand a few years ago on a makeup forum.  I’ve been hooked ever since.  I lean on their color products to give me the extra boost needed for print projects.

In the Democracy Issue of Twill Magazine, based in Italy, I used Yaby’s World of Paint Palette to complete the eyeshadow look for our fashion editorial, Puppet Theatre, photographed by Ella Manor.

Pearl Paint Shades Used:

PP048: A shimmery muted plum color on the lid
PP062: Bronze shimmery shade blended in the crease
PP066: A punch of blue shaded under bottom lashes

(The deep purple/plum lips are Nightmoth Lip Pencil from M.A.C. Cosmetics!)

Check out the other shots from this series here.

M.A.C. Liquidlast Liner in Point Blank from M.A.C. Cosmetics: A rich colour liquid eye liner that combines long-lasting wear with a non-smudge, non-flake precision line. Applies with its own brush to draw a perfectly defined line.

MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Aqua Eyes in Mat Black: A two-in-one eyeshadow and liner pencil. This waterproof eyeshadow and eye liner pencil contain a unique formula that adheres to the eyelids and resists water even under the most extreme conditions, without running or fading.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink: This award-winning liner offers the precision of a liquid liner and the ease of a gel-based formula. Sets almost immediately and is smudge-proof.

I was recently introduced to Sigma Makeup brushes. The company graciously sent me, for review, the Sigma Makeup Professional Brushes Complete Kit with Brush Roll and the Hollywood Glamour Kabuki Something About Marylin.

First impressions are lasting ones and Sigma made a great first impression! The brush set, neatly packed in the brush roll, looked inviting. The shapes of the face and eye brushes were those I am accustomed to using on a daily basis for clients. Upon testing, approximately one month, I experienced and continue to experience no problems with the durability of the brushes.  These brushes earned a place In My Zuca!

Although I thoroughly enjoy all of the Sigma Makeup brushes, my favorites are:

• SS190 Foundation Brush – Applies and blends liquid or cream foundation seamlessly.

• SS187 Duo Fibre Brush- Perfect for setting your look as it does not disturb foundation as you apply powder.

• SS194 Concealer Brush – Great shape to get into the inner corner of eyes or dab concealer on a blemish.

• SS129 Pencil Brush – A necessity for blending a smokey eye line or defining a crease.

• SS209 Eyeliner Brush – Apply gel or liquid liner in a snap with this brush.  I use it for the perfect dramatic winged eyeliner look.

Added bonus with Sigma Makeup brushes is the training video on how to clean and care for your brushes in addition to a host of videos on using their products to achieve a variety of looks. This is an added perk for the makeup novice!

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, I would recommend checking out Sigma Makeup brushes as they are durable, fantastic to use, and, best of all, THE PRICE IS RIGHT!

I wanted to take a moment and share yet another can’t live without item in my Zuca. Introducing Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in Glow. This soft, iridescent lotion can be mixed with foundation or gently pressed along the cheekbone for added dimension or to diffuse the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles.  This is my “secret” weapon on shoots to create a youthful appearance.  Contains Ginkgo Biloba and Japanese Green Tea for added healthy-skin benefits.