Yes folks, it’s time for another In My Zuca post!  This is where I bring you the 411 on what I carry in my Zuca rolling case!

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.

Take a look at what our beauty blogging friends were up to this week as summer kicked into high gear. The heat and humidity didn’t slow us down!

Kari introduced us to Judith August and her cosmetics line at Fab over Forty. Love this quote: “I was born with a makeup brush in my mouth, not a silver spoon.”

Gaia joined the Shiseido Black Sand Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil fan club this week at The Non-Blonde. Find out why this eyeliner is a must-have and a shade that works for everyone.

Charlestongirl was converted to Edward Bess Cosmetics by that Non-Blonde. She showed us why Compact Rouge has landed on her list of multitasking cream blush favorites at Best Things in Beauty.

Kelly dispelled any doubts that Tarte’s Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer is waterproof. Head over to Gouldylox Reviews for the glowing proof.

At BeautyXposé, Anne (and esthetician Renée Rouleau) reminded us why our everyday activities can lead to more cumulative sun damage than lying on the beach now and then.

Ever heard of Beecology Bath & Body products? You’ll want to read Prime Beauty for Cindy’s frugal find. It’s good for you, and, it turns out, good for charity too!

We haven’t checked in on Debbi for awhile. Find out why St. Tropez Self-Tanning Mousse has left her gushing at DivaDebbi.

Once you get that tan, you’ll want to make it glow! Check out my recommendation, Urban Decay’s Midnight Cowboy Body Shimmer Lotion at Makeup Artist Backstage. It’s packed with good-for-your-skin ingredients too.

Laurie gave us a preview of Chanel’s Fall 2010 Makeup Collection at Product Girl. A few of us are in the “virtual line” to buy these gorgeous pieces the second they hit the stores! The commotion may rival the iPhone 4 hoopla!

Amber reviewed and swatched the new Bare Escentuals BUXOM Big & Healthy Lip Sticks at Beauty Junkies Unite. Will there be one of these goodies in your bag next month?

Want a sneak peek at Bobbi Brown’s Denim & Roses Collection? Find out why it put Lianne in the mood for fall at The Makeup Girl.

Stay cool – enjoy your weekend! Fall’s a long way off.

Crave beautiful brows? With this exclusive kit you can line and define your brows AND eyes wherever you go-go.  Benefit’s Brows A-Go-Go has got everything you need for a professional eye-look anytime. anywhere. This set is perfect for travel and contains two shades of Brow Zings, brow wax, eyeliner, highlighter powder, eye brightener, mini tweezers, and a brush.

With this set, you can do a quick brow shape and soft, neutral eye shadow look on the go! Just add mascara!

If you are a makeup artist, you should know my good friend, Maxi. I first met the über-creative Maxi at The Makeup Show NYC in 2009. He was working and promoting a favorite line of mine, OCC Makeup. It was hard not to spot Maxi, the stand-out “character” on Lifetime’s reality series, Blush: Search For The Next Great Makeup Artist, as his head glittered with a sequin head-dress.

Little did I know, Maxi was more than meets the eye (transformers!). When I requested an interview with him, Maxi graciously accepted and opened up to me about his time on the show. He also let me in on a few projects he was working on and touched on his personal life. You can view my first article with Maxi here.

Soon after I interviewed him, I decided to send him a quick email with the link to the article. To my surprise, he absolutely loved the piece and the snapshot I took of him. Trust me folks, that picture was a quick snappy-do outside of the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC. This opened the communication door between us and eventually our working relationship turned into a beautiful friendship. I cannot tell you how many phone calls we’ve had just talking about our goals, complete with Maxi shooting out inspiration which, in the end, helped me get my act together for my next shoot. In my eyes, he’s become more than just an outlandish character on a reality show.  Maxi has proven himself a true friend and he is a beautiful person, both inside and out. I’m extremely grateful for the support he has given me this past year.

Check out our fun videos from The Makeup Show in Los Angeles!  Maxi is also now on Twitter!  Please follow him @maximaximaxi

Maxi, miss you bunches! Hope to see you soon. Have a great birthday week!!

Backstage beauty at Gottex during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2010. Black rimmed liner, glowing skin, and pale lips dominated the runway and complimented the elegant swimwear design. M.A.C. Cosmetics used exclusively for the makeup look.

Check out this behind-the-scenes video:

A good concealer is hard to find.  I’ve been through it all and, although I have my favorites, no one concealer completely does the trick for me.  Either it’s incredibly heavy on the skin and I need only a dab, or it’s too thin and I need to apply multiple layers.  Sometimes the texture is too creamy and it creases, and sometimes it’s too dry and it seeps into the little fine lines.

A look inside one of my beauty drawers

Recently, I did a bit of much needed makeup organizing.  As a makeup artist, I have drawers and drawers of product and it was time for a good clean-up and organization.  I came across products I haven’t tried yet, including L’Oréal’s Visible Lift Serum Inside Line Minimizing Concealer and it was a good find.

I’m half Egyptian (I know, shocker!) and I have the standard-issue blue-grey circles under my eyes.  As I age, it gets worse.  Additionally, I have these little fine lines popping up under my eyes.  It’s a wonderful combination, just kidding.

The concealer is pen-like in shape and has its own applicator-brush.  The top of the wand turns clock-wise and clicks to release product into the brush.  Typically, I like to apply product with a separate concealer brush but didn’t mind the applicator it came with.  It fits neatly in the inner corner of eyes and can get close underneath the lower lash-line.  The formula is amazing.  It’s soft, lightweight, sets, does not crease, and has coverage.  Just one swipe completely neutralized my under eye circles.  I’m hooked!

Try the product with Embryolisse Eye Contour Treatment.

Sample, blend, brush, pat, spritz, swatch, critique, and photograph – our beauty blogging friends do it every week to bring you fab features! Here’s this week’s recommended reading.

Gaia shared her current – and eclectic – perfume lists at The Non-Blonde: Most Recently Worn, Top of Her Wishlist, and more. Find out what’s on her mind – and body.

Kari showed us that even gorgeous celebrities can have “bad look days.” Some of the photos are a hoot! Once you read Celebrity Makeup Gone Bad at Fab over Forty, you won’t feel so klutzy when you have a less-than-perfect day.

Be sure to check out my tips for melt-proofing your makeup with Anne at Beauty Xpose. I also recommended products for budge-proof glamour. It’s a must-read as the weather heats up.

Kelly found the holy grail for lashes, and she spilled her secret at Gouldylox Reviews. Enough said – go read!

Charlestongirl is smitten with Perricone MD’s new Cold Plasma Eye. Find out why she loves it (and why you may need it too) at Best Things in Beauty.

Marcia from Beauty Info Zone wrote a guest post at Prime Beauty. Cindy calls Marcia the “foundation queen,” so you’ll want to know why Marcia loves AeroMinerale Makeup Mist.

All week, Product Girl has been giving us a look at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale beauty specials. If you haven’t been to the store to see and pre-order these amazing value sets, you need to check them out now before they sell out. Nordstrom’s limited editions are always hot tickets.

Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Color Cheek Tint is a beauty blogger favorite. Jennifer reminded us all why we love it. Head over to Beauty in Real Life to find out why you need at least one of these portable perk-me-up sticks.

We hope you can kick back and enjoy your weekend with us!

Please don’t forget to enter my fabulous Sigma Brush giveaway contest underway at Makeup Artist Backstage. In the world of makeup artistry, brushes are the center of the galaxy! Wouldn’t you like to enter to win two amazing sets of brushes? They come with my stamp of approval!

Recently I had the opportunity to work with the WWE Divas.  They’re tan, sexy, and ready for summer!

Get the bombshell makeup look I provided for these lovely ladies!

Kelly Kelly (pictured on left)

Skin

- Embryolisse 24 Hour Miracle Cream and Eye Contour Care

- FACE atelier Ultra Foundation

- FACE atelier Ultra Loose

- FACE atelier Bronzer in Brushed Sable

- FACE atelier Blush in Pink Satin

- Cheekbones highlighted with OCC Makeup’s Loose Colour Concentrate in Oberon

Eyes

- Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion

- Yaby Cosmetics Pearl Paint Eyeshadows in PP040 PP062

- Eyes lined on top and bottom and smudged with MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes Liner in Mat Black

- Multiple coats of CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara

- False lashes from Ardel on the top lid only

Lips

- Spice Lip Pencil from MAC Cosmetics

- Kiss Me Lipstick from Graftobian

- Clear Lipglass from MAC Cosmetics

Rosa Mendes (pictured on right)

Skin

- Embryolisse 24 Hour Miracle Cream and Eye Contour Care

- FACE atelier Ultra Foundation

- FACE atelier Ultra Loose

- FACE atelier Bronzer in Brushed Sable

- MAKE UP FOR EVER Flash Color in Coral and Wine Red lightly dabbed on cheeks

- Cheekbones highlighted with OCC Makeup’s Loose Colour Concentrate in Oberon

Eyes

- Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion

- Vanilla eye shadow from MAC Cosmetics on lid and under brow

- Cork eye shadow from MAC Cosmetics contoured the crease

- MAC Cosmetics Liquidlast Liner in Point Black swooped on the top and gently on bottom lid

- Multiple coats of CoverGirl Lashblast Mascara

- False lashes from Ardel on the top lid only

Lips

- NSFW Lip Tar from OCC Makeup

Hairstyling was provided by DemiV

I recently contributed an article to Daily Makeover on Summery Aqua Eyes. Check out an excerpt from the article here and continue reading on DailyMakeover.com!

Summer means going light on the makeup, but that doesn’t mean you have to eliminate color altogether. Introduce blue and aquamarine shadows and liners to your makeup routine to compliment your summery bronze skin. Lighten and brighten with my simple makeup tips for aqua eyes on DailyMakeover.com!

In my line of work, it’s important to have budge-proof makeup.  Check out my must-haves for smudge-proof black eye liner that I would never leave out of my Zuca.

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.