em michelle phan: Arched Defining Brow Liners

I have a confession to make - I have never watched a Michelle Phan makeup tutorial on her YouTube channel, up until recently. And if you are a blogger and into makeup, you have heard of her. If not then you must have waken up under a rock...a very big, heavy rock. She was innovative early in her tutorial videos by adopting a voice over format. It's a very documentary like feel. As a former art student, she approaches makeup application like art work. And anyone that mimics their tutorials like the awesome PBS Bob Ross instructional show, is extra cool in my book. She was named a video makeup artist by Lancome and has recently launcher her own cosmetics line, EM Michelle Phan.

I am a very, very lucky girl to have received an invitation to try out some of her products.

Arched Defining Brow Liners:

There are five shades to choose from: ash blonde, medium brown, caramel, brunette and black. Since I wasn't sure just how dark the black pencil was I opted for both the brunette and black pencils. I like that these are self sharpening and there's a spoolie on the other end for blending.

Brunette has a bit of red in it and black is not what you think. It's a dark neutral brown that has a bit of grey in it.

Here's a very naked eye with Brunette:

This is a great shade for the days where I don't want to do a heavily shaded lid or on the weekends when I'm running errands with my daughter and I just want to keep my makeup super simple.

I have been blending the two shades together and I'm loving the results:

I love that it's not too dark and it looks like it could be my actual brows if I were blessed with naturally dark and full eye brows! 

For the past twenty years, I've been a shadow and slanted brush kind of girl. In fact, it would take me less than five minutes to do both brows. Then again, that's on a good day. I actually shunned all pencils, only using to fill sparse sections of my arches. The pencils I have used are often waxy and weren't that great. I love the formula of this pencil, just enough creaminess to go on easily but still sturdy to be long lasting and it blends like a dream with the spoolie brush. I am very impressed with this product, as I take my brows seriously. 

Yes, I'm that girl that doesn't leave the house without her brows on to go on a four mile run on the weekends. 

On that note, these pencils do not fade even after an intense workout. The irony is I have bangs again and my brows are covered for the most part. Well luckily, I found this pencil to define and darken my brows when my bangs are blown haphazardly on a windy day. 

These pencils retail for $19/USD and can be found online, click here. 

These were sent to me for consideration. 

Makeovers: Not Just for the Jilted....

I've taken a bit of time off, just in case you haven't noticed. Well, a few things have happened - busy workload and a anxious feeling about my status since the sale of half of the company, where I work and fulfilling my duties as my sister's maid of honor for her wedding last weekend.

The problem is the longer I stay away it becomes so easy to slack. And if slacking were a career, I'd be CEO!

So, I'm getting off my lazy butt to just share a few new things I have tried out.

On my birthday, last month, I enlisted the help of NARS makeup artist, Laura, to give me a hot birthday look for my karaoke outing. I also got a chance to visit the NARS boutique in the Lower Pac Heights neighborhood, SF.

Even the outside exterior has a very sleek, minimal look. The window display was sparse but that didn't mean there wasn't an impact on those window shopping in the neighborhood.

The inside of the shop, did not disappoint either. I love this little book collection nestled above the makeshift fireplace.

But let's get back to why you guys are here. The makeover and the amount it took to transform me into a smoky karaoke chanteuse. 

If only my bathroom counter looked like this, well organized and gigantic!

The wonderful makeup artist, Linda talked me into beefing up my brows. Not just darkening but giving me full throttle editorial brows. I was scared but I thought "what the hell, I'm 39 and like Nars says - it's just makeup..."

Here's the result:

I know not that bad but I've been rocking a slim brow for years and years. By the end of the day, I was use to it and really giving thought to getting a prescription for a hair growth treatment from my dermatologist. The dark brow really complimented my strong lined smoky eyes with copper shadows. 

More scenes from the NARS boutique:

My current favorite NARS product - eye paint. I really need to get that review out since it's been about a month and a half of use - ugh, I'm a lazy a**hole I know!

I love how much light comes into this boutique. The placement of the makeup stations are ideal, not for anonymity from the public but at least you'll really see how your makeup looks in natural lighting. 

I can't wait to return to this shop for some holiday shopping, especially since the Guy Bourdain/NARS gifting collection has debuted. 

If you would like to visit the NARS SF boutique in person, here's the address:

NARS COSMETICS BOUTIQUE FILLMORE 
2050 FILLMORE ST. 
SAN FRANCISCO 94115

My makeup was a hit at karaoke that night, my face didn't melt but then again I wasn't dancing with 500 other people in a packed club, thankfully. 

After trying a different brow from what I was use to, I start to think more about my looks and what else I could improve. I think it's because I'm 39 now and really not that far from 40 but don't worry, I'm not looking into medical procedures (well, never say never....)

I really started thinking more and more about my hair and what I wanted to do next. Go back to light brown/dark blonde highlights? No, that's an upkeep expense I can't keep up with. Cut into a cute choppy LOB that a lot of off duty supermodels have been rocking? No, I took way too long growing it this long and plus I'm not 5'10, 105 lbs and 23 yrs. old. Just kidding...no judgments here...just lacking courage. 

What else could I do? Well, I've been thinking about a look that I really loved and was my trademark before my daughter was born - bangs.Yes, it is upkeep but it would just be a few bucks and my hair stylist's salon is about 5-7 minutes walking distance from my office. 

I had the longest time debating and probable exhausted everyone with their thoughts, my husband especially. I had to take the advice I given to others when they want to change their hair, "It's just hair, it'll grow back"

Yeah it'll grow back, albeit a long year or two, but I'll just give my bitching and moaning to myself when I'm in the awkward pinning my bangs back, grow-out phase. 

Behold my bangs and the man who keeps my hair in check for the past twelve years, Melvin Burns.

Isn't he adorable? If you're in San Francisco and need to find a new stylist near your office in the Financial District, please, PLEASE check out: http://www.ecrusalon.com/

And here I am working it and upholding my Maid of Honor duties for my sister's wedding, last week:

I think I made the right decision. And you can't tell but my brows are dark and full under my fringe.

Up next, my the current skincare regime that's changing my skin for the better. 

MAC/ANTONIO LOPEZ: Why Didn't This Collaboration Happen Sooner?

Cosmetic brand giant, MAC recently launched another genius collaboration. This one celebrates the decadent, hedonistic, sensual, disco '70's.

This collection features art work by the legendary fashion illustrator from that era,

Antonio Lopez:

courtesy of nytimes.com 

Here he is with a very young (Uncle) Karl Lagerfeld and one of the iconic faces he discovered and introduced to the fashion world: Jerry Hall. He illustrated what I pictured high fashion glamour to be in NYC and Internationally in the late 1970's. His women were strong, audacious and the least likely to be labeled as a wall flower.

The window display at the MAC boutique I visited today on Fillmore St, SF displays some of his images:

The display was pretty scarce as it debuted a week ago today and I was a little late to the party - as usual. But I did manage to pick up one eye shadow palette.

6 eyes/Violet:

Yes, I did buy this to have a piece of his glamorous art work. But I also bought this for the very pretty charcoal, taupe shimmer on the bottom row, graphic style.

I'm surprised that there's only one shade that is violet in a palette titled Violet but I'm willing to overlook that. I'm pleased that all the shades except for carbon are limited edition.

Here's a swatch of the lineup on my arm:

Aside from carbon, it does take some work for these shadows to show up on my arm. I have a feeling that I'll be packing layers of these shadows on my lids. It's pretty soft to the touch.

Lithe Spirits/Envisioning Pinks (s - satin finish)
Violet Impact/Showgirl/Graphic Style (vxp - not sure what finish that is)
Carbon (m - matte)

Sorry, I am only featuring the palette I purchased but if you can still find these at your local department stores, that carry MAC, or at a boutique or PRO store, do check it out.

There are a total of three eye shadow palettes, three lip palettes, two face/cheek palettes, travel blush/bronzer brush in a vinyl pouch with illustration, a makeup pouch and a two mirror compact. Each palette features original art work.

I'll feature another post when I use the shadows.

This was purchased by yours truly at my local Nordstrom store.
6 eyes/Violet palette - $43.50 (USD 5.3g/0.19 US oz)

For a better look at this collection, peep this. I love that video featured!

Gabi's Mom - Last Week on Lil'Miss

I wanted to try something different two weeks ago when posting my usual weekly beauty piece for www.missomnimedia.com. My daughter just started elementary school and honestly, lipstick was the last thing on my mine, okay the second to the last thing, nevertheless I had other thought running through my head.

Gabriela, at age 2

Like, how fast time flies. This really is true when you have a child. Just when I got comfy with all the preschool parent friends I made in just under three years, like my daughter, I have to make new friends all over again. And I have to get use being called, "Gabi's mom"

How I got use to being nameless, click here.

Date Night = BOOZE REVIEWS

To celebrate Labor Day weekend right, Mr. Lex and I had a date night.

It's been too long to even remember the last time we had a grown-up, get fancy, date night!

I even spent an extra 10-15 minutes on the trifecta of beautifying: highlighting, contouring and sculpting my face.

I apologize for crappy dusk lighting, I will say that my lip color is my latest lip obsession - UD Revolution lipstick, Jilted with 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil, Venom. Yes, review will be coming soon via Miss Omni Media.

We had a lovely meal at the Burritt Room + Tavern in Charlie Palmer's Mystic Hotel, Union Square, SF. It was a languid meal due to a slow kitchen. This wasn't necessarily a deal breaker since our server was delightful, attentive and treated us to a free dessert for waiting patiently.

But the real reason why we weren't too pissed and I wasn't giving the servers and bus boys the business (and the reason why you guys tune into these reviews) were our cocktails:

I had to choose my spirit wisely and I can never go wrong with whisky.

First drink:
Mark Twain

Ingredients:
scotch whisky, ginger honey, lemon and angostura bitters.

And a very proper, delightful and sunny gentleman he was.  According to the menu, this recipe was described by Mr. Twain in a letter to his wife, Olivia from London in January, 1874. If I were Olivia I would have been envious. Why are you telling me about this delicious beverage I cannot taste? Are you trying to piss me off?

This is a very refreshing drink that I could easily drink all day - sunny or on a foggy, cold typical SF evening. The ginger honey keeps the mood comfy and rounds out the citrus edges of this drink. A dash of the angostura bitters gives it a subtle herbaceous hint. This is a great drink for those that fear the word
WHISKY in a cocktail. This is the cocktail I'd easily return for.

Contestant #2
Berlinetta

Ingredients: Bourbon, Cynar, Carpano Antica, Price Blood Orange Bitters

Shit. This is the drink you turn to when you had a hard day or you want to look all classy while you are secretly getting faced.

This had a Negroni feel to due to the Cynar bitter used (an Italian liquer). It's composed of 13 plants and herbs, mainly artichoke and it's very bittersweet. Carpano Antica, which is sweet vermouth and the Blood Orange bitters give a very slight sweet component - again, very slight. The bourbon has nowhere to hide. It's full bodied and heavy but a pleasure to drink. This is a pretty advance drink for the bourbon fans. It leans on the herbal side versus sweet. I'd definitely come back for this bad boy. I'd even make sure I had a rough day so I could really, really appreciate this. I would also probably ask for seconds.

And finally:
Rhuby Red:

Ingredients: Bourbon, Burritt Strawberry cordial, lemon, rhubarb, peychaud foam

Okay one word: SWEET. This should have been the drink I started with not follow up a heavy hitter like the Berlinetta. The combination of lemon and rhubarb gives it a bit of a tart quality. This one is definitely for those that like to dip their toes gingerly in the bourbon cocktails. Peychaud foam is made with Peychaud bitters, a lighter, slightly sweeter version of Agostura. It gave a nice floral scent to this cocktail. If I'm in the mood for something fruity, sweet and safe - I'd order this.

Some other highlights:

CHEESE:

How can something so simple look so elegant and taste so wonderfully delicious? Every time I attempt to serve a cheese tray at a party it just ends up messy - half open cheese with the plastic wrapper halfway off. There's a pile of triscuits or water crackers I tried to arrange in a nonchalant way but it just looks like my daughter just poured a box of crackers right on to the cheese board.

And this butter lettuce salad with BACON:

As you can see the bacon phenomenon isn't ending any time soon and I'm thankful for that - well my jeans aren't. This would be the only way I could get my husband to eat a salad, if only he'd like that buttermilk dressing. Ugh, one step at a time.

The Mister and I both agree that we'd love to return to the Burritt Room + Tavern for drinks and maybe the cheese plate at the bar area. Our entrees were good but we weren't totally wowed. I'm willing to give the kitchen another shot, my husband, not so much.

That's okay it just means we get to discover another restaurant on our next date night and I get to spend an extra 15 minutes getting all dolled up again!