I had a new client in the studio today for a full set of Xtreme Lashes www.xtremelashes.com.  I noticed some damage to her lashes and asked if she had ever had lash extensions before. Lilly told me that she did have lash extensions put on at a nail salon costing her $150 for a full set. She noticed clumps of her own lashes falling out and leaving her with holes. She wanted a winged out look and what she received were lashes that were too long for her natural lashes, excessive amounts of hard glue, an unnatural look/feel and damage to her own lashes.  This is a common factor I see with clients that go to nail salons and do not ask to see pictures of the lash stylists work.  I have a blog entry dedicated to all the questions you must ask before you let anyone touch your eyes, if you are considering Xtreme Lashes I encourage you to take the time and read it.  You can see below the before pictures with Lilly’s natural lashes and the after pictures with a full set of Xtreme Lashes. This case was a slight corrective application as you can see the sparse lashes and holes on her right and left eye.

This is so exciting, I just went through all my makeup at the studio and decided to put up on my blog all my tester makeup that has been used a handful of times. I think it is a great opportunity for new makeup artist, makeup junkies or anyone wanting to try new makeup for a steal. Listed below are some of the makeup, makeup kits, brush kit etc, that I have had in the studio that was not being used. If you see something you like email me at nikol@freshbeautystudio.com with the item name in the subject line. I will send you a paypal invoice with shipping, if you are local you can schedule a time to pick up at the studio. All sale items are on a first come first serve basis. Good Luck!!!!

TARTE COSMETICS TREASURE CHEST SOLD!
This is a extensive eyeshadow, lipgloss, blush, bronzer, highlighter treasure chest from Tarte Cosmetics. Only a couple of the shadows have been used twice (see pictures). This is not available anymore in stores.

Tarte Cosmetics Treasure Chest $24.99

Tarte Cosmetics Treasure Chest Inside Look

Next up is a makeup kit for the traveling makeup artist or makeup junkie. Comes with 24 Arbonne tester lipsticks. I used most of them to fill my professional palette but there is still a lot of lipstick left. A couple of them come as a full tube.

Makeup Kit $49.99

Inside Look of makeup kit

There are a couple of lipsticks full like the one on the left, most of them I used to fill my professional palette

12 TRUE Cosmetics lipstick testers. These lipsticks were testers in my boutique, there is one that was used as you can see by the picture in the back row third one from the left.

TRUE Cosmetics Lipstick Testers $29.99

Professional Makeup Artist Palette. Includes 10 blushes, 2 bronzers, 24 eyeshadows. A huge range for a makeup artists kit. Great savings. This was used a handful of times. I didn’t even know I had it until I was cleaning out my makeup studio today.

Professional Makeup Artist Palette $49.99

TINTE Cosmetics Lip gloss Testers. 8 Lipglosses, 4 Lip Colors, 1 Eyeshadow Pigment. A great range for a new artist or makeup lover. These were on display in my studio.

Tinte Lip Gloss Lot $39.99

Butter London lot of 11 Testers SOLD
These polishes are amazing we used them for a short period of time in our pedicure lounge. Enjoy the opportunity to polish your fab nails and feet with fashions latest colors.

Butter London Nail Polish Tester Lot $33.00

Alright Brides I hear it daily in my treatment room, “I want flawless skin”, “How do I get clear skin?”  Here are a couple of tips I tell my Brides:

• Stop using 50 different products on your face.
• You must cleanse your skin morning and night, no excuses of being too tired.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
• Invest in high quality skin care products, this does not mean $1000 cleanser it means know what you are putting on your skin.
• Have a morning and night time protocol
• Feed your skin with serums
• Use a chemical free SPF no less then 30 that’s oil free.
• Get on a 4-6 week standing facial appointment for a deep clean each month.

Pink Clarisonic Pro

 I am not big on pushing tons of skin care products that my Brides and clients are not going to use.  It’s important to understand what you are putting on your skin, not cherry picking from 10 lines and hoping for that flawless skin.  Having great skin is actually quit simple, if you use the Clarisonic Pro and the Opal Sonic Fusion you will see dramatic results guaranteed when using the proper skin care.  I personally use both the Clarisonic Pro and The Opal Fusion system and have seen a dramatic change to my skin.

Fresh Beauty Studio just launched their Bridal Flawless Skin Boot Campthis month.  The package includes the Clarisonic Pro in pink, The Opal Sonic Fusion, $100 worth of Image Skin Care and a The New Yorker facial all for $500.00 (a $105 savings). Hello clean clear flawless skin ready to walk down the isle.   

Flawless Bridal Skin

The most important part and the first step towards flawless skin is cleansing your skin, this step is often overlooked.  Basic manual cleansing can leave behind dirt, pollution and oil trapped in pores. This build-up can cause acne breakouts, bumps, uneven skin tone.  Having congested skin will keep your skin care products from working like they should.  The Clarisonic Pro which has 4 speeds (3 lower speeds for face and one speed for the areas of the body needing extra attention) only available through a skin care specialist  uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to gently, yet thoroughly remove 6X more makeup and 2X more dirt and oil than cleansing with your hands alone.  The Clarisonic is gentle enough to use twice a day, it will reduce oily areas,  dry skin patches and blemishes.  Remember your handsome groom is also part of the skin care ritual.  You will see a huge improvement after properly cleansing your skin when you apply your serums and creams, they will actually penetrate into  your skin instead of sitting on top of the epidermis; basically wasting product and not benefiting your skin.  In other words if you want to have that “Blushing Bridal Glow” you must take a good look at your skin care routine and make the necessary investment with your skin care products and skin care system.

Opal Sonic Fusion System

I was at the Trump hotel in Las Vegas last month and had a facial that included the Opal Sonic Fusion for my eye area.  Since I use the Clarisonic Pro in my facials for my Brides and clients, I was excited to experience the Opal and see if I wanted to bring it in to my facial treatment room. I am always hesitant when new technology comes out and the claims that they have. I have waited on trying the Opal to see what the reviews and feedback were.  The Opal Sonic Fusion is a palm-sized infusion device, it is specially designed to help build skin’s resilience over time and prevent future damage around the eyes. The Opal gently infuses their specially formulated Anti-Aging Sea Serum by gently tapping the skin around the eye at 125 sonic movements per second maximizing absorption in a way that’s not possible with your finger alone.  I was very surprised how tight and hydrated my eye area felt (always a plus when you are not 18 years old).   The eye area is very delicate, all those late nights dancing in Louboutins sipping on that sexy martini are starting to show which is not so sexy the next morning. If you are looking to tighten your eye area, look younger and refreshed the Opal Infusion System is a must.  I am so excited to use this product after seeing how hydrated my skin looks after long nights working on location and flying.  An added benefit with the Opal is that you can also use it on your lips, brow and forehead areas.

Both the Clarisonic and Opal Fusion can be bought on www.freshbeautystudio.com

My possible wedding shoes by Oscar de la Renta

I received an email from Ever After www.everafter.com a Couture wedding dress boutique in Miami announcing their annual designer wedding dress sample sale.  WOW!! What perfect timing, I cleared my schedule for the morning and rushed down for my early appointment, as you know first come first serve with sample sales.  When I walked in to Ever After it was very chi chi with Louboutian, Carolina Herrera and Grace Ormonde coffee table books out for perusal.  I flipped through a couple books for inspiration and looked around at all the Couture gowns from Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Ines Di Santo (one of my favorite designers) and Oscar de la Renta to name just a few.  I was offered a glass of bubbly while I picked out dresses which always make everything seem that much more glamorous.  I wasn’t thrilled thinking about buying a sample dress that had been tried on by 500 brides, soiled, torn etc. my main motivation to visit Ever After was to go to a bridal boutique that had all the main Couture designers.  I picked out about 8 dresses and started trying on which is somewhat of a workout.  I was delighted to find in my dressing room 5 different heels (in my size believe it or not) by Oscar de la Renta to Mononlo waiting to be worn.  I slipped on a little number by Oscar as you can see in the picture above and fell in love. Dress number 4 was the ultimate classic wedding dress by Oscar de la Renta which we all agreed fit my body and style perfectly.  The wedding dress had exquisite hand embroidery, the matching veil was French toile with a scaloped edge that matched the slimming mermaid style dress. 

Oscar de la Renta

I am finding that the more dresses you try on the more confused you get.  I had one of my dear friends Jennifer from www.interviewher.com meet me to help give advice, thoughts and share a glass of celebratory bubbly.  I don’t suggest trying on dresses by yourself, you need the support from your family and or friends to help guild you.  Jennifer took pictures of me in each dress because when I was on number 8 I was like “What did number 3 look like on?” “Did I like it?”.  Make sure you take pictures and review them after you are finished.  I was surprised that I liked some dresses better on then in the picture, something you don’t want to say when you are editing your wedding pictures.

I am getting closer to finding the perfect wedding dress, I have my eye on a beautiful Oscar de la Renta gown right now so I am hoping by my next wedding dress blog update I will confirm that I placed my order.

I have had the honor of working with over 150 Brides in my short career over the last 5 years. I am so excited to start 2012 with beautiful hair and makeup created by myself and my talented team of artists for all of our upcoming weddings both in South Florida and nationally. We look forward to meeting with you whether you are getting married in 2012, have a black tie, birthday party, anniversary or just because. Fresh Beauty Studio is ready to create red carpet magazine quality hair and makeup for you.