Southern Beauty Express

Destination makeup artist and hair stylist Destin, Florida

Summer proof foundation- don’t sweat off your base

I am a foundation junkie. If you looked at my collection, you’d see 50-60 bottles of various formulas and finishes. My foundation depends on my mood, the weather, my skin, and the finish I want that day. But, when it comes to summer and heat and sweat, there aren’t that many that can make it through a day without transferring or sliding off. This is my list of tried and true faves that can survive your Florida vacation.

1. The cult favorite Estée Lauder double wear. It doesn’t have a fancy bottle or anti aging ingredients, but it will stay and it will stay well. The color selection is tricky because EL just doesn’t do shade ranges well, but if you can find your shade, this will last through a hot summer day. Make sure you wash it off really well, and then wash again, because it is a harder one to remove and breakouts can occur if not thoroughly cleansed. $42 without a pump, $10 more for a pump

2. Senegence Makesense original foundation. Yes, this is a product sold through your Facebook friends, but it is a good one. They have made an anti-aging version but stead clear of it unless you have dry skin. The original has staying power, has great coverage, and is sweat proof. They have also expanded the shade range to be more inclusive. I have used this product for about 8 years now and always have it around. (I am also a rep only because I truly like the products). The cheapest way to purchase for yourself is to sign up. Otherwise it costs about $50 a bottle. 15 shades. This formula is also amazing blown through an airbrush and is excellent for makeup artists doing bridal since there is no flashback and it is cry proof. (https://senesite.senegence.com/MistyEwing)

3. Westmore Beauty Perfector foundation + concealer. This foundation from the legendary Westmore family, creates a second skin that doesn’t budge or transfer. It can be built to a nice coverage and has a radiant finish on the skin. You can swim in this foundation and it’s not coming off. $36 on QVC and the brand website. Only 6 shades to choose from.

4. Wander Beauty Nude Illusion foundation. One of my recent faves, this foundation has a luminous skinlike finish and a lightweight fluid formula. It is self setting and does not transfer, even through a gym workout. The foundation is full of skin loving ingredients and comes in a squeeze tube with a doe foot applicator. There are 12 shades and it costs $40.

5. Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear foundation. This one is a mouthful. This is my go to for a matte finish that lasts all day. It still retains a skinlike finish without looking like a mask and can be built to almost full coverage. This has one of the more expansive shade ranges with 30 shades and costs $48.

6. Smashbox Studio Skin 15 hour wear hydrating foundation. This has been a longtime favorite for the lasting ability on all skin types. It’s also a great mixer with other foundations to make them last longer. I carry about 12 shades in my kit but they have 40 shades in the line. One thing I really loved about the brand was the fact that they lowered the price this year to $36 rather than raising like other brands do. I only find I get about a medium coverage with it, but I don’t like a full coverage makeup.

When it comes to foundation, I don’t tend to go to drugstore products. The foundation is the base for all your makeup and can make a cheap powder or blush look expensive with the right formula. Don’t scrimp on your base.

Makeup Artist Warning Signs

I’ve had the pleasure of working with many other artists in my career. I’ve witnessed first hand how some artists use amazing sanitization and some use none at all. So I wanted to compile a list of non negotiables that you should watch for when using a makeup artist.

1- Is their kit clean and well organized? Look for dirt and hair and buildup on the surface and around products. This is a sign that they haven’t cleaned their kit in a while.

2- Are they using disposable tools? Anything that comes in contact with a mascara or gloss should be disposable. If they are using the same mascara wand on you that they are using on other people, you risk exposure to bacteria and disease. Tell them no, and ask for a fresh tube and disposable wand. (If you decide to continue with service). If they are double dipping in mascara, they are probably double dipping in other things, and chances are their kit is contaminated.

3- Are their tools clean? If they keep their dirty brushes and clean brushes in the same bin, they are contaminated. Ask for them to stop and sanitize their brushes.

4- Do they wash their hands or use hand sanitizer? Many artists use hands as a palette, which is fine, but make sure the hands are clean.

5- Are they blowing on their brushes or palettes? Are they sticking their fingers in their mouth? Sounds gross, but I’ve seen it happen. Spit and breath are contaminates.

Do not be afraid to question sanitation. Ask to see their kit. Look at their products before they touch your skin. Most of us keep our kits very clean, but not everyone takes it seriously. So it is up to you as the consumer to make sure the person you work with has your best interest in mind.

Have you witnessed bad sanitation? Share your experiences in the comments below.

Boho Spring Wedding Trial

Today I had the pleasure of working with my bride, Carlee, to create her wedding day glam. She wanted a cute boho upstyle with leaf crown and a romantic pink makeup. It’s all very dreamy and feminine and Spring.

I used airbrush as her base and a color scheme of pinky purples on the eyes. I worked with her natural rosiness in her cheeks and kept blush minimal. I used my favorite strip lashes from Kiss (shy) and a blonde brow pencil to finish the eyes. Lips were a complimentary mauve tone.

We really wanted the hair to look loose and effortless and I left some pieces down in the front to complete the look.

Everything photographed beautifully and she was super happy that her skin still looked like skin.

She loved it and hugged me before she left. I absolutely love my job!!

Bare Minerals Floral Utopia collection swatches

I am a long time Bare Minerals fan. Combine that with this beautiful packaging and all I knew was I had to have it. I did skip the highlighter because I wouldn’t use it and a couple of the lip colors because I really didn’t need them. But I could not resist the orchid looking color because that is my jam.

This is actually my first Gen Nude eyeshadow palette. The purple sold me. Four of the shades are lighter and more diffused color wise, but the violet shade and the deep plum are packed with pigment. I will do a tutorial with this soon.

I am very familiar with Gen Nude blushes and they quickly became my favorite blush formula. I like a blush I can build up vs one I have to sheer down. These are bright without being harsh. Anyone can wear these shades. Don’t be fooled by what you see in the pan.

I’m Freesia

Tropical Orchid

Blooming Poppy

Lastly, I had to get this lip color. If you know me, you know I can’t pass up a cool toned pink, mauve, or rose. This shade is stunning and screams Spring to me. I had a hard time getting the camera to show an accurate representation but this is close.

Orchid-ing Around

I am in love with this collection and so happy that I purchased it. I can see myself getting lots of use out of it. If you love orchid and cool tones as much as me, you will love this.

They also have a QVC exclusive set available now on qvc.com. This set includes the same eyeshadow palette with exclusive shades of the blush, highlight, and lipgloss.

I’d love to add the blush and gloss to my collection but don’t want to purchase the whole set to get it.

What is your favorite item from the collection? What will you be purchasing?

See you next time, and thanks for stopping by!

Misty

Clean hair or dirty hair?

I get asked this often from my clients. Do I want them to come with clean hair or dirty hair. You will hear different things from different stylists but my choice is always clean and dry hair.

Why?

I don’t want to touch oily, dirty, flaky, hair with my bare hands. It gets on my irons and in my combs. It makes it harder for both heat to penetrate and curl to hold, and it makes the hair heavier. I always reserve the right to refuse service if someone shows up with greasy hair. One day old hair is fine. I do not want hair freshly washed that morning because often it is not completely dry and damp hair will not hold a curl. But please, do not come with oily hair. And if you know you have flakes, please make sure your hair is clean.

GET IN TOUCH

mistymewing@gmail.com
502-693-6134

SERVICE AREA

FLORIDA panhandle

Navarre, Destin, Pensacola

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THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS