RaiNa's Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Review

  I attended "The Makeup Holiday Pop-Up Show" in New York City on Sunday, December 8,2013.  It was my first makeup show as a professional makeup artist.  This show was open to the public as well.  I stumbled across some products that I thought were pretty cool.  Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is the name of the lipsticks and eyeshadows I purchased.  They are 100% vegan and are actually called "Lip Tars" .  They come in a matte, metallic and stained lip gloss and smell so yummy because they are made with real peppermint oil, soy based vitamin E and organic hemp oil.  The metallic shines so bright! I purchased one in Black Metal Dahlia.  You should apply it with a lipstick brush for an even distribution. The eyeshadows are simply gorgeous and very true to color! I have zero complaints about them.  Always use an eyeshadow base before applying any eyeshadow. Here are some pictures of the products I purchased and the look I created with them.

Black Metal Dahlia Lip Tar, eyeshadows in Twirls & Authentic

The completed look I did on myself. All products can be
purchased online at Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
or online at Sephora

On my hand from top to bottom
eyeshadow: 1) Twirl
                                   2) Authentic
Lip Tar: Black Metal Dahlia
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Salon Diaries....UNcut!

 On Tuesday, July 30,2013 I attended the taping of "Salon Diaries." It was created by my fomer co-worker, my role model and friend celebrity hairstylist Lavette Slater.  The segment featured a panel of very familiar faces, celebrities like MTV's "Girl Get Your Mind Right" Tionna Smalls , singer and reality star Olivia , Hot 97's and  reality star Raqi Thunda, Ariane from "Love and Hip Hop ATL , and last but certainly not least blogger BlogXilla.  The Trump's World Bar  was where the event took place.
  Taboo topics in relation to sex, marriage and open relationships were just some of the topics that were discussed.  For the fans and followers of Tionna Smalls you already know it was no hold bars, she definitely tells it like it is.  Each panelist gave their view on dating in the 21st century and we all know it is even harder than ever.   However the fashion and hair was amazing.  The ladies hair was fabulous and makeup was "beat for the GODS." I want the show to be picked up by a major network, so I have my fingers crossed.

This is Lavette Slater and myself. She is an amazing woman.  I learned so many techniques from
her while working in the hair salon.                      

Here goes my girl Tionna Smalls. We met last year in November when I
went to a casting call for one of her many ventures and she remembered me.  Nobody ever forgets me. LOL

Me with the beautiful songstress Olivia. Look out for her

acting debut on a new scripted series and she is now signed to a major label. So proud of her. 

Ariane,Olivia and Tionna are on the couch.

Tionna, Lavette, Olivia, Blogzilla and Raqi chopping it up on the couch.

RaiNa's Guide to: MAKEUP & EXPIRATION

Left to Right (clockwise) mascara, liquid eye liner
faces with foundation, eye and lip pencils
lipsticks.

      Great skin is the foundation to flawless makeup.  But do you know that it can be ruined easily by "expired" makeup?  Yes, just like food makeup expires too.  Do not put your health at risk just to get that  last bit of mascara out of the tube, purchase a new one.  Here is a guide to your makeup's expiration date.  After you read this list you may have to go in your stash and throw some items out.

1) Mascara & Liquid eyeliner
Expires in 3 months of purchase and use. Replace it often to prevent eye infections. And do NOT pump the wand in and out of the tube.  You introduce bacteria into it.
2) Lipstick
Last 2 years.  Do not share your lipstick with anyone to prevent cross contamination.
3) Lip and Eye pencils
Last 3 to 5 years.  To preserve and keep your pencil clean make sure you sharpen it after EACH use.
4) Foundation
Expires after 2 years.

2013 Spring & Summer Makeup Trends

       This year's makeup look is all about simplicity.  First thing you want to do is develop a skincare regimen to ensure that your skin is in tip top shape.  Every skin type is different and requires something unique.  Basically you want to 1) CLEANSE , 2) TONE and 3) MOISTURIZE.  Make sure that each product specifically caters to your skin type.  Fresh skin accompanied by a bold lip is the look.  It's not a far cry from my regular routine, just minus the cat eye that I love so much.  It is instead replaced with a white eyeliner along the lower rim of the eye.  Make sure you apply moisturizer before you apply your foundation and don't let it dry all the way, put the foundation on it to give your face a natural dewy look.  And use concealer only where needed.  Take a look at some products I recommend and some of the makeup work I did on some models for New York Fashion Week 2013.
Try these shades by Motives by LaLa which will be on my website for sale VERY soon!! I will keep you all updated.

Motives by Lala lip gloss for those who
prefer a shine.

Misture-rich matte Motives by Lala
lipstick

Makeup artist: RaiNa (The Glamour BOX)
Photography courtesy of Two Flash

Makeup Artist: Raina (The Glamour BOX)
Photography courtesy of Christopher Butt
Designer:  Elissee Furs
Event: New York Fashion Week 2013 (Feb)

RaiNa's AcaDemy AwaRds 2013 RECAP!

Kelendria Rowland bka
Miss Kelly! Hair, makeup,dress..
YOU BETTA WERK!

All HAIL to the FASHION GODS!
Charlize Theron...hair,makeup, THAT
DRESS oh YASS!

   The 2013 Academy Awards is an awards show that I mostly watch for the fashion...ONLY! After all I am a fashionista, makeup artist & hairstylist.  My life is consumed with all things beauty-related.  This year I was pleasantly surprised by a few of the celebrities and still bored with one.  Here is a recap of the beautiful scenery better known as "The Oscars."

Reese Witherspoon I "LIVE" because of her Old Hollywood
hair. The makeup & that dress! Oh Yasss!

Halle Berry NEVER fails...from
head to toe she is an ETERNAL SLAYER! 

 

Ms. Kerry baby!
Kerry Washington Yasss! All hail the
fashion gods! The color
of this dress compliments her skin
tone.

BORING AS USUAL!!     Jennifer Aniston (le sigh) Same BORING hair. The color of the dress is beautiful, but she needed a REAL hairstyle! Her makeup...((YAWN)) Somebody hire me please!! ~RaiNa

                                             

RaiNa on set with The CID Ninja

CID NINJA

    I met Asqui Music Group singer/songwriter Cid Ninja thru our manager Dewry Bradford a month prior to working with her on her first professional photo shoot as an upcoming major artist.  We hit it off from the second I met her.  I would like to say for the most part that we are some sought of "kindred spirits."  There is a part of her that I see in myself. She is an eclectic musical certified bad ass.  Yes I said it.  I wanted to cultivate an image thru "hair" and "makeup" that was all her own, because I wanted her to stay true to who she is.   I felt it was very important to do so.  Here are a couple of images that were taken from that day.  Please do not forget to check out and LIKE her FACEBOOK fan page, CID Ninja & her REVERBNATION to listen to her music and see for yourself why I adore her, she definitely GOT NEXT.

Me (RaiNa) touching up the checkerboard lips I gave CidNinja

Preview of the Fiona (by Juiciluci cosmetics) and nude lip by Revlon I gave
Cid Ninja

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK AT "THE GLAMOUR BOX"

NBC NEWS Hillary Flowers Fashion show: Pretty Black Dresses

   I was chosen to do makeup for The Hillary Flowers Fashion Show on Saturday January 12,2013.  It was held at "The Skyroom" in Times Square in New YORK CITY.  I did makeup for a couple of models including Hillary Flowers.  She is a well known fashion designer, boutique owner, singer and songwriter in New York City. She even hosted a segment on Fox5 Good day New York.  The show was an absolute success. I am loving my journey to the top and I want to thank you all for taking this journey with me. Check out some images from that night.

Hillary Flowers is in the center walking down the runway after the show

Here is a BEFORE & AFTER picture of my makeup work I did
on one of the models at the show.

Myself with Hillary Flowers after I did her makeup.

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My LipStick is REDDER than youRs...

      Red lipstick will forever be linked with having extreme SEX APPEAL... well at least for me that's what it signifies.  It just screams femininity and siren to me.  It took me some time to find just the right shade of red.  It's a shade that looks good on every skin tone no matter what race you are. In fact I've been wearing it for almost 2 years & people stop me and ask me, "What brand of red is that?" I think it's so HAUTE! It's REVLON's "Fire." It's a lipstick and gloss in one. Take a look at the picture of me wearing it below.

That's me holding my favorite lipstick by REVLON.  It's called
"FIRE." You can purchase it at a CVS pharmacy near you.

My FavoRite Foundation EveR!

    I am a makeup artist which means I have come into contact with an array of cosmetic products and skin-types.  I am very picky when it comes to what I apply to my skin.  You ask why? One, I have sensitive skin & two, my skin is a bit on the oily side.  If you have oily skin like me I highly recommend "Clinique's Stay-Matte Foundation.
Here's a list of benefits:

• Controls OIL & SHINE
• Excellent coverage without looking overdone
• Easy to apply
• Works great in humid weather 
• Skin is able to still breathe
• Very, VERY lightweight that it feels like you're wearing NOTHING at all.
• Great for acne prone skin, in fact it improves it.
• Allergy tested
• 100% Fragrance FREE
• Looks and feels absolutely NATURAL.  
• And it is affordable 

     If you are confused as to what color you are, go to a CLINIQUE counter and a trained professional would be sure to assist you.  Out of all the foundations I've ever used, this brand has always been my favorite.

This is my foundation. My color is 25 Spice (D-N)

Oily Skin Solution: The Inexpensive Foundation PriMeR

Do you have oily skin? Do you wear foundation and it seems to be worn out not too long after applying it? Well, I have a remedy for you that is most likely in your kitchen.  It's MILK OF MAGNESIA.... I know it seems strange but it works! I am a freelance makeup artist and it is just a few tricks of the trade that just happens to be an inexpensive alternative to other foundation primers such as the  MAC prep + prime or the MAC prep + prime creme that can run you from $20 to $37.99 for a 0.5 oz tube.
  Here are the instructions to use MILK OF MAGNESIA as a primer for your foundation:    

•  Applying MILK OF MAGNESIA to your face with a cotton ball and allowed to dry will act as a base before you to apply your foundation.  
• Cover all oily areas well (t-Zone...forehead, nose,cheeks & chin)* with  the Milk of Magnesia immediately after you wash and dry your face. 
• Applying Milk of Magnesia allows your foundation to last much longer on your skin.