LadyLIkes Her Makeup Product Review BB Cream

Everywhere you look there's talk about BB Creams and in this post you'll read about my personal encounter with Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream in the shade Deep 140. Just so I'm clear I was not paid by Maybelline New York for this review. In fact I paid all of $6.69 plus tax at my local D.C Bed Bath & Beyond just to write this review for you all.

I've been getting really creative with my Facebook Fan Page (go and like it please) and started a chatter session about Maybelline's Fit Me Foundations and concealers (which I recommend). However, some of my Facebook Rosebuds started to ask about Maybelline's BB Cream. I've tried Maybelline's BBCream once before and liked my 1st try at it. That was a while ago and a quick product test, so I decide to grab a tube and provide you with a current review.

Right out of the gate this BB Cream comes in 5 shades. I'm sure not every skin tone is covered, and Maybelline could surely use a shade extension. Aside from that, Maybelline say that "The 1-step wonder for a good skin day, everyday. Packed with 8 great skin benefits for instant skin perfection. Ideal for Normal Skin.".

Being the product crazed makeup artist that I am I cannot speak to the "skin perfection", as I haven't used the product long enough or solely by its self to personally support this claim. However, I will say that it is lightweight and applies really nicely with a blending sponge or MAC's 187 Duo Fiber brush. It took me all of 5 minutes to apply it to my face with a blending sponge! I did a "what if I use my hands" test and it was an epic fail. The BB Cream seemed to take forever to blend in. I highly encourage you to use a blending sponge or makeup brush for the best application possible.

As for coverage, it has close to the same coverage you would get from a tinted moisturizer. It's sheer but will cover light hyper-pigmentation (dark marks) and even out your complexion. There's no scent that I could pick up on. The price and product volume match well. But I wouldn't be mad if Maybelline bumped up the size. "Ideal for normal skin" yes, I have oily skin, using the BB Cream didn't increase my oiliness to the max, but did however, cause me to shine up a bit. I'm not a stickler for shine so I don't mind blotting and going on with my day. But if you don't want to deal with shine, then you would want to apply a mattifier before applying. Considering I don't have "normal" skin the results I experienced would suit a person with dry or combo dry. Because I have an oilier T-zone I would most likely use this for the winter months on days that I tend to be a little tight in the cheeks.

From my professional makeup artist mind set, I will be placing all 5 shades in my prom kit and my bridal kit for my teen clients. As these would be great for teens stepping into foundation for the first time. The coverage is nice and healthy glow is youthful. Needless to say that a mature client needing a moisture boost would also benefit as well. Acting as a primer this BB Cream worked great too.

 

This BB Cream can also be dolled up as well. Check out my full BB Cream look I created..

 

In the end Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream has earned a spot in my professional kit and personal vanity. Have you tried this BB Cream? If so share what your thoughts on it are. I would love to hear from you. :)

Bridal Kit Essentials

I can't have a "Bridal Week" and not talk to you about must haves in your bridal kit. It's only right that I share some really awesome products with you too! All of the items I'm going to talk about today are given 5 LadyStars in my makeup book. I thought long about how I would actually write this post. I've decided to break it down into sections. I'm first going to tell you about my TOP 5 BRIDAL KIT MUST HAVES and then my TOP 5 BEAUTY ESSENTIALS.
 
These products are not listed in any particular order, I have no reason to rank one higher than the other because I own and use them all in my bridal kit. My bridal kit has almost everything in a palette. I bought some of them pre made and some I depotted and made myself. I suggest them whether you get them pre made or decide to deopt/detube your makeup and build your own. They allow you the freedom to carry a large range of shades and products without taken up tons of kit space.

Top 5 Bridal Kit Must Haves

1. Foundations

It's obvious that you're going to need foundations, however which ones are best for bridal makeup? I'm in love with a few foundations and suggest any of these for your kit. I love the coverage they give when used alone or with concealers correctly.

Makeup Forever's HD Foundation- liquid

Graftobain HD foundation Palette- Cream

Dinair Airbrush Foundation- liquid

Maybelline FIT ME Foundation- liquid

Black Opal Stick Foundation- cream

2.Bridal Shadows

These are eye shadows that will never fail a bridal eye look. I have, over the years, found some amazing eye shadows that have been a makeup BFF to me during a bridal makeup application. It's a great idea that if you aren't ready to have two separate kits that these particular shadow/ shade ranges be in a separate palette. That way you have a go-to bridal eye palette that has what you're going to need.

You are allowed to use what you feel works for you, but in my professional experience with bridal makeup these are the go to colors. I'm sure these can be found in a duped version at Coastal Scents as well.

M.A.C Cosmetics

Woodwinked

All that glitters

Saddle

Swiss Chocolate

Texture

Ricepaper

Bamboo

Arena

Twinks

3.Eye shadow Primers

How else are you going to provide your beautiful bride with a creaseless, vibrant, and long wearing bridal eye look? Exactly, you're going to need a lid primer to pull this magical makeup trick off. There are many products that can assist you with this task, but here are my personal favorites that get the job done.

Urban Decay Potion Primer (purple tube)

Ruby Kisses Eye shadow Magic Primer (pink tube)

Elf Shadow Primer (shade sheer)

4.Setting Sprays

Setting sprays are my makeup life savers! No, seriously. They seal the entire face for the day or evening. I have tried a few setting sprays but found only 2 that have never failed me. Just 2 misty sprays of these setters and your bride's bridal look is instantly extended for long wear.

Graftobain Makeup Setting Spray

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Spray

5.Blush

Can't have a blushing bride and not apply blush, right? Again there are tons of blushers you can have in you kit. However, I'm a huge fan of the following cheeky cheekers.

La Femme Peach Blush

La Femme Dusty Rose

La Femme Pink Velvet

M.A.C Love Thing

Elf Contouring Blush& Bronzer (Turks Caicos)

TOP 5 Beauty Essentials

1.Blending sponges

I'm a huge fan of the original Beauty Blender but if you're anything like me you're okay with using a dupe of the original if it's an amazing dupe. With that aside, these sponges are a makeup dream. They allow you a flawless and fast application of foundations, concealers, and even cream textured blush/ contouring products. Just dampen then before use and every liquid or cream product you apply with them will blend out smoothly. I highly recommend having more than one of these in you kit. In fact grab about 5. This way you are covered for a large bridal party.

2.Shadow Shields

If you haven't heard about these little beauties don't worry I'm here to introduce them to you. Shadow Shields make any makeup application a mishap free process. They shield the under eye area from eye shadow fall out, saving you the hassles of having to touch up your foundation & concealer. No need to pack loose powder under the eyes any more. You can find them at Nordstrom online or at your local Rite Aid drug store.

3.Disposable Mascara Wands

I really hope that you aren't using the same mascara wand on all of your clients. Disposable mascara wands are a must have in you kit to avoid cross contamination from your mascara to your client and vise verse.

4.Duo lash adhesive

Applying false lashes that with temporary all day staying power is important for a teary eyed bride on her big day. Don't fail her with lashes that will lift off at the drop of a tear. This glue is waterproof and is the perfect glue for temporary strip lashes

5.Natural false lashes

Never have I had a bride ask me for full on dramatic lashes for her big day. It's smart to have a style variety of false lashes in your kit. However, natural styled false lashes will enhance her own lashes and give the effect of a fuller lash line once mascara is added. I highly suggest human hair lashes so that when applying mascara you have true control of the volume the mascara provides.

6.Moisturizer

I know that this is a TOP 5 list but I would not be my educating self if I didn't give you some skin care advice. Every flawless face should have well hydrated skin underneath. I suggest getting moisturizers for oily/combination and dry/combination. Yup, only 2 to get you started. It's super important that your bride's skin is taken care of before applying makeup. Dry flakes under any foundation is a big no no. There's no way to handle this problem better than moisturizing or hydrating the skin prior to applying makeup.

Here comes the Bride...

It was just October when Lya called me to book a bridal consultation. Like any other phone call from a bride-to-be she asked me the basic booking questions, the first being if I was available the day of her wedding and how soon could we book a consultation. She was open up front about her concerns about airbrush makeup vs traditional makeup during our call and wanted, like any bride, the details of what she could expect from the application of them both.

I was more than happy to explain to her the difference and even offered her a 1/2 and 1/2 consultation. This is where I offer my brides to try each methods of both applications on 1/2 of their face. She was excited to hear that she could experience both methods during one sitting. After discussing the difference in the rates of the two and how I handle contracts and payments, we were booked for a consultation.

Lya looked exactly how I had pictured her in my mind. She's a young and spunky bride with the glow of love all in her eyes. Her friendly bright smile and cute cuddly pup greeted me at the door. After our hellos we jumped right into her consultation. I asked Lya my normal consultation questions as I evaluated her skin's condition. While your client is speaking you should be, as a professional listening and as an artist examining their skin. Lya made it clear that she wanted a red lip for her wedding day and she didn't want her makeup rubbing off on everyone she hugged. She wanted to be glam but still be flawlessly natural.

I suggested that we go with a clean neutral eye that will allow her a fresh face and not clash with her red lip. After she agreed to my suggestions we talked skin care. It's always my number one topic I speak to my clients about. I stress that flawless makeup and flawless skin go hand in had. Lya being a mini beauty diva knew exactly what I was talking about. It was really refreshing to have a bride who cared about her skin and her makeup together.

Let the girl talk flow... Lya and I talked football, makeup and of course how she and her groom got to this place in their lives. I really enjoyed applying her makeup, we went step by step throughout the consultation. At the end of her consultation she looked beautiful and even though she had 1/2 her face airbrushed and the other 1/2 done traditionally, you couldn't tell the difference. Lya informed me that she would be meeting with her wedding planner after I left and would contact me with the end results of which side's application worked best for her.

Fast Forward to the wedding...

Lya in the end decided to get airbrush makeup and have her bridal party get makeovers as well. After applying Lya's and the bridal party's makeup I was happy to hang around with Lya until she was ready to get dressed for makeup touch ups. I will say this about Lya, she had a wedding planner that was on top of it all! Lya's wedding started on time and was filled with everything she had shared with me about her planning details. I was able to peek my head into the beautifully decorated ceremony ballroom and was wowed. 

After the wedding I enjoy catching up with my brides to see how the evening went and if there were any makeup mishaps after I left them. Which almost never happens, considering I provide my brides with a bridal touch up kit.  Lya was just as happy with her makeup as the moment we said our goodbyes in her bridal suite.

As a treat for you I interviewed Lya and her groom Matt about Lya's Bridal Beauty planning and the search for her makeup artist (me) :). I hope Lya's perspective of what a bride is thinking while shopping for their perfect artist for the BIG day helps you out. She was very honest and gives us a look into her thoughts. I even asked Matt a couple of questions too! Believe it or not sometimes a bride gets input from her groom about her bridal makeup. decision...

Lya & Matt's Interview

Name the 3 things you were looking for from your artist?

Confidence-I wanted her/him to know and love their craft enough that they took charge and knew what they were doing.

Professionalism- Promptness (with appointment, telephone calls, emails, etc.) Good time management, and Service with a smile.

Competence- I asked for a wedding day look, delivering this during the trail was essential. 

How long before the wedding did you decide to shop for a makeup artist?

Approximately 1 month.

How many consultations did you have before deciding on a makeup artist?

Two previous one.

Did you give yourself a budget for your makeup?

Yes.

Were you able to stick to that budget?

I quickly learned that the make-up world is just like everything else, you get what you pay for. Realizing this I increased it, after all it was the BIG day I wanted to look gorgeous.

How much more would you have increased your budget to have the professional makeover of your dreams?

I pretty much reached my maximum (which included the trial run, goodie bag, and a day of-touch up kit)

Did your Groom give you, if any, makeup guidelines? (look natural, no lipstick etc.)

He wanted "ME" to show up, not so made up that he wouldn't recognize me. At first he was against me wearing false lashes and bright red lip stick, but once he saw the trial run he was "Wowed".

(Groom Questions)

What was your reaction to your wife's final bridal look? Did her makeup make her look completely different?

Wow! She looked so beautiful. No, she looked like herself.

(Back to Lya)

Did you makeup last until the end of your wedding day?

Yes, although I was provided with a touch-up kit, I never used it! Through the ceremony, pictures, dinner, and plenty of dancing my make-up never needed touching up.

A huge thank you to Lya and Matt for their answers and the photos featured in this post.