The 25 Days of Christie: Day 25 — Last Day + GIVEAWAY!

Hooray!! We made it! Today is the last day in the 25 Days of Christie!

I just wanted to thank you all for playing along and keeping up with my daily ramblings. You have all been so supportive and exciting and to thank you properly I am presenting you with a very special giveaway!

Benefit’s “Feelin’ Dandy” Lip and Cheek Kit!

This set comes with Posie Tint Lip & Cheek Stain, High Beam Highlight, Dandelion Powder Blush, and Ultra Plush Dandelion Lip Gloss!! I am literally so excited to give this away, it is such a fun little combo of exciting things and of course I LOVE Benefit!

Here’s how to enter:
1. “LIKE” Christie Caiola: Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist on Facebook!
2. Share this blog post on Facebook.
3. Comment on this blog post your favorite thing about the 25 Days of Christie or what you’d like to see in the future on my blog + your full name!

*Contest ends 11:59PM Wednesday night. Winner will be drawn Thursday morning. Facebook is in no way responsible or involved in the contest process.

A Few of My Favorite Things:
Day 1: Tweezerman Tweezers
Day 2: Josie Maran Argan Oil
Day 3: Christian Dior Cuticle Cream
Day 4: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Day 5: MakeUp Forever HD Primer
Day 6: Benefit’s Benetint Tinted Lip Balm
Day 7: Buxom Full Bodied Lip Stick
Day 8: Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips
Day 9: Benefit’s “They’re Real” Mascara
Day 10: Essie Crystal Nail File
Day 11: Benefit’s Watts Up
Day 12: OPI Nail Lacquer
Day 13: MAC Brushes
Day 14: Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask
Day 15: MakeUp Forever HD Powder
Day 16: Smith’s Rosebud Salve
Day 17: Missha Signature Real Complete BB Cream
Day 18: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Day 19: MakeUp Forever HD Foundation
Day 20: Hot Tools Marcel Curling Iron
Day 21: Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner
Day 22: Christian Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
Day 23: MakeUp Forever Camo Palette #5
Day 24: MAC Liquid Last Liquid Eye Liner
Day 25: My Family ❤

*Photo Credit: Rock-Steady Images

  So, to conclude my list of favorite things, I felt it was only right to pay tribute to my amazing family. It is because of my husband’s support and encouragement that I am able to do what I do. Without his help, I wouldn’t be where I am at all. On numerous occasions he has woken up with me at the crack of dawn to help me pack up and carry my bags to my car for an early wedding or shoot, he’s cleaned my brushes for me and even accompanied me on shoots that I wasn’t too sure about. He has always supported my career and cheered me on, even when times get tough and when I’ve second guessed my own abilities and choices. This is an extremely hard career path, mainly because it is freelance. There have been so many bumps in the road and failures, but all have led me to where I am today. If I didn’t have the kind of support I have in him, I would have quit long long ago.

*Photo Credit: Rock-Steady Images

On top of my amazing, supportive husband, I can’t post about the possibility of my career without also paying tribute to my parents and brothers. I first started doing makeup when I was in high-school and my family pushed me and encouraged me to go towards an unconventional way of life. They never tried to steer me towards what society felt I should do, but let me follow my dreams and were always my number one fans. I pursued makeup school instead of a college degree and couldn’t be happier. I also recall my brothers driving me to the city and helping me learn my way through the subways, trains, and buses so I wouldn’t be discouraged and afraid of what I didn’t know. Today, I am a transit master ;).

*Photo Credit: Bill Cardoni

*Photo Credit: Tin Sparrow Studio

And of course, last but not least, my adorable son. He may not have anything to do with my makeup career but he is absolutely one of my all-time favorite things :). He is a blessing and so full of life and personality. I am so grateful to have the career that I have where I can be home with him most days and still have a freelance career. He is so loving and so stinkin’ cute!

Photo Credit: Kievning Photography

 

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my 25 Days of Christie. It was a pleasure to bring you my favorite things and to spoil some of you with some giveaways!

Don’t go too far away, because I will soon be launching a new series of posts– any guesses on what it will be?! Ooooooh, you’ll have to stay tuned!

Love,
Christie Caiola
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist

The 25 Days of Christie: Day 22, 23 & 24

Talk about falling behind on my duties, eh??

Friday was Fabulous Friday and it was fabulous! I went out with two of my friends and celebrated my birthday. It was a fun night filled with laughs (lots of them) and good times. Saturday, well Saturday was a down day. But really it was Sound-Off Saturday where I eagerly await your feedback! I didn’t get any though… probably because I didn’t post and forgot to remind you. Which brings us to today, Sit-Back Sunday! A day I will enjoy in its entirety today. No plans, just to relax with the hubs and the baby. I was considering doing my face mask tonight– a little TLC goes a long way =). Post your makeup-free faces to my fan page today! Show me your face masks and cucumber eyes! Maybe I’ll dig up some home remedies for face masks and see how that goes…

Today is the second to last day of the 25 Days of Christie and I’m a little sad. It has been fun yet challenging for me! I hope you have all enjoyed it from the giveaways to my list of faves and everything in between. I would love to hear your feedback on what you thought and what your favorite part was!

A Few of My Favorite Things:
Day 1: Tweezerman Tweezers
Day 2: Josie Maran Argan Oil
Day 3: Christian Dior Cuticle Cream
Day 4: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Day 5: MakeUp Forever HD Primer
Day 6: Benefit’s Benetint Tinted Lip Balm
Day 7: Buxom Full Bodied Lip Stick
Day 8: Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips
Day 9: Benefit’s “They’re Real” Mascara
Day 10: Essie Crystal Nail File
Day 11: Benefit’s Watts Up
Day 12: OPI Nail Lacquer
Day 13: MAC Brushes
Day 14: Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask
Day 15: MakeUp Forever HD Powder
Day 16: Smith’s Rosebud Salve
Day 17: Missha Signature Real Complete BB Cream
Day 18: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Day 19: MakeUp Forever HD Foundation
Day 20: Hot Tools Marcel Curling Iron
Day 21: Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner
Day 22: Christian Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara

I know I already did a mascara as one of my faves, but hands down Christian Dior is still one of my faves. I go back and forth between this and Benefit’s They’re Real but even that is a fairly new discovery. Diorshow is one of those tried and true formulas that I used for years before even venturing out. They are absolute equals in my book and 100% amazing. It doesn’t budge and separates nicely, no clumping.

Day 23: MakeUp Forever Camo Palette #5

I love this palette. It is a wonderful corrective palette for fair toned people. The green at the end (I never use it directly, I always mix it with some foundation first) is perfect for blemishes, but if it doesn’t require such a pigmented color correct I opt for the olive toned color in the center (this picture doesn’t do it justice. For under-eyes I go for the second to last color with the deep orange-pink undertone (again this photo doesn’t really show the tones of the palette too great). Basically, I go through #14 and #15 like it’s water, thank goodness for the replacements.

Day 24: MAC Liquid Last Liquid Eye Liner

This is by far the most magical formula of liquid liner I’ve ever experienced. It. Won’t. Budge. Ever. No seriously, not ever. You need to take some makeup remover to this bad boy, ’cause soap and water won’t cut it. It is brilliant. I don’t use the applicator, so I can’t speak for it. I put it on my hand first and use a small angled brush to apply. This is also why I am commonly asked if I have a small tattoo of an ink blot on my hand because no matter how much I wash my hands it stays put (and I never remember to take it off with remover before I leave the house… I’m a classy lady).

Okay, now that we’re all caught up I would like to remind you that tomorrow is the last day of the 25 Days of Christie and the last giveaway! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for what it will be and how to enter!!

Also, I’d love to hear your feedback if you’ve been following along, either comment on the blog or on my Facebook page.

It has been a pleasure chatting about beauty with you guys every (or almost every) day for the last 25 days. Don’t worry, my blog won’t be going anywhere! I will still be posting my tips and thoughts and updating you all on my work.

The 25 Days of Christie: Day 21

Throwback Thursday! So Calvin has mysteriously slept in this morning and enabled me to spend my time doing a bit of research for today’s post. It will be mostly photos but I won’t lie, I had a blast with this one. I am taking a trip back to the 70’s, a nice stark contrast to our last two 1950’s-60’s ladies. Beauty seemed like it was so much more natural in the 70’s, a less-is-more kind of thing. It is always fun to check out the trends of yester-years and recognize how they’ve influenced our trends today.

Alli MacGraw– Center part, straight, natural hair. Strong, natural brows. Fresh faced.

Jacqueline Bisset– Are those freckles I see?? Clean, natural skin with some natural freckles showing through.

Ferrah Fawcett– Okay, maybe her hair required some work. But Still fresh makeup. Natural and glowing. Muted lip.

Stevie Nicks

Hope you loved these as much as I did this morning! Bear in mind that I am not a child of the 70’s, so I cannot speak from experience. But if you were there and have some trends you loved (promise I won’t call you old) or see coming back around, feel free to comment below.

 

A Few of My Favorite Things:
Day 1: Tweezerman Tweezers
Day 2: Josie Maran Argan Oil
Day 3: Christian Dior Cuticle Cream
Day 4: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Day 5: MakeUp Forever HD Primer
Day 6: Benefit’s Benetint Tinted Lip Balm
Day 7: Buxom Full Bodied Lip Stick
Day 8: Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips
Day 9: Benefit’s “They’re Real” Mascara
Day 10: Essie Crystal Nail File
Day 11: Benefit’s Watts Up
Day 12: OPI Nail Lacquer
Day 13: MAC Brushes
Day 14: Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask
Day 15: MakeUp Forever HD Powder
Day 16: Smith’s Rosebud Salve
Day 17: Missha Signature Real Complete BB Cream
Day 18: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Day 19: MakeUp Forever HD Foundation
Day 20: Hot Tools Marcel Curling Iron
Day 21: Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner

I have been using it for years and years! I have tried many others, mainly out of desperation because I ran out, and they are no where near what this is. It is so important to clean your brushes (if you’re a professional, you need to be cleaning them after every use). Even if you’re not a pro, you should be cleaning your brushes. Your makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria, but more than that (as if that’s not enough) you are not getting the best outcome with dirty brushes. Your eyeshadow/blush/foundation/etc colors will be mixing together and create a muddy appearance instead of having a distinct difference in shades and colors. This brush cleaner cleans the product off the brushes, disinfects and dries extremely fast. It is truly brilliant and a life saver in every situation. I am always doing multiple people whether for bridal, photoshoots, fashion, commercials, etc and I need my brushes to be clean and dry. This cleaner delivers outstanding results, and I can rest assured that they are indeed CLEAN. I am not in the business of spreading germs…

So, that’s all for today folks! I hope you are having a great Thursday!

 

Photo Tutorial: Cat Eye Liner

CAT EYE LINER TUTORIAL!! Photo Credit: Michael Caiola
I know I’m a day late, this tutorial was supposed to be for yesterday’s Tutorial Tuesday! EEP! Better late than never =)

Usually I do my eyes first and the rest of my makeup after, but for the sake of the tutorial all of my makeup is done except my eyeliner and mascara!

Spray your black eyeshadow with a bit of water. I like to use eyeshadow first because it’s easier to wipe away or fix if you make a mistake.

Using a small, angled eyeliner brush dip it in your moistened eye shadow. Draw a straight line on your eye, not extending it just yet. Get as close to the lash line as possible.

Draw your angle with your liner brush and shadow.

Now fill in and connect your liner to the angle.

Using a cream liner or liquid liner in black, go over the line you just made with your eyeshadow. This will give it more impact and more staying power than eyeshadow gives.

Here’s the final product before mascara. (Sorry for my angry resting face… woops)

Curl your lashes and apply mascara.

Voila!

Hope this helps some of you! I get a lot of requests for a cat eye how to!