Jazzi McG » beauty

Beauty: Dark Lips, Test 1

Jazzi — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:10:41 +0000

Kat Von D lipstick in Homegirl; vintage cap

Okay, I did it. I’ve wanted to try out dark lips forever. Actually, just lipstick forever. I’ve legit never worn it, which is hard to believe as I am quite a makeup junkie. Now I’ve yet to go out of the house in the look, but I’m finally thinking I could (albeit at night, after dinner, with no make-out sessions and I’ll need some liner and a good lip primer first).

My mom has worn a dark eggplant shade (I think MAC’s Cyber currently) for as long as I can remember and she wears it so well, I thought maybe I could too? I’ve tried out quite a few shades in the past month, both drugstore and not, and the top contenders are this one by Kat Von D (her pigments are actually really really nice, whodathunkit?) and one called Growl by the amazing Illamasqua who recently sent me some shades to try. I’ll try to post photos of that one as well. All of the drugstore shades failed miserably to be honest, but there was one by Revlon that was eh… ok. I also want to try Chanel’s Hysteria next time I hit up a makeup counter – anyone have a review?

Accessory note: loving my new (but old) leather biker scarf worn backwards as a turban. Oh, and who’s that little monster? That’s Cartier (aka Tha Carter III) — cute and mischievous, but does not belong to me.

Beauty: Banana Nails

Jazzi — Sat, 29 May 2010 20:43:01 +0000

Wintermint gum courtesy of Orbit, Banana Bo-banna nails courtesy Surf & City, Made Her Think talon ring

I have been after a bright yellow polish for a while and was really happy when Surf & City sent over this one. It’s perfectly mustard colored and makes me happy as I type. Maybe my signature summer nail color?

with her fingernails matching

Jazzi — Wed, 13 May 2009 02:53:29 +0000

Wearing Essie’s new Funky Limelight from the 2009 Neon collection, but I found a random drugstore knockoff by some brand called Color Club that is just as good at half the price.

Secret I learned from my nail lady that I will pass down to you: use white polish as a base and the color will seriously POP.

I always find myself partaking in nail polish color trends more than any others. It’s an easy way to experiment with color without looking too trend-whore. My newly neon nails have easily glammed up my entire wardrobe, not to mention they could stop traffic.

Beauty Reviews: KO Nailpolish, Makeup Forever HD Powder, Guerlain Terracotta Kohl, Lolita Lempicka

Jazzi — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:40:10 +0000

I try soooo many beauty products & I’m always recommending them to friends and family who are probably sick of all my “omg you have to try this!” rants. So I’ve decided to put them here instead!

I’ve mentioined this before, but my first jobs were actually as a makeup artist and one of my first internships was with Eva Chen in the Teen Vogue Beauty department. I spent years doing makeup for all my high school’s theater productions, friends, & even worked at Sephora for a bit. Point being: Beauty, I like it.

1. K.O. Knockout Nailpolish in Matte Black Price: 22 bones / Verdict: Try it

This new nailpolish created by Hedwig & the Angry Inch makeup artist Mike Potter promises to goes on flat and dry to a chalkboard black finish in just one coat.

My experience with KO was interesting to say the least. I took it into a local nail salon & used over fake nails (I still bite my natural ones). The nail lady was utterly confused by my request to forgo the top coat, & also complained about the thickness of the polish. The nail lady really hated it – but I loved the final look and the flat color definitely stands apart from every other “it girl” manicure.

Pros: Unique matte black color, Only 1 coat needed, Dries within seconds

Cons: Very thick formula, Flat color only lasts a few days then wears to a normal shiny coat after that

2. Guerlain Terracotta Kajal Intense Indian Kohl Price: 35 bones / Verdict: Returned It

I bought this on a whim because of a feature in WWWD. But I did need a new liner. Guerlain promises an “intense black, smooth gliding, long wearing” liner, & instead I got a not-that-intense black that smudged very easily (a problem I don’t have often). And for 1 oz. the price tag is far from worth it. I actually tried this side-by-side with my Maybelline Define-a-Line and the latter lasted longer, and went on darker/smoother… for $5.

Pros: Cute Packaging

Cons: Can’t sharpen due to softness/shape, Price per oz., Does’t last, Not dark enough

3. Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder Price: 30 bones / Verdict: Buy it

This is what I bought when I returned the aforementioned product. I had heard about it, but thought it would be something like a simiar BareMinerales product that I didn’t like. I was so wrong. I’m always skeptical of translucent powders – I mean, how much can they really do? With this one did a lot. On both bare skin, and over my foundation. It basically elimated the appearance of pores, and had a true airbrush like effect. I even got compliments from each of my male friends telling I look really good the first day I wore it.

Pros: Awesome airbrush effect, Can be used alone or over foundation, Talc-free, Mattifying

Cons: The light powder is hard to pick up on your brush, but they do have a reccommended alternative Kabuki brush, Potentially messy – but wipes up easily

4. Lolita Lempicka Eau de Parfum Price: 44 bones / Verdict: Try it

I think I’ve written about this before, but it’s worth another mention. I originally found it after smelling Paris Hilton at a party and trying to hunt down her fragrence. This is close, if not it. It’s very sweet, but not immature, and doesn’t give me a headache like many perfumes that smell like old ladies. It’s a perfect blend of floral (Violet) & sweet (Vanilla). I mixed it with a little YSL Elle, and that was great too.

Pros: Boys love it, Girls love it, Long-lasting

Cons: None

Do you guys have any products I should try?

xo J

Questions Answered: Products!

Jazzi — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:01:00 +0000

“What do you use on your hair/eyes/skin/face?”

Likely due to the fact that I started posting more pictures of myself, I’ve been getting some questions about what beauty products I use, which I couldn’t be happier to discuss!

I’m a product junkie, straight up. However, I am not a label junkie, so most of my fixes come from the drug store, my fridge, or tried and true “stuff that works”.

Background: I’d have to double check with my Mom on this, but I *think* my first love in fashion was makeup. I remember sneaking and putting on her makeup (and fibbing about it, sorry Mom!) at a pretty young age. That turned into my very first “real” job ever, as a “beauty consultant” (read: sales girl) at Pure Beauty (RIP) in LA, CA, then to my first “real” internships – as Beauty Intern at Teen Vogue under two of my favorite people ever, Holly Siegel and Eva Chen, and Beauty Intern at Siren PR in NYC.

I’ve done makeup for countless theater productions, friends, family, and a short stint as a Makeup Artist at Sephora in NYC.

Basically, I’ve tried everything under the sun, here are my staples.

Answers:

Face: Oil Cleansing Method (amazing & great for every skin type, especially oily skin like mine!) with Bio Oil

Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 in NW45

Liner: MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder + Vincent Longo Liquid Liner

Mascara: Maybelline Volum’ Express or Dior Show Blackout, depending on my wallet.

Curler: Tarte Eyelash Curler (better than Shu Uemura, and cheaper)

Brows: LORAC Take a Brow Powder if I feel like it

Lips: Sugar Scrub with Sugar + Vaseline , Chapstick or Carmex

Body: Sabon NYC Body Oil in Amber, Hempz Lotion, Bio Oil, or whatever else is around – but I obsessively moisturize!

Hair: Confession – my hair is fake (shh!), but I still use Mane ‘n Tail Shampoo, Carol’s Daughter, and/or Ojon’s Hair Treatment (amazing!) and I cut my own hair/bangs.

xo Jazzi

ps – I would also suggest water, but I’m so terrible at that… I hate water.