Throw it out!

By Heather Polyi, Owner/Key Artist Glam Spot NJ

Admit it:

You know you still have a stick of MAC's Pink Freeze from 10 years ago (yes, the one Lindsay Lohan wore in Mean Girls)...  I know, you Only use it for special occasions.

STOP!

We all hang on to makeup long past it's expiration. 

I get it....

It's expensive, and they always discontinue our favorite shades!

After my most recent allergic reaction to an old lip gloss (blisters all around my lips) I am now taking a vow to start fresh for my face's sake.

I constantly buy new products for my kit, and my clients...

But myself... 

I still had Prescriptives Lip laquer in VOODOO...

No MORE!!!!

Follow this timeline to see if you should keep or ditch your everyday products. Your skin will thank you!

Let's start with the product that kicked off this discussion...

Lipstick and gloss!

24 MONTHS!!!!!  That's right, not 24 YEARS!  That smell, is the lipstick/gloss going bad.

The taste, is usually "OFF" 

If it was limited edition and very cool to look at, put it on display! 

Just don't Put it on!

Mascara:

3 months! 

This is THE MOST ABUSED PRODUCT! 

Buy cheaper mascara if you don't like to replenish a $22.00 tube that frequently!

Throw it out!  The eye infection from the bacteria the tube holds is UGLY and hard to get rid of!

I love Voluminous for this reason. 

 I buy them when they go, "buy one get the second for 50% off" and then store one for when it's time to say good bye...

Eyeshadows and blush...

These can last longer depending on weather or not you put your fingers in them, use dirty brushes on them and how you store them...

If you use your fingers 9mos. to a year

dirty brushes...  5-6 months

clean brushes, and always closed 12-18 months

I WAS A HUGE OFFENDER...  I FOUND TRISH McEVOY SHADOWS FROM WHEN THEY WERE LARGE ROUND PANS!!!!   

WOW!

Foundation:

Truthfully once you open a foundation after 6 months it starts to "turn"

Don't keep the same one for a year...

The color oxidizes, and besides your skin changes within that time anyway!

DON'T DO IT!

Powder:

Pressed and loose 12-18 months (Use clean brushes, and don't ever use the powder puff in a pressed powder...  You will just be pressing bacteria into your skin!

Liners:

Liquid liners, same rule as mascara!

Pencil liners...  Keep them sharpened and closed and they can last up to 2 years (if they melt from heat exposure, the wax separates...  Throw them out!

Skincare: 

Follow the bottle...  you never know how long it has already been on a shelf, in addition there are so many organic products now that have short life spans, don't ignore this date!

Rule of thumb though...

If there is an SPF in it, throw it out after 10 months..

Keep your SPF FRESH!

So the Moral to the story is...

Woops wrong pic... (lol)

I meant,

Freak Out

and...

"Throw Stuff Out"

Your face will thank me!

With Love and Glamour

Good day, sunshine!

Posted by Bridget Hudzik

All of this sunshine  we've been having where Glam Spot NJ is located, has inspired me to put some gold into my evening looks. 

Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for Make Up For Ever Metal Powders, Sunflower Gold 1. Apply it dry for a metallic finish or wet for a liquid-metal result.

It also happens to be the liner Cienna wears in 'The Hunger Games'.

HOT!!!!!!!!

Old Gold Pigment by MAC Cosmetics is a tarnished gold color powder that is highly concentrated with ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. You can create a subtle wash of color or an intense effect. 

Powder not your thing? How about a pencil? L'Oreal HiP Studio Secrets Professional Color Chrome Eyeliner in Gold Charge.

Glides on easily and effortlessly with a serious bang of color.  

But you're a liquid gal... OK! 

Try NYX Cosmetics Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Gold.

The fine tip allows for precision application, so you can create lines of varying thickness.

Gold is not just for the fall, it's a year-round color.

Put some sunshine into your routine!

How do you like it? Your foundation that is...

Posted by Bridget Hudzik

Are you a liquid, cream, or loose foundation girl?

Loose foundation, and in many cases, mineral foundation... 

Is said to be better for those with sensitive skin, or those that typically don't like the feel of foundation...

The jury is still out...

However if loose is the way you roll, Luckily you now have your pick...

 unlike a few years ago, when only drugstore brands had options.

Diorskin Nude Loose Powder Makeup SPF 10 contains nearly 20% water and brings a freshness feeling when you apply it.
Dior states, "Water acts as a veritable moisturizing and energizing cocktail for the skin." With 7 glowing shades, you can apply this alone or as a setting powder depending upon how much coverage you like.

MAC Cosmetics now offers a loose foundation, Mineralize Foundation/Loose.

A welcome addition to the rest of their mineral offerings, their foundation has a medium-buildable natural to natural-satin finish.

It promises to help, "...skin stay healthy and nourished."

And we can't forget about the ever-popular bareMinerals and their ORIGINAL SPF 15 Foundation. With a GLAMMY AWARD for Best Department Store/Specialty Foundation 7 years in a row.

They say, "The creamy minerals diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles without drying out your skin."

These are only a few... 
It seems every brand is jumping on this bandwagon!

Do you have a fav?

Tell us in a comment below, or on our Facebook page!

Spring Break and Time for Travel! There's a Palette for that!

Posted by Bridget Hudzik

For some of us, summer time means travel time and squashing as much as we can into one bag to avoid rising baggage fees.

Lucky for us, cosmetic brands put our favs into palettes for easy transportation.

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Capri Pure Color Gelée Powder Eyeshadow Palette has a wave pattern etched into their five summer shadows, along with 2 double-ended applicators, in this compact.

Ophthalmologist-tested and fragrance-free, sultry eyes smoulder with a sun-kissed glow.

Perfect for a beach bound vacation!

The Sue Devitt Beauty Explorer Solomon Island Collection has some beautiful offerings in their collection for this summer as well.

The mysterious Solomon Islands underwater world of beauty inspired this collection of rich coral, pink, and golden bronze hues.

This includes a Deluxe Microquatic Blue Anti-Aging SPF 30 Protection Primer (love that a trip inspired st has an SPF primer), Destination Eye & Cheek Palette in Solomon Islands (eye and Cheek!!!!! Multi-tasking), Deluxe Powder Brush, Eye Intensifier Pencil in Gold Reef, Deluxe Lash Intensifier Lengthening Mascara in Pointe-Noire, and the Deluxe Lip Enhancing Gloss in Coral Sands will make your pout perfect to be sipping on mai tais!

This kit is well thought out and perfect for any trip where sun is involved!

 

If you are cruise bound! 

There's MAC.

*sigh*

 MAC how you never cease to amaze me sometimes.

I absolutely cannot wait for this collection!

It will have you ready to hit the High Seas.

It's just not available until May 24th, 2012.

(Not in time for Spring Break, but for that Summer cruise... your set!)

Like swirled ice cream? How about color swirled gloss?

Posted By Bridget Hudzik

The Red Carpet Authority LORAC (creator creator Carol Shaw's fist name spelled backwards pronounced 'LA-rock') wants to make sure you have the benefit on your lips with their New Lips With Benefits Lip Gloss.It looks SO cool in the tube, I don't want to use it and mess it up! 

The formula is Paraben-Free and infused with antioxidants including Acai Berry, Pomegranate Extract and Vitamins C and E to nourish and protect your lips. With a non-sticky finish, creme brulee fragrance, and seven swirled shades, it provides minimal color impact, but is super glossy!

The LORAC gloss reminds me of the (not-well-received) MAC Cosmetics' Sugarsweet Collection Tricolor Lipglass from early 2009. Unfortunately, I own all of them because they look awesome. That's about it. The color is disappointing unless you do not like to have a lot of color on your lips. LORAC's color payoff is similar, however they are more hydrating, and glossy! Maybe MAC will try again with this type of product? It wouldn't hurt since the trend this year so far is for collections to be heavy on one type of product.

Tres Cheek Mac Blush Collection (Sneak Peek!)

By: Heather Polyi  Owner/Lead Artist Glam Spot NJ

The new MAC blush collection, is like any other "hot hit" cosmetic collection... Limited Edition.

No worries, in Asia it's permanent, so look for your fav. Colors on ebay when they sell through here In the US.

This is a sneak preview...

The On Counter Date isn't until April 5th 2012, right around the corner!

Each blush is $20 and are very true to color!

The 6 shades are:

Pink Tea, Neutral beige pink (Satin)

Lovecloud, bright mid-tone pink (Satin)

Peony Petal, bright cool pink (Satin)

Modern Mandarin, reddish-orange (Satin)

Immortal Flower, coral/peach (Satin)

Full of Joy, Baby lavender (Frost)

Note: Looks great with lipstick (quite cute) if you still have it :)

Get your colors on reserve now, they will sell out!!!

I have 3 so far!  I will get the rest when I have more $ (lol)

With Love and Glamour

Glam Spot NJ

Add a little BLING to your look for Spring!

Posted By Bridget Hudzik, Beauty Guru

Join us with adding a little BLING, to your look for Spring!

Every now and then we all need some glitter on our mouth - er, in our life.

 Stila Sparkle Luxe Gloss has just the solution us glamazons are looking for.

This gloss provides a subtle pop of color and glossy texture.

 With ingredients like Camellia oil to help moisturize and nourish lips, and Vitamin E for anti-oxidant protection, it certainly has healthy ingredients that others in this category do not.

MAC Cosmetics has their Dazzleglass with high shine and their signature vanilla scent.

I like to layer this over lipstick for long-lasting lip-color wear.

I don't enjoy the glitter caking in the corner of my lips, after about an hour...

I guess you can't have it all!

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss has a flash-plumping, “spotlight shine” effect and comes in just as many colors as MAC does... (With a heftier price tag $$)

Urban Decay's Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss is made to accompany their Startdust eyeshadow line.

They have an upper-hand by offering Jojoba Oil to condition lips, Vitamin E to improve moisture retention, and a pleasing vanilla-mint flavor.

Like Stila, they only have a small selection of colors. 

For High Shine these are NO JOKE!

These four brands stood out in average consumer picks.

We put them to the Glam Spot Test...

Stardust by Urban Decay came out on top, for high shine, and healthy ingredients, to spite it's limited color selection.

Do you have a fav?

 Share your thoughts in the comments below, or on our facebook page!

"I don't want to look like a Stay at Home MOM"

By: Heather Polyi Owner/Lead Artist Glam Spot NJ

I Don't want to look like a stay at home mom



This entry is dedicated to my good friend that took to Facebook and posted this Cry for HELP:  "I have decided that I no longer want to look like a frumpy stay at home mom...I want to look polished and sophisticated. Who wants to help teach me how to put on makeup and how to do something other then blow out my hair???"

I am the mother of two, and when I am not OUT I am a yoga pant wearing, bun wrapping, no make up girl...   I SWEAR!  This is a FACT all the other moms at School drop off and pick up will attest to!

However, I clean up pretty good! LOL

This is a 5 min. Makeup application!  Not elaborate, just pulled together! 

Trick:

A bold lip, always makes your look more "finished"

This look consists of:

Smashbox Primer Light (under foundation)

SK2 Foundation (such great coverage, no concealer needed)

Beige eyeshadow, with dark brown shadow in the corner.

Black top liner applied thin across the lid and thick in the outer corner

Black liner across the bottom lid as well.

Black Mascara (Panthera for lengthening)

Rimmell by Kate Moss RED LIPSTICK

Peach blush and powder applied to finish everything...

I should have filled in my brows but I only had 5 min. ;)

Similar 5 min application, this time with a bright pink lip (MAC)

Brows filled in this time! :)

Me on the set at Selling NY

Hair Pulled back, but still professional looking.

Same basic 5 min application:  Kicked up to 10 min.

Bronzer, Highlighter and blush blended for a natural polished look.

eyes popped with more definition in the crease, and a highlight below the brow.

Brow filled in.

Eye liner applied thick above and below.

Matte Lipstick in a neutral color(G Spot)

Hope this helps...

More to come...

If you are feeling the same way as my Facebook friend...

Call 201-927-0686, and book an appointment with me TODAY!

With Love and Glamour

Glam Spot NJ

"Practically Perfect in every way" Spring 2012 SPOT-ON-TREND

The products above are from the new MAC "CHEN MAN" Collection, and NARS Larger Than Life, Long Wear Eyeliners!

This is the first Blog Post for Glam Spot NJ!

Outside "The BOX"

Both literally and figuratively!

The colors look bright, and may be intimidating from a far...  These colors can work for so many skin tones, personalities, and are perfectly "Spot-On-Trend" with the current pops of color, "popping Orville Reddinbocker style" EVERYWHERE you look!

****I will mention, do not travel with these shadows, they are baked, and the slightest impact means complete and utter pigment devastation!  Your favorite shadow will be a "pigment of your imagination"

I digress...

The pink gloss (Budding Love) pictured below!

   This is a gloss that can be worn alone or paired with liner!

The Pink lipstick with the same name, is in the "Lustre" family of lipsticks.

It is soft and not opaque, it gives enough color to make a statement, but without an exclamation point!

The Lipstick is paired with the blue shadows named (Love Cycle) applied thick, and lined in black!

(The Gloss for the face in this collection is a re-promoted item...  It is an artistry product, intended for a photo shoot, but not wearable for anyone in "real life"!)

The pink shadow is named (Supersweet) the blue, as mentioned above, is named (love Cycle)

 

Ava, my 5 year old partner, loves to help out, and chime in...

She feels these eye shadows are very beautiful!

I agree! 

Are they practical?????

 Not Really!!!!!!

These shadows are very shimmery, they are not going to be worn often, and are not conducive to travel... However, for a night out, they will add pep to your step!

The NARS Liners ARE AMAZING!

If you brighten your eyes, with white liner, in your inner corner...  you need this liner!  It doesn't move.

If you are loving the current trend, but don't want to be too invested in it, grab a purple or blue liner...  Thickly line your top lid, and call it a day!

The purple liner featured is named (St. Marks Place) The blue is named (Abbey Road) and the White is named (Santa Monica Blvd.)

The MAC highlighting powder in this collection is nice, but very similar to other, previous MAC "exclusive" collections... 

It's named (Play It Proper) if a highlighting powder is not already in your makeup drawer, it may be a useful item, but if you miss this one, a new one, with a new name, won't be far behind!

;)

The Nail polish looks appealing, "Pinkly Fresh" is similar to Essie FIJI, both similar in color and that they are hard to work with...

The blue is my current favorite polish to come out in a while!!!!

Named (Breezy Blue) It is not too dark or "Vampy"

It is like a purple-blue!

The (force of love) Coral gloss, and lipstick, not yet mentioned, are Spot-on-trend!

The lipstick is MATTE, and BOLD not for the "faint of heart"

The gloss is pretty when worn on it's own,

a sheer choice, and a more subtle way to get that coral sensation!

This segment, The first of many, is signed off with Glam Spot NJ Kisses...

From myself, Heather Polyi (top of bag) Owner and Lead Celebrity Artist of Glam Spot NJ

And, Danielle Lynch (bottom of bag) Celebrity Artist of Glam Spot NJ

Every artist working with Glam Spot NJ will submit features, and add to entries!

 Kristin Patterson Paladino, Founder and Key Artist of Makeup Luxe

Sheri Ferguson-Guyre, Owner and Lead Celebrity Artist of Mon Sheri Beauty

Bridget Hudzik, Beauty Enthusiast/Blogger with a "natural" approach

All will add to this blog with;

insight, ideas, and additional industry perspective.

They are my panel of Consummate professionals, with whom, have positively impacted my career, and offer much in the world of all that is beauty and fashion.  

I am proud to have Glam Spot NJ follow and learn from their experiences and opinions as well!

This is going to be a fun journey!

If you liked this, Tell a friend...

There will be prizes, parties, and amazing artistry to follow!

With Love and Glamour

Glam Spot NJ