Merle Norman for Summer Beauty

Hi ya Gorgeous!
Happy Monday! Woo hoo! The countdown to school being out is officially less than two weeks!
Can you say excited? Not necessarily because I'm about to hear "I'm bored" a dozen times a day, but because there will be no heinous hundred plus mile commute per day! Hallelujah!

Since summer vacation is almost here, it's time for a "go to" makeup palette and I'm loving this sample I received from Merle Norman.

I have been playing with these products for over a week now and have worn them almost every day. I can honestly say the colors have a good pigment load, where well all day with very little fading - though, I do use an eyeshadow primer. Smashbox 24 hour eyeshadow primer to be exact.



The ocean blue eyeliner is my favorite! The weird "blur" serum is my least favorite from the skincare samples I received. Although, I must say, I am love love lovin' the super thick and rich night cream!

The mascara definitely requires a remover. Soap and water is not enough to get your lashes clean so having a makeup remover for eyes or a facial makeup removing wipe is going to be needed.

Over all, if you have the opportunity, visit your local Merle Norman studio. See, that's the catch. All Merle Norman studios are independently owned and operated - so that's why I don't have any prices to post.  It could vary from one location to another and from one state to another!

Most Merle Normans will do a complimentary makeover with the products to introduce you to the brand, colors and products. It's worth giving it a try!  Visit the Merle Norman website to find a location near you!

I did a "first impressions" video on Facebook when the products first arrived - you can check it out here with this link.


If you are part of the Facebook page for Makeup University, which gets daily updates - you are a part of it, aren't you? If not, get on board over there using this link!  

...and...have you seen this Facebook Live in a GRWM for the royal wedding? Good times!
I usually do a live chat in the late morning - join me!


Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Post Coachella Weekend: Now What? How to Recover Quickly

Hi ya Gorgeous!

We are officially half way through the month of April and I feel part delighted that I have a few short weeks from having to quit the commute to a bit anxious because the summer is coming and my son only has one short program scheduled.  That means a lot of days of "Mom I'm bored!"  Ahhh!!

In other news, I know many of you just returned from a blissful weekend at Coachella.
There is much self care that needs to go into yourself starting now to recoup and prepare for another amazing weekend!

If you didn't see the Facebook Live on hydration, watch that here: https://www.facebook.com/MakeupUniversity/videos/2097924556915182/

Ya needs it girl!


The other thing is, all the sun, sunscreen, makeup and literally baking of the sunshine of any and all products on to your skin, now is a good time to do a series of deep cleaning washes, masks and some daily exfoliation with a pad like these from St. Ives.

I wrote and did a video on these back in the day - but the info is ever green - so here's the details for you!





P.S. I just searched for these on Amazon and could not find, though these Nip+Fab are a great alternative! Get some and get busy taking care of yourself girl! You deserve it!

Find your exfoliating pads on Amazon!


Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

FOX in a BOX by Hard Candy - Can Your Monday Handle It?

Hi ya Gorgeous!
Oh this Monday! Oh this Passover season! It's so exhilarating! Exciting! Woo hoo!
So who doesn't want to start this new era, this new season with some foxy lookin' cheeks?

This new Fox in a Box by Hard Candy is a marbelized baked powder with fun scents - yes, scents.
Literally like a scratch and sniff! These are available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide and on the website for $7!

 The Glamour Girl marbelized baked powder above is a lighter shade, has high shine and smells like a pina colada.

The Party Girl is chocolate scented and a more natural bronzer with some sheen to it - I love it!

Get to Walmart and get some of these in time for Coachella, music festivals, summer, road trips, cruise ships and more!




Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Have You Tried the New Essence Cosmetics Fresh&Fit Foundation and Primer?

HI ya Gorgeous,
Happy Monday! Happy Holy Week! Whoa- March is coming to a close and April is about to begin, otherwise known as the second quarter of the year. How ya doin'?

 Just got some samples from essence cosmetics for their new Fresh & Fit  Awake Makeup and Primer - love!

The new essence Fresh & Fit Awake Makeup is lightweight, with buildable coverage and wears beautifully all day! It's $6.99 for 1.01 ounce in a glass bottle.

The Fresh&Fit Healthy Glow Pore Minimizing Effect primer can be worn alone or with liquid makeup, and is $5.99. I love the light weight feel and personally, I like wearing it both ways!

Then I have 3 new color changing lipsticks, which in my opinion are more like a gloss stick - Kiss the Frog, Kiss the Mermaid and Kiss the Unicorn!

These green, lilac and blue pH-adaptive lip balms instantly transform to your perfect pink! $3.49 on essencemakeup.com 

These are Coachella and Passover/Easter basket ready!

Get yours at Ulta Beauty!

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Sandal Season is Here! Ethique Pumice & Peppermint Foot Polish to the Rescue!

Hi ya Gorgeous!

Oh - the weather! The official date of spring has passed on the calendar yet our current weather situation is anything but warm sunny sunshine filled days!

It's all severe rain and snow, wind and in general, a rather blustery day!

Though I encourage you to look ahead to better days that are coming!  In fact, sandal season is upon us!  It's time to take the toes out of the wool socks and boots and get them ready for show in fancy flip flops and open toe sandals!

Meaning, it's time for pedicures and taking extra care of feet, toes and heels.  My heels get a little rough in the winter but more so in the summer from always being in a sandal.

I just received a sample of the Ethique Beauty Pumice & Peppermint Foot Polish bar and it is absolutely lovely!

The packaging and thoughtful wrapping is recycled that is compostable. Ethique is a Certified B Corporation, makes cruelty free and climate friendly products - in short, they just make good stuff!

So you simply rub this deeply scented bar with chunks of shea butter in it and wee bits of pumice. The aroma is from the essential peppermint oil infused into the bar. It's a very light exfoliation, it's not harsh at all.

The box says - not to eat - but to be careful in the tub/shower because the super rich emollient shea butter could leave a film on the shower surface and become slippery.

The product is safe for the whole family and would make a lovely gift for the upcoming Passover and Easter seasons- or get early for Mother's Day and graduation gifts!

Find yours and more from Ethique on their website. They make a wide range of body bars, including, a bar shampoo - which, is perfect for travel, like, to Coachella!

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

3 Ways to TRESemme Your Stagecoach Festival Hairstyle

Hi ya Gorgeous!

Happy Monday to you!

Coachella music festival has finished for 2017 and now it's time to ramp up for California's biggest country festival in Indio at the Polo Field, Stagecoach!

It's got a line up of country music legends and stars! All the fun starts this weekend, April 28-30th.
Now this festival may require a country inspired hat, whether it's Minnie Pearl's wide brimmed bonnet or a classic crush straw cowboy hat like Toby Keith and maybe even the black cowboy hat like Tim McGraw.  Remember, during this sunny event, having a hat is a good thing!

I recently received some products from TRESemme, one of the best brands available in the drugstore market category of hair products to help get a festival hairstyle.  Stay tuned for the video coming out this Wednesday!  The picture is actually me on set at the Bellagio in Las Vegas for a client - they loved trying the products!

TREStival

 Season Tips & Forecasted Hair Trends from TRESemmé Celebrity Stylist, Tyler Laswell: “Sleeping in loose braids or a loose bun will protect your gorgeous texture from the pillow, saving you tons of time every morning as you get ready for the day!”

     

“I have said it before and I will say it again, braids are the new beach wave and they are not going anywhere. The key to these braids are the soft, fluffy texture and the

size. I love to use TRESemmé Fresh Start Basic Care Dry Shampoo to refresh and fluff up the hair before I braid it.”   

“I would also expect to see some embellishments in the braids like feathers, leather wraps and hair

rings.”

“There is a very 90's urban vibe that is going on in the industry at the moment and bandanas seem to

be one of the big accessories that I keep seeing. I expect to see a lot of bandanas being used as hair accessories like head bands keeping that perfectly undone festival texture back away from the face.  I

love to mist and scrunch in  TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray to keep that festival texture locked into place and on point.”

 

Top 3 TRESemme Products to Help You Look Your Fest Best:

TRESemmé Fresh Start Basic Care Dry Shampoo ($4.99): Infused with Vitamin B12 and Keratin, this dry shampoo will keep your locks looking fresh at the roots and ready to be

styled. One spritz  transforms oily, limp and lackluster hair into locks that

look and feel freshly washed, even when they most definitely aren’t.

·        

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shine Serum

($4.99): Sometimes freshening up your style is as simple as bringing some shine back to those dry looking mid lengths and ends. This non-greasy formula contains Keratin and Marula Oil that transforms parched strands into silky smooth tresses- a necessity when spending hours under the hot desert sun. Not to mention, it smells amazing which is always a big plus when you haven't been able to wash your hair for a few days!

TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray in travel size! ($1.99): Use this extra hold hair spray to keep any look in place for up to 24 hours no matter how much dancing you do! The flexible control formula is water-free, giving hair grip and control sans stickiness and is humidity-resistant keeping flyaways smooth and frizz at bay. While strong enough to hold your style through wind and rain, hair is still touchably soft and full of natural movement. 

Enjoy yourself and have fun at Stagecoach Festival
Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Best of Beauty Junkees with Makeup University

Hi ya Gorgeous!
Happy Monday to you! It's great to be back on the normally scheduled post! Heads up for April! I've had some wonderful opportunities come my way so you will be seeing an additional special post or so coming at you!

This week has been one of playing catch up with all of the things that needed to be caught up on! I completed my documentary on women in racing and truth be told, I have not worked on a documentary in quite some time! It was so good to be back in the research and writing saddle again!

Now this week I have some new goodies that are graduation gift giving perfect as well as something for the Mom in your life from Beauty Junkees.

 This Beauty Junkees highlight and contour powder palette actually contains a "banana" powder in the top left corner. If you haven't tried using a yellow based powder to set your makeup with - try it - that little hint of yellow helps balance skin, add warmth and make you look amazois!

 This Beauty Junkees magnetic palette is just what you want for yourself for travel and everyday life shenanigans! I know that Mother's Day and Graduation gift giving is coming up - or even for sending your teenage daughter to cheerleading camp - this magnetic palette lets you customize your colors and mix and match powders with cremes. As a pro artist, I've been using a magnetic palette for decades. Note there are several extra magnetic discs included in the kit so you can depot your fave colors from other brands and put them in the Beauty Junkee palette!

 Beauty Junkees has your lips covered! This soft but effective lip pumice is for help removing long wearing lip products and keeping your lips free of chapping flakes which makes your lip products wear better!

 Beauty Junkees has a new dual ended cream crayon that is part matte concealer and part highlighter.  This is the kind of tool you want to keep in your purse because you can use it to fix your brows, add highlight anywhere on t he face and even do a bit of camouflaging!

 In short, I'm a fan of the Beauty Junkees brand and their commitment to women business, making their products in the USA and encouraging positive self esteem with gals!  Get yours online at http://beautyjunkees.com

The other thing you are going to see in the video is an introduction to this, the Simply Earth Essential Oil Recipe Box which is so amazing it needs it's own video so I can make the recipes for you! Stay tuned!

Finally, my favorite section of the blog and video is "What Are You Reading This Week"?.  I read the Gary Chapman "5 Love Languages" book and really learned some practical tips for maneuvering in my many relationships between friends, family and now, this book is specifically for children.

 

The book this week is so key to helping you help your kids - if you haven't read Gary Chapman's "5 Love Languages" - you need too! If you don't want to read his book for you, then read his book on the 5 love languages for kids - you'll be doing yourself a great service if you do!


As always, thank you so much for your support. Now let's get into this week's video!



Thank you so much for watching Makeup University!
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Segment 1:  Beauty Junkees
Contour and Highlighting Makeup Palette  $24.97
Lip Pumice Stick Exfoliator $10
Brow Concealer & Highlighter duo Pencil Crayon  $14.97
Magnetic Palette  $19.97
Eyeshadow Quad  $19.97
http://beautyjunkees.com

Segment 2:  Meeet Simply Earth
Essential Oil Recipe Box
http://simplyearth.com

Segment 3:  What Are You Reading This Week? 
 The 5 Love Languages of Children
by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell

Social Stuff for Makeup University

BLOG  http://makeupuniversity.blogspot.com
FACEBOOK  http://facebook.com/makeupuniversity
TWITTER  @Cherelynn
INSTAGRAM  @CherelynnBaker

Thank you for watching!
Remember, you look really gorgeous today!

Muah!

MAKEUP UNIVERSITY


Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Coachella this weekend and the YouCam Perfect app: why it's toxic

Hi ya Gorgeous!
TGIF to you Beautiful and oh happy day! This weekend is jam packed with events and I'm not going. Nope. Not this time. I've got so much to do to get ready for travel and work that I'm  choosing to sit this one out!

Let's just call it a version of spring cleaning...

And on to beauty news with the YouCam Perfect app for those of you on iPhones who are going to Coachella, other weekend events or maybe just thinking of taking a selfie.

Ballad For a Broken Heart by John Garber: just what you need, some indie rock for the weekend

Well friends, it's that time.
Time to sign off for the weekend and start enjoying some much needed rest and shabbat with my family!
But, before I go, I want to introduce you to a singer songwriter friend of mine who has just released a single from his upcoming solo acoustic album.

I had the privilege of working with him on his music video and you can see it below!

Remember to take care of your artists and musicians because you never know who the next Warhol, Veder or Gates is among you!

Shabbat Shalom!

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Coachella beauty tip with Charlotte Tilbury

Hello Gorgeous-
I just got back from the Phoenix conference. More on that later. For now enjoy these Coachella beauty tips from Charlotte Tilbury!

Coachella is the ultimate cool, bohemian festival that often informs beauty trends and fashion styles for the season. The desert setting means dewy, creamy textures work well, rather than powder-based products which can slip off in the heat. These tips from Charlotte will keep you looking gorgeous from Coachella to Governor’s Ball and everywhere in between:

·                  Coachella is all about fringed crop-tops, and leg-baring denim cut-offs; so make like Gisele and use a moisturizing, gleam-getting, gorgeous illuminator cream to highlight your arms, legs, and décolletage. For the face, mix a high SPF with a light-reflecting illuminator like Tom Ford’s Summer Skin Illuminator for glowing protection. Build up the sheen on temples, cheeks and nose to mimic where the sun would light up the face.

·                  Create a seductive smoky eye in seconds with a crème eye shadow pen – you can keep it in your shoulder bag. Sweep over the eyelids, smudging outwards and upwards with your finger to create a winged look. For added summer sexiness, smudge underneath the lower lash line too.

·                  Add a pop of color to bronzed, freckled skin by using a striking stain on the lips – experiment with eye-catching coral, berry and plum tones of Becca’s Beach Tint. Cheat a smattering of freckles by painting them in using a soft, taupe eyeliner.

·                  Lipstick is your best friend. Vamp up your ethereal maxi-dress with a crimson pout and blend a little color onto the apples of the cheeks for an effortlessly pretty, dewy glow.

·                  Keep a little stash of pointed Q-tips, some face-wipes (festival is the only acceptable occasion to use these!) and a mini pot of moisturizer in your emergency kit. A Q-tip can help fix a poised feline flick on even the wildest of dance floors.

Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

EVO hair Water Killer and Love Drops: 2 things my set & your hair routine need

Hello Purty!

I have had a set full of EVO hair lately and love it! Have you tried EVO yet?These two products go along way on set doing a lot of hair.

The water killer dry shampoo is perfect for cleaning up messy heads and also adding intense textured volume. The love perpetua shine drops are thick and rich, like rubbing luxury on your hair and mine.

water killer dry shampoo $25.00 USA

concept.
a 2-in-1 dry shampoo
and styling spray
results.
clean, bouncy hair that feels
and smells fresh again
recommended for.
any hair length or texture

INGREDIENTS:
dimethyl ether, aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, dimethylimidazolidinone rice starch, alcohol (denat.), aveena sativa (oat) kernel meal, ppg-12-buteth-16, peg-12 dimethicone, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, polyquaternium 59, water (aqua), helianthus annuus (sunflower) extract, butylene glycol, trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, trideceth-12, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, c11-15 pareth-7, glycerine, c12-16 pareth-9, fragrance (parfum), butylphenyl methylpropional, limonene, linalool, geraniol, hexyl cinnamal.

love perpetua  shine drops Retails for $26.95 USA

concept.
a glossing liquid that seals the cuticle, polishing hair smooth and creating amazing shine
results.
frizz-free, smooth, polished hair that shines
recommended for.
dry, coarse hair

INGREDIENTS:
Cyclomethicone (and) Dimethiconol, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Parfum, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool

 Find evo hair products near you by visiting their main web site and finding a salon near you!
Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

Beauty Products We Just Can't Kick

Beauty editors see hundreds (literally) of products each year, but these long-time editor favorites prove that "newer" doesn't always mean "better"

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article Beauty editors need to know how to play the field. We'd love to settle down with our favorite trusty products, but being on top of the latest beauty trends means trying out new products on the regular, even if that involves tossing your latest fling aside. But at the end of the day, editors always run back to their favorites, like the trusty cleanser that stayed by our side during that horrible breakout, or the loyal conditioner that always knows how to console us after a coloring catastrophe. Click ahead to see the top five beauty products each Total Beauty Editor couldn't imagine life without. See products

Dreams by Mariah Carey: scent for your weekend

 Hi Gorgeous,
Happy Sabbath! #TGIF and Shabbat shalom! Oh am I ever ready for a Friday. I'm currently en route to Tucson, home of the Arizona Wildcats U of A and the location of a funeral for a dear friend.

I'm glad to be making the trip though sad for the reason. The scent I am wearing today is the 12th and newest scent by Mariah Carey called Dreams. I chose this for the trip because the woman who passed was such a dreamer and always encouraged myself and her loved ones to dream out loud. And big!

Enjoy the review and get your booty down to Kohl to sample the scent and possibly get some for yourself!








Dreams is the name of the new fragrance by Mariah Carey, which comes out in Spring 2013. The perfume is announced as a sensual floral-gourmand with each note symbolizing a certain moment in the life of this famous singer, from childhood through fame to love.

The composition begins with delicious aromas of salty caramelized apple and star anise combined with freshness of bergamot and roasted almond scent. Sensual honeysuckle is mixed with delicate freesia and lily of the valley, creating the feminine core. Warm musk, patchouli, tonka bean and vanilla from Madagascar are placed in the subtle oriental base.

The fragrance is available as 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum. Exclusively at Kohl's for about $49.99 and keep your eyes out for Mother's Day gift sets that come with a free body lotion or body wash.

 Notes details from www.fragrantica.com
P.S. It is a sweet fragrance and I really smell the caramel in this scent. Which is a good thing.
Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!

The Girls’ Night Out Makeover

By the time Friday night rolls around, you may feel ready for a girls' night out, but do you look ready? We're here to help

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article There's always one sure-fire remedy for a long week of deadlines, meetings, and computer screen glare: a girls' night out. But if you're just swiping on some chapstick as you walk out the door, it's safe to assume that another gaggle of girls will be stealing your thunder once you get to the bar. To help make sure this doesn't happen, we enlisted makeup artist Jenna Anton and master designer for The Doves studio Eddie Neyangthavong to give one girl a much-needed makeover for her girls' night out. Click ahead to see the expert tips and tricks you can use on yourself before your hit the town. See makeover