Vixen Charms by Danielle Gil

April 10, 2014April 10, 2014

SWEAT-PROOF MAKEUP ESSENTIALS

Need help choosing the best products for taking on the heat? I’m going to tell you which products are my favorite go-to’s to help keep your makeup long-lasting and melt-proof.

1. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35

What it does: this is a tinted cream formula that moisturizes, primes, controls oil, perfects skin for a flawless finish, and protects with its SPF.

2. MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer

What it does: Its a lightweight, creamy, and opaque concealer. Provides a smooth, long-wearing invisible coverage. It’s Water-resistant, fragrance-free and non-acnegenic. It also contains silica to help absorb the skin’s oils.

3. MAC Full Coverage Foundation

What it does: A full coverage foundation offering a smooth and bendable application that’s water resistant and long lasting.

4. Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion

What it does: Provides a more vibrant eyeshadow application that’s crease free and lasts up to 24 hours.

5. MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner

What it does: This is a water-based and water-resistant eye liner. Easy to apply and is long wearing.

6. Cover Girl Bombshell Mascara Waterproof Formula

What it does: This mascara pretty much describes itself! Makes your lashes longer and fuller. I suggest applying multiple coats and patience when removing. This really is waterproof!!!

7. Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix Sealer

What it does: Sets and seals makeup applications throughout the harshest conditions. Fights against heat, humidity, sweat and water. This one is my favorite sealer!

Those are the essentials for weather proofing your makeup. I hope you can find this list helpful in keeping you oh-so beautiful even more during the warmer weather.

Stay beautiful!
~Nell

November 14, 2013

On set for IBM Inventor filming

I had so much fun yesterday being the Makeup Artist on set for eFilms Media and IBM. I can honestly say that when I go to “work” it doesn’t at all feel like work. This is my passion and I have fun no matter what. It makes me feel good when I can connect with my clients and bring out their confidence. I hope to work on many more sets very soon!

Here’s a bit of what my day looked like :

October 23, 2013October 23, 2013

Fall Beauty DIY: Pumpkin Face Mask

“Winterproof” your skin and help prevent dry, scaly skin, chapped lips, and redness!

It’s important to take preventative measures during this time before colder temps are here. A common skin concern during winter is dry skin. If dry skin isn’t prevented or properly cared for dry skin patches could appear. No one wants that! I was browsing the internet searching for a DIY mask and found this awesome recipe. It leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized. Try it out and let me know how it worked for you!!

To help prevent chapped lips I normally use a lip buffer I get from Bath & Body Works. A more affordable and DIY alternative is to use things you already have in your pantry such as honey, sugar, and coconut oil! Just mix equal parts of each ingredient until you reach your desired consistency. You’ll want to make enough, about a quarter size, to smooth and buff over your lips. I make enough to put around the outside of my mouth too. Using sweeter ingredients is simply for taste but they reap all the essential benefits for your skin. Just use circular motions to buff and remove dry and dead skin from your mouth and lips.

I hope these easy and simple remedies help you in your beauty routine for the Fall and Winter seasons!

❤ Nell

October 15, 2013

Product review! Rusk Deepshine Color Shampoo!

So I’ve been using Rusk’s Deepshine® Color Hydrate Sulfate-Free Shampoo that I picked up last week at my local Armstrong McCall Beauty Professional Store. I have noticed a huge overall improvement on my hair. Prior to this I had been using Sebastian’s Penetraitt Shampoo. I still use the conditioner since this shampoo was just a “trial” for me and I think it’s turned me!!! 🙂 I’m going to have to go back and buy liters in both the shampoo and conditioner. I was shopping for a new shampoo simply because my hair had become more dry than usual. My ends felt very brittle and split ends were easily making themselves appear. Since I color my hair just about every 2 weeks I needed something that was going to help with color retention, strength, and frizz. It’s very humid in Texas! I’ve noticed a reduced amount of frizz with this product. The amount of tangles I normally have in my hair have reduced as well. My scalp also gets less oily with this. An added bonus always is the scent! It smells wonderful!!!!

Here are some facts straight from Rusk’s website regarding this product:
http://www.rusk1.com/products.php?pcID=209_212_216

WHAT IS IT? A sulfate-free, gentle cleansing shampoo formulated to prolong color retention and preserve color vibrancy.

WHO IS IT FOR? For all hair types, but specially formulated for anyone with chemically or color-treated hair.

WHAT DOES IT DO? Hydrates and revives dry, brittle hair. Contains a patented UV-absorbing technology known to protect hair color from fading rapidly, and nourishing bio-marine ingredients and vitamins that help protect hair during thermal styling.

HOW DO YOU USE IT? Apply generously to wet hair and work up lather. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with Deepshine® Color Hydrate Conditioner.

Deepshine® Color Hydrate Sulfate-Free Shampoo is a gentle cleansing formula, free of color-stripping sulfates. Replenishes moisture while softening dry, brittle hair. Contains nourishing marine botanicals and a patented UV-absorbing technology with antioxidant-rich vitamin E acetate to help shield hair color against damaging sun-generated free radicals, a leading cause of accelerated hair color fadage.

June 20, 2013

The perfect summertime scrub!

Vixens, it’s summatime!!! That means showing more SKIN! I am in love with this product. I picked this up on one of my frequent Target trips and can’t get enough. It’s so affordable and works excellent! Instead of making my own scrub or buying a more expensive one this is all I need. It smells so good and leaves my body so silky smooth and soft! I use it every couple of days and especially on those days where I’ll be wearing shorts or going to the pool. I have also replaced my shaving cream with this product! It’s amazing!!! I believe at my Target it was only $3.99. Small price to pay for HUGE benefits! I’m a huge St. Ives fan and this product is definitely one of my top 5 faves Follow up with St. Ives collagen elastin moisturizer!

April 8, 2013

Birthday makeover!

My cousin wanted professional hair & makeup for her family picture session over the weekend. Who better to get than yours truly, your own, Vixen Charm! I gave her a custom airbrush foundation finish with custom airbrush blush and complementary eye & face colors with medium lashes to complete her look. Her hair was styled with loose curls that were held with high quality styling products and a high gloss shine to finish the look. Check out the before and after. I can’t wait to see her family pics!!

April 8, 2013

Bridal Party 4/6

Saturday I had the pleasure of working once again with this family; this time for a wedding. The first time I worked for this family it was for M’s daughter, A’s, Quinceneara. They are always a lot of fun and so easy to work with. The wedding was for M’s sister in law, K. K wears minimal makeup and wanted to stay with a very natural look. I airbrushed her makeup using my Temptu machine giving her the most flawless finish while still keeping her look very natural.
Here is K’s look while in the process of getting her hair done:

Here is A, the quince girl, who is always so much fun to work with. She likes a medium coverage look with winged eyes. I used a full coverage powder and applied with a light to medium build to give her the exact look she was wanting. I applied natural lashes to complete her look:

Mother of the Bride, A, was so sweet! She also wanted a natural look while looking flawless in her pictures. Custom shades and look made just for her. She’s such a sweetheart:

My last and final makeup application was done on one of my all time fave clients, M. She’s my repeat client who I absolutely adore! She’s such a doll and always a pleasure to work with. I did a custom airbrush makeup application on her. M is a huge fan of the Temptu application b/c it hides her scar in pictures. Here is her look while getting her hair ‘did’:

I really enjoy working with this family. They are all so much fun, friendly, and so warm and welcoming! They always open up their homes and make you feel like family as soon as you walk in the door. It’s so self rewarding when they take a look in the mirror and see their finished look and are so genuinely happy. This is why I love what I do! It’s moments like these that make the education and preparation so worth it. You always want to perfect your craft and sharpen your tool so you can deliver to your client. I hope you enjoyed meeting these women as I’ve enjoyed getting to know them.

Stay confident and keep smilin’
-Nell

March 16, 2013

Coming soon…

I know I have been MIA on my blogging but soon I will post a step by step tutorial on how I apply my makeup. I get asked all the time what steps I take and what products I use. I am more than happy to share my tips and tricks with you. Please comment and let me know what other tutorials you would like to see.

– Nell

August 6, 2012August 6, 2012

First things first, Primers!!!

Good morning, Vixens! Last time I gave you my skin care secrets. Cleansing, scrubs, toning, and moisturizing are all very important. Today I’m sharing with you what I do on myself and my clients to prep the skin for makeup! I use an oil-free and anti-shine foundation primer. It’s called, Sephora Collection Anit-Shine Foundation Primer. I’ve tried many brands but this Sephora primer is one of my favorites. I do love the Smashbox and Make Up For Ever primers as well. MAC’s Prep and Prime works well too, but a little too heavy for me. The Sephora one is my go to for most! It is very light and doesn’t feel like you’re applying a mask or clogging your pores with it. It dries quickly so you’re not wasting time waiting for the product to dry to apply your makeup. It’s paraben and synthetic free. It won’t leave a residue on your skin or start to rub off as you smooth it into your skin. It also holds up in this great Texas heat and humidity!

*For some reason I can’t post links at the moment 😦
If you want to know where you can purchase these products or want anymore info or recommendations for your skin please feel free to contact me. I’m always happy to help 🙂

NEXT WEEK: FOUNDATIONS!!

July 25, 2012

Some of my favorite skincare products!

Hi! I wanted to share with you the products I use on my face to help give it that smooth look. Quite often I get asked how I get my skin to look so flawless. Well I don’t think it’s flawless but when you take good care of it makeup applies and sets better on your skin. For a long time I was having trouble with blemishes as well as it feeling very weighed down from oil in my pores. I have combination skin so the products I use daily may not be the same for your skin type so please keep that in mind when picking the right products for you. I have an oily T-Zone which is the forehead, nose, and chin while my cheeks feel dry most of the time. I have experimented with all kinds of skin care lines but what I found that has worked for me I can find at my local Target! Everyone’s skin changes every so often so you may have to switch it up from time to time. Things like climate, stress, daily activities, products you use, and so forth can affect your skin. I cleanse my skin every morning and night with St. Ive’s Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub followed by a oil free moisturizer. Every other night, or depending on how much/heavy the makeup was that day, I follow my cleanser with Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub. This stuff is amazing! I love Burt’s Bees scrub; it makes your skin feel so soft and moisturized after. Now I know what you’re thinking….”Why use 2 scrubs on your face, a little harsh?”. Well one is a cleansing scrub and the other is a moisturizing scrub and I use several makeup products on my face daily but that’s a whole other post. I do use a toner after cleansing my face and especially after the Burt’s Bees and like I said, I always finish with a good oil free moisturizer! Moisturizing your skin is SO important! Don’t forget to cleanse and moisturize your neck as well. Feel free to comment and share what products you love and what works for you or post any questions you have. You can always email me directly at bookwithnell@gmail.com 🙂

XOXO-

Nell

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