Product Review: YSL Vinyl Cream Lip Stain

As a professional makeup artist, you can probably guess how picky I am about my lip products. I have tested a lot of them and yet there are still new ones launching every day. In fact, for my own wedding I must have tried at least 40 lipsticks, glosses, and liners! For the big day, everything has to be PERFECT. Brides want a great lip color that won’t disappear after a few smooches. The old favorite I settled on 3 years ago was one of YSL’s glossy lip stains in a peachy shade. The texture was absolutely divine, and I was obsessed. So when I found out that YSL was sending me their new Vinyl Cream lip stain to test out, my heart did a happy dance! 

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The lip stain comes in a gold box and when I pulled the lip stain out, I noticed that the packaging is a bit different from their other lip stains. The others typically have a gold top and black bottom with a clear strip showing the color inside and of course the iconic YSL logo on one side. This particular stain is entirely black with a clear strip and the YSL logo which I think is very sleek and sexy. 

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Application: 

When I first applied the lip stain, I noticed how creamy it is. As with YSL’s other formulas, it is a very wet application so I had to be careful not to accidentally overdraw my lip line. I loved how saturated the lip color was though! The stain is buildable, but you really don’t need more than 1 coat because it is so pigmented. 

Experience On Lips: 

The thing I love most about this lip stain is the way it makes my lips feel! The texture is decadent. Hydrated and bouncy. Tacky, not sticky. Since its called Vinyl, I expected more of a high-shine finish but this is just a regular glossy finish not unlike the YSL Glossy Stains. Since I love those, I’m not complaining. 

Wear: 

I was pleasantly surprised by the durability of this stuff! While it is not advertised as kiss-proof, it certainly is. I tested it out on my husband and while he did get just a little bit of clear “gloss” on him, absolutely no color transferred to him whatsoever. I wore this for 6 hours and it didn’t budge. When I went to remove it with a makeup wipe before bed, it left a little bit of color stained on my lips which I actually enjoyed. Long wear that doesn’t dry out lips? Vinyl Cream Lip Stain rocks!

(excuse my sad, fuzzy cell phone photos- they don't do this color justice)

Overall I give this product TWO THUMBS UP! The price point is kinda high at $36 a pop, but considering how decadent YSL’s lip products are and how long they last, it’s worth it to me. I will probably go buy a couple more of them for my kit. Plus the packaging itself just makes you feel fancy putting it on :)

I received this product complimentary for testing purposes. I assure you that my opinion is honest and was not influenced by the free gift. 

Until next time beauties!

XOXO,

-A.L.

Romantic Makeup for A Styled Shoot at the Toledo Museum of Art

We had so much fun at this romantic styled bridal shoot with some of our favorite wedding vendor friends! Photographers: Adore Wedding Photography, Bridal Gown & Accessories Boutique: Belle Amour Bridal, Florals: Ann Strickland for Bartz Viviano, Model Raynisha Nicole, and hairstylist Candy Summerskill all rounded out a rockstar creative team. All photos are from Adore Wedding Photography unless otherwise noted. 

So what happens at a styled shoot you ask? 

First, the team met in downtown Toledo, Ohio at Belle Amour Bridal. The owner, Michelle McCaulla expertly chose a stunning Allure Romance gown for our model Raynisha Nicole. Then, the makeup process began (because it does take some time to look effortlessly beautiful of course). 

Photo: Amy Lewis. A pretty mess. Toledo Bridal Makeup courtesy of Makeup by Amy Lewis & Company (Amy, assisted by Emily). 

Amy started with a rose water toner, and lots of moisturizer to hydrate Raynisha's skin. Then she applied some shimmery cream shadows in various mocha and gold tones, followed by smudging some deeper brown shadows in the crease and blending the edges to create a seamless effect. She ran a black liquid liner along the waterline to define the eyes, and added a full wispy false lash to really bring out Raynisha's eyes. Amy then moved on to some color correction, and custom blended the perfect concealer and foundation for her skin tone. A vibrant pink blush and just a touch of the ultra indulgent Pat McGrath Skin Fetish highlighter stick in gold on the cheek bones helped achieve a pretty, dewy finish. Amy selectively powdered as needed and touched up Raynisha's brows with a brow powder and pencil. She pressed a pink lipstick into the lips, added a swipe of mascara and sprayed the entire face with a setting spray. Emily helped keep everything organized and clean throughout the beauty process. 

Raynisha was ready to get her hair done by hairstylist Candy Summerskill. Candy carefully weaved in a gorgeous hairpiece from Belle Amour Bridal, and braided the rest of the hair into a lovely fishtail braid. We loved how great Candy's Oribe hair products smelled as they filled the room! 

Not to mention the intoxicating aroma from the bouquet Ann Strickland of Bartz Viviano designed for us! Those flowers smelled SO good, and they looked even more amazing. The anemones stole our hearts. 

Our blushing "bride" was ready for her close up with the expertly talented duo of Adore Wedding Photography (Loren & Mary Beth). We started shooting after a rainstorm had passed through the area, so everything around the museum was very wet and lush looking as the sun started to set. The light was absolutely dreamy! 

There you have it! We hope you enjoyed these photos as much as we did. Another big thanks to everyone who contributed to this shoot! If you like what you see here, please go show them some love. Until next time!

- XOXO Amy

The Mystery Behind Airbrush Makeup

Airbrushing in action! Photo courtesy of Viridian Ivy Images ( http://www.viridianivy.com/ )

What is airbrush makeup and why does almost everyone say it's the best makeup for an important event? Simply put: it feels nearly weightless and it's built to LAST! 

Airbrush makeup refers to a very thin liquid foundation that goes into the chamber of an airbrush gun. Once the air compressor is turned on and air is flowing through the gun, the trigger gets pulled to release the foundation in a fine mist. Airbrushing creates a flawless finish by spraying out the tiniest droplets of makeup in an even layer to give great natural coverage. It is ideal for most skin types. Some artists even airbrush eyeshadows, brows, blush and lips in addition to airbrushing the foundation. Our team loves airbrush, but we only airbrush foundation-  we feel hand-applying the rest of the makeup gives a more desirable effect. 

Not all airbrush foundation formulas are created equal. There are many different types of coverages and finishes on the market. Our favorite kind is silicone-based airbrush foundation because it mimics skin's natural texture with a slightly dewy, radiant finish. Often times our clients are intimidated by airbrush if they've never experienced it before. It's actually very relaxing! It feels just like a soft mist sweeping over your face and once even medium-full coverage is achieved, it is virtually weightless. This is a major perk especially to women who don't like the feeling of heavy makeup! Not to mention it looks incredibly natural. 

Makeup by Amy Lewis & Company uses Temptu's silicone-based foundation which is known for its soft-focus effect that blurs fine lines and lasts up to 24 hours. The formula is sweat-proof, tear-resistant, and a favorite of professional makeup artists for over 15 years which speaks volumes. 

If you want to feel ultra-glam and pampered, and you also want your makeup to be essentially bullet-proof, then airbrush makeup may right for your next event! If you have any questions about airbrush makeup feel free to drop us a comment below or email us directly: makeupbyamylewis@gmail.com 

Bridal Makeup: Hire a Pro vs. Do-It-Yourself

When it comes to bridal beauty, you have two options: do your own makeup, or hire a professional makeup artist. Being a makeup artist myself, I must admit I am a little biased, but its worth mentioning that I did hire another makeup artist for my own wedding day to avoid the stress of doing my own makeup! Let’s take a moment to explore the pros and cons of each option.

The main reason brides choose to forgo a makeup artist and do their own makeup is to SAVE MONEY. However, anyone who has done their own makeup for their wedding will tell you they spent the same amount of money or more by going the DIY route. Not to mention all the extra time and stress spent choosing the right shades, researching how to use the products, and practicing the perfect application. Even the women skilled at applying makeup still face the wedding day jitters, which are no match for even the steadiest hands (myself included!).

The advantages of hiring a professional makeup artist: you will save time, money, and stress. It’s best to have a trial session done beforehand so your makeup artist can create a look you love and make sure the two of you are a great fit. Your makeup artist will know exactly how to accentuate your best features so that you will photograph beautifully… and all you’ll have to do is sit back and be pampered. It's very relaxing and really fun to get your makeup done with your bridesmaids and family members! 

Makeup artists that travel onsite will save you time and stress by coming to you on the wedding day. And they typically carry pro-quality products with longer wear and better performance than the standard consumer products (such as airbrush makeup). You won't need to lift a finger!

DIY or Pro Makeup Artist…the choice is yours! Just don’t wait until the last moment to make your decision- word travels fast in the wedding world, especially when it comes to finding amazing vendors. Most reputable makeup artists’ calendars book up to a year or more in advance. If you choose to go with a pro, book them as soon as possible before someone else does!

Photo Credit: Tetyana McGowan