Beauty Karma

Color My World... this Spring!

2011-02-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Check out Spring 2011's fashion color palette report from PANTONE, the leader in color trends... affecting everything from home design, fashion design and of course MAKEUP... so look for beautiful blue greens, silver, lavenders and corals! http://theperfectpaletteblog.com/

2011-02-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

To say I was happy with the DANCING APACHE LODGE shoot I did with Sedona Bride Photography for Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine would be a huge understatement. DIVINE, InsPired, RusTic, CharMing, SeXy... are all words to describe the feeling of the day. From the flowers in vintage glass bottles to the vintage sports car ...the rustic wooden tables set with lace table runners and alternating china patterns, each detail was spot on... the brainchild of Margaret Van Damme who headed up the styling for the shoot. Flowers by Events by Showstoppers. Throw into the mix our two gorgeous models - coupled with super Fresh & Sexy hair and makeup... and voila!

Putting the finishing touches on our glowing bride!

Bridal bouquet by Events by Showstoppers

Keep Matte But Don't Lose Your GLOW!

2011-01-26T12:55:00.000-08:00

As a makeup artist I love glowing skin, not sweaty, shiny, slippery Arizona in the summer skin but just a hint of youthful glow. But as a makeup artist in Arizona, keeping brides and grooms shine free just got easier, thanks to Mally Beauty's Poreless Face Defender. Using this silicone based product instead of powder is the way to go... powders can leave skin looking dull and worn, just ask anyone suffering from oily skin who tries to diminish shine by using heavy powders. Mally Beauty's Poreless Defender is a groundbreaking gel mattifyer that eliminates shine, hides fine lines and comes with a buffed Japanese sponge for easy application. Don't know how she did it but she did!
Available through Mally Beauty or QVC.com.

2011-01-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Liz Margin Makeup Artist won the Bride's Choice Awards 2011 from WeddingWire! This means I am in the top 5 percent of Wedding Pros nationwide. http://www.weddingwire.com/vendor-reviews

This Gun Aims for Beauty

2010-08-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Nothing gets the bridal party going like when I pull out my airbrush gun... there are the oohs and ahhs when before their very own eyes, they see their friends blotchy or broken out skin miraculously smooth out into a perfect and flawless complexion. Yes, it's a real crowd pleaser! But can't you get the same results using regular methods of concealing and foundation application? Well... yes and no!

Recently I had a wedding in July on one of the hottest days of the year in Sedona. I received a text message from the wedding planner a day or two later raving about how flawless the bride still looked hours into the day and night. In Arizona, there's pretty much no time of year that isn't HOT! What a challenge for brides trying to keep their makeup from slip sliding away. So, it's no surprise that more brides are opting for this quick and high tech device to create a flawless long lasting makeup. When I first began using the machine, I was still more comfortable with traditional foundations... as an artist I preferred using my fingers, sponges and brushes. And I felt very confident that I could achieve similar flawless skin results with the old methods. And I can! So why airbrush? One good reason is that it takes about 2 minutes to apply. And once it's on, it's on! There's a window of time you can mess with it but once you powder an airbrushed face, it's set. The best reason to airbrush is that it will last and this is our main concern on a wedding day in Arizona! It won't melt and it won't transfer on to those dozens of kissy face aunts and uncles during the reception. Your only touch ups needed? A blotting powder and your lip color! So brides everywhere... Ready, Aim, Fire... you're flawless!

2010-06-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is the height of bridal season here in Sedona and around the world and that means my makeup kit is on the move! The fake lashes are flying and the airbrush machine is humming... One of my more recent bridal clients, Tiffany, stunned me with not only her beauty, but her entire bridal party was gorgeous! I'm so lucky that I get to revisit the family this July when I do makeup for her sister Michelle's wedding in Flagstaff!!!
Here's Tiffany with her beautiful mother Janet and sister Michelle...

THE HAPPY COUPLE!

Tiffany and Matt... being photographed at beautiful Tlaqapaque.

THE LOVELY ENTOURAGE...

sLaSh + YeArN... For Grown ups who wanna tear it up!

2010-03-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Recently the trend towards shredding (not unwanted pounds or guitar solos) but in clothing, has left me remembering my nights at CBGB's seeing the Ramones or The Dead Boys! Ripped up t-shirts and razored, shredded jeans are all making their come back on the cat walk! But if you're like me... a woman of a certain sophistication, you'll want to look at these gorgeous high style alternatives. Available at Bergdorf Goodman, check out this amazing tote (available on white as well) by Romygold $475.

Last summer there were plenty of tattered, slashed skinny jeans worn by skinny celebs all over LA... but these Hudson Jeans $297 at Bergdorf Goodman are a nice version I can see myself wearing. I'd pair them with a nice long boyfriend jacket and these caged booties by Elizabeth & James!

Perhaps the prettiest
interpretation of this homage to tough slashed chic, is THE bag I MUST own this season by Elie Tahari, available at Bergdorf Goodman for (gasp) $898. Everything about this bag - the slouchy shape, size, and color beckons to me and satisfies the punk rocker in this grown up!

SPRING FLING OR OBSESSION? TOP 5 SHOE PICKS I'M MAD FOR!!!

2010-03-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

The last time I was this obsessed in the Spring was when my clock was ticking, no not the baby clock but the puppy clock! This new obsession follows a clock as well, the seasonal clock.... kicking in twice a year... in the Fall when new suede boots demand my attention and now in Spring when lighter shades and open toes beckon to me like a soft warm breeze and a summer pedi.

Recently during my last trip to NY, I spotted Madonna at Shabbat Services at the Kabbalah Centre wearing a pair of black lace up jazz shoes with her rolled up boyfriend jeans. I was utterly confused by a menswear brogue making its appearance in fashion yet again and was instantly brought back to a pair of Kenneth Cole black wingtips I owned in 1992 that had long been donated to the "never again" pile. At least, that's what I thought. When my spring fling this year began scouring the Neiman marcus online shoe department, I focused on Platform heels and gladiator/dessert like ankle sandals... Sprinkled throughout these searches, appeared these brogues... again and again... And my resistance began to wear down. But I wasn't paying $250 for these retro one nighters... instead I found these awesome spring picks at ALDO for $60.00. I got them in black... I couldn't quite give it up to the white golf shoe version, well, not yet!

But back to the Platform Sandals... where the object of my most passionate Spring lust has known no bounds. These beautiful STUART WEITZMAN platforms retail for $365.. a bit steep on one hand but compared to the YSL's I really really really want at $860, they are a bargain! But not available to be shipped in this color in my size from Neiman Marcus until May!!!! Why oh why am I to suffer?!!! When it's the perfect shoe for now!

THEY WILL BE MINE!!!

Now... on to more practical matters.... like the nearly $400 SIGERSON MORRISON cool take on gladiator sandals this Spring Season..Inspired by a cluster of bangles, cords finished with gleaming metal bits, they are truly jewelry for your feet and will look amazing this summer with short dresses and a very tanned leg!

Now because I'm a size 5, I do alot of my shoe shopping online - so many stores and designers now don't even stock 5's but begin at size 6. Online shopping can be exhausting but considering I live over 2 hours from the closest Nordstrom or Saks, it's my only choice! So after hours of scanning department store's websites as well as Bluefly, Zappos, Piperlime and every other possible purveyor of shoes, bleary eyed, I begin the process of deleting the impossible (based on price!) from my various shopping carts and wind up with 2, 3, 4 pair on each site. The one pair I can't live without this season is this adorable open toe ballet flat from Vera Wang Lavender Label in an embossed snake pattern. Pictured here in the Gold and selling at $195, I'll probably buy them in black and will wear them for many Springs & Falls to come! Or I'll belabor gold vs. black and by the time I make up my mind, they will have sold out in my size!

One of the most interesting trends this Spring is best exemplified in this desert style boot sandal by CHLOE. Retailing for $595... this part gladiator part ankle boot is just the right mix of tough and sexy... Lusting for these, I'll have to keep my eyes open at Piperlime and Zappos for a bargain version of these gorgeous sandals. Undoubtedly this cool hybrid of ankle boot and sandal will be popping up everywhere!

Happy Shoe Shopping! To me, it's like a Spring rite of passage... like spring cleaning or Chocolate easter eggs but less fattening and more fun than cleaning!

Brides Wanna Know... TO SMOKE OR NOT TO SMOKE... their eyes, that is!

2010-03-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I LOVE SMOKEY EYES!!! It's one of my favorite makeup styles to do. And I find that most brides want some version of a smokey eye, even if they don't know it. They'll say I want my eyes to pop, stand out or make my eyes sexy. In fact, it's the biggest request I get from my clients, teach me how to do a smokey eye!
If eyes are truly the windows of the soul, it's no mystery that on one of the most important days of her life, a bride will want everyone to notice her eyes.

To keep a smokey eye in check... to keep it from looking too night-clubby, there are a few tricks that keep the eye in balance for a bride. Don't line the inside of the eye with black eyeliner unless you are absolutely having an evening wedding with very soft lighting. And if you dare to line inside the eye, which is very dramatic, keep the cheek soft and dewy and the mouth light. And the real secret of a great smokey eye? It's in in the blending. This is not a fast 5 minute face. A smokey eye requires good tools and a little patience!

First thing I ask my bridal clients is to send me photographs of makeup styles they like... from magazines, celebrity photos or photos of themselves. This always gives me keen insight into their personal style in general. If they pick a super sexy black rimmed rock 'n roll eye from the runway, I know what direction I can move them in. At that point, I'd ask is their wedding indoors or outdoors, day or evening? It's always up to the makeup artist to interpret a runway or red carpet makeup and move that makeup into PRETTY for a wedding. If her favorite photo shows a bright red mouth and a clean eye, I may suggest a more rosey version of that strong red mouth which will photograph prettier and be much less maintenance throughout the reception. When women ask me how to make their lipstick last all day, I tell them "you reapply!" so a bride may want to think about that if she's leaning towards a darker mouth.

For green eyed brides, I suggest a plum eyeliner with bronze toned shadows which really bring out any gold flecks hazel or green eyes may have. If you have blue eyes... keep the smoke very soft with metallic taupes, browns and golds. For brown eyes, a bride can go into the charcoal tones using even a little black or navy liner - use brown shadows to blend and mute the liner. Balance this with a matte ivory or nude on the brow bone to keep the eye neat and clean.

So while it's true that some brides have preferred a very clean eye with a more natural approach, most of the brides I've had the pleasure of working with have all agreed... the EYES HAVE IT!!! So have fun... and smoke em if you got em!

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD!!!!

2010-03-04T15:03:00.000-08:00

What could be more beautiful than protecting helpless cats and dogs? Bravo to West Hollywood for being more interested in real beauty than the fake plastic beauty Hollywood is usually equated with!

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - The vote to ban the sale of dogs and cats in this
famously liberal enclave will likely have more bark than bite, since no pet
stores in the city currently sell animals.
But officials hope that Tuesday's unanimous city council vote will be seen
beyond West Hollywood as a symbolic stand against puppy mills and kitten
<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35432635/ns/us_news/> factories.
"You have to start somewhere," said Michael Haibach, deputy to Councilman
Jeffrey Prang, who sponsored the legislation. "The more people who jump on
the bandwagon the better."
This famously quirky city has a reputation as a trailblazer in animal
welfare rights.
It became the first city in the country to prohibit cat declawing in 2003, a
measure that has since spread to dozens of other cities, including Los
Angeles <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35432635/ns/us_news/> . Another WestHollywood ordinance officially terms pets as "companion animals" and gives
their "guardians" a local tax deduction for pet adoption fees.
Since the pet sales ordinance was introduced earlier this month, the city
has received dozens of inquiries from other municipalities across the
country interested in replicating it, Haibach said. Some information
requests came from Europe, he said.
Pet shops would only be permitted to offer animals from shelters for sale
once West Hollywood's ordinance goes into effect in September. South Lake
Tahoe adopted a similar ban last year.
Advocates for the pet industry said such ordinances are misguided because
they do not tackle the source of the problem - irresponsible commercial
breeders who keep animals in deplorable conditions.
"It's not going after the substandard breeders," said Michael Maddox, vice
president of governmental affairs for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory
Council in Washington, D.C. "A pet store doesn't get you very far. We
support people's right to get their pet from the best source that suits
them."
At West Hollywood's D.O.G. Pet Boutique, co-owner Christian Velasco said he
is against selling puppy-mill dogs that are sold to stores for $20 to $30
then resold to the public for hundreds of dollars.
"We could make a lot of money doing that, but we don't think it's right,"
Velasco said.
Instead, the store refers customers to shelters and allows a rescue agency
to bring its animals to the store for adoption.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS!!!

2010-03-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

http://www.totalbeauty.com/awards

formspring.me

2010-03-01T19:31:00.003-08:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/lizzie60

formspring.me

2010-03-01T19:31:00.001-08:00

Who's the most famous person you've met?

I've had a great career as a makeup artist, so I got to meet David Bowie, probably THE most famous, as well as Sandra Bernhard, The Ramones, Marianne Faithful, and Linda McCartney to name a few!

Ask me anything

DIFFERENT NAME BUT THE SAME... GET YOUR GLOW ON!!!

2010-02-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

It was nearly two years ago... I sat at my local mani/pedi spa and heard the devastating news that REVLON would no longer produce the magnificent SKINLIGHTS Highlighting Cream. This came directly from a REVLON executive herself in town on vacation! She tried to ease my pain telling me to stock up. I even bought the coveted tubes on EBAY. This was my desert island product ... as a woman, and as a makeup artist. The pearlized softening cream produced beautiful effects, highlighting cheekbones while adding a healthy glow to skin, especially aging skin! I used it on nearly every model and bride who wanted that dewy fresh glow. Why oh why do cosmetics companies discontinue popular products!

I searched high and low in drugstores and in high end cosmetics departments for a replacement. And I found them... I bought DEX, a mineral based cream in beautiful packaging. I tested a drop on my hand and yes, there was the glow but the color wasn't quite right, a bit too pinky blue and the texture wasn't nearly as rich as my beloved SKINLIGHTS. It was thinner and needed much more product to get the same results and at about $45 a jar, compared with $12, I wasn't happy! Until last week!!! Much to my surprise, as I perused the cosmetics aisle of my local Walgreens... there it was! A different package but I knew I had hit the mother lode. REVLON'S AGE DEFYING Face Illuminator is THE one! It's the Skinlights Highlighter in a different tube with a brush applicator, which frankly wastes the product, but who cares??? IT'S BACK... So ladies - get it while it's hot, get it while it's here and report back to me. I purchased the BARE LIGHT Shade (same name as the Skinlights I used to use) which works on light - medium skin tones... Try it with a creme blush and tell me your skin doesn't look younger, healthier, prettier! Halleluljah!!!

LOOK LIKE YOU BUT BETTER!

2010-02-22T14:32:00.001-08:00

“When a woman puts on makeup, she shouldn’t look painted. You want people to say, ‘did you just come back from vacation?’” – Michael Kors

Thank you Phoenix Bride & Groom Magazine for the Shout out!!!

2010-02-22T10:14:00.001-08:00

http://www.phoenixbrideandgroom.com/blog/kiss-and-makeup

What a girl wants... what a girl needs.

2010-02-07T15:24:00.000-08:00

Trade in your Iconic Green and Pink Maybelline Great Lash and opt for CoverGirl's coveted and new classic LASH BLAST Volume. Thickens and lengthens without giving you spidery hard lashes, keeps em soft and lush. The brides are loving the waterproof formula!

I'M A WEDDING WIRE WINNER!!!

2010-01-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

SEDONA, AZ – 1/19/2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Liz Margin Makeup Artist has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Makeup Artistry.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

Liz Margin Makeup Artist is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that Liz Margin Makeup Artist is among the very best makeup artists within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

50's the new... um... 38?

2010-01-04T17:38:00.000-08:00

When I was about 10, and my mom's friends were all about 38 or so... I thought they were old, I mean really old, not as old as Grandma but pretty much out of the loop... with none of the bright shiny future that shone through my eyes or anyone under 19 or so. While it's true that generations probably experience this same phenomenon... judging the middle aged as old by comparison of its youth, I think it's safe to say, that in this day and age of injectables and healthier lifestyles, we truly are younger looking at 50 than our Grandparents generation was at 50. Well it makes me feel better anyways to think so! So with that said - I truly can say I feel no older than 38, yes 38... that's me now and for always.

Adopt a Pet :: Frankie - Sedona, AZ - Labrador Retriever/Labrador Retriever Mix

2009-12-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

Adopt a Pet :: Frankie - Sedona, AZ - Labrador Retriever/Labrador Retriever Mix

PUNK IS ALWAYS FRESH... and always in style!

2009-11-24T14:57:00.000-08:00

The proof is in the pudding as my Spiritual teacher, Rav Berg is so fond of saying. What's that got to do with anything? Well... it seems as though punk style is now a classic. As classic as a JCREW cashmere sweater set. And the proof is that this image looks as fresh today as it did nearly 10 years ago when I did the makeup for this shoot at the uber cool and fabulous Showroom Seven in NYC.

2009-11-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

My good friend and fellow Sedona Wedding Studio mate, Margaret Van Damme featured in the Wedding Chronicle as coordinating one of the most beautiful weddings of the year! WOW!

IN STYLE MAGAZINE, SEDONA BRIDE & MAKEUP BY... ME!

2009-11-16T14:54:00.000-08:00

http://styleschool.instyleweddings.com/2009/11/snap-shots-sedona-bride.html#addcomments

I've Got the BEST Job EVER!

2009-11-16T08:44:00.000-08:00

This weekend I was fortunate enough to get paid for doing what I love with some of the most illuminated minds and hearts around. The shoot for the Spiritual Cinema Circle Series began with me doing makeup for Mariel Hemmingway who is every bit as gracious, beautiful and sweet as I had imagined... And then walks in Wayne Dyer, the Granddaddy of Change your Thoughts, Change your Life! Imagine growing up in foster families and orphanages to become one of the great positive thinkers of all time! How inspiring.

And then my eaaaarly call time Saturday morning of 6AM was met with the glowing, energized and magnetic Iyanla Van Zant who brightened up the room like a 100 watt lightbulb! We discovered our Brooklyn roots together and had some beautiful moments of sharing the beauty of turning 50~ how life is richer and more fulfilling as we age and settle into our true powerful selves!

The weekend was filled with luminaries like James Von Pragh who shared with us his story of moving to LA to become a comedy writer but soon discovering that through his meditation practices he was becoming more tuned in to auras and the energies beyond our physical plane... in other words... he sees dead people! Fascinating... Our last interview of the weekend was with the soft spoken and gentle Brian Weiss, author of the best selling Many Lives Many Masters! Wow... imagine this uber left brain scientific psychaitrist discovering through hyponotherapy that his patients were revealing their past lives experiences to him much to his initial disbelief. If you're a non believer in the eternal nature of the soul, read his work! You'll be forever changed!

Thank you Gaiam for the great booking! Thank you to Spiritual Cinema Circle for existing!

I'm joining as we speak... http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com/

the pink egg!

2009-11-05T07:36:00.001-08:00

Try Beauty Blender sponges for airbrush quality foundation application! Just dampen and use with any of your foundations for a smooth soft flawless look.

www.beautyblender.net

Glamorous and Spiritual!

2009-11-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

So, one of the more exciting jobs to come my way in a long time will be in Phoenix on Nov.13-15 at the Celebrate Your Life Seminar ... The beautiful actress Mariel Hemmingway has booked me to do her makeup and hair while I get to do touch ups on those she'll be interviewing... none other than Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Brian Weiss to name just a few motivational giants! I feel so blessed to soak up all those good vibes while doing what I love to do... Makeup!

www.mishkaproductions.com

OK... OK... I'll do a blog!

2009-11-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog... Beauty Karma! Here's a place for me to post new images from my makeup portfolios, taut new products, and just share experiences from working with some of the most talented pros not just here in Sedona but all around the country. I also get to post adorable pictures of my 4 pound yorkipoo, Bodhi. So once I figure this whole thing out, expect weekly updates!