MTV's "Made" Airing Friday, October 1, 2010 4 p.m. EST

MTV Shows

Makeup by Pamela Lesch 

www.MakeupArtistCharleston.com

Like Clean Scents? You'll Love Philosophy's Amazing Grace

I was standing in the shower this morning, getting ready to loofah my newest fave, clean scent, Philosophy's Amazing Grace, when I read the entire script on this bottle.  I thought it was outstanding.  Having been an English teacher, I really appreciated the analogy to a classroom.  

I thought I'd share with you:

philosophy:  life is a classroom.  we are both student

and teacher.  each day is a test.  and each day we receive

a passing or failing grade in one particular subject:

grace.  grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith

forgiveness, good manners, reverence and the list goes

on.  it's something money can't buy and credentials

rarely produce.  being the smartest, the prettiest, the

most talented, the richest or even the poorest can't

help.  being a humble person can, and being a helpful

person can guide you through your days with grace

and gratitude.

Wow.  

www.philosophy.com

That Last Little Somethin'-Somethin'

Brides, brides, brides!  I love them, and I adore doing their makeup on Wedding Day!

Because it's high bridal season here in Charleston, I'm in a groove, and I've been thinking about my process when I apply a bride's makeup.  It comes down to those final touches that put a makeup application over the top.  Once their "face" is on, right down to the lashes, I find that I go back and add 2 to 3 more products that ALWAYS put on the finishing touch.  Here are my tricks of choice:

1.  Clean up any stray "fall" from powder shadows, and reapply a little more concealer over the darkest areas of the under-eye (usually the areas closest to the nose).  My clean-up product of choice (and previous blog-worthy item): Make Up For Ever's Full Cover waterproof concealer.  The tiniest bit goes a long way.

2.  Highlight the tippy-tops of cheekbones with MAC's Mineralize SkinFinish in either Light Flush or Petticoat, making sure to stay away from the apples of the cheeks.

3.  If I still need a little something-something, MAC's Eye Kohl in Powersurge (a metallic gold color) on the waterline (or rim) of the lower eyelid.  This makes eyes POP without making them appear smaller.

An Oldie. . . A Goodie. . . A Splurge!

Christian Dior's DIORSHOW Mascara in Noir/Black is my new favorite.  At $25, it was a splurge, but well worth it.  It's one of those must-have mascaras that is a beauty luxury.  Not only do I get great volume and length, but this is a delicious rose-scented mascara. . . that unexpected fragrance made it even more divine to apply.  I really like the brush's pointed edge to get to my inner corner lashes.

I purchased mine at Dillard's, but you can find it at any higher-end department store that carries Christian Dior Cosmetics, as well as Sephora.

My never-ending search for a great mascara continues. . .

Pretty Preservationist, Perry

The girl's got style, vision, panache, and moxie!  All this, plus she's a BLUSH girl. . . as in "I need more blush!"

Perry is one of those brides who has made a lasting impression, much like the old architecture, books, and mementos she studies and helps preserve.  This phenomenal bridal session, by the amazing Heather Forsythe Photography, is currently making the rounds on several online wedding publications (The Wedding Row, Southern Weddings, The Wedding Chicks, etc).

Thank you, Perry, for your adventurous spirit and love of all things vintage.  You can follow her planning process and journey at PerryAnnMcKenzie.blogspot.com.

Thank you, Heather Forsythe Photography, for capturing the essence of this North Carolina gal, and relaying it so beautifully.

Sun Spot Fix-It Time

I went against my own good advice: this summer, I spent time at the beach during high-peak sun hours, without enough sun screen. I also spent a lot of time driving in the car, and my left side always seems to get beat up the most by the sun.  Sure enough, those little brown sunspots have reappeared on my left cheek.  

What caught my eye at the Clinique counter was the advertising campaign with the brown-spotted egg and the clean, clear tan egg.  Hmm. . . I definitely wanted the clear, tan egg.

I left with two products, that I must say, I'm very impressed with: Clinique's Even Better Dark Spot Corrector (a milky serum), and it's moisturizing counterpart, Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20 (a cream).  Over the course of the last five weeks, applying the serum morning and evening, there's a noticeable difference in the darkness of my sun spots.  Even though they are still there, they've faded nicely.  I use the moisturizer only during the day because of its SPF content.

My spots were what I'd categorize as mild to slightly moderate.  I have seen results and plan to use it up. . . maybe they'll mostly disappear.  If I ever pump out a bit more of either the serum or cream, I rub it onto the backs of my hands.  (Something my grandmother taught me. . . don't neglect the hands!)  No sunspots there yet, but a little prevention goes a long way.

Check it out if you have mild to moderate sun spots. . . Ask for a sample. . . Clinique is great about that.

A Necessary Attachment

This is not a brag; it's a truth:  I love my stuff.  I love all the palettes of color, the creamy concoctions, the silky powders, the wonderful-smelling spritzers and toners, the fluffy brushes.  I love my kit which is the unit that carries all my products.  Between my kit and what my eye and mind conjure up, there lies my business.

I marvel that I get to look into a clean face and see a myriad of opportunities.  The first question I ask myself is, "What can I do to make this person more beautiful?"  Each time I start off on that note, the results are almost always spectacular.  It's leading with the heart, and I've found I cannot fail when I approach work that way.  Hmm. . . there's a little yoga in there.  When approaching most any situation or event or task in life, and if approached with, "how can I leave this better than I found it?" well. . . how can anyone go wrong?

Probably what's most un-yogic about this is my attachment to my stuff.  But it's a necessary attachment that brings about a heart-felt result.

Thanks to beautiful Britney with your "go big or go home" attitude :)  You are a joy!  

A heart full of gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful Mike and Rachel at Tillman Branch Photography for their kind attention to my "stuff" and for capturing this process.

www.TillmanBranch.com