Neutral Ground...

This is for the “Naturally Hip” individualist…
She is comfortable in her own skin. Her look is up to date and current, yet not easily influenced by the ever changing fashion fads. Hues that are natural and neutral are her favs and when she’s feeling flirty, precious plums are her accent of choice.





What’s in Her Beauty Bag?
Laura Mercier Flawless Face Foundation Primer $30
MAC Mineralized Satinfinish foundation SPF15 $25
Bobbi Brown Soft Peach and Copper Sand $24
Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick Chestnut $23.50
MAC Oyster Girl lip gloss $14
Lancôme Hynose mascara (black) $24

To Book a personalized consultation:
mochaincmakeup@gmail.com
571-299-7407

“Color without confidence is merely the name on the box, make it your own”…Renata/MochaInc. Makeup

Makeup 101: Questions, Answers, and Comments

Happy Saturday,

Sometimes I get stuck on what to write about, just because I want to keep the topics as relevant and informative for you as possible. I came up with this bright idea (I have those from time to timeJ). I want to hear from you!! I want to know what scares you about makeup, what you like or dislike, and what do you deem as viable/helpful information from me. Be open and as free as a bird, lol. You never know if your comments or questions may help someone else.

It's an open forum and I can't wait to hear from you. It should be very interesting.

FYI…So that everyone can share in the conversation and enjoy the interesting things you have to say, join my blog as a follower. And guys, I want to know what you think too. How do you feel about makeup?

Talk to you soon…

Renata

Foundation Follies…

Folly: an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking    

There is nothing worse than spending an afternoon at your favorite department store makeup counter trying to pick out a foundation and it being totally wrong once you break the corner towards shoes. First thing you do is blame the girl at the counter (you knew her makeup looked a little busted lol) for giving you the wrong color. But in her defense, it may be possible that the foundation oxidized once it got on your skin.

This happened to me tonight. I get so much makeup from this place and that place; I decided to try a new foundation (won't say the brand; don't want to discredit the makeup line). After immediately putting it on my skin, it began to turn reddish orange (YIKES). It turned two shades too dark. Weird, right?

Oxidization happens to a foundation when the oils in your skin mix with the foundation's components. It doesn't matter how much it costs or which brand, they all can have the same affect at application. The common factor is that it usually happens with combo/oily skin. I have combination skin in the warmer months, so I have to switch up my skincare and foundation as the seasons change.

If you don't want to invest in a new foundation, try adding a primer to prep the skin to counteract. The primer serves as a barrier between your skin and the product. Smashbox has a great primer and so does Clarins, Instant smooth. Most cosmetic lines can provide a sample of the foundation for you to try so that you can be sure it's what you want. Now I say that with caution, please don't be one of those that goes to the counter every week to get a sample. I worked at a counter for a few months and please believe, people like that we put on radar…lol

I really hope this helps. I know how frustrating it can be trying to find a good foundation in the right color. Here are some of my favorites that I think work really well.

• MAC Mineralized Skinfinish (best makeup invention ever)
  

  
   

• Dior Nudeskin (CAUTION!!! Not very "brown girl" friendly, if you know what I mean. I had to mix to get my color, but great finish)
  

  
   

• MAC Studio Sculpt (Apply with a 109 brush, your makeup will look seamless)
  

Enjoy ladies…Hugs:-)

 

Renata

MochaInc. Makeup

Big Brow Theory...

Laura Mercier/Brow Definer $20

Here are my favorite finds this week:

Yes, big brows are in! We tend to neglect the brows, but it’s what really completes the look and frames the face. For those of us who are lacking, there is hope! I’ve used both and I have to say, they are really good. Laura Mercier’s is a little more simplistic. You have your wax and color combined. I use to fill my brows in with a dark shadow and wonder why I only had one left by 5pm...lol I was missing the wax! It lays the hair down and serves as an adhesive for your shadow. For both, you need an angle brush. I prefer Smashbox if I want to be a little more intense with my brow. Also, they both carry an array of colors.

Smashbox/BrowTech $24

If you think this is a little too high tech…the alternative would be a brown eyebrow pencil (please...no black!!) Iman is my favorite, you can buy in “The Red Circle Boutique” (Target). And remember, it will take practice.

The best accessory you own...Your Skin!!

How many times have we heard the saying, “Black don’t crack”? And I agree there may be some slight truth to that statement. But black can become dull and boring. I work in a cosmetics department for a major high end retailer and it absolutely amazes me how many women I see pull out their wallet and spend hundreds of dollars on products that are suppose to turn back the hands of time. What’s even more amazing is that 3 out of 10 of those women are black (African American for those who want to be politically correct). And I’d say 2 out of those 3 are black women from other countries.

Now, I’m not downing black women, hey I’m black. But I’m curious as to why we choose not to invest in our skin the way we do our hair, our wardrobe, and even our makeup for those who do wear it.
Here are some things I’ve heard, what do you think?

“I don’t feel like my skin needs the added attention. I just use water.”

“No one on the package looks like me, so it’s obvious it’s not for me.”

"I feel like it's money wasted, after all I won’t wrinkle as easy because I don’t expose myself to the sun.”

“Sunscreen!?!? I don’t tan. I’m black!”

Email me, mochaincmakeup@gmail.com. I want to hear what you have to say.

Make me look like Beyonce...

You wouldn't believe how many times I hear this on a daily basis from women who sit in my chair. I try not to look confused as I frantically scowl my mind and pull on my bag of beauty tricks.

But I have to say, after seeing that new Beyonce video, "Single Ladies", who could blame them. Its caused me to drink a little less, park a little farther, and cut back from two swiss cake rolls to one (my bestie and I split a pack). Don't laugh. I have to celebrate my small successes (cut me some slack).

Ladies, lets take it to a whole new level. With Beyonce putting us all to shame everytime she feels like it and the possibility of Michelle Obama being first lady, we've acquired some pretty good examples to follow.

So my challenge this week....

1. Look in the mirror and love what you see. We are all beautiful just the way we are but there is always room for improvement.

2. Lets eat a little better. Personally I don't do well with diets. Its way too much discipline for me, but I can take baby steps. For example, today I learned that salmon was the "King of the Superfoods". Superfoods regulate our digestive system, reduce internal inflammation which causes external skin complications (acne, blotchy skin), and maintains our metabolism level to burn fat. Salmon is famous for its high level of omega-3 and DMAE. DMAE is the natural neochemical proven to help maintain muscle tone in our face which prevent wrinkles. Its also a great source of protein for those of you who don't like beef or pork. I'm still working on the pork thing...I like a little Onk..Onk once in awhile.

3. We have to exercise...Its a must. I'm so guilty of not doing it too. I'm just straight up lazy. No real excuse. How about we commit to once a week? Then gradually work our way up. I will...if you will.

4. Last but not least...Cleanse..Tone...Moisturize..Exfoliate..and use a Serum. While we are working on the internal, lets maintain with a topical regimen.

Talk to me...Let me know what your thoughts are on the video, my challenge to your, or just to say hi.

P.S. I have been raving about these products all day today. Please check it out the fragrance though for yourself. I'm in love. Its going to be my new fragrance (once I save up for it...its $165..YIKES!)

David Yurman ( Bloomingdales, Saks)

An interplay of waterlily, peony, and rose.

Dazzleglass is back...YIPPEE!! Go and check out the new collection, "Red, She Said"

Mineralize Mayheim....

Your Winter Weather Advisory!!!

Burrrr.......Is anyone feeling the change of weather like I am? Although this weekend is suppose to be lovely. I just wanted to touch base and share with you everything I've learned this week. It was a crazy week at work, but I learned so much about our skin and what we can do to preserve "our sexy" (as Diddy would say).



For women my age, late 20's and early 30's, we tend to think its too soon to think about fine lines and wrinkles. In most cases, it is. Some of us or still dealing with skin issues we were dealing with our high school years. There are alot of us who still think a little water on the face in the morning is all we need, which is far from the truth. Our face/skin needs just was much attention as our body does. In fact, it needs more. Our face encounters pollutants in the air, electromagnetic waves from our computers at work, and how about the fact that we touch our face with hands that have touched everything else. Gross, right?



As the weather changes, start thinking about how you are taking care of the your skin. My philosophy, when the waistline starts to expand and the hair turns gray..I'll still have a cute face which goes a long way...lol And trust me, there is not a makeup line in the world that can lay flawlessly on skin that's unhealthy and dying for some TLC! Check your inventory for the following items:

1. Cleanser- You should cleanse your face twice daily. There are tons of choices out there and I'll be researching a few over the next few weeks. You can use a soap, a foam, a gel...The options are limitless.

2. Toner- We tend to skip this all together which is an absolute NO-NO!.. Toner brings our skin's PH Balance back to normal after we clean. We tend to burn our skin off with hot water thinking its getting the job done. (Thanks to our mamas who told us hot water was the only way we could get clean) We should instead use luke warm so our skin doesn't go into shock.

3. Serum- We all need a serum. A serum will work the fastest and penetrates the deepest going past the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). Who knew I'd have to use this information after failing Biology 101 twice in college...lol. A serum accompanied by a day/night cream will give you the greatest results and save you the most money long term.

4. Moisturizer- Again we have so many options to choose from. If you like a thicker formula, go with a cream. Otherwise a lotion would be just fine.

Its alot of information to absorb, I know. The good news is that October will be dedicated entirely to skin care ladies..and gentlemen.

So take inventory, figure out what you have and what you don't have and we will chat soon about different brands to try. Have a fabulous weekend! And by the way...don't dare live home without lip gloss, even you natural girls who are afraid of makeup.

Where has the time gone?

Hi Everyone...

It's been weeks since my last post. So much has changed since we last talked. I've moved, found a new job, and there are lots and lots of wonderful things I need to share with you. I am now located in the Washington DC metro area. How exciting is that? Like any major move, its a little rocky at first, but I'm hoping to really expand and mature my makeup artistry business and reach more and more woman like you who want the latest beauty buzz.

The Fall season is definitely here and I can promise you'll be overwhelmed and overjoyed! So, with all of that being said, over the next couple of weeks I will be following the lead of this month's Allure with the "Best in Beauty" focusing on lips, eyes, base, and body. And please, if you have a few favs you would like to share, leave you comments!

I am going to also spend a significant amount of time on skincare. My new employer is considered "royalty" in the skincare arena, so I will be sure to share. Its also important with the winter months on the horizon that we know what our skin needs.

So, in the mean time continue to do what you do....Be beautiful:-)

The New Face of the American Woman....Michelle Obama

I would not be able to forgive myself without saying how inspired I was by Michelle Obama's speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention. As a young African-American woman, I was proud...I was inspired..and I was memorized at her display of strength and courage.

She not only represented African-Americans, she spoke to the hearts of women, mothers, wives and those just trying to make a mark in our own right. She displayed a since of elegance that was distinct, simply, and yet so poised.

She was an inspiration to me, that anything is obtainable with a dream and the drive.

Smiling with excitement....

Renata

The Review: Cult of Cherry

Whew...What a day! A day in the life of a makeup artist...

10:30am....An Indian wedding..What an experience! Its amazing the amount of thought and preparation that goes into planning a wedding. But how about trying to intergrate different cultures and hoping it all goes well without a hitch. I was in awe! The bride had such beautiful garments, rich with color and design. I had a blast!

1:30p-7:30p...Six hours of nonstop beauty bliss!! (lol) I always have a great time when I go to MAC. Aside from the fact that I want to literally take my feet off and throw them in the back seat (haha!!)..I love it! I had a chance to use the new "Cult of Cherry" collection today and I definitely found a few favs you HAVE to try!!! I was a little leary at first...but after spending some quality time, we like each other:-)

Here were some of my favs....

This was my favorite eye palette..The purples were awesome on every skin tone. I used the blue as a liner...HOT!!!!



If you're not so sure about red....Try Cult of Cherry and for a sweeter look...Liquer with Nightmoth lip liner. Hurry...because Liquer is a best seller!





Enjoy!!

MAC: Cult of Cherry...comes out this weekend!!!

Hi Ladies....

Check out MAC's new collection this weekend, Cult of Cherry. If you haven't noticed by now the "Power Pout" is in for this season. Its all about the lips! I'll be researching some things this weekend as far as the best finds.









I'll keep you posted...CHOW!

Renata:-)

Favorite Makeup Must-have this Week:

Oh Baby lipglass (MAC)
Its an old favorite. I realized how much I really loved it this weekend. Its gives you just a hint of dazzle!

What does being beautiful really mean?

People think the biggest part of my job is making people beautiful...and I guess you can say that it is. But when I'm working with someone(usually the woman believes she is in dyer need of a new look),what intrigues me is who she is behind the mask. That's what our faces do, they mask us from who we really are in the inside. Its what's inside that depicts whats on the outside.

I believe that what I do is a waste if that woman can't own her look and feel confident in it. Beauty to me is confidence. Its being comfortable with you and being to rock it out. It radiates that new bold lip or that new eye shadow you're trying out.

I always get..."Make me look like Beyonce"...lol. Beyonce is not Beyonce because of L'Oreal or her fabulous makeup artist (everyone should have one in their Rolodex by the way..haha). She is who she is because she owns who she is( I know that's wordy but you get it)...she's a confident woman doing her thing!

You can be fierce..you can be the baddest thing walking, IF you own it..and of course with a fabulous makeup artist....lol

Many Blessings...
Renata

Cake Face...Why do you have on so much foundation?!?!

Choosing the right foundation seems to be the biggest challenge for most women. It also seems to be the biggest deterrent for those still deciding if they want to even bother with this whole makeup thing.

Why wear foundation? I'm glad you asked:-)

Foundation can serve you well in many ways. It can be a barrier and a protectant for our skin. It can also even out your skin tone and give you that flawless, finished look. That's if you get the right shade! Black women have to be extra careful because they tend to want to always put us into something too red or too orange. When in most cases, we tend to have a yellow undertone to our skin, not red. Always...always go to a counter where they can professional match you up. And be sure to check it in different lighting. I hate to say, but the lighting can really be off at the counter, so I always get my customers to check in different mirrors.

The best rule of thumb...darker is better than lighter. Ever taken a picture and hated it because you looked like Casper the ghost or even worst...ASHY??? Not a good look. Ashy is not classy!

In all honesty, there is never really a true match, because most of the time our skin tone is different on certain parts of our faces. You may be a little lighter on your cheeks, but darker on the forehead. Get as close as you can by testing on the jawline. And if you've ever purchased the wrong thing...save it! You may be able to blend it in with something else to get a better match.

Once you've found the right foundation, lightly apply. You don't need to coat yourself in foundation...you'll definitely have what we call "Cake Face". And men hate it!!! You might not even get a call back with "Cake Face" (sorry..I'm telling one of my male friend's business, but who cares..lol)It gets all over you, all over him, and he ain't happy.

Hope that helped...if not call me...lol

Brands I've had success with:

MAC StudioFix (its a no brainer..no streaking...no blending)
Mary Kay Medium/Full Coverage foundation
Perscriptives (they custom blend)
Bobbi Brown (they have a really good tinted moisturizer balm that I love)

My first love...

I am constantly asked.."How long have you been doing makeup?" I'd have to say probably since 10 or 11 years old and I always travel back to when I was a little girl. I've always been fascinated by makeup...or maybe how my mother looked in the mirror once she put on her "face". She seemed happy, always pleased at what stared back at her, as though she was ready to take on the world. I have to chuckle at this, I would actually lock myself in the bathroom, cut the shower on, and spend at least 45 minutes trying to recreate my mother's morning routine. She always wore mascara and then she would take one tube of lipstick (always red or burgundy)and use it for her lips and cheeks...and sometimes her eyes...lol. My mother never left the house without her "face". I would stare in amazement. I can't tell you how many times I'd been caught wearing mascara, I think eventually my mother just gave up. But I think about her all the time when I'd doing makeup, she was my first inspiration.

By high school, I was wearing what we call a full face. I'm talking foundation, mascara, eye shadow...I had it all. Here were some of my favs in high school ...(you'll get a kick out of this)

Some of my favorites in high school:

• Posner powder foundation (and I'm sure I looked like I belonged in a wax museum..haha) The drug store never had many selections for black women. It was always too red!
• Maybelline Great Lash (the pink and green tube)
• a black eyeliner (any)...Now how hideous is this...I use to shave them completely off and then draw them on...what in the world!!!
• Wet n'Wild lip gloss

Yep, that was me and my first love....we'd spend hours together:-)

Lets Makeup...New Blog site!

OMG...I know this is so random...I'm giggling to myself about it. I'd been going back and forth for months about starting a blog and tonight I got pushed into it, LITERALLY...lol No, just kidding, sometimes we need that extra push. So tonight's entry is dedicated to that special person that gave me that extra push:-)

Welcome to Lets Makeup by Renata/MochaInc. Makeup, your personal beauty insider on the latest trends and makeup tips. I promise and solemnly pinkie swear to deliver useful information, my favorite makeup must favs, and a million and one ways to use them. There's nothing worst than buying a whole bunch of stuff you don't really need and will never use. This site is for you, your mother, your best gal pals, and maybe even that lady at work that insists that blue is her color...(giggles)

Special thanks to my friends and family that have really inspired me to pursue my true love...

Let the beauty brigade begin!!!

Tootles...

Renata