Go Economic This Holiday Season - Give yourself the gift of savings thanks to Retail Beauty.

Good Morning LI Beauties,
 
I think we can all agree that this "upcoming" holiday season, and yes I say upcoming even though we are already seeing PRE-holiday movie marathons and christmas ornaments in stores, that most of us need to save money.  Well you are all in luck because the retail environment agrees as well, especially in cosmetics and I have witnessed first hand.
 
Here is the scoop so far.  Retail beauty has moved up the holiday gifts and promotions into October, so that means that all the stuff you normally buy after thanksgiving is available now and at the same prices minus the crowds.  Where do you ask?  Ulta and Sephora are both offering incredible gift sets, kits and holiday blockbusters to all who shop.  Retail rewards members receive even more perks so be sure to sign up for the stores FREE frequent shoppers programs.
 
My dear friend and national artist/spokesperson, Dean from Lorac is offering an incredible deal for anyone who loves silky, high qualilty natural eye shadow palettes in a set of 4.
 
 
NEW Lorac Sweet Temptations Eyeshadow Collection  $36.00 - Break this into 4 GIFTS - BEST DEAL THIS SEASON SO FAR!

 

Sweet Temptations Eyeshadow Collection Contains:

 

• Indulge In White Chocolate - Dramatic Eye Shadow Palette
• Satisfying Toffee Crunch - Natural Eye Shadow Palette
• Tease Me Truffles - Plum Eye Shadow Palette
• Tantalizing Dark Chocolate - Bronze Eye Shadow Palette   

 
 
 
For The Love Of Lipgloss 15-Piece Maracuja Lipgloss Collector's Set $32 ($7 Less Than Last Year!)
 
Break them into three gifts or combine with a Lorac palette above to create an eye/lip set!
 
A limited-edition exclusive "baby, it's bold outside" collector's set of 15 maracuja lip glosses by Tarte. Each gorgeous shade is packaged in 3 individual boxes to take the guess work out of gift-giving.  Plus they are healthy lip treatments to boot!

 

 

 

 

 

                ONLINE ONLY! NYX Nude On Nude Cosmetic Palette $24.99

 

Do not want to drop $50 big ones for the Urban Decay Naked Palettes?  No problem, get the NYX version at half the price and get more eye colors as well as a set of lip colors to go along as well.  In all truth there is not much difference and I prefer NYX professionally over Urband Decay any day.  We all know it comes from the same place but you choose, value or packaging?

 

NYX Nude on Nude set is a classy medley of 20 neutral eye shadows and 10 vibrant lip colors that work for every skin tone and every occasion. This makeup palette comes with a mirror and 2 applicators for your lips and eyes, making it perfectly portable.

 

 

 

 

 

 All these items can be found at your local ULTA retail beauty store or online and the moment are plentiful in stock however shoppers are aware and scooping them up and once they are done they are done till next year.  In addition, ULTA offers free shipping, $10 off promotions with orders over $60 and free samples with each order.  Take advantage now or go into your local ULTA (NYX Exclusive Only) or Sephora and check them out.

 

 





 

 

INTERVIEW: How To "Get the Job" Look

After consulting with some HR managers and business associates I have come to find that even before the interview begins, it can turn sour.  Have you ever had an incredible interview and not gotten the job or at least a call back?  There is a very good chance it was because of your appearance.  I myself have been turned down for jobs because I was not wearing a "name" brand suit. 

They can "shove it" and it was their loss.

I want to just throw a few items out there for you all to take in and consider next time you are on an interview.  I want you to think of the interview process as a first impression strategy.  We do not want to just barge in and blow them away we want to perform a covert operation and then let them have it.  One way of doing this is having a buttoned down appearance and giving them that professional WOW factor appearance.  Note, they do not expect this when you come into work everyday.  In an interview you are judged by not only your experience and skills but the way you make your first impression and present yourself.  So enough business chatter, let us talk beauty.

• Tattoos:  They need to be covered.  Many large corporations such as banks, insurance companies, marketing firms and even restaurant chains do not allow tattoos to show.   If you can hide your tattoos comfortably using clothing make sure you do it.  If they are on your hands, wrist, neck or any other area difficult to cover with clothing you will need to use makeup.  There are a few products out there that can cover and they are not very main stream so do not walk into a retail beauty environment expecting a miracle.  However, it is possible so there are no excuses.  I myself have a few techniques and have mastered the art so I am here for you ladies that need it.  See below.

 

• Complexion:  Clear and healthy skin represents energy and professionalism.  Be sure to wear the appropriate coverage for your skin concern needs.  If you have minor skin concerns such as a pimple hear or there, a concealer and tinted moisturizer will work great.  If you have moderate to major skin concerns such as hyper-pigmentation or surface redness you may need medium to full coverage, that does not mean you will have to look "heavy".  Add a touch of your favorite blush color on the cheeks to give you a rosy glow.

 

• Eyes:  Nude and natural with a thin line of black or brown pencil and some mascara.  Avoid using mascara on the bottom lash line as it is more appropriate for evening and more formal occasions, not professional attire and it can deepen the appearance of the eyes which you do not want for everyday.  Important note, stay away from shimmer and sparkles and no contour/dark color necessary.  We want bright ready to work eyes!!

• Lips:  Try to match the color of your lips to a lipstick as close as you possibly can.  The more natural the lip the softer and more professional your appearance and you look still look incredible and your lips fully defined.

 

• Hair, I am not an expert but I know the Diana Ross or Lady Gaga look is not a good idea.  A french twist or pony tail would work fine.  Keep the hair out of your face so they see that eager, flawless and naturally beautiful face. 

 

That is the key.  The more natural you look when wearing makeup the better.  As I always say, it is about balance.  That is what beauty really is, all things working harmoniously

together to create one stunning appearance.

A little side not from my business background: 

Have a written list of questions ready to go and research the company online and learn the history.  Ask away as it is an impressive action to show them you are serious and you want to grow with them.  You are an investment to them so the last thing they want is turnover because it is costly and time consuming to recruit.

Questions you can ask are:

1. What type of benefit package does the organization offer and furthermore if you are living with your significant other do they offer domestic partnership benefits?
2. Does the company offer a retirement savings program?
3. Does the company offer any community volunteering or networking opportunities to meet and mingle with fellow co-workers? 
4. What are the opportunities for upward growth and what programs are available to help you get there?

If you have any questions I am always here for you.  I understand this process well as a product of the poor economic environment and being let go from my two jobs where I was fully vested, twice now.

Love,

Matthew Ambrosio
LI Beauty Educator, Professional MUA & MBA Graduate

Product or Packaging: What are you paying for?

Hello LI Gems,

How many of you have paid high prices for a luxury brand skin care or cosmetic products, say $75 and up only to find out that it does not differ much from the less attractive products who do not dress themselves in designer packaging.  The point I am making is that you DO NOT need to spend a lot of money
to get something that will hydrate, protect
you from the sun and enhance your natural beauty.

Women and men frequently go into a retail beauty environment without knowing what they want exactly and hope that they will find something that fits you either on your own or with the help of a knowledgeable associate who is unbiased, hopefully.  So as we browse there are many ways the brand can grab our attention and one of them is "packaging".  State of the art delivery pumps, shiny gold jars and photos of beautiful women with photo shopped faces using the skin care grab our attention.  Next, we open the jar and smell then feel and we are instantly in heaven.  Am I correct?  It is a marketing trinity that most brands rely on to boost sales and revenue.

I may have the makeup mafia on my tail about this but I will share with you if you do not know already.  This may be my last post.  Most of the name brands you buy are owned by larger cosmetic conglomerates which all purchase the same exact ingredients, in different strengths and amounts, from the same few companies so they can produce their skin care or makeup for all of their lines.  They use different names, packaging and faces to "brand" the lines to spark your interest.

I could go on and on here but I will come to a final point.  I am a huge advocate for being a smart shopper.  A smart shopper is someone who reads labels and saves money and is ultimately happy to ecstatic with their choice.  Here is my reccomendation to you:

1.  Do not judge a book by its cover.  Just because the packaging is dull and does not rival the bright pink, purple, gold and flashy displays does not mean it is inferior.  Find out for yourself and do a online comparison.

2.  Sample both and give 3 week minimum before you make any judgements.

3.  Smaller, privately owned lines are great.  They are untainted by the big boys of cosmetics, the ingredients have not been downgraded to increase profit margins and they still have the heart and soul of their origin whether it be from a passionate artist, a stay at home mom with a dream or a truly amazing story behind them.  I am big supporter of smaller cosmetics lines because they need it and this is a very competitive industry.

4.  One product line does not have it all so mix it up and if you think it does I would like to see a demonstrations please because maybe I am missing something?

5.  Profit margins on skin care and cosmetics range in the "triple digits" and they go higher if they are made overseas in places such as China as opposed to the here in North America or Europe.  It is not expensive to make these products unless your getting some rare fountain of youth berry from an undiscovered location in Siberia.  Even then, still sample.

My main goal is to share my knowledge with women and men on how to take care of your face and body, feel good about yourself and of course save money.

I hope to see some comments here!  I will confess I am victim of marketing as well however I have become a smarter shopper because of it. 

Love,

Matthew Ambrosio
LI Beauty Educator

Facial Serums - Taking Skin Hydration to the Next Level

Hello Long Island Gems,

It is October and we are transitioning into cooler weather.  I would like to highlight the importance of face serums to help combat dull dry skin which can occur with the drop in the temperature. 

When I do personal beauty consults one of my most important questions is what are you using to hydrate your skin?  The everyday women I work with range in age from young teens to women in their nineties.  The answers that I receive are interestingly consistent across the board.  Everyone at minimum is using a basic moisturizer.  However, moisturizers at a certain point need a boost to adjust for new skin concerns as we age and to keep that dewy, sexy and youthful appearance.   

The women I speak to for this message are my sophisticated mature women who have more than average concerns when it comes to aging skin.  These concerns include dry, lackluster or dull skin and aging in appearance.  If you feel like your moisturizer is not doing its work any longer, it may be necessary to switch up to a serum.  A serum is more intense in hydration making it more effective and more potent at hydration.  Using a facial serum can make your skin feel soft and your face makeup look more natural when used before application.  In addition, the wear of your makeup will be longer and your skins appearance improved with every use.  Making you need less makeup or coverage.  You can use a serum day or night, with or without makeup.

I am big advocate for treating instead of correcting.  Sure we can cover and ignore our concerns all we want but if you invest in good skin care your skin will be more even in tone and healthy thus decreasing the need to wear makeup.

Being A Smart Shopper: 

There are many serums available.  A good price for a quality facial serum is $40-50 and should last you at least 3 months if used once daily.  I recommend a serum free of oil, fragrance and parabens as well as one that is hypo-allergenic and non-comedagenic (Zero Irritancy Score). 

*Stay clear of serums with fancy packaging.  The appearance and the packaging may be stunning but the price is higher because of it.  Would you rather pay for product or packaging?

With love,

Matthew Ambrosio
LI Beauty Educator