What's going on....

Well basically I'm trying to do the impossible and move my blog to wordpress.  This has been a long and tedious thing because before I move, I want to make sure that the blog is just right.  I really want to take this blog from purely makeup obsession to life obsession and make this more of a lifestyle blog, however, I've been feeling (and looking) a bit like disappointment and cold lately so it's been an uphill battle for me to keep my motivation.  If you guys have any suggestions on how I can easily make this blog transition, let me know!  Until then, I will definitely post more content and try to keep this locomotion going.  Thanks again!

-Sabrina

The HoneyComb: a Maya Smith Hair Lounge

I'm currently under the weather so I'm missing work today, but I thought that I would take this opportunity to introduce you'll to the best salon I've ever been to and an awesome place to work.  I started going to the salon last year and I absolutely loved it!  My hair was layed by the owner Maya Smith.

I soon started making more and more appointments and basically in between steam treatments and blow outs, I told Maya about my background and how basically my career and makeup artistry had come to a screeching halt when I moved to Germany.   This was due to the fact that I was always stuck in the house, because my husband works like crazy, and I had just had a baby.  I wanted to do more freelancing but I didn't want to be labeled as a "kitchen beautician only" and I didn't really feel comfortable letting numerous strangers into my house.   I also told her about really missed my time in the corporate beauty world (I was at Bare Escentuals Corporate for a few years in the Spa Department).

Maya, being the dope person that she is, started sending her clients to me for makeup services and then decided to let me come work in the salon!  Not only that, she supported my freelancing as well and encouraged me to get out there and DOUX it!  Well now I'm the makeup artist at the upscale multi-cultural salon, theHoneycomb located in Kaiserslautern, Germany.  Check out one of our flyers below!

If you are in the Kaiserslautern area and need your hair done (Maya and Ann are amazing) or you need your face beat by me, come see us!  I am in the salon every Saturday and I offer the following services:

Brow Shaping
Full Makeup
Makeup Lessons
Group Sessions

Email me at shinyhappypretty@gmail.com for any questions that you may have.  Also, feel free to email the salon directly with hair questions.  Hair services are available Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Thanks again for continuing to support my blog and my artistry.  I really appreciate all of you. 

Just a Swatch - MAC's Lipstick in All Fired Up

I just noticed that MAC has this lipstick listed as coming soon so I thought I would get a swatch out for you guys.  This is in the Retro Matte formula and although the color is pretty similar to other colors on the market, I actually still like it and think it's worth a little $15 investment if you can get your hands on it.  However, I am a sucker for matte pink lipsticks so you may want to keep that in mind!

MAC Lipstick
Formula:  Retro Matte
Shade:  All Fired Up
Price:  $15 USD
Available at MAC

Sabrina's Favorite Brushes (Personal Use)

That awkward moment when you realize that you really need to clean your personal makeup brushes....just happened.  I also walked by my pro kit and thought about photographing those to go with this post but I decided to just let you'll know how it really is.

These are the brushes that I use on myself only!  They are my everyday favorite brushes that are essential in my personal makeup routine.

First up we have the MAC 266 Small Angle Brush

I use this brush for my cream brow products as well as my cream eyeliner.  I love the angled tip, the fact that it isn't too wide and it has just enough give so it isn't to stiff.   Love this brush.

Available at MAC for $20 USD

Lancome Concealer Brush #8

I use this brush for brows, well underneath brows actually.  I may be one of the last people on earth that still love concealer brows but whatever, I still do!  I use this with my MAC Studio Finish Concealer and it gives me the perfect control to clean up my brows and leave a straight arch line.

Available at LANCOME for $27.50 USD

 MAC 217 Blending Brush

This is my makeup artist in a pinch brush.  I get up most mornings around 5am so I can't deal with lots of eyeshadow detail.  I usually apply my shadow with this, blend out my concealer and add a little something to the crease.  It is a one stop quick brush.  It blends and applies eyeshadow perfectly.  This is quite possible my favorite MAC buy ever.

Available at MAC for $24 USD

MAC 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush

Airbrushed look with easy blending, yes please!  This brush is amazing at making foundation have that airbrushed application look.  I love this one because it applies and blends so easily and it's small enough to fit around the curves of the face. 

Available at MAC for $42 USD

Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge

Because I'm lazy, I only use this dry on myself.  This baby blends that concealer like no other and is especially great for when you want that highlighted under eye look because it helps to blend the concealer into your foundation.  Brilliant product and I totally need to wash it like right now!

Available at Beauty.com for $19.95 - $28.95 USD

Latex Free Cosmetic Sponge

I use drugstore wedges to set my concealer.  They are cheap, easy to use and they work.  That is all.  Moving along....

Available at your local drugstore....hopefully.

Real Techniques Powder Brush

I love this brush for setting my foundation.  I usually dab it into the setting powder of my choice, tap off the excess and then pat it onto my face.  After patting it on, I then lightly buff it into my skin.  My foundation doesn't move around after that and I don't have a super powdery finish.  Oh and I love that this brush is very affordable.

Available at drugstore.com for $9.99 USD

Real Techniques Setting Brush

Again, an amazing drugstore brush that I love.  It fits perfectly on the top of my cheek bones and blends the product in seamlessly.  Love this for my dewy glow highlighting.

Available at drugstore.com for $7.99 USD

 Tarte Double Ended Brush

Sadly, I got this brush in a limited edition set from QVC and I haven't been able to find it anywhere else.  I absolutely love this brush for contouring my face and my nose.  I use the wider end for the face and of course the smaller side to snatch my nose!  Please Tarte bring this brush back!

Available in my dreams and such.

MAC 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush

I'm completely addicted to blush and I love overdone blush so I have to be very careful not to look like someone punched me with a fist covered in pink paint.  This brush applies the blush evenly and also blends it out to perfection.  I love these duo fibre brushes because they always deliver that seamless look without a lot of effort.

Available at MAC for $42 USD

Well those are my favorite brushes and what I use them for.  Let me know if you have any questions!  I'm going to go wash my brushes now.  Cheers

We're BACK!

We're back!!!!!!!!!!!  Sorry pretty people I took a little break this summer to hang out with my kids and travel around Europe a bit.  Now that things are getting back on schedule, I have some new posts coming up.  I have also received all of your requests and I will be getting to those this week.

Thanks so much for your continuing support and love!