Ingredient to avoid in your lipstick

Little known tip...When it comes to lipstick and lip balm, petroleum is often added as cheap filler. Our bodies cannot absorb petroleum and it ends up leaving a layer of film on your skin. This prevents our bodies from getting rid of toxins through the skin, and instead, the toxins are trapped inside. In other words, read your labels!

The Story of Cosmetics (2010)

Toxic chemicals in the products we put on our skin everyday

So it seems I've been mislead. And you may have been as well. Greenwashing occurs when you see "Organic" or "natural" on a product. You assume that means all of the ingredients in it are. Wrong! Unless you read the entire label on a cream or makeup, you may have both "organic" AND toxic ingredients in your product. Just a few years ago I was not aware of just how bad putting these chemicals on our skin is. I haven't switched over everything I use yet, but am starting with the products I use on a daily basis...those that put me at greatest risk regularly. I want to thank Ava Anderson to opening my eyes. I believe in their products so much that I invite you to visit www.avaandersonnontoxic.com/jennballard. As you all know, I don't ever endorse specific products except here on the blog, after I have used them myself and my clients. Start slow...every change makes a difference!

OK ... so it's been way too long!

So life has thrown me for a loop recently, but it's high time I get back to my love. I have to tell you about some of the latest products I've tried. Right now I am LOVING my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation! My skin has changed a LOT the last few years, lots of age spots coming through and wrinkles I never had before. This stuff does a great job of covering my sun damage without settling into fine lines. If it works this well for me at this age, the younger ladies are really going to love it!

Photo shoot with Eric Langois of Raw Photo Design

What an incredible shoot Eric Langois held. I was honored to work with such a talented photographer. I am so impressed with his work. This is obviously a pic I took with my cheap digital camera. Check out his work at http://rawphotodesign.com/blog/
 

Recent trials/wedding shots

Bridal Makeup by Jennifer Ballard Makeup Artist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR Log (Press Release) – Jan 21, 2010 – Press Release
Branford, CT – January 21, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Jennifer Ballard CT Makeup Artistry has been selected to receive the WeddingWire 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.

Jennifer Ballard CT Makeup Artistry 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 Jennifer Ballard CT Makeup Artistry is among the very best Beauty/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.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/jennifer-ballard-makeup-a ....

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About Jennifer Ballard CT Makeup Artistry
Jennifer Ballard is an expert CT airbrush makeup artist/traditional makeup artist who specializes in on-location bridal, print, editorial, film/TV, fashion & runway, modeling portfolio and corporate makeup. We specialize in "clean", yet sophisticated glamour and provide on-location and in-studio services in CT, NYC, RI and parts of MA, utilizing the latest techniques in makeup artistry and are available for any occasion or photo shoot.
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Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings Book featuring my makeup work is now published and on stands

Last spring I posted some exciting news about my published work with David Tutera, Disney and Kirstie Kelley who designs fairytale style wedding dresses inspired by the Disney princesses.The book includes wedding tips from David Tutera and gowns from Kirstie Kelley to give you great ideas on planning your fairytale wedding. My makeup work took place in Middletown, CT and can be found in the book in the "Country Wedding" section. Check it out and please I welcome feedback!

Head shot photo shoot with CT Secretary of State

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of working with CT's Secretary of State and the extremely talented photographer Tim Coffey. The shoot took place at the state capitol and will be a part of a collection of photographs of politicians. The project is called the Art of Politics and there will be an exhibition of this work at the Legislative building sometime in March. I will be I will update as soon as I get the shots!

Bridal Makeup Sale at Tarte

Check out Tarte's friends and family sale with 40% off all of their makeup. Code: FFDEC

Vaz Beauty Event

Hi all!
I am excited to announce that Jennifer Ballard Makeup Artistry is the chosen airbrush makeup artist for the Vaz Beauty event taking place in Hartford this coming Wednesday from 5-10 pm. Hope you can all make it there!

New fave discount makeup site

www.beautyticket.com

This site is GREAT! Good quality, branded names for makeup and hair ... and they're all on sale with big discounts. Check it out.

Too Faced cosmetics sale and discount code until 12/09

Awesome deal!

Just visited the Too Faced website and found this coupon code. Incredible prices right now!

Enter coupon code: tfglam

20% discount valid through 12/2/2009. One use per customer. Currently having 75% off sale.

Lipstick as blush tip

Lipstick As Blush
If you're looking tired or just want your blush to last longer, a cheap way to do that is to dot your fave lipstick on the apples of your cheeks and blend, the same way you would with a cream or mousse blush. If it goes on too heavy, use a tissue to rub away some or blend a light dot of foundation over the lipstick.
If you’re using a lip stain, you can do the same thing. Apply moisturizer first to help the lip stain glide on more easily.

I use this trick to make blush last longer. After you apply the lipstick to the cheeks, add powder blush over it (if you have it with you) and then dust translucent powder over top. Your blush will last much longer, and you'll have a glow as though you are lit from within...or look like you just ran a mile.

How to make lipstick last

Exfoliate your lips: 1. You can use an exfoliating lip scrub or just a washcloth or toothbrush. Rub lightly to wipe away dead skin cells and improve circulation, but don’t irritate the sensitive skin or cause chafing.

Apply lip liner: 2. Apply a shade of lip liner that matches your lip color. First, go around the outer edge of your lip line (to make lips appear fuller) or just around the inner edge (to minimize large lips). Then, color both lips inside those lines.

Apply lipstick: 3. Apply your favorite lip color, starting from the center and working outward.

Blot: 4. Kiss a tissue. This removes any excess lipstick.

Reapply lipstick: 5. Many people skip this step, but it will make your lipstick last longer. Reapply lipstick carefully to add another layer of color.

Add powder: 6. Apply a thin layer of translucent face powder across your lips with a brush to lock in the lipstick. This creates staying power all day. Wipe off the extra powder with a tissue.

Add gloss for shine: 7. After you apply the powder, you can apply a lip gloss for added shine.

NEW! WINTER MAKEUP APPLICATION SPECIAL 2010

To address the current state of the economy, I would like to introduce our

NEW! WINTER SPECIAL 2010.

When you book your event to take place between November and April, Jennifer Ballard Makeup Artistry will take $25.00 off the bride's makeup. Hope this helps!

TOP 5 REASONS CLIENTS HIRE A PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST

• Avoid the "face one color, neck a different color" issue.
An experienced and trained professional makeup artist will utilize techniques learned in workshops and classes and not allow this to happen.

• Not all foundations are designed the same.
Professional formulations do differ from those sold to consumers.Titanium Dioxide and SPF are in most makeup today (including mineral makeup)...this can result in a ghostly looking face due to the flash on most cameras.

• Don’t pay your photographer extra for retouching!
A professional makeup artist knows the types and shades of makeup that will photograph best. So use our knowledge to your advantage. Save money by avoiding this additional cost with your photographer… hire a professional makeup artist so you can feel confident that you look your best in photos from the beginning.

• You probably won’t have all the tools necessary to get the look you want to achieve. Hiring a professional makeup artist is a fraction of the cost of purchasing all the products yourself. Professional Makeup Artists invest heavily in the best of everything-from brushes to brands. Many cosmetics are only available to artists that can make or break your look. Trade secrets ensure your look is polished, flawless and lasts as long as you need it to.

• Be aware that many self-proclaimed "makeup artists" may not tell you that their real job is to SELL you makeup.
This is how they many "makeup artists" make their money. What this means to you is that their focus may be on how much they can sell you, not necessarily on what is best for you. Jennifer Ballard and her assistants will NOT attempt to sell you any makeup. Our only job is to make you feel beautiful and relaxed that day...we will tell you what products we used but will never pressure you to buy anything.

To use the kind words of many of our clients, Jennifer and her team will make you feel the way every woman (or man) is supposed to feel... beautiful, confident, and special.

Caution:Nano-containing sunscreens

Here is an interesting article I thought we should all be aware of:


Consumers should be cautious of nano-containing sunscreens, says Friends of the EarthNanoparticles of zinc or titanium do not increase the protective power of a sunscreen and they pose health risks, according to a recent Friends of the Earth report. The environmental group is warning consumers to be cautious when it comes to nano-containing products and calling on the industry and government to instigate pre-market testing. Friends of the Earth’s report details eight reasons why consumers should be wary of nanomaterials in sunscreens as well stating there is no evidence that they improve protection. “Consumers must be aware that nanomaterials are being put into sunscreens with very little evidence about their safety and relative efficacy,” said one of the report authors and Friends of the Earth’s health and environment campaigner Ian Illuminato. A large number of sunscreen products use nanosize particles of the physical UV filters, zinc and titanium. This allows them to spread more easily, giving better coverage without leaving the white film traditionally associated with high SPF products. In addition, according to some suppliers nano-titanium dioxide and -zinc oxide are more effective at blocking UV rays than their larger counterparts. The Friends of the Earth report cites a study in 2007 by the Consumer’s Union that concluded there was no correlation between nanomaterial content and sun protection. This conclusion is in contrast to that of fellow consumer organisation Environmental Working Group which stated back in May that the benefits of nanosize UV filters outweighed their risks. Nanoparticles behave differently According to the recent Friends of the Earth report these risks include the affect their small size has on the particles’ properties, namely their ability to penetrate the skin and the body’s systems. “In the body, nanomaterials have much greater access to vulnerable organs and tissues,” the report claims. Although the report recognizes that studies to date show little, if any, skin penetration, it claims that in damaged skin penetration could be much higher. It also highlights potential dangers for workers involved in the manufacture of nano-containing products as well as the environment. The report calls for government and industry to demand testing and approval of nano-containing products before commercialization, for products containing nanoparticles to be labelled as such and for extra support for research into the impacts of nanoparticles on human health and the environment.

Mineral Makeup Question and Answer

Do you use mineral makeup on your clients?
I do not. I feel that mineral makeup has it's place, but not for photography. I also do not like the way it settles into pores and "peach fuzz" and can look cakey.

Why do minerals have that unnatural 'glowy' sheen ?
A few popular mineral cosmetic lines mix a chemical called bismuth oxychloride into their products. Bismuth oxychloride leaves the products with a highly silky look and feel. Unfortunately, this chemical leaves a strange, undesirable "glowy" look to the skin.

Why do some mineral makeups make my skin itch! Why? The majority of mineral cosmetics use the natural ingredient mentioned above, bismuth oxychloride, in their formulas. Though natural, it is known to make the skin itch.