Dose of Colors Lipstick Swatches: Karma, Play Date, Coy & Love Potion

I had these Dose of Color Lipsticks sitting aside for months now saying I won’t open them until I have the opportunity to swatch them, sadly by that time – they’ve upgraded their packaging! #slackermovements

None the less, their formulation is the same and the lipsticks are just as creamy and pigmented as ever before.

From left to right: Karma, Play Date, Coy, Love Potion

Dose of Colors Lipstick Swatches

Karma, Playdate, Coy, Love Potion

In indoor warm lighting on iphone 6 with no flash:

Dose of Colors Lipstick Swatches

In window lighting on iphone 6 with no flash:

Dose of Color Lipstick Swatches

Extremely tempted to now order the whole collection of 10 PLUS their new MATTE lip collection!

If you’d like to see how these look on a desi-brown skin-tone, drop a message and I’ll swatch them out for you in my next post – won’t make you wait months for it this time either! 🙂

xox

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The Desi Makeup Vixen

Selfie Time!: Before and After

I guess it’s not fair to our clients if we don’t share our own personal before and afters right? 😛 Makeup isn’t about masking yourself, all women are pretty without makeup… And can be pretty powerful with the right makeup ❤

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Xox Love, Neelu
Lead MUA for DMG Designz
Lash Stylist at Red Carpet Glamour

Client: Preeti – Bollywood Party Makeup

Just because us artists know what we’re doing when it comes to hair and/or makeup, doesn’t mean we like to get ourselves ready all the time. Sometimes we want to sit back and get pampered just like the rest of our clients ❤

Here’s a short clip of myself and Darick G (#DMGDesignz) dolling up one of our artists for a glamorous Bollywood night out

For Bookings and inquires, get in touch with us through our Services page or email TheDesiMakeupVixen@gmail.com

xox Love, Neelu
Lead MUA for DMG Designz
Lash Stylist at Red Carpet Glamour

Shellac Polish on my Toes and Why it was the Worst Idea Ever…

I’m a sucker for sales and probably every marketers dream they say!

I went in for just a basic manicure and pedicure ($45) but ended up walking out with a $75 bill which included $30’s worth of up-selling lol *fail*

But my feet did look and feel great so that makes it O.K right? 🙂

So here I am today, sitting on my kitchen floor, with foil paper over my toes, in the spare 30mins I had before my gym class….


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Why, you may ask? It’s been a bit over three weeks and my toe nails have really started to grow out to the point they bother me when I’m wearing my runners. My schedule hasn’t allowed me to get out for another pedicure and the shellac is to thick to get a smooth cut through with a basic nail cutter 😦

To top it off, can you see what’s wrong in the image below?

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Let me show you…

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Yup, the acetone decided it wanted to have a hidden leak today and corroded the paint in our BRAND NEW DINING TABLE… Anyone know how to hide it before my husband figures out what happened? LOL 😦

But let’s be real: THERE IS NO NEED TO PUT SHELLAC ON YOUR TOE NAILS

Your hands endure your day-to-day activities…. getting washed 10x a day, opening cans, picking your teeth (whatever it may be). But your toes? Your toes just roam around comfortably in your socks, sandals, slippers (talk about living the good life). Nail polish on your toes always lasts longer than on your hands! *captain obvious here*

If you’re anything like me, worried about it wearing off because you’ll end up living with that chipped polish for more than a week or you cant sit still waiting for your nails to dry for more than 10mins (only to later find that something dug into a not completely dry part!) Seche vite makes the most amazing topcoat you’ll ever try!

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It dries your polish to-the-touch in just 2mins and creates a beautifully thick super high-gloss finish on your nails. I always pick mine up at Sally’s Beauty Supply for like $7 bucks and it lasts me a year because I rarely have the patience to do my nails at home!

xox Neelu

One Product I Won’t be Wasting my Money on and Why you Shouldn’t Either…

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Bliss Fabulips Pout-o-matic Lip-Perfecting System Website Description:

“Super-charge your lipcare routine with our breakthrough fabulips ‘pout’-o-matic, the must-have beauty tool for women who must have beautiful lips. This pro-powered lip-perfecting device uses gentle rotation and a custom-designed head with massaging nubs to softly yet effectively stimulate and exfoliate your pair, buffing away flakiness and dryness. Used with our nourishing fabulips sugar lip scrub, ‘pout’-o-matic will instantly revitalize, rejuvenate and smooth. The result: soft, healthy, beautiful lips that will look even more amazing with your favorite lip color.”

The Kit comes with the pout-o-matic device, Fabulips sugar lip scrub and batteries included and sells for $69.00. Replacement heads need to later be purchased.

Are you kidding me? I feel sorry for the poor saps out there that actually go out and by this new “device” :/

How can you get a flake-free kissable pout at a fraction of a cost?

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Step One: Before bed, slather on a good amount of your favourite chapstick/lip treatment: I love Fresh Lip Treatment. It’s a bit thick but it really hydrates and leaves my lips so soft in the morning.

Step Two: When you’re brushing your teeth, lightly brush over your lips with your toothbrush! All the flaky bits will come off and the ones that wont, will come off when you do it again tomorrow. If you find that the toothbrush method is too harsh for your skin, you can also use a wash cloth to gently rub off dead skin from your lips.

Not only does this exfoliate your lips, it also increases blood circulation making your lips more plump naturally.

Step Three: Throw on some more chapstick/lip treatment until you’re ready to put on your lipstick. Heck, you might as well throw on a lip plumper if you’d like even fuller lips or make your own with cinnamon/cloves/cayenne pepper mixed with burts bees lip balm (let me know if you’d like a quick tutorial) When you’re lips are freshly exfoliated, it’ll soak in a lot better giving you more than your normal results!

There you go! Now go find something awesome to spend that $69.00 you just saved on and leave me some love below 😛 ❤

Fresh Inc… you’ve done a good good thing xox Sugar Lip Treatment

This winter has been wreaking havoc on my lips. I smile, they crack. I purposely smile to see how dry they really are – they crack and bleed. I tried blistex (the blue little container), the traditional white squeeze tube and the moisture melt… nothing was really repairing them.

Then I came across my empty tube of Fresh Inc Sugar Lip Treatment… for two days I took out whatever little bit was left with a qtip and slathered what I could all over my lips.

Hallelujah! *a halo glows*

I now remember every reason why I love this lip treatment SO FREAKIN MUCH and WHYY ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY ❤ After just two days, my lips are almost completely back to normal!!

Fresh Inc… you’ve done a good good thing xox

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For a more detailed blog, check out my past post here: http://loveneelu.com/2013/01/11/chapped-lips-this-winter-fresh-sugar-lip-treatment-to-the-rescue/

Me and My Hubby: Our Fairytale Engagement

After MONTHS of planning and driving everyone up the wall (im so blessed to have such AMAZINGGGG friends and family that love me SOOO MUCHHHH and put up with it all xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox x100000000000000000000) it came out so much better than I could have even imagined! ❤

Being a makeup artist and being around weddings, photo shoots and sets ALL the time, all I wanted to do was something epic and different. Something romantic that I hadn’t seen but still reflected us ❤ After my original plan was scratched (that would have taken a budget of $50,000.00+ LOL… *sighs* one day), I had to put my feet back on the ground and get thinking again… let me know what you thought 🙂

A HUNDRED THOUSAND THANKS TO MY ONE IN A MILLION TEAM XOXOXOXOX

Hair, Makeup & Shoot Coordination by the DMG Designz team of course!! ❤

The beautiifulllll setup on the beach by Naz Z of Hasnain Designs
Jewellry by none other than Unique Rainbow Designs
Lengha from Chandan Fashion

Videography and Editing by Gurpreet Dhillon of Avex Studioz

Location: Sherkston Shores Resort

Photography: Ifty Alam (photos to follow in next post 🙂 )

Of course a huggeeeee special thanks to my parents for keeping us all fed and happy 😛 Plus my two helping hands (best girls ever xox) Damara & Tasha ❤

And babe if you’re reading this – which I’m sure you will because you’re so unbelievably supporting of everything that I do – I love you so much and I couldn’t be happier… Most amazing start to the rest of our lives ❤ Every day since the day that I met you I just fall for you more and more and I know I tell you everytime but it’s true, you’re more than I could have ever dreamed of xox *mwah*

Do you qualify? Pro Makeup Artist Discounts you’ve got to Apply for! Valid In CANADA!

As requested, I’ve put together a list for my aspiring artists of companies that offer professional makeup artist discounts! 😀 The biggest headache I found when I was applying had to be going through all the work only to receive an email back saying the program was only available in the U.S arghhhh… so this post is especially for you my fellow Canadians ❤ xox pretty awesome, eh 😉

 And if you found it useful, please share and comment! If you let me know it’s been useful to you all or not, I’ll continue to update it and put a *** in front of the new ones added to the list each time ❤

CRC

Link: http://camerareadycosmetics.com/pages/our-services/pro-artist-discount.html
My personal favourite – Most of my supplies come from here!  Mary is amazing and the shipping is always speedy ❤

Discount: 20% off, many exclusive products… they also have a 5% discount for aspiring artist (see page for further details)

Requirements:
Pick just ONE of the following to send us. Send to pros@crcmakeup.com.

  • A call sheet dated within the last 12 months. (A call sheet for a paid job, not a test job) and a copy of your driver’s license
  • A union ID and a copy of your driver’s license
  • A current Cosmetology license and a copy of your driver’s license
  • A link to an IMBD page with your name as makeup artist or assistant and a copy of your driver’s license
  • Website portfolio with published print ads or published editorials. Please send a link to your website portfolio. Social Media sites are not accepted.
  • Scan of an editorial in a magazine with your name as Makeup and/or Hair (ezines/internet magazines will not be accepted) this must be a magazine in print and available on newsstands, your name must be readable with a copy of your driver’s license.

Cost: None

dinairLogo

Link: http://www.airbrushmakeup.com/pro/

Discount:  up to 30% off nearly all makeup, kits (up to 3 kits a year), and accessories

Requirements:
Photo identification and two pieces of professional criteria must be emailed, mailed or faxed after the application is submitted. Examples of professional identification include: Business Card with name and specific profession, editorial page with name credit, union card, head shot & resume, professional license, diploma/certificate, composite card, publication masthead, program/press materials with name, contract on production company letterhead, crew/call list on production company letterhead, professional letter of reference of employment. The required identification must be current, indicate your name and specific profession.

Cost: $35.00

face
Link: http://www.faceatelier.com/proartists

Discount: 40%

Requirements:
One of the following: website, IMDb listing; letter of employment on letterhead, agency composite card, union card or makeup artist diploma from recognized school.

Cost: None

 macpro

Link: http://www.maccosmetics.com/docs/applications/d_201207_PRO_OnlineApplication_US.pdf

Discount: 40% for artists / 30% for Students, Aesthetician, Cosmetologist, Performers/On-Air Talent, Fashion Stylist/Costume Designer, Photographer, Model, Hairstylist, and Nail Technician.

Requirements:
provide two current pieces from the following that indicate your selected category/profession:
Composite Card, Business Card with name and specific profession, Editorial Page with name credit, Union Card, Professional License, Diploma/Certificate, Publication Masthead, Program/press Materials with name, Contract on Production Company Letterhead, Crew/Call List on Prod. Co. Letterhead, Professional Letter of Reference of Employment.

A Head Shot & Resume can only be used by Model or Performer/On-Air-Talent applicants. We do not accept business licenses, websites, pay stubs or tax forms as Professional Criteria.

Cost:  $45.00 annual        (Renewal $85.00)

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Link: http://www.makeupmag.com/new/procard/

Discount: 15% off subscription, 10% off IMATS tickets with exclusive PRO-ONLY times and expedited entry during normal show hours, other benefits

REQUIREMENTS:
Government-issued photo ID, résumé, three items from the following list: editorial page with name credit, diploma or certificate from recognized make-up academy, program / press materials listing your name, recent contract on production company letterhead, recent paystub from a production company, recent crew / call list on production company letterhead, IMDB listing, current dedicated website showcasing work

Cost: None

 download

Link: http://www.naimies.com/studio-pro-invitation.php

Discount: 20-40%

Requirements:
a copy of your picture ID AND at least two of the following: business card, tear sheet or editorial page with name credit, agency information, call sheet with your name listed as the hairstylist or makeup artist, a working link to a website that promotes your work, state license, and portfolio.

Cost: None

 Smashbox_LogoPro

Link: http://smashbox.s3.amazonaws.com/site/pdf/SMASHBOX-PRO-APPLICATION-FORMv3.pdf

Discount: 40% VIP, 30% Freelance, 20% Student

Requirements:

Smashbox PRO Artist – VIP (40% discount)
We require 2 of the following, plus a COPY OF PHOTO ID:
o Valid union card
o Copy of a current agency ZED card OR comp card
o Copy of your business card
o 2 professional tear sheets that include your name

Smashbox PRO Artist – FREELANCER (30% discount)
We require 2 of the following, plus a COPY OF PHOTO ID:
o Valid cosmetology OR esthetician license
o Professional letter of reference
o Copy of your business card
o Crew call list
o Valid makeup artistry certificate within the last 5 years

Smashbox PRO Artist – STUDENT (20% discount)*
*only valid while enrolled in school
We require BOTH of the following:
• Proof of current enrollment
• Valid ID

Cost: None

Print

Link: http://temptu.com/pro/pro-membership

Discount: 30% off all TEMPTU items excluding TEMPTU kits and non-TEMPTU products, 10% of TEMPTU PRO kits PLUS free shipping on orders over $100

Requirements:
Must provide 2 of the following:

  • Tear sheet w/ name credit
  • Valid Union Card
  • Agency Comp Card
  • Crew/Call Sheet w/ name credit
  • Letter of Employment
  • Valid Cosmetology or Aesthetician license

Cost: $30.00 Annual Fee Redeemable in product during your first 30 days of membership.

 

Spotlight: Raadiyah Marries Agha

We had the honour of getting to know Raadiyah and her family all throughout the year 2013 ❤ After her bridal trial, she had us booked for each of her prewedding events along with the wedding and the DMG team had a ton of fun coming up with her looks. We wanted looks that would have her looking completely different at each event but we wanted to make sure that Raadiyah still looked and felt like herself ❤

Captured by Hina Zainab Photography, below are a few shots from each of her wedding functions…

][ Engagement Photoshoot ][

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][ Mendhi Ceremony ][

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][ Wedding Ceremony ][

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][ The Reception ][

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Spotlight: Drew & Ashleigh Wedding

Drew and Ashleigh had a beautiful outdoor wedding on October 5th at Horeshoe Valley Resort and we were absolutely blown away by their attention to detail ❤ The smallest things leave the biggest impressions and their photographers, Christine Cousins Photography, caught it all beautifully.

For bookings and inquiries email neelam@dmgdesignz.com

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