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During the Holidays our makeup artists are always asked about what would be a good makeup gift for aspiring artists or makeup lovers and we usually fall back on our top five favorite Cinema Secrets products.  So in this blog we'd like to share our favorite products and why we love them.  Maybe it'll check a few makeup lovers off your list too!


1.    Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner 32oz -Retail Price: $34.99

Nothing takes care of one of the most expensive parts of anyone's makeup kit, your brushes, better than this brush cleaner.  Not only does it instantly clean and sanitize brushes.  It's quick drying and it conditions your brushes, extending the life...leaving a delicious vanilla scent behind!  It's completely vegan and cruelty free too!  The 32oz size will last a long time, and is the best bang for your buck.  

2.    Cinema Secrets Foundation Primer -Retail Price: $28.00

Nothing makes makeup application smoother than this oil-free, silicone-based foundation primer. The pump applicator doses just the right amount for your face so you don't end up over using this precious liquid that will help fill fine lines and large pores.  Wait one minute before applying any foundation and it will glide on smoothly and evenly giving you a great base to help your makeup last all day!  

3.    Cinema Secrets Eye Primer -Retail Price: $15.00

Eye shadow has met it's perfect partner with this eye primer.  Apply before any powder shadow and wait one minute before adding shadow to see truer colors, smoother blend-ability, and end that annoying creasing!  This is an absolute must for oiler skin-types.  Your shadows will last 6-8 hours without touch up!

4.    Cinema Secrets Angle Detailer Brush -Retail Price: $6.99

This little synthetic angled brush can do more than you'd ever expect.  A wonderful short handled brush that for beauty is perfect for fine detail work using gel and cake liner and fantastic for brow powder application!  For character or special makeup effects, makes beautiful sharp lines for detail and swirl effects. They're so affordable pick up two or more so you have back-ups.

5.    Cinema Secrets 5-Color Foundation Pallets -Retail Price: $24.00

So many people go on exotic vacations during the holidays, escaping the cold or going to it. Skin tones change depending on sun or lack thereof, and the 5-color foundation pallet in your tone range will keep you covered whether your getting darker or lighter! The pallets hold five different colors or Cinema Secrets Ultimate foundation in the same tone range. They are all oil-free silicone and wax based foundations that can be adjusted with water for full coverage to as thin a coverage as a liquid foundation! These pallets are great for any skin type or color and are available in 11 different skin-tone combinations.

Now that you've gotten a chance to see why we love these products, hopefully you'll fall for them too.  If anything we're sure you've got your gift inspiration juices flowing and you're headed down the right path for everyone on your gift list.

Check out Cinema Secrets in the December 2011 Issue of Beauty Launchpad:

Winter is in full swing and with the holidays just around the corner it means most people will be making appearances at one celebration or another.  Who doesn't want to stand out and be in fashion this season? 

So the question stands:  What is THE color palette this winter?

The answer is: Glitz and Glam!



That's right sparkle is in for those who like to amp up the eyes. The most popular eye colors are metallic this winter mimicking the ice and snow, but with an oddly warm feel. The colors that flatter are Gold, Bronze, Copper, and Pewter tones. A wash of one of these colors over your lid and even along your lower lash line will be sure to brighten up your eyes and your holiday.  
For those who like to keep the eyes softer and more toned down soft neutral taupe colors are a great way to go.  If you like even softer with a little glamour something like Cinema Secrets Warm Champagne, Icy Flesh, or Banana Freeze will give you a little warm winter shimmer without too much color.


If you're more into emphasizing those lips and have chosen to tone down the eyes, remind people that the mistletoe is probably just above their heads with berry red or bright red lips. Find a great waterproof lip like Cinema Secrets Lake or Ruby to line the lips and fill them in, then slick on a similarly colored lipstick or gloss to finish it off. Your lovely lips will be sure to be a conversation starter.

If you're looking for softer toned lips keep things natural and don't like to think about touching up the color during all your holiday cheer, try a waterproof liner like Cinema Secrets Neked or Spice. These liners will define your lips and give you a great base for your neutral lip color over the top.  Since they're waterproof, they'll let gloss last three times longer than usual!



Maybe you just want a few little accents to highlight your already signature look.  Well here are a few little tips to accentuate your look.  Your hands and nails are a great way to complete a look.  Just like the eye colors metallic and glitter are the way to go.  You'll see a myriad of glitter polishes from lines like OPI, China Glaze, Zoya or Essie.  From bright red, green, and blue colors to metallic gold, silver, and even pink use them to spice up your holiday look.

For your eyes check out Cinema Secrets Holiday Lights  available in three holiday shade packs: Reindeer Games, Festival of Lights, or Forget the Frankincense.  Use the tacky with the glitter to create a beautiful glitter liner or the shimmer dust on your eyes or cheek bones to give yourself a winter shimmer.  You can even add the shimmer or glitter to a clear topcoat to make your very own nail polish colors too. Any way you wear it, you'll get a creative shine that fits in with your Winter Wonderland look!

They like to say blondes have more fun but sometimes when it comes to makeup a color choice that's not always the case. 

Beautiful blondes can run into two distinct problems: Looking washed out or looking too harsh.  It's a delicate balance to find a color pallet that makes you pop without feeling like you've gone overboard and have suddenly become a flashing neon sign.  So today we're going to talk about what colors work well for blondes.

Everyone's got a different skin tone, so we won't be dealing with foundations. Instead, we'll be talking about the color you build up once that part has been taken care of...Let's start with adding a little glow to that skin!
With blush tones you want to try and stick to soft peaches and muted pinks.  Adding a gentle color will help keep you from fading into the background and give you a more youthful glow.  If you're still feeling a little too pale and want to add a bit of warmth, dust a bit of light colored bronzer on.  Be careful you don't choose a bronzer with shimmer that'll make you shine like the surface of the sun when any light hits you.  Also, when making bronzer choices choose one that's not too brown otherwise you'll just end up looking "dirty".  Usually the lightest shade will give you all the healthy warmth you need.


Sometimes really natural tones are the way to go.  Every blonde has drifted to the taupe eye shadow at one time or another, but sometimes you want a bit more drama when you're headed for a night out on the town.  Sultry colors on blondes are usually found in the medium tone range.  While dark black smoky eyes work great for the clubs, more romantic colors tend to be: medium brown, muted plums, warm shimmery pinks, coppers, and bronzes.  This winter the popular shades are the bronze and coppery tones, so you'll fit right into the fashion of the season!  For eyeliners try choosing a brown/black shade as opposed to a black.  Even a dark purple liner smudged out or a similar shadow shade dusted just along the lash line will make your eyes stand out without being too harsh, and as for mascara?  Try a dark brown or raisin color will give you a softer flare.


Depending on your style this can be a place you can really play with your color.  Most girls have gone from lipsticks to glosses.  You can try a darker colored gloss with a medium pigment to allow your lips the chance to pop.  This winter red lips are popular.  If you're not into playing with the deeper colors, you can always line your lips with a similar colored pencil and drop a soft pink or light coral toned gloss just to emphasize those lips.  If the color is still too much, use a lighter color to tone things down a bit. 

Remember that whenever you're checking out different makeup tips, the key is to let yourself play!  It's really the best way to learn what tips will work best for you and your personality. 

Now you've got some info... why are you still sitting here when you can be playing?  Off with you!  Go play!

Many women will go to extreme lengths to grow long, beautiful hair. Some women will even fake it using wigs or extensions. However, keeping a few simple rules in mind can help you achieve the length you desire.

• STAY NATURAL

Avoid using products or chemical processes that contain harsh ingredients such as parabens or sulfates. These can dry hair and strip your locks of its vitality.  USE HOT STYLING TOOLS SPARINGLY. Using tools like a hair dryer or curling iron can suck the moisture out of locks and cause split ends. Let your hair air dry naturally and embrace your natural hair texture. If you must use a hot styling tool, spray a light coating of thermal-activated styling products - the Peter Lamas Hold Me Thermal Styling Spray or Volumize Me Sea Silk Styling Mousse-  to give your hair a layer of protection.

• SEE YOUR STYLIST REGULARLY

Let your stylist know you are planning to grow your hair out and schedule a trim every 2-3 months. Trimming your hair regularly will remove existing split ends to make sure it doesn't travel up your length. 

• LET YOUR HAIR DOWN

Tight braids and ponytails can pull your hair right out of its roots! Let your hair flow or stick to low, loose ponytails and buns.

• NOURISH YOURSELF, INSIDE AND OUT

What you eat and drink has a major effect on your appearance. Make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and lean protein your diet to get all of the vitamins and minerals necessary to stay healthy. Also, using nourishing hair care products like the Chinese Herbs Regenerating System will give you an extra boost to promote healthy hair growth.

• TREAT YOUR LOCKS RIGHT

Indulge in a rich conditioning treatment once a week. One natural ingredient that helps boost shine and hydration is virgin coconut oil. Saturate your hair and scalp with the virgin coconut oil and massage your scalp for 1-2 minutes. Then wrap hair in a towel and leave it in for 30 minutes. Rinse the oil out with warm water. Shampoo and condition as usual. This will leave you with super shiny, soft locks.

 Following these easy tips will lead you on the path to longer, stronger hair.

Powder versus liquid!
 
These are some of the inevitable battles many of my younger clients come in fighting every day. Whether you're just beginning to use makeup or your skin is changing and your makeup just isn't going on right anymore, you aren't always sure what product will be the best for your face.
Don't despair! Your makeup doesn't have to turn into an all out war. When considering coverage options, many times, I turn to Cinema Secrets Dual Active Foundations to help solve any uncertainty.

Dual Active Foundations are a pressed powder aloe-based compact that can go on dry to simply even out the skin tone.  What makes it 'dual' is that it can also be wet to give a bit more coverage when needed, acting like a light liquid foundation that dries to a powder finish. This grants a light to medium coverage depending on application.  Light application is achieved with a powder dusting and medium if you wet the compact cake before applying the makeup.  

The most sensitive skin types (tweens, teens, men, and young adults) don't need much makeup. With youthful skin, less is always more and a little coverage tends to go a long way. Oily skin types can also benefit from Dual Active Foundation as the powder-base tends to absorb some of the excess oil that is produced Dual don't feel like you're really wearing makeup and can look very natural to the eye and the camera.  I tend to avoid using these foundations if my clients have dry skin, acne problems or have concerns with fine lines, as powder bases tend to pronounce these sensitive issues. Also keep in mind that powder and liquid bases can't hold as much pigment as creams so if you need more coverage a cream makeup may be a better option for you.

The Dual Active compacts are handy purchase because they also come with a mirror and a separate compartment with an application sponge perfect for quick touch-ups. I always suggest picking up a few extra application sponges, so clients can change out the sponge when it starts to get over-used to help prevent bacteria build up and break-outs.

So in the end a makeup like Dual Active Foundations can give you a few options on how you can use and wear it.  Wet or dry it's a quick way to step out putting your best face forward.

As winter weather approaches no matter the climate, lips tend to get dry and chapped.  No one wants to be caught under the mistletoe with cracked or rough lips.  Don't run for the hills and hide I'm here to rescue you with three tips for prevention!  

•    Exfoliate

Most of us exfoliate our skin, but never think to do the same for our lips.  Now this doesn't mean you need to run out and use a heavy duty exfoliating wash for your lips.  Be gentle with them.  Start by running your tooth brush gently across your lips after you've rinsed your brush and worked on your teeth.  Once a week nab a little sugar from the kitchen or your favorite coffee house and wet it into a paste.  Use this as a gentle scrub that will take off any of the overly dry skin that collects and makes your lips look more smooth and supple.  You'll also notice your natural lip color seems more vibrant.

•    Moisturize

Once you're exfoliated you need to keep those lips moisturized.  This doesn't mean smooth on the lip balm, that'll come later.  Moisturize means that when you put on your facial moisturizer in the morning and at night, massage some into your lips as well.  Your lips have skin on them too, so treat them just as well as the rest of your face!  If you don't feel the need for too much moisture, just apply the moisturizer at night.  Our skin absorbs and retains moisture the best at night while the body regenerates during sleep cycles.  You'll start to notice them looking a bit more plump from the extra hydration.

•    Protect

This is where your lip balms come in handy.  Lip balm was designed to protect and soothe your lips from the weather.  If you're braving the blustery wind and snow, or the dry cool of the desert areas, lip balms will seal in any moisture you've got and protect from damage.  While they have a slick texture, remember they're not really adding moisture to your lips.  If you're dry try to add a bit of moisturizer, wait three minutes then apply your balm.  You'll notice you won't be applying balm like a crazy person and wondering why it's not doing its job.  It is!  Also avoid balms with "medication" in them, while it will help aid cracked and already dry lips, it can actually irritate healthy lips.

So no you're armed with luscious lip knowledge.  As Ben Franklin's tried and true adage says: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  

Cinema Secrets has everything you need to have the perfect Halloween in the store. But for the perfectionist or to achieve an elaborate or Professional quality look straight out of the movies, we have Professional Makeup Artists that come to our store every Halloween to create some of the best Halloween Makeups you will ever see. If you are looking for that unforgettable, quality custom makeup, look no further. Many Professional Makeup Artists are on hand Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Halloween) at Cinema Secrets to work with you to design the perfect makeup as or for your costume. Whether you want to be a vampire, zombie, ghoul, ghost, a beauty makeup or just about anything you can imagine, we can make it happen...and look amazing!

See the pictures below of the step-by-step intricate process and detail Jeff West did last year while turning one of our customers into an Avatar...
 


All day over the weekend, customers will come in looking normal and leave with extravagant and creative looks for Halloween. Check out some of our favorite before-and-after shots from 2010...

Costumes are great, but it's the accessories that can make or break your Halloween character! After all, what's a vampire without fangs? A cat without ears and a tail? Or an evil clown without the makeup?



•    BLOOD

Nothing says horror better than blood.  Check out the different types depending on your gorey needs: Fresh FX Blood, Coagulating Blood Gel, Thick scabbing blood jams, fluid spray bloods, and even flavored bloods meant to put in your mouth!

•    TEETH

Teeth aren't just for vampires anymore.  While definitely the most popular check out braces, gold bling, zombie rotted, werewolf, even make it look like you don't have a tooth in your head!

•    HATS

Witches, Firefighters, Police Officers, and Pirates...  even if you're not going as the Mad Hatter this can tie together a costume.  The most popular this year:  mini couture top hats!

•    EYEWEAR

Specs are a great way to add character to any look, even if you're not getting ready for Halloween.  We've got sunglasses, plain glass, and goggles to choose from.  From Lady Gaga crazy to simple and conservative, we've got your eyewear. *Please note it is illegal for us to sell theatrical contact lenses over the counter, however any eye care professional can acquire these lenses for you.

•    WOOCHIE LATEX PROSTHETICS

Quick to apply and re-useable Woochie latex pieces are a great addition to any costume.  If it's gore or fantasy there's something for you and it's as easy to apply as 1,2,3!

•    FACE & BODY MAKEUP

How can you thinking of dressing as a Smurf without the blue skin?  Or go as a zombie without a dead pallor?  Face and body makeup is the ultimate in Halloween transformation and we've got something for everyone.

•    JEWELERY

Need that fake tongue piercing to complete that rock star look?  Or maybe a circlet for the renaissance costume of yours... whatever the case we've got amulets, earrings, and tiaras available for that finishing sparkle.

•    WEAPONS

Knifes, axes, swords, nun chucks, space blasters, Thor's hammer or even Captain America's shield!  We've got everything to battle the forces of darkness... or good if that's your stance. *Sorry kids if it looks like an actual modern period gun Burbank city law says we're not allowed to carry it.

•    TATTOOS

Vintage and realistic to almost a fault, we've got fake tattoos that'll give you the ink you need.

•    WIGS, COLORED SPRAYS, & FACIAL HAIR

Nothing changes a look quite like a wig.  What would Hagrid be without his hair, mustache, and beard?  Maybe you're in the mood to go from brown to hot pink for a night with temporary hair color spray.  Check out a range of hair goods that'll compliment your look.

Come on in and see what sparks your imagination.  If you look around and you're still not sure? Ask one of our staff members for help or suggestions. They're usually the ones already in costume...