(18) What’s in HER bag?

For this installment of “What’s in HER bag,” I’m featuring one pretty amazing chick, Natalie Jalouga. In addition to making women feel and look beautiful at Bloomingdale’s Michigan Avenue, Natalie (CEO of Fashion for a Cure), created a non profit event to raise funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of her mother. In 2013, Natalie campaigned for LLS’s Woman of the Year amongst a select group of candidates in the Chicagoland area.

Below, Natalie dishes on her three key beauty items and the secret product that has changed her life (seriously though).

Inside her bag: 

• Bobbi Brown Naked Plum 7 Lip Gloss
• Bobbi Brown Pure Gold Lip Gloss
• Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation 4.5
• NARS Casino Bronzer
• Bobbi Brown Velvet Plum Eyeshadow
• Bobbi Brown Sunlight Gold Cream Shadow Stick
• Nars Oasis Blush
• Bobbi Brown Black Ink Gel Eyeliner
• Bobbi Brown Jet Long-Wear Eye Pencil
• Bobbi Brown Smokey Mascara
• Bobbi Brown Velvet Plum Cream Eyeshadow
• YSL Manifesto Fragrance
• YSL 30 Lip Stain
• MAC Cut to Fit Eyeshadow

SITNB: What’s your favorite beauty product of all time?
Natalie: That’s tough. I’d have to say NARS Casino Bronzer. I’ve tried so many different bronzers but always find myself going back to this one. It’s the perfect shade for me!

SITNB: If you had to pick three key beauty items what would they be?
Natalie: Eyeliner (My favorite is Bobbi Brown Black Ink Gel Eyeliner. It has an amazing finish and never smudges), Concealer (right now, I’m using MAC Pro Long Wear Concealer. I love that it comes in a pump bottle – it’s the little things in life), Lipgloss (I’m a little bit of a junkie when it comes to lipgloss…my perfect “everyday” shade is Naked Plum by Bobbi Brown.

SITNB: Who is your beauty inspiration?
Natalie: Angelina Jolie and Blake Lively. I love their clean, fresh looks. Their makeup is always so effortless and I envy that.

SITNB: What was your biggest beauty no-no?
Natalie: Oh gosh. Well, in high school I was obsessed with being tan. I would pile on bronzer but never think to even it out and match my neck. There are so many pictures I have when my face is 5 shades darker than my body. I was rocking Jersey Shore before it was “Jersey Shore”.

SITNB: Guys want to know…how much do you really spend on makeup?
Natalie: Honestly, I don’t spend nearly as much as some people do. I really just replenish my favorites every couple months. Skincare is what breaks the bank!

SITNB: When did you first start wearing makeup?
Natalie: 6^th grade – I remember taking my mom’s blue eyeliner, sneaking it in my backpack and putting it on when I got to school. I’m sure she knew I had her makeup! I grew up with 3 older sisters so I was always learning from them.

SITNB: What has been your biggest beauty splurge?
Natalie: Fragrance is always my biggest beauty splurge. Right now, I’m using Manifesto by YSL and love it.

SITNB: Do you have a product that changed your life?
Natalie: Clarisonic. If you don’t have one – buy one. It is amazing and my skin has never been the same. You can continue with your favorite cleanser and still use the Clarisonic. Highly recommend it!

Be sure to keep up with Natalie and her adventures through Chicago here.

200th Blog Post Celebration

Today on SITNB, I’m celebrating my 200th blog post with all of you! I can’t thank my readers, friends and family enough for your love and support these past 200 posts. You have helped turn my blog into something WAY more special than I ever thought was possible. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

(What’s a celebration without a bright lip and confetti……am I right?)

So here’s to the absolutely wonderful friends I’ve made along this journey and to the friends who have supported me since day one. I can’t wait to see what 2014 brings for Short is the New Black and I’m inviting you to stay along for the ride!

| Dress: Olivaceous| Lipstick: Morgan Marie Beauty ‘Madonna’ | Blush: Bobbi Brown ‘Pale Pink’ | Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Gel Liner ‘Black Ink’ | Highlighter: NARS ‘Albatross’|

Thank you to my very first blogging friend, Stephanie, who captured the celebration!

Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show

(Photo Via Nordstrom Michigan Avenue)

Calling all makeup junkies, skincare worshippers, and yes, even you nail polish hoarders! ‘Tis the season for Nordstrom Beauty Trend Shows! If you have yet to experience a trend show, know this: there are only two times a year when Nordstrom is literally taken over by the cosmetics department. I mean where else would you go for fall beauty trends?

So grab your girlfriends, a good seat, and have your Instagram ready because this high-energy runway show doesn’t stop for anyone. Immediately after the show, each cosmetic and skincare line offers free makeup applications and skincare consultations. Make sure to book an appointment!

Tickets are $20 and redeemable toward your beauty purchase on the day of the event. To RSVP for the event, stop by your favorite counter or call anytime.

Michigan Avenue
September 21 
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Oak Brook
October 19 
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Will you be heading to trend show this year? What fall trends are you looking forward to?

(15) What’s in HER bag?

Can you believe this is my 15th “What’s in HER bag” interview? It feels like just yesterday I was interviewing Morgan from Morgan Marie Beauty for my 9th edition. I sometimes wonder how I got so lucky to interview some of the best bloggers and top beauty professionals out there, not to mention find out what’s in their beauty bag.

I could keep rambling…but I think it’s time to find out what Alex, the blogger behind Adored By Alex, carries in her makeup bag down in the Lonestar state.

I swear it’s like Alex and I are makeup soul-mates who share the same love for a lot of the same products you can find below.

Inside her bag:

• CoverGirl Nature Luxe Liquid Silk Foundation (SPF 10)
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Natural
• Anastasia Brow Powder in Dark Brown
• Chanel Les 4 Ombres Paupiéres Eyeshadow
• Bobbi Brown Caviar and Oyster Palette
• Stila Stay All-day Liquid Eyeliner
• Diorshow Iconic Mascara
• Nars Duo of Orgasm Blush and Laguna Bronzer
• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze
• Jo Malone Vitamin E Lip Conditioner
• Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Guava and Pale Pink
• Anna Sui Blotting Papers

SITNB: What is your favorite beauty product of all time?
Alex: There are too many to choose from! But if I had to narrow it down to two it would be La Mer Liquid Face Wash and NARS Blush in Orgasm.

SITNB: If you had to pick three key beauty items what would they be?
Alex: I grew up in Arizona were the dryness could be down right oppressive on anyone’s skin, now I live in Houston where the humidity sometimes isn’t even enough of a natural moisturizer for skin. I am a huge fanatic of hydration and SPF on the face! A great tinted moisturizer is a perfect base for any makeup routine, whether it be for day or night. Lip balm is right behind – Jo Malone or Burt’s Bees are my go to. Finally mascara is the most versatile tool in my arsenal.

SITNB: Who is your beauty inspiration?
Alex: On more than one occasion I’ve been told I look like Jessica Alba. What a great compliment to receive considering I’ve modeled many a makeup purchases, beauty routines and hairstyles after her!

SITNB: What was your biggest beauty no-no (come on, we all have had them)?
Alex: Tweezing my eyebrows myself because I can’t get in to my aesthetician  or simply because I am too busy and don’t have time to make an appointment.

SITNB: Guys want to know, how much do you really spend on makeup?
Alex: My makeup routine is pretty minimal on a regular basis meaning I don’t apply it very heavily – so in essence I make items last and am not purchasing new makeup every month. Give or take, I’d say in the last year I’ve spent maybe $100.

SITNB: When did you first start wearing makeup?
Alex: Growing up a competitive figure skater, I was not immune to heavy (and not so cute) performance makeup for the ice… but began wearing makeup regularly around 7^th grade. Lip balm and tinted chapstick has always been in my arsenal for as long as I can remember.

SITNB: What has been your biggest beauty splurge?
Alex: I haven’t had one yet because I’ve ‘borrowed’ it from my mom… but soon enough it will be La Mer products. As of now probably bottles of my favorite perfume scents Bobbi Brown Beach and Chance by Chanel.

SITNB: Do you have a product that changed your life and/or beauty routine for the better?
Alex: Sunscreen. Even though I am half-Venezuelan and have naturally tan skin, I’ve become a huge sunscreen fanatic in the last couple years or so. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a healthy looking glow, but I always wear a great, protectant SPF (at least 15+) on my face every day. SPF is the biggest skin saver out there.

I hope you enjoyed reading this edition of “What’s in HER in bag” with Alex as much I did interviewing her. I know I’m not the only one considering adding this to my next online shopping cart.

Be sure to stay up to date on Alex’s daily adorations and inspirations in beauty and fashion by checking out her blog here.

(14) WHAT’S IN HER BAG?

For my 14th installment of “What’s in HER bag,” I was so excited to not only have a serious cosmetic junkie, but a very close friend of mine, share some of her favorite beauty products. Mel Wilson is one of the most passionate makeup artists I’ve met and is a true hustler when it comes to building her portfolio and making her clients look and feel beautiful. She is a blossoming Chicago makeup artist who specializes in commercial, video, and print work.

Mel has also worked with some of the top brands in the industry and teaches classes at the Media Make Up Academy (Chicago).

I hope you’re ready to take notes, because this is one serious makeup discussion.

Inside Melissa’s bag

• Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
• Make Up For Ever Full Coverage Concealer
• Ben Nye Powder in Buff
• Makeup For Ever Sculpting Kit (for my lovely contour and highlight)
• NARS “Deep Throat” Blush
• NARS “Albatross” Highlighter
• NYX “Milk” Jumbo Pencil (as eye primer, highly recommend)
• Bobbi Brown Black Ink Gel Eyeliner
• L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara
• Make Up For Ever 1c Lip Liner
• MAC Lipstick “Cherish”

Interview

SITNB: What’s your favorite beauty product of all time?
Mel: Believe it or not this question is easy. My favorite beauty product has to be Rosebud Salve. I have one in my purse, by my night stand and in my kit. I use it on a daily basis. It can be used under the eyes at night or on a dry patch but I use it on my lips. It hydrates my lips without drying them out over time. Plus it gives my lips a nice shine as if I am wearing lip gloss.

SITNB: If you had to pick three key beauty items what would they be?
Mel: Breaking down all my makeup into only three items is extremely difficult. If I absolutely had to I would have to choose my Ole Henriksen Truth Crème (daily moisturizer) which I never skip. I always say if you’re not going to moisturize then don’t bother putting on foundation. That being said, my second choice is my Make Up For Ever HD Foundation followed by my L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara. If I’m running out the door I know these three items will make me socially acceptable.

SITNB: Who is your beauty inspiration?
Mel: This question hits my heart. My beauty inspiration(s) are the two people that helped me grow into the artist I am today. They are both working makeup artists, one in New York and the other in Chicago. My first inspiration is Amanda Shackleton. She was the first person to teach me how to pick up a brush, apply makeup and most importantly…how to hustle my way up in order to make my dreams come true. My second (but equal) inspiration is Nika Vaughan. Nika is an amazing and humble artist. She will always take the time to answer my ridiculous questions at all hours of the day.

SITNB: What was your biggest beauty no-no?
Mel: My biggest beauty no-no was not matching foundation. We have all done it. Rule to live by, if you have a friend that does this just be a girlfriend and tell her.

SITNB: Guys want to know…..How much do you really spend on makeup?
Mel: I am fortunate enough to receive a lot of gratis as a working artist in this industry. So I don’t spend a lot but I do work for it.

SITNB: When did you first start wearing makeup?
Mel: I probably started wearing makeup when I was thirteen. I remember my father telling me I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup and remember my mother secretly giving me some to play with.

SITNB: What has been your biggest beauty splurge?
Mel: A beauty splurge is usually a beauty must! For me, it was my Clarisonic. I recommend it to all. My skin has changed so much and I always appreciate the compliments that come along with it.

SITNB: Do you have a beauty product that’s changed your life….or makeup routine?
Mel: Changed my life is a bit drastic. Let’s just say this product has impressed me with its skill. NYX “Milk” Jumbo Pencil. This product makes any eye shadow pop and look fierce.

I hope you all enjoyed this installment of “What’s in HER bag?” with Mel Wilson. To see more of Mel’s daily work, you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Are you interested in being featured on the next “What’s in HER bag?” Send me an email at shrtisthenewblack@gmail.com for more information.