Estee Lauder Give the Glow Travel-Ready Skin Care Collection

Hey Guys!

I'm so excited to share the contents of the Estee Lauder Give the Glow Travel Ready Skincare Collection. This value deal is the full line up of products I use daily. The value is just right for those of you looking to invest in skincare. The best thing you get to try the entire line for pennies on the dollar.  All you need is right here! There are different variations of this set so check your local department stores now. The specific set I highlight here will be available at Belk.com starting November 16, 2015. Look for more holiday sets in days to come. As always, leave your request below and be sure to share this video with all your friends. XO, Kiani

Set includes:
Perfectly Clean Triple Action Foaming Cleanser
Micro Essence Lotion
Advanced Night Repair Synchronization Recovery Complex
Advanced Night Repair Eye...oops not shown. Just found it in the bottom of my bag.
New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum
Resilience Lift Face and Throat Creme
Resilience Lift Face and Throat Night Creme
Sumptuous Mascara

Prices may vary between 37.50-39.50 depending on store.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my Channel and Follow Me on INSTAGRAM @Love_Kiani.

Website:  http://www.makeupbykiani.com

WATCH ME!

Natural Hair: Lighting Hair Chronicles

Natural Hair Coloring

This isn't my first rodeo with ultra light hair. But I'm hoping with some of the anew advancements in color the outcome will be different. In the past I was trying to do to much with my hair being blonde. Straightening it daily and sometimes even perming it on top of color.  I am loving the color so far but I know I'm going to have to relearn the process of maintenance and care all over again.

Things I've noticed so far:


Instead of my cut being the style, the color has completely taken over.



Very minimal dry time. I'm assuming the hair is dryer to begin with now therefore air drying as long as I can then light defusing ( on cool heat) works best.

I still use the Cantu Conditioner and Garnier Curl Construct Moose to style after damping my hair daily with water. Remembering not to overwork the hair otherwise it gets really big and uncontrollable.


It's time for a trim for sure...coming later this week. I usually give myself a few days before I have my hair trimmed after such a drastic switch. Too much newness sometimes can be a bit overwhelming.  After I have a few days to settle into my new locks I can really access what I'm needing to make my hair better. I know if I need inches or milometers off.








New products I'm trying in upcoming weeks:

Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner



Deva Curls Ultra Defining Gel


Hair Products used for Coloring:
Olaplex
Lanza Healing Color

Colorist Information:
Angie Nelson
Salon La Shae
Concord, NC
704-564-9147

WATCH ME!

Mascara 101: Stop Smudging Your Mascara

Mascara 101 Stop the Smudging

Mascara is designed to give length, volume, drama and that wink appeal. But what happens when all that volume transfers to smudge city? Aaahhh, the awful clean up process.  Let's discuss erasing this mess from the beginning.

But I want Long lashes...

 

When you have short lashes face it. The way to lengthen them is to use a lash primer. It is the first step in rediscovering those lashes we thought we never had. It also instantly adds a protective barrier around our lashed which aids in protecting them. Consider this step the conditioner for the lashes. Just as hair conditioner protects the hair on our head...enter lash primer.

What mascara formula are you buying?

           NYX the skinny mascara 

                                                                                                          Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara 

Now let's discuss you purchasing the wrong mascara formula. If the mascara is volumizing, the formula is going to do just that. The wand and brush are usually larger and holds more product! May I suggest trying another formula such as lengthening. The brush is usually smaller/narrower.  This design caters towards shorter lashes allowing your efforts to be noticed.

However if you insist on continuing purchasing volumizing mascara, take the time to clean off the brush on the edges of the container. Angle the brush to apply mascara by its tips.
Don't wiggle the wand back and forth on the lashes. This creates clump. Instead apply mascara from root to tip. Allow mascara to dry by moving on to the other eye top and bottom. Repeat and apply addition coats if necessary.

Your welcome!

Watch ME!

July Favorites 2015

Hey Guys! Hope no one mind my praise session in my intro. But you know, God has been so good I thought I'd share the hope I feel. Really, being an entrepreneur that is directly attached to my passion is challenging but I know God's got me. Now with that being said the products I got my hands on this month were quite brilliant. 

As always, thanks for visiting. XO, Kiani

Products Highlighted:

MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation honestly, I really wasn't geeked about this product. The waterproof claim was eeeekk so so. Really, I never wear makeup in the water be it at the beach or pool. So I wasn't pleased with it in those aspects but as for an everyday  makeup, I can dig it. 

          The color, texture and all day hold is super. www.mac.com

                                                      

 

 Air Spun, for the price, accessibility, color pay off, and overall response to makeup application I give this an A+. Very nice addition to my makeup routine without putting the squeeze on my wallet. www.walmart.com                             

Vegas Nye Eylure Grand Glamour Lashes are simply stunning. In a word perfection from the density, craftsman ship or lash band, and layer of lashes to project. These lashes favor a stacking of my most favorite lashes but better. I may never need another lash style!!! www.ulta.com

Estee Lauder Little Black Primer has really helped me grab those tiny lashes on my lower lash line and magnify them. The tiny brush makes this possible. Adding this primer before mascara makes it easier to add mascara with precision. It actuality mimics the appearance of mascara so if you wanna skip that step all together I don't think anyone would notice. This product also makes mascara transfer resist

 if layered over mascara.  www.esteelauder.com

Makeup Brushes this just makes sense that a craft store would have paint brushes that would dupe for makeup brushes. I purchased the ones that would be used for acrylic paint for more versatility. I'm pleased so far. Think I need a few more for my kit and client looks. www.michaels.com

NYX Intense Butter Gloss

                                                          

I'm really enjoying these lippies, especially Les Leches! The applicator makes me wanna wear them. I don't have to fish out the product ,it just lays on the doe foot applicator and glides on like...butter! Not to mention the color payoff is more than a wash of color it's a layer of color and shine. I love it on top of a matte lip. It seems the combo of a dry lip and such an intensely shinny lip gloss is perfection. www.ulta.com   

Becca Champagne Pop Skin Perfector

This is truly an amazing product. Illuminates skin without streaking or disturbing foundation underneath. Goes on without flaking or glitter but evenly. High intensity to barely there sheen. This is a one of a kind product! www.sephora.com...limited edition

WATCH ME!

Natural Hair: How I Straighten My Natural Hair

How I Straighten My Natural Hair

Hey Guys! As the story goes, we are always looking for something better when it comes to our hair. For once I can say I'm loving my natural hair. Although I primarily wear it curly, every 4-6 weeks I make myself straighten it to check it's strength, thickness, ends, and overall length. I could tell a few days ago, it's becoming more work to style it up out of my face in a kinda Mohawk like style. That, I don't mind either because the simplicity of my curls hands down beats straightening my hair during the summer months, all for it to revert as soon as I walk outdoors. But, for those you us looking for a less tedious straightening method for your natural hair, here is my full proof method and products I use. I hope you enjoy this blog and the video attachment. Feel free to share your products, tricks, and tips on your natural hair. I have been natural for over 5 years but this is my first time wearing my hair totally natural for this length of time!  Yyaayy me! It feels so good. Anyway, on to my tips and products used. XO, Kiani


After Styling 

                                                      

                                                                     

Pureology Shampoo and Conditioner

I love the Pureology line of products. They seem to keep my hair soft, conditioned, and strong. The products are very concentrated so a little goes a long way. I use literally a nickel size amount of each twice a week. I also buy the travel so I can switch between the different formulas often, not weighing my hair down, and these bottles travel nicely.                                                                                                                 

Styling Products

As for the damp styling products, nothing straightens my hair better than the Nairobi Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion. It leaves my hair with a luster and dries fast. I mold my hair down with three to four pumps of the foam and comb my hair around my head with a small tooth comb. This method smooths my hair out and allows it to lay as flat to my head as possible.

          Styling Tools

If necessary I use a wire brush to finalize smoothing method before I tie it down with a polyester/nylon head scarf. Lastly I cover my head with an additional scarf/ turban to trap in the heat and ultimately drying my hair faster.

Wrapping Scarfs

Once my hair is dry, I remove the scarfs and apply three to four small drops of Argan Oil of Morocco into the palms of my hands, rubbing the oil vigorously warning it up. Next, I pat my hands on my head not applying too much product into one spot but all over.  Finger pulling hair apart not creating frizz but separation.  

On to straightening the hair:

I use a Revlon Comb Attachment dryer to begin straightening the hair. I use the small tooth attachment to give my hair volume. If hair is longer and thicker, I would suggest using the wide tooth attachment.  I continue to move the dryer around my head removing any remaining waves from my hair of lingering moisture. Be sure to have your space cool enough to keep your head from sweating and reverting hair.  Allow enough time to almost completely air dry. This keeps hair from getting too big when its blown out. If needing to speed up the drying time feel free to sit under a hooded dryer.

    

Finally, to style my hair I use two different flat irons. I use a 1-2 inch iron for the longer pieces and a 1/2 inch around the perimeter. I section the hair off from the crown of my head to work with the direction my hair naturally falls. Remembering the hair is already straight, my flat irons are used to smooth and make hair sleek. Run the irons through the hair from root to tip, no more than twice per section.  I never wear my hair straight longer than two days so by minimizing the direct heat from the flat irons I can easily transition back to my curls once I shampoo again. Lastly style the hair into position. Lightly spray with my Garnier Holding spray to further minimize frizz and quick reversion. 

Products Used:   A lot of the products I use are oooolllllddddd. So I tried to link the most compatible products for your convenience.  

 Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner http://www.amazon.com/Pureology-Hydrate-Shampoo-Condition-Travel/dp/B008HDQRC2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1438183828&sr=8-7&keywords=pureology+hydrate+shampoo+and+conditioner


Nairobi Wrapp- It Shine Foaming Lotion http://www.sears.com/nairobi-wrapp-it-shine-foaming-lotion-8/p-SPM12870135919?hlSellerId=10145967&sid=IDx20110310x00001i&kpid=SPM12870135919&kispla=SPM12870135919&mktRedirect=y   

Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco http://www.target.com/p/ogx-moroccan-penetrating-oil-regular-3-3-oz/-/A-13924875?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=13924875&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=13924875&LID=17pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13924875&kpid=13924875&gclid=Cj0KEQjw8-GtBRCMl7m54PzgjNQBEiQAIZckv-zjlHQ5UH3ZIdnyCn2OKDIgSkc4fqmKgr1wigEp5pQaAhxg8P8HAQ
             
Polyester Head Scarf  http://www.amazon.com/ETSYG%C2%AE-Multicolour-Scarves-Square-Pattern/dp/B00FDN4ZKA                            

Nylon Head Wrap http://www.amazon.com/Light-Blue-Turban-Comfy-Delicate/dp/B004L60D56/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1438184618&sr=1-1&keywords=turbans                                  

1/2 and 1 inch Flat Iron https://www.doitbest.com/products/revlon-1-2-1-hair-straighteners?sku=601247&utm_source=shoppingfeeds&utm_medium=googlebase&utm_term=601247&utm_campaign=BROI&gdftrk=gdfV25409_a_7c1793_a_7c6797_a_7c601247&gclid=Cj0KEQjw8-GtBRCMl7m54PzgjNQBEiQAIZckv2vKYVm0gDPI8JtIIIqfh6sLUnJK3q6BXbvDKIIFhl8aAlEl8P8HAQ                                                                      

Revlon Attachment Hair Dryer  http://www.amazon.com/Vidal-Sassoon-VS783-Professional-Anti-Static/dp/B00006498N/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1438183651&sr=8-6&keywords=hairdryer+comb               

Fine Tooth Comb  http://www.amazon.com/Aristocrat-Piece-Professional-Comb-Set/dp/B000UQ546Y/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1438184144&sr=1-3-fkmr1&keywords=wide+and+fine+teeth+comb+assortment                                 

Wire Bristle Brush http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Steel-Bristle-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00M0M0APQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1438184230&sr=1-4&keywords=wire+bristle+brush

My colorist:
Angie Nelson
Salon Lashae
Concord, NC
704-564-9147

WATCH ME!

Themed Wedding Vision: Whimsical Shades of a Peacock

Themed Wedding Vision: Whimsical Shades of a Peacock

Bowman-Adams Nuptials

Oasis Shriner, Charlotte NC

July 25, 2015 5:00pm

Glam, glitz, fun, and theatrical was the wedding story for Zebrina Bowman.

 The bride told me she wanted the theme of peacock colors  through out the wedding. This also meant the colors to be included in her makeup look. The colors were amazing and executed with precision. I wanted to honor the brides wishes, but stay true to the art.  Applying colors this bold isn't a rush job. We started early enough to keep 

the colors blended, precise, and overall "bridal." 

Bridal Portraits on Location at the historic Duke Mansion, Charlotte, NC.  Thanks to Cynthia Ndelo Photography and Cinematography for providing these amazing images.

To create such a whimsical look for such an elegant occasion we tested the look twice. Once being her bridal portrait day held at the historic Duke Mansion.  This allowed me to know how long it would take to execute on the wedding day and if the colors would translate on camera.

Indoor and Outdoor perfection.  Summer weddings in the South call for all day glam application to with stand the head and humidity. Keep in mind the weight of a gown will add extra layers causing your body temperature to rise faster.  It is a good idea to hire a professional makeup artist with a specialty in bridal shoots. Go to makeupbykiani.com to book your bridal glam sessions. 

Bridal Party Shoot Pre Wedding

 

 

 The result was textured, pigmented, long lasting and most importantly the brides saying "I Love It." Topped off by Zebrina signature bold, Barbie Pink. We had her bridal vision on canvas.

The grooms flair for style paired with the brides savvy for glitz and glam.

Bride and Maid of Honor both hired by makeupbykiani.  Such a pleasure working with them both.