SecondCityStyle.com Beauty Buzz! : Great Skin for All

Check out my review..Great Skin for All...at SecondCityStyle.com

Credit: Review and Illustration by Kelley Epps-Woods

The Artist Summit with The Powder Group..

I'm just getting back from a weekend with the Powder Group, and I have to let you know about this wonderful team! The Powder Group produces the best Classes, Seminars, Summits, and just about anything makeup, from the The Makeup Show, to The American Beauty Tour, Evolution and The Artist Summit.

The Powder Group was founded by the genius, Michael DeVellis, a 14 year veteran of the makeup artist industry. Based in New York he made the Powder Group, which is made up of a collective of beyond talented Makeup Artist and beauty phenoms that spans the makeup artist industry and the globe. The artists and presenters are working experts from the areas of film, television, theater, fashion and editorial. The seminars, lectures, workshops and special events cover every area of makeup artistry.

This weekend the Powder Group brought to us The Artist Summit!

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12 & MONDAY OCTOBER 13, 2008

THE LATEST PRO-MAKEUP ARTIST EVENT FROM THE PRODUCERS OF

THE MAKEUP SHOW, THE AMERICAN BEAUTY TOUR AND EVOLUTION.

INTENSELY PRO. COMPLETELY INSPIRATIONAL. REMARKABLY IMPACTFUL.

A TWO DAY EDUCATIONAL SUMMIT FOR THE PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST

COMMUNITY.

FEATURING DOZENS OF SEMINARS, PANEL FORUMS AND HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS

FROM THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATORS IN THE PRO-MAKEUP INDUSTRY

& INTRODUCING THE SUMMIT SHOP – A FREE TO ATTEND NEW PRO-RETAIL EXPERIENCE
Besides spending way too much on brushes, makeup, and everything but the billboards HA!, I found the Artist Summit, a total asset to the Artist Community. Since when did some of the world's greatest makeup artist want to share and show little ol' me ;-), and other Artist, whether inexperienced or Pros, great information about the Industry.
When I first started makeup I was hoping someone would share their tips, tricks of the trade, and how to's. But little did I know, not too many were willing to share their knowledge. So, when I discovered the Powder Group, and attended my first seminar, I couldn't believe that such a group would exist to teach Artist of all levels, what they know, how they did it, and how to get there. Since when?! Just watching, and hearing their passion pour out as much as the foundation on their palette, was unbelievable.
I will always support the Powder Group, because what they give to the artist community is invaluable. The boat load of expertise, and knowledge from the Artist such as Billy B., James Vincent, Eve Pearl, Kevin J. Bennett, and totally the 'man' Michael DeVellis to name a few, is priceless!

some of the PRESENTERS at The Artist Summit

The amazing, multi Emmy Award winner, Kevin-James Bennett in action! He is also, U.S Director of Artistry and Development at Makeup Forever. Kevin's energy made me want to run a marathon! lol

The amazing and (hair cut twin) Viktorija Bowers. It was so great to meet Vik. Putting a face behind her amazing work, and to also know that she is also so down to earth.

Last but not least, Eve Pearl. Eve is five-time Emmy Award winner, and celebrity makeup artist. She’s the Key makeup artist and frequent on-air guest for The View, with Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones and Joy Behar as well as the Key on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. She has her own product line, Eve Pearl, which will be having a Grand Opening in November. Thanks for the invite Ms. Pearl!

Candid after Viktorija's session (l-r) Kim Reyes, session Model, Viktorija Bowers, Victoria Stiles, Me

Check out SecondCityStyle.com for my How To- Smokey Eye for Day

For those who may inquire or are challenged in the area of doing eye makeup, check out my How-To at SecondCityStyle.com

HowTo: Beauty How-To. Creating a Smokey Eye For Day

Credit: SecondCityStyle.com Illustration by Kelley D. Woods

NARS New Collection - 'Jungle Red'

Nars celebrates with the release of 'The Woman' witih the exclusive Jungle Red Set!

Nars says, The exclusive collection creates timeless, Hollywood glamour with Jungle Red Nail polish, Jungle Red lipstick, and Jungle Red Lip liner.
Think Joan Crawford, circa 1938.

Upon my first glance, all I could say was wow! I totally thought old Hollywood Glamour, when ladies were 'ladie's and wore nothing but the finest. Even of course their makeup was glamorous. This is what Nars created when taking it back in time.
I think this is still classic. It will make the blandest face look sleek and sophisticated once applied.
This may definitely be one for the collection.

Jungle Red, Nars Cosmetics ($65) narscosmetics.com

SecondCityStyle.com Beauty Buy!! : Three Custom Color for the Cause: TAI™ Lip Shine

'Beauty Buy': Three Custom Color for the Cause: TAI™ Lip Shine

Bobbi Brown for Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness is a serious matter. If you don't have someone in your family directly affected by Breast Cancer, you could know a neighbor, a friend, or even someone at work that my be affected it. It affects us all, and it is to not be taken lightly. I highly support Breast Cancer research, and hope you will too..
In support of Breast Cancer there are many cosmetic companies bringing awareness, and one in particular is Bobbi Brown.
Source: bobbibrown.com Bobbi has created this exclusive, limited-edition set featuring Pink Quartz Glitter Lip Gloss and Tulle Lip Color. Pink Quartz is a pale silvery pink that works beautifully with our popular Tulle, a soft pink. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the Pink Ribbon Collection will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Help us make a difference. Enjoy Free Standard Shipping with any order that includes the NEW Pink Ribbon Collection. Enter offer code at checkout*: PINK08*Offer code required. One time use. Valid only on BobbiBrown.com 9/29/08-10/31/08 (midnight ET or while supplies last).

DC Wedding Makeup Artist | Wedding Season; Od' to my fav Beauty Products...

With only a few Weddings left for the year, and the slowing season before the Holidays, I wanted to reflect back on a few of my dear beauty products that have survived with me through the year..
They are tried and true, and they have not failed me. I love a good product, and I will be loyal to them, as they are loyal to me..

So with that said, I give an award to my MAC Pressed Blot Powder $20. This instantly mattifies the face after the foundation is blended and ready to be set. It is great for touch ups after the face is blotted with blotting papers, and doesn't add any noticeable color or texture.

Next is my La Mer Hydrating Infusion $95 , This treatment saturates the skin lots of hydration, smoothness and conditioning. It prepares it to receive and boost the transformational benefits of moisturizer. I love how it plumps up the skin, and gives it a silky, smooth finish.

And last but not least is Nars Blush ($25). They have the best coverage and pigment and some of the most beautiful colors. A must are Nars Orgasm, and Taj Mahal!


MAC Blot Powder ($20), maccosmetics.com , La Mer Hydrating Infusion ($95) cremedelamer.com, Nars Blush ($25) sephora.com

-Kelley D. Woods

SecondCityStyle: 'Beauty Buzz' : HoneyCat Cosmetics- Purrfect Indulgence

Check out my Column 'Beauty Buzz' at -- SecondCityStyle.com for 'Beauty Buzz' : HoneyCat Cosmetics- Purrfect Indulgence

My wish list: Christian Louboutin & Alexander McQueen..

Okay, so I'm checking out a post from SecondCityStyle.com Blog for the Fall Trend Alert on Boots. So I see what I thought was heaven in a boot! Oh my, Christian Loboutin Babel Leather Boots are so fabulous! How Classic are they! A nice silhouette of a boot with such form, and of course its signature red soles, against the bold black color. How sleek.

But catch the outfit its paired with. Can you see a stroll through the Hamptons on a chilly Sunday afternoon? The sophistication of the Alexander McQueen bag against such a casual outfit is brilliant. How brilliant.

Dear Boot Angel: "..Please, deliver to my door step... "
Image: Net-a-porter.com

- Kelley D. Woods

AJ Crimson.. Skin Flawless Foundations & Skin Perfecting Powders

When I thought I was so overcome with the Kissable Couture lip glosses, here comes AJ Crimson with Foundations and Powders..!

I was pleasantly surprised to see this considering, I was just going to check out his site. Not only is it redesigned, and looks fab..Good job AJ ;-), but I find his new Skin Flawless Foundations, and Skin Perfecting Powders.

They range in shades from a light sand color, to dark chocolate mocha color.

As a makeup artist, blending foundations works great because with just a few colors, you can pretty much match any complexion. So ,I must check them out, and give you guys and updated Review!

Go AJ!

AJ Crimson Skin Flawless Foundations & Skin Perfecting Powders($ 20-25) ajcrimson.com

-Kelley D. Woods

...it's Make Up For Ever again!.. Face & Body Liquid Makeup

What an exhausting, but so rewarding weekend! This was the busiest weekend I have had since I can remember. By Sunday morning, I couldn't even get it together, but then realized I had a Consultation to get ready for... *can't hit snooze again*
This weekend alone I had 3 Weddings, a Photo shoot, and a Consultation. All were very successful, but boy was I working on Doritos's and Starbucks ;-)!

So any who, I was raving to my girl Felicia over at ThisThatBeauty.com , about some products I fell in love with this week. Wehad been talking about products that we have bought and just sits in our kit. But, its not like they are not good products, its just that heck, how do you get around to using everything with tons of makeup!

Nevertheless, I yapped and yapped about Make Up For Ever's Face and Body Foundation. It had been sitting in my kit for a year or so, and I never really used it, until I happen to crack it open this weekend.
At first, I didn't think it gave me the coverage I needed but, was I really mistaken! I happened to use this product this weekend, and to my shock, it provided all the coverage I needed! And I also found that if I layered it, it would give me more coverage.
Well what do you know, I am a new fan! I fell so in love that that's all I used on just about everyone this weekend. It gave me the most flawless finish ever. Yep, you heard it....
LOOK AT THE SKIN! umm hmmm

Make Up For Ever F&B rawks!

Make Up Forever Face & Body ($38) makeupforever.com

-Kelley D. Woods

SecondCityStyle.com Beauty Buzz...

SecondCityStyle.com - Check out my weekly Beauty Buzz's...

1 Beauty Buzz. Fall Must Haves: Purples and Nudes

2 Beauty Beat: You are Concealed

3 Beauty Buzz: Skin Recovery

4 Beauty Buzz: theBalm to the Rescue

Make Up For Ever High Definition Foundation and Powder

I'm wayyy overdue in mentioning to you the best thing since 'my mama's cake'! For the women who have shied away from the mirror in hopes that you don't see what was once the best foundation you bought, to only realize that it really doesn't match your complexion....

Well, I am pleased to let you know about Make up For Ever's HD Invisible Cover Foundation, and HD Micro finish Powder. These wonderful products were made to meet the need of digital imagery. HD gives us a picture that’s 6X clearer than the average tv. Meaning that every pore, wrinkle, smear, non blended foundation, would be magnified. Cosmetic technologies created for use on HD broadcasts are trickling down to over-the-counter products. What does that mean for you? It doesn't mean your gonna be live on Regis and Kelly, but it does mean that there is hope for those of you who would like to be flawless and concealed a little more discretely.

I have heard stories from many of my Brides, who complained about their foundation in the past and the poor results. So, it was of great pleasure that I was able to let them know about Make Up For Ever's new HD product line. If you are one of those ladies who are not satisfied with your latest foundation, give the HD products a try. It’s an oil-free formulation that gives a lovely soft-focus finish which diffuses the light, thus minimising imperfections. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Make Up For Ever, HD Foundation and Powder ($30-40)

Great News!..... SecondCityStyle.com

Being a Makeup Artist and working in the Industry we can be exposed to so many products. And ,I'm just one that consumes it all! Brand? Name? Color? Description? I gotcha! Product knowledge is something I found very important, especially when I am asked about product recommendations and reviews on particular products. I do get teased by some of my makeup artist friends, for knowing the color the shade, what #, and what line..hahaha..But that's okay.. As my hubby says, to be a successful in the business you HAVE to be a student of the business!

So with that said, I was more than excited to hear that I would be a contributing Beauty Columnist for SecondStyleMagazine! I finished my first review a few days ago for Fall's Must Haves. It's only natural that I am able to talk about my favorite products, new trends, new products, and just about anything Beauty. I was quit honored, and glad to be on board as part of the SCS team.


Second City Style is a high fashion, high energy online magazine for and by stylishly savvy women. Published weekly with daily updates SCS was originally created from hundreds of surveys completed by women just like you, providing invaluable feedback on everything from how to wear the latest accessories to where you can find the hottest trends and so much more.
With current readership expanding globally, Second City Style launched their blog to compliment the magazine and provide readers a resource for up-to-the-hour information.

So, bet tuned to SecondCityStyle.com (Blog) for my weekly updates, reviews, and beauty news!

...ThisThatBeauty...

ThisThat Beauty!!

It's like a great new handbag.. How do you compare you say ? You know how you get a new handbag and you are like so all over it, and blabbing about it, and obsessed over it.. ? Okay, well not that extreme....but she's definitely worth talking about..

Her name is Felecia over at ThisThatBeauty. As she states, she is a Makeup Maven. Beauty Aficionado. and Product Whore. --She is from NJ and is here in DC for the week!
We didn't make our meet and greet run to Sephora, but I did get a chance to speak with her over the phone and we had a great time. We spoke like we had talked everyday since we were 10..LOL.



Felicia has a great spirit, and she is super fab and talented. Please check her out! at thisthatbeauty....
I'll be tuned...

Fall 2008 Makeup in Review.. FW

With the shiny skin, and nude pouty mouths of last year’s season, it was refreshing to see color rear its head again. This time it came with a vengeance. It was a complete 180 degree turn from some of the minimal nude makeup looks seen at last year’s show.

Makeup artists painted with color this season, dabbing eyes with vivacious, bold-colored, fuscias, blues, and yellows. Think Andy Warhol meets makeup. Whether it was jeweled colored eyes, or just sheer washes of color, it took over the runway.

At Bottega Veneta, Pat McGrath used powerful purple eye shadow that exploded against the sophisticated clothing. At Proenza Schouler, the eyes were rich, intense turquoise blue that paired with a soft pink mouth. Think pop glam but a tad understated.

A lot of candy coated matte and pouty pink lips in cool tones brought attitude and luxury to many designers. However, at Burberry the fee l was very easy. Models showing off totally bare faces, not even lip gloss. At Phillip Lim, there were deep, cherry kissed lips circa 1930s, with strong, drawn-on brows, which screamed boldness and confidence, definitely not for your next job interview.

To sum up the looks for fall, I feel inclined to say it’s daring. Daring to be seen. Daring to be heard, and daring to rule. Definitely not for the faint of heart.


Credits: Bottega Veneta and Proenza Schouler

Bottega Veneta
Style: colorful liquid elegance. Colors: peachy-orange, grey, blue, black. Fabrics: wool, leather, jersey. Accessories: matte crocodile bags, suede totes, pumps. Make-up: strong purple eyes, eyeliner & lashes, nude lips, hair up.

Client Profile: Wendy McIntyre

I wanted to highlight a previous client of mine... singer, song writer Wendy McIntyre!

I met Wendy a few years ago, and was honored to do her makeup for her Press Kit. She has a beautiful whimsical voice, and I had the honor of hearing her sing live. Well if you call live sitting in my makeup chair, with her hair tied, waiting to have her makeup finished, then that was it :-).

I know she has great things in store for her and I wish her great success.

Here is Ms. Wendy (credits: Makeup by Kelley D, press: Nitined Soulz)! Check her out here on Video below.

Guess what!? ......... bRILLIANT Mag is here!

Check out our 6 page spread in the current September 08 issue of bRILLIANT Magazine!

So a few months back I shot with the amazing Tracy Toler in NY on a fabo shoot. I worked with a great team of talent including Ms. Tracy herself, Stylist: Anna Katsanis, Hair Stylist: Andrea Picoolo for Concept Salon, NYC, Mui for Makeup and Model Raelynn for Code Management,NYC.

This was my first time working with Tracy, but we had spent many of days on email talking back and forth. So nevertheless, I was pleased as punch when she informed us that we would getting a 6 page spread in bRILLIANT Magazine!

Good news for us, but better news for Tracy who got 2 Stories featured in the same mag, as well as the Cover! Kudos to Tracy and the team!

Check it out!

....Weddings; Congrats Tsedey and Ijeoma!

So I'm recovering from a long weekend of Weddings. Not only did Hurrican Hanna threaten to throw me into a couple of walls from getting splashed from the cars beside me, but riding through about a foot of water was no fun either. That's what it was like for me heading to my Saturday Weddings.

My first Wedding washed me up at Hotel Monaco for the beautiful Tsedey's Wedding. Looking out the window as her makeup was done, she couldn't help but to wonder., 'Why Today ?'. However, surprisingly she remained in the best of mood, and really excited. It showed that no matter what the day was like, she was getting married, and she was very happy.

My second Wedding took me out to Burtonsville, Maryland where I was greeted by the lovely Ijeoma. Ijeoma and I met 3 years ago, at a Photo Shoot with JLamont (as we called him); real name Jeff.
Her contacting me after 3 years makes me think of what an impression people have of you.  I haven't heard from her in 3 years, but for her to think of me for one of the most important days, her Wedding, was really special. ---

She had a very pleasant, calming presence on her Wedding day... Even though it was clearly raining, I let her know it was slowing down to a drizzle and actually clearing up. She thanked me for being hopeful...but really it was. It did clear. As she walked out her front door to the limo, there was not a raindrop coming from the sky ;-). Yeah!

As I got in my car and headed home, I just thought about... Faith... Faith.. that's the name of the game.. Anything is possible...

Congratulations to Tsedey, and Ijeoma on your Wedding!

Picture Capture: Ijeoma after her FMB Consultation

..productive Weekend..

Sorry guys, I have been M.I.A for a few days, but with good explanation ;-). I just wrapped up a weekend full of Consultations and Weddings, on one of my most busiest weekends. To top it off, I got no rest of course ;-).

As I wind down to the end of the year, I can't help but think of what a world wind of a year it has been. The year started a tad slow, with my Wedding approaching in June, and  I didn't want to add too much to the plate. But, boy after June, the emails started going! Wedding bookings after another. It was a good thing, considering I didn't have to bring out the makeup brushes but every other weekend prior to that,  so the rest was worth it for the time...But, things are back into the swing of things, and I have 5 more Weddings to go.

I'll be back with more makeup related issues that I have on my plate to share with you guys soon...

Tootles.