Category Archives: product

Ask Marissa…Prevent Eye Infections

Jane Doe: I have an eye infection (stye) that keeps recurring. I’ve now washed all my brushes and replaced my mascara (i know it should be replaced or I’ll get eye infections, which is now very obvious). I start a job next Monday, should I replace all my other makeup too (powders, blushes)?

Me: If you keep having infections and you are using your brushes and couble dipping in your eye shadows, then those are most likely infected too. face makeup should be ok to keep. Now some q’s for you:

1. what are you washing your brushes with and how often?
2. how long have you had your makeup you are thinking of replacing?
3. how often do you clean your makeup?
4. how often do you change your mascara?

Jane Doe:
1. Just washed my brushes for the first time in a year with dish soap.
2. About a year. And it’s my face powder – bare minerals.
3. WTF do you mean by “clean your makeup”?
4. Just bought new mascara because of eye infection.

Also, I admittedly do not always wash my face before bed (too tired, meh). So I know I need to change that. And my pillowcases, and my washcloth.

Me: Infections are not caused by not washing your face, pillow cases, etc. Here are some tips on how to prevent eye infections.

1. Your brushes should be washed after every use, but get in the habit of at least once a week for now. Dish soap is ok, but can mess up your brushes. Just be sure it’s a mild formula and anti-bacterial.

2. Your face powder should be ok as long as the brush you are using for it never came in contact with your eyes.

3. especially if you don’t wash your brushes regularly, you should- spray alcohol on, then swipe your lipsticks on a paper towel once a month.
wipe the tops of any dry pressed powders with a dry tissue once a month
spray a paper towel with alcohol, then wipe off the top layer of any cream makeup you have once a week.

4. Mascara should be thrown out after 3months of the first use…and that’s the extreme maximum. When you pull out the wand and don’t hear that kissing sound, then it’s time to get a new one. Also, don’t pump the wand into the tube because you are providing more air for bacteria to breed in there.

Tokidoki Makeup Review and Tutorial

I’ve always loved the super kawaii clutter of Tokidoki Designs. Now they have a whole cosmetics line available at Sephora that I couldn’t refuse. I really didn’t expect much from makeup in packaging so cute it made me want to vomit rainbows and unicorns, but I was pleasantly surprised. My video shows what I love about the eyeshadows, brushes, mascara, lip stain and lip glosses. There are also swatches and an application tutorial. Tokidoki!!! SQUEE!!!

How To Spot Fake MAC Cosmetics On eBay

My new video shows you what to look for when shopping for MAC Cosmetics on eBay. There are thousands of counterfeit M.A.C. Cosmetics in the world, and the internet makes it that much easier to dupe people into thinking it’s the real thing. In my video, I cover brushes, eye shadow palettes, and the Hello Kitty collection. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I now know that there’s no better deal than buying MAC from real MAC counters, real MAC stores and the MAC website. They are extremely reasonably priced, and the US sells it for less than any other country in the world. This tutorial is meant for those of you who seek out those discontinued or limited edition products that are no longer available. A tip for brushes: JUST DON’T DO IT. The video explains why…

Marissa’s Pick of the Week – "Aqua Net for Your Face"

Fix + by M.A.C. Cosmetics ($18) is a must have in every makeup artist box! I also recommend this product for the Party Girl or someone with a 14 hour or more work day. You can use it alone to re-freshen your skin, or on top of makeup to set everything in place. With ingredients like green tea, chamomile, and cucumber, even sensitive skin would enjoy this thirst quenching cocktail. I have used Fix + on every client I freelanced for. Such events include weddings, parties, and funerals. When I followed up with my clients they all said their makeup stayed in place until they washed it off. I did makeup for a party at 11 AM, and they said their makeup was still fresh at 2 AM. As strong of a sealer as it is, it feels just like water. It’s not sticky or heavy, so you won’t even realize you sprayed it on after it dries. It’s like glue for your face, or as a friend of a friend said, “It’s like Aqua Net for your face!”

Marissa’s Pick of the Week- Dry Shampoo?


I am in love with Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo by Rockaholic! Created by TIGI (Bed Head, Catwalk), this product is perfect for people who don’t shampoo everyday. Sometimes I’ll go 2 to 3 days without washing my hair for 2 reasons: hair color preservation and I like my texture better when it’s dirty. The cons to not washing is the yucky greasy look closer to my scalp. Not only does Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo mattify by absorbing excess oil, it also adds volume. I just spray, tousle with my fingers, then walk out the door. You can find Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo at a salon for about $18.95.