Nashville Makeup Artist | Amy Lynn Larwig » personal

My Oscar Hair & Makeup Picks 2012- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:20:14 +0000

Honestly, I don’t watch the Oscars for the awards. I mean, they are really awesome and all, but I am so far behind on movies I haven’t seen most of the nominated ones anyways. But I do watch the Oscars for the BEAUTY. So here are my favorite hair and makeup looks from the red carpet this year.

Viola Davis went natural with her hair do. I love when African American women allow those gorgeous tight curls to show.

Tina Fey had a chic, but fun bun. Buns were all over the heads of celebrities on the red carpet, but her’s was my fav.

Mara Rooney donned those red lips and a strong brow. It was so sharp and worked well with the hard line of her heavy bang.

Stacey Keibler had a great hair/makeup combo. Metallic shimmer eyes and a bronze glow with super loose soft, side swept curls.

Milla Jovovich proudly wore HOT red lips. Her crystal blue/green eyes really grab you. But I love the highlight on her cheeks.

Shailene Woodley is young and her fresh makeup with golden eyes, a natural lip & brow suited her so well.

I’m thankful for…

Amy Lynn — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:52:22 +0000

So I know I haven’t blogged in a LONG time. But I’ll spare you the excuses. I thought it’d be nice to share some of my all time favorite products that I am so thankful for!

1- Origins Checks & Balances cleanser. Never has a cleanser been able to zap my oil, hydrate my dry spots, and lick every ounce of makeup off all in one sudsy wash. Plus, it has no scary junk in it. Perfect for all of us “in between” skin types.
2- Coconut Oil. It’s SO WONDERFUL for my legs after a shave. Or right before bed on my hands and feet. I smell delicious, it soaks right in, and it heals so well.
3- My scrubby brush. I don’t even know the technical name for this thing, but it has made my skin brighter and more even because of its gentle exfoliation.
4- Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. I hate to admit I love this so much. I’m a big advocate for natural foundations, but this one has such a beautiful radiant finish, I can’t help but crave it. Gives your skin a healthy glow and covers all the uglies.
5- Urban Decay Naked Palette. So many universal neutral shades! Everything from super nude, so dark & glam. I use it almost daily.

There are so many products that I am thankful for, of course, but listing them all would take all day. And I have collard greens to cook! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

What’s In My Beach (makeup) Bag- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:00:30 +0000

This week I am heading to the beach for some seriously needed vacation time! But being at the beach means some crucial changes in my makeup routine. Here are my must haves for staying fresh on summer vacay.

1- Sunscreen. Duh. I use Alba Fragrance Free sunblock. It’s a natural product sure to keep the sun’s harmful rays at bay, without the worry of harsh chemicals.

2- ELF waterproof mascara. It’s pretty rare that we need waterproof mascara. But the beach is one of those times when it’s mandatory. Just don’t worry about spending a ton of money on it, since after your vacay you’ll probably chuck it anyway. You just need enough to coat your lashes, without looking overly glammed.

3- Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream. This eye color is ideal for those beachy nights, sitting on a restaurant deck with a cocktail. It gives you a bit of waterproof shimmery color that is virtually unmovable. I like #13 Warm Beige for day time and #2 Steel for night.

4- Cheek color is totally optional on the beach. Your skin should have a natural flush, so for some it may be overkill. But for others who can’t live without something gracing their apples, try Tarte Matte Waterproof Mineral Powder Bronzer. It gives a sunshiney glow, without the chunky sparkles found in many other bronzers. And, it’s waterproof!

5- Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain. A pop of color that doesn’t budge. Just make sure there is no dry skin on your lips before applying.

6- Beach hat and towel. I make sure to wear my big floppy hat to protect my face, and to look super cute. An extra hand towel is also handy to cover my face when I’m lying down and the hat is too large for comfort.

7- Kevin Murphy Hair Resort. Looking for perfect beach hair? This is it. Just scrunch it in when your hair is damp and viola! instant waves and a strong hold. No stringy mess here. And no need for hot tools. It also comes in a spray.

8- Extra ponytail holders. When a big wave sends you tumbling, you don’t want to be left with your hair all over the place. Bring some extra holders for a quick side braid when the water gets rough.

9- I really believe in letting your skin breathe when you are out on the beach with no foundations or powders. But if you do have a pesky zit pop up that absolutely cannot be seen in public, Makeup Forever Full Cover is a waterproof concealer that will hide that baby all day. Ideally though, you’ll let the clean air and salt water use its healing properties on your skin instead of trying to cover it up.

10- Water. Please stay hydrated! Heat stroke = not cute. So no matter how glamorous you look, the minute you get over heated, so amount of makeup will bring you back. So drink up!

I plan to return refreshed and full of sunshine! See you next week!

Boudoir Glam!- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:04:12 +0000

Ok ladies. You know you want to. You’ve pondered it and chickened out a few times. Your man would love it, but you’re kinda nervous. Well, I am here to tell you to DO IT! A boudoir shoot! Boudoir shoots are totally different from any other time you’ll have your picture taken. First of all, it’s about YOU. You can wear what you’d like. You can be sexy, flirty, prissy, dainty, raunchy, anything you feel like! Forget your “I’ve got back fat”, “My lips are too small”, ” I have Frodo feet” silliness, because all that will fall to the side and you will finish your shoot feeling amazingly empowered. And how would I know? Because I’ve been there:

Chris and Adrienne Scott are absolutely incredible photographers & people and they are offering an amazing deal on a Flaunt Session Marathon this June. These shoots make great gifts for hubbies, fiances, boyfriends, or just to remind you of how awesome you are. And besides, I’m doing the makeup for this marathon! Seriously, book that thing now or you’re going to miss an open spot for sure.

ps- thanks to Southall Eden for letting me run around the place nakie!

The Makeup Show Recap- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:48:11 +0000

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend The Makeup Show LA. This show is a trade show, complete with workshops and seminars specifically for makeup artists. It was definitely a jam-packed experience, so I’ll just recap a few highlights.
Obviously, the stars of the show were all the various product vendors. Any girl would have been in heaven with the abundance of colors and sparklies in that room. But there were some vendors that really stood out for me. Of course, there are my old favorites, Makeup Forever and Smashbox. Their products never fail me and I definitely spent a lot of time at their booths stocking up on their superstar items such as Smashbox’s Halo Powder and MUFE’s HD foundation. Some vendors I had not been introduced to before the show also impressed me. Bdellium brushes really stole my heart. Soft bristles, solid handles, and cruelty free! LA based Nigel’s Beauty Emporium also had a fantastic deal on eyelashes. And we all know what a fan I am of lashes!

The seminars were incredibly information and entertaining. In Lori Taylor’s “California Gold” seminar, she demoed some of Smashbox’s bronzing products and created a fantastic golden look. MUFE’s “HD for All” showed off their HD line, and explained the technology behind the products. And of course Michael Devellis did a wonderful job in “Marketing Your Career Now” of talking through some do’s and don’t of online marketing.

But the highlight of the weekend for me was meeting some of the makeup artists who truly inspire my work. Sharon Gault, who has worked with Uma Thurman & Madonna to name only a smidgen of her celebrity clientele, passed out plenty of hugs and encouraging words. James Vincent, producer of the show and incredible editorial/fashion makeup artist was around the whole weekend for questions. But I was lucky enough to meet the master himself: Billy b. * swoon * When I caught a glimpse of him, my knees went weak and the butterflies were creating a tornado in my gut. Billy b is currently Lady GaGa’s makeup artist. He has worked with Cindy Crawford, Keri Hilson, Sharon Stone, and so many other big names. Each look he creates is breathtaking and he is absolutely a genius. After about an hour of chickening out when attempting to introduce myself, I finally mustered up the courage and did, through a shaky voice. He was such a doll and I was so honored to be able to tell him how much I admire his work.

(Here is my creeper picture I snuck of Billy b. He’s the one in the glasses.)
The Makeup Show was excellent and I am so excited to bring home new tricks and ideas for future work. So brace yourselves for some pretty electrifying new work from this girl.

Christmas Goodies!- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:00:57 +0000

Ladies, we’re in love with products. So here is a new treat I came across that may just become your new favorite. A full size bottle of NeoStrata’s Foaming Glycolic Wash will be given to one random reader that comments below. This face wash promises to provide a super deep clean, without irritating. It has some pretty potent acids in it, such as glycolic acid which minimizes the appearance of the pores and reduces the development of pimples or blackheads, stimulates circulation to the skin, makes skin is more supple, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. So if you’re a beauty junkie, this is the contest for you! And I can’t wait to hear how you like it. So enter to win by leaving a comment below! Merry Christmas!

* I, in no way, am endorsing this product. I have not used this product personally, just thought it’d be a fun freebie!

Let them eat cake!- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:57:08 +0000

Come check out Cumb de la Crumb’s open house tonight! Yummy cake! How can you NOT come? Info here: Open house flyer

CoverBlend Review- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:20:29 +0000

I recently had the privilege to try some CoverBlend products out, thanks to my new friend, Michelle at The Neostrata Company. I quite enjoyed them and have integrated some into my personal routine.

Exxuviance Skin Caring Foundation- This foundation is very light. I didn’t care for it because it felt slightly watery. But it would work well for someone looking for a lighter liquid. It’s anti-aging and has an SPF 15!

CoverBlend Concealing Treatment Makeup- Nice coverage, but definitely not for the faint of heart. This stuff is heavier and for those who want to hide their imperfections. Has good staying power as well. And SPF 20!

CoverBlend Multi-Function Concealer- This was my fav. It has nice day to day coverage and is versatile. I’m used to using 2 concealers: one for eyes, one for zits. This one works well for both. It stays put and covers really well. I’m using it daily!

Summer Time Beauty- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:19:10 +0000

I spent a day at the beach last weekend and while there, was watching all the bikini clad girls laying out on their towels, lathering on sunscreen every half hour or so. I was doing the same and occasionally stepping knee deep into the water. It was an absolutely perfect beach day, with a cool breeze and right at 85 degrees. Beachy waves in hair, SPF on face, and aqua colored toes in sand. But not all summer days are so perfect. Here in Nashville, we can expect temperatures in the upper 90s during parts of the summer. So how is a girl supposed to maintain a perfectly summer look, in blasting heat and humidity?

Tip #1- forget the foundation. Your lovely full coverage matte foundation is no match for the 100 degree heat index. Unless you are doing constant touchups, it is going to get shiny and heavy pretty quickly. Besides, a heavy foundation just doesn’t say “summer”. Try a tinted moisturizer, such as Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer. Apply with a brush or finger tips. Not wanting to purchase a new product? Mix a drop of your normal foundation with your moisturizer and BLEND.

Tip #2- lip stain. You want your lips to have a hint of color, not a full matte lipstick. Lipstick is too heavy for summer and will not wear well with all that watermelon you’ll be eating. Try Tarte Natural Lip Stain. it has Sephora’s Natural Seal and comes in so many juicy colors.

Tip #3- waterproof mascara. I think this goes without explanation. Raccoon eyes are NOT cute. Even a cheap mascara like ELF Mascara Duo will get you through the summer smudge free.

Tip #4- cheeks. How gross is it to see pink streaky blush after you’ve been sweating at a cookout? Ugh. Try a cheek stain or cream blush. Just a small dab on the apples and blend up and out. Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush is a good try. If you want to indulge a bit, go for Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinish Blush: GREAT COLORS.

Keep things weightless and your summer look will carry you through until Labor Day. And remember your SPF!

Mario Badescu Review- Nashville Makeup Artist

Amy Lynn — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:27:00 +0000

So what exactly is a toner? Toners are used to make sure all the makeup, oil and dirt on your face comes off that is left behind after cleansing. Kind of like an extra rinse cycle. It is important. Here is why:

Gross. Don’t judge me.

All this would have been left on my face has I not used my toner. Marion Badescu sent me this one in my sample packet.

Special Cucumber Lotion- This is actually a toner, not a lotion. It’s bright yellow and it is used after the cleanser to get any crud that might have been missed during washing. Oddly enough this has Nonoxynol 9 in it, which was added to the market as a spermicide a few years back. It is supposed to help dry up acne without drying your face. It definitely helped get the remaining makeup off my face and it did not dry me out at all. I don’t know if it’s helping to dry up any existing pimples though.