Last weekend, I had the pleasure of playing make-up with a great friend and person, Jenn, in preparation for her engagement photos. Here are some stunning shots of the gorgeous bride-to-be! (...oh yes, and her groom-to-be Denny!)
Check out the talent behind the lens:
first image by Christopher Luk
second, third image by Claudia Hung

LOVE IT.

Q: Rhia, what's in your make-up kit? (...continued)
A: Now that we've dealt with the many products in my personal make-up kit for face and eyes, it's time to talk about what I use for the lips. This segment will likely be the shortest of the three, as I tend to focus my make-up efforts on the areas that need more attention - my skin and on my eyes.

Part III | What’s in My Make-up Kit: Lips
Here are my daily essentials for the lips in the order that I apply them:

LIP BALM

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1
I love this stuff - it's like crack for the lips. Or better yet - crack for lips that are cracked. I usually put this on right at the beginning of the my make-up routine to prep my lips for application later. You'll also catch me applying it throughout the day to keep my lips moisturized. I prefer the original non-scented version (why mess with a good thing?), but the product also comes in scented versions of Pear, Cranberry and Mint (which I believe are limited edition).

LIP LINER

Inglot Precision Lipliner #63
I made sure to stock up on this wonderful lipliner before Inglot closed, and now I'll have to go to Montreal to get it! The formula is creamy and doesn't pull at your lips when you're applying it. I usually line the lips just inside my natural lip line (no need to exaggerate these full puppies!). Then I take my lip brush and blend it inward towards the middle of the lips so it adds colour and acts as a base for the lipstick or lip gloss I apply atop of it.

LIPBRUSH

MAC Lip Brush
I use a retractable lipbrush from MAC that's been in my kit for a few years now. The lip brush is great for helping to build colour on the lips in a controlled manner. Make sure the brush gets cleaned frequently even if it is a brush you use strictly on yourself. The retractable brush can be more prone to contamination as usually it is still wet with product when it gets stored back into its container. Remember that the container is dark on the inside and with the wet brush, you have ideal conditions for bacterial growth if your brush is not taken care of properly. Make sure you wash/spray your brush appropriately and let it dry after each use to avoid any contamination.

LIPSTICK and LIPGLOSS
various from MAC and Inglot

Ok, so I've lost track of the lipsticks I use on myself. I usually take my lipsticks, chop them up and put them in a palette - that way I have the freedom of mixing and making my own colours right at the palm of my hand. I also can carry all my favourite shades with me wherever I go with the palette! My choice of lip colour usually leans more towards the lighter pink and/or peach side just so I can keep the look balanced with the rest of the face. As I usually focus more efforts on my eye make-up, a lighter lip adds balance and helps the make-up not look dated. Some of my lipstick faves are MAC Faux and MAC Brave while some of my lipgloss faves are Inglot Paints in #20 and #14.

Check back to see all installments of the What’s in my Make-up kit Series for:
Part I | What’s in My Make-up Kit: Face
Part II | What’s in my Make-up Kit: Eyes
Part III | What’s in My Make-up Kit: Lips
Part IV | Auto-Pilot

What do you use? Feel free to comment and tell me what make-up products work (or don’t work) for you!

I am thrilled to be contributing to Make-up Junkie, the successful brainchild of make-up artist and beauty writer, Joy David-Tilberg. Make-up Junkie is the go-to resource online for the "latest and greatest (and not so great) in beauty products, beauty products, pro makeup tips, the latest buzz in the beauty world" and so much more!

Check out Make-up Junkie to get your daily fix of beauty!

As posted on Make-up Junkie:

Friday, October 10, 2008
Makeup Junkie Welcomes New Writer Rhia!

Rhia's love for make-up began the fateful day her mom purchased her first lipstick when she was just 10 years old. "It was a god-awful colour--Maybelline Wild Berries to be exact--and I had no idea how to apply it. I'm sure that some days I walked around with a pink mustache!" But that didn't matter - that tube of hot pink lipstick would start off a continuous love affair for beauty products that remains with Rhia to this day!

In high school, Rhia frequently experimented with her own make-up and soon became the go-to person for doing make-up for family and friends. While in university, she started working part-time for various prestige make-up brands. Yet, even upon graduation in an unrelated field, Rhia still couldn't suppress her passion for make-up: she continued to freelance and work part-time with Inglot Cosmetics while starting her first real world full-time job within the financial industry. Recently, Rhia decided to build on her self-taught make-up techniques and completed a course through Ryerson to learn more about everything from bridal and glamour make-up to make-up for stage and special effects. Today, she continues her passion and freelance work through her site www.artistrhi.com while also working as Make-up Artist with a local salon. She is a proud volunteer with the wonderful organization Look Good Feel Better on a regular basis. When she's not freelancing or playing make-up, you can find her blogging on artistRhi or on Toronto Wedding Professionals.

I'm a makeup junkie because...you know you're addicted when you have so much make-up, but still can go out and spend on more without hesitation. Take me to Sephora and it's like sensory overload--I feel like a kid in a candy store! (and I really love candy...)

Gloss Girl of Lipstick Lady? Both! Depends on the look I'm aiming for, but I usually love lipstick topped with a hint of gloss. You'll find both in my purse.

One beauty product you absolutely can not live without? Umm...only one? Too many to choose from. I would say my eyelash curler, but it would be lonely without my mascara!

If you could be a muse who would it be for? I love the feminine sophistication of Valentino designs, but I also love the practical downtown chic of Michael Kors and Jil Sander.

Chocolate or sex? Chocolate! You can have it anytime (well, and be appropriate that is)!

What makes you smile? My family, my friends and being able to do what I love and see someone smile once it's all done.

Welcome Rhia! Stay tuned for more!