Tag Archives: Sephora

Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I had the opportunity this weekend to make an appointment with and interview my friend Maxwell Leclerc.

For those of you that don’t know, Maxwell is a makeup artist, who studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and he is a Beauty Adviser/Color Expert for Sephora in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. You can find Maxwell on Instagram here.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

My questions will be in italics and all of his answers are his own words. We decided it would be amazing for him to do a makeup look on me, using his absolute must have products. There are pictures from that session, interspersed through the interview.

 How long have you been doing makeup, and what got you started?
I’ve been working in cosmetic medium for approximately 5 years, but I have spent my entire lifetime exploring the beauty and aesthetics of women since I can remember. I specifically remember seeing a Playboy at age 3, and that must be where the interest stems from. My grandfather was an artist and his home was filled with sculptures and paintings of the nude femme body. I was obsessed… The hair, the makeup, the flesh. I also recall my mother wearing incredibly stunning and dramatic makeup throughout most of my childhood and teens. I always just wanted to somehow capture and create work that represented my strong affection towards beauty and women. My primary work as an illustrator has always been faceted by strong ideals of beauty and sexuality, so it is entirely inherent that I became a makeup artist.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I’ve seen some of your paintings on Instagram and they’re gorgeous, how long have you been painting?
I have been painting since I was a child. The Little Mermaid was my first dose of inspiration. All my stick figures had red hair! In High School I won a national Scholastic award for a series of 27 illustrations I did from Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’urbervilles, and then attended the Art Academy for 4 years. Once I realized I wanted to do makeup full time I dropped out right before graduation and my true pursuit of  beauty began to blossom.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

What other Artists are you inspired by?
So many! I’ve always been inspired by the work of Alberto Vargas, Aubrey Beardsley, Eduard Manet, Halston, and McQueen of course… These artists’ aesthetic of beauty have gravely influenced how I’ve shaped my own.

As a Makeup Artist, what are some of your must have products?
Must haves: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Make Up For Ever Smokey Extravagent Mascara, Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes shadow pencil in ME-54, urban decay Naked 3, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, Nars contour Bronzer Duo in Olympia, Hourglass femme rouge velvet cream lipstick, makeupforever aqua lip liner, and Marc Jacobs Lust for Lacquer lip gloss.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

Products shown and used: Nars Radiance Enhancing Pro Prime, Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Makeup Forever Aqua Matic in ME54, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eyeliner in Jazzberry, Urban Decay Naked Three Palette the colors:Strange, Buzz and Trick, Darkside, Marc Jacobs Full Coverage Creamy Concealer in Awake, Makeup Forever HD Setting Powder in Translucent, Nars Blush in Unlawful, Nars Bronzer in Olympia, Nars Highlighter in Albatross, Makeup Forever Rouge Artist in #22 Pink Peach, Marc Jacobs Lust for Laquer in 306 Sweet Escape, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara in Black

 

Of course, since this is a Fashion Blog at heart, what is your go to outfit for when you’re running late?
When I’m running late I like to combine something comfortable with something chic. An easy look is best to relieve anxiety of already being late so I like to wear a wife-beater with a cool blazer and a pair of jeans or running sweats.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

And finally I know you’re a movie buff, what is your must watch movie list?
Melancholia, Under the Skin, Nymphomaniac and Matilda

And here’s the final look:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

and outside in the daylight:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I plan to buy everyone of the products that he used that I don’t currently have. They’re amazing. And a very sincere thank you to Maxwell for agreeing to this crazy interview. It’s rare you get to work with someone who’s not only talented, but incredibly intelligent as well.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

 

Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

It’s been a while since I bought any new nail stuff, but a couple weeks ago Zoya was having their 3 free sale, where you only pay shipping. At the same time that was going on I ran out of both my top coat and base coats so I decided to try something new.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

From Sephora I bought the Formula X top coat and base coat

Fashion and Happy Things!   Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

and I also picked up A little Sexy because it was on sale for $5

Fashion and Happy Things!   Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

admittedly I should have just paid $3 more and gotten their system, but hindsight is 20/20. Next time though.

Then from Zoya I picked up 3 gorgeous colors;

Fashion and Happy Things!   Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

I think these are from the Tickled and Bubbly collection

I picked out Muse:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

Binx:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

and Wendy:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Zoya and Sephora Formula X Haul

Binx is probably my favorite, because of the name. Hocus Pocus is probably one of my favorite movies, and Thackeray Binx is my absolute favorite Character.  Howl was very close to being named Thackeray, but Howl suited him better. I picked out Wendy because melon colors get me everytime, and it looked similar to one that Fleur had recently had in her favorites. And Muse got picked because as my husband says ” They’re a really good band”. I wasn’t kidding when I said I sometimes buy and wear polishes because of their names.

I forgot how much I loved Zoya nail polishes and am really looking forward to buying some more of them in the near future.

 

 

Happy July 4th and Krassandco Haul

I ordered these shorts specifically to wear today on Sunday night and they arrived yesterday and I’m so excited!

Fashion and Happy Things!   Happy July 4th and Krassandco Haul

Top: Home Made 4th of July T-Shirt. Shorts: Krass and Co. Shoes: Converse.

These are probably my new favorite shorts, they’re even better than my Under Armour shorts. They’re so comfortable and the details are so cute.
Like the Lobsters:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Happy July 4th and Krassandco Haul
And the label being flipped so you can roll them.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Happy July 4th and Krassandco Haul

And they stay rolled which makes me happy because I have trouble getting anything like that, yoga pants, soffe shorts, to stay rolled.

I also thought I’d do a quick things I’m loving for the fourth.

1. As you can see I got my hair cut. I’m not a huge fan of it round brushed the way it is there but I love it curled.

2. Boom Clap from TFIOS soundtrack is seriously my song of summer. I’m so obsessed.

3. Still obsessing over my emi-jay hair ties. They’re all I’ve used for 2 years. I’ll be putting my hair up in a red one at some point today I’m sure.

4. Sephora formula x nail polish. I was mad they discontinued the Sephora by OPI, so I avoided this line. But I caved and am wearing formula x’s a little sexy. I’m in love.

5. Sparklers. They’re my favorite part of the 4th and I can’t wait til tonight! We bought a ton of them.

P.s. I know my shirt has to many stripes, my son made it for me though so I’m wearing it anyway. We used this Idea from Pinterest.

What I got for Mother’s Day

I love presents.

How selfish of me right? But I do. I love presents for  holidays, I love presents for anniversaries, I love presents for no reason. I just really love presents. Maybe it’s because my husband and son get me the best presents ever.

A while ago, I was shopping in Sephora and I had my son with me. I must have swatched a million products and said I was in love with everything. But there was one product I really wanted and couldn’t justify. My son, who was only 7 years old at the time, pulled aside an employee and asked her to write down the name.

 

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

He got me the Hourglass Ambient Lighting blush in Luminous Flush. I’m obsessed with the one he picked out. It has more of the pink color than the highlighter in it, which is perfect since I want to use it as a daily blush.

I may have mentioned that I always make a list for my husband. It’s a very detailed list with color, sizes links and any coupon codes. At the top of my list this year was workout gear. But he got me Keds instead.

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

Specifically the Coral Gingham Keds that I once saw Taylor Swift wearing and randomly said that I really loved those shoes.

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

 

And I’m so in love with them. Even more so that he paid attention to me and remembered that I really wanted those particular ones. Since my ankle is messed up I can’t wear them yet, but I can’t wait until I can! I plan on doing a wishboard on how I plan on styling them very soon.

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

I know I mentioned I would post a what I wore for mother’s day. However the photos didn’t turn out. We got some good ones of me and my son (which I’m not posting for his privacy) and a really great one of Howl.

Fashion and Happy Things!   What I got for Mothers Day

It’s definitely a win.

A Little Luxury

Every once in a while I buy something just for the luxury of it. Something that’s just lovely to use, and there’s no real need for it, except it’s nice and it makes you feel good to use it.

This haul is a result of one of those times.

Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury

I went to Sephora, had a super quit chat with Maxwell, a couple weeks ago and picked up this Dior polish and one of the YSL Gloss Voluptés

Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury

This polish is gorgeous. The wear time isn’t outstanding, but the color makes up for it. And the name Bouquet makes it flawless for spring. I’m completely happy with it.

Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury

But this is my favorite. I went in looking for a lipgloss, and even though he was busy, Maxwell escorted me to the YSL section to look at these. YSL lip products are my weakness and I instantly fell in love with 3 shades. Since $90 worth of lipgloss would have been a bit much, I asked Maxwell to help me choose and we settled on Grenade Pépite. It’s a gorgeous watermelon pink that is flawless for spring and summer. I’ll have a full review on it soon, because I adore it.