Glitter & Gold…

Hi Ladies!

The title of this post seriously explains my two favorite things, glitter and gold. I attended PHAME last weekend which was such a great experience if any of you live in the LA area you need to make a trip to it next year but don’t worry I have an entire post coming about the expo. Anyways while I was there I stopped by Makeup Geek to pick up some new pigments and more importantly ones that are ALWAYS sold out on their site. The first pigment I went for was Utopia (if you have seen this pigment then you understand why) then I got a few other more neutral colors but picked up one called After Glow on a whim. When I first swatched this color onto my hand I thought it was just going to be an everyday beige but this color really surprised me in a good way.

The Look:

Yesterday I decided to experiment with some new goodies like my gel liner from Inglot and my new pigment from Makeup Geek. I started with a neutral base for my eyes and a light crease color using all Makeup Geek shadows then I sprayed a flat concealer brush with Mac Fix + and applied the pigment After Glow onto my lids and let me just tell you…It was beautiful! This pigment has so many different colors packed into it but what really stands out when it is applied wet is the gold shimmer in it. This pigment was very easy to apply and did not flake off at all, I also did not have to put a color underneath it because it was so pigmented. I finished the look off with some dramatic eyeliner and lashes. I’ve really been trying to step out of my comfort zone recently when it comes to makeup so I’ve been forcing myself to use gel liner (I used to just use powder or a pencil). While I think gel liner can be a little too much for my eyes sometimes and I prefer the soft lines that my black shadow creates its been a nice transition from what I usually do. Another new thing that I have been trying if you have yet to notice is instead of cutting my lashes basically in half and applying them that way, I have been applying the entire strip which for me is scary every time I decide to it but I’ve been loving the results of this more right now. I have found that if I let the glue get really tacky and then apply them onto my real lashes (with no mascara on) they glide right on and I have no problems with them.

Let me know if you guys would like an entire product list and step by step also! 

XOXO

A Little Glamour…

Hi Ladies!

One of my favorite things to do is get all dressed up for a dinner and movie night with my boyfriend. I use these nights to experiment with some new products and styles of makeup. I wanted to show you guys my go to brown smokey eye and heavily contoured face (that seemed to not come up in photos). Products will all be listed below! 🙂 

EYES:

• I like to start with my eyes before the rest of makeup just because I tend to be messy and use tape to get a precise line and I don’t want to pull off any of my foundation and hard work I have already done on my face. 
• Prime: MAC Paint Pot in Painterly ( I put that on with a concealer brush and just blend it out with my finger, I usually put it from my lash line to my eyebrows.) 
• Set: I like to set that cream with just any cream shadow, I used my MAC Skin Finish in Light. 
• Crease: MUG Coco Bear ( I build it up and blend it in with a MAC 217, take your time with this shadow and really build it up). Then I take MUG Creme Brulee with the same brush and build up that color so I have a warm crease, it should be darker at this point and should really define your crease but you really just want to focus the colors in the outer part of your eye so put the brush there first and blend out whatever color you have left on your brush into the inner part of your eye. 
• Lid: Then I go into my Anastasia Lavish Palette and take the darkest brown shade that has shimmer in it and pack it onto my lids with a Sigma E55 brush. When I’m doing a smokey eye I like to use shimmer on the lid because it makes it more flirty and a little more soft, I am personally not a fan of an all matte eye. 
• Touch Up: I then go back in with my MAC 217 brush sometimes I have product on it (left over creme brulee) but this time I went in with it clean and just blended the shimmer color into the crease so there was no harsh lines. 
• Liner: Then I went in with Maybelline gel liner and a thin pencil brush from an art store. 
• Lashes: I started with DUO glue in Black and use the Ardell 419 Curvy lashes. 
• Brows: I used Anastasia Dip Brown in Auburn with her eyebrow brush and set them with her brown gel. 

FACE: 

• Prep: I started by moisturizing my face with the Philosophy Hope In A Jar for Dry Skin and Clinque Eye Cream
• Prime: I added just a tiny bit of the Tarte Flawless Primer to my skin just on my cheeks. 
• Contour & Highlight: I used my RCMA palette taking the white shade to highlight and the second darkest brown shade to contour around my face. I then took my beauty blender and just blender the edges of this into my skin. I applied this to my face using a flat concealer brush from Bare Minerals. 
• Foundation: I took my Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Foundation on my beauty blender and put the foundation lightly onto the areas I highlighted first and then blended it into the contoured area very lightly. 
• Extra Highlight: Since the concealer palette hide any dark circles or imperfections I then took my MAC Prep and Prime pen in Radiant rose and blended this into the areas I put the white concealer area for some extra highlight. 
• Set: I set my under eye with MAC Skin Finish (using the contour brush from real techniques) in Light and contoured area with Hoola Bronzer from Benefit (using a tapered brush from sigma)  and the rest of my face with Buff from BEN NYE (using a large powder brush from real techniques) 
• Contour: Taking a MAC 109 I used the Anastasia Contour Kit to contour my cheeks, forehead, and nose. 
• Blush: I used the tapered brush from Sigma again to apply a coral color from my BEN BYE Cheek Palette. 
• Powder: MAC soft & gentle, I used my finger. 

LIPS: 

• Prime: I started with Vaseline about 30 min before. 
• Liner: Lined my lips with MAC Strip Down and colored them in lightly with the liner also.
• Gloss: Urban Decay Liar 

A little Recognition…

Hi Ladies! 

If you follow makeup channels on YouTube, you most likely are aware of the most popular YouTube faces out there right now. After I found that I ran out of Jacklyn Hill videos to watch I started searching things like contouring and highlighting, after doing this I came across a very talented YouTube face that deserves a lot more publicity and viewers. Her channel is Shonagh Scott on YouTube and she focuses on a lot of cream highlighting as well as cream contouring. After getting my RMCA concealer palette a few months ago I found that it was just sitting in my makeup collection but I was never actually picking it up to use it but after watching Shonagh’s videos the entire highlighting and contouring concept was so much easier to understand… You should be aware though that she is doing more dramatic heavy looks so she is using the concealer to contour and highlight on her face and then she applies foundation over top of that layer and then adds powders. While her channel may not be for the everyday girl looking to do some light bronzing, it is worth checking out because she will teach you some very basic tips about where you should be laying the highlight and bronzer and from there you can modify it to your liking. I love her videos too because unlike a lot of other YouTubers she uses a lot of the same products so if you wanted to invest in what she is using not only is it not very expensive but you know that you would really be putting that product to use over time. If you are not interested in her contouring and highlighting videos then skip to the middle and watch her do her eye shadow because it looks flawless every time. She is so talented and you will really be missing out if you don’t check out her blog. 

 

xoxo

 

Skin Care 101: The Importance & Confusion of Toners

Hi Ladies!

When you start to get a little older and realize the importance of a great skincare routine there are a few items that you simply can not live without. You need to start with a good face wash (I made a post a few days ago about face washes, see skincare), toner, moisturizer, spot treatments, eye cream, etc. When I talk about having a good skincare routine with some of my friends they all seem to be missing a toner. Toners have a bad reputation most people think they will dry you out, they are too harsh, or people just think that they are not necessary and they really don’t make a difference. I can not tell you enough how important a toner is in your life…

If you are using a toner correctly within your skincare routine you will notice a serious difference in your skin. Toners will make your skin more radiant, smooth, and glowing. Depending on the type of toner you are using also, they can help you fight acne, help with anti-aging, and help hydrate. The basic function of a toner is to restore your skin’s pH balance after washing your face with soap which can take the pH levels of your skin down to levels that are bad for your skin but by using a toner regularly you will constantly restore the balance which is where you get the amazing affects on your skin. It’s important to remember though that just like face washes, there are different kinds of toners that will work best with different skin types. In this post I chose to focus on toners that had great reviews and you could find on the internet so that everyone has access to them, remember that these are only recommendations you can take the tips I give you and find a toner from another brand if you would like. 

Oily & Blemish Prone Skin: 

• If you have oily or blemish prone skin you need to be extra careful when looking for toners but it’s also crucial for you to be using a toner. When you are looking for a toner you should know that choosing a toner that states that it is going to help stop oiliness or help with acne is not one that you want to use. Often times, choosing a toner that states it will make you less oily or that it will help with your acne will actually irritate you skin more and make the blemishes worse because of the harsh ingredients within them (alcohol, witch hazel, and menthol). Using a toner like this will cause your skin to become more oily at the base of the pore, cause more redness, and it is likely to cause you acne to be worse. Instead, look for toners that can help smooth and soothe your skin. You want to find a toner that will help repair your skins surface, reduce the size of pores, and contain cell communication ingredients that can help train your pores into handling the excess amount of oil that your skin is producing. 
• Acne Prone Skin Toner: Stark Skin Care White Willow Bark Perfecting Toner ($20). This is a great toner because of the natural ingredients like willow bark which is actually a natural form of salicylic acid (an acid that helps fight acne and exfoliate the skins surface). 
• Oily Skin Toner: Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner ($25). This toner is also great because it is made with palmetto which is a berry that actually helps the cells manage the excess oil that your skin is creating without becoming overly dry. 

Dry & Sensitive Skin: 

• If you have dry skin you probably understand the fear in using a toner because a lot of toners contain acids that can dry your skin out and make it look dull, with the right toner though it will make your skin look plump and healthy. When it comes to sensitive skin, you understand the importance of being careful with the ingredients in your skincare products because a lot of the artificially added ingredients can cause you to become irritated and the acids can make your skin very red. If you are using the right toner though, you will notice that your skin is moisturized, not flaky, and less red and all the while being soothed. When choosing a toner you for dry skin you want to remember to stay away from salicylic acid and alcohol that is added into toners. If you have sensitive skin then you want to focus on choosing a toner that has some kind of calming affect like chamomile and aloe vera but also taking ingredients into consideration like staying away from harsh acids and alcohol. 
• Dry Skin Toner: NARS Multi-Action Hydrating Toner ($38). This is an awesome toner because it has a non drying formula that keeps your skin parched all day and it also acts as a primer for your makeup. 
• Sensitive Skin: LUSH Breath of Fresh Air (100ml for $9.95). This is an awesome option because not only does it come in an easy spray bottle (which I love) but it also has aloe vera in it which can help to lock in the moisture of your skin, the seaweed extract in this toner also helps soothe your skin and make your skin very smooth. 

Combination Skin:

• If your skin is more oily on the forehead and chin but you tend to have more dryness on your cheek area then you have normal skin (combination skin). With this skin type you need to make sure that you are using the perfect toner for your skin because if you use one that is to harsh you will dry out your skin (which will cause breakouts and you to become more oily). You want to focus on finding toners that are more detoxifying, hydrating, and create a smooth skin surface. One main ingredient that is awesome for your skin is rose, whether you use it in rose water or a rose toner your skin will love this because it is not an overall hydrating ingredient but it is also not an acid so you don’t need to worry about your oily production. Rose is just a detoxifying ingredient that will help to reveal healthy glowing skin. 
• Combination Skin: Odacité Divine Rose & Neroli Balancing Toner Mist ($45). This a super easy and great toner. When you spray it onto your face you get this immediate refreshing feeling, the rose water within it is also super soothing so your face will look less red and more smooth. 
• Combination Skin: Crawford Street Skin Care Rose Geranium Toner ($15). A more affordable option is a Canadian product which helps to balance the surface of your skin through rose water. Your skin will appear less oily and glowing. 

 

XOXO

Foundation Dupe…

Hi Ladies!

I had this notion in my mind for a long time that high-end products work better, last longer, and are better quality than drugstore products (when it comes to makeup). I started to find that while there was a VERY obvious difference between some high-end products and drugstore products there were also a few that were very similar and you would not need to go spend a ton of money for makeup. Let’s be honest, when it comes to putting something on my face like foundation, lotions, and concealers I really don’t mind paying extra for something that I know is… 

1. Not tested on animals
2. Lasts long
3. Designed without sulfates or parabens 
4. Organic
5. Sometimes gluten free

There are some things that you really should not skimp on just because of the price. With this being said I know a lot of people still want the option to spend a less at the drugstore for makeup and I think I have one product that everyone is going to love…

Comparison between the Revlon Color Stay Whipped Foundation & Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Foundation

First off the Revlon Color Stay Whipped Foundation. Revlon states, “Finally, truly decadent makeup offers ultimate performance. The mousse-like texture feels like silk on your skin. And, the time release formula balances skin for a flawless look. All day flexible wear without flaking, caking or feeling heavy.” This foundation is just that. It comes in a small pot (which I think is one of the flaws because of the cleanliness of the item) but you would simply scoop out some of the product with a brush or your finger and go from there. I like to use a foundation brush (any brand or style that I bought to use specifically for this) and scoop the product onto a makeup plate (you could use the back of your hand, back of a clean eye shadow palette, whatever) I then take a flat top Kabuki brush to first lay the product evenly all over my face and then go back in with my damp beauty blender to thin out the foundation and make it look airbrushed. I found that this foundation lasted all day and gave myself a matte finish. Although I don’t mind matte especially in my T-Zone, I would add a little illuminater to the product next time I used it. If you have dry skin (especially in the winter time) it’s a great idea to use a cream foundation because it adds a lot of cushion to your skin and some hydration through the cream. When you apply a liquid foundation sometimes it will settle into any flakey areas of your face whereas a cream will completely camouflage that area. A few good points about the foundation… 

• Did not feel like I was wearing a drugstore foundation at all
• Felt really creamy on the skin
• Easy to blend
• Good color selection at the store
• No fragrance
• Did not look cakey
• Only had to touch-up a little on my cheeks during the day
• Made my blush and bronzer glide on
• Concealer looked great with it.  
•  Powder also glided onto my skin when I set the foundation

   

  **SKINCARE TYPE: This product is apart of their color stay line which means that it is formulated to last a lot longer and to be almost water proof so when you want to remove this product it’s important to remember that you can not use just a basic cleanser, instead you need to double cleanse at least or use an exfoliating cleanser because this product will really sink into your skin. 

   

  Next is the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Foundation: 

  I have been using this foundation for a little over four months now so I have really used it at different points in my skin experience (when I have been more dry or more oily) and I have found that this foundation really withstands a lot. Whether you have dry skin or oily skin this foundation will truly last you all day long. One thing that I really like about this foundation is that it comes in a squeeze bottle so its a lot less messy and you don’t have to worry about spreading germs throughout your makeup products. I usually just squeeze some onto the back of my hand, add some illuminater and buff it onto my face with a flat top kabuki brush, then I go back in with my beauty blender to make sure that everything is seamless. This foundation really glides onto the skin and makes your skin look perfect, its one of those foundations that you would reach for during “that time of the month” because it is full coverage but it does not make your imperfections look cakey, it simply erases them. I have not had any problems when using this with either my MAC Pro Long Wear conceal or also my Tarte Concealer, both really glide onto the skin and do not separate or crease during the day. This is a foundation that I find I barely need to touch up with and I would choose this foundation on a day I know I will be taking photos, moving around a lot, or it will be hot. 

   

  Overall: 
  I think that both foundations are great but you can get away with buying the $15 Revlon Foundation instead of the almost $40 Tarte Foundation. Both are so similar it’s hard to say which one is better. I think that I will continue to use my Tarte Foundation until it runs out and then switch to the Revlon Foundation. You are going to get the same finish, same all day feel, same lasting power, and overall same quality with both products so I say…save your money and go to the drugstore!

   

   

   

   

   

What’s The Deal With Primers?

Hi Ladies!

Recently I started the task of trying to find a perfect primer one that truly did everything it said it would and would live up to the expectations that I had. To start, my initial belief is that I need a primer. My skin is dry but it also gets oily in my T-Zone during the day. For some reason almost every primer that I have used has inevitably broken my makeup in certain parts of my face and made my face look worse with makeup than it does without. I started thinking, do I actually need a primer? Are they worth the extra $40 and time in the morning? If you follow Jacklyn Hill on YouTube you know that she does not use a face primer, just a good moisturizer and goes from there and her makeup looks flawless on and off camera. She said that as long as you treat your skin well then you should have no problem simply applying foundation straight to your face. Thinking back to middle school and early high school years, I never used primer or did I know anything about it, it wasn’t until magazines and make-up counters started saying that women NEED it. Over my hunt for the perfect primer I had a lot more bad skin days then I did good.

I started the hunt a few months ago when I started using Hourglass Veil, the primer seemed to glide onto my face and give me a very airbrushed finish. I started developing some intense blemishes quickly after using the primer (and a few new skincare items) so I changed it immediately. I then started using the Benefit Porefessional Primer which honestly is one I always seem to find myself going back to. If you have yet to try the primer, it gives you the most flawless silky skin and I always found that my skin looked best an hour after my foundation had been sitting on it. It was when it got to the fifth or sixth hour that my skin was almost peeking through, I was oily and blotchy, and extra touch-ups just made my skin look worse. Basically this primer did not last long at all. So I set out to find a primer that gave me the same immediate results as the Benefit Porefessional Primer but just lasted longer. So I tried the Too Faced Primed and Poreless Pure primer which was formulated without oil for sensitive skin. This primer to say the least was a waste of money, I was better off with my Benefit primer. Lastly, I rediscovered an old favorite, the Smashbox Photo Finish primer. As I am writing this post I am currently wearing the primer and asking myself why in the world I am. The primer broke up my makeup almost immediately with two different foundations and made my skin look like I literally caked on my makeup. If I could wash it off now without destroying the hard work I’ve done on my liner I would.

So now I am left to return the Smashbox primer and go back to the racks to find a new one… Some of you may say that I am expecting to much from a primer to withstand the wind, sweat, and sun for up to 10 hours but let’s be real I put on my makeup in the morning to last me ALL day… I don’t have time to come home between work or school and wash off my hard work, PLUS thats another four or five pumps of foundation that I am wasting…

If you guys have any suggestions for the next primer I should try just let me know!

XOXO