Tuesday, May 8, 2012

5 Easy Fix Its for, 5 Makeup Mistakes We Have All Made.

So, you are getting ready to go out. Your almost done when your roomie calls out "Shots!" right as you are applying your mascara. Now you're left starting at yourself in the mirror with a huge black spot under your eye.
 What are you going to do now?

Don't panic!! 

With these fast fix-its to the most common 5 makeup mistakes any girl can make, you will be out the door and ready for the night in no time!



“I PUT ON TOO MUCH FOUNDATION!”

This is a very common mistake that we all make when we put on makeup. If you are totally made up, to take off any excess foundation, do the following:
• Lightly moisten a clean sponge with water (the sponge should be almost dry and without any makeup residue) and sponge all of your face with downward movements.
TIP: It’s very important, most of all, to avoid excess foundation and concealer around the eyes. To eliminate any excess in this area, perform the same step and afterwards use your fingertips to softly blur the product in that area.

"MY EYESHADOW LOOKS TOO DARK!”

• If it happened on your upper eyelid, blur the eyeshadow toward the edges with a clean brush to reduce the color. If it still looks very dark, apply a little bit of matte cream eyeshadow with a brush (if you don’t have cream eyeshadow, you can use translucent powder) and blur the eyeshadow.
• If it happened on the lower part of your eye, use a fine, clean brush to blur, or pat it softly with a Q-tip.
• If as you were blurring, you’ve left the contour of the eyelid and the shadow looks very dark, blur it with a clean sponge and afterwards apply a little bit of foundation, patting lightly to fix the foundation.

“I PUT ON TOO MUCH BLUSH!”

• Stroke your cheek with a thick, loose powder bush—the brush should be completely clean. If you still have too much blush on, apply translucent or clear powder with the same brush, just over the blush. That way the two powders should mix, clarifying the original color.

“I’VE PUT TOO MUCH MAKEUP ON MY EYEBROWS!!”

Too much makeup on the brows can make you look harsh and mad. That is no way to look for the night!!
• Brush the eyebrow with a clean Q-tip, going against the grain of your eyebrow. You will see how quickly the color you initially applied disappears.

“I SMEARED MASCARA ON MY EYELID!”

• Continue applying makeup and when you have finished, allowing enough time for the mascara to dry, apply a Q-tip right over the smudge. You’ll see how it quickly disappears and you don’t need to remove the makeup from your whole eye.
TIP: A good trick to avoid smudging yourself is applying makeup first to your inferior eyelashes and then to the superior.


So, just follow those tips and you won't end up looking like you did your makeup in the dark!!























Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A Sun Kissed Glow: Best Bronzer

Summer is fast approaching but, with the weather still not warm enough to tan and us students being too broke to fake bake each day, our only hope is our old friend...Bronzer!

 I want to be sure that all my followers look like bronzed goddesses or gods (if any of you guys are into this sort of thing!). So, I searched far and wide to bring you the Top 3 Best Bronzers for Any Buck!


$$$ MAC Bronzer...$50.00
 This bronzer is of course, worth the money. The coverage is amazing the compressed powder is fine and the shades that they come in match any skin tone. But, the bronzer does go quickly! So, if you are making the investment be sure that you are going to be able to buy another quickly. 
Can be bought online, or at your local MAC counter.)


$$ BareMinerals Bronzer...$20.00 
Of course my personal favorite is the BareMinerals bronzer. The powder is great and lasts all day, the tones are good but some might be too dark on a fairer face. So, add a little at a time...which can also help you conserve the product and make it last longer.
(Can be bought online, or at a BareMinerals store.)



$ Rimmel London Bronzer...$5.00
Lately I have been too broke to order a new BareMinerals bronzer so, I chose my oldie but goodie fall back. The Rimmel bronzer is cheap but the powder is really smooth and it lasts a long time. The tones of the bronzer are not as dark as some might like but, for a fair or slightly tan face it can really enhance your glow. It is a great and cheap product.
(Can be bought at any Drug Store)

 $ CoverGirl TruBlend Minerals Bronzer...$5.00
This bronzer is not for your face! It has way too much shimmer and color in it to be anywhere but your neck, arms, or anywhere else that needs a nice glow for the night. This loose powder lasts (I swear!) for a year...if you don't dump half of it onto your floor like me...oops. The shine is a great contouring trick to make your features stand out and enhance your already glowing appearance. Apply with a big brush and again, A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY. (we don't need anyone looking like a valley girl!)
(Can be bought at any Drug Store)



With bronzer you want to be sure that you follow a few key tips when applying, so you don't end up looking like you sneezed into the loose powder and decided to leave it on your face! 

Here are my "Top Tips"
  • DO apply in layers, you want to see how the tone will match with your natural skin color. Adding too much at once can cause uneven application and an unnatural skin color!
  • DO use a Bronzer Brush...any one will do. You do not need an expensive brush! 
  • DO contour your cheeks and anywhere the sun hits your face an neck for a outline of your features that will just make everything POP!
  • DON'T use shimmery bronzer for your face. It will make you look oily and the shimmer will clump in creases in your face causing lines.
  • DON'T pick a color that is much darker than your natural skin tone. Go up about 1 or 2 shades higher, having a tan face and pale body is a pretty bad give away. 
Sample Bronzer Brush:

















Obsessed with: Vaseline



Okay, so I know that this product has been around since my grandmother was a youngin'. But, I swear to god this stuff really is the best old time remedy and beauty product that anyone can own. For around $3.00 at any drug store you can pick up a tub of Vaseline that you can use for at least a year (a little goes a long way!) for anything and everything beauty you can think of....

So, here is the list of uses for Vaseline! :)
 
  • It makes your eyelashes grow:  Lather Vaseline all over your eyelashes overnight and watch them thicken, even without a prescription!  
  • To Soften dry and cracked elbows.Dry cuticles: Store a mini-Vaseline container in your purse and utilize for emergency dry cuticle moments.
  • For kissable, luscious lips: Fall is a beast for drying out summary, dewy lips. Vaseline is there for you and  your irresistible pout. You can also mix Vaseline with Kool-Aid powder and make a colored (and flavored) lip gloss.
  • To Help your scent stay: Softly rub Vaseline all over your perfume points (i.e. the cleavage, behind the ear, neck, and wrist) and your scent will last longer!
  • It is a misconception that Vaseline clogs pores, so smear it all over your face, neck and arms for softer skin.
  • Lipstick Smudges: Spread a little Vaseline over your teeth and lipstick smudges be gone!
  • To remove last night’s battlefield makeup: Apply some to a Q-tip and have a pretty day.
  • Perfect for an eye-shadow/blush boost: Apply some under your eye shadow for a glossy affect. Apply on the apples of your cheeks for a dewy glow. Mix with lipstick for a cream blusher!
  • It eases eyebrow plucking: Tame your eyebrows and lube up the under-skin so you can pluck with ease.
  • Prevent hair dye from seeping onto your forehead: Softly dab all over your hairline and keep that box hair dye from dying your forehead the color of your new hairdo.
  • To make your accessories look brand spankin’ new: New job interview? Scuff the crap-ole-la out of your patent leather heals thanks to pitcher night? Put a small dab on your shoes and shine away!
  • Hide Split Ends: Haven’t had a haircut since your budget only allows you go to Great Clips for a quickie? Hide damaged ends with a small amount on your ends.
  • Remove makeup stains for your clothes. Dab a little with a damp cloth.
  • To Prevent spray-tan streaks: Rub all over the backs of your knees, ankles and hands to prevent seriously frightening spray tan lines.
  • To get those O.P.I. nail polish bottles open: Is it just me or do I always try to get those babies open after I shower. Make it easier for next time and rub Vaseline under the cap. Then go ahead and do a D.I.Y manicure.
  • It’s your new exfoliating body wash: Mix with sea salt and come out of the shower feeling soft, and sexy.
  • Remove false eyelash glue from your lash line.
  • Can be used to smooth and soothe skin after shaving.
  • Lubricates ear lobes and helps to make earring insertion easy and painless.
 
Oh, and if you hate the way petroleum jelly smells, Vaseline has just come out with a CoCoButter scented tub that is amazing smelling. You will swear you are in the tropics because of the richness! 



Wednesday, April 11, 2012

A POP of Color!

Another great thing about Spring is all the new colors that the weather brings! In order to be prepared for this, you need to get on this amazing trend...Colored lined eyes. You can use either a liner or a powder shadow (which ever you prefer!) to pull off this look. Here are some great tips and photos to get you started and inspire your look!

Tips:
  • If you are using a powder though, you want to be sure to wet the tip of your liner brush before dipping it in the shadow to define the line and make the color more bold.
  • Great for day or night, colors are an awesome way to make your eyes pop and match that top you have been dying to wear!
  • The colors can be worn on the top or bottom lash line for a great contour for your eyes.
  • Don't forget the mascara! It can pull the whole look together!
Colors:












I'm About to Make You Blush!

Cheeky!!!

So, the best thing you can wear is your smile. But, sometimes we want to enhance out smile a little. Makeup is the best way to do that. However, if you are looking to enhance it with a great glow, blush is the way to go!

This is no longer your grandmother's plum or rouge blush....the colors we have for today's world are here to give you that 'just flushed" look. Its flirty and fun, you can mix up colors and change them with your color pallet. But, here are my person favorites and all the information you need to grab your self some blush and get glowing!

Tips:
  • Light colors are easy to apply because you can layer them to be darker or lighter. This makes it easy to not add too much blush at one time. You don't want to look embarrassed all day!
  • To apply blush smile big! And then with a blush brush sweep up the apples of your cheeks and up your cheek bones to highlight the contour of your smile. People will notice your glow!
  • Adding a shimmer blush to any blush color can add a nice highlight to your cheekbones for a night look. The shimmer will play off of any light no matter how dim of a place you are in. This shimmer will just add a whole new glow!

*Colors:

Coral; "Peaches" by MAC Cosmetics...$$23.00

***Great daytime blush, adds a cute flush to any skin tone! Looks amazing with a tan!***






 Shimmer; "Bubbles" Sephora Cosmetics...$$13.00

***amazing for a natural highlight or blend!***


 Hot Pink; "Flowers" BareMinerals...$$19.00
***Great "flushed" look, can go daytime or night time!***

 

 Light Pink; "Pop" BareMinerals...$$19.00
***easy to apply less or more of, for a great warm glow!***









Obsessed with: Maybellne BabyLips

Okay, so the new trend this spring is Tinted Lip Balm! It has been around for a while but, there is a new product out there that caught my eye and has started a almost cult following with makeup snobs everywhere. I'm talking about Maybellne's new product BabyLips.



This product is an amazing conditioning lip balm mixed with fun tints that can really add a lot of color to your day. The best part about this lip balm is that it colors like a lipstick but conditions like a lip balm. It won't crack, it won't dry out your lips. It just stays and has great color. Add layers for more color or just one quick swipe for sheer color. And for those of you who don't want the color but love the balm, it comes in a sheer pink or clear formula just for the conditioning.  I have the Hot Pink tint and I LOVE IT!

Price is 2.99 at most drug stores!! 

Tint Colors:

Mascara: A MUST!

So, its not hard to know the basics of putting on make up. And one of the very essential pieces of that puzzle is MASCARA! Honestly, I love mascara. I own about five to eight tubes of it at any given time from varying brands. But, I thought that I would share with you my favorite brands and what they are best at doing for your lashes. I also have the link posted on where to buy each mascara after its title!

Best Overall: One by One; Maybellne
Price: ($) 8.15
What it Does: Separates the lashes with a rubber brush, so each lash gets the most color for a great every day eye that won't smudge or look too dramatic!








Best Length: Volume Express; Maybellne 
                                      OR
                     Voluminous; L'Oreal
Price: ($) Both around 8.00
What they Do: Though both titles of the mascara's say "volume" they actually work best as lengtheners. The fiber that is mixed in with each mascara formula clings to the end of lashes as you swipe to add a "fake lash look". Great for going out, and having a flirty look on eyes. Also great for people with shorter lashes!


















Best Waterproof: Colossal Lash; Maybellne 
Price: ($) 8.00
What it Does: We all need a waterproof mascara. Its allergy season, eyes are watery. We don't need runny mascara when we go out at night. This works great as almost a top coat for your other mascaras. When applied over a favorite mascara, it will create a shell that won't mess with the coat you just put on but will ensure that the only time it will wash off, is when you need it to!








Best Drama: Dior Show; Dior
                            OR
                    Million Lashes; L'Oreal
Price:($$) Dior; 25.00
         ($) L'Oreal, 9.00

What they Do: So, you can either go high end or drug store for this mascara. They both work equally well so the choice is in the price. But, if you really want an amazing lash I would splurge on the Dior! They create volume and length to add dimension to any eye. It should only really be worn at night though, the drama and volume is a lot for a day time look.



















Best Volume: BadGal Big Lash; Benefit
                                 OR
                     Big Lash; Maybellne
Price: ($$) Benefit, 19.00
          ($) Maybellne, 6.50
What they Do: Again, you can choose to either splurge or go drug store here. But, I love love love BadGal and the volume that the large brush creates. Each mascara has an extra large brush in it. This grabs every lash and brings them up and to their FULLEST potential. Great for a date night, dinner with the girls, or a drink at the bar.








Sunday, March 11, 2012

Nifty: How to Clean your Make-up Brushes like a Pro.

This may sound like an extra task and something that isn't even necessary but, every smart girl knows that a clean brush leads to a better application. I don't love to share make-up but, living with 3 girls and owning a huge make-up collection it is going to happen. I am not a huge germ-a-phobe either but, I do know that a dirty brush that has been used on many different faces and eyes can collect bacteria and oil on the bristles that can make you break out or even get an eye infection. This is something I like to call "not pretty"....no one wants to have pink eye or a huge zit on their cheek, when the problem could have easily been avoided.

So, I give you my own personal steps for cleaning and caring for your make-up brushes.

What You Will Need:
*2 Clean Hand Towels
*Brush Shampoo OR Your favorite face wash (Should not be an exfoliating wash though, the beads will get stuck in the brushes.)
*A Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol
*A Cup
*A Bathroom (ideal spot for brush cleaning)
*Your Brushes
*Plenty of Warm Water

Okay, here we go....

  1. First lay out one towel on a flat surface, this is where you will place your brush after each one is washed so they can dry properly. Fill your sink with warm water and BE SURE that your sink is clean because otherwise you are just making the brushes more gross. Fill your glass half way with rubbing alcohol and soak your brushes in the glass.
    •  The rubbing alcohol acts as a disinfectant and will remove a lot of excess make-up from the brush before you wash it. 
  2.  One by one take a brush add a drop of brush shampoo or face wash to the tip of the brush and massage into the hairs. Depending on how much powder is coming off of the brush you might want to rinse and repeat until it is fully clean. 
    • Always wash your brush with the directions of the hairs...you never want to misshape your brushes.
    • Big power brushes will need at least 2 washes.
  3. Once clean, rinse the brush in hot water under the tap...squeeze out any liquid left on the brush and dip the whole head of the brush in your fresh glass of rubbing alcohol. Squeeze any extra rubbing alcohol off of the brush and lay flat to dry on your towel.
    • The rubbing alcohol will not only keep the bristles of the brush in shape but, it also acts as a fast drying agent so, you don't have to wait for a full day to use your brushes. 
  4. Drying should take about 4 hrs...2 hrs per side. After they are dry, fluff the brushes and you are ready to go!
Good Luck!

Products I Swear by: Bare Minerals

So, I was always skeptical about how a loose powder could really be THAT GOOD at covering up any flaw or mark on my face. I always went the route of a liquid foundation but, it was always cake-y and never matched my skin exactly. Until I finally caved in and went to the Bare Minerals store near my house for a consultation....needless to say, I left the store 60 dollars poorer than when I had arrived. However, it was money well spent. 

You can sweat, you can take a nap, and you can go the whole day without a touch-up because the powder bonds to your skin and keeps you looking like you didn't even put any make-up on. With the starter kit and the consultation (or DVD...depending if you order it online.), you will learn the exact brush and technique for each area on your face so you can have flawless coverage. You will honestly wonder after your first application, "why did I wait so long to own this?". Because it is THAT GOOD. 

The brand has over 30 shades of foundation to match your skin tone perfectly, and they have a great system for selecting your custom color. It is a great personal touch that really bonds you with the brand and allows you to make it your own. 

The foundation and other accessories like bronzer and highlighters are very pricey. However, because everything is a loose powder you can easily make a small jar of any item last for at least 2-3 months (depending on how often and how much you apply...and believe me you DO NOT need a lot to get great coverage.) This is what makes the prices so well worth it and you know that you are getting a quality product.

If you are thinking that you do not need a full kit of make up and only want the foundation, I would have to say you are going to regret it. The kit completes the flawless face that they promise you, and I guarantee that you will go back for the bronzer after a week of using the foundation because you are hooked on the whole line. The individual retail prices alone for all of the "freebies" you are getting costs about 2X more than what you will pay for the full kit. Looking out for my bargain hunting bitches....here is a break down of what you get in the kit and how much you would actually spend per item if you were to buy each separately.


The Kit comes with:
*3 Top of the Line Brushes (Individual Retail Value: Ranges from $15-30 dollars per brush.)
*Mineral Veil - An invisible powder that can be used for highlighting features and eliminating shine. 
(Individual Retail Value: $20.00)
*Faux Tan Matte; Bronzer- Adds warmth and a glow to your skin, used for highlighting cheek bones and laugh lines.
(Individual Retail Value: $19.00)
*Warmth; Secondary Bronzer- Adds a different more orange glow to small areas of the face for highlighting and a sunny glow.
(Individual Retail Value: $19.00)
*Brush Shampoo- Cleans off dirt, oil, and old make-up from any brush. Conditions the bristles and prolongs the life of your brushes. Should be used once a month. 
(Individual Retail Value: $14.00)
*Foundation- Customized to your skin color, this foundation is for all over coverage and contains SPF 15 to be sure you are always looking your best.
(Individual Retail Value: $28.00)


So, if that hasn't convinced you then just check out the whole line for yourself at http://www.bareescentuals.com   ;)
This site is about one of my favorite topics...Makeup. Ever since I knew what mascara was I have been on the hunt for the best and the bold. 
This blog will talk about great products that I use and swear by, tips and tricks for your best look, and beautiful looks that you can create!