Skincare!!!

The most important step to perfect makeup is perfect skin!!  A lot of people don't understand or realize just how important the skin is.  And, a lot of people don't take the proper steps to care for it.  It doesn't have to be a long and difficult ritual.  And, I promise you will see and feel results in the way your skin looks and feels when you start to properly take care of it.  

First, REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP!  This is so important.   The more you sleep in your makeup, the faster your skin ages.  The makeup will clog your pores and you need to let your skin breathe.  With so many makeup removers on the market, this should not be difficult to do. 

Next, it is important to cleanse your skin.  This will really get those pores clean and will help remove all of the dirt, makeup, oil and just plain nasty gunk that gets stuck in your pores.  My favorite cleanser, as of now, is actually just Dial's Antibacterial Cleanser.  I use this with my Clarisonic, which brings us to our next step.

EXFOLIATION!!! Exfoliation is important because it removes all of the dead skin.   When we exfoliate, we remove the top layer of skin and uncover our fresh, new skin.  If we don't exfoliate, we tend to get flaky and have patchy and uneven skin.  My favorite thing to exfoliate with is the Clarisonic which removes all dead skin along with any left over makeup and oil.  This tool is AMAZING for the skin.  

The final step should always be to moisturize!  You want to put hydration back into your skin to keep it youthful.  Moisturizing will help to prevent wrinkles and will be a super effective way of helping the anti aging process.  A lot of people who tend to be oily may think to skip this part, BUT, it is still important to hydrate your skin.  This will trick your oil glands into producing less oil because you are ADDING the extra moisture they are trying to make up for.  My two favorite moisturizers are the Meaningful Beauty Creme De Serum and the Tarte Maracuja Oil.  


  One thing you definitely want to be sure to do is to use SPF every day!  This is for obvious reasons.  Not only will it protect you from CANCER, which should be reason enough to lather up with sun protection, it will also help SLOW DOWN THE AGING PROCESS!  

These are all important steps in skin care.  It totally seems like a lot when you first start out with a good regimen, but if you keep at it, you will see results and it will just become a part of your every day ritual.  

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

Dial Cleanser - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dial-Acne-Control-Deep-Cleansing-Face-Wash-7.5-fl-oz/38065264

Clarisonic - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11381051

Creme De Serum - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5800050&skuId=2264147&_requestid=646192

Maracuja Oil - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4490053

Favorite Drugstore Products Part 3: Lips

 When it comes to drugstore finds, lips are where it's at.  Whichever way you look, you can find really great drugstore lip products.  My favorite brands for lip products are NYX., Maybelline and Revlon.


- All of NYX's lip creations are pretty fantastic.  The liners are long lasting, the lipsticks and glosses are buttery and creamy and so pigmented.  Not to mention, they have a wide variety of each. They have matte lipsticks, glossy lipsticks, liquid lipstick (that lasts ALL DAY!!!) and all in a plethora of colors.  I really cannot rave enough about this brand and the variety they carry for everyone's different tastes.   My favorites are The Butter Glosses, Soft Matte Lip Creams, Slim Lip Pencils and Butter Lipsticks. 

- Maybelline has amazing lip glosses.  Their Color Elixir Lip Colors are the most buttery and creamy and pigmented lip glosses I have come across.  Not too watery and not too thick. They are definitely not sticky.  So you must pick one up the next time you are in your local CVS.  You need them in your life and they have gorgeous colors to choose from! 

- Revlon is another brand that has really won me over with all of their lip products.  Their glosses are so beautiful and every lipstick is so creamy and pigmented and they have a beautiful array of colors. I am, particularly, a fan of the Super Lustrous Lipgloss and Super Lustrous Lipstick.  

Great finds at great prices, because a girl can never have too much lipstick!  

 




Products Mentioned:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5420013#reviews

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5420011

Maybelline Color Elixir - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6010262

NYX Butter Gloss - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5050009

NYX Slim Lip Pencil - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2150078

Nyx Butter Lipstick - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6380157

Favorite Drugstore Products Part 2: Eyes

Mascaras are a dime a dozen at the drugstore, but only a few are actually worth picking up. 

L'oreal's Original Voluminous mascara is AMAZING!  The way it separates and lengthens lashes is just incredible.  It's a drier formula with a thicker wand which means it's going to help create that voluminous look by fattening lashes and not creating those spidery lashes that really aren't cute.  There are other decent drugstore mascaras but this one is such a holy grail product that the others aren't even worth mentioning. Just do yourself a favor and put this in your makeup bag right now!

 As for shadows, I have a harder time finding ones that I really, truly love.  However, Maybelline's Color Tattoos have won me over.  I find these are so easy to use on days that I really don't want to wear makeup or don't have a lot of time.  They are creamy, LONG LASTING and you can just apply it with your fingers and go.  It really takes no time at all.

Now, my liner is my CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT beauty item.  I can't leave the house without doing a cat eye or winged out liner.  It's just not feasible.  The best eye liner I've ever used and will continue to use until the end of time is the N.Y.C. Liquid Liner.  It's $2.99 and it is the BLACKEST liner I've ever used.  It's staying power is GLORIOUS.  I will admit that liquid liner is tricky to use for beginners, especially when it is a brush like the N.Y.C. and not a felt tip liner, but it's definitely easy to get the hang of after a few attempts.  Maybelline's Eye Studio is a wonderful gel liner and I also pick this one up quite a bit.  But, the N.Y.C. Liquid Liner = LIFE.


PRODUCTS MENTIONED

L'Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=2641 

Maybelline Color Tattoo - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4070019

N.Y.C. Liquid Liner - http://www.amazon.com/Color-Liquid-Eyeliner-Black-887A/dp/B004Z6KGX6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419206905&sr=8-1&keywords=NYC+liquid+liner  (Not sure why it's so expensive on Amazon.  I got mine at Martin's Supermarket for $2.99)

Maybelline Eye Studio Liner - http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1790211&_requestid=524721

Favorite Drugstore Products Part 1: Face

      Any beauty lover knows that the drugstore has some hidden gems whens it comes to makeup.  And, at such low prices, I make it a mission to try as many products as I can. Some products are absolute duds, but some have become staple, cannot live without products in my makeup bag.  

As for foundations, I have 2 favorites: the  L'oreal True Match Lumi and Revlon Color Stay Whipped Creme Foundation.  The L'Oreal True Match Lumi has such great coverage and gives a super healthy glow.  This is one that I reach for frequently!  The Revlon Color Stay Whipped Creme is a VERY full coverage and thick foundation.  And, it stays on ALL DAY.  It also starts to look better and better as the day goes on because of the way it oxidizes on the skin.  This is one I use on days I'm feeling insecure about my skin.  Both are kind of pricey for drugstore products.  But, both are completely worth the price.  The L'oreal True Match Lumi will set you back $12.99 and the Revlon Color Stay Whipped will cost $14.99.  But, because they are drugstore products, you'll almost always be able to find coupons to help save you some dough.


Concealer can be a lifesaver after a restless, sleepless night.  Or, on a day that blemishes have decided to over run your face.  A great concealer for covering pesky pimples is Hard Candy's Glamouflage Concealer.  This one I've just started using but so far, so good!  The coverage is full and the concealer is thick.  It will hide any spot that's putting a damper on your day.  As for dark under eye circles, Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer and Instant Age Rewind Eraser concealer will make you look like you've had a full nights sleep.  These are lightweight concealers with a nice glow to them.  They give a little bit of highlight and will have you looking radiant and well rested. 


Decent drugstore blushes are a little bit harder to come by.  A lot of them have horrible pigmentation and really aren't worth a nickle.  However, Wet N Wild's Color Icon blushes are HIGHLY pigmented.  A little goes a long way and the price is so low it's really a steal.  Milani also has wonderful blushes.  Milani's baked blushes are also highly pigmented.  They give the skin a nice glow (gosh, I just love glowy skin if you can't tell!) and they have a wide range of colors.  



Products Mentioned:

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation:  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4480167

Revlon Color Stay Whipped Creme Foundation: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4410265

Hard Candy Glamouflage: http://www.amazon.com/Hard-Candy-Glamoflauge-CONCEALER-312/dp/B005C2O3PO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418596417&sr=8-1&keywords=hard+candy+glamoflauge  (Way less expensive at Wal-mart)

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer:
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3490149

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2980149

Wet N Wild Blush: http://www.amazon.com/WET-WILD-ColorIcon-Blush-Heather/dp/B00BOVTEA6/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1418596803&sr=1-2&keywords=wet+n+wild+blush  (Again, much cheaper at your local drugstore)

Milani Blush: http://www.amazon.com/Milani-Baked-Blush-Rose-Oro/dp/B0052D4EIE/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1418596948&sr=1-2&keywords=Milani+blush

Flawless Foundation and Achieving the Perfect Base

Finding the right foundation is one of the trickiest things women deal with.

 Is this the right color?
 Is this the right undertone?



 Is this leaving a line of demarcation?... aka "The Jaw-Line Ring"  
 What finish do I want? 
 Should I use a brush, a sponge, or my finger tips?

Ect...

So many questions we ask ourselves to help us find the perfect foundation for our skin type and tone.  

Here are my tips and tricks for finding a flawless foundation that suits YOU and creating a perfect canvas!

1. When trying out a new foundation, apply it on your jaw line to make sure it blends seamlessly with your skin tone.  The back of your hand is often a different shade than that of your face or neck.  Also, try to look at it in bright sunlight so you can get the truest color.   If you can see it very clearly, it most likely will not be the shade for you.  However, if it seems to blend nicely with your natural color, you've got a match.


2. Find your right undertone.  

You have a COOL undertone if your veins appear blue or purple, silver jewelry is more flattering to you than gold and you have a pink, red, or blue tint to the skin. Also, you may tend to burn very easy.

You have a NEUTRAL undertone is your veins appear blue/green, your skin does NOT HAVE a pink, red, blue, yellow, gold or peach tint, AND both silver and gold flatter your skin tone.

You have a WARM undertone if your veins are green or olive, gold jewelry flatters you more than silver, and your skin has a yellow, gold, or peachy tint.  You also may tend to tan very easily.  


3. Know what finish you want.  If you want to look luminous and glowy, think Jennifer Lopez, you will definitely want a liquid foundation.  Such glow giving foundations include: Urban Decay Naked Skin, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk,  bareMinerals BareSkin foundation, It Cosmetics It o2 and L'Oreal True Match Lumi. Don't set this with any powder, but reach for a setting spray.  Powder will make it set to a more matte finish, while a setting spray will set and lock it in to place as it is.  If you want a matte look, go for a foundation such as Tarte Amazonian Clay, L'Oreal True Match, or Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick.  Be sure to set this with a translucent powder.  I know other people are fans of the bareMinerals Powder Foundation.  I, however, feel these can make you look cakey very quick and personally avoid these types of foundations.

4.  The best way to guarantee a flawless looking foundation is by using a brush.  Finding the right foundation brush will help ensure that you get the finish you want.  Brushes will distribute the product evenly and help skin cling to the product while sponges absorb most of the foundation.  The only sponge I would recommend would be the Beauty Blender.  With this product you will use a stippling motion to help skin grab on to the product.  There are cheaper dupes for this.  But, please, stay away from those white triangle sponge applicators.  You will end up wasting a lot of product by using these as they do absorb quite a bit of product.  Also, when you use your fingers, you will tend to just move the product back and fourth and waste a lot of time, and most likely end up with a streaky application.  This is why I NEVER apply foundation without a brush.

Finally, the best way to ensure you get flawless looking foundation is to EXFOLIATE AND MOISTURIZE your skin.  Your canvas has to be perfect to get a perfect application.  If you have dry, flaking skin, your foundation is going to look very patchy and flaky itself.  I recommend cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing your face at least 30 minutes before you apply foundation.  Another step you can take it to use a primer before applying foundation.  This will help to smooth and correct your skin and will see to it that your makeup last ALL DAY.  


PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Foundations: 

- It Cosmetics It O2: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5770255

- Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Stick: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5721110

- Urban Decay Naked Skin: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4550001

- Tarte Amazonian Clay: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4130103

- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/giorgio-armani-luminous-silk-foundation/2853110?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=570&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_2_C

- L'Oreal True Match: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=fs1017872


Brushes:

- Real Techniques Expert Face Brush:  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4260015

- Real Techniques Stippling Brush: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3220083

- Urban Decay Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4560011

- Beauty Blender: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/beautyblender-makeup-sponge-applicator/3406503?origin=PredictiveSearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=0&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_0_B

- Ulta Super Blender Sponge: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4710031

-Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki: http://www.sigmabeauty.com/F80_Flat_Kabuki_p/f80.htm


Primers/Powders/Setting Sprays:

- Benefit PoreFessional: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2290003

- Smashbox Photo Finish: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3590043

- Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder: 
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6371232

- Dermablend Loose Setting Powder: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=90

- Tarte Smooth Operator Clay Finishing Powder: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod2430057

-Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4930049

- Pur Minerals Miracle Mist Hydrate and Set: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5640366