To splurge or not to splurge-That is the question.

I love to shop and I love buying make up, purses, and especially tops and dresses! But what I hate is spending a lot of money on one item! I can shop til I drop, but I rarely spend over 25$ on any clothing item and I definitely do not spend more than $10-$15 on make up. But, there are just a few things that I will spend more money on make up-wise. I have been on the hunt for the perfect foundation and that is one item that I will spend more money on.

This subject will change and I will write more blogs about foundations the more I try and go through! If you are curious about a certain foundation that you want to try but you don't want to risk your skin or your wallet let me know! I'm up for the challenge and I'm here to help you!

Foundation is the most important make up you will use. It will base how your skin looks for long periods of time and it lays out the canvas for your masterpiece :) I will just give my opinion on what I've tried and what I love and what I do not love so much. Now remember-this is just my opinion.

Before we get started, I am going to say again, this is just my opinion. I love hearing what different people like and don't like, that's why I am here. Everyone's skin in different and this is just from my past experience. Another thing is take some extra time to find that perfect foundation. I know at drug stores you won't be able to take a sample home and try it out for you (that's what I'm here for :) I will try it and let you know before you have to spend your money) but, if you are looking into more expensive make up lines that you can get at a cosmetics store or at a department store, make sure the make up expert matches you up and gives you a sample to take home and try for yourself. If they are not willing to do that for you, go somewhere else!! I always encouraged my customers to take a sample home and use it for the next few days and I would always apply the foundation they were interested in on their face and told them to run around and test it out for the day to see how it wears, how your skin reacts and adjusts to it, and how you like it. So, once again, don't worry about asking for someone's help to apply some foundation on you and don't be afraid to get a sample, and if they're rude, leave and go elsewhere!

I do like the new mineral make up craze. I think people cannot put time and effort into washing their face and moisturizing and then using some heavy, pore-clogging make up. It completely defeats the purpose of taking time and effort into taking care of your skin.

First line I will write about is---Bare Escentuals foundation. I have used it and sold it at the store I worked at and I for one did not like it. I felt it was a little heavy and it created a mask-like appearance on my skin. Now, I do have some friends that use it and it looks amazing, the mask look and the heaviness is not there with them. For me, I do have clogged, blemished skin and it is kind of dry so I think the Bare Escentuals was just a little heavy for me. I feel like older women want to try to mineral line as well and I do feel like if you have wrinkles or larger pores, I do not think that Bare Escentuals is the right fit. I also feel like it is kind of shiny and metallic on the skin. I used to work at a cosmetics store and I could usually look at people's skin and I could tell if they used Bare Escentuals. Now, like I said this is purely my opinion and again, I do have a couple of friends who wear Bare Escentuals and it looks amazing on them! One thing I do like is that Bare Escentuals has a starter kit which has two small foundations, a mineral veil, and some brushes and bronzer. I do like that, it's a good way to try it out and it's a good price. Plus-even if you hate the make up you get some brushes! Words of the wise---if you choose to purchase the foundation in this line, make sure you buy the mineral veil as well. It finishes the whole foundation look, it seals in the foundation, helps buffer fine lines and wrinkles, it's weightless, and gives you a flawless finish.

Bare Escentuals Run Down-
Prices---$25 for large foundation
$18 for mineral veil
www.bareescentuals.com
Pros-all natural, doesn't clog pores, good for acne-prone/sensitive skin, natural finish, love the mineral veil!
Cons(remember just my opinion)-too heavy, weird shiny finish, bad for large pores and people with wrinkles

I have used Therapy Systems mineral powder foundation and I think it's great! It's a little pricey so that is a major downfall for me. Plus, in the summer time the mineral foundation works great for me, winter time I get dryer and I cannot wear the Therapy Systems foundation, it feels heavy and my dryness gets very noticeable. If you purchase this one I definitely would suggest purchasing the finishing powder. It is fantastic!!! I use this even when I'm not using their mineral foundation. The Therapy Systems make up line is triple-milled which means this mineral line has been ground down 3 x's more than other mineral make ups. I think this is why I love the feel, look, and texture of it. This line also has silk powder in it which I think leaves your skin fresh and healthy looking! The finishing powder is amazing and really sets the foundation. So once again, if you buy the foundation definitely get the finishing powder. I like the sunlight, it has a yellow-tint to it and it helps reduce redness which I think everybody needs! Another pro to this line is that you can get the foundation and finishing powder in loose or pressed powder. I still prefer loose :)

Therapy Systems Run Down-
Prices---$34 for foundation
$25 for finishing powder
www.therapysystems.com
Pros-great finish, light feel, super-fine texture so great for large pores, and wrinkles
Cons-not the best for oily skin, dry skin, slightly pricey

I used MAC Mineralize foundation around November of last year. It was about 32$ and it was great! It didn't last as long as I would have liked but honestly, it was great. It was a little sheerer than I wanted but overall I was pleased. I usually associate MAC with heavy coverage but this wasn't like that at all! My skin felt and looked great! Like I said, it is sheer coverage so if you're wanting heavy coverage--this is not the one for you! I also feel like if you're one really prone to breakouts or has very sensitive skin, I would not suggest this one for you!

MAC Mineralize Foundation Run Down-
$29.50 for liquid foundation
www.maccosmetics.com
Pros-fabulous finish, lightweight, looks great, does not clog pores
Cons-needs a little more coverage, didn't last too long


I have tried L'Oreal True Match Foundation and I will say the coverage is good but I did not like the way it went on. You could tell their was a medium coverage but---it made my skin look very dry and it almost rolled off my face. It looked awful! It looked like my skin was super dry and peeling. That is not a look we want right girls?

L'Oreal True Match Foundation Run Down-
$10.95
Any drug store or you can go to lorealparisusa.com
Pros-affordable, lightweight, good coverage
Cons-made my skin look dry and flaky

Jane Iredale has some amazing foundations! I really like their pressed powder foundations and their Liquid Mineral foundation. Usually I would prefer a loose powder, which Jane Iredale does offer, but I really prefer their pressed for some reason. It lasts such a long time and it gives a great look and feel! I also really like the Liquid Minerals. It has A LOT of coverage so if you're one for minimal coverage-this is not the one for you! Pointers on the liquid foundation---take a few pumps and put on a make up palette plate and get a foundation brush and smash and blend it together or take a few pumps and put it on the back of your hand and just press and mix together with your fingers. You must make sure to blend well because all this foundation is is pigmented mineral powder shaped in little balls and it is suspended in hyaluronic acid. So, if you do not blend well it will look awful on the skin! So make sure you blend well and then apply to skin. Hyaluronic acid is wonderful for your skin, it keeps hydration up and helps with anti-aging. This foundation looks weird-but it's great! Major downfall-it's expensive but I love it!

Jane Iredale Foundation Run Down-
$36 for pressed foundation, $42 for loose foundation, $46 for liquid
www.janeiredale.com
Pros-great coverage, does not clog pores, good for all skin types, stays on all day
Cons-very expensive, hard to find in some locations

Right now I am using CoverGirl Clean liquid foundation for normal skin. I am really, really enjoying it! I was so weary of using CoverGirl just from past experience many, many years ago but I am really loving it. It's light but has great coverage and the price you cannot beat!! They have one foundation in the same line for sensitive skin and they have one for anti-aging. I would always stick with either normal or sensitive skin. If you tend to breakout easy go for the sensitive skin! It's just a safer bet!

CoverGirl Clean Liquid Foundation Low Down-
$4.50 at drug stores
www.covergirl.com
Pros-great coverage, light-weight, stays on all day, amazing price!
Cons-I can't think of anything right now!

I am so sorry this is so long but foundations are so important! I will continue to keep trying new brands so keep checking back!

Next blog-----how to match yourself when you're at a drug store!

I have nobody following me but I will still post something

Ok, here I am first real post about thrifty make up tips and products. I will first start off with some things that I will be discussing in the future. I will discuss my new cheap make up finds, make up tricks, make up looks, and any helpful pointers that I have learned along the way. It's not fair that people have to spend a ton of money on make up. I do make up and I hate spending a lot of money on it. There are very few products that I will spend more than $15 on. Just because I'm a make up artist does not mean that my giant make up box is full of designer brand make up, it's definitely not. My make up ranges from Bare Minerals, Cover Girl, MAC, to Wet 'n Wild. I have more blogs and tips coming up, spread the news and get me some followers! I'm ready to share my knowledge!

Hello to the wonderful World of Makeup!

Hi all! I am new to this and honestly I am not too great with technology. But, I love makeup, I love doing makeup, and I love helping others with makeup as well. I notice I get so many questions about makeup application tips, new trends, and makeup itself. So, this is what I am here for :) Hopefully I can gain a lot of friends on here and help you all with any makeup or skincare questions :) Tell your friends and family to follow me and feel free to ask any beauty questions you have!