Bitten!!

Okay, I have just tried a new lip stain/gloss that I just love!! It's super affordable and easier to get a hold of since this one is sold at all your local drugstores. The price is much more appealing than my other tried and true lip stain (I'll write about this one too) but I will compare the differences here.

This one here is Revlon Just Bitten-for some reason I have always loved a really natural lip on myself and all of a sudden I have been dying for a great, bold lip so when I was at Target this week I decided to give this one a try. I know there are a bunch of different lip stains out there now like the Covergirl brand as well but what drew me to this one was that there is a lip stain on one end and a gloss on the other. The lip stain is just like a marker, which I can recall using markers as lipstick as a child, but this marker is easy to apply and it really will adhere to your lips and stay on. You have to make sure that you apply it very evenly and neatly because if you hit outside your lip, most likely it's not coming off for a while. This one does not stay on for hours and hours but I will say it stays on great for a $6.00 lip stain and the balm/gloss that comes with it keeps your lips hydrated where most lip stains dry out your lips like crazy! So-that is why I picked the Revlon brand over the other ones, the multi-purpose use. If you buy a stain strictly with no other hydration, you're going to hate it! So that's why I love this one. Like I said, the life of it isn't as long as some lip stains, but I was pleased and by the time I was ready to re-apply that yummy balm on the other end it was time to re-apply the stain so it worked out nicely. I first bought Desire and I liked it so much I went back and got Victorian, Gothic, Crave and Passion. These are all bold pops of color that I just love and are going to be so popular for fall!! I love these and for $6 you can't beat it!!!

Here is the higher-end option that I do love and the staying power is unbeatable!!! This is Tarte hydrating lip stains. They have different finishes, which most don't. There is a matte finish, a gloss finish and a shimmer finish. I really love these because this is a great starter lip stain. Lip stains are amazing and they are a bold look but they don't have a heavy look like lipsticks do. Lip stains are usually just a watery, liquid that you apply directly to the lips and your lips just absorb it up and the color stays on for a long, long time! So, most lip stains are a bold color but they really look just like your lips so in a way it still gives you a great natural look. Unlike most lip stains Tarte's gives you different sheen's which no other line can be compared to. I love that these stains are also hydrating where in my previous paragraph I wrote about most stains being pretty drying, which they are. This one does not have a gloss/balm on the other end like the Revlon one does, this is just a two-in-one that you don't need it. I really like these and the color does stay on for a very long time and the longer they are on the bolder the color gets! I use these lip stains every time I do weddings for photo shoots because you rarely have to think about re-applying which is really nice. The price is a little steeper, but if you are a huge lover of bold lips and are looking for something really spectacular try out these little beauties!! $24 at the cosmetic market!

Easy access Mineral Foundation

CoverGirl TruBlend Mineral Foundation

$7.50

Okay, I have been trying out a new mineral foundation after one of my friends asked my opinion on a cheaper, easier to find mineral makeup comparable to Bare Escentuals. I have tried a few different mineral makeup foundations and most tend to feel a little too heavy and really get into the pores which just looks awful. When I went to Target to try and pick out a new mineral makeup to try I really wanted to find an affordable one, and let's be honest some drug store makeup brands are getting just as expensive as some department store brands and higher end makeup brands. I also wanted to find one that was easy to pick out color wise. I have been in the makeup artistry business for many years and finding the right foundation is pretty easy now but I know how overwhelming it can be trying to find the right shade for your skin. So, when I was trying to find one to try out I decided that ease of color matching would be very important too. Usually when you use a mineral foundation a lot of the foundation colors can really match a wide range of skin tones. I decided to pick CoverGirl TruBlend Mineral Loose Powder. There are only 4 colors to choose from which makes finding your shade very easy!!! I used it and really enjoyed the feel of it. Like I said a lot of mineral foundations tend to go on really heavy and just sit right on top of your skin and that makes for a very heavy, not natural look, especially if you have large pores or uneven skin. I have just started to like Bare Escentuals but it does give a heavy coverage (that's why it's taken me so long to really like it). Bare Escentuals foundations are great and they won't clog your pores but they can sometimes go on very thick and look and feel very heavy. You really have to use very little and really spread the foundation evenly all over the face, very little goes a long way.

I tried out the CoverGirl foundation and I really liked it. The one main change with this one over the Bare Escentuals is that the CoverGirl foundation definitely does not give full coverage like the Bare Escentuals brand. But-overall I was really pleased. The application of the powder and the feel and stay of the makeup was great! I really like it and I will definitely be using this again. I always put mineral foundation on first, then apply concealer on top of the mineral foundation, throw a tiny bit more foundation on top all over the face and really sealing where I put concealer and then throwing a loose translucent powder or mineral veil on top of the foundation just to set everything.

To find a drugstore brand "mineral veil" I would really go for any loose translucent powder. I really like Coty Airspun Translucent Loose Powder, it's about $7.99. Very little bit will go a long way!!! Some days I will just throw on moisturizer, put on some concealer and then throw on some of this translucent loose powder to go a little lighter on the coverage and it does a great job!

Coty Airspun Translucent Loose Powder

$7.99

***The main key to application on any type of makeup is brushes and that is one thing I will not skimp on!! If you purchase a nice group of brushes you will not be disappointed and it will completely change your outlook on all sorts of makeup brands so definitely go get a great pair of brushes for great application!!***

Mascara Update!

Ok, life gets in the way of things some time and I just needed to take care of a few things over the past few weeks so I had to take some time off from blogging but I'm back and ready to write!!!

CoverGirl Natureluxe Mascara

Any drug store $8.50

I have really been pleased with the Covergirl Natureluxe products-love the tinted moisturizer and the balm gloss so I was SO excited to give their mascara a try!! I went to Indiana a couple of weeks ago to spend some time with my amazing family and relax. It was much needed and I had a great time but, my allergies were KILLING me!!! Every day my mascara and eye liner were completely worn off my eyes and all over my face from me scratching at my eyes all day! I finally gave up the old mascara bottle and thought, "Now is the time to get a new mascara to blog about!!" So-I purchased the Covergirl Naturelux mascara! I had been wanting to buy this mascara for a long time since I was such a fan of the other Naturelux products. Well...it's just ok. I hate to say that but this is the thing-this mascara did a fantastic job for not irritating my eyes which this mascara would be fantastic for people which major eye sensitivities. But for me, usually I don't have eye sensitivities, except going to Indiana, the land of corn and blooming flowers. So normally mascara not running and irritating my eyes aren't really a main problem for me, but if you have an issue with mascara irritating your eyes or not staying on well-this one might be the one for you! I personally like a mascara that makes my eyes pop, I mean I want HUGE lashes!! This mascara here does not give that to you so I was a little bummed about that but one bonus is that there is no crap in this mascara. A lot of mascaras can be irritating and harsh and this one has natural beeswax instead of funky synthetics in it so that is a bonus. So just to add to the confusion of if this mascara is good or not, I just can't say. It definitely has some pros like the natural ingredients, gentle of sensitive eyes and does not rub off. But, it does have some cons, now really these cons are completely my personal opinion so really these cons aren't really major cons, just things I don't like :) Cons-does not add length or volume. I guess that's about the only con! I really love the mascara wand, it's fantastic. It really helps you apply the mascara evenly and no clumps!!

So at first when I starting writing this I thought it was going to sound anti-covergirl naturelux mascara but after really thinking about what works with it and what doesn't I guess the pros outweigh the cons! But-if you are looking for a thick, volumizing mascara this is not the one for you!!! But if you're curious and you just are really wanting to try it- go for it!! I think you will like it!

Summer Must Have!!!

Ok, so a while ago my aunt Vikki, and one of my biggest supporters who I definitely don't thank her enough for that, gave me this piece of makeup to try for the summer. Well one day I was meeting her and my mom at Cheesecake Factory and we were sitting outside on the patio and Vikki starts talking about this new product that I need to try and she pulls it out of her purse. All I see is this ADORABLE packaging!!! So that's bonus points already. Packaging is so important but it's what's on the inside that counts!! So she hands me this cute little bright orange compact. I am looking over the product and it is just so cute. There is this amazing hot pink application sponge which is really good quality, which I usually just throw away all the application products in any makeup. So-this application sponge is really nice and you can apply the powder dry or wet. If you get the sponge damp it does and amazing job! I use it even with other makeup products as well!

Okay so this is why I have waited until now to write about this product, look at these amazing benefits that this product offers and all you have to do is put it on your skin!!

-This powder has a SPF of 50!!! This will give you UVA/UVB protection as well as great coverage!! I also like the coverage because it's a nice matte finish so it will help with the oily, shiny skin we get in the summer time.

-This powder as has SPF boosters and it is a mineral-based sunscreen that does not break me out!!

-Contains antioxidants!!! This will help prevent future UV damage and signs of aging!

-Contains licorice extract and tomato derivatives to help naturally brighten the skin and lighten the damage of age spots from the sun!

This product is a No-Brainer!!! All you do is throw it on top of your foundation and concealer and you're set makeup and skincare wise!! Now of course I always promote people putting on a regular SPF as well but if you're really prone to breaking out with sun block then this might work best for you. I really enjoy and the coverage is very sheer so just do your skin a favor and throw it on your face before you hit the front door!

www.physiciansformula.com

$14.95 at all drug stores

MakeUp How-To's!!

Ok, so my last blog I wrote about was my new favorite thrifty concealer!!! I'm still loving it and now I am going to post you step-by-step directions and pictures of my every day makeup looK

First: This is me without makeup----Yikes!!

This picture below is after I applied Bare Escentuals Loose Mineral Powder in Fairly Medium-as you can see it's really helped even out my skin tone, but still super pasty and one dimensional. i really like to match my foundation exactly to my skin tone so with just the foundation on your skin can look really one dimensional-but that's where the next few steps help!

This picture below shows you where I applied my new favorite concealer, Maybelline Fit! This picture is kind of small but as you can see, I have applied my concealer in a triangle shape under my eye. This shape should go up the side of the nose, under the eye and at the edge of the eye you will bring it diagonally back to the bottom side of the nose. I do concealer around the laugh lines, on my chin, around the edges of my nose and in between my brows. I blend the concealer all over lightly and this is what it looks like:

Look how much concealer helps!!! Thank God for that stuff!! After I blend the concealer I put Feather Light Mineral Veil on from Bare Escentuals as you can see below. My complexion is looking pretty pasty and one dimensional.

The point of foundation and concealer is to really even out your skin and give you that flawless skin. I love a nice flawless face but I can't live just like this- I MUST add bronzer to my face!! If you aren't a fan of bronzer I would just throw on some finishing powder and move right to blush. I for one, cannot live without bronzer and this picture below will show you what a difference bronzer makes!!

What a difference!!!! Now that's what I am talking about!! I apply a light, somewhat shimmery bronzer all over my face. It's not really glittery, it just has a nice dewy sheen to it and I really like that look!! Some people prefer a more matte appearance and that's perfectly fine too. I prefer both so for all over my face I use the shimmery bronzer and to contour I use the matte one. The bronzer I used all over my face was Too Faced in Sunny Bunny.

This picture shows me applying the matte bronzer right in the hollows of my cheeks and doing a small "c" at the end of my brows on my forehead. Small step but big results!!! The matte bronzer I used was Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze.

This picture shows my blush step.

This picture is where I just put a darker, matte blush slightly above where I put my matte bronzer. This adds to that contoured, model look and really helps make your cheekbones pop!! The blush I used is Therapy Systems Caramel Sugar. Then I apply a pink blush right on the apples of the cheek bone and I bring it diagonally all the way up to the corner of my eye. Of course I keep distance from the under eye, but once I hit the blush high enough to my eye that's when I know I have gone high enough. I feel like dragging the blush as high as the eye will really help lift your face and really get those cheekbones popping!! This pink blush I used today was Catalina from Cargo.

This picture is my applying a highlighting powder right over the apples of my cheeks and taking it right on the boarder of the top of my cheek right under my eye skin. Just keep the highlighter right on the upper cheekbones! This subdues the bright color of the blush and really help add a pretty glow to your skin.

Ok, this is my eyes just with primer on them. I usually don't use primer on a regular basis but I wanted to show you how even primer makes your eyelids so if you wanted just to look awake and have a quick and easy makeup routine this primer would do the trick. If you have issues with your shadow creasing this primer is your solution! This primer I'm using here is Too Faced Shadow Insurance in Candlelight.

My first step in applying eye shadow is using a really light, nude-white color all over the eye from the lash line to the brows. This really help open up your eyes and I like applying a neutral color like this all over because it really helps all the other colors go on easier. This eye shadow is Bare Escentuals Demure.

This picture is after I added a shimmery brown shadow right in the crease of the eye. All you do is go right in the crease and do a "c" shape back and forth and on the corner of the eye I will help blend it with a sideways "v" shape just to help blend the color. I also get a stiffer brush and line under the lower lash just to add a little color and drama to this look. Plus-I hate when eye liner is very harsh and you can obviously see the dark, black line...yuck! So adding a little eye shadow under the lower lash line will help ease the harshness of liner. This eye shadow I used was MAC in Tempting.

This is a step that if you want to add a little drama and darkness you can. If not, you can just apply that dark brown on the crease like the last step and jump right into the liner. If you do want a little more color then you can add a little darker color on the outer edges of the eye. This color is Mambo by Paula Dorf. I really focus on the outer edge of the eye and I really try not to apply it all over the lid. I like to leave it lighter on the inner corners. I love Mambo by Paula Dorf because it's black/brown with flecks of gold in it, it's perfect!!

After I apply the Mambo shadow I go back over the crease with the MAC color one more time to just even out everything and help it blend. I usually grab a lighter/highlight color and put right in the inner corners of my eye and bring it up to under my brow. This really helps highlight and open the eyes up. I used the Demure color for this.

After I am done with the eye shadow, I use the Mambo eye shadow color and line my eyes with it. Just have a good stiff, flat liner brush and you can line your eyes with any shadow. I first like to line my eyes with eye shadow first then I do a pencil or liquid liner, whichever I choose to do that day.

Next I lined my eyes with a pencil liner. The one I used was Wet 'N Wild black pencil liner. When I line my eyes I line the entire upper lid and do a slight curve at the end for a "cat eye" look. I do not line the entire bottom of my eye I only do about a quarter of the bottom and connect the bottom liner to the top curved up part. It really helps give your eyes this amazing almond shape.

This is the makeup must-have MASCARA!! I absolutely love mascara it's my favorite thing! This mascara I used is Too Faced Lash Injection. This mascara is amazing!! I love it because it creates tubes around your lashes and it's waterproof!! There are a few mascaras that create tubes around your lashes and are waterproof but they aren't thickening. That's why I never liked them! I love a thickening mascara and this is both wrapped up in one bottle!! I love it!

OKAY!!! I LEFT OFF THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP TO PROVE A POINT!!!

Brows!!

This is my finished look without brow powder

This is one brow with powder one with none

how crazy is that????? adding brow powder instantly gives you a face lift!! It completely changes the entire look and really finishes the entire look!

Here is the finished look with both brows done!!

Last but not least!! Lips!!

This picture is me with this fantastic lip liner called Reverse Lip Liner. It helps keep your lipstick from running but it also helps your lips look bigger!! It looks pretty white when you first apply it, that's why it looks so light in the picture but I wanted to show you where I put it, but once you draw it on you just blend a little bit and you can barely even tell!

See? That's the Reverse Lip Liner blended.

Next I applied this cheap liner from Target. The line is called Boots No. 7 and the color is nude. I just applied this around the edge of the lips.

This fantastic little color is from Cover Girl Lipslicks in Cutie. I love this color!!! These Cover Girl Lipslicks are amazing!! I love them!

YAY!!!!! All done!!! Thank God for makeup eh??? Here is a picture of the final product without me wearing a turban :)

All done!!! There ya go!! One day I'll figure out how to make a video so I won't have to do a makeup slide show! I hope this helps!!

Stay Fit!

I have been on the hunt for a great, affordable concealer and I have found one worth writing about! I have been trying this one out for about a month now and it has already turned into a must-have from now on! I use this concealer to help cover the dark circles under the eyes and I also use it to help contour around my nose, in between my brows, and around the mouth and chin. This concealer is really creamy and a little goes a long way. I love this concealer because of the texture and because of the finishing look. The end-results after using this concealer is a really beautiful even, flawless look. This is one of the few concealers that I have found that really gives that flawless look that you would see in editorial work. I always look at celebrities and models and always wonder if there is any way to get that look without breaking the bank and I truly believe that I have found it! Here it is!!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

about $5.00

I bought mine at Target, but all drug stores carry this fabulous concealer! I hope you try it out and enjoy! Remember-little goes a long way!!! My next blog I will show you where I put my concealer (which is a lot of places) to really give the illusion of a perfect complexion. I don't do too many makeup artist tricks for an every day look but I always use my concealer tricks every single day because it can really make a huge difference!!

Go Green!- Hair Edition

Hi! I have been so busy and really have slacked off of the blogging but I haven't slacked off of the testing of new products to write about!! I have a lot of new products to discuss but first I want to write about a new-to-me hair care. I was just doing a late-night hair wash and I was using this amazing little sample bottle of Kevin Murphy when I realized, "I need to share this with people!! Not only is this line amazing for my hair and my hair has never looked better but they are doing something to help the environment and they really go above and beyond other companies. This must be talked about!" Every time I use this shampoo, conditioner and styling product my hair looks flawless and I really put less effort into it than usual. These products do everything for you!!! I also can't get over the amazing effort that they put towards protecting our mother Earth! I hope you read, try and enjoy! You can purchase online or go to The Cosmetic Markets!

This hair care line I am about to introduce to you is called Kevin Murphy. Kevin Murphy is a hairstylist who works completely in editorial work. He realized that there were certain needs and gaps in the hair industry as well as a lack of care for the environment in hair care lines. His products are made from renewable and sustainable resources when possible and they are safe for the environment. All his products contain essential oils, plant extracts and natural antioxidants. All Kevin Murphy products are sulphate and paraben free. He is apart of the Climate Project which is a non-profit global organization dedicated to educating the public about the science and impacts of climate change and work towards solutions at a grassroots level worldwide.

Kevin Murphy Hydrate-Me Wash

This is a fantastic hydrating shampoo that really helps smooth my crazy, large hair. I was a little worried it was going to be a little too heavy but it is amazing!! This shampoo repairs damaged hair and really helps smooth out hair and nourishes it as well! I love the smell of this stuff too! It's a very light aromatherapy scent to it and I love it! It's not too heavy of a scent but it's amazing for men and women. Luckily me and my husband have the same type of hair and he really likes this shampoo as well. This shampoo, or wash as they call it in Australia, is packed with antioxidants as well so it will really give you hair a great boost of what it needs as well as a beautiful amount of shine. One thing that I really like about this shampoo that really stands out from all the others is that this shampoo contains ingredients that are found in skincare that help smooth lines and wrinkles. Adding this to their shampoo has shown to give your hair a glossy shield and will diminish any signs of damage while smoothing out the cuticle of the hair. This shampoo has bergamot and evening primrose oil which help add and lock moisture in your hair, add antioxidants, and really softens hair. Kakadu plum which has a high concentration of vitamin c which stimulates elastin and collagen to help maintain hair's lustre and elasticity as well as smoothing the surface of the hair to lock in moisture.

---I used it and I absolutely love it!!! I usually have to add a lot of stuff to my hair to make it shine and all I have to do is use this and the Hydrate-Me rinse and my hair shines more than it ever has! Like I said I love the smell, my hair feels light and clean but still looks calm and smoothed down. The shine is unbelievable and I am so pleased with this shampoo!!

Kevin Murphy Hydrate-Me Rinse

This is one awesome conditioner!! It contains micro-algae that will add a ton of shine and radiance to your hair! This rinse also has Kakadu Plum and Primrose Oil like the shampoo has. This conditioner really smooths my hair and adds tons of moisture without weighing it down. This conditioner, like it's shampoo partner, contains antioxidants and really retains moisture in the hair. This conditioner, or rinse as they call it, also has Jojoba esters and shea butter which are a great emollient that helps de-tangle and repair split ends.

Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion

This is an amazing, light-weight curl enhancing cream. It doesn't make my hair crunchy or have that wet look that I am not too fond of. This curl enhancer helps diminish frizz and enhance curl in your hair. My hair is big, dry, frizzy and kinda curly. It's not a pretty curly it's a crazy curly (it looks very large and messy). This Motion Lotion really helps define my curl to make it look very beach-wavy and completely gets rid of frizz! I don't even have to add any sort of shine and anti-frizz serum to get my dream hair look! Some major benefits that make this stand out are that is really is a great flexible hold, very light and weightless, adds shine, UV protected!!, color protection and contains amazing antioxidants. There are a lot of amazing essential oils in this product like bergamot, patchouli, geranium and sesame oil which all help balance, replenish moisture, protects your hair from free-radicals and adds shine and control.

http://www.kevinmurphy.com.au/home.php

www.thecosmeticmarket.com