It's amazing what a difference a hint of blush can make on your face. In one little swipe of a fluffy brush, you can have a amazingly subtle glow that awakens your whole complexion.
I rarely used to get into trying different blushes. I'd use my old standby (Benetint cheek stain, which works fabulously), and leave it at that. On occasion, I'd experiment with a few other blushes in my makeup bag, but I'd faithfully return to my same-ol'-same-ol' after so long. But that, of course, got old after a while, and it became time for me to branch out.
Thus, I've become a bit blush obsessed. I'm trying colors I never thought I could wear, and have discovered some amazing products that will forever reside in my makeup collection. Granted, I'm not going to abandon the old blush that has faithfully flushed my cheeks for the last 2 years. Instead, I'm embracing change and all the options out there for me to try!
A few of my faves (which I'm sure you'll love, since they are cheaper than cheap!):
Milani Powder Blush in Luminous: This blush shade is a lovely shimmery peach/pink and is absolutely perfect. Unfortunately, the company has - for some crazy reason - discontinued their old blushes, and your only option to buy this now is on eBay. But trust me, it's worth it, since it's considered a "dupe" for the highly popular "Orgasm" blush made by NARS.
Wet n' Wild Blush in Naive: When you see the color of this blush in the compact, it might scare you a little. It's a bright pink/coral shade (no shimmer) that looks gorgeous on. But a word to the wise, if you have fair skin, use this with a light hand and a skunk brush or you might end up looking clownish. Price - $2.99 (you can't beat that!)
Jane Shimmering Blush in Peony: If you love shimmer as much as me, this is a perfect blush for you. The color is very sheer and very subtle (it's not as bright as it looks in the compact), and it produces a beautiful glow on your cheeks. I like using this on the apples of my cheeks, especially if I layer it over another color (like Naive, perhaps!). Price - $5.99.
So go out and start your own personal blush obsession. A couple of bucks can get you a beautiful glowy flush that will leave you smiling from ear to ear!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
With the right tools, any face is possible
As much as I love makeup, I tend to give little thought to the tools I use to apply my makeup. But after washing my brushes recently (something you really must do with a fair amount of regularity), I realize my makeup brush collection is rather feeble. Thus, I've been on a mission to amp it up a bit. But until I really started looking, I had no idea brushes were so expensive! Luckily, for the girl (or guy - no one's judging!) on a budget, there are some fabulous brush lines available at fabulous prices.
Essence of Beauty:
This brush line is available exclusively at CVS drugstores and ranges in price from around $5 to $15. My personal favorite brush is the Kabuki. As I've posted previously, I use my Kabuki to apply my mineral makeup, but it can be used for bronzer, powder, highlighter or even blush. Other standouts from this line are their foundation/concealer double-end brush, and their eyeshadow brushes. The hair is synthetic, for those who are animal friendly, and the brushes are all ultra soft.
Sonia Kashuk:
These brushes are made exclusively for Target. I'm sure you've seen the Sonia Kashuk section if you've spent any time in the cosmetics department of Target. The prices of these brushes are a bit higher than the Essence of Beauty brushes, but you still won't break the bank. You'll pay anywhere from $5 to $20 (and less if you happen to find brushes on clearance!). A favorite SK tool of mine is her metal lash comb. Priced right around $5-6, this metal version of the traditional lash comb will help you say buh-bye to thick clumpy lashes. Other favorites are her powder brush and eyeshadow blending brush.
Japonesque:
If you have a little extra cash, but still can't afford super expensive makeup brushes, this might be a brand worth checking out. Japonesque is sold at various retailers: Ulta, Nordstrom, Trade Secret, and Merle Norman are a few examples. Prices run between $8 and $34, but these brushes are a great value for the price. You can save even more money if you opt for the travel version of the brush, which just means it has a slightly shorter handle. The short handle can be particularly handy if you're trying to do your eye makeup, since it gives you better control. My personal favorite brush from this line is the flat eyeliner brush. The super-firm bristles make it easy to get your eyeliner right at the base of your lashes so they look ultra-full.
Bottom line? There's hope for us brush newbies who can't afford to spend our money on MAC or Chanel or Bobbi Brown brushes. These drugstore brand brushes offer exceptional quality similar to their high end counterparts, but at a fraction of the price. And with all the money you save on brushes, you can buy oodles more makeup to use with your new brushes!
Essence of Beauty:
This brush line is available exclusively at CVS drugstores and ranges in price from around $5 to $15. My personal favorite brush is the Kabuki. As I've posted previously, I use my Kabuki to apply my mineral makeup, but it can be used for bronzer, powder, highlighter or even blush. Other standouts from this line are their foundation/concealer double-end brush, and their eyeshadow brushes. The hair is synthetic, for those who are animal friendly, and the brushes are all ultra soft.
Sonia Kashuk:
These brushes are made exclusively for Target. I'm sure you've seen the Sonia Kashuk section if you've spent any time in the cosmetics department of Target. The prices of these brushes are a bit higher than the Essence of Beauty brushes, but you still won't break the bank. You'll pay anywhere from $5 to $20 (and less if you happen to find brushes on clearance!). A favorite SK tool of mine is her metal lash comb. Priced right around $5-6, this metal version of the traditional lash comb will help you say buh-bye to thick clumpy lashes. Other favorites are her powder brush and eyeshadow blending brush.
Japonesque:
If you have a little extra cash, but still can't afford super expensive makeup brushes, this might be a brand worth checking out. Japonesque is sold at various retailers: Ulta, Nordstrom, Trade Secret, and Merle Norman are a few examples. Prices run between $8 and $34, but these brushes are a great value for the price. You can save even more money if you opt for the travel version of the brush, which just means it has a slightly shorter handle. The short handle can be particularly handy if you're trying to do your eye makeup, since it gives you better control. My personal favorite brush from this line is the flat eyeliner brush. The super-firm bristles make it easy to get your eyeliner right at the base of your lashes so they look ultra-full.
Bottom line? There's hope for us brush newbies who can't afford to spend our money on MAC or Chanel or Bobbi Brown brushes. These drugstore brand brushes offer exceptional quality similar to their high end counterparts, but at a fraction of the price. And with all the money you save on brushes, you can buy oodles more makeup to use with your new brushes!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Smooth, flawless skin? Sign me up!
What if I told you there's a moisturizer that can help create smooth, even skin, help minimize pore size, and even decrease the look of wrinkles over time? You'd probably want it, right? I mean, come on - who doesn't want to have perfect skin? So what if I said that such a product can be found at your local drugstore for less than $20? Riiiiiiiight, you'd say. Like you can get something like that for under $100.
Well believe it. Alpha Hydrox has a product called AHA Souffle, and it can help transform your face in ways you've never imagined! The Souffle is a 12% Glycolic Acid cream that you slather on your face at night (and/or in the morning), and with regular use, can produce great results.
Brief tutorial on alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). I won't bother to tell you about the chemical makeup because after all, this is blog about beauty, not chemistry. In a nutshell, they are naturally occurring acids derived from sugar in certain plants. They basically help speed up cell turnover in your skin by dissolving the gunk that holds your dead skin cells together (and yes, "gunk" is a highly technical term). The result - smoother, even-toned skin. Glycolic acid, the ingredient I mentioned above, is one of several AHAs.
OK, so back to the product at hand. I've been using this cream every night for the last three weeks, and my-oh-my is my skin feeling smooth! It's like baby's-butt smooth. Expensive Italian leather smooth. And the coolest thing is that it's fading some of those obnoxious red marks that are left over after you pick at your zits (big no-no, by the way - it's a habit I'm trying to break). I can't really make an assessment if it's shrunk my pores or lessened my few wrinkles (yes, I have a few small wrinkles - if I had been serious about wearing sunscreen when I was younger, I might be whistling a different tune today). But I'd imagine over time that might be more apparent.
Regardless, at $15, this is a great value. However, please be advised that this heightens your sun sensitivity, so make sure you incorporate a good sunscreen into your daily beauty routine! Your wrinkle-free face will thank me for it.
So go check it out the next time you're at Walgreens. It's youth in a bottle, I swear!
(One last caution: some people have said that at first, AHA creams cause them to break out - a phenomenon known as "purging." Basically, the idea behind purging is that your skin gets rid of all the bad stuff before it can "heal" or whatever. I haven't had that kind of reaction with this product, but others have said that they stuck it out a week or two and it was like their skin did a complete 180 after it purged. I wanted to make you aware of this possibility so you don't post nasty things if you happen to get a breakout or two after trying this! Just stick with it and hopefully I won't let you down!)
Well believe it. Alpha Hydrox has a product called AHA Souffle, and it can help transform your face in ways you've never imagined! The Souffle is a 12% Glycolic Acid cream that you slather on your face at night (and/or in the morning), and with regular use, can produce great results.
Brief tutorial on alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). I won't bother to tell you about the chemical makeup because after all, this is blog about beauty, not chemistry. In a nutshell, they are naturally occurring acids derived from sugar in certain plants. They basically help speed up cell turnover in your skin by dissolving the gunk that holds your dead skin cells together (and yes, "gunk" is a highly technical term). The result - smoother, even-toned skin. Glycolic acid, the ingredient I mentioned above, is one of several AHAs.
OK, so back to the product at hand. I've been using this cream every night for the last three weeks, and my-oh-my is my skin feeling smooth! It's like baby's-butt smooth. Expensive Italian leather smooth. And the coolest thing is that it's fading some of those obnoxious red marks that are left over after you pick at your zits (big no-no, by the way - it's a habit I'm trying to break). I can't really make an assessment if it's shrunk my pores or lessened my few wrinkles (yes, I have a few small wrinkles - if I had been serious about wearing sunscreen when I was younger, I might be whistling a different tune today). But I'd imagine over time that might be more apparent.
Regardless, at $15, this is a great value. However, please be advised that this heightens your sun sensitivity, so make sure you incorporate a good sunscreen into your daily beauty routine! Your wrinkle-free face will thank me for it.
So go check it out the next time you're at Walgreens. It's youth in a bottle, I swear!
(One last caution: some people have said that at first, AHA creams cause them to break out - a phenomenon known as "purging." Basically, the idea behind purging is that your skin gets rid of all the bad stuff before it can "heal" or whatever. I haven't had that kind of reaction with this product, but others have said that they stuck it out a week or two and it was like their skin did a complete 180 after it purged. I wanted to make you aware of this possibility so you don't post nasty things if you happen to get a breakout or two after trying this! Just stick with it and hopefully I won't let you down!)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Murphy's Law of makeup
It figures. As soon as my quest for the perfect mascara ends, thanks to one amazing product, I find out it's being discontinued.
Allow me to elaborate. As I've stated many times, I've been on a mission to find the perfect looks-like-I'm-wearing-false-lashes mascara for, well, as long as I've been wearing makeup. I've found a few standout products along the way, but nothing has satisfied me completely.
My quest ended when I tried Christian Dior's Maximeyes mascara in Maxi Black. I tried it upon a recommendation from a friend and I was wowed the second I put it on. It was as if I had put on false lashes. My lashes were long, full and curled. And NO clumps!
Of course, it's just my luck that this mascara is being discontinued. Apparently the Forces That Be are against my quest for perfect lashes. At the least, it's a classic example of the Murphy's Law of makeup. Next time I find the perfect product, I'll be sure to knock on wood to ensure it's not stolen away from me!
I'll still be able to get this mascara for the time being, but it saddens me that one day, I will have to find something to take its place. But for now, me and my almost false lashes will continue to look fabulous. And if you want fab lashes like mine, pick up a tube - before it's too late!
Allow me to elaborate. As I've stated many times, I've been on a mission to find the perfect looks-like-I'm-wearing-false-lashes mascara for, well, as long as I've been wearing makeup. I've found a few standout products along the way, but nothing has satisfied me completely.
My quest ended when I tried Christian Dior's Maximeyes mascara in Maxi Black. I tried it upon a recommendation from a friend and I was wowed the second I put it on. It was as if I had put on false lashes. My lashes were long, full and curled. And NO clumps!
Of course, it's just my luck that this mascara is being discontinued. Apparently the Forces That Be are against my quest for perfect lashes. At the least, it's a classic example of the Murphy's Law of makeup. Next time I find the perfect product, I'll be sure to knock on wood to ensure it's not stolen away from me!
I'll still be able to get this mascara for the time being, but it saddens me that one day, I will have to find something to take its place. But for now, me and my almost false lashes will continue to look fabulous. And if you want fab lashes like mine, pick up a tube - before it's too late!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Puttin' on the glitz
I have an unhealthy amount of shimmery makeup. Anything that sparkles, shimmers or glitters is - in my opinion - to die for! You're probably picturing me walking around like a human disco ball, but the key to pulling off shimmer is moderation. I pick one feature and play that up with a little sparkle. Today I'm going to talk about my favorite shimmery products for my eyes!
Hands down, my go-to shimmery eyeshadows are Bare Escentuals Glimmers. These loose eyeshadows are very sheer and super shimmery - the shimmer isn't obvious, but rather a subdued, grown-up kind of shimmer. You can put them on dry for a super sheer hint of sparkle or you can put them on wet for a more dramatic "foiled" look. If I had to recommend just one Glimmer shade, I'd pick Grace. This shadow is a perfect shade of light beige with a hint of gold. It's perfect for every day.
I also love Wet and Wild's MegaEyes creme eyeshadows. These tiny tubes are $2 a pop, and come in a variety of shades. They are very sheer and perfectly subtle, and they have a lovely shimmer to them. My favorite shade is Cafe au Lait, a neutral beige with a hint of bronze and just the right amount of sparkle. These shadows also are great as a base for layering other shimmery shadows .
Finally, my newest favorite shimmery shadow is Stila Kitten. Again, this shade is a neutral beige with a beautiful pearly shimmer. I just traded a fellow beauty lover for this shade, and have been wearing it every day since then!
Rather than saving your shimmery makeup for nighttime, try it for daytime. But make sure you don't overdo it! Pick one feature to accentuate with shimmer - eyes, lips, cheeks - and focus your sparkly products on that area only. You'll love how you look!
Hands down, my go-to shimmery eyeshadows are Bare Escentuals Glimmers. These loose eyeshadows are very sheer and super shimmery - the shimmer isn't obvious, but rather a subdued, grown-up kind of shimmer. You can put them on dry for a super sheer hint of sparkle or you can put them on wet for a more dramatic "foiled" look. If I had to recommend just one Glimmer shade, I'd pick Grace. This shadow is a perfect shade of light beige with a hint of gold. It's perfect for every day.
I also love Wet and Wild's MegaEyes creme eyeshadows. These tiny tubes are $2 a pop, and come in a variety of shades. They are very sheer and perfectly subtle, and they have a lovely shimmer to them. My favorite shade is Cafe au Lait, a neutral beige with a hint of bronze and just the right amount of sparkle. These shadows also are great as a base for layering other shimmery shadows .
Finally, my newest favorite shimmery shadow is Stila Kitten. Again, this shade is a neutral beige with a beautiful pearly shimmer. I just traded a fellow beauty lover for this shade, and have been wearing it every day since then!
Rather than saving your shimmery makeup for nighttime, try it for daytime. But make sure you don't overdo it! Pick one feature to accentuate with shimmer - eyes, lips, cheeks - and focus your sparkly products on that area only. You'll love how you look!
Friday, March 2, 2007
Pucker up!
I discovered the most amazing lip gloss yesterday. I was at Walgreens picking up dish soap and envelopes, and wandered into the beauty section for an obligatory look-see. I nearly walked past a display of cosmetics right next to the cash register, but a wide range of lip glosses in fun colors caught my eye... not to mention the "2 for $3.00" signs all over the display!!
The brand? InColor by Jordana. Most of you may be unfamiliar with this line, as I was before I joined an online makeup discussion site (I know, it's a sickness). But after hearing about how some of the women love items from this line (we're talking women who usually use nothing but high end brands like MAC or Chanel), I made a vow to give it a shot!
I picked up two of their lip products - their Natural Glaze Lip Shine and their Squeeze n' Shine gloss. Wow. That's all I can say. I'm so impressed with the quality of a gloss that cost me $1.50! The Lip Shine shade I selected was Pink Grapefruit. It's a lovely shade of sheer pink and it smells just like pink lemonade. It doesn't get sticky and I don't have to reapply it every 10 minutes!
The Squeeze n' Shine is equally gorgeous! I chose the Be Coralful shade, which looked like a rather obnoxious shade of bright coral pink in the tube. However, I remembered a makeup buddy saying that this gloss was not highly pigmented and the shades were nice and sheer. And indeed that was the case! The obnoxious shade in the tube turns into a lovely sheer color on my lips and has a hint of sparkle. It has a sweet smell, which I don't mind, but others may find a bit cloying.
The brand? InColor by Jordana. Most of you may be unfamiliar with this line, as I was before I joined an online makeup discussion site (I know, it's a sickness). But after hearing about how some of the women love items from this line (we're talking women who usually use nothing but high end brands like MAC or Chanel), I made a vow to give it a shot!
I picked up two of their lip products - their Natural Glaze Lip Shine and their Squeeze n' Shine gloss. Wow. That's all I can say. I'm so impressed with the quality of a gloss that cost me $1.50! The Lip Shine shade I selected was Pink Grapefruit. It's a lovely shade of sheer pink and it smells just like pink lemonade. It doesn't get sticky and I don't have to reapply it every 10 minutes!
The Squeeze n' Shine is equally gorgeous! I chose the Be Coralful shade, which looked like a rather obnoxious shade of bright coral pink in the tube. However, I remembered a makeup buddy saying that this gloss was not highly pigmented and the shades were nice and sheer. And indeed that was the case! The obnoxious shade in the tube turns into a lovely sheer color on my lips and has a hint of sparkle. It has a sweet smell, which I don't mind, but others may find a bit cloying.
(L: Lip Shine in Pink Grapefruit, R: Squeeze n' Shine in Be Coralful)
For a minimal investment of $1.50 per tube, I'm forever hooked on these glosses! I'd love to try some other shades as well. The Natural Glaze Lip Shine comes in four other shades: Raspberry, Mochacchino, Banana Creme and Watermelon. Squeeze n' Shine comes in an additonal five shades: Clear, Lollipop, Peach Sand, Pink Punk, and Honey Luau. Heck, I could try them all for $13.50 - less than the cost of one MAC or Chanel lipgloss! With a value like that, how can you pass?
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