Product worth the purchase

Let's take a minute to talk about Rimmel Show Off lip lacquer. If you're looking for some highly pigmented lip colors, these are for you. Not only do they come in 9 beautiful colors that range from a nude to a hot pink, they also go on like butter. They leave you with a satin smooth shine that feels incredibly comfortable on the lips like you're not wearing anything. Incredibly smooth and creamy and last on the lips much longer than a normal lipgloss, almost like a stain. Aside from the weird smell, that almost smells floral like, these beautiful lacquer lip colors are a must have. Try them out, you will be surprised how much you end up loving them and for a price tag of only $4.99 these can't be beat.

Wearing the Rimmel Show Off Lip lacquer in "Stellar".

 

Facial Scrubs

 

I know we all have had moments of desperation and grab any facial scrubs at the drugstore hoping that it would do the job it says it's going to without hurting our skin too badly. I know I religiously used the St. Ives apricot scrub for many years without even questioning what it's really doing to the skin. After learning more about skin and earning my license as an Esthetician, I'm here to tell you, STOP USING ST. IVES! As the granules of the scrub are too large it ends up just scratching and tearing the skin as opposed to exfoliating. Thus, it allows bacteria to grow in the surface of the tiny scratches/tears. It can even end up causing inflammation and if used over a period of time, it can cause premature aging (fine lines and wrinkles).

 

Picking out a good exfoliator can be a tough task and sometimes leaves your brain in a massive jumbled mess. I know it's taken awhile for me to finally find scrubs that do the job they are intended to do and are gentle on the skin. The key to exfoliating is to not over do it. Start out by exfoliating just 2-3x a week, if you eventually want to do it more, work your skin up to it. Over exfoliating is just as bad on your skin as using harmful products on it. Try these products out, they might cost more, but ingredients is always critical, especially when you're putting it on your face.

 

 

 



• Lush - Let the Good Times Roll - Probably my favorite exfoliator/cleanser ever. It smells amazing like a delicious cookie. Not to mention the ingredients consist of popcorn, corn meal and cinnamon. It cleans the skin gently and leaves it oh so soft!
• Boots No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion - Made with Aluminum-oxide crystals, the same as dermatologists that smooth, refine and renew the skin. A great at home micro dermabrasion scrub that gives you results and leaves the skin smooth and improves the texture.
• Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant -  Great for all skin types, this finely milled rice based powder is incredibly gentle on the skin. Makes it so soft and smooth. Just add water and exfoliate away!
• Michael Todd True Organics Tropical Fruit Facial Polish - Another one of my favorite scrubs. It smells like heaven and it works so amazingly on the skin. Made with enzymes that eat away dead skin cells leaving the skin soft and smooth. Great for all skin types!

Tip (#1)

When it comes to contouring, always apply in an upwards motion, never drag it downwards. Dragging downwards will give your face the opposite effect of which you're going for.

6 under-rated beauty products

 

I know the drugstore can be pretty overwhelming and trust me, I still tend to walk into a drugstore and stare at the makeup isle for hours. With so many products available, it's hard to decide which products are worth the money and which products to avoid. I'm sure you have heard of all these brands, but have you checked out these products? These 6 products don't get the hype they deserve, so I'm here to tell you if you find yourself exploring the makeup aisles with no idea what to pick up, try these products out!

 

• Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder ($7.99 at Target) - This powder is so finely milled and goes on like a dream. It doesn't feel like you're adding layers of powder on your face and actually reminds me of a high end powder. Doesn't oxidize on the skin and although it's not a full coverage powder, it gives you just enough coverage so you don't end up looking cakey.

• E.L.F Studio Eyebrow Kit ($3 at Target & Eyeslipsface.com) - I'm a big fan of E.L.F products as they are very reasonably priced and actually are really good products. Talk about beauty on a budget. The eyebrow kit includes a wax and powder and are so pigmented and easy to blend. Comes in 3 different colors and a perfectly priced makeup essential.

• Ruby Kisses HD Set N' Forget Setting Powder ($5.99 at beautyonlinesupply.com) - I just LOVE this 100% pure silica powder. It's perfect for touching up and setting your makeup without looking like a cake face. It mattifies your face and comes in various colors. I love the banana, it's a dupe of the ever so popular Ben Nye Banana powder. 

• Maybelline Volum' Express One-by-One mascara ($6.99 on Ebay) - I'm not sure why I don't hear about this mascara more than I do. It reminds me of the Clump Crusher by Cover Girl. It doesn't clump up and makes my eyelashes look incredibly full. It's a very dark color formulation and you can build it up if you're not happy with one coat.

• Rimmel London Stay Matte Primer ($6.99 at Ulta) - This is one of my favorite primers, especially since my face is overly oily. If you don't look the matte look, I wouldn't recommend this, but if you're oily like me, you must try this out! It's a thicker consistency, but it glides on your face incredibly smooth and feels like you're not wearing a thing.

• Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencils ($2.99 at Walgreens) - The price point of these eyeliners can't be beat. They go on so smoothly, the colors are so pigmented and they don't budge. I tight line my eyes with the black one everyday and I don't have a problem with it wearing off mid day like normal. These remind me of the NARS Larger than Life long wear eyeliner but without the $24 price tag.

 

 

Highlighting 101

 

 

 

Gorgeous glowy skin is in! Highlighting your face is the perfect way to make your best features more pronounced and will add and reflect light that will give you that healthy, fresh faced dewy look.

 

Some common areas to highlight in which the sun naturally hit your face are as followed:

• The top of the cheek bones
• Bridge of the nose
• Under the brow bone
• Cupids bow

Some less common areas to highlight include: the center of the forehead to bring dimension, the center of the chin to make your lips look bigger and the inner corner of your eyes to make your eyes appear larger and more open. Make sure to stay away from highlighting any problem areas you may have like pimples, wrinkles or large pores.

 

What to highlight with:

 

Highlighting can be done with various products, not just an illuminator or a product containing some shimmer; highlighting can also generally be done with a foundation or concealer that is 2-3x times lighter than your actual foundation. Like every other makeup product there are various formulas to which you can highlight your skin:

 

• Liquids: The most common of the illuminators. They blend into the skin very easily and look the most natural. They don't cake up and are very light, almost creating a second skin finish. They don't oxidize like some foundations can do on you and are commonly blended in using the fingertips. Try Benefit High Beam

• Creams: Creams are also very popular, and like liquids are best blended in with the fingertips. Although they don't give you that second skin finish. They do however create a very natural look and finish. Try Benefit Watt's Up!

• Powders: Powder illuminators are perfect for oilier skin and although powder is the less common of the illuminators, it's what I prefer. Not only do powders come in an array of colors you can also try using a loose pigment or a powder shadow. Powders are best applied with a small powder brush, or a fan brush. Try BECCA shimmering skin perfector in opal

 

 

Contouring 101

 

Contouring your face can be difficult and confusing at times if you don't know where to place your products. It's also important to know the shape of your face, as that will be a major part of where you will contour (and highlight - but that will be in another post) Let's start with the basics; using the right products can make all the difference. Choose matte powders or creams that can easily be blended out. Good brushes are also an essential part in applying your contour flawlessly, try out the NARS Ita brush for a sharp contour, or go with an angled brush for a more of a subtle look.

 

 

 

 

Make sure the shade you're contouring with is 2-3x darker than your actual foundation. I love using the Loreal True Match Super blendable crayon concealor. Begin at the center of the top of your hairline, apply a thin layer of the contour color along of the edge of the hairline making your way towards your temples. Make sure you get as close to the hairline as possible. Also make sure you don't apply too much, or you won't get that sculpted appearance. Continue at the ear just under the cheekbones, this is when you make that funny looking fishy face, unless you already have defined cheekbones. Sweep the contour color diagonally from your ear to the hallows of your cheekbones. Bring the brush back towards your ear, keeping the brush as close as possible to your jawline, sweep it underneath and on the jawline. This will make your face appear thinner and more defined. If you already love your nose, skip this step, but if you want a slimmer appearing nose (like I often do)  starting from your eyebrows, sweep the contour over the natural curve of your nose, repeat on the other side. You can also contour the tip of your nose into a "V" shape to shorten the length. Additionally, the best way to apply contour and bronzer is the "3" shape, this way it is applied in a fashion that the sun naturally kisses the face. Make sure you always use the smallest strokes when applying the color to avoid applying too much product.   As always, it's up to you how much contour and bronzer you apply, use your own discretion. Makeup should be fun, have fun with it!

 

 



How long to keep your beauty products:

 

An unlikely tip that actually works - Thanks Wayne Goss

Want to minimize pores and keep your foundation in place all day? Apply a powder BEFORE you apply your foundation. Not only does it make your foundation last through out the day, but it will reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores. I know you're thinking, a powder before a cream? No way. Well, it actually works! Apply your moisturizer, your primer, POWDER, then your foundation. If you have dry skin, no need to powder after the foundation, you're set for the day. However, if you're on the oily side, like myself, apply a bit of powder on the TZONE ONLY.

Try it out, I guarantee you will love the way your skin looks and behaves through out the day.

Tools of the trade - Best ways to apply foundation

• Foundation brush - Brushes are easy and a fast way of applying foundation. There are various types of brushes that make foundation application a breeze: a flat foundation brush is always the best bet in applying foundation. Using a light hand and always using a downwards stroke (it prevents the little baby hairs on your face from sticking up), the foundation will look flawless and like your skin but better.

           Try out: Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush

• Foundation Sponge - Typically one of my favorite ways of applying foundation. Using a small amount of product, on either a wet or dry sponge slightly "bounce" the foundation gently all over the skin. It gives you a flawless and airbrushed finish. If you desire more coverage, repeat the steps above.

           Try out: Beauty Blender Sponge

• Fingers - I am not a big fan of using fingers to apply foundation, but if you're in a time crunch and you don't care about too much coverage, fingers are always the best tool. The warmth of the fingertips make it easier to blend. Just watch out for streaking!