Monday, February 27, 2012

The World of Makeup Brushes





One of the most essential tools a makeup artist needs is her makeup brush!. Makeup brushes come in all different shapes in sizes necessary for perfecting any look. You (One is too formal) may think there is no need for purchasing many different brushes, but I beg to differ. The quality of the brush matters (brush is singular and needs a singular verb. A brush matters. Brushes matter.) too, so ladies invest in excellent brushes and I guarantee you will see a difference :)


Here are some Brush World Basics...


- First, the foundation brushes are used to apply liquid, cream or mineral foundation. By using a brush instead of your fingers, the foundation will be applied smoother, therefore giving your skin a more natural look. When applying mineral foundation with a brush like this, it is important top pat off any excess foundation before applying the brush to your face. 


- The concealer brushes are great for under eye bags or hiding blemishes such as freckles and those nasty zits! When applying under eye concealer, make sure to choose a color one shade lighter than your natural skin tone to make the eye area brighter. Makeup artist Bobbi Brown suggests choosing a color for those dreaded under eye bags that is "yellow-toned" to make the eye area pop!

- The powder all over brush is good for bronzer and blush simply because the brush will effortlessly reach all areas of the face.

- Lastly, the powder brush, (t-zone brush), is good for covering up those oily parts of the skin prone to breakouts. According to www.bellasugar.com, "The T-Zone is oilier than the rest of your face because it has a higher percentage of oil glands. These areas tend to break out more often and have a higher tendency toward blackheads, whiteheads, irritation, sunburn, and redness".


Now that you've got the basics down, I thought I'd share with you some ideas on how to store your beloved brushes. 
Idea #1: Use old glass vases (available at craft stores) to create a vintage and elegant look.

Idea #2: Fill some glass vases with different color decorative gems or stones (available at craft stores) to achieve this fun and organized look. 





Idea #3: Same look as #2 just separate your eye brushes and face brushes by applying cute stickers to the glass vases for a more organized look!

xox


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Everyone Can Look Gorgeous NAKED


Hey makeup artists! What's better then a makeup palette that has tons of gorgeous and totally wearable colors? I just recently fell in love with a fairly new product from Urban Decay called the NAKED Palette. It is really a breakthrough in the world of eye shadow palettes! The velvet case is long and sleek with gold lettering on the front and handy mirror inside. This palette comes with 12 stunning eye shadows. Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half Baked, Smog, Darkhouse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep, Gunmetal. 


Also, I can honestly say, I use every single one of these colors and completely agree with Urban Decay when they say you can, “Experiment with office-appropriate neutrals, summertime bronzy looks, or sultry smokiness." They are all wearable and can be used on a daily basis. My palette also came with an eye shadow brush and Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. The shadow brush is cruelty free therefore named the “Good Karma Eyeshadow Brush." (Fun Fact.) The primer potion is awesome, just dab some on before applying any eyeshadow to the lid and crease area and it will stay on all night with no running or smudges! I purchased my NAKED Palette at a Sephora for $50.00 and even though it was pricey, it was definitely a rewarding purchase and turned out to be one of my favorite makeup products.









 Since the first NAKED Palette was so successful, Urban introduced a NAKED Palette 2! I have not purchased this palette yet but have been drooling over it for a while now. (A girl can dream can’t she?) 



This new palette comes with 12 eyeshadows, one color from the original NAKED (thank God!) and some brand new colors; Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted and Blackout. The fun and flirty names of the shadows make the palette even more desirable! This new case is made of tin, which is easier to clean according to a review from Urban Decay. The review also stated that even though the colors in NAKED 2 look similar to the original NAKED, the shimmer intensity is quite different with all the shades and have an overall different look to them. This palette is also being sold for $50.00 and can be found at makeup stores all over. But hurry!; my guess is this product will be selling out sooner than you can blink your freshly done eyelids! xox

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Roses and Red, Violets are Blue, Check out These Fun Nail Looks Just for You!









Hey makeup artists! Today is the day of love, chocolate and flowers, the long awaited and highly anticipated, Valentines Day! And this means us ladies must be looking our best. So whether you're complaining you’re single or in love with your hunny, try these fun looks. I have researched tons of  cute and easy nail designs that will be perfect for impressing that special someone ;)









The French Manicure V-Day Look

These two looks are my favorite because they are classy and absolutely adorable! You can achieve this look by applying a base clear coat first then a straight line in either red or white on the tip of the nail. Sometimes it is easier to place a small piece of tape below the tip of the nail and paint over it to get a perfect straight line. These cute small hearts can be applied with Konad Stamping Art Polish along with the Konad Stamping Nail Art Set. I am a big fan of the Konad products because when applied to the nail correctly, the stamp is crisp and the polish is nice and thick! 


These are super sweet looks to try too! You can achieve these looks by applying a base coat and then a solid color (red, white or pink). Then use a nail art pen like Sally Hansen's Nail Art Pen. This product is great because it’s precise and comes in seven different colors. Use one color art pen first to make the hearts or the "XOX"s then let dry. Next, use a different color nail art pen to finish off the look and voila!




These last looks are adorable to try as well. For the first look, it is important to shape the nail with a nail file to a slight point. Then use Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen and make two dots towards the tip of the nail. Then simply drag the two dots (while polish is still wet) together at the point of the nail. Finish with a clear coat when dry.
For the second look, paint the whole nail with a solid color, let dry. Then have fun with applying different designs! My personal favorites are Kiss Nail Artist Flat Nail Stickers. These stickers are easy to apply and there's no mess involved!











Don't forget a clear finishing top coat for all looks and wait at least 15 minutes for dying! I like OPI Top Coat.

*And here’s another quick tip! In case of an accidental smudge, quickly and lightly lick the smudge to smooth out the polish on the nail and no one will ever notice :)  (Who knew!)

Have fun with these looks ladies and have a great Valentines Day! xox

Friday, February 10, 2012

The Smokey Eye - A Technique Any Girl Can Master!

The Smokey Eye is definitely one of my preferred night looks when it comes to eye makeup. It’s great for a night out on the town when done correctly. It works with any eye color, shape and skin tone. There are tons of fabulous tutorials out there that how you how to perfect the Smokey Eye and I have searched high and low for the perfect one. I came across a fantastic YouTube Video tutorial that explains step-by-step how to get the look for cheap!
I really like the way this makeup artist used drugstore supplies (minus the MAC lipstick) and made the look seem like it was done professionally. Remember always go light on the lips if  you are going heavy on the eyes to avoid looking like a drag queen! xox

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Oompa Loompa or Oahu? A Girls Guide to Self-Tanning



Sick of orange streaky self-tanning lotions? Afraid of the dangerous consequences from tanning beds? During these frigid winter months it's hard to find a tanning solution that you can trust to give you a natural-looking glow. I have tried many at home tanning lotions that were nothing more than blotchy disappointments. I’ve also found a few trustworthy products.



It is important to remember that before applying any self-tanning lotion, you must first exfoliate the skin. I’ve found that a body scrub with exfoliating beads works best. After exfoliating, apply regular lotion to the skin, focusing on extra dry areas like knees and elbows.


My first splendid pick is Sun Dark Instant Self-Tanning Lotion. This is my top choice because it gives you a natural look for your body and face. The company claims that it will take you from pale to tan in three hours. Don’t hold your breath. I had the best results when I applied the lotion at night just before bed. I was very happy with the color the lotion left on my skin; not a hint of that phony tan orange. The tan lasted me about three days. You can purchase this product at beauty supply stores as well as online at Amazon, ULTA and Ebay. Prices range from $14.00 to $36.00 depending on the size of the bottle.


Buy SUN Dark Instant Self-Tanning Here!


I’m also a huge fan of Fake Bake 
Self-Tanning Lotion. Love the name and the texture of the lotion.
It’s very thick and the fool-proof package even comes with plastic gloves for easy application. This product can also be purchased at beauty supply stores and online for about $25.00.




Buy Fake Bake Self-Tanning Lotion Here!


My last favorite is Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer, which comes in all different tones for different skin types and it also “firms” the skin. This product will give you a gradual tan when used over time and has a very natural look. You can find this moisturizer at drugstores or online for about $6.00.


Remember ladies, there’s nothing worse then an orangey, streaky faux tan, so make sure to exfoliate and really massage these lotions into the skin for a look that glows! xox