HAUL!/Reviews

Hello,
So after watching many beauty guru's favorites of 2013 videos, I decided I would do a little shopping.

here is what I bought:

Drugstore:

Milani Baked Blush in "Luminoso"- tried this on today and LOVE it $9

Revlon Colorburst lipgloss in color 042 "Bellini"- I had to go to 3 stores just to find this color and I have heard so many people mention it in their videos, so it must be a good color. $8 

Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in "Honey"- very pretty, your lips but better color $7

Sephora:

Stila eyeshadow in color "kitten"- I used to have this eyeshadow in the "in the light" palette, but I dropped it :( This color has one many awards and I LOVE it $18

Benefit Gimme Brow light/med  $22

• Overall it is a great product, but if you want a more dramatic look then I think                 pencils/eyebrow shadows look better.

CLINIQUE Bottom Lash Mascara/01 Black $10

• This is the only product that was not really mentioned in peoples' favorites of 2013 videos, but I wanted to try it because I had been having trouble with my bottom lashes
• I tried it and I really like it, I don't think my bottom lashes have ever looked this good

Makeup Brushes

Hello Lovelies,

When I first started using makeup something I had no clue that people actually used makeup brushes. I also had no clue what brushes to use.
I used the sponge applicator tips that most drugstore eye shadows come with. Below is a picture of what I am talking about.

Once I started using brushes, it made my eye shadow look so much more beautiful. It is much easier to blend with brushes and gives it that nice seamless look. You can use the sponge applicator tips if you want, but I would only recommend using it for apply eye shadow that is all over the lid. I usually just throw mine out. 

I also used to apply my foundation with just my fingers, but once again,using other products helps for a much better look.

I am going to tell you about some makeup brushes that you should purchase :) All of the following brushes do not shed onto your face and are extremely soft.

I think the best brushes for a girl on a budget are the Real Technique brushes. You can find them at Ulta and Walmart. I tend to navigate towards these brushes more than Sigma brushes because I can get them in a store and don't have to pay for shipping (there are NO Sigma stores near where I live).

I would not recommend purchasing their foundation brushes, because I believe I have found some other foundation brushes that are better. BUT you should purchase their powder brush ($10), their starter set which comes with a base shadow brush, crease brush, accent brush, fine liner brush, and brow brush ($18), setting brush (for highlighting) ($8), and blush brush ($9).

If you do not have an Ulta near where you live, do not want to pay for the shipping on the Real Technique brushes, and still think they are too expensive, then the best drugstore brushes are the EcoTools brushes. You can find these at any drugstore, Walmarts, and Targets. 

I would purchase the Essential Eye set ($8) which comes with a large eye brush, angled crease brush, shading brush, highlighting brush, and smudge brush. I would also purchase their large powder brush ($8), and blush brush ($7)

Notice how I did not recommend to purchase foundation brushes? The following are the best things to use for foundation. You may splurge on these a little, but it is worth it. (you can also refer to another post of mine, here)

1. Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush $21 

Get at Sigma's Website here 

2. BeautyBlender Sponge $20 

Get at Sephora or their website here 

You can use the rounded bottom for foundation application and you can use the pointed tip to blend out your under eye concealer. Such an amazing product. 

3. Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Synthetic Brush Professional Tools No. 4 $17

Get at Target 

I also did not recommend buying any bronzing/contouring brushes above because I really think it would be worth it to splurge on the following brush, IF you can find it. It is currently unavilable at a lot of places, but I have heard nothing but rave reviews on it. If anyone can find it, please let me know! 

NARS Ita Kabuki Brush No. 21 

for more information click here 

However, this EcoTools Brush looks quite similar, but I have not tried it

Eco Tools Face and Body Sculpting Brush ($12)

Here is another brush for contouring

Sigma F40 Angled Countour ($19) here 

Anyways, now onto Sigma brushes. I hear rave reviews about their brushes all the time. They are a little pricey compared to the last brushes I showed you, but they are still less than other high end brushes like Mac. Disclosure, I have never owned any of these brushes, but I recommend these brushes based on other beauty gurus' advice, particularly Casey Holmes.  

F86- tapered kabuki ($21) here 

for under eye conclear, foundation, blending 

F30- powder brush ($24) here

F35- tapered highlighter ($21) here 

E25- blending brush ($12) here

E36- small blending ($12) here

E55- eye shading ($12) here 

F75- concealer ($12) here 

E40-tapered blending ($14) here 

Also, if you have the money and want them all, I would look into some kits:

Basic Face Kit ($76) here 

Basic Eyes Kit ($69) here 

Complete Kit Chrome (the cheapest of complete kits) ($379) here

For more information on Sigma Kits click here 

Thanks for reading! Any questions or comments? Let me know!

Random

Hey dolls!
I just finished Paper Towns by John Green today. I love his books, but I think I enjoyed The Fault in Our Stars  better (even though it made me sob).  I can't wait for the movie to come out. I also read his other book, Looking for Alaska, but I still think FIOS is my favorite.
Anyways if you're a book lover, check out his books!
Do any of you have any recommendations?

Flawless Foundation Routine

Hi Lovelies!
This is my secret to having a flawless face.

First Please refer to my last post and apply one of the primers/lotions/moisturizers/bb creams that I recommended here :)

Allow that to soak into your face for a little bit before putting on your foundation.

A video on the following should be up soon!

Next pick your foundation.
I love L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup ($10. 95) and it comes in 32 colors, with pink and yellow tones. I also love L'oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous ($12. 95) and comes in 12 colors...don't be afraid by the word "luminous" it does not make your skin look too oily, instead it gives it a nice, natural, glowy effect. (Get both at Target, Walmart, and Drugstores).

I am the color N4 in Buff Beige, however, I may try a slightly lighter color next time.

*Note* I do own the L'oreal True Match Lumi Primer, and I am not that big of a fan of it, but I do like it better as a highlighter. 

Side note: having a hard time picking your foundation color? If you already own a foundation that matches your skin, bring that foundation with you to the store and compare it. If you feel like you can never find a color that matches, try buying the same foundation in 2 different colors and mix them together to create the perfect match. 

Next, apply the foundation. There are a variety of things that you can apply it with; fingers, sponges, flat foundation brush, stippling brush, etc. My favorites are stippling brushes and sponges. 

Right now I am using this brush to apply my foundation:

Sonia Kashuk Flat Top Synthetic Brush, Professional Tools No. 4 $17 available at Target. 

**You want synthetic bristle brushes (not natural) for applying foundation and concealer. Check out this website for more information on brushes: 

                                           

Another great brush that I have heard nothing but great things about is the Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush, which is very similar to the brush I use. Check it out here: 

It is $21

I squirt one pump of foundation onto my hand then pick it up with the foundation brush, I dab little bits of the foundation all around my face. Then, I rub it in to my face in circular motions with the brush. Make sure you get all areas of your face. Brush the remainder of the foundation left onto your brush onto your neck for a seamless look. 

After this your face should still look natural. It should still show some blemishes and your freckles. The point of foundation is to even out the discoloration of your skin tone. 

The next step is to give it that flawless look and to cover up some blemishes. 

You need a concealer. I use Revlon Photoready Concealer in Medium. I dislike liquid type concealers for covering blemishes. Make sure that you pick a color that matches your foundation. 

This concealer has shades fair, light, light-medium, medium, medium-deep, and deep. It is around $10. (Get at Target, Walmart, and Drugstores).

You can apply with a concealer brush (Synthetic) but I just use my fingers. 

I rub a little bit onto my fingers and place it over any blemishes and extra areas of redness that I have on my face. Then I blend it out. 

Next, you want to use another type of concealer to brighten up those under eyes. I use a liquid concealer for this. My favorite right now is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer (wow that is a mouthful haha), in fair. Around $9  (Get both at Target, Walmart, and Drugstores)

This is a great concealer, it does not crease and glides on very smoothly. It even won the Insiders Beauty Award for Cosmetic Executive Women.  

When choosing a color for under eye concealer you want a color that is much lighter then your foundation and skin tone because the point is to brighten. 

Using the sponge applicator, put a few dots under your eyes, and in the area marked off in this photo. 

You can blend this up with another synthetic brush or sponge, or you can use your fingers. It helps if your fingers are warm. 

You next want to set your face with a powder, especially if you have oily skin. 

I use Covergirl Tru Blend Pressed Powder in 4, Translucent Medium. You want the powder to around the same shade as your foundation and you want it to be translucent. I really like the finish this powder gives me. (Get at Walmart, Target, Drugstore) $7-$10

You want to apply this using a powder brush, not with the applicator they give you. 

The brush I use is Real Techniques Powder Brush around $10 (I found mine at Walmart, but you can also get them at the website here) I will be doing a post about best brushes soon. 

Place some powder onto the brush and apply in circular motions onto your face, but avoid the under eye area where you just applied your under eye concealer, you want to set the under eye area with a lighter color, but sometimes I skip that step. 

After those steps you should have a pretty, flawless, face. But, you may want to add more dimension to your face and some color. So, do the following steps. This is basic contouring. I may do a post later that goes more in depth on contouring/highlighting. But we are just starting off with the basics :)

The first thing you need is a bronzer, I think matte (no shimmer) bronzers are better for a more natural looking affect. Matte bronzers are hard to find at the drugstore, but I found one. If you have a deep skin tone, this color may not be the best for you.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in 720A Sunny. 

This product is so affordable, only around $3. (Get at some Targets and drugstores)

Use an angled contouring brush to apply. (but if you don't have one a powder brush can also do) 

Apply to the following areas on both sides of the face. for more information on brushes click here 

You really want to focus it at an angle from the top of your ear. Find your cheekbone and place the bronzer right below. Blend out for a more natural effect. 

Lastly!!!! Apply blush

Right now I am loving Benefit's Rockateur (Get at Sephora, Ulta, Macys) but it is $28 :(

Another more affordable option is Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso (Get at most drugstores) $9

Apply to the apples of your cheeks, with a blush brush. for more information on brushes click here 

Phew! Now you are finished! I hope this helps, comment if you have any questions. 

Do I Need a Primer?

Hello Lovelies,

Welcome! 

Many people ask me, do I need a primer? Some people believe that they do not do anything. I used to be one of those people (until I tried out the second primer on the list below). 

Now...you do not necessarily need a primer, but you do need to apply something under your foundation. This could be a primer/facial moisturizer/lotion/or bb cream.By doing this, foundation has something to stick to and will give your foundation a longer lasting holding power throughout the day. I have dry skin, so it is also important to moisturize before I apply my foundation because if I do not then the foundation will cling to my dry patches and further accentuate them. For everyday I use cheaper, drugstore, options in replacement of a primer. But if I am going out and need my makeup to be more long lasting, I use an actual primer. The following are some things I would recommend you to try!

Apply all of these with your fingers right before applying your foundation. BUT, allow the product to sit on your face for a little bit of time so it can soak in before putting the foundation on. 

The first is Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream, I use shade Medium. Now this does not necessarily accomplish all 10 things it claims to do, but it is basically a tinted moisturizer, which is great. Also, if I am not in the mood to do a complete foundation routine, I just apply this with my fingers and run. (Get at Target, Walmart, Drugstore, etc) Around $8 

For a non drugstore option, I like bareMinerals Prime Time, it makes your skin super smooth and is preservative free. I have not heard that many people talk about this primer, but I LOVE it.  (Get at a bareMinerals store, Sephora, online) $23

For everyday, I use Curel Skin Nourishing Lotion. Even though it is considered a body lotion, I still think it works on my face, without making it look too greasy. I do not use a real primer everyday, because I do not feel the need to, but this will still help give the foundation something to cling on to. I have extremely dry skin and this works really well. It is the cheapest and comes with a lot.  (Get at Target, Walmart, Drugstore, etc) Around $7 

Finally is L'oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur, because beauty guru Nicole Guerriero loves it. However, I have not personally tried it, but I trust her advice.  This one is a little bit more pricey for a typical drugstore product (Get at Target, Walmart, Drugstore, etc)  Around $25

Another one I have heard nothing but great reviews about is Benefit POREfessional (get at Sephora, Ulta, Macys) $42

I need to explore more moisturizers designed specifically for the face, any recommendations? I will let you know when I find one that I like!

Thanks for reading~

Larissa