MAKEUP MONDAY: Summer Proof your Makeup

Hello all! So this is going to just be a quick post on how to summer proof your makeup!

Some things you definitely need to keep your makeup on through the hot and humid weather:

• long wearing primer, even if you are just going out for a few hours, the long wearing ingredients can help make it last through sweat and humidity
• I like Smashbox's primers, Revlon Photoready, and L'oreal Primers

• You will need a setting spray!!
• The only one I really like would be Urban Decay's Setting spray. It really does make you makeup last all day, through sweat and even if you rub your hand across your forehead, it doesn't come off! (yes, I have tried this!)

• SUNSCREEN. Even though this won't help you keep your makeup on all day, it will have long term benefits to your skin. I have heard so many horror stories of young girls getting skin cancer because of the sun, they didn't wear sunscreen
• try to stick to natural sunscreens, even though they can be harder to find, baby or children sunscreens are basically the same thing. they both use natural sun protecting ingredients, instead of harsher chemicals. You also want one with 45+ SPF to ensure your skin is protected.

There is just a few quick tips on keeping your makeup looking FAB during the hot weather seasons. I have to jet off to work now, have a great day!

xoxoxoxo

Makeup Monday: BB creams and life update!

Hello all! I know I've been mia lately. I had stressful exams. Then I moved back home. I used to live at school, but I've decided it would be better for me to go back home. Also, it's officially summer break! wooo! Well until Thursday. I will be starting work at a factory, making seats for Chrysler. Oh so glamorous... It beats working at a fast food restaurant though. Anyways... This week I am back on schedule, I'm all unpacked and organized.

So what the heck is a BB cream?
In short, a BB cream stands for blemish balm, and basically is a glamorized tinted moisturizer.


The product was created for women who have had laser surgery. Since wearing harsh foundations would be damaging for their skin. It has been extremely popular in Asian women for the past 40 years. Dermatologists created a product that has all the benefits of your essential skin care products, but with the added coverage of a foundation.
Most BB creams contain: sunscreen, moisturizer, primer, and foundation.
In the past year, BB creams were introduced in western countries, and have been increasingly popular.

So, if you are looking for a BB cream, here are some awesome ones I have found:

Diorsnow UV Shield BB cream - 69$ department stores

Estee Lauder DayWear BB Cream - 38$ department stores, or Sephora

Clinique Age Defense BB cream - 37$ Sephora

Garnier BB Cream - 13$ Walmart

I hope you all found this information useful! See you Wednesday!

xoxoDallas

Tips for Prom: Foundation and Other Things

• Make sure you use a full coverage foundation. This will ensure your face looks flawless in photos.
• SPF in foundation is a no. This is because SPF makes your face appear a little more whiter in flash photography.
• It is a good idea to carry either blotting papers or your face powder, that way if you get shiny throughout the night, you will be able to have a quick fix.
• Another important thing to carry would be your lash glue, just in case. As well as a small needle and thread, bobby pins, and your lipgloss/stick. You never know what could happen and you'd want to be prepared.
• Use matte bronzer and matte blush (this means a product that has no shimmer or glitter). This will look better in photography
• If you are planning on being tan for prom (spray, tanning bed, and self tan) be sure to start at least 2 weeks ahead, and not do it at least three days before. This is because if you get burnt, it won't be so bad after three days. If you are a little orange from the spray or self, then showering a few days before will help reduce it.
• Revlon Photoready, Makeup Forever HD foundation, Clinique Almost Powder, Nars Sheer Matte foundation, are just a few awesome foundations that would be perfect for prom. No SPF, matte finish, and long wearing. I spoke to a few Sephora makeup artists, and those were their picks, (other then the Revlon).
• Use an oil free foundation primer to ensure the product doesn't smudge
• Use a long lasting setting spray so your foundation is sweat and food proof
• If you notice any breakouts the day of prom, ice it as soon as you notice it. The ice will make it appear smaller. Also, you can use Visine on a q-tip and dab it over the breakout for 30 seconds. Visine helps reduce the blood vessels, so it won't be as red.

Dry Skin Solutions

This winter season has not only brought insane weather, but also it has brought me dry skin! So dry that it has made my eczema flare up so badly! It has been so bad, that I had eczema on my face for the last 3 weeks. It's constantly itchy. Every product seems to make my face worse. This has never happened to me, I've always had combo skin. I have been using quite a few products to help with this, and i think I've got it under control, finally.

Clinique Dramatically Different:

I use a thick coat of this at night, and when I wake up,my skin is so hydrated and smooth. It has a funny smell though, like an old lady maybe. But it works, so I dont care! You can get it at department stores or Sephora for about 13$ for a 1.7oz tube.

Vaseline Dry Skin:

I use this on my legs, feet and arms. It smells really good, and it feels like a water based lotion, which I prefer. It has vitamens E & A & B. This really does make my skin feel soooooo smooth. Especially after I wax my legs! You can get it at Wal-Mart for less the 10$.

Olay Skin Smoothing Cream Scrub:

I usually would use a harsh anti-acne face scrub, but that really dries out my face. This gets rid of all the dead skin, and washes away any excess makeup. You know that feeling after you wash your face and it dries, and it gets all tight? Well after I use this, that doesn't happen, it feels like there's moisturizer inside it. You can get it at Wal-Mart for around 11$.

Bio Oil (Vitaderm):

I have stretch marks on my thighs, and they get really itchy, and no cream would fix it. So I got Vitaderm, which it the Shoppers Drug Mart brand of Bio Oil (they have the exact same ingredients). I just apply it with a cotton ball and massage it on the the area, and it moisturizes and helps get rid of my stretch marks. You can get it at any drug store for between 10 - 15$.

7 Brushes You Can't Live Without

So yet, another basic, kit must have post. These are helpful posts because when I was starting out with makeup and developing a kit, I was reading posts like these, and found them really helpful.

There really is only 10 brushes you need, or less, depending on what makeup looks you want to achieve. The prices really depend on the company, quality, and if they are synthetic or not. Personally, I don't use real hair brushes, I just prefer to use synthetic (meaning not real hair, usually plastic fibres or something like that [not harmful at all])

1. Powder Brush:

• Function; applying translucent powder, powder foundation, or some other form of setting powder.
• It's usually the largest brush in a selection
• A good one should be dense, fluffy, and soft, with a thick handle

Real Techniques Powder Brush - 10$ Synthetic

MAC 134 - 62.50$ "Natural Fibre"

2. Foundation Brush:

• Function; applying liquid products to a large area of skin, and blending out concealer
• Usually synthetic, bristles are in a ^ shape to apply product in small areas (like the nose corner)
• A good one should be soft and have stiffer construction to them

Mark Foundation Brush - 8$

Eco Tools Bamboo Foundation - 10$

3. Angled Contour

• Function; applying bronzer and/or blush
• Usually not as dense as a powder, bristles are longer
• A good one should not shed and be too thick

Sephora Angled Natural Blush Brush - 32$

Sigma Large Angled Contour - 16$

4. Angled Liner

• Function; eyebrows, eyeliner, and/or gel liner
• This brush is small and not very dense, so its great for a precise application
• It's better if they are synthetic so the product doesn't get trapped

Crown Brush Taklon Angled Line - 3$

MAC 208 - 19.50$

5. Blending/Fluffy Brush

• Function; blending shadows
• One should be dense and have longer bristles for best application
• Usually has a longer handle for less controlled applications

Crown Deluxe Pointed Crease - 6$

MAC 224 - 30$

6. Pencil Brush

• Function; precise application of eyeshadows on the top and bottom lid
• Dense, compact fibres
• A good one should be thick and not flimsy when you touch it, it should really apply like a pencil

Crown Precision Pencil - 5$

MAC 219 - 24.50$

7. Multi-Use Brush

• Function; wet/dry products, concealer, eyeliner, and foundation
• Make sure the bristles feel soft, you don't want one that feels like a foundation brush
• Use one that is small enough to use on your eyelid, but big enough to use on covering blemishes

Bobbi Brown Touch Up Brush - 28$

Sigma Large Shader - 11$

So there you have it! A small intro to brushes, and their functions! I hope this helped :)

Color Correcting!

So one of my friends asked me a question involving color correcting. And I completely forgot to even consider a post about it! I think it's the foundation of makeup. If you don't know what I mean by color correcting, I will explain:

So let's say you have a skin discoloration somewhere, you are going to want to conceal them with the opposite color.

If you look at the color wheel, it will tell you exactly what colored product you will need to cover up the discoloration.

Under eye circles are the most obvious in regards to color correcting. Here are some examples of what color your under eye circles are and what to conceal them with:

Purple Undertone: straight across on the CW is yellow, so using a yellow based concealer it will hide your purple color

Blue Undertone: you are going to want to use an orange based product. This is similar to the yellow, but the orange may be more difficult to find. You can always use a matte cream eyeshadow as well.

Redness and Acne: simply use a green concealer. You may think that is bazaar, but it really works! Many companies have come out with color correcting kits, even drugstore ones.

There are brands that make concealer specifically for under the eye:

Lancome Effacernes: avaliable at Sephora, Shoppers, or any department store, 32$

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage: avaliable at Sephora, 30$

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit: avaliable at Sephora, 32$

Almay Wake Up Under Eye Concealer: available at drugstores and ulta, 10$

Physicians Formula Circle Control: available at drugstores and ulta, 12$

Olay Simply Ageless Concealer: available at drugstores and ulta, 14$

As for how to apply it, it is a little confusing because now you have to apply a foundation, color corrector, concealer and powder?! Well just remember to correct, even out, hide and set. So first you apply your moisturizer or primer if you wish, then you apply the color corrector, you even out your skin with foundation, you hide any other blemishes you may have, and then you set it all in place with a translucent powder or powder foundation.

Here are some good correctors:

Lise Watier Concealer Wheel: avaliable at Sephora, Shoppers 30$

Physicians Formula Color Correcting Trio (also comes in green): walmart, drugstores, 11$

Stila One Step Correct: Sephora, 36$

Thanks for reading, and I hope this helped! Any questions can be asked on my twitter or below (you dont need to join blogspot to comment)!

Foundation Basics

So, you are at a drug store or a Sephora, and you are looking for a new foundation. What are you going to pick? Do you even know where to start? Well if you have no idea, I shall help you!

First you have to determine which type of skin you have. This is because if you choose a foundation that is either to dry or to oily for your face, you may breakout or dry out. Knowing what skin type you have will help you also choose products for skin care, like cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

Oily Skin:

Your skin is oily all over, may be acne prone, acne scars. This is caused by glands that produce too much sebum on your face, causing it to appear greasy and shiny. The oily blocks pores, and causes acne, your purse may also appear larger on your nose or forehead.

Dry Skin:

Dry all over, splotchy, red, dry patches, flakey. This can also be referred to as "sensitive skin" on packaging. This skin type is caused from the skin itself being delicate. It requires special care and maintenance. It is generally sensitive to alcohol, synthetic ingredients, fragrance, and artificial colours.

Combination Skin:

Usually this skin type is oily in the "T" zone (forehead down to the nose in a "T" shape) and dry everywhere else.

Normal Skin:

This type is not only a blessing to have, but also doesn't require much attention. It produces oils, but not a noticeable amount. It is not too dry. It generally stays plump and healthy looking.

Now you need to decide which foundation to choose.

Oily Skin:

Drug Store;

Loreal Magic Smooth Souffle foundation

This foundation is a creamy mousse texture. It makes your face look airbrushed. It's best applied with a flat foundation brush or a small stippling brush. This product needs to be set with either a translucent powder, or a powder foundation. It also shows up two shades darker when you first apply it, but once it's blended, it matches.

17-21$

Sephora;

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

This foundation is what it says, a creme. It is a full coverage foundation, it is oil free. The description says it's perfect for rosacea and hard to cover pigmentation. Best applied with either clean finger tips or a flat foundation brush.

42$

Sensitive Skin:

Drug Store;

Cover Girl Nature Luxe

This product works for sensitive/dry skin because it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or irritating ingredients. It's natural, like Taylor Swift said "a light touch of cucumber!". Cucumber actually has a cooling effect on the skin, so dry irritated skin will feel more relieved. This is a light to medium coverage. This is a light to medium coverage.

Best applied with clean fingertips or a beauty sponge.

From 7-12$

Sephora;

Clinique Perfectly Real

Not only is this brand great for sensitive skin, this foundation is even better. It's hypoallergenic, oil free, and non-acnegeneic. It's light weight, and water based, so it definitely won't be irritating.

Best applied with a flat foundation brush or a stippling brush.

24$

Combonation Skin:

Drug Store;

L'oreal True Match

I love this foundation, this is the one I am currently using. What drew me to this foundation was the colour selection; they have at least 20 different shades. They offer cool tones and warm tones. (in cease you were wondering, I am C1, which is cool alabaster) It's very blend able and light, but has a medium to full coverage. It does need to be set with some sort go powder.

Best applied with a flat foundation brush, then continue to blend with a sponge.

13$

MAC;

MatchMaster foundation

This is a new product from MAC, and it uses translucent pigments to match the ones on your face, to create a perfect shade. It is a medium to full coverage. It has a semi-matte finish, which is perfect for combo skin!

Best applied with a stippling brush.

39$

Normal skin:

It really depends on what coverage you want. You can pretty much wear any type of foundation, well ones that aren't specific to another skin type (like oily or sensitive).

Sephora; (full coverage)

Make Up Forever HD Foundation

This foundation flawlessly covers any imperfections and is long lasting.

Best applied with a stippling brush, and blended with your a beauty sponge.

40$

(light coverage)

Urban Defence Tinted Moisturizer

Really, any tinted moisturizer will work if you don't want the effect of a fully covered face. I like Urban Decay because they are cruelty free, which is important to me!

Best applied with your fingers, and does not need to be set with any powders.

30$

Drug Store; (light coverage)

Maybelline Fit Me foundation

Light coverage, lets your skin come through. Blendable and smooth, its a natural finish and makes your skin dewy.

Best applied with a foundation brush.

7-13$

(full coverage)

Revlon ColorStay

(yes this says for oily/combo skin, but so many reviews say it sides, so its better for normal)

This foundation is build able and long lasting. It also gives a matte finish.

Best applied with a beauty sponge.

11-16$

I hope this helped!

Foundation Basics & Picking the Right one

So, you are at a drug store or a Sephora, and you are looking for a new foundation. What are you going to pick? Do you even know where to start? Well if you have no idea, I shall help you!

First you have to determine which type of skin you have. This is because if you choose a foundation that is either to dry or to oily for your face, you may breakout or dry out. Knowing what skin type you have will help you also choose products for skin care, like cleanser, toner and moisturizer.

Oily Skin:

Your skin is oily all over, may be acne prone, acne scars. This is caused by glands that produce too much sebum on your face, causing it to appear greasy and shiny. The oils blocks pores, and causes acne, your pores may also appear larger on your nose or forehead.

Dry Skin:

Dry all over, splotchy, red, dry patches, flakey. This can also be referred to as "sensitive skin" on packaging. This skin type is caused from the skin itself being delicate. It requires special care and maintenance. It is generally sensitive to alcohol, synthetic ingredients, fragrance, and artificial colours.

Combination Skin:

Usually this skin type is oily in the "T" zone (forehead down to the nose in a "T" shape) and dry everywhere else.

Normal Skin:

This type is not only a blessing to have, but also doesn't require much attention. It produces oils, but not a noticeable amount. It is not too dry. It generally stays plump and healthy looking.

Now you need to decide which foundation to choose.

Oily Skin:

Drug Store;

Loreal Magic Smooth Souffle foundation

This foundation is a creamy mousse texture. It makes your face look airbrushed. It's best applied with a flat foundation brush or a small stippling brush. This product needs to be set with either a translucent powder, or a powder foundation. It also shows up two shades darker when you first apply it, but once it's blended, it matches.

17-21$

Sephora;

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

This foundation is what it says, a creme. It is a full coverage foundation, it is oil free. The description says it's perfect for rosacea and hard to cover pigmentation. Best applied with either clean finger tips or a flat foundation brush.

42$

Sensitive Skin:

Drug Store;

Cover Girl Nature Luxe

This product works for sensitive/dry skin because it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals or irritating ingredients. It's natural, like Taylor Swift said "a light touch of cucumber!". Cucumber actually has a cooling effect on the skin, so dry irritated skin will feel more relieved. This is a light to medium coverage. This is a light to medium coverage.

Best applied with clean fingertips or a beauty sponge.

From 7-12$

Sephora;

Clinique Perfectly Real

Not only is this brand great for sensitive skin, this foundation is even better. It's hypoallergenic, oil free, and non-acnegeneic. It's light weight, and water based, so it definitely won't be irritating.

Best applied with a flat foundation brush or a stippling brush.

24$

Combonation Skin:

Drug Store;

L'oreal True Match

I love this foundation, this is the one I am currently using. What drew me to this foundation was the colour selection; they have at least 20 different shades. They offer cool tones and warm tones. (in cease you were wondering, I am C1, which is cool alabaster) It's very blend able and light, but has a medium to full coverage. It does need to be set with some sort go powder.

Best applied with a flat foundation brush, then continue to blend with a sponge.

13$

MAC;

MatchMaster foundation

This is a new product from MAC, and it uses translucent pigments to match the ones on your face, to create a perfect shade. It is a medium to full coverage. It has a semi-matte finish, which is perfect for combo skin!

Best applied with a stippling brush.

39$

Normal skin:

It really depends on what coverage you want. You can pretty much wear any type of foundation, well ones that aren't specific to another skin type (like oily or sensitive).

Sephora; (full coverage)

Make Up Forever HD Foundation

This foundation flawlessly covers any imperfections and is long lasting.

Best applied with a stippling brush, and blended with your a beauty sponge.

40$

(light coverage)

Urban Defence Tinted Moisturizer

Really, any tinted moisturizer will work if you don't want the effect of a fully covered face. I like Urban Decay because they are cruelty free, which is important to me!

Best applied with your fingers, and does not need to be set with any powders.

30$

Drug Store; (light coverage)

Maybelline Fit Me foundation

Light coverage, lets your skin come through. Blendable and smooth, its a natural finish and makes your skin dewy.

Best applied with a foundation brush.

7-13$

(full coverage)

Revlon ColorStay

(yes this says for oily/combo skin, but so many reviews say it sides, so its better for normal)

This foundation is build able and long lasting. It also gives a matte finish.

Best applied with a beauty sponge.

11-16$

I hope this helped!