Makeup Monday: Long Wearing Lipsticks

Long wearing lipsticks can be a life changer for the better or worse. And I have tried both types. When I worked in fast food, i would never have the chance to touch up my lipstick, so I usually would just wear chapstick. But then I discovered that long wear lip products can actually be true to what they say they do! Over the past two years, I have tried them all! Cheap and expensive ones. Here's what I have found to be the best:

L'oreal Infalliable Lipcolor in Thistle

• this specific colour is one I can wear anywhere, it basically is an enhancement of my natural lip colour
• retails at about 11$
• there are tons of shades to choose from
• it lasts about 9-10 hours
• it can survive eating, drinking out of a cup/straw/bottle
• can survive through long hours of talking
• a tip to keep it on longer is to apply the conditioning balm at least every hour
• after about 5 hours, you can feel it chaping on the inside of your lips, this is when you could either reapply it, or leave it, either way it will still last for another 4-5 hours

MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Prolong (clever name huh?)

• this colour is the perfect red
• it dries really quickly though, so if you mess up, it's hard to fix (as seen in this photo)
• it doesn't dry out your lips
• it stays put through eating and drinking anything
• doesn't crust or chap in the middle
• retails at 20$
• one of my favourite lip products ever

Maybelline Super Stay 24hr Color in Continuous Coral 

• I love this shade for spring!!
• it withstands eating fine
• there is a bit of wearing when you drink out of a bottle (in my case a Pepsi bottle, and it started to flake around 4hrs)
• DO NOT WEAR THIS FOR 24 HOURS!! (well never wear any makeup for 24 hours, ew, just ew)
• retails at about 8$
• a tip to keep it on longer is to moisturize your lips prior so the product clings to it better
• it is easy to fix any mistakes if you mess up

Also, before I put these on, I like to use a lip scrub. They can be a pain to get off as well, so using one when you want to take it off is strongly suggested too. 

I like this one from Bath and Body Works. It's only like 7$, and it smells and tastes like candy! It works wonders on my lips!

Fashion Frenzy Friday #3: PROM EDITION

Hello :)

So all this week I have been (trying) to do prom related things on here. Although, I have come down with yet another cold, so it caused me to be in bed all week. So There will be two prom makeup looks next week. As for today, I have worked all week to make these perfect!

Here are some different prom looks and dresses that are trending now! I went prom shopping for my little sister (who is graduating grade 8!) and heres what I found. All of which I tried to make under 100$, or at a similar reasonable price.

These are just 3 different looks I put together:

With short embellished dresses, it's better to go easy on the accessories. Adding a pop of colour to it will really make you stand out. And I put heels and flats because some people don't wear heels. Mint is big this spring too.

For longer dresses, go bigger on accessories, and hair. Especially with strapless, the necklace would be the statement. As for shoes, you really don't need something too crazy, because if your dress fit properly, they won't be seen.

For neutral dresses (white, beige, brown, grey, or black) colour is key. This is a good way to really express yourself through your fashion. Choosing your favourite colour and making it the centre of your look. If you want your shoes and bag to stand out, make your jewellery simple, and vice versa.

Here are some other types of dresses and trends happening this season for prom:

These ones are neutrals. For all different types of style choices.

These are feminine, they were sort of inspired by Taylor Swift. Very soft, and girly, with no harsh colour and not to much pazazz.

Long dresses are sort of fading for this season, but they are still gorgeous and traditional. Not many people choose to wear them, but if you do, it will look fabulous and you will stand out!

Pinks are always great, they are fun, and girly. These are for all different types of styles. From very girly, to outgoing, to classic and vintage.

These ones are so much fun! Poofy and colourful!

Okay, these are inspired by Katy Perry, I really admire her street fashion, (but I hate her performance fashion!) I think her fashion is just so fun and carefree!

Heels for the ladies who choose them! Just go crazy with the shoes!

When choosing flat shoes, gladiators and ballet styles are the best to choose. They are traditional, and won't soon go out of style.

Okay, so I have come up with a few tips for saving money on prom.

• splurge on a dress, meaning spend the most of your budget on the dress
• stick to accessories you can wear more then once
• stick to shoes you can wear more then once, if you're lucky, shoes that would be great for the whole summer
• ask around friends and family to see if they themselves or know someone who can work a sewing machine (for any possible alterations)
• watch YouTube tutorials for hair and makeup looks
• most of the makeup featured in peoples videos are generally cheap in price, or rings you probably already have
• do your nails and toes yourself

I hope you all enjoyed, HAPPY PROM!

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.

Clear Your Skin for Less then 20$

I know that some recent skincare products i have seen can be quite pricey. Like Proactive, Murad, Clinique, Philosophy, and Clarisonic. Yes, most of those products, based on the reviews, do work outstandingly, but not everyone has 40$ to spend on one cleanser. There are some more price friendly products that can work just as well.

This is really directed for acne prone skin, as well as oily skin. I'll do a post about sensitive/normal skin another day. Because I don't have that type of skin, I'll have to do more research for it.

To start, you are going to want to remove all your makeup, Olay Daily Cleansing cloths work on all skin types, and remove even waterproof makeup. (this is optional, so I'm not counting it on for the 20$)

You are going to want to cleanse your skin. What this does is it cleans your pores of any excess makeup or oil your face has built up throughout the day. If you didn't do this step, your pores would be clogged and you would probably develop some sort of blemish the next day. Your pores need to breath, and keeping the oil inside them will collect bacteria, causing a breakout.

Try Clean and Clear Morning Burst Cleaner for Shine Control. You don't just have to use it in the morning, you can use it anytime. It does work great in the morning because it will assist for face from becoming too oily under your makeup. It sells for about 6$ at drugstores.

Next, I love using exfoliators, with my type of skin, I can use them everyday without irritation. The Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub is by far my favourite skin care product ever! It feels like you just dunked your face in an arctic cruise, meaning its super cooling and refreshing. It clears my breakouts in a few days.

Finally, you are going to want to moisturize! For oily and acne prone skin it is crucial that you use and oil-free product! I especially love this one because it smoothes you skin, when you put it on, it feels like your skin is silk or something! I have been using this for about 4 years, and I don't use it everyday anymore because I don't have acne, but when I would get a breakout this helped, and its oil free! You can get it a drug stores for 9$.

All of these products are less then 20$, way better then going to a department store, or even sephora! I hope this helped! Sensitive skin coming soon!

Any questions or requests can be asked on my Twitter! @beautybydallas

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!

Tips on Keeping your Hair Healthy

It can be hard finding hair products that are good for your hair and actually work. Not only that, but doing little things to your hair that can make a huge difference. Like using heat on it everyday, or not using conditioner. Heres a short video with tips on keeping your hair healthy so it can grow more:

The general complaint is dry, dull, brittle hair. I never hear people complain about having thick, luscious, shiny hair. So in order to fix the dry hair theres a few products I recommend using:

Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Mask; Wash your hair with for shampoo, then ring it out so its damp [or towel dry it]. Then apply enough to coat your ends, or where ever your hair is driest. And leave it on for 7-10 minutes, and rinse. This is my favourite product! It makes your hair so silky and smooth, and it feels super healthy.

33$ for 8.5 oz here or trade secrets, ulta, even some awl-marts and drug stores sell now

If you don't blow dry your hair you can apply an oil treatment, like argan oil. use about a nickel sized amount on your hands and rub them together to make it heated, and then continue to apply it on the bottom half of your hair.

13.50$ at Sally Beauty

If you do blow dry your hair apply a heat protectant, like Tresemme heat tamer spray, or CHI iron guard, all over your hair. Blow dry. Then when it's dry, apply CHI silk infusions. I say to use this instead of the Argon oil because you are doing more damage when you blow dry, and the silk infusions will help repair it over time.

Tresemme: 7$ Wal-Mart, drugstores. CHI: 12-20$ Target, Ulta, Shoppers, Trade Secrets

CHI silk infusion: 12$ for 2 oz, 21$ for 6 oz. Wal-Mart, Shoppers, Ulta, Target, Trade Secret

Then when you are styling, you can use a shine spray. I like ION anti-frizz spray. Just spray it all over, not too much at the roots, you don't want to look greasy!

8$ Sally Beauty

I hope this helped! Enjoy your shiny, healthy hair! :)