YSL Touche Éclat

Have you noticed how Kim K and JLo always look awake and fresh on the red carpet?  Well it’s not because they get lots of beauty rest.  These celebrities use YSL’s Touche Éclat to hide the bags under the eyes and provide highlighting around the face. This lightweight product goes on smooth and will brighten up the face without making it look cakey.

After you apply foundation and before you powder, apply your YSL Touche Éclat under the arches of your eyebrows, down the sides of your nose and underneath your eyes. Instead of using the brush that comes with the wand, use the pads of your fingers and tap furiously until the product has a gradual gradient into your normal skin tone.

You can buy this at Sephora for $40.

Not your 90s Nail Art

A friend of mine inspired me to take notice at some awesome nail designs these past few weeks.  Quickly, she became my nail stylist and picks out colors and patterns for me to wear. 

I'm not talking about your mom's 90s holiday design with a snowman on her accent nail. This current nail trend is color blocking - using complementary colors. 

Take a peek at the below:

My nail stylist swears by Essie, Sinful, OPI and China Glaze.  Sometimes, she uses the nail stickers from ULTA or your local drugstore to off set the colors.

How she gets inspired beats me, but I'm inspired by her haha :)

Hair Snobbery

Alright so in college, I was obviously living on some sort of a budget and bought drugstore hair products.  While my hair used to be receptive to inexpensive products, upon graduation my locks clearly communicated “no more of that home girl.”  Slowly but surely, I’ve started to collect some great but pricey hair products – and I’m not lying, they have made all the difference.

Currently, I have DermOrganics– I use twice per week, Bumble & Bumble – I use twice per week, and Kerastase – I use once per week.  I sometimes sneak in Loreal EverPure when I’m just going to be bumming it for the day.

I got my hair cut three weeks ago and it still feels silky and soft from my cut – love.

Not that I’m 100 percent advocating that you must buy pricey products to have great, loveable hair, but I do think it’s improved the condition of my hair as well as boost my confidence.

Do what you gotta do - but I'm a newfound hair snob :)

Little Ball of Magic

Okay. I have a secret and I’m about to reveal it.

There is a magical hair product that smells delicious, makes your hair delightfully soft and smooth, and is packaged in a cute pink ball.

Bedhead Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit hard to find.  Whenever I find it, I buy it.  Sometimes ULTA carries it, sometimes Walgreens has it, etc.  It’s not even on Bedhead’s website – so disappointing.

But two weeks ago, I was reunited with my favorite hair product (after about a year)!  The results are still unreal.  After I use it, I can’t stop touching my hair all day because it's so soft, silky and manageable. 

To use: After you shower, towel dry your hair.  Then apply a somewhat liberal (about a ¼ size) amount all over your hair - concentrate less on roots.  Then blow dry & style – Voila!

Buh-nan-us.

BedHead Dumb Blonde Smoothing Stuff Approx $20

The ONLY Liquid Liners You Need

Everyone loves sexy, winged eyeliner. However, it’s so hard to find the best eye liner that is easy to apply and won’t budge or smudge throughout the day and night.  (I hate when I apply eye liner and then a line above my crease appears after I open and close my eye…ANNOYING).

After trial and error, I found two liquid eyeliners that do it RIGHT!


** Here is a video from one of my favorite gurus that has great eye liner application tips! **

1) Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, $18

Kat Von D has an awesome makeup line.  Her eye shadows are highly pigmented and vibrant.  However, her tattoo eye liner steals the show.  It is the best liquid eyeliner I've ever used. After the eye liner is applied, it will NOT budge, smudge or disappear.  The felt-tipped pen provides uuber easy application, which enables some flawless winged eye liner. 

Love Love Love Love.

Kat Von D Tatto Liner

2) Stilla All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, $20

The first time I tried this liner I had some issues because I didn’t let it set before I started blinking and therefore had that ugly black line above my crease. (I was so mad..grrr)

However, I decided to give it another shot after seeing how many great reviews it received. The second time around, it was fabulous! I even sometimes use it on top of the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (to create an even darker black).

Once again, the felt-tipped pen gives easy applications and the liner doesn't smudge throughout the day.

Stilla All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

What I love about winged eye liner is that there are so many variations.  You can go crazy and recreate an Amy Winehouse look or keep it simple like Angelina Jolie. KEEWWWL!!

Another use for liquid eyeliners - after you apply false lashes, drawing over the seem with your liquid eye liner pen, will make the falsies blend with your natural lash line.  

You can see the seem here between the real lashes and falsies.

The seem disappears after liquid eyeliner is applied.                                                             

Primer First!

As per request….

People always ask, “How do celebrities always have smooth, perfect skin?” … “Why does their makeup stay on all night?” … “What step am I missing?”

Well ladies (and some gents), the answer is PRIMER.  Priming the skin is uber important. A good primer can enhance your makeup, make your skin look flawless and keep your makeup stay put.

I chose three of my favorite primers to showcase because they worked well with my skin.  However, one of my favorite makeup gurus gives a comprehensive list of her favorite primers for different complexions.

Sephora Perfecting Ultra-Smoothing Primer, $16

Sephora truly makes an overall great primer. The product has a smooth jelly consistency.  After you apply this primer, your skin feels like it has a shield of flexible protection.  When you put your foundation on, it will literally glide over your skin.  It’s amazing – trust me.  And you won’t break the bank.

NARS Pro-Prime™ Multi-Protect Primer SPF 30 Sunscreen / PA +++, $32

I use this primer for day application only because it’s SPF 15.  The product’s consistency is of sunscreen and light lotion.   I wouldn’t use this primer for special events or when you go out at night – it doesn’t keep your makeup stay as long as other brands. (But the SPF 15 and light application is ideal for daily use.)

smashbox PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER SPF 15 & DERMAXYL, $17

This is my ultimate favorite primer of all time.  It was made for photo shoots and red carpet makeup.  My mother uses it, too.  Perfection is the best word to describe how you will look and feel after you apply!

What foundation should I use???

Most girls I talk to have one foundation they use everyday for all types of events: work, special occasion, gym, etc.

However, different types of foundations can help you achieve and enhance different makeup looks. It’s good to have several for all types of occasions.

For example, matte foundations with medium coverage are absolutely perfect for a smoky eye.   On the other hand, foundations with some illumination are great for natural, summer looks.

These are my favorite foundations 

(I included moderately priced products. It's important that you do not skimp on your foundation.  The quality, tone, texture of your skin will either make you or break you.)

MAKE UP FOREVER HD  $40, Sephora.com

#1 – MAKE UP FOREVER HD Invisible Coverage Foundation

Coverage – Medium to high coverage

Product – Smooth formula. Easy to apply all over the face.  Never looks cakey.  Stays on throughout the night. Matte finish.

This matte foundation is perfect to achieve an airbrushed face, which will enhance a nice smoky eye.  Kim Kardashian and other celebrities use this foundation for a lot of red carpet events.

I like to use this foundation for special events (i.e. weddings), nights out on the town, Las Vegas etc., because it eliminates additional shine for photographs.


It is important to wear a matte-finish foundation when you know your event will be documented via camera.

Here is Kim K with flawless matte coverage.
As you can see, this coverage makes the smoky eye pop
and become a stand out feature.

#2  - Chanel Vitalumiere

Chanel Vitalumiere $55, Nordstrom.com

Coverage – Medium

Product – Smells like roses. Easy to apply. Adds some illumination to create a dewy, glowy effect.

This foundation will add some glow factor to your look.  It perfectly complements a natural, beachy makeup look.  

I normally wear this foundation for day-usage only. 

Here is Hayden Panettiere with great glowing skin.

(As you can see, dewy skin isn't ideal for a red carpet.

In this photo, Hayden has a lot of additional shine from the

cameras that give her white spots).

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer $42, Nordstrom.com

#3 – Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Coverage – Light to medium

Product – Super moisturizing. Makes my face feel refreshing. Easy to apply.

This is the best foundation choice for casual events: work, gym, movies, etc.  If you have perfect skin without blemishes or spots, you can definitely use this foundation for special occasions, too.

This foundation only comes in a few colors, which can be tricky if you’re between shades.  Try testers first and then decide.

Hair is your best accessory

....Graduating from college, moving back in with my parents and starting a new job are just a few things I’ve been adapting to for the past several months.  And while I lived through some of the best moments of my life, I also endured quite a bit of stress, which has partially caused my skin, nails and hair to change....

Therefore, I’ve made many ESSENTIAL beauty purchases in which I must share!

HAIR!

1. My hair stylist introduced me to the Holy Grail of hair care - DermOrganic Argan Oil Hair Treatments. 

First, it’s organic.

Second, it’s sulfate-free.

Third, it smell dee-lish-US!

Fourth, it will make your hair incredibly soft and light.

In other words, you are absolutely missing out if you don’t purchase it!

Where to buy:  Retails online or at select salons

How much:  Approx $22 for each

2. If DermOrganics is out of your price range, I strongly suggest you purchase shampoo and conditioner from L'Oréal ‘s Sulfate-free product line.

It too, smells great and it makes my hair feel very soft.  I was very surprised how great this product is; especially because it is pretty cheap and I bought it at my local drugstore!

My hair stylist told me overtime your hair will adapt to the products you use – meaning your products won’t work the way they are supposed to.  Therefore, I use the L'Oréal products M-TH and the DermOrganics on the weekend.  Unless I need Xtra FAB hair during the week.

Where to buy: Any local drugstore

How much: Approx $5.99 each!!

3. Tips I live by in order to keep my hair healthy and strong…

-   I don’t use heat-related products (i.e., curling irons, straighteners, blow dryers) everyday.  My natural hair has a beachy, wavey consistency; therefore, I’m cutting back my hot tool usage.

-   I always use a leave-in hair treatment to protect my hair from damage.

o   Living proof, Phyto and Macadamia Oil products are good choices (purchase at Sephora.com)

-   Whenever my hair looks a little oily, I wash it.  The rule “don’t wash your hair everyday” doesn’t cut it for me.

HAIR IS YOUR BEST ACCESSORY! 

HEALTHY HAIR = A BEAUTIFUL YOU :)


**I do not get paid for endorsing any of the above products or stores. 

The BEST inexpensive alternatives for ya LIPS ... muah*

Each makeup look requires a different lip color, which can lead to an empty wallet.  However, I have found some excellent drugstore lipsticks that are under $8!

This is MAC in Neon Orange

First, the orange lipstick craze!  The look has been seen on Kourtney Kardashian several times.  An orange lip is hot for the spring and summer.  It's perfect with a smokey brown eye or a glam cat eye.  Therefore, I had to buy orange lipstick; however, I didn't want to break the bank.  I went to my local drugstore and searched the makeup aisle until I found it! Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren, 677.  The color is vibrant and very orange.  It's creamy and easy to apply.  I suggest applying a nude lip pencil with Siren - red is too bold.  

$7.99 at Rite Aid.

My next favorite find is Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color.  I stumbled upon this lipstick while watching a youtube video.  The artist applied this color in 901B.  Therefore, I searched every local drugstore until I finally found it.  It's only $2.99!! I had to buy several.  The color stays on and is super moisturizing.  However, the tabs on the Rite Aid shelf that show what the color will look like are completely incorrect - so buyer beware lol.  So far, I purchased 901B and 907C.   

901B is a vibrant light pink with blue undertones.  It is absolutely perfect for my olive skin tone when I pair it with a dark, smokey eye.  I think Lady Gaga's first Viva Glam lipstick is a similar pigment.   

907C is a vibrant, magenta/purple color.  It is very comparable to MAC Up the Amp.  This inexpensive alternative is perfect with a bronze/gold eye.  

For $2.99, these lipsticks are the best deal around.  The product is exceptional and the price is too perfect.  I suggest everyone to try one color for the collection.  I plan to buy another one soon :).

**I do not get paid for endorsing any of the above products or stores. 

Inexpensive Eye Brow Pencil to Die For!



Unfortunately! I ran out of my MAC Eye Brown Pencil and was in dier need of a back up pencil.  The closet MAC store is approximately 90 minutes away and I couldn't wait for UPS to deliver.



Therefore, I went to Target and searched the entire makeup department.  I looked at every brand for eyebrow pencils.  I found a few that looked alright but didn't have my shade.  I almost gave up until I found a a bunch of pencils in the wrong place under Rimmel London.  I found a shade that was close to my MAC Lingering and had to buy it.  It was only $3 and if the color was too dark, I could use for a natural eyeliner.

I was worried the product would turn out to be a dud. Until I tried it on in the mirror.



Rimmel London 002 Hazel  $3, Target



Rimmel London's Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel is amazing! The color is even more similar to MAC's Lingering than I had originally thought.  The application is smooth and easy. I was so happy and became compelled to share with all.  This product is the treasure to my treasure hunt!

In the end, don't be afraid of drugstore makeup and try this inepensive eye pencil.