What Brush to Use?

I know how it is when it comes to brushes and with that many options, who wouldn’t be confused? Personally, when I apply pressed power instead of using the sponge that most compacts come with I use a small buki brush. I got mine in a Smashbox makeup set that I bought a while ago and it has worked great for me.  Initially I was hesitant to use it because I thought it might leave the makeup looking blotchy. After I started using the buki brush I can’t remember the last time I used a sponge! Using this type of brush also keeps from applying too much makeup on your face.  When using a sponge, it is easy to start looking “cakey” and go crazy with applying many layers when all you really need is one. Everyone should invest in one of these! 

Product: Smashbox Buki Brush

Price: $

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Say Bye-Bye Raccoon Eyes

It has definitely been a while and after talking to my very good friend Michelle, I decided to update this with a few new products I have tried. I’m excited! You should be too! :)

YSL’s best selling product is their Touche Eclat highlighter. It is PERFECT to cover up dark circles underneath your eyes or to cover up a fatigued look. It looks best when used under the eyes and around the corners of the lips, making them look fuller. I find it best when applying after I have put on foundation and then covering with a loose translucent powder. To blend, I use my ring finger and gently mix it in. This is great for an everyday natural look or for those days when you just didn’t get enough sleep and it says it all over your face! 

Product: YSL Touche Eclat

Price: $$

Find at Sephora or department stores 

P.S. - Check out my friend Michelle’s fashion blog: http://4incheshigh.blogspot.com/

"Kiss and make up—but too much makeup has ruined many a kiss.”  Mae West

Light as a Feather

When it comes to foundation, most of them (at least from my experience) feel really heavy on my skin. After a few hours not only does all that heavy makeup wear your skin down but makes your skin look oily.  I’ve recently been trying NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and it works better than anything I’ve ever tried before.  It covers blemishes easily and is a lightweight foundation, which is hard to find. Even after hours of having applied it, it still manages to look fresh without smudging.  Not only does NARS look natural after you put it on but it comes in more than 10 different shades so you can definitely find one that’s a close match to your skin tone. Definite HIT! 

Product: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Price: $$

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Fountain of Youth

There’s no such thing as a fountain of youth ((LOL at least not yet) but there are products out there and healthy habits that definetly promote a youthful look.  I narrowed it down to two products which I think everyone should use daily, yes everyone! And everyday too! 

This might surprise you a bit but my first and foremost choice is water! I’m talking about just the regular water that you drink everyday.  Water is essential in your diet and many people say that drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water everyday can help you lose weight and give you great flawless skin.  I couldn’t agree more, every now and then I go on a health kick and start to drink lots of water and it really does make quite a difference.  I love these fiji water bottles cause they look cute and it tastes so light and refreshing but really even tap water would do the trick. 

Ok my second product for a healthy youthful look is sunscreen.  I, like most of us have been well aware of how important it use to use sunscreen (it prevents premature aging) however I rarely use it cause I hate how heavy and sticky it feels and it smells like I’m at the beach.  However just recently I tried sunscreen from shisedo with spf 38 and I have to say, I cant even tell I’m wearing sunscreen.  Its so light, literally I cant even feel it when I pour it out of the bottle and into my hands, and it doesn’t smell like your typical sunblock.  It actually smells really nice. 

So we all know the benefits of both these products and have heard it for years and years but I think its time we all got in the habit of using them all the time.

Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Lotion for Face & Body SPF 38:  $32       $$

Genie in a Bottle

Urban decay primer potion is the perfect base for you eyes before applying any eyeshadows.  Before I used this product it was difficult to really see what colors I was using, they would all just blend and it didn’t really make much of a statement.  This will let your eyeshadow go on evenly and make the colors really pop.  It also works to get rid of creasing!  Love this product and its cute casing, comes in a genie shaped bottle and you can use the wand to easily apply it onto your eyelids.

Urban Decay Primer Potion:  $17                                                              $$

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Bringing Out the Eyes

When it comes to mascara, there are a few brands we’d prefer.  First off Maybelline has a few good ones to choose from.  Their XXL Volume mascaras work the best and can be found at any drug store.  The waterproof one is really good too, but nearly impossible to take off so I would only use with a really good makeup remover!  Loreal also does wonders for thin eyelashes.  If you are willing to spend a few more bucks, Dior’s DiorShow Mascara works amazing. Mascara is great for bringing some life to the eyes when one hasnt gotten any sleep or is looking a little dull. These few brands will definitely do the trick.

Product: Maybelline XXL Volume + Length Mascara        

Cost: $

Product: Loreal Voluminous Mascara

Cost: $

Product: Dior DiorShow Mascara

Cost: $$

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"It’s fun to be a woman. It’s fun to flirt and wear makeup and have boobs."  Eva Mendes

Less is More...

Some celebs I thought do a great job (or their makeup artists) of keeping it natural and classy.



Kate Beckinsale..never wears too much



Angelina Jolie - classic



Charlize Theron - made to look as if she’s wearing nothing


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It's All About the Eyes

The trick to beautiful eye makeup is all in the brush.  The way you apply your makeup makes all the difference.  My all time favorite makeup brush is the tapered blending brush by MAC (no. 222).  Its great because you can use it to blend your shadow colors and it also works great on the outer corner and crease of your eyes.  At $28 bucks its a pretty good buy cause generally brushes last you a long time.

Cost: $$

Hair Tip

Nowadays we are so used to straightening our hair, or nonetheless giving it a quick blow dry before leaving the house.  (Stepping out with wet hair is just not an option ladies!) Anything involving heat is going to damage your hair. If not now, then eventually the effects will show, no matter how great your hair is. One product that works well for heat defense is Dove’s Heat Defense Therapy spray.  It’s not to be mistaken with a leave in condition or any sort of hair spray, so DO NOT soak your hair in this!  Just a few sprays before straightening or blow drying will do the trick.  I’ve been using this for a few months and it definitely gives your hair more volume, shine, and that extra bounce! It’ll cost you about 5 bucks and can be bought at any Walmart, CVS or drug store. You’ll immediately see a difference!

Product: Dove Heat Defense Therapy                                                          Cost: $

"The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural” - Calvin Klein

Before you start...

A lot of people don’t realize before applying makeup its extremelyyyy important to put on primer for several reasons.  First it serves as a base for your makeup.  It evens out the skin color and helps get rid of discoloration if you have blotchy skin. In addition its used to get rid of wrinkles and those fine lines.  Applying makeup with primer and without it, you’ll surely notice a difference.  After the nights over, you’ll clearly notice that the primer helps set your makeup and last longer. I have pretty normal skin, not too sensitive or oily and the one that I’ve been using for the past few years is the Smashbox Photo Finish primer.  It has a light natural feel to it and best works when applied with a makeup sponge.  It’ll cost you around 36 to 48 bucks but will last you a while. Once you see the difference, you’ll never want to apply makeup again without using primer.

Product: Smashbox Photo Finish primer                                                     Cost: $$

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Introductions...

Tired of buying products filled with promises only to find out it’s an empty jar of hope? We feel the same way. We’re always trying the latest and greatest products only to find out that just a handful deliver the promises they carry on the label.  So we decided to help you by using our knowledge and expertise to guide you to the right products and the best part is we’re not sponsored by any labels.  Our critiques are based on personal experience and will save you money and time from trying those millions of products out there.  After trying all these products for years, we can tell you what lives up to the hype, and is it a hit or miss?

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"Pretty is something you’re born with. But beautiful, that’s an equal opportunity adjective."