Thursday, April 26, 2012

Makeup 101 - Concealer

Do you feel like you look like this?


First off, let me say that what you see as "really bad circles" usually isn't as bad as you think. But with a little concealer we can eliminate this :] So let's get started!


Always remember that when you apply anything to your face, you want clean hands. Not doing this can contaminate your makeup or add whatever is on your hands onto your face ultimately hurts us in the end when trying to clear up a breakout! Dirt and oils on your hands will only aggravate the blemish.

Ok, types of concealers. My favorites are liquids and creams. Liquids are generally best used under the eyes as it is light in texture and won't settle into fine lines and wrinkles, or cake up and look, well, icky. Creams are good for a more full coverage. For example, a blemish, dark spots, redness, etc.


CONCEALING UNDER EYE CIRCLES
Warm up the product in the palm of your hand to "thin out" the texture so the coverage is smooth. You can also apply it right to the area with the applicator in your concealer. Now, make a triangle with dots of concealer. It's not as hard as you think. Start by dotting it under your eyes, a few dots on the side of your nose, and connect the line to the outer under eye dot. That creates a triangle!




You can use a brush to lightly and in circular motions blend the concealer. You can also use your fingers. The ring finger exerts the least amount of pressure since it's our weakest finger. It's important because the skin around the eyes is so thin, we don't want to tug on it and pull it. Premature wrinkles! 
The triangle method brightens up the whole plane of your upper cheek and under eyes. If you want a glowy, highlighted effect, choose a shade or two lighter than your actual skin tone. Avoid going too light though – reverse raccoon eyes are not pretty. Don’t forget the upper lids! It makes the entire eye area more polished and draws attention up. Use stay-put eye makeup when applying dark colors. Flaky mascaras and powder eyeshadow can fall under your eyes and make dark circles reappear and look worse.

CONCEALING BLEMISHES, REDNESS, DARK SPOTS
Use concealer that is 1-2 shades darker than your skin.  If you use a light concealer, it’s only going to highlight the acne or blemish instead of hiding it. The trick is to blend around the edges or apply foundation over the concealer to smooth out the color difference. If you have redness from the acne, use a green concealer as it counteracts redness- you do need to apply foundation on top though so you don’t look like a big old weirdo ;]
To avoid over-application which can cause cakiness, apply a dab of these thicker formulas with your fingers and blending out will give you the best results!

ALSO 
Concealer can be used as a lipstick primer. Just apply it to your lips before you put on color to make the true color of your lipstick more intense (your natural lip color can alter your lipstick). It will also give your lipstick staying power when set with a layer of powder on top.

You can also trace around your eyebrows to make them look sharper and neater. Always remember though, blend, blend, blend! It would be like having a foundation line on your face!

If you still feel that concealer alone is just not enough, you can use a corrector before applying concealer.


The yellow/peachy pigments give you an extra boost of brightness and help cancel out purple tones. The green is used to counter act redness. Experiment :]


The low down? In the battle for complexion perfection, concealer is your secret weapon.

Stay tuned for more makeup 101 posts! If you have any requests, let me know! I hope this helped some of you who are struggling with the massive amount of concealers out there :]

Lots of Love,
Mary XOXO

Monday, April 23, 2012

Makeup 101 - Foundation

Although not everyone is blessed with good genes, a flawless complexion is a desired effect for most women. Since we can't alter our body's genetics, we can still achieve this by doing it the way celebrities and makeup artists do - fake it! This simply means using makeup like foundation, concealer, and powder to hide or correct uneven skin tone, blemishes and unwanted spots.

We all have skin imperfections that we don’t like. Applying too much foundation or concealer can end up cursing you with “cake face”. It's a common problem when it comes to makeup. Maybe you don’t necessarily need a full face of foundation, maybe just a little concealer where you feel you need it and a very thin layer of powder on top if you have more oily skin and like to "set" your concealer.

Anyway, the main purpose of foundation is to even out your natural skin tone. Foundation is not meant to make your skin lighter or darker. That is what contouring and shading with bronzers and highlighters are for.The "perfect" foundation color will "disappear" into your skin.

It's important to know what you want from foundation. Do you want it sheer? Matte? Shimmery? Do you want to tone down specific areas of your skin or just even out your overall skin tone?

When you're shopping for foundation, make sure you're in natural day light or white light. Also, don't wear any makeup on your face! I suggest getting color matched in a store like Sephora or bringing a friend with you to the drugstore. If you go to a drugstore and can’t test the color, just hold up the bottle to your jaw line and have a second set of eyes there to help you find the closest match. When choosing a shade, try different ones and compare them. If you can try it on, always test foundation on your jaw line. If you see a spot or the color once it's dry, it's not right for you. It should be invisible, blending into your skin so your skin looks like skin, not makeup. Testing the foundation on your jaw line will help make sure you get the best shade that blends with your face and neck.  

I found information on the makeup geek site breaking down the types of foundation, I will copy and paste it to the end of this post! [much easier than me sitting here and typing it all out since I've been so long winded already...]

Once you have your perfect foundation, make sure you apply it to moisturized and primed [if you wish] skin. Apply your face products in THIN layers. Don’t put too much on at first or it may cake up on you. It's easier to add more than it is to take it away ;]

I hope this helped some of you, and to those that requested it, good luck! And remember, it's just makeup. Everything is trial and error. Unfortunately that's the way it goes. What works on some people may not work on you and vice versa. That's why you should always get a tester before you drop the dollars on a high end foundation. Or, make sure the store has a killer return policy. Nothing sucks more than spending $50 on a foundation and never using it.

Lots of Love,
Mary xoxo


TIPS FROM MAKEUP GEEK

Use only enough powder to set the foundation- using a powder puff will help.  Too much powder will get cakey looking.

Let your moisturizer set for at least 10 minutes before applying foundation- your skin needs time to soak in the moisture.
 

If you are rushed for time, skip the full foundation and just use concealer on problem areas.  No powder is needed unless you have oily skin.

The best method to make your foundation last all day is to use a primer – this stops oil from breaking through and taking off your foundation.

TYPES OF FOUNDATION [FROM MAKEUP GEEK]

Liquid Foundation: Offers light to medium coverage. Available in moisturizing formulas with a satin finish for dry skin or oil-free versions with a matte finish for oily skins.

Cream Foundation: Offers light to medium coverage, slightly heavier than a liquid. Great for dry skin. Avoid using if you have oily or combination skin.
Stick: Foundation sticks also double as concealers. The new gel or powder finish formulas are not as heavy or greasy as the older "pancake" formulas.

Dual-finish compact formulas (liquid to powder or cream to powder): Medium  coverage Great for combination skin, but should be avoided by those with excessively dry skin or who need heavier coverage. Can tend to dry out your face.

Tinted moisturizer: Can be used under foundation or alone for minimal to no coverage. Almost like a liquid bronzer.

Mineral Powder Foundation: Offers light to full coverage. Comes in every shade and tone imaginable. VERY easy and fast to apply. Longer lasting than most foundations. Controls oil and most are waterproof with a natural SPF!


Saturday, April 14, 2012

This or That - A Tag!

Heyyy! I've been a little under the weather this week and I've still had to manage my house! But I wanted to at least get a post up. Here is a tag from youtube! I'm makeup-less today but still wanted to post :]
If you would like to answer them, post it on your blog and let me know! I'd love to see what other people say. This is just for fun!

Here are the questions:

Makeup:
blush or bronzer? bronzer, change up the color and it can double as a blush too ;]
lip gloss or lipstick? neither, but if my life depended on it, lipstick.
eye liner or mascara? mascara!
foundation or concealer? concealer. i don't use foundation.
neutral or color eye shadow? both! it really depends on my mood. but for everyday i'd say more neutral.
pressed or loose eye shadows? pressed. i can't be bothered with the messiness of a loose one.
brushes or sponges? brushes :]

Nails:
OPI or china glaze? OPI
Long or short? long-ish. more medium "active" length
Acrylic or natural? neither, GEL!
Brights or dark? neither, i always have a french manicure.
Flower or no flower? no flower. i don't like any embellishments other than some glitter now and then.

Body:
perfume or body splash? if i remember, perfume. but i prefer body sprays.
lotion or body butter? i don't moisturize! i hate the feeling of lotion.
body wash or soap? body wash, exfoliating to be exact.
lush or other bath company? neither. never been to a lush. don't care too much about that stuff.

Fashion:
jeans or sweat pants? sweat pants!
long sleeve of short? uh, depends on the weather.
dresses or skirts? dresses
stripes or plaid? ugh, stripes i guess.
flip flops or sandals? flip flops!
scarves or hats? hats :]
studs or dangly earrings? studs
necklaces or bracelets? bracelets
heels or flats? i would love to wear heels, bad ankle though, so flats.
cowboy boots or riding boots? riding boots
jacket or hoodie? hoodie all the way!
forever 21 or charlotte russe? neither. old navy :]
abercombie or Hollister? neither again.
saks 5th or nordstrom? nordstrom

Hair:
curly or straight? straight
bun or ponytail? ponytail
bobby pins or butterfly clips? bobby pins
hair spray or gel? spray gel :]
long or short? long!
light or dark? dark, i rarely stray too far from my natural color [1B]
side sweep bangs or full bangs? side swept, i like the option of getting hair out of my face.
up or down? up! i'm very low maintenance when it comes to my hair.

Random:
Rain or shine? shine, of course!
Summer or winter? Fall, but i'll say summer
Fall or spring? woo, fall!
Chocolate or vanilla? ew, neither.
East coast or west coast? east coast!!

Well that took forever, now I tag EVERYONE!

Lots of Love,
Mary XOXO

Monday, April 9, 2012

FOTD - Pretty Purples

So this was my face today. I felt like doing purple. A friend of mine on Facebook requested a purple look. I also have so many purple eyeshadows that I need to get through!

Anyway, products are listed below, enjoy!





[PRODUCTS USED]

- EYES -
NYX "Velvet Rope" Palette [lid, brow bone]
YSL Duo #15 [crease, inner corner, lower lash line]
Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara - black
ELF liquid liner - black
MAC "Graphblack" eyeliner - black [waterline]
Revlon accent lashes
MAC "Velvetone" eyebrow pencil
Maybelline Age-Rewind concealer in medium 

- FACE -
Laura Mercier Radiance Primer
Smashbox Softlights in "Bronze Lights" [highlight]
MAC "Desert Rose" blush
MAC "Blunt" blush [bronzer]

- LIPS -
EOS lipbalm in "Sweet Mint"


I hope you think I did a good job :]
Comments are always welcome [and encouranged]! Follow my blog if you wish, I will follow back. I love reading other people's blogs, and seeing other people's makeup.

Lots of Love,
Mary XOXO

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Curly Girl Tag :]



I found this tag while I was searching for fun tags to do on a blog. Youtubers always have tag videos, but there aren't many for us bloggers. But I found one, and it's right up my alley :]


Curly Girl Tag questions:




1. What inspired you to go natural or wear your hair curly?
- well, it's so much easier to work with your curls rather than against them. plus, i'm not a huge fan of having to do my hair [all the products, the flat irons, the blow dryer, etc.]


2. Who are your favorite curly hair idols?
- i don't really have any curly hair idols. to be honest, i haven't really noticed. i'll be keeping an eye out now though :]


3. Which You Tube curly would you trade curls with for a day?
- i really love Jackie from BeautyChaoticLive's hair, it's just like mine! i also love Grace from UglyFaceOfBeauty's hair. it's so big and wild and crazy!


4. If you could have only one product for a year, which product would you chose?
- if you read my latest blog post, it is now the Dove Oil Hair Therapy Detangler. just to get rid of the frizz. but a styling product? garnier fructis' curl spray gel.


5. If you could change one thing about your curls what would it be?
- my curl pattern. it's wavy at the roots, ringlet like in the middle, and then wavy again. it's a strange pattern, i'd like a uniform one.


6. What's the craziest thing you've tried on your "natural hair journey"?
- an oil and egg mask. SO GROSS!


7. What's your secret ingredient that your curls LOVE the most?
- again, the Dove leave-in detangler. nothing is worse than tangled curls!


8. If you could merge two brands of products to make your perfect product, which two would it be?
- ummm... i would merge my garnier spray get and a volumizing mousse :]


9. What is your go-to hair style when you're in a rush?
- i throw it all up on the top of my head and go!


10. If your curly hair had a name, what would it be and why?
- two face. it will either work with me, or it won't. it depends on what mood my hair is in :D


So yeah, there are my answers. I TAG EVERYONE WITH CURLY HAIR! This is a cute, fun little tag for a blog. Does anyone have any tags? If so, tag me!

Follow me if you wish, I'll follow back. The more the merrier :]

Lots of Love
Mary XOXO

Friday, April 6, 2012

Review: Dove Nourishing Oil Hair Care [RAVE]

A RAVE REVIEW!
 Dove Nourishing Oil Care Detangler


Here is what Dove has to say about their product -

"The Dove® Nourishing Oil Care Collection transforms dry, rough and frizzy hair into beautifully smooth hair that’s easier to manage and style. Dove® Hair Nourishing Oil Care Detangler acts as a gentle leave-in conditioning spray with a dual-phase formula that won’t weigh hair down. Our unique blend of Dove® Weightless Nutri-Oils, now enriched with Argan Oil, nourish to help instantly detangle as it replenishes lost nutrients for soft, manageable hair."

Here is what I have to say about their product -

IT'S AMAZING and I agree with everything they say!

I have very dry, very damaged, very frizzy hair. I've tried all the leave-ins you can think of - Frizzease, Paul Mitchel, Tresseme, Herbal Essences, Suave, even Moroccan Oil. All of which did NOTHING for my baby hair frizz, my fried ends, and my coarseness due to processing and my natural texture.

I found this gem while I was merely looking for a new detangler and "oil" for my hair, and grabbed this one because it was less than $4.00.

I sprayed this liberally into my damp hair after a shower yesterday as per the instructions. I noticed a difference immediately. I combed it through and put my hair up in a messy bun. As my roots dried, I had no "halo" effect of frizzies and baby hairs. I took it down this morning, and no frizz at ALL. This is unheard of in my hair story! I don't know what it is about this product, but it's the best thing that I've ever put in my hair. Not even the Moroccan Oil did anything to my hair. It did nothing, I ended up giving that to a friend.

I give this product an A+ with as many pluses as possible. My hair is naturally shiny, but now it glows. I have no fly aways, no frizz, my hair is soft and bouncy. This is now a permanent product in my hair arsenal.

I recommend this to everyone. If it does nothing else, at least it will be a nice leave-in. If you have the same kind of hair as myself, or need something for frizz and nothing seems to work, you may be pleasantly surprised. As most hair and beauty products go, what works for me might not necessarily work for you.

But give it a try. Less than $4.00??? You can't beat that with a stick, and if you don't like it, at least you didn't spend ridiculous dollars for something like the moroccan oil like I did!

Hope this was informative and helpful to some of you out there struggling like I was!
Lots of Love,
Mary XOXO

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

How To: Wear Orange Lips

Orange lips are all the rage for spring and summer. I personally love this trend, it can be worn so many ways. In this post I show you 3 different ways to do an orange lip - from sheer to full on BAM! in your face.

Keeping in mind, orangey tones generally work with both brunettes and blondes as well as fair and dark complexions. It’s just a matter of finding your personal best shade of orangey goodness.

You can pair an orange lip with a golden eyeshadow, bronzer and you're ready to go. You can also rock this trend with simple black liner and mascara. Something more neutral - with such a bold lip, you want to keep the focus there and down play the eyes a bit. Always moisturize your lips first, because vibrant lipstick can emphasize chapped, flaky lips!

However, since there are no rules when it comes to makeup, you can do whatever you want to your face. These are merely suggestions :]

Below are pictures of a way to wear this color. Sheer, muted, and bold. I have done a simple copper eyeshadow, winged liner, and a frosty gold highlight on my eyes. On my cheeks I have some bronzer and a pinch of a peachy-pink blush.

Enjoy!

 Sheer Look
"Orange Juice" lipgloss by Sephora


Muted Look
"Ravishing" by MAC


Bold Look
"Lady Danger" by MAC


So there are a few options on how to rock this trend. As far as fashion and wardrobe is concerned, monochromatic outfits and simple neutral outfits can most definitely compliment this lip. Also, jewel tones can make this really stand out. Again, do as you will, there are essentially no rules in your personal fashion :]

Lots of Love,
Mary XOXO

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Spring Brights :]

Today I felt inspired to do a pretty, bright spring look. The grass is growing, I love the trends, and I'm in love with this look!This whole look was focused around my new Viva Glam Nicki lipstick. It's a gorgeous pinky-coral color that is just perfect for spring - bright and super pigmented! I did the lips first, then the eyes just kind of fell together.

I did a multi-colored green eye, light pink cheeks, some contouring and a bright pink lip. 
[PRODUCTS LISTED BELOW]


 [PRODUCTS USED]

- EYES -
MAC Soft Ocre paint pot
MAC Bitter e/s [inner corner and blending color]
MAC Swimming [lid color]
MAC Humid [crease and outer v]
Maybelline MasterDrama eyeliner in Midnight Master [tightline, waterline]
Maybelline MasterPrecise liquid liner in Black [winged liner]
eBay Lashes
Rimmel Scandaleyes mascara in Extreme Black
MAC eyebrow definere in Velvetone

- CHEEKS -
Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer Duo

- LIPS -
MAC Viva Glam Nicki
Sephora gloss in Orange Juice

- FACE -
Covergirl TruBlend foundation in 5
Clinique concealer in medium

So, I hope you all enjoyed my little take on some fun spring makeup. I forgot how much fun it is just to sit down and create a look. I can't wait to see other people's spring time looks, and leave a comment if you wish :]

Lots of Love,
Mary XOXO