Have you ever used black eyeliner under your lids and it looked severe?
After learning this trick, this scenario could not happen to you again. A few years ago, I went to Blue Mercury and got my makeup done. I needed a new eyeliner and was concerned black eyeliner would be too severe. I learned from a makeup artist a few years ago smudging with a smudge brush is a critical last step. If it looks messy, clean it up with a Q tip. If you have already committed to doing a smokey eye, you can also smudge the top lash line for added drama.
At this point, you may be asking what smudge brush and eyeliner I use. Personally, I bought an eyeshadow brush kit from TJ Maxx. I am all about beauty on a budget! I use the black eyeshadow from the Covergirl Trunaked Palette I previously reviewed. You can substitute with any smudge brush or gel eyeliner.
With this method, you can achieve a pretty, softened eye makeup. Comment below if you have tried it!
I bought L’Oreal’s Unlimited Mascara (about $12.99 at drugstores) after reading the promise “instant lash lift effect and intense lengthening”. This is the first mascara of its kind to have a two-position wand you can use straight or bend. Earlier this afternoon, I put the mascara to the test. I was impressed by the lengthening and separation but found it does not thicken and volumize enough on its own. The separation is a huge differentiator- many of my favorite thickening mascaras result in lash clumping.
Tonight, I started off with a thick coat of Lancome Hypnose Drama. I finished with 3-5 coats of L’Oreal Unlimited to separate. With L’Oreal Unlimited, I bend the wand in the second position to coat my lower lashes and extend the hard to reach side lashes. Seriously, my lashes are so dramatic it looks like I am wearing falsies!
If you are looking for long, thick, voluminous, separated lashes, I highly recommend combining L’Oreal’s Unlimited Mascara with another mascara. You will not be disappointed!
Once I discovered Covergirl TruNaked Nudes eyeshadow palette, I could not live without it. It is truly the only palette you will ever need. The color selection is outstanding- most of the time with palettes, you only use a few colors. Every color in this palette is wearable. The reason I love this palette so much is its versatility- I use this palette for contour, filling in eyebrows, filling in grays, and as an eyeliner.
Here are instructions for using the palette. References are based on number from left to right of color.
For a day smokey eye- with a fluffy brush, apply color #2 all over the lid. Apply color #1 on the brow bone. Apply color #3 to the lid. Apply color #4 to the crease. Using a liner brush, line the top and bottom of the lid with color #8 or 7, depending on the loop you want. Smudge the bottom of the lid with a smudge brush to soften the look. Use a q tip to clean up the excess.
For an evening smokey eye- in addition to all the steps in #1, apply #5 to the corner of the eye, the crease, and bottom lid with a crease brush. Before you do this, be sure to tap off excess so the look is not too severe.
For contour- apply color #4 or #6, depending on your skin tone to the hollows of your cheeks, your jaw line, and forehead using a the ELF thick smudge brush for precision. Blend out with a beauty blender or sponge.
For covering grays- assuming you are a brunette, depending on your hair color apply color #4, #6, or #7 to your gray roots with an eyeshadow brush. Seal with hairspray.
For filling in eyebrows- depending on eyebrow color, apply #4 or #6 to your eyebrows. Seal with brow gel.
Thankfully, this palette only costs $12.99. If Sephora sold it for $60, I would pay it, I think its so extraordinary. I can assure you, even expensive high end palettes do not have the color selection or quality of this palette.
I have found many uses for this palette. Please let me know if you have any others!
Last Saturday night, at a party my friend complimented me on my professional looking manicure, which I did myself using RK By Kiss HD Nail Polish in the color “Beyond Sexy Redness,” the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat and the Nail Envy Dry Spray. The manicure did not chip for 3-4 days.
When I went to do my nails again yesterday, I decided to try OPI Nail Polish instead. My nails were a disaster- the nail polish went on my cuticle, on my skin, everywhere. And I am very skilled at painting my nails. The brush is too thin and it is hard to control the amount of polish on the brush. The wide brush in the RK By Kiss HD Nail Polish makes polishing nails easy. It is only easy to control how much polish I have on the brush before I paint my nails. I always start at the base of the nail to ensure I do not get polish on the cuticle. I can assure you, you will be able to paint within the nail perfectly with this polish.
If you combine the RK by Kiss HD Nail Polish with the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat and the Nail Envy Dry Spray, you are sure to get the perfect 5 minute manicure at home that will last for days!
If you are going to buy foundation, be sure to know your needs:
Do you need full coverage or light coverage?
Do you want a dewy or matte finish?
Do you need a long wearing formula?
Do you need a formula designed for your skin type (dry, combination or oily)?
Do you need a smoothing formula (to smooth out wrinkles, lines, or indentations)?
Do you want a liquid, cream, stick, or powder foundation? Liquid may best suit my needs, but a stick foundation may be a better fit for your needs.
Do you have cool or warm or neutral undertones?
Once you have assessed your needs, you can make a selection either at the drugstore or at Sephora or a beauty counter. If you are going to the drugstore, I would advise looking for a product that designed to meet your needs, researching products online, and then trying out a few shades of the product. If you are going to get help, I would advise having all of the answers to these questions ready for discussion with the makeup artist or Sephora pro. Regardless of where you buy foundation, knowing what you are looking for will ensure you get a product that meets your needs.
Do not under any circumstances settle for a foundation with a shade that is “almost” right or “a little off”. The perfect match is out there!
I hope after reading this you have a new approach for selecting foundation and some great options. I would love to hear about your foundation selection journey! Please comment below.
I have two must have foundation recommendations: one from Sephora and one from the drugstore. Both cost around $20: Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation and Physician’s Formula Nude Glow Foundation (comes with a small foundation brush).
As you may or may not know, Sephora offers a free mini-makeover where a Sephora Pro uses technology to identify the perfect foundation. I have gotten 7 mini makeovers. The first six times, the Sephora Pro did not find the perfect foundation. In the beginning, I tried very expensive formulas such as YSL and Milk Makeup. I am willing to spend $50 on a foundation if my skin looks amazing. However, the shades from those brands did not match my skin, even after trying many different colors from their respective product lines. I learned I need a brand not only offers a wide shade range, but shades with pink undertones- the majority of light foundations have a yellow undertone, which looks like a yellow mask on my skin.
The seventh mini-makeover, I found success! I had a new approach. Instead of relying on the technology to find the perfect shade, I asked for a long wearing foundation that would even out my skin tone with a wide range of colors. The Sephora Pro recommended the Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation. I found in previous mini makeovers, it was very time consuming having the Sephora Pro go back and forth to try new colors as the first one they picked often did not match. This time, I asked the Sephora Pro to bring over 6 colors from that line within my shade range. After trying four of the six colors, we found the perfect match. My skin looked flawless!
The Sephora 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation is very thick and full coverage. If you are looking for the flawless finish but do not want or need a full coverage foundation, I would recommend thinning it out with an illuminating primer or serum. I personally mix a little of the Physician’s Formula Illuminating primer with the foundation (1 part primer to 3 parts foundation).
If you do not live by a Sephora or prefer drugstore brands, Physician’s Formula Nude Glow delivers as promises: a glowing, even skin tone. The only downside with Nude Glow is that it comes in only a few shades. Physician’s Formula did create the Healthy Foundation with a variety of shades in response to many complaints about the limited shade selection for Nude Glow. Either line, Physician’s Formula foundations are excellent.
As for the product, I love that Nude Glow’s coverage is buildable. What really sets Physician’s Formula foundation apart is the luminous glowy finish. When combined with an illuminating primer (NARS Radiant for special occasions or Physician’s Formula for daily use), my skin looks radiant.
It is important to note that neither of these formulas has SPF. I use Garnier’s Clearly Brighter Moisturizer ($17, with coupon at CVS $13) with SPF 30 for daily use before applying both primers (pore minimizing and illuminating). If you are going to use these foundations, applying sunscreen underneath is crucial.
I hope after reading this you have a new approach for selecting foundation at Sephora and have new foundations to try!
A few years ago, I went to the MAC store and had a makeup artist help me. She found me the perfect blush- a light peachy pink. I know you are supposed to use powder cosmetics for only a year, but I kept wearing it. A few months ago, I ran out! I honestly did not know what to do without it. Blush is such an essential item. I am so pale, I cannot leave the house without blush.
My original plan was to go back to MAC with the blush in hand to get the same product. Sadly, the color is limited edition. They do not sell a similar color. I went to Bloomingdales in the hope that Clinique or Lancome would offer a similar color so I could get the free gift. Alas, they did not have the color.
I went to CVS a looked at blushes from literally every brand: Physician’s Formula, ELF, Maybelline, Almay, Wet n Wild, Rimmel, and finally L’oreal. After a lot of searching, I found “the one”: the perfect blush shade from L’oreal True Match in C1-2 Baby Blossom. For those who are in search for the perfect shade, L’oreal True Match makes a variety of shades designed to match your skin undertone. With True Match, you will be sure to find “the one” without all the effort I had to go through!
With the exception of the hair mask, all of these products are under $15.
I love doing spa days at home. I find it so luxurious and relaxing.
I start with a shower and use Soothing Touch Peppermint and Rosemary salt scrub ($9.99 at Whole Foods) It feels so good! I also use Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask (at Ulta) to restore moisture in my hair. When I am out of the shower, I put on my bathrobe and apply the Pearl Essence 24K Gold Illuminating Mask (only $6 at TJ Maxx) and catch up on reading magazines, specifically Us, Star, In Touch, and OK!. Sometimes, I light the Aloha Orchid candle ($14) from Anthropologie for ultimate relaxation. Trust me, you will be impressed with the results of the mask when you rinse it off. My skin has never felt so smooth and even. After the mask, I like to use the Eye Masks from Victoria’s Secret. I keep them in the fridge and the coolness really depuffs my under eyes.
I am telling you, a spa day can make you feel renewed! Comment below if you tried out any of the products.
Rainforest of the Sea Seaglass Eyeshadow with holographic shimmery finish!
A few weeks ago, I decided I needed a new date night look. I wanted to elevate my eye makeup for a more exciting evening look. Lo and behold, I tried out the Seaglass Eyeshadow by Tarte in the color “suite life,” a shimmery champagne. This eyeshadow differentiates itself from other shimmers based upon the 3D holographic effect on the lid. I finished the look with a thin line of gel black eyeliner on my top lid and many coats of mascara. I intentionally did not line my lower lash line- I wanted to keep the focus on the lid.
The application of this product is fool proof-the liquid formula has a doe foot applicator you can blend with your finger. For those of you who want a high impact eye look without the effort of a smokey, this is perfect! It is also a great option for those who do not have a makeup brush arsenal and are looking for an easy application.
Overall, the Tarte Seaglass eyeshadow is perfect for an effortless and beautiful evening look that stands out. I can’t wait to try the the Burgundy “una noche” color for a sexy smokey eye with the same holographic glitter finish!
To purchase, view color options or watch a tutorial, see link below:
Product discussed: Loreal Infallible 2 Step Lip Color in Continual Crimson; Soap and Glory Poutstanding
For a New Year’s Party, I needed the perfect red lip to go with my little black dress. I scoured the beauty aisle of CVS, researching all of the different reds. I knew I needed the perfect red- a bold red that is not too dark, not too bright. I also knew I needed something long wearing as I was not sure I would make it home for touch ups after the pre-game and dinner.
I found Loreal Infallible 2 Step Lip Color. I have enjoyed it so much I have bought the same product in other colors. The trick for this color is to apply it very lightly as it can get too dramatic if you apply too thick of a coat. The second step is a finishing gloss.
Loreal Infallible 2 Step was a success! I found the perfect red that lasted all night. I even wore it again to an Oscar’s Party with the same lasting results..
If you are looking for more of a lipstick/lip liner combo, I highly recommend Poutstanding by Soap and Glory as well!
theverypolishedbeauty.com 