Get Your Perfect Color

PLEASE avoid this by going to your favorite local counter and have THEM choose what color of foundation and powder you need. They have had training and should be able to pick your perfect colors. DON'T let this happen to you!!!!!!!!

Got Gift Card?

Susie recently wrote in to tell me that her SWEET sister gave her a gift card to Sephora....LUCKY!!! =D She wrote to ask what she should keep her eyes out for, what should she get? WELL let me thiiiink LOL. I have received quite a few emails like this one so I will give you a list of my MUST haves regardless of price and depending on how much you want to spend or how much your gift card is for, you can pick and choose =).

First and foremost of you do not have the Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP) you are SORELY missing out and need to rectify that situation like NOW! It is the best primer I have used, thus far, that keep my shadow looking vibrant all day long with NO creasing or fading.

Next I have to give a HUGE shout out to Makeup Forever's HD Foundation cuz this stuff is where it's AT!!!!! It's like silk, it's build-able, lightweight and lasts till the cows come home. It's a little pricey but when you are in the market for a staple like foundation, TRUST me you will NOT be disappointed!!!

This bronzer from Urban Decay is wonderful. I love the natural color and the matte finish. When contouring you don't want as much shimmer or else the sun will hit it and take away whatever shadow you were trying to create. You don't want to use a straight brown when going for a more natural look so this one is perfect. I get my baked bronzer in "Toasted".

The skin underneath our eyes is very delicate and very different from the rest of our face. I think we all have made the mistake of putting too much product under there (especially powder) and seeing our skin turn to reptile mode! Not a pretty look and no one really does it on purpose...I hope ; ). I use this miracle powder that is very fine, pinkish in hue to eliminate dark coloring and very good for your skin. In all, Benefit has a good track record for producing products that are heavy metal free, they do not test on animals and are phasing out all products that aren't gluten free.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat

*DISCLAIMER*

I have YET to purchase this product but let me redeem myself by telling you why it's on the list. This too is a pricey product ($40 for .1 oz) but VERY worth it especially if you are a makeup artist. I have shadowed and trained with some AMAZING artists and have read about all the rest HA! I kid you not, every single ONE of them owns this product and swears by it. While on a job I used it from another kit and was astonished at it's magical powers of giving an instant eye lift and "eight hours of sleep" to models that had some darkness under their eyes. It was also great to contour with....yeah, it's my next purchase (insert sheepish grin).

Don't you love watching old movies where the girls bite their lips and pinch their cheeks for color? LOL I think it's so funny and yet so cute to see what they went through to get that natural flush in their cheeks. Well we don't have to resort to such painful measures. We have some great products on the market and this is one I love. This is a water resistant, gel based cheek stain that just GLOWS!!! I love using this on brides and for commercial work since it is so natural and yet build-able to give you a romantic flush. I also LOVE that this product is formulated without all of the harsh chemicals you find in most cosmetics today. Isn't that awesome??? Paraben FREE.....HOORAY!!!!!

For those of you that have been here at the blog for a while or for those that have browsed through the archives will remember this. I said casually in a video that I highly recommended everyone going out and getting "Naked". BOY was I mortified as I received a ton of emails pointing out what I had said and having a giggle about it =). After the natural blush in my cheeks wore down I think I corrected that statement in the next video LOL. I love the EYESHADOW "Naked" from Urban Decay and I'll tell you why. Those that have learned and put into use facts about contouring know that subtle things can make a HUGE difference! This color, for me, is a light skin toned brown that enhances me crease, temple area and sides of my nose with natural ease. It gives just enough color to make a difference and if you don't believe me do one side only and look in the mirror. RIGHT?!?!? Yup, it's wonderful. I also use this color a TON when doing a smokey eye. I bounce back and forth between this and the bronzer to warm up said smokey eye. Few people know that you need to use a color in betwEEN the dark on your lid/crease and your brow bone color. A color that is natural, soft, and can "marry" the other two extreme colors together. I have found Naked to be a great shadow color to use for this. Go out and get "Naked" everyone.....you know what I mean!

On the same topic ; ), I think all girls need a good nude lipstick. One that doesn't match your skin or foundation like Myth (MAC) but one that will have just enough color to not fade your lips away and make you look washed out. This has just enough sheen and brown to it that wearing it with your fav smokey eye will be irreSIStible!!! I love to use this in the center of my lower lip when doing a bold color in lue of Myth if I feel Myth is too much of a contrast.

Well there's the list ladies! Those are the things that I would first look into and purchase from Sephora. From a MUA standpoint though I must share what I secretly long for....are you ready?

The Makeup Forever Flash Color Palette. (In Kronk's voice) "Iiit's beeaaauuuuutiful." And BOY is it!!!! This bad boy would be so fun, amazing and versatile to use. It could be used for lips, cheeks, eyes EvErYtHiNg!!!!! Jenni wanty!!!!! What are your go to's at Sephora? Want to add to the list? Write a comment below!

Glimpse Skin Care Line

*CoRrEcTiOn*

There are actually four colors provided for the mineral foundation not only three...whoops =)!

There is a wellness company here in Utah by the name of Xango. They are very well known for their wellness drink but also have a lot more to offer. For instance they contacted me a little over a month ago to see if I would like to try their skin care line or as they call it "topical skin nutrition". I like that =). I was not paid for my review but was given the complete line to try. Just click that cute little play button to see what I thought =).

How Do I find My Color Of Foundation?

Kat asked a great question in regard to finding your perfect shade and I want to help all I can so

HERE is a link to helping with MAC shades. It's really thorough and informative. Also, here are some basics for any foundation brought to you from Epinions.com (my comments/add ons are in red):

Consider Your Skin Type:

The first thing you need to consider when selecting a foundation is your skin type and the needs you have, like sensitive skin & allergies. Do you have oily, dry, combination or normal skin?
~Oily Skin – Make sure you select a foundation that is oil-free and controls oil and shine. Foundations with a matte or powder finish are very popular with people that have oily skin.
~Dry Skin – If you have dry skin, you need a foundation that has moisturizers in it. Dry skinned people have better results with a creamy foundation rather than a matte or powder finish makeup. These types of makeup can appear caked on dry skin.
~Combination Skin – If you have combination skin (like dry skin with oily T-zone) than you need a makeup that has moisturizers in it, but it’s oil-free and controls shine in your oily spots. There are many makeup choices for combination skin.
~Sensitive Skin – People with sensitive skin need to select a makeup especially for sensitive skin. Probably something that is oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy tested for skin irritancy. Check makeup labels to be sure about these things before you purchase a foundation.

Consider Your Skin Color / Tone:

Selecting the perfect color foundation is SUCH an important part of buying makeup. If your foundation does not match the color of your face, hi, you won't look that great =). You need to be sure it's not too dark or light. I used to think it was impossible to find a makeup that was the “perfect” color, but I now know that there is a color match for every skin tone and color.

Normally all brands of makeup are grouped into something like “Ivory”, “Beige or Tan” and the “Natural or Neutral” colors. So you need to figure out what your skin coloring is. Ivory would be fair skinned, Beige or Tan would be darker skin or suntanned skin and Natural or Neutral would be darker than fair or pale skin, but not dark skin.

If you have ever looked at all the color selections available in foundations, you’ll notice that there are always several to choose from. Usually there will be several colors in the “Ivory” group and several colors in the “Beige” group. The reason there are so many to choose from in the same group is because everyone has different skin tones. You and your best friend may both have Ivory colored skin, but you may have different skin tones. Think about a medium colored Caucasian person (maybe part Indian), a light skinned African American person and an Asian or Oriental person…they all have about the same color skin, but obviously the skin tones are very different.

What are skin tones? Well, if you look carefully at the different colors in the “Ivory” or “Beige” groups, you will notice that some are very neutral or natural colored while others have a pink, yellow or peach tint to them. This is to coincide with different skin tones. My natural skin tone is a bit on the pink side, so I need a foundation with yellow or neutral tones in it to even out my skin tone. I would never purchase a foundation with a pink tone or else I’d look like a bottle of Pepto Bismol! LOL Make sense? So you need to be sure about what the color of your skin is and what skin tone you favor before selecting a foundation.

When trying to decide on a specific foundation color, once you have determined the above criteria for your needs, you should then test the foundation on your skin to make sure that it is a match. I have seen so many people test makeup on their hands, but your hands are not always the color of your face. The best place to test a makeup is on your neck. The neck is where your makeup will meet your natural skin color, and it has to be the perfect color in order for it to blend smoothly and evenly, not leaving a noticeable line. So test the makeup on your neck or bottom of your face and blend it in well. The way you can tell if the color is just right is if it blends into your skin so well that you cannot even tell where you applied it. If this is the case, then you have found the perfect color for you.

Consider Your Climate and Environment:

The above criteria are definitely the most important in selecting a foundation, but you should also think about where you live and your climate, your everyday environment and your lifestyle. If you work in an office environment, you can use just about any type of makeup, but if you work outdoors or in very hot and humid conditions, you may need to be careful about your foundation selection. Some foundations do not hold up well in high humidity climates or very hot weather. Also take into consideration if you sweat and perspire a lot while wearing your makeup. There are special makeup formulas for this type lifestyle.

If you are outdoors a lot while wearing your makeup, you need to consider a foundation with SPF in it. Also think about whether or not you may need a foundation that is waterproof and/or sweat-proof. If you sweat or get wet, you don’t want your makeup to run off your face and leave it unprotected from the sun, or look like an idiot with half your face done...I'm just sayin =).

If you live in a very cold environment, and your skin tends to dry out in cold weather, you should make sure you select a makeup with moisturizers in it. If you have oily skin and the cold weather still dries you out somewhat, you can select a foundation that's oil-free but still has other moisturizers in it.

Consider the Look You Want to Have While Wearing Makeup:

There are so many different finishes in foundations today, so you need to decide what works best for you and your needs before selecting a foundation. This criterion may also be determined by your skin type needs mentioned above.
~Sheer or Natural Finish – This is the foundation for those natural beauties and people that do not need much coverage due to smooth, clear, even skin. Just for your information, I despise these people ;-) (just kidding) If you are not a “makeup person” but you want a foundation that is light and sheer, you should go with this type of finish. These foundations are usually in liquid form and are almost the consistency of pure water.
~Medium Coverage – These foundations are thicker in consistency and provide some coverage for people with blemishes, discolorations or just uneven skin tones. They go on thicker and can be purchased in liquid form or compact form (like creams, sticks or cream to powder).
~Matte Finish – These foundations are typically for those with oily skin. A matte finish is great for helping to control oily shine and breakthrough shine later. Matte finish makeup is also available in several forms (liquid, creams, cream to powder etc.) Matte finish makeup usually has a good bit of coverage to offer.
~Powder Finish – These foundations go on creamy and dry with a powder finish. These are wonderful for those with oily skin or combination skin because they tend to be thicker and the powder helps with shine. This type of foundation can be used by anyone, however, if you have dry skin, you will definitely have to apply a good moisturizer first.

Getting the Most Out of Your Foundation:

Selecting the best foundation for your skin care needs and wants is important, but if you have the best makeup in the world it won’t matter if you don’t prepare your face first. You should always use a good cleanser, toner and moisturizer before applying your foundation. Check out the skin care post link for more info on this topic!!!! It's pretty thorough.

Compliment Your Foundation:

Consider using concealer and/or powder along with your foundation for a completed look. Concealers can be purchased in different tones and forms (sticks, pencils or creams) and they are very easy to apply. I personally LOVE the camo palette from MakeUp Forever!!!! Concealers are great for blemishes or discolorations that are not totally hidden by foundation alone. I will be posting my new daily face routine soon!!! Powders are great for setting your foundation. The two work together to give you the ultimate coverage and duration. Powders also come in coinciding color tones and you can get them in loose or pressed form. If you are using a cream to powder foundation, you may not need to apply a separate powder unless you have very oily skin.

Hope that helps Ladies. Now, go get your founDATION on!!!!! =)

Revlon ColorStay A MUST Have!!!!

MUST READ!!!! YOU WILL SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So my friend Monica and I were chatting about makeup and I mentioned how I was going to get some more of my MAC foundation. She told me that she had seen quite a few reviews on this bad boy up top and that everyone was pleasantly pleased and surprised at how great it was. I figured that even with my Pro discount at MAC, this would still be cheaper and VERY worthy of a try. Ladies...OH MY WORD!!!! I had just recently used a Nicole Miller foundation with a sponge and it began to get muddy as I applied and blended. I have noticed sometimes that Mary Kay does the same. I like a good amount of coverage without looking WAY over the top which, for me, means about two thin applications. Blending the before mentioned foundations twice? Don't even THINK about it!!! Well, low and behold, I buy the Revlon ColorStay at Walmart for around $8 and LOVED it!!!!! It's creamy, buildable, blendable and lasted ALL day long!!! Not only that, but they have the options for oily or dry skin and SO many different colors to choose from. I picked out Medium Beige and am in LoVe Ladies...love!!! If you have any questions, just ask!

Mac vs BFTE Foundation

$26 dollar MAC foundation vs $12 Beauty From the Earth.....which is better? Let's do a little experiment shall we?