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 600 follower giveaway announcement coming!!! =)

Which Brush Do I Use?

There are so many out there and so many that are great. A lot of them look the same too with only little differences...so WHICH ONES ARE USED FOR WHAT? Here I show you some of the ones I have and which ones I use for what. Remember that there are NO rules to makeup and that includes application. These are just my lil opinions and how I use my brushes. That being said, ENJOY!!! =)

Lauren's Easy Updo

Can I confess? Will you judge? I'm going to have to take the chance.....I {heart} Lauren Conrad. I truly believe that if we were in the same town.......we would be besties! For SURE!!! She has a blog, not that I should be surprised, but I ToTaLlY didn't know that so when I found it I was pretty stoked! This updo was one of my FAVS of hers on whatever colored carpet she was on =). I am so glad that she made a tutorial on it!!! She has a giveaway going on right now and if you jump on over there you can enter to win some of her beauty favs (pictured below). Other than the giveaway she also has TONS of great tutorials on clothes, hair, makeup, and primping. What girl wouldn't love that??? Seriously, check this girl out. You will NOT be disappointed!!!

The Beauty Department's email box is literally flooded with requests for updos, so here’s a fun tutorial from Kristin Ess to get us all going!

This is always a favorite for attending an event. This updo looks gorgeous on any hair color but particularly amazing with highlighted hair because it gives the hair lots of depth and dimension. For lack of a better word, I love the way it becomes “swirly”. Best thing is; it’s easy to do, gorgeous and keeps your hair out of your way for the night.
I made this a printable tutorial, so all of the steps are next to the photos.
Enjoy!

Tools you’ll need:

• Curling iron (to prep the hair with waves)

• Sectioning clips

• Teasing comb or brush

• Clear elastic rubber band

• Bobby pins

• Light to medium holding hairspray (to mist over at the end)

Thank you Kristin for this tutorial from The Beauty Department!
XO Lauren

Sunscreen & Avoiding "Makeup Meltdown"

Here's a double dose from the dailyglow.com since I have missed a few Mondays...I know SLACKER!!! I thought these two issues where SO relevant to us right now that I though I would share them first. Enjoy!

Have you ever stood in the sunscreen aisle at your local drugstore, staring at the shelves full of tubes and bottles until your eyes glazed over? Help may be on the way. This month, for the first time in 33 years, the FDA released new guidelines that are designed to simplify the confusing and often misleading labels on sunscreens. Most manufacturers have a year to comply, so it should be easier to pick one next summer. Here’s the lowdown:

• The word “sunblock” will no longer be allowed on labels, since this implies that the product blocks out all UV rays.
• Only sunscreens that protect equally against UVA (aging) rays and UVB (burning) rays can be labeled “broad spectrum.”
• Sunscreens with SPF of 15 or higher can claim that they prevent sunburn, sun damage, and skin cancer. Sunscreens with SPF less than 15 will be required to carry a warning that they haven’t been shown to prevent skin cancer or aging.
• Sunscreens will not be able to call themselves waterproof or sweatproof. This is because no sunscreen can be completely budge-proof under water. They can be labeled as water-resistant; if so, they’ll need to indicate how long (40 or 80 minutes) you can swim or sweat before the protection wears off.
• In addition, the FDA is proposing a maximum SPF of 50. Sunscreens that have SPF values higher than 50 would be labeled as SPF 50+. This is because there’s no scientific proof that a higher SPF provides more protection from skin cancer and aging compared to products with SPF 50. The agency is also taking a closer look at sunscreen sprays to evaluate how well they protect, as well as the safety of inhaling the mist.

While these guidelines are a step in the right direction, the labeling is still not as informative and helpful as labels in Europe and Asia, which have rating systems that help sunscreen users compare the degree of UVA protection between products. The FDA should also take a closer look at the safety of current sunscreen ingredients, and speed up their review and approval of newer ingredients with better UVA protection as well as less irritation and potential toxicity.
For more information on the change in sunscreen labeling, visit the American Academy of Dermatology.

Here is how to avoid a "makeup meltdown" =):

Q: I want to schedule more sessions with the cute new trainer at my gym, but I need to figure out how to keep my makeup from dripping all over my face during the workout. How do I pull off a polished look while exercising?

A: Dripping makeup is messy, and it can be a real turnoff — even at the gym. But don’t sweat it! Here are some tips that’ll help you avoid makeup melt and show off your natural glow instead:

1. Wear less makeup. The gym is one place where you can get away with this, so go for it. Instead of full foundation, just dab on a little concealer wherever you need it.
2. If you need more coverage, add some tinted moisturizer to help even out your complexion. For oily or acne-prone skin, try Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Enhancer, which is oil free and noncomedogenic. Bobbi Brown’s Tinted Moisturizing Balm works well for dry skin. (Or mix some of your usual foundation with a bit of moisturizer to make your own.)
3. Skip the blush — your workout will give you a natural glow.
4. Use waterproof liner and mascara to avoid raccoon eyes. For a clean, natural look, I like Maybelline Unstoppable Smudgeproof Waterproof Eyeliner and L’Oréal’s Panoramic Curl Waterproof Mascara because they add definition and won’t run down your face.
5. Use a tinted lip balm instead of lipstick, and skip the lip liner so you don’t end up with an odd-looking outline around your mouth by the end of your workout. And no goopy gloss, either — it’ll just get all over your teeth and water bottle.

       6.   Carry a towel for blotting the sweat from your face — pat, don’t wipe! 

Skin Care Routine

Feel free to check out the full video above!

Otherwise keep reading to get an insight into my skin care routine and the products that I used that have helped clear up my break outs!

About my skin:

When I was a teen I never had break outs, I had the odd spot here and there but nothing crazy. In fact my skin was on the dryer side. Click here to see my top tips on dry skin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-khL4aZXzk)

However the older I got the worse my skin seemed to get. I was covered in spots, blemishes, pimples!!! Seemed like one would clear up and another two would replace it! I tried every thing - All the odd home recipes, the kitty litter mask, lemon and sugar treatment but NOTHING WORKED!

Finally I stopped with all the quick fixes and just used the same products every night and every morning and my skin is getting better and better!

The products I used might not work for you, but finding the right skin care routine will.

Cleanser - Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

I use this at night to remove my make-up (one pump) and to also clean my skin (second pump). I don’t use this every morning as I don’t want to over wash my skin. Even though I used to take my make-up off at night I didn’t clean my skin too. So now I not only remove my make-up but I wash my face afterwards. I can’t stress enough how important it is to remove your make-up at night Just by doing that you will notice a difference!

Scrub - Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub

I use this once a week or twice if I notice a huge problem. Mostly once does the trick and I will stick to that. Exfoliating is great and feels great too but you have to be careful not to over do it. Especially if you have spots, if you keep disturbing the healing of the spots they will last longer!

Toner - Witch Hazel and Rose Water

This is my favourite part of my routine! I use my toner once in the morning instead of cleansing my skin and once at night after cleansing and I love this stuff! If you are looking for a good toner try looking in the health care and vitamin section of the pharmacy. Witch Hazel and Rose Water are natural extracts that not only remove any oils or dirt felt after cleansing the skin, but it leaves it super smooth and soft too!

Moisturiser - Nivea Soft Moisturiser

This is my favourite ever moisturiser I have tried. I love this more then any other product - high end or low this is the best! I highly recommend this! Seriously!!

Makeup 101: Colourful Smokey Eyes For Summer

Makeup Junkie guest contributor, Olivia, has brought you readers another fantastic tutorial! Can you do smokey eyes in the summer? Yes! Throw out your ideas of the classic smokey eye and swipe some colour on those peepers!

Summer fever is upon us and we’re all itching to get out doors. For some that includes a night out on the town sans jacket, sporting your favourite little black dress. My go-to party look is a smoky eye but in the summer I prefer to substitute the blacks, browns and greys for purples, blues and greens. Really the options are endless with a colourful smoky eye. You could keep your signature look but appear more versatile simply by switching the colours. For this look I decided to use a combination of teal, blue and lavender purple with a gold highlight.

As an avid Makeup Junkie reader, the most important lesson I’ve learned is starting every look with a flawless face. I tend to avoid using foundation but after reading Joy’s reviews on tinted moisturizers I thought I would test out the alternative. I’ve been using Tarte’s Smooth Operator, which has a great natural coverage and really evens out my skin without feeling cakey. Then minor imperfections can be corrected with a dab of concealer. Once you have completed your flawless face, follow these simple steps for a vibrant and alluring nighttime look:
 

Step 1: Line top and bottom lash lines and blend with your finger (or smudging brush) for that smoky effect.

Step 2: Start with the darkest colour and blend up towards your crease. Using that same colour, line the outer half of your bottom lash line. Taking the lighter shade, blend into your crease and brow bone. With the lighter shade and a pencil brush (try MAC 219 pencil brush) apply the shadow to the lower lash line in order blend the colours and complete the smoky look. For that extra sparkle, sweep a gold shimmer under your eyebrows.

Step 3: To complete the look, line your waterline with the same liner used to begin the smoky eye. Then apply lots of mascara! Since we want to keep the focus on your eyes, keep cheeks and lips simple by using a touch of bronzer and a light gloss.

Step 4: Throw on that little black dress and you’re good to go!

*Products used on eyes:

- NARS eyeliner in Kaliste

- CARGO Lumieres Du Monde palette (blue, purple and gold shadows used)

Thanks Olivia! I love the softness of the whole look and think it looks gorgeous on her! It's smokey but totally wearable for day. What do you think of this summer smokey eye? Would you wear it?

Update and something exciting!

Hey guys, long time no see! I haven't been posting for several weeks, due mostly to the fact that I'm moving next week, so life has been more hectic than usual lol. I have been trying to keep up with your blogs a bit, but gosh guys, stop posting so much, I'm too slow! haha ;P

Anyway, there's something exciting I wanted to tell you guys about and ask you for your help: My little sister Abby (whom I've previously posted about here) is in a big contest right now on Facebook; it's a cover contest for the Korean pop group 2NE1, who are super huge in Korea and many parts of Asia.

Google images

Abby (Singinferyoo on Youtube) sang her first ever vocal cover of their song Lonely, and got into the finals!! (Just to give you an idea, apparently there were over 2,000 entries, and only 40 finalists chosen by the members of 2NE1 themselves!!! So they picked my sister out of 2,000 entries! How cool is that?)

There will be (I think) 7 winners: the main winner gets a trip to Korea to see 2NE1's first solo concert, and a tour of the YG building! (YG is a huge music/management company, they promote groups like 2NE1 and Big Bang!) The runner-ups get signed merch, etc., and all the winners get their cover video posted on 2NE1s official youtube channel for all their millions of subscribers to see! This is big...

The finalists were announced yesterday and the next phase is a public voting phase. Abby needs all the votes she can get, so if you would like to help her out, scroll down for a link and instructions! It's really easy and only takes a few seconds, I promise! ;)

Image from 2NE1 official Facebook page.

1. Click the pic and Like 2NE1's official FB page

2. On the Global Event page, scroll down to entry #26 and click Like >

3. Accept the application (it will direct you to the voting page)

4. Click Like on #26 again and you're done! :D

Of course you don't have to vote for her, or even at all lol. But if you do, please know that Abby really appreciates it. We're so proud of her, she's an amazing and talented person and I hope she can achieve her dream!

Thanks so much for your help and support! <3

I hope to be back in full force in a few weeks after I'm settled in from the move; I already have a bunch of posts planned to share with you guys and I can't wait! Until then, take care guys! ;3