Lip Tip

If you want to create the perfect nude lip shade but don't want to spend the time and money to buy a new product, just take a neutral lipstick (I think is safe to say that must of us have a light pink or rose color lying around) and add a tiny bit of your concealer to it.  Mix it around and apply.  Add a small amount at a time, so you can control the amount of pink to nude ratio.  By using your concealer, you will have the perfect shade of nude that suits YOUR skin tone, since your concealer should coordinate with your skin to begin with.  Plus, you can save some cash!

If you really like what you come up with, buy a small plastic jar with a lid and create a bigger batch of the shade so you have it on hand the next time you need it.

A Quick Lesson: How to Conceal a Zit

One of my best friends requested that I write a post about concealing zits, since unfortunately this is a beauty issue most of us face from time to time.

Depending on whether you use a powder or liquid/cream foundation formula, you will change the order of these steps slightly.  If you use a powder foundation (i.e.: mineral foundation), you will conceal prior to applying foundation.  If you use a liquid or cream foundation formula, you will conceal after you apply the foundation.

You will need four products aside from your favorite foundation: a small, pointed makeup brush (like this one), a small blending brush, a creamy concealer that matches your skin tone, and a loose powder.  I personally use Bare Minerals Correcting Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 in Light 2 and Mineral Veil (original).   If you have spots that are very red, you may also want to use a green color corrector prior to the concealer, which will neutralize the redness.

1.  Dip the brush into the concealer.  You only need a little bit of the product on the very tip of the bristles (no need to waste product!).  Apply directly to the zit using a stippling motion, making sure not to conceal the area around it.

2.  Using your finger, lightly tap over the concealed spot.  This helps to press the product into the skin (so it does not look as if it is sitting on top of the skin) and will give the most natural look.

3.  Using a small blender brush, apply the loose powder directly to the concealed spot to help set it. Use a delicate touch so you do not uncover the concealer you just applied.

4.  Repeat as necessary for additional zits/red spots.  

There you have it- pretty simple.  The most important thing to remember is that makeup will only help conceal the redness or discoloration; it will NOT change the texture of the skin (i.e.: erase bumps/inflammation).  To help zits heal quickly, do not pick and use your favorite spot treatment daily.  You may want to try hydrocortisone cream, which I find helps speed the healing process.  I also rub an ice cube over the inflamed area to help reduce the swelling (for those painful cystic acne spots).

June Faves

Considering the damage I did just a month ago at the Makeup Show, I should not be shopping for makeup and hair products.  BUT I am crazy and love beauty products, and sharing my thoughts about them with you- so here we are again!

After reading some other blogs, I decided to buy RMS Living Luminizer, which is a gorgeous, natural looking (not glittery/too shimmery) cream highlighter.  It is a little pricey ($38!), but you only need to use a little at a time, so it should last awhile.  It imparts a beautiful, healthy-looking glow to the skin.  Apply with your fingers or a brush to the high points of the face (tops of cheekbones, brow bone, cupid's bow, etc).  This is a great summer product- something that looks fresh, pretty and can be applied quickly and easily.

The last few months I have had issues finding a shampoo and conditioner that keeps my frizzy hair tamed and at the same time does not make it lifeless.  I was recommended Davines Beautifying Shampoo and Conditioner ($26 each), and have to say I am very impressed.  Both products smell AMAZING and the formulas seem very balanced.  The shampoo is creamy but gentle, and the conditioner is rich and thick.  In fact the shampoo and conditioner are for all hair types, which initially scared me since my hair is on the dry side, but my hair has been well-behaved since I starting this regimen.   Oh, and they work well for when I wear my hair both wavy and straight, which is another plus.  I highly recommend this line based on my experience so far.

Now, for a inexpensive drugstore buy! Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer is pretty dang great considering it is under $10.   Obviously, this is marketed for mature skin, but it works well on anyone.  It is creamy but does not crease or settle into fine lines and blends easily into the under eye area.  Unfortunately, the shade range is not great (4 shades, plus one brightener and one neutralizer), but women with darker skin tones may be able to use this product as more of a highlighting product.


Please let me know what you think if you try any of these products, or if you have a product you have been liking lately and want to share.

Beauty Blender, I love you.

If you have never used a Beauty Blender, you are really missing out on a quite a gem of a product.

Beauty Blenders are not new, but if you have never used the little, pink, egg-shaped sponges, you should give it a try.  The Beauty Blender can be used with any liquid or cream product (i.e.: concealer, foundation, highlighter, etc) and produce an amazing, airbrushed look.  Somehow the sponge applies the perfect amount of makeup and absorbs excess product at the same time.  I like to dampen the sponge with water, then squeeze out the excess moisture before dipping it into makeup.  Use the broader end to apply makeup to larger areas of the face, and the skinnier side to apply to smaller areas- it works like a dream for nooks and crannies like the under eye area and around the nostrils!  Lately I have been using these little babies for foundation, concealer and highlighter application on my clients, and I am in love.

You can buy Beauty Blender from Sephora ($20 for 1, $30 for 2), which seems a little steep for a sponge, but they are reusable if you remember to be good about cleansing them (as often as any other makeup brush!).  It is $20 well spent in my opinion.

My Beauty Blender multi-pack (including their cleanser) for my makeup kit, along with a few other goodies from Naimies.

Product Review: Illuminare Concealing Mineral Foundation

I am am a loyal BareMinerals foundation user, but sometimes I like a little more coverage than it offers.  As you may already know, I have pretty sensitive and acne-prone skin, so it is difficult to find a moderate to full coverage liquid foundation that doesn't make me break out.  When I reordered my beloved Cor Silver Soap, Skincarestore.com sent me a couple of samples, the Illuminare Concealing Mineral Foundation being one of them.  I gave it a try yesterday, and I have to say, it is pretty great.
I simply used my hands and fingers to apply and blend onto my face (make sure to use moisturizer first for better blending), but a brush or sponge may be used if preferred.  After applying the foundation, my face barely required any concealer aside from a little brightening under the eyes.  The finish is semi-matte, and the look is flawless (no caking or weird oxidation here!).  I am seriously considering buying a tube of this stuff to have on hand for special occasions (or for when my skin acts up).  A tube is about $27, which isn't cheap, but since you require such a small amount for a full-face application, it should last quite a while.  And it contains sunscreen (SPF 20!)  Something to consider if you are in search of a new foundation:)

This is what the foundation looks like:) And Nars Dragon Girl on the lips.

My little sample packet.  Need more of this!