Favorite Products- My Must Haves

"What is your favorite (eyeliner/lipstick/etc) product" is one of the questions I am most frequently asked.  Behind that is "what brand do you use?"  To be honest, I use whatever works well to get the results I want! I do not use any one brand for all of my products, and I am not opposed to using drugstore buys.  I am not paid by anyone to review these products, so these are my own honest opinions based on my experience/use.
Below you will find a list of my personal favorites for different categories of makeup products.

Foundation:  Face Atelier Ultra Foundation Pro ($31.99) is a silicone-based formula which imparts a beautiful glow to the skin and does not require a separate primer.  It is a must for my brides.  Unfortunately it is only available online, so shade matching may be difficult.
For my own use, I prefer Bare Minerals Original Foundation ($27) which does not make me break out and helps my skin look more even.  Plus, the added SPF is always good.

Concealer (under eye):  For my kit, my current favorite is Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer ($9) (just reviewed in my last post) because of its coverage and non-cakey finish.  I also love Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ($29), which offers a larger shade range than the Maybelline.  It also provides good coverage for the under eye area and does not look cakey or exaggerate fine lines.

Eyeshadow Primer: I used to be 100% loyal to Urban Decay's Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20), but recently picked up the Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($25) which also performs beautifully.  Both keep shadows in place all day so there are no smudging or creasing issues.

Eyeshadow:  Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette ($54 -includes brush) has been one of my favorites for awhile, thanks to the range of wearable neutrals.  Maybelline's Eye Studio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow ($6.99) works wonderfully as a base or all over as a shadow, thanks to the creamy, long-wearing formula.

Eyeliner: For a pencil formula, I love Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil ($20) because it is waterproof and does not come off until I whip out the makeup remover.  Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9.99) is a great dupe for more expensive gel formulas and is easy to use (with a angled brush).

Lipstick:  Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils ($25) are worth every penny, with the broad range of colors available as well as the lasting power.  It is the only product (in my opinion) that continues to look good while it wears off- hours after application, of course! A less expensive option that I keep in my kit which works similarly is Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm ($8.99).  Another great thing about both products is the pencil applicator, which negates the need for a lip liner.

Mascara: I am a cheapie in this category- I love L'Oreal Voluminous Volume Building Mascara ($7.99) and Voluminous False Fiber Lashes ($8.99).  Both work just as well as high-end, more expensive brands of mascara for a fraction of the cost.

Blush: Nars blushes ($30) are my all-time favorite.  In my kit, I keep BH Cosmetics 10 Color Professional Blush Palette ($12!) which contains beautiful colors, similar to those offered by Nars, that look good on a variety of skin tones.

Bronzer: Nars Laguna ($38) all the way.  I have yet to find a comparable alternative, so this is in my personal stash as well as my kit.  The formula is not shimmery and not too orange, which means the finish looks natural.

Lashes:  Ardell Demi Wispies ($4.99) are always stocked in my kit.  They are glamorous yet natural, and look good on almost everyone.

Brows: Senna Brow Book is my kit fave.  Senna also offers smaller palettes for personal use.  For pencil products, I love Anastasia Brow Wiz ($21) and Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil ($32).

Most of the products listed above

If I left something off the list that interests you, please let me know and I will add it in.

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.

Product Review: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

Hello lovelies! I am trying out a new format for product reviews, so please let me know what you think.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, shown in the color "Carina".

Product: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

Cost:  $22.00

Where to purchase: www.stilacosmetics.com, Sephora, Ulta

Colors available: Ten colors, ranging from pale pink to deep red and plum

Packaging:  Comes in a lipgloss tube with a doe foot applicator

Feel:  Does not feel thick and sticky like a gloss; kind of a silky, creamy feel when first applied.  After wear for a couple hours, starts feeling dry on the lips.

Finish:  Matte, full coverage

Longevity:  Lasts for up to six hours without budging.  Product may start to fade on the inner part of the lips after eating and needs to be reapplied.

Worth it?  This is probably one of my favorite purchases I have made in awhile makeup-wise.  The color range is beautiful and the staying power is awesome.  My husband likes it because he can still kiss me without getting any lipstick on himself (haha).  I think it is a good buy, but beware- the color clings to your lips, so some scrubbing may be needed when you are ready to take it off.

Product Review: BareMinerals Bare Skin Brightening Serum Foundation

If you are a reader of my blog, you should already be aware of my love for the original BareMinerals powder foundation. I have been using it for about 5 years, as it is the only thing my sensitive, acne-prone skin can handle. When BareMinerals announced their new liquid foundation launch, I ran to my local Sephora to buy it (launch was May 1st). This foundation is unlike any other I have tried. The salesperson at Sephora compared it to the Georgio Armani Maestro foundation, which has a nice, light feel and looks amazing, but contains silicones. If your skin is not sensitive, silicones are not an issue, and actually help give the complexion a smoother finish (for those with more mature skin especially). However, silicones can make sensitive or acne-prone skin react/breakout, so unfortunately they are a no-go for me. Anyway, the Bare Skin foundation feels like a serum; it is not the typical liquid or cream foundation. The ingredients include Vitamin C, which helps brighten the skin, and lilac stem cells, which are antioxidants. In addition to the anti-aging ingredients, titanium dioxide is added as a physical sunscreen (SPF 20), just like in the original BareMinerals formula. The Bare Skin foundation is totally buildable, which means you can obtain anywhere from sheer coverage to full coverage, depending on how much you apply.  To apply, simply shake the bottle, apply 2-6 drops onto a foundation brush (or your hands if you prefer), and blend.  Pretty easy!   Today is my second time wearing this foundation and I have  to tell you, it is awesome! It basically just makes your skin look beautiful and fresh, rather than "makeupy" or cakey. Plus it is feels nice and light on the skin, which I know is a big concern for those who wear foundation. I recommend setting the Bare Skin with a powder (especially if you have oily skin) such as BareMinerals Mineral Veil, to keep everything in place after application. It truly is a great product, in my opinion!The foundation is sold (separately) with a special brush ($28) to allow a perfect application, which works well, but in my opinion you could probably use any foundation brush with it.
The BareSkin Brightening Serum foundation is available in 20 shades and can be purchased for about $29 at Sephora, Ulta or BareMinerals stores.

Me wearing my new fave product! I am wearing the foundation in "ivory". Lipstick is Nars Red Square. 

If you try this out, please let me know your thoughts in the comments section.  I am sorry about the font/formatting of this post, I wrote it on the Blogger app.  

* Update- I think this is a great product, but I did start breaking out while using it.  I went back to the original BM formula, but will keep this in my vanity to use when I want a little more coverage.  Just wanted to be up front with you guys!

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.

April Product Love

Gotta love the still shots from a video.  Haha!  Please excuse my skin, I have a little breakout happening.

Products mentioned:  Bumble and Bumble Cityswept finishing spray ($29.00) and Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights   ($12.99)

Spring Makeup Inspiration

Just in time for the weekend, here is a little spring inspiration (if the weather will ever decide to stay warm!).

Clean skin, groomed brows, a little mascara, and a bright orange lip (preferably with a matte finish).

Photos via Harper's Bazaar/Pinterest. Collage created through Pic Collage app.

Products to try:  Revlon Colorburst Matte Lip Balm in Audacious ($6) , Lipstick Queen Lipstick in Jungle Queen ($22), Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Clementine ($24)

Sneak Peak: Some of my Professional Work

Once again, I apologize in the delay between my posts! I was out of town for the weekend, and finally have the chance to write:)

I received some exciting news from my friend Carol Persons (an AMAZING photographer in the DC area) that photographs from a photo shoot we did right before Thanksgiving will be published in the April edition of Lucy's Magazine!  To tide you over till the release date, which is April 18th by the way, I wanted to share a sneak peak from the spread.

Model: Alex Babiarz

Photographer: Carol Persons

Photography Assistant: Michael Woodward

Styling: Alex Babiarz and Carol Persons

Makeup by me

Product Review: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

Highlighting products seem to be very popular right now in the beauty world.  I tend to use highlighting only for special occasions, but after finding a product that combines blush and highlighter into one product, I am likely going to change my tune.  This little makeup wonder is called Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, which combines the brightening benefits of blush and highlighter to create a beautiful, healthy glow.   This blush comes in five shades, which should suit a multitude of skin tones.  I purchased the shade "Mood Exposure", which is a soft plum with pearly highlighter.  It is a little pricey at $35 a pop, but anytime I can cut down on the amount of products in my arsenal, I will suck it up.  I have been a loyal Nars Orgasm blush user for about 7 years now, but this Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush has been finding its way into my daily routine since I purchased it.  It is definitely worth a try, if it fits in your beauty budget.

This is "Mood Exposure" up close.

This is what it looks like on me:) Also, I have the Anastasia Dipbrow on in this photo.

Another angle, so you can really see the impact of the highlighting formula (brows not filled in this one!)

Tutorial: Violet / Cranberry Smokey Eyes

If you read my last blog post, you saw I just bought a bunch of MAC products including several eyeshadows to fill a palette.  I have never been a huge fan of MAC's eyeshadows, but my recent purchase is leaving a good impression.  The shadows are all very pigmented and do not crease or fade.   Now that I know they are up to par, I put together this tutorial for a smokey eye look with some of the eyeshadows I bought.  You can use any eyeshadow, as long as the colors are similar it should give the same look.

1.  Apply shadow primer of your choice.  As you know, I love Urban Decay Primer Potion.

2.  Use a slightly iridescent cream color on the inner corner/tear duct of your eye.  I used MAC Shroom.

3.  On the inner corner of your eye, apply a light peach-pink shadow.  Here, I used MAC Gleam.

4.  On the middle of the eye, apply a medium pink-purple.  I used MAC Star Violet.

5.  On the outer v of the eye and crease, apply a dark purple.  I used MAC Sketch.  Blend everything with a blending brush with a windshield wiper motion.

6.  Apply a waterproof black eyeliner in the upper and lower waterlines.  Smudge with a q-tip or pencil blending brush.  For this look, I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero.  

7.  Smudge some of the dark purple shadow into the lower lash line.  

8.  Curl eyelashes and apply lots of mascara.  I used L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Effect mascara.

Thought I would share: MAC Haul

If you are like me, seeing makeup others have in their collection or have purchased is strangely addictive and fun.  I recently renewed my MAC Pro Membership, so I had a little shopping spree.

Assorted eyeshadows (Shroom, Gleam, Star Violet, Sketch, Carbon, Woodwinked, Soot, Plum Dressing, Sumptuous Olive), liquid eyeliner (Boot black), lipstick (Heroine), Chromaline cream liner (Black), mixing medium, glitter (Gold), lipmix (Clear Gloss), and powder puffs.

This is what I bought.  I actually love the eyeshadows and lipstick a lot.  The rest I have not yet tried, but since they will be going into my freelance kit, I am sure they will come in handy.  Just thought you might like a peak!

Inspiration of the Week: Purple lipstick

Lately I have been more inclined to paint on a bright lipstick rather than wear a dark eye.  I have tried various reds, pinks and even orange shades, and have been quite happy with the look that the dose of color adds.  After browsing through Pinterest, I found that I was pinning quiet a lot of purple lip shades.  Maybe it is because it is a little different and fun, but still looks cool and chic.  I don't know;  I do know that I like the look and plan to wear it as a alternative to red more often.  Aside from the violet lipstick, not much else is needed.  Maybe some tinted moisturizer and concealer to even the skin, a few coats of mascara and a little black liner, and you are good to go.  Remember that the darker your skin tone, the deeper the shade you can choose for the lips.  

Photos courtesy of Tumblr via Pinterest, BehindM blog/Elle via Pinterest, and Instagram via Pinterest(Jessiiistephiii).  Collage created with PicCollage app.

My suggestions to try-

Fair skin: Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural lipstick in Purple

Medium skin: MAC Heroine 

Dark skin: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Shameless

Me sporting my MAC Heroine lipstick

Urban Decay Naked 2 Tutorial (and new hair!)

I wanted to share a quick and easy tutorial using the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette.  If you do not have the Naked 2 palette, any range of neutral eyeshadows should work.  The palette is definitely worth the money if you are in the market for new eyeshadow, just putting it out there:)

My new hair color and the makeup look in the tutorial:)

1. Apply complexion products as you prefer. I applied my normal moisturizer, Bareminerals foundation, concealer under my eyes and on red spots.

2.  Apply bronzer (Nars Laguna is my go-to) around the hairline, cheekbones, jawline and down the nose.

3.  Swirl on blush of your choice.  I almost always use Nars Orgasm, but since the rest of the look is pretty neutral, any pink or peachy shade should work well.

4.  Prime eyelids with a primer you like.  I always use Urban Decay Primer Potion, since it is the BEST for keeping shadow in place all day.  I also recommend putting a little on the lower lash line too.

5.  Using a shader (flat) brush, apply Suspect (a light shimmery beige) to the inner corners of the eyes to about a third of the way across the lid, blending it slightly toward the tear duct.

6.  Next, apply Snakebite (a medium bronze) to the remaining two-thirds of the eyelid.  Then use a eyeshadow blending brush to lightly blend the colors together.

7.  On the outer "V "of the eyes, apply Busted (a deep burgundy) with a pencil blending brush.  Again with the regular eyeshadow blending brush, blend all three colors together in a windshield wiper motion.  When blending, you should make sure the shadows look like a gradient rather than three separate, disjointed colors.

8.  With a pencil blending brush, apply Snakebite to the lower lash line.

9.  Apply black eyeliner of your choice to the upper lash line.  I chose MAC Fluidline for this look.

10.  Line waterline of lower eyelid with a brown eyeliner (softer than black, but still makes eyes look sultry).  I used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Whiskey.

11.  Curl lashes, apply mascara, and groom brows.

11.5.  Totally optional, but add your favorite pink lip color.  I used Bite Beauty lipstick in a fuchsia shade.

And there you have it:)  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about this tutorial or anything else!

How are you liking the blog thus far?

Hello my favorite readers, I wanted to point out that I added a little survey for you guys on the upper right side of the blog.  I am trying to get a feel for how you like the content so far and what you like to see most.  Please participate if you can, it should take about 10 seconds:)

Also, I had an amazing photo shoot with one of my favorite photographers, @Michael Woodward, this weekend.  This is just one of the photos (of the gorgeous Theresa Grant)- I hope you like it!  I loved the way the makeup turned out, so just thought I would share.

Product Review: BareMinerals Faux Glow Face

I am always hesitant to try sunless tanners, especially on my face, since they tend to make me break out.  Since BareMinerals tinted moisturizer, foundation and concealer do not make me break out, I decided to give their version for the face a try.  BareMinerals Faux Tan Face Gradual Glow is a gradual sunless tanner for the face and neck.  It is supposed to provide a golden glow without the damaging effects on the sun.

The instructions for usage of this sunless tanner do not vary from any other kind out there.  Basically apply evenly to clean, dry skin and wash hands thoroughly.  The formula is tinted, so you can ensure the product is evenly distributed on the skin.    You can choose to reapply every day to enhance the color, but I would advise applying every few days, which is enough to beat the pallor of winter and not look like a tanning junkie.

After one use, my skin felt extremely soft and moisturized, and I appeared more bronzed than I ordinarily look at this time of year.  The color is very believable; not too orange or brown.  It also helps disguise discoloration / unevenness a bit too (which means less foundation and concealer!).
I have not had any breakouts from this product so far, so I am pretty pleased.  I would definitely recommend BareMinerals Faux Glow Face sunless tanner.

This product can be purchased at Sephora, Ulta or BareMinerals stores for about $24.

P.S. the line also carries a body formula, which I can't wait to try!

I will try to add a photo soon of the before and after:)

A Quick Lesson on Washing Makeup Brushes!

If you don't already know, you should be washing your makeup brushes/applicators once a week.  Not only does it protect you from bacteria and germs that can harbor on brushes, but keeping them clean also ensures they perform well.  I am not saying I am the best about cleaning my own personal brushes every week, but I have to keep my freelance kit very clean and sanitary as part of my job.

My freelance kit brushes, all dirty and grimy from my last gig.

Here are some of my favorite products and tips for cleaning makeup brushes:

You can probably get by with using baby shampoo or a gentle cleanser, but they don't disinfect very well.  Especially with cream/liquid products, it is better to use a brush purifier as well.  I love Sephora's Purifying Brush Shampoo, since it is antibacterial and is only $15 for a bottle (they also offer a smaller sized bottle for $7).  This is a thin gel product, which almost looks like liquid soap.  You use this shampoo by squirting the product onto the palm of your hand, then swirl your dampened makeup brush in it.  Once you swirl, you will being to see the makeup gunk washing out.  Rinse the brushes in warm water until the water runs clear.

Another product I love is London Brush Company's Brush Shampoo, which is actually a solid soap in a jar.  This brush shampoo is available in lemon and lavender scents, and is made out of goat's milk.  It is amazing at removing all traces of makeup residue from brushes without drying out the bristles.
This shampoo is used by dampening a makeup brush then swirling it in the container.  After you get the shampoo on the damp brush, roll and swirl the bristles of the brush in your hand under running water.  All of the residual makeup should almost clump up in the shampoo, then rinse out.  Rinse in warm water until the brush is clean and the water runs clear.

When washing makeup brushes, you should be careful to keep the handle and metal piece (called a ferrule) pointed downward. If water gets into the ferrule, it is much more likely to create damage to the brush (NOT a good thing if you own nice brushes!).  You also want to gently shape the brush bristles back into shape after all the swirling you did to clean them.  Lay brushes out on a clean towel or paper towel(s) to allow them to dry (always dry in a clean, dry place).

New Year's Eve Makeup Inspiration!

I know it is a little last minute, but I wanted to share my NYE inspiration for tomorrow evening's party look!

Beyonce looking gorgeous, a model rocking some serious liner, and Leighton Meester.

The dress I am wearing (ordered from Rent the Runway for the first time, btw!) is silver and black, and instead of going with the typical smoky eye I am going to rock the classic red lip and cat eyeliner look.  I may even add a pair of full false lashes to bring the look to the next level.  My top choices for the evening: MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack and Rouge Dior Lipstick in 999 Ara Red.  

I promise to update this post with a photo of me from tomorrow evening.  Maybe even a tutorial

perhaps?!

What makeup look are you planning on rocking tomorrow evening?  Please feel free to comment below:)

Update / photo from NYE:

Me and my husband being goofy at the photo booth:) 

Product Review: bareMinerals Shades of Decadence Collection

First off, I want to apologize about the lack of posts the last week or so.  I am sure you all are busy with the holiday season as well, but I promise I am not being a slacker! I have a couple product reviews coming in the near future, and this is one of them...

For Christmas, I received the bareMinerals Shades of Decadence Collection from my mom (who is also a makeup fanatic, by the way!).  I didn't need more makeup by any means, but I am always happy to try out new and different products that come my way.  This set includes nine eyeshadows and six lip glosses (3 Marvelous Moxie glosses, 3 regular glosses) and comes in a really cute gold box.
The eyeshadow colors are gorgeous, ranging from light, shimmery shades to deeper tones that can double as eyeliner if used with a damp brush. You may even be able to use some of the lighter shades to highlight your face as well.  Although these shadows look gorgeous alone, I would recommend using a eyeshadow primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion is my favorite) to help keep it in place and make the color stand out more.

Shadow colors from top to bottom: Cypress (smoky greenish grey),  Glitz (dark shimmery plum), Atomic Plume (mushroom), Splendid (warm shimmery gold),  Rose Gold (rosy gold, ha!), Aglow (pearly whitish pink), Brave (light gold glitter), Gilt (light gold), and Wink (warm brown)

The lip glosses are very pretty and the shades are wearable.  I have to say that I am a fan of the regular glosses more than the Moxie line, since the latter are a tad too shimmery for my liking.  Still, the lip glosses are nice and would suit most skin tones.  Plus, the regular lip glosses are 100% natural, which always makes me a happy girl.

Lip gloss colors from top to Bottom: Vixen (bright shimmery pink), Temptress (shimmery rose), Tantalizer (shimmery nude), Starfruit (light pink), Wearable Mauve (light rose), Raspberry Truffle (pink).

 The only issues I have with this collection are, a) the eyeshadows are a bit messy, since they are loose powders and b) the 15 separate containers take up a fair amount of space, so they aren't the most portable.
Overall, I think the Shades of Decadence Collection is a good buy, since it is only $39 and comes with so many fun eyeshadow shades and lip glosses.  If you are trying to keep your makeup collection more concise / easy to carry, I would probably recommend skipping it and getting a palette that includes shadows and lip glosses in one compact.

If you have any questions about these products, please let me know.  I plan to do a tutorial with this collection very soon, so be on the lookout!

My Top 10 Dupes

In case you are not familiar with the world of Pinterest, "dupes" are essentially duplicates or cheaper versions of expensive products.  There are so many great lists already compiled, but I wanted to share some of my personal faves.
 1. Prestige Liquid Eyeliner ($4.99) vs MAC Liquid Eyeliner ($19.50
These two eyeliners are very similar in texture, finish, and longevity.  They also both have a felt tip applicator which makes for easy application. At under $5, you can't go wrong trying out the drugstore option.

2.  Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner ($9.99) vs MAC Fluidline ($16.00)
Both of these gel eyeliners are long-lasting and have a deep black finish.  The Maybelline formula is a little smoother in texture, while the MAC is thicker.  Both are very easy to use, but the Maybelline version even comes with a little brush!

3.  NYX Eyebrow Pushup Bra ($9.99) vs Anastasia Beverly Hills Duality Highlighting Pencil ($23.00)
Each of these pencils have a matte brightening formula on one end, which are great for highlighting the inner corner of the eyes as well as the brow bone.  The main difference is the NYX version has a regular brow pencil on the opposite end, and the Anastasia has a shimmery highlighter on the other side.

4. L’oreal Voluminous Mascara ($7.99) vs Lancome Hypnose Mascara ($27.00)
Rumor has it that these two brands are manufactured with the same formula.  I happen to LOVE cheap mascara, and the L'Oreal performs beautifully.

5. Revlon Colorburst Kissable Balm Stain ($8.99) vs Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm ($17.00)
Each of these lipstick balms are glossy and easy to apply, but you can try out more shades without spending as much with the drugstore option.

6. Real Technique Brushes ($6.00 and up) vs any expensive brush (ie: MAC, Sigma, etc)
Real Techniques brushes are excellent quality and offer lots of professional types of brushes that you may not be able to find in other inexpensive brand offerings.  They are all synthetic, which is a plus if you are into animal-friendly products. 

7. Maybelline Magic Lumi Highlighter ($12.99) vs YSL Touche Eclat ($40.00)
Both of these highlighting pens are amazing for disguising dark circles or highlighting the cheekbones.  At less than $15, the Magic Lumi is a steal.  The con for the inexpensive version is the shade offerings are not as extensive.

8. Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow ($6.99) vs MAC Paint Pot ($20.00)
Cream eyeshadows are amazing for using as a base or adding richer color to eyemakep.  The Maybelline version peforms wonderfully and lives up to the 24 hour name.  MAC Paint Pots, however, come in a larger array of shades and finishes.

9. Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips (Nude) Palette ($11.99) vs Urban Decay Naked Palette ($52.00, comes with brush)
The Physicians Nude Palette offers similar shades and hues to the Naked Palette, at a fourth of the cost.  The Urban Decay palette comes with a handy dual ended brush. 

10. Sally Hansen Double Duty Base and Top Coat ($4.99) vs OPI Start to Finish 3 in 1 Treatment ($12.95)
Sally Hansen's Double Duty Base and Top Coat keeps manicures fresh for up to a week.  The OPI version is technically a 3 in 1, so you may benefit a little more from the added strengthener, but I happen to love the inexpensive version.


　

　

　

Tutorial: Red Lips (and otherwise natural makeup)

After posting this photo to my Instagram account (@ericabasha, if you want to follow)  I had a request for a tutorial / product information.  This is a typical weekend day look for me, since it is quick, easy and looks put together.  So here it is!

1.  Apply moisturizer to the face as normal.  I also use a tinted moisturizer over my regular moisturizer.  I like Bare Minerals Skincare Tinted Moisturizer because it doesn't make me break out and it has sunscreen in it.  There are SO many formulas out there, including many drugstore brands, so just use what you like!  A BB Cream would work also.

2.  Apply under eye concealer and spot conceal any red areas.  I use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for the under eye area, and Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick for the rest of my face.  I recommend applying the under eye concealer with your fingers (helps blend it better) and a synthetic brush for everywhere else (helps it stick better and wastes less product). 

3.  Apply Bare Minerals foundation (or any mineral powder foundation you like) with a big brush.  

4.  Apply bronzer (I like Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna, but anything will work as long as it is not too shimmery) in a "3" motion on both sides of your face (so it hits your hairline, cheekbone, and jawbone) and over your nose.  

5.  Apply blush to the apples of the cheeks.  I almost always use Nars Orgasm, but any peachy blush will work.  

6.  Fill in eyebrows with the product of your choice.  These days I am using MAC eyeshadow in Omega and a angled brush, then adding a little of MAC's eyebrow pencil in Fling.  Comb through with a spoolie brush.

7.  Put on some mascara.  I obviously have some recommendations on this site:)  

8.  Now this is the more precise step.  Make sure your lips are clean and moisturized (flakey lips never look good) and then line the perimeter of them with a lip liner.  You can use nude, clear, or red liner.  Because the finished look is more natural, you do not have to exaggerate your lip liner or draw a harsh line.  The liner really just acts like a barrier to the lipstick and prevents bleeding color.

9.  Apply the lipstick! I usually just use the tube and apply directly, but you can always use a lip brush (helps with precision) instead.  I used Nars Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave, but any matte red lipstick should suffice.  

10.  This last step is completely optional, but I added a shimmery highlighter to the inner corners of my eyes and to the brow bone.  I used Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duality, which is a fat pencil with one matte highlighter and one shimmery highlighter.  A good dupe is NYX Cosmetics Eyebrow Push-up Bra.

And there you have it!  It seems like a lot of steps, but I promise it is a quick process.  If you try it out, please let me know what you think in the comments section.