Easter Fun and How I Stayed Shine Free!

    Well, my Easter was so much fun! Although I did work most of the day, I got to go to my boyfriend's grandma's house after work. It was a blast!!! I love spending my Easter there! I got to eat great food, sweated through a few badminton games, learned how to play shuffle board, beat everyone at HORSE the first time, lost to my boyfriend the second time, and lounged outside having a great time! The weather was great! The sun was out but it wasn't sweltering hot. I did sweat, so I was worried about my makeup. Surprisingly, my makeup stayed on really well!!!!! My foundation was still there like I just got done putting it on, my blush was not as intense but I was glad that happened because it turned out nicer, my contour was all there, and my lashes were as curly as ever. The only downside were my lipstick was all gone, I did eat and had a couple drinks, and my eyeshadow was a little creased, I did have my shadow on for more than 15 hours. It was bound to crease then. I did touch up my makeup using Mally's Face Defender, the clear mattifier and sprayed on Urban Decay's De Slick setting spray. I really think those products kept me matte and unshiny the whole day. Oh, by the way, I have really oily skin, so what I saw when I got home surprised me so much! I was super happy that I wanted to share it to you all!

    

DIY: Lip Exfoliator

    It's time of the year again when bright lipsticks are a must! They are just so fun to wear, it makes me happy just looking at them! What is bit disappointing is seeing them all feathered out. Bright lipsticks tend to make them stand out more and it just doesn't look good -- at all!!!!!!!! If you're lips are dry that they're peeling, those dead skin are what causes the nasty feathery look. When this happens, I exfoliate my lips then tada! My lips are soft and most important of all SMOOTH! Lip products glide on easier and your lips are healthier! The recipe? It's super easy that you might already have them in your pantry!!!!!!

Recipe:

A small jar or bowl

1- 11/2 tbsp of brown sugar

1-2 tsp of honey

      Mix the sugar and honey in a bowl or jar. If you want to add more sugar, go ahead! Rub this on your lips GENTLY! Rubbing it too hard will cause your lips to feel sore. Wipe away the exfoliant with a wet towel. Now, grab that bright lipstick, then glide it on to your soft and smooth brand new lips! Mwah! I hope this helped!

bareMinerals Insider Introducing the Hydrating Lip Tint Review

         I've been wanting try some more bareMinerals product apart from their foundation kits and I've mentioned before that a thriftier way to do it is to buy value packs. bareMinerals have some great packages and I actually saved about $50! I loved most of them and when I run out I will definitely buy some more! Here are the products included and what I thought of them:

Prime Time Primer Shadow    
       I love this product! It's perfect for those on the go moments and times when you need a quick fix! There's no need to apply a primer prior to this because the shadow itself already has a primer! The color is very pretty and natural that it would look great on anyone and any look! It does have a slight hint of shimmer which can bring focus to your eyes! I will buy this again if I run out!

Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara 
       I like this mascara. It's not too clumpy and thick. It is very black. The brush is fairly traditional that it hugs my sparse lashes and makes it look like I have more! I wouldn't buy it again though, just because there are other cheaper mascaras from the drugstore that gives me the same result.

Round the Clock Waterproof Eyeliner
       The 3 pm shade is perfect!!!! I prefer wearing dark brown eyeliners compare to black because they don't make my eyes look smaller, so this works out great for me! The brown does look more bronzy because it has a little shimmer which makes me like it even more since it's different from other brown eyeliners that I have. It last aaaaaallllllllllll day long!!!!!! I'm not kidding! I have plenty of eyeliners that say they wouldn't smudge or fade. But for some reason they do on me. Well, I do have oily skin so that might be a reason! Lol! But this liner doesn't smudge and the intensity looks the same as when I just put it on in the morning. The only thing I don't like about it is I have to sharpen it myself. Call me lazy but I'm not very good at sharpening my eyeliners... :{ Also, you can't just buy it individually, well at least to the stores I've gone to. You have to buy an insider pack to receive and eyeliner from the Round the Clock waterproof line. Wow I wrote a lot! Just shows how much I really like this product! Lol!

Blush in Peek-a-Boo
         I adore this blusher! It gives my face a nice flushed look. You know that kind of color you get after working out. I do think this would look great on anyone. It lasts all day and comes in the click, lock and go innovation Bare Minerals created. I would definitely buy another one!

Hydrating Lip Tint  
       At first look, I was disappointed because I thought the tint would be pinkier, but it's more natural with a hint of pink. It's still very pretty and would look perfect for that natural look that the whole kit is going to give you. I'm not too crazy about the consistency. It almost feels like it's too greasy. The great thing about this tint is it gives you an even color and it last for a decent amount of time. I put it on at night and the next morning I still have that nice natural pink lips! Granted that I didn't do anything with my lips. Once a lip tint dries, some gives you a gradient effect on your lips but this one looks nice and even. I'm not sure if I'll buy another one because I don't really like the product's texture.


         I hope this helps! I just want to remind you, if you're planning to try bareMinerals products buying an insider kit is the practical way to go because it's a much cheaper alternative and you get to try more products! Alright talk to you on my next post! I do have a video of this review. And you get to see what the products actually look like. I'll try to attach it to this post if I can! Take care!!!

The Urban Decay De Slick Setting Spray Review!!!!

    Oh my gosh!!!! This is the answer to one of my major problems!!!!!!!! I have super oily skin that after an hour of putting on my makeup, no matter what primer I use or foundation, I have to start blotting my nose and forehead because it is so shiny! I seriously can deep fry some chicken if I just squeeze it out of my sponge, brush or tissue! Urban Decay's De Slick Makeup Setting Spray is the bomb!!!!! After washing my face I apply my toner, moisturizer, primer, I spritz De Slick setting spray on my face two or three times then I put on my makeup. After putting on my makeup I spritz it on again to set it! I love it so much! I received a free sample from Ulta when I bought $50 worth of Urban Decay products and after a week I bought the full size bottle! It feels light weight and doesn't smell bad so it's great! Definitely going to be one of my regulars when I do my makeup!

How to Apply a Blush/Blusher without Looking Like a Clown

          I've seen too many girls or ladies, whatever you prefer, apply blush too heavily. They kind of look like clowns! That was mean but I can't help it, it annoys me too much. The only time I have to wear that much of a blusher is when I'm on a play because the lights really wash out people. Sometimes I feel like coming up to them and tell them that they look ridiculous with that much blusher on! I'm guessing they've never heard of the phrase: a little bit goes a long way. Anyway, enough with the ranting. Let's get down to business on how to apply a blusher.

          There are several ways to apply this, of course, but I want to share to you the two ways I do. I'm not saying you have to do it this way. I'm just saying don't apply too much.

1. The most common way to apply a blusher is on the apple of your cheeks. The easiest way to find this is by smiling. The area on your cheeks that is most "plump" would be the apple. This technique is great for younger people but for someone who has seen more years, not so much. What happens when a more mature woman smiles places her finger on the apple of her cheeks and goes back to her normal expression? The apple of her cheeks actually appears lower compare to when she was smiling. So if she or whoever is applying a blusher, I've seen several guys put on makeup for a play, applies it on the apple of their cheeks; then their cheeks would look saggier. Not so attractive. In theatre makeup, if we wanted to look older we apply the lines for wrinkles and the blusher lower than it should be because it draws the illusion of gravity being your bff.

2. What do I think is the best way to apply a blusher? I think the best way to apply your blusher is like applying a contour. By starting near the hair line of your cheeks, without smiling, and working your way towards the center of your face. This creates the illusion of a more defined cheek bone. Most of the product will be where your natural shadow would be. Because if we actually look at the shadows of our face, near the hair line would be the darkest. Again, a little bit goes a long way. There's no need to apply more of your blusher to make the cheek even because we want that gradient effect -- darker by the hair line and lighter near your nose. This trick would look great on anyone whether your immature or mature! Lol!

        I hope this helped!!! I can't stress enough how unattractive too much blusher look like. So remember, a little bit goes a long way!

Money Saving Tips When Buying Makeup!

      Makeup could be expensive. It seems like that the more expensive the product is, the better they should be! But sadly, that's untrue. There are great products that could be bought at a drugstore for a much smaller price. Here are a some tips that could help buying makeup easier on your wallet!

-Don’t be a snob; there are great drugstore makeup products out there!

-Eyeshadow may be used several ways. It can be used as a highlight for your brows, cheek bones, nose, lip and even your collar bone!

- A dark shadow is usually used to contour your crease, but if you find just the rights shade it could be used on the hollow of your cheeks, nose, temples and neck to give your face more definition.

-An eyeshadow could also be used as aneyeliner when applied wet or to set your regular liner to prevent smudging

-I prefer buying drugstore mascara, since they don’t last as long as other makeup products. They give the same results anyway!
- Blushes and bronzers could also be used as eyeshadows.
- There are great foundations out there such as the Neutrogena Healthy Skin and Revlon Colorstay, which has different formulation for Combo/Oily and Combo/Dry skin. Drugstore do not usually let their customers test the product, so I suggest buying your foundation, concealer or other products at a store you know will let you return the product, if you find that the shade is not right for you.
-Buy a product that has several purposes –  lipstick in a shade that you prefer and helps smooth your lips; a blush that could also be a highlight; matte eyeshadows that could be used for contouring and filling in the eyebrows; or a tinted moisturizer that has SPF.
- If you truly prefer high end products, then research the store's promotions. Apply for a rewards card from the store that has special offers for their members such as Sephora's Beauty Insider, Ulta's Ultamate rewards card, Sally's membership and etc. You also get to have free products or services if you are a member! I know I'm dying to have that facial from Ulta!
- Some products have kits or value packages that the company assembles to promote a certain product. They usually have a better deal. Just be careful to know what products are inside. If there are five products and you just truly want one of them and don't care much for the others, then you'll be better off buying just that one product; but if you also like the accompanying products then you just might save a couple dollars! I know Bare Minerals have their Insider packs introducing a certain product. I love them and I save about $20 or more if I were to buy the products separately!
- Palettes are actually a thriftier way to buy makeup. If you know that you like the consistency of the eyeshadow brand then buy their palettes instead of buying one eyeshadow at a time. The Naked palette from Urban Decay comes with 12 eyeshadows, Primer Potion sample, and a brush all for $50. If we compute just the eyeshadows themselves for $50, it'll come out as $4.2 per shadow! That's much better on the wallet compare to the $16 per eyeshadow. Ulta, Sephora, Stila, Tarte and many more compose their own palette. So next time you want to buy a high end eyeshadow, look for the palette first, it just might save you money.
-Before you buy any high end product, check the tester to see if it really works well for you. You could also ask if the store has a sample of the product so you don't have to make a commitment to that product which will most likely cost a lot of money. If you're having a hard time deciding which shade goes well for you, then ask a consultant for help, they will be more than happy to assist you.

       I hope this helped you! Have a great day!

Makeup, Where to Start?!?!?!?!

When I was a teenager, I didn’t know where to start. I didn't know what products to buy or what shade. I did not have any help from my mom because she doesn't put on makeup anyway and I didn't want to tell her and my dad that I wanted to put on makeup! But thankfully, they didn't get mad at me when they saw me wearing makeup. I guess they said I've always loved makeup since I was a little girl. So, the first products I ever got were a mascara, I can't remember what brand, and an NYC eyeliner. I really felt that those two made a big difference for my look, but now that I know more about what to buy, I want to share to you what I think would be great products to start off your collection. Keep in mind that the products I will mention are the ones that work for me; I hope they will for you as well. At least this will give you an idea of what items to start off with your kit. I will also give an example for a drugstore brand and a higher end makeup, if possible.

Foundation: this product is blended all over the face to smoothen out the skin and starts us off with a new canvas. It could be powder, liquid or cream. Powder is best used for an oily skin and could be also used to set a liquid or cream foundation. Liquid foundations could be used for dry, normal or oily skin depending on the formula. And a cream foundation is best if your skin tends to be on the dryer side.
           -Revlon Colorstay (combo,oily,dry)
           -Neutrogena Healthy Skin (dry)
           -Elf Tinted Moisturizer (combo, dry)
           -Loreal Tru Match (combo,oily)
           -Sephora Mattifying foundation (oily)

Concealer: used to hide any blemishes such as pimples, scars or dark under eyes.
           -Revlon Photoready Concealer
           -Garnier BB Eye Roll On
           -Coastal Scents Eclipse Palette
           -Bare Minerals Concealer

Eyeshadows: to add color and definition to the eye lids.
           -Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadows
           -Elf 32 eyeshadow palette
           -Sally Girl eyeshadows
           -NYX Nude on Nude palette
           -Naked Palette by Urban Decay

Eyeliner: applied to lash lines or as close as possible.
           -Wet n' Wild Color Icon eyeliners
          -Milani Liquid Eyeliners
          -Bare Minerals Round the Clock Eyeliners

Mascara: swept onto lashes to get the desired look.
          -Maybelline Falsies Volum Express
          -L’oreal voluminous black
          -Bare Minerals Definition

Blush: applied on the cheeks for a flushed and lively look.
          -Elf blushes
          -Tarte Amazonian clay blushes
          -Bare minerals powder blushes
          -Milani blushes
          -Covergirl blushes
          -Wet n wild Color Icon blushes

Lipstick/chapsticks/lipgloss: swiped on the lips to ads color.
          -Palladio mineral chapsticks
          -Maybelline Colorsational lipsticks
          -Elf Studio lipsticks
          -Ulta mineral lip color
          -Bare minerals Pretty Amazing lip color
          -Sephora Lip Attitude lipsticks

           I hope this helped your quest on finding your starter makeup! I'll post a video about this on YouTube and attach it to this article! Enjoy the new you!