BEST OF: SKIN PREPPERS & SKIN FINISHERS

There are so many great products for the face these days, but lately we've noticed how many now come in the form of a spray or mist. Why are they so great?

Mist application is quick and easy- as well as gives are very smooth even application of the product.

There are TWO CATEGORIES for facial mists: Skin Prepers & Skin Finishers 

Skin Prepers are applied to fresh clean skin and are designed to balance the pH of the skin, rehydrate, smooth and prep the skin for further applications of makeup etc.

Skin Finishers are applied as a last step to set makeup in place, control oil production and shine, and sometimes to add UV protection to the skin. [

video here

]

Fav Prep Mists:

• Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist FULL of the highest quality ingredients, your skin literally drinks it up!

• Evian Mineral Water Facial Spray Perfectly balanced pH for your skin to re hydrate after cleansing, and refresh throughout the day.

• ELF Oil Control Primer Mist Keep oil and shine at bay with this super affordable and effective prep spray before makeup.

Fav Finish Mists:

• Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray The OG of setting sprays- locks it in place and keeps makeup fresh all day.

• Milani Make it Last & Make it Dewy Pick your finish and keep your makeup looking glam all day.

• Supergoop Defense Refresh Mist SPF 50! so great for a finishing spray- it locks makeup in place but keeps skin protected too! Can't go wrong with that!

What are your favorite sprays? Let me know, xo

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5 [EMBARRASSING] MAKEUP MISTAKES YOU DON'T KNOW YOU ARE MAKING

Every time I switch up my hair color (which is a lot, in my case) I like to reevaluate the makeup that I pair with

said

new hair color. It is a great excuse to clean out my collection and update expired products etc. If you don't change you hair color as often as I do- then the beginning of each new season is a great time to do this as well.

During my last makeup update- I realized that I had made some pretty

bad makeup mistakes

in the past... which made me laugh, but also made me think that there are probably lots of women who make these mistakes too. Today's post will hopefully help you avoid those mistakes and leave you feeling beautifully confident!

5 [EMBARRASSING] MAKEUP MISTAKES YOU DON'T 

KNOW YOU ARE MAKING

1- YOU DON'T CHECK YOUR REFLECTION IN NATURAL OUTDOOR LIGHT PRIOR TO LEAVING THE HOUSE

• This exercise alone will make the world of difference for so many women. Indoor lighting speaks LIES to all of us! Taking the time to look in the mirror while standing in front of a window will reveal uneven or blotchy makeup, the wrong color of foundation, too much blush or bronzer... and the list goes on. Don't skip this important step- And all of the below mistakes can be caught, by following this step alone.

2- YOU DON'T REMOVE EXCESS MAKEUP FROM YOUR HAIRLINE AND BROWS

• A huge pet peeve of mine, and a mistake that I made for years before I realized! The fine hairs located in the hair line and just above the eyebrows or just in front of your ears (often referred to as peach fuzz or baby hair) are like magnets for foundation and powder. In the right lighting those hairs are now 'skin-colored', which is a dead giveaway that you are sporting [too much] makeup. Simply take a dry tissue and sweep it along the baby hair after you've finish your makeup and remove any excess that is sitting on the hairs.

3- YOU DON'T REMOVE EXCESS MAKEUP FROM YOUR INNER EYE AND LOWER LASH LINE

• Along the same lines as above, using a cotton swab to remove excess makeup from your tear duct the inner rim of your eyes in a crucial step to making your look appear natural. The skin around your eyes is meant to be colored differently than the rest of your face, and when it is all the same tone, you are on a bullet train to 'over-done' land. Blend and transition... it's the name of the game! Make it easy with the one and only Beauty Blender.

4- YOU DON'T BLEND YOUR MAKEUP AROUND THE SIDES OF YOUR NECK

• Holy crap- this again is another mistake that I used to make, and I see a lot while out in public. One time I saw a pic of me from the side, and I had a very clear 'line' that showed where I stopped blending my makeup on my neck. My chest and front of my neck looked great, but I forgot to blend and transition my bronzer around the sides of my neck. whoops! This is especially important when you are wearing your hair up and your neck is exposed.

5- YOU DON'T SET WITH TRANSLUCENT POWDER TO AVOID MAKEUP TRANSFER TO YOUR COLLARS OR NECKLINES

• There is nothing less sexy than having makeup all over your collar. It happens to the best of us, but can be avoided if you either skip neck and chest makeup on collar-wearing days, or at the very least; set your makeup with a translucent powder to add a buffer and protect you clothing. I love this splurge or this save option. And this super save option too! Also placing a hand towel over your face, then sliding your top on over that, is a great way to avoid transfer.

I hope these tips help you to look and feel more gorgeous! Any other mistakes that you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments below- and come say hi over on

instagram

.

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3 EASY MAKEUP LOOKS IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Whether you are planning a big night out on the town with your hubby, or you are having a galentine's celebration with your lady entourage... Valentine's Day is such a fun excuse to glam up and try something fun for your beauty look.

Wearing // Pink: Lovecraft Red: Adora Plum: Motorhead [with Buxom Purple Haze Gloss]

Lately I've only been wearing Studded Kiss lipstick from Kat Von D... I've been hooked since November when I picked up her Holiday collection. So I thought I would share a few Valentine's Day makeup ideas using the Kat Von D lipsticks as my inspiration.

The studded packaging is badass just 

like Kat herself, and the pigments in the collection are so vibrant and packed with color. I would describe the texture as a true matte, having a low moisture level   with no gloss or sparkle. A few of the shades have a shimmer built in, but they are still matte in my opinion. This finish lasts a solid 8 hours, and is also very nice for multi tonal looks [like ombre lipstick] because it simply stays put on the lips and you don't have to worry about running or smearing. I also love to add a gloss over the top of these for night time wear or when I need a hint more moisture.

Which Valentine's look is your fav? I really love how changing the lipstick out can change the WHOLE look completely and gives you a different attitude to boot! I hope you have some fun plans for this weekend! xo

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TARGET BEAUTY: THE BEST OF E.L.F. COSMETICS

A couple weeks back I shared

my favorite picks from the Pixi line

, and today I'm keeping the budget-train rolling with my top picks from the ELF line which can also be scooped up at

Target

as we'll as on the

eyeslipsface

website.

This line is perfect for the gal on a budget, and I always recommend it to my teen and college student readers and friends because it doesn't break the bank, but still offers really great products. And w

hile not

everything

is a must-buy in my opinion, there are so many goodies I do love and recommend, as well as use myself on a regular basis. Here is a wrap up of the best products from ELF:

• Studio Blush Palette- This palette is a great buy and has several different tones of blush and bronze all in one place. The texture is a soft pressed pigment, that applies easily and blends nicely with great staying power. In fact all of the blushes and bronzers from ELF are winners!

• 3-in-1 Mascara- I love the balled tip applicator on this mascara wand and the comb type bristles are great for separating and giving lashes a rich black coating. The balled end works great for detailing the corners of your eyes and for quick sweeping along the lower lashes without smudges.

• Lustrous Cream Eye Shadows- These cream shadows are new to the line, but I've already scooped up 3 colors and LOVE them. They are easy to apply with your ring finger and spread on smoothly with lovely shimmer and metallic tones. They are beautiful on their own, or work great as a primer under your powder shadows for an extra pop of color and staying power.

• Under Eye HD Setting Powder- Designed to blur fine lines, and give a brightening effect to the under eye area, this super fine milled loose powder has become one of my favorite products to keep in my purse for mid-day touchups. While the brush it comes with is useless, the powder sweeps on with your finger very nicely and quickly brightens and refreshes your under eyes in a snap!

• Studio Makeup Mist & Set- Like hairspray for your face... this stuff sets your makeup and holds it all day. Essential for humid and hot months, but great for oily complexions all year round- and a fraction of the price of other options out there. Yes please!

• Lip Exfoliator- This bumpy tube of goodness is so easy to use and is the best way to prep lips for an application of those hard to apply matte colors (MAC Rubywoo, I'm looking at you!) Plus it's wonderful to use in the winter months when dry lips are always lurking.

I've included a few more of my favorites in the shopping slider down below, otherwise this post would have been 10 miles long. The only thing I would caution you against purchasing are the ELF makeup brushes. I find them to be very scratchy on the skin and haven't had good luck with them in the bristle shedding department or the washability department. I firmly 

believe

 that high quality brushes make a HUGE difference with makeup application, so I'll continue to splurge there. 

Thanks for reading! Do you have any ELF favorites? Share them with me in the comments down below, and I'll catch you all soon, xo 

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3 LIP PLUMPING GLOSSES YOUR POUT NEEDS NOW

2014 was the year of the full lip- thanks to the phenomenon known as Kylie Jenner and her perfectly plump nude pout that swept the nation and the Rumor mill with heated debates about her makeup routine and possible plastic surgery.

I haven't dared to venture into lip injections and don't really plan to any time soon. I do however love a good temporary lip plumping gloss or serum and the illusion of a great overdrawn lip liner to fake an enhanced lip.

I've tested my fair share of these lip boosting formulas, and rounded up the top three choices for a mild to a major mouth popping effect:

Buxom Lip Polish

- Mild- the Buxom Lip Polishes have been my personal cult favorite glosses for almost a decade since their introduction to the market. They have a mild tingle and a great subtle plumping action that lasts about an hour while the color pigment wears longer. These come in over 40 shades and are the best for daily use.

Too Faced Lip Injection

- Medium- the Too Faced Lip Injection serum is more intense and causes a stronger heat and tingle reaction. You'll feel the blood be drawn to the lips about a minute after you've applied it and the plumping action typically lasts 1-2 hours. This option only comes in a clear formula, so you'll need to add additional color over the top. Some people do have a reaction to this formula although I never have- I would suggest grabbing a sample at Sephora before purchasing just to be sure.

City Lips

- 

Major- the City Lips gloss use a different technology to plump the pout and this one averages 3mm of growth with each use. It's really quite amazing and although it's warm and tingly- it's not quite as intense as the Too Faced option. It comes in 8 shades and is quite hydrating, but also pairs we'll with additional glosses or lipsticks. You can also apply this each night before bed and over about 30 days you'll get a semi-permanent plump that lasts as long as you keep up your regular use. Pretty neat eh?!

Kisses!

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SECRETS TO DEWEY SKIN IN THE DEAD OF WINTER

Well folks, we've hit the most drab time of year- and our skin tends to follow suit looking drab and dull right along side the weather outside.

Dull, dry and lackluster

are not words that anyone wants associated with their skin or face, but during these cold winter months it seems almost impossible to avoid the seasonal slump that plagues our complexions.

Today I am giving you my secret recipe for

Dewey Skin even in the Dead of Winter,

and you might be surprised at how easy it really is. You can catch the full scoop on Studio5 TV and get my

5 steps to glowing skin

down below.

1- Take your kitchen 

Crock Pot

 and turn it into a luxury spa service by heating up a few moistened

wash cloths

(add a few drops of essential oils for added relaxation) for about 20 minutes on low heat. Next remove a towel and place it over the face and press gently to allow the

steam

to go to work unclogging pores and cleansing the skin for about 45 seconds until the towel has cooled. Repeat as necessary until makeup and dirt is all removed and skin is squeaky clean.

2- Deeply exfoliate with a

peel

ing

gel like my favorite 

Sonya Dakar Flash Facial

. It removes the surface layer of skin cells in 60 seconds without irritating, stinging or burning- and you're left with a fresh radiant layer or skin that is already glowing! (I do this once a week, but up to 3 times per week is ok in the winter months. Be sure to watch the video to see this in action... it's kind of gross but so cool!)

3-

Repair

lost moisture with a cooling gel like the 

Garnier Moisture Rescue

. It's lightweight and non greasy, but extremely hydrating and leaves the skin glowing and smooth.

4- Complete your dewey complexion with a light

reflect

ive

serum like 

Revlon Skinlights

. It comes in four different tones and is easy to apply as a last step in your makeup routine. Tap the product onto the tops of your cheekbones and around towards your temples for a subtle reflective glow.

5-

Illuminate

the dark circles under your eyes with the 

SmashBox Under Eye BB Cream

. This step rehydrates fine lines and brightens all at once giving you a Summer time glow even when temperatures are plummeting outside.

Cheers to Dewey Skin, xo

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TARGET BEAUTY: A PIXI BY PETRA MAKEUP REVIEW

Target has been KILLING IT lately in the style department. Just ask my credit card statement. Or my husband, who pays

said

credit card statement... [oops!] But seriously though, if you haven't browsed the isles of a Target store lately and seen the amazing home design, clothing and shoes, then at least stop by the makeup and skincare isles.

Target has brought on some of the best beauty lines from across the pond, and I for one, am thrilled that they are now available so readily here at my fav retailer.

Pixi by Petra

is no stranger in the beauty junkie world, but if this line is newer to you, here's a little rundown:

Pixi by Petra

was started over a decade ago by makeup artist Petra Strand in London. She's been a makeup artist for over 20 years, and I remember hearing about her products in the early days of youtube from my British cohorts who raved about them in their blogger videos. The line has a skincare element to it and the products all contain natural botanicals and healthy skin ingredients.

My Pixi collection has grown steadily over the last year, and today I've rounded up my blue ribbon picks from the collection.

Here are the must try products from Pixi by Petra

:

• Correction Concentrate- Under eye circles have met their match with this creamy peach concealer that knocks out blue shadows and veins with one swipe. It's color-theory at it's best and it doesn't settle into fine lines or melt away throughout the day.

• Glow Tonic- While this one hasn't shown up on the shelves of Target just yet, I still included it in this post because it is in my opinion the crown jewel of Pixi's line. This toner leaves skin indeed glowing as the name indicates but also hydrated and exfoliated as well. I also love the scent because it reminds me of my late grandmother's perfume- in a wonderfully nostalgic way.

• Natural Brow Duo- This multi tasking duel sided brow wizard has an automatic brow pomade pencil on one side, that has a chiseled angle applicator which is easy to use and gives great volume to the brows as well as nice color. The other end houses your setting brow gel which doesn't flake and keeps the brows in place all day and night.

• Fairy Dust- A great loose pigment eye shadow that is finely milled and easy to apply with a built in sponge applicator. I love the shimmer tones and the pigment is beautiful and lasts with out creasing. Add a primer before hand for a brighter color payoff.

• Shea Butter Lip Balm- I love these soft lip balms with a hint of tint and tons of moisture. The sheer colors are beautiful and they wear like a dream.

• Sheer Cheek Gel- The bright pigments in these gels look intimidating at first but they are quite dewey and mellow once applied to the skin. The gel texture isn't sticky at all and gives a nice bright pop of color to the cheeks that looks lit from within.

• Quick Fix Powder- Set your face for an all day matte finish with this innovative powder puff. The packaging is genius and mess free- which I love and gives you the benefits of a loose powder without the white residue all over your countertop or clothing. I don't care for the scent on this one, but the oil absorption and matte properties are top notch.

Have you tried any Pixi products? Got any favorites to share with us? Let me know in the comments down below, and thanks so much for stopping by today! And if you didn't hear about my girl

MaskCara

's new

makeup launch

, be sure you head over there to check it out. I already bought be custom palette and I can't wait to get it! 

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THE TOP BEAUTY ARTICLES OF 2014 // WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

It's hard to believe and a little sad that 2014 is drawing to an end- and yet at the same time I am always so happy for a fresh start on a new year. I was reflecting this last week while I took a short break from the blog, over the amazing year that I have had as a blogger, and what great things happened on these pages, and in real life because of my journey with beauty.

Today I wanted to compile a few of the

Top Beauty Articles 

from this blog in 2014, and share them with you once again. You may have missed a couple, or want to re-read one or two. These are the cream of the crop [if I do say so myself] as well as the posts that had the most views or comments from readers this year. I hope you'll learn something new, and

share

an article with a girlfriend who might learn something too. (shameless plug ;)

Image above is clickable, or links available below:

• 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO WHEN WASHING YOUR HAIR

• BOBBY PIN HAIR ART WITH OMBRE COLORED PINS

• SURPRISING CAUSES OF ACNE AND THE EASY FIXES YOU NEED TO KNOW

• HOW NOT TO GET A BAD HAIRCUT, WHAT YOUR STYLIST WON'T TELL YOU

• 3 GREAT THINGS TO DO WITH SALT SPRAY FOR HAIR

• BROW POWDER 101: FILL IN BROWS FASTER & EASIER

• CONTOUR YOUR FACE WITH SELF TANNER FOR A SLIMMING EFFECT

• MATTE LIPS YOU'LL ALWAYS LOVE & THE BEST MATTE LIPSTICKS

• MASCARA WANDS 101: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SHAPES

• THE MAGIC MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

• 7 WAYS TO USE YOUR BEAUTY BLENDER SPONGE

Have you started reflecting and planning for next year? Let me know in the comments below- I'd love to hear about your goals for 2015! xo

MY JOURNEY WITH ACNE // AN UPDATE AND RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS FOR HORMONAL ACNE

If you've followed my blog for a while, you may have heard me mention

my ongoing battle with acne

in the past. It still part of every day of my life- and I honestly hate sharing it with you because it is a sore spot of embarrassment and raw feelings. Being a 30 year old mother, with the zits of a 14 year old pubescent-boy, is frustrating to say the least!

I wanted to give you a quick update as to my progress (which is significant, yay!) and

hopefully encourage any readers out there that struggle with hormonal adult acne as well

. Here's a little

video

for you, and some of my current product recommendations.

Products Mentioned:

• Sonya Dakar Flash Facial

• Murad Transforming Powder

• Sheseido Ultimune Concentrate

• Image Skincare The Max Stem Cell Serum (spa locator to purchase)

Past Posts Mentioned:

• No-Picking Pledge

• Sheseido Ultimune Review

Thanks so much for reading and good luck with the rest of your Christmas planning this week! xo

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GET RID OF DULL SKIN ONCE AND FOR ALL

It's the final day of Spa Week- and we are wrapping up with a look at the cleansing brush that started it all; the Clarisonic. I've been a fan since day one (I bought the original, and then later the Mia2), and I've talked about my Clarisonic on this blog before in my 'at-home facial routine' here, if you wanna go back and check that out.

Using the Clarisonic brush is like giving your face a spa facial at home every time you use it. The tiny sonic pulses work to cleanse your skin 6 times better than any manual cleansing ever could and the result is astounding. When I first started using my Mia brush, I have to admit, I was a little over zealous and ended up over drying and sensitizing my face- because I just loved to use it SO much. But after I cut back and found the right balance for my skin and dry climate (2x's per week) my skin has improved tremendously in texture and tone. I've seen the pore size on my nose and forehead dramatically reduced, and that is worth a LOT in my book.

One of my fav parts about the brush is that it can go with you in the shower or the bath without fear of being water damaged, so if you are

in a hurry you can kill two birds with one stone. It makes the tedious chore of cleaning your face every night truly enjoyable, and a task that I actually look forward to, rather than dread. I have the light pink Mia 2, but there are so many cute colors and patterns to pick from. Also, on a weird side note- I love the quiet humming sound it makes while cleaning... looney bin? yes.

The Clarisonic can be customized with many different cleansing brushes for your skin type as well. I

prefer the sensitive brush, but there are also normal, acne prone, deep cleansing, and luxe version brushes. The brushes should be swapped out every three months for best results- and I find that to be really accurate with my routine seeing as I use and remove a LOT of makeup. ha!

If you haven't tried one of these puppies yet- I highly recommend that you do, and if Santa needs a little push in the right direction- send him a link to this post so you'll be sure to get just what you want in your stocking. It's a skin care goody that fits so nicely into a busy lifestyle, and that doesn't break the bank. I have loved my Mia for years now, and I don't see that love affair ending any time soon.

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FACE MASKS AND WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU // MASK CLASS 101

There are about a million and one different kinds of facial masks out there in the world of beauty, and it can be overwhelming to find the one that is right for you. I compiled this little

guide to give you a rundown of the basic types of skincare masques, so that you know what is best for your type of skin. I also stopped by Studio5 TV today to have a little fun with the holiday- after all, there's no better day than Halloween to talk about masks, am I right!?!

Why use a face mask at all?

Well masks are typically power-packed with super concentrated ingredients that deliver more to your skin than daily use products. They are designed to treat, balance, and correct skin issues more thoroughly, and they are also fun to use for a relaxation session about once per week.

Clay Masks-Freeman Chocolate & Strawberry Clay Mask or Mint & Lemon Clay Mask

Clay masques are designed to remove impurities from the skin, dry up oil, and leave the skin tightened and resurfaced. They are best for oily skin or those with large pores, and can also be spot treated in trouble areas such as the nose, forehead or chin.

Sheet Mask/Fiber Masks- Renew You Fruit Enzyme Sleep Bamboo Mask

 The latest craze in skincare, has to be the introduction of the sheet mask! They have been popular in Asia for many years, but have now made it big in the US as well. The fiber sheet (often made of bamboo) is soaked in potent ingredients that are designed to hydrate or resurface the skin. The masks' cut outs for the eyes, mouth and nose- often resemble that of a 'Jason' hockey mask, but if you can stand looking silly for 20 minutes you'll love the way these masks deliver. Good for all skin types.

Fresh Food Masks- Lush Lettuce Love Fresh Mask

 Fresh ingredient masks use the vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables to nourish the skin without the use of preservatives or other chemical ingredients. Often these masks are made from things like blueberries, seaweed, honey, bananas, and oatmeal. They have a short shelf life, about two weeks, and are great for those looking for a natural remedy. Be sure you are cautious with any food allergies when using these.

Peel Off Masks- Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

 Peeling masques are designed to exfoliate the skin and remove impurities by peeling them away with the mask to be discarded. These masks are fun to use, and offer the most visual change to the skin after use. A thin coating of the product on the skin dries for about 20 minutes, then is peeled away to reveal a fresh layer of skin. I don't recommend these for people who have lots of redness, broken capillaries, or loose mature skin.

Cream/ Serum Masks- Charlotte Tilbury Multi- Miracle Balm Mask

 Cream or Serum masques are designed to rehydrate the skin, calm redness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. They are power-packed with ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, that draws moisture from the air into the skin. These are best for normal to dry skin, and can be used often for treatment of dry patches.

Gel Masks- Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio Repair Mask

 Gels are usually designed for anti-aging, and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are great for evening out skin tone, and for moisturizing- using ingredients such as rose water or cucumber extracts. Gels can often be refrigerated as well to give a cooling and inflammation-reducing effect to the skin. They are meant for all skin types, and are also good for use on the neck area and decollate.

Hope you have a better idea of which mask is right for you. Let me know if you have a favorite mask that I should try in the comments down below. See you all next week- and have a Happy and Safe Halloween! xo

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7 WAYS TO USE YOUR BEAUTY BLENDER

Every now and then, there is a beauty tool that comes around that changes the landscape of the industry. These rare cult-favorites are usually an investment and it may take some convincing [and/or saving] before you decide to buy. If you are like me, you may have tried some of the other knock-off sponges first in hopes that you would get the same results without the heavy price tag, but alas that didn't work out in your favor. Fast forward to today- I actually own and use FOUR Beauty Blenders currently, because it really is that good and I am totally obsessed. But again, if you are like me, you want to get the most out of your purchase because after all, $20 is $20 and it doesn't grow on trees.

Here are 7 ways to use your beauty blender in your makeup routine:

*Remember your BB should always be pre-moistened with water prior to use. This changes the texture and size of the sponge, but also makes it so your products aren't absorbed into the sponge.

1- Moisturizer or Serum

The BB is ideal for applying your moisture products and the white Pure BB is designed for just that, although any of the sponges work great.

2- Primer

This is one of my favorite uses for the sponge because it presses the primer into the pores and fills them more compactly and evenly then using your finger tips. Use the small end to apply your eye lid primers as well.

3- Foundation (Liquid or Powder) & Setting Powder

The most common use for the BB is to apply foundation, and if you just use it for this one step you'll still feel as though it was worth the purchase! The bouncing action of the sponge distributed your foundation so evenly with out streaking, and mimics the natural texture of your skin. Many people don't know however, that powdered foundations are also applied beautifully with the BB too. Just dip the sponge into the minerals, tap off the excess, and bounce the sponge on the skin to distribute the formula seamlessly. Finish your whole look with a dusting of translucent setting powder too.

4- Contour & Blush (Cream or Powder)

The precision small-sided tip of the sponge is perfect to draw lines of your dark contour colors under the cheekbones, down the sides of the nose, and under the jawline. You'll be able to see exactly where the color is placed and your results will be that much better. Then flip the sponge over, and bounce the rounded side along your contour lines to blend and blur the lines. Ditto for your blush as well.

5- Concealer

Use the BB to blend concealer with minimum effort and maximum comfort. I never worry about tugging on the delicate skin around my eyes with the BB because its' texture is so forgiving. The point of the sponge is great for getting to the inner corners of your eyes, and the small folds around your nose. BB even has a new mini sponge for detailed worked, although I haven't tried it yet.

6- Eye Shadow (Cream or Powder)

You might not think about using the BB for your eye shadow, but I find it is an amazing way to apply your cream shadows and blend out your edges with powdered shadows as well. The pointed tip makes application a breeze, and you can layer and build color beautifully. The mini BB would also be great for this purpose.

7- Lips (Balms or Stains)

When applying your more liquidy lip colors like balms, glosses or stains- the BB is a welcome companion. I love it for adding a hint of tint to the lips without looking too heavy in color. It's also ideal for blending ombre or color fade lipstick looks. Apply your lip liner first, then simply dab the lip color to fill in the lines.

Are there any ways you use your Beauty Blender that I haven't tried? Let me know in the comments below- and if you haven't tried a Beauty Blender yet... I am sure you can see that I highly recommend it!

HALLOWEEN INSPIRATION // METALLIC GYPSY

Halloween is right around the corner, and it's one of my favorite holidays of the year! I wanted to share with you a fun Halloween tutorial that you can recreate at home if you are in need of some costume inspiration. The look was inspired by this striped dress from Shabby Apple. It's not a 'costume' at all, but it would work for so many outfits like a pirate, a witch and of course, a gypsy. If you have a striped dress at home, all you need is to add a few accessories and makeup, and it can be a quick and easy costume too. Everything else in my costume just came from my own closet, and I didn't have to venture in to a high-priced costume store...winning!

Here's a quick

video

of how I created this gypsy look, let me know what you think.

Wearing:

Purple Striped Dress

 c/o Shabby Apple

Rope Twist Tutorial

Makeup:

Blue Shadow

Pink Shadow

Gold Shadow

Plum Gel Liner

Contour Foundation

Liquid Shimmer

Liquid Blush

Brow Gel

Lip Gloss

Metallic Flake

Happy [early] Halloween! Let me know in the comments below if you liked this video, and what you are gonna dress up as for the holiday. Thanks for stopping by, xo

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THE MAGIC MAKEUP BRUSH CLEANSER YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

Pin Me!

Oh hello friend! You are in for a treat today- I am sharing my

MAGIC technique for cleaning those pesky makeup brushes

. You will never use dish soap or alcohol again, when you see what secret ingredient I discovered that makes makeup JUMP out of your brushes. It's amazing! Check out the quick

video tutorial

below, and let me know what you think.

What you'll need:

Fractionated [liquid] Coconut Oil-

DoTerra

 or

Nature's Way

Liquid Cleanser-

Beauty Blender

or

Method Foaming Hand Wash

Hope you'll try this

new secret method of cleaning makeup brushes

- it really is the most amazing technique, and I'll never go back to anything else. Science rules! xo

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ADD THIS TO YOUR NYC MUST-DO LIST: CUSTOM LIPSTICK AT THE BITE LIP LAB

Clockwise: Pigment 'chocolates'  |  Lipstick cooling in molds  |  Flavor oils

I had a mission when I was in New York earlier this month: '

Get your booty to the Bite Lip Lab, Megan! ' I gave myself that order, however... no one was really yelling that at me! ha.

I've been a Bite fan since the first day of their arrival in the US, at Sephora stores. And I've written about some of my fav Bite products on this blog in the past, but I hadn't yet experienced their custom lip color creation process, that only happens in NY.

Lucky for me the stars aligned and I was able to create my own color while in New York. The process is seriously so cool, and it made me want to experiment creating my own lip colors at home. But, that's another story for another time.

If you are in The City anytime soon, you must make a trip to the Lip Lab for yourself- you won't regret it! I watched in awe as the ladies of Bite worked to combine colors, melt down the pigments, hand stir in the flavorings and gloss options- then carefully pour the liquid into lipstick molds. Then the molds are super-chilled to set the lipstick in the perfect shape, and lastly the mold pops off and the applicator tube slides on into position.

I went with a rich orangey-red color for Fall, and I added coconut and mint as my flavorings with a satin creme finish. I love the way it turned out, and I also love the all of Bite's products are natural, and in fact healthy enough to eat... although I don't think I'll be consuming my lipstick anytime soon.

If you won't be in New York in the near future, you can still scoop up your own Bite products at Sephora. My favs include their Matte Lip Crayons, and their Lush Lip Tint. Now's the perfect time to switch your lip color up for the new season. Thanks for stopping by today, xo

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SECRETS FROM MY GARBAGE CAN // THE PRODUCTS I USE TO THE BITTER END

You know that ONE product that you have been a relationship with longer than your husband? The one that you use on repeat, and always need a spare bottle of? Yup, those are the best kind of beauty products- the ones that you use to the bitter last drop!

I call these my EMPTIES because they always seem to be empty, and I am always looking for a refill on them

.

Check out my

Fall 2014 edition of empties

, and see what goodies I have used up recently. Maybe there will be a new discovery here, that will soon become one of your empty-loves too!

Wearing:

Scarlet Ali Dress

c/o Shabby Apple

Products mentioned in video:

Batiste Hint of Color Dry Shampoo

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Foundation

Swim Spray

Josie Maran Creamy Concealer Crayon

ESQIDO mink eyelashes

Guerlain Mascara

Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Lotion

Urban Decay De-Slick Powder

Past videos mentioned:

Best Under Eye Concealers

Contour with Fake Tanner

Thanks so much for reading, I genuinely appreciate it so much, to be a part of your lives! xo

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IS YOUR SKINS' IMMUNITY STRONG ENOUGH?

A few weeks back while on a regular shopping trip to my local Sephora, I saw a display for a new Shiseido product. The red ombré packaging is stunning & sleek and speaks to the brands' luxury eastern skincare philosophy. It's totally eye-catching!  I've spoken about my love of Shiseido on this blog before, so it's no surprise this will be a love fest too.

When Shiseido offered to send me the new product, I jumped at the chance because I had already been so intrigued while shopping. Their new formula called

Ultimune

is different than other skincare products on the market, because it's main goal, like the name implies, is to

build the immunity of the skin

-not

change

the skin itself. It's a preventative measure that helps skin to be more resistant to environmental factors that break down skins’ ability to heal. It’s a product that is a first of its’ kind, and uses the 20+ years of research that Shiseido has conducted to bring you the ultimate in luxury, but also effectiveness.

The consistency is like a thin gel serum, and the scent is my favorite of any product I am currently using. It's light floral and citrus combo is very refreshing, and it's cooling effect on the skin has made this a favorite of mine to use just out of the shower. I also love how quickly the concentrate absorbs into the skin, which helps speed up my morning routine.

If you are looking for a companion product to your current skincare regimen, this is the one to buy. It's designed to enhance the absorption power of your other products, as well as smooth the skin and give a radiant glow. It's lightweight and great for wearing under makeup, but also moisturizing enough to wear at night during sleep. I also notice a huge difference in my under eye area with this, it has really helped to smooth and moisturize the delicate skin there. Ooh it's so good!

Let me know in the comments below if your face could use a good workout session with Shiseido? Who knew our skin needs to build up it’s own immunity? Pretty cool, if you ask me. Check out

Shiseido

'

s Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

HERE

.

xo

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*thanks to Shiseido for sponsoring this post through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select

MASCARA WANDS 101 // WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOUR NEXT PURCHASE

Find this helpful? Share it on

Pinterest

Ever wondered

what the crap all of those different mascara wands are for? Why are they shaped differently, and what will the results be?

It can be more than a little confusing at times- and really overwhelming when you are strolling down the makeup isle.

Wearing:

Can't Hold Me Down Dress

c/o White Plum

Well, rest easy my friends- today I am putting you through my

Mascara Wands 101

course, and by the end of it you'll be a pro! Here is what you need to know about the different mascara wand types, and don't miss the video from Studio5 TV with more info (available after 2pm MST) and the GIVEAWAY down below. Although there are variations out there that I haven't included, these are the 7 basic types of wands and the rest all fit under one of these categories as well.

Oversized Wand- Maximum VOLUME

These full bristle wands are designed for amplified volume all around. They will thicken the lashes as well as give length and are designed to POP the eye open with their effect. These types of wands are better for advanced makeup junkies who aren't 'flinchy' with eye makeup. If you have small or deep set eyes however, this guy is not the best pick. Try

Maybelline Mega Plush

 or

Too Faced Better than Sex

(dumb name, amazing mascara)

Cone Taper Wand- Winged Out Corners

Cone shapes will help direct the lashes toward the outer corners and accentuate the cat-eye look. The bristles that are longer will distribute more product on the lashes, so those will be the ones that are elongated. This mascara is great to pair with a cat-eye liner to really finish off the total look. Try

Maybelline Lots of Lashes

 or

Lorac Pro Mascara

Curved Wand- Fanned Out Curl

Curved wands are designed to fan out the lashes from the inner corner all the way to the outer corner. The wand shape mimics the curve of the eye, so the wand is the same distance from the eye all the way across. This gives more curl to the lashes located at the two corners of your eye. Try Cover Girl

Flamed Up Mega Curl

 or

Dior Over Curl

Balled Tip- Detailed Corners

The balled tip is a favorite of mine because it allows you get very near the root at the corners to thoroughly coat the base of the lashes, without the risk of poking yourself with a sharp point. You can also turn the wand vertically and sweep the ball end across the lower lashes with lots of precision. You can use the ball tip to direct the outer corners as well, so you have the exact shape you are looking for. Try

Rimmel Scandaleyes Show Off

or

ELF 3-in-1 Mascara

Micro Wand- Tinted & Natural

The micro wand is again a huge favorite of mine because I love the simplicity of it and the natural looking results it gives. Great for your 'no-makeup' days, a micro wand will deliver a dark pigment to your lashes but won't build volume or much length. I also love that a micro wand can get all the way down to the root of your lashes (without poking your eyeball) which is so helpful if you have naturally light eye lashes like blondes and redheads often do. Oh, and it's a dream on those lower lashes too! Try

IT Cosmetics Tight Line Primer

or

Maybelline Lash Discovery

Rubber Shorty- Defined Length

If length is your primary focus, a short bristled rubber wand is the right pick for you. The formula is most evenly applied with this type of brush so you'll have less clumps and be able to build up a longer length with more coats. The short bristles also work as a comb of sorts, keeping lashes extended straight, aiding in the length yet again. Try

Wet n Wild Mega Length

or

Covergirl Lash Blast Length

Flat Comb- Separated & Dark

Definition is the name of the game with lash combs, so if you love to see a separation between every lash then this wand is the one you need. The comb pushes through the lashes and forces each one into a designated path way in the comb. The result is a very uniform lineup of lashes that are equally spaced from one another and coated in lots of pigment. Try

Napoleon Perdis MesmerEyes

or

Mirenesse Cougar Mascara 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope you found this guide to mascara wands helpful! If you want to win a HUGE goody bag of my fav mascaras for yourself, be sure you enter the giveaway down below using the rafflecopter entry. The first two entries are mandatory to play, and the rest are optional but additional entries into the running. Good luck! And check out my cute dress from

White Plum

today, it's only $39 and I LOVE it! 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

NINA DOBREV VMA LOOK TUTORIAL

Hi Snoopers! Thanks so much for hanging out with me today!

Over on

instagram

, I asked you

which beauty's look from the VMAs

you wanted me to recreate in a video, and a whopping

majority of you voted for Nina Dobrev

! She rocked a high pony and orange lip like nobody else could on the red carpet, and it was one of my fav looks of the night as well.

Take a look at the

video

below to see my take on her style and makeup... let's do it! *The focus on this video was not so great, so sorry! But, my new office/studio is almost finished so my next video will be much better!

Products Used:

• Kerastase Discipline

• Unite Hair Oil

• Round Brushes

• Philosophy Hope in a Jar Foundation- Shade 4

• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye- Shade Fair

• Dermablend Cover Creme- Shade Rose Beige

• It Cosmetics Illumination Powder- Shade Light/ Medium

• Urban Decay De-Slick Powder

• Ofra Bronzer

• NYX Brow Powder- Shade Brunette

• NARS Eye Primer

• Too Faced Cat Eye Palette

• Covergirl Bombshell Mascara

• Revlon Laquer Balm- Color Tease

• Chella Highlighter Pencil- Shade Ivory Lace

• Bellami Hair Extensions- Color 4

• Nume 32mm Curling Wand

I also mentioned my how-to video for using brow powders, which you can see 

here

. And a look at those cool round brushes can be found 

here

.

I hope this gave you some new ideas, and inspired you to rock an orange lip very soon! Have a great weekend, and see you all soon! xo

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BLUE RIBBON WINNERS: DERMALOGICA SKINCARE

A long time ago, in a far away place called Salt Lake City... a little girl named Megan went to beauty school. Megan didn't even know what the word 'esthetics' meant, let alone that someone could have a career in it... but thanks to Dermalogica, she fell in love with the study of skincare and the rest is history!

***

Yes, it's true! When I went to beauty school- I had never even heard the word '

esthetics

' before, and I had no idea that I would be learning about skincare as part of my cosmetology training. I was 17 after all, so I hadn't paid much attention to my skin just yet. But, my education in the spa world opened my eyes to the wonder of that part of the beauty industry, and luckily for me-

Dermalogica

was a big part of that experience.

I've continued to use and love many of the Dermalogica products that I used during my school days. After all it's one of the top skincare lines in the world, and its' products are loved by millions. I wanted to share with you my top picks from the line, maybe there is one just right for you as well!

Dynamic Skin Recovery

- This little bottle of goodness has freakin 50 SPF in it, yet it isn't thick or greasy like traditional sunscreen. It is a lightweight daily moisturizer that is geared for anti-aging and is seriously so good. Don't mess around when it comes to sunscreen. Just use it everyday and be glad you did later. It isn't cheap, but a little goes a long way- and you'll be much more likely to use a sunscreen if it is high quality and good for your skin like this one is.

Ultra Soothing Eye Serum

- I have crazy sensitive eyes! The actual eyeballs them selves (I can't walk outside without sunglasses on), plus the skin around my eyes stings with almost every product that touches it. This eye serum has never irritated my eyes, and is so lovely. I always go back to it.

Overnight Clearing Gel

- The name says it all. Put this stuff of your blemishes at night, and they'll be reduced in size by at least half in the morning. I use it religiously for my troubled skin.

Environmental Control Deodorant

- I don't know why I love this stuff SO MUCH... deodorant is not something I usually splurge on. But this has a mens cologne scent that I just can't get enough of! It's a clear gel/solid formula, and I think it is divine. [I'm a weirdo, I guess]

Multi Vitamin Power Recovery Masque

- Heaven in a Tube! I wear this Vitamin C masque for hours on end. The creamy orange masque leaves skin feeling totally refreshed and glowing, and it is so good for post peel or microdermabrasion treatments. Must have.

Cheers to great skin! Let me know if you have any Dermalogica favorites, and be sure you vote on

instagram

, to tell me which #LOOKSTHATROCK you want me to recreate from the VMA's.

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*Dynamic Recovery sample provided by Dermalogica via iFabbo