ASK THE EXPERT:HOW DO I FADE DARK SPOTS QUICKLY?

Oooh Wee! This subject is a doo-zie (is that how that's spelled?) Today in my

Ask The Expert

video I am continuing my Makeup & Skincare series and answering another reader question that came through

instagram

. @JessieMariko wants to know how to lighten dark spots and scars quickly.

While

there is no magic cure for lightening up pigmentation on the face

, we can certainly help speed up the process with the use of some good products. Check out the

video

below for my recommendations, and a look at a LIFE CHANGING beauty secret that I use every. single. day.

Products Mentioned:

I hope that you aren't suffering from dark spots, but if you or somebody you know is, you can shop my recommended solutions below and I wish you tons of luck with your treatment. Thank you as always for watching and reading- you guys rock my world! If you have your own beauty question, please leave a comment below or send me an email and I will read every single one! Thanks

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DOUBLE SIDED MAKEUP BRUSHES THAT RULE THE WORLD

It Cosmetics, Tarte Cosmetics, Bare Essentials makeup brushes

When it comes to makeup application, there is a HUGE deciding factor in the results you'll get: the tools. I think 50% of a good makeup application, comes from the brushes that were used to put on the products, and 50% comes from the actual products themselves. Surprising? Maybe. Especially if you've never paid much attention to the tools you use- but if you have discovered the difference between good and GREAT, then you'll know exactly what I am talking about.

Good brushes are soft at the beginning, then stiffen rapidly over time. Good brushes keep their bristles in tact until their first washing when many bristles come loose and end up sticking to your face. Good brushes wash out, but the makeup never seems to completely leave the bristles.

GREAT brushes walk all over the facts from above- and they last months and years longer because of it. Not to mention the application they give is more precise, and more consistent every time. Yes, they cost more too- but it's worth it... promise.

What's even better than GREAT makeup brushes? Duel sided GREAT makeup brushes, that's what!

Above in the pic are my top picks for quality duel sided brushes- they are the VIP list when everything else is general admission. Get what I'm saying?

It Cosmetics Duel Sided Foundation Brush

- This guy is the Macgyver of foundation and concealer brushes. It works for any type of foundation: cream, liquid or powder. And the compactness of the bristles is a perfect blend of either high coverage application or light weight. The smaller end is perfect for concealer work under the eyes or around the nose. It washes beautifully and bristle shedding is very minimal.

Bare Essentials Double Ended Precision Brush

- This brush will be your new best friend because it eliminates the need for about 10 other shadow brushes. The larger side is soft yet compact and great for applying your lid colors and blending out pigments. The smaller side is for your detail work across the lash line, in the crease, and under the brow. It can be used wet or dry and gives you the control of a liner brush, but the flexibility of a contour brush. Genius!

Tarte Cosmetics Two Sided Contour Brush

- Move over blush-brush... the new kid in town is all about highlight and contour, and this brush is the perfect pairing of both. Tarte has become a new favorite of mine, and their brushes are no exception. On one end you get a chiseled domed brush that's ideal for contouring under the cheekbones and down the sides of the nose for a major slimming effect. The other side hosts a looser angle brush that is made for blending, softening and applying your highlighters to the prominent areas of the face.

Aren't these double-sided work horses just uh-mazing!?! I think you'll be smitten with them as well. Thanks for stopping by today- here's hoping it's a beautiful week.

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ASK THE EXPERT: WHAT IS THE BEST UNDER EYE CONCEALER?

Today I am excited to be answering another reader question in my

Makeup & Skincare Series

. The question came in from

instagram

, where @kmortensen6 asked. 'What is the best (reasonably priced) under eye concealer?'

I have two favorites to share with you in the

video

below:

PRODUCTS:

Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser

Josie Maran Argan Oil Creamy Concealer

WEARING:

Oasap Polkadot Blouse

 c/o (on sale!)

Thanks for reading- I appreciate you all so much! If you have a question for me, please leave it in the comments below and you may just get a video answer too. xoxo

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NOW TRENDING: LIQUID GLOW CHEEKS

Maybelline Master Glaze, Smashbox O-Glow, NYX Cheek Stick, Tarte Cheek Stain, Josie Maran Cheek Color Stick
get these celeb looks with glowing cheeks

[This article was originally seen on

FitFabFun.com

 where I write as a contributing beauty blogger] 

While the weather is still cool, but you're dreaming of warmer months ahead- take a page from these celeb looks, and add some sizzle to your cheeks until the weather catches up. The subtle color and liquid sheen amp up your makeup routine in just the right way, while still pairing perfectly with your neutral winter wardrobe.

To get the look stick with a creamy blush that boasts a hint of shimmer and apply it to the roundest parts of your cheeks. Be sure it's one of the last products you apply so that the sheen isn't matted down by powders or setting sprays. Want to boost the sheen even further? Add a tiny dollop of petroleum jelly to the cheek and work it into the color and back onto the top of the cheekbone ever so slightly. My favorite is the 

Cocoa Butter flavor by Vaseline

, the scent is so yummy and the consistency is perfect for makeup use.

Opt for subtle colors this time of year and leave the brights for Spring and Summer. Fair skinned beauties will look radiant in peach and pale pink tones, while darker complexions look stunning in bronze and rose gold cheeks this winter. 

---

Let's meet up on

Pinterest

shall we!?! 

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NOW TRENDING: VIOLET TULIP EYES WITH STUDIO5

How to wear purple eye makeup

1-

FLOWER Beauty Creme Eyeshadow

[Orchid-ing Around]

2-

Maybelline Color Tattoo

[Painted Purple]

3-

FLOWER Beauty Eyeshadow Chubby

[Keep Your Pansies On]

4-

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Shadow Crayon

[Paranoid Purple]

5-

Urban Decay Glide On Eye Pencil

[Empire]

6-

NYX Love in Florence Eye Shadow Palette

[xoxo, Mona]

7-

Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quad

[Purple Pop]

8-

Maybelline Expert Wear Shadow Quad

[Lavender Smokes] 

9-

NYX Baked Shadow

 [Violet Smoke]

10-

NYX Creme Shadow

[Deep Purple]

11-

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil

[Lavender] 

12- *Not pictured, but still fabulous

Almay Color Softies

[Lilac]

Hello Snoopers! Today I am back on Studio5 talking about this seasons hottest color in eye makeup... Violet Tulip. You may have heard that Pantone named Radiant Orchid the color of the year, but you may not be aware that they also name 10 colors per season as well. These 10 colors show up in our fashion magazines, on the store racks, and in beauty looks as well.

And while Radiant Orchid is beautiful, it is quite a pinky shade of purple that isn't quite as easy to find or wear when it comes to makeup. Her sister shade Violet Tulip however, is stunning for winter/spring and is easily one of the most flattering makeup colors universally.

Check out my guide to wearing Violet Tulip in the

video

clip below and then get your booty over to these links above to pick up your own perfect shade of purple.

Tips for wearing Violet Tulip:

1- Start with creme shadows if purple makes you nervous

. The creme formula is more forgiving and is blendable and spreadable for a much longer time before it sets in place. You can use your finger to smudge cremes which gives you more control over the pressure and allows you know exactly where the product is being placed. Start with a small amount, you can always layer and add more to give a brighter pop of color. If you're a makeup maven, then feel free to use powder shadows- just be sure your precise with the application so your purple doesn't run with the wind!

2- Keep purple lower than the crease of your eyelid

. To avoid looking cray-zy focus the color on either the lash line

or

the crease, but always remember to never let purple venture up towards the brow bone. This will keep the color more 'hidden' and will give a beautiful revealing effect when you blink your lids.

3- For a mature look (if your eyes have more 'wisdom' in them) keep the shadows glitter-free

. Glitter and shimmer should be reserved for a younger lady and for night time events. To wear purples during the day, keep them matte and pair them with complimentary neutrals like taupe and navy blue. Muted purples are a great option too, so look for tones that have grey or pink in them to subdue the purple tone slightly.

Remember that purple is an accent and works nicely with other colors. You certainly can go all-out with this look and wear a whole eye of purple, but there is no need to. Pair your purple with neutrals or just use purple on one portion of the eye, and you'll still get the wow factor without going over the top.

Enjoy your day, meet me over on

instagram

?-

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THE BEST OF: LIP SCRUBS

Lip Scrub Products, Sara Happ, Bliss Fabulips, Fresh Lip Polish, Bite Lip Scrub Review

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

  |  

Bliss Fabulips Scrub

  |  

Bite Whipped Lip Scrub

  |  

Sara Happ The Lip Scrub

Lately my lips have been through the ringer- frigid cold air and lots of wind, mixed with dry indoor heaters, make for seriously parched lips. It is one of my biggest [beauty] pet peeves, but I have learned to concur the winter weather with the brilliance that is... 

LIP SCRUBS

.

If you've never used a lip scrub, let me give you the 411. Lip scrubs are usually composed of a granulated sugar and moisturizing essential oils of some kind. The sugar granules gently slough off the dead skin on the lips, while the oils repair and replace lost moisture. The combo is perfection, and you'll be surprised what a difference it makes for the softness and appearance of your lips. No amount of lip balm can do what a scrub can, and that's a fact.

The one that started it all is the

Lip Scrub from Sara Happ

. She introduced scrubs specific for lips about 5 years ago, and the industry has grown ever since. The Sara Happ line consists of amazing flavors including Peach, Peppermint, Blood Orange and more! They are so yummy, I swear you'll want to eat the whole jar. But don't.

Others that I love are the

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

and

Bliss Fabulips Scrub

, both are great options and have luxury oils infused in the formulas. The last one pictured is by the new line

BITE

, and to be honest I haven't tried their scrub yet, but their

lipsticks

have recently rocked my world so I can't imagine the scrub is anything less than amazing!

Since I discovered the amazing results of lip scrubs, I have since started experimenting with making my own too. Next week, I'll give you my favorite recipe so you can join in on the fun! xoxo

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HOW TO WEAR DARK LIPSTICK WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE THE JOKER

tips to avoid bleeding lipstick

I love wearing dark lipstick, but I've had too many embarrassing moments when I realized that the color had slipped off my lips and on to my face in public. After a few of those 'uh..what the hell!?!' moments, I started looking for a better answer- and after a lot of trial and error, I finally discovered the amazingness of using a physical barrier around the perimeter of my lips to keep the color in place.

It all started when I had tried to use my finger to wipe away some excess lipstick that had snuck passed the perimeter of my lips. I was left with a pink stain on my skin that needed to be covered up ASAP otherwise I would have looked like the joker, and let's be honest- that is NOT a good look.

I would have reached for the concealer, but I feared getting my fingers in to the mix again, would only smear things even greater. So out of shear desperation I reached for my nude eyeliner, and to my surprise it worked perfectly and the rest is history!

Since then I have researched, and found out that others use this technique, so I'm certainly not the only one who's had the idea, but I wanted to share it with you because it has been a life saver for me, and now hopefully for you as well.

Now, before I apply any lipstick I pre-line with a nude liner to create a physical barrier for the color and the clean up the perimeter especially around the corners of my mouth where color can easily wander. In addition to all that goodness, the flesh tone give an optical illusion of fuller lips by highlighting those nice curves!

My two favorites are the Nude

Waterproof Kohl liner from Rimmel London

which also comes in Taupe and Brown for darker skin tones. And even better in my opinion is the

Chella Cosmetics Highlighter Pencil

which comes in Ivory, Cinnamon, and Latte so all your colors are covered! It's an easy fix and makes a world of difference- give it a try I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Love to you all! Let me know in the comments below if you have any other good lipstick techniques to share. xoxo

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THE BEST AT-HOME FACIAL PRODUCTS & ROUTINE

DIY facial, at home facial

Last week I shared my love for

luxury spa facials

, and the amazing results they yield for your skin and well being. But not everybody has the ability to treat themselves to a spa visit- and as a busy working mom, I understand that sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day to make pampering a priority.

If you can't hit the spa- but you'd still love to get the great benefits of a facial, take a page from my book, and put those kiddos to bed so you can

indulge in my signature at-home facial

.

You can certainly use the products you already have at home, but if you need to fill in any holes you may have in your arsenal- these are my favorite products that I always go back to time and again. Follow the order listed above to get the best results, and you'll be feeling brand new in no time!

1-Cleanse

Start by gently removing your makeup and preparing the skin to receive all of the goodness coming its way. I swear by the

Triple Oxygen Foaming Cleanser by Bliss

- it's foams to a beautiful creamy consistency, has a pleasant citrus smell and is gentle enough to use on your eyes.

2-Steam

By far the best trick I know, is to borrow your slow cooker/crock pot from the kitchen (or buy a second 

cheap crockpot

if you don't like the idea of duel usage) and prepare some hand towels to use for steam therapy. Take a few large wash cloths or hand towels and run them under hot water until saturated. Ring them out and then roll or fold them till they fit nicely into the slow cooker. Place the cooker on high and let the towels heat through for about 20 minutes with the lid on. After your cleanse, take a hot towel (test the temperature first) and place it over your face leaving your nose and mouth exposed for breathing. Press the towel into your skin while taking a few deep breaths- you can add a few drops of essential oils to the towels for added zen. After the towel has cooled, gently wipe from side to side to remove any additional makeup or cleanser from the face.

3-Exfoliate

Next up...exfoliation! I love to alternate between my

Clarisonic Mia Brush

, and a good old fashioned sugar scrub. But remember not to use both in one session because you could cause some damage. The sonic brush is so quick and easy- and it does all of the work for you. While the

Suki Exfoliate Scrub

takes a little more effort, the scent is enough to take you to heaven and it leaves your skin truly polished.

4-Hydrate

This step in the facial is all about relaxation and rehydration. Apply your favorite masque and let it go to work for 10-15 minutes, while you kick back with a magazine or paint your toe nails. I love the

Boscia Blue Calming Masque

- mostly because I think it is fun to peel it off afterward! It is very hydrating though, and leaves the skin quenched. A second steam towel is great post masque as well!

5-Tone

Toners are designed to balance the pH in your skin after you've cleansed which helps so you don't have that 'tight' feeling that can occur. I just discovered the

Pixi Glow Tonic

, and I am hooked! Use a cotton round to liberally apply your toner and then let it sink in for a minute or two before moving on.

6-Replenish

Americans are just coming around to the idea of using oils in our haircare and skincare. We've been such a 'clean' obsessed nation, that we've dried ourselves out by stripping away natural oils. Thank goodness the trend is reversing and we are finally seeing the beauty behind supple skin and hair.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

is one of my favorite beauty secrets. (in fact I can't believe I'm telling you about it, cause I really wanna keep it all for myself!) Press a few drops into your skin especially on dry areas like your under eyes and cheeks. Your face will soak it in, then it will scream "THANK YOU!!!"

7-Repair

Finish with your favorite moisturizer or serum like my cult favorite

Image Vital-C Anti Aging Serum

. Be sure you work all the way down your neck as well. You may need to apply a

lip balm

and

eye cream

as well to repair any moisture lost from the steamy hot towel action.

So there ya have it, my routine for a perfect at-home facial. And while it may seem like a lot of steps, you can certainly cut out what you don't have and substitute what you do. But if you build up your supply of high quality products, you'll be able to get amazing skin results just like the pros do. If you can schedule this routine in twice a month, you'll notice a huge difference in the way your skin looks, and how your makeup wears. Cheers!

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***Be sure you check to see if you won the

Hair Compare

and

Lumist

Giveaways.

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE GETTING A FACIAL

spa facials, the best facials, grand america spa

On today's episode of

Ask The Expert

, I am delving into a topic that is dear to my heart [and face]. Often when people ask me for skin advice, I mention to them the benefit of getting a spa facial every couple months. I firmly believe in the power of a facial- but I am often met with the response... 'I've never had a facial.' when I suggest this. And while that response makes me sad (for that person) I can understand why it is a treatment that not every women is familiar with. It is not nearly as common as say, a massage, and even those are a luxury service that many women aren't able to indulge in. But I am going to go out on the limb and say that I believe a facial shouldn't be viewed as a luxury, but as a necessity. So if you've never had a facial, let me tell you what you can expect.

5 things you should know before you get a facial

1- Determine what your there for before you go: relaxation or treatment

Just like a massage, there are varying types of facials- some that are geared towards pampering and relaxation, and some that are geared towards treatment of specific skin issues. Knowing ahead of time what your goals are for the experience will ensure that you get the best results, and that your skin therapist heads sown the right path. Relaxation treatments typically consist of a thorough cleansing, minor exfoliation, steamy hot towels, and luxurious masques. While treatment facials are comprised of stronger exfoliators that may sting or tingle, extractions of pimples and blackheads, and the use of agents that may cause peeling (the good kind of peeling that means new shiny skin is on the way!)

Be sure you talk to your skin therapist about your skin concerns and goals, so you get a custom result.

2- Don't book your facial on the eve of a big event

Facials often leave your skin a little red, especially if pimple extractions took place. [they are my favorite part... weird right?] Give yourself plenty of time to recover from any redness or peeling that may occur in the couple of days following your treatment. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so I recommend about 3-4 days after your facial for anything major such as a wedding or event. Your skin will still be glowy!

3- Speaking of GLOWY- shiny has a whole new meaning!

Post facial, you'll be squeaky clean like you've never been before! After several cleansings, hot towels, steam, and luxurious products- your skin will be completely free of any dirt, buildup or makeup. This means that when you walk out of the spa and back into the dressing room, you may not recognize yourself when you pass by a mirror. It's ok- many of the other spa patrons will be in your same boat. And while it is tempting to quickly apply your makeup to feel human again- I suggest you refrain as long as possible to give your skin a chance to really breathe, free from all that gunk. This means yes, you'll have to walk to your car with a bare face, and yes, your husband may look at you a little sideways- but if you can handle it... 12 hours sans makeup will do your skin some serious good!

4- A facial isn't just for the face

While the vast majority of the treatment concentrates on the face, the rest of your body gets some good vibes too! The facial includes work on the neck and upper chest area, called the decollate. It's all part of the body that needs to be cared for to help prevent aging, and to protect against the suns UV rays. So your therapist will continue the use of the steamy towels, masques, and lotions down on to your chest as part of the whole regimen. Beyond that your therapist will also offer a nice massage to the hands, head, shoulders or feet- usually while the treatment masques are working their magic on your face. It's incredibly relaxing and all around good for the body and soul.

5- The benefits of a facial go well beyond a clean face

Not only does your facial treat the skin, it also treats the systems in the body that provide nourishment to the skin and its cells. While I was earning my esthetics license, I became interested in the lymphatic system and its role in the bodies health. The lymph system resides just under the surface of the skin and can be triggered to carry toxins out of the body with touch. Facial, neck and chest massage trigger movement in the lymph system that in turn, increases blood flow, circulation, and healthy cell turn over. All of which have huge benefits for your over all health and appearance. Pretty amazing, right!?!

So, if your lacking some luster in your skin, struggling with fine lines or acne, or just need an hour away for some 'me-time'- I highly recommend you book yourself a facial. You won't regret it! Be sure you come back next week to learn about my at-home facial routine too. xoxo

Looking for a great spa to try?

I love visiting new spas any time I am on vacation- and what I have learned is that hotel spas are always a great place to start because they are superb with customer service, and usually have the best bonus amenities such as saunas, steam rooms, and pools that spa guests can utilize. Check out the hotels in your city too, they always accept non hotel guests for their services and they love to have locals stop by.

If your a Utah dweller like me, I recommend you visit

The Grand Spa

inside of the Grand America hotel in downtown Salt Lake. It's been a favorite of mine for years, but last week I went by to see their newly renovated space and snap a few pics for you guys to see. They offer amazing facial and body treatments, and my skin therapist Shelly is super knowledgeable and does fabulous work. My husband and I love the couples treatments too, but now they've amped up their goodness with fresh made creme brûlée yummies, and a 12 head

experience

shower in all of the couples rooms.

Valentine's Day

is calling my name!

THE ONE PRODUCT I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT: THE POWER OF VITAMIN C

IMAGE SKINCARE VITAL C SERUM REVIEW

It happens a lot.

I meet someone new, and after introductions and small talk- I mention that I am a beauty blogger.

Then this happens...

"ok, so what is your number one product you can't live without?!?"

Seriously. All the time.

It's a great question, and one that I completely understand because the world of beauty is HUGE, and sometimes overwhelming. Many of you have mentioned to me that Sephora gives you panic attacks, and rightfully so- can you say 'sensory overload?'

But, the last time I got asked this question (less than 2 weeks ago) - I really pondered my answer. What is the ONE product I go back to time and time again? The one that causes me to cry when I pump out the last drop in the bottle? [ok, maybe I don't actually cry when I run out... but I DID actually cry when the spa I used to purchase it from closed. But, don't worry- I found another one! YAY]

Enter:

Image SkinCare- Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum

This little bottle of goodness has never let me down, and I swear by its' healing power. It's part of the Vital C line from Image, which

uses the power of anti-oxidants and Vitamin C to help skin block free-radicals in the environment which cause aging

. Other power house ingredients include: hyaluronic acid, green tea, algae, and grape seed extract. Can't you just feel the amazingness?

I was introduced to

Image

by a dear friend who is a master skin therapist, and it's now been three years since I began using it. I've tried lots of their products and have enjoyed all of them (the Clear Cell line is amazing for acne too!) but, without a doubt the Serum is my hero product of them all.

I use this bad boy morning and night after cleansing, it absorbs quickly and never leaves me feeling greasy. It is wonderful for inflamed or sensitive skin, those with rosacia, and you guessed it... acne sufferers like me. I believe this serum has done more for my acne scars then anything else out there, and it continues to help fight acne by helping with cell turnover and healing.

I seriously cannot gush enough about it! The only tricky thing with Image products is finding them. They're not sold online (which is good because it keeps counterfeits from ruining the integrity of the line) so you have to track down a professional treatment spa that carries the line near you. Just give their location finder a call, and they'll point you in the right direction. 

1.800.796.SKIN 

So if you've been thinking it's time to start treating your skin a little nicer, but you're not ready to throw down hundreds of dollars on luxury creams or treatments... this is a great place to start. I know you'll love the power of Vitamin C as much as I do! Here's to glowing skin, xoxo

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THE PRIME OF YOUR LIFE: BEAUTY PRIMER WINNERS

essie protein base coat, NS Minerals eye primer, Alterna Style Prep, Benefit Porefessional

I'll be the first to admit that some products out there (and in my drawers) are just 'fluff' products. They are kinda nice to have, but they aren't by any means necessary to own or use. When I de-clutter my makeup stash, it's the fluff products that always find the bottom of the garbage can first, because they take up valuable storage room, and don't give me any real payoff.

But one thing that I have learned in my beauty career is that primers can make all of the difference when it comes to the performance and longevity of your other products. A good primer is essential in my eyes and can easily replace 2-3 fluff products while getting you better results.

Why go through all the work of applying makeup, or styling your hair... or the time consumer of them all... painting your nails- just to have all that work go to waste!?! Seriously, stop doing that to yourself and invest in some top notch primers, you won't regret it! Remember that

the purpose of any primer is to prepare the surface to receive the subsequent products better

, with longer lasting results.

Best Nail Primer:

Essie Protein Base Coat

Nail care is not my strongest suit, mostly because I work with water, shampoo, and color every day so my nail polish has a slim chance in Hell of surviving more than 24 hours. But, when I do take the time to paint my nails, I want to be sure the color lasts as long as possible. I love this nail primer because it also strengthens the nails with its' protein ingredients. One coat of this dries quickly and provides a smooth surface to paint over. Your polish will last longer and the added layer gives a nice rigid protection to the nail itself so your less likely to break a nail when your popping open that morning can of Diet Coke. No? Just me? Ok.

Best Hair Primer:

Alterna Caviar Style Prep

Style Prep is my go-to detangling spray that is lightweight and smells amazing, BUT what it really does is even out the porosity of the hair so that all of your styling products absorb evenly and spread more easily. It also helps to repel water out of the hair so that your drying time is cut down significantly. This is the first product you would apply to your hair right out of the shower, then comb it through with your wetbrush or wide tooth comb- followed by any mousses, gels, creams, or oils that you use to style.

Best Skin Primer:

Benefit POREfessional

Makeup priming may be the most important of them all, and anyone who struggles with uneven pigment or oily/acne prone skin knows this first hand. I love the POREfessional primer because it is fairly lightweight and absorbs quickly, but it does a great job a filling in fine lines and large pores. Think of it as prepping the canvas prior to painting. Makeup primers typically help absorb some of the natural oils in the skin too, which helps makeup stay put with less slipping throughout the day.

Best Eye Primer:

NS Minerals Eye Primer

I am a big fan of NS Mineral makeup, but my favorite product from the line is their Eye Primer. It's unassuming on the outside, but this little tub packs a punch! It's a cream-to-powder finish formula that's not too liquidy- so it never creases or runs. And it has major staying power which is essential if you are wearing loose powder shadows. A swipe of this stuff across the lid will give your shadows the boost they need to be brighter in color and stay put the whole day. It's great for any work with photo shoots or bright lighting because it really holds up under heat well.

So there ya have it- the prime of your life is just around the corner! Do you have a favorite primer I need to try? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

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MASKCARA III-D FOUNDATION: THE BEST OF HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOUR

HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOURING MAKEUP BY MASKCARA

I remember a concept I studied during my senior year of high school in my Art History class. The concept was 'chiaroscuro' and essentially it is the use of light and dark to create dimension and shadow in paintings. Honestly, I didn't retain much from high school, but for some reason that word and its meaning stuck with me, and has really helped me in my career in hair and makeup. 

The idea that faces are not one-dimensional, and indeed have so many angles, curves, and depths- is an idea that will change the way you apply makeup and give you better results. By using the light and shadows that our faces naturally have, and then enhancing them with the right makeup, the result is truly three-dimensional and much more attractive to the eye. 

In the picture on the left I am wearing traditional foundation, meaning it is a single color that is applied over the entire face. The result is OK- I mean it still looks a hell-of-a lot better than if I were to wear NO foundation! But if you look closely you can see that my face looks a lot flatter in the photo on the left.  It's harder to spot the depth of my bone structure, my forehead looks flat as a board, and my cheeks especially lack in shape. 

But in the photo to the right, I am wearing

III-D Foundation by MaskCara

, and the results are quite different. I am a big fan of MaskCara- she is a fellow beauty blogger who has had great success and is now producing her own makeup line. How cool is that!?! Her HAC-pack (HAC = highlighting and contouring) gives you all the tools you need to create this dimensional look. 

By using two shades of foundation, one to contour and one to highlight- you face takes shape and you'll get the effect of walking around with perfect lighting on you at all times. The creme foundation goes on easily, and you can layer to build up more coverage, or keep it light for a subtle glow. The yellow color acts as a highlight without looking chalky, and helps even out redness in the skin. It takes some getting used to- but I am pretty sure that

makeup will never be the same for anyone who switches to this technique

.

The creme blush and illuminator finish off the look and really make the face POP! I am wearing the blush color Shortcake in the pic above.  To learn more about the process of applying the III-D Foundation you can check out MaskCara's

blog

and watch her videos which are really helpful. 

What do you think? Have you tried HAC'ing yet? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure you come say hello over on

instagram

and

facebook

.

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A NEW CLASS OF MAKEUP BRUSHES: THE ONE

|

Becca The One Perfecting Brush

|

If your bathroom counter looks anything like mine, you may agree that makeup collections can easily take over your space. I am a big believer in products and tools that multi-task and this new brush from

BECCA

Cosmetics does just that. So knock out some of that clutter, and take a look at this:

You can achieve a flawless finish for your whole face with the One Perfecting Brush

without having buy a whole arsenal of brushes. It's kind of genius really, and in my opinion its the new breed of makeup brushes. 

The

BECCA One brush

is made from a super soft goat hair and that alone makes this brush worth it. Cheap brushes are made with cheap fibers that harden and age so quickly. When you make an investment in a natural brush, you'll feel and see the difference with the very first use. 

The coolest part of the brush is its shape and size.

Without a doubt this is the largest brush that I have ever used

, which can be a little overwhelming at first. But with a little practice you'll learn the huge advantage of the large size. It sweeps over the face so quickly and efficiently that you'll never miss a spot, and blending your color into your neck and chest is a snap!

Turn the brush on its corner and use the precision of the the square end to highlight your cheekbones or sweep blush over the apples of your cheeks. Then run the end down your nose and sweep under your eyes.

I love to use the length of the brush to give me a perfect contour under the cheekbone, by sweeping my bronzer up towards the hair line above my ear. It's fool-proof and so quick.

This brush can be used for liquids and powders and transitions seamlessly

through your routine from one to another. It also washes really nicely which is not always the case with white bristles. 

I can't wait to get my hands on more

BECCA

products, available exclusively at Sephora. Let me know if you've tried any of their other goodies in the comments below. I really want to try the

Hint of Tint

for my cheeks this winter! Thanks for reading, and be sure you come say hi on

facebook

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Courtesy sample products of Becca Cosmetics were provided to The Beauty Snoop

ASK THE EXPERT: WHAT IS MANUKA HONEY (AND WHY WOULD I PUT IT ON MY FACE?)

In part two of Natural Week here on the blog- I am answering another reader question:

'What is all this buzz about honey in beauty products? And have you ever put honey on your face?'

-Kristin

Oooh this is such a great question and I am so excited to delve into it with you. Honey has been getting a lot of press lately, and for good reason. It's anti-bacterial qualities are great for acne sufferers, and it's natural sugars are amazing at drawing moisture into your skin. Not to mention it is great for healing burns and minor cuts. Cool right!?!

Honey has been a natural remedy for centuries and its' healing properties are no myth. As of late, top beauty brands including the French luxury brand

Guerlain

has been harvesting the power of the bee and bringing it home to your bathroom. They even bought their own ISLAND where a rare bee is indigenous, so that they can source the honey themselves and maintain the integrity of the species. I have tried a sample of their Royale, and oh man... wish I could afford the whole bottle!

And while these luxury

creams

,

venoms

(yes venoms! dubbed natures' botox) and

masks

all deliver the amazing results of the bees super-honey... There is another way to introduce this stuff into your beauty routine for a little less money:

Manuka honey is a raw form of honey

, that comes from New Zealand. It hasn't been pasteurized or preserved, and can be eaten of course, but it is also an amazing facial mask. I have been indulging in a twice-weekly mask for the last few months for my research on this post- and I have been converted, to say the least.

Not all honey is created equally, so before you go squeezing that honey bear bottle from your pantry on your face- be sure you know the difference. There are ratings on the bottles that say something like +10, +20 etc. Those ratings stand for the amount of anti-bacterial qualities that particular batch contains (which is based on how and where is was harvested) The higher the number, the more potent the formula... and the more expensive. I use 24+ so I am getting some pretty serious action, but remember I am fighting acne.

Smearing sticky honey all over your face is weird. I totally get that.

But just about everything I do in my beauty routine these days is a little wacky...comes with the job. But here is the great part- my acne has subsided, my redness is tamed, and I can feel my face draw in the moisture in my products deeper than before.

By wearing this sweet mask on your face two times per week for about 20 minutes, you give your skin a fighting chance against bacteria, inflammation, and dullness. After your rinse the honey off- apply your night creams and feel in amazement the 'sucking' action your skin now has, to draw in the moisture from your products. It's remarkable, and I love it! It goes on THICK but as it warms against your skin it moves around quite nicely, and be sure to pull your hair back in a headband to avoid a sticky situation :)

You can pick up this honey at your local natural market but I have had better luck with variety online. I've compiled my favorites below, as well as some of the luxury bee products from above. If you give any of those a chance, please let me know!

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NOW TRENDING: GOLD MAKEUP (THE NEW NEUTRAL)

Too faced Candlelight Glow, Stilla Illuminating Balm, NYX Liquid Crystal, Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes, Loreal Flipstick

Here's the thing: I find that there are two kinda women out there- the women that LOVE gold and the women that LOATH gold. I don't know why its such a polarizing color/metal, but it just seems to be the case. 

Me? I am the former. I love me some

GOLD

! Jewelry, shoes, jewelry, makeup... and jewelry.

Today I am stopping by Studio5 again to dish about

introducing gold into your makeup routine

. Now before you get all crazy-eyes on me, hear me out. Gold, just like when worn in your outfit, is the accent color. Not the entire ensemble. Think of this rich tone as the extra touch of sparkle that sets everything off and completes a look. 

And here's the second thing: You can choose to wear gold in subtle ways or bold ways- so pick your poison, commit to it, and then love the heck out of it and you'll be right on trend for this season where

gold is the new neutral

When you want your gold to whisper:

  • Introduce a hint of the tone in your eyeshadow by swiping on a gold creme shadow right in the inner corner of the eye that graduates to another color towards the outside and up to the crease. I love NYX Jumbo Pencil in Gold for this because its creamy formula goes on so easily and blends seamlessly with other colors.

  • Add just a touch of gold highlight on the top of your cheekbone using the CandleLight Glow highlighter from Too Faced. This compact is perfect for adding a hint of sheen and the yellow and pink pairing make it literally perfect for all skin tones because the two colors balance and make a neutral. The palette will last you ages and you will get use out of it year round.

When you want your gold to talk:

  • Amp up your eyes by using gold liner to pair perfectly with rich black lashes. You can opt for a shimmer or glitter version- but remember that the gold doesn't have to carry across your entire lid. Try transitioning the liner 1/2 or 3/4 of the way into a rich brown or cool black to add just enough gold without looking costume-worthy. I love the Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes for my shimmer version, and NYX Liquid Crystal liner when I want to add glitter.

When you want your gold to shout:

  • Add some real pop with a liquid or stick highlighter on the cheekbone. The richer formula will reflect more light and give a glowy effect that lasts all day. Try the Stilla HD Illuminating Beauty Balm for a liquid version or Benefit Watts Up for an easier stick application. Both will add a dewey highlight to the cheek that screams glam.

  • Make your lips the statement feature by adding gold to the center of your pout. This lip ombre effect is easy to achieve with the duel sided lip pairings from CoverGirl. The Lip Blast Flip Stick (colors shown are minx and tease) has a great formula that wears well, but also blends beautifully. Start with the gold and make a circle shape in the center of your lips about a half inch in diameter (that includes both the upper and lower lip in one circle) Then apply the complimentary color to the outside of the circle and towards the corners of your mouth. A few good blots of the lips will blend the two tones together and create the illusion of fuller lips with a gold highlight in the center.

Remember to

focus on one area

as your accent and keep the rest of your makeup toned down and more simple. And experiment with tones that compliment your skin- coppers are deep golds look beautiful on darkers skined ladies, while cooler and lighter shades pair nicley with my fair skined friends.

Thanks for stopping by today- be sure you are getting social with me too!

Facebook

,

Instagram

and

Pinterest

is where you can find me. Adios!

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SERIAL KISSER- BUXOM LIPS 5 WAYS

If you have ever read my bio on the

about

page- you may have seen my quote about the power that comes with a perfect shade of lipstick. On the surface that may seem like a bold quote that borders on the edge of 'shallow', but if there is one one thing that I have learned over my career- it is that women deserve to feel confident and beautiful at every opportunity they can get.

When I am in a hurry to get out the door without a full face of makeup- I still reach for lip color to amp up the volume of my look with minimal effort. And on the flip side, when I am in glam-mode and want to complete my look, lipstick is always the final touch.

I have been a HUGE fan of Buxom cosmetics since the get go, and my love of their

glosses

has been splattered all over these blog posts in the past. But I wanted to branch out and try the

Buxom Full Body Lipsticks

too- and then the perfect storm happened:

This limited edition (sold out in stores, so buy online) set called

Serial Kisser

- gives you five shades to try in mini version. I jumped on it because I know it won't last, and it's a great way to sample the shades and then purchase the full size sticks of your favs later. (although, for mini size- they're actually very generous)

Seriously, all five shades are gorgeous and truly cover all your bases for shades you'll ever need. The two that stood out the most for me are

Menace

and

Centerfold

. (all the Buxom names are hilarious and fun too!)

The formula is just like I expected it to be; buttery and perfect. Seriously, Buxom has the formulas for lips down pat! The coverage is also quite opaque but still has a semi-gloss sheen.

If you've been toying with the idea of jumping on the lipstick train- this is the way to go.

* * *

Okay- can we take a brief pause to check out the cutest dress that I am wearing in these pics!?! It is from

JunieBlake

 and I am a little bit obsessed with it.

JunieBlake makes adorable dresses and clothes- and this

Corrine

dress

(c/o)

was my perfect choice for this post, because every lipstick pops with these fun colors on the dress.

I am excited to wear it with tights and fall boots too- who says you can't wear bold color in the winter.?

Shop JUNIEblake

 |   

JUNIEblake facebook

  |  

JUNIEblake Instagram

Thanks for stopping by today, and don't forget to go back to last weeks' posts and enter my two huge giveaways happening right now. You could win a jackpot of unique hair products, or a $600 stroller. Whaa!?!!

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

ACNE ON THE HAIRLINE, MOUTH ACNE, JAWLINE ACNE, CHEEK ACNE, NECK ACNE

A-C-N-E is a four letter word. Yes, I know literally...but figuratively too! If you've been a reader of mine for a while, you may have seen my post earlier this year about my

pledge

to quit picking my skin. And while I am doing much better at refraining for popping (and my skin is flourishing because of that) there are other external causes of acne aside from face touching and picking, that I want to share with you so that you can learn from my journey and give your self the gift of healthier skin.

The surprising causes of acne that you might not be aware of- and how to stop them from plaguing you.

If you have acne:

Around your mouth

- Acne around the mouth can be caused by a reaction to your lip products or from traces of toothpaste left of the skin post- brushing. If you notice small blackheads, or white bumps in the corners or edges of your mouth, it could be caused by an irritation from your lip gloss, or from the bacteria that is living on the applicator. Be sure to regularly clean off applicators on your lip products using a baby wipe and a spritz of rubbing alcohol. And follow the guidelines for the life of your lip cosmetics (usually 18 months) and throw them out and replace them often enough. 

Traces of toothpaste can also cause irritation around your mouth- so be sure you thoroughly rinse and dry your mouth area after every brush. And follow up with your lightweight moisturizer in these areas. 

On your cheeks near your ears

- If your acne is concentrated on the cheeks near your ears, a dirty cell phone is often the culprit. The glass surface of your phone can contain thousands of bacteria spores that thrive in the warm environment of a battery-heated surface. Think about what your hands touch throughout the day, then every time you pick up the phone to text or check Instagram- you transfer those germs to the phone screen, then smear

that

all over your face... Gross right!?! 

The fix for this is simple. Pick up a box of

alcohol cleansing pads

next time you're at the pharmacy and keep a stash in your car and purse. Wipe off the phone on all sides at least once a week, but I try and do it 3 times a week and I have noticed a huge change in my zit situation. I do it whenever I'm waiting for something, like a meal to arrive at my table, or when I'm waiting for my daughter at the bus stop... It takes very little time, but is such a good habit to form. 

Along your hairline

- Hairline pimples can be caused by excess soaps and cleansers that aren't rinsed off fully during your cleansing session. I learned this the hard way when I started regularly cleansing at night. I was proud that I was in the habit of nightly cleaning but as I got a little lazier I realized that I was leaving extra product on my skin around the perimeter of my face, and as a result I started getting pimples in my hairline. 

Whiteheads form in the hairline very easily because the pores on your scalp are much larger than the skin on your face. So if you're noticing regular zits just beyond the hairlines border- add an extra rinse to your process. I added a snugly fitting sports-type headband to my washing regimen, to hold the hair firmly out of my face while washing. 

Within your eyebrows

- eyebrow pimples are often caused by irritation after waxing or tweezing. If you often breakout after a visit to the brow spa, try adding an antihistamine to your regimen. Take a low-dose antihistamine (such as kids Benadryl) before you head to the salon for a wax. It will help your skin from breaking out in an allergic type response from the waxing. Or opt for a post wax anti- inflammatory like Advil to keep redness and swelling at bay, and use an astringent to clean the skin such as

witch hazel

.

If your waxing technician applies a soothing oil to the skin after your wax, ask if she can swap it out for

Aloe Vera,

or just bring a small bottle of your own to use instead. And finally avoid lots of makeup on these areas until they've had 2 days to heal and your brow/lip acne will be a thing of the past. 

Only on one or both sides of your face

 on the jawline and neck- If your zits have a home only on the far sides of your face and neck, it could be a sign your not washing your pillowcase often enough. Side-sleepers can struggle with acne along one or both sides of their face, while the forehead, nose, & chin remain blemish free. The pillowcase is another Bactria harboring love-fest and you can understand why; that warm environment breeds skin sabotaging bacteria like nobodies business. 

Channel your inner Martha and make a pledge to wash those sheets at least every other week and you'll see huge dividends in your overall skin luster and health. 

***Remember that I am not a dermatologist, and I do not claim to know the answers to all of your acne problems. But my experience with adult acne and my training in the beauty industry have helped me to understand these causes of my own acne as well as some of my clients. I believe this is sound advise that will help, but beyond these tips genetics and hormones also play a big role- so teaming up with a doctor my still be necessary to fight your acne completely. 

How's my #nopickingpledge going, you ask!?! Come back on Thursday for a full run down of my progress and to learn about the acne products I have been using for the four three months.

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BEAUTY PRODUCTS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF- BUT CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT (PART 1) + GIVEAWAY

MUST BUY PRODUCTS, AVON MEGA EFFECTS MASCARA, FUZZ OFF, NYX DEWEY SPRAY, KORRES GREEK YOGURT, DIOR AIRFLASH CC CREAM, BEAUTY BLENDER, GLAM GLOW MASK, ANASTASIA BROW STENCILS, SMASHBOX O-GLOW LIPGLOSS

Hi friends, thanks for stopping by! Today I'll be on my favorite day time show Studio5 talking about some lesser known beauty products that you may have never heard of, but cannot live without once you've tried them. I'm calling this grouping the

Snoop List

and this edition is all about skin and makeup. 

 In October I'll be back on the show sharing the hair product edition, so please check back for that one too. If you've been reading for a while you may see some products I have mentioned before but I wanted to share again since I love them so much - plus you'll see a bunch of newbies to the blog that I am exited to call my new favs. 

<br/>

1

Glam Glow Super-Clearing Mud Mask

 Black heads have met their match with this miracle mud. Apply it to your break outs and watch the magic as it dries and the 

charcoal

 infused mask sucks the oil right out of your pores. You'll have 

visibly

 smaller pores and smoother skin with each use. #addicting [yes, I just hashtagged in a post]

2

Bliss Fuzz-Off Facial Hair Remover

 Peach fuzz and that unwanted upper lip hair 

disappear

 in 3 minutes with this stuff. It has a really 

pleasant

 smell (

which

 is rare in hair removal!) but the coolest part is the double sided applicator tip which makes application 

completely

 hands-free. 

3

Beauty

Blender

 This egg-shaped gizmo has taken the beauty world by storm, but don't be fooled by the copy-cats... the original is still the best. Believe me- I have tried them all! Simply soak the suede-like textured egg in water, squeeze it out, then use it to apply your

BBcream

or liquid foundation. You'll get an airbrushed effect and the unique shape allows you to get into those hard to reach areas of the face. 

4

Anastasia Reusable Brow Stencils

 & 

Brow Kit

 with Stencils. If you struggle designing the shape of your brow or often over-tweeze, then this brow stencil is a must-have. Pick the shape that fits your brow best and then using a pencil outline the shape onto your skin. Once you've drawn on the shape grab your tweezers and only remove the hairs outside of the line. Presto! You can also use the stencil to fill in your brows with color to get a perfect and symmetrical brow every time.

5

Dior AirFlash CC Primer

 Get instant primer with a corrective tint in a flash- literally. I love the simple and quick burst of primer when I need to move a little quicker in the morning and don't have time to blend. Dior fans will all love this new concept in CC cream, and you'll love the 

staying

 power it gives your makeup while 

neutralizing

 red under tones. 

6

Avon Mega Mascara

 The whole world of mascara has been turned on its' head with this puppy! The first non-wand applicator is really fun to use (takes some getting used to) and give both eyes the same amount of love because your nose is not in the way. Genius Avon! The formula give shiny black lashes a whole new meaning, and I can't get enough of it.

7

Korres Greek Yogurt Overnight Facial

 Centuries of women have used greek yogurt on their face and they can't ALL be wrong... so slather this stuff on before bed and get the same luxury results as those Greek goddesses. The lactic acid is a great exfoliator and gives a fresh toned surface to the skin, and the creamy protein leaves parched skin fully rehydrated. Just... don't eat it.

8

Smashbox O-Gloss

 This gloss uses some serious science to give you the perfect pout. It's formulated with goji berry which mimics the 'blushing' response in your skin. When applied you get a flush of color to your lips from the inside out, so the color is 

completely

 unique and perfect for your skin tone, because it

is

from your skin tone. Cool eh?

9

NYX Dewey Setting Spray

 Finish off every morning with a few spritzes of this setting spray that not only locks in your makeup but it adds a dewey sparkle to your your visage. Not in a sweaty or oily way-- just a subtle gleam that look fresh. It's got a knockout price tag too, so jump on board with this one! 

Hope you find your way to at least one of these goodies, you won't regret it! Please follow along with me on

facebook

too, and be sure to say hello so I can see your beautiful faces.

WANT TO WIN SOME OF THESE GOODIES!?! Enter to win using the rafflecopter entry form below- each step gives you an additional entry into the drawing. One lucky winner will receive:

  • The Korres Overnight Facial

  • Smashbox O-Gloss

  • Bliss Fuzz Off

  • Anastasia Brow Stencils

  • Beauty Blender

Good luck!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sample products from the companies above were provided to The Beauty Snoop

CURRENTLY OBSESSED: NYX MAKEUP

NYX makeup, gotbeauty.com, The Best NYX makeup, cheap makeup brands

You know that rare place where high quality comes together with low cost, all wrapped up in a nice package? Like I said, it's

rare

. So when I find that glimpse of perfect harmony- I like to shout it out from the roof tops. This is

that

kind of post!

* * *

Makeup junkies, celebrities, and every-day divas have all fallen for

NYX cosmetics

. (pronounced like 'Nicks' by the way) This stuff is high grade when it comes to ingredients, performs like the big-dawgs ie. MAC, and has a price point that makes you double take. Literally, I was showing my mom some of the goodies that I use daily, and one of them still had a $9 price tag on it... she was shocked, to say the least.

So if you are a budget shopper, but still want the look and feel of department store brands- NYX is where you should start. Most of the line is priced well under $10, so if there is ever a time to take a risk with a new color or new type of application- THIS IS THE TIME PEOPLE! [roof tops, remember?]

In the

video

below, I am highlighting a handful of my top picks from

NYX

... but pay attention to the applications too. Sometimes you think

a color is too bold for everyday wear

, but that might be because you are applying it incorrectly! Almost every color can be worn during the day if you use it in a light-handed way. So take a second to learn something new, then come back and get excited about adding these affordable rockstars to your makeup bag, plus tons of other goodies beyond just these mentioned in this post. 

NYX cosmetic- review on eyebrow push up bra, cheek stick, eye color pencil, and dewey setting spray

Face Full Of:

NYX Push-Up Bra for EyeBrow

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Yogurt

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Rocky Mountain Green

NYX Stick Blush Orchid

NYX Propel My Eyes Mascara

NYW Dewey Finish Setting Spray

Do you have a NYX obsession? Let me know in the comments below- I'd love to hear your thoughts! And be sure to check out one of my fav online beauty shops 

GotBeauty.com

where you can buy these goodies and tons of other great brands too. If you are a Utah gal- you can shop NYX at the Got Beauty location in

Sugar House

Thanks for reading and

sharing

! Enter to win a NYX prize pack worth $50 from Got Beauty using the entry form/link below, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post was sponsored by Got Beauty- thank you for supporting the companies that support this blog

TARGET BEAUTY: SONIA KASHUK TO GET THE PERFECT GlOW

HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOUR RULES, SONIA KASHUK, FAKE GLOW MAKEUP, BEST CHEAP MAKEUP

Everyone loves a good Summer tan. And while I am all about SAFE sun exposure during the warm months, it doesn't have to end there.

Faux tanning

is part of my beauty

routine

year round... just ask my 'tanning pillowcase' who only gets slept on post tanning application- she knows what's up. But there is another piece to the glowing skin puzzle: SHIMMER!

For some of you shimmer might be a four-letter-word. This usually happens if you have a bad experience when applying shimmer and end up looking like a sweaty pixie-dust covered tween. (that's a real thing, I googled it) 

But when applied correctly, shimmering and illuminating products can transform a face and leave you feeling glowy year round without looking scary. I promise.

When it comes to shimmer... I tend to lean towards the less expensive options. Why? 

  • Because you may not like the results, so don't spend a ton to experiment.

  • Because the ingredients tend to dry out or separate quicker in shimmering makeup (across the board on all brands), so if you have to trash it--- you don't cry tears of remorse!

  • Because it may not be an everyday product depending on your work environment. Spend more on the daily use stuff.

That is where

Sonia Kashuk

comes in. Her illuminating products are spot on, and give awesome results for just pennies people! So do yourself a solid, and pick up a couple of her goodies next time you're at Target- or shop them below then follow my guide to get the perfect hint of sparkle.

HIGHLIGHT

BELOW THE CONTOUR OF THE EYE SOCKET- RIGHT ON THE CURVE OF THE CHEEKBONE

ON THE INNER POCKET OF THE EYE, JUST OUTSIDE THE TEAR DUCT UP TO THE BROW BONE

ON THE TEMPLES IN A 3-SHAPED SWIPE FROM BROW - CORNER OF EYE - CHEEK BONE

IN THE 'CUPIDS BOW' DIVOT ABOVE YOUR UPPER LIP

UNDER YOUR BOTTOM LIP TRACED RIGHT ALONG THE PIGMENT LINE

BLUSH

ON THE APPLES OF THE CHEEKS

BRONZE

IN THE HOLLOWS OF YOUR CHEEKS UNDER THE CURVE OF THE CHEEKBONE

ALONG THE RIDGE OF THE FOREHEAD WHERE IT ROUNDS INTO THE HAIRLINE

DOWN THE CENTER OF THE NOSE TOWARDS THE TIP - NOT BETWEEN BROWS

Face Full Of:

Sonia Kashuk Take Cover Concealer

... so good under eyes!

Sonia Kashuk Luminosity Highlight Stick

| Dupe Alert: 

Benefit Watts Up Highlighter

Sonia Kashuk Beautifying Blush

Sonia Kashuk Illuminating Bronzer

 | Also love her

Cream Bronzer

too

Get your shine on- and let me know how it goes! Take a pic and tag me on

instagram

when you try one of these awesome products, so I can see your results! @beautysnoop

Got a beauty question you've always wanted to ask? Let me answer it in my

Ask The Expert

posts- send me an email to megan@thebeautysnoop.com

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