5 QUICK TIPS FOR PREVENTING A MAKEUP MELTDOWN

combat makeup meltdown, makeup tips for humidity

I'll never forget the time I vacationed to Palm Springs one summer just after high school, in early June. It was my first time to that part of California, and I quickly learned that

'I wasn't in Kansas anymore'  

when I stepped out of the airport and was met with a wall of heat unlike anything I had ever experienced before!

As I literally felt the makeup melting off of my face I thought two things: 1) remind me to never visit Palm Springs during the summer months again, and 2) there has to be a better way to apply makeup when it's hot.

A decade later, I still haven't been back to Palm Springs later in the year than April- and I still change my routine in the warmer months to prevent makeup landslides.

Here are five quick tips that you can use to help your makeup hold up during the hottest months of the year. 

1- Exfoliate in the PM

I honestly learned this technique on a fluke. I am a pretty regular exfoliator, but sometimes I get lazy in the summer usually because I am staying up much later, then I fall into bed without going through my whole skincare routine. After a couple weeks of skipping the scrub step, I realized that my makeup was breaking down much more quickly than usual and I was looking greasy by 4pm.

The culprit? Clogged pores and dead skin cells. My skin wasn't able to breath- causing major oil buildup on my face. That led to a break down of the makeup with a reckless abandon. As soon as I added the scrub back into my nightly (2 times per week) routine, my makeup adhered to my skin better and resisted the elements of heat and humidity much better. Now, I never miss this step and I hope you won't either!

* If you are wondering why I specified NIGHT time scrubbing? Because scrubbing can cause redness, so give your skin a whole 8 hours to calm and repair before applying makeup. Try

Beautisol Exscrub Me?

2- Switch to a gel moisturizer

Cream moisturizers often leave a sheen on the skin that doesn't absorb into the skin for many hours. That glossy finish, although radiant, won't do you any favors when combating humidity, heat and sweat. A gel moisturizer will absorb into the skin much quicker and is light and refreshing with a matte finish. My current favorite is

Garnier Moisture Rescue for Dry Skin

3- Wait 10 minutes post moisturizer before applying anything else

After reading #2 above this step should be a no brainer, but here is the expanded version: apply your gel moisturizer to a clean face in the AM. Then give your face a solid 10 minutes to absorb the gel fully. This is a great time to work on your hair, check your

social

feeds (which hopefully include yours truly! #shamelessplug) or get dressed. Finally, continue with your makeup application.

4- Set first with spray

Once you've completed your beautiful face canvas, set your masterpiece with a makeup setting spray. I love

NYX Matte Finish

in the Summer months (I choose their Dewey finish in the winter) because it works great and is totally affordable. Think of this step as hairspray for your face. Neat-O

5- Set second with powder

And finally hit your T-zone with an extra dose of translucent powder for major oil control and staying power. You can also reapply midday for bonus power, if needed. My go to?

Urban Decay De-slick Mattifying Powder

Hope these tips help you stay fresh all day long. Got any meltdown tips of your own? Let me know in the comments below, xo And don't forget to enter my huge Summer Beauty Box giveaway

here

!

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FIRST LOOK: CYNTHIA ROWLEY BEAUTY REVIEW

cynthia rowley makeup, review, birchbox exclusive line

Cynthia Rowley Beauty

 c/o  |  

Rowley Eyewear No. 58

  c/o

Cynthia Rowley

is synonymous with high style and luxe feminine fashion. Her design esthetic has always been one that I've been drawn to, so it was safe to say that I would be smitten by her new makeup collection. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the line, via Birchbox, and I am SOOO over-the-moon excited to share it with my readers! 

The first thing that caught my eye, and I am sure yours as well- is the stunning packaging. Holy moly, I love everything about it! The makeup bag and eyeshadow palette are wrapped in a happy and colorful confetti pattern that's a little abstract. Then comes the eye liners that all have a sleek black finish with perfect gold spots adorning them... too cute, and sophisticated for sure. The lip stains also boast the gold polkadots, but the colors of the stains inside really steal the show. 

Now for the makeup it self:

Eye Shadow Palette No. 2-

Five yummy colors in shades like 'licorice' and 'marshmallow' are surprisingly velvety and easy to apply. The pigments are sheer but build-able and perfect for light and feminine eye looks. In the pics above, I'm wearing the purple 'cotton candy' shade through the crease of my lid, with the pink 'confetti' shade along the lash line. I've been reaching for this palette quite a bit since I got it for natural day-time looks.

Eye Liners

- These creamy pencil liners are a major high point of the line in my opinion. They go on so smoothly without any tugging and have beautiful metallic pigments. I have been wearing them non stop and in the pic above I am wearing the 'silver' shade. The 'charcoal' shade is also amazing for a slightly softer version of your typical black liner. Mmmm. so good! 

Liquid Liners

- If you love a liquid liner, these will be an added bonus to your collection. The are super pigmented and opaque... and the staying power is spot on. 12 hours, at least! The felt nib is quite long, with just a hint of flexibility in the very tip, so it's great for those who like a lot of control in their application (beginners... that's you).

Creamy Lip Stain

- Stars of the show! These lip stains are gorgeous and inspired the palette for my illustration above, which also has swatches of all the products on it for reference. The three tones are varied enough that all three are great additions to your lip collection. The consistency is creamy and smooth- with zero stickiness in sight. They don't stain as strongly as some others I've tried, so they need to be reapplied a few times during the day. The purple 'tulip' shade has been my go to for the last two weeks- and I'm wearing it in the pic above! 

Over all, I am totally impressed with this line and will definitely be purchasing subsequent releases. It's available exclusively through

Birchbox

and you can check out all of that goodness

here

.

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SUMMER BEACH PARTY MAKEUP // LORAC AFTER GLO PALETTE

Lorac Makeup, Beach Palette, After Glo Palette, Lorac Review

LORAC After Glo Palette

 |  

Ray Ban Sunnies

 |  

Layered Necklace

 |  

360 Turquoise Earrings

Happy Friday friends! ***I thought it might be fun to switch things up around here and present products in a more personal way- let me know if you like it, or if my typical 'magazine cover' presentation floats your boat more. I love your feedback!

The new

LORAC After Glo

shadow palette immediately reminded me of the beach. I love the shades of the sunset, sand and water together and I have been able to create some beautiful 'sunset eye' looks since I got this palette in my hands. True to LORAC's amazing quality the pigments in this collection are stunning, and velvety so you can blend until your heart's content. There is also a great variation in matte and shimmer shades so you get a little bit of everything in this perfect-for-summer palette.

Hope you make your way to the beach this Summer, but if not- you can fake it with a gorgeous sand and sea look! xo

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INSIDER STYLIST SECRETS: MAKE YOUR HAIR COLOR LAST LONGER AND FADE LESS

Stylist Secrets: rules to preserve your hair color vibrancy

Hey there! Nice to see you 'round these parts. [yup, that was my inner cowgirl talking]

Have you ever had a color on your hair that was glossy and beautifully pigmented, only to have it fade into a brassy, mousy version of it's former self? It happens to the best of us, so don't feel bad- but

there are 4 steps you can take to keep your hair color vibrant longer. And today, I am stopping by Studio5 to dish on my 4 step process and the stylist secrets you've been looking for.

*** Disclaimer. ALL HAIR COLOR FADES! Even natural pigments fade in the right conditions... remember how your child hood hair turned two shades lighter in the Summer months? Yup, that's fading. These steps will slow down the speed at which your color fades, but you'll still need to keep up on your color services on the regular. Ok, let's get started!

1- The first three washes are crucial!

Resist washing your locks for at least 2 days post color job to allow the color to fully oxidize and set into the cuticle (outer shingle-like layer of the hair) Then, for your first 3 shampoos, use the coldest water you can stand without giving yourself a headache. This means you should wash your hair at a different time than your shower. I prefer to bend forward over the edge of the tub and wash under the faucet, but a kitchen sink works too. The cold water closes down the cuticle layer trapping the color molecules inside. Hot water opens the cuticles so pigment can escape- which means cool water is ALWAYS better for color treated hair, but is essential in the early stages of color protection.

2- Soft water = soft hair

The minerals in our water are not hair and skin friendly. Just ask anyone who has eczema and they'll tell you what a problem hard water is when it comes to drying out the skin. If you don't have a built in water softener on your water heater, you can add a filter right to your shower. The T3 Source Shower Head

uses tourmaline, charcoal and other precious medals to remove 95% of the Chlorine in your water. Your skin and hair will be softer then ever before, and your hair will retain those precious color molecules much longer with this god-sent gizmo.

3- Gentle color safe shampoos are required. period

Shampoos are essentially soaps designed to cleanse the hair of oils and buildup, but if you're not careful they can also 'cleanse' the hair of color molecules too. Using a gentle sulfate free formula is the most important step in this series. And yes, higher end products are the best option because they contain more of the ingredients designed to prevent fading. For example, Pureology Strength Cure uses the plant oils found in sunflower seeds that give a natural sunscreen to the plant [and in turn, your hair] A drugstore brand may also use this oil but usually in lesser amounts, say 10% versus 30% in the salon brand option. So both will help, but the Pureology option may help more. That being said, ANY color safe option is better than nothing... so spend what you feel comfortable with as long as it is sulfate free.

4- UV protection isn't just for your skin

Everyone knows the importance of sunscreen for your skin, but don't miss your hair when you are getting sun-ready every day. Adding a UV protection spray into your hair routine will guard against fading due to the environment. This is essential if you spend time outdoors, and if you were prone to sun-bleaching as a child, you're still prone to it as an adult. Living Proof Instant Protection spray gives a weightless coating of UV protectant to your locks for 24hours, and as a bonus it also protects your hair from heat styling tools up to 450F degrees.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope you got a few new ideas for protecting your hair color. Be sure you sign up to get these posts delivered right to your inbox, using the email signup bar on the top right side of the blog. xo

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ASK THE EXPERT: HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY USE DRY SHAMPOO? AND WHICH ARE THE BEST ONES?

I've mentioned my un-dying love for DRY SHAMPOO on this blog before (ok a couple times) but when this reader question came in from @BrianneE, I thought- 'hey, you've never shown them HOW to use it effectively! Duh!'

She asked... 'What are the best dry shampoos, and how do I actually use them? Are there tricks and tips that I am missing?' Well the simple answer is yes! Check out my latest video below and pick up a few of my techniques and favorite dry shampoos out there.

Products mentioned in video:

I sure hope that answered your question Brianne, and that you fall in love with dry shampoos like I have! And if YOU have a question you'd like me to answer in my All About Hair Series- send me an email or leave a comment below. Have a great 4th of July! xo

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THE SUMMER ACCESSORY EVERY WOMAN NEEDS : FLASH TATTOOS

Flash Tats, metallic tattoos, skin designs, temporary metallic tattoo, Flash Tattoo

Wearing: Flash Tattoo

Zahra Collection

 |  Oasap c/o 

Striped Crop Top

 | Maurices c/o 

Layered Stone Necklace

Hello! Happy Tuesday. I am super excited about this unique product on the blog today-

Flash Tattoos

are seriously so much fun and every time I look down at my hand while typing this I think 'oooh pretty sparkles...' Yep. That made me sound like a Seagull, didn't it? Ha

Even my 5 year old got in on the action!

My sister in NYC, spotted these cool metallic tattoos and sent them my way, and I have been hooked ever since. 

Flash Tattoos are the gown up version of the gumball-machine tats you loved as a kid

, and work the same way. You simply peel the clear coat off the design, place that tat on your skin in the desired location, then apply a little water to the back side of the paper and Walaa!

The collections come with 4 sheets of metallic designs that all resemble jewelry. You can cut them up and make your own designs to create a look that is completely unique. I love the way my bracelet turned out when I added the dangling feathers, but you could do something totally different with yours. That's part of the fun! I think these tats are the perfect accessory for Summer because you get the glam look of blinged out jewelry without actually wearing any.

And if you feel like this look is a little too young or not quite work appropriate, just remember that they are temporary and come off in 4-6 days (or earlier if you remove them with baby oil) so it's great for a long weekend or a Summer vacay to the beach. I might also suggest a more discreet location like the top of your foot, which gives a beautiful henna-type effect. Cute eh!?!

See you all later this week- xo

P.S. I just updated my

Shop the Snoop

 page with the latest of my

Holy Grail

beauty finds- check it out if you are looking for my top recommendations.

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS: 4TH OF JULY NAIL ART

patriotic nail design, independence day nail ideas, red white and blue nails

I'll be the first to admit that nail art is not my forte. But there is just something about 4th of July nail art that gets me excited every year! I feel like it's the perfect way to introduce a little

red

,

white

and

blue

into your style with out being too LOUD and it's perfect for the whole month of July! When I saw this patriotic glitter polish by Sally Hansen, I just had to have it! I love a good glitter and this collection is a favorite of mine because I love the variation in size of the glitter specks. Cute huh!?!

Wearing:

Sally Hansen Color Frenzy

in 'Red White & Hue' [it's a brand new collection so you may have to shop around a bit until you find it] Available at drugstores and other major retailers.

A few quick tips for nail art newbies:

  • Don't attempt to do anything if you're in a rush! Nail art takes a long time to do well, you must let EVERY layer dry completely before moving on to the next. If you skip the full dry time, you'll end up with overly thick nail color, and most likely major smudges.

  • Layer STRATEGICALLY. Darker colors will cover much easier over lighter colors and you won't need as many layers. In the above pic, I used white first then added the red half-moon after the white had completely dried. Doing the opposite may have left me with a pinkish-white.

  • Use HOUSEHOLD items to help form your designs. You can certainly go to a beauty supply and buy some fancy nail art tools, but things like toothpicks and push pins work great for creating dots and doodles... and they are free and disposable!

  • When in doubt TOP COAT it out! A clear coat goes a long way to hide imperfections and complete a look. Don't stress if your art isn't perfect- that's why it's uniquely yours.

I challenge you all to have fun with your nails this month too, and if you do- send me a pic or tag me when you share it, so I can see your artistic work! See you all soon

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ASK THE EXPERT: HOW DO I GET BIG VOLUME IN MY LIMP FINE HAIR?

Heyo! Today I am answering one of the most-asked questions ever for a hair stylist- 'how do I get more volume?' I'd estimate a whopping 70% of women out there wish they had more lift and life in their locks. And when I announced my next series of

Ask The Expert

was all about HAIR... many of you wanted help with limp styles. Zero surprise. But it's a topic I still love to address because I have fine hair myself and need help in the oomph department as well.

This question was sent in via

instagram

from reader @torrima, and she says: '

I feel like my hair just hangs there... what are some no-fail ways to get volume if I have fine hair? 

' To hear my secret recipe for BIG VOLUME hair, check out the

video

below. Hope it helps you too!

Products mentioned in video:

Kerastase K Lift Vertige

Pureology Lustrous Volumizer

 (for salon locations)

Plastic Grip Rollers

Sam Villa Textur Iron

- (20% Off coupon code for Beauty Snoop readers: 20FORUT)

Do you have a hair question you'd like an answer to? Let me know in the comments or shoot me an email. Remember the higher the hair...the closer to GOD! xo

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THE BEST OF: SKIN THAT SHIMMERS

Lately I have had quite a few clients and friends mention my GLOWING SKIN.... no I am not pregnant! But I have been testing and retesting the myriad of shimmer and glow products on the market, to bring you my top three picks. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it! If you can't walk around with perfect lighting on you at all times... then this is the next best option. It's like a perfect blur filter over the skin, and I am completely hooked! 

Best Creme Formula-

It Cosmetics Hello Light Creme Illuminator

 It's no secret that I have a major crush on It Cosmetics. And this creme formula compact is no exception- It's the perfect amount of shimmer and really acts like the title implies... It gives a

light effect

on the skin without looking too glittery. It's great for a more mature face as well and won't settle into fine lines or accentuate them either. For a stronger application use your finger tips to apply, or for a muted look use a fluffy cheek brush. 

Best Stick/Budget Formula-

Sonia Kushuk Luminosity Highlighter Stick

 This little gem has been seen on this blog

before

, but it still passes the test and makes the cut. Available in two colors, this chubby stick applies effortlessly and blends beautifully. It's a dead ringer for the more expensive

Watts Up

by Benefit... but this one is only $10 at Target and is perfect for precise highlighting along the cheeks and cupids bow. Darker complexions will love the Parisian Sunset color too.

Best Liquid Formula-

Merle Norman Liquid Shimmer

 It had been well over a decade since I had tried any Merle Norman makeup, but I am so glad I found this little gem. If you are looking for a real pop of shimmer, this formula is stunning. The consistency is very spreadable almost like a lightweight gel and it applies perfectly with a stipple brush. I have been wearing it for night time looks and love the life it brings to my face. Check out the

MN website

to find a store location near you.

Thanks for stopping by today! I'd love it if you would take a quick minute to subscribe to my

youtube channel here

. That way you won't miss any of my videos, and if there is a video that you'd like to see me make- please let me know!

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS: POOL SIDE HAIR IDEAS

Today I am stopping by Studio5 TV to share some great hair styles that you can wear at the pool and beach. Often times when I get out of the pool I feel the 'wet dog' syndrome happening... it makes me want to run and hide, do you relate!?! 

These accessories and quick styles will help you feel put together at the pool, but they are easy and no mirror is required. Take a look at the

video below and check out my go to looks for wet hair beauty.

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HOW TO CONTOUR YOUR FACE WITH SELF TANNER

**Updated 9/27/17 from original post on 6/10/14

Hi friends! Today is a great one- I am so excited to share with you my

signature technique for contouring with fake tanner!

I have been using this technique for about three years now, and I have tried a myriad of products to get the right outcome... let's just say I made the mistakes so you don't have to. The great part of this technique is that you can get all the benefits of contouring, but it's semipermanent and lasts beyond your makeup application.

It's perfect for when you may not be wearing as much makeup, but you still want the look of chiseled cheeks and a defined jawline... even at the pool! To find out how I get the look and the best products for the job, watch the

video

below.

Full Tutorial:

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SUMMER 2014 FAVORITES | DRUG STORE

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today- I'm so glad you are here!

Today's episode for

Summer Essentials

is all about great bargains- and who doesn't love that? The

video below

is a collection of

drugstore beauty favorites

that I am loving for Summer 2014. There is a little something for everyone and I hope you'll find a new love too. Check it out and don't forget there are shopping links to all the products down below.

Wearing: 

Navy Striped Dress

 c/o Oasap

Products mention in video:

Not Your Mother's Way To Grow Leave-In Conditioner

Maybelline Color Tattoo Shadow [Barely Branded]

Pixi Brightening Peach Correction Concentrate

Revlon Skinlights [Pink Light]

Revlon Gel Envy [Top Coat

&

Multi Colors]

Scunci No Slip Grip Elastics

Past posts mentioned in video:

Summer 2014 Favorites  |  High End

Loreal Gel Lacque Review

Best Under Eye Concealers

Do you have any amazing Summer trips or plans coming up? I am dreaming of a vacation but sadly, I don't see it happening any time soon. Tell me where you are headed though, so I can dream vicariously through you! See you back here later this week for a look at what's in my beach bag. (even though it won't be going much farther than the local pool this year...) xo

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SUMMER 2014 FAVORITES! | HIGH END

Hello beautiful SNOOPETTES! (I'm going to start calling you that ok!?! Just decided that right this very moment, ha!) Today for your

SUMMER ESSENTIALS

viewing pleasure, I am rounding out my

favorite products for Summer 2014 

in the

video

below. I kept it short and sweet, with just 5 products- but I could have easily added 10 more. It's just so hard... too many amazing things out there, I tell ya!

These are my

high end favorites

, if you are looking for a good splurge. But, be sure to tune back in later this month for my drug store favorites video too. And don't forget shopping links for all the products mentioned are listed down below.

Products mentioned in video:

It Cosmetics Tightline Waterproof Primer

It Cosmetics CC+ Ombre Bronzer

Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Gelee

Cover FX Protection Primer

Alterna Bamboo Ocean Mist

Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget to sign up to follow along via

bloglovin

, or via email in the left top sidebar. Let me know if you try any of my favorites too. Peace out

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FIRST LOOK: REVLON COLORSTAY MOISTURE STAIN REVIEW

best lip stains

If you follow me on

instagram

you may have seen my pic last month where I teased a review coming to the blog featuring the new

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stains

... and now that I have seen these guys available in my local Target I can finally share! (It's not that I wasn't allowed to share earlier- I just hate to tell you about a product that isn't available for you to actually buy yet! That's just cruel)

Revlon

sent me these bad boys as part of the sponsorship for the Allure blogger contest, so I was lucky enough to get early access, and boy let me tell you I was smitten from day one. The colors are vibrant yet totally wearable, and the formula is a cream stain unlike many gel-based stains already out there. Plus, I love that the color names are all cities around the world, I want to visit them all- and wear them all!

The down side is the lack of a nice fragrance, or really any scent at all... and when wet, the formula is a little gluey, but not sticky. I'm not sure how that is possible, but it is. It spreads easily however and once dry, the formula is budge proof and still beautifully pigmented with a satin finish (no glitter or shimmer).  It's staying power is about 6-8 hours and it's a good idea to have a gloss with you to the keep the shine and color looking bright. I have been wearing these a ton since I received them over 2 months ago, and will definitely re-purchase again because I love the long-lasting results and poppy colors for warm weather.

I haven't seen the entire range of colors in any

one

store, but you can buy the complete collection online. Which color is your favorite? Let me know if you try these bad boys out too! xo

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS: CHUNKY BRAIDS & BEACHY WAVES // WITH STUDIO5 TV

Today on

Summer Essentials

, we are talking all about chunky braids and beachy waves. Two easy styles that scream 'SUMMER!' I stopped by Studio5 TV to share some great tips on creating both looks. Check out those videos (

1

/

2

) below so you can learn how to get

Pinterest

worthy locks with little effort.

Wearing: Purple Leopard Shift Dress

c/o Oasap.com

Products Mentioned in Video:

Clip-in Extensions

 (full set- but for braids I suggest the use of only 2-3 inch wide wefts)

Turkish Towel

Alterna Bamboo Ocean Mist

Bumble & bumble Surf Spray

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Spray

Which Summer style are you going to try? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure you are signed up to follow The Beauty Snoop by email over in the left top sidebar. Have a great weekend

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SUMMER MAKEUP LOOK + COORDINATING EYE SHADES WITH ALMAY

Almay eye shadow review

Wearing:

F21 Top

 |  

F21 Hairbow

Today in this edition of

StyleWise

, I'm showing off my go-to makeup look for Summer. As you may know, lately I have been loving pops of

PINK

on my cheeks and lips- and I thought it might be fun to cool down my eye looks with shades of

GREEN

. Not only is it a departure from my normal eye makeup colors, but it is a great way to make the green of my iris brighter.

Almay

sent me a few shadow palettes from their intense i-color line that features trios designed specifically for your eye color. My

palettes for green eyes

have colors that are all in the camouflage/army green family- which I do not usually opt for, so I was a little surprised with the selection. But, sometimes the unknown is exactly what you need to get out of a rut! And turns out I really love the green eyes/ green lids combo.

While the title says 'intense', I was not overly thrilled with the pigment on these shadows... until I added water! Sometimes shadows just need a little boost, so don't give up on them until you've tried using them wet. I simply run my shadow brush under the tap for a few seconds, then dip into the shadow as usual to create a creamy texture that's full of color. Using the palette as designed, you'll place the three colors across your lid for a beautifully color coordinated look. I wouldn't say you have to use the palette that is specific to your color- after all makeup shouldn't have hard and fast rules. But, if you're looking for a budget friendly option that's been expertly selected, these

Almay shadows

are a good choice! And maybe you'll be like me and get a push in a new direction if the colors for your eyes are outside your box. I think I'll pick up the purple trio next.

Summer Look  |  Face Full Of:

Eyes- 

Almay Intense I-Color Bold Nudes for Green Eyes

Lashes-

Esqido Mink Lashes in Unforgettable

Brows-

NYX Brow Cake Powder in Brunette

Face-

Tarte Colored Clay Foundcealer in Light

Cheeks-

Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise

Lips-

Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick in Mistress

Do you have a new Summer time color you're currently wearing? Let me know!

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*this post was sponsored by Almay via Refinery29- thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog

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THE EYE SHADOW PALETTE TAG

Today I am excited to bring you a fun collaboration post with my girl Serein of

Dress Yourself Happy

. Serien and I were both contestants in the Allure blogger awards, and now that the craziness of the competition is winding down, we wanted to share a fun post with you all about our favorite (and not-so-favorite) eye shadow palettes.

Connet with Serein on

Instagram

//

Twitter

If you follow any youtube vloggers, you'll often see them creating videos that answer a series of questions, then they TAG another youtuber to create their own video to answer the questions as well... It's like this generations' version of a chain letter- and it's really fun! The eye shadow palette TAG is currently floating around the beauty world, so today I'm answering the questions here on my blog, and you can check out Serein's palette TAG video

here

.

Best Packaging:

Marc Jacobs Eye Con No.7

 I've raved about the MJ packaging before, it's just simply stunning and so high quality. The details are perfection and you feel like you've got a classic piece of makeup jewelry that could be passed down because it will last that long.

Best Color Payoff:

Too Faced Pretty Rebel

 Too Faced shadows are very pigmented, and this palette has been my favorite one I've purchased from the brand. The hot pink is surprisingly wearable, and the midnight blue is my smokey eye go-to color every time. For a more subtle look I love to combine to two peachy colors- but even those are packed with color. Bam!

Most Versatile:

POPS Perfect Palette 

 POPS is a much smaller brand than the others I've listed- in fact it was developed in my home town! But the mineral pigments are my favorite because they can transition into a loose powder shadow or blush, a wet finish (for eyeliner), even a lipstick by adding your favorite gloss to the color. Completely versatile and totally unique!

Best For Travel:

Wet n' Wild Color Icon

 I love the Color Icon shadows anyway- but beyond their amazing consistency and blend-ability, the price on these is too good to be true. Heaven forbid your makeup were to get lost or stolen on a trip, but if it did replacing these palettes would be a snap.

Biggest Regret:

Dior 5 Color Shadow

 Oh, this one is sad...so sad. I've decided that Dior lip products are amazing and never let me down- but this eye shadow was really disappointing to me, and it costs a pretty penny. I'll stick to the lips and ditch the eyes when it comes to Dior.

Best Color Names:

TheBalm Nude'Tude

 This was too easy to pick- TheBalm products all have hilarious names and images with every product. Seriously, I smirk every time I pick one of these guys up. But their products are not only funny, they are awesome to say the least! The Nude'Tude palette speaks my language with sassy shadow names like, 'Stubborn' 'Stand-Offish' and 'Snobby'.

Least Used:

Sephora Academy Blockbuster

 This gargantuan palette was given to me as a gift- and while the thought was lovely (and the shadows are B- quality) the size of the thing is ridiculous and I simply never use it. The case is like a Rubiks cube of drawers and compartments, and I just don't ever think of it until I am cleaning out my collection, and then yep- there it is.

Most Used/ Desert Island Must Have:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Shadow Palette

 Ok, are you sick of me loving on Tarte makeup yet? Sorry. It's just so good- and I haven't been let down ever. This QVC exclusive palette is so pretty, the pigment is soft yet vibrant- and the shimmery shades are just right without looking too disco. I feel like the colors are everyday wearable, and get equal amount of use. To sum up- I use this palette 70% off the time. Yay!

Hope one of these palettes finds its' way into your makeup routine! Thanks for stopping by today, xo And don't forget to

jump over to Serein's TAG video here

, she has some amazing picks!

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WAHOO! IT'S THE FINAL WEEK OF THE ALLURE BEAUTY BLOGGER CONTEST

I am so beyond thrilled to have made it to the finals of the

Allure Magazine Beauty Blogger Awards

! To be honest I was very surprised to make the top 4, because I have been near the bottom of the pack in rankings each week. But luckily I made a jump in the last round and secured my spot in the finals! What a roller-coaster, I tell you!

In this final challenge, we picked a past Allure cover image, and recreated the look on ourselves. It was so much fun and I love how my

January Jones

look turned out! To see my transformation be sure you

check out my entry here

(along with the other 3 finalists and their amazing covers too!) And don't forget to VOTE once per day until closing at 12pm EST in Friday. The winner is announced on May 20th!

Thank you all for your amazing support! xo

HOW TO: BROW POWDER 101

the best brow powder, NYX brow cake powder, Chella Eyebrow Highlight Pencil review

Today I am super excited to bring you

How-To Video

all about one of my favorite subjects: BROWS! In the last year I have really jumped on the bold-brow-bandwagon, and have loved the way it has changed my look. I have a young looking face (or so I've been told by about 900 people who mistake me for a teenager, ugh!) but I think the bold brow with more defined edges gives me a more mature look. I also love how polished you become when your brows are filled in and shaped up, even without another drop of makeup on- you can still look put together.

I've had lots of questions about my brow products and how to apply them- so rather than just telling you, I thought I'd show you in the

video

below. I've tried lots of products- but my top pick is actually a brow powder, not a pencil. Check it out and be sure you

subscribe to my youtube channel,

so you can get the latest videos.

Products from the video:

Smashbox Angled Brow Brush

Chella Highlighter Pencil

(comes in three shades, mine is Ivory Lace)

NYX Highlighter Pencil

(double sided with a universal taupe pencil)

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder

(multi colors, mine is Dark Brown/Brown)

Do you have any favorite brow products that I need to try? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend

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A NEW BREED OF EYELASH CURLER

This little gizmo has been plaguing my conscience for almost 2 years. I have been a fan of the

original Shu Uemura eyelash curler

for many years, but I got wind that they were working on a new version that would be unlike any other curler I'd ever seen. There was a single image floating around the internet, but absolutely no information about it, or when it would be available. That was 2 years ago!

Finally, the

S-Curler

is born and available to purchase! In my excitement I clicked 'buy now' without reading a single comment, review, or even the description by Shu Uemura themselves. I didn't care- I just knew it had to be mine.

So when the box finally arrived at my doorstep- I was a

little

 lot shocked to unwrap the packaging and discover that the

S-Curler is TINY!

Like Barbie sized. Ok not quite that small, but you get the idea.

Next time, I'll read the description. Anywho- I got to work right away experimenting with this new fangled device. And I'll be the first to say- there is a big learning curve with this thing. After all, the lash curler has remained unchanged since forever, so learning how to hold, angle and squeeze something new takes practice. By day 4 I felt pretty confident, and found the right angle and eye position for myself- so if you do try it, give yourself some time to get used to it.

Here is what I've learned. It works! The smaller design means you have to use it on 2-3 spots along the lashes, but it also means more control and the ability to flair the lashes towards different angles. The open design with no side-walls is also great for those ladies who have deep set eyes and often deal with 'pinching' issues while using traditional curlers. And lastly, the flat large pressing surface at the top of the curler allows for you to get very tight to the lash line- which will be a godsend for those ladies with short/straight lashes, that sometimes aren't even long enough to make it into other curlers.

So, if you are looking for any of those things above, the

S-curler

is an awesome find. My only negative on this one are the finger holds. I find them to be too small for my liking (and I have small hands) and I also think they kind of hurt your fingers when you apply pressure. But I can live with it because I love the results of the curl.

What do you think, would you give this gizmo a try? Let me know! xo

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