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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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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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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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 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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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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MATCHING CHEEKS & LIPS TO LUST AFTER: HOW 'BOUT THEM APPLES PALETTE

Cream blush and lip color combo makeup, match your cheeks to your lips

Lately I have been loving the look of matching lip and cheek color! I just feel girlier sporting this look

for some reason...? It sounds a little silly when I say it out loud, but ha! oh well, it's the truth!

When the weather starts to warm up I opt to switch my blush to a creme formula so that I get a slightly dewey finish that says, 'I do declare...I'm just a little flush from this heat!' [swooning and fanning happens here]

And while there are some other products out there that claim to be for both CHEEKS & LIPS, I always find that the formula is better suited for just

one

area, and doesn't perform equally on both parts of the face. That always leaves me a little disappointed.

Then this happened:

The Balm- How 'Bout Them Apples Cheek & Lip Palette

I don't know how, but the formula is perfect for both CHEEKS & LIPS! Finally, someone figured it out. The blush consistency is really pigmented, spreads nicely and stays on all day. I apply it with a

stipple brush

so I am not too heavy handed, especially on the more pigmented tones like 'cobbler' and 'pie'.

Then using my finger, I apply the same tone to the lips and it goes on creamy and smooth in a satin/matte finish. It stains the lips fairly well, so you may need a touch up after a few hours, but I find that adding a gloss later in the day brings the original pigment back to life.

It is seriously so good! I love the variety in the 6 colors too- you get the palest of peaches all the way to a cherry red & a warm carmel. I've had them on rotation since I got this palette, and I see no end in sight! (the muscular cowboys that accompany each color aren't bad to look at either ;)

Which color is the apple of your eye?

Don't forget to

VOTE

this week once a day for the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards- I need all the help I can get!

Love to your glowing faces-

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THE MAGIC OF CC CREAMS // WITH STUDIO5 TV

it cosmetics cc cream, olay cc cream, physicians formula cc cream

Hello lovlies! Today I am stopping by Studio5 to dish on all things CC Cream. If you've wondered what all the buzz is about, or what the differences are between a CC and a BB cream- then be sure you check out the

Video

 below, and my top picks for products as well.

Wearing:

Lace Sleeve Top

c/o Oasap

CC creams are similar to BB Creams (essentially tinted moisturizers) but they pack more pigment

and are designed to neutralize redness in the skin

. CC stands for 'color correcting' and the tones in a CC are often pigmented with a yellow or green base to combat the pinkness in your face. In all honesty, I believe that the use of the double letters is just a good marketing gimmick. Tinted moisturizers have been around for years- but it wasn't until all of this alphabet non-sense that they became spotlight products. The benefit of course, is that when a product is suddenly 'hot', brands throw extra money in to creating better formulas.

They are especially great for someone who wants to even out the tone of their skin but doesn't like full coverage foundation. Remember that most brands only offer 3-5 shades in their CC range, so it's very unlikely that you'll get a perfect match with your own skin tone. And that's ok. Because these formulas are based in a moisturizer, they will be more sheer in coverage and let your skin tone show through slightly.

I like to think of it like a basic math problem:

1(your skin tone) + 2(the CC tone) = 3(a combination of the two tones/ somewhere in the middle)

When buying a CC cream, I always recommend opting for a color that is lighter than your skin tone if you can't find an exact match. As a general rule CC creams tend to be darker than traditional foundations in the same range. And you can always add more color to the face with bronzers or blush- but the opposite is not true. If your base color is too dark, there is nothing you can do to lighten it without looking like Edward Scissorhands.

My top picks:

Physicians Formula CC Cream (two formulas:

20 SPF

and 

30SPF

)

Olay Total Effects CC Cream

(Anti-aging properties)

It Cosmetics CC Cream

(50 SPF and the highest coverage of the three)

Double Sided Brush

(only available with the Tarte Founcealer, but totally worth it!)

Chiseled

 Foundation Brush

(only available with the Tarte Cover Creme Foundation, but again amazing!)

Do you have a favorite CC Cream? Let me know in the comments below so I can check it out. To vote for the Allure Beauty Blogger contest this week, head over

here

. xoxo

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THE FOUNDATION I CANNOT STOP BUYING!

Colored Clay Foundation and Foundcealer use the natural minerals found in the Amazon

Well folks, the love affair continues.

I have found another Tarte product that I cannot stop loving on- and who can blame me? This stuff is magic in my eyes. [Cue the swooning here]

The Colored Clay collection from Tarte is brand new technology that harnesses natural sun baked minerals found in the Amazon jungle. The clay is layered in the earth, and is naturally colored in amazing tones that range from green to purple! Mother nature is just showing off I think. Anyways- the clay is finely milled into a dust and then added to the foundations to give a color-correcting blend of goodness.

A few weeks ago I highlighted the 

Tarte Colored Clay Liquid Foundation

 in this

video

. So I won't go into too much detail here- but this option is a high coverage liquid with a silky texture that's a little more dewey when applied to the face. My only negative about this one, is the container that it comes in. It has a mesh filter in the opening which helps you to pick up only the amount of product you actually need, but once the product is running low- it becomes hard to access the last bits. I just end up cutting the mesh out and scooping with my finger. Classy.

Above is a pic of me in my natural bare face. This is scary, and I hate to post it- but I can't just tell you about my acne at some point I have to show you, right? The middle pic is with foundation only (the Tarte Foundcealer in Light) and I think you can see what a good job it does of neutralizing the redness in my skin and giving me a much healthier looking tone. The final pic on the right is with additional concealer on my scars and zits, as well as contour to visually camouflage the bumps. I also added blush to complete the look.

If you like the idea of a mousse-ier type foundation, then the 

Tarte Colored Clay Foundcealer

 option may be right for you. It comes in a tube and gives a more matte finish that looks more like airbrushed powder when dry. I like this version when my complexion more clear and I don't need as much camouflage.

Both are AMAZING products that I cannot stop buying or loving. So I hope that they find a home in your makeup bag too! You can get them both for a better value on QVC in value packs that include brushes!

The

Allure Beauty Blogger

contest kicks off on Monday- be sure you check out all the fun beauty challenges, and P.S. I would love your vote to keep me in the running!

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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: 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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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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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

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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