MAKEUP SPLURGE OR SAVE

Hello loves! Today is a great day on the blog- I am so happy you are here, so thank you!

I stopped by Studio5 TV today to dish on my makeup must haves, and the best part is I included two budget options in each category so you can SAVE or SPLURGE! Check out the video and then shop your picks using the links below. PLUS, one lucky reader will be scooping up a care package full of my must-haves, so be sure you enter to win using the rafflecopter entry below. There's also a BONUS VIDEO today, where I answer the question, 'Can a women over 30 wear a headband without looking like a wanna-be teenager?' Check out my answer below.

SPLURGE:

• Nude Toned Eye Palette- Urban Decay Naked Palette

• Highlighting Cheek Stick- Nars The Multiple Stick

• Peach Toned Under Eye Concealer- Bobbi Brown Corrector

• Automatic Brow Pencil-Anastasia Brow Wiz

• Translucent Finishing Powder- Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder

SAVE:

• Nude Toned Eye Palette-Maybelline The Nudes Palette

• Highlighting Cheek Stick- Sonia Kashuk Luminosity Stick

• Peach Toned Under Eye Concealer- NYX Dark Circle Concealer

• Automatic Brow Pencil- NYX Automatic Brow Pencil

• Translucent Finishing Powder- Neutrogena Shine Control Powder

Hope some of these goodies solve an issue for you! Thanks again for stopping by, don't forget the giveaway below- the first two entry options are required, the rest are optional but each one you complete adds your name into the drawing an additional time. Good luck!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE MAKEUP TREND STARTED BY CLEOPATRA... OR MAYBE IT WAS ELIZABETH TAYLOR?

I am a huge fan of 

Sex & The City

! If you didn't know that- well, there ya go! What does this have to do with today's topic:

Kajal Eye Liners

?

Well, in the second [and quite horrible, really] Sex & The City movie, Carrie and the girls take a wild trip to Abu Dhabi. While out shopping, Carrie runs into her ex-fiance, and show favorite, Aidan. Prior to this run in, Carrie makes a purchase from a street vendor who is selling beautiful jeweled shoes... AND traditional Indian Kajal eyeliners. This sets the scene for a later part in the film where Carrie applies the eyeliner and then gets into lots of trouble with Aidan. We will just leave it there...

These types of eye liners date all the way back to Ancient Egypt, a la Cleopatra... but are still worn today in many Indian and Asian cultures. You've probably seen similar types of

eye kohls

produced by all the major beauty brands, but lately the more traditional kajal formulas are popping up too!

Kajals typically come in a cone-shaped applicator, and contain deep tones of natural pigment, that are laced with oils to give them a super creamy texture that is perfect for inner-eye lining. 

The liners are made for sultry looks, and they are typically worn around the entire rim of the eye with a flick on each corner. If you've been wanting to try a new take on your eye makeup routine- this is a really fun way to start. I've seen the Kajals by both

Maybelline

and

Physicians Formula

at my local stores, and no doubt more brands will be jumping in on the action soon too.

Here's a look at how I've been wearing mine. To get the perfect extended cat eye, use my super high-tech trick: fold a facial tissue in half, then again a few times until you have a nice thick folded edge. Place the folded edge at the corner of your eye on the the angle you want your cat eye to sweep. Then, simply trace your liner across the edge of the tissue, for a perfectly straight line that extends as high as you want it to! Easy as pie.

Let me know if you pick up any of these Kajal type liners and what your thoughts are. I am really liking the way they apply so smoothly, but I am still working on the best way to set them so they don't migrate as the day goes on.

xo

PS- anyone remember that music group called 'Cleopatra'?

One hit wonder...

 'comin at-cha'!

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FIRST LOOK: ONE DIRECTION MAKEUP COLLECTION

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Hello lovlies! Thanks so much for stopping by today. If you've been a reader of mine for a while you may know about my fascination with celebrity endorsed or designed products... I am always drawn to them, even though I usually am very skeptical about the amount of involvement the famous faces

actually

have with the creation of these products. (Although sometimes I am wrong, 

click this post

 to see when that happens)

'One Direction: They are cute. They can sing. They wear really tight pants. And now they sell makeup. Ok.'

This line is no different. I highly doubt that the 5 members of One Direction actually had much to say or do with the development of their new makeup collection, after all- they most likely have a lot of things on their plates... and don't wear hot pink lipstick too often themselves. But I still wanted to check it out and give you a first look at their

Up All Night

collection that launches on August 11th at Macys.

Take a look at the

video

below to see what you get in each box, and to see my first impression on the makeup itself.

To get more info on the makeup collection by One Direction, you can follow along over on this

facebook page

, and read up on each collection and its' contents

here

. If you are ready to join in the fun, you can shop the makeup starting on August 11th at

Macys

.

Adios!

PR samples were provided to the beauty snoop by brandbacker

THE MATTE LIPS YOU'LL LOVE FOR NEXT SEASON

1- Glace

2-Tatin

3-Sucre

4-Peche

5-Fraise

6-Framboise

No but seriously, I have been stalking Bite Beautys' every move since they came on the scene, and let me tell you- they are leading the pack when it comes to lip products and development of formulas that just wow me every time. The lip-only line is available at Sephora, and these newest additions are so good it hurts. Matte finishes have swept the beauty world by storm this year, and I for one love the sophisticated look they give any outfit or hair style.

The Bite lip crayons are so easy to use because they are like a liner and lipstick all in one tube. The formula is creamy and easy to apply, comes in the perfect sized automatic pencil applicator, and stays put for hours. Not to mention the pigments are super rich and opaque which makes for the perfect matte look.  To say I have been 'bitten' by these, is a totally cheesy pun, but I'm stick'n with it! And I hear that there will be an additional 6 new shades for Fall out next month, and I am so excited to see them. Which color is your fav?

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5 QUICK TIPS FOR PREVENTING A MAKEUP MELTDOWN

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 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 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:

Products Used in Video:

Olie Rejuvenating Oil

Becca The One Perfecting Brush

St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse

Infinity Sun Glow on the Go

Budget Friendly Products and Brushes:

TanWise Bronzing Mousse

ELF Beautifully Precise Brush

ELF Ultimate Kabuki Brush

Sending love to you sculpted, tan faces! xo

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FIRST LOOK: REVLON COLORSTAY MOISTURE STAIN REVIEW

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

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!

*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

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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NOW TRENDING: COBALT BLUE EYE LINER

*This story was originally seen on

FabFitFun.com

Red carpets everywhere have been taken over with blue — blue eyeliner, that is! Style setters like Taylor Swift and January Jones have both worn the look lately, and I can’t help but love the glamorous results. Cobalt is a great alternative to black liner and is perfect when paired with a coordinating blue shade in your ensemble. Taylor opted for a smudged smokey eye, while January went with a bold edgy cat eye. Here is how you can get the look:

For the smokey eye, opt for a pencil or kohl formula in a deep navy or darker shade of cobalt. Trace the upper lash line with a thick line of the color, then sweep a thinner line on the bottom lashes from the outer corner to just past your pupil. Keep the inner corner free from the blue color to avoid any color melting that could make you look sallow. Next take a flat and compact shadow brush and blend out the line using small back-and-forth strokes on both lash lines to create a softer smokey look like T. Swift’s.

Blue Liner

Sapphire

 |  

Pink Lips

Back to the Fuchsia 

To get a sharp cat eye like miss January Jones’, work with a bright blue liquid liner that has a flexible felt tip for precision. With your eye relaxed and just slightly open, trace the flick portion of the cat eye starting at the outermost corner of the eye and then angling up towards the edge of your brow. The longer you make this flick, the more dramatic the overall look will be. Next, trace from the midpoint of the flick back down to the center of the eye running parallel to the lash line. Finally, use the lightest pressure and place the liner tip on the inner corner of the lash line then apply slightly more pressure as you draw back and connect with your previous line in the center of the eye.

What do you guys think of Cobalt Eyes? Too 80's, or just right-for

right now

? I have really loved to see colored liners making a comeback, for more inspo you can revisit my Jewel 

Toned Liners post

here

. 

Hope your week is treating you well! xo

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

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-

THE MAGIC OF CC CREAMS // WITH STUDIO5 TV

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

ASK THE EXPERT: WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DRY PATCHES ON MY FACE? MY FOUNDATION LOOKS SPLOTCHY!

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It's our final episode of

Ask the Expert

in my Skin & Makeup Series- at least for now. But we are ending the run with a great topic sent in via

instagram

by reader @btrumbo. She asks, '

What are your best tips for foundation and dry skin. My foundation absorbs into my skin making it look splotchy and flaky, help!

'

Well I've got some great advice and product recommendations in the

video

below. Take a look and find the answer. And remember that you don't have to be extremely dry skinned to benefit from these products... I promise your face will glow no matter what complexion you have. mmmm, this one is a good one!

Wearing: 

Lace Sleeve Blouse

c/o Oasap

Products Mentioned in Video:

Beautisol Citrus Face Scrub

(coupon code: 'BOGO2014' for Buy 1, get 1 free!)

Olie Biologique Rejuvenating Oil

(coupon code: 'olieBB05' for 20% off!)

Dermalogica Hydrating Booster

(coupon code: BOOST' for 15% off!)

Thanks for stopping by today, hope I helped any of you looking for some dry skin tips!

Too vote in the Allure Beauty Blogger contest, click

here

xoxo

*Sample products were requested by The Beauty Snoop and provided by iFabbo and Brandbacker

THE FOUNDATION I CANNOT STOP BUYING!

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!

NOW TRENDING: TICKLED PINK LIDS

*** This article was first seen on

FabFitFun.com

Looking for a fresh makeup trend to kick off your springtime routine? Take a page from this trending book, and add a fresh pop of pink to your lids. The subtle ballet-slipper pink adds a feminine touch that is perfect to pair with your springtime floral and pastel wardrobe. Celebrities like Cate Blanchett have worn the look on the red carpet, and pink lids were a big trend during fashion month on catwalks all over the world. It’s a look that wears beautifully on all skin tones and is perfect for daytime office beauty as well as glammed-up nighttime styles.

To get the look, sweep a creme shadow all over the lid starting just above the crease line and down into the lashes. Cream shadows are ideal for pale colors because they pack more pigment and will give more color in less layers. Or opt for a powder shadow with a shimmer that will reflect the light and give major attention to the color of your eyes. Looking for just a hint of pink? Replace your white highlight with the pink version, and sweep the hue under the eyebrow and on the inner corners of your eyes for an instant eye-brightening effect.

Complement the look with a matching pale cheek and a few coats of black mascara, and your springtime beauty will be updated, feminine, and on-trend. To get the look, try these products

:

1. 

Clinique Chubby Stick in Pink & Plenty

2. 

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Ballet Pink

3. 

Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow in Diamond Pink

4. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Pomegranate Pink

 (In love with every shade of these!)

5. 

L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow in Glistening Garnet 

Ok lovlies, it's time to tell me what you think of this trend? Is it one that you'll be trying this Spring- or are you not a fan of the baby pink tone? Tell me in the comments below, and don't forget to come follow along for more fun on

instagram

.