BEST OF LASHES & BROWS

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Best Lashes & Brows of 2018:

  • Lower Lash Mascara:Wet n' Wild Skinny Mascara Waterproof $5 My fav mascara that doesn't budge and end up all over my face. The skinny brush makes application easy on delicate lower lashes too!

  • Mascara:Essence The False Lashes $5 BIG volume and lots of curl. This has been such a great discovery and one I repurchased 4 times in 2018! That tells you how much I love it and it's great price point.

  • Brow Pencil:Wet n Wild Retractable Brow Pencil $4 This is a slightly waxy pencil that sticks to the skin nicely as well as adds color to the brow hairs themselves. The triangle shape of the pencil itself allows for really nice flicks when drawing on hairs. So great!

  • Brow Gel:Glossier Boy Brow $16 This little tube is powerful and easy to use. The formula is a nice combo of fiber and gel- which adds the perfect thickness to the brows. Once it's dry the color and hold last all day. Worth the price in my opinion and again something I repurchase over and over last year.

  • Tweezer:Tweezerman Slanted Mini Tweezer $15 Tiny and precise! The mini size gives you extra control and allows for a tight grip near the blades.

  • Lash Curler:Shiseido Lash Curler $22 (mine is a limited edition with gemed handle which isn't available anymore) It truly is the best out there and warrants the awards it's received by the beauty community. A great purchase that can be used for years to come, simply replace the pad when it begins to break down over time.

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2019 COLOR OF THE YEAR // LIVING CORAL

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This years Pantone Color of the Year is Living Coral- described as a 

coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.

I love this color in terms of beauty products because it is universally flattering, and easy to wear. It is also a favorite color for many women already, so I am excited to see it take center stage in 2019. [

video here

]

Products recommended:

Are you excited about the Color of the Year!? xo

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BEST OF SHADOW

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Best of Shadow 2018:

  • Palette: Urban Decay Born to Run $49 My FAVORITE palette of 2018 was easily this one! It has every color you will ever need and checks all the boxes for pigment payoff, blendability, and texture. I love that it contains warm tones, cool tones and neutrals- as well as matte and shimmer options. The color combos are endless with this one, and I couldn't reccomend it more.

  • Cream Shadow:Milk Makeup Eye Pigment $24 When it comes to staying power, these metallic cream shadows are undeniable. They are easy to apply with a finger, and only a pinpoint amount is needed. Although they are expensive- they last! I have had mine over a year, and have barely made a dent in the tube.

  • Sparkle/Metallic:Stila Glitter & Glow $24 I can't live without a little glitter in my life- and these continue to be the best glitter makeup on the market. I increased my collection this year and now have about 12 of these. I find they take any eyeshadow look from good to GREAT with very little effort. A little sparkle never hurts! Over age 40? Try the Shimmer option instead of the glitter option for a more mature look.

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BEST OF CHEEKS

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Best of Cheeks 2018:

  • Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer $15 a favorite of mine this year and many years past, I just can't quit this stuff! I've tried many others but always come back to this one. The cool toned color is spot on, the formula is buttery soft, and the scent is like a mini vacation to the beach. I switch to the light tone in the Winter- but love the original color too!

  • Blush:Lottie London Blush Crush $6 I discovered this British brand at Forever21 and because of the great packaging and price point, I scooped up a couple of their blushes. A year later and they're pretty much the only ones I use on a daily basis. A beautiful blendable formula with MAJOR color payoff- a little goes a really long way. Find them online only at Ulta

  • Highlighter:Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duo $18 When you're looking for a glowy finish, look no further than these beautiful highlighters. The formula is soft and almost putty like, so it applies best with a finger for maximum metallic payoff. Apply to the high points of the face for a beautiful light reflection. Also wears beautifully as an eyeshadow.

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BEST OF SKINCARE

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Best of Skincare 2018 winners:

  • Eye Cream: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme $38 This little jar has changed my under eye area dramatically. My skin less discolored and the fine lines have diminished as well. It's full of vitamin C to brighten skins appearance upon application, but repeated use over time brightens skin tone on a deeper more permanent level. I apply this at night.

  • Eye Depuffer: Kate Somerville Goat Milk DePuffing Eye Balm $38 Wake up feeling less than awake? Welcome to my life #notamorningperson But this little stick of goodness is a life saver! The Goat Milk soothes and calms, and the balmy formula fills in pores and texture under the eye so that makeup glides on easily. I use this EVERY morning.

  • Primer/ Moisturizer: Glossier Priming Moisturizer / Priming Moisturizer Rich $22 I love the lighter formula in the warmer months, and switch to the Rich formula when its cold outside and my skin runs drier. Both are non greasy, super hydrating and prep the skin for makeup beautifully. This has cut out my need for a primer all together!

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BEST OF BRUSHES

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I get asked about my brushes EVERY time I post a tutorial on

instagram

! It's a hot topic- so today I bring you;

2018 Best of Brushes:

  • Liquid/Cream Foundation-It Cosmetics Heavenly Skin Smoothing Brush $48 Worth the hefty price tag! It blends and smooths foundation like no other I've ever tried- it also washes nicely and never sheds bristles.

  • Concealer Blender-Pixi Strobe and Sculpt Double Ended Brush $14 The Domed end blends under eye concealer perfectly with its soft touch and perfect shape. I used the other end to set my concealer with loose powder. I great price and a great brush!

  • Blush/Bronzer-Real Techniques Blush Brush $9 I have two- I love them so much and the price cannot be beat! Fluffy and soft to blend blush, bronzer or powder in a snap.

  • Large All Over Shadow-Japonesque All Over Eye Brush $15 Hard to find- but worth the search. I use this brush in every eye look to quickly and efficiently blend my shadows. It's BIG but that's why it works so fast.

  • Eye Shadow Must Haves-Fluffy Blending Brush, Tapered Blending Brush, Domed Pencil Brush $6/ each (Or a set of four for $19) I tried these affordable brushes on a whim and boy am I glad I did! They are soft, cut well, and work like a charm! The fluffy blender is my go-to, but I reccomend you buy the whole set so you'll have everything you need!

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BEST OF LIPS

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Best of Lips 2018 Winners:

  • Lipstick: Elf Matte Lip Color $3 Although its called 'Matte', it is more like a Satin finish in my book. A very light sheen adds to the comfort of this formula, plus the colors are beautifully opaque. I also love the small size of the bullet making it easy to get a clean application.

  • Lip Gloss:Covergirl Katy Kat Gloss $8 The formula is spot on! Not too sticky- but just sticky enough, comfortable and moisturizing on the lips, and opaque with beautiful colors to choose from. (although there are a couple oddball shades like blue that just need to be ignored)

  • Lip Liner:Wet n Wild Gel Liner $3 I don't have time or the desire to have to sharpen anything. So retractable options are the only ones for me! This formula glides on nicely because of the gel, but also stays smudge proof all day once it dries down.

Which lippie was your top contender this year? xo

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BEST OF FACE

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2018 Winners for FACE makeup include:

  • Foundation:LA Girl Pro Coverage Foundation $9 The foundation I wore far more than any other in 2018! It's got a beautiful finish that is glowy, but nicely covers redness and spots. Plus the price is just right!

  • Concealer:First Aid Beauty Bendy Avocado Concealer $22 Worth the hype and worth the cost! Not only blends like a dream, but covers under eyes and spots with great staying power. I have not ventured to another concealer after trying this one for the last 6 months!

  • Powder:Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder $8 Comparable to the high-end favorites out there that are three times the price- this powder is so finely milled it blends without looking cakey or chalky. I wear the transparent shade to set my concealer, but there are also more tones to choose for that will offer additional coverage if you're looking for more.

What were your favs in the face category this year?

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HOLIDAY SPARKLE IN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE

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NYX Duo Chrome Lip Gloss, Stila Glitter & Glow, CAI Hair Glitter, imPress Press on Nails

This time of year we've got lots of excuses to dress up and add a little more sparkle into our beauty routine, here are a few of my favorite ways to add glitter and sparkle into your beauty looks: [

video here

] I suggest you just pick one area to focus on... no need to look like a disco ball!

Makeup

Hair

  • Cai All That Glitters My fav for adding some MAJOR glitter to your locks. Start with a simple hairstyle like a sleek low pony, then swipe a small dusting of glitter near the elastic.

Nails

  • imPress Press on Nails Easy nails with a peel and stick application. I swear by them for an instant manicure that lasts about a week, plus the Holiday collection is always sparkling and so festive.

Happy [sparkly] Holidays! xo

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LUSH LASHES WITHOUT EXTENSIONS

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This time of year- we've got more excuses to get a little dazzled up! And lush lashes really make any look really pop! But if you're like me, lash extensions are a little more maintenance than you may want to take on. So instead I am sharing a few ways to enhance those lashes in other ways... [

video here

]

Products Mentioned

Here's to lashes that make you feel and look your best! xo

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BUDGET BEAUTY BREAKDOWN

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Hey lovelies! Thanks for stopping by- today's post is a wrap up from my latest Pinners Conference class:

Budget Beauty Breakdown

. If you were in attendance, THANK YOU! If you missed it, you can still benefit from these slides that will give you a great starting point to build your budget friendly beauty bag. These are my

top beauty picks under $5, under $10, and under $20

. 

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HONEY LOVE // BUZZWORTHY BEAUTY PRODUCTS

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bee venom mask, honey makeup primer, honey shampoo and conditioner, honey beauty products

Honey is an ingredient we know in love- but often don't associate it with beauty care products. If you start to pay attention though, you'll notice just how many beauty products out there contain honey as a key ingredient... What's to love about honey?

It is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory making it great in skincare products. It's hydrating and repairing- perfect for hair care. And it's soothing and nourishing as a body care ingredient!

Here are six of my favs to keep an eye out for: [

VIDEO HERE]

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IS DRY SHAMPOO BAD FOR YOUR SCALP?

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We've come to use and rely on

Dry Shampoos

to extend the life of our hairstyles and help us skip a wash or two during the week- but it's important to spend a little extra time on the days we DO wash, to ensure that our scalp health remains in tact. Otherwise our scalps can begin to have issues with bacteria growth, clogged hair follicles or even (in RARE cases) hair loss.

Be smart and use common sense with your Dry Shampoos, and you'll be fine! If your scalp has become dry, flaky or irritated- then you may need to lay off the Dry Shampoo and only use it once a week. If you notice bumps in the scalp, like acne, you've got clogged follicles that need a breather until they heal. And if there's any sort of smell coming from the scalp, things have progressed to an unsafe level where bacteria could be growing. [

video here

]

Here are some

basic Dry Shampoo tips:

1-

Limit use of Dry Shampoo to 2 days in a row

followed by a thorough double washing on day 3.

2-

Only use on dry hair!

Once moisture from sweat or humidity is involved bacteria will begin to form and a traditional shampoo is needed to cleanse the scalp.

3-

Spray Dry Shampoo on the underside of the HAIR itself

, not aimed directly at the scalp/skin.

Once every other week or so, it's a great idea to spend a little extra time on your scalp. Thoroughly loosening and cleansing the scalp ensures your skin and follicles are getting proper blood circulation and your hair will look and feel better as a result. 

Three Scalp Health Products:

How many days in a row are your reaching for Dry Shampoo? Does this make you think twice?

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MAKEUP TIPS FOR MATURE SKIN

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Mature skin, Makeup for mature skin, women over 50 makeup

You asked for it- and it's here! My top

tips for applying makeup once your skin has hit that 'mature' mark

. I know I am not there yet, so you may be thinking, 'Megan, what do you know!?' and I can see your point. But as a working makeup artist for over 15 years, and as someone who STUDIES the industry like a crazy person, I do think I know a few things that could be really helpful to you!

So here are a few of my recommended tips and products that will leave you feeling more confident and beautiful no matter your age. [

video here

]

Over 50? Do This...  Not That

  • Do Lift Brows with Highlight and Natural Brow Strokes... Don't overly pencil in harsh brows when your hairs are scarce, you'll draw more attention to the scarcity and visually weigh the eye down. Chella Highlight Stick // NYX Micro Brow Pencil

  • Do use blush on the higher points of the cheeks to accentuate and lift cheekbones... Don't streak blush across the length of the cheekbone, or focus on the front apple of the cheek. This will bring the look of the cheek down lower on the face and accentuate loss of volume on the cheeks. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush

  • Do conceal the undereye all the way across the cheekbone to the temple using a color that is close to your skin tone... Don't conceal only the moon shape under eyes in the socket or use overly bright/light tones. This will only cause more contrast next to the shadows of your fine lines and make them appear darker and deeper. La Girl Peach Corrector and Concealer

  • Do define lashes with a soft line of shadow... Don't use harsh/black eyeliner around the eye it will close down the eye, accentuate loose skin and age you up. Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Chocolate Bar Palette

  • Do use a clear lip liner and powdered lipstick to keep lip color from feathering into fine lines... don't use a waxy/ glossy or wet lipstick that will travel and accentuate lines around the lips. Pixi Clear Lip Liner // Karity Lip Lock

Bonus* Your questions answered here [

video here

]

What do you guys think? Helpful? Let me know, xo

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THE POWER OF ROSE? LOVE IT, OR HATE IT?

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Fall 2018 Biggest Beauty Trend: Rose

Fall 2018 in the beauty world is all about

the power of Rose

. We are seeing Rose Water, Rose Oil. and Rose scent in just about ever category in the beauty spectrum. I've rounded up a few of my picks for those of you who like to smell the roses! [

video here

]

Products Mentioned:

What do you think about rose? Let me know over on

instagram

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10 FALL BEAUTY FINDS THAT ARE SO COOL!

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Fall is in the air! Hallelujah! I was ready for Summer break to be over about a month ago, anyone else relate?

Autumn time is exciting in the beauty world- we get the iconic 'Beauty Issue' from Allure that becomes my guide throughout the year... PLUS beauty brands come out with some of their biggest launches of the year. I scoured the newest products out there, tested them, and rounded up my top 10 finds for Fall 2018.

Take a look: [

video here

]

Products Mentioned:

Makeup:

  • Urban Decay Lip Mousse Super lightweight matte formula that you can wear as a wash of color, or layer up for full pigment.

  • Maybelline Brow Tint Pen 4 tiny hair strokes in a single swipe- great for sparse brows that need to be filled in on the skin itself

  • NYX Foil Play Creme Pigment (The color Happie Hippie is not formulated well, but all the rest are beautiful!) A loose shimmer pigment that transforms into a creme- it's a little messy so use it before foundation... but it's beautiful!

  • Ulta Glow By Morning Tan Drops Add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer to add a natural glow to your face and neck, just be sure you wash your hands after application.

Hair:

Skincare:

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BEST OF: SKIN PREPPERS & SKIN FINISHERS

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

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

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

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

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

video here

]

Fav Prep Mists:

Fav Finish Mists:

What are your favorite sprays? Let me know, xo

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4 RULES TO WEAR HAIR BOWS AS A GROWN UP

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We've seen a growing trend popping up on our instagram feeds- grown women wearing girly hair accessories! It's one of my favorite trends in years... so much so that I decided to open up my own online bow shop! [bonjourbobby.com]

The accessories are playful and fun, and can add a major pop to a simple outfit. But it can be tricky to wear them without looking childish, so here are my tips! [video here]

1- The Fabric

Look for more MATURE fabrics- like Velvet, Linen, Leather, Chiffon or Satin. These more grown up fabrics bring the level of sophistication up and are more age appropriate.

2- Prints & Patterns

Avoid shopping in the little girl sections of the store for your wares... rainbows, unicorns, and sparkles should be left to the little ones. Instead opt for patterns that are classic and timeless- think stripes, polka dots, plaids, and paisley.

3- Style them carefully

It's important to avoid bow placement that looks too young- the places we see you girls wear bows are typically near the front of the face or on the top of the head. Instead 'hide' the bows slightly so that they aren't front and center in your style. Behind the head, or on the base of a ponytail or bun are great places to add your accessories.

4- When in doubt, keep it small

If you like the idea of adding an accessory, but hesitate- start with smaller pieces, like decorative elastics or smaller scrunchies. Avoid the LARGE pieces and you'll feel more comfortable with this trend.  

What do you think about this trend, would you try it? xo Check out

BonjourBobby.com

for more cute accessories too!

THE PERM IS BACK?!

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PERM- it's a four letter word... literally of course, but also figuratively as well.

Why is that? Well, in my opinion, perms are associated with bad memories. Women remember them from their pasts, and the subsequent frizzy hairstyles that followed in our younger years. And hairstylists are somewhat afraid of the perm- because it's a service that we can't fully control the results of. We never want you to leave unhappy, and that fear of the unknown and the possible disappointment- makes many stylists avoid the perm all together.

The perm is not going to become mainstream again, but it is going to be seen and heard more often in salons. We've already seen a few celebs jump on the bandwagon and share their results online. So today on Studio5 we took a trip to the salon with a brave volunteer and delved into the return of the perm, take a look! [

video here

]

And if you've got some wave in your hair already, here are a few of my favorite curl enhancers to give your style a bit more of the beach. [

video here

]

Products mentioned:

Would you rock an updated perm? Let me know in the comments below. xo

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DE-PUFF YOUR FACE WITH THESE COOL MASSAGE TOOLS

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Do you ever wake up and think to your self, 'wow, I look like a got punched in the face during my sleep last night!' ??? Ya, me too... its part of life- especially on the mornings after eating or drinking poorly the night before.

Waking up puffy is simply normal [and totally frustrating] but as the day wears on typically the puffiness subsides as the fluids underneath our skin begin to drain. But what if I told you that you can help the fluid systems under your skin (the Lymphatic system) to drain more readily and avoid the puffiness all together!?

Enter:

Facial Massage

Not only is it relaxing, it is super beneficial for the look and tone of the skin. Massage helps to encourage collagen production, helps to tighten the skin, helps to strengthen the muscles of the face, and most importantly drain the lymphatic fluids found just under the surface of the skin. [

video here

]

There are three main types of tools used in facial massage [outside of your hands, which work well- but just be sure they are super clean!] the Roller, the Vibrating Bar, and the Sonic Massager. There are several brands out there that make these devices- but here are a look at the three I use and love.

Just like with any exercise, results won't happen with just once-in-a-while use. I reccomend adding the massage into your nightly routine after cleansing. Spend a full two minutes on the massage- working in upward strokes, and you'll see major improvement within the first few nights. Use the massage tool of your choice with a serum or an oil for added benefits and relaxation too.

xo

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