Jen Clark

The 5 Lip Colors I’ll Be Wearing This Spring

April 20th, 2016 by Jen Clark 32 Comments

Once springtime rolls around, I get this crazy bug where all I want to do is change up my lip color. Not gonna lie, things get pretty boring for my lips once the weather gets gloomy… So, now that the windows are open and the sandals are out, so are my spring lip colors.

NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Lace Detail

What’s been living on my lips lately and making appearances in too many of my Instagrams and blog posts? NYX Lingerie liquid lipstick in Lace Detail. It is the best nude I have ever owned in my whole life.

Yes, that is a bold statement, but I am sticking to it.

It’s right on trend, too, with its slightly deeper shade, right between a pink and brown. And, it’s matte. You can’t forget about the matte finish.

Yes, it is drying and slightly uncomfortable…but I don’t care! It just looks so good!

NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Lace Detail

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Cannes

If you’re one of those gals who just can’t stand a drying liquid lipstick, no matter how hard you try, let me show you this one. It’s the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Cannes. It’s a matte, but it doesn’t feel like one. It’s more like a mousse-y texture, and I find it oh, so delightful.

Not to mention, it smells like delicious vanilla. It’s like my spring version of a wintery maroon shade — a little bit deep, but it still feels like it’s meant for warmer weather.

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3 of My Favorite Affordable Unsung Makeup Heroes

April 19th, 2016 by Jen Clark 34 Comments

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of our all-time favorite permanent collection products.

When I was looking through all of my makeup, trying to decide what I should write about for a Makeup Unsung Heroes post, I realized that most of what I have are things that everyone else loves, and that’s probably why I bought them. Rarely do I just go out and buy a product because I think it looks good. But sometimes those are the best ones!

Here are three products that I sort of took a chance on and ended up loving, and I think you might like them, too. 🙂

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

When I heard about Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder, it was only about $7 bucks, and I was using a super expensive Makeup Forever powder at the time. I wanted to find something cheaper, and I was really loving how loose powders worked, especially for baking under the eyes.

The first time I tried it, I used my beautyblender and pressed it into my concealer under my eyes. The soft formula made my under-eye area feel like silk, ’cause it kind of absorbed the concealer. It made everything look perfect under my eyes, and that’s mostly why I love it.

I also use it to set the rest of my face, and here’s a trick. If you put a little bit more than you normally would where you’re going to be putting your contour, that helps your contour not go all patchy, like mine tends to do sometimes. It just helps everything blend so much better on top.

If you’re really sensitive to scented makeup, this is probably the strongest smelling makeup item I have. It literally smells like the strongest synthetic floral scent in the word, and it reminds me of how my mom’s makeup used to smell in the ’90s. Good thing I can only smell it when I’m applying it, and I don’t smell it on my face the rest of the day.

But just a fair warning if you’re super sensitive to fragrances.

unsung makeup heroes coty airspun powder — Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder ($7)

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Use Double-Duty Products to Get Your Busy Booty out the Door Faster

April 14th, 2016 by Jen Clark 16 Comments

If you’re at all like me, most days you don’t even have time to find matching socks and brush your hair, let alone put on makeup, before rushing out the door. Luckily, I have a trick that may help out a little. Several of the products that you probably use when you DO have time to wear makeup can be used for more than one purpose, so they can help you cut down on the time it takes to get ready. Let me show ya!

Concealer/Eye Primer

Concealer is one of those magic products that I always keep close by because it can be used for so many different things. In this case, I’m using it to conceal underneath my eyes and to prime my eyelids for eyeshadow. To cut down on time even further, you can even use it to conceal problem areas instead of using foundation.

One of my favorites at the moment is Revlon Colorstay Concealer.

When using concealer as an eye primer, make sure you only use a tiny amount, and blend it in really well. If you glob it on, that’ll make your shadows crease and move around, and that’s not what you want! Not only is the concealer going to make your shadows look more vibrant and last longer, but it will help to even out any little veins that you have peeking through your lids.

Contour Kit/Eyeshadow

This is a trick I like to use even when I’m not in a hurry, and it’s also great for travel.

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The Easiest Eye Look That Complements Even the Craziest Lip Colors

April 12th, 2016 by Jen Clark 36 Comments

OCC Lip Tar in "Hoochie" — OCC Lip Tar in “Hoochie”

This is probably really weird, but as I’m laying in bed at night, I’ll close my eyes and think about what makeup I want to wear the next day. I’ll think about the specific colors, products, and techniques I want to use…

Does anyone else do this? Just me? Dang it!

Sometimes, I’ll have a really fun lip color that I’m dying to wear, but I’ll have a hard time thinking of what to wear on my eyes that won’t clash with it. Lucky for me — and maybe you — I’ve come up with the easiest eye look out there that goes with any color you can think of, like bright purple!

The other awesome thing about this trick is that you can find colors for it almost anywhere. I bet you $50 (you can email me for my Venmo name ☺ ) that you already have two colors just like these in your collection.

I used the Morphe 35O palette just because I think the mattes in the palette are the best! A mid-toned matte neutral brown and a darker matte neutral brown are all you need, and what I mean by neutral is that neither one is too warm or cool toned, so it’ll go with any shade you wear on your lips.

To start out, using a Mac 217 blending brush or something similar (almost every brand makes something similar), blend the lighter brown shade all over your lid and through the crease.

I like to pull the color outward beyond the corner of my eye to make my eye look more elongated, but feel free to create any shape that suits you.

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My Honest First Impressions of Honest Beauty

April 5th, 2016 by Jen Clark 27 Comments

I think Jessica Alba is one of the most gorgeous women ON EARTH, and I’ve been wanting to try her Honest Beauty makeup line.

“Honest Beauty is doing beauty differently. We’re proud to create a comprehensive line of skincare and makeup that celebrates diverse beauty and brings out your best.

“Every product has been years in the making and reflects the passion, expertise and standards of The Honest Company. With the advice and insights of top makeup artists, cosmetic scientists and beauty industry professionals worldwide, we’ve developed a collection that’s as effective as it is safe.

You’ll love the fresh, radiant look of your skin and the high-impact, flawless finish of our cosmetics. We’re here to make you look as good as you feel. And that’s honestly beautiful.”

— honestbeauty.com

Honest Beauty is geared toward natural products that are made without parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances and all of that other gross stuff that everyone seems to be wary of these days.

I picked out a few things from the line to try, and here are my first impressions.

Honest Beauty Everything Primer Luminous Base ($27)

I haven’t always been a big primer user, but lately I’ve noticed that they do make a difference in how my makeup looks.

I love me a good glowy primer that’s going to shine through my foundation to make it look like I just have this naturally glowing skin, which I don’t. 🙁 Sad day.

Honest Beauty has this Everything Primer Luminous Base that I was particularly excited to try. Sadly, though, it doesn’t work well for me. While I think the glow is pretty, it seems to exaggerate the bumpy texture of my skin and cling to areas that are a little dry.

If you’re looking for a great luminizing primer, I wouldn’t splash out $27 on this number. I would go the more affordable route with something like L’oreal True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator.

Honest Beauty Luminizing Powder in Midnight Reflection ($25)

The Luminizing Powder in Midnight Reflection has been living in my Travel Makeup Bag ever since the first time I used it several weeks ago. It’s gorgeous when used as a subtle highlight, or when I use it all over my face when I want to resemble a disco ball (in a pretty way). It just makes the skin look glowing and perfect. That’s all I have to say about it. I love it; try it.

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Too Faced La Crème Color Drenched Lipstick Swatches

March 28th, 2016 by Jen Clark 32 Comments

We live in a world filled with uncomfortably drying matte lipsticks.

They are EVERYWHERE!

But I took a much-needed break from the discomfort with the Cruelty Free Lipsticks by Too Faced this week, and let me tell ya, it felt gooood.

These lipsticks are smooth and balmy with a surprising color payoff. Normally, when I go for moisture and comfort, the appearance takes a hit, but not this time! Even with nasty, cracked lips with dry patches (I have notoriously dry lips, mm yummy), these smooth over the top and make them look a lot better than they did, and I appreciate the heck out of that.

There are 22 gorgeous shades to choose from, 10 of them being brand-spankin’ new! There are a couple of perfect nudes, some amazing pinks, and even some stunning darker vamp-y shades.

I just have to gush over the packaging for a sec… Ugh, it feels so luxurious! There’s something about a heavily weighted golden lipstick tube that just makes you feel a little bit better about life, and I love to wear these partly for the experience of putting them on.

I doubt that I’m the only one who feels that way, or at least, I hope I’m not the only one who gets that excited about lipstick. 🙂

Now, I’m just going to warn you, but beware of the shades with glitter/shimmer in them, and there are quite a few, because this is not a subtle glitter. I’m talking, I felt like I could have been the sixth member of the Spice Girls. You may now call me Shimmer Spice.

I’m not saying I hate them. In fact, part of me loves them! Just make sure you’re aware that they pack a punch if you plan to order online. Take a peek at the swatches down below if you want to see what I’m talking about, although it’s not as obvious as it is in real life.

Too Faced La Creme Color Drenched Lipstick in Unicorn Tears — “Unicorn Tears” — an iridescent shimmer

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AmorePacific Sheet Mask Makes for A Perfect Skin Day

March 25th, 2016 by Jen Clark 16 Comments

You know the old saying, “beauty is pain”? Well, in this case, you get all of the beauty while your loved ones endure the pain of looking at your terrifying face in this sheet mask!

The AmorePacific Moisture Bound Intensive Serum Masque is such a luxurious treat. Infused with 100% pure Bamboo sap and a blend of Asian botanicals, it moisturizes, plumps and firms.

If you’ve got an event where you need your skin to look its best, or your skin is just dull, dry and tired and you need a pick-me-up, look no further than right here.

The package comes with two treatments for $32, so this will definitely be a once in a while luxury for me. I’ll always keep a pack on hand, though, because they are THAT good. They’re one of those things that just make your skin look better.

It’s hard to find the words to exactly describe what happens between the time when you put one on and you take it off, but whatever it is, it’s magic.

This one is a little different than other sheet masks I’ve tried, because rather than the mask being pre-soaked in a solution, you get a little vial of the serum and a dry, gel textured mask. All you have to do is dump the serum on your face and spread it around.

There’s quite a lot of it, so be warned — things get a little slippery.

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Get the Too Faced The Sweeter Side of Sexy 4-Piece Collection for $49 This Wednesday, an HSN Daily Special! #TOOFACEDXHSN

March 22nd, 2016 by Jen Clark 16 Comments

HSN is doing something crazy!

They’re selling this amazing Too Faced The Sweeter Side Of Sexy Makeup Collection for $49 this Wednesday (as of this moment, that’s tomorrow). Take advantage of this, people. It’s a great deal (HSN’s regular price is $59).

Not only do you get what looks like a giant chocolate bar…but it’s filled with some of the best Too Faced products. You get four full-sized items for $49 (AND free shipping), including the coveted Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette (regularly $49 all by itself), a Better Than Sex Mascara ($23), a Shadow Insurance Eyeshadow Primer ($20), and the Love Flush Long Lasting Blush in Justify My Love ($26). That’s a $118 value for $49! #TOOFACEDXHSN

“Too Faced The Sweeter Side of Sexy 4-piece Collection with 1-Year Allure Magazine Who doesn’t love chocolate in all its forms? Take your indulgence a step further with this kit that showcases a cocoa-infused collection of eyeshadows. Decadently rich pigments give you endless color possibilities, and a long-wearing shadow primer helps lock it all down. Finish your look with a bold, beautiful blush and a swipe of luxe, smudge-proof mascara. It might not be edible, but this complete collection is just as scrumptious as the real deal. (No drooling, please).”

— hsn.com

What you get

0.56 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette

0.21 oz. Love Flush 16-Hour Blush – Justify My Love (bright pink with fine gold sparkle)

0.35 oz. Shadow Insurance Eyeshadow Primer

0.27 fl. oz. Better Than Sex Mascara – Black

1-year Allure magazine subscription –> a nice extra

Not even kidding — all four of these products have been staples in my makeup collection, so ya know…I’m pretty much an expert on how well they all work.

The Semi Sweet Chocolate bar palette was given to me for Christmas 2014, and I have used little else since then. The shade selection is everything! You can create so many different looks, and you have everything that you need. There’s no need to go digging into another palette for a matte transition shade or an uber pigmented matte black because they’re already in here. The shadows blend like a dream and have amazing color payoff, to boot.

Not to mention, it smells like hot chocolate. 🙂 Every time you open the palette, it’s like opening a container of hot chocolate on a cold night, as the powder slowly spirals upward towards your nostrils, and you get a whiff of that cocoa-y goodness (the powders even have real cocoa powder in them).

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