Face

I’m OBSESSED With These Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blushes

June 14th, 2016 by Adia Goss 38 Comments

becca luminous blush — I need help picking a favorite!

OK, so I’ve been eyeing these $34 Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blushes for the longest time. There are six of them now, and I actually fell in love with the shade called Blushed Copper back when it was sold as a “blush topper,” also known as a super intense highlighter, last summer. I bought it when it was limited edition and promptly fell in love. It was super pigmented, super shimmery and just…super smooth and blendable. Very super. So when I heard that Becca was expanding the “Luminous Blush” collection this year, I cheered!

These six shades do not disappoint, and when I think of this year’s spring makeup launches, for me, this one’s top three. It’s the formula. It’s incredible!

I tend to stick with the same group of basic blushes for my workday wear, but I think as far as shimmery blushes go, these really stand out for their unique formula. I know that MAC has some frosted blushes…but these Becca Luminous Blushes blow them out of the water.

They’re insanely pigmented and smooth, and the color payoff is brilliant. You barely need to tap your brush on one of them to get this level of pigment, and because they are so pigmented, you don’t need to put a lot of product on your face. It’s not like you have to cake these blushes onto your face or do a ton of layering to get true-to-pan color.

And the sheen? SO beautiful, and so, so perfect for this time of the year.

Well, who are we kidding? These work any time of year, but I do like to go crazier with glow and shimmer in the warmer months.

I could go on and on about these blushes!

But I won’t. I’ll just give you the details…

There are six shades, so if you’re into shimmering or luminous blushes, you should be able to find one that works for you. I have a hard time picking a favorite, so maybe you guys can help!

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A Drugstore Jamboree! My Weekend With the Almay Smart Shade Products

June 6th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 10 Comments

Wearing Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in Ivory 100, the 140 Trio for Greens on my eyes, Smart Shade Blush in 30 Coral on my cheeks and Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipstick in 40 Red-Light on my lips

Do you ever want to go to the drugstore and fill your basket with new makeup to try out a whole new look?

That’s something I could never do at a high-end makeup counter, but sometimes it’s fun to take maybe $25 of fun money to buy drugstore colors I’d NEVER even think to purchase from a department store line — you know, just to play. It’s like what I used to do when I first started wearing makeup (at home only, I promise mom!) as a young teenager.

That’s kind of like what I did with these Almay products a couple weekends ago — have frivolous fun and experiment — and I found some things that definitely deserve more attention than they get in the blogosphere!

For starters, I can’t believe I’ve never noticed Almay’s Smart Shade Blushes (about $12). The stars sculpted into the powder are all-American (the brand’s slogan is “the American look”) but also classic Sailor Jerry style nautical stars…so you know that this tattooed makeup lover is all about the way these look.

With these pans, like with regular ombré blushes, you can vary the depth of the shade you want for your cheeks, and the pans also have a shimmery strip that you can glide your brush over when you want to.

I love the look of Coral blended out on the apples of my cheeks with a pop of the lightest shimmering peachy pink on the tops of my cheekbones.

Almay Smart Shade Blush 20 Nude and 30 Coral (about $12 each)

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How to Choose the Perfect Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Formula to Be a Glowing Goddess This Summer

June 3rd, 2016 by Jen Clark 8 Comments

Becca Opal collection — The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors come in liquid, cream, and powder form!

My nightly routine consists of getting into some comfy jammies, snuggling my boys in bed and, as soon as they fall asleep, that’s my YouTube time. From the time I discovered YouTube beauty videos in college all those years ago, I can’t sleep until I watch the newest videos from my favorite beauty gurus.

And a lot of the time when they’re talking about highlighters, Becca’s in the conversation! Now after finally using them, I see what all the fuss is about.

Opal is my favorite Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector shade. It’s the perfect champagne, and I think it looks stunning on everyone. They’ve got some other shades as well that are more cool toned, and some that are more golden, so there’s something for every skin tone out there.They also come in three formulas — Liquid (the O.G. Skin Perfector), Poured (which is a cream), and Pressed (which is a powder).

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Opal ($41 for 1.7 oz.)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in Opal — Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Opal

I love how versatile the liquid version is. There are at least three different ways you can use it, like you can use it as a primer and apply it all over your face before your foundation for a really subtle lit-from-within glow.

Probably my favorite way to use it is to mix it in with my foundation. I just put my foundation on the back of my hand and mix in about half a pump, and it makes your foundation gorgeously dewy! Be warned, though — it’s suuuuper glowy, and if you’re already oily, it may be a little too much for your skin.

The last way I like to use it is as my highlighter. After my makeup is all done, I tap just a little bit on the top of my cheekbones and blend it out with my beautyblender.

But I usually only use it that way on lighter makeup days, because I don’t like to put liquids on top of powder. It can kind of chunk up, so I only use it when I haven’t set my makeup with a powder.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Crème in Opal ($38 for 0.17 oz.)

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The Classic, Now in a Value Size: Limited Edition Value-Sized NARS Orgasm Blush

June 3rd, 2016 by Anna Oh 10 Comments

So…#whatmakesyoublush?

For me? Spicy food, walking around on a cold day, and a little swirl of this Limited Edition Value-Sized NARS Orgasm Blush ($39, 0.28-oz).

I can’t open a magazine without seeing pictures of this iconic pinky peach blush in a shoot or reading an inspiring woman casually mention that it’s one of her go-to’s. I think it has to be one of the most famous blushes in the world.

And now it’s SUPERSIZED. This limited edition $39 value size has the same amount of product as a full-sized 0.28-oz. NARS Bronzer (compared to a regular 0.16-oz. $30 NARS Blush, which is about 40% smaller).

Why Orgasm? Because it’s a chameleon…

NARS Orgasm is sort of like a chameleon, and if you don’t already have one (or more) pans in your collection, it’s a classic. It can be subtle or dramatic; warm or cool. I’ve tried Orgasm dupes in the past, but most of them run peachier/pinker/darker/more metallic, and none of them hit the mark like NARS Orgasm does (hmm…).

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With Their Sunforgettable Sunscreens and Lip Shines, Colorescience Makes SPF Stand for “Sublime Protection Factor”

May 31st, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 13 Comments

Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush on Sunscreen and Lip Shine — Wearing Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush on Sunscreen in Fair ($57) and Lip Shine in Coral ($29)

The steamy summer months can be hard on makeup lovers. Those of us who live in warmer climates may be more adept at making our makeup widthstand the sweltering heat and summer sun, but given that I live in a very cold climate (Wisconsin), I’m not always ready for the onslaught of “glow” (*cough* sweat *cough*) that often compromises the longevity of my makeup.

More importantly, sun protection is a must, and to be honest, as far as this pale-skinned girl is concerned, sun block is always a must (rain or shine, blizzard or heat wave). And it’s important every day, too, and not just on days at the beach or afternoons at the park.

Colorescience calls itself a premium “all-in-one” suncare company, and they’ve combined makeup sun protection, makeup powdering and on-the-go summer life in one convenient package. The brand’s Sunforgettable range is something you’ll definitely want in your beach bag!

Available in four matte shades and one shimmer, Sunforgettable Brush on Sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 30 or 50) is perfect for sun-conscious on-the-go ladies.

Remove the cap and twist to reveal a brush pre-loaded with powder mineral sunscreen tailored to your complexion.

Fair has become my faithful companion. It’s easy to blend and chemical free. I dust the sunscreen on as a setting powder, and throw the tube in my purse when I leave the house. Rather than reaching for a blotting powder or paper mid-day, I just reapply Sunforgettable Brush on Sunscreen to ensure that I’ve re-upped my sun protection.

The SPF 30 version, which retails for $57 a tube, includes 11.8% zinc oxide, 21% titanium dioxide, iron oxides and calcified red algae.
The SPF 50 version, which retails for $64 a tube, includes 24.1% zinc oxide, 23.9% titanium dioxide, iron oxides and calcified red algae.

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Say “Bye Bye Pores” With It Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakthroughs

May 27th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 16 Comments

Sometimes I just want to be a poreless alien babe… A couple weeks ago I was at a drag show, and a queen named Kylie Minono was passing shots of vodka to the people seated behind me. She apologized for reaching over me and told me that vodka can sink into your pores. “But wait, do you even have any? Girl, what do you use and where can I get it?”

Well, you can get it at Ulta! It’s a $29 pressed translucent powder aptly named Bye Bye Pores (which you’ve probably heard of by now) from It Cosmetics.

_MG_2527_web — See? Exactly. You can’t because there’s nothing there. I’m wearing NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Terre Nueve as my base.

Let’s backtrack for a second.

I don’t have large pores, but they can get clogged pretty easily, so I try to let my skin breathe as much as I can. Luckily, I’m a workaholic who barely has time for breakfast, let alone fierce wings before work. I wish I did, but I also like sleep.

When I have dry patches, healing spots, or just want the smoothest finish possible, I reach for a silicone-based primer. If I’m getting ready during the day, I reach for Murad’s Invisiblur Perfecting Shield. It stands out to me because it’s a primer with SPF 30. Since I can’t step outside without sun protection, it’s a godsend. While I wear it on light makeup days too, I usually wear it all on its own. I like that it offers protection without making me look shiny. I also love products that let you know exactly how much you have left, because running out of a staple without even knowing it was close to empty is not a great way to start the day.

_MG_3164_web — Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 / PA+++ (1oz) $65

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Dear Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation: It’s Not Me, It’s You.

May 26th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 32 Comments

Dear Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation,

I really wanted to love you. I really tried to make it work, but today I realized I have to let you go.

When we first entered each other’s lives, I had stars in my eyes. I’d heard what everyone had to say about you, and they were nothing but great things. So I grabbed my favorite buffing brush as of late and got to work.

Oh, my god. I couldn’t believe it — you were so easy to blend, to build, and your finish was so even and just… perfect. I’ve never seen myself with so few freckles, but then again, I don’t generally go for fuller coverage foundations like you.

_MG_3162_web — Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer ($27)

As I went on with the rest of my makeup, I kept remarking at how amazing my base looked. It seemed like we were quite a match, but there’s something you should know… I don’t really fall easily, or ever at all. I can’t help but anticipate disaster.

_MG_3102_web — “This photograph is my proof. There was that afternoon, when things were still good between us.” – Duane Michals

While we seemed to be compatible on so many levels, you were a few shades too dark for me from the get-go. Love can require some sacrifice, and I understood that.

So we went out into the world together, and I was feeling like a total boss.

Eventually, the dream started to fade and reality began to set in. A few hours after we left, I looked in the mirror, and you separated across my skin the way oil beads up around water. It didn’t help that you weren’t quite my shade, which just exacerbated the visibility of our impending separation.

_MG_3155_web — Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer in 5 Breeze compared to Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation in Y205 Alabaster

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With Laura Mercier Colour Dots and Baked Blush Illuminé, You Get the Glowing Cheeks of a Girl From an Impressionist Painting

May 25th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 9 Comments

I’m often inspired by art when I get ready in the morning — and not always modern art, à la Andy Warhol or iconic images of Twiggy — but sometimes, like during the deepest and darkest parts of winter, I’ll think of a novel or a particular Renaissance painting and try to recreate the spirit of the work or, if it’s a portrait, the glow surrounding the subject.

Sometimes with Laura Mercier I think of impressionist paintings, and it’s not hard to see similarities between some of Laura Mercier’s muted greens, steel blues and rich sienna browns and a color palette used by Claude Monet, right?

That’s perfect for me, as I love that romantic flush on the faces of so many impressionistic heroines. If you gaze at a Renior, you’re sure to see a glowing rose pink, and when my skin is at its most sallow or pale during the winter months, that’s the look I most like to create with my blush.

Thanks to the new Laura Mercier Colour Dots ($32) and Baked Blush Illuminé in Rose ($42), I’ll be glowing like a painting for months.

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