Guest Post

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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My Foundation Routine (A Collaboration With Marcella)

April 18th, 2016 by Adia Goss 23 Comments

When it comes to applying my foundation, I’ve had a bit of trial and error over the years. When I first started wearing foundation, I just used my fingers. That was back when the heaviest base I’d wear was a super sheer tinted moisturizer, so anything more than my hands seemed like overkill. Then I played around with flat synthetic foundation brushes but couldn’t avoid a streaky finish. My foundation game really stepped up when I started using the Real Techniques buffing brush.

I got it last year, and it changed my life. I don’t even know what I was doing before I started using it, and I swore I’d found “the one.”

But then the makeup sponge hit the scene, and once I tried the Real Techniques makeup sponge…wow. I put down that buffing brush and haven’t used it a single time since. The makeup sponge was PERFECT. I got a flawless finish and, once again, swore I’d never use anything else.

And I didn’t…for about a month.

But when I started using the Diorskin Nude Air Healthy Glow Serum Foundation (that I wore in this post and reviewed in this post), the makeup sponge didn’t quite work. The Dior foundation was just as thin as the L’oreal one I’ve been using lately, but for some reason, the makeup sponge just didn’t produce the finish I was looking for.

I tried the Real Techniques buffing brush, but I couldn’t get a great finish with that either. Since I’d recently gotten a set of Zoeva brushes, I also tried the Silk Finish brush that came in the Luxe Complete Set, and it worked better, but I felt like it took too much work to blend everything in.

Enter the Sephora Collection #53 brush, which turned out to be PERFECT. It’s a wide, flat brush, so it covers a lot of surface area pretty quickly.

foundation brush — Sephora Collection #53 Pro Full Coverage Airbrush.

I love that it only takes a few swipes to cover my face, and it applies my foundation with no streaks. I’d bought it last summer, but for some reason (probably something newer caught my eye), I used it like crazy for about a month, then put it aside.

This just reminded me that sometimes there’s a bit of trial and error in makeup… One tool may work perfectly with one foundation but be totally wrong with another. So, now when someone asks why I have so many makeup brushes, I’ll have an answer ready! 🙂

Because Marcella described her foundation routine earlier today, here’s how I apply my foundation:

Prime my face. To be totally honest, I don’t always apply a separate primer, although I 100% believe that it can make my makeup look better, longer. I’m just lazy and/or in a hurry most mornings. Plus, I’ve been using the new Giorgio Armani UV Skin Primer SPF 50 lately (which I LOVE). When I have the time, I really like to add the Becca Backlight Priming Filter before my foundation. It has a lightly glowy finish, but it’s not over the top (a similar effect to the MAC Strobe Cream).
Mist my makeup brush. I used my Glossier Soothing Face Mist because I am obsessed with rosewater, but a makeup primer or setting spray, or even water will work. I think misting my makeup brush helps it spread my foundation easier.
Apply my foundation starting at my nose and blending out. I just use a couple of drops of the Diorskin Nude Air Healthy Glow Serum Foundation.
I set this foundation using shade ND020 from the Zoeva Nude Spectrum Blush Palette. Like I mentioned in my first impressions video, since this blush is close to my skin color, it totally works as a setting powder!
After applying blush and highlighter, spray the Glossier Soothing Face Mist all over my face. I’m obsessed with facial mists, and spraying them on my face feels so luxurious!

*A note about this foundation: I really like it but had a couple of hiccups before I finally got it to work for me. I initially bought shade 5 (which I was wearing in this post), and when I first wore it at the store, it looked fine. But wearing it out and about during the day, it felt too orange. I actually think this foundation may oxidize slightly, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re interested in it. So, I exchanged it for shade 4, which I felt was too light at first, but when I asked my brother if my foundation was too light, he was like, “You’re wearing makeup?” (LOL…men!). And, looking at these pictures, it looks fine. The finish is very natural. I was expecting a more glowy finish due to the name, but it’s really a satin finish, which makes sense given that it’s called “healthy glow”. I like that it’s so lightweight, and considering that I only need 3-4 drops to cover my face, this 1-oz. bottle will last a very long time.

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My Foundation Routine (A Collaboration With Adia)

April 18th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 3 Comments

My go to: Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free Makeup in Linen ($24 for 1 oz.)

Hey, everyone! Today I’m collaborating with the lovely Adia to show you how I wear my foundation (she’ll be sharing her post later tonight), and also try out a new brush I haven’t gotten a chance to work with yet, the Heavenly Luxe Complexion Master, No. 16, from It Cosmetics ($58).

Now, I don’t often wear foundation (I typically go for a lighter coverage BB cream), but when I do want heavier coverage, these are the products I like to use.

First, I start with a moisturized and primed face, and for primer, I go for e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer. It’s a good dupe for Smashbox in my opinion, although the formula seems to have changed recently, because the smell isn’t quite as pleasant as it once was…

Heavenly Luxe Complexion Master No. 16 brush ($58)

This brush has a lot of plusses, but on my first run through with it doing my normal routine, I noticed that I was really dry and cakey.

Then I remembered something Adia recommends sometimes, which is to wet the brush. So, while doing my look for this post, I made sure to spray some rosewater on the brush before buffing it into my makeup.

I could have used setting spray, but the scent and the whole effect of using rosewater are just so much more appealing to me.

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The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 6: Collistar

April 15th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 9 Comments

If I had to choose the ultimate beauty brand to represent Italy, I’d definitely pick Collistar. I don’t know if that’s because they have been around (and popular) as long as I can remember, or because of how they’ve really been highlighting their “Italian-ness” over the last few years through their Ti Amo Italia (I love you, Italy) marketing campaigns. All I know is that Collistar just screams “Italy” to me.

It’s a high-end brand, and they make literally everything from makeup, to skin-, body-, and hair care. I think their biggest strength is being able to offer high quality products at a reasonable price (think Clinique’s price range).

Their limited editions are always beautifully interesting, but in their permanent lineup you can find lots of unmissable products, as well. Let’s have a look at a few of my favorites! 🙂

Collistar TWIST Ultra-Shiny Eyeshadow in Bronze

Collistar TWIST Ultra-Shiny Eyeshadow in Bronze is my all-time favorite eyeshadow to use in the summertime. It gives lids the most beautiful wet-looking wash of caramel color, and it’s so, SO amazing!!! If you don’t believe me, check out this picture I posted on my Instagram last summer… Not bad, eh?

If you can get your hands on this fantastic little stick, remember that you have to apply a thin layer over primer and buff it in with your finger; otherwise, it’ll crease pretty easily and you’ll end up hating it, while it just deserves to be loved with a passion! 😉

Collistar Graphic Eyeliner in 3 Valeria Blue

If you have brown eyes and you’ve never used blue liner, you’ve been totally missing out! Blue eyeshadow can be tricky to use sometimes, but I feel like you just can’t go wrong with liner. It will bring out your iris color without being too over the top.

I always get compliments on my eyes and makeup whenever I wear Collistar Graphic Eyeliner in 3 Valeria Blue. The color is an amazingly vibrant cobalt blue, while the formula is opaque, easy to use and long-lasting.

I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something other than black to mix things up a little!

Collistar TWIST Ultra-Shiny Gloss in 207 Coral Pink

I think this TWIST Ultra-Shiny Gloss is one of the most user-friendly lip products I own. The twist-up stick means that it’s very convenient to apply and just pop in your purse for touch-ups, AND it contains hyaluronic acid and procollagen to help lips stay nicely hydrated.

Its coral pink hue and juicy finish make it ideal to use in the warmer months.

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The MAC Future MAC Collection: A Closer Look at the Mineralize Rich Lipsticks and Glasses

April 15th, 2016 by Anna Oh 16 Comments

Mineralize Rich lipsticks future mac collection — (L-R) MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks in Cybernaut, Supernova, Ionized, Metafabulous, Touch the Earth

Hi everyone!

I’m still unpacking from our recent move (I know…I’m ON IT), and I’ve had limited access to my art supplies and even internet. But I am reading and enjoying all of your wonderful comments, and I can’t wait to get back in the illustration groove soon!

In the meantime, I thought I’d give a closer look at the new lip products in the Future MAC collection (which is available now).

Future MAC collection Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

supernova future mac lipstick — Future MAC Mineralize Lipstick in Supernova

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2 Awesome Skin Clearing Masks: boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment and Origins Out of Trouble

April 15th, 2016 by Adia Goss 17 Comments

I’ve been dealing with more breakouts than usual over the past six months or so and have been struggling to find the right products for my skin. I haven’t wanted to use anything too drying or harsh, because my skin can be sensitive sometimes, but my normal routine of exfoliating once or twice a week wasn’t doing enough.

The Origins Out of Trouble 10-Minute Mask To Rescue Problem Skin I discovered a few months ago has really helped. It has been so good for treating breakouts and helping keep my skin clear.

Some of the main ingredients are sulfur and salicylic acid, but it somehow doesn’t dry or irritate my skin. If my skin is really going crazy, I’ll apply it all over my face once or twice for a week, and it’ll quickly reduce the size and redness of any bumps. Or, sometimes I’ll spot treat and just apply it directly to blemishes as needed.

I’ve tried other acne treatments in the past, but Origins Out of Trouble is probably going to be my new go-to for acne (here’s more info on how I deal with acne).

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Sun-Stripping: Finally a Makeup Trend I Quite Like

April 15th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 21 Comments

Sun Stripping Makeup Trend How To — My first attempt at sun-stripping, the latest makeup craze

I’ve realized that for an obsessive makeup lover, I don’t follow the beauty trends very much at all.

Contouring? I’ve always been a fan of a lightweight base, and the less products I use on my skin, the better.

For the sake of experimenting, I’ve tried to apply concealer in a reversed triangle shape under my eyes, and even that was too much for me. I couldn’t stand the feeling of concealer beneath the area where my dark circles are. Heavy contouring is definitely not for me. A subtle contour powder under my cheekbones is as far as I’ll go with the trend.

Strobing? Well, I’ve been naturally strobing since the early 2000s thanks to my pesky sebum overproduction, so no need to douse myself in highlighter.

Color correcting? Because of my hereditary dark circles (Sebum overproduction… Hereditary dark circles… Sexy, eh?), I’ve been using Bobbi Brown’s or a similar peach-toned corrector for years, and they work. Should I switch to bright orange just because it’s on trend? I don’t think so.

See what I mean? This mama’s not much of a trend follower…but I actually do like one of the latest makeup crazes, called “sun-stripping.” Who would’ve thought?

Have you heard of sun-stripping before? It’s easy-peasy! It consists of placing bronzer on the part of the face that usually tans first if you spend much time in the sun. It’s that little strip that runs from one apple of the cheek to the other.

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Unsung Makeup Heroes: Kat Von D Metal Crush “Thunderstruck” Eyeshadow

April 14th, 2016 by Anna Oh 17 Comments

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

Hi everyone!

Now, as someone who has a weakness for color, eyeshadows are very dangerous territory for me.

I’m a total neutral lover and, as of quite recently, a color lover too…unfortunately for my wallet. I usually try to buy my eyeshadows in palettes or sets (like the Make Up For Ever shadows) to save money, but every now and then, there are some singles that I can’t be alive without.

(Ummm…this would include eyeshadows like Rose Gold by Ardency Inn and Pretentious by Makeup Geek.)

And one of my FAVORITES of those is Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck ($21).

I first found out about it on Kat Von D’s Instagram a couple months ago, because it was the #1 selling item (or maybe it was the #1 eyeshadow?) at Sephora. I honestly didn’t really need any more convincing at that point, but after some research, I saw that people were using it as a highlighter, too, and then I REALLY didn’t need to be convinced anymore.

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