A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict
I went for a walk around San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter after dinner and ran into a whole lotta randomness.
My nightmare key chain
Home away from home
Apparently, Tabs took a modeling job without telling me
Nothing says classy like a sparkly pink San Diego flask
Salted caramel Pinkberry, nom
A pup in the elevator
Concealer is one of those products that makeup artists often quarrel over. Do you use it under or over foundation, with or without a corrector, only for dark under-eye circles, or do you use it for blemishes, too? And some people even question whether you need to use it at all, proposing that perhaps some can rely on a fantastic foundation instead.
Every makeup artist has a different opinion when it comes to concealer or a different technique, but one thing most of them agree on is this: MAKE UP FOR EVER Full Cover is an industry favorite, and tonight we’re going to explore why.
MAKE UP FOR EVER is one of the few professional level cosmetics lines available to the general public, thanks to Sephora and a handful of boutiques in New York and across Europe, and that means that all of us, professionals and enthusiasts alike, can pick up any of their products without presenting an industry card or a list of credentials.
But this isn’t a brand overview (we’ll save that for later). Let’s focus tonight on one of the company’s most beloved products, Full Cover Concealer ($30, available in 12 shades).
Starting with the packaging — gorgeous! Black borders with a see-through section in the middle so you can tell exactly how much product you have left? I like. And it comes in a squeezable plastic tube, which I prefer to other designs because it lets me get every last bit of product out without having to hack into the package. To apply, just unscrew the black cap to reveal the near-needle nose applicator.
Fortunately, the product inside the packaging is just as gorgeous as the packaging itself. Full Cover is silicone-based, and formulated without any oils, so it’s great for all skin types. Since silicone molecules are larger than pores, they don’t gunk up the works. That’s means the product is non-comedogenic, and perfect for acne-prone skin. The silicone also creates a sort of webbing, like a primer, that shouldn’t accentuate flakey patches, which also makes it suitable for dry skin.
There’s absolutely no fragrance to aggravate sensitive skin, either, and I can attest to it being A-OK for my oily and sensitive skin.
Like other silicone-based products, Full Cover doesn’t mind oil at all. I’ve yet to see it rub off, fade, or become mottled on my oil-slicked face. And when my eczema flares up, it works wonders at covering up the redness while not drawing any unwanted attention to the irritated areas.
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Speakers from left to right: Jane Byers Goodwin, K.T. Bradford, Polly Pagenhart
Talk about fantastic! My first of two BlogHer sessions here today was one of the most interesting classes I’ve taken in a while. I love it when the instructors actually sound like people you’d like to get to know in real life. I actually laughed out loud a couple times!
As you can probably tell by the title of this post, the first session I attended here today was about writing and editing, two very important aspects of not just blogging, but also day-to-day life.
Most of us probably have the need to convey something clearly in print, and so I hope that even if you aren’t a blogger, you’re still able to take something useful away from this.
The speakers…
Jane Byers Goodwin
@mamacita
Social Media Specialist, Writer, Speaker, Internet Watchdog, Absentminded Professor, Education Advocate/Critic, Mommy
janegoodwin.netK.T. Bradford
@ktbradford
TechGeek, ChicGeek, Just Plain Geek — Writer at Notebooks.com and Android Central
ktbradford.comPolly Pagenhart
@lesbiandad
Utterly unable to contain myself to 140 chars. But will try valiantly. Wish me lu-
lesbiandad.net
Here are some tidbits I grasped and managed to jot down. These shouldn’t be taken as direct quotes, as I was repeatedly distracted by all of the stylish looking girls in the room. 🙂
K.T.: The biggest thing I’ve learned is that writing is rewriting. My biggest message today would have to be that the first draft you put out there might be pretty good, but you shouldn’t be afraid to rewrite.
K.T.: Most of us have learned these skills [about grammar] at one point, but they get pushed aside because we’re busy, etc. The purpose of this session is to help you tighten up your prose so that it makes the fullest impact.
JANE: Often the first draft is the one that comes out that’s closest to our hearts, but people will notice your grammar and your spelling before they notice your message. Often if your spelling and grammar aren’t good, your message will be lost. With my students, I call this the trust factor.
K.T.: What underpins good writing? Voice does have quite a bit to do with it, but having an authentic voice isn’t necessarily about writing the way that you talk. It’s more about making sure that the things you’re passionate about are being delivered clearly. Try not to let grammar rules trip you up too much.
K.T.: Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott, is really an excellent book. In it she has a chapter called Writing the Sh*tty First Draft. You should never be afraid to write a sh*tty first draft. Don’t be afraid to let that first draft come out in your natural voice. The first draft is where you want to let your authentic voice shine through without it being blocked by editing. The best way to preserve your voice is to just let it out.
JANE: Spell check is not your friend. Spell check hates you. Spell check is your enemy. Use it for a once through, but it doesn’t know the difference between affect and effect.
JANE: Serious pieces require serious checking. Little folksy pieces, not so much. Never use a four-syllable word when a two-syllable word will do. It makes us sound pretentious, and none of us need to do that unless we’re writing about fine wine.
Spell check was here…
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Three dollars? No way. I can’t believe this gloss is just $3.
E.L.F. Glossy Gloss in Dragon Fruit just might be my new favorite glitter-less pink gloss. Without a doubt, it’s my new favorite $3 one. I mean, you can’t even cross a bridge around here for $3 anymore (to cross the Golden Gate Bridge costs $6!).
Eight shades live in Glossy Gloss, E.L.F.’s line of hi-shine glosses with a creamy finish, and Dragon Fruit, a pinkish peach with medium pigment, is my first. The hint of peachy pink it bestows upon my lips is noticeable, but not high maintenance.
Sula Beauty Lip & Cheek Tint in It’s Not Me It’s You ($8), available now at Ulta stores and also online.
Like Willie Nelson says, I’m on the road again, and what goes great with travel?
Games! 🙂
I thought it might be fun to hold a few giveaways while I’m here; tonight’s features a product near and dear to my heart. MAC Blushbaby was the very first MAC blush I ever purchased (not this exact pan, of course…because that would be gross), and it ended up being the only blush I wore for years.
Before Blushbaby, I don’t think I ever wore blush at all. Then, one random day, a friendly MAC artist introduced me to this sheer, pinkish beige powder (it produces a lovely, natural-looking flush), and look at me now — hooked! Turns out Blushbaby was my gateway blush.
Warm up those fingertips because our giveaway starts in three, two, one…
One lucky lady will win…
Swatch of Blushbaby on NC42 skin
Blushbaby on cheeks
I think Blushbaby looks great on pale pretties and darker divas alike. I can’t remember ever seeing it on anyone and thinking, “Hmm…” It’s a great everyday shade that looks fantastic on a wide range of skin tones.
Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You know how in boy bands there’s always that one dude whose name you can never remember? He was usually stuck in one of the back corners, probably put there by a choreographer because perhaps his high kicks weren’t quite up to par?
Well, MAC Mulch would not be that guy.
If it were, say, one of the members of New Kids on the Block, Mulch would be Jonathan. Doesn’t hog the limelight, but you’d still tape his picture up in your locker. He’s not quite Jordan (MAC Freshwater) or Joey (MAC Chrome Yellow), yet he’s still an important member of the band.
Shimmery brown Mulch has been one of my go-to neutrals since 2007 (I remember because I wrote about it on the blog). MAC describes it as reddish brown with bronzy pearl, but it reminds me more of a bronzy milk chocolate brown.
I think it really complements warm-toned skin — oh, and this is unrelated, but I’ve seen it look incredible on gals with hazel eyes.
I love taking pictures of orchids. 🙂
